It was a celebration of culture, tradition and all things India as officials and dignitaries marked the 77th Republic Day of India in style at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town on Monday. 

The event was attended by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and other distinguished guests, highlighting not only the strong ties between India and South Africa, but was mainly held to mark India’s journey as a republic.

Consul General Ruby Jaspreet warmly welcomed many to the launch of the “India@CapeTown30”, where not only was India’s democracy honoured, but also 30 years of India’s diplomatic presence in Cape Town.

“Today is the day we adopted our Constitution in 1950. While we remember the adoption of these democratic values, I think it is a good time to remember how democratic values also bind India and South Africa together. 

“To do so, we are very happy that we have as our chief guest here with us, Premier Alan Winde. I was just mentioning to the premier that all the activities we have been able to do here, all the engagements we’ve done, are because of the absolutely wonderful support we get from the Western Cape Government.

“Today is also special because we finished 30 years of our presence in Cape Town. We first opened our office here in January 1996. We were then the Office of the High Commissioner. 

“Eventually, we became a consulate in the year 2009, and now to mark these 30 years of our presence, we planned year-long celebrations and events under the banner India@CapeTown30,”  Jaspreet said.

Jaspreet touted the success of the partnership between the two countries, touching on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came here for the G20 summit in November, but also the Overseas Citizenship of India (the OCI) facility to 6th and 7th generation Indians as well.

“As most of you will know, we are 1.7 million Indian origin people in South Africa, and now this facility is extended to younger generations, so it speaks well of the people-to-people ties that both our nations share.”

In his address, Premier Alan Winde said he was honoured to be celebrating the 77th Republic Day of India, and he said that when you look at the two nations, you look at the export, you look at the import.

“India is a great partner to be a partner with, being the economic powerhouse (it is), and we are exporting $4.62 billion worth of products to your country. For us in the province, it is R42 billion worth of exports that we export to India. 

“In the last 10 years, South Africa has 47 foreign direct investments into our country, and 11 of those have been into this province. And of course, I just have to look up, and I see many of those industries that have invested here in our region and their representatives,” Winde said.

Winde touted that the country’s relationship goes back hundreds of years, with India having a massive influence on the country’s culture and food.

“You’re part of who we are, because we are a melting pot of so many people from around the world. But none so influenced us as (much as) the Indian population of South Africa. And so for that, we thank you. 

“We look forward to the next era of engagement, and we look forward to the next 77 years of your republic and how it influences the world.”

Winde then officially launched India@CapeTown30, which is a year-long engagement to celebrate the country’s partnership. One of the first on the horizon is the Young Indian’s Professionals Network, which connects young professionals for networking, mentorship, and counselling.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

Source link