GARDEN CITY, NY (TIP):  Deputy Consul General of  India at the New York Consulate Dr Varun Jeph has consented to join the India Day Parade in Hicksville on August 7 as Grand Marshal , according to a press release issued by the Media Coordinator for IDP USA Parveen Chopra. IDP USA President Vimal Goyal and Adviser Mukesh Modi told the media that the EQ (entertainment quotient) of their 11th India Day is soaring as famous Bollywood actress and sportsperson Prachi Tehlan will be the Celebrity Grand Marshal, and Guests of Honor are the singing sensation Shibani Kashyap and Hollywood/Bollywood actor Prashantt Gupta. Shibani will perform for an hour at the entertainment stage where the parade will culminate. New York born Prashantt will also do a surprise act.  Highlighting the Unity in Diversity theme of the parade, President Vimal Goyal said that there will be banners of all 28 states of India, and India lovers have been requested to walk behind the banners of their respective states and come dressed up in their state’s traditional attire. Past President Mukesh Modi announced that Padma Shri Sudhir Parikh, Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, will join the parade with his wife. Modi wanted the public to note the parade route change. Starting at 2 pm from Hicksville  Community Center at Carl Street West, the parade will go along   Broadway North before turning left on John Street to culminate at 125 West John Street, where the food and other stalls will be set up as well as a children’s carnival area. There is ample LIRR parking nearby.

Parade organizers thanked the officials of Nassau County and Town of Oyster Bay for their cooperation in holding a safe and successful parade. Harry Malhotra, Director South Asian Business & Development – Town of Oyster Bay, who shared the stage at the event, promised all help. Other speakers shared the enthusiasm in the community about the parade being held this time in the landmark 75th anniversary year of India’s independence and exhorted people to throng the parade route and help monetarily by buying raffle tickets for which attractive prizes include laptops and large TV sets. The ladies sang patriotic songs. Bharat Mata Ki Jai rang in the air.

Speakers at the well-attended dinner event included IDP Chair Indu Jaiswal, Past President Beena Kothari, Sr Vice President Bina Sabapathy and Vice President Roopam Maini. Sunil Hali, whose media properties include Radio Zindagi and The Indian Eye, reiterated his ongoing pro bono support for publicizing the parade. Realtor Raj Jaggi promised a truck vending free ice-cream to children. Tabla performance was given by Aryan Rishi. Indian and American national anthems were sung by Anoushka Rishi, accompanied by Aryan Shah on saxophone.The press conference was attended by prominent media houses including ITV Gold, Jus Punjabi and Preetnama TV.

(Based on a press release)