73rd Independence Day Celebrated In New York
India’s 73rd Independence Day was celebrated in Consulate General of India, New York with a flag-hoisting ceremony on Thursday, August 15th 2019. Breaking with the traditions of previous years, this year, the Consulate held the ceremony outside the Chancery building on 64th Street between Fifth & Madison Avenues for three hours from 10 am.An open invitation was issued via local media, social media platforms and through the Consulate’s website inviting all NRIs/PIOs and friends of India to attend the event. A large number of members of Indian diaspora and friends of India numbering around 500 attended the event. The event was also attended by eminent Indian cinema actor Anupam Kher and a large number of elected officials Including Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Kevin Thomas, Assemblyman David Weprin and Manhattan Borough President Gale
Brewer. There was strong representation of the diplomatic corps of New York including many Consul Generals and representatives of other Consulates.
Sandeep Chakravarty, Consul General, unfurled the national flag and read out the message received from President of India Ram Nath Kpvin.India’s national anthem was sung in the presence of several dignitaries including Congresswoman Maloney, Senator Thomas, Anupam Kher, Gale Brewer and David Weprin Some of them also spoke on the occasion besides singing the national anthem composed by Kavi Guru Rabi Thakur. The celebrations included a festival of Indian dance and a large number of cultural presentations including recitation of poems and singing of patriotic songs. Amongst those who participated in the cultural event were Nandini Chakravarty, Malini Srinivasan & Sophia Salingaros. Patriotic dance and music program was presented by Children’s group ‘Sreeshti’ of New Jersey, national and patriotic songs were by Bengali Kids of Princeton Area, poetry and music by students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Manipuri Dance and Pung Cholam by troupe led by Darshana Jhaveri, Odissi by Bani Ray with songs by Rai Kishori Mitra, and Bhangra by Krishna Arts & Manhattan Andaaz.
