Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, inaugurated the first India Day celebrations in the Greater Seattle Area. The event included a flag hoisting ceremony and drew participation from notable dignitaries. Numerous balloons decorated in the colors of the Indian flag were flown to commemorate the occasion.
The ceremony featured speeches from various dignitaries, including Bill Gates.US Congresswomen Suzan K DelBene, Kim Schrier, and Congressman Adam Smith attended the event. Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs were also present.
Adding to the significance, mayors from Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie, and Mercer Island also joined in the celebrations. Various local leaders came together to honor and support the Indian community in the Greater Seattle Area.
“Thank you, Mr. Bill Gates, for flagging off the First India Day celebrations in the Greater Seattle area,” the Indian Consulate General in Seattle stated in a post on X.
“Deeply appreciate the participation of Congresswomen Suzan K DelBene and Kim Schrier and Congressman Adam Smith, along with Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. Thanks also to the Mayors of Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie, and Mercer Island for joining in to support the Indian community,” the post added.
Prior to this event, the 78th Independence Day of India was also celebrated at the Indian Consulate General in Seattle on August 15. India marked 77 years of independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi for the 11th consecutive time to celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day. The theme for this year’s Independence Day was “Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” highlighting the government’s goal to develop India into a developed nation by 2047.