KEY POINTS:
He's only 7 but Aakaash Salvaji led the nation - for a day anyway.
The pupil of St Leonards Rd School in Kelston, Waitakere City, dressed up as Mahatma Gandhi as part of a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Indian independence.
He rode on a float in a parade up Queen St yesterday in front of a crowd of about 5000, with other "leaders" such as freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Alluri and the mother of the nation, Bharat Mata.
Aakaash's brother Abhinay, 8, dressed as Alluri.
In the afternoon, distinguished guests including Prime Minister Helen Clark and Sir Edmund Hillary - a former New Zealand High Commissioner to India - enjoyed a show of traditional Indian song and dance in the Aotea Centre.
Aakaash spoke to them about how Gandhi developed Satyagraha, the idea of non-violent resistance, which led India to freedom.
Aakaash said Gandhi was his hero, so shaving his head to look like him was an easy decision.
"He was the father of the nation. He is very famous."
Aakaash also wore white cotton cloth, the trademark round glasses and even had a painted-on moustache.
"I liked the parade and dressing up," he said.
His proud father, Sitaram Salvaji, is the president of the New Zealand Telugu Association which represents Indians who speak Telugu.
"He did very well in front of all those people. He wanted to represent someone great."
Mr Salvaji also donned traditional Indian attire.
India's official Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation.
Organiser Jeet Sachden said anniversaries had been celebrated every decade in New Zealand since independence in 1947, but the diamond jubilee was an extra special event.
The day is a national holiday in India and flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural activities are popular.
Helen Clark gave her best wishes to the Indian community.
"Many new communities are contributing the richness of their cultures, heritage and languages to New Zealand. We take pride in celebrating our cultural diversity."
