Indians living in the UAE took part in a worldwide online celebration to mark their nation’s 75th Independence Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign inviting Indians around the globe to upload a video of them singing the country’s national anthem, by visiting the website rashtraggan.in.
There were step-by-step details on how people could participate before Independence Day.
A compilation of the uploaded videos of the national anthem will be shown live on Sunday.
Pooja Arora, 45, a teacher in Dubai, uploaded a video of herself singing the national anthem.
“For my family and me, independence is celebrating to be a proud Indian,” she said.
“It means freedom to live, freedom to learn, freedom to be happy, to choose your way and, above all, I think the freedom to choose to be a responsible citizen and making your country proud is an integral part of it.”
She said India's Independence Day was traditionally an important event for her family and friends in the emirate.
“We dress up in our Indian attire and wear the colours of our national flag,” she said.
“Singing is my hobby so I also sing patriotic songs on this special day.”
This year’s event had a special significance, with many Indians cut off from their homeland because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
“The commemorations had more significance this year,” she said.
“We Indians have found ways to celebrate together in the midst of a global pandemic.
“However, I am feeling very nostalgic as it's been two years since I have been to India and this span of time is the longest ever that I have not visited India since I came to Dubai.
“We celebrate this day every year with full vigour and excitement and it becomes special and different from other days because there’s a feeling of pride within our hearts and this feeling gives us tranquillity and comfort.”
On Thursday, Dr Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai, posted a video of himself and colleagues singing the national anthem on Twitter to encourage other UAE residents to take part.
"The consulate organised several events to mark this special occasion with essay competitions, a quiz, a screening of a documentary as well as arts and craft exhibitions," a consulate representative said.
"These celebrations will extend through the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai that will be showcasing the rich culture and heritage of India with participation from state governments, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and people from art, cinema, literature and fashion."
A flag-raising ceremony was also being held at the consulate on Sunday afternoon to mark the occasion.
"Independence Day is the occasion when we celebrate our freedom and sovereignty," the representative said.
"We remember the sacrifices and efforts of our great leaders who [fought for] freedom and ensured that India emerged as a plural, democratic and modern nation."
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
