By Link News Network
August 15th is not just the celebration of India’s freedom from more than 200 years of British rule but a day of remembering all those freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the independence movement. It is a day of remembering all those who lost their lives and families during one of the most painful partitions in world’s history.
This year 15 August marked the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. And to commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Consulate General of India in Vancouver, organized various events across Lower Mainland. It took more than a year-long campaign for celebration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ by the government of India.
On August 15th, 2022, the celebration started with the flag Hoisting ceremony organized at Consulate General of India, Vancouver in the presence of Consulate officials and staff members and a group of ex-servicemen from the Indian Ex-Servicemen Society of B.C. Canada.
Consul General Manish later hosted a reception at the Empire Banquet Hall in Surrey which was attended by high ranked Ex-defence officers. George Chow, Minister of State for Trade, Ministry Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, Government of BC, was the Chief Guest on this occasion. Raj Chouhan, Speaker, Legislative Assembly of BC, Randy Weekes, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Anne Kang, Minister of Advance Education & Skills Training, Government of BC along with a number of Member of Parliaments, Members of Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and City Counsellors graced the event.
The reception was attended by several Consul Generals, Honorary Consuls and members of the Consular Corps as well as leading members of the Indo-Canadian community, ethnic media, cultural and business organizations, academicians and friends of India. The dynamic cultural programme performed by artists from Mudra School of Dance, Spirit of Dance Academy, Folk Star Arts Academy and Shaimak Davar International Inc Group enthralled the guests. A short movie on the achievements of India during the last 75 years was also screened.
On 16th August, CGI, Vancouver in collaboration with Naad Arts Centre, Surrey, organized “Amrit Mahotsav Concert” at Michael J. Fox Theatre, Burnaby.
Raj Chouhan, Randy Weakes, Jinny Sims, Member of Legislative Assembly, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, City of Burnaby, along with a number of Member of Parliaments, Members of Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and City Counsellors attended the event.
Consul General Manish in his welcome remarks said that the Amrit Mahotsav concert was a celebration of rich and diverse cultural heritage of India, which Consulate has organized under “Jan Bhagidari“ (peoples participation) mode partnering with talented artists in Greater Vancouver Area.
The Concert was attended by over 600 people including several Consul Generals, Honorary Consuls and members of the Consular Corps as well as leading members of the Indo-Canadian community, ethnic media, cultural and business organizations, academicians and friends of India.
The melodious Ghazal by Shashi Lata Virk, terrific and mind blowing Kathak and Laavni performances by Guru Prajakta Group, electrifying Gidha performance by Eric Dhinds and group, fabulous and magnificent Bhratnatyam dance by Sudnya Dance Academy and remarkable and incredible Indian Classical Fusion by Indian Standard Time group spellbound the audience.
The mayors and city councillors of New Westminster, Victoria, Calgary, Surrey, Nanaimo issued proclamations to declare 15 August 2022 as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Day
“British Columbia is home to 400,000 to people of Indian origin; and August 15, 2022, marks the 75th anniversary of Independence day of India, the official journey of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations commenced on 12th March, 2021 which started a 75 week countdown to India 75th anniversary of Independence and will end post year on 15th August, 2023; and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav means, Elixir of energy of independence; elixir of energy of inspirations of the warriors of freedom struggle; elixir of new ideas and pledges; and elixir of Atmanirbharta or self-reliance,” read the proclamation of the City of Surrey.
It also read that this celebration is dedicated to the ordinary people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India this far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable country’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of self reliant India.
The Indo Canadian Community in Surrey led a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ Flags Car Rally, on 14 August from Surrey Hindu Mandir to Abbotsford Hindu Mandir to Hope Gurukul.
In City of Calgary, 15 diaspora organizations joined hands to celebrate 75th Independence Day at the plaza in front of City Hall on August 15th, 2022, Monday. More than 3,500 people filled the square to take part in the event. The celebration was attended by Dignitaries and politicians who spoke about the importance of the anniversary of independence in 1947, followed by cultural performances from Calgary’s diverse Indian community.
Indian diaspora in City of Regina in Saskatchewan Province led by India Canada Association of Saskatchewan celebrated 75th anniversary of Independence. It’s for the first time in history that India’s Independence Day was celebrated inside the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
