article in local toronto star news paper
"Nathan Phillips Square site of party and parade marking 60th anniversary of country's founding
Aug 13, 2007 04:30 AM
Henry Stancu
Staff Reporter
A celebration of Pakistan's 60th anniversary of independence drew people of all ages from across the GTA to Nathan Phillip Square yesterday.
Cloudy skies and a little rain didn't dampen the spirits of more than 2,000 people who came to hoist the flag of their homeland, march in a parade and partake in the food and festivities outside Toronto's City Hall.
"This means a lot. It's a big thing to us," said 15-year-old Toronto high school student Majid Lodhi, whose family came to Canada from Lahore when he was 7.
He came to the city's centre with his friends, parents and brother and sister to mark tomorrow's anniversary.
"I've been coming here (to celebrate) for the past three years. I'm proud of my background and it's important to support my community.
"This keeps our community strong," he said.
Lodhi, like many who came to the celebration, walked in an afternoon parade that headed up University Ave. to Elm St., east to Bay St. and south back to City Hall.
The sky darkened and light rain began to fall as the celebratory march got underway. As the sun began to break through the clouds, several dignitaries and civic leaders, including Premier Dalton McGuinty and Toronto police Chief Blair, spoke of the contributions made to Canadian society by people of Pakistani origin and the friendship between Pakistan and Canada.
When the speeches were over, people began to take in the musical program and enjoy a comfortable summer's evening.
But the current political climate in Pakistan was on the minds and in the conversations of many who came to celebrate their homeland's independence.
"Before independence most of the people in Pakistan belonged to the Hindu or Sikh religions, but Muslim people were the minority and we had no rights," said Bashirahmed Chaudhry.
Chaudhry was only 10 when independence was declared in 1948. He remembers it well as a high point in Pakistan's history, but now he worries where the country is headed.
"Pakistan is on the edge and I do not like what is happening there. I would not go back to visit Pakistan now.
"I feel it is a country of terrorists," he said.
Having travelled and lived in the east, Europe and North America, Chaudhry came to Canada five years ago and recently became a Canadian citizen.
He came to the independence celebration yesterday because the event is an important part of his culture and history, but Chaudhry said it is this new homeland he now cherishes.
"Peace and calm and freedom is why Canada is the best country in the world. Everyone has rights and everyone has responsibility," said Chaudhry.
He said his wish is that the future of Pakistan could be as bright as what he sees here."