On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Mexican Catholic priest who served in a church in Dolores, ordered for the church bells to be rung and with his famous speech, Grito de Dolores, roused his people to defend their rights against the Spaniards. Although Mexico would not gain independence until 1821, Hidalgo’s “Cry of Dolores” became emblematic of Mexican Independence.
On September 17, 2015, at ITC Sonar, a short Mexican Independence Day ceremony was facilitated by Melba Pria, ambassador of Mexico. The bell was rung and her guests, all honorary Mexicans for the evening, cried out “Viva Mexico” before and after the Mexican national anthem.
“It’s incredible how many people in India can speak Spanish and know about Spanish culture. Mexico, in fact, was the first Latin country to have friendly relations with India,” said Melba Pria.
