Posted on Dec. 11: McMaster student receives Lincoln Alexander Award for promoting racial harmony

Bikramjit Nahal, a first-year science student at McMaster University, received the 2002 Lincoln M. Alexander Award at a Queen's Park ceremony Tuesday for his leadership in promoting racial harmony and eliminating discrimination.

Nahal was a member of the Anti-Racism Committee at Parkside and played a large role in implementing programs teaching students to learn about racism. He also created student interest in the annual Walk Against Male Violence Rally and began a Necessities Drive, collecting donated hygiene products and giving them to teens and adults sheltered at Wesley Urban Ministries. He organized a book drive to raise awareness about educational poverty, collecting more than 900 books for children in Poland, Russia, Africa, Lithuania and India.

Nahal was recognized by the prime minister for excellence in leadership, academics and community, and has won several awards, including the YMCA Peace Medal a few months ago.

Created in 1993 to honour the former Lieutenant Governor's commitment to support young people and promote racial harmony, the annual Lincoln M. Alexander Awards are presented to two Ontario youth who have worked hard to improve racial understanding, one in their school and the other in their community. Two young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, receive an award of $2,500 each and a framed scroll. The other 2002 recipient was Tamara McDonald, a student at Sir Winston Churchill High School in Thunder Bay.

Click “Students prove making a difference a matter of choice” to read the story in The Hamilton Spectator.