NEW YORK: The annual India Day Parade, which commemorates India's 75th anniversary of Independence, was hosted in New York City and was billed as the largest Indian event ever staged outside of the country.

An estimated 1,50,000 people attended the parade on Sunday, both as participants and spectators along the route on Madison Avenue. Telugu megastar Allu Arjun served as the procession's grand marshal.

The largest ensemble of the damru, a twin-headed drum, and the most flags flying simultaneously, according to the tri-state area unit of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), which organised the celebration, both broke world records at the march.

FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya said that these records are dedicated to the global Indian community. 
In keeping with this year's theme of honouring the Tiranga, the Indian flag, the flag display also included the flags of other countries, demonstrating the universality of India.

New York's Mayor Eric Adams, holding aloft an Indian flag, was among those leading the parade. A group sang "Hindustan Meri Jaan" under the direction of singer and composer Kailash Kher.

Along with American corporations like Dunkin Donuts and entertainment companies like ESPN and Hulu, there were more than forty floats from Indian organisations. During and after the parade, a jet carrying an Indian flag passed low over the city.

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