Let us Celebrate the Indo-Canadians Who Have Been Publicly Honoured and Recognized.
National Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Pradeep Merchant, C.M. (2021)
For his longstanding contributions to his community, including his philanthropy and his leadership in the promotion of bilateral ties between Canada and India.
Pradeep Merchant, Chair of the Canada-India Centre for Governing Council and former Board of Governors member (2013–2019) was named a member of the Order of Canada “for his long-standing contributions to his community, including his philanthropy and his leadership in the promotion of bilateral ties between Canada and India.” Merchant also serves on the Board of the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa, responsible for establishing Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the entrance of Richcraft Hall.
Governor General's Media Announcement
Dr. Jagmohan Humar, C.M. (2020)
Dr. Jagmohan Humar has been honoured with the appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to structural engineering, for his commitment to education, and for his long-standing service as a community leader.
Governor General's Media Announcement
Click on Dr. Jagmohan Humar's picture for more information about his accomplishments.
Subhas and Uttra Bhargava, M.S.M. (2020)
Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Uttra Bharagava were honoured with the award of a Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.) ( in 2020) by the Governor-General of Canada for their community and social service contributions to the Ottawa community.
Governor General's Media Announcement
Click or Mrs. and Mr. Bhargava's picture for more information about their accomplishments.
Veena Rawat, O.C.
Officer of the Order of Canada (2014)
Veena Rawat has been honoured as the Officer of the Order of Canada, the Public Service Award of Excellence (in 2011), and many others. She is recognized for her contributions to telecommunications engineering and for leading the charge to establish a global regulatory framework for radio spectrum management.
Order of Canada Appointments 2014
[Mrs. Veena Rawat | The Governor General of Canada (gg.ca)]
Click on Veena Rawat's picture for more information about her accomplishments.
Vern Krishna, C.M.
Order of Canada (2005)
Mr. Vern Krishna has received the Member of the Order of Canada, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and many other awards. A Law professor at the University of Ottawa, he is one of Canada's leading tax scholars.
Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan, C.M.
Order of Canada (2009) & Ontario (2004)
Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan received the Member of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Golden Jubilee medals for his work as a journalist. He is known for his leadership of Muslims in Ottawa and his efforts to promote better understanding between Canadians of diverse faiths and backgrounds.
The Order of Canada: The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours. Its Companions, Officers and Members take to heart the motto of the Order: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM ("They desire a better country"). Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. More than 7 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Those who bear the Order’s iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation’s measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada. Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. For more information about the Order of Canada or to nominate someone, visit www.gg.ca/en/honours.
The Meritorious Service Medal: The Governor General’s Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) celebrate Canadians who have performed an exceptional deed or activity that brings honour to Canada. They recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services, to research and humanitarian efforts.
International Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Dipak Roy
Electronic Warfare Technology
'Hall of Fame’ Award 2017
Dr. Dipak Roy, Chairman of D-Ta Systems, Inc. received an ‘Electronic Warfare Technology Hall of Fame’ Award, a special award, the first ever won by a Canadian. The Association of Old Crows (AOC) has selected Dipak Roy for membership in the “Electronic Warfare Technology Hall of Fame.” The Award was presented at the 54th Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention, in November 2017 in Washington, DC. Dipak also won an Immigrant Entrepreneur Award from City of Ottawa in 2012.
Dr. Shiv Chopra
Fellow of the World Health Organization
Dr. Shiv Chopra is a world renowned scientist and the recipient of numerous academic awards, including a Fellowship of the World Health Organization, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression Integrity Award and ICA Volunteer Service Award. He . Originally from India he lives in Canada, since 1960. His academic qualifications include graduation in veterinary medicine, and M.Sc. and Ph.D. in microbiology.
Awards & Recognitions by City of Ottawa
Daljit S. Nirman
Order of Ottawa Award 2021
Since immigrating to Canada in 2000, Daljit S. Nirman has dedicated his life to repaying his adopted homeland by serving and supporting those in need. Mr. Nirman has contributed tens of thousands of hours for nearly two decades in support of dozens of local causes. Mr. Nirman is alumnus of the University of Ottawa and in 2004, he established a law practice that focused on human rights and immigration matters, but often chose to offer his services pro-bono to members of marginalized communities of South-Asian diaspora. He recognized that many of these individuals did not have access to professional legal representation, through a combination of limited means, a poor understanding of the legal system as well as language, cultural barriers, and prejudice. Beyond his profession, Mr. Nirman has been a devoted and passionate community builder and advocate. He has taken on a variety of causes ranging from mental health, addictions treatment, community safety and youth poverty. Daljit S. Nirman has served on the boards of numerous non-profit and community-based organizations to lead various philanthropic endeavors including The Snowsuit Fund of Ottawa, The United Way East Ontario, Montfort Hospital, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He saw the opportunity to further inspire and engage members of the Indo-Canadian community to become more directly involved in solving our community’s toughest challenges, alongside United Way. Mr. Nirman was appointed as Member of the Ottawa Police Services Board, where his legal mind, courage, humanity, and profound sense of social justice have helped to guide an organization that is central to the well-being of Ottawa’s citizenry and measure for justice in our community.
Bharat Rudra
Order of Ottawa Award 2020
Mr. Bharat Rudra is a serial entrepreneur, business leader and computer engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the development, management and growth of business. Mr. Rudra’s work and volunteer efforts have had a significant positive impact on Ottawa’s field of entrepreneurship, the high-tech industry, the charitable sector and community building. Mr. Rudra is the Vice President at 123worx, an Ottawa-based software company, and he has worked at some of the region’s most prestigious high-tech companies. He managed a $20-million fund to help Canadian SMEs collaborate with Indian and Brazilian companies at International Science and Technology Partnership Canada. Mr. Rudra successfully launched three start-ups in Ottawa over the past 25 years, creating dozens of employment opportunities. As co-founder, former president, and current chair of TiE Ottawa, an organization that fosters entrepreneurship in Ottawa, Mr. Rudra has greatly benefited hundreds of Ottawa entrepreneurs, enabling dozens of successful ventures. He launched many successful TiE Ottawa programs, including TiECon Canada, an internationally known entrepreneurship conference that attracts world-class business leaders to connect with Ottawa entrepreneurs. Mr. Rudra co-founded and was a former Chair of Dhadkan, a not-for-profit Indo-Canadian organization that has raised more than $10 million for the Ottawa Heart Institute. Deeply committed to supporting and removing barriers for Indo-Canadian youth, he co-created Surtaal, Ottawa’s first Punjabi radio program, hosting it for 12 years. The program has enjoyed more than 30 years on air. Mr. Rudra was nationally recognized for being influential in bringing the Indian Bhangra music revolution to Ottawa in the 1990s, organizing Bhangra events and attracting close to 500 people at each one. He amplified that spread through a Bhangra radio show. He also launched, choreographed and led Nach Pae Yar, the first Punjabi dance team in Ottawa, training hundreds of Indo-Canadian youth and children in Ottawa.
Vineet Srivastava
Order of Ottawa Award 2020
Mr. Vineet Srivastava accepted the role of president of Cistel Technology in July 2020, having previously served as their chief operating officer for close to 20 years. Prior to that, he had a successful career at Nortel Networks working on scientific teams and in senior management roles. As a business leader with Cistel, Mr. Srivastava helped develop infrastructure and strategies to develop a wider base of services to offer their federal government clients. His leadership efforts yielded tremendous results leading to Cistel being one of the major suppliers of information technology services to the federal government. Under Mr. Srivastava’s leadership, Cistel created a healthy, six-figure endowment fund at the CHEO Foundation in support of their research efforts. Mr. Srivastava personally supported Project Stitch at CHEO and was recognized with a surgery room being named after him and his wife. A long-standing community supporter, he participated in several major campaigns for both the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. He has served on the board of Chamberfest Ottawa for the past six years, including the last two years as co-chair. Mr. Srivastava has been a charter member of TiE Ottawa since 2003, mentoring budding entrepreneurs and providing career guidance to dozens of young graduates, immigrants, and refugees over the past 18 years. He provided leadership in bringing TiECon Canada to Ottawa and served as the conference co-chair for its first two years. TiECon Canada is an annual conference that brings successful entrepreneurs and speakers to Ottawa, advancing the city’s reputation in entrepreneurship and high-tech industries.
Joe M. Thottungal
Order of Ottawa Award 2020
An award-winning chef and owner of the Coconut Lagoon and Thali restaurants, Mr. Joe Thottungal is also a community builder, inspiring and leading others to make a difference in their communities. He earned bronze, gold (locally) and silver (nationally) medals three years in a row from Canada’s Gold Medal Plates contest. He is the director and chef of Food for Thought, where Mr. Thottungal donates food, staff and time for the annual A Taste for Hope and the Grinch Dinner fundraisers. He regularly donates food to the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen, often cooking and serving it personally. Chef Joe’s contributions have enabled the Shepherds of Good Hope to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist vulnerable people in the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when his restaurant was closed, Chef Joe turned his efforts to feeding people experiencing homelessness and those precariously housed. He rallied local chefs whose restaurants were closed due to the pandemic and helped gather the funds and labour to provide free hot meals to those in Ottawa most impacted by COVID-19. He manages the kitchen space in his restaurant, and cooks to make sure no one goes hungry. By the end of August 2020, Mr. Thottungal and partner chefs had produced more than 65,000 free hot meals for the city’s most vulnerable. Mr. Thottungal has always prioritized community service, supporting charities or local fundraisers that address poverty and hunger in our community. For many years, he has supported local community organizations including Carefor, the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund and the Bahamas Relief efforts.
Anand S. Aggarwal
Order of Ottawa Award 2019
Mr. Anand S. Aggarwal founded the real estate firm Manor Park Group of Companies more than 39 years ago. He is co-owner of the Infinity Convention Centre, as well as a number of hotel real estate holdings. Mr. Aggarwal has a vision to provide affordable housing for the Ottawa community. He owns Manor Park Management, which provides affordable rental properties for all demographics, including families in the Manor Park community. As a former Board of Directors member at the Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, and co-founder of Dhadkan, he helped to raise more than $10 million for the Ottawa Heart Institute. He also played a key role in the construction of the Gurdwara Sahib Ottawa, as well as the Sai Centre Ottawa. One of the founding advisors of Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber, he is also a Director and Charter Member of The Indus Entrepreneurs, a not-for-profit trade group dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship. Both his contributions and achievements have earned him recognition, including Businessman of the Year Award in 2007 (Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber), the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in 2014 (City of Ottawa), and Corporate Citizen of the Year at the Indo-Canadian Harmony Forum Apex Awards in 2018.
Inderpreet Singh
Order of Ottawa Award 2018
Mr. Inderpreet Singh is a leader in the South Asian community in Ottawa, and the Director of the Ottawa Indian Film Festival Awards. The festival is devoted to cultivating an audience for Indian cinema and culture and promotes the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. The festival awards act as a platform for networking and promoting local talent, filmmakers, distributors and producers. Mr. Singh published a fan magazine called Bollywood Plus which was devoted to India’s movie stars and film industry that was available at Chapters and Indigo locations across Canada.
Dr. Nalin Bhargava
Citizen of the Year Award 2017
Dr. Bhargava has been recognized for his dedication to Ottawa with a Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Ottawa in 2017 and a Community Builder Award from the United Way and various community service awards. His charitable initiatives include the Maharaja’s Ball that raised $1 million for local Ottawa charities and several other fund-raisers.
Dr. Nishith Goel
Order of Ottawa Award 2016
Dr. Nishith Goel is a recipient of the 2016 Order of Ottawa and the City of Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneur Award. He strongly believes in contributing to the community. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Chair of the Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation.
Seema Aurora
Immigrant Entrepreneur Award 2016
Seema Aurora received an Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in 2016 as someone whose business success and spirit have contributed to the local economy and serve as an inspiration to new Canadians to start their own businesses.
Dr. Nalin Bhargava
Citizen of the Year Award 2017
Dr. Bhargava has been recognized for his dedication to Ottawa with a Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Ottawa in 2017 and a Community Builder Award from the United Way and various community service awards. His charitable initiatives include the Maharaja’s Ball that raised $1 million for local Ottawa charities and several other fund-raisers.
Dr. Nishith Goel
Order of Ottawa Award 2016
Dr. Nishith Goel is a recipient of the 2016 Order of Ottawa and the City of Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneur Award. He strongly believes in contributing to the community. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Chair of the Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation.
Seema Aurora
Immigrant Entrepreneur Award 2016
Seema Aurora received an Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in 2016 as someone whose business success and spirit have contributed to the local economy and serve as an inspiration to new Canadians to start their own businesses.
Bill Malhotra
Order of Ottawa Award 2015
Bill Malhotra is a recipient of the 2015 Order of Ottawa award and the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce. CEO, President and founder of Claridge Homes, Bill Malhotra has built a range of homes, from basic and affordable to exclusive and expensive residential units. He supports numerous charities and non-profit organizations in Ottawa.
Nazira Tareen
Order of Ottawa Award 2012
Nazira Naz Tareen is a recipient of the 2012 (inaugural) Order of Ottawa award that recognizes outstanding residents and meritorious service within the City of Ottawa. Immigrated from India, Nazira embodies the values that define us as Canadians. She values diversity, builds bridges of understanding and contributes in her many roles to making ours a better community.
Divya Massilamani
Mayor's City Builder Award 2016
Divya Massilamani received the Mayor’s City Builder Award. It's a civic honour for her extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future. At that time, she was a third-year Bachelor of Science student at the University of Ottawa. She has received many awards for her hard work, dedication and hundreds of hours of volunteering.
Dr Supriya Mishra
Immigrant Entrepreneur Award 2012
Dr. Supriya Mishra received an Immigrant Entrepreneur Award from City of Ottawa in 2012. Trained in India as a doctorate in chemistry, Dr. Supriya Mishra came to Canada in 2006. A post-doctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, she carried out frontier scientific research in the field of polymer chemistry developing environmental friendly materials and applying them in the automotive industry. In 2008, she launched her own IT consultancy firm 'visionTech4u'offering low budget IT solutions.
Natasha Rupani
Community Activism (Youth Volunteer) Award 2006
Natasha Rupani received the Community Activism (Youth Volunteer) Award from the City of Ottawa in 2006.
Awards & Recognitions by Canadian and Local Organizations
Dr. Chandrasekhar Sankurathri
Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award (2016)
Dr. Sankurathri has received Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award (Canadian Ophthalmological Society), Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian, Social Worker of the year 2014-15 and more. In 1989, he established the Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation (MSMF) to provide free education for rural poor children, eye operations to poor people, and improving the quality of life for destitute and downtrodden in the society.
Aditya Mohan
Young Achiever of the Year 2016
Aditya received the Young Achiever of the Year award from Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce. A youth leader from Ottawa in STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), he has always had keen interest in science and the potential it holds to make a difference in the world. He has completed and has been awarded in numerous scientific competitions with his work on biofuels, HIV, and cancer research.
Nitya Varma
Community Champion Special Award (2014)
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation celebrated the accomplishments of Nitya Varma, by presenting him with the Community Champion Special Award at the 2014 Awards of Excellence, in 2014 in Ottawa. Nitya has over 45 years of Canadian professional work experience covering consulting, university teaching, research, manufacturing, design, construction projects, management and international telecom assignments.
Raman Agarwal
Entrepreneur of the Year 2011
Raman Agarwal received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce, Toronto in 2011. From the outset, Raman Agarwal’s value-based leadership, conviction, passion, and drive have provided the impetus behind Akran Marketing transitioning into an industrial strength corporation.
Rashmi Rekha
Entrepreneur of the Year award 2006
Recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce in 2006, Rashmi is an artist. She produced the award winning feature film, “A PASSAGE TO OTTAWA.” It was released in North America and throughout the world in 2002. Her more recent work has been in oil and acrylic mostly on canvas. Rashmi’s paintings are included in several private collections in Canada, USA, Dubai and India.
Dr. Shiv Jindal
Humanitarian of the Year 2001
Dr. Shiv Jindal received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce in 2001. A Kidney Transplant Specialist by profession, Dr. Jindal has donated $1 Million to kickstart Canada's first program in kidney disease prevention — half of the project's $2 Million goal. He remembers the name of every one of the thousands of patients who have ever been on his roster.
Krishan Singhal
Entrepreneur of the Year 1999
Kris Singhal received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce in 1999. Over 30 years ago, he started Richcraft with a singular passion for custom-building signature homes in some of Ottawa’s most desirable neighbourhoods. His unwavering high standards, commitment to fairness and integrity, and ability to think big, have elevated Richcraft to a well-deserved position of leadership in the industry.
Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino
Humanitarian of the Year 1997
Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce in 1997. This Canadian couple has founded Child Haven Int'l with the mission to take care of poor children in four countries – India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet. With nine homes (six in India), and a training centre for women in Ghaziabad, they are currently taking care of close to 1,300 children and 300 women.