| Vasu Chanchlani | |
|---|---|
| Residence | Toronto, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | MBA, M. Tech, B. Tech |
| Alma mater | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Canada |
| Known for | Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Transnationalism |
Vasu Chanchlani (born July 1, 1952) is an Indo-Canadian serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and trans-nations builder. He is co-founder of the Sigma Group of Companies and a founding member of the Canada India Foundation. He is also an investor in dozens of companies globally consisting of start-ups and turn-arounds [1]. He is best known for his efforts towards improving Canada-India relations through his philanthropic activities and engagement with Indian Diaspora to serve bilateral interests of both Canada and India. [2][3][4] Most recently, Vasu was awarded the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants award by the Canadian Immigrant magazine (a Toronto Star Publication) [5].
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Chanchlani was born in Bhopal (M.P), India, to an upper middle class family. After completing high school in Bhopal, he went on to receive degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (Masters in Industrial and Management Engineering),[6] and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Canada. He began his career with Tata Consultancy Services in India, and moved to Canada in 1979. He began working with Nortel, eventually becoming the Senior Manager of Information Services before starting his own business.[7]
Chanchlani’s philanthropic efforts are fuelled by his belief that Canada’s ‘good global citizen’ image needs to be reflected in progressive public policy that allows for deeper trans-national engagement.
Chanchlani has made an endowment of one million dollars to create the CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award, an award that recognizes innovation and global leadership in the Indian diaspora. Past recipients of this honour include Ratan Tata[8] and Sam Pitroda. Chanchlani also works with the foundation to enhance its engagement with Indian leaders such as former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, economic policy-maker Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr. Shashi Tharoor.[9][10]
Vasu is a seed contributor to the ‘India Initiative’, a joint undertaking between The University of Waterloo and the Canada India Foundation for the advancement of Canada’s research capacity in studying the politics, economy and social conditions of contemporary India, and the bilateral relationship between the countries. The initiative’s planned $10 million endowment will fund endowed CIF Chairs for Waterloo faculty members, Visiting Chairs for India scholars, CIF Fellows, graduate student fellowships, and engagement with researchers and faculty at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.[11] The initiative was made possible in collaboration with CIF'a National Convenor Aditya Jha, Waterloo's Dean Ken Coates and others.
Vasu and his wife Dr. Jaya Chanchlani have set up a $10 million fund (through $1 million seed) to set up Chanchlani Health Research Centre for research and studies on genetic and environmental health issues of the South Asian population at the McMaster Uni.. [12] He has also endowed $250,000 at McMaster to give every year Chanchlani Global Health Research Award along with $25,000 for the best global research for heart and diabetes among South Asians.
In September 2010, Chanchlani along with fellow businessmen Ajit Someshwar and Bhupinder Khalsa donated a maple-leaf-shaped monument to the Canadian Armed Forces for their exemplary service as global peace-keepers.[13] The unveiling ceremony was attended by a large number of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in their ceremonial attire, as well as top leaders including defence minister Peter Mackay, opposition leader Michael Ignatieff, and finance minister Jim Flaherty.[14][15]
Chanchlani has set up the "CNIB Chanchlani Global Vision Research Award” to recognize the best researcher in the field of vision care and vision enablement, world wide. The $100,000 endowment and award was announced at a special reception in Toronto on April 3, 2011. [16]
Vasu has sponsored a student home (through Aim of Seva) in Hoshangabad, India for poor students from surrounding 25 villages to stay there. According to the website, 149 children have benefited from this hostel. [17]