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Asian - American Heritage - Punjabis in Canada, a chronology. . DOSANJH IS BRITISH COLUMBIA PREMIER Feb. 21,2000 - It was a big day for Punjabis. One of them, Mr. Ujjal Dosanjh today became the Premier of British Columbia, a prosperous and important state of Canada.
He talked about his Punjabi background, the role of Ghaddarite freedom fighters and other political forces committed to social justice and human welfare. He promised to uphold these traditions. Mr. Dosanjh will be sworn in as Prime Minister by the Governor, --Mr. G Gadown, in Victoria on Wednesday. Five days later he will announce his Cabinet. Born in Dosanj Kalan village of Jalandhar district, Mr.Dosanjh belongs to a family of freedom fighters. Mr. Dosanjh, the first Indian to become a premier of any Canadian state, said: "My victory is a tribute to the freedom fighters of the Kamagata Maru. They set the pattern for us to fight for freedom and democracy. We salute all freedom fighters and those who cherish social and human values." Asked how he felt as once he was an immigrant worker and how should people in India and Punjab in particular, think about his victory, Mr. Dosanjh said: "I remember my maternal grand father in Bahwa village of Hoshiarpur. He would take us on a wooden cart and tell us stories about Kamagatu Maru, the gurdwara reform movement and about Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru of the freedom movement. Something went deep and influenced my thinking. When I came to Canada after spending sometime in England, I worked hard to earn a living and then became a lawyer, I was always busy in the trade union movement and later the New Democratic Party. Our committment is to social democracy. I salute the country of my origin and my Punjab and the people." "I migrated at the age of 17, but have never forgotten my roots. I have visited Punjab repeatedly and have tried to set up joint ventures with the help of my colleagues. I look forward to doing something tangible for Punjab. We can help in setting up joint ventures in several areas," he added. Mr. Dosanjh said it was true that the first committment was to Canada and British Columbia, but India was there in his heart. "We strongly believe in the unity and prosperity of India, a modern secular democratic India committed to the welfare of its people. We want to see the land of our origin prosperous and any help would be an honour," he said. Mr. Dosanjh is the 34th Prime Minister of British Columbia, the state born in 1871. His wife Mrs. Raminder Kaur Dosanjh is working and his three sons are studying in universities. The entire family was there to recieve the applause after his election as leader of the New Democratic party. SOURCE:Tribune India. Online editors. Feb. 22, 2000. Dosanjh Biography: http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/punjab/www.bc.ndp.ca/
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There was thunderous applause when the results were announced. Mr.
Dosanjh was present along with his wife Raminder Kaur Dosanjh, and three
sons, Pavel, Assem and Ambar, to receive the standing ovation. Mr. Dosanjh
told the delegates that the election of a once immigrant worker to such a
high place showed the committment of the Canadian people.