Crowd gathers for parade, activities at third annual Hindu Culture Open House in Kincardine

About 100 people gathered for a parade around Victoria Park, Kincardine, followed by several activities and presentations in the auditorium at the Kincardine Arts Centre, during the third annual Hindu Culture Open House, Saturday afternoon.

Held in the park for the past two years, the event was moved to the auditorium due to the heavy rainfall in the forecast.

Chandra Tripathi of Kincardine welcomed everyone to the open house which began with the parade, with the flags of Canada and India held high. In the auditorium, there were display boards and activities, prayer and patriotic songs, singing, dancing, yoga, meditation, Henna art and Indian food.

In his keynote speech, Varun Tripathi focused on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the ancient sanskrit phrase which translates to “the world is one family.”

“I like this phrase because, in simple terms, it helps us understand what is required to achieve harmony in a multicultural world. It encompasses the idea of Dharma, which means duty. We, obviously, have a duty toward our family.

“It also captures Ahimsa, or non-violence. We may not always be kind to our family but they are often on the receiving end of our protection and compassion. Even Karma, if you think about it. We may not be seeking out reciprocity when being generous or loving, but, over time, what we put out, does come back to us.”

He said that in 1993, when he and his family left India, they benefited immensely from most Canadians embracing them like family.

“This sort of openness and kindness has led to Canada being one of the most diverse countries in the world. And in a world that is becoming increasingly more global, this diversity truly is a strength. But, when diversity lacks unity, the result can be a fractured society.

“We live in a time when the cultural and ethnic make-up for Canada is shifting rapidly. For diversity to remain a strength, no culture or tradition should feel unimportant, subverted or inferior. And definitely not the culture that embraced us in the first place.

“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the world is one family. If we are to rise to such a bold, lofty and important ideal, all members of the family must do their part. This means it’s a two-way street - the relationship is bi-directional. It means being unapologetically proud of our cultural heritage while having the humility and courage to immerse ourselves in the local traditions and dominant culture. And by immersion, I mean presence and curiosity, because this is the ultimate sign of respect.

“For diversity to remain a strength - for there be harmony - we need to treat everyone as members of our extended family, and to be deeply curious about one another. That means making an effort to not just acknowledge traditions and ideas, but trying to understand them.”



Chandra Tripathi (left) leads the parade as it marches toward the front of the Kincardine Arts Centre, during the Hindu Culture Open House, Saturday afternoon