• Awarded on: December 10, 2007

Balliram Chadee, Ajax, Ontario
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

Known as "the Sadhu from Ajax", Balliram Chadee is a Hindu spiritual leader and volunteer chaplain whose many trailblazing efforts have supported newcomers to Canada and have fostered greater inter-cultural understanding. For over 20 years, he has created many outreach programs for Durham residents, and has actively served on a variety of municipal committees, ranging from the Community Development Council to the Durham Regional Police. With his founding of two charitable missions, many immigrants and refugees have benefited from counselling services, disaster relief and language training. Always ready and willing to serve, Mr. Chadee is an example of vision, dedication and leadership.