New York: Indian diaspora participating in the annual India Day parade held in New York to celebrate the 75th anniversary of independence achieved a milestone as the event set two Guinness World Records respectively for the most number of different flags flown simultaneously and the largest ensemble of musical instrument Damru. The event held as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, saw an estimated turnout of 1,50,000 people, both as marchers and the audience along the route on iconic Madison Avenue.
The event billed as the world’s biggest Indian event outside the nation was attended by Telugu megastar Allu Arjun. The Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE (FIA), which organised the event, claimed that two events at the parade entered the Guinness Book of World Records, the most number of flags flown simultaneously and the largest ensemble of the damru, the twin-headed drum. Kenny Desai, FIA president hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and efforts to celebrate India’s 75 years of Independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. He also said FIA tried to do their bit by attempting the records and making their motherland shine in their homeland.
FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya said that these records are dedicated to the global Indian community and thanked the diaspora community for their support in making the event a success. The display of flags of countries across the globe was in honour of the Tiranga or the Indian flag, symbolising India’s universality.
