Thousands of people from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut jammed the sidewalks of Madison Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday to celebrate India’s 62nd year of independence with verve and vigour.

Braving close to 90 degree Fahrenheit temperature, Indian Americans came from all over the tri-state area, including septuagenarians, a few of whom were seated on wheel chairs.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), an umbrella group of cultural, educational and community organisations in the New York tri-state region. The parade, an annual event, was organised by the Federation of Indian American Associations.

Since 1980, the parade has been showcasing India’s cultural and religious mosaic and the bond Indian Americans feel with their motherland despite living for decades away from the country. The parade began on 41st Street, winded down Madison Avenue and culminated in a variety show on 23rd Street, drawing an estimated 50,000 people.

Children perched on the shoulders of their parents so that they could get a better view of the colorful parade Following traditions, the FIA had Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty to act as grand marshal. Shilpa flew in from India two days before the event. Past grand marshals include Amitabh Bachhan, Sridevi and Asha Bhosle, among others.