A very large and diverse gathering of Indo-Canadian/Punjabi community was held in Surrey to welcome India’s soon to be outgoing High Commissioner Vikas Swarup. The event at York Centre was hosted by Friends of India and Radio India founder and Showbiz entrepreneur Maninder Gill. Everyone from Liberal MPs Sukh Dhaliwal and Randeep Singh Sarai to NDP Minister Jinny Sims and people from all background, even some alleged Khalistanis (no, all good guy Khalistanis) and people from the business community and average layman all came to here Swarup talk about India and Canada and how “you can take an Indian out of India but not the India out of the Indian.” Swarup is a popular Guy, being the acclaimed writer of the book from which the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire was made. He’s also popular in the Narendra Modi government which is expected to give him the plum post of Foreign Affairs secretary soon after he finishes his Canadian assignment. In his new assignment, he will be in charge of visas and passports along with other Consular and foreign affairs business of India. Good luck Vikas!!!

*** By R. Paul Dhillon