Besides the country of origin of their forefathers, one thing that binds Indians all over the world are their zeal for Independence Day, the tales that they grew with of and about the struggle of numerous heroes for the freedom of their motherland. With such an enthusiasm, despite wet weather conditions, about three thousand people participated on Sunday in the India Day Parade organized by Indian Business association of New Jersey. The annual India Day parade kicked off from the Oak Tree road in Edison as the 1.5 mile stretch came alive with the hues of India’s culture and heritage.
Local and international dignitaries were present to celebrate the spirit of independence. Kalotra family from Maryland, Rajiv Kumar of New Jersey along with My Himachal members from New York joined My Himachal President Avnish Katoch from Pennsylvania and brought the unique Himachali culture on the streets of USA, for the very first time. Young Himachalis, Aditi, Nikhil, Priyanka and Arnav were the flag bearers and their enthuthiasm was commendable.
Khushi R Kalotra said that it was for the first time in his more than 25 years of life at US that he participated in Himachal contingent along with 18 family members who came all the way from Potomac region of Maryland in such a wet weather. Also attending the parade were Edison Mayor Jun Choi and Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O’Brien.
New Jersey’s Governor Jon S. Corzine also participated in the parade in display of harmony with the Indian-American community. More than 25 floats, costumed characters, ethnic dancers and representatives of more than 90 Indo-American organizations displayed their love for India.
The parade culminated at St. Cecelia’s Church in Iselin with a cultural show where Mauli Dave from “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” TV fame, also recently crowned Miss Teen India Texas 2007 and Roshni Chopra from ‘Kasam Se’ were the celebrity guests.
The Home News Tribune and mycentraljersey.com were media sponsors of the event.
More pics at Mycentraljersey
Photos: Nasib Kalotra & Rajiv Kumar.
Jai Hind
Appreciate the efforts from myHimachal team for celebrating the India day parade…
It gives me extreme pleasure to see the folks parading in the US roads and expressing the love of our country…
Keep the spirit up!
~Vishal
It is on occasions like these, that the solidarity of humble Indian beginnings not only strength but express themselves as one and still speak of their bond with their roots.
It is one worthy effort and may it continue to being Indians and India together.
After seeing the pictures of people of similar origins as us celebrating our independence day with such a nice spirit.
i dont even think we people here do something like this, havent have seen anyone do that….
i loved the stripes everyone is wearing in the photos up there, mujhe bhi chahiye 😛
those people miss their country so much and we people here dont even pay attention to our independence day.
i remember in school days we used to go with small flags, as we grow up , independence day is just another holiday to take rest… 🙁
jai hind :)))))))
Dear,
I deeply appreciate the hard work done and love for my country, I had been working overseas for so many years but This fills me with a thought in each and every part of me “MERA BHARAT MAHAN” I just remember few thoughts of Vivekananda :
Civilizations have arisen in other parts of the world also. In ancient and modern times, wonderful ideas have been carried forward from one race to another…But mark you, my friends, India for thousands of years peacefully existed. Here activity prevailed when even Greece did not exist… Even earlier, when history has no record, and tradition dares not peer into the gloom of that intense past, even from until now, ideas after ideas have marched out from her, but every word has been spoken with a blessing behind it and peace before it. We, of all nations of the world, have never been a conquering race, and that blessing is on our head, and therefore we live….!”
I Love MOTHER India.. JAI HIND….
Congratulations to My Himachal team for participating in this event. This is the best way to pay our gratitude to thousands of those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Independence of India.
We don’t know how lucky we are to born in free India and enjoy the fruits of freedom. May God give happiness and prosperity to all Indian worldwide. May free India live long and prosper leaps and bounds.
Again congratulations to team My Himachal to make their mark in participating in this event!
Great to see that My himachal was invited to get a representation at the India day Parade at New Jersey. Congratulations to all the himachalis who participated in the parade and made himachal a proud state.
Congratulations to all the participants
Congratulations!!
Good to see Himachali Caps and Tricolor on the New Jersey roads.
WIth Regards,
Sanjeeva Pandey
Nice to see a brave heart Himachal representation at the India Day Prade.
The contingent may have been small, but the message it sent out was loud and clear.
We will claim our share of sunshine, whereever we go.
Come rain, come snow, we shall remain steadfast to every wind that blows
Be it India, US or the big world elsewhere.
SHABASH!
Great to see MH members and friends marching in the parade. We send our congratulations from the Upper Banjar/Seraj Valley of Kullu.
May our continued collective efforts bring about the changes and benefits we hope to bring about!
Payson
That was a nice gesture. Great to see Himachalis parade on streets of New Jersey. Treat to watch the Himachali caps.
Great Guys!!!
This is an another step in right direction.
I am a proud member of MyHimachal group.
Regards,
Swadesh Katoch
I am spellbound…I don’t feel if I were away from Himachal or Bharat, Wrote a few lines for all who are a part of this flame called India and celebrated the Festival of freedom in US….
“HINDUSTHAN”
Sansar hamara hai Hindusthan, Pran hamara hai Hindusthan
dorta hai jo lahoo rago mein hamari, vo lahoo hai hamara hindusthan
Chodi Chhati, ooncha seena, aata hai humein garv se Jeena
Sab milkar manate Bharat Parv, jab aata hai Saawan maheena
Yeh tiranga hi hai shaan hamari, hai yehi hamari Pehchaan
lehra kar ise America mein Bharat parv par, oonchi kar di iski shaan
Jahan jahan hum jayenge, yeh Tiranga lehrayenge
Khoi huyi pratishtha Bharat ki, hum hi vaapis layenge
Alag alag rang ke hum sab, Bhinn hamari Bhasha Bhashi
Tirange ke neeche milkar, bante hum sab Bharatvasi
Ram rajya koi swapan nahin hai, jhoothi nahin hai karna yeh aas
Sapne saare sach honge apne jab, mil kar chalne ka karenge hum pryaas
Shuruaat achchi hai to bhavishaya bhi achcha hoga
Fir se is jag mein Hindusthan ka naam ooncha hoga
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat
“Rajputra” Dinesh Katoch
http://himachal.us/2008/divya_himachal.jpg
http://himachal.us/2008/punjab_kesri.jpg
http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/epaper/index.php?location=44&edition=2008-08-14&pageno=15#
http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=139468
Congratulations !!! for keeping the Spirit of India alive on the other side of globe.
Katoch bhai it was nice to see u in newspapers here.
Keep it up!!
Jitender Verma
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080820/himplus1.htm#3
Thank you so much for connecting people. Would like to know more About you.