NEW YORK: Senator John McCain, candidate for President of the United States, New York Governor David Paterson, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Anthony Weiner and Congressman Joseph Crowley; one would think this is the guest list of the king of talk shows, CNN's Larry King or the queen of ABC TV Specials, Barbara Walters.

Actually, all these state and national leaders appeared on the TV show hosted by Long Island teenager, Riti Sunshine Bhalla, on the 61st anniversary of the Independence Day of India. The celebration was telecast on August 15th by Sahara ONE television network, all across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. In New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, it was also telecast by ITV.

Each dignitary greeted the Indian American community and spoke eloquently on different themes including India's rich culture, history, and its pivotal role in the global community of nations, and profusely complimented the Indian Americans for their contributions to every field of national endeavor.

Governor David Paterson spoke about the "tryst with destiny" from Jawaharlal Nehru's historical speech on the midnight of August 14, 1947 and, amazingly, quoted some excerpts from Upanishads, the Hindu scriptures. Some public officials ended with a warm and an enthusiastic 'Jai Hind'.