COCHRANE— Celebrating a community member who embodies the spirit of Cochrane, Jag Thind and his restaurant Mehtab East Indian Cuisine have been named the 2020 Labour Day Parade (Display) marshal.
Cochrane and Area Events Society vice president Erika Richards said Thind was the perfect parade marshal because he embodies the spirit of community and the drive to give back to others.
It is a privilege to shine a light on Jag and Mehtab, she said, because he exemplifies the spirit of Cochrane through his kindness and generosity.
Thind said he was shocked, but excited, to be named the 2020 parade marshall.
“I didn’t expect that at all,” Thind said with a grin. “I’m excited, nervous as well— I’m so proud and honoured.”
Since launching Mehtab in 2011, Jag and his wife and partner, Gunjeet Thind, have been very involved in the community of Cochrane. Thind has become well known for the support he gives to the Cochrane community.
When they were debating who to name as the 2020 parade marshal, Richards said, she was struck by a sign on Mehtab’s door inviting those in need of a free hot meal or a cup of coffee to come in for a visit no questions asked.
“We just thought that was so, so Cochrane. We looked into some of the other stuff that he’s involved with and came to the conclusion that he’s one of those guys that gives so much to the community but he’s quiet and humble about it,” Richards said. “We wanted to honour him.”
Richards said when talking to Thind he told her he is inspired by the people who live in the Cochrane and their dedication to making the community great.
“He exemplifies the spirit he admires,” Richards said.
She added it was especially inspiring to see Thind’s work to help other businesses in Town through the Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce round table discussion he hosts to explore how they can all survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He just keeps giving,” Richards said.
Thind said he feels there is a responsibility as both a member of the community and a business owner to do whatever he can to give back to the community he calls home.
“We got lots of, lots of love from people in Cochrane,” Thind said, describing the support as overwhelming and incredibly meaningful during challenging times like the 2016 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The community comes together during times of crisis, he said, and that experience makes it amazing to be a part of the Cochrane community.
“It’s a good thing to look after each other,” Thind said. “We are not alone.”
Thind said he it has been encouraging to see the community come together during COVID-19 because it gives people and businesses a form of hope to hold onto as things slowly begin to get better.
“Whenever there is a hurdle you have a way around,” Thind said. “Keep loving each other, keep doing what you’re doing, keep the sense of feeling in Cochrane that you don’t see anywhere else."
That feeling of hope made it all the more essential to ensure the Labour Day Parade was able to take place, he said, and he is grateful the Cochrane and Area Events Society was able to craft a unique set of festivities.
More than anything, Thind said, he is thrilled the community will have the opportunity to come together in a year that has been filled with event cancellations and postponements.
In a typical year without the COVID-19 public health restrictions, Thind would lead the Labour Day Parade.
However, this year’s Labour Day Parade will be a little different as guests will be walking by stationary floats in small groups. Thind will be ready and waiting to greet guests when they arrive at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre on Sept. 7.
Richards added the parade will be exciting because it is one of the first times to come together as a community since the introduction of COVID-19 public health measures in March.
It will be a unique experience, Richards said, as social distancing will be encouraged by limiting the number of people at the event at a time and people will be encouraged to wear masks.
“This is what builds the community back up, The spirit and the working together and coming together,” Richards said. “Come out and have fun.”
Richards noted there are still spaces for floats in the Labour Day Parade and volunteers are still needed to serve as tour guides of the parade. To register for the Labour Day Parade visit cochraneevents.ca/parade.php.
The Labour Day Parade (Display) takes place on Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre parking lot.
