Former Science teacher Gurdial Singh Neel also has a very special connection with H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. In February 1952, when the accession to the throne of Elizabeth II was announced in Kenya, Neel was a science teacher in Mombasa, Kenya at that time. In 1957, Neel attended the Boy Scouts World Jubilee Jamboree in England as Kenya’s deputy contingent leader where he was presented to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
RICHMOND – Gurdial Singh Neel was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by Kerry-Lynne Findlay, MP for Delta-Richmond East, BC on September 7 in Richmond BC.
Neel is a resident of Richmond who has been a tireless volunteer in the community for over 40 years. He has this amazing ability to give freely of his time, communicate openly, build cultural bridges, and genuinely care with a smile on his face.
Neel’s volunteer service in the community is exemplary, from his work with the Boy Scouts and First-Aid in Kenya to the Punjabi Language education, raising funds for Cancer Society, assisting Seniors, and organizing Multicultural activities in Canada. His volunteer work reaches people of all ages and all walks of life
He was an educator who taught Sciences for over 35 years in the Public school system, in three continents, but as a volunteer he also taught Punjabi language to a number of youths in the evenings and weekends for over 50 years. Since he retired as a teacher from McNair Secondary School in Richmond, BC in 1985, each year he has donated a scholarship for the top science student at the school’s valedictory ceremony. In 1986 he became the founding principal of Khalsa School in Vancouver. After the inception of the school he has been a trustee and a board member of the Khalsa schools for the last twenty-five years.
He has always been willing to give his time freely in educating school groups, teachers, nurses, social workers, church groups and other groups about the Sikh way of Life. He has always believed that education is a key element in breaking racial and cultural barriers. His involvement has also been to conduct seminars at the universities, high schools, RCMP academy and other institutions.
He has also been a volunteer interpreter, a member of the Emergency Welfare Plan Committee for the City of Richmond. He was the vice president and then a director of the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the South Arm Community Association.
He has been recognized by many organizations for his contribution to the community.
A few of them are as follows:
*United Way, Outstanding Community Service plaque, Richmond, BC
*Canadian Cancer Society, Certificate of Merit for outstanding service, BC
* XV Commonwealth Games, Commemorative medallion, Victoria, BC
*BC Senior Award, Outstanding Voluntary Community Service, Vancouver, BC
*Appreciation Plaque for Long Service to the Sikh Community, Khalsa Day Parade, Surrey, BC
He also has a very special connection with H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. In February 1952, when the accession to the throne of Elizabeth II was announced in Kenya, Mr. Neel was a science teacher in Mombasa, Kenya at that time. In 1957, Mr. Neel attended the Boy Scouts World Jubilee Jamboree in England as Kenya’s deputy contingent leader where he was presented to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
