The event was attended by H.E. the High Commissioner of India Mrs. Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat , Members of the Ministry, Ambassadors from various Embassies and Business people. The event was covered by local media.
Speeches were given by the President of the Association Mr. Chris Michael, H.E. the High Commissioner of India Mrs. Madhhumita Hazarika Bhagat, H.E. Political Director Mrs. Thessalia Salina Shambos and Head of Cultural Unit, Mr. Stelios Georgiades, both from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event was a great success. The President of the Association speech is as follows:
This eveningโs event is a celebration of the 75th Year of Indiaโs Independence.
On August 15th, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the Indian Nation with a new Declaration of Independence and became the FIRST Prime Minister of India. India began its first Independence Day celebration and its first day free of the British Empire.
The people of India remember the freedom fighters and martyrs whose sacrifices have enabled them to live in an independent nation.
The ethos of the freedom struggle formed the foundation of a modern India.
India were fortunate that Mahatma Ghandi was the guiding light of the freedom movement. As much a saint as a political leader, he was a phenomenon and his quest for equality and justice is the MANTRA for todayโs India.
Today, India is the worldโs 6th largest economy and the long-term growth prospective remains very positive due itโs young population and increasing globalisation in India and integration into the global economy.
India is the world’s largest manufacturer ofย generic drugs, and itsย pharmaceutical sectorย fulfills over 50% of the global demand forย vaccines.
India has a thriving IT industry, and it ranks SECOND globally, in food and agricultural production. Also, the tourism industry contributes about 9.2% of India’s GDP and employs over 42 million.
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in February 1962, Cyprus and India have traditionally enjoyed excellent relations, based on deep friendship, mutual respect and close cooperation, particularly in the context of international organisations. Over the decades, this relationship has grown stronger, including in the economic and trade field, while prospects of furthering bilateral ties are more than promising in the coming years.
Both countries adhere to democratic values, norms and principles governing the conduct of states in international affairs. Both countries support similar positions on major regional and international issues and have collaborated constructively in the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international fora.
I would like to thank all the staff at the High Commission of India and especially the High Commissioner of India Mrs. Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat for their continued support to our Association. Our Association has made good progress in attaining its objective, which is the strengthening of the cultural, scientific, commercial, technological and tourist relations between Cyprus and India. Also, to increase the interaction and cooperation between our two countries and make the ties between our peoples even closer and more meaningful. We always count on the support of the High Commission in the work and aims of the Cyprus- India Cultural Association.
We have proved that relations between a very big country and a small one are not necessarily based on the imposition of the will of the big state on the smaller one, but on amicable cooperation and understanding.
Cyprus has supported India on numerous international bodies and remains one of Indiaโs dependable friends. Within the EU, Cyprus contributes actively toward the further enhancement of India-EU relations, within the framework of their Strategic Partnership. In this context, Cyprus recognizes and greatly appreciates Indiaโs positive contribution in global affairs and its prominent and stabilizing role in South Asia.
