Stamford Mayor David Martin has proclaimed August 17th as India Day to commemorate Indian Independence when Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian flag at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. The city is joining hands with the Indian Diaspora in Connecticut for a celebration organized by the Connecticut Chapter of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) by hoisting American, Indian and Connecticut flags at the Government Center in Stamford.
In his proclamation Mayor Martin said that the Indian Independence was marked largely by non-violent resistance and civil disobedience and the Independence day is celebrated by the Indian Diaspora worldwide. The proclamation further noted that Stamford city will honor Indian community which is an integral part of city’s diversity, success and great future.
Mayor Martin will be present at the flag hoisting ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17th. Indian Consul Vipul Mesariya will represent Govt. of India at the celebration. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong will also grace the occasion. Following the flag hoisting, an India Festival with dances and music of India and including kite flying will start at the Mill River Park from 12 Noon and will go till 5 p.m. Indian food, clothes and artifacts will be sold at the various booths. Admission is FREE for both events.
The celebration sponsors are First County Bank and Wadia Associates of New Canaan. More details of the celebrations are provided below:
Invitation to India Day Festival and Kite Flying @Mill River Park, Stamford to celebrate India Independence Day.
Saturday, August 17th
Indian and American Flag Hoisting
Starting at 11 a.m.
The celebration will start with hoisting of American and Indian flags in the presence of dignitaries at the Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd., Stamford, at 11 a.m. The program agenda includes remarks by the honored dignitaries, brief entertainment of music, presenting a community service award and recognizing high school graduates followed by flag hoisting. If you know any 2019 high school graduates from Connecticut School Systems, please provide their details to Santosh Gannu at 203-952-6590, [email protected].
Honored Guests at the Flag Hoisting- Indian Consul Vipul Mesariya, Stamford Mayor David Martin and CT Attorney General William Tong
Independence Day Liberty Award 2019 Recipient for Service to GOPIO-CT and Community Causes- Pradeep Govil
Pradeep has served as a Board Member and the Executive Vice President of GOPIIO-CT for several years. During his tenure he supported GOPIO growth and brought in initiatives for a democratic process. Pradeep was instrumental in establishing the GOPIO-CT Scholarship at Norwalk Community College for deserving students of Indian origin. Pradeep is Program Manager at the World’s largest and successful semiconductor company ASML. He has received over 21 patents and published numerous articles in international journals. Pradeep is an Adjunct Professor at Fairfield University since the early 90’s. He has a wonderful family with his Dutch wife Monique and 4 adult children. Pradeep is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and IIT Kanpur in Electrical Engineering
India Day Festival and Kite Flying Starting at 12 Noon
At 12 Noon, please join us for an India Festival at the adjacent Mill River Park (1055 Washington Blvd., corner of Broad St. and Washington Blvd., Stamford) with Folk and Classical Dances of India, Bollywood Dances and a Kite Festival. There will be vendors for Indian food, Indians arts and crafts, Indian clothing and other items. Those interested to set up a tabletop booth may contact Meera Banta, 203-536-4117,
[email protected] or Jaya Daptadar, 203-857-4121,
[email protected].
Cultural groups and dance schools will be performing on the main stage starting 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. Contact Beena Ramachandran at 203-385-2101,
[email protected] or Ramya Subramanian at 312-618-0024,
[email protected].
Non-profit Community Groups can get FREE tabletop exhibit space at the festival site. Please contact Prachi Narayan,
[email protected]
For more information about the celebration, contact Fr. Sudhir D’Souza 203-897-6891 or Ramya Subramanian at 312-618-0024.
