The 67th Republic Day was celebrated at the Consulate General of India, Shanghai on January 26. At the morning flag hoisting ceremony held at the Consulate premises, more than 100 members of the Indian community in Shanghai joined in despite of the freezing temperatures. Consul General unfurled the national flag and read out excerpts from Hon’ble President’s address to the nation. A select group of Indian community members rendered patriotic songs on the occasion. An informal gathering over light refreshments at Consulate’s Culture & Exhibition hall followed the event.
To coincide with the 67th Republic Day of India celebrations, an exhibition of paintings of Indian scenes drawn by veteran Chinese painter, Mr. Zhijie Wang, under the theme of “India through Chinese Eyes” was also inaugurated and put on display at the Indian Consulate premises. The exhibition showcases thirty masterpieces drawn by Mr. Zhijie Wang, who had visited India in 2009, as a leader of 24-other artists from China as part of “Go to India” initiative. It may be noted that after his return from India in 2009, Artist Zhijie Wang has only been painting Indian sceneries and characters. The exhibition will be open for public viewing from Jan 27, 2016 – Feb 28, 2016 at the Consulate premises.
Separately, in the evening, the Consulate hosted a reception at the Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel. Representatives of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government led by Vice Mayor Zhou Bo; provincial leaders and Director Generals of Foreign Affairs offices of Jiangsu and Zhejiang attended the reception. In addition, President of New Development Bank Mr. KV Kamath also graced the occasion. More than 300 guests including members of the diplomatic corps, local dignitaries, renowned academics, members of art fraternity; business persons; media; and prominent Indians from the Eastern China region attended the reception.
Consul General in his remarks extended a warm welcome to all and outlined that year 2015 had been a particularly remarkable for the Indian growth story and urged more Chinese investors to consider joining in the Make in India initiative led by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Prior to the reception, Consul General held a brief meeting with the Vice Mayor H.E. Mr Zhou Bo and discussed plans of deepening cooperation and exchanges between Shanghai and Mumbai, which established sister city relationship in 2014. Consul General also extended an invitation to Shanghai city leadership to lead a business delegation to visit India.