The High Commission of India in Nairobi on Saturday celebrated India's 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour, bringing together more than 1,200 members of the Indian diaspora and Friends of India for a flag-hoisting ceremony at India House.
High Commissioner Dr Adarsh Swaika unfurled the Indian National Flag, followed by the singing of the National Anthem, as members of the community gathered to mark the country's Independence Day.
Swaika later read excerpts from an address by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to the nation on the eve of the celebrations.
In her address, the President said India was making steady progress towards the goal of building a “Viksit Bharat”-a developed India- by the centenary of independence in 2047.
She emphasised the principle of Antyodaya, under which development should reach every section of society, while highlighting India's economic growth, expansion of modern infrastructure, digital transformation and increasing focus on women-led development.
The President also highlighted India's growing role as a voice of the Global South.
In his remarks, Swaika reflected on India's progress since independence and called on the Indian diaspora to contribute to the country's ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address from the Red Fort earlier in the day, the High Commissioner highlighted the vision of “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, which outlines seven streams of national strength to drive India's journey towards self-reliance and developed-nation status.
The seven areas include manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, modern connectivity and infrastructure under Gati Shakti, defence preparedness and national security, the green and blue economies, and India's soft power.
India's soft power includes areas such as Yoga, Ayurveda, culture, tourism, cinema, creative industries and digital content.
Swaika also highlighted the growing relationship between India and Kenya, describing Kenya as one of India's foremost partners in Africa.
He pointed to increased momentum in bilateral relations through high-level visits, institutional engagements, trade and investment, development cooperation and growing cultural ties between the two countries.
The celebrations also formed part of the “Surya Path Tiranga”, a global digital relay organised under the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
The initiative traces the journey of India's national flag across different time zones, with Indian diplomatic missions around the world joining the relay as the sun moves from east to west.
A special focus of this year's celebrations was the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram”, India's National Song.
Community artists performed a rendition of the song before participants joined in mass singing. An exhibition showcasing the history, legacy and role of Vande Mataram in India's freedom movement and national consciousness was also mounted at the venue.
The Indian community in Kenya showcased the country's cultural diversity through a series of performances.
The programme featured Kalakshetra Kenya, Nairobi Women's Group, Dhoom Macha Le Group, Rangeela Group and Anushiva Group, alongside performances by the Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple Band.
The High Commissioner also presented awards to winners of four competitions aimed at deepening knowledge of India and encouraging creative engagement with its heritage and development journey.
The competitions included the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz, My India Story Competition, India Through My Lens Photography Competition and Viksit Bharat@2047 Painting Competition.
The winning entries were displayed during the celebrations.
The High Commission said the enthusiastic participation reflected the strong bonds within the Indian diaspora in Kenya and the enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Kenya.
As part of the Independence Day commemorations, Swaika also laid a wreath at the Nairobi South Cemetery, paying tribute to Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War.
