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Since 2006, Swamibapa Pipe Band has been invited to play in the largest India Day Parade that takes place each year in the United States to celebrate India's independence. On August 18, 2013, Swamibapa Pipe Band had the privilege of leading the entire parade, including the parade committees and guests of honor through the streets of New York City. In addition to leading the parades, Swamibapa Pipe Band had the honor of playing the Indian national anthem in front of the parade grandstands. These performances were broadcasted live on many Indian television channels and also covered by both Indian and American national news channels.
The parade, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations, is the largest celebration of Indian independence outside of India. Hundreds of thousands of people filled up the sidewalks of the parade route along Madison Avenue from 39th Street to 17th Street in the heart of Manhattan. Organizations from all over America represented themselves in the parade, ranging from private businesses to spiritual organizations such as our own. The parade featured a record 70 fantastic floats. Guests of honor included Bollywood actress Vidhya Balan. New York City was an ocean of the tricolor and the Indian culture. Thousands and thousands of patriotic Indians happily waved the Indian national flag and were dressed in traditional Indian attire.
Many were impressed by the band's performances during the parades. By the grace of Lord Shree Swaminarayan, Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree, and Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, the India Day Parade in New York City was a great accomplishment for the band, the temple, and Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan.