India Independence Day Flag Raising
The History of India Independence Day Flag Hoisting
August 15th is India Independence Day, an annual flag hoisting event for Indians to celebrate independence from the long standing British rule. This day is celebrated all over the world. In New York, the India Independence Day parade is one of the largest all over the world led by FIA. As a Hoboken resident and a diverse community member, I, Manisha Beriwala (founder & CEO of The Corporate Diwali) found this India Independence Day flag hoisting missing from the Hoboken city hall events calendar. Promptly, this event was added by a strong and supportive Hoboken city hall staff members led by Leo Pelligrini (events director). My company, The Corporate Diwali, began to plan this day where immigrant Indians could remember patriotic spirits. Over these two years, this has become an annual event attended by local neighborhood residents & their friends. Honorable Mayor Ravindra Bhalla addresses the flag hoisting and raises the national flag with prominent community leaders in front of the Hoboken City Hall. The Corporate Diwali identifies two prominent community leaders and nominates them for a city proclamation for their extraordinary work issued by the city of Hoboken. A local child, Ivanka Beriwala sings the Indian national anthem as a sing-along for the attendees. Counsel general of India in New York, Mr. Sandip Chakrobarty, FIA president, Srujal Parik, Hiren Trivedi, and Christine Bridgelal from BCB community bank have been some prominent guests of honor at the event. Restaurants like Soul Curry & Simply Chai sponsor free Indian mango lassi, rose chai & samosas. Dance groups perform patriotic theme dances.
In the current time, hosting and planning an event during a pandemic can be a daunting task. COVID has made it a safety hazard for societies and communities to mingle and meet. Complying with this new normality of prioritizing small groups, social distancing, and outdoor set up with a mask is a necessity now. Immigrants have been emotionally & physically drained without meeting families which are away as travel restrictions are heavy. With that sentiment we, The Corporate Diwali, have been successful in creating a COVID-compilable India Independence flag hoisting event on August 15, 2020 at the Hoboken city hall
