IAGB Announces Month-Long Celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day Across Greater Boston

BOSTON — The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), one of New England’s oldest and largest Indian-American civic organizations, has announced a month-long series of events across Greater Boston to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day throughout August.

The celebrations will include official flag-raising ceremonies in several Massachusetts communities, IAGB’s annual India Day festival, the organization’s first-ever tennis ball cricket tournament, scholarship presentations for graduating high school seniors, and a variety of cultural performances and family activities.

Leading this year’s celebration will be Chief Guest Raghuram S., Consul General of India in Boston, and Guest of Honor Anu Chitrapu, Senior Vice President and Technology Executive at Bank of America. Organizers said their participation reflects the significance of the annual celebration and the continuing cultural and civic ties between India and the United States.

The festivities begin on Saturday, Aug. 1, with flag-raising ceremonies at Westford Town Common from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a second ceremony at Burlington Town Common from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Additional flag-raising ceremonies are scheduled for Aug. 15 at NARA Park Amphitheater in Acton, Aug. 16 at the Sharon Community Center, and Aug. 22 at Chinmaya Mission Boston in Andover. The events are expected to bring together local elected officials, community leaders and residents in recognition of India’s Independence Day and shared democratic values.

The centerpiece of the celebrations will be IAGB India Day 2026, themed “Colors of India,” on Saturday, Aug. 15, at NARA Park Amphitheater in Acton.

Running from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the festival will feature more than 20 cultural performances by local artists and dance schools, interactive dance activities led by Swasti Bhargava, a DJ finale presented by Xtreme Productions, more than 25 community booths, family activities, cultural exhibits, raffle drawings and trivia games. Admission and parking are free.

Apna Bazar Farmers Market is serving as the grand sponsor of the event, while Craft Indian Kitchen is the official food partner.

Earlier that same day, IAGB will host its inaugural Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament, introducing a new community sports event celebrating one of India’s most popular games.

The tournament will take place from 7 a.m. to noon at NARA Park Amphitheater and Macpherson Field in Acton. Teams will compete for championship honors, with awards recognizing the champion, runner-up, best batter and best bowler. All participants will receive commemorative T-shirts.

During the India Day celebration, IAGB will also present its 2026 Senior Scholarship Awards, recognizing graduating high school seniors entering college this fall.

Supported by the Kapasi Family Foundation, the program will award two $500 scholarships—one each to a male and female student. Applicants submitted essays on the theme “Colors of India – Stories That Inspire.”

Organizers said the month-long schedule reflects IAGB’s longstanding commitment to preserving Indian heritage while strengthening civic engagement and community partnerships throughout New England.

Founded in 1962, IAGB has served the region’s Indian-American community for more than six decades through cultural, educational and civic programs, including its annual India Day and Republic Day celebrations, youth initiatives and community outreach activities.

IAGB India’s 79th Independence Day Celebration Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
  • Westford Town Common — Flag Raising Ceremony | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Burlington Town Common — Flag Raising Ceremony | 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
  • NARA Park Amphitheater & Macpherson Field, Acton — First-Ever IAGB Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament | 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
  • NARA Park Amphitheater, Acton — India Day 2026: “Colors of India” | 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    • Flag Raising Ceremony
    • Chief Guest & Guest of Honor Address
    • 20+ Cultural Performances
    • Flash Mob & Dance-Along
    • Community Booths & Family Activities
    • Scholarship Awards Presentation
    • DJ Finale
    • Food Vendors, Raffles & Trivia
• Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
  • Sharon Community Center — Flag Raising Ceremony | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
  • Chinmaya Mission Boston, Andover — Flag Raising Ceremony | 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.