Full Name : Budhendranauth Doobay
M.B., B.S., (LOND) F.R.C.S. (ENG) F.R.C.S(C),
Order of Ontario

Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay was born in Guyana on August 26th, 1940 and moved to Canada in 1975. He is the eldest of 6 children. Dr. Doobay is one of the most worthy leaders and philanthropists in the South Asian community in Canada. His philanthropy extends not only to the South Asian community of the Greater Toronto Area but also to Canadians and people around world. He is well respected as a cardiologist, teacher and a leader of the South Asian community. As a leader, Dr. Doobay is a kind and respectable individual who has gained trust and respect through his various roles in Canada and other parts of the world. He has enriched the lives of many whether in his medical field or as a community leader.

Dr. Doobay provides spiritual and medical guidance in the community. In his arrival to Canada, he saw the need for Hindus to have a place for worship and for celebrating their culture as there was nowhere for Hindus to go to worship. As such with a few members of the community, he started a place of worship at the David and Mary Thompson Collegiate in Scarborough. Since 1977, he is a founding member and currently the president of the Voice of the Vedas Cultural Sabha Inc. at 8640 Yonge St. in Richmond Hill, Ontario. This organization has drawn crowds from all parts of the world, including the West Indies, Africa, and India. These individuals have found Dr. Doobay a great teacher of spirituality and on Sundays, an audience of about 800 devotees attends his services. His ability to explain the text in simple terms and emphasis on day-to-day life has been one of his strengths.

Through his leadership, he has set up many groups dedicated to serving the South Asian community of the GTA, its neighboring communities and various International aid organizations.

Under his guidance at the temple, a woman’s group, youth group and senior’s groups were formed. As a cardiologist and a teacher in the medical field, Dr. Doobay arranges many knowledgeable speakers to provide lectures and guidance to the community. He actively participates in these seminars, translating medical jargon into layman’s terms for the benefit of the immigrants and seniors. Dr. Doobay uses his medical experience and teaching skills to make sure those individuals who attended the seminars benefit from them. He has helped many seniors and youths by guiding and providing support as needed. Hundreds of seniors have moved from different parts of the world and have settled in Canada without prior knowledge of what to expect. He has filled the void in the lives of many seniors from different parts of the world and makes it a point of spending time with them – guide them to the right channels so they can settle easily in Canada without frustration and loneliness. He makes sure a plan is in place to see the seniors have settled and visits them regularly to make sure they are comfortable and not in any kind of need – financial or otherwise. Many seniors find this organization as their second home because of their involvement in the activities of the temple and as such have a sense of belonging.

As a medical professional his vision was to build a seniors home near to the temple as he feels that the atmosphere in a senior’s home will assist in recovery of elderly patients. This building – the “Anand Bhawan” will be a reality as it is expected to start construction in early 2009 adjoining the temple.

Many youths seek Dr. Doobay’s help in guiding them through their education planning. He makes sure they get help in completion of applications and financial support if needed. He holds and arranges seminars, youth conferences and forums for youths so as to encourage and guide them in their applications to universities and colleges.

It was through his initiatives that the temple awards bursaries to first year university students over the past 15 years. He has made a difference in many young people’s lives in communicating with them the ways to deal with their parents who immigrated from other cultures to live in Canada. He makes it simple for parents and children to adjust to a Canadian lifestyle. His interaction in family lives have saved many relationships with youths and parents as he defines each role in simple terms to make the parents understand the benefits in living in such a country as Canada.

With his vision and trying to extend knowledge to all ages, the first Montessori School – VOV Academy of Learning was opened in September 2005 with children 2 ½ years to 5 years old.

Dr. Doobay has led numerous groups to the forefront of Canada with his intention of integrating and encouraging the communities to be part of mainstream Canadians. For two consecutive years, he led over 30,000 Canadians from Queens Park to Nathan Phillips Square to celebrate the festival of lights and for Canadians to understand and be part of this festival. People from all background participated to make these occasions successful.

Dr. Doobay has headed many fundraising events to provide disaster relief throughout the world. He spearheaded fundraising events for the Tsunami and Pakistani disaster and raised funds for the flood victims of Guyana. He also headed the Gujarat earthquake disaster and raised funds to build more than 200 homes. He willingly raises funds for any community in need or with disasters. Through his generous nature he again raised funds to build an orphanage for young girls in Orissa, after the monsoon had reaped havoc in that province in India. He continues to maintain the orphanage, to educate the girls and in some cases even for their marriages.

Dr. Doobay’s fundraising efforts does not end there but he also head fundraising events for the vision impaired and medical supplies for those who cannot afford. He was responsible for opening a medical clinic in Guyana. In this clinic, patients were examined at no charge, and prescribed medication was provided free. This effort was to help the poor receive proper medical care. In Guyana, there is an acute shortage of both doctors and medical supplies. During his vacation, Dr. Doobay has gone to Guyana to give medical care to patients. Medical supplies are sent from Canada to help thousands of patients from all parts of Guyana.

In addition, he opened the first IT school in Guyana in August 2005 where children can have the benefit and use of computers. Over 25 computers were sent and trained teachers were hired. This school has now grown and is fully functional.

Dr. Doobay now chairs a committee, which has built a “one of its kind” Canadian Museum of Hindu Civilization adjoining the temple. The museum was opened in November 2004 and he hopes that this museum will provide many Canadians with the opportunity to understand and share the ancient South Asian Culture. Canadians will be able to integrate and share the Vedic thought process. The museum is constantly being enhanced to benefit everyone. There is an Audio Visual Theatre where Canadians can attend and view documentaries on topics relating to Indian Culture. There are plans on the way to build a cosmic theatre in the near future. Dr Doobay had a vision of a “Wall Of Peace” which was inaugurated on May 27th/2007 by Dr.Deepak Chopra. This Wall of Peace is a remarkable project and has busts of all great leaders who practiced peace. This museum is a great part of education in Ontario for school children who are doing world religion studies.

Dr Doobay was also the President of India Heritage Foundation (IHRF) which in the process of publishing an encyclopedia on Hinduism.

He is also known and recognized worldwide for his hard work and dedication to the teachings of Hinduism. He has traveled throughout Canada to meet with leaders to help raise awareness of spirituality among our young people. He was the founding Chairman of the Federation of Hindu Temples of Canada and the Canadian Council of Hindus. These organizations were formed to give Hindus in Canada a common voice in political, social and economic matters.

He hosted a television program on Vision TV for a number of years and continues now on CTS, where he discusses controversial topics on Hinduism. This program is the only “one” of its kind in North America. Through the organization’s website, Dr. Doobay answers many questions on spirituality and Hinduism to worldwide viewers. He shares his thoughts and ideas with a weekly message to educate viewers.

Because of his dynamic leadership and accomplishments, Dr. Doobay was the first South Asian to be awarded the “Order Of Ontario” for his contributions to the Canadian Society.

He has been honored in 2002 with the Golden Jubilee Medal, which was created to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. This medal is awarded to distinguished Canadians who have made a significant achievement to their fellow citizens, their communities or to Canada. On February 7th 2006. Dr.Doobay was awarded the Good Citizenship award by the Governor General.
Dr. Doobay holds positions on many boards whether business, medical or community involvement. Dr. Doobay’s activities in the community and Canada are quite extensive and diverse. With his many activities and inspiration, Dr. Doobay generates a fusion to assist many Canadians around him to better achieve their potential in their personal and professional lives.

HONOURS/AWARDS
• Order of Ontario
• The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal 2002
• Brahman Samaj Award/2002
• Toronto Police Service Awards from Province of Ontario for contribution and participation for the September 11th/2001/2002 memorial service
• AGRA award for volunteerism
• Guyana Award for Leadership - May 2004
• Good citizenship Award – Feb 2006
• Lifetime outstanding achievement by Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce – June 2007