Ottawa, Canada: Three prominent members of the Indian diaspora were recently appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the nation's highest honors. The recipients are Pyarali Gulamani Nanji, a philanthropist; Vijayakumar Murty, a renowned mathematician; and Ajay K Virmani, a distinguished entrepreneur.

Pyarali Nanji, a refugee from Uganda in 1972, is now a leading philanthropist in Canada. He has donated millions to hospitals and institutions like Sunnybrook Hospital and the Aga Khan Museum. He is also the CEO of Belle-Pak Packaging Inc., one of Canada’s top 50 managed companies.

Vijayakumar Murty, a professor at the University of Toronto, has made significant contributions to number theory, algebraic geometry, and mathematical modeling. He is also the director of the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences and has mentored many Indo-Canadian youth.

Ajay Virmani, founder of Cargojet Airways, transformed the company into Canada's largest air cargo carrier. He has over 40 years of experience in transportation and is also involved in philanthropic efforts supporting healthcare and social justice.

Governor General Mary Simon praised the new appointees, highlighting their leadership and contributions to Canada. The Order of Canada now celebrates over 8,000 individuals since its inception in 1967.