Consulate General of India celebrates 72nd Independence Day

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NEW YORK – The Consulate General of India in New York celebrated the 72nd Independence Day of India with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Consulate on Aug. 15.

Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty did the honor of hoisting the flag and he was joined by Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, founder and chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Raj Mukherjee, Assemblyman David Weprin, Congresswoman Grace Meng and more than 200 people.

The ceremony was followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem after which Consul General Chakravorty read out the President Ram Nath Khovind’s Address to the Nation which was delivered on the eve of Independence Day in India.

A short cultural program was held by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and included the singing of patriotic songs and poetry recitations.

This year, on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) sponsored a seven member group consisting of acclaimed Kathak dancers Sandip Mallick & group with Anuj Mishra and group.

Indian American community organizations also made an effort to commemorate India’s 72^nd Independence Day by lighting up iconic monuments with the colors of the Indian flag, including the Empire State Building.

Consul General Chakravorty joined members from the Federation of Indian Associations of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (FIA-NY/NJ/CT) including President Srujal Parikh, Executive Vice President Alok Kumar, Past President Andy Bhatia, Chairman Ramesh Patel and others, at the Empire State Building along with Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Indian American singer Mickey Singh, to light it up the building in the Indian tri-color.

Independence Day celebrations are to continue through the week and into the weekend, with the world’s largest India Day Parade, which will be sponsored by FIA-NY/NJ/CT on Sunday, Aug. 19 on Madison Avenue from 12 noon onwards.