Archive · 16 Aug 2026
New York marks 80th India Independence Day ahead of parade
India has a special birthday called Independence Day, and this year it turned 80 years old.
People from India who live in New York celebrated this big birthday.
They raised a special flag called the Tiranga.
They did this at Times Square, at India's UN Mission, and at the Indian Consulate.
The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, said that August 15 is now officially India Independence Day in New York.
On Sunday, there will be a huge parade called the India Day Parade.
It will happen on Madison Avenue in New York City.
Almost 200,000 people join or watch this parade every year.
Two movie actors, Pooja Hegde and Adivi Sesh, will be the special guests at the parade.
The Indian-American community in New York celebrated the 80th anniversary of India's independence on Saturday with Tiranga flag-hoisting at Times Square, India's UN Mission and the Consulate.
Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed August 15 as India Independence Day, honouring the Indian-American community's contributions to New York.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, hoisted the flag at India's UN Mission and read out President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation.
The Federation of Indian Associations is organising the 44th Annual India Day Parade on Madison Avenue on Sunday, with actors Pooja Hegde and Adivi Sesh as chief guests.
The parade is regarded as the world's biggest India Day Parade, drawing nearly 200,000 participants and spectators each year, with about 50 Indian group contingents marching.
- Who
- New York's Indian-American community, State Governor Kathy Hochul, India's UN Permanent Representative P. Harish, Consulate official Binaya Pradhan, and elected officials Jenifer Rajkumar and Mike Lawler; parade chief guests are actors Pooja Hegde and Adivi Sesh.
- What
- Celebration of the 80th anniversary of India's independence, including Tiranga flag-hoisting at Times Square, India's UN Mission and the Consulate, and the 44th Annual India Day Parade.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, for the flag-hoisting and official proclamation; the India Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday.
- Where
- New York - Times Square, India's UN Mission, the Consulate, and Madison Avenue for the parade.
- Why
- To mark India's Independence Day and honour India's democratic heritage and the economic, cultural and civic contributions of the Indian-American community.
- Occasion
- 80th anniversary of India's independence
- Flag-hoisting venues
- Times Square, India's UN Mission, India's Consulate
- Official proclamation
- August 15 declared India Independence Day by Governor Kathy Hochul
- Parade
- 44th Annual India Day Parade on Madison Avenue
- Organiser
- Federation of Indian Associations (FIA)
- Chief guests
- Actors Pooja Hegde and Adivi Sesh
- Expected turnout
- Nearly 200,000 participants and spectators each year
- Marching groups
- About 50 Indian contingents and dozens of floats