Deepika Padukone Leads 2008 India Day Parade in New York

Deepika Padukone, the actress who made her Bollywood debut last year with the movie Om Shanti Om, is the grand marshal for 2008's India Day Parade in New York City. This year's parade, the 28th annual, is celebrating India's 61st independence day.

The India Day Parade takes place on Madison Avenue in Manhattan and features a number of entertainment events and cultural activities at the end of the marching line. The parade is sponsored each year by the Federation of Indian Associations and attracts about 50,000 people, which is said to make it the biggest such parade outside of India.

Last year another Bollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra, served as grand marshal. The Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams was recognized as the guest of honor.