Republic Day celebrated with fervour in Jakarta

Jakarta, Jan 26: The

in

celebrated the 65th

with Ambassador Gurjit Singh unfurling the tricolour at a colourful function, complete with songs, dance and food, at the Indian embassy here Sunday. Nearly 400 members of the Indian community, persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and friends of

attended the ceremony.

About 150 students from three Indian schools sang the national anthem and patriotic songs followed by a cultural performance by students of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre here.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's address was read out by the ambassador and the consuls general in the respective places.

About 150 students from three Indian schools sang the national anthem.

A bilingual book, 'Elements of Kathak', in Bahasa and English language, produced by the Embassy of India and the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, was released by the ambassador. The book explains the intricacies of the classical Kathak dance form in a lucid style and will be of immense help to aspiring students. The book, aimed at popularising the dance form in Indonesia, will be widely distributed in schools and universities of the country.

A visual arts exhibition by eight artists from Java was also held at the embassy. The exhibits will also be displayed during the Republic Day reception scheduled for Jan 27. A sumptuous feast of Indian delicacies was served to the gathering on the occasion

Several charitable organisations, under the umbrella of the Indian Cultural Forum, distributed food rations, clothes and medical help to the victims affected by the recent floods in various suburbs of Jakarta.

The day was also celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour at the Indian consulates in Bali and Medan.

IANS