Indo-Canadian community embraces all cultures
Wednesday was a big day for Pickering’s Indo-Canadian population as it celebrated 60 years of India’s independence. In fact, the City of Pickering proclaimed Aug. 15 as India Independence Day, and on Saturday, the Indian flag, Tiranga, will be hoisted in the City Square at City Hall, followed by a celebration.
This also represents a big day for Pickering residents because organizations, such as Devi Mandir and the Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham (ICCAD), represent community togetherness and pride, taking part in a number of City initiatives, such as combatting youth violence and collecting food for the Daily Bread Food Bank.
The ICCAD started up in 2006 to bring everyone - Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, for example - under one banner. But it has also encouraged people to not only celebrate their faith, but to reach out to all people, even with different beliefs.
Shashi Bhatia, ICCAD’s chairwoman, says although India is her motherland, Canada is her adopted motherland, and feels it’s very important to embrace her own culture, and celebrate it along with other cultures in Durham.
Devi Mandir is similarly involved in cultural events throughout Pickering. In fact, on the 10th anniversary of the Devi Mandir temple, a number of notable people sent in not only their congratulations on the celebration, but letters of thanks for sharing their culture with all facets of Pickering. Mayor Dave Ryan, for example, thanked Devi Mandir for its outreach efforts, by extending beyond the walls of the temple and embracing the entire community.
The flag-raising ceremony on Saturday, which will begin at 2 p.m. at Pickering City Hall, is intended to relay the message of goodwill, understanding and tolerance. These are three principles all people can embrace. Goodwill can be achieved in small ways, such as holding the door for someone coming into your apartment building with arms full of groceries. Tolerance can be achieved if people accept others are different, and appreciate all that different cultures, colours, religions, and beliefs bring to our community. To understand is to accept, and by accepting people, there’s a better chance everyone will get along.
It’s enlightening to hear the positive attitudes of Ms. Bhatia, and if more people listen, and celebrate all cultures, maybe Pickering will become an even better place.
Kristen Calis’s column appears every third Friday. E-mail kcalis@durhamregion.com.