Tricolors Fly Across America as Community Celebrates India’s 75th Independence Day
- City halls and a host of important venues, including the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center, light up to mark the occasion.
Indian Americans came out in large numbers to commemorate Indiaâs 75th Independence Day. Parks, temples, community centers, city halls and iconic venues like the Times Square New York City became a sea of orange, white and green as attendees waved the Indian flags and celebrated their motherland. Back home, the occasion was celebrated as âAzadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,â to mark 75 years of Indiaâs independence.
For the second year in a row, the festivities had to be scaled down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and several events were held both in person, in accordance with health guidelines, and virtual.
In the nationâs capital, Ambassador of India in the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurled the tricolor at the Embassy of India. In his remarks, Sandhu said Aug, 15 was a âday to rededicate oneself to transforming the dreams and aspirations of 1.3 billion Indian people into reality,â per an embassy press release. Noting that U.S.-India relations have come a long way, Sandhu expressed keenness to connect the youth of both countries, including through education and knowledge partnership. The message from President Ram Nath Kovind was played during the event, followed by a cultural program.
Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were held in all Indian consulates in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and San Francisco.
City halls and several buildings in the U.S. including the Empire State Building and One World Trade lit up with the Indian tri-color on Aug. 15.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Indian tricolor unfurled the city hall for the first time. âThank you Mayor James Kenney for your #proclamation on Indiaâs #IndependenceDay,â said a tweet by the Consulate General of India in New York. âFlag hoisting took place in the presence of community members.â
In New York, the Federation of Indian Associations of the tri-state areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (FIA NY-NJ-CT) hoisted the Indian flag at Times Square. Hundreds of Indian Americans as well as friends and well-wishers of the community attended the event, including the Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, who attended the event. Jaiswal felicitated New Jerseyâs Abhimanyu Mishra who is now the youngest chess Grandmaster. Mishra also received the proclamation from the office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. Jaiswal also unveiled the âIndia at 75 Cricket Cupâ by the â22 yards courtâ, a non-profit that promotes cricket in North America. A special performance was given by the band Dhol Tasha Pathak of Maharashtra Mandal who had come from Michigan. The celebration continued into the evening with FIAâs annual gala onboard a yacht on the Hudson, which was attended by dignitaries, special guests and FIA members.
In Boston, Niren Chaudhary, CEO of Panera Bread was the chief guest at India Day Festival organized by India Association of Greater Boston. The Berklee Indian Ensemble stage a live concert with patriot songs from Bollywood.
On the other side of the country, in California, the Association of Indo American (AIA), & Bolly 92.3 presented âSwades,â a showcase of Indiaâs heritage and culture, in Milpitas. The flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Consul General of India in San Francisco, Dr. T.V Nagendra Prasad; Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Alex Lee; Fremont Mayor Lily Mei; Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran; Supervisors David Haubert, Otto Lee; Council members Raj Salwan, Raj Chahal, Sridhar Verose, and Karina Dominguez, among others.Â
The Indian Association of Sacramento celebrated the occasion with a cultural extravaganza showcasing a diversified Indian heritage with a variety of regional languages, colorful costumes, cultural dances, and music. The Indo-American Arts Council presented a virtual âFreedom Concertâ on Aug. 14 and 15, with performances by ghazal singer Dr. Radhika Chopra and sarod players Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.Â
Some celebrations began a week earlier. On Aug. 8, Indian Americans participated in parades in Hicksville, New York, and in Edison, New Jersey. âHad a great time at the India Day Parade in Edison with State Sen. Vin Gopal, Councilman Sam Joshi, Asm. Sterley Stanley, Commissioner Shanti Narra, and Asm. Raj Mukherji,” Gov. Phil Murphy wrote on his social media handles. âAmazing crowd, amazing energy â itâs a parade thatâs hard to beat!â
Aligarh Alumni Association of Metro Washington, in association with GOPIO organized its annual Independence Day Mushaira / Kavi Sammelan program on Aug. 8.
The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) celebrated Indiaâs democracy and the unity and diversity of India and Indian Americans, their achievements and contributions to India and the United States during festivities held at the Mill River Park, Stamford on Aug. 8. The Connecticut General Assembly also issued a citation honoring the Indian Day celebration, presented by Connecticut State Senator Patricia Billie Miller. Following the flag hoisting and ceremony with elected officials and celebrities, an India Festival with folk and classical dances of India and vendors was held.
On Aug. 12, Dallas, Texas Mayor Eric Johnson officially proclaimed Aug. 15, 2021, as Indian Independence Day in Dallas during a public ceremony at City Hall with key Indian American leaders and members of Indian American CEO Council. A day later, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott hosted a special signing ceremony and proclamation at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, in recognition of India’s 75th Independence Day.
In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 15, 2021 as India Day in the state at North stairs of Georgia Capitol on Aug. 5, in the presence of community leaders and representatives from various organizations of the community. âWe are honored and thankful to Governor Brian Kemp for recognizing the contributions of the Indian community in the state of GA with the declaration of August 15th as India Day,â said Chand Akkineni, president of the India American Cultural Association, who initiated the process for proclamation.
The Indo-American Arts Council presented a virtual âFreedom Concertâ on Aug. 14 and 15, with performances by ghazal singer Dr. Radhika Chopra and sarod players Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.
A few events are scheduled for this week as well. Californiaâs Cupertino and Cupertino-Bhubaneswar Sister City Initiative will hold an event on Aug. 17. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the 9th Annual IndiaFest will be held in Humboldt Park on Aug. 21.