BURNABY – Senators Mobina Jaffer and Yonah Martin presided over a ceremony earlier this month honoring 40 recipients of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Medal.
One of those honors was conferred on veteran Indo-Canadian broadcaster Shushma Datt, President and CEO of i.t. Media Broadcasting.
Datt received her medal as a result of a nomination from Senator Mobina Jaffer, who said “Shushma is a role model for me. She is deserving of this award as she is extremely hard working, persistent and most of all, a visionary. Shushma has been instrumental in portraying the Canadian South Asian community in a positive light. ”
The medal program was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as well as honoring 60,000 Canadians for significant contributions and achievements.
Datt said she felt very honored to be receiving this medal and to have been nominated by Senator Jaffer. “It means a lot to me to have been nominated by Miss Jaffer — I have known and admired her for many years. I also know some of the other recipients and feel humbled to be amongst those who have contributed greatly to society or arts and culture. I am fortunate to do what I enjoy and have it enjoyed by others.”
She also wanted to acknowledge the efforts of the Association of South Asian Professionals of BC to nominate her for the medal as well. ASAP Director Jas Sandhu, who is also Vice President, Land Division of Colliers International, said his group considered Datt to be a community icon and had wanted to see her honored for her work.
Datt is also a member of the Order of British Columbia, and a recipient of the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
