CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award can make Canada-India relations a vibrant
success: Ratan Tata

VANCOUVER, May 18 /CNW/ - The CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award offers an opportunity for enhancing relations between Canada and India to be a living, thriving vibrant success, said legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, India's largest business conglomerate on May 15, 2010. In a video-taped message relayed at the glittering Award Gala held in Vancouver, Mr. Tata said that he was privileged and honoured to receive the award. The award was accepted in person by Mr. David Good, Chief Representative, North Americas, Tata Sons, on behalf of Mr. Tata.

More than 700 people packed the Bayshore Westin ballroom on May 15, 2010, as Canada India Foundation held its third Annual Award and Gala Dinner. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2010 CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award to Mr. Tata. The award included a special contribution of $225,000 to benefit families of the victims of the Mumbai terrorism attack. Canada India Foundation also made a special contribution of $25,000 to the Canadian Military Families Fund as a special gesture of solidarity with members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Emphasizing the mission of Canada India Foundation, Dr. Aditya Jha said that CIF was not just about Indo-Canadians, but about how Indo-Canadians can leverage the successes they have achieved in Canada towards greater participation in Canadian public policy and in serving the mutuality of interests in the Canada-India corridor.

Welcoming the audience, which included Chief Guest Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, immigration and Multiculturalism, Government of Canada and Keynote Speaker Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Government of India. Mr. Barj Dhahan, Co-Chair of the Gala referred to the 100-year history of Indo-Canadian presence and achievement in Vancouver and British Columbia.

In his address, Minister Jason Kenney applauded the Indo-Canadian community for its contributions to the Canadian fabric and the Canada India Foundation for working to promote Indo-Canadian participation at the public policy engagement level. Other dignitaries who spoke at the Gala and at the special reception preceding it included Attorney General of British Columbia Hon. Michael de Jong, Ontario's Minister of Government Services Hon. Harinder Takhar, Consul General of India Hon. Ashoke Das, Mayor of Vancouver Hon. Gregor Robertson, former premier of British Columbia Mr. Ujjal Dosanjh and former federal cabinet minister Mr. Herb Dhaliwal. Other prominent personalities present included university presidents and vice-chancellors as well as CEO's of leading companies. Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Leader of the Opposition Mr. Michael Ignatieff and the High Commissioner of India, Mr. Shashishekar Gavai also sent special greetings for the event.

Reading the citation accompanying the award to Mr. Tata, Mr. Vasu Chanchlani said, "Mr. Tata, this award is presented to you for setting the gold standard in corporate governance, philanthropy and global corporate success. You have epitomized the new success story of the re-emerging India through your global accomplishments. We are indeed very proud and deeply honoured to bestow upon you this award."

Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Shashi Tharoor spoke of the recent economic transformation of India, describing how far the country had come from its statist past. At the same time he acknowledged the challenges that remained to upgrade both the "hardware" and the "software" of Indian development. And he called upon Indo-Canadians to play a catalytic role "in energizing and strengthening the relationship between our two multi-cultural, multi-lingual, pluralistic democracies". His description of multicultural India as an Indian dinner Thali containing several bowls of dishes, all maintaining their identity, yet coexisting to make for a sumputuous meal, found resonance in an appreciative audience.

About Canada India Foundation:

Canada India Foundation is a national, non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization established in 2007 to foster support for stronger bi-lateral relations between Canada and India; to educate Canadians on the changing face of India and to increase the participation of Indo-Canadians in the public policy process in Canada to serve the mutuality of interests of both Canada and India. For more details, please visit www.canadaindia.org.

For further information: Manoj Pundit, Spokesperson, Canada India Foundation, [phone], [email protected]