DW BUREAU / Bathinda Residents of Jagroop Brar's village Deon in Bathinda district and surrounding areas today felicitated him on becoming Trade Minister in British Columbia, Canada. The enthusiastic gathering which attended the bhog ceremony of Sikh scriptural recitation in the village included a large number of dignitaries, local political leaders and Jagroop's classmates from his school and university days. Speaking on the occasion, Jagroop's classmate Prof Gurmeet Mann and Punjabi singer Albel Brar said they were proud of political achievements made by their childhood friend . Five times MLA of BC assembly and NDP leader Jagroop has been national level player of basketball and later he excelled academically by earning gold medal in Master of Philosophy from Punjabi University, Patiala. The villagers felt themselves honoured in the elevation of Jagroop in the British Columbia's provincial government. Jagroop's elder brother Jaswant Brar and younger brother Balwant Brar were specifically honoured with "siropa" by villagers and dignitaries . Jagroop exchanged video messages with friends and expressed his thanks to the villagers and friends. As a token of gratitude Jagroop assured his well wishers and friends to undertake some welfare activity for the village. Income Tax Commissioner (retired) Babu Singh Rattan, father of the area's ruling AAP legislator Rattan, also attended the ceremony. (editor@dailyworld.in)