Newcastle, Aug. 16 -- The Indian Consulate in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, held the 79th Independence Day celebrations, which was the first-ever official Independence Day event hosted by the Consulate in Newcastle, as per an official statement.

The statement noted that the celebrations were held at the Civic Centre, which provided a prime-time slot for the first time. The event was led by Punjabi-born Honorary Consul General of India in England, 'JM' Meenu Malhotra DL, who hoisted the Indian tricolour for the first time in Newcastle's history, making this a landmark occasion for the Indian community in the North East of England.

After the hoisting of the Indian tricolour, national anthem, and keynote addresses were delivered by Meenu Malhot...