Toronto/CMEDIA: 75th year of Indian Independence Day would be observed in person this year on Aug 21 at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto. Asha Bajaj from Canadian Media had an opportunity to discuss with Vaidehi Bhagat, her experiences after she joined Panorama India as a chairperson. Included also in the discussion were the salient and innovative features of this year’s celebration of Indian Independence Day.
Following is the extract of the interview:
What has been your experience in Panorama India so far after you became its chairperson?
I began my journey with Panorama India in the second half of 2014 when I joined the Parade sub-committee to assist the Past Chair Ms. Anu Srivastava to put together the Parade and Floats. It was indeed an exciting time for me for being able to give back to the community in every way I could. Thereafter when I continued to support Panorama by sponsoring and organizing the Maharashtra Float every year. This also gave me an opportunity to showcase the culture and heritage of Maharashtra. After having a continuous commitment towards building my association with Panorama from the journey of being a Director, Vice Chair, and now the Chairperson.
I have had an opportunity to learn a lot from the communities who come together on the platform of Panorama India to unite together and celebrate patriotic events and nourish the relationship to stay bonded to depict their Unity in diversity. Blessed to have a wonderful team who are sincere, enthusiastic, and proactive towards their work for society.
With a background in the Marine Services Merchant Ships, Offshore, and Oil rig industry how are you able to justify this position?
Being in the hospitality Industry, I have always believed in service towards any tasks that were undertaken to fulfill and take it to the next level. Having worked in Southeast Asia and the Far East, where the definition of hospitality is to excel in service and create a wow factor to excel in every endeavor. This approach helps to understand the importance of giving back to the society and community for the reward of success received.
Did you encounter any challenges in this position? If so, please elaborate on these.
Life has indeed been a roller coaster after immigrating to Canada just like every immigrant faces the challenges to settle down in a new country. But determination, persistence, and a positive attitude help overcome all the hurdles. Moving to Canada was a fresh start in building the foundation of the path that I wanted to walk on.
Assuming the Chair position at Panorama India after the Pandemic also felt like starting from scratch to rebuild the in-person world of the organization and bring back all the communities together to bead them and shape up the culture of in-person events again. It isn’t easy when the entire Indian diaspora has been hit by the trauma of being locked indoors and kept away from their friends and family for more than two years. The virtual world did emerge to give temporary support to stay connected, but the virtual fatigue took over faster than anyone can imagine. It was essential to rise above and take the bold step of outreach to get back to the real world of being with people.
After 2 years of virtual celebration of both Republic Day of India and India’s Independence Day this year, it is going to be in person. What are some of the unique features of this year’s celebration?
After more than two years of virtual involvement in celebrating every event online, we all realized the importance of valuing our relationships with family and friends. Pandemic taught us to appreciate the presence of people around us to create a happy environment around us. This thought itself motivated my team to take a bolder step of bringing Panorama India back to life and adding joy to the celebrations that we had missed out on. This year is a historic celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence Day and the Panorama India Board is determined to bring the lost joy of in-person celebrations back again. We are delighted to announce that our upcoming India Day Festival and Grand Parade will be celebrated at Nathan Phillips Square and around the street of downtown Toronto where all the Indo-Canadian individuals and organizations will set their foot ahead to reincarnate the biggest Indo-Canadian event, bringing all the communities together on a common platform to rejoice and create memories to cherish.
You moved to Canada in 2000. How did you engage yourself before joining Panorama India?
Moving to Canada was a bold decision, giving up a settled life and career and looking for a door to step out of my comfort zone which brought my family and me to Toronto seeking new horizons. Life has blessed me with a wonderful family that stands for each other and motivates and drives me to achieve goals and dreams. Settling down in a new country did take some time but looking back makes me feel proud for every step that I have taken to face situations and challenges to bounce back in my career and life.
Besides managing work and family, I did find some tie to network in the community and build new associations in a new country and when I felt that I was much better off than some people around me, that was the spark that made me take the step ahead to give back to the community in whatever way I could. So far no regrets at all. In fact, it gives me immense pleasure to add a smile or extend a hand to any newcomer, to pay it forward after having seen challenges myself when I was new to the country.
How do you feel about switching from more than 25 years of professional hospitality experience, and performing classical and folk dance in India and abroad to the present position in Panorama India?
My career path took me places that I couldn’t have dreamt of being there and the hospitality career branched out my life into interesting channels that helped me learn a lot from people of different cultures. Not to miss on mentioning the family support from my parents, husband, and kids who have enormous contribution which has helped me look ahead in life. Parents encouraged participation in classical dancing and extracurricular activities, which enabled enhancing the confidence and personality. It also enriched my knowledge of Indian Art and Culture which helps me in the present too.
As a Chair, I feel humbled by the respect and support that my own team renders and the thought of inculcating an environment of unity amongst all the Indo-Canadians keeps my feet on the ground and head on the shoulders. I thank all the Sponsors of Panorama India who have been phenomenal support along with the organizations and communities who shape the existence of our prestigious organization. The Board, volunteers, participants, and media help us to redefine and excel our own standards each year which in turn builds the reputation of the Indian diaspora in the GTA. We can only achieve excellence with the support of all the above-mentioned. Panorama India along with the Indo-Canadian individuals and organizations helps us to shoulder the responsibility to enhance our existence on this glorious Canadian land.
What are the common links between these experiences that you are developing in Panorama India?
Life has indeed taught me a lot during my journey until today to respect individuals for their deeds and believe in doing good to mankind. I adhere to the values inculcated in me by my parents to love and respect the people who have shaped my life to teach me patience and persistence toward achieving our life goals, along with giving back to the community to make a positive difference in people’s life. Our karma returns to us in showering the strength to deal with every endeavor encountered. Pandemic taught us the importance of nurturing relationships which help us to grow together and stand for each other in difficult times. This is exactly what we embed on the platform of Panorama India to create an inclusive and healthy environment around us and grow our family by bonding people together. Our Panorama India family invites each and all to come together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence Day together on 21st August at Nathan Phillips Square. Be there to celebrate this historic event with us and join the Panorama India Family!
Jai Hind.
#PanoramaIndia; #75thyearofIndianIndependenceDay
