B.C.’s South Asian professionals gather for Vancouver gala

Sunnee Dhaliwal, a comedian and aspiring lawyer, is seen as a role model by the members of the Association of South Asian Business Professionals of B.C. He acted as MC at a gala in Vancouver Friday, Sept. 28. (Gerry Kahrmann photo, The Province)

SAM COOPER
THE PROVINCE

Prominent professionals from B.C.’s South Asian community met to tackle social issues and forge business ties at a gala in Vancouver Friday.

Before community leader Wally Oppal presented Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to 22 achievers from a variety of disciplines such as medicine, finance and law, attendees mingled to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the South Asian community.

The association, the only one of its kind in B.C., was formed in 2007 by a group of socially committed professionals from various disciplines including lawyers, engineers, brokers, financiers, doctors, notaries, media and local business people.

Jindy Bhalla of the Association of South Asian Professionals of B.C. talks about their 2012 gala at the Four Season Hotel in Vancouver on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. (Gerry Kahrmann photo, The Province)

In an interview, association president Jindy Bhalla explained that one of the key purposes is to visit schools to promote professional careers among South Asian youth.

Professionalism and a focus on higher education is growing within the community, he said, but too many youths are still falling into dangerous lifestyles, often because they lack good role models.

“There is an issue in the community with violence, gangs and drugs,” Bhalla said. “It’s easy, the money, the cars, it’s an attractive thing for a young person. For some they might find it easy to fit in [with gangs], because they might not have been accepted in school, because they look a little different.”

“So we go into the schools and provide the right role models.”

Bhalla, a lawyer, credited Wally Oppal for demonstrating to South Asian professionals how they can best contribute to B.C. society.

Oppal has always been generous in lending his time and views to association members, Bhalla said.

“He is a role model for the whole community, as a lawyer, a judge, a community activist and politician. He has given back a tremendous amount.”

Bhalla added that the association is working to promote people like Sunnee Dhaliwhal, a rising star in the community as comedian and role model, because students look up to him.

In an interview, the towering 26-year-old, a former high school basketball player and aspiring lawyer-to-be, joked about why he chose comedy as a career.

“My goal is to make a lawyer salary, but do fun stuff,” he said. “And if I can make a few changes and be a positive role model, I’m happy.”

In his role as MC, back for the third time at the gala, Dhaliwhal’s ebullient humour poked fun at community stereotypes, and tackled some of the negative images that daunt the community in media reports.

In one instance, he spurred laughs with a sly dig at the rather lacklustre online presence of the Association of South Asian Professionals of B.C., in light of the wealth of talented web designers within the community.

“Have you seen their awful website?” he asked. “You’d think with everyone being Indian and Asian they’d at least have a good site!”

Keynote speaker Parminder Singh, the former managing director of the Microsoft Canada Development Centre in Richmond, shared stories from his life and extensive career in the technology sector.

Amneet Aulakh of the Association of South Asian Professionals of B.C. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. (Gerry Kahrmann photo, The Province)

In an interview, Amneet Aulakh, co-chair of the association’s mentoring committee, said great strides are being made among youth, but more professionals are needed in the mentor pool.

“When we talk to the students about professionalism, it is really getting their juices going,” she said. “But we are hoping to grow our pool.”

Tags: Association of South Asian Professionals of B.C., Jindy Bhalla, Parminder Singh, South Asian business, South Asian youth, Sunnee Dhaliwal, Wally Oppal