Ananthnarayan Hariharan was happy to celebrate his nation’s independence day in another country.

“The experience was a very pleasant one,” Hariharan, Madurai, India, graduate student said.

The KU Cultural India Club hoisted the Indian flag on the morning of Aug. 15 in honor of India’s independence, followed by the national anthem. This was the second year the KUCIC played host to the event.

The highlight of this event occurred when Chancellor Robert Hemenway walked out of the Kansas Union and past the plaza outside where a crowd of 70 students and faculty members had gathered for the ceremony. Hemenway, who was not scheduled to speak, stopped to deliver a short, unprepared speech and remained until the program had ended.

Mahasweta Banerjee, associate professor in Social Welfare, looks on as Chancellor Robert Hemmenway addresses the crowd at the Independence Day ceremony put on by the University of Kansas Cultural India Club. Banerjee said the chancellor's unrehearsed speech was "thoughtful and very nicely done."

Mahasweta Banerjee, associate professor in the department of social welfare, said Hemenway noted how important Indian students are to the University and that they do well in their studies.

“It was clear he hadn’t been informed in advance but his statement was thoughtful and very nicely done,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee helped preside over the ceremony, along with Purnaprajna Bangere, associate professor in the department of mathematics. Banerjee said the ceremony held importance for Indian-American students for a few reasons. She said because the Independence Day takes place around the beginning of the academic year, this additionally serves as a great occasion for new students to connect with others.

“It starts the mentoring process that will help in bridging their experiences at home and abroad,” Banerjee said.

Members of the University of Kansas Cultural India Club gathered to celebrate India's Independence from British rule 48 years ago with a flag-hoisting ceremony. Chancellor Robert Hemmenway stopped by and gave a spontaneous and short speech.

KUCIC was created in 1994 to assist Indian students in making a smooth transition to the University and promote cultural diversity.

More than 250 Indian students attend the University.

Vinya Vasu, president of KUCIC, said even though the campus celebration was smaller than typical ones in India, the club tried to replicate as much of the Indian flavor as possible.

“The celebrations which we have at KU are very similar in the national sentiment and feeling that it brings out,” Vasu said.

India’s Independence Day dates back to when the British Empire rule was instituted in 1776. A strong reaction against the British started in the 19th century, mainly because of a growing appreciation of ancient Indian culture.

Feelings of rebellion and want of freedom presented themselves through protests, strikes and civil disobedience starting in 1857. Dissent continued until 1947 when India successfully protested through non violent means, led by Mahatma Gandhi.

India’s Independence Day marks the end of British colonial rule on Aug. 15, 1947.

Banerjee said being able to celebrate India’s Independence Day in the United States was a tribute to both countries.

“The celebration doesn’t deny the other country. It’s not an either-or situation,” Banerjee said.

KUCIC will play host to an Indian Cultural show Aug. 27 at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union from 5:30 to 7 p.m, Admission is free. An ethnic dinner in the Big 12 Room will follow. Tickets cost $8. To purchase them, contact Gunashekar Jayaraman at (734) 377-5599.

— Edited by Jon Ralston