REPORT ON ACTIVITIES 2014–2018
2014–2018
INDIA CENTRE
2014–2018
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we have the pleasure of presenting this report on activities of the India Centre since its inception in 2013. It has been a busy five years marked by significant accomplishments by a group of very talented and dedicated volunteers. We very much look forward to building on our successes over the next five years to further meet the India Centre’s goal of academic, business, and community excellence.
—Hugh Grant, Chair, India Centre & Anupam Sharma, Vice-Chair, India Centre
Pictured left The meeting in Convocation Hall for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the India Association of Manitoba and The University of Winnipeg.
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
2014–2018
ABOUT THE INDIA CENTRE The India Centre was established in the Fall of 2013 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the India Association of Manitoba and The University of Winnipeg. The purpose of the Centre is to foster a collaborative relationship between the University and the Indo-Canadian community in Manitoba through such activities as: › › Public seminars on social, cultural and economic issues › › The organization of trade-oriented events › › Facilitation of new partnerships with Indian universities interested in student/faculty exchanges, research networks or joint programs › › Joint research and publications › › Fundraising and funding of programs › › Celebrations of achievement and excellence
ACTIVITIES The India Centre has sought to fulfill its mandate of building a stronger relationship between the University of Winnipeg and the Indo-Canadian community through the pursuit of “academic, business and community excellence.” Its activities over the past five years can be grouped into each of these three areas— Academic, Business and Community.
Contact The Centre is housed in the Faculty of Business and Economics at The University of Winnipeg. Buhler Centre, 4BC59-460 Portage Avenue 204.786.9872 indiacentre@uwinnipeg.ca uwinnipeg.ca/india-centreactivities
INDIA CENTRE
2014–2018
ACADEMIC “Science within Spirituality: Seekers on a Journey of
“Willful Blindness and Global Financial Crises,”
Explorations,” January 29, 2014
Lecture by Dr. Arvind Jain, November 2015
Co-hosted with the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council,
Dr. Arvind Jain (Professor, Department of Finance,
this public forum invited the following speakers from
John Molson School of Business, Concordia University)
various religious and cultural backgrounds to address
has published extensively in the areas of international
the relationship between science and spirituality: Mr. John
finance and economic development. He discussed his
Salabye, Navajo Nation; Mr. Pundit Venkat Machiraju,
recent research focused on the behavior of individuals,
Hindu Society of Manitoba; Dr. Jane Barter Moulaison,
banks and other institutions during financial crises.
Department of Religion & Culture, The University of Winnipeg; and Ms. Shahina Siddiqui, Executive Director, Islamic Social Services Association.
Summer Institute: Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (IILM), Dehli, July-August 2016
“India’s Perspectives on Innovation and Inclusive Growth: Linking Grassroots Innovations with Global Entrepreneurs and Institutions,” Lecture by Dr. Anil Gupta, October 2014
With the support of the India Centre, the University’s Faculty of Business & Economics hosted 44 graduate students (and one professor) from The IILM in India for a four-week summer institute in Global Business
In partnership with Menno Simons College, the India Centre
Management. In-class learning was complemented
held a ‘lunch and learn’ talk featuring Dr. Anil Gupta, a senior
with industry visits and cultural field trips across
professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Winnipeg, including the Canadian Museum for
(IIMA). Dr. Gupta spoke on the role for grassroots innovation
Human Rights and the India Pavilion at Folklorama.
in broader economic development.
India Centre Bursaries, established May 2018. “Self, Family and Community: An Inter-community Dialogue” January 2015
Using proceeds from the India Centre Endowment Fund, an annual bursary was established to provide financial support
A second public forum was an inter-community dialogue
to two students from the Indo-Canadian community studying
on diversity in Canadian society, held in cooperation with
at The University of Winnipeg.
the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council and the Department of Indigenous Studies at The University of Winnipeg. The forum featured the following panel of speakers: Mr. Lyle Longclaws (Counsellor and Community Leader, Swan Lake First Nation), Ms. Shahina Siddiqui (Executive Director, Islamic Social Services Association), Mr. Anupam Sharma (Vice Chair, India Centre and Past President of the India Association of Manitoba) and Dr. Julie Pelletier (Chair, Department of Indigenous Studies, University of Winnipeg).
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
2014–2018
BUSINESS FICCI Delegation, November 2013 In collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers
COMMUNITY “Space, Wind & Fire,” Swaranjali Musical Trilogy, October 2014
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), which represents over
A concert of Indian classical fusion music with Ninad
250,000 businesses in India, and the World Trade Centre
Mulaoker, Abhijit Pohankar and Ojas Adhiya.
(WTC) in Winnipeg, the India Centre held business-tobusiness (B2B) sessions in which India investors met with Manitoba business owners.
“A Performance of Indian Instrumental Music,” October 24, 2015
FICCI Delegation, June 2014
Featuring Debanjan Bhattacharjee, Nishaant Singh and
A second FICCI delegation of Presidents and
Cultural Relations, New Delhi, India and the Consulate
Vice-Chancellors from 14 Indian Universities came
General of India, Toronto.
Subrata Manna and supported by the Indian Council for
to Winnipeg as part of a tour that highlighted possible educational collaborations. A Discussion with the Consulate General of India, November 2017 “Entrepreneurship and Business Ventures in the Indo-Canadian Community,” July 2016
A discussion with the Hon. Dinesh Bhatia, Consul General of
As part of the visit by IILM students, the India Centre
moderated by Dr. Manish Pandey, and with the participation
organized a public forum discussing success stories
of about 30 people representing various Indo-Canadian
and business models within the local Indo-Canadian
community organizations.
India (Toronto) hosted by the India Association of Manitoba,
community. The two-hour session was moderated by Dr. Pawan Singal with a panel composed of Kishor Modha (Mondetta), Sachit Mehra (East India Company) and Vinay Iyer (serial entrepreneur).
“Tarangini: An Enchanting Journey of Odissi,” October 2017 A performance of Odissi dance by a troupe from Kolkata, India, sponsored in part by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations with funding from the Manitoba Multicultural Secretariat, in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
India Pavilion, Folklorama/India Magazine The India Centre is pleased to have a presence at the India Pavilion at Folklorama each year, and to contribute to the India Magazine, issued annually to coincide with Folklorama.
INDIA CENTRE
2014–2018
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
2014–2018
INDIA CENTRE AWARDS DINNER A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE Each year, the India Centre recognizes an eminent personality for their academic, business and/or community contributions with the “India Centre Award of Excellence and Achievement.” This award is presented at a Gala dinner at which the honouree is invited to give a keynote address.
DR. INDIRA V. SAMARASEKERA The 1st annual India Centre Awards Dinner, held on September 16, 2015, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the India Association of Manitoba (est. 1965) as well as our inaugural award recipient, Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera.
After receiving her PhD. In Metallurgical Engineering, Dr. Samarasekara began her academic career at the University of British Columbia. She would eventually become Vice-President of Research at UBC 2000-2005) and then the first woman President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Alberta (2005-2015). Among the various honours that she has received are: Member of the Order of Canada, Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. An accomplished scholar and university administrator, she has done much to advance the commitment of Canadian
Dr. Samarasekera speaking at the inaugural
universities towards greater diversity and gender equality.
India Centre Awards Dinner. (photo by Sushil K. Soni).
INDIA CENTRE
MR. BOB DHILLON The 2nd Annual Awards Dinner was held on November 7, 2016 and honoured Mr. Bob Dhillon the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mainstreet Equity Corp. Mr. Dhillon is widely recognized as one of Canada’s top entrepreneurs and businessmen and is known to be one of the most influential Indians in North America. His company is one of the highest performing real estate corporations in Canada with nearly 10,000 apartment units in Western Canada. Mr. Dhillon currently sits on the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Board; is the Canadian Honorary Consul General for Belize where he is developing a world-class tourist resort; and he is the owner of National Payments, a Visa and MasterCard approved merchant processing business in the financial services industry.
AIM FOR SEVA— DR. TERRY PAPNEJA The 3rd Awards Dinner, hosted on November 10, 2017, honoured “AIM for SEVA”, a global community organization working in India and dedicated to eradicating poverty through education. “Seva” is a Sanskrit word, meaning “selfless service.” Volunteers do all the work and funds raised go directly towards building hostels that house and support children so they may attend school. The organization has supported over 3,000 students with the Toronto Chapter accounting for 600 of those students, making it the largest chapter worldwide.
Dr. Terry Papneja, convener and President of AIM for SEVA Canada, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Dr. Papneja is the recipient of the IndoCanada Chamber of Commerce award for Humanitarian
Dr. Terry Papneja, Convener and President of AIM for SEVA Canada
of the Year 2009 and Mid-Week’s South Asian Humanitarian of the Year Award 2011.
Photo of Dr.Papneja and Bob Dhillon Credit of—AK Films
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
2014–2018
THE JOURNEY FORWARD
The India Centre has accomplished much in the past five years to strengthen the relationship between the University of Winnipeg and the Indo-Canadian community in Manitoba. It has done so through activities ranging from support for an international student exchange program and the creation of student bursaries to a variety of academic, business and cultural events.
The contribution to academic life will be enhanced by increasing the Centre’s presence within the University. We envision, for example, supporting visiting speakers in areas such as literature, theatre and film, and history.
Initial steps were taken towards working with the local business community in support of trade-related activities with India businesses. This highly-promising area will be pursued further through participation with existing Manitoba businesses, government and social organizations.
The ties between the community and university can be made all the stronger by extending the reach of the India Centre. This can be accomplished by broadening the range of the Centre’s activities to involve more students and community members.
The India Centre looks forward to building on its successes over the next five years to further meet its goal of academic, business and community excellence.
INDIA CENTRE
2014–2018
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Dr. Sylvie Albert, Dean, Faculty of Business & Economics, The University of Winnipeg (2013-17)
SPONSORS Members *Mr. Rob Bend, Dean University of Winnipeg Collegiate, The University of Winnipeg (2015-present)
The India Centre would like to thank all of its sponsors for their generous support. Dr. T. Balachandra Charisma of India
*Dr. Hugh Grant, Acting Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Winnipeg (2018-present)
Vice Chair *Mr. Anupam Sharma, Manager/Regional Development, Manitoba, March of Dimes Canada (2013-present)
Mr. Robert Daniels, Chief Executive Officer, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (2013-16) Mr. Terry Duguid, Director, Northern Prosperity Initiative, The University of Winnipeg (2013-15) *Mr. Steve Loney, Indigenous & Community Relations Liaison, Transcanada Pipelines (2016-present) *Mr. Sachit Mehra, Manager / Owner, East India Company Restaurants (2013-present) *Dr. Manish Pandey, Professor, Department of Economics, The University of Winnipeg (2013-present) Mr. Jean-Pierre Parenty, President and CEO, Parenty Reitmeier Inc. (2013-14) Mr. Hardev Sandhu, Past President of India Association of Manitoba (2013-15) *Dr. Pawan Singal, Professor, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences University of Manitoba (2013-present)
The City of Winnipeg K.P. Cheema/Days Inn & Suites Winnipeg Airport Coyote Ventures Crosstown Civic Credit Union Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Derksen Finishing Co. East India Company Pub & Eatery T.J. Gross & Dori Chudobiak Hilton Garden Inn Chuck LaFleche/ Golden Arrow Life Sciences Lawton Partners Wealth Management Manitoba Building Trades Manitoba Multicultural Secretariat Dr. Raj Pandey RBC Royal Bank
Mr. Prashant Tipnis, Past President of India Association of Manitoba (2016-17)
Scotiabank Sierra Courier
*Ms. Holly Toupin, Regional Vice-President, RBC (2015-present) *Ms. Hasmita Trivedi, President of India Association of Manitoba (2018-present)
Dr. Pawan Singal and Family South Beach Casino & Resort TransCanada Triple B’s Restaurant, Bar & Billiards
*Indicates a current board member
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
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