THE Indian Independence Day program organized by the Overseas Friends of Bhartiya Janta Party (OFBJP) at Surrey’s Bombay Banquet Hall on August 15 was a resounding success.
Consul General of India Ravi Shankar Aisola was the chief guest. OFBJP Global Convener Vijay Jolly, who specially flew in from India to participate in this program, was the guest of honour and unfurled the Indian flag.
Both government and opposition leaders from all three levels of government delivered their messages as well as good wishes to community. A cultural program representing the richness and diversity of Indian culture along with delicious Indian food made it a memorable evening for all.
OFBJP British Columbia led by its President Aditya Tawatia and supported by team members Parveen Goel, Vivek Vashishta, Harb Gill, Gagan Grewal, Robinder Moe and many other volunteers organized the program that was attended by hundreds of members of the Indo-Canadian community.
Vivek Vashishta said the OFBJP team in BC worked very hard to organize this event and the program’s success gives them all hope and encouragement for their mission to increase cooperation within the Indo-Canadian community and improved trade, cultural and political ties between India and Canada.
Jolly conveyed a message from India’s BJP President Amit Shah. “India is a great nation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a dynamic leader in modern times,” said Jolly and lauded Modi for his historic public address from the Red Fort in New Delhi without the usual bulletproof glass screen. It showcased the renewed vigor and confidence of Indian government, noted Jolly.
Modi by offering respect to all previous governments and prime ministers of India and stating that he is not “Pradhan Mantri” (Prime Minister), but Pradhan Sevak (Prime Servant) of India, showed his humility, Jolly said.
A book on Modi titled “A Political Biography” in Punjabi was released Jolly, Aisola and Tawatia.
Homage was paid to Indian freedom fighters such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukhdev and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The OFBJP also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru. A cultural program of Bhangra, Bharat Natyam and Ghazals was performed by local artists. Popular TV anchor Harpreet Singh and radio show host Tejaswita Mohan conducted the program.
