Shan Chandrasekar receives honorary doctorate

TORONTO, June 21 /CNW/ - Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) (TSX-SAT) Shan Chandrasekar, founder, President and CEO of ATN, Canada's largest South Asian broadcasting company, received an honorary doctorate from York University last week.

This is the greatest accolade of my life," said Mr. Chandrasekar as he received the Doctor of Laws from the Honourable Roy McMurtry, Chancellor and Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, Vice-Chancellor and President of York University. "It is especially meaningful to me because of the importance I place on higher education, and because I hold York University in the highest esteem."

Mr. Chandrasekar's commitment to multiculturalism and broadcasting innovation was highlighted in an extensive introduction by Barbara Sellers-Young, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. "For four decades Shan Chandrasekar has been a true leader in community development through excellence and innovation in the Canadian broadcasting industry, as well as personal engagement in cultural and civic life," she said.

Mr. Chandrasekar congratulated the graduating students and shared four factors that have guided him in his life: having a strong vision and sticking with it when times are tough; relying on the right partner who shares that vision; emulating the right role models; and doing what you love most in life.

"When you enjoy do what you do, work is worship," Mr. Chandrasekar told the students at the convocation ceremony last Monday.

He credited his father, noted Indian film-maker K. Subrahmanyam as his role model, and his wife Jaya Chandrasekar as the ideal partner in life and business.

Starting in the 1970s, Mr. Chandrasekar created the first television programming dedicated to Toronto's South Asian community, and formed ATN in 1993. The company operates 27 television services today, as well as ATN Asian Radio, with dedicated South Asian radio service 24 hours a day across Canada and the United States.

In addition to his contributions to broadcasting, Mr. Chandrasekar has been active in supporting local, regional and national organizations, and has provided support for many cultural initiatives in Toronto and elsewhere. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and vice-chairman of the Specialty & Pay Television Sector of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. He has also served on the boards of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Southlake Regional Health Centre, the Hummingbird Centre, the Canadian Club, TELUS Toronto Community Board and York's Accolade Project. He is currently a member of the Advisory Council for York's Faculty of Fine Arts. In 2004, Mr. Chandrasekar was inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame. In 2008, ATN was recognized with the Business Excellence Award for Large Business of the Year from the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce.

For further information: AND PHOTOS: www.asiantelevision.com, B. Fulton, CFO, Asian Television Network International Limited, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B6, 905-836-6460