EDISON, NJ(TIP): Local leaders applauded the Indian Business Association, which organized the 15th Annual India Day Parade on Sunday. The parade ran from Edison to Iselin and included over a dozen floats, ethnic bands, dance groups, and representatives from over 100 New Jersey based organizations.  There was also a cultural show which was held at the end of the parade route and featured a number of local artists.

Governor Phil Murphy, who joined Sunday’s festivities, acknowledged the Indian American community’s contributions to the State. “New Jersey is proud to be home to one of America’s largest, most deeply rooted Indian-American communities. The many faces of our Indian American community enrich our state in countless ways. I was honored to march alongside our Indian-American brothers and sisters during the India Day Parade and celebrate the strong bond between New Jersey and India,” said Governor Murphy.

With official estimates placing the crowd size at a little under 45,000, the parade was the largest yet, according to organizers.  “We just got to make sure we keep it strong- the more people we get, it gets bigger year and year and we’re excited to be a part of it. So anything we can do to help continue that we’re more than happy and invested to do it,” said Edison Council President Alvaro Gomez.

“I support IBA, the IBA is great for the Indian community. This parade is fabulous, and just watching the fans, spectators or whatever you want to call them, and you can see how much it means to them. You can see the passion in the community and thinking of back home. You can just hear it and see it and feel it when you’re walking home,” said Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey.  Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac joined Mr. Lankey in his praise for the parade and spoke of the similarities between the democracies of the United States and India.

There were many familiar faces, including Congressman Frank Pallone. “I always come for the Indian Day Parade because this is a great opportunity to celebrate the Indian American Community and see all the clothes, the colors, the drums and all that. But it’s also the IBA that sponsors it and they’ve really done a great job in creating more businesses and jobs in the area so it’s a way to thank them too,” he said.

“This is my 15th India day parade. We’ve got some great people here and they’ve added so much to America, New Jersey, and Middlesex County in particular, “ said Senator Samuel Thompson.

Several stakeholders and policymakers, including the Governor, discussed the importance of the Indian American community and ties with India to the local economy.

“I look forward to deepening this relationship as I prepare for my economic mission trip to India in September. I am confident that our efforts will foster deeper bonds between our people, and new opportunities for investment and growth in the Garden State,” said Mr. Murphy.

Thomas Coughlin, CEO of BCB Indus American Bank said, “We think the Indian community is the fastest growing community in the tri state area and the businesses synchronize very well together.”

Others noted the growth of the Indian American population across New Jersey.

“Like Edison we have a large Indian community and for me, one of the most important things and gratifying things is the fact that we have such a diverse community that is made up of people from a lot of different backgrounds. The Indian community is very important to us – they contribute to the growth of the township and we are out here supporting you the way we’ve supported our community. I think it’s the right place to be and I’m thrilled to be here.” said East Brunswick Mayor  Brad Cohen.

“It takes many people to bring this event together. My team of Trustees, Chandrakant Patel, Mahesh Shah, Manher Shah, the dozens and dozens of volunteers, our many sponsors, and the organizations that we work with,” said IBA President Dhiren Amin. “It is a diverse group of people with a common purpose.”

Diversity and inclusion were running themes of the event.

“Well I’m here at the parade and I’ve been here since the first parade we’ve ever had in Edison. I support the Independence Day for India; I support that the IBA does this every year and they have a long history of doing a great parade for the people. And that’s what this is all about- it’s about inclusion, it’s about getting everybody together. It’s about understanding other ethnicities and what their cultures are like and it’s so important that we blend together. That’s what makes us so strong,” said Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak.

His sentiments were echoed by Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott.

“I’m here today to support the Indian Community and the IBA for everything they do. I think [parades] affect community in a large way. Sometimes people don’t realize there’s different diversities and something like this does bring it out so show there’s different diversities. And you meet and you greet, and you have an opportunity to talk and talk about different cultures,” she said.