Diverse Canada: Panorama India in conjunction with the Consulate General of India celebrated Diwali with a Reception at Queen's Park on Friday November 18th 2010.

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Mr. Ajit Khanna, Co-Chair Panorama India, welcomed High Commissioner of India to Canada Mr. S.M. Gavai and Premier Dalton McGuinty to the reception hosted by Consulate General of India and Panorama India.  He told the invited guests that Diwali has gained prominence in Toronto and in Ontario and Canada over the years. Many people and organizations have paved the way to showcase and celebrate Diwali all over Canada. 

Mr. Khanna acknowleged the presence of Min Eric Hoskins, Min. Harinder Takhar, Min Margaret Taylor, Amrit Mangat and Tony Ruprecht along with the Consul General of India Mrs. Preeti Saran and Head of Chancery Ms. Charan Dasi.  He thanked the guests for attending the annual reception and urged them to do whatever they can to promote Diwali in their respective community. 

High Commissioner Gavai, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Rina Gavai, said that he was proud of the achievements of Indo-Canadians and was delighted to see that Diwali was being celebrated in a bigger way every year.  He told the audience about the upcoming IIFA awards to be hosted in Toronto - the first staging of these awards in North America.  He also spoke about the Year of India to be celebrated throughout Canada next year and the Mini Pravasi Bhartiya Divas being celebrated in Toronto in June 2011 with the help of Panorama India and ICCC. 

Premier McGuinty wished the guests a Happy Diwali and spoke about the relevance of Diwali to every person.  He too appreciated the contributions of Indo-Canadians and in particular spoke about Min Harinder Takhar's arrival on Canadian soil decades ago, his completion of accounting degree and establishment of a company that employs over 400 Ontarians.  He said that the newly launched Trillium Scholarship program will open the doors for immigrants to come to Ontario to study and then stay on if they wished!

HC S.M.Gavai, Premier McGuinty, CG Preeti Saran and Ajit Khanna lit the ceremonial diyas to commemorate Diwali.

Mr. Khanna thanked the board for their support and especially thanked the Consul General for her support and encouragement.    

Panorama India celebrates Indo Canadian unity in diversity. Panorama India was established in 1999 with the support of
Consulate General of India as a non-profit umbrella organization created to help unite all Indo-Canadian cultural associations and
groups in the GTA, project a common identity based on their Indian heritage and celebrate Unity in Diversity.

It provides a platform for all Indian cultural associations, groups and individuals to exhibit and showcase their arts and culture and
to foster a better relationship between India and Canada.

Its Mandate is anchored around three core pillars. These three key pillars are
EDUCATE
CELEBRATE
COLLABORATE

Canada is home to over 1 million Indo-Canadians with over 600,000
living in Ontario, the majority residing in the GTA. The initiatives organized by Panorama India are well
supported by the community.
-Pics by Bashir Nazir