GRANT’S DESI ACHIEVERS
ORDER OF CANADA HONOURS AND AN OSCAR NOMINATION!
Nurjehan Aziz, the driving force behind Mawenzi House.
The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest honours, recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation.
The 2023 appointees to the Order of Canada include two Grant’s Desi Achievers, Noella Milne (2011) and Nurjehan Aziz (2018).
Nurjehan Aziz was appointed Member of the Order of Canada for advancing diversity and inclusion in Canadian literature as a leading publisher and editor. Aziz is the driving force behind Mawenzi House, known for publishing over 200 titles and working with over 80 authors. They focus on Canadian authors and subject matter, people writing about African, Caribbean, Asian, women and LGBTQ issues. “When a book gets the attention and the reviews it deserves, that is so rewarding,” she says.
Noella Milne, has played a significant role in removing barriers and changing the male-dominated culture that prevailed when she first began practising law.
Noella Milne was appointed Member of the Order of Canada for her volunteer leadership and commitment to community service, particularly to initiatives supporting education, women and youth. She has played a significant role in removing barriers and changing the male-dominated culture that prevailed when she first began practising law. She has mentored hundreds of young lawyers and lobbied for fair wages, maternity leave policy and the ability to work on a part-time basis.
Nisha Pahuja’s To Kill a Tiger has been nominated for Documentary Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
Nisha Pahuja (Grant’s Desi Achiever 2023) is celebrating her Oscar nomination last month. Her Notice Pictures/National Film Board of Canada (NFB) co-production To Kill a Tiger has been nominated for Documentary Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
“I am beyond thrilled that To Kill a Tiger has been nominated for an Academy Award,” she said. “This is an extraordinary honour for the creative team. We’re here, at this moment, because a farmer in India, his wife and their 13-year-old daughter had the courage to demand her human rights. It is our hope and intent that this film will encourage other survivors to seek justice.”
To Kill a Tiger, which to date has received over 20 Canadian and international awards, is now streaming free of charge in Canada at nfb.ca.