Thousands attend Indian-origin MLA's funeral in Canada

Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of a 35-year-old Indian-origin MLA in Canada who was killed in an accident while trying to help a stranded driver on a snowy highway last week.
Manmeet Bhullar, also known as "peaceful warrior", died last Monday on the Queen Elizabeth II highway near Edmonton when an out-of-control semi-trailer hit him after he stopped to help a fellow motorist who had lost control of his vehicle.
Bhullar was a Progressive Conservative Party MLA from Calgary-Greenway.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who attended along with over 40 MLAs, tweeted: "Tonight, downtown Calgary landmarks will be lit in navy blue (his favourite colour) in honour of our friend Manmeet Bhullar."

Former premier of Alberta Jim Prentice, who was master of ceremonies, read a statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that said: "Today we remember an exemplary man who devoted his life, publicly and privately, to helping others."
After members of the Sikh community performed a hymn, Prentice said Bhullar would have had a chuckle and a smile over the outpouring of support and the turnout for his memorial, CBC reported.

He praised Bhullar's generosity and optimism and his "shining belief in the ability of young people to change the world."
Prentice added: "In a world where there is much darkness, he showed us all, seemingly effortlessly and always with that broad smile, that it is always the best in humanity that wins out."

Bhullar's sister, Tarjinder, said: "Never, when my parents (Baljinder Singh and Sukhvir Kaur Bhullar) immigrated to this country over 40 years ago, could they have imagined that one day their son would be this loved by Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians as one of their own."
Harjit Sajjan in a message said that Bhullar was the pillar on which he and so many others stood.
He added: "Now we are duty bound by his example. It is up to us to do right by his tremendous life."
Bhullar's wife Namrita thanked everyone and said: "Not everyone dies a hero, Meetha not only died as one, he lived as one."

Born in Calgary, Bhullar belonged to a family from Raiya village in Amritsar. He was chosen the youngest MLA from Alberta in 2008. He also served as Service Alberta Minister in 2011 and Human Services Minister in 2013.