TWO prominent South Asians are among the 23 new appointments to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, announced on Monday by Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario.
The two are Shashi Kant of Toronto, professor of forest resource economics, and Dr. Dilkhush Panjwani of Toronto, psychiatrist.
Kant’s citation reads: “The only Canadian to win the Queen’s Award for Forestry, he has an international reputation as an expert in the intersection of forest management and human rights, and is a leader in his field for considering sustainability and social aspects of forest management. He is the founding director of the University of Toronto’s ground-breaking Master of Science in Sustainability Management program.
Panjwani’s citation reads: “As a community psychiatrist for over 30 years, Dr. Panjwani has vigorously promoted dignity for those suffering from mental-health issues and workplace injuries, dedicated his career to helping patients without access to care, and advocated to end the social stigma of mental illness. He has also promoted pluralism by connecting diverse community organizations and initiating interfaith and intercultural dialogue.”
The Order of Ontario recognizes individuals whose exceptional achievement in their field have left a lasting legacy in the province, in Canada and beyond. Order members come from all walks of life, represent diverse professions and have played an important role in shaping our province.
The Lieutenant Governor will bestow the honour to the newest appointees during an investiture ceremony at Queen’s Park on February 27.
“I am proud to welcome the 23 newest members of the Order of Ontario. They continue a tradition of excellence, and represent the best of this great province. Their extraordinary achievements have contributed to making Ontario, and the world, a better place for us all,” said Dowdeswell.
It is so wonderful and congratulations to Dr. Panjwani and Prof. Shashi Kant for receiving prestigious award.
We are proud to have you as our representative and doing an admirable work for the society at large.
Many more success.
Way to go Dilkhush Panjwani
May you prosper forever
Well deserved and long over due in recognising one of our more savant and early pioneers in this field of mental health and in our community:his smile says it all!
Congratulations Dr.Dilkhush Panjwani for improving quality and dignity of your patients and your efforts in inter community Harmony race relations
Very cool !! Congratulations Dilkhush for receiving such a prestigious award. We are all very proud of your accomplishments and wish you continued success in your future endeavors. Keep up the good work.
Very well deserved award for Dr. Dilkhush Panjwani after years of dedicated work for the community and raising awareness for mental health issues. A strong spirited and lively personality deserves all the success and may you prosper in all you future endeavors.
Congratulations Dilkhush! You make us proud. The recognition does justice to your work with the marginalized and promoting interfaith dialogue
Congratulations Dr Panjwani. Well deserved. You make us proud.