In 2003, Krishnan founded the Akshaya Trust. Akshaya means “never-ending” in Indian Sanskrit. That is exactly what Narayanan Krishnan and his team of volunteers provide for the homeless in India – never ending food, care and, most importantly, love. Over nine years, Akshaya Trust has been able to serve almost 1.7 million hot meals to the homeless. What started as feeding one person turned into a NPO that feeds more than 450 people three meals a day.

“Action starts with the individual, and a bunch of small actions by one person can make a big impact. DARPAN has done an extraordinary job of recognizing these individuals. What a wonderful evening.”

Dr. Aly Kanani presented the award for International Sensation

On September 11, 2011, history was made when Lieutenant-Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan was the Regimental Guidon of the British Columbia Regiment. Sajjan, who is known for his commitment to the Canadian forces, is the first Sikh in Canada to take command of an army regiment. He was also among the first turbaned Sikhs to undergo military training. To date, he has completed four operational deployments that included Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan.

When they said it was a red carpet gala event, it really lived up to its name. From the time that you arrived and were met, it just had a sense of professionalism to it. More importantly, I think, was what it did for the community in terms of recognizing people’s achievements.

Maxim Gotsutsov from Cowell Auto Group presented the award for Breaking Barriers

As a community crusader, Baljit Sethi is the founder and executive director of the Immigrant and Multicultural Services of Prince George, which provides settlement services to communities in northern B.C. She is committed to improving the lives of immigrants and refugees, and has contributed greatly to  cross-cultural understanding of diversity, racism, family violence and seniors’ issues. For more than 30 years, she has been a tireless anti-racism advocate and resource for new Canadians.

“I have so many awards I receive, but DARPAN’s award is on top of everything. I felt I was developing a sense of belonging and I was proud of being Indo-Canadian. This award is very close to my heart.”

Maxim Gotsutsov from Sunrise Kitchens Ltd. presented the award for Community Crusader

Asa Singh Johal immigrated to British Columbia and worked various labor jobs. His interest in the sawmill industry led to the opening of his own companies,  Terminal Sawmills and Terminal Planer Mills. As President, he is amongst the most successful entrepreneurs in British Columbia. Asa Singh started with a wage of 25 cents an hour and his net worth is now measured in the billions. Asa Singh has devoted his life to community involvement and is a role model for all South Asians.

“DARPAN’s awards ceremony really is a good thing. The event was very nice, and everything was worth it. Very worth it. It was a pleasure to be there.”

Bob and Puneet Aggarwal from Canadian Western Bank presented the award for Corporate Engagement

Ish Jhaj is the director of her own charity, ‘Shooting For Hopes’. She also works full-time, coaches soccer, plays soccer, tutors, and is completing her post-graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario. Originally from Quesnel, Ish has always had the vision to teach soccer to underprivileged girls in Indian villages. The long-term project helps young girls become more health conscious and fit. It also inspires them to try new things.

It was obviously a really big honour to receive such a prestigious award. Especially since starting an organization. It was really nice just to be in a crowd of people who have done such extraordinary things, and to be recognized as one of them.

Nav Chima from SFU presented the award for Young Wonder

Harjinder Thind is the host and producer of a popular South Asian radio show. His skillful interviewing and hard hitting style creates a standout show in Punjabi media. Harjinder fosters a strong sense of community through his volunteer work with a number of local and international organizations, and he is also a recipient of the prestigious Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Harjinder is very proud of his heritage and works to preserve the Punjabi language and culture.

“DARPAN set a new tradition in our community in specifically recognizing the people in our community who are doing good work and encourages a lot of people. Particularly the young people. It’s an example-setting gala that they had.”

Simran Sekhon from Overseas Autobody presented the award for Industry Marvel

As a field hockey midfielder from Canada, Ken Pereira is a member of the senior Canadian national team since 1994, and the Canadian field hockey team at the Summer Olympics in 2000 and 2008. He has been to several Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games teams, winning two gold medals in the at the Pan Am Games in 1999 and 2007. In the 1999 Pan American Games gold-medal match against Argentina, he scored the goal that qualified Canada for the 2000 Olympic Games.

“It was pretty high-end, and I can’t even remember the last time I put a suit on. I had a really good time, and getting the award was really cool. I know grass hockey in Surrey is growing. It’s good that Darpan can acknowledge that.”

Randy Toor from Desert Hills Winery presented the award for Spirit of Sport

Balwant developed an educational program which serves adolescents with mental health and behavioural problems. He has also mentored and fostered similar programs province-wide. Currently president of both the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society and the Punjabi Language Education Association of British Columbia, Balwant is also the chair of Richmond’s Intercultural Advisory Committee, vice president of the East Richmond Community Association and a long-time organizer of Multi-Fest. He promotes youth and multicultural issues through newspapers, TV and radio.

I would like to thank DARPAN magazine and all the staff and management for putting in a superb show. It was very well attended, it was very well done, and I feel really honoured to be included.

Gurjinder Rana from Capital Tiles & Stone presented the award for Heritage Defender

In 2004, Mantej Dhillon founded the Punjab Tigers Soccer Club, now called BC Tigers Soccer Club, which started from just a few teams and grew to 70. With years of coaching and mentoring experience, he also serves as the president of United Summer Soccer Association. One of his greatest donations saved a life. Mantej donated one of his kidneys to a complete stranger. He now creates awareness about the importance of registering for donating organs.

“Very good effort. Everything was very well-done and Darpan’s effort was really great.”

Daljit Thind from Thind Properties presented the award for Eclectic Humanitarian

As an artistic visionary, Binning is a bhangra teacher with the Punjabi Artists Association of Richmond, which he co-founded in 1970. Binning’s renowned dance troupe has appeared at fundraisers and events all over B.C., including the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and has taken its act to eastern Canada and the United States. Binning has also been involved in the production of Punjabi plays presented by Vancouver Sath, a theatre collective.

I’ve been involved in volunteer work for the last 45 years. I think it’s about time that somebody has done this to recognize people who have given their time. It was fantastic.

Bhupinder S. Hundal from Omni Television presented the award for Artistic Visionary