iNDICA NEWS BUREAU–
The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization (GOPIO-CT) celebrated India’s upcoming 76th Independence Day on August 15 with a flag hoisting at the Stamford Govt Center on August 6, a ceremony with elected Connecticut officials and dignitaries and a festival with dances and music of India at the Mill River Park in Stamford.
According to GOPIO-CT, a floating crowd of over 3,000 people attended flag hoisting followed by the India Festival and kite flying at the Mill River Park.
A press release said, “Dressed in colorful traditional Indian attire, with melodious music from the popular Bollywood world, dances depicting the wide variety of Indian culture, kite flying, spicy Indian cuisine, and booths decorated with Indian symbols and face art, the festivities were a treat to the fast-growing Indian American community in the state of Connecticut and New York’s Westchester County.”
The day-long celebrations began with the hoisting of the American and Indian flags at the Stamford Government Center by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and Chief Guest India’s Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph.
GOPIO-CT President Dr. Jaya Daptardar hoisted the Connecticut State flag. American and Indian national anthems were sung students of Stamford’s Hindi School.
The Connecticut General Assembly issued a citation honoring the India Day Celebration and presented it to GOPIO-CT. The citation was initiated State Rep. Mat Blumenthal (147th Dist.), and was introduced by Rep. Blumenthal, State Senator Patricia Billie Miller (27th Dist.), Rep. Tom O’ Dea (125th Dist.), Rep. Corey P Paris (145th Dist.), Rep. Anabel D. Figueroa (148th Dist.), Senator Ceci Maher (26th Dist.), Senator Ryan Fazio ((36th Dist.), Rep. Hubert D. Delany (144th Dist.), Rep. David Michel (46th Dist.), Rep. Corey P. Paris (145th Dist.) and Rep. Rachael Khanna (149th Dist.)
The citation read, “In recognition of the 76th Anniversary India’s Independence from British Colonial Rule on August 15th, 1947, today we come together to celebrate the occasion with GOPIO-CT and other community organizations to help promote awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of people of Indian origin.”
The citation was signed by CT General Assembly’s Pro Tempore Marten M. Looney, House Speaker Matt Ritter and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas.
