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May 2002

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SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

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By Suresh Jaura

	Raminder Gill MPP

In Ontario, South Asian immigrants began arriving at the start of the 20^th century.

However, it was 164 years ago this month (May 5, 1838) that South Asians started arriving from the Indian subcontinent to the Americas.

To commemorate this event, it was on the initiative of Mr Raminder Gill, who introduced Private Member’s bill that the South Asian Heritage Act, 2001 was approved last year.

The South Asian Heritage Act, 2001 officially recognises South Asians, and lays the foundations upon which South Asian children and adults from nations such as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana can see themselves reflected in the fabric of our province.

The South Asian countries are the number-one producers of immigrants to Canada. Canada is home to approximately 1.2 million South Asians, 60% of whom live in Ontario. 70% of those have made Toronto their home.

Today, over 700,000 people of South Asian descent, 7% of Ontario's population, make up a significant proportion of Ontario’s population. Like all Ontarians, South Asians are proud of their history, culture and contributions to the progress of our province in all facets of business, arts and culture, literature, sports, and community service. 

It is appropriate to recognise and pay tribute to the contributions South Asian immigrants have made, and continue to make, to the development and general welfare of Ontario.

This is the first May that the South Asian Heritage Month will be celebrated in Ontario.

Sixteen community leaders representing various countries and sectors of the South Asian community formed a committee, chaired by Harry Mann, to work to make South Asian Heritage Month a reality.

On May 2, South Asian Heritage Month Foundation will be hosting the inaugural South Asian Heritage Month Dinner at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Constitution Hall, in Toronto.

Numerous other events celebrating South Asian Heritage Month will take place throughout the province in the month of May.

It is interesting to note that in Georgia (USA), Asian / Pacific American Council of Georgia is celebrating Asian Heritage Day on May 4 this year.

Raminder Gill was encouraged by three other events that have helped lift profiles of the respective communities. "First of all, the Caribbean people celebrated the Indian Arrival and Heritage Month. Then there is the Black History Month. And then there is the very popular Carribana in Toronto. We are hoping that the South Asian Heritage Month would bring all the people from the sub-continent and other places together for a grand celebration."

Raminder wishes to make this a success and feels that its success in Toronto can lead to similar celebrations in other provinces in Canada.