Chetna Association of Canada is a community-based society registered under the Societies Act of BC. It was established in 1999 with a  primary objective of raising awareness about the caste-based issues globally. Chetna regularly promotes the benefits of creating casteless, respectful and inclusive communities through dialogues, discussions, presentations and seminars.

The members of Chetna take inspiration from Baba Saheb Dr. B R Ambedkar, the champion of human rights in India. Chetna currently has a strong partnership with Dr. Hari Sharma foundation, Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University (SFU), and various departments of University of British Columbia (UBC). The partnership has planned and delivered Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lectures since 2016.

Chetna also has a strong partnership with Indo-Canadian Times Newspaper and boasts Dr. Ambedkar Chetna Awards annually. Categories for these awards include:

 S. Tara Singh Hayer Journalism Award 

 Dr. Ambedkar Arts & Literature Award 

 Dr. Ambedkar Lifetime Achievement Award 

 Dr. Ambedkar Social Justice Award 

What are inclusive communities?

An inclusive community values all its members and helps them to meet their basic needs so that they can live with dignity, engage actively, and contribute to their community. Read more................

Chetna Association of Canada in association with Consulate General of India celebrated the 128th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr. B R Ambedkar at the Consulate General of India Vancouver on April 15, 2019.

For more information and photos of the event, click here....

International Day of Yoga was proclaimed in 2014 by the United Nations General Assembly and has since then been observed annually on June 21.

Yoga is an ancient technique and has many benefits. It helps with giving physical and mental strength. When yoga along with other techniques are applied, it also helps to bring balance at the personal and collective level.

 The wonderful world of Yoga 

Ajay Bisaria (High Commissioner of India to Canada)

On 21 June, the world will once again take a deep breath and stretch to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. This year’s celebration holds greater meaning; an inward journey may be the best antidote to the external checks placed on us by a confounding virus. A planetary lockdown with social distancing norms means that we wouldn’t experience the collective energy of a yoga congregation. But this year’s defining theme of Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family, will ensure respect for public health measures, while encouraging yoga with family bonding, in the security of our homes.

To read more, click here....

Recipient of S. Tara Singh Hayer Award of Journalism: Navjot Dhillon

Recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Art and Literature Award: Mohan Karimpuri

Recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Life Time Achievement Award: Dr. Sanja Boskovic

Recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Social Justice Award: Dr. Suraj Yengde

Recipient of S. Tara Singh Hayer Award of Journalism: Parmod Puri

Recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Art and Literature Award: Bhagwant Rasulpuri

Recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Life Time Achievement Award: Jay Manhas

Recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Social Justice Award: Santosh Das UK

Student Directed Seminar Courses (UBC)

Experiencing Ambedkar (POLI 341C 001)

Coordinator: Riya Samuel

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sunera Thobani

Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar is most well-known for his critical role in writing India’s constitution. As one of the most prominent Dalit freedom fighters, his socio-cultural and historical significance, is undeniable but how much is known about him as a thinker and writer?

Ambedkar was a prolific and extremely well-educated political theorist, but his intellectual contributions are seldom studied with the weight they deserve. The importance of studying Ambedkarite thought is that it circumvents the traditional historiographies and hegemony of the Indian elite that tend to dominate academic spaces.

This course aims to study Indian political theory beyond the Nehrus and Gandhis, as well as to challenge casteist and government-mandated assumptions. The first half of the course will dip into Ambedkar’s writings on law, citizenship, minority rights, nationalism, economics, labour laws, as well as his views on the systemic problems in ’Indian’ culture, society, and institutions. After this more localised foundation, the second half of the course will explore his larger significance in social justice frameworks, and his enduring legacy. Additionally, this seminar will provide a basic understanding of the caste-system, as well as the ways in which it pervades society, culture, and politics in the Indian subcontinent even into the present.

This seminar is a unique opportunity for students to delve deeply into Ambedkar’s intellectual contributions and living legacy, as well as to help create an environment where caste and casteism can be critically explored head-on. Evaluation is based on participation, written essays, journal entries and presentations, as well as innovative open education assignments.

Prerequisite(s): None

Registration: Registration by application only. Please send a statement of interest between 500 to 800 words to riya.samuel@gmail.com, briefly explaining why you would like to take the course and how you can contribute to this seminar. For more information, visit UBC Student Service Centre.