Ludhiana, Oct 30, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
A Canadian politician representing NDP party, deeply rooted in Punjabi culture and an alumnus of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr Tajinder Grewal has been elected to the legislative assembly of Saskatchewan in the recently held elections.
Dr Grewal did his B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.), M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from PAU, Ludhiana and worked as Assistant Professor at the Biotechnology Centre from 1993 to 1999. In 1999, he along with his family moved to Canada.
He currently works as a Chief Scientist and Head of the Genomics Lab with SGS Canada, a multinational company with Headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. He has previously worked as Research Officer at the University of Saskatchewan and Research Scientist at the Saskatchewan Research Council.
Dr Grewal has a passion for agriculture that led him to become a Professional Agrologist with Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. A member of many national and international professional organizations and GMO committee of International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), Dr Grewal holds a wide experience working in academia (universities), government and private sectors.
A sports enthusiast, Dr Grewal along with a few like-minded people started ‘Saskatoon Field Hockey Club’ in 2003 and was a treasurer of the club from 2003 to 2020. In addition, he has served on the board of directors for Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, Immigrant Access Fund of Saskatchewan, and Saskatoon Senior Support Service.
He has also volunteered for Heart and Stroke Foundation fundraising, Miles for Smiles (Children Hospital Foundation fundraising), Commuter Challenge, Pharmacy and Nutrition Speech Craft program at the University of Saskatchewan, and as an assistant coach for his son’s soccer team.
Besides, Dr Grewal has played a significant role in the establishment of Punjabi Cultural Association of Saskatchewan in 2004, and served as its President from 2010-12.
Apart from this, Dr Grewal was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Saskatoon Cooperative Association (Saskatoon Coop) from 2021-24. He was the first person of colour since the inception of Saskatoon Co-op in 1936 to sit on the Board.
He became active in politics in 2014 and served on many important roles in the Saskatchewan NDP party. He was Vice-President of Saskatchewan NDP from 2016 to 2019 and has been elected as an MLA from Saskatoon University-Sutherland on October 28, 2024.
Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication and Dr Nirmal Jaura, Director Students’ Welfare, PAU, congratulated Dr Grewal for this significant achievement.