Community connection helped me: Canadian MP

Minna Zutshi
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 20

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From mentoring youngsters to taking up the mantle of political leadership, it has been a long journey for Dr Diljeet Pal Singh Brar, MLA of Burrows, Winnipeg, in Canada. This alumnus of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was felicitated today at the university by the Punjab Cultural Society. Dr Brar also served at PAU, his alma mater, as assistant professor in the Department of Extension Education before migrating to Canada in 2010. In 2019, he contested elections as the New Democratic Party candidate. Dr Brar believes that as a leader, one should be open to a variety of experiences. One has to unlearn a lot of things, he says. For him, his community connection helped. “I was into social work. I was doing mentorship of youngsters in our community. The community members motivated me to take up the challenge of (political) leadership.”

Was the political journey difficult for him? Challenges are difficult, he says. But once you are committed, you can sail through all challenges. He was new to politics. Contacting and approaching diverse communities was not an easy task. Unlike the electorate in India, the electorate in Canada is more heterogeneous. He realised that all cultures have richness and beauty provided we are willing to recognise these. “We should be open to everything. We have to unlearn so many things. Some phases are tough. Canada is a land of opportunities,” he says.

According to Dr Brar, art has a significant role in life – it enriches you as a person. Dr Brar has been teaching folk dance at an art centre in Canada. His experience as captain of bhangra team and coach at his alma mater (PAU) has helped him mentor youngsters interested in folk arts and culture of Punjab.