BURST
A Surrey man elevated to a new level in May when he successfully scaled to the highest point of Mount Everest, becoming the first Sikh-Canadian to do so.
Ajaypal Singh Dhaliwal was recognized by Surrey council last Monday for his “remarkable demonstration of determination, resilience, discipline, and courage,” said Mayor Brenda Locke, before presenting him with a certificate of recognition.
“It is my great pleasure to recognize Ajay Singh Dhaliwal for the very extraordinary achievement that has inspired our community and certainly brought a lot of pride to the City of Surrey,” she said.
Once at the summit, Dhaliwal posed in a photo with a City of Surrey flag, delighting the mayor and council.
Dhaliwal said bringing the flag made perfect sense for him.
“Although I was born and raised in a small village, Kasam Bhatti in Punjab, if there’s one place in the world outside my village that I am most proud to call home, it is Surrey,” Dhaliwal said.
He moved to Surrey in 2010, raised a family and established a career in law, Dhaliwal said, adding that the achievement is not just his, but also the city’s.
“Every one of you help me in different ways, encouraging me, training with me, believing in me, challenging me, and supporting me mentally, physically, and emotionally throughout the journey. I truly could not have done it without you,” Dhaliwal said.
The lawyer received a standing ovation in council chambers.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth, above sea level, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. Its summit sits exactly on the international border separating Nepal to the south and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north.
Many across the globe attempt climbing Mount Everest, which presents many environmental dangers, leading to deaths.
“Today we celebrate not only a historic mountaineering accomplishment, but also a Surrey resident whose example reflects the very best of our city,” Locke said.
Dhaliwal runs his own firm in Surrey, Dhaliwal Law Office in York Centre, a popular business complex with many South Asian services.
According to his bio on the firm’s website, Dhaliwal studied law in India and practised before coming to Canada in 2007. In order to get accredited in Canada, Dhaliwal studied more at the University of Manitoba and took the bar in B.C. in 2011.
“When not spending lengthy hours at work, Ajaypal loves to go on long hikes, play table tennis, basketball and tending to the beautiful family backyard,” his bio reads. “Ajaypal also loves travelling and meeting and interacting with people.”
Dhaliwal practices multiple areas of law, including personal injury, commercial and real estate.
Locke called him an “inspiration” for reaching new heights in his lifetime.
“I hope this achievement inspires others to dream big, work hard, and never give up, no matter where you come from. With determination, support and perseverance, even the highest mountain can be climbed,” Dhaliwal said.