Indian Consulate NY, Embassy, and community celebrate India’s 75th anniversary

August 15, 2022

- ADVERTISEMENT -

India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal, hoisting the Indian flag at the Consulate Aug. 15, 2022. Photo: Twitter @Indiainnewyork

Hundreds of Indians and Indian-Americans attended the Aug. 15, 2022 ceremony at the Indian Consulate in New York, to celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Members of the indian and Indian-American community at the 75th anniversary of India’s independence ceremony at the Indian Consulate in New York. Photo: Twitter @Indiainnewyork

The Consulate of India in New York observed India’s 75^th anniversary of independence which was presided over by Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, who hoisted the flag and read out the speech of the President of India going by tradition.

Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal presenting an award to winner of the quiz on India’s independence at Indian Consulate Aug. 15, 2022. Photo: Twitter @Indiainnewyork

At the Consulate event, Consul General Jaiswal also presented the AKAM Quiz 2022 Gold Medal to winner Riya Dadheech.

Times Square was another venue where India’s Independence was celebrated and India’s flag hoisted. Seen in photo
are BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, wearing tricolor shawl, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra, Kenny Desai, president of FIA-NYNJCT, on August 15, 2022. Photo: Raja Bhatty ITV Gold

At Times Square, members of the Indian community and leaders of various organizations like the Federation of Indian Associations’ President Kenny Desai and Chairman Ankur Vaidya, Parikh Worldwide Media chairman and Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, among many others, gathered to celebrate India’s independence.

India’s 75th anniversary of independence being celebrated August 15, 2022, with a flag hoisting and speeches by dignitaries at Times Square led by the Federation of Indian Associations.

Indians and Indian Americans gathered at Times Square to celebrate India’s 76th anniversary of independence Aug. 15, 2022. Photo: videograb Facebook

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaking at the FIA event for 75th anniversary of India’s independence held at Times Square. Photo: Raja Bhatty, ITV Gold

Highlights of the Times Square event included the appearance of New York City Mayor Eric Adams who also spoke at the event; and the appearance of Devi Sri Prasad, composer of the song, Ghar Ghar Tiranga, which has become the swansong of this year’s celebrations globally. Prasad thanked the crowd and appreciated their love of the Motherland. He also led the crowd in the singing of Ghar Ghar Tiranga’s introductory lines, joined by those present.

Ankur Vaidya, right, chairman of Federation of Indian Associations at the August 15, 2022, FIA celebrations and flag hoisting on India’s 75th anniversary of independence at Times Square, with Kenny Desai, president of FIA, 2nd from right.

Several community leaders spoke at the event, including Dr. Parikh.

Padma Shri recipient, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, and Advisor to FIA, speaking at the Times Square event celebrating India’s independence day Aug. 15, 2022. Photo Raja Bhatty, ITV Gold

Jubilant members of the Indian community pose for a photo, Aug. 15, 2022, to celebrate India’s 75th anniversary of Independence. Seen in photo, left to right: Srujal Parikh, Haresh Shah, Bollywood singer Shankar Mahadevan, and Kenny Desai FIA president. Photo: PWM

In Washington, D.C., the 76th Independence Day of India was celebrated with a flag-hoisting ceremony August 15, at India House. The ceremony was also livestreamed to facilitate virtual attendance, a press release from the Indian Embassy said.

India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu addresses the gathering on the occasion of India’s 75th anniversary of independence celebrations in Washington, D.C. at India House. Photo: Indian Embassy

Ambassador of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu, unfurled the tricolor, followed by singing of the National Anthem. The Indian President’s address to the nation was played during the ceremony.

Attendees at the Aug. 15, 2022, celebration of India’s 75th anniversary of independence at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Photo: Indian Embassy.

In his remarks, Ambassador Sandhu noted that India’s journey through great odds to bring development, peace, security, and prosperity not only to its people but for the world, making it an indispensable part of the solutions to global challenges, from healthcare or food security to critical technology. He emphasized the strength of the India-US partnership, and praised Indian-Americans for being a crucial pillar.

A cultural program was part of the celebration of India’s 75th anniversary of independence at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. Aug. 15, 2022. Photo: Indian Embassy

A short cultural program included classical Indian dance performances by local students.

Leaders from across the United States, including senior members of Senate and House, business, arts, the Indian-American community and organizations expressed their felicitations.

Similar events were held in Indian Consulates around the U.S. as well as by community groups.