Aug 15: Lauding of India's crusade against colonial oppression in developing world, recalling of immense strides made by the country and calls to waive the sanctions slapped after the recent nuclear flap marked Independence Day celebrations today by Indians abroad.Cultural pageants showcasing India's art and culutre and rendering of patriotic songs followed the hoisting of the tricolour in several countries across the globe. A prominent South African black leader, Sbu Ndebele, heaped praise on India for its crusade against colonial oppression at an Independence Day function at Durban.``We have respected India as the world leader against colonial oppression in Asia and Africa. Today, we salute India as a partner in reconstruction and development of the Third World and pledge to strengthen our bond,'' he said.Canada's Opposition leader Preston Manning urged his government to reconsider its decision to impose economic sanctions against India for its nuclear tests. ``There are better methods to resolvedifferences,'' he said while felicitating Indians on the occasion of Independence Day.Envoys at several functions, where resilience of Indian democracy and giant strides made by the country in different fields were lauded, said India was committed to enhancement of trade and business ties with all nations. Indian ambassador to China Vijay K Nambiar told the Indian community in Beijing that India was committed to the process of dialogue to resolve outstanding differences with China.Nearly three million expatriates in the Gulf celebrated the day by hoisting the tricolour and rendering patriotic songs and staging cultural programmes. Braving torrential showers, Indians in the Australian twin-cities of Sydney and Canberra participated in the Independence Day functions.Minister of State for Agriculture, Som Pal joined the Independence Day celebrations in Rome as Indian ambassador to Italy K P Fabian unfurled the national flag and read out the President's message. In Bangladesh, Indian High CommissionerDeb Mukherjee unfurled the tricolour at his office. The members of the Indo-Turkish Friendship Association attended the Independence Day function at the embassy in Ankara today. Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Kanwar Singh Jasrotia, unfurled the national flag in the presence of more than 200 members of the Indian community.
