Republic Day Of India Celebration In Geneva: Sounds, Sights, Tastes – And History

Friends and followers of the nation and culture of India gathered in Geneva this week to celebrate India’s Republic Day, with a ceremony and feast held in the halls of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization. Among the many achievements and areas of growth mentioned of the rising economy was its prowess in generic medicines production.
At the event, Amb. Rajeev K Chander made the remarks and also on behalf of Amb. J S Deepak and Amb. Singh Gill. Many people were attired in lush colours and elegant Indian dress in the crowded hall.

The ambassador’s remarks on the day honouring the 26 January 1950 Constitution of India highlighted the extraordinary size of India’s population, the “world’s largest democracy,” and that it is “poised to become one of the largest economies globally with an annual growth rate of around 7 – 7.5% in the last few years.”

He referred to IT and IT-enabled services, “one of India’s fastest-growing sectors,” with $120 billion in software exports last year. India ranks third in the world with 4,770 technology driven startups in 2016, he said.

The ambassador also highlighted the Digital India initiative of 2015, which aims to “transform India into a digitally powered society and a knowledge economy.”

Other highlighted issues were “inclusive growth,” and its space and satellite program.

Generic medicines were also a highlight mentioned by the ambassador:

“India is the pharmacy of the world being the largest supplier of generic medicines meeting 20 percent of the world’s demand,” he said in prepared remarks. “Over 80 percent of the antiretroviral medicines used globally to combat AIDS are supplied by the Indian pharmaceutical industry.”

And he mentioned that “Yoga was given international recognition when the UNGA [UN General Assembly] adopted the resolution in 2014 declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga. In addition to Yoga, Indian traditional medicine is gaining increasing popularity worldwide.”

India is an ancient civilization but a young nation with a mean age of 28 years, he pointed out, which means that nearly 650 million Indians are less than 28 years of age. Therefore, he said, “the 3Ds – Democracy, Demography and Demand are the driving forces that are propelling India forward.”

He cited the nation’s history, and current form of government which came into being in 1950. He also mentioned its long relationship with the Associate of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Mountain Silence

A spiritual atmosphere was provided to the event by music of a group called Mountain Silence and friends,” performing music of Sri Chinmoy. The group was introduced by Sonia Klabnikova of Geneva-based Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance,

She said Sri Chinmoy is “an Indian composer, artist, sportsman, philosopher and an untiring emissary of peace, who also used to lead the Peace meditation group at the UN headquarters in New York.”

Mountain Silence is an ensemble of all women musicians whose members live mainly in Zurich, Germany and Austria, said Klabnikova. The group was founded in 1988 with the inspiration to “pass the message that the real peace begins in ourselves, in the heart of every individual and then it spreads to all parts of the world.”

“The pure and uplifting tunes of these songs are characterized by deep inwardness and joyfully ascending dynamics,” she added. “They allow the listeners to feel the peace and beauty of their own heart so be free to get carried away or dive deep in the enchanting melodies.”

“And it is on that note that the group strives to use this heartfelt music as a channel to promote harmony, oneness and understanding among all countries and cultures because there is far more that unites us than divides us,” she said. “These are essentially the core principles that the United Nations is built upon and which we fully and proudly support.”

She ended with a quote by Sri Chinmoy from one of his songs:

“India is not just a place.
India is not just a people.
India is the celestial music,
And inside that music
Anybody from any corner of the globe
Can find the real significance of life”.

Conclusion

And then with intellectual and soul nourished, came the extraordinary tastes of foods for all palates. Here is the menu:

 

Image Credits: Permanent Mission of India