In a historic move reflecting the strengthening bonds between the United States and India, the New York State Senate has passed a groundbreaking resolution celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. Introduced by State Senator Jeremy Cooney, the only Indian-origin member of the New York Senate, the resolution marks the first time a US legislative body has formally honoured the Indian Constitution. The ceremony, hosted on Wednesday at the Senate chambers, was graced by the Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Pradhan, among other influential Indian-American community leaders. The resolution identifies the Indian Constitution as a symbol of democratic values, justice, liberty, and equality that both India and the United States share.

Senator Cooney, adopted from a Kolkata orphanage and brought up by a single mother in Rochester, New York, spoke with great pride about his Indian heritage in his speech. “This anniversary holds special importance for me. I was adopted from an orphanage in Calcutta, and throughout my life, I have worked very hard to maintain a strong connection with India and the Indian-American community,” said Cooney.

Resolution Commends Shared Democratic Principles

The resolution commemorates India's democratic experience since the adoption of its Constitution in November 1949 and compares India's and America's fight for freedom from colonial powers. “It was the perseverance of the Indian people and the leadership of figures like Mahatma Gandhi that culminated in independence and the adoption of the Constitution,” Cooney stated. “This story of resilience and the fight for self-determination ties our two nations together,” he added. State Senator John Liu also addressed the session, pointing to India's deep-rooted democratic values, terming it "the first democracy in the world."

Indian-American Community Welcomes The Step

The Consulate General of India in New York posted the news on the social media platform X, saying, "Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution! The New York State Senate adopted a resolution commemorating the occasion, introduced by Senator Jeremy Cooney @SenatorCooney. The resolution celebrates India’s democratic values and shared commitment to liberty, justice, and equality with the United States.”

Consul General Binaya Pradhan described the moment as a "celebration of common democratic values and cultural affinity", hailing the role of the Indian diaspora in reinforcing Indo-US ties.

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The resolution also encourages cultural consciousness and awareness, calling upon New Yorkers to appreciate the rich heritage of the Indian-American community. “Across the globe, Indians are making lasting impacts in their communities,” Cooney added. “This is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on our shared history, culture, and heritage.”

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