WELL-KNOWN South Asian community activist and Rotarian Anup Singh Jubbal passed away on August 28.

He was born in 1935 in Lucknow, India, and came to Canada in 1968 where he initially resided in Kamloops. He moved to the Greater Vancouver area in 1986.

The desire to help others inspired Jubbal at a young age, drawing him to groups such as the Boy Scouts. During his time in India, he was a Saint John Ambulance attendant. He became a Rotary member in 1986. He raised large sums of money in 1988 for the Rotary International campaign to eradicate polio, a devastating disease that affects children in numerous countries.

In 1989, Jubbal founded an organization committed to preventing blindness among impoverished citizens in rural India and dedicated his life to this noble cause for the past 32 years.

Jubbal was the Founder, President and CEO of Canadian Eyesight Global originally named Project Eyesight-India, which was supported by Rotary International, Rotary Clubs in Canada and India, CRCID/CIDA Canada, local eye hospitals, and dedicated volunteers. Jubbal worked tirelessly to provide care for those in need. A vast number of people were treated for avoidable blindness, and thousands upon thousands of free cataract surgeries were performed in rural areas of India. He also organized numerous eye care camps in Greater Vancouver and Toronto over the past 18 years. Jubbal organized booths at several Rotary International Conventions to promote efforts of Canadian Eyesight Global.

Jubbal won numerous prestigious awards and honours including:

• “Meritorious Service Medal”, presented by Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada (1997)
• “Distinguished Service Award” from the Rotary International Global Polio Eradication Initiative, presented by John Fraser, Speaker of the House of Commons, Canada (1988)
• Rotary International “Service Above Self Award”, presented by the President of Rotary International, Clifford Dochterman (1993)
• “Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Award”, presented by Paul Martin, Federal Minister of Finance, Canada (1998)
• “Outstanding Community Service Award” of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (2005)

There were several other awards and recognitions bestowed upon Jubbal over the years, and his work has been commended by many notable people, including Governors General of Canada, Prime Ministers of Canada, Premiers of BC, and other dignitaries. His work has been featured on radio and television, and in newspapers, magazines and social media. Canadian Eyesight Global will continue to carry his legacy of doing humanitarian work with support of his dedicated family, friends, and volunteers.

He is survived by his wife Saroop Kaur Jubbal, five daughters (and sons-in-law), nine grandchildren, brothers and sisters and other relatives.

His life will be honoured on Friday, September 3 at 1 p.m. at Riverside Funeral Home in Delta, B.C.  Please donate to Canadian Eyesight Global in lieu of flowers at www.canadianeyesight.org.