Darpan nov2014 full mag

DARPAN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER2014 2014

Dabangg Diva!

2013

Sonakshi

SinHa

Celebrating the

Extraordinaire

Holiday

Scandal & Sweeping Change

Gift guide!

This Year in Canadian Politics

10 Years of Publishing Excellence

Anuradha

Koirala

Fighting the Vile Trade of Human Trafficking DARPAN Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle 1 TM

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ARPAN 5th Annual Extraordinary Achievement Awards marked another occasion for the South Asian community to gather and recognize the talents in society. We are honoured to serve as a platform for the South Asian community in Canada to confer the Extraordinary Achievement Award to those that are remarkable in diverse fields and inspire generations to come with their efforts.

The year 2014 was marked by a range of personalities gracing the DARPAN Cover. From NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to UBC President Arvind Gupta, DARPAN has showcased personalities that are significantly contributing their expertise to various fields.

This issue showcases a personality that has vowed to end the vile trade of trafficking from Nepal. For the past two decades, Anuradha Koirala has been rescuing women and girls from trafficking along with empowering them through programmes at her organization Maiti Nepal.

Our Special Features bring into focus – 'What is a Small Business,' the key components to keep in mind before opening a small business. In tune with the holiday season is our holiday gift guide, giving you ideas on interesting gifts for this holiday season. Further, our features include – 'Matchmaking in Minutes,' which talks about how speed dating has become an attractive choice for meeting potential mates.

This issue DARPAN also dishes out 'Winter Fashion Trends for Men' giving tips for the best in men's fashion.

The Spotlight section showcases talent – Superwoman aka Lilly Singh, the young YouTube sensation who has bagged more than 4 million followers in a short time span; Karm Sumal and Manny Bahia, cofounders of Vancity Buzz, one of the most popular websites in Vancouver; and, Riaz Meghji, Breakfast Television co-host who recently hosted TEDx Vancouver.

We conclude this year by extending warm wishes for a prosperous new year on behalf of our team members. DARPAN will continue to provide substantial pieces not only to the South Asian community, but also to the Canadian society as a whole.

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DARPAN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER2014 2014

Dabangg Diva!

2013

Celebrating the

Extraordinaire

Scandal & Sweeping Change This Year in Canadian Politics

10 Years of Publishing Excellence

Sonakshi

SINHA

Holiday

Gift guide!

Koirala

Fighting the Vile Trade of Human Trafficking

4

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 PUBLISHERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Gurvinder S. Hundal Ramneek S. Dhillon EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Renu Singh-Joseph ONLINE EDITOR Sumesh Sharma FASHION EDITOR Kanika Sasan ASSISTANT EDITOR Tarana Rana ART DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Anuradha

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Gurvinder S. Hundal

Vinay Giridhar MANAGER, MARKETING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & SALES Junita Thakorlal

DARPAN

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Ashley Stephens Benjamin Yong Brandon Kostinuk Cassandra Anderton Catherine Bock Catherine Tse Garima Goswami Glen Konorowski Joseph A. Federico Jorge Ignacio Castillo Kavita Wadhwani Kelly Benson Mormei Zanke Nerissa Jawanda Paul Gill Renu Singh-Joseph Saira Hayre Tarana Rana

Ramneek S. Dhillon

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 ADVERTISING AND SALES Gurvinder S. Hundal Ramneek S. Dhillon PHOTOGRAPHY A Master Media (Payal Video) Amrit Photography Andrew Ling Surya Studio Mauricio Rivera Photography AAA Video JC Images Mahi Photo Studio Chandra Bodalia Sunny Images

COVER CREDITS Cover: Anuradha Koirala Photo:Aziz Ladha CONTACT Tel: 604-572-0199 Email: info@darpanmagazine.com 340-8140, 128 St. Surrey BC. V3W-1R1

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Reflecting The Columbia.

South-AsianOffer Lifestyle

CONTENTS

26 2014 NOV/DECEMBER

COVER

With over 25 years in the environmental industry, we are dedicated to provide the following real estate related environmental services: Stage I Preliminary Site Investigations Stage II Preliminary Site Investigations Detailed Site Investigations Remediation Risk & Impact Assessments Approved Consultants

IN EVERY ISSUE 08 READERS REACTION

134

ENTERTAINMENT 138 BOLLYWOOD

Movie Review & Preview

10 DARPAN'S 10

It's Prestige Picture Time

SPOTLIGHTS 12 Superwoman

LIFESTYLE

14 Riaz Meghji

80 FASHION PAGES

16 Karm Sumal &

88 HEALTH

Manny Bahia

Thyroid Gland: The Ups and Downs

48 SALUTES

132

92 FITNESS

BUSINESS PROFILES

Stay Active at your Workplace this Winter

An Elegant Touch, Lavanny Boutique, South Asian Women Against Violence Against Women, MD Financial, Fraser River Fishing Lodge & Resort

142 GLOBAL INDIANS

96 BEAUTY

Kamala Nair

Best Beauty Gifts this Holiday Season

144 HOROSCOPE

100 STYLE

November/December 2014

102 RECIPES

Canadian Immigrants Share Their Story

Maneet Chauhan's Culinary Fusion

108 TRAVEL

70

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Salt Spring Island

112 WINTER ACTIVITIES 5 Winter Activities to Try

114 HOME

Winter Home Decor

118 WEDDING

FEATURES 20 POLITICS

Sheetal and Allan

132 TECH

124

Gadget Trends

2014, The Year in Canadian Politics

34 SPECIAL FEATURE

Small Business: From Idea to Execution

40 SPECIAL FEATURE Holiday Gift Guide

52 SPECIAL FEATURE

Celebrating the Extraordinary- DARPAN's 5th Extraordinary Achievement Awards

70 SPORTS

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AUTO REVIEW 122 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Radim Vrbata

124 BMW 428i xDrive

78 FEATURE

126 Volkswagen JETTA TDI

Matchmaking in Minutes

6

96

Winter Fashion Trends for Men

146 MEET THE SETHI FAMILY

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STORY

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128 2014 Porsche Tour

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eaRdeaectrions’s We want to hear your thoughts about this issue! Email us at garima@ darpanmagazine.com or leave us a message on Facebook or Twitter.

Lisa Ray

I really loved reading the cover story on Lisa Ray. I only knew her as model and an actress in “Water”, so it was eye-opening to learn about all that she has accomplished and learn more about her personal life. Her story of how she battled cancer was very motivating! – Tanya Dhaliwal, Vancouver

Re : Lisa Ray

We’re glad you enjoyed the Cover story. We found her personal story extremely inspirational and her tireless work as a cancer advocate, truly commendable. We strive to showcase South Asians like her, whose life stories have a positive message for our readers! – Assistant Editor

Exclusives I’ve been reading DARPAN for years now and this is my favourite issue, hands down. The articles on Trevor Linden, Kareena Kapoor and Subreet Ghumman were phenomenal. Keep it up! – Nitesh Nanwani

Surrey’s New Mayor is…

Great job on the politics article, really nice to read such a current, in-depth piece on the Surrey elections.

It brought me up to date with what was going on. – Rahul Baldwa, Surrey

Re : And Surrey’s New Mayor is Thank you for your feedback. We always encourage our writers to pursue stories that are relevant, informative and interesting to read. Wally Hild, our political writer, did an excellent job; we think it’s one of his best pieces yet! – Assistant Editor

info@rajeevkainth.com

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Re: Exclusives:

DARPAN Recipes

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on DARPAN and we’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed this issue.

Thank you for your support!

Other readers looking to subscribe to DARPAN can visit our website at www. darpanmagazine.com or call us at 604 572 0199

Whenever I get a new copy of DARPAN Magazine I always flip ahead to get to the recipes! I’m a total foodie and your recipe section always gives me something new to try out! – Amy Saxena, Richmond

Re : DARPAN Recipes

That’s great to hear that you enjoy our recipe section.

We strive to feature unique recipes from celebrity chefs.

Be sure to visit our website at darpanmagazine.com for more recipes! – Assistant Editor

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Our engineers and designers built the all new 2015 Genesis by pushing the limits for superior performance and award winning safety. The exquisitely designed interior is crafted from the finest materials for a look and feel of sheer luxury, filled with an array of advanced technology.

Introducing the all-new 2015 Genesis.

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DARPAN

™The Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. For more information visitTM www.iihs.org NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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DARPAN'S 5 There are so many Indian immigrant experiences that go untold. Do you feel you have an ear for these kinds of stories?

In Canada we are all immigrants, so we are surrounded by so many different stories. Like professionals that come to this country and are not able to do what they are meant to, lawyers, doctors, engineers. I have always been fascinated by their struggle and the cross-cultural conflict.

We really tried to depict the immigrant pledge with respect and integrity and possibly leave them with hope. Based on the feedback I’ve received, we have been successful. I have sneaked into a lot of theatres and I’ve seen South Asians, Middle Easterns, Caucasians, and they are all enjoying it.

6 Do you read your reviews?

I do. I like to read my reviews because they provide perspective. I learn from them. We entered this business to be recognized and criticized. But the end of the day my obligation is to the public and, for the most part, audiences are very satisfied.

BY JORGE IGNACIO CASTILLIO

VINAY VIRMANI CANADIAN ACTOR/ PRODUCER / WRITER

C

anadian actor Vinay Virmani is building a career on his own terms. Instead of going from bit parts to bigger roles, Virmani has become a creative force with a hand in producing and writing in the films he stars in (Breakaway, Dr. Cabbie).

Graduated from York University, Vinay received further training at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

Besides having a driven personality, the actor has gone above and beyond to bring the immigrant experience to the big screen.

1 What did you learn from making Dr. Cabbie that you didn’t know before?

Dr. Cabbie was a big step for me because it was the first time I was producing a movie, besides acting and writing. I didn’t realize how crucial the role was or was aware of the amount of responsibility that comes with it. Being a producer is not a 9 to 5 job, but 24/7. You live, eat and breathe the film, from pre-production to packaging to distribution.

2 Considering both Breakaway and Dr. Cabbie were conceived by you, would it be accurate to say you’re forging your own career?

I’m open to read other people’s scripts. It just happened that these two stories connected with distributors, financers, studios and talent. I always

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DARPAN

have three or four ideas on the go and the movie business is such that you never know which one is going to be greenlit. In both Breakaway and Dr. Cabbie there was something endearing, heartwarming about them that attracted the right people.

3 Being also the writer of your movies, how attached are you to your scripts?

You can’t get too attached. You have to realize when you assemble a team, you are bringing in people that share your vision, but also elevate the project on their own. If my director chooses to shoot something differently, he is doing it with the best intentions. The director is the captain of the ship and at some point you have to let your baby go to him. There are so many lines in Dr. Cabbie that come from the actors thinking as their characters.

4 You and Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) have an immediate, easygoing chemistry. Is there a possibility you’ll work together again?

I’ll say this. Kunal and I hit it off like brothers instantly. It’s great to meet a fellow actor so encouraging. He wants you to do your best, he always has your back. There is no insecurity.

Nothing would make us happier than making another film together.

TM

7 Do you follow the independent movement in Indian cinema?

I’m a big supporter of the new wave. This is the best time for the Indian film industry. You have so many niches, so many genres, and big commercial actors that want to try new things. I’m a big fan of people like Anurag Kashyap and Bejoy Nambiar, with whom I made a movie in India called David.

8 What characteristics do you look for in a project to pursue it?

As an actor, I’m looking for a challenge, something I haven’t done and I can make my own. As a producer, I want to make movies that are funny –I’m a sucker for comedies, but I’m open to other genres.

9 What are you working on next?

I’m doing an epic, historical film based on the Komagata Maru incident of 1914. It’s a very tragic story that’s a big part of Canadian and Indian history. I’ve been researching for the last seven years, and now that is the 100-year anniversary I believe is the right time to get this project off the ground. It requires a lot of resources and talent, but it’s such an important immigrant story, I believe my generation needs to know about those 376 passengers and what they went through when they arrived to the BC shores.

10

What is the biggest misconception about you?

People may think creating or acting in these projects has been easy. They don’t realize that to make a movie and do it well it takes years of sacrifice and sleepless nights. Anybody in the movie business can tell you the process is full of tears, sweat and hard work. You compromise your personal life by working 16 hours a day on set, then in the lab and later promoting the movie to get people to buy into your vision. Having said that, it’s my dream and that’s what I’ll continue doing.

DARPAN

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A.K.A

Superwoman: The Internet Sensation Taking Flight On YouTube

By Mormei Zanke

I

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f you have spent any time on YouTube chances are you have heard of Lilly Singh AKA Superwoman, the well-known YouTube personality and comedian.

Lilly started making videos in 2010 as a way of cracking up herself and her friends, but since then her following has expanded to over 4 million subscribers and her videos have attracted more than 400 million views.

Superwoman’s videos are typically five to ten minutes long and poke fun at everyday problems from the perspective of a young South Asian woman living in Canada.

Recent videos have covered topics like, “Types of Texters,” “My Parents Reacting to Turn Down For What,” and a particular crowd favourite: “5 Stupid Selfies You Take.”

She starts every video with: “What up everyone it’s your girl Superwoman!” and then she’s got you hooked. It’s impossible to turn away from the cheerful persona talking 1000 words a minute, performing on your computer screen.

It really is a performance and Lilly is an incredibly good entertainer. Often her videos involve multiple characters (she plays her parents on more than one occasion), set changes and musical interludes.

It’s no wonder millions like and share her videos. She gets it. She understands what it’s like to live life day-to-day where the banality is often hilarity. She is able to say what everyone else

PHOTO: RICK MATHARU

DARPAN SPOTLIGHT is thinking in a way that is both accessible and funny: “My comedy is a very observational real take on things we all experience. I am big on making videos people can relate to. I like to make videos about things that happen in our everyday life: fighting with our parents, going to the movies, shopping in the mall.

Things that we all know happen, but with a comedic twist on them,” says Lilly.

She’s definitely got it down to a tee. She’s gotten so good at what she does, it’s no surprise that she’s started to break into the film industry. Recently, Lilly landed a cameo in the feature film Dr. Cabbie alongside Kunal Nayyar, known to most as 'Raj' from The Big Bang Theory.

“I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. I learned two things from my Dr. Cabbie experience; one was the experience of acting on a set because it’s very different from acting in my bedroom,” Lilly shares. “I learned so much about working in the industry. The second thing is that I met so many people. Kunal besides being a wonderful person also taught me so much about his life and his lessons have really helped me in the last year deal with issues I’ve had to face.”

Lilly speaks so openly about her life it’s interesting to compare her to her on-screen persona. There is no doubt Superwoman is just as honest but fans often forget Lilly isn’t Superwoman 24/7. She’s like Clark Kent in that sense; sometimes she needs to put on a pair of hip glasses and chill out with Lois Lane.

“Lilly and Superwoman are the exact same person.

The only exception is that Superwoman never gets upset and she’s never tired. She’s a performer and she’s always on, whereas Lilly even though she is the exact same person, gets upset sometimes and that Unicorn turns off. That comes as a huge shock to some of my viewers, especially younger ones when they see that I am not always really happy and I deal with real life problems. I believe in positivity but I’m human and sometimes I still get upset!” says Lilly.

YouTubers have lives beyond the camera and although this can be off putting, it is important to see the separation of these identities. Back to Clark Kent – could Superman really be unstoppable if he didn’t have to deal with his crappy newspaper job, or chase Lois Lane down for a date? It’s the tension between these two identities that makes Superman – and Superwoman – a success. She acknowledges the cruelty in the world and instead of complaining makes fun of it. “Comedy is the best way to communicate these things, it’s when people don’t feel attacked and hopefully can laugh at their own flaws and fix them.

It’s a balance between being true to myself and portraying good messages.”

Lilly is a role model for many young girls. When asked if she had any advice for them she had this to say: “To all people growing up, everything seems like it’s the biggest deal in the world. It is not. Whatever you are experiencing right now can be solved by time, nothing is the end all. Really remember that.”

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT I hope people will remember me as the guy that reminded them that a conversation can change a great deal. I hope people continue to see the value of a conservation and go out there and step out of their comfort zone and have conversations that will challenge their own personal barriers

R

RiAZ IN CONVERSATION WITH

Meghji 14

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By Mormei Zanke

DARPAN

TM

iaz Meghji knows how to talk. More importantly, he knows how to talk to you. As Vancouver’s longtime Breakfast Television co-host and creator of EveryConversationCounts.com, the ability to communicate to an audience is essential in his life.

Before breaking out into broadcasting, Meghji graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Finance. From there he went on to work in radio interning at places like MTV Canada, Much Music, and was even a summer sticker spotter for Z.95 FM. It was through radio he built his skills as a broadcaster and found his passion for storytelling. Since then, Meghji moved on to work at CTV News and Sun TV before finally finding a more permanent home at Breakfast Television with his co-host Jody Vance. Through years of hard work and finding his footing in the industry, Meghji has become a skilled broadcaster in Canadian television and is renowned for his charm and ability to navigate conversations with ease.

“I’ve always been a fan of the visual medium. Radio creates intimacy and can get much deeper with an interview, but with TV there are so many different elements involved that change those dynamics. I think I always thought I liked being in front of an audience from a more visual format.

Radio was never the final destination for me,” he shares.

Meghji is a very visual storyteller. You can see by his interviews and the way he presents himself on television that he loves to perform.

He explains that this passion for performance has been present ever since his days in high school and university.

In high school, he would emcee events and act in theatre, but it wasn’t until later, he realized that perhaps this passion could actually shape his career.

“I did get the sense in the last couple of years in university there was something very fulfilling from the presentation aspect of the content. Whether it was presenting a business plan or facilitating at a conference, there were creative juices that were flowing.”

In fact, it was at one of these conferences Meghji was facilitating that he had a conversation that changed his entire perspective. At a conference in Quebec, one of the co-chairs sat in on some of his sessions and saw Meghji engage with the audience. Afterwards he sat down with Meghji and talked to him about his career.

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“He really challenged me on the merits of following the traditional path of becoming an investment broker. To me that was the path: go to university, do the Canadian securities course, get your degree, go be an investment broker and make your money.

But in that conversation he said to me, ‘go into the entertainment world or broadcasting and try something different.’ He really laid it down and challenged me. His observation led to a transformation. It led me to believe that maybe it could happen,” says Meghji, who accredits this very conversation to being the turning point in his career.

It is because of this moment we have Riaz Meghji waking us up each morning and giving us our daily dose of news.

Meghji was so inspired by this he took it one step further. Recently he launched the web series, Every Conversation Counts where he asks famous figures which conversation in their life changed the trajectory of their career. So far he has interviewed people like Rick Hansen and Trevor Linden, all who have amazing stories about a moment of realization that changed the entire game for them.

“It’s interesting when you ask the question to allow people to reflect about a moment, because everyone has got a story. These people have the same challenges that we go through and it’s interesting to see how they overcome these challenges. Everyone has a conversation in their lives,” says Meghji. “I look forward to each and everyone because you hear something different and I hope people can connect with it.

That’s the reward, that’s why this was created: to help people.”

At the end of the day that’s what Riaz aspires to do. He focuses on the idea, the message he wants to share with people. For anybody aspiring to be a broadcaster or journalist he has some simple advice: “What do you want to do? What is the message you want to share? You have to take an angle on the subject in front of you. It’s about clarifying what platform represents you and how you can use that platform to engage an audience.”

Meghji speaks like a broadcasting sensei, probably because he is. With his background and ability to influence the number of people he can with merely his words, it’s no surprise that people love to listen to him.

“I hope people will remember me as the guy that reminded them that a conversation can change a great deal. I hope people continue to see the value of a conservation and go out there and step out of their comfort zone and have conversations that will challenge their own personal barriers.”

Mormei Zanke is a freelance writer in Vancouver.

She also studies English and Biology at the University of British Columbia. She is fascinated by the art of storytelling in all mediums, and is excited to continue creating rewarding work.

PHOTO: Riaz MegHji

DARPAN SPOTLIGHT

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KARM SUMAL AND MANNY BAHIA ARE THE FOUNDERS OF VANCITY BUZZ, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR WEBSITES IN VANCOUVER, BC

K

arm Sumal and Manny Bahia are the two entrepreneurs behind the hugely successful website Vancity Buzz, which keeps Vancouverites up to date on everything going on in their city. From covering news and events to everything in between, Vancity Buzz provides a broad range of content.

These childhood friends both graduated from Simon Fraser University—Sumal in accounting, and Bahia in business. Although these academic backgrounds aren’t usually associated with working in digital media, they have been able to

cultivate their website through the passion they have for their work.

The website originally began as a hobby and over the years, it had gradually grown into what it is today.

But how exactly does a hobby become one of the most-visited websites in Vancouver? Sumal sums up Vancity Buzz’s success in three simple ways, “passion, consistency and compelling content.”

In the early years when things were slow, and in the process of developing, they say that they did not get discouraged or lose hope. They always believed— even when others didn’t. Bahia explains that they faced their share of disbelievers, “People I knew back then were like ‘what the heck are you going to do with a blog?’” He also recalls how blogs and other websites, at the time, said that Vancity Buzz would only last a couple months. However, six years later, Vancity Buzz is still here, and it is at the forefront of digital media in Vancouver. Sumal and Bahia explain that the negative comments did not get them down.

Instead of worrying about what others were saying, they focused on themselves and their content.

They reminisce that one of the early moments where they gained noticeable popularity was during the 2010 Olympics. Bahia explains, with a laugh, that despite the fact that they didn’t have a media background, and that they were unsure about how to get access into certain events and venues, that they did the best they could with “not being allowed to go anywhere.”

He goes on to say that they worked tirelessly during this period, pulling all nighters, having early mornings and writing as many guides as they could.

Fortunately, this all paid off, “We heard

da

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from so many people that they loved it so much and our traffic really spiked… we saw people really liking our content so we just kept it going.”

Now that they have developed their company and learned so much along the way, they have some great advice for entrepreneurs and those wishing to enter the digital media field. Sumal suggests to “find something you’re passionate about and make that your career if you can… give it your best shot, do whatever you have to... and even if doesn’t happen, you tried, you gave it a good effort, and you won’t have regrets and what ifs.”

He says that it is important to keep in mind that it’s not going to come easy— “there’re going to be people that want to attack you, there’s going to be a lot of people telling you that you can’t do it… you really have to pour everything into it if you want to be successful in business, you have to love what you’re doing.” His tip is to surround yourself with supportive people, “I was lucky, my wife, even when she didn’t like it, still supported it, she never once told me to not do it.”

Bahia’s advice is to “find something you’re very passionate about, work hard, work smart and be consistent and patient.” He says that patience is the biggest thing that he has learned at Vancity Buzz and he also points out that it is okay to fail. “We failed a lot, we tried so many different things… we never would have known if we would end up successful or not if we didn’t try,” Bahia says.

One wonders at how two childhood friends are able to work alongside each other in the way that Sumal and Bahia do. Some of the positive aspects they mention about working with a close friend is the fact that they know each other well and are aware of what the other is sensitive of.

On the other hand, they admit that mixing work with friendship isn’t always a good idea and that keeping those two areas of life separate is often advisable. But at the end of the day, both strongly believe that if you have the same goal in mind, you can make it work.

Throughout our conversation, Sumal and Bahia continuously emphasize Vancity Buzz as family, and describe everyone as passionate, on the same page, and working toward the same goal for the company. With this type of company culture that they have fostered, it is clear to see how Vancity Buzz has risen to the top of the digital media landscape and has been able to stay there.

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2014 DARPAN POLITICS

The Year in

Canadian Politics Year in politics mired in senate scandal,temporarY Foreign Worker program and Wide legislative changes set the scope For canada’s 42nd general Federal election provisionallY set For next Fall

Scandal, labOuR & SweepIng change

By Brandon Kostinuk

T

im Schouls, political studies instructor at Capilano University put it blunt when he said, “In the general sense, the Conservatives are in a bit of trouble,” citing a number of areas, most especially the Senate scandal, which choked up national headlines back in 2012 when the entire situation unraveled at the behest of the work of auditor general, Michael Ferguson.

Further crowding the federal agenda was the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and, most recently, the tabling of the Conservatives’ fourth omnibus bill in just three years.

But another election nonetheless looms and with shifting dynamics.

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SenaTe expenSe Scandal Auditor General Ferguson uncovered a substantial controversy in the fall of 2012 when he revealed Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau made inaccurate claims of travel and living expenses. Brazeau was just the initial tug on the yarn.

Upon further examination, the problem worsened as additional senators on both TM

sides of the aisle were revealed to have made similarly false expense claims, and would thus be formally charged by the RCMP. The list would include then-Liberal Senators Mac Harb and Pamela Wallin as well as Conservative Senator Mike Duffy.

The latter implication further embroiled the Prime Minister in scandal as claims surfaced that Nigel Wright, the Prime Minister’s then chief-of-staff, cut Duffy a

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DARPAN POLITICS “moratorium” and walking away.

As a result, the federal government reported a 75 per cent reduction in the number of applicants received for temporary foreign workers this past July and August, compared to the same period in 2012.

That ban was lifted last September, though the TFWP reforms remain and to the chagrin of the NDP.

OmnIbuS budgeT bIll nO. 4 The Conservatives have demonstrated their knack for making sweeping legislative changes via omnibus bills, and in 2014, Canadians witnessed nothing different. $90,000 personal cheque to cover the public funds Duffy was to pay back. The crux of the

two omnibus bills, the latest occurring just on the backdrop of two shocking attacks.

The Conservative government initially tabled their third omnibus bill back in March, listed as another budget implementation bill that made changes to rail safety rules, Trademarks Act and taxes for hospital parking, just to name a select few.

The latest omnibus bill, bill C-43, includes legislation that ranges from the restriction of refugee access to social assistance to expanding the nation’s DNA database from the current two indices, to include family members of missing persons.

And this just grazes the surface of bill that appeared so quickly many political scientists spoken to didn’t even know of it, or could recall that their was indeed a fourth omnibus bill.

much Harper knew. record to say he knew nothing about the transaction and that if he had known, he would have advised against it.

“From the beginning, my position has been clear,” the Prime Minister said in the House in June of last year, “any inappropriate expenses should be refunded to taxpayers by the senators concerned.”

The following month, in Calgary, the Prime Minister reiterated: “The decision to pay money to Mr. Duffy out of Mr. Wright’s personal funds was made solely by Mr. Wright

allowed this to take place.”

Currently, the RCMP has charged all senators, excluding Wallin Duffy currently faces 31 charges, which includes fraud, breach of trust and bribery.

Further exacerbating the situation for Harper, outside his close proximity to the incident, is that three of four entangled in the snafu are his appointees and that Duffy’s trial, set for spring, is to last through June of next year.

TempORaRY FOReIgn wORkeRS Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has seen its hiccups over the past few years, but this year, when a Victoriabased McDonalds chain was found to favour temporary workers over Canadian employ-

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handy 160-plus House majority, were able to push through bills C-38 and C-45, which, collectively, stood at 863 pages, and amended over 70 laws.

ees, just after the Royal Bank of Canada TFWP debacle in 2013, the program came reform of the program last April.

Essentially, the overt changes made were generally arranged in order to limit the scope for those employers using temporary foreign workers in low-skill sectors, most especially in the gaps where unemployment are highest. by employment Minister Jason Kenney, was the banning of the restaurant industry from use of the program, calling it a TM

In OppOSITIOn party leader Mulcair has played the parts of social democrat since assuming his duty in 2012.

Having no Senators in the Red Chamber, the expense scandal was (and remains) an opportune moment to strike at the Conservative heart and moral compass of the Prime Minister. To any Question Period spectator, it was evident; Mulcair was a relentless hound on the back of the 55-year-

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DARPAN POLITICS

TOwaRd 2015 The economy ought to remain a top issue in 2015 and is the Conservatives’ strongest appeal, says Schouls.

Canada, the world’s fourteenth largest economy by purchasing power parity (PPP), relatively well in relation to other markets, especially throughout Europe, this the Conservatives will try to hang their hat on again just as oil prices continue to drop. regional economic inequalities in Canada and policies like income-splitting, Flaherty shifted away from, stating at one

old Prime Minister, harping on alleged facts and questions surrounding the Harper’s knowledge and involvement. Even in recent Question Periods, the subject of the expense scandal is raised so as not to drown the issue.

But the issue is now before the courts.

announced today to the Temporary Foreign it and show the depth of the Conservatives` incompetence.”

Jinny Sims (Newton – North Delta MP), NDP critic for employment and social development, argued that, “their changes aren’t actually or protecting temporary foreign workers from abuse.”

Most steadfast opposition, however, has arrived via criticism of the government’s omnibus bills, the latest one included.

Called a “kitchen-sink bill,” the NDP, aside from raising ire over the use of such sweeping bills, especially singled out the Conservative attack on the cuts to social assistance refugees in Canada could access.

PHOTO: Canadian Press

Fortress Canada approach to refugees to the nth degree,” New Democrat MP Craig Scott was quoted by Canadian Press as saying. among perhaps other items.

The use of omnibus bills, Scott added, was precisely to avoid the kind of scrutiny such controversial proposals like the aforementioned refugee social assistance cuts.

Canadian politics instructor, Dr. Stephen Phillips, explained that omnibus bills do have a place in Canadian Parliament, but purely as a housekeeping measure.

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When there are a series of amendments, perhaps statute name changes, which may affect a number of items concurrently, an omnibus bill can be utilized to clean up all affected legislative areas, in one fell

160-plus House majority, were able to push through bills C-38 and C-45, which, collectively, stood at 863 pages, and amended over 70 laws.

elecTIOn On The hORIzOn The

Canadian

federal

election

is

and it will be historic. After the Conservative government tabled Bill C-20 to expand the House of Commons by 30 seats (338 in six for Alberta and British Columbia, and three for Quebec, a new dynamic will exist and perhaps in favour of the governing party.

Schouls says that, “The reallocation of Conservatives more than the others.”

This he bases on the voting data and general spectrum of voters that exist near or in these additional electoral boundaries.

However, Schouls cautions, the Tories have been in power since January 2006.

The natural election cycle — or “freshness” indicator — of a party, is nine years.

After the cycle, Schouls says, voters often look for something different, they look for change.

TM

our society,” could indeed displace the Conservative position with middle class voters. unfair tax break for the well off . . . and for traditional families.”

Though the Liberals have yet to unveil their platform for the 2015 election, the emergence of Trudeau, Liberals hope, will help the party catapult its way out of the lower depths of the House.

An apparent middle class advocate, Trudeau’s strong position against the aforementioned income-splitting a clear example of this, plus his appeal to younger voters and women, may be the political resurgence the Grits need after falling 43 seats short of their previous mark in 2008.

ahead of the pack at 33.4 per cent. The Conservatives trail in second at 27.8, and the NDP at 21.4.

Thus with the NDP hoping to retain and build on their 58-seat (of 75) stranglehold in Quebec, the pandering begins, hence the $5 billion federal handout both NDP and Liberals are pushing in favour of to help build a new multi-lane bridge across the St. Lawrence River. $15 a day national childcare program, a (symbolic) $15 federal minimum wage and an environment rights bill, the party terms a “landmark” bill to enshrine environmental rights for Canadians, hope they can improve upon 2011.

Regardless, Canada’s 42nd Parliament looms before us, as does our inevitable future in true North.

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Â

STORY

I would like Maiti Nepal to be closed. to see any the world so what is the need of Maiti Nepal. No No Maiti Nepal."

Anuradha

Koirala

Fighting the Vile Trade of Human Trafficking 26

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By Garima Goswami Over 1,200 individuals convicted in a period of 12 years and more than 25,000 females rescued from Nepal and India by Maiti Nepal, a non-governmental organization started by Anuradha Koirala, a social activist who has dedicated

N

ow in its modern state, human trafficking has grown to become a $32 billion industry. It is claimed that on average pimps earn approximately $67,200 from every single girl trafficked in an industry that has over 20.9 million victims worldwide, as of 2013.

Amongst the major categories of trafficking - forced labour, trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation and organ trafficking - trafficking of women for sexual exploitation stands out as the dominant one, constituting approx. 80% of the entire trafficking business followed by labour exploitation at 19 per cent.

International Labour Organization estimates that women and girls represent the largest share of forced labour victims with 11.4 million victims, whereas men comprise of 9.5 million.

Let us gear our attention towards a different set of numbers now. The country is Nepal and the city is Kathmandu. Over 1,200 individuals convicted in a period of 12 years and more than 25,000 females rescued from Nepal and India by Maiti Nepal,

On the extensive grounds of Pashupatinath, Koirala would notice women begging with their children. "They (women) were healthy. Slowly I started talking to them and got to know that they were survivors of one [kind of] violence or the other." ~ Anuradha Koirala Founder, Maiti Nepal a non-governmental organization founded by Anuradha Koirala, a social activist who has dedicated her life towards the rescue and rehabilitation of survivors of human trafficking.

A series of events in Koirala's life led to the conceptualization of Maiti Nepal. Hailing from Kathmandu, this activist dreamed of pursuing a

career as a teacher and rightly so, after completing her academic education in India, Koirala progressed to profess her career as an English teacher for over 20 years.

It was in 1990 when Nepal had acquired democracy, Koirala recalls how every morning she would visit the famous Hindu temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. On the extensive grounds of Pashupatinath, Koirala would notice women begging with their children. "They (women) were healthy. Slowly I started talking to them and got to know that they were survivors of one [kind of ] violence or the other."

"I asked them if they wanted to work and they said 'who will give us work.'" In coherence with the age old thinking of treating women afflicted with plights of domestic violence and sexual exploitation as pariahs, these women were left to fend for themselves on the streets, some with their children. "So I asked them that if I give you [a] job will you work and they said 'of course we will work.'"

At this point in her life, Koirala, though not legally separate, was

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When a girl is rescued, her identify the criminal.

living away from her husband. With a monthly salary of only Rupees 7000 ($80 CDN), Koirala had taken charge of not only providing a livelihood to eight women, but was also responsible for the education and nurturing of her son who was very young.

She provided these eight women with small shops on the streets where they sold items such as candies and matchsticks. While further delineating the inception of Maiti Nepal, Koirala says, that she started talking to these women about the dangers of trafficking, and one day they

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approached her saying “you (Koirala) talk about trafficking and we fear that our girls might be sexually exploited or trafficked by men.”

Consequently, Koirala rented a twobedroom house, where she shifted with her seven-year-old son and ten girls. “I used to sleep in the corridor with the children. Some children were in the room and some in the corridor on the floor.” To render her time towards the safety of the young girls, along with providing the women with a stable livelihood, Koirala gave up her full-time position as a teacher and within a year and a half, she was broke. “I used all the money I had and sold all the jewellery I had,” Koirala recalls, while humbly adding that “the people around the community were really nice. They used to give me loans in shops. The landlord would still consider me without me paying rent for 2-3 months.”

Eventually, an individual from UNICEF (United Nations International Children Emergency Fund) learnt about Koirala and asked her to register Maiti Nepal with the governTM

ment so he could support her cause and initiative. After registering the organization the individual from UNICEF asked her how she wanted him to assist her. “I told him very clearly that the first thing I would like to do is [spread] awareness in the villages.”

The newly conceived democracy was stirring debates on issues that were earlier hushed in social milieus; trafficking being one of them.

Intellectuals from various fields including law, media, administration, and medicine were seen contesting views and regulating rules in this direction but were clearly detached from the ground reality.

“I told him that I would like to take a whole bunch of people and go to villages. Earlier there were only seven districts that were very problematic.

So I said that I want to go to all these districts with lawyers, doctors, students, judges and journalists. I wanted them not to talk hypothetically in the cities, [after] hearing other people. I wanted them to see the facts.

That is how I started and when I did

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awareness, everyone came to know about Maiti Nepal,” Koirala explains.

The initial steps in the institutionalization of Maiti Nepal were emotionally tough for Koirala. The extensive involvement of her time with the girls resulted in Koirala losing her son to drug addiction at the age of nine. “I got him back and looked after him when I had no time to look after him. Till today I have no time to look after him. My responsibility is more towards Maiti Nepal then my son.”

All throughout the existence of Maiti Nepal, Koirala has stayed exposed to the terrible dangers that take refuge in this billion dollar market. I ask Koirala about the dangers she encounters, and with a fearless persona, she replies “Danger is always there. But if you feel there is danger and you don’t work then who will work. Someone has to do the work.”

She elaborates saying “So they (convicts) phone from jail and threaten us that 'we know where you are, where your son is, what your daughter is doing, where they are educated and we can do anything' and I say, 'ok try your luck.'”

Despite the dangers, Koirala has manoeuvred the functionality of Maiti Nepal to not only survive, but in fact grow and benefit victims beyond Kathmandu. There are currently 11 transit homes, five rehabilitation/ reintegration programmes, two child rights programmes, a legal assistance team for survivors, and several other

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The extensive involvement of her time with the girls resulted in Koirala losing her son to drug addiction at the age of nine. “I got him back and looked after him when I had no time to look after him. Till today I have no time to look after him. My responsibility is more towards Maiti Nepal then my son.” says Koirala projects incorporated for the rehabilitation of those affected by trafficking.

When a girl is rescued, the first step is to have her identify the criminal. While Maiti Nepal assists in fighting the legal battle, survivors are given accommodation in shelter homes and during this period they are instilled with vocational training.

“We cannot send the girls back home during this period because the case can become hostile anytime. They (convicts) [can] say ‘withdraw the case, we will give you money, build a house for your parents' and if the girl does that, the case becomes hostile.” The shelter homes provide training, informal education, medical assistance, empowerment programmes, counselling and antiretroviral therapy (ART) to women and children infected by HIV. Traffickers lure girls from Nepal, with promises of better jobs, but instead escort them to brothels, across the country and beyond, India being the major destination.

A team at Maiti Nepal works with border guards to scrutinize suspicious activities.

Koirala’s crusade in rescuing women and girls from the various trades of trafficking has been honoured with several national and international awards including – the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience award in 2006 for her work to “rescue, rehabilitate, and support some of the thousands of girls and women who have been trafficked from Nepal to India to be sexual slaves in brothels,”; the German UNIFEM award for her humanitarianism; CNN Hero of year Award for “protecting the powerless” in many years of her human service in

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2010; and the International Sensation award at DARPAN’s Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2014.

Due to the continuous struggle of Koirala, including individuals and organizations associated with the cause, the Government of Nepal recognized September 5th as Anti-Trafficking Day. She was also appointed as a state minister because of her selfless dedication to social work and contribution towards the issues of children and women.

Starting from a small house, this activist has taken Maiti Nepal and the cause across national borders. Koirala has not allowed the perils of this heinous industry to pull her away from her commitment to rescue the victims shoved into the horrors of its vicious cycle. Responding to my question about how she sees the future of Maiti Nepal, Koirala says, “I would like Maiti Nepal to be closed. I don’t want to see any trafficking in the world so what is the need of Maiti Nepal. No trafficking, No Maiti Nepal.”

Her efforts clearly illustrate that you do not need an army to rescue or change someone’s life, all that is required is strong will-power. “I have been fighting for 21 years and it (trafficking) is still there. It may take time but there will come a day when there is no Maiti Nepal, and women and children of this region (Nepal) will be free of sexual exploitation.” *Statistics noted have been taken from Havocscope.com and Dosomething.org

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humanist, I ask myself how do such incidents take place and what can we do to stop these grotesque human rights violations? What is the response of the community, police, medical and political community? What can we do to evoke change?” Mangat says.

Along with her extensive research, Mangat has recently launched an awareness campaign called the South Asian Women Against Violence Against Women (SAWAVAW), in hopes to put pressure on the Indian government’s stance on women. “I have been researching this topic for the last 14 months and it is also the topic of my PhD. I found that many politicians in India have made ridiculous statements,” states Mangat. “Such as PM Narinder Modi’s statement: ‘Does it suit us to make comments on such incidents, can we not be quiet?’”

This led Mangat to reach out to a group of individuals in Canada and the UK, and with their help, she created images which depict violence against women. They portray women from Nepal who are trafficked into India, Dalit women who have high rates of violence, simply because of their caste, as well as middle and upper class Hindu women. “What we are doing is taking a spin off political statements [such as Modi’s] and through images we are countering their statements.” Mangat adds that her photographer, Rupa Nagamootoo, played a pivotal role in making all this possible. “Our global community needs more talented and independent women, such as Rupa, to support one another,” she says.

On December 5th, 2014, Mangat will host an event at Crown Palace in Surrey, BC. This black-tie event aims to increase awareness of feminism by depicting the

SILENCE

positivity of women and women's rights through a panel discuss of high-profile community activists, a fashion show, dinner and dance. All the proceeds will go towards further research in Sexual Violence against Women in India. For further information, visit www.sawavaw.com.

“We can share in breaking the silence and facilitating change,” says Mangat. “Together we hope to reach the global community and raise awareness of domestic violence, sexual violence and rape against South Asian

addressed,” says Mangat, who plans to expand her

the world with the gang rape of Jyoti Singh

research into sexual violence against South Asian

Pandey on December 16, 2012. However, many

women as a PhD candidate in 2014. “My focus on

fail to see that sexual violence is not a new issue

the South Asian community comes from a deep

in India, nor globally, and many cases before

rooted passion to raise awareness within my own

and since the Pandey case have been ignored.

community and globally as a Sikh woman.”

BA, MA, PhD Candidate

Important questions that need to be asked and

Through her research, Mangat hopes to further

answered are why now? Why has the Jyoti Singh

understand the various dynamics that affect

Pandey case received so much attention?

the individual experience of abused women.

These are the type of questions Sunny Mangat

“My research stems from an intersectionality

hopes to address. After completing her BA in

framework,” she says, and goes to explain that

Psychology from Simon Fraser University, Mangat

women are shaped by multi-faceted components

moved to London, UK in pursuit of her passion;

such as religion, caste, class, geography and age.

further studies in Human Rights activism. She

According

to

Mangat,

the

interactions

of

recently completed her Master’s degree from City

these dimensions occur within systematic and

University, London in International Politics & Human

institutional powers such as the state, government,

Rights, with a focus on sexual violence against

media, and the political, medical or judiciary realm.

South Asian woman in India.

Within these systems, various forms of privilege

“Violence against women is not restricted to the South Asian community, nor is it restricted

and oppression occur which often create sexism, racism, colonialism and patriarchy.

women in India and around the world.”

TM NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014 32 to India.

This The is aSouth-Asian global issue thatDARPAN needs to be “As a feminist, activist but most importantly, as a Reflecting Lifestyle

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by ashley stephens

SMALL BUSINESS From Idea to Execution

D

efinitions of a small business can differ depending on location and industry but one is characterized by the number of employees within a privately owned company. Businesses can also be classified according to annual sales or shipments, annual gross or net revenue, assets or net profits.

According to Industry Canada, a small business has between 1 and 99 paid employees. “B.C. businesses with fewer than 50 employees or less than $5 million in annual revenues are considered to be small business,� explains Mark Eversfield, market research analyst at Small Business BC. Grants, tax credits, and certain regulations make defining a business by size or classification an

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From 'idea' to 'open' and the research in between

TM

essential detail for both administrative and legal purposes.

As of December 2012, small businesses accounted for 98.2% of employer businesses in Canada. While often considered to be the backbone of Canada's economy, small businesses are not typically the leader in their industry.

Whether it's been a lifelong dream or an overnight idea, starting your small business isn't as easy as having something to sell or saying you're open. A substantial amount of research will help ensure your concept will stand up against the competition, attract investors and customers and adhere to the many regulations that govern businesses in British Columbia and in Canada.

SPECIAL FEATURE

ideas and eXecUtion A good idea doesn't always make for a great business. According to Canada Business, there are several important questions to ask when evaluating your idea and how viable it is as a business. t *T ZPVS CVTJOFTT JEFB VOJRVF t 8JMM QFPQMF QBZ GPS ZPVS QSPEVDU PS TFSWJDF t 8IP JT ZPVS DPNQFUJUJPO t )PX XJMM ZPV NBOVGBDUVSF PS EJTUSJCVUF ZPVS product or service? t )PX XJMM ZPV QSPNPUF ZPVS CVTJOFTT t 8IBU SFTPVSDFT EP ZPV IBWF BOE XIBU SFTPVSDFT do you need? t "SF UIFSF BOZ SFHVMBUJPOT UIBU NBZ QSFWFOU ZPV from operating?

“Do some market research for a viability decision,” suggests Eversfield. “Research your target customer, competition, and a SWOT [Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats] on the industry.”

Once you've determined that your idea is feasible and your business has the potential to be profitable, it is essential to begin with a business plan. A business plan formally establishes your goals, evaluates if they are achievable and examines how they can be achieved.

a good idea doesn't always make for a great business. according to canada business, there are several important questions to ask when evaluating your idea and how viable it is as a business.

A necessary step no matter the size or scope of your company, a business plan helps to identify weaknesses, establishes realistic timelines, details financing and legal needs and analyzes the market, the industry and the competition. By completing this step before opening your doors, you can save yourself many challenges and changes in the future and prove to any potential partners, investors or creditors that you are serious about your business and how it will operate.

Your business plan should include detailed information for the following sections: t &YFDVUJWF 4VNNBSZ t $PNQBOZ 1SPëMF t 1SPEVDUT BOE 4FSWJDFT t *OEVTUSZ 0WFSWJFX

t .BSLFU BOE $PNQFUJUPS "OBMZTJT t 4BMFT BOE .BSLFUJOH 4USBUFHZ t 0QFSBUJPOT 1MBO t 'JOBODJBM 1MBO With a unique idea and an established action plan, you are providing your business the platform it needs to stand strong during a potentially challenging start up phase and long into the future.

the FinanciaL side While there are several sources of funds available to a small business owner, determining how much is available, how much is required to break even (when your expenses equal your revenue) and where it will come from is an important step

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SPECIAL FEATURE banks look at everything

of the start up process. Underestimating the amount of money required to start and run a business is one of the most common reasons that businesses fail, making financial planning an essential aspect of a business plan despite how daunting or complex the process may be.

Most potential business owners will first look for funding, beyond their own personal savings, from close friends and family. These types of loans or investments usually don't require formal justification and are not secured by a company or individual's assets but do have to abide by provincial rules regarding investor funds.

While difficult to acquire, grants are an extremely valuable source of funding as the money awarded is not required to be paid back.

There are only a handful of government grants available for small businesses, most of which are specifically geared towards certain industries or demographics, making them highly sought after and hard to obtain. If your company doesn't qualify for the few grants available, the federal and provincial governments offer a wide variety of

from a risk standpoint,” an owner cover their risk?” ensuring you have thoroughly considered and not underestimated your costs and cash positive position to be approved for a loan. other funding options including loans, tax credits and collaborations created with the small business owner in mind.

Canada Business and Small Business BC both provide extensive lists of all government funding available detailing who is eligible and what is

required to apply.

Funding from financial institutions is the second most common form of financing, behind personal savings, but doesn't come easily.

“It's very difficult to finance a start up business,” explains Bob Duffield, vice president and branch manager at Canadian Western Bank. “There is no history of cash, there is no history of profit.

KEEP IN MIND: is your business idea unique? will people pay for your product or service? who is your competition? how will you manufacture or distribute your product or service? how will you promote your business? what resources do you have and what resources do you need? are there any regulations that may prevent you from operating?

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SPECIAL FEATURE

You have to have a business plan, you have to have cash flow projections, you have to have a feasibility study. You've got to prove to yourself but also to whoever you're talking to, that your venture is going to work.”

This may mean having 50% of your necessary funds already secured before even approaching the bank for a loan, says Duffield.

Lenders will be looking closely at you and your business, hoping to see several key indicators, before they decide to invest or not. “Banks look at everything from a risk standpoint,” says Duffield. “How does an owner cover their risk?” Ensuring you have thoroughly considered and not underestimated your costs and cash flow puts you in a more positive position to be approved for a loan.

“Keep your costs down as much as possible,” Duffield advises. “It may take 1, 2, or 5 years before you're cash flow positive and you have to be able to cover those costs.”

the LeGaL side While there are not many legal steps to be taken for a start up company, small business owners must understand the regulations that govern business in the province and across the country and adhere to any rules that may apply.

There are several ways to structure your

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becoming a small business owner requires an abundance of educated decisions.

You might need to open a business bank account, consider your insurance needs, develop a website and social media strategy, or hire and train emphasizes, the best thing you can do for your business is research – and research some more.

TM

business depending on your needs and who else is involved in your company. sole proprietorship – a business owned and operated by one individual in which there is no legal designation between the owner and the business.

The individual assumes responsibility for all debts and obligations but receives all profits and makes all decisions. partnership – two or more individuals with the common goal of making a profit through a business they operate together. Profits and liabilities are shared between partners according to agreed upon terms and the business is not required to be incorporated. corporation – a legal entity separate from the shareholders. Registered at the federal or provincial level, this structure protects an individual business owner from being held personally liable for any debts or obligations.

“Partnerships don't need to be registered so it's important for people to know, as soon as they start

once your name has been approved and you have registered your business, you will be required to apply for a business license depending on which region you will operate within. a business – even if it's out of their home – should have a business license,” says Gordon. working with somebody with a common purpose and are sharing the profits, it automatically becomes a partnership,” advises Dana Gordon, owner of Benchmark Law. Gordon says deciding on a structure is unique to each company and will depend on what you do and what the risks are.

Depending on how your business is structured,

there are several options available to register your business with both the federal and provincial governments. Because businesses can vary vastly from one to the next, exploring all your options will allow you to determine the best fit for your company.

Once your name has been approved and you have registered your business, you will be required to apply for a business license depending on which region you will operate within. “Everyone that is operating a business – even if it's out of their home – should have a business license,” says Gordon.

“It's a cliche for a reason because it's absolutely true,” says Gordon, prefacing her biggest piece of legal advice to business owners. “Get it in writing.”

While business may seem good from the get-go, it's hard to predict any problems that may happen down the road and written agreements will protect you from bitter disputes or challenging debates.

Owners may also need to consider tax requirements, insurance, confidentiality clauses, non-complete agreements, payment terms and intellectual property rights among other concerns depending on the scope and risk of their business.

UFV + You Changing lives, building community.

concLUsion Becoming a small business owner requires an abundance of educated decisions. You might need to open a business bank account, consider your insurance needs, develop a website and social media strategy, or hire and train employees.

As Duffield emphasizes, the best thing you can do for your business is research – and research some more.

Starting your own business or taking over someone else's is a reputable undertaking. With the right research, an open mind to the advice of entrepreneurs and investors and a hands-on attitude, big dreams can become successful small businesses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashley Stephens Ashley Stephens is administrative by day and creative by night. She loves to write, paint and force her husband to go to the gym on a regular basis. Ashley is a certified Personal Training Specialist, who recently had her first baby and aims to inspire healthy living for all.

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

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Mortgages

that put

people’s needs first.

As a member-owned co-operative, we believe in listening to your needs. We offer a range of mortgage options, and expert advice that can help you find a mortgage that’s right for you – a mortgage that fits with your goals, with your dreams, with your life.

Interested? Let’s talk.

Nicki Samra Mobile Mortgage Specialist 604.340.2733 nicki_samra@vancity.com or visit me at: vancity.com/nickisamra

Contact me today to book an appointment.

Make Good Money (TM) is a trademark of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union. ®HANDSNOVEMBER & GLOBE Design is a registered certification mark owned by World Council of Credit Unions, used under license.

TM / DECEMBER 2014

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By Tarana Rana

Holiday ~ gift ~ W

GUIDE 2014

hether you love holiday shopping or detest it, it can sometimes

perfect gift idea for everyone on chaotic and your creativity might be running dry, don’t settle on those generic, run-of-the-mill gifts

This holiday season, think outside the box and make sure your gifts are memorable

couple of gift ideas that are sure to be memorable this holiday

Edible Gifts!

T

he holidays are a time to indulge, and a gift that can be devoured will always be welcome. “It is often very hard to find the perfect gift for anyone, and many gifts are put aside and forgotten, or worse re-gifted,” says Evon Au, Cookie Decorator for Cookievonster. com. “With delicious edible gifts, it is always appreciated and enjoyed.” While taking the edible route might seem like a quick and easy option, make sure to invest some time and thought into the gift-picking process – What are the recipient’s likes and dislikes? Do they have

CookieVonster Christmas Tree Cookie ~ $25 - $45 Custom-made cookies your family or friends will love. This handcrafted 3D Gingerbread Christmas Tree is fully edible and makes a festive gift. Place your order at info@ cookievonster.com

any food allergies? Are they on a specific diet?

Beta 5 Signature Holiday Chocolates ~ $30

Caviar Noel Tea ~ $42 Tea fit for royalty – black tea & white Yin Zhen blend, tones of Clementine with Tahitian vanilla. A great pick for your tea-loving parent, grandparent or friend. Available in store or online from the Urban Tea Merchant.

Itz-a-wrap! Gift Basket ~$70.00

Big on flavour and beautifully handcrafted, this collection of 12 hand-painted chocolates is the perfect way to spread holiday cheer. With inspired flavours from sparkling praline to eggnog, these are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth on your list! Available online at Beta 5

Packed with a variety of gourmet goodies like truffles, crackers, lobster or salmon spread, coffee, a sparkling beverage and more, anyone will be thrilled to receive this delectable box. Gourmet Delights - Le Snack Version is great gift for couples, the in-laws, and serious snackers. Available online at itzawrapbaskets.com.

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Holiday Special

Experience Gifts!

C

reate some memories this holiday by gifting an experience your loved ones can cherish. “For giving

experiences, it could be agreeing to take the family skiing or skating. Or going to the theatre, a hockey game, or whatever it is the [recipient] enjoys,” says Division Manager of Corporate Communications at Metro Vancouver, David Hocking. Each year, Metro Vancouver runs a green gift campaign which urges Vancouverites to think green when shopping for the holidays. “We don’t really need to create a whole lot of garbage at Christmas, Christmas is all about creating memories,” says Hocking.

Ultralight 30 Minute Flight ~ $110 For an unforgettable experience, gift someone an afternoon in the sky where they will learn to fly an ultralight aircraft. No previous experience is necessary and minimum age for the experience is 14 years. Available online at perfectday.ca

The Forbidden City Exhibition ~ $20 A rare glimpse into China’s old Imperial Palace would make a nice gift for that artist or history buff on your list. Over 200 exquisite pieces are currently on exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Buy tickets online at vanartgallery.com

Dolphin Encounter ~ $160

Granville Island Boat Rental ~ $50 An adventurous afternoon at sea would be the ideal gift for group of friends or a couple. This gift package includes an hour on a 17-foot speedboat for 5 people, free one-day boating license and full instruction before they set sail.

Available online at lifeexperiences.ca

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Gift a rare, one-in-a-lifetime encounter with the dolphins at Vancouver Aquarium. Your lucky recipient will get to explore their habitat, prepare a fishy snack and participate in an interactive training session, where they’ll get a chance to feed and touch the dolphins. E-gift cards are available at vanaqua.org

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Holiday Special

DiY Gifts!

F

or a truly special touch, spend some time this holiday season and give your loved ones a gift you made yourself. According to Dr. Daniel S. Hamermesh, an Economics Professor at the University of Texas, “The most valuable thing we have is time and the time spent putting into making homemade gifts is an indication of respect and love for the recipient.” Do-it-yourself gifts can also often be budget-friendly. Toni Anderson, owner of

DIY Knit Wear ~ $30 & above Knit something to keep your loved ones warm and cosy this winter. Scarves and hats are simple projects any beginner can master. For a quick and easy project, invest in a knitting loom set. These come with a set of simple instructions that will have you knitting like a pro in no time. Knitting looms are available at Walmart for $13.97 - $17.97

theHappyHousewife.com, a popular DIY blog says, “Most DIY gifts are made from items you can purchase at a local craft store or might even have in your own home.” She adds, “They are the perfect gifts for the person on your list who already has everything. Chances are, they don't have a handmade gift from you.”

V

ancouverites share some of the most memorable Christmas gifts they received.

“A pasta-themed gift basket a friend of mine gave me. She included different kinds of pastas, pasta sauces, a jar of pesto, a block of fresh Parmesan, and a spaghetti utensil. I remember being absolutely thrilled with it, and in fact, that gift was one of the inspirations for starting my basket business!” – Jackie Stopchycki, Owner of Itz-a-Wrap! Gift Baskets, Vancouver “The family heirlooms that have been

passed down to me, like jewellery or the sketch book of my great grandpa who was a weaver.” – Julia Sharpe, Knitwear Designer & Instructor, Vancouver “I always find that the most thoughtful gift I receive is from my mom. It doesn't matter what it is, she always puts so much research and effort.

Like two years ago, I got a leather jacket, which I still love, and I know she went to multiple stores and countless designs to make sure she picked out the one that I would like best.” – Krista Gilbert, Student, South Surrey.

DIY Windowsill Herb Garden ~ $35 approx.

A thoughtful gift for that chef on your list. All you need to get started is a trip to Home Depot for soil-less potting mix, herb seeds and a window planter or four-inch terracotta pots. Fill each pot or planter with the mix and place 3-4 seeds per pot. Identify each herb and the date planted with personalized labels.

DIY Jewellery ~ $20 & above A personalised piece of jewellery is sure to make any woman on your list feel special. Michaels is the place to go for essentials like strings of beads, pendants and wire. For jewellery project ideas and how-tos, check their website at micheals.com

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PHOTO: AmericAn KniTTer (YOuTube), micHAels.cOm

It’s the Thought that Counts!

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DARPAN SALUTES

'DARPAN SAluteS' is an initiative to showcase individuals in India who are striving to make a positive impact on the lives of myriad others. DARPAN Magazine salutes their zeal and determined efforts.

BY GARIMA GOSWAMI

' N OT ' M A K I N G

E D U C AT IO N A B U SI N E S S

F

or those of you who have never

New Delhi, it will be an overwhelming experience. An attraction that will catch your eye and one you should undoubtedly average over 2.5 million individuals use

writing, not to explain about the glories of the Delhi Metro, but rather about an individual who takes refuge under the shade of this Metro bridge to impart free education to children from nearby slums and deprived families. Rajesh Kumar Sharma has been operating this school

While commuting, Sharma used to notice young kids playing around. Their

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parents were reluctant to send the children to school because they either did not have enough money to pay the fees or wanted their children to work and contribute Though it took time and persuasion, Sharma managed to convince the parents to send their children to him for education, thus giving these children a platform denied TM

tables or chairs for the students to sit on and uses some patches on the wall of the bridge as blackboards for his classroom sessions. Students arrive early morning; sit in rows with their books, notebooks and assist Sharma in cleaning the place, an

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endeavour by their teacher, Sharma, to instill them with the importance of cleanliness.

A dropout himself, Sharma grew up in

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Uttar Pradesh. Financial constraints prevented he was forced to drop out of college in his third year while studying Bachelors of Science.

A shopkeeper by profession, Sharma and school, where approximately 100 students arrive to pursue education in a country where free and compulsory education is a right for children between 6-14 years.

With approximately 100 students in attendance, the school has teachers that volunteer their time every week in this school.

Notebooks, books and stationary items are donated by individuals every now and then, but what is shocking is that despite having existed for more than three years, the school is still deprived of any assistance whatsoever from the government. "We have not received any help by and donate books and notebooks for the kids.

But that is all the help received," says Sharma.

Along with his intention to educate those who school, this real life hero envisages to prepare children for admission to government schools.

(AP Photo/AltAf QAdri)

approximately 140 students and over half of them are now students in government schools. of students to this school; a clear indication that if constructive steps are taken, those deprived of this fundamental right can gain the most effort speaks volumes for one of the basic

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today and advocates for steps from all sources within our society. We hope that this school currently functioning under a bridge will develop and children deprived of education from all backgrounds.

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Darpan's ExtraorDinary achiEvEmEnt awarDs 2014

2013

The Extraordinary Night “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” ~ Jimmy Johnson

Anuradha Koirala, Keynote Speaker for 2014 talks about her organization Maiti Nepal

T

he South Asian community is a thriving community that has contributed immensely to the growth of the Canadian economy. Several individuals from the community have delivered their expertise in a range of fields, making not only the South Community proud but also inspiring others to follow

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Widely recognised as the event-of-the-year in the South Asian community, the Extraordinary Achievement awards recognize and honour the extraordinary achievements of ten individuals in ten different award categories against a backdrop of glitz and glamour.

in their footsteps. With a motive to inspire and appreciate the efforts of such individuals in the community, DARPAN has been organizing the prestigious Extraordinary Achievement Awards for the past four years and marked its 5th anniversary in a grand and lavish setting on September 19th at Surrey’s newest and most beautiful banquet hall – Aria Banquet Hall TM

and Convention Centre.

The enthralling night commenced in the company of esteemed social, business and political elites and was made extraordinary with the presence of Anuradha Koirala, a social activist from Nepal who has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of females from the atrocious crime of sex trafficking. For the past several years, Koirala has been working adamantly towards eradicating commercial sexual exploitation of females and has geared her efforts to help them lead an independent life.

With over 800 guests in attendance, this black-tie affair started at 6.30 p.m. with a backdrop of glamour and grandeur. Among these, 10 South Asians identified as leaders, who embody the spirit of community and give back to greater Canadian society, were honoured with the prestigious DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Award.

Adding a vibe of affluence to the red carpet entrance was the showcase of the luxury Cadillac models and the gorgeous ice sculptures depicting DARPAN’s decade

2013

Thanks again for making it possible...

Recognized as the largest publicly traded Canadian bank headquartered in Western Canada. CWB believes long-term financial success is rooted in hard work. “Our common sense approach and commitment to build strong banking relationships help us create and offer solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.”

This lavishly spread dealership boasts a great selection of Chevrolet cars and is a source for luxury cars and crossovers in Langley. It has a great selection of luxury sedans by Cadillac and takes pride in the customer service offered at the dealership.

Celebrating its 31th anniversary this year, Sunrise Kitchens strives to create functional, beautiful and memorable spaces within homes or larger-scaled projects with their renowned cabinetry and design services.

Balraj Mann Group is comprised of Polycrete Restorations Ltd. and Penmat Contracting and Project Management Ltd. Polycrete offers global construction solutions, providing structural restorations and waterproofing services since the 1970’s. Penmat strives to build the future with development, construction and management services.

Canada’s top-ranked university with campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, SFU delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students and proudly stands as one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old

CTS T I L E

&

S TO N E

LT D

604-598-1610

With several years of experience, Capital Tile and Stone, offers floor tiles, wall tiles, glass mosaics/borders and tools and setting materials. The company takes pride in the quality products it provides along with its exceptional customer service.

With over 31 years of experience in the flooring industry, Exclusive Floors is one of the largest BC dealers in new construction flooring. They are distributors of top quality floor coverings pertaining to the needs of the residential building industry.

MAINSTREET

EQUITY CORP .

Mainstreet Equity Corp. is a leading residential real estate company based in Canada. Established in 1998, the company has grown leaps and bounds to generate a market value of over $1.15 billion.

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OLLECT IO

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Desert Hills, a family owned boutique winery is a two time recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Award for excellence in winemaking and has also won Canada's Best Red.

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long journey in publishing excellence. Other features on the red carpet included a media centre with live interviews, a DJ spinning upbeat tracks, a media wall to pose for photographs, and champagne and black and gold martinis.

Award winning actor Huse Madhavji was the Master of Ceremonies for the event and emceed the Extraordinary Achievement Awards night for the third consecutive year.

Madhavji kicked off the festivities, which included a breathtaking fashion showcase by Vivah Collection; spectacular entertainment from Shiamak Davar Dance Troupe, who showcased the various dance forms of India; live entertainment by the talented band – Naqsh IPB; and the much-anticipated Awards ceremony.

Prominent personalities that graced the awards night with their presence include – Honourable BC Premier Christy Clark; Dianne Watts, Surrey Mayor; Jinny Sims, Member of Parliament; Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education; Amrik Virk, Minister of Advanced Education; and Members of Legislative Assembly- Harry Bains and Raj Chouhan.

DARPAN values the honour and appreciation that it has received post the awards. The positive feedback has energized us to render an even more lavish and extravagant event next year and we look forward to hosting our next edition of DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards in 2015.

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And the

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Anuradha Koirala International Sensation

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Anuradha Koirala receives the International Sensation Award from Canadian Western Bank

Peter Dhillon

Corporate Engagement In honour of his extraordinary achievements as a leader and entrepreneur in the South Asian community

“It was neat to see such an organized event done in such a professional way. The keynote speaker was phenomenal. I was honoured and humbled to receive the DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Award. Looking at the list of previous winners, I am privileged to be put into the same category as them..�

Peter Dhillon receives the Corporate Engagement Award from Peter Heppner, General Manager, Preston GM Langley

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great feelings for [the] bright future of Darpan Magazine.

The Augustus occasion was conducted very professionally and the arrangements were beyond my expectations. Once again, I thank and congratulate the Darpan organizers and their committed team players.”

Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains bestowed with the Community Crusader Award by Milan Mann and Balraj Mann, CEO Balraj Mann Group

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In honour of her extraordinary achievements in academia and community initiatives

“It was an honour and a privilege to not only be recognized by the community, but to be in the presence of the award recipients/honourable guests, and to stand beside Anuradha Koirala who helps

Anoop Virk receives the Young Wonder Award from Ivneet BainsGrant, receives Young Marketing Wonder Award Nav Matthew Director and from External Cheema of SimonAffairs, Fraser SFU University.

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Anita Huberman Industry Marvel

“I was honored to have received the Industry Marvel award at the DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards in September 2014. The recognition of entrepreneurialism, business leadership and innovation inspired me to continue on my journey to new heights..

Anita Huberman recognized with the Industry Marvel award by Daljit Thind, CEO, Thind Developments

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In honour of his extraordinary achievements and contributions as an inspiring athlete

“It is an honour to represent the South Asian community and it is a pleasure to be recognized by the community”

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Gunwant Bains

Advancing Philanthropy In honour of her extraordinary achievements and contributions to charitable ventures in the South Asian community and beyond

“I felt extremely honored to just be nominated, let alone win a Darpan Extraordinary Achievement Award.

To raise funds for any cause that helps those in need is very important, and a lot of hard work is necessary. It feels very nice when you have such a strong community supporting you and recognizing your effort. It helps to push you to do more.”

Ivneet receives Young AwardPhilanthropy from Nav Dr. Aly Bains Kanani presents theWonder Advancing Cheema of Simon Fraser University. award to Gunwant Bains

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Artistic Visionary In honour of his extraordinary achievements and contributions to South Asian arts, culture and literature

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle Darpan's ExtraorDinary achiEvEmEnt awarDs 2014

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Among the honoured guests in attendance were socialites, business elite and politicians. To view pictures and red carpet interviews, check out Darpan's website, Facebook and Twitter!

Vivah Collection showcased the latest designs in South Asian fashion at DARPAN's 5th Extraordinary Achievement Awards. The exquisite bridal collection amalgamated by Gagan and Muskan Arora, directors at Vivah, was lauded for its intricate and beautiful designs.

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Darpan's ExtraorDinary achiEvEmEnt awarDs 2014

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DARPAN SPORTS

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By Ashley Stephens

FDITTING IN

AN

STANDING

OUT!

The NeW TrIggermAN oN The Top lINe

I

t's a new Game. so say the vancouver canucks of the 2014-2015 national hockey League season and, while it may be too early to tell if the new team will bring good news come playoff time, the canucks are off to a good start.

Fans of the vancouver canucks may have tuned in to this season with bated breath. after a dismal ending last year and promises of a turnaround this year, the canucks have had much to prove. trevor Linden and his team of off-ice authorities made some important moves in the off season and one move that is helping make true their promise is the addition of czech-born radim vrbata. Darpan had the chance to speak to the first line right winger about his position beside the sedin twins, his take on a new team and what he brings to the ice every time he laces up his skates. a former 7th round draft pick by colorado,

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vrbata has made a name for himself in the nhL thanks to his tremendous hockey sense and ability to snipe the puck. a sharp shooter with a great set of hands and an eye for playmaking, the canucks hope vrbata will bring out the best in their earlier under-achieving, top line talent. with a career spanning 6 teams in 13 years, he's put up more than 475 points, played in 36 playoff games and recently celebrated his 800th career nhL game in late october of this year.

Despite his long standing tenure, he can still recite the first of his over 800 nhL games like it was yesterday. “it was my first year with colorado,” he says, recalling how he got sent to the minors for the first 20 games before getting called up to the big leagues. “the first game was against new york rangers. i was on a line with Joe sakic and milan hejduk. we were out for the opening face TM

Weight:

off against the [Eric] Lindros line back then, with [mike] york and [theo] Fleury. i remember when i looked around and saw all those all star players at madison square Gardens. it was a dream come true and i was able to put up two assists in that game. the next day we played against islanders, i scored a goal and two assists. played back-to-back and had five points.” he speaks of the past with a smile but can't help but let his softer side show when reminiscing about how fast the years have gone.

“Before my first son was born, i didn't realize how much time flies,” vrabata tells us. “But now that we have two kids and my older one is 5 and a half, that's when you realize how fast time goes by.” it's obvious his sons, the other just over 6 months old, are his pride and joy. “i remember being the young guy on the team and now it seems like i'm the older one,” he jokes.

Being the 'old guy' on the team certainly hasn't slowed him down. vrbata signed a two year contract with the canucks in the off-season and has been putting up points since he first donned the blue, green and white. “i was looking for the right fit and i felt that this is the right fit,” he says of his signing in vancouver; so far it seems he's right. vrbata has been playing on a line with twin superstars Daniel and henrik sedin and together they have averaged a point a game each in every game this season. “since day one, we've seemed to click on the ice and off the ice and it seems like we think the game the same way and try to play the same way. so it's been good,” he says of his line mates. “hopefully it's going to continue like that.” while some critics and supporters alike have been surprised at the way vribata has gelled so quickly with the sedins, he is not. “when i was looking at my options in the summer, i felt like the way they play, it's similar to the way i play. maybe that's why it clicked right away,” he says. “i feel like they don't try to beat players one-on-one,

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they don't try to overpower anybody. They try to use each other and get open for each other... and that's the way I like to play so maybe that's the reason.”

Questions about fitting in quickly aren't new to Vrbata; he's been a new guy on the team before.

Having moved several times over his NHL career, he's no stranger to a new dressing room, new teammates and new fans. He admits, though, that coming to Vancouver brought a different set of struggles.

“This time around was a little different,” he says, his family man mentality shining through again. “The last 5 years were in Phoenix but this year we had kids. It's different when you're moving just by yourself or with your wife [compared to] when you're moving with kids.”

“Obviously, it's a big change coming from Phoenix – weather wise, media wise. But so far, so good,” he assures us. “Everybody around the team helps us with everything. Coming to a new team, guys were great right off the bat so, so far, so good.”

With the right attitude, Vrbata can only hope that 'so far, so good' will be so good so far into the future, both here in Vancouver or wherever he is playing. As the pressure builds for this 'new' Vancouver team to be better than last year, it could easily have an effect on the way Vbrata approaches the game. But it doesn't.

“On whatever team you're on, you just want to play your best every night and help the team to be successful. [The pressure] doesn't change anything.

Yes, there is lots of pressure from media, from fans, from everywhere but there's nobody who can put more pressure on myself than myself. So you always try to play your best, no matter what.”

He emphasizes that being the best he can be is always his goal, for each game and for each season.

“And that's the way it needs to be,” he assures us.

“Because the league is so good now. And pretty much every player in the league is good. So you need to be at your best – or as close to your best as possible – at all times.”

Canuck fans can only hope that if Vbrata is bringing his best to the ice every night, that the best is yet to come for the team and its turnaround.

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BUSINESS

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MD Physician Services provides financial products and services, the MD Family of Funds and investment counselling services through the MD Group of companies. For a detailed list of these companies, visit md.cma.ca. The MD ExO™ service provides financial products and guidance to eligible clients, delivered through the MD Group of companies (MD Physician Services Inc., MD Management Limited, MD Private Trust Company, MD Life Insurance Company and MD Insurance Agency Limited). MD Physician Services is owned by the Canadian Medical Association. Incorporation guidance is limited to asset allocation and integrating corporate entities into financial plans and wealth strategies. Professional legal, tax and accounting advice regarding incorporation should be obtained in respect to an individual’s specific circumstances. Insurance products are distributed by licensed representatives of MD Insurance Agency Limited, a CMA company. Estate and trust services are offered through MD Private Trust Company, a CMA company.

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Neha Wadhwa, event and marketing manager for FastLife

By Ashley Stephens

Matchmaking

minutes How speed dating has become the attractive choice for meeting your mate

A

quick search online for ‘speed dating’ and one might be surprised at the number of results returned. Multiple sites in almost every city boast the ability to set you up with ‘the one’ – or at least help you narrow down your search quickly.

To some, speed dating might sound like a desperate way to get a date. But for busy professionals, social individuals or anyone who has exhausted their options for meeting new people, speed dating has become the perfect way to find the perfect mate.

Dating in the traditional sense can be tough.

Knowing where to look or who to approach

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can really slow down your love life. But speed dating offers an easy alternative to meeting a variety of singles, all in one place and in your preferred demographic.

“If you were coming out to one of our events,” explains Neha Wadhwa, event and marketing manager for FastLife, “you'd meet about 10 to 12 [people] within an age group of your preference. We'll set up the venue so that there's a cozy booth or a table with two chairs across from each other and the ladies are seated on one side and the men are seated on the other and they rotate every eight minutes.”

TM

While certain details like the number of singles or the length of the dates might differ depending on the organizers, most speed dating events work in a similar way. At the end of the event, participants select who they'd like to see again. If there is mutual interest, organizers forward the attendees' contact information so that the matched parties can connect after the event and hopefully get that elusive second date.

Other than the obvious advantage of meeting more than one person at a time, the benefits of speed dating are attracting more and more singles to give it a try. Wadhwa compares it to online dating, which was once considered untraditional but is now an accepted and highly successful way to meet your match.

“You can meet someone behind the computer screen and have great conversation with them and then when you meet them, there's no spark,” she says. “The best thing about speed dating is that you can feel instant chemistry.”

This style of dating, which originated in 1998, allows you to meet and mingle with a large number of new people all in one night.

And while it may seem like a lot of pressure, on the contrary, the lack of pressure is perhaps one of the biggest advantages. There's no pressure to lock eyes with a handsome man across the room and wonder if he's single. There's no pick up lines or unwanted advances and personal topics are not taboo; they're encouraged.

“Sometimes you are so concerned about being attracted to someone that you may not even speak to them if you saw them elsewhere. But now that they're in front of you, you don't have a choice. You're talking to someone and you're having a great conversation with them and that takes over. You never know who has what to

DARPAN FEATURE

PHOTO: Waytoosocial.com (illustration), neha Wadhwa

You can meet someone behind the computer screen and have great conversation with them and then when you meet them, there's no spark,” Neha says. “The best thing about speed dating is that you can feel instant chemistry.” offer,” says Wadhwa.

Because the match making happens after the event is over, there's no additional pressure to accept or reject your date while they're still sitting across from them.

Speed dating organizations often offer targeted events that narrow down what type of singles you meet making it even easier to find someone who shares your interests or opinions. Whether it's religious beliefs or a healthy lifestyle, predetermined common ground is just another benefit of attending a speed dating event over heading to the bar or sorting through polished online profiles.

If this untraditional type of dating is something you've considered but have been hesitant to try out, Wadhwa confirms that confidence naturally comes with attending events and offers several tips for a more comfortable – and hopefully successful – experience.

“Avoid talking about work or what you do for a living,” she says. “Talk about your interests and hobbies because then you're actually getting to know somebody.”

Keeping the conversation flowing can be a source of stress for newcomers to speed dating but asking open-ended questions about favourite foods, travel dreams or what items you could or couldn't live without might just spark something in your date that will have you wishing you had more time to talk.

Still not sure speed dating is right for you?

Wadhwa says that going in with an open mind is the best way to approach the events as you never know what the outcome may be.

“It's an opportunity to meet people,” she says, “and no matter who you meet, you can always learn something from them.”

You may leave the event with a dozen friends and, while they might not be the person you were looking for, you never know who they might introduce you to. Your mate might be a few minutes away.

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By Catherine Bock

Thyroid Gland: The Ups and Downs

Many body systems, including the heart, brain, and muscles, need the right amount of thyroid hormone to work properly. Problems with the thyroid gland most often happen when there is either too much or too little thyroid hormone. Less common is thyroid cancer.

While not covered in this article, thyroid cancer can cause problems similar to having either too much or too little thyroid hormone.

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The Thyroid Gland: What, Where, And How The thyroid gland, shaped like a butterfly, is in the front of your neck. It is around the top part of the trachea, or main breathing tube. The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones when it gets signals from the pituitary gland in your brain. Often the thyroid gland is simply called the thyroid.

You turn the heat in your house up or down with a thermostat. If you turn the heat up, the furnace runs more and uses more energy. In the same way, your thyroid turns up your metabolic rate, making certain body systems run faster or longer, and this requires more energy. The message to turn up the metabolic rate in your body is carried by hormones that the thyroid makes and releases.

Many body systems, including the heart, brain, and muscles, need the right amount of thyroid hormone to work properly.

Problems with the thyroid gland most often happen when there is either too much or

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too little thyroid hormone. Less common is thyroid cancer. While not covered in this article, thyroid cancer can cause problems similar to having either too much or too little thyroid hormone.

A small amount of iodine is needed for the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. In the past, some people in Canada did not get enough iodine in their diets however this is no longer common. Unfortunately, this still happens in other countries of the world.

When The Heat Is Turned Up Hyperthyroidism is a medical term that is used when there is too much thyroid hormone. You may also hear of this problem referred to as an overactive thyroid. Hyper means more or increased in medical language. When too much thyroid hormone is made and released by the thyroid, many body systems speed up.

A person may develop an overactive thyroid and not notice any changes, but more often a person will notice some changes.

DARPAN HEALTH An overactive thyroid may result in a person losing weight even though they are eating the same amount or even more than before. This is because their metabolism has been turned up and more energy is being used. People who have an overactive thyroid may also have a faster heart rate, they may sweat more, and their hands may shake.

Too much thyroid hormone can also make a person moody and irritable. People with an overactive thyroid may have swelling which can be felt and seen in the front of the neck. You may have heard the term goiter used for this swelling.

At times, people with hyperthyroidism have bulging and reddened eyes.

There are many reasons why the thyroid gland may make and release too much hormone.

The signals from the brain to the thyroid gland might be faulty. This can happen if there is a problem with the pituitary gland. There can also be cases when the thyroid is inflamed, or has formed overgrown areas (nodules) and releases too much thyroid hormone as a result. Most often the thyroid gland is overactive because of a disease called Graves’ disease. If a person has Graves’ disease, their own immune (defense) system attacks the thyroid gland and it becomes overactive because of this. This is an example of what is referred to as an autoimmune disease.

Graves’ disease can run in families. It is not clear what causes Graves’ disease but we know that people in certain families seem to have more risk of getting it. Women are also more at risk for getting Graves’ disease. A family history of hyperthyroidism is one piece of information that will be considered if your doctor thinks that you might have thyroid problems.

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When The Heat Is Turned Down Let’s talk about the opposite problem of hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the term used when there is not enough thyroid hormone.

Hypo means less or decreased. If your thyroid gland is underactive, in other words, it does not make and release enough thyroid hormone, causing your metabolism to slow down along with many other body systems.

A person that has hypothyroidism may gain weight even though they are not eating more or they may be tired when they feel they shouldn’t be.

Weight gain and tiredness can happen for many reasons. Some people may blame these changes on aging, but these might be the first changes a person notices if they have an underactive thyroid.

Slowed heart rate, constipation, and dry skin may also happen if a person has an underactive thyroid. A person with hypothyroidism may be depressed or may feel like they are not able to think clearly. High cholesterol may also happen

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DARPAN HEALTH

with hyperthyroidism.

There are many reasons why the thyroid gland may not make or release enough thyroid hormone. The signals from the brain to the thyroid gland may be faulty. More commonly, a disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is to blame. This disease causes the body's immune (defense) system to attack thyroid tissue and the thyroid gland doesn’t make or release enough thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s disease is another kind of autoimmune disease, like Graves’ disease.

Confused? You Are Not Alone!

You might be confused at this point because both Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s disease involve the immune (defense) system but they result in very different changes in the way the thyroid gland works. Graves’ disease results in hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) and Hashimoto’s disease results in hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone).

Problems with the thyroid gland can be confusing and hard to understand.

How To Find Out If Your Thyroid Gland Is Working Properly: Blood levels of thyroid hormone that are not normal might be noticed by chance because of blood tests taken for some other reason. Or, blood tests for hormone levels may be done if a person has visited their doctor because they have felt some of the changes described above.

If this is the case, the doctor will do a careful physical exam and ask specific questions to do with thyroid function. The doctor may also order further tests.

Along with thyroid hormone blood tests, there is a blood test for a hormone that comes from the pituitary gland. This hormone,

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thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), tells the thyroid to make and release thyroid hormone.

Information from tests for TSH can help to figure out why the thyroid is not working as it should.

Computed Tomography (better known as CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be done on the thyroid gland in the neck and the pituitary gland in the brain. These tests could show changes in the glands themselves.

There are other tests that can be done.

Special iodine can be given and then testing is done to see how the thyroid has used this special iodine to make thyroid hormone.

As well, if there are nodules (lumps) in the thyroid gland, a very fine needle can be used to test some of the cells in these nodules.

Treatment Depending on the type of thyroid problem, treatment can include medication, therapy to decrease the size of the thyroid, and surgery. t *G UIFSF JT UPP MJUUMF UIZSPJE IPSNPOF BT seen in hypothyroidism, then synthetic (manmade) thyroid hormone can be taken t *G UIFSF JT UPP NVDI UIZSPJE IPSNPOF BT TFFO in hyperthyroidism, then there are medications that can be taken to shrink the thyroid gland or to decrease the amount of hormone made and released t 1FPQMF UIBU IBWF IZQFSUIZSPJEJTN PWFSBDUJWF thyroid) may also be given certain medications to slow the heart rate and metabolic rate t *G IZQFSUIZSPJEJTN JT TFWFSF PS JG UIF problem cannot be fixed with medications, then surgery to remove part of the thyroid gland can be done

Preventing Thyroid Problems: Other than making sure you get enough iodine in your diet (most Canadians do) and not smoking, there are no general recommendations from the experts about preventing thyroid problems. There is agreement however, that it is important to find out about thyroid problems early to prevent serious complications. If you fit the risk factors listed above, talk to your doctor about getting tested.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Catherine believes in helping people take control of, and improve their health by understanding risks and ways to decrease those risks. She teaches pathophysiology in the B.Sc of Nursing program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. For more information or references for this article, please contact Catherine at catherine.bock@kpu.ca TM

Who Is Most At Risk For Thyroid Problems?

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An Overactive Thyroid Can Result in: 7 f[hied bei_d] m[_]^j [l[d j^ek]^ j^[o Wh[ [Wj_d] j^[ iWc[ eh [l[d ceh[ j^Wd X[\eh[ 7 \Wij[h ^[Whj hWj[ ceh[ im[Wj_d] j^Wd kikWb I^Wao ^WdZi 7 f[hied X[_d] ceeZo WdZ _hh_jWXb[ Im[bb_d] _d j^[ \hedj e\ j^[ d[Ya m^[h[ j^[ j^ohe_Z ]bWdZ _i 8kb]_d] WdZ h[ZZ[d[Z [o[i

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Learn More: Think of your doctor as your partner for good health. You can ask your doctor about your risks for thyroid problems and about testing.

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Find a beauty gift for everyone on your list!

Best Beauty Gifts This

Holiday Season!

By Catherine Tse

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pread the joy this holiday season by indulging loved ones with one of these gorgeous gifts. There's something for everyone here, from teens to BFFs to grandparents. And even though it's all about the spirit of giving, rest assured you'll be richly rewarded with a mountain of thanks and admiration from those on your list.

Teens

Notoriously fussy, even the most particular teen will love receiving one of these gift sets.

CiatĂŠ Mini Mani Manor, $72 CiatĂŠ's gift set of 24 nail polishes and accessories comes beautifully boxed in a manor-house design with pop-out doors and windows that reveal everything a teen needs for a holiday-worthy manicure. The kit can be used as an advent calendar to reveal a little surprise for 24 days, or it can thrill with the instant gratification that comes from lots of pretty gifts all at once. Find highly pigmented polishes in cream and shimmer finishes, as well as special effect add-ons including their signature caviar pearls. Available at Sephora.

Burt's Bees, Energizing Peppermint Kit, $19.99 Give your teen a little pep with Burt's Bees natural collection of refreshing peppermint products. This holiday boxed set includes

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fan favourites: body wash, foot cream and lip balm. A much more pleasant variation of the candycane theme, this minty set will keep your teen smelling and feeling zippy well past the holiday season. Available at participating drug stores.

Fashionistas

Know a girl who already has everything?

These gifts will surprise, delight and impress.

Too Faced, Everything Nice Set, $56 Each holiday season, Too Faced comes out with an amazing set and this year's does not disappoint. Everything Nice is chockablock full of everything your girl will need to look polished and pretty. There are 20 eyeshadows, two blushes, one bronzer, one highlighter and three brushes, all housed in a sleek, portable case (and one external mascara). The set also includes a fun, sparkly hot pink case that can be used as a clutch or makeup bag... what else will she need after this? Available at Sephora.

Foreo, Luna, $239

This gorgeous face cleansing tool from Sweden is beautifully organic and ergonomic in design, but is a powerhouse for pores. Every beauty queen knows the best face starts with clean, clear skin, and that's what Foreo delivers.

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DIESEL Men's Winter 2014 Collection

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DARPAN recipes

Chef Maneet Chauhan's

Culinary Fusion

Chef Chauhan shares some of her delectable recipes with DARPAN from her first cookbook, Flavours of My World. Taking inspiration from her travels, Chef Chauhan places an Indian twist on classic dishes from around the world, melding familiar Indian flavours in surprising and delicious ways.

Preparation Amritsari Fish

Amritsari Fish and

Masala Aloo Chips Ingredients

Masala Aloo Chips

Fish and Marinade

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 5 dried whole red chiles 1 tablespoon amchur 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 4 medium potatoes Salt to taste Vegetable oil for deep-frying

1/4 cup malt vinegar 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon ajwain 1 teaspoon salt 2 pounds (1 kg) skinless Alaskan cod, cut into medium chunks

Batter 1 cup besan (chick-pea flour) 1/2 cup rice flour 1 teaspoon ginger paste 2 teaspoons garlic paste 1/2 teaspoon ajwain 1 teaspoon chili powder 2 tablespoons kasoori methi 1 teaspoon baking powder Salt to taste Ice water Vegetable oil for frying Malt vinegar

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• For the marinade, combine the vinegar, ginger, pepper, ajwain and salt in a bowl and mix well. Add the fish. Marinate for 30 minutes. Remove the fish from the marinade and pat dry.

• For the batter, combine besan, rice flour, ginger paste, garlic paste, ajwain, chili powder, kasoori methi, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Stir in ice water until the consistency of pancake batter is reached. Coat the fish with batter. Let stand for 15 minutes.

• Heat oil in a large skillet to 360 degrees. Fry the fish until golden brown. Serve hot with malt vinegar, salt and Masala Aloo Chips (recipe follows).

Makes 6 servings.

Aloo Chips • For the masala, toast the cumin in a small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant.

(You can use whole cumin seeds if you prefer.)

Combine the cumin, ginger, chiles, amchur and salt in a spice grinder or blender. Process to a powder.

• For the chips, slice the potatoes paper-thin into a bowl of cold water. Drain and rinse, then refill the bowl with water. Add the salt and potatoes. Let stand for 30 minutes. Drain, rinse and drain again.

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees. Fry the potatoes in small batches until golden. Remove them immediately as they turn golden. Drain on paper towels. Season.

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LUXURY. COMFORT. STYLE.

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DARPAN recipes

Bahpa Doi

Pots de Crème Ingredients

Preparation

1 cup (packed) flat-leaf parsley 2 cups heavy cream 2 vanilla beans 6 egg yolks 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 teaspoon ground green cardamom Fresh pomegranate seeds, for garnish Finely sliced pistachios, for garnish

• Pour the cream into small saucepan. Split the vanilla beans into halves lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the cream. Add the pods. Heat the cream until it steams. Cover the pan, turn off the heat, and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pods.

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Beat the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until light in color. Stir in about one-fourth of the cream.

Pour all of the egg yolk mixture into the cream in the saucepan and mix well.Combine the condensed milk, yogurt and cardamom in a bowl. Fold into the egg mixture.

• Divide the custard among 12 (4-ounce) ramekins. Set the ramekins in a baking dish.

Add enough water to the baking dish to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan with foil.

• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the centers are barely set. Chill in the refrigerator.

• Garnish with pomegranate seeds and pistachios to serve. Makes 12 (4-ounce) servings.

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Executive Chef, Lucky Dhillon

Fraser River Lodge Just an hour away from Vancouver, this picturesque lodge is situated in Agassiz, on the shore of the

B

ritish Columbia is world-famous for its salmon

year-round with a variety of activities ranging from

and sturgeon fishing, and there is no better

fishing trips, river rafting, helicopter adventures

place for the ultimate fishing experience than the

to cooking classes. Their conference room at

Fraser River Lodge. Just an hour away from Vancouver,

the rustic lodge house is a serene space, with a

this picturesque lodge is situated in Agassiz, on the

breathtaking view of mountains and wild bison

shore of the Fraser River and it offers year-long fishing

grazing in the fields. The Fraser River Lodge’s

for salmon, trout, sturgeon, and steelhead.

unique, outside-the-box corporate packages are

Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned fisher-

sought after by a number of distinguished clients.

man at the Fraser River Lodge, everything is done to

“I can’t mention names, but we have had presidents

ensure your experience is truly extraordinary. Upon

of certain governments, the CEOs of Mercedez-

booking, each party has its own private speedboat

Benz, Lufthansa, Deutsche Bank [and] lots of Wall

and is chartered by a professional guide - and you can customize your fishing adventure according to

treated to gourmet meals on board. “And depending

your preference. From one day fishing trips to week-

on what you’d like, we can have a chef on the

long vacations to the types of fish and fishing methods,

island, making dinner,” Staiger adds. As you return

Owner Frank Staiger assures, “anything is doable.”

back to the lodge, your catch is carefully taken care

While the most popular fishing is for salmon, sturgeon

of by staff, who clean, fillet and vacuum-seal the fish.

and trout, the Fraser River Lodge is also a fly fishing

But what truly sets the Fraser River Lodge apart is

paradise. “From June to September, we also have a

their promise of exclusivity. “We are on the water, we

lot of heli-fishing. There is also wilderness fishing,”

have 18 private acres and we have no neighbours.

says Staiger. “People love [it] because they really

When you book your group, you can have the

like going to pristine, absolute untouched areas.”

exclusivity of the facilities; nobody else [will be] there,

Staiger, who has been fishing since childhood, has

it’s yours,” says Staiger.

a team of professional guides. These seasoned

Their emphasis on privacy and exclusivity makes the

experts know how to pick the best fishing spots,

Fraser River Lodge a top pick for corporate events.

which means you rarely go home without a catch.

From team-building, corporate incentives to company

After an exhilarating morning of fishing, guests are

Christmas events, they offer customizable packages

Street guys.”

This exclusivity also makes the lodge a popular wedding venue. The eight-bedroom main lodge and its neighbouring outpost lodge are usually entirely booked during summer by wedding parties. “We can accommodate up to 200 people for a wedding, and bookings are made a year in advance,” says Executive Chef Lucky Dhillon, whose thoughtfully prepared gourmet meals are local, fresh and always delectable. With allexclusive packages offered, the efficient wedding department at the Lodge makes sure that a couple’s special day is stress-free and memorable.

So whether you come to the Fraser River Lodge for a fishing vacation, a corporate event or a wedding, your stay is certain to be an unforgettable one!

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g n i r p S t l Sa

d n a l s I

By Cassandra Anderton

To truly experience the west coast lifestyle in British Columbia, a visit to the most popular of the Gulf Islands is a must. On Salt Spring Island, the pace slows and this is home to those who like it that way.

It is also well known for its green initiatives and pristine lands where rolling hills edge down to the sea.

T

o truly experience the west coast lifestyle in British Columbia, a visit to the most popular of the Gulf Islands is a must. On Salt Spring Island, the pace slows and this is home to those who like it that way. It is also well known for its green initiatives and pristine lands where rolling hills edge down to the sea.

During the summer months, outdoor pursuits call, but even in the cooler periods, this mild climate island has plenty to offer to those who favour both inside and out. Full of luxury accommodations, art galleries, performing arts, farmers markets and excellent dining, there truly is something for all.

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Getting there Part of travelling is always the journey and the one to Salt Spring Island is a particularly gorgeous trek across the sea, whether you come efficiently by float plane from Vancouver or take your time walking or driving aboard the BC Ferries. Float planes leave frequently from the downtown harbour in Vancouver or the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport and can be booked through Salt Spring Air or Seair Seaplanes.

Stay at Salt Spring Hastings House Country Hotel is a spectacular waterfront country house and TM

cottages, resting on twenty-two acres of picturesque garden lands. Afternoon tea is served in the guest house, dinner is not to be missed at their fabulous onsite restaurant and their spa is top notch. Roam the gardens and observe the art work, or take an easy walk into the village. Each morning you will wake up to a hamper of coffee and muffins, and then join them in the country house for a hearty breakfast. Chef Marcel Kauer works with local ingredients such as Salt Spring Island lamb and fresh herbs from the garden to compliment their local and international selection of wines.

Marinerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Loft suites are perched overlooking the inner harbour and include seven fully furnished luxury suites with full gourmet kitchens and sleeping for up to six people. They are within a minute or two walk from restaurants, grocery stores and shops and include outdoor patios with barbeques for the summer months and cozy indoor fire places for cooler days.

Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast is the newest in boutique accommodation on Salt Spring Island and rests atop the area

DARPAN traVel

Things to do in cooler months Ruckle Provincial Park is an excellent place to hike along seven kilometres of shorelines and through the gorgeous colours in the arbutus forests. Trails are for all levels and there’s plenty of opportunity to bird watch, spot sea lions, otters, and even killer wales.

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LOCAL

TRAVEL

RECIPES

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AUTOLIFESTYLE EVENTS

BEAUTY

locals call Hundred Hills overlooking the Georgia Straight. This bed and breakfast is an immaculately finished architectural gem full of acclaimed art works and surrounded by pristinely kept, yet entirely natural grounds.

Stroll out to the “Standing Stone Circle” a mini Stonehenge-type structure with central fire pit where guests can pause to contemplate the more Zen side of life. Breakfast here is not merely an afterthought; it’s vital to the experience.

Salt Spring Air Scenic Flights in the winter are particularly scenic as clear skies give viewers the chance to catch all the winter colours along with the beautiful frosts on the ground.

Christmas on Salt Spring includes late night shopping evenings in the city centre, craft markets and visits from Santa in late November/early December. Martini lovers should look for the Glowtini Martini Challenge cocktail contest and tour and there’s also a Chili Cookoff. The cookoff is held on the night of the main harbour’s Christmas Tree Light Up where attendees can enjoy the outdoor concert. Both attract all the local talent and raise funds for the local charities.

Maple Syrup Day takes place in February alongside Family Day at Harbour House Hotel. Over 100 trees are hand tapped and the sap is collected daily culminating in this festival. There are tours of the hotel’s diverse farm property which provides much of the produce for the hotel, pancakes, maple syrup tasting, hot chocolate and live music.

Salt Spring Island Film Festival will be held

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Part of travelling is always the journey and the one to Salt Spring Island is a particularly gorgeous trek across the sea, whether you come efficiently by float plane from Vancouver or take your time walking or driving aboard the BC Ferries.

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next in March of 2015 and attracts world class films from around the globe. It is a registered educational society and holds “Social Justice Bazaar” discussions after the films educating the audience on beneficial activities taking place on the Island. There is a culinary aspect to the festival and film nights, events and workshops take place throughout the year leading up to the festival.

Salt Spring Island is home to some seriously good art galleries as well as island studios where you can observe the artists at work. Don’t miss Gallery 8 and the Pegasus Gallery, and be sure to check to see if there are any special exhibits or tours on during your visit.

Check out the Island’s ArtSpring, which is home to an exhibition and performance area.

There are many local and travelling performances and a multi-purpose area that often hosts interesting events. Yoga is also big on the Island and the new Ganges Yoga Studio has classes for all levels and ages.

New to the Island, Southend Grooveyard is a live music venue in a wood cabin. This is a very casual eighty seat venue where singers, musicians and performers of many talents meet for folk music performances. All proceeds go to the artists and the evening brings guests of all ages.

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PHOTOs: saltspring tourism, saltspringair, chris Pouget photography, Garry Oaks Winery, cassandra anderton

Call Harvinder Srah (Harry)

New to the Island is the Southend Grooveyard, a live music venue in a wood cabin. This is a very casual eighty seat venue where singers, musicians and performers of many talents meet for folk music performances. All proceeds go to the artists and the evening brings guests of all ages.

@ 604-729-6735

Original SWEET SHOP & RESTAURANT

Dining There are dozens of restaurant on the island, some more interesting than others, as well as farms and wineries to visit. I would highly recommend dining at Hastings House for a meal you won’t forget. Lunches are great at Auntie Pesto’s or Barb’s Bakery and Bistro. Oysters and drinks at Moby’s are a must and the Harbour House offers up some great meals all day long.

New to the Island is the funky Galeria Café Kizmit worth a stop in for lunch and a browse of their wares and Beach Bistro for breakfast.

Mouth Watering

Sweet, Snacks & Namkeen...

Wineries On the Island you’ll find Garry Oaks Winery, Salt Spring Vineyards and Mistaken Identity Vineyards. Do call ahead as visiting hours vary with the seasons. There are also many farms offering tours. Salt Spring is famous for its cheese, lamb and mussels.

Find additional information on the Hello Salt Spring App on itunes and www.saltspringtourism.com ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cassandra Anderton is a freelance wine, food, spa, lifestyle and travel writer and broadcaster. Cassandra appears regularly on Breakfast Television and can be heard on NEWS1130 Foodie Fridays. She is passionate about local food and wine, and loves to travel to learn and report on what others are doing to promote their local culture.

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Snowmobiling

British Columbia may have some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America, but that’s not all there is to do here in winter. As the weather gets colder, bundle up and try something a little different this holiday season. Here are a couple of snowy day activities that guarantee a great time!

LET IT

SNOW

If you’re looking for some wintertime thrills, snowmobiling is the way to go. Head out to Whistler for a fast, adrenaline-filled ride across the pristine backcountry. There are a number of snowmobile tours offered at every level.

Beginners might want to opt for ‘The Cruiser’ offered

by The Adventure Group Whistler.

This popular two hour tour lets you get familiar with snowmobiling and takes you on an exciting journey through old forests and backcountry trails at Cougar Mountain. For more experienced riders, ‘The Night Rider’ tour is a great option. Cruise up to over 6000 ft in moonlight and explore the beauty of Fitzsimmons Creek Valley.

By Tarana Rana

5 WInTer AcTIvITIes To Try

Winter Snow Camping

Dogsledding One of the oldest forms of winter travel, dog sledding remains a popular winter sport and is an incredible way to experience some of BC’s breathtaking landscapes. For an exhilarating ride, head out to Sun Peaks Resort, a four hour drive from Vancouver. They offer two dog sledding tours, ‘Born to Run’ and ‘Bark at the Moon’.

While both tours are guided, you are given the option to drive the sled if you choose to. ‘Born to Run’ is a 1.5 hour long ride which will have you zipping through the rugged Canadian wilderness while ‘Bark at the Moon’ is an enchanting 45 minute evening ride through the forests of Sun Peaks. You’ll also get a chance to meet the exuberant Alaskan Huskies that make it all happen!

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If camping out in the snow appeals to you, you’re in luck – BC is becoming known as a go-to winter camping destination and places like Garibaldi Provincial Park near Vancouver, Manning Park in Okanagan, and Strathcona Provincial Park in Vancouver Island are all popular choices. For first timers, Canada West Mountain School in Vancouver offers a unique Winter Snow Camping course to help get you started. You’ll get to spend two days in the mountains learning and applying winter camping skills such as survival skills, avalanche safety skills, route finding as well as igloo and snow cave construction.

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Skeleton Sliding For an unforgettable winter experience, try out the Skeleton Slide at the Whistler Sliding Centre this December. In this ultimate winter sliding sport, you ride a small sled down a frozen track headfirst, lying face down. The two hour long skeleton tour begins with an orientation, which includes helmet fittings, track etiquette, safety guidelines and a mock run and staff is on hand to assist you on and off the sled. You’ll get to take two runs and expect to reach speeds of 90 – 100 km/hr. Ideal for speed enthusiasts and daredevils!

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Snowshoeing Snow shoeing is one winter activity even the faint of hearts can enjoy. It’s also extremely easy to pick up – just strap on a pair of snow shoes and start walking!

Head out to Mount Seymour in North Vancouver, for a variety of trails at every level – beginner, athlete and nature lover. Named the #1 resort for SnowShoeing in North America in 2012 by Snowshoe Magazine, Mount Seymour has picturesque trails you can explore on your own as well as a number of guided tours.

Beginners should take the ‘Discovery Tour’. This two hour long, drop in program runs every Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm and is a good introduction to the basics of snowshoeing. Another fun tour to check out is ‘Chocolate Fondue’. This 2.5 hour long nighttime tour culminates in a trip to a snow lounge where you get to enjoy some delicious chocolate fondue. All tours include a snowshoe guide, snowshoe rental, trail pass and hot cider.

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DARPAN home

Say

Again Hello

Home Décor To Your

By Ashley Stephens

Up and coming interiors are a throw back to the past Classic touches never go out of style but they're back in a big way this season. Homeowners can embrace their individuality, but in a sophisticated way. Luxurious stone and vintage accessories will add an elegance to homes that has been overlooked in recent years.

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t's cool to stay inside this winter – or at least that's what interior designers are telling us.

While the temperatures may be dropping outside, things are only getting warmer indoors as this winter will bring a wealth of bold brights, contemporary luxuries and inspiration from older times.

Classic touches never go out of style but they're back in a big way this season. Homeowners can embrace their individuality, but in a sophisticated way. Luxurious stone and vintage accessories will add an elegance to homes that has been overlooked in recent years.

A dash of masculinity also keeps things classic yet bold when mixed in with contemporary or trendy decor. A backdrop of classic decoration goes well with unexpected accents of intense colours and bold accessories.

“What I'm personally looking forward to for winter is the return of richer colour; jew-

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el tones, mixed with camels and whites,” says registered interior designer and LEED accredited professional with Mãk Interiors, Amber Kingsworth.

The winter blues may get you down but any blues inside your home will be sure to brighten your day. Designers are bringing the blues of the outdoors in. The hues of Greek rooftops and the Mediterranean sea are rich, vibrant shades that pair well with greens, greys or pinks and instantly make an interior feel fresh.

A glossy finish to bold blues make classic pieces instantly modern.

“Paint is always the quickest, most costeffective way to make a big impact on a space,” notes Kingsworth. “Or buy a single roll of a great wallpaper and create a feature wall.”

Inspired by the deep blue sea, not only will the colour blue be making its way into homes, but aquatic inspired prints and textures

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8247 130 St.,

“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. ” - Wade Boggs

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will also make a splash this season. Incorporating water-inspired patterns into your existing decor can be as easy as adding an aqua accent pillow or purchasing a watercolour print of your favourite ocean.

“I always recommend that my residential clients keep a neutral backdrop (flooring, cabinetry and large furniture pieces) so that they can play with accents like wallpaper, special fabrics on toss cushions, or a great rug,” says Kingsworth.

This aquatic trend will complement the season's move to bring the outdoors in.

Furniture thought to be perfect for your back patio can now find a home in your living room; wicker couches or birch chairs create an oasis feel in an unexpected place.

Salvaged wood, water features and an abundance of indoor plants highlight nature's beauty without stepping foot outdoors.

If you've longed to have a little Mad Men styling in your life, now's your chance to update your home's interior while being on trend.

Shades of the sixties are making a return to home decor as designers are finding ways to incorporate the distinct style and popular prints of the decades past.

Olive greens and an array of orange hues are popping up all around homes. By incorporating these colours into existing decor, what is old becomes new again in more ways than one. Olive green is a warm, organic hue that can be paired with any colour as a neutral, making it easy to add to any room.

Retro is modern again, like it was in the 60's when psychedelic colours and polypropylene furniture brightened up wooden interiors. This return to retro is a fun way to play up both neutral and natural spaces – two styles that are currently on trend and easy to incorporate into any home.

While much more subdued than the bold

DARPAN home Retro is modern again, like it was in the 60's when psychedelic colours and polypropylene furniture brightened up wooden interiors. This return to retro is a fun way to play up both neutral and natural spaces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; two styles that are currently on trend and easy to incorporate into any home. blues or retro hues, pastel palettes will be warming up homes this upcoming season.

These soft, romantic hues of pale pinks and peaches and an abundance of flesh tones will have homes feeling almost hazy as the winter sun sets late in the afternoon.

Add some frosted milk glass accessories, pastel pink glassware or dreamy neutral drapery around your home to incorporate this ethereal look that will encourage curling up on a couch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For winter I always like a nice cozy throw that can add colour and texture

to a room,â&#x20AC;? says Kingsworth.

In order to make an impact, designers are pairing pretty pastels with a punch of neon and they're encouraging home owners to do the same. Taking their cue from the 80's, pink flamingos, purple sunsets and green palm trees are now inspiring new ideas for home interiors.

Don't send your brass accessories up to the attic yet â&#x20AC;&#x201C; metallics are still in for the season, especially when â&#x20AC;&#x153;mismatched.â&#x20AC;?

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However, gold is getting its share of the spotlight this season and it's doing it in a fun way. Gold accents, such as brushed gold bowls or goldrimmed tableware keep things classic but playful.

Mixing metallics with bright colours is an easy and cost-effective way to incorporate several trends of the season.

The winter may force you to spend more time inside but the decor will be sure to keep you happy about it. Fight back against the cold outdoors this season with an interior worth spending time in.

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DARPAN Weddings

City of Residence: Surrey, BC

Q: How did you meet?

Q: What do you love most about one another?

Q: Could you share your proposal story?

Q: Describe your wedding day.

What was your favourite moment?

Q: Could you tell us about your reception?

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OpenRoad Auto Group Introduces Porsche Retail Centre in Langley

E

penRoad Auto Group, one of the largest growing automotive retail groups in Canada,

has officially inaugurated its newest dealership, Porsche Centre Langley. Located in Langley Auto Collection, Vancouver's luxury auto mall, this new Porsche dealership stands as the group's 15th location in the Metro Vancouver area. Aly Jiwani, general manager, BMW Langley, MINI Langley and Porsche Centre Langley, gives us an insight about the centre and tells us about Porsche's

PHOTO: andreW LinG, OPenrOad auTO GrOuP

inclusion to OpenRoad Auto Group.

J[bb ki W X_j WXekj Ef[dHeWZ 7kje =hekf WdZ _ji Fh[i_Z[dj 9^h_ij_Wd 9^_W5 Since launching the identity as OpenRoad Auto Group in 2000, we have grown to be one of the largest and fastest growing automotive retail groups in Canada. More importantly though, OpenRoad is proud to be recognized as an automotive group that is seeking to modernize the car buying and ownership experience.

OpenRoad has also been recognized as one of Canada’s best employers and best managed companies. In fact, we have been recognized as one of Canada’s best 50 employers for 2014.

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We have over 800+ associates that represent 12 new car brands at 15 retail centres across the Lower Mainland of Vancouver; Porsche Centre Langley being the newest! Christian Chia, the President is an avid race car enthusiast and is in fact a race car driver himself. He is a Porsche driver in the Porsche Carrera Cup in Asia!

M^Wj YWd Ykijec[hi [nf[Yj _d j[hci e\ i[hl_Y[ WdZ Wbie \hec j^[ Z[Wb[hi^_f _ji[b\5 Porsche is a dream car for many people. We want to help facilitate that dream purchase for people or simply a place where people can come and simply talk about their dream cars with our staff. We want to be seen as a hub for Porsche enthusiasts and for people who simply love cars.

In fact, I only hired Porsche enthusiasts as employees of the dealership. All of my staff have a love for the brand and are passionate about the brand and its culture.

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Everybody and anybody! Anyone from “soccer moms” J[bb ki WXekj oekh heb[ Wi =[d[hWb CWdW][h to hard-core Porsche owners who take their cars to the track!

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I oversee all aspects of the retail operations including sales, service, and parts along with helping to enhance the sales and after sales operations of the Porsche Centre. I want Porsche Langley to be seen as a centre for Porsche enthusiasts.

>em Ze oek i[[ j^[ d[m Z[Wb[hi^_f fbWo_d] W heb[ _d [ijWXb_i^_d] BWd]b[o Wi Wd WkjeceX_b[ ^kX5 Porsche Centre Langley is the newest member to the Langley Auto Collection which already holds 5 other luxury dealerships. I see Porsche being another choice for the consumer in the rapidly growing luxury market in the Fraser Valley and the Lower Mainland.

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9Wd oek j[bb ki ceh[ WXekj j^[ FehiY^[ _dYbki_ed _d Ef[dHeWZ 7kje =hekf5 This is our first Porsche franchise and only the 16th centre in Canada. We believe that Porsche is the top sports car manufacturer in the world and we are proud to represent it.

?d m^Wj Wif[Yji m_bb j^[ FehiY^[ BWd]b[o Z[Wb[hi^_f X[ Z_\\[h[dj \hec ej^[hi5 Our staff consists only of passionate Porsche enthusiasts and understand that this is a dream purchase for many people. There is absolutely no obligation to buy a Porsche when visiting us but we want to provide that atmosphere and that experience of that “dream” with every visit that our clients make. They may not purchase or service that day or ever. But their children might.

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Kwantlen Polytechnic University

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2015 CADILLAC

Since this is a vehicle designed to go places, the ESVs interior is spacious and comfortable with pair bucket seats in front and the second row and a bench seat in the far rear section.

This gives the Escalade a comfortable seating capacity of seven individuals. As to be expected in a people mover like this, an up to date entertainment system with 9in. screen (Blue-Ray DVD) is mounted in the rear.

By GLEN KONOROWSKI

;I97B7:; ESV DESIGNED TO GO PLACES

I

f big vehicles are your driving pleasure, then Cadillacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Escalade ESV is about as big as they get. In all the years I have been testing cars or SUVs, the Escalade ESV has to be the biggest factory passenger vehicle I have ever driven.

Despite what you may think, the Escalade was not that difficult to manoeuvre about in parking lots or on the road.

Now, if you are not familiar with the Escalade line, the vehicle comes in two

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lengths. The Escalade is 2946mm. (116in.) wheelbase while the Escalade ESV has a 3302mm (130in.) wheelbase.

The Escalade may be big, but getting in and out is fairly easy by way of the retractable running boards. When the doors are opened, the running boards automatically fold down, making stepping up and in easy for adults and children alike.

Once inside the ESV, you will find all

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the amenities that are common to all the luxury vehicles on the market today. My test vehicle had the black trim with brown leather seats and other accents. I have to admit it is quite refreshing to get away from the all too widespread black and grey coloured interiors every manufacturer seems to be offering. Over the years, many of the domestic manufacturers have been taking a hit on quality, but honestly I could find no faults in this vehicle what so ever. It compares well with anything high end from Europe.

Since this is a vehicle designed to go places, the ESVs interior is spacious and comfortable with pair bucket seats in front and the second row and a bench seat in the far rear section. This gives the Escalade a comfortable seating capacity of seven

HIGHLIGHTS

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individuals. As to be expected in a people mover like this, an up to date entertainment system with 9in. screen (Blue-Ray DVD) is mounted in the rear.

Even with all this space taken up for people, the ESV still offers good interior cargo space. Behind the third row of seats is a good-sized luggage space for a family.

At a push of the button, the rear hatch opens by itself. As this is a truck based vehicle the lift up and in might be a challenge for shorter adults.

Lets face it, the Escalade is designed to move people and trailers. For anyone who wants to tow a trailer of any weight and do it in style, then this is the only choice. The Escalade offers the size and weight needed to easily pull a trailer or boat. My test ESV model will pull, 3492kg (7,700lbs) while the shorter base Escalade will tow slightly more at 3674kg. (8,100lbs).

To move everything about, the Escalade is only offered with one engine, a direct injection 6.2L V8 with variable valve timing (similar to Corvette). This gives this aluminum engine a power output of 420hp and 460lbs. ft. of torque. all passing through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Keep in mind that the Escalade is all-wheel-drive, with a locking differential to get through the most difficult of terrain.

The Escalade ESV may not be for everyone, but it does have a purpose and that is to move people and trailers with style and ease. If travelling with these needs, you won’t find a better vehicle that can traverse most terrains and get you there safely.

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By GLEN KONOROWSKI

Road Test of the

Where the 428i really shines is in

BMW 428i xDrive ConveRTiBle I

t is always exciting driving a new model, and new is what I received with the 428i xDrive convertible/cabriolet. This model comes equipped with a hard folding convertible folding roof, which the people at BMW told me is very popular and weather resistant. Having owned a newer convertible a few years ago, I never had a problem with

the roof leaking.

To get things straight, if you are a little confused as to where the 4-series fits into the BMW line up, it basically replaces the 3-series 2-door models. So in this case the 428i cabriolet replaces the 3-series cabriolets. Simple enough if you follow the BMW line of cars.

the handling department. In my time with the car, I really enjoyed tight or long sweeping corners.

On straight stretches the car was perfectly stable even in the high winds I encountered. What made this possible were the 225/45R18 tires on a set of very nice looking alloy wheels.

The 4-series cars come in a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder versions and my test car was the 4-cylinder version that is equipped with all wheel drive. Getting the car moving is a turbocharger attached to the engine giving this 2L engine with a healthy 241hp. giving it a 0 to 100kph in just 6.5 seconds, which is pretty quick considering all the extra equipment needed for the folding roof. In hard acceleration the power came on fast and there was no real turbo lag. It seemed to take longer for the transmission to react than it did for the turbo to go into boost mode. As for the transmission, the 428i comes with an 8-speed automatic that was very smooth, making gear changes almost seamless. When called upon, the

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DARPAN autoREVIEW Vancouver Public Library Central Library, Level 4 350 West Georgia Street Phone: 604-331-3603 Web:

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment information for career decisions MSRP: $59,000 (All-Wheel-Drive) Power: 241 at 5000rpm Torque: 258 at 1500rpm

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transmission down shifted quickly for brisk acceleration.

Speaking of folding roofs, I noticed that the hinges show on the folding roof. It was surprising, as the VW, which has a similar style roof, didn’t show the hinges. Even though the roof of the 428i is a little bigger, you might expect cleaner lines. But, otherwise the car looked very sleek with the roof up or down.

However, one big disadvantage to this roof design is that it takes up trunk space. Due to the size of the roof, when it is folded down, it encroaches into the trunk quite a bit, leaving very little cargo space. Even in the raised position, the rails holding the roof in the stowed position also limit what you can put into the trunk.

Where the 428i really shines is in the handling department. In my time with the car, I really enjoyed tight or long sweeping corners. On straight stretches the car was perfectly stable even in the high winds I encountered. What made this possible were the 225/45R18 tires on a set of very nice looking alloy wheels.

My white test car had the red coral leather interior, which to my eyes looked just fantastic.

The seats were very comfortable and held the driver in place during hard cornering. Extensions from the bottom seat cushions added extra support for the legs which was great when I encountered heavy traffic while testing the car.

As you might expect from a BMW, dash layout was superb with all controls labelled well and all very easy to reach. Gauges were well placed and in easy view, no matter what seating position you might sit in. Back seat room was also adequate for a convertible.

My test car was priced at $59,900 which when one considers the options on this car, is very fair.

The 428i is well worth a look if you are in the market for a truly great handling convertible with seating for four.

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2014

Volkswagen

JeTTa TDi

The face of VW’s popular sedan has changed a lot throughout the last few generations, but the interior is one place that has thankfully stayed true to its simple German beginnings. f you can look past the humdrum of a beige on beige sedan, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Highline is a capable people carrier with good fuel mileage, a great dual-clutch automatic gearbox and driver controls that are refreshingly easy to use.

Of course, the vehicle is available in other colours, but my press vehicle featured the Moonrock Silver Metallic - a.k.a. champagne-paintjob with the Cornsilk Beige interior. While the colour combination may leave something to be desired, the Highline trim level gives the Jetta, dare I say, a mean exterior appearance. The 17-inch Queensland polished alloy wheels, foglights and integrated front bumper lip look fantastic.

The face of VW’s popular sedan has changed a lot throughout the last few generations, but the interior is one place that has thankfully stayed true to its

I

HIGHLIGHTS

By BENJAMIN yONG

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MSRP: $30,760 base Motor: 2.0 L four-cylinder turbodiesel Horsepower: 140 @ 4,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 236 @ 1,750 rpm Gearbox: 6-speed DSG automatic Layout: Front-wheel drive Fuel Economy: 6.7 L/100 km city, 4.7 highway (manufacturer estimate)

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simple German beginnings. In an era where turning on the fan can sometimes be as challenging as programming the time on a VCR once was, things are straightforward in the Jetta cabin. A screen anchors the centre stack, with buttons on either side for audio, handsfree, navigation and system settings. Below, there are the familiar climate dials and controls.

The Jetta isn’t all traditional on the inside, adopting the popular push button engine start found in many new cars. Curiously, though, the fob still looks the same as it has for a decade, complete with the flipout key.

Once you press the start button, the engine chugs to life with a bit of noise (it is a diesel after all). Unlike the Volkswagen’s base gasoline powerplant with the same displacement that made an anaemic 115 horsepower/125 lb-ft of torque, this 2.0-litre turbo engine pumps out 140 hp

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Shifting duties are optionally taken care of by the German manufacturer’s proprietary Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG), blurring the lines nicely between auto and manual transmissions. Gear changes are quick and precise and if you feel the need to take the reins you can bump the

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with a comparatively massive 236 lb-ft torque produced at a low 1,750 rpm. As a result the TDI pulls away from stoplights with pomp and circumstance, while maintaining an advertised fuel economy rating of 6.7 L/100 km in city driving and 4.7 on the highway (automatic).

Shifting duties are optionally taken care of by the German manufacturer’s proprietary DirectShift Gearbox (DSG), blurring the lines nicely between auto and manual transmissions. Gear changes are quick and precise, and if you feel the need to take the reins you can bump the lever over from the “D” position to the bi-directional manual mode.

Although fully independent front/rear suspension is standard, the 1,434 kilogram TDI Highline feels heavy when you’re driving it and exhibits understeering tendencies when you push it too hard in a corner. The ride is comfortable, however, and the four-wheel disc brakes stop the car sufficiently.

With the $1,570 Technology Package that adds a premium Fender sound system, backup camera and excellent navigation system, the 2014 Volkswagen TDI Highline I was driving tipped the price scale at $30,760. That makes it one of the more expensive compacts when compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Hyundai Elantra — a price you may have to pay if you’re after a European diesel with a great drivetrain.

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Led by Porsche Canada driving instructors, Kees Nierop and Pierre Des Marais, the PORSCHE PERfORMANCE TOuR offered was the highlight auto event in and around Vancouver, BC

BY BENJAMIN YONG

2014 Porsche PERfORMANCE Tour he all-new 2015 Porsche Macan luxury crossover SUV is still a rare sight in many places, having just debuted not too long ago. So you can imagine people’s surprise when a caravan of them rolled into town in October, for the first Porsche Performance Tour event held in and around Vancouver, BC. The crossovers weren’t alone on the three-day tour, which offers a unique mix of sightseeing, fine dining, and of course, driving. Two other models joined the fun: the iconic Porsche 911 Carrera S and the mid-engine Boxster-with-aroof Cayman, giving guests a variety of performance motoring experience.

Led by Porsche Canada driving

T

instructors, Kees Nierop and Pierre Des Marais, each day offered what they called a highlight event.

The first day was my personal favourite - offroading in the Macans on a special course situated in the scenic and wild Callaghan Valley near Whistler. This wasn’t a quick lap around a muddy field, but rather a full trek in the backcountry involving steep hills, giant puddles and serious rock covered terrain.

The Macan may represent Porsche’s introduction into the compact sport utility market, but the company seems to have gotten it right on the first try. Utilizing the expertise from decades of making track-

Porsche 911 Carrera S

Porsche Cayman S

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2015 Porsche Macan S ready cars and, more recently, the fullsize Cayenne, the vehicle is described as “sports car meets SUV.” Just from its looks, that statement would be correct.

The front end is aggressive with a big centre grille, large side air intakes in the bumper, foglights and smoked headlamps housing bi-xenon lights. The body is sculpted with muscular lines, but the roof slopes down gently towards the back like a coupe where there is a pair of sleek contoured taillights and dual exit exhaust pipes.

Glancing inside, there are all sorts of buttons and dials everywhere. This is especially true of the Macans equipped with the optional Sport Chrono package — which ours were — that adds an analog and digital stopwatch on top of the

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dashboard and the all-important “Sport” button in the long centre console. Engaging the Sport mode knocks 0.2 seconds off the already quick 5.4 seconds it normally takes the Macan S to get from 0-100 km/h, or the blazing 4.8 seconds for the Macan Turbo.

Both trims are actually powered by turbochargers: the S has Porsche’s new 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine producing 340 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The one that wears a Turbo badge is a 3.6 litre bi-turbo producing 400 hp with 406 lb-ft torque. Regardless of the name, all Macans include all-wheel drive and the famed seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch transmission as standard.

Nierop noted that most owners purchasing this newest addition to the German manufacturer’s stable probably wouldn’t be taking theirs to the nearest logging road. Still, there might be dirt road that needs traversing in order to reach a favourite fishing spot or cabin getaway. That’s when features like the Porsche Hill Control (PHC) system and Offroad mode come in handy. With PHC activated, driving down a decline causes the brakes to kick in, automatically slowing the vehicle down to a crawl. That frees up the driver to concentrate on steering the car carefully, letting the computer do the rest. Speed is adjustable in increments by tapping the gas or brake.

Turning on the Offroad function is kind of like the opposite of Sport mode. Rather than hunkering down the stance, the suspension is raised to provide 9.1 inches of ground clearance so you can go over or through pretty much anything. Other changes that make driving in rough terrain easier also occur, such as softening up the electric power steering and moderating ABS and torque distribution.

There were a couple of potholes, the size of small pits, that the Macan unbelievably made it over, leaving one of the wheels hovering in midair in the process. Nierop took the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the frame by opening and closing the rear door with ease with part of the car suspended.

The rest of the performance tour involved guests taking turns piloting the 911s and Caymans up Highway 99 all the way to Vernon, and then back down again with a stopover at Mission Raceway Park for a little track time in the two coupes.

If you missed this particular Porsche Cars Canada program, fret not: the brand also runs an annual winter performance driving experience called Camp4 where participants get to navigate the newest models around an ice track in Quebec.

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DARPAN TECH Panono

It looks like a child’s toy, but what this product does is guaranteed to leave you wanting it for yourself.

The Panono is a camera with a twist. Rather than painstakingly setting up a panoramic view with your common DSLR, this camera functions in a way that encourages spontaneity and a unique perspective on your experiences. With 36 cameras and weighing only 300 grams, the Panono uses an internal accelerometer to determine when it is at its highest point and then takes a full panoramic photograph. you read that right, you’re supposed to toss this technological contraption up in the air. The panorama has a resolution of 108 megapixels and gets immediately transferred to the Panono app which is available on both iOS and Android. you get to view your photograph like Google Street View before deciding whether or not you’d like to share it to your social media or get it saved onto your computer. If you’re a bit too clumsy to throw it, the Panono also works with a camera stick and even in your hand. Set to be shipped in the first quarter of 2015, you can pre-order this camera for $550.

GADGET TRENDS

By DAVID BENJAMIN KENT

JIBO Samsung Gear 2 The eve of the smartwatch craze is upon us. Released only 8 months after the Gear, this smartwatch in particular sets itself apart from the competitors. Although many hardware features are the same as its predecessor, the Gear 2 enjoys an upgraded processor, better battery life, and a Samsung-developed operating system intended to improve performance. The watch is compatible with all Galaxy devices and provides access to numerous features for the user such as a personalized fitness tracker, a ‘host ping’ so you can find your phone, taking and making calls, changing the channel on your TV, MP3 storage, FHD photos and video capture, notifications from your phone apps and, of course, complete customization of how the watch screen looks. you can pick up a Gear 2 today for $300, ready immediately to be slapped onto your wrist.

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Touted as the world’s first robot family assistant, JIBO is a short little fella measuring at a height of 11 inches and weighing only 6 pounds. This robot is designed to be able to assist with most daily family activities and is specifically programmed to recognize faces, tell stories in an interactive way, take near-professional photographs, relay messages to specific family members, inform you of unusual noises or movements in your home when you’re not there, facial tracking video recording, and more. JIBO is considered open-platform so developers will be able to improve the functionality of the robot, either in things it can already do or to allow it to participate in completely new activities. Compatible with mobile devices, computers, and other JIBOs, the robot comes with some initial setup via WiFi to acquaint it with your family. The first batch of JIBO units is expected to be shipped out December 2015 and you will be able to get your own for $499.

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EXCLUSIVE

In an exclusive chat with DARPAN,

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rounded, attractive and polite best describe this Bollywood beauty. Far from being a bratty starkid, Sonakshi Sinha, despite her iconic lineage is the girl-next door to the industry insiders and outsiders alike. Sonakshi fell into acting quite by chance, and there was no looking back since Dabangg. The much acclaimed movie was her only learning ground and her career gained momentum since then. She never went to any acting school, but learnt the tricks of the trade on the job, shed weight, and ended up acting with a plethora of stars. In an exclusive with DARPAN, we catch up with the spirited actress on her upcoming movies and more…

the spirited actress on her upcoming movies and more…

Tell us about your role in Action Jackson ?

My role is quite comical in Action Jackson.

When they wanted me for the film Prabhu sir (Prabhudheva) and Ajay [Devgn] told me they needed an actress with good comic timing. I thought it would be great to explore an all and out comical role so I stepped in.

My character is that of a young urban girl from Mumbai.

So she dresses accordingly. In looks it's different from my rustic characters which I have played so far.

Did you have to do any homework for the movie?

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No. I don't do homework for any of my films. I like to go on set unprepared and let the director tell me what he has in mind. It's a joint effort. I merge the director’s vision and my inputs while playing any character.

How was your experience working with Ajay Devgn and Prabhudheva?

I have worked with them both before. I think working again with someone always makes the equation more relaxed and familiar. What I like most about them both is that they are thorough professionals and know their job.

It's [Action Jackson] an all out massy masala entertainer.

I hope and expect the masses to enjoy them as they have enjoyed Prabhu sir's, Ajay's and my films before.

What is something your fans do not know about you?

With me it's always what you see is what you get. So you probably know everything about me since I’ve made my debut 4 years back! Except maybe that I'm ambidextrous, did you know that?

Tell us about your beauty or fitness regime.

I don't have a beauty regime. But I do believe in letting my

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

My [new year's] resolution is to take up roles very different to the ones I have been doing. Yes, that's it; I want to tap into my full potential. I don't know if I will or if I can, but I can surely try!"

skin breathe so when I don't have to apply makeup, I steer clear from it. I work out 5 to 6 times a week and it consists of weight training and cardio. I have also started practicing yoga recently.

What does family mean to you?

Family always comes first for me. It's because of them I am who I am today and wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, they are always on my mind. My parents are conservative yet they give me enough space to be my own person and make my own decisions. My brothers are older than me so they're usually the ones I turn to for guidance and help.

What is your take on love?

What would your dream wedding be like?

Love is something that can't be forced and happens when you least expect it to. I don't know who I see myself with but I hope it's someone tall and who can make me laugh all the time. Marriage is not on my mind right now, I have to find the right person for that first, and when I do, I won't think twice. I'd like to have a very simple and private wedding but I doubt that will happen with the kind of social circle my family has!

Of late, you have been linked with many actors, what is your response to all the rumours?

They are part and parcel of the job I guess. It's sad that in today's day and age two people cannot work together or step out together without being linked together. It's stupid.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

They (rumors) are part and parcel of the job I guess. It's sad that in today's day

Are you tech savvy?

Do you like being on social media?

Yes I am. I'm very active on my social networking sites because they're a direct link to my fans and the people who actually matter without having to go through a middle source. It's the best way to gauge reactions to a film or generally stay updated with what's happening around you.

and age two people cannot work together or step out together without being linked together.

It's stupid.

What would be your next holiday destination?

I just took a vacation after my shoot for Action Jackson in Austria and I travelled around Turkey. That should keep me going for another year so I'm not planning any vacation just yet. But I would love to go to the Maldives. It's been on my list for a while now.

Do you have any close friends in this industry? Tell us about your favourite co-actors.

What is next for you?

Most of my best friends are not from this industry. They are people I have known since school and college. But I would say that I've always shared a great rapport with the people I've worked with, be it Salman, Akshay, Ranveer, Shahid or Arjun.

After the release of my next 3 films, Action Jackson, Lingaa and Tevar, I'm looking forward to starting next year with the kind of projects you've never seen me in. The first being A.R Murugadoss's woman-centric action film.

Is there any actress you see as competition?

What are your plans for Christmas and New Years? Do you have any resolutions for the New Year?

I don't. I don't see them as competition because it wasn't ever a dream for me to become an actress. This was destinyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan for me. I'm here to do this because I love my job, and that it. I only want to be better than what I was yesterday.

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I will be promoting my film Tevar during Christmas and New years! It releases on January 9th. My resolution is to take up roles very different to the ones I have been doing. Yes, that's it; I want to tap into my full potential. I don't know if I will or if I can, but I can surely try!

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PK

Release Date: December 19 Directed by: Raj Kumar Hirani Starring: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Sushant Singh Rajput

Arguably one of the most anticipated films of the year, director Raj Kumar Hirani's PK will see actors Amir Khan and Anushka Sharma sharing the big screen for the first time. The film will also mark the second time that Khan and Hirani will be working together, after the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots. "When I was finishing 3 Idiots, I realized that I should start my next film and at that point of time I and Abhijat [writer] went for a walk at Borivli National Park. And there we thought of PK and then Abhijat went to USA. And we used to discuss the topic and thus the film happened. It took five years to finish because the script took a long time as we tried to convey a strong message in an entertaining way," Hirani has been been quoting as saying. According to various sources, Sharma, who will be seen sporting short hair in the film, will be playing the role of a journalist. On the other hand, Aamir's character in the film is apparently has a liking for betels (paan), and Aamir admits to have eaten about 100 paans while shooting the film.

By Saira Hayre

REALTIME

BOLLYWOOD HAPPy EndInG

Release date: November 21 Directed by: Raj Nidimoru, Krishna D.K. Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Ileana D' Cruz, Kalki Koechlin

After Yash Raj Film's Kill Dil, actor Govinda will be seen once again in the Saif Ali Khan starrer Happy Ending. The film, which also stars Kalki Koechlin and Ileana D' Cruz, falls into the comedy genre, and is expected to be a laugh riot. In an interview, Khan, who is known for his humour, spoke about his experience of working with Govinda.

"It is actually really funny because if you watch the film there were at least three-four major scenes between us. It was not that we were putting some effort to do a shot. It was just like I am reacting to him. My acting was kind of very straight face and subtle.

Whereas his was more front-bencher. It was a good mix. It was like two people from two different planets." According to the grape vine, the film will also feature actresses Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta in cameo appearances.

KILL dIL

Release date: November 14 Directed by: Shaad Ali Starring: Govinda, Ranvir Singh, Parineeti Chopra, Ali Zaffar

He's one actor who is not seen in many films these days, so it's not surprising that Hindi film fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Govinda's upcoming film Kill Dil in which he will reportedly be seen playing an antagonistic role. Talking about his character, Govinda has said, "I wasn't sure that I would be able to play a hardcore villain in the film. But my wife Sunita said, 'Take up work that comes your way. Don't sit at home, go out. Don't wait for your films to get released'." Besides Govinda, the film will also star Parineeti Chopra and Ranveer Singh, who first appeared together in the 2010 film Ladies VS Ricky Behl. Interestingly enough, Singh, who is already known for his acting skills, has choreographed a song in the film. The song is called Sweeta. "Ganesh sir [choreographer] was too sweet to let me do my thing for Sweeta.

They are not steps as such. I am just having fun in the song. There was no nervous energy; only excitement all throughout," Singh has been quoted as saying. Kill Dil TM NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014 also features popular actor Ali Zaffar.

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Directed by: Prabhu Deva Starring: Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam

Both actor Ajay Devgn and director Prabhu Deva are known for their action packed films, so it's not wrong to suggest that their upcoming movie titled Action Jackson will be a visual treat for viewers. "The stunts that I have done under Prabhu's supervision in this film are amazing. It's a combination of martial arts and freestyle. Some of it was new even to me, though I have been brought up right here in the movies and in the midst of film action," Devgn said in an interview.

Besides Devgn, actress Sonakshi Sinha will also be in the film.

When asked about the film, and her role in it, Sinha has said, "I signed the film because the female lead was required to have a good comic timing. Both Ajay (Devgn) and Prabhu Deva thought that I would do justice to the role. For me too, it was a different thing altogether to play an out and out fun character.

I know that I can be really funny in front of the camera if I wish to. This is what I have done in Action Jackson."

UnGLI

Release date: November 28 Directed by: Rensil D' Silva Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, Sanjay Dutt

Maral Fadaeian

Kelly Macauley

His last release Raja Natwarlal didn't do as well as expected at the box office, but popular actor Emraan Hashmi is back once again to try his luck with the upcoming film titled Ungli, which has been delayed for about a year due to various factors, including actor Sanjay Dutt's jail sentence. Speaking about the delay, director Rensil D' Silva has said, "The wait was frustrating. The film got postponed once due to Sanju's [Sanjay Dutt's] verdict (he is currently in jail), and that led to a domino effect. The other time, we weren't ready with the music. Then, we were looking for a solo release week, which we have finally found." Besides the principle cast, the film will also feature actress Shraddha Kapoor in an item song. "My item in the film is called Nach Basanti. It is something I have never tried doing before and I hope people like me in it.

I have not done any appearances in the film. I have just been a part of this song and it's a cracking song," shared Kapoor. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharma productions, Ungli revolves around the theme of corruption.

Meena Sadioura

Brent Ellingson

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t’s that time of the year again in which studios attempt to compensate thinking audiences for all the commercial fare they released for the public through the summer. That’s right, it’s award season! Here are six likely contenders that will open during the latter part of the year, aiming to score a golden statue or two.

By Jorge Ignacio Castillio

iT’S PReSTiGe

PICTURE

TiMe Superhero movies take a break for a couple of months while more highbrow fare goes into the spotlight Interstellar (November 7th)

Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception) is one of the very few filmmakers able to produce original material with studio backing. As usual with Nolan, the plot of Interstellar is largely under wraps, but this is what’s known so far. Earth is ravaged by the effects of climate change, making it imperative to find an alternative home planet. A group of astronauts (including Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway) dare to travel through a wormhole in an attempt to allow human life to continue. Given Nolan’s track record and the compelling subject, this one is likely to be a winner.

Foxcatcher (November 28th)

A grim retelling of a murder, Foxcatcher features two actors not known for their dramatic chops— Steve Carell and Channing Tatum—, both of whom knock it out of the park in this film by Bennett Miller (Moneyball, Capote). Tatum is Olympic champion Mark Schultz, a self-loathing wrestler who finds a patron in billionaire John DuPont (Carell). A dilettante with time and money to spare, DuPont invites Schultz to train and live in his large horse farm in Pennsylvania. Their toxic relationship eventually reaches Mark’s brother David (Mark Ruffalo), who unwittingly becomes the victim of the highly volatile environment. As dramas go, it doesn’tNOVEMBER get any /gloomier than Foxcatcher, a veritable TM DECEMBER 2014 140 journey into the of the soul.

Reflecting The darkness South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

Exodus: Gods and Kings (December 12th)

So-called “myth” movies are expensive to make, but are also more likely to hit the jackpot across the world (recognizable stories, clear heroes and villains, no moral relativism). Noah made more money abroad than in North America. Hence, it’s no surprise investors decided to risk as much as US $200 millions in this adaptation of the second book of the Bible.

Directed by Ridley Scott (who knows a thing or two about historical recreations), Exodus pits Christian Bale as Moses against Joel Edgerton as Ramses. Neither of them looks remotely Egyptian, which is already generating backlash against the epic drama.

Photos: eone, Mongrel Media

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

GLOBAL

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Q&A wITh NAIR

well as my passion for 19th century British literature and Southern American gothic novels.

Q: How has your life changed Q: What was your after the novel? Is there any inspiration for writing The Girl in the Garden? change you see in yourself?

A: The idea for The Girl in the A: The biggest change was that

I N T RO D U C I N G

KAMALA NAIR

Garden came to me one night during a trip to India. I was visiting the rural village in Kerala where my father grew up, and was inspired by the culture of superstition and folklore, as well as the lush, green surrounding landscape. While visiting a temple with some relatives, a cousin pulled me aside and pointed out an old stone well in an empty field.

She told me the villagers believed the well was haunted by a yekshi (a ghost) and that no one dared tear down the well as a result.

That night I had a dream about that field and the well, but in my dream I saw a giant tree with branches full of red flowers. There were two young girls huddled under the tree as the petals drifted down around them, and they seemed afraid of something.

I woke up and could not get this image out of my head. I wanted to find out who these girls were and what they were hiding from. The story unfolded from there. I was also inspired by my childhood love for The Secret Garden, as

my writing went from a secret passion I toiled away at on the side to my profession. Publishing made me feel more confident in my identity.

Q: What advice would you give to individuals who aspire to be writers?

A: To be disciplined about it. Don’t wait around for inspiration to strike.

Treat it like a job [which is] advice I need to remember myself!

Q: What are some of your other interests?

A: I’m a voracious reader. I can’t get enough of fiction. Also, I love exploring New York City, where I’ve lived for the past nine years, and traveling. I recently visited Thailand and Turkey.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: I’m working on my second novel, The Year Without A Summer, which is a fictional re-imagining of the early life of Mary Shelley and what inspired her to write her iconic novel, Frankenstein.

By Tarana Rana

R

Set in a remote village in India, the Girl in the Garden tells the story of a young woman who revisits the events of one fateful childhood summer in her memories – the time when her mother whisked her away from her home to their ancestral home in India. It is there she discovers a spellbinding garden, one that harbours a terrifying secret.

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eaders should keep an eye out for Kamala Nair. This Londonborn writer made her debut with the highly popular novel, The Girl in the Garden in 2011, which was hailed as a lush and fascinating comingof-age tale by critics.

“I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember,” says Nair, who spent her childhood growing up in New York, Vermont and Minnesota. Although writing remained her passion, Nair never thought it would amount to anything more than a hobby. “I had been taught to believe I needed to choose a more straightforward and practical career path, so I applied to and was accepted into law school after college,” she says. However, Nair soon realized her heart was not in it, and decided to apply to Trinity College in Dublin for a

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Masters in Creative Writing. “I had the opportunity to focus exclusively on writing fiction without distraction, and was surrounded by like-minded people. [This] made me realize I wanted to take a risk and make this my career,” she shares.

Nair’s determination definitely paid off, as it was at graduate school where she began working on her first novel.

Set in a remote village in India, The Girl in the Garden tells the story of a young woman who revisits the events of one fateful childhood summer in her memories – the time when her mother whisked her away from her home to their ancestral home in India. It is there she discovers a spellbinding garden, one that harbours a terrifying secret.

Nair's intricately composed debut novel, The Girl in the Garden, is a dark fairytale for grownups

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Kelly Benson

is a lifelong student of metaphysics, astrologer. She has a rich background in reading astrological charts and doing Tarot readings. She is the daughter of well-known astrologer Georgia Nicols. To learn more about Kelly or to book an in-depth astrological reading,

Visit: www.kellybenson.ca.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014

HOROSCOPE

All Signs The Sun moves through intense Scorpio and then into truth seeking Sagittarius as winter approaches.

November is the time to take care of important matters, tidy up any loose ends, and put things to rest (at least for the winter). Some of us go inward, requiring time to reflect on this last year. We consider our personal achievements as well as what we accomplished in our professional lives. We emerge from this time feeling stronger and more optimistic about the coming year ahead. Throughout December we crave more social stimulus and opportunities to discuss ideas, philosophies, and new belief systems. Cultural events appeal as do opportunities to learn and better ourselves.

It's a time to reap the rewards of this past year and have a little fun!

ARIES (MARch 21 – ApRIl 19) If you've been considering any travel or ways to expand your career Aries, now is the time! You're creative nature is itching to express itself. It also means you just need a little playtime to get things moving. What gets your creative juices going, Aries? Whatever it is - you're eager to learn new methodologies so you can improve your techniques. A little bit of training, some classes, or maybe a weekend workshop is in order.

The assertive side of your nature is more pronounced this fall, so use this to your advantage and push your boundaries a little. You might have to break a few eggs in order to make that omelet, but you gotta live a little!

Rewarding days: Nov 3, 4, 5, 30 | Dec 1, 2, 27, 28, 29 Challenging days: Nov 17, 18, 19 | Dec 14, 15, 16

TAuRuS (ApRIl 20-MAy 20) You might have to go more than half way when dealing with others this time, Taurus. If you feel low-energy, gear down a bit and play it close to home. Repairs, redecorating projects, as well as crafts and hobbies around the house are comforting and rewarding now. Intimate gatherings with loved ones and close friends are nourishing for you. Important relationships in your life need some attention, making this a powerful time for learning about yourself and how your personal values may differ from others. Joint financial decisions or areas where your responsibilities are intertwined with others are likely to arise. You're in a good place to be diplomatic and consider everyone's point of view. Trust your instinct now!

Rewarding days: Nov 5, 6, 7 | Dec 2, 3, 4, 30, 31 Challenging days: Nov 19, 20, 21 | Dec 17, 18, 19

GEMInI (MAy 21-JunE 20) You're eager to get busy and hone your craft now, Gemini.

It's not so much a time of wild ideas as it is a time of being practical and seeing how things can play out in real time.

You're ready to examine and refine all your techniques and procedures. (Your inner perfectionist is coming out!) It's likely that your work environment or the day-to-day activities on the job front improve somehow. This is a good time to throw your hat in the ring for a job or position that you've been eyeing.

Others can see you're willing to put your money where your mouth is. Dinners out, social engagements, and industry parties are calling your name. Work-place romances might blossom now!

Rewarding days: Nov 7, 8, 9 | Dec 5, 6, 7 Challenging days: Nov 22, 23, 24 | Dec 19, 20, 21

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CanCer (June 21-July 22) It's time to get creative, Cancer! You've got a lot of energy and chutzpah and it's all about channelling it right now.

Any type of amusement or recreation, travel, or festivities would be great for you. (An early winter vacation anyone?)

If you can't get out of Dodge, then get crafty in your own backyard. Art projects and hobbies will relax you, and you're likely to produce a lot now as well. Responsibilities to do with children and their education might be top of mind for the Cancer parent as well. Romance and love affairs can be fun and exhilarating! This is also a good time to take the initiative and push an intimate relationship to the next level!

Rewarding days: Nov 10, 11, 12 | Dec 7, 8, 9 Challenging days: Nov 24, 25, 26 | Dec 21, 22, 23

leo (July 23-aug. 22) Your attentions turn to home and family matters. You’re keen to be in familiar surroundings where you can center yourself. A day off to putz around on the house or read a book with a cup of tea might be just what you need. This is an excellent time to look after your health. Embarking on an exercise program (or whatever kind of physical activity is right for you) is easier to do now. You're getting more in touch with yourself and that also means your body.

Home repairs, craft projects, or family game nights get you into your groove. Time spent with children can be emotionally gratifying. Call up your extended family members and have them over!

Rewarding days: Nov 12, 13, 14 | Dec 9, 10, 11 Challenging days: Nov 1, 26, 27, 28 | Dec 23, 24, 25

Virgo (aug. 23-Sept. 22) You're feeling more courageous now, Virgo! You're eager to stick your neck out and take a risk. I'm sure you've thought things through, but before you jump out and stake your claim, be sure to reinforce your key relationships. Bounce your ideas off friends and family, as well as community members, coworkers, and peer groups.

You will learn a lot and thus be better prepared (you like to be prepared don't you, Virgo?). Romantic relationships can be intense and powerful. You're eager to understand your partner better, especially through lovemaking. You're more likely to be the hunter or huntress now, than to sit idly waiting for someone to find you. (The potential for conception is very right now too!)

Rewarding days: Nov 14, 15, 16 | Dec 12, 13, 14 Challenging days: Nov 1, 2, 29, 30 | Dec 25, 26, 27

libra (Sept. 23-oCt. 22) You're going to make some important decisions now, Libra. Matters to do with your earnings, your estate, and your resources in general are on the table. Where your earnings had been restricted or possibly depleted two years ago, you are making important decisions to tidy up these past issues. November is an excellent month for signing contracts or setting in motion anything legal with regards to finances. Material matters aside, this is also a time to consider your inner value system. You’re shrewder now about how you spend your precious time and energy, and how you invest yourself emotionally. Relationships, friendships, and new acquaintances can grow and blossom now. You're willing to put the right energy into the right connections!

Rewarding days: Nov 17, 18, 19 | Dec 14, 15, 16 Challenging days: Nov 3, 4, 5, 30 | Dec 1, 2, 27, 28, 29

SCorpio (oCt. 23-noV. 21) Happy Birthday, dear Scorpio! You’re making some lasting changes and adjustments to your life now. You're very realistic in your approach to everything (you have a laser vision that sees the truth). You're eager to bring discipline and structure to all that you do. While some choices you TM

face might be difficult, the outcome will serve you well in the long run. No one will sell you magic beans or lead you down the garden path. Oh no, no! You are in the driver seat and taking charge! If others are complaining or trying to persuade you in a different direction, your stubborn Scorpio nature will prevail. Whatever you set in motion now -- you're bound to be successful!

Rewarding days: Nov 19, 20, 21| Dec 17, 18, 19 Challenging days: Nov 5, 6, 7 | Dec 2, 3, 4, 30, 31

SagittariuS (Nov 22-Dec 21) Your birthday season runs from late November to winter solstice making you feel charged and excited, Sagittarius!

You’re more forceful than usual, so this is an excellent time to go for what you want. You might be a bit more strident now, and you’re willing to go the extra mile in whatever you do. Planning any exotic travel for 2015? Now is the time to set your sights and plan your trip. The Sagittarius new Moon on November 22nd is an excellent time to set the intentions for your personal year ahead. Others are willing to get on board with your ideas and lend their support. Lively discussions that last late into the night will keep you stimulated and energized!

Rewarding days: Nov 22, 23, 24 | Dec 19, 20, 21 Challenging days: Nov 7, 8, 9 | Dec 5, 6, 7

capricorN (Dec. 22-JaN. 19) This is a strong time for you, Capricorn. Your ambition is aroused and you're ready to take charge! There's no moss growing on you this winter, baby! Keep in mind that you still have to work with the team dynamic, so coordinate your efforts with others and everyone will be successful. You can easily assert yourself now and you're competitive nature will show.

You might be drawn into spirited discussions, intellectual debates, and lively arguments. (Don't go into the latter unless you're sure you will win!) You can also channel all this energy into physical activity. So get out on your bike or hike that mountain! Since your passions are more aroused, you can expect to attract potential partners and lovers to you now, ooh la la!

Rewarding days: Nov 24, 25, 26 | Dec 21, 22, 23 Challenging days: Nov 10, 11, 12 | Dec 7, 8, 9

aquariuS (JaN. 20-Feb. 18) It's time to think about your public image, Aquarius.

What kind of impression do you want others to have of you?

Where do you want to be seen as an expert or authority?

People are relying on you more than usual. While this may feel like a burden, you're more than capable to rise to the challenge. In fact, peers, bosses, and authority figures are keen to see what your next move will be. You're likely to get a career break or a new opportunity now (if it hasn't already happened). Whatever you strongly believe in you can easily get others aligned with your cause. Group situations and team events help you showcase your talents. Don't hold back, go for it!

Rewarding days: Nov 1, 26, 27, 28 | Dec 23, 24, 25 Challenging days: Nov 12, 13, 14 | Dec 9, 10, 11

piSceS (Feb. 19-March 20) It¹s time to step out of your comfort zone, Pisces. Others are looking to you for direction and inspiration now. (You might feel like this is a tall order but trust me you can manage it.)

At a deep level, simple changes are taking root and thus altering the way you see this world, including all the possibilities that are open to you. This is an excellent time to do some career planning or write out that bucket list! You're more in touch with your long-term goals now. Working in teams, groups, or collectives will serve you well. The trick is to balance your own self-interests and the interests of others. It's a time to coordinate a win- win scenario!

Rewarding days: Nov 1, 2, 3, 28, 29, 30 | Dec 25, 26, 27 Challenging days: Nov 14, 15, 16 | Dec 12, 13, 14

Celebrating 30 Years!

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he t t e e M

i h t Se

By saira Hayre

y l i m a F

CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS

SHARE THEIR STORIES Getting Here: In search of better opportunities, and to secure a brighter future for their daughter, Supinder and Cynthia Sethi applied for Canadian immigration in 2011. In 2012, they arrived in Canada, along with their daughter Harsheen and within six months, they obtained their Permanent Residence Visa.

A few days after his arrival in Canada, Supinder secured employment in a moulding company as an Accounts Receivable Clerk and in 2014, he began taking a Health Care Assistant course at PACE Canada College. "It was such a great time for me in PACE Canada College, and I completed the course with 96.8% marks,â&#x20AC;? he says.

About 15 days after graduating, Supinder, who completed his MBA in Marketing back in India, obtained employment as a Resident Care Assistant at Delta View Life Enrichment Centre in Delta, BC. Like Supinder, Cynthia, who has a Masters of Science in Zoology from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, also completed her Health Care Assistant

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Resolutions:

Advice:

Supinder: First target was to get a good job, which I got as Accounts Receivable, so that Cynthia can upgrade her skills. It was our plan to upgrade our skills one by one. First, we planned to get a driving license for Cynthia, and after that she did a Health Care Assistant course and then she got a job. Once she got a job, then I upgraded my skills, and also did a Health Care Assistant course and then got a job. And now recently I did a General Insurance Auto Plan course and I got another part time job.

Supinder and Cynthia: If somebody is planning to come here, they need to be patient and get ready to start from scratch in a new atmosphere.

Be determined and focused towards the goal, nothing is impossible!

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

course from a local college and then obtained employment as a Health Care Assistant with Bayshore Home Health at the end of 2013.

Reflecting on their initial experiences in Canada, Supinder, who belongs to the holy city of Amritsar in Punjab, says, "The good part was the better systems and processes. The weather here is too good and there is a clean and green environment. On the other hand, we were a bit sad because of getting separated from our near and dears ones, especially our parents."

He adds that he enjoys the fact that Canada offers fair and proper working systems, as well as equality and social security for its inhabitants.

On a parting note, Supinder sums up his thoughts on his family's immigration story: "There were no obstacles [while adjusting to a new life in Canada]. It's just that we needed to start from scratch, as we all have to. We did the studies and courses, worked really hard, obtained success and got really good jobs. Now, we are really satisfied and happy!

Memories of their Homeland: Supinder: We really had a great time in our homeland, as we had lots of local family and friends, so whenever we had time, we used to have get-togethers. As I mentioned, I belong to Amritsar. We used to go to the Golden Temple, which we miss a lot.

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Supinder Sethi is working as a Resident Care Assistant with Delta View Life Enrichment Centre Cynthia Sethi is working as a Health Care Assistant with Bayshore Home Health Harsheen Kaur is 5 years old

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› Unlimited weekends and evenings from 5 p.m.,4 Canada-wide+

› 750 Canada-wide+ daytime minutes › Call Display and Voicemail

4

5

SURREY

SURREY

SURREY

SURREY

8388 128th St (604) 507-1234

12845 96 Ave (778) 395-6060

(604) 593-5130

17455 Hwy 10 (778) 574-1212

DELTA 7137 120th St (604) 507-5566

(604) 850-7721

Samsung Galaxy Core LTE

HTC Desire 510

Nokia Lumia 830

2871 Livingstone Ave (604) 853-1344

NEW WESTMINISTER

(778) 321-5000

(604) 770-2771

(604) 553-2208

(250) 762-5577

Offers are subject to change without notice. Taxes extra. +On the Fido network. Coverage not available in certain areas of Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Domestic roaming charges apply when outside the Fido network within Canada. Visit for full details and applicable domestic roaming rates. 1. Standard plans available monthly or with a 2-year Tab24 agreement. Additional long distance, roaming, data, add-ons, provincial 9-1-1 fees (if applicable) and taxes are extra & billed monthly. 2. Additional data: $5/100 MB, charged in $5 increments. Visit to learn more about data roaming pay-per-use rates. 3. Plans include messages sent from Canada on the Fido network to Canadian, U.S. and international wireless numbers. Sent/received premium messages (alerts, messages related to content and promotions) and messages sent while roaming not included and charged at applicable rates. 4. Airtime includes calls from Canada on the Fido network to Canadian numbers only, billed by the minute. Each additional minute costs 45¢ (20¢ for Call Forwarding). 5. Service includes up to 3 messages, each 3 minutes in length that can be saved up to 3 days. TMFido and related names & logos are trademarks used under licence. © 2014 Fido Solutions TM NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

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