Award for Excellence in the Community Engagement – Dr. Randeep Gill
Dr. Randeep Gill is a passionate physician and a relentless advocate for equitable healthcare. Recognizing the deep inequities in healthcare access, Dr. Gill led a grassroots movement challenging the government to address these disparities. He organized a groundbreaking healthcare rally that drew attention to critical gaps in medical infrastructure. His efforts were instrumental in securing a government promise for a new cardiac catheterization lab, the only one south of the Fraser, slated to open in mid-2025. Six months after the rally, Dr. Gill highlighted the lack of progress on acute care and maternity bed shortages. He subsequently launched a media campaign questioning the Ministry of Health’s inaction. This pressure resulted in a renewed government commitment for a second tower at Surrey Memorial. Expanding maternity, pediatric and acute care bed capacity here in Surrey! Dr. Gill’s work continues to inspire change and improve healthcare access for all.
Health Achievement Award – Dr. Jagbir Gill
Dr. Gill is a Transplant Nephrologist, Clinician Scientist, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He serves as Medical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Dr. Gill currently serves as President of the Canadian Society of Transplantation and President of the Board of the Canadian Organ Replacement Register. He currently holds over $5 million in active CIHR and other peer-reviewed funding as principal investigator and is a recipient of the Canadian Society of Transplantation Research Excellence award, the Martin M Hoffman Award for Excellence in Research, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada Organ Donation and Transplantation Award. His research uses clinical epidemiology, qualitative research methodology, and health services implementation studies to examine salient issues in organ donation and transplantation, with an emphasis on issues relating to racial and socioeconomic disparities in living kidney donation and transplantation, transplant tourism, transplantation in the elderly, and pre-transplant cardiovascular screening.
Young Professional of the year Award – Honorable Justice Davin Michael Garg
Building Economic and health links between Canada and India
The Honorable Justice Davin Michael Garg is an Ontario Court of Justice judge in Hamilton. Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, he earned his business degree from SFU and graduated from the Allard School of Law at UBC. Maneesh Media recognized him in the publication “50 Under 50: Young and Aspiring Indo-Canadians” in 2023.
Before his judicial appointment, Justice Garg was Crown Counsel with Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General at the Crown Law Office—Criminal, where he served as a well-respected trial and appellate counsel. Previously, he was a trial Crown at the Etobicoke Crown Attorney’s Office. Justice Garg taught at the Ontario Police College, Osgoode Professional Development programs, and multiple judicial conferences, practiced law, and presided over cases in both English and French. During his judicial appointment, Justice Garg was on the board of the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, a member of the Advocates’ Society, the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers of Ontario, and the non-profit board of the Canada-India Network Society. Justice Garg used to be a writer-research analyst for Global TV and CTV Vancouver, a co-founder of a technology start-up in human resources and helped run a chain of healthy quick-service restaurants.
Business person of the Year Award – Harp Khela
Harp Khela was recently awarded the status of Top Realtor Worldwide for Century21 – outperforming over 155,000 agents from 86 countries around the globe. Specializing in the disposition and acquisition of large land parcels for local and international investors, Harp represents high-calibre buyers and sellers from all over the world who are interested in deploying capital to produce transformative investments in the Fraser Valley. As a catalyst to economic prosperity, Harp serves as the Chair of the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (DSBIA)’s Executive Board where he is instrumental in transitioning Surrey to become BC’s largest economic hub.
IC-IMPACTS Award for Strengthening Canada-India Bond through Co-Innovation – Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
The Shastri Institute has been instrumental in building understanding, respect and goodwill between our two great countries for the last fifty years. The idea of an Institute to promote scholarly activity between India and Canada was first conceived by Michael Brecher, a Political Science Professor at McGill University. In 1966, Brecher informally broached the idea to the visiting Indian Finance Minister T. T. Krishnamachari who immediately replied that it was a “splendid idea.” In 1967 a joint announcement of the Government of Canada and the Government of India, gave birth to the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute. Initially, SICI’s focus was to encourage University level Canadian teaching and research on India. With an emphasis on the humanities and social sciences, our programs funded fellowships and distributed Indian books and journals to the libraries of its Canadian member institutions. The growing interest in India Studies among Canadian academics led to a reciprocal interest in Canada among Indian scholars. In the early 1980s, SICI began to promote Canadian Studies in India. More recently, SICI activities have broadened further into the field of development studies and sustainability. Institute started supporting research in the area of Science and Technology as it became binational in the Year 2005. Today, the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute maintains offices in Canada and India. Their Canada office is located on the premises of the University of Calgary, which was provided by the University’s Board of Governors. SICI’s India Office is located in central New Delhi and was built by Canadian Government funds on land provided by the Government of India.
Outstanding Athlete Award – Jeevan Badwal
At only 18-years-old, Jeevan Singh Badwal of Surrey, BC has already accomplished a great deal in his young soccer career. This season, the homegrown talent signed his first professional contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps first team, scoring his first two professional goals, and making his debut for the first team in July. In September he signed an MLS contract with the Whitecaps first team, becoming the youngest player on the roster. In-between his rising club career, Jeevan has represented Canada on the U-17 and U-20 National teams, representing Canada in the world cup with the u17 team, all while making a positive impact in his community.
Youth Leadeship Award – Ishant Goyal
“Ishant is a highly dedicated student leader at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) with a strong passion for academic excellence and community service. He has consistently earned a place on the Dean’s Honor Roll every semester, alongside receiving the KPU Annual Student Leadership Award for three consecutive years. In leadership, Ishant serves as Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students, Associate President of the Kwantlen Student Association, and as a Student Representative on both the KPU Board of Governors and Senate. As a Senior Student Mentor, his commitment to supporting others and fostering positive change makes him an inspiring figure in the KPU community”.
Award for Innovation in Science and Technology – Tasnuba Islam
“Tasnuba Islam is a Civil Engineer with over 15 years of experience in project management and construction materials. Currently a Project Manager for the City of Vancouver’s Engineering Services, she specializes in managing multi-million-dollar projects involving infrastructure, transportation, and rehabilitation programs to implement Climate Emergency Action Plan, Transportation 2040 Plan and so on. With advanced degrees in civil engineering and management from the University of British Columbia, she has also contributed significantly to high-profile projects for BC Hydro, Metro Vancouver, and BC MoTI. Tasnuba is a Professional Engineer and active member of numerous professional organizations, including the Project Management Institute and Women in STEM.”
Innovation in The Arts Award – Preeti Dhillon
Preeti Dhillon is a passionate artist and an art educator. Preeti is deeply committed to fostering creativity in the community. For the past 22 years, her organization, Neighborhood Art Studios, has provided engaging art classes for individuals of all ages, helping to cultivate a love for the arts. Showcasing her artwork at the prestigious Vancouver Art Show for two consecutive years has been an honorable experience that has enriched her artistic journey. Her organization also prioritizes social responsibility by partnering with local school districts to offer community art programs for underprivileged families. Through the sale of her paintings, she has generated funds to support various organizations and initiatives in our community.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Rukmini Prameya
The Joy of Serving the Greater Indian Community
Rukmini Prameya was born in Bangalore, India, and grew up in Mumbai, where she obtained a Master’s in Microbiology and Sciences. In 1980, her husband, Prameya Chaitanyaji, moved with her to Vancouver, BC to serve the greater Indian community. She built a successful career as a microbiologist and research scientist at Vancouver General Hospital through UBC, and she has been documented in numerous publications on the blood-brain barrier. Since arriving in Canada, Rukminiji has been passionate about community service. She has served the greater community through various initiatives. Most notably, she has dedicated services at Shree Mahalakshmi Temple, teaching and mentoring numerous children and adults of all ages. She teaches chanting, bhajans, music, prayers, Hindi classes, English to recent immigrants, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayan Pravachan, and much more. A gifted writer, she is often called “Amma (Mother) or Teacher Aunty” by students and recent immigrants. Rukmini supports various initiatives, including the Thanks Mom blood donation drive and multi-faith organizations. Rukmini’s contributions to the Temple community, which she helped establish with her husband, have fostered a strong sense of belonging and unity. She values her time here, enjoying the camaraderie and shared experiences.
Canada India Network Society (CINS) Award – InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care
InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care offers free supportive care programs and services to those affected by cancer. This includes one-on-one and group programming to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of patients, delivered by a team of physicians, exercise therapists, counsellors & dietitians. InspireHealth is a Canadian leader in supportive cancer care and for over 25 years, has been making a profound impact on the health and well-being of cancer patients and their caregivers. InspireHealth is the only place in BC that patients can receive free, comprehensive supportive care services, for any type and stage of cancer, from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Last year, the organization supported thousands of people affected by cancer across BC through more than 40,000 patient visits.
