വാഷിംഗ്‌ടണ്‍: വാഷിംഗ്‌ടണിലെ ഇന്ത്യന്‍ എംബസിയില്‍ ഇന്ത്യയുടെ റിപ്പബ്ലിക്‌ ദിനാഘോഷങ്ങള്‍ പ്രൗഢോജ്വലമായി.
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The Indian community in the US celebrated the Republic Day with the Ambassador Nirupama Rao unfurling the national flag at a colourful function at the Indian embassy here on a rain swept chilly day.

After hoisting the flag in front of the embassy overlooking a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Rao read out President Pratibha Patil's message to the nation. A short cultural programme of patriotic songs in Marathi, Telugu, Assamese and Hindi followed.

About 200 members of the community joined the celebrations.

Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at the Indian consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston. In New York, Minister vayalar Ravi was the chief guest. (report tomorrow)