Indian high commissioner hosts Republic Day fete

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

When one thinks of India, at the cerebral level, Mahatma Gandhi and the colossal independence fight he spearheaded may come to mind. How he rallied his nation's people in their quest for self-rule and freedom of the dictates of their colonial master, Britain, by employing what is now termed the Satyagraha - a term meaning the opposition to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, founded on the principle of non-violence.

Socially and contextually, this seems like aeons ago, as India and its critical role in the Commonwealth and its rich history and culture make for a much older independent nation than Jamaica. So imagine the disconnect in attending India's Republic Day, on January 26, to be told that India, which seems like a towering giant in the independence movement, is technically, just 12 years older than Jamaica? Now, please note the use of the word 'technically', as the 26th is the day chosen to honour the Declaration of Independence in 1930, and is one of three national days on the Indian calendar!

alcohol-free event

On Republic Day, Indians the world over commemorate the anniversary of the day their homeland gained independence from its colonial masters. In Jamaica, Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover and his wife Vardeep led their countrymen and well-wishers in marking the 62nd anniversary of Republic Day by hosting a commemorative reception at their official residence, India House on East Kings HouseRoad. And what an event it proved!

As receptions and the observance of national days go, this was a reception with a difference as it was alcohol free. So for libations, guests were treated to cocktails of fruit juices and carbonated beverages! The absence of alcohol, however, did not dampen the mood and sense of celebration that was the meat of the occasion. Guests were treated to a number of traditional Indian songs and dance, covering the spectrum of Indian culture by a number of very talented dancers, versed in the cultural ways of their motherland. It made for a most beautifully entertaining and enriching experience!

The cultural offerings were followed by a brief address by the host, who spoke to the journey and contribution of his nation since its independence, as well as framing Republic Day in historical repose. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh brought greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica. He was as fulsome in praise of the people of India and their contribution as he was generous in his commendations of the strength and unity that have marked the relationship between the two countries. With the observance of official protocol, it was back to cocktails and luvs, it can be said that what was missing in alcoholic content was more than compensated for with the oh so rich Indian feast that was served! Dears, we are talking a simply marvellous buffet of traditional Indian dishes that was delightful to the taste and was truly a cultural culinary show-stopper!

And with the Republic Day celebrations coming in the middle of Jamaica's celebration of Diplomatic Week, dears, you know the world and his wife were out, and dears, how! Among the dignitaries out were former Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall; Vilma Baugh; Senate President Dr Oswald Harding and wife, Custos of St Andrew Marigold; Speaker of the House Delroy Chuck; Attorney General and Justice Minister Senator Dorothy Lightbourne; Minister of Investment and Commerce Karl Samuda; Transport Minister Mike Henry and wife Dawn; Health Minister Ruddy Spencer; Junior Minister Bobby Montague; Dr St Aubyn Bartlett; Custos of Kingston, Steadman Fuller and wife Sonia; Chief Justice Zaila McCalla and husband Winston; Justice Mahadev Dukharan; Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn; Ambassador Evadne Coye; Ambassador Elinor Felix; Police Commissioner Owen Ellington; Ambassador Madge Barrett and husband Tunty; Chief of Protocol Ricardo Allicock; Public Defender Earl Witter; Town Clerk Errol Greene; former Security Minister, Police Commissioner Col Trevor MacMillan and wife Dr Olivia McDonald; former Senator Deika Morrison; and the charming Pat Reid from the Office of the Prime Minister.

From the Diplomatic Community there were: visiting Senator Vasant Bharrat, minister of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; US Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater and husband The Reverend Russell Awkard; Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua; Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin and Olga Zotin; Head of the European Union Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni and wife Fiela; British High Commissioner Howard Drake and Gillian Drake; Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan; German Ambassador Jurgen Engel; French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Colombian Ambassador Ventura E. Diaz-Mejia; Argentinian Ambassador Mario José Pino; Senegalese Ambassador Dr Nafissatou Diagne; Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez of Cuba; Ambassador Jose Ares of the Dominican Republic; and Guinea's non-resident envoy Ambassador Hadiatou Sow.

Also out were Dennis and Diane Lalor; Mike Fennell; Ruby Martin; security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin; banker Ryland Campbell; Tanny Shirley; art collector extraordinaire Wallace Campbell and sibling Jennifer Lim; the venerable Jag Mehta; Rev Alfred Reid; Omar Azan; Dr Dhiru and Merciline Garg; Professor Ajay Mansingh and wife Lakshi Mansingh, Dr Akshai Mansingh and his wife Gunjan

; Capt Rupert Bent and wife Cindy Breakspeare; Lachu Ramchandani; Horace and Josephine Bogues; Hugh and Ouida Dunphy; the charming Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Al Niazi; Carolyn Lee; Cedric MacDonald; Sonja Sutherland-Dumetz; Ian and Gillian Rowlands; Sonita Abrahams; Peggy Bleyberg; the charming Julie Ramchandani; singer and entertainer Ashley Martin; Lyndel Wright; and the lovely Nikki Petersen, visiting from Wisconsin; plus several others.