CICSR Report JuneDRAFT2.qxp
Transcription
CICSR Report JuneDRAFT2.qxp
Volume 1, Number 2 June 2005 Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh (third from left) visits the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research at UCFV. From left: Manmohan Singh Heer (CICSR donor), Gurvinder Dhaliwal (media), the Chief Minister, UCFV president Skip Bassford, Jasbir Banwait, Dr. Malwinder Dhami (CICSR donor and committee member), and Jarnail S. Akali. Punjab Chief Minister visits CICSR, brings gift t was a weekend of Canada-India greetings and support at UCFV, as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, visited UCFV’s Abbotsford campus and the site of the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research (CICSR). The Chief Minister’s visit to UCFV underlined the importance of the proposed new BC Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Business and Economic Development, which will soon be part of the Centre. The Chief Minister took the opportunity to talk about the potential for greater business collaboration between British Columbia and Punjab. He also announced that his government would contribute up to $50,000 worth of books, cultural artifacts, and other resources to assist in the development of UCFV’s Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research, for use by students and faculty in their research and studies of Punjab and India. I B.C. Minister of Forests Mike de Jong, on hand to welcome the Chief Minister, said that the provincial government is determined to increase business and trade relations with Punjab and, for that reason, it fully supports UCFV’s new Centre and the proposed new Chair. UCFV president Skip Bassford was delighted to hear about the support of the Chief Minister and his government for UCFV’s effort to promote economic and others forms of cooperation between BC and Punjab. “This is a great opportunity for both of our countries,” said Dr. Bassford. “We are so proud of our growing partnership with our Indo-Canadian community and with our friends in Punjab. We want to continue to work together. The new Chair will bring researchers and business people together to address some of the obstacles to broadening trade relations between our two countries.” Investment in Punjab urged at BC business forum Canadian entrepreneurs and businesses were encouraged to invest in the expanding economy in India’s Punjab region at a forum held Monday in Surrey. Keynote speaker Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, told the 400 attendees at the “Bringing BC and India/Punjab Together for Business” forum that his mission on this visit to Canada was to let Canadians know about the many new and developing economic opportunities in the Punjab, while reminding them that their investment could also help address poverty issues in the region. Reviewing how difficult times took the focus of Punjab’s government from the mid 1970s to mid ’90s, the Chief Minister noted “it is only since 2002 that our government has been able to look at economic development. We want to exceed the Indian government’s target of 8% economic growth — we are close but we require investment.” Discussing the transformation from a largely agricultural economy to a more industrialized one, Chief Minister Singh noted that they now have political stability, law and order, and are working hard to reduce corruption. He added that his government has invested heavily in the past few years in transportation, power projects, and communications. “We have facilities available, we have the workforce,” he emphasized. “We are working to help Punjab come back to being the number-one state in India.” Agri-businessman Parm Bains — also the chair of the CICSR Campaign — outlined how 90% of the blueberry industry is controlled by the Punjabi-Canadian community. “There are opportunities to introduce blueberries and other BC crops to India, and to export agri-business technology and information,” said Bains. BC Finance Minister Colin Hansen reviewed BC-India Attendees included federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanj (foreground) with UCFV Pres. Skip Bassford and the Punjab Chief Minister. initiatives over the past few years and how BC is developing “as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific for North America.” The forum was a joint endeavour between UCFV, the Canada-India Business Council, Asia Pacific Foundation, Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association, IndoCanada Chamber of Commerce, the Indo-Canadian Business Association of Surrey, and Mehfil magazine. More than $170,000 pledged Generous donations continue to bolster the campaign to support the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research and the Regional Innovation Chair on Canada–India Business and Economic Development. At the May 23 business forum, a total of $173,000 was pledged by more than a dozen donors (including the Jatana brothers, who made the single largest campaign donation to date). See next page for more details . CICSR Report Jatanas make single largest contribution yet — $60,000 — and challenge others to pledge Generous donors are the key to success The Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research would like to acknowledge the generosity of everyone who pledged support during the Chief Minister’s visit, including: Pritam and Andy Sidhu, $10,000, with Chief Minister Singh and Pres. Bassford Hardev Sidhu (and family), $10,000 Chief Minister Singh honours Amarjeet and Karamajeet Jatana. With their personal contribution of $60,000, brothers Amarjeet S. Jatana and Karamjeet S. Jatana have made the single largest donation to date toward the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research at UCFV. Karamjeet S. Jatana is an electrical engineer. Amarjeet S. Jatana, a successful businessman, is president of Global Fruits Inc. and president of the Fraser Valley IndoCanadian Business Association. The Jatanas’ commitment to the campaign did not stop with their generous contribution. Speaking at the business forum on May 23, Amarjeet Jatana made an additional personal pledge to solicit $40,000 for the Centre from his wide network of contacts. He also committed the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association to raise $100,000, and challenged the rest of the community to match that contribution. Your support is needed now more than ever! Satpal Nahal, of Calgary, $15,000 Charanjit Bath, $11,000 David: Will three pictures be Lahori Ram, Jazz Seikham, enough here? How many donor $10,000 $10,000 Indo-Canadian Business Assoc. (Delta-Surrey), $10,000 Rana Vig, $10,000 Jernail Saran, $10,000 Tarlok Sablok, $5,000 Jaspinder Ghuman, $5,000 Tony Singh, $5,000 In April 2005, the BC provincial government announced that UCFV is eligible for a $1.25 million grant to establish a Regional Innovation Chair on Canada-India Business and Economic Development. The Chair would be of huge economic and cultural benefit to our community as well as communities across Canada and in India. However... To receive the $1.25 million grant, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research must raise matching funds by February 2006. For more information, please contact: Parm Bains, Campaign Chair, Phone: 604-854-4547, email: [email protected] Dave Hayer, $2,000 CICSR Report Centre celebrates South-Asian poets, new anthology Poetry and literature enthusiasts gathered on May 19 to celebrate Red Silk, a new anthology of South Asian women poets. Kuldip Gill and Sharanpal Ruprai were on hand to read some of their poems from the anthology at University House on the UCFV Abbotsford campus. The event was presented by Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research and the UCFV English department. Raised in Mission, Kuldip Gill earned a BA, MA, PhD, and MFA from the University of British Columbia. She has taught anthropology and done research at the post-secondary level for many years, Kuldip Gill, of Mission and has also been developing her talents as a poet. She has also just received an Honory Degree from UCFV during the recent 2005 Convocation ceremonies. Sharanpal Ruprai writes poetry that is "a collision of cultures and the confusion that comes from the mix," (Rob McLennan, Prairie Fire). Red Silk is edited and introduced by Rishma Dunlop and Priscila Uppal. York University English professor Arun Mukherjee says this about Red Silk: “As rich and exuberant as its title, Red Silk, an anthology of poems by women who identify as South Asian, is an important contribution to the growing body of South Asian Canadian literature. “Ably edited by Rishma Dunlop and Priscila Uppal, with a superb introduction, Red Silk launches some powerful South Asian female, and feminist, voices on the Canadian literary scene. “These poets explore the complexity, diversity and heterogeneity of South Asian Canadian identity by examining their relationships, as women, to the South Asian cultures that they live in their bones, memory and daily lives. These poems enact how an ordinary household object, a word, a smell, a gesture, can all trigger a cascade of memories and responses soaked in cultural significance, and mark one as South Asian. “Drawing on the deep well of South Asian cultural memory and its semiotic treasure house, these poets redefine and expand both Canadian culture and Canadian literature." Contacts for the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research Endowment Parm Bains, Campaign Chair Phone: 604-854-4547 Email: [email protected] Fax: 604-853-8055 David James, Campaign Director, Phone: 604-854-4566 Email: [email protected] www.ucfv.ca/icrc/ If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this monthly newsletter, email [email protected]