By Gian Singh Kotli
The Honorable Judith Guichon, OBC Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia arranged
a wonderful reception for the representatives of the media on April 11, 2013 at Government House, Rockland Avenue, Victoria. The event was well attended by main stream media but I felt the presence of Indo-Canadian media was not up to the mark as only Maninder Gill and his friends from India Radio, Gian Singh Kotli President Punjabi Press Club of B.C. and contributing writer of The Link, Rupinder Bains Editor Indo Canadian Times and Bijoy Samuel Radio Red FM, were seen there.
The Government House is both a working office and private residence of the Lt. Governor of BC. But it is so nicely surrounded by 17 gardens of exceptional beauty having hundreds and hundreds of plants and shrubs decorated with leaves and flowers with so many inviting shapes, hues and colors that it looks like the abode of some heavenly fairy. No wonder when the Lieutenant Governor herself appeared to warmly greet all media persons one by one at the entrance, it seemed to me as if some smiling fairy has descended from heaven to greet us.
The Lt. Governor started her meaningful and brief speech with the words, “Welcome ladies and gentlemen of the media to Government House. I am very pleased and honored to meet you all, most of you for the first time. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend today.” She explained that Lieutenant Governor has traditionally hosted this reception of the media in British Columbia at Government House over the years. Being an annual tradition she wants to continue because of the important role the media plays in the life of the province.
Providing a glimpse of her personal life, the Lieutenant Governor unfolded that she grew up in Montreal and had been residing in the beautiful Nicola Valley, Merritt, BC. for the last 40 years. After the demise of her husband she was left with four teenagers and 1400 cows to contend with.
Appreciating the vital role played by media the Lt. Governor said, “I want to honor all of you for the work you do. I know it means long, irregular hours and sacrifices on the part of your families and loved ones. The media is a critical part of our democratic societies.” She also thanked the media for the way they do their work –their fair and critical reporting of the news of the day which is a hugely important community service they perform.
The Honorable Judith Guichon, OBC Lieutenant Governor of BC concluded by saying, “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you folks today. I have such respect for what you all do and for the support you get from your families. I hope to get to know you all even better in the future. We are all so fortunate to have such a beautiful and varied province – splendor without diminishment. Thank you all for being here.”
