Satish Thakkar says that under him the CIF would give a renewed push to promote India’s soft power in Canada
The Canadian Bazaar
OAKVILLE: Satish Thakkar is the new chairman of the Canada India Foundation, the non-partisan working for stronger bilateral relationship between India and Canada.
The foremost Indo-Canadian adovaccy group is also behind the annual $50,000 Global Indian Award which is given for pioneering work and services. Among the past winners of the Global Indian Awrad are former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, Tata Group’s Ratan Tata, Zee TV founder Subhash Chandra, and Indian telecom revolition pioneer Sam Pitroda.
A former president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Satish Thakkar was elected the new chairman unanimously at the thirteenth annual general meeting of the CIF on September 10. He succeeds Anil Shah.
Thanking the CIG members, Thakkar said, “I want to thank the CIF family for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. This is a unique honour. I know I am walking into the shoes of many illustrious past leaders who have led this organization from the beginning.”
Praising his predecessor, he said, “Taking over from our dear Anilbhai is a huge challenge. For the past few years, we have been constantly encouraged and inspired by his guidance. I also want to record my deep appreciation of Pankaj Dave, our National Co-convenor who has been a strong source of support for the CIF.”
Listing his priorities, Thakkar said, “We at the CIF are already engaged in a 360-degree approach i.e. strengthening economic, political and cultural ties that bind Canada and India. Promoting India’s soft power within Canada can fit in nicely into this framework.”
Special attention will be paid to promotion of yoga and Ayurveda, he said. “Ayurveda and yoga are a potent combination for preventive health and wellness. In these times, when we are faced with enormous financial challenges due to the pandemic, we must re-look at the advantages, including lower healthcare costs, offered by these ancient systems.”
The CIF would work towards inclusion of Ayurveda as a regulated health profession in Ontario, he said.
About the fresh initiatives he plans to launch to expand the footprint of CIF, Satish Thakkar said there would be a renewed push to work with important think tanks and academic scholars to deepen ties between Canada and India in sectors of importance.
He said while the CIF would keep its core membership to a limited number, it would work to give more representation to the youth and women. “We have no dearth of committed and accomplished young people or women who can bring in new ideas as well as enthusiasm to CIF activities,” he noted.
Ritesh Malik, who will be the new National Convenor in place of Satish Thakkar, said, “We have a strong 1.6 million diaspora that can be a great source of support for all that we hope to achieve in the Canada-India corridor. They are our pride and strength in every sphere, and I hope to tap into my strong socio business network and experience of doing business on both sides to help advance CIF objectives for growth of both economies.”
Thakkar also welcomed Sunita Vyas to the team as the CIF’s first woman National Co-convenor, highlighting her association with the CIF for several years.
For her part, Vyas said, “I feel that this is also a sign of how the CIF is growing as an organization. I would like to see more participation from women at every level. We will be designing some programs specifically for women.”
Among the new office-bearers, Hema Bhatt is the new corporate secretary and Girish Kekre the new treasurer.
Bhatt said she will strive to raise awareness about the CIF. “We want to see a much larger CIF footprint in Western Canada. We hope to bring on board more members in west coast to further CIF’s overall objective.”
Kekre said that as CIF treasurer he will try to keep the financial matters in good shape. “Every organization needs sound financial planning for its continued growth. We have been always mindful of this fact at the CIF. We are committed to keeping the CIF in the best financial health possible today and tomorrow.”
Thanking everybody, Thakkar said the CIF has always worked with the team spirit. “We will continue to listen to the membership and take guidance in the same democratic traditions followed at the CIF.”
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