UAE-India Festival begins in Abu Dhabi on a patriotic note

The three-day UAE-India Fest started on a high note at the Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) on Thursday.
The seventh edition of this signature event is set to be a memorable one, as the ISC is going the extra mile to make it a thumping success. This happens to be the first major event involving both countries, after the ISC won the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award.
The festivities - attended by around 350 people - started on Thursday morning, as ISC president M. Thomas Varghese hoisted the Indian national flag. Later, the Indian Republic Day parade at Rajpath was telecast live.
Varghese said the main objective of conducting such a fest is to "bridge the gap" between Indian and the local UAE community. "The three-day activities will be a reflection of what we seek to achieve. The entertainment programmes will cater to both the Emirati and Indian communities."
The name of ISC India Fest was changed this year to the UAE-India Fest. "UAE artists are also performing here and many have been flown in particularly for this event, from India and from other countries. We wanted to strike a good combination of programmes with the fest and this will be the tone over the next few days," he said. "I am expecting a good turnout for the event."
ISC general secretary John P. Varghese said: "Each annual event is dear to us but this year is extra special. We wanted to show our respect and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the rulers and citizens of this country."
The extravaganza was jointly opened by Sheikh Ahmed bin Khadem bin Butti Al Hamed and Indian Embassy Charge d' Affaires (ad interim) Pavan Kumar Rai.
The theme of this year's fest is 'Hawa Mahal' - the palace in Jaipur city in Rajasthan.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com    

• Abu Dhabi