WHEREAS, As the day began on August 15, 1947, at the stroke of midnight, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave his famous Tryst with Destiny speech proclaiming India’s independence; and

WHEREAS, The Tryst with Destiny speech captured the essence of the nonviolent Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule in India; and

WHEREAS, India’s Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in India. The biggest event of the day takes place in Delhi where the Prime Minster hoists the national flag at the Red Fort, delivers a nationally televised speech that highlights the achievements of the government, discusses current issues and future plans for progress, and pays tribute to the leaders of India’s struggle for freedom; and

WHEREAS, India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 of each year to commemorate its independence. It was celebrated by 400 million Indians in 1947 and today is celebrated by a billion people living in India, and many people living in other parts of the world, including California, which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The local community of people in California who hail from India, or with ancestral ties to India, continually demonstrate the greatness and beauty of their homeland, and their contributions are notable and reflect success in many industries and community activism; and

WHEREAS, Ever since August 15, 1947, India’s nonviolent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law have been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world; and

WHEREAS, India’s example has had a profound effect on many countries, including the United States. Leaders of our civil rights movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke about the debt they owed to Mahatma Gandhi. Ties between our two peoples have never been stronger. The over three million members of the Indian American community are living examples of the bonds that bind our nations together and their accomplishments have become well-known and admired in both countries; and

WHEREAS, India is the world’s largest democracy by population with roughly 1.3 billion people, more than 800 million of whom are eligible to vote; now, therefore, be it