Page 14 - The Indian EYE 071825

North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

14 JULY 18, 2025

Star Power, Cricket, and Community Spirit:

FIA Launches Spectacular Build-Up to

43rd India Day Parade in NYC

With a bold theme of universal well-being, cricket dreams for America, and a celebrity duo leading the charge,

the Federation of Indian Associations unveiled its grand vision for the 43rd India Day Parade in New York

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
he Federation of Indian Asso-
ciations (FIA-NY-NJ-CT-NE)
Tlaunched the countdown to its
43rd India Day Parade with a moving
curtain-raiser event at the Consulate
General of India in New York. The
evening opened with a solemn tribute
to recent national tragedies, from Pa-
halgam to Ahmedabad, followed by
the unveiling of this year’s unifying
theme: “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” —
a Sanskrit call for universal well-being.
Two major announcements
marked the night. Telugu cinema
stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rash-
mika Mandanna were revealed as Cricmax Connect team felicitating Deputy Consul General - Vishal Harsh
co-Grand Marshals for the August 17
parade. Their message, broadcast in and emphasized community own-
six Indian languages and English via ership of the event. FIA President
massive LED screens, ended with a Saurin Parikh introduced the pas-
heartfelt “Jai Hind!” and a promise tel-themed parade poster and con-
to join the Madison Avenue march. firmed that ethnic groups could en-
India’s Consul General in New ter floats free of charge for the first
York, Ambassador Binaya S. Pradhan, time. “This parade isn’t pay-to-play;
hailed FIA’s contribution to Indi- it’s pride-to-participate,” he declared.
an-American identity, calling the as- Operational updates added
sociation a “force-multiplier” for In- momentum. FIA will host a Times
dia’s global image. He urged FIA to Square flag-hoisting at 8 a.m. on Au-
protect and scale its initiatives, which gust 15, followed by Empire State
have grown the parade from a single Building illumination that evening.
float in 1981 to the largest India Day Cultural groups from Guyana, Mau-
celebration outside India. Deputy ritius, and Reunion Island will march,
Consul General Vishal Harsh also adding a global flavor. Eighteen
praised FIA’s creativity and impact, youth performances will reflect the
highlighting the Chandrayaan-3 and theme, and the Cipriani gala on Wall
Ram Mandir floats from last year. Street will offer food, music, and a
A groundbreaking development Binaya S. Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, and FIA Chairman, Ankur Vaidya unique Gol Gappa contest.
came from Cricmax Connect CEO SBI USA’s Amit Verma reflected
Vinay Bhimjiani, who announced his unveil the celebrities for FIA’s 43rd India Day Parade-NYC on the parallel journey of FIA and
platform as the parade’s title sponsor. State Bank of India in America since
He laid out an ambitious vision to importing names for selfies,” he said. cricket and describing their initiative the early 1970s. With cricket, com-
make cricket mainstream in the U.S. “We’re building American cricket as “nation-building through sport.” munity, and culture converging, FIA’s
by 2035. Bhimjiani announced a July from the grassroots.” Corporate backers like Axria also 43rd parade promises to turn Madi-
14 exhibition match at L.A.’s Colise- USA Cricket CEO Dr. Atul Rai pledged long-term partnerships. son Avenue into a vibrant canvas of
um and an interactive mini-pitch ex- joined Bhimjiani, calling for dor- FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya Indian pride and global harmony.
perience on parade day. “We are not mant baseball fields to be opened for remembered the late Ramesh Patel Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com