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Four Indian-origin social activists receive Canada’s Volunteer awards
Each recipient will direct a grant valued between $2,500 and $10,000 to a nonprofit organization of his or her choice.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Thu, 23, Apr 2026
- 17:55 EDT
- 30
Representative Image / Wikipedia
Volunteers, including social activists of Indian descent, held the limelight as the Government of Canada announced the country’s volunteer awards on April 22.
While Bharat Rudra of Ottawa tops the list of 19 awardees, others of Indian descent include dental surgeon Dr. Raj Khanuja, Ontario’s Shiven Taneja, and Amandeep Boparai of British Columbia.
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For over 20 years, Bharat Rudra has shared his expertise and leadership through impactful volunteerism. As co-founder and volunteer president of The Indus Entrepreneur (TiE) Ottawa, he helped displaced professionals become entrepreneurs after Ottawa's telecom collapse. Under his guidance, TiE Ottawa mentored over 1,000 entrepreneurs, seeded ventures, and catalyzed innovation. TiECon Canada, launched under his leadership, grew into a premier North American conference.
Under a different category, special mentions are made of community leaders with some outstanding work. Those chosen this time include Dr. Raj Khanuja, who, over twenty years ago, recognized a growing issue in Orangeville, Ontario: residents without dental insurance were forgoing essential oral health care. To address this issue, he founded "Doing Positive in My Backyard," a grassroots initiative that began as a free dental care day. On this day, Dr. Raj provided no-cost services, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions, to underserved individuals, donating his time, supplies, and equipment while inspiring his team to volunteer.
In yet another category of Emerging Leaders is Shiven Taneja of Ontario. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shiven Taneja sought to protect his grandparents' health by researching and building a Corsi-Rosenthal Box (CR Box), a DIY air cleaner that removes nearly 90 percent of airborne viral particles. Realizing others might struggle to build one, he offered to construct them at cost for community members.
Amandeep Boparai of British Columbia also appears among the recipients of the special mention category. As Chief of Operations at SPARK Foundation, a youth-led non-profit focused on life education and leadership, Amandeep Boparai has been a driving force behind programs that have impacted over 5,000 youth across British Columbia. Her work has helped young people build confidence, courage, and clarity as they step into leadership roles.
Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, while announcing the recipients of the 2025 Canada’s Volunteer Awards, said that “Volunteers impact Canadians’ lives in countless ways. By getting involved in the causes they care about, volunteers foster stronger and more inclusive communities. Through the Canada’s Volunteer Awards, the Government of Canada is proud to honor some of the country’s most dedicated volunteers."
"The 19 award recipients and 5 special mention recipients were selected for their outstanding contributions in areas as varied as social isolation, housing insecurity, and business development in the North; mental health; diversity and inclusion; and supporting vulnerable children, families, and seniors. Their dedication to strengthening their communities demonstrates what it means to be Canadian."
To further amplify their positive impact, each recipient will direct a grant valued between $2,500 and $10,000 to a nonprofit organization of his or her choice.
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