The day begins outside the Hotel Paris Continental in Nawanshahr where the group is gathering to begin the final day of the Diabetes Awareness tour in the Punjab.
Oh, Mr. Dhaliwal! Keep an eye open for that red turban. This man can get into more photos than anyone else I know.
Cameras are focussed on the hotel entrance and first out is Patty Sahota. Patty is a child of the Punjab, former British Columbia MLA, good friend and supporter of Mike.
Along comes Mike--sword drawn! Today he is going to do battle with diabetes.
While Mike poses with some of his fans and assistants.....
It definitely helped move the group along the crowded roads.
The small village was Lakhnaur. We were met at the highway and walked about 1/2 km into the village where the crowd was gathering at the gurdwara.
As guests, we were given the traditional garlands.
There is Mr. Dhaliwal, as well as our troubadour Jaswant Nagina, and Jati Sidhu from Abbotsford.
Everything was prepared for the visit of Mike and Dr. Cheema.
The police surrounded the site.
The men of the village soon filled the seats that were set up for the audience.
The ladies preferred the comfort of the sidelines.
Jay Bains, also from British Columbia, hosted the event. He encouraged the people to take the pamphlets prepared for them and also to access the Intercultural Online Health Network (iCON) at www.iconproject.org. I believe this is a project of UBC.
Jay introduced Mike who delivered his greetings and message in true Michael style.
Dr. Cheema then spoke and discussed the medical issues surrounding diabetes and hypertension. Although he spoke Punjabi, I am sure the message followed the information in the booklet--healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, exercise.
Mike must have understood the message about exercise because he decided to get his by pedalling Avtar and Marissa (Patty's niece) on a three-wheeler back to the highway.
This water buffalo just snorted, "Crazy Canadian!" as he went by.
Artisans were at work in the village as we walked through.
And many of the beautiful people stood at their gates to wave and smile.
Before getting into our vehicles, we were asked to make one more visit. In the village is a Rehabilitation Centre. Mike spoke to the young men assembled there, and then asked Avtar to share some words of encouragement with them.
I have read some of Mike's Facebook posts about his experiences which include giving an oral polio vaccine to a baby who was one hour old and visiting a "family" of abandonned little girls.
Back on the road through the Punjab, we passed dozens of vendors selling oranges.
We were only 20 km from Chandigarh and, believe it or not, ahead of schedule. We had to arrive at the UFV Chandigarh campus no earlier than 2 pm and would not be able to walk even five kilometres said the police.
Gurneet arranged for us to stop at the JW Marriott for tea.
Here we finally saw our first sign of Christmas.
We were able to sit and relax--here with guess who and Barinder's cousin whose name I apologize for not knowing.
If this story is getting boring, why not count the number of Mr. Dhaliwals there are on this page.
He is here with Patty and her niece, Marissa. This is Marissa's first visit to her ancestral homeland.
Gurneet is negotiating with the police officer. Couldn't we please walk to the campus?
Oh no! They've arrested him and he is making that one phone call!
No, really we are on our way to the campus and they have agreed to a short walk.
We finally get out of the vehicles--two blocks from UFV Chandigarh/SD College.
The entourage is full of energy as they charge down the street. We have to perspire a bit so it looks like we have trekked across the Punjab.
Finally at the gates to the campus, Mike and George show that friends meet friends at UFV Chandigarh.
As expected, our students are there to give a warm welcome.
Now, Mike is put to work. He and Mr. Sharma, President of SD College Society, are about to unveil a sign.
They are opening the brand new computer lab which will be used by many UFV classes and also house a Microsoft IT Academy Program.
A ribbon cutting opens the door to the new facility and we enter a totally refurbished classroom that two weeks ago was unused, dark and dingy.
Our thoughts were, "Gurneet, take a rest. You have just been entertaining Presidents, Ministers, the Prime Minister...."
Mike's next stop was to chat with students who were waiting in the next classroom.
He chose this time to present to George the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. It is an honour to receive this medal for sure, and what a setting in which to receive it, surrounded by our Chandigarh "family."
Dilmeet and crew had arranged for a delicious buffet lunch for all the guests.
These are Gurneet's "people" who arranged the reception, opening and luncheon: Dilmeet, Mushtaq, Jeevika and Simlee.
What a job they did!
And at the end of the day, they had a chance to relax.
We all did.......
for a little bit of time.
Mike went off to open the BC Trade Office and we joined him later at a reception at Consul General Scot Slessor's residence. Scot hosted about 100 people and most took advantage of the beautiful back yard with its lights and bonfire (9 degrees C outside).
Mike had an opportunity to introduce his delegation and mingle with the guests.
Our students who had made the Dean's List were among the guests.
I'm sure it took these students less time to decide to attend UFV Chandigarh for their education than it did to choose an ice cream flavour! After all, George was buying!
PS Tomorrow we are off to Jaipur!
