Roosevelt House at the US Embassy reopened on Tuesday after a five-year hiatus, hosting a reception for Delhi’s diplomatic circle and kicking off the Freedom250 campaign marking 250 years of American independence, complete with a fleet of flag-clad auto rickshaws. US Ambassador Sergio Gor said the year will feature a series of events organised by the embassy.‘10,000 flag-clad autos to hit Delhi roads’Ambassador Gor, apologising for a slight delay after wrapping up a 40-minute call between the two heads of state just before his address, said, “One of the main reasons we’re here is that in 2026, our nation marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of our republic. As some of you walked in, you might have seen many tuktuks (auto rickshaws) carrying the American flag and a message reading, ‘Happy Birthday, 250 years old’. Over the next month, you will see 10,000 of these across New Delhi. The US–India relationship is a testament to this journey.”
“Over the next month, you will see 10,000 of these across New Delhi,” the ambassador said
He added that the year will see a series of events organised by the embassy. “For our Independence Day celebrations and a series of major Freedom250 events throughout the year, we will showcase American innovation and excellence, our nation’s rich history, and the strengthening of our commercial and defence partnership with India. To tell the American story on the scale it deserves, we need to work together.”‘Roosevelt House stands as a landmark of American design’Reopening the venue in the embassy complex, the US Ambassador said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome everybody to Roosevelt House. Some of you may have been here before; it has been closed for about five years, and we are excited to reopen it. This residence has stood for nearly 70 years as a landmark of American design and a centre for high-level engagement between our governments. When Edward Durell Stone conceptualised this house, he wanted to demonstrate that architecture itself could serve as diplomacy.”
(L-R) Shashi Tharoor, Sergio Gor, US Ambassador, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
With a cast on his foot and protective glasses, Shashi Tharoor joined the gathering. Recalling his previous visit, he said, “The last time I was here was with Ambassador Richard Verma. Though I knew his successors, they were not in this place; we used to meet him elsewhere. So, it’s wonderful to be back. I do remember the history of this house and particularly the role of Edward Durell Stone. In many ways, I believe architecture conveys a lot about a country, especially when it involves the ambassador’s residence. It’s a pleasure to be here and be part of this.”Paneer tikka mille-feuille, brie and fig on multigrain, braised lamb raan pufflets, dark chocolate truffle, and kesar motichoor tarts added flavour to a typical summer evening in Delhi.
MP Shashi Tharoor shared on X (@ShashiTharoor)
I’m wearing dorky glasses to protect my eyes from infection: Shashi TharoorTalking about his cast and eyeglasses, Tharoor told us, “I spent two weeks in a wheelchair, two more in a cast, then took it all off on my birthday (March 9), and decided to celebrate. But then I campaigned without paying enough attention to this. By the end of the campaign, an MRI revealed that my foot was actually worse. So, I had to get the cast back on and do physiotherapy.” Explaining about the protective glasses, he added, “Meanwhile, I had cataract surgeries. I’m wearing these dorky glasses, because I have to protect my eyes from infection. So it’s everything.” Despite the discomfort, Tharoor still attended “because I said, ‘If I don’t come now, God knows when the next opportunity will be.’ And I did want to see the ambassador and this place.”
