PASCACK VALLEY—On Wednesday, the County of Bergen, in partnership with Arya Samaj of New Jersey, the EID Committee of New Jersey, the Indo-American Senior Citizens Association of Bergen County, the Hindu Samaj Temple of Mahwah, Indian Americans of Paramus, the Malayalee Christian Fellowship, and the Ridgewood Indian Community, hosted a celebration in honor of Indian Independence in the Piazza at the One Bergen County Plaza Administration Building.
Indian Independence Day is celebrated annually on Aug. 15 and commemorates the end of British rule in 1947 and the establishment of a free and independent Indian nation.
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III issued a proclamation recognizing Aug. 15, 2023, as Indian Independence Day. The proclamation and a Key to the County were presented to Consul Head of Chancery of the Consulate General of India in New York, the Honorable Suman Singh, who also served as the events keynote speaker.
The event featured a semi-classical Indian Fusion dance by the Mayura School of Arts and a vocal performance of “Vande Mataram” by the Musicsunita Academy of Indian Music.
The County of Bergen presented 2023 Indian Independence Day Outstanding Service Contribution Awards to members of the community.
The event culminated in the raising of the Indian flag as Palakshi Aurora and Krishi Shah of Musicsunita Academy of India performed the Indian National Anthem.
Refreshments were provided by various organizations and community members, including Surinder Chaddha, Arya Samaj of New Jersey, the EID Committee of New Jersey, the Indo-American Senior Citizens Association of Bergen County, the Kerala Cultural Forum of New Jersey, the Malayalee Christian Fellowship, Indian Americans of Paramus, Milan Group Paramus, the Ridgewood Indian Community, and Nick Patel.
2023 Indian Independence Day Outstanding Community Service Contribution Honorees: Vinod Chaddha, Joy Chakkappan, Sanjeev Goyal, Mehreen Khateeb, Varghese Plammoottil, Naseem Qadeer, Anjali Thanawala, Assistant Professor, Bergen Community College.