For two years in a row, immigrants to Canada have been recognized for their well meaning contribution to Canada and broader Canadian community. These Top 25 immigrants have volunteered, advocated and used their entrepreneurial skills to build a better Canada. Their services are recognized by corporate Canada. With RBC and Rogers as sponsors, these immigrants are being acknowledged for their services.

The Top 25 immigrants are from all walks of life. 10 of these 25 immigrants are from South Asian region. And it’s no surprise that there are a few doctors and entrepreneurs.

One sentiment common among these winners was that they did not understand or expected to be awarded the status of being Top 25 Canadian immigrants. Nonetheless, they were humbled and took the award as a responsibility to do more.

Here’s a conversation with a few of them.

I didn’t even understand it. I am quite happy about getting the award though. I look at this award as a first athlete to get a leadership award. I don’t take this as a black or an immigrant, but a leadership award that has been given to an athlete for the first time.

We need more support for our athletes. I hope we have a new attitude toward our young athletes. With proper leadership, we can get back to where we were when I was a sprinter. As a nation, we’ve gotten away from exercise. We need to shift our focus back to volunteerism and then kids’ loving sports. My expertise is the proper training of mind and body. Walking, hiking, bowling, sleeping properly are important for all in spite of spicy high-caloried South Asian cuisine.

-          Donovan Bailey, Retired sprinter and businessman in Toronto

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The award puts more responsibility for us to do more to contribute back to the community. You should not get a job or position or an opportunity because you are from minority community. You should get a job because you deserve it. When I came 9 years ago, I wasn’t aware of the concept of networking and volunteering. Though it is not common in South Asian community to volunteer, it is changing with the youth being more involved.

Parag Tandon, Consultant, Think Brown Media, Toronto

Ms. Susan Gordon, Vice President Marketing/Marketing Services at Rogers

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Most of her work is with the First Nations, no wonder, then, that she is called the Angel of North. Family networking in First Nations’ culture is the same as South Asia. Dr. Lalita Malhotra had no problem in assimilating within the community in 70s and 80s. She thinks that there is more economic advantage for physicians to live in small communities than bigger cities.

-          Dr. Lalita Malhotra, Family practitioner, obstetrician and gynecologist in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

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What was overwhelming me for was that I became more motivated to do more for the community. The award isn’t really about my being successful in work, many people are more successful than I am. To me the award means to reduce the difficulties that new immigrants face when they land in Canada.  A lot of people are utilizing services, so no funding cuts should be made by the government to any community or women’s organizations especially when we are aware that the immigrants would be an asset to Canada.

-          Vinod  Karna, Diversity recruiter, Sun Life Financial in Markham