India Association to Host India Indepedence Day Celebration at Providence City Hall

Mayor Taveras Excited to Welcome Rhode Island's Indian American Community to City Hall.

Mayor Angel Taveras will welcome the India Association of Rhode Island (IARI) to City Hall this evening for their India Independence Day celebration. IARI is a local nonprofit organization whose goal is promoting the culture, history and heritage of India across the State of Rhode Island. The celebration will take place from 6pm to 8pm and will include cultural performances, food stalls and vending booths. The free celebration will highlight the diversity, growing presence and contributions of the Indian community in Rhode Island.

"I am excited to welcome the India Association of Rhode Island to City Hall and wish the entire Indian-American community a happy India Independence Day," said Mayor Angel Taveras. "In Providence, we celebrate our diversity and the contributions that people of all backgrounds make. I look forward to this celebration."

"The India Association invites all Rhode Islanders to help us celebrate India's independence. As Indian Americans, we are as proud of our rich cultural heritage as we are being an integral part of the Rhode Island community," says Ashish Pathak, president, India Association of Rhode Island. "The Indian community has a diversified base of top-notch professionals in the fields of science, technology, medicine, academics and business. As India marches to be a global power, the need for cooperation between the two large democratic nations is greater than ever. So with pride and humility, we choose to celebrate our Independence Day at the Providence City Hall. Also, we thank the city officials for all the help they have provided to make it possible."

India achieved independence from British rule in 1947 after years of political struggle. Led by members of the Indian National Congress, the Indian Independence movement was noted for peaceful nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. The Indian Independence Act partitioned British India into the two new independence dominions - India and Pakistan. India celebrates its independence on August 15 - a national holiday in the country and a day of significance to Indians throughout the world. Today, India is a major political and economic force in the world. IARI was founded over 30 years ago and represents more than 800 families of Asian American origin in Rhode Island.