India's Republic Day Parade

Indians across the world all celebrated India’s Republic Day. Even though security was extra tight in New Delhi, the parade, the dignitaries and the India’s policy makers all attending this historic day in India’s history. Within the past 60 years, India has struggled through various political and economic difficulties, but, she as always still comes out smiling. This morning here in the UK, Overseas Congress Secretary General, Mr Avtar Sandhu MBE praised the work of Indians all over the world for their patriotism towards mother India. He said ” I would like to praise the patients, determination and enthusiasm of Indian’s all over the world. No one person can develop a nation the size of India, one thing Indians have always been proud of is our determination. Many governments have come and gone in the past 60 years, but this government has developed India the most. I would like to congratulate ALL of Dr Manmohan Singh’s cabinet on the progression of this great nation. We have come a long way, but, we still have a long journey ahead of us, I am confident that once the journey ends our India shall be looked upon as a roll model. JAI HIND”. The celebrations for the 60th Independence Day of India continue all over the globe.

Indian Overseas Congress Members at India House London

In December 2009, Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK Senior National President Mr Bhagwan Dass Badhan, Cllr Avtar Singh Sandhu MBE (National General Secretary) and Indian Overseas Youth Congress UK’s General Secretary Mr Ragbhir Singh Sandhu, had a meeting with the new Indian High Commissioner to London H.E. Mr Nalin Surie at Indian House Aldwych.

The meeting was as an introduction in which the oldest Congress Organisation within the UK weas introduced to the High Commissioner, in addition to the history of the organisation, the High Commissioner was pleased to meet the members of the Indian Overseas Congress and our Congress Party look forward to working closely with India House. 

In a joint statement, Senior President Mr Badhan and Congress National General Secretary, Mr Avtar Sandhu MBE said ” The meeting was very productive, positive and encouraging. The High Commissioner was very welcoming and our organisation is keen to work with the High Commissioner to build on the future by Strengthening the relations between the UK and India. We look forward to the High Commissioner attending our events accross the UK, we are keen to show him the successful operation of the Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK and its branches and members over the country.

Since the sudden death of his father, late S Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE in 1999, Avtar has been committed to following in his father’s footsteps and in recent years British and Indian Politics. As well as being the first Punjabi to be elected onto  Kent County Council, he is also General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK. As part of his enhancement of relations and trade between Indian and Britain he has had meeting with Indian PM, Dr Manmohan Singh here in the UK and at the PM’s  residence in New Delhi.  Earlier today Mr Sandhu was quoted ay saying “ Today is a historic day not only for my family but for all Asians, I am honoured to be given this recognition by Her Majesty the Queen. I would like to urge more people form all communities to help each other and work together towards a better life for our children in years to come.”

Avtar Sandhu at Buckingham Palace on 4th December 2009

Members of the organisation from South East England gathered at Gravesend ‘Bassant Restaurant’ on Friday 18^th September to mark this historic day in the Indian Calendar. National General Secretary, Mr Avtar Singh Sandhu MBE, congratulated Indian’s around the globe.  He praised the work of the Indian government on their proposals for India within the coming years. Having met Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi, Mr Sandhu confirmed that India is ‘Going Places’.

SE England celebrates India's Independence

Branch President, Mr Gurdial Singh Rai MBE and Vice President Mr Atma Singh, reinforced the work of the government and remembered the freedom fighters that lost their lived during the battle for independence, they both went on to say ‘India is a country to be proud of’. Representing the Indian Overseas Youth Congress was National General Secretary, Mr Ragbhir Singh Sandhu from Dartford Kent.

The picture on the left shows some of the members present at the event in September 2009.

Secretary General, Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh explained to the world how India is progressing forward and a vast range of sectors including IT.  He explained that each day approx 20km of roads and national freight corridors are also being developed in order to ease transporting of goods and the general infrastructureof the nation.  He continued to outline how India shall continue to meet and address Climate Change issues  through 8 National missions.  In his speech he explained how in J & K along with other North Eastern areas of India projects on Road, Rail and Civil Aviation have began, he also said that these projects would be “closely monitored”.  These were just some of the many key points in his address to the nation.

Here in the UK, Indian Overseas Congress (I) Secretary General, Cllr Avtar Singh SandhuMBE, passed on his congratulations and best wishes to Indian across the globe. Due to the downturn in the financial sector, this past year has been tough for India, but never the less India has come out on top. Due to the commitment by the government and with the backing of the people of India, our nation shall gain considerable more strength and become a market leader across many sectors. The Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK shall be celebrating Indian Independence Day across the UK and throughout its branches.

In an interview Avtar Sandhu said ” My father Late S Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE encouraged me into politics, he himself was a prominent figure within the Indian community in the UK and indeed India, it is a true honour to have been able to follow in my fathers footsteps”.