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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 12, 2024 | The Indian Eye 24

VIKRAM VILKHU ‘POLAR PREET’
Lawyer is elected as Brighton Sikh sets record for fastest solo

Town Judge ski across Antarctica

A ritish Sikh Army medic Har-
law firm partner Vikram Singh
Vilkhu has been elected as the
preet Chandi has claimed that
Brighton Town Judge, making
him the first Sikh judge to be elected Bshe has now set a third record
after already setting two Guinness
in the state’s history. World Records before. By covering
“When he came to America,
people couldn’t even pronounce 1,130 km of Antarctic ice in 31 days,
13 hours and 19 minutes, Chandi
his name,” Vilkhu said. “My father, claims that she has become the fast-
coming to this country where no one est woman to ski solo across Antarc-
knew him, no one notices him, sees tica, as reported by The Independent.
his last name in front yards now.
“I’m tired but so glad I made
He’s sitting with two state senators, it. This was completely different to
a county executive, etc. Say what you my last expedition... I completely
want about this country but that is remarkable. That is remarkable,” Vilkhu pushed myself to my limits on my
gave special thanks to his father. last expedition, a speed attempt is
Vik, as he is fondly called, is the lead trial attorney at Rochster-based
law firm Relin, Goldstein, and Crane LLP. “I am proud to be the first In- completely different,” the 34-year-old said, who is popularly known as Polar
Preet. “After my last expedition, I knew I could cope well on the ice which
dian American trial judge elected in upstate [New York]’s history and the gave me the confidence to tackle this head on,” she added.
first Sikh [judge] elected in New York State’s history,” he said in a statement For the trek, Chandi left the Hercules inlet on the Ronne ice shelf on
issued by Senator Jeremy Cooney, an Indian American politician from the November 26, and arrived at the South Pole at 2.24 am UK time on Decem-
state of New York. Cooney represents the 56th district of the New York State
Senate which covers the Town of Brighton. ber 28. She skied for between 12 and 13 hours a day on average and pulled a
75 kg sled that had everything she needed to survive behind her.
Vik graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University
“It was definitely not a sprint, but I had to constantly weigh up my effort
in 2001 and a Juris Doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University and how long I would ski for each day. Too long or too fast and I was going
in 2005. While in law school Vik was awarded the prestigious William Wal- to burn out. Too slow or finish too early and I’d miss out on the record,” she
lace Award as the finest trial advocate in the graduating class and served as said.
President of the school’s award-winning Trial Team.
Calling Antarctica an amazing place and glad that it allowed her a safe
DR AMRITPAL HUNGIN passage, Chandi said, “It’s an absolute privilege to be here. It is not a place
any person can conquer; it is a place you treat with respect and hope it allows
Professor receives knighthood you safe passage.”
“One of my biggest motivations in those dark times on the ice is the
for services to medicine thought of inspiring others to face their own challenge,” she said.
VED PRAKASH NANDA

r Amritpal Singh Hungin, Prominent Legal Scholar
Emeritus Professor of Gen-
Deral Practice at Newcastle
University, receives a Knighthood for Passes Away
services to medicine by King Charles
III in the 2024 New Year Honors list rofessor Ved Prakash Nanda, a
released in London. The list includes noted Indian American legal
nearly 30 Indian-origin health care Pscholar, passed away on Janu-
professionals, philanthropists and ary 1. The Prime Minister, Shri Nar-
community activists honored for their endra Modi has expressed deep grief
selfless service to society. over the demise of noted legal scholar,
Professor Pali Hungin, as he is
known, was the founding Dean of Professor Ved Prakash Nanda. Shri
Modi said that Professor Ved Prakash
Medicine at Durham University and Nanda’s work highlights his strong
a former president of the British Medical Association (BMA). commitment to legal education.
“The New Year’s Honors List recognises the exceptional achievements
Late Shri Ved P. Nanda was a
of people across the country and those who have shown the highest com- Distinguished University Professor
mitment to selflessness and compassion,” said British Prime Minister Rishi and Thompson G. Marsh Professor
Sunak. To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration of Law at the University of Denver, where he founded the International
to us all,” he said. Legal Studies Program in 1972 and directed the Ved Nanda Center for In-
The list, released annually by the government’s Cabinet Office in the
name of the British monarch, includes Commanders of the Order of the Brit- ternational and Comparative Law.
The Center was established in his honor by alumni and friends, who
ish Empire (CBEs) for Staffordshire GP Dr Chandra Mohan Kanneganti for have also endowed a professorship in his name. He has received Honorary
services to General Practice and Senior Clinical Fellow of Imperial College
London Dr Mala Rao for services to public health, the National Health Ser- Doctorates of Law from Soka University, Tokyo, Japan, and Bundelkhand
vice (NHS), and to equality and diversity. Continued on next page... >>

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