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An Indian celebration is never complete without the company of close friends and an abundance of colorful foods and lively dancing. The Indian Independence Day celebrated in Washington, D.C. matched the fervor across the globe, while revealing a fine political undercurrent.

For the week of August 15, Indian cultural groups held two events in collaboration with the Indian Embassy. The programs mirrored the ceremonial practices in India, where President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam gave a televised speech to remind people of their rights, duties and responsibilities as citizens.

More practicality than pomp, the speech expanded on India’s recommendations for the future, while remembering India’s journey to independence. US Ambassador of India, Ronen Sen, repeated the speech at the embassy.  

India became an independent dominion with the British Commonwealth in 1947. Marked with a turbulent history, India struggled with the Indo-Pakistani War and was later reconciled with defining events, including peaceful civil disobedience and fasting by political leader, Mahatma Gandhi. 

“The importance of India’s Independence Day is obvious as it marks the re-emergence of an ancient civilization as a modern nation state after a long period of foreign rule,” said George Kutty, Attache of the India Embassy. “India has every reason to be proud of its achievements since gaining independence six decades ago. It is the largest democracy in the world…It has a dynamic and resilient economy, which is presently the second fastest growing in the world.”

Ambassador Sen also made an appearance at an Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md.

“In honor of my country, I was quite pleased,” said Louis Paul, a consultant at the World Bank. “We set some goals for human development. I am now more concerned about our water conservation, health, energy independence and education in India.”

References to India’s military and economic growth dotted the president’s speech. He asked people to focus on their need to interlink India’s rivers for effective water distribution, the use of innovated farming and marketing method and the addition of computers in schools. Kalam also created a seven point oath for the youth to recite.

“I realize, whatever work I do if I do the best, I am contributing towards realizing the Mission of Developed India before 2020,” he wrote.

The India Independence Day events in Washington also consisted of a flag hoisting ceremony and dance and food presentations by local Indian cultural organizations, such as the India Cultural Coordination Committee.

“I was there to support my community by preserving the culture of India and explaining traditional values to my children,” said Kumar Singh, ICCC member. “Dignitaries were also there to raise our flag for us.”

As they remembered India’s rich history, participants also reflected on the strides Indian immigrants have made in the United States.

“Now we are here and we will use our family values to support this country as well,” Singh said.

Twelve-year-old Yashoda Premysler and her sisters Sunita, 11, and Lakshmi, 10, wore strikingly elegant salwars, a type of Indian dress, to the embassy event. Their copper, pink and yellow colored clothes complimented relaxed smiles, results of listening to traditional Hindi songs by artists, Sevanti Sanyal and Rajendra Kachroo.

The Premyslers planned another family-oriented weekend filled with shopping and eating in New York’s Jackson Heights, a neighborhood in Queens known for its burgeoning Indian population.

“It reminds us of India,” they said. “You get to see people who wear the same clothes as you and you get to eat Indian food. It’s the best.”