Ripudaman Singh Dhillon, a serial entrepreneur with business interests in immigration consulting, broadcasting, education and realty, was elected the 34th President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce on 18 October 2021. Virender Rathi, a lawyer, was elected the Corporate Secretary of the 44-year-old institution.

These two were elected following the Chamber’s annual general meeting held on 14 October 2021. A new board of directors was elected for a two-year term at the meeting which includes Rakesh Joshi, Murarilal Thapliyal, Arvind Bhardwaj, Chirag Shah, Vikas Sharma and Sanjay Kulkarni. Virender Rathi and Bhavik Parikh were elected in 2020 for a two-year term.

Upon being elected the President, Ripudaman said, “I am honoured and humbled to be elected the 34th President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. I will strive to work together with the newly elected board to focus on the 44-year-old institution’s core mandate of creating business and professional opportunities for Indo-Canadians and to foster bilateral trade and investments between Canada and India. My priorities will be enhancing membership and sponsorship, by giving tangible value to our members and sponsors, and broadening stakeholder relations. The ICCC has a special place in the hearts and minds of the Indo-Canadian business community. I appeal to everyone to join hands with the new board in making the ICCC great again.”

Ripudaman established ICC Canada Immigration Solutions Inc. to help new immigrants to easily settle into a better life in Canada. His entrepreneurial zeal led him to launch Guru restaurant in 2013 in Heartland. His affinity for public service inspired him to start Radio Dhun, Ontario’s first multicultural and multilingual radio station, and in 2017 he acquired Radio 1220AM that reaches audiences from Ottawa to St. Catharines. The International Fashion Festival Toronto he launched in 2014 promotes local designers. Ripudaman is an active philanthropist and was the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario’s candidate in 2018 and a candidate of record for Brampton North.

Virender Rathi is the President of Xcent Lawyers LLP. He is a versatile lawyer who specializes in immigration and real estate. Virender graduated from Osgood Hall Law School. He is a member of the Law society of Ontario, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and CASAL. A strong votary of community service, he dedicates time and resources to Indo-Canadian community in Greater Toronto Area. He is strongly committed to the community and is actively involved in many NFPs including the ICCC.

For the second year, the ICCC’s members meeting was conducted virtually keeping in view the prevailing restrictions over the pandemic. For the first time since 2018, the ICCC conducted free and fair elections where in 10 candidates contested for seven board positions.