15 Aug 2018

Indians living in Botswana converged in Gaborone on August 15 to commemorate their country’s 72^nd independence day. 

While activities of the day included music and dance, the highlight was the reading of the country’s prime minister’s speech by India’s High Commissioner of to Botswana, Dr Rajesh Ranjan. 

Dr Ranjan said the day was for every Indian, regardless of where they lived, to look with satisfaction and gratitude at the country’s achievements. 

He also said it was a day for Indians to renew their resolve to fill the gaps that still remained in their nation building project. 

Dr Ranjan said while they had inherited a beautiful legacy, they needed to work tirelessly towards completing  the unfinished tasks left by the country’s founders. 

He called for the development and empowerment of every Indian, liberation from poverty as well as the elimination of social and economic inequality. 

 “We are at the cusp of achieving our long-awaited goals. Universal access to electricity, the elimination of open defecation, the elimination of homelessness and the elimination of extreme poverty are achievable and attainable,” he said. 

He thus implored all Indians to continue not only upholding the ideals of the country’s forefathers, but also carving a glorious future for generations yet to come. 

“The decisions we take today, the foundations we lay today, the projects we undertake today, the social and economic investments we make today, whether for the immediate future or for the medium term, will determine where we stand,” he noted. 

The high commissioner urged Indians from all sectors of society to each and collectively play a role in bettering their country. 

Dr Ranjan said it was critical for women to not shy away from playing the special role that they have to play in Indian society. 

He said the Indian government had pushed the empowerment of women to the forefront by among others facilitating credit for women-run enterprises and start-ups. 

He hailed the youth for their optimism and patriotism marked by a fighting spirit to achieve for themselves, their families, for the wider society as well as for their country. 

Dr Ranjan said it was gratifying that young people were aware that education was not only  possession of academic certificates but entailed commitment to help improve the life of another. 

“This is empathy and fraternity in action. This is the Indian spirit. This is India, because India belongs to the people of India, not just to the government,” he remarked. ENDS