Indians world over celebrate I Day with gusto

In Beijing, a large gathering of Indian expats made it to the Indian embassy where Indian Ambassador S Jaishankar hoisted the national flag and later read out President Pratibha Patil's address to the nation.

In the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai, Consul General of India Riva Ganguly Das presided over the celebrations that were joined by Indian medical students from Suzhou and Nantong (Jiangsu Province) Universities and members of the Indian Association.
In New Jersey near New York, undeterred by heavy rains, Indians from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the day, participating in the parade, waiving the tricolour and singing patriotic songs and the Indian national anthem with fervour.

The parade organised in New Jersey that was attended by hundreds of Indians, also saw support for activist Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement as about 150 volunteers from 'India Against Corruption' walked in support of Hazare's Lokpal Bill.

Wearing 'Anna caps', the volunteers shouted slogans and waived placards carrying messages of solidarity for Hazare like 'I am Anna', 'It is not one Anna'.

People lined up at the sidewalks as they waved at passing floats and greeted each other during the nearly two hour parade organised by Indian Business Association of New Jersey.

However, another parade organised by the Oak Tree Indian Business Association was called off due to inclement weather.

Patriotic fervour marked the Independence Day celebrations in Singapore where some 500 Indians joined High Commissioner T C A Raghavan as he raised the Indian flag and read out the President's address for the people.

Students from the local Indian schools sang patriotic songs during the morning festivities held at the Indian High Commission complex in Singapore.

Guests included visiting Maharashtra State Environment and Cultural Affairs Minister, Sanjay Deotale, and executives from Indian corporations and state banks operating in the city state.

Chicago for the first time is witnessing two parades to mark the Indian independence day. While the first organised by the Federation of Indian Associations Chicago was held yesterday, another by Federation of Indian Association will be held next Saturday.
The Indian community that gathered for the celebration donned ethnic clothes participated in the floats, and some Indian TV stars were also seen at the event.
The mayor of Schaumburg, Al Larson, Illinois State Representatives Fred Crespo and Michelle Mussman also attended the parade.

At a banquet organised for the event, and attended by Consul General of India, Mukta Dutta Tomar, Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Rajmohan Gandhi was the chief guest.

He said Indians in America should not only learn about the history and culture of this country but also build bonds with Pakistani Americans who celebrated their independence day yesterday, as also with Chinese Americans.

"In America we have an easy opportunity to get to know Pakistani Americans without the needs of visas or travel on different borders," Gandhi said.