Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
Realizing the American dream, while honoring the strong roots and culture from the country of origin – This was the motto of 30th Festival of Globe (FOG) India Day Parade held on August 21st at 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA. Organized by Federation of Globe (FOG) and Federation of Indo Americans (FIA) of Northern California, this largest celebration of democracy coincides with India Independence Day. This year FOG continued the celebrations and tradition that has been part of Fremont culture for past 29 years.
This year’s highlight was FOG India Day Parade that traditionally is held on the main roads of Central Fremont. This spectacle is most anticipated event for Indian community in USA. This year the Parade was largest ever, with over 65 entries. Almost all the states in India were represented in a tableau (float). A flatbed truck decorated with the theme of patriotism blended with state and group’s key characteristics was something that enthralled the viewers.
Despite city’s numerous regulations with regard to safety and security, Float makers came up with innovative ideas to entertain viewers while not stopping anywhere along Parade route. There were over 2000 parade participants as part of the 65+ entries. It seemed like a constant stream of beautifully decorated, eye catching entries one after another for the whole two hours from 11am to 1pm. There were 23 first time entries in the Parade, signifying the bubbling passion for showcasing Indian heritage, culture, dances and values among Indian community here.
Parade also had a fair amount of global representation with many of Chinese and other nationals entering the Parade to show case the martial arts, dragon dances, and exercises. It was a difficult task for the three judges to score and come up with winners. Beside 1st and 2nd prize winners, floats with best theme, design, use of colors were also recognized. Kannada Koota of Northern California (KKNC) got the 1st award while Maharashtra Mandal of Bay Area (MMBA) received 2nd place.
Abhimanyu Dassani was the star attraction and ‘Grand Marshal’ in the parade this year to engage and entertain the community. Abhimanyu has acted in many movies including the recent movie ‘Nikamma’. He impressed the audience by showing some of his agility (he does his own stunts in the movies) and had everyone awestruck. Kannada star Meghana Raj was the other ‘Grand Marshal’ of the Parade. Her latest movie is Selfie Mummy Google Daddy.
FOG Chair Parade KP Maheshwari said “Organizing Parade this year was a mammoth task that involved over 50 groups and 100 volunteers. The whole community came together to participate and support this event. This shows that Indian community is passionate in preserving the values, culture and traditions and celebrate world’s largest democracy India, while making a place for themselves in world’s oldest democracy, USA. “
Dr. Romesh Japra, Founder and Convener FOG (Festival of Globe), said, “Over the past 29 years, FOG has made great strides in including all parts of community and carrying out its mission to help communities better integrate. ”
FOG CulturalAmbassador and Bollywood celebrity prompter Mr. Bharat Goradia helped organize the grand marshal for the Parade and was very supportive throughout the parade. He has been instrumental in getting Grand Marshals for FOG India Day Parade for last ten years.
FOG President Rajesh Verma said that this year’s parade was very well organized and efforts of parade participants made it the best parade ever.
Bay area organizations spent a lot of efforts, time and money in making the most enticing and value emanating floats for the Parade. Some of the key groups participating in the Parade: 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – SF, Bay Area Tamil Manram, Dragon Rhythm Shaolin Kung Fu Academy, Brahma Kumaris, The Epoch Times, HSS, Falun Dafa Practitioners Waist Drum, Falun Dafa exercise team, Americans For Hindus, Consulate General & ICCR, Univ of Silicon Andhra, FOG Gujarat, Women Empowerment Telugu Association, AC TRANSIT, Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America(MMNA), FOG Bengal, FOG Himachal, FOG Madhya Pradesh, FOG Delhi, FOG Odisha, Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) , Bharati Tamil Sangam, Overseas Organization for Better Bihar (O2B2), Radio Zindagi, Kerala to Kashmir, Kannada Koota of Northern California (KKNC), NACHA, Telangana State, UPMA, Maharashtra Mandal of Bay Area (MMBA), FOG Idol, Haryanvi Bay Area Association and SEWA.
Parade participants took many months to conceptualize and design the floats. During the last one week, they brought the flatbed trucks to a central float building area and spent countless hours in giving shape their dream floats. They were supported by a contingent of carpenters that helped them with woodwork and intricate design work in shaping the floats.
The Parade was supported by two able Emcees to cover complete spectrum of float presentations and a three judge panel evaluated each of the Parade entry as it passed by on several criteria such as design, theme, value message, vibrancy, and performance in coming up with top awards.
In a wrap up session, every single Parade participant expressed immense satisfaction and gratitude on being able to showcase the best their state/group has to offer and were brimming with confidence and enthusiasm to come back next year with an even better entry.
Media was in full force to cover and promote this event. Some of the key media supporters were NBC, ABC7, Radio Zindagi 1550 AM, Sakshi TV, Sitaare TV, TV9, TV Asia, Yo India TV, Diya TV, AB 24 Live, India Post News Weekly, Tri City Voice, East Bay Times, Epoch Times, Telangana Times, Usha Foto, Moments by Neha Photography, Perfect Click Photography, Divyang Vaidya Photography, Mohan Sabnani Photography, Soni Singh photography, and many others.
