Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks At Federation Of Indian Associations’ India Day Parade 2014

August 17, 2014

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you so much. Isn’t it a beautiful day for this parade?

[Cheers]

There’s so many people in this community who do so much for this city, who do so much for the Indian American community. There’s a lot of people to thank. I just want to single out a few with a sense of appreciation. I want to thank Ankur Vaidya, the president of the Federation of Indian Associations. I want to thank Ramesh Patel, the chairman of the Federation, for all they do on behalf of the community. I want to thank our grand marshals, Vivek Ranadive and Sunny Deol, for their wonderful contributions to the community here and around the world.

And also, my colleagues in government – the people who make New York City government great – include every kind of people. And of course Indian Americans play a strong role in our government, including the President of the Health and Hospitals Cooperation Ram Raju. Where are you Ram?

[Applause]

There we go. And the Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Nisha Agarwal.

Audience Member: Go, Nisha!

[Applause]

Mayor: They are two of the great leaders of this administration who are doing amazing things for this city. I know you’re going to hear in a moment someone I want to acknowledge who’s been a great partner in government, and who represents and shares the values of this administration, and helps us to achieve so much for the people of this city while holding our feet to the fire at the same time. The Public Advocate Tish James – thank you for all you do!

[Cheers]

And I want to thank Ambassador Sandhu and Consulate General Mulay for their tremendous work.

[Cheers]

I’ll be very quick and just say this: the contributions of the Indian community to New York City are extraordinary and this parade exemplifies it. It’s one of the largest Indian independence parades anywhere in the world – and we’re proud of that fact.

[Applause]

There are hundreds of thousands of South Asian Indians in New York City and the New York area, increasingly part of the strength of our economy, our culture, our education system. You do so much.

And by the way, no community is more devoted to education than the Indian American community. And that is part of its strength.

We know you contribute to our culture, to the cuisine of this city, to the look of this city, to the life of this city in so many ways. We know that India has contributed so much to the world – some of the greatest speakers and some of the greatest consciences – of course, including Mahatma Gandhi, who we honor in all we do. 

So it’s my honor to present a proclamation today – let’s see if we have the proclamation handy. We may not have the proclamation handy. All right, it’s out there somewhere, but I’ll tell you about the proclamation. Here we go. It is my honor to present this proclamation, declaring Sunday, August 17, 2014, on behalf of all of the people of New York City, declaring it NYC Indian Parade Day.

[Applause]

Have a wonderful day, continue the great work you do for this community and for New York City, and Namaste!