Madhuri Dixit

Three days of lavish festivities will ring in the 57th Indian independence day on Aug. 15 in Chicago with the Indian American community inviting Bollywood stars Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit as Grand Marshals.

Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) president Raghu Nayak said the two stars will join Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Sanjay Dutt

He said a major highlight of the festivities, beginning with hoisting of the Indian flag on Aug. 13 at Daley Plaza by Indian Consul General Arun Kumar at 11.45 a.m., would be a two day ‘Taste of India’ festival. The festival on Aug. 14 and 15 is being held at Warren Park.

With Dixit and Dutt, one of the most successful Bollywood pairs, adding glitz and glamor the celebrations are expected to draw a large number of Indian Americans from neighboring states of Michigan, Indiana and Michigan.

Rajinder Singh Bedi, chairman and convener of the celebrations, said the India Independence Day Gala Banquet will be hosted at the prestigious Navy Pier. Bedi also said the celebrations will for the first time see fireworks.

Harish Bhatt, parade chairman, said this year the FIA expected 40 floats showcasing India’s traditions, culture, costumes, religions, languages, music, dance and cuisine.

The ‘Taste of India’ festival is being overseen by Iftekhar Shareef, chairman, and Dr. hyder Mohammed, co-chairman, both of whom have “meticulously” selected a range of Indian cuisines. Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, who is overseeing the flag hoisting ceremony, said the Indian flag will be unfurled on one of the tallest poles in Daley Plaza. Apart from Indian Consul General Arun Kumar, the ceremony will also be attended by Dorothy Brown, Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County.

Besides New York and Los Angeles, Chicago hosts one of the largest India Day Parades to mark the occasion.

– M.C.