9,000 people go online for India’s Independence Day celebrated at New York Consulate

August 17, 2020

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India’s Consul General in New York unfurls tricolor on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day Aug. 15, 2020, at the New York consulate. (Photo: courtesy Consulate General of India in New York)

The 74th Independence Day was celebrated in Consulate General of India, New York with a flag-hoisting ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Some 9,000 people watched the event online, according to a press release from the Consulate.

India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal, unfurled the national flag after which the national anthem was sung.

Because of the current pandemic caused by COVID-19, the event was telecast live through the Consulate’s social media platforms.

Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal reading out the speech of India’s President as some 9,000 people go online for India’s Independence Day celebrated at New York Consulate Aug. 15, 2020. (Photo courtesy Indian Consulate in New York)

Social distancing was maintained during the event. The event was viewed virtually by around 9000 people.

The Consul General then read out the address of the President of India Ram Nath Kovind, as is the tradition at Indian consulates around the world.

A short cultural program was presented by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, which included singing of patriotic songs and poetry recitation.

In addition, Consul General attended the flag hoisting ceremony organized by Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) at Times Square.

He also addressed students of Cornell University and participated in other Independence Day celebrations held by community organizations such as Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Connecticut and central New Jersey; Indian Association of Greater Boston and Council of Indian Organizations in Greater Philadelphia. Consul General Jaiswal attended these events virtually.

Apart from these celebrations, the Consul General also shared his good wishes via video messages with other organizations who held functions on the occasion.