Foreign Indian Independence Day

15th Aug 2007. 60th Indian Independence Day..

It wasn't a holiday, but was like a day to remember for us with true patriotism. In the morning, I decided to do some activity which will help my country. Being in foreign country, that's the least that I could expect. On the same day, One of my friend told me about "Asha foundation" which mostly focus on child education in India Rural areas. I really liked the objective, the way Asha foundation was structured and was utilizing it's potential to implement really what it's supposed to do. I was quite impressed with the details that they had on their internet site. (http://www.ashanet.org/). I donated money to Asha on the occasion of Indian Independence day and made a decision of attending their meeting scheduled on the same day.

15 Aug 2007, 7.00 PM, I reached the meeting place, met new friends. But everyone was so friendly and helpful, I felt like I have met these people before, the meeting was quite impressive.

On the occasion of indian independence day, every year a parade gets organized in NY city on the following week-end. The parade starts from 42nd st Madison Ave and continues to 23rd st Madison Ave (Just in front of the CSFB building), which ends into Madison Square Park. We all decided to attend the NY independence parade. The patriotism in each one of us had reached to it's pinnacle and everyone was really memorizing each and every event that we used to follow on the independence day in india, the patriotic songs in the morning, "Prabhat Ferri", "Zanda Vandan", Cultural programs, etc....

We all still remember the patriotic Dawn... we all were geared up for the parade and marched towards 23rd st in NY city... We cheered for our country on the occasion of the independence parade... Priyanka Chopra, Sunita Wiliams were the Chief guest for the parade. The air was filled true patriotism... the sun rays were colored with orange, white, green colors.... NY was being converted into a small india...You can see all these Citizens of this small india in the photos... It was one of the memorable day to remember....

Big group photo... (standing from left:Manish, Archana, Swapnali, Pankaj, Hemant, Avinash, Bimal, Dimple, Priyanka, Bhavik, Harshad's Parents ... Sitting from left: Kaushik, Harshad, Smart Energetic Adish,Princess Anmol, Chitra, Cute Ayush)....
Small Group photo: (Harshad, Kaushik, Avinash, Hemant, Bhavik, Me, Pankaj)