DARPAN JANUARY 2015 by Darpan Magazine

DARPAN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

What's Up

2015

A list of some of the mostanticipated events this year!

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appy New Year! We hope our loyal readers and advertisers are blessed with joy, prosperity and good health in 2015. As we venture into the New Year, we’re excited for what lies ahead and our January/February issue reflects this anticipation. Our special 2015 feature gives you the highlights of some of the most anticipated events this year, horoscope buffs will enjoy the Yearly Forecast, which makes plenty of predictions for the upcoming year in all aspects of your life and our Special feature on the Stock Market will be of interest to those wondering how to invest this year. As we enter 2015, our thoughts also turn to the technological advancements that are shaping our lives, and to this end we have two interesting features on Social Media – examining why we need social media in the globalized society of today and how Youtube has created a new type of stardom. We are excited to feature national TV personality, Sangita Patel on our cover, who is a familiar face on Canada’s leading entertainment show, ET Canada. Her touching story speaks of passion and how determination, perseverance and hard work can make any dream come true. As always, we have a number of inspirational individuals featured in this issue, including award winning humanitarian Firdaus Kharas, Arunima Sinha, the first female amputee to conquer Mt. Everest and Homi Adajani, the talented director of the hit movie, Finding Fanny, to name a few. As always, our lifestyle section is fresh, entertaining and relevant – check out Sports to learn more about Canucks’ Alexander Edler, Style and Beauty have great tips for the New Year, enjoy recipes from celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani, take a look at Activities to plan your Valentines Day and learn what the top auto gadget trends are in our Tech section. As we embark into 2015, the entire DARPAN team wishes you all the best. As per our mandate to present the very best for our readers, we would love to hear your feedback – and what you would like to see more. Send your thoughts to editor@darpanmagazine.com or leave a message on our social media sites.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

What's Up

2015

A list of some of the mostanticipated events this year!

WAYS TO

SPEND

VALENTINE'S DAY

e r fo r T w o! tic Dinn Win a RomSaeenInside for Contest Details...

How to Make

Money

in the

An Exclusive with

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 PUBLISHERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Gurvinder S. Hundal Ramneek S. Dhillon

Ashley Stephens

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN Magazine is published by DARPAN PUBLICATION LTD. DARPAN is a bimonthly magazine. Any reproduction of the magazine, editorial content, images or advertisement cannot be reproduced or reprinted in any form, without prior written permission of the Publishers. The views expressed by the writers in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Publishers. The Publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright 2014 DARPAN Publication Ltd. All rights reserved. Publications sales agreement no. 41116014

Barbara Balfour

ONLINE EDITOR Sumesh Sharma

Benjamin Yong

PHOTOGRAPHY

Catherine Tse

FASHION EDITOR Kanika Sasan

David Kent

ASSISTANT EDITOR Tarana Rana

Glen Konorowski

AAA Video A Master Media (Payal Video) Amrit Photography Andrew Ling Chandra Bodalia JC Images Jeff Vinnick Mahi Photo Studio Surya Studio Sunny Images

Garima Goswami Joseph A. Federico Jorge Ignacio Castillo

ART DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vinay Giridhar

Kavita Wadhwani Kelly Benson Mormei Zanke

ADVERTISING AND SALES Gurvinder S. Hundal Ramneek S. Dhillon

Nerissa Jawanda Nick Hilden Saira Hayre Tarana Rana

LIVE on ET CANADA

Ramneek S. Dhillon

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COVER CREDITS Cover: Sangita Patel Photo: ET Canada CONTACT Tel: 604-572-0199 Email: info@darpanmagazine.com 340-8140, 128 St. Surrey BC. V3W-1R1

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CONTENTS

January/February

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2015

COVER

138

STORY

ENTERTAINMENT

IN EVERY ISSUE

136 CELEBRITY NEWS IN PICTURES

08 READERS REACTION 10 DARPAN'S 10

138 BOLLYWOOD

Q&A with Linda Hepner

Real time Bollywood

SPOTLIGHTS 18 Sonia Sunger 20 Firdaus Kharas 24 Simmrin Dhaliwal 42 SALUTES Arunima Sinha

78 BUSINESS PROFILES

140 HOLLYWOOD

Awards’ Season Cheat Sheet

LIFESTYLE

88 FASHION PAGES Battling Prostate Cancer

100 FITNESS

42 NEWS IN PICTURES

Treadmill vs. Elliptical – The Better Workout?

144 GLOBAL INDIANS

58 HOROSCOPE Yearly Forecast 2015

96 HEALTH

Pupinder Sandhu, Ninderjit Mann

Rohit Bhargava

112

102 BEAUTY

SkinCare 101 – Winter Survival

106 STYLE

A Colourful Gothic Explosion

146 MEET THE CHUGH FAMILY

84 RECIPES

Canadian Immigrants Share Their Story

Vicky Ratnani, A Burst of Flavour and Flair

Call Dr Raj for Expert & Friendly Advice

106

108 TRAVEL

Your Winter Day Dreams Made True – Honolulu, Hawaii

112 ACTIVITIES

5 Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day

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114 HOME

New Furniture, New Year

FEATURES 12 BUSINESS

How to Make Money in the Stock Market

118 WEDDING Karan and Garry

130 TECH

Auto Gadget Tech

36 SPECIAL FEATURE

114

What's Up 2015?

46 SPECIAL FEATURE All Hail Social Media

52 FEATURE

YouTube- Configuring a New Species of Stardom

71 FEATURE

How to Pay Less For Energy This Winter

74 SPORTS

Canucks: Alexander Edler

Dr. Raj Aujla M.Sc., Ph.D. ,P.Chem.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

122

AUTO REVIEW 120 Lexus RX 450h Sport Design

82 FEATURE

122 Toyota Tundra

The Shocking Truth about Sugar

124 Cadillac ATS Coupe

EXCLUSIVE 54 Homi Adajania TM 132 Saif Ali Khan

126 Top 5 Cars for 2015

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

s e r eaRd eactions We want to hear your thoughts about this issue! Email us at tarana@darpanmagazine.com or leave us a message on Facebook or Twitter.

Anuradha Koirala

Anuradha’s story really inspired me. Reading about all that she achieved really makes you believe that even just one person can make a difference. Topics like these are sometimes not talked about, especially in South Asian circles, and I commend DARPAN Magazine for putting this wonderful lady in the spotlight – Divya Kulkarni, Vancouver

Re: Anuradha Koirala

Thanks Divya! Anuradha is a hero for survivors of this heinous crime and an inspiration for others around the globe. It was an honour for DARPAN to have her as the Keynote Speaker at our 5th annual Extraordinary Achievement Awards and bestow her with the International Sensation award for her outstanding efforts. – Assistant Editor

Style Thyroid Gland: Ups and Down It’s great that you have a regular health section in your magazine. My mother actually has hyperthyroidism so it was an informative article to read for my family. The article was very clear and had solid information. – Pradeep Dhillon, Surrey

Re: Thyroid Gland: Ups and Down Thanks Pradeep! Our health writer, Catherine Bock teaches in the Nursing program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and provided professional advice on the subject. Readers looking to subscribe can visit our site: www.darpanmagazine.com or call our office at 604-572-0199.– Assistant Editor Serving Surrey & Delta

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Re: Style I am glad you enjoyed this section! This is the first time we geared our Style section towards men and be assured, you will spot more Style tips for men within the coming issues. – Assistant Editor

DARPAN Awards I liked reading about the DARPAN Awards and the winners; all of them were very inspirational and make me proud of my community. It was also nice to see all the pictures from the event! – Jaya Sharma, Surrey

Re: DARPAN Awards

Thanks for the feedback Jaya! 2014 was a very special year for us. It marked 10 years for DARPAN magazine and 5 years for the Extraordinary Achievement Awards. You can visit our website www.darpanmagazine.com for more updates on the awards. – Assistant Editor

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN'S important step in the development of Surrey?

Arts and Culture play important roles in all municipalities, and proximity to the heartbeat of any city is key for sustainability and synergy. As we continue to develop the Town Centres and Innovation Boulevard, King George has undeniably become a main artery for socioeconomic spinoff, and consequently the ideal stretch for the cultural corridor. 4 How will a specialized community court in Surrey help individuals with mental health issues or addictions?

The goal is to help reintegrate offenders into positive roles in society by providing a specialized and comprehensive services network. This would mean having timely access to health, mental health and family services to those offenders being addressed by the Court. 5 In your opinion, what was the biggest accomplishment for Surrey under Dianne Watts' term as Mayor?

Amongst many accomplishments, I believe the infrastructure projects implemented under the Build Surrey Program will remain Mayor Watts’ greatest achievement.

MAYOR

LINDA HEPNER'S VISION AND MISSION FOR THE CITY OF SURREY BY GARIMA GOSWAMI

ucceeding Dianne Watts as the Mayor of City of Surrey, a confident Linda Hepner is building strategies that will expand and cement the potentials of the second largest city in BC. As the 36th Mayor for Surrey, Hepner comes with nine years of experience at City Council and has dedicated over 20 years serving the City of Surrey. Defeating her main challengers Doug McCallum (Safe Surrey Coalition) and Barinder Rasode (One Surrey) in the Surrey Municipal elections held on November 15, Hepner secured a fourth term for Surrey First and pronounced Watts' successful three terms that many say is a major factor contributing to her victory. In her new role as Mayor, Hepner has set the Sustainable Transportation of Surrey as her top agenda with focus on other vital challenges within the City such as preventing crime. She shares her vision for the City of Surrey and tells us more about the challenges that lie ahead.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

1 Did you expect victory in the 2014 Surrey municipal elections? Why do you think people opted for another term with Surrey First?

We went into the campaign with a strong Surrey First team with a proven track record of economic growth and sound leadership. Surrey-First connected with residents on a range of issues that affect our city to ensure a well-rounded platform. We chose to highlight all the ways in which our city continue to grow and prosper, and I think voters saw that we were committed to advancing the city. 2 What is the top priority on your agenda for the City of Surrey right now?

Sustainable Transportation for Surrey (through LRT) has been and will remain my top priority moving forward, and that starts with a “yes” vote in the Transportation Referendum this Spring. 3 You have pledged to establish a 'cultural corridor' in Surrey. Why do you think this is an TM

6 Your critics are questioning the completion of the light-rail transit scheduled for 2018.

this project?

Surrey needs light rapid transit, plain and simple. I am confident this project will go forth as planned, and my office is focused on securing a yes vote in the Transportation Referendum to put the wheels in motion. 7 bat the rate of criminal activities in the City of Surrey? Are there any other plans on board?

Absolutely. Policing is more complicated today than ever before, and the additional officers represent much more than just numbers and ratios. What transpires behind the scenes is just as important as what happens at the scene, and we are committed to addressing crime from all angles to ensure safe, sustainable communities for future generations. 8 What will be your biggest challenge?

Championing a positive vote in the Spring Transportation Referendum to ensure Surrey receives our fair share of transit investment within the region. 9

of Dianne Watts?

Having worked within the City of Surrey before entering the political realm, I pride myself on collaborating with City Staff and external parties to achieve what is best for Surrey. 10 What is your message to the people of Surrey in your new role as Mayor?

If something can be improved, and you have a solution as to how, I want to hear about it.

DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN BUSINESS

By Ashley Stephens

How to get invested before making an investment

hen it comes to money, making more is always a desirable goal. Investing your money is a valuable means to achieving your financial goals that puts your money to work. The stock market is one such way to invest and, with the right tools, knowledge, and patience, an informed investor can become a moneymaking investor.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

WHAT IS A STOCK? A stock is a basic unit of ownership of a company. Also referred to as shares or equity, it represents your investment into a business or corporation. Companies offer up shares of their company in return for capital, leaving investors, or shareholders, to acquire a portion of that company distribution. Stocks aren't only found in individual TM

accounts; they are also in mutual funds and Canadian pension plans. be made if stocks increase in value after you've invested or if companies you've invested in pay out dividends to their stockholders. Stocks provide options for making money or building wealth but only if they are understood and used correctly. Shares can be purchased by individu-

Part of

DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN BUSINESS

BEFORE YOU INVEST While you might think 'buy low, sell high' is all you need to know before you throw your next paycheck towards a low cost stock option, there are certain fundamentals that will save you from unnecessary losses. Understanding risk is essential to understanding the stock market. Risk is the amount of uncertainty associated with an investment and your tolerance of risk determines the level which you are comfortable. While not always the case, it is important to consider that the higher the potential for a good return, the higher the risk may be. “Novice investors should think about how much tolerance they have for risk. Investing in the stock market is quite a bit more risky than putting money into a term deposit, Canada Savings Bonds,

through stockbrokers or investment advisors, as they are known in Canada. These regulated professionals buy and sell stocks for clients in return for a fee.

WHAT IS THE STOCK MARKET? The stock market is the collection of buyers and sellers of both public and private stocks. Not a physical location, it is a network of economic transactions. A stock exchange is an organized service provided to facilitate the buying and selling

While you might think 'buy There will be ups and downs in the stock market, and [investors] need to be able low, sell high' is all you need anxious about it on a daily basis,” to know before you throw getting explains Kin Lo, professor of accounting the Sauder School of Business at the your next paycheck towards with University of British Columbia. a low cost stock option, there These days, information about stocks is abundant and, for both the beginner are certain fundamentals investor and the expert, it is necessary. Searching out the available resources that will save you from that provide insight into the stocks you're interested in, related industries, and the unnecessary losses. economy is essential to making informed decisions. Lo offers two pieces of advice for getting into the market directly. “One: buy stocks in companies that you understand. If you are

operates within a central location where brokers and advisors complete sales and trades under strict regulations governing the industry. Several exchanges are active within Canada including Toronto Stock Exchange, Exchange and NASDAQ Canada operating out of New York City. including global events, cultural situations and even weather phenomenons - all beyond the control of brokers, bankers and investors

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DARPAN BUSINESS inherent risks will provide valuable insight into your investment's potential to rise or fall. tion. By having a mix of investments, you're able to reduce your risk and the likelihood they will all experience losses concurrently. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” Lo a single stock is like playing roulette. Anyone who put all their money in Blackberry in 2004 or 2005, and sold in 2007, he/she would have doubled his/her money. However, if he/she bought in 2007 or 2008 and held on, he/she would have lost about 80% of their money by now.” ing, it lessens the chances of a large loss – and Lo cautions against doing anything but. “The risk is not worth it,” he says. “It is much better to spread out the investment over many thinking about, say, Lululemon, do you go to their stores and do you know their products? If you don’t understand what the company does or where it operates, don’t invest in it.” Lo's second piece of advice is to try before

beginner with a small amount of money—you have to buy shares in multiples of 100. That is why mutual funds are a good way to get into the stock market. When you buy into a mutual fund, you buy into the basket of stocks

practice portfolios allowing customers to familiarize themselves with investing without the risk of a real account. “It’s a risk-free way to learn, to see if you would have made money, and to see how

that has low fees.” There is an overwhelming amount of

Evidently, buying low and selling high is not the advice a beginner investor needs to succeed.

day, week to week,” explains Lo. “You might

HOW TO MAKE MONEY

The long-term, adds Dr.

PHOTO: ISTOCK PHOTO

Investing in stocks takes effort, education, and experience. And even the most experienced investor is likely to experience a loss. Understanding the wins and the losses will allow you to continue on an upward trend, avoid costly mistakes and consider yourself a successful stock investor. way to make money. This is especially true if someone wants to make a quick buck,” cautions Lo. “Over a short period of time, it’s very easy to lose 10%, 20%, or even 50%. Just ask anyone who bought in the summer long-term, the investor is much more assured of making a decent return.” years, but ideally ten to twenty. “Because of

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

years, but ideally ten to twenty. “Because of the ups and downs, the focus has to be on the longterm,” he says. the ups and downs, the focus has to be on the long-term,” he says. Analyze industries before investing in individual stocks. While it is important to understand the companies you intend to invest in, the bigger picture may tell a different story. Watching industry trends,

DARPAN

hindsight, it is very easy, but of course, we don’t have that—we have to make investment decisions in real time,” says Lo, adding that more experienced investors succeed for a reason. “I’m not saying it is impossible for a novice to buy stocks that are 'priced low' and then sell at a higher price later, but that is likely just a matter of being lucky. And you don’t want to count on luck over the longterm.” The stock market can be a complicated – and costly – place without the knowledge to understand how it works and how it can work for you. While a basic understanding doesn't scratch the surface of what occurs globally on a daily basis within the market, becoming invested in understanding your investments will increase your chances of long-term gains.

DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

UP FRONTWITH

SONIA SUNGER The story of how Sunger became such a recognized face for GNBC1 is one that speaks of determination and a dream that begins in childhood.

“The competition is fierce. If you want a career in broadcasting, you need patience and a thick skin. You make your own path and there is no ‘one’ way of doing it, but you have to be your own advocate and try to make opportunities for yourself,” says Sunger 18

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

By David Kent

orn and raised in Victoria, BC, Sonia Sunger is the weekday anchor for Global News BC1, a channel that founded its roots in 2012 but became a reality in March 2013. Sunger has been with this new, unknown project since its inception, working alongside a dedicated crew to bring it from an idea to an accepted and successful program. Besides sharing emotional stories with an audience, she is also an amateur oil painter and possesses a love for both cooking and astronomy. The story of how Sunger became such a recognized face for GNBC1 is one that speaks of determination and a dream that begins in childhood. The question of how is one that gets thrown around a lot when people learn of Sunger’s career. She says, “The competition is fierce. If you want a career in broadcasting, you need patience and a thick skin. You make your own path and there is no ‘one’ way of doing it, but you have to be your own advocate and try to make opportunities for yourself.” TM

Although being a self-starter is a trait that’s recommended, Sunger also thinks that you should accept help wherever you can. “Be willing to learn from everyone around you. If you find someone who is willing to give you feedback or is offering constructive criticism, listen to what they’re saying. You will only further yourself by putting their advice into action,” she says before adding, “This includes photographers, editors, and directors. Everyone.” Journalism was a field of aspiration for Sunger throughout her childhood. From the age of 10, Sunger would plant herself in front of the TV screen after school to watch Oprah. When sharing this story, she couldn’t help but laugh and clarify, “I loved this show and watched it religiously. Whether you are an Oprah fan or not, there is no denying that the show was completely rooted in the stories of people – from their achievements and discoveries to the dark depths of humanity. For me, it was human emotion at its best and I was hooked. “My interests quickly expanded to 20/20 with Barbara Walters, 60 Minutes, local news, news magazines, and any investigative journalism show out there. I remember watching the 6 o’clock news on BCTV one day and a switch went off in my head… I knew I wanted to be a

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WWW.KOHALYPRINTING.COM broadcast journalist.” This desire continued to grow and mature as she grew up, finally coming to a critical moment when Sunger would have to decide where to go in college. She had spent considerable time during her high school years shadowing at a local Chek 6 TV station in Victoria by day, hosting a lunch hour radio show, creating a TV show called The Dirt dedicated to community events, and even travelling to Calgary at the age of 16 to spend a day in Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s broadcast journalism program. It was when Sunger moved to Montreal to complete her journalism degree at Concordia University that things began to fall into place. “I found myself in Edmonton during summer break and I had convinced the news director at CTV Edmonton to let me come to the station and day shadow the reporters for a week or two. During that time, I was given a chance to write scripts for the 6 o’clock news anchors,” Sunger explains. “I loved it. After those two weeks were up I just kept coming back to that same station and soon I started being given regular writing shifts. I decided to stay in Edmonton after that and enrolled in the Radio and Television Arts Program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. By the time I graduated, I was working as a web reporter and on-air reporter. A couple years later and I was one of the youngest anchors at the station. I learned a lot in Edmonton, but I really wanted to head back home to B.C.” Trailing off after that admission, she adds, “In 2012, I found out Global BC was launching a new 24-hour news channel, which brought me to where I am right now.” When asked about her biggest achievement in her career thus far, Sunger could only point to her current job at BC1. “Our team embarked on an unknown journey when we launched in 2013, creating our vision of what the channel should be. There is so much hard work that has gone into making BC1 what it is today and I am very proud to say that I was part of that original team. I am also very proud to have my own show on BC1, Up Front with Sonia Sunger, and I am really excited to watch it grow. I work with one of the best teams in the business and I know that we have great things in store.”

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN SPOTLIGHT

Renowned humanitarian,

Firdaus Kharas, produces animations

that can save lives.

By Tarana Rana

PHOTO: Firdaus KHaras

he 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa was the largest in history – and it’s far from over. Affecting multiple countries, like Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, there have been over 20,000 reported cases of the Ebola and around 8,000 deaths in the three countries alone, according to the World Health Organization. In response to the outbreak of this deadly virus, the humanitarian Firdaus Kharas coproduced an animated video called Ebola: A Poem for the Living. The 4-minute animation is used in West Africa to promote prevention of the disease and has been translated in 15 local dialects. “All of them were voiced in West Africa with children who were 11 to 14 years old. It’s a powerful and emotional piece,” says Kharas, who has made similar educative videos in the past for Malaria and HIV/AIDS. “These diseases are all preventable. Not one person needs to die of [them]. And people

ACTIVISM ANIMATION

THROUGH

die because of lack of information,” he says. A Poem for the Living dispels a lot of the myths and superstitions that exist about Ebola in West Africa, like the one that claims ingesting vinegar prevents the virus. Ottawa-based Kharas is an old hand at creating non-coercive media for social change. Founder of Chocolate Moose Media, his company produces animations,

A Still from ' A Poem for the Living' 20

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documentaries and television series that essentially aim to better the human condition by causing behaviour change in individuals and society. Besides the prevention of diseases, Kharas has tackled a multitude of vital issues including gender equality, domestic violence and solar energy in a rather unusual fashion. He addresses them through humour. “I don’t believe in bashing people over the head and trying to get them to change their opinions,” Kharas says, adding that humour helps him engage the viewer whose behaviour he wants to change. By keeping the animations non-threatening and amusing, he has a greater chance of getting through. He cites his No Excuses campaign as an example, the series of 11 spots on abuse and violence which directly address the abuser. “I’m trying to get them, using humour, to the end of the spot, to the tagline which is the most important part. So you want something that amuses you, and you want something that you will remember.” Incorporating humour in his work is a constant challenge for Kharas, given the nature of the is-

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sues he addresses. A bigger challenge, however, is ensuring that the humour is universal. With his work translated in over 100 languages, and seen by over a billion people, Kharas’s animations need to allow for cross-cultural communication. “I have a list of over 50 barriers that I have to work through in creating each and every spot,” he says. Barriers like language, ethnicity, religion, economic and political status and levels of education may be what distinguish people, but they are also what separate them. “The advantage of animation is that it gets over many of these barriers,” Kharas says. “You know what you are seeing is not real, so you are more accepting of the messages.” Kharas’s acclaimed series The Three Amigos, which won 30 international awards including a prestigious Peabody Award, is the perfect example of this. Designed to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, the 20 spots feature three animated talking condoms and these comedic spots have been broadcast worldwide – including in some of the more conservative Muslim countries. “People say to me, how do you get condoms on the Iranian National Television,” says Kharas. “Well, you get them because they are animated.” So what led Kharas to pursue this kind of animated activism? Even well before his career of media production, he had dedicated his life to improving the human condition. His graduate thesis examined the convention against torture; he served as the executive director of the United Nations Association in Canada, and as the Assistant Deputy Chairman of the Immigration and Refugee Board, he helped clear the backlog of more than 100,000 refugee claims. However, his desire to make a difference can be traced further back to his childhood. Born in Calcutta into an upper-middle class family, with a mother who headed a national NGO, Kharas was aware of his privileged position from a very young age. When he was fifteen, he and a friend set up a school in a slum in Mumbai, and taught everything they had learnt at school during the week. “Sometimes we had like 200 kids come just to a single class.” Kharas’s efforts to better the world have not gone unnoticed; he has been recognised with over 70 awards for his humanitarian work and he continues to do more. He is currently working on creating an animated short series in Arabic on the rights of children with diabetes. The Middle East has the highest rates of diabetes in the world, he explains, and no one has addressed the rights these children have. “The right to test themselves, to go to the bathroom whenever they want, the right to play sports and not be excluded, I’m making 15 animated shorts on that,” he says. A champion of human rights, Kharas addresses the issues that get overlooked, sidelined or silenced. “People ask me what is the bottom line of what you do, and I say, I create media to better the human condition.”

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S S E SUCC LIWAL A H D N I R M SIM

BY NERISSA JAWANDA SIMMRIN DHALIWAL IS A PROMISING SOCCER PLAYER FROM SURREY, BC, WHO WILL SOON BE PLAYING FOR NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

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n her final year of high school, Simmrin Dhaliwal is already an accomplished soccer player. The 17-year-old has played in the World Cup with the Canadian National Team and has gone to the Canada Games with the Whitecaps—where they achieved a gold medal for British Columbia. She has also been playing on the BC Provincial Team from Under-13 onwards, after playing for the Whitecaps Prospects Team when she was 11. She attributes her success to putting in extra time and effort, as well as taking care of her health, “I’ll wake up early in the morning before school and go for a run because I need to take care of my fitness, I’ll also eat healthy and make food on the side when everyone else is eating pizza or butter chicken, so that I’m taking care of my diet.” Most importantly, though, she explains that her family is the most crucial factor in her success, “the feeling that drives me the most is seeing my parents, my brother and my whole family proud of me.” So how did Simmrin’s journey begin? At the age of 7, she began playing soccer. Simmrin explains that she was not always the star player that she is today—she admits that the first game her father ever attended did not go very well, “I was a goalkeeper for that game and he saw the other team score like 15 goals on me.” This mishap turned out to become a learning experience, as her father decided to start helping her train and become a better player. She explains, “This was the turning point, he told me that he was going to make me a better player so that I’d be scoring goals on the other team instead of playing in net.”

PHOTO: Amastermedia

Simmrin’s outlook is a positive one—she is adamant that setbacks and failures need to be greeted with a sense of optimism, and that she, herself, has been in situations where things did not go the way she hoped, but that by working hard and trying to improve, she has gotten to where she is today. For instance, the year she was told that she could not play on a team above her age, she was upset, as she had been playing above her age level for quite some time. By staying positive and continuing to put in time and effort, she was invited to join the older team in a national tournament at the end of the year, “I went to play in a national tournament against the other provinces when a girl on that team got injured—the coach called me and said that I’ve been doing well and that I’m ready to come play with them.” She adds, “If I had shut down that whole year, I wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity, but I kept my head up because I knew that opportunities like this were going to come.” After playing soccer for many years now, she explains that her favourite part of being a soccer player is being able to represent her country. She says that she began to realize just how much pride she had for her country while participating in the World Cup, and that standing in line with her team, singing the national anthem in front of thousands of people was a very touching and memorable moment. Being able to work with her team and play for her country is something she finds very important. She hopes to relive this experience soon, “it was such a good feeling, and I just want to go to another World Cup!” Her soccer skills will be transitioning all the way to Chicago for university—she has committed to attending Northwestern once she graduates high school. She will also carry on with the under twenties. She is both excited and nervous for this new chapter in her life, as this will mark her first time living away from home. Simmrin is quite used to balancing education with soccer at this point, but does admit that it can be difficult at times. She says it is most important to “be super organized, do as much as you can when you have free time, and be open to asking for help from teachers.” She is aware of the time constraints, but remains positive that “it is completely doable—you can stay up a little later and wake up a little earlier to get things done.” This talented soccer player offers some advice to other athletes who want to excel: “The first thing you need is passion. After that, you’ve got to be willing to put in the work to get to the next level. Put in your best effort, go to the gym, eat well, and everything else will fall into place.”

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LIVE on ET Canada

a t i g n a S Patel JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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STORY

By Tarana Rana Named one of Hello! Canada Magazine’s ’50 Most Beautiful People’ in 2014, Sangita Patel has become a familiar face on Canada’s leading entertainment show, Entertainment Tonight Canada. This former engineer gives us the scoop on her rise through the media ranks and her exciting career reporting on some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

F When I’m in front of a camera, I forget there is a camera there.There is something about it that I absolutely love.."

or film fans, a new year means one thing: awards season. With highly anticipated events like the Golden Globes and Academy Awards looming near, many of us are already looking forward to camping out in front of the TV with our friends and family – and lots of popcorn. While we predict the winners, keep an eye out for our favourite stars, and discuss whose outfit is most flattering, Entertainment Reporter Sangita Patel will be one of the many working the red carpet, trying to get exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. “I’m looking forward to talking to Julianne Moore; I’ve been following her career since last year. I am so excited to see her on the carpet for Golden Globes,” says Patel, who is currently a reporter for Canada’s top entertainment show, Entertainment Tonight (ET) Canada. This will be Patel’s second time at the Golden Globes and she is more than ready

to push her way through the swarms of other reporters present and get her red-carpet interviews. “I’m very aggressive,” Patel says, and shares some sneaky manoeuvres she uses to pull the stars aside for an interview. “I’ll say, ‘there is something on your dress! And they (the stars) will look at it. And I say, ‘here, I’ll show it to you’ but there’s nothing on the dress. I’m one of those people,” she laughs. If you watch ET Canada on a regular basis, chances are you already know – and adore – Patel. This native of Toronto, Ontario, joined ET Canada in early 2013, filling in for co-host Cheryl Hickey, who was on maternity leave at the time. Whether she’s on the red carpet or doing a sit-down interview, Patel’s vivacious, upbeat energy infuses everything she does. This makes her a delight to watch on screen, especially when she’s chatting with celebrities like Robert Pattinson or the cast of the Hunger Games. “When I’m in front of a camera, I

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Working as an engineer by day and TV reporter at night, Patel led this double life until she was offered a job she couldn’t refuse – a weather presenter on the Weather Network. “It was a perfect job for me; it was science, math and television... It was also a great starting point for me; it really was a stepping stone for doing live television.”

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forget there is a camera there. There is something about it that I absolutely love,” she says. Her passion for what she does is evident. Watching her on-screen, it’s hard to believe that Patel originally was a professional engineer before she landed on the small screen. “I was bit of a nerd,” she says, and mentions that math and science were her favourite subjects in school. When the time came to apply to universities, Patel applied for engineering and journalism, and got accepted in both programs. “It really came down to what was the smart move, you know, most of the time in the Asian world, you are a doctor or an engineer,” Patel says. “So I talked to my dad and I really tried to figure out where was I going to make a good financial decision and that was

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When she’s not working, Patel spends most of her time with her husband of 11 years and two young daughters. With a job that racks up air miles, it is challenging to balance work and family life but Patel seems to make it work. She credits her husband’s support as one of the main reasons why.

My husband, who is my best friend, is the best father ever. He takes care of them when I’m away,” she says. Skyping also helps as Patel is able to sing her daughters their bedtime song when she’s away engineering.” After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, Patel worked in the manufacturing industry and earned her Professional Engineering Designation. “But I wasn’t really happy, my passion was always television,” Patel admits. So she decided to volunteer for Rogers Community TV and soon began working on a lifestyle program called Toronto Living and Rushes, a highlight show for the Toronto International Film Festival. Working as an engineer by day and TV reporter at night, Patel led

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this double life until she was offered a job she couldn’t refuse – a weather presenter on the Weather Network. “It was a perfect job for me; it was science, math and television... It was also a great starting point for me; it really was a stepping stone for doing live television.” The six-minute weather broadcasts were unscripted, Patel explains, and this helped her get comfortable ad-libbing on live television. Her stint on the Weather Network got her recruited by City TV, and for the next five years, Patel tried her hand at everything. Besides the weather, she covered entertainment stories and made occasional appearances on the popular morning news show, Breakfast Television. So how did Patel land a coveted gig on ET Canada? After hearing of a temporary position on the show, she decided to give it a shot and go for an audition. “It was a risk right, you’re leaving your job for six months [of ] work somewhere else...and I took the risk,” she says. It certainly paid off as they decided to keep her on the show permanently. Almost two years have passed since then and Patel is thrilled to be a part of the popular national show. She adds, “I have to say, being a South Asian face on a national show really got recognised. People emailed me, I’m very active on social media and they were like ‘wow, there is a brown girl on television.’ You know, I never thought of myself as a

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I have to say, being a South Asian face on a national show really got recognised. People emailed me, I’m very active on social media and they were like ‘wow, there is a brown girl on television. minority, or as a person of colour, I am just who I am. I never thought about it until I was on ET Canada. That is when I started acknowledging that people do look at who is on television, in terms of colour, they have a connection to that and I appreciate that. It’s an honour to represent the [South Asian] community on a show like this and I’m so honoured that they kept me on the show!” As an entertainment reporter, Patel spends most of her time covering movie premiers, giving viewers a behind-thescenes look into glamorous events like the Cannes Film Festival and of course, interviewing Hollywood celebrities. She cites her interview with George Clooney as her most memorable celebrity interview. “It was epic for me because he made me coffee,” she laughs. “He’s standing there, making his own coffee, and he goes, ‘do you want one?’ He’s so nice, and just an incredible guy.” She also mentions that it’s always a pleasure to interview Mark Walberg. “Every time I see him, he is so genuine, and he’s always willing to chat,

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so it’s such a great feeling that he is comfortable talking to me.” Patel is also a part of a popular running series called Adrenaline Rush on ET Canada. “I take a star and we do something crazy,” she explains. “It really shows the personality of the actor and they get out of their shell!” Some of her memorable moments include walking on the edge of the CN Tower with Maze Runner actress, Kaya Scodleraio and bungee jumping from a 153-foot drop with former CFL-er Sebastion Clovis. The key to Patel’s success was hard work and a lot of perseverance. “I volunteered for years in television until I got my start at the Weather Network,” she says. “You got to be patient; you got to get out there with a camera and practice.” In an extremely competitive industry like journalism, aspiring journalists should seize any opportunity they can to get their foot in the door, Patel advises. “Sports is an amazing place for women, that’s where you should go, I say! There’s a good chance of you getting in and you grow from it.” When she’s not working, Patel spends most of her time with her husband of 17 years and two young daughters. With a job that racks up air miles, it is challenging to balance work and family life but Patel seems to make it work. She credits her husband’s support as one of the main reasons why. “My husband, who is my best friend, is the best father

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ever. He takes care of them when I’m away,” she says. Skyping also helps as Patel is able to sing her daughters their bedtime song when she’s away. “I also take vacations. If I work on the weekends, I try to take days off during the week. So it’s not easy, but there is a great balance for it,” she explains. “I am very blessed that everything is working out – knock on wood – my kids are great and life is good.” With her media career on the rise, what’s next for Patel? Well, at the moment, she is extremely happy with where she is. But she does have an idea of what she’d like her future to hold. Drawing on her passion for interviewing and chatting with people, Patel hopes to have her own talk show some day. “I kind of want to open that door where I can be a South Asian person and be someone people can turn to,” she says, adding that it would be one of those fun, lively shows where nothing is scripted and the goal is to make people laugh. “That’s why I got into television, you know. I always look into the camera and think I’m talking to one person, and that one person has to laugh. At one point, that person has to laugh.” You can catch Patel on ET Canada, weeknights at 7:30pm on Global.

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There’s a lot going down in 2015. From space missions to Canadian Federal Elections, here’s a short – and by no means comprehensive – list of some of the mostanticipated events happening in Vancouver and worldwide.

What's Up JUN

JAN

2015? 36

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SEP

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By Tarana Rana

APR

MAY

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The Canadian Federal Elections Are the 2015 Canadian federal elections shaping up to be a three-way fight? NDP Party Leader, Tom Mulclair definitely seems to think so and in an interview he gave before his three day caucus retreat on Tuesday (Jan 13th), he predicted that these elections would be a historic first as a three-way race between the Conservatives, New Democrats and Liberals. Though the polls generally put the Conservatives and Liberals ahead of NDP, Dr. Greg Millard, Chair of the Political Science faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University believes there are a few factors that could work in NDP’s favour – a strong organization in Quebec and the fact that Mulcair is perceived as a strong politician – which could create a three-way race. “Whether or not the NDP can move up, this certainly looks to be the most exciting federal election in many years, because all three parties are led by compelling figures,” he says. “The real fight of this campaign, I suspect, will be between the Liberals and the NDP over which side (if any) can capture and consolidate the "anti-Harper" sentiment.” What does Dr. Millard predict? “My guess is that the likeliest outcome is that neither the NDP nor the Liberals will manage to knock out the other…and the Conservatives will be looking at another victory - probably a minority, but possibly even another majority government.” But at the end of the day, politics are always unpredictable, so it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

FIFA Women’s Word Cup Canada Soccer fans rejoice! The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 is hosted by Canada this year, giving us yet another reason to look forward to summer. Will Germany, the defending champion for the past two World Cups, keep their title? Or will someone else take home the cup? Follow along from June 6 to July 5 and find out! Matches will be held over 6 Canadian cites – and Vancouver’s own BC stadium will be the venue for the final. They’ll also be making a historic first – this will be the first-ever World Cup soccer final to be held on artificial turf.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

2015 ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

lia and New Zealand will The ICC Cricket World Cup, jointly hosted by Austra ion India, will play their kick off on February 14th and the defending champ abuzz with anticipation and first match against Pakistan the next day. Fans are He’ll be supporting India Nachiket Goswami, a student at SFU, is one of them. needs to improve on the and is looking forward to this year’s World Cup. “India en and that was visible in bowling front. They have an amazing line-up of batsm feel Australia will emerge as the recently held India vs. Australia test series. I also a huge fan of the sport, I am the major competing team for the World Cup. As ion's title,” he says. hoping they will be able to retain the 2015 champ

Nordstrom Grand Opening Attention shoppers! There’s a new retail giant coming to town this year. Nordstrom, the iconic US department store will open a 230,000 sq foot flagship store in Vancouver’s Pacific Centre. It’ll be the third Nordstrom in all of Canada – and the largest with three floors and is set to open on September 18th. Its arrival also means that the giant white box of a building at Granville and Georgia, which has been dubbed the ugliest in Vancouver, will be transformed into a glassy new structure which will be home to this top fashion retailer.

Biggest Tech Trend: Smartphone Payments Over the years, cards have slowly replaced cash in our wallets. A lot of us rely solely on our cards to make payments – even if the bill is in single digits. But will this slowly become a thing of the past? According to a report by global professional services firm Deloitte, 2015 will be the year where more Canadians will be reaching for their

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

smartphones to pay instead. Hailed as the biggest tech trend of 2015, the report predicts that this year will be a tipping point for retailers, banks and the like to adopt technology that will allow people to make small payments with their phones. By the end of the year, it expects one in 20 smartphone owners to make contactless payments with their phone. While it isn’t likely to become mainstream this year, we are definitely headed in that direction. What will happen when it does? Ava Naves, principal at The Online

Strategy House, a boutique online marketing agency, makes a few predictions. “As the technology becomes mainstream, there will be even less barriers for consumers to make small purchases, and that will cause an increase in impulse buying. Secondly, cyber attacks on smartphones will happen more often. Last but not least, merchants will have even more access to data related to what, where, and when people shop. This will cause advertising to be even more tailored to consumers’ behaviour.”

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

major 2015 will be a good year for ated icip ant franchises – with highly this r late g blockbusters releasin lot a e lud inc year. Some big ones rs: nge Ave like of follow-up sequels and 24 d Bon Age of Ultron, James that Jurassic World. But one film oot reb the is has everyone talking as Luc rge Geo a of the epic space sag 7: 197 in ld wor introduced to the Star Wars.

e 30 years This new trilogy will take plac Jedi and the of after Episode VI: the Return akens Aw ce the first film titled The For –a ber cem is set to release on 18th De . erly eag g itin day fans worldwide are awa ic crit Film e? But will it live up to its hyp his expectaJorge Ignacio Castillo, says are high. tion tions for the new installa Awakens ce For “Unlike the prequels, The ple you peo the has the original cast – by myen urd grew up with –and is unb Also, e. slat n clea thology. In a way, it's a ck kna a has r] J.J. Abrams [the directo also are t tha s to deliver crowd-pleaser as], Mission enjoyable for critics [such t.” Los Impossible 3, Star Trek,

Mission to Pluto After a 9 year long journey, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has officially begun its long-awaited mission to explore the mysterious dwarf planet, Pluto. The robotic probe recently awoke from hibernation to prepare for the closest approach to Pluto yet. “NASA’s first mission to distant Pluto will also be humankind’s first close up view of this cold, unexplored world in our solar system,” Jim Green, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, Washington said in a press release. There are still 6 months to go before the historic close-up flyby, but in the meantime the piano-sized probe will be collecting data and taking pictures while it covers the remaining distance. By spring, New Horizons will be able to provide images better than the most powerful telescopes on earth, eventually obtaining images good enough to map Pluto and its moons.

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encountered dead bodies, while I was climbing ahead of Camp 3. I was terrified. I stood there for 10-15 minutes and said 'if you (dead bodies) have completed the summit then that it is alright but if you haven't then I will complete the summit for you and go back alive."

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person is handicapped from the body, not the mind. If a person is handicapped from the mind then a normal person is also handicapped," Arunima Sinha says while passionately sharing INKtalks. In 2013, Sinha made headlines around the world as the 'First Female Amputee' to complete the gargantuan 29,035ft (8,850m) journey to the top of the

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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years after Sinha had met with a tragic accident that left her with an amputated leg. In 2011, while travelling from Lucknow to Delhi, Sinha was confronted with a bunch of thieves that were trying to snatch her gold necklace. Shockingly, Sinha had to struggle against the 4-5 muggers 'single-handedly' without any interference from the much crowded compartment, and her bravery was appreciated by her getting shoved outside the speeding train. Just as she TM

was pushed outside, Sinha was hit by a train passing on the adjacent track that ran over her legs. "After a while when I tried to lift myself, I noticed that my legs had cut-off." In this moment of agony and pain, Sinha watched her leg get nibbled by rats, eventually her vision dimmed and she survived an entire night in isolation in that crucifying situation. "In the morning, some villagers arrived and took me to a local hospital." The hospital, not being fully equipped with appropriate medical apparatus required to conduct a surgery, was forced to cut her left leg below the knee without anaesthesia, after insistence from Sinha. Four months after the accident while Sinha was recovering from multiple grave injuries, she recounted how some individuals in society were fabricating an appalling version of her story including that her accident was a suicide attempt. "I had decided that I will prove who I am and what I am capable of and that is when I decided that I want to go for mountaineering," she asserts. Sinha, a former national volleyball player, hadn't even completely recovered from the accident, and she approached summit Everest, asking Pal for guidance and training in her mission to climb the Everest. In contrast to other mountaineers, Sinha's laborious training was quite distinct. Initially, it took her 3 hours to walk a distance that would only take 2 minutes for other mountaineers, but within eight months Sinha had recovered her timing to actually get ahead of others. When a climber sets off on the Everest expedition, they are allotted a Sherpa, a climber's guide to the peak. When Sinha's Sherpa learnt that she had one prosthetic leg and a metal rod in the other, he resisted accompanying her saying she might die on the journey. Only after insistence from her brother-in-law and Pal, did the Sherpa agree to go with her. "I encountered dead bodies, while I was I stood there for 10-15 minutes and said 'if you (dead bodies) have completed the summit then that it is alright but if you haven't then I will complete the summit for you and go back alive." "When I was close enough to the peak, my Sherpa told me that 'Arunima, you should go back because you are running

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Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi launching a book titled "Born Again on the Mountain" authored by Arunima Sinha, first female amputee to climb Mount Everest, in New Delhi. out of oxygen.' And I told him 'what are you saying, I am not turning back now." Within one to one and half hour Sinha was literally 'on top of the world.'" "I felt like shouting out to everyone and telling them that I am on top of the world." In this moment of endurance, Sinha could only feel pride and exhilaration while she was extremely short of oxygen shortly after she commenced her journey back to base camp, her oxygen completely ran out. Around this time, a British climber who was climbing up with two cylinders had to turn back due to bad weather. Sinha's Sherpa rushed down to get that cylinder and gave it to her. This inspiring and spirited mountaineer's journey has been celebrated and applauded not

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actually told me that my prosthetic leg is for walking and not climbing," Sinha says proudly while describing her accomplishment. the continents," and so far she has conquered and Europe's Elbrus. Her next destination is

PHOTO: arunima sinHa

Currently, Sinha is working towards her sports academy - Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Viklang Khel Academy that will train athletes with physical disabilities for national Born Again on a Mountain in December 2014 and assured me that he will assist me in the completion of the project but we are also relying on private donations to speed up the project." With her undying zeal and fortitude, Sinha has already proved that there is nothing stopping her from achieving her goals. This physical barrier stopping anyone as long as your mind and heart are resolute enough to chase after a dream.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

While we debate on whether social media is a boon or a bane, it continues to proclaim its invasion and dominance over our lives, which many of us don't mind. Here is a look at why we really need social media in the globalized society of today

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

By Garima Goswami

ALL ALL

HAIL

Social

Media M

uch has been said, a lot has been researched academically and scientifically, and even more has been publicized in context to the impacts of social media, individually and collectively. Although the positives and negatives both weigh down as substantial elements affecting the personal grooming of a person, we cannot deny that there

is no going back from social media. Whatever might be your reason; having a social media account is swiftly becoming or perhaps has already become a necessity we cannot ignore. It is here to stay. The pro-social media project a perspective that traces social media as a tool to trigger movements, create campaigns, raise awareness and in some cases challenge authorities. A very successful casein-point is the Ice Bucket Challenge that raised a total of $220 million USD globally, according to ALS Association CEO Barbara Newhouse.

The viral campaign cajoled personalities from around the world including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Lady Gaga to soak in freezing icecold water to raise funds for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Another example is the ongoing fight for the freedom of three Al Jazeera journalists, convicted in Egypt. Journalists, activists and individuals from around the globe have galvanized a campaign against the Egyptian regime by propagating the hashtag - #FreeAJStaff and #JournalismIsNotACrime. Collectively, the medium is perfect to communicate and voice ideas. The message is short, crisp and direct and the reach is unthinkably profound. Because of its personal and direct

DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

SPECIAL FEATURE Based on observations, it can be said that when acting ‘collectively,’ we as people act smarter. In a broader sense, it can be understood that emotions, thoughts and moods are transmitted faster and act as contagions to web them across our social

PHOTO: ISTOCK PHOTO

networks.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

nature, we associate and overwhelm ourselves with a plethora of emotions that constantly flood our news feed. Based on observations, it can be said that when acting ‘collectively,’ we as people act smarter. In a broader sense, it can be understood that emotions, thoughts and moods are transmitted faster and act as contagions to web them across our social networks. It is a perfect platform for protests where voices from around the world come under one roof to firstly draw knowledge upon and secondly reprimand undemocratic procedures and decisions that can happen anywhere. In 2012, Martha Payne, a nine-year-old schoolgirl started a blog ‘NeverSeconds,’ which featured photographs of the £2 school menu she was having for the day. Payne would give her thoughts on the meal with ratings that included - health rating, pieces of hair and Food-o-meter. Once the popularity of the blog escalated to raise over £2000 for charity at that time and even made headlines in a newspaper, Payne was asked by her head teacher to stop taking photographs of her school dinners. We

can only imagine the undisputed outrage this devised on social media and consequently, the school council complied with the unanimous voices. Payne has raised over £143,860.80 GB for Mary’s Meals at the time of writing, according to JustGiving, an online fundraising platform. As the sphere of social media is expanding, it is giving individuals more power. More power translating into power to question authority figures, expose corruption, participate in activism and fortunately for many, power to ‘follow’ and stalk celebrities on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. These powers are just a fragment of the revolutionary tool social media has become, evolving an inch further each day, to help instill transparency. Diverging from the humanitarian ground, social media has also come as a boon for businesses and politics as well. Marketing campaigns have become competitive, leading businesses to invest generously in designing strategies. The market is profusely abundant and the prospects are unbelievable.

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For politicians, this is a forum they cannot afford to miss. In fact, politicians are urged by their respective parties to address potential voters and also criticize opposing members from the political circles. Public relations personnel are hired to effectively launch politicians and their campaigns before elections. Video clips and pictures of ministers engaging in community work are circulated, and funds are spent lavishly to pump the numbers of subscribers and followers. It has become quite an expensive affair. With its ascending influence, particularly on the younger votes, political parties are grooming themselves to maximize participation and leverage electorate behavior in their interest. Whether this argument should be placed as pro, I leave that up to you. On the lighter side however, the landscape is fruitful to earn the likes of a versatile audience and become an overnight sensation. Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, YouTube and other such forums are the new gateways to fame, giving people control of how and where they choose to ride their followers.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Anyone coming out from college will understand just how significant social media is to network with the right profiles and click the right opportunities in order for your career to grow. For companies, this is a stage to distill profiles of numerous prospective employees. For this reason, a lot of individuals are actually creating professional profiles and linking them with their résumés and cover letters. Of course the repercussions of social media are equally powerful – cybercrimes, digital peer pressure, harassment, addiction, depression and countless others factors have ingrained into social media making it a precarious platform. Individually, social media affects us all at a different level. The continuous surge in our reliance on social media has prompted researchers to conduct studies in this direction. Claire Suchy, a Canadian Certified Counsellor is a clinical counsellor at Indigo Counselling. Suchy explains the depression theory suggesting, “Some studies show that increased social media use is associated with depression. In particular, social

SPECIAL FEATURE

#ALS-ICE-BUCKET-CHALLENGE media use that involves a lot of ‘surfing’ with minimal communication is associated with greater depression. On the other hand, social media use that involves a lot of direct communication, like instant messaging or messaging, is associated with lower rates of depression.” Therefore, to say that there is a definitive yes or no linking social media to depression is utterly incorrect. Lance Ulanoff, chief correspondent and Editorat-Large of Mashable.com, a leading source for

news, information and resources, took a social media break that lasted for more than a week. Ulanoff took refuge of a journal to record his thoughts during this break. During the course of his experiment, Ulanoff made some interesting entries in his diary, and I would like to share some here - “12-22-2014, Mid-morning- ‘Is there a patch for this?’ says my wife, ‘Like a nicotine patch?” “12-22-2014, You quickly realize how often you use social media to fill dead spaces.” “12-23-2014,

UFV + You Changing lives, building community.

I feel a little bit like I’ve lost a friend. Have found I can now check Google News and Mashable and fight back the urge to Tweet. A story of mine got posted while I’m on vacation. I can’t promote it. Sigh.” Ulanoff described his experience after the successful completion of his social media break on Mashable. He said, “I didn’t learn that social media is inherently evil or good. It’s just something to be used in moderation. Perhaps I lost sight of that and did start to overuse it a bit. I don’t have to obsessively check it or share something new every ten minutes. When I’m at home, I can use it less and listen more. That effort certainly made a difference during this social media break.” The point is not to classify social media as good or evil, rather to understand the intricacies and opportunities that this new internet age has instilled upon us. Indubitably, this revolutionary tool can become a boon or a bane but we cannot outdo its significance. Be cautious, be aware and more importantly be active (you know where).

In 2014, UFV turns 40. As we celebrate our history, we also dream of growing innovation locally and beyond. We can only do this together with you.

ufv.ca/40 DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

YouTube Configuring a New

Species of Stardom

of other people are doing it and it's kind of like a voice, we live in a very expressive generation," Lily Singh explains. Surviving and growing in the competitive sea of talent, ideas and voices, is vigorously demanding. "The biggest challenge is that it is such a new phenomena that there is no one really to look back upon and see how did they do it, did they succeed, what happened with them. We are all just kind of guessing our way through this" Superwoman says. Speaking on monetary terms, with the influx of viewers on

By Garima Goswami

emember the days when YouTube was literally a salmagundi of videos ranging from adorable pets to amateur videos of babies (Charlie bit my finger â&#x20AC;&#x201C; again!). Of course it still is, but the growing economics of YouTube has resulted in the traffic to expand in this expoential zone to kick it out of its amteur zone. The platform has overgrown to station professional videos for celebrity gossip, beauty and style tips, music and dance videos and so much more. The medium allows vloggers (video bloggers) to connect oneto-one with their subscribers and foster a personalized interaction. Moreover, YouTube's synchronization tab with other social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter means there is an infinite reach for countless voices. Statistically speaking, the video-

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

sharing platform attracts more than 1 billion unique users visit per month, has over 100 hours of videos uploaded every minute, records over 6 billion hours of video watch time each month and has 80% of the traffic coming from outside the United States of America. YouTube sensation Lily Singh a.k.a Superwoman with a fan base of over 4.9 million is one such personality emerging from a generation of YouTubers that have engineered videos that are low-budget yet professional and are self-produced, directed, edited and marketed. Youtubing has cemented as a career in itself. "I think that I am from a generation that is very entrepreneurial. People understand that creativity is so much more possible with the digital age and I feel that there is a sudden rush because first of all a lot

DARPAN

Speaking on monetary terms, with the influx of viewers on YouTube sourcing from 61 countries, thousands of channels are making six figures a year. It is no surprise that advertisers are hoarding these channels. YouTube sourcing from 61 countries, thousands of channels are making six figures a year. It is no surprise that advertisers are hoarding these channels. Suddenly, YouTube is seen as changing the consumption patterns of viewers from television. The conglomeration of traditional media in the digital space has created a pool of opportunities, whether that

is beauty and style tips or social experiments in your city. Digital star Shane Dawson with a fan base of over 6 million went on to direct a movie, Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg alias PieDiePew, a video game commentator with a subscriber list of over 33 million went on to star in two South Park episodes; and Superwoman got an opportunity to release a music album as well as host the music launch event of Dr. Cabbie, a movie produced by Bollywood biggie, Salman Khan. The demographics are in their favour and the perks are too tempting- appreciation, interaction, fame, money and flexibility. It is not surprising that several of these digital stars have more followers than film celebrities. Not only star faces but also star content is instantly going viral across borders. Millions of subscribers are crowding their way in to YouTube, pumping the number of individuals subscribing daily to the platform three times more than last year. It certainly is a field to experiment with guaranteeing personalized interaction, but if you are thinking of launching yourself on YouTube, then as corny as it may sound, Superwoman says staying true to your passion is imperative. "If you want to start doing YouTube, you have to do it for a reason you are passionate about. [It should be] something you can talk about because it is so easy to see through somebody who is putting on an act and every YouTuber that I see is unhappy or unsuccessful is because they are putting on an act of something they are not, and [are] talking about things that they don't believe in.â&#x20AC;?

DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN EXCLUSIVE

In an exclusive interview with DARPAN, the quirky director of Finding Fanny opens up about his childhood, his films, and life in general

e had no prior experience in filmmaking, but a natural gift for storytelling helped Homi Adajania bag the opportunity to helm and direct his first film Being Cyrus, which released in 2006. Since then, there's been no looking back for this talented director, who has amassed immense box office success with films like Cocktail and last year's super-hit Finding Fanny. In an exclusive interview with DARPAN, the quirky filmmaker opens up about his childhood, his films, and life in general. "If there is one thing I am confident of it is how to tell a story. And I had a pretty impressive narration going for Being Cyrus”, recalls Adajania. "Somehow no one really asked me what prior experience I had. I think everyone assumed I was an ad-filmmaker or some such. But for me it wasn't rocket science. I figured that there was a very detailed vision of the narrative in my head and I rounded up a bunch of technicians to

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

HOMi ADAjANi MEET

“If there is one thing I am confident of it is how to tell a story...Somehow no one really asked me what prior experience I had. I think everyone assumed I was an adfilmmaker or some such.”

By Saira Hayre

translate what was in my head on to celluloid." Despite the confidence in his abilities, Adajania, who grew up in Mumbai, India, admits that like any other first-time filmmaker, he made a number of mistakes and as a result learnt a great deal while on the sets of his films. "Being Cyrus was like going to film school for me. There are so many things that I look back at and cringe. A big [lesson] was not to try and do everything and to appreciate and exploit every crew member's talent towards enhancing the film. Today, I know exactly what I want but I am very open to suggestions from everyone involved in the process. I have a democratic working style that

embraces and celebrates the collaborative process," explains Adajania, whose childhood memories include listening to war stories about the Indo-Pak war, in which his father, who was also "a great story-teller," fought. In his early years, "I was like any other kid I guess, building worlds in my head. According to my mother, I am the reason for every grey hair that she has. As a small child I was a bit of a nut,” Adajania reminisces. "I remember lighting bonfires in my cupboard or when my mother would call me home, I would climb up the pipes of her sixth floor apartment and she'd be really pissed off. I look back at some of the bizarre things that I did and wonder what on earth possessed me to do them…"

PHOTO: RICK MATHARU

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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DARPAN EXCLUSIVE “I was like any other kid I guess, building worlds in my head. According to my mother, I am the reason for every grey hair that she has. As a small child I was a bit of a nut,” Adajania reminisces Bold and free-spirited right from his childhood, Adajania’s love for adventure and excitement has stayed with him and he recounts a period in his life when he was not employed in a steady job. Between his various jobs as a scuba driving instructor to managing a gas pump, Adajania also managed to travel extensively to different parts of the world. It comes as no surprise that Adajania credits these various experiences as inspiration behind his storytelling. "When people ask you ‘what are you doing?’ they don’t expect a reply that has to do with anything that doesn’t earn you money. It’s really strange, but when you say I was reading, travelling, doing any oddjob to get to the next destination, it doesn’t seem to cut it. Honestly, I think life is too fleeting and priceless for a full-time job," says the director, who loves adventure sports and has undoubtedly lived life on his own unique and individualistic terms. This brand of individuality coupled with an ample dose of humour and reality can also be found in all of his films, including the recently released Arjun Kapoor-Deepika Padukone starrer, Finding Fanny. Finding Fanny has been appreciated by critics and audiences alike and Adajania, who is known for his laidback nature in the business, shares that while he doesn't specifically write scripts and characters for specific actors, he did write Finding Fanny's postman character with the actor Naseeruddhin Shah in mind. His next project will be the Hindi adaption of The Fault in Our Stars. "It’s a story that I really feel needs to be told in India. For me it’s poignant, at a time when we are consumed by technology and are manically running this make-believe race we think is Life. We are such profound idiots to actually believe we have unlimited time here!" Reflecting on Adajania’s values, beliefs and life experiences, it's clearly evident that it is a story that resonates deeply with him. "I live by the belief that success is measured by one’s sense of happiness and nothing else, and that happiness is a state of mind and nothing else.”

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Saira is a journalist who has been writing for DARPAN Magazine for the past few years. While she has always enjoyed highlighting stories and individuals that are connected to the South Asian community, her specific interests lie in issues related to Bollywood, South Asian religions and new immigrants.

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What does the New Year hold for you?

2015 YearlY

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ARIES

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(May 21 – June 20)

Overall

You can be assertive, direct, and straightforward Aries. You like to have a clear mission and don’t enjoy taking the back seat to anyone. You’ve made some pivotal changes recently and you have a much better understanding of yourself and your personal power. You’re ready to take a bite out of life! Important career breakthroughs are approximately 3 years away. Give some thought to the seeds you’re planting now to make sure they’re in line with your value system and where you want to take things.

You’ve got your feet firmly planted on the ground, Taurus. You are dependable, cautious, determined and hard working. A lover of the good life, you enjoy good food, comfortable surroundings, and sensual pleasures. (Aphrodite is your ruler after all.) Moving into 2015 it might be wise to tighten your belt a little bit, Taurus. The wealth or resources of others that you are accustomed to enjoying (such as family or your partner) might be more limited now. The universe is testing your value system and how it aligns with others.

Ever curious and constantly in motion, you rarely miss a trick, Gemini. You’re easily adaptable, capable of managing multiple deadlines and require constant mental stimulation. 2015 will be a debut of sorts for you, Gemini. You’ve spent the last few years getting organized, and you’ve made considerable progress building your skill sets and perfecting your craft. Your proverbial toolbox is well packed, up-to-date, and ready for action. The world at large may make more demands of you, but it ain’t nothin’ you can’t handle!

Work & Efforts This is an excellent time to return to school for any education or training that will help you in your career path. Any licenses or certificates you can acquire now that will bump you up to the next pay grade are well worth it! (Your creative nature can flourish with some healthy parameters now.) In three years from now your status has changed for the better and others are looking to you to be the expert. Now is the time to get prepared. Relationships This is a very romantic year ahead for you, Aries. Relationships of all kinds will improve tremendously! You’re ready to express yourself more than ever. You’re feeling both emotionally safe and courageous making you willing to be vulnerable with your lover or partner. Single Aries can easily attract potential lovers -- you just gotta get yourself to the ball! Romantic flirtations and playful attractions keep you excited and energized. Meeting someone from a background that is different than your own is possible now too. Home Life

Work & Efforts Being independent and self-sufficient will serve you well this year, Taurus. You are one of the hardest working signs in the zodiac, so you’re likely to rise to this challenge. Matters to do with the business side of partnerships and marriages, as well as issues around taxes, inheritance, and investments might be in the balance. Keep a close eye on your bank accounts and areas where your income or resources are intertwined with others. If you are in debt, this is an excellent time to re-strategize or establish a healthy budget. Relationships Committed relationships can become more solidified this year, Taurus. If there are any elephants in the room you will be dealing with them. Cutting through the confusion and getting through to the heart of the matter will be a theme this year. This process will make your relationships healthy and strong. New relationships that begin now are likely to be intense, passionate, and emotionally revealing. You will learn more about yourself than you have for a while!

You recently adjusted your inner belief systems, Aries. You now have more respect for yourself, and more respect for others. This attitude shift allows relationships of all kinds (including family dynamics) to become more positive. It’s possible your family might grow or expand through birth, marriage, adoption, or simply feeling more connected to your community. Time spent with children is fun and meaningful. This is an excellent year for a family vacation or to travel to visit family members.

Home Life

Rewarding Days for 2015

JAN 24, 25 FEB 21, 22 MAR 20, 21 APRIL 17, 18

MAY14, 15 JUNE 10, 11 JULY 8, 9 AUG 4, 5, 31

SEPT 1, 28, 29 OCT 25, 26 NOV 21, 22 DEC 19, 20

Challenging Days for 2015 JAN 11, 12, 13 FEB 8, 9 MAR 7, 8 APRIL 3, 5, 30

MAY 1, 2, 28, 29 JUNE 24, 25, 26 JULY 21, 22, 23 AUG 18, 19

This is a wonderful time to imagine or design what your ideal home will be like (if you’re not already living in it). You might be surprised by how resourceful you can be in achieving your goals this year. It’s better to know what to shoot for, than what not to. (When we think about the negative we tend to attract that, so better to think about the positive and attract that, right?) Creating a secure and inviting home environment will be meaningful, not to mention enjoyable. JAN 1, 26, 27, 28 FEB 23, 24 MAR 22, 23 APRIL 19, 20

MAY 16, 17 JUNE 12, 13, 14 JULY 10, 11 AUG 6, 7

JAN 14, 15 FEB 10, 11 MAR 9, 10, 11 APRIL 6, 7

MAY 3, 4, 30, 31 JUNE 1, 27, 28 JULY 24, 25 AUG 20, 21, 22

It is likely that you will get more attention for all the hard work you’ve been doing, Gemini. You might get a promotion this year or at the very least some recognition. Self-employed Geminis can expect to broaden their sphere of influence, translating into more clients. Coworkers, colleagues, and bosses might make greater demands on you. This is because you’ve proven your capability. (If there was ever a time to raise your rates, this is the year to do it!) Relationships Relationships will be tested at this time, Gemini. Over the last few years you’ve come to realize just how much you actually bring to the table. As a result, your inner confidence has increased. Your star is rising and if others are not respecting you (or your contributions) you might let that connection go. However, if your partner (business or marital) is willing to adapt to the new you then the relationship will be considerably strengthened. New relationships that begin this year are likely to be serious. Home Life You’ve changed your perspective about a lot of things recently, Gemini. You’re more in tune with your deeper needs and the ways in which you express yourself. Relationships with family members continue to improve this year and you can expect a lot of celebrations this summer! In the meantime, your communication skills and your ability to truly listen to others will improve dramatically. This translates into a higher quality in family relationships and a nicer atmosphere at home. Lovely!

Rewarding Days for 2015 SEPT 2, 3, 30 OCT 1, 27, 28 NOV 23, 24, 25 DEC 21, 22

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 14, 15 OCT 11, 12, 13 NOV 7, 8, 9 DEC 5, 6

Work & Efforts

JAN 2, 3 29, 30 FEB 25, 26 MAR 24, 25, 26 APRIL 21, 22

MAY 18, 19 JUNE 15, 16 JULY 12, 13 AUG 8, 9

SEPT 4, 5, 6 OCT 2, 3, 29, 30 NOV 26, 27 DEC 23, 24

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 16, 17, 18 OCT 14, 15 NOV 10, 11 DEC 7, 8, 9

JAN 16, 17 FEB 12, 13, 14 MAR 12, 13 APRIL 8, 9

DARPAN DARPAN

TM TM

MAY 5, 6, 7 JUNE 2, 3, 29, 30 JULY 26, 27, 28 AUG 23, 24

SEPT 19, 20 OCT 16, 17, 18 NOV 12, 13, 14 DEC 10, 11

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 JANUARY FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The/ South-Asian Lifestyle Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

59 59

Leo

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You are nurturing, loving, dependable, and selfsacrificing, Cancer. Ruled by the Moon, you can be sensitive and moody at times. You are tenacious and hard-working and deeply concerned about security. (You probably have more than a few stashes tucked away for a rainy day – you saver you!) This is a powerful year ahead for you Cancer, you’re going to be more productive than you have been for a while and you’re going to see some sweet payoffs!

Work & Efforts It’s time to push up your sleeves my friend, because you’ve got some work to do, and you’re going to make a lot of headway! You’re preparing for a career harvest that will occur in approximately two and half years from now. At that point you will be getting more recognition and it’s likely your status will change. In the meantime you’re going to be focused on your craft or service with intensity and commitment. (Colleagues and superiors of course will notice this.) Don’t forget to come up for air and enjoy yourself!

Relationships While you will be focused on your work and your career this year Cancer, it’s still important to give your relationship the proper attention it needs. Opportunities to travel with your partner for a weekend getaway, or a few nice dinners out, might be exactly what you need. Single Cancerians might develop a crush on a coworker or meet someone at a work-related event. Connecting with someone who shares like-minded interests or even better, can ‘shop talk’ with you will be a turn on.

Home Life This is a poignant year for actualizing what it is that you truly value. Since security, both emotional and material security, are important to you Cancer, that is likely what you will manifest. Many Cancers will buy a home this year, invest in real estate, or reinvest in their current home. You’re looking at your overall goals honestly and considering what you need to do to achieve those. We know this is a hard-working year for you, so you will bring about the change you want.

Rewarding Days for 2015 MAY 20, 21, 22 JUNE 17, 18 JULY 15 AUG 10, 11, 12

MAY 8, 9 JUNE 4, 5 JULY 1, 2, 29, 30 AUG 25, 26

Ruled by the Sun, your personality is radiant, exuberant, and passionate, Leo. You are born to lead; you’re courageous, big-hearted and quick to forgive! A number of adjustments occurred within your home and family in the last few years. You’ve been busy creating more stability for yourself and those you love. Coming up, you’ll be giving a lot of thought to redefining yourself. This might manifest in your career or line of work, or in areas of creative expression, or perhaps in your relationships with family and friends.

Work & Efforts You’re going to be taking yourself more seriously in 2015, Leo. You’re going to make some practical changes that will support you in the long run. You can produce a tremendous amount this year – it’s a time for making dreams become reality. Entrepreneurs, artists, and self-employed Leos will benefit from structured routines and defined milestones. You might have to get tough with employees, but it’s all in an effort to keep everyone on task. Fortunately, with Jupiter in your sign this is an excellent time to call in some favors!

Romantic relationships are sweet, sexy, and serious this year Leo! Marriage proposals, commitment ceremonies, and the old-fashioned biological bond of creating a child together are in the works for many of you. Currently married Leos are solidifying their commitments and jointly working through responsibilities – in particular any concerns to do with children. Single Leos are likely to meet someone exciting who expands their horizons and pushes them to see the world through a new lens. Vacations, adventures, and playful outings with your sweetheart are in store!

Home Life You’ve put a lot of effort into creating a solid and secure a home base for yourself recently, Leo. This is the time to enjoy the finishing touches. Bigticket purchases for the home are likely this year. Investments in art pieces or objects of beauty will be tempting. Recreational vacations and playful outings with family members, especially children, are greatly favored this year. You will be making a lot of wonderful memories!

JAN 6, 7, 8 FEB 3, 4 MAR 2, 3, 29, 30, 31

JAN 20, 21 FEB 17, 18 MAR 16, 17 APRIL 13, 14

TM JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle DARPAN 6060JANUARY DARPAN Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

You are practical, hardworking, and realistic, Virgo. You’re also curious and always ready to improve yourself. Solving puzzles and fixing situations are your forte. You’ve been very busy these last few years, Virgo. Your community at large has gone through massive adjustments – many of you have changed residences or changed your job, thus pushing you into a whole new milieu. Education has been a major theme, formal or informal. 2015 is a time for you to stake your claim and lay down your roots.

Work & Efforts You hit the ground running in 2015, Virgo. You can clearly see what it is you want to accomplish and you’re out of the gate ready to set things in motion! You’re likely to be more assertive this year (and possibly even a little bit bossy). You’re in a ‘take charge’ frame of mind. Listen to your instincts when it comes to planning projects, milestones, or events. You’ll know if you’re biting off more than you can chew or if you’re ready to eat someone for breakfast!

APRIL 25, 26, 27 MAY 23, 24 JUNE 19, 20, 21 JULY 16, 17, 18

MAY 10, 11 JUNE 6, 7 JULY 3, 4, 31 AUG 1, 27, 28

Key relationships may undergo some challenges in early 2015, especially if there are some issues that have been swept under the rug. You might feel more sensitive, or conversely you might find yourself easily irritated or anxious. Getting some alone time to get real with yourself will be invaluable. Communications with partners become stronger this year, making you feel more grounded and nurtured. Relationships that develop this year might be with someone from another culture or a background that is very different from your own.

Home Life Changes to your residence, or changes to your family dynamics are highly possible this year. You want to feel more secure on the home front and you’re ready to do the hard work required. You’re planting the seeds for your long-term future now and stability is paramount. Situations or relationships with others that don’t support your feeling of security will inevitably be adjusted for the better. Home improvements or renovations are possible. As the year progresses, opportunities for adventure and play with family and children will be a delight!

Rewarding Days for 2015 AUG 13, 14 SEPT 9, 10 OCT 6, 7, 8 NOV 2, 3, 4, 30 DEC 1, 27, 28, 29

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 21, 22, 23 OCT 19, 20 NOV 15, 16 DEC 12, 13

Overall

Relationships

Rewarding Days for 2015 SEPT 7, 8 OCT 4, 5, 31 NOV 1, 28, 29 DEC 25, 26

Challenging Days for 2015 JAN 11, 12, 13 FEB 15, 16 MAR 14, 15 APRIL 10, 11, 12

(August 23 – September 22)

Overall

JAN 4, 5, 31 FEB 1, 2, 27, 28 MAR 1, 2, 27 APRIL 23, 24

Virgo

(July 23 – Aug 22)

JAN 9, 10 FEB 5, 6, 7 MAR 4, 5, 6 APRIL 1, 2, 28, 29

MAY 25, 26, 27 JUNE 22, 23 JULY 19, 20 AUG 15, 16, 17

SEPT 11, 12, 13 OCT 9, 10 NOV 5, 6 DEC 2, 3, 4, 30, 31

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 24, 25 OCT 21, 22 NOV 17, 18 DEC 14, 15, 16

JAN 22, 23 FEB 19, 20 MAR 18, 19 APRIL 15, 16

MAY 12, 13 JUNE 8, 9 JULY 5, 6, 7 AUG 2, 3, 29, 30

SEPT 26, 27 OCT 23, 24 NOV 19, 20 DEC 17, 18

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Libra

Scorpio

SAGITTARIUS

(September 23 - October 22)

(October 23 – November 21)

(November 22 – December 21)

Overall

You are diplomatic and charming with a great appreciation for art and beauty, Libra. You crave balance and harmony in the world around you. Relations and social connections are your area of expertise. Throughout 2015 your sphere of influence expands considerably and also goes through a few changes. If you have to sell, write, teach or market anything, this is the year to do it. You are also keen to expand your knowledge base in some way, possibly through training, and education, or travel.

You are an intense and mysterious sign, Scorpio. You are drawn to extremes; there is nothing wishy-washy about you. Saturn has been conjunct your Sun since 2012 (the last time this happened was 29 years ago). You may have felt more strain or pressure as you’ve managed the responsibilities of life. You have created a new foundation for yourself and you will feel stronger because it. Solid new beginnings have taken root this last year and it’s critical you nurture these new starts throughout 2015.

Work & Efforts

Travel for work or relocating for your career or employment is possible this year, Libra. Associates, colleagues, and friends are supportive and instrumental as you tackle career challenges and climb that success ladder. If you need to call in any favors or get your foot in the door, this is the time to take the initiative. The social butterfly in you is coming out. Accept all invitations that come your way, you’re about to be the belle of the ball!

You’ve successfully pushed meaningless distractions or time wasting endeavors off your plate in 2014, and you have made considerable headway in your career. Your determination and focus is paying off! Accolades and recognition from your community pour in throughout 2015. Your professional status is likely to change in a positive way! You’re sphere of influence is expanding and you’re ready for this. You might choose to invest your hard-earned cash back into your career in some way, possibly in equipment, education or training.

Relationships While relationships might undergo some adjustments this year, it’s all for the better, Libra. Personal connections can greatly blossom now. In fact, this is an excellent time to play, or to travel with a partner or lover. Share your dreams and aspirations with your sweetheart and you might be surprised at the love and support that you receive. Single Librans are likely to meet someone where there’s a strong intellectual connection, you’ll feel like laughing and staying up late into the night talking!

Home Life You’re going to go to great lengths to improve your home environment in some way this year, Libra. You want your home and your neighborhood to be in balance with your needs. (If your current home or neighborhood isn’t meeting your needs, then you may well change it this year.) You’re going to be doing a lot of socializing, probably in the form of hosting – so you might be spending a bit on home improvements, furniture, or art pieces. Have a little fun with that!

Rewarding Days for 2015 JAN 11, 12, 13 FEB 8, 9 MAR 7, 8 APRIL 3, 4, 5, 30

MAY 1, 2, 28, 29 JUNE 24, 25, 26 JULY 21, 22, 23 AUG 18, 19

Challenging Days for 2015 JAN 24, 25 FEB 21, 22 MAR 20, 21 APRIL 17, 18

MAY 14, 15 JUNE 10, 11 JULY 8, 9 AUG 4, 5, 31

Relationships True to your intense nature, you’ve either let go of a relationship that wasn’t working or chosen to further invest in one that is. You don’t really do things halfway, do you? As Saturn moves into Sagittarius, this relieves some of the pressure that you have felt. Whatever your relationship status is, you’re getting more comfortable with it and sinking into that groove. You’re likely to be much more social and outgoing this year. It’s time to have fun Scorpio, you deserve it!

Home Life Others might be looking to you for advice and support, Scorpio. You’ve proven your salt so to speak in 2014 and family or friends in need will seek your counsel. You’re feeling generous and warmhearted with others, making this a good time to foster connections. Getting back to your family roots and revisiting the positive aspects of your childhood are healing and replenishing. You might develop some new family traditions this year. Scrap booking or going through the family treasures can be a pleasant activity.

JAN 14, 15 FEB 10, 11 MAR 9, 10, 11 APRIL 6, 7

MAY 3, 4, 30, 31 JUNE 1, 27, 28 JULY 24, 25 AUG 20, 21, 22

JAN 1, 26, 27, 28 FEB 23, 24 MAR 22, 23 APRIL 19, 20

TM JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle DARPAN 6262JANUARY DARPAN Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

MAY 16, 17 JUNE 12, 13, 14 JULY 10, 11 AUG 6, 7

Speaking of transformation, you are turning over a new leaf in your career. Some of you might even pursue a new profession altogether or maybe its time to bite off a new challenge. By the end of the year, it’s likely that your professional status will have changed for the better. Matters to do with teaching, writing, marketing, public relations, the law, and higher education are all favored. If you need to promote yourself or something you believe in, this is a great year for it!

Relationships Important relationships, be that business, friendship, romantic, or marital, have been shifting a lot lately. If you’re not feeling satisfied, you might take a step back from the relationship to regroup. You’re not interested in wasting your time. Some emotional inventory taking is in order. Relationships that endure this will be stronger and that much more fortified due to this process. New relationships that begin now are likely to have some important common goals and are possibly more serious in nature.

Home Life Once all your practical affairs are in order and your ducks are in a row, you will be in a mood to play, Sagittarius! Learning more about other cultures or planning some grand adventures will get your creative juices going. Athletic endeavors and recreational activities keep you busy. The summer is hot time for travel, especially to foreign lands (or at least to somewhere you haven’t been to before!) Research projects, cultural and religious studies, and humanitarian issues grab your attention.

Rewarding Days for 2015 SEPT 16, 17, 18 OCT 14, 15 NOV 10, 11 DEC 7, 8, 9

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 1, 28, 29 OCT 25, 26 NOV 21, 22 DEC 19, 20

You are a seeker, a philosopher, a lifelong student, and a traveler, Sagittarius. You thrive on change and you have a deep need to understand the world around you. You are a natural optimist and you know how to have fun. Your positive attitude may have been tested these last few years. This has been a time of substantial readjusting for you and you’ve been pushed to get in touch with your deeper needs and aspirations. Transformation will be a major theme this year.

Work & Efforts

Rewarding Days for 2015 SEPT 14, 15 OCT 11, 12, 13 NOV 7, 8, 9 DEC 5, 6

Overall

JAN 16, 17 FEB 12, 13, 14 MAR 12, 13 APRIL 8, 9

MAY 5, 6, 7 JUNE 2, 3, 29, 30 JULY 26, 27, 28 AUG 23, 24

SEPT 19, 20 OCT 16, 17, 18 NOV 12, 13, 14 DEC 10, 11

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 2, 3, 30 OCT 1, 27, 28 NOV 23, 24, 25 DEC 21, 22

JAN 2, 3, 29, 30 FEB 25, 26 MAR 25, 26 APRIL 21, 22

MAY 18, 19 JUNE 15, 16 JULY 12, 13 AUG 8, 9

SEPT 4, 5, 6 OCT 2, 3, 29, 30 NOV 26, 27 DEC 23, 24

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Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Overall Happy birthday New Year baby! You’re a practical, patient, and goal oriented sign, Capricorn. I’m sure you’ve already got some designs on how you want 2015 to shape up; it’s a matter of fine-tuning the details. It’s your time of year to recharge and call in some favors. In fact, you’re likely to benefit from the wealth of others this year. (Not too shabby!) If you need a loan, a mortgage, or a leg up, this is a year to ask for it.

Work & Efforts You’re not going to shy away from hard work this year, Capricorn! Plus, you can easily prove to coworkers and bosses that you’re capable of being a team player now. However, minor feelings of dissatisfaction might have you looking to other pastures. If you’re not feeling challenged in your role or your occupation, you might be seriously considering a job change. Not that you’re going to rush off all hotheaded (that’s not your style). More likely, you will require some time for some personal research and development.

Relationships You might find that you’re craving more meaning in your relationships or wanting a deeper emotional intimacy with others now. This is fine; it’s simply where you’re at right. Surround yourself with people that give you the room to be yourself. (Life’s really too short for anything else, isn’t it?) Emotional connections with others are likely to reach new depths and grow. Single Capricorns are in for a sexy year ahead! New relationships are steamy and intense.

Home Life Changes or adjustments on the home front are likely this year, Capricorn. Be prepared that family (even extended family and relatives) might make some demands on you. You will be patient to point, but if others are stepping on your toes too hard, of course you’re going to push back! (Keep in mind; a little diplomacy can go a long way.) This is a good time to save money for rainy day, so hang on to your investment this year.

Rewarding Days for 2015 JAN 18, 19 FEB 15, 16 MAR 14, 15 APRIL 10, 11, 12

MAY 8, 9 JUNE 4, 5 JULY 1, 2, 29, 30 AUG 25, 26

MAY 20, 21, 22 JUNE 17, 18 JULY 14, 15 AUG 10, 11, 12

Pisces

(January 20 – February 18)

(February 19 – March 20)

Overall

You are a progressive and intellectually minded sign, Aquarius. You like the stimulation of groups and have a strong need to walk to the beat of your own drum. You’ve worked hard these last few years to establish yourself, or a cause you believe in. You can (and you deserve) to feel proud of what you’ve accomplished. Throughout 2015, there’s a positive focus on your public image and your position within your community at large. Don’t be shy about accepting the credit!

You are a deeply visionary sign, Pisces. You tend to operate best when you have something to believe in, something to help you navigate the proverbial waters of life. During the last few years, you’ve gone to great lengths to sharpen and define what your true belief systems are. Your moral compass is well defined now. As Saturn moves from Scorpio and into Sagittarius in 2015, you will be pushed to stand up for these beliefs. Get ready to see just how courageous you can be!

Work & Efforts All that hard work you’ve done in the last few years is starting to pay off! Things get a little easier in 2015, Aquarius. Saturn is no longer square your sign (just for a little bit in the summer) and that means you can easily swim with the tide. Opportunities to work in team environments or meet new coworkers get you jazzed. Exciting projects might very well land on your doorstep. You’re feeling more courageous and willing to take on new challenges.

Relationships One-to-one relationships can be a source of great joy this year. That includes close friendships, romantic relationships, and marriages. You’re feeling very generous, and in kind, others are generous with you. Intimate connections with others reveal to you aspects about yourself and how you connect with the world around you. Single Aquarians are likely to meet someone playful, who delights in their quirkiness. Married Aquarians may discover new side to their partner and take some fun vacations together!

Home Life Matters on the domestic front are likely to feel more stable this year, Aquarius. You’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that relationships and family dynamics are working as well as they can be. New opportunities arise just after your birthday season, and you might be attracted to moving to a new neighborhood. Your health greatly improves this year. It’s like there’s electricity in the air and you want to get out and move. Hiking, biking, or activities that allow you to explore and socialize are favored this year.

Rewarding Days for 2015 SEPT 21, 22, 23 OCT 19, 20 NOV 15, 16 DEC 12, 13

Challenging Days for 2015 JAN 4, 5, 31 FEB 1, 2, 27, 28 MAR 1, 27, 28 APRIL 23, 24

AquariuS

JAN 20, 21 FEB 17, 18 MAR 16, 17 APRIL 13, 14

MAY 10, 11 JUNE 6, 7 JULY 3, 4, 31 AUG 1, 27, 28

JAN 6, 7, 8 FEB 3, 4 MAR 2, 3, 29, APRIL 25, 26, 27

TM JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle DARPAN 6464JANUARY DARPAN Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

MAY 23, 24 JUNE 19, 20, 21 JULY 16, 17, 18 AUG 13, 14

It’s time to put your money where your mouth is, Pisces. This year you’re stating what you want (and need) in your career and you’ve got the guts to go after it! This is also a pivotal time of shaping your public identity, so it’s important that you’re mindful when dealing with bosses, VIP’s, and influential people. Whatever it is that you are an expert in, or an authority about; you can expect to be recognized for your efforts in those roles. Well done!

Relationships You will likely experience a status change or an adjustment to your relationships this year. Single Pisceans may meet someone whom they can develop a meaning relationship with; while Pisceans in a difficult partnership might be considering a separation. You’re taking yourself more seriously now and you’re demanding more from the world at large. You don’t have the patience for lovers who are filled with indecision or continue to lead you on. You are ready to pledge yourself to someone and you want that assurance in return.

Home Life You’re eager to get more organized across the board, Pisces. Craft a new schedule, or develop a fresh routine that works for you. You may change what time you get up in the morning, and what time you go to bed. You’ll find your days are fuller and more productive this year. The subtle adjustments you’re making will have lasting effects. This is a great time to develop a nutrition or exercise plan that works for you.

Rewarding Days for 2015 SEPT 24, 25 OCT 21, 22 NOV 17, 18 DEC 14, 15, 16

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 7, 8 OCT 4, 5, 31 NOV 1, 28, 29 DEC 25, 26

Work & Efforts

JAN 22, 23 FEB 19, 20 MAR 18, 19 APRIL 15, 16

MAY 12, 13 JUNE 8, 9 JULY 5, 6, 7 AUG 2, 3, 29, 30

SEPT 26, 27 OCT 23, 24 NOV 19, 20 DEC 17, 18

Challenging Days for 2015 SEPT 9, 10 OCT 6, 7, 8 NOV 2, 3, 4, 30 DEC 1, 27,

JAN 9, 10 FEB 5, 6, 7 MAR 4, 5, 6 APRIL 1, 2, 28, 29

MAY 25, 26, 27 JUNE 22, 23 JULY 19, 20 AUG 15, 16, 17

SEPT 11, 12, 13 OCT 9, 10 NOV 5, 6 DEC 2, 3, 4, 30

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A Night of Miracles The sixth annual gala of 'A Night of Miracles' (ANOM) was a night of success and celebration, gathering South Asians in BC under one roof to support BC Children's Hospital Foundation's initiative. The gala raised over $800,000 thus completing the pledge of $3 million to support the construction of the ANOM Special Procedures Suites in BC Children's Hospital. More than 400 attendees graced the event where Teri Nicholas, President and CEO of the BC Children's Hospital, event Chair, Rodin Dhir and Vice-chair, Vik Khanna, congratulated the community for their support.

Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen Annual Toy Drive The Sikh Academy hosted Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen Toy Drive on December 14, 2014 to spread the love and joy of the holiday season with low income families and aboriginal groups in the Lower Mainland. Families from all communities participated in the event, where new toys were wrapped and distributed by a team of volunteers. Attendees were served with refreshments and kids enjoyed their time at the bouncy castle.

Season of Trees Holiday Fundraiser Sources Community Resources Society hosted its annual holiday fundraiser at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel on Dec. 10. The fundraiser, called Season of Trees, is in its third year and over 200 people came to support the cause. Sponsors from the Surrey and White Rock communities decorated 17 stunning trees which were live and silent auctioned. The event was emceed by Global BC personality, Mark Madryga and Sources CEO David Young.

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NEWS IN PICTURES

Linda Hepner at Gingerbread City Competition On December 6th, Surrey’s Mayor Linda Hepner kicked off the voting for favourite gingerbread building at Concord’s Surrey the principal of Senator Reid Elementary School was also in attendance. Each participating school was assigned a different Surrey City Centre landmark and they designed, creatively interpreted and built their own building for the competition. In keeping with the holiday theme, the day continued with cookie decorating with our holiday characters for all the kids to enjoy.

Porsche Centre Langley Open House Event OpenRoad Auto Group offered exclusive viewing of the new Porsche retail centre, Porsche Centre Langely, in December. OpenRoad Auto Group is one of the largest growing automotive retail groups in Canada and their newly – and only the 16th centre in all of Canada. Guests had chance to meet Scott Hargrove from OpenRoad Racing, winner of the 2014 GT3 Porsche Cup Challenge Canada Championship.

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HOW TO PAY LESS FOR

ENERGY THIS WINTER

By Tarana Rana

s the temperature outside drops in the winter months, it is not uncommon for most households to experience a significant rise in their energy bills. According to a BC Hydro spokesperson Simi Heer, the average energy bill for a household can increase by up to 66 per cent in the winter season compared to other months. So what causes this drastic hike in our energy bill? One obvious reason is the colder weather. “People use more electricity during the

winter [for] home heating,” says Heer. “For an electrically heated home, heating can account for up to 50 per cent of your electricity bill.” Besides being colder, winter days are shorter as well and the reduced daylight hours means household lights are on for longer periods of time, increasing your energy consumption. So what can you do to reduce those astronomical bills? BC Hydro offers five simple steps to help cut back on those bills, while still ensuring your house remains bright and toasty all winter long.

Draft-Proof & Insulate Gaps around your windows and doors allow heat to escape and cold air to rush in, which often contributes to a higher energy bill. “A simple, low-cost way to save energy is through draft-proofing,” says Heer. “You can use caulking and weather-stripping to seal these leaks. It’s a low cost way to reduce heat loss.” All the necessary supplies

for draft proofing your home are easily available at any local Home Depot store. Draft-proofing is most efficient around windows, door frames, around the chimney and unused openings in the walls or roof. It also helps to add or upgrade your home’s insulation. If your insulation is unable to keep the heat in, it leads to wasting energy. According to BC Hydro, areas that lose the most heat are attics, basements, and crawlspaces.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Manage Your Heating As Heer stated previously, heating accounts for about 50 per cent of your home’s energy bill. Using a programmable thermostat helps you better manage your heat and reduce energy waste. “It allows you to heat your home only when you need to,” says Heer. “You can set the thermostat to ensure the heat automatically turns down when no one is home and when everyone is sleeping.” BC Hydro suggests that the ideal temperature for when you’re asleep or outside is 16 °C. Reducing the heat by even 2 degrees can help cut your costs by 5 percent.

Simple energy-saving tips everyone should know! Unplug all electronic devices that are not in use. Run your dishwasher with a full load only. Open the fridge door only when you need to. Self-clean your oven while it’s still hot. Wash all your clothes in cold water and try to wash large loads at a time. Look for the ‘Energy Smart’ label when buying new appliances. by 5 percent.

Shade Your Windows

Track Your Usage

Something as simple as using blinds or drapes in the winter months can help cut down your heating costs noticeably. According to BC Hydro, the heat loss from windows contributes for up to 10 to 25 percent of your energy bills. This doesn’t mean all your blinds should remain fastened shut all winter long – be sure to open blinds each day for a while to allow for air circulation. Also, south-facing windows which receive direct sunlight should remain open during the day as sunlight is a great natural way to warm your home.

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Use Efficient Lighting More time spent indoors and short, dark winter days mean increased electricity usage as more household lights are turned on for longer periods of time. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is a good way to cut back your costs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs not only last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs but also use 75 per cent less energy. TM

Being aware of your energy usage is a good way to identify the areas in which you can save next time. BC Hydro offers a number of energy tracking tools on your online account. You can track your energy consumption and see how it changes over time. The online account also offers alerts and reminders to help cut down your bills. Following these 5 simple steps will help you significantly cut down on high winter energy bills and make your household more energy-efficient. For more energy-saving tips and tools, visit BC Hydro’s website at bchydro.com

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By Ashley Stephens

AlExAndEr

EdlEr

Calm and Constant in the faCe of Change

ith over half the National Hockey League season come and gone and the playoffs quickly approaching, the Vancouver Canucks are in a better position than they were this time last year – much to the relief of the team, management and many fans who needed their faith in the team restored. While there is still plenty of hockey left to be played before the season is deemed a success, Vancouver has worked hard for their wins and currently holds one of the last highly coveted playoff spots. It's been a year of change for the Canucks and it may be just what was needed to help bring them back to victorious times. However, despite the team's transformation, some things have remained the same...or even become a bit better. Alexander Edler is one such thing – a player who has continuously upped his game even when the times got tough.

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I don't try to get too rattled about things. Nothing good is going to come out of it. It would be to my advantage to stay calm and focused and just concentrate on the task.” Edler has a confidence with the puck that has made him the highest scoring defenceman on the team this season.

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Acquired: Drafted 91st overall in the 3rd round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks DARPAN had the chance to speak with Edler about the current season, how he stays calm and his career-long tenure with the Canucks. Drafted 91st overall by Vancouver after impressing the team's head scout with his play in Sweden, Edler made his NHL debut on November 3, 2006 following short stints with both the Kelowna Rockets and Manitoba Moose. Returning the following season as a full-time member of the team and holding his place in the lineup ever since, Edler has provided the Canucks with a solid presence on the blue line, an offensive approach to defence and one of the team's hardest slapshots. Besides his skills on the ice, Edler has often been complimented for his calm demeanour, both on and off the ice. “I think that's just the way I am,” he says about staying focused in the midst of daily scrutiny. “I don't try to get too rattled about things. Nothing good is going to come out of it. It would be to my advantage to stay calm and focused and just concentrate on the task.” And it has been to his advantage. Edler has a confidence with the puck that has made him the highest scoring defenceman on the team this season. While it could be argued that his stats

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aren't that impressive this year compared to prior 40+ point seasons he's had, Edler has consistently stepped up when called upon, proving he's the strong defenceman fans have come to know. Complimented well by Chris Tanev on the blue line, Edler has been able to bounce back from a rough 2013-2014 season and become perhaps one of the most reliable players in blue, green and white. But is it enough? The Canucks certainly have a challenge ahead of themselves, one that Edler thinks they're up for as long as they stick to their systems. “We just have to work on own game here as a team. Everyone obviously has to,” he says, not singling anyone out but holding himself accountable as well. “You can always work on your game individually but just working as a team – we know that when we're successful is when we play good together, all five guys on the ice. And it takes all of us to be successful so I think that's the number one thing [the Canucks need to do to make it to the playoffs].” “It's a lot of new things - from management to coaches to players,” Edler said when asked about how this year has felt different than the last. He can't help but remember how the season ended last year but, with the way the first half of the season has played out, he's hopefully optimistic. “The core is still here but I think it's been pretty good so far.” Hailing from Sweden but spending the majority of his years with the Canucks in Canada since he was a teen, Edler was quick to respond when asked if Vancouver feels like home. “Absolutely,” he says, without hesitation. “It feels like home, for sure. I really like it here. Obviously, Sweden is home, too, so I get to have two homes. But I feel like I've really settled down here and I like this city. I've obviously been here for a while now, so yeah, it feels like home.” Approaching a decade as a member of the Canucks is quite the accomplishment and one that Edler can't believe himself. “It's a long time,” he laughs, reminiscing about the almost ten years he's spent on the roster. “I've been here for a while and it's going by pretty fast. I feel like I was the youngest guy here for a lot of years and then, all of a sudden, a veteran one year. Obviously, it's different from being a rookie to being more of an 'older guy'. You want to make sure that your team is doing good and you do everything you can to help the team play good. And if anyone else needs help, you have to be there.” He knows his role and he plays it well. He's been around through many changes, both good and bad, and has continued to remain an essential part of the team's success. Edler's calm confidence and strong presence have provided stability and assurance through turbulence and transitions. Overshadowed and perhaps understated, it's clear he's in it to defend to the end.

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Best time to think about selling your home is when you are buying it...This means your property should have a resale value and only a professional realtor can guide you to accomplish this.â&#x20AC;? ~ Pupinder Sandhu Homelife Benchmark Titus Realty

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CREATING VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

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Pupinder

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Having completed 25 successful years in the world of Real Estate, Pupinder Sandhu has garnered notable respect and repute as a sales representative at HomeLife Benchmark Titus Realty.

aving completed 25 successful years in the world of Real Estate, Pupinder Sandhu has garnered notable respect and repute as a sales representative at HomeLife Benchmark Titus Realty. With her extensive experience Pupinder has gained invaluable insights about the industry and can offer essential advice to clients as they deal with the various intricacies of Real Estate. Pupinder truly understands the dynamics of buying and selling in a fast and slow market and truly enjoys advising her clients about these intricacies, including mortgages and loans. Her familiarity with the Lower Mainland as well as her expansive network means that Pupinder is able to provide exceptional services when it comes to purchasing and selling residential and commercial spaces in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Pupinder's success and dedication to the industry can be understood from the fact that she has been bestowed with several awards at HomeLife Benchmark Titus Realty. But her biggest achievement, Pupinder says, comes from "the feeling that I have helped a family Whether it is buying or selling, going through the process successfully is a reward in itself." Born in Shimla, which is now in Himachal Pradesh, and raised in Nawanshahr, Punjab, Pupinder came to Canada after completing her double Bachelors and Masters in India. She cites her education and passion

in fashion, to a successful career in Real Estate. class ongoing training program, I joined HomeLife Benchmark, 20 years back, which is now referred to as HomeLife Benchmark Titus Realty." Pupinder further adds that HomeLife Benchmark Titus Realty's distinct principles she holds towards the Real Estate industry. HomeLife Benchmark Titus Realty's outstanding team of tenacious, motivated and committed agents foster compelling results, thus making it a trusted name in the industry. educates her clients about the current trends in Real Estate market, while focusing on maintaining information. "The fact that I have been able to produce successful sales is a testament of my commitment to my clients. I use the same philosophy to guide my clients as I have done at home to raise my family," Pupinder explains. As she describes the exceptional services she offers a potential buyer and the rapport she maintains with her clients, Pupinder's passion and dedication for her job are evident.

satisfying. With Pupinder, you can expect just that. "Best time to think about selling your home is when you are buying it," Pupinder states while further adding, "This means your property should have a resale value and only a professional realtor can guide you to accomplish this." She demarcates the current Real Estate market saying, "Market is great. Interest rates are low. In my experience, seldom you lose when you invest money in Real Estate but exceptions are always there. In Real Estate especially in residential, it is always a low risk investment." But it is only a right investment if it is the right Real Estate agent. Hunting for a professional Real Estate agent is like having a new family member, says "Find someyour goal and tailors to your experience will not only ease your stress, but also give added reassurance that you are making the right choice for the future." High standards of advice, expertise and dedication to clientele has resulted is an exceptionally high proportion of repeat and referral business for Pupinder. Her unsurpassed market insight and knowledge ensures the best possible Real Estate outcome for buyers and sellers, whether that is residential or commercial. A strong commitment to excellence, honesty indubitably is a key factor in the growth of her career and clientele. "I do quality business and not quantity business," Pupinder says proudly. She puts her success down to hard work, compassion, good ethics, honesty and the satisfaction of gaining the most desirable outcome for all. Her Real Estate approach is centred on result-orientated approach that ensures clients expectations are not only met but exceeded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Upon completing 25 years in Real Estate industry, I would like to thank my clients, friends, family and wish every one continued success in 2015. God Bless !â&#x20AC;?

buying property can be a complicated and emotional process. And the best decisions in Real Estate can only be made when the client is well informed and content. To ensure this, it is pertinent for your Real Estate agent to be communicative while having excellent

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DARPAN FEATURE Sugar triggers a stress response in your body and in reverse, if you are stressed then you will crave sugar – so to get off the sugar ride, de-stress, be active, eat clean and start with a change in your lifestyle.”

cientifically speaking, sugar is a carbohydrate comprised of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is found naturally in most plants with many types all derived from different sources. This sweet substance is used as an ingredient and in flavouring certain foods as well as a fermenting agent in alcoholic beverages. The white stuff most often referred to as sugar is actually sucrose which is composed of both fructose and glucose, two simple sugars that are often overlooked. Processed sugar and its many relatives can be found in a surprising number of our foods and beverages without seeming sweet. In addition to the obvious cookies, candies and cakes, we consume condiments, sauces, breads, crackers and fast foods everyday that contain and conceal processed and refined sugars, despite their healthy appearance. While brushing our teeth on a regular basis, and especially after consuming sugary substances, is essential for combating several

Bijal Thoda, Registered Dietitian

WHY ARE WE ADDICTED?

negative consequences of sugar, we should also be monitoring our sugar intake for how it affects other parts of our body. “It is not simply the empty calories that come from sugar but the effect it has on your hormones and organ functioning that makes sugar one of the top offenders in the world of nutrition,” explains Bijal Thoda. Bijal is a registered dietitian with a private practice specializing in weight loss and disease management in Surrey.

Sugar, just like many other vices that we can't kick, is addicting. You may think that your need to indulge in dessert or overeat on take-out is all on account of your poor will power – but that's not the case. Sugar's composition produces a chemical reaction in our brains that spikes our dopamine levels. Excess dopamine evokes feelings of pleasure and leaves us wanting more. Unfortunately,

The Shocking Truth about Sugar

SWEET

POISON By Ashley Stephens

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

“It has an effect similar to cocaine on the brain, zaps the power and memory out of it while stimulating it first and then numbing it. It works like a toxin on your liver, just like alcohol does, and paralyses your immune system.” If that's not enough to make you think twice about your sugar consumption, Bijal's list of negative effects continues. “Sugar also causes an inflammatory response in the body that promotes aging and degeneration,” she says. “It's the perfect recipe for all the degenerative diseases thus increasing your risk of high blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, digestive imbalances [and] intolerances.”

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this has a negative effect on our brain's chemistry in the long run and increases our dependence on sugar and other substances with similar qualities, like drugs and alcohol, which give us a temporary 'high'. It's an unstable cycle that affects our health both mentally and physically. “Sugar can numb your sensation of being able to feel full, thus making you eat more and gain excess weight in addition to increasing the empty calories on your plate that also make you crave more – the end effect being resistant weight gain that in turn is more risk for your heart and life,” adds Bijal.

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HOW CAN WE STOP? Decreasing our damaging intake of sugar has more to do with education than elimination. It may take time in the short-term but learning how to read labels, shop smart and detect hidden sugars can provide many benefits in the long-term, says Bijal. If you're not willing to give up your sweet treats or fast foods just yet, there are other ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health. “Opt for frozen fruit instead of conventional desserts, use fruit puree to make salad dressings and sauces instead of processed sugar,” suggests Bijal. “Cinnamon is an amazing spice that can help with cravings, make foods taste sweeter and improves your blood sugar balance.” She also suggests using natural sweeteners such as stevia which is recommended over artificial sweeteners and can help cut down on cravings. Sugar can have a strangle hold on your health if you let it sweet talk you. “Sugar triggers a stress response in your body and in reverse, if you are stressed then you will crave sugar – so to get off the sugar ride, de-stress, be active, eat clean and start with a change in your lifestyle,” says Bijal. To the uneducated eater, saying no to seconds at the dessert table might seem like saying no to sugar. And it is. But in order to improve your health from the inside out, an understanding of the sweet substance's sour effects will decrease your risk of illness, disease and obesity. That cookie may look good – and it is in moderation – but good health looks even better, especially in abundance.

* Recommendations are not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.

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DARPAN REciPES

BURST of

FLAVOUR & FLAiR Chef Vicky Ratnani

nown for his flavours and flair in the kitchen, celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani definately makes cooking exciting. Ratnani is the corporate chef at Aurus, a fine dining restaurant in Mumbai and host of the popular TV cooking show, Vicky Goes Veg where he turns vegetarianism into an art form. An extensive traveller, this globetrotting chef uses his experiences abroad as inspiration for his delectable dishes. Chef Ratnani shares some of these inspired recipes with DARPAN from his cookbook, Vicky Goes Veg.

Lentil & Charred

Broccoli Chat

“This is an interpretation of the way I look at today’s eating habits and trends. Chaat masala is readily available in every grocery in the chaat went to another level. You can substitute any kind of beans

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Ingredients

Preparation

8 broccoli florets, washed A little olive oil Salt (to taste) Pepper (to taste) 100 gm ripe papaya, diced into bite-sized chunks ½ a sweet lime, peeled, cut into crescent-shaped segments 30-40 gm black beans, cooked 2-3 new potatoes, cooked, diced into quarters 30-35 gm onion, chopped Black salt (to taste) Cracked black pepper (to taste) ½ tsp chaat masala ½ tsp Tabasco sauce ½ tsp green mango powder (amchoor) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 20 ml honey Fenugreek (methi) sprouts (to garnish)

Splash a little olive oil on the broccoli florets. Season with salt and pepper. Char on a griller or roast in the hot oven for 10 minutes. You can also steam or sauté if you want, whatever suits you. Once the broccoli is charred, keep it aside. In a mixing bowl, add the papaya, sweet lime, black beans, new potatoes and red onion. Season with black salt and cracked black pepper. Add the charred broccoli to the mixing bowl. Toss well. For the dressing, whisk the chaat masala, Tabasco sauce, green mango powder, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey together for the chaat dressing. Double check the seasoning. Plate up and garnish with fenugreek to give it some extra crunch.

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Chickpea and

Almond Croquettes

ABOUT THE BOOK It's green, it's exciting and it's Veg! Launched by Bollywood's actor Farhan Akhtar, Vicky Ratnani's Vicky Goes Veg is a compilation of vegetarian recipes inspired by various cuisines from around the world. The book is published by Harper Collins and interestingly fuses Ratnani's energy and passion for cooking with his notat-all-boring vegetarian recipes. "Going green has never been more deliciously exciting! Bon appétit," Akhtar said at the launch of the book.

“The croquettes make a great snack for a party. Feel free to change the shape and size of the croquettes – go all out and see what funky shapes you can come up with!” – Ratnani

Ingredients 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight 1 onion, chopped 1-2 cloves of garlic, roasted 1½ tsp coriander powder 1 tsp pomegranate seeds A pinch of crushed black pepper ½ tsp fennel seeds, toasted white bread without crust 3 sprigs of coriander leaves, fresh

2 tbsp flour 1 tbsp cornflour 1 cup milk Salt (to taste) Pepper (to taste) 1 cup almonds, skinned, toasted 1 cup bread crumbs 2-3 tbsp oil for frying

PHOTO: vicky raTnani, HarPer cOLLins

Preparation Drain the chickpeas and add the onion, garlic, coriander powder, pomegranate seeds, black pepper, fennel seeds, bread and coriander leaves. Mix together to make a slightly stiff dough. Divide the dough equally into small portions and shape each into a round disc. Rest in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Farhan Akhtar shares a laugh with Chef Vicky Ratnani at the book launch of Vicky Goes Veg in Gurgaon, New Delhi. The book garnered praise especially for its unique take on vegetarian cuisine.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Whisk the flour and cornflour in the milk. Season with salt and pepper. Dip the croquettes in this mixture and then dab them into the almond-bread crumb mixture. Deep-fry the croquettes till golden brown. Remove and drain the excess oil on absorbent kitchen towels. Repeat till all are fried. Serve with hot Romesco sauce

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Ingredients Romesco Sauce

1 red bell pepper, roasted, soaked in olive oil Salt (to taste) Pepper (to taste) ½ tsp red chilli paste 1 tbsp almonds, toasted, blanched A pinch of salt A pinch of pepper 2 cloves of garlic 1½ tsp sherry vinegar 1½ tbsp olive oil

Preparation Massage the red bell pepper with olive oil. Season a bit with some salt and pepper Char the pepper on a griller or alternately in the oven or even on an open flame. Place them in a bowl and cover with cling film. This will wrinkle the skin so that you can peel the skin of the pepper easily. Peel and deseed the pepper and blend together with the red chilli paste, almonds, salt, pepper, garlic, sherry vinegar and olive oil. It’s a rich, lush, smoky, peppery sauce.

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DARPAN HEALTH

BATTLING

PROSTATE

CANCER By Barbara Balfour

hile South Asians living abroad suffer from a much higher rate of diabetes than their European counterparts, their risk of prostate cancer evens out the longer they live abroad. While their initial risk of developing it might be lower, if they have lived in the West for any length of time, their overall risk becomes just as high as those of other groups, says Dr Alan So, uro-oncologist and research scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. "European data shows that with immigrants who migrate to the UK, their risk increases the longer they stay there," he says. “I truly think that it’s due to the changes in their diet - coming from a very strong vegetarian background, and then becoming

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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introduced to more red meats when they come here, increasing levels of inflammation and fats in their bodies." "In my approach to a South Asian patient, I don't think of them as having a higher or lower risk; I wouldn’t counsel them any differently and their treatment outcomes are the same." Dr. So explains further saying "Instead, we would look at the big risk factors: African descent, family history, previous problems with an abnormal prostate biopsy, and a high or rising PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test result.” In addition to diet and lifestyle changes made over time, increasing rates of prostate cancer diagnosis in the west may also be a function of better screening and diagnosis. This is likely due to less frequent general TM

Approximately one in every six men in Canada will have a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lifetime. It’s the secondleading cause of male cancer deaths behind lung cancer, with a fatality rate of about 25 per cent

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screening medical visits in eastern countries, says Dr. Shirin Peters, who practices in New York. She adds that in the past three years, she has seen an increase in South Asian men over 45 who come in for annual physicals. "I believe with each year that passes, a larger number of older South Asian men are learning of the need to screen yearly for prostate cancer, and coming to me for a screening check-up before they have any unusual symptoms. This is the key to early detection and stronger treatment outcomes,” says Dr. Peters. "I think this is also the reason I have seen a much higher incidence of microscopic hematuria (blood seen on a urine screen) and slight elevations in PSA in asymptomatic male patients. I would say the South Asian men who find early signs of prostate cancer on screening tests are a little more reluctant than the general population to follow up with an urologist for further diagnosis and treatment. I think this stems from general fear of the unknown, and reluctance to speak about genitourinary issues with a physician to get questions answered and their fears alleviated.” Approximately one in every six men in Canada will have a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lifetime. It’s the second-leading cause of male cancer deaths behind lung cancer, with a fatality rate of about 25 per cent. As a silent disease with no obvious signs, causes or symptoms, the best chance for a complete cure is through early detection and treatment. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of British Columbia recommends that every man over the age of 40, particularly those with a family history of the disease, begin examinations and tests for prostate cancer, which typically include a digital rectal exam in conjunction with a PSA test. PSA tests, which measure the blood level of

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throw a monkey wrench into the process, to stop it and hold it in check forever." â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need more tools in addition to the PSA. With a biopsy, you can't always tell just looking at it whether the cancer is aggressive or not. If we can find the right biomarker for this kind of cancer, then we could have our colleagues looking for the same compound in a semen analysis instead," Dr. Hollenberg states. For many men, this would mean not having to struggle with the decision of whether to remove the prostate gland, or having to undergo a painful biopsy. They would be able to know positively whether they were at risk of the cancer spreading, or whether it was more likely to remain dormant in their prostate gland. For Dr. Peters, the wives and partners of her South Asian male patients seem to be the major driving force for getting them into her office for a screening physical/check up visit. TM

Dr Alan So, uro-oncologist and research scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre "This is definitely a positive influence," she says. "Unfortunately I am not at liberty to discuss abnormal results from the testing I do with partners - only with the patient himself. For this reason, I cannot rely on them to influence my male patients to follow up with an urologist for care when needed." As in Canada, there is no culturallyspecific support programming available for men and their spouses, whose relationships are undoubtedly affected, says Dr. Peters. "For counselling services, there is not much available before a man is given a prostate cancer diagnosis. After diagnosis at the urologistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, they can be directed to support groups." "I could offer psychotherapy services to my patients who are overly anxious about seeking follow-up care, but middle-aged men are generally reluctant to engage in talk therapy and South Asian men are even less inclined because of the social and community stigma that surround mental illness," she says. Dr. So says there is a definite need to increase the profile of the need for more culturally specific counselling and support. "We have general support groups in place in the local cancer centre of every city, but we don't know the impact of prostate cancer on spouses in the South Asian community. In my experience, the South Asian wives are not as active in terms of asking questions, and usually leave it to the husband to make decisions."

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a protein produced by prostate cells, are not covered by the Medical Services Plan in BC, unless patients have a family history of prostate cancer. It is currently considered to be the single best blood test available for detecting tumours, and should be used as part of a personalized approach where men are tested to establish a baseline number. If any changes to the baseline are detected in subsequent tests, the patient could undergo additional diagnostic procedures such as a biopsy, transrectal ultrasound or even an MRI. While the PSA test is useful, it is not enough on its own, say some researchers, who point out that even when used in conjunction with a biopsy, the results are not conclusive. Prostate cancer is not always fatal, but the side effects associated with removal of the gland are potentially devastating, including erectile dysfunction and inability to control flow of urine. Researchers are currently working to determine which prostate cancers, once diagnosed, are most likely to spread and metastasize rapidly. One of them is Dr. Morley Hollenberg, an award-winning biomedical scientist and professor in the department of physiology and pharmacology at the University of Calgary. He and his team of researchers are currently developing more reliable tests to distinguish the severity of prostate cancer. "It takes a certain cell chemistry to drive a cancerous cell from a non invasive to an invasive state," says Dr. Hollenberg. "We are trying to identify the steps that drive the cell through this process; the dream would be to

While their initial risk of developing it might be lower, if they have lived in the West for any length of time, their overall risk becomes just as high as those of other groups, says Dr Alan So, uro-oncologist and research scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barbara Balfour As an award-winning public speaker, writer, and editor Barbara has traveled to more than 35 countries. Her work has appeared in BBC, ELLE Canada, The Economist and other media outlets. Barbara has authored two children's books, and has contributed to tourist guidebooks on Iceland and Chile. www.barbarabalfour.com

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There are pluses and minuses to both machines, but what about the core of the matter: which burns more calories?

hile exercise treadmills have existed in various forms for the past 100 years, they didn't become practical for the in-home user until the late 60's. For the next 35 years, they stood as the predominant piece of workout equipment in gyms and homes all over the world. That all changed in the mid 90's, when elliptical machines (also known as crossor X-trainers) gained rapid popularity as

The

a low-impact, full-body cardio alternative. up in gyms alongside treadmills, and they've arguably eclipsed the popularity of treadmills in terms of in-home use. But still one question remains pervasive: which is most effective when it comes to delivering a quality cardio workout? Let's start by taking a look at the pros and cons of each.

By NICK HILDEN

BE TT ER Work

Out?

The Treadmill The Pros

v/s

Natural motions- With all of the wide-ranging workout

them to walk, run, or sprint, motions that the human body is built for. Versatile- From an easy walk to an uphill sprint, treadmills deliver a variety of speed & incline options. Weight bearing effect- Walking and running are highly effective at improving bone and muscle strength and support a good posture.

The Pros

Non-impact cardio- An elliptical provides roughly the same Safety- Because your feet never leave the surface of the pedals, injury is unlikely. While in reality you're using approximately the same level of exertion, users tend to think Cross-training- An elliptical's handlebars deliver a full-body workout.

They work, period- Running is a highly demanding activity that burns calories at a rapid rate.

Reverse stride- Ellipticals allow you to stride backwards, activating different muscle groups and providing more conditioning to your quads.

The Cons

There are three main issues with a treadmill:

There are still downsides to an elliptical:

Joint safety- The impact of running on a treadmill can be extremely stressful on your joints. Newer machines often feature shock absorption to limit this, but the impact is still there.

Lack of weight bearing effect- Less impact reduces shock to your joints, but it also cancels out the weight bearing effect offered by walking or running. The bone and muscle strengthening results of the weight bearing effect are especially important as users age and become susceptible to osteoporosis.

General safety- Lose your footing on a treadmill and you're in for a tumble, especially if you're using high speeds and incline. For a lot of people, running is

100

The Elliptical

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Less versatility- Ellipticals aren't capable of delivering the same level of intensity as treadmills due to their less effective speed and incline dynamics. Effort-killing momentum- If a user isn't careful, they'll start letting the momentum do all the work, which can greatly reduce the effectiveness of a training session.

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So there are pluses and minuses to both machines, but what about the core of the matter: which burns more calories? As it turns out, they are both capable of delivering a fairly even calorie burn, with the treadmill coming out slightly ahead. Running on a treadmill has the advantage of forcing you outside your comfort zone by making you keep pace with a motor. If you increase the incline, that advantage is increased. Ellipticals can deliver the same calorie burn, but you have to be dedicated to truly giving it your all. That means moving quickly, working through different resistance levels, and not allowing the momentum to carry you. When all is said and done, both deliver a great workout; which is right for you depends more on your goals than anything. If you're looking for maximum calorie burn and cardio training, a treadmill is the way to go. For a more experienced athlete or

If running causes you to experience nagging joint pain, however, or if your goals are less training-oriented and more based on simply maintaining or mildly improving your health, an elliptical is a great option. Bottom line — cardio exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Experts recommend that you get at least 20 to 30 minutes of cardio machine you prefer — the treadmill or the elliptical — the point is that you're getting in the exercise you need. Beyond that, we're really just arguing over the details.

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ith a few more months of winter still ahead of us, and the glow of holiday cheer behind us, there is no escaping the grim reality; your skin is dull, dehydrated and stressed. Between this season's cold outdoor air, hot indoor air, dehydrating drinks and salty foods â&#x20AC;&#x201C; come on, pamper your skin a little. Start the new year off right by putting a little life back into your face. Here are the basics of winter skincare survival.

Use the right cleanser You need to switch up your cleanser. Detergent-based cleansers are great in the summer when you're tackling heavy sunblock, sweat and makeup, but winter skin needs something milder. Look for creams, oils and milks, which gently clean without stripping skin's moisture barrier.

A-Derma, Exomega Emollient Cleansing Oil, $18.50 Unlike Japanese-style cleansing oils, this is more of an oil-based cleanser. It's a light formula that softly lathers up into a hydrating foam. Great for the body as well, especially if you have sensitive or irritated skin. Available at drugstores.

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SKiN CARE

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Exfoliate dead skin One of the reasons for dull skin is lack of exfoliation. Clear your face of that layer of debris and you'll not only look brighter but your serums and moisturisers will be far more effective. Exfoliators can be manual (grainy) or chemical (acid) - it's entirely up to your skin which one you prefer.

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This creamy exfoliant contains dermatologistgrade microderm crystals made from aluminum oxide, which are incredibly superfine in size and texture. It also contains a natural papaya enzyme that helps dissolve dead skin cells, so let this sit on your face for a minute before gently massaging. Available at drugstores.

La Prairie Cellular 3 Minute Peel, $252 This luxury peel contains high-grade AHA & BHA to quickly remove surface dead skin cells and impurities. You'll find your skin brighter and smoother, and pores reduced. And yes, it really only takes 3 minutes to work its magic. Available at Holt Renfrew.

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Treat hyper-pigmentation Dark spots or patches, discolouration or uneven skin tone are often signs of hyper-pigmentation which is often caused due to sun damage. Winter's low UV levels make it an excellent time to target any hyper-pigmentation issues. Treat the damage from the previous summer before pigmentation spots begin to merge and muddy up the complexion.

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STYLE

hink of the winter 2014-15 fashion as a colorful orgy, and everyone is invited. Women will be wearing every color under the sun, mixed with tons of fur, and some very large sunglasses. The truth is, the winter trends really have no direction. Let’s get a handle on what’s about to happen, shall we?

Colourful GothiC Explosion

Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo's Design

By Joseph A. Federico

106

After attending shows, scouring goddess-like bodies. the internet, and well, downright people watching, the consensus is in: Women will take the cake in the upcoming months. Men are sporting drab, dark, and funky items, and women are just having fun. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition. Let’s start with the torso; red is the most popular, ladies! In past decades, red was a va-va-voom expression best kept to voluptuous lips, but now, it is perfectly acceptable to wrap your whole being in the color. Skirts, dresses, and gowns should be donned on your JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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bound. The purses are a nice touch, seeing that the colors of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wardrobe will be blinding. Sunglasses are not just for the summertime. but only a few years ago, back in 2008 or so. The hottest sunglasses to pick up are from Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The Louis Vuitton glasses look like enlarged ski goggles, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay, because they can do no wrong in our book. Right, on to jewellery. The well-respected woman in this day and age should have multiple piercings in each ear. Think of this fad as hopefully fast-passing, but here for the time being. Embrace it. Long, dripping diamond earrings should don your lobes, as a more punkish piercing should protrude the upper cartilage. Be sure to mix and match colors, styles, and metals. To truly complete a look, the makeup is where it is at. We are seeing smoky eyes coming back from the 1920s, girls. A thick black or purple, almond-shaped eye will make the contours of your face pop. Simply shade your eyelid heavily, then fade the eyeliner out and under each eye. Bold really is the statement to make this winter. With bold color, badass accessories, and deliciously placed makeup, there is no stopping you. How will you go bold during the coldest months of the year? ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joseph A. Federico Joseph Federico loves fashion, thanks in part to his mother exposing him to the wonders of the garment district at an early age. He has his own sense of style, and always has his finger on the pulse of the next big trend.

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The Picturesque Hanuma Bay at sunrise

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Your

ter WDayinDrea ms Tr ue! Made

HONOLULU, HAWAii It’s cold outside,

it’s probably raining and you’ve most likely worn your insulated rain jacket every day this week. That’s winter for you on the BC coast. These inflexible realities are here to stay for the next few months. But are you? It’s not a crime to concede you’ve had a few daydreams about escape. You’ve thought about packing a suitcase, driving out to YVR, telling the flight attendant to book you a ticket to someplace warm. Let’s live out this daydream. Call in sick. You’re going to Honolulu. Honolulu. Even the name itself sounds inviting, like the name of some pink drink in a curvy glass with one of those tiny umbrellas. Honolulu is on the island of Oahu, the third largest of all the Hawaiian Islands and the most populated. As the capital of the Hawaiian state, it has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations. With its luxurious beaches, vibrant nightlife, volcanic history and the presence of traditional culture, the city is a goldmine for any tourist looking for all the staples of a good vacation.

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But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – before you can put on your shades and soak up those well-deserved rays you need to find a place to stay. This is, admittedly the most stressful part of any vacation, but it can also be the most exciting. There are hundreds of hotels and condos that want you as their customer in Honolulu. The most central spot in Honolulu is Waikiki Beach. All the best restaurants, shopping and surfing are condensed into this 5-mile radius. If you want the true tourist experience, this is where you want to stay.

Honolulu. Even the name itself sounds inviting, like the name of some pink drink in a curvy glass with one of those tiny umbrellas.

Wakiki Beach - If you want the true tourist experience, this is where you want to stay TM

PHOTOS: Tourism Hawaii, ISTOCK Photo

By Mormei Zanke

THINGS TO SEE!

Pearl Harbour/USS 1 Arizona Memorial Take a tour of the 84-foot-long memorial structure and appreciate the lives of the soldiers who fell in the 1941 battle. With informative tours and historical relevance to Hawaii, it is worth the visit.

Manoa Falls

Manoa Falls is a gorgeous waterfall has a vertical drop of approximately 150 feet. The 2.5 km hike to reach it will take 2 hours to complete but will be totally worth it – especially since you get to observe the breathtaking beauty of one of Hawaii’s natural rainforests along the way.

Iolani Palace

Visit the residence of Hawaii’s last two rulers from 1882 to 1893. Spectacular both in architecture and historical consequence, it will spark your imagination to a time when King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani reigned.

Hanauma Bay

This is the most famous bay in Oahu and for good reason. Formed in a tuff ring as a result of volcanic activity, it is home to unique marine life and coral reefs. Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear!

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The Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium are on the east end of Waikiki beach and are great places to observe the natural flora and fauna up close and personal. You will be sure to befriend a giraffe or two and maybe even catch a glimpse of a phosphorescent jellyfish!

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Koko Crater

Hike up to the crater’s head and observe the botanical gardens within the crater and adjacent Portlock ocean shore. Make sure to bring lots of water, the steps to the top seem never ending!

Spitting Cave of 7 Portlock

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A beautiful spot to observe the ocean and get a little soaked! The Cave will spit out mist and water into the sea and shake the ground so that you can actually feel the reverberations. The massive waves and surf will have you reeling.

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Chinaman’s Hat - A visually appealing pointy island just off the coast

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There is a hotel hierarchy on Waikiki Beach. It mainly has to do with proximity to the shoreline. As a general rule of thumb, the closer to the shore, the fancier the hotel will be, and the more expensive it is. Typically these hotels are niche, sprung up with the intention of being a Hawaiian tourist attraction. These would be big names like the Moana Surfrider, The Royal Hawaiian and Halekulani Hotel. All of these hotels are right on the beach and equipped with pools and attentive staff. If you want a place to pull out all the stops, these would be your top three choices. Then you have the more affordable chain hotels everyone is familiar with like the Sheraton, The Hilton, and Best Western. They are further off the shore, but still centrally located enough so that you don’t miss out on any of the action! These are the main offerings, but if you are willing to do a little more digging you can find some cute motels in the area behind all the big name hotels as well as comfy condos if you’re travelling in a big family. It’s all based on what you want your experience to be. Take your time to look around and choose a place that will be your home away from home. Once you’ve gotten all settled, the first thing you will probably want to do is hit the beach. Assuming you chose a place to stay in Waikiki, you’ll want to take some time to acquaint yourself with the beach at hand! Waikiki Beach can get crowded with tourists but if you continue walking westward, the crowd tends to thin, the sand gets softer and you get a spectacular view of the Diamond Head on the east side of the beach. Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone located on Waikiki beach created as a result of an eruption and the subsequent consolidating ash. Only 200,000 years old (young compared to other volcanic ranges), it has been dormant for 150,000 years. It’s become a sort of tourist attraction and if you are feeling particularly adventurous the hike up to the top is worth the stunning views of Waikiki Beach.

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Next up, Ala Moana Center. Let’s be real, we all catch the shopping bug when we’re on vacation. No matter how much we claim shopping isn’t on the agenda, the reality is most of us come back home with a bunch of souvenirs. It’s better to just accept it and move on. Ala Moana is Hawaii’s premier shopping center and you can literally find anything there. Rainbow coloured hair ties? Got them. The watchstrap you’ve looked everywhere for? Got it. A hula-dancing squid that sings Christmas carols? Most definitely. After you’ve gotten the materialism out of the way, you might feel like stepping into nature. Wahiawa Botanical Garden is just the place for that. Located near the infamous Chinaman’s Hat (a visually appealing pointy island just off the coast), the garden has free admission, guided and self-guided tours, and most importantly, an amazing vista of Hawaiian flora. The pinnacle of the garden is a refreshing waterfall sheltered in the valley and is definitely worth snapping a picture or two. So you’ve gone to the beach, hiked up volcanic remains, went shopping, checked out an ethereal Hawaiian garden, but have you eaten yet? All of the restaurants along Waikiki Beach are fine choices but if you really want a local treat check out Giovanni’s Shrimp truck. This secret gem is well known among the locals. Located on the north side of the island, it is definitely worth the drive. Succulent shrimps drenched in savoury garlic sauce over a bed of rice are calling your name. Let your taste buds do the talking. And so, as you finish off Giovanni’s fresh shrimps and wash it down with some refreshing hibiscus juice, your daydream concludes. The fantastical trip was nice while it lasted in your pleasant stream of consciousness. But does it really all have to be a daydream? That’s up to you. Get packing. Honolulu is calling your name.

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By Tarana Rana

WAYS tO tO

SPenD

Al VA len ntine'S ine'S DA AY

Take a local Wine Tour You don’t need to drive to Okanagan to spend a laidback Valentine’s Day in a vineyard – just head out to Backyard Vineyards in Langley, for a wine tour and tasting. The 20 minute tour will show you everything from the vineyard to the production area to the tasting room, where you can sample some fine vintages. If you’re feeling peckish, their tasting room also has gourmet tasting platters for 2, which are designed to complement your wine perfectly.

Go to Mink Chocolates Café Chocolate is a Valentine’s Day staple but instead of giving your significant other that boring heart-shaped box, treat them instead to an afternoon – or evening – of chocolatey goodness at Mink Chocolates café at Vancouver or South Surrey. Cosy up over a traditional chocolate fondue, make S’mores at your table, or indulge in some of their heavenly drinking chocolate. End the date on the perfect sweet note by taking one or two of their handcrafted chocolate bars to go.

t may be dubbed as the ‘Hallmark holiday’ but Valentine’s Day is about more than just that box of candy or roses. It’s the day to celebrate love in your life and there’s no better 112

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way to do that than by spending some quality time with your significant other. Not sure what to do? Here are 5 fun things couples can do on Valentine’s Day in Vancouver.

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Looking to impress? Book a scenic tour with Seaair Seaplanes, and take to the skies for an exhilarating experience. The 45 minute long Coastal Mountains & Waterfall Experience tour is ideal for an adventurous couple. After departing from downtown Vancouver, you’ll soar along the Coast Mountain Range and glide through the stunning Indian Arm Fjord. You’ll also get a chance to capture the moment during the brief photo stop at a waterfall.

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If you decide to go with the traditional ‘romantic dinner’ option on Valentine’s Day, make it an evening to remember by making reservations at Dark Table. At Vancouver’s only blind-dining restaurant, you and your dining partner will spend an evening in complete darkness. With no distractions around like cell phones (or light), you will experience a truly unique dinner experience – where you’ll just get to focus on the flavours of your gourmet food and the conversation of your dinner companion.

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Catch a VIP Movie Revamp the classic movie-and-a-dinner date night by heading out to Coquitlam Silvercity Theatre for a VIP cinema experience. Sink into the large, comfy leather chairs and order dinner and drinks right from your seat before the movie starts. Their food menu is not the usual popcorn and nachos fare either – it has a variety of delicious options from flatbread, burgers and shrimp cocktail to cheesecake. You can also head out to the bar in the VIP lounge before or after the movie for some silver-screen inspired cocktails.

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HOME

Say

Again Hello

HomeNew DĂŠcor To Your

Furniture New Year By Ashley Stephens

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Mix it up and make it your own to create a new look throughout your home

new year can mean many new things; new goals, new dreams and new challenges. As you reflect on what changes you plan to make in the upcoming months, are changes to your furniture on your list? If you rang in the new year sitting on a couch from a very old year, it might be time to bring a bit of 2015 into your home. Staying up to date and on trend isn't as hard as it may sound this year. What was once old is new again and mixing styles is not only accepted but encouraged. Whether you're looking to liven up your living room or you're in need of a complete overhaul, there are furnishings that will suit your style. The use of fabrics on sofas and updated upholstery has made a return to mainstream. Pops of colour, in both pastels and rich marine tones, organic prints, like ferns and florals, and ocean-inspired patterns, are taking over large pieces instead of just being used as accents on pillows or throw blankets. Fabric-covered headboards and leather-wrapped furniture are gaining in popularity as we change the calendar to a new year.

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The yearning for a sensory experience has catapulted our appreciation for handmade items into the spotlight this year. Attendees at the recent Homebuildlife Trend Watch seminar witnessed the greater connection to imperfections and objects clearly made by human hands. The move to incorporate these handcrafted and often traditional items with more mass produced pieces around the house shows our softer side and keeps us connected to what makes us all human. As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace around us, staying down to earth by appreciating and incorporating our ancestral crafts can make for comfortable and cozy spaces without the loss of modern luxuries. Matte finishes will see a surge in popularity come 2015; a nod to the unpolished and authentic looks that are on the rise. There's a desire to appreciate the form and function of our furniture resulting in more natural finishes and raw materials. According to the forecasting experts at Homebuildlife, the need to connect the past to the future is allowing for the fusion of modern styles with older pieces. Vintage finds such as wooden dressers, handmade tables and wingback chairs are being given modern makeovers by being used in stylish spaces and updated with current colours or fun accents. This new year is all about breathing new life into forgotten furniture and incorporating the stories of our past into the designs of modern day. Be on the look out for woven patterns, fossilized finishes and wicker, bone and rope â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all elements that have a history but can be reintroduced beautifully into the right room. Mixing doesn't stop with the old and the new. Metals are being mixed with raw materials, glass is an accent again and natural woods are finding their way into furniture pieces in all sorts of ways. Smooth finishes are paired with organic materials and outdoor elements are being brought indoors. An exciting trend for the upcoming year is the combination of cultural influences and personality differences all in one room. Furniture reflective of different cultures are being combined to create

HOME a united space that shows off individual personalities. Where unique pieces of furniture used to stand out for all the wrong reasons, they are now being celebrated for their ability to accessorize clean lines and simple rooms while making decor more personal. As families keep growing and spaces

seem to be shrinking, furniture has had to adapt to the needs of its users. With more multipurpose rooms comes the need for multipurpose furniture. Space saving cabinets, desks and even beds are increasing in popularity as more activities are happening in a smaller amount of space. Along with the need to have useable furniture in a smaller space is the desire to have comfortable furniture. Formal living room and dining room sets are no longer a necessity as buyers look to fill their homes with useable tables and comfortable

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couches. If you've dreamed of transforming your formal rooms into inviting spaces, now is the time to take advantage of the cozy, convenient and, most importantly, useful styles that are taking over showrooms. Furniture makes up such a big part of your home and while the decision to update it might seem like a big one, it doesn't have to mean big changes in order to stay on trend for the upcoming year. By incorporating your own pieces and welcoming your own influences into your home, the new year might be the best time to give life to your old decor.

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Weddings

n a r a K y r r a &G ence: f Resid ver, BC o y t i C cou

n rth Va

Q: How did you meet? A: We met through mutual friends.

Q: Could you share your proposal story? A: Karan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Like any Saturday, we had date night planned but Garry ended up surprising me by taking me on a boat. It was a beautiful day. We cruised around for a bit and stopped. He went to go get something from the back and when he called my name, I turned around

Q: Describe your wedding day. What was your favourite moment? A: Karan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Our wedding day was a truly beautiful and memorable day. The weather turned out amazing. I had imaged all the fall colors for my wedding day and surprisingly my wish came true!

Q: Could you tell us about your reception? A : Our reception was breath taking. When we walked in we were WOW! It was a blast. Both of us had such an amazing time dancing away with loved ones.

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A: Karan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I wanted something different for my wedding day colors. Our colours were raspberry, emerald green and touches of purple. Our wedding attire was designed by Sunny's Bridal. My reception dress was created by Made In India.

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Q: What are your favourite quotes? "For some people, 'the point of no return' begins at the very moment their souls become aware of each others' existence." ~ C. JoyBell C.

Q: What are the strengths of your marriage? Honesty, love and support.

Q: If you could provide any advice to other married couples, what would it be? With a quote â&#x20AC;&#x201C; "Learn how to agree to disagree. No two people agree on everything, and that's okay, but it's important to be okay with each other's differences." (Lee Bower)

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2015

Auto

luXuRy hybRID cROSSOvER GETS a facElIfT

Lexus RX 450h SPORTDESIGN By Benjamin Yong

t’s hard for Lexus to do any wrong with its luxury RX crossover — it is the company’s best selling vehicle in North America, after all. And for 2015, the mid-sized SUV gets another refresh in the SPORTDESIGN. The variant I tested this time around was the 450h hybrid. Mixing gasoline and electric technologies is something the

company knows a thing or two about, first introduced in the RX line up as the 400h during the first generation. Design-wise, the front fascia has been tweaked with the lower part of the “spindle” grill given a mesh, F-SPORT-like treatment. The HID headlights now have big dual round lamps inside the housing above the signature

The hybrid is powered with Lexus’ Hybrid Drive, a combination powerplant consisting of a 3.5-litre V6 Atkinson gasoline engine and a high-torque electric motor and generator, paired with a continuously variable transmission and high capacity battery. LED daytime running light strips. At 1,885-millimetres wide, 4,770 long and 1,720 high, the size and form factor of the RX is perfect for people needing an upscale and practical everyday people hauler, without having to step up to a fullsize SUV. Its basic shape hasn’t changed too dramatically since its creation in the late 90s when the segment wasn’t nearly as crowded — it seems every manufacturer and their uncle is coming out with a luxury CUV. There’s no doubt that the 450h looks great, except possibly when offered in the merlot-coloured Claret Mica that my press tester came in. The hybrid is powered with Lexus’ Hybrid Drive, a combination powerplant consisting

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Fabricating beauty for your Home and office!

HIGHLIGHTS

MSRP: $62,650 (base) Motor: 3.5-litre V6 Atkinson/electric motor Horsepower: 295 net Torque (lb-ft): 234 @ 4,800 rpm Gearbox: CVT Layout: front engine, front-wheel drive Fuel economy: 8.5 L/100 km city/8.0 highway (manufacturer estimate)

of a 3.5-litre V6 Atkinson gasoline engine and a high-torque electric motor and generator, paired with a continuously variable transmission and high capacity battery. If you fidget with the steering-wheel-mounted menu buttons long enough, you can find a way to toggle between Sport, Eco and Hybrid Snow driving modes. Even with net 295 horsepower, I found the Sport not sporty enough and the Eco mode causing the vehicle to be too sluggish, so I just left it on normal most of the time. When your driving at your greenest, the instrument cluster glows blue to indicate that you’re on your way to achieving somewhere in the neighbourhood of the advertised 8.2 L/100 km combined city/highway fuel economy rating. I averaged 10.9 L/100 km in mixed driving, which, needless to say, is still fantastic for its class. The interior of the SPORTDESIGN has perforated leather seating surfaces, real wood trim, and the ingenious Lexus Remote Touch, a small joystick that you can use to navigate the eight-inch LCD display. After you get past the slight learning curve, I find it is a much easierto-use peripheral for selecting on-screen text than the knobs and dials found in many modern cabins. Other than what’s mentioned, nothing else stands out too much on the inside. Some might call the styling dated, others may think of it as simple elegance. Smooth is how more than one passenger commented on the ride in the RX. Even with my spirited driving style, nary a coffee was spilled or head bounced. Performance might not be the vehicle’s strong suit, but it handled well for its size and everyone sitting inside was more than adequately comfortable during trips. And isn’t that all anyone can ask of a luxury hybrid crossover?

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2015

BY GLEN KONOROWSKI

If bIG TOwING aND caRGO IS yOuR PRIORITy, ThE TOyOTa TuNDRa IS ThE TRuck fOR yOu

TOYOTA TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB SR PICKUP N

ot so long ago, there was a time that big pickup truck buyers would have never considered a Toyota Tundra as a viable alternative to one of the Big Threes offerings. But, like the small pickup truck offerings from the Japanese makers before, people were eventually won over by their quality and durability over the long haul. Having worked a lot of construction over the years when writing was slow, I have had a lot of experience with all types and makes of pickup trucks. Even though the Tundra has been out a number of years, this is the first Tundra I have had the

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pleasure of driving and testing. The first thing you notice when coming upon the Tundra double cab is the size. This is a full sized truck â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not something small made to look like a full-sized truck. The test Tundra was the double cab version with 4-wheel drive and the TRD (Toyota Racing Division) off road package. The biggest visual difference with the TRD Package is the 18-inch off-road wheel and tire combination, which makes this pickup truck pretty imposing. Other TRD visual accessories were the skid plates, tinted windows, chrome bumpers front and rear as well as a chrome grill to name a few

very nice visual touches. The Tundra I had was equipped with the double overhead cam V8 5.7L engine with variable valve timing, giving the truck 381hp and a stump pulling 401lb. ft. of torque. This gives the Tundra a towing capacity of 9,900Lbs (4490kg) which allows it to easily handle trailers of many configurations. Making sure all is well when it comes to towing; the truck is equipped with all the standard towing extras so the engine will not be over taxed. In fact, single cab versions of the truck will tow up to 10,500lb. if you require more capacity. The only transmission on the Tundra is a 6-speed automatic and to switch into 4-wheel drive was just a push of the button. Also standard on this version was an auto limited slip giving the vehicle better control in rain and snow as well as allowing you to

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get extra traction before switching into 4-wheel drive. In the short time I have with the Tundra, it was very competent on bad roads and made a newcomer to off-roading look like an expert. With the TRD Package, it was a little more difficult getting in and out of the truck due to the high ground clearance. It even took me a day or two to get used to getting in and out easily, so I wouldn’t recommend travelling without a small stool to help people with mobility issues climb in. Once inside the truck, things are very pleasant with all the amenities you would find in any high-end car, like power windows, air conditioning, nice carpets and generally comfortable seats. Controls for the driver are much like a car in that every thing is effortless to use and get at. Bluetooth is standard on the model, making things easier for those constantly on their phones and other gadgets. As this was a double cab, driving about on city streets took a little getting used to due to its length, so if you live somewhere with a lot of tight corners, extra care will be needed. Long time owners of Tundras I know have been very pleased with the vehicle due to the excellent quality. So if big towing and cargo are a priority and service is key, the Toyota Tundra might just be what you need when buying your next truck

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2015

QuIck, aGIlE aND GOOD ON GaS

CADILLAC aT S c O u P E

BY GLEN KONOROWSKI have to admit I was never a big fan of the first Cadillacs I encountered in the 1970s. They were too big and handled poorly compared to what was coming out of Europe, this caused sales to diminish over the years in the luxury car market. Since 2002 Cadillac has been doing a lot to shake this image when it introduced the CTS, and now they have taken one step further with the new smaller ATS. This new smaller Cadillac is aimed at the high-end sport sedan and coupe market and after having spent a good

amount of time with the new model, I have to say they are spot on. The ATS comes as either coupe or sedan, either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive and with a four cylinder or V6 engine configuration. My test car was the rear-wheel-drive 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo model with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The 4-cylinder turbo in the test ATS

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makes this car a treat to drive and couple that with the 6-speed manual transmission and you have one exciting combination. The engine is, as you might suspect, a double overhead cam model with nicely matched turbo that makes for smooth acceleration unlike turbo lag experienced in the past. Power output is an amazing

HIGHLIGHTS

Auto Base price: $46,285 as tested $52,390 HP: 272 @ 5500rpm Max. Torque: 295 @ 3,000 to 4,600rpm

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Fuel Consumption 11.1 L/100km city and 7.9L /100km. highway

272hp. and torque figure of 295lb.ft. which makes this 1550kg (3418lb.) quick without being too hard to control. General Motor’s engineers have balanced the car with a 51/49 front rear weight bias, which I found excellent for quick cornering and good handling. When needed, the engine can and will pull extremely well when encountering step inclines with minimal effort. As my car was equipped with the manual transmission, this really enhanced the enjoyment I got from driving this car. Shifting gears was effortless and worked well with no missing of shifts and if you didn’t down shift, the torque of the engine easily pulled well in the higher gear at low speeds. Stopping was, as you might imagine, top-notch, with more than adequate Bembo disc brakes at all four corners. My test car was equipped with a very stylish optional leather interior, which didn’t look that cosy at first glance, but turned out to be quite comfortable when I put a lot of kilometres on the car. I found the rear seating more suited to smaller people or children and getting in and out of there was a little challenging with winter coats due to its design. But once in the back, the rear seating is not too bad for moderately short trips by adults. The dash was easy to read and all controls were undemanding to reach and in most cases simple to operate without having to read the manual. My test car had the optional Navigation system witch I did like, as it too is easy to read and equally simple to operate. One optional accessory I really loved was the heated steering wheel. When switched on the wheel warms almost instantly, which is perfect for Canadian winter drivers, and believe me, it really is a joy in the cold. If you haven’t guessed by now, I really liked this car. It was all the things I like about smaller cars, quick, agile and good on gas. This is one car I would seriously consider buying myself when the time comes to purchase a new one.

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TOP

5 (Luxury Car under $50k)

By Benjamin Yong

Serving as the combined replacement for the beloved TSX and TL models, the all-new Acura TLX luxury sports sedan lives up to its lofty responsibilities. Nimble and fun to drive, standout options include a 3.5-litre 290 horsepower V6 motor, eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and Super-Handling all-wheel drive.

TOP 5 CARS ~ FOR ~

2015 Here are five of our favourite stand out models at the 2015 CCOTY program "TestFest is the most intensive new vehicle evaluation process on the planet," said CCOTY Co-chair, Gary Grant, in a news release. “No other organization employs such stringent testing methods to determine their car of year award winners." 126

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eventy-three journalists wheeled in to Niagara Falls, ON for the 27th annual Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year awards (CCOTY). Dubbed “TestFest,” the journalists evaluated 49 of the newest vehicles produced by over 20 brands placed in several key categories such as best family car under (and over) $21,000, luxury car under/over $50,000 and sports performance under/ over $50,000. Bigger vehicles like crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks joined the fun as well with their own respective sections. "TestFest is the most intensive new vehicle evaluation process on the planet," said CCOTY co-chair, Gary Grant, in a news release. “No other organization employs such stringent testing methods to determine their car of year award winners."

DARPAN

(Luxury Car over $50k) Offered originally as a four-door, the ATS now comes in two-door form with a choice of rearwheel or all-wheel drive. Packaged with a massaged 2.0 L turbo from the sedan generating 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque or a 3.6 L V6 with 321 hp and 275 lb-ft, the ATS Coupe is all business with 18-inch wheels and front Brembo brakes.

As part of the evaluation procedures, participating vehicles are driven back-toback on a prescribed route involving mainly public roads and highways, mimicking the conditions a consumer would typically experience in everyday ownership. There is also a small parking lot slalom-type course where handling characteristics are gauged, and a long windy stretch of a closed twolane road where some of the faster cars can get up to higher speeds. Following the drive, journalists then score the entries on value, fit, finish, performance, comfort and so on. Approximately 106,405 data points were collected via 1,640 test drives at Test Fest, which took place from Oct. 20 to 24. The information is collected and tabulated by international accounting firm KPMG, and category winners announced in December.

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(SUV – CUV over $60k) If you think the 911 is too small and the Cayenne too big, the Macan compact luxury crossover might be the ticket. Striking a good balance between performance and utility, the Macan is offered in both an S and Turbo trim with the former sporting a high-revving 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo powerplant making 340 hp.

(Sports – Performance over $50k) This vehicle is just too nutty not to include in this list. Packing a 6.2 L supercharged HEMI Hellcat engine, the sinister feline packs a whopping 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of pavement ripping torque. It’s so powerful, in fact, that it comes with two keys fobs: a standard red fob and a black fob that restricts the horsepower output to 500.

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(Prestige – Performance over $75k) Following the splashy debut of Jaguar’s F-TYPE Convertible, it was inevitable that the Coupé would quickly follow. The R is the range topper with a massive 5.0-litre, 550 hp engine that, with help from the lightweight aluminum construction, gets the hardtop Jag from 0 to 100 km/h in merely four seconds.

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lCD vAnity PlAte With virtually all controls inside modern vehicles going digital these days, it was only a matter of time before the same applied to the exterior. The LCD Vanity Plate is a small screen, the size of a North American license front plate would normally reside. After a simple wiring procedure, you can load any graphic from an SD card that will then be displayed on the screen. The vendor booth had examples of business information, sports team and music group logos and even a virtual representation of a license plate.

auTo

GadGeT Tech

By Benjamin yong

UniverSAl CAr remOte It’s bound to happen sooner or later. You’ve dropped your car’s remote fob for the 100th time, or you’ve misplaced the spare in a move. Rather than going to the dealer for an expensive replacement, why not give the Universal Car Remote a try? Designed and assembled in the United States, the universal device works on over 1,000 vehicle models, made between 1997 and 2014, from over 19 major auto manufacturers like Chevrolet, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, easy and requires no computers or specialized tools.

Top five consumer auTo producTs from The 2014 sema show

ach year, it seems like SEMA — the auto aftermarket parts industry’s premiere trade show — gets bigger and bigger. 2014 was no exception, with over 135,000 people flooding the Las Vegas Convention Centre and Westgate Resort grounds to see the latest products companies had to offer. While a lot of the things on display are intended for commercial use, there are plenty of new and innovative items that would be of interested to the average retailer buyer. From a digital front license plate to a dehumidifier for your car, here are our top 5 picks.

PAPAGO! GOSAfe 360 There has been an explosion of in-vehicle video recorders as of late, and with good reason — they can be your witness in the unfortunate event of an accident, or be your eyes when you’re away from the car. If you’re license plate numbers, quality is important. Fortunately, PAPAGO! has just released the rder on the market. A 3-inch widescreen displays video in 2560x1080, 21:9 resolution and the unit features built-in GPS and a G-sensor.

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Photos: Benjamin Yong, SEMA

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American debut at SEMA. The lock works by blocking a vehicle’s steering column, thus making it impossible to push or tow it away. Constructed out of metal, the system is supposedly unbreakable, installed mostly manufacturers like Volkswagen have been selling the lock as a dealer option overseas for years.

Aside from our few favourites we’ve talked about above, there were many more unique offerings aimed at a variety of audiences. For a complete list and more information about the event, visit semashow.com.

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EXCLUSIVE

By Kavita Shyam

Comedy comes naturally to Saif Ali Khan who has tickled our funny bones in many movies over the last two decades. In an exclusive with DARPAN, we talk to the talented actor about his latest movie, Happy Ending, and moreâ&#x20AC;Ś

Sai f Al i Khan The Nawab of Pataudi

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here is an old world charm about him. Yet, he is cool and bohemian. The Nawab, Saif Ali Khan is spinning out different movies from his Illuminati Films production house and acting in them as well. This doting husband, meticulous actor and producer is a bundle of talent. Never to chase numbers, the seasoned actor recently celebrated his second anniversary with his partner, Kareena Kapoor. The national award winning actor is constantly experimenting as a performer and Happy Ending is a movie where he is going back to playing a comical character – a role in which he is most loved! With costars like Illeana, Kalki and Govinda, Happy Ending is sure to live up to its name!

What made you choose to work in a comedy film like

Happy Ending?

This was a funny film. It’s a universal film. I found a comfort level in the storyline. Honestly, I do not want to repeat myself. Raj DK has written a very nice story and it’s a romcom comedy. However, it’s not a woman’s perspective but from a man’s instead. So this is the biggest difference. The director Raj DK has a great sense of humour. He has made the movie in a different style. The film has three main characters, and the film revolves around the intricacies from their lives with plenty of ego clashes thrown in!

Tell us about your role in the film Happy Ending.

I sort of have two characters in the film to play. Apart from being a writer – Yudi Jaitely – I also play Yogi in the film. Yogi is a cameo who will be seen in a couple of songs in different getups. Yudi Jaitley is a writer and people would sympathize with his life and the circumstances he goes through. He wrote a book years ago and has not written anything after that. He is in need of money and is quite a sorry guy.

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DARPAN EXCLUSIVE

Your previous film Go Goa Gone was not very successful. What do you think went wrong?

People’s life change due to circumstances and money. Does the film Happy Ending focus on this?

This was a comedy film so we cannot deal with it in a serious manner. He (Yudi Jaitely) is a happy man, he is cool. The situations he goes through in the film are really funny. Just like the English writer PG Wodehouse, who would write about rich people, he would write about Booster and his servant. He’d go to New York during winters because it’s warm in London during summers. And sometimes, he gets into trouble when his aunt tells him to meet a girl

who is coming home to meet all of them. All this and more creates much comedy in his life. And seeing this one would invariably wish for such comic moments in life as well.

You worked with Govinda for the first time in Happy Ending . How was the experience?

We are two very different people. I got to learn a lot from him (Govinda) in the dance department. He is a lovely guy and a great dancer. We have tried to give him a good role in the film. We have showcased him as a star in Happy Ending. But we have very less interaction otherwise. The funny thing is that we are two different people.

The film Go Goa Gone was less appreciated post interval which is the second part. Which is the part having the zombies. So we can say that the Indian audiences have not accepted the concept of a zombie. And that is why the film did not receive the desired success.

After Omkara , we have not seen you working with director Vishal Bharadwaj. Why is that so?

Only Vishal Bharadwaj can answer this question.

Do you have any plans of becoming a director in the future?

There is no plan as such. There is not much money in being a director. If I stop being a star, do not get any acting offers then I will think of direction. But not at the moment! Being a director can be quite a challenging experience. It’s too much of hard work. Months before the shooting starts, the script has to be worked upon.

Your favourite way to pass time is reading a book. Could you name some of your favorites?

Honestly, I have read Alistair Maclean and others in the past, however now I am not into that [kind of ] heavy reading. I am into Moby Dick and Don Quixote, books that I have missed in my schooldays! My library at home has a section on science and religion because I like reading about that. I am aware of different theological thoughts.

What are the other films that you are working on?

There is Phantom. Besides this film I am also doing movies with Sujoy Ghosh and Reema Katagi. Then there is a home production film with Raj DK to look forward to.

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IN PICTURES

CELEBRITYNEWS

Kapoor Family Reunion The entire Kapoor clan gathered at Shashi Kapoor's residence, Janki Kutir, in the posh western suburb of Juhu in Mumbai. Kareena Kapoor Khan along with hubby Saif Ali Khan arrived in a gorgeous black, while cousin Ranbir rocked in his casual look.

Like Ok Screen Awards 2015 Bollywood hottie Shahid Kapoor won the Best Actor award for his performance in Haider while the sizzling Priyanka Chopra took home the Best Actress award for Mary Kom. Creating buzz at the 21st Life OK Screen Awards was Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer Happy New Year.

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VISIT WWW.DARPANMAGAZINE.COM

Umang 2015 Umang 2015 held on January 10, saw Bollywood biggies gather for a night of entertainment to celebrate the efforts of Mumbai Police for keeping the city safe day and night. Coinciding with Hrithik Roshan's birthday, the night witnessed Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and several other Bollywood personalities participate in this event.

Celebrity Cricket League Red Carpet Love for cricket is what links these celebrities together. Stars from the small-screen and the big-screen joined hands together to kick-off the annual Celebrity Cricket League in Mumbai. The red carpet event was followed by an opening match between Mumbai Heroes and Veer Marathi. Celebrities spotted at the event include Bipasha Basu, Varun Dhawan, Sonam Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Anil Kapoor.

VISIT WWW.DARPANMAGAZINE.COM

/ FEBRUARY 2015 For more photo/video galleries, celebrity gossip and movieJANUARY updates! 137 DARPAN Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle TM

BOX OFFICE

doLLy KI doLI Release date: January 23

Directed by: Abhishek Dogra Starring: Sonam Kapoor, Rajkumar Rao, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma

After starring in Khoobsurat with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, popular actress Sonam Kapoor will soon be seen in the role of a con artist in Arbaaz Khan's upcoming comedy film titled Dolly Ki Doli. The film, which is co-produced by Arbaaz's wife Mailaka Arora Khan, also stars Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Rajkumar Rao. In an interview, Rajkumar, who has been a part of celebrated films like Kai Po Che and Shahid has been quoted as saying,"I want to be a part of any script that excites me as an actor. I find it absolutely fantastic to be able to bring variety in my roles. If there is a script and a part I feel good about, then I do it. Dolly Ki Doli is a light hearted, fun film and we had a blast while making it. And it's not like my intention and honesty is more for a serious film. For me, the honesty towards my work doesn't change depending on the film's genre. My honesty in Dolly Ki Doli is just the same as Shahid."

By Saira Hayre

REALTIME

BOLLYWOOD C

oming along with the new year are a whole slew of interesting films featuring both established and new actors. While Sonam Kapoor is headlining Arbaaz and Malaika Khanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dolly Ki Doli, superstar Akshay Kumar will be seen in a more serious and action packed avatar in Baby. Hoping to

2014 showcased bollywood's versatility with scripts like Pk, haider, Mary kom, Queen and highway. will 2015 be able to sustain this magic?

close off January in a big way are the Bhatts who will be showcasing the talents of three relatively new actors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gurmeet Chaudhry, Sapna Pabbi and Ali Fazal. Closer to the end of February, Bollywood heartthrob Varun Dhawan will be showing his more serious side in the upcoming film Badlapur.

BAdLApuR

Release date: February 20 Directed by: Sriram Raghavan Starring: Varun Dhawan, Huma Qureshi, Divya Dutta, Yami Gautam

Varun Dhawan is one relatively new actor who has had an exceptionally great run at the box office, and it seems that his luck is all set to continue with the release of his upcoming film titled Badlapur, which also stars Nawazaddin Siddique, Huma Qureshi and Divya Dutta in important roles. Interestingly enough, Varun, who has previously starred in films like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Main Tera Hero, had even taken Marathi classes in order to bring authenticity to his character in the film, who is a Maharashtrian. "My gym instructor is a Maharashtrian. So at the gym, we would talk in Marathi. He also taught me some slang words that most people use," Varun has been quoted as saying. While the film is gaining hype due to its seemingly intriguing plot and overall look and feel, another issue that has gained it lots of attention is a kissing scene between Varun and actress Divya Dutta. "Since I did my first film, I've always said, that why do we shy away. If there's a kiss meant to be shown between two people who love each other or if you are supposed to show action in a certain level, then why don't we show it. Often critics criticize that it wasn't real enough, or this doesn't happen in real life, so we've gone for it in Badlapur," Varun has said in an interview.

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BABy

Release date:January 23 Directed by: Neeraj Pandey Starring: Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Anupam Kher

Superstar Akshay Kumar is reportedly playing the role of an undercover cop in the upcoming film titled Baby, which also stars Taapsee Pannu as the female lead. According to various sources, one of the main reasons why Taapsee bagged the coveted role is due to her ability to speak Urdu fluently. On this topic, Taapsee has said, "All Neeraj [the director] asked me to do was to read a few lines which had quite a few Urdu words and phrases. Being a Punjabi girl, people expect me to have a north Indian influence in my speech, but to his surprise I managed decently well, I guess.â&#x20AC;? On his part, Akshay, who is also known for his physique and fitness regime, has mentioned in an interview that "the story [of the film] has been inspired by real life incidentsâ&#x20AC;Ś"

Maral Fadaeian

Kelly Macauley

Meena Sadioura

Brent Ellingson

KhAMoshIyAN Release date: January 30

Directed by: Karan Darra Starring: Gurmeet Choudry, Sapna Pabbi, Ali Fazal

Backed by Vishesh Films, which is known to have introduced talented actors like Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranawaut to Bollywood, Khamoshiyan is a launch pad for yet another newcomer, actor Gurmeet Choudhry. Interestingly enough, while this film marks Gurmeet's Bollywood debut, it is not his first tryst with acting, as he is a well known television actor. Talking about the film, Gurmeet has said, "I couldn't have hoped for a better film debut for a better banner. I shot for Khamoshiyan for about 20 days, and I feel the same surge of excitement that I did when I started on television." Also starring Ali Fazal and newcomer Sapna Pabbi, Khamoshiyan promises to provide plenty of chills, as it is an intense thriller.

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BOX OFFICE

Birdman (Now playing)

A fascinating movie in its own right about actors and their quirks, Birdman features a spectacular cinematography that elevates it further. Michael Keaton goes meta as Riggan, a performer who was once the star of a superhero franchise but whose popularity has faded dramatically. In an effort to prove himself a thespian and still relevant, Riggan spearheads a Broadway production that could make him or break him. The outcome soon becomes irrelevant as the protagonist’s many insecurities cause him to unravel. Even though the film covers several weeks in the life of the performer, it’s presented as if it was all one take, a virtuoso demonstration by cinematography wizard Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity).

It’s that time of the year again. awards Season. The only problem is the competition is wide open. where to start?

ften during awards’ season one hears the competition is tight. Most of the time, this is inaccurate: there are always two titles ahead of the pack (12 Years a Slave and Gravity; Argo and Silver Linings Playbook) and with luck, a dark horse in the vicinity.

This year, the cliché may just be true. The most traditional films are not as strong, opening the field to indies and more unusual propositions. These are the movies to catch up with ahead of the many, many award shows to come.

awards’ Season

CHEAT SHEET By Jorge Ignacio Castillio

Unbroken (Now Playing)

Angelina Jolie’s second film as a director is a considerably larger project than the little seen Bosnian drama she shot three years ago. Unbroken chronicles the life and times of Louis Zamperini, an American Olympic runner who during World War II crash landed in the Pacific and ended a prisoner of war in Japan. Zamperini endured brutal abuse at hands of his captors, but managed to outlast his torturers and overcome the severe PTSD that ensued following his time in detention. Outside a very young cast, Jolie surrounded herself with the best professionals for hire in Hollywood, like cinematographer Roger Deakins and the Coen Brothers, in charge of the script.

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The Imitation Game (Now Playing)

Mathematician Alan Turing cut short World War II by at least two years by breaking the German encoding system. By doing so, Turing saved millions of lives and kicked off the computer era. Yet, because of his homosexuality, Turing was chemically castrated and ended up killing himself. This fascinating biopic starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) is impeccably made, yet it’s a more conventional candidate in a year full of outside-the-box offers. This could prove counterproductive.

Photos: eone, Mongrel Media

Celebrating 30 Years!

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Whiplash (Out on DVD)

This indie favorite provided the most visceral experience you could have in a movie theatre in 2014. Whiplash follows a young drummer (Miles Teller) descent into hell as he is handpicked by a sadistic instructor (J.K. Simmons) to join his jazz orchestra. The abusive relationship would be average if it weren’t for the fact that the kid actually thrives under his teacher’s tutelage, while destroying every other relationship in his life. If there is a certainty in this awards season, it is that J.K. Simmons will be in the mix for Best Supporting Actor.

WITH YOUR DAILY DOSE OF BREAKING NEWS, LOCAL EVENTS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, MOVIE REVIEWS, HEALTH, FASHION, FITNESS & MUCH MORE..

Boyhood (Out on DVD)

The most unusual of the candidates is also one of the frontrunners. Shot over twelve years, Boyhood follows Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from ages 5 to 18. The gimmick is enriched by the surrounding characters and their impact in the boy’s life: The hardworking mother (Patricia Arquette), the absent father who gradually makes his way back into Ellar’s life (Ethan Hawke), the sister that endures the same experiences, but internalizes them differently. Since writer/director Richard Linklater (the Before series) is long overdue for an award, expect this name to come up often in ceremonies. (Out on DVD & Blu-Ray Jan 6th)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JORGe IGnACIO CASTILLO

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Jorge is a journalist and film critic with over 15 years of experience in publications across North America. Castillo is also a budding filmmaker with two shorts under his belt and a feature documentary in production. Member of the Vancouver Film Critics Circle since 2013.

Surrey’s Largest Furniture showroom

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INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS

GLOBAL

INDIANS

Q&a wiTH BHarGava What is your biggest professional achievement? I'd probably say my books… the really interesting thing I feel about books is that it gives you that chance to put something out there that is going to last a really, really long time, and hopefully outlast you. And even in our digital world, the act of having that physical book out there, it's really cool!"

i N T rO D U C i N G

ROHIT

BHARGAVA By Saira Hayre Currently, Bhargava delivers numerous keynote speeches every year, is a bestselling

Marketing Group, which has worked with many top companies such as American

to name a few. Besides these accomplishments, Bhargava also has teaching experience, and two years ago, he began teaching a masters level course on global marketing at Georgetown University.

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bout a year after graduating from college with an English degree, Rohit Bhargava began waiting tables in order to save up enough money to move to Australia. Today, he is a recognized and reputed professional within the marketing field, and known as an entrepreneur, best selling author, writer, speaker, advisor, and blogger. "I'd always loved writing and I was going to be a screen writer, or at least I thought I was. [Eventually] I realized that screen writing wasn’t for me, but I'd loved that idea of influencing people through stories. I'd studied advertising and marketing and it was really interesting for me,” he says. Following a move to the US, Bhargava joined a public relations agency which was associated with an ad agency. "It was kind of perfect timing because a couple of months after I started, we created a new digital and

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What was your biggest obstacle? I would say my biggest obstacle was when I decided a year after graduating college to move to Australia without a job or any sort of personal connections or friends living in the area. It was like starting over completely without any sort of support network and that took some time and dedication to make successful. It took me more than a year to really have a job I was happy with and a personal network of friends that helped me feel like I belonged there. Do you have advice for immigrants? I'm not sure I'm the best person to answer this one, as I feel like I'm a little in between the immigrant

social media group at the agency. That team grew over the following years into this huge, well-known team within the industry and along that same path, I started blogging, I started gaining an audience for myself, and I ended up meeting a book agent and getting a book deal.” Currently, Bhargava delivers numerous keynote speeches every year, is a bestselling author of five books, and is also the founder of the Influential Marketing Group, which has worked with many top companies such as American Express, MetLife, and Pfizer, to name a few. Besides these accomplishments, Bhargava also has teaching experience, and two years ago, he began teaching a masters level course on global marketing at Georgetown University. Reflecting on his accomplish-

experience and the first generation experience of being here in the US. I left India with my parents when I was one year old, so even though I was born outside the US, I still mostly grew up here. As a result I think my perspective is probably a little less of an immigrant than someone who came here when they were already an adult. Regardless, I think the main thing I have learned that has helped me immensely is to never underestimate the power of your network. And by network, I don't really mean the people I know, but rather the people who know me. There is no greater asset you can build than your own network of relationships. Indians around the world have to their immigrated countries, what do you think of this accomplishment? Like many Indians, I'm intensely proud of the culture I come from and all the ways that it has and continues to affect the world. I want to be part of that, and I associate with it ... but I also know it took me some time in my own life to become entirely comfortable with all the different parts of my own identity that crossed from being Indian to being American to being Australian. I've had three passports from three nations in my life, and I think it takes anyone time to uncover how they are going to define themselves outside of just their personality and also in relation to the places they have lived and where they feel they belong.

ments, there is no doubt that Bhargava has come a long way and chosen to take a path that, by his own admission, not many South Asians take. "Being in the DC area, one of the biggest things that I realize is that the vast majority of my [South Asian] friends are either doing something technology oriented, or they are doctors. For me, as a South Asian who’s chosen a more creative profession, like doing a career in advertising, doing an English major, and writing books, I feel an important responsibility to try to be a positive role model of the fact that that's a viable career choice.” In keeping with this sentiment of encouraging creatively inclined youngsters to pursue creative careers, Bhargava often participates as a speaker at South Asian events and events that are targeted towards youth entrepreneurship.

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By saira hayre

CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS

SHARE THEIR STORIES

Obstacles: Varun: After being self employed for more then

12 years and then working under someone, preparing myself mentally for that thing was the biggest obstacle.

Amandeep: I had always lived in a joint family,

and being younger in the family [I] never had to take so many responsibilities. But when moved here I had to act responsible. Initially I was scared if I can handle my family and am I capable of this as I was also pregnant at that time with our second daughter. But later I got confident that I can do it . Otherwise, by the grace of Almighty, I didn't find any obstacles.

Resolutions: Varun: I don't make resolutions; just have decided to live my life everyday to the most and to give my best to my family. Money is important in life but it's not everything, I want to earn money but not at the expense of my family life.

Amandeep: I haven't made any resolutions but

he Meet t

G CHU ily Fam

Varun Chugh is a sales representative at Save More Plumbing Amandeep Chugh is a homemaker Saachi & Saisha are 5 and 2 years old respectively

Varun Chugh never thought of settling abroad, but on the behest of one of his friends, he ended up applying for Canadian immigration in 2011. "One day a friend said 'lets apply for Canadian immigration. As the process takes about two to three years, if at that time we will be interested, we will move, otherwise leave it.' So just as an adventure, I thought of applying. I started collecting all the papers and submitted my file in December 2011, got an interview call in May 2012 and got my visa in June. At that time, I thought that if everything is happening so fast, there might be something good for me in it, so decided to move and landed [in Canada] on August 13, 2012," explains Varun. Upon their arrival, Varun along with his wife Amandeep and daughter Saachi, stayed with friends - and within a week, Varun secured a job with Mako Furniture where he worked for a short period before securing a job as a sales representative for a plumbing and lighting store called Save More Plumbing, where he is still employed. When asked about his first impressions of Canada, Varun, who ran his own business along with his brother back in India, admits that it initially took him some time to adjust to the Canadian lifestyle. JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Advice: Varun: In the end I would like to say something

Getting Here:

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decided that as my both daughters would start formal schooling, I would start doing some job and I want to enjoy my life with my family to the fullest. We are here for the better future of our kids, and for that I would invest my time on them with other required things.

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"My first experience was very strange. Moving to a place like Surrey after living whole life in a metro like Delhi, I felt that life has become [slow]. Delhi is 24/7 moving, and here, after 9, 10 pm it all becomes so quiet and sleepy. But now after living here for two years, I feel that people have to sleep early as life starts early here. Initially, I found so much difference in language that I didn't even understand the meaning of some [Punjabi] words, although I belong to a Punjabi family. I can read and write Punjabi, but the Punjabi spoken here is very different from Punjabi in Delhi," says Varun. Sharing her first impressions of Canada, Amandeep, who was born and brought up in Amritsar, Punjab mentions that she found everything to be clean, well maintained and systematic. Varun adds that he likes the country's friendly, safe and multicultural atmosphere. "[Canada is]naturally so beautiful and the people are so niceâ&#x20AC;Ś if you are walking down the road and some stranger passes you, even they smile at you and greet youâ&#x20AC;ŚIt is a great place for kids to grow as they grow in such a multicultural place."

to already settled immigrants here and that is to please help the new immigrants. They don't need support in monetary terms, that they can make ends meet even by working on basic salary. More than that they need your emotional support, in the same way that my friend supported me in that tough time.

Amandeep: I would advice new immigrants that

as you land here, first few months you take to get settled and adapt to the atmosphere. Just be patient, you will start loving everything here.

Memories: Varun: I miss India, and most of all, I miss my family and the food. I am a complete foodie. [I] miss everything from family get-togethers or going for breakfast or eating bread omelettes at 2 o'clock in the night from road side shops with friends. Amandeep: There are lots of memories of my

homeland. The place where you are born, bought up and spent so many years of life, you cannot forget that. My family is back there, I miss them, miss my friends and the street food I used to relish.

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