NEW YORK, Aug 16: India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in the New York tri-state area culminated in a Guinness World Record, with more than 1,300 US flags arranged amid Indian Tricolours to form the number “250” in honour of America’s 250th anniversary.
The record for the “Largest Flagpole Number” was achieved at Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, New Jersey, on Saturday. The event celebrated both India’s 80th Independence Day and the United States’ semiquincentennial anniversary.
The programme was organised by the Consulate General of India in New York in partnership with the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-NE (FIA), with support from technology company Zoho.
Organisers said the event symbolised the strong and enduring friendship between India and the United States, while highlighting the Indian-American community’s contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.
The event was attended by members of the Indian-American community, elected representatives, business leaders and community figures. New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, US Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and Parsippany Mayor Pulkit Desai addressed the gathering.
The celebrations also featured flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes and community events across the New York tri-state region. The Indian Tricolour was unfurled at Times Square, while landmarks including the Empire State Building and Boston’s Prudential Centre were illuminated in its colours.
Several US states also issued proclamations recognising August 15 as “India Day”, while lawmakers and local authorities praised the contributions of the Indian-American community.
The celebrations will continue with the 44th India Day Parade on Madison Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday, featuring floats, tableaux and cultural performances.
