Indian Independence Day celebrations in New York Tri-State area. S.
Indian Independence Day celebrations in New York Tri-State area. (X/@IndiainNewYork) Celebrations marking India's 80th Independence Day in the New York tri-state area culminated in a world record, with more than 1,300 U.S. flags surrounded by Indian tricolours arranged to form the number "250", in a tribute to America's semiquincentennial anniversary.A Guinness World Record for the "Largest Flagpole Number" was set at Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, New Jersey, on Saturday (August 15, 2026), in a joint celebration of India's 80th Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States.The event was led by the Consulate General of India in New York in partnership with the diaspora organisation Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-NE (FIA), with support from Indian technology company Zoho. Indian Independence Day celebrations in New York Tri-State area earns world record (X/@IndiainNewYork) "Held at the intersection of India@80 and America@250, the event was a memorable expression of India-U.S. friendship and of the Indian-American community's enduring contribution to bringing the two nations and their peoples closer together," a media statement by the organisers said.The record-setting event was among several programmes held across the New York Tri-State area and other parts of the U.S. to mark India's Independence Day.The New York Tri-State area refers to the greater metropolitan region of New York City that extends across three States: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.Saturday's (August 15) event was attended by members of the Indian-American community, elected representatives and business and community leaders.New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, U.S. Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and Parsippany Mayor Pulkit Desai addressed the event.The speakers highlighted the strong bonds between India and the U.S. The Indian Consul General underscored the growing bilateral partnership and the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening economic, cultural and people-to-people ties, the statement said.“The Guinness World Record also highlighted the diaspora's role as a bridge between the two countries,” it said."Through its contributions across business, technology, healthcare, education, science, public service, arts and culture, the Indian-American community continues to enrich American society while strengthening ties with India," it said.The Indian Consulate in New York and the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations also hosted flag-hoisting ceremonies attended by large numbers of members of the Indian diaspora.At Times Square, the Indian tricolour was unfurled during an annual celebration hosted by FIA, featuring cultural performances showcasing India's heritage and the enduring India-U.S. partnership.Ahead of Independence Day, governors of several U.S. States issued proclamations declaring August 15 as "India Day" in their respective jurisdictions.U.S. senators, governors, lawmakers, cities and towns also hailed the contributions of the Indian-American community to the country's economic, cultural and educational life and highlighted the strong bilateral relationship.Prominent landmarks, including the Empire State Building in New York and Prudential Centre in Boston, were illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour.FIA will host its 44th India Day Parade on Madison Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday (August 16). The annual event features floats, tableaux and cultural performances and draws thousands of members of the Indian diaspora.This year's parade will feature the cast of the popular Indian television show "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" as chief guests and grand marshals. Published - August 16, 2026 11:51 am IST
Police personnel taking part in the parade during the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district, on Saturday. | Hoisting the national flag at the District Stadium in Hosapete, Muzrai, Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Minister and Vijayanagara district in-charge Minister K.S. Basavanthappa said every citizen had a responsibility to protect the country’s unity, integrity and constitutional values.Recalling the sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, B.R. Ambedkar, and Sarojini Naidu, among others, Mr. Basavannappa also remembered the contribution of women freedom fighters, including Kittur Rani Chennamma.“The Constitution, framed under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar after Independence, had laid the foundation for an inclusive India and enabled every citizen to live with dignity and self-respect… India has made significant progress in science and technology, education, healthcare, agriculture, industry and the economy since Independence. However, challenges such as poverty, unemployment, gender and economic inequality, environmental pollution, climate change, water scarcity and deforestation remained, and they required collective efforts by the government and society,” he said.Speaking on the district’s development, the Minister said that the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation had earmarked ₹4,107 crore for development works in the district, of which 132 proposals involving ₹2,171 crore had been approved.“A 250-bed hospital, constructed with ₹104 crore from the District Mineral Foundation fund, was ready for inauguration. The construction of a critical care centre at a cost of ₹21.40 crore was in the final stage,” he said. Published - August 15, 2026 09:27 pm IST
The awards recognise acts of gallantry and distinguished service rendered by defence personnel. File (Representational image) | Here’s a look at the major gallantry awards, when they were constituted and more about how the nation honours its Bravehearts.What are gallantry awardsThe gallantry awards recognise acts of exceptional courage or distinguished service rendered by defence personnel during various operations. The awards are announced twice every year — Republic Day and Independence Day. The order of precedence of the awards is Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award, is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or daring or pre-eminent act of self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in air. The first soldier to win the Param Vir Chakra was Major Somnath Sharma, who was martyred in 1947. India's highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy, the Param Vir Chakra. Bottom (left): The first winner of the award, Major Somnath Sharma, who died in the Kashmir action on November 3, 1947. Major Dhan Singh Thapa (centre), who repulsed the Chinese attack on a post in Ladakh in 1962 and Major Shaitan Singh (right), for bravery against the Chinese at Rezang La in the Chusul sector of Ladakh. | The maximum number of Maha Vir Chakra award given in a single conflict was in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, when eleven were given to the Indian Air Force (IAF). .Ashoka Chakra, the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy. Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, and Shaurya Chakra is the third. President Droupadi Murmu and others during the Defence Investiture Ceremony–2026 (Phase I) for gallantry awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi in June. Photo: X/@SpokespersonMoD via PTI This year, totally nine Kirti Chakra were announced, including for Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF of 21 Para (Special Forces) and Major Jitendra Rathee of 2 Para (Special Forces) and Havildar Gajendra Singh of 2 Para (Special Forces). Six personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and other forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have also been awarded the Kirti Chakra, posthumously.The awards announced by the Central government on August 14, 2026, also include 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous; three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).When were the awards institutedAfter Independence, the Indian government instituted the first three Gallantry Awards — Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra — on January 26, 1950.Three more gallantry awards were instituted in 1952, namely Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II and Ashoka Chakra Class-III. However, these were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, respectively, in 1967.The President confers the Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra to awardees or next-of-kins during the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath. Other gallantry and distinguished service awards are awarded by the President during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.What is the selection processThe Defence Ministry invites recommendations from the Armed Forces and Union Home Ministry for gallantry awards, twice in a year. Recommendations are invited in August for the awards to be announced on Republic Day and in March for the awards to be announced on the Independence Day.The Armed Forces and Home Ministry submit the recommendati
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort in New Delhi. | On India's 79th Independence Day last year, Mr. Modi had delivered a 103-minute speech, breaking his own record of a 98-minute address delivered on the 78th Independence Day in 2024.Independence Day LIVE updates- August 15, 2026His longest Independence Day speech before 2024 was for 96 minutes in 2016, while his shortest speech was in 2017, when he spoke for 56 minutes.Mr. Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on Saturday (August 15). Last year, he had broken Indira Gandhi's record by delivering 12 consecutive speeches from the Red Fort, to stand next only to Jawaharlal Nehru, who delivered 17 Independence Day addresses in a row.Mr. Modi delivered his first Independence Day speech in 2014 and it lasted 65 minutes.His speech in 2015 lasted 88 minutes. In 2018, Mr. Modi's address was for 83 minutes. In 2019, he spoke for nearly 92 minutes.In 2020, Mr. Modi's Independence Day address lasted 90 minutes.The Prime Minister's Independence Day speech lasted 88 minutes in 2021 and in 2022, he spoke for 74 minutes.In 2023, Mr. Modi's speech was for 90 minutes.Before Mr. Modi, Nehru in 1947 and I.K. Gujral in 1997 had the longest speeches for 72 minutes and 71 minutes, respectively.Nehru and Indira Gandhi also gave the shortest speeches on record for 14 minutes in 1954 and 1966, respectively.Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee also gave some of the shortest Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort.Singh's speeches in 2012 and 2013 lasted only 32 and 35 minutes, respectively. Vajpayee's speeches in 2002 and 2003 were even shorter at 25 and 30 minutes. Published - August 15, 2026 10:07 am IST
A military band performs during the full-dress rehearsal ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, in New Delhi Photo: @SpokespersonMoD X/ANI Photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted people on the occasion of Independence Day and said powered by 140 crore Indians, the country is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors. Modi set to lead the celebrations at the Red Fort complex amid patriotic fervour and multi-layer security.The capital is on high alert, with more than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the city to maintain law and order, while a multi-layered security grid is in place around the Red Fort. Published - August 15, 2026 06:57 am IST
Elaborate arrangements have been made at Nelapadu Grounds in Amaravati, the main venue for the 80th Independence Day celebrations. | N Rao The capital region of Amaravati has been decked for the celebration of the 80th Independence Day as programmes are lined up for Saturday.Major government buildings and prominent landmarks across the capital region were spruced uop with the choicest illumination on Friday.The five buildings of the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat have been decorated with special lighting designed to reflect the Tricolour, while the Assembly building has also been illuminated. Roads on either side of the Assembly and Secretariat premises, along with the Central Park, were adorned with colourful lighting.The rock-cut Undavalli Caves near Vijayawada glow in orange, white and green on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. Across the city, Lok Bhavan, the Prakasam Barrage and government offices carry the same three colours. Video: G.N. Rao pic.twitter.com/voQthwdvV7— The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) August 14, 2026Lok Bhavan in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister’s Camp Office at Undavalli, Prakasam Barrage, the historic Undavalli Caves and other historically significant buildings have also been decorated with lights. The arrangements have added grandeur to the city ahead of the celebrations.Meanwhile, separate flag-hoisting ceremonies have been scheduled at the Assembly, Secretariat and Andhra Pradesh High Court for Saturday. The rock-cut Undavalli Caves wear the tricolour on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, each of the three tiers lit in one band of the flag, at Undavalli in Guntur district on Friday. | N. Rao Legislative Council Chairman Koyye Moshen Raju will unfurl the national flag at the Legislative Council premises at 7.45 a.m. Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu will hoist the Tricolour on the Assembly premises at 8 a.m.At the Secretariat’s First Block, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad will unfurl the national flag at 7.30 a.m.At the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Nelapadu, Chief Justice Lisa Gill will hoist the national flag at 10 a.m. Published - August 14, 2026 10:48 pm IST
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