Celebrations marking India’s 80th Independence Day in the New York tri-state area culminated in a world record, with more than 1,300 U.S. flags surrounded by Indian tricolours arranged to form the number “250”, in a tribute to America’s semiquincentennial anniversary.

A Guinness World Record for the “Largest Flagpole Number” was set at Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, New Jersey, on Saturday (August 15, 2026), in a joint celebration of India’s 80th Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

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

“Held at the intersection of India@80 and America@250, the event was a memorable expression of India-U.S. friendship and of the Indian-American community’s enduring contribution to bringing the two nations and their peoples closer together,” a media statement by the organisers said.

The record-setting event was among several programmes held across the New York Tri-State area and other parts of the U.S. to mark India’s Independence Day.

The New York Tri-State area refers to the greater metropolitan region of New York City that extends across three States: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Saturday’s (August 15) event was attended by members of the Indian-American community, elected representatives and business and community leaders.

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, U.S. Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and Parsippany Mayor Pulkit Desai addressed the event.

The speakers highlighted the strong bonds between India and the U.S. The Indian Consul General underscored the growing bilateral partnership and the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening economic, cultural and people-to-people ties, the statement said.

“The Guinness World Record also highlighted the diaspora’s role as a bridge between the two countries,” it said.

“Through its contributions across business, technology, healthcare, education, science, public service, arts and culture, the Indian-American community continues to enrich American society while strengthening ties with India,” it said.

The Indian Consulate in New York and the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations also hosted flag-hoisting ceremonies attended by large numbers of members of the Indian diaspora.

At Times Square, the Indian tricolour was unfurled during an annual celebration hosted by FIA, featuring cultural performances showcasing India’s heritage and the enduring India-U.S. partnership.

Ahead of Independence Day, governors of several U.S. States issued proclamations declaring August 15 as “India Day” in their respective jurisdictions.

U.S. senators, governors, lawmakers, cities and towns also hailed the contributions of the Indian-American community to the country’s economic, cultural and educational life and highlighted the strong bilateral relationship.

Prominent landmarks, including the Empire State Building in New York and Prudential Centre in Boston, were illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour.

FIA will host its 44th India Day Parade on Madison Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday (August 16). The annual event features floats, tableaux and cultural performances and draws thousands of members of the Indian diaspora.

This year’s parade will feature the cast of the popular Indian television show “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah” as chief guests and grand marshals.

Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule on Saturday (August 15, 2026) hoisted the tricolour at an event to mark India’s 80th Independence Day, with more than 2,500 diaspora members joining the celebrations.

Also read: Independence Day LIVE updates

At the event held at the Chancery, Mr. Ambule also read excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation.

The National Anthem, Vande Mataram and patriotic songs were also sung at the flag-hosting ceremony.

Students from Indian schools in the city-state performed traditional dances, displaying the diversity of Indian culture.

All attendees at the celebration were treated to sweets, Indian meals and soft drinks.

Later in the day, Mr. Ambule laid a wreath on behalf of the Indian community in Singapore at the Kranji War Cemetery and Memorial in remembrance and honour of the fallen soldiers.

Families of serving personnel of the Indian Armed Forces deputed in Singapore, veteran Indian soldiers, members of the High Commission and other distinguished guests from the Indian and Singaporean communities attended the ceremony.

In his address, Mr. Ambule highlighted that more than 67,000 of the 139,000 Allied Forces personnel deployed to fight in Malaya and Singapore during WWII were Indians.

He said that the sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers fighting in Singapore during WWII was reflected in the names of over 12,500 Indian soldiers amongst the 24,000 fallen Allied soldiers inscribed on the walls of Kranji War Memorial, and the hardships faced by the large number of Indian Prisoners of War in Singapore, many of whom never returned home.

He also highlighted the role of the Fifth Infantry Division of the pre-independence Indian Army, which arrived on September 5, 1945, as the first Allied forces to enter and liberate Singapore at the end of WWII.

As part of the Independence Day celebration, women from the Indian diaspora celebrated the rich legacy of India’s handlooms, weavers and textile traditions.

Also read: Independence Day 2026: PM Modi appeals to Oppn. to help implement women’s quota, says ‘you may take the credit

“Through workshops, cultural experiences and community events, the women created greater awareness and knowledge about the many weaves of India, their origins, the regions they come from and the skilled craftsmanship behind them”, said Divya Dhar, who led the community initiative “Saree Circle”.

Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule on Saturday (August 15, 2026) hoisted the tricolour at an event to mark India’s 80th Independence Day, with more than 2,500 diaspora members joining the celebrations.

Also read: Independence Day LIVE updates

At the event held at the Chancery, Mr. Ambule also read excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation.

The National Anthem, Vande Mataram and patriotic songs were also sung at the flag-hosting ceremony.

Students from Indian schools in the city-state performed traditional dances, displaying the diversity of Indian culture.

All attendees at the celebration were treated to sweets, Indian meals and soft drinks.

Later in the day, Mr. Ambule laid a wreath on behalf of the Indian community in Singapore at the Kranji War Cemetery and Memorial in remembrance and honour of the fallen soldiers.

Families of serving personnel of the Indian Armed Forces deputed in Singapore, veteran Indian soldiers, members of the High Commission and other distinguished guests from the Indian and Singaporean communities attended the ceremony.

In his address, Mr. Ambule highlighted that more than 67,000 of the 139,000 Allied Forces personnel deployed to fight in Malaya and Singapore during WWII were Indians.

He said that the sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers fighting in Singapore during WWII was reflected in the names of over 12,500 Indian soldiers amongst the 24,000 fallen Allied soldiers inscribed on the walls of Kranji War Memorial, and the hardships faced by the large number of Indian Prisoners of War in Singapore, many of whom never returned home.

He also highlighted the role of the Fifth Infantry Division of the pre-independence Indian Army, which arrived on September 5, 1945, as the first Allied forces to enter and liberate Singapore at the end of WWII.

As part of the Independence Day celebration, women from the Indian diaspora celebrated the rich legacy of India’s handlooms, weavers and textile traditions.

Also read: Independence Day 2026: PM Modi appeals to Oppn. to help implement women’s quota, says ‘you may take the credit

“Through workshops, cultural experiences and community events, the women created greater awareness and knowledge about the many weaves of India, their origins, the regions they come from and the skilled craftsmanship behind them”, said Divya Dhar, who led the community initiative “Saree Circle”.