The India Day Parade NYC 2024 is New York City’s big Indian Independence Day celebration. It is the world’s largest India Day Parade outside of India.
[By the way, Indians are Latin through the formerly British Caribbean, especially in Trinidad and Tobago where Indian descent is the most common heritage.]
42nd India Day Parade NYC 2024
Like most national parades, New York City’s India Day Parade is a series of events including a flag raising, Empire State Building lighting, parade, street fair, and gala.
This year’s theme is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or One India, One World, One Family.
India Day Parade 2024 Honorees
Actress Sonakshi Sinha is Grand Marshal.
- Manoj Tiwari, MP, actor and singer, is Guest of Honor.
- Pankaj Tripathi, actor, is Guest of Honor.
- Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ju Maharaj, spiritual leader of Juna Akhada, is the Chief Guest.
- Zaheer Iqball, actor, is VIP Guest.
India Day Parade 2024 Flag Raising
The Indian flag will be raised in Times Square on Broadway between 44th and 45th St; on Indian Independence Day, Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 10am. 🇮🇳
Empire State Building 2024 Lighting
The Empire State Building will light up with the colors of the Indian flag; on Indian Independence Day, Thursday, August 15, 2024. 🇮🇳
India Day Parade 2024
New York City’s 2024 India Day Parade marches down Madison Avenue from 38th St to the reviewing stand on 28th St; on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 12noon. It ends at the Indian culture street fair on Madison Avenue and 26th St which goes until 6pm. 🇮🇳
Ram Mandir Controversy
This year’s parade is expected to feature a float containing a replica of the newly inaugurated Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India. The float, built over a minivan, made a religious procession to more than 800 Hindu temples across the United States and Canada, traveling over 8,000 miles in two months.
Ayodhya is a real city, but also a mythical city in the foundational Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Ram Mandir is a new Hindu temple built over the traditional birthplace of Lord Ram (Rama in English).
The float is stirring controversy because the 16th century Babri mosque on the site was destroyed by an extremist mob in 1992, leading to communal riots and thousands of deaths. The Indian government built the Ram Mandir in its place. It’s opening in January 2024 triggered even more violence.
“Float Planned for N.Y.C. India Day Parade is Condemned as Anti-Muslim,” New York Times
This is a strategic failure by the organizers. Instead of celebrating Indian culture and contributions to American culture, the organizers have brought controversy and shame to New York’s Indian community, and broader communities of color. This is a shame at a time when the likely first Indian American president is bringing a lot of curiosity about Indian culture.
If you are noble, you will find the world noble.”
Hindi Proverb
India Day Parade Food Festival 2024
The 2024 India Day Parade food festival and cultural programs are on Madison Avenue along Madison Square Park and on 26th St; on Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 12-6pm. FREE. 🇮🇳
India Day Parade Gala 2024
The 2024 India Day Parade Gala features cocktails, celebrities, entertainment, dinner and dancing at the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan’s Financial District; on Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 6-10pm. 🇮🇳
India Day Parade NYC
New York City’s India Day Parade celebrates Indian independence from Britain on August 15, 1947. It is the largest Indian Independence Day celebration outside of India. More than 150,000 people usually watch the parade.
The Parade is organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA).
More Information
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