Birth of UDHSO: Our Attempt to Embrace Pahadi Culture in Ottawa
- udhsottawa
- Jan 15, 2025
- 4 min read
As a Pahadi from Uttarakhand, India, living in Ottawa since 2015, I’ve felt a growing need to reconnect with my roots, especially as my children transitioned from toddlers to school-age. This longing deepened during cultural events hosted by other Indian communities, which, while heartwarming, highlighted what we were missing—our own traditions, food, language, and culture.
I knew I couldn’t be the only one feeling this way. Surely, others in Ottawa’s Pahadi diaspora shared the desire to connect, build a network, and pass on our values to the next generation. But with Pahadi migrants being relatively few, the challenge of uniting them was significant. This only strengthened my resolve to take action.
Our heritage runs deep. How can one forget the narrow mountain trails, curving hillside roads, serene rivers, fresh air, and the honesty of our people? Uttarakhand, Devbhoomi—the land of Gods—is a place of profound beauty and unshakable cultural roots.
In Ottawa, however, finding others who shared this heritage was a challenge. The longing to celebrate and preserve our traditions for ourselves and our children became impossible to ignore. Action wasn’t just necessary; it was urgent.
This led to an exhilarating idea: hosting the first-ever Pahadi community event in Ottawa. More than just an event, it was a declaration of identity, a moment of unity, and a step toward preserving and promoting our culture.
This blog post recounts that journey—from the spark of an idea to the triumph of gathering our diaspora and overcoming obstacles. It’s a testament to the power of community, the strength of cultural roots, and the resilience needed to preserve a heritage far from home.
Making of Team:
In December 2020, at the BLS office in Ottawa, I was standing in a long queue to renew my passport when a tall, strong-built man entered with a friend who had just arrived in Ottawa and needed a passport renewal. His unmistakable Pahadi demeanor immediately caught my attention.
I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you from Uttarakhand?” That simple question led to a lively five-minute conversation. He introduced himself as Satpal Singh Sajwan, owner of the Mumbai Masala restaurant in Ottawa. Before we parted, something remarkable happened: he handed me his credit card—with the PIN—and asked me to assist his friend, who was unfamiliar with the city and its language. He also gave me his number and invited me to visit his restaurant after helping his friend.
It was my first encounter with Satpal Singh, yet he trusted me completely—a reflection of Pahadi culture’s core values of trust, generosity, and community. Since then, we’ve met several times, always discussing our shared dream: uniting the Pahadi diaspora in Ottawa to build a vibrant community.
Birth of UDHSO and First Pahadi Event:
Mid-November 2024, Satpal Ji called me over the phone. "A folk Phahdi singers group is coming to Edmonton. Should we invite them to Ottawa? "I did not even think and said "yes". Next, we sat together in Mumbai Masala Grill downtown and made a detailed plan. The summary of whatever we did, we would do it in an organized way under a registered association, and hence Uttarakhand Devbhoomi Heritage Society Ottawa (UDHSO), OCN#1001077588 came into existence. The event date was planned for 5th January 2025.
Our first challenge was creating awareness about our initiative. We created a WhatsApp group to contact local Pahadi residents. Within a couple of days, around 150 people joined the group. Along with many people, we were also surprised and relieved to learn there were sizable community members, as social gatherings in our community were scarce.
We designed an engaging event flyer to share the event's details and posted it on various social media platforms. We also launched our website; www.udhso.ca to provide more details about our organization and event and ticket distribution.
Within 20 days of the launch of ticket sell, Event tickets were sold out. On huge demand we had to release more tickets. We sold 130 tickets, while initial plan was for a gathering of 100 people.
The Day of the Event: A Dream Realized
When the event day arrived, the hall buzzed with excitement. Over 150 attendees came dressed in traditional attire, some even bringing family members along. Witnessing our plans come to life was surreal; the Pahadi community was finally gathered under one roof.
Conversations flowed freely, stories were exchanged, and laughter filled the air. An overwhelming sense of belonging embraced us all. Many people were astonished by the number of Pahadi families living in Ottawa, sparking new friendships and connections.
Reflections and Future Goals
As the event concluded, we reflected on the overwhelming support we received. The success of our first Pahadi community event wasn’t just about food or music—it was a celebration of identity, belonging, and the love shared by our community members. Our sponsors played a vital role in supporting our mission and significantly contributed to our success. Their support turned our vision into reality.
Sponsors | |
Madhuban Indian Cuisine | Shri Bhagat Singh Ji |
Negi Indian Cuisine | Shri Manvendra Negi ji |
SONA The Indian Kitchen | Shri Virendra Singh Negi Ji |
Mumbai Masala Grill | Shri Vishal Singh and Shri Satpal Singh Ji |
Moderne Maison Fournitures and Maitresses | Shri Mohit Kumar JI |
Satpal Ji's exceptional ability to find solutions within limited timeframes is remarkable. His unwavering dedication and "let's do it" attitude are inspiring.
This event proved that our community could thrive even far from Uttarakhand. We hope to make this celebration an annual tradition, honouring our culture and strengthening connections. We envision expanding the event to include workshops, guest speakers, and interactive sessions that explore our rich traditions and address contemporary challenges within our diaspora.
A New Chapter Begins
As we move forward, we invite others to embrace and share our rich heritage with pride. The warmth and generosity of the Pahadi spirit are boundless; we look forward to a bright future with this foundation.
Our team hope to inspire other diaspora communities to celebrate their traditions and actively participate in cultural exchange. Let every celebration weave a new thread into our collective story as we unite, celebrate, and uplift one another. Together, we will ensure that the spirit of Uttarakhand shines brightly, no matter where we are in the world.
Neeraj Joshi
President, UDHSO
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