THE Consulate General of India in Vancouver celebrated the 77th Republic Day on January 26 at the Consulate’s premises. Consul General Masakui Rungsung unfurled the tricolour. That was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Then Rungsung read out Indian President
Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation delivered on the eve of the 77th Republic Day.
ON January 25, the Consul General of India hosted a Republic Day reception at the South Hall Banquet Hall that was attended by more than 350 guests, including dignitaries from the provincial government, MLAs, city councillors, senior officials, consular representatives, industry leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the ethnic media, academicians, and Indian diaspora.
The program commenced with the rendition of the national anthems of India and Canada.
Consul General Rungsung, warmly welcomed the Chief Guest, Niki Sharma, Deputy Premier and Attorney General; Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; along with Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services; Sunita Dhir, Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials; Rohini Arora, MLA for Burnaby East and other distinguished political representatives.
Rungsung observed that the Indian Constitution represents a civilizational choice—to build a modern nation without severing its ancient roots. He spoke about the country’s enduring ethos of tolerance, universal acceptance, and the guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. He also highlighted India’s significant achievements in the fields of space, defence, and technology.
He also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora in Canada and noted that India and Canada share many common values that can serve as pillars for mutual progress. He emphasized the importance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada in 2025 to attend the G20 Summit, which marked a reset in bilateral relations and opened new avenues for cooperation.
Niki Sharma noted that British Columbia is home to around 400,000 people of Indian descent, who have embraced Canadian values while preserving their cultural traditions and roots. She highlighted their meaningful contributions to Canada’s social, cultural, and economic fabric. Referring to growing economic ties, she stated that bilateral trade between British Columbia and India reached nearly CAD 2.1 billion last year and is expected to rise further, reflecting shared interests and expanding opportunities in sectors such as technology and biotechnology.
The program also featured cultural performance by various artists and dance schools.
