Canada India Foundation releases Dr. Kalam’s book of his speeches in Canada

Canada India Foundation releases book by former Indian President Abdul Kalam at Sringeri Community Centre  

Toronto, November 29, 2012: Canada India Foundation (CIF) chose the reinauguration of the Sringeri Community Centre, renovated with a $240,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, as the occasion for its release of the book “Prosperity and Peace for the 21^st Century” by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The occasion marked the launch of Canada India Foundation as a publisher. The book, whose publication had been planned in collaboration with Dr. Kalam for the past year, is a compilation of the speeches Dr. Kalam made and discussions that he had with political leaders, academics, youth and community members during his visits to Canada in 2008 and 2010.

Formally receiving its first copy of the book from Dr. V.I. Lakshmanan, the book’s co-author and member of the CIF Board of Governors, Guest of Honour Mrs. Preeti Saran, Consul General of India in Toronto, spoke about Dr. Kalam and his foresight in developing the futuristic vision for India, elaborated in his Vision 2020 document.  Copies of the book were presented by Mrs. Saran to the dignitaries present, including Chief Guest Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Government of Ontario, MPP Dipika Damerla, former Senator Vim Kochhar, Chair of Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grant review Committee Dr. Dev Sainani and CIF Charter members (Mr. Rahul Shastri, Mr. Deepak Ruparell, Mr. Vasu Chanchlani, Mr. Ramesh Chotai, Dr. Atul Tolia, Mr. Pankaj Dave, Dr. Terry Papneja and Mr. Laj Prasher). Dr. Lakshmanan provided a compelling account of Dr. Kalam’s visits, the range of his interactions, from Prime Minister Harper to young Indo-Canadian children, highlighting his infectious energy and passion for both India and Canada-India relations.  .

Earlier, Minister Chan was joined by Mrs. Saran and other dignitaries, including MP Patrick Brown in cutting the ribbon to formally open the Sringeri Community Centre, with enhanced stage, lighting, sound and seating, made possible by the grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Minister Chan spoke to the audience about his own experiences as a non-English speaking first generation immigrant, tracing his journey to his present role as a Minister in the government of Ontario. Dr. Sainani presented a congratulatory OTF plaque to the Trustees of the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation, Dr. Lakshmanan and Mr. Ravi Subramanian. Thanking the audience of nearly 250 people, who received complimentary copies of Dr. Kalam’s book, Mr. Ravi Subramanian welcomed community organizations, cultural groups and others to take advantage of the Centre’s enhanced facilities.

ABOUT 

The Sringeri Community Centre, part of the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (SVBF), Canada, located at 80 Brydon Drive, caters to the social, cultural and spiritual needs of the large and diverse Indo-Canadian and other communities of Greater Toronto and beyond, providing a venue for music and dance performances, yoga classes, youth camps, senior events and social gathering events.

A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.

Canada India Foundation (CIF) is a national, non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization (NGO) to foster support for stronger bi-lateral relations between Canada and India; to educate Canadians on the changing face of India; and to increase the participation of Indo-Canadians in the public policy process in Canada.

• For more information about Canada India Foundation, visitwww.canadaindia.org 
• For more information about the Ontario Trillium Foundation, visit www.otf.ca 
• For more information about Sringeri Community Centre, visitwww.svbfcanada.com  

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CONTACT Kalyan Sundaram, 416.779.5237 ksundaram@canadaindia.org