Diaspora celebrates India’s I-Day with distinct flavor of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

The Consulate General of India, New York, celebrated the 76th Independence Day of India on August 15, 2022, at the Consulate in the presence of members of the community, including State Senator, New York Kevin Thomas, the first Indian-American State Senator in New York. During the program, Consul General conferred the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Quiz – 2022 Gold Medal for the PIO/OCI category on Riya Dadheech.  

Riya Dadheech and Udayan Dhar are the winners of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Quiz – 2022 Gold Medal from the jurisdiction of the Consulate.

Congratulatory messages from several local elected officials and celebrities were received. Governors, State Assemblies and City Governments from nine States under the Consulate’s jurisdiction issued proclamations and citations celebrating India’s 75 years of independence.

Later, Consul General hoisted the national flag in a special event organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA – NY/NJ/CT) at the iconic Times Square in New York City. On August 15th, FIA– NY/NJ/CT in collaboration with the Consulate organized a lighting Ceremony at Empire State Building in New York City.

Among other community-organized events, the prominent ones were the 11th India Day Parade organized in Hicksville, Long Island, New York, August 7th; Heritage of India festival organized by Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester, August 7th; flag hoisting ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall by Council of Indian Organizations in Greater Philadelphia on August 12th; Independence Day celebrations at Connecticut State Capitol Building held by Indian association of Central Connecticut on August 13th; India Day Parade organized by Council of Heritage and Arts of India, at Williamsville, Buffalo, August 13th; India Day Parade & Flag Hoisting celebrations organized by Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), New England, Boston, August 13th; India Day Parade organized by Indian Business Association, New Jersey on August 14th. The special feature of the Boston celebrations, held close to Boston Harbour, was that it meaningfully brought out the shared historical connections between Indian and American independence.

In order to mark a special celebration on the occasion of 75 years of India’s independence, the Consulate General of India in association with the Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) celebrated the Festival of India@75. The series began on August 5th with a photo exhibition by celebrated photographer Steve McCurry. In the subsequent days, noted Classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty, flutist Rakesh Chaurasia and Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York City. The grand finale of this series will take place on 15th August, featuring India’s celebrated Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at the Carnegie Hall.

The largest India Day Parade in downtown New York City is scheduled to be held on August 21st, 2022 by FIA- NY/NJ/CT in collaboration with the Consulate.

The celebrations organized around Independence Day, this year, had a distinct flavor of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Wholehearted participation from members of the diaspora and friends of India transformed the landmark celebrations into a true people’s movement.

The historic American city Boston marked its first-ever India Day Parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the country’s independence. A massive 220-feet US-India flag was seen flying high in the sky as thousands of people from more than 30 countries attended the parade.

 

Governor Ned Lamont,  elected representatives and officials joined the Indian American community in celebrations of 75 years of India’s Independence at the iconic Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut.

 

With fanfare and excitement, the Floral Park-Bellerose Indian Merchant Association (F-BIMA) held India’s Independence Day celebrations attended by officials such as Congresswoman Grace Meng, Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator John Liu, Deputy Commissioner of Asian Affairs for Mayor Adams Office Dilip Chauhan, who walked proudly alongside the NYPD Ceremonial Marching Unit, the Veterans Color Guard, NYPD Desi Society, 105 Precinct, IDP USA, IALI, the Nurses Association, and Jain Temple of NY.

 

New York Governor Kathy Hochul took part in the celebrations. Presenting here a proclamation honoring India and Indian Americans’ contributions to Consul General Randhir Jaiswal.

 

The iconic Empire State Building resplendent in colors of Indian National Flag.

Images courtesy of (Image courtesy: FIA), (Image courtesy: india.com), (Image courtesy: India in New York/Facebook) and (Image provided by Hemant Shah)   

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