Thousands celebrate 13th India Day Parade of Long Island in Hicksville  

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The India Day Parade of Long Island was celebrated for the 13^th year in Hicksville, New York. According to organizers, “This year surpassed the glory and grandeur of the previous parades, as witnessed by tens of thousands of people celebrating India’s 78th Independence Day here in Long Island on August 25.”

A record 50 marching groups from different organizations and 11 floats participated in the parade, which were cheered on by the public waving the Indian Flag and lining alongside South Broadway down from the Patel Brothers Plaza.

The floats included a replica of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Ram Mandir, consecrated in Ayodhya earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and one float of Lord Ganesha. Other floats included the Arya Samaj of Long Island, LIPAC and many more. The surprising participation by the Hicksville School Marching band and 25 motorcycle riders was a great attraction to the onlookers for the annual parade.

Organized by IDP USA, the parade, now in its 13th year, was a “grand success” the press release said. The organization is currently headed by co-Presidents Vimal Goyal and Deepak Bansal, and they were assisted by their team and  Nassau County Human Rights Commission Chair Dr. Bobby Kumar Kalotee.

Celebrity Grand Marshals were actress and politician Jaya Prada Nahata and actress Neetu Chandra “who stole the hearts of their fans” organizers said.

Dr Urmilesh Arya was the community Grand Marshall. India’s Consul General in New York Binaya S. Pradhan as Grand Marshall was represented by Vishal Jayesh Bhai Harsh – Consul (Economy, HOC & CPIO) and Anurag. Harry Singh Bolla of Bolla Oil, Shudh Prakash Singh, and Dr Jay Sarkar were Chief Guests. There were several Guests of Honor and dignitaries who were present.

The elected officials who addressed the surging crowds from the stage at Patel Brothers and later at the entertainment stage included Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, NY Senate members Steve Rhoads and Jack Martins, TOBAY Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Nassau County Legislator from Hicksville Rose Marie Walker, and Town of North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava and others.

Several dignitaries and lawmakers as well as celebrities and prominent guests from the community joined in the celebrations.

Patriotic songs and slogans, such as ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ and ‘Jai Hind,’ rang out in the air as people waved India’s tricolor along the parade route.

The parade culminated at the sprawling LIRR parking lot. Over 55 booths set up there attracted a stream of visitors. Free, delicious meals were served to all, courtesy of IDP USA. Bolla Market set up Free Children’s Carnival Games.

In the afternoon, the gathering was regaled with popular Bollywood and Punjabi songs by well-known entertainers Rex D’Souza with his live band, Indian Idol Khuda Baksh, and Bhangra King Sarabjeet Cheema.

Several people, including members of the IDP Team such as Chairman Bobby Kalotee, President Vimal Goyal, Past Presidents Jay Jasbir Singh, Indu Jaiswal, Senior Vice Presidents Nilima Madan, Bina Sabapathy and many team members and others were seen dancing with joy near the stage as they celebrated India’s 78th Independence Day.