Hatters celebrate India Independence Day

MEDICINE HAT, AB- A number of kites flew above Kin Coulee Park on Sunday, as part of a tradition to mark India Independence Day. The day is celebrated on August 15 and signifies the end of British rule in India in 1947.

“They ruled India for a few hundred years, and we fought for our independence, and a lot of lives we lost, millions and millions of people had to give up their lives for freedom,” said Rachita Gupta of the Medicine Hat Hindu Association.

Around 50 to 60 people came out to celebrate with music, kite flying, badminton, and food as part of the festivities. Gupta said it is very important to come together with the broader Indian community even in Medicine Hat.

” We understand the importance of independence and freedom, and India has been a democratic country since independence, and we all understand it, and living in Canada we can feel the same freedom that we come from and we value the freedom, and how many people have fought for us so it is really special for us, and we try our best to celebrate it every year,” she said.