Governor Phil Murphy and Mayor Tom Lankey join the historic event of Indian Business Association covered live by Radio Zindagi and Indian EYE Television
Our Bureau
Edison, NJ
The Indian community of New Jersey created a record under the banner of the Indian Business Association (IBA) of New Jersey while celebrating the 75th Independence Day and hoisting the national flag on Sunday, August 8, 2021.
Thousands of patriotic Indian Americans lined up along the famous Oak Tree Road which connects Edison and Iselin, home to the highest population of Indians in New Jersey to welcome and cheer the colorful parade. This year, the parade had tremendous significance as it was first mega community event after pandemic.
Governor Phil Murphy addressed the community before the parade took off. Murphy has been highly appreciative of community for the contribution especially when Edison is on the threshold of getting its first Mayor of Indian lineage, Sam Joshi.
This year, the parade was dedicated to frontline workers who served all during the pandemic. IBA served the community with free food and vaccination through the pandemic.
Diana Hayden, former Miss India World, and film star from Bollywood and Hollywood, Neetu Chandra, were the Grand Marshall with Yash Pandya as Special Guest.
IBA President Dhiren Amin was jubilant and thanked everyone in the committee, including Chairman Chandrakant Patel, Vice-chairman Mahesh Shah and Manher Shah for their vision and active participation in the event. Amin also expressed his gratitude to Dr Raj Pandya for his support who has been working closely with IBA to help transcend to next level. Pandya Foundation is the Title Sponsor of this year’s parade. Dr Pandya is Country Head of Larsen & Toubro which provided corporate support to the parade.
IBA has received continued support from Dr Navin Mehta, H R Shah, Albert Jasani in the last several years. This year, new top leaders joined to support the parade, including Nilesh Dasondi, Special Assistant to Mayor Tom Lankey of Edison and a highly successful entrepreneur. He heads the Embassy Manor in Edison which provides healthcare support to seniors with a 280-bed state-of-art facility. Nilesh Dasondi owns several other facilities for seniors and has been instrumental in building bridges between Edison administration and community. He and partners Lav Patel, Kunal Joshi, Rakesh Antalla have been helping build business as well as cultural profile of the community. The group hosts largest Navaratri in Edison every year.
The parade was covered live by Radio Zindagi and Indian EYE Television as RJ Priya and RJ Vandana gave a running coverage from the ground with Gunjesh Desai of Masala Junction.
The Gala Dinner held at the end of the day was an absolute success as a record audience as guests attended the ritual. The IBA leaders thanked all patrons and those who participated in the parade.
