As in previous years, NASDAQ invited Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India, to ring the Opening Bell on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 to celebrate India’s 66^th Independence Day. The NASDAQ billboard flashed the Indian tri-colour with accompanied words 'NASDAQ Celebrates India’s Independence Day - August 15, 2012.’

During his brief speech, Ambassador Dayal said that he was highly privileged and honoured to have been invited to ring the NASDAQ Bell on the eve of India’s Independence Day. This, he said, indicates the ever growing relationship between NASDAQ and India. He also said that he was privileged to have been invited to ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell in 2009, 2010 and 2011 for celebrating India’s Independence Day. Stating that this gesture of NASDAQ is a recognition of the fact that India has become a global powerhouse, he added that Infosys, Cognizant Technologies, MakeMyTrip.com, Rediff.com. and Sify Technologies Ltd. are all members of the NASDAQ 100 Index which is one of the most prestigious and widely followed indices of the world.

Referring to the global financial meltdown of 2008, which has far reaching consequences, Ambassador Dayal said that in a globalized world such developments have ramifications beyond borders and, therefore, would need to be tackled through coordinated global action.

With regard to infrastructure development and investment in India, Ambassador Dayal said that the Government of India is pursuing policies which encourage investment in infrastructure and expressed his confidence that NASDAQ will continue to focus the interest of investors on the opportunities provided by India and thus play a positive and helpful role in the growth of Indian economy.

The ceremony was attended by the Consulate officials as well as members of the Indian community.

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