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Independence Day celebrations - August 15, 2014

Consulate General of India

New York

"Celebration of 67th Anniversary of Independence of India, 15th August 2014"

Consul General of India in New York Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M Mulay rang the closing bell at NASDAQ Stock Exchange, New York on 15th August 2014 to mark the 67th Anniversary of India's independence. To mark the occasion, the Empire State Building was also lit in the colours of Indian flag.


Consul General Amb Dnyaneshwar M Mulay with Community Leaders

The Consulate General of India, New York also hosted a Reception in the evening in the Consulate. About 250 guests, including local dignitaries such as Hon'ble Councilman Anthony J Santino, Mr B S Bisnoi, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Mr Raja Ali Ejaz, Mr Said Lutfullah Sadat, Consul General of Afghanistan;  Consul General of Pakistan; Mr Yuin-Lyn Ng, Consul of Singapore; Dr Ram Raju, President and CEO at New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and prominent members of Indian-American community from different walks of life - doctors, business people, IT professionals, Cultural flag-bearers like Ms Jinal Pandya, Bollywood actress, Media people like Mr H R Shah, Chairman & CEO of TV Asia  were present. A number of community leaders also attended the Reception.


(Consul General Amb. Dnyaneshwar M Mulay with Actress Ms Jinal Pandya)

After playing of national anthems on this occasion, chanting of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Hind" enthralled every body present. Mr Shambhu Amitabh, Vice Consul (Culture and Commerce) read the extracts from the Message to the Nation by Hon'ble President of India in Hindi.


(Consul General Amb Dnyaneshwar M Mulay delivering speech on 67th Anniversary of Independence of India)

After warm greetings and welcoming the guests Ambassador Mulay highlighted the contributions of Indian Americans in different walks of life and he appealed to the Indian American community to work whole heartedly for the cause of building India-US relationship. The rich cultural heritage and developments of India during the last six and half decades should be brought forward to the world community. A slide show of the activities undertaken by the Consulate in New York was appreciated by the public and they welcomed these outreach initiatives by pledging to promote them with zeal.


(Consul General Amb Dnyaneshwar M Mulay honoring CouncilmanMr Anthony J Santino by giving plaque)

Ambassador Mulay honored Councilman Anthony J Santino as "A True Friend of the Indian Community" on behalf of the "Indian American Voters Forum of New York" by  handing over a plaque of recognition. Consul General Amb. Mulay praised Councilman's past twenty years cooperation with the Indian community. On January 26, 2003, eleven years ago Hon'ble Councilman Santino unfurled the Indian tricolor flag outside the Hempstead Town Hall - the first time ever by any township across New York state and launched the celebration of the Republic Day of India, which is still being commemorated every year.

Councilman Santino thanked India and "Indian American Voters Forum of New York" for the honor and praised centuries old traditions in India of debate and discourse as well as India's continued long democratic tradition. He showed great respect towards India and he wished US-India relations to grow.

After the cake-cutting, Deputy Consul General Dr Manoj Kumar Mohapatra thanked the guests. The Master of Ceremony Ms Geetika Agrawal  kept the guests engaged throughout the event.

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