Embassy of India
Beijing
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Remarks by Ambassador at the Nowruz Celebrations at SCO 
(March 19, 2021)

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends

            On behalf of the people and Government of India, I extend to each and every one of you my warmest greetings on the occasion of Nowruz. Today, we join people celebrating this important festival in a number of different countries, regions and communities across the world, for all of whom Nowruz holds a special significance from a social, cultural and religious point of view. It is indeed fitting that we are observing this festival in the context of the SCO, whose member states are intimately connected with the festival.

            In India, the Nowruz festival is an important part of our own cultural tapestry and a reflection of the diversity, richness and plurality in Indian culture. Back home, it is in particular a celebration of the Parsi community in India, especially their resilience and their achievements in multiple walks of life.

            In many communities, Nowruz signifies the coming of a new year and the onset of spring. It is also a time of spiritual renewal and physical rejuvenation, celebrated in a spirit of gratitude for blessings and with an outlook of hope towards the future. Given the difficult times that humanity has gone through last year and is still going through with the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration of Nowruz this year is also a time for us to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit. We look to it with a spirit of optimism and I hope that the coming year brings with it health, happiness and prosperity for all of us.

            I take this opportunity to compliment the SCO Secretariat for organizing this important event. I also thank Secretary General Norov for his initiative to have the tree sapling planted on behalf of India. This symbolizes the nurturing of friendship between India and SCO and the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, that the ‘world is one family’. Once again, I wish you all “Nowruz Mubarak” and a very Happy New Year.

Thank you.