Renée Sarojini Saklikar, wife of Minister Adrian Dix, who lost an aunt and an uncle in the Air India Flight 182 bombing, pointing out their names on the Air India Memorial to Indian Consul General Masakui Rungsung (centre) and Dix (right).
Photos: Indian Consulate General
A host of dignitaries along with RCMP officers attended the 41st annual memorial for the victims of the Air India terrorist bombings on Tuesday, June 23 at the Air India Memorial in Stanley Park’s Ceperley Playground area in Vancouver.
On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 that departed from Canada en route to India exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 passengers and crew (of which 82 were children below the age of 13), including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens, 22 American citizens and 24 Indian citizens.
Around the same time, on board a second aircraft that had departed Canada, a suitcase transiting through Japan’s Narita Airport exploded, killing two baggage handlers.
BC Minister Adrian Dix, Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, MLA Sunita Dhir, MP Taleeb Noormohmed, former MLA Dave S. Hayer, Indian Consul General Masakui Rungsung, Consul General of Ireland Cathy Geagan, Consul General of Japan Yoshiaki Takahashi, members of Khalsa Diwan Society, family members of the victims and community members were present on the occasion, along with representatives from the RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region (FPPR) and Integrated National Security Enforcement Team – Pacific Region (INSET-PR).
Speaking at the Memorial, Indian Consul General Rungsung paid tribute to the victims and said that this act of terror remains one of the darkest chapters in the histories of both Canada and India. He said the Air India tragedy remains a solemn reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism and there is a need for collective vigilance and international cooperation. He reaffirmed commitment to peace, inclusion, and unity, and called to stand against terrorism in all its forms. “In remembrance we find solidarity in solidarity we find strength,” he added.
Cpl. Parmbir Kahlon, Media Relations Officer, RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region, told The VOICE in an email: “The RCMP is committed to supporting the families on the anniversary of what was the largest act of terrorism in Canadian history, taking 331 innocent lives. We are honoured to pay our respects to the victims, and to be alongside their families on this solemn day of remembrance ensuring its lessons and tragedy will never be forgotten.”
