Well known Indo-Canadian broadcaster Kuljeet Kaila, who got her early start with the groundbreaking Aaj Magazine, which had DESIBUZZCanada publisher-editor R. Paul Dhillon as part of lead editor and publishing team along with Sukhi Panghalia and others, lost her battle with brain cancer and passed away. Funeral services for Kaila will be held this Friday (Sept. 15) at Riverside Funeral Home in Delta at 1pm followed by Sahaj Paath (Sikh religious service) at 3pm at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VANCOUVER – Well known Indo-Canadian broadcaster Kuljeet Kaila, who got her early start with the groundbreaking Aaj Magazine, which had DESIBUZZCanada publisher-editor R. Paul Dhillon as part of lead editor and publishing team along with Sukhi Panghalia and others, lost her battle with brain cancer and passed away.

Kaila, who had most recently been a reporter and anchor with CBC Vancouver, died Sunday morning at Surrey Memorial Hospital after undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer.

She had been a fixture on both radio and TV in Metro Vancouver since the late 1990s after graduating from both Columbia Academy’s TV and radio program and the journalism program at Langara College.

Kaila started her broadcasting career in 1998 as a reporter and anchor with News 1130 (CKWX-AM). In 2001, she joined Shaw Cable in Vancouver as an anchor and producer, moving on to CHEK-TV Victoria in 2004. She returned to Vancouver in 2006 as a traffic reporter for 94.5 Virgin Radio (CFBT-FM), Z95.3 (CKZZ-FM) and CISL 650. She also did a stint with CTV Vancouver as a weather and traffic anchor, prior to joining CBC Vancouver last year.

“Kuljeet’s grace, strength and positivity during this difficult time was incredible,” Shiral Tobin, Director, Journalism & Programming, CBC British Columbia, wrote in an internal memo to employees on Sunday. “She told me many times how much she loved her time at CBC and working with all of you and how much she appreciated the support you have shown her.”

In addition to her work in broadcasting, Kaila appeared in numerous commercials and television and film projects. She also pursued a passion for event planning and DJing under the banner of her own company, KJ Media.

 “She was a trailblazer,” said Kuljeet’s brother Kulvir Kaila. “She’s an Indo-Canadian girl from a small town who paved her way in an industry heavily dominated by male Caucasians.”

Tributes for Kaila poured in on social media, remembering her as a wonderful friend and treasured colleague.

Funeral services for Kaila will be held this Friday (Sept. 15) at Riverside Funeral Home in Delta at 1pm followed by Sahaj Paath (Sikh religious service) at 3pm at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib.