About Us
Gujarati Samaj of Montreal Inc
is a non-profit community-based organization totally dedicated to the
advancement of Gujarati culture, religions, folklore, history, and
philosophy. Set up formally in September 1976, The Gujarati Samaj -
Montreal Inc undertakes to enhance and foster the Gujarati heritage in
Quebec.
At the time of its inception
the objectives of the organization were to provide for the social and
cultural needs of the Gujarati speaking people of the province of Quebec
and to foster understanding and co-operation with other cultural bodies
forming the Canadian mosaic. Since its inception the Samaj has been able
to uphold its objectives through its activities. A good deal of our rich
heritage and culture has been passed on to the Gujarati youth born and
brought up in Quebec.
New initiatives recognize the
long-standing generational growth of the Gujarati community in Quebec,
and thus serve to foster cross-cultural appreciation and understanding
through joint projects with sister associations across Quebec. Working
together, we promote cultural understanding with other communities in
the Canadian Society, and assist and cooperate with other organizations
across Canada that have similar objectives to our organization.
The Gujarati-speaking community
in Montreal has a distinct and diverse history. Its members have a
common ancestral tie in that they are a people whose origins come from
the state of Gujarat in India. Our members, however, are quite a diverse
mix - with those coming from India direct, those that have transplanted
themselves to Africa or the Caribbean or other parts of Asia before
coming to Canada, and those that may have made several stops through a
few generations from India to Africa to Europe and then to Canada! And
now, of course, we have a budding 2nd and 3rd generation that were born
and educated and raised here! Religions are diverse too - Hinduism is
predominant, but there are Jains, Muslims, Catholics and even on
occasion those of the Jewish faith! It is a true testament to the
diversity of India!
We are primarily a Montreal
based organisation - and our members are those who have an affinity or
interest in the Gujarati cultures and traditions. As such, our members -
while typically of Gujarati origin - also include those who come from
other regions of India, Canada and so forth. Non-Gujarati speaking
members will usually join our group through affiliation with friends
and/or through marriage, thereby increasing the diversity in our
membership.
Our activities also reflect the
diverse nature of our membership. We have undertaken to offer a wide
variety of mixed cultural activities... ski trips, picnics,
cabane-a-sucre, Holi celebrations, cross country exchanges with other
groups, business mentoring programs for the youth, bazaars and fun
fairs, our Diwali festivities, Christmas and so much more! … Talk about
a melding of cultures!!
|