Celebration of 75 Years of India’s Independence ,that is, Azadika Amrit Mahotsav

The Indian embassy in Khartoum issued a statement on the occasion of the Indian independence

Here under the full text of the statement:-

As a part of the celebrations of “Azadika Amrit Mahotsav” for commemorating and celebrating 75 years of Independent India and for celebrating 75th Independence Day, H.E. Ambassador Mr.Ravindra Prasad Jaiswal hosted India@75 Reception in the evening of the 15th August at Hotel Corinthia, Khartoum.

2. The event was inaugurated by lighting of an auspicious lamp by Chief Guest H.E. Eng. Hashim Hassab-Alrasoul Hashim, Hon’ble Minister of Communication and Digital Transformation, Government of Republic of the Sudan accompanied by H.E. Dr. Siddiq Tawer, Hon’ble member of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, H.E. Amb. Al Zain al Sadiq al Zain, Head of Asia Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Gen. (Rtd.)Fadllalah Burma Nasir, Chairman National Umma Party, Mr. Ali Mahdi Nouri, famous Sudanese artist and UNESCO Ambassador for Peace, Ambassador of India, Mr. Ravindra Prasad Jaiswal and his spouse Mrs. Amrita Jaiswal.

3. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Ravindra Prasad Jaiswal highlighted that India@75 lays special emphasis to inspire and awaken the present generation of Indians, in India or abroad, to lead India to acquire enough economic strength, technological vitality and moral leadership to actively shape a “New India” and a new world order. He also highlighted the journey of last 74 years of Independent India wherein the country has made significant progress in all walks of life such as polity & public services; socio-economic development; scientific and technological advances, including hi-tech and frontier areas likes of medicine, defence, space, IT&AI, renewables, peaceful uses of nuclear energy etc. He also highlighted historically warm India – Sudan relations and India’s contribution towards inspiring the independence movement, institution building, strengthening of democratic process and building of legal framework of pre and post-independence Sudan and express readiness of India to assist Sudan as per its capability.

4. The Chief Guest in his remarks highlighted the time-tested and strong India-Sudan bilateral relations and mentioned that India is a vital partner to Sudan for development. He highlighted that India has always stood by Sudan during tough time and expressing gratitude towards India’s assistance including supply of emergency medicine during Covid-19, food aid during the pandemic and LoC for the thermal Kosti power station. He also expressed desire to benefit from Indian experience in IT field including e-governance.

5. Speaking to media during the event, Dr. Siddiq Tawer, Hon’ble member of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, commended the India-Sudan relationship, historical- civilizational interactions and mutual values that connect the peoples of the two countries. He also hailed the renaissance achieved by the India and affirmed Sudan’s keenness to widen the scope of cooperation between the two countries.

6. During the event, Professor Al Amin Abu Manga, former Head of African and Asian Studies, University of Khartoum, spoke about the very old links between India and Sudan through trading and culture activities and mentioned that India means a special model of resistance of colonization and real democracy for Sudanese.

7. H.E. Gen (Retd.) Fadlullah Burma Nasir spoke of his experiences when he was posted as the Sudanese Defence Attache in New Delhi in the eighties and how India-Sudan ties are so aptly symbolized by the Sudan Block at India’s Tri Service National Training Academy (NDA) for armed forces. He also mentioned the regular allotment of a number of vacancies at the NDA and other service training institutions in India to Sudan Armed forces on fully paid basis. Mr. Ali Mahdi Nouri also shared his experience about India and its diverse culture, especially how the Bollywood has connected the two countries and their peoples.

8. The event was very well attended by about 200 guests including many Sudanese government dignitaries, including Mr. Hamid Al-Bashir Ibrahim, Governor of South Kordofan State, Mr. Al Siddique, DG, Telecom & Post Regulatory Authority of Sudan, members of the diplomatic corps and international organizations, well-known people from the cross-section of Sudanese society, friends of India and members of Indian community.

9. On the occasion, Ambassador also handed over the PravasiBharatiyaSamman Award-2021 to Dr. Anil Kumar ChotalalMithani, a prominent Sudanese national and PIO.The award has been conferred on him by the Hon’ble President of India in January 2021 for Dr. Mithani’scontributionsand services in the field of medicine.

10. The Embassy also launched the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)’s Global digital Painting and Poster Making Competition on the celebrations of the “AzadikaAmritMahotsav” and inviting artistic expressions on the theme “My Idea of India” which may include how the artist envisions India of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The details of the competition are available on the social media/webpages of the Embassy and also on the linkwww.iccr4art.com

11. A Video Message from Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India, on the occasion of celebration of “AzadikaAmritMahotsav” by ICCR in Delhi which also had a medley of Indian dance and music, was screened. It is also available on the social media/webpages of the Embassy. An Arabic subtitled short video entitled “AzadiKaAmritMahotsav” presenting a few glimpses on India’s journey as a country was also screened. An ode to Lord Ganesh in classical Odissi dance form was also performed by a girl fromthe Indian community during the event.