India Day Parade celebrates unity, diversity and inclusiveness, says FIA president

Actor turned-politician Manoj Tiwari and actor Pankaj Tripathi will be the guests of honor at the parade.

Avinash Gupta. / FIA

Ahead of the 42nd India Day Parade organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in New York, its president Avinash Gupta said that the main aim of the parade is to celebrate unity, diversity, and inclusiveness.

This year, the parade will take place on Aug.18 at Madison Avenue. Bollywood Actress Sonakshi Sinha will lead the parade as its Grand Marshall. Actor turned-politician Manoj Tiwari and actor Pankaj Tripathi will be the guest of honor at the parade.

“We are celebrating unity and diversity and inclusiveness. So there will be something for everybody,” Gupta said. “This year's highlight is the Ram Mandir float, which is a replica of the temple Ram Mandir built in Ayodhya after 500 years of wait,” he added.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the float Gupta maintained that FIA is a non-religious organization and does not condone violence in any form. Just as the Hindus celebrate their religion with the Ram Mandir float he shared that the parade also will feature a Muslim float and a Sikh float among 30 others.

After the parade, FIA will host an evening gala at the National Museum of the American Indian, Gupta said, encouraging attendees to wear patriotic attire and participate in the event. He mentioned that there will be a best-dressed competition as well as a pani puri contest during the parade.

FIA commenced its India Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 15 by displaying the Indian tricolor in Times Square. They also illuminated the Empire State Building with the tricolor.

Established 52 years ago, FIA is the largest nonprofit grassroots umbrella organization in the Northeast. While it is renowned for its India Day Parade, Gupta said the organization also plays a crucial role in supporting the Indian diaspora by collaborating with the Indian consulates and enhancing Indo-US relations.