GUYANA was acknowledged at India’s 75th Independence anniversary parade held in mid-town Manhattan between 38th and 27th Street on Madison Ave, New York, last Sunday.

The parade attracted some 200,000 onlookers of varied nationalities and ethnicities, including many Guyanese and other Caribbean people.

It was graced by the Mayor Eric Adams; Prime Minister, Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda; popular actor of Bollywood and Tollywood (Telugu films), Ally Arjun; and Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu (who won the 71st edition of the global contest earlier this year).

The popular actor and Miss Universe Sandhu were cheered on the parade route. The parade was broadcast live on TV and FB.

The India Independence parade is the largest gathering of Indians outside of India.

At Sunday’s parade, Guyana was represented by Fazal Joe Yussuff from the Consulate who brought greetings from President, Dr Irfaan Ali. Yussuff saluted India on her 75th anniversary and applauded her achievements. The emcee cheered the historical and cultural ties and close relations between Guyana and India.

Prime Minister Browne, who was a special guest, said India is a trailblazer in independence of colonial territories. He congratulated India for this achievement and the Indian diaspora for its contributions to development worldwide.

The parade is usually held on a Sunday right after August 15 or on the date itself if it is a Sunday. Sunday’s was the 40th edition of the celebration. The parade was planned and organised by the Federation of Indian Associations. It began in 1981, an idea of the late Indian patriot Yash Pal Soi, who was also the architect behind the founding of the FIA. This writer was at the inaugural parade in 1981 distributing handouts on authoritarian abuses in Guyana.

Two Guinness Book of World Records: most number of flags flown simultaneously at an event and largest ensemble of the damaru, the twin-headed drum at the event. FIA Chairman, Ankur Vaidya said that these records are dedicated to the global Indian community.

At the end of the parade route, there was a food festival and a cultural programme of songs and dances on a huge stage on 25th Street.