Shilpa Shetty leads the way

Shilpa Shetty will be the Grand Marshall at the 29th India Day Parade, the largest Independence Day celebrations outside India. “Yes, I’ve been contacted to lead the parade in New York and I know that the first one was attended by none other than Raj Kapoor. I immediately spoke to Tarun (Tahiliani) who very sweetly agreed to craft an anarkali for me. He has also designed a very nice champagne coloured saree which I am going to wear for the evening,” says Shilpa.

Shilpa recounts that she was a part of the Road Safety Patrol when she was in St. Anthony Girls’ High School in Chembur. “I have taken part in a march past when I was only in school and I don’t think that I will get a chance to have rehearsals too. But I am sure that I will be able to pull it off well. I am really looking forward to it…I leave for New York on the 14th,” she adds.

The parade will take place at 12 noon from 41st Street to 28th Street on Madison Avenue in New York City ending at 3pm after which the festivals and floats begin. Last year, the march past about sixty thousand people on 23rd street. Several dignitaries including New York Governor David Paterson arescheduled to attend.