"New York City is the New Delhi of America", the city's Mayor Eric Adams said at the hoisting of the Indian tricolour on Independence Day, praising the diaspora's contributions to the city.
"This is the oldest democracy, so we should be proud to lift this flag up in the democracy of New York City, and I call on the community to continue to inspire and achieve at the (highest) levels," he said at the ceremony in the historic Bowling Green.
Bowling Green had a symbolic role in the US quest for independence like India from Britain: The statue of King George III at the site was torn down by patriots soon after the Declaration of Independence was read out to the freedom-fighting troops rallied under George Washington in 1776.
The flag hoisting was arranged by the Indian Cultural Association of North America and was attended by several city officials, including Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, the first Indian-American to hold that post.
"When you look at the number of professional business owners, health professionals in the medical field, educators, teachers, it shows the clear presence of the Indian community," Adams said.
"You do us proud here in this city and in our entire country."
Recalling his visit to India where he visited the Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi, where Mahatma Gandhi took his final steps before the assassination, he said, "We have a responsibility and obligation to continue those footsteps, we have to fulfill what he thought we should do as we lift up humanity."
Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan said that along with Independence Day the "fabulous journey" India has made in 78 years, its growth story, and the rise of Indian-America partnership.
"If President Joe Biden says that this is the most consequential partnership of the 21st century, we in India echo that," he said.
"We believe that it has reached a point of inflection."
Another flag-hoisting ceremony was held at Times Square with Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita participating.
On the eve of Independence Day, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day was observed at India's Consulate General, where a photo exhibit on the subject was installed.
Margherita spoke on the occasion about the resilience and courage of the survivors who persevered and rebuilt their lives overcoming the horrors inflicted on them.
Fall of Congress in Gujarat: Three decades of decline and struggle for relevance
The Congress party was once the dominant political force in Gujarat, shaping the state’s governance since independence. However, over the past 30 years, the party has witnessed a dramatic downfall, losing ground to the BJP’s aggressive electoral strategies, organisational strength, and ideological appeal.
‘Disempowering Muslims’: J&K political parties oppose Waqf (Amendment) Bill
All political parties of J&K, except the BJP, opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that the Bill is intended to disempower Muslims and only target one religion.
Radical group founder wanted in Jaipur serial blast plot apprehended in Ratlam
The Madhya Pradesh Police in Ratlam achieved a significant breakthrough in apprehending Firoz, also known as Sabji, a fugitive implicated in a conspiracy to execute serial blasts aimed at creating panic and terrorising the Rajasthan capital city of Jaipur.
Amit Shah & Akhilesh Yadav’s lighter exchange in LS over party president
Amid the uproar and heated debate between the ruling party and the Opposition over the Waqf Amendment Bill on Wednesday, the Lok Sabha witnessed some lighter moments between Home Minister Amit Shah and SP President Akhilesh Yadav.
Waqf Bill weakens Constitution, defames minorities, divides society: Gaurav Gogoi
As Parliament debated the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, on Wednesday, deputy leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi came down heavily on the government.
Bill not linked to religion, it’s prospective and not retrospective: Kiren Rijiju flays naysayers
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tore into the Opposition for ‘spreading falsehood’ over the Waqf Amendment Bill and urged the ‘doubters and naysayers’ to refrain from misleading the people on the proposed reforms.
Parliament was being claimed as Waqf property: Rijiju slams UPA for making provisions 'overriding' other laws
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday bashed the previous UPA government for de-notifying 123 properties and handing them over to the Delhi Waqf Board.
Bhopal’s Muslims burst firecrackers in support of Waqf (Amendment) Bill
A large number of Muslims in Madhya Pradesh's capital, Bhopal, burst firecrackers on Wednesday to express their support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was presented in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day.