DARPAN Magazine March | April 2022 by Darpan Magazine

REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

MARCH | APRIL 2022

WOMEN OF STEEL Inspiring Stories of South Asian Female Achievers BUSINESS PROFILE:

Soul Counsel

Sukhminder Virk: Service with a soul

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they truly want to leave behind and work with them to build it. We

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and succession plan.” ~ Sukhminder Virk, Founder

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A Word from the Founder Hello, I am Sukhminder Virk, a lawyer who has been helping families transition their wealth and enterprises for over 10 years. In that time, I noticed that when it comes to their legacy, most people avoid having conversations with their family members or other stakeholders. The result of the unspoken truth is conflict being delayed but not eliminated, often to the detriment of the families and their enterprises. The costs are numerous, including litigation, taxes, and family relationships are destroyed. LoveofLove Service Communication Communication Truth Truth This is Excellence what Excellence led me to the creation Soul Counsel.Service We help our clients uncover the legacy that they truly want to leave behind and work with them to build it. Interaction with estate planning professionals can often be transactional and not aligned with the client’s wishes, truth, or values. We take a unique approach to providing our clients with a fulsome estate and succession plan. We work with a broad team of talented professionals including accountants, lawyers, financial planners, management consultants, executive coaches, counsellors, and more. At Soul Counsel, through robust process management we ensure that all professionals are operating in lock step with each other to ensure efficient completion of client plans.

Fundamentally, we are the safe space that family members need to ensure tough conversations are facilitated and filtered into a long-term plan and strategy. If this message resonates with you, reach out today for a consult. I look forward to serving you and your family. With peace and love,

Sukhminder Virk

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women in our community for their relentless courage and unyielding voice. This year, we highlight seven women who are using their platform to (1) break barriers within the industry they work in; (2) to give voice to women facing discrimination; (3) and to mentor and uplift young women and girls. These women of steel have shattered the glass ceiling, and are making sure the next generation of Hello DARPAN readers, women are well-equipped with the ello readers, are you ready for tools as well as the power to take the beautiful season of spring? charge of their own lives. We are excited to present a special issue Read our Bollywood feature on celebrating International Women’s Day. some of the powerful Hindi film In the March-April issue, you will find actress who are breaking stereotypes. interesting features that recognize the Bollywood has a bunch of actresses strength and capabilities of women. This who flouted the gender stereotypes is our way of saluting all the incredible with a flourish and made their mark women in our lives and around us that not just with the powerful depiction have inspired and supported us every of the characters they played on the step of the way. screen but also with their off-screen Our Cover Story features South lives. The article takes a look at some Asian female leaders who are paving the of the more recent stand-out actresses, path for the next generation of women who not only struck a chord with their to create their own remarkable stories. audiences but also showed us there is In 2020, DARPAN Magazine started a much more they can do than dance project, that has now become a tradition. around the heroes and play eye-candy. Witnessing the immense contributions Defying the judgmental glances, which of South Asian women in various fields, are often thrown at them, these gutsy DARPAN celebrated International actresses stand as an inspiration to Women’s Day that year by featuring every other woman out there. inspiring stories of women from BC’s We hope you enjoy the issue and South Asian community. In 2021 again, continue to support DARPAN the March/April cover story saluted the Magazine.

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2022

CONTENTS

MARCH-APRIL LIFESTYLE 66 DECOR

Bring Summer Home

74 RECIPES

Chef Akanksha Khatri

78 FITNESS 3 Fitness Mistakes To Avoid this Summer

80 BEAUTY Color Refresh

Kerry & Micheal

98 TRAVEL

STEEL 10 READER’S REACTION 12 DARPAN’S 10 Kevin Falcon: Leader of BC Liberal Party

Haldi-Mehendi Collection by Punit Balana

94 WEDDING

WOMEN of

IN EVERY ISSUE

84 FASHION SPOTLIGHT

Rio Lagartos: A Slice of Mexico

BUSINESS PROFILE 36 Sukhminder Virk: Soul Counsel

70. SALUTES

Apna Ghar Ashram

FEATURES

100

How Much Longer: The case of delays in BC’s healthcare system

Bollywood’s Powergirls

Welcome One and All

110

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JANUARY JANUARY | FEBRUARY | FEBRUARY 2022 2022

Write to us: editor@darpanmagazine.com

or Tag us on social media: @DarpanMagazine & #Darpanmgazine

STORY

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS: MEET THE TOP DEVELOPERS OF

REAL ESTATE

TH IMPORTANCE OF SELF-LOVE

FEATURE:

2022 YEARLY FORECAST What’s in store for you this year?

EXCLUSIVE:

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7 Romantic Destinations

Valentine’s Vacation Travel Ideas

Lots of good and positive articles on relationships

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romantic love but other forms of love too. Happy to see that in the issue. – Michelle Shah

DARPAN 10

Re: Yes Michelle, we completely agree with you. Love comes in various forms and can be celebrated in different ways. Self-love is also very important. Please continue to write to us. – DARPAN

Ver y go d inter vi w of Douglas Por.te He said some impor tan things tha one ne ds to think about.

– Sirish Kochhar Re: Thank you for writing to Darpan Sirish, and for sharing your thoughts with us. Yes, Douglas Porter, the Chief Economist of BMO Financial Group, provided a lot of information and advice on various topics relating to our economy. – DARPAN

ROMANTIC TRAVEL Loved the article on romantic getaways along with the note on covid-related regulations. I am so looking forward to traveling again.– Esha S

Re: Esha, thank you for writing to DARPAN. Glad to know you loved the travel feature. Yes, travel is definitely on the minds of many travel-lovers this year. But having a safe travel experience is important, and we are happy to provide information that can help with it. Safe travels always! – DARPAN

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HOROSCOPE Love reading the horoscope in your magazine! Was looking forward to the yearly horoscope, and it seems like it will be a good year for me. – Loveleen K

Re: Hello Loveleen, happy to know you are enjoying reading our horoscope section. DARPAN wishes you a happy and successful 2022. Keep writing to us always!– DARPAN

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1 What does being elected as leader of the BC Liberal Party mean to you?

I’m absolutely thrilled that we had such a strong field of candidates running for the BC Liberal Leadership and it is incredibly humbling to receive such a strong mandate, with almost half of all members voting for me on the first ballot and nearly 75 per cent voting for me in their top three choices. I’m inheriting a great team of MLAs from throughout the province who are ready and willing to keep holding John Horgan and the NDP government to account.

We’re continuing to press John Horgan and the NDP on their broken promise from 2017 to implement a $400 renters’ rebate that has been nowhere to be seen for five years now. Government has to do more to facilitate the creation of more housing across the entire spectrum, and that includes purpose-built and affordable rentals. 8 What sort of relationship do you see yourself having with the current BC NDP government?

2 As somebody who has roots in the party as former Transportation Minister and former Minister of Health, how do you hope to rebrand the party given its performance in the last election was dismal under former leader Andrew Wilkinson?

In Opposition, it’s your job to hold government accountable for their decisions and failures, as well as to put forward a positive vision for the future of the province. The NDP have failed, over the last five years, to demonstrate they can get big projects done. Cancelling a 10-lane bridge that had a successful bid but $900 million under budget to replace that with a tunnel in 10 years offering the same number of lanes makes no sense. Spending $2 billion to replace a four-lane Pattullo Bridge with another four-lane bridge makes no sense. I will stop these bad government decisions and get big projects built once again. 3 Which areas of work will you be focusing

on?

Throughout my campaign, and since becoming Leader of the BC Liberals, I’ve been out engaging with British Columbians from all across the province and listening to the issues that matter most to them. The NDP has been in power for half a decade now, and the issues I’m hearing from people, in urban and rural communities alike, are problems that have all become worse under the NDP. 2021 was the deadliest year on record for opioid overdoses. It also saw housing prices rise to the highest levels ever, childcare become an even bigger issue for parents, and the overall cost of living skyrocketed. British Columbians deserve leadership and action from their elected representatives. The NDP platitudes and broken promises have to come to an end for more people to finally get ahead in this province. 4 How will your leadership be different from those who have been leaders in the past?

I’m coming into this job and joining a great team of MLAs that have performed very well under the Interim Leadership of MLA Shirley Bond for the past 15 months. My leadership style involves ensuring diversity in both our party and in future BC Liberal candidates.

PHOTO: BC LIBERAL PARTY

5 When it comes to relationship-building

how do you hope to do that with the urban youth, multicultural, and multigenerational voter base?

The only way to expand your voter base is by getting out there, meeting people of all ages and all communities, and talking about the issues that matter most to them. In order to do that, you have to listen and be open to new ideas and new perspectives. A significant part of my leadership campaign was engaging with people who weren’t

MARCH | APRIL 2 022

Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

7 For those who have absolutely no chance at owning a home, what would you do for renters?

KEVIN FALCON LEADER OF

BC LIBERAL PARTY 2021 was the deadliest year on record for opioid overdoses. It also saw housing prices rise to the highest levels ever, childcare become an even bigger issue for parents, and the overall cost of living skyrocketed. British Columbians deserve leadership and action from their elected representatives.” members of the BC Liberals. You must have the type of conversations and forge the connections and relationships that make people want to get involved in politics. You have to not only prove you have the right ideas to get things done, but that you have the capability to get elected and get those things done on their behalf. 6 With the dream of home ownership being

chased away further and further from young people, what are your plans on affordability? No matter where you go, housing affordability is one of the top issues throughout the province. The NDP campaigned on making B.C. more affordable back in 2017 and yet they’ve introduced a slew of new taxes and home prices have hit the highest levels ever. It now takes 36 years for the average person to save up for a home in Vancouver. We need a government that is serious about facilitating the creation of housing supply in communities across British Columbia. That means requiring municipalities get projects approved and under construction on a timely basis while creating opportunities for greater density where it makes sense.

DARPAN

When I became Leader of the BC Liberals, I was clear that I would be relentless in highlighting the areas where the NDP government needs to do better, but that I would also celebrate the good things they do. Politicians who find themselves in Opposition and resort to constant negativity are part of the reason why many people are turned off by politics. For the sake of our democracy, you have to recognize the good things government does, no matter who is in power. I was pleased to welcome the government’s recent announcement that it has secured a new location and funding for the Chinese Canadian Museum. And the reason I push the NDP hard on delivering their broken promise of $10 per-day childcare is because I believe that policy is a good idea that will make a real difference. It may be a rarity when the NDP actually gets something done that benefits people, but when it happens you can expect me to recognize it. 9 Premier John Horgan has been consistently rated among the best Premiers in Canada. So what will be your strategy to defeat him in the next Provincial Election? Do you feel that the timing is right for you to take on this challenge?

John Horgan has rightfully been recognized for his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while there have certainly been issues with it, including a devastating lack of transparency with the media and the public, I think overall the pandemic response has been good in our province. That’s why British Columbians rank Premier Horgan so highly right now, but as we begin to reach the endemic stage and the serious issues plaguing our province like the affordability crisis and a failing healthcare system become front and centre, people are going to want to see action on those issues, and the NDP’s pre-pandemic track record doesn’t inspire hope for anyone looking for positive change. 10 What is your message to the South Asian community?

I’m looking forward to continuing to engage with the South Asian community throughout my leadership of the BC Liberals and finding ways to continue to foster inclusion and diversity in the membership of this party. The South Asian community has also been an absolute inspiration throughout this pandemic. Whether it was helping keep seniors supported during lockdowns or providing food for those facing tough economic times, the South Asian community stepped up. As a former Surrey MLA, I know just how much the South Asian community and the gurdwaras contribute to our province. That kind of community leadership makes a difference, especially in the tough times that British Columbia has faced in recent years due to the pandemic as well as the flooding just months ago. The South Asian community will see change in our party and our future candidates that reflects the important role the community plays in our province.

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DARPAN

BY PETRINA D’SOUZA

Meet seven South Asian female leaders who are paving the path for the next generation of women to create their own remarkable stories BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

COVER STORY

WOMEN of STEEL I

n 2020, DARPAN Magazine started a project, that has now become a tradition. Witnessing the immense contributions of South Asian women in various fields, DARPAN celebrated International Women’s Day that year by featuring inspiring stories of women from BC’s South Asian community. In 2021 again, the March/April cover story saluted the women in our community for their relentless courage and unyielding voice. This year, we highlight seven women who are using their platform to (1) break barriers within the industry they work in; (2) to give voice to women facing discrimination; (3) and to mentor and uplift young women and girls. These women of steel have shattered the glass ceiling, and are making sure the next generation of women are well-equipped with the tools as well as the power to take charge of their own lives. Meet seven South Asian female leaders who are paving the path for the next generation of women to create their own remarkable stories:

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NEETU GARCHA GLOBAL BC REPORTER/WEEKEND NEWS HOUR ANCHOR

Be unapologetic and authentic in the way that feels most true to you. Speak up, be loud, take up space, hold your ground and perhaps most importantly, know your worth.”

What does being a woman mean to you?

As I try to answer this question, I reflect on how being a woman, which is what I identify as, is a social and cultural construct and on how that identity relates so much to culture and society’s idea of what it means to be a woman. Strength and resilience are among the first words that come to mind when I think of the women who raised and influenced me the most in my life. At this stage of it, carving out my own path and being true to myself while recognizing the many women whose shoulders I stand on, is what being a woman means to me.

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DARPAN

Brought To You By: TM

COVER STORY

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021?

For me, the biggest achievement I had in 2021 both personally and professionally was probably the inner reflection I did in trying to address personal hurdles and truly understand my worth and acting up on that recognition by unapologetically aligning with my authentic self in new ways including the proper pronunciation of my name.

Were there any challenges or hurdles that you had to face to get to where you are todayespecially as a woman of color? I have experienced sexism, racism, microaggressions and bias in many ways over the course of my life. My response when people ask me where I’m from (Penticton, born and raised) has on numerous occasions been followed up by, ‘no really, where are you from’ or ‘but you look so exotic.’ Once, when I was out reporting, I had someone come up from behind me and grab my buttock while saying I’m welcoming people to come up and touch me in that way because of how tight my pants were. It was a significantly older woman who did this. I’ve also had men yell derogatory comments at me numerous times while I’m out in the field. This list could go on and sadly these challenges and hurdles are familiar to many but I’m proud to be in a position of influence and am indebted to the many women who swung and held open the door for future generations of women, including me.

What inspires you to do better each day?

My privilege, especially as a settler on Indigenous land. I recognize that through a stroke of incredible luck, I was born in Canada, to a loving family, with an able body and live a life full of privileges so many people around me and across the globe don’t have. My privilege motivates me to use my skills and passion to try and help make life better for others by telling important stories, helping to advance reconciliation, shedding light on injustices and holding powerful people to account.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path?

MANDEEP BAINS

Teja Foods, Proud Sponsor of the 2022 Women’s Special Issue

eja Foods is proud to sponsor Darpan Magazine’s spring issue as we celebrate the extraordinary South Asian women in our community. The tremendous achievements of women in our community symbolize the advancements towards greater gender equality and inclusion. Internationally, we endorse impassioned movements that have swept across the world. At home, in our South Asian community, we continue to support the empowerment of women – our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. Our proud South Asian heritage is rooted in the essence of the modern woman, as we commemorate her strength, courage and resilience. Gurdial Singh Teja launched Teja Foods in 1955, a time when our small but close-knit community longed for the comforts of the homes they left behind. He embarked on a journey of service to our South Asian Community during a time when high-quality South Asian products were not readily accessible. The foundation of our company was built to overcome these barriers in the Canadian market, allowing our community to embrace our cultural heritage and traditions. Our beloved historic brand, the portrait of an Indian woman, is recognized across Canada as a symbol of our strong culture and commitment to excellence. As we unveil our new branding, we sought to capture the essence of our values and our own history but also found inspiration in our modern community. We chose the portrait of an Indian woman who exudes empowerment but also celebrates tradition as a source of strength and pride. Braham Teja and Mandeep Bains are currently leading our company into the next generation while continuing to recognize the importance of heritage, culture and history. Teja Foods is committed to supporting the community and celebrating the empowerment of women and girls as they become leaders in economic, social and political life. As a household brand, we are continuing to honour this vision. As we applaud the extraordinary women who are leading the transformation of our community, together we also celebrate the inspirational women who empower, inspire and advocate in our daily lives. From our household to yours,

The Teja Foods Family

Be unapologetic and authentic in the way that feels most true to you. Speak up, be loud, take up space, hold your ground and perhaps most importantly, know your worth. TM

BRAHAM TEJA

DARPAN

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Brought To You By: TM

What does being a woman mean to you?

To me, being a woman means advocating for yourself and others and giving to yourself as generously as you give of yourself to others. As a woman, I often left my individual priorities behind and as time progresses and with more life experience I understand better why it is so important to put yourself first at times. It is also about defining what being a woman is to yourself and not letting others define it for you. I also view being a woman as being an ally and a mentor to others all the while working to uplift others.

As a woman, I often left my individual priorities behind and as time progresses and with more life experience I understand better why it is so important to put yourself first at times.”

A milestone that defines your journey?

As the Regional Vice President, Business Financial Services I am the first South Asian and first female in BC to become a boarded executive at RBC in Business Financial Services. I charged myself to always be an advocate for diversity and inclusion and the BC Commercial Banking team achieved gender balance in senior leadership for the first time. As a mother of two girls this was a proud moment.

DEVINDER K. GILL

Were there any challenges or hurdles that you had to face to get to where you are todayespecially as a woman of color? We have made progress and I see so many women and women of colour at the table and it makes me proud (and yet we have so much more progress to make). However, this was not always the case and hence having a spot and voice at the table was not easy.

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, BRITISH COLUMBIA

COVER STORY There were also less women and women of colour to turn to for support; uplift you; or share experiences with and this is one of the reasons mentorship and sponsorship both formal and informal is important and vital to me. TM

The Most Trusted SouthAsian Brand Since 1955

NEW

What are you working on right now and in 2022?

This year will be about the new normal and so as we open up, getting back out to see our clients and being back out in the community will be core to the year. I volunteer my time on various boards and as a life-long learner I am currently enrolled in the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP). I am always keen to share my knowledge and stories and look forward to opportunities to present, moderate, and be on various panels in person through community associations. I will also remain actively involved in supporting and championing others at RBC through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Professionally, I want to continue the work of my key role as an integrator and connector; I thrive on bringing business owners and community leaders together in formal and informal settings so they can work with each other; learn from each other; share best practices; and be the benefactors of relevant and meaningful advice for their business, employees, and for themselves personally as business owners.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path?

I am a firm believer of education as it was not an easy path for me to have support for postsecondary education and so I see education as a privilege and an opportunity to open the doors for yourself. I also believe leadership has to be earned and is a journey. I have always taken on new challenges knowing I have a steep learning curve and this has allowed me to challenge myself and work with humility as it allows you to not be afraid to ask for, receive, and implement feedback. Finally, I encourage women to always look for the next young woman/man who they can mentor, coach, and support – it is never too early to take on the role of a mentor.

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For myself being a woman resonates with me as care, compassion, nurturing but it also means empowerment that you can do anything that you set your mind to.”

What does being a woman mean to you?

For myself being a woman resonates with me as care, compassion, nurturing but it also means empowerment that you can do anything that you set your mind to and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise or try to stop you from achieving your goals and dreams.

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021? Circumstances I was not involved in, landed me in one of my biggest achievements in 2021, becoming the President of the BC Nurses Union. I would have to say that this is my personal and career high professional achievement representing 48,000 members.

AMAN GREWAL REGISTERED NURSE AND PRESIDENT

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OF THE BC NURSES UNION

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COVER STORY

What are you working on right now and in 2022?

We have entered 2022 with many leadership changes in our organization and now have built a leadership team that will work towards achieving a new collective agreement when our contract expires March 31, 2022. I will be busy with the bargaining team while still bringing the concerns and issues of nurses forward to the forefront.

Who inspires you to do better each day?

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My mom inspires me to do better, and I strive to be like her. My mother has been such a self-less woman whom I have been amazed by my entire life. My mother and father came to Canada in 1965 to care for my maternal grandfather who became quadriplegic following an accident while he was walking on a street in Abbotsford. While my father worked to provide for the family, my mother was the one who made the house a home and not only took care of her father, young children, cooking and cleaning for other members of the extended family and their relatives that my parents accepted into their home to afford them the opportunity to succeed in their new-found country and purchase homes and bring their families to Canada. Throughout her entire life my mom has always looked for opportunities in all that she faces and has shared that with us including a passion for knowledge, travel, and being compassionate.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path?

Follow your dreams and wishes, the nursing profession affords you countless opportunities to provide care, educate and lead. Become a part of the team and choose the career direction you want to go in. What is your passion, working with the elderly or babies and children or are you in the need for some adrenaline pumping work in the Emergency department or intensive care unit? You could become a clinician, mentor or educate in the post-secondary institutions. There is community, rural, public and home health and primary care settings where you can practise. I encourage you to reach out and learn how you can join this noble and respected profession.

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What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a Punjabi woman in my generation meant fighting to be allowed to pursue every opportunity and balancing every other commitment along with running a household and raising children. This requires strength and resilience; it means you need to be organized, efficient and flexible and be able to navigate anything that comes your way. It also includes paving a better way forward for the next generation of women and men.

Glass ceilings are there to be broken. I believe in our next generation’s ability to shatter them. Reaching out and find mentors to help you chart your path and achieve your unique goals. You can do it!”

What has been your biggest achievement in 2020, personally and professionally? In 2021, I was honoured and privileged to receive the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and the YWCA Community Champion award. It was also humbling to receive the BC Achievement Community award and be inducted as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Nursing. Being recognized in this way allows a greater profile for NEVR that will help us advance our mission to eliminate violence in relationships. Personally, I have worked to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits throughout the pandemic and have learned to take the time to slow down and practice yoga daily as well as adapt to online classes, meetings and events.

DR. BALBIR GURM

RN, BSN, MA, EDD (LEADERSHIP & POLICY), FCAN

NURSING FACULTY, & CEO NEVR 26

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COVER STORY

Were there any challenges or hurdles that you had to face to get to where you are todayespecially as a woman of color? When I was completing high school, it was still the norm in the South Asian community for women to have their marriages arranged following high school graduation. I had to persuade my extended family to even be allowed to go to university. In the working world, I have experienced systemic racism. I often encounter people asking me overlysimplified and ignorant questions about the “opinion of the South Asian community.” Our community is not a monolith and one individual cannot speak for all of us. I have had to speak out against stereotyping my entire career.

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What are you working on right now and in 2022?

I am continuing my day job of teaching our next generation of nurses. As well, I am currently on several national and provincial projects aiming to reduce violence in relationships. Also, I am part of a team overseeing the South Asian Canadian Legacy project to document the history of South Asians in Canada with hopes that it leads to greater understanding and decreased racism. Through NEVR, I am facilitating the development of toolkits and implementation of community training that will aid community members in recognizing the signs of violence and safely supporting someone in an abusive relationship.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path? Glass ceilings are there to be broken. I believe in our next generation’s ability to shatter them. Reach out and find mentors to help you chart your path and achieve your unique goals. You can do it!

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What does being a woman mean to you?

To me, being a woman means to lead with authenticity, resilience and empathy in our communities, our workplace and at home. To authentically share our stories of struggle and strength, making ourselves available as role models in resilience for younger women, and being empathetic leaders in every aspect of our lives.

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021?

Professionally: During the pandemic, my focus was to lead and work with my team through and beyond the crisis, rapidly transitioning without business disruption, with a constant eye towards resilience and stability. Through this approach and the team’s efforts, the Foundation was able to reach outstanding results, enabling us to raise funds to support the frontline workers, providing them the equipment needed to serve the community. As I look back on 2021, I feel great pride from the impactful work I have done to serve the community, while continuing to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in my leadership role and bringing technological advancement to the Foundation. Personally: I was blessed with 2021 being a year of recognition and awards. I was very humbled to share the WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award with my daughter. Making Canadian history as the first mother-daughter duo to receive this award in the same year was a profound moment in my life. My son also received the BC Government Medal of Good Citizenship during the year for his volunteer efforts to 3D print Covid-19 mitigation devices in the community. Watching both my children standing in the spotlight and building legacies of their own fills me with a sense of pride I have never felt before.

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Take the time to identify your Core Strengths and have enough confidence in those strengths to utilize them in every part of your life. This is where your true power lies.”

AZRA HUSSAIN CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO), SURREY HOSPITALS FOUNDATION

COVER STORY

A milestone that defines your journey?

Starting life over is something I had to become proficient at. My past experiences set the stage for me to learn the “How” - life can change moment to moment and that’s what created my “Why” - I do what I do. Immigrating to Canada and starting life over yet one more time, experiencing a new country, new culture and new criticisms, I put to the test a belief system that had served me well in life. I had this philosophy - win or lose has no bearing on whether you try your hardest or not. That belief has given me a life of pursuing professional designations, achieving them, and continued professional growth, while also building my network and raising my family in Surrey over the past 22 years.

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What are you working on right now and in 2022?

The pandemic opened a new lens in the way we view fundraising, as well as a new demography to the Foundation. To succeed in this new landscape, it is important to continually fine tune the strategies and operations needed to move forward as an organization; that is my focus. Continuing to serve the community by being that important conduit and doing impactful work is at the forefront of all my work. Outside of work, I am committed to continuing my volunteering efforts. I am very excited this year to volunteer as a faculty member for the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy’s Madison Institute teaching Fundraising Management to CXOs.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path?

To be “Confident in your Competence”. What I mean by this is, having the confidence to know you have the ability to do something really well. You have skills to contribute to the world, abilities and traits where you excel. We all have something we are really good at, something as unique as our own fingerprint, to contribute to the world. These are our Core Strengths. Take the time to identify your Core Strengths and have enough confidence in those strengths to utilize them in every part of your life. This is where your true power lies.

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JAGANDEEP (JAG) NAGRA VISUAL ARTIST

Being a woman isn’t easy. I always very much felt like an outsider…and still do to this day in many ways. To me, being a woman means strength and resiliency. And like we tell our daughter: we can do anything.”

What does being a woman mean to you?

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021?

My biggest achievement in 2021 was that I got to create artwork for the Vancouver Canucks on two occasions, most recently for their Diwali celebration game where the players wore warmup jerseys featuring my art. Being able to represent our community and our culture on such a huge stage was incredible and the outpouring of love and support I received from so many people left me speechless.

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COVER STORY Representation is so important to me. Often we’re underrepresented in the arts. If I can give one brown queer person out there hope…if they can see themselves in me and if it gives them one ounce of hope, I’m happy.

A milestone that defines your journey?

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I think ever since I began volunteering with the Punjabi Market Collective (a non-profit founded in 2020 to revitalize Vancouver’s historic Punjabi Market), my career and life began to change. I began to identify with my culture for the first time in a meaningful way and that directly impacted the kind of art I make. I began to find my voice, what I stand for, and who I am through this work.

Were there any challenges or hurdles that you had to face to get to where you are todayespecially as a woman of color? Not only am I a woman of colour but I’m also a queer woman of colour. Those are three intersections that haven’t always made life easy. At different times in my life, I’ve fought with each of those identities trying to figure out where I belong, but ultimately I’ve come to a point where I’m happy with who I am and have finally found my voice. The fact that I can live openly and not have to hide the fact that I have a wife (who I’ve been with for 10 years) or that we have two children together is something that I never imagined. I don’t take it for granted for a second.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path?

Go easy on yourself. From a young age, we’re bombarded with messages about who we’re supposed to be. And I want to remind people that they’re exactly who they’re supposed to be. Often in our culture, we’re not encouraged to follow our passions or to speak up for ourselves. But we can and we should.

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Make sure that you wake up every morning having a daily goal. The success of these will bring about the result of your long-term goal being fulfilled. his approach will lead to a woman’s success in whatever it may be she is aspiring to achieve.”

DEVINA ZALESKY PRESIDENT, ALLWEST INSURANCE SERVICES LTD. 32

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COVER STORY

What does being a woman mean to you?

It means being confident in your identity, recognizing and supporting all people in your personal, professional, and philanthropic life.

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021?

My personal achievement in 2021 was, most importantly, being reconfirmed as cancer-free and keeping my family healthy and safe. Professionally, after continuously growing Allwest Insurance for the past 35 years, having it partner with Navacord Corporation, one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing insurance agencies, and witnessing what this new partnership will bring to Allwest’s employees and customers.

A milestone that defines your journey?

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

While being married and raising my family, my life milestone was buying Allwest Insurance in 1993, where I had been an employee for 10 years. Then organically growing the company from 20 employees to nearly 400 this past year. It was by this, I was able to do whatever I could, whenever I could to help and support women looking for a life-changing career.

Were there any challenges or hurdles that you had to face to get to where you are todayespecially as a woman of color? I started working at a young age picking blueberries, then cleaning offices and in high school got up at 4:00 am to open and work in a restaurant. These jobs gave me grounding in the obstacles I would face when I started my career. I was 18, a woman and an Indian. It was a challenge on all three fronts as insurance was a white,

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older, and male-dominated industry. I continually had to prove that I could deliver at the highest level of what was expected.

What are you working on right now and in 2022?

Besides the other business ventures of the last five years in residential and commercial real estate, I am looking forward to establishing a Family Foundation to continue the work of aiding those in need, particularly Indian women.

What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path? Make sure that you wake up every morning having a daily goal. The success of these will bring about the result of your longterm goal being fulfilled. This approach will lead to a woman’s success in whatever it may be she is aspiring to achieve.

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BUSINESS PROFILE

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VIRK SERVICE WITH A SOUL A

good lawyer must be a great problemsolver, encapsulating the ability to deeply connect with others and build longstanding connections that go beyond just a transactional relationship. Propelled by such a desire to help people solve their problems and advocate for others, Soul Counsel’s Founder, Sukhminder Virk, stepped foot into the field of Law after having completed his LLB program at Kingston University, London, England. Upon completion of his studies, Virk ventured off to gain work experience in the realms of succession planning. Interestingly, his work led him to discovering a gap between clients’ truth and the work that lawyers do, as he observed that the underlying drivers often were purely transactional. Virk elaborates, “If a client needs a will, lawyers aren’t always asking questions like what the person’s legacy is. Lawyers need to understand that a strong counsel doesn’t just help leave legacies, but also helps build legacies. No matter what the situation, counsels need to create a space for conversations because, at the end of the day, there are consequences for families.” Wanting to build an organization rooted in truth and built on a basis of peaceful legacy, Soul Counsel was born. Throughout his experiences, Virk has acknowledged that it is definitely tough trying to get to the roots of legal issues. Solutions aren’t always simple and the issues themselves may be emotional and complex, but that’s where Soul Counsel comes in. For Virk and his team, building confidence and resolving conflicts in families is of the utmost importance.

To attain a sense of resolution, there is a need to be proactive, and develop long-term relationships with clients so we can help see their legacy through”

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PHOTO: StudioLV.ca

By addressing conflicts within families, two pillars, then all is great, but that is not Virk sits on the Board of Moving Forward Virk believes that litigation and the court always the case. In such situations, Virk Family Services Society, a charity focused on system can be avoided, saving resources as takes an analytical approach, “Within the supporting mental health. He is also a regular well as relationships. company, we dive in and map out who the speaker on a wide range of topics including As a lawyer and mediator, Virk players and stakeholders are. We work with Estate Planning, Corporate Succession, and unquestionably holds relationship-building professional management teams and develop Diversity & Inclusion. at the epicenter of his work, running a succession. Handing off a business may With a multitude of professional and practice that emphasizes working with not always be the ideal course of action; it personal adventures, Virk has had an enriching family enterprises. When it comes to dealing may be in all parties’ best interest that the career thus far. Being able to facilitate with familial cases, he approaches situations business gets sold, and perhaps managers buy conversations across generations and resolve by separating the emotions from the issues. it out, or private equity comes into play. All conflict has been most rewarding to him. The He makes an effort to dive deep into the these pieces require different strategies.” path has not been an easy one, though. For drivers of the problem, understanding true Of course, the implementation of those wanting to pursue the field of law, Virk needs and identifying issues to ensure that such strategies and their execution comes shares some words of wisdom, “If you want they get resolved. “With families, it’s really with fragile balance, and a high level of to enter any professional space, including law, about the ‘why’ - and that can be difficult to responsibility. As such, Soul Counsel takes it needs to be your life for a number of years, talk about. That said, deeper conversations care of all the searching and finalizing for especially in the beginning. Once you’re in it, need to be had so that we can achieve a clients, guiding them through different make law your top priority. You may have to point of true peace for all family members, professionals. The organization is committed say no to a lot of extra curricular activities and versus burying the root cause and having it to ensure that every client’s truth is heard instead devote time to mastering your craft. surface later again in life. To attain a sense and that families are able to walk away with Go for great mentorship over anything. In of resolution, there is a need to be proactive, their true wishes. Because soul counsel is not the starting stages, effective mentorship can and develop long-term relationships with primarily a law farm, they can generally work really help make your career. Choose a good clients so we can help see their legacy with anyone. This means that the team shops mentor to work with and learn from.” Virk through”, explains Virk. around and handpicks the best professionals further stresses the inclusion of mental health Touching on proactiveness, Virk also suited to each particular client. and a stable personal care routine. Giving adds the importance of estate planning as a Outside of Soul Counsel, Virk is active in his own example, the loving father notes his subject of significance, rather than a mere the community and volunteers with various commitment to spending quality time with afterthought as it may be for many. He not-for-profit organizations. He has served his two young sons. Additionally, he benefits shines light on the ultimate and inevitable as Chair of the Board of Governors of the from accommodating consistent exercise and truth of death, while highlighting that Justice Institute of BC, Director for the weaving meditation into his self-care regime. Excellence Love Planning Council, Service and Communication Truth time. it could happen at an unexpected Fraser Valley Estate Undoubtedly, Chardikala Virk’s meticulousDisruption thought When it comes to his clients, Virk handles Director of the South Asian Bar Association process and work ethics extend into all facets the sensitive topic of estate planning with of BC. Reflecting on his time with the Justice of his life, including his business partnerships. care and clarity, encouraging his clients to Institute of BC, Virk recalls having framed Part of what he is building at Soul Counsel look at the bigger piece. Especially when his discussions around a focus on prevention. involves bringing together professionals in the clients are starting a family, or if they have According to his learnings, conflict and legal space that want to work together for the considerable assets, Virk reminds them trauma understanding can help solve core greater good. Having established a trustworthy that estate planning entails looking out for problems within families and companies, and reliable platform with a proven record someone else, and planning where assets will which can then help society as a whole. Be of success, Virk is a role-model for the legal go in the unknown future. it any structure - professional or personal community as he brings together collaborative Virk’s expertise in legal planning is not conflict resolution has been a key takeaway professionals who are going above and beyond just limited to families. In fact, through for Virk when it comes to solving broader to contribute to families, society, and theDisruption Excellence Love Service Communication Truth Chardikala his corporate practice, he advises both problems. As he simply puts it, “When I’m ultimate goal of world peace. for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. at peace, the world is at peace.” Currently, He has experience in succession planning, corporate governance, complex corporate reorganizations, and business mergers and acquisitions. Just like families, Virk looks at the fundamentals when helping businesses, Stakeholder Ongoing Support Execute Develop Plan Onboarding Discovery asking noteworthy questions like which Welcome Engagement direction the business wants to go, or which direction related family members want to Manitoba Street www.soulcounsel.ca 604-330-7655 secretary@soulcounsel.ca head in. If there is alignment 2288 between the Vancouver, BC V5Y 4B5

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PICS CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

nternational Women’s Day envisions a world free of discrimination and bias, one that’s equitable and inclusive. In marking this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Break the Bias”, we bring to you stories of extraordinary women. Feel inspired by these stories about women who stood up, spoke out, struggled through, and soared.

body is solid steel. Get talking to Saroj and you’ll hear all about a life of adventures. After her husband’s death, she decided to move to Canada with her two sons. She was 43 years old then. “I won’t say it was easy. Moving to a new country in the hope of a better future for your children is quite frightening. And doing it all alone was tough. When we first landed in Quebec, the language, culture, everything seemed foreign. But time passed and we settled in. I started a boutique with my brother-inlaw’s (late husband’s brother) help, expanded and added one more. In the meanwhile, my elder son got married, had children and we all decided to move to Surrey. One of my favorite memory is driving from Quebec to Surrey with my family in our Caravan. We listened to old songs, talked for hours, sometimes stopped at random places, while other times sat in complete silence. We took 10 days to finish this trip. It was quite something”. After having worked all her life, Saroj couldn’t sit idle at home. Her daughter in-law took her to the Indo-Canadian Senior’s Centre in Surrey. That moment changed the course of many lives, all for the better. Earlier, ladies would get together every Tuesday for a couple of hours to recite some religious hymns. Saroj wanted the ladies to have more. She spoke to a few people, and after countless discussions, the ladies decided to meet every Thursday too. Saroj felt that the women were not sharing anything, and in fact were just there for mere tokenism. She started meeting smaller groups, in order to get them to open up and share. A trick that worked – having these talks over hot ‘chai’ and some snacks. “I firmly believe that women are phenomenal. And maybe outspoken and eccentric women like me are needed so that the world hears the voice of those who otherwise would not be heard. These women may not be formally educated, but they have rich experiences, intelligence, and loads of creative ideas but unfortunately, they never got the chance to prove themselves.” Coming to PICS Society’s Guru Nanak Niwas was her own wish. She wanted to go someplace where she could live independently, but in a community setting with others like her. “I like being here and felt attached to this place at the very first

YEARS

BREAK THE BIAS S U R R E Y | VA N C O U V E R “Zindagi Khoobsurat hai, aao Mauj Manaye. Maut be haseen hogi haskar gale lagaye Parmatma kre sbki zindagi Saukhi saukhi nikl jaye”

Saroj Sood S

aroj Sood was one of the first residents of Guru Nanak Niwas, which she proudly calls her home since the last 14 years. She has a teen’s zest for life and a contagiously hearty laugh. Her mind is sharp as razor wire. She is perfectly healthy except for a slight back problem, due to which she uses a walker. She could easily pass for a woman 10 years younger than her age of 91 years.

Her resilience and love for life are a tonic for everyone who crosses her path. From fighting with her father to get an education in 1940’s India; to convincing her father-in-law to let her continue her studies after marriage; to moving to Quebec, Canada with her two kids; to giving senior women a voice in Surrey, Saroj has been a trailblazer all her life. Saroj doesn’t stick to rules defined by society. Somewhere in that frail

PICS Society Assisted Living facility (Guru Nanak Niwas) provides a special combination of residential housing, personalized supportive services and health care maximizing independence of our residents. Seniors Assisted Living Complex and Adult Day Center Unit 100, 7566 – 120A Street Surrey, BC, V3W 1N3 T: 604.596.0052

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time I stepped foot here. My sons were initially resistant to this idea, but I asked them to accept my decision with grace. They relented and helped me move in too.” Saroj set up the first informal social committee that meets every month to discuss concerns, problems, celebrate festivals, birthdays and other social occasions. “It’s very hard for some newcomers. There are many reasons. Our job is to be their friend and make this part of their life memorable and happy. I remember this one time we were celebrating the birthday of a senior gentleman. He tearfully cut the cake and said ‘Bhenji this is first time I am cutting a cake on my birthday. No one ever did this for me before.’ Everyone had a moist eye that day. We laugh, we cry, we sing songs, we play games, we exercise if possible. But most importantly, we are there for each other. We live by “One for all, and all for one”.

Elena E

lena moved to Canada from Russia. She has five children. “It was pure luck that I saw an Ad for a course supported by PICS Society. I saw the Ad and thought countless times before clicking on it. I felt so unsure. But it may be my resolve to make things better for myself and my children, that made me reach out to PICS. I am so glad I did. Life has taken an interesting turn, and I have a feeling it’s going to be great”. Elena had an abusive past and believed the only way for her to change her story was through education. She was fascinated by this skills training program, and after a lengthy discussion with the program team, she decided to go for the First-Aid and Food Safe training with Pro Safe and Occupational Skills Training from Western Community College.

Shakun Singla

“V

ery pleased, that I chose to go with FCR program at PICS Society. As a recent independent skilled immigrant from a regulated profession, starting a new life in Canada was always a big concern for me, especially with limited financial source. All I knew was my journey won’t be easy! I am a registered architect in my home country and initial stepping stone for finding a job in Canada in a regulated profession was foreign credential recognition. While exploring my other career options in architecture and planning industry to get started, I came across ASTTBC and by the support of my case manager at Work BC, I got in

A specialized team of staff at PICS Society manage the Skills Training for Employment Programs designed for survivors of violence and/or abuse. The team supports clients to address barriers to participation in skills training and employment. Support provided includes; counselling, mentoring, child care, transportation, disability supports, work experience, wage subsidies and equipment. While it’s not at all smooth sailing for Elena and many others in similar situations, she is leaving her past firmly back where it belongs; in the PAST. Elena became a participant of the first cohort of Skills Training for Employment program at PICS Society. To make sure she was well-supported during the program as well as after it, her case manager also connected her with counselors at Moving Forward Family Services. With utter determination, positive attitude and hard work Elena completed her program successfully and is now working as a Medical Office Assistant with River District Medical clinic in Vancouver.

touch with a program advisor from ASTTBC. It just took one meeting to reassure me and give me confidence to apply for my certification. The next, but most critical step for me was figuring out the funds required for the same. So, my case manager introduced me to FCR program at PICS. Rest they say is history. The staff at FCR program took care of everything, right from the micro loan to my application with an expedite approach and in mere 4 weeks, I was able to apply for the long-awaited certification. The program has definitely taken

care of not just the financial burden, but has made the transition in Canada much easier. All I want to do is convey my genuine appreciation and gratitude to these advisors and staff of FCR Program. I can assure my program sponsors and coordinators that they have made a rightful investment. Thank you for seeing in me, a certified architectural technologist in no time, who is ready to give back to community through her skills and support. I would definitely recommend every new immigrant to BC, to check out the FCR program.”

Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Loans Program is for Internationally Trained Professionals who want to get back into their professional field or alternative related career. The FCR loans program offers multiple loan amounts up to $15,000, depending on the process, to cover the cost of credentialing along with a flexible repayment schedule.

our healthcare setup, getting my children admitted in a good school”. Kawther’s daughters go to Fleetwood High School and the youngest attends daycare. Kawther, is working as a receptionist in HR block. She is very hopeful about the future and feels that her daughters will do very well in Canada.

Kawther Ejmal

awther Eljmal is starting off this year with a full heart. With her husband and four daughters by her side, she is settling in beautifully in Surrey, Canada. Kawther and her family lived in Qatar before coming to Canada. Her husband had a work permit, but as soon as his work permit ended, they had to make a hard choice- go back to their home country – Palestine or emigrate to Canada. Because it was

extremely unsafe for them and their daughters in Palestine, they moved to Canada as refugees. “I was very unsure about getting a job myself. I wanted to help my husband, but didn’t know how. I didn’t have the right qualifications, experience and felt very unsure about where to start from. Someone mentioned PICS and their Settlement Programs for Refugees. I got in touch with them, spoke to a lovely lady – Eva, who became my friend, my mentor and confidante in this new country. Eva guided us all the way. She helped me figure out a career path, helped with certifications and networking. She helped me practice my English, assisted us with getting

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PICS has been providing free services under the Settlement and Integration Program since 2002. Over this time, we have acquired an expertise in dealing with settlement and integration issues and engaging with the community through funding by federal government and the province of BC. Our settlement team has over 60 years of combined experience in the field and we pride ourselves in being able to serve clients in English, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Dari, Farsi, Arabic and Pashto.

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HOW MUCH

LONGER?

The case of delays in BC’s healthcare system By Naina Grewal

On the acute care side, since each wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has been bigger than the previous one, waitlists for surgical, screening, testing, and other procedures have gotten even longer.

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anada’s publicly-funded universal health care is often regarded as one of the most important and appreciated accomplishments of the nation. However, every coin comes with two sides, and recently, the province of BC, specifically, has been under scrutiny for continued delays in the healthcare system. Given that multiple incidents, including cancer treatment and screening delays, are being reported, the issue is a pressing one. While the Ministry of Health points out that urgent and emergent scheduled surgeries are able to proceed, non-urgent scheduled surgeries have been postponed, most recently as of December 21, 2021, when Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, and Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry made this announcement. In terms of steps being taken to resolve the issue, the Ministry TM

We added time in the public system for surgery, we added hours at the beginning or the end of days, we added weekends to surgery slates in order to address both those backlogs and to reduce surgical wait times in certain areas.” - Hon. Adrian Dix BC Minister of Health

of Health asserts that surgical renewal efforts have been consistent and deliberate. Between March 16, 2020 and January 29, 2022, the province has completed 578,327 scheduled and non-scheduled surgeries. In a single week (January 23-29, 2022, for example), 6,028 surgeries were completed. This is compared to 837 postponements for the same period. In fact, data shows that only 320 non-urgent scheduled surgeries were postponed between February 6, 2022 and February 12, 2022. Earlier in the pandemic, the Ministry of Health did make a surgical renewal commitment to patients to get them their postponed surgeries, to get more surgeries to more patients faster, and to change the way we deliver surgeries in BC. From the Ministry of Health’s office, Krystal Thomson, Manager of Government Communications and Public Engagement details, “Since making that commitment,

we have delivered surgeries to 99.7% of the patients whose surgeries were postponed from March to May in 2020, and who wished to still proceed with surgery. We have also delivered surgeries to 93.7% of the 3,321 patients whose surgeries were postponed between October 2020 and January 2021, and from March 2021 to June 2021, and who wished to still proceed with surgery. In terms of screening delays, our medical imaging delays are actually down January 2021/2022 compared to January 2019/2020. It should also be noted that most cancer surgeries would be considered urgent or emergent and therefore have not been postponed.” That said, due to rising COVID-19 cases, surgeries have had to be postponed once again in the winter season. However, those patients remain part of the Ministry of Health’s Surgical

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deliver surgeries in BC. Renewal Commitment. The current frame of reference is undoubtedly an example of a time period where there has been increased pressure from COVID-19 on the health-care system. Because of the general efforts to push back against COVID-19, health authorities have been able to again start booking and completing surgeries that were postponed, where it’s safe to do so. “We added time in the public system for surgery, we added hours at the beginning or the end of days, we added weekends to surgery slates in order to address both those backlogs and to reduce surgical wait times in certain areas,” says Minister Adrian Dix. Surely, this is the result of the hard work and dedication of BC’s many health-care workers, who are working tirelessly to ensure quality health-care is still available despite immense challenges due to COVID-19.

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The average family physician is working between sixty to eighty hours a week. Given the pandemic and increased strain on the healthcare system, if you give them even more work, it physically becomes extremely difficult to fit all that in. Then, you have to keep prioritizing access. Depending on the workload, you deal with whoever is sickest.” – Dr. Baldev Sanghera, Family Physician However, although the province may be on track to make its recovery for health care delays, the issue is really a deep-rooted one, existing well before the pandemic and one that will remain after the pandemic too. Speaking from his experiences and viewpoints as an individual Family Physician practicing in the City of Burnaby, Dr. Baldev Sanghera shares that the problem may seem to be complex, but can be broken down for smoother understanding. While the pandemic has taken the major focus of the healthcare arena and has been using most of its resources, the system was already running beyond 100% pre-

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pandemic. While normal businesses may have responded to pandemic-related challenges by simply hiring more staff, the health care system was already maxed out and could not respond by just adding more resources than it could safely handle. Therefore, the solution was to move staff around, which meant putting off elective surgeries. While delaying elective surgeries may have resulted in prolonged suffering, the impact is not fatal, whereas necessary surgeries cannot be postponed as one would otherwise face death or irreparable harm. Thomson elaborates, “The reason for significant

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healthcare capacity issues at the moment is increased COVID-19 hospitalizations. Because we are having to manage resources with the rise of COVID-19 patients, this means other less urgent items are being affected. The greatest example of this is the postponement of non-urgent scheduled surgeries, to allow for emergent and urgent surgeries to proceed.” On the acute care side, since each wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has been bigger than the previous one, waitlists for surgical, screening, testing, and other procedures have gotten even longer. Not only has the sheer number of COVID-19 patients requiring care increased, but nurse and doctor availability is also at capacity. Moreover, tests have had to be delayed until the risk of transmission is gone from resources utilized by COVID-19 patients. On another front, post-surgery recovery beds are also required after a surgery has taken place. If ICU beds are filled with COVID-19 patients, then elective surgeries have to be avoided as post-surgery beds are simply not available. Evidently, given that there is a shortage of staff and resources, building more buildings isn’t the resolution, as one may otherwise resort to thinking. From a community perspective, Dr. Sanghera reveals that family physicians have always been overwhelmed and working more than they should. He further details, “The average family physician is working between sixty to eighty hours a week.

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Given the pandemic and increased strain on the healthcare system, if you give them even more work, it physically becomes extremely difficult to fit all that in. Then, you have to keep prioritizing access. Depending on the workload, you deal with whoever is sickest.” Dr. Sanghera says that while in large offices like his, delegations and team work is possible because there is enough staff, it can be extremely difficult for smaller, community clinics to pivot through the increased demand. He points out that the truth is that we just don’t have enough family physicians. Why are family physicians so important? Well, family physicians develop longitudinal relationships with patients, coordinating general and acute need care for a group of patients that are attached to that specific practitioner. When you’re attached to a family physician, they truly understand your health care needs inside out. Consequently, this enables the prevention of health problems through proactive care. When you’ve got an attached family physician, then your health, in general, will be much better. Aside from guiding people with prevention, family doctors also help navigate the healthcare system. A family physician’s job is to help advocate for families. However, unattached practices do not have that advocacy piece. Moreover, when the focus shifts on following guidelines of health authorities where one wrong move can risk the job contract, advocacy can be difficult to uphold.

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In Burnaby, we have lost about eight physicians in the last year, and there isn’t much planning happening to address that. There has been a population boom after World War 2, and all those baby boomers are now in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. That population group needs extra care. On the other hand, in the next three to five years, we will see 20% of our physician workforce retire,” says Dr. Baldev Sanghera.

Given these overwhelming subsets of challenges, family physicians in BC have been feeling undervalued and undersupported by the system, with some choosing to quit. Dr. Sanghera outlines, “In Burnaby, we have lost about eight physicians in the last year, and there isn’t much planning happening to address that. There has been a population boom after World War 2, and all those baby boomers are now in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. That population group needs extra care. On the other hand, in the next three to five years, we will see 20% of our physician workforce retire. We will see another massive drop off with boomer physicians retiring, as boomers need more care.” Governmental organizations may counter the argument by stating that the province does have many physicians, but a notable portion of those physicians work for corporations and hospitals, and aren’t true family doctors who are doing the work to keep the general population healthy. Digging deeper, there are an array of factors. Dr. Sanghera brings forth an interesting point about not enough medical students being trained, “We have trained 288 people, but we have retired 400. Every year, we fall further behind.” Of those that are trained, many students choose to become specialists, given that family physicians usually have an unhealthy work-life balance and are comparatively paid less. Arguably, as family physicians tend to be more community-minded, have a nurturing approach, and have the desire to look after people, the group that carries

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Cities can play a role, by starting to do some planning when they are approving building permits. We need to encourage local and civic politicians. If a 50-story building is being established in a neighborhood, maybe there needs to be a request built in for the developer to integrate public services like a doctors’ clinic. We have to explore out-of-the-box thinking.” suggests Dr. Sanghera. the biggest load is currently the least paid. From a monetary viewpoint, family physicians earn less in BC than they do in other parts of Canada like Ontario, on average. Furthermore, with licensing so slow that even immigrant doctors give up during the process, there is a need for quick, robust ways to license qualified physicians. If the key lies in having enough family doctors, professionals who are trained but not working must be recruited and supported. Of course, given that the causes for the overall delays are spread out in so many facets of the system, the responsibility sits with everyone. Besides fair pay, medical students

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going into residency need to have more positions funded in places other than hospitals. Medical programs need to be connected with family doctors; once students get exposed to the compassionate way of delivering care in the community, they will want that satisfaction of seeing the same patient again, rather than being biased to working in hospitals as that has been their only exposure during as residents. Training also needs to extend to the human resources sector, as more x-ray technicians, bloodwork technicians, lab technicians, and nurses are needed, alongside family doctors and specialists. More capacity must be built. As part of the system-wide approach, public pressure should be applied starting with local MLAs and the Ministry of Health. Funding that has otherwise usually gone into unionized places for improvements should be utilized for improving the health of all of society, which may even require creative solutions. Dr. Sanghera suggests, “Cities can play a role, by starting to do some planning when they are approving building permits. We need to encourage local and civic politicians. If a 50-story building is being established in a neighborhood, maybe there needs to be a request built in for the developer to integrate public services like a doctors’ clinic. We have to explore out-ofthe-box thinking.”

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At the patient and individual level, it is obvious that anger will not get people anywhere. Not just at the doctor’s office, but also generally, people will naturally get more support if they are nicer. Dr. Sanghera reminds the general public that doctors are trained professionals who are on your side and who do want to nurture you. It is also vital to note that changemakers are not necessarily those in official or authoritative positions of power, but also citizens who join committees and ensure that they are represented in the best possible way. Even if you are not involved hands-on, you can play your part by taking care of your own health. After all, prevention is cheaper than cure. As Thomson from the Ministry of

Besides fair pay, medical students going into residency need to have more positions funded in places other than hospitals. Medical programs need to be connected with family doctors; once students get exposed to the compassionate way of delivering care in the community, they will want that satisfaction of seeing the same patient again,

Health advises, “Follow public health orders. By getting vaccinated and staying home when you’re not feeling well, you are doing your part to ensure you and those around you don’t get sick and may need hospitalization. If we all follow public health guidelines, which are designed to protect us and our healthcare system, we can each do our part to protect our healthcare system.” Even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, a proactive approach to implementing a healthy lifestyle can result in better choices and better results. The community needs to hold hands with an interconnected approach, where we do hold decision-makers accountable for systemwide decisions, but also take responsibility for our own health.

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BOLLYWOOD’S

POWER GIRLS BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

There are a few bold and gutsy actresses today, who are defying the stereotypes and proving to be more than just props in the Bollywood films.

or years now, Bollywood has been considered a male-dominated industry, consistently using women as ornamental pieces in films. However, one can’t also refute the fact that time and again, in its varied spectrum there always have been a bunch of

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actresses who flouted the gender stereotypes with a flourish and made their mark not just with the powerful depiction of the characters they played on the screen but also with their off-screen lives. With women’s day around the corner, we take a look at some of the more recent stand-out actresses, who not only struck a chord with their audiences but also showed us there is much more they can do than dance around the heroes and play eye-candy. Defying the judgmental glances, which are often thrown at them, these gutsy actresses stand as an inspiration to every other woman out there. Read on…

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The Gehraiyaan actress is the perfect example of what a woman can do simply with sheer determination. Named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018, by Time magazine, Deepika Padukone is one of the highest-paid actresses in India today. She has not only proved her mettle as a versatile actress by essaying stand-out female characters in films like Cocktail, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express, Piku, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, and Chhapaak but has also boldly spoken on the subject of mental health, which is often considered as a taboo topic in India. The pretty actress has come out and spoken about her battle with depression and has even founded a non-profit organization — Live Love Laugh Foundation, which creates awareness about mental health in India. Never to shy away from calling a spade a spade, Deepika has often been vocal about issues such as feminism. She once said in an interview, “New feminism isn’t about being aggressive; it’s about reaching the top yet being soft. It’s about being you – feminine, strong and full of willpower.” What’s more, while most artists from the entertainment industry are known to refrain from making political statements to avoid backlash towards their films, in 2020, despite having a film release in the pipeline (Chhapaak), the gutsy gal threw caution to the wind and attended a protest for students who were brutalised during the 2020 JNU Attack due to their protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Now that’s a bold move which deserves to be noted. What’s more, Deepika is also an entrepreneur and a producer. Well, this diva successfully wears many hats, take a bow girl!

Photo: Deepika Padukone/ Gehrayiyaan, Viral Bhayani

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Deepika Padukone

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Anushka Sharma From playing the quintessential love interest to the hero in her debut film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to nailing the dhobi pachads in Sultan, not to forget her powerful portrayal of the courageous woman who fights back her husband’s killer in NH10, to playing the supportive wife Mamta in Sui Dhaaga: Made in India — Anushka Sharma has definitely added some new dimensions to the stereotypical heroine of Bollywood. Other than being a stellar actress, Anushka is also of the most successful female producers of Bollywood. The actress under her production company — Clean Slate Films has churned out some pathbreaking content like NH10, Pari, Paatal Lok, and Bulbbul. Well, that’s not all, Anushka has also launched her clothing brand- Nush and is also a successful entrepreneur and an animal activist. I was rejected many times. I cried. I was told that female

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas Be it in front of the camera or behind it, our desi girl aka Priyanka Chopra Jonas is certainly a force to reckon with. She has not only changed the perception of the heroine in Bollywood with her films like Barfi, Mary Kom, Bajirao Mastani but has also shown to the industry that a Bollywood heroine can also carve a niche for herself in Hollywood. Speaking in an interview, the actress once said, “I was rejected many times. I cried. I was told that female actors are replaceable in films because they just stand behind a guy anyway. We’re told we’re too provocative or that being sexy is our strength, which it can be, and it is, but that’s not the only thing we have. So, there are so many things that you will be told. It’ll be scary. There will be strife. But women have incredible endurance and incredible strength. Your ability to deal with it is within you.” With her bold attitude and go-getting spirit, Priyanka today is one of the highest-paid Indian actresses. She is considered to be one of the most influential actresses today and is listed by Forbes among the World’s

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actors are replaceable in films because they just stand behind a guy anyway. We’re told we’re too provocative or that being sexy is our strength, which it can be, and it is, but that’s not the only thing we have. So, there are so many things that you will be told. It’ll be scary. There will be strife. But women have incredible endurance and incredible strength. Your ability to deal with it is within you.”

- Priyanka Chopra Jonas 100 Most Powerful Women. Apart from her career, Peecee, as her fans call her, has also challenged the conventional norms several times. Be it marrying somewhere younger than her, or becoming a mother through surrogacy — Priyanka Chopra believes in living life on her terms. That apart, this global sensation also spearheads a production house – Purple Pebble Pictures and has also launched her autobiography — Unfinished. More power to you girl, you simply rock! TM

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Interestingly, Vidya’s gutsy attitude is not just restricted to her films. Be it her sartorial choices or film promotional strategies or taking a stand for something she firmly believes in, Vidya has time and again, audaciously broken the norms. Truly, this Balan babe is one of the gutsiest actresses B-town has seen in recent times.

Alia Bhatt

Photos Courtesy of Alia Bhatt, Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan Bollywood undoubtedly is blessed with a ton of beautiful and talented actresses, however, there is none like Vidya Balan. What sets her apart from the rest, is not just her exceptionally brilliant acting chops. Behind that effervescent smile and pretty face is a woman who stands out for her grit and is scripting her own success story. Vidya has boldly defied the pressure to fit in the archetypical heroine mould of the film industry and has made a place for herself as one of the most versatile actresses of Bollywood, who has never been afraid to make unconventional choices. When most actresses were happy in their snug space, playing second fiddle to the heroes most of the time, Vidya came in like a breath of fresh air and created history right before our eyes by her choice of roles and stellar performances. And this certainly is no small feat, especially in an industry, which, whether you like it or not, is essentially male-driven. In times when women-centric films were almost off the marque, Vidya took the risk and daringly chose characters and films where women were not looking like typical caricatures woven straight out of male-dominated minds. Be it playing the strongminded and beautiful Lolita in her debut Bollywood film Parineeta, to playing Amitabh Bachchan’s mother in Paa, to effortlessly portraying the shrewd and manipulating Krishna in Ishqiya, and of course, her bold move to play Silk in The Dirty Picture is another

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commendable story altogether. Not to forget her powerful portrayal of Vidya Bagchi and Vidya Sinha in the Kahaani series and the admirable homemaker Sulu, who is determined to be a businesswoman in Tumhari Sulu – all her characters celebrated the varied hues of womanhood with aplomb. Not only did Vidya give her women peers a chance to hope for more, but she also showed them a path with her success. Vidya is also the first female actor to experiment with different promotional strategies. One can never forget how she grabbed the media and public attention by wearing a fake baby bump throughout the promotional activities for her film Kahaani.

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If there is one word to describe this petite feisty actress, it is unstoppable. She may have started as a typical heroine in a big production flick like — Student Of The Year, but it was impossible to keep this Shaandaar girl trapped in the cliché mould for too long. Often accused of having it all easy because of her filmi roots, Ali Bhatt has been subjected to unnecessary criticism and trolling, but the go-getter never let any of her naysayers crush her spirit. Instead, she boldly treaded the path less taken and did substantial, characterdriven roles in unconventional films. Be it Highway, Dear Zindagi, Raazi, Gully Boy or the recently released Gangubai Kathiawadi, Alia has never shied away from experimenting and has delivered hard-hitting performances that made her heroes look like the second lead. She is not only redefining the mainstream heroine but is also stealing her co-stars’ thunder. Apart from her film career, she has also been vocal about social issues and has participated to spread awareness in issues that are easily neglected. She took part in a campaign for PETA to raise awareness on homeless animals in the year 2013. In 2017, she launched an ecological initiative named CoExist to raise awareness about the welfare of street animals. She also collaborated with Facebook to campaign for Find Your Green; where she urged people to be greener-conscious and reduce, reuse and recycle. Recently, she has also launched the kids wear brand Ed-amamma which is completely Indian and has expressed how she wants to nurture a love of nature among children with the theme and fabrics of her brand. So, not just a fine actress for the country, but Alia is slowly also becoming a successful entrepreneur and a conscious human being.

Dia Mirza The former Asia Miss Pacific, who was recently seen in the Netflix series Call My Agent: Bollywood, defines bold in the truest sense. The actress and activist, who regularly promotes awareness about social and environmental issues, has always been in the news for all the right reasons. Time and again she has daringly broken the regular norms and done the unthinkable. Like when she got married to Vaibhav Rekhi last year, the actress left everyone stunned by having her wedding solemnized by a woman priest. That is not all, Dia Mirza even said no to kanyadaan and bidaai as she felt that women aren’t an item to be donated. Kudos to this feisty one.

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Neha Dhupia Known to not mince her words ever since she set foot in the industry, Neha Dhupia has made an impression not only with her acting prowess but also for her unabashed nature. The Roadies judge is extremely vocal about societal issues, especially the ones dealing with women’s rights. The headstrong lady has often openly spoken about stigma topics like breastfeeding, menses and domestic violence. Soon after her delivering her baby, Neha, who is quite active on her social media was subjected to lewd comments when a user asked her to share a video of herself breastfeeding her daughter. Neha, who is known to effortlessly take on Internet trolls, shared a screenshot of her breastfeeding her daughter and commented, “I usually delete or ignore such comments. But I had to put this in the limelight. People like him make the whole breastfeeding situation embarrassing for many moms.” Similarly, Neha had penned her strong opinion about the taboo around women’s menses. She wrote, “Even today taboos and stigma around periods hold many young girls and women back from achieving their true potential. Being a mother, I feel that nothing should come in the way of young girls achieving their full potential. This Menstrual Hygiene Day let’s talk about periods openly and help women and girls most in need get through these trying times.” Recently, the actress, brought a new wave of change in the industry, when she shot for her recent OTT film —A Thursday, while she was pregnant with her son. Now, these are the kind of gutsy women changemakers this world needs. May their tribe rise.

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Welcome One & All BY NAINA GREWAL

A decade of record-breaking immigration for Canada Immigration has helped shape Canada into the country it is today. From farming and fishing to manufacturing, healthcare and the transportation sector, Canada relies on immigrants. We are focused on economic recovery, and immigration is the key to getting there” – Hon. Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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ith a unique multicultural fabric, Canada is bustling and thriving with immigrants who call the country home. Especially under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proimmigration administration, Canada has had a ‘we-welcome-all’ approach when it comes to the nation’s immigration policies. However, Canada has missed its immigration and refugee resettlement targets in recent times due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, the future could look bright for new families and individuals looking to settle in Canada, as Canada implements strong targets for the forthcoming years. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Sean Fraser, has established an ambitious but responsible path for immigration that will help the Canadian economy recover and will fuel post-pandemic growth, all while strengthening communities and industries across the country that rely on immigration. According to IRCC, Canada is committed to welcoming 431,645 permanent residents in 2022, 477,055 in 2023, and 451,000 in 2024, with an underlying belief that newcomers bring skills that Canada’s economy needs to grow and thrive. This means that Canadians will see more than 1.3 million new immigrants over the next three years. In 2021 alone, Canada welcomed more than 405,000 new permanent residents, which translates to be the most immigrants welcomed in a single year in the country’s history. With the long-term objective to support the social and economic integration of newcomers so that they can succeed and contribute to Canadian society, IRCC’s Communication Advisor, Peter Liang explains that there are also programs in place to help new immigrants. He shares, “Canada is a recognized international leader in settlement and integration by providing various supports to newcomers, including refugees, selected for permanent residence. IRCC manages the Settlement Program, which is delivered by more than 550 service provider organizations

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Under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pro-immigration administration, Canada has had a ‘we-welcome-all’ approach when it comes to the nation’s immigration policies. However, Canada has missed its immigration and refugee resettlement targets in recent times due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. throughout Canada, outside of Quebec. Through the Settlement Program, eligible newcomers receive the information that they need about life in Canada, the community in which they will settle, language training, help finding a job and connections with established immigrants and Canadians. The Resettlement Assistance Program provides immediate and essential services, such as temporary housing, to address the specific needs of government-assisted refugees and other eligible clients.” All eligible newcomers have access to the full suite of IRCC-funded settlement supports and services provided by service provider organizations. These supports and services help them integrate and build a successful life in Canada as quickly as possible and include:

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• Need assessments and orientation to help newcomers make informed decisions • Language assessment and training to build skills for life and work in Canada • Employment services to prepare for the workplace and link to employers • Community connections linking immigrants to communities and institutions • Support services to facilitate participation in settlement programming (i.e. child care, transportation, translation). Support services, including child care, transportation assistance, translation, interpretation, crisis counseling and provisions for disabilities, are offered across the Settlement Program to enable access to direct settlement services. Because learning a new language, finding

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employment and fully integrating into a new community takes time, settlement services are available as long as a newcomer is a permanent resident and until they become a Canadian citizen. Further strengthening the case for increased immigration, Fraser explains, “Immigration has helped shape Canada into the country it is today. From farming and fishing to manufacturing, healthcare and the transportation sector, Canada relies on immigrants. We are focused on economic recovery, and immigration is the key to getting there.” Without a doubt, immigrants’ contribution to

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This will become a little competitive in the very start when the Express Entries draws will be resuming again after almost a year’s gap. As specified by Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the skilled worker draws under Express Entry will resume in the ‘near future’.” – Chetanjeet Singh, Owner, V Migrate Immigration TM

Canada’s economy and society continues to be significant, and this contribution is expected to increase in a context of inexorable population aging. Immigration already accounts for almost 100% of labor force growth, and with 5 million Canadians set to retire by the end of this decade, there is a strong economic need for increased immigration. While Canada has done an outstanding job at regaining many of the jobs that were lost during the pandemic, there remain over 900,000 unfilled positions across Canada. While immigrants do fill gaps in the labor work force and pay taxes, the advantages do not just stop there. Increased immigration entails a boost in spending on goods, transportation, and housing. Alongside strengthened culture and diversity, immigrants are motivated to bring fresh, new perspectives with an innovative entrepreneurial spirit. Another point of benefit is fostering and enhancing trade ties between Canada and the rest of the world. Chetanjeet Singh of V Migrate Immigration reveals, though, that the road ahead isn’t just a simple, smooth ride. As many applications come in, Canada can only accept so many new faces. Shining light particularly on 2022, Singh details, “This will become a little competitive in the very start when the Express Entries

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DARPAN FEATURE draws will be resuming again after almost a year’s gap. As specified by IRCC Minister, the skilled worker draws under Express Entry will resume in the ‘near future.’ This gap of one year has already increased the number of Express Entry profiles in the pool and there are nearly 52,000 candidates who are already above the Comprehensive Ranking System score of 451. This will definitely make the initial few Express Entry draws go on the higher side, and then gradually go lower, as it happened in the previous year.” Although the competitiveness is arguably guaranteed, Fraser has hinted at integrating more flexibility into the Express Entry system, sharing that it is something that he is personally digging into so that more nimble responses can be put forward in the era of an exponentially increased pace of transformation. Shifting gears to the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway program, Singh comments on that being competitive as well, compared to 2021. The competition can be credited to the decreased applications. The number of applications which were opened under the program were 90,000 in the year 2021, whereas, in the year 2022, these same applications will be only 40,000; that is less than half of the applications in the year 2021. Due to this shift, focus may get shifted to the skilled worker category and the occupations in demand, as per the labor shortage survey. In explaining Canada’s preparedness for incoming immigrants, Liang shines the spotlight on 2021’s Economic and Fiscal Update, through which the Government of Canada has proposed to provide $85 million in 2022-2023 so that it can process more permanent and temporary resident applications and reduce processing times in key areas affected by the pandemic. This will help ensure Canada’s immigration system is wellpositioned to meet Canada’s economic and labor force goals, and speed up the process to citizenship for the many permanent residents already contributing to building a stronger country. A conclusive note, then, is that though the immigration target has gone on the

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Canada is a recognized international leader in settlement and integration by providing various supports to newcomers, including refugees, selected for permanent residence. IRCC manages the Settlement Program, which is delivered by more than 550 service provider organizations throughout Canada, outside of Quebec. ” – Peter Liang Advisor, IRCC’s Communication Advisor higher side as compared to former years, one cannot deduce that things will get notably simpler for those wanting to immigrate to Canada. It will not be easier to achieve the target of immigration since Canadian immigration has become the top choice for skilled workers all over the globe, given Canada’s immigration policies. It is without question that a strong profile is what will decide one’s future in Canada as an immigrant. As always,

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those already settled in Canada can support their family and friends by sponsoring them on a visitor visa, with Permanent Resident sponsorships only done for parents and spouses depending upon whether or not they meet IRCC requirements of the specific sponsorship application. As per Singh’s expertise, his suggestions on immigrating to Canada involve building a robust profile, in terms of the basic requirements of Canada’s immigration programs are as below:

Suggestions to build a robust profile for immigration: 1 Improve your language proficiency. 2 Build your education base in Canada. 3 Make contacts in Canada, alongside a strong resume, and apply for jobs in Canada as per your job profile. 4 Take legal advice from a regulated Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRC) or immigration lawyer in Canada, to truly understand the procedure of migrating to Canada from a credible source. 5 Work on having enough settlement funds, which varies based on family size.

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Overall, immigrants are helping grow Canada’s future. Immigrants account for 33% of all business owners with paid staff, creating important local jobs in all sectors of our economy such as construction, professional services, health care and retail trade. More than 1.6 million people work in Canada’s healthcare sector and many more will be needed in the coming years to ensure continued access to high-quality care. Immigrants make up 20% of all people working in Canada as sports coaches. More than one third of people working in scientific research and development services across Canada are born outside of the country. About 1 in 4 people employed as an artisan or craftsperson in Canada is an immigrant. More than 1 out of every 4 workers in the food and beverage sector are immigrants. More than 25% of people employed in the social assistance sector were born outside of Canada, as were nearly 1 in 5 working in social advocacy, civic, social and giving-related organizations. No matter which sector is at hand, Canadian immigrants are central to all facets of its success, progress, and growth. Fraser further adds. “Setting bold new immigration targets, as outlined in the 2022-2024 Levels Plan, will further help bring the immeasurable contribution of immigrants to our communities and across all sectors of the economy.” Evidently, as the decade unfolds, immigrants will continue to enrich Canada in multiple ways, positively contributing to its economic, cultural, and global standings.

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Move dinner outdoors Summer is that one season when you can choose to spend all your time outdoors. If that is a little too much for you, how about spending quality time with your family under the sun? We are talking about moving your dinner to the deck or outside. Set a nice wooden table with some casual chairs and you are good to go. This creates a pretty landscape, changes things up for you, and is a great way to spend time with loved ones. Added bonus if you have a pool which means dinner gets a lot more fun. Make sure you layer the table with clever vessels and add a summery vibe with flowers.

BRING SUMMER

HOME

If you are looking for themes to decorate your house - nautical is a good way to invite your favourite season. A lot of stipes, paddles, blues, starfish, seashells and colourful carpets are all great when it comes to the interiors. If you are looking to do nautical in a more subtle way, then just try to include more navy blue in your decor. A good mix of navy blue and white curtains or a beautiful; bright navy blue carpet is a good start. You can also add centerpieces such as a blue vase, boat-shaped relic, and other little knick-knacks that can add a little sea charm to the house.

BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

We are all set to turn our house into a summer haven, are you?

e are all secretly hoping for that time when the sun is out bright and shiny! Yes, summer is another vibe altogether and we cannot wait for those amazing sunlit days. With seasons changing it is only right that you also make sure your house is also vibrating the same summery energy. Redecorating your house for summer and embracing warm and gleaming colours can be an absolute blast. After all, who doesn’t love getting creative with colours, flowers, and all things vivid? In this article, we share a few tips and tricks that you can implement to make your house what we call, “sun-ready”.

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Get nautical with interiors

Bring out those travel photographs Come summer and it is also a good time to travel. A lot of our memories are made during summer. Family trips, beachside adventures, camping, so on and so forth. Summer is a great time to go on vacation with your family and loved ones. Let your walls narrate amazing travel stories. Take several pictures from your different travels and cover the walls with them. Now every time someone visits home, you can start that story about the one time you were in South America.

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Add a lot of greenery to the house This is the perfect time to bring mini potted trees, flower vases with fresh flowers inside the house. Get those flowering plants and decorate your deck or backyard. Summer is a great time to go all out with gardening and extend that to the interiors of the house. A good spot to place these plants is by the window sill. We also like finding those tiny corners and placing beautiful plants to bring that fresh vibe to the room. This is also a good time to invest in some succulents and add tiny green details to the tables and sills. If you want to get extra creative then it is a good time to indulge in creating some DIY succulents which can be table centerpieces.

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Choose the pillows wisely We told you that this is a good time to get into upholstering your furniture. While at it, the other thing to keep in mind is that you can get creative with the pillows. You can go from sea-side patterns such as sparkly seashells, fish, turtles, or just starfish. You can also go all out with floral patterns or, fruit patterns, geometrical patterns but make sure whatever you choose- these are all in vivid colours. Pair these solid coloured pillows with white background couches and sofas for maximum impact. The other way of doing pillows is by choosing summery sayings or quotes. They add a magical summer character to the room. Try it, you will not complain!

Start reupholstering furniture It is time to say goodbye to the dull greys and say hi to the bright yellows and greens. A good start will be to upholster furniture with bright, flower-print patterns. This little change will automatically brighten up the room and will catch everyone’s eyes. We would suggest you go with orange, yellow, pink, and green, dramatic prints and patterns.

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Introduce summer scents A good way to introduce a season change in your house is by introducing seasonal scents. bring in the ocean breeze, cucumber, melon, greens, gingerbreads, lemons, and mints. Get the scenes that can take over the house and make it smell like a breath of fresh air. Other than just the scents, candles are also a beautiful way to decorate the house. They also make for great decor, especially at night. One of our favorite scenes for summer is lemon-infused scents that are zesty and keep the air clean!

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Giving shelter, hope, and happiness to the homeless, oppressed, mentally and psychically challenged people, Apna Ghar Ashram is changing lives one at a time.

By Mrinalini Sundar

APNA GHAR ASHRAM:

HELPING THOSE IN NEED

stablished with the mission to give shelter, hope, and happiness to the homeless, oppressed, mentally and psychically challenged people, Apna Ghar Ashram is changing lives one at a time. The organization’s aim is to not let anyone perish due to a lack of help and support. They have successfully saved many lives and provided them with food, shelter, and medical care, then, restoring them to mainstream society.

The history It was on June 29, 2000, the organization under the name of Maa Madhuri Brij Varis Sewa Sadan, Apna

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Ghar was first established in Bajhera, District Bharatpur of Rajasthan (India). The seed was first sown by Dr. B.M.Bhardwaj and Dr. Madhuri Bhardwaj. The idea behind the organization was to serve the homeless, helpless, destitute, sick persons who are facing a very painful phase of life. That’s when Apna Ghar which also runs an ashram, comes in and provides all necessities like treatment, food, clothing, care, and other requirements without any charges and with public support. In fact, more than 50% of the residents have been rehabilitated in various ways. Currently, there are about 458 men and 1004 women who live

in the ashram. There are various categories of inmates that live here which include the mentally challenged, sick, handicapped, injured, people with HIV/AIDS, and people who have been abandoned on the streets by their families.

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Where do they work? There are 35 Apna Ghar Ashrams at present in eight states of India, along with one in Kathmandu, Nepal. And how many people stay in such ashrams? There are a total of 6125 people who stay in such ashrams - this includes 3778 men and 2347 females. Each inmate is called prabhuji and is being served by the organization.

There are 35 Apna Ghar Ashrams at present in eight states of India, along with one in Kathmandu, Nepal. And how many people stay in such ashrams? There are a total of 6125 people who stay in such ashrams - this includes 3778 men and 2347 females. Each inmate is called ‘prabhuji.’ A lot of these inmates are suffering from mental illness, intellectual disabilities, HIV+, visual loss, deafness, fractures, leprosy, TB, Asthma, and epilepsy in old age. There are no age limits for the residents. They have both children elderly people. There are different categories under the ashram based on which the rescuers are divided - there is the senior citizen homes specifically for the elderly, mentally sick homes which are for people who have disabilities, children’s home which is for kids, malnourished homes which are specifically for people who need food and other nourishment, HIV homes for those suffering from the deadly disease, homes that support during

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natural calamities - these are for people who specifically need help when they have just faced a natural calamity.

The animal shelter Other than surviving human beings, the organization also provides shelter, nutrition, and medical care for more than 250 sick and injured cows, dogs, cats, monkeys, donkeys, horses, neelgay, peacock, parrots and other birds at our Bharatpur Ashram.

How do they function?

One of the best aspects of the organization is that they operate in a very transparent manner and visitors are struck by the conviction and dedication of the staff who are offering services at Apna Ghar ashrams. ashram our rescue team covers an area up to the threshold of 400 km and in our other ashrams, the rescue team covers an area of about 100 km from the Ashram base. If you wish to refer someone, the ashram will accept them no matter which part of the country you

Photos Courtesy of Apna Ghar Ashram

The organization has very systematic ways of rescuing people. They have dedicated ambulances, paramedics, and special rescue teams who work closely with the police force and other government organizations. At Bharatpur

call from. Rescuers are not just provided with basic amenities and appropriate treatment, the volunteers are also working very hard towards rehabilitation with their families, with the help of administration and police. The organization has set up Apna Ghar Sewa Samitis and helplines, within different geographical locations in the country, where prabhujis can be picked up and brought to the nearest Apna Ghar Ashram. Presently 41 Samitis and 58 Apna Ghar Helplines are running throughout India, by their Organisation.

Bringing back their faith in God The prabhujis who live in different ashrams belong to different religions and castes. Therefore, the facilities for worship as per their religion and customs are made available at every home in the Ashram. The worship places are called “Sarve Dharm Prarthna Sthal” where they get to meditate, sing bhajans, perform their rites, etc. For recreation, all the inmates can enjoy a television, music system, and different types of play equipment and musical instruments.

How can the public be involved? The establishers offer enough and more opportunities for the public to get involved. No, they are not talking about financial contributions but also in the form of voluntary service for the residents, helping in the day to day to running of the ashrams and providing administrative support. One of the best aspects of the organization is that they operate in a very transparent manner and visitors are struck by the conviction and dedication of the staff who are offering services at Apna Ghar ashrams. The organization has opened up its doors to all those individuals who wish to offer something back to society, in the form of selfless TO CONTRIBUTE VISIT:

www.apnagharashram.org/ donate-now/

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DARPAN RECIPES

Chef

Akanksha

Khatri W

Winner of India’s Digital Chef, finalist of the show Femme Foodies and the most loved contestant of Masterchef India Season 6, Chef Akanksha Khatri was a born foodie. But, her love for cooking started a little later in life.

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inner of India’s Digital Chef, finalist of the show Femme Foodies and the most loved contestant of Masterchef India Season 6, Chef Akanksha Khatri was a born foodie. But, her love for cooking started a little later in life. Cooking for her started just as a means to an end. But, the food experiences she gathered on her travels to different cities led her to experimenting with her own creations. These trial and error experimentations with food led her to know what her true passion is. As a wellknown chef, Khatri has flown and served famous actors like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, to politicians

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Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, to name a few. Khatri participated in the contest, India’s Digital Chef and won the title of India’s First-ever Digital Chef. Her integrity and grace shone like a beacon, which made her very popular and extremely well loved by the viewers. It led to her hosting the latest season of Pickles of India, 2019. Khatri hosted this 29-episode season and gained even more love, support and popularity than before. Encouraged with the new earned popularity, her parents’ support and passion to do something, she decided to enter in India’s most reputable culinary show

MasterChef India and make a name for herself nationwide. Two of her creations in the Masterchef Kitchen will now grace the Grand Dish wall forever in the history of Masterchef. The grace and dedication with which she mastered various challenges during the competition, showcases her capabilities in cooking, as well as leading a team in the kitchen. The artistically unique creations showed her flair for detailed observations and knowledge of techniques to create masterpieces. Ultimately making her not only the first contestant amongst the top 10 for the show, but also the first to win the Golden Apron, confirming her position in the Finale as well. Chef Khatri wants to leave her mark on the food industry, and prove that self-motivation can also lead to fulfilling the dreams you are passionate about. She is at her best when she’s in a busy kitchen, and she has proven that in her own new Television Show by Zee Productions, Meetha Toh Banta Hai. With a sunny smile and lovely personality, Chef Akanksha Khatri is geared up to express all her passion through her cooking. Photos Courtesy of Akanksha Khatri

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Gulgula

Waffles

BY CHEF AKANKSHA KHATRI

Chef Khatri wants to leave her mark on the food industry, and prove that selfmotivation can also lead to fulfilling the dreams you are passionate about. She is at her best when she’s in a busy kitchen, and she has proven that in her own new Television Show by Zee Productions,

Ingredients

Preparation

For the waffle:

• Mix the waffle ingredients together and

• 1 cup whole wheat flour • 1/2 cup cane sugar • 2 tsps fennel seeds • 2 tbsps desiccated coconut • 1/2 cup milk • 1/2-1 cup water

Other ingredients: • 150 ml condensed milk • 100 gms white chocolate • 1 tsp almond extract (optional)

Meetha Toh Banta Hai.

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leave aside for 20 minutes. • Heat the waffle pan and cook until the waffle turns crispy for about six minutes on both sides. • In a pan, add condensed milk and chocolate and stir continuously. Let the chocolate melt completely on low heat and then keep it aside. • Once the chocolate mixture comes to room temperature, beat the mixture using a hand blender for about four to five minutes. Transfer this cream into the piping bag. • Garnish the waffle with cream, boondi, rose petals and silver varq.

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over three major fitness mistakes which you will want to avoid in order to ensure timely success for you and your summer body goals.

Mistake #1: Too Much Steady State Cardio & Not Enough Strength/Interval Training

Steady state cardio characterizes aerobic exercise where the intensity never increases and instead one spends a prolonged period of time in a certain heart rate zone. When walking, jogging or running where the elevation is continuously changing it will result in intensity variations however when using an elliptical or treadmill, one may remain within a certain intensity for the entire bout. As a distance runner and endurance athlete there are many benefits to this style

FITNESS MISTAKES

TO AVOID THIS SUMMER

PHOTOS: istockphoto

BY JAS JOHAL

onsidering the way that this year started off, it’s safe to say that a large portion of us are likely behind on our health and fitness goals which we had set over the new year due to the lack of access to gyms for the beginning of 2022. The closures of gyms and fitness studios throughout the province threw a major wrench into the overall trajectory which we had set for ourselves and now with the summer slowly creeping its head around the corner, we feel we do not have enough time. Summer is generally packed with extravagant galas, weddings, birthdays, and the like therefore many of us want to look and feel our best during certain events. In order to ensure we can still do so when strapped for time, it’s imperative that we possess an optimal approach with very little room for error. Therefore, in this edition I’d like to go

MARCH | APRIL 2 022

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however when seeking to promote body composition changes, it may not be the most optimal. When we begin to spend more time in a certain zone, our body’s overall efficiency improves meaning we burn less calories and as a result less fat as well. Furthermore, many associate weight loss with cardio and not resistance training therefore will favor the former over the latter however research shows that this may not be the wisest choice. Weight training results in increased amounts of calories burned after the fact, when at rest. Also it has been shown to burn more calories from fat when compared to similar durations of cardiovascular training.

Mistake #2: Poor Diet As the famous saying goes, “abs are made in the kitchen.” When it comes to topics such as body composition changes, weight loss, and burning fat – diet appears to be the one variable with the largest correlation and subsequent impact. Far too many people believe that if they train hard enough in the gym then they can eat virtually anything they like since they are under the presumption that they are “burning it off,” when exercising. However, this notion could not be further from the truth.

As I was advised by a former university professor, each time we eat we cause some type of hormonal reaction. These reactions will dictate whether the calories are used as energy or turned into body fat. This part of our human physiology is extremely complicated therefore it’s not as simple as seeing how many calories you’ve burned on your smartwatch followed by stuffing your face with an equivalent amount sourced from a cinnamon roll, with the expectation that the net calorie gain of 0 means we’re safe from adding inches onto the waist line.

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Mistake #3: Lack of Consistency Last, and definitely not the least is the mistake of lacking consistency. This one is quite possibly one of the most salient mistakes since the entire undertaking of losing weight is considered a long term venture. Whenever we hear of major weight loss success stories, the period of time the individual spent on the journey is generally a lot longer than 4-8 weeks. After we’ve begun a new program, it takes the body AT LEAST 12 weeks before any major composition changes are starting to display themselves. If we begin to falter or fall off the wagon then these changes will not be as prominent as they could be. Being able to hold strong with our commitment past the 12 week mark is extremely important as that will ensure further long lasting success as all the changes you’ve made start to become firmly ingrained habits. Once you can identify where your lack of commitment stems from, you can find creative ways to combat it. There you go! Do you feel a little less anxious and stressed about the upcoming months since you now have additional tools for your proverbial fitness toolbox going into the summer? After reading today’s article many of you might think that these tips are awfully simple or something you’ve already been told therefore want more complex and in-depth advice. However, in my professional opinion, we humans tend to get lost on journeys due to overcomplicating matters which would be better dealt with through the lens of simplicity. Let’s crush it this summer 2022!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jas Johal is a kinesiologist and co-founder of Fit Nation. Johal graduated from UBC in 2011 with a Bachelors degree in kinesiology and began working in the fitness industry in 2012. For any further in depth guidance on diet and exercise, contact Jas at @fitnationjohal (instagram).

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Beauty

Color Refresh BY MICHELE MARKO

T Photo: Courtesy of brands featured, istockphoto

he last two years have brought myriad changes, especially with personal grooming. One big change had many women coming to terms with their roots, that is the roots of their hair. When salons were shut down, there was a big shift in hair care routines— colour, cuts, or both. All of which made people reassess their hair care practices, even once salons reopened.

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Cindy Duplantis, brand ambassador and celebrity stylist for Chatters, says that though during lockdown people let their roots grow in, afterward many decided to stay with their natural hair colour. “Coming back to the salon, we did many looks to try to blend their natural hair into their previously coloured hair, so they can grow in their natural state completely,” she recounts. “Or they choose a colour, like balayage that essentially shows the roots, so it is a lower maintenance hair colour.” Joannie Blais, Portfolio Colorist for L’Oréal Professionnel, agrees that “for some women, lockdown was the opportunity to finally make the big comeback to their natural colour.” For the most part, Blais found that though customers were eager to return to

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the salon they were more relaxed about waiting to have their colour touched up, not concerned about waiting a week or two longer, and many opting for techniques that minimize the look of root regrowth and protect the colour. “Consumers are looking to colour their hair where it does not demand too much care,” confirms Melissa Tedeschi, brand expert for Kérastase Canada. Be it for brunettes or blondes, it’s all about softening the transition from roots to the rest of the hair keeping colour looking good longer between treatments. “The biggest shift in hair trends is embracing your natural colour and a rooted look, like balayage for example,” says Duplantis. “For dark hair, I find that many are making their colour richer and [with] warmer tones. To complete the look, many are using colour glosses to enhance shine such as Redken Shades EQ.” Tedeschi agrees saying that brunettes are now embracing their dark hues for lower maintenance and a natural look. “The trends today are oriented more on a tone-on-tone look.” Blais adds that she’s seeing the use of dark colours with an “ash smoky tone” which creates a more natural looking colour. For those wanting to go lighter, highlights are taking a softer approach too with colour starting farther from the root base. “The look now is more of a melting placement which means the highlights begin mid-length to create a natural look,” says Tedeschi. Using highlights to create a contouring

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effect around the face is another popular look. “[It] gives a sun kissed look and a beautiful glow,” she says. Warmer, golden tones are on trend for blondes. According to Blais, silver, ashy blonds are out with golden blondes making a big comeback. Along with the shift with colour trends came new maintenance products to care for coloured hair and prolong the colour. “The biggest innovation this year is certainly Metal Detox by L’Oréal Professionnel” asserts Blais. “Metal Detox is a product that is used during the colour service that will aim to neutralize the metals in the hair, thus allowing a more … (uniform) colour result, a more equal lightening and healthier hair.” Duplantis adds that there are at-home treatments, shampoos and conditioners that help hold the richness of the colour and points to products such as MATRIX Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner or Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask. And just as hair colour techniques have seen a refresh, so have cuts. The big trend is layers which can be enhanced with colour. “Layers are trendier than ever,” Blais says. “Whether it’s the shag haircut, the mullet or the mix of both—the wolf cut—everyone can find their look. It’s definitely these types of haircuts that I’m doing more and more in salon these days.” Duplantis agrees that the modern-day shag is the cut of the moment. “This cut is gorgeous. It looks great on all hair types and lengths.” Whether opting for something new or going for a tried-and-true technique, Blais says, it’s all comes down to personal choice and confidence. “We must remember that the priority is the customer’s happiness, so no matter the technique used, if my client feels beautiful inside and out, it’s mission accomplished.”

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MARCH | APRIL 2 022

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Celebrate Occasions With Punit Balana’s

Haldi~Mehendi Collection By Shweta Kulkarni

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Dedicated specially for pre-wedding events, Punit Balana’s Haldi-Mehendi collection is young, contemporary, festive and rooted in Indian heritage.

delicate confluence of centuries-old craft and modern-day sensibilities, couturier Punit Balana’s latest collection — Haldi-Mehendi is nothing but avant-garde, ethereal, peppy and rooted in Indian culture. Best known for drawing inspiration from the rich Rajasthani heritage and giving a fresh take to traditional silhouettes, the Punit Balana label is all about striking a balance between modernism and aestheticism with emphasis on responsible fashion, and its latest Haldi-Mehendi edit resonates all the ethos that the brand stands for. Curated specially for the pre-wedding functions, Punit Balana’s Haldi Mehendi collection is a must-have in your wedding trousseau. “This collection is dedicated to a more intimate and fun celebration of the Indian wedding, like Mehendi and

Haldi. We realised, while there are many designers catering to other events of the wedding, this segment of intimate wedding functions doesn’t have many options. Hence, we decided to design a collection catering especially to Haldi and Mehendi. A collection which is fluid, fun, especially designed to be moved, danced and celebrated in. It’s young and festive while keeping the traditional element in place. It’s peppy yet rooted in Indian heritage,” explains the designer, whose creations are adorned by the crème de la crème of Bollywood. From the likes of Madhuri Dixit to Kareena Kapoor Khan to Shilpa Shetty to Kajol to Janhvi Kapoor to Kiara Advani — Punit Balana’s designs are a riot amongst most of the B-town divas. Hailing from Bikaner in Western Rajasthan, the eco-conscious designer is

known to draw inspiration from the rich heritage and culture of Rajasthan to create mesmerizing sartorial pieces that are not only rooted in Indian culture but are minimal, wearable, extremely stylish and sustainable. Speaking about the Rajasthani influences in his latest collection, Balana says, “The entire collection is inspired by the “bandhani” art of Rajasthan. Derived from Sanskrit word “banda” meaning “to tie” bandhini is an intricate form of tiedye indigenous to Rajasthan, especially Jaipur.”

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DARPAN STYLE

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He continues, “The centuries-old craft has retained its immense popularity over the years and is showcased in the form of contemporary Indian wear in our new Haldi-Mehendi Edit. We have used different motifs of Bandhani, which is very rare.” What further makes the collection stand out, is the technique used to create it. “We have used the bandhani motifs, along with printing using natural dye. It’s the different motifs of bandhani which really makes this collection different. Usually, bandhej is associated with the dots. However, using the same technique, a lot more can be done and this collection showcases it beautifully,” Balana enlightens. Furthermore, the designer’s signature marodi and glasswork styles are also incorporated in the creations. Balana says, “You will see Punit Balana’s signature marodi and glasswork along with gota embroidery in the new collection.” Focussing on comfort and ease of movement, the eclectic collection comprises Anarkali sets, kurta sets, silk sarees, lehenga sets, jackets, flowy gharara pants, in a burst of vibrant colours. “Haldi and Mehendi are mostly day events, hence we have used a palette of ivory, blush pink and mustard

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

to give you that perfect look during the day,” says the couturier, who was bit by the fashion ‘bug’ during his school days. Passionate about fashion, Balana closely followed the latest trends and designers from India and abroad. This initial interest led him to delve deeper into the finer points of fashion – things like silhouettes, textiles, cuts and prints, with a special interest in block-prints that are native to the city of his birth. His passion soon brought him to Jaipur to understand and learn the craft of Sanganeri block printing. Balana started his career in Jaipur in a small karkhana (workshop) where he made his own blocks for printing the fabric they used. Gradually, he set up his supply chain and started supplying his unique prints and premium quality fabrics to garment stores and factories across India. All this eventually led to the dream of starting his own label – ‘Punit Balana’ – which was launched in 2016 as a small capsule collection and ever since, there has been no looking back. Another speciality of Punit Balana’s brand is its commitment to responsible fashion. The brand aims for sustainability, not just through its products but also in practices. Driven by the philosophy to always make conscious choices so as to reduce their carbon footprint on the earth, every single outfit created at Punit Balana has elements that have been thought through and contribute towards a sustainable tomorrow. Keeping in mind the brand’s philosophy, the Haldi-Mehendi edit too strikes a perfect balance between sustainability and ethnic fashion. “We have used sustainable fabrics like silk and cotton along with natural dyeing technique to design silhouettes which are ethnic yet contemporary,”says Punit. The masterfully crafted Haldi-Mehendi collection is priced in the range of Rs. 35,000 – Rs. 85,000 and is available at Punit Balana stores in Mumbai and Jaipur and other multi-designer stores including Pernia’s Pop Up Shop, Aza Fashions, and Ogaan along with online on the brand’s website – www.punitbalana.in

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Photo Credit: Punit Balan Collections

DARPAN STYLE

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DARPAN STYLE

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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DARPAN Weddings

Photos: A Master Media

y r r e K &l a e h c i M We have a foundation that was built long before we were in a relationship. We were each other’s best friends growing up. It’s not too often you fall in love with your best friend of 20+ years and get married.” 94

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Q: How did you meet? We met in the same grade 2/3 split class at Windsor Elementary school.

Q: What do you love most about one another? Kerry: What I love most about Michael is his humor, his big heart, his unconditional support and his BIG bear hugs.

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Michael: I love Kerry’s smile, her selflessness. Her beauty is infinite. I admire her work ethic. She is my motivation and brings out the best in me. Kerry makes it easy to just laugh and enjoy the moments.

Q: Share your proposal story. Kerry: We had plans to go to his cousin’s birthday BBQ on the weekend. Usually when Michael picks me up, he messages or calls me when he is outside my house but this time he messaged me and a limo was outside to pick me up. At that point, I was so confused and thought Michael would jump out of the limo but the driver greeted me and informed me that we were meeting Michael. The driver drove me to our elementary school where we originally met and I saw Michael standing from a distance looking handsome as ever. I was shaking at this point and he still had no answers for me when we met. We shared a glass of wine and walked around our elementary school reminiscing the past. We got back into the limo and started driving to one of our favorite spots to watch the sunset, Whytecliff Beach. He took my hand to guide me to this beautiful proposal set up and the water works instantly started for me. I was so surprised and blown away. We had a crowd of bystanders above us cheering us on. It truly was a magically moment!

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DARPAN Weddings

champagne gold sherwani, his pala was matching my outfit. For our reception, I wore a long white lace gown and Michael wore a tuxedo with a textured blue jacket.

Q: Where did you honeymoon? Due to Covid restrictions, we haven’t gone on our honeymoon, but we did get away for a relaxing weekend after our wedding week. We spent time in Lake Louise and Banff in Alberta. We plan to fly away soon to somewhere where the weather is hot, white sands, and the water is clear.

Q: What are your goals as a couple?

Q: Describe your wedding day. What was your favourite moment? Kerry: Our wedding day took place at Ross Street Gurdwara on one of the hottest days of the summer. My favorite moment

was locking eyes with Michael as I walked down the aisle with my parents. I felt like no one else was in the room and it was just us and my heart was so full. Michael: My favorite moment of our wedding was seeing Kerry for the first

time, I was absolutely blown away. She looked stunning. Couldn’t believe that’s my wife.

Q: Could you tell us about your reception? Our wedding reception was at the Aria Banquet Hall. Covid restrictions made our wedding planning very stressful, we were lucky to have the restrictions open up two weeks prior, allowing us to invite our close friends and have our immediate families present.

Q: Can you describe your outfits? For our wedding, I wore a royal red lengha and Michael wore a

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DARPAN

We both have good and steady jobs. We plan to be homeowners and also do some travelling, followed by parenthood and creating a family of our own.

Q: What are the strengths of your marriage? We have a foundation that was built long before we were in a relationship. We were each other’s best friends growing up. It’s not too often you fall in love with your best friend of 20+ years and get married.

Q: If you could provide any advice to other married couples, what would it be? Support each other, be vocal about what’s important, share your ideas, have each other’s back and most importantly enjoy the ride!

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A perfect day trip, this one is not too heavy on the budget and gives you a glimpse into the beautiful flora and fauna of interior Mexico

RIO LAGARTOS:

A Slice of

Mexico

What is the meaning of Rio Lagartos? The Mayans originally called this place Hol Koben, and mainly used it as a spot to take rest before heading out to nearby ports. Merchants and travelers went to the nearby community ports for commerce in salt which even today is extracted. It was the Spanish who thought the water body to be a river and crocodiles to be alligators. So, they named the town, Rio Lagartos when they first sighted the humongous creatures in the water.

BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

exico is an amazing vacation destination. We can never get enough of the beautiful beaches, culturally rich cities, larger than life nightlife, helpful people, delicious Mexican food, cenotes, and vitamin D. Mexico is the true destination that describes sun, sand, sea! The other advantage of traveling to Mexico, especially during the pandemic is that the place has been open to international travellers even when Covid-19 was taking over the world. Mexico is perfect for anyone who is looking to do touristy things or is just exploring the lesser-known parts of the continent. If you are looking for beach vacations, Mexico has enough and more too often with spectacular places such as Cancun, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen. Traveling to any of these places would mean basking in the sun the entire day, lots of sunscreens, splashing crystal clear seawater, sandcastles, night parties, and food that will blow your mind. When we set out planning our first trip to Mexico, I wanted to make sure it is a perfect mix of touristy endeavours and exploring the well-kept secrets. So after

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enjoying ourselves by the beach at Playa Del Carmen, we decided to take a one-day trip to Rio Lagartos, a silent, quaint fishing hamlet located in Mexico’s Yucatán state. The name Rio Lagartos first popped up when we were searching for the Instagrammable pink salt lakes at Las Coloradas.

How to get there? It takes about three hours and ten minutes to drive from Playa Del Carmen to Rio Lagartos. We hired a car and had the car to ourselves the entire day.

The biggest attractions So what does one do at Rio Lagartos? We got in touch with Rio Lagartos Adventures, which organizes flamingo and nature tours, beach lover’s tours, night safaris, and crocodile safaris on their well-maintained, safe and comfortable boats. Looking to learn more about the biosphere, the nature tour is meant for you. This guided tour (yes, they speak English) takes you deep into the mangrove channels, an isolated beach on the Gulf of Mexico, and lets you spend a lot of time exploring the wildlife and plants of the Ria Lagartos Bio Reserve. For those interested, you can also stop at the mud baths and the beach if you wish to spend more time viewing wildlife.

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Where are the flamingos? One of the most popular parts of these boat rides is when you stop to spot beautiful birds. What tops the list are the flamingos and the American white pelican and the pygmy kingfisher. The pink beauties are easy to spot especially if you are traveling in spring (late April) when they gather in thousands to mate and nest in the biosphere reserve. This is a photographer’s paradise where you get to take snaps that can literally make it into travel magazines. The boat stops there for as long as you want while you can take all that beauty in. You are even luckier if you head there, especially during sunset.

Crocodiles in the water! Spotting crocodiles in an unprotected area can be a scary experience. We went a notch higher and went for the night safari looking for these deadly reptiles in the night. But usually, the crocodile’s tours take place in the mid-day when they are sunning themselves, or after dark when they get out to feed. It is easier to spot them in the dark as they are nocturnal creatures. Find their red eyes looking at you from the dark water, especially when the sounds of the jungle take over you.

What is special at Rio Lagartos? A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve spread across 70 kilometers, this is home to more than 400 bird species. It was in 1979, Mexico established the Rio Lagartos Bio-Reserve. This bio-reserve also includes Rio Lagartos, San Felipe, Las Colorados and El Cuyo. Besides the birds, one can find 59 species of mammals, 80 species of reptiles, 99 species of fish,16 amphibians, and rich and diverse flora. What is fascinating about Rio Lagartos is that it includes eight ecosystems which include the lowland jungles, coastal dunes, an estuary formed by the fresh and salty backwater channels, red root mangroves, lagoons, and connecting canals. All this is right here in one place.

What is fascinating about Rio The water can be alive with feeding fish and the air full of the sounds of birds Lagartos is that it includes you probably saw during a day trip. With almost no light clutter the skydome is very eight ecosystems which include the lowland jungles, nearly complete. coastal dunes, an estuary Closing the trip formed by the fresh and salty backwater channels, red root After a long boat right with friends and family and an experienced guide, you get mangroves, lagoons, and dropped off at Ria Mayan Restaurant, a connecting canals. All this is waterfront cafe that is well known for its amazing seafood. Local fishermen deliver right here in one place. their day’s catch to the restaurant. Sea trout, grouper, red and yellow snapper, shrimp, lobster (in season) octopus, and conch are the main catches. Lesser known but equally delicious species are served when available. A perfect day trip, this one is not too heavy on the budget and gives you a glimpse into the beautiful flora and fauna of interior Mexico.

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2022

BY Benjamin Yong

GENESIS GV70

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK LUXURY A

fter being praised for its entry into the utility market with the GV80, Genesis’ sophomore effort, the compact GV70 is poised to create just as much buzz, as the vehicle is equally outstanding and provides value far beyond the price tag. Possessing a distinctive appearance revolving around the design language titled “Athletic Elegance,” this refers to the cross section of where sport meets luxury. Just check out the sloping roofline, sculpted fenders and painted roof spoiler, as well as the polished window surround, 13 available exterior matte or metallic colours and signature ultra-thin Two-Line LED head and tail lamps. Though there’s a lot to take in visually, nothing seems too busy or out of place. Those who prefer maximum performance aesthetics may choose the available Sport Package

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that bundles dark chrome accents, painted diffusers, up-to 21-inch special alloy wheels, circular instead of vertical dual exhaust tips, exclusive steering wheel and optional carbon fibre overlays. As appealing as the outside is, many people — myself included — are floored by the high quality

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interior. Informed by the Korean architectural “Beauty of White Space” concept, Genesis says the space also draws inspiration from the aerodynamic sections of aircraft wings, and really, the entire cabin resembles a business class section of a plane from a different era. Melt into the buttery smooth

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $59,500 (as tested) Motor: 2.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder Horsepower: 300 @ 6,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 311 @ 1,650 rpm Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 15.4 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

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brown leather upholstered seating while taking in all the intricate surrounding details: for example, the knurled transmission and HMI dial on the brushed-aluminumcovered centre console; the twospoke yoke-like steering wheel; and the slim barely-there air vents. The ratio of physical to virtual buttons is just right minimalizing clutter without taking away functionality. An ultra-wide 14.5-inch touchscreen display is nestled atop the covered dashboard controllable via voice, multiple knobs or the tap or swipe of finger.

PHOTOS: GENESIS PRESSROOM

As appealing as the outside is, many people are floored by the high quality interior. Informed by the Korean architectural “Beauty of White Space” concept, Genesis says the space also draws inspiration from the aerodynamic sections of aircraft wings, and really, the entire cabin resembles a business class section of a plane from a different era.

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As found on other Hyundai and Genesis products, a novel feature is the different zen modes you can activate to create a relaxing motoring experience, like calm sea waves and warm fireplace. On Advanced Plus and higher trims the 18-speaker Lexicon Premium Audio stereo produces rich sound no matter what genre of music is played. A parentapproved Quiet Mode disables the rear speakers so the party up front doesn’t have to stop when passengers in the back are sleeping. In Canada, two different turbocharged all-wheel drive powertrains and multiple grades are offered to suit various needs and budgets. Sitting at the top is the 3.5T Sport Plus (MSRP $76,000) boasting a 3.5-litre boosted V6 making 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque.

The version Darpan tested, however, was the 300-horse 2.5-litre four-cylinder that to be honest did not leave me wanting for more. I couldn’t detect any perceptible turbo lag —a jab of the throttle results in instant response, and a bit of unexpected but welcome growl too thanks to the Active Sound Design virtual exhaust note enhancement through the speakers. The vehicle shows off a degree of agility usually not found given the segment, largely due to high-level tech. On-board electronic limited-slip differentials balances torque between both sides of the wheels according to the current conditions, so grip remains present over slippery terrain and/or during quick steering inputs, such as having to dodge unpredictable Lower Mainland drivers in the rain. At the same time, the Preview Electronic Control Suspension system is a partnership between the remote adjustable dampers, front camera and GPS data, all working in concert to pre-recognize rough road surfaces and automatically compensate creating a smooth and comfortable ride every time. Even on my own street that has been dug up for maintenance, the crossover just floats along the violated pavement. And if you have hesitations of being an early adopter, worry not: all models include a very competitive fiveyear/100,000 kilometre basic warranty.

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A DIFFERENT KIND OF PREMIUM DRIVING EXPERIENCE

MAZDA3 SEDAN GT BY Benjamin Yong

Buttery soft, the seats are complemented by an equally softto-the-touch black leather steering wheel and dash coverings featuring contrast red stitching.

Though the Sport hatchback variant is arguably the better looking of the pair, the four door is a sleekly-shaped vehicle showcasing swoopy, fluid bodylines that are a product of the Hiroshima automaker’s Kodo “Soul of Motion” Design language. A lot of higherend equipment is standard on all trims such as full LED lighting, matte finish 3-D grille, large 8.8inch centre display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and more. Stepping up to the GT Darpan tested unlocks a whole lot more

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hardware, from the 18-inch light grey metallic aluminum wheels to a power glass moonroof. The magic, as they say, really happens in the cabin, however. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Mazda makes some of the nicest interiors today. For the first time in the sedan, buyers may choose a stunning Garnet Red leather upholstery — doing so also bundling together Jet Black Mica side mirrors and black metallic coated alloys. Buttery soft, the seats are complemented by an equally soft-to-the-touch black leather steering wheel and dash coverings featuring contrast red stitching.

MSRP: $31,100 (as tested) Motor: 2.5-litre four cylinder Horsepower: 186 @ 6,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 186 @ 4,000 rpm Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, frontwheel drive Fuel economy: 11.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed) The GT upgrades the regular eight-speaker stereo to a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system that thumps with the best of them. The infotainment setup remains quite an intuitive one, as the nextgeneration HMI (human machine

Photos: MAZDA PRESS ROOM

azda’s continued journey towards becoming a pseudo luxury brand is a fun one to be a part of, especially behind the wheel of something like the Mazda3 GT. The compact sedan is still in its fourth generation and enters the 2022 model year with minor changes, which is just fine as the car is uniquely positioned offering a level of performance and refinement not really seen anywhere else in the segment.

HIGHLIGHTS

interface) Commander knob, used to control most functions, is designed to be operated via touch. Surrounding the rotary dial are select shortcut buttons for the home screen and radio. In regards to the latter, trying to surf SiriusXM channels for example can be a pain. Pushing down on the knob selects a station, and then a series of submenus must be navigated to return to the list selection screen. The only workaround is to program a list of quickly-accessible favourites. Recently Mazda reintroduced an optional turbocharged motor into the mix, which we reviewed (and loved) in a previous issue. This time, it’s the naturally-aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5 fourcylinder engine that is quite frankly a hoot to drive as well. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is offered on the Sport), there’s 186 horses and 186 lb-ft of torque on tap even capable of squealing the tires when getting on the pedal. The independent front/torsion beam rear suspension rides smoothly, yet smooth doesn’t mean soft. While cornering ability isn’t quite up to, say, MX-5 standards, handling is crisp and the vehicle is made for urban streets possessing the ability to turn on a dime. Frequent skier or snowboarder? Considering packaging in i-Activ AWD for an extra $2,000. Other additions for 2022 include a new Platinum Quartz Metallic paint colour and the availability of Mazda Connected Services on every grade.

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MILD HYBRID FUN

2022 DARPAN AutoREVIEW

BY Benjamin Yong “For lifestyle-oriented customer groups with discerning requirements in terms of performance and efficiency, both two- door models from Affalterbach are the perfect offerings,” says Tobias Moers, MercedesAMG GmbH management board chairman.

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MERCEDES-AMG E53 COUPE T

hough the fifth generation E-Class is now getting a little long in the tooth, a replacement is coming soon. To tide enthusiasts over, however, Mercedes-AMG revealed a facelifted E 53 last year highlighting fresh styling, a revised cabin and

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the introduction of the company’s high tech Mercdes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) infotainment system. “Following the Sedan and Wagon, our new E 53 models also offer a perfect synthesis of performance, elegance and comfort as a coupe and cabriolet. With specific measures on the exterior and in the interior we have re-sharpened the brand identity somewhat and we are continuing to drive forward the revision of our entire E-Class family successively. For lifestyleoriented customer groups with discerning requirements in terms of performance and efficiency, both two- door models from Affalterbach are the perfect offerings,” says Tobias Moers, Mercedes-AMG GmbH management board chairman.

HIGHLIGHTS

MSRP: $93,700 (base) Motor: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six + electric motor Horsepower: 429 @ 6,100 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 163 @ 1,800 rpm Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 12.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

By swapping in flatter LED headlamps and a contemporary A-shaped AMG-specific grille featuring the signature vertical slats, the front fascia looks much sportier than before. The lower central intake has also been reworked some to complement the latter, containing five vertical struts that replace the outgoing mesh providing a clear view of the intercooler. The outer air inlets are now shrouded in gloss

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black matched to the modified splitter below. Either standard 19-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels or upgraded 20-inch versions are equipped, painted in matte black or titanium grey. The rear wheel arches are slightly massaged to improve aerodynamics. And around the back side, the taillights take on more of an angular shape and the quad exhaust tips are hidden inside a subtler bumper diffuser. Classic quality Mercedes-AMG materials fill the inside of the coupe, and a perfect example of

PHOTOS: MERCEDES PRESSROOM

Classic quality MercedesAMG materials fill the inside of the coupe, and a perfect example of this is the AMG-specific three split-spoke steering wheel covered in leather and DINAMICA microfiber. The built-in thumb touchpads are intuitive to use to navigate both the combination instrument cluster using the left side and the media display with the right.

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this is the AMG-specific three splitspoke steering wheel covered in leather and DINAMICA microfiber. The built-in thumb touchpads are intuitive to use to navigate both the combination instrument cluster using the left side and the media display with the right. Like across the modern lineup, MBUX allows occupants to control various vehicle functions. Back in 2018, the E 53 gained the manufacturer’s 3.0-litre inlinesix turbocharged mild hybrid engine. Outputting an impressive 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, there’s also an EQ Boost

electric motor installed between the internal combustion engine and nine-speed transmission (and complementary lithium-ion battery at the rear) providing up to 21 horsepower and a whopping 184 lb-ft of torque temporarily — think overtaking on the highway or just booting it on an empty road. The bonus performance comes on seamlessly as well. In addition to providing an extra kick, EQ Boost is part of a 48-volt onboard electrical system serving as an alternator and helping run components like the air conditioning compressor and water pump taking the load off the conventional powertrain. And, the ICE has the ability to turn off at lower speeds so the car can “glide” in zero emissions mode. Weighing a hefty 2,000 kilograms, the all-wheel drive vehicle still manages to handle beautifully riding on adaptive AMG RIDE CONTROL+ multichamber air suspension. Continuously measuring road conditions and steering/throttle/brake input, the setup softens while cruising and stiffens during spirited operation. Alternatively, Comfort, Sport or Sport+ modes are available to pre-select to suit a particular mood. The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe starts at MSRP $93,700.

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SPORTY GREEN MOTORING

PHOTOS: TOYOTA PRESSROOM

2022

TOYOTA

CAMRY HYBRID BY Benjamin Yong “We love the handling, responsiveness and comfort of a classic passenger car, and we know many Canadians do, too. That’s why we continue to offer compelling choices like the Camry,” says Cyril Dimitris, vice president of Toyota Canada.

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ybrids often have a reputation for being, well, boring. It doesn’t have to be this way, as models like the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid proves. Particularly in the sporty XSE trim recently debuted last year. “We love the handling, responsiveness and comfort of a classic passenger car, and we know many Canadians do, too. That’s why we continue to offer compelling choices like the Camry,” says Cyril Dimitris, vice president of Toyota Canada.

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“Drivers who have not experienced a modern Toyota sedan owe it to themselves to put the new Camry on their test-drive list.” Rather than going for luxuryoriented styling, the XSE wears a black mesh-style wide-mouthed grille flanked by standard equipment LED headlights and matching mesh lower air intakes. Underneath is an integrated twotone front splitter. Truth be told I personally prefer the XLE’s front

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $37,905 (as tested) Motor: 2.5-litre four cylinder + two electric motors Horsepower: 208 (net) Torque (lb-ft): 163 @ 5,200 rpm Gearbox: CVT Layout: Front engine, frontwheel drive Fuel economy: 7.8 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

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Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform featuring an extended wheelbase and wide stance, this latest iteration looks bigger than previous examples — and exponentially more refined — resembling in many ways its brother from another mother, the Lexus ES. Even the interior is quite Lexus-like, as the gradetopping XSE comes with all the bells and whistles.

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bumper design with the stretched out horizontal bars, but different strokes for different folks. On the other end, there are LED taillamps, a subtle lip spoiler sitting atop the trunk and a builtin diffuser. Definitely un-Priuslike. Other exterior highlights are a bright red coat of Supersonic Red paint and big gunmetal 19-inch alloy wheels. Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform featuring an extended wheelbase and wide stance, this latest iteration looks bigger than previous examples — and exponentially more refined — resembling in many ways its brother from another mother, the Lexus ES.

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The cabin is spacious providing 1,069 millimetres of legroom for the front passengers and 965 rear, and can accommodate 428 liters of cargo. If additional room is required, the 60:40 split bench folds forward. Even the interior is quite Lexus-like, as the grade-topping XSE comes with all the bells and whistles like the much-improved Toyota Audio Plus infotainment system utilizing a nine-inch display, beautiful heated leather steering wheel and wireless charging. Unfortunately, the leather on the seating surfaces aren’t the most premium feeling. Sharing the same under hood mechanicals as the RAV4 Hybrid, which the brand calls “the most popular and proven advanced power train on the

planet,” the propulsion unit consists of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine and two electric motors that transfers 208 net horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. Most products in the segment tend to be a bit whiney during acceleration as the Camry is as well, though not overly so. I wouldn’t say performance is exactly blistering, however the pickup is decent and the sedan is comfortable to drive. The sport-tuned suspension isn’t too stiff and increases the fun factor taking the long way back home after dropping off the kids at school. All models are packaged with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ driver assistance and among the usual assortment of functions also include intersection support that detects an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when performing a left-hand turn and provides audio/visual alerts and emergency braking if needed; and emergency steering assist helping keep the car in the proper lane while trying to avoid a potential collision. The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid is built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Kentucky, USA.

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Vice President, Regional Operations & Area General Manager

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver is dedicated to providing an exceptional guest journey, and ensuring that choosing a Rolls-Royce Motor Car is as unforgettable an experience as the vehicles themselves. We invite you to visit our showroom for a contactless vehicle viewing or schedule a virtual walk-around with us today.

1809 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC Tel 604.659.3208 | rollsroycevancouver.com Contact Aly Jiwani at aly.jiwani@openroadautogroup.com

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DARPAN Magazine March | April 2022

Articles inside

2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE

2022 Mercedes-AMG E 53

TRAVEL

WEDDING

SALUTES

FASHION SPOTLIGHT

DECOR

How Much Longer: The case of delays in BC’s healthcare system

RECIPES

Sukhminder Virk Soul Counsel

BEAUTY

Bollywood’s Powergirls