Celebration of India's 73rd Independence Day in New York Consulate grand success

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 from 10 am – 1 pm.

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 Chakravorty, Consul General, unfurled the national flag and the national anthem was sung. Consul General then read out the address of the President of India.

Congresswoman Maloney, Senator Thomsas, Anupam Kher, Gale Brewer and David Weprin as well as other dignitaries also spoke on the occasion. The celebrations included a festival of Indian dance and a large number of cultural presentations including poetry and singing of patriotic songs. Amongst them were Bharatanatyam by Ms. Nandini Chakravorty, Ms. Malini Sreenivasan & Sophia Salingaros, patriotic dance and music by Children’s group ‘Sreeshti’ of New Jersey, national and patriotic songs by Bengali Kids of Princeton Area, poetry and music by students of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Manipuri Dance and Pung Cholam by troupe led by Ms. Darshana Jhaveri, Odissi by Bani Ray with songs by RaiKishori Mitra, and Bhangra by Krishna Arts & Manhattan Andaaz.