MONTREAL – Two Indo-Canadians, one from Punjab and the other from Gujarat and are featured in the 150 stories to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The two are former Liberal Member of Parliament Gurbux Singh Malhi and journalist Sultan Jessa.
Others featured include Romeo LeBlanc, a teacher, journalist and Canada’s former Governor General, the famed one-legged runner Terry Fox, who raised millions to fight cancer, and Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s first Black MP, cabinet minister and also Ontario’s former Lieutenant-Governor.
This series was initiated by the Canadian race Relations Foundation (CRRF), Canada’s leading agency dedicated to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.
The special series pays tribute to Canada’s diversity, democratic principles and multiculturalism by highlighting stories of remarkable Canadians and organisations.
Born in Tanzania, Jessa, from a very young age, tried to foster oneness and community work. On moving to Canada in the fall of 1973 to start a new life, he continued doing community work, fighting racism. He was awarded Canada’s highest and most prestigious Order of Canada in 2005 for more than three decades of community work.
In 2010, Sultan was chosen as Canada’s top 25 immigrants in recognition of his achievements and contributions that have positively changed the face of Canada.
He was recently presented with Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by Canada’s Governor-General David Johnston at a ceremony in Ottawa. This is the third jubilee medal for him, having previously received the Queen’s silver and golden jubilee medals.
Sultan has also been honoured by the Catholic, the Jewish and also the Sikh community. He became known as “The Sultan of Sacrifice” and “The Sultan of selflessness”.
Over the years, he has been honoured by municipal, provincial and federal governments and has been recipients of numerous awards.
He won Ontario’s medal for volunteerism, good citizenship and even a medal from the Ontario Medical Association for his work in the health field.
