Priyanka Chopra to lead India Day parade

NEW YORK: Bollywwod Actor Priyanka Chopra will be the grand marshal of the India Day parade, to be taken out here on August 19, according to the organisers of the parade.

The grand marshal is the main person who leads the parade. India Day parades, not only in New York but also elsewhere in the US, are usually led by a Bollywood Actor. Raj Kapoor was the grand marshal for the very first parade held here nearly three decades ago.

The parade, considered to be the largest outside India, is the  highlight of the Indian-American community activities in the tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut during the summer. President of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Shobhana Patel said ‘Achievement of Indian Women’ is the theme of this year’s parade, adding, "As responsible citizens, we need to break the cycle and work toward getting equal rights and opportunities for all the  women.’’

This is the 27th parade being organised by the FIA on the occasion of India’s 60th anniversary. Famous Bollywood Comedian Johnny Lever will be the Chief Guest, said Ms Patel, the first woman FIA president in 24 years.

Music composer A R Rahman was one of those special people who lighted the traditional lamp to kick of the process for the parade. Bollywood actor Jimmy Shergill was also present on the  occasion.