“India’s ingenuity, from its secure vaccine manufacturing to its digital public infrastructure, helps not simply Indians however the whole world,” Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Invoice Gates mentioned as he kicked off the first-ever India Day celebrations within the Seattle space.
Mr. Gates, Chairman of the Gates Basis, inaugurated the primary India Day celebrations within the Seattle metropolitan space because the Visitor of Honor of the Consulate Basic of India in Seattle on India’s 78th Independence Day.
A press launch issued by the Seattle Consulate on Friday (August 16, 2024) mentioned Gates, addressing greater than 2,000 members of the Indian-American neighborhood on the celebration, referred to India “as a worldwide chief with groundbreaking improvements in areas resembling expertise, agriculture and healthcare.”
Gates highlighted that “from the manufacturing of secure and low-cost vaccines to the exceptional management demonstrated by the Indian diaspora and India’s digital public infrastructure, India’s ingenuity helps not simply Indians, however the whole world. Nations within the International South are leveraging India’s experience to construct their IPR methods.”
In a submit on Instagram, Gates mentioned it was “an honor” to take part within the first-ever India Day celebrations on the Seattle Consulate alongside senior authorities officers and the Indian diaspora.
“India is a worldwide chief with groundbreaking improvements in areas like expertise, agriculture, and healthcare which can be saving and bettering lives. It has been an honor to collaborate with the Indian authorities, philanthropists, the personal sector, non-profits, and the Indian-American neighborhood. Joyful Independence Day to all Indians!” he mentioned, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar within the submit.
Gates additionally posted pictures of the celebration on Instagram. Gates, sporting a shawl within the shades of India’s tricolor flag, is joined by India’s consul basic in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, and different officers.
The Consulate, in a submit on X, thanked Gates for initiating the primary India Day celebrations within the Seattle metropolitan space.
“We deeply respect the participation of Congresswomen Suzan Ok DelBene and Kim Schrier and Congressman Adam Smith, together with Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.
“Thanks additionally to the mayors of Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie and Mercer Island for becoming a member of collectively to help the Indian neighborhood,” the Consulate mentioned.
“The Independence Day celebration was held for the primary time within the Seattle metropolitan space throughout all Indian states and areas by means of floats and cultural performances celebrating the theme of Unity in Variety. Every of the floats was created by outstanding leaders of the Indian-American neighborhood and mirrored a number of the vital features of India’s wealthy cultural heritage,” the assertion mentioned.
Moreover, in a particular gesture, the governments and metropolis governments of King County, the Metropolis of Bellevue, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Hillsboro, Oregon, and Tigard, Oregon, issued 5 separate official proclamations to honor Indian Day celebrations.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon additionally despatched a separate congratulatory message on the event of India’s 78th Independence Day.
“India’s achievements in schooling, healthcare and financial growth should be celebrated. The state of Wyoming has many cultural and financial ties to India, together with greater than 10,000 Indian People residing within the state,” Gordon mentioned.
Mr. Gordon added that Wyoming is worked up in regards to the opening of the brand new Consulate Basic of India in Seattle.
“We hope to proceed constructing alliances to advertise commerce, funding, tourism, schooling and friendship,” he mentioned.
Some iconic buildings in Seattle and Bellevue had been additionally lit up in shades of the Indian tricolour to mark the celebrations.
Different distinguished individuals within the India Day celebrations included Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, Congressman Adam Smith, Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, Commander, U.S. First Corps, Pacific Northwest, Rear Adm. Mark Sucato, Commander, Naval Area Northwest, Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, and Washington Supreme Court docket Chief Justice Steve Gonzalez.
On the town leaders facet, mayors from Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie and Mercer Island additionally joined within the Indian Day celebrations.
The Consulate in Seattle, India’s sixth and latest mission in america, grew to become operational earlier this yr and serves the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.
“The opening of the Indian Consulate in Seattle is a mirrored image of the Authorities of India’s robust dedication to deepen India’s relations with the Pacific Northwest states of america,” the Consulate mentioned.
Mr. Gupta, a profession diplomat who has served in numerous capacities in Beijing, Shanghai, the Everlasting Mission of India to the United Nations in New York and in Jakarta, heads the Consulate as India’s first Consul Basic in Seattle.
India additionally has consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco.
