Hundreds of guests attended the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Cardiff Castle on Monday (15) to observe India's 76th Independence Day. The venue was illuminated in saffron, white and green colours of the Indian Tricolour while flags were flown from the ramparts to celebrate the special occasion.
The event was organised by Raj Aggarwal, the Indian honorary consul general in Wales, and was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Lord Mayor of Cardiff Graham Hinchey, Chief Medical Director Sir Frank Atherton, assembly members, senior officers from the armed forces, police and community leaders.
Indian honorary consul in Wales Raj Aggarwal (L) hoists the Indian Tricolour at Cardiff Castle with Lord Mayor Graham Hinchey on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
Indian honorary consul in Wales Raj Aggarwal speaks at Cardiff Castle amid rain on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh regiment welcomed the guests with a fanfare and also played India's National Anthem.
Gurmit Singh Randhawa MBE (Chairman of Sikh Council of Wales) with a naval officer at Cardiff Castle on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
Cardiff Lord Mayor Graham Hinchey gives a speech in the rain at Cardiff Castle on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
The day witnessed heavy downpour but that could not spoil the mood as hundreds witnessed the hoisting of the Tricolour at the castle and heard speeches made by the Indian diplomat, Wales Counsel General Mick Antoniw MS, and the Lord Mayor.
"Indian Independence Day is celebrated all over the world with lots of love and pride, and we are glad that this year we can celebrate it with all our friends and colleagues again," Aggarwal said.
A Royal Welsh band performs at Cardiff Castle on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
They were followed by a traditional Indian dance performance presented by the Dance with Sinjini troupe.
Dance artistes from Dance with Sinjini troupe at Cardiff Castle perform on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
A dance performance underway at Cardiff Castle on the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022. (Picture: HCI Wales)
The event was the Indian government's official celebration in Wales and it was the first time in three years that there were no restrictions on numbers that were allowed to attend the festivities, unlike in the past few years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
From desks to dreams: A journey of girls’ empowerment