Basic HTML Version

|  | Table of Contents |  | View Full Version

Page 18 - The Indian EYE 082826
P. 18

    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                               AUGUST 28, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 18

                        New Jersey Indian American Elected

             Officials Create History by Joining FIA India

                             Day Parade on a Dedicated Float

            OUR BUREAU
            New York, NY
               n a historic first for the Federation of Indian
               Associations (FIA) India Day Parade, a ded-
            Iicated New Jersey Indian American Elected
            Officials  Float  brought  together  mayors,  council
            members, and former state officials from commu-
            nities across New Jersey to celebrate India’s 80th
            Independence Day.
                The  landmark  float  highlighted  the  growing
            presence and leadership of the Indian American
            community in New Jersey and showcased elected
            officials working together across municipalities to
            celebrate India’s heritage, culture, and contribu-
            tions to America.
                  The distinguished participants included:
            • Mayor Pulkit Desai, Parsippany
            • Deputy Mayor Siva Jonnada, Morris
            • Deputy Mayor Uma Purandre, Hopewell
            • Councilman Amit Chopra, Robbinsville
            • Councilman Ravi Patni, Robbinsville
            • Councilwoman Priti Dhariwal, River Edge
            • Councilwoman Sonia Gawas, West Windsor
            • Councilwoman Suruchi Batra, Chesterfield
            • Councilman Kashyap Parikh, Tinton Falls
            • Councilman Biral Patel, Edison
            • Former LD 17 Assemblyman, Upendra Chvukula
                The participation of Indian-American elect-
            ed officials from communities across New Jersey
            made the float a powerful symbol of unity, civic en-
            gagement, and the Indian American community’s
            growing role in public life.
                “This was truly a historic and proud moment.
            For the first time, Indian American elected offi-
            cials from different communities across New Jer-
            sey came together on one float to celebrate India’s
            Independence Day at the world’s largest India
            Day parade, said Councilwoman Priti Dhariwal of
            River Edge. “It reflects the strength of our com-
            munity, our commitment to public service, and the
            beautiful connection between our Indian heritage
            and our American home. I thank Federation of In-
            dian Associations, the Chairman Ankur Vaidya &
            President Shreekanth Akkapalli for giving us the
            opportunity to be part of this historic event.”
                The New Jersey Indian Americans Elected Of-
            ficials Float added a new dimension to the 44th FIA
            India Day Parade, celebrating not only India’s rich
            heritage but also the many Indian Americans who
            are actively serving their local communities and
            strengthening the bond between the two nations.
                The historic participation is expected to in-
            spire greater civic engagement and representation
            among the Indian American community in New
            Jersey for years to come.

                                                                   www.TheIndianEYE.com

| 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 |