State Visit to India - Day 7

On the last day of the State visit to India, Their Excellencies travelled to Dharavi slum where they had the chance to visit micro-enterprises in recycling, small-scale manufacturing and textiles and gain a better understanding of the informal sector that underpins much of the Indian economy.

These community centres focus on empowering women and supporting at-risk children by providing them with access to quality education, shelter, nutritious meals, health care and vocational training.

During her visit, she interacted with current and past beneficiaries of the Udaan project—daughters of women in brothel-based prostitution and other marginalized girls between the ages of 6 and 18— to discuss the challenges of integration and the positive changes in their lives. In honour of her visit, Her Excellency signed her name on a drawing crafted by the children.

Her Excellency visited Apne Aap Women’s Collective,an NGO that works to prevent second-generation trafficking among the children of sex workers in Asia’s largest and oldest red-light district, Kamathipura. She was joined by (right to left): Canadian delegate Elisa Paloschi, Director/Producer of Eyesfull; Wai Young, Member of Parliament; Susan Bale, spouse of the Consul General of Canada in Mumbai; and Dr. Peter Singer, Chief Executive Officer of Grand Challenges Canada.

At the end of the day, His Excellency met with Kateekal Sankaranarayanan, Governor of Maharashtra.

He delivered remarks on Canada’s success in higher education, research and development, and technological innovations that have helped build Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He also addressed how the overall Canada-India bilateral relationship can be broadened and strengthened.

Later in the afternoon, the Governor General attended the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC) Annual Convention. The ICBC promotes linkages with Canada across sectors and organizes monthly events to raise awareness of Canadian opportunities, innovation, companies and more. This is India’s only Canada-focused business group, with a membership of over 100 corporate members across country in its four regional chapters.

Following the discussion, Their Excellencies toured some of Film City’s most famous sets and met with actors. Film City hosts the most film shoots in India. This Maharashtra State Government-owned property located on 500 acres of land is involved in more than 100 Bollywood films a year and a number of premier television shows.

Their Excellencies are pictured with the official and accompanying delegations who joined them on the occasion of the State visit to India.

Canadian delegate Elisa Paloschi, Director/Producer, Eyesfull, shared her thoughts during the discussion.

While at Film City, Their Excellencies engaged in a round-table discussion on the future of audiovisual co-production between Canada and India.

Film producers currently shooting in Film City and stakeholders from leading film productions participated in the discussion.

Dharavi is a prime example of India’s deep-seated entrepreneurship. The slum’s various micro-businesses generate an estimated $665 million in revenues annually.

His Excellency and Canadian delegate the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), took the time to speak with local children.

Dharavi is one of the largest slums in Asia and is home to approximately one million people living within 1.75-square kilometres of land.

During her visit to CORP, Mrs. Johnston met with social workers to speak on issues related to education, health, hygiene and sanitation within Mumbai’s slums.

Her Excellency and Canadian delegate Denise Amyot (right) also toured the Community Outreach Program (CORP), an NGO launched in Dharavi 35 years ago. CORP now has 20 community centres in 13 slum communities across Mumbai and has recently received financial support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Photo of Her Excellency with Apne Ap representatives and members of the Canadian delegation. The Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai recently facilitated funding for the Udaan program through an association of expatriate spouses called Mumbai Connexions.