DESIBUZZCanada
Events Listings
International Day Of Yoga To Be Virtually Celebrated Saturday At 4pm
CANCELLED: Coronavirus Fears Kills Surrey’s Vaisakhi Day Parade
ADVERTISE WITH US: DESIBUZZCanada Is The Most Read South Asian Publication Online
SURREY LIBRARIES: Get Technology Help At Surrey Libraries
WALLY OPPAL: Surrey Police Transition Update On Feb. 26
GONE ARE THE DAYS - Feature Documentary Trailer
Technology Help At Surrey Libraries
Birding Walks
Plea Poetry/short Story : Youth Contest
International Folk Dancing Drop-in Sessions
Businessman Ajay Dilawri Among 16 British Columbians Appointed To Order Of BC
South Asian Business Elite Including Ratana Stephens And Hubby Arran Join COVID-19 Hero Dr. Bonnie Henry Among Other Luminaries Being Honoured With BC's Highest Honour!
South Asian business entrepreneur Ajay Dilawari of the automotive giant Dilawri Group and husband-wife Arran and Ratana Stephens, founders of Nature’s Path, one of the world’s leaders in organic food manufacturing and distributing companies, are among elite group that includes COVID-19 hero and leading health expert Dr. Bonnie Henry who are being honoured with the province’s highest honour.
By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada
VICTORIA – Indo-Canadian businessman is among 16 exceptional people being appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition, Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, chancellor of the order, announced Monday.
“As representative of the Crown in British Columbia and as Chancellor of the Order of British Columbia, I am delighted to welcome 16 new members to the order,” Austin said. “Their extraordinary leadership has been a source of strength for communities across the province. In difficult times, they have connected us through art, culture, public service and more. As we move with optimism toward the future, their achievements will be a foundation of success for future generations. It is with great honour I share congratulations to these remarkable individuals.”
South Asian business entrepreneur Ajay Dilawari of the automotive giant Dilawri Group and husband-wife Arran and Ratana Stephens, founders of Nature’s Path, one of the world’s leaders in organic food manufacturing and distributing companies, are among elite group that includes COVID-19 hero and leading health expert Dr. Bonnie Henry who are being honoured with the province’s highest honour.
This year, 257 British Columbians were nominated. Since its inception, 475 British Columbians have been appointed to the Order of B.C. Members have been appointed from all regions of the province and in numbers generally proportionate to a regions population.
“Each one of this year’s Order of British Columbia recipients has made tremendous contributions to their communities,” said Premier John Horgan. “I want to extend my congratulations and honour them for their leadership and dedication as community leaders. Trailblazers in medicine, that carried us through an incredibly difficult pandemic with expertise, grace, and, of course, kindness. Inspiring philanthropists, determined protectors of the environment and powerful Indigenous leaders. We are all truly grateful for your leadership.”
This year’s recipients are:
*Chief Joe Alphonse of Tsilhqot’in Nation
*Joe Average, MGC, of Vancouver
*Brenda Baptiste of Osoyoos
* Frances Belzberg, OC, of Vancouver
* Dr. Debra Braithwaite of Victoria
*Ajay Dilawri of Vancouver
* Debra Doucette (Hewson) of the District of North Vancouver
*Dr. Bonnie J. Fraser Henry of Victoria
*Carol A. Lee of Vancouver
*James McEwen, OC, of Vancouver
* Andrew Petter, CM, QC, of Victoria
* Dolph Schluter of Vancouver
*Dr. Poul Sorensen of Vancouver
* Arran and Ratana Stephens of Vancouver
*Marvin Storrow, QC, of Vancouver
Over the years, the B.C. government has worked to increase awareness of the Province’s highest honour to ensure that outstanding people from all walks of life and from all parts of the province have an opportunity to be honoured. The Province has received more than 6,200 public nominations for the Order of B.C. over the past 32 years.
The Order of B.C. investiture ceremony for 2020 and 2021 recipients and invited guests is tentatively scheduled to be held at Government House in Victoria in December 2021.
This year, the Province’s other honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship, will recognize people who have gone above and beyond to offer help and kindness to others during the COVID-19 pandemic without expectation of reward. Nominations must be received by Sept. 19, 2021, and must have a COVID-19 response focus to be considered for this year.
AJAY DILAWRI
Ajay Dilawri is a leading entrepreneur whose vision, perseverance, leadership, and social conscience continues to improve the lives of many people in our province. He has made a significant and far-reaching impact throughout B.C.
Ajay and his brothers Kap and Tony are the founders of the Dilawri Group - the largest automotive group in Canada, with more than 4,000 employees and 76 automotive dealerships across Canada. With 24 dealerships in B.C. alone, he supports more than 2,000 employees and their families in his home province. His significant investment in electrical vehicle development is also helping address climate change and contributes to a greener economy.
The Dilawri brothers' success is largely based on learning a strong work ethic from their parents, who immigrated to Canada from India. They haven’t forgotten their upbringing and have built the business not only for financial success, but to generate enough capital to give back to the community.
With a focus on children and healthy outcomes, the Dilawri Foundation has donated tens of millions of dollars to help charitable causes in health care, mental health, education, autism, and public safety. Ajay believes that by giving children a solid foundation early in life, they are infinitely more likely to thrive in the future.
Dilawri uses his considerable leadership skills daily to ensure the well-being of British Columbians. His commitment to making B.C. a better place to live creates a healthier and more productive population, which benefits everyone in the province.
ARRAN and RATANA STEPHENS
Arran and Ratana Stephens are the co-founders and co-owners of Nature’s Path, a family owned and operated enterprise based in Richmond and one of the world’s leaders in organic food manufacturing and distributing companies.
They began with a modest restaurant that was started with Arran’s $7 and a $1,500 loan. Today their business, built on the philosophy of ethical business practice, sustainability, altruism and employing 650 people, sells products in 50 countries. Nature’s Path’s success has been widely recognized and the company has received numerous accolades including being named B.C.’s Top Employer by the Vancouver Sun (2010 to 2016 inclusive), Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends Award (2021).
The couple has served B.C. by working with many institutions, charities and non-governmental organizations. Between personal donations and the charitable contributions of their company, they have donated over $40 million to support worthy causes in B.C., the rest of Canada and internationally. Many institutions have benefited from their philanthropy including the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Vancouver General Hospital, B.C. Children’s Hospital, and Greater Vancouver Foodbank. Their philanthropy has been recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals which bestowed on them the Giving Heart award in 2016.
As a team, Arran and Ratana were inducted into the New Hope Hall of Legend, the Growing Organic Award by the Organic Trade Association, and the Leadership Award for character and vision from the Leadership Institute.
