REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019
INSPIRATIONAL
YOUTH
TODAY
OF
AISHWARYA ROSHAN | SUKHMEET SACHAL | ERIC BASRAN | NAITIK MEHTA ROCHELLE PRASAD | ABHAYJEET SACHAL | JASNEET NIJJAR
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THANK YOU
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READ ABOUT OUR JOURNEY: PAGE 42
7 8C S .u7 L4V 1 91Surrey, 19 71 BC 87 83 43 A v evMississauga, n rr1E8 er ye1 9,y1 ,B 4 AA A eu ne u ,eOntario ,S u S ru B3C4 A| A| v6e n06u40e ,.43 3r r27e y.2,3.B03C 0 |10 610 4 . 3 7 2 . 3 0 0 1 Phone: 604.372.3001 Phone: 905.362.0265 E: info@vangoghesigns.com
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Publishers̓ Note
W W W. K R A F T M O R T G A G E S . C O M
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FIRST TIME BUYERS PURCHASES WITH AS LOW AS 5% DOWN PRIVATE & 2ND MORTGAGES REFINANCES & SWITCHES COMMERCIAL & SMALL BUSINESS LOANS FARM FINANCING BAD CREDIT NEW IMMIGRATION SECURED LINE OF CREDIT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
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appy New Year to all our readers! DARPAN team wishes one and all a positive and successful 2019. Make the most of all the opportunities that come your way and fill the year with love, laughter and good memories. We start the new year with an inspiring theme; our January/February issue puts the spotlight on youth in the South Asian community. On the cover are seven remarkable young individuals who are not only excelling in their respective careers but are also active participants in the growth of the community. The passion and commitment they exhibit towards their professional goals, community, social causes, and personal activities deserve recognition and applause. By highlighting these precious gems of our community, DARPAN aims to encourage not only these seven local youngsters in their future endeavours but also all youth so that they pave a successful path ahead. The future of our community lies in the hands of these and many other dedicated youth who are effective role models for the next generation. Read the cover story to find out who these seven are and learn all about the amazing work they are involved in. Another interesting feature in the issue is the 2019 yearly predictions by ace astrologer Georgia Nicols. Find out all the good things that are in store for you this year and be prepared to welcome it with open arms. The magazine also has interesting articles on trends to look forward to in food and beverage, décor, and other lifestyle topics. We hope you enjoy reading DARPAN’s first issue of 2019. Share your thoughts on it by writing to editor@darpanmagazine.com or on our social media sites. Have a fabulous year ahead!
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PUBLISHERS Gurvinder S. Hundal Ramneek S. Dhillon Petrina D’Souza
YOUTH
TODAY
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AISHWARYA ROSHAN | SUKHMEET SACHAL | ERIC BASRAN | NAITIK MEHTA ROCHELLE PRASAD | ABHAYJEET SACHAL | JASNEET NIJJAR
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EDITOR
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DARPAN Magazine is published by DARPAN PUBLICATION LTD. DARPAN is a bi-monthly 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 2019 DARPAN Publication Ltd. All rights reserved. Publications sales agreement no. 41116014
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COVER STORY
2019
CONTENTS
96
J A N U A RY | F E B R U A RY
LIFESTYLE 78 RECIPES
26
Chef Nilesh Limaye
82 HEALTH
INSPIRATIONAL
8 Food & Beverage Trends for 2019
YOUTH OF
88 FITNESS
Functional Fitness
TODAY
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 READER’S REACTION
90 BEAUTY
Show your Metal
96 FASHION SPOTLIGHT Anita Dongre
106 HOME
Hottest Design Trends for 2019
122 TECH
New Year, New Gadgets
124 TRAVEL Palm Springs
116 WEDDING Bavan & Parm
120 ACTIVITIES
Unique Ways to Spend Your Valentine’s Day
94 STYLE
The Green Fashion Trend
70 YOUTH COLUMN Ethnic Diversity is Important for Stem Cell Registries
10 DARPAN’S 10
144 GLOBAL INDIANS
Doug McCallum
Anushka Arora
SPOTLIGHTS 12 Anita Bathe 16 Pardeep Singh Nagra 20 Dr. Naranjan Dhalla
146 CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS Meet the Sahni Family
BUSINESS PROFILE 42 Van Gogh Designs 60 Freedom Capital
ENTERTAINMENT
88
62 SALUTES
Sujata Sahu: The ‘Iron Lady of Ladakh’
136 BOLLYWOOD Movie Calendar
140 HOLLYWOOD Winter is Female
74 FEATURE Strategize your New Year Diet Resolutions
AUTO
112 FEATURE Surprise your Lady Love
128 BMW i3S
FEATURES
74
48 FEATURE 2019 Yearly Predictions
58 FEATURE
Bill 52: A Closer Look
66 FEATURE
15 Things to Give Up to be a Happy Parent
72 FEATURE Finding a New Job Post 40
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Write to us: editor@darpanmagazine.com
FASHION SPOTLIGHT Great piece on Tarun Tahiliani, so nice to see the latest bridal collection and read his thoughts on fashion. I loved it. – Rashi Singh
Re: Hello Rashi, good to know that you liked the
article. Our intention is to be a media platform for Indian designers to showcase their latest collections so that the community here has more access to the exquisite designs and bridal trends. Do keep sharing your thoughts with DARPAN. – Editor
RECIPES Loved the recipes in the issue. They look so delicious and easy to make. – Mrs. Preet Kumar
Re: Mrs. Kumar, glad to know you enjoyed
the recipes feature. I hope you try both recipes at home. Do let us know how they turned out. – Editor
The name Darpan makes me remember abt your movie "AAINA", i just love ur character in that movie! Love you!!...(sic) – @faruforever/ Instagram
The Activities article was so nicely designed and so useful. Christmas season in Vancouver is so beautiful and these events add more shine to the beauty. I have attended most of the events mentioned in the article. –
Sarah Pinto
Activities column is one of my most favourite columns. BC does have some great events during the holiday season for everyone to enjoy with family and friends.
– Editor
GIFT GUIDE Loved the issue and the article on Holidays Gifts. Makes shopping for presents enjoyable and saves so much time when you have a guide in place. Thank you. – Cathy D.
Re: Dear Cathy, thank you for writing to DARPAN. Glad to know you enjoyed the Nov/Dec issue and the gifts feature. I hope you had a pleasant holiday shopping experience. – Editor
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Another one of our incredible partners featured in @darpanmagazine, wrapping up #DiabetesAwarenessMonth 2019. Check out Harmeet Mundra's #health and #wellness tips for the upcoming holiday season! (sic) – Diabetes Canada BC/ Twitter Hey guys, check out the latest edition of @darpanmagazine you might recognize a couple of people! (sic) – Divinder Purewal/ Twitter
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Thank you @darpanmagazine for the feature and sharing my story of studying in #Canada as a international student. #cbie2018 #studentvoice #sfualumnipride #learning (sic) – Ali Najaf/ Twitter Thank you Darpan Magazine for taking the time to discuss my priorities for the year ahead as Delta's new Mayor. (sic) – Mayor George Harvie/ Facebook Thank you Darpan Magazine for publishing our community event on your media sites. WE appreciate you! (sic) – Camp We/ Facebook
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DARPAN’S
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU DOUG MCCALLUM MAYOR, CITY OF SURREY
1 Did you expect victory in the 2018 Surrey
municipal elections? Why do you think people opted for Safe Surrey Coalition Party?
No, we didn’t expect victory and that’s why we campaigned hard and talked to as many people as possible in Surrey. We wanted to hear how they wanted their City Council to work for them and we made a promise to deliver on their top priorities. 2 What is the top priority on your agenda for the City of Surrey right now?
As we heard from the people, the top priorities for the City of Surrey are Skytrain, a city police force and Smart Development.
We were elected by the people of Surrey and we are here for you. What we are doing as a City Council is carrying out the wishes of the people and we are fully committed to that.”
3 How will your approach be different from that of former Mayor, Linda Hepner?
My Council team and I are messengers of the people and we have been elected to carry out the commitments we have campaigned on. 4 You plan to cancel the LRT project in Surrey, what is your take on the project?
On the very first Council meeting we cancelled the LRT project and we are moving forward with SkyTrain. 5 What is your plan for the SkyTrain
extension along Fraser Highway to Langley? When do you expect it to be completed?
The Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project is now in
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the planning and project development phase which is being lead by TransLink. 6 You have vowed to form Surrey’s own police force, why? How will it curb the issue of gang violence in the city?
While the RCMP has served Surrey exceptionally for 68 years, the City of Surrey is the only major metropolitan in Canada that does not have its own municipal police department. Just as Surrey has evolved its infrastructure as the city has grown, we are now evolving how policing is delivered. 7 You have promised a clean Surrey. How will you make it happen and get people motivated for it?
As a city we have numerous programs to ensure our city stays clean from our large item pickup program to Pop-Up Drop Junk events. We are also planning a big clean up campaign for this spring. More importantly, the people of Surrey have tremendous pride in their city and I know they will do their share to help us keep our city beautiful. 8 What lessons/experiences as past Mayor will you be contributing to the current role?
I was privileged to serve three terms previously as Mayor of Surrey, and I will be using my experience and knowledge to ensure Surrey gets its fair share as this city continues to grow and rise in stature. 9 What will be your biggest challenge?
We have already taken action on some of the top priorities, such as moving ahead with SkyTrain and a Surrey Police Department. I am focused on ensuring these projects continue to move forward in a timely manner. 10 What is your message to the people of Surrey in your new role as Mayor?
My message is that we were elected by the people of Surrey and we are here for you. What we are doing as a City Council is carrying out the wishes of the people and we are fully committed to that.
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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT
A
nita Bathe is a popular name and face in B.C.’s media industry. British Columbians see her daily at 6 p.m. on CBC Vancouver News’s supper hour program, where she brings crucial community issues to the forefront through her role as co-anchor and front-line investigative reporter. “Not only am I writing stories in the show, I’m helping to shape the news of the day and figuring out new ways to cover each story,” shares the excited journalist, who aims to present in-depth and fresh perspectives on community stories. “If a
ANITA BY PETRINA D’SOUZA
The award-winning journalist is the co-host and front-line investigative reporter with CBC Vancouver News’ flagship supper hour program where she brings crucial community issues to the forefront.
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massive story breaks in this province, Mike Killeen [coanchor] or I plan to be there in the community meeting the people who are impacted and telling their stories.” Bathe’s curiosity paved the way for a career in journalism. She grew up nurturing her curious nature, questioning and wanting to know everything that’s going on around her. “It’s what has always driven me in my reporting,” she proclaims. At the age of 15, Bathe got her first break as a host/reporter for a youth television show called Gen Why. “After doing a few segments I fell in love with interviewing, writing and telling stories. From that point on I started volunteering, interning,
BATHE
GIVING VOICE TO LOCAL ISSUES working street team jobs and doing whatever I could do to get experience,” recalls the British Columbia Institute of Technology graduate. As an investigative journalist, she always strives to make a difference. “I have always loved covering breaking news and it’s that adrenaline type of situation that I thrive in,” adds Bathe. With a journalism career spanning over 10 years, along with a decade in broadcast radio, Bathe has passionately covered top local and provincial stories, such as the B.C. wildfires in 2017 and 2018, Constable John Davidson’s shooting death in Abbotsford, and the 2017 B.C. provincial elections.The talented reporter’s work in the field has been greatly recognized;
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SURREY 128th 128th thStreet Unit SURREY 110 - 8028 128 Unit 110 - 8028 128th4E9 Street Surrey, BC V3W Surrey, BC V3W 4E9
NEWTON
Unit 2 NEWTON - 7288 137th Street Unit 2 - 7288 137th1A3 Street Surrey, BC V3W Surrey, BC V3W 1A3
VANCOUVER
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Phone: Phone: 604 604 -507-6400 -507-6400 or or 1-800-324-6747 1-800-324-6747
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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT
Traits of a good reporter
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CBC BRITISH COLUMBIA
but the public is watching your every move and can be very critical. You have to be able to shake everything off and keep • Bathe states that a reporter going. needs to be a lot of things. • Compassionate because He or she needs to be curious more often than not you’re by nature because the best meeting people who have original stories come from a faced tragedy and you’re person’s curiosity. meeting them right after it • Confident and thick-skinned happened. because this industry can • Finally, it’s very important to be tough – not only are you constantly competing for stories be a good writer and storyteller.
The most challenging part of the job has always been covering tragic stories and meeting people who have been affected. I’ve been fortunate to cover some very big and important stories in our province but often those stories come with heartache.”
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Bathe has been a multiple local and national Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) winner, has won several British Columbia Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) awards for her in-depth reporting on breaking news stories like the Vancouver Port Fire, and was a recipient of the Jack Webster Fellowship in 2015. When asked to share the most memorable story she covered till date, Bathe mentions that in 2017 she did a story that may have saved a man’s life: “He is gay and born and raised in
DARPAN
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Afghanistan, when his family learned of his sexual orientation he feared for his life so he went into hiding. He had been trying to seek asylum in Canada but had more than five years ahead of him to wait. After our story published, the federal government fast tracked his application and brought him here where he now lives safely with the help of a sponsor family,” narrates the awardwinning journalist, who won a local RTDNA for her meticulous research and coverage. Though there is a thrill in reporting real and breaking news stories, investigative journalism can be a heartbreaking job. “The most challenging part of the job has always been covering tragic stories and meeting people who have been affected. I’ve been fortunate to cover some very big and important stories in our province but often those stories come with heartache,” shares Bathe, further adding that most people she encountered in those situations have left a mark on her. “The people I’ve met who have lost loved ones or whose homes have been
destroyed by fires...are the people who are full of wisdom and positivity and I find that very humbling. [They are] people who have impacted me beyond belief.” Also, with the rise of digital news, Bathe states that presenting accurate and indepth coverage has been all the more significant. “Often by the time we go to air, people have already seen snippets of information all around them – that’s why it’s so important for us to dive deeper into the stories that matter and give our audience information they won’t get elsewhere.” The successful anchorwoman’s advice to aspiring and new reporters is to work hard, never say no to extra shifts and “ALWAYS” ask for more opportunities. “Maybe this is a flaw of mine but I’m never satisfied with where I’m at in my career, I always want more and I’m always working toward something more and it’s that drive and hunger that will get you noticed,” Bathe says in conclusion.
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T
DARPAN SPOTLIGHT
he toughest battles are not always fought in the arena. The strength, persistence and resilience required to stand for one’s identity against social and legal norms often surpasses the physical valour needed for the most intense of sports. Such is the story of Pardeep Singh Nagra, a Sikh Canadian boxer and now activist.
During his training days, Nagra was told by a peer that beards are prohibited in competitive boxing. His coach, unsure at first, confirmed that boxers with facial hair, an article of faith for Sikhs, are not allowed to compete – both within Canada and internationally. At this point, Nagra realized that his first fight would be outside the ring.
BOXING BEYOND THE RING: The award-winning provincial novice champion is truly an inspiration – not only to the boxing
PARDEEP SINGH
NAGRA BY NAINA GREWAL
community
Born into a Sikh faith, the boxer recalls a point around his teenage years when he consciously chose to accept the Sikh faith with its principles, which played an important role. He asked himself whether he is Sikh by default or by choice. By default, one often blames others, but by choice one defends their faith; it becomes a different element of responsibility. There is a sense of social responsibility and action, rather than a static approach where one is neutral or indifferent. Taking a proactive approach, Nagra fought against the Canadian Amateur Boxing
but to humanity worldwide.
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POSTER OF TIGER, A FILM BASED ON PARDEEP SINGH NAGRA'S LIFE
Association in the year 2000, creating a historical milestone through his victory as the court ruled in his favour. Apart from his strong faith, the award-winning provincial novice champion mentions that if he did not do anything, others would have to deal with it, for which they may not have the means – financial or institutional. For example, Nagra’s activism had instilled in him strong foundational understandings of the legal system, which put him in a more effective position as he understood certain rules and laws. Hence, his mindset is such that if you have the capacity and means, you have privilege. With privilege, comes responsibility and accountability. Showcasing this fight for identity and Nagra’s continued journey as an activist, Hollywood biopic film, Tiger,
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
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hit national screens in November 2018. Tiger went on to win the Best Feature Film award at the 2018 San Diego International Film Festival. Nagra describes the film with a three-pronged approach, “The first piece is representation – who we are as Canadians, Americans, or religiously. The second piece is inspiration; standing up is not an easy journey. The third piece is celebration of our identities, victories, and diversity.” The feedback for the film speaks for itself. As part of its educational program screenings, Cineplex has chosen Tiger as its top school pick, enabling any school in Canada to arrange a screening at Cineplex. In fact, Nagra’s story and work is notably featured in Civics and History textbooks, by publishers like Nelson and McGraw Hill Ryerson. Beyond his ongoing fight for identity in international courts and involvement in the community through various projects, Nagra continues to train and provide soft motivation as a mentor to many. When asked about future plans in regard to his humanitarian causes and advocacy, Nagra explains, “You don’t have plans for activism; you just respond. Activism is a state of mind and practice. It can require anything and everything – money, mobilization or energy. There are times when you need to raise your voice and times when you use a museum as your tool of action.” Nagra most importantly shares that, for activism, one needs to be informed. The inability to answer even one question immediately undermines the others you may have answered correctly. Especially given the new landscape of digital media, one needs to know both sides. With the megaphone for hate bigger than ever before, stories – particularly those that are relatively negative – travel further and get more attention than positive ones. To stir positivity and take real steps toward change, Nagra is also a motivational and public speaker. Remarkably, he has been a keynote speaker for the year of sport in Canada at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2014. With a book in the works to add to his wide portfolio, the former Ontario flyweight amateur boxing champion is truly an inspiration – not only to the boxing community but to humanity worldwide. However, he maintains that actions surpass words, highlighting that he is never just there to deliver a speech and get praise. Rather, he pushes the pressing need to inspire action. For him, a truly enriching conversation sparks with this question: what have you actually done?
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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT
A WORLD ICON IN HEART RESEARCH
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S. DHALLA BY MURIEL D’SOUZA
Recently inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, Cardiac expert Dr. Dhalla has been diligently working in the field of Experimental Cardiology with a focus on pathophysiology and pharmacology of cardiac dysfunction.
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orn in a very loving family in India, Dr. Naranjan Dhalla inherited the qualities of kindness and compassion very early in life. Being the eldest son among seven siblings, he grew up receiving attention and understanding responsibility. His role model was his father, a businessman who was always concerned about the wellbeing of his entire village in Punjab. The 82-year-old admits, “I could never match the substance and style of my father. He was a man of great ethics and high standards, too nice a person.” Growing up, Dr. Dhalla wanted to be a movie director. In all his innocence he says, “I found out during my college days, that I was neither a good student nor a great athlete. I had nothing unique in me. By being a movie director I thought I would be doing something useful. Since India had just got its independence, there were a lot of problems. I hoped to help resolve religious, social and cultural conflicts. But readily I realized I did not have appropriate contacts to make that happen. I instead became involved with medical research seeing the extraordinary opportunities for discovering new drugs and relieving ailing patients.” After his graduation from the Khalsa College of Panjab University, Dr. Dhalla volunteered in a laboratory in Amritsar. Soon he got hired as a chemist at the Department of Pharmacology in Lady Hardinge Medical College. He moved to New Delhi, to work towards finding how herbs can be utilized as ingredients in medicines. That’s where he left his first
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lasting impression. “It was challenging, but I got lucky and learnt some great cardiovascular technics,” says the humble professor. Two prominent individuals took notice and advised this talented young man to pursue his masters at their very-reputed institutions. Dr. Naranjan Dhalla quotes with pride, “I got a letter of acceptance from both, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Toronto. I simply picked the first one to give me the opportunity.” Even though he had a degree equivalent to a Masters in Chemistry from India, he always felt his education was somehow incomplete. “I was identified as having what it takes to be an outstanding scientist. But I was also suggested to gain advanced education in pharmacology.” Dr. Dhalla left India in 1961 after working in research-related capacities for over four years. After obtaining his MS Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, USA, he went on to complete his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh, USA, and then took up his very first faculty position at St. Louis University in Missouri, USA. That’s when a mentor advised him to seek a permanent faculty position to develop his independent research career. It was in August 1968 that Dr. Naranjan Dhalla moved to Canada to work at the University of Manitoba, the place he’s spent more than 50 years of his professional career. In 1978, it was under Dr. Dhalla’s leadership that the first Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research in Canada by the Medical Research Council of Canada was established in Winnipeg. “I readily developed a strong experimental cardiology research laboratory and a highly viable graduate training program. My own JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019
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Dr. Dhalla has published 630 research papers in refereed journals and 184 review articles in books and monographs till date; and has trained 163 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scientists and BSc Med students in an effort to build a highly skilled manpower in the field of cardiovascular science and medicine. need for additional space and passion for developing a young generation of cardiovascular scientists helped me create the Institute of Cardiovascular Science at St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre in 1987. I consider myself fortunate,” adds Dr. Dhalla, who served as Founding Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences for 19 years. Dr. Dhalla has been diligently working in the field of Experimental Cardiology with a focus on pathophysiology and pharmacology of cardiac dysfunction. He was one of the first investigators TM
to identify membrane defects during the development of heart disease. He has published 630 research papers in refereed journals and 184 review articles in books and monographs till date; and has trained 163 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scientists and BSc Med students in an effort to build a highly skilled manpower in the field of cardiovascular science and medicine. In view of the superior achievements in research and education, the University of Manitoba appointed Dr. Dhalla as Distinguished Professor in 1991. In his zest to serve the cardiovascular community, he helped develop the International Society of Heart Research for promoting cardiovascular research and exchange of information for 26 years, first as Secretary General and then as President. In 1996, he founded the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences for preventing heart disease and promoting cardiovascular education all over the world. Due to his distinguished services, his statue has been installed in the Citizens Hall of Fame in Winnipeg and he has been honoured with Order of Manitoba and Order of Canada. Recently, he has been named to be inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Alongside, he has been bestowed with multiple accolades. Dr. Dhalla was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was awarded MD (Hons) degree from the Charles University, Prague, in 1995. He has received Honorary DSc degrees from five academic institutions namely Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava (1997); Panjab University, Chandigarh (2009); Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (2010); University of Kragujevac, Serbia (2014); and University of Argentina, Buenos Aires (2015). In addition, he was awarded Honorary Professorship/Professor Honoris Causa from four different universities of Romania and China. On being asked what he thinks is the real enemy of the heart, Dr. Dhalla exclaims, “Sustained stress is a lesser-known evil, which will turn out to be the most powerful stimulus for the development of heart disease.” He believes yoga and meditation can be beneficial. Talking about heart disease and its association with the South Asian community in particular, the awardwinning cardiac expert believes diabetes, hypertension and an unbalanced diet are the common reasons for ailments among the South Asian population.
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Taking Advantage of Market Cycles McQuarrie Partners Royal Morton and Jason Sandhu discuss why now is the perfect time to evaluate your overall corporate and business structure and operations. Any business market, including real estate, operates, at least theoretically, in cycles of expansion, peak, contraction, and troughs. During periods of expansion, our efforts are primarily preoccupied with keeping up with the rapid growth, leaving limited time to address long term strategy and planning initiatives. Royal Morton and Jason Sandhu, partners at McQuarrie Hunter LLP, have experienced these cycles, with over 35 years’ of combined experience in complex business and real estate transactions and disputes. “Before joining McQuarrie, both Jason and I practiced with boutique business law firms, assisting the legal needs of the very successful Punjabi business community,” says Royal. This experience has been effective in understanding the unique perspectives of small to medium business owners. Although many in the real estate sector remain optimistic of a resurgence of growth in 2019, many others are bracing for a prolonged stagnant market, with the looming uncertainty. “As a firm, we view this is an ideal opportunity for our clients to review their businesses, including tax and corporate structure. For example, in 2019, we are on the cusp of substantial changes to the real estate development industry, with
the introduction of the mandatory disclosure requirements for assignments of contracts, as well as proposed amendments to the taxation of bare trusts with respect to Property Transfer Tax, to name a few,” says Jason. These changes will require market players to be more conscious of new consequences which may arise due to inadequate planning. Jason believes that “another key issue in 2019 will be alternative financing for development projects, where conventional secondary mortgages, bearing high interest rates, may be replaced with innovative debt financing and equity financing options, more favorable to developers and lender/investors alike.” Conversely, a downturn in the economy, coupled with stricter lending requirements may lead to increased real estate litigation or other business disputes in an already litigious climate, which Royal’s legal practice can attest to. There is substantial value in receiving sound legal representation from lawyers who have the resource of colleagues from an array of practice areas, be it taxation, corporate, estate litigation or insurance denial litigation. In light of the greater complexity of the legal issues facing litigants, there is solace in knowing that your experienced legal team shares your community values. “At McQuarrie, our clients benefit from receiving legal representation equivalent to that of any national or multinational firm, but with the rapport and familiarity of a local firm, and I am excited to provide that to our clients”, says Royal.
“We are on the cusp of substantial changes to the land development industry.”
McQuarrie Hunter LLP is a multi-practice, Surrey-based law firm that has been serving the needs of businesses, individuals and institutions in the Lower Mainland and throughout B.C. for over 50 years. Visit: www.mquarrie.com
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Opinions or observations expressed in this article to do not constitute legal advice, and readers are cautioned to seek advice from a lawyer or other professional before making business decisions.
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AISHWARYA ROSHAN | SUKHMEET SACHAL | ERIC BASRAN | NAITIK MEHTA ROCHELLE PRASAD | ABHAYJEET SACHAL | JASNEET NIJJAR 28
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COVER STORY
INSPIRATIONAL OF
YOUTH
TODAY BY PETRINA D’SOUZA
The passion and commitment they exhibit towards their professional goals, community, social causes, and personal activities deserve recognition and applause. o start the new year on a positive note, we decided to put the spotlight on seven inspiring individuals we believe are future leaders and newsmakers of the South Asian community. The featured seven are excelling remarkably in their respective fields and are effective role models for the young generation of our community. The passion and commitment they exhibit towards their professional goals, community, social causes, and personal activities deserve recognition and applause. DARPAN aims to encourage not only these seven local youngsters
in their future endeavours but also all youth in our community so that they pave a successful path for their future and make themselves and the community proud. The future of the South Asian community is bright and positive and its credit goes to impressive young adults who believe in positive growth, community upliftment, and creation of a better world for everyone to live in.
Photos: A MASTER MEDIA
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Here’s presenting the seven young wonders of the South Asian community:
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The main
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he youngest among DARPAN’s list of seven inspiring youth, Abhayjeet Sachal is dedicatedly involved in volunteerism and advocating for the environment and social causes, while excelling in his studies. The 17-year-old is a grade 12 student in the IB (International Baccalaureate) Program at Seaquam Secondary in Delta, BC, and hopes to study programs in global health or rural medicine ahead. Abhayjeet was also placed on the school’s principal list for academic excellence in the 2017 – 2018 school year.
objective of Break The Divide is to promote well-being, which derives from quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequality.”
Young Activist in the Making
ABHAYJEET
SACHAL
“In my school district, I served as the sole high school represent on the Delta School District Equity in Action Committee, to ensure that all students have access to opportunities to succeed,” says the bright student. Abhayjeet’s interest in the environment grew after noticing his older brother Sukhmeet being heavily involved in volunteerism; he decided to join his brother in the BC Hydro Water Champion program to limit the amount of water usage in their house. “This led me into becoming more passionate about the environment and I began speaking to teachers about recycling and engaging in discussions on ways to reduce waste at community events,” recalls the young environmentalist who also sat on the Delta Green committee alongside facility directors and district superintendents to shape
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environmental policy. In secondary school, he got immensely involved in the cause through environmental clubs, community cleanups, fundraisers, preservation initiatives, building a community rain garden, and giving presentations at local schools to inspire youth to work collectively on sustainable actions. In 2016, Abhayjeet received a $12,000 Scholarship from the United States Embassy to travel to the Arctic. “Witnessing climate change firsthand at the UNESCO World Heritage
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COVER STORY Site in Illulisat, Greenland, my perspectives on environmentalism were forever changed,” he shares. Soon, both brothers founded the non-profit organization, Break The Divide (BTD) Foundation, to address this lack of personalization of climate change. “The main objective of Break The Divide is to promote well-being, which derives from quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequality. One of the main reasons why this program is innovative is because it directly involves youth and Indigenous peoples together, which is something that has not been done before,” points out the enthusiastic activist. BTD allows Indigenous elders and Indigenous youth to educate other youth and educators across Canada and worldwide. As the program develops, youth will have a chance to have a pen-pal through which they will decide on initiatives they are passionate about solving. “Currently, Break The Divide Foundation has chapters at various schools in various communities across British Columbia and Canada. I am also currently building an app that will allow our various chapters to collaborate on projects with each other,” adds Abhayjeet, the recipient of Shaw Kindness Sticks Grant of $5,000 for BTD’s work. Last year in March, Abhayjeet was a key presenter at the 2018 Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance Conference hosted by the League of Environmental Educators in Florida. “I spoke to environmental educators from around the world about the importance of personalized learning in regards to climate change.” In June 2018, he spoke at the EcoSikh Annual Gala in Washington, DC, interacting with professionals from across the United States. Later in November, Abhayjeet was a keynote presenter at the North American Association for Environmental Education annual conference in Spokane, Washington. “The greatest experiences were traveling to Florida and Washington, DC, to speak at environmental conferences and connecting with professions in those locations,” expresses the teenager stating his best moments of 2018. This year, besides focussing on his further studies, Abhayjeet hopes to continue to speak at international conferences about BTD and expand the program to schools around the world. “Perhaps the greatest project for Break The Divide in 2019 is to host another series of Mental Health Awareness events at our different schools across the Lower Mainland and lead an international water challenge in coalition with our chapter in Cape Town, South Africa.”
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AISHWARYA
ROSHAN
student-led sustainability organization at UBC. The Schulich scholar states that one of the Common Energy’s achievements in 2018 included hosting monthly community forums or all-rounder Aishwarya Roshan, on an environmental issue or topic managing time has definitely been of interest. “A few topics we explored one of the most important tasks in her life. within the last year include adopting Currently pursuing the MD Undergraduate a plant-based diet, living a zero-waste Program at UBC, Aishwarya is an avid lifestyle, whether urban expansion volunteer who helps out at various health can be environmentally sustainable, organizations; as an environmentalist, she and international and national regularly organizes awareness events and environmental policies.” She also community clean-ups; is the founder of mentions Common Energy’s Mug two major organizations; and a professional Share project, further explaining that Bharata Natyam dancer who presented her “with Mug Share, students can freely first professional show in 2018. Indeed, the borrow a sanitized travel mug for a 22-year-old’s busy schedule demands day from campus coffee shops with time-management skills. the purchase of a coffee. The project Last year, Aishwarya completed a intends to eliminate the inevitable two-year tenure serving on the Directors’ waste production aspect of coffee.” team of Common Energy UBC, the largest In 2014, Aishwarya founded
Role Model for South Asian Youth
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Vancouver’s Largest Clothing Swap, an annual event that has since diverted over 50,000 garments from the landfill and attracted and engaged over 600 attendees in education regarding waste management. “The most recent Vancouver’s Largest Clothing Swap, in October 2018, took place at UBC, facilitating a partnership among the various community and collegiate environmental organizations that I am a part of,” adds Starfish Canada’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 finalist. Aishwarya’s interest in environmental issues stemmed in 2009, when she saw that an international climate change conference had not made commitments to reduce emissions. “I realized that social change would not start from lawmakers, but would have to come from community leadership, collaboration, and inspiration,” asserts the young environment activist who has spearheaded the construction of two fully functioning community gardens in Burnaby. Aishwarya, a City of Burnaby’s Youth Citizenship Award winner and Duke of Edinburgh Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awardee, has been actively involved in volunteering over the last couple of years. Since 2011, she has volunteered at Courtyard Terrace Seniors’ Living. She is also a weekly recreational therapy volunteer at the Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children since 2015. “Becoming an integral part of someone’s life, or making a positive impact on their day is one of the most fulfilling aspects of volunteering. Earning the trust of an individual and forming a strong relationship with them, their family, and friends, empowers me to continue helping others,” shares Aishwarya while expressing her love for volunteering. During her undergraduate degree, she volunteered and worked at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and BC Centre for Disease Control – Immunization Programs and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Service. Beyond her academic prowess and social initiatives, Aishwarya is also a professional Bharata Natyam dancer and the co-founder of Asta Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the Indian classical dance traditions through community engagement. Last year, she presented her first full-length professional show titled ‘Satya: The Ultimate Reality’ at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The young dancer wants to use Bharata Natyam as a platform to open conversation on social issues and themes. “As an aspiring professional, I have the opportunity to perform for diverse audiences and positively influence their conception of this art – an idea that appeals greatly to me.” In 2019, while continuing her education in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, Aishwarya hopes to continue local volunteerism and also partake in international volunteerism.
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COVER STORY
ERIC
BASRAN Ruler of the Boxing Ring
national and international grounds – a major feat for someone who has not played many international matches. A few of Eric’s recent accomplishments need special mention: Winning the bronze medal for Canada at the 2018 Commonwealth Games; winning his fight against Luis Irizarry of Team Puerto Rico at the Melee Gala in Winnipeg last year; winning both his matches at the 2017 Ken Goff Memorial Boxing Classic against Cuba – he is the fifth boxer in the history of Canada to win against Cuba and the only Canadian to win both of his fights against Cuba; and being the 2017 title holder for elite men in the 56-kg category at the
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career in sports is not for everyone. The decision to be a full-time professional sportsman is backed by passion, dedication, tremendous amount of practice and support, and strong will. A young Surrey-based boxer displays these sportsmanship qualities and has taken the boxing world by storm nationally and internationally. Team Canada’s Eric Basran, is merely 19 years old and already a silver and bronze medalist. Over the last couple of years, Eric’s wins and performance in the ring has accelerated rapidly. The young boxer has beaten older, experienced boxers on
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Canadian Senior Championship that won him a spot in Canada’s national team. Eric was one of seven boxers nominated to represent Canada at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Cold Coast, Australia. He won his first two fights unanimous and lost to a close split decision against Ireland and earned a bronze medal. “This being one of my biggest international tournaments, [it] meant a lot for me to make it to the podium and represent Canada,” expresses the bronze medalist about his experience at the Games. Last March, Eric was named “Boxer of the Year for 2017” by Boxing Canada. Talking of this proud moment, he says, “It was an honor to receive this award being the youngest and newest member of the team.” Robin Basran, Eric’s father, shares that his son was always a very energetic kid. Eric started learning boxing as a sport at the age of 11 and soon realized his passion for boxing. He thrives on the mentally as well as physically challenging nature of boxing. To be the best in the sport, the young boxer maintains a strict schedule. “As an elite athlete representing Boxing Canada which is the national governing body recognized by the Canadian Olympic Committee, I am involved in intense training six times a week and twice a day,” states Eric who is currently training in Montreal. His day includes workouts such as skipping and hitting pads, along with following a strict diet without carbohydrates. The boxing champion further adds, “If I have a fight coming up, I’ll go for a run in the morning for about two hours and then in the evening for about three hours.” Eric’s glorious rise in the boxing world would have been impossible without the continuous encouragement of his parents. “I was very lucky to have the support of my family growing up and parents who had me heavily involved in sports,” says the thankful athlete. His mother, Vicky, is immensely proud of her son and credits her husband for taking out time all through his childhood to help him train. “It feels as if all the time and energy invested paid off,” she says. Through his dedication and love for boxing, Eric wants to show other kids that you do have the choice to make right decisions. “If you put your mind and heart to it, anything is possible. I have always worked hard to get to where I am and will continue to work hard to achieve my dreams and goals.” For 2019, Eric is focused on training harder and being the “best fighter I can [be] to make my dream of representing Canada at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo became a reality.”
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One Track Goal in Mind
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JASNEET
South Asian athlete shining bright among BC’s young and upcoming sprinters is 18-year old Jasneet Nijjar. Through her remarkable achievements in 2018, Jasneet has made her mark in the sport and is one of the promising sprinters to watch out for in the coming years. Last year, the running champion represented Canada at two major competitions: the U18 Jamaican Invitational in Kingston, Jamaica, and the Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also the Canadian junior national champion in the 200 metre category, having won Gold at the 2018 Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships held in Ottawa. Another accomplishment was Jasneet’s triple win – gold in the girls 100 metre, 200 metre and 400 metre races – at the BC High School Track and Field Championships held in June. Jasneet was one of five Surrey athletes chosen to represent Canada at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games. She ran the 400 metre sprint and finished 14th in the race. For a first-time Olympic Games participant, this experience of competing with top athletes from various countries was a big milestone in itself. “The Olympic Games were a great experience,” shares Jasneet who thoroughly enjoyed taking in the other events of the games. “Being able to watch all the different competitions going on was great too. All my local competitions only involved track and field but here we could see other sports like diving or gymnastics.” The Queen Elizabeth Secondary School student is part of the Universal Athletics Club in Surrey, that she joined 10 years ago in the Rascals division. Jasneet’s
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interest in sprinting started young. “This sport has been in my family for quite a bit of time now, it started off with my eldest sister and has been passed down ever since,” the passionate runner states, revealing further that her role models are her sisters. Being the best is not easy; Jasneet follows a disciplined schedule that includes attending school, extracurricular activities, and daily practise for hours. “It isn’t easy balancing everything but this is something I have to do in order to achieve and accomplish my goals,” adds Jasneet. It goes without saying that Jasneet’s intensive training has borne fruit and her historic win in the 100 metre, 200 metre and 400 metre races at the BC High School Track and Field Championships is testimony to this fact. Remembering those moments, Jasneet describes how she “was so close to winning the 100m, it really pushed me to go for all three races this year. I was not going to end this year without winning those three medals.” A memorable moment for Jasneet was winning Gold at the 2018 Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships. She explains that this win was quite important to her “because at these nationals, I was competing against ages 18 and above, so winning the 200m against girls who are older than me means a lot.” Coach Jesse Dosanjh is proud of Jasneet’s achievements and confident that she will have many significant victories in the near future. “Her dedication to the sport and commitment she makes towards training and getting better can’t be beat. The sky is the limit for her and we know she will do big things on an international level.” Beyond her devotion to the sport, Jasneet also plays a mentorship role at the club. She conducts weekly training sessions with the Rascals group. “I enjoy coaching a lot, it is a great way to share my skills and knowledge with the young kids,” says the young coach. After high school, Jasneet will be attending Washington State University to study Kinesiology and be part of the university’s track and field roster. The national sportsstar’s track ahead is clear, with one constant goal in mind – “represent Canada.”
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The specially-abled are an underserved population in universities, companies and even communities. The fact is that they are twice as likely to be unemployed. We plan on changing that.”
NAITIK
MEHTA Changing the Face of Tech Industry
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eing an entrepreneur is no easy task. But 22-year-old Naitik Mehta took up the challenge and is currently one of Canada’s youngest entrepreneurs. Naitik is the CEO and co-founder of NextBillion. org, an organization that provides mentorship and employment opportunities to students with disabilities in technology. The young entrepreneur describes NextBillion.org as a forprofit social enterprise that connects the top technical talented people with disabilities to inclusive employers in the tech industry. “Hiring people with disabilities is a research-proven advantage for businesses, and we help them actively hire from this talent pool on a success-fee basis,” says Naitik who founded the organization with three
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other individuals – two of them being differently-abled themselves. The co-founders started NextBillion.org after noticing that despite 15-20 per cent of the population having a disability, this was not a topic that was being addressed in the tech industry as much as it needed to be. “The specially-abled are an underserved population in universities, companies and even communities. The fact is that they are twice as likely to be unemployed. We plan on changing that,” asserts Naitik, who is passionate about education and social change. Step by step, NextBillion is revamping the face of the tech industry as an inclusive and open sector. With the help of the organization, people with disabilities have found deserving, full-time jobs as well as mentors from the tech industry. NextBillion.org’s mentorship program comprises of important lessons relating to networking, disability disclosure, personal branding, technical skill development, relationship building, and interviewing in the real industry, among others. Mentors dedicate a couple of hours a week while NextBillion makes sure both the mentors and the students have everything they need. “Our mission is to empower the 1.3 billion people with disabilities to reach their full potential,” adds the determined CEO who has worked with some of the biggest brands in the IT industry – Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, Google and Uber to name a few. Last year, Naitik graduated from university and transitioned to work on NextBillion full-time. “Since we started, I’ve been putting in time to work on the business outside of university but it feels incredibly exciting and liberating to be able to spend all my time on it!” says the young adult excitedly, who enjoys playing different musical instruments, soccer, board games, and cooking up new recipes in his
COVER STORY spare time. A big moment for Naitik and NextBillion in 2018 was getting some of the largest companies in Canada like Microsoft and Hootsuite to become early partners with the organization. “This will open up so many doors for our community as well as driving the disability inclusion/hiring movement forward within the tech industry,” Naitik claims, immensely happy about this development. Though merely 22 years old, Naitik’s work in social impact and technology has won him over 25 other awards around the world. This young genius has been recognized as a 25 Under 25 Award winner from the founders of the Internet, Canada’s Top 3 Student Entrepreneurs by EO GSEA, and ‘30 Under 30’ Awardee from BCBusiness for driving change in British Columbia. NexBillion was most recently recognized with the ‘Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame’ award from the National Disability Mentoring Coalition (NDMC) in USA. “The NDMC is a community of all the major disability-focused advocacy organizations in the US, many of whom have been around for 10+ years, so it means a lot for us to receive this recognition as a relatively young 2-year old company in the disability space,” shares the proud CEO, further adding that this is just the beginning and the organization will stay focused on creating impact at scale. Naitik has also been deeply interested in sharing his knowledge as a mentor by supporting and helping students reach their full potential regardless of their educational backgrounds. He has been a speaker and panellist at various local and international conferences, such as Technology Changes Everything 2017 in New York; and Vancouver-based Learning Disabilities Career Conference 2018, Social Enterprise Conference 2018, Youth Achieving Success 2018, BCTech Summit 2018, and Stanford Honors Academy 2017 (with school students in China). NextBillion.org aims to focus on targeting the 2.2 million students with disabilities waiting to be part of the tech industry. This year, Naitik’s goal for NextBillion is to support 1,000 people with disabilities and grow that to 10,000 people in 2020. “Gradually we want to scale it up to a place where we are not restricted with numbers,” he states in conclusion.
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I plan on travelling to countries all across the world to expand Camp We Empower. [I plan on] doubling the impact I have made in 2018 in my community. I plan on giving back twice as much as this year and thriving harder than I have ever done before.”
International Volunteer
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ROCHELLE
PRASAD
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lobal volunteer, youth empowerment advocate, role model, young entrepreneur, social activist, motivational speaker, academic achiever, and passionate educator – these are few among the many roles Rochelle Prasad plays in her life. All of 20 years old, the Simon Fraser University student has been diligently doing her bit for the world and humanity by volunteering locally and internationally, building schools and educating children, co-founding youth-focussed organizations, and inspiring others through her work and writing. “I have been fortunate to live out my passion for the next generation by giving back in several ways,” says Rochelle, a third year student double majoring in education and political sciences and working part-time with the City of Surrey as a youth events and youth engagement worker. “Ever since a young age, it has been engraved in me that giving back to our community is not a
want, it is a need,” shares Rochelle, about her interest in community service. The 2017 Soroptimist International Women’s awardee asserts that it is our civic duty as citizens to give back and lend a helping hand in our society. Her interest in volunteering, especially youth engagement, was sparked after the realization that, “if we do not support our youth and leaders of tomorrow today, our world will become a dark place.” Global service plays a huge part in Rochelle’s life. Since the past few years, she has travelled to various countries to learn, serve and empower the next generation by building, educating and mentoring people from all over the world. Her first overseas trip was to Ecuador at the age of 14 with WE Charity (now called Free the Children). Twenty youth from all across Canada lodged in the rural places of Ecuador with the mission to complete a school building project, and to help design and teach a few English classes. In 2018, Rochelle did two global trips: to Kenya and Fiji Islands. In May, she ventured off to Narok, Kenya, with the same charity along with 24 other young members. “I was tenting alongside wild animals, with no bathrooms or running water. We were forced to adapt to a rugged lifestyle, all while learning the culture, and falling in love with the children in Narok,” informs the young activist. From making her own meals and facing her fear of large insects to working on a construction site for eight hours a day for two weeks, the global volunteer reveals that the trip was filled with some challenging moments but she left “with a full heart knowing that what my team members and I accomplished in Kenya was even greater than us.” In August, Rochelle along with her family took a trip back to their mother land: the Fiji Islands. “Our goal was to help a local
COVER STORY orphanage in the town of Suva,” mentions Rochelle. For the weeks that the family was there, they interacted with the locals, gave food to as many people they could, and provided educational tools to a lot of young people. They even got the attention of the Minister of Youth and Sports and the United Nations, who then organized a tour for Rochelle to speak at different universities in Fiji about her home, Canada, and the importance of giving back. “I will never forget the connections we made in Fiji, and the places we stepped foot into, and left out of with grace,” shares Rochelle who defines volunteering and community service as giving back with no hidden agenda and purely with a passionate heart. Rochelle is a proud founder of Camp We Empower, a youth for youth non-profit that profit provides fun, educational workshops for students all around Surrey and worldwide. Its goal is to empower the next generation through their mini/mega series workshops, community 101 action projects and education empowers students/ teachers program. “We believe in the next generation like no tomorrow, and serve as resources for them,” says the recipient of the 2018 Canada 150 award in Leadership. Rochelle has also co-founded two other organizations: the Surrey Youth Safety Council and Surrey Team for Youth Leadership and Engagement, and was one among Surrey Board of Trade’s Top 25 Under 25 in 2018. With writing being one of her main hobbies, Rochelle is also an author and has penned Because We Can, a short novel that encompasses empowerment. “The book has some how now turned into an educational toolkit for all ages on how to take action for a better world, starting with themselves,” points out Rochelle dedicating the book to the youth in Surrey. This year, Rochelle’s plan includes travelling, doubling and thriving. She elaborates the three main goals: “I plan on travelling to countries all across the world to expand Camp We Empower. The world needs more empowered young leaders, and my team and I are ready to make that a reality. [I plan on] doubling the impact I have made in 2018 in my community. I plan on giving back twice as much as this year and thriving harder than I have ever done before.”
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Faculty of Medicine. As a case manager, Sukhmeet works with service has the Cedar Project to provide Indigenous people who have allowed me to view Hepatitis C virus with medication life with a bigger and support through a holistic intervention. “With my goal purpose, which is to set on a becoming a physician, help and learn from this position has allowed me to interact with patients and help each other. By meeting them in meeting their needs,” new people from adds the young health advocate. He is also working with the different backgrounds, United Nations Association I become more aware of Canada as the Regional Coordinator in Vancouver for the of my surroundings.” Youth Navigate the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action programme. Sukhmeet has been involved with environmental initiatives since high school. “I have always been inspired to help make our world more sustainable and ukhmeet Sachal is merely greener.” However, he started 24 years old and already has tons of accomplishments to his credit. making the connection between environmental awareness and Besides being an academic scholar, public health after his six-month Sukhmeet is a humanitarian, public trip to Arctic in 2017. “Here, health advocate, and environmental I saw the first-hand impacts of advocate who believes in the recipe climate change on the levels of of intercultural dialogue in order to ice depletion and sea rise. Upon promote peace in the world. meeting with Indigenous elders, A recent graduate of the Master of I learned how climate change will Public Health program at Western impact the livelihood of the Inuit University in London, Ontario; population living up North,” Sukhmeet has been involved with he reveals. Witnessing these community and charity work since changes, he started exploring the childhood. “As a Sikh, I have been raised and instilled with the concept of impact this would have on the selfless service which is known as Seva. mental health of Inuit community members. “Specifically, climate At the age of five, my father got me involved with volunteering in Amritsar. change can result in solastalgia, the feeling of being away from Since then, I have never looked back,” shares the young adult who has home even when you are at home. With mental health already volunteered in places such as Ghana, being a major concern in the Uganda and the Arctic. “Community service has allowed me to view life with North, this would exacerbate the a bigger purpose, which is to help and situation. This experience defined learn from each other. By meeting new for me the importance of linking environmental health with public people from different backgrounds, health,” explains Sukhmeet, who I become more aware of my then started the Break The Divide surroundings. At the end of the day, service is all about learning from others (BTD) Foundation with his younger brother Abhayjeet. and giving back to the community,” The goal of BTD is to connect points out Sukhmeet, currently a case youth in the North to youth manager with the UBC School of across Canada and explore topics Population and Public Health in the
Community
Inspiring South Asian Youth
S
SUKHMEET
SACHAL
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COVER STORY such as climate change and mental health. By personifying the effects of environmental degradation in the Arctic, Indigenous youth can teach other youth about these risks so they can work together to brainstorm solutions. “British Columbian students were shocked to hear how melting sea ice had been changing Inuit lifestyles, resulting in increased food insecurity,” mentions Sukhmeet. Since its implementation, there have been connections between students in Inuvik and students in Canada, South Africa, and India. The project has reached over 1000 youth from around the world and is currently being funded through community grants and donations. A major highlight for Sukhmeet last year was being chosen as one of 1,000 youth from across the world to attend the UNLEASH United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Conference in Singapore. For two weeks, the passionate global volunteer worked alongside leaders from all nations to share ideas on improving this planet. “I was put into a team of four individuals from Singapore, Zambia, and Syria. Together, we designed an innovative solution to mitigate climate change in Zambia. For our efforts, we won a Gold Prize by the delegation.” Sukhmeet’s extraordinary work in various fields had honoured him with many local, national, and international awards and scholarships from reputed organizations such as Canadian Red Cross and Indo-Canadian Business Association. The most recent one was from the Government of Canada for the Canadian Volunteer Awards where Sukhmeet was recognized as an Emerging Leader for British Columbia and the North. “This honour was a culmination of pride not only for myself, but for the entire South Asian community since it was the first time that a Sikh had won as an Emerging Leader,” the multiple award-winner proudly states. In 2019, Sukhmeet wants to continue to improve himself socially, academically, and spiritually. Socially, he wants to expand BTD around the world so that youth can be at the forefront of social change, and also wants to mentor youth to be the best versions of themselves. Academically, he aims to continue working with the UBC School of Population and Public Health to help improve the lives of Indigenous people with Hepatitis C. “I also want to start medical school so that I can start my journey into the field of medicine,” he quickly adds. Spiritually, he wants to be the happiest version of himself. “I want to continue spreading love and compassion to everyone around me, as well as to myself.”
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With the focus being on quality, design and listening to our customers’ feedback, we have been fortunate enough to celebrate our 25th anniversary last year, and will continue to serve the community with
V
all their upholstered furniture needs.”
Jeet Dhindsa, President and CEO of Van Gogh Designs
Van Gogh Designs A Trailblazer in BC’s Furniture Industry
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an Gogh Designs is a community-driven, established furniture company that has been successfully serving customers since August 1993. This 25-year-old venture was first started by a group of six hard-working entrepreneurs with specialized skills in woodworking and upholstery. Jeet Dhindsa, President and CEO of Van Gogh Designs, remembers the initial days of the company, where all they had was “a 5,000 square foot warehouse with some basic tools, and a strong desire to do something different in the furniture industry.” The journey to achieving success in the business was however not easy. “As a new entrant into an established and saturated market, we faced many challenges in trying to get our name out there – we experienced everything from struggling to find supplies to not being able to participate in trade shows,” recalls Dhindsa. Despite all the obstacles, the group continued to persist in their desire to build a strong and trusting relationship with industry suppliers, and gradually, Van Gogh Designs became a familiar name within the industry. A turning point in the business came when Dhindsa and his team realized that providing higher-quality products would take them to the next level. To achieve this goal, the team spent years learning and
BUSINESS PROFILE
Van Gogh’s in-house 100,000 square foot facility in South Surrey designs and produces high quality products that cater to the needs of their customers
perfecting the art of building and upholstering furniture. As their skills improved, the quality of their work began to reflect this. “We made the decision to source higher quality materials and shifted our focus towards a customer base that is focused on higher-quality products,”
shares the proud CEO of the organization. Sure enough, after taking this risk, despite having to increase prices to compensate for the added quality, Van Gogh transformed its name and reputation in the industry. Today, Van Gogh Designs is a reputed and trusted brand in the furniture market. As the company’s clientele grew over the years, Van Gogh Designs recognized the growing demand and relocated in 2014 to its present 100,000 square foot facility in South Surrey. Although employees have come and gone over the years, whereas many have stayed since the foundation of the company, it is certain that great employees have paved the success of Van Gogh Designs. Today, a blend of
Van Gogh Designs specializes in a variety of upholstered furniture such as sofas, chairs, beds, ottomans, dining chairs, and other sectional pieces
experienced tenure employees work with fresh new minds and skills to effectively combine the knowledge and raw talent which helps the company grow and take on new challenges. Van Gogh Designs specializes in a variety of upholstered furniture such as sofas, chairs, beds,
ottomans, dining chairs, and other sectional pieces. “Our customers appreciate the ability to customize a piece of furniture that suits their style preferences and will complement their home,” adds Dhindsa. Each piece of furniture ordered is a reflection of a customer’s creativity which is brought to life by a team of skilled, hardworking and dedicated people. The staff at Van Gogh is committed to producing high quality products while ensuring exceptional customer service is provided from the beginning to the end of a customer’s purchasing experience. As living conditions change, the priority and preference of customers changes as well. To stay relevant in a trend-based industry, the efficient team at the acclaimed furniture company always monitors fashion and lifestyle trends and designs new styles to complement those upcoming trends. “A key factor that appeals to our customers is that we are always open to discussing new designs and customization ideas to better suit the new housing options
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BUSINESS PROFILE
Tips on buying furniture
Van Gogh’s team of 120 members comprises of dedicated designers, skilled workers, customer service professionals, and administrative staff The company introduces 15-20 new styles along with 100+ new fabrics every year
1
First and foremost, think about the room your furniture is going into.
2
Take proper measurements of the entire space, doorways and elevators that furniture may fit into.
3
Consider where the furniture was made, and the material being used.
4 5
Select the style that best suits the room.
Consider looking for furniture in the fabric that complements the wall colours and décor.
and lifestyle choices of our customers,” says Dhindsa, further adding that his company introduces 15-20 new styles each year along with 100+ new fabrics. Some of the latest furniture trends, Dhindsa reveals, are velvet fabrics with bold colours, upholstered beds and headboards, deep tufting, channel backs, and deepseated pieces. Van Gogh Designs truly appreciates the loyal, supportive customer base that has always encouraged their growth. “Together, we shared concerns when the economy was volatile, and celebrated the prosperous times together for 25 years, with hope for many more to come,” reflects the
6
Decide which seating option is best for you. For example, sofas can be made with soft, medium or firm foam, as well as feather wrapped seats.
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dedicated President. The future of Van Gogh looks very bright, as the company looks forward to continue to practice “the art of comfort.” Being a highly customer-focused business, Van Gogh hopes to continually innovate and improve on both products and skills, so that they can focus their attention on what the customer wants. “We would like our current customers and potential future customers to know that we understand the significance of purchasing furniture to complete that “at home feel” and want to share that journey
with them,” expresses Dhindsa. To provide guidance and extra support for the first-time buyer, or for anyone looking for an exciting purchasing experience, Van Gogh Designs soon plans on providing interior design services to ensure that no fine detail goes amiss. Dhindsa reassuringly adds, “At Van Gogh we will continue to offer high quality furniture. Furniture will always play an integral role in the lives of our customers, and as the Indian community continues to grow and become more successful, we would like to be there to support them as well.” The journey to success has been incredible for Van Gogh Designs, and the last 25 successful years, has resulted in many milestones and proud moments. “With the focus being on quality, design and listening to our customers’ feedback, we have been fortunate enough to celebrate our 25th anniversary last year, and will continue to serve the community with all their upholstered furniture needs,” says Dhindsa in conclusion.
Photos: A MASTER MEDIA, Van Gogh Designs
The staff at Van Gogh Designs is always open to discussing new and customized designs to better suit the lifestyle choices of their clients
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All the right moves
Business grad crafts winning strategy to come out on top By Maia Odegaard
S
upun Thalagala’s formula for success included three things: earning a bachelor’s degree, volunteering to make connections, and spending a semester abroad to gain a new perspective and supercharge his resumé. He found all that and more at Douglas College. With the goal of embarking on a career in the finance industry, Supun enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Services program. He says he chose Douglas because of the reputation of the instructors. “They’ve all worked in the industry, and they’re bringing their stories into the classroom,” he says. “As a student, you don’t know what the professional world is going to be like and how what you’re learning will translate into what you actually do. They provide that bridge.” Outside the classroom, Supun joined the Toastmasters Club and volunteered with the Douglas Commerce & Business Association, a student club that provides connections to industry, leadership opportunities, services to the community and more. “My first year, I didn’t get involved, and I was miserable. After that, I made a conscious decision to give back,” says Supun. “Getting involved allows you to meet likeminded people, gain great experience and grow as a person.” Supun believes that one of the best ways to connect with
Photo by David Denofreo
other people is through travel, so he embarked on one of Douglas’s exchange programs and spent a semester studying in Switzerland. “It opened my eyes to a different way of looking at the world. Exposing yourself to different viewpoints allows you to really grow as a person. I also wanted to show employers I’m willing to take on challenges and step out of my comfort zone,” he says.
Before Supun had even completed his degree, he was offered a position at RBC as a benefits advisor. He plans to continue working at RBC for a few years before possibly pursuing an MBA at the University of Toronto. “I secured my job thanks to the skills and knowledge I gained at Douglas College. All I can say is, I’m really fortunate to have gone to Douglas.” 18-050G
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2019
HOROSCOPE
Georgia Nicols’ wisdom and wit have made her a popular international astrologer whose horoscope columns appear in major newspapers and magazines around the world. Nicols also makes regular appearances on television and radio and has a popular website with more than a million annual readers. Her book, You and Your Future is a bestseller in Canada, and has international printings in three languages. Visit: www.georgianicols.com.
AquariuS (January 20 – February 18)
Element: Air Symbol: The Water Carrier Ruling Planet: Uranus Mantra for 2019:
“All my interactions with others will benefit me this year!” Money and Career This year your life will flow more easily. Don’t hesitate to “think big” because this is the year to do this. Your big take away for this year is that your interaction with others will benefit you. Remember this. Join professional organizations and stay in touch with people in your field.
What ’s in Store for you this year?
An indication that change is afoot is the fact that you’re starting to downsize. This quality of winnowing your life in a professional sense combined with your new idealism and desire to infiltrate new groups and explore new ideas will start to take you in a new direction.
Relationships This is a popular year! You will be much more involved in group activities and organizations. You might even start an organization. Your involvements with others will benefit you this year.
Yearly PREDICTIONS By Georgia Nicols 50
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Note: If your efforts somehow improve the lives of others around you, then your life will improve likewise. If your efforts only improve your own life, then the benefits you receive will be less.
Home and Family Because of your increased popularity, you will bring people home because they are new friends or because they are groups with which you are involved. You will enjoy entertaining at home. Nevertheless, you are going through attics, lockers, closets and cupboards to get rid of what you think is no longer relevant in your life. You are streamlining your world because you’re getting ready for a big change!
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2019
HOROSCOPE
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
tAURUS
(March 21 – April 19)
(April 20 – May 20)
Element: Water Symbol: The Fish Ruling Planet: Neptune Mantra for 2019:
Element: Fire Symbol: The Ram Ruling Planet: Mars Mantra for 2019:
Element: Earth Symbol: The Bull Ruling Planet: Venus Mantra for 2019:
“I deserve my success!”
“This year my destination is not a country; it’s a new way of seeing my world.”
“I accept all the wealth and favours that come to me this year with gratitude.”
Money and Career
Money and Career
This is now your time of harvest, which occurs once every 30 years. For some, this began last year; for all of you, it is now in full swing. You will see how the seeds you planted in the past come to fruition. Where you planted well, you will reap benefits. The consequences of your preparations will be evident. However, you must be ruthless and get rid of what is no longer working.
The year you are laying the groundwork for a future success for two windows of time ahead: The first window is 2020-2022 (just one year away); and the second window is further in the future around 2029-2030. That’s why everything that you do this year matters! The more you accomplish this year, the better foundation you will establish for future successes.
Fabulous opportunities to travel and explore other countries and different cultures await you. If you are thinking of taking a trip – this is the year to do it. Make plans. Book a reservation. Alternatively, this is the best year in over a decade to enjoy going back to school or continuing school.
Fortunately, it will be easy to access the wealth and resources of others or get a loan or a business mortgage. This is also a good year to do fundraising or enter into a partnership where you need financial backing.
Money and Career This is one of the best times in over a decade for you, which is why you will try hard to move ahead in your profession, your career or anything to do with your social status and your reputation. People easily admire you this year, even if you don’t do anything special. You will look affluent in the eyes of others – and certainly successful. Expect a promotion at work, public recognition and respect and admiration from your peers. Whatever happens in your career, one thing is certain: your experience of the world will expand and you will be in touch with people who are different – people who have something to teach you!
Relationships You are enjoying success in your career and your ability to dazzle others, and let’s face it, success is sexy. You will look very good in the eyes of others, which is why relationships will be enjoyable and successful this year. Singles will easily attract others because you look like a catch. (And you are!) However, relationships will also be supportive to you this year in practical terms. You will attract someone who admires the fact that you are more disciplined and have a careful, practical approach to life because it implies that their own future security will benefit as well.
Home and Family Like all the other aspects of your life, home and family will benefit hugely from your success. You feel you are on a more solid footing. For starters, many of you will be making more money, which allows you to have a richer private life. In addition, because your relations with others, especially authority figures and parents, are more positive, this obviously lends to good feelings in the family and with relatives and those who are close to you.
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ARIES
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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
DARPAN
Relationships This year your cherished dreams are coming true. You are focussed on your career and enjoying success and a boost to your reputation. However, all of this might be at the expense of your closest relationships. Do not let this happen – no matter how tempting. This is an ideal year to meet someone who is different, especially someone from another culture.
Home and Family This year you will spend money making your surroundings more pleasing. You will also spend money on travel. Your health will be strong, too. Your primary challenge with home and family will be that with the distractions of success, plus your increased responsibilities, you have less time and energy to focus on home and family. Be mindful of this. Do not get caught up in your success.
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Relationships This is an excellent year for relationships! Last year was an excellent year to get married. This year your relations with others will improve your financial position. If you have recently experienced psychological stress, this year is an excellent healing time. People will be helpful. If you have to move, they will help you move. If you go on a vacation, they will let you use their cabin. Naturally, this will be based on your past relations because what goes around comes around.
Home and Family This year your personal life will run more smoothly. Since this year is about building for the future, put energy into your home by fixing repairs or making your home solid and secure. This is a great year to get a home mortgage or loan to build, renovate or repair your home. Similarly, your effort to get in better shape will have a long-term benefit in the future. You can heal yourself and throw off illness.
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2019
HOROSCOPE
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
May 21 – June 20)
(June 21 – July 22)
(July 23 – Aug 22)
Element: Air Symbol: The Twins Ruling Planet: Mercury Mantra for 2019:
Element: Water Symbol: The Crab Ruling Planet: Moon Mantra for 2019:
Element: Fire Symbol: The Lion Ruling Planet: Sun Mantra for 2019:
“I’m grateful to have my partners and friends this year.”
“I welcome a chance to improve my job and my health this year!”
“It’s my turn to work hard and party hard!”
Money and Career
Money and Career
Your lovely blessing for 2019 is that this is an excellent year to enter into a professional relationship or a business partnership. This person might or might not bring money to the table, but they will help you in other ways. They will boost your confidence or lift your spirits. Ironically, this is a tough year to get a business loan or mortgage or the backing of another person. Patience.
Good news! This is the best year in over a decade to improve your job. You might get better duties, better working conditions, a promotion or a raise or a transfer to a better location. Your evil boss might move to Timbuktu. Whatever the situation, you will be happier in your job this year!
Relationships This is the best year in over a decade for Geminis to get married. Your one-to-one encounters with others will be meaningful. Almost by magic, you will encounter people who help you and benefit you. These relationships will be mutually beneficial. Not only will others help you this year, even professional assistance will benefit you for example seeing a lawyer, a doctor, counsellor or an astrologer. If you marry, you will benefit financially from the marriage. Your partner might be slightly older or more well-established and your respect for this person is one of the things that makes you attracted to them..
Home and Family This year your personal life will benefit through close friends and partnerships because wealth will come to you from other sources. Relations with family members will be more positive and upbeat. As you enjoy this growing confidence, your attitude will be more positive. Obviously, this increased happiness in your personal life will promote warmer relations with family members. However, this is not a good year to benefit from the wealth and resources of others, but this will not bother you at this time because it will be a happy year, which means you will feel content with the way things are.
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However, if nothing can improve your job, you need to leave and get a better job. You will be happier in your new job, which will offer you a learning curve and possibly, work-related travel that is exciting. Your health will also improve this year. However, guard against gaining weight. (Time to let out another pleat in the shower curtain?).
Relationships You are ready to go forward to pursue new goals and entertain new dreams! However, your partner might not welcome these changes. They like the familiar you. Herein lies the rub. If your closest relationships do not support your dreams, there’s going to be trouble. You stay in the wrong relationships too long. Some of you are questioning whether you should stay in a marriage. Even the best of partnerships are being tested last year and this year. Ultimately, they will come out stronger and they will persevere.
Home and Family Marriage partnerships might be challenging because this is a time when a bad marriage could end. If this is the case, do not hold on to something just for the sake of holding on, even though you are miserable. Doing this is like holding on to a hot pot. If you keep holding on, your hands are burning! For some, it’s time to let go.
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Money and Career This will be a successful year for your career, job and earnings because Saturn will join Pluto and both planets will work in tandem in your House of Employment. The upshot is that you will bust your buns as never before. You’ll be PowerPoint on steroids! Meanwhile, Jupiter will make you want to sit back and enjoy life and do nothing. This means you will work hard and play hard! You will bust your buns and then take a fabulous vacation. You might boost your earnings through the entertainment world, sports and the hospitality industry i.e. restaurants, hotels and anything from the Bellagio in Vegas to a Pitch n Putt in Surrey.
Relationships This is the best year for romance and love affairs that you have had in over a decade! Lucky Jupiter is in the part of your chart that symbolizes romance. This lucky influence will encourage new relationships, especially with someone different, perhaps from another culture. You might meet someone on vacation, or in a setting related to universities, publishing, the media, the law or medicine. Meanwhile, existing romantic relationships will be more playful and happy this year. You will have a busier schedule that includes more social activities, the theatre, sports plus fun vacations.
Home and Family Relations with home and family will improve this year because you are happier. Your relations with your kids will improve and be happier as well. Plan a family vacation. You will also enjoy inviting guests for dinner or summer barbecues because you want to have fun. Some of you will expand your family through birth, adoption or marriage this year. Many of you will renovate, redecorate and make your home more attractive. “Let’s build a pool!”
Virgo
MEMBER
(August 23 – September 22)
Element: Earth Symbol: The Virgin Ruling Planet: Mercury Mantra for 2019:
“I love this chance to improve my home and my family relationships!”
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Money and Career You can win recognition from others for your achievements this year. Employers and bosses will be impressed with your diligence and your ability to plan ahead. Some of you will make money through real estate this year and possibly next year because you will have opportunities to either make money from selling your own home or to profit from real-estate speculation. Others might explore appealing opportunities in the entertainment world, the hospitality industry and teaching.
Relationships Some of you will have a love affair or begin a new romance with someone older, perhaps a parental figure. You might also meet someone through a family member; in fact, this is highly likely. One reason you will be more successful in all your relationships this year is because this is a wonderful year to build up your health and become stronger. What has this got to do with relationships? Common sense. You will be more invigorated, energetic and have a more positive self image, which are all qualities that affect all your interrelationships with others. Stand tall!
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Home and Family Ta da! This is the best year to improve your family and home scene in over a decade. Expect to buy lovely things for your home. You might renovate or redecorate because you will feel richer and more affluent about where you live. Those who rent might move to a bigger and better digs. Those who own their home will renovate, expand or sell and buy something better. Whatever happens, you will increase your real-estate assets. In the same way that you can physically improve where you live, likewise your family relationships will improve. Relations between siblings, cousins and family members will become more mutually generous and happier.
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2019
HOROSCOPE
Libra
Scorpio
SAGITTARIUS
(September 23 - October 22)
(October 23 – November 21)
(November 22 – December 21)
Element: Air Symbol: The Scales Ruling Planet: Venus Mantra for 2019:
Element: Water Symbol: The Scorpion Ruling Planet: Pluto Mantra for 2019:
Element: Fire Symbol: The Centaur Ruling Planet: Jupiter Mantra for 2019:
“This year I will live life to the fullest!”
“I am so happy to be richer!”
“I’ve got it good and that ain’t bad.”
Money and Career
Money and Career
Money and Career
This year there are challenging aspects with bosses, employers, government officials and older partners that might block your efforts. Do not withdraw from the confrontation but do not fight for the sake of fighting. And do not try to save something that isn’t worth saving. Be patient. This is not a time of defeat; it’s a time of trial.
This year you will earn more money! Yes, you will get richer. You will get a better paying job or you will get a raise. If you don’t have a job, your assets will increase this year. You might buy yourself wonderful things so that you feel richer.
Your life will be so blessed this year because your ruler Jupiter is in your own sign, which happens only once every 12 years. The next time this happens will be in 2031. This year you have much to be grateful because life will be easier. You will attract business deals and favourable financial arrangements. You will also attract important people. You will attract good luck!
Not only will you earn more money this year, you will enjoy how you earn your money. This blessing comes along only once every 12 years and it will not return again for you until 2031, so make the most of this.
The good news is that your life will flow easily. With very little effort, you will move in the direction you want to go. Some bosses will endorse you – the secret is to find out who they are.
Relationships Well, let’s face it, money is sexy and you’re getting richer! This can make you attractive to some people. It means you have more disposable income to party and entertain people. But hey, who wants to attract people to them just because they have money? Exactly!
Relationships Ever since 2012, your closest relationships and partnerships have been tumultuous because wild Uranus has been opposite your sign for the last seven years. For many, this signaled that a relationship ended. It created hidden pressures that might have affected your health. The good news is that as of 2019, this influence moves on. Yay! You will be in the clear for the rest of your life.
Fortunately, you won’t be duped or seduced because Saturn will give you lots of common sense and a practical view about relationships. If you are single, you will be careful, even wary of a new relationship.
This year you will be optimistic, hopeful and in a positive frame of mind. Existing relationships will improve and new romance is always possible. Always!
Last but not least, you will feel sexier and more attractive this year because you feel financially confident plus you will have some money to throw on your back so that you look hot.
Home and Family Your relations with an authority figure in the family will be tested this year. (Like last year!) This doesn’t mean life is going to hell in a handbasket. It simply means you will not easily get your way. But in the long run, your positive outlook this year will make you the winner.
Home and Family Your home scene will benefit because you will have more disposable income plus you will have more money to buy things for your home and easily entertain. One of the most important things that parents can do for their kids is to remain solvent. (Yes, money keeps the kids close.) It will be a pleasure to be able to be generous to your kids and loved ones. You might also use your improved financial standing to find a better home by selling and buying or renting.
Patience is the key. Expect to tackle major repairs to your home because what you want to do this year is solidify your home base and cement family bonds. Now is the time to build and repair what needs to be done because, you are laying the foundation of your future.
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Work-related travel along with travel for pleasure will be a theme this year. You will escape from inhibiting circumstances that you want to leave and attract financial support and resources to you.
Relationships Naturally all of your relationships will improve this year because you are basking in the blessing of Jupiter in your sign. You have more self poise, more confidence, and will feel friendlier and happier, which makes you more attractive to others. Existing relationships will improve. Because of your happy, confident countenance, you will make new friends and potential new romantic partners.
Home and Family What you will find this year is that you will feel stronger in everything you do with respect to family members and where you live because you are so confident. You believe in yourself. You have faith in your judgment and your ideas. Therefore, your home life and your relations with family members will improve. You will find it easier to be generous to loved ones. This is because Jupiter in your sign makes you generous but also Jupiter in your sign makes you idealistic. It increases your respect for the values of compassion and kindness.
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2019
HOROSCOPE
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Element: Earth Symbol: The Mountain Goat YEARS OF Ruling Planet: Saturn CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY Mantra for 2019:
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“A vision is arising within me this year. Angels are whispering in my ear.”
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P U B L I C
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Money and Career Three strong influences occur this year: The first is that Pluto will trigger obsessive behaviour, compulsions, and at times, irrational decisions. Essentially, it wants to make you overdo, whether you are aware of this consciously or not. The second influence is your ruler Saturn is in your sign making you start to re-invent yourself in the next six years. (Starting last year.) Both planets in your sign at the same time are an unusual and powerful influence to reshape who you are. The third influence arrives in December, when lucky Jupiter enters your sign to stay for a year to not only increase your good fortune but also make your life flow more easily. (Jupiter will make you richer in 2021). Regardless of your age, these are the years that will shape you and give your future meaning.
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Relationships are on hold this year because the most important relationship you are having is with yourself. This doesn’t mean you are selfabsorbed or egocentric. Instead it means this is when you need to have the courage to look inward while everyone around you continues to look outward. Because you are in this serious frame of mind, you will be attracted to serious committed relationships or someone of an age difference.
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You are a traditionalist about family values. This year it’s wise to focus on your long range benefit: When Jupiter enters your sign in December, it will boost your joy in your everyday surroundings and make your life easier! It will attract the resources that you need in your life to feel secure. You might entertain a residential move in four to five years because your aim will be to solidify your home base six years from now. It is good to know this because you are a planner. You don’t leave things to chance.
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THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THIS BILL WAS MET WITH A LOT OF OPPOSITION FROM LOCAL FARMERS WHO DID NOT AGREE TO THE NEW CHANGES
By petrina d'souza
BiLL 52
A CLOSER LOOK
L
ast year, British Columbia government’s legislation introduced on November 5, made it clear that land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is for farming and ranching in BC, not for dumping construction waste or building mega-mansions. On November 27, Bill 52, the Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act became law which will come into force by regulation this year. The legislation makes three key changes: restoring the
Gurdial Badh Chair of BC Farmland Owners Association
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integrity of the ALR by reinstating one zone for all ALR land in BC, making it clear that all land in the ALR benefits from the same strong protections; addressing mega-mansions and speculation in the ALR by limiting new house sizes to less than 500 square metres [about 5,400 square feet], except through application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) in cases where it would support farming, and requiring an ALC approval of any additional residences in the ALR to curb non-farm development; and cracking down on the dumping of construction debris, toxic waste and other fill in the ALR that can irreparably damage arable soil on valuable farmland, through increased penalties. The government believes that building of mansions and lifestyle estates on ALR land in urban areas has steadily increased in recent years, inflating farmland prices and preventing new, often younger farmers from growing food. The announcement of this Bill led to a lot of chaos and opposition especially from local
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Lana Popham BC’s Minister of Agriculture farmers who did not agree to the new changes; the BC Liberal Caucus voted against it as well. Two key points were brought fought by unsatisfied farmers – one that farmer’s opinion was not taken into consideration before proposing the Bill; two, the house size restrictions is unjustified. “This legislation is about three things – ensuring fairness across the ALR by moving to a one zone system, preserving quality agricultural soil, and preventing farmland from being priced out of the reach of farmers,” says BC’s Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham, who points out that the Minister of
Agriculture’s Advisory Committee held stakeholder consultation meetings in nine communities across BC. They met with local governments, farming and ranching associations, and other agricultural organizations, including the BC Agriculture Council, which represents nearly 30 farm associations that generate 96 per cent of provincial farm gate sales. “I am not in support of Bill 52 as it has been brought in hastily without proper consultation with the farming community,” declares Gurdial Badh who has been in the farming business for over 25 years in Delta and Richmond, and is the founder of Richmond Farmland Owners Association and Chair of BC Farmland Owners Association (BCFOA). “At the time of the consultation period, the farmers were busy with planting and getting ready for the upcoming season so they really did not have the opportunity to participate as they were not aware,” comments Badh. The BCFOA was formed on November 15, 2018, in response to the tabling of Bill 52. In a very short amount of time, the BCFOA signed up close to 400 farming families (2,700 people) from across BC that collectively farm over 17,000 acres of farmland. Gunraj Gill, whose firm Aurora Advisory Group Ltd. has been retained by the BCFOA in a strategic advisory role, reveals that the Committee conducted a public engagement campaign from February through April of 2018. “During this period, the committee only heard from 2271 people on house sizes. Out of which only 392 responses stated that large homes should not be permitted on ALR land (7% of 61 written responses and 29% of 1340 online responses). Out of over 2200 responses, only 12% respondents believed that the Provincial Government should regulate house sizes. Out of over 2200 responses, only 10% respondents believed that
Local Governments should regulate house sizes.” He further adds that by engaging in a defensive approach to law making which is not based on evidence, the Government’s actions are directly affecting farmers by creating economic uncertainty within the farming community and putting its longterm sustainability at risk. Surrey-Cloverdale’s MLA, Marvin Hunt, strongly disapproves
Marvin Hunt MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale
the bill for multiple reasons; one of them being the size restrictions. “This bill limits the square footage of the house rather than the foot print of the house. If the intent of the bill is to save agricultural land, the foot print of the house should be the issue, not how high the building is. What difference does it make to the agricultural use of the land if the house is one, two or three stories high?” He also remarks that the bill will not help curb speculation – rather it will hurt farmers by increasing their paperwork and costs. The legislation ensures that all farming families who need the extra space to farm and to support their farming operations have a path forward at the ALC for them to build a house larger than 5,400 square feet. Also, the Bill will not damage those people who have existing permits and authorizations in place. “They will have until November 5,
2019 — a full year from the date that this bill was introduced — to begin the construction work. They will no longer be required to have a substantially started construction of the foundation,” says Minister Popam. Gill here however notes that this might not apply to members that had their pre-load permit issued but are waiting to apply for a building permit. “Sometimes the pre-load process can take anywhere from 1-3 years with significant financial costs before somebody can even apply for a building permit.” “The Bill 52 will have a negative impact on agriculture property values and will make it difficult for farmers to live together and farm. If these families cannot build homes according to their needs then they will not buy farmland and we will lose these farming families,” says Badh. He believes that farmers should be able to decide on the size of home that is needed, provided they are actively farming the lands. “Farming is not a one person operation and
Gunraj Gill Managing Partner of Aurora Advisory Group Ltd. needs help from other family members to help out. We have joint families who have purchased these properties in hopes of working together and to keep their children busy working on the farms.” MLA Hunt concludes that the government has not been clear about how their new rules around farmland use will be enforced, and this bill will have a number of negative impacts on BC’s hardworking farmers.
Annual Returns (Compounded quarterly):
2018 2017
2016
2015
9.02%
9.43%
9.42%
9.01%
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BUSINESS PROFILE
ANOTHER CHOICE FOR
FINANCING FREEDOM CAPITAL
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n today’s world, obtaining loans or any other kind of financial assistance is becoming increasingly difficult. Whether you are a first-time buyer, suffering from a business or personal financial downfall, or aspiring entrepreneur, seeking a bank’s help may be your first choice but it might not always be the best option. Extensive bank requirements, high interest rates, scrutiny on funds and stress tests are making bank loan processes lengthy and frustrating. So what can you do when you are in dire need of money but your trusted bank is lacking in help? At times like these, one should consider alternative financing as it can be an excellent resource to support a variety of financing needs. Freedom Capital specializes in commercial, construction and private financing options by providing the best and customized solutions to each client’s private financing needs. The company works to provide customers with immediate relief from any financial crisis. The brokerage firm is licensed to work with clients who require construction, commercial or private financing, and has years of experience putting their expertise towards numerous cases. With an extensive network of lenders and private financial experts to assist with complex
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financing cases, Freedom Capital proudly fulfills fast private financing loan approvals. “Our private financing experts create custom solutions, even in the most challenging of cases,” says Pip Dhaliwal, founder of Freedom Capital. Dhaliwal understands that getting access to loans is no easy task. He points out that one’s credit history and net income are two of several areas under scrutiny when trying to obtain loans from traditional financial institutions, making it tough for many clients. This is not the case at Freedom Capital. While such criteria are important, the organization embraces an old-fashioned concept. Dhaliwal believes in looking at the assets in total to get a bigger picture of what is going on, so that easier, more diverse financial options are made available to investors and entrepreneurs. “That is the basis of our operating philosophy and something I saw a distinct need for in the business world, when I founded Freedom Capital eight years ago,” states Dhaliwal who is an expert in the field having worked previously as a loans officer and mortgage specialist in his native England. As more and more options become available to potential customers on how they choose to finance their projects, the financial game continues to get
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more competitive in Canada. Freedom Capital is one of the private financing options that can provide low-interest rates on large loans, and understands how to equip clients with the appropriate financing solutions as their needs evolve. “To us, denying a financing application is not an option as we believe every person deserves a second chance to make the right financing decision,” asserts Dhaliwal whose commitment to providing personalized financing options for each client is one of many plus points his firm is known for.
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money, with a transparent and flexible repayment system. Currently, banks’ lending policies for entrepreneurs and developers are quite restricted, and confine them to one build as well as withholding further financing until that project is paid out. They also will not issue a land-only mortgage if the developer is purchasing land that has not yet been rezoned. As a broker, Freedom Capital operates on two levels: providing financing to entrepreneurs, which in turn allows them to generate income. It also helps people with problems such as health or divorce, an issue that caught Dhaliwal’s attention back in England when he saw responsible and hardworking families lose all their assets due to foreclosures. Along with providing customers with personalized financial solutions, Freedom Capital hopes that people understand that private lending money options are not meant to exploit beneficiaries. Through the integrity and loyalty with which they provide their services, Freedom Capital ensures that this misconception is forgotten, and that clients feel comfortable rather than intimidated when seeking private loans. “Private financing is becoming an increasingly important option in the business community across Canada and it enables those with financing problems to build back their credit and pay off credit card loans. We often view it as spearheading the new and upcoming era of financing.”
For more information or cost-effective solutions, contact Freedom Capital today!
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DARPAN SALUTES
SUJATA
SAHU
at one of these schools. They had been walking to get textbooks and uniforms for the handful of students in the school. It was the determination of students and teachers who were willing to travel in extreme weather conditions that pushed Sahu to establish 17,000 ft Foundation. “I believe the biggest impact we have had on the children of these forgotten villages is the exposure that we have given them, the dreams and aspirations that we have inspired, and most of all, the feeling that they are equal in every way to children elsewhere in the world.” Hundreds of tiny scattered hamlets make up the beautiful I believe the biggest impact we have had on the children of these forgotten villages is the exposure that we have given them, the dreams and aspirations that we have inspired, and most of all, the feeling that they are equal in every way to children elsewhere in the world.”
The ‘Iron Lady of Ladakh’ By GARIMA GOSWAMI
S
ujata Sahu, also known as the Iron Lady of Ladakh, is transforming the status of public schools in one of the most isolated regions of India – Ladakh. Through her organization, 17,000 ft Foundation, Sahu has successfully established libraries in 230 schools and playgrounds in 140 schools in Kargil and Leh. In 2010, this computer science teacher at a school in New Delhi, ventured on a solo trek trip to Ladakh. On the third day, when Sahu was experiencing difficulty in breathing and walking
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due to low oxygen in the high altitude, she decided to stop by for rest. Two individuals helped her get to a village close by. During her stay in the remote village, Sahu visited two primary schools – the two trekkers who had helped her get to this village were teachers
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Photos: Courtesy of 17,000 ft Foundation
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landscape of Ladakh. A majority of these settlements live in isolation with minimal to no contact with the outside world. “Most of the villages we work in have never been visited by outsiders and the only visitors they have had have been our team of facilitators and volunteers,” Sahu mentions, further adding, “We never realized how much of a difference our visits made until one day, when one of our sponsors was questioning a student from a remote village.” The sponsor asked the student about his village but for Sahu the inspiring moment arrived when upon asking “who goes to your village,” the student replied, “17,000 ft foundation.” “We have had so many defining moments in our seven years and each one gives us the confidence and assurance of the impact that we are trying to make.” Students, teachers and families, all go to extreme ends to sustain the education system in these regions. Teachers and students brave harsh weather conditions everyday and village communities band together to setup school spaces. “17000 ft was able to set up 104 playgrounds across 65,000 sq. km. of harsh mountain terrain in just under two months thanks to their efforts,” Sahu adds. In order to run operation and provide the services that they do, 17000 ft Foundation relies heavily on volunteers and corporate donations. When the project was initiated, harnessing support from the corporate sector was the biggest challenge for the foundation. Sahu explains that over 90 per cent of contributions come from individuals in India. “Most of the support we have received has originated from individuals who have visited Ladakh and understand the challenges faced by the people of this region.” With the support from various segments of society, 17,000 ft Foundation has been able to
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sustain support to over 230 villages of Ladakh, a majority of them remote and inaccessible. The isolation of these villages is the biggest challenge that deters corporates from participating in the programme. To address this issue, the foundation has been encouraging Employee Volunteering in corporate offices. Despite the challenges, Sahu has been able to generate interest and awareness in her foundation through consistent efforts. Apart from their work in the education sector – setting up of libraries in 230 schools, playgrounds in 134 schools and solarization and digitization of 105 schools so far – the foundation has been able to instantiate the communities faith in education. “Our focus has always been to draw attention to these remote villages and help them get the support they need, therefore visiting these villages multiple times a year is a mandate for 17000 ft.,” Sahu says and adds, “The local administration has been very supportive of our programs and are trying to replicate them across the districts, which means more development in the villages.” Learn more about 17,000 ft Foundation at 17000ft.org.
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15GIVE UP HAPPY
DARPAN FEATURE
THINGS TO
It’s never too late to be a better, happier parent. Whether your children are 4 or 40, they respond to genuine love from their parents.
TO BE A
PARENT
BY CAROL TUTTLE
Y Carol Tuttle is the CEO of Live Your Truth, LLC and author of the best-selling parenting book, The Child Whisperer: the Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, Cooperative Children, which has sold over 75,000 copies worldwide. She also hosts an immensely popular parenting podcast, that hits weekly on important parenting issues commonly experienced by families of all backgrounds. For more information, visit, www.thechildwhisperer.com.
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ou want to be a happy parent – but your countless responsibilities make this goal challenging! Don’t lose hope just yet. I have a list of 15 things that keep you from happy parenting. Read through them. Be honest with yourself. Then let them go. Allow yourself to be a happy parent for your child – and yourself! Here’s a list of 15 things you should give up – and then watch your happiness take off:
1
Give up “supposed to”
We were conditioned by our own early family experiences to believe that parenthood or childhood are supposed to look a certain way. But if you hold onto the way things are “supposed” to be, you may miss enjoying how they actually are. Be willing to question what you prioritize as a parent and why.
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2
Give up keeping score
What does your mental score-card keep track of: which parent does more? Who’s most consistent? Which mom contributes most in your child’s class? Who’s most involved in your homeschool group? Keeping score wastes energy. Just do what you feel inspired and able to do. Don’t feel obligated by others’ contributions. Don’t obligate them to live up to yours.
3
Give up force
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Give up your role as events coordinator
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As a parent, you have a responsibility to set boundaries. But if a child consistently resists a certain boundary, don’t just force them to comply. Ask yourself and your child, “Why?” Think of yourself as your child’s trusted and effective guide, not their dictator. When they experience you as their guide, they’re more likely to listen, which means less struggle and frustration for both of you.
If you feel like parenthood is a treadmill you can’t keep up with, you may be taking too much responsibility for your children’s time. Make plans that support your children’s development, but don’t map out every minute for them. Downtime is supportive for many children. Moments of boredom allow children to take responsibility for their own time. Make resources available, and then let your children create the experience they want. You’ll all be happier.
5
Give up your need to look perfect
6
Give up worry
Hear me now: there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Embrace your imperfections. Laugh at yourself. The best parents are willing to always learn, change and improve.
Compulsive worrying doesn’t make your child any safer. It doesn’t make you any happier. And it teaches your children to live in fear. Release your worries, and cultivate gratitude for your child’s safety in the present moment.
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Give up one-sizefits-all rules
Every child is unique. What works for one won’t always work for another. Certain standard rules apply across the board (for example, everyone needs to speak respectfully). But consider the possibility that being a fair parent doesn’t mean doing the exact same thing in the exact same way for every child.
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8
Give up the food fight
If you demand a certain number of bites from your children, you set yourself up for struggle at the table – and you set your children up for struggles with food later in life. Guide, direct, encourage and prepare healthy food. Let your child voice their preferences. Focus on healthy overall patterns, rather than forcing a certain regimen at a specific meal.
9
11 Give up yelling
If you’re not a yeller, this one isn’t for you. But if you tend to yell when you’re feeling upset, consider this question: has yelling strengthened your relationship with your child – or not? Yelling usually happens in anger, and it often frightens and intimidates children. It destroys trust and a child’s feeling of safety. Pay attention to times and circumstances when you yell and then commit to changing those scenarios in the future.
10
Give up un-healthy self-sacrifice
As a parent, you generously give love, time and attention. But you shouldn’t give up your core self just because you’re a parent. When you ignore your basic needs, you teach your children that when they grow up, they shouldn’t take care of themselves.
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Give up guilt
Parents sometimes fall into the self-sacrifice trap because they feel unnecessary guilt. Guilt can be useful if you use it to recognize where you need to make changes. But overwhelming, paralyzing guilt that makes you feel worthless as a person or parent doesn’t accomplish anything. You are enough, just as you are.
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Give up one-sided decisions
As the parent, you often have the final say. But you and your child will both be happier if it’s not the only say. When it’s appropriate to do so, involve your child in decisions that will affect them. By enrolling children in the decisionmaking process, you’ll empower them to make their own good decisions in the future.
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www.darpanmagazine.com Give up negative messages
So many messages are repeated to children: you’re too loud, you’re too quiet, you ask too many questions, you’re exhausting, you’re demanding, you’re too talkative, you should make more friends, quit moving, speak up, settle down, smile more. Try this instead: comment on the exact same behaviour in a positive way. For example, you can see the trait of, “You’re too talkative,” as “You really make friends easily.”
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Give up your own childhood story
15
Give up on giving up
AMITCHOPRA
REALTOR ®
What did you experience that you most want your children to avoid? Being teased at school? Lack of money? Feeling not-enough? Your fears may actually set up that same pattern to be re-created. Don’t trap your children now in your fears of the past. Let them go. Create what you want, not what you don’t want.
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I’ve heard from parents who worry that they’ve damaged their child, or that they’ve made a mistake that will last a lifetime. I’ve said this many times: It’s never too late to be a better, happier parent. Whether your children are four or 40, they respond to genuine love from their parents. The effects of mistakes may take a little longer to overcome if your child is older, but it’s never impossible to show up as the happy, supportive parent that you are meant to be. Don’t give up! You have everything you need to be a good parent.
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YOUTH SPEAK
ETHNIC DIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT FOR
STEM CELL REGISTRIES BY JOBAN BAL
cell donation to provide them with a fighting chance. The majority of patients [75%] in need of a stem cell transplant will not find a suitable genetic match within their family, but will rely on an unrelated donor. For patients with leukemia, aplastic ith ground-breaking strides anemia, and for more than 80 other being made in the field blood-related diseases, a stem cell of regenerative medicine, we often transplant can be the answer. hear “stem cells” being used as the Blood stem cells are immature cells buzz-word to attract attention, or found in the bone marrow that can new potential uses being discussed. form any of the cells present in the However, they already hold the key to bloodstream. When something goes curing numerous blood-related cancers. wrong with these “baby blood cells,” Dr. Erica Harris, a survivor of a a stem cell transplant from a healthy terminal cancer prognosis, recipient person can help replace improperly of both a bone marrow transplant and functioning cells in a patient and subsequently a double lung transplant, restore the ability to produce healthy and an inspirational speaker has blood cells. This only works if the expressed “this selfless gift of gifts from donor is a close enough match, a complete stranger halfway around meaning the patient’s immune system the world once served as my lifeline of or defenses to invaders do not reject hope and survival. It has since fueled the transplant. This “matching” is my every passion and pursuit, and is done by comparing protein markers the very reason I ‘get’ to continue to that your body uses to distinguish To contribute to this be a mama to my two precious boys.” your cells from foreign pathogens. column, please email us: Over 1,400 Canadian patients are Stem cells can be taken from the editor@darpanmagazine.com currently waiting for a suitable stem blood, or in some cases, from bone
The Canadian Blood Services’ Stem Cell and Marrow Network alone has over 400,000 volunteer donors registered to help patients in need.
W
Joban Bal is the founder and president of One Blood For Life Foundation and currently a third-year biology student at UBC. He has been named one of Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 and has received the National ‘Honouring Our Lifeblood’ award.
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marrow in the hip area with the donor under general anesthesia. This choice is made by physicians to give the recipient the best outcome. Patients will usually find a closer genetic match if the donor has a similar ethnic background, however, this may not always be the case. This results in important implications for patients with ethnic backgrounds that have disproportionately low representation on the registries, particularly children with “mixed ethnic backgrounds.” This makes it crucial to ensure the stem cell registry reflects the beautiful diversity of Canadians. Patients searching for a suitable donor are not limited to their own country’s registry thanks to an international network with 75 registries and 53 cord blood banks. The Canadian Blood Services’ Stem Cell and Marrow Network alone has over 400,000 volunteer donors registered to help patients in need. Community efforts led by organizations such as the One Blood For Life Foundation, of which I am the president, play a vital role in spearheading projects that invest in youth and reach out to diverse populations of donors, helping provide all patients with a better chance for a life-saving match. The international transplant community has outlined the ‘optimal donor’ to be a young (17-35-year-old) male donor, as they provide the best possible outcomes for recipients by reducing complications such as graft vs. host disease. To become a donor, you can register online at blood.ca and a buccal swab kit will be sent to you by mail. There is no cost to sign up or donate, and you might just become a life-saving hero for a patient in need.
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FINDING A NEW JOB POST
40
Use your Network
BY HOLLY CAPLAN
Five tips for women when looking for a new job over the age of 40. About the Author Holly Caplan is a workplace issues expert, career coach and author of Surviving the Dick Clique: A Girl's Guide to Surviving the Male Dominated Corporate World. For more information, visit, www.hollycaplan.com.
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I
n 2024, women over 65 will make up roughly the same percentage of the female workforce as older men do of the male workforce. Additionally, twice as many women over 55 will be in the labour force as women ages 16-24. Knowing the stigma, knowing the numbers, and the reality, what is the best way to approach finding a new job later in life? Here are five tips if you are an older adult looking for a new job:
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Sending our resumes to career websites will do nothing for us. We get pushed aside as we are categorized. The tip here is to use our network of colleagues, former business associates and friends to find companies who are hiring and will have a genuine interest in what we can do for their organizations. This method does work. Finding like-minded individuals with the same goals of working smart and getting stuff done will provide the best platform for finding a new working environment.
Show off your skills At this point in our careers, we have a proven list of accomplishments and skillsets. We have navigated some of our toughest times and have already been through the learning. Because of this we require less training and possess the right skills, because yeah, we know how to do it. We need to show off our confidence and accolades to a potential employer. They need to know that our leadership skills and experience will fit in flawlessly with their company.
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Be bold We can ask harder questions in the interview process and as an employee. Perhaps questions that challenge company methods or goals. If anything as women, unfortunately, we have been taught to be compliant and agreeable to get through the stepping-stones of our careers. We don’t have to do that anymore. We have arrived. Work experience has taught us to think quickly, make decisions and share opinions. We have a lot to teach, and hiring companies need to appreciate this.
We are already tech savvy Much to the disbelief of others, age doesn’t stifle our tech knowledge. It’s who we are as a society. Most of us already use work related apps like Zoom, Slack, Dropbox and others. The point is, our tech knowledge isn’t lacking, so that is no excuse for hiring companies or managers. We are already there. This is not a hindrance.
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5 WAYS TO ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN YOUR 2019 DIET GOALS
Strategize
Diet Resolutions YOUR NEW YEAR
A
BY MERILEE KERN As a branding pundit, wellness industry veteran, consumer health advocate and influential media voice, Merilee Kern spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. Also a two-time fitness champion, her ground-breaking, award-winning “Kids Making Healthy Choices” Smartphone APP for children, parents/caregivers and educators is based on her award-winning, illustrated fictional children’s books. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com.
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s health-seekers strategize their diet and fitness approach for the New Year, there are a few simple but key considerations that can make all the difference between a successful – and even profitable – weight-loss endeavour and a wellness resolution that falls far short. Jimmy Fleming, co-founder of HealthyWage – the industry-leading purveyor of corporate and teambased weight loss challenges
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and financially-induced diet contests for individuals, offers these insights and perspectives on five critical elements needed for the best chance of success with a weight-loss initiative:
Map out specific goals & timeframes You are far more likely to achieve your diet resolution if you spend a few minutes thinking it through. Sit down at your desk and dedicate even just 10 minutes of your life to
strategizing your resolution. Put pen to paper or, better yet, send an email to a friend or family member and make a list of the things you’re going to do to change your weight. Simply stating that “I’m going to lose weight” is not nearly specific enough, but it makes a good headline at the top. Write down a date when you will achieve your first goal. This date should be in the near future – one month is a good bet.
2019 There are a few simple but key considerations that can make all the difference between a successful – and even profitable – weight-loss endeavour and a wellness resolution that falls far short.
Now, make a specific, realistic goal. Most experts agree that you’re most likely to succeed if you don’t starve yourself, and plan on losing one to two pounds per week. In fact, setting a modest goal – say, one pound per week – can spare you a lot of hunger and stress. You might even forget you’re on a diet! Put your goal and goal date on your calendar (e.g., “Weigh 150 pounds” as an entry for January 30). Go back to your piece of paper or email. Under your goal and goal date, write down the word “food.” Ask yourself: what exactly is your eating plan? Are you going to follow a particular diet? If so, when are you going to start? Your answer should be “right now.” If your diet requires that you purchase something or register on a certain website, go do that right now! What about exercise? What specific days and times will you commit to exercising? Who will you exercise with? If possible, call a friend now and set something up. Review your resolution plan frequently as you work your way toward your goal. When your goal date comes, call a friend to either brag about your achievement or confess that you didn’t achieve it and tell them what’s going to be different for the next goal date. Now, sit down again (pen to paper or fingers to keyboard) and set a new goal date and goal. Keep going!
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Do one thing at a time Trying to stick to more than one resolution creates a willpower diffusion that is almost always a recipe for failure. Your weight loss resolution requires time, planning and lots of action items. The winding road from plump to sexy is made of many cobblestones that you have to lay down one at a time with lots of
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small, frequent decisions (e.g., “this morning, I am going to skip that second donut”). With all the good judgment and willpower those little decisions require, you simply won’t have the time and energy for your other resolutions, too. If you think your weight loss resolution isn’t that big of a deal, you might be off track.
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Trying to stick to more than one resolution creates a willpower diffusion that is almost always a recipe for failure. Your weight loss resolution requires time, planning and lots of action items. Set up financial incentives After you’ve written out your specific goals and dates, your best bet is to build a little structure into them. Enter: prizes and rewards. A significant amount of academic research shows that you are much more likely to achieve your resolution if you include a double financial incentive – i.e., money to lose if you fail and money to win if you succeed. The reason money works better than the natural motivators of vanity and health is that money can be tied to specific, measurable goals and deadlines. In other words, financial incentives help prevent procrastination by establishing a firm start date, and help prevent quitting by establishing a firm goal date. Financial incentives also make weight loss a lot more fun and exciting by transforming the process into a game.
Tell everyone Or, at least tell a few friends or family members about your endeavour. If you’re not willing to tell someone about your diet resolution, you might not be committed enough to succeed. When you tell other people about your plans, a magical thing happens. You know that your supporters are waiting to hear news of your success, and you don’t want to let them down. Some researchers believe that the social element is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Plus, it’s important to have support – i.e., people to brag to when you succeed; people to talk to when you feel like overeating. Talking is a great antidote to a desire to binge or eat things that could get in the way of your success. If you’re really determined to achieve your resolution, you should consider taking the social element even farther. Try writing a blog about your progress. Not only will your readers help keep you seriously accountable, but you may discover that being a great teacher is one of the best ways to learn and improve your own success.
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Seek fellowship When you tell people about your diet resolution, be on the look-out for a dieting partner (or group of partners). When you work on your diet resolution with a buddy or group of friends or family members, you are even more likely to accomplish your goals. You get all the benefits of accountability plus the comfort and fun of knowing there’s someone waiting for you to exercise, compare food and restaurant experiences, and share the ups and downs of dieting. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “Enlisting family and friends in the effort may help.” One study shows that participants who do a weight loss program with friends are more than twice as likely to keep their weight off than those that try to do it on their own.
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DARPAN RECIPES
Amba Dal with Crispy Naan
About Chef Nilesh Limaye Recognized throughout the career as Sindbad – The Chef and a Visionary, leveraging in depth knowledge and leadership acumen, Chef Nilesh Limaye has been a game changer ever since. In his latest project, Chef Limaye has been exploring the long lost recipes of Indian cuisine, which are served at his restaurant in Mulund, Bindaas Begum and the Rockin’ Raja. The restaurant serves food from the erstwhile princely states of India prior to Independence. Chef Limaye was also a tastemaker for the famous Shiv Vada Pav concept – a series of street stalls managed by the economically backward families selling the famous Vada Pav. He was heading the creatives team for MasterChef India Season 5 for complete planning and kitchen. He has been the host of The Great Global Indian Kitchen for Colours Rishtey and Amhi Saare Khavvaiye aired on Zee Marathi. He has also authored various cook books to share his culinary expertise with food connoisseurs.
BY CHEF NILESH LIMAYE
Ingredients
A twist to the festival favourite ‘Amaba dal’ its subtle and sour taste will keep lingering on your palate.
• 150 gms dried chana dal • 1 tsp olive oil • 20 gms green chilli • 50 gms coriander leaves • 1 raw mango
Serves: 2
• ¼ cup lemon juice
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• 1 tsp salt
mba Dal is a festival preparation served during early summers when all the ladies have a gathering popularly known as Haldi Kumkum where they celebrate their womanhood and married status. It is a chana dal and raw mango mix (because raw mango is in season during March/April), very similar to hummus. We have given our twist of serving it like hummus with naan but keeping the taste of Amba Dal intact. Its subtle and sour taste will keep lingering on your palate.
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• 5 gms curry leaves • 10 gms mustard seeds • 1 tsp paprika or mild red chilli powder to garnish
Preparation • Soak the chana dal overnight in plenty of water with salt. They should swell to almost double their size. Wash in several changes of water. Grate raw mango.
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• Put the chana dal (you may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your mixer or food processor) and two to three tablespoons of the cooking liquid, raw mango, green chilli, coriander leaves into the mixer and grind. If the paste is looking too coarse, add some more cooking liquid. • Add half a teaspoon of the olive oil towards the end. You should obtain a little coarse puree, make the puree a little thinner since it will dry out slightly in the fridge. • Serve in a shallow bowl. Scoop out a little from the centre with the back of a spoon or fork to form a small well. • Temper the mustard seeds and curry leaves with the remaining olive oil. Pour the tempering into the scooped out part of Amba Dal and serve with crispy naan. Sprinkle paprika on the top for extra spice.
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DARPAN RECIPES
Popular in Kashmiri and Sindhi cuisines, this spicy and tasty appetizer featuring lotus stems has a delicious oriental touch.
To marinate: • 2 tbsps corn starch and salt
Preparation • Wash the lotus stem thoroughly in running tap water to remove all the dirt. Cut it into thin slices.
BY CHEF NILESH LIMAYE
Spicy & Crispy
Lotus Stem Ingredients
Serves: 2
• 250 gms lotus stem
L
• Oil for deep frying
otus stems are used widely in Kashmiri cuisine and Sindhi dishes. Try this dish with an Oriental touch. It is a spicy and tasty appetizer.
• 4 inch ginger • 10-12 crushed garlic flakes • 3-4 fresh red chillies • Salt and pepper to taste • 3-4 fresh spring onion sprigs • 1 tbsp sriracha-chilli sauce
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• In a bowl, add cornfour and salt, add the lotus stem and coat it evenly • In a deep fryer or kadhai, golden-fry the lotus stem slices until crisp. • In another wok, add oil, and once hot, sauté ginger and garlic. Add fresh red chillies and sauté further. Add 1/4th cup of water and the sriracha-chilli sauce. Adjust seasonings and keep stirring it till it turns thick. Then add the crispy lotus stem and mix well. • To serve: In a plate dish, place the crispy lotus stem and garnish . with chopped spring onion
Photos: Courtesy of Nilesh Limaye, Ujjwala Creations
One of Lower Mainland’s Finest, and multiple Award Winning Indian Restaurant An Indian Affair offers one-of-a-kind ambiance and serves authentic Indian delicacies that will keep you coming back for more. Thank You for making us Langley’s favourite Indian restaurant!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mareya Ibrahim, aka The FoodieFit is an awardwinning entrepreneur, chef, author, speaker, patented inventor and 25+ year food industry veteran. She is the author of the upcoming book Eat Like You Give A Fork with St. Martin’s Press and host of the Facebook Live Show, The Real Dish. Learn more at www.mareyaibrahim.com.
FOOD
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Tiger Nuts aren’t actually nuts at all. They’re a tuber that grow like potatoes and carrots but the reason they’re the next ‘it’ superfood is they’re high in prebiotic fiber (trend from my 2017 report) which help probiotics do their thing while managing blood sugar, they’re rich in minerals like iron, zinc and magnesium, important JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019
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NEXT “IT” SUPERFOOD – TIGER NUTS
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As our society gets more and more frazzled, fried and wigged out, the need to bring balance and stabilize cortisol production is the holy grail of functional foods.
for brain health, and help to maintain a healthy digestive system – plus they’re low calorie and super satiating. They can be eaten whole or used to make flour or milk, with a healthy dose of monounsaturated fat to help you feel fuller, longer. ‘Fat fillers’ are a key strategy in my upcoming book, so tiger nuts make the perfect inbetween-meals snack, without sabotaging your diet.
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TRENDS FOR BY MAREYA IBRAHIM
ADAPTOGEN ADD-ONS As our society gets more and more frazzled, fried and wigged out, the need to bring balance and stabilize cortisol production is the holy grail of functional foods. Traditional herbs, roots and plant foods like holy basil, ginseng, maca, rhodiola, mushrooms, and spirulina all fall into the category and are showing up in more readyto-consume preparations like Moodbeli’s Calming Adaptogen
featuring ashwaganda and ginger; Amare’s GBX SuperFood which highlights spirulina with a gut balancing probiotic blend; and Four Sigmatic with their Superfoods Adaptogen Blend, including reishi and cordyceps mushrooms, ginseng, ashwagandha, ginger and more. Just add the powder to water or your favourite nut milk or warm beverage.
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H2OHHHHH Although seemingly basic, it’s the formula for life – H20, two molecules of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Now, water is getting extra, going the distance to do more than just provide hydration for every cellular function in your body. It’s got new bennies, from delivering protein to electrolytes, antioxidants to essential amino acids and even more oxygen. O2 is an oxygenated natural recovery drink that claims to offer 7x more oxygen than tap water, 2.5x more electrolytes than leading sports drinks and with some of their varieties, a little pick-meup from natural caffeine. Fizzique, a sparkling protein water, gets you 20 grams of whey isolate protein in one serving of their fruit flavoured, ready to drink creations – with zero carbs or sugar at 80 calories per serving. Blk Water, which looks like its name, gets its pitch-black colour from fulvic and humic minerals that claims to have 77 naturally-occurring trace minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and electrolytes along with natural prebiotics and probiotics – but won’t stain your teeth.
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deliver their fresh meals for babies, kids and toddlers. Little Spoon, whose ‘Babyblends’ offer flavour and nutrient combinations to boost brain and muscle function while developing ‘adventurous’ palates, bring flavours like Blueberry Chickpea Spinach Pear Rosemary right to your baby’s mouth. You can also find USDA organic and coldpressed Once Upon a Farm Fresh blends in the refrigerator section of grocery stores in a squeezable pouch, using ingredients like avocado, flax and hemp seeds.
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NEXT “IT” VEGGIE – JICAMA It looks unwieldy before it’s cut, but this exotic-sounding, crunchy veggie is gaining popularity fast for its exceptional nutrition profile and versatile usage. High in fiber, vitamin C and B vitamins, jicama used to be considered more of a ‘Mexican’ cuisine veggie (nicknamed the Mexican potato), but because of its relatively mild flavour, it’s getting a lot more mainstream attention on menus in formats like fries, slaws and salad croutons. Xica Foods, makers of jicama sticks and jicama tortillas have reported skyrocketing popularity of their products. Although it is considered a starchy vegetable, it is high in inulin, a soluble fiber that won’t spike blood sugar.
Frozen foods have never been the darling of the grocery store and let’s face it, never taste or look as good as the picture on the package. Now, there’s a new wave of ‘real’ food meals that take you from breakfast to dinner that are big on flavour, sustainability and quality, leaving out the garbage while staying reasonable in their sodium content. Good Food Made Simple’s breakfast burritos and enchiladas are made with cage-free eggs and artisan ingredients. Tribali Foods offers a line of frozen protein patties and sliders made from organic grass-fed and finished beef, organic free-range chicken and natural pork that are heat-andeat ready. Saffron Road takes you on a journey with their ‘world cuisine’ flavours, including a sesame ginger bowl featuring wild caught salmon that’s also certified halal. Evol’s Nutrition Bowls offer a wellness message with each variety, like the Boost Be Well, a vegan balance of soba noodles in a creamy cashew sauce.
Photos: Courtesy of brands/products featured, iStock
In all of the developments behind clean, fresh food for adults and even pets, somehow the little ones got left behind, relegated to tasteless purees from a shelf-stable jar. Now, there’s a new crop of real food without preservatives available for baby to toddler’s developing palate. In fact, in my new book Eat Like You Give a Fork, I discuss why introducing a variety of real food flavours, aside from salt and sweet, are so critical before the age of three to encourage a lifetime of healthy eating. Purees and meals can come straight to your door from companies like Pure Spoon, who offer HPP (high pressure pasteurized) baby food puree and Nurture Life, who
FROZEN FOOD REDUX
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DARPAN HEALTH ARE YOU A BUSINESS LOOKING FOR MORE CUSTOMERS?
ONE AND DONE Our need to feed on the go lends itself to this big trend, where all you do is add water to make a complete, macronutrient balanced meal. Proportioning good fat to protein to carbs in the right ratio helps your body become a fat burning, metabolic super machine. You can find these replacements in vegan powder products like Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal, a USDA organic meal replacement that features 20 grams of protein, sprouted fruit and veggies and 44 superfoods. MeleShake, a grass-fed whey protein shake that gives you 35 per cent protein, 40 per cent carbs and 25 per cent fat, does the macro proportions for you. Orgain offers a USDA Organic vegan Meal Powder that’s low on sugar but high on protein and fiber with only one gram per serving.
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Studies show that even healthy eaters enjoy a glass or two. So now, you can have your cake-tail and eat it, too, with sustainable liquor, wine and beer options that cut down on sugar, carbs, and creepy chemicals and colours. Rather than using additives, refined sugars and artificial ingredients, Batiste “Rhum” is sweetened with 100 per cent fresh sugarcane and no additives, made in an eco-friendly facility. FitVine, whose motto is ‘we crush grapes, you crush life,’ offers a line of wines, all weighing in at less than one gram of sugar for the entire bottle, with reduced use of sulfites and no added artificial flavours. Square One makes a 100 per cent USDA organic rye vodka with botanical additions like bergamot, botanical, cucumber and basil for a mood and flavour boost.
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DARPAN FITNESS
Hip Strength and Flexibility Strong, flexible hips are essential for movement, but can also play a big role in managing lower back pain. There are a wide-range of hip-opening yoga poses that can help with mobility, but for developing strength at the same time, use the Single Leg Hip-Lift.
5 workouts that will make you more capable
FUNTIONAL
FITNESS BY NICK HILDEN
T
here are a variety of reasons people work out, from increasing one’s overall sense of health, to simply wanting to look good in a swimsuit. One major benefit to developing an effective fitness routine involves improving or
maintaining all-around physical capability. “Capable” can be defined in a variety of ways depending on one’s particular goals, whether that means building strength, improving mobility or increasing stamina. Whatever the case, there are a number of specific things you can do to make your fitness more functional.
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flat on the floor.
2 Lift one foot off the ground with the leg
extended straight or knee bent at 90 degrees.
3 Raise your hips off the ground by
pushing through the heel of the planted foot, then lower back down. Place your hands on the ground at your sides for stability, but if you feel like making the motion more challenging, either raise your arms off the ground or hold a dumbbell resting on your groin.
Core Strength and Rotation
Cardio: Both Slow and Fast Few things will come in handy like a solid cardiovascular system. Think of it as the engine of your everyday performance. Like the engine of a car, yours can be tuned for specific purposes. Some engines are built for fast bursts of activity, while others are designed for steady long-term hauling. You want your cardio engine to provide both. That means training your heart and support muscles accordingly. Prolongs periods of
1 Lay on the ground with knees bent, feet
steady-state cardio like walking or jogging will build your body’s ability to perform over long periods of time, while short, intense cardio exercises like sprints, HIIT, or jumping rope can be used to give it rapid-response, explosive capabilities. Most people tend to favour one variety of cardio over the other, but if you want to truly develop your overall sense of capability, be sure to build a fitness routine that alternates between the two.
A strong, stable core is not only important for lifting and motion, but it is essential for protecting your spine. To that end, you need to leverage workouts that build core strength and mobility. This can be achieved by using workouts that involve midsection rotation, and while there are a variety of options to choose from, few are as effective as the Reverse Lunge with Rotation. It is accomplished in three steps:
1 Step backwards a Reverse Lunge
motion. (Front knee bent at 90 degrees, rear knee pointed toward but ideally not resting on the ground).
2 Twist from the midsection to one side then the other.
3 Step forward to a standing position. This motion in itself will provide results, but to maximize strength gains you can perform it while holding a dumbbell against your chest.
Upper-Upper-Body Strength The benefits of a strong upper-body are clear, but arguably most useful is the development of the muscles around the shoulders, upper-chest, and neck. This helps with lifting from the ground, raising things above the head, and all-around mobility and neck-pain reduction. To build a strong upper-upper-body, few motions are better than the Shoulder Press, also known as the Military Press.
1 Hold dumbbells or barbell around shoulder level. 2 Lift as far above the head as mobility will allow. 3 Lower and repeat. One great thing about this workout is that it can be performed using a variety of tools, from dumbbells to a barbell to a shoulder press or Smith machine, or even cans of soup.
Ankle Stability Few things will lay you up faster than a sprained ankle. What’s more, stable ankles and calves are important when it comes to walking with proper posture, while helps to reduce knee and back pain. When it comes to building strong ankles, nothing beats ankle raises. They’re pretty straightforward.
Images for representation only, iStock
1 Stand straight up. 2 Raise your heels off the ground by pushing
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3 Lower and repeat.
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There are a range of things you can do to activate different muscles and get more out of this one. You can add weight by holding dumbbells at your sides or by using a calf extension machine. You can adjust which muscles are emphasized by positioning your feet closer together or farther apart. Or you can get more extension by positioning your feet with toes on a ledge like a doorframe or curb, allowing you to dip your heels lower for more range of motion.
About the Author
■ ICBC & PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS ■ CRIMINAL ■ CIVIL LITIGATION ■ IMMIGRATION ■ REAL ESTATE
Kelly Macauley
Nav Randhawa
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Native to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Nick Hildenʼs career has spanned fiction, travel, advertising, journalism, biography, and more, and his work has appeared in publications such as the LA Times, Vice, LiveStrong, and Global Living Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter @theDisembarked
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DARPAN Beauty
Tired of dealing with grey root regrowth? Maybe it’s time to embrace those silver strands and go grey.
BY MICHELE MARKO
O
About the Author A lifestyle journalist, Michele Marko is the former Arts & Life editor at the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers. While writing about beauty, fashion, design, food and travel, she’s written on a variety subjects ranging from ethical beauty to couture fashion designers to discovering the best pizza in the world. Hint: It’s in Italy.
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ne of nature’s cruel jokes is that you can sprout grey hair long before laugh lines register on the face. As a harbinger that one’s mortality is hurtling towards them, grey hair is not one of life’s most welcome changes, especially if it arrives before you’re even out of your teens. “I specifically remember bemoaning my greys on a holiday between my first and second years of university, so I would have been about 19,” recalls Aileen Lalor, a Vancouverbased beauty writer. “I was lying on the grass and my friend offered to
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pluck out my greys but had to stop after five minutes because she said I was going to be bald if she carried on.” Elementary school teacher Andrea MacInnes was in her mid-30s when she noticed the grey creeping in. It wasn’t a complete shock as she knew early greying ran in her father’s family. “It wasn’t that bad at first but I guess [I was] in my late thirties when I thought it was an issue,” she says. Not surprisingly, neither woman opted for letting the grey flourish at those stages in their lives. When greys pop up, most people – more specifically women – look for ways to disguise it. Lalor was in her mid-20s when she started to colour her hair and tried to replicate her nearly-black natural colour, but when she hit her 30s, she switched things up. “Five or so years ago, I started to go more of a warm mid-dark brown shade because I felt like the nearlyblack wasn’t that flattering and also the regrowth was too obvious. Last year, I had highlights because I thought it would help disguise the dyeline (it didn’t work),” she says. MacInnes says going for colour was the obvious course of action for her. “At first, it was like, ‘this is what we do as women, we get our hair coloured.’ I wasn’t really thinking about it,” she says. Maintaining hair colour can be expensive with frequent visits to the salon to cover the roots. MacInnes’ routine was a few professional treatments a year and the rest of the time she would use drugstore colour kits to keep her colour looking fresh. With a decade between them, both women came to the same decision looking to the
Photo provided by Goldwell Dualsenses
w w w. C a n We s t H o m e s . c o m
next decade in their lives: they decided to embrace the grey and stop trying to cover it up. “I’m such a practical person – okay, lazy,” MacInnes admits, laughing. “And the fact that I just paid a whole whack of money to get my hair done, and two weeks later my roots were coming in really pissed me off. I guess I’m cheap as well.” And even though she only had her hair coloured professionally a couple or so times a year, she said, “I just started getting fed up with that even and I thought, ‘I’m just going to go grey. I’m just going to let it happen.” For Lalor, it was both time-consuming and expensive for something that didn’t last long. “My greys were getting more obvious and harder to colour,” she recounts. “The colour didn’t ‘take’ well in the hair on my temples so sometimes I’d see greys within a week, and otherwise the regrowth would be obvious in two or three weeks.” Factor in the fashion forward 20-somethings who’ve been opting to colour their hair grey – with blue, lavender and pink tones – for the last few years and going grey can seem like embracing a trend. As Lalor noted, grey really is just another colour. Once the decision is made to let the grey “happen,” it’s then a question of how to do it. Both women chose probably the fastest, yet most drastic, option to make the transition. They let their roots grow in and then had their hair cut ultra-short. “I started growing it out when I had a bob and then my hairdresser chopped it as short as I could stand (I’ve had variations on a pixie cut for the last 10 years, off and on, so that part wasn’t a big deal for me),” Lalor says. “Then I went cold turkey and it took about six months till the majority of my hair was my natural colour.” MacInnes, also knowing that pixie cuts suit her, was comfortable with this method. “I let my hair grow out enough that when they cut it there was just a little bit [of coloured hair] left on the bottom.” But lopping off all your locks isn’t the only way to make the transition. The other way just takes a little longer says Kelsi Trohan, a colour technician at Suki’s Morgan Crossing in South Surrey. “What I always tell my clients – whether they’ve never coloured their hair or have always got highlights – I tell them it will take about a year and a half
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Images for representation only
Factor in the fashion forward 20-somethings who’ve been opting to colour their hair grey – with blue, lavender and pink tones – for the last few years and going grey can seem like embracing a trend.
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depending on how long or short your hair is.” Highlights (lighter tones) and lowlights (darker hues) are the way she helps achieve that transition without having to sacrifice hair length. The biggest key is blending and being patient. Although, it’s easier for blondes to make the transition, brunettes can do it well too. “I would go in with highlights, probably a whole head. Depending on where the grey is – a lot of the time it’s around the hairline and the crown, I would put in some baby lights. They are like the tease lights, the really tiny lights, really finely done,” says Trohan. And once, the grey has all come in, there are still varying shades of it until the hair goes completely white or silver. Trohan makes adjustments there too with high and/or lowlights to soften the effect of the darker grey. “All the pigment is invited into the hair before changing to white,” she says. “That’s the colour that a lot of people don’t like, so I like to…add back a bit of their natural colour. That way it doesn’t feel so grey. That slate grey can be difficult to hide.
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Light white ones easier.” For salt and pepper, she adds both highlights and lowlights to soften it. MacInnes has since gone that route and likes the effect, and says she’s often complimented on her hair colour. Trohan says that for all women, whether blonde or brunette, they have to be mindful of skin tone against the new hair colour – natural or highlighted. “With darker hair, the colour will be warmer, so you have to embrace those tones – caramel tones, honey TM
tones,” she explains. “For South Asian women, I really like deep mocha colours. So, you’ve got a little bit of warmth and coolness in there. I find that anytime you go too cool, it can start aging you a little bit and you don’t really see the highlights.” Because grey hair is associated with aging, there are a few adjustments that can be made to avert that effect. “An up-to-date hairstyle,” is something that Lalor’s stylist, Shai of Vancouver’s Pome Studio, advises, “Plus, an adjustment of colours in make-up, blouses and earrings. Get advice from a makeup artist at any makeup brand counter. Take selfies to compare clothing colours next to the face to see which colours make the face look bright/
Photo by Goldwell Dualsenses
DARPAN Beauty
awake or tired/washed out.” That’s what Lalor did by switching up a number of beauty choices to adapt to her new look. “I’ve always loved a bright lip but I’m never without it these days because I think my lighter hair makes me look washed out otherwise,” she says. “A makeup artist told me to use a luminous foundation/highlighter and blusher and I think that helps. I still get my hair cut every six weeks or so, even though I’m growing it a bit, because I think it’s important to maintain a good shape.” Lalor also has lessened the amount of black in her wardrobe finding that it washes her out and is “gravitating more towards navies, greys and whites.” Once the transition has been made to grey, care is needed to maintain a bright tone and avoid yellowing. Shai recommends using a clarifying – often purple – shampoo on white hair to remove any yellowing. “On white or salt and pepper hair, when at the salon for a haircut, get the stylist to do clarifying and conditioning treatments to brighten and refresh the natural colour, sheen and texture,” she advises. Initially, Lalor wasn’t thrilled with the results but now loves her hair. “It is so freeing not to have to dye it every six weeks and never to worry about roots.” MacInnes has no regrets and is pleased she took the plunge. “I love my hair and so do others. I have recently been getting compliments on my hair, with one friend being inspired to make the change herself.” And really, if you decide you don’t like it, you can always go back to covering the grey.
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DARPAN Style
THE
GREEN
FASHiON TREND Re-Fashion Your Old Clothing Well, not purchasing new clothing doesn’t really restrict you from making new fashion statements. There are several ways to revamp and re-use your old clothes and yet make head-turning appearances. For example, while you have worn your basic tee on a casual day out with denim, you can also pair it with a well-cut blazer and trouser and stylishly carry it off as work attire. In the same way, a timeless jacket can zing up any look. So, don’t hesitate to be innovative and mix-match various items from your wardrobe. One can even revamp old pieces with some fun DIY projects. For example, instead of throwing away an old pair of jeans why not rip it or cut them off into shorts. Similarly, you can shorten a top or a tee into a crop-top, or cut a long skirt into a short. You can even accessorize your old clothing with scarves, belts and bags to give them a fresh look and feel. So, get creative and make some unique style statements while protecting the environment.
BY SHWETA KULKARNI
Strike a perfect balance between being sustainably stylish and eco-conscious. ne can’t refute the fact that it is a perilous time for our ‘Planet Earth’ and while most of us eco-conscious souls are trying our best to do the needful to save the planet, it is time to make some amends in our fashion choices too. Yes, as much as you would dislike to hear it, the truth is that fashion, unfortunately, is damaging the environment and is one of the major contributors to pollution in our air and seas. Hence all the more reasons to adopt the eco-fashion or sustainable fashion trend. However, in the day and age of fast fashion, where trends change at an alarming speed and brands keep producing a large number of new designs every now and then, embracing sustainable fashion may appear quite challenging. But worry not, we are here to help you fix this quandary. There are several ways to strike that perfect balance between looking fashionable and at the same time be eco-conscious. We have put together a few tips and suggestions that will not only help you look stylish but also protect our planet. Check it out and let the fashion revolution begin….
Ban Using Items Toxic To The Environment Opting for clothes that are eco-friendly is not enough, it is important that you completely ban using items that are toxic to the environment from your wardrobe. Be it bags, shoes, jewellery or other accessories, avoid using items that are not eco-friendly to truly be fashionably eco-conscious.
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Skip Fast Fashion Yeah, this is a tough one but this is the very step you need to take to become fashionably eco-conscious. While cheap and affordable garments are alluring, they are hazardous to the planet as most of the fast fashion chains use cheap fabric which is not environmentallyfriendly and causes more damage than you can ever imagine. Instead, start practising the slow-fashion movement and purchase sustainable garments that won’t fall apart within months of purchasing.
Swap Instead Of Buying New Clothes No matter how often you re-vamped and re-fashioned your clothing, every once in a while, the fashionista in you may crave for something fresh. But that doesn’t mean you head to the stores and pick up a brand-new outfit. The core idea of eco-fashion is to buy less, so the perfect solution for your predicament is to swap your old clothes online or with friends or colleagues. There are plenty of sites online that encourage clothes swapping. So, go ahead, exchange your old clothing item, which of course is in good condition, and lay your hands on something new and exciting without adding to Mother Earth’s plight. Brilliant, isn’t it?
Buy Only Organic
Images for representation only
Trust us, organic clothing is not boring. There is a wide range of styles and cuts available in organic clothing that are just perfect to help you make stunning fashion statements without being destructive to the planet. In fact, some of the premium and popular brands today like Mango, Zara, Triarchy, Everlane, Tom Ford, and others have joined the eco-fashion movement and launched collections that are made entirely from environmentally friendly organic fabrics. The brands are experimenting with innovative fabrics made from fruits such as orange fibres, pineapple husk or apples and are churning out some fabulous sartorial pieces, which will help you look fashionable without compromising on your eco-conscience.
Rent Out Special occasions often demand special outfits; however, these dresses are rarely worn and mostly are lying in some corner of your wardrobe. Pointless to splurge too much money on it right? So, what’s the solution? Rent an outfit for the occasion instead. Not only is this a sensible choice that is easy on the pocket but also a more sustainable one too. The fashionista in you can always keep shining.
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FASHION SPOTLIGHT
Combing through the heritage crafts of India, we’ve threaded stories of Rajasthan in the collection. Embroidered and printed with precision, the motifs are inspired by the jaali windows, the baroque architecture and ornate arches of Jaipur, Rajasthan.
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ODYSSEY
A Glimpse of Anita Dongre’s AW 18’ Bridal Wear Collection
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ithin the forests of Ranthambore are rooted eras of heritage. These majestic woods have witnessed the harmony and balance of life at its purest. There is silence and chaos in this land where the stillness of stones and trees full of life, reside cordially together. In this mystical land where tigers, panthers, flying foxes, and hyenas live in harmony, we witness winters unfold before our eyes.
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FASHION SPOTLIGHT
The colour palette speaks of a variety of jewel tones like deep reds, greens, blues, and softer pastel shades, enthused by the colours of the vibrant birds and lakes of Ranthambore. The lehengas are classics with varied styles of cholis and contrasting dupattas.
It is in a moment like this that the promises of love and commitment are made; those of fulfilling dreams, of respect for one another and of spending a lifetime together. During this 'Odyssey’, the bride shares her intimate thoughts of love entwined with the sacred vows of marriage with her groom. This season, we celebrate the promise of togetherness, enveloped in the warmth of fine silks and Benarasi weaves. The textiles have been adorned with intricately embroidered motifs, inspired by the wildlife of Ranthambore, in our signature craft
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FASHION SPOTLIGHT Our timeless Indian Sherwanis are crafted with finesse and traditional skills of dressmaking; classic silhouettes of western jackets interweave with traditional Indian Menswear for our immaculate line of Bandhgalas.
of gota patti along with handcrafted dori, sequin, pearl, zari, zardozi and cut dana work. The colour palette speaks of a variety of jewel tones like deep reds, greens, blues, and softer pastel shades, enthused by the colours of the vibrant birds and lakes of Ranthambore. The lehengas are classics with varied styles of cholis and contrasting dupattas. Our collection of fine tailored Sherwanis, Bandhgalas, Bandis, and Kurtas is a concurrence of sartorial artistry and impeccable detailing. These are the magical stories of Ranthambore, ornately placed on fabric with luxurious crafts of the land. Our timeless Indian Sherwanis are crafted with finesse and traditional skills of dressmaking; classic silhouettes of western jackets interweave with traditional Indian Menswear for our immaculate line of Bandhgalas. Combing through the heritage crafts of India, we’ve threaded stories of Rajasthan in the collection. Embroidered and printed with precision, our motifs are inspired by the jaali windows, the baroque architecture and ornate arches of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Wrapped in luxurious silks and fine linens, our Menswear winter Bandis and kurtas are a testament to fine tailoring and artistic dexterity. Wildflowers and trees, antelopes and elephants meander amidst lush green forests are etched on our collection.
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FASHION SPOTLIGHT
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HOTTEST DARPAN HOME
DESIGN TRENDS FOR
2019
BY CARLY VERHOEVEN
Make way for an array of new patterns, bold colours and luxurious metals
I
nterior design trends are constantly evolving and influencing our decorating decisions. Luckily, with an exciting array of new patterns, bold colours and luxurious metals, we can celebrate the new year with some of the hottest design trends for 2019.
HYGGE
While many designers thought hygge would fade in the background, it appears this cozy esthetic is rolling on. Cue chunkyquilted blankets, soft-neutral palettes, flickering candles and wicker baskets. By including hygge in your home, you can expect a balanced retreat that will create calmness and help you escape the world of technology.
CURVED FURNITURE Watch for the renewal of curved furniture in 2019. Hard-edged furniture is out, and softer-curved furniture is in. Curvy furniture brings a softer visual to a room paying homage to the 1950s. PRO TIP: When designing, start with one statement piece of furniture for architectural design impact.
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BOLD NEUTRALS While light neutrals are all the rage, bold neutrals are making a solid entrance for 2019’s top design trends. This year we will see lots of dark and light neutrals paired together. Adding a punch of colour can transform the mood of your home by bringing a dramatic feel to your design. A colour from the Simon Chang 2019/20 Trend Colour Collection is Tropic of Conversation, which is BeautiTone Paint’s 2019 Colour of the Year. Tropic of Conversation is full of warmth, joy and positive energy. “I love this colour because it is saturated in positivity,” says Bev Bell, creative director, Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products Division, Home Hardware Stores Limited. Not intended to stand alone, it is a very social colour and is beautifully paired with softer or muted tones for maximum impact. PRO TIP: When developing your colour scheme, infuse a bold neutral through a beautiful cabinet or brightly coloured backsplash.
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DARPAN HOME
MIXING METALS
ART DECO Art deco is on the rise and incorporates some of our favourite materials and patterns. High gloss metals, marble and velvet add layers of luxury to your home.
PRO TIP: Try a metallic bar-cart with hints of marble and glass dĂŠcor for a taste of luxury.
One of the biggest trends for 2019 is mixing metals. Designers no longer feel the need to have the kitchen faucet match the cupboard hardware. In 2019, designers are staying fresh by pairing complementary metal finishes for added interest and eccentricity. PRO TIP: When designing your kitchen, try to incorporate two to three metal finishes for a unique twist and sophisticated esthetic. Venetian bronze looks fabulous when mixed with a brushed nickel.
Photos: iStock, Home Hardware Stores Limited; images for representation only
TERRAZZO Terrazzo finishes have become popular and will continue to shine well into 2019. The pattern and colours of terrazzo add layers of texture for a playful design.
SUSTAINABLE AND NATURAL FABRICS
MATTE-BLACK
Sustainable and natural fabrics are a dominating trend that will become more mainstream in 2019. You can find natural fabrics in throws, cushions, upholstered furniture and artwork.
Matte-black isn’t the newest trend for 2019, but it continues to be dominant on the list of hottest trends for interior design. Appearing nearly everywhere (faucets, hardware, windows and doors), this stunning design trend is here to stay. Weiser Lock offers an array of stylish products to give your home a modern makeover, while Moen has some exquisite matte-black faucets that will wow your guests.
PRO TIP: This is where DIY lovers have fun. Try layering jute rugs, woven-wall hangings and fabric baskets around your home. Have fun and let your inner artist shine.
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PRO TIP: Be careful on the amount of terrazzo you install, as large quantities can be overwhelming in appearance for this bolstering trend.
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DARPAN HOME
WALLPAPER Colourful wallpaper on a feature wall is no longer on trend. Instead, try to elevate your design by wallpapering an entire room with a subdued textured print. PRO TIP: It’s easy to overdo it with wallpaper. Focus on one room and select a soft design that exudes elegance and sophistication.
LIGHTCOLOURED FLOORING
STATEMENT CEILINGS Designers are saying goodbye to plain-white ceilings and are beginning to be mindful of design. Colour, wallpaper and mouldings are making headway in this year’s ceiling trend. PRO TIP: If you’re brave enough to test this trend, consider the designer rule – include lighter colouring on the ceiling and darker colouring on the walls.
Popular in different areas of Europe, light-coloured flooring is making a comeback and transforming entire living spaces. Think shades of light oak, birch and blonde wood. PRO TIP: Light flooring is fabulous for making a space feel larger. Looking to use stain? It’s best to start with a wood floor that is already blonde.
About the Author Carly Verhoeven is an interior designer and media relations professional in Ontario, Canada. She studied interior design at the Interior Design Institute of Canada and uses her knowledge to assist in trend research as well as corporate event design.
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MAXIMALISM Minimalist Scandinavian design has conquered the interior design world for the past few years. New to 2019 is the return of a more maximalist style. Designers are steering clear of all white décor and are adding bold textures, patterns and colours. PRO TIP: Try pairing different fabrics and tile together. Avoid going for an all matched esthetic and aim for a mismatched design.
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DARPAN FEATURE
H
ey loverboys out there, if you haven’t noticed it yet – Valentine’s Day is coming up. And while you may be excited to pull out all the stops to make the day extra special for your sweetheart, it also marks the beginning of the perennial predicament of what to gift your lady love. Gifting is a tricky business and we do feel your anxiety to find that perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your beloved. But worry not, we have decided to give you a small insight into what might work to make your darling girl happy. Here’s a list of eight gifting ideas that are sure to help you woo your girl this Valentine’s Day.
Gifts every girl would like to receive on Valentine’s Day
Surprise yourLady Love BY SHWETA KULKARNI
A Personalized Gift Item This particular gift idea demands you to get a little creative, but if you manage to crack this you are sure to win her heart forever. You can pick a favourite photo of you both, or a favourite memory and get it printed on a blanket, keychain, mug or a t-shirt. You can even get her a personalized pendant with both your names engraved on it or just the initials or the date when you both first met. A custom-made name ring is also a great idea. Basically, gift her something unique that defines you both, and trust us, it will be the sweetest gift she would have ever received.
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Love Notes You don’t need to always burn a hole in your pocket to get the perfect gift for your lady love. Gifts are a token of your affection, and it is always the thought that counts not the worth of your gift. So, this Valentine’s show your sweetheart just how much you love her by pouring your heart out in a lovely note or bunch of notes. In fact, a jar full of small love notes would be just perfect. You don’t need to be a writer to do this. Even small one-line notes stating something as simple as – “I love you till the infinity!” or “You are Beautiful” – will put that million-dollar smile on her face throughout the day.
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The innovative Creative Touch
Something Handmade Want to do something really really special for her? Well, then make something for her with your own hands. There is nothing better than a personal homemade gift. The Internet is full of DIY ideas, so do some research and show her how much you love her. Don’t forget, it is always the small gestures that make the occasion truly grand.
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DARPAN FEATURE
Makeup
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Trust us, nothing will put a smile on her face than a box full of her favourite makeup supplies that will last for months. Yes, we know it is difficult to buy makeup for girls, especially when you know nothing about it, but it is not rocket science either. Start inquiring about her favourite brand, lipstick shades, or eyeshadows. If asking becomes too suspicious, compliment her about her make-up and slyly ask her for details. If that doesn’t work either chat with her best friend and she will supply you with all the information you need. All you need to do is do your homework well and you are certain to win her heart all over again. This gifting gesture will also show her that you are willing to go an extra mile to know her interests and make her feel all the more special.
Perfume Perfume is one of the best gifts a man can give his lady love. It’ll be great if you know what kind of scent she prefers or once again seek some help from her best friend. What will make your gift really special and thoughtful is if you can find a perfumery that can customize a special fragrance for your girl. Nothing would be more perfect than a custom-made scent only for her. If not that, a few perfume brands come up with limited edition perfumes, you can get her one of those and make her feel special.
WHERE BUILDERS BUY
Make Her Wish Come True She must have definitely mentioned to you a few things on her bucket list or something that she has been wanting to do for a while – be it her desire to learn jazz or take up art lessons. Well, the best thing to gift her this Valentine’s Day would be to make one of her wishes or all of them come true. Buy her that dream holiday, gift her art lessons… whatever it is, just make it happen.
Take Her On A Holiday There’s nothing better to strengthen your bond of love than travelling together. So, take a break from the daily routine and take your sweetheart on a memorable holiday and rediscover each other and your love.
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DARPAN Weddings
Q: How did you meet? Bavan: We met through my cousin who was friends with Parm’s cousin. They both decided to introduce us because they thought we would be a great match. At first, it felt a little strange because I didn’t know much about him but once we started talking, it felt as if we had known each other for years. Once we met, we just clicked!
“You are the source of my joy, the centre of my world and the whole of my heart.”
Q: What do you love most about one another? Bavan: I love how he cares about me and he always has my back no matter what. He is very family-oriented and he connects very well with my family as well. He has a very friendly personality and a great sense of humour. There’s never a dull moment with him. Parm: She is everything I ever wanted. We have a special connection, where she knows everything without me even saying anything. I can always count on her and she supports and encourages me more than anybody. I feel lucky to have such an amazing wife and I look forward to this new chapter.
n a v a B &
m r a P Photo Credit: A Master Media
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BE THE OF YOUR NIGHT!
Q: Could you share your proposal story? Parm: It wasn’t really a proposal as our wedding date was already set. But it was a surprise for Bavan as I went to her house for dinner and I went down on my knee while she was in her PJs almost ready to go to bed.
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Q: Describe your wedding day. What was your favourite moment? Our wedding day was beyond perfect! The day we had been planning for over a year had finally arrived. We were afraid that it would be too hot as our wedding was in mid-July but it turned out to be such a beautiful day. Our best moment was when our laavaan were completed and we looked at each other and smiled because we were officially husband and wife.
Q: Could you tell us about your reception? Our reception was the following day and we were much more relaxed than the wedding day. Since it was the last wedding event, we wanted to enjoy it to the fullest. The DJ kept the party going all night. We both felt so relieved knowing that we don’t have any more wedding stress. It’s a night to remember forever.
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DARPAN Weddings Q: Can you describe your outfits? Bavan: For the wedding day, I custom ordered my lehnga in raspberry colour which was designed by Made in India and Parm’s outfit was in gold and navy blue. This colour combination looked amazing together and looks great in pictures. For the reception, I wore a taupe-coloured lehnga which was ordered from Wellgroomed and Parm wore a classic black suit.
Q: Where did you honeymoon? We went to Mexico right after our wedding since both of us had never been there. It was so nice to lay down by the beach and relax after running around and stressing about wedding planning. We both loved it there, especially the food!
Q: What are your goals as a couple? Our goal as a couple is to prioritize our relationship and have daily connecting time. We also want to travel together and continue to grow our love.
Q: What are the strengths of your marriage? Trust, respect and patience.
Q: If you could provide any advice to other married couples, what would it be? Time is very valuable so make sure you spend it with your loved ones. Make time together a priority.
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DARPAN ACTIVITIES
Romance is in the air. Ditch the usual restaurant dinner for one of these unique and unforgettable Valentine’s Day experiences around Vancouver.
BY TARANA RANA
Unique Ways to Spend Your
Valentine’s Day
Visit the Vancouver Aquarium After Hours See a whole new world with your loved one. Explore the underwater galleries at the Vancouver Aquarium After Hours event with a drink in hand. You’ll get to experience special programming such as a puppet show, trivia and more, after the space has been closed to the general public. This popular event only takes place a couple of times a year and makes for a truly unforgettable date night.
C
elebrating Valentine’s Day this year? Chances are, you are tired of the same old date ideas. Restaurants or a night out at the movies can get old and fast. This year, plan for a memorable and unforgettable evening by trying out one or more of these six unique activities around Vancouver!
Take a Couple’s Cooking Class
Enjoy Valentine’s Day Snowshoe Fondue For a memorable Valentine’s Day experience, head up to Mount Seymour for their annual Valentine’s Day Snowshoe Fondue. After an enchanted snowshoe hike across forested trails, enjoy chocolate fondue and fresh fruit served by candlelight at the hand-carved snow lounge! You can book this romantic evening online at mtseymour.ca/snowshoe-tours.
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Enjoy Valentine’s Day Snowshoe Fondue For a memorable Valentine’s Day experience, head up to Mount Seymour for their annual Valentine’s Day Snowshoe Fondue. After an enchanted snowshoe hike across forested trails, enjoy chocolate fondue and fresh fruit served by candlelight at the handcarved snow lounge! You can book this romantic evening online at mtseymour.ca/snowshoe-tours. TM
Here’s the dinner for two with a twist – you’ll be the one cooking it. Take a quick little trip to France with your valentine! Sign up for a couple’s cooking class on February 13 and learn how to cook a romantic dinner, while enjoying delicious French food. You can register for the class – “An Early Valentine in a French Bistro” at wellseasoned.ca or call 604-530-1518.
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Hit up an Improv Show For an evening of hijinks and politically incorrect jokes, head to the Rio Theatre to catch an improv comedy show by The Fictionals. On February 6, they’ll be presenting their ‘Improv Against Humanity: Game Of Love’ edition. With special guests, themes and prizes, you can get your tickets to this night of guaranteed laughter at riotheatre.ca.
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Photos: Courtesy of events/organizations featured, Ocean Wise, iStock
Go on a Brewery Tour If you’re both a fan of craft beer, check out Vancouver’s most popular brewery tour, which runs on Valentine’s Day at 5 pm. This three-hour tour will whisk you away on a fun and informative craft beer adventure where you’ll visit unique breweries and sample some of the finest craft beer Vancouver has to offer, together. You can save your spot at vancouverbrewerytours.com.
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Have a Game of Archery Tag Ready to literally play cupid? Grab your partner and a couple of friends and arm yourself with foam-tipped bows and arrows at 6Pack Beach, Vancouver’s first and only Archery Tag venue. This unique sport promises all the fun of paintball, minus the pain. Visit 6packbeach.com/archerytag to make a reservation.
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DARPAN TECH
BY BENJAMIN YONG
A
s we head into 2019, here is a list of DARPAN’s top four latest gadgets to grab, to help you live your best life in the coming months.
NEW YEAR,
NEW
GADGETS Latest tech to live your best life in the coming months Instax SQUARE SQ20 Only one year after the launch of the first Fujifilm hybrid instant camera, the Japanese manufacturer has done it again by releasing the follow-up Instax SQUARE
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SQ20. Compared to traditional Instax models, this one is equipped with a digital sensor and image processing capabilities, so photographers can enjoy better low-light performance, macro shooting, auto focus, and the choice of various filters and vignette effects to add a splash of fun to pictures. Additional functions not seen before
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Beryl Laserlight Although we’re in the middle of winter, cycling doesn’t necessarily have to stop. The Beryl Laserlight keeps riders safe by shining a bright white LED light, featuring a low 100 lumen flashing and a high intensity solid 300 lumen mode among others, to illuminate the road ahead on those dark mornings and early dusk evenings. In addition, the device utilizes laser technology to project a bright green image of a bicycle onto the road to let drivers know you’re
are “Motion Mode,” allowing short 15-second video clips to be captured and the best frame
coming, particularly effective at intersections, around bends and in a vehicle’s blind spot. Small and sleek, the Laserlight measures 115 millimetres long and 40 millimetres wide, and is housed in a premium aircraftgrade aluminum waterproof casing. The mounting bracket with one-hand quick release fits virtually all standard handlebars, and depending on the intensity and setting, the rechargeable battery lasts for up to 32 hours. Simply plug in the USB cable, and 50 per cent capacity is reached in one hour, 100 per cent in four hours.
selected; four times zoom; and “Collage,” where one picture is split into separate sections comprised of different images. The SQ20 takes advantage of Fujifilm 62-millimetre square format film format that is significantly larger than traditional Instax prints enabling more creativity and flexibility while shooting. A small mirror at the front makes selfies a breeze, as does the two shutter buttons on either side of the camera. Unlike the outgoing SQ10, a built-in lithium-ion battery means you can charge on the go.
TOORA HOME PLANS Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Pretty much most electronic devices are smart these days, so why not your toothbrush, too? Philips infuses some neat tech into the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart, which using Bluetooth and special mobile app is able to provide personalized coaching and feedback. There are three unique brush heads included – one each for plaque control, gum car and stain removal – that possess built in sensors to detect how you are brushing, and send alerts in real time if too much pressure is being applied or if a zone has been missed. The DiamondClean Smart comes with a premium rinsing glass doubling as a wireless charging base. Also in the box are a handy travel case and a compact plastic stand.
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When you need business wireless communications solutions, personalized advice is closer than you think. Experts are ready and waiting at your local Bell store Usually when active noise cancelling (ANC) is in the When you need business wireless communications solutions, personalized advice to help you do more and make more. All on your own schedule. than you Experts readycommunications and waiting atsolutions, your local Bell store advice When youthink. neednecessary. businessare wireless personalized description of a pair of Bluetooth headphones, one is closerNo appointment to help you more and make Allare on your is do closer than you think.more. Experts readyown and schedule. waiting at your local Bell store can expect the MSRP to be in the triple digits. Not so No appointment to help necessary. you do more and make more. All on your own schedule. in the case of the Mixcder E7s, retailing well under No appointment necessary.
$100. In addition to ANC and wireless connectivity, these affordable units have all the bells and whistles of pricier competitors such as big 40-millimetre driver units delivering deep bass; a built-in microphone For a complimentary consultation, visit: for hands-free calling; extended 20-hour battery life SURREY visit: (or plug in the included stereo cable for unlimitedFor a complimentaryForconsultation, 7711 128th St a complimentary consultation, visit: operation); and comfortable ergonomic ear pads. SURREY 604 597-3115 SURREY When seeking a quiet, immersive audio experience, 7711 128th 7711St128th St just turn on ANC to silence external noises through 604 597-3115 604 597-3115 a reverse sound wave generation process via an integrated computer chip, leaving you with pure auditory bliss.
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STAY & PLAY IN
PALM SPRINGS BY CASSANDRA ANDERTON
P ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cassandra Anderton is a freelance wine, food, spa, lifestyle and travel writer and broadcaster. She appears regularly on Breakfast Television and can be heard on NEWS1130 Foodie Fridays. Cassandra 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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alm Springs in California is a simple three-hour, non-stop flight from Vancouver. Many Canadians were lucky enough to buy a place down there when the real estate market took a dip a few years back. There are still some great hotel and resort deals though, and whether it’s a family trip, guys, girls or couple’s getaway, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Palm Springs at a variety of price points. One of the selling points of Palm Springs is the amazing architecture; art deco reigns supreme here and many
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of the hotels have been restored with mid-century elements. One such place is the Holiday House, 28-room accommodation in downtown Palm Springs. There’s an abundance of artwork, garden sculptures and tile decor, the rooms are just gorgeous, there’s a complimentary breakfast, and the stock in the mini-bar is unlike anywhere I’ve seen. The first night we were there we took a ride from the hotel on the Social Cycle, a pedal-powered 16 passenger Dutch-style bicycle and
One of the selling points of Palm Springs is the amazing architecture; art deco reigns supreme here and many of the hotels have been restored with mid-century elements. dined at the Mexican-themed Las Casuelas Terraza, a restaurant that opened in 1979 inside an historic Palm Springs casita from the 1920’s, quickly becoming a landmark popular with vacationing celebrities. While there’s plenty of golf for those who play, you may prefer to take a hike in the Indian Canyons where there’s native wildlife and plants, rock art, a 60-foot waterfall and breathtaking scenery. Follow up with more outdoor walking through the Moorten Botanical Garden, originally established in 1939, home to 3,000 specimens of cacti and other desert plants, and then head into the Palm Springs Art Museum. Spread over the 150,000 square feet, the museum boasts major collections of modern
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DARPAN TRAVEL
Photos: iStock, Social Cycle, Holiday House, The Ritz Carlton - Rancho Mirage, Melvin Wei
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a definite must; it specializes in the deserts of the world. At this unique zoo and botanical garden, you’ll see desert wildlife and get to feed the giraffes.
and contemporary art, glass, photography, architecture and design, as well as Native American and Western art. For a bit of downtime, venture to the Two Bunch Palms Resort, named the ‘Best Hot Springs in America’, for a wonderful lunch and a luxury soak throughout the resort’s pools. Returning to town I’d highly recommend dinner at The Parker at Counter Reformation, where you should share some small plates and enjoy the superb wines-by-the-glass list, and then Bingo at the Ace Hotel if it’s a Monday. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a definite must; it
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specializes in the deserts of the world. At this unique zoo and botanical garden, you’ll see desert wildlife and get to feed the giraffes. Another highlight is the The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – the world’s largest rotating tram car – that travels over two-and-onehalf miles along the stunning cliffs of Chino Canyon, arriving in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. If you are in Palm Springs on a Wednesday, the Barn Kitchen at Sparrows hosts “Chicken” Wednesdays where the hotel serves a familystyle supper under the stars. The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage is another option, as there’s striking views of Greater Palm Springs from the resort, and complimentary stargazing sessions are offered every Saturday evening with the resort’s recreation ambassador. If large resorts are more your style, the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa, is located nearby in the Coachella Valley and is a better alternative for families as Holiday House is 21 plus only. The murals in Coachella are well worth spending some time walking amongst and no trip would be complete without a visit to a date farm and a date milkshake. Whatever your idea of a holiday is, Palm Springs can keep you busy, or can be a place where you just merely relax.
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DARPAN AutoREVIEW
2019
MOST FUN-TO-DRIVE BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE
BMW I3S BY BENJAMIN YONG
The German manufacturer has made the BEV even better for 2019, as well as introducing a sporty i3s model.
B
MW’s award-winning i3 is already known as one of the most fun-to-drive battery electric vehicles (BEV) on the market with its torquey motor and classic German handling characteristics. Not one to rest on its laurels, the German manufacturer has made the BEV even better for 2019, as well as introducing a sporty i3s model. In my opinion, the most important news is the implementation of a 30-per cent larger 33-kilowatt hour battery on every grade. This ups the travel range to 246 kilometres on a single charge, finally making the car a feasible daily driver rather than an around-town errandmobile. Both the drive system and suspension have been upgraded
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on the s, and as a result there is an increase to output as well as big improvements to on-road agility. Total horsepower is now 184 and torque 199 lb-ft, up from
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170 and 184 respectively. While the numbers seem modest, the bump in output is definitely discernable using the old butt dyno. The i3s sits on speciality springs, dampers and anti-roll bars giving the EV a 10 millimetre lower ride height and the ability to corner much flatter than the standard variant, if at the expense of a little ride comfort – extra vigilance spotting speed bumps is required.
HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $66,645 Motor: Synchronous electric motor + two-cylinder gasoline engine Horsepower: 184 (net) Torque (lb-ft): 199 (net Gearbox: Single-speed automatic Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive Fuel economy: 1.1 kWh/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)
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*Maserati Levante MY2018 base MSRP $96,250; Maserati Levante S MY2018 base MSRP $105,850. Not including dealer prep and transportation. A more license and registration fees not included. ©2018 Maserati North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Maserati and the Trident logo are registered tradem
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Every i3 benefits from the latest easy-to-operate iDrive user interface responsible for controlling everything infotainment related. If
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equipped with the Navigation
Drivers can determine just how sporty the experience is using the dynamics control switch. After turning on the new Sport mode, the accelerator instantly becomes more responsive, and the steering firmer. When activated, the car can get from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, enough to create a funny feeling in this automotive journalist’s stomach for a second or two. As before, a two-cylinder gasoline Range Extender (REX) remains an option. The engine drives a generator providing power when required so to maintain a constant level of charge in the battery, increasing the overall possible driving distance by another 75 kilometres. For apartment dwellers like myself who don’t have access to a reliable everyday charging station or even an underground parking
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on the front and rear of the vehicle, the A-pillars, parts of the BMW kidney grille and a few other trim pieces are finished in a high gloss black. Underneath the full LED headlights are coloured accent strips painted BMW I Blue or Frozen Grey, helping show off the extra 40 millimetres in track width. Every i3 benefits from the latest easy-to-operate iDrive user interface responsible for controlling everything infotainment related. If equipped with the Navigation lot power outlet, the REX add-on Professional, the 10.25-inch – priced at just under $5,000 – is screen features a higher-resolution a necessity. display. To complement the boost in My only nitpicky comment performance, the exterior is bolder is that the rotary knob proves a than on the regular i3. To match little cumbersome for inputting the black roof and centre panels GPS coordinates. Using voice
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Professional, the 10.25-inch screen features a higherresolution display.
commands is one solution, which can be executed more simply than previously via Natural Language Understanding functionality. For example, the computer recognizes casual phrases such as “find the closest gas station,” similar to how smartphone voice assistants work. The 2018 BMW i3s REX is listed at an MSRP of $56,950.
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* Selling price of a new 2019 QX50/Q50/QX80 is $44,490/$44,995/$78,350. Freight and PDE, all applicable levies and charges, license, registration, insurance, duties, applicable taxes and Doc Fee TM of $395 are extra. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Vehicle and wheels may not be exactly as shown. See OpenRoad Infiniti for details. JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019
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2019 MAZDA CX-3
EXQUISITE & EDGY BY BENJAMIN YONG
According to the Hiroshima based manufacturer, customer feedback was considered in coming up with the updated vehicle, which it describes as
The subcompact crossover is still a relatively fresh segment in the auto industry, and one of its darlings is the Mazda CX3. The handsome small SUV boasting KODO – Soul of Motion styling hasn’t been on the scene too long but is already on its second iteration for the 2019 model year. According to the Hiroshima based manufacturer, customer feedback was considered in coming up with the updated vehicle, which it describes as “exquisite and edgy.” Many of the changes reflect Mazda’s recent move towards providing
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CAR FEATURED
“exquisite and edgy.”
T
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a product that looks and feels increasingly luxurious and premium. While many of the updates lie underneath the hood and inside the cabin, the grille is revised utilizing an alternate slat design and a deeper frame shape for a more substantial appearance. Chrome accents decorate the corners of the front spoiler and along the side skirts. The foglights and B and C pillars are decorated with glossy piano black trim, and the inside of the tail lamps were reworked to emit a high tech cylindrical light pattern. Even the new multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels wear a special metallic finish to complement the other details. A rethought centre console layout is perhaps the biggest standout in the cabin. An electric parking brake is standard, and
HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $31,095 Motor: 2.0-litre four cylinder Horsepower: 148 @ 6,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 146 @ 2,800 rpm Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 8.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)
eliminating the traditional handbrake really gave designers liberty to experiment. The result is extra space and an innovative console unit that features a tri-partitioned cubby, the forward two square pockets convertible to cup holders by pressing a button. There is also a built-in padded armrest hiding
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what’s underneath and giving occupants’ elbows a place to relax. Rear passengers needn’t feel left out, as there’s now an integrated centre armrest in the rear bench as well. The beautiful white leather upholstery in DARPAN’s top-of-the-line GT all-wheel-drive grade was beautiful and soft, the first time such an option is being offered. While the front seats didn’t appear very different, they are actually wider and built with high-density, vibration absorbing urethane foam. During the long stretches of driving I did I was nothing but comfortable. Suede-like materials are used all around the interior, and the HVAC vents have subtle deep red accenting adding a pop of colour. A SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre engine remains the primary source of propulsion, however engineers retuned the naturally-aspirated four cylinder to reduce internal friction, improve fuel efficiency, and bump up the torque. Output is upped to 148 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. A sixspeed automatic transmission handles shifting duties and can be manually shifted by nudging the lever over to the left, although I would have liked to see steering wheel mounted paddle shifters instead. The motor can be a little noisy when passing or overtaking – that said, overall everything seems a little quieter than before due to the thicker door panels, rear door glass, headliner and beefier door seams. Like other models in the lineup, Mazda G-Vectoring Control (GVC) has made its way into the CX-3. The technology smooths out the steering allowing for finer inputs, and factoring in the optimized suspension dampening the handling is really quite nimble for what is essentially a large jacked up hatchback. I had to make numerous quick-decision manoeuvres on extended highway runs during my weeklong test and the vehicle darted in and out of traffic effortlessly and safely. The all-wheel drive definitely helped, especially since I drove in both snow and hail conditions, the caveat being a slightly higher-than-expected fuel consumption of 8.3 L/100 km in mixed city and highway driving.
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2019
CADILLAC XT4
BY GLEN KONOROWSKI
I
t is not that often I get into a car I am testing for DARPAN and feel right at home; well that is just what happened with the all new Cadillac XT4. I am sure that is the very reason many people I have talked to have really taken a shine to this new Cadillac. Looking at the XT4 for the first time you might find it somewhat familiar, as it is very similar in design to Cadillac’s XT5. Like the name implies, the XT4 is slightly smaller than its sibling, making it just that bit easier to move about the traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge in rush hour. As you would expect from a Cadillac, it comes with all the
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and out, and front and rear distance warning systems to name a few. Inside the XT4 you will find a nice interior with very comfortable seats, both front and rear. The driver’s seat warms quickly and has lots of adjustment to suit all types of people. All the controls are nicely arranged in the centre dash area with a few key controls on the steering wheel. One feature I really amenities – my test car was the liked is the heated steering wheel. Premium Luxury version with As I don’t like driving with gloves, all-wheel drive. It also came with this is a handy feature that is not a host of other options including, only great but it also promotes heated and cooled leather seats, better driving as both your hands rear camera, LED lighting inside are generally on the wheel when it
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HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $62,000 Motor: 2.0-litre four cylinder double overhead cam turbo charged Horsepower: 237 @ 5,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 258 @ 1,500 rpm Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic Layout: All-wheel drive Fuel economy: 10.9 L/100 km city 8.2 L/100 km highway is cold, which makes for better control in an emergency. One other feature I have come to really like is the head-up display showing your speed and safe distance to the car in front. Again this feature
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keeps your eyes for the most part on the road and not looking down at the gauges which for the most part are easy to read. Powering the new XT4 is a Double Overhead Cam 2.0-litre inline four cylinder with a turbo. This configuration gives the vehicle 237 horsepower and a nice 258 lb-ft of torque. Combine this with its nine-speed electronic transmission and you have a great power to weight ratio giving this cross-over lots of power to pull you up most hills with ease. City driving was nice as the XT4 handles very well around corners and in traffic. Sitting up that little bit higher allows for just that much better view of the road. One thing worth noting is the smooth shifting electronic transmission which is second to none. Due to the XT4s shorter wheelbase, the rear doors don’t look that easy to get in and out of, but surprisingly I had no problem with it. The back seat is surprisingly very roomy for two and can easily handle three people with a little squeeze. Due to its shorter wheelbase, the trunk is on the smaller side as the wheels encroach on the inner space of the cargo area. Since this vehicle is a hatchback it does allow you to pile things a little higher. As well, the back seats will fold down to basically double your cargo space. If you live in hilly areas like West Vancouver, you will appreciate the hill-holding feature. This keeps the vehicle stationary on a hill so you don’t roll back allowing one to gently accelerate without any fear of hitting a tailgater. The XT4 has become a personal favourite for me and I really hated giving it back to the General Motors people who allowed me to test drive it. The vehicle was the Premium Luxury AWD and lists for a base price of $46,300, and with a host of options as mine had it topped out at $62,000. When you consider the items you get for this amount it is well worth considering.
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0% financing is available on all new 2018 Mazda 3 & 3 Sport for 60 months, 2018 Mazda CX3 for 48 months, 2017 Mazda 5 for 84 months. Finance example of $10,000, the cost of borrowing for a 48/60/84-month terms is $0, monthly payment is $208.33/166.67/119.05, total finance obligation is $10,000. Lease examples apply to 2018 Mazda3 GX (D4XK68 AA00)/ 2018 Mazda 3 Sport (D5XK68 AA00)/ 2017 CX-5 GX (NVXK67 AA00)/)/2018 CX-3 GX (HVXK68AA00) and bi-weekly payments of $103/$123/$185$122 for 60 months, including down payment of $0/$0/$0/$0. $4500 cash rebate applies to 2017 MY Mazda5. Offers valid January 3rd –January 31st, 2018, while supplies last. Prices & payments are plus taxes. $425 Winter Accessories credit applies to all new 2017/2018 MY Mazda’s. Pay off trade & lease termination negative equity to be applied to new purchase. $250 lease termination payment in form of service credit at Langley Mazda. All finance & lease offers to qualified buyers.
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FINANCING
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There is quite a bit to get excited about in the coming months.
BOLLYWOOD
CALENDAR BY SHWETA KULKARNI
T
The new year in the world of movies begins with a bang! There is quite a bit to get excited about in the coming months. Whether you are looking for action, thrill, patriotism, drama, a taste of history, or romance, there’s plenty to please everyone. The year begins with the military drama, Uri, a powerful film based on a true event starring Vicky Kaushal. The action drama is followed by another film doused in patriotism, strength and valour – the historical Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, which celebrates the extraordinary life of warrior queen Rani Laxmi Bai. Then comes the fresh romantic drama Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga that brings together on screen for the first time the real-life fatherdaughter duo – Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Following close on the heels is again a coming of age film inspired by real life, Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, and then there is Dibakar Banerjee’s quirky thriller – Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar.
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MANIKARNIKA: THE QUEEN OF JHANSI Release date: January 25 Starring: Kangana Ranaut, Atul Kulkarni, Anikta Lokhande
B
ased on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi and featuring none other than the Queen of Bollywood – Kangana Ranaut in the title role, Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi is undoubtedly one of the most hotly anticipated films of 2019. It is an extraordinary tale of valour, strength and determination and a fitting tribute to a true patriot, who ignited India’s freedom fight. This is the first time Kangana will be seen performing jawdropping action sequences. Talking about the magnum opus, Kangana who has also co-directed the film, said, “I’ve grown up listening to Rani Laxmi Bai’s legend and folklore like all of us but at the same time I did not know the intensity of her life. Her youth had gone in battling the enemy and preparing the regular people to become warriors.” She further added, “She was a visionary and I value the freedom we have because of her a lot more.” We suggest, block your dates for this one right away.
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URI Release date: January 11 Starring: Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal
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tarring Bollywood’s latest powerhouse of talent – Vicky Kaushal, this actiondrama based on the 2016 surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army in retaliation to an alleged terror attack in the Kashmir region of Uri, is already grabbing a lot of attention. Directed by debutant Aditya Dhar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, the film traces the key events that happened in those 11 days. Speaking about the film, Vicky, who plays the role of an army officer, said, “We have seen films on war and military earlier, but this film will be new for the audience.” Now a film that brings to screen a defining moment in India’s military history is definitely a must watch, isn’t it?
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SANDEEP AUR PINKY FARAAR Release date: March 1 Starring: Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra
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ith a quirky title, featuring the affable Ishaqzaade jodi and the backing of a director who is known to deliver unique and engaging films, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar has already piqued movie buffs’ curiosity. The thriller revolves around a Haryanvi cop and an ambitious girl from corporate world whose lives suddenly intertwine. Interestingly, these two protagonists are quite unlikely and are only united in their mistrust, suspicion and hate for each other. Speaking about his characters and film, director Banerjee said, “This feels like my first film, again. I’ve had to unlearn everything I know to tell this story about a man and a woman who can’t stand each other but can’t survive without each other.” Well, this dramatic thriller has unquestionably caught our fancy.
EK LADKI KO DEKHA TOH AISA LAGA
GULLY BOY
Release date: February 1 Release date: Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Juhi Chawla
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rriving with a burst of freshness in the thick of biopics and films inspired by real life incidents is director Shelly Chopra Dhar’s romantic drama, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. The film boasts of an interesting ensemble cast featuring some of the most talented actors of Bollywood. What further makes this film interesting is the first-time on-screen collaboration of the real-life father-daughter duo – Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Speaking about sharing screen space with her father, an excited Sonam said, “When you watch Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, you will realise that it was the best film for dad and me to come together for the first time.” While the makers are tight-lipped about the project, the first few glimpses of the film show that it is definitely not an ordinary love story. Certainly, worthy of adding to the must-watch list!
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Release date: February 14 Starring: Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt
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here are many reasons to look forward to this film. Firstly, it brings together on the big screen for the first time two of the most talented actors of Bollywood – Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Secondly it is helmed by versatile director Zoya Akhtar, and thirdly it is inspired by the real lives of rappers from the slums of Dharavi in Mumbai. While the makers are keeping the film’s plot tightly under wraps, Ranveer spoke about the film at length in an interview and he said, “It is the story which represents Mumbai in its true sense and the city is my home town, these are my people, this is my language so this is the story I am really attached to. It’s an underdog story about a kid who broke through from great adversity in life to make it as a recording artist.” Now doesn’t this look like an interesting treat?
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Women-centric vehicles are now the norm… at least until blockbuster season.
Winteris Female BY JORGE IGNACIO CASTILLO
DESTROYER January 25 You know the story: A hardboiled, alcoholic detective, forsaken by family and colleagues, embarks on a final case, one that wraps a career filled with ghosts and regret. Now imagine that trope character played by Nicole Kidman under heavy makeup. The luminous actress is unrecognizable as a cop tying loose ends from an investigation decades ago when everything went wrong. Karyn Kusama (Girlfight) directs.
ON THE BASIS OF SEX January 4 Before becoming a United States’ Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a fierce advocate for equal rights for women. This biopic – starring Felicity Jones as the notorious RBG – doesn’t cover her entire life, but focuses on her struggle to be taken seriously as a lawyer in times (the 50s) when a woman’s place was believed to be at home. The film also sheds light on Ruth’s relationship with her husband Martin (Armie
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Hammer), a tax attorney who encouraged RBG at every turn, never mind the optics. Ruth’s desire to eradicate legal discrimination based on gender puts her at odds with the maledominated law community, a conflict to be settled – where else – in court. Feminist cred: 5/5. Never mind the Hollywood tropes. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a feminist icon and the movie basks in her glow.
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Feminist cred: 3/5. For the most part, the film is focused on the investigation. It only veers in a different direction whenever dealing with the detective’s daughter, whose relationship with mom is fraught at best.
ISN’T IT ROMANTIC February 13 Romantic comedies are long assumed (mostly by male executives) as the safest bet to gather the interest of female audiences. It’s no surprise the subgenre is now the target of merciless deconstruction. Pitch Perfect’s Rebel Wilson stars as the classic single-galin-the-city who following a head injury (another one), believes she is living inside a romcom, massive Manhattan apartment, gay best friend and impossibly handsome beau (Liam Hemsworth) included. Feminist cred: 3/5. While a fairly obvious mark, the patronizing subgenre has long deserved a good roasting.
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WHAT MEN WANT February 8 Remember that Mel Gibson vehicle from 18 years ago in which he could read women’s minds? That wouldn’t fly now (for many reasons), unless you change the protagonist’s gender… one would presume. Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures) is a sports agent who keeps getting overlooked for a promotion on the basis of her gender. A combination of alcohol, peyote and head trauma give her the ability to hear what men are thinking (don’t try this at home)..
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Feminist cred: 4/5. A long overdue payback is upon us.
MISS BALA February 1 A remake in name only, Miss Bala follows the journey of a makeup artist (Gina Rodríguez, Jane the Virgin) who, while in vacation in Tijuana, becomes embroiled in the ongoing drug war between a local cartel and the DEA. The girl is successively recruited and discarded as a mule, double and triple agent, until she decides to call the shots. The film marks a return of sorts for Catherine Hardwicke (director of the first Twilight), after two big-screen bombs. Feminist cred: 2/5. It’s certainly an improvement over the original (a beauty queen with zero agency is used by a gang for nefarious purposes), but there is nothing terribly original about it.
Photos: Elevation Pictures, Universal, Columbia Pictures, Focus Pictures, Paramount
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ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL February 14 A US$ 200 million adaptation of the manga series popular in the 90s, this cyberpunk action flick is produced by James Cameron and directed by Robert Rodriguez, both better known for testosterone-fueled fare. In the beginning, Alita is a broken female cyborg found in a dump by a scientist (Christoph Waltz in a goodguy role) who puts her back together out of loneliness. While Alita can’t remember a thing of her past, there are hints indicating she was particularly good at fighting and hunting criminals, and may or may not have been in Mars. Feminist cred: 1/5. This sounds an awful lot like Ghost in the Shell. And we know how that turned out.
HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U February 14 A surprise hit a year and a half ago, this Groundhog-Day-for-thehorror-fandom made 10 times its budget at the box office, all but guaranteeing a sequel. In the first installment, Tree (Jessica Rothe) – a mean girl turned reluctant hero – had to reverse a curse that got her killed time and time again. Now her friends and acquaintances are going through the same loop and it is up to Tree to solve the increasingly complicated conundrum. The key to enjoy this saga is not to take it too seriously. Those directly involved certainly aren’t. Feminist cred: 4/5. This is a franchise with a strong female character at the center that got started before #timesup and #metoo.
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ANUSHKA ARORA BY PETRINA D’SOUZA
A radio jockey, actress, video jockey, anchor and a journalist – UK-based Anushka Arora dons multiple hats in the media industry.
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radio jockey, actress, video jockey, anchor and a journalist – UK-based Anushka Arora dons multiple hats in the media industry. An RJ since the age of 21, Arora recently won the Best Radio Presenter of the Year 2018 at the Asian Media Awards. “It truly, truly is an honour to receive this award. It was my fourth year that I was nominated for the award and I’d never won it previously. The hope and dream were always there and I kept working towards it. I wanted to win it and when you really want something, the universe will give it right back!” expresses the media personality. It was while doing her degree in Journalism at the University of the Arts - London College of Communications that radio sparked her interest. “I took a very strong liking towards radio and TV and never looked back, since,” shares Arora who started her journey in radio doing a twohour Bollywood show at Ealing Hospital and gradually moved onto doing Bollywood shows at local
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community radios. Her talent and passion was well recognised as she was amongst the top five ‘Best Presenter of the Year’ at the Hospital Radio Awards in 2008. A major milestone during Arora’s exciting tenure as an RJ was doing a 24-hour radio marathon in 2017. She had tied up with a charity called Childreach International to raise money and was on air nonstop, interviewing celebrities every hour. “I had a lot of Bollywood celebrities and music artists reach out to me and help me, listeners from all over the world showed so much support, it was an incredible experience and I am so happy I did this all by myself!” adds the award-winning star. With Bollywood being her forte, Arora has interviewed the biggest superstars like the Bachchan’s, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor
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Khan, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif, and Deepika Padukone, as well as India’s top fashion designers like Anita Dongre, Anamika Khanna, Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra. She has hosted multiple Bollywood events like Atif Aslam’s UK Tour, Asha Bhosle’s Farewell UK tour, Shreya Ghoshal, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mika Singh’s 2018 show in London, and press conferences for Chennai Express and Krrish 3, among others. In January 2016, she became the first ever British-Asian RJ to broadcast live from the Bigg Boss house in Lonavala on Sunrise Radio. Arora’s acting abilities have been appreciated in her roles in Fan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The young actor states she was always interested in acting but was scared to pursue it. The right opportunity came with the movie Fan. “Although it was one line, it seemed like a powerful one opposite Shahrukh Khan and it was received very well.
Q&A How has the media industry changed over the years?
The media industry has changed drastically and how. I think social media has had a massive part to play in this. Actors are now a lot more aware of journalists/fans, I feel there’s an easy connection between them. Similarly, with me and my listeners, they can reach out to me quicker via social media and I think that’s a great thing. I’ve incorporated these changes myself, I am a heavy social media user so that I know my followers are very up-to-date with what’s ongoing with both me and Bollywood. Indians around the world have made significant contributions to their immigrated countries, what do you think of this accomplishment?
I think it’s fantastic. That generation who made significant contributions have laid down a foundation for people like myself and the younger generation. In a way, they have made it easier for us as a stepping stone for what we want to do. They have guided us and shown us the light.
Two years later, people still tell me they saw me in the movie and that’s a really nice feeling.” An Indo-British achiever in India and abroad, Arora has become a role model to youngsters who wish to pursue a career in the media industry. She is aware of this new role and wants people who look up to her to know that hard work pays off. “I want them to follow their dreams just like I did and that they should never give up. Of course, we all have good days and bad days but that makes you the person you are.” Her advice is to “be strong and just love what you do. Follow your dreams and never give up!”
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ANUSHKA ARORA
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CANADIAN SHARE THEIR IMMIGRANTS STORIES
Meet the
sahni
Harpreet’s brother and his wife for four months, before finding their own rental suite. While the surroundings were indeed different and more orderly, starting afresh independently was a BY PETRINA D'SOUZA new experience for the Sahnis. “Back home we had a lot of support as we Jaswinder Sahni works as an Engineering Manager at Prepac Manufacturing Ltd. & were living in an extended family, where we never had to worry about doing as a realtor with Sutton West Coast Realty things independently, such as buying Harpreet Sahni works as a Case Manager groceries, cleaning, and doing many at WorkBC other tasks that we would never have to think about. Here, everyone Jaskirat Sahni is a 4th year student pursuing was responsible for taking care of all a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Sciences matters of their household. This was a at UBC huge change for us,” recalls Jaswinder. The first six months took a lot of getting Juppnaam is a grade seven student at used to, as the family was trying to Colebrook Elementary understand the system, society and environment. “We were looking for jobs, a place to settle, and were trying n May 2001, Jaswinder Sahni moved to find our way when getting from place to Canada with his wife Harpreet and to place, such as accessing the nearest family seeking better prospects and library or grocery store,” adds Harpreet. good education for his children. “We Accessible transit was one of the very wanted to be in a society that is fair and first issues they faced; they came around provides a better quality of life,” states the time when TransLink was on a very Jaswinder. On arrival, they stayed with long strike. “All public transportation
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAHNI FAMILY
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that used to be available was no longer accessible, so we used to walk several kilometers each day while job searching,” Jaswinder says while remembering that time. Yet, the family managed to make the most of the resources at hand. Like most immigrants, it was challenging to find work in their fields. “Some days, we were tempted to find any job we could to get started right away, but my brother and sister-in-law would convince us not to rush and compromise on our career,” says Harpreet, who found a part-time job after two months of job-searching as a computer center facilitator. Today, she is working as a case manager at WorkBC. Jaswinder started exploring different companies in his field, and visited over 20 companies, looking for potential jobs. After two months, he was able to get a job with a manufacturing company, starting first in drafting and designing; it took nearly a year to secure his job as a quality engineer. After five years of working as a quality engineer, he was promoted to his current job of being an engineering manager. A few years later, Jaswinder decided to also pursue his passion for real estate and completed his real estate program. He has been working as a part-time real estate agent alongside his full-time job for 10 years now. The Sahni family states that their experience adapting and growing in the country has been a roller coaster ride, with its fair share of ups and downs. “We truly believe it has been worth moving to Canada, and when we look back at our journey, it is so humbling to see how far we have come. We still continue to stay true to our roots, and our previous hardships and experiences remind us of how much there is to be grateful for,” shares Harpreet. Jaswinder and Harpreet see a very bright future ahead, especially for their children. “The future holds so many opportunities that continue to help us grow and evolve in our personal and professional lives,” the couple adds in conclusion.
LIKE & DISLIKE ABOUT CANADA: Like: You have a lot of opportunities to grow and a fair system in which you are recognized on your own merit. Potential is recognized and valued in society, which is so rewarding when you are working in any field. You are valued as a human being, no matter where you work and what you do. The structure with which everything runs, such as traffic, organization, and mutual understanding is great to see as well. So many people also give back to the community and contribute to society in different ways to help the community. Dislike: Even though there are many opportunities, job security always keeps changing, and you have to struggle sometimes because you continuously compete with others who have local education. Since our education is from elsewhere, this is a challenge we face when competing for jobs.
ADVICE FOR IMMIGRANTS: The road to success is going to be tough, but if you try to stay focused in your own field and do what it takes to build on the career of your choice, it will be more rewarding in the end. When you first arrive in Canada, you may want to settle for the first job you can find, but if you are able to motivate yourself to work hard, even study if needed, and do what it takes to stay relevant to the field you were well-settled in back home, you will be able to do it. We believe that immigrants need to have definite goals, and a burning desire to achieve it.
MEMORIES OF YOUR HOMELAND: Spending time with friends who we grew up with, and being with the extended family we were so used to is something we will always remember and cherish. We remember the warm hearts and giving nature of our neighbours, who we would know and be so close with. Neighbours were just like family, and looked out for one another. We used to enjoy big celebrations for birthdays and other occasions, and every weekend was filled with great food, relaxation, and time with friends and family.
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