Unjali Malhotra (Submitted Photo/First Nations Health Authority)

By Derek Craddock

TOP 50 UNDER 50

Former P.A. resident named one of Canada’s Top 50 under 50 Indo-Canadians

Jul 15, 2023 | 12:00 PM

A former Prince Albert resident and daughter of “The Angel of The North” has been named one of the best in Canada.

Unjali Malhotra, the daughter of renowned P.A. doctor Lalita Malhotra was recently honoured as one of the Top 50 under 50 Young and Inspiring Indo-Canadians.

The list was compiled that the global publishing firm Maneesh Media with several of the recipients being honoured at a grand gala in Brampton, Ont. On June 30^th, which her mother attended as a special dignitary.

Malhotra has been working with the First Nations Health Authority based in West Vancouver. B.C.

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She spoke to paNOW about the honour and what it means to be recognized for her achievements.

“It feels incredible and overwhelming and exciting,” she said. “It’s such a humbling honour. When you get to a point like that when you achieve something like that and you’re honoured with something like that, you really reflect on the fact that it took so much to get there, so many people to raise you up and support you and get you into a position of success.”

She attributes her success to many people in life, particularly her family and ancestors in India who endured the Partition and poverty. Despite that, they were able to pass on their knowledge and education to their children and grandchildren, particularly the girls.

“It’s important to know everything that my family has done and everything that has gone into this. It’s a recognition of all of the work,” she said.

READ MORE: ‘A horrific practice’: Former P.A. resident vowing to end coerced sterilization

Malhotra has spent many years vowing to end the practice of coerced sterilization among First Nations people in Canada. She said while there has been progress on the matter, there is still a lot of work to be done.

“I think that it’s way past due. This is something that should have never happened and something that should have been addressed many decades ago,” she said. “To shine a spotlight on it at anytime I think is not only vital but what we really need to be doing. When it’s being recognized, that’s so important and that allows for the issue to not only be known but hopefully change is made.”

Malhotra acknowledged that everyone that was named in the Top 50 under 50 has gone through similar paths and they’ve also had the support of mentors and role models in their life. She encourages other young Indo-Canadians looking to achieve great things to reach out and never give up.

“You have the heart and ability; you have all that you need in you. To believe in yourself is the most important piece. Whenever you want to do something and you want to challenge something and take something on, believe in yourself.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow