Feel-good alert – Indo-Canadians help out an Olympian

(c/o Getty Images and CTV)

Here’s a feel-good story about South Asian philanthropy in honor of the Winter Olympics:

[W]hen veteran luger and perennial underdog Kannan Palan Shiva Keshavan strides into BC Place Stadium this evening for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Games, it will be with some last-minute help from Vancouver’s sizable Indo-Canadian community.

India’s Winter Olympic team faced considerable challenges just to make it to here. Mr. Keshavan broke both a bone in his back and his only sled in a nasty crash less than two months ago.

Adding further stress, the uniforms supplied to the athletes and their coaches for tonight’s event were mismatched and in poor condition.

Yet South Asians in Greater Vancouver are rallying around Mr. Keshavan and the two skiers who fellow athletes that make up India’s tiny Winter Olympic team.

This week, an event in Surrey, B.C., raised more than $8,000 for the delegation – money that will be used for new equipment, future training and spending money while in Vancouver. A local sporting goods manufacturer has even donated fresh uniforms to be worn at the opening ceremonies.