Indian diaspora organisation to hoist biggest Tricolour unfurled at Times Square to mark India's 75th Independence Day

New York, August 11

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, a leading Indian diaspora organisation in the US will hoist the biggest Tricolour unfurled at the iconic Times Square here on August 15.

Federation of Indian Associations – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – will host to day-long celebrations on August 15, starting with the unfurling of the Tricolour at Times Square.

The first India Day billboard at Times Square will be displayed for 24 hours, the Empire State Building will be lit in the hues of the Indian Tricolour and the day will end with a gala cruise on the Hudson river to be attended by top government officials, special guests and members of the Indian-American community.

FIA had hoisted India’s National Flag at Times Square on the country’s independence day last year, the first time the Indian Tricolour was unfurled at the iconic New York City destination.

FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya said the organisation intends to hoist the Tricolour at Times Square every year since the event has its own significance.

“We want to continue this tradition. This year, we are hoisting the biggest Tricolour unfurled at Times Square so far,” Vaidya told PTI.

The Tricolour will be 6 feet by 10 feet. The height of the pole is 25 feet.

Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal will unfurl the Tricolour. The event will also honour Indian-American sporting icons Abhimanyu Mishra, 12, the youngest grandmaster in chess history, and Samir Banerjee, 17, who created history by winning the Wimbledon boys’ singles final last month.

The young sporting talents, both hailing from New Jersey, are expected to be present at the event on Sunday. Artists Jonita Gandhi and Mickey Singh will also be among the guests.

Vaidya said as India marks 75 years of independence, the FIA is launching a campaign focused on ‘Unified Diaspora in America’. PTI