The Consulate General of India in Seattle celebrated India’s 76th Republic Day, with Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and Microsoft Chairman & CEO Satya Nadella as distinguished guests. The event, held on Tuesday, brought together over 500 Indian American community members, US lawmakers, and city officials.
Governor Bob Ferguson, recently elected as Washington’s 24th Governor, praised India’s contributions to the world and expressed his commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian Consulate in Seattle.
Satya Nadella, addressing the audience, highlighted the deep ties between India and the United States, calling himself a “product of the bond that exists between the two countries.” He lauded the leadership of both nations for leveraging technology to drive progress in education, healthcare, public services, and small business productivity.
For the first time, several members of the US Congress participated in the celebrations, including Rep Suzan DelBene, Rep Adam Smith, Rep Michael Baumgartner, and Rep Kim Schrier. Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, and Mayors from ten cities—including Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Auburn, Tacoma, Mercer Island, Monroe, Kent, and Sammamish—were also in attendance.
In a special recognition, the Washington State Senate in Olympia passed State Senate Resolution 8604, moved by State Senator Manka Dhingra and supported by Senator Vandana Slatter, reaffirming the strong US-India friendship and recognizing India’s Republic Day.
As a tribute to India, Seattle’s skyline lit up in the tricolour, with landmarks like the Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle Convention Center, and Columbia Center glowing in saffron, white, and green.
The event also featured unique exhibits, including One District, One Product (ODOP), showcasing cultural heritage items from each Indian state and “India through Tim’s Eyes”, a photography display by Tim Durkan, who captured India’s iconic sites during his recent visit. The highlight of the evening was “Natyam”, a specially curated dance performance celebrating India’s diverse dance forms, which was met with enthusiastic applause.
The grand celebration underscored the growing ties between India and the US, with a shared vision for cultural exchange, technological collaboration, and global progress.