Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta hoisted the “Tiranga” (India’s flag) during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at India House in Tamavua, Suva yesterday.
He also paid a floral tribute to the iron man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
While sharing excerpts from the address delivered by India’s President Droupadi Murmu to a gathering of about 200 members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India, Mr Mehta said after regaining freedom 78 years ago, India became a democracy with universal adult franchise.
“In other words, we, the people of India, put the power to shape our destiny in the hands of each of us, without any restrictions of gender, religion, and other factors that had barred many people from voting in their democracies,” Mr Mehta said.
“In spite of many challenges, the people of India made a successful transition to democracy.”