DARPAN MAGAZINE - MAY | JUNE 2022 by Darpan Magazine

REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

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are excited to present to you our May-June issue that is full of interesting features. On the cover is Surrey’s 21-yearold Arshdeep Bains, who filled the community with pride when he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Canucks on March 11, 2022. Bains’ contract will take effect starting with the 2022–23 season, as he likely kickstarts this facet of his sports journey with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League on a fulltime basis. Moreover, he has become the first player of South Asian descent to win the Bob Clarke Trophy as the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) top scorer! Bains is the third player of South Asian descent to join the Canucks organization after Robin Bawa from Duncan and Manny Malhotra from Mississauga. Read more about this young, talented sportsstar in the cover story.

Gurvinder S. Hundal

We hope you have a great summer season ahead, and stay safe and healthy. Let us know what you enjoyed reading about this issue by sending us an email to editor@darpanmagazine. com or reaching out to us on our social media platforms. Thank you for your continuous support.

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Hello DARPAN readers,

Are you looking to buy or sell your property but unsure what to expect from the real estate market? Randy Mann from Randy Maan homes gives readers his tips and advice on what the real estate market currently has to offer. Mann has been a real estate professional for 11 years, and has consistently ranked in the top 1 per cent of all agents in the Fraser Valley. A few interesting initiatives are featured in this issue like the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project, and the Violence Intervention Program by NEVR. For light reads, check out our fitness article on four ways to avoid pain as a runner; five outdoor activities to try out with your children this summer; Bollywood upcoming movie releases; and 10 Indian wonders to add to your bucket list.

bi-monthly magazine. Any reproduction of the magazine, editorial content, images or permission of the Publishers. The views expressed by the writers in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Publishers. The Publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright 2022 DARPAN Publication Ltd. All rights reserved. Publications sales agreement no. 41116014

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CONTENTS M AY- J U N E

LIFESTYLE 58 RECIPES

REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

MAY | JUNE 2022

Chef Akanksha Khatri

62 FITNESS 4 ways to avoid pain as a runner

70 BEAUTY

4 WAYS

Clear skies & warmer temperature

78 DARPAN STYLE

A Legacy Project RUNNER

Summer Dreams

TO AVOID PAIN AS

COVER

Ivneet & Gurleen

STORY

92 WEDDING

Outdoor Activities To try with your kids

Legacy Project This Summer

The South Asian

Canadian

96 TRAVEL

10 Indian wonders that should be on your bucket list

COVER

Legacy Project

STORY

ARSHDEEP Bains Meet Canuck’s Newest Entry

AUTO REVIEW: 2022 Infiniti QX60 2022 Volvo XC40

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IN EVERY ISSUE 8 READER’S REACTION 10 DARPAN’S 10 Randy Mann

2022-05-16 1:45 PM

DARPAN SPOTLIGHT 14 Aditi Kini 20 Jatinder Bir 30 CCI Group 54 SALUTES

FEATURES

The South Asian Canadian Legacy Project

Introducing the Violence Intervention Program

66 Outdoor activities to try with your kids this summer

106

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By Punit Balana

It is so nice to see so many Bollywood heroines now becoming producers and also trying out unconventional roles. There has been a rise in women-oriented films and TV series lately, and it is a nice change. – Kiara Shah

Women’s Cover Story

Great cover story on South Asian women! I enjoy reading and learning more about successful women and you had a good selection on the cover. Great job! – Anita. K

Re: I agree with you Kiara. Bollywood has come a long way and there is lots to look forward to with regards to the interesting work some of our Bollywood actresses are involved in. The ladies are taking charge now! – DARPAN

Re: Thank you for your kind words Anita.

Our International Women’s Day cover story has become a tradition for us now, and we are always excited to research on names of female leaders in our community, and showcase their work and accomplishments. – DARPAN

Travel

Good article on Mexico this issue. Glad you are showing us other hidden spots in Mexico instead of the touristy and popular ones. I look forward to travelling this year. – Akshara Rai

Re: Happy to know you enjoyed our travel

feature Akshara. Yes, there are many beautiful, hidden destinations all over the world if one is looking to experience it. Some good research can go a long way! – DARPAN

Vaisakhi 2022

Loved the Vaisakhi issue. Too bad the parade couldn’t happen but nevertheless it was a good celebration with family. – Sukhdeep

Re: Happy Vaisakhi to you Sukhdeep.

Thank you for writing to us and sharing your thoughts on the issue. We hope families were able to reconnect this year and celebrate the festival together. – DARPAN

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DARPAN 1 Tell us about yourself.

I was born in India but grew up in Vancouver, BC. I don’t have a post-secondary education and had always been a blue-collar worker in the labour force. In 2010 the union job I had was eliminated and so I decided to jump into real estate at the advice of my father. There was no looking back. I’ve been a real estate professional for 11 years, and have consistently ranked in the top 1 per cent of all agents in the Fraser Valley. 2 Where do you foresee the real estate market in the summer time?

The market has really been quite a change from what we’ve seen in the last two years. The market has slightly dipped in many areas but yet in small pockets. Especially in the greater Vancouver area, some places are still exceeding the previous sale. For the summer, I see the market levelling off. We won’t have as many sales and transactions as last year but I believe it will start to progress by the end of the year.

RANDY MANN

3 The Bank of Canada will be bringing in more interest rate hikes, what does that mean for the buyer?

Yes, we’ve already seen some spikes in the interest rates in the last six months. We are due for another rate hike according to the Bank of Canada. These interest rates are still consecutively lower overall than the average over the last 30 years. This is the time for any buyer to lock in the rate and go and purchase before the market interest rates rise even more.

Housing has been an ongoing topic in the news for sometime now and Randy Mann Homes sheds light on the recent changes coming to the housing market in Darpan’s May/June Top 10.

I think the South Asian community needs to know that we are a very big part of how this housing market grows. It is important that we stand together and let the government know when some of the rules and regulations that they implement are not changing anything. Investing in real estate is always smart. The game is to buy and hold for your best overall return.”

4 Is it a good time to sell?

I believe it’s a great time to sell based on the fact that the market has dipped but it has not crashed to the pricing that we saw when it first started in 2020. Since then the market has climbed substantially and as we see a decline in the pricing you would be smart to sell now than later so that you can sell at the highest possible price. 5 The “cooling off” period legislation brought in by the BC NDP has passed, so what does that mean for the homebuyer?

The “cooling off” has been around for multifamily homes for a while now. It makes sense when there’s a product that you’re buying when looking at brochures or attending a presentation at a sales centre. However, when you’re investing in a home that you can feel, touch, and view, I don’t believe this cooling down will benefit the buyer or the seller.

Lots of changes are being brought in, such as the pre-sale tax for homes and the antiflipping measure proposed by the Federal Government. Do you feel the market is strong enough to handle all the changes at once?

6 Realtors and the government have been at odds with the “cooling off” legislation, why do you feel that this will not address the cause of the problem? I believe that any time an election is around the corner, the

It will only cost sellers in a downward market to have to wait to see if their home is sold and that in return could cause them to lose more money on their sale. Even the government does not know what they’re doing with this one; so we need to wait and see and then move forward once we get a clearer picture on how it’s going to play out.

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

government starts throwing out rules, regulations and taxes in order to make it look like it’s providing a solution. In any market, especially ours, the supply and demand factor are key. You can bring any kind of regulation along with any type of tax but if the demand is high and supplies are low, the market will still continue to grow.

DARPAN

Will we see a price adjustment or will the prices level off?

We have already seen a price correction in the last three months. I believe that the inventory will start declining as sellers are not receiving prices that they would have at the beginning of this year or closer to the end of last year. So based on that I think the adjustments will happen and overall the prices will level off.

With the bidding wars that have taken place will we see buyers getting a chance to review documents, get appraisals, or schedule inspections ever again?

The bidding wars that have taken place before are not taking place as much, neither are they making headlines in the news. There are some more pockets that still have been worse based on the location but overall in the market that has now stopped. Buyers are now able to get their subjects and do their due diligence. They have a period of about one to two weeks to do so.

What’s message would you would like to share with the South Asian community?

DARPAN

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT

Aditi Kini I

MEET WINNER OF THE 2021 BC MEDAL OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP BY NAINA GREWAL

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

n a world where appalling news can sometimes seem to dominate media outlets, there are some community gems at work, behind the scenes, making the world a better place to live in. British Columbia recognizes such outstanding citizens with the Medal of Good Citizenship for their contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward. The medal reflects their generosity, service, acts of selflessness and contributions to community life. This year, among deserving and esteemed recipients like Dr. Bonnie Henry is Seaquam Secondary’s Grade 12 student, Aditi Kini. Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kini implemented 18 projects targeted towards Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities that were struggling during the pandemic due to their inability to provide for themselves. These struggles entailed financial concerns, the inability to purchase essential items, and/or the inability to leave home (i.e. immunocompromised individuals) to name a few drivers. Kini’s projects ranged from making clothing hampers to garnering food donations. In one project, Kini partnered with the Royal Columbian Hospital to provide COVID-19 patients in the hospital with entertainment. Talking to doctors, Kini discovered that these patients could not even have friends or family visiting them due to safety concerns, which was greatly impacting their mental health. Kini, with her team, put together entertainment packages for these patients, consisting of puzzles, Sudoku, word searches, and more. Kini worked with the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) in another project.

With the increase of rumors that animals may be COVID-19 carriers, there was an increase in the abandonment of animals, which Kini and her team helped address by purchasing scoops, quality food, treats, and other products in addition to finding suitable storage sheds to help prevent food wastage. With the goal of providing warm clothing to Indigeous youth - a shocking, but apparent need - Kini also spearheaded a project where she partnered with Options, a non-profit registered charity providing social services. So far, the committed volunteer has partnered with various community organizations to execute multiple projects with each. Besides the aforementioned, her partners include the Delta School District (Seaquam Secondary School and Sand Secondary School), Mamas for Mamas Organization, and Surrey Urban Mission Society. To hone her leadership and time management skills, Kini kickstarted her community campaigns by completing online workshops with Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps, which is a part of Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society. Upon completion of the workshops, Kini received a grant for $1,500 to put towards her initiative, which at the time involved Indigenous youth. Here, she met like-minded individuals who joined her cause. Starting out the workshops without any acquaintances or friends, Kini ended up connecting with many local youth from the Lower Mainland.

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT That said, although the effort and drive was there from the collective, Kini elaborates that communication was a key challenge to navigate, “We could not meet face to face and had to conduct all our meetings and planning over Zoom. However, we managed to overcome this obstacle because we were passionate about the project. We assigned tasks, followed deadlines, and worked towards improving our weaknesses.” Executing this project during the pandemic did call for added layers of safety as well. To reduce the risk of the virus spreading, Kini’s team would purchase the products in advance, leave them in isolation for a set amount of time, and maintain proper protocols with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). When delivering, adequate social distancing would be kept top of mind. Interestingly, though her team bonded greatly throughout the project, they only met in person when delivering the items. Needless to say, this has gone on to become one of Kini’s most memorable experiences. Although Kini has been shaped by such enriching experiences and given back significantly to the community during COVID-19, this was not always the plan. Initially, she founded her organization, The New Horizons Foundation, in 2019, with the goal of extending support to girls in rural India in order to provide sustainable and effective solutions for their development, including contributions to the sustenance of sanitation infrastructure in their schools. After raising funds with the help of family and friends, the plan was to implement this project in 2020. However, the pandemic hit and changed the game plan.

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After conducting research and having discussions with various supporters, Kini decided to first make a local impact before expanding globally. Kini touched base with Surrey’s Rotary International Club to gain insight and also received guidance as a result of her involvement in the Youth Leadership Society of British Columbia (YLSBC), which has been a generous source of grants for the young, motivated community activist. One of her main motivators is Ravinder Safaya, Chairperson and Founder Director of YLSBC, who Kini credits to be a pillar of strength throughout her ventures. With the objective of making local impact, Kini set out to set up her first project with Sands Secondary School from the Delta School District, where she worked with the school’s social worker to carefully narrow down ten underprivileged families who would be provided with nutritional, fresh food and gift cards among other essentials. From there, she thought of helping people in need during the pandemic. This project got the ball rolling in terms of local initiatives, and the rest is history. Evidently, Kini’s passion to give back to the community is not newfound. Her interest traces back to her elementary school, Immaculate Conception Delta, where she participated in making sandwiches for the Lower Mainland’s homeless population. Upon starting highschool, she maintained an interest for volunteerism, joining initiatives with the City of Surrey. Today, in conjunction with other programs she has founded, life has come full circle as her latest one involves making sandwiches for the underprivileged, in partnership with Surrey Urban Mission Society. The feedback has been encouraging and Kini is happy to provide fresh food, which is a scarcity for such organizations. Committed to leaving behind this program as a legacy at her highschool, she consistently mentors younger students, while delivering 300 sandwiches across local homeless shelters. Kini shares that one of the reasons she implemented this program in her highschool is because she remembers how much fun she had when she would make sandwiches with her friends in elementary school. Aside from recognizing the importance of giving back, volunteerism has instilled in her social skills and networking capabilities. Kini details, “Because of my initiatives, I have become a lot more social. I feel charged and energized when I work in a team environment.”

DARPAN

“

Kini emphasizes,

I could not have won this award without my parents. They have solutions to my problems before I even think about the problems. Surely, external ideas and perspectives help. Otherwise, you’re stuck in your own mindset and don’t understand that there is another way to overcome issues.”

Of course, with a schedule as busy as hers, the busy bee ensures proper scheduling and prioritization, understanding the importance of pursuing side hobbies and interests as well. Kini is a trained Indian classical dancer, having mastered the dance form of bharatnatyam over the past thirteen years. Moreover, she enjoys hiking and trekking, in addition to pursuing many several sports such as soccer, volleyball, and basketball. Amidst all that she does, Kini also takes out quality time for friends and family. Kini’s parents, Vidya and Jagadeesh Kini, have always supported her. The community superstar reveals that she would often switch her interests when she was younger, but her parents would support her in making it happen. Be it studies or extracurriculars, they have been her biggest motivators. Her sister, Anika Kini, is a Grade 8 student who looks up to her elder sister and eagerly helps with her initiatives, now beginning to start her own.

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For Kini’s parents, it was surreal to see their daughter get this award. After all, it is a testament to everything they have raised her to be. In fact, the passion for community involvement runs in the family. Kini’s maternal grandfather fought in the army and worked with polio-affected children when he came back home. Kini’s mother is also a health care worker.

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Kini’s message to other youth involves understanding that youth can indeed stir change - not just adults. She highlights, “If you are passionate enough about something, you should just do what you can. Try to create change in your community. Although that might seem intimidating, hard, and even impossible, there are people along the way that will back you up. I moved schools three times. In each school, I have had people, teachers, and friends (many of whom I met through my initiatives) who have helped me. If you are passionate enough, the universe will ensure that it happens. There will be people at every step who will guide you.” In terms of what the future holds, Kini plans to pursue Health Sciences in university and extend her maternal grandfather’s vision of helping people through medicine. She still hopes to continue her initiatives and is currently raising funds to achieve her fundraising goal of $60,000, which will help with The New Horizon Foundation’s mission in India. Donations can be made via thenewhorizonsfoundation.com. Undoubtedly, no matter where the future takes Kini, she will continue to be a community leader, starting important conversations and acting as a catalyst for positive change, both locally and globally.

DARPAN

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN SPOTLIGHT

Introducing the First South Asian

President

of the Surrey Teachers’ Association:

Jatinder Bir

BY NAINA GREWAL

his powerhouse of a woman wears many hats: daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, friend, and now, the first South Asian President of the Surrey Teachers’ Association. After volunteering for many years with the Surrey Teachers’ Association, Jatinder Bir was nudged to put her name forward to run for election as Vice President in 2018. This year, she has been elected as President by her peers. Over the span of her career, Bir has worked alongside amazing professionals both past and present who are dedicated to learning and growing as teachers and simultaneously tackling challenges with grace and style. She takes great pride in establishing deep connections through service, integrity, passion, perseverance, and equanimity. A graduate of the University of British Columbia Education program (post-baccalaureate), Bir also attended Simon Fraser University, where she majored in History and minored in Gerontology for her undergraduate studies, and further obtained her Master of Education in Inclusive Education. A passionate special educator and history teacher, she has been a mentor for the Simon Fraser University Graduate Program and a BC Teachers' Federation member. Additionally, Bir is the first representative of South Asian / Punjabi descent to be elected to the BC Teachers' Council. When it comes to her problem-solv-

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DARPAN

ing skills, Bir has always been someone who approaches matters from both an individual and systemic perspective. As a woman of color, a classroom teacher, and a committed community and teacher activist, she sees the essential requirement to understand and respond to both teachers’ needs and the overarching structures in which they work. Bir’s firm belief is that teachers are a unique bunch and don’t just stop at “no”; they are willing to do anything for their students. She loves being part of a thoughtful group of professionals that truly loves teaching students in a way that is meaningful to each and every one of them. Coming across students of all ranges and abilities has instilled in Bir patience, compassion, and understanding. As well, working with children with special needs has allowed her to become more adept in her practice. Undoubtedly, these skills have also enabled her to become an effective leader. For Bir, it is truly an honor and privilege to serve her profession, Surrey’s teachers, and public education through her

presidency. However, as a female person of color in the education system, she has dealt with her fair share of hardships. Bir elaborates, “I was underrepresented and unsupported. I faced many challenges including a lack of opportunities and support for growth in leadership. They did not see me – I was simply not good enough. Perhaps, I didn’t have the image, perhaps I lacked experience. Well, that’s what they always say, right? Work harder!” In addition to professional hurdles, Bir has also had to navigate through adversity in her personal life. In 2008, in a hit-and-run incident, Bir’s parents were both killed when a vehicle struck the back of their car, in which the parents, Dilbag and Bakhshish Badh, and Bir’s sisters, Rupi and Varinder, were returning from Rupi’s engagement party. Having to go through the ordeal of court cases in combination with grieving the loss of her parents, Bir has really had to show extraordinary strength through great suffering. The loving daughter credits everything she is to her parents and looks at her Surrey Teachers’ Association

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT presidency as seva (selfless service). “I want to honor my parents every chance I get,” says Bir. Reflecting on the many struggles she has coped with, Bir sums it up with a quote by Booker T. Washington, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed.” Evidently, for Bir, leadership is not about tenure or title. Rather, it is about helping people achieve their full potential and putting association in a position to succeed. Moreover, Bir’s definition of leadership entails humility, service, sacrifice, and making an impact on others. Her style is all about having a compelling vision of the future and connecting others to it. In line with her values, Bir is actively advocating for teachers in Surrey through her current presidency with the Surrey Teachers’ Association. She considers herself fortunate enough to be working alongside colleagues who continue to inspire her everyday by working relentlessly and refusing to surrender to the combined menaces of poverty, bureaucracy, and budgetary shortfalls. The fearless champion firmly believes that all

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members of Surrey teachers’ unionmovement together ought to help one another in their collective struggles for fair wages, safe workplaces, better benefits, and human rights. Bir’s goals with her professional leadership also trace back to her own experiences as a child. Growing up, she often found herself stuck between two worlds and two cultures, especially at school. Though she was integrated into Canadian culture, she knew in her heart that she was different and always attempted to fit in with the kids around her. As such, her priorities also include a commitment to inclusive practices which encourage diversity in leadership because she, too, is a proud Punjabi woman, and knows firsthand the value and importance in perspectives, ideas, and experiences that diversity provides. In light of Bir’s accomplishments and plans, she emphasizes that there is no single strategy for success. She aims for positivity, is flexible, keeps refining her practice, and continues to learn with the desire to keep improving. What’s more is that she makes it a point to be relational and surround herself with allys, and true, loyal friends and colleagues. The

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go-getter strives to find opportunities and seize them, bringing others along. Of course, Bir also highlights the importance of knowing one’s rights as an employee – when you know better, you do better. Above all, the boss lady ensures to never forget that empathy will always help along the way. Bir brings attention to her mantra, “I work hard, I focus on relationships AND I finally realized that I am indeed ‘enough’. That’s how I thrive today!” Aside from her presidency and community work, Bir is a proud mother of two awesome adult children, Gursimran (Simran) and Rajan Bir. She explains, “As parents, we are in the business of putting ourselves out of a job when our kids grow up, so now I try to nurture my own dreams while continuing to cultivate a close friendship with them. I love this saying, ‘I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, My baby you’ll be.’ – still my truth!”

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Meet Canucks’ Newest Entry:

Arshdeep Bains By Naina Grewal Surrey’s 21-year-old Arshdeep Bains filled the community with pride when he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Canucks on March 11, 2022. Bains’ contract will take effect starting with the 2022–23 season, as he likely kickstarts this facet of his sports journey with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League on a full-time basis.

urrey’s 21-year-old Arshdeep Bains filled the community with pride when he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Canucks on March 11, 2022. Bains’ contract will take effect starting with the 2022–23 season, as he likely kickstarts this facet of his sports journey with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League on a full-time basis.

He has become the first player of South Asian descent to win the Bob Clarke Trophy as the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) top scorer! Just over the span of one explosive season with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, Bains has skillfully propelled forward his hockey career. Bains is the third player of South Asian descent to join the Canucks organization after Robin Bawa from Duncan and Manny Malhotra from Mississauga. Following the footsteps of Bawa, Malhotra, and Surrey’s Jujhar Khaira (who currently is with the Chicago Blackhawks organization), Bains is looking to become the fourth player of South Asian descent to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). For the passionate go-getter, hockey started in Surrey around the age of three, with his father putting him into the sport. With his two older brothers that played hockey, it was quite an easy route getting into the sport. Throughout elementary and high school, Bains pretty much played all the sports he could, with a lot of soccer, and mostly hockey. As he got older, his father constantly encouraged him to become better at hockey. “My dad would get me on the ice and take me to the gym. He was definitely the first one to believe in me and always pushed me. That said, my parents also always made sure that I put school first. My mom would boost my commitment to school, and my dad would cheer me on at practices,” shares Bains..

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

PICTURE COURTESY: RED DEER REBELS

Bains details that his parents have been a huge part of his life and he never shies away from a chance to thank them for all that they’ve done. “They’re a huge part of my life.” The proud parents were super excited when they heard of the Canucks signing, and Bains reveals that there may have been a couple of tears involved. For him, it is incredibly special that he gets to move on and live his own dream and his parents’ dream. Towards early high school, Bains played with the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins and then moved to playing for the Delta Hockey Academy. With practices in between school commitments, the academy worked closely with the school to support student athletes better. When Bains left the academy, he had become equipped with the knowledge of how to balance hockey and school. As such, he has been able to set his priorities straight and successfully manage his time, especially with supportive parents by his side.

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Apart from his father being Bains’ biggest role model, the talented player also emphasizes how much he loved the Canucks growing up, and how they have always been his favorite team. He can still recall the energy around the 2010 semi-finals and Bains’ unconditional love for all the Canucks players. Needless to say, signing with a team he held so close to his heart was immeasurably surreal. With an impeccable season under his belt, Bains says that there was interest coming from different teams, but the Canucks decision was a no-brainer.

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While the victories along the way are to be celebrated, a sports career comes with its own challenges as well. Bains shines light on some hardships that are part of the package, “When you’re moving away from home as a teenager, it is tough. But it is a defining opportunity learning to live on your own and taking care of yourself. Growing up, balancing both school and hockey was also hard, and then there is drafting, with which everyone goes through adversity. What keeps me going is just loving the sport and wanting to get better.” When Bains signed with the Canucks, he got waves of support coming in and had many people reach out to him with congratulatory regards. Being a role model for kids was a great feeling for the superstar. While he understands that the new-found attention comes with the challenge of people criticizing him, he chooses to focus on the positives like helping kids become part of the sport. The budding hockey player’s advice to young enthusiasts wanting to pursue a career in hockey entails his three top tips.

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2.Understand that parents want the best for kids, and use the push from them as positive encouragement. For parents, it is important to not be too hard on the kids. 3.School is the most important thing. In fact, there are many sports-based university scholarships available to take advantage of. Bains elaborates that those who grow up playing sports make memories that last forever, “Sports can be a significantly important part of someone’s childhood. Overall, sports is just another way to grow in a different aspect you can’t learn in school. Being with friends is a special part of people’s lives and it becomes even more amplified with sports. If you can play hockey or any sport, or if you can get your kids into an organized activity, it will be well worth it.” As Bains prepares for all that is to come, a good schedule, discipline, organization, and workouts are key. At the same time, Bains is committed to balancing the professional and personal, be it summer hikes, quality time with his family and dog, or diving into the world of chess. The sportsman’s future aspirations include an eagerness to play with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks, while honing his skill sets to keep pursuing the chance of playing in the NHL. Undoubtedly, this is just the beginning of what is evidently a career where even the sky is not the limit!

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CI Group of Family Companies is a well-known and well-regarded construction concern with its business roots in Surrey, BC. CCI is a significant contributor to the industry across the province. The group includes Crystal Consulting Drywall, which began when Ajit Singh Sangha, the patriarch of the family company, along with his son, Garry Sangha, and his son-in-law, Kuldeep Singh Chohan, initiated their first independent construction project in 2005. In the last 17 years, the family has significantly increased their scope-

BY NAINA GREWAL

and influence across BC. Today, the founders, extended family, and the thousands employed in the family companies, can boast of their achievements in helping to construct millions of square feet of commercial and residential developments for the most iconic developers in the province. CCI includes the corporate entities of Crystal Consulting Drywall (Division 9 services), Crystal Consulting Masonry, Crystal Consulting Waterproofing, and Kanin Construction Management. Garry Sangha, CEO of the Family Group, is mindful of the importance of community in the success of any endeavor and takes the opportunity to highlight their recent pledge to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. Garry states, “CCI is a part of the community, and we see our employees and the people in the community as part of the CCI family. Health and well-being are always a primary concern. For where we live, Royal Columbian provides a huge proportion of the critical care we need and offers health services that no other hospital in the province can deliver. Their focus on mental health aligns closely with our passions and the goal of our own mental health entity, CCI Group Mental Health Society.” The CCI pledge is for $500,000 targeted to the South Asian Health initiative. Honouring this commitment, Crystal Consulting Inc. will be able to name the waiting room in the Acute Care Tower of the hospital. “We are so glad that a company with such a strong emphasis on philanthropy like CCI is joining our fundraising and is making this fantastic pledge. When people like the Sanghas and Chohans step forward, it provides an example for others to follow suit and make similar pledges. We thank them for their gracious support” emphasizes, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. Indeed, the family has long been a community contributor with a history of giving to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Canucks for Kids Fund, The Food Bank, and the City of Backpacks for Kids Program. Garry emphasizes, “Our father, Ajit, has always been a person who believed in being

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President and CEO, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation

“

Jeff emphasizes,

We are so glad that a company with such a strong emphasis on philanthropy like CCI is joining our fundraising and is making this fantastic pledge.”

a part of the community and he was supported by our mom. As a family,

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my parents, my brother-in-law, and his wife (my sister, Sandeep), as well as my wife, Kiran, and all our wonderful children make a real effort to give back. We spend our own time to purchase and fill the kids’ school backpacks. Really close to our hearts is our foundation for mental health. We give a lot of time to that endeavor as we want to emphasize that health is more than just our bodies, but also finding peace for our mind and soul. Issues of mental health are like a silent epidemic, so we formed the foundation to help give it a voice”. Jack Froese, the Mayor of the Township of Langley, shares, “Ajit, Garry, and Chohan have always done so much to support our city. They are important employers, and they are examples of a family that makes giving back to the community part of their everyday lives.” The CCI Group Mental Health Society fund raises for mental health causes. After a COVID-19 delay, they will be holding their Second Annual Golf Tournament. Like that of 2019, this event being held on June 21 at Northview Country Golf and Country Club will raise monies to support various mental health causes in the province. The Foundation is committed to raising $1,000,000 for mental health initiatives by 2025. Ajit comments, “This Foundation is important to my family. My wife and children are invested in mental health, and we want to show the people that it is okay to talk about mental health as we share love and support for those who are suffering in any way we

can. When people respect you, they will be more open to listening to your views and accepting your help.” Kuldeep echoes the sentiments of his father-in-law, “We are all family. We must support each other, and we must also support those people that work for us or who live in our community. We are obligated to help, and it does not matter if we are fathers or sons, mothers or daughters, brothers or sisters; we all have a role to play in serving each other. I am proud that CCI makes giving an active part of our business.” Ruby Ng, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Vancouver-Fraser Branch relays,

“

Ruby relays,

Needless to say, the CMHA is immensely grateful for the amazing support we receive from CCI. It speaks strongly of the leadership of the company and its commitment to mental health awareness. Our heartfelt thanks to the family.”

CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Vancouver-Fraser Branch

MEET DR. WALINDER DHOL Your Neighbourhood Orthodontist - Six BC Locations

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Surrey 604-337-2153 surrey@myortho.ca 10203 152A St #200 Langley 604-900-6547 langley@myortho.ca 19978 72 Ave #201 TM MAY | JUNE 2 022

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“Needless to say, the CMHA is immensely grateful for the amazing support we receive from CCI. It speaks strongly of the leadership of the company and its commitment to mental health awareness. These funds will support our children and youth programs. Our heartfelt thanks to the family.” Undoubtedly, CCI is a role-model company that genuinely seeks to extend the conventional bottom line, which measures profit, by adding a second bottom line of positive social impact. Ajit reminisces about the past, “In India, I was always involved in the community and worked hard to provide for my family. We did well. But when I came to Canada, I had to become a laborer and worked with my hands, drywalling to provide for my family. My son, Garry, and my son-in-law, Kuldeep, approached me to start our own company in 2005. I trusted them, and together with family support, we have built something. I could never have imagined. I am so proud of my family, all three generations working hard to help each other and build a community here in Canada.” Garry gets emotional talking about the family and says, “I appreciated what my dad did for us, and I wanted all of us to succeed together as a family. Today, we are involved in so much of the major construction across BC. Our large footprint in the industry is due to the work ethic my father instilled in us and our huge sense of community. I love what we do and obviously love the people I work with. It is all a labor of passion.” Like his brother-in-law, Kuldeep is deeply invested in the community as well, “When I drive around the province and I see all that we have built, like these glass towers that reach to the sky, I am thankful for the blessings we receive every day and the hard work our people do to build these wonderful structures. I truly believe our success comes because we act together as one family with thousands of hands.” Truly, the Sangha and Chohan families are made of leaders who strive to be the best they can be as individuals and as a family unit. CCI believes in delivering quality and high value services in close adherence to promised schedules. They live the motto of Family Company, Family Values and instill that mindset into every project they undertake. In ways more than one, CCI Group of Family Companies are really the builder’s builder, and people who stand up for their community.

BUSINESS PROFILE

Fearless leader, accomplished executive, boss lady, talented powerhouse

eet Bisman Arora, who en compasses all these descrip tions and beyond, with her impactful community involvements. After having served the community as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Arora Canadian Immigration Consultancy, Arora is now ready to extend the pillars of quality-service, integrity, accountability, and commitment to her ventures as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pro Recruitment Services and the CEO of Excel Career College. In addition to being a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Arora holds a Bachelor in Arts, with a Major in Criminology, which she has obtained from Simon Fraser University (SFU). With proficiency in business operations, legal services, and business strategy, she has established herself solidly in the world of commerce over the years. Of course, the businesswoman’s vast array of experiences have shaped the person she is today. With her family having garnered expertise in the immigration and student recruitment industry for over 25 years, she has grown up in an ambitious environment with a drive to set and achieve audacious goals. “My father, Avtar Arora, has been the biggest role model in my life and my goal now is to extend his legacy by successfully offering every aspect of education and career development. In addition to Arora Immigration, which offers immigration and student recruitment services, our most recent additions to the Arora Group of Companies are Pro Recruitment Services, which offers job placement services, and Excel Career College, which provides quality and rigorous education to ensure students succeed in their chosen careers.”, describes Arora. Shining the spotlight on Excel, the organization strives to provide relevant training to get students into the workforce quickly. By offering customized training with a career focus, the programs at Excel are designed so that the skills students develop in class are the transitional tools that essentially walk them into their new careers. Excel is proudly designated with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) under the Ministry of Advanced Education and maintains representation in the BC Career

College Association, including representation on the BCCCA Board, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and Education Quality Assurance for accepting international students. Moreover, Excel is a designated institute through the BC Student Assistance Program (Student Aid BC) and all diploma programs offered at Excel qualify for funding options. With instructor-led classes featuring personalized support, small class sizes, and flexible class schedules, Excel is paving the way for future-oriented education. However, such successes have not come without challenges, which Excel tactfully navigates. Arora details, “As entrepreneurs, we all know the amount of hard work and planning it takes to drive success, never more so given the last two years of uncertainty with the pandemic. The biggest challenge was having to pivot to ensure we could continue to move our students through their education pathways while keeping them and our staff safe.” As Arora puts it, the team at Excel has always put students and the employers they will be working for first; without both the students and employers, Excel cannot ‘excel’. Taking a look at current conditions, Arora comments that the job market is evidently considered a ‘candidates’ market’. Yet, even within that context, she emphasizes that there are a great number of people seeking to also shift to a new career path, and the question is whether or not candidates have the latest, most relevant skills to be a step above the competition. Excel works very closely with key industry leaders across numerous sectors including healthcare, hospitality, financial sector, education, and social work to define the specific skills they are looking for. Consequently, Excel is able to deliver integrated educational and hands-on learning to get the college’s graduates into the marketplace as leaders, with the most relevant skills needed to thrive in their chosen profession. Moving forward, Arora’s vision with Excel is to have thousands of alumni, from around the world, who were able to achieve success in their professions through the support of the educational experience received from being a student at Excel. The passionate professional highlights, “We are

also in the midst of building our flagship campus in Surrey Central, set to complete in Spring of 2023. In addition to our campus in Courtenay, our new campuses in Kelowna, Victoria, Langford, and Surrey (2023) means that we can bring graduates to more communities and job markets.” Undoubtedly, there is a great deal of optimism and interest internationally as well, in relation to coming to the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan for advanced education. In such an environment, Excel’s placement rate remains incredibly high for their graduates, which is a significant focus for the team. With programs developed in direct response to the current and future job market, Excel surely takes immense pride in its community. Through research, community networking, and continuous assessment and evaluation of its programs, Excel develops robust curriculums to bridge the employment needs of students and businesses in the communities it serves. Led by the experienced, knowledgeable, and committed Bisman Arora, Excel Career College is determinedly set to soar to new heights and create engaged business and community leaders.

“

As entrepreneurs, we all know the amount of hard work and planning it takes to drive success, never more so given the last two years of uncertainty with the pandemic.”

Excellence Personified:

Bisman Arora

CEO, Excel Career College

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

BUSINESS PROFILE

Service. Solution. Satisfaction. J8 Plumbing & Heating T

here is no place like home. Our place of residence offers a sense of security, warmth, and an abundance of good memories that we hold dear to our hearts. While the people we share our time with make up an important element of what a home is, the physical structures of a house enables the solid functioning of a home’s technical features. Integral to these technical features is a home’s plumbing and heating system, powering everything from running water to heating and fireplaces. Understanding the vital role of plumbing and heating in a home’s functionality, J8 Plumbing & Heating of J8 Ventures Inc., has been hard at work in the industry for the past five years. Although J8 Ventures Inc. spans into businesses like construction and real estate, the bread, butter, and passion of J8 Ventures Inc. lies in the plumbing and heating realms; the organization is also now venturing into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning sector. J8 Plumbing & Heating works with numerous property management companies in the Lower Mainland, while also servicing restaurant chains and municipalities. The team provides services like preventive maintenance for stratas, commercial buildings, and residential

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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homes, including excavation for water mains, sanitary mains, and storm drainage. The Chief Executive Officer of J8 Plumbing & Heating, JJ Toor, is the organization’s lead technician and has been in the commercial service sector for 18 years. JJ has worked on all aspects of plumbing, heating, drainage, excavations, and complex systems over the course of his career. After garnering valuable experience, JJ

“Look at your home as the human body. The pipes are the nerves and the boiler system is the heart. The flow must be smooth for optimal performance. Just as medical professionals are best fit to take on complications with the human body, our technicians are fully equipped to tackle issues with a home’s plumbing and heating systems.” TM

JJ Toor

Chief Executive Officer

launched his company with values that propel his unique organization in the right direction. Besides providing services to homeowners and the larger community, JJ believes in providing education, in tandem with every plumbing and heating need, about better ways to maintain plumbing, drainage, and heating systems. JJ elaborates, “Our community has never been constructively educated on plumbing and heating. There are definitely things you can fix when they are broken. However, as opposed to a reactive approach, you can also be proactive and prevent problems from arising in the first place.” JJ emphasizes that maintenance is crucial when it comes to the boilers and drainage system in any building. Servicing your heating or hot water boilers can extend the life of the appliance and also keep up the efficiency. Flushing your drainage system can ensure proper drainage and avoid backups that can otherwise lead to costly damages. J8 Plumbing & Heating can and has prevented failures of heating, hot water systems, drainage, and water lines by simply just keeping to a regular servicing schedule. Additionally, JJ urges homeowners to look for signs like broken faucets and running toilets,

which can result in dramatically high bills if a water meter is in the mix. He further shines light on the importance of keeping a home’s boiler in check. For instance, merely opening the window if a room is getting too much heat is not helpful, because a faulty boiler will still constantly keep running to achieve a desired temperature. Not to mention, gas bills will be quite heavy on the wallet. In such a situation, gas and oil is being continually burned and requires a professional set of eyes. “Look at your home as the human body. The pipes are the nerves and the boiler system is the heart. The flow must be smooth for optimal performance. Just as medical professionals are best fit to take on complications with the human body, our technicians are fully equipped to tackle issues with a home’s plumbing and heating systems”, metaphorically, explains JJ. JJ accounts that he often notes issues come up the most during peak-use time periods, like the holidays, when there are cold temperatures at play. With regular maintenance, inconveniences at such important occasions and times can be avoided. With a robust team of ten qualified technicians, J8 Plumbing & Heating is committed to making the community’s homes better and helping homeowners live a comfortable life without constantly having to worry about technical issues. Armed with both the skills and the drills, J8 Plumbing & Heating comes equipped with excavation capabilities and camera inspection tools, that professionals can easily put down drainages to accurately detect problems firsthand. Even if the goal is not an immediate system replacement, the team is happy to provide recommendations and share feasible time periods for homeowners to weigh alternate options. Moreover, hybrid solutions are available. For example, if your boiler malfunctions, a high efficiency boiler system can be implemented instead, which takes less energy to heat up the same amount of water and saves money in the long run.

Some may say that my hot water tank will heat up without electricity, which is an advantage. However, what needs to be understood is that high efficiency alternatives work on demand, only using energy when needed. Hot water tanks are using energy whether you need the water or not.”, articulates JJ. He believes that high efficiency boilers will be the way of the future. By combining heating and hot water together with one high efficiency boiler and storage tank, on-demand systems are in high demand. In such a system, hot water calls are prioritized, which are subsequently flipped over to heating. Overall, you lose less and gain more. Undoubtedly, JJ’s instrumental advice is the mark of a qualified technician and experienced industry leader, reflecting the importance of making the right pick when it comes to plumbing and heating solutions for the home. JJ’s advice entails picking the right professional who has the required credentials and knows how to represent themselves, “My technicians are uniformed and come in a fully tagged van. They wear booties on their shoes to keep clients’ homes clean, are polite, respectful, and leave the premises just how they found it. Our office is also a point of differentiation. Many plumbers may work from home and undercut businesses as they are not certified. However, people can go online and look up professionals with the Better Business Bureau to ensure proper accreditation. Google reviews are another great resource when picking a company. Ultimately, these things do matter and there are good plumbers out there.” Above all, JJ suggests that the best plumbers can skillfully answer questions without hesitation. He asks consumers to look for quality, and not just price. Eventually, it pays off; a lower-priced organization may need to revisit the same problem multiple times if not properly managed, leading to higher costs due to multiple, repeated service calls. In addition, JJ points out the increasingly pressing issue of liability, especially for those that may indulge in taking on heating and plumbing tasks into their own hands. He describes that, nowadays, everything can be a liability in one way or another. Anything you touch in a home’s plumbing and heating system can become a liability as insurance companies may refuse coverage if work was not done by a licensed plumber. As such, the community should be cautious when deciding on a company so that projects and services can be carried out with utmost professionalism. With companies like J8 Plumbing & Heating at the forefront, though, the public

is certainly in good hands. JJ strives to bring a high level of education surrounding plumbing and heating back into our communities to get optimal efficiency and the best bang for your buck - right service, right solution! The committed professional realizes that while many newly educated plumbers prefer newer developments to service, there is a gap to be filled for existing homeowners. Surely, having J8 Plumbing & Heating on your side is bound to make your daily life smoother by having your plumbing and heating needs and issues taken care of. What’s better is that the team also offers rebate programs for high efficiency installments, as part of the FortisBC Trade Ally Network. Of course, in the case of any hiccups, the friendly faces at J8 Plumbing & Heating provide 24-hours emergency services. With a bright future ahead, J8 Plumbing & Heating is also venturing into new townhomes and high rise projects as the company grows. Spearheaded by a fearless leader like JJ, the team is always ready for new challenges, thriving with experienced journeypersons and always training young apprentices to serve the community. Carrying over 40 years of combined experience in plumbing, heating and gas fitting, this locally-owned family business is truly committed to excellence, complemented by the motto of service, solution, and satisfaction.

(778)957 - 5874 | 1301 Valmont Way #1, Richmond,Bc V6V 1Y3

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

PICTURES COURTESY: THE SOUTH ASIAN CANADIAN LEGACY PROJECT

DARPAN FEATURE

Preserving History & Beyond:

THE SOUTH ASIAN CANADIAN LEGACY PROJECT

BY NAINA GREWAL

Metro Vancouver is home to the largest population of South Asians in British Columbia (BC) and the second largest in the country. With notable contributions to the country’s economic, financial, governmental, social, and cultural fabric, South Asians have definitely garnered much recognition and appreciation. However, just as important as the celebration of present accomplishments and future potential, is the acknowledgement and preservation of history. Upholding such a privileged responsibility is the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project (SACLP), conceived as a provincial project in 2015 by Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains, Director of the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at the University of the Fraser Valley and Dr. Tzu-I Chung, Curator of History, Royal BC Museum. For five years,

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Dr. Bains and her team developed and implemented a plan to (re)cover the long and triumphant history, heritage, and culture of South Asians in BC by traveling to seven regions across BC. The travels acquainted the team in greater detail with the history of migration, settlement, and adaptation by South Asians from the early 1900s to contemporary times. The primary drivers behind the establishment of SACLP were community members themselves, who were thirsting for South Asian history to be explored, recorded, and shared as part of the Canadian record. The BC Government supported the vision to develop and deliver six projects that captured the needs of South Asian Canadian communities across the Province. Launched with provincial funding in 2020, SACLP includes these six initiatives aimed at

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building a more truthful account and robust library of resources intended to benefit generations of learners from all communities. The timing of the unveiling of the six components of the legacy project in April 2022 was particularly important to the South Asian community that was especially impacted by limitations on gatherings due to COVID-19 restrictions, explains Dr. Bains, “Reduced opportunities to visit homes and families in India — an important tradition for the South Asian diaspora — and eliminating opportunities for cultural and religious gatherings here in Canada left many isolated and alone. Add an increase in hate crimes across North America, and many were feeling more ostracized than ever.” It is mentionable, though, that despite opportunities for reconnection and celebration allowed by the information

generated by the legacy project, not all of the history uncovered along the way was positive. Examples of hate and intolerance stirred memories of Dr. Bains’ own experience immigrating to Canada in the 1970s, and countless examples she’s heard about and witnessed over the years. Still, the passionate and dedicated community activist believes that all facets of history are important to share. Equally committed are the many volunteers that are involved in various facets of bringing the project to life.

In fact, youth volunteers have been involved from day one, be it as research assistants, recruiters, interviewers, and/or event planners. When volunteers worked on the archive or the student resources, they learned an abundance of information about South Asian history, heritage and culture. Their eyes opened to the past and new doors were opened for a future that would be informed by the history of South Asian immigrant ancestors and those that followed. For most, this was history they had not had the privilege to work with before their involvement with SACLP. It has been a profoundly moving experience for all who are connected with the project. Volunteering in a leadership role, Dr. Balbir Gurm has been part of the working committee since its inception as the Punjabi Legacy Project, when she suggested that the organization undertake consultations around the province. Dr. Gurm has enjoyed hearing from the community around the province and their unique contributions. Additionally, as part of a group of dedicated volunteers, she has helped successfully advocate to secure the funding needed for the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project. Over the past two years, Dr. Gurm has thoroughly enjoyed the many volunteer hours of learning about different South Asian Canadian settler groups’ experiences, alongside contributing to the various projects. Dr. Gurm further elaborates, “I believe histories need to be told by those who have experienced them. I am proud that we were able to involve several different South Asian groups and create products the entire community could be proud of and I believe we have delivered them. These are just the beginning steps to document our history, there is much more to be done. I really would like as many people as possible to be involved in the South Asian Canadian Museum that the government has recently announced.”

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Despite the progress, however, the challenge remains in the recognition and acknowledgement that we are 50+ years behind in doing this work. Many of our elders have passed on and so has a full library with them. Access to that knowledge and information is not available first hand and the SASI is striving to record second and third hand accounts, which are still rich and robust, but are not the same as having access to the early immigrant settlers themselves. The two-year time frame to do the work and produce outcomes that are now the foundation of the work ahead has been a challenge, but the hardworking team at SASI are up for it and relay that they are looking forward to the next 25 years! With such enthusiastic energies spearheading this noble initiative, the future is bright and optimistic. The work that SASI does benefits all Canadians and the team can proudly attest that the curriculum in our schools, history in our homes, historic sites in our communities, and archives in our libraries have come alive for everyone, both on paper and online. All resources are freely available online and the work ahead entails keeping people engaged with the work, encouraging them to take pride in the history and heritage, and motivating them to find the courage to come forward and tell their stories too, while feeling privileged that South Asian history is now part of the Canadian record and can be shared far and wide. It is evidently a significant step in the right direction that school children will soon engage with learning resources that speak to their experiences, professors will create course work that includes SACLP resources, labor movements will benefit from the long and arduous history of activism as a record, people may visit historic sites and know the history behind them, exhibits will travel across the province and will be available

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DARPAN FEATURE Public Social History book Distributed for the first time at the April 12, 2022 unveiling, this public history book presents diverse South Asian Canadian social histories from across BC. Focusing on historical and contemporary migration, identity, and politics, this publication includes a variety of contributors from the diverse South Asian Canadian diaspora in BC. This substantial historical collection includes a compilation of the South Asian Studies Institute’s research, archives, and collections, accessible via www. threadingourstories.ca.

K-12 Learning Resources for many to engage with, and so on. The list of positive impacts is truly endless. The team’s work is surely incredibly diverse and far reaching, for which both SASI and the larger community should be proud, while eagerly sharing it with all British Columbians. As the project grows, SACLP’s Marketing and Communications Consultant, Jesse Kaufman shares that he is honored and proud to help amplify the important resources produced. “It is inspiring to work with the passionate and powerful leaders at SASI. The atmosphere working on this project is electric. We all understand the legacy of the work and it drives us to be creative in the project’s rollout so that it can have maximum impact in the community.”, highlights Kaufman. He urges all to share the project with friends and neighbors as it is a unique gateway to six resources that tell the tragedies and triumphs of the South Asian Canadian community in BC. After all, when we engage with resources that challenge us to learn about our shared history, we work towards a more inclusive society for all. There is no question that the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project transcends the boundaries of BC in its relevance and impact. Stirring important community discussions in the public sphere, the South Asian Studies Institute is a catalyst for change nationwide, and even worldwide, for South Asians and beyond. The initiative and accomplishments of this project are exemplary and stand as testament to the power of history in shaping our present and future. As the community comes together to experience and add to the success of SACLP, South Asians’ valuable and precious historic footprints will indeed continue to be rightfully protected, preserved, and passed on for generations to come. The public can access all six of SACLP’s resources via www.threadingourstories.ca.

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Traveling Museum Exhibit A bilingual exhibit titled Haq and History, haq meaning “rights” in Punjabi, was developed in collaboration between UFV and the Royal BC Museum. It explores themes of trans-Pacific journeys, families and homes, community celebrations and commemorations, sawmill experiences, and community activism for rights and justice. On display at the Surrey Centre Library until late June, the exhibit will move around the province, partnering with local organizations and South Asian Canadian communities to add relevant local content to the display in order to expand the historic record. The long-term vision is that these local and core exhibit panels will serve as the basis for a future South Asian Canadian Museum.

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Saffron Threads is a suite of resources for K-12 teachers that include South Asian Canadian culture, history, and heritage learning resources for social studies classes in schools across BC. Developed in partnership with Open School BC, it features detailed activity plans and resources, incorporates connections to the provincial curriculum’s big ideas and curricular competencies, and explores social studies, math, language arts, food studies, and more. Outreach boxes with the history of Paldi (a former South Asian settlement and mill town near Duncan, BC) for teachers will be available, as part of educational resources, through the Royal BC Museum Learning Centre, via www.saffronthreads.ca.

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Engage with Six Resources www.threadingourstories.ca

Digital Archive This project features a searchable digital online archive that allows users to engage with the rich history of the South Asian Canadian diaspora from the first recorded immigrants to the story of the Komagata Maru (1914), through to today. The South Asian Canadian Digital Archive is an initiative designed to recognize the past of South Asians in BC, strengthen the present, and build a better future by recording and sharing stories, images and records. Readers may browse images from Indian and Canadian newspapers, migration letters, personal collections, and more, via www.sacda.ca.

Labor History In partnership with the BC Labor Heritage Centre, the comprehensive research and development of resources of South Asian Canadian Labor History creates a robust account through historical documentation and research on South Asian Canadians and their involvement in the labor movements in BC. The project has culminated in a book, Union Zindabad!, and an online exhibit and exhibit collection published as part of the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive. Information is also being ported into K-12 curriculum development and can be accessed via www.threadingoutstories.ca.

Tour Historic Sites This initiative boasts an easily clickable map of provincially recognized historic places in BC, as identified through the South Asian Canadian Historic Places Recognition Project. Categories include buildings and building features, including cultural landscapes and geographic features, streetscapes, districts, and communities. Each location provides a photo, address, and link to an official website. The interactive map can be accessed via heritagebc. ca/cultural-maps/south-asian-canadian-map.

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DARPAN Youth

Money

Management for

Children & Young Adults M

oney plays a role in almost every decision you make. Unfortunately, we don’t learn about it in school. Only one in three adults worldwide understand basic concepts of finance and a majority of high school graduates wish they had learned about finance in school. Money may not buy happiness, but it buys people a sense of security and freedom. It is important for children to have a basic understanding of money from a young age so that they can value it and understand what it’s worth. Not only do children learn the value of money, but also responsibility. Money and responsibility go hand in hand; if you pay a bill late you are responsible and therefore there will be consequences. Ideally, a student should learn the fundamentals of basic finance before high school. They should have somewhat of an understanding of assets, liabilities, tax, expenditures, and different markets. Children should also somewhat understand budgeting. Just like most teenagers, I enjoy playing video games. A few years ago, I wanted to purchase a gaming PC; I asked my father how I could save up. Watching my father trade stocks, I came across

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the stock market and purchased shares. After a few months, I took my profit and had enough to purchase the gaming PC I wanted. I had essentially budgeted the PC by my own means. Similar little things will not only give children a head-start, but it will also help shape their thinking. As a young student myself, I believe it is essential for children to get involved with their family’s financial affairs. Ideally, parents should involve their children in every financial decision possible. Whether they are investing in stocks, picking up a line of credit, or simply helping their parents manage a bank account. In my experience, being “involved” in financial decisions has been crucial. Learning hands-on with money was more efficient as it prepared me for situations in the future. When I was younger I would go to the bank with my family to learn about equity, mortgages, and so forth. My father even bought me a children’s book to teach me about money when I was about seven years old. Even if young adults and children don’t have much support at home, they should take an initiative and learn by their own means. Fortunately,

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By Abhay Chahal there are well over thousands of videos on money and finances available to everyone. Younger children under the age of 10-11, should learn basic money management; saving, spending, and giving. This is what I learned as a younger kid and it has come a long way for me. Once children learn about money, they learn responsibility. And once they learn responsibility, who knows what the future holds for them.

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Introducing the Violence Intervention Program: You Can Help a Loved One in Need By Juspreet Gurm, Member, NEVR & Balbir Gurm, Founder/Facilitator, NEVR

elationship violence affects all genders, sexual orientations, income levels, ages (infants, children, adults, and seniors), ethnic or cultural backgrounds, and functional abilities (including people with physical or mental disabilities). If you have ever known someone who has been in an abusive relationship, we don’t need to convince you of the devastating effects this can have on individuals, entire families, and communities. When the person causing harm is someone the victim knows and maybe even loves, violence and abuse can cause feelings of shame, confusion, and helplessness for the victim; and take on new levels of danger. When the victim is a child, they can be unaware that the violence they are experiencing is wrong and end up in abusive relationships as an adult because they learned as a child that they did not deserve to be safe. Children who experience abuse and children who witness abuse are at risk of greater mental and physical health issues as adults. Abuse as a child is linked to increased risk of suicide. This is true for all kinds of abuse; physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and spiritual abuse. Signs of abuse can range from obvious behaviours like beating or sexual assault, to constant insults, controlling the victim’s behaviour, preventing them from practicing their religion, and preventing them from working or forcing them to work and then taking their hard-earned money. Abusers can spend years isolating their victim from all of their friends, family, and other social supports; reducing the victim’s self-esteem, and making them feel like the abuse is their fault.

all but guaranteed that every single one of us knows multiple people who have experienced relationship violence in their lives. This all sounds very depressing, but there is hope! The first thing you need to know is that help exists, no matter what the situation. In British Columbia, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General funds many support programs for survivors of violence including the VictimLinkBC helpline and Community-Based Victim Service programs. This means a victim of violence does not have to go to the hospital or call the police in order to get help. This is really important because we know many victims are hesitant or afraid to report to police. If you are experiencing any kind of abuse, please know that you are not alone and the abuse is never your fault! You can call VictimLinkBC for support at 1-800563-0808. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 150 languages and serves the whole province. VictimLinkBC can help you if you just want to talk, connect to services in your community, and strategize on how to stay safe.

In Canada, about 1 in 3 adults report experiencing some kind of abuse as children; 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience relationship violence in their adult lives; and 1 woman is killed by an intimate partner every 6 days. Some estimates put these statistics at an even higher rate. The bottom line is: It is

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According to Statistics Canada (2018), only 20% of women who experienced a physical assault accessed victim supports like helplines, crisis centres, social workers, counsellors, and psychologists; and only 7% of men who experienced a physical assault accessed these services. This means that survivors of violence are not only hesitant to report to police, but are also hesitant to access services. There are millions of people in Canada who have dealt with serious assaults and abuse without any professional support. You can help change this! The Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR) is conducting free Violence Intervention Program (VIP) training on how to recognize abuse, safely intervene, and connect survivors with resources. You can help keep your loved ones and community members safe. NEVR is happy to train organizations that provide services for people (i.e. hairdressers, librarians, servers, teachers, coaches, nurses, media organizations, etc.), and also any member of the community that would like to champion anti-violence. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice the skills learned in class by applying them to imagined scenarios. By the end of the 3-hour training, participants will feel more confident to support a victim through all of the challenges that they face. In the VIP training, participants will learn: common signs of each of the forms of abuse, what to say and what never to say to a victim (hint: never tell the victim the abuse is their fault and do not tell them they have to leave the relationship), how to help them strategize around safety and create a safety plan, and what services are available to help them if/ when they decide they are ready to reach out. Do you know what a victim can do to stay safe after they’ve left the relationship? If they choose to stay in the relationship? Where can they get financial support if they don’t have a job and need to leave? Where to find help if the abuser is their immigration sponsor? Is it better for the children if the parents stay together? If the abuse was a long time ago can you still get help? What happens if they report to the police? Will they have to testify in court? What if the victim doesn’t speak English? How can they keep their kids safe? There are a lot of questions, and survivors of violence don’t deserve to be alone to find all of the answers.

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If you would like to learn the answers to these questions and more,

please email

NEVR@kpu.ca or call 604-599-2267. We know survivors of violence hesitant to reach out to services or report to police. This is why every one of us needs to step up to support survivors of violence in their time of need. Everyone deserves to be safe. You can make a difference, take the free VIP training!

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SAMMAAN:

PROVIDING RESPECT AND BASIC RIGHT TO THE INDIAN COMMUNITY BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

ammaan in English means respect. It is a virtue that every human being deserves to live in this world. This not for profit organization was first established in 2007. The primary objective of the organization was to alleviate the life of rickshaw pullers and road vendors. The initiative started by providing value-added services such as water and new paper etc. on the rickshaws. Advertising was placed on rickshaws for additional income for the rickshaw pullers. This scheme was an overwhelming success and was soon adopted by other states in the country. The NGO’s socio-economic empowerment plan exclusively for rickshaw pullers was executed through a number of initiatives ranging from financial inclusion to health services. The NGO states that the initiative was to systematize the working of rickshaw and cart pullers by bringing them under one roof and modernize the sector with small, innovative, and meaningful changes helping the rickshaw and cart pullers to increase their earnings. Sammaan is registered under section 25 of the Indian Company’s Act 1956. The NGO has a long history of working in financial inclusion, livelihood, micro-entrepreneurship, health, and agriculture.

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According to its website, the organization has been actively engaged in community service through many grassroots initiatives including extensive work with rickshaw pullers and street vendors. As the organization grew, it later ventured into health services by launching mobile medical units, medical ambulances, and mortuary vans with the support of the State Health Society, Goverment of Bihar under National Health Mission, Government of India.

The Mani Man behind the NGO Internationally acclaimed entrepreneur Irfan Alam is the man of the hour at Sammaan. He is a Fulbright, Ford, and TED Fellow, and is also the winner of the CNBC Young Turk and CNN Young Indian Leader awards. He has been widely covered by The Economist, Fortune, for entrepreneurship and social innovation at the BoP. Currently, Alam serves as the founder and chairman of the Sammaan Foundation. Besides the rickshaw/cart cooperative model, Alam also helped Sammaan become one of the leading and most economical emergency ambulance service providers in the country. Another idea coming from him is the first-of-its-kind mortuary van service in partnership with the Government of Bihar, TM

which runs across the Bihar state through a 24 X 7 call center to carry dead bodies. The organization and Alam’s primary vision is to generate a meaningful understanding of the community, inspire their social inclusion, bring better services to the lives of people, and finally, create income opportunities for the unskilled.

Medical Ambulances and Mortuary Vans Sammaan Foundation has been working with the State Government of Bihar to improve emergency healthcare services in the state. The NGO caters to all 38 districts and six medical colleges as part of their advanced life support ambulances. All of the ambulances are equipped with over 40 advanced life-saving equipment such as oxygen, ventilator, cardiac monitor and defibrillator.

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DARPAN SALUTES On the other hand, the NGO also believes in providing dignity for all, including those who are dead. Sammaan Foundation has been operating mortuary van service in an institutionalized manner since 2013. Sammaan Foundation, in collaboration with the State Health Society, the Government of Bihar is carrying operating 50 mortuary vans that are deployed in all districts of Bihar. The service is provided free of cost for people living below the poverty line.

Financial Inclusion One of the other initiatives for the NGO is to focus on financial inclusion. The organization partners with NABARD to carry out innovative campaigns in the Kishanganj and Araria districts of Bihar. As part of this scheme, rickshaw pullers were trained to become the society champions of FI and educate their clients about financial schemes.

the improvement of long-term family income is particularly designed for one acre per family with inter-cropping management.

Entrepreneurship A plan started by the NGO is ARISE aka Agriculture and Rural Innovation Startup Empowerment Centre which is a social innovation incubator. What does that mean? Start-Up India is a revolutionary scheme that has been started to help the people who wish to start their own businesses. This initiative makes sure that providing entrepreneurship support is not just limited to urban or technology ventures.

Agriculture The next focus point for the NGO is agriculture. Along with NABARD for WADI Program under Tribal Development Fund (TDF), this part of this plan aims to provide sustainable returns, an uncontaminated atmosphere, and improved quality of life for the tribal community. According to their website, the WADI, a ‘small Orchard,’ developed for

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ARISE is an initiative to take this entrepreneurial spirit to the rural market and help job seekers become job creators. The NGO hopes for a day when small-scale business owners are agents of change, are connected, empowered, feel confident, and most importantly feel a sense of respect from the society.

Connect with the NGO

You can support the organization in various ways. Spend your time with the organisaiotn, organise events or volunteer and support their various intiatives. You can also donate to the NGO or reach out to them on their website.

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Akanksha Khatri

DARPAN RECIPES

Khatri Winner of India’s Digital Chef, finalist of the show Femme Foodies and the most loved contestant of Masterchef India Season 6, Chef Akanksha Khatri was a born foodie.

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Photos Courtesy of

Chef Akanksha Preparation •In a saucepan, add the milk, butter and one tablespoon of sugar. When bubbles start to form, remove from heat and add the flour all at once, stirring constantly.

Churro Iced Coffee

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By Chef Akanksha Khatri

Ingredients

•1 cup milk •1/3 cup + 1 tbsp cane sugar •2 tbsps of butter •1 cup flour •2 eggs •Frying oil •1 tsp cinnamon •Dulce de leche for filling TM

•Cook the dough until it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and forms a smooth ball. Allow it to cool and incorporate the eggs. •Arrange the dough into a pastry sleeve with a large flower nozzle. Shape the churros to the desired size, cutting with scissors. •Add one-third cup of cane sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon in a shallow dish. Fry in hot oil until golden brown, coat with the mixture of cinnamon and sugar. •Fill the piping bag with dulce de leche and with the help of a nozzle pipe-in desired amount of filling and serve with cold or hot coffee.

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Vanilla Coffee

Layer Cake By Chef Akanksha Khatri

Ingredients •1 1/2 tbsps apple cider vinegar •2 1/4 cups milk •3 cups + (400g) all-purpose flour •1 tbsp coffee (optional, skip and add 1 tbsp more flour if making just vanilla cake) •1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsps caster sugar/ jaggery •1 tbsp baking powder •1 tsp baking soda •1 1/2 tsp salt •3/4 cup oil •3 tbsp vanilla extract For the chocolate topping: •2 cups chocolate chips •1 cup heavy whipping cream •1 tsp coffee •2 tsps vanilla extract

Preparation •Preheat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Prepare the baking pan(s) by spraying with oil and then placing a parchment paper circle to cover the bottom of the pan. •In a mixing bowl add the milk and vinegar and set aside for 5-10 minutes. In a second mixing bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, coffee (if using) and salt until fluffy. •Add the oil and vanilla extract into the clabbered milk and mix to combine. Add to the dry ingredients and whisk until the batter is smooth. •Pour the batter into the prepared pan (or divide in half if baking two cakes). Bake the 8” cakes for 36-38 minutes. The cakes are done when the edges are golden and have pulled away from the sides of the pan and a test comes out clean or with one or two crumbs. •Remove from oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then working gently, turn over the pan with a wire cooling rack to catch the cake. Remove the pan, then peel of the parchment paper.

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DARPAN

•Turn the cake back right side up and leave to cool fully on a cooling rack. Place the cooled cakes on a cake board and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. •Place in the fridge or in freezer-safe Ziplock bags in the freezer until ready to decorate.

For the chocolate topping: •In a double boiler (or in the microwave using a microwave-proof bowl) add chocolate chips, coffee and whipping cream together and stir until smooth. •Place into a bowl and let it cool in the fridge for one hour or until you can spoon some out and it keeps its form. •Place in your stand mixer, add vanilla extract and using the whisk attachment, whip until stiff. It should take four to five minutes. •Pipe onto cooled cake and assemble the cake layer. Add some edible flowers.

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DARPAN FITNESS

avoid

ways

pain as a runner

PICTURE COURTESY: ISTOCK

s the weather continues to warm up there’s a larger presence of recreational runners throughout the streets, parks and tracks. Our beautiful weather here in the Pacific Northwest tends to attract large swathes of individuals that love to run. Vancouver also hosts many road races which further brings in runners far and wide making the entire event a rather extravagant spectacle. It doesn’t take long before we ourselves or one of our friends nudge at the idea of completing a 10K, half-marathon or even a full marathon. However, did you know that over half of individuals that begin training for a distance race (10-kilometre+ race) will end up injuring themselves at some point throughout the program? That’s right, some experts in the field consider running to be the most injurious sport ever! It doesn’t take long before you come across a runner that’s constantly nursing injuries and/or rehabbing one

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segment of the body after another. Overuse injuries such as patellar tendinopathy (runner’s knee) unfortunately are quite common amongst your average recreational runner. The question I’d like to pose is, “is it the activity itself which presents harm or is it the lack of preparation preceding the sport?” I suppose answers may vary depending on who you ask, however I would say that a large majority of individuals possess strength deficiencies in both the lower and upper body alongside poor running mechanics. When this is coupled with a poor program and sudden increases in weekly mileage the subsequent result is injury. In case you weren’t aware already, running is a reasonably challenging endeavor which should be respected and given the attention in preparation that it requires. Less than 1% of the world’s

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population has run and finished a full marathon in their lifetime therefore it’s safe to say, this is no easy task. So how can you ensure that you’re amongst the half of runners which are injury free and enjoying the countless benefits of distance running?

BY JAS JOHAL

Try your best to abide by the four suggestions below and you should be able to sail your way safely throughout your running journey.

Wings of Change

Slow and Steady Definitely Wins in This Race: The most common mistake individuals make is that they start off with too much running, done too fast and way too soon. Going from couch to 10K during a limited window of time to prep wreaks havoc amongst countless beginners. The act of regular running when you haven’t been doing so will initially cause quite the unfamiliar stress on your body. Our body gradually adapts to whatever it is we throw its way, however it needs time to integrate everything therefore sudden changes in stimulus is something our body never does well with. Instead, start off gradually with a walk-jog or jog-run where you go low intensity for a certain period of time followed by a higher intensity. The goal isn’t to be completely gassed by the end of your training session. Also, during training almost 80% of the kilometers you run should be done at an easy conversational pace and not at a speed where you’re gasping for breath!

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DARPAN FITNESS

Strength Train At Least 2x/week: I can’t begin to express how underutilized strength training is within the programs of most runners. Many continue to believe in the fallacy that lifting weights makes you slower however I presume those are the same people currently using dial up internet. Research has come a long way in this field over the past decade which has now uncovered a link in stronger runners possessing faster speeds per-kilometer when stacked against those that do not strength train. The benefits do not stop there as rates of injuries are also lower when foundational segments pertaining to running are optimally strengthened.

Importance of Optimal Running Mechanics: Although walking, jogging and running are seen as basic human movements which we learn as children in order to make our way around the world; the act of running is still a skill. I didn’t fully understand that running is a sport until my dad signed me up for a track club when I was ten years old. Here I began to learn that there’s a lot that goes into being able to run both optimally and fast! Regularly performing running drills in order to possess stellar form when running is a critical feature in a well-rounded program. Being under the care of a coach and having your unique running gait analyzed will further aid in correcting any dysfunctions you may have. Being able to fully comprehend the importance of cadence, foot strike, and arm carriage are just a few of the finer details when it comes to proficient running.

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Never Increase Weekly Mileage by More than 10%: Once you get used to regular running, the urge to increase your overall weekly kilometers will start to foster itself rather quickly. Our cardiovascular system (lungs & heart) is great at adapting and it will do so a lot quicker than our muscles, joints, tendons and skeletal system. This essentially means that in order to stress your cardiovascular system to a sufficient level of challenge it may result in causing pain throughout the body such as in the knees, hips or ankles. Therefore, if you continuously run until exhaustion or to a high level of intensity early on, you will increase your risk of overuse injuries. So, instead of increasing your weekly kilometers every week, do so only after one month and the amount should never be more than 10%! There you have it, four tips which you can implement into your approach when it comes to achieving the goal times you have in mind for your next road race!

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Outdoor Activities to try with your Kids this Summer BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

ummer is here. We waited long and hard for this day when you can hit the beach, spend long hours at the park, travel or just enjoy the bright sun on your face. Summer is also that time when kids can enjoy all their time outdoors playing and just enjoying nature. Every summer we plan to try different parks and different activities that we can enjoy with our kids. This year, I have created a list of activities that will keep the kids engaged, are fresh, will help develop their interpersonal skills, and will take them a little closer to nature. Here are a few tips:

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1. Go berry picking Berries are a fun way of nature giving us candy! Make this summer special by taking your kids to a berry farm. Visit farms that have different kinds of berries including strawberries, blue and blackberries, and cherries. Check with the farms when would it be a great time to go berry picking. They usually open in the month of June. While at it, there are farms that also have a playground that is inspired by the country. Barns, haystacks, and lots of other country-inspired toys. You not only get to pick your own strawberries you also get to shop for vegetables and fruits, plus other berry-related products such as candy, pies, cookies, tarts, jams. This activity is not expensive and you only pay for how much you have picked up!

2. Interest your child in cooking Summer is a great time to get your child interested in cooking. The cooking doesn't need to be elaborate. It could be something as simple as chunky fruit popsicles, baking cookies, or S'mores on a stick. Get all the fruity goodness such as kiwi, strawberries, pineapple and peaches, grapes in one place. Use an ice cream mold and place all the fruits in it. Fill the mold with white grape juice and keep the popsicles in the freezer overnight. Enjoy this treat every time the kids want a snack. It is summer after all! For s'mores on the stick - all you need are marshmallows, chocolate chips, crumbs, and skewers. First, melt the chocolate chip on a small plate, then dip the marshmallows in the chocolate and sit the marshmallows on the bamboo sticks. Enjoy this treat while stepping out for picnics and other events.

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3. Head out camping Kids love building backyard forts and camps. While play spaces are a fun way to engage your kids, this summer take it a notch higher - go camping in one of the most serene parts of Canada. There are so many national parks and camping spots across the country that are great if you wish to camp with kids. Camping is also a great way to introduce kids to nature on a more pure and serene day. They also learn to adjust to various environments, try different food, looks at unique flora and fauna, and just enjoy the tent life. Try camping and see how the kids really adapt to different situations and excel in various surroundings.

4. Go on a picnic Picking a spot, unpacking a picnic basket, and enjoying it al fresco is one of the best things that you can do with your kids this summer. All you need to do is choose a safe spot for a picnic, then hit the grocery store and pick up some of the best picnic favorites such as cheese, chicken, hummus, salads, nuts, bagels, seasonal fruits, and cookies.We also love shopping at farmer's markets to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables and honey. Pack all your goodies neatly in lunch boxes or ziplock bags. Pack some of the things your child loves to do - for example - reading a book, listening to music, playing board games, bringing along their cycle so that they can ride, or all the essentials to paint. Hit the spot, unpack that amazing food you have packed, get that drink, and spend quality time with your kids.

5. Scavenger hunt for the kids Summer is a great time to organize a scavenger hunt for kids. What does it involve? There is a lot that kids can discover during summer. From identifying flowers, and insects, to fruits and veg-

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etables that grow in the wild. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn from nature in a more practical than theoretical fashion. Print pictures of fruits, flowers, insects, stones, shells, everything else you will find near your house or in a nearby picnic spot, or by the lake. Ask your child to circle every little thing that they saw on the printed paper. At the end of the hunt, give them a gift with their favorite candy or toy. This is a great way for kids to learn about nature. You could also include sounds in them like the sound of water, bees buzzing, or rain. Mix things up and make the scavenger list interesting for them to spend a few quality hours outdoors.

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Beauty

Clear skies & warmer

temperatures

By Michele Marko

lear skies and warmer temperatures have us migrating to restaurant patios, the beach and beyond. When heading out, whether for a short jog or a long bike ride, it’s advisable to apply sunscreen beforehand, not only for immediate protection from sunburn but also for the long-term benefits of protecting you from premature aging, hyper pigmentation and, potentially, skin cancer. One way to remember to always wear sunscreen is to simply integrate it into your skincare routine which it really should be a part of it year-round—yes, even in winter. “UVA rays continue to be strong even in the wintertime, they can penetrate clouds and window glass. Don't forget that sunlight is reflective, too,” Nour Dayeh, Media Communications Manager at La Roche-Posay Canada. “Sunlight reflects off the water, sand and even bounces off snow. If you're spending time in a lake, at the beach or enjoying winter sports, you're at increased risk

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of sun damage, even when it's cloudy outside. Getting into the habit of putting sunscreen on every morning, just like brushing your teeth is essential to protect your skin from photoaging and skin cancer.” Hilary Lloyd, Vice President of Brand & Values for The Body Shop North America, concurs that it’s important to wear sunscreen year-round. “UV radiation can overpower the skin's ability to protect itself, causing damage to the structure and function of the skin cells,” she explains. Choosing the right sunscreen comes down to more than just a personal preference and several factors can determine how you make the right choice. “If you are planning to do an activity where you will sweat or be in the water, look for a sunscreen that is sweat and water resistant,” Dayeh advises. She points to La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Ultra-Fluid Lotion SPF50+ which is 80-minutes water and sweat resistant and created for those with an active lifestyle. Matching your skin type to the right type of sunscreen is another

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consideration. Lloyd suggests that oily and combination skin types should look for “sunscreens that are labelled ‘oil-free,’ lightweight [and] have a matte finish. Whereas a dry skin type may choose sunscreens that contain hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Sensitive skin may opt for sunscreens that do not contain fragrance.” Just as there are various options for specific skin types, there is a difference between sunscreens for the face and for the body with unique formulas created to address those areas’ different needs.

“

The skin on your body can react differently to ingredients than the skin on your face,” Hilary Lloyd, Vice President of Brand & Values for The Body Shop North America

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“While all sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, if you’re swimming or exercising, make sure you reapply as soon as you dry off to maintain your level of protection,”

“It’s the same reason why we don’t usually use body moisturizers on our face, or facial washes on our bodies. The skin on the face may be more sensitive than the skin on the body, have overactive sebaceous glands that can lead to clogged pores, development of blackheads and various forms of acne.” Shop for your skin type, Dayeh advises. Those with sensitive skin should look for dermatologist-approved products. People with dry skins should opt for non-greasy hydrating creams that are easily absorbed, while those with oily and acne-prone complexions are better off with a gel-cream like La Roche Posay’s Dry Touch. This cream, Dayeh says, “contains Airlicium™ – an exclusive anti-sweat molecule that absorbs up to 150 times its volume in sebum.” Whatever your skin type, to avoid breakouts, check the label to make sure the product is non-comedogenic. For a body sunscreen, think about the feel, finish and application method—a light spray works for normal skin and an oil can be beneficial for dryer skin. “While all sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, if you’re swimming or exercising, make sure you reapply as soon as you dry off to maintain your level of protection,” Dayeh says. Be sure to protect lips, ears and hairline. That’s where a solid stick SPF can come in handy which is convenient to keep in your purse

would typically be a serum, to allow for the smallest molecules to penetrate deeper into the skin. Following the serum, we advise the moisturizer be applied, followed by the sunscreen.” Whether your skincare routine is multi-stepped or minimal, sunscreen is easy to add to it. Hello sunshine.

Nour Dayeh, Media Communications Manager at La Roche-Posay Canada

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to for reapplication—small and no risk of messy leaks. Just as we’ve seen product innovation reflected in improvement in texture, protection time and application methods, it’s also evident in the integration of SPF into skincare products. For example, skincare brand Kiehl’s’, which believes the key to strengthening skin’s lipid barrier is by minimizing moisture loss and sun damage, has created a multi-benefit SPF product range that includes the Ultra Facial Cream with SPF, Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream, Super Multi-Corrective Cream and Skin Tone Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream. “In order to protect the skin, we have made it possible to have a 2-in-1 formulation where there is sun protection, as well as hydration, providing overall benefits to the skin barrier,” the Kiehl’s Education Team said in an email statement referencing the Ultra Facial Cream as an example. The Body Shop has a Vitamin C cream for brightening the complexion with the added benefit of SPF 30 protection. La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Mineral One SPF50+ combines sun protection, ultra-hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid in a tinted moisturizer available in five shades. Multi-purpose products or your regular skincare products along with sunscreen can be layered to give skin the best protection. The Kiehl’s team advises “to apply the lightest formulas first, which

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It’s Mov ie Time Again By Shweta Kulkarni The coming months promise to be loaded with entertainment, especially since all filmmakers are making a beeline for theatrical releases with a long list of movies. And the good news is, there is something for everyone. While films like Dhaakad and Mission Majnu are sure to excite the fans of the action-thriller genre, movies like Jayeshbhai Jordaar, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 promise to tickle the funny bone of cine enthusiasts. Moreover, there is also a historical drama — Prithviraj and a complete family entertainer — Jug Jugg Jeeyo to enthral the family audience. So, block your dates now.

JAYESHBHAI JORDAAR Release date: May 13, 2022 Directed by: Divyang Thakkar Starring: Ranveer Singh, Shalini Pandey, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah and Deeksha Joshi Arriving hot off the field of the hugely successful 83, where he played the character of legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, the ‘firecracker of Bollywood’ — Ranveer Singh — is now all set to grace the screens as a Gujarati boy-next-door, who is on a run with his pregnant wife and daughter to save his unborn girl child from his father. The film's trailer hints that Jayesh bhai Jordaar packs a strong social message along with dollops of humour and deals with various topics like misogyny, female foeticide, and gender inequality. Commenting about the film, Ranveer Singh said in an interview, “Jayeshbhai Jordaar is a film that I have relished being a part of because it has again pushed me to shape-shift into becoming a character with absolutely no reference point in Hindi cinema. He is not your typical hero. He discovers heroism when he is pushed to the brink and he is, according to me, one of the most lovable heroes in the history of Hindi cinema.” Well, expect the unexpected from Ranveer Singh always.

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DHAAKAD Release date: May 20, 2022 Directed by: Razneesh Ghai Starring: Kangana Ranaut, Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta Action films are a rage these days, but what sets Dhaakad apart from the rest is the fact that it is headlined by a woman. The film features none other than Kangana Ranaut, who shall be seen kicking up a storm as a badass spy — Agent Agni. The actress, who dons different avatars throughout the film said in a statement, “In our cinema, we rarely have heroines performing

action scenes in the real sense. When Dhaakad came my way, I felt happy to see that someone had dared to visualise a woman in a hardcore commercial film as an action heroine. I’m all for dare-devilry and doing something that pushes the envelope. There’s nothing that does it like a good commercial film.” Expect kickass action and a dhamaka from the Queen.

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BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2 Release date: May 20, 2022 Directed by: Anees Bazmee Starring: Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal, Angad Bedi, Sanjay Mishra Get ready for some chills and laughs as Manjulika from the 2007 horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa is back in action. However, this time around she has possessed Kiara Advani’s body and instead of Akshay Kumar, it's Kartik Aaryan who is playing the ghostbuster in this most-anticipated sequel, which is helmed by Anees Bazmee. Commenting about Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Kartik Aaryan said, “We have taken that world of the previous film but everything else is new, of our own. I hope people will love it in its own new dynamic world that we have created with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Comparisons will be there, but I hope people remember this film for its own.” Well, going by the trailer of the film, it definitely promises to be a fun ride.

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PRITHVIRAJ Release Date: June 3, 2022 Directed by: Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood, Introducing - Manushi Chhillar, Manav Vij, Ashutosh Rana, Sakshi Tanwar Akshay Kumar takes the lead as the fearless King Prithviraj Chauhan in this highly-anticipated historical drama Prithviraj. Helmed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the film is based on the life of the warrior king Prithviraj Chauhan and promises to be a colossal affair. The film also marks the debut of the Miss World beauty Manushi Chhillar. Commenting about the film, Akshay said in a statement, “This is our tribute to his (Prithviraj) heroism and his life. He is a legend; he is one of the bravest warriors and he is one of the most upright kings that our country has ever seen. We hope that Indians worldwide love our salute to this mighty braveheart. We have tried to present his life story in the most authentic way possible and the film is a homage to his unmatched bravery and courage.” Watching the versatile actor transform himself into a great warrior may prove to be one of the most appealing aspects of the film.

MISSION MAJNU

JUG JUGG JEEYO

Release date: June 10, 2022 Directed by: Shantanu Bagchi Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Rashmika Mandanna

Release date: June 24, 2022 Directed by: Raj Mehta Starring: Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Maniesh Paul, Prajakta Koli

Also arriving in June is another Spy-thriller Mission Majnu, which is inspired by real events set in the 1970s. Headlined by Sidharth Malhotra, the film reportedly follows the story of India's most courageous mission in the heart of Pakistan that forever changed the relationship between the two nations. The film also marks the Bollywood debut of the South sensation Rashmika Mandanna, who was recently seen in the Telugu blockbuster Pushpa. Speaking about the film, the Shershaah actor said, “This is a film inspired by true events. It's about an important mission that RAW did. It is more of a thriller than action. This is the first time I am playing a spy agent but it is not a James Bond character.” Exciting!

Featuring a star-studded cast of Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Kiara Advani among others, Jug Jugg Jeeyo has already caught the fancy of cinephiles since the day of its announcement. Backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film is a celebration of family and togetherness. While the makers are tight-lipped about the plot, Karan Johar while sharing the release date of the film, wrote, “There’s nothing like family and I always believe – we must celebrate that. The feeling, the emotion…the togetherness! #JugJuggJeeyo is a celebration of FAMILY!” Now, who would want to miss a Dharma film, which is all about family, right!!!

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ay. d o t n o ati u l a v e ree f a * t e C G E R P n n a M 6) 6 y 2 d 6 ( n N Ra N A M 839 ) 4 0 6 (

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DARPAN STYLE

This summer,

Choose sheer Fashion all the way BY MRINALINI SUNDAR The latest fashion statement is out and everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. It is risque, red-carpet-worthy, Instagrammable, and anyone who wears it will have all the eyeballs at the party. The sheer magic of a sheer dress is amazing. This trend has gained a lot of popularity lately, especially with celebrities wearing them at different award functions and parties. They tend to make our celebrities a little more bold with their outfit choices. Sheer can be mixed and matched with a variety of fabrics including tulle, organza, and mesh to add a little flare to the overall look. Who are the people who are sporting this trend currently, you ask? Let us start with Rihanna's iconic bump and sheer black dress at the Paris Fashion Week. The soon-to-be-mother wore a black lingerie gown that was showing her beautiful baby bump. Take inspiration from these celebrities and try trends this spring. How? Well, here are a few ideas:

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1. Ananya Pandey's smokey black beauty Our Gen Z actress Ananya Pandey is constantly giving us fashion inspiration. She recently wore a bold dress that stopped hearts. A black sheer dress that enhanced her figure and definitely helped her show off her long-toned legs. What made her dress extra special was the embellishments throughout the dress that added extra shimmer to the already-figure-hugging dress. Her plunging neckline only added to her beauty.

2. Zendaya's color infusion If there is one thing Zendaya has taught us it is to be as fashionable as possible. We love that about the actress. While sheer fashion for a lot of people would mean black dresses, Zendaya taught us how to wear sheer fashion with some colors as well. Zendaya wore a vintage Versace sheer dress in purple which was once worn by Beyonce. Now isn't that a bold choice to make? This plunging purple dress sure gave us a lot of inspiration and is one of the best things that you can try coming summer.

3. Printed Mesh dress: Want to enter the sheer dress trend but not sure where to or how to begin? Make it casual and easy, throw in a printed mesh dress and pair it with boots or sneakers. Keep the look simple with minimum jewelry. If the look you are going for is a little beyond your regular style, then you can add a solid inner lining that will make you feel a lot easier wearing this dress. If bold is your choice, then go for bold lingerie which makes the look perfect for a day at the beach.

4. Show some skin Hailey Bieber gave us a lot of inspiration and taught us how to sport a three-piece outfit. What do we need? Well, black lingerie matched with a sheer dress adds a retro feel to your overall look. The model wore a boy short and bralette on top and her expert styling tip was to go monochrome so that her three-piece outfit gives her a totally streamlined look. This dress also looks a little different as her midriff is exposed almost making it look like a skirt and top. Try this look for an after-party and your dress will automatically turn into a conversation starter.

5. Sheer dresses with jackets There are different ways to style your sheer dress. It doesn't necessarily have to be all about see-through if that is not what you have in mind. This summer, you can look pretty and cute in an overall printed dress that doesn't reveal it all. Look for an overall printed dress with a little sheer detailing at the hem. Now all you need to do is add a blazer to complete the look. Add some pastel heels, and mild makeup and you are good to go for that summery brunch date.

6. Overalls plus sheer Yes, you read that right and it is a good combination. Going sheer is a lot less tricky when you choose this option. Wear a transparent top and cover it all up with an overall. Now doesn't that make it all a little less daunting? Bib overalls provide frontal coverage to a seethrough blouse but that also makes it easier to go braless in a sheer blouse. Isn't that a great way to test the waters and make sure you feel comfortable?

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Summer Dreams 80

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Summer Dreams

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Style

- Encapsulating The Spirit Of Summer By Shweta Kulkarni

Renowned designer duo — Shyamal and Bhumika’s latest edit Summer Dreams perfectly captures the spirit of summer with its joyous burst of colours and free-flowing silhouettes.

ree-flowing silhouettes combined with expert craftsmanship, reflecting the serenity of nature, set the mood for Shyamal & Bhumika’s ethereal Spring-Summer 2022 Couture collection — Summer Dreams. A perfect ode to summers, the bridal edit is everything the new-age Indian bride would want for her dreamy summer wedding. Renowned for their love for India’s precious crafts and artisans’ techniques, which is an intrinsic part of all their collections, the designer duo — Shyamal and Bhumika Shodhan has created beautiful pieces that are sure to add a touch of panache and emotion to every celebration. Framing his thoughts behind the latest collection, couturier Shyamal Shodhan says, “The Shyamal & Bhumika Spring-Summer 2022 Couture collection, ‘Summer Dreams’ reflects the year spent by us surrounded by nature and tranquillity. With floral inspirations, free-flowing forms

and romantic playful details, the collection is a poetic blend of hand-embroidered masterpieces, designed using age-old craft techniques in a mix of silhouettes and colours. The spring couture collection exudes a fun, fresh and feminine aura while preserving the precious craftsmanship which is rare and timeless for our global muse. Shyamal & Bhumika’s signature contrasting floral embroidery also makes a distinct appearance through the collection.” The designers, who have dressed the crèmede-la-crème of Bollywood including the likes of Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Kiara Advani, Kriti Sanon, Kangana Ranaut among others, were inspired by the independent woman to create this dreamy collection which is rooted in tradition yet is relevant to modern sensibilities. “The Shyamal & Bhumika muse is an independent woman, effortlessly elegant, has a unique sense of style and values her roots and traditions, regardless of where she lives in the world. Our artisanal workmanship appeals to her global thought, and she styles herself in handcrafted couture for her most important day. Our muse enjoys western nuances juxtaposed with the intricate crafts of her region, to create an identity of her

own without being ruled by passing trends. A global muse who appreciates beauty in the details, limitlessly inspiring timeless masterpieces of fashion and phenomenal craft” explains, Shyamal, who along with Bhumika Shodhan established the label Shyamal & Bhumika in 2003. Speaking about the brand, Shyamal informs, “We have been on a mission to take the crafts and skills of India to the world. Being one of the most globally followed Indian designers on social media, we have been able to make some headway in our mission and establish a connection between the niche, multicultural population abroad and the rich Indian craftsmanship. As our designs evolve to appeal to a larger audience, we are taking the crafts of India to mainstream Global fashion. As couturiers, we believe in promoting these ancient crafts and help in the advancement of those sections of society who would lose not only their heritage but also their livelihood if these crafts are not revived and preserved.”

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Ever since they established the brand, the designer duo has been working relentlessly towards reviving India's precious crafts and artisans’ techniques through their collections. Summer Dreams is also an extension of the designers deep-rooted love for fine Indian craftsmanship. “We are passionate about nurturing craft by hand and have engaged master craftsmen to embroider beautiful motifs in signature embroideries. We have used intricate aari, zardosi, resham, marodi and even appliqué, pitta and khaat to make each design in the collection unique by paying extreme attention to details and blending our Indian aesthetic with modern sensibilities. We support diverse types of age-old craft techniques; our most important project is that of reviving the ancient weaving technique from the Gujarat Region which is the Amdavadi Real Zari Weaving Technique,” explains Shyamal.

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Aptly named Summer Dreams, the resulting collection comprises some exceptional silhouettes such as graceful floor-sweeping panelled lehengas with dramatic trailing veils and hemlines, exaggerated and voluminous sleeves, bias skirts, sensuous blouses with plunging necklines, open shouldered bodices, fish-tail skirts, ruffled saris, romantic sleeves, trailing lehengas, high-collared blouses, halter necks, pleated bustiers, one-shoulder blouses, and gorgeous veils. All in a variety of fabrics ranging from handwoven silks to crepe de chine, georgettes, satins, and tulle with delicate sequinned and beautiful hand embroideries like aari, zardosi, peeta, hand-embroidered shimmer, beadwork, appliqué and handcrafted silk threads embellished with crystals. The edit further comes to life and stands out with its joyous colour palette. “The colour palette for this wedding season is a mix of antique pastel shades and jewel colours like English rose pink, moon grey, dusty mint, muted ivory, champagne, deep blue, emerald green and smokey-grey and raspberry-red with intricate embroidery, which will be perfect for a princess bride,” says Shyamal. Summer Dreams is available at Shyamal & Bhumika stores located in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai-India and the Los Angeles-United States. The collection can also be ordered online by connecting their sales team online via email at sales@shyamalbhumika.com or visiting their website at www. shyamalandbhumika.com

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summer

Dreams DARPAN

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Shyamal and Bhumika

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DARPAN Weddings

Q: Describe your wedding day. What was your favorite moment? Our wedding day was a spiritual journey. Me and Ivneet wanted to ensure that this was one day where we remained focussed on the divine elements of our marriage. Favourite moment: When you are enjoying the journey throughout, it is difficult to determine one favourite moment, especially when you are surrounded by your favourite people in that journey.

Q: How did you meet? We met through our family friends but Ivneet likes to think its through pure coincidence, and that a lot of close family and friends played a huge part.

t e e n v I & n e e l r Gu

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We both feel that its taken decades since our birth to become who we are today. We’ve both gone through so many life experiences and events (including immigration to Canada) that have shaped us to our present day reality. And since our first conversation, its felt surreal to be with each other. Any description beyond this can probably only be done through poems, shayari or love ballads.

Q: Could you share your proposal story?

The word marriage itself represents strength, love, care, respect, kindness and goodness for the world.”

Q: What do you love the most about one another?

We got engaged at the Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen with our close family and friends. It was a simple afternoon full of love, joy and happiness which became the most special time of our lives. Due to its simplicity and depth, you probably won’t be able to make a Hollywood movie out of our proposal story; in spite of that we felt like rockstars and on top of the world.

Q: Could you tell us about your reception? Our reception was a fun night. Full of dance, laughter, food, and interacting with loved ones. We missed a few people who could not make it and wished they were all here with us. Our sincere gratitude to Ivneet’s mom and dad, his entire family, my parents, family and acquaintances. If it wasn’t for them, the reception night would not have become so special and joyful. Me and Ivneet are grateful for all the support and blessings of our grandparents. We wish everyone a happier life and may god bless everyone.

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Q: Could you describe your outfits? Our outfits were chosen mutually by us and our families, representing the punjabi culture and traditions. I wore a red lehnga, and Ivneet wore an ivory coloured sherwani with a red turban. For the reception, I wore a peach coloured dress and Ivneet wore a black suit with a pink turban.

Q: What are your goals as a couple?

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Q: What are the strengths of your marriage? The word marriage itself represents strength, love, care, respect, kindness and goodness for the world. With blessings and support of the almighty and our loved ones, we can all hopefully imbibe these virtues in our life, and hence we become the real strength for each other.

Q: If you could provide any advice to other married couples, what would it be?

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What’s between you and your partner, only you two know the best. Therefore, instead of any advice, we want to wish everyone the best of health, happiness, and prosperity and we hope everyone gets a chance to celebrate love and cherish it in their lives.

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Indian Wonders That Should Be On Your Bucket List BY SHWETA KULKARNI

rom Hampi in Karnataka to Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, from Ajanta & Ellora caves in Maharashtra to the Unakoti in Tripura, here are the 10 most breath-taking Indian wonders that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. India is undoubtedly a land of wonder, and its diverse landscapes are dotted with several architectural wonders. While the marvellous masterpiece — Taj Mahal wears the crown as one of the most celebrated wonders of India, the country is also home to several incredibly magnificent monuments that speak volumes about its history and architectural greatness. We have listed below a few spectacular Indian wonders that have stood the test of time and continue to impress us even today, and should be on your bucket list. Read on…

Hampi, Karnataka

PICTURES COURTESY: ISTOCK

The grandiose site of Hampi stands on the banks of the Tugabhadra River in the eastern part of Central Karnataka and is simply a breathtaking sight to see. The magnificent ruins, which house more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu Kingdom in South India — the Vijayanagara Empire, including forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, water structures and others, are sure to spellbind you with its incredible landscape and beauty. Surrounded by giant boulders, which were once part of gigantic granite monoliths, these ruins of the bygone era offer an unmatched travel experience to history freaks, travellers, and photographers alike.

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Unakoti, Tripura

Did you know that India is home to the largest sundial on the planet? Well, amid the majestic palaces, architectural wonders and colourful bazaars of the Pink City of Jaipur, also lies the astronomical wonder — Jantar Mantar, which features the world's largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh between 1724 and 1727, who was an ardent fan of astronomy, the Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is the biggest stone observatory in the world and features 19 large instruments that can calculate the position and movement of celestial bodies with the naked eye. These monumental instruments have enthralled astronomers and historians across the globe with their impressive accuracy.

One of the most underrated travel destinations of India — the mystical and magical Tripura, is host to several beautiful places among which is the Unakoti hill. Unakoti, which literally means one less than a crore is dotted with several rock-cut sculptures of Hindu deities, some dating back to the 7th century, including a massive 10m-tall face of Shiva sculpted on a monolithic rock and a trio of Ganesha.

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These marvellous rock carvings are located amidst a beautifully landscaped forest area with greenery and several waterfalls all around, which adds to its surreal and mystical charm.

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Meenakshi Temple, Madurai Another impressive Indian wonder best seen in person is the prodigious sized complex of Meenakshi Temple, a historic Hindu temple located in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The majestic and vibrant temple is dedicated to the triple-breasted warrior goddess Meenakshi. With its 6-hectare complex and 14 tall gopurams, decorated with stucco engravings of mythical animals and deities painted in assorted hues — the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is considered the pride of South Indian temple architecture and is a must-see.

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Kumbhalgarh Fort, Mewar Renowned as the second-largest wall in the world after the great wall of China, the Kumbhalgarh Fort is the jewel of Mewar and is one of the most impressive man-made Indian structures. Situated on the westerly range of Aravalli hills, in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, the fort was built 1100 metres above sea level in the 15th century AD by Rana Kumbha. The scenic journey towards the derelict fort through the winding roads of the Aravalli hills is breathtaking. Kumbhalgarh Fort was the second most important fort for the Mewar rulers after Chittorgarh. It contains over 360 temples within its walls. The perimeter of the wall that surrounds the fort extends to 38 km and is 15 – 25 feet thick and broad enough for eight horses to ride abreast. Soaked in history, royalty, power and culture, the grand Kumbhalgarh fort is an architectural feat that needs to be witnessed.

The Great Stupa of Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh Sanchi is famous as a paradigm of Buddhist architecture and culture and the Great Stupa is the most momentous of all the monuments in Sanchi as it is not only the oldest Buddhist monument in the country but also the largest stupa at the site. Built-in the third century BC by the great Mauryan King Ashoka, the great stupa is considered to be one of the most beautiful Buddhist artworks in the world. The awe-inspiring monument is bejewelled with astounding designs and motifs and is surrounded by equally beautiful smaller stupas, monasteries and temples.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Maharashtra Another marvel that stands as pride for India is the wonderful Ajanta and Ellora caves. Cited as one of the finest examples of ancient rock-cut caves with artwork dating from the period 600–1000 CE, Ajanta and Ellora caves have captivated travellers and historians for centuries with their sheer beauty and architectural greatness. Situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the Ajanta and Ellora caves complex is adorned with beautiful sculptures, paintings, and frescoes and includes Buddhist monasteries, and Hindu and Jain temples. Ensconced in tranquillity, these caves exemplify the engineering excellence and unsurpassed imaginative power of the bygone era.

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

Gol Gumbaz, Karnataka

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Famed for its intricate carvings, iconography, themes and some uninhibited erotic sculptures — the Konark Sun temple is breathtakingly beautiful. Built-in the 13th century, by king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, the Sun Temple of Konark reveres the Sun God and is situated in Puri district, Odisha. Considered a chariot of the Sun God, the Konark Temple is designed in the form of a splendidly decorated chariot mounted on 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, and drawn by 7 mighty horses, all carved from stones. The Sun Temple is also known as the Black Pagoda and the gorgeous monument is sure to transport you back to the primordial empire of Kalinga. A visit to Konark Sun Temple is indeed an experience to remember. 98 MAY | JUNE 2 022

Located in the Bijapur district of Karnataka, in the centre of a gorgeously landscaped garden, Gol Gumbaz is the second largest dome on the planet after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A mausoleum tomb to the king Mohammed Adil Shah, Adil Shah Dynasty, the Gol Gumbaz architecture is spectacular and unique in the way that the four minarets themselves act as staircases. The most breathtaking element of this monument is its acoustical system, even the smallest murmur around the dome echoes several times. In the central chamber, every sound is echoed seven times, whereas even a minute’s sound made at the Whispering Gallery, can be heard 37 metres away.

The temples of Khajuraho are among the most glorious temples in India. Celebrated for its cluster of marvellous Hindu and Jain temple structures, with intricately carved sculptures, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the finest temple arts in the world. Built during the Chandella dynasty, Khajuraho is situated in Chhatarpur District, Madhya Pradesh. While it is infamous for its erotic sculptures, the fact is only 10 per cent of the temple carving are sexual, whereas the rest beautifully depicts the routine life of man in those times.

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Conquer Life in Style

2022

Infiniti QX60

Climbing the luxury ladder By Benjamin Yong After nine long years and a name change, the Infiniti QX60 enters its second generation emerging a much more refined, mature luxury seven-passenger SUV, both inside and out, and packing a fresh train to boot. Here’s what we thought after spending a week in the vehicle. "The all-new 2022 Infiniti QX60 was designed with busy lives — friends, family, community — in mind," says Eric Rigaux, global head of product strategy, in a media release.

"We focused on creating a serene environment inside that's beautiful and practical, packed with new Infiniti IQ technology. In so many ways, the all-new QX60 is not just spacious, but stunning, and smart." 100

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A little shorter yet wider than its predecessor, the crossover ushers in a new era of design language. Featuring heavy influence from the company’s Japanese roots, the standard piano key LED head and tail lamps are inspired by kimono folds; the larger signature double arched mesh grille by origami and inside, the quilted dash and seats by the ripples on a pond. These details are particularly outstanding paired to a neutral canvas like the Majestic White paint colour. An optional metallic or pearl finish may be added for an extra $750 as well. The level of premium appointments in the interior is absolutely stunning. The cabin in our near grade-topping Sensory tester, slotting under the $67,995 Autograph, was draped in gorgeous melt-to-the-touch Saddle Brown semi-aniline leather with complementary hits of open pore ash wood looking elegant rather than gaudy as the trim sometimes can. As someone who has been driving since the late 90s, the presence of a tradition

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-al shifter is appreciated in a period when awkward gear select buttonsand switches are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. The Bose Performance Series 17-speaker stereo simply bangs, though the InTouch infotainment system software, controlled via the 12.3-inch display, feels dated and is clunky to use. Trying to surf SiriusXM channels using either the controller knob or the haptic touch panel controls below the screen are equally painful.

Highlights MSRP: $64,745 Motor: 3.5-litre V6 Horsepower: 295 @ 6,400 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 270 @ 4,800 rpm Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, allwheel drive Fuel economy: 16.1 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

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Seating position and visibility is pretty good, but the third row headrests partially block the back window sightline. The Smart Rear View Mirror does take care of the issue, however I personally find the perspective disorienting and prefer the classic approach. A 3.5-litre V6 engine, same as the one found under the hood of the fifth-gen Pathfinder, drives all four wheels. The 295 horsepower is managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission that, despite being a tad laggy, is a big improvement over outgoing issue-plagued CVT. All-wheel drive is standard across all models and the setup is able to send up to 50 per cent of the torque to the rear axle. Even on the rainiest of Vancouver days traction and handling was predictable.

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The vehicle includes loads of active safety equipment such as an enhanced version of ProPILOT Assist hands-free cruise control now capable of automatically slowing down for sharp bends or off-ramps. Also packaged is rear

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2022

Volvo XC40 Recharge still setting EV benchmark

By Benjamin Yong Only on its sophomore run, Volvo’s first pure EV the XC40 Recharge is already getting a boost in performance thanks to a software update for the 2022 model year. Formerly offering an already healthy range of 335 kilometres on a single charge of the 78 kilowatt-hour high-voltage battery, minor digital tweaks to energy and thermal management ups the number by 24 to a total of 359 kilometres. Owners of 2021 vehicles are also eligible for the upgrade. A full top-up on a 220-volt Level II charger still takes about eight hours, or a visit to a DC Fast Charger cuts the time down to around 40 minutes yielding an 80 per cent capacity. A standard 120-volt home charging cable is included, though be prepared to leave it plugged in overnight.

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There are no changes to its handsome looks, which boasts near-perfect proportions for a compact crossover with short overhangs and a wide athletic body. Next year, however, the small SUV receives a subtle refresh featuring frameless grill plate, triangular headlights and more angular front bumper to provide a closer resemblance to the recently announced smaller coupe-style sibling the C40 Recharge. Volvo was already modernizing interiors across the lineup long ago, ditching physical switches for a large tablet display starting in 2014. The Recharge goes a step further eliminating even the start button: Once someone is in the seat and the remote fob is detected, the XC40 is ready to go after shifting to “D.” Also, the infotainment is powered by a smooth and responsive Google Android OS that doesn’t require a paired smartphone to operate. Propulsion comes courtesy of dual motors, one mounted at each axle, creating electric all-wheel drive. The setup has a net output of 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of instantaneous torque, translating into a 0 to 100 km/h time of less than five seconds. Protip: if no sickness bags are made available, prior disclosure to passengers of going full speed is probably a wise move. TM

Highlights MSRP: $70,800 Motor: Twin 150-kilowatt electric motors Horsepower: 402 (net) Torque (lb-ft): 486 (net) Gearbox: Single-speed automatic Layout: All-wheel drive Fuel economy: 3.2 Le/100 km

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With a curb weight of 2,118-kilograms the EV isn’t likely to win any autocross events, but the MacPherson front strut and independent rear suspension does a good job of enabling the SUV to seamlessly navigate tight urban roads, and is quite comfortable even on bumpier pavement. As found in competing products on the market, brake regeneration technology converts the kinetic energy produced during braking and recycles it to feed the battery. Rather than holding down a paddle each time to activate this handy function, turning on the One Pedal Drive mode once accomplishes the task automatically. Whenever the accelerator is released the car slows down, albeit in a rather aggressive manner, and in the city virtually eliminates the need to touch the brake pedal. Another company first is the use of the Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) sensor platform. Like the onboard collision avoidance and mitigation safety system — which full disclosure is quite sensitive and can occasionally false trigger during parking manoeuvres — ADAS is scalable and future-proof. Though stock is limited right now due to ongoing supply chain issues, buyers interested in a base 2022 model will be paying $5,000 less compared to last year with the introduction of a new Core trim retailing for $59,950.

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New adventure-inspired SUV

Mazda

Highlights

CX-50 By Benjamin Yong Following the release of the subcompact CX-30 crossover and its electrified cousin the MX-30, it’s only natural Mazda would follow up with a larger SUV built on the same platform and utilizing similar nomenclature. And now the Hiroshima-based manufacturer has: behold the first-ever CX-50. “This new Mazda vehicle has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region.”

"This new Mazda vehicle has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region," - Jeff Guyton

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says Jeff Guyton, president and CEO of the company’s North American operations in a press

release."The CX-50 encourages people to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on the premium design and outstanding on-road performance Mazda is known for." The most immediately noticeable outdoorsy aspect is the use of copious amounts of black body cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side sills. The addition of the off-road-ready armour complements the windswept lines of Kodo styling language surprisingly well, particularly in the desert-esque Zircon Sand Metallic paint colour of Darpan’s press loaner. One might assume the rugged exterior means the interior is of the plastic-ky hose-clean variety. Not the case at all — in face the

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GT Turbo model we test drove featured perhaps the plushest leather dash covering ever seen in the segment. In signature Mazda fashion, other various little details around the cabin echo the brand-wide move towards a more premium product like the brushed metal door handles and the introduction of a panoramic moonroof.

MSRP: $45,350 (base) Motor: 2.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder Horsepower: 227 @ 5,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 310 @ 2,000 rpm Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, allwheel drive Fuel economy: 13.1 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

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The vehicle is slightly bigger in size than the CX-5 though with a shorter greenhouse — which comes in handy for loading stuff onto the available rack that can be mounted to the reinforced roof rails, the latter designed to even support rooftop tents. The deep cargo area has 889 litres of space behind the second row, or 1,595 litres when the bench is folded, and also benefits from a low liftover height so sliding things in and out is an easy task. Two Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine choices are packaged: an entry-level naturally aspirated unit producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and the optional turbocharged variant offered on the top-of-the-line trim making 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque (93 octane). Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The boosted mill gives a good amount of oomph off the line and as a bonus a healthy

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exhaust note is produced. Utilizing the same underpinnings as the CX-30/Mazda3, the all-wheel drive CX-50 sits on independent front/torsion beam rear suspension and handles better than expected for a small SUV though definitely on the stiffer side. The electric power steering is sporty and overall the setup will have drivers forget for a second that they’re piloting a utility vehicle. And similar to other products in the lineup, G-Vectoring Control automatically adjusts engine output to stabilize the ride through corners. Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, or Mi-Drive for short, is standard and allows the selection of various modes tailored to different types of motoring. For example, there’s a setting optimizing operation on slippery terrain, and another geared towards towing (the regular 2.5 can tow up to 2,000

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pounds while the 2.5 T a maximum of 3,500 pounds). The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is built at the joint Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama, and should be starting production by the time this issue is in publication.

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Major Makeover

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2022

Lexus IS 300 By Benjamin Yong

While Lexus’ IS line remains a third generation product that originally launched nearly a decade ago, the sporty compact received a major makeover for last year debuting a new exterior design, comfort and convenience features and expanded driver assist functionality. Looking at its svelte refreshed body — that is stiffer than before thanks to extensive testing at the recently developed $2.8 billion USD Shimoyama facility located in Toyota City, Japan — one would be hard-pressed to tell the model was first introduced back in 2013. If the car appears wider, your eyes aren’t playing tricks as the fenders have been slightly extended to accommodate the bigger available 19-inch alloy wheels and tires. Similarly, the

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LED headlights, housing the signature checkmark daytime running light element formerly found on the bumper, and signature spindle grille are both stretched horizontally. Sharper character lines across the sheet metal provide a cool effect when light hits the paint. And at the back end the matching L-shaped blade-style taillights are now connected across the trunk similar to the Lexus UX. Inside, NuLuxe-trimmed (manmade) leather upholstery is standard, the surfaces in the IS 300 AWD Luxury trim Darpan evaluated dyed a racy dark red colour. The plastic door handles, paddle shifters and various dash bits do take away from the premium experience though. The larger optional touchscreen display is 10.3 inches (regular

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unit is eight inches) and placed closer to the driver for easier access, but still seems a little too far. That said I preferred to control the infotainment system via a combination of the haptic-feedback touchpad and physical buttons on the dash. The latter promotes more intuitive operation when compared to poking at virtual icons many of the competing manufacturers are going with.

Highlights MSRP: $48,550 Motor: 3.5-litre V6 Horsepower: 260 @ 6,400 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 236 @ 2,000 rpm Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: All-wheel drive Fuel economy: 12.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

Speaking of ergonomics, the seating position is optimal even for those on the taller side like myself, and the chunky steering wheel feels great in hand. To be nitpicky, the turn signal stalk doesn’t lock into place when making a hard turn and takes some getting used to. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is included, which these days is almost a given. There are no changes to the powertrain — the same 3.5-litre V6 delivers 260 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Output is as smooth as always and performance can be tailored to individual driving style by selecting one of the three self-explanatory modes: Normal, Sport and Eco. Throttle and steering response among other attributes are then adjusted accordingly, and in an environment of $2-plus per litre fuel prices the economical setting is a welcome one. The already-excellent Lexus Safety System+ suite of technologies benefits from a few additions such as enhanced camera and radar equipment to help the pre-collision detection spot not just oncoming vehicles but preceding cyclists and pedestrians as well. Starting at $48,550, the Luxury grade also packs Lexus Navigation with Remote, proximity sensors, driver’s seat memory, power tilting and telescoping steering column, heated and auto-dimming memory mirrors and the Lexus Adaptive Front Lighting System. WEDDING INVITATIONS LETTER HEADS BUSINESS CARDS ENVELOPES INVOICES

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS SHARE THEIR STORY

How has your overall journey in Canada been so far?

Meet the Kapur Family Puneet Kapur works as a Sales Associate at The Brick Rhythm Kapur is continuing her studies

Canada, being the country of opportunities, we decided to migrate to the country for a better quality of life, and a secure and bright future for us.

What difficulties/challenges did you face when you and your family moved here?

Which year did you migrate? We migrated in September 2019.

Like most immigrants, we faced many difficulties after moving to Canada. We had to start our lives from scratch and even got separated from our eight-year-old daughter for almost a year as she was not able to join us.

What were your first impressions of Canada?

Where did you stay when you reached Canada? Hotel, relative or friends place? We were warmly welcomed by our family friend and his family. We stayed with them for a couple of days, and they made our stay very comfortable and homely.

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How do you see your future in Canada? My Advice for immigrants Be prepared for tough times, be open to learning new skills, and always be positive and never lose hope.

Why did you decide to migrate to Canada?

Canada is a wonderful place to settle down; it has a very clean and peaceful environment. People are friendly and helpful, and immigrants are warmly welcomed here.

We are very fortunate to live in such a prosperous and beautiful country. A person who makes an effort and works hard can always succeed. I am working on my goals to build a bright future in Canada for my family and me.

How was your experience getting a job here? Was it easy or troublesome? Finding work in a new country was not easy; we had to face many difficulties to get a job because of our business background. But we didn’t get discouraged and kept on moving to get an opportunity to move forward.

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Our journey in Canada has been good so far, as we were lucky to have people who have been very supporting and caring, and always willing to help us in all situations.

Biggest problem

To get a good job, and to buy a home in Canada as there are many obstacles such as mortgage and other home expenses.

Resolution

To start my own business with my professional education, and to live a life of quality with my family.

Advice for immigrants

Be prepared for tough times, be open to learning new skills, and always be positive and never lose hope.

Memory

We always miss our family members in India, and our festivals that we used to celebrate with our family and friends.

Aly Jiwani

Vice President, Regional Operations & Area General Manager

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

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

DARPAN

MAY | JUNE 2 022

Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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MAY | JUNE 2 022

Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

DARPAN MAGAZINE - MAY | JUNE 2022

Articles inside

RECIPES

READER’S REACTION

Introducing the Violence Intervention Program

DARPAN’S 10

SALUTES

TRAVEL

WEDDING

2022 Mazda CX-50