Across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, hundreds of Indian expatriates, ranging from those who have called the United Arab Emirates home for half a century to infants only a few months old, gathered early on Friday to participate in flag-raising ceremonies commemorating the 79th anniversary of Indian Independence Day.
Driven by a sense of pride and patriotism, attendees, waving the Indian national flag, participated in events organised by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai. The timings of the celebrations were adjusted slightly earlier this year to accommodate the intense summer heat. Many individuals assembled before sunrise to pay tribute to India’s liberation from British rule on 15 August 1947.
In Abu Dhabi, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, presided over the flag-hoisting ceremony, while in Dubai, the Consul General of India, Satish Kumar Sivan, unfurled the tricolour. Both diplomats shared excerpts from the Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day Address to the Nation.
Cultural Performances and Exhibitions
Following the flag-raising ceremonies, vibrant cultural performances took place, including renditions of patriotic songs and captivating classical dances. The event in Abu Dhabi also featured an exhibition of tribal art and a display highlighting India’s counter-terrorism initiatives, framed by the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. In Dubai, an exhibition showcasing the historical evolution of the Indian national flag was held.
For Ambassador Sudhir, this flag-hoisting event held particular significance as he prepares to retire from diplomatic service next month. He stated, “There can be no greater honour than representing one’s country and flying the Indian tricolour.”
He expressed his gratitude to the Indian community in the UAE for their unwavering support in strengthening the ties between India and the UAE. “Each of you is a true ambassador of India, representing our glorious country and carrying the Tiranga in your hearts. Your hard work and trust have solidified this vital partnership,” he remarked.
Strong Bilateral Relations
The Ambassador emphasised that the relationship between India and the UAE is “stronger than ever” and that the past decade has been transformative. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit in 2015—the first by an Indian PM in 34 years—noting that the Indian diaspora has grown from 2.2 million to over 4.5 million since then.
He further noted that the India-UAE partnership demonstrates generational continuity, citing the recent visits of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to India, both at the personal invitation of PM Modi.
Developments in Education and Technology
Ambassador Sudhir announced the upcoming opening of the IIM Ahmedabad campus in Dubai next month, marking a significant milestone in academic collaboration. Other key developments include the establishment of the IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi and the launch of the CBSE’s first overseas office in the UAE.
He also mentioned ongoing efforts to integrate India’s UPI payment system with the UAE’s AANI platform to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions.
He highlighted the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi as a “symbol of our shared ethos of peace, harmony, and tolerance.”
He reaffirmed the critical role of the Indian community, describing them as “one of the most critical socio-economic pillars of India-UAE relations.” He also mentioned his plans to visit a labour camp later in the day to honour workers and commended Indian professionals for their contributions to the UAE’s growth and India’s global image.
Ambassador Sudhir also conveyed his appreciation to the UAE’s leadership for their “graciousness and generosity” towards the Indian community.
Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan acknowledged the large early-morning turnout, noting that there had been concerns about attendance due to the rescheduled timing. However, the strong presence, he stated, “shows the love and affection that we have for our Motherland, that we have for the tricolour.”
He spoke about India’s rapid progress and how “Indians abroad are today a powerful force,” excelling in various fields such as technology, healthcare, business, and politics.
“The India-UAE relationship is what it is today, thanks to the foundations laid by the Indian community here,” he said, thanking them for building bridges of friendship between the two nations.
He added that the partnership is rooted in trust and shared goals in sustainability, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship, supporting both India’s aspiration to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 and the UAE’s Vision 2071.
He also expressed his gratitude to the UAE government and the Rulers of all the Emirates for their kindness in providing the Indian community with the space to thrive.
Personal Reflections on Independence Day
Nirmal Singh, who works in the hospitality sector, mentioned that she left her home at 4:45 am to pick up her visiting brother and arrived at the consulate by 5:30 am. “It was worth the wait. It is a wonderful celebration of our country. When they sang the songs, I was moved to tears.”
Mohana Rao and her mother, Nawal Rao, who have been residents of the UAE for five decades, stood out with their Levantine appearance, but behind it lies a proud Indian heritage. Mohana’s grandmother was a freedom fighter who marched alongside Mahatma Gandhi, while her father fought in two wars for India.
“My grandmother had walked with India’s Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi… My father helped maintain the freedom that his mother and other freedom fighters gifted us,” said Mohana, a senior executive at an investment firm.
She added, “So, wherever I am in the world, I make it a point to attend the Indian Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations. It is not only an honour but an obligation to not only free a nation but to maintain it.”
Abdul Rasheed, a businessman from Kerala who arrived in Dubai in 1977, attended the event draped in both Indian and UAE flags and proudly carried six Indian passports. “It is a day to proudly display my roots and hail my country and my love for the UAE,” he stated.
Shelly Sharma, a homemaker, arrived with her three children—daughters Tanusha and Ridham and son Roshnik, who is just nine months old—and emphasised the importance of involving the younger generation in celebrating their culture and heritage. “We attend the celebrations every year. But, this time, it is special as this is the first time my son is attending,” said Shelly.
Tanusha, a 15-year-old student at GEMS Modern Academy, shared, “I was born and brought up here, and I never celebrated Independence Day back home. But, in Dubai, it never feels like we are away from home, and it feels nice to see how we come together to honour our country even though we are from different parts of India.”
Similarly, Mohammed Ayoub, a sales professional, brought his three children dressed in the tricolour. His youngest son wore a soldier’s uniform. “We always celebrate at home with big flags. This time, I decided to come and join the celebration at the consulate, and it is a great feeling,” he said.
“It feels like I am in India. The unity in diversity of Indian people here in Dubai is beautifully shown. The Dubai government has given us the freedom to do that. I am proud that I am an Indian in Dubai, and I thank our freedom fighters on this occasion,” added his daughter Rifa, 13, a student of Gulf Indian High School.