62nd Republic Day celebrations

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-PANORAMA-India, an umbrella body of over 50 Indo-Canadian Associations, with the support of the Consulate General of India organized day long celebrations to commemorate the 62nd Republic Day on Saturday, 29th January at Pearson Convention Centre at Brampton. This was done with an aim of outreaching a wide spectrum of society in order to create awareness about Republic Day celebrations, and engage with as many Indo-Canadian organisations and “South Asian” associations operating in Greater Toronto Area.

In this programme, a number of regional organizations took part and the programme included singing of National Anthems of Canada and India, remarks by Consul General Mrs. Preeti Saran, dignitaries including MPPs and MPs, Invited Guests, singing of Patriotic Songs and musical segment, invocation dance, folk dance competition, Cultural program including Magic Show, Panorama singing India Idol Contest, disbursement of award for winner of World Hindi Diwas essay competition.

The Consul General Mrs. Preeti Saran in her address briefed the Indo Canadians with the details of the celebrations of ‘Year of India’ in Canada, the regional Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas in Toronto in June as also the IIFA Awards ceremony in end June.

The function recognized Mrs. Lata Pada who was recently conferred with the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman by the President of India at the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas 2011 in New Delhi. In honouring her, Mrs Saran said, the Government of India had honoured the entire Indian diaspora in Canada.

More than 15,000 Indo-Candians participated enthusiastically in the event and also included famous industrialists and eminent personalities of Indo Canadian society.

In his welcome address Mr. Ajit Khanna while acknowledging the support of the Consul General Mrs. Preeti Saran, welcomed the large audience and invited them to visit the 30 stalls selling food items and articles of clothing etc. He gave a brief outline of the past year's programming as well as a glimpse into this year's activities. He thanked the sponsors especially State Bank of India (Canada) for sponsoring the Panorama India Idol contest and the volunteers, the board of Panorama, and the participating groups for providing a fun filled day of celebrations. He informed the audience that in this, the year of Rabindranath Tagore's 150th birth anniversary, Panorama is supporting the Tagore Anniversary Celebrations Committee of Toronto as they work towards gaining greater recognition of this Nobel Laureate.

The event concluded with the crowning of the new Idol, Bharat Sharma. This year's idol contest attracted 86 contestants!!

To end the programme, Mrs. Kala Pillarisetty, co-chair, thanked the dignitaries which included Min Harinder Takhar, SenatorVim Kochhar, MPs' Patrick Brown, Bob Dechert, Gurbax Malhi, Ruby Dhalla, Bonnie Crombie, Kirsty Duncan, Rob Oliphant and MPPs' Bob Delaney and Vic Dhillon for attending and bringing the Prime Minister's, Leader of the Opposition's and Jason Kenney's remarks.