India’s 75th Anniversary celebrated joyously at Times Square

August 17, 2021

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The Federation of Indian Associations unfurled the biggest-ever Tricolor at the ‘Crossroads of the World on August 15.

Hundreds attended the August 15, 2021, historic 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day organized by the Federation of Indian Associations – NYNJCT, at Times Square where the largest tricolor ever was hoisted and dignitaries were recognized. Photos: courtesy FIA.-NYNJCT

Hundreds gathered at Times Square on Sunday, August. 15, 2021, to participate in the celebration of India’s 75^th Independence Day anniversary; later the same day, the Empire State Building was lit up in the colors of the Indian flag.

The Times Square event and the Empire State Building lighting was organized by the Federation of Indian Associations of the tri-state areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (FIA NY-NJ-CT).

The celebrations kicked off with the hoisting of the Indian flag “the biggest one ever” to be unfurled at the iconic destination, the FIA said in a press release.

The flag measured 6 ft x 10 ft and was hoisted on a pole 25-feet long.

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, as well as President of Bharatiya Janata Party J.P. Nadda and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh sent congratulatory messages wishing the FIA and the Indian community at-large for ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav’ signifying India’s 75^th Independence Day.

Hundreds of Indian-Americans as well as friends and well-wishers of the community gathered at the venue to participate in the flag-hoisting.

The American national anthem was sung, after which the Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, hoisted the Indian flag, as the Indian national anthem rang out.

Consul General Jaiswal conveyed his wishes to the Indian community, friends of India and all “those who are deeply connected” to the country. He thanked the Indian-American community and FIA in particular for leading these celebrations.

The Dhol Pasha team performing at the Aug. 15, 2021 Indian Independence Day celebrations at Times Square organized by the Federation of Indian Associations-NYNJCT.

Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest Grandmaster in the history of chess was a special guest at the event. Jaiswal felicitated the New Jersey boy who also received a proclamation from the office of Brooklyn Borough president Eric Adams, Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City come November.

Abhimanyu Mishra of New Jersey, the youngest Chess Grandmaster, with India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal to his right.

Chairman of FIA Ankur Vaidya, wished everyone a happy, healthy and safe 75^th Independence Day.

President of FIA Anil Bansal, called it a privilege to be living in the United States where they have the freedom that they “as Americans can celebrate our history, culture and love for our motherland.” He thanked The New York City and its police for allowing them to enjoy the day safely.

NYPD’s Captain Amanjeet Sandhu addressing the crowd at the Aug. 15, 2021, India Independence Day at Times Square celebrations organized by the FIA-NYNJCT.

Besides Jaiswal, those who addressed the gathering included Deputy CGI-New York Shatrughna Sinha, Captain Amanjeet Sandhu, the only Indian American officer of the Sikh faith in New York Police Department to reach that level of seniority, FIA board member Anand Patel who was representing Dunkin, one of the event sponsors, Jackson Heights representative in New York City Council Daniel Dromm, and district leader from Queens-New York Neeta Jain.

The Federation of Indian Association – NYNJCT – team members who worked to successfully put together August 15, 2021, 75th Indian Independence Day celebrations at Times Square Aug. 15, 2021.

At the event, Jaiswal also unveiled the ‘India at 75 Cricket Cup’ by the ’22 yards court’, a non-profit that promotes cricket in North America.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo with his message of greeting on India’s Independence Day, displayed at the cruise ship during the Aug. 15, 2021 cruise in New York City.

A special performance was given by the band Dhol Tasha Pathak of Maharashtra Mandal who had come all the way from Michigan to participate in the celebration.

Hundreds went on the Aug. 15, 2021, India Independence Day cruise in New York City, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations – NYNJCT.

In another first, FIA reserved the biggest jumbotron at the Times Square for display of Independence Day messages and other images related to India. The jumbotron was reserved for a full 24 hours.

As part of yet another celebration, the Empire State Building was lit up in the colors of the Indian National Flag later on Sunday.

The celebration continued into the evening with FIA’s annual gala on board a yacht on the Hudson, which was attended by dignitaries, special guests and FIA members.

It was a proud moment for the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat when the biggest Tricolor in the history of Times Square was unfurled.

The flag, and all other paraphernalia used during the celebration, had been sent to New York from Ahmedabad. The entire consignment had been put together and shipped for FIA by Gracia Marcom, an advertising agency in the city. According to Gracia Marcom managing partner Rohit Korat, they supplied flags and other items for FIA New England as well.