The Canada India Foundation is the first Indo-Canadian organization to donate to the world’s largest langar after India amended the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act to allow direct foreign donations
The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: The Canada India Foundation (CIF) has announced to donate $21,000 to the langar at the Golden Temple where over 100,000 people eat free meals each day.
The Foundation, which also honours a prominent Indian from anywhere in the world with the Global Indian Award each year, is donating to the langar after the amended Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act granted registration to the Golden Temple to receive direct foreign donations.
“We were very excited to hear the news that people from all over the world can now directly donate to the Golden Temple langar seva. We at the CIF want to be among the first to show our appreciation,” said Foundation chairman Satish Thakkar said.
Thakkar thanked India for fulfilling the long-pending demand of the diaspora to make direct donations to the world’s biggest langar at the Golden Temple.
“Thousands of devotees from Canada were prevented from sending money to the langar seva because of the stringent provisions of the FCRA. The Indo-Canadian community has reacted favourably to the announcement,” added Foundation convenor ?????? ?????.
Toronto Sikh Bhupinder Singh Khalsa, who is one of the founder members of the Foundation, said, “I feel blessed that now sitting in Canada I can send my humble contribution to the sewa of the langar. Though Canada has always given us every opportunity to stay connected to our roots, culture and religion, this is a great step by India to help us to stay connected to the source of our faith.”
Ramnik Singh Khurana, who sits on the CIF’s Board of Governors, also welcomed the Indian decision to allow direct donations to the Golden Temple langar. “Harmandir Sahib is the most sacred place for Sikhs across the world. They are one of the most hard-working communities and langar seva is an integral part of their life. This decision will help us to contribute to our philosophy of vand chhako – share the fruits of your labor with others.”
After India amended the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act this week, home minister Amit Shah tweeted, “The decision on FCRA at Shri Harmandir Sahib is a path-breaking one which will once again showcase the outstanding spirit of service of our Sikh sisters and brothers.”
Set up in 2007, the Canada India Foundation is an advocacy group aimed at promoting India-Canada relations.
The Foundation’s $50,000 Global Indian Award also honours a prominent Indian each year. Ratan Tata, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, Deepak Chopra, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper, and Zee founder Subhash Chandra are among the past recepients of the award.
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