Shekhawat to attend India Day parade in US

India's Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has confirmed his participation for the India Day Parade in Manhattan slated for August 21.

Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) president Sudhir Parikh said Wednesday that Shekhawat would be one of the chief guests at the Silver Jubilee India Day parade, according to a press release here.

Parikh said: "I was fortunate enough to be able to invite the vice president formally in person. And he has accepted, confirming to me his participation at the event."

"We've also approached Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and NRI minister Jagdish Tytler," Parikh added.

The Indian Independence Day celebration and the parade through Manhattan, which attracts many international stars, is the largest outside India. It is considered the signature programme for Indians in New York.

The FIA executive committee has also decided to sponsor a Gujarati performance on March 6 to raise funds for tsunami victims.

The new executive committee of the FIA comprises Sudhir Parikh (president) and Jayesh Patel (executive vice president) among others.

The FIA, celebrating its silver jubilee this year, also contributes and works with other charitable organizations across the country to aid India and enhance India-US relations.