North Hempstead Celebrates 80th India Independence Day
🕑 Published: August 24, 2026 at 11:04 AM CST
#Town of North Hempstead Celebrates 80th India Independence day and America’s 250th Anniversary
The Town of North Hempstead proudly celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day alongside America’s 250th Anniversary on August 16th at Clinton G Martin park, hosted by Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava. The celebration brought together elected officials, community organizations, and residents from across the Town for a memorable afternoon honoring history, heritage, service, and the strong bonds between India and the United States.
The hall was packed with residents, families, and community members, creating an incredible atmosphere of pride and celebration. It was wonderful to see so many Indian Americans come together under one roof to celebrate their shared heritage, culture, and the spirit of India’s Independence Day.
One of the highlights of the event was the hoisting of the Indian national flag, commemorating 80 years of India’s independence and remembering the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom.
The celebration also highlighted an important milestone for the Indian American community in North Hempstead. Through the initiative of Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava and her commitment to recognizing the many contributions of the Indian American community, a resolution was introduced to officially recognize August 15 as “India Day” in the Town of North Hempstead. This recognition was also acknowledged by the New York State Assembly, further honoring the significant contributions and growing presence of the Indian American community across the region
The Town also proudly honored internationally renowned radiation oncologist Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori for his extraordinary contributions to the field of oncology and in recognition of his receiving the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors. His distinguished career, dedication to advancing cancer care, and service to countless patients have brought tremendous pride to the Indian American community.
As the United States celebrates 250 years of American independence, Lieutenant Colonel Jophiel Philips delivered special remarks reflecting on the values of service, freedom, and patriotism. He also shared experiences from his military service, offering a meaningful reminder of the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who serve our nation.
Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, and Town of North Hempstead Council Member Dennis Walsh also attended the celebration, joining community leaders, and residents in recognizing this important occasion.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from numerous Indian American communities and cultural organizations, including TLCA, NYTTA, Malayalam Global Voice, ECHO, MILAN, ICM, ICCI,NBA, IALI and the Kerala Center, along with residents from many different communities. Colorful cultural performances showcased India’s rich and diverse traditions and added to the festive spirit of the celebration.
Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava expressed her appreciation to the participating organizations, performers, volunteers, families, and residents whose time, enthusiasm, and support helped make the celebration a success.
The event was a celebration of India’s 80 years of independence and America’s 250 years of independence, while also recognizing the significant contributions of the Indian American community to the cultural, civic, professional, and economic fabric of North Hempstead and the greater Long Island community. Above all, the celebration reflected the diversity, unity, friendship, and shared values that continue to make the Town of North Hempstead a vibrant and welcoming community.
