Jayanti Oza
CHICAGO: Over 5,000 community members flocked to attend the 74th anniversary of the India Independence Day Parade organized by Indian Community Outreach (ICO) at Rotary Hill Park in Naperville, a west side suburb of Chicago. The event was held on August 8 2021.
The gathering was in a way an expression of love and support for the motherland India. The ICO President Krishna Bansal said that ICO provides a platform for Indian Americans to showcase their talent dance, music and culture. Colorful floats were prepared by various community organizations and businesses. Produce booths stuffed with products such as Healthcare, fashion clothing, jewelry and furniture, International Food Court with special menu, a children’s park, Indian Bazaar had been set up for fun, entertainment and great get together
Launched in 2015, India Day has quickly become one of the largest Indian American festivals for the community in this part of the country It is important to bring Chicagoland and the Midwest community together to experience Indian culture and heritage through parades, education, food and entertainment. The Parade and the Mela have been attended by hundreds of people from 2015 till now and is expected to grow significantly in coming years. TV Asia’s Mid West Bureau Chief Vandana Jhingan was given a chance to broadcast live.
Indian Community Outreach had invited Sukhbir Singh for the Celebration It was a Free Concert in Napierville on 8th August 2021 at 11 AM. Large decorated floats, colorful Indian folk, classical and modern dances, food, drinks, children’s area, fashion show, concert, purchase of Indian ethnic wear / jewelry were the main topics. The event’s highlight was the Master entertainer with Awesome Voice, Top Playback Singer, Sukhbir Singh. He happens to be among the best Bollywood (India) stage performer. However, on completion of India’s Independence Parade, the scheduled 6 pm playback singer Sukhbir Singh’s program was canceled due to heavy rains and thunderstorm.