ABOUT
US
MISSION & HISTORY.
OUR
PROCESS.
ALLEVIATING POVERTY.
In 2006, Vivek Canada became an incorporated and registered charitable society in British Columbia, Canada. The Foundation member volunteers at that time, nearing retirement from their professions in Canada, India and the U.K., wanted to help those less fortunate.
As an experienced professional group, we are committed to an integrated and grass-roots approach towards rural development projects.
We believe that vibrant rural economies are vital not only to eradicate poverty but also in the foundation for global peace, security and quality of life for all.
Since 2006, we have 4 elementary schools in Puranpur Tehsil, Pilibhit District, U.P. India in operation: Dhaka Chant, Khirkia Bargadia, Nai Colony, and Rahul Nagar. 2500 girls and boys have completed elementary schooling.
Since 2013, we have distributed over 1000 solar lamps to families in need.
2015: All the thatched roof huts at our schools were converted in to concrete all-weather lockable rooms.
2018: We started a new school in Rahul Nagar to accommodate over 100 students.
Phase I
The government of Uttar Pradesh with the help of the World Bank, started the 'Education for all' program. Under this initiative, the children are getting free school uniforms, stipend, school supplies and midday meals as well. Inspite of all this assistance, there are some communities in the state, which are left out because of political, economical or geographical reasons. Most of the remote areas in Puranpur are not well connected with rest of the District. The dirt roads going through the jungles, having risks of wild animals and dacoits are very real. There are no proper bridges to cross the mighty river Sharda. Small boats without any safety gear are the only means to cross the deep and swift river. Due to these hazards, most trained teachers are unwilling to teach in this region.
This is why Vivek Canada is establishing primary schools in these remote areas. So far, we have been able to operate elementary schools in the Musepur, Khirkia Bargadia, Rajan Colony, Dhaka Chant and Ramcote Villages.
The construction of a multipurpose building in Musepur has been completed.
Phase II
Education can only create awareness of issues but in order to develop and maintain self-sustainable rural communities it is imperative that the projects, which generate jobs, should be implemented. To reduce the rural poverty and to empower rural women small projects such as poultry and egg production and vegetable farming can be very useful provided we can assist them in the marketing of their produce in the nearby cities. Vivek Canada has planned these projects for phase II in the near future.
We believe that vibrant rural economies are vital not only to eradicate poverty but also in the foundation for global peace, security and quality of life for all.
OUR
TEAM.
Dr. Harmesh Sidher (President)
Mr. Anil Kumar (Vice President)
Mrs. Jasbir Hundal (Director)
Mrs. Pushpa Awasthi (Secretary)
Mr. Devinder Sikka (Treasurer)
Mr. Neeraj Kumar (Public Relations)
Mr. Narinder Markan (Director)
Mr. Sid Wong (Director)
Dr. Surinder Goswami - India
Dr. Jagdeep Khehra - UK
Dr. Darbari Sharma - Past Senior Advisor
Dr. Harmesh Sidher
Dr. Sidher has a Ph.D in Dairy Science from Punjab University Chandigarh, India and a diploma in Biological Sciences from BCIT, Canada. For twenty-three years he worked with Agri-Food, Agri. Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency at various levels of food Inspection. For three years, he was one of the Ministerial representatives appointed by Hon. Paul Ramsey, Minister of Health to the Surrey North Community Health Council. Currently, Harmesh is Co-Vice-Chair for BC Council for International Cooperation and is deeply passionate about the various projects Vivek Canada is involved with.
Dr. Sharma
After teaching for eleven years in India, Dr. Darbari Sharma came to the University of Illinois, Urbana, U.S.A. as a graduate student in Applied Mathematics in the year 1959 and obtained a PhD in 1963. He worked in the Research Laboratory of Exxon Mobil Oil Company in Houston, Texas for four and a half years. After migrating to Canada in 1967, he joined the Mathematics Department at Simon Fraser University, where he taught for 24 years before retiring in 1991. He has been working as a volunteer, as a President and also as a member of the Board of Directors of many non-profit societies.
Dr. Khahra
After completing his B.Sc Engineering from the Punjab University in 1967, Dr. Khahra worked as a sub Divisional Officer at the Beas Sutlej Project, Sundernagar in Himachal Pradesh, India. In 1971, he migrated to England for his M.Sc and Ph.D in Thermodynamics from the University of Birmingham, UK. Before retiring, Dr. Khahra worked as a software engineer at Pegasus Software Kettering, in the UK.
Mr. Neeraj Kumar
Since migrating to Vancouver over a decade ago, Neeraj has been actively involved in the community. He founded India Cultural Association (ICA) of Vancouver and the social group called “India in Metro Vancouver” to promote rich and diverse culture of India in the lower mainland. With a professional background in IT, Neeraj Kumar is also a certified yoga instructor. Having a passion for yoga, Neeraj founded Yoga Day Vancouver to promote International Yoga Day & yoga throughout multiple cities of Metro Vancouver. Neeraj is deeply committed to giving back to his home country.
Mr. Kumar
Anil Kumar obtained his Masters in Engineering from Dalhousie University in 1972. For many years, he worked with B.C. Hydro as a Senior Engineer, and is now retired. He emigrated from India in 1968 and acquired Canadian Citizenship in 1975. Anil is keen to help those less fortunate.
Mr. Wong
For more than twenty five years, Sid Wong worked with the Canadian federal government. Currently, he is actively involved with various organizations as a board and committee member: Kensington Gardens Complex; Burnaby Waste Management and Environmental Committee; member of the CFIA Western Region Employment Equity Committee; and member of the PSAC Human Rights Committee. Sid sees the world as a global village and that it's important to share our resources with our fellow human beings who are not so fortunate.
Mr. Markan
Mr. Markan graduated from the Marine Engineering College in Calcutta, India in 1964 and worked for the Shipping Corporation of India up till his immigration to Canada in 1970. In Canada, he worked as a Chief Engineer with Seaspan Coastal Inter Model from 1974 till his retirement. Narinder also graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia in 1982. Narinder is very active in the community and a great philanthropist.
Dr. Goswami
Dr. Surender Lal Goswami, is Joint Director at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), in Karnal, India. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for his scientific contributions. NDRI is the biggest dairy research Institute in Asia and its scientists and extension workers have made significant contributions in the Indian rural dairy development.