TORONTO (TIP): Scientist Dr Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan, real estate mogul Bob Singh Dhillon, and renowned pediatrician Dr Pradeep Merchant have been bestowed with the Order of Canada — one of the country’s highest civilian awards. The three Indian-origin Canadians have been honored for their outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, helping in building a better nation and promoting bilateral ties between Canada and India.

Internationally renowned scientist and innovator Dr Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan; real estate mogul Bob Singh Dhillon, also known as Navjeet Singh Dhillon; and renowned pediatrician Dr Pradeep Merchant were among the 135 individuals honored with the prestigious award, according to a press note uploaded on the website of the Governor General of Canada on Wednesday.

According to the citation, Lakshmanan from Mississauga, Ontario, was honored “for his philanthropy and for his expertise in hydrometallurgy and business, which have greatly benefited his profession, community and Canada-India relations”.

Founded in 1997, Bob Dhillon’s Mainstreet Equity Corp is the first Sikh-owned company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, a newspaper reported.

The merchant from Greely, Ontario, has been honored “for his long-standing contributions to his community, including his philanthropy and his leadership in the promotion of bilateral ties between Canada and India,” according to the citation.

(Source: PTI)