News 

ICCC announces new Executive Committee

Allocates Board Responsibilities

Portfolio allocation

Ripudaman Singh Dhillon: President, Member Engagement, All unallocated responsibilities

Virender Rathi: Corporate Secretary & Vice President, Programs & Events

Arvind Bhardwaj: Vice President & Director, Finance

Rakesh Joshi: Vice President & Director, Government Relations & Legal Affairs

Vikas Sharma: Vice President & Director, Small & Medium Enterprises

Murarilal Thapliyal: Director, International Trade & Global Affairs

Sanjay Kulkarni: Director, Startups & Strategy

Chirag Shah: Director, Councils

Bhavik Parikh: Director, IT

Click here to see directors' profiles

Ripudaman Singh Dhillon is 34th President of ICCC

Virender Rathi elected Corporate Secretary 

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.

The following candidates for the election to the ICCC board held on 14 October during the annual members meet were declared elected.

Rakesh Joshi, Ripudaman Singh Dhillon, Arvind Bhardwaj, Chirag Shah, Sanjay Kulkarni, Murarilal Thapliyal and Vikas Sharma were declared elected to the new board. Virender Rathi and Bhavik Parikh were elected to the board for a two-year term in 2020.

Profiles of Directors

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

30 September 2021 marks the first

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Whether you want to read, listen, watch, or try, start your learning journey today.

ICCC organizes two successful Virtual Buyer-Seller Meets

• Agro & Food Products Exporters from Jammu & Kashmir
• Footwear and Leather Products

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) in collaboration with the Commercial section of the Consulate General of India in Toronto organized two successful virtual buyer-seller meetings on 24 and 28 September, 2021.

Agro & Food Sector Virtual Buyer-Seller Meet

On 24 September, over a dozen exporters of agro and food products from the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, and an equal number of importers from Canada held one-on-one meetings on a virtual platform to explore trading and investing opportunities. The ICCC and the CGI-Toronto collaborated with the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) for this virtual program.

Video

Leather Sector Buyer-Seller Meet

On 28 September, 16 exporters of leather products from India, and a dozen importers from Canada held one-on-one meetings on a virtual platform to explore trading and investing opportunities. The ICCC and the CGI-Toronto collaborated with the Council for Leather Exports (India) and the Luggage, Leather goods, Handbags & Accessories Association of Canada for this virtual program.

Video

In the News

Ontario's My Main Street Programs

Launch date: 1 October 2021

Ontario announces the launch of two project streams on 1 October 2021

• My Main Street Business Accelerator
• My Main Street Community Activator, Year One (projects completed between June 8 and Dec. 31, 2021)

Ontario will send out application guides, including the assessment criteria, in advance of the program opening.

My Main Street is a $23.25-million investment to help drive business and restore vibrancy to local communities across southern Ontario in the aftermath of COVID-19.

The My Main Street Business Accelerator will support the revitalization of 65 main street communities through Main Street Ambassador contributions, direct business support, market research and business support programs.

The My Main Street Community Activator will support 140 placemaking projects aimed at strengthening the connection between people and places through activities, events, community improvements and policy development. Support will be provided in the form of reimbursements against incurred costs.

Website

StoneMart 2022

The Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS) along with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is organizing the 11th edition of the show - India Stonemart 2022 – at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sitapura, Jaipur during 17th-20th February 2022 in person.

INDIA STONEMART is an international stone industry exhibition being organised biennially by Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS) along with Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Ltd. (RIICO) since year 2000. India Stonemart 2019 had 134 overseas exhibitors from Brazil, China, Iran, Italy, Spain, Turkey & Taiwan and over 1800 overseas business visitors from 52 countries and total exhibit area of over 40000 sq.m.

India is a leading producer of stones and witnessing phenomenal growth in all segments including construction, real estate and infrastructure sector. This in turn has given tremendous impetus to stone sector.  Hence, there is immense potential for increasing bilateral stone trade between Canada and India.

Complete details of the show is available on  http://www.stonemart-india.in/

Brochure

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Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce

924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1

Tel: (416) 224-0090 Fax: (416) 916-0086

Email: iccc@iccconline.org

Website: www.iccconline.org

President's Views

Tauseef Sheikh

New directions

ICCC welcomes the new government, and urges an inclusive approach to more strategic ties with India

The Right Hon. Justin Trudeau with
his family after winning the elections

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) offers sincere congratulations to the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and all the candidates who have been elected to Canada’s House of Commons following the 44th federal elections, results of which were declared on 20 September 2021.

The new Liberal government will have to focus on the pandemic. Canada is doing good on tackling the pandemic in terms of the percentage of population that is already double vaccinated. However, the economic impact of the pandemic is going to remain an integral part of the Canadian economy for a long time.

As a representative of small businesses, especially racialized small businesses, the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce is urging the new government to continue with the assistance that it has provided since the pandemic began in 2020. Such help will sustain small businesses for a period that the economy will require to return to its pre-pandemic levels and turn to growth.

Read more: President's views

Chirag Shah re-appointed Director of ICCC

The Board of Directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce at its meeting of 11 September 2021 unanimously approved the re-appointment of Chirag Shah to the Board. Chirag was a member of the board in 2018-19. 

Chirag Shah, a young technocrat who has rapidly scaled peaks of technological achievements by constantly striving to serve clients beyond their expectations. His company, SUBHTECH SOLUTIONS INC., focuses on adopting innovative approaches to clients’ needs. Chirag is actively involved in advising high net worth individuals and businesses in Canada and India through his boutique consulting and advisory service VAYAM MANTU ADVISORS INC.  A firm believer in giving back to the Canadian society, and to the Indo-Canadian community, Chirag strives to work towards positive transformation for a number of not-for-profit organizations.

Insight

The Future of Work

Kunal Gupta

A few weeks ago, I booked a one-way ticket and moved to Portugal.

The first question I most often have been asked is, ’why Portugal?’. To which my response is something along the lines of, ‘it’s Portugal’.

After exchanging smiles and a brief laugh, the second question I am most often asked is ‘what about your work?’.

Living in a different country, continent and culture over the past few weeks has both inspired me and challenged me in unexpected ways.

In the face of change, I believe it is important to let go of what was, to make space for what might be.

The pandemic has been an unplanned and unexpected phenomenon that has changed how we work. It has forced the letting go of so much, and that space has been filled with new unimagined ways of work.

Packing up and moving spontaneously to another continent and country has also been an unplanned and unexpected phenomenon in my own world of work.

Read more: Insight

Kunal Gupta is CEO, Polar. He is Entrepreneur, Volunteer, Teacher. He is the recipient of 2011 ICCC Technology Award.

Register now for 2 Virtual Buyer-Seller Meetings

• Agro & Food Products Exporters from Jammu & Kashmir
• Footwear and Leather Products

Agro & Food Products Buyer-Seller Meeting Exporters from Jammu & Kashmir

9:30 AM EST / 7:00 PM IST Friday 24 September

Register

Footwear & Leather Products Buyer-Seller Meeting

10:00 AM EST / 7:30 PM IST Tuesday 28 September

Register

In the News

Ontario's Vaccine Passport

Implementation date: 22 September 2021

To further protect Ontarians as the province continues to confront the Delta-driven fourth wave of the COVID-19, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, will require people to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings starting September 22, 2021. Requiring proof of vaccination in these settings reduces risk and is an important step to encourage every last eligible Ontarian to get their shot, which is critical to protecting the province’s hospital capacity, while also supporting businesses with the tools they need to keep customers safe, stay open and minimize disruptions.

“As the world continues its fight against the Delta variant, our government will never waver in our commitment to do what’s necessary to keep people safe, protect our hospitals and minimize disruptions to businesses,” said Premier Ford. “Based on the latest evidence and best advice, COVID-19 vaccine certificates give us the best chance to slow the spread of this virus while helping us to avoid further lockdowns. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please do so today.”

As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities.

Read more: In the News

Download your vaccine passport

Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is organizing the 52nd trade fair for Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) in person from 28th – 31st October 2021.

EPCH has organized the earlier editions of IHGF Delhi Fair virtually due to COVID pandemic, however, since the situation across the world is getting back to normal, EPCH is organizing the 52nd IHGF Delhi Fair from 28th – 31st October, 2021, in physical form at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR with all necessary SOPs as laid down by the Government of India.  It is pertinent to mention that physical B2B events are the life and blood for the handicrafts sector as the element of touch, feel and visual impact plays a very important role in the decision making of the buyers.

Over 2000 exhibitors from all across the Country will be showcasing designs of Home, Lifestyles, Fashion, Furniture and Textiles products to the overseas buying community. The broad product categories of IHGF Delhi Fair are:

Houseware, Decorative & Gifts

Furniture & Home Accessories

Home Textiles, Furnishings & Floor Coverings

Fashion Jewellery, Accessories & Bags

Christmas Decorations, Candles & Incense and

Lamps & Lighting

Online registration for the event can be done using the following web link:  https://www.ihgfdelhifair.in/register.php 

The complete details of the show are available on https://www.ihgfdelhifair.in/

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Recovery Activation Program

Wednesday, September 29 at 9 am – 12:45 pm

On September 29th, the Toronto Region Board of Trade will be delivering the next Recovery Activation Program (RAP) Digital Certificate workshop! This session will help you to optimize your website to convert clicks into customers.

Experts from Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Ontario Made, Drawbridge Growth and Wuxly Movement will discuss how to improve your on-site conversion rate.

To gain access to RAP’s Digital Certificate workshops and other unique programming, head to www.rap.bot.com and take your no-cost Digital Needs Assessment (DNA) today – it only takes 20 minutes!

Rakesh Joshi returns to ICCC Board

Rakesh Joshi, eminent solicitor and community leader, who was on the ICCC Board first as a nominated director and then as an elected director (2018-2019), has been reappointed as an elected director on 5 September 2021 to fill an existing vacancy. 

Rakesh is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and is a practicing lawyer in Toronto. He is member of Canadian Bar Association and Director of Canadian Association of South Asian Lawyers. Engaged mainly in Real Estate Law and Corporate Law, Rakesh has handled a high volume of transactions successfully to the utmost satisfaction of his clients.

He was decorated with the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is on the panels of prestigious print media houses and community organizations in Toronto and GTA as their Legal Advisor/ Member Advisory Board. He is a member of Brampton School Traffic Safety Council.

Sanjeev Malik appointed Chair of
Nominations Committee

The Board of Directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce appointed Sanjeev Malik as the Chair of the Nominations Committee appointed for the 2021 AGM.

It may be recalled that in August 2021, the Board had announced the appointment of the Nominations Committee comprising following:

• Arvind Bhardwaj
• Hargy Randhawa
• Praveen Verma
• Sanjeev Malik
• Tauseef Sheikh

At that time, Amit Narwal was appointed as the Returning Officer for the election.

Leather Products Buyer-Seller Meet

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) in association with the Commercial Section of the Consulate General of India in Toronto, the Indian Council for Leather Exports and the LLHA Association of Canada is organizing a virtual buyer-seller meeting of leather products importers and distributors from Canada and exporters from India on 10:00 am EST Tuesday 28 September 2021.

If you are interested in participating in the event, please send an email to Mayank at mbhatt@iccconline.org on or before 19 September 2021.

Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is organizing the 52nd trade fair for Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) in person from 28th – 31st October 2021.

EPCH has organized the earlier editions of IHGF Delhi Fair virtually due to COVID pandemic, however, since the situation across the world is getting back to normal, EPCH is organizing the 52nd IHGF Delhi Fair from 28th – 31st October, 2021, in physical form at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR with all necessary SOPs as laid down by the Government of India.  It is pertinent to mention that physical B2B events are the life and blood for the handicrafts sector as the element of touch, feel and visual impact plays a very important role in the decision making of the buyers.

Over 2000 exhibitors from all across the Country will be showcasing designs of Home, Lifestyles, Fashion, Furniture and Textiles products to the overseas buying community. The broad product categories of IHGF Delhi Fair are:

• Houseware, Decorative & Gifts
• Furniture & Home Accessories
• Home Textiles, Furnishings & Floor Coverings
• Fashion Jewellery, Accessories & Bags
• Christmas Decorations, Candles & Incense and
• Lamps & Lighting

Online registration for the event can be done using the following web link: 

https://www.ihgfdelhifair.in/register.php 

The complete details of the show are available on

https://www.ihgfdelhifair.in/

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Recovery Activation Program

Wednesday, September 15 at 9 am – 12:45 pm

On September 15th, the Toronto Region Board of Trade will be live with the next Recovery Activation Program (RAP) Digital Certificate workshop! This session is about understanding how consumer behaviour has shifted, and how to create audience-driven marketing to meet their needs.

Experts from Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Ontario Made, and Operatic Agency will discuss this shift in behaviour, analyze best practices, and then help plan your first steps towards an effective digital presence worthy of your audience’s time and attention.

To gain access to RAP’s Digital Certificate workshops and other unique programming, head to rap.bot.com and take your no-cost Digital Needs Assessment (DNA) today – it only takes 20 minutes!

ICCC Weekly Newsletter – 31 August 2021

Hon. Anita Anand and
Consul General Apoorva Srivastava

ICCC's Tauseef Sheikh, Sigma Group's Arjun (Andy) Jasuja, Y-Media's Yudhvir Jaswal, and Jake Dheer with CG Apoorva Srivastava

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), Y Media and Luxe Convention Centre collaborated to organize ‘United by Emotion’ – a unique program themed on the Spirit of Olympics on 28 August. The program celebrated the stupendous achievements of the Canadian and the Indian Olympics squads for their record-making achievements at the Tokyo Olympics. The Canadian Olympic squad won 24 medals and the Indian squad won 7 medals – both setting a record.

The program kicked off the ICCC’s rebranding effort that is being spearheaded by the newly constituted Advisory Board under Dr. Aditya Jha’s chairmanship. Arjun (Andy) Jasuja, veteran community leader and a Canadian tech pioneer, is actively working with Dr. Jha to rebrand the ICCC and make it relevant to the emerging demographic of Indo-Canadians.

Hon. Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Public Procurement, was the Guest of Honour at the program, which also included several VIP guests such as India’s Consul General to Toronto Apoorva Srivastava; Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board of Ontario; Hon. Sheref Sabawy, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries; Hon. Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development; Hon. Sara Singh, MPP; among many others.

The fast-paced program, conceived, set-up and executed by the talented Y Media team comprised snippets of sound bytes by both Canadian and Indian athletes, and keenly edited montage of the winning moments of the Olympics, also had brief speeches by Minister Anand, CG Srivastava, ICCC’s Tauseef Sheikh and Y Media’s Yudhvir Jaswal.

ICCC's 22nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Thursday 26 August 2021

Lionhead Golf Club and Convention Centre

8525 Mississauga Rd, Brampton, ON L6Y 0C1

And the winners...Joshi Law’s foursome: Rakesh Joshi (2nd from left), Navi Brar, Lakhvir Randhawa, and Sarbjit Singh. Also in the photograph are Deepak Shamnani, Joseph Selvaraj Savier, Apoorva Srivastava and Tauseef Sheikh

The 22nd Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce’s (ICCC) Annual Golf Charity Classic was an overwhelming success with over 120 enthusiastic amateur golfers having a great time. Thursday 26 August 2021 turned out to be a perfect day for golf. The ICCC will be contributing a respectable amount to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Joshi Law’s team comprising Rakesh Joshi, Navi Brar, Lakhvir Randhawa, and Sarbjit Singh won the tournament. Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General of India in Toronto; Tauseef sheikh, President, ICCC; Deepak Shamnani, Chair, Golf Committee; Joseph Selvaraj Savier, President & CEO, SBI Canada Bank; presented the winning team with the rotating trophy. SBI Canada Bank was the Food sponsor, and Scotiabank was the Cart Sponsor for the program.

Heather Spence (l) & Shilpa Mishra (r)
of BDO Canada

Food Sponsor

Cart Sponsor

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2021 federal election platform tracker:

Where each party stands

Canadians will head to the polls on Sept. 20 after one of the shortest election campaigns ever.

Before that, the leaders of each political party will attempt to appeal to voters coast-to-coast-to-coast, detailing their plans to revive the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a look at what each party has promised so far on the major issues affecting the economy, business and your money.

CHILDCARE

CORPORATE TAXES

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

FISCAL PLAN

HOUSING

JOBS AND ECONOMY

PERSONAL FINANCE/TAXES

RETIREMENT AND SENIORS

SMALL BUSINESS

TECHNOLOGY

TRADE

Read more: Federal Elections

India vaccinates 2 New Zealand in a day

India administered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses on 27 August, a national record that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed as a “momentous feat” for the country ahead of fears of another surge in infections.

India has now administered about 628 million vaccine doses in total, giving at least one dose to more than half of its 944 million adults and the required two doses to 15%. The government wants the entire adult population covered by December.

“Record vaccination numbers today!” Modi said on Twitter. “Crossing 1 crore (10 million) is a momentous feat.”

The previous daily record was 9.2 million.

Idea of India - ICCR's Poster Competition

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India has launched a global digital Painting and Poster Making Competition on the theme “My idea of India.” The competition was launched on 15th August 2021 on the occasion of 75th Independence Day of India - Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Watch the ICCR video: YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/1bnJU-0PF3o

The brief description about the Competition: ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate the 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements.

The celebration is an embodiment of all that is progressive about India’s socio-cultural, political and economic identity.

The five pillars of the celebration are divided into five sub-heading –

• Freedom struggle
• Ideas at 75
• Achievements at 75
• Actions at 75
• Resolve at 75

In this Poster and Painting Competition, ICCR invites artistic expression on the theme “My idea of India”. This includes how you envision the India of yesterday, today and the India which will merge from amalgamation of tradition & heritage with a modern scientific technological outlook.

For participation in online poster and painting competition 2021, please register to submit your artwork at web link: https://iccr.gov.in/app/ 

The last date of receiving online entries is 15th September 2021 and the date of declaration of awards is 15th October, 2021. There are two Prize categories:

Category A: Foreign Participants and

Category B: Indian Participants.

More details of the digital “Painting and Poster Making Competition” are also available on the web link: https://iccr.gov.in/Iccr4Art/index.php

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce

924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1

Tel: (416) 224-0090 Fax: (416) 916-0086

Email: iccc@iccconline.org

Website: www.iccconline.org

ICCC Weekly Newsletter - 23 August 2021

ICCC Strategy Group's Meeting

Dr. Aditya Jha addressing the ICCC's Strategy Group

Aditya Jha, the newly appointed Chair of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce’s (ICCC) Advisory Board, organized a meeting of the Strategy Group on 14 August 2021. The Strategy Group comprises members of the ICCC's Advisory Board and the Board of Directors. 

The prestigious, century-old Boulevard Club at the harbourfront overlooking Lake Ontario was the venue of the meeting.

Dr. Jha said, “It was our first ‘joint’ meeting, and we broadly defined our strategic mandates. In the post-Covid world, the ICCC's role becomes relevant and necessary in defining the bilateral space. The enthusiasm of all the ICCC Board and Advisory Board members was evident from their level of interaction and inputs. I am looking forward to a very meaningful engagement over next four years and more.”

He delineated the four thrust areas in which the ICCC’s Strategy Group will work on developing strategy:

• ICCC@50 Vision & Action plan as ICCC turns 50 years milestone in 2027
• Strengthening ICCC Brand in Canada & India As a premier Canada-India trade and investment promotion organization
• Business outreach Guide ICCC with action plan to connect with the leaders of Indo-Canadian, Canadian and Indian business leaders in the Canada India trade corridor
• Stakeholder outreach Help establish deeper relationship with the Political leaders, Bureaucrats and Think Tank as well as Canadian trade bodies
• Paradigm shift Help in developing evaluation/attraction parameters that would enable attracting and retaining sponsors in Canada and India

Arjun (Andy) Jasuja, the Founder Chairman of Sigma Group, and Canadian tech legend, emphasized the need to rebrand the institution to maintain its relevance to a younger, highly skilled demographic that will constitute the future composition of the institution’s membership. 

Ashwin Joshi of Schulich School of Business emphasized that it was important for the ICCC to develop markers of excellence. This would enable the institution to deliver tangible results on the thrust areas.

Priya Dhawan-Chahal of Scotiabank spoke of turning around the Chamber’s image and making it more relatable to contemporary needs of its constituents.

ICCC President Tauseef Sheikh said that the ICCC as an institution has retained its significance over the last four decades and more because it has continuously evolved to the needs of its members, stakeholders and sponsors. He expressed confidence that Dr. Jha and the Strategy Group will successfully formulate a roadmap that will help the ICCC reach its goals.

Tauseef Sheikh addressing the ICCC's Strategy Group

Members of the ICCC's Strategy Group

Upcoming Event

ICCC's 22nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Thursday 26 August 2021

Lionhead Golf Club and Convention Centre

8525 Mississauga Rd, Brampton, ON L6Y 0C1

Program

11:00 am: Registration

Tee start

Lunch will be served on the course

6:00 pm: Networking cocktail reception

7:30 pm: Dinner

Registration

Foursome – $1,100 + 13% HST

Individual (Single) – $275.00 + 13%

Evening Reception – $100.00 + 13%

Register: Golf 2021

Food Sponsor

Cart Sponsor

In support of

Virtual Expos - India

Builder Hardware Expo 2021

Metal Cutting Forming & Welding Expo

Community Organizations Announcements

CIF Golf Raffle

For tickets call 289-291-0277 /

pawan@canadaindiafoundation.com

sudha@canadaindiafoundation.com

Ekal Canada

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Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce

924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1

Tel: (416) 224-0090 Fax: (416) 916-0086

Email: iccc@iccconline.org

Website: www.iccconline.org

Messages

Consul General Apoorva Srivastava

Watch

Tauseef Sheikh, President, ICCC

Watch

As part of the unique campaign to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India has created a portal (https://rashtragaan.in/) where diaspora members could upload their video singing the national anthem which will then be compiled into one grand video and be released on August 15 on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. Participants are requested to register here to be eligible for prizes awarded through a lucky draw organised by the Consulate General of India, Toronto.

Download Instructions

Website: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

Independence Day - 1947

A Tryst with Destiny
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's speech

Read / Watch

'One man boundary force'

Mahatma Gandhi's miracle

Gandhiji at the Hyderi Manjil, Calcutta 1947

Calcutta, August 1947

"This time, they were almost a million waiting for him. Day after day, during that terrible fortnight when the Punjab had gone berserk, the size of the crowds attending Gandhi’s regular evening prayer meeting grew, transforming in their steady, spectacular growth the savage metropolis into an oasis of peace and fraternity. The most miserable city-dwellers in the world had heard the message of the frail messenger of love and mastered their ancestral urge for violence and hate.

The miracle of Calcutta had held; the city, as the New York Times noted, ‘was the wonder of India’. Gandhi, with characteristic humility, refused to take credit for it.

‘We are toys in the hands of God,’ he wrote in his paper, the Harijan. ‘He makes us dance to His tune.’

A letter from New Delhi, however, rendered to that humble Caesar the honour he was due.

‘In the Punjab we have 55,000 soldiers and large-scale rioting on our hands,’ Louis Mountbatten wrote to his ‘dejected sparrow’. ‘In Bengal, our force consists of one man and there is no rioting.’ As a military leader and an administrator, the last Viceroy humbly asked, ‘to be allowed to pay tribute to my ‘One Man Boundary Force.’"

Extract from:

Freedom at Midnight Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre

Rabindranath Tagore signs Jana Gana Mana

Tagore's recital

Upcoming Event

ICCC's 22nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Thursday 26 August 2021

Lionhead Golf Club and Convention Centre

8525 Mississauga Rd, Brampton, ON L6Y 0C1

Program

11:00 am: Registration

Tee start

Lunch will be served on the course

6:00 pm: Networking cocktail reception

7:30 pm: Dinner

Registration

Foursome – $1,100 + 13% HST

$1,000 + 13% HST (discounted price up to 16 August 2021)

Individual (Single) – $275.00 + 13%

Evening Reception – $100.00 + 13%

Register: Golf 2021

In support of

Olympics Special: Announcement Coming Soon

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ICCC Announcements

Murarilal Thapliyal appointed to ICCC's Board

The Board of Directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) unanimously decided to appoint Murarilal Thapliyal as a Director on the ICCC's Board to fill an existing vacancy.

Mr. Thapliyal is a Managing Partner of Thapliyal & Rai Law Firm, a boutique law firm in Brampton, ON. He was called to the bar in 2007. As a renowned lawyer, he prides himself in serving the needs of the people and communities in the Greater Toronto Area for over a decade. He has worked for the cause of vulnerable seniors, women, and at-risk youth.

As a sports enthusiast, Mr. Thapliyal devotes resources to promote various sports specially cricket. He is the Founder and President of UK Warriors Cricket Club Canada as well as President of Canadian School of Cricket, Canada. He is pioneer lawyer for Global T20 (GT20) in Canada. Mr. Thapliyal is at the forefront of many volunteering groups and donation campaigns by being the President of the THAPLIYAL FOUNDATION CANADA.

Aditya Jha appointed
Chair of ICCC's Advisory Board

The Board of Directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) unanimously decided to appoint Dr. Aditya Jha as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Chamber for a four-year-term starting August 2021.

A renowned and respected community leader, Dr. Jha will be pivoting the Chamber’s thrust into developing strategies that will enable our 44-year-old institution to effectively fulfill its strategic mandates including:

• ICCC@50 Vision & Action plan as ICCC turns 50 years milestone in 2027
• Strengthening ICCC Brand in Canada & India As a premier Canada-India trade and investment promotion organization
• Business outreach Guide ICCC with action plan to connect with the leaders of Indo-Canadian, Canadian and Indian business leaders in the Canada India trade corridor
• Stakeholder outreach Help establish deeper relationship with the Political leaders, Bureaucrats and Think Tank as well as Canadian trade bodies
• Paradigm shift Help in developing evaluation/attraction parameters that would enable attracting and retaining sponsors in Canada & India

Dr. Aditya Jha is a Life member of the ICCC, former ICCC Board member and has the rare distinction as recipient of the ICCC’s Technology Award (2004) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2014). He has been honoured with the Order of Canada (2012), Honorary Doctorate (2009) by Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Business Management, vested in the Hall of Fame as Champions of Public Education in Canada by the Learning partners and has received many more awards and accolades.

His philanthropic giving includes nurturing entrepreneurship with Canada’s indigenous community. His private charitable foundation (www.poafoundation.org) has fourteen endowments (for scholarships) and five grants (for entrepreneurship) at five Canadian universities/colleges besides his philanthropic activities in India and Nepal. He has served on various federal/provincial and educational boards over the last 15 years.

Dr. Jha is a serial entrepreneur and has had rich international professional experience in Asia, North America and Europe and at present he is the Chairman & Founder of dgMarket International Inc, USA with offices in nine countries including India (Mumbai & Delhi).

He obtained degrees leading to Post graduate studies in Computer Science and is an alumnus of Delhi University, Kurukshetra University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Ryerson University. He last served as General Manager at Bell Canada before launching his entrepreneurial venture.

Welcome Back!

15% Discount on 15 August

to former members (whose membership has lapsed)

on renewal of membership

Call 416-224-0090 on Monday 16 August 2021

ICCC Committee Appointments

Nominations Committee

The ICCC Board of Directors unanimously approved of the following ICCC members to be a part of the Nominations Committee that will supervise the elections to the next board at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for December 2021.

• Arvind Bhardwaj
• Hargy Randhawa
• Praveen Verma
• Sanjeev Malik
• Tauseef Sheikh
• Amit Narwal will be the Returning Officer for the election.

Media Committee

The ICCC has revived and reconstituted the Media Committee to assist the Chamber in its outreach. Yudhvir Jaswal, a media veteran and a long-standing member and supporter of the ICCC has been appointed as the Chair of the ICCC's Media Committee.  Yudhvir is the Group Editor and CEO of multiple media platforms including Midweek Newspaper and Southasian Pulse Radio, Y Media, South Asian Daily.

Members desirous of joining the Media Committee may write to iccc@iccconline.org

Real Estate Committee

The Real Estate Committee of the ICCC has been reconstituted with veteran realtor and ICCC's long-standing supporter Hargy Randhawa being appointed as the Chair of the Committee. 

Members desirous of joining the Real Estate Committee may write to iccc@iccconline.org

ICCC Startup Initiative: MoU with BRTSIF

The ICCC signed a MoU with BIL-Ryerson Technology Startup Incubator Foundation (BRTSIF) in July 2021 as part of ICCC's Startup initiative.

The BIL-Ryerson Technology Startup Incubator Foundation. is a Startup Incubator, Accelerator and an Innovation Ecosystem set up with aim to promote startup ventures and support the government of India’s vision for entrepreneurship development and innovation culture.

Through the MoU, the ICCC and BRTSIF intend to engage and collaborate in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship and towards creating incubation and acceleration programs.

The MoU will be in force for 5 years starting August 2021.

SCOPE OF COLLABORATION

Jointly work towards expanding entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem in India and Canada

Foster entrepreneurship development and provide support with business mentorship, industry connects, access to investors and innovation ecosystem via each other’s network to tech startups and SMEs

Jointly design and execute innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact programs as well as global business to business connects in line with business objectives

Partner, support and publicize each other’s initiatives and keep exploring opportunities to work together and collaborate.

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce

924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1

Tel: (416) 224-0090 Fax: (416) 916-0086

Email: iccc@iccconline.org

Website: www.iccconline.org