SPECIAL ISSUE

Sparse but colorful I-Day parade on Devon Avenue

By Prabhjot Uppal

Chicago: The Independence Day parade organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago on Devon Avenue on August 15 did not attract the usual crowd, but it was colorful as usual.

The crowd lined up behind the barricades on the either side of the main shopping area and some people gathered at the corner of Devon Avenue and Western Avenue. Exactly at the knock of 12 noon, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Mohan Patel, a Gandhian, hoisted the Indian national flag as the group sang the national anthems of India and the US.

Led by the Agha Khan Band and the Midwest Ismaili Pipe Band, and some volunteers holding a giant flag of India afloat, the parade headed by dignitaries Pat Quinn, FIA president Dr. Hyder Mohammed, Niranjan Shah, Smita Shah, Iftekhar Shareef, Kanti Patel, Clerk of Cook County Circuit Court Dorothy Brown, Kanti Patel, Raja Krishna Murthy, and other FIA leaders and executives moved in slow pace. The Governor and other officials seeking public positions were seen greeting the crowd and occasionally stopping and shaking hands with the people standing behind the barricades.

Conspicuously absent at the parade were the much publicized presence of the Bollywood star and India’s Consul General, Ashok Kumar Attri. However Pat Quinn and others seemed to fill the vide and gap the needed boost to the spirit of festivity.
The economic recession was reflected in the subdued event this year with fewer less ostentatious turnout that was unusually sparse but nonetheless enthusiastic.

As the parade reached the decorated podium set up at the corner of Washtenaw Avenue, the Governor and the other dignitaries were welcomed by Dr. Hyder and Iftekhar Shareef.

After the rendition of the national anthems on the podium, Pat Quinn addressed the gathering.

From the beginning of the rally, walking with the parade participants waving the Indian flag in hand ,the Governor acknowledged the significance of the US and India relations commemorating India’s independence and said that it was 62 years ago on this day at midnight the country of India became free and became the largest democracy.

With a raised voice the Governor enthused the crowd by declaring “Long live India! Long live America!”

With America being the world’s first democracy, Quinn said: “We are always honored when a country practices democracy and we really have solidarity with the people of India; we honor their heritage, we honor their freedom-loving democracy — it is very important that the people of Illinois connect with the people of India and work together for the betterment of peace in our time.” No newcomer to the India parade, Quinn was participating for the first-time as Governor this year to “honor the friendship with the people of India.”

Ifthekar Shareef introduced Alderman Bernie Stone, Alderman Joe Moore, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, Dorothy Brown, Alderman Ed Smith and Raja Krishnamoorthy, candidate for Illinois State Comptroller, who described the relationship of India and the US “like samosa and chutney, just like peanut butter and jelly.”

Dorothy Brown shouted “Bharat Mata Kee Jai, Bharat Mata Kee Jai” with Ed Smith following describing his fondness for India by greeting the crowd “Acha hai? Shukriya!” Stroger thanked the Indian citizens for their contributions to society. Politician Steven Cohen, who is planning on making a run for Illinois Lieutenant Governor, drove a 1956 black antique convertible amongst the floats along. He and Justin Obermann, who also is bidding for the Illinois Lieutenant Governor position, addressed the crowd and sought their support. Asian Advisory Council on Human Affairs and Deputy of the Mayor’s Office, Jaysil Patel, also made an appearance at the parade.

Niranjan Shah, Ranjit Ganguli, Sher Mohd Rajput, and several other community leaders and activists also addressed the gathering.

A number of colorfully decorated floats moved past the podium as the crowd cheered them and as Iftekhar Shareef made a brief introduction about each of them.

As happened last year, this year too some miscreants hurled eggs which fell on the FIA float as it was moving in the parade. The police immediately apprehended the culprits, and the FIA was determined to seek appropriate action against them.
The festivities lasted over two hours with many floats along with dancing and music. The afternoon’s procession concluded with Secretary of State Jesse White’s internationally known Tumbling Team wowing the audience. Leaping and rolling high in the air off a trampoline every successive gymnast expertly landed.

All photos by Dr. Bapu Arekapudi.

Mayor Daley hosts I-Day reception

By Prabhjot Uppal

Chicago: The Chicago Cultural Center celebrated the India Independence Day Reception on August 13 at the Preston Bradley Hall in downtown Chicago. Mayor Richard M. Daley hosted the evening event in anticipation of the weeklong festivities celebrating India’s Independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1947.
Kripal “Chris” Zala, director of the Advisory Council on Asian Affairs, was the Master of Ceremonies, who introduced the dignitaries who included Counsel General Ashok Kumar Attri, Alderman Toni Periwinkle, Alderman Bernie Stone, Dr. Hyder Mohammed and Mayor Daley.

Counsel General Attri noted India’s development “since 1947 but said: “We have many more flights to go and many more achievements still to come.” Attri said that “the Indian community has flourished here and has contributed enormously to the success of the city, to the growth of the city and to the economic stability of the city. It is a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Mayor Daley addressed the audience noting the “history of celebrating independence from 1857 all the way to 1947 and the price that people have made for their freedom for democracy in India.” Noting that Chicago is a city founded by immigrants, Daley emphasized the importance of “the friendship between two great countries, two great people.”