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India and Canada have become stronger in relationship followed by the agreement of trade and nuclear supply to India, and the recent visit paid by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Canada has honoured 11 Indo-Canadians for strengthening the trade and ties between two countries.
At the 'ICCC Annual Awards 2015' ceremony, 11 Indian-origin persons, including Avinash Mehra, a vice president of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, were handed over the trophy and citation by Toronto Mayor John Tory and President of the Indo-Canada Chambers of Commerce (ICCC) DP Jain. The recipients of the award are Nisha Agnihotri, Avish Sood, Rajiv Manucha, Prashant Pathak, Hargurdeep Singh, Asim Ghosh, Jag Parmar and Venkatesh Mannar.
The Indian-origin persons were congratulated by the PM Stephen Harper, Governor General David Johnston, Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne. Vishnu Prakash, India’s High Commissioner to Canada also among those who admired the Indo-Canadians.
At the event, Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, has received the President's award 2015 for his contribution in furthering the bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
The non-profit, non-partisan organisation ICCC, which was founded in 1977, works towards enhancing the bilateral ties in the areas of social, cultural and economic developments in both the nations.
"The two countries enjoy historic bilateral relations and there is a room to expand trade, cooperation on energy, agriculture and education through strategic partnership. The Canada-India friendship is also one of unrealised potential.It has the ingredients to be one of the greatest partnerships for both our countries," Jain said.
Tory lauded the role of the Indo-Canadians in fostering the bilateral relationship and said, "Toronto is the best place to live and work in the world."
"Indo-Canadian community has done more than making its mark in Canada. They have cemented the foundation of the Indo-Canadian friendship and are a key driver of the relationship in numerous endeavours between our two countries," Tory said.
The awards to popular personalities in empowering Indo-Canada ties enhances their responsibilities and ensures further promotion in various programmes between two nations.
-Kannamsai