Edmonton couple Sanjeev and Sangeeta Chawla are constantly seeking outlets to share their patriotism.
Before sunrise on New Year’s Day, the whoop of enduring revellers still audible from across the street, the Chawlas were treading through the snow in the Oliver schoolyard arranging fistfuls of paper Canadian flags into a large number 150.
The 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation agreement is an apt reason to celebrate their identity, they say.
“To give inspiration that we are living in a great country, and (people) should feel proud,” Sanjeev said. “They should take inspiration for similar acts like this.”
Sanjeev Chawla and his wife Sangeeta planted hundreds of miniature Canadian flags in the snow to create a jumbo design of “150” in the south playground of Oliver School on January 1, 2017.
The Chawla family has a penchant for nationalistic spectacles. In 2014, they gathered friends and neighbours in the park to display one of the largest Canadian flags in the country. In February 2015, they celebrated the maple leaf flag’s 50th birthday by creating a similarly large number 50 made out of mini Canadian flags.
On Sunday morning, 370 paper flags fluttered in the wind to spell out the numbers one, five, and zero.
“I love my flag. It’s a sign of peace, tranquillity,” Sanjeev said. “Red is for strength. Power. Sacrifice — which we are. And, the Canadian traditions of keeping peace, politeness and perfection.”
The Chawlas moved to Canada from India in 2004, first to Toronto, and then to Edmonton in 2008, where they became Canadian citizens. A sense of adventure prompted them to move, and they were surprised to find some Canadians weren’t as overt about their national pride as they expected.
Years ago, Sanjeev, an insurance adjuster, was sad to attend an event at his son’s school that began without singing O Canada. He also finds it disrespectful to put the flag on towels. Military service should be mandatory, to give young adults a sense of duty and discipline, he says.
Sangeeta, a teacher, said they’re anxious to celebrate and share what they say are Canadian values of peacemaking, diversity and inclusiveness.
Sanjeev Chawla and his wife Sangeeta planted hundreds of miniature Canadian flags in the snow to create a jumbo design of “150” in the south playground of Oliver School on January 1, 2017. Canada celebrates 150 years as a nation in 2017.
Their New Year’s Day display is the first of what they hope are many celebrations to come for Canada’s 150th birthday. Sanjeev wants to write a children’s book to stir statesmanlike sentiments early on.
“We actually consider this as kick-starting this moment from Day 1. We believe more people are going to get involved with this,” Sangeeta said.
