Welcome to Panorama India

Dear Panorama India Supporter,

On behalf of the entire board of Panorama India, I want to sincerely thank you for making Panorama India's 64th Indian Republic Day Celebration & Festival the best ever! Feedback from dignitaries and many many of you has been hugely positive. We had great media coverage and incredible audience support.

Record breaking crowd including many for the first time had the opportunity to Celebrate India’s 64^th Republic Day welcoming the High Commissioner of India, Enjoy cultural program spanning from very first time impressive Veena concert, outstanding Indian classical dance fusion with ballet, national anthem on Veena instrumental music to patriotic songs, folk dances, dazzling Bollywood dances, bhangra, Panorama India’s Idol 4^th edition, children drawing competition etc etc, Fun, getting around different vendor booth to know about their services, buy unique products and feast on tasty and varieties of food.

We couldn't have accomplished this without your presence and support. We are looking forward to your continued support for our events throughout the year.

Please follow the link to see pictures captured at the event http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151202992456058.452729.93901246057&type=1
(please post on your Facebook page)

TORONTO: Indo-Canadian Unity in Diversity. That's was the theme of Panorama India-organized celebrations of India's 64^th Republic Day on Sunday at the Pearson Convention Center in Brampton on Sunday January 27^th.

The new Indian High Commissioner Admiral (Retd) Nirmal Verma, Consul General Preeti Saran, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and others dignitaries joined the local Indo-Canadian community in the celebrations.

The ceremonies began, with Jake Dheer introducing the guests to the audience and former Idol Contest Winners – Ferzana Bohra (2010), Subash Gandhi (2012 seniors) and Anusha Shivalingam (2010) singing patriotic songs. This was followed by 'Veena Symphony' from the Veenalyam School of Music and singing of the national anthems of India and Canada. Then the audiences were enthralled by the colourful invocation dance – Ganesha Vandana - by Menaka Thakkar Dance Company.

Jibanjit Tripathy, Chairperson of Panorama India, welcomed H.E. Admiral (Retd) Nirmal Kumar, the new High Commissioner of India to Canada and then outlined the three-fold mission of the Panorama: Educate, Celebrate and Collaborate. The great Pandit Ravi Shanker, who passed away, last year, was paid a befitting tribute on the overhead projector.

To emphasize the unity in diversity was the dance 'East meets West' – a fabulous presentation of nimble footed ballet and Indian dance union – choreographed by Atri Nundy and Debbie Wilson of the Sampradaya Dance Creations.

Addressing the gathering Consul General Preeti Saran offered her best wishes to the community on India's 64^th republic day celebration, she congratulated Panorama India on staging the India Day Festival and introduced the High Commissioner.

The high commissioner praised the work of Panorama India and the Indian diaspora in Canada to promote Indian culture and keeping its traditions alive. He said India has the world's largest young population, and quoted President Pranab Mukherji that India has changed more in the last six decades than in the last six centuries. The High Commissioner acknowledged eminent Indo-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Aditya Jha on his appointment as members of the Order of Canada.

The highlight of the day was the traditional Folk Dance Competition involving various Canadian dance schools competing for the best folk dance presentation. There was also a Children Drawing Competition, taking place at the same time.

The cultural extravaganza included performances by Kannada Sangha: Old is Gold, Ente Keralam – A bharathanatyam and Mohini Attam Fusion, Mix Bollywood Songs from Neeti Dream Dance, Yog Pranayam Demonstration by Patanjali Yog Peeth Canada, Odisha Festival Dance, Special Bhangra Dance, Bollywood dance, Lavani dance, and a host of crisp choreographed medleys. The grand finale was by Jadoo Entertainment.

The day-long ceremonies came to an end after the presentation of trophies and the announcement of Idol Contest winners, sponsored by State Bank of India (Canada). Sumana Dey was crowned 4^th Panorama India's Idol in adult category while Anjana Rajendran was crowned in junior category. State Bank of India President & CEO Sunil Tandon, Panorama India chair Jibanjit Tripathy and co-chair Ramesh Bangalore gave away the awards.

This is also a Mela. Meena bazaar, handicrafts, ethnic outfits, costume jewellery, delicious Indian snacks, food and much more... were put up by large numbers of vendors. For the expatriates in GTA and surrounding areas it was a great Sunday outing with their family and friends. The day brought sweet memories and nostalgia of such ceremonies back home in India. Overall, the event was a resounding success. Panorama India would like to thank you all.

Panorama India was established in 1999 with the support of Consulate General of India as a non-profit umbrella organization with a goal to help unite all Indo-Canadian cultural associations and groups in the GTA and to project a common identity based on their Indian heritage and celebrate Unity in Diversity.