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Indian-Americans kick-start celebrations

— Photo: PTI

Actor Urmila Mantondkar cheers at the ‘Oak Tree India Day Parade’ in New Jersey.

New York: Indian-Americans in New York and its neighbouring States kicked off week-long grand celebrations of the 60th Independence Day with parades, cultural programmes and exhibitions depicting the country’s heritage.

The celebrations will culminate in the main parade in New York City next Sunday which is expected to be attended by thousands of people, including top city officials and a galaxy of Indian film stars as also other artists.

Actor Urmila Matondkar was the “grand marshal” of the parade in Iselin in New Jersey on Sunday organised by the Indian Business Association (IBA) which represents dozens of Indian-American business establishments on the Oak Tree Road, called “Little India.” The parade was joined by several local political leaders and Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra.

About 20 floats showcased India’s cultural heritage and the economic progress the country is making. Air India, Jet Airways — which has just entered the American market — and Dish and Direct television networks that carry dozens of Indian channels, also presented tableaux. Air India advocated the advantages of its direct flight while Jet Airways stressed on its “comfortable” seating arrangement and quality of its service, which it said was world-class. — PTI

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