Indian Social Forum Celebrates 72nd Independence Day in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia: The 72nd Independence Day of India was celebrated by the Central Committee of the Indian Social Forum Riyadh at the Al Mas Restaurant Hall in Riyadh on August 15. People from different states and religion from India were present during the occasion which itself was a living example for unity in diversity.
The programme was inaugurated with the unity song. T T George, the second secretary of the Indian Embassy was the chief guest. After inaugurating the programme, T T George said, “Many civilizations have come and gone but the Indian civilization in the world is getting wealthy day by day”.
Social Forum Central Committee president Harris Angaragundi Mangaluru presided over the programme and welcomed the gathering. In his presidential speech, he urged everyone to continue their good work for the Nation as well as for the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the gathering, Indian Social Forum convener Afzar ul Haq said, “India was formed based on the concept of ‘Unity in diversity’ and it becomes every Indian’s responsibility to safeguard it”.
He further expressed concern over the growing insecurity and lack of unity in the nation. He also said that the people who are operating on lines of fascism today are teaching the lesson of Nationalism to the ones who were in the forefront to make India free from the British rule, Freedom of speech, freedom to express thoughts is being curbed systematically by killing progressive thinkers and social activists, anyone who speaks against the ruling government are being termed as anti-nationals which is against our democratic and constitutional values.
The killings and lynchings that are taking place in the name of cow and child trafficking are embarrassing Indians present all over the world. He also said that since the current government in India has no development works to present during the upcoming elections, they are setting agenda to divide India into religious lines and gain votes. He requested the people not to fall on such traps of fascism.
Engineer Salman Khalid-Former President of Aligarh Muslim University Old Students Association, Basheer Ingapuzha -President of India Fraternity Forum Zonal Committee, Mariyappan – Air India Airport Manager, Srinivasan – Vice President of L & T company, Mohamed Hanif Shaikh – Qidma Foundation Vice President, Ajmal PV – President of MES, K N Vasiph – Arab News reporter, Idavanna Ubaid- president of Media Forum. All the guests delivered the message of independence to non-resident Indians. The organizers requested the gathering for special prayers for the people of Kerala and Karnataka suffering due to floods. The programme concluded with the National Anthem.
Basheer Karandur, General Secretary of Social Forum Central Committee, welcomed the gathering and Central Committee member Rasheed Kasimi Kerala delivered the vote of thanks. Abdul Basheer compered the programme.
