Festival goers dancing at The Rang De Basanti 2026 Holi Festival, Riverside Park, Kamloops | Amira Alam, Thompson Rivers University
On March 29, Kamloops gathered at Riverside Park to celebrate The Rang De Basanti 2026 Holi Festival of Colours. Hosted by the Kamloops Indian Club, the event went beyond just its bright colours, showcasing Indian culture through food, music, and dance, with live DJs energizing the crowd. The Hindi phrase Rang De Basanti – meaning “paint it yellow” or “the colour of spring,” is a common theme for Holi events as it symbolizes the vibrant spirit of this celebration.
Holi, observed this year on March 4, is the Hindu festival of colour, love, and spring. Celebrated during the last full moon (Purnima) in the lunar month Phalguna – typically falling in March – it marks the arrival of spring and signifies the triumph of good over evil.
Holi is rooted in Indian mythology, and its spirit of joy, renewal, and colour is echoed in the story of Krishna and Radha. Krishna, self-conscious about his blue skin, worried Radha might be uncomfortable with his appearance. His mother playfully suggested he smear colour on Radha’s face, inspiring Holi’s tradition of celebrating with colour as a motif of love and devotion. The powder used today is called gulal, which is a vibrant, biodegradable and non-toxic cornstarch-based powder coloured with food-grade dyes.
High school senior Saanjh Sharma and Vasu Khurana, working with event sponsor Wireless Centre, shared what celebrating Holi in Kamloops means to them, highlighting the importance of cultural events that foster community and connection away from home. Learn more about the festivities in the video above, and maybe you’ll be inspired to join the celebration next year!
North Tower, on campus Housing at Thompson Rivers University. The first home for many international students in Kamloops. | Amira Alam, Thompson Rivers University
The settler name Kamloops derives from the Secwépemc word Tk̓emlúps, meaning “where the rivers meet.” Beyond the literal meeting of the North and South Thompson rivers, Kamloops has long been a gathering place for many cultures and communities. Built on the unceded, ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation, Secwepemcúĺecw, the city has been home to many people over time. Today, Kamloops continues to welcome people from around the world.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) reflects this diversity. As of 2025, the university hosts 8,035 international students – online and in-person – who make up approximately 28 per cent of the student population. Students at TRU come from 118 different countries, bringing a wide range of perspectives, traditions, and experiences to campus.
With people arriving from so many different places, the idea of “home” can become complicated. Many students leave their families and support systems behind to pursue opportunities in Canada, often arriving alone and having to build a new sense of community and belonging. For international students and immigrants in Kamloops, defining home is not always straightforward.
International students at TRU, Lee Weber and Mohammadhosein Hasanpour, along with alumnus Imtiaj Hossain Chowdhury, shared their perspectives on what home means to them and how they experience life in Kamloops.
For Canadian readers, their stories offer a moment for reflection on the values that shape our communities. Cultural norms and everyday behaviours are noticed and experienced by newcomers. While Canada is often described as a welcoming country known for the kindness of its people, challenges remain. Many immigrants still encounter discrimination even as they pursue the opportunities that brought them here.
Immigrants bring vibrancy, knowledge, and culture with them. Taking time to acknowledge the neighbour beside you or the classmate sitting next to you can open the door to new perspectives. Conversations and shared experiences help communities grow stronger. The people interviewed for this story are individuals I encounter in my day-to-day life. Their voices are a reminder that immigrants are not outsiders to our communities — they are part of them.
Signage for the International Building at TRU. Photo taken by Amira Alam
Recent changes to Canadian immigration policy are having a profound impact at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), as declining international enrolment and tighter study permit regulations ripple through programs, staffing, and long-term planning. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to reduce “Canada’s temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by 2027.”
According to one International Student Advisor (ISA) at TRU, the IRCC has “aggressively reduced the number of international students.” Nationally, the amount of valid study permit holders has fallen from over one million in early 2024 to approximately 725,000 by September 2025 – and is expected to drop further, as stated by the Government of Canada. With fewer study permits approved and stricter application reviews, the immigrant community in Kamloops and institutions like TRU are feeling the strain.
International Student Advisor, Tanvir Alam, at the ISA Help Desk in TRU’s International Building. Photo taken by Amira Alam
Abdul Kader Noman, a care aid from Bangladesh who’s been in Canada for three years, says “We heard that immigration [to Canada] would be smooth as butter. But no – the scenario has changed a lot now.” However, he adds that the increased scrutiny of visa applications is not the crux of this issue. “We needed a change, but the problem is the government is changing so drastically and so quickly. Students and immigrants are struggling to cope with the new policies.”
The tightening of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility has further complicated matters. “We had approximately 15 [programs] that were eligible for post graduation work permits and went down to only three.” For many international students, the ability to gain Canadian work experience after graduation is a key reason to study in Kamloops. “If your program isn’t giving post-graduation work permits… why am I in it?” one advisor asked. “Many of those colleges – this was their key selling point.”
Financially, the consequences are significant. International students pay substantially higher tuition than domestic students – making them a major source of institutional revenue. Noman says he paid nearly $10,000 for his eight-month Health Care Access Program (HCAP), while many permanent residents and domestic students are paid to study. “I have some students who work with me, and they get about $3,000 every month just to go to school,” he says. While such funding initiatives may help address healthcare labour shortages, the disparity between domestic and international students in the same program is striking. With enrolment declining and students graduating who are not being replaced at previous rates, the international population is rapidly decreasing. “Little money coming in… you need funds to pay staff and everything. So it’s going to affect personnel. That’s just the truth,” says one ISA.
Students working in TRU’s International Building. Photo by Amira Alam
While the changes are drastic, the university is working hard to mitigate these abrupt shifts in enrolment. An ISA informs that, “Compared to a lot of institutions, TRU has done pretty well in trying to retain staff.” Some employees have been offered early retirement options to help “balance the books,” and leadership is described as having “tried as much as they possibly can” to preserve positions.
To support students navigating stricter processes, TRU has partnered with BorderPass , a group of trusted Canadian immigration lawyers, offering document assistance at no extra cost for future students. However, this battle is far form over. “If it’s a five-stage process, I’d say we’re still at two,” one staff member reflected.
As enrolment continues to contract, the university faces the challenge of adapting programs to align with Canada’s labour needs. “There are ways to navigate this [budget deficits],” a source noted. “You have to find programs that, when you finish, can provide benefit to Canada.”
As the federal government continues to roll out these objectives, TRU is working to maintain stability for its staff and students – a task that may become increasingly challenging in the years ahead.
