California: With patriotic feelings running high, thousands of Indians and their friends participated in the Swades Parade organized by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA) to mark India's 79th Independence Day.
The historical parade in the streets of Downtown San Jose was dotted with over 75 floats, decorated with representations of Indian states' culture and heritage. Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel was the Grand Marshal of the parade, and Srikanth Bolla, an Indian industrialist and the founder Chairman of Bollant Industries, was the guest of honor. K Srikar Reddy, Consulate General of India in San Francisco, also joined the celebrations.
After the Indian Tricolor was unfurled, the US national flag was also hoisted by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who stated that the Parade will only get bigger in the years to come.
Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel was the Grand Marshal of the parade. (Photo courtesy: Association of Indo Americans/Facebook)
The celebration also featured cultural performances. (Photo courtesy: Association of Indo Americans/Facebook)
(Photo courtesy: X@biharfoundation)
Meanwhile, a float featuring Mandar Parvat from Bhagalpur, Bihar, won the Popular Choice award at the 33rd Festival of Globe Independence Day Parade in California. Mandar Hill, a panoramic landscape of an 800 ft-high granite hill, is associated with the legendary Amrit Manthan, or churning of nectar from the sea. The float was presented by the members of the Overseas Organisation for Better Bihar in the Bay Area, California.
