The Embassy of India in Kathmandu marked India’s 80th Independence Day on Saturday with the participation of members of the Indian community and Nepali citizens.

The event began with the singing of “Vande Mataram”, followed by the hoisting of the Indian national flag by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and the national anthem. The embassy also screened Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation delivered on the eve of Independence Day.

According to a press release issued by the embassy, Srivastava honoured the widows and next of kin of 11 deceased personnel of the Indian Armed Forces and handed over Army Group Insurance Fund cheques worth a total of Rs82 million.

The embassy also recognised winners of competitions organised to mark Independence Day, including a painting competition on the theme “Viksit Bharat”, the Viksit Bharat Run and an inter-school quiz competition. Winners of a special edition of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz were also felicitated.

The embassy announced book grants for 22 educational institutions and libraries across seven provinces of Nepal as part of an initiative to improve access to educational resources.

The celebrations also featured cultural performances and patriotic songs by teachers and students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy of India.

Embassy officials and their families, members of the Indian community and other participants attended the event.