Ambassador Kwatra hails Indian diaspora's role in US ties

India recently celebrated a very big birthday — 80 years since it became an independent country.

In the United States, the Indian ambassador, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held India's Independence Day celebration at India House in Washington.

At the event, people raised the Indian flag, watched cultural performances, and gave prizes to kids for their paintings and quiz results.

The ambassador thanked Indian people living in America, called the Indian diaspora, for helping India grow strong.

He also said India wants to become a fully developed country by the year 2047, which will be 100 years since independence, and called that goal Viksit Bharat.

He read a speech written by India's President, Droupadi Murmu, who thanked people in India and around the world for helping the country.

Children showed paintings of what they think India will look like in 2047, with flying cars, robots, rockets, bullet trains and even trips to the moon.

A 10-year-old girl named Anvika Kajjam won first prize for drawing an India that is green and peaceful, where animals live happily and technology is advanced.

The event showed how important the Indian community is to the friendship between India and the United States.