Excited over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming visit to the UAE, hundreds of revellers infused energy into India's Independence Day celebrations here, an official said on Saturday.
"The fact that the visit is taking place tomorrow (Sunday) has infused a lot of energy into our celebrations. I saw more faces than I have ever seen before. Enthusiasm is really high," Gulf News quoted Indian Ambassador to the UAE T.P. Seetharam as saying.
Y. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, president of UAE Exchange, said he was feeling excited to see so many people attending the event.
"It is a great feeling for us. The prime minister of India is visiting the country after 34 years. We are delighted to be part of the celebrations," he said.
Highlighting the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the development of India, he said: "Remittances from the UAE stand around $14 billion annually."
Revellers wearing colourful clothes were seen chanting "Jai Hind" while attending the Independence Day celebrations at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Students from various schools presented cultural programmes to mark the day.
