Arun Jaitley, Prakash Javadekar attend Vaisakhi celebrations in Washington

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar attended a colorful Vaisakhi celebration organised by the Indian embassy here for the local Indian-American community.

"You are far away from India, but you carry the spirit here," Jaitley told Indian-American community on the lawns of the official residence of the Indian Ambassador to the US.

Vaisakhi, besides being the festival of harvest, has been one of the most auspicious days, a day identified with the formation of Khalsa, he said, adding that the festival has significance with the country's independence movement also.

Speaking on the occasion, Javadekar greeted people and said Indian embassies across the world are "doing real cultural jobs" by networking with the people.

Maryland Secretary of State John Bapansmith presented a proclamation to Indian embassy Charge de Affairs Taranjit Singh Sandhu with a proclamation issued by Maryland on the occasion.