Indian Diaspora joins Independence Day celebrations in Washington

A large number of Indians, Diaspora members, students and friends of India joined in celebrating the 77th Independence Day of India in Washington with a flag-hoisting ceremony at India House on August 15.

Ambassador of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Washington DC. He then unfurled the tricolor at India House, which was followed by the singing of the national anthem.

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Indian President Droupadi Murmu‘s address on the eve of Independence Day was played during the ceremony, according to an Indian embassy press release.

In his remarks, the Ambassador noted that this year’s celebrations are special, as the commemorations of 75 years of Independence being marked as the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ culminate, and the country continues its march into the Amrit Kaal — the journey into the next quarter century, towards 100 years of independence.

This year also marks India’s G20 presidency; guided by the ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ the country has worked to promote global good and has infused new energy into the international development agenda, he said.

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Sandhu emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden, the India–US partnership today is “one of the most consequential relationships” in the world.

Prime Minister’s recent State Visit to the United States reaffirmed deep bonds of friendship and provided a new impetus to cooperation between India and the US, he said.

The range of initiatives announced during the visit span all areas of human endeavor and are a testament to the mutual trust between both countries.

The Ambassador mentioned that a key pillar of the India-US relationship is the 4.4 million strong Indian Diaspora, including 200,000 Indian students in the United States.

Their talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovation contribute to the prosperity of both India and the United States and serve to strengthen the relations between the two countries, he said.

A cultural program with patriotic songs depicting India’s diversity was presented on this occasion by young Indian Americans from the Gandharva School of Music.

Winners of the painting competition organized by the embassy on the theme of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ were felicitated during the celebrations.

The ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ and ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaigns were commemorated with a large handcrafted Indian tricolor displayed during the occasion.