Canadas top 25 immigrants 2014 naval-bajaj
Occupation:
President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneur, Volunteer<br>
Country of Origin:
India
City:
Toronto, Ontario
The youngest elected president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), Naval Bajaj wears multiple hats. A dynamic social mover and shaker, Bajaj helped forge a strong business relationship between Canada and India by getting local businesses in the Greater Toronto Area to collaborate with their counterparts in India. He obviously has a strong connection with his native country. “Accept this country as your karma bhumi [the place where you work to create your destiny], never forgetting your matrubhumi [motherland],” he says. Bajaj was also an integral part of the delegation to India led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The successful entrepreneur and business consultant with 7-Eleven Canada, Bajaj is passionate about sharing his best practices to help the businesses grow by unlocking their full potential, unleashing the power of the Indian diaspora and working toward further strengthening the Indian community and its contribution to Canadian society.
And he is all too familiar with some of the struggles faced by newcomers. “I did not know anyone when I arrived here with just $600 in my pocket. I had no experience on how to operate a business or how to get a job. But I kept my focus and worked toward my goal relentlessly,” he says.
Bajaj has served as a role model for the many organizations he has volunteered for, along with his own business that he built over time. He has found success and provides jobs to new immigrants as well as mentorship programs for students. His philanthropic work includes raising funds for hospitals such as Toronto General, Scarborough General and Brampton Civic.
A recipient of numerous awards including Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Midweek newspaper, the award for leadership by 7-Eleven and the Governor General’s Award, Bajaj urges his fellow Canadians to give back to the community.
Credits: canadianimmigrant.com