Maritime Bhangra's 'joyful activism' thinks globally, and acts locally
It's been five years since a small group of Sikh students at Dalhousie University started dancing because they missed home.
But something magical happened when they started sharing videos of their dances online. It spawned a movement they call joyful activism, which helps local causes such as Feed Nova Scotia.
"The idea of joyful activism was something that came from us trying to understand this new world we became a part of after we opted to come here and study," says Hasmeet Singh Chandok, a co-founder of Maritime Bhangra. "In general, as we looked around the world at the state of activism, it was very angry."
Chandok says food security is a cause the group has taken an interest in.
"I think it's very important for all of us to understand that food is something we all need irrespective of where we come from," he said.
Nova Scotia has the highest rate of food insecurity in Canada -- one-in-six households are food insecure -- which is why it is some important for them, and others, to take action.
"I always feel it's going to be a partnership between the society and the government," Chandok says. "The charities and non-profits, so we are just trying to play a small role."
Chandok says the group is grateful to people around the world, but especially to people in Nova Scotia.
"(They) have given us so much love and now people around the world are watching what we are doing," he said. "We are creating a dance project where we are mixing the dance of Bhangra dance the one we do with the dances here in ns with the different communities for example Highland dancing and Irish dancing to get the message of uniformity and universal love."
Some of them have already been recorded and they will be released in the next few weeks, Chandok says.
"I think the whole purpose of creating those videos is to show the kid in the class that feels like he or she is different and may not be able to find friends so easily, I think they will be able to find friends in that classroom," said.
He encouraged others to take up "joyful activism."
"If you see anything in your community that needs to be changed, take the smallest action possible and eventually people will come together with you, and I think we could solve any problem in our community if we can get people together and then get the conversation started with decision makers and policy makers," Chandok says.
Maritime Bhangra continues to build bridges and they have a lot going on. On top of their continued work for Feed Nova Scotia and food banks across Canada.
Their story is the focus of a documentary called Behind the Bhangra Boys and a clip from it was used in the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which Chandok says was a dream come true.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.