Independence Day 2021: Indian Diaspora Organisation To Hoist Biggest Tricolour Yet At Times Square

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day, a leading Indian diaspora organisation in the US will hoist the biggest tricolour unfurled at the famous Times Square in New York on August 15.

Starting with the unfurling of the tricolour at Times Square, Federation of Indian Associations - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will host day-long celebrations on August 15.

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The first India Day billboard at Times Square will be displayed for 24 hours, the Empire State Building will be lit in the hues of the Indian tricolour and the day will end with a gala cruise on the Hudson River to be attended by top government officials, special guests and members of the Indian-American community. The tricolour will be 6 feet by 10 feet. The height of the pole is 25 feet.

The association had hoisted India's National Flag at Times Square on the country's independence day last year, the first time the Indian tricolour was unfurled at the iconic New York City destination.

The organisation's chairperson Ankur Vaidya said they want to hoist the tricolour at Times Square every year. ¡°We want to continue this tradition. This year, we are hoisting the biggest tricolour unfurled at Times Square so far,¡± Vaidya told news agency PTI.

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PTI reported that Indian American sporting icons Abhimanyu Mishra, who at 12 is the youngest Grandmaster in chess history, and 17-year-old Samir Banerjee who made history by winning the Wimbledon boys¡¯ singles final last month will be honoured at the event. Mishra and Banerjee, who are from New Jersey, are expected to be present at the event Sunday. Artists Jonita Gandhi and Mickey Singh will also be among the guests.

Vaidya said as India marks 75 years of independence, the FIA is launching a campaign focussed on ¡®Unified Diaspora in America¡¯.

¡°We have to bridge the gap, unify the community. We have to be the force in action,¡± he said.

Watch: Indian Flag hoisted at New York's times square https://t.co/rIv4TyG9Um pic.twitter.com/nUCwGdmogJ

¡ª Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 15, 2020

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID19 pandemic and its emerging variants, the chairperson emphasised that the relationship between India and the US will be the most important and most vital relationship as we move into the new normal in a post-pandemic world. ¡°This relationship between the world's oldest and largest democracies will drive multiple aspects" of global growth and progress. Anil Bansal, current President of FIA, said India is launching a year-long celebration from August 2021 to celebrate the 75 years of independence and FIA will also start the celebration on August 15, 2021, by flag hoisting at Times Square and at the State Capital in Rhode Island.

The FIA also organises its annual flagship event - the India Day Parade to mark India's Independence Day in August.

Top US political leaders, lawmakers as well as prominent members of the Indian-American community and celebrities from India have participated in the annual parade that draws a crowd of thousands in the heart of Manhattan each year. However, like last year, the parade will not be held this year too due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bansal also congratulated all the people who have been appointed in the administration of US President Joe Biden.