[Photograph of Sahib Thind and Amitoj Maan at Bear Creek Park in Surrey]

Photograph of Amitoj Maan, holding an award, and Sahib Thind at the 8th annual Mela Gadri Babiyan Da. The event was organized by the Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation and took place at Bear Creek Park in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Maan was presented with an award by the Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation in recognition of his contribution to Panjabi Films and Culture.

Amitoj Maan, born and raised in Panjab, India, is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter, known for his work in the Panjabi film industry. Maan began his career in the entertainment industry as a writer and worked on several successful Panjabi films. He made his directorial debut with the film "Hawayein" (2003), which was a commercial success. From there Maan went on to direct and produce several other Panjabi films. His films often tackle social issues, family dynamics, and the cultural complexities of Panjab. In addition to his work in the Panjabi film industry, Maan has also collaborated with Bollywood actors and has ventured into Hindi cinema.

Sahib Thind was born in the village Thatha Nawan in the District Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi in 1961. He immigrated to Canada along with his family in 1983. Thind is the founder of the Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, a non-partisan, non-denominational, human rights foundation. His foundation travelled across Canada and abroad to bring attention to the 1914 Komagata Maru tragedy and lobby for an official Parliament apology in various legislative assemblies, including those in B.C. and in the Indian State of Panjab. After 94 years, the B.C. legislature unanimously passed a motion on May 23, 2008, apologizing for the Komagata Maru incident. Thind was presented with the Medal of Good Citizenship in 2017. He was honoured with the medal for his dedication to his unwavering dedication to human rights. For almost a quarter century he had been the driving force for a formal Parliamentary apology for the 1914 Komagata Maru tragedy in which hundreds of passengers from India who sought refuge in the country and province were denied entry to Canada and turned away without benefit of the fair and impartial treatment benefitting a society where people of all cultures are welcomed and accepted.

The mela (festival), sponsored by Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation (Canada), is dedicated to the memory of South Asians on the Komagata Maru ship who were turned away from Vancouver, the Ghadar movement and Indian freedom fighters. The festival also commemorates and celebrates the Gadri Babai, immigrants from Panjab who fought for the end of colonialism in South Asia.

The Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation of Canada is a secular human rights organization based in Greater Vancouver, B.C.. The Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation has advocated to recognize and help address the historic wrongs committed against South Asian migrants who were denied access to Canada over the past century (with particular focus on the Komagata Maru tragedy). In the years since, the Foundation has fought for justice and human rights for all Canadians, and marginalized communities everywhere. The foundation holds 'Mela Gadri Babiyan Da' at Bear Creek Park in Surrey, B.C., the first weekend of August each year. This is the largest event of its kind outside of India.