UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the UN was present along with PRs/Ambassadors of several countries at the celebration of 70 years of India’s independence, hosted by the Permanent Mission of India.

It was Indian ambience all over at the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations building on September 8, 2017. In fact, the invitation itself with the picture of a man playing dhol (Indian drum) left one in no doubt that the event will offer music and, of course, food. And, so it was.

Over 600 hundred guests who descended at the beautiful venue, with East River flowing by and the colorful lights of Manhattan and Long Island lending romance and charm, were treated to Indian traditional and modern music and a delectable cuisine from various parts of the vast country that India is. It will be no exaggeration to claim here that India offers the most variegated food in the world. And, all of it is delicious.

A scintillating musical evening awaited guests who were treated to lovely Indian classical and modern music and enchanting dances, presented by Surati Performing Arts headed by an accomplished dancer Rimli Roy who has earned for herself the reputation of being a great promoter of Indian dance forms.

The Indian hospitality was evidenced by the fact that the host, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin with his lovely wife Padma Akbaruddin, personally welcomed every guest. The deputy PR and his wife also joined them in welcoming guests who all were greeted at the entrance with a tilak on the forehead, an Indian way to show respect and express warmth.