Calling India a ‘global leader’,Bill Gates flags off Indian Independence Day celebrations in Seattle area
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a billionaire philanthropist, said that India’s inventiveness, for producing safe vaccines to its Digital Public Infrastructure, is helpful not only to Indians but for the whole world as he kicked off the inaugural India Day festivities in the Seattle region.
Gates, Chairman of Gates Foundation was the Guest of Honour at Consulate General of India in Seattle marking 78th Indian Independence Day officially started first ever India Day events in Greater Seattle area.
According to a news release by Seattle Consulate on Friday, Gates said this while addressing over 2000 members of the Indian-American community at the event. He termed India as “a global leader with breakthrough innovations in areas like technology, agriculture and healthcare”.
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Thank you, Mr. Bill Gates, for flagging off the First India Day celebrations in Greater Seattle area.
Deeply appreciate the participation of Congresswomen Suzan K DelBene and Kim Schrier and Congressman Adam Smith, along with Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and… pic.twitter.com/R0HBmw5E0c
— India In Seattle (@IndiainSeattle) August 17, 2024
India Day Honors Global Impact
Gates particularly stressed that “India’s ingenuity helps not just Indians but also all humanity,” citing milestones such as safe and affordable vaccines production; great leadership by diaspora Indians; and digital public infrastructure initiative in India. Global South countries have used expertise from India when developing their own DPI systems.
Gates wrote in an Instagram post that it was “an honor” being part of this first-ever celebration of India Day at Seattle Consulate among top government officials and Indian diaspora.
Working together with donors, business community organizations including Indian American has been my privilege. “Happy Independence Day to all Indians!” he tweeted tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and S Jaishankar who is his counterpart in New Delhi.
Bill Gates Hosts First-Ever India Day Celebration in Seattle
Prakash Gupta CG & other officials were also present with him during these activities shared through Instagram by Bill Gates. In the photograph below Bill Gates wears a scarf bearing colours from Indian flag along with Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India based in Seattle.
The first ever India day celebrations was initiated by Mr Bill Gates on behalf of Greater Seattle area. “Closely involved were Congressman Adam Smith, Washington Secretary Steve Hobbs; Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, Congresswomen Suzan K. DelBene and Kim Schrier?” said the consulate in a Facebook post.
The Indian community applauded Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, SeaTac, Snoqualmie and Mercer Island mayors for their support. For the first time in the history of Greater Seattle area’s Independence Day celebration there were floats and cultural performances with theme ‘Unity in Diversity’ which showcased all states and regions of India. Each float was put together by prominent Indian-American community leaders who highlighted various aspects of India’s rich culture.
Further, as unusual move Bellevue municipal (Washington) together with Hillsboro (Oregon), Portland (Oregon); Tigard (Oregon) municipalities issued specific five formal proclamations to honor India Day festivity. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon also made a special congratulations statement on the occasion of India’s 78th Independence Day.
“India can take pride in its economic growth, healthcare achievements and educational attainments,” Mr. Gordon added while pointing out that the state has many cultural and economic ties with India because it has more than 10 000 Indian-American residents. Governor Gordon is excited about the new Indian Consulate General in Seattle. Three Key Changes Made 4 As he kicked off – Gates kicked off 6 120 words-144 words
He said, “We are excited about the continuation of our partnership building efforts in trade, investment, tourism, friendship and education”.
In addition to this celebration some well-known structures in Bellevue and Seattle were also lit up in colors that represent the Indian national flag. Congressman Adam Smith, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, Lieutenant General Xavier Brunson who is America’s First Corps Commander in Pacific North West, Rear Admiral Mark Sucato who is the Navy Region Northwest commander, Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs as well as Chief Justice Steve Gonzalez from the Washington Supreme Court among others attended India Day celebrations.
Mayors from Mercer Island, Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Snoqualmie, (Sno)Seatac, Tacoma joined the festivities to pay homage to India Day. Consulate General of India in Seattle which serves Alaska states including Idaho, Montana Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota ,and Wyoming is sixandthelatest home mission opened this year for business since earlier on this year.
