Editor’s Note: This articles was written and submitted by Wendy Gloyd.
On Saturday, August 1, more than 50 residents, town leaders, and volunteers gathered on the Westford Town Common for Westford’s 6th Annual India Independence Day Flag Raising, commemorating India’s 79th Independence Day through music, dance, history, and community.
Hosted by the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) with support from the Westford Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, the annual celebration welcomed neighbors of all backgrounds to learn about India’s history while experiencing the music, dance, and traditions that continue to enrich our community.
Serving as emcee, Anjali Rajput, Co-Chair of the Westford DEI Committee, welcomed attendees by reflecting on the purpose of the annual celebration.
“Today is about more than celebrating India’s Independence Day. It’s about honoring the shared democratic values that connect India and the United States while sharing our heritage with our neighbors. Events like this bring people together, and they remind me why I’m so proud to call Westford home,” Rajput said.
Welcoming remarks were also offered by Ashalata Thotangare, Secretary of the India Association of Greater Boston Executive Committee. She welcomed attendees on behalf of IAGB and reflected on this year’s theme, “Honoring Our Shared Values & Vibrant Communities,” encouraging neighbors to celebrate, learn from one another, and strengthen the bonds that unite the community.
Priyanshi Charnalia opened the ceremony with a beautiful rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ honoring the nation that people from many backgrounds now proudly call home together.
Following the anthem, members of the India Association of Greater Boston, the Westford DEI Committee, and State Representative James Arciero joined together to raise the flag of India in recognition of the nation’s 79th Independence Day. As the flag reached the top of the pole, attendees joined together in singing ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ India’s National Anthem, marking the official opening of Westford’s observance.
Representative Arciero then addressed those gathered, reflecting on the importance of community-building through cultural celebrations.
“Today’s celebration reminds us that while we may come from different backgrounds and traditions, we all share a commitment to building strong communities where everyone belongs. That spirit is what makes both Westford and Massachusetts such special places to call home,” Arciero said.
Representative Arciero presented a citation recognizing India Day in Westford to the India Association of Greater Boston and a second citation recognizing Westford’s India Independence Day celebration to the Westford DEI Committee on behalf of the Town of Westford. In appreciation of his continued support for the Indian community, Ashalata Thotangare presented Representative Arciero with a ceremonial blue stole on behalf of IAGB.
The ceremony then gave way to a showcase of music and dance, inviting attendees to experience India’s rich cultural heritage through song, rhythm, and movement.
Westford Academy rising sophomore Arya Gokhale performed ‘Vande Mataram’ (“I Bow to Thee, Mother”), India’s National Song. Traditionally performed alongside “Jana Gana Mana,” India’s National Anthem, during Independence Day celebrations, ‘Vande Mataram’ became a powerful symbol of India’s independence movement and remains one of the nation’s most cherished patriotic songs.
Father-and-son musicians Sarju Patel (vocals) and Rushi Patel (tabla) followed with a heartfelt performance of ‘Teri Mitti’ (‘Your Soil’), a modern patriotic anthem honoring those who sacrificed for their country. As the final notes faded, more than a few audience members quietly reached for a tissue. It was one of those moments where music spoke more powerfully than words.
The talent portion of the program concluded with a Bharatanatyam Adavu demonstration by Ahana Bharath (Grade 3), Arshiya Saravanan (Grade 5), and Deethya Gireesh (Grade 3). Their graceful performance showcased the foundational movements of one of India’s oldest classical dance traditions and provided a wonderful glimpse into an art form that continues to be passed from one generation to the next.
Westford has proudly served as one of several anchor communities partnering with the India Association of Greater Boston over the past six years. Through these local celebrations, IAGB works with communities across Massachusetts to share India’s history, traditions, and culture while creating opportunities for neighbors to learn from one another and celebrate the vibrant communities they have built together.
Reflecting on the morning, Wendy Gloyd, Co-Vice Chair of the Westford DEI Committee, offered one final thought. As she shared the image of a salad bowl rather than a melting pot, the audience responded with smiles and knowing nods, embracing the idea of a community strengthened not by becoming the same, but by appreciating the unique traditions and perspectives each culture brings.
“One of the things events like these help me see is not the melting pot of cultures many of us were taught about in school, but rather a salad bowl. In a salad bowl, each ingredient retains its own color and character — the reds, oranges, greens, and more — yet together they create something vibrant and beautiful for everyone to share and experience,” Gloyd said.
As neighbors lingered after the program to visit with performers, volunteers, and one another, it became clear that the morning had become about more than commemorating India’s independence. It has become another opportunity for the Westford community to learn, connect, and celebrate the people, traditions, and shared values that continue to strengthen our community.
