Honoring Hindu Contributions: Heritage Month 2025 Celebration at Canada’s Parliament Hill

November 21, 205, Ottawa, Parliament Hill came alive with the vibrant celebration of Hindu Heritage Month, hosted by Honorable MP Juanita Nathan and organized by the Hindu Canadian Foundation, Divya Durham, the Ontario Telugu Foundation, and Sky Canada World Community Service Center. The event was attended by more than 300 people from across Canada, representing diverse communities and professions, all united in honoring Hindu culture and contributions.

The evening began with a thunderous and energetic performance by Canada Dhol Tasha, filling the hall with positivity and excitement. Soon after, MP Nathan, joined by distinguished guests Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sachit Mehra, President of the Liberal Party of Canada; and Brendan Hanley, Liberal Member of Parliament for Yukon, lit the ceremonial Diya.

In her welcome address, MP Nathan highlighted the invaluable contributions of Hindu Canadians and reflected on the richness of the world’s oldest Hindu civilization.

Robert Oliphant opened his remarks with greetings in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, “Namaste, Namaskaram, Vanakkam”, a gesture that resonated deeply with the audience. He spoke of the beauty and color that Hindu traditions bring to Canada, acknowledged the growing Hindu Canadian community, and noted the historic achievement of Anita Anand as Canada’s first Hindu Cabinet Minister. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with India, the birthplace of Hindu civilization.

Brendan Hanley shared heartfelt reflections on the Hindu community in Yukon, small yet impactful in its contributions. Liberal Party President Sachit Mehra delivered a trilingual speech in Hindi, English, and French, celebrating the community’s role in shaping Canada. He recalled his own journey with the Liberal Party since age 15 and called for more such programs as true reflections of Canadian diversity.

The celebration continued with a series of magnificent cultural performances, including Ganapathy prayer, Sanskrit shloka chanting, Thirupugal singing, Murugan Surasharam, Durga dance, Marathi Mangala Gaur, Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum, and Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Aagman. Each performance showcased the depth and vibrancy of Hindu traditions, leaving the audience inspired and energized.

Adding to the evening’s significance, Consul General of India Shri Dinesh Patnaik praised the program as one of the finest he had attended. He noted that it was driven more by passion than profession, a testament to the community’s devotion. He highlighted Hindu Dharma’s flourishing strength rooted in divine feminine energy and urged unity under the broader Hindu identity rather than linguistic or regional divisions.

Hon. MP Juanita Nathan presented 14 distinguished awards to members of the Hindu community, honoring individuals from youth as young as 16 to seniors over the age of 75. Each recipient was celebrated for their meaningful contributions to Canadian society and the promotion of Hindu values. The evening closed on a high note with a joyful group photograph, vibrant networking, and a spread of delicious vegetarian food that brought everyone together in fellowship.

The Hindu Canadian Foundation expressed pride in co-organizing the celebration alongside Divya Durham, Ontario Telugu Foundation, and SkyCanada World Community Service Center. Special thanks were extended to emcees Yesha Panchal and Prashant for their engaging hosting. Organizers closed the evening with gratitude, wishing everyone a joyous Hindu Heritage Month and celebrating the unity and strength of the Hindu Canadian community.

A Happy Hindu Heritage month to All.