India Day Parade is 38-years-old now. The Parade, sponsored by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) is annually organized to commemorate the Independence Day of India. The parade is the largest celebration of India’s independence outside of India itself, with over 180,000 visitors each year.
The FIA represents more than 500,000 Asian-Indians in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
On 15th August 2018, the top of Empire state Building was lit up in Indian Tricolors ( LED light display,) Tricolors were also displayed at Niagara Falls .
It was Drizzle but it was India, India and India all along the fashionable Madison Avenue right from 38 street to down town. Kudos to NYPD for an efficient and fool proof security / Traffic management . This Busy Madison Avenue was totally closed to traffic on the parade day .Barricades were erected at various places and adequate and well planed restrictions were put with least inconvenience to public .
Inspite of intermittent drizzle, crowds watched the Parade all along the route .Indian community members , performers and various groups marched down Madison Avenue to downtown led by actor politician Kamalhassan as the grand marshal of the Parade. He was joined by his daughter Shruti Hassan, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, singers Kailash Kher, Shibani Kashyap and Mickey Singh as well as designer Rosy Ahluwalia; and Shital Mahajan, sky diver and recipient of the Padma Shri award.
I saw Sir Vivian Richards on Antigua and Barbuda Troupe vehicle waving to Indian spectators all along the route. He obliged every spectator who came to shake hands with him. Saw some people of Indian origin from Caribbean islands witnessing the Grand event . Spoke to Christopher Krishna a gentleman of Indian Origin .
“ Yeah , My ancestors were from India . We don’t speak Hindi but we know what India is . Love Indian food , music and customs. Many from Trinidad and Guyana in the crowd. Their ancestors Indian.”
Spoke to a man from Antigua and Barbuda . He said :
“ Yeah My ancestors Indian . Antigua and Barbuda two islands . Now one independent country of British commonwealth . We had so many persons of Indian origin but most of them have moved out . A small community left now . We have some Indian Food Restaurants also . They sell mix of Indian and Chinese food to remain economically viable . My father over here in U S A. I too join him. Very beautiful beaches in Barbuda and Antigua . Good Tourism . I love Indian Music. Love Indian dances , films and customs. Can’t speak Hindi . Have picked up Thoda thoda . You guys lucky . You speak Hindi We sometimes feel culturally rootless.”
Saw People from South India Dancing on Punjabi songs . The dance by Haryana troupe was amazing. So were the dances from Maharashtra , Gujarat , Bihar , Punjab and other states of the country . so many Americans watched the Parade and kept on clicking photographs. For them it was a real treat and a great cultural Show Bonanza from India . An elderly American lady who was watching the parade standing for about three hours ( in the intermittent drizzle ) told me :
“ I wish to be born in India in my next life. Love all the cultural diversity and colours of your country . Thank you for your clarifications. Keep this chocolate for your family . Namaste .”
At the end of the parade route, a street fair featured Indian-American businesses from the tristate area showcasing their products at booths. Also on display were Indian arts and crafts, clothes, jewelry and regional cuisine.
I conclude with lines from my poem " Zindabad Aey Wattan" ..
Teri Nadiyon se Amrit barastaa Rahe,
Teray kheton se miltaa Rahe Sab ko Ann
Tujh pe mushkil kabhi bhi na Aaye koyii
Teray baagon mein ho Rang o Boo ka chalan
...Zindabaad Aey wattan
Mausamon ki Mehar Har Gadi ho yahaan
Meharbaan ho Havaaon ka bhi Baankpan
Mast Lehron ka sangeet Bajtaa Rahe
Saahilon pe teray Chhan-Chhana-Chhan-Chhanan
.....................Zindabaad Aey Wattan.
Aey Himaala Teri Sarparasti Rahay
Ta Abad Hon Suhaagan ye Gang o jaman
Sookhi Dharti ko Pyaason Ko Miltaa rahay
Teri Jheelon ka Aur Aabshaaron Ka Dhan
...............Zindabaad Aey Wattan
(Avtar Mota)
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.