On August 15th, tricolours will flutter across Indian skies, but they’ll also ripple in the wind outside suburban homes in New Jersey, in offices in London, and on balconies in Toronto. Thousands of miles from the homeland, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are preparing to celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day not just as a mark of national pride, but as a vibrant assertion of cultural identity.
“Being Indian isn’t just about geography, it’s about identity,” says Dipal Dutta, CEO of global tech firm RedoQ, headquartered in London. “Having studied and started my business journey in the UK, I’ve always been surrounded by a multicultural environment where celebrations are welcomed and respected. Back at university, Independence Day was a moment of pride not just for Indian students, but an opportunity to share our culture with friends from around the world. That spirit continues at RedoQ. Even today, our offices globally mark the day with stories, food, and conversations that honour India’s journey. No matter where I am, I carry that pride with me.”
This year, as India commemorates its 78th year of freedom, the NRI community, spread across over 200 countries, continues to find powerful, personal ways to participate in the celebration. From community potlucks to flag-hoisting ceremonies and curated fashion shows in Indian wear, these expressions reflect not only nostalgia but a deep desire to stay rooted.
From Diaspora to Desh Bhakti
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India has the largest diaspora in the world, with over 32 million NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) living abroad. For many, Independence Day serves as a symbolic anchor, a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect.
In the US, Bindiya Kavani, 31, has found that the best way to feel close to home is through food and fellowship. “We’ve built a community here, and each Independence Day, we make sure to host or attend a community lunch, where we cherish Indian flavors. This year, we’re planning a potluck and hoisting the Indian flag together,” she shares from Chicago. “The food isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about storytelling. Every dish has a memory attached to it.”
For Sunanda Kumar, who has spent over 35 years in the US and runs an Indian wear boutique in New Jersey, the celebrations extend into the world of fashion. “You can’t take the Indianness out of an Indian,” she says, laughing. “At my store, we make sure to celebrate Independence Day at work as well as at home. Our models dress up in tricolour sarees and lehengas; every outfit tells a story of freedom, resilience, and tradition. At home, we gather with family, cook traditional meals, and even tune in to Doordarshan online to catch the Prime Minister’s speech.”
Cinema, Culture & Conversations
While some turn to rituals and community, others express their patriotism through film and art. In Canada, Himanshu, 33, finds comfort in classic patriotic cinema. “My friends and I love to watch patriotic movies, and we’re doing that again this year,” he says. “We’ve shortlisted ‘Uri’ and ‘Border’, it’s our little annual tradition. The goosebumps, the memories, they keep our connection alive.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by many. NRIs often recreate Indian Independence Day through the cultural touchpoints they grew up with, songs, movies, poems, and childhood memories of parade mornings, laddoos, and flag pins.
Siddhii Gupta, 29, a communication strategist based in the UK, brings a unique flavour to the celebration, literally and metaphorically. “I host a high tea on August 15th for my British and Indian friends,” she says. “We pair Indian snacks like dhokla and samosas with Earl Grey. It becomes a cultural bridge, an exchange. We talk about what freedom means today, not just politically but personally. This year, I’ve also planned a small poetry reading, featuring Indian poets from across generations.”
For Siddhii and others like her, Independence Day is less about ceremony and more about conversation. “The meaning of freedom evolves,” she adds. “In a globalised world, being Indian isn’t confined to your passport, it’s about how you carry your culture into every room you enter.”
At the same time, Kapil Gupta, 25, based out of Germany shares, “I love my India and I am gonna plan a patriotic celebration this year for my flatmates, where we will have discussions around how India has evolved over the years, our favorite cuisines, movies, art and more. This will be my first year away from India. I will miss flying kites as we used to do in Delhi, but here, we will celebrate in unique ways as well.”
Bridging Borders
While the modes of celebration vary, one thing remains constant: the desire to pass on the spirit of freedom to future generations. Across WhatsApp groups, Facebook invites, and Zoom calls, NRIs are planning virtual meets and hybrid events to include extended families in different time zones.
In Australia, several Indian associations have planned multicultural parades, yoga sessions, and art exhibitions that highlight India’s rich heritage. In Dubai, Indian expats are expected to gather in record numbers for the Independence Day gala organised by the Indian Consulate, complete with performances by school children and flag-hoisting by dignitaries.
According to a 2024 Pew Research survey, over 78% of Indian-origin respondents abroad feel “very emotionally connected” to India, especially around national holidays. The numbers reflect a deeper cultural yearning, one that refuses to fade despite distances.
The Pride Persists
In an age of global mobility, the idea of national identity can often become blurred. But for millions of NRIs, August 15 remains sharp, bright, and unmistakably Indian.
“It’s a thread that ties us back,” says Kavani. “No matter how far we go, we remember where we came from. And that’s worth celebrating.”
And perhaps that’s the most powerful takeaway this Independence Day: freedom is not just about borders. It’s about belonging. Whether it’s in a tricolour saree in New Jersey, a plate of samosas in London, or a screening of ‘Border’ in Toronto, the celebration endures.
In the words of Dutta: “We may be oceans away, but we’re never apart.”
