Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata has been awarded the 2010 CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award.
It will be presented to him at Canada-India Foundation Annual Gala scheduled for May 15 in Vancouver, says Barj Dhahan, gala chair and co-chair of CIF.
Normally this award carries a check for Cdn $50,000 that's donated to the charity of the winner's choice. This year the award has a special meaning and so the amount has been raised to Cdn $225,000.
The award has a special meaning as it is linked up with the tragedy of November 26 in Mumbai, the day 10 terrorists from Pakistan opened indiscriminate fire and kept the city at its tenterhook for four days. aT the end 173 people were dead and hundreds others were wounded.
"One of the key targets of the attack was the landmark Taj Mahal Hotel, owned by the Tata Group. Tata's leadership in the aftermath of the terror attacks, particularly his commitment to the victims of the attack, has inspired people around the world," said CIF's National Convener Aditya Jha.
In recognition of this, CIF this year is including a special cash award of Rs 1 crore (Cdn $225,000) for the families of the victims, Jha said.
CIF created the CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award to recognize the individual who has demonstrated global leadership, vision and professional excellence, which has made people of Indian origin around the globe proud of their heritage.
"Mr Tata exemplifies those qualities of the CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award through his international business ventures, professional appeal, and philanthropic endeavours," said Ramesh Chotai, chair, Canada India Foundation, in a media statement.
It is the first time that CIF is holding its Award Gala outside Toronto.
CIF is a national, non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization established in 2007 for foster support for stronger bi-lateral relations between Canada and India and to educate Canadians on the changing face of India.
