SURREY – Darpan Magazine is all set to present their annual Darpan Magazine’s Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2018. It will be yet another memorable night where ten renowned individuals within the South Asian community will be honoured for their remarkable achievements in their respective fields.
Celebrating its ninth year, Darpan Awards will bring together social, business and political elite under one roof, congratulating and admiring the extraordinary achievements of the winners. Taking place on Friday, September 14, 2018, at the Aria Banquet Hall and Convention Centre, the grand event will feature an inspiring Guest of Honour, the award ceremony, gourmet cuisine, beautiful fashion show, and sensational entertainment. During the two-month award nomination period that ended on August 15, Darpan accepted and shortlisted nominations from various regions of Canada.
Publishers Gurvinder Hundal and Ramneek Dhillon created the Extraordinary Awards to honour members from the South Asian community for their achievements and contribution to the community. “It is our hope that the life and work of these awardees will serve as an inspiration for all South Asians to realize the power of their dreams,” they say.
DARPAN is proud to present Afroz Shah as the Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the Awards. Shah is a Mumbai-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, all by himself in 2015. Shah’s efforts received tremendous attention and worldwide support, along with an increase in volunteers by thousands comprising of youth, slum-dwellers, entrepreneurs, Bollywood celebrities, professionals, and seniors.
A shocking amount of 15 million kilograms of decomposing trash and plastic was collected from the 2.5 kilometre stretch of beach over a period of 21 months. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) honoured Shah with the Champion of the Earth award for his work in organizing community-led clean-up efforts.
Shah was also CNN-IBN’s Indian of the Year in Public Service in 2017 and has received various accolades for his efforts. He vows to continue his beach clean-up crusade until people and their governments around the world change their approach to producing, using and discarding plastic and other products that wash up onto beaches all over the world.
Highlighting the awards ceremony, 10 South Asians will be given the prestigious Darpan Extraordinary Achievement Award, for contributing greatly towards the Canadian society and encouraging the spirit of community.
Past award winners include Khalsa Aid Founder Ravi Singh (International Sensation Award and Keynote Speaker 2017); Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan (Breaking Barriers Award 2011); Canadian lawyer, former judge and Chancellor of the Thompson Rivers University Wally Oppal (Industry Marvel 2015); and Father of Fibre Optics Dr. Narinder Kapany (International Sensation Award Winner and Keynote Speaker 2013).
The entertainment segment will be one that promises to get everyone dancing through the night. Two singers known worldwide for their great voice will be setting the mood at the event with their sensational voice and foot-tapping music.
AWARD CATEGORIES
The 2018 Darpan Extraordinary Award categories are as follows:
Corporate Engagement – In honour of your extraordinary achievements as South Asian entrepreneurs and/or establishing a successful business
Young Wonder – In honour of your extraordinary achievements in community initiatives and academia
Artistic Visionary – In honour of your extraordinary achievements and contributions to South Asian arts and culture
Community Crusader – In honour of your extraordinary achievements as an inspiring leader, who empowers and raises awareness
Breaking Barriers – In honour of your extraordinary achievements for breaking barriers in your respective field
Heritage Defender – In honour of your extraordinary achievements for your preservation efforts of South Asian culture
Spirit of Sport – In honour of your extraordinary achievements and contributions as an inspiring athlete
Advancing Philanthropy – In honour of your extraordinary contributions to diverse charitable ventures and advancing humanitarian efforts
Industry Marvel – In honour of your extraordinary achievements as an inspiring, established industry marvel in your respective field
International Sensation – In honour of your extraordinary achievements as an individual, who is committed to enhancing lives on a global scale
