Mr. Malkit Singh Athwal
Born: Kalyanpur, Distt. Jalandhar
Kingra Chowala (Brought up)

Nearest big town: Jalandhar
Population: About 2,000 people
What’s the place known for: Chomean man-made river, so it is famous for the man-made river that runs through the village.
Famous person from there: Gurpreet Kingra is well known in the pind as he is the coordinator of the Shaheed Baba Inder Singh Youth Welfare Club.
How often do you visit: Not often at all.
Last visit: April 2011 (after 14 years)
What has changed: The standard of living and technology consumption has changed drastically. People are more prosperous now.
What have you done for your hometown: I donated money to help the local Gurdwara.

Brought up in three separate continents, Mr. Malkit Singh Athwal learned at a young age to adapt to new changes. At the age of 10, Mr. Athwal, with his family, moved from Kingra Chowala to England. After high school, he was visiting his brother in Canada when he decided to adopt Canada as his new home. Finishing a degree in Electrical Engineering from England, Athwal moved to Canada in 1981. He struggled looking for a job in his field when he settled for a position as an industrial electrician at the Noranda Metal Industry. He enjoyed a sense of autonomy and on the side he worked on his own in the construction industry. After he had worked at Noranda for 10 years, the company closed down in 1991. His close friends suggested he should open his own business so in 1992 he launched Athwal Electrical Company Corporation. The first clients were commercial and residential buildings and today he believes that his reliability and honesty has helped him achieve success in his business. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family and travel with them. “A few years ago I wanted to go back to England but I went for a holiday there and realized that Canada is home,” says Mr. Athwal.

Mera Pind compiled by Jasjot Bhullar.  To be profiled in Mera Pind, send email to editor@postpeopleinc.com.