The 44th annual India Day Parade in New York, billed as the world’s largest Indian diaspora parade, celebrated India’s rich cultural diversity and the contributions of the Indian-American community under the theme “Harmony in Heritage”.
Around 200,000 people either participated in the parade or lined the sidewalks along Madison Avenue, waving the Tricolour as the celebrations unfolded.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul led the parade and said she was honoured to “celebrate the rich culture this vibrant community brings to New York”.
Actors Pooja Hegde and Adivi Sesh, the chief guests at the event, rode on floats and were greeted by enthusiastic crowds along the route.
Organised annually by the Federation of Indian Associations, the parade has grown into the world’s largest event of its kind in terms of participation, with many attendees joining spontaneously.
“The parade, which has gotten better and bigger every year, proudly shows the contributions of the diaspora not only to New York and the US, but also to the world,” organiser Avinash Gupta said.
This year’s parade was particularly significant as it marked India’s 80th and the US’ 250th anniversaries of independence from Britain, with both countries sharing a history of anti-colonial struggle, Gupta said.
The parade featured 36 floats showcasing India’s religious and cultural diversity, along with representations of Indian-American businesses, media organisations and NGOs.
Dancers performed along the route, while bands from the New York Police Department, schools and cultural organisations added to the festivities with music ranging from Western marching tunes to Indian melodies.
The celebrations continued after the parade with music and dance performances, while a nearby street festival offered a variety of Indian cuisine.
(IANS Inputs)
