Jagdish Singh Grewal

S. Jagdish Singh Grewal is a renowned media personality of Canada. He was born in Punjab, India. He migrated to Canada in 1987, still as a student and completed his education at the Frazer Valley College, British Columbia and Centennial College, Toronto to become a certified automobile technician. Although, he had to do many survival jobs during his studying period, after that he served the Canadian Army Reserve in the Electrical and mechanical wing for three years from 1991-1994. From 1994-2002, he worked with one of the largest automobile companies Chrysler as technician. However, during all these years his visionary attitudes persuaded him to do something unique and purposeful and listening to his conscience, he started a Punjabi newspaper in 2002 which became the first daily newspaper to be published in Peel region. Though, it was an uphill task to sustain operation of a daily newspaper without any supports, S. Grewal worked hard and made his mission successful by making this Punjabi newspaper ‘Punjabi Post’ quite popular in Greater Toronto area. He maintained such high standard of journalism and adopted a proactive approach to raise awareness about the issues facing immigrant communities, particularly Sikhs and thus became one of the most recognizable persons in the field of journalism. In addition to this newspaper Jagdish also hosts ‘Radio Khabarsar’ a programme in which he expresses his frank views on topical issues. Further, he has interviewed top notch personalities that include Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Kathlyn Wynne, former premier Dalton McGuinty, federal and provincial ministers, sports personalities, artists and many others. .

He accompanied Prime Minister Stephen Harper twice on a business promotion tour of India and similarly visited India twice with the premier of Ontario, Dalton Mcguinty for the similar purposes. As a journalist, he has also covered ‘Parvasi Bhartiya Diwas’ on various occasions at the invitation of government of India. In addition to his services as a media person, he has done commendable work in social, religious and educational spheres. He was among the founders of Punjabi Press Club, Toronto and Punjabi Broadcaster Association. He is also a member of National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada. He is again one of the founding fathers of Punjabi Bhangra Dance as he himself is an elegant bhangra dancer. He is a wonderful fund raiser for community works and many a times, he has exceeded targets in this regards. For example he raises every year for Credit Valley Hospital, Peel Memorial Hospital, Etobicoke general Hospital and Brampton Civic Hospital by organizing a car rally dedicated to the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Similarly there are numerous fund raising and awareness events to support the cause of physically/mentally challenge individuals through Canadia Paraplegic Association wherein he had been contributing considerably. He had also raised more than $ 50000 for Guru Gobind Singh Children Foundation through ‘Bring a Penny’, Nickel, Dime Campaign to help needy children in developing countries. S. Grewal has also played a key role to promote soccer, kabaddi and field hockey among the South-Asian people living in GTA. In view of all these services, he has been widely recognized, awarded and honoured by different persons and organizations including various health organizations, sports, cultural and faith organizations and also by local provincial and federal govt. Whereas Lt. Governor of Ontario awarded him twice with National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award, Peel regional police also honouned him with media award for the best ethnic news in 2010. Indo-Canada Peace Alliance awarded him with a gold medal for community work and various gold medals won by him for promoting sports. He has also been awarded ‘Parvasi Media Award’ in the category of best social work. Being a Sikh, he has done excellent work for promoting Punjabi language, culture, values and traditions. All these achievements make him a role-model for all the people. That is why Guru Gobind Singh Children Foundation gave him an award of a role-model to the community.

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Jagdish Singh Grewal