The second Haryana Ratan Award of the Haryana Association of North America was presented by Indian Consul General Apoorva Srivastava and HANA Chairman Kuldeep Sharma at Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Brampton
The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: The Haryana Association of North America (HANA) has conferred its annual Haryana Ratan Award on Ambala man Sandeep Goel who is the CEO of ICICI Bank in Canada.
HANA Chairman Kuldeep Sharma and Indian Consul General Apoorva Srivastava presented the award to Goel at the second annual gala of the largest organization of the Haryana diaspora in North America at Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Brampton here.
“The aim of HANA is to connect the Haryana diaspora with their roots, keep our traditions alive, promote business relations with Haryana and honour Haryanvi achievers in North America,” said Kuldeep Sharma who comes from Faridabad and one of the top hoteliers in Canada.
Accepting the award, Sandeep Goel said, “I was born in Ambala city and though my upbringing took place in Delhi I am deeply connected to my place of birth as I spent two months of summer break each year in different parts of Haryana. My marriage to my wife Bindu who is from Haryana further deepened my connection with my birth state.”
Describing Haryana as the place of Mahabharata, Goel urged the Haryana diaspora to follow the principles of life enshrined in the Gita while adapting to life in North America. “Adapt to the new life and new opportunities, but don’t forget your roots.”
He said Haryana must be promoted as a religious tourist destination because of its connection with the Mahabharata.
Haryana’s arts and crafts also hold biggest market potential in North America, he said.
“Because of their novelty, Haryana arts and crafts will appeal to people in North America. So, leverage technology and use celebrity endorsements to promote these products here,” said Goel.
Indian Consul General Apoorva Srivastava highlighted Haryana as the hub of automobile manufacturing in India. She said the Indian Consulate General will extend all support to the Haryana diaspora to promote their traditional crafts and the state as a tourist destination.
 given to ICICI Bank Canada CEO Sandeep Goel){kind=link}