Melbourne celebrates Independence Day with Bollywood stars while Sydney has its own dinners and flag hoisting

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Actor Anil Kapoor unfurling the proud Indian flag in Melbourne on Independence Day

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Sydney missed the glamour of Bollywood yet had its own low key celebration

 

Independence Day was celebrated over seven days in Sydney. It started with the Consul General inviting the community on the occasion of 69th Independence Day of India, after the flag hoisting ceremony, along with a choral of the national anthem, a reading of the speech from the President of India was read. It  was followed by a speech from the Consul General. There were also a few cultural performances. All were welcomed and refreshments were served after the ceremony. A number of dinners by various organisations were organised culminating with the India Australia Friendship Fair that is considered the biggest in Australia.

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Anil Kapoor at the Independence Day at Federation Square

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Charming Sonam Kapoor

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In Melbourne, it was a unique occasion. Super star Anil Kapoor of Bollywood unfurled the Flag in Federation Square for the first time. A dance competition followed organised by Telstra. With over 230 artists who kept the crowds entertained  from 11am to 9pm at the Werribee Race Course on August 15 and celebrated the Indian Independence Day with a strong Bollywood flavours as crowds swelled to record numbers. The IFFM 2015 had other Bollywood stars that included an impressive line-up with Sonam Kapoor, Bhumi Padnekar, Simi Grewal, film director Shojit Sircar, Rajiv Mansad and handsome Irfan Khan.

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Irfan Khan was inundated with selfie requests

A number of other luminaries also attended the functions with the Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling from all the way from Delhi, Indian High Commissioner Navdeep Suri, billionaire Anthony Pratt, Indian Consul General in Melbourne Manika Jain and Victorian Minister Gavin Jennings.

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Bhumi Padnekar

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Mitu Bhowmick-Lange with Rajeev Mansad

Piku was judged the best movie and Irfan Khan the best actor. Best director award was shared by Shojit SirKar and Bhumi Padnekar.

People’s Choice was awarded to  Rajkumar Hirani and Anil Kapoor was honoured for excellence in World Cinema.

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