Saturday, August 25, 2012

India highlights economic growth on the eve of both Korea and India 's independence day

India celebrate Independence day at the Embassy , Seoul / Korea.



Members of the Indian community in Seoul and Koreans present Bollywood dance during the Indian Independence Day ceremony, Wednesday, at the Indian Cultural Center in Seoul. / Courtesy of the Indian Embassy

The economy and education were the focus of a celebration of India’s 66th anniversary of Independence from British rule held in Seoul.

“We need a second freedom struggle, this time, to ensure that India is free forever from hunger, disease and poverty... Economic progress is one of the tests of democracy,” Ambassador of India Vishnu Prakash said reading a message from India’s President Pranab Mukherjee. The celebration took place at the Indian Cultural Center in Seoul.

India gained independence from the British in 1947.

The president also stressed education. “Education is the seed, and the economy is the fruit to provide good education. Disease, hunger and poverty will recede.”

India has experienced unprecedented economic growth in recent years. The annual growth rate for the last seven years was 8 percent. With the vast size of its market, resources, abundant labor and increasingly skilled workforce, the country is rising as a powerhouse of the global economy.

Speedy growth figures, however, do little to cross the gap between the poor and the wealthy.

Many still live in extreme poverty, which according to the message can only be resolved through equal education opportunities and the absence of corruption, tyrannical authorities and fraudulent elections.

India’s Independence Day celebrations are an annual event enjoyed by for Indians abroad, and the one in Seoul was exhilarating.

Members of the community sang and performed dances.

A bazaar opened at the Indian Cultural Center for the whole day where souvenirs and jewelry could be bought. There were cooking and yoga demonstrations and the film “Three Idiots” was screened to be watched while eating generous plates of samosas, washed down with some spicy chai.

On the same day, Korea celebrated its independence from Japan, and the message was dominated by Japan which President Lee Myung-bak accused of violating human rights, referring to organized sex slavery for Japanese troops during World War II involving Korean women. 


Source: The Korea Times
 

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