By IANS,
New Delhi : India is a festive happy place and it is easy to be seduced by it, Canada’s High Commissioner Stewart Beck said here Tuesday at a function to celebrate Indo-Canadian Friendship Day.
“India and Canada share many things in common like democracy. India is a festive happy place and it is very easy to be seduced by it,” he said
The function, held on the eve of Independence Day at the Canadian High Commission, saw guests dressed in colours of India’s national flag.
Beck was dressed in red and white kurta, churidar and stole. “I am wearing red and white coloured Indian outfit to symbolise India and Canada friendship,” he said.
The high commission was decked with “rangoli” made of yellow, dark pink and white flower petals. The cakes had flag colours of the two countries.
A spirit of gaiety pervaded the function that had events such as kite-flying, canvas painting and a dress competition.
Monica Bharadwaj, an employee at the high commission, said it was amazing to see people enjoying with zeal and fervour.
“It is the first time that we have organised a function on a large scale and I hope it continues,” she said.
Simon Cridland, counsellor and head, advocacy programme, was enthralled by the enthusiasm of the people. “More than friendship, it is cooperation between India and Canada. This event symbolizes our work of building relationships,” he said.
Apart from employees of the high commission, children from Salaam Baalak Trust, an NGO working for street children, were present.
“I have come here to fly kite. I am loving the crowd and loud music,” said Suraj Shah, an 18-year-old boy from the trust.
The national anthems of the two countries were also sung at the gathering.