During the reception which followed the Sunir/Shannon wedding ceremony – there were speeches by few of the bride’s and groom’s friends and family members.

The first speech & toast were offered by Nina (groom’s sister) at 7.05 pm.

This speech was followed by Heather & Erica ( bride’s sisters) – who delivered their speeches together and offered toast to the newly-wed.

The next speech was by John ) Sunir’s friend and bestman.

Bride’s parents (Kathy & Doug) delivered their speeches – a very touching and emotional moment . This  was then followed by a song  by them.

The following speech was given by Sarah & Deborah – bride’s friends.

The final speech was by groom’s parents (Jashoda & Pravin) .

The groom’s parents’ speeches are given below:

                                                                                                    Saturday     11 October 2008                   Page 1 of 2
                                                                                                 

Sunir Shah”™s Wedding Day

Speech by his dad   (Pravin J. Shah)
 
Hi !   Everyone.                                                                      

Hi!   Shannon     Hi! Sunir

For us as parents, this is a moment of such profound happiness when we see Sunir and Shannon getting married by taking their vows of wedding , synthesizing two great cultures in front of family members and friends.
 
We believe that the blessings of grandparents make this solemn event very auspicious.  
 
Sunir”™s paternal grandmother (Kasturben) who is 87 (and wheel chair bound) has conveyed her blessings from Kenya to both Shannon & Sunir.
 
His Canadian Grandmother (Mrs. Ruth Mckkeracher) was always thinking of Sunir. Though she is no more with us I am sure that her blessings are being showered from above for Sunir and Shannon”™s happiness.
 
Both my wife and I are delighted that Shannon”™s maternal grandparents   (Opal & Ray Magladry)   & paternal grandparents (Rae & Ken Knights) are present here.     Your blessings to the newly wed are really very sacred.
 
It is touching that both, Sunir & Shannon, are very fond of their families.   Shannon   / Sunir, I would like to assure both of you that you are in our hearts every minute.        
 
Sunir has always been very consistent in whatever he does. He does any task with devotion and commitment. When in elementary school after our moving to Deep River, he had to learn playing a recorder. This was a new subject different than what he was learning in Hamilton.   He was 9 at that time.   But he devoted time with great concentration to learn it. His Karate classes in Hamilton were equally well tackled.   While studying at Carleton University and later doing his Masters at University of Toronto, we found him also committed to his outside work. He juggled his study and career well and managed to keep his study marks at the top at all times.
 
On the other side, over the years, we have watched Shannon also. She is just so warm and also very consistent in her commitment and devotion into whatever she wants to do. So between the two there is “resonance”   – a musical quality of oneness and practicality.
 
Shannon, we embrace you as our daughter in the family. Now we have Nina and Shannon as we have Sunir and Sunjay. Sitara (our Granddaughter) is our first link to the future. We are overjoyed that she is present here at her Uncle”™s wedding. Sitara is very fortunate to start her life with coddling by both Sunir & Shannon since her birth.
 
Both my wife and I do appreciate Doug Knights and Kathy Magladry for welcoming our son   (Sunir) into their family with warmth and open hearts.  
 
Our thanks are to the Knights and Magladry families for wonderful welcome given to-day to our family and friends along with the groom”™s party.
 
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the families and friends from Toronto, Deep River area and other parts of Canada and especially those from overseas who came to bless the newly wed couple.
 
Sunir / Shannon we are very proud of both of you.   Our heartfelt Congratulations and our best wishes for your continued happiness.
 
I would like to offer the following HAIKU poem, a traditional Japanese style poem.   I would like you all to join with me and repeat the Haiku lines.  
 
Vows round the candle

Sunir, Shannon gliding into the future
 
Forever entwined.   Amen.
 
 Pravin Shah                                                      

 

Sunir Shah”™s Wedding Day

Speech by his mom   (Jashoda. Shah)
                                                           

Hi!   Shannon     Hi! Sunir

Hi ! Everyone

I just want to walk into the memory lane and talk about Sunir and his sense of responsibility.
 
As he was growing up he was always ready to help in house chores.
 
He would wash, dry and stack dishes at the right place. This was done time and time again without any demand from me. Now drying dishes was his specialty.
 
Also when I would arrive home from grocery shopping, he would invariably show up at the door to help me carry groceries into the house. Not only carry these but also to place each item at the right place.
 
Shannon, you can see that he is well groomed in the domestic engineering, somewhat.
 
I want to thank all for being here to bless the newly wed couple.