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More than 15,000 people gathered to celebrate India’s 70th Indian Independence Day parade in downtown Naperville Aug. 14 under the leadership of Krishna Bansal, chairman of the Naperville Indian Community Outreach.
The daylong event was one of the largest such parades in the western suburbs with more 75 Chicago area Indian-American community organizations and businesses participating in the 2-hour procession.
Chief guests included Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, Mayor of Oakbrook Gopal Lalmalani, Consul General of India in Chicago Ausaf Sayeed, and Director of Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Nirav Shah.
The formal ceremonies began with the recitation of the U.S. and Indian national anthems. Bansal welcomed the members and chief guests to the event and extended this gratitude to the City of Naperville for its cooperation, and the hard work by the NICO board to make the event successful and well-organized.
Community service and recognition wards were given to Sayeed, Dr. Shah, and Hardik Bhatt, chief information officer for the State of Illinois. Mayor Chirico declared August 15 as the official Indian Independence Day in the State of Illinois and read pot a formal proclamation to this effect from Gov. Rauner to the audience. Desiworld TV, a new Internet channel to feature Indian Diaspora 24 hours a day also announced its official launch and was inaugurated by Sayeed.
The evening program, a free concert was headlined by Sunidhi Chauhan who charmed the audience with her vocals, singing audience favorites like “Desi Girl”, “Ishq Sufiyana” and “Bidi Jalileh”. Chauhan also sang a medley of Bappi Lahiri songs.
“I am really happy to see this kind of turnout from our community at an Independence Day event. We really enjoyed watching the parade and it was nice to see many of the local organizations, who we work with, participate,” said Vishal Patel, a resident of Lombard
“I’m here with my family and the kids are having fun. The food is great and the weather is just perfect. There could not have been a better way to spend the Indian Independence Day with family. We are really enjoying it”, said Vinay Patrodia a resident of Naperville.
Although most people enjoyed the program a few felt the event could have displayed more patriotism. “ I really liked the concert, but next year I hope that they consider taking a patriotic theme with a few more Desh Bhakti songs, remembering those who are no longer with us, “ said one of the elderly community members. “I love Sunidhi Chauhan; she is such a great entertainer and singer and her energy on stage in unbelievable. I only wish she would have sung a few patriotic songs too” said one of the attendees
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