More than 350 attendees gathered for a vibrant celebration of India's 78th Independence Day, hosted by the Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) on August 17, 2024. The festivities, held at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Culver Road, South Brunswick, showcased a rich array of cultural and patriotic performances.
The event featured over 20 performances, including traditional and classical dance routines, musical instrument showcases, and vocal performances. Talented young artists captivated the audience with nearly two hours of engaging performances, highlighting their skills and dedication.
Elected officials in attendance included South Brunswick Township Councilwoman Archana Grover and School Board Members Barry Nathanson, Dr. Smitha Raj, and Deepa Karthik. They offered their congratulations and support to the Indian American community. IACFNJ President Dr. Tushar Patel expressed his gratitude to the community and the Shree Swaminarayan Temple for their contributions to the event's success. He remarked, "We are fortunate to live in the USA and celebrate two of the world's top democracies—India, the largest, and the USA, the oldest. As we celebrate, we must remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters."
A special highlight of the event was the presence of Amar Kaur, a 106-year-old resident of North Brunswick, who joined in the Independence Day celebration.
Talented artists captivated the audience highlighting their skills and dedication. (Photo provided by IACFNJ)
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Community members of the Indian Association of Long Island at the I-Day celebration. (Photo courtesy: IALI)
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India’s 78th I-Day celebration by members of Arya Samaj of Long Island. (Photo courtesy: Arya Samaj of LI)
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Supervisor Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead with Indian community members at India Flag Raising event held by the Town. (Photo provided by Indu Jaiswal)