NRI Canadian Minister Tim Uppal honoured at Amritsar Khalsa College
Khalsa College to tie up with Canada in education field
Amritsar, November 19, 2011
D S Rataul/
Gary Singh/NRIpress.com
First-turbaned Sikh Canadian Federal Minister Mr. Tim Uppal today said that apart from relaxing visas for students, they wanted that their provincial governments work with Indian states, especially Punjab, to forge collaboration in the field of education. He said the two countries’ relations in trade and commerce are on the increase and they wanted that in the field of education and culture the bond is further strengthened.
Tim was addressing a gathering of intelligentsia at Khalsa College’s main hall, where he promised to facilitate College’s endevour to step out for international collaboration in education. He also said that both, India and Canada, are democratic, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural societies and there is an ample scope for international cooperation between two at the global level.
Tim however expressed concerns over the `immigration frauds’ by travel agents and how the innocent persons are fleeced. He said that there should not be a `brain drain’ and he was happy that the employment opportunities were on the increase here too for the youth and they should study abroad and then come back here to serve the own country.
Tim said sports was one sector where there is scope for cooperation and appreciated the efforts of Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal for bringing the sport of Kabaddi to the international arena.
Tim was honoured by Khalsa College Governing Council President S.Satyajit Singh Majithia, Honourary Secretary S.Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, for his glorious achievements on becoming Minister of State for Democratic Reforms in Canada. Former Minister and MLA Bikram Singh Majithia was also present at the occasion. They all lauded his role for working in favour of strengthening the democratic institutions and how he has emerged as role model for the Punjabi youth world over on achieving the new heights.
Tim was first elected to Canada’s House of Commons in 2008 and was re-elected in 2011 from the parliamentary seat of Edmonton-Sherwood Park, having sizeable South Indian communities including ever-versatile Sikhs. ``The life is not easy there, it is full of challenges’’, said Tim as he asked the teachers and students to work hard to achieve their goals in life. Earlier Chhina said that they wanted that Khalsa College sign some MoUs with the educational institutions in Canada where the students study for two years here and two years in Canada for the best professional courses.
To this Tim who was overwhelmed by the reception accorded and the cultural programs presented by the college students, said that Punjab government need to sign the MoUs with the Canadian provinces as the education like in India is a state subject in Canada also. ``But I know Sukhbir and Bikram Majithia have already chalked out a program for such an MoU and once this is signed there would be enough opportunities for the Collegesfor international cooperation in education.
Uppal who was member of Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and served as Acting Chair of the Standing Committee on Health in Canada was born in British Columbia in 1974 and has spent most of his life in Edmonton. He said he is die hard Kabaddi) fan and thus is presently watching the World Kabaddi Cup matches being played all over Punjab with keen interest as he is here on the invitation of Sukhbir Badal. Those who were present included Khalsa College Governing Council Vice President Charanjit Singh Chadha, Joint Secretaries Gunbir Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Nirmal Singh, Ajmer Singh and Rector Dhaarmvir Singh Jolly.
