Little India (Middlesex County, New Jersey)

Oak Tree Road is a predominantly South Asian shopping, business, and dining district centered on a road designated County Route 604 in Middlesex County, in Central New Jersey.^[1] The district, which has been called "Little India",^[2] is set amidst a suburban residential area that is home to many South Asian families.^[3][4]

Location

Oak Tree Road runs for about one-and-a-half miles through Edison and neighboring Iselin, a section of Woodbridge Township.^[5][6] The epicenter of Little India retail is traditionally on the two-block stretch of Oak Tree Road between Correja Avenue and Middlesex Avenue in Iselin, an area officially known as India Square; there, as of 2017, rents were roughly double over the rest of the strip.^[7] The intersection of Wood Avenue and Oak Tree Road is where the two towns meet.^[8][9] Some have lamented the "stroad" status of parts of the western portion of the strip as inhibiting ideal walkability from establishment to establishment, and have advocated for improved sidewalks.^[10]

Middlesex, in Central Jersey, is the U.S. county with the highest concentration of Indian Americans.^[11][12][13] This area is the largest and most diverse South Asian ethnic enclave and cultural hub in the United States.^[14][15] According to the 2017 American Community Survey, 42.6% of Iselin residents identified themselves as being Asian Indian, the highest for any census-designated place in the United States.^[16]

Culture, cuisine, and commerce

 

Saravana Bhavan restaurant off Oak Tree Road in Edison

Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin is home to over 400 South Asian business establishments, including dining, halal grocery, jewelry, apparel and electronics retailing, and entertainment.^{[17][18][19][20]} Many come to the area for its traditional gold and Maharashtrian jewelry retailers.^[7] Indian-American supermarket chain Patel Brothers has a location on the strip.^[21]

Over 145 Indian restaurants alone are found in the neighborhood.^[22][23] Establishments have appeared on food critics' "best of South Asian cuisine" national and regional lists.^[24][25][26] The district is also known as a destination for Indo-Chinese cuisine.^[27] Due to Middlesex County becoming a home for so many South Asians, as well as 30% of Edison residents having roots in India, there are a wide variety of Indian restaurants on Oak Tree Road. They range from vegetarian to non-vegetarian, South Indian to North Indian, and even sweet to spicy. These restaurants have been able to make many people feel right at home due to the authenticity of their food as well as the cultural designs.^[28] One food and entertainment critic has named the "atmospheric" Little India as one of the "50 Best Reasons to Live in New Jersey".^[29]

The actor-comedian Omi Vaidya celebrated the Oak Tree Road scene and South Asian culture in his 2020 song "Oak Tree Road," a parody of Old Town Road.^[30][31]

In 2023, Tanishq, the luxury Indian jewelry brand, opened its U.S. flagship store on Oak Tree Road.^[32]

History

 

1777 map of the area where the Oak Tree Engagement took place. The greater battle occurred overall at points between "Metuchin" and Westfield. "Spanktown" is modern-day Rahway.

Oak Tree Road has a long history in commerce. It is named for a large oak tree which stood at a crossroads where a market was located during the Revolutionary War era.^[33][34] This crossroads and surrounding area was the site of the Oak Tree Engagement during the Battle of the Short Hills.^[35][33][36] It was a relatively rural area in the early to mid 20th century.^[37][38][39]

In the early 1990s, prior to the arrival of significant Indian investment, Oak Tree Road was a down-on-its-luck strip of biker bars and abandoned buildings.^[15] Some late-1980s-era economic pioneers to the then-rundown strip experienced racism from the locals, which largely subsided by the early 1990s.^[7] The first Navratri festival in the state of New Jersey was held in the area in 1991.^[40] As Indian businesses began arriving in the 1990s en masse, the area transformed over time into the "thriving market full of pedestrian traffic on weekends" seen today.^[7]

By 2022, the Indian population was approaching one-third of the population of Monroe Township in southern Middlesex County, and the nickname Edison-South had developed, in reference to the Little India stature of both townships in Middlesex County.^[41]

Festivals and events

A blend of South Asian religious festivals and cultural events are held in the Oak Tree Road district in Edison and Iselin, each featuring a melting pot of visitors and celebrants of all religions and backgrounds.^[42]

India Day Parade

The annual New Jersey India Day Parade, hosted by the Indian Business Association,^[43] is held every August on Oak Tree Road to celebrate Indian Independence Day.^[44][45][46] Celebrants such as Governor Phil Murphy start in Edison at Cinder Road and march eastbound towards Iselin, finishing the parade at India Square in Iselin. In 2022 as in other years, local officials attended, including Speaker Craig Coughlin, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, New Jersey state senator Patrick J. Diegnan, Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, Mayor John McCormac, and Edison mayor Sam Joshi.^[47][48]

Celebrity parade guests

Celebrities from Hindi and Telugu cinema are typically invited to the parade on Oak Tree Road. Attendees and parade marshals have included Tamannaah Bhatia, Kajal Aggarwal, Sonu Sood, RJ Devaki, Monal Gajjar, Richa Anirudh, Avani Modi, Prachee Shah, Madalsa Sherma, Sameksha Singh, Esha Deol and Sujata Mehta.

2022 parade float controversy

In 2022, controversy and concerns about anti-Muslim animus arose at the annual parade when members of the community objected to a yellow wheel loader, resembling a bulldozer, seen in the August 14 parade displaying photographs of Prime Minister Modi and the conservative Hindu nationalist monk, Yogi Adityanath, who is also the chief elected leader of the Northern Indian region of Uttar Pradesh.^[49][50] Modi and Adityanath are both members of the right-leaning Bharatiya Janata Party, a major Indian political party.^[51] The 2022 Oak Tree Road parade's grand marshal, Sambit Patra, is the national spokesperson for the same party.^[52][53][54] The yellow construction vehicle displayed at the 2022 parade included a placard with the words "Baba ka bulldozer" written in Hindi.^[55][56] This display was a reference to the monk's nickname, both affectionately and pejoratively, of "Bulldozer Baba" (roughly equivalent to "Father Bulldozer," "Saint Bulldozer" or "Bulldozer Monk")^[57][58] for his extensive use of the machine in demolishing structures.^[59][60] Ultimately, the parade organizers apologized for the parade display. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office characterized the display as a "bias incident," although no probable cause existed to press criminal charges of bias intimidation.^[61]

Other festivals and events

• Ganesh Utsav. Every year the weeklong festival honoring the Hindu deity Ganesha draws thousands of celebrants to nearby Woodbridge Mall.^[62]
• Diwali. Celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, are held annually on Oak Tree Road and surroundings.^[63]
• Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, is also celebrated with the use of color and dancing at events on Oak Tree Road.^[63]
• Eid. Visitors and the Desi Muslims in the Oak Tree Road area celebrate the Eid religious festivals twice a year with feasts and celebrations: Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha later in the year.^[63]
• Christmas. The Indian Business Association sponsors a Christmas tree lighting and celebratory festival with Santa Claus annually.^[7][64]
• Navratri. A large Navratri festival is held annually in the area, in most recent years at the NJ Expo Center at Raritan Center. Jack Ciattarelli attended in 2021.^{[65][66][67][68]}
• The New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival is held annually.^[69][70]

Houses of worship

A variety of Hindu temples have been established along the strip, alongside diverse Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations in the greater area. Shirdi Sai Cultural and Community Center is one such temple. Located on the Iselin side of the district, it is devoted to the 19th century Indian saint Sai Baba of Shirdi.^[71]

See also

•  New Jersey portal
•  New York City portal
•  India portal

• Chinese community of Edison, NJ
• Curry Hill in Midtown Manhattan
• Curry Row in Lower Manhattan
• Ethnoburb
• List of neighborhoods in Edison, New Jersey
• List of neighborhoods in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
• List of county routes in Middlesex County, New Jersey
• India Independence Day Parade
• Indians in the New York City metropolitan region
• India Square in Jersey City, New Jersey
• Overseas Indians
• Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey (the world’s second-largest Hindu temple and the largest outside Asia).

References

1. "Middlesex County 604 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
2. King, Kate (September 25, 2017). "'Little India' Thrives in Central New Jersey" – via www.wsj.com.
3. Lynn, Kathleen (July 13, 2022). "Edison, N.J.: A Diverse Suburb in a Convenient Location". The New York Times.
4. Bulletin, Community (August 18, 2022). "Pakistan Day Parade NJ is set for Aug. 21". nj.
5. Hanley, Robert (April 17, 1991). "In Edison, a Crossroads of Diversity". The New York Times.
6. Shaftel, David (March 9, 2017). "Indo-Chinese Food Is Hard to Find, Except in New Jersey". The New York Times.
7. "Little India Thrives in Central New Jersey". Dow Jones Newswires. September 25, 2017.
8. "Day Trip: Edison and Iselin, New Jersey for South Asian flavors; Brooklyn Based". brooklynbased.com. January 26, 2012.
9. Hyman, Vicki (June 26, 2017). "The 49 N.J. restaurants you need to eat at before you die". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com.
10. "Oak Tree Road and the Second Life Cycle Blues". Strong Towns.
11. Genovese, Peter (November 16, 2012). "Big business in Little India: Commerce flourishes in vibrant ethnic neighborhood". nj.com.
12. "Eat Street: Oak Tree Road, Iselin, N.J." SAVEUR. March 31, 2011.
13. Lawlor, Julia (April 21, 2002). "If You're Thinking of Living In/Iselin, N.J.; Curry and Saris Spice a 'Typical' Suburb". The New York Times.
14. King, Kate (September 25, 2017). "'Little India' Thrives in Central New Jersey". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
15. Burke, Monte. "How Indo-Americans Created The Ultimate Neighborhood Bank". Forbes.
16. [1] Archived 2020-02-13 at archive.today Accessed April 28, 2019.
17. "Oak Tree Road Edison, Iselin NJ Indian Shopping, Food, Restaurants".
18. "A One-Day Snacker's Guide to Edison, NJ, One of America's Best Indian Food Destinations". SAVEUR. March 18, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
19. Berger, Joseph (April 27, 2008). "A Place Where Indians, Now New Jerseyans, Thrive". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
20. "Edison Brimming with Indian Culture - Video". Retrieved April 16, 2019.
21. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/new-generation-of-gujaratis-take-political-guard-on-american-pitch^{[dead link]}
22. "Oak Tree Road is a Street of Dreams for Lovers of South Asian Cuisine". New Jersey Monthly. May 1, 2017.
23. Sietsema, Robert (March 13, 2017). "The Best Indian Food In New York Is Actually in New Jersey". Eater NY.
24. "America's 25 Best Indian Restaurants". The Daily Meal. August 24, 2018. (listing Dimple’s BombayTalk in Iselin and Shalimar in Iselin among America's top 25 Indian Restaurants)
25. Sietsema, Robert (September 29, 2021). "Where to Find the Best Regional Indian Cooking in NY and NJ". Eater NY.(listing Moghul Express in Edison; Dosa Express in Iselin; Chowpatty in Iselin)
26. Gordinier, Jeff (July 30, 2013). "Across the Hudson, Closer to India". The New York Times.
27. Shaftel, David (March 9, 2017). "Indo-Chinese Food Is Hard to Find, Except in New Jersey". The New York Times.
28. Monthly, New Jersey (May 1, 2017). "Oak Tree Road is a Street of Dreams for Lovers of South Asian Cuisine". New Jersey Monthly. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
29. Genovese, Peter (November 28, 2021). "The 50 best reasons to live in New Jersey". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com.
30. Parody of ‘Old Town Road’ celebrates Edison’s South Asian culture http://nj1015.com/parody-of-old-town-road-celebrates-edisons-south-asian-culture/?trackback=twitter_mobile @nj1015
31. "'Gonna head on down to Oak Tree Road' – Lil Nas X parody pays homage to NJ's South Asian community". newjersey.news12.com.
32. "Tanishq's New Jersey Debut Drew Customers From Across the East Coast".
33. "The Oak Tree Neighborhood Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
34. . September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015.
35. "Edison, New Jersey Revolutionary War Sites | Edison Historic Sites". www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com.
36. "The Oak Tree Engagement and the Battle of the Short Hills Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
37. "9781434309709: Then and Now of Iselin - AbeBooks - Miele, John: 1434309703". www.abebooks.com.
38. Onder, J. P., Miele, J. T. (2007). Then and Now of Iselin. United States: AuthorHouse.
39. Onder, J. P., Miele, J. T. (2011). Then and Now of Iselin - Volume 2. United Kingdom: AuthorHouse.
40. NJ.com, Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for (November 16, 2012). "Big business in Little India: Commerce flourishes in vibrant ethnic neighborhood". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
41. "Monroe swears in 1st officer of Asian-Indian descent during Asian Pacific American Heritage month". m.youtube.com. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
42. "South Asian Community Outreach Organizing 10th Annual Interfaith Holiday Celebration". Insider NJ. December 13, 2021.
43. "Indian Business Association Members Go to D.C. Ahead of Annual Parade in Edison". Insider NJ. July 17, 2018.
44. Staff Writer. "Anupam Kher parades down Oak Tree Road - News India Times".
45. Louie, Elaine (July 13, 1994). "A Taste of India Via New Jersey". The New York Times.
46. "The Indian Restaurant I'm Drawn to Like a Magnet". Bon Appétit. June 6, 2018.
47. "75th India Independence Day Parade 2022 | Rep. Frank Pallone | Edison NJ USA" – via www.youtube.com.
48. "India Day Parade Attracts Over 38,000 in Edison". TAPinto. August 11, 2015.
49. Tully, Tracey (September 25, 2022). "An Anti-Muslim Symbol From India Is Paraded on Main Street, New Jersey" – via NYTimes.com.
50. "Edison community divided regarding bulldozer used in Indian Day parade seen by some as Islamophobic". News 12 - New Jersey.
51. "How bulldozers became a vehicle of injustice in India". June 19, 2022 – via www.bbc.com.
52. "India Day Parade Comes to Woodbridge Today". TAPinto.
53. "'Symbol of hate': Usage of bulldozer in Independence day parade at New Jersey town disappoints residents". The New Indian Express.
54. "NJ India Day Parade organizers under fire for anti-Muslim symbol". Courier News.
55. "'This is not my Edison': Officials Condemn Parade Bulldozer". Insider NJ. August 25, 2022.
56. "AAPI Legislators' Statement on India Day Parade Bulldozer". Insider NJ. August 25, 2022.
57. "Muslims in India Say They Face a Threat: Bulldozers". WSJ. August 14, 2022.
58. "Bulldozers Have Razed My Home, and Broken the Back of India's Muslims. Does the World Care?". Time. July 5, 2022.
59. "Video: CAIR-NJ Rep Says Edison India Parade Bulldozer was 'Clear Message of Intimidation'" – via www.youtube.com.
60. Narayan, Badri (June 17, 2022). "Why 'Bulldozer baba' Yogi Adityanath keeps using the machine for law and order".
61. "Prosecutor won't file bias charges for controversial float in Indian Day Parade". Courier News.
62. "Thousands Celebrate Ganesh Utsav At The Woodbridge Mall". TAPinto.
63. "Little India in Edison NJ: Best Restaurants and Things to Do". September 15, 2020.
64. "Local Business Group Hosts Annual Christmas Spectacular For All Residents". TAPinto.
65. Kannapell, Andrea (October 19, 1997). "IN PERSON; The Festival Man". The New York Times.
66. "Pradip "Peter" Kothari Endorses Mahesh Bhagia for Mayor, McCann, Peng, Patel For Council". Insider NJ. March 3, 2021.
67. "Vibrant Navratri 2021 @ Expo Hall, Edison, NJ".
68. "Vibrant Navratri 2021 Gathers Indian-American Community - Edison Expo Hall - New Jersey" – via www.youtube.com.
69. "New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival (NJIIFF)". FilmFreeway. January 5, 2023.
70. Festival (NJIIFF), New Jersey Indian and International Film. "New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival (NJIIFF)". New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival (NJIIFF).
71. Staff Writer. "75th birthday of Viswayogi Maharaj celebrated at Shirdi Sai Cultural Center in New Jersey | News India Times".

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