New York: India Day Parade, the world’s largest event celebrating the nation’s freedom, showcased the contributions of the diaspora and the rich tapestry of the nation in this global city.
A tribute to the diversity and the unifying force of being the world’s largest democracy, Sunday’s parade’s theme was “Harmony in heritage”.
About 200,000 people marched in the parade or jammed the sidewalks, waving the Tiranga along the route of the celebration on Madison Avenue.
Governor Kathy Hochul marched at the head of 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, who were the chief guests, rode on floats and were cheered by fans along the route.
This was the 44th edition of the parade organised every year by the Federation of Indian Associations, and it has grown to be the world’s biggest in terms of the participants in such an Indian event, most of them coming 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”, Avinash Gupta, an organiser said.
This year’s parade was special because it marks India’s 80th and the US’s 250th anniversaries of independence from a common coloniser, Britain, sharing a history of anti-colonial struggle, he said.
There were 36 floats representing the religious and cultural diversity of India, as well as Indian American businesses, media and NGOs.
Dancers performed along the route, while bands from New York police to schools and cultural organisations enlivened the parade with music, ranging from Western marching to Indian melodies.
After the parade, a programme of music and dance continued the celebrations, and the aromas of Indian cuisine wafted from a nearby street festival.
