Indian Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay, along with Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal, rang the closing bell at Nasdaq this year, in commemoration of India's 69th Independence Day. Mulay invited American individuals and companies to join Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship projects, “Make in India” and “Digital India,” during the event.
Underlining the “growing and thriving relationship” between India and the US, he talked about India's rapidly growing economy which requires huge investments across different sectors. He said, “Prime Minister Modi has initiated a number of reforms and flagship projects like Digital India, Make in India, Clean India and the Smart cities programme. I want American people to join in this great economic reforms movement. I also want more and more Indian companies coming to America Nasdaq.”
Nasdaq senior vice president Bob McCooey welcomed both Mulay and Rampal, by stating there was no better place to celebrate India's Independence Day than at Times Square, the “crossroads of the world.” Pointing at Nasdaq's growing presence in India, “which is on its way to becoming a global powerhouse,” he expressed hope that many other Indian companies will list at Nasdaq in the future. Currently five Indian companies are listed at Nasdaq and have a combined market capitalisation of USD 43 billion. These include MakeMyTrip.com, Rediff, Videocon d2h and Cognizant. “For us in Nasdaq, this has now become an annual event. This is the sixth time we have been honoured with your presence here to celebrate the independence day,” McCooey said amid huge cheers and applause from Indian- Americans gathered for the closing bell ceremony.
A beaming Arjun Rampal was extended a warm welcome by a giant screen on Times Square that read, “Nasdaq welcomes Arjun Rampal” displayed along with the Emblem of India. Rampal was the Grand Marshal at the 35th India Day Parade that ran through several streets in Manhattan. The actor tweeted, “Feeling super proud to be an Indian. Independence Day celebrations begin” after the bell ceremony.
