The Indian American community in Chicago came together this weekend for a grand Independence Day celebration hosted by the Global Indian Diaspora Foundation (GIDF).
The festivities featured a patriotic cultural evening titled Bande Mataram and an exclusive pre-release screening of the historical drama The Bengal Files by acclaimed filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri.
The event kicked off on August 8 with Bande Mataram, a tribute that blended history, art, and civic pride. Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the phrase “Bande Mataram” as a symbol of devotion and unity.
“A nation is not just a territory on a map — it is a shared consciousness, a living spirit that binds its people,” Ghosh told the gathering. “Bande Mataram is more than a slogan; it is a pledge of devotion to the motherland.”
GIDF founder Rakesh Malhotra emphasized the foundation’s role in promoting cultural diplomacy and connecting the diaspora globally. “Celebrating India’s Independence is not just about remembering the past — it is about building bridges for the future,” Malhotra said. Speakers such as Santosh Kumar and Bharat Barai reflected on India’s struggle for independence and its broader democratic values.
The evening included a lamp lighting ceremony, the national anthems of India and the U.S., and a vibrant dance performance by the Bengali dance troupe led by Lina Chakraborty and Rashmi Roy Chowdhury. The program also featured discussions on the global Hindu diaspora’s cultural identity by Adityan Banerjee and a meet-and-greet with filmmaker Agnihotri and National Award-winning actress Pallavi Joshi.
On August 9, AMC Naperville hosted a sold-out pre-release screening of The Bengal Files, which explores the 1946 Direct-Action Day riots and related communal violence leading up to India’s partition.
This screening was part of the “One Truth. Ten Cities” tour, organized in partnership with various diaspora organizations. Agnihotri described the film as a “moral responsibility” to honor silenced histories, while Malhotra called it “a piercing mirror to our history.”
Together, the events celebrated India’s heritage and encouraged dialogue on its complex past, strengthening the community’s cultural ties in Chicago.
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