The team from Lucknow was highly impressed with the Institute and Botanical garden.

After the visit of Botanical garden, the team went to chalet ( corner of liege and l’epee )

near Park Howard, where Dr. S.C.Rai inaugurated the senior’s center of Bharat Bhavan Foundation at parc extention. Nearly 50 seniors attended the ceremony along with the officials from Bharat Bhavan and city hall. Lunch was served after the inauguration ceremony.

The team visited Mosaiculture, the display of figure with plants, where. Mayor Mr. Bourque welcomed his counterpart from Lucknow . After the excellent visit and some informal talks between Dr. S. C. Rai. & Mr. P. Bourque the team left for Hotel. During this time Dr. Uma was discussing with Mr. Guy Nolin for a release of joint communiqué. In the evening at 7:00 PM the team went to center Pieire Charbonneau, where Mayor of Montreal Mr. P. Bourque again welcomed the team and showed around the Gymnasium. Mr. Bourque welcomed the volunteers who have participated in the Children’ s day program on 20th August 2000. During this time

Dr. Srivastava and Mr. Guy Nolin were again discussing the contents of the joint communiqué to be signed and released by the Mayor’s office.

After their reception Dr. S. C.Rai and his wife left with Mayor Bourque for city hall where an official dinner hosted by him took place. Both Mayors highly praised the efforts of Dr. Uma. Srivastava in bringing the two cities ( Lucknow & Montreal ) together. Dr. Rai went on to say that Dr. Srivastava efforts were pivotal in bringing the two cities so close that an agreement may be in the making. Mayor Bourque assured Mayor Rai that he ( Dr. Rai ) will go back to Lucknow with some declaration in his hands to show the Government of Uttar pradesh that something are in the making of an agreement which will be signed and declared soon before the departure of Dr. S. C. Rai .After exchanges of gifts the team returned to Hotel.

On Saturday 16th Sept., the team along with Dr. Uma Srivastava and C. B. Singh left for Quebec city, there the team visited the research laboratories of Molecular Biology of Prof. M.R.V.Murty who came along with the team to give a tour of Quebec city. After visiting the old city, Chateau frontnec, Plains of Abraham, the team had their lunch at Nupur Restaurant where Mr. M. R. V. Murty was honored by the Mayor of Lucknow. On their return from Quebec city, the team visited Museum of Religion in Nicolet and then came back to Montreal.

In the evening at 7:00 PM a reception dinner was held by the Chitravanshi Association of North America in the honor of Dr. S. C. Rai . After the cocktail Mr. A. N. Srivastava , President of Chitravanshi Association and Chairman of the Board of directors, Bharat Bhavan Foundation announced the signing of partnership agreement between the city of Lucknow and Bharat Bhavan ( see the attached document ) The signing ceremony was popped up with opening of the Champagne and the documents were signed by Dr. S.C. Rai Mayor of Lucknow and Mrs. Brij Bala Jakhu, President of Bharat Bhavan Foundation. After the group photo, the gifts were exchanged between the Mayor of Lucknow , Chitravanshi association and Bharat Bhavan .

Dr. Uma was all the time in contact with Mr.Guy Nolin for the preparation of the text of joint communiqué of two mayors. On Sunday 17th September 2000 morning, Dr Uma arranged for a rented van and a driver Mr. Mohan Bhai Patel of excellent experience to take the team along with Dr. Uma Srivastava and Mr. C. B. Singh to Niagara falls Ontario. The team stopped in the way for the gas fill up and had an excellent east Indian lunch offered by Mr. Patel , Prepared by his wife.

The team reached Niagara falls at 3:00 PM and after spending two hours left for Toronto. In Scarbourgh the team had supper at Mr. S. C. Kanga’s residence, then the team went to retire for the night at Counsel General of India’s residence. The other three members stayed at Mr.Kanga’s

residence. In the morning of 18th Sept. the team made a city tour of Toronto, visiting C N Tower and city hall. At city hall the team was received by Mr. Vinod Sachdev from Counsel General of India’s office , who has arranged a meeting with Councilor Sharon Shaw , who is ethnic origins were from India. After discussion with her the team visited Mayor of Toronto’s office. An exchange of gifts took place, then the team left for lunch at Counsel General’s residence. Mr. Paul Fernandez ,( brother of defense minister Mr. George Fernandez ) and Honorable member of Parliament Mr. Jun Kariyajianis were present at the dinner. The Counsel General of Toronto Mr.Bhandari informed Dr. Srivastava that Mr. Guy Nolin wanted to talk to him .At phone he read the text of the joint communiqué, which was perfect with the Mayor of Lucknow.

After the lunch and exchange of gifts the team left for the residence of His excellency the High Commissioner of India in Ottawa. Upon arrival the team was greeted by Shri Rajni Kant Verma the High Commissioner of India and his family. After a cocktail reception a Gourmet dinner was served and to top the dinner was the Ras Malai.. Next morning on 19th September the team visited the planning commission of Ottawa city on the invitation of Shri Gopal Srivastava,

Mr. R. Sharma Counsellor of the High commission of India accompanied the team. After this the team had a guided tour of the Canadian Parliament and was lucky to attend the Parliament session from the public gallery. After this visit the team went to visit the Depty High Commissioner of Ottawa’s office, and had lunch at Depty High Commissioner’s residence. Team went to city tour of Ottawa and some shopping. In the evening the India - Canada Association of Ottawa gave a reception dinner in honor of

Dr. S. C. Rai Mayor of Lucknow.

The next morning on Wednesday 20th Sept. Mr. Nolin informed Dr. Srivastava that Mayor Rai should be in Montreal at 3:00 PM. The team came back to Montreal and went for lunch at Dr. Uma’s residence. After an excellent gourmet lunch prepared by Dr. Srivastava himself .

( He came one day earlier to Montreal ) including Bharva Baigun, Dam Aloo, Bhindi Biryani, Shahi Tofu and three layered paratha. The lunch was topped with Khoya and cashew burfy, Halwa and Lukun. At 3:00 PM Mayor of Lucknow Dr.S. C. Rai and Mayor of Montreal Mr. Pierre Bourque signed a joint communiqué .( See the attached text )

After this signing the team went to take tea at Dr. P. N. Srivastava’s residence. After that Dr. S. C. Rai went to Dorval Airport and left Montreal for Paris, London and Paris , New Delhi. This assurance of joint communiqué has brought us closer towards joining of two cities Lucknow - Montreal.

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