The Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE (FIA) and the Consulate General of India New York hosted a Curtain Raiser event on July 8th, to unveil the 42nd Annual India Day Parade NYC.
The event began with emcee Mamta Narula. Hon. Consul General NY 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 SBI NY, Prasanta Tripathi, took the stage to reveal the official poster for this year's parade, setting the tone for the evening.
Dr. Avinash Gupta gave a warm welcome speech emphasizing the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" and outlining the format for the upcoming India Day Parade. He urged community participation, 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 and expressed his support for the parade, emphasizing the consulate's commitment to showcasing India's rich culture for the past 5 years.
Mr. Ankur Vaidya, Chairman of FIA, discussed the organization's history and activities. He encouraged the community to collaborate for the upcoming event's success and appreciated the executive teams' selfless efforts in handling post-event responsibilities such as waste management and administrative tasks.
Showcasing their commitment towards sustainability, the FIA also announced their 'Zero Food Waste' initiative, developed in collaboration with Rohit Korat, founder of Gracia Marcom, a purpose-driven agency. This initiative ensures that every meal served during FIA's events contributes to a greener, more eco-conscious future, setting a new standard for community organizations worldwide.
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.
Dr. Jai Bansal started his speech with "Namaste, Jai Hind, and Jai Shree Ram" and introduced VHPA. He gave an overview of the Ram Mandir Float and showed a video of its design and construction. The India Day Parade is known for its colorful floats representing Indian-American communities. This year, a grand replica of the newly inaugurated Ayodhya Ram Mandir will be featured, measuring 18x9x8 feet as a powerful symbol of cultural significance and 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 towards FIA for being 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 SBI NY, has 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 delivered by FIA Executive Vice President Saurin Parikh. He thanked all the attendees, speakers, and organizers for making the event successful. The attendees enjoyed a delightful dinner from Andaz restaurant, setting the stage for a vibrant and memorable celebration of India's rich heritage and the Indian-American community's contributions.