Trudeau Wins Hearts at India Unity Day Parade

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his debut appearance at the annual India Unity Day Parade this weekend, and became a big hit with the community members present on the occasion. The parade was held in Montreal on the Sunday after India’s Independence Day, that is August 20. Trudeau won over the crowd with his kurta-pyjama attire and by concluding his speech, where he talked about India-Canada relationship and extolled the Indo-Canadian community, with “Jai Hind”.

His speech also talked of how it was “time to reflect” on the world’s two largest democracies (India and Canada), “one by population and one by surface area, and what we’ve learnt and what we do well”.

While multiple events marked India’s Independence in Canada, this was the first one the Prime Minister of Canada attended one.

About the Parade

The parade, which started at Avenue Ogilvy and ended at Parc Howard, fell within Papineau — the constituency Trudeau represents  in the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the Parliament. He tweeted:  “Home in my riding of Papineau for Indian Independence Day celebrations! Long live the friendship between our two countries.”

Trudeau’s presence won him some staunch fans. “He’s not a stranger to us. But this was a great honour for us. People were crazy for him. It was a good show,”

Surinder Kumar, one of the founders of the India Canada Organisation (ICO), which hosts the parade, was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

Trudeau spent nearly 90 minutes at the parade, ICO’s vice-chair Rajesh Kapoor said, adding that while the PM has participated on several occasions earlier as a federal MP and then as leader of the Liberal Party, this year’s appearance was special because it was his first time as Prime Minister.

Other Attendees

India’s High Commissioner Vikas Swaroop also marched with Trudeau. “It was wonderful to have the Prime Minister of Canada participate in an India Day Parade, spend the good part of almost two hours with the community, speak in very positive terms about the contributions Indo-Canadians are making to Canada and end his speech with ‘Jai Hind’. And he seems to have a fabulous collection of Indian kurtas,” he was quoted as saying in HT.

Social Media Reaction

The picture of the event posted on Justin Trudeau’s official Facebook page drew positive reactions from the Indian community. One of the comments said: “And this is why I consider you to be the best leader presently. You spread genuine love and unity wherever you go and in whatever you do. May your light continue to shine brightly Mr. Prime Minister.”

Another comment from a Brazilian said: “I am not even Canadian, and yet, I feel so proud of Justin Trudeau as human being and also as the best leader presently. Canada keeps proving to be decades ahead of rest of the world everyday. Congratulations to you all! You are doing great! Best Regards from Brazil!”

Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna attended a similar event in Ottawa while Science Minister Kirsty Duncan joined the India Day Parade in Toronto.