Mr. Gurinder Singh Virk
Born: Patiala, Punjab

Nearest big town: Patiala
Population: About 1.3 million people.
What’s the place known for: It is known for being the royal city of Punjab.
How often do you visit: Once every two years.
Famous person from there: Pammi Bai, Jimmy Shergill, and Bhagwant Mann.
Last visit: July 2011.
What has changed: Many things have changed like there is too much traffic and pollution now. It is too congested and crowded.
What have you done for your hometown: I try to help out and donate as much as I can whenever I go to India.

Born and raised in the city of Maharajas, Mr. Gurinder Singh Virk feels proud to be associated with his hometown of Patiala. He fondly remembers having random debates with his friends on cold mornings in the “AC Market” with a cup of masala tea and roadside samosas. He misses the warmth of friends and family oceans apart and longs to go back. After unsuccessful attempts at looking for a job in Patiala, he decided to move to Canada in 1999. In the hope of better opportunities, he took a course in plumbing and opened his own business, VG Plumbing in 2007. He believes that his hard work has made him successful at what he does and has helped him make friends in Canada. In his spare time he loves to relax with his family and watch Punjabi movies. “Canada can never replace the warmth and comfort of India but it has given me professional success. It is home now,” says Mr. Virk.