NEW YORK CITY(TIP): Federation of Indian Associations held a Curtain Raiser for its upcoming largest India Day Parade at the Consulate General of India on   Thursday June 28, 2018.

To bring India into this American soil and at the venue, green-white- and orange colors were seen all around with the American and Indian flags side by side.

The event started with Dr. Kusum Punjabi’s welcome speech and the singing of the national anthem. Dr. Kusum Punjabi stated that since FIA was founded 48 years ago on the promise of promoting ethic solidarity though various programs and events along with community services and cultural activities and various outreach programs, everyone at FIA believes to preserve India’s cultures and ethics. She also congratulated all the leaders by adding that no organization can succeed without its strong leaders. As she emphasized on FIA’s prevalent motto from Indian Vedic verse, “wherever women are respected, God resides there” will come true as FIA is committed to bring all cultures on one stage by strongly believing in “vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” meaning “world is one family.” Dr. Kusum then invited FIA president Srujal Parikh on stage for welcome speech by adding that Parikh is not only a visionary president of FIA but is dedicated to NYPD and a trustee of NYPD Indian police officers organization since a decade.

President Srujal Parikh said they take great pride in not only working together at FIA to bring diverse cultures on one stage but also women empowerment initiatives are taken to make difference in the lives of girls and women. He then added that here at FIA we strongly believe in gender equality. As a community, we must strive to foster an environment so there is no gender discrimination and women will have equal opportunity of independent decision making. Parikh thanked all the committee members, board of trustees and all who work shoulder to shoulder in making FIA a successful organization.

Srujal Parikh invited Consul General of India, all the committee members, this year’s Grand Marshal, and very bright and beautiful Hollywood–Bollywood actress Ms. Pooja Kumar, representative from Ripley’s believe it or not, on stage to unveil official upcoming India day parade’s invitation.

​As consulate General of India took stage to address the audience, he said he felt so close to motherland in American soil by working so closely with FIA and its members. He gave a brief history of making FIA a successful organization of 48 years. He remembered FIA’s early stages when late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was invited to lead parade and merely 300 persons were on New York’s streets. He urged everyone to bring friends and family members to be a part of this epic event and make it more successful this year on August 18th.

​Others who addressed included Chairman Ramesh Pate, Media Chair Ankur Vaidya, Padma Shri H.R. Shah, Vidyadhar Garapati, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chintu Patel, and Andy Bhatia

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Performers from Dancing Shiva gave a dance performance which was choreographed by Jenny Beri.

A Raffle draw followed, and winners were gifted radio 5000 series.

Dr. Kusum Panjabi extended appreciation on behalf of everyone at FIA and all the guests to Albert Jassani for sponsoring delightful appetizers and dinner.

(Based on a press release issued by Media committee, FIA)