This year’s ‘India Day’ celebration of Independence Day of India by the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) was started with a unique initiative of celebrating it in a decentralized fashion. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, IAGB was unable to arrange its major gathering like the previous years in the central Boston. So, IAGB’s directors contacted 35 towns across New England region and sought permission after briefing them about India and the story of its independence through online meetings. In the early morning of August 15^th, a team of Indian volunteers with different town officials, Mayors, Town Managers hoisted Indian tricolor flag that fluttered magnificently against the blue sky alongside the US flag. Many US town officials read out the official proclamations declaring 15^th August as India Day. The event marked as the first of its kind in the US and perhaps anywhere outside of India and was viewed by over 40,000 people.

IAGB is founded in 1962 as a socio-cultural organization to foster Indian Americans’ social and cultural events and maintain community presence in New England area. It is playing an important role in bringing the Indian communities together and upholding the unity-in- diversity value among the diverse Indian communities of Greater Boston. IAGB was supported by over 25 regional Indian organizations in this effort.

In the evening, a grand program was held and streamlined virtually on YouTube and Facebook. There were two major cultural performances and felicitations by US and Indian dignitaries. The who’s who in New England came together online and felicitated the Indian community and them to work together on important issues and participate in governance and build strong bonds between India and America. This was followed by a wonderful dance, ‘Tad Bharatam’ by Abhinava Dance Company and choreographed by Nirupama and Rajendra. Well-known singers, Vijay Prakash and Anuradha Palakurthi sang 17 songs in 10 different languages showcasing the diversity and rich culture of India. This grand cultural evening was watched live by 22000 people on YouTube and Facebook.

Massachusetts’s Governor Charlie Baker, US Senator Edward Markey, Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Congressman Joe Kennedy were present at the event. Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, Prahlad Singh Patel sent his message for the success of program. The Consul General of India, New York, Mr. Randhir Jaiswal spoke on the occasion and said that the IAGB is bringing all the Indian communities together through streamlining its programs on social media platforms and following strictly the social distancing instructions of the government.

Mr. Sanjay Gowda, the president of IAGB with the coordination of Tanu Basu and Jeyanthi  Ghatraju organized the grand celebration of India Day program. He thanked all the invitees and dignitaries who attended the program with much enthusiasm. He thanked all the virtual and of the stage spectators for their active participation and interest. He appreciated all the volunteer’s selfless service and support. He acknowledged with appreciation the role of YouTube and Face Book in making their effort a grand success and helping to reach out large audiences virtually.

|