India Day events at Yonge-Dundas Square set to go green with Aug 11 parade
Staff Report
Indo-Canadians are being urged to join Panorama India as they take over Yonge-Dundas Square for their 8th Annual India’s Independence Day Parade and Festival Saturday, Aug 11, from 10.30am.
Attendance at the event continues to grow each year, with last year setting a record of over 25,000 people attending and participating in the event.
India’s High Commissioner S.M. Gavai is expected to be present during India’s 66th Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony, which is scheduled for 11.30-12 noon.
Dignitaries expected
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and other dignitaries from the provincial and federal governments are also expected to attend.
This year the parade will feature decorated hand-pulled rickshaws depicting the sounds, colour and vibrancy of India. Gone are the trucks in an effort to reduce pollution and go green!
The day-long event is organized by Panorama India, a non-profit umbrella organization which unites all cultural organizations and celebrates India’s ‘Unity in Diversity’.
The celebrations promise to bring a fusion of tradition and modernity while retaining the colour and gaiety.
India Day will feature an array of headliner events, including a performance by renowned Kathak dancer Uma Sharma. The Toronto Youth Orchestra will take the stage to showcase visiting Indian students. Music sensation Shweta Subram will perform with her band.
Winners and finalists of Panorama India Idol contest over past years will thrill everyone with Bollywood songs.
Program schedule
• 10.30am-11.45am: Patriotic songs
• 11.45-11.55am: Flag-hoisting and national anthems
• 11.55am-12.30pm: Remarks by High Commissioner of India and other dignitaries
• 12.30-1.30pm: India Day parade featuring for the first time sidewalk performers
• 1.30-5.30pm: Cultural performances by community groups and dance schools
• 5.30-6pm: Kathak performance by Uma Sharma
• 6-7pm: Bollywood songs by Panorama India Idols
• 7-8pm: Shweta Subram and her band.
For further details visit www.panoramaindia.org
Several events across Toronto
A number of India Day events have been scheduled across the Greater Toronto Area both this weekend as well as the next.
India’s Independence Day falls on August 15 every year.
As every year, Patanjali Yog Samiti, Toronto, along with Agarwals Based in Canada (ABC), Rajasthan Association of North America (Canada), Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre, and Vedic Cultural Centre jointly celebrate the event Sunday, Aug 19, at Markham Civic Centre (101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham).
The cultural program will start at 11am and finish at 1pm, followed by Preetibhoj, to be served at the Vedic Centre in Markham; visit www.sanatanmandir.com
In Peel, Gauri Shankar Mandir of Brampton and Shri Siddhi Vinayak Mandir of Mississauga jointly celebrate India Day Sunday, Aug 19, 3-5pm, at Siddhi Vinayak Mandir (2521 Tedlo St); visit www.ssvm.ca
Our Moral Duty
Today we must respect the Tiranga
We must respect those who sacrificed to get freedom for India
Congratulations to all Indians this special Day
I am here Prem Kalia, listen to what I say!
— Prem Kalia, Brampton
