Awards for 10 extraordinary South Asians
Ninth annual DARPAN Awards 2018
Ten influential South Asians were honoured at the ninth annual DARPAN Awards on September 14, 2018, at a black-tie affair with more than 700 guests.
They were recognized with a Darpan Extraordinary Achievement Award for their extraordinary achievements and for reflecting their heritage in a remarkable way. These recipients were:
Stephen Sander – Advancing Philanthropy
Stephen Sander founded Hollyburn Properties in 1974. Hollyburn is an innovative industry leader responsible for elevating rental housing standards across Canada. As a survivor of the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Sander is guided by steadfast resilience, courage and an unwavering drive to do better. Sander went from flipping single family homes after school to running the largest privately owned high-end rental portfolio in Canada. Sander has also made several large donations to hospitals including $1 million to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation for new MRI technology, $1 million to Vancouver General Hospital for a new robot-assisted surgical system, $1 million to UBC Hospital for new MRI technology and more.
Prem Gill – Corporate Engagement
Prem Gill is chief executive officer of Creative BC., designated by the Province of British Columbia to focus on uniting, sustaining and growing British Columbia’s dynamic and diverse creative sector including motion picture, music and sound recording, interactive and digital media, and magazine and book publishing. Gill has been named one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women and listed as one of The Globe and Mail’s 10 Women Who Matter in Film and TV.
Sukhpal Panesar – Spirit of Sport
Sukhi Panesar is a 24-year-old field hockey player who has played 108 official games for Canada. Panesar made his senior national team debut in 2010. The highlight of his junior career was competing at the 2013 Junior Hockey World Cup in New Delhi, India. In 2016, he was named to Canada’s Olympic team. Panesar will be taking part in the upcoming 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Dr. Hakam Singh Bhullar – Breaking Barriers
Veterinarian Dr. Hakam Bhullar became licensed with the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association (BCVMA) in 1995 and his first clinic, the Atlas Animal Hospital, opened its doors on November 20 that year. Dr. Bhullar opened his clinic, his home, and his heart to Indo-Canadian vets arriving in Vancouver. After protesting against a new English Proficiency Exam policy by the BCVMA, his licence was revoked. On October 8, 2015, after more than 10 years and at a financial cost of $1.7 million, Dr. Bhullar was finally vindicated by human rights tribunal. He got his license back January 29, 2016, and currently practices at the Atlas Animal Hospital.
Jazzy B – Artistic Visionary
Jaswinder Singh Bains, more popularly known as Jazzy B or Jazzy Bains is a Punjabi language Bhangra singer-songwriter who has released 11 studio albums and collaborated on many tracks. He is a transatlantic superstar who has introduced a fresh new image to the world of bhangra music. Since his debut, Jazzy B has become one of the most important names in the Punjabi music world of modern times. He has acquired the tags of the Original Folkston, the Canadian Sensation, and the Crown Prince of Bhangra and continues his revival of bhangra while wooing audiences across the globe.
Gurdip Bhullar – Heritage Defender
Gurdip Bhullar is the founder of Gurdip Arts Academy, a community organization specializing in acting/drama, and Punjabi arts and culture in the form of bhangra, gidha and singing.
Shushma Datt – Industry Marvel
Recently recognized as one of the 150 most influential British Columbians by the Vancouver Sun, Shushma Datt is a pioneer in Canadian Radio as Vancouver’s top Indo-Canadian broadcaster. She’s the owner and operator of IT Media Broadcasting, a company that holds two radio stations: Radio Rimjhim and Spice Radio1200AM and produces multiple TV shows for the Shaw Multicultural Channel and Omni.
Umang Khandelwal – Young Wonder
Umang Khandelwal recently graduated with a degree in law from the University of Cambridge. Khandelwal’s prior degree in International Relations was from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. In 2016, Khandelwal represented Canada in China as part of a five-member delegation at the Y20, one of the official stakeholder groups of the G20. She is dedicated to increasing access to justice for immigrants, refugees, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups, and has volunteered with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and Access Pro Bono. She has been named a Darpan Magazine Newsmaker 2016, Barclays Top 100 Women to Watch 2017, and an RBC Top 75 Canadian Immigrant (Finalist) 2018.
Guru Nanak’s Kitchen – Community Crusader
Guru Nanak’s Kitchen is a Sikh-faith led volunteer organization working for the benefit of all communities. The organization’s objective is to enrich people’s life through the principles of Guru Nanak Dev Ji by earning an honest living (kirat), sharing (vand shakna), and selfless service (seva), all of which are embedded in the Sikk religion’s spiritual heritage.
Afroz Shah – International Sensation
Afroz Shah is an India-based environmentalist and lawyer who is leading the environmental movement in the city and tackling plastic pollution and other harmful concerns one step at a time. Shah started the biggest beach cleanup project in Mumbai, Maharashtra in 2015.