THE Indian community yesterday celebrated the country's 60th anniversary of independence in a host of activities.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Embassy, in Adliya, attended by officials and community members.
Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty hoisted the national flag and read out a message by President Prathibha Patil on the occasion.
Children from the Indian School and Asian School sang patriotic songs and The Indian School band also performed.
The community's cultural celebration of the diamond jubilee of Indian Independence was officially launched last night.
The opening programme was a dance recital by the world-famous Mamata Shankar Dance Company of Kolkata.
Contemporary dancer Mamata Shankar made her Bahrain debut in a cultural programme organised by the community to commemorate the occasion.
The invitation-only programme, organised under the patronage of Mr Shetty, took place at the Indian School's Jashanmal Auditorium, Isa Town.
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa deputed Ambassador Karim Al Shaker to represent him as the chief guest of the ceremony.
Former minister Abdul Nabi Al Sho'ala was the guest of honour.
Ms Shankar, an esteemed dancer, choreographer and actress, is the daughter of legendary dance icons Uday and Amala Shankar, the niece of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, and the sister of musician-dancer Ananda Shankar.
The 90-minute performance included an interpretation of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's classic literary offering Discovery of India as well as set pieces that explored the interplay between man and nature.
The ballet programmes were directed and choreographed by Mamata Shankar and her husband Chandrodoy Ghosh.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was also held at The Indian School.
School acting chairman Nizaruden Lebba raised the flag in the presence of students, teachers and other staff members.
Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam president G K Nair hoisted the national flag at the club's Manama premises.
The flag was also hoisted at the Kerala Catholic Association, Segaiya by president T O Joy and at the Indian Institute of Performing Arts, Segaiya, by principal A Ambilikuttan yesterday.
A celebration was held by the Indian Overseas Cultural Congress Bahrain Chapter at the Kalavara Restaurant auditorium, Salmaniya, to mark the occasion.
The event was opened by GDN associate editor Soman Baby and presided over by cultural congress president Samuel Kizhakkupuram.
Indian Club president Mathew Joseph was the keynote speaker.
Cultural congress officials Raju Kallumpuram, James Koodal, Sayed Alawi, Shaji Samuel, Thomas Kattuparambil and Ajit Kumar also spoke.
An entertainment programme was organised by the cultural wing, followed by a seminar entitled Independent India - Achievements and Challenges.
An year-long celebration by the cultural congress to mark the diamond jubilee began last week.
Public awareness programmes, symposiums, open forums and free medical camps have been planned, as well as expatriate welfare programmes.
Political leaders and government officials are expected to attend the celebrations, which will conclude on August 15 next year.
The Independence Day will also be celebrated by the Indian Club in co-ordination with other Indian clubs and associations in Bahrain.
Attraction
The main attraction of the event at the club's Gudaibiya premises tomorrow at 6.30pm is a light and sound show entitled Vande Mataram.
Nearly 100 local artists will participate in the show, directed and choreographed by Radhakrishnan Thiruvathur.
It will feature India's struggle for independence.
All are invited and for more information, contact 36488933.
Members of the Konkan Singers Club will also celebrate the event at the Papillon Restaurant, Manama tonight.
The event, which starts at 8.30pm, will also feature a birthday celebration for members' children, with a variety of games.
Children under 12 will be admitted free.
On August 28, the Embassy has organised a qawwali programme by the famous Warsi Brothers and their eight-member qawwali troupe under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
The programme will take place at the Cultural Hall and for more information, contact on 39861266.
The Rami Group of Hotels held a flag hoisting ceremony at the Windsor Tower Hotel, Juffair, attended by Mr Shatti group general manager Shantharam Shatti and other staff members.
The Kerala Social and Cultural Association, Gudaibiya, held a flag hoisting ceremony, attended by acting president S M Pillai.
Meanwhile, a free medical camp for Indian workers is being organised by the Indian Community Relief Fund to commemorate the occasion.
It will begin at 7pm tonight at the Embassy, where senior medical consultants will examine more than 250 workers.
The participants will be served dinner sponsored by Atlanta Jewellers.
begena@gdn.com.bh
