By: Vandana Jhingan

The 3rd International India Day Parade, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in Boston, was a vibrant display of cultural heritage, community solidarity, and support for small businesses. The parade wound through Boston’s India Street and central streets, honoring veterans, law enforcement officers, and senior citizens, while also awarding scholarships to outstanding students, highlighting the dual celebration of independence and education.

A key focus of this year’s parade was the support for small businesses. FIA-New England, in collaboration with community and cultural partners, provided a platform for local enterprises to showcase their products, fostering both local and global economic engagement.

Abhishek Singh, President of FIA, delivered a powerful speech, stating, “Freedom is a right for all, not a privilege for the few. We honor the sacrifices of freedom fighters from both India and the USA and strive to empower our small businesses, the backbone of our communities.” His words resonated with the audience, receiving enthusiastic applause.
The event was graced by notable attendees, including former Miss World Diana Hayden, political leader Geoff Diehl, Consul General of India in New York Binaya S. Pradhan, Arjuna Awardee and former Indian Cricket Team Captain for the blind Ajay Reddy, and Hollywood actress Neetu Chandra. Their presence underscored the growing significance of the event and the strengthening ties between India and the United States.

The parade began with a vibrant kickoff, where participants waved flags and cheered, celebrating the shared values of democracy and freedom. The day’s festivities were widely praised as one of the most impressive Independence Day celebrations in recent memory.

The post-parade flag hoisting and cultural program at Boston Harbor captivated the audience. The event was meticulously organized by FIA-New England’s Board of Directors and executives, including Jyoti Singh, Deepak Rathore, Amol Penshanwar, Anupama Debroy, Manisha Kumar, and Priyanka Wadhwa. Booth management was efficiently handled by Shova Sharma, Archana, and Girish Soni, with participation from over 40 small business owners. The FIA Volunteer Committee, led by Jay Natarajan, Naveen Setty, Vishant Mahajan, Vijay Agarwal, Abhinav Yadav, Sapna Gupta, and Sarvesh Sahasrabudhe Rider, coordinated with over 100 volunteers.

FIA-New England Executive Vice President Sanjay Gokhale, along with Nikhil Wadhwa and Anand Sharma, extended their gratitude to all partners, guests, celebrities, and vendors. Special thanks were given to photographers Sanjay & Vasudha Kudramurthy of Fotu Duniya, Pramod Kumar, and Sumanth Reddy for capturing the day’s beautiful moments.

Event Highlights:
•August 15th was proclaimed as India Day in Massachusetts by Governor Maura Healey.
•Honors were given to seniors by Miss World Diana Hayden, CGI New York’s Binaya S. Pradhan, and Hollywood actress Neetu Chandra.
•Scholarships were awarded by the Sudhir Parikh Foundation.
•Support for veterans and law authorities was provided by the Kota Foundation.
•Promotion of small businesses was a central theme.
•Cultural performances were delivered by various talented groups, including Northeastern and Sankalp.
•Philanthropist Ram Gupta and businessman Sandeep Asija provided crucial support.
•Ajay Reddy advocated for blind cricket, supported by Samarthanam.
•Delicious food was provided by Sankalp and Kennera Food.

The event was a testament to the thriving Indian-American community in New England and its commitment to preserving tradition, supporting local businesses, and celebrating shared values.