Ambassador of India to Ireland, H.E. Akhilesh Mishra, unfurled the Tricolour and read out the Address to the Nation by the Honourable President of India at the celebration of the 77th Republic Day of India in the premises of the Indian Embassy in Dublin. Despite weather issues, the event had enthusiastic participation by a large number of Indian community members and Irish friends of India.
Ambassador Mishra highlighted that the real value of the celebration of Republic Day lies in all Indians re-dedicating themselves to the values and ideals enshrined in the Constitution, which is the foundation of Indian democracy, as well as the source of the rights and freedoms we enjoy. He stressed that rights originate from, and can be sustained, only by the discharge of duties by the Indian society. He reminded that the Preamble of the Constitution obliges all Indians to promote fraternity and ensure the unity and integrity of the country.
The Fundamental Duties in the Constitution also require all citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities; as well as to safeguard public property and to abjure violence. He pointed out that for an extremely diverse and pluralistic country like India, imbibing Constitutional ideals and adopting them in daily life is essential to build a harmonious, inclusive developed nation.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Mishra highlighted the remarkable growth in India-Ireland relations, particularly in overall two-way bilateral trade which crossed US $ 18 billion (Euro 16 billion) in 2024 compared to about US $ 5 billion in 2021.
He applauded the contribution of the Indian community of around 100,000 in strengthening multi-faceted bilateral ties and promoting mutual understanding and goodwill among the people of both countries. He also appreciated the strong connection maintained by the community with India and Indian culture.
He specially highlighted the services of women in the Indian community, who are not only outperforming their male counterparts professionally, but also leading in voluntary efforts to preserve Indian languages, dances, arts and musical traditions of their respective regions and teaching them to the younger generation.
The ambassador also briefed the community about various initiatives of the Embassy, which are guided by the Indian Government’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat’. In this context, he mentioned the hosting of 23 events under the Embassy’s ‘State Cultural Series’ to showcase the cultural richness and potential in trade and tourism in the individual focus States.
These were possible thanks to the active support and participation of artists and community members from various States.
