The Indian community in Samoa celebrated their country’s Republic Day on Monday.

The community, who total about 40 and are residents in Apia, joined Indians around the world to mark the day which is a national holiday back home.

They congregated at the Tifaimoana Indian Restaurant to mark the day for the first time in Samoa. 

The event on Monday consisted of games as well as the sharing of Indian cuisine at the restaurant.

Professor Nandakumar Desai, a staff at the University of South Pacific’s Samoa Campus who has lived in Samoa for four years, shared the principles of the Indian Constitution with everyone who attended.  

He then talked about the constitutional frameworks that were developed in India in the lead up to it getting independence from the British and becoming a republic.

Prof. Desai concluded his brief on India’s formation as a nation by wishing everyone a happy republic day.

The gathering by the Indian community on Monday was not the first as on 15 August last year they also met to celebrate India’s Independence Day.

Republic Day is celebrated all over India with gratification and joy and is reserved to honour the Constitution of independent India. 

National flag hoisting in schools and colleges are regular while cultural events advocating India’s struggle for freedom are held countrywide. 

In New Delhi, the India national flag is hoisted by the President of India at India Gate with parades taking place at Rajpath, New Delhi. 

Other than displaying its military prowess, the event also promotes India’s diverse culture. The event also recognises its martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country. 

The Prime Minister of India later honours the martyrs by putting a ringlet at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. It is followed by a 21-gun salute, national flag hoisting and national anthem.