Carleton University celebrated a new publication on Wednesday, Feb. 4 listing prominent Indo-Canadians and friends of India who are dedicated to forging close ties between the two countries.
On hand to mark the book, compiled by journalist Ajit Jain, were Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). The event was hosted by Carleton’s Canada India-Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.
The two ministers are among the book’s 48 profiles. Three members of the Carleton community are also honoured in its pages – President Roseann O’Reilly Runte and centre board members Barj Dhahan and Dr. Pradeep Merchant, who is also on Carleton’s Board of Governors.
“Thank you for sharing these stories,” said Kenney, described as a leading voice of Canada-India relations. “I personally know at least two=thirds of them. I do feel like I’m part of the family.
“I am so proud to see Canada-India relations at a high point. Canada’s Asia policy for a very long time was a China policy. India was at the margins. Now it’s at the centre.”
Said Gosal: “It’s a great honour to be in the book.”
He recounted his elation when the prime minister called to ask that he take on a cabinet position after he was first elected as an MP in May 2011.
“That was something you don’t even think about,” he said. “It was a dream come true.”
But for many new Canadians, dreams go unfulfilled, said Kenney.
“Too many new Canadians . . . struggle and get stuck at the bottom of the labour market. I’m constantly motivated to do better for them.”
Others profiled who attended the event include McGill Prof. T.V. Paul, Laval Prof. Girish Shah, V.I. Lakshmanan, president of the Canada India Foundation and Prof. Shohini Ghose from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Jain, managing editor of India Abroad for 28 years, is now Canada Editor of the Indian Diaspora.
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Chris Cline
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca
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Friday, February 6, 2015 in News Releases
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