Mr. Harbans Dhatt
Born: Sheikhupura
Born: Sheikhupura
Nearest big town: Ludhiana
Population: About 2,015 people
What’s the place known for: It is famous for Nikku Baba Masjid.
How often do you visit: Every five years
Famous person from there: Harnaam Singh was very popular back in the day because he used to host people from out of town. He was popular for being very helpful.
Last visit: 2007
What has changed: People are more educated now. Earlier people from the village couldn’t speak or understand English, but now they do.
What have you done for your hometown: I help built a bus shelter in the name of my father. And I donated money for the construction of the local school.
Mr. Harbans Dhatt’s business Skynet was born out of a life-long love affair with technology. From a young age he was always fascinated with electronics. Forget about programming the VCR, as a youth he could dismantle and re-assemble a tape recorders in those days. When Dhatt moved to Canada at the age of 16 after experiencing a personal tragedy, he encountered the challenges common to immigrants moving into a new culture. After graduating from school he joined Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC). But it was not long after, in 1986, when he started his own business from his garage after his brother-in-law introduced him to a computer. He soon took courses and began assembling used computers and replacing their parts. Today, his company Skynet has blossomed into 16 cellular phone outlets around the Lower Mainland.
While not working, Dhatt is a member of the Khalsa Darbar Society of Pitt Meadows and in his spare time also listens to the poetry of Shiv Kumar Batalvi and travelling with his family.
“I love living in Canada because this is the land of opportunities,” he said.
Mera Pind compiled by Jasjot Bhullar. To be profiled in Mera Pind, send email to editor@postpeopleinc.com.
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