Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
Monday night at the newly refurbished Landmark Hotel, India’s 77th Republic Day came alive in Cyprus with a mix of diplomacy, culture, and a little bit of sparkle. Heads of state, government officials, business leaders, and members of the Indian diaspora gathered to celebrate the country’s democratic journey and to toast a partnership that’s been quietly growing stronger between India and Cyprus.
Indian High Commissioner Manish kicked things off with a warm welcome, taking the audience on a journey through India’s 76-year democratic story. From the adoption of the Constitution in 1950 to the enduring spirit of Vande Mataram, he framed India’s Republic Day not just as a celebration of the past, but as a call to action for the future: innovation, entrepreneurship, and nation-building.
He didn’t just stick to history. Manish highlighted India’s rapid rise on the global stage: the world’s fourth-largest economy, booming exports, a growing startup ecosystem, digital governance transforming lives through tools like UPI and DigiLocker, and cutting-edge defence and space programs. Add to that education reform, women’s empowerment initiatives, and environmental wins, like zero poaching of the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros, and it’s clear the country is moving fast in every direction.
The night also highlighted India-Cyprus ties, which go back more than 60 years. Cyprus has long supported India’s global aspirations, while India has stood by Cyprus on its path to sovereignty and peace. High-level visits in 2025, including Prime Minister Modi’s historic trip to Nicosia, have turned the relationship into a more action-oriented partnership, with a five-year plan covering everything from defence to trade, technology, and people-to-people connections.
Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki represented the Cyprus government, delivering a heartfelt toast to the High Commissioner and the guests. The evening was alive with color and rhythm, as Indian dancers brought the country’s cultural heritage to life, and the national anthems of India and Cyprus rang out with pride.
High Commissioner Manish wrapped up the evening with a message to the Indian community in Cyprus: stay connected to your roots, celebrate your culture, and help build bridges between nations. “Let’s pledge to uphold our Constitution, strengthen India-Cyprus friendship, and work toward a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world,” he said.
It was a night that reminded everyone present why Republic Day is about more than parades and speeches. It’s about the values that guide a nation: democracy, innovation, resilience, and the friendships that make those values matter beyond borders.
