Thousands celebrate India Day parade in US town

[Hindustani78]

Thousands celebrate India Day parade in US town | Zee News
Last Updated: Monday, August 10, 2015 - 20:21


Washington: Thousands of Indian expatriates came together in a US town for a jubilant parade ahead of India`s Independence Day celebrations on August 15, a media report said on Monday.


The 11th annual India Day parade was organised on Sunday at Oak Tree Road and Iselin in New Jersey`s Edison town amid cries of "Jai Hind!", NJ online reported.

"Where there`s love, there`s life," said state Senator Ray Lesniak quoting Mahatma Gandhi at the event organised by the Indian Business Association.

Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey pointed out that in the past, two different parades by two rival groups were organised on the same day, and that he was glad "there`s one parade now".

Ajay Patil, a Democrat running for Edison township council, said, "When it comes to India... I don`t think any Indian is divided."

Over 35,000 people attended the event last year to mark the founding of the world`s largest democracy in 1947.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

38,000 attend US parade to mark Independence Day | Zee News
Last Updated: Saturday, August 15, 2015 - 14:47

Washington: Some 38,000 people, including Indian celebrities, attended a spectacular parade in the US town of Edison to mark India`s 69th Independence Day, a media report said.

The 11th Annual Official New Jersey India Day Parade saw over 20 floats, dozens of walking groups and marching bands perform in the nearly two-kilometre parade, which commenced from Edison and concluded in India Square near Woodbridge town, India West reported on Friday.

Indian celebrities including talk show host Richa Anirudh, Bollywood actresses Avani Modi, Prachee Shah, Madalsa Sherma, Sameksha Singh and Sujata Mehta attended the parade.

The event, which was attended by over 100 New Jersey-based organisations, featured a 110 member marching band and several dance groups as well.

Leading the political delegation were Edison Mayor Tom Lankey and Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac.

Indian Americans account for 12.93 percent of New Jersey`s Middlesex county, where Edison town is located.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Finance Minister, Captain Abhimanyu with actress Parineeti Chopra during 35th India day parade in New York City.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra, Arjun Rampal and Sony TV artists Aman and Sangeeta. during 35th India day parade in New York City.

 

[Hindustani78]

Canadian Minister leads India I-Day celebrations - The Hindu

Canadian Defence Minister Jason Kenney led the India Independence Day celebrations in Toronto on Sunday chanting `Bharat Mata ki jai’ and `Hindustan zindabad.’ For the first time also, the Indian Independence Day parade here was led by a Canadian military band.
Canadian Defence Minister Jason Kenney leads fete, chants `Bharat Mata ki jai’ and `Hindustan zindabad.’
Canadian Defence Minister Jason Kenney led the India Independence Day celebrations here by chanting `Bharat Mata ki jai’ and `Hindustan zindabad.’ For the first time also, the Indian Independence Day parade here on Sunday was led by a Canadian military band.

Striking a chord with the huge Indo-Canadian crowd at the celebrations by greeting them in multiple Indian languages, the Canadian Minister lauded India’s diversity as a model for the world. “Canada didn’t invent diversity, India did,” said Mr. Kenney amid huge applause.

Example for the world
The Minister said India was a Hindu-majority nation, but it had Abdul Kalam, a Muslim, as its president and Manmohan Singh as prime minister. “India is an example for the world.”

Addressing the Prime Minister as “Narendra Modiji,” Mr. Kenney said Canada welcomed him in April during “the first dedicated visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years” after decades of “downgraded and frozen relationship.”

Referring to the bilateral nuclear deal and expansion of Canadian trade missions in India, the Minister said: “Our Delhi High Commission is the largest Canadian foreign mission in the world...and we are the only country to have a full consulate in Chandigarh...”

3 lakh new Indian immigrants
Mr. Kenney said Canada has welcomed nearly 3,00,000 new Indian immigrants and the number of Indian students has quadrupled since his Conservative Party took over in 2006. “Our relationship has never been stronger.”

Welcoming his Canadian guests and the Indo-Canadian community, Indian Consul-General Akhilesh Mishra highlighted the special bonds between the two countries and the contribution of the 1.2 million-strong Indo-Canadian community in promoting ties between the two countries.

Canada a special partner

“While we can have any number of trading partners and suppliers of goods and technology, Canada is a unique and very special partner for India for innovation research and human resource development. Because in Canada, both in companies and universities, innovation is not driven primarily by corporate greed,” he said.

The colourful Indian Independence Day parade, which included cultural troupes from many Indian States, was led by a Canadian military band and also included Lt Col (Hon) Hari Panday. Indian Army colonel Vishesh Arora, who was in Toronto, also joined the parade in his uniform.

Cultural performances

After the speeches and the parade, the day-long celebrations were packed with cultural performances even as food, jewellery and other ethnic ware stalls turned the heart of Toronto into a mini-India for the day.

Canadian Immigration Minister Chris Alexander was among the many Canadian leaders who attended the celebrations.