NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE (FIA) along with the Consulate General of India New York hosted a Curtain Raiser event on July 8th, unveiling the 42nd Annual India Day Parade NYC. The Consul General of India in New York Binaya S Pradhan, FIA President Dr. Avinash Gupta, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, FIA Past President & Board Member Anil Bansal, FIA Senior Advisor Dr. Sudhir Parikh, and CEO State Bank of India, New York Prasanta Tripathi unveiled the official poster for this year’s parade, setting the tone for the evening.

Dr. Avinash Gupta delivered a heartfelt welcome speech. He highlighted the unique resonance of the parade’s theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” and explained the upcoming India Day Parade format. He appealed to the Indian community to come forward and participate in the event and thanked the media, sponsors, and the executive committee for their support.

The Consul General of India in New York Shri Binaya S Pradhan welcomed all the guests. He said that growing up in India, he knew about the parade and the significance of this event. He assured that the consulate will support this event, as they have for years, and they will come together to showcase India’s great culture.

Ankur Vaidya, the Chairman of FIA, provided an overview of the organization’s history and activities. He earnestly urged the community to collaborate to ensure the upcoming event’s success. He expressed appreciation for the selfless efforts of the executive teams, who diligently handle post-event responsibilities, including waste management and administrative tasks.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi as the Guest of Honor, accompanied by an exclusive video of his involvement in the parade.

Jai Bansal began his address with “Namaste, Jai Hind, and Jai Shree Ram” and then introduced VHPA. He presented a mesmerizing overview of the Ram Mandir Float. A video showcased the design and construction of this centerpiece, providing attendees with a sneak peek. The India Day Parade is well-known for featuring colorful floats representing the diverse Indian-American communities and their cultural expressions. This year, the inclusion of a grand replica of the newly inaugurated Ayodhya Ram Mandir, measuring 18 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 8 feet tall, promises to be a powerful symbol of cultural significance and a testament to a historic moment for the global Indian community.

Representatives from VHPA, BAPS, and Siddhivinayak Temple came together to unveil the stunning Ram Mandir Float, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India. Sanjeev Gupta, a representative from the Vishva Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), elaborated on the significance of the replica’s design and the collaborative efforts between the VHPA and the FIA.

Padmashree Dr. Sudhir Parikh expressed his gratitude to FIA for having him as a part of the parade since its inception. FIA Past President and Board member Anil Bansal offered his support and praised the entire community for their hard work.

Prasanta Tripathi, CEO, State Bank of India, NY pledged full support for the upcoming parade and confirmed that the entire SBI team will participate. Tripathi expressed pride in witnessing the well-organized event for the past three years and assured that the entire SBI staff will be there to support the parade.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by FIA Executive Vice President Saurin Parikh, expressing gratitude to all attendees, speakers, and organizers who contributed to the success of the curtain-raiser event.

Attendees were served a delicious dinner from Andaz restaurant that set the tone for a grand finale, promising a vibrant and memorable celebration of India’s rich heritage and the Indian-American community’s contribution.
Mamta Narula emceed the program.
(Based on a press release)