BALLARAT’s Indian community came together on Friday to celebrate India’s Independence Day.
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More than 25 people gathered outside the Town Hall as part of a flag-raising ceremony to pay homage to the leaders who fought for India’s freedom.
“Wherever Indians are, we celebrate anywhere in the world,” Ballarat Indian Association president Khushi Maharaj said.
“In Ballarat, this is just one way of getting the Indian community together.
“Although we call Australia home, it’s still a day worth remembering.”
City of Ballarat mayor Josh Morris, who attended, said it was great to see the significance of the day celebrated in Ballarat.
“The Indian population has made a huge contribution to our community,” he said.
“It’s great to celebrate the independence of India here in Ballarat, being the birth place of democracy, when India is the largest democratic nation the world.”
Indian Independence Day is held annually on August 15 commemorating the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the same day in 1947.
India gained independence following an independence movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and has been regarded since for its largely nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience.
A movie night was also held at the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Centre as part of the Independence Day celebrations.