News India Times

Cover Story News India Times (August 22, 2026 - August 28, 2026) August 28, 2026 5 www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know N ewYork Governor Kathy Hochul, Indian Ameri- can State Assemblyman Jeremy Cooney, Chief Guest and Marshal Adivi Sesh, led the massive 44th India Day Parade as it wound its way down Manhattan Avenue between East 38th Street and East 27th Street in Manhattan August 16, 2024. The theme of this year’s Parade was “Harmony in Heritage” and Bollywood actress Pooja Hegde was the Chief Guest. They were joined by leaders of the Federation of Indian Associations -FIA- NYNJCTNE, President Sreekanth Akkapalli, Chairman Ankur Vaidya, and Senior Advisor Dr. Sudhir Parikh, at the highly antici- pated annual celebration of India’s 80th Independence Day, considered by some as the largest such parade outside India. Also attending the Parade were Congressman Shri Thanedar, Assemblyman DavidWeprin, and Sarita Komatireddy, candidate for Attorney General of New York. Missing from the Madison Ave. parade was Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who joined a smaller celebration in Floral Park, Queens, a departure from the past. Cultural performances on a stage, food courts, and service booths clamored for the attention of the thousands who came to enjoy a taste of India. Some 55 colorful floats representing cultural organizations, businesses including ParikhWorldwide Media/ITV Gold, ISKCON, Indian American Muslims of North America, the Indian Consulate, and regional associa- tions, as well as marching bands, music and dance groups were part of the Parade. Chief Guest Hegde, actor-director Sesh, and the cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah drew fans’ attention as their float went by, featuring producer Asit Kumarr Modi alongside cast members Dilip Joshi, Mandar Chandwadkar, Munmun Dutta, Sonalika Joshi, Balvinder Singh Suri, and Nitish Bhaluni. FIA organized an adjacent food festival, community booths on East 26th Street, and a live cultural stage program between East 26th and 25th Streets. FIA Chairman Vaidya and FIA President Akkapalli welcomed dignitaries and coordinated the festivities. In the evening after the Parade, it was a full house at the gala held in Cipriani onWall Street, for special guests. Tens Of Thousands Gather At FIA’s Joyful 44th India Day Parade Led By New York Governor Kathy Hochul By a StaffWriter PHOTOS: ITV GOLD Parikh Worldwide Media float displaying the publications of the media outlet. Parikh Worldwide Media float Organizers estimate a crowd of 200,000 spectators came to the Parade. Chief Guest Pooja Hegde at the FIA-NYNJCTNE India Day Parade. Also seen in photo President of FIA Sreekanth Akkapalli, NY Governor kathy Hochul, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, and Dr. Sudha Parikh. Members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin pose for a photo during the FIA India Day Parade August 16, 2026, in Manhattan. They include President-Elect of AAPI Dr. Krishan Kumar, and Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Dr. Sudha Parikh.