News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Special Report News India Times (July 5, 2025 - July 11, 2025) July 11, 2025 14 Indian Film Icons To Lead FIA’s India Day Parade. Cricket Revolution Promised At Curtain-Raiser T he Federation of Indian As- sociations (FIA-NY-NJ-CT-NE) launched the countdown to its 43rd India Day Parade with a curtain-raiser event at the Indian Consulate in NewYork. The evening began with a solemn tribute to victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, and the plane crash in Ahmedabad. The event moved on to showcase of ambition, cultural pride, and innova- tion, with two major announcements – 1. who would lead the August 14, India Day Parade; and 2. who is the main sponsor of the Parade. Massive LED displays showed Indian film superstars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, widely known as India’s “National Crush,” greeted the audience in pre-recorded message given in six languages—Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and English. They would be leading the ID P as Co-Grand Marshals as it vended its way down Madison Avenue, and in celebrations related to it. They ended their messages with the slogan “Jai Hind!” The Consul General of India in New York, Binaya S. Pradhan, opened the eve- ning by hailing FIA’s enduring contribu- tion to the Indian-American identity. “For half a century, the Federation of Indian Associations has been a force-multiplier for India’s image in America,” he said. He urged FIA to preserve its signature events by copyrighting them for replication across the global Indian diaspora. Deputy Consul General Vishal Jayesh Harsh shared his admiration for FIA’s creativity, referencing last year’s Chan- drayaan-3 and RamMandir floats, and praised the impact FIA has brought to NYC’s cultural calendar. CRICKET COMES TO AMERICA – BOLDLY A revolutionary announcement followed as Vinay Bhimjiani, CEO and founder of Cricmax Connect, took the stage to launch his platform as the ‘title sponsor’ of this year’s Indian Indepen- dence celebrations. His aim is to make cricket as culturally entrenched in the U.S. as soccer—within ten years. “Major League Cricket is only in its third season and already boasts invest- ments fromMicrosoft and IPL giants like KKR and CSK,” said Bhimjiani. “Soon, Little League fields from Queens to Cupertino will resound with the crack of the bat.” His ambitious rollout includes a July 14 exhibition match at L.A.’s iconic Coliseum—a preview of cricket’s 2028 Olympic return—and an immersive cricket experience during the parade it- self. On August 14, a mini-pitch on Madi- son Avenue will invite families to take a swing, while real-time stats and coaching tips will stream through Cricmax’s new interactive app. Joining him on stage, USA Cricket CEO Dr. Atul Rai described their partner- ship as “nation-building through sport.” Urging U.S. municipalities to repurpose baseball diamonds for cricket training, he said, “Cricket is already the world’s second-most popular game. Let’s make it America’s newest obsession.” FIA President Saurin Parikh intro- duced this year’s unifying theme, “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”—A Global Initiative for Universal Well-being. “This is a heal- ing message in turbulent times,” Parikh By a StaffWriter India’s Deputy Consul General Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh, FIA Executive team-2025, and Cricmax Connect gather for a commemorative group photo at the curtain-raiser, June 27, 2025. Indian film icons Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna appear via LED screens, greeting the audience in six languages as they’re announced Co-Grand Marshals of FIA’s 43rd India Day Parade. PHOTOS: Jayesh Pateland Adnan Khawaja,courtesyFIA - Continued On Page 16 India’s Consul General in New York Binaya S. Pradhan addressing the Indian American community June 27, 2025, at the curtain raiser for the India Day Parade. Deputy Consul General Shri Vishal J. Harsh highlighted FIA’s volunteer-driven model. Cricmax Connect founder and CEO Vinay Bhimjiani announces the platform’s official launch and the upcoming India Independence celebrations in New York City. FIA President Saurin Parikh explains the poster’s color palette—calm blues, warm pastels, and pure white mandalas—signaling unity amid global unrest.