USA (Commonwealth Union)_ On August 15, Seattle saw a historic occasion when the Indian national flag was raised for the first time atop the city’s famous Space Needle. The event, held on India’s 79th Independence Day, marked the first time a foreign flag has been flown from the 605-foot-tall structure, a symbol of Seattle’s skyline since it was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. India‘s Consul General in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, led the flag-hoisting ceremony alongside Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and other city officials.
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In a post on social media, Gupta called it an incredible honor to raise the Indian flag over Seattle, sharing a video of the tricolor waving high above the city. The festival honored the Indian-American community‘s contributions to the Seattle region, particularly in technology and innovation. After the ceremony, the Consulate General hosted a reception at Kerry Park with the Space Needle in the background. The event was attended by Indian-American residents and prominent US dignitaries, including Congressman Adam Smith, Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens, and Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho.
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As part of the celebrations, several well-known Seattle landmarks, including Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, the Westin, and the Seattle Great Wheel, were lit up in the colors of the Indian flag. In nearby Tacoma, the tricolor was raised at multiple sites, including the Tacoma Dome, City Hall, and public safety buildings. During the Kerry Park event, Congressman Smith praised the moment as a reflection of the Pacific Northwest’s diversity and a testament to the growing relationship between India and the region.
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The day also featured cultural acts such as traditional Indian dances, national anthems, and a poetry reading by acclaimed artist Piyush Mishra. The occasion highlighted India’s growing presence in the area, as Seattle hosted the country’s sixth US consulate since November 2023. To commemorate the anniversary, local governments in Seattle, Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma, and King County recognized August 15 as India Day, celebrating the two countries’ shared values and bonds.