NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The 70th Independence Day of India is being celebrated with great enthusiasm with parades, flag hoisting and music concerts at a number of places all over the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The celebrations organized by the Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations include a musical evening by music maestro A.R. Rahman on August 15.

A Photo Exhibition is being held to commemorate the birth centenary of India’s Carnatic music legend Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi on 15-19 August, 2016 at the United Nations. The year marks the 50th anniversary of her performance at the United Nations. The photo exhibition will depict various facets and moments of Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi’s life and times providing a rare insight to the music legend’s achievements.

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs of, Mr. M.J. Akbar will attend the events.

The events are being organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations with the support of Sankara Nethralaya, an India-based civil society organization. The role of civil society is a growing one at the United Nations.

Incidentally, the United Nations is also celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. As India celebrates its 70th Independence Day, the event will emphasize that the wisdom of Indian tradition remains relevant to current global thinking. The musical evening will provide a glimpse of gaiety and dynamism of India on the occasion of India@70.

United Nations Postal Administration will issue a stamp to mark the birth centenary of Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi, a legendary Indian musician was invited by the then UN Secretary General Late U Thant to perform at the UN General Assembly hall on 23 October 1966. She thus became the first Indian to perform at the UN General Assembly Hall. She was the first ever musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna Award (1988), India’s highest civilian honor and also the first ever to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1974).

A.R. Rahman, an internationally renowned music composer and musician, has won several international awards, including the Golden Globe, two Academy Awards and two Grammy’s for his work on the film score for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.

Dignitaries from the United Nations, Permanent Missions to the United Nations, Permanent Observers to the United Nations, UN specialized agencies and invited guests from the international community will be attending the event.