New York: The Indian community in the US celebrated India's 69th Independence Day with fervour by unfurling the national flag and organising cultural events marking the occasion. Thousands of people from the Indian diaspora met together at New York, one of the largest parades outside India, attended by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Bollywood celebrities.
The 35th India Day Parade organised by the Federation of Indian Associations ran through about 20 streets in Madison avenue and featured tableaux by various Indian-American organisations, marching bands, police contingents and cultural performances by young Indian-American children. Khattar, accompanied by India's Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay, congratulated the crowd
and lauded their achievements in his brief remarks.
Tharoor joined the Indian National Overseas Congress float at the parade and was instantly swarmed by party supporters. Tharoor said the event has been growing in importance and visibility over the years, pointing to the increasing “consciousness” of Indians in the world. “This shows Indians have really arrived and a made a mark in this society. It is a great celebration of the motherland in the new country,” he said.
India's Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh read out President Pranab Mukharjee's national address and hoisted the tri-colour at his residence. He said as the defining partnership of the 21st century in the world, India and the US were enhancing their ties not only at the bilateral level, but also at the regional and global levels.
“With the historic visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2014 and President Barack Obama in January, the leaders of both countries have given a great impetus to the momentum of this relationship,” he said.
Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal was the Grand Marshal of the Parade that ran through several streets in Manhattan and actress Parineeti Chopra was the Guest of Honour at the parade, which was also attended by cricketer Virendar Sehwag.
