2014 Events

After the parade as the day-long cultural extravaganza began with the unfurling of the Indian flag, Premier Kathleen Wynne addressed the gathering. She asked if anyone in the gathering was there in India in 1947 when it got its independence. Many hands went up, and the Premier looked surprised as she greeted them on the happy occasion.

The Premier lauded India for its “remarkable’’ achievements since 1947. She said India and Canada shared many things, including cultural diversity, and hailed the one-million-strong Indo-Canadian community for its contribution to Canada’s diversity.

“Thank you for enriching Canada,’’ she said. Calling Canada-India relations a “thriving and vibrant connection,’’ the Premier said she wants to `strengthen and deepen’’ this connection.

On a jovial note, she thanked the Indo-Canadian community for bringing cricket to Canada in a big way.

In his speech, Indian high commissioner Admiral (Retd) Nirmal Verma described the recent elections in India as the world’s biggest democratic exercise in which even a lonely voter who lives deep inside the Gir Forest in Gujarat as a temple priest is catered to.

He recalled how US ships used to bring wheat to India for feeding its millions just after independence and how India has now become the world’s largest exporter of rice and the second largest exporter of wheat.

“We are proud of what we have achieved,’’ Admiral Verma said.

Calling India a “melting pot of cultures,’’ the high commissioner said India and Canada shared common bonds of rich cultural diversity.

He said the Indian diaspora has thrived in Canada because it is a melting pot like India and thanked Canada for accepting the Indian community as equal partners. The high commissioner ended his speech with `Jai Hind, Jai Canada’.

In his message to the Indo-Canadian community, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “India has evolved into a vibrant, pluralistic democracy and is rising to global prominence.’’

The Canadian PM lauded the more than one million-strong Indo-Canadian community for its contribution to deepening ties between the two countries as he wished them “a memorable celebration’’ of the country’s 68th Independence Day.

Jason Kenny, minister for multiculturalism, said India Day celebrations were an occasion to “reflect upon the many ways in which Canadians of Indian heritage have contributed to Canadian society.’’

Kenney said Indo-Canadians have “enriched Canada with their traditions as well as with their skills, knowledge and talent.’’ He lauded the Indo-Canadians for “your commitment to the community, and to preserving and promoting Indian heritage and traditions.’’

The highlight of the day-long cultural extravaganza was the high-voltage bhangra by RDB’s lead singer Manj who set the stage on fire with hit numbers `Singh is Kinng’, Kade Saadi Gali Bhul Ke Vi Aya Karo, Tu Meri Dal Makhani, etc.

Just as Manj was busy belting out these hit numbers, Toronto mayor Rob Ford popped in. Manj spotted him and reached him and made him shake hips to bhangra beats.

“How exciting to see Mayor Rob Ford dance to the scintillating bhangra beats of Manj,’’ beamed Panorama India chairperson Anu Srivastava who called the mayor to the stage to say a few words to the community.

The mayor lauded the Indo-Canadians as hard working and family-oriented people and `guaranteed’ a quick response if the community approached him on any issue. Similar sentiments were shared earlier from the stage by another Toronto mayoral candidate John Tory.

The most exciting moment came when Indo-Canadian actor Vinay Virmani, whose film Dr Cabbie releases in September, appeared on the stage with Manj to sing and dance with him. Vinay, who was accompanied by Tia Bhatia, said his film is about a qualified doctor immigrant who is forced to take up cab driving in Toronto.

Away from the stage, nearly 30 vendors sold ethnic jewelry and treated visitors to Indian delicacies of biryani, idli, dosa, vada, chicken, corn, ice-cream,etc. Major banks had set up their kiosks.

The Telagana contingent was adjudged the best of the parade.

Earlier in the morning welcoming the Premier and others at a VIP reception in the nearby Novotel Hotel, Srivastava, who took over Panorama India chief just a few weeks ago, said, “Taking the lead of the organization twelve weeks ago in the middle of the term is not an easy task. Apart from learning the intricacies inherent to the organization, I foresee an urgent need to profile the Panorama platform and its mandate of Educate, Celebrate and Collaborate.’’

She added, “Panorama India is truly an organization with a dedicated team of volunteers who have immense love for their home land India and want to celebrate India’s rich culture in their adopted homeland Canada. In doing so, Panorama’s efforts have deepened the bonds between the two countries and developed cordial relations”.