ICSR Celebrates Annual India Day Parade

On Sunday, August 14, Rockland’s India Cultural Society (ICSR) will march down the streets of New City with pride in its annual India Day Parade. Themed, India’s Independence Struggle, the free event will include dancing and singing, flag hoisting, clothing stalls, food vendors, games and more.

The Indian Cultural Society is a group in Rockland whose efforts to promote India’s rich culture are recognized each year in the crowds that come to this event. 

“It is our 64^th Independence Day,” says Bindu Mehta, president of ICSR. “We are promoting our culture and our heritage to our younger generation.”

The parade will begin at 11:30 am at the and will continue south, down Main Street, towards the . There will be activities for all ages; members of the community, family, and friends are welcome.

Both traditional and contemporary dances and music will be performed by the ICSR’s talented children. Those who attend are encouraged to march in the parade, dance to the traditional “Dholak”, and sing “Jai Hind, Jai Hind.” Others can line the streets and wave Indian and American miniature flags. 

In addition to music and dance, there will be fire trucks, a large blimp, and balloons, which members help to set up beforehand. The balloons and blimp have been made with the Indian Cultural Society logo on them.

When the parade reaches the Courthouse, there will be the annual Indian Flag Hoisting Ceremony where people can witness American and Indian flags waving side by side.

“I feel so proud that we are waving our flag here in America,” says Mehta.

“The flag is the symbol of our independence,” adds Uma Shah, chairperson of the Parade Committee.

After the flag hoisting, a cultural program will be held on the courthouse grounds. Decorative clothing, Indian costume jewelry, and accessories will be sold from vendors set up at the courthouse. There will be various activities and children will have the opportunity to learn Indian cultural dance.

“My favorite part is the cultural program,” says Mehta. “We teach the kids dances, classic and modern, and we tell them that this is our original heritage, which they should know.”

“It is nice to have the support of the Rockland Community,” says Shah. “When you share each other’s celebration, you understand and respect each other better. It makes you feel good. We all have different reasons to celebrate, but we are all citizens of Rockland County.”

Indian restaurants will be catering the event. For more information visit this site