Mahesh Chandra Sharma honoured for resilience, philanthropy and community leadership decades after Air India tragedy
Mahesh Chandra Sharma, an Indian-origin professor who lost his wife, two daughters, and mother-in-law in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, has been conferred the Order of Canada, one of the nation’s highest civilian honours. The recognition was announced on the Governor General of Canada’s official website, highlighting Sharma’s enduring contribution to education and social service in the face of profound personal loss, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Sharma, currently a professor and mentor at Concordia University, has long been an advocate for education and community engagement. Following the Kanishka tragedy — the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history, which claimed 329 lives — he established scholarships in memory of his late family members, supporting students and encouraging resilience through learning.
According to his official Order of Canada citation, Sharma is recognised as a civic-minded philanthropist and a champion of social causes, dedicated to uplifting vulnerable groups and fostering inclusive community development
Also honoured in the latest list is Saroj Saigal, a Hamilton-based Indian-Canadian doctor renowned globally in the field of neonatology. Saigal was recognised for being the first researcher to qualitatively study the lives of extremely premature infants, transforming the understanding of their long-term outcomes through a compassionate lens.
The Order of Canada celebrates individuals whose life and work embody excellence, service, and impact in Canadian society. For Mahesh Chandra Sharma, the award stands as a testament to his journey from grief to giving — and to a legacy built not only in remembrance but also in hope.
