75 years of Indian Independence to be marked in West Northamptonshire

12 August 2022

The 75th anniversary of Indian Independence Day will be celebrated with a flag raising ceremony on Monday, 15th August at 9am, outside the Guildhall on St Giles’ Square in Northampton.

The Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, the Mayor of Northampton and representatives of the Northampton Indian-Hindu Welfare Organisation, will be joined by Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Professor Simon Gregory and Neelam Aggarwal-Singh MBE to raise the Indian flag and commemorate the proclamation of Indian independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947.

Councillor André González De Savage, the Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “West Northamptonshire Council is proud to mark this important anniversary in Indian history and all are welcome to join us in observing the flag raising ceremony and celebrating the country’s heritage.”

Independence Day is celebrated on 15 August each year as a national holiday in India, to commemorate the nation's independence with flag raising ceremonies, parades and cultural events.

Mrs Aggarwal-Singh, who is also the Chair of the Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, said: “On behalf of the IHWO, I am delighted that this flag raising is taking place in West Northamptonshire.

“This will be the first time that the Indian flag is raised in Northampton to mark the country’s Independence Day. It is a moment of great significance for us to be able to do this for our community and a time to celebrate.”