E-Paper
Republic Day celebrated in Ethiopia
The Indian Army's Rifles regiment band performed on Republic Day in Addis Ababa.
An enthralling performance by the Indian Army's 13 JAK Rifles regiment band lent a unique touch to the Republic Day function in the Ethiopian capital.
India's Ambassador Gurjit Singh unfurled the tricolour at the Indian embassy here early Thursday at a gathering of nearly 300 Indians, many of them professors at local universities and businessmen.
Singh also read out President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's address to the nation on the occasion.
The colourful and enthusiastic performance of the JAK Rifles band was much appreciated by the gathering. The regiment, called the "bravest of the brave", played a significant role in the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan.
JAK troops are part of the UN peacekeeping force deployed between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The ambassador and his wife also hosted a large reception at the Indian embassy here that was attended by Ethiopian ministers and dignitaries.
Among those present were Alemayehu Tegenu, minister of mines and energy and Sintayehu Wolde-Michael, education minister, senior officials of the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa, the diplomatic corps, UN agencies, Ethiopian businessmen and a large number of eminent Indians.
