Warsaw, Jan 26 (IANS): The Indian community which over the years has become a force to reckon with in Polish society, celebrated the 66th Republic Day with gaiety and enthusiasm Monday.

Braving the cold and snow, a large number of people gathered at the new building of the embassy of India where they were greeted by newly- appointed Indian Ambassador Ajay Bisaria and his wife Bharati Chaturvedi.

Bisaria, who till recently was in charge of the Eurasia division in India's external affairs ministry and had organised Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India successfully, unfurled the tricolour.

Later, he read President Pranab Mukherjee's message to the nation. He also briefed the community about the successful visit of US President Barack Obama to India.

"If India today has a strong profile in the comity of nations, part of this credit must be given to the Indian diaspora. Our prime minister values the contribution of the Indian diaspora very much.

"You Indians in Poland have also done a tremendous job and it is because of your hard work that Indo-Polish relations have improved by many notches. Today the trade between the two countries has touched $1.5 billion and India as a soft power has emerged in Poland," Bisaria told the gathering.

"The attraction of Poland has prompted many Bollywood producers to shoot their films here. Now Rani Mukherji is coming for the premiere of her film 'Mardaani'. Ajay Devgn will start shooting for his home production in May," he added.