“In Memoriam: DR. GURDEV SINGH GILL [1931-2023]”

Indo-Canadian pioneer and the first of his generation to graduate from UBC Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill, who truly led by example in many firsts for the Punjabi-Sikh community in Canada, passed away on Sunday while at his winter getaway home in Chandigarh. The Indo-Canadian Friendship Society of British Columbia [I.C.F.S.B.C.] said Tuesday that it mourns the loss of “our Founder and Honorary Chairman.

By R. Paul Dhillon – Editor DESIBUZZCanada

NEW WESTMINSTER – Indo-Canadian pioneer and the first of his generation to graduate from UBC Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill, who truly led by example in many firsts for the Punjabi-Sikh community in Canada, passed away on Sunday while at his winter getaway home in Chandigarh.

The Indo-Canadian Friendship Society of British Columbia [I.C.F.S.B.C.] said Tuesday that it mourns the loss of “our Founder and Honorary Chairman.

Long time resident of New Westminster resident, Gurdev Singh Gill, M.D., D.Sc. (Hons.), O.B.C., passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the age 92,while in India for the winter at his Chandigarh home.

Gill was the first Indo-Canadian to graduate from UBC’s medical school (1957), and became the first from his ethnicity to receive the Order of B.C. (1990) - in recognition of decades of iconic leadership across his heritage community. In 1974 he embarked on a philanthropic quest to better the lives and health of rural Punjabis by founding the I.C.F.S.B.C. 

I.C.F.S.B.C is a Canadian NGO, which for decades we have been dedicated to encouraging cordial relations between the Indian diaspora and the mainstream. Thanks to the inspiration and hard work of Dr. Gill especially since his retirement in 1996, the group’s mandate in India has reflected an enduring commitment to village improvement with special reference to water and sewage infrastructure.* 

To date Dr. Gill oversaw the completion of 27 village projects transforming living conditions for more than 100,000 people. His legacy will endure for generations to come because Gurdev Gill successfully started a movement thatchanged thinking regarding village sanitation.Others now emulate his steadfast rural development approach, designed to improve health and wellbeing while delivering dignity, pride, and empowerment on the ground in villages of Punjab and Haryana States.

Dr. Gill’s efforts has led to delivering clean drinking water, sustainable sewage treatment and disposal systems, sanitary living conditions, concrete-paved streets, solar street lighting and computers in local schools. 

See: www.icfsbc.com