India celebrates Republic Day and an abiding frien...

India celebrates Republic Day and an abiding friendship with Zimbabwe- Special Supplement

On the occasion of India’s 75th Republic Day, the Embassy of India in Harare extends warm greetings to the esteemed Government and the friendly people of Zimbabwe.

The Embassy would also like to convey special greetings to fellow Indian nationals and members of the diaspora community.

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During the past one year, India saw its moment in the Sun and the Moon. India became the first country to land on the South Pole of the Moon.

After the successful touchdown of Chandrayaan-3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “India is now on the Moon”.

The solar-powered rover Pragyaan took a tour and conducted scientific experiments, confirming the presence of sulphur and several other elements. Further, the Chandrayaan-3’s propulsion module was brought back from the lunar orbit to the Earth’s orbit, which also was a major scientific achievement.

This momentous Moon Mission was followed by launch of a solar observatory, the Aditya-L1, which reached its destination known as Lagrange Point 1, on 6 January, 2024.

With these successful Missions to the Sun and the Moon, as also as many as 424 foreign satellite launches by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India hopes to target an increasing share of the global space economy from 2% currently to 8% by 2033 and 15% by 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of Independence.

The Indian economy also shone last year with an anticipated growth rate in the vicinity of 7% for the entire year, having notched up growth rates of 6.1%, 7.8%, and 7.6% in the previous three quarters of 2023. This makes India the fastest growing economy in the G-20 grouping of large nations. India also overtook the United Kingdom in 2022 to become the third largest economy in the world.

Amongst other notable achievements was India’s Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23. Held under the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam i.e. “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, India organized two Voice of the Global South Summits [VOGSS] to take the views of the developing countries which fed into the deliberations and decisions of the G-20.

There was high-level participation from Zimbabwe, with participation of Hon’ble Industry and Commerce Minister, Mme. Sekai Nzenza and by Hon’ble Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Mr. Simelisizwe Sibanda, at the first and the second VOGSS respectively. It was during the period of Indian G-20 Presidency that the African Union was made Permanent Member of the grouping.

The world also celebrated the International Year of Millets in 2023, based on a proposal which emanated from India. The Indian proposal saw endorsement by Members of the FAO Governing Bodies and thereafter by the FAO Council and the FAO Conference. It was finally adopted by the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly in March 2021.

Embassy of India organized programmes in Bulawayo and Harare on the occasion, including in association with ICRISAT and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development.

India had earlier also contributed US$ 1 million from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund which provided expertise to 5000 farmers in the districts of Chiredzi and Mangwe, for climate resilient agriculture.

India concluded Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav commemorating and celebrating the 75 years of India’s Independence last year. During this period India and Zimbabwe saw enhanced cultural connect, as Indian troupes brought classical as well as folk Indian art forms to Zimbabwe during Namaste Zimbabwe Cultural Festivals organized in 2021-2023.

Zimbabwe cultural troupes also performed at the Surajkund Craft Mela in India during this period, where they earned accolades from the media and the public.

The period also saw enhanced interaction between India and Zimbabwe with the record number visits at the political level, cooperation in the areas of health, energy, and developmental partnership, to mention a few. Hon’ble Vice President Gen (Retd) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, who led Zimbabwean delegation at the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Growth Partnership, held in June 2023, was the Guest of Honour at the Conclave.

The collaboration in the field of education also continued to grow with a record number of students going to India to study higher education. Government of Zimbabwe also encouraged the Zimbabwean students with award of 250 Presidential Scholarships for studying in India.

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, introduced the concept of Amrit Kaal or ‘The Era of Elixir’ to the nation on India’s 75th Independence Day. Amrit Kaal expounds the Prime Minister’s vision 2047 for a new and developed India.

He envisioned the coming 25 years to restructure all fragments of the Indian economy through rapid profitable growth, better living conditions for all, infrastructural and technological advancements, and reawakening the world’s trust in India.

The Panch Pran or the 5 fundamentals of Amrit Kaal include the goal of developing India, elimination of any trace of the colonial mindset, honour and pride in our roots, development of unity, and a sense of duty among citizens.

Some other notable achievements of India during the year include Oscar awards for the Natu Natu song, and the short-film ‘The Elephant Whisperers’. The year also saw Indian players win record 107 medals in Asian Games and 111 medals in Asian Para Games.

As India continues to grow, it also lends the hand of collaboration and friendship to other countries in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One World Family, and in a way resonating with the sentiment of H.E. President E.D. Mnangagwa of leaving no one behind.