Aurora Celebrates India's Independence Day With Inaugural Flag Raising

AURORA, IL — Hundreds of Indian Americans gathered in downtown Aurora Monday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

To honor the occasion, officials hosted the city's inaugural flag-raising ceremony. One Aurora Plaza, draped in the national colors of orange, white and green, served as a backdrop.

Students joined Aurora Ward 10 Alderwoman Shweta Baid — the first Indian American elected to public office in Aurora — to raise the flag.

The ceremony opened with the American National Anthem and the Indian National Anthem. The event continued with dignitaries giving remarks and Ananya Saraswati, a student at the Acharya Performing Arts Academy in Aurora, performing a Bharathanatyam Indian classical dance.

Youth trailblazers and adult community leaders were also awarded as a way to commemorate the occasion.

The Indian American community is the fastest-growing population in Aurora, according to Clayton Muhammad, chief communication officer.