Two Indo-Canadians have been named among the recipients of the prestigious Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour in the country, this year.
"The announcement came on January 1, and it is incredible. It is an auspicious beginning to the year," said Lata Pada, one of the recipients.
Pada has received the honour for 'her contributions to the development of South Asian dance as a choreographer, teacher, dancer and artistic director as well as for her commitment and support of the Indian community in Canada,' says the award citation.
The other Indian-American to receive this honour is Dr Arvind Koshal, director of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute in Edmonton, Alberta. The award citation states that he was given the Order of Canada 'for his contributions to the field of cardiac surgery in Canada, notably in performing several innovative techniques, and for his leadership in developing one of the leading cardiac care programmes in the country.'
In a telephonic interview to rediff.com from Bangalore, Pada said she was elated to receive this honour. "It is a humbling experience," said Pada.
She is currently touring various cities in India with her troupe.
She recalled her arrival in Canada 44 years ago when "Like most immigrants, I had no idea about this country, which was so different from the country that I had left behind. We had no sense of what the community was but since then there have been incredible accomplishments by Indo-Canadians in various fields of life."
She rightly termed the honour as a "major milestone for South Asian art in Canada".
Pada, who lost her husband Vishnu and two daughters in the Kanishka airline bombing in 1985, chose to fight back against terrorism. She teamed up with other family members of the victims and lashed out against terrorism at various public platforms.
She appealed to the Canadian government to institute a public inquiry to nab the perpetrators of the terror attacks.
She was among the many family members of victims who testified at the public inquiry, headed by Justice John Major, and gave her suggestions about the steps that can be taken to prevent such attacks on Canadian soil.
The final report of the Commission is likely to be released soon.
"This recognition is an inspiration for many other Canadians that it is possible to be acknowledged side by side with many other individuals in Canada in their respective fields of life," concluded Pada.
