Indian cricketer Anil Kumble rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange here yesterday to commemorate India’s 66th Independence Day.
Kumble was accompanied by members of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), which is one of the largest umbrella organisations of the Indian community in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Kumble is the chief guest at the annual India Day Parade, organised by the FIA.
Actor Saif Ali Khan is grand marshall of the parade, which will run through 10 blocks in Manhattan on Sunday.
Kumble said it is an honour for him to represent India at the closing bell ceremony at Nasdaq.
“There is a lot of representation in Nasdaq from India and thanks to the Indian community that a cricketer is here to ring the closing bell,” Kumble said.
Every year, thousands of New Yorkers throng Manhattan’s Madinson avenue to watch the parade, which showcases the culture and heritage of India as well as the contribution of the Indian Americans in the country through colourful floats and dance performances.
Last year actress Rani Mukherjee was the grand marshall of the parade.