The Consulate General of India in Chicago celebrated the 77th Independence Day at the Consulate premises. Indian diaspora joined in large numbers.
Consul General Somnath Ghosh unfurled the tricolour, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. He then read out the Address of the President of India to the nation on the eve of Independence Day. He also elaborated on the Panch Pran, the five pledges and reminded of our national task to turn India into a knowledge-based, inclusive, developed, and self-reliant country by 2047.
There was a short cultural programme, which included Kathak dance recital by eminent Kathak exponent Ms Madhura Sane and the singing of patriotic songs by the children of Sadhna School of Indian Music.
In the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations, the Consul General administered a Panch Pran Pledge to Indian Consulate officials. As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, The Consulate celebrated India’s unity in diversity and its rich cultural heritage through performances by 14 cultural troupes from the US Midwest, in its annual flagship event Kala Utsav. It was attended by elected officials and close to 600 people. Singing of Rashtragaan and flag hoisting were part of programme organised by Indian diaspora at a number of venues in US Midwest States. Some of the diaspora associations screened videos related to Mitti Ki Khushbo – Mitti ki Yadein. On 18 August and a theatre event “Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani” will feature three short plays staged by children in Hindi, Marathi and Bengali languages.
Consul General led the India Day Parade followed by India Day Concert organized by Indian community outreach in Naperville on 13 August 2023. Addressing a gathering of about 30,000 Indian community and American friends of India, he reminded them of the five pledges and called upon them to work together to take the India-US partnership to even higher heights.
Consul General addressed a large gathering in Oak Brook Independence Day celebrations, where he spoke on the vision of India-USA partnership as outlined in the joint statement of 22nd June 2023. Earlier he participated in the Indian American community procession in Devon, Chicago organized by the Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago where the Mayor of Chicago came and spoke to the participants. On 15 August, a large Indian tricolour was hoisted at the premier civic centre of the City of Chicago Daley Plaza. CG spoke on this occasion.
The Consulate is scheduled to organise an Independence Day reception later in the evening of 15th August hosted by the Consul General with the participation of elected representatives, senior Government officials, local dignitaries, Indian American community drawn from business, academics and arts circles at the prestigious Chicago Cultural Centre.
