Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC Dubai) commemorated India’s 77th Republic Day with a special open-air celebration at the India Club last night, reaffirming the growing convergence of community, culture and commerce between India and the UAE.
Held in conjunction with the India Club, the evening brought together members and families in a vibrant celebration of Indian identity, shared values and bilateral friendship. The programme blended patriotism with the arts, featuring India in Her Voice, a soulful baithak by Malhaar, paying tribute to the timeless legacy of Lata Mangeshkar through iconic renditions such as Lag Ja Gale, Ajeeb Dastan and Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, alongside stirring dance choreographed to patriotic anthems including Vande Mataram and Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo.
Addressing the gathering, Siddharth Balachandran, Chairman, IBPC Dubai, reflected on India’s ongoing national transformation. “Know thyself is at the root of every transformative process, be it for an individual, an organisation or a nation. As Indians, many of us are consciously going through this awakening, generating positive energy that will nurture the world. Viksit Bharat is about this inner and collective renewal,” he said, adding that as India’s partnership with the UAE deepens, “the relationship will only grow stronger.”
Highlighting collaboration in action, India Club Honorary Chairman Mohan Valrani cited the partnership between IBPC Dubai and the India Club as a living example of what institutional cooperation can achieve, underscoring the power of collaboration in strengthening community bonds and shared purpose.
HE Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai and Northern Emirates, welcomed the coming together of “two iconic institutions” and praised the breaking of silos between business and community. Referring to the recent Presidential visit to India, he noted the momentum in bilateral ties, sharing that India-UAE trade is expected to cross USD 110 billion by March 2026.
The celebration reinforced IBPC Dubai’s mandate to foster dialogue that goes beyond business bringing families, culture and institutions together in the spirit of partnership, progress and shared pride.
Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi, Secretary General, IBPC Dubai, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the India Club, artists, members and families for making the evening a memorable celebration of India’s Republic Day.