MILPITAS: While India celebrated its 67th Republic Day at Rajpath in New Delhi with élan and in tight security with French President Francois Holland as the Chief Guest, Bay Areans too came in large numbers to celebrate India’s Republic at the India Community Center, Milpitas organized by Indian Consulate General in San Francisco.
At a function held at India Community Center on January 26, Consul General Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok led celebrations of India’s 67th Republic Day that included dance and musical performances and remarks from elected officials and community leaders on the strength of the bond between our two countries.
Earlier in the day, Consul General Ashok hoisted the Indian National flag at 9.00 at Gadhar Memorial (5 Wood Street, San Francisco). CG Ashok extended his warmest greetings to all across the country and also to those living abroad, saluting the Indian Flag. This was followed by singing of Indian National Anthem. He read out the speech of Indian President Pranab Kumar Mukherji. The President’s message stressed India’s support for peace, stability and development in its neighborhood.
San Francisco CG Ashok spoke on recent PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Bay area and stated that it was a historic beginning. He also spoke on the successful Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas which was held in Los Angeles last month. Joining the Consul General were Jerry Thorne, Mayor of Pleasanton; Jose Esteves, Mayor of Milpitas; Manny Cappello , Mayor of Saratoga; Emily Lo, Vice-Mayor of Saratoga; Ash Kalra, Councilmember of San Jose; Savita Vaidhyanathan, Vice-Mayor of Cupertino; Jim Davis, Councilmember of Sunnyvale; Rishikumar, Cuncilmember of Saratoga; Mary-Lynne Bernald, Councilmember of Saratoga and many other elected officials from all over Bay area.
It was a nice and lavish event with over 300 Bay Area’s elite, businessmen and community members attending the nearly three-hour event followed by a scrumptious dinner catered by Jalsa Catering.
The Republic Day in India is celebrated every year with great pomp on 26th of January to honor the Constitution of India as it came into force on the same day in the year 1950. It had replaced the Government of India Act, 1935 as the governing document of India. On this day, a national holiday is declared by the Indian Government. The new Indian Constitution was sketched and approved by the Indian Constituent Assembly. It decided to celebrate the event on 26th of January every year as India became a republic.
Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok graduated in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1982. Ambassador Ashok has held diplomatic assignments in Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Austria and Sri Lanka, apart from postings in the Ministry of External Affairs in different capacities.
India Post News Service
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