National Day Message by H. E. Mr. Sanjay Rana, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Bulgaria

India celebrated its 73^rd Republic Day on 26 January 2022 to mark the day in 1950 when India was established as a "democratic republic" and its "people" put into effect a Constitution that represented a collective vision to inspire India. 

The Republic Day 2022 celebrations were special as India will reach an important milestone of 75 years of Independence in the year 2022. This important milestone is being commemorated as "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" or "Grand Festival of Independence" to mark 75 years of progressive and independent India and to celebrate the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

On the eve of the Republic Day, the President of India Mr. Ram Nath Kovind led the country in remembering the great freedom fighters who showed incomparable courage in their pursuit of the dream of independence for India. He expressed confidence that India is well placed today to meet the challenges of the future. He said that India has taken a leadership position on the world stage in showing the way on climate change, especially with its bold and ambitious push for renewable energy. He also urged the youth to take advantage of the new opportunities and set new benchmarks of success. 

In the spirit of close and friendly relations between India and Bulgaria, the Republic Day was celebrated by the Embassy of India in Sofia with Indians living in Bulgaria as well as Bulgarian friends of India. In the run-up to the Republic Day, Indian Embassy organized several events in collaboration with Indo-Bulgarian cultural and friendship groups such as the East-West Indological Foundation, Friends of India Club (FIC), India Association, Bulgaria-India Women Association (BIWA) and Devam Foundation to celebrate the festivals, traditions and achievements with the Indian diaspora in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian friends of India. 

During the month of January, 9 January was celebrated as "Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas" or the day of Young Indian Diaspora Abroad. "World Hindi Day" was celebrated on 10 January with presentation of songs by the Indology students of the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a great social reformer of India in the 19th century was celebrated on 12 January as the National Youth Day with melodious songs presented by the Sri Chinmoy Centre of Sofia.  On 14 January, Embassy celebrated the Indian festivals of Lohri and Pongal with the India association with Sun Yoga, traditional bonfire and dance. 

On the occasion of St. Vasil Day or the Roma New Year on 14 January, the Indian embassy welcomed Roma Students who came to give their good wishes for the New Year and they were presented with gifts.

On 15th January, the Embassy and the Bulgaria-India Women Association (BIWA) celebrated the festival of "Makar Sakaranti" (Festival to mark the Sun moving northwards) with a competition to make "Rangoli", a traditional Indian floor art made by the ladies in front of their homes to invite good tidings.

On 23rd January, Embassy celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of freedom fighter "Netaji" Subhas Chandra Bose, who established Indian National Army in 1942 to fight for securing independence for India from the colonial rule.

This celebration of "Grand Festival of Independence" is dedicated to the people of India who have been the most important force instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey. It also recognizes that the people of India hold within them the required power and potential to achieve the vision of India 2.0 based on "Atmanirbhar Bharat" or self-reliant and strong India as laid out by the Government of India headed by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.

In conclusion, the diversity and vibrancy of India as a democracy is appreciated world-wide. It is this spirit of unity and of being one nation which is celebrated every year as Republic Day. This year’s celebrations may be muted due to the pandemic, but the spirit is as strong as ever. India and Bulgaria share friendly relations based on strong foundations of mutual trust and our multi-faceted partnership is growing in traditional as well as emerging areas of cooperation, including investment and trade, agriculture, science and technology, culture and close people to people ties. 

The photos are provided by the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Above: H. E. Mr. Sanjay Rana, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Bulgaria, and representatives of the Indian Diaspora in Bulgaria are celebrating the 73rd Republic Day at the Embassy.

Down:

1. Performance of Indian dances by Katya Tosheva’s group on the occasion of Republic Day
2. Celebration of "Makar Sakaranti" festival together with the Bulgaria-India Women's Association on January 15 at the Embassy
3. Celebration of the National Youth Day on January 12 with songs performed by the group of Sri Chinmoy in Sofia
4. Celebration of the World Hindi Day on January 10 with song performance by students from the Indology department at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"