Toronto: More than 15 groups entertained a packed house at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton at the annual Panorama-India Republic Day celebrations.
At the main event of the evening, 28-year-old Ferzana Bohra was crowned the Panorama-India Idol. The engineering student at McMaster University in Hamilton won the $500 cash prize. Anusha Sivalingam was adjudged the runner-up and walked away with $300. Kajori Chakrovarty and Dhiraj Barla shared the third spot. The four finalists were selected after three rounds. It was for the first time this segment was introduced in the celebrations.
Welcoming the VIPs and the people, India’s Consul General, Preeti Saran, said that we take pride of India for its great success and we must also take pride in the contributions of overseas Indians.
She acknowledged India’s rise in the economic progess and that ther are many more challenges for the country. She informed that the Indian government is keen to get the second-generation of Indians abroad involved in learning more about their mother country.
Saran said that the Indian government has initiated the “Know India” program for the young and encouraged the young to take part in it.
She also said that Canada would celebrated 2011 as “India in Canada” year.
In a message to the organisers, which was read by MP Bob Dechert, Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared that Canada and India shares a special friendship and that “these bonds are a solid foundation upon which we can build an even stronger, more productive friendship.Harper said that without the support of the Indo-Canadian community the Canada-India ties would not have been as strong as it is today. He also praised the Indo-Canadian community for making good contributions to the nation’s economy.
Harper added, “Our government is working diligently to build solid bilateral relations with the rising giant of South Asia. During my recent visit to India, our countries signed two memoranda of understanding that will lead to a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, as as increased energy cooperation. India constitutes one of Canada’s priority markets, and we look forward to expanding trade and investment opportunities.’
Dechert invited new Indo-Canadian Senator Vim Kochchar to join him on the stage.
Ontario Minister for Government Services also praised India’s growth and said he was happy to participate in the recent Bharatiya Pravasi Divas where he witnessed India’s commitment to her people living in foreign countries.
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion thundered that she was the first to lead a economic delegtion to India four years ago and that the trip resulted in bringing many Indian companies to Mississuga.
MPs Gurbax Malhi, Ruby Dhalla and Bonnnie Grombie, and Toronto Police Services Board Chief Alok Mukerjee were present.