(17 Aug 2014) BOLLYWOOD, SPORTS STARS ATTEND NYC INDIA DAY PARADE
About two thousand people lined Madison Avenue in New York City for the annual India Day Parade, celebrating India's independence.
Revelers danced in the street and on floats.
Near the front of the parade was Sim Bhullar, who on Friday became the first player of Indian descent to sign a contract with an NBA team Friday, inking a deal to join the Sacramento Kings in training camp.
"It's a great feeling man, it's a great opportunity, I'm just happy to see everybody out here," said Bhullar at the parade.
Also attending were Bollywood stars Raveena Tandon, Sunny Deol and Arjun.
Professional tennis player Leander Paes stood on a float with Indian businessman businessman Vivek Ranadive.
"Well it's a great honor to be here in NYC at the Indian Day parade," said Paes. "It really feels a sense of patriotism and to celebrate our independence in New York right amongst the the streets where we've played so many tennis matches, where we've come to entertain our fellow people is a great honor."
Ranadive led the crowd in a Jai-Ho chant.
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio marched in the parade, as did NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer..
"Not only is this one of the largest outside India it's also growing every year," said Stringer. "The India, the South Asian community is here to stay, building important businesses, contributing culture and economic opportunity, so every smart elected official should be right here celebrating the wonderful people of India, celebrating Indian independence.
People came from all over the region to watch the parade.
Reshma Baatker, who emigrated to America six years ago from India, travelled from her new home in Edison New Jersey to watch the parade.
"Oh it's fabulous, we had come about five or six years ago, and now just to see the more people coming here and we feel so patriotic, it makes us proud to be Indians," she said.
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