New York: The Indian American community is palpably excited about the 42nd India Day Parade, which the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-Tristate) is organizing in Manhattan on August 18. Hundreds of thousands of India lovers are expected to throng Madison Avenue for the iconic parade -- the largest outside India.
The lineup of guests from India leading the parade is impressive with Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, versatile actor Pankaj Tripathi, and MP and actor-singer Manoj Tiwari gracing the occasion as Grand Marshals. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, spiritual leader and Head of the Juna Akhada, is the Chief Guest, and dashing actor Zaheer Iqbal is the VIP Guest.
They will be joined by India’s Consul General in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, likely along with US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
With the theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One India, One World, One Family), the roster of parade-related events include Indian flag hoisting at Times Square on August 15, lighting up the Empire State Building in Tricolors to mark India’s Independence Day, and Black Tie Gala at National Museum of the American Indian.
The parade this year will be adorned by over 35 floats, including a Vishwa Hindu Parishad USA-sponsored replica of the Ram Temple opened in Ayodhya earlier this year.
