Boston, August 15: The iconic Prudential Center in Boston was illuminated in the colors of the Indian flag for the first time, marking India’s 80th Independence Day. The event was organized by the Foundation of Indian Americans New England as part of their fifth International India Day Parade and Freedom Festival.
According to the organizers, the celebration took place in the historic Boston Harbor. The vibrant lights of the Indian flag transformed the skyline, symbolizing the growing relationship between India and the United States.
A message from Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah was also conveyed during the event. In a letter to Abhishek Singh, President of FIA New England, he praised the parade’s organization and extended best wishes to the officials, volunteers, and the Indian diaspora.
Minister Shah emphasized that the event celebrated Indian culture, democratic values, and the strong friendship between India and the U.S. Such gatherings help connect Indians living abroad with their cultural heritage.
He remarked that India’s cultural legacy, democratic traditions, and the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—meaning ‘the world is one family’—promote unity, peace, and coexistence.
Shah noted that Indians abroad are strengthening cultural, economic, and social ties between the two nations through their work, talent, and values. These events also assist in linking the younger generation with Indian civilization, culture, and national ideals.
He stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is establishing a new global identity based on its cultural heritage, democratic values, and international cooperation. The government is continuously enhancing engagement, cultural ties, and development partnerships with Indian expatriates worldwide, guided by the philosophies of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.’
The parade was inaugurated by India’s Consul General in Boston, Raghuram S. The Grand Marshals included U.S. Navy’s Maggie Leme and retired Colonel Inderpreet Singh from the Indian Army. Community leaders Ram Gupta and Meetu Gupta also led the procession.
The parade featured colorful floats showcasing India’s cultural diversity and the shared values between India and the U.S. An American veterans band and a Marathi dhol-tasha group energized the procession with music.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced August 15 as ‘India Day.’ According to FIA New England, this occasion has received official recognition for the fifth consecutive year.
The procession traversed Boston’s historic India Street, an area linked to the city’s early maritime trade. Organizers noted that this route illustrates how trade, people, and ideas have connected the two nations for centuries.
Boston Harbor is associated with the Boston Tea Party of 1773, a pivotal event in the American independence movement. The Prudential Center is one of Boston’s most recognizable buildings. The illumination of the Indian flag is part of a growing tradition where prominent buildings in cities with Indian diaspora are lit up to celebrate India’s Independence Day.
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