The Global Indian Award has been given to Ratan Tata, M.R. Narayana Murthy and Deepak Chopra, among others
News East West
TORONTO: Zee TV and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra was given the $50,000 CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation (CIF) here on Saturday.
The award was presented at a glittering gala here attended by top Canadian leaders.
Accepting the Global Indian Award, Subhash Chandra said, “It is really a humbling experience.’’
He said he was accepting this award from the Indian diaspora despite his decision 10 years ago to reject the Indian government’s Padma award for promoting Indian culture worldwide.
The TV mogul said he is “just doing my duty to my motherland by taking Indian culture around the globe.’’
He said “vasudhaiva kutumbakam – the world is one family’’ is his motto behind promoting Indian culture by setting channels to cater to Arabic, Russian, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish speakers around the world
“In fact, we have gone one step ahead to say: the whole world is our (Zee’s) family.’’
Addressing Canadian investment minister Navdeep Bains who was in the audience in a lighter vein, the Zee TV boss said, “If Mr Bains gives us favourable tax treatment, I am willing to shift Zee headquarters to Canada. Today I am announcing from here that Zee network will adopt Canada as our second home.’’
He said he had spoken to Canadian media groups such as Rogers to expand operations in North America.
Welcoming Chandra to Canada, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said the Canadian award for him is an indication of deepening ties between the two countries.
Canada-India Foundation chairman Ajit Someshwar said, “This award is open to any Indian who has made we global Indians proud. Subhash Chandra has made us proud by taking Indian culture globally through his TV network.’’
The Canada-India Foundation, which promotes participation by Indo-Canadians in public policy and politics, instituted this award in 2008. Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, Indian telecom pioneer Sam Pitroda, Ratan Tata, and Deepak Chopra are the past recepient of the Global Indian Award.
Chandra donated his award money to Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation which provides education to India’s poor in far-flung areas of the country.
READ NEXT: Infosys founder M.R. Narayana Murthy gets CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award
