As a Consul General of India in Toronto, what are your views about the Indian diaspora in Ontario? How vibrant is the community and what more can be done?
The Indian community in Ontario is vibrant, active, cohesive and well-connected to one another and to the other communities living in Ontario. Canada is among the few countries where we find the Indian diaspora to be from every part of India. The community is diverse and we have more than 150 community associations registered with the Consulate. The community associations celebrate numerous festivals and organise various events and remain connected with one another.
The Indian diaspora in Toronto is proud of its Indian heritage and is well connected to its roots. As consul general, I have experienced that whenever we take any initiative there are many community associations that embrace the idea and take it forward to execute it. For instance, we recently introduced the idea of organising a ‘Matrubhasha’ event to promote regional languages of India. To our great pleasure, different regional associations came forward and organised competitions for children in various age groups to promote their respective languages.
I think there are still lots of things that can be done by the Indian community to promote the rich cultural heritage of India among Canadian society. Our cultural heritage is rich and vibrant. There is a lot to present and promote about India. The Indian community can further strengthen bridges of friendship as the two countries collaborate on a wide range of issues promoting cultural exchanges, handicrafts, tourism, business tie-ups, student exchanges, trade and investment, exchange of best practices, etc. The Consulate will always be ready to support any initiative that community organisations will take to promote India and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Does the Indian diaspora in Ontario connect with the Consulate General of India in Toronto for celebration of Indian National Day and other Indian festivals?
We have a vibrant and dynamic Indian diaspora community in Canada, the majority of which lives in the areas under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, Toronto. The community participates actively in celebration of India’s National Day and other Indian festivals organised by the Consulate. Be it the annual Panorama India Parade which is the most popular parade in North America, or one-off events like the 75-foot-long cake, display of large Indian and Canadian flags, or illumination of iconic places like Niagara Falls or the CN Tower, the community comes up with innovative ideas to celebrate our national day. The Consulate also supports different Indian community associations in organising various cultural programmes for promoting the diverse cultural heritage of India.
Does the Consulate of India in Toronto have an outreach programme for Indian students studying in the universities and colleges in Ontario?
Yes, the Consulate maintains close contact with universities and colleges for ensuring the well-being of Indian students studying in Ontario. Although the in-person meetings with students could not be held in recent times because of the pandemic, the Consulate has been working closely with Indian student associations through virtual platforms for providing guidance and support while they pursue their education in Canada. We also coordinate with the universities and colleges to make sure that appropriate facilities and support systems are made available to Indian students during their studies in Canada. The Consulate worked tirelessly with universities, colleges and community associations during the pandemic and ensured timely support to Indian students in terms of accommodation, food, general counselling and continuation of online classes.
Before the pandemic, the Consulate used to have around 15-18 routine interactions annually with universities and colleges where students were provided all necessary guidance and support. With the ease in Covid-19 protocol, I have personally started going to universities and colleges for in-person meetings with Indian students. I hope, with further easing of restrictions, we will soon be able to expand our student outreach programme with more in-person physical meetings.
How is Brand India being promoted within the business community in and around the region?
The Consulate has been actively promoting Brand India through various platforms. This includes organisation of Brand India virtual business tours to the seven provinces of Canada that fall under the jurisdiction of our Consulate. During these virtual tours, one-to-one B2B interactions are held between Indian exporters and Canadian importers. We have also been organising B2B meetings for connecting exporters of Indian states and Union Territories with buyers and distributors in Canada. We hold sector-specific buyer-seller meets to promote specific products. While organising these programmes, we either partner or work closely with various chambers of commerce and business organisations for setting up of new connections between the business and trading communities of the two countries. We have also been engaging with prominent tour operators/agents through theme-based virtual sessions for promotion of inbound tourism from Canada to India.
Any special services being provided by the Consulate for Indian citizens especially during Covid-19?
To aid the people in need, the Consulate was kept open throughout during the lockdown. We served emergency cases on weekends. The entire Consulate staff was mobilised for the Vande Bharat Mission. We also started applications for attestation by post as counter services were impeded during Covid-19.
Do you have any specific message on ‘India@75’ – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav?
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to commemorate 75 years of progressive India and to celebrate the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. This is a year-long celebration which will continue till 15 August 2023. As part of these celebrations, the Consulate will also be organising a number of programmes in the coming months. I would request everyone to join us in these celebrations. Please follow our social media accounts to get updates on these events.
Today, India is surging ahead confidently on the path to all-round development. India has become a land of opportunities. In these 75 years India has crossed many milestones and made significant achievements. It is time to celebrate these achievements and march ahead on the path of progress. Let us get inspired by these achievements and work harder to take our nation to newer heights. I invite all the Indian community members in Canada to send us ideas to make our Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration a grand success.
