Seattle: Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates inaugurated the first India Day celebrations in the Greater Seattle Area marking the 78th Independence Day of India. The event, which featured a flag-hoisting ceremony, marked a significant moment for the Indian community in the region.
Gates addressed over 2,000 members of the Indian-American community at the celebration, highlighting India’s role as “a global leader with breakthrough innovations in areas like technology, agriculture, and healthcare.” He emphasized that “from manufacturing safe low-cost vaccines to the remarkable leadership shown by the Indian diaspora to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure – India’s ingenuity is helping not just Indians, but the whole world. Countries across the Global South are leveraging India’s experience to build their DPI systems.”
The celebration also saw participation from several prominent political figures, including Congresswomen Suzan K. DelBene and Kim Schrier, Congressman Adam Smith, Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. In addition, the mayors of Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie, and Mercer Island joined the event, showing their support for the Indian community in the Greater Seattle Area.
The Indian Consulate General in Seattle expressed gratitude for the participation of these dignitaries. “Thank you, Mr. Bill Gates, for flagging off the First India Day celebrations in the Greater Seattle area,” the Consulate General posted on X. “Deeply appreciate the participation of Congresswomen Suzan K. DelBene and Kim Schrier and Congressman Adam Smith, along with Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. Thanks also to the Mayors of Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie, and Mercer Island for joining in to support the Indian community,” the statement added.
The India Day event followed the celebrations of India’s 78th Independence Day at the Indian Consulate General in Seattle on August 15. This year, India celebrated 77 years of independence from British colonial rule, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi for the 11th consecutive time. The theme for this year’s Independence Day, “Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” reflects the government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
