India@80, America@250: Indian-American Community Sets Guinness World Record In New Jersey

Indian Independence Day celebrations across the New York tri-state area culminated in a spectacular Guinness World Record on Saturday, as the Indian-American community celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day alongside the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary.

More than 1,300 US flags, surrounded by Indian tricolours, were arranged at Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, New Jersey, to form the number “250”. The display set the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Flagpole Number”, creating a striking tribute to India-US friendship.

The event was organised by the Consulate General of India in New York in partnership with the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-NE (FIA), with support from Indian technology company Zoho.

The celebration brought together members of the Indian-American community, elected representatives, business leaders and community figures. New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, US Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, Indian Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and Parsippany Mayor Pulkit Desai addressed the gathering.

Speakers highlighted the strengthening India-US partnership and the important role of the Indian-American community in building economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The celebrations extended across the region. The Indian Consulate in New York and India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted flag-hoisting ceremonies, while the Indian tricolour was unfurled at Times Square during FIA’s annual celebration featuring cultural performances.

Several US states also recognised the occasion, with governors issuing proclamations declaring August 15 as “India Day”. Major landmarks, including the Empire State Building in New York and the Prudential Centre in Boston, were illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag.