A city restaurant has welcomed the community to celebrate with them and their special guests as they commemorate India’s Independence Day in the heart of the city.  

Namaste Village in Queens Road has celebrated India’s 77th Independence Day.  

A spokesman at the restaurant said: “Each year we commemorate India’s Independence Day with great enthusiasm at Namaste Village.  

Norwich Evening News: Riyansh Gabani, seven, with the Indian flag as Namaste Village celebrate the Indian Independence Day Riyansh Gabani, seven, with the Indian flag as Namaste Village celebrate the Indian Independence Day (Image: Denise Bradley)

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“People gathered in white attire at our restaurant from 8.30am.”  

At the event, owners proudly hoist the Indian tricolour flag while singing along to India’s national anthem.  

The spokesman added: “It is a moment of unity and pride for every advocate of democracy – not just for Indians but for everyone around the world.

Norwich Evening News: Namaste Village celebrate the Indian Independence Day with the Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Jan Sheldon, in green; and her consort, Jo Gillies-Wheatley, back right Namaste Village celebrate the Indian Independence Day with the Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Jan Sheldon, in green; and her consort, Jo Gillies-Wheatley, back right (Image: Denise Bradley)

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“This day is important for us as Indians living abroad, we owe it to our motherland.  

“India is a land of different cultures and embraces its unity in diversity, and at Namaste Village, we try to portray this diversity through our food and events by bringing the community together.  

Norwich Evening News: Namaste Village staff celebrate the Indian Independence Day with the Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Jan Sheldon, second right; and her consort, Jo Gillies-Wheatley, third right Namaste Village staff celebrate the Indian Independence Day with the Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Jan Sheldon, second right; and her consort, Jo Gillies-Wheatley, third right (Image: Denise Bradley)

“It's the 77th Independence Day for India, and we are so glad we are able to celebrate it in a harmonious land like the United Kingdom.  

“Today, as we stood together as a community, we also pledged to make both nations greater and uphold the values of diversity, freedom, equality and justice.  

“It's also a day to salute our forefathers, heroes of the nation who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and create the beautiful India we see today.” 

Norwich Evening News: Namaste is a popular vegetarian Indian restaurant in the heart of the city Namaste is a popular vegetarian Indian restaurant in the heart of the city (Image: Denise Bradley)

This year the restaurant invited some special guests, among them the esteemed sheriff of Norwich, Dr. Jan Sheldon, and her consort, to celebrate with them.