Today (11th Sept-2015) marks the
final step in a 10-year journey for my family, as we complete our quest for
acquiring Canadian Citizenship- a process we started in Sep-2005
I write this with mixed feelings. When I
woke up today I was an Indian citizen and by the time the sun sets today I will
have become a Canadian Citizen having taken the oath of citizenship at a
Citizenship ceremony in the Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton after which I will
receive the certificate of citizenship
The citizenship ceremony involves affirming
to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the
Second, Queen of Canada (the symbol of the government in Canada) and to
faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian
Citizen. (Note: The Queen personifies the state and is the personal symbol of
allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians). My wife, Anita and
Rohan will be by my side as we together embrace a new identity as citizens of
the first world. (Note: My daughter,
Ankita acquired Canadian Citizenship earlier this year).
Today will also commence a process of
renouncing Indian Citizenship, surrendering our passport and (optionally)
acquiring Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status and documentation. India does
not recognize dual citizenship, hence they have devised this OCI status which
equates us with NRIs in terms of financial transactions, property ownership and
visa-free entry into India.
From a legal standpoint, this milestone for
us means that henceforth we will travel on a Canadian passport and be eligible
to vote in Canadian elections while losing the right to vote in Indian
elections. The Canadian passport is decidedly more respected and accepted as it
enables visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to over 177 countries. Other than
that very little changes. Canada encourages landed immigrants to bring with
them their cultural heritage and value systems from their land of birth and
upbringing. Canadians are rightfully proud of the multiculturalism that is visible
everywhere you look. So we will continue to be Indian at heart while also being
Canadian in our outlook and worldview.
As the saying goes, you can take a person
out of India but you cannot take India out of a person!
