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The Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA) New England celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day with its International India Day Parade and Freedom Festival for the fifth consecutive year at historic Boston Harbor, highlighting the spirit of “shared values and enduring friendship” between the United States and India.
The celebration received a special message from India, with FIA New England receiving an official letter of recognition and blessings from India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, according to a statement from the organization.
A major highlight of the celebration was the illumination of Boston’s iconic Prudential Center in the Indian tricolor for the first time. The lighting transformed the city skyline in a symbolic tribute to India and the expanding U.S.-India partnership, the statement said.
India’s first Consul General in Boston, Raghuram S., Deputy Consul General Shruthi Purushottam, FIA New England President Abhishek Singh, businessman Dev Patil and members of the FIA executive team participated in the lighting ceremony.
Raghuram, who served as chief guest, kicked off the parade. U.S. Navy veteran Maggie Lemay and Indian Army Colonel Inderpreet Singh led the procession as grand marshals, joined by community leaders Ram and Meetu Gupta.
Singh expressed gratitude to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for recognizing the contributions of the Indian American community. He also thanked state and city leaders for official proclamations recognizing August 15 as India Day, marking the fifth consecutive year of the recognition.
The parade showcased the diversity of the Indian American community, with colorful floats highlighting India’s cultural heritage as well as the shared values of the United States and India. An American veterans’ band and a Marathi Dhol-Tasha ensemble brought music and patriotic spirit to the procession.
“One of the most meaningful elements of the parade was its journey through historic India Street, a location that recalls Boston’s early maritime trade connections with India,” the statement added. “The historic area symbolizes the centuries-old movement of Indian tea and goods through Boston Harbor and provides a unique backdrop for celebrating the intertwined history of India and America. The historic Boston Harbor location carries special significance with the story of the Boston Tea Party, an event that became a defining moment in America’s struggle for independence.”
The celebration also highlighted how “trade, people, ideas, and history” have connected the two countries over the centuries.
According to FIA New England, the annual parade and the India Day proclamations reflect the continued efforts of Singh and his team to establish the Boston Harbor celebration as a signature cultural event in the New England region.
The Freedom Festival brought together Indian Americans from across New England, elected officials, diplomats, veterans, community leaders and friends of India to commemorate India’s independence and celebrate the longstanding relationship between the United States and India.
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