By Surender Bhutani

Warsaw, Jan 26 (IANS): The Indian community celebrated the 68th Republic Day with great enthusiasm in the Polish capital here on Thursday.

Ajay Bisaria, the Indian ambassador to Poland, unfurled the Tricolour in the presence of hundreds of people who assembled in the premises of the Indian embassy.

He also read out the message of President Pranab Mukherjee to the nation and reminded the community to promote India at their personal level.

"Each one of you is an Indian ambassador and take your role seriously. You have come here to represent a shining India. The doors of the Indian embassy is open to collaborate with you at every step," Bisaria said.

A reception for the diplomatic community and the main functionaries of the Polish government is to be held later.

In the last few years, some 4,000 Indian students have joined various universities in Warsaw and around, increasing the Indian diaspora. There are more than 60 Indian restaurants.

Indian dishes like butter chicken, samosa, dosa and mango lassi are very popular.

Many Bollywood films have their premiere in Warsaw and other Polish towns, particularly Krakow, Gdansk and Lodz.