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Gurpreet Singh refuses Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Gurpreet Singh may not get holiday greetings from the Queen.
Today, I received a message from one of our contributors, Gurpreet Singh, saying he's turned down an award that many others are bragging about winning.
Singh, also a talk-show host on Radio India, had been offered a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from Newton–North Delta NDP MP Jinny Sims.
But he let me know that he didn't want it—and not out of any disrespect for Sims, the fiery former president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation.
Once again, Singh has proven that he doesn't just run with the pack.
Here are five reasons why this immigrant from India decided that he didn't need to pin one of these medals on his chest to prove what a great Canadian he is:
• He hates the monarchy and wants an elected constitutional head of state in Canada.
• The Queen represents a colonial empire that brought destruction to India and Canada.
• The Queen did not apologize for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre ordered by Brig.-Gen. Reginald Dyer in 1919, even though she visited Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab where the atrocity occurred.
• A nurse of Indian origin committed suicide after being accused of breaching the Royal Family's privacy by leaking news of Kate Middleton's condition during pregnancy.
• The Queen and her Governor General have not shown compassion toward Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and the indigenous peoples.
Singh's decision comes in the same month that writer Naomi Klein and singer Sarah Slean rejected the same offer.
Meanwhile, Council of Canadians chair Maude Barlow reportedly mailed her medal back to Gov. Gen. David Johnston because of his initial refusal to meet with Chief Spence.
Awards are often grossly over-rated. It's nice to see that some folks are trying to make use of these baubles to educate people rather than simply wrapping themselves in glory.
u r right.And u dod right step thanks...............
Blaspuri
He doesn’t accept an award from the Queen but would probably happily accept an award from corrupt Indian politicians. If this guy’s reasons for disliking the queen for what happened 200/300 years ago, then he might want to look into what good things the British monarchy did for India. I'm pretty sure if he researched these facts they would outweigh what he knows about the "Bad things" that happened; it’s not the Queens fault that India turned to shit since 1950.
After all why should the Queen apologize for what some trigger happy general did 90 years ago when she wasn't even in power? Why should it matter to him when he wasn’t even alive then?
Do Japanese people hate Americans for dropping nukes on them? No
Nobody told that nurse to kill herself. The only apology should come from the DJ’s that made the prank call.
Recently, the British monarchy has apologized and paid compensated for a lot of things that they did wrong 100 to 300+ years ago, you don’t hear of the Spanish crown or other European government apologizing for what they did to world’s indigenous peoples.
Stop trying to be a patriot for a country you are taking advantage of and just appreciate being recognized for what you have achieved/contributed weather you accept it or not.
Bit of a stretch linking the Indian and Canadian experience. Canada would not have survived as "Canada" were it not for Great Britain and Our 1st Nations allies. [that Britain is a constitutional Monarchy is a side issue at best and a red herring at worst] One thing we both benefit from is the establishment of the rule of law [despite it's short comings].Without that; neither country would be benefiting from the current explosion in trade and commerce
Re:1919 I think Britain opened North America to Indian [1920's wasn't it] before the USA did--I know it's an indirect apology but hey I'm sure you of all people can under stand how important face saving is when your a Monarch.
I respect your right to say "thanks but no thanks".
Do it privately and with respect. No grandstanding.
Appreciate where you have been fortunate enough to land.
Sadly there are a lot of places in world you'd be dead openly dissing "TOP DOG" no matter be it King, Queen, Pres., Emperor, Sultan or Maharaja. If you really have your heart in 1919 take the proceeds of your good fortune and good luck with that; don't bring it here--hey--it's a free country .
I thank my parent every day for bringing me to this country;
Ya, I too was a bit pissed that the "Commonwealth" folks
[hey--did that include you] got to play from day one. [we had to wait 5 years] but would not go back even though Holland is appealing some days.
The world should not forget the role that the English have shown in developing countries with their fair play, gentlemenship and a spirit of honour.
They unified India, brought a system of governance with no communal tensions, corruption and immoral activities !!
They sure were "love at 1st sight". Go figure.
Immoral activities--British don't have sex do they?
1. "Stupid"? A matter of opinion, but point taken.
2. This is not Focus.
3. Charlie Smith is the editor of the Georgia Straight, which is what you are actually reading.
4. There are people "bragging" (i.e., sending out news releases).
5. You "win" a Diamond Jubilee Medal by being nominated, usually by a sitting politician or prominent local citizen. Most of the nominees are people of exemplary character or have rather large bank accounts. They must have done something to bring credit to themselves and their region of Canada.
7. There are 60,000 of the medals to be distributed in Canada by the office of the secretary to the governor general before the end of February. You are correct: the number of honorees refusing their medal is very small indeed.
Now that we are in the 2nd Decade of the 21st Century why does Canada need a 'Monarchy' or Queen as Head of State & GG Reps.
Imagine all the Ca$h Canada would save by getting rid of the Queen as Head of State!
All that Money $$$ could go to Canadian Health Care & Education!
Imagine NOT having to pay for Charlie Big Ears Vacation not to mention his kids & Parents. Imagine instead that Ca$h going to Canadians :).
The British permanently DIVIDED India by allowing the Partition of Pakistan (a failed Terrorist Nuclear State now) whereby the world today stands in a hair trigger Nuclear Standoff that could ignite WW III.
Any full scale War will engage their Neighbors Nuclear Communist China, Russia and sooner or later the US and therefore Canada.
That is the legacy of British Rule of India leading up to todays Nuclear standoff.
In the meantime lets VOTE to get rid of the outdated useless costly to Canadians Monarchy.
Those who support the Monarchy please send your pay check's to that old (German Heritage Royals?) Queen :).
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