As on 16
August, 2025 / 1200 Hrs / Final Version
79th
Independence Day of India / August 15, 2025
National Day Reception
Speech
By
H.E. Mr. Rajesh Uike,
Ambassador of India to
Tajikistan
[August 16, 2025; 1900
Hrs]
His Excellency Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin,
Minister of Economic Development and Trade,
of the Republic of Tajikistan,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Shom
Ba Khair! Namaskar! Good evening!
It gives
me immense pleasure to warmly welcome each and every one of you, as we
celebrate the 79th Independence Day of India.
I am deeply
grateful to our esteemed Chief Guest, the Honorable Minister, His
Excellency Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, for gracing us with his presence this
evening.
Thank
you all for joining us this evening.
Excellencies,
Dear Friends,
Seventy-eight
years ago, India emerged from the shadows of colonial rule
into the bright dawn of freedom, fulfilling our cherished tryst with
destiny.
Each
year,
we celebrate Independence Day- August 15th - a day forever
etched in our collective memory, with great zeal and enthusiasm. With hearts full of pride, we honour and pay profound
tribute to the valiant freedom fighters whose selfless sacrifices
secured India’s independence on August 15, 1947. Their courage
and vision for an ‘India that is Bharat’ ignited the flame of liberty
that continues to inspire us today.
Despite numerous challenges, the people of India made a successful
transition to democracy after independence. This transition was a
natural reflection of our millennia-old democratic ethos, rooted in some
of the world’s oldest republics across India. When we adopted our Constitution
in 1950, two and half years after gaining independence, it became the cornerstone
of our democracy. We cherish our Constitution and our democratic values
above all else.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
India
is an ancient civilization. It is a vast and vibrant mosaic—home
to hundreds of languages, countless traditions, and people of every faith
and heritage. This diversity is not merely something we co-exist with;
it is the heartbeat of our identity and our greatest strength. The
principle of Unity in Diversity is not just an idea we proclaim—it is
our way of life, binding over 1.4 billion citizens into one family.
In
1947, we embarked on a new journey. Since then, we have made remarkable
strides. Today, India is on the path to becoming a self-reliant nation, moving
forward with confidence. Our achievements—social, economic, and
technological—are a testament to the vision of our founders and the
tireless efforts of our people. In just 78 years, we have become not just
the world’s largest democracy, but one of its most vibrant and
dynamic, setting an example of how diversity and democracy can
thrive together.
Our
economic achievements, in particular, stand out. In just over a
decade, we have moved from being the 11th to the 4th
largest economy in the world, with a GDP of approximately 4.5 trillion
US dollars. This remarkable growth is driven by inclusive policies, with
investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology uplifting
millions.
India
is the fastest-growing major economy globally. Our economic story is one
of resilience and dynamism. Even amidst global economic challenges,
domestic demand is surging, inflation remains stable, and exports are on the
rise. This success stems from carefully crafted reforms, prudent economic
management, and the tireless dedication of our workers and farmers.
The
'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative has ignited an entrepreneurial boom,
resulting in over 150,000 startups and more than 100 unicorns,
showcasing the innovative spirit of our youth. Our focus on IT and emerging
technologies like AI, blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT) not only drives our
economy but also establishes India as a global hub for technological
innovation, addressing global challenges from healthcare to space exploration.
Excellencies,
Dear Friends,
India's
spirit, deeply rooted in millennia of civilization, guides our engagement on
the global stage. We derive profound inspiration from our peaceful
independence struggle, led by Mahatma Gandhi, whose legacy of
non-violence continues to shape our pursuit of just and humane solutions.
This
year we had to face the scourge of terrorism. The cowardly and
utterly inhuman terrorist attack on innocent citizens holidaying in Kashmir
struck at the heart of our nation. India responded in a decisive manner and
with steely resolve. Operation Sindoor showcased the strength and
readiness of our armed forces in safeguarding our nation. With strategic
clarity and advanced technological prowess, they destroyed terrorist
hubs across the border, sending a clear message: we will always protect our
homeland.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
India and Tajikistan are
currently going through a dynamic phase of rapid socio-economic
transformation. Our enduring
friendship, rooted in vibrant cultural connections and strong
people-to-people ties, is united by a shared vision for rapid economic
growth and holistic national development.
Over the past three decades,
our bilateral relations have expanded across diverse fields – from trade and commerce, to health, agriculture,
renewable energy, science and technology, education and human resource
development, and from connectivity solutions to countering terrorism.
While our bilateral trade has yet to reach
its full potential, our resolve to strengthen connectivity remains steadfast,
paving the way for greater trade and investment opportunities for
the business communities of both countries. Our educational exchanges and training and capacity building
programs have been remarkably successful, with over 300 Tajik students and
professionals benefiting from Indian scholarships last year alone.
Tonight, we are honoured to be joined by some of these talented individuals
from across Tajikistan.
Our
nations share deep civilizational, historical, and cultural bonds. The
Indian Cultural Centre in Dushanbe has been pivotal in celebrating and
promoting our shared heritage through art, dance, music and literature. The
establishment of India Corners in prestigious universities and
institutes is playing significant role in strengthening contemporary cultural
links among our youth.
The enthusiastic participation of Tajik youth
in the International Day of Yoga celebration, and the annual India-Tajikistan
Friendship Run speaks volume about the enduring love and friendship
between our peoples. More Tajik citizens are travelling to India for business,
tourism and medical care, while a growing number of India tourists are visiting
Tajikistan.
Dear Friends, Ladies
and Gentlemen,
As India embarks on the “Amrit Kaal” – the
golden phase of our developmental journey over the next 22 years, leading to
the centenary of our independence in 2047, we see our relationship
with Tajikistan as not just continuing but flourishing. The economic growth of
both our nations offers a significant opportunity for us to collaborate and
cooperate, for the benefit of people of both countries.
Excellencies,
Dear Friends,
In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt
gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, to our Tajik
brothers and sisters, and to all our friends here tonight for their unwavering
support extended to our Mission in Dushanbe.
On behalf of my government, I reaffirm our
commitment
to a more equitable world. We are committed to working together
with the Government of Tajikistan to deepen our cooperation across all areas of
mutual interests and to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our
peoples.
Once
again, thank you all for joining us this evening in our celebration.
Long
live India-Tajikistan friendship.
Zinda
Bod Dustii Hinduston Va Tojikiston!
Jai
Hind!
***
