West Orange Celebrates Indian Independence Day At Town Hall

WEST ORANGE, NJ — An annual celebration of Indian Independence Day made its triumphant return to West Orange for a fourth year.

West Orange town officials recently shared a social media post about the event, which took place on the steps of Town Hall last week.

“The annual event now in its fourth year is organized by West Orange High School Senior Riya Goel. The West Orange Indian community turned out to celebrate with an Indian flag raising as “Jana Gana Mana,” the Indian national anthem, was sung. Children dressed in sarees, the national dress of India, assisted in the ceremony.”

The post continued:

“The flag raising has historic significance unique to West Orange. A new second flagpole was recently installed adjacent to the original town hall flagpole dating to 1937 that usually flies the [United States] and POW flag. Mayor Robert Parisi commented that the Indian flag will forever be the first flag to de displayed from the new town hall flagpole in his brief remarks. Parisi also praised Goel in thanking her for bringing elements of the Indian culture to life in West Orange. Other town officials on hand to help celebrate Indian independence were Council President Cindy Matute-Brown, Councilwoman Susan McCartney and Councilwoman Tammy Williams. The gathered crowd was invited to sample several traditional Indian dishes, which were available following the brief but meaningful ceremony.”

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