The 26 January celebrations of India's Republic Day were organized in style by the Embassy of India in the Czech Republic to commemorate the 75th year of India‘s Independence from colonial rule, being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ - with a series of yearlong events, both in India and abroad.
On this day, the national flag is unfurled throughout India accompanied by singing of the Indian national anthem – this takes place in state and local government venues, as well as in schools, universities and other similar institutions. The most important event is held in New Delhi where the President and Prime Minister take active part. There is a parade with participation of people from all walks of life to highlight the cultural diversity of India including the strength of armed forces and other security agencies.
To commemorate this special year, several firsts took place during the main parade in India‘s capital, New Delhi, including a grand flypast by 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force; cultural performances by 480 dancers selected through a nationwide dance competition; display of ten scrolls each of 75 metres prepared during the ‘Kala Kumbh’ event and a drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones has been planned for ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, along with projection mapping.
In the Czech Republic several curtain raiser events: an interaction with Indian students, an international yoga and wellbeing conference, a cultural program by the students of an Arts School culminated in an official Reception at the Prague Congress Centre.
On January 21, at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University in Brno, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic, celebrated the Republic Day with the students of the University with the support of the Dean of the Faculty Prof. Martin Repko, Ph.D. Ambassador also discussed with the Indian students their experience of studying in the Czech Republic. The faculty management agreed with the Ambassador to cooperate in finding partner universities in India with the aim to facilitate student exchanges and to establish expert cooperation in science and research.
On January 22, an international conference took place in the largest European yoga centre (ashram) of the Yoga In Daily Life NGO in the Czech village of Střílky in the Kroměříž District[1]. Ambassador and Indian yoga Guru,Vishwaguru Swami Maheshwarananda were the keynote speakers at the conference. Ambassador highlighted the importance of the Republic Day of India while appreciating the long-term work of Vishaguru Maheshwarananda and the Yoga in Daily Life organization in spreading the good name of yoga and India in the Czech Republic. Dr. Kateřina Sheardová, head of the Memory Center of the International Clinical Research Center at St. Anne's Teaching Hospital in Brno, introduced the participants to the use of yoga and the System Yoga In Daily Life in the prevention and treatment of the consequences of the COVID disease, including memory disorders and psychological problems.
On January 23, Ambassador attended a musical performance and drawing exhibition organised by students of the Revnice Arts School as a part of the Republic Day celebrations. This was also an occasion to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the great Indian freedom fighter, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
The celebrations culminated with a reception which was well attended by Czech dignitaries and diplomats. Mr. Jiri Kozak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs graced the occasion as the chief guest and the Czech Army military band regaled the audience with instrumental rendition of Czech and Indian national anthems.
Ambassador also expressed his appreciation to the Mayor of Liberec city, Mr. Jaroslav Zámečník, for his gracious gesture of lighting up the City Hall in colors of the Indian flag on this occasion.
On this occasion, Prime Minister of India also conveyed his personal greetings to Mr. Jakub Janda, Director of European Values Center for Security Policy, Prague and appreciated his work on global security policy.
[1] Střílky hosts the largest European centre of the international non-profit organisation Yoga in Daily Life, founded by the Indian Yoga Master Vishwaguru Swami Maheshwarananda. He has been coming to the Czech Republic regularly since 1973 to lecture on yoga spirituality and philosophy and to train yoga teachers.
