CHANDIGARH: Fifty-six-year-old Herb Dhaliwal, the first Indian-Canadian to become cabinet minister in Canada, is in the news again, but for a different reason. He has married Neelu Kang who teaches sociology at Panjab University here.

The marriage was solemnised a couple of weeks ago. For both Herb Dhaliwal and Neelu, this is their second marriage. Herb Dhaliwal’s first wife, Amrit, died of cancer a couple of years ago. Herb has two daughters and a son - Andrea, Justin and Jessica - from his first wife.

Neelu has a teenaged son. She teaches sociology at Panjab University here. She has also worked as lecturer at Government Colleges in Ropar and Chandigarh.

Neelu is expected to visit the city later this month. Earlier this year, she had gone to Canada on a fellowship. Her fellowship, which was to end in April, got extended by two months. It is Neelu who confirmed the news of her marriage. Her mother lives in Mohali.

Herb Dhaliwal, who belongs to Chhaheru in Jalandhar district, immigrated to Canada at the age of six. In 1993, he was elected to the House of Commons on the Liberal ticket. He held the portfolios of fisheries and oceans and revenue, besides holding the charge of minister for British Columbia.

In 2003 because of his differences with the then Liberal leader and Prime Minister Paul Martin, Dhaliwal, who remained a member of the House of Commons for three terms, did not contest the 2003 elections.

Quitting politics, he is now back to business which he started from the basement of his house before joining politics.