The Indian tricolour was hoisted atop Seattle’s iconic 605-feet-tall Space Needle on India’s 79th Independence Day, marking the first time a foreign nation’s flag has been raised at the popular American landmark.
Consul General of India in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, along with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and other dignitaries from the city leadership, participated in the historic occasion.
“No greater honour than this! Raising the Tiranga atop Seattle’s skyline at the Space Needle,” Gupta said in a post on X, sharing a video of the tricolour flying high above the city.
Describing the event as a “historic first in Seattle,” the Consulate General of India highlighted the celebration as recognition of the Indian-American community’s contributions in shaping the city’s growth as a tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.
Later, the Consulate hosted a community reception at the scenic Kerry Park, with the Space Needle and the Indian flag serving as a striking backdrop. A large number of Indian-American community members attended the event, according to a press release.
The reception was graced by several dignitaries, including US Congressman Adam Smith, Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Debra Stephens, Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho, and Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation AP Diaz. Addressing the gathering, Smith noted that the hoisting of the Indian flag atop the Space Needle is a tribute to the region’s diversity and the strong bonds between India and the Pacific Northwest.
In a special gesture honoring India’s Independence Day, King County—which includes 39 cities—along with Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Bellevue, issued official proclamations declaring August 15 as India Day.
Separately, several iconic buildings across Seattle were illuminated in the Indian tricolours, including Lumen Stadium, T-Mobile Stadium, Westin, Seattle Great Wheel, and the Space Needle itself. The Indian flag was also hoisted at Tacoma Dome, Tacoma City Hall, and the headquarters of Tacoma Police and Fire Departments.
The celebrations featured a vibrant cultural program with national anthems, traditional dance performances showcasing India’s diverse art forms, and a poetic recital by renowned artist and actor Piyush Mishra, captivating the audience. (Agencies)
