In a moment of immense pride for the Indian diaspora, a nonagenarian doctor hailing from Gujarat has been bestowed with one of Canada's highest civilian honours. Simultaneously, Ahmedabad has bloomed into the record books yet again, with its international flower show achieving a spectacular hat-trick of global accolades.
Gujarat Native Receives Top Canadian Civilian Honour
Dr. Chandrakant Shah, an 89-year-old native of Limbdi in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada. The prestigious appointment was officially announced by the Governor General of Canada on December 31, 2025. The Order of Canada is awarded to individuals whose lifelong contributions have significantly enriched the lives of others and strengthened the nation's social fabric.
Dr. Shah's family, in a statement, highlighted that the Officer category of the Order is broadly comparable to India's Padma Bhushan award. The esteemed doctor completed his MBBS from BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad before migrating to the United States for advanced studies. He eventually settled in Canada, where he built a distinguished career in public health.
A Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Dr. Shah is also the acclaimed author of the seminal book 'Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Canada'. The formal investiture ceremony is scheduled to take place at the historic Rideau Hall in Ottawa on March 19, 2026.
Ahmedabad Flower Show Blooms with Double World Record Feat
Meanwhile, back in Gujarat, the 14th Ahmedabad International Flower Show 2026 has spectacularly kicked off by setting two new Guinness World Records on its opening day. This remarkable achievement marks a hat-trick of world records for the event, which has now earned a place in the global record book for three consecutive years.
The theme for this year's show is 'Bharat: Ek Gatha'. The first record was set for creating the world's largest flower mandala. Using advanced DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) technology for measurement, the mandala was certified to have a diameter of approximately 33.6 meters, covering a total area of 886.789 square meters. This surpassed the previous benchmark of 706.86 square meters.
The second record was awarded for crafting the world's largest flower portrait, which depicted India's Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Measured using 'Total Station Survey' and measuring tape, the majestic portrait spanned 41.17 meters in length and 8 meters in width, covering a total area of 329.360 square meters. This achievement demolished the previous record benchmark of a mere 50 square meters.
A Legacy of Excellence and National Pride
These dual stories from Gujarat underscore a powerful narrative of global excellence and local achievement. Dr. Chandrakant Shah's honour represents the pinnacle of professional dedication and service by an Indian abroad, reflecting the profound impact of the diaspora. His journey from Limbdi to becoming an Officer of the Order of Canada is an inspiration.
Concurrently, the Ahmedabad International Flower Show's consistent record-breaking spree showcases Gujarat's and India's prowess in organizing world-class events that blend artistry, culture, and technical precision. The show had previously secured Guinness recognition for the 'longest flower structure' in 2024 and the 'world's largest flower bouquet' in 2025.
Together, these achievements from the first days of 2026 paint a vibrant picture of Gujarati talent making its mark both on the international stage through lifelong service and on the global platform of record-setting creativity.
