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August 11, 2007  
Urmila as Chief Marshal
at New Jersey I-Day Parade

New York
The Indian community in New Jersey is set to hold its own parade to celebrate India's Independence Day and the event will be complete with Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar becoming the chief marshal.

Over 20 floats, marching bands, costumed characters and dancers will take part in the parade on Aug 12 being organised by the Indian Business Association (IBA) and the New Jersey Federation of Indian Associations.

While the main Independence Day parade in the New York-New Jersey area is held every year in Manhattan, the Indian community's parade will take place on Oaktree Road, an Indian shopping paradise in Edison/Iselin.

Over 15,000 Indian Americans from across the state and from neighbouring states of New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania are expected to attend.

According to the 2000 census figures, New Jersey has 170,000 Indian Americans, which at 2 percent of the state's population is the highest percentage of Indians in any state in the US.

A cultural show, including dances and music from India, will take place at St. Cecelia's Church in Iselin at the end of the parade route.

The IBA, based in Iselin, has sponsored the parade for the past two years. "This year's parade will be bigger and better than past years," said spokesman Satish Poondi.

Last year's parade had Bipasha Basu, who alleged misbehaviour by the organisers, while the IBA criticised her for not being punctual. 

IANS | August 11, 2007

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