Community activists
Creator: Chandra Bodalia
Description
Photograph of Gordon Campbell shaking hands with Riasat Ali Khan at a community meet-and-greet regarding the B.C. Liberal Party, in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Balwant Sanghera can be seen in the background.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Riasat Ali Khan was born in India, but his family shifted to Pakistan after independence. Khan immigrated to Canada in 1959, working in the correctional services. Khan was a prominent leader of the Pakistani-Canadian community in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.). Khan was the founder of the Pakistan-Canada Association, which opened the first mosque in 1963, the Al Jamia Masjid in Vancouver, B.C. He served as the head of the B.C. Immigrant Services Society. Khan was also a board member of the B.C. Cancer Society and a delegate to the Committee for Racial Justice.
Balwant Sanghera immigrated to Canada in 1966, starting his teaching career in Northern B.C. before earning a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia and becoming a school psychologist. He developed innovative programs for youth with mental health challenges and played a key role in mentoring and expanding similar initiatives across the province. He has held leadership positions in Richmond's multicultural and community organizations, including being president of the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society and the Punjabi Language Education Association of British Columbia, chair of Richmond's Intercultural Advisory Committee, President of the East Richmond Community Association and an organizer of Multi-Fest, a summer festival to celebrate Richmond's diversity. His contributions to education and public service have earned him the Order of British Columbia and multiple Jubilee Medals, including the Queen's Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Riasat Ali Khan was born in India, but his family shifted to Pakistan after independence. Khan immigrated to Canada in 1959, working in the correctional services. Khan was a prominent leader of the Pakistani-Canadian community in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.). Khan was the founder of the Pakistan-Canada Association, which opened the first mosque in 1963, the Al Jamia Masjid in Vancouver, B.C. He served as the head of the B.C. Immigrant Services Society. Khan was also a board member of the B.C. Cancer Society and a delegate to the Committee for Racial Justice.
Balwant Sanghera immigrated to Canada in 1966, starting his teaching career in Northern B.C. before earning a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia and becoming a school psychologist. He developed innovative programs for youth with mental health challenges and played a key role in mentoring and expanding similar initiatives across the province. He has held leadership positions in Richmond's multicultural and community organizations, including being president of the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society and the Punjabi Language Education Association of British Columbia, chair of Richmond's Intercultural Advisory Committee, President of the East Richmond Community Association and an organizer of Multi-Fest, a summer festival to celebrate Richmond's diversity. His contributions to education and public service have earned him the Order of British Columbia and multiple Jubilee Medals, including the Queen's Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals.
Creator: Chandra Bodalia
Description
Photograph of Gordon Campbell with Anup Singh Jubbal at a storefront in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Campbell was in Surrey for a community meet-and-greet pertaining to the B.C. Liberal Party.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Anup Singh Jubbal (July 19, 1935 - August 28, 2021) was born in Lucknow, India and immigrated to Canada in 1968, where he initially resided in Kamloops, British Columbia before relocating to the Greater Vancouver area in 1986. Jubbal was a businessman, community activist and the Founder, President, and CEO of Canadian Eyesight Global, an organization committed to prevent blindness among impoverished citizens in rural India. After joining the Rotary Club of Burnaby-Hastings in 1986, Jubbal soon became Chairman of the Rotary's International Service Committee. He served two terms as President of Rotary Club of Burnaby-Hasting (1997 and 2001). He was the driving force behind two very successful Rotary fund-raising activities – the 1988 International Polio Plus Project, which notably raised large sums of money for the immunization of children around the world; and the 1989 Rotary Project Eyesight-India, which funded cataract operations for India's poor rural residents. Jubbal has been a recipient of numerous recognitions and awards, including, the Meritorious Service Medal in 1997, presented by Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada, and the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Award in 1998, presented by Paul Martin, Federal Minister of Finance, Canada.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Anup Singh Jubbal (July 19, 1935 - August 28, 2021) was born in Lucknow, India and immigrated to Canada in 1968, where he initially resided in Kamloops, British Columbia before relocating to the Greater Vancouver area in 1986. Jubbal was a businessman, community activist and the Founder, President, and CEO of Canadian Eyesight Global, an organization committed to prevent blindness among impoverished citizens in rural India. After joining the Rotary Club of Burnaby-Hastings in 1986, Jubbal soon became Chairman of the Rotary's International Service Committee. He served two terms as President of Rotary Club of Burnaby-Hasting (1997 and 2001). He was the driving force behind two very successful Rotary fund-raising activities – the 1988 International Polio Plus Project, which notably raised large sums of money for the immunization of children around the world; and the 1989 Rotary Project Eyesight-India, which funded cataract operations for India's poor rural residents. Jubbal has been a recipient of numerous recognitions and awards, including, the Meritorious Service Medal in 1997, presented by Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada, and the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Award in 1998, presented by Paul Martin, Federal Minister of Finance, Canada.
Creator: Chandra Bodalia
Description
Photograph of Gordon Campbell with a group of unidentified individuals, including Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains and Dr. Gulzar Singh Cheema at a commercial plaza located in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Campbell was in Surrey for a community meet-and-greet pertaining to the B.C. Liberal Party.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains (1936-2016) was born in India, in a village called Dagana Kalan, near Hoshiarpur. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts from Punjab University, India. Bains immigrated to Canada in 1990, where he worked as a volunteer, community activist and educator for many organizations to promote cultural understanding and mutual respect between Indo-Canadian and other communities in B.C. He earned drug-counseling certifications from different institutions in Canada and USA. Bains presented at seminars and conferences worldwide on the subjects of AIDS awareness, drugs and youth, environmental issues, multiculturalism and world peace. He is the author of the Encyclopedia of Sikhism, an educational reference that covers Sikh religion, history, culture and heritage, which was released in 1996. Bains also produced and programmed the Multimedia Sikh Museum in India, the first of its kind in the world. He is the recipient of multiple awards, local, national and international. These include the Scholar of the 20th Century by the Government of Panjab, the Order of Khalsa, the Bhai Gurdas International Award, the Wisdom of Age Mentorship Award, the Good Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Surrey, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding community service. He was also honored with the Order of British Columbia, Prime Minister Award, and Governor General Caring Award by the Canadian government.
Dr. Gulzar Singh Cheema is a family physician in Surrey, British Columbia, and a former member of the Legislative Assembly in Manitoba, 1988-1993. Cheema immigrated to Canada in December, 1979, and was the first Indian-born Canadian doctor to be elected to a legislative assembly in Canada in 1988. Cheema was elected in B.C. in May 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge. On June 05, 2001 Cheema was appointed as a member of the Executive Council for the Government of B.C. as Minister of State for Mental Health. On January 26, 2004, he was appointed as a member of the Executive Council for the Government of B.C. as Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services. He also served as a critic for health. He received his Bachelor of Medicine and surgery from India's Punjab University, interned at the University of Newfoundland and was a resident at Saskatoon's University Hospital. In 1992 he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal for community service. In 2014, Cheema was recognized by the Doctors of British Columbia Medical Association, for an Individual Award of Excellence in Health Promotion for his outstanding and continuing work educating the Indo-Canadian population about disease prevention and promotion.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains (1936-2016) was born in India, in a village called Dagana Kalan, near Hoshiarpur. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts from Punjab University, India. Bains immigrated to Canada in 1990, where he worked as a volunteer, community activist and educator for many organizations to promote cultural understanding and mutual respect between Indo-Canadian and other communities in B.C. He earned drug-counseling certifications from different institutions in Canada and USA. Bains presented at seminars and conferences worldwide on the subjects of AIDS awareness, drugs and youth, environmental issues, multiculturalism and world peace. He is the author of the Encyclopedia of Sikhism, an educational reference that covers Sikh religion, history, culture and heritage, which was released in 1996. Bains also produced and programmed the Multimedia Sikh Museum in India, the first of its kind in the world. He is the recipient of multiple awards, local, national and international. These include the Scholar of the 20th Century by the Government of Panjab, the Order of Khalsa, the Bhai Gurdas International Award, the Wisdom of Age Mentorship Award, the Good Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Surrey, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding community service. He was also honored with the Order of British Columbia, Prime Minister Award, and Governor General Caring Award by the Canadian government.
Dr. Gulzar Singh Cheema is a family physician in Surrey, British Columbia, and a former member of the Legislative Assembly in Manitoba, 1988-1993. Cheema immigrated to Canada in December, 1979, and was the first Indian-born Canadian doctor to be elected to a legislative assembly in Canada in 1988. Cheema was elected in B.C. in May 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge. On June 05, 2001 Cheema was appointed as a member of the Executive Council for the Government of B.C. as Minister of State for Mental Health. On January 26, 2004, he was appointed as a member of the Executive Council for the Government of B.C. as Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services. He also served as a critic for health. He received his Bachelor of Medicine and surgery from India's Punjab University, interned at the University of Newfoundland and was a resident at Saskatoon's University Hospital. In 1992 he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal for community service. In 2014, Cheema was recognized by the Doctors of British Columbia Medical Association, for an Individual Award of Excellence in Health Promotion for his outstanding and continuing work educating the Indo-Canadian population about disease prevention and promotion.
Creator: Chandra Bodalia
Description
Photograph of Gordon Campbell with a group of unidentified individuals, including Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains at a storefront in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Campbell was in Surrey for a community meet-and-greet pertaining to the B.C. Liberal Party.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains (1936-2016) was born in India, in a village called Dagana Kalan, near Hoshiarpur. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts from Punjab University, India. Bains immigrated to Canada in 1990, where he worked as a volunteer, community activist and educator for many organizations to promote cultural understanding and mutual respect between Indo-Canadian and other communities in B.C. He earned drug-counseling certifications from different institutions in Canada and USA. Bains presented at seminars and conferences worldwide on the subjects of AIDS awareness, drugs and youth, environmental issues, multiculturalism and world peace. He is the author of the Encyclopedia of Sikhism, an educational reference that covers Sikh religion, history, culture and heritage, which was released in 1996. Bains also produced and programmed the Multimedia Sikh Museum in India, the first of its kind in the world. He is the recipient of multiple awards, local, national and international. These include the Scholar of the 20th Century by the Government of Panjab, the Order of Khalsa, the Bhai Gurdas International Award, the Wisdom of Age Mentorship Award, the Good Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Surrey, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding community service. He was also honored with the Order of British Columbia, Prime Minister Award, and Governor General Caring Award by the Canadian government.
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.
Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains (1936-2016) was born in India, in a village called Dagana Kalan, near Hoshiarpur. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts from Punjab University, India. Bains immigrated to Canada in 1990, where he worked as a volunteer, community activist and educator for many organizations to promote cultural understanding and mutual respect between Indo-Canadian and other communities in B.C. He earned drug-counseling certifications from different institutions in Canada and USA. Bains presented at seminars and conferences worldwide on the subjects of AIDS awareness, drugs and youth, environmental issues, multiculturalism and world peace. He is the author of the Encyclopedia of Sikhism, an educational reference that covers Sikh religion, history, culture and heritage, which was released in 1996. Bains also produced and programmed the Multimedia Sikh Museum in India, the first of its kind in the world. He is the recipient of multiple awards, local, national and international. These include the Scholar of the 20th Century by the Government of Panjab, the Order of Khalsa, the Bhai Gurdas International Award, the Wisdom of Age Mentorship Award, the Good Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Surrey, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding community service. He was also honored with the Order of British Columbia, Prime Minister Award, and Governor General Caring Award by the Canadian government.