Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Indian Tricolor that was proudly hoisted in front of the Indian Consulate in New York by Consul General Riva Ganguly Das on the morning of Aug. 15 celebrating the country’s 70th Independence Day, became a symbol of patriotic pride in New York, spreading beyond the consulate to reach places like the United Nations as well as the Nasdaq stock exchange.
After unfurling the tricolor at the consulate in a ceremony and in the presence of community members and officials, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar briefly addressed the gathering. ““Freedom is engrained in our Constitution. Nobody can take away our freedom,” Akbar, a former journalist, said. “Our mission for the next 70 years is very clear. It is to turn India and put it on the high table of prosperity not just for some but prosperity for all. That is true nationalism,” he said. The group of some 80-odd people, who gathered outside the consulate, cheered.
Akbar later went to the NASDAQ Stock Exchange to ring the closing bell, sending a symbolic message to Wall Street and the world of finance about India’s unfaltering journey towards development and prosperity.
Akbar also used the occasion to criticize countries that use the “façade of human rights” to sponsor “barbaric terrorism”. He did not, however, name any particular country although his message was loud and clear. India, he said, represents the very essence of human rights, noting that the Indian Constitution, created under the “inspiration” of Mahatma Gandhi and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, represents a “template” of modernity, a template for the future and for the whole world.
People nodded their heads in obvious agreement. Among those present at the event included New Jersey Assembly Raj Mukherji and community leaders … (names to be inserted), where Ganguly Das read out the Independence Day message from President Pranab Mukherjee in which he touched on a number of key issues influencing the fate of India, including collective concerns of securing territorial integrity.
Akbar later met with the United Nations Secretary General Ban ki moon at the Mecca of diplomacy where the Independence Day was celebrated at the United Nations General Assembly that saw music maestro A.R. Rahman give his first ever performance in the presence of diplomats and officials. The musical extravaganza was in honor of acclaimed vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi, who was the first ever musician from India to perform at the U.N. in October 1966. The world boy also released a stamp commemorating the singer who died in 2004.
The Independence Day was also celebrated in New Jersey and Connecticut, although not exactly on the same day. In Stamford, Mayor David Martin hosted the Independence Day celebrations at the Stamford Government Center Aug. 13, organized with the Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin.
Indian Consular official Sandeep Kumar was the chief guest at the event. Mayor Martin spoke about how diversity with people of Indian origin living there had enriched Stamford.
Congressman Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, and State Rep. William Tong, complimented the Indian-American community for its contribution to America. Children sang Indian patriotic songs, and there were colorful folk dances. Flags of India and the U.S. were hoisted and national anthems of both the countries were sung. A day before, New Jersey Business Association held the India Day Parade in Edison. Thousands of people came for the 12th Annual India Day Parade on Oak Tree Road Aug. 14. With 24 floats and dozens of marching groups, this year’s parade was the largest in the history of the event, the organizers said. More than 100 New Jersey based community, professional, business, and religious organizations participated in the lively parade that included ethnic bands, music, and live performances.
IBA President Dhiren Amin said the parade was a statewide celebration of the Indian community, celebrating New Jersey’s little India and the common history, traditions, and culture.
The post India At 70: Tricolor Flutters Across The Tri-state Area appeared first on News India Times.