Indian community celebrates Republic Day

Members of Tameside’s Indian community flew the flag for the nation’s Republic Day.

The date is a national holiday in India and commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of India and the country’s transition to a republic, which came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Republic Day observed every year by Indians all over the world.

In Ashton the Shri Bharatiya Mandal (SBM) Indian Association Tameside hosted a memorable flag raising and musical evening at their centre to mark the special date. 

Following the flag raising ceremony an evening was held featuring a talented line-up of local young performers, who captivated the audience with a mix of classical and contemporary performances. 

The two Bollywood singers Kavitha Rajput and Dinesh Kochhar’s heartfelt renditions resonated deeply with the spirit of Republic Day, fostering a sense of unity and national pride among the attendees.

The event also served as a charity fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the AIM Trust organisation in India which aims to improve the lives of underprivileged communities, young girls and visually impaired children.

The event was attended by the Civic Mayor of Tameside Cllr Betty Affleck and her consort Declan Fitzpatrick and local councillors.

The Mayor said it was lovely to celebrate the flag hoisting ceremony and support for the AIM Trust in India was ‘fantastic’.

Host for the evening Supriya Prakasam said: “The success of this event truly highlights the spirit of giving back. It’s incredible to see everyone come together to celebrate Republic Day and contribute to such meaningful causes.”

The musical evening not only provided an opportunity for cultural celebration, but also served as a reminder of the power of music to unite and uplift. 

The event organisers and SBM expressed its gratitude to everyone involved and looks forward to continuing with charitable initiatives in the future.

Kantibhai Mistry assistant Secretary added: “We are delighted so many people attended the event and £1,800 has been raised.” 

On Saturday, March 22, SBM will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its establishment in Tameside.