An Edmonton couple has found a unique way to celebrate their adopted country and inspire patriotism.
Sanjeev and Sangeeta Chawla unveiled a massive Canada flag at Oliver School on Tuesday morning and said they hoped it would be an inspiration to others, especially youth.
“We should be doing something positive which people can get inspiration from,” Sanjeev told CTV News.
“We should all come together and spread this message of becoming a peaceful nation and just leave behind the violence and the tyranny that we are hearing worldwide,” his wife, Sangeeta, added.
“We need to spread this message not only in Canada but all over the world.”
The couple moved to Canada from their home in India 10 years ago and said they feel proud of the country they now call home.
“By nature we are adventurers so we explored that part of the world,” Sanjeev explained.
“We wanted to see this part of the world.”
They said they plan to keep the flag, which measures 40 feet by 20 feet, and bring it out every Canada Day.
“We need to support a democracy, not just support it, we need to not take it for granted,” Sangeeta said.
As an educator, she said she hoped to encourage Canadian youth toward more positive life choices.
“We need to engage them and cultivate in them the sense of engaging in positive attitudes towards things and to look at things with a broader perspective.”
With files from Nicole Weisberg
