The Canada India Foundation hosted its first annual gala dinner in Toronto Canada on April 18, 2008. The dinner honoured Sam Pitroda as the recipient of the Canada India Foundation Chanchlani Global Indian Award. This award will be presented annually to an outstanding Indian who has demonstrated global leadership, vision, and personal excellence, which has made all of us of Indian origin extremely proud of our heritage.
His Excellency, Dr. Abdul Kalam, (President of India from July 25, 2002 to July 25, 2007) was our guest of honour. CIF is pleased to announce The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada delivered the keynote address.
Prime Minister Harper and Dr. Kalam joined CIF in presenting the first “CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award” to Mr. Sam Pitroda, along with a prize of $50,000 to be directed to charity. Mr. Pitroda was selected as the recipient of the “Global Indian Award” for his role as Chairman of the Knowledge Commission in India, his innovations as the holder of over 100 patents, and for his immense contribution to revolutionizing India’s telecommunications industry.
Canada India Foundation also invited Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to join over 400 leaders from the Indo-Canadian community as we celebrated excellence and acknowledged our community’s success.
The dinner was co-chaired by Ramesh Chotai, President of Bromed Pharaceuticals, Anil Shah, President and CEO of Ni-Met Resources and David Singh, Chairman and CEO of Destiny Group of Companies.