High Commission of India

Kuala Lumpur

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Press Release

National Day Reception on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day of India (28 January 2022, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre)

The Indian High Commission in Malaysia hosted the National Day Reception on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day of India on 28 January 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Celebrations assume special significance this year as India celebrates 75 years of independence i.e. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

2.YB Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Minister of Human Resources represented the Government of Malaysia as the Chief Guest for the event. YB Dató Sri Alexander Ananta Linggi, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, YB Tan Sri Dató Sri S.A.Vigneswaran, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to India and South Asia and YB Senator Dato’ Dr Nelson Renganathan also graced the occasion. Several Ambassadors, High Commissioners, former Ministers, deputy Ministers and several other distinguished guests took part in the event.

3.The National day reception was attended by over 500 guests which included prominent business and community leaders in Malaysia, members and office bearers of several cultural associations, Presidents and members of various Gurudwaras in Malaysia, academics, think-tanks, media and government officials.

4.The event began with the toast proposed by the Chief Guest and the High Commissioner followed by the National Anthems of India and Malaysia. High Commissioner of India H.E. Mr B N Reddy addressed the gathering and spoke about India’s vaccine leadership; world’s biggest vaccination drive ongoing in India with over 1.65 billion doses already administered; India leading the global growth in post pandemic world with the fastest growth rate among the large emerging economies; and the innovation and technology transformation undergoing in India driven by the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. High Commissioner highlighted that 2022 marks the 65 year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Malaysia; and also 30 years of India-ASEAN dialogue partnership. India and Malaysia share a deep, eternal bond of friendship, rooted in people-to-people linkages; and there lies enormous opportunity to elevate the bilateral relationship taking advantage of strong complementarities between our two countries.

5.The formal part of the program was followed by captivating classical cultural performances. Students of Temple of Fine Arts presented “Desh Thillana”, a Bharata Natyam performance, evoking the feelings of National Piety and “Marakatha Mani Maya” culminating in tarangam, the dance on a brass plate. Padma Shri Datuk Ramli Ibrahim and his team from Sutra Foundation presented an Odissi performance “Aditya Archana”, an adoration for Sun - the source of life and Enchantment of the Supreme Being.

6.The event was held in full compliance of COVID-19 SOPs and social distancing norms as laid down by the Government of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur

29 January 2022