The 2024 DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards delivered yet another unforgettable evening, celebrating the inspiring achievements of the South Asian community. Held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the magnificent Aria Convention Centre in Surrey, the event was a black-tie affair attended by over 850 esteemed guests, including prominent political dignitaries, business leaders, and celebrated individuals from across Canada.
Presented by the Royal Bank of Canada, the evening saw over 850 distinguished guests gracing the occasion, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere. The red carpet and cocktail lounge provided an intimate space for guests to mingle, complemented by impeccable hospitality that set the tone for a night to remember.
The event’s esteemed Master of Ceremonies, Husein Madhavji, once again graced the stage, captivating the audience with his charisma and wit, setting the stage for an evening of inspiration and celebration.
The awards night opened with an energetic performance by VanCity Bhangra, who wowed the audience with their dynamic dance moves. Having been part of the sold-out Diljit Dosanjh concert at BC Place, their performance set the stage for the night’s vibrant celebrations.
Among the distinguished political guests were David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, Hon. Harjit Sajjan, MP Randeep Sarai, MP Sukh Dhaliwal, Mayor Brenda Locke of Surrey, Mayor Megan Knight of White Rock, Mayor George Harvie of Delta, and former Premier Christy Clark, along with other prominent leaders.
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the awards ceremony, where 10 extraordinary individuals were honored for their incredible contributions and achievements in various fields:
1. International Sensation: Tim Grover
Tim Grover, renowned for coaching some of the greatest sports legends, including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, was the Guest of Honor. His remarkable journey as a coach, leader, and bestselling author made him a true inspiration. Katie Yu, RBC’s Regional Vice President, Business Financial Services, presented the award.
2. Corporate Engagement: Keerit Jutla
The Corporate Engagement Award was presented to Keerit Jutla, the first South Asian to become President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration in British Columbia. His contributions have played a key role in advancing responsible resource development. Leigh Heppner, General Manager of Preston Cadillac, presented the award.
3. Community Crusader: Gary Thandi
Honored for his exceptional work in providing mental health services, Gary Thandi was recognized for his profound impact as the founder of a nonprofit offering accessible and culturally adaptive mental health care. The award was presented by Jas Athwal and the team from Save On Foods.
4. Artistic Visionary: Baljit Deo
Baljit Deo, a visionary filmmaker and director who has transformed Punjabi cinema with his collaborations with legends such as AR Rahman and Diljit Dosanjh, received this year’s Artistic Visionary Award. Nav Grewal, Vice President of WBI Home Warranty, presented the award.
5. Spirit of Sport: Jasneet Nijjar
Jasneet Nijjar, the first South Asian female to represent Canada in track and field at the Olympics, received the Spirit of Sport Award for her exceptional achievements. Riley Wiwchar, Executive Director of Grey Cup 2024 at BC Lions, presented the award.
6. Breaking Barriers: Randip Janda
This year's Breaking Barriers Award was presented to Randip Janda, the first South Asian Analyst of Color for the Vancouver Canucks, in recognition of his pioneering role in sports broadcasting. Janda is a history-maker as the first full-time radio color commentator of South Asian descent in NHL history. The award was presented by Dr. Harj Dhaliwal, Executive Vice President of Allure Ventures.
7. Heritage Defender: Gurpreet Bains
Gurpreet Bains, Modern Languages Department Head at Surrey’s LA Matheson Secondary School, was honored with the Heritage Defender Award for her exceptional work in promoting the Punjabi language in Surrey schools. The award was presented by Jeet Dhindsa, President & CEO of VanGogh Designs.
8. Industry Marvel: Dr. Santabhanu Chakrabarti
Dr. Santabhanu Chakrabarti, a cardiologist whose groundbreaking work has advanced the field of cardiology, received the Industry Marvel Award. The award was presented by Desjardins Individual Insurance executives Zarir Dadinatha and Shaun Downey.
9. Advancing Philanthropy: Manjit Lit
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Manjit Lit received the Advancing Philanthropy Award for his generous contributions to various causes, including donating over a million dollars to organizations like B.C. Cancer Society and Surrey Hospitals Foundation. The award was presented by Kully Maan, Partner at KEY Marketing.
10. Young Wonder: Aamna Mushtaq
Aamna Mushtaq, the recipient of a $100,000 Loran Scholarship, was honored with the Young Wonder Award for her leadership in social justice and efforts with The Dignity Project, which supports the homeless. The award was presented by Executives Amar Bajwa and Herneet Dhillon from University Canada West.
The evening concluded with a show-stopping performance by Sukshinder Shinda, the iconic 'Music Man' of Punjabi music, who got the audience on their feet with his high-energy performance.
This year’s event was a true testament to the community’s spirit, innovation, and boundless potential, leaving attendees inspired and proud of the rich contributions of South Asians in Canada.