INDIA'S 67th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Shivani Acharya, 9, of Birstall, celebrates with an Indian flag in Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre

India's 67th independence day celebrated

People gathered at an event last night to mark India's 67th Independence Day.

The celebrations began at 7.30pm at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, in Leicester.

The night, which was hosted by the Gujarat Hindu Association, began with a flag-raising ceremony.

Mr B C Pradhan, consul and head of chancery at the Indian High Commission in Birmingham, was the guest speaker.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth read a short message, as did assistant city mayor Piara Singh Clair.

Mr Ashworth said: "I firmly believe Leicester and the UK are stronger today because of the Indian community."

After messages had been read out, Bollywood dancers took to the stage.

The night before, hundreds of people celebrated Pakistan Independence Day in the city.