From February 22 to March 2, 2014, Barj travelled with the Governor General’s delegation to India. These are stories from his trip.

Two fantastic days in Agra and Delhi.

We visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, which was closed to the public, and although I have seen it before, its beauty and impressive architecture stood out. After spending an hour at the Taj Mahal, we drove a short distance to the Agra Fort, which was delightful.

We then flew back to Delhi. In the evening nearly 200 of us gathered in the Canadian High Commission compound to watch the Olympic Hockey gold game between Canada and Sweden. Many wore shirts and hockey jerseys with the Maple Leaf while others draped Canadian flags around them. It was an outdoor party with drinks, hamburgers, chicken tikka, chips, etc. Children of the Canadian diplomatic families were running and jumping throughout the evening and the game was exciting. As you all know we cheered for our team – Go Canada Go! The victory was great and we broke into “O Canada” as the anthem was played in the gold medal presentation ceremony.

Left to right: Governor General David Johnston, his wife Sharon Johnston and Barj S. Dhahan.

The next day, we started with an official welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) with all its pageantry and pomp. The President and Prime Minister of India received his Excellency, and the Governor General inspected the guard of honour. It was very moving as they played both national anthems. I felt proud to be both Canadian and of Indian origin!

Then the entourage drove to the Gandhi memorial to pay homage to the father of the nation. The Governor General laid a wreath on the memorial and had a moment of silence. After this I went with her Excellency and some of the women delegates including Brenda Beck, the High Commissioner’s wife, to Can Support Center. It’s a day care facility for kids going through cancer treatment and provides support for their families. It was a very moving experience. Volunteers operate this centre, and I could sense the worry and fear on the faces of the mothers of some of these children. Such facilities are rare in India and many children and families suffer.

Left to right: Barj S. Dhahan, her Excellency Sharon Johnston, and other delegates at the Can Support Center in Delhi.

We then had a business luncheon hosted by India’s three largest business and industry associations.

Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and Barj in Delhi.

But the highlight of the day was the state dinner at the Presidential Palace. We were escorted into a great hall and asked to stand in two rows facing each other. On one side were the Canadians and the other Indians. The President and his daughter and the Excellencies walked in and stood in front of the hall. Then a ‘caller’ started to introduce the Indian guests one at a time, starting with the Vice President followed by the Prime Minister. Each guest walked up to the the President and the Excellencies, greeted them and then moved towards the Canadians and shook our hands. Once this was completed each of the Canadians were called by name to greet the President and the Excellencies.

Left to right: Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and Barj S. Dhahan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stopped in front of me and paused to ask which part of Canada I am from. He also asked where my family has roots in India. Later I spoke with him about the Punjabi International Literature Prize. He said to me “…It is important not to forget our heritage and language….” A once in a life time experience!

Left to right: HE India’s High Commissioner to Canada Nirmal Verma and Mrs. Madhulika Verma with Barj Dhahan at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi