Sunday 16th August was the 69th anniversary of India’s independence.  Celebrations here in Toronto included Panorama India, a festival at Yonge Dundas Square.

 There was a small but energetic and colorful parade on the streets around the Eaton Center.

A group of people are walking in an India independence day celebration parade, they are holding a banner and walking behind it.

people dancing in a small circle in the middle of Yonge street. They are part of a parade celebrating India's 69th year of independence from Britain. The parade has stopped for a few minutes which has given them time to dance instead of walk.

A group of people walk behind a banner that says Tamil Nadu. This is a state in India and the parade is to mark Indian independence day. The women are wearing colourful saris

A smiling woman holds a sign written in Hindu

Men and women in a parade to mark India's 69th year of independence. The women are wearing saris and the men are wearing traditional Indian clothes

marchers in a parade

A man is holding up a sign with words written in Hindi
A group of marchers in a parade all wearing white clothes and carrying signs promoting peace and love and understanding and all those good things

 

The festival also featured vendors, music and speeches.

A woman is looking at jewellry that is for sale at an outdoor vendor at Panorama India, a festival in Toronto to celebrate India's 69th anniversary of independence day

Close up of a woman's back and shoulder. Her long black hair is braided and has flowers in it. Next to her is a man selling orange, green and white striped banners that are supposed to represent the colours of the Indian flag. Only his hand can be seen.

A few protesters waved flags and and carried signs and banners protesting against the Indian army’s presence in Kashmir.  They stood on the sidewalk across the street from the festival.

A protest is held on Yonge street by Dundas subway station entrance. A group of Sikhs is protesting the presence of the Indian army in Kashmir. They have two banners and some flags including a Canadian flag. They represent the group, Freedom of Kashmir, Canada.

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