A first for the city’s Indian community took place Sunday morning with music playing, speeches made and gifts given.
The Barrie Indian Association hosted its first-ever Indian Independence Day flag raising this morning at city hall.
The event was attended by approximately 25 people to keep everyone socially distanced, but it was also streamed live for others to watch on social media.
Shakir Barmare, the president of the Barrie Indian Association, said the celebration today was in honour of India gaining independence from the United Kingdom 74 years ago.
“Though we were born and raised in India, we now call Canada our home away from home,” said Barmare. “Canada has given us opportunities to educate ourselves and build our lives in so many different ways. It is so important to celebrate the Independence of our birth country here, in our chosen country that we love.”
Mayor Jeff Lehman said that as the Indian community has grown here in Barrie, people like Barmare and the incredible leaders in that community have grown the number of events in the calendar.
“Many local people are now familiar with Diwali and the wonderful celebration that goes along with that, and that is a credit to everyone who helps spread that message and information,” said Lehman. “This is the first Indian Independence Day event but as the community continues to grow with either new Canadians or second and third-generation Canadians, it is awesome to see so many different cultures and backgrounds being celebrated."
Lehman grew up in Barrie and said while multi-cultural events were not in abundance then, they have been in the last few years.
“I’ve had the huge honour of being mayor for over a decade now and in that time, the explosion of events related to cultural activities has been wonderfully astonishing,” said Lehman. “It's very rewarding to see the way the broader community embraces all of this, but moreso the way the Indian community has embraced Barrie and wants to contribute being a part of this community.”
