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ello readers, are you’ll enjoying the pleasant sunny days? Our latest issue is here to give you company this summer. Filled with interesting articles and tips, DARPAN’s May/June issue is all about prepping for the warm months ahead. On the topic of interesting articles, international sensation Guru Randhawa graces the cover of this issue. The singer has orchestrated big hits and has captured the hearts of millions of people across the globe with his captivating, high-energy songs. Just recently, Randhawa made international news with his cross-culture collaboration with the global sensation, Pitbull. Starting from a small town in Punjab to becoming the only Indian featuring on Billboard Top 25 Songs on Youtube, and now making a song with Pitbull, the ‘hit-maker’ has certainly come a long way. In an exclusive interview, Randhawa discusses his journey, musical inspirations, future projects and his dream of representing India on a global level with his music. Our Spotlight section highlights some amazing South Asians. Harj Nagra started to make music when he was just 17 years old. Today, he is a music producer, popularly known for his hit songs Range Rover and Range Wala Jatt. Canadian Gates Scholar and Cambridge University PhD student, Krittika D’Silva, works towards redesigning technology and using spatio-temporal urban mobility modelling to predict changes in cities over time. We also have a special spotlight on the North Delta Huskies basketball team that recently won the Triple-A Provincial Championships – North Delta’s first provincials win in 29 years. The Health column features seven tips for staying cool and healthy this summer. If travel is on your mind, we’ve got you covered. Read the Activities column to find out information on a few incredible British Columbia destinations just a stone’s throw away from Vancouver. Make the most of your weekends this summer by exploring the rest of beautiful BC. Before heading out wherever your summer travels take you this year, we’ve put together a guide of the best products to bring along to make the journey even more memorable than the destination. We hope you enjoy this issue. Share your thoughts with us by writing to editor@darpanmagazine.com or on our social media sites. Happy summer everyone!
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2019 CONTENTS M AY | J U N E
70 26 THE HiT-MAKER:
Guru Randhawa IN EVERY ISSUE 8 READER’S REACTION 10 DARPAN’S 10 Baltej Singh Dhillon
SPOTLIGHTS 12 North Delta Huskies 16 Harj Nagra 18 Parminder Singh 20 Tanpreet Parmar 22 Krittika D’Silva BUSINESS PROFILE 50 WBI Home Warranty Ltd.
90
LIFESTYLE 70 RECIPES Chef Suvir Saran
80 FITNESS
Cardio Comparison
104 HOME
Design Wisdom for Your Home
108 ACTIVITIES
84 HEALTH Beat the Heat
Summer Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
60 NEWS IN PICTURES
86 BEAUTY
110 TECH
68 YOUTH COLUMN
90 STYLE
56 SALUTES
Dr. Kriti Bharti: Taking Child Marriage to Courts
Community Engagement Builds Self-Esteem
142 GLOBAL INDIANS Melanie Chandra
144 HOROSCOPE
Get Glowing
Brighten Your Style
94 FASHION SPOTLIGHT Sunaina Khera
Summer Vacation Gear Guide
112 WEDDING Rupa & Gagan
116 TRAVEL
Oregon: Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge
146 CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS Meet the Doctor Family
FEATURES 36 FEATURE
International Student Life in Canada: A Closer Look
116
STOR
E XC L
USI V
Y E
ENTERTAINMENT 134 BOLLYWOOD The Filmi Journal
138 HOLLYWOOD
Sunny with a Chance of Giggles
40 FEATURE
Finding the Right Employee
42 FEATURE
To Vaccinate Or Not?
36
46 FEATURE
Spark Foundation: Investing in our Youth
54 FEATURE
Get Ready for Garage Sale Season
74 FEATURE Summer Protection
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MARCH / APRIL 2019
REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE
JAGMEET SINGH:
eadecrs tions
CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE
NEW LEADER IN TOWN
BETTER 7 SIGNS THAT MEAN YOU REALLY NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE
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A SIMPLE GUIDE TO
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DARPAN EXCLUSIVE
When I was younger, I could have never imagined that someone who looked like me could become the Prime Minister. I knew it would be a big challenge, but there was never a hesitation because there is a need.”
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TRAVEL TO THIS VIBRANT CITY OF LOVE & LIGHT
Jagmeet
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Singh
March/April issue “#Paris - tu es magnifique!” You will feel vibrant energy and magic in the air as you're swept away by its people, culture, #cuisine #history and #architecture. Check out my #travel feature @DarpanMagazine Link in bio #WednesdayWisdom #Explore #France #Europe #World #DigitalNomad (sic) - Renu Singh-Joseph/ Twitter In plain terms, egg freezing is a strategy for setting aside a woman’s best quality eggs of today, for potential use at a later time in life. Dr Tallon and Olive patient Natalie Grunberg talk to @darpanmagazine (sic) - Olive Fertility/ Twitter Thank you to Darpan Magazine for their support of the exhibition. (sic) - Not My Secret/Facebook The press continues! Our favourite south-asian magazine Darpan Magazine had put some time in today to put out the good word! We're so grateful with their continued support with Fruit Beer Fest 2019 and Hopwired Festival presented by Espressotec and CFOX. (sic) - Fruit Beer Fest/ Facebook “Ultimately the play celebrates resilience, resonates with hope and has audiences on their feet, ready to take the next step.” Thanks to Darpan Magazine for this lovely article about Corey Payette's CHILDREN OF GOD. We are at the Surrey Arts Centre for 2 performances, March 22 & 23. If you missed it in Vancouver, here's your last chance for the foreseeable future! (sic) - Urban Ink/ Facebook Thanks Darpan Magazine for the shout out to this lovely play. And thanks for using my full name, I think it might be a first. (sic) - Emily Grace Brook/ Facebook Thinking ahead to Cookbook #3, Indian Sweet Dishes, some of which were showcased by Darpan Magazine during Diwali. Indian sweet dishes known as "mithai" are created with love and care to share with family and friends as well as on special occasions. (sic) - JD In The Kitchen - Jasmine Daya/ Facebook Thank you Darpan Magazine for Beautiful coverage of Media Preview of Bridal Fashion Week Canada at Fairmont Waterfront (sic) - Parvesh Jai/ Facebook
NEW LEADER IN TOWN 40
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People across Canada are far more similar than they are different. We want to take care of each other, which gives hope that we can do good. As the second largest country in the world, you can see how immense this is. We lift each other.”
The only poll that really matters is the one on election day.” – On recent polls where NDP ranked third
Photos: Courtesy of Jagmeet Singh, Canada's NDP/Flickr
TU EST MAGNIFIQUE!
Write to us: editor@darpanmagazine.com or find us on social media: @DarpanMagazine
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Singh recalls having fallen in love with the Lower Mainland upon his first visit during a trip while attending Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. Coincidentally, his first political tour after marriage was also in Vancouver, and his wife, Toronto-based designer, Gurkiran Kaur, immediately fell in love with the city. “We moved 4,500 kilometers, so it’s a pretty profound thing,” describes Singh, thanking his family for pouring their heart out into campaigning and door-knocking. Undoubtedly, the opportunity has been a life-changing one. MARCH / APRIL 2 019
Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
As the first turban-wearing Sikh to sit in the legislature of Ontario, Singh continues to uphold a vision to build a better Canada with love and courage. After becoming the face of the campaign, he does recognize that every step in the journey is a huge responsibility, “When I was younger, I could have never imagined that someone who looked like me could become the Prime Minister. I knew it would be a big challenge, but there was never a hesitation because there is a need.” Singh brings up the need to put pressure on the
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government and importance of placing emphasis on the right priorities. He outlines three issues that are not only at the forefront of his campaign, but also central values to himself personally:
Housing Singh has seen this issue come up all over the nation in different forms; some provinces lack availability, while some provinces have prohibitively expensive options. He defines that as a massive crisis, affecting people of all demographics, income levels and circumstances. Singh proposes, “I want us to build cooperative, non-market, affordable units, which have now stopped at the federal level.”
Health Care After providing coverage for millions of Canadians that do not currently have it, Singh wishes to expand health care into a fully comprehensive package and fill the gaps, covering areas such as dental care and eye care. “When we have millions of people who can’t get medicines, things get severe, which is costlier and time consuming. People who could have managed their illness are not able to afford it. When conditions get extreme, it becomes hard on the health care system and results in longer wait times for the public,” explains Singh. He plans to bring back the TM currently reduced funding on health care to deliver solid service.
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PRAISE FOR MAGAZINE I’ve been a long-time reader. Love Darpan Magazine, get it delivered right to my door! – Tracey Ellis
Re: Thank you for the kind words and your continuous support Tracey. I hope you enjoy reading our May/June issue. – Editor
Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
Selfless Service
Turbans &
Khalsa Who Does the
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Vaisakhi
2019 SPECIAL EDITION
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Totally loved the article on pet bonding in the last issue. Being an animal-lover myself I think the purest form of connection it formed with pets or animals in general. We need to do out bit to protect them. – Suman. K
Re: Suman, I completely agree. Animals have the ability to
connect with a person without the need of words. There is so much we can learn from pets. – Editor
Issue looks great - Mandeep Bains/ Teja Foods
1 Panth: #GuruGobindSingh Sahib graced #GuruKhalsaPanth enthroned to free, empower, create & deliver with love, light, humility & courage sharpened by #GuruGranthSahib #Vaisakhi #Narrative @darpanmagazine @SikhRI (sic) - Harinder Singh/Twitter
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ACCOUNTING | ADVISORY | TAX | ASSURANCE
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FASHION PAGES Darpan always has some amazing fashion pictures. I love going through them to see the latest in style. – Poorva Shah
Re: Glad you like the fashion spreads in DARPAN
Magazine Poorva. We are proud to offer these talented Indian designers a platform to showcase their mesmerizing collection so that the South Asian community in BC gets a glimpse of it. Keep writing to us. – Editor
The knowledge you need. The partnership you deserve.
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DARPAN’S
Baltej Singh Dhillon
RCMP OFFICER & MEMBER OF ONE VOICE CANADA SOCIETY
1 How would you describe your journey with RCMP in short?
The journey initially was challenging with the change in uniform, and there was adjustment that was required to the new regulations from those who were not in support of the changes. Over time there has been a general acceptance of the turban and there are many more turbanwearing Sikh officers that serve in the RCMP today. Over all, I have had an incredible career to date and am grateful for the opportunities. 2 You are a part of One Voice Canada Society? What is the organization about and why was it founded?
The Society was founded recently when a few videos on international students went viral. They were breaking bottles and partying in a residential suite. It was disheartening to watch and we felt that these children should be guided, instead of their videos going viral. Also, due to a number of issues being raised by international students who have been and continue to be
10
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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
DARPAN
mistreated and financially and sexually exploited because they don’t have a support system, so that they can [get] access [to help] locally. The Society was founded by Dupinder Kaur Saran, a director at Sikh Seva Foundation in coordination with local Gurdwaras, many other professionals and organizations (including but not limited to WSO, Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, Khalsa Aid, SAFA), as well as international students and local student associations. As concerned professionals we are interested in assisting and supporting these students who find themselves alone in Canada and are taken advantage of. 3 How will One Voice Canada Society
help international students?
One Voice has already assisted international students by advocating for students who are being mistreated at the workplace, referring students who are experiencing depression due to various reasons and contemplating suicide, supporting students who are unfamiliar with processes in this country when it comes to immigration and colleges, and with other assistance. TM
4 What is your role in One Voice Canada Society?
I am a volunteer with the Society. I am a police officer with 29 years of experience, and my role in One Voice is to advocate for international students who require support and assistance while they are in Canada pursuing their education. 5 With your background in policing, how will you help the international students?
Some of the issues that we are dealing with include sexual exploitation, employment exploitation and residential exploitation of international students. My experience in law enforcement allows me to provide advice on these cases and support students that are facing these challenges. 6 What are the common challenges international students face in Canada?
Largely, students are being exploited and being taken advantage of in residency cases and as employees. They are also finding themselves not prepared for the education system here and are stuggling, or misled in immigration concerns, which then leads to stress and depression. 7 How has the Society helped the international students so far?
We have advocated for a student whose salary was being withheld without cause and has been paid by a local company in Surrey after One Voice intervened. We are also supporting students that are feeling overwhelmed by the education demands being placed on them and students that are being extorted for sexual favours in lieu of rent by local landlords. 8 Do you think education and standard of living in Canada is expensive or manageable as an international student?
In the short time that I have been with the society and the few cases that I have come across, financial adequacy is an issue and does lead to students becoming vulnerable to exploitation. We will track our cases which will allow us to speak more confidently on the issues in the future. 9 You fought for the right to practice your faith while serving Canada. How would you encourage the young generation/Indian students to take pride in their culture and faith?
A strong identity and commitment to one’s faith is helpful in maintaining a strong sense of purpose and not be drawn into activities and habits that can distract from the objective of securing an education and in turn a promising career. 10 What is your advice to those who wish to follow your path?
Know yourself, know your history, find strong mentors, establish a principled life and commit to being your very best self every day.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BALTEJ SINGH DHILLON, ONE VOICE CANADA SOCIETY
Some of the issues that we are dealing with, as part of One Voice Canada Society, include sexual exploitation, employment exploitation and residential exploitation of international students. My experience in law enforcement allows me to provide advice on these cases and support students that are facing these challenges.”
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NORTH DELTA HUSKIES
◄ (Left image) North Delta Huskies team with Coach Gary Sandhu (first row, extreme left), Coach Manvir Gahir (top row, second from right), Coach Bill Edwards (top row, extreme right), and Coach Jesse Hundal (second row, extreme right)
CELEBRATING A HISTORIC
PROVINCIALS WIN The North Delta Huskies basketball team recently won the Triple-A Provincial Championships BY HARJAN PADDA
E
arlier in March, the North Delta Huskies basketball team won the Triple-A Provincial Championships held at Langley Events Center. The win was significant as it was North Delta’s first provincials win in 29 years, a historic achievement for a program with a rich tradition. After a long, gruelling season with tournaments and playoffs, the Huskies went into the provincials with the belief that they could win it all, and that is exactly what they did. The North Delta Huskies
basketball team comprises mostly of East Indian youth and Grade 12 students. The team’s major hardships came in the form of two serious injuries to a couple of their best players. Starting center Vikram Hayer suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) early in the season that could have ended his high school career right there. However, after discussing options with doctors, Hayer chose to play out the season wearing a brace and being extra careful with his leg.
Suraj Gahir was the MVP of the tournament ►
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It was a tough time for the team to come to grips with a key member getting significantly hurt. Additionally, the team’s top player, Suraj Gahir, had torn ligaments in his ankle due to a previous injury which could have hampered his game going into the final tournaments. Team manager Sonia Grewal revealed how “whenever one man went down, the rest of the team picked them back up. These are great players; great people and we are very proud of everything they have done.” Despite both injuries, the team never lost sight of their goal, and remained committed to their plans. In the tense final against the Vernon Panthers, the game became a tight, defensive battle that coaches were not expecting. The Huskies were down 22-19 at the first half, shooting just 24 per cent from three and 20 per cent overall. This was a lot different
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We accomplished what we have been striving for. We did it not only for ourselves, but for the community and the people that supported us.”
Not many thought we would win, or even come close besides the people who knew the struggle we went through not alone but as a team.”
Success is no accident, all our early mornings and late nights payed off. Was it easy? Nope, was it worth it? Absolutely!”
I never imagined us winning with the circumstances we were in but the basketball gods were on our side. We told ourselves that we’ll get the banner and we did.” - Ryan Cabico
- Suraj Gahir
- Sagar Ranouta
- Vikram Hayer
Champions are made from something deep inside, a desire, a dream, and a vision.” - Arun Atker
I asked myself if moving to North Delta was really the correct decision. All I can say is the ring speaks for itself.” - Abbiel Mate
14
M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 9
Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
Winning provincials has been our goal from the start and we finally accomplished our goal. All the hard workpays off no matter what.”
Our goal was to win it all and we were confident that we would, but the journey was what made it all worth it.”
We worked so hard everyday. We grew as individuals, as a team but more importantly as a family. That’s why we were successful.” - Eshaan Kapoor
- Jagraj Johal
- Manraj Singh
I still feel like I am living in a dream.”
It was an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
- Parm Hothi
- Bhavraj Thiara
PHOTOS: VANCOUVER PRO SPORTS
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than their usual higher scoring games, so they had to really channel their strengths for the second half, which is what they did. Head coach Jesse Hundal pointed to the team’s creativity as a big reason for their adjustment. They made 36 per cent of their shots in the second half with the best improvement
coming from three-point land where they shot 38 per cent in the second half to pace their comeback. The team was down by four points with a minute to go, before senior Arun Atker hit a deep three to bring the team within one. Then, with 11 seconds to go, Gahir drove to the basket to drop the winning layup. Gahir was voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament while Atker was the Player of the Game for the final and a First-Team All-Star. The Huskies core team has been together since grade eight. Players have filtered in and out over the years but the main group along with the coaches have been together for years. Coach Hundal has seen the growth in the team, and after two consecutive Final Four exits, they worked
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The win was significant as it was North Delta’s first provincials win in 29 years, a historic achievement for a program with a rich tradition. After a long, gruelling season with
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tournaments and playoffs, the Huskies went into the provincials with the belief that they could win it all. even harder to bring home the title this season. The coaches noticed that mental breakdowns had cost the team highly in prior years, so mental preparation became a major focus in this season. The coaches knew mental toughness was the key to success; they needed the players to believe in themselves enough and know that they deserve to win. In the semi-finals and finals, the Huskies used this mental toughness to win nail-biting close games and bring home the championship. Immensely proud of the team, Coach Hundal asserts that “finals aren’t meant to be played, they’re meant to be won.” The significance of this achievement is amplified by the fact that the team and coaching staff were almost entirely composed of Indo-Canadians. Never before has a team with this makeup won a top boys championship in BC basketball. Assistant coach Gary Sandhu remembers playing the game himself with a lot fewer South Asian players and recognizes the impact that Punjabi coaches can have on the players. “The game has changed, we are able to have these special connections from the shared backgrounds we have with our players. We believe in these boys and they went out and proved to the whole world that they are champions.”
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HARJ “People’s tastes in music change as their lives go on, and I feel that as an artist it is about recognizing that change and following suit. To be relevant, you need to relate to the people who will be listening to your music.”
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arj Nagra, a music artist and actor in the Punjabi cinema industry, has been blessed with many great experiences and opportunities that have paved the path for his flourishing career in the business. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Harj started to make music when he was just 17 years old. He would spend hours after school learning music programs, instruments,
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and creating beats on the computer. Travelling back and forth from the United Kingdom and Vancouver, Harj would spend summers in the studio in UK, and would accompany artists to many shows, including Jazzy B and Sukhshinder Shinda, whom Harj considers his mentors. “I have always looked up to them as mentors. Over the years I have learned a lot from them during my music career, and still continue to do so. They have been a pivotal foundation and inspiration in my career.” Harj believes that music is about being open to change and evolves with the audience. “People’s tastes in music change as their lives go on, and I feel that as an artist it is about recognizing that change and following suit. To be relevant, you need to relate to the people who will be listening to your music.” Keeping this in mind, this talented music producer has never ceased to grasp opportunities available to him; he is proud to say that he does not limit who he works with or which genre he targets in music. This has allowed Harj to grow as a music producer, and his versatility shows through many of his past projects, including the hit song ‘Range Rover’. When asked, he admits that the success of ‘Range Rover’ built up the pressure to create an equally great follow-up song, but Benny Dhaliwal (featured artist in ‘Range Rover’) and Harj were mindful of the changes needed to continue to improve on their music. This led them to creating
‘Range Wala Jatt’, a “part-two” of the dance-floor hit ‘Range Rover’. “The release of ‘Range Wala Jatt’ song required a lot of planning and discussion. With the re-emergence of duets being our main focal point to the song, we wanted to deliver what the audience wanted to hear,” shares Harj. The music producer believes that it is important to be original and to create your own identity through your music, rather than simply replicating what is already being done. With the understanding that new artists are constantly developing and changing the vibe of music along the way, Harj is able to embrace this exciting time and expand his involvement in diverse ways. For instance, he had the opportunity to act in a hit Punjabi film, Love Punjab, with Amrinder Gill, marking his debut as an actor. This opportunity allowed Harj to explore a new passion, and he hopes to continue to make his mark in upcoming movies. Harj excitedly shares that he has launched his own record label – Hitman Records. The company is receiving great feedback and interest from artists wanting to collaborate with Hitman Records. “This is another step to take my music further and work with both new and established artists,” adds the founder. When asked about his advice to budding artists and youth who are also considering a career in the music or film industry, Harj says, “Passion is what feeds the soul. If you are passionate about anything, not just music, don’t give up on making that your living reality. If music is your purpose, as it is mine, start somewhere, even if you don’t have all the tools or connections. It will all start to come together with time and your willingness to take on any opportunity.”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HARJ NAGRA
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THE
of the renaissance masters - of Michaelangelo, Da Vinci and Van Gogh, along with those of Prof. Puran Singh. His eyes light up equally when he talks about Punjab and the Ten Sikh Masters, and when he talks of Van Gogh’s letter to Theo. Then it dawned on me, choosing to paint Punjabi and Sikh subjects are not his limitations, but his choice. Yet there was no sign of paintings depicting the face of any of the ten Artist Parminder Singh Sikh Gurus. “Is it intentional?” I asked him. “The Guru is my source of light. Attempting to draw how he looked wires sent from British India would be akin to bringing the light to reporting of the Khalsa empire the closure of my own thought. of Punjab. Their ferocity and The Guru is much larger than, much prowess on the battlefield was instrumental in establishing the more divine than my own limitations,” BY ARVINDER SINGH he calmly said. largest secular Sikh empire in I met him a second time around Punjab under Ranjit Singh. the 150th anniversary of Canada. In the first Anglo-Sikh war, He was painting the Vancouver when the Dogra general skyline with a young Aboriginal boy, Tej Singh backstabbed the half in traditional attire and half in Sikh army on the Satluj colonial clothing. A few days later river, burnt the bridges and he posted the painting on Instagram abandoned the Khalsa Army, and the tagline read, “It requires about 10,000 Nihangs took sincerity to close that which is open, the stance to fight than to to stitch that which is raw, to embrace accept defeat. The British those pushed away, to respect as almost banned the Nihang we expect to be respected, to adopt way of life after the fall of Sikh “sarbat da bhala”, a goodwill for all. empire in 1845. After Indian The totem poles do not have to sink independence, and further has turned emerald green. attempts by the government to to make room for skyscrapers. In the distance, you see a The eagles do not have to stop tarnish the image of Nihangs, hint of a white dome and a soaring the skies, just to make small groups of the Nihung Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag). For room for the flags.” order have survived 150 years a moment, I was immersed in I feel Punjabi culture is going of neglect. the painting, and could almost Having lived close to Nihangs through a renaissance of thoughts, hear a faint echo of the songs while growing up in Punjab, arts and literature. A new generation of Guru Nanak reaching my of Punjabi poets and painters, native Parminder Singh’s paintings ears. and in diaspora, are breaking the explore a fresh perspective on I met Parminder Singh the life of Nihangs. When I met mold of confined perimeters of a couple of years ago in him in his small studio in Surrey, thought that confined their expression Vancouver, Canada. I came in the later half of last century and he seemed fascinated by their across his painting on finding new meaning in exploring way of life. Nihangs seem to Instagram of Baba Maan Singh appear often as subjects in his both our past and our future. Nihang along with several of “I dream of painting and then I paintings - but not just their his other works entrenched in paint my dream.” Van Gogh, the prowess in the battle, but as the life of the Nihangs (Sikh famous Dutch Post-Impressionist family men, as caretakers of Samurais)! painter once wrote. Parminder society - the saints and the Nihangs are the traditional Singh’s painting of the faces and warriors. military order of Sikhs, who places of Punjab are one of the best Parminder Singh is softcommit to the lifestyle of the impressions of nostalgia, seen from spoken, driven by the ethos of Sikh warriors. The mention of the Sikh and Punjabi traditions, a Punjabi eye, dreamed in a Sikh Nihangs - often referred to as heart and then beautifully painted on yet keenly aware of the current Akaalees (Immortals) - was a canvas. global affairs. I found his found often in European news bookshelves lined with books
Painter
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et me describe Parminder Singh’s painting “Anandpur: The city of bliss” for you: There is a sprawling field, where the sun-burnt earth from the hot Punjab summers is drunk with the monsoon showers and
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were key to thrive in the business. She recalls “although I did not fit ‘industry standards’ and was often told I was not ‘good enough’, I did not change anything about myself. I learned that beauty thrives when one has confidence in themselves. It is extremely important to embrace in self-love and be comfortable in your own skin. This is what got me through all the negativity.” Being a model with no professional training, Tanpreet faced many challenges throughout her journey. Rejection and failure became part of a learning experience, but putting herself out in front of the pubic eye was truly a challenge. She also experienced bullying from other girls who were extremely
PARMAR A JOURNEY TO SELF-LOVE & SELF-CONFIDENCE BY JASKIRAT SAHNI
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anpreet Parmar, a Canadian model, actress, talk show host and mentor, has had an incredible journey in the entertainment industry which started at the young age of 17. She was Miss Charity British Columbia 2014-15 and crowned Miss India Canada 2016-2017. Along with modelling and participating in pageants, Tanpreet has been featured in numerous music videos, films including Channo Kamli Yaar Di, and has travelled to many leadership conferences around the world as a presenter and host. Growing up, Tanpreet was always fascinated by the possibility of working in the fashion and entertainment industry: “I always wanted to see myself featured
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on a runway, a magazine or on television. It was a dream that I thought would be impossible, simply because I did not know how to make it happen.” However, this thought quickly turned around when she let go of her insecurities and self-doubt and decided to audition for a local fashion show. She passed the audition, which marked the start of her modelling career. The success of her first modelling assignment gave Tanpreet the confidence and motivation to seek out more casting calls, auditions and opportunities to network with local industry professionals. As she built her portfolio, Tanpreet learned that continuous practice, perseverance, determination and confidence
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competitive in pageants, auditions and modelling assignments. However, family support and learning to not be worried about what others think of her really helped Tanpreet get through the tough times. This also channelled her interest in becoming a pageant and modelling coach, as Tanpreet wants to help other girls reach their successes. She is also a firm believer that “success is not about what you accomplish in life, it is about what you inspire others to do.” Currently, Tanpreet is completing her HR degree while also continuing to model, host and coach. She is hoping to continue her participation in various pageants, and wants to grow as an actor in the near future. When asked about what advice she would offer to those entering the entertainment industry, Tanpreet says, “Take advantage of any networking events in your city, meet with industry professionals, and look for a mentor for guidance or professional training. But most importantly, be confident and believe in yourself, without allowing society standards or media influences bring you down. Dream big, and remember you you can do it.”
CREDIT: MANNY BHATTI/BLACKBEARD PHOTOS, WARDROBE: RIMPY SAHOTA
The Canadian model, actress, talk show host and mentor has had an incredible journey in the entertainment industry which started at the young age of 17.
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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT
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REMODELLING MOBILITY “I expect technology to play a larger role in Development Efforts worldwide. And I hope to support this movement given my background,” says the Canadian Gates Scholar.
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hen they left their peaceful life back in India, Krittika D’Silva’s parents knew the future had many challenges in store. Moving to a new country exposed their children to much more at a very young age. Luckily, everything happens for the best. Today, they stand tall beside Krittika, their Canadian Gates Scholar. “I was born in Mumbai. When I was eight, my family moved to the US, where we stayed for two years before settling in Canada. Moving to a new country and away from family and friends was challenging in many ways. But my brother and
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I are happy for the opportunities we’ve had since we’ve been in Canada,” says the Cambridge University PhD student who grew up backpacking through the national parks of British Columbia. It took some time for Krittika to figure where her passion lies. Her love for Mathematics and Science made Biomedical Engineering an easy choice. However an unexpected-yetfortunate turn in her career made her inclined to opt for Computer Science. Today she works towards redesigning technology and using spatio-temporal urban mobility modelling to predict changes in cities over time. ‘Prosthetic Socket Fit’ might
seem like a complex term, but not when explained in the words of this ‘Computer Laboratory Wiseman Award’ winner, “For every human being, the shape of our limbs changes over the day based on the type of our physical activity. A runner will have [a] different amount of fluid in their limbs versus someone lying on the bed all day. And while the shapes of everyone’s thighs vary due to their lifestyle, the size and shape of the socket that is used to fit prosthetics is constant. This can often lead to discomfort, skin breakdown or instability while walking.” In her first year as an undergraduate at the University of Washington (UW), Krittika worked in the Biomedical Engineering Prosthetics Lab to find ways to make prosthetic sockets fit better. She has designed devices to improve the prosthetic sockets for people with lower limb amputations. Through force sensors within sockets, her team hoped to study natural changes and inflammation, to ultimately develop more flexible, adaptable and comfortable solutions. Currently the techno-wiz is working on ways to use DNA molecules for long-term data storage. “We collect 2.5 exabytes of data every day. This data is generally stored on tapes or hard disks, which are unreliable
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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT
PHOTOS: COURTESY KRITTIKA D'SILVA
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long-term storage systems. Using DNA to archive data is an attractive possibility, because it is dense with a raw limit of 1 exabyte/cm3 and an observed half-life of over 500 years,” says the UW graduate. After working for the world’s top tech companies like Google and Microsoft, Krittika has her eyes set on her next dream job – working for international organizations such as the United Nations. The brilliant student says, “I expect technology to play a larger role in Development Efforts worldwide. And I hope to support this movement given my background.” On being asked about her favourite place to work, Krittika answers, “It would be hard to pick a favourite organization. I enjoyed my time at Google and the products I helped build are currently used worldwide. However I found the work at the UN Pulse Lab in Indonesia more impactful as it enabled me to work directly with governmental organizations, guiding their future and giving their policies a direction.” The UN Pulse is an innovation lab within the United Nations to harness data science insights for policy. Krittika’s truly thrilling moment was being invited to a private estate in Kent (UK) for a day of tennis with His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the son of Queen Elizabeth II. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award winner exclaims, “I played a doubles matches against His Royal Highness and although I lost, I’ll never forget the moment.” Krittika has received the Outstanding Senior Award in Computer Engineering, Mary Gates Research Scholarship, Art Levinson Scholarship, and Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Female Departmental Award, among other notable recognition. In her free time, Krittika loves bird-watching. Her recent fascination is powerlifting. She believes it has changed the way she looks at herself. “This month I competed for the first time at the British Women’s University Championships. While I played sports growing up, I never considered myself strong. Powerlifting has given me more confidence,” says Krittika in conclusion.
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COVER STORY
THE HiT-MAKER:
Guru Randhawa By Shweta Kulkarni
The singing sensation discusses his journey, musical inspirations, future projects and his dream of representing India on a global level with his music.
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he ‘High-Rated Gabru’ aka Guru Randhawa doesn’t need any introduction. Over the past two years, this young sensation from Punjab has orchestrated big hits and has captured the hearts of millions of people across the globe with his captivating, high-energy songs like ‘Lahore’, ‘High Rated Gabru’, ‘Suit Suit’, and ‘Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani’. Just recently, the popular singer made everyone hit the dance floor once again with his cross-culture collaboration with the global sensation Armando Christian Perez a.k.a. Pitbull. The duo has
come together for their brand-new single ‘Slowly Slowly’ which has created a storm across the world, literally. “It is a dream come true moment. I always wanted to represent my village, my state and my country at an international level, this collaboration with Pitbull Sir is one step towards that representation. I can’t thank Pitbull Sir and T-Series enough for all their support and love. We have worked hard on this single and I hope this will put Indian music on the world map,” shares Randhawa in a statement. Well, his hard work has
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COVER STORY
From a very young age, I wanted to sing and be in front of the camera. From making independent singles to them being placed in movies, topping Billboard charts and finally being on TV as a judge, I feel life comes in full circles. My journey has been great.” indeed paid off; the music video, right from its upbeat music to the catchy visual featuring beautiful beach shots and yachts, has turned into the mostviewed song and created history with 33 million views on YouTube in just 24 hours. Randhawa expressed his excitement over the brand-new record on his Instagram page; in a post that shows him performing to the song, he wrote, “History has been created. MOST VIEWED SONG WITH 33 Million hits on YouTube in 24 hours. Number one in the world right now. SLOWLY SLOWLY is creating a buzz worldwide. THANKYOU for your love and support.” (sic) Starting from a small town in Punjab, to becoming the only Indian featuring on Billboard Top 25 Songs on Youtube, and now making a song with Pitbull in Miami, Randhawa has certainly come a long way. While his inspiring journey has been anything but a cake-walk, the talented singer likes to define it in one word – great, as he says, “From a very young age, I wanted to sing and be in front of the camera. From making independent
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singles to them being placed in movies, topping Billboard charts and finally being on TV as a judge, I feel life comes in full circles. My journey has been great and I’m thankful to all the people who have been a part of it, without them it wouldn’t be possible.” Randhawa’s fascinating journey in the world of music kickstarted when he was a kid. Like many young children, he used to watch a lot of television, it was then that he actually started listening to music and decided to be a singer. “I was born in Gurdaspur in Punjab. In this small village, the satellite used to catch only regional channels along with DD National and a few others. I used to listen to old folk and pop music that used to come on TV then and I used to keep singing those songs, that’s how it all began,” recalls Randhawa. Not surprisingly, Gurdas Maan, Hans Raj Hans and Babbu Maan, and other music legends have had a major influence on this international star.
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COVER STORY I think there is always space for new music. If one makes a good song there is a wide audience for it. I love making independent music and seeing Bollywood open to independent music is a great move, and the digital space has changed the game too.”
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Interestingly, music made such a strong impression on young Randhawa that he actually started penning down his songs in school. In fact, some of his popular hit numbers were actually penned during his school days. “It all began with listening to songs on TV and singing it at an early age. I started writing songs since I was in school. The songs you hear now were actually written long back. I started releasing independent music and I didn’t give up. It’s all about making efforts and putting your heart into it. It’s all a blessing and I am
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very grateful for it,” shares Randhawa, thankful for the opportunities and love he has received trough his music. While Randhawa’s family was completely supportive of his passion, especially his Canada-based older brother Ramneek Randhawa, who bore most of the production cost for his songs, the singer ensured that he completed his MBA degree before taking up music as a full-time career. Randhawa believes that his knowledge sets him apart from the others, as he knows exactly how to promote a song, and where to promote it. Today, with his inherent musical talent and acquired business cognizance, Randhawa has undoubtedly carved an enviable niche for himself in the world of music. Ask him what were the challenges he faced at the beginning of his career and how things have changed over time, Randhawa smiles and says optimistically, “I don’t take it as challenges. It was a
part of my process which helped me grow and learn. Initially, it’s about making a good song, rest everything falls into place.” Wise fellow indeed, but one wonders what was his perception of the music industry before he became a part of it. “I think there is always space for new music. I still feel the same and if one makes a good song there is a wide audience for it. I love making independent music and seeing Bollywood open to independent music is a great move, and the digital space has changed the game too,” explains this creative music genius, who writes and composes his own songs apart from singing them. Singing, writing, composing – which out of the three does he enjoy the most? “It’s a process and I enjoy every part of it. From composing, writing, singing and finally performing it for an audience… It is the best feeling,” exclaims Randhawa. Speaking further about his inspiration and creative process, the celebrity artist states, “I compose music taking inspiration from everyday lives. It usually starts with getting the
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It’s my dream to represent India on a global level with my music. Recently, ‘Lahore’, my independent single was featured on Billboard charts. It was a moment of immense happiness for the entire team and fans. It’s all by the love of fans, that we artists are able to achieve this.”
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India on a global level with my music. Recently, ‘Lahore’, my independent single was featured on Billboard charts. It was a moment of immense happiness for the entire team and fans. It’s all by the love of fans, that we artists are able to achieve this,” explains Randhawa. Speaking about his future projects, Randhawa reveals, “I have T-Series’ Mixtape, where I have collaborated with Neha Kakkar on two high energy songs. Many more singles and movie songs are due. Looking forward to 2019.” A pattern that one has often noticed in majority of popular Punjabi singers is that the next big step for them is to face the camera as actors. Does Randhawa have any such plans? “Not currently, I’m enjoying the space of doing music,” he sums up. PHOTOS: COURTESY KRITTIKA D'SILVA
PHOTOS: COURTESY GURU RANDHAWA
tune and lyrics in mind, maybe in [the] car or plane or anywhere. Then we work on it more and then record it. I always try to keep my songs very easy with lyrics and catchy young compositions.” Ask him, if there is any particular strategy that he follows before coming up with his musical masterpieces and the talented singer-composer says, “No, there is no particular strategy at all. Creating music is a very natural process for me.” Interestingly, irrespective of the genre, Randhawa’s music has always found a connect with the global youth, which makes us wonder what is his dream now? Does he feel that his music could go be beyond its current form? “It’s my dream to represent
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1) $18/month for the Secure plan available to TELUS mobility post-paid customers who are also subscribed to at least one TELUS residential service, and who have not subscribed to TELUS SmartHome Security services in the past 90 days. Offer expires June 30, 2019. Offers subject to change without notice. Cannot be combined with other TELUS SmartHome Security promotional offers. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a licensed and certified TELUS technician. Bundling discount of $20/month applies to regular price of Secure, Protect and Control plans for 36 months. Full regular price applies, currently $38/month, after 36 months. Regular price is subject to change without notice. A cancellation fee applies for early termination of the 3-year service agreement. The cancellation fee is $10 per month for Secure, Protect and Control plans, multiplied by the number of months remaining in the service agreement. Available to customers signing up for TELUS SmartHome Security on a 3-year service agreement. All recurring monthly charges will be waived for any service cancelled in the 30 days following installation, promotional and installation credits will be reversed, and all equipment rental monthly fees will not apply; however, the rental equipment must still be returned to TELUS or a charge will apply. Rental equipment must be returned in good condition upon cancellation of service, otherwise the replacement cost will be charged to the account. TELUS SmartHome Security installation fee applies and is $100 for customers subscribed to one or more of the following services: TELUS post-paid mobility, Optik TV or high speed internet. The installation fee for all other customers is $450. 2) Customers who sign a three year contract for a TELUS SmartHome Security Control package receive one Smoke Sensor valued at $60, three Door/Window Sensors valued at $20 each, two Motion sensors valued at $60 each, one Qolsys control panel valued at $495, as well as a choice of two video or automation devices including a Doorbell Camera valued at $160 and Outdoor Camera valued at $220. Included equipment is provided to TELUS SmartHome Security customers as part of the recurring monthly rental fee. Rental equipment must be returned in good condition upon cancellation of service, otherwise the replacement cost will be charged to the account. TELUS, the TELUS logo, telus.com and the future is friendly TM are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under license. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2019 TELUS. M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 9
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BY PETRINA D’SOUZA
A 2018 Canadian Bureau for International Education Student Survey found out that 96 per cent of international students recommend Canada as a study destination.
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anada’s influx of international students has been increasing every year. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, there were 572,415 international students in Canada at all levels of study in 2018. The country has seen a 154 per cent increase in international students from 2010 to 2018. An excellent education system, multiculturalism, environmental beauty, and effective law and order are major factors that draw students from around the globe to the country. A 2018 Canadian Bureau for International Education Student Survey found out that 96 per cent of international students recommend Canada as a study destination. According to the survey, the top three reasons for international students to choose
Canada are (1) The quality of the Canadian education system; (2) Canada’s reputation as a tolerant and non-discriminatory society; and (3) Canada’s reputation as a safe country. “Canada has become one of the most desirable places to study worldwide. Compared to the historically strong international education markets including the UK, USA and Australia, Canada has more affordable tuition fees, an overall high quality of program
Gareth Jones
INTERNATIONAL
Manager, International Marketing & Recruitment at Douglas College
STUDENT LIFE IN
CANADA: A CLOSER LOOK
offerings and access to the Canadian job market after graduation,” says Gareth Jones, Manager, International Marketing & Recruitment at Douglas College. He further adds that students are more keen to study in Canada due to the eligibility of receiving a 1-3 year post-graduate work permit. For Ali Najaf, a recent Simon Fraser University (SFU) graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Canada’s multiculturalism was also a key factor that encouraged him to study in the country. “It is one of the few countries where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated.” Jones agrees, “Canada has a reputation for being a safe, welcoming and multi-cultural society, so the pathway to immigration is oftentimes seen as a major driver in the decisionmaking process for these students.”
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Japneet Kaur Student at Columbia College
associate degree in General Arts at Columbia College, says she the government was mentally not ready to live announced changes to away from her family. “Honestly all students are just not prepared the Post-Graduation for that homesickness and Work Permit (PGWP) much more.” Language can be a barrier too as Nikhil Maria program - students reveals that he had a difficult can now apply for a time communicating with others PGWP up to 180 days as soon as he reacehd Canada. “I had never travelled by myself after finishing their before and the customs people at the airport could not understand degree or diploma. my accent properly, nor could I
In February 2019,
access to supports to improve academic success. “Our goal is, Ali Najaf and will always be, helping our Recent SFU Graduate international students thrive in their new environment.” Though there are benefits Colleges and universities also play to a Canadian education, a big role in helping international international students however students embrace the student have to deal with numerous life in Canada. Jones shares that challenges along the way. Douglas College’s international To begin with, many of these department staff is trained to students have never lived in provide services that guide students another country, or even on through difficult times and help their own before. The initial them integrate with the college and stage of settling down and broader community. These services getting accustomed to the include, but are not limited to surroundings can be difficult opportunities such as excursions, for some. Japneet Kaur, an intra-mural sporting events and international student doing an
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Nikhil Maria International Student at SFU
understand what they were saying,” recalls the fourth-year student studying Business Administration at SFU. Ali’s biggest challenge was integration into the wider community due to different culture and norms. He was surprised to see students calling professors by their first name. “I never called a professor by their name; we always used Sir and Madam. It took me about three weeks to get used to referring to one of my instructors as Steve.” Japneet believes prior research on colleges, accommodation or transit can make the journey easier. “A student should download a transit app before arrival and look for routes which have more services and find accommodation accordingly, or else it could get very tough with time. Also, read about the country or city’s culture you are going to beforehand.” Another issue for international students is maintaining the Canadian lifestyle. “The standard of living and education is not manageable at all. I would not be able to support myself without the financial aid,” states Nikhil. Ali adds that education and standard of living in Canada are expensive when
DARPAN FEATURE you convert the amount of your tuition to your home country currency. “It is not manageable without the support of funding from family and doing part-time work, but there is support available from universities in the form of scholarships and bursaries.” There are also cases of international students being mistreated, underpaid or suffering from depression and other mental health issues. “Students are being exploited and being taken advantage of in residency cases or as employees. They also find themselves not prepared for the education system here, or misled in immigration concerns, which then leads to stress and depression,” points
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“Canada has a reputation for being a safe, welcoming and multi-cultural society, so the pathway to immigration is oftentimes seen as a major driver in the decision-making process for these students,” says Gareth
Photos: iStock
Jones of Douglas College.
out RCMP officer Baltej Singh Dhillon. Dhillon is a part of newly-founded One Voice Canada Society which caters to the needs and struggles of international students. One Voice Canada comprises of many organizations and professionals who have come together to assist and support these students who find themselves alone in Canada and are taken advantage of. “Some of the issues that we are dealing with include sexual exploitation, employment exploitation and residential exploitation of international students,” reveals Dhillon, who believes that financial adequacy is an issue and does lead to students becoming vulnerable to exploitation. The government is also doing its part; working in Canada after graduation has now become easier for international students. In February 2019, the government announced changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program – students can now apply for a PGWP up to 180 days after finishing their degree or diploma.
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Finding the Right Employee Finding candidates with complex skill sets will require more than a simple job posting.
DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A long-time employee retires, and the company seeks to replace that person with someone with the same skill set. But that approach doesn’t take into account how the job could be adapted for the modern economy. Are there new skills that could be added to the search that will enhance the role?
THEY DO IT ALONE
It
can be hard to find the right candidate to join your company’s team. Posting a job ad online and sharing through your social media channels will certainly put the opportunity in front of a lot of eyes but there is a big difference between the number of people who will see your ad and the quality of the candidates who are interested in applying.
If all you do is put a job notice on an online board, you are ceding control over who may be interested in the job you have open. You will get responses from a vast array of people, many of whom likely do not have the specialized skill sets you are seeking. It results in a lot of wasted time for minimal results.
There are several mistakes companies can make when seeking a new hire:
ACCEPTING WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN
OVER-RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY Social media is a great tool for connecting with people, and channels such as LinkedIn are great for bringing workers to employers. However, there is nothing that compares with oldfashioned one-on-one contact when seeking new additions to your team.
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It is time-consuming to draft a job description, take it to market and then sift through the applicants. But if the quality of the field is low, there is no need to settle for the best of what may be poor crop. It does mean it is time to rethink your recruitment strategy.
TM
THE BEST CANDIDATES AREN’T LOOKING One of the biggest problems with a public job posting is that the best candidate for your position is likely already working elsewhere in the field. Those people are searching the job ads. But at the right compensation point, they may be willing to make a change.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Steven Cardwell is a 20-year veteran of recruiting and General Manager of the recruitment firm ESF Careers.
Photo: iStock
By Steven Cardwell
There are a lot of moving parts to make a business successful. Dedicating the time and resources to finding new team members takes away from the pursuit of success. But there are firms who can take on the task of finding you the right person for your job, ensuring they have the skill set to meet your needs and the personality to fit with your existing team.
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+ The future of vaccinations, from a legal standpoint, is still in the air regarding who should hold the rights (government or parents).
BY NAINA GREWAL
S
cience does not have all the answers. However, through the progression of time, we have developed tools, technologies and the intelligence to address seemingly impossible problems, especially in the arena of health. By establishing procedures that tackle contagious, harmful and even fatal diseases, global human expectancy has doubled in the last century. One such treatment is that of vaccinations, or immunizations, often described as a training course for the immune system that provides immunity to a disease. From a social standpoint, conflicting views exist in the debate surrounding whether immunizations for kids
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body will remember how to fight these germs, you will not get sick if you are ever exposed them in the future. Gianni Del Negro, London Drugs Pharmacy Manager, shares that beyond the individual, immunizing also helps to protect the health of our community, specifically those people who cannot be immunized – children who are too young to be vaccinated, or those who can’t receive certain vaccines for medical reasons – and the small proportion of people who do not respond to a particular vaccine. Finally, vaccinations save time, expenditure and medical bills for sicknesses that can be prevented. While countries such as Australia and Italy have successfully regulated
To Vaccinate
Or Not?
should be regulated, or if the choice should remain completely in the hands of parents. To spark a conversation, one must understand how vaccinations work. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, vaccines are made using killed or weakened versions of the diseasecausing germ or parts of the germ, called antigens. Upon recognizing foreign entry, your body responds by releasing antibodies to fight the antigens. Since the
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Dr. Julie Bettinger, PhD, MPH Vaccine Safety Scientist at Vaccine Evaluation Center
O R T H O D O N T I C S
Parents tell me there are three main factors [that] impact their vaccination decision making: anxiety, accessibility and trust,” says Dr. Bettinger who reveals that British Columbia has the lowest vaccine coverage rates in Canada. vaccinations, no jurisdictions in Canada currently require vaccinations for students. Gurminder Singh, new parent to a four-month-old baby, recalls that nurses provided various pamphlets when they were discharged from the hospital, one of which was a Health Passport containing information and tracking aids for their child’s vaccinations. In Singh’s opinion, vaccinations are undoubtedly necessary for a child’s development, “Children’s immune systems are usually already less strong in countries like Canada, where children are exposed to less bacteria, dirt and germs. Vaccines are a good thing, without denial. Although not an obligation, doctors do make it sound like you have to get them done. For schools, vaccination records are important documents as they do not want other kids to be affected.”
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Gianni Del Negro London Drugs Pharmacy Manager
Immunizing also helps to protect the health of our community, specifically those people who cannot be immunized,” says Del Negro. When it comes to parents opposing vaccinations, the proportion is very small, as per Dr. Julie Bettinger, PhD, MPH, who is a Vaccine Safety Scientist at the Vaccine Evaluation Center, a leading center for applied vaccine research in Canada. Research has shown that 1-2 per cent of people cannot be convinced to vaccinate, while 15-20 per cent have questions and want more information. For those undecided, we know that their relationships with their health care provider is very important because it can influence their thoughts on vaccines. Jagjit Sandhu, mother of two young children, explains that her source of information was her doctor, “Foremost, we saw that everyone gets their kids vaccinated, so we deemed it appropriate to do so as well. That said, it was our doctor who gave us advice and told us exactly where to go.” With the primary concern of wanting the best for their child amidst a confusing maze of information-overload, Dr. Bettinger shares parents’ perspective, “Parents
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tell me there are three main factors [that] impact their vaccination decision making: anxiety, accessibility and trust.” She further reveals that British Columbia has the lowest vaccine coverage rates in Canada and Canada has the lowest rates in North America, although this can arguably be linked to the lack of a real time vaccination
register system, reflecting opportunity for busting misconceptions on a national level. In similar light, Dr. Pargat Singh Bhurji, pediatrician and neonatologist, specializing in the care of newborns, children and teenagers, claims that education is the key to such Dr. Pargat Singh Bhurji, Pediatrician & neonatologist parental anxiety.
Three common myths surrounding immunization:
Myth #1
Myth #2
Myth #3
“Vaccinations will somehow harm my child or result in serious side-effects.”
“Canada is a safe country. My child can never get sick here anyway, so there is no point of vaccinations.”
“It is part of my belief system to not inject anything in the body.”
Fact With over 25 years of pharmacy experience, Del Negro assures that side effects from vaccines are generally very mild and self-limiting such as soreness at the injection site or a mild fever. Serious side effects such as life-threatening reactions are extremely rare and are generally estimated to be 1 in 1,000,000. A common misbelief is that vaccinations are causally related to autism, which has been disproved by numerous studies.
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Fact If there was no reason to vaccinate, we would not have them at all. Diseases can come from many sources. When we travel and are not immunized, we open the door to danger. Consider the measles scare, which came from Vietnam.
Fact Opting out can result in severe complications and even fatal outcomes – a state of being that could have been avoided. Speaking of the situation 100 years ago, Dr. Bhurji suggests that we had no choice at the time. However, it is now important to look past traditional methods as we live in a comparatively medicallyadvanced era.
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Evidently, irrefutable evidence exists when it comes to the benefits of immunization as the most cost-effective way to prevent infectious diseases, saving countless lives. Historically the leading cause of death, infectious diseases now account for less than five per cent of deaths in Canada. It is also mentionable that vaccinations are not limited to one’s childhood. Vaccination records should be revisited by adults and medical professional should be consulted as one’s immunity may decrease over time; blood tests can be done to measure antibody levels. The future of vaccinations, from a legal standpoint, is still in the air regarding who should hold the rights (government or parents). Discussions about restricting the advertising of anti-vaccine messages, incentives or tax breaks for parents that do vaccinate children, and other mandatory alternatives are currently in the limelight. For now, the ultimate reigns remain in the hands of parents. Due to the influx of misinformation on platforms such as social media, and even other people, it is essential for parents to seek information from medical professionals and make an informed decision. An action that seems trivial now holds life-changing power – for the better, or for the worse. Prevention is better than cure.
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SPARK FOUNDATION Investing in our Youth By Petrina D'Souza
I
n 2016, Spark Global Philanthropy Canada (popularly known as Spark Foundation) was founded to promote and teach strategic philanthropic practices that empower youth to understand and navigate charity. “We created the Spark Foundation because we believe the greatest investment we can make today is not in any particular cause, but in our youth. We are working to cultivate a new generation of leaders that share the common goal of enhancing society, and so far, our investment has been extremely rewarding,” explains Abdul Ladha, director of the Foundation.
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Through various Spark programs, students engage with individuals who have dedicated their lives to giving back, set aside their wealth to benefit others and invested in the future of their communities. “Our roster of speakers, who share their personal journeys into philanthropy, never fail to inspire our students. Such individuals include President Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama, Amed Khan, Petra Nemcova, Ravi Singh, Stuart Weitzman, and many others. Students learn from these philanthropists, take in advice, and have the unprecedented opportunity to work and volunteer alongside them,” shares Ladha. A much-awaited, annual event of the Foundation is the Spark Gala, which showcases philanthropy at its very best.
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We created the Spark Foundation because we believe the greatest investment we can make today is not in any particular cause, but in our youth. We are working to cultivate a new generation of leaders that share the common goal of enhancing society.”
Abdul Ladha,
Director of SPARK Foundation
DARPAN FEATURE This spectacular evening of food, entertainment and amazing live auction prizes took place on May 10, 2019, at the Parq Vancouver. This year’s gala showcased the success of the Foundation’s philanthropy programs, new initiatives such as Spark Junior and the Portfolio and Endowment Management Program, and how Spark has grown since its inception. “This event is our opportunity to shine the spotlight on the passion, fierce intelligence, and the raw talent of our students, who are truly members of the next generation of leaders poised to make change. Spark programs now empower, teach and mentor youth from the age of seven through high school, post-secondary education and into the job market, with the skill set required to be active and contributing members of society,” says Ladha proudly. A key philosophy of Spark programs is philanthropy taught by philanthropists, bringing
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The Foundation’s newest program, Spark Junior, is a creative initiative aimed to inspire children aged seven to 14 to become involved in philanthropy. It is a program for children and their families to learn the activities to curate a generous spirit in the next generation. individuals working in all sectors of philanthropy locally and abroad to inspire and teach students how they can make their greatest impact. Following this principle, the Guest of Honour at Spark Gala was United Nations Champion of the Earth, Afroz Shah. Shah’s work to clean-up the beaches of Mumbai in India, particularly Versova Beach, has been labelled by the UN as the biggest beach clean-up in the world. Proceeds from the gala support the Spark Foundation’s youth empowerment programs that teach youth to navigate and understand the landscape of philanthropy, create change in their local and global communities, and provide student-directed funding to humanitarian aid projects and education for women, children and refugees worldwide.
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Photos: Courtesy of Spark Foundation
A key philosophy of Spark programs is philanthropy taught by philanthropists, bringing individuals working in all sectors of philanthropy locally and abroad to inspire and teach students how they can make their greatest impact.
and history of philanthropy, as well as key aspects of early learning such as social etiquette and financial literacy. “Spark Junior is The Foundation’s newest today’s investment in tomorrow’s program, Spark Junior, is a leaders and for some [it] will be creative initiative aimed to their first experience of giving, inspire children aged seven fostering a life-long dedication to to 14 to become involved in philanthropy,” adds Ladha. philanthropy. It is a program The Spark Portfolio and for children and their families Endowment Management Program to learn the activities to curate will teach students the skill set a generous spirit in the next needed to manage an investment generation. Through over portfolio and become sound six sessions students will be financial stewards of endowed introduced to the fundamentals capital. “A group of 25 students
are working with and learning from top financial analyzes, fund managers, and industry titans,” informs Ladha. Three select students from this group will then work with industry experts to manage Spark’s endowment. Other programs at the Foundation include Spark’s Philanthropy Program and the annual Spark Summit. Visit sparkfoundation.com for more information on the programs.
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hen WBI Home Warranty Ltd (WBI) started in 2011, little did the organization know that it would go on to have such a great reputation in the warranty business and be recognized as truly a great company to do business with. Today, WBI and its team of experienced new home warranty, insurance and construction professionals continue to have the expertise and resources required to suit virtually every clients needs. WBI’s main business is to provide the provincially mandated new home warranty insurance to builders in Alberta and British Columbia; however WBI also provides new home warranty insurance in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The home warranty company is part of the Wilson M. Beck Insurance Group – a major insurance broker in the construction business since 1981 specializing in all kinds of insurance for the construction industry from bonding to course of construction, and wrap-up insurance as well as a full personal lines division. Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada (RSA) has been WBI’s insurer since the spring of 2011 and has underwritten and insured all the policies issued in the four western provinces that WBI does business in. In April of 2019, The Guarantee Company of North America (The Guarantee) agreed to insure and underwrite new home warranty insurance policies in Alberta and British Columbia. WBI stands by its principals of
Photos: A MASTER MEDIA, JC Images
authenticity, simplicity, drive, mindfulness, appreciation and people over profits. “Our aim is primarily to provide the mandated 2/5/10 new home warranty to builders along with many of the other products and services that the builder will need,” says Gordon Houston, Executive Vice President of WBI. “For the homeowners our mandate is to be at all times honest and fair with our assessments of potential warrantable items in their home; and to work with the builder and the homeowner to assist in solving issues or problems in a reasonable time frame.” In layman’s terms, a new home warranty is a limited policy of insurance covering defects in a new home. It protects the homeowner in case certain types of defects arise after construction is complete. As per the Homeowner Protection Act, homes built by Licensed Residential Builders must have 2/5/10 new home warranty insurance. The new home warranty insurance coverage includes: 2 years on labor and materials; 5 years on the building envelope, including water penetration; and 10 years on the structure of the home.
Key pointers for builders & homeowners:
watching out for your best interests at all times. Our experienced inspectors work for you. They help ensure that your sub trades are providing you with the quality work that you deserve. They work hard For builders: to protect your firm from costly • Ensure that you’re using quality callbacks and deficiencies,” trades and materials for the home. says Houston. And when a “I always tell my builders that claim does arise, the WBI everybody that shows up at your job staff will ensure that it is dealt is ultimately spending your money. with fairly and that you get the Make sure that they’re spending it support you need to solve the wisely,” adds Houston. issue quickly. • Before giving ownership of the house to the buyer, get a WBI For homeowners: inspector to do a final walkthrough with you and the site supervisor. • Recognize that there is no Have the inspector take a look such thing as a perfect house. at your finished product from a “You cannot build a house that homeowner’s perspective and is totally 100 per cent defectgive you advice on what you can free. Especially with wood repair or do differently before the frame, the house is continually homeowner moves in. “With the drying, settling and changing WBI Construction Assurance team dimension,” states Houston. you can rest assured that we are • If you notice anything that “The Homeowner Protection Act and Regulations are 100 per cent driven for consumer protection. If there is a legitimate defect as described by the legislation, it is the responsibility of the warranty company to ensure
that the defect is repaired in a timely manner,” points out Houston. WBI works jointly with the homeowner and the builder to assist in facilitating a timely repair. In cases where the builder is ignoring the consumer’s needs or does
you think is a defect, notify your builder and the warranty company as soon as possible. Identify very clearly what the concerns are. Most builders are very positive about dealing with issues. • If for any reason, your builder is not reacting in a timely fashion, then put it down in writing and let the warranty company know. “We will work jointly with the homeowner and the builder to try to get the legitimate defects fixed and dealt with,” assures Houston. • Be patient and stay in touch with your builder. Don’t be shy of following-up and asking what the builder’s plans and intentions are. Also, there’s no harm in following up with the warranty company as well.
not fix the legitimate defect, Houston and his expert team take control of the situation and arrange for the repair of the defect. In a span of only eight years, WBI has created a powerful and loyal clientele that boasts of major builders
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What Clients say about WBI Home Warranty “Gordon Houston and his team at WBI provide us with exceptional service for our warranties and deposit insurance. They are responsive, professional and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend them!”
Diane Delves President & CEO, Quantum Proper ties
“Hayer Builders Group has had the pleasure of working with WBI for numerous years on multiple innovative commercial and residential communities. During this we have always received prompt service from a personable and professional relationship for years to come.”
Jennifer Yu, Senior Vice President, WBI
Rav Hayer President & CEO, Hayer Builders Group
“I have had an excellent working relationship with WBI Home Warranty for many years. WBI provides reliable service with quick turn-around times. You can call them anytime and you always speak to someone who is capable of helping. They understand the Builders view point but never forget that the Buyer is just as impor tant.”
Steve Ratzlaff Special Projects Coordinator, Diverseproper ties.com
“We are a Builder of multi-family projects throughout the Lower Mainland and have used WBI Warranty since their formation in 2011. Success in our industry comes through the creation of strong relationships to achieve the ultimate goal of providing buyer satisfaction and confidence. In this regard, we have enjoyed our relationship with WBI Warranty and appreciate their integrity, professionalism and dedication to provide exceptional customer service. WBI Warranty has also been able to expand their services to include general insurance and deposit insurance in addition to Home warranty which provides seamless convenience. We welcome WBI Warranty to Surrey and look forward to a continued long term relationship.”
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and developers, such as Royale Properties, Hayer Builders Group, Platinum Group, Apex Custom Homes, Bosa Development Corporation, Quantum Properties, Epic Homes, Mortise Group, Executive Group, Appia Group of Companies, Thind Properties, Am-Pri, Maskeen, Apcon, and approximately 500 more clients. Though WBI’s main focus is on new home warranty insurance, the organization understands the overall needs of builders and developers, thus providing other types of insurance, like: Construction Insurance: Primary types of coverage include Commercial General Liability (CGL), Course of Construction Insurance, and Wrap-Up Liability. “We have the availability of offering our clients construction insurance and wrap-up insurance on all their projects, big or small, with a good a rate as anybody. Because of our long-term relationships with the insurance companies and our superior application submissions we are able to get very competitive pricing,” asserts Houston. Deposit Insurance: Deposit Protection Insurance enables a
developer to insure and access the deposits on a project as a low-cost source of construction financing by insuring the funds. Houston states that the Deposit Insurance “can help the multifamily developer reduce their construction costs by tens of thousands of dollars versus conventional new construction financing.” Home Deposit Bond: Home Deposit Bonds ignite a developer’s pre-sales by helping purchasers with the minimum deposit requirements. Houston reveals that WBI is also working on an additional product called Universal which will extend the warranty on the five major appliances (washer, dryer, fridge, stove and dishwasher) and the homeowner’s hot water tank, furnace and air conditioning – all for approximately $400-$450 a year. Additionally, through Wilson M. Beck Insurance, WBI can offer clients and homeowners all kinds of insurance just like any other brokerage operation. “We’re able to get better rates in most cases. We have many of our clients who take advantage of that one-stop shopping at WBI,” adds Houston, who has been in the new home
Photos: A Master Media, Salon Picasso
staff and we look forward to continuing our working
BUSINESS PROFILE
Houston and his team take pride in calling themselves a customeroriented organization warranty business for over two decades. Houston and his team of 24 members take pride in calling themselves a customeroriented organization. “We treat our clients with dignity and respect. We recognize that without our clients we wouldn’t be in business. We understand that long-term relationships are built on a solid foundation, which is why our mission is to work with you every step of the way. We strive to be a company that you can trust and rely on,” says Houston, who proudly adds that most of his staff is highly experienced in the new home warranty business. He mentions that his number one staff member is Jennifer Yu, Senior Vice President at WBI. “Jennifer has worked with me for over 12
years. She is unbelievably loyal and extremely knowledgeable on all aspects of the business. She goes out of her way to look after builders, any time of the day. She is the most perfect example of customer service,” shares Houston. Indeed, WBI’s superior customer service and professional assistance is second to none. From carefully assessing that the builders
are qualified to carry on the project to ensuring that the homeowners’ needs are met, WBI is with the client from start to end, providing unfailing advice and service. “We are also flexible in our business arrangements with relation to the provision of other requirements that might be needed for a home construction project. We will never be the cause for a delay
on a building permit,” Houston affirms. WBI’s fair, prompt and courteous service has greatly contributed to the organization’s success and good reputation in the community. Also, WBI’s recent move to a Surrey location is another way the team has made itself available to the thriving construction industry in the Lower Mainland. “We recognize that we have a tremendous number of builders and developers in Surrey, Langley and the Fraser Valley. The new location is much easier to get to and much more convenient for those builders,” says Houston. WBI Home Warranty also plays a pivotal role in educating new and established builders and developers on the latest developments in the insurance industry. “We have seminars and webinars through which many builders can acquire Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits to renew their license with BC Housing. We are also going to be having small monthly meetings for builders where an expert will deliver a presentation relating to home construction or insurance protection,” informs Houston. WBI has plans to include webinars in Punjabi and Mandarin on its website in the near future. Whether you are a builder or homeowner, WBI Home Warranty has the expert knowledge and products you need. “Our belief is to assist our builders or developers at building a better quality home without any problems,” states Houston in conclusion.
WBI HOME WARRANTY LTD. 604.639.2924 9639 - 137A STREET SUITE 211 SURREY, B.C. V3T 0M1
info@wbihomewarranty.com
www.wbihomewarranty.com
Gordon Houston
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C: 604.753.8751 D: 604.639.5930 ghouston@wbihomewarranty.com
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1 CONTRIBUTED BY JUSTJUNK
Tips on how to organize a garage sale that draws a crowd
GET READYFOR
GARAGE
SALE
Getting a buzz around your garage sale is important. You can’t just put up a sign and hope for the best, not when there are tons of free tools to help. Posting online, on Facebook in local buy/ sell groups or in local newspaper classifieds early can help build buzz. Find out if neighbours are having garage sales and try to time everything together so you can appeal to the biggest audience. A small amount of quick planning can get more people interested and out. Are you selling something special or large? Old appliance need to go? Let people know beforehand what you’re selling and they might even make the special trip.
SEASON 2
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ow that winter is behind us and warmer weather is finally on its way, we’re entering one of the best times of the year in Canada — garage sale season. After being cooped up through the long, cold winter with basements and garages packed with stuff, many Canadians are eager to do a little spring cleaning and make a few dollars at the same time by selling furniture, clothes and other items cluttering up the house that are still too good to go to the dump.
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“Garage sales are a great way to recycle and reuse items by giving them a new life in a new home,” says JUSTJUNK President Mike Thorne. “They’re also great entertainment for treasure hunters looking to find antiques and other items that have been buried away for years in an attic or a storage room under the stairs.” But organizing a garage sale isn’t as simple as hauling all your stuff to the end of the driveway. JUSTJUNK offers the following tips to make sure your garage sale is a hit:
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Advertise Early And Clearly
Be Organized And Priced Properly
It’s one thing to lay everything out, set tables up and put signs on grouped items, but if they’re in a mishmash of piles, unorganized and forcing your customers to absent-mindedly flip through them, their interest will wane. Put the most popular stuff first in your piles, drawing attention. Price according to the goal of the garage sale. Is this downsizing? Do you just need to clear stuff out? Then you’ll be more successful pricing at points where people feel they’re getting a deal. If you want to make money, then highlight the value of the items you have for sale. Try selling online through Facebook groups if it’s something you think might have value but you don’t want anymore.
3
BUYING
Don’t Be Afraid To Get Creative
People are going to haggle. It’s a garage sale. Unless you’re firm about the price, be willing to see a deal when it’s in front of you. After all, if your goal is to get rid of stuff, then you’re more free to be creative with 2-for-1s, group bargains and more on-the-spot deals. Would you budge on the price of a large TV stand, if someone offered to pick it up themselves? Would they be willing to pay a little more to have you deliver it? Expect some unexpected questions and be flexible.
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You can always put a discount on something with some minor cosmetic or exterior damage, as long as it still works. If you’re not sure whether it’s broken, or if that book has all its pages, then put that in a second pile.
That You 5 Know Won’t Sell Out You’re not likely going to get rid of everything in your garage sale. Foresight like this can help. Remember that book that you have? That old copy of A Tale of Two Cities that is missing the pages can be put into the pile that you know you’ll have to get rid of some other way. A removal company can help by picking up everything and sorting through the garage sale leftovers, donating things that can be donated and used again, recycling that which can be recycled and more. But think ahead. Create those piles early so that you can be a little less surprised about how much is left behind.
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TAKING CHILD MARRIAGE TO COURTS
Due to its long stretch of prevalence, child marriage has come to be identified as a community practice drawing stark response against nullification or resistance of any kind.
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r. Kriti Bharti has been advocating against child marriage for over a decade. Based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, her organization, Saarthi Trust, has invalidated more than 31 child marriages and prevented over 900 more from happening. Her work centered upon rehabilitation of the vulnerable sector of society has saved more than 6,000 children and 5,500 women. Despite the unlawful status of the child marriage practice in India, it is heavily existent in communities and towns primarily in the remote parts of the country. As per the customs in these conservative communities, weddings are solemnized at a very age, sometimes at birth, and the bride is sent to live with her husband and consummate the union in her teens. Due to its long stretch of prevalence, child marriage has come to be identified as a community practice drawing stark response against nullification or resistance of any kind. As one of India’s most active campaigners against child marriage, Dr. Bharti has to endure death threats as she takes deliberate action to stop them. She also runs a one-woman hotline for underage brides and grooms. “Child marriage is like a disease: It’s important to prevent it, but when so many are infected, you have to find a way to cure them,” she mentioned in a media interview. She also adds, “To these people, I am like a terrorist against their old ways of thinking.” In 2012, Dr. Bharti secured the first annulment of a child marriage in India between a couple that was forcefully wed when the groom was three years old and the bride one. The case made major headlines at the time and paved a way for Dr. Bharti to pursue a life fighting the vices of child marriage. Her nonprofit, Saarthi, is a medium to educate people about the importance of education and injustice of child marriages contributing to sexual abuse, unsafe pregnancies, low rate of education, and
Photos: Saarthi Trust/Facebook
“Child marriage is like a disease: It’s important to prevent it, but when so many are infected, you have to find a way to cure them,” Dr. Bharti mentioned in a media interview. She also adds, “To these people, I am like a terrorist against their old ways of thinking.” poverty. Indian law against child marriage is structured in such a way that although married individuals can request a child marriage annulment for up to two years after the adulthood age in India, 18 for females and 21 for males, it only imposes jail time and an approximate fine of $2,000 CAD. Activists have long criticized the law for placing onus on the victim for initiating a legal proceeding often times with participation of parents or guardians – a challenging exercise considering weddings are led by these parties themselves. Dr. Bharti approaches the issue by first speaking to the bride and groom’s family to resolve the issue. If both or one of the parties fails to agree to a mutual annulment, she files a case in the court. Dr. Bharti tells media, “I will speak to her family and the husband’s family to try to make them understand. Some parents eventually understand and help their daughters escape the clutches of the marriage, but others don’t. It would be great if this family allowed the annulment to take place and support the girl, but if they don’t we will turn to the law.” Dr. Bharti’s work extends beyond the prevention and annulment of child marriages. Her nonprofit provides rehabilitation to victims and raises awareness on the evils of this ancient practice. Dr. Bharti comes from a troubled childhood herself. Her father left the family before she was born, leaving her mother to raise Dr. Bharti by herself. She was considered cursed by the family and experienced beatings and other forms of abuse from them. As she grew older, Dr. Bharti denounced her last name “Chopra” and took on “Bharti”
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Dr. Kriti Bharti has been advocating against child marriage for over a decade. Her organization, Saarthi Trust, has invalidated more than 31 child marriages and prevented over 900 more from happening. Her work centered upon rehabilitation of the vulnerable sector of society has saved more than 6,000 children and 5,500 women. meaning daughter of India, as her last name. The activist says she learnt English by reading the newspaper everyday and learning new words as she came across them. Eventually she went on to earn a doctorate in psychology from a university in Jodhpur. About 10 years ago, Dr. Bharti began counseling victims of child abuse. She began her crusade by driving across Rajasthan in cabs looking for child brides wanting to challenge their union in court. Now her helpline number is flashed across newspapers and pamphlets. Dr. Bharti’s work and strength has created life-changing impact on several lives. Despite the criticism, resistance and threats, she continues to fight for as many child brides and grooms as possible. “Child marriage annulment is a curative approach which removes girls from the ‘dark room’ of early marriage. Child marriage can result in sexual assault, human rights violations, and a lack of education and healthcare. We are protecting and rehabilitating girls, whilst at the same time changing the mindsets of communities. This enables girls to lead blissful lives,” Dr. Bharti tells media.
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Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver and Surrey Vaisakhi, the harvest festival, was celebrated on April 13 in Vancouver and April 20 in Surrey, with much delight and elation. Community members came out in droves to attend the Nagar Kirtan procession and celebrate the festival.
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SAF Vaisakhi Fest On April 14, Sikhi Awareness Foundation (SAF International) held SAF Vaisakhi Fest in Surrey. The event showcased Vaisakhi through various activities that included: turban tying, martial arts (Gatka) performances, live music performances, children’s activities, photo booth and an information booth that provided the public with information about Vaisakhi and Sikhism.
BC Premier Visits Topaz Gurdwara Premier John Horgan’s visited the Topaz Gurdwara in Victoria during the Vaisakhi weekend and announced a grant of $1 million. Accessibility and kitchen facility upgrades will help the Sikh Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara better serve people in Greater Victoria, thanks to the grant from the Province.
Sikh Heritage Month BC Celebration in April In April, Sikh Heritage Month BC launched a series of events to showcase the thriving arts and culture scene among Sikh youth in BC and educate British Columbians about BC’s diverse Sikh community.
Vaisakhi Celebration at Gurdwara Nanak Niwas India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas in Richmond had a very successful Vaisakhi celebration on April 14. The dignitaries included Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, BC’s Minister of Labour Harry Bains, and Consul General of India Abhilasha Joshi, among others. Students of Island Pacific School students on Bowen Island also visited the Gurdwara.
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Bridal Fashion Week Vancouver Bridal Fashion Week Vancouver (BFWV) was held on April 6 in Vancouver and April 7 in Surrey. This year BFWV also expanded to Los Angeles, United States. BFWV showcased a range of multicultural bridal trends, designer clothing, and wedding décor among other aspects. Photos: Povazan Photography, Jose Manuel
Cricket Legend Kapil Dev Unveils ‘We The Sikhs’ Book India’s cricket legend Kapil Dev unveiled We The Sikhs book at a press conference in Surrey. We The Sikhs gives an accurate history of the Sikh community from the times of its founder Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji in the 15th century. Photos: Aziz Ladha
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Brian Jessel BMW - THE LAUNCH At the Brian Jessel BMW The Launch event, the organization unveiled the 2019 BMW 8 Series, X7, 3 Series and Z4. Attendees were the first to view these 2019 BMWs with first-ever technology.
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Neha Kakkar Concert in Vancouver Singing Queen Neha Kakkar entertained fans at a recent concert in Vancouver. Accompanied by Indian Idol singer and talented Mumbai musicians, Kakkar sang her popular and upbeat songs at the successful event. Photos: Aziz Dhamani
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SASI ‘We Are Hockey’ Exhibit Launch The ‘We Are Hockey’ exhibit from the South Asian Studies Institute of the University of Fraser Valley was unveiled at a launch event at the Sikh Heritage Museum in Abbotsford. The exhibit features stories, memorabilia, profiles and a historical timeline of the role that minorities have played in the history of Canada’s national sport, hockey.
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Kaur Project Live and Conversation Kaur Project hosted two big events in March – Live and Conversations. Kaur Stories told Live featured Kaurs recounting their life experiences of bravery, regrets, sorrow, and courageous happiness. Kaur Project Conversations was an avenue to empower Kaurs to listen and engage in conversations.
Duty Honour & Izzat Book Launch Steven Purewal, founder of Indus Media Foundation, launched his new book, Duty Honour & Izzat, a graphic youth publication that commemorates the contribution of the Indian soldiers in the First World War (WW1) and their shared history with Canada. It was a unique event in the history of the South Asian community where it brought together for the first time three of the oldest gurudwaras, the Crown, police agencies, educators and youth – a community united in an effort to outreach a positive message and identity to our youth by restoring a heroic WW1 identity of service in uniform in response to local youth gang issues.
Evening of Discovery BC Cancer Foundation organized an exclusive cocktail reception and evening of scientific discovery. Guests had the opportunity to meet medical experts and learn how BC Cancer is changing the outcome for British Columbians facing cancer.
2019 Dhahan Prize Youth Award for Creative Writing 5X Fest Launch Party 5X Fest unveiled the festival program and talent line-up at a recent event. The South Asian millennial festival will showcase the best of music, art, fashion, film and culture. Photos: Joe Carlson
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The Dhahan Prize launched the 2019 Dhahan Prize Youth Award for Creative Writing, designed specifically to reward and promote Punjabi literacy and writing amongst Canadian-born youth. The Dhahan Prize celebrates the rich culture and transnational heritage of Punjabi language and literature by awarding a yearly prize for excellence in Punjabi fiction.
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Surrey Top 25 Under 25 Awards The Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) hosted the 9th Annual Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 Awards, recognizing business and communityminded youth under the age of 25, working in Surrey or on a business or community project in/for Surrey. Photos: SBOT
Tagore Spring Festival The Tagore Spring Festival, an annual multicultural celebration of spring by Vancouver Tagore Society, was a full house event. Artists from different backgrounds and ethnicities displayed their traditions and heritages through live music and dance performances.
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A group of many organizations and professionals have come together to launch One Voice Canada Society in order to assist international students and their concerns going further. The mission of One Voice is to provide awareness, support and advocacy (ASA) to students and the community without judgment, in order to create a better society.
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Mental Health: Break the Silence event by BC Global Girl Power Foundation
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BC Global Girl Power Foundation hosted an event, a conversation on “Mental Health: Break the Silence to Reduce Inequalities and Promote Social Inclusion” during the 63rd session of the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women. An official parallel event took place at the UN Church Center in New York. With a focus to break the stigma on mental health, a diverse panel of experts shed the light on the challenges women and girls are facing in different parts of the world.
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Beach Clean-up with Afroz Shah at Stanley Park United Nations Champion of the Earth, Afroz Shah, led a local clean-up at Stanley Park with the Spark community during his stay in Vancouver. Shah was the Guest of Honour at Spark Foundation’s Spark Gala held on May 10. Photos: Courtesy of Afroz Shah
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Make in India by Vancouver Consulate Consulate General of India organized ‘Make in India’ event in association with the Canada India Global Forum (CIGF), BC, in April at the Consulate premises in Vancouver. Consul General Abhilasha Joshi made a presentation on Make in India initiative and how India has emerged as a manufacturing hub in recent years. Aditya Tawatia, President of CIGF; George Chow, Minister of Trade, BC; Stewart G. Beck, President & CEO of Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Former Canadian High Commissioner to the Republic of India, spoke on the occasion.
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YOUTH SPEAK Photo: iStock
COMMUNIT Y ENGAGEMENT BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM BY GURVIR SINGH JAMMU
Getting energy from other people
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Gurvir Singh Jammu is a third year criminology student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. His passion in life is being a leader in his community and he wishes to inspire others to step up for positive change in their local communities.
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any individuals worldwide face the predicament of building their self-esteem and finding their self identity; all within a world dominated by capitalism and self-salvation. In such a world were our obligations lead us onto a path of self-serving, finding our true identities and boosting our selfesteem can truly be a difficult task. Many years ago I too found myself navigating through these very same problems, to the point were I questioned my culture and my very own self existence. Over the years I have realized that many other youth in communities everywhere are asking the same questions. The answers to the questions I asked myself as a young kid, and the questions many youth in our community are asking today lie within an old principal that we have
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As the first few days went by, they noticed that I was enjoying myself instead of looking lost and worried; but little did they know that in my mind I was actually discovering my life’s passion and feeling good about myself. forgotten in today’s age – volunteering and community engagement. My personal story stands great testimony to this fact, and my journey of finding answers to my questions, and building my self-esteem started at the age of 12, when I got enrolled into a youth summer camp as a volunteer leader. My family and friends made me join this initiative by use of positive
peer pressure and well-intentioned family pressure. As the first few days went by, they noticed that I was enjoying myself instead of looking lost and worried; but little did they know that in my mind I was actually discovering my life’s passion and feeling good about myself. Helping other kids smile gave me a sense of energy that radiated through my body and my mind like electricity. This experience lead me to seek out more volunteer opportunities as I was now hungry for more; which then lead me to join the large network of volunteers at the City of Surrey. There, my overall experiences taught me that race and cultural identity do not matter when it comes to community engagement, and that anyone can be a leader in their community regardless of their background. It made me see beyond the barriers of race and culture and made me realize what my true identity is; that I am a human, and that the first obligation for any human being is caring for those around them. This success spilled over into my high-school life where I became an honour role student and received many excellence awards. All of these activities have helped me hone my public speaking skills, and my passion has helped reduce crime in my city through participation in youth councils; has helped empower the next generation via participation in programs like Camp We Empower Foundation; and has inspired me to start my own non-profit being a youth talent platform. I found my identity and self-esteem through community engagement and volunteering. Other youth can as well, all it takes is for you to reach out to the community and get involved wherever possible.
To contribute to this column, please email us: editor@darpanmagazine.com
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DARPAN RECIPES
Chef Suvir
Saran
New Delhi-born Top Chef Master Suvir Saran has nurtured a lifelong passion for the traditional flavours of Indian cooking, which has led him to become an accomplished chef, cookbook author, educator, and culinary consultant.
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iewing the kitchen as both a culinary and spiritual haven, New Delhi-born Top Chef Master Suvir Saran has nurtured a lifelong passion for the traditional flavours of Indian cooking, which has led him to become an accomplished chef, cookbook author, educator, and culinary consultant. Saran’s approachable style has helped demystify Indian cuisine in America and formed American Masala, his culinary philosophy, which celebrates the best of Indian and American cooking. A respected culinary authority, Saran is Chairman of Asian Culinary Studies for the Culinary Institute of America and travels extensively to teach audiences ranging from home cooks and fellow chefs TM
to physicians and nutritionists. Renowned for his accessible approach to Indian flavors and techniques, Saran has penned three cookbooks: Indian Home Cooking: A Fresh Introduction to Indian Food, with More Than 150 Recipes; American Masala: 125 New Classics from My Home Kitchen; and Masala Farm: Stories and Recipes from an Uncommon Life in the Country. He has been a featured judge on Next Iron Chef and Iron Chef on the Food Network and has had numerous appearances on national broadcasts. In spring 2011, Suvir was a break out star on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Saran is something of a legend in New York food circles, having garnered a Michelin star at Devi, a first for Indian cuisine as well as the first for any non-French or Non-Italian restaurants in North America. Here he shared the authentic flavors of Indian home cooking. Under Saran’s leadership, Devi consistently received popular and critical acclaim. Most recently, Saran was Executive Chef/Owner at Tapestry in Greenwich Village, New York. The menu featured Saran’s nuanced understanding of the many grand cuisines of the world. Saran is the only chef on the nutrition advisory board to Brigham & Women’s Hospital, at Harvard Medical School. In this role he works with physicians, dietitians and nutritionists to ensure that culinary innovation meets fact-based science where trends and flavor, meet taste and health. When he is not on the road teaching, presenting or eating, Saran can be found caring for American Masala Farm, a 19th Century farm set on 68 acres of rolling land in upstate New York and home to lovingly raised heritage-breed animals and pets. Photos: Daesha Devon Harris
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My friend Renée’s secret for an amazingly crispy and crunchy crust, which is now mine (and yours) too, is to let the chicken rest in flour as the oil heats.
Masala Fried
Chicken Recipe from Suvir Saran’s American Masala Serves 4
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y friends Renée and Carl Behnke are consummate hosts and gourmands and Fried Chicken is one of their favourite dishes to offer a hungry crowd. Renée’s secret for an amazingly crispy and crunchy crust, which is now mine (and yours) too, is to let the chicken rest in flour as the oil heats. I have adapted her recipe and have given it an Indian twist. Indians (like many southerners) love buttermilk, so it’s a natural to use as a liquid spiked with Indian aromatics for the brine. I add even more spices to the flour coating to give the chicken an extra hit of flavour.
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Ingredients • Canola oil • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsps ground coriander • 2 tsps garam masala • 2 tsps cracked pepper • 1 tsp turmeric • ½ tsp kosher salt • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
For the buttermilk brine: • 3 cups buttermilk • ¼ cup kosher salt • 2 tbsps sugar • 1½ tsps garam masala • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1 tsp cracked peppercorns • ½ tsp ground ginger • ½ tsp paprika • ½ tsp cayenne pepper • 3½ to 4-pound chicken cut into 8 parts
Preparation • Mix the buttermilk with all of the spices for the brine in a large bowl. Transfer to a re-sealable gallon-sized plastic bag. Add the chicken, turn to coat and refrigerate overnight. • Heat one inch of canola oil in a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F. Whisk the flour with the spices and add the chicken pieces to it. • Turn to coat in flour and let the chicken rest in the flour until the oil gets hot. Tap off the excess flour and add as many pieces of chicken to the skillet as you can. Fry until browned, about four to six minutes. • Turn the chicken over and fry until the chicken is deeply browned on the other side, about another four to six minutes. • Using tongs, transfer the chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve while warm or at room temperature.
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DARPAN RECIPES
For the fruit: • 2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced • 2 pints raspberries • 1 pint blueberries • 1 pint blackberries • 1 cup sugar • 1/3 tsp cracked peppercorns • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 tangerine, zested and juiced
Recipe from Suvir Saran’s Indian Home Cooking
Spiced Berries
&Cointreau Cream
Pavlova
Shape with a depression in its center and follow with the same baking instructions, noting that you may need to bake for a little longer than described below.
Serves 8
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avlova is a lovely, light dessert that seems to be popular everywhere except for the United States. This is a pity, since they are so simple to make. During a dinner with friends Paul and Kate Farmer in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Paul quickly and confidently prepared Pavlovas for dessert while he was preparing our main courses. He made his meringues with balsamic vinegar, which instantly added an earthy depth to the berries. The crispness of the meringue against the intensity of the fruit and richness of the spiked cream is stunning. If you prefer, you can make one large Pavlova instead of individual ones.
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Ingredients For the meringue: • 4 large egg whites • 1 cup superfine sugar • 2 tsps balsamic vinegar • 1 tbsp cornstarch
For the cream: • 1 cup heavy cream • 2 tbsps confectioners’ sugar • 1 tbsp Cointreau
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Preparation • Heat the oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. • Using a standing mixer or a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the superfine sugar and vinegar until soft peaks form. Sift the cornstarch over the whites and gently fold the two together with a rubber spatula. • Spoon the meringue mixture onto the prepared baking sheet making eight equal dollops. Using a circular motion, flatten the dollops into one inch thick discs with the back of a spoon. Bake the meringues for two hours. Turn the oven off and let the meringues sit in the oven for another hour. • Set the baking sheet on a wire rack and cool the meringues to room temperature. (If you don’t plan on serving the meringues within a few hours, once cool, place them in an airtight container for up to three days.) • While the meringues bake, make the berry mixture. Place the berries, sugar, cracked pepper, cayenne, and tangerine juice in a large bowl and toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one and up to four hours. • Using a standing mixer or a hand mixer, beat the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, Cointreau and tangerine zest until stiff peaks form. Place the meringues on a platter or on individual plates. Spread each with cream and top with all but one cup of the macerated berries, and cover with more cream. Place some of the remaining berries on each plate and serve. Note: You can also use fresh strawberries and passion fruit for garnish.
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DARPAN FEATURE
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s summer approaches, between the longer days and the freer hours, it’s easy to forget that there are certain increased risks to health brought along with the bright sunny days. Sunlight is a peculiar thing. On one hand it is not only enjoyable but necessary for good health, on the other hand, it can lead to skin issues such as sunburn or cancer. The easiest preventative measure to take, in order to
PROTECTION
significantly better protection. In general SPF 15 or SPF 30 is recommended. So how safe is it to use sunscreen? Various studies have been done in the past few years, on chemicals contained in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone. Consumer Reports mentioned that studies have greatly increased the perception that sunscreen is dangerous to wear. However, it is not nearly that simple. Sunscreen is made of a multitude of ingredients. There are certain chemicals, mentioned by the American Academy of Dermatolgists, such as PABA and tolamine salicylate, which have been marked by the FDA (Food and Drug Association) as dangerous. Dr. Cobi Slater, doctor of Natural Medicine based in BC, stated in a previous article on sunscreen, “Savvy consumers are seeking alternatives to conventional sunscreens. This trend will continue as more research reveals the increasingly harmful effects of toxic sunscreens.” Mineral sunscreens made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
Putting on sunscreen before heading out might seem like an inconvenience, but it can protect you from harmful health issues. still soak up the rays while staying safe, is sunscreen. And despite probably having used it sporadically all our lives, there is so much we don’t know about it. The purpose of sunscreen is to absorb or reflect certain types of radiation from the sun, and attempt to prevent some of the effects of excessive sun exposure. Due to this general overarching definition, a common misconception
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people may have about sunscreen is that it’s all the same. In actuality, different sunscreens are made of a combination of different compounds, each that blocks against different levels and types of radiation due to sun exposure. The ideal would be to have a sunscreen that can cover the widest range of radiation, in order to give you the best protection. The amount of ‘protection’ can be quantified by the SPF value to a certain degree of accuracy. SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’ and measures approximately how well a sunscreen protects from UV (ultraviolet) rays. However, a higher SPF does not necessarily mean
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Photos: iStock
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According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the sunscreen you should buy depends mostly upon things such as age (children versus adults versus older), dryness of skin, proneness to allergies, and darkness of skin. have been marked ‘safe and effective’. According to Dr. Slater, “These sunscreens are a good choice for children and according to the Environmental Working Group, they have the best safety profiles of the choices in North America.” If a sunscreen is out in the market, being sold legally to the public, it means that it has passed safety standards and that it does not contain the above mentioned ‘dangerous’ ingredients. Likewise, you should be wary of buying skin products from less than reputable places, which may contain ingredients that haven’t been determined as being ‘safe’. One last note is the importance of buying the right sunscreen for your skin type. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the sunscreen you should buy depends mostly upon things such as age (children versus adults versus older), dryness of skin, proneness to allergies, and darkness of skin. These sunscreens are different due to the specific composition and combination of chemicals within them, targeting the particular problems often associated with the skin type. The long sunny days of summer are upon us, and it goes without saying that the majority of us will be spending more time under the sun than before. Therefore extra precautions should be taken in order to be safe while having fun. Putting on sunscreen before heading out might seem like an inconvenience, but it can protect you from harmful health issues. So this time, when you visit the beach, remember to bring along the sunscreen.
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DARPAN FITNESS
Running (Moderate, steady pace)
WHICH IS BEST: STEADY-STATE OR HIGH INTENSITY? TREADMILL OR ELLIPTICAL? OUTDOORS OR INDOORS?
When performed at a moderate, steady rate of 6-7 MPH (or a 9-10 minute mile) you’re looking at a calorie burn of between 370-400 per 30 minutes. While this is a tried-and-tested form of cardio, it does come with downsides. It can be hard on the knees and can actually break down muscle-mass over time. Ideally, you’ll run outside on a soft, uneven trail, which forces you to compensate thereby burning more calories while supporting muscle retention and reducing knee strike. If you’re on a treadmill indoors, increase the incline to 2-3 per cent to simulate the benefits of trail running.
CARDIO COMPARISON BY NICK HILDEN
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hen it comes to cardio, it often seems like there are more options than answers. Which is best: steady-state or high intensity? Treadmill or elliptical? Outdoors or indoors? All of these are fine options, but how do they differ when it comes to delivering results? If you’re like most people, your intention involves burning fat, and you want to accomplish it fast. With that in mind, let’s look at a few different cardio options, and try to determine which is best for your goals. (Note: all figures for calories burned are based on a person who is around 155 pounds.)
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Jumping Rope There’s a reason jumping rope is the preferred form of cardio for so many pro-athletes. Not only can it burn a ton of calories (anywhere from 370-500 in 30 minutes depending on your speed and skill level), but it improves dexterity, coordination and shoulder strength. The main drawback to a jump rope is that it can be hard to keep going over a long period. To offset this, try alternating between slow jumps and fast jumps, or jump for one minute, pause for 20-30 seconds, then go again.
Images for representation only, iStock
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Swimming Many people assert that swimming is the best form of cardio. It certainly can be highly effective at burning calories, all while providing a solid full-body workout, but form and speed both have a massive impact on how effective swimming will actually be for fat loss. Swimming laps or even treading water at a vigorous pace can burn as many as 400 calories in 30 minutes. Slow down the pace, however, and that number falls off quickly. Swimming at a slow speed is still a great way to burn calories if you’re concerned about protecting your joints and maintaining muscle.
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Elliptical An elliptical is a great tool for anyone who wants to get in a cardio workout, but who is concerned about the health of their joints, particularly the knees. While it burns less calories than some of the other activities on this list – around 300 in 30 minutes – it accomplishes it in safety and from within the comfort of the indoors. To get the most out of an elliptical workout, be sure to increase the intensity, speed or resistance.
WHERE BUILDERS BUY
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DARPAN FITNESS
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) HIIT can be applied to any activity that involves zipping through a series of high-intensity movements that are punctuated by short rest or low-intensity periods. For example, jumping rope can be a great HIIT workout if you jump fast for one minute, rest for 20 seconds, then go again. Or doing battle ropes for 30 seconds followed by 10 reps of a bodyweight workout before getting back to the ropes. Or sprinting up a flight of stairs or bleachers, then walking back down before sprinting back up. The variations are endless, and can be highly effective. Depending on the activity and speed, you can burn anywhere from 250-750 calories in 30 minutes. HIIT is especially useful if you have a busy schedule and need to burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time.
Bicycling (Stationary)
Dr. Karim Kanani
Dr. Diya Chadha
There’s a reason spin classes are so popular among people trying to lose weight. If you pound out an hour’s worth of high-intensity cycling, you can burn somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 calories. The problem with cycling is that if you don’t maintain that high rate of intensity, the effectiveness drops off fast. In 30 minutes of moderate cycling you’ll burn less than 300 calories. So if the bike is your choice, keep up the speed, or alternate between high speeds and slow speeds to get your heart racing.
The Verdict When all is said and done, there is no “best” form of cardio. The real question involves intensity. Your goal should be to find a form of cardio you enjoy, then to crank up the intensity of the workout as much as possible. Keep safety in mind. If you worry about your joints, the elliptical, bike or swimming pool might be right for you. In any case, the more effort you put in, the more calories you’ll burn out.
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DARPAN HEALTH
Food Fix
BEAT THE
HEAT BY NAINA GREWAL
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7 TIPS FOR STAYING COOL AND HEALTHY THIS SUMMER
ith June 21 being the official first day of Summer, the hottest season of the year is just around the corner! Days will become longer, warmer and more eventful. As these changes swing into effect, it is also important to remember to take care of yourself and be mindful of the small steps you can take to enjoy the upcoming months to their fullest. Here are seven tips to stay cool and healthy in the summer months:
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Healthy Hydration To maintain energy levels and hydrate yourself, drinks are the key. Be sure to drink up plenty of water during the day and load up on juices and healthy drinks to prevent dehydration. Note that commercial drinks are usually not a good alternative; in fact, sodas, coffee, smoothies and energy drinks do not hydrate the body. Infused water, milk, juices, teas and coconut water are better options.
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Summer is a season of treats. From ice creams to cakes, the mid-year is a delight for anyone with a sweet tooth. However, fruits such as mangoes and watermelons are also summer-specific delicacies to load up on. Avoid fried snacks and opt for lighter substitutes, such as granola bars, nuts and fruit mixes. Moreover, downsizing your meals and avoiding heavier intake of food at night can be of help.
Saving Sleep The longer days make it easy to go out for that late-night pier walk. Do not let the late sunset cost you your morning schedule. A night out will make you tired and possibly not as efficient at work. Refrain from indulging in stimulants like coffee in the evening to ensure your internal clock stays on track. Put in place a sleep routine that allows you to relax and prepare the mind for wrapping up the day. Remember that the days also start earlier in the summer, which means that getting up earlier can help falling asleep on time. If natural light or street noise is a problem in your bedroom, resort to solutions such as an eye mask or ear plugs.
Sun Safety While the sun can be invitational for a good tan, sunburns are no fun. Be sure to protect the skin by keeping it moisturized with products that come with SPF protection. When staying outdoors for longer periods of time, a good sunscreen is essential; experts recommend a water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 as the standard. For the eyes, sunglasses protect against the sun’s ultraviolet rays and sunhats are a useful addition.
Outdoor Opportunities
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The warm weather can make you lazy, but is also a chance to hit the outdoors. Rain or snow can no longer be an excuse for getting that morning jog or evening walk in. Taking your pet out on play dates or to the local park is a great activity to get moving. That said, do monitor yourself to ensure you are not feeling sick or dizzy. Heat strokes must be recognized should they occur to yourself or a friend; symptoms to look out for include weaknesses, light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, nausea and muscle cramps. Remember to wear light weight and light-coloured clothing as to not absorb the sun.
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Camp Cleanliness Hygiene is certainly not seasonal, but is of special importance during the summer months. Sweaty palms that have touched so much throughout the day can pose to be a problem over time. Be sure to wash your hands before meals and wash your face, specifically at the end of the day. Exfoliating the skin and face can get rid of dead skin cells and oils that lead to formation of pimples. Another piece of advice is not to skip the shower, reason being not just the smell, but also the increased risk of bacteria forming, which further leads to acne issues.
Images for representation only, iStock
Happy Home Your place of living and lifestyle can be a huge contributor to your experience this summer. Keep the oven off during the day and try to cook during the evenings. Rather than increasing the air conditioner’s power, consider closing the blinds or windows so that the heat waves do not enter the house. Choosing to hang around in areas with shade or hard wood flooring is suggested, more so during the day. Diving into summer, use these tips to charge yourself. Start preparing early to ease into the changing temperatures and do not forget to educate those around you to stay safe as well. An escape from the chilly, rainy months also brings along its own set of challenges. Restoring and replenishing your physical and mental self can truly be a catalyst in having an enjoyable, fun summer!
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Glass skin is the latest Asian skincare trend to migrate West. Considered by many to be the highest standard for beautiful skin, we look at what it is and how to achieve it.
PAN R A D
y t u a Be
Get
Glowing BY MICHELE MARKO
I About the Author A lifestyle journalist, Michele Marko is the former Arts & Life editor at the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers. While writing about beauty, fashion, design, food and travel, she’s written on a variety subjects ranging from ethical beauty to couture fashion designers.
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t’s a given that social media is highly influential in the world of beauty and fashion – okay, its reach extends everywhere. But the point is, today, we’re so plugged into global beauty trends that the beauty industry has had to respond and, thus, been revolutionized. Yes, the demand for natural and clean beauty products is significant, but perhaps even more influential are the traditional beauty regimens that originate from Korea. So effective are these routines and products that Western cosmetic brands seek out not only the effective ingredients but collaborations with Asian brands. And Western women want to achieve those same results that those routines and products promise.
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Glass skin is the most recent coveted K-beauty skincare trend. For Korean women, beautiful skin is the most important aspect to beauty and glass skin is the ultimate expression of a gorgeous complexion. “The way I would describe glass skin is glowing, luminous, radiant. [It] almost looks like a second skin lit from within,” says Stephen Sardella, regional educator for Shiseido Canada. Lisa Mammeri, Valmont’s Global Education Manager, elaborates, saying, “More than a K-beauty trend, … glass skin is a beauty regimen that promotes a clear, luminous and almost transparent skin.”
So who can achieve glass skin? “Glass skin is achievable no matter what ethnicity or whatever race, nationality or skin type,” says Sardella. “I think glass skin can be achievable at almost any age. However, depending on the person’s skin type or environment, there can be variants of glass skin.” Mammeri agrees, saying, “Mature skin can totally achieve a glass skin. They just might have to adapt the texture of their skin care and definitely add an oil – such as Valmont’s Cure Majestueuse – to the game.” For Asian women, their skincare regimen can involve as many as 19 steps – something that doesn’t
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translate to western culture and this is recognized by the beauty brands. Sardella says that Shiseido has broken it down to three manageable steps: 1. prepare, 2. defend, and 3. respond and protect. “Preparing the skin at the very beginning would be double cleansing. Pairing up a perfect cleansing oil … is a great way to begin the preparation and then pairing it with a deep cleansing foam to get the best cleanse,” he explains. Mammeri says that double cleansing, but in a way that doesn’t strip the skin of hydration, is key to glass skin and is the foundation of Valmont’s recently reformulated Purity skincare line. “Sophie Guillon, CEO of the Valmont Group and creator of the formulas, travelled a lot to Asia – especially Korea and Japan. She has been inspired by the art of cleansing and she worked on two types of cleansing that lead to the perfect glass skin,” Mammeri explains.
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Photos: iStock, Courtesy of Valmont, Shiseido, Images for representation
DARPAN Beauty “Glass skin is achievable no matter what ethnicity or whatever race, nationality or skin type,” says Sardella. “I think glass skin can be achievable at almost any age. However, depending on the person’s skin type or environment, there can be variants of glass skin.”
“The first one is the macro cleansing that eliminates the visible impurities. Then comes the micro cleansing to remove the micro impurities.” Sardella says that in addition to cleansing, the skin prepping step also includes, what Shiseido terms, softening. “Softener is designed to bring the water back to the skin that could be lost through cleansing. It also helps to hydrate and prepare the skin to accept any product that [is being] applied after.” Sardella describes Step 2, the defend step, as the “booster step that fights off internal and external aggressors before they can harm the skin.” Protecting the skin helps ward off dark spots, discolouration, uneven skin tone caused by free radicals, UVA and UVB damage that counter the look of glass skin. The final step, respond, is like treating your skin, Sardella says. “So any serum, moisturizer, or eye care product would be the respond step.” You need to look at concerns like brightening, skin tone or a dehydrated, rough texture to decide which products would help achieve the effect of glass skin. The basics would be a serum, treatment product, day moisturizer which could have SPF, and eye care, Sardella advises. Don’t expect instant results, says Mammeri. “Unfortunately, there is no shortcut
to achieving a glass skin and even though results can happen fast, they don’t come overnight. Depending on the initial condition of the skin, the first results should be visible within three to four weeks.” To carry off the glass skin effect, makeup should be complementary – an almost no-makeup look. Both Sardella and Mammeri say that means a light hand with foundation and minimal colour everywhere else on the face. “The whole idea behind glass skin is to have that lit from within or that radiant, luminous, translucent finish,” Sardella says. “So foundation or base makeup should really be on the lighter side, and choose a foundation that speaks to that texture.” Mammeri concurs, “… using high coverage, ultra matte textures would be a contradiction here.” While women in the West might not always exactly replicate the glass skin trend, the commitment to maintaining a structured skincare regimen can only be beneficial longterm. “The idea is really to give your skin a Christmas dinner everyday,” Mammeri says. Sardella adds that everybody’s interpretation of the ideal result of glass skin can be a little bit different. “I think glass skin is about looking as natural and glowing as you can and also feeling confident enough to own the look.”
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GO COLOURFUL
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
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Style
Spring or summer, it is all about colours and they need to reflect in your style too. Step out of your safe sartorial zone, and let the new season give you the opportunity to go wild with colours – hot pink, slime green, bold neons, orange, red are the colours to wear. Be it a solid suit, comfy pants, tops and blouses, don’t feel shy to embrace the colours.
Showing up more unexpectedly all of winter, animal prints have found their way up in this year’s fashion trend and are definitely making it through the current season in style as well. Glam up in a suit or trouser with classic leopard print or snakeskin or deer hide or crocodile or zebra prints. The versatile pattern is dominating even the footwear styles.
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S T YLE
BY SHWETA KULKARNI
T
he new season beckons you to reinvent your style. It’s time to shrug off all your dull clothes and upgrade your wardrobe with new and fresh looks that are dominating at the moment. So, get a head start on revamping your closet by checking out our list of must-haves in your closet this season.
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WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR DENIM
Top to toe, coats to shoes to handbags, the timeless Denim trend is the season’s darling and is here to stay. The bleached, tie-dyed and ripped pants have made the usual denim more interesting over time. The most trending denim styles currently are bohemian-inspired wide-leg jeans, boot cut jeans and the straight leg light wash jeans.
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The hallmark trend of the 80s is back in style this season. With major brands and designers all falling in love with ruching, the gathered fabric detail style is showing up everywhere right from dresses, skirts, tops, jackets to boots and it is high time you invest in some ruching as well, as this trend is here to stay for long.
FANCY FISHNETS The fishnet trend is taking the fashion industry by storm and is certainly a style to explore. Reimagined and rehashed by several designers, fishnet enjoyed some major moments at all spring/ summer runways. You can choose from a variety of options like fishnet tops, skirts, dresses and even shoes and effortlessly make some stunning fashion statements.
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Style
DAZZLE IN WHITE
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Wear them in accessories or wear them top to toe, whites are the must-have this year. Clubbing whites with colours will also lift up the mood. White jackets, white hand bags and long white dresses will keep you going all through the season in classic style.
PLAY WITH PLAID
Photos: iStock, Images for representation
While many new trends have hit the market, some classic timeless trends like plaid are here to stay. Mix and match and experiment with the variety of styles and cuts available in the market. Chequered pants are a huge thing and sure to make an impact if you style them with heavy boots and casual solid tees.
ROCK THE SHORTS The one trend that’s quite hot right now is bike shorts. Once considered a taboo in the fashion world, this piece of clothing became quite a rage at the runways this season and is a definite must-have to make chic style statements. Prada, Stella McCartney, Rejina Pyo and other designer wear proudly displayed the short trend in their collections, making bike shorts the new fashion sensation. Pair them with tops, jackets or tailored suits to make a stunning style statement.
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FLOWER POWER Florals are a big hit this season, so make sure they become an essential part of your wardrobe. Make it big, make it colourful, make it magnificent. May it be dresses, pants, shoes or skirts, match it up with the blooming vibe of floral love.
OPT FOR UTILITY The utilitarian fashion is arguably the season’s biggest trend. This military-inspired trend dominated most of the catwalks with brands like Givenchy, Fendi, Loewe, Hermès, Sies Marjan and others, showing their love in abundance to this latest hot fashion favourite. This reinvented trend of 70s embraces minimalism providing a perfect combination of rugged, comfort and refined look. Combat trousers, utilitarian jackets, shorts, boiler suits, or cropped pants, there are plenty of varieties to lay your hands on.
BE THE BOSS IN PANTSUITS Power suits aka pantsuits are undoubtedly the future of fashion. The fashion runways too saw a slew of pantsuits in a variety of styles and colours – wide-cut, concealing, double-breasted, shoulder-padded suits, making them a must-have this season. A symbol of authority and elegance, solid pant suits are not only perfect for work wear but can effortlessly be added to your party wardrobe as well.
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Combing through the heritage crafts of India, we’ve threaded stories of Rajasthan in the collection. Embroidered and printed with precision, the motifs are inspired by the jaali windows, the baroque architecture and ornate arches of Jaipur, Rajasthan.
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A Long Way Home
BY SUNAINA KHERA Constituting mostly evening wear, the collection includes edgy blazer dresses, feminine slip dresses, elegant tiered skirts, statement tops and chic lehengas in Organza, silk and tulle.
T
hey say some feelings are more important than words themselves; Sunaina Khera’s collection A Long Way Home embodies this in mind, body and spirit. An ardent believer in all things abstract, Khera creates designs based on her experiences and sentiments — which then translate into gorgeous pieces of clothing, articulating unique stories. Inspired from her own life journey, her collection revolves around the evolution of different stages of grief — the human ability to overcome loss and accept the change; and although it takes a lot away from us, it
also leaves us much stronger than ever. The first stage of grief ‘Denial’ is characterized by the inability to accept the facts; the mind creates an emotional veil to protect us momentarily from the shock. Illustrating these abstract notions in a physical sense, are transparent sheer fabrics such as tulle, veils and tone on tone embroidery in dark hues of blacks and greys. The second stage of grief is depicted by ‘Anger’ — that loud expressive emotion that dulls down everything. Signifying the same are bold colours such as violets and reds, along with gorgeous sequins and a sprinkling of lace.
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Photos: Courtesy of Sunaina Khera
Sunaina Khera
As we tread into the next step ‘Negotiation’, chaos and confusion entails; that feeling of doing anything in our power to prevent the ongoing change. Muted pinks, soft blues, dull greys and chaotic embroideries paint a vivid picture of this noisy phase. ‘Depression’, the consequent step is a very beautiful melancholic quiet space; albeit, the sadness and lull, you are much closer to accepting the circumstances. Representing these repressed emotions are exquisite paisleys in greys and subdued blues. ‘Acceptance’ is the final act of letting go; that final moment of clarity that brings you inner peace and serenity. Pristine whites, pretty flowers and sparkling sequins bequeath the cool placidness of this phase.
Staying true to their ideologies, the collection features easy, breezy silhouettes with a dash of understated glamour. Constituting mostly evening wear, the collection includes edgy blazer dresses, feminine slip dresses, elegant tiered skirts, statement tops and chic lehengas in Organza, silk and tulle. The colour palette ranges from dark hues such as black and navy to sparkling whites, delicate pinks and cheerful tangerines. For the first time, paisley and hand embroidered sequins have been used throughout the collection, signifying the evolution of grief through the stages.
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Living Coral
DESIGN WISD OM
FOR YOUR
HOME Get excited, have fun and let your creativity shine while you refresh and revitalize your indoor and outdoor living spaces this spring and summer! BY RENU SINGH-JOSEPH
T
he sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the time has come to revitalize your interior living spaces and refresh your outdoor oasis this spring and summer seasons! Take time to declutter your home, be mindful about furniture and décor – think purpose and functionality – and make way for this year’s décor themes. Moreover, envision indoor and outdoor living spaces that are not only classic and timeless, but evoke a sense of
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your individuality and creative style. So what are the décor and style themes for spring/summer this year? “Natural, sustainable and renewable is top of mind for spring and summer. Mixing up your style a bit with vibes of Boho meeting Mid-Century and using hints of vibrant colour in jewel tones highlighted with mixed metals,” says interior designer Kelly Arthur, who is also the creative director of K. Arthur Design Collective Inc.
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70’s Scandi Style There will be a return to Scandinavian style, which is known for its neutral colours and clean lines, however the focus will be 70’s Scandi style – geometric prints, natural materials and a brighter, bolder colour palette with an emphasis on the ‘less is more’ philosophy, so don’t over clutter your space if you go with this style.
The ‘Pantone Colour of the Year’ for 2019 is Living Coral – “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.” This fresh, gorgeous colour would be the perfect addition to your interior and outdoor living spaces this spring and summer. “You can tastefully incorporate ‘Pantone’s Colour of the Year’ by adding accent cushions or art work with hits of Living Coral to your living spaces. You can also incorporate a key upholstered piece into your décor – imagine this piece against a backdrop of white walls, creating a fresh and eye-catching look,” says Arthur.
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Photos: iStock, Images for representation
Natural, Sustainable and Renewable As we gain more knowledge about environmental issues, climate change and the impact of our carbon footprint, awareness leads to change and a shift in traditional ways of thinking or doing things. This holds true with style and décor as homeowners are turning to natural, sustainable and renewable elements to implement in their homes. “For 2019, there is greater interest in biophilia – emphasizing the relationship between humankind and nature, and the connections between the two,” according to Angie Lee of FXCollaborative. This year, the theme is incorporating furniture pieces or décor elements that are environmentally-friendly or constructed from sustainable or recycled sources; natural or organic materials such as raw or unfinished wood products to stone and plants; and opting for handcrafted designs
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Take time to declutter your home, be mindful about furniture and décor – think purpose and functionality – and make way for this year’s décor themes. Moreover, envision indoor and outdoor living spaces that are not only classic and timeless, but evoke a sense of your individuality and creative style. and custom styles that are not disposable but can withstand the test of time – think longevity.
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Outdoor Living When it starts to get warm outside, Canadians get excited as they can relax and enjoy their outdoor living spaces from backyards to balconies and patios. An affordable way to update your outdoor décor is to add new throw pillows in the latest colour palette of the season – this year, think rich, jewel tones or shades of coral. The possibilities are endless, you can add the following features to enhance and customize your outdoor oasis: potted plants or flowers; a few Adirondack chairs painted to match your colour scheme; a beautiful fire pit – either gas or wood burning; and romantic mood lighting
to bring that magical glow to your oasis when the sun sets (there are so many options, so have fun selecting the lighting that best matches your space).
Design Wisdom Get excited, have fun and let your creativity shine while you refresh and revitalize your indoor and outdoor living spaces this spring and summer! “Homeowners can spice up their living and outdoor spaces by layering materials, using softer lines in their furnishings and mixing modern with a bit of vintage. Remember – comfort is key!” says Arthur. When it comes to décor and style, what are the three tips that homeowners can utilize year round? Arthur shares her design wisdom, “Less is more so declutter your spaces. Don’t be afraid to mix styles. Lastly, use natural organic materials like wood, stone and plant life to bring the nature of outside in.”
COME HOME TO COMFORT
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DARPAN ACTIVITIES
Make the most of your weekends this summer by heading out of Vancouver and exploring the rest of beautiful BC. Here are five city escapes you should check out.
Summer Weekend Getaways from
Vancouver BY TARANA RANA
P
ack your bags! Summer is the perfect time to take off on the weekends and explore some hidden gems in your own backyard. Here are some incredible BC destinations just a stone’s throw away from Vancouver.
Explore Country Views in Ashcroft Ashcroft Village is the ideal place to head out to if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. This small town nestled along the banks of the Thompson River offers a ton of hiking trails, fishing and walking tours in the summer. Another major attraction is the Sundance Guest Ranch, which offers a horseback riding adventure. You’ll explore breathtaking country views on horseback and their daily rates include accommodation, meals and access to the Ranch facilities, such as their games rooms, heated pool, massage parlor and more.
Discover New Wines in Nanaimo
Island Hop around the Sunshine Coast With its quaint communities and stunning seaside views, BC’s Sunshine Coast is another summer ideal destination. Start your trip at Gibsons, a picturesque seaside village. Explore the quaint shops, enjoy water activities or check out some local hikes. Next, you could head out to Sechelt, an artistic community, only 25 minutes away. Check out the galleries, try your hand at salmon fishing or enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. For avid hikers, be sure to try the Sunshine Coast Trail for some amazing scenic views located in the Powell River area.
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Head up to Nanaimo to explore an up-and-coming BC wine country contender. Nanaimo is slowly making a name for itself in the wine community. If you’re headed up there for a winefuelled weekend, be sure to visit these wineries, which are near the harbor: Millstone Estate Winery, 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate. You could also opt for the popular Nanaimo to Cowichan Valley Wine Tour offered by Canadian Craft Tours. It’s a six-hour tour to three wineries that leaves from downtown Nanaimo.
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Go Glamping in Style at Pender Island Part of the Gulf Islands, Pender Island is a guaranteed good time, with beaches, kayaking, trails and more. For an unforgettable experience, spend a weekend glamping at Woods on Pender, where you can rent out rustic cabins or better yet, beautiful retro airstreams. Each airstream comes fully equipped with a fully kitchen and other luxuries like cable, Apple TV and Wi-Fi. If you’re looking to truly unwind, there’s even a massage parlor on site.
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Channel your Inner-Yogi at Bowen Island Looking for a yoga retreat but don’t want to go too far? Head down to Bowen Island, a quick 30-minute ferry ride away from Vancouver, and check into Nectar Yoga B&B where you can enjoy daily yoga in the mornings under a geodesic dome. Accommodation on site is available which includes tasty vegetarian breakfasts. After your morning yoga, you can also enjoy a session in their Finnish Sauna, opt for an in-room massage or rent a scooter to explore the rest of Bowen Island.
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DARPAN TECH
Roku Express Pick up the redesigned Roku Express and join the cable-cutting movement, at a price point of under $50. The portable streaming player is five times more powerful than the outgoing version, and installs using the bundled HDMI cable to connect to the TV, instantly granting access to 4,000+ channels. For example last year, the Roku Channel finally launched in Canada containing hundreds of free movies, television shows and documentaries. Controlling the Express is easy, either with the included remote or on a mobile device via the proprietary iOS and Android app.
SUMMER
VACATION
GEAR GUIDE BY BENJAMIN YONG
A guide of the best products to bring along to make your summer journey even more memorable than the destination.
B
efore heading out wherever your summer travels take you this year, we’ve put together a guide of the best products to bring along to make the journey even more memorable than the destination.
Amazon Echo Input By now, most people have probably seen or experienced digital personal assistants like the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. This latest member to join the Alexa-enabled family, however, possesses one major difference: no onboard speaker is present. Even slimmer than the Dot resembling a flattened hockey puck, the Input connects to an external speaker through a 3.5-milllimetre audio cable or Bluetooth. Otherwise, functionality is no different allowing users to queue up music, call a friend or family member, set an alarm, and much more.
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Away Bigger CarryOn with Pocket Founded only in 2015, direct-toconsumer travel brand Away has since garnered an eyebrow-raising $81 million in funding and sold in excess of 500,000 pieces of luggage. Focusing on one main item, the Carry-On, there are several variants and one of the newer ones is simply called the Bigger Carry-On with Pocket. Besides boasting sharp looks, the suitcase also packs a bit of tech, like an eject-able 10,000 mAh power bank hidden underneath the telescoping handle to keep smartphones and tablets juiced
up during a layover. Open up the combination-locking zippers and you’ll find some innovation on the inside as well, like a foldaway laundry bag, a large zippered compartment on one side and on the other, a compression pad capable of squishing down clothing when the adjustable straps are tightened, to create extra space. I’m normally not a fan of hardside luggage due to a lack of exterior storage options, but that’s where the Pocket model comes in. Essentially an attached padded case, up to 15-inch laptops fit with ease, as do passports, important documents, and anything else requiring quick retrieval.
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It’s not truly summer vacation unless there’s a board game to break out on the road. Try something different and pick up Bounce Off from toy giant Mattel. Forming two teams of up to a total of four people, each side picks up one of the nine challenge cards depicting different patterns. Then, taking turns, they must bounce the ping pong-like coloured balls onto a plastic grid to recreate the pattern. Or, to really ramp up the action, teams can engage in free-for-all play in a race to the finish. Games last approximately 15 minutes. Ages seven and up.
Photos: Courtesy of products/brands featured
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With technology in dashcams getting better, and When you need business wireless communications solutions, personalized advice more importantly more affordable, what’s the reason is closer than you think. Experts are ready andsolutions, waiting atpersonalized your local Bell store When you need business wireless communications advice not to own one? The GEKO s200 STARLIT is an to help you do more and make more. All on your own schedule. is closer than you Experts readycommunications and waiting atsolutions, your local Bell store advice youthink. neednecessary. businessare wireless personalized excellent choice, utilizing a Sony Starvis sensor NoWhen appointment to help you more and make Allare on your is do closer than you think.more. Experts readyown and schedule. waiting at your local Bell store providing 1296p high-resolution video even in No appointment to help necessary. you do more and make more. All on your own schedule. low-light conditions. A G-Sensor mode automatically No appointment necessary. write-protects footage taken after impact or emergency vehicle manoeuvres are detected, and a motion-detection feature can begin recording once For a complimentary consultation, visit: any movement takes place in front of the camera, SURREY and stop after one minute of inactivity. For a complimentary consultation, visit: 7711 128th St For a complimentary consultation, visit: Installation is super easy, either by hooking SURREY 604 597-3115 up the suction cup to the windshield or sticking the SURREY 7711 128th 3M adhesive mount flush to the dashboard. Then, 7711St128th St 604 597-3115 604 597-3115 plug in the 12-volt adapter to power the unit. What’s nice is GEKO includes a 16-gigabyte Micro SD card in the box so owners are able to get up and running immediately.
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DARPAN Weddings
At the end of the day all we have is each other and we want to create a loving and fun life together!
a p u R
GAGAN &
Photography: JC Images
Q: How did you meet? Gagan: We have a lot of mutual friends but we never really talked. I ended up messaging her through Instagram, it was more casual without any thoughts of dating. After a short time of texting, talking and getting to know each other, we decided to meet. On our first date we went to a restaurant near Crescent Beach. It was so easy and natural to talk to one another and it felt like we really understood each other. We never looked back after that!
Q: What do you love most about one another? We both are family-oriented, long-term planners, and constantly pushing each other to grow everyday as much as possible.
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Q: Could you share your proposal story? Gagan: I told Rupa it was my cousin’s birthday and that he planned a dinner on Grouse Grind. I figured it would be the best view and something different with all the snow around. When we were on the way, my cousin called saying his car broke down so he will be a little late – which was our cue to still go up the mountain. The photographer Sandeep (also a friend of mine) was already waiting at the mountain top. We both told Rupa that while we wait, we should explore the mountain. The goal was to go over the ramp and propose but she was wearing high heels and kept slipping. I couldn’t really justify letting her fall over this, so I proposed after walking a few steps. She was in complete shock and had no idea what was going on, and that
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Q: Can you describe your outfits? Gagan: We both wanted to be really different and still compliment each other. My outfit was Maharaja-style and Rupa’s outfit was more traditional. We kept to a red and gold colour scheme. was a nice thing to see. After the proposal, we both went on a date to the very first restaurant we went on a date to.
Q: Describe your wedding day. What was your favourite moment? Gagan: The wedding day was stressful for obvious reasons as you want everything to go according to plan, as you’ve spent a good year and half to put the whole thing together. Yet none of it mattered when Rupa walked in with her nephew. It was my favourite part and moment of the wedding.
Rupa: I have many memorable moments! Having my family around me, getting ready, and seeing our wedding vision come to life was the beginning of one of the greatest days of my life. Other moments include walking down the aisle with my brothers and nephew by my side and meeting Gagan at the end of the aisle; Gagan making jokes and trying to make me laugh while the wedding ceremony was going on; the excitement once the ceremony was done; and Gagan just being so caring and considerate throughout the entire day.
Q: Could you tell us about your reception? Rupa: The reception was full of surprises! When we entered, we were surprised to see everyone waving a white flag in the air, like how they do during hockey playoffs. Gagan is a huge Canucks fan so this was very fitting. Our next day edit blew us away. Our reception was nothing short of a great time with family and friends and lots of laughter and fun!
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Q: What are your goals as a couple? Our current goals as a couple are to travel as much as possible; learn from new experiences; have lots of laughs; and always make time for us. At the end of the day all we have is each other and we want to create a loving and fun life together!
Q: What are the strengths of your marriage? We have great communication and understanding, and work daily to support one another.
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Q: If you could provide any advice to other married couples, what would it be? We’ve been married only six months to give any significant advice but what works for us is to always have happiness, love and laughter in our life. This is our destination in life no matter what life throws at us.
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DARPAN TRAVEL
T R AV E L
O regon
Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge BY BENJAMIN YONG
W
hat do you get when you take Portland’s amazing food and beverage culture, and combine it with the majestic natural backdrop of the Pacific Northwest? The Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge Region. One to two hours by car from PDX airport depending on the destination, the endlessly scenic area is home to America’s longest ski season, countless breweries and wineries, expansive museums and amazing driving roads. If you’re planning a visit, here are DARPAN’s favourite places to hit up.
Consume
Mt. Hood Standing at 3,426 metres, Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon (OR), and a big draw for winter sports enthusiasts, hikers, climbers and sightseers alike. At the base is the town of Government Camp, and nearby is Mt. Hood Village comprised of a handful of communities including Brightwood, Welches and Rhododendron.
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Dragonfly Café and Bakery
Koya Kitchen
Begin your day on a tasty note and grab one of the biggest and softest cinnamon buns found anywhere on the west coast. Freshly baked every morning at this friendly neighbourhood café in Welches, OR, a bun and cup of signature Mt. Hood Roasters coffee will run you the exact tax-free amount of $6.50 USD. In addition, several other breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, options are available.
Situated near the base of Mt. Hood, one might not expect to find a cozy restaurant serving up Japanese cuisine and an authentic saké menu showcasing local and imported varieties. There’s a long list of rolls, but for a more substantial meal try either the savoury yakisoba ($10, stir fried noodles with cabbage, green onions, Kewpie mayo and pickled ginger) or the fried rice version, yakimeshi ($12, shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, nori and a runny fried egg). Both have a choice of protein: organic tofu, chicken or pork. A flight of three sakés is an ideal accessory to the meal. Starting at $6, another great way to go is asking the barkeep to put together a custom set. For example, a cedar aged offering from Nara Prefecture, premium single malt from Ibaraki, and one brewed using Mt. Rokkō infused water from Hyōgo.
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Explore Mt. Hood Outfitters Nature adventure seekers need look no further than Mt. Hood Outfitters. Providing guided tours and equipment rentals year-round — think snowmobiling, snowshoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, white water rafting, mountain biking — one particularly enjoyable service they offer is crosscountry skiing tours. For $65 per person, the fee bundles skis, boots, poles and the company of a guide who will give as much instruction as needed to get you up and running. East Skibowl trails are located just down the hill from the store affording a vigorous workout and spectacular views.
Rest Mt. Hood Oregon Resort
Imbibe Bunsenbrewer Heading southeast on the way to the Village, in a place called Sandy, lies what else? A science-themed brewery, of course. The many different in-house and guest taps being served up are detailed in chalk on the “Beeriodic Table,” (Bill Nye the Science Rye IPA is a must-order), and the décor is made to resemble part laboratory, part man cave with pinball machines, arcade and board games and even a Nintendo 64 retro gaming setup in the corner.
Secluded yet easy to get to, the establishment referred to simply as “The Resort” is tucked away among evergreen trees and has the feel of both a lodge and premium hotel. The units are accessed via outside and there are a variety of suites guests may select depending on individual preferences. Parking is complimentary and should hunger pangs hit, venture over to Altitude restaurant next to the lobby. Afterwards, play a round of golf at the on-site course.
Nestled along the riverbanks are The Dalles, a historic city pioneers once frequented while traversing the famed Oregon Trail, and Hood River, a port bearing the reputation of windsurfing capital of the world.
Columbia River Gorge This canyon of the mighty Columbia River is 1,200 metres deep and stretches for over 80 miles, acting as a border between Washington State and Oregon. Go for a drive along the winding Highway 30 and it will soon become clear why it’s designated as a National Scenic Area. Nestled along the riverbanks are The Dalles, a historic city pioneers once frequented while traversing the famed Oregon Trail, and Hood River, a port bearing the reputation of windsurfing capital of the world.
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Consume Kainos Coffee & Pizza An odd pairing you might say, but where else can you order a hand-tossed prosciutto arugula pizza ($14) cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, and a cup of coconut milk ginger steamer ($3.50) at the same time? Started up by a couple of childhood friends hailing from The Dalles, Kainos has a second location in Portland. A portion of profits goes towards LifeChild Asia Foundation that helps connect orphaned Filipino children and supportive families.
Cousins Restaurant & Saloon
Photos: iStock, Mai Kanamori, Courtesy of organizations featured - Facebook
“Howdy, cousin!” is a popular customer greeting at the family-friendly, country-themed diner slash inn. The rustic décor inside and out is instantly instagrammable, and the menu is chock-full of comfort foods such as a three-cheese French Onion Soup ($3.99 cup/$4.99 bowl) and the roast tom turkey complete with all the fixin’s ($11.99 “Lite” size/$14.99 regular).
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Locally owned and operated, Mt. Hood Winery sits on 20 acres of estate vineyards and specializes in Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. Winning the Oregon Winery of the Year award in 2016, patrons are welcome in the tasting room March through November where a sampling of five wines costs $15, waived if two bottles are purchased. Looking for a recommendation? The Summit Red is an excellent table wine consisting of a mix of several varietals.
■ CIVIL LITIGATION ■ REAL ESTATE
Kelly Macauley
Nav Randhawa
DARPAN
■ FAMILY ■ ESTATES
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Explore Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) Love classic flying machines and vehicles? Then WAAAM simply cannot be missed. The non-profit organization opened 12 years ago with a modest private collection of 74 pieces, which has grown to over 325 planes, cars, motorcycles and tractors proudly and immaculately displayed in three massive hangers. Perhaps the most amazing thing is virtually all the aircraft are still in working condition.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center A trip to the Discovery Center is the perfect way to learn more about the region, like how the gorge was originally created and the culture of the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the land. One side of the property is dedicated to ecology and the other to history, the latter featuring a neat recreation of city life a hundred years ago. Budget 60 to 90 minutes to wander the 48,200 squarefeet facility that includes short educational films and a live Birds of Prey exhibit.
Rest The Dalles Inn Right in the heart of downtown, don’t let the modest exterior of the Dalles Inn fool you. The remodelled rooms are clean, modern and quiet and guests get a lot for their money — for example the main building houses a 24-hour fitness centre, seasonal outdoor pool and a dining area where a continental breakfast is served every morning. Boutiques, eateries and coffee shops are just steps away.
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2019
BMW X4
The relatively new kid on the block often gets lost in the shuffle between the X3 and bigger brother X5
HIGHLIGHTS (AS TESTED)
MSRP: $77,145 Motor: 3.0-litre twinturbocharged six cylinder Horsepower: 355 @ 5,500 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 365 @ 1,520 rpm Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 14.8 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)
S
ome people aren’t even aware that the BMW X4 exists. And I can’t really blame them: the relatively new kid on the block often gets lost in the shuffle between the X3 and bigger brother X5. Perhaps the Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) will turn a few additional heads as
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it enters its second generation offering both an xDrive30i and M40i M Performance variant, the latter which I spent a few days in. Let’s dive into what’s changed. Given current trends, it’s not much of a surprise that the vehicle has gotten larger. The length is increased by 81 millimetres, width 37 millimetres, however the height is 3 millimetres lower to accentuate the SAC’s powerful silhouette. The Coupé part of the name is derived from the sharp rear window angle and short front and rear overhangs reminiscent of a sports car, but with the larger proportions it’s easy to see why some affectionately refer to the X4 as “turtle-shaped.” All lighting on the model is now LED. The M40i receives
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distinctive design flourishes to stand apart, like a more aggressive front fascia boasting big air intakes, contrasting Cerium Grey mirror caps, aerodynamic side skirts and integrated black rear bumper diffuser. Exclusive Sunstone
metallic paint and 21-inch alloy wheels are optional. The performance theme continues in the cabin where occupants will find special bolstered seating, unique steering wheel, anthracite headliner, and M badging, pedals and driver’s footrest. Customers also have the choice of customizing the leather upholstery colour combinations (Ivory White/Black, Fiona Red/ Black or Tartufo/Black). The outgoing vehicle was already quite generous in terms of interior space, and the
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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CAR FEATURED
DARPAN AutoREVIEW
All lighting on the model is now LED. The M40i receives distinctive design flourishes to stand apart, like a more aggressive front fascia boasting big air intakes, contrasting Cerium Grey mirror caps, aerodynamic side skirts and integrated black rear bumper
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRIAN JESSEL BMW VANCOUVER, BMW
diffuser. replacement further increases legroom 27 millimetres for rear passengers. There’s a total of 525 litres of storage space behind the back bench, which can fold down opening up an extra 905 litres – ample room for things such as recreational equipment or childrenrelated cargo. Onto the fun stuff. Underneath the M40i’s hood is a TwinPower Turbo inline six engine pumping out 355 horsepower and
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365 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Pressing the engine start button, I was greeted with the signature RPM blip and was glad to hear the standard M sports exhaust system wasn’t dumbed down on the crossover. The sound coming out of the dual trapezoidal pipes is glorious
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anytime the throttle is depressed. Thanks to the rear wheelbiased xDrive and built-in differential, the M40i handles a lot better than expected. Driving on a narrow backroad, I threw the vehicle around a
tight roundabout and there was minimal body roll. I almost forgot I was in an X4 and not an M4. Okay that might be a little bit of a stretch, however the near 50:50 weight distribution and uprated suspension and brakes really do help transform the feel of the 1,961-pound SAC. Engineers put it on a weight loss program using more aluminum components and managed to reduce aerodynamic drag by 10 per cent. Prices for the 2019 BMW X4 M40i start at $66,000 MSRP. The one I tested included the Premium Package Enhanced (+$5,550) bundling heated seats, ambient lighting, head-up display, SiriusXM radio, Harman Kardon stereo; Assistant Driver Assistance Package (+$2,900) adding in radar cruise control, lane keep assist, cross-traffic alert; and metallic paint as well as Vernasca leather surfaces bringing the total figure up to $77,145 out the door.
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2019
SPACIOUS AND COMFORTABLE
JAGUAR F PACE S BY GLEN KONOROWSKI
F Pace is special in the fact that it has plenty of luggage space, lots of room for four-adults (five in a pinch), and best of all it handles like a sports car.
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very once in a while as an automotive journalist, I find a test vehicle that suits my tastes a little bit more than the others. Generally I am not a SUV kind of person, but the F Pace is special in the fact that it has plenty of luggage space, lots of room for four-adults (five in a pinch), and best of all it handles like a sports car.
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The vehicle I was given to test was the F Pace S, the sport model of the line-up. The F Pace is the middle model in the Jaguars line of SUVs. I find it a perfect size for city driving, but stable enough to travel on the highway quite well. During the time I had the Jag, I had it loaded with people and luggage and it handled perfect all the time. Speaking of luggage,
HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: Base $69,900, as tested $83,330 Motor: 3-litre double overhead cam supercharged V6 Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic Layout: All-wheel drive Fuel economy: 13.3 L/100 km city and 10 L/100 km highway the F Pace is very capable of holding four decent-sized suitcases without any problem plus a little more. What you find getting into the F Pace is a nice leather interior and comfortable seats both front and
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rear. The dash area is fairly easy to use with just a little learning. The large tach and speedometer were easy to read and placed right in front of the driver – something that is not always that easy to see. The steering wheel has basic controls for the extra functions, as well as cruise control and radio volume. For those who like to sift through the gears themselves, paddle shifters are mounted behind the steering wheel that don’t get in the way of regular driving. Both driver and passenger seats have plenty of controls,
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CAR FEATURED
Both driver and passenger seats have plenty of controls, providing endless amounts of adjustment for a comfortable seating position. Getting in the rear is easy; back seats can be folded for more cargo space with a 40/20/40 split combination depending on your needs.
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providing endless amounts of adjustment for a comfortable seating position. Getting in the rear is easy; back seats can be folded for more cargo space with a 40/20/40 split combination depending on your needs. The test F Pace also had a large glass sunroof with I enjoyed completely. The F Pace is light compared to many of its contemporaries as it is made of 80 per cent aluminum. Pushing power to all four wheels is a 3-litre supercharged V6 engine developing 360 horsepower and
332 lb-ft of torque giving the F Pace a 0 to 100 kilometre per hour in just 5.5 seconds. This works well on highways like the Sea to Sky where long upward climbs are the norm. One other nice feature of the F Pace is a Hill Launch Assist which stops hesitation when taking off on a hill – great around the general Vancouver area. Moving the power out to the optional 22 inch wheels is an eight-speed automatic, which as you would expect shifts seamlessly up and down through the gears. Though 20 inch wheels are standard on the F Pace, my test vehicle had the optional 22 inch wheels that have shod with 265/40R22 tires. These tires kept the F Pace well adhered to the pavement in dry or wet weather. The test F Pace listed for $70,000 and with the options on this car it topped out at just over $83,300. Considering its great handling and numerous options, it is really not badly priced when one compares it to other luxury SUVs. Would I buy one if I were in the market? Yes, without hesitation.
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MAKING A SPORTY STATEMENT
2019
KIA STINGER
GT-LINE BY BENJAMIN YONG
I “The Stinger really is a dream car for us, and after years of commitment and hard work from a passionate group of designers, engineers and executives around the world, that dream is now a reality,” says Orth Hedrick, product planning vice president at Kia Motors America.
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n the last few years, Kia has carved a solid lane for itself building smart-looking sensible four doors, crossovers and even an electric cute-ute. That’s why the world took notice when a production fastback sport sedan was announced in 2018: the Stinger. This grand tourer — first teased as a concept back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show — has gotten a lot of press and it’s well deserved. A combination of bold styling, practicality and spirited performance, the vehicle has brought some much-needed exuberance to the growing brand. “Unlike any Kia that has come before it, the Stinger really is a dream car for us, and after years of commitment and hard work from a passionate group of designers, engineers and executives around the world,
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that dream is now a reality,” says Orth Hedrick, product planning vice president at Kia Motors America, in a news release. “From its GT Concept-car origins to its tuning and refining on the legendary Nürburgring circuit, no detail was too small to be obsessed over, and the result is simply stunning.” Former Audi designer Peter Schreyer and his team are responsible for the exterior’s sleek form. The now-iconic Tiger Nose grille sits front and centre, flanked by optional LED headlamps. Below is a pair of combination air intakes and curtains that, together
HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $42,080 Motor: 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder Horsepower: 255 @ 6,200 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 260 @ 1,400 rpm Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 12.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed) with a smooth underbody, enhance aerodynamics and reduce lift. The side view is equally impressive, featuring short front and rear overhangs, a gently sloping roof
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CAR FEATURED
and rear window and muscular character lines. In person, the Stinger appears quite long especially when parked next to other cars. That extended wheelbase, however, is what affords the exceptional interior comfort. First off, the cabin is roomy, which is not an attribute you might expect in this segment. Drivers do sit rather low, but not annoyingly so to the point where the view of the surroundings is compromised. All grades are swathed in leather, and for an extra cost can be upgraded to the ultra-soft Nappa variety. One immediately noticeable bummer? Among all that real estate overhead, there’s no moonroof to open and soak up a few rays on the road. The D-shaped steering wheel feels good in hand, and I love that Kia went with a T-shaped gear lever in an age when manufacturers are increasingly turning to transmission select knobs or buttons. The audio already sounded excellent spilling out of the nine speakers in our new-for2019 GT-Line spec tester’s stereo, although true enthusiasts will appreciate the available 720-watt Harman Kardon system. GT cars are made for cruising, and the Stinger’s rigid chassis and tuned suspension soaked up all the bumps while providing sharp handling as I navigated twisty bits of Vancouver freeway. Under the hood of the GT-Line model that as mentioned was launched, is a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. No, it’s not even close to the 365 horses offered by the bi-turbo 3.3-litre V6 in the higher trims, however not everyone is after achieving the fastest lap times and the four banger is perfect for around town motoring. To kick things up a notch, rotate the Drive Mode dial on the centre console to Sport and the computer instantly alters throttle response and shift patterns towards more fun operation. For example, lower gears are held longer — unfortunately no change takes place in exhaust noise. If anything, a loud whiney sound emanates from the transmission. The 2019 Kia Stinger GT-Line is in dealerships now, starting at $39,995.
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HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $51,500 Motor: 2.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder Horsepower: 310 @ 2,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 260 @ 1,400 rpm Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 10.5 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)
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MAZDA CX-9 BY BENJAMIN YONG
The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is still split into four main grades: GS, GS-L, GT and Signature. The entry-level GS is the only one sold both in front and all-wheel drive, the others are AWD only.
P
erhaps in passing you’ve observed Mazda’s latest products are looking even nicer than usual. That’s because over the last couple of years, the Japanese automaker has been making the transition to becoming a more upscale brand. The 2019 Mazda CX-9
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is a great example, just undergoing a subtle refresh increasing comfort, luxury and technology. Let’s take a look. Having recently entered its second generation in 2016, the changes are focused inward. In range-topping Signature
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To get started, users simply need to plug their mobile device into the powerful 2.1-amp USB input, which as a bonus provides quicker charging. models, the rear-view mirror Unlike in most other vehicles, is now frameless for a cleaner the above software can be navigated appearance. On the GT trim and not only by touch on the central above, an available 360° View monitor, but via the commander Monitor employs four cameras to control knob comfortably located display a birds-eye view making beneath the transmission lever, as parking a much easier, and safer, well. Rotate to highlight a different affair. In the summertime, front onscreen icon and push to select, or occupants will appreciate the alternatively press the surrounding cooling effects of added physical Entertainment, NAV and front-seat ventilation. Home buttons to execute the The Mazda Connect respective commands. This is part of infotainment system also receives an overall strategy to minimize driver additional functionality. You might distractions while behind the wheel. be surprised to learn Android What else is new? SiriusXM Travel Auto and Apple CarPlay were not Link — a five-year trial subscription supported until now, the brand included with every CX-9 purchase responding it wanted to get the — integrates live traffic and incident implementation right the first time. reports directly to the built-in map,
and offers weather, fuel prices, parking availability and sporting event information all at your fingertips. No ride can be considered premium if there’s a bunch of road noise present. As a result noisedamping characteristics were studied and the internal structure of the headliner reworked to better absorb any unwanted sound from entering the cabin. Similarly, a bumpy journey is a big no-no in the segment and as such the suspension utilizes updated top mounts for the rear dampers and new rebound springs front and back helping smooth out and stabilize vehicle behaviour. To improve steering wheel and response, engineers made modifications to the steering knuckle, hub bearings and steering gear. The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is still split into four main grades: GS, GS-L, GT and Signature. The entry-level GS is the only one sold both in front and all-wheel drive (AWD), the others are AWD only. Under the hood is the same SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder generating 227 horsepower (250 if filled with 93 octane fuel) and 310 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission. Fuel economy is excellent for a full-size crossover: I averaged 10.5 L/100 km over a week mostly motoring about town. Aside from the base, all models feature i-ACTIVSENSE safety tech. The suite bundles blind spot warning, adaptive forward lighting that autonomously sweeps the beam pattern up to 15 degrees into the direction of a turn, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, emergency braking and radar cruise control. Finally, buyers have a total of five exterior paint colours to choose from: Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Machine Grey Metallic, Sonic Silver Metallic and the iconic Soul Red Crystal Metallic.
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BHARAT Release date: June 5 Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Tabu
E
THE FILMI
id festivities can never be complete without a Salman Khan release, and this Eid our beloved Bhaijaan is treating us to a unique action-packed film – Bharat. An official adaptation of the Korean film – Ode To My Father, Bharat will engagingly take us through the Indian history, right from the time of Partition in 1947, and apparently highlight some important historical moments encountered by Salman’s character in the film. What is also interesting is that Salman will be seen sporting five different looks over the span of 70 years in the movie. He will also be seen in his late 20s for a significant part of the film. Talking about the film, director Ali Abbas Zafar said, “It’s a different film for both of us. Something Salman’s gonna push himself hard to get right. That’s exciting because the film is unexplored territory.” We suggest you block your dates for this one right away.
JOURNAL BY SHWETA KULKARNI
The coming months in movies are certainly looking exhilarating.
W
ith seasoned stars, a couple of fresh new talents and a variety of films, the coming months in movies are certainly looking exhilarating. The excitement begins with Sunny Deol and Karan Kapadia’s starrer Blank, an intense action thriller that promises to be a compelling watch. Then there is Tiger Shroff, Ananya Pandey and Tara Sutaria’s Student Of The Year 2, which brings to the screen the vibrancy of youthful charm, followed by a Ajay Devgn’s laugh riot – De De Pyaar De. Along with the festivities of Eid comes Salman Khan’s Bharat, which is soon followed by the much-awaited Kabir Singh. Didn’t we tell you the spread was exciting?
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STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2 Release date: May 10 Starring: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey
T
here are many reasons to get excited about the second instalment from Dharma Productions’ Student Of The Year franchise. While the previous film gave the industry three fresh faces, this one launches two new talents – Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey. What’s more, Student Of The Year 2 also marks the Bollywood debut of international
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KABIR SINGH icon Will Smith. Yeah, the Hollywood star will be seen in a song sequence along with the lead actors of the film. Apart from being a young and fresh film, it also promises to show the action hero Tiger Shroff in a brand new avatar. Speaking about it, Tiger said in an interview, “I am trying something else with Student of the Year 2. That’s a complete contrast from Baaghi 2.” Reportedly, students from the earlier batch, Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, and Varun Dhawan, will also be making a special appearance in the film.
Release date: June 21 Starring: Kiara Advani, Shahid Kapoor
R
emake of the Telugu hit film Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh is undoubtedly one of the most-hotly anticipated films of the year. While the makers of Kabir Singh have retained the essence of the original film, where an alcoholic surgeon goes on a self-destructive path after his ex-lover marries someone else, they have also rediscovered the project. Speaking about the film, Shahid Kapoor who is playing the title role of Kabir Singh said, “We are trying to make it as honest and as raw as it was. Not trying to change anything for the sake of it. We are rediscovering it. Of course, the way we do it, there’ll be some differences.” Directed by Sandeep Vanga, who had also helmed Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh also features Kiara Advani in the lead.
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Release date: May 3 Starring: Sunny Deol, Karan Kapadia, Ishita Dutta, Karanvir Sharma
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It’s been a while since one saw Sunny Deol in a good action-thriller, but seems like the wait is finally over. Going by the teaser of the film, Blank certainly holds many promises. Directed by Behzad Khambata, the film revolves around an interrogation officer and a suicide bomber who claims that he doesn’t remember anything about his life before the accident. Debutant Karan Kapadia, Dimple Kapadia’s nephew, said, “I play a 26-year-old boy who is trying to find his way in the world. As soon as I heard the script, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.” After watching the teaser, we definitely know that we have to catch this one on the big screen.
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DE DE PYAAR DE Release date: May 17 Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill
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ollywood’s heroes seldom play their age, which is why one should look forward to this interesting rom-com. In a refreshing change from the usual Bollywood films, De De Pyaar De features Ajay Devgn, who is playing his own age – a 50-year-old man, who falls in love with a girl his kids’ age. Promising to be a complete laugh riot, the film, which marks the debut of director Akiv Ali, also stars Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead roles. The film focuses on all the complexes and amusement that comes with dating someone who is half your age, especially when your kids and ex-wife are also put in the same frame. Speaking about directing this quirky film on relationships, director Ali said, “I could not have asked for a better debut. Shooting De De Pyaar De with the stellar star cast of Ajay, Tabu and Rakul has made this journey extremely delightful.” This one seems to have packed all the ingredients of a potboiler and simply can’t be missed.
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THE HUSTLE May 10 Remember the 80’s comedy vehicle Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine? Nobody does, but an all-female remake is on the way. Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson are two con artists operating at different social levels who team up to take down the men who wrong them. Laugh-o-meter: 7/10. Both leads are likeable and know funny (Pitch Perfect, The Princess Diaries), although the fact that one of the scriptwriters also perpetrated the brutal Olaf’s Frozen Adventure should give you pause.
Sunnywith a Chance of
Giggles BY JORGE IGNACIO CASTILLO
While summer is known as the time lighter fare hits the screen, this year comedy is king at the multiplex.
LONG SHOT
DETECTIVE PIKACHU May 10 Normally a Pokémon-themed movie wouldn’t make it to one of these lists, least of all of comedies, but Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu is a stroke of genius. Set in a world where humans and pocket monsters reluctantly coexist, Pikachu teams up with a teenager in search of his dad, a case that may have a ripple effect at a societal level. Laugh-o-meter: 8/10 Reynolds brings some much needed self-scrutiny to the Pokémon realm. Also, the heightened irreverence that made Deadpool a hit can’t hurt.
May 3 How about politics as a source of laughter (on purpose). In Long Shot, Charlize Theron is the United States’ Secretary of State who is considering a presidential run. As part of her team, she hires a journalist (Seth Rogen) she used to know as a kid as a speechwriter. His free-wheeling attitude doesn’t quite mesh with the conventions of the process, but the two of them bond and the possibility of romance emerges. This movie should be considered sciencefiction. Laugh-o-meter: 4/10. Rogen is a reliable source of laughs, but the film’s romantic angle undercuts the comedy. For what is worth, Alexander Skarsgård plays the Prime Minister of Canada and the proverbial rival for Theron’s attentions.
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POMS May 10 It’s becoming a tradition once a year where Hollywood throws a crumb to the underserved senior audiences. They are rarely any good (Book Club, Going in Style) and they often star Diane Keaton, since she still looks fantastic at 72. In Poms, Keaton is the reluctant newest denizen at a retirement community. Unwilling to go gentle into the night, she convinces her fellow residents (including Pam Grier, Rhea Perlman and Jackie Weaver) to put together a cheerleading squad. Pom-poms battles ensue. Laugh-o-meter: 3/10. More sweet than funny, Poms is the kind of movie you take your mom to. She may get suspicious though.
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YESTERDAY June 24 Following the decidedly nihilistic T2: Trainspotting and his firing from the new James Bond movie, director Danny Boyle was in need of a palate cleanser. He found it in Yesterday, a musical comedy written by Richard Curtis (of Love Actually fame). A down on his luck singer-songwriter (Himesh Patel) wakes up one morning to discover nobody in the world remembers the Beatles or their music, nobody… but him. What’s a guy to do but claim authorship and become the biggest recording artist in the planet? Laugh-o-meter: 6/10. The underlying idea is clever and serves as a good excuse for a Beatles’ greatest hits parade. A natural crowd-pleaser.
BOOKSMART
LATE NIGHT
May 24
June 7
The directorial debut of actress Olivia Wilde was the toast of SXSW. In the same vein of Superbad, Booksmart follows two academically gifted girls (Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever) who, on the eve of their high school graduation, throw caution to the wind and decide to live it up before heading to college. Their lack of experience at being carefree may result costly. Laugh-o-meter: 9/10 Not only Booksmart pulls the now ubiquitous gender reversal, it has great fun doing it.
Laugh-o-meter: 6/10. Kaling is not only the co-star, but she also authored the screenplay. Given her previous credits as a writer for The Mindy Project and The Office, Late Night should be a winner.
MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL June 14 The MIB franchise is going through a transformation. Gone are Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and director Barry Sonnenfeld. Enter Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Liam Neeson (the latter, not much of an asset anymore). The action this time takes place in Europe, as the trio tries to flush out an extraterrestrial mole that has infiltrated the organization. Laugh-o-meter: 4/10. The law of diminishing returns has feasted on the saga, so maybe radical changes are the right move. It can’t be worse than Men in Black 3, can it?
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Photos: MGM, eOne, Annapurna, Universal, Warner, Amazon
A Sundance Film Festival sensation, Late Night pairs Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling to riotous effect. Thompson is Katherine Newbury, a late-night show host who suspects her days on TV are numbered. Following network’s directives (inclusivity and diversity are now welcomed), Newbury reluctantly adds Molly (Kaling), a comedian of Indian descent, to her predominantly white and male writers team. Unbeknownst to her, Molly has the skills to save her from oblivion and her show from cancelation.
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Q&A How has a woman’s role in the industry changed over the years? What needs to be done further? There are some initiatives now to support women in roles behind the camera, but there is a LONG way to go. We have to keep encouraging girls to enter the field and to write and produce their own narratives. But the industry needs to give women the $$$ to produce those projects, a bigger say in how we build the teams behind them, and the POWER to make the decisions on what ultimately reaches our screens.
MELANIE CHANDRA
up,
providing
leadership,
solving
problems – everything I learned to do in the tech world and corporate America,” says the excited producer who is in the midst of developing a passion project called Surina & Mel. Chandra will be acting and executive producing alongside her friend and co-star Surina Jindal. “We’ve also
BY PETRINA D’SOUZA
partnered with Kal Penn and the
“I hope to tell stories that change the way people see women
studio Gunpowder & Sky,” she adds.
of colour, by virtue of the narrative itself or the narrative of the people behind the project (as producers, writers, and actresses) to inspire a younger generation to say “I can do that.””
Another production that Chandra is trilled to share is a comedy titled Attachment for HBO. The comedy explores the complicated relationships Indian American women have with
M
elanie Chandra, an actress
“If she can do it, I can do it too.” That
their
and producer, is well-known
moment let to the onset of her dream
telling it through the lens of a
career as an actor.
first-generation Indian-American tech
for her role as Dr. Malaya Pineda in
immigrant
mothers.
“We’re
What is your message to young girls and women who wish to be part of the film and TV industry? Find mentors. Collect as much information as you can. Work with people who truly believe in you and your talent. Beware of anyone with ulterior motives – because that will never lead to anything real or long-lasting. Befriend as many people as you can along the way and maintain those relationships. It’s surprising how much of your early career is shaped through collaborations with people you’ve befriended. Indians around the world have made significant contributions to their immigrated countries, what do you think of this accomplishment? It’s really energizing that the Indian diaspora has contributed so much to the places our families came from. There’s so much passion and goodwill, and we should all be very proud!
CBS medical drama Code Black.
The path was not easy; having no
CEO who’s forced to share her tiny
She has played multiple television
one to guide her, Chandra stumbled
NYC apartment with her mother,
roles, including guest appearances
a lot and faced insecurities. “People
who’s considering a divorce. The two
inspire a younger generation to say “I
on Rules of Engagement, Parenthood,
wanted to limit me to certain types
learn to live with each other – and for
can do that.””
and Nashville and large recurring
of roles, which was hard for me to
themselves,” narrates Chandra.
roles on Netflix’s Brown Nation and
accept knowing that I have so much
HBO’s The Brink. Chandra quit her high profile corporate job to pursue
founder of Hospital for India, which
more to give. And no one really cared
gives out a strong message that
provides health care services to villagers
about the accomplishments in my
representation of South Asian women
in rural India. The non-profit has been
her childhood dream of acting.
previous career that I had worked SO
in the industry is crucial. “If I hadn’t
serving thousands of patients every
“Cultural conditioning had me believe
hard for. Instead, I was objectified,
seen or spoken to another South
month,
that success was getting into the
just another face in a sea of
Asian woman doing what I dreamed
to work there, and creating special
best college, graduating with an
actresses trying to make it. It was an
of doing, I wouldn’t have thought it
initiatives such as women’s maternity
engineering degree, and landing
awakening.” Chandra’s talent and
was possible, and I might not have
clinics.
a well paying job. But the dream of
hard work eventually bore fruit and
taken the leap. Representation makes
volunteered
acting was always there. I stopped
she started getting recognized for her
us feel SEEN. That we belong. That we
one summer as part of a student
myself
TV roles and other notable works.
matter,” asserts Chandra who wants
organization. She totally fell in love with
to create more opportunities for the
the experience and the people there.
next generation. “I hope to tell stories
“After graduation, some of us continued
from
pursuing
anything
The beautiful actress is also a
sending
volunteers
During in
college, a
village
abroad
Chandra in
India
passionate
be a career for someone who looked
projects
exercise
that change the way people see
to help the village and wanted to
like me,” recalls Chandra. When she
both my brain and my heart. I love
women of colour, by virtue of the
address one of their biggest challenges:
moved to New York City and met an
channelling my creative voice into
narrative itself or the narrative of
health care. So we decided to build a
Indian American actress working in
the storytelling, and then I love
the people behind the project (as
‘hospital for hope’ that could serve the
theatre and TV, Chandra thought:
building things from the ground
producers, writers, and actresses) to
region,” explains Chandra.
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allows
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me
“Producing
projects,
point of reference that acting could
142 M AY /
producer.
her
Beyond acting, Chandra is the co-
Chandra
further, primarily because I had no
Through
to
Photos: Corey Hayes
INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS GLOBAL INDIANS
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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
M AY/ J U N E 2 0 19
HOROSCOPE By georgia nichols
Georgia Nicols’ wisdom and wit have made her a popular international astrologer whose horoscope columns appear in major newspapers and magazines around the world. Georgia also makes regular appearances on television and radio and has a popular website with more than a million annual readers. Her book, You and Your Future is a bestseller in Canada, and has international printings in three languages. Visit: www.georgianicols.com.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) MAY: This month will re-energize you and give you a chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. Doors will open for you and you will attract important people to you as well as favourable situations. This is also a strong money month, which is why you will spend more than usual. Fortunately, you’re keen to work.
JUNE: Your focus with money continues. (Who is surprised? You are the financial wizard of the zodiac.) You will be convincing and persuasive in all your business dealings because you believe in what you are saying. This is also a busy, active month. Nevertheless, take time to buy delightful treasures for yourself and loved ones.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) MAY: Two conflicting influences are present this month. The Sun urges you to hide and be low key, to work alone or behind the scenes. However, fiery Mars, which is in your sign for the entire month, wants you to ride the tiger. Mars will boost your physical energy and make you more aggressive in all your dealings with others. (Oh my!)
APRIL: This is a wonderful month for you because the Sun and Venus are in Gemini, which makes you charismatic and alluring. People will be seduced by you. (Small wonder that this is the best year for you to get married in over a decade.) Nevertheless, you will be aggressive about earning money this month – and spending it!
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) MAY: Not only are you popular this month, you also will benefit from your interactions with others. Enjoy the company of friends, and share your hopes and dreams for the future with them to get their feedback. Likewise, you will benefit by joining classes, clubs, groups and organizations. You might be elected to head a committee or be on the board.
JUNE: Your recent popularity has been a bit exhausting, which means this month you need privacy and solitude in beautiful surroundings to replenish yourself. This doesn’t mean you’re wimping out. Fiery Mars is in your sign boosting your energy. Nevertheless, take a backseat in your efforts to successfully improve your job and your health.
LEO (JULY 23-AUGUST 22) MAY: This is one of the most powerful months of the year for you because you shine in the eyes of bosses, parents and VIPs. Since you have this advantage, now is the time to push your agenda. You will be effective dealing with groups. In fact, you can rally your troops and set them marching! Meanwhile, grab every chance to travel.
JUNE: You are enjoying increased popularity this month, especially with creative people. You will also be influential in a group – perhaps a club or an organization. Spiderman was right: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
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If you can influence others, be a beneficial influence in their lives.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) MAY: This month you want to get away from all this. That’s why this is the perfect month to travel and schmooze with people from other cultures so you can learn something new. This is also an excellent month to explore opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine and the law. It’s an excellent time to seek a loan or mortgage.
JUNE:The Sun is at the top of your chart this month, which happens only once a year. It symbolizes that a flattering light shining on you, which is why you look so good to everyone. Not only that, you look capable to bosses and parents. Obviously, this is a once-a-year opportunity to take advantage of! Ya think?
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) MAY: This is a passionate, intense month. Issues are black and white. You are focused on shared property, inheritances, wills and the wealth of others, especially your partner. Be confident in your negotiations and ask exactly for what you want. As they say, “If you don’t buy a ticket – you can’t win.”
JUNE: Now is the time to break from your usual routine and take a trip. If you can’t travel, be a tourist in your city or expand your horizons by taking courses or travelling through film and books. Romance with someone who is “different” might blossom. Meanwhile, your ambition is aroused, which is why you are bold enough to seek adventure! “Wait for me!”
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) MAY: This month the Sun is opposite your
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) MAY: A playful month! Enjoy vacations and fun getaways. Having fun is your theme this month, so enjoy playful activities with children. Enjoy the arts, the theatre, picnics, barbecues, short trips, socializing with friends and entertaining at home. Fear not, Mars will still keep you with your nose to the grind stone at work – most of the time.
JUNE: Whether by necessity or guilt, you are working hard because you want to be productive. You want to feel that your efforts are bringing results. As such, you will observe how you work and try to be more efficient. Meanwhile, be patient with partners and close friends because patience is the antidote to anger. (Strange how we get angry at those we love most.)
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) MAY: This month you will focus on home and family matters, quite likely, with an increased focus on parent as well. However, you will also enjoy an opportunity to relax or even “hide” at home among familiar surroundings. Parents must be patient with their kids this month. Remember that you too, were young and immature once. (Or were you perfect?)
JUNE: Being refreshed from some rest at home, you are ready to spring into action and have some fun. This is an ideal month to go on vacation. Because you want to enjoy yourself and be exactly who you are, indulge your pleasures. Enjoy the arts, sports events, plays, the theatre, musical performances, barbecues and outdoor picnics, vacations and fun activities with kids. It’s your turn to live it up!
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) MAY: The pace of your days will accelerate
sign, which means it is as far away from you as it gets all year (symbolically). Since the Sun represents your energy, this means you are more tired and will need more sleep. Respect this. Disputes about shared property, inheritances, wills and taxes might arise. Fortunately, since you get richer this year, you are blessed!
this month. Appointments, conversations with siblings, relatives and neighbours, short trips plus increased reading, writing and studying are why you are on the go. You are also coping with increased tension and chaos at home due to family conflicts, visiting relatives, residential changes or renovations. (Whew!)
JUNE: Your ability to negotiate financial dealings is
want to relax at home. In fact, many of you will buy beautiful things for where you live because you want to redecorate and make your home more attractive. Because of this increased focus on home, parents might be impatient with kids. (Remember that one day they are the ones who will choose your nursing home.)
strong this month; plus you will benefit from the wealth of others, especially a partner. You might explore avenues in publishing and the media. Some of you will enter school or take courses. Your interactions with the law and medicine are also highlighted.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) MAY: Be patient with partners and close friends this month. (Of course, they are annoying.) This is a temporary annoyance and these relationships are long-term, which means you have to be patient in order to be wise. Focus on work and think about how you can be more efficient and productive in everything you do. This way – you win!
JUNE: Your focus on partnerships and close friendships is strong this month. Because of this focus, you will have more objectivity to see how you actually relate to those who are closest to you. This will give you a chance to see how to improve these relationships. In a successful relationship, you are as good for your partner as he or she is for you.
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JUNE: After the fast pace of last month, small wonder you
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) MAY: This is a successful month for those of you in sales, marketing, teaching, acting and writing. Cash flow, earnings and financial dealings are your primary focus right now. You will be successful because fiery Mars will make you energetic and convincing when talking to others. Be proactive!
JUNE: Grab the reins because this is a fast-paced, active month! You’ve got places to go, people to see and things to do. Fortunately, you are all charm and diplomacy. Basically, you want to enlighten others because you have something to say. Meanwhile, increased chaos and activity on the home front will produce tension and conflict. Patience is your best ally.
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CANADIAN SHARE THEIR IMMIGRANTS STORIES
DOCTOR FAmily
Sheriyar J Doctor is a District Manager at Blackbird Security Services Rashna S Doctor works at RBC Kayan S Doctor is three years old
S
heriyar J Doctor, his wife Rashna and son Kayan migrated to Canada in April 2018. The move was not pre-planned; after gaining knowledge on Canada’s Express Entry system, the couple decided to apply for a Permanent Resident (PR) status. “We applied and procured the PR soon,” recalls Sheriyar who took the decision so that his son can enjoy the western lifestyle and receive a good education. “We have travelled the world; we wanted our son to experience the same. We wanted the Canadian citizenship for our family,” explains Sheriyar.
BY PETRINA D'SOUZA
Having no family or friends in British Columbia, Sheriyar booked an Airbnb apartment in Coquitlam to live in during their initial days in Canada. They eventually moved to a rental after they understood the workings of the province, and slowly got accustomed to the surroundings and weather. With the help of the Internet, the couple was able to find basic information pertaining to new immigrants. “The best place to get information is through Google/Internet and government websites. New immigrants should contact a settlement officer/worker. The officer guided us correctly in relation to government benefits, Canada Revenue Agency registrations, and work opportunities, and other information a new immigrant can find resourceful. This is a must for new immigrants who have no family or friends in Canada,” shares Sheriyar.
BIGGEST OBSTACLE FACED SO FAR IN CANADA: Getting a driving license test and finding a house on rent. It’s very difficult to find a suitable place when you have a kid as most people have noise issues.
ADVICE FOR IMMIGRANTS: Once you land in BC, contact Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) to meet a settlement officer. Open a bank account immediately with any bank. Purchase a car on your home country license which is valid for three months and book your road test with ICBC.
MEMORIES OF YOUR HOMELAND: Celebrating our Indian festivals, weddings and street food are the things we miss the most.
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The process of finding a good job was smooth for Sheriyar and Rashna. “It was not troublesome finding a job but it was an issue to find a job suitable to your home country qualifications as Indian qualifications and work experience are not recognised here,” says Rashna. The Doctor family says that out of all the places they have visited, British Columbia is the most beautiful. “BC is a beautiful and multicultural place; it also has the best weather and is a great place to live with kids,” expresses Rashna, who adds that one thing difficult in Canada is getting a driver’s license in BC. “Without that it is impossible to commute.” The family describes their Canadian journey till date as wonderful. “The people have been accommodating and welcoming,” adds Sheriyar. Rashna looks forward to a future where she sees herself practicing law and Sheriyar owning an established business.
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