Chicago’s Indian Independence Day celebrations began with a lively display of motorcycles and drums as participants, adorned in orange, white, and green, marched down Devon Avenue in West Ridge. The 46th annual parade commenced on Sunday afternoon.
Local South Asian cultural groups participated in the procession. They celebrated 80 years of Indian independence with music, dance, and vibrant floats draped in Indian flags and colorful streamers. Rakesh Malhotra, a trustee of the Federation of Indian Associations which organized the parade, felt this year held special significance. Alongside celebrating India, he was thrilled to commemorate 250 years of American independence. “The world’s largest democracies are celebrating freedom,” Malhotra said. Both nations were once British colonies, with India gaining its independence on August 15, 1947.
Before the parade started, the group unfurled a massive Indian flag, singing both the Indian national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Marchers also waved American flags along the half-mile route from Western Avenue to California Avenue. Chetan Rege, accompanied by the Maharashtra Mandal group, sounded a shell during the event on August 23, 2026, in Chicago’s West Ridge.
The celebrations concluded with a crowd enjoying traditional Bhangra and Garba folk dances. Bharat Barai, chair of the FIA board of trustees, emphasized the event’s goal of strengthening ties between India and the U.S. The Census Bureau estimates 5.2 million Indians reside in the U.S., with Chicago housing around 238,000, the second-largest Indian population in any U.S. metropolitan area, according to the Pew Research Center.
Barai, who moved to Illinois from India to study medicine 51 years ago, likened the bond to first-generation immigrants managing responsibilities in both their homeland and the U.S. “You can’t forget either of the two,” he remarked. “This event promotes a strong relationship between the two countries.” Initially held on Michigan Avenue, the parade relocated in the ’90s to Devon Avenue, renowned for its South Asian business district known as Little India.
Along the route, some West Ridge Community Alliance members displayed posters advocating for immigrant support and an end to ICE practices. Last fall, during the federal government’s immigration crackdown in Chicago, the area saw multiple arrests. Leaders observed the marchers from a viewing stand on August 23, 2026, in Chicago’s West Ridge.
Pooja Ravindran, 34, expressed mixed feelings about the celebrations, intending to raise awareness of social issues in both nations. “There’s a lot of pride, but I wish we could talk about how to support each other better,” she said.
The parade showcased over 40 local diaspora organizations, including professional networks, nonprofits, and religious entities. Santosh Kumar, 76, greeted the crowd from a float decorated with flags and streamers in white, orange, and green. Having moved to Chicago 42 years ago with her husband, Kumar founded the West Ridge-based nonprofit Metropolitan Asian Family Services. She now provides senior care, immigrant support, and health care to the local South Asian community. “It feels like home here,” Kumar stated.