Indian High Commision holds flag raising ceremony
By James Kon

Indian High Commissioner completes the flag hoisting ceremony

Members of the Indian community at the ceremony

In conjunction with the 54th Republic Day of India, the Indian High Commission held a flag hoisting ceremony at the premises of the High Commission at Jln Sungai Akar yesterday morning.

The High Commissioner of India to Brunei Darussalam officially hoisted the Indian national flag followed by the country's national anthem.

Indian High Commissioner Mr Ajai Choudhry conveyed the address to the nation by the President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to hundreds of Indian people who attended the flag hoisting ceremony.

In the President's address, he said that the Indian economy had shown a very robust and consistent growth indicated by the recent 8.4 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter of 2003-2004. The foreign exchange reserve has crossed the B$100 billion mark and continues to rise, making India one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

With this year's theme, "Smile on a Billion Faces", the Indian President also underlined ten profiles of competitive India which the nation has to achieve, namely:

- A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy

- A Nation where the rural and urban divide has been reduced to a thin line

- A Nation where there is an equitable distribution of energy and quality water

- A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony, absorbing technology thereby resulting in sustained wealth generation leading to higher employment potential

- A Nation where education is not denied to any meritorious candidates

- A Nation which is the best destination for most talented scholars and scientists

- A Nation where the best healthcare is available and the diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, water borne disease, cancer and cardiac disease are extinct

- A Nation where governance uses the best of the technologies to be responsive, transparent, free from corruption

- A Nation where poverty has been totally alleviated. Literacy and crime against women are eradicated and society is unalienated.

- A Nation that is one the best places to live in on earth and brings smiles to a billions faces

Guests present at the ceremony later had the opportunity to meet and greet the Indian High Commissioner, before proceeding to some light refreshments.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin