Canada PM Justin Trudeau speech in Jul 2017 on 10th anniversary celebration of Toronto Hindu temple
Prime Minister Trudeau celebrates the 10th anniversary of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaaZBtsiCxk, 8 min. 18 secs, published Jul. 25th 2017
Another video which uses clips from the above video and adds some pics of the temple: https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1661055697259247/, around 2 mins.
I have transcribed some parts of Canadian PM Trudeau's speech below:
Jai Swaminarayan! [Applause]. Thank you.
Hello everyone! Kem cho! (How are you, in Gujarati) [Applause]
I first want to thank his divine holiness for welcoming me so warmly today.
...
My friends, it is truly a pleasure and an honour to join you in celebrating 10 years of the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir as well as the vibrant community that made this possible. Built according to principles outlined in ancient Hindu scripture, it is without a doubt, one of Canada's architectural wonders with its intricate stone and wood carvings.
How remarkable and fitting it is that when visitors come to Canada through our largest airport, Pearson International, one of the very first Canadian sights people see off Highway 427 is this mandir. I, for one, could not be more proud.
Each year visitors are always stunned to learn that no steel was used in its construction and it took only eighteen months to build, and you made this mandir possible. It was your donations, your hard work, the vision of late Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and your determination that built this stunning temple for worshipers and visitors alike.
But the mandir is more than just an architectural masterpiece. It is also a place for community. As Gujarat's favorite son, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". [Applause]
The congregation here truly embodies the principles of openness and peace. For the past ten years, the mandir has spearheaded initiatives that help those in need, for both Hindus and non-Hindus. Annual walkathons, organized lectures, charity galas - you've touched the lives of countless Torontonians through charity and we thank you for it. [Applause]
Your generosity, kindness and solidarity are shaping Canada into a place we are all even prouder to call home.
...
When I look around me today, I see that I am in a place that perfectly represents the modern, diverse Canada that we are all so proud to be part of. [Applause] A Canada where all Canadians no matter (what) their religion, the colour of their skin, or their native tongue, are at home. Canadians know that we are strong not inspite of our differences but because of those differences.
We have a lot to celebrate this year besides the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the 10th anniversary of the mandir, we are also celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms.
Now I would like also to take a moment to recognize the importance of the bond between Canada and India. The more than one million Canadians of Indian origin have made countless contributions to our national fabric, and the relationship between our two countries is truly a special one. [Applause]. Its a relationship (that) our government and (our) ministers both deeply value and actively cultivate.
Not so long ago, our infrastructure minister, minster ---, attended the vibrant Gujarat conference [applause] and just as we are always wowed by the architecture of the BAPS mandir here in Toronto, he made a point to tell me the Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi is a must-visit. [Applause].
I, for myself, have great memories of my many meetings with Prime Minister Modi. [Applause] But, of all the times I met him, the one that I was always most touched by was the time he grabbed my daughter --- by her ears. [Laughter]
I hope all Canadians can find the time to come visit this magnificent sight and learn more about the rich history of the Hindu community, but learn more about the rich history of the Hindu community right here in Canada, at home. I want to thank you all for inviting me here today. Your holiness, Mahant Swami Maharaj, thank you for joining us here in Canada to celebrate the 10th anniversary, and I know you will continue to enjoy your visit because we are so touched and honoured that you would join us today. Thank you. ... Jai Swaminarayan! [Applause]
--------------
Here's another video of the same event: 10th Anniversary Celebration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto, ON, Canada, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soZ2VWyvzWY.
----
A few screenshot pics from above youtube video are given below. [To open pic in higher resolution, right-click on pic followed by open in new tab/window, and in new tab/window click on pic to zoom in.]
----------------------
Ravi: Great to see Canadian PM Trudeau praise multi-ethnic diversity of Canada, and contributions of Hindus and people of Indian origin to Canada.
I recall making a tourist-visit to Toronto in the 80s. I enjoyed that visit and liked the city.
[I thank Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and BAPS Swaminarayan and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above part-transcript of PM Trudeau's speech, and pics from above youtube video, on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
Another video which uses clips from the above video and adds some pics of the temple: https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1661055697259247/, around 2 mins.
I have transcribed some parts of Canadian PM Trudeau's speech below:
Jai Swaminarayan! [Applause]. Thank you.
Hello everyone! Kem cho! (How are you, in Gujarati) [Applause]
I first want to thank his divine holiness for welcoming me so warmly today.
...
My friends, it is truly a pleasure and an honour to join you in celebrating 10 years of the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir as well as the vibrant community that made this possible. Built according to principles outlined in ancient Hindu scripture, it is without a doubt, one of Canada's architectural wonders with its intricate stone and wood carvings.
How remarkable and fitting it is that when visitors come to Canada through our largest airport, Pearson International, one of the very first Canadian sights people see off Highway 427 is this mandir. I, for one, could not be more proud.
Each year visitors are always stunned to learn that no steel was used in its construction and it took only eighteen months to build, and you made this mandir possible. It was your donations, your hard work, the vision of late Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and your determination that built this stunning temple for worshipers and visitors alike.
But the mandir is more than just an architectural masterpiece. It is also a place for community. As Gujarat's favorite son, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". [Applause]
The congregation here truly embodies the principles of openness and peace. For the past ten years, the mandir has spearheaded initiatives that help those in need, for both Hindus and non-Hindus. Annual walkathons, organized lectures, charity galas - you've touched the lives of countless Torontonians through charity and we thank you for it. [Applause]
Your generosity, kindness and solidarity are shaping Canada into a place we are all even prouder to call home.
...
When I look around me today, I see that I am in a place that perfectly represents the modern, diverse Canada that we are all so proud to be part of. [Applause] A Canada where all Canadians no matter (what) their religion, the colour of their skin, or their native tongue, are at home. Canadians know that we are strong not inspite of our differences but because of those differences.
We have a lot to celebrate this year besides the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the 10th anniversary of the mandir, we are also celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms.
Now I would like also to take a moment to recognize the importance of the bond between Canada and India. The more than one million Canadians of Indian origin have made countless contributions to our national fabric, and the relationship between our two countries is truly a special one. [Applause]. Its a relationship (that) our government and (our) ministers both deeply value and actively cultivate.
Not so long ago, our infrastructure minister, minster ---, attended the vibrant Gujarat conference [applause] and just as we are always wowed by the architecture of the BAPS mandir here in Toronto, he made a point to tell me the Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi is a must-visit. [Applause].
I, for myself, have great memories of my many meetings with Prime Minister Modi. [Applause] But, of all the times I met him, the one that I was always most touched by was the time he grabbed my daughter --- by her ears. [Laughter]
I hope all Canadians can find the time to come visit this magnificent sight and learn more about the rich history of the Hindu community, but learn more about the rich history of the Hindu community right here in Canada, at home. I want to thank you all for inviting me here today. Your holiness, Mahant Swami Maharaj, thank you for joining us here in Canada to celebrate the 10th anniversary, and I know you will continue to enjoy your visit because we are so touched and honoured that you would join us today. Thank you. ... Jai Swaminarayan! [Applause]
--------------
Here's another video of the same event: 10th Anniversary Celebration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto, ON, Canada, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soZ2VWyvzWY.
----
A few screenshot pics from above youtube video are given below. [To open pic in higher resolution, right-click on pic followed by open in new tab/window, and in new tab/window click on pic to zoom in.]
----------------------
Ravi: Great to see Canadian PM Trudeau praise multi-ethnic diversity of Canada, and contributions of Hindus and people of Indian origin to Canada.
I recall making a tourist-visit to Toronto in the 80s. I enjoyed that visit and liked the city.
[I thank Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and BAPS Swaminarayan and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above part-transcript of PM Trudeau's speech, and pics from above youtube video, on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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