Led by an Indian-American Congressman, Shri Thanedar, a group of American lawmakers have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to declare India’s Independence Day as the National Day of Celebration of the World’s Two Largest Democracies.
Introduced by Thanedar and co-sponsored by Congressman Buddy Carter and Brad Sherman, the resolution seeks to declare August 15, India’s Independence Day, as the National Day of Celebration.
What the Resolution says
The resolution invoked the visit of PM Narendra Modi to the United States on June 22, 2023, and has anchored the US and India into a new level of trust and mutual understanding based on common interests and shared commitments to freedom, democracy, pluralism, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
Americans with Indian heritage enhance public life in the US as government officials, military personnel and law enforcement officers who diligently uphold the principles of the US Constitution and contribute to the enriching diversity of the nation, the resolution said.
It is proper and desirable to celebrate with Indian People and to reaffirm the democratic principles on which the two nations were born, it said.
The resolution expresses the belief that a strong partnership between India and the United States of America rooted in shared democratic values will continue to advance global democracy and foster peace, stability and prosperity for both nations.
Previous attempts
Prior to the enforcement of the current resolution, the three US States, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, proclaimed August 15 as India’s independence day last year. Proclaiming August 15 as India’s Day, the governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, said that a youthful country celebrating its 76th Independence Day, modern India has shown unsurpassed growth in education, health, agriculture and technology since independence.
Rhode Island governor Daniel McKee proclaimed August 15 as “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav 76th Independence of Bharat” (India) in the state and encouraged all residents to join him in recognising the importance of this day.
He also mentioned in the proclamation that “The Bharatiya heritage culture, traditions and values provide invaluable solutions to many of life’s problems and often serve as a source of inspiration reflection and contemplation for millions of individuals who look to the teachings of Bharatiya knowledge such as Yoga and Ayurveda for guidance.
The New Hampshire government Christopher T Sununu said that India is a composite civilisation, a nation unique as a cultural mosaic of people embracing a prodigious diversity of ethnic groups, religions, languages, customs, traditions, clothing, manners, food habits, climatic conditions and natural resources and yet presenting an underlying unity.
In his proclamation, Christopher Sununu said, “India has the largest diaspora in the world with around 32 million Indians living in other countries and over 5 million immigrants residing in the US who contribute greatly to the social, economic and civic health of the nation.
The governor of Texas also issued a proclamation to celebrate India’s Independence Day. The city of Boston also hoisted a giant Indian Tricolour to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
India’s Independence Day 2023
A large delegation of US Lawmakers is making its way to India to take part in several events, including PM Narendra Modi’s address at the historic Red Fort on August 15, 2023. The group will be led by American Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Micheal Waltz. Shri Thanedar is also a key member of this very American Delegation.
One of the leading members of this group, Ro Khanna, has Indian roots. His grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar was an Indian freedom fighter who spent four years of jail alongside Mahatma Gandhi and was a part of India’s first parliament.
