Namaste,
Sat Sri Akal, Aas Lamo Lay~kum,
Ladies
and Gentleman, it is an honour to
be here this afternoon. Thanks to
President Ashok Sharma for the invitation
to join you and for the excellent
talk he just gave.
During
a recent visit to India, our Deputy
High Commissioner there, Brain Dickson,
described India as the “most
fascinating country in the world”.
Not a big compliment to Canada perhaps
but with its’ achievement of
53 years as a republic – in fact
the world’s largest democracy
by far with 600 million plus voters
– is a major accomplishment in
all of human history.
Our
two countries can learn much from
each other. As you know, virtually
every state in India has its own language
and distinct cultural identity. This
was evident as I traveled from Mumbai
to Delhi to Hyderabad to Bangalore
to Mysore and to Chandigarh. By the
way, it was almost as cold in Chandigarh
as it is Edmonton today.
During
Republic Day, regional identity gives
way to national pride. Today, the
all-encompassing Indian culture dominates
creed, caste and region. Republic
day reminds all Indians of the need
for unity, tolerance and human development
that was promised at Independence.
It is that promise that has allowed
India to advance as a nation and its
cultures and faiths and economy to
flourish.
In
terms of purchasing power, India’s
economy is now evidently the 4th or
5th largest in the world. Our two
nations could do so much more trade
and investment and tourism and educational
exchanges with each other.
If
you’re interested in some ways
this might be done, please look on
my website at the series of talks
I gave in India.
Ladies
and Gentleman, do you know that there
are now about 900 academics across
India who are teaching Canadian studies?
Why aren’t more Canadians studying
in India and vice versa?
You’ll
be interested here to know that the
visa issue came up at virtually every
meeting Sukhbir Lalli and I across
in India. There is a new immigration
management team at our mission in
Dehli. They are looking at new ways
to facilitate sound applications of
various kinds. There is also the new
Consulate General in Chandigarh, which
should be operating in about 12 months.
But
we are all here today to honour the
Republic of India. Long may it be
a beacon for much of the world, where
democracy, the rule of law, spiritual
values and a growing economy can all
flourish together.
Your
program this afternoon celebrates
the rich cultures of India, as well
as the academic success of many young
people in this community. Once again,
congratulations to the Council of
India Societies of Edmonton on its
remarkable achievements. Let all Canadians,
whatever their backgrounds, join in
celebrating this wonderful and timely
theme of “Promoting Peace and
Understanding.”
Thank-you
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