English & Urdu Text : Khalid IqbalPresentation : Shoaib Sobani

Many would recall the evening promenade of cheerful boys and girls adnexal tothe very famous Anklesaria Nursing Home in Karachi. They all belonged to theMisquita Block where Colin Saldanha lived. He was handsome, dressed decentlyand a cultivated character with a short-lived bushy moustache

His mannerisms testified that he was a prototype Goanese Catholic where humandignity always carries a superlative value. Colin was fraternal to all the classmatesof the batch of ‘79. Outspoken, yet very reserved; sensible, yet compelling abouthis point of view; somber, yet very expressive in his style of fast track English. Onealways found him distancing from controversies, feuds and grudges. He wasserious and regular in studies but never wished to be counted among theacademic icons.

Colin graduated and arrived in Canada in 1982 where professional survival was achallenge at that time. It was sheer luck that he was able to hit the groundrunning without any waste of time. He did his Residency in Internal Medicine atMcMaster University in Hamilton, and was a Research Fellow in the Departmentof Surgery at the University of Toronto

Colin started practice in Family, Aviation, Travel and Occupational Medicine, inMississauga. He has also served as a corporate physician to a number of businessestablishments and government agencies, including the RCMP, Transport Canada,Health Canada and Immigration Canada.

These connections made him name familiar to the population of Mississauga andin fact paved the way for the extensive and multi-faceted volunteer services thathe rendered to the community for over quarter of a century.

Saldanha’s name came to fame as a result of involvement in vast community work.In addition to participating in numerous forums on race relations and equity,policing and social justice issues he has served as President of Peel MulticulturalCouncil, Chair of the Peel Police Services Board, President of the CanadianAssociation of Police Boards and President of the Mississauga Board of Trade

Colin has had the coveted honor of being the only Pakistani immigrant to ever beappointed on the board of trustees of the Royal Ontario Museum appointed byPremier McGuinty.

Saldanha has been on the Chair of the United Way Board since 2005. He hasrecently joined the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation Board and the Diverse Cityon Board Task Force of the Toronto City Summit.

He was voted one of the top 25 immigrants of 2009. He has been a strongadvocate for the rights of immigrants and students for the last 15 years, and hasbeen involved in several mentorship programs for immigrants. He received theGovernor General 125 Medal, the Sam McCallion Award for Volunteerism and‘Volunteer Of The Year’ Award

Watchthevideofeaturingourherohere:

http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrantstories/top25winners/article/767

Saldanha’s family members are very much a part of his professional life; Sheilamanages his clinic in Mississauga, & their children, Diane, Warren & Jason alwaysavailable when needed.

The biggest surprise to the family came in May 2010 when Colin was namedMississauga's Citizen of the Year. He was awarded the Gordon S. Shipp MemorialAward for his volunteer efforts. The award was presented to Saldanha at a CivicCentre reception.

Dear ColinCongratulations on your tremendous achievements, however, you do not need enemy when you have friends like us. I knew from friends complimentary mails that you had difficulty in UK and left for Canada. Now I know that you had failed in English thanks to Sachi and Sachi ( Famous British advertising agency).Ifti

jalil Sher Shah ! You should SUE GMC on behalf of Colin!

Hattak-e-Izzat ka dawaa kar do and show them the evidence. Saalay GMC walay upnayaap ko kiyaa samajhtay hain!?Jalil

PERSONALITY UPLOADED ON 25TH DECEMBER 2010

PERSONALITY UPLOADED ON 25TH DECEMBER 2010

THANKS SHOAIB FOR GOLDEN JUBLEE COLIN

I FAILED IN PLAB---ENGLISH AND MEDIICINE BOTH-----VERY NORMAL THING TO OCCUR---EVEN PARACHA FAILED---I WAS SATISFIEDBUTCOLIN FAILED IN ENGLISH-------JUST NOT EXCEPTABLEWE ALL WERE SHOCKEDNOT BELIEVABLEIT MUST BE A MISTAKEWE ALL THOUGHT

but i think that changed colin and he decided for canadaand look what he did in canadai am sure GMC will regret if they know about him nowcolin you are great and i remember you from dmc as a very kind hearted person and a gentelmanCONGRETRULATIONS ON YOUR GREAT SUCCESShave fun bossshershah

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Hi Colin, On this occasion I could not resist a contribution. Congratulations on your extra-ordinary achievements.In those distant days, we somehow came together as a group with you and Tariq Vakani being the movers and shakers. Your affable nature, an easy charm and a ready smile were your strengths.It was great to chauffeur you to college and back, as your sharp wit and keen sense of humour always started and finished the day on an upbeat note.Amongst your other attributes, I can reveal you are a dazzling dancer ( as evidenced on your 21st birthday party) and an absorbing conversationalist especially when it came to the opposite sex.Sadly, your stay in the UK was full of tribulation--I can clearly recall one poignant meeting at the Embankment overlooking the Thames; soon after that you decided to leave the country. You certainly took Canada by storm and most important of all married Sheila.I am sure your children and Sheila, and your mother and brothers are ever so proud of you, as indeed all your friends are.I am sorry we could not meet up at the London reunion but I am sure we will soon. Wishing you happiness,Astad .

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ColinI came to know you on back of my admiration and friendship with Astad. Soft, considerate and funny. Every one, as I remember it, liked you as student. I remember your unhappy time in the UK. You have proved it was UK's loss. We celebrate your acheivements and success. Your social and cultural engagements indicate the caring and honest soul behind evergreen exterior.I have not met your family but no doubt it always is thewoman behind ever succesful man.Happiness and success be always with youMunir

Dear Colin, I didn't know you very much in college ,but enough to say that you alwaysimpressed as a gentleman.What a fantastic write up ,you remain a gentleman ,going up the laddergraciously. I have learnt more about you reading other friends views about you.Well done Colin,you make us v. proud .Hope to meet up at the next re-union.Best WishesSalma

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Wow !!That is the only word that comes out reading your long list of achievements and pictures of people acknowledging your achievements from Bill Clinton onward. A very apt golden jubilee POW.Colin, I have known you from your St Pats days, visiting you next to Ankleseria Hospital where you lived. You have been a consistant friend throughout. It was so good to catch up with you and thank you for your hospitality when I was in Toronto and also thanks for helping my schoolfriend when I requested you.We are all proud of your achievements and even more proud that you are still the same Colinwith best wishesRehman

Dear Colin, Wonderful memories of you, smiling face at college, somewhat like Munir, could slide in an undercut jab. You were missed at the London re-union. Your lesson on PERSEVERANCE, I am committing it to my Mantra. Life at DMC, is like a DVD movie put in pause when we left Pakistan, now and then an email hits the Play button again, then it pauses again.Javaid

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Reading about Colin took me back to memory lane. Good old Colin may remember the days when he, I and Tariq Vakani used to meet at his Anklesaria home. I still remember his verbal fights with Farooq Shaikh. Colin, do you remember that? You have done well in your life and career and I congratulate you for your achievements. By the way does anyone know where Farooq Shaikh is?Idrees(H)

Hi Colin,Congratulations for being POW rightly deserved to be golden Jubilee star. WOW what an achievement, you make us all proud. Please keep up the good work, looks like you will be the next health minister /or premier of Canada. Best of LUCK for your future endeavors.Hope to meet with you and your lovely family in next class get together.swaraj

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Dear ColinPlenty of water has gone under the bridge since we last met. I am immensely proud to know you and your achievements. May you have plenty more. It will be nice to read your personal account of your life.Ifti

Colin the Greatcongrats Pal always there for friendsand thanks for helping my niece a few years agoMy very best to you and your familyyounus

Shoaib:Thank you for posting another gem of a biography.ColinCongratulations on being the dulha of the week. You most definitely deserve it. It is good to 'meet' your family, albeit virtually and I am sure we will hear your version of the story in due course.I didn't realise that you lived in the 'Tramgodi' area. In my school days, I wasn't too far off down the road between Godeon and Rivoli.Good to know you and do write.Hasan

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Thank you shoaib for Golden Jubilee befitting personality of the week.

King Colin of Mississauga and Peel, future premier of Canada, congratulations on being the personality of the week...rather small adoration for someone who has received so many big awards. This one comes straight from the heart. No one else deserves to be the coveted Golden Jubilee personality more than you.

Always humble and soft spoken Colin of our class is still the same. Met him at a mini get together in Canada when Asad was there. Had a wonderful time at Tariq's place, the host par excellence ( kahaan ho Tariq, I am missing you man), got to meet the lady behind the successful Colin Saldanha, Sheila. I am sure, Colin you would agree with me, that it would not have been possible without her support...so this Christmas, Santa will visit Colin's house after a break in at DeBeers (refer to brochure page 8, for starters) http://imageware.venda.com/erez4/fsi4/fsi.swf?pages_server=http://imageware.venda.com/erez4&pages_dir=venda/Debeers/&cfg=pages_presets/erez_defaults.fsi&MouseModes_Mode2=0&pages_BendEffect=none&plugins=resize

PS. Mrs. Sheila Saldanha, I work strictly on the commision basis. I am sure you will be generous.Bashir