The Bhavan London marked the 78th anniversary of India’s Independence on Thursday, 7 August, with a grand evening of inspiring speeches and vibrant cultural performances.
The event opened with a prayer by Executive Director Dr M N Nandakumara MBE, followed by a welcome address from Vinod Thakrar, Senior Trustee of Bhavan UK, who chaired the celebration.
Cllr Sharon Holder, Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, praised The Bhavan’s 50-year legacy as a centre of pride and culture for both the local and wider Indian community. Cllr Anjana Patel, Mayor of Harrow, reflected on her personal journey with The Bhavan’s Drama Department, highlighting its role in helping the Indian diaspora stay connected to its roots. She expressed hope that The Bhavan would one day expand to other parts of London, continuing to spread its message and good work.
Prakash Bhoopatkar, Vice Chair of the Chellaram Foundation, spoke about the foundation’s decades-long support for the arts, its three-generation partnership with The Bhavan, and his family’s migration from Hyderabad Sindh (now in Pakistan) to India—linking Independence Day to heritage, entrepreneurship, and giving back.
Keynote speaker Deepak Choudhary, Minister (Coordination) at the High Commission of India, highlighted The Bhavan’s deep roots in Indian culture, India’s peaceful independence movement, and the strong cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between the UK and India.
The evening ended with a vote of thanks by Kaushik Nathwani, followed by patriotic performances from Bhavan students and the National Anthem.
