Cardiff Castle in Wales hosted a celebration marking the 76th anniversary of India's independence from British colonial rule.
The event, organized by Indian Honorary Consul Raj Aggarwal, featured a flag-hoisting ceremony, speeches, and music.
In attendance were Welsh Assembly Minister Jane Hutt, Cardiff Deputy Lord Mayor Jane Henshaw, senior officers from the armed forces, police, and community leaders.
The ceremony drew hundreds of participants from the Indian community in Wales.
Aggarwal addressed the crowd, emphasizing the global importance of the day. “Indian Independence Day is celebrated all over the world with great love and pride, and we celebrate it with all our friends and colleagues,” he said.
Cardiff's Deputy Lord Mayor Jane Henshaw also delivered a speech to the attendees, underscoring the significance of the celebration and the strong ties between India and Wales.
The British Army Band Tidworth provided musical accompaniment, playing the national anthems of both countries and performing for the guests.
The castle grounds were adorned with dozens of saffron, white, and green Indian national flags.
The Indian Tiranga flag flew prominently over Cardiff Castle throughout the day, commemorating India's independence achieved on Aug. 15, 1947.
Cardiff Castle is a historic complex in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. Initially a Roman fort in the 3rd century, it was transformed into a motte and bailey castle by Norman invaders in the late 11th century. Over the centuries, it played a pivotal role in conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh, changed ownership among noble families, and underwent architectural transformations. The Marquesses of Bute, who owned the castle from the mid-18th century, significantly renovated it into a Georgian mansion and later a Gothic revival showpiece. Gifted to the City of Cardiff in 1947, the castle is now a major tourist attraction and events venue, showcasing centuries of Cardiff's rich history.