India Independence Day 2025 FICA Celebration August 15, 2025 India Cultural Garden
FICA is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Asian Indian Community in Northeast Ohio. They hosted a celebration of India's Independence Day in their Cultural Garden on MLK Blvd. in Cleveland.
Independence Day is celebrated annually on August 15 as a public holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947, the day when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, which transferred legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly, came into effect. India attained independence following the independence movement noted for largely non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Cleveland Indian community gathered to sing the national anthems and patriotic songs and have a short program. We asked Indian community leader Satish Parikh to give us some details about the celebration and history. There are three national holidays in India - Gandhi's' birthday on October 2, Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15. Satish told us about gaining independence in 1947 and then becoming a Republic in 1950. We also asked about the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana written by Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore. Watch the video.
Federation of India Community Associations (FICA) president Shekhar Ganore welcomed the crowd.
Shekhar Ganore welcome
Then, Satish Parikh gave some details about the history of the Indian Cultural Garden with the 17' tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the informational pillars. He spoke of Garden founders Raj Pillai and Vijaya Emani who were the driving forces behind the Garden. Watch.
Satish Parikh
Next, people marched around the Garden.
India Independence Day Parade at Cultural Garden
Then the flag of India was raised and the crowd sang the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana and the US national anthem. Watch.
Raising the flag
National Anthems of India and USA
Ramya Ramadurai served as MC for the ceremony. After her remarks she introduced Sudarshan Sathe for some remarks. Watch.
Ramya Ramadurai
Sudarshan Sathe and Ramya Ramadurai
Sudarshan Sathe
Next, students of the Sanatana Dharma classes spoke about various India patriotic topics. The students were Baany Patel, Bhakti Patel, Swara Jayesh Mendpara, Vedant Upadhyay, Tilak Patel, Aanya Sakwadia and Akshat Patel.
Popular and patriotic songs were sung.
Before everyone left, FICA president Shekhar Ganore called the remaining attendees together for a quick group photo.
India Independence Day group
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