The tricolour fluttered proudly at Indian missions across the globe today with envoys hoisting it to the melodious strains of the national anthem as hundreds of Indians and friends of India gathered to celebrate the country's 69th Independence Day.
In Australia, hundreds of Indians converged at the iconic federation square building in Melbourne today to celebrate the Independence day and attend the flag hoisting ceremony.
The tricolour was unfurled by High Commissioner Navdeep Suri and Bollywood star Anil Kapoor in the presence of other VIPs, dignitaries and a huge crowd.
Speaking on the occasion, Suri said the unfurling of flag at the iconic federation square was a matter of great pride for Indians living in Australia.
Kapoor, who received a warm welcome, said: "this is a very emotional moment for us with the Indian flag flying at federation square."
In Bangkok, India's ambassador to Thailand Harsh Vardhan Shringla unfurled the national flag at the Indian mission. At least 750 Indians and ethnic Indian Thais attended the event as Shringla read out excerpts of the President's speech.
This was followed by singing of patriotic songs by the children of Modern International School of Bangkok and various Indian associations here.
The national flag was unfurled across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by Indian envoys.
Hundreds of Indians thronged Indian missions in Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Laos, Cambodia Indonesia to attend the ceremony. The number at the events was large at most places with today being a weekend holiday.
In Hanoi, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Preeti Saran unfurled the tricolor. Around 300 people attended the event.
"This year's function had an unprecedented level of participation from the Indian community, partly because it was a weekend and because there are large groups of temporary workers from India at IBN, Microsoft/Nokia and other MNCs that recently moved to Hanoi," Saran told PTI.
In Tokyo, India's ambassador to Japan Deepa Wadhwa unfurled the flag at the Chancery premises. More than 500 Indian nationals attended the programme.
Students from Indian International School in Japan, Global Indian International School in Japan and Tathva International School performed patriotic songs.
In Singapore, the Indian High Commission celebrated the Independence Day at the Chancery with an open house, hosting more than 1,000 Indians in the citu-state.
High Commissioner Vijay Singh Thakur read out the President's message while students from local Indian schools sang patriotic songs.
Indians from all walks of life and business community leaders attended the two-hour celebration.
