Tens of thousands of people attended the 14th annual New Jersey India Day parade on Oak Tree Road in Edison, New Jersey, hosted by the Indian Business Association (IBA.) About 42,000 people attended the parade, which was a grand success, according to parade organizers.

The highlights were 18 floats, a marching band, and multiple walking groups. The parade ran down Oak Tree Road, beginning in Edison Township and ending in Iselin in Woodbridge Township.

The Grand Marshall was veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher. The parade also featured television journalist Richa Anirudh as well as Bollywood actors Niharica Raizada and Prachi Tehlan.

Anupam Kher said he was out of India for some time and was feeling withdrawal symptoms for being away from home for long. But the parade has filled up the mind and heart and he felt as if back at home. He said he gathered energy from the parade to go forward for another year away from home.
â€˜This whole event was spectacular. It is great to see Indiaâ€™s culture, history, and tradition is alive and well across the ocean,â€™ he added.

Elected officials and candidates from across New Jersey also showed their support for the community. The delegation included Congressman Frank Pallone, State Senators Vin Gopal, Patrick Diegnan, and Sam Thompson. Elected officials from Hudson, Passaic, Essex, Bergen, Middlesex and Monmouth counties were also present. Also on hand was US Senate Candidate Bob Hugin.
Hugin, a Republican, told India Life TV that he attended a parade in Atlantic City the day before and felt impressed with the parades. It showcases the best in the community.
He asked people to vote looking at the merits of the candidates rather than voting based on party affiliation. He said he has new ideas for change. New Jersey is not getting a fair share of the economic growth and the taxes are high. They need to be fixed.
He does not agree with legalizing marijuana though decriminalization is needed. Many young people are in jail due to current laws. If we legalize marijuana, there would be no way to prevent a person driving under the influence of it. It will bring a security threat.
He refuted allegations that he caused the increase of a cancer drug when he headed a drug company. He said he is proud to turnaround the company in to a great success benefiting many employees and the community.
Vin Gopal, the youngest and the first brown skinned person in the State Senate said he is welcomed by all. In the last five months as a senator, he has supported bills for the progress of the state. He also praised the leadership of Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, also an Indian American.
Sen. Gopal is now engaged.
Congressman Frank Pallone, a long time supporter of the community and the parade spoke of revitalizing the India Caucus in the Congress.

On the parade review stand in Iselin, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said the Oak Tree Road and surrounding areas were unimportant stretches of land a few decades ago. But the enterprising Indian community came here and made it a thriving place. Now it has the best Indian shops in the state.

Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey was effusive in his praise of the parade and the IBA. â€˜The IBAâ€™s great. It gets businesses involved, but they do more than that, they also get the community involved,â€™ said Mr. Lankey.

Edison Council President Ajay Patil concurred stating that every year the parade gets larger and draws more people to Edison. We are lucky to have the IBA organize such a wonderful event.â€™ Edison Councilman Michael Lombardi added â€˜The IBA does so much good for this town.â€™

A cultural program followed the parade at the review stand in Iselin. It included local and international talent, who entertained the crowd with music and dance.

A Senior Citizens group from Cooper Towers started an impromptu dance that was joined by Mr. Kher.

â€˜We were graced with beautiful weather, a wonderful Grand Marshall, and the support of over 100 community based organizations,â€™ said IBA President Dhiren Amin. â€˜I also want to thank all of our sponsors, especially ShopRite, the title sponsor of the event.â€™

The organization also appreciated its large team of volunteers. â€˜Over 300 volunteers worked tirelessly to put the event together,â€™ said IBA Chairman Chandrakant Patel. â€˜My co-trustees, Mahesh Shah and Manher Shah, and our legal advisor, Satish Poondi, were instrumental in organizing the parade. I donâ€™t think they slept during this last week.â€™

Color, pageantry, patriotismâ€¦ Oak Tree Road witnesses Indian pride