India's Independence Day celebrated across America

India's Independence Day, August 15 is a very important day in the lives of every Indian living in every corner of the world. It was on this day 62 years ago that India became a free nation, overthrowing the colonial British rule. The Indian American community, spread across the United States, takes pride in celebrating India Day every year, honoring their mother land and deepening their commitment and bond to India. With parades, cultural events, parties and special prayers for their motherland, Indians celebrate this special day.

Actress Shilpa Shetty, leading the parade in New York City. Also seen in the picture are: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, FIA president Dipak Patel and Dr. Sudhir Parikh.

At the nation's capital, Ambassador Meera Shankar unfurled the Indian Flag at the Embassy Residence in Washington, DC on August 15, 2009 to mark the 63rd Independence Day.

Tens of thousands of people from the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut came to celebrate the Independence Day celebrations, participating in the 29th annual India Day Parade, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), an umbrella group of cultural, educational and community organizations in the Tri-state region, on Sunday, August 16 on Madison Avenue, New York.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, the Grand Marshal of the Parade led the parade that had 37 floats representing the rich cultural heritage, cultural diversity and the economic development of their motherland, India and drawing an estimated 50,000 people. "I am very happy to be here to join thousands of people in this parade," Shettty said, adding, "It is such a great event."

Industrialist Vijay Mallya was the chief guest. Other prominent leaders who marched on the parade included, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New Jersey Governor John Corzine, New York Governor David Paterson and President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Republic of Guyana. The parade also had actress Reshma Shetty from USA's Network new original series "Royal Pains" as well as the dance group Broad Street Baadshahz participating. Jay Sean alias Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, a British Pop-singer-songwriter of Indian origin was a big hit with the teenagers at the parade.

"The world learned the power of nonviolent movement and the march to Dandi as Mahatma Gandhi led the diverse people of India in a struggle for home rule," said Dipak Patel, president of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) representing the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. "India formally gained independence on August 15, 1947 after centuries of British rule - and years of turmoil. Today, after 62 years, we want to commemorate the freedom struggle and celebrate our freedom, liberty, democracy, diversity, and economic growth through the colorful parade and celebrations in New York City by "Marching for Our Motherland.""

The annual parade, described as the largest outside of India had several floats, representing almost all facets and aspects of the NRI community life in the United states. The event showcased Indian culture and heritage through the mela, booths, dances and floats to the mainstream Americans and the next generation Indians. Over 120 booths depicting art, crafts, literature, garments, jewelry, food, businesses and other resources were exhibited representing different states of India.

The parade began on 41st Street on Madison Avenue and culminated with a cultural event on 23rd Street, with breathtaking performances, incredible food and all that is famous about Indian culture. In Chicago, another major city with a large Indian population, the India Parade was "Star Less" this year as no major star from the Bollywood or cricket world came to attend the parade. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn was the Grand Marshal. Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Congresswoman Melissa Beans were among those who led the parade. Though the number of floats was fewer but most of them were really well decorated. Many were really eye catching. For instance, the ones staffed by the Indian Christian Association, Maharashtra Mandal, Jalaram Mandal, some private business floats like Air India, Money Dart, Etihad, Hema Kitchen, Big Cinema and National Republic Bank were well done. The event was organized by the FIA team headed by young Dr. Hyder Mohammad.

Others who were part of the parade included, candidate for Illinois Comptroller position, Raja Krishna Moorthy, candidate for Lieutenant Governor position, Scot Lee Cohen, Niranjan Shah, Dr Hyder, Iftekhar Shareef, Babu Patel, Smita Shah, Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Sohan Joshi, Sunil Shah, Sher Mohammad Rajput, Ajay Agnihotri, Girish Patel and Ami Shah.

The Association of Indians in America (AIA), one of the oldest ethnic Indian organizations, celebrated Indian Independence Day in Chicago with quite a difference. Celebration in Chicago Downtown was attended not only by leading political bigwigs but also by a group of Consular officers from other countries.

AIA headed by community activist Naren Patel hosted a flag hoisting and a cultural program spiced with a small mela was organized in Chicago Downtown on August 12. Those present on the occasion were Desko Nikitovic, the Acting Dean of the Consular Corps and CG of Serbia, Frantisek Gal, Deputy CG Czech Republic, Lean Heitmann, Deputy CG Honduras, Blesila Cabrera, CG Philippines, Martin & Mrs. Mary Rouine, CG Ireland.

In his address AIA President Naren Patel said that he was proud to welcome "so many dignitaries present here today to celebrate with us Indian Independence Day."

The Festival of India held in Freemont, CA on August 14, 15 and 16 entered its seventeenth year with great aplomb and style. There was an impressive display of enthusiasm, fervor and gaiety topped with national pride. Over 70,000 people joined the festivities, 40 percent of them being youngsters and teenagers.

The festival opened on August 15 at Paseo Padre Pkwy in Fremont at 10 am with the biggest crowd puller, the free health fair. It was organized by a team of FIA members and a team of doctors and health workers from Washington Hospital under the initiative of Dr Romesh Japra, FIA Convenor & President. The health care fair was a way of offering medical services to especially those without health insurance, doctors Harpreet Dhillon, Pawan Chadha, Bhupinder Bhandari, Zulfiqar Ali, Cezar Molina, Nutan Chadha and Romesh Japra worked tirelessly to see that concerns of everyone were well taken care.

The 17th Festival of India celebrating Independence Day with the Parade was one of the biggest activities in the Bay Area. Held on August 16 on Walnut Avenue, the parade was led by Bollywood star Neha Dhupia as the Grand Marshal. Along with her was Mauli Dave, the famed young singer and winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest.

[ BY AJAY GHOSH ]