TORONTO, CANADA, July 23, 2017 (Hindustan Times): Clad in emerald green kurta and white pyjamas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau performed pooja at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto and said how deeply Canada values the “special” relationship with India. “The relationship between our two countries is truly a special one. It’s a relationship our government and our ministers both deeply value and actively cultivate,” Trudeau said at an event to celebrate the temple’s 10th anniversary, which was attended by more than 7,500 devotees. He said he wanted 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.”
Trudeau, who started his remarks with “Jai Swaminarayan” and then a “kemcho” [“How are you? in Gujarati], said the temple perfectly represents “modern, diverse Canada.” In fact, he pointed out, as travellers arrive at Canada’s largest airport, Toronto’s Pearson International, this temple is among the first landmarks they see. He pointed out that the temple, which was constructed without the use of steel, was 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.”