St Patrick’s Day celebrated in Bengaluru with focus on India-Ireland ties

Bengaluru: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, honorary Consul General of Ireland and chairperson of Biocon, and Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, hosted the 25th consecutive annual St Patrick's Day celebration in Bengaluru Sunday.The occasion recalled the legacy of St Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, a fifth-century missionary known for spreading Christianity across the country after returning from captivity, and founding churches, schools, and monasteries. The event also highlighted the deepening partnership between India and Ireland across culture, education, innovation, technology, and trade.Mazumdar-Shaw said St Patrick's Day celebrations in Bengaluru serve as a joyful reminder amid global turmoil that we are all one, united in celebrating humanity. "St Patrick's Day is about bonhomie, merriment and enjoyment," she said.She recalled Biocon owes its origins to Ireland. "My Biocon journey was sparked by an Irish biotech entrepreneur," she said. "It is important for us to acknowledge the presence of Irish IT and startup companies in Bengaluru. Indian companies have also invested significantly in Ireland," she said.Kelly traced the journey of St Patrick of England, who moved to Ireland as a slave. "Many older Indians know about Ireland. They have heard stories of Irish revolutionaries," he said. The Irish govt is now actively trying to create a deeper action plan for strengthening engagement with India. "Ireland is one of 27 EU countries, but we account for 10% of the total EU trade with India, nearly €16 billion, and there's so much more we can do. We are also looking at partnerships between universities and Supreme Courts in Dublin and in New Delhi. Moreover, we are strengthening our political links. There has been a real uptick in our relationships," Kelly said, adding the Irish Prime Minister plans to visit India in 2027, and Bengaluru, hopefully, will be there on his itinerary.True to its tradition, St Patrick's Day was marked by wearing green and enjoying Irish food and music.