India Club Board Members 2010-2011

Photo: Standing left to right: Ashwani Kalia – Director, Preeti Misra- – Secretary,
Alka Varshney – Director, Nalinee Bhuwi( Not Board Member),Smita Sampal–Director ,
Shyam Narwani– Director
Sitting from Left to Right:Dr. Harbans L. Dhingra – Director,Kulwant Sekhon - Treasurer,
Deepa Sharma (President), Rajeev Kapur – Vice President,Mahendra Paul Kwatra –Past President


India Club Board of Directors 2010-2011

Deepa Sharma – President

Deepa Sharma was born and raised in India. She was a school teacher in New Delhi. She migrated to Canada in 1978 to join her husband Virender (Vic) Sharma in Regina, Saskatchewan. She was an active volunteer in her community. She was an active member of India Canada Association and was on its board. She also was appointed the Ambassador and Pavilion Manger for Indian Pavilion for Mosaic. She was also a very active member of Indo Canada Association that used to organize and conduct Indian Classical dance workshops. She has been a resident of Surrey, B.C. since 1999 and has since been working as a Social Worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. She has been actively involved in many organizations in the Lower Mainland. She has served as a Joint Secretary and a Secretary on the Board of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society (Laxmi Narayan Temple) of Surrey, BC. She is also on the board of Global Hindu Foundation of Surrey, BC and is committed to making a difference. Deepa and Vic are blessed with two lovely children, Daughter is studying in Toronto, completing her fellowship in Paediatric Dentistry and son is also a Dentist.
PHONE #: 604-582-7170.

Rajeev Kapur – Vice President

Rajeev Kapur was born in Delhi, India. He joined State Bank of India in the year 1985. He worked on various positions in State Bank of India. Before coming to Canada, he worked as Chief Manager (Credit) for State Bank of India at Delhi Zone. He came to Canada on 2nd September 2004 and worked as Vice President (Accounts) for State Bank of India (Canada), Vancouver, until November 2008. He is a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration from Delhi University. He has done professional financial planning from Canadian Securities Institute, Toronto, Mortgage Broker Course from UBC and, MA in (Applied Legal Studies) from Simon Fraser University. He is currently working for Scotia Bank. He has two children. His daughter and son are studying in Langara College and Grade 5, respectively. He regularly participates in various social and religious activities and is connected with various social and religious organizations in Lower Mainland.
Phone : 604 322 0071


Preeti Misra- – Secretary

I have a doctorate degree from Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi India. I have worked as a Research and Development Consultant on women’s issues, in India (SEWA-Self Employed Women’s Association) and in Montreal (World March of Women). I migrated to Canada from Trinidad in 2002 after marriage. I was Associate Fellow in Centre for Developing Area Study, Mc Gill University in 2003. Moved to Toronto where I was blessed with a son in 2005 and moved to Vancouver in 2007. I am currently working for JP Morgan Chase Bank and representing BC in non profit Acorn Canada’s National Board.
Phone: 604-585-3567


Kulwant Sekhon - Treasurer

I came to Canada in 1963. I have two beautiful professional daughters. I graduated from University of British Columbia. Now I am semi retired. However, I am still keeping myself connected with my profession by teaching on part time basis. I have also served for seven to eight years on the Burnaby Multicultural Society, as a board member and worked with different committees. Now I am serving on the Punjabi Language Education Association board for last three years.
Phone 604-552-5808


Mahendra Paul Kwatra – Past President

Mahendra Kwatra was born in West Pakistan in May 1937. After partition, he migrated to India and settled in New Delhi. He graduated from Punjab University in 1955. He joined the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in July 1960. Besides working at Headquarters of the Ministry, he also worked in Indian Missions in Pakistan, South Vietnam, United Kingdom, Zambia and Vancouver (Canada). After seeking voluntary retirement in 1993, he came back to Vancouver as a landed immigrant in 1994. He worked as an Office Manager/Accountant in a private organization. He is married and a proud father of three daughters & a son and five grand children. He is very much involved with Vishwa Hindu Temple, Burnaby, Pratham and Universal Cultural Society. Phone - 604-324-8212

Alka Varshney – Director

Born in India, holds Master’s Degrees in Physical Anthropology and Education from Lucknow University, and has been in the teaching profession in India. Currently engaged in the investment profession. with her husband, Dr. Satya Varshney. Daughter, Avani Varshney. Interests include traveling, reading and active involvement in community and volunteering in school activities.
Phone: 604-325-7740

Ashok Khurana – Director

After studying in London, England, Ashok came to Canada in 1970. He is a certified Immigration Law Practitioner. He and his wife Vidhu are blessed with four children and presently live in Vancouver with their youngest son Arjun.
Phone 604-676-4482

Ashwani Kalia – Director

I came to Canada at the age of ten. I wanted some bigger challenge to keep me busy, so I started learning Martial Arts. After receiving 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, I, then moved to kick boxing and received Black Belt. I started teaching at Cobra Kai Martial Arts Academy. In 1996, I started my career as a Life Insurance Advisor. Over the years, I've taken great pride in helping my clients realize their financial goals and life dreams. I offer complete Financial Planning Services with a main focus on Retirement Planning. I have been blessed to be surrounded by good friends. My weekends are even busier, hosting and visiting friends.
Phone: (604) 777-3371 Fax: (604) 777-3352

Smita–Director

Smita is a commerce graduate from Bombay university. Smita joined State Bank Of India in 1980 and there she worked on various positions and voluntarily retired as a Manager cash and credit in 1999. Smita migrated to Canada in 1997 to join her husband who works for Aker solution chemetics as a Technology specialist.Smita is currently working with World Financial Group dealing with Insurance, Mutual funds, Mortgages, RESP and RRSP products. Smita has tremendous interest in Real Estate too. Smita’s husband is an IIT Graduate and her daughter Ami is a former Miss Canada Global 2005 who just finished her Masters in Television, Media and Films from London university.
Phone : cell 778-883-8292, Res 604-565-8292

Dr. Harbans L. Dhingra- Director

Dr. Harbans L. Dhingra who came to USA in 1968 as Fulbright Scholar from Panjab University, India holds Ph.D. degrees from Panjab University (India) and Syracuse University (New York, USA) in Business Management. Currently he is Professor Emeritus of Finance & Management Science, University of Saskatchewan (U of S), Saskatoon. He joined the faculty of U of S in 1970 and retired in 1999. At the U of S he served as Head of the Department of Finance and Management Science. In Saskatoon during 1970 he served as Vice-President, India Club (now called India Canada Cultural Association). Also in Saskatoon he was the founding President of Hindu Society of Saskatchewan (formerly known as Vedanta Society of Saskatchewan). He also served as the founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of this Society. He was also appointed Ambassador twice for the Indian Pavillion at Folkfest Saskatoon. Further, in Saskatoon he was Vice-President and later President of Multi-faith Saskatoon. He also served as Director of Community Relations of Nutana Rotary Club. For his academic research and teaching he has visited many countries. Last year he permanently moved from Saskatoon to North Vancouver. Currently he is on the Boards of Elder College, Capilano University, North Vancouver for 2010-2011, India Club Vancouver for 2010-11 and Burnaby Hindu Temple for 2010-12. Also he is a member of Men’s Division, Gleneagles Golf Course, West Vancouver. His hobbies are golf and bridge.