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Record turnout for I-Day celebrations in France

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

The rapid growth of the small Indian community in France was in evidence on Wednesday, as a record number of people turned out to celebrate India's 54th Independence Day.

Unlike in the past, when Independence Day used to attract about 150 people, more than 500 were present to mark the occasion this year.

The day's events began with the unfurling of the tricolour by Indian Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, followed by the national anthem. Sibal also read out President K R Narayanan's message to the nation.

In his address, Sibal briefed the audience about recent developments in Indo-French relations and the strength it had been gaining over the last few years.

Sibal said only economic ties remained a bit weak and urged the Indian community to take the lead in boosting Indo-French trade and investment relations.

The speech was followed by an extensive cultural programme that featured Hindustani classical music and Odissi dance.

The programme began with a dance set to the national song, Vande Mataram. Ritu Mohan Kaw, an MBA student in Paris, choreographed the performance.

This was followed by classical vocal music by Paris-based singer Kakoli Sen Gupta. The programme concluded with an Odissi performance by another Paris-based artiste, Devasmita Patnaik.

For the attendees, the day had different meanings.

Madhusudan Sukhwal, an engineer in France for over 30 years, said it was a very emotional day. "The day we gained our independence will always remain a very emotional one for me because there is nothing more important than liberty. Being so far away from home only adds to the meaning of the day."

In sharp contrast, a 20-something Mayank Mathur was indifferent. This was the first time in his three years in Paris that he attended the celebrations.

"I don't know what we have to celebrate and whether we have really made any progress since our independence in solving long pending problems."

Mathur, an MBA student, said India should take some radical steps to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"How long can we continue to bear such heavy losses in keeping Kashmir when even the people there don't want to stay with us?"

Later in the day, another cultural programme was held at the Maison de l'Inde (India House) where most Indian students and scholars visiting Paris stay.

The residents organised a barbecue party, along with Indian folk dances like bhangra. The evening ended with the screening of old favourite Sholay.

Indo-Asian News Service

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