Toronto, Dec 30 (IANS) Indo-Canadian Founder, President, & CEO of Mainstreet Equity Corp, Bob Dhillon of Calgary, has been honoured with the Order of Canada. Mainstreet Equity Corp. is a Canada-based real estate company.
Learning today that I have been named an Officer of the Order of Canada has left me utterly speechless. I am so honoured and grateful to my fellow Canadians; for this. I am truly proud to be Canadian. https://t.co/us2d5GbOfM#orderofcanada #gratitude #canada
— Bob Dhillon (@BobDhillon_MEQ) December 29, 2021
Indo-Canadian clean energy scientist V.I. Lucky Lakshmanan of Mississauga has also been bestowed with the honor.
The two are among 39 persons who have been honoured with the Order of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon. The High Commission of India in Ottawa also extended their hearty congratulations via a Twitter post to the recipients.
Delighted to see the contributions of the dynamic Indian heritage community in Canada being recognized with Order of Canada. Congratulations to Dr. Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan, @BobDhillon_MEQ and @PradeepMerchant @CanadaIndia_CA @IndianDiplomacy @IndiainToronto @cgivancouver pic.twitter.com/elQw8YUeK7
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) December 29, 2021
The award citation says Dhillon has been awarded for "his achievements in business, and for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy and higher education", and Lakshmanan for "his philanthropy and for his expertise in hydrometallurgy and business, which have greatly benefited his profession, community and Canada-India relations".
Dhillon, founded the real estate group Mainstreet Equity Corp, the biggest landlord in Canada in the mid-segment rental market today. His group owns more than 15,000 units across the country.
One of the richest Indo-Canadians, Dhillon comes from a family from Tallewal village near Barnala in Punjab.
Lakshmanan is an internationally renowned clean energy scientist and innovator in sustainable development.
Born in Chennai, he went to the UK for higher studies and came to Canada in 1974. He founded Process Research ORTECH which is a global leader in sustainable process technologies. It runs its laboratory and pilot plant in Mississauga on the outskirts of Toronto. He is currently the CEO of the company.
Another Indo-Canadian, Pradeep Merchant of Greely in Ontario, has been appointed 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".
The Order of Canada is one of the highest civilian awards in Canada, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation.
Photo courtesy of Facebook-Bob Dhillon