In honour of Anti-Bullying Day, the BC Lions helped bring attention to the challenges faced by children everywhere, with a little Bollywood twist.
The flash mob saw over 600 students alongside BC Lions players Emmanuel Arceneaux, Jason Arakgi, and Eric Fraser take to the field outside of North Delta Secondary School, to dance to Justin Beiber’s “Children,” and “Shaam Shaandaar” from the Bollywood film Shaandaar, with choreography from Shiamak Davar International Canada,
Organizer Sean Bindra of Vancouver says the goal of the event is to spread a message of love and happiness, and to let people know they are not alone.
“Bullying has a negative impact on all of us. Whether it is physical, verbal, or cyber bullying, each form results in lowering peoples’ self-esteem and making people dislike themselves,” Bindra told Vancity Buzz. “Life is way too short to be spreading negativity and hate.”
This year’s event serves the double purpose paying homage to Bindra’s cousin, Binda Khun-Khun, who passed away from cancer last year. In honour of him, the dancers carried blue scarves – Binda’s favourite colour.
“[My cousin] loved this community, loved giving back, and he loved the kids,” says Bindra. “He was like a brother to me. He was my hero growing up, and I wanted to be just like him. He played a strong role in making me the man I am today.”
With the ideals taught to him by his cousin, as well as his parents, Bindra says he hopes the flash mob helps victim’s of bullying realize they have support, and bully’s recognize the error of their ways.
“Rather than talking down to someone or making fun of people, we should tell people how much we care for them and love them,” he says. “At the end of the day, the truth is that we are all beautiful in our own way and our uniqueness should not be frowned upon but celebrated.”
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