Dear Families and Friends of Air India Flight 182 Victims,
Less than a month ago, we commemorated the 40th anniversary of the tragic Air India bombing on June 23, 1985, our hearts remain with you, sharing in your loss and honouring your loved ones. On that tragic day, 331 lives were taken: 268 Canadians, including 137 youth under 18, among whom were 82 children under 13. Each was a precious life, deeply loved and forever missed.
Yet, the awareness of this tragedy remains disappointingly low. The Angus Reid Institute survey from June 2025 concluded that around 90% of Canadians know little to nothing about the Air India bombing. However, the survey also reveals strong support among Canadians for increased education about this event, recognizing its importance as a significant part of our national history.
Some of us had felt this public ignorance and apathy for years and as a society that we had failed to recognise or commemorate the grave injustice done to the unfortunate victims of Air India 182 tragedy. With that in mind, the concept of Kanishka40Team began a few months ago, as a grassroots societal commemoration of the tragedy, that most Canadians knew so little about.
The movement that began as a thought amongst a few of us, has in this short period grown into a passion based public movement that covers all of Canadian society, with public organisations of all hues, groups, beliefs, religions, and society joining up in support with us. We are especially heartened by the collaborative energy being brought between Hindu and Sikh communities, emphasizing that this act of terrorism was not related to race, religion, or background. As seen in this article, getting all the diverse support as possible is essential for our cause: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/air-india-bombing-learning-centre-1.7568222
This common public ignorance has strongly influenced our fight for principles. That all the families deserve, at the very least, the recognition for their sacrifices and loss. Leading us to our goal at Kanishka40 which is:
“The establishment of the Kanishka Memorial Learning Centre, which is more than bricks and mortar, it symbolizes recognition, validation, and healing… Through education, reflection, and unity, we can transform tragedy into a lasting legacy of peace and compassion.”
The proposed Kanishka Memorial Learning Centre will:
• Include a dedicated space, “Kids and Young Adults of Kanishka,” honouring the 137 young victims, carefully preserving their memories and stories.
• Provide an educational hub hosting artefact of the tragedy and literature contributions from families and others, which will serve to inform and inspire future generations about the devastating impact of terrorism, the resilience of multicultural Canada, and the enduring value of unity and compassion.
• Feature a memorial wall and reflection garden, and the Irish Sundial, drawing inspiration from revered international memorials such as the 9/11 Memorial in New York, and the original Air India Memorial at Ahakista, offering spaces for quiet contemplation and collective healing.
We invite you as families and friends of those who lost loved ones on the Air India Kanishka 182, to please join our petition on the website: https://kanishka40.ca/ with a view to convince the government to join hands with us to build this learning center.
We intend on revealing more information on the 24th of August. From 5pm to 8pm, in Vancouver, B.C, the Kanishka40Team is hosting a commemorative event to remember and honor the victims of that darkest tragedy in Canadian History. The gathering will offer a space for friends and families to share their stories, connect with the public figures in the broader community, and engage in dialogue around justice, healing, and future initiatives related to education and public police.
This is our formal request and invitation to you and all other families and friends, that have been so tragically impacted by this event.
We recognize that no words can ever truly capture the depth of your loss, but through remembrance and collective action, we hope to honour the lives taken and the pain endured. Our goal is not only a reflect the past but to build a future that ensures such tragedies are never forgotten. We sincerely hope you can join us on August 24th, as we remember together, speak openly, and continue the journey toward justice, awareness, and healing.
Here is the registration link for more information on the event : https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kanishka-victims-40th-anniversary-tickets-1489639595129?aff=oddtdtcreator
With heartfelt sympathy, unwavering solidarity, and hopeful determination,
The Kanishka 40 Team
www.kanishka40.ca
Kanishkaforty@gmail.com