Long Island, New York parade on Aug 7 to have Unity in Diversity as its theme
The 11th India Day Parade of Long Island set for Aug 7 in Hicksville, New York will have Unity in Diversity as its theme with banners of all 28 states of India.
Bollywood actress and sportsperson Prachi Tehlan will be the celebrity grand marshal with singing sensation Shibani Kashyap, Hollywood/Bollywood actor Prashantt Gupta, and Naveen Shah, president of Navika group, as guests of honor, according to a media release.
Read: India Day Parade of Long Island set for August 7 (June 29, 2022)
India’s Deputy Consul General in New York, Dr Varun Jeph, will also join as grand marshal, IDP USA president Vimal Goyal and adviser Mukesh Modi announced at a July 26 press conference in New York.
Highlighting the Unity in Diversity theme of the parade, Goyal asked India lovers to walk behind the banners of their respective states and come dressed up in their state’s traditional attire.
Many lawmakers from Long Island and New York have confirmed their participation in the parade. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, will also join the parade.
Starting at 2 pm from Hicksville Community Center at Carl Street West, the parade will go along Broadway North before turning left on John Street to culminate at 125 West John Street, where the food and other stalls will be set up as well as a children’s carnival area.
Parade organizers thanked the officials of Nassau County and Town of Oyster Bay for their cooperation in holding a safe and successful parade. Harry Malhotra, director South Asian Business & Development – Town of Oyster Bay, promised all help.
Speakers at the dinner event included IDP chair Indu Jaiswal, past president Beena Kothari, sr vice president Bina Sabapathy and vice president Roopam Maini.
IDP Secretary Pradeep Tandon proposed a vote of thanks. Prominent attendees included Vibhuti Jha and Sanjeep Jindal, both of whom are candidates this year for New York assembly from different districts.
Tabla performance was given by Aryan Rishi. Indian and American national anthems were sung by Anoushka Rishi, accompanied by Aryan Shah on saxophone.
Read: India Day Parade of Long Island on August 7 (July 23, 2022)
Grand marshals and guests of honor
Dr Varun Jeph – grand marshal
A medical graduate, Dr. Varun Jeph is a career diplomat with over one decade of experience in the Indian Foreign Service. He has served in different capacities in the Indian Embassy in Myanmar and the Indian High Commission in Malaysia. He joined the Consulate General of India in New York as Deputy Consul General in September 2021.
Prachi Tehlan – grand marshal
A renowned TV and film actress Prachi Tehlan made her acting debut in ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ on Star Plus in 2016. Her Malayalam movie ‘Mamangam’ with Mammootty was a superhit. Prachi is a former Indian netball and basketball player who spearheaded the Indian Netball Team in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Shibani Kashyap – guest of honor
Recipient of the best playback singer award at Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival, Shibani Kashyap has given hits like ‘Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat’, ‘Sajna Aa Bhi Jaa,’ Zinda Hoon Main’, and ‘Kya Nazakhat Hai.’
Prashantt Gupta – guest of honor
Hailing from New York, Prashantt Guptha has played key roles in the movie ‘Neerja’ and OTT series ‘Aashram’. He recently produced and starred in his first American film, ‘A New Christmas.’
Naveen Shah – guest of honor
As its president and CEO, Naveen Shah has led Navika Group of Companies to become a $1.5 billion commercial real estate and hospitality enterprise. Shah is cofounder and past president of Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA).