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#PanoramaIndiaCelebratedIndiaDayFestival&GrandParade, #ConsulateGeneralOfIndiaToronto, #Floats Toronto, Aug 19 (Canadian-Media): Panorama India's India Day Festival and Grand Parade, with support from Consulate General Of India, Toronto was held yesterday at Nathan Phillips Square, downtown, Toronto, Ontario. 
From L-R: Anu Srivastava, Lara Dutta, Shaifullah Khan, Mrs. Khan, Nina Tangri, Rajan Sawhney
The all day event from 10 am to 10 pm to celebrate India’s culture and heritage presented patriotic songs and dance performances and included an international bazaar with varied kiosks exhibiting fashion, jewellery, handicrafts, Indian cuisine. There was a Live concert by renowned Punjabi superstar Garry Sandhu and a parade of several floats with Bollywood actress and Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta, the grand marshall of the parade.
The event started with the speech of Anu Srivastava, Chair/President of Panorama India who said to the audience that this year's gathering in India Day Festival and Parade, supported by the Consulate General of India, Toronto is expected to exceed last year's number. This celebration marks the rich cultural heritage of India with several floats and the presence of 400 local artists from various diverse range to depict the diversity in unity of India's heritage. She acknowledged the hard work of all her staff, contributions of various community organizations, public relations personnel, and the volunteers with their dedication. She extended her special thanks to the Toronto Police volunteers for being responsible for maintenance of law and order in the present event.
Saifullah Khan, acting Counsel General of India, Toronto said to the audience that the growing zeal that Toronto's Indian diaspora are presenting, this year's gathering in India Day Festival and Parade is expected to exceed last year's number. Indian population in Canada has grown to 1.9 million which is about 5.6 percent of the total population in Canada, with the largest number of Indians from Punjab followed by Gujarat and then the rest of the communities. Panorama India connects to a a rich cultural heritage, with multicultural dance performances, patriotic songs, classical music and with wide variety of Indian cuisine. He conveyed to the large gatherings the message from President of India, which stated that People of India are simple and that the Indian diaspora in Canada are the true representation of Indian simplicity.
Member of parliament, Nina Tangri greeted the audience on this auspicious event on behalf of Doug Ford, premier of Ontario. She said Canada, with nearly 700,000 people with roots in India, is the best place to live and work. She also said that India is one of the fastest growing economy of the world.
Member of Legislative Assembly of Calgary north-east, Rajan Sawhney greeted the audience on behalf of Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta and said if she was not proud to be an Albertan, she would definitely think of settling down in Ontario. She praised the work of all the participants of the culture program and congratulated the large gathering for their unwavering patriotism and added they should always keep alive the rich cultural heritage of India.
Lara Dutta, renowned Bollywood actress and recipient of Miss Universe 2000 award, greeted all the Torontonians and said she is full of gratitude for their love in inviting her for this ceremony from all the way from Mumbai. She always feels at home whenever she comes to Toronto. Nineteen years back when she was crowned as Miss Universe India 2000. During the announcement her name was not mentioned; instead it said the winner of 2000 Miss Universe contest goes to India. This was an incredible moment for her and she was filled up with immense pride. At this announcement all the Indians present stood up and paid homage to India. Before concluding her speech she thanked all the elders for their blessings and for the younger generation born and brought up in Canada but with roots of India she said, "India is not a country that is poised to be great, it is well on its way to greatness."
After the conclusion of all the speeches, official magazine of Panorama India was launched followed by the parade with the several floats.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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