E-Paper
India deserves better status at UN, says Canadian minister
In a freewheeling interview with Gurmukh Singh, Ujjal Dosanjh spells out his views on India, his rise in politics and other issues.
Canada is the world leader in health care and the health portfolio is the most coveted in the Canadian cabinet.
Today, an Indian, Ujjal Dosanjh, is Canada's health minister.
And the man needs no introduction. In February 2000, he created history by becoming the first non-white premier in Canada's province of British Columbia. Today, he is the only cabinet minister of Indian origin anywhere in the western world.
Ujjal was given the most prized portfolio by Prime Minster Paul Martin in recognition of his stature in national politics.
In a freewheeling interview with Gurmukh Singh, Ujjal spells out his views on India, his rise in Canadian politics and other issues. Excerpts:
Q: From being just another immigrant in 1968 to being premier in 2000 and now Canada's health minister, you have come a long way. In fact, you are the most successful NRI in the West today. What is the feeling?
A: Oh, I feel great. It was a big honour to be a premier and it is a bigger honour to be Canada's health minister.
This job is much bigger and more complex than the job of the premier which I held earlier. Now I look after the whole country while as premier I was in charge of just one province of British Columbia.
My success says a lot about Canada which has evolved into a truly multicultural country. It does not matter who you are, where you come from or what your religion or colour is. All that matters in your merit. We are a great country in the world and it is a great privilege for me to be included in the federal cabinet.
You used the word NRIs for oversees Indians. Well, they have done very well in this country. Take any walk of life, and they are shining. Canada has given them a great opportunity to flourish.
Q: Considering that Canada is the world leader in health care, how important is your portfolio?
A: Yes, Canada is the world leader in medical health. We have probably the best medicare system in the world. The Hon'ble Prime Minister has given me the opportunity to preside over the most important portfolio. In terms of revenue allocation, it is the second biggest portfolio.
Q: Canada is short of doctors and nurses, still it does not recognise the degrees of the newly arrived Indian doctors and does not allow them to practise. Are you going to do something about this issue?
A: In Canada, health is a provincial or state subject. We at the federal level can only give them direction and advice.
Sure, as per the new agreement signed between the provinces and the federal government under which $40 billion will be transferred to the provinces, we have made provisions for retraining those qualified abroad. Once this scheme is put in place, I feel this problem will be taken care of. Qualified Indian professionals are welcome in Canada.
Q: Canada was one of the countries which imposed sanctions on India after the nuclear tests. And now India is pitching for a seat on the UN Security Council? Will Canada support India's bid?
A: Our Prime Minister said at the recent UN gathering of world leaders that this international agency needs to be restructured in the light of new realities. Canada wants the UN to change. Which obviously includes the Security Council.
I don't hold the foreign portfolio, so it won't be wise for me to comment on foreign policy matters. But as an individual I would certainly want India to become more important at international body. India is a huge country and it needs a fitting profile on the international stage. I wish India well in its endevours.
Q: Do you think India will become a developed nation by 2020 as envisioned by India's President and Prime Minister?
A: There are Indias within India. One part of India is already highly modernised and westernised. The last time I visited India I went to Bangalore. It is the hub of IT and software. The same goes for Hyderabad. Telecom is booming in India. In fact, in some respect Indians are ahead of the West in this field. The urban Indian middle class has outshone its counterparts in the West in the field of education. So if you look at that segment, India is already a developed country.
But then there is the impoverished India. The interesting thing is how the modern, westernised India responds to this challenge of the poor, backward India. I think India has a great future.
