Indian Consulate General in Medan Celebrates 80th Independence Day

MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Consulate General of India in Medan celebrated India's 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The series of events featured a flag-hoisting ceremony and various cultural performances attended by members of the Indian community, friends of India, students, teachers and members of the local community.

The celebration was not only a special moment for the Indian community in Medan to commemorate their country's historic Independence Day, but also served as a meeting point for Indian and Indonesian cultures. A range of artistic performances, educational activities and competitions involving young people formed part of the program.

The event began with the singing of the Indian patriotic song "Vande Mataram." Indian Consul General in Medan Ravi Shanker Goel then hoisted the Indian national flag. The participants subsequently sang the Indian national anthem as part of the main Independence Day ceremony.

Cultural Performances Strengthen India-Indonesia Ties

Following the ceremony, the Consulate General of India presented a series of cultural performances reflecting the close ties between the peoples of India and Indonesia, as well as their shared cultural connections.

Students from IEAM presented various cultural performances before the invited guests. They were followed by members of the Indian Lovers Community. The participation of the local community underscored the strong interest among Medan residents in Indian arts and culture.

Singer Vikram also performed as part of the celebration. Students from Brigjen Katamso School and Politeknik Pariwisata Medan also contributed various performances to the program.

The participation of students from different educational institutions further demonstrated the younger generation's interest in Indian culture. Their presence added vibrancy to the celebration while encouraging broad participation from different segments of society.

In addition to the artistic performances, the Consulate General of India presented an exhibition on the development of the Indian national flag. Participants then joined the "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign and captured their participation through selfies at a specially prepared photo wall.

Competitions Encourage Young People's Creativity

The series of events was further enriched by the presentation of certificates and prizes to winners of various India-themed competitions.

As the final part of the program, the Consulate General of India presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the "My India, My Story" competition. Participants were invited to share their experiences and perspectives on India through either a 500-word story or a one-minute video.

The Consulate also presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the painting competition held to mark India's 80th Independence Day. The awards recognized the creativity and artistic expression of participants whose works were inspired by India.

Additional awards were presented to the winners of the "India Through My Lens" photography competition. The winners received prizes in recognition of their photographic works.

The Consulate also awarded prizes to the winners of the "Bharat Ko Janiye" quiz. The activity was intended to broaden participants' knowledge and understanding of India.

The various competitions provided students, young people and friends of India with opportunities to explore India from different perspectives. Through writing, visual arts, photography and knowledge-based activities, participants were able to engage with India's culture, heritage and contemporary life.

The participants' strong enthusiasm for the various activities demonstrated the local community's keen interest in India. The involvement of the younger generation gave the celebration a distinctive character while creating further opportunities for cultural exchange between the two countries.

Strengthening Friendship Between India and Sumatra

The presence of members of the Indian community in Medan added special significance to the celebration. They had an opportunity to come together and commemorate India's Independence Day while celebrating the rich cultural heritage they have brought to and preserved in Sumatra.

The Consulate General of India expressed its appreciation to all artists and contributors, participating institutions, members of the Indian community and friends of India who helped make the event a success. The contributions of the various participants not only made the celebration a vibrant occasion, but also created further opportunities for interaction between the Indian and Indonesian peoples.

The participation of Indonesian students, friends of India and members of the local community in the celebration also demonstrated growing interest in India and its diverse cultural traditions. The Consulate used the event as a platform to promote mutual understanding and further strengthen friendship between the peoples of India and Sumatra.

The celebration of India's 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, also underscored the commitment of the Consulate General of India in Medan to further strengthening the longstanding and multifaceted friendship between India and Sumatra.

The Consulate remains committed to deepening these ties through cultural exchanges, community engagement, educational interactions and direct people-to-people contacts. Various activities involving the community and younger generation remain an important means of keeping these relations vibrant and continuing to develop them.

The Independence Day occasion also placed the values of friendship, diversity and mutual respect at the center of the celebration. These values provide an important foundation for deepening ties between the peoples of India and Sumatra amid the region's cultural diversity.

By combining the state ceremony with artistic performances, an exhibition, a cultural campaign and various competitions, the Consulate General of India in Medan made the 80th Independence Day celebration more than a purely ceremonial event. It also became a space where the Indonesian public could gain a closer understanding of Indian culture and life in India while further strengthening people-to-people relations between both sides. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala

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