To celebrate the 70 years of India’s Independence, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations organized a special event on September 8th, 2017.Although traditionally, such celebrations are held on August 15, the actual day of independence, the UN held its event on Sept. 8.
Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the UN was present along with PRs/Ambassadors of several countries at the celebrations at the world headquarters of the United Nation. Over 600 hundred guests from around the nation joined in the historic celebrations organized by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, who along with his wife Padma Akbaruddin, personally welcomed every guest. The deputy PR and his wife also joined them in welcoming guests who all were greeted at the entrance with a tilak on the forehead, an Indian way to show respect and express warmth.
The Jersey City-based Surati dancers and musicians have made a point each year of celebrating Indian Independence Day. Surati, a nonprofit dedicated to education in the performing arts, performed before the audience. The performance featured 15 dancers and musicians who performed Indian classical, folk, martial arts, and Bollywood, as well as hip-hop, jazz, afro-fusion, Flamenco and other world music and dance genres.
The performances were designed to highlight the various genres of Indian dance and music as well as art forms from all over the world, which drives home the universality of dance and demonstrates the camaraderie and goodwill among nations. “We feel fortunate to have been hand-picked to showcase authentic Indian performing arts and world music and dance in all its diversity, for this momentous occasion at this prestigious venue.” said Rimli Roy, Founder and Artistic Director of Surati, who conceptualized and directed the performances.