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DARPAN Magazine recently presented the 12th Extraordinary Achievements Awards in October in the company of esteemed social, business and political elites. Ten amazing individuals from the South Asian community were recognized for their extraordinary achievements and for reflecting their heritage in a remarkable way. The highlight of the evening was our Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Gurtej Sandhu, Senior Fellow and Vice President at a top chip manufacturer in the world, Micron Technology, Inc. Dr. Sandhu’s expertise lies in the areas of thin film processes and materials, VLSI, and semiconductor device fabrication. Although his interests may sound specialized,

Dr. Sandhu’s inventions impact the general public more than apparent at first and are at the heart of memory chips used in electronic applications from smartphones to computers and servers used to conduct businesses in the world.

Among the list of the 2022 award winners was the Industry Marvel Award recipient, Dr. Rajpaul Attariwala, who has produced the first, one of a kind, groundbreaking MRI technology that is being used by doctors around the world to save lives. Also, Harleen Dulay who won the Breaking Barriers Award for becoming the first South Asian Canadian female to play NCAA Division 1 basketball and using her love for the sport to inspire other young athletes. The never-ending applause by the guests, along with the inspiring thank you speeches by the winners generated a feeling of pride and unity at the event.

The issue also has some fun articles to prepare you for the holiday season ahead. Check out eight winter decoration ideas to cozy up your home. Read out beauty feature on glamorous gift giving, and find out more about the 10 best places in the world to ring in the New Year.

We hope you enjoy the issue and continue to support us ahead. The DARPAN team wishes you a fun-filled holiday season. Happy Holidays!

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Recipes

Wow the recipes in this issue looked yummy and I tried both. While Egg Szechuan Noodles were decent, but was pleasantly surprised with Grilled Lamb Masala, the outcome was better than expected. – Sapna

September/October 2022

Really great articles in the issue, lots of South Asians doing some great things out there. Mr. Gurtej Sandhu is such an inspiration, appreciate the work Darpan is doing in bringing such stories forward.

– Jasmin Garcha

Re: Hello Jasmin, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Yes, it is really amazing to see so many remarkable South Asians doing amazing work globally, and for the community. Keep writing to us always!

University Life

Loved the feature on University Life. As a third-year student myself at UBC, I wish I had this information when I started university. I would highly recommend first year university students to come prepared for surprises and

Re: Thanks Sapna for the note and good to know you tried both. Keep trying our recipes and let us know how they turn out. Have a good Holiday season! – DARPAN

Thank you sharing your thoughts with us Preeti. We are glad you liked the article.

Immigrant Column

Really enjoy reading the immigrant column in your magazine. It gives hope to other immigrants and advice when they start their new life here. – Mrs. Bali

Re: Hello Mrs. Bali, yes, we created the Immigrant column so that new immigrants can get some advice from other immigrant families, along with support and hope that things will work out. Continue to write to us..

– DARPAN

From the outside the citizens felt it was a heated and divisive election campaign. Did you feel the same? Now that you can put that behind you what can you and Surrey residents look forward to?

There’s no doubt this campaign was hard fought, and it was easy to be distracted from the important issues. What helped me keep my focus and shut out all the noise, was engaging with our residents - talking and listening to them on what their concerns and priorities are and what we can accomplish as a new Council. Over the next four years, I can assure our residents that they will have a City Council that will work for you, work with you and listen to you.

How will your leadership style be different from the outgoing mayor Doug McCallum’s, and what will be your immediate priorities?

Public input on the direction of neighbourhoods, communities and the city will not only be sought after, but it will also be welcomed. Openness and transparency will be the hallmark of this Council. As for immediate priorities, re-establish the public trust in our city and ensuring that the Surrey RCMP remains as the police of jurisdiction of our city are the top tasks at hand.

One of your election promises has been to restore ethics back at City Hall, so will you be reinstating the Ethics commissioner by renewing his term as the role has been vacant since July?

Absolutely. The Office of Ethics Commissioner will not only be restored, but it will be strengthened to ensure independence and transparency.

There are candidates chosen from three slates that are part of the newly formed Council with the majority of the Councillors being from your Surrey Connect slate. How do you feel this will play out and that there won’t be any friction or abandonment?

We have had four years of a divisive Council and it is in nobody’s best interest to continue down that path. I will be working to make sure that there is healthy dialogue and debate with all Councillors, regardless of political stripe. We may not always agree, but all points of view will be respectfully heard. If we are able to work off the same page, we will collectively achieve great things for Surrey.

With the economic uncertainty of our times, you are wanting to put a pause on the Surrey Police transition and keep the RCMP in Surrey. Don’t you feel that that process has now gone too far ahead and it would be an unnecessary burden on taxpayers and instead that money can be better utilized in another area?

I would respectfully disagree. In fact, the burden for Surrey taxpayers will be greater if we continue with the transition. City staff are working on a report for the Solicitor General, who I have met with, on how we will re-establish RCMP as the police of jurisdiction in Surrey. We will be saving

BRENDA LOCKE SURREY MAYOR

You can guarantee that Surrey will be fully cooperative on this front. When it comes to funding, I can guarantee you that I will be building better relationships with the province and federal government so that Surrey gets its fair share of housing investment dollars. Surrey will be hosting a “Housing Summit” in the Spring.

Transportation has been a huge issue South of the Fraser. Whether we look at the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project or more bus service in some of the key areas of Surrey. What kind of infrastructure do you support and how will you link some of the main city centres in Surrey?

money by doing this and that translates into lower taxes and additional funds to invest in community amenities and facilities.

The previous mayor Doug McCallum made announcements regarding sports, recreation, and arts centres in order to keep up with Surrey’s rapid growth. Will you be giving the green light for the Newton Community Centre, the 60,000 capacity stadium, and a new swimming pool for the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre to name a few?

The 60,000 seat stadium will not happen. It is something that Surrey doesn’t need and I will not be squandering tax dollars on this white elephant. With Surrey’s rapid growth, we need to focus on building and expanding public amenities that serve families, especially children and youth, at the neighbourhood level, which include projects like the Newton Community Center. Council will look for every opportunity to achieve these civic amenities in a fiscally responsible manner.

What will be your strategy to tackle the housing crisis, your commitment on property tax increases, and other taxes put in place by the City?

What we can do at the civic level of government is to cut red-tape and increase technology to allow for efficient approval of building permits. We can also look to providing some city lands to partner on housing projects.

Surrey needs transit options that can get up and running quickly and not years from now. I welcome the new SkyTrain line for Surrey, but big projects like this take a lot of time to get approved, funded and constructed. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of waiting, we need new transit services now. From more buses to new rapid bus routes, Council will be working on immediate relief for our citizens who spend far too much time in traffic.

The 84th Avenue corridor project through the south end of Bear Creek Park from King George Boulevard to 140th Street at a cost of $18 million, with modifications to BC Hydro transmission lines estimated to cost millions more has been a bone of contention with the group Forces of Nature Society. What will be your strategy with extension in 2022 in order to provide a balance between accessibility and ease of traffic congestion as well as the environment?

There’s no question the importance of balancing Surrey’s green spaces with the needs of a transportation system for a growing city, that is why I have asked staff for a report recommending next steps for Council to consider.

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

Surrey’s South Asian community is an integral part of the fabric of Surrey and I invite all to be a part of this pivotal moment in time. Great things are set for this city and every Surrey resident can play a role in shaping our city. As we go forward, there will be a City Council that is transparent, accountable and ethical to serve all our residents.

PHOTO CREDIT:BRENDA LOCKE

Over the next four years, I can assure our residents that they will have a City Council that will work for you, work with you and listen to you.”

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Harmony Within Reach

Chasing Dreams

One Wicket at a Time Mannat Hundal

It is not common for someone to be born and raised in Canada and pick up the sport of cricket. Recently, cricket’s appeal in Canada is increasing and we have more kids wanting to learn the sport. Surrey-born and raised Mannat Hundal is one such young female athlete who opted for cricket over the conventional sport of basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball, or swimming.

Her love for cricket started at the age of 11 when she watched her brother play the game and figured this doesn’t look all that hard. Funnily enough, she took up the bat and the rest is history. Hundal realized cricket was her calling as a sport as she trained hard with Stallions Cricket Academy in Surrey and experimented with batting and bowling.

Hundal’s grit, hardwork, perseverance, and passion all came together when she exhibited exemplary prowess on the international stage. Currently only 15, she played in the Women’s South American Championship in Brazil. Her stats at the tournament were 4overs-19runs-1wide, 4overs-1run2wickets-1wide, and 3overs-12runs2wickets-2wide. In the match an overjoyed Hundal describes “I only gave 1 run and got 2 wickets and I became the player of the match.”

Not only is she an avid and a gifted cricket player but she is also a bright student who has excelled in her studies throughout. She did her schooling at Khalsa and Heath Traditional Elementary. Currently she attends Seaquam Secondary and is a Grade 11 student. As a career path, upon graduation from high school she hopes to pursue Sciences with a focus on biochemistry and forensics in order to fulfill her dream of becoming a science technician.

Even though, she has played many different roles on and off the field the one that speaks to her most is of a leg spinner. She is inspired by cricket legends such as Shane Warne, K L Rahul, and Ravindran Jadeja.

Hundal says this is just the beginning for her in the sport of cricket and she wants to make her mark by playing all the new league franchises that are opening up for women’s cricket. With the passion, skill, and determination that Hundal has got it wouldn’t come off as a surprise if we see her play at the World Cup of Cricket.

By Ish Sharma

There are youth who know from early on that they want to dedicate their time and energy to a particular goal whether it be academic or non-academic and achieve great heights in it.

Sukhmanpreet Singh shoots and scores and at only the age of 16 he has shown exemplary sportsmanship in field hockey. His efforts have been rewarded with him being appointed as captain of the U-16 field hockey team in BC.

He is the first youth of Punjabi heritage to receive such a title. The title of captaincy, Singh says “Is not only a source of pride for him, his family but also for the entire community. As captain, he wants to lead, support, inspire and represent the members of his appointed team fairly and consistently at all times.” He was always athletic and had a passion for sports. Before he pursued hockey aggressively he played basketball at school. The start of field hockey as a beginning to something special took place when he watched his uncle’s game.

Singh says from that day on “I got inspired by him or I can say by his game. On that day after the game I asked him I want to play hockey. My uncle replied if you want to play then don’t leave hockey. I said I will not.”

For Singh, both his dad and uncle have been tremendous role models as they both were avid and excellent hockey players.

By Ish Sharma

SUKHMANPREET SINGH

The First Punjabi Captain of the BC U16 field Hockey Team

PHOTO COURTESY: FAHAD PHOTO

Since then he made a vow in his heart that he will give it his all and that field hockey is his calling. He began playing hockey at the age of 12 and has been playing for four years. Singh has already shown exceptional prowess within the game wining various accolades. At the U18 national championship he was the second highest goal scorer and received the tournament 11 award. In Alberta, Singh was bestowed with the Best Player Award.

Currently, Singh plays for the Surinder Lions Field Hockey club in Surrey and his game is sponsored by Fraser Sports. Singh trains for four to five hours everyday and the training will get rigorous for him with upcoming tournaments in the Men’s League taking place in Vancouver and Surrey from September 2022-July 2023.

Over the years, Singh has modelled his game after his own play reflecting on previous games and figuring out how he can raise the bar for himself with his next play. He has been following King of Drag Flick legend Sandeep Singh. Singh shares “I want to break the world record that Sandeep Singh has set 145Km/h.”

Singh considers himself extremely fortunate to have a supportive family who not only encourage his love for the game of field hockey but also support him financially. His dad and his coaches lovingly call him FlickMan an offshoot of Drag Flick.

Currently, Singh attends L A Matheson Secondary School in Surrey. Singh says he wants to do what no one has done until now and that is to bring an Olympic Gold medal home in field hockey by representing Canada at the world’s biggest sporting event.

Apart from being a brilliant player in the field he is also a scholar academically. In the year 2018-2019 he was awarded student of the year at Khalsa School.

Singh says, “I will not stop no matter what it takes and how long it takes me to achieve an Olympic gold in field hockey. It is my dad’s dream and it is my dream to make my dad’s dream a reality.”

It’s Singh’s go-getter attitude that has allowed him to accomplish so much at such a young age. Since being appointed Captain he has been feeling overjoyed, positive, and even more confident towards the game. Singh’s message for the South Asian youth is to work hard, respect your parents, and coaches and that mindset will pave the way for greatness and abundance.

Easy ways 7 to Give back to the Community This Holiday Season

The holidays are a time to celebrate, make memories, and experience the magic of togetherness. What better way to truly feel the spirit of the holidays than to give back to the very community that provides us with belongingness, family, and home! Giving back can really do wonders in terms of instilling a sense of meaning and reward. Giving back may mean different things to different people. For some, it may be the offer of time, resources, and donations. For others, it may be a moment of patience or act of kindness. Whatever floats your holiday boat, here are some easy, practical ways to give back to the larger community during this holiday season!

Become an Elf

Lots of organizations need help during the holiday season. Be it a soup kitchen, seniors’ shelter, or clothing bank, the end of the year can be a busy time for non-profits. By lending a helping hand and volunteering your time with these institutions, you can directly make an impact on the lives of the underprivileged who may not have even the basics during celebrations. What’s even better is that you can multiply the impact (and fun times!) by bringing along some generous family and friends.

Secret Santa

Time is of the essence? Worry not! During the holiday season, many organizations are accepting donations in the form of money, gift baskets, canned foods, socks, toiletries, toys, handwritten cards, and so much more. A quick Google search or even social media networks can be a great source to find people and committees that are putting together gifts and donations for those that are in need. When volunteering your time is not an option, a quick drop-off of these items can do the trick. An extension of this idea is making charitable donations in the name of your gift recipient, as a gift to them!

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Holiday Cheer

Giving back in a materialistic or measurable way is not the only way to lighten up the lives of others. Simple acts of positivity can go a long way. Compliment the cashier on your way out of the grocery store. Help your new neighbors move in. Make a cup of hot chocolate for the construction worker outside your house. Even a smile and a wave of the hand can sometimes be the turning point to someone’s bad day. Random acts of kindness for the win!

Joy to the World

It is often said that charity starts at home. Happy communities need happy people. This holiday season, be sure to send a card, dial the phone, or hop on a video call with friends and family that may be feeling isolated, struggling with mental health issues, and/or may be far away from home. The holidays can be a tough time for some and not everyone may be courageous enough to ask for a listening ear. If you think someone may be in need of a little holiday magic, sprinkle your love and best wishes their way!

Educated Celebrations

Christmas isn’t the only widely celebrated holiday during the winter. Many cultures hold a diverse array of celebrations during this time. Educate yourself, your friends and family, and coworkers on these holidays and remember to wish those that may be celebrating. If you are not sure what the background of these

celebrations are, ask those that may know! Be culturally aware of not just your own, but the holidays of others. Some examples of popular holidays, other than Christmas, include Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice/Yule/ Christmastide, Soyal, and Kwanzaa.

Paw-some Presents

Thinking of bringing a furry friend into the house as a holiday present this year? A great way to make this experience even better is to adopt a rescue animal. Research into your local animal shelters and organizations to find out how you can adopt a pet (or spend time with one) who may have otherwise suffered abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. Giving these pals a new home and endless love is truly embodying the holiday spirit. Plus, these fourlegged bundles of joy are guaranteed to give you back double the love and appreciation!

Green Holidays

While a white Christmas is always welcome, the new woke thing to do is #gogreen during the holidays. Make environmentally-friendly decisions that put the planet first. Some simple ideas include putting less packaging on gifts, using paper vs. plastic wraps, decorating with non-plastic decorations, reusing decorations, making DIY gifts and decorations rather than buying new ones, regifting, recycling the Christmas tree when it can no longer be used, and using plant-based ingredients for holiday meals.

While soaking in the lights and glitz of the holiday season, remember that the true spirit of celebration is encompassed in giving back to others. However you may do it - big or small, near or far - the intention is what matters. Every act of giving back counts. As the tale of the star thrower goes, “One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked, he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one. Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, ‘I’m saving these starfish, sir.’ The old man chuckled aloud, ‘Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?’ The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, “It made a difference to that one!’”

Happy Holidays!

Excellence. Elegance. Eminence. These words only begin to encompass the exquisite evening of the 2022 DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards. Each year, DARPAN Magazine brings together the best across industries, making both local and global impacts, under one roof. Presented by returning sponsors, the prestigious Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the awards were a sight to behold with the cream of social, business, and political realms gathered to celebrate South Asian brilliance.

The awards have been the perfect platform for bringing South Asian leaders together to celebrate community milestones and as well as individual achievements. These individuals have been creating true impact and creating ripple effects across the world, alongside bettering the community. The spirit of greatness was evidently present in the air through the evening.

A record-breaking 800+ guests attended the 12th annual awards night, eager to enjoy their evening in full swing, with no more COVID-19 related restrictions. Surely, the awards have become a calling from the community.

A Night to Remember

Attendees commenced their experience on the uniquely adorned red carpet reception, sponsored by Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd. Leigh Heppner, General Manager of Preston Cadillac remarks, “We were thrilled to sponsor the Darpan Awards this year once again. As always, it was a spectacular night with an incredible lineup of speakers, entertainment, and award winners. Every year we walk away from this event inspired and honored to participate in this community and always look forward to next year!” After the graceful red carpet, guests proceeded to soak in the beautiful cocktail lounge sponsored by WBI Home Warranty. A live media station for esteemed guests, a crowd-pleaser 360 photo booth, and an array of delicious finger foods and desserts adorned the premesis.

Before the highly anticipated awards presentation itself began, guests enjoyed an energetic performance presented by Shan-EPunjab Arts Club. Canadian actor and television personality Huse Madhavji, as the Master of Ceremonies, mesmerized audiences with his enthralling stage presence. The first

award recipient, a true embodiment of the innovative spirit, Dr. Gurtej Sandhu, received recognition and a standing ovation from the audiences, for being the all-time seventh most prolific inventor as measured by number of U.S. utility patents. Senior Fellow and Vice President at a top chip manufacturer in the world, Micron Technology, Inc. with its headquarter in Boise, Idaho, United States of America, Dr. Sandhu’s expertise lies in the areas of thin film processes and materials, VLSI, and semiconductor device fabrication. Although his interests may sound specialized, Dr. Sandhu’s inventions impact the general public more than apparent at first and are at the heart of memory chips used in electronic applications from smartphones to computers and servers used to conduct businesses in the world.

One of Dr. Sandhu’s early and celebrated inventions include his achievement in developing a method of coating microchips with titanium without exposing the metal to oxygen, which would

Lights, Camera, Action! It was truly a magical evening celebrating the #DARPAN Magazine Extraordinary Achievement Awards! From the experience of walking the red carpet into the venue, through to the interview and photo gauntlet, you were embraced by the spirit of the South Asian community. It was an absolute honor for RBC to be the presenting sponsor for the 2nd year in a row for this amazing event, organized by the talented Gurvinder Hundal, Ramneek Dhillon and the entire #DARPAN team! ”

– Martin Thibodeau, RBC Regional President of British Columbia

otherwise oxidize the chips instantly and ruin them. Although the genius inventor himself initially did not think too much of his invention, most memory-chip makers use Dr. Sandhu’s process today. As RBC’s Regional President of British Columbia, Martin Thibodeau presented Dr. Sandhu with the awards, Madhavji was even able to get the two to shake a leg to an upbeat Bhangra song, as they both united with their mutual love for the Punjabi folk dance of Bhangra. “Lights, Camera, Action! It was truly a magical evening celebrating the #DARPAN Magazine Extraordinary Achievement Awards! From the experience of walking the red carpet into the venue, through to the interview and photo gauntlet, you were embraced by the spirit of the South Asian community. It was an absolute honor for RBC to be

DARPAN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2022

the presenting sponsor for the 2nd year in a row for this amazing event, organized by the talented Gurvinder Hundal, Ramneek Dhillon and the entire #DARPAN team! Throughout this enchanted evening I was touched by the many remarkable stories about the impact and contribution of the South Asian Community to the business landscape and the overall fabric of our society,” says Thibodeau excitedly.

The Industry Marvel Award recipient, Dr. Rajpaul Attariwala has produced the first, one of a kind, groundbreaking MRI technology that is being used by doctors around the world to save lives. The Artistic Visionary Award was presented to a recipient who has taken music to a new scale through music training at a very young age, Tarun Nayar. The Community Crusader Award recipient, Dr. Bulbir Gurm, is a Fellow at Canadian Nurses Academy, and is best known for using her academic privilege to improve communities.

Harleen Dulay won the Breaking Barriers Award for becoming the first South Asian Canadian female to play NCAA Division 1 basketball and using her love for the sport to inspire other young athletes. The Heritage Defender Award was presented to Raj Bhandal, who has decided to revisit the past and preserve the history for future generations after history books were destroyed during the political tensions in India in 1984. The Corporate Engagement Award was given to a recipient who is not only a successful entrepreneur himself, but is also tasked with heading Innovate BC, Raghwa Gopal.

A celebrated athlete, Amarveer Singh Dhesi, won the Spirit of Sport Award who recently bagged a gold medal for Canada in the men’s 125 Kg category at the 2022 CommonWealth Games. The presenter of the Spirit of Sport Award, Amar Doman, Owner of BC Lions, shares his experiences, “Thank you Darpan - a fantastic event again, everyone at our table enjoyed it. BC Lions will continue to support this great initiative of highlighting difference makers in the South-Asian community. Keep up the great work!”

The Young Wonder Award was presented to a recipient who is

DARPAN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2022

graduating students from across Canada who was selected to receive a Schulich Leader Scholarship valued at $100,000 dollars, Sarthak Tyagi. Last but not the least, Manjit Gill and Darcy Gill took home the Advancing Philanthropy award as a couple, for donating time and money extensively to various charitable causes for two decades.

The night ended with a special entertainment performer who is a name known in every South Asian household. A legend in the South Asian music industry, and even internationally, the superstar has been listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest selling bhangra solo artist of all time, with sales of over 4.9 million records over the span of his career. The globally celebrated Malkit Singh took over the stage with his contagious energy and won hearts all night long as he sang and interacted with everyone. Notedly, guests were in for a pleasant surprise as the singer handed out pairs of black sunglasses to the dancing audience when he sang his superhit number, Kali Ainak. Simply put, the crowd went wild. Singh had guests mesmerizingly dancing the night away to his foot-tapping songs, bringing an energetic end to a spectacular night.

DARPAN Magazine wholeheartedly thanks the larger community for their incredible support and encouragement over the years. “We are grateful to all our pillars of support that continue to make the awards night a reality each year, in addition to giving us ideas and encouragement. The support from sponsors, community members, and the general public is absolutely heartwarming. We can genuinely see the demand from the people that want to attend this event every year. If anything, this

is reflective of how much love there is for the initiative, and for that we are eternally thankful.”, delightedly comment Gurvinder Hundal and Ramneek Dhillon with utmost gratitude.

A night like no other, the awards undoubtedly stand as an exceptional testament to the signif-

We were thrilled to sponsor the Darpan Awards this year once again. As always, it was a spectacular night with an incredible lineup of speakers, entertainment, and award winners. Every year we walk away from this event inspired and honored to participate in this community and always look forward to next year! ”

– Leigh

Heppner, General Manager, Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd.

stir positive change in society and spark important conversations in the public sphere. A memento and symbol of South Asians’ achievements and appreciations, the 12th Annual DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2022 were truly a night to remember.

icance, value, and prosperity of the South Asian community. As such, yet again, the awards has managed to become the talk of the town, featuring noteworthy accomplishments of inspiring individuals. The night is a propellant to individuals and a push forward in the right direction for changemakers who are driven to

DARPAN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2022

In Honour of His Unparalleled Dedication & Passion for Innovation in the Field of Emerging Memory Technologies

Recognized for being the all-time seventh most prolific inventor, with more than 1,300 U.S. utility patents, meet Dr. Gurtej Sandhu. Senior Fellow and Vice President at a top chip manufacturer in the world, Micron Technology, Inc. with its headquarter in Boise, Idaho, United States of America, Dr. Sandhu’s expertise lies in the areas of thin film processes and materials, VLSI, and semiconductor device fabrication. Although his interests may sound specialized, Dr. Sandhu’s inventions impact the general public more than apparent

at first and are at the heart of memory chips used in electronic applications from smartphones to computers and servers used to conduct businesses in the world. One of Dr. Sandhu’s early and celebrated inventions include his achievement in developing a method of coating microchips with titanium without exposing the metal to oxygen, which would otherwise oxidize the chips instantly and ruin them. Most memory-chip makers use Dr. Sandhu’s process today!

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Raghwa Gopal Corporate Engagement

In Honour of His Extraordinary Achievement as a Successful South Asian Entrepreneur, Tech Phenomen, and Industry Mentor

Raghwa Gopal is not only a successful entrepreneur himself, but is also tasked with heading Innovate BC. He has been instrumental in the cre ation and management of successful programs for technology companies and has spearheaded the development of the Okanagan’s tech sector into a $1.6 billion economic contributor. A recognized leader in B.C.’s tech and innovation community with extensive experience starting, growing and selling numerous businesses, Gopal has also been instrumental in leading efforts to secure funding from multiple sources to help serve the B.C. innovation ecosystem as well as leading programs that supported hundreds of local businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Innovate BC is delivering high-impact programs that foster innovation across B.C.’s economy, with a focus on accelerating sustainable solutions – from cleantech, agritech and more – to the problems faced by British Columbians and around the world.

Tarun Nayar

Artistic Visionary

In Honour Of His Extraordinary Achievement As a South Asian Artist

Passionate about fusing Asian music and electronica, Tarun Nayar has taken music to a new scale through music training at a very young age. His involvement in Vancouver’s music scene in his youth was music to the ears of many with the formation of well known band Delhi 2 Dublin in 2006. Currently, he is at the forefront of the successful 5X Festival. Nayar is also the co-founder of Snakes x Ladders, an alternative South Asian music and culture channel. A driven advocate for spreading diversity in the music scene, Nayar has gone viral on TikTok. Merging his formal training in Indian classical music and education as a biologist, Nayar is also the brain behind the project, Modern Biology, which uses modular synthesis, home built synthesizers, and other analog equipment to improvise with the natural vibrations of a certain place and time.

Tarun Nayar receives the Artistic Visionary Award from Gordon Houston, Executive Vice President, & Nav Grewal, Associate Vice President, of WBI Home Warranty Ltd.

Raghwa Gopal receives the Corporate Engagement Award from Yves Giroux, Vice President, & Perminder Chohan, Managing Director of Desjardins Financial

Harleen Dulay Breaking Barriers

In Honour of Her Extraordinary Achievement in Basketball and Becoming the First South Asian Woman to Play in the NCAA Division 1

Using her talents in basketball to inspire future athletes, Harleen Dulay’s passion and love for the sport of basketball truly does not know any bounds with her becoming the first South Asian Canadian female to play NCAA Division 1 basketball. Her journey of making basketball history in the US is also documented in documentary Press Breaker, which covers her story as the first Punjabi woman in the league. Having grown up in the game, Dulay was inspired by her father who played championship-level basketball in the early 1980s. Now, after having conquered the sport despite any controversies or injuries that came along the way, Dulay inspires younger children in the community in more ways than one. Now a Registered Nurse at the BC Children’s Hospital, Dulay also runs the XV Training Academy as Director and Cofounder, alongside her role as Assistant Coach at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Rajpaul Attariwala Industry Marvel

In Honour of His Extraordinary Contribution and Innovation in the Field of Medicine

Dr. Rajpaul Attariwalia has married engineering and medicine. His first, one of a kind, groundbreaking MRI technology is being used by doctors around the world to save lives. Now a practicing radiologist, Dr. Attarwalia earned his PhD in engineering before returning to school to study medicine. Attariwala specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imag ing techniques such as X-Rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography exams. These techniques offer accurate visibility to the inside of patients’ bodies, helping to detect otherwise hidden illnesses, so that they can be treated quickly and efficiently. A self-described “hard-core engineer,” he developed the Prenuvo scan through customized hardware and proprietary software. Be it tech executives or Grammy winners, the Prenuvo scanner has attracted and benefited a range of patients since with radiation free checkups.

Harleen Dulay receives the Breaking Barriers Award from Alex Holme, Director of Sales, at ML Emporio Properties Ltd.

Dr.Rajpaul Attariwala receives the Industry Marvel Award from Paul McDonald, Sales Manager, Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd.

Dr. Balbir Gurm Community Crusader

In Honour of Her Extraordinary Contribution in Improving Communities through Leadership

Dr. Balbir Gurm is a Fellow at Canadian Nurses Academy and is best known for using her academic privilege to improve communities. She teaches and trains future nurses and is also a consultant with 30+ years of experience who has provided leadership on multiple community boards. Frequently in the media to comment on local issues and partnering with organizations to discuss cultural safety, she serves as a role model for community activists. As founding member and facilitator for the Network to Eliminate Violence (NEVR) she continues to work with a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary team (education, justice, health, service providers) to create resources and facilitate workshops to create a violence free society. She advocates for system change to governments, with a vision to bring academic knowledge to the community. Dr. Gurm is well known for excellence in education and leadership.

Amarveer Singh Dhesi Spirit of Sport

In Honour of His Extraordinary Contribution as an Inspiring Athlete

A celebrated athlete born to wrestle, Amarveer Singh Dhesi has made a name for himself at every level he has competed at. Recently, at the 2022 CommonWealth Games, he bagged a gold medal for Canada in the men’s 125 kg category. Dhesi earned his way to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo by first winning the 125 kg weight class at the national trials in December 2019 and then reaching the finals at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in March 2020. Dhesi defeated Rio 2016 Olympian Korey Jarvis in dominant fashion at the trials, reversing the result from four years earlier. Just ahead of the Olympic qualifier, Dhesi also won 125 kg silver at the Pan American Championships. As part of his preparations for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Dhesi won gold at the Matteo Pellicone Tournament in March 2021.

Amarveer Singh Dhesi receives the Spirit of Sport Award from BC Lions owner, Amar Doman

Dr. Balbir Gurm receives the Community Crusader Award from Mohamed Mansour, Vice President of Sales, Allure Ventures

Raj Bhandall Heritage Defender

In Honour of His Extraordinary Contribution in Preserving & Promoting South Asian Heritage

Raj Bhandal has decided to revisit the past and preserve the history for future generations after history books were destroyed during the political tensions in India in 1984. His collection of artifacts dates back to the 1600s with a rare collection of coins and a signed book by the last Sikh Emperor, Duleep Singh. A reflection of passion, love, and unapologetic righteousness, Wanjara Nomad Collections is the vision of Bhandal. With a hunger to learn, and an unrelenting determination to unearth the past, he has devotedly put together a collection that can be understood and appreciated in the present. The only known collection of its kind in North America, Bhandal is tirelessly bringing together unmatchable treasures from all over the world under one roof. The collection is a testament to the desire to preserve, learn, and share history.

Manjit Gill and Darcy Gill Community Crusader

Manjit Gill and Darcy Gill have donated time and money extensively to various charitable causes for two decades. They are well known for their generosity donating $1.5 million alone to Langley Memorial Hospital. A major leader in the campaign to fund a major expansion of the hospital’s emergency room, the inspiring duo has also donated money for other hospital facilities, and matched donations to the Giving Hearts Gala. In addition, they have volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Burnaby Multicultural Board, and the Rotary Club. The philanthropist couple has also generously donated to PICS Society to support the Guru Nanak Diversity Village project, which is a 125 bed long-term care facility to be built in Surrey to provide culturally sensitive care to seniors. The husband and wife have sat on various committees, charities and boards, proactively playing a role as active members of the lower mainland’s multicultural community.

Sarthak Tyagi Young Wonder

An academic star, Sarthak Tyagi is 1 of 100 graduating students from across Canada who was selected to receive a Schulich Leader Scholarship valued at $100,000. He is currently a computer engineering student. From a very young age, he wanted to give back to the community and as a result impressed charities with a unique invention of his own. His inherent interest in STEM led him to design a Smart Navigation Cane to help assist the blind and visually impaired. This struck Tyagi after witnessing a visually impaired person get hit by a car while he was living in India. The cane scans the surrounding environment and buzzes or vibrates when it detects nearby obstructions. He has been in contact with several non-profit organizations globally to donate these canes. With an undying passion for volunteer work that helps society and people in need, Tyagi is a true scholar.

Raj Bhandall receives the Heritage Defender Award from Jeet Dhindsa, President & CEO, of Van Gogh Designs

In Honour of Their Extraordinary Contribution as Philanthropists Promoting Healthcare & Community Initiatives

In Honour of His Extraordinary Achievement in Academia & Community Initiatives

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Local Hero, World Champion:

JESSY SAHOTA

Acommunity’s policing system is the backbone of its public safety. Behind the comfort of citizens who soundly sleep at home are police officers who work tirelessly and passionately to prevent crime, provide support services, and earn public trust. In the multicultural fabric of the Lower Mainland, a brave community gem who is not only protecting the community, but also bringing it immense pride, is Delta Police Department’s (DPD) Constable Jessy Sahota.

Jessy Sahota is a winner of the 2022 International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world that demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession. What’s more is that Sahota’s strength isn’t limited to just his professional endeavors with policing. The 3x National Canada Wrestling champion is also a reputed wrestling and kabaddi legend.

Sahota graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology in 2015. He was a scholarship athlete at SFU and also won a national wrestling title during his university career. Sahota’s journey into the world of kabaddi began in 2014, when he was encouraged to try kabaddi by his friends and family; he found immediate success in the sport due to his honed prowess in wrestling. Since then, he has represented Canada multiple times at international tournaments and has even won the prestigious Kabaddi World Cup in 2016. An 8x Team Canada athlete for Kabaddi, Sahota’s unique playing style earned him quick prominence in the sport.

Sahota’s involvement in the sport extends beyond his personal training and victories. Sahota is the Founder and Volunteer Head Coach of Tamanawis Secondary Wrestling, who are reigning 3x provincial champions and are credited to be the Best High School Wrestling Team in Canada. Alumni of Tamanawis Secondary, Sahota and his brother, Pola Sahota, after their graduation from the school, noticed that the high school was getting an unfair negative reputation. More so, they noticed that students were buying into that destructive persona, straying away from all the awesome things that the school had to offer. In 2016, the brothers decided to connect with their former high school and start a wrestling program as a way of giving back in their own small way.

The duo was fortunate to have the immediate support of the school. The overall administration, District Director Rob Rai, and Joe Calendino, who is the founder of Yo

PHOTOS COURTESY: JESSY SAHOTA

Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative, were all pillars of support. What’s noteworthy is that Sahota has over 13 years of volunteering experience with Yo Boy Yo Girl, having documented over 4,000 volunteer hours. As such, garnering resources was not an issue for the well-intentioned siblings because the two had earned the trust and commitment of very kind and supportive people through all their community endeavors.

Although difficulties still come in the way sometimes, the Sahotas believe that anything worth doing is going to come with its handful of challenges. For the brothers, these speedbumps are expected and the two prepare accordingly. For example, some students cannot afford wrestling shoes or tournament fees, in which case Sahota says that community members never turn down an opportunity to provide support.

Sahota details, “Support from the community has exceeded my expectations. Hardworking community members have offered us donations, supplies, and even their own time. The team’s success has had a ripple effect, in which younger students are excited to join the team and older graduated alumni are eagerly coming back to help. The collective effort has given a lot of kids opportunity and hope, which

otherwise would not have existed.”

The most rewarding part of this experience for Sahota has been seeing young children become better versions of themselves. The proud coach has seen shy, timid kids evolve into confident, standout adults. Sahota’s social media often features the most heartfelt thank you cards from young athletes. These cards are usually handmade and have beautiful handwritten messages attached to them. “I will forever cherish these cute cards; they mean the world to me!”touchingly says Sahota.

When it comes to promoting sports, Sahota says that the onus also falls on the larger community and influencers. Living in a profit-driven society, leaders and celebrities often promote whatever sells. However, Sahota reminds the community that what is popular is not necessarily good. He asserts that there is a need to promote things that are inherently good even if they do not make profit and are difficult to do. Moreover, for parents who may be hesitant to push their kids into sports, especially in fear of their studies being impacted, Sahota’s message is straightforward, “Studying allows you to become a smart human being. Sports allow you to become a great human being. If you withhold your child from sports, you are doing them a great disservice.”

Reflecting on his own schooling days, Sahota reminisces how, in addition to sports, he had also always admired the police from a young age; it was a profession that always intrigued him. With time, he was even more drawn to law enforcement. By the time he was in high school, Sahota wholeheartedly knew that he wanted to become a police officer. Given that he did not have any friends or family in the police force, Sahota had a lot of learning and growing to do on his own. In hindsight, he sees the extra efforts and sacrifices to accomplish his career goal as well worth it because the job is very rewarding.

Sahota elaborates, “Policing is a job like no other. It is the only occupation where every

shift you will be put in harm’s way, but you are also guaranteed to help someone in a meaningful way. You have to be ready at any given second to react in an appropriate and accurate manner. As hard as that sounds, the job is extremely enjoyable. Seeing small wins within your community that are related to your work is very motivating and satisfying.”

Having been part of the DPD since 2017, Sahota ’s stance is that a police officer’s sole goal is to make their community safer and better, but this responsibility extends beyond the uniform and to the general public as well. He has observed that if the police and the community have a strong relationship and open communication, it benefits everyone. Recognized as City of Delta’s Top 20 Young Leaders this year, Sahota has made it his aim to be approachable and welcoming to the people he serves because it will allow a strong partnership to emerge. In his opinion, members of the community can work alongside the police service with a joint goal and responsibility of making their neighborhoods safer. As Sahota puts it, “Individually, we can accomplish some results, but together we can achieve great results.”

Despite his countless accomplishments and proactive community work, to be nominated for the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40 Award came as a shock for Sahota. Considering that he works alongside so many amazing men and women, to be chosen amongst them was a special honor for DPD’s Youth Liaison Officer. To have the nomination be successful was a completely surreal feeling that the humble policeman did not foresee it at all.

Sahota shares the credit with many other officers and community partners who assisted him in achieving the honor, “None of this would be possible without the assistance of my co-workers at Delta Police, The Delta School District, and Yo Bro, Yo Girl Youth Initiative. With their assistance, we were able

to provide many youth the opportunity to build healthy and strong connections with positive role models while engaging in healthy activities.”

Just like Sahota, his family was quite shocked to learn of the international award for policing. Sahota’s parents were accustomed to their son’s success on the sports field, so this was a pleasant surprise. Sahota’s mother, Harjinder Sahota, and father, Pala Sahota, have always encouraged their children and told them that hard work never goes unnoticed. Sahota also mentions his gratitude for his wife, Ikjot Sandhu, who has given him unconditional guidance and care, being by his side for all his challenges and successes.

Recently, Sahota’s passion for polic-

ing and wrestling came together with his win in the 2022 World Police & Fire Games held in the Netherlands. Already having been the World Police & Fire Games 125kg Heavyweight Wrestling Gold Medalist in China in 2019, he trained extremely hard for this year’s games, with about 12 sessions a week as he was the defending heavyweight champion from the 2019 China Games. The trip was a total success, with Sahota being able to capture double gold once again. It was a tough competition with over 10,000 athletes participating from over 70 different countries. That said, the hard work was totally worth it for Sahota, especially in light of his warm welcome by friends and family upon his arrival back home. A large party was held in his honor and he received

numerous community awards.

A role model himself, Sahota describes the role models that he himself looks up to, “This sounds very cliché, but I am a man of faith and I do draw my inspiration and strength from the higher powers. I am always learning about significant figures in Sikhi such as our Guru Jis, Banda Singh Bahadur, Hari Singh Nalwa, Baba Deep Singh, and others. I am also interested in learning about other religions and cultures; I have taken multiple religious study classes. I believe a greater power has always held my hand in times of need and for that I am forever grateful.”

Sahota’s mantra for success is simple: honest, hard work trumps everything. The spirited constable and disciplined sportsman believes that if you sweat more than the competition, you will succeed; the more hours you put in, the more successful you will become. Contrary to every motivation guru, Sahota does not plan his life too far ahead. He takes everything one day at a time. However, he does consciously try his best to give 110% everyday. Undoubtedly, his accomplishments speak volumes about his sheer passion, utmost dedication, and persistent strength. With our future in capable hands like that of Sahota’s, it is not at all an understatement that with local heroes like him, our communities can fearlessly wrestle through any obstacles to stir positive global change.

Harpreet

Kaur

By Dikshita Nahar

We, humans, are so similar yet so unique in our own ways. Each person brings in their own set of experiences, learnings, thoughts, and strengths. We are all influenced by emotions, primal instincts and intellectual choices. It is the sum of all these factors that make us into the individuals we eventually become. No two human beings, no matter how similar, live the same life. As Michael Schenker once quoted: “I believe that every person has uniqueness—something that nobody else has.” Harpreet Kaur lives and breathes this very philosophy.

Harpreet Kaur is a tech leader at Microsoft, living in Seattle, USA, with over 20 years of experience in creating products that make a difference in people’s lives. She has built strong and diverse teams at work and inspired many more over the years to achieve their dreams. But she was not satisfied with the impact she had at work and started her company Why Blend In to empower minorities and women to navigate and help them succeed in the corporate world.

She is a mom of two beautiful children, a Sikh and a woman of colour in the tech industry. She is a source of inspiration who is breaking stereotypes and paving the way for others. Harpreet Kaur always quotes, “Why blend in when you are born to stand out!”

Harpreet was born in Punjab, India and did her early schooling there. Since she was the middle child, Harpreet tried hard to be seen or noticed, making her highly competitive. Her dad’s constant job rotations as part of the Indian Army gave Harpreet a great experience to experience different cultures and expand her horizons. She was an excellent student and aspired to become a doctor. However, fate had different plans for her. During her college, her dad enrolled her in a computer course, making her fall in love with computers. It is when her tech journey started, and she earned her gold medal at University while studying Computer Science. She doesn’t feel bad for not being a doctor anymore.

Harpreet Kaur and her husband both work in the tech industry. She started her career at India’s largest technology company Tata and worked with customers all over the world. She moved to the USA in 2006 with her husband and baby boy. With her impeccable skills and undying support of her husband, she has grown into

PHOTOS COURTESY: HARPREET KAUR

a tech leader at Microsoft. During her initial time in the US, she went through some very tough times financially and professionally, but her resiliency made her stronger and more confident. A few years ago, when she was diagnosed with a health condition, she pondered, “What is my legacy? What am I going to be leaving behind?” This was when she decided to start - Why Blend In. Through Why Blend In, Harpreet aims to help people understand their potential and reach their goals. She is an inspirational leader who has conducted keynotes, podcasts, webinars and workshops at Microsoft, LinkedIn, Teradata and many others. She also spends a considerable time in personal coaching to help people in achieve their career goals and preparing for big job interviews at large tech companies. She has a vast network of professional leaders in all major tech companies and has been successful in getting her mentees placed in tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Smartsheet, Google and many others.

with Harpreet

Q: What is your source of inspiration?

My primary source of inspiration is my parents and my faith. They provide me with their guidance, direction and support. They drive me to be a better version of myself.

Q: How has your experience been as a woman in the tech industry?

My journey as a woman of colour in the tech industry has been filled with ups and downs. The unconscious bias that people hold toward women in general and more for people of colour is something we constantly face. However, my turban and my identity as a Sikh woman gives me confidence. I am unique and proud of my identity. The philosophy of “Be good, do good” has helped me both in life and the tech industry. I work and interact with some amazing and talented people, and each day is a new journey.

Q: Any piece of advice for young people, especially women, who want to make their mark in the tech industry?

“Why blend in when you are born to stand out!” Be yourself and bring your AURA to everything, Authentic, Uniqueness, Resilience and your Aspirations.

At times, societal issues may become reduced to misunderstood buzzwords that become limiting in their impacts and constraining in their understanding. Such is a topic that while has gained much popularity over the decades, is often misconstrued and misrepresented: feminism. Many celebrate it, many are against it, some claim that it doesn’t (or worse, shouldn’t) exist. One thing is for sure - feminism is here to stay. Although this may produce a fear in the hearts of those that may not fully be educated on what feminism is, the solution is to erase the fear of the unknown by making it known.

So, what is this “Feminism”?

Don’t let the “fem” in feminism fool you. Feminism is not about the female sex being superior to that of the male sex. Rather, feminism stands for the advocacy of female rights, based on the idea that everyone is equal. Simply put, no matter what your gender is, you are no less than anyone else.

Okay, but why can’t we just call it equality?

We can. That said, feminism as a label acknowledges and implies the political undertone that the idea of women’s rights carries. There are countless years of oppressive regimes, patriarchal mindsets, and male-centric systems that have defined our societies

and have stripped women of their rights and identities. From not being able to vote to not being allowed to work in certain occupations, the list goes on and on. Some wrongdoings still prevail today. When we say feminism, we recognize the socio-political factors at play behind the need for feminism and connotate that we are ready to raise our voices against them; we are allies.

Then, women should also be lifting things just as heavy as men, right?

Well, if they can and if they want to! Feminism is not about tit for tat, especially if biological tendencies make an appearance. Generally speaking, men tend to have more upper body strength and more muscle vs. fat. This may typically make it easier for men to lift heavy things. Does this mean we take away the opportunity from women to train at the gym and lift? No! Does this mean we have a battle of the sexes to prove that the general male population can lift heavier things than the general female population? Also no. If you like the fact that your husband does the handiwork around the house and you don’t want to do it yourself, so be it. Feminism just says that the opportunity for you to learn that handiwork and do it yourself if you wanted to, shouldn’t be taken away. Feminism is about the opportunity for everyone to realize their full potential, not about waging war using biological differences. It’s all about equal opportunity with a level playing field, not about equal outcomes necessarily. Plus

By Naina Grewal

we wouldn’t be asking men to give birth or go through menopause, would we?

Why do we even still need feminism now that things have changed?

Because of 1.5 million missing female births annually worldwide due to gender-biased (prenatal) sex selection. Because boys worldwide are 1.3 times likely to get the math skills they need, in addition to school-going children still learning gender normative biases everyday, leading to reduced female representation in STEM subjects, sports, and so much more. Because one-third of women worldwide still suffer intimate partner violence. Because still only 7% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. Because a woman still earns $0.77 for every dollar earned by a man, worldwide and in Canada. Because in Canada alone, 1 in 7 girls are still leaving school early or missing school due to lack of accessible menstrual products. Because if Canada accelerated its progress on gender equality, $150 billion is possible in incremental GDP growth. Finally, because the question of why we need feminism today still gets asked. We have made progress, but we are far from done.

Should I call myself a feminist?

Share that you’re a feminist at a house party, and some discomfort in the room becomes apparent. This is so because the word seems to have gained a harsh, radical, and aggressive

reputation. In a world where many seek to appear agreeable and easygoing, it’s often the safest to say, “I’m not a feminist, but I believe in equality”. Sounds like, “I don’t drink chai, but I often consume a hot drink made by infusing the dried crushed leaves of a tea plant in boiling water mixed with milk and cardamom.” The notion of believing in equality, but not being a feminist gives off the idea that feminism is different from equality, and/or the fear of being associated with feminists. In reality, if you fundamentally disagree with the presumption that men are superior to women, you are a feminist! Being a feminist is as simple as acting in a way that shows you’re an ally in ensuring an equal world.

How do I practice feminism?

While marching at rallies and signing petitions is oh-so-amazing, feminism also starts from home before rippling into the rest of the world! Here are some easy-to-integrate habits that work towards positively spreading equality:

• Educate yourself. Listen to understand. Embody judgment-free learning.

• Love yourself unconditionally, no matter what your sex or gender is.

• Share equal responsibilities with your partner at home.

• Empower women to reach their full potential, encourage them, and don’t pull them down.

• Ensure fairness, equity, and equality in the workplace.

Teach your children about equality and encourage them to pursue their interests and passions without stereotyping them

Call out sexist traditions and sexist uncles and aunties (most of all, please don’t

While the ABCs of feminism can teach a lot about the meaningfulness and significance of its roots, it is important to note and recognize that the movement has branched out and evolved into many other forms. If you hold a different understanding of feminism and a different belief system when it comes to practicing it, just ensure it comes from an informed and respectful place. The bottom line is that no matter who you are and what you believe, we are all equal in the fact that we are all but different. Our differences do not separate us, but bring us together under the umbrella of our unique individualities.

The eyes are by far our most important sense organs. We perceive up to 80% of all impressions by means of our sight! That’s exactly why your eyes deserve only the best when it comes to vision care! At Clayton Heights Optometry, Dr. Mona Sandhu and her team understand the importance of preventative eye health and work hard to continually update their techniques and technology to help patients maintain healthy eyes.

Clayton Heights Optometry pride themselves in providing a unique eye health care experience. The team really takes their time with patients through the whole process, from pre-testing to exams to discussing personalized eyewear needs. Evidently, the team’s passion for eye health comes from their fearless leader, Dr. Mona Sandhu. Dr. Sandhu’s passion isn’t just constrained to her profession. The driven optometrist gives back to the community through Project Eyecare. With the support of NightShift Street Ministries, Dr. Sandhu and her staff, accompanied by other eye doctors who volunteer their services and time, provide free vision and eye health screening and glasses to homeless or low income community members.

Reflecting on her career path, Dr. Sandhu shares, “I always knew I wanted to serve in the healthcare field. The more I researched and came to appreciate what an important role optometrists play in maintaining an individual’s health, and how intriguing and complicated the eyes and visual system are, I was hooked.” For the dedicated professional, the most rewarding part of her profession is being able to help make someone feel better through improved vision.

Given the importance of maintaining good eye health, Dr. Sandhu breaks four common myths when it comes to vision care:

1.“I can see well so I do not need regular eye exams.”

So false! Checking your vision is only one part of the eye exam. You may have underlying and undetected ocular health issues that can impact your vision if left untreated. Patients may even develop advanced eye disease that could have been easily treatable earlier. Don’t put off an eye exam!

2.“My child is doing poorly in school so they must have ADHD or a learning disability.”

This could be a visually related issue. Your child may have an oculomotor imbalance, have difficulty coordinating their eye movements, or have a visual processing disorder in which there is an impairment in how the brain is processing the visual information. Such conditions make learning and reading much more challenging. Luckily, these are highly trainable

3.“Wearing glasses will make my eyes worse.”

Wearing glasses will not make your eyes worse if you are wearing the correct prescription and properly fitted lenses. Glasses are prescribed to provide clear and comfortable vision. Alternatively, not wearing your glasses as prescribed can lead to headaches, eye strain and neck problems.

Undoubtedly, Dr. Sandhu and her team at Clayton Heights Optometry are fully equipped with welcoming and modern facilities, leading technologies, and

diligent professionals to provide high-quality care for your eyes. Your eyes are at work from the moment you wake up to the moment you put them at rest when you sleep. As you soak in the wonders of the world through your hardworking eyes, be sure to reward them at Clayton Heights Optometry!

PHOTO COURTESY: FAHAD PHOTO

OXFAM

Helping the marginalized and fighting Injustice and Inequality

India is a diverse country and for several years now a lot of Indians face discrimination on the basis of their gender, caste, and economic backgrounds. These social evils are heavily interwoven and complex which further divides our societies and makes the voices of millions go unheard. Unequal societies tend to have higher levels of inequality and poverty. So what does Oxfam do? They were established to beat discrimination and inequality by creating a society where people are not forced to fight for their right to life and security, to be heard, right to education, health, shelter, food, and water.

According to the Oxfam website, the organization works to ensure that adivasis, dalits, muslims, and women and girls have safe violence-free lives with freedom to speak their minds, equal opportunities to realize their rights, and a discrimination-free future. The professionals at the organization research to find lasting solutions to end rising inequalities and exclusion of marginalized communities from getting decent jobs, quality free education, and healthcare. “We campaign with the public to demand policy changes from governments for creating a just and inclusive country as envisioned in the Indian Constitution. We mobilize support to save, protect and rebuild

lives of the poorest of poor affected by crisis and humanitarian disasters.”

OXFAM’S HISTORY: WHEN IT ALL STARTED

Oxfam has been in India since 1951. It first came to India to respond to the Bihar famine. In 2008, Oxfam India became an independent affiliate and an Indian NGO. The organization took stock of the states it was needed the most in and started working on the ground in the six poorest states of India including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Odisha.

Oxfam India is an autonomous Indian organization and has staff and board members from within India. Oxfam India is a member of the global confederation of 21 Oxfams across the world. The government of India has registered Oxfam India as a non-profit organization under Section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013.

Oxfam India has a long and well-recognized record of humanitarian relief in times of crisis. In the last ten years, Oxfam India has responded to disasters in Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Kashmir,

By Mrinalini Sundar

Manipur, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Odisha. They have also provided aid to Internally Displaced Persons during Kargil War, Muzaffarnagar violence, Kokrajhar violence, and others.

WHAT IS OXFAM’S VISION?

Oxfam is committed to the people, both who we work with and our supporters. According to their website, “Oxfam India believes in the power of people coming together for justice and equality. In our 70-year history, we have seen that, when people join hands, raise their voices, and demand action, change happens. We are committed to the power of people to fight discrimination and help marginalized communities pull themselves out of inequality and injustice.

Amarpal Singh

Therefore, our work and organization are based in the communities that are most affected, so that we can deliver change quickly and with impact. Oxfam India uniquely combines the power of the public and the learnings from the grassroots with the strength of supporters, partners, and allies to make a positive impact in the lives of millions of people. From supporting women farmers in Bihar to demanding good quality education for children in Uttar Pradesh, from mobilizing public support in Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad to delivering life-saving aid in Assam and Manipur, we strive to ensure that the most marginalized people are heard.”

WHAT DOES OXFAM DO AND HOW DO THEY DO IT?

The NGO provides urgent assistance to communities at risk in times of natural disasters and conflict. “We ensure that they realize their right to clean water, food, sanitation, and other fundamental needs. In particular, we reach out to women, adolescent girls, children, persons with disability, and elderly people in these communities. An equally important aspect of our work is disaster risk reduction or the resilience of communities to natural disasters and conflicts. We do this by enhancing the preparedness of our partners on the ground, networks of humanitarian support providers, and the communities themselves, to cope with sudden natural disasters and conflict.”

Oxfam India’s focus on ensuring essential services such as health and education is a direct way of reducing the inter-generational inequality that keeps people trapped in poverty. Another aspect is that the NGO works towards fair sharing of natural resources, specifically land, minerals, and energy, and ensuring better livelihoods for tribals and other forest-dependent communities.

HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?

From the crowd, birthday, and social fundraising to donations, petitions, and buying a gift, there is a lot you can do to support this organization achieve its goals. If you want to keep a track of their current projects, check their working papers, annual reports, fact sheets, and policy briefs, all available on their website.

As an mortgage expert, I can help you choose the best financing option to meet your individual needs.

Manager, Residential Mortgages Fraser Valley/Lower Mainland

Business is both a science and an art. Amrit Dhot of the Dhot Group has not only mastered this art through his breadth of experiences, but also continues to spread it across industries.

Dhot Group is a marketing firm committed to providing services to clients, through the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) formats. As the bridge between clients and business, Dhot Group’s top most priority is providing the best possible services with its certified professionals team.

With a background of Masters in Commerce, Corporate Management, and Web Centric Computing from India’s National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), alongside other diplomas, Dhot came to Canada in 2008 as a Permanent Resident (PR) and began working in the financial industry. Just a year later, Dhot kickstarted his own company, amidst and despite the national recessionary phase. Given his skill sets, the business saw immense success. Dhot continually updated his credentials and accreditations, attending reputed institutions like the UBC Sauder School and BCIT. What started as a business in marketing in financial instruments has now grown to encompass a variety of fields including consulting, education and placement, finance, media, real estate, sales and marketing, security, telecom, tech and web solutions, wholesale and development.

For over a decade, Dhot has consistently made significant strides, like his partnership in bringing Pollywood and Bollywood superstars to Vancouver through large-scale shows. Dhot Group is also partnered with India’s leading investor and Shark Tank India’s Startup Ecosystem Advisor, Mumbai-based Venture Catalysts; the organization is ranked India’s #1 and the world’s #2, among most active early stage investor companies, as per 2021 rankings. Moreover, the business tycoon has multiple developments in his pocket across BC. Dhot Group, further, is a wholesaler and distributor for recognizable brands like Pooja, 5AAB, Tamba, and ADH, with many more coming. Truly embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, Dhot Tech is also reaching new heights. Beyond his business ventures, the involved father of two has also been a Delta District Parents Advisory Council Representative for years.

Reflecting upon his professional journey, Dhot highlights, “What sets Dhot Group apart is that we are not money-minded. I believe that if you work, money will come to you. I don’t work for money. I work for people.” Despite facing challenges, Dhot has always emphasized karma and honesty as his mantras for success. The noble citizen began his charity work in his college days, as a post-holder and active member of DAV (PG) College Dehradun’s Student Union, and the passionate consultant continues his charitable efforts today by voluntarily helping newcomers and the larger community in Canada.

Full of positivity, Dhot is immensely grateful to his family and well-wishers for their support, especially thanking his wife, Sarika, for standing by him through thick and thin. With a zest for keeping busy and dedication to building his portfolio, Dhot is a role-model in the business world. Evident through his customer-oriented approach, Dhot Group is a standing testament to flawless service and complete customer satisfaction.

PHOTO COURTESY: FAHAD PHOTO

Winter Decorations ideas to Cozy up your Home

What’s the winter season without bringing some festive cheer to your homes? Winter is here and a better way to ring in the mood is by giving a seasonal facelift to your homes. With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, jazz up your décor, for, a change in the house is sure to perk up your mood. You could work around with DIY projects or do up your homes with Christmas décor that is sure to get you in the holiday mood. Read on.

Light it up

Fairy lights, Christmas lights or pretty string ones – lights can magically transform your house. And with the festive season around the corner, it is imperative to deck up your house with lights. Start with the outdoors first as lights give the necessary facelift to your entrance. For indoors, of course, get creative when using these lights. You can use empty wine bottles and stock them with small fairy lights. Outline the stairs in your homes with these string lights and you can even perk up your living and bedroom by creatively using these lights.

PHOTOS COURTESY: ISTOCK

Winter Greenery

Get pinecone jars or Christmassy planters for plants that can sail through the cold season. A green look can never go wrong, but ensure the planters give a festive vibe. Put them in areas you haven’t already decked up with Christmas décor. Even if you are having a minimalistic Christmas look, these festive planters change the look of your house. What’s more? You can keep these plants all through the year.

Dine in Style

Deck up your dining table and get festive with your Chinaware. One can start by going with a colour theme – gold and white or silver and white. And then, bring your small decorations to the dining table. You can put cute hangings on your chair, a fresh sheet of dining table cloth, natural pine cones in a jar or a bowl, candle stands and elegant metallics should do the trick. You could even tie your cutlery with ribbons. Try not to add too many colours to your dining table as it might look cluttered.

What’s the festive season without a tree and Xmas décor in your living room? You could either go big or go minimalistic – either way, add charm to your living room by decking up the room the way you want to. A pretty Christmas tree with a sparkling star on top, handmade wooden decorations, colours socks displayed, gifts packed in unique wrappers and quirky hangings to spruce up your room. If you want to do away with the tree, there is always the “books” Christmas tree for those bookworms, table-top trees and tiny ones that you can set up in a corner. All you need to do is get innovative and get quirky.

DIY Gratitude Box Adorn Your Walls

This season starts at the end of the year, which means you’ve lived through various moments throughout that year. Do a little DIY project by creating an end-of-the-year box, a gratitude jar or letters to Santa box for the season. Get your loved ones and family members to write little notes with their names and ask them to put them in a box. On New Year’s Eve, sit together with a hot cup of chocolate milk and read them out.

Celebration of Care Gala

Wall hangings or wall décor in general could be tricky as one might have already done up their walls. But for the season, you could always add winter charm to your walls by getting décor that is in tune with the season. A wooden Christmas tree hanging, experimenting with tree branches on your wall, colourful stockings or adding a classic wreath does wonders for your walls.

up a room in no second. Get a nice vase and place them in different areas in your house – living room, bedroom, corner tables – and stock them with pretty flowers. Ensure you buy flowers that blend well with the overall décor of the house you’re going in for. For instance, if your living room is minimalistic, you can dramatize the flowers and vice versa.

Scent Your Homes

Oh yes, this is the time of the year when scented candles are on big discounts. Grab the opportunity to stock up on candles and place them in your homes. You could create a small corner and light up three candles in the living room. You could also do a similar one in your bedroom. For the dining table, place the candles in the centre. It is important to buy candles that go well with your décor. You can’t pop a shiny one when the entire décor of the room is colourful, right? So, plan and choose scents that you can tolerate through the evening.

Diwali Gala - SFU

SFU 13th annual Diwali gala celebrated the university’s engagements with the South Asian community locally and in India with a lot of pomp and show at Bombay Banquet Hall in Surrey. Prominent business, government, and community leaders from the Lower Mainland were present, as well as SFU alumni, faculty, staff and students, as they came together again to celebrate this signature event and raise funds to support SFU student work and volunteer opportunities in India.

Diwali Gala - Indo-Canadian Dental Association

The Indo -Canadian Dental Association, a non-profit organization of Indian dental professionals, came together to celebrate Diwali. The mandate of the organization is to promote oral health in our communities. The occasion was graced by high profile politicians such as Mayor of Surrey Brenda Locke and Minister of Labour Harry Bains. There was melodious singing by local talent and delicious Indian snacks and food. The Gala included fundraising initiatives in support of the oral health related charities in BC.

7 ways to BOOST

YOUR GUT HEALTH

By Shweta Kulkarni

From common cold and clinical depression to constipation and cancer — 90 percent of the diseases begin in the gut.

Over 2000 years ago, ancient Greek physician Hippocrates also known as the father of modern medicine said — “All diseases begin in the gut.” Was he right? Well, while his theory was not regarded as completely accurate, research and modern gastroenterology studies show that many chronic metabolic diseases are directly related to gut health. From simple ailments like the common cold, constipation, bloating, and flatulence to more severe issues like gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer — gut health impacts it all. Moreover, the gut also influences psychological issues like insomnia, mood swings, stress, anxiety, clinical depression and neurological ailments like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema etc. For the uninitiated — the gut is where food passes after digestion and comprises of the small intestine, large intestine and colon. It is home to over 100 trillion microorganisms, known as the ‘microbiome’, and the gut’s primary function is to aid digestion, nutrient metabolism, excretion of waste, and prevention of colonization of pathogenic microorganisms. The gut also has a major influence on the development and function of the immune system, as well as on gutbrain communications. It is the sole source of nutrients for the body, and an improper functioning of the gut, can affect all the major organs like the liver, kidney, heart, brain, skin and hair.

New York-based Holistic Nutrition and Natural Healing Practitioner, Nancy Mure rightly said, “If there’s one thing to know about the human body; it’s this: the human body has a ringmaster. This ringmaster controls your digestion, your immunity, your brain, your weight, your health and even your happiness. This ringmaster is the gut.”

Hailed as the second brain, the gut has a huge impact on overall health and well-being; hence, gut health cannot be neglected. Now that you have understood the importance of the all-mighty gut, below are a few ways to improve your gut health and maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Cut down on Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners

It is a universally established fact that sugar intake in excess can lead to several health issues. This also includes negative consequences on your gut. Too much consumption of sugar and sweeteners can directly impact the gut microbiome, causing gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut microbes.

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, gut expert and the author of the book ‘Fiber Fueled’, has quoted, “When it comes to added sugar and gut health, there’s still a lot we don’t know. But scientific studies do suggest that it promotes an

inflammatory profile in the gut and damages the microbiome.”

According to recent studies, high-sugar diets are responsible for higher levels of inflammation. This inflammation further irritates the gut, decreases the number of good bacteria, and damages the protective mucus layer leading to the leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where food and toxins can pass through the intestine and into the bloodstream, leading to a host of issues like bloating, inflammation, stomach pains, food sensitivities, and changes to the gut microbiome.

Not just sugar, but even artificial sweeteners are not favourable for the gut. Researchers have reported that the artificial sweetener aspartame increases the number of certain bacterial strains that are linked with metabolic disease. Furthermore, intake of artificial sweeteners can negatively impact blood glucose levels due to their effects on gut flora. Hence it is advisable to limit your consumption of sugar and sweeteners.

PHOTOS COURTESY: ISTOCK

Replace packaged food with Fresh Food

No matter how lightly it’s taken but fresh food has no substitute. Fresh food gives you complete nutrition and is wholesome food. Freshly cooked food compliments the gut microbiome, is digested faster and keeps you away from a sluggish digestive process. On the other hand, processed food has no nutritional value and the chemical additives present in processed foods, affect the gut environment and increase the risk of diseases. Eating freshly prepared food with digestive spices strengthens the digestive system and enhances the elimination function of the gut. Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Dixa Bhavsar, recently shared, “Eat warm meals, ideally freshly cooked but as long as you avoid anything coming out straight from the fridge, you’ll preserve your digestive power (Agni). This allows your digestive enzymes to work efficiently.”

Include more Nuts, Whole Grains, Veggies, and Fresh Fruits in your Diet

Fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, and nuts are loaded with fibre, which is quintessential for the intestines to promote healthy functioning of the gut. Researchers have found that a proper fibre-rich diet feeds and makes the good gut microbes thrive. The more of these bacteria we have in the gut, the thicker the mucus wall, which in return prevents leaky gut syndrome and lowers inflammation throughout the body.

Whole grains and nuts have been proven to increase the diversity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The same is true of fresh vegetables, beans and legumes, and fresh fruits, which serve as nutrition for your microbiome.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising regularly is another simple way to optimize your gut health. There is plenty of scientific data which suggests that a consistent exercise routine improves gut health, which may, in turn, help keep obesity at bay. More oxygen reaches the brain and bloodstream when we exercise, because of which the core body temperature heats up and blood circulation improves. It is said that these conditions are great for the microbiome to

Make Fermented Foods your Best friend

According to a research conducted by the Stanford School of Medicine, a diet rich in fermented foods enhances the diversity of gut microbes and decreases molecular signs of inflammation. Fermented food items contain a high count of lactobacilli bacteria, which are extremely beneficial for the microorganisms that reside in the gut. They also help convert sugar to acids and alcohol. So, ensure to load your plates with gut-friendly fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, fermented cottage cheese, kimchi and other fermented vegetables or consume vegetable brine drinks and kombucha tea regularly.

Blend in the Spices and Herbs

Never underestimate the power of common spices and herbs, especially when it comes to boosting your health. Mentioned in ancient ayurvedic texts and regarded highly by modern science, many common spices and herbs go beyond their primary role of enhancing the flavour of food and have profound healing effects on the body. Many herbs and spices, apart from encouraging healthy digestion, also play a huge role in improving gut flora.

Spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger, ajwain, cardamon, basil, cumin, cloves, fennel seeds, cayenne pepper, garlic, cinnamon, and peppermint are loaded with a ton of health benefits, give quick relief from several common ailments, aid the stimulation of digestive enzymes and of course are great for the gut microbes. Hence never shy away from these simple yet effective kitchen treasures, and use them in your diet regularly.

Get Proper Sleep

Another factor crucial for overall good health is getting proper sleep. Doctors and health practitioners across the globe have emphasized the fact that good sleep is essential for one’s optimal health and well-being. One’s sleeping pattern not only affects energy levels but also determines the functionality of every system in the body, including the immune system, heart, brain and even digestive system. If you are not sleeping well, your gut health is sure to go for a toss. Studies suggest that lack of sleep can trigger a hormonal imbalance and increase the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Increased level of stress is one of the major causes of intestinal permeability issues — more commonly referred to as the leaky gut syndrome. So, make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep every night.

Sonia Virk

lamorous ift Giving

By Michele Marko

It’s that time of year when the beauty brands offer up some enticing gift boxes and value packs of their bestselling products. Maybe treat yourself. That’s admittedly a little bit naughty. Better yet, treat your favourite people. That’s a lot nicer and it’s enjoyable to see others’ pleasure in what they receive. Here are some suggestions for glamorous holiday gift giving.

Beauty by Design

The elegant red and gold Armani Holiday Advent calendar is bursting with the prestige brand’s popular products. With nine full size items for lips, face and eyes, and fifteen miniatures which include eight signature Armani fragrances, this opulent offering will please the luxury lover on your list.

$500 | Holt Renfrew, armani-beauty.ca

Holiday Sparkle

Urban Decay offers up a limited-edition NAKED palette for the holiday season. Always a collector item for beauty enthusiasts, this one is a result of a collaboration with L.A.-based artist Robin Eisenberg, which the brand describes as featuring “rich golds to ultra-matte periwinkle to special reflect-effect blues.”

$69 | Sephora, select Shopper’s Drug Marts, urbandecay.ca

The Gift of Good Skin

La Roche-Posay has combined its specific-issue-targeting products in a range of gift boxes to makes it simple to address complexion issues. The kits, which tackle everything from plumping to hydration to brightening to wrinkle reducing, are a budget-friendly way to sample this high-per forming French skincare brand while customizing according to skin needs.

$35.50-$65 | Shoppers Drug Mart, laroche-posay.ca

For those on your list that have a nostalgic fondness for Lush’s sugary holiday-edition Snow Fairy scent, this gift box is sure to please. Filled with bath fizzer, bubble bar, shower gel, soap and body lotion, body spray and lip jelly, the festively gift-wrapped set will extend the magic long after the holiday season.

$100 | Lush, lush.ca

Holiday

Holiday Countdown

Benefit’s Beauty Advent Calendar is more the 12 days of Christmas with the dozen of minis and fun-size goodies stashed in the drawers of this reusable festive package. It’s the perfect tasting menu of Benefit’s top sellers: Gimme Brow, brow pencil, brow setter; all four mascaras, two primers, Roller Liner eyeliner, Hoola bronzer and Dandelion blush.

$88 ($198 value) | Sephora, sephora.com

All About the Glam

This Blot, Bronze and Blush trio gift set by cult beauty favourite Nudestix is all about creating a beautiful looking ultra-soft matte sculpted look without the shine. The limited-edition No Edit, No Filter, Just Glam set curated by TIK TOK personality Stephanie Valentine, AKA @Glamzilla, makes achieving a glowing complexion effortless.

$85 ($109 value) | Sephora, Nudestix.ca

You better have a Perfect Pout

This five-piece sugar lip care set from Fresh is a great way to fill Christmas stockings. Suitable for all skin types, the collection features the Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment, freshening Sugar Mint Rush, and tinted Sugar Lip Treatments.

$51 ($83 value) | Sephora, sephora.com

Merry and Bright

This four-piece set of Kiehl’s most popular masks will help your or someone else’s complexion recover from all the holiday merry making. This value set includes Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane, Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask, Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask, and Avocado Nourishing Masque.

$39 ($57 value) | Kiehl’s, kiehls.ca

New from Prada comes Paradox, a heady floral fragrance with key notes of neroli and jasmine, the scent is warmed and grounded with Ambrofix™, bio-converted amber,  and Serenolide™, a musk molecule. Perfect for that someone who prefers some earthiness to balance out the florals.

$40-$139 |Sephora, sephora.com

Scent for the Season Smart Beauty

For the makeup obsessed one on your list, YSL’s Rouge Sur Mesure will be an unexpected luxurious treat. From the beauty lab to the customer’s home, this unique high-tech device is for creating and customizing lip colour. The accompanying app helps users choose colours in four different ways—Shade Palette, Shade Match, YSL shade stylist, and Get The Look—to find their perfect shade.

$459 | ylsbeauty.ca

Chef

ROHIT GHAI

Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Rohit Ghai is hailed as one of the UK’s most creative and accomplished Indian chefs. Ghai has spent a decade at the helm of various Michelin-starred Indian kitchens - having honed his craft at some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in India - including The Oberoi Group and the The Taj Hotels.

Chef Ghai began his international career working with Michelin-starred restaurant Benares in London in 2008. He then moved on to lead several other Michelin-starred kitchens, including multiaward winning Gymkhana, Trishna, and the JKS Group, where he developed innovative menus and became accomplished in all areas of operations, recruitment and managing teams across different sites. He then went on to launch the Leela Groups’s first London venture, Jamavar, in 2016, where he became the fastest Indian chef to win a Michelin star - being awarded the accolade within 10 months of the restaurant’s opening. Ghai then opened Bombay Bustle to critical acclaim.

Ghai’s highly anticipated solo restaurant, Kutir, meaning ‘a small cottage’ in Sanskrit, opened in late 2018, and it received instant success. In 2019, he launched Koolcha - a street food concept offering Indian favorites such as kulchas, Chowpati vada pav as well as innovative additions like the chicken popcorn masala.

His creative and refined cooking has been applauded by celebrities, dignitaries and food critics. His revolutionary, precise and beautifully presented cooking regularly received praised from media. He has been featured in BBC Good Food, Foodism, and Daily Telegraph. Chef Ghai is also often invited to appear on television. He has featured on high profile shows including BBC One’s MasterChef and Channel 4’s Tricks of the Restaurant Trade. He recently released his first cookbook titled, Tarkari: Innovative Vegetarian and Vegan Indian Dishes with Heart and Soul

INGREDIENTS

• 250 gms cottage cheese/haloumi

• 2 tbsps finely chopped cashew nuts

• 1 tsp finely chopped green chilies

• ½ tbsp chopped mint leaves

• ½ tsp toasted cumin powder

• Salt as per taste

• 1 tsp pomegranate powder

• 1 tbsp sweet mango chutney

• 250 ml rapeseed oil for frying

For the Paneer Batter:

• 3 tbsps corn flour

• 2 tbsps rice flour

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• Water

• Salt

For the Paneer

Anardana Gravy:

• 150 gms fried onions

• 50 gms fried cashew nuts

• 2 tbsps oil

• 2 tbsps yogurt

• Water to grind the fried onion and cashew

• 100 gms tomato purée (fresh tomatoes blended for purée)

• 2 tbsps rapeseed oil

• ½ tsp black cumin seeds

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder

• 1 tsp coriander powder

• ½ tsp garam masala

• 1 tbsp pomegranate powder

• 1 tsp crushed dry fenugreek leaves

• Water as needed

• 2 tbsps fresh cream

• 2 tbsps chopped coriander leaves for garnish

• 2 tbsps fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish

• Salt as required

PREPARATION

For Paneer stuffing:

• In a bowl add sweet mango chutney, finely chopped cashews, green chilies, chopped mint leaves, pomegranate powder, toasted cumin powder, and salt. Mix everything and keep aside.

• Cut the paneer in triangles. Now make a slit in each triangle of cottage cheese piece gently. Place some of the stuffing between the slit using a butter knife. Stuff all the cottage cheese pieces with the filling and keep aside.

• In another bowl, add corn flour, rice flour, salt and turmeric powder, and mix well. Add water and make a smooth batter (shouldn’t be too thick or too thin).

• Add paneer pieces to the batter and coat from all sides. You can also use a spoon or small tongs to coat the slices. Deep-fry all the paneer pieces in medium hot oil.

• Fry till they are crispy and golden brown on both sides. Drain the fried paneer on paper towels, and keep aside.

Photo Courtesy: Rohit Ghai & Charlie McKay

For the Gravy:

• In a blender add fried onion, cashew nut, yogurt and water, and grind to a smooth paste. Keep this paste aside.

• Heat oil in a pan. Add bayleaf and black cumin. Sauté till the black cumin starts crackling. Then add ginger-garlic paste and sauté till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic goes away.

• Now add turmeric powder, pomegranate powder, coriander powder, salt and Kashmiri red chili powder, and stir. Add the tomato purée, stir and cook for three to four minutes on a low to medium flame.

• Add the fried onion paste. Stir well and sauté for three to four minutes. Then add water; stir and cook on slow heat for about 10-15 minutes. If the gravy splutters a lot, then cover the pan with a lid.

• The gravy will thicken, add water if required. Check seasoning and add garam masala, crushed dry fenugreek leaves and cream. Stir till the cream is mixed evenly.

• Place the fried paneer pieces in the gravy. Serve paneer anardana hot garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves along with tawa paratha or chapati.

FISH MOILEE

INGREDIENTS

For the Fish marination:

• 2 fillets of seabass (300-400 gms each)

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 20 gms butter

• Pinch of turmeric powder

• Ginger-garlic paste

• Salt

For the Sauce:

• 50 ml vegetable oil

• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 20 gms fresh ginger, julienned

• 4 green chillies, deseeded and finely chopped

• 10 fresh curry leaves, finely sliced

• 150 gms onion, finely sliced

• ½ tsp ground turmeric

• 1 tsp mustard seeds

• 400 ml coconut milk

• 4 cherry tomatoes (cut into half)

• 4-5 mussels

PREPARATION

• To make the sauce, heat oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds, garlic, ginger, chillies and curry leaves, then stir until the curry leaves begin to crackle.

• Add onion and cook over medium heat for about five minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the ground turmeric and salt, and stir for one minute.

• Add the coconut milk and mussels and bring to a boil cooking over medium heat for about six to seven minutes until you get your desired consistency. Then add cherry tomatoes and turn off the heat.

• Marinate the fish with the ingredients. Heat another non-stick pan and add oil, place the marinated fillet in it and turn down the heat to medium.

• Keep an eye on the edges of the fish fillets, when it’s start cooking you will see a light golden color on the edges. Carefully flip the fillet with a spoon and add a knob of butter and baste with a spoon.

• Once the fish is cooked, serve along with the sauce and plain rice.

CINE JOURNAL

By Shweta Kulkarni

Big entertainers queue up at the cineplex marquee to enthral movie buffs as we inch towards the end of the year. From high-octane action dramas to gripping thrillers to fall-out-of-chair comedies — we have plenty to look forward. The much-awaited sequel Drishyam 2 starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu finally graces the big screen, followed by Varun Dhawan’s horror-comedy Bhediya. The beginning of December brings another unusual treat — An Action Hero, which features Ayushmann Khurrana for the first time in an action role, this is followed by massy entertainers like Cirkus and Ganapath featuring Ranveer Singh and Tiger Shroff respectively. With such an eclectic range of films, there is no doubt that 2022 is going to conclude on a good note.

BHEDIYA

DRISHYAM 2

Release date: November 18, 2022

Directed by: Abhishek Pathak

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Akshaye Khanna, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav

Drishyam 2, the sequel to Nishikant Kamat’s hit thriller from 2015, is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated movies of 2022. The crime thriller connects with the predecessor and continues the story of Vijay Salgaonkar and his family, who is still threatened by inspector Meera Deshmukh’s investigation of her son. Will Salgaonkar be able to protect his family this time, is the crux of the story. The film will see Ajay Devgn reprise his role as Vijay Salgaonkar, with Tabu and Shriya Saran reprising their role as inspector Meera and Nandini respectively. Akshaye Khanna is an interesting addition to the talented cast. While talking about the film, which is the official remake of the 2021 Malayalam film of the same name, Ajay Devgn said, “This film is very different from the original, and you don’t have Akshaye Khanna’s character in the original. So, it is treated in a different way.” What more could thriller fans ask for, right?

Release date: November 25, 2022

Directed by: Amar Kaushik

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Deepak Dobriyal, Abhishek Banerjee

Maddock Films continue to illustrate its passion for unique horror comedies with Bhediya. The third instalment in Dinesh Vijan’s horror-comedy universe (earlier films include Stree and Roohi), Bhediya has a superhero-style storyline and revolves around Varun Dhawan’s character, who is bitten by a werewolf. Going by the movie trailer, viewers can rest assured that while Bhediya is loaded with humour, it also promises to go all out with visual effects with a Hollywood effects studio on board. Director Amar Kaushik said, “Our trailer gives a small taste of the enthralling adventure audiences are in for. Bhediya is crafted to be enjoyed in cinemas. It will fill you with a sense of awe, and wonder, and tickle your funny bone with laughs galore. We are glad that it arrives in all its big screen glory soon.” Starring talented actors like Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Deepak Dobriyal, and Abhishek Banerjee, this one isn’t to be missed.

the fact that this is the first time Ayushmann Khurrana will be seen in an action film. Talking about the film, Ayushmann said, “I absolutely loved the script of Action Hero instantly. It’s zany, it’s fresh, it’s disruptive, and it has all the trappings of cinema that I have come to be known for.” With packaging like that, An Action Hero certainly will be worth watching.

AN ACTION HERO

Release date: December 2, 2022

Directed by: Anirudh Iyer

Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Jaideep Ahlawat

Emerging as one of the most celebrated and experimental actors thanks to his unique choice of movies, versatile actor Ayushmann Khurrana is once again piquing cinephiles’ curiosity with his upcoming action film – An Action Hero

An Action Hero is billed as a slick action drama with an off-beat satirical sense of humour, and what’s even more exciting is

CIRKUS

Release date: December 23, 2022

Directed by: Rohit Shetty

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Pooja Hegde, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Sharma, Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Vrajesh Hirjee

The king of blockbusters — Rohit Shetty — is all set to bring back madness to the big screen with his upcoming film Cirkus. The film, which also marks Rohit Shetty and Ranveer Singh’s third outing after the hugely successful Simmba and Sooryavanshi, is based on Shakespeare’s classic play The Comedy of Errors and promises to be a laugh-riot. Commenting about the film, Rohit Shetty said, “It has all the elements of Golmaal, and all the Golmaal characters – from Sanjay Mishra to Mukesh Tiwari, Johnny Lever, Ashwini Kalsekar. This film is for the audience who loved Golmaal, All The Best and Bol Bachchan.” While not much is known about the plot, going by Rohit Shetty’s track record, Cirkus with its eclectic star cast will be an absolute treat.

GANAPATH

Release date: December 23, 2022

Directed by: Vikas Bahl

Starring: Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon, Amitabh Bachchan, Elli Avram

After Heropanti 2, Bollywood’s action star Tiger Shroff, who is known for his high-octane stunt sequences, is all set to return to the big screen this year with yet another thriller — Ganapath. Interestingly, the film also stars his Heropanti 1 co-star Kriti Sanon and the duo shall be seen sharing the screen space after eight long years. While everyone is tight-lipped about the project, Kriti got candid about the film and said, “It’s a very different world. I think the way I am looking in that film and I am also doing action for the first time. It’s a very grungy world, something that has not seen before. There’s no visual reference for that film here. So, it’s going to be something new.” Well, we can’t wait to watch this film either, especially because the film also stars the megastar of Bollywood — Amitabh Bachchan.

Homage

A Celebration of Traditional Arts & Culture

by anita dongre

By Shweta Kulkarni

Anita Dongre’s Homage is a celebration of a core philosophy — a knowledge that every garment is honoured by its wearer. Inspired by traditional art and architecture, and created for a muse who defies the pressure to either conform to or break free of societal expectations, Anita Dongre’s ‘Homage’ is an ode to a rich architectural history that is at once shape-shifting and inclusive. The collection reinterprets motifs and details in a range of crafts and techniques including Bandhini and Benarasi.

‘Homage’ spotlights alchemical shapes and patterns that transcend time. The juxtapositioned curves of architecture and their linear historic ruin are brought to life by Serena Jethmalani, a young lawyer whose passion lies in the intersection of law and human rights. The geometry and play of colour on ancient tiles are modeled by Tiana Taraporvala who uses music as a medium to make people feel an emotional catharsis through her stories. Etchings that tell forgotten but distinct stories shine in the light of Sara Tendulkar who has a deep passion for research in the biosciences.

DARPAN Style

With her organisational skills and intuitive mind, she has contributed in the development of skincare products with an international company. Rhea Kuruvilla who recognises how the industry of art is heavily dominated by men, has made it her mission to advocate harder for female-identifying South Asian artists, curators, and critics- it is her energy that brings the pieces in this collection inspired by tangible reminders of lives past- the documented and undocumented to the present. Alaviaa Jaaferi, a fashion influencer, and entrepreneur lends her charm to highlight the transience of time- in architecture and human will. In each piece photographed the woman featured has chosen elements to customise her lehenga and make it her own– a service long cherished by Anita Dongre brides.

Anita Dongre’s stories with craft and bespoke services which include customisation make every piece uniquely personalised. Incorporating a special colour, a word or piece of text of shared meaning, or any elements that personalises a piece to its wearer has added to the special occasion each lehenga is chosen for. Adding a bride’s personal story to a signature design gives each piece a place in time. In ‘Homage’ the old and new step into the sun together, hand in hand.

Shot at the breath-taking Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan, ‘Homage’ by Anita Dongre features handpainted Pichwai, signature gota patti, handwoven benarasi, and bandhani, in a rich palette of forest greens, blush pinks, fiery reds, sunset purples, and soothing creams and blues. Six Senses Fort Barwara made a natural choice for this display given a shared commitment to sustainability, treasuring of local craft and community.

Commenting about the collection, the designer said, “Homage is a true marriage of the old and the new in form and function, each of these intricately-detailed lehengas, tells a unique story of craft and culture. We worked with master artisans to recreate quintessential motifs in an array of crafts and colour, and shot with young women who are so deeply their own person. All of this against the beautiful backdrop of Six Senses Fort Barwara, a 14th-century fort sensitively restored through significant conservation efforts. The design of Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan reinterprets the gracious and regal ambience of a bygone era dating back 700 years.”

This collection of lehengas, sarees, ghararas starts from INR 50,000 and is available at Anita Dongre flagship stores and online at www.anitadongre.com.

We are almost close to bidding adieu to 2022 and welcoming the brand New Year with cheer. Clinking Champagne flutes, raising a toast and screaming away the midnight countdown on New Year’s Eve. Whoo-hoo! NYE is undeniably one of the most fun and awaited nights of the year.

While celebrating NYE with family and friends at a raging party or a quiet get-together may be the traditional way to ring in the new year for you, we have a suggestion to make this night more exciting and unforgettable for you this year. We are proposing ten fabulous locations across the globe where you can usher in your New Year and turn it into a memorable night that you can talk about for the rest of the year.

Here, take a look at these exotic spots which are perfect to welcome 2023.

Best Places Across the Globe to Ring in the New Year

By Shweta Kulkarni

Hawai

Talk about the best places to ring in the new year, and you simply can’t miss mentioning Hawaii. This island state of the USA is decked up in festive glory during NYE and offers a plethora of options to ensure that your New Year’s Eve celebrations become memorable. Right from fireworks, cruises, dinners, and parties – the various Hawaiian Islands are abuzz with activities for the NYE’s revelries. Waikiki is a popular NYE destination in Hawaii that offers a variety of options to celebrate

the occasion. Visitors can enjoy the fascinating aerial display of fireworks on Waikiki Beach, which starts at about 11.30 pm and ends in a magical crescendo at midnight. The fireworks show at Honolulu’s Kakaako beach, which starts as early as 9 pm is also very popular. Those who love beach parties can head to Poipu Beach where the music starts playing at 5 pm followed by a dazzling firework show at 10 pm. What’s more, there are numerous food trucks around the beach, offering delectable food options to keep your bellies happy

PHOTOS COURTESY: ISTOCK

throughout the night. For the ones wanting a fancy finedine, romantic experience, the dinner cruises at Maui can also be a great option. They last for about 3-4 hours and offer live-entertainment and multi-course meals. Trust us, there is nothing like starting the New Year in the middle of the sea with a bottle of bubbly and watching a spectacular display of fireworks.

Barcelona

Barcelona may popularly be known for its football club, but it is also dubbed as one of the most happening party destinations on our planet. And for the hardcore party animals, Barcelona is the perfect place to welcome the New Year.

Jost Van Dyke

Bali

With an array of cultural activities, festive dinners and incredible beach parties, Bali offers one-of-its-kind New Year’s celebrations, where visitors can take part in a variety of NYE activities in a gorgeous setting.

Puputan Badung Square is the happening spot where locals gather around the Catur Muka (four faces statue) for the big countdown and spectacular fireworks. There is also a parade led by religious leaders and pupils from local schools. Party folks can head to party hotspots — Legian and Seminyak, where the party never stops.

This smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands is another interesting destination to welcome 2023 with pizzazz. While the rest of the world celebrates New Year’s Eve, on Jost Van Dyke one celebrates Old Year’s Night.

With a horde of celebrities, press, and travellers pouring in from across the world, the tiny island of three hundred swells to thousands on NYE. No wonder, Jost Van Dyke’s annual Old Year’s Night party on December 31st is consistently ranked as one of the top 5 places in the world to ring in the New Year. The festivities for the big night take place at the happening spots — Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and other nightlife spots in Grand Harbor, and consist of 48 hours of live music, drinking and eating. For those who love to dance, Jost Van Dyke is an ideal destination for bringing in 2023.

Traditionally, people in Barcelona observe Nochevieja (old night) at home with family and friends. At midnight, as per the tradition, they eat 12 grapes and drink cava to bring wealth and prosperity before donning their party hats and hitting the streets. There are plenty of street events with music, light display, and special effects. The Plaça d’Espanya is well-known for its fabulous fireworks display around the Magic Fountain. From Plaça d’Espanya one can head to the open-air architectural museum — Poble Espanyol, which hosts a grand party from 10.30 pm to 6 am. The party revellers can find everything they are looking for to have a memorable New Year’s Eve party here – good music, a great atmosphere, and a unique place to ring in the New Year.

Most popular clubs in Barcelona like Razzmatazz, Sala Apolo, and Pacha, organize New Year’s Eve parties, which usually kick start at midnight or earlier and go on until 6 am. The city metro runs all night and one can even go party hopping in Barcelona, however, booking tickets in advance is recommended.

Edinburgh

New Year’s Eve is the best time to visit this gorgeous Scottish capital. In Edinburgh, you don’t celebrate NYE, you celebrate Hogmanay, which is the Scottish word for the last day of the year. Regarded as one of the most important Scottish holidays, Hogmanay dates back to 1993 and has evolved to become one of the grandest outdoor celebrations of New Year’s Eve in the world. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities are considered an experience of a lifetime, which everybody should indulge in at least once.

Interestingly, while the world celebrates NYE on just one night, Hogmanay celebrations and the festivities last for three days. The grand event is celebrated with passion and gusto, as the Scots consider Hogmanay as an opportunity to bring together friends and strangers. The celebrations kick start on December 30 with a torchlight procession through the city which ends with a magnificent display of fireworks. New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is all about street parties and outdoor concerts.

As the clock strikes 12, the Edinburg castle shines in all its glory as over 4.5 tons of fireworks explode over it making New Year’s Eve almost a magical experience. What’s more, that is not the end of the revelries in Edinburgh. The celebrations continue on New Year’s Day too with dog sledging competitions across Holyrood Park and Loony Dook, a tradition where people jump into the ice-cold waters of the River Forth. Street parties and music concerts go on till January 2. Now, who wouldn’t want to be part of such grand New Year’s Eve celebrations, right?

Bahamas

Bringing in the New Year in the Bahamas is a delightful experience, especially because it offers a perfect amalgamation of contemporary and cultural celebrations. The paradise island parties like no other and the highlight of the celebration is Junkanoo, a traditional Bahamian-style street parade with music, dance, and costumes, which takes place in many towns across the Bahamas.

It is a century-old practice which is enjoyed by the locals as well as the visitors. The parade heads to an ultimate party spot, usually the beach and concludes with a stunning firework display at midnight.

Amsterdam

Spending your NYE in Amsterdam is almost a surreal experience. The Dutch are known for having a good time and every corner of Amsterdam is infused with an effervescent bout of energy on NYE.

Impromptu street parties across the city centre and canals, dance festivals and lovely light installations by international artists — there is plenty to indulge in and have a good time on NYE in Amsterdam. Witnessing the dazzling display of fireworks as soon as the clock strikes 12 is also an experience.

New Orleans

Ringing in the New Year in New Orleans is an absolute delight. Whether you want to grab a lovely dinner, party all night long or simply attend a children’s event with family during the day — The port city turns into a hot spot on NYE with an infectious energy that is sure to add a zest to your celebrations. New Orleans is dotted with several fine restaurants, and you can bring in 2023 with the finest quality champagne or ring in the New Year on the Mississippi River by booking a dinner cruise on the famous Steamboat NATCHEZ. Or better still, you can also celebrate by strolling with a drink on New Orleans’ well-known party street, Bourbon St., or with an official countdown at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The highlight of the New Year’s Eve celebration is a dazzling 15-minute fireworks show on the Mississippi River, along with the Fleur de Lis drop, where a ‘Baby New Year’ is dropped from the roof of the Jax Brewery in Jackson Square. Party revellers can also head to the Latin Quarter and party till the wee hours of the morning.

We carry a large selection of designer & fashion sunglasses, frames, contact lenses & accesories

Reykjavik

For those who love the winter chills, Reykjavik is the perfect destination to welcome the New Year. Spending NYE in Reykjavik with only four hours of daylight in December is an extraordinary experience. The New Year’s Eve celebrations start with community bonfires, which symbolize burning away troubles from the past year. People sing, dance, and play music around them. There are 10 huge bonfires in Reykjavík and seven more in the

The major port city of Florida is one of the most exotic locations to ring in the New Year. The city is known as one of the greatest party destinations in the world, so obviously, the NYE celebrations are as grand as ever. The best thing about Miami is whether you are loaded or not you will have the best New Year’s Eve here. The city has its version of the ‘Ball Drop’ — The Orange Drop, where they pay respect to one of their most well-known exports – Oranges. Hoisted at the Hotel Intercontinental, the 35-foot ball is lowered as soon as the clock strikes 12, accompanied by fantastic fireworks. Many beach parties start at 8 pm and go on until the wee hours of the morning.

So, pack your bags and head to one of these exotic destinations and make your NYE one epic night to remember forever.

Q: How did you meet?

Jaskeerat: We have known each other since childhood but who knew that we were destined to be together. We got introduced to each other again by common friends and family. Very soon, he was in my DM’s and rest is all history.

Q: What do you love most about one another?

Jaskeerat: I am so lucky to have Naman as my life partner. I adore his every attempt that he makes to go out of his way to make me feel happy. I love how he pays attention to every little detail that brings me joy. He is the most genuine and kindhearted person I have ever met.

Naman: Jaskeerat is beautiful inside out. I love how caring and supportive she is of me in everything I do. She loves to plan things meticulously and gives me cute surprises all the time.

Q: Could you share your proposal story?

Our proposal took place at Trident Hotel’s rooftop in Mumbai with a beautiful view of Mumbai’s skyline facing the sea. It was a surprise for me as I was told we were going out for a family dinner. Both the parents and siblings were awaiting for us at the venue. As Naman and I started walking through the rooftop, a saxophonist started playing my favourite song in the background and a table was set up with rose petals and flowers by the poolside and it had a heart shaped hammer cake. I was asked by Naman to break it and as I did that it had a note in it saying “Turn around”. I turned around to look towards Naman, and the very second he was already on his knees with a ring in his hand. It was such a beautiful and romantic moment. We ended the night with a 9-course personalized meal with both the families. It was definitely an unforgettable night which I will cherish forever.

&Jaskeerat Naman

Q: Tell us about your wedding events?

We had a destination wedding in Moon Palace Grand, Cancun, Mexico. The entire week was so magical. We had five events during the wedding. It started off with a welcome lunch party, engagement ceremony, mehendi and haldi, sikh wedding and an after party.

Q: What was your favourite moment of your wedding day?

Naman: Our wedding day was the most special day of our lives. We had our Anand Karaj at the sea-facing Gazebo at the Moon Palace, decorated with beautiful flowers and blush tones. The sea glistened as the sun shone

brightly upon us, as though it was blessing us on our special day. My favourite part was when I caught a glimpse of Jaskeerat in her royal chariot. There are no words to describe how gorgeous she looked on that day!

Jaskeerat: My favourite part was when I entered the Gazebo with my parents, that very second Naman looked around, his smile and eyes made my heart shine. It was surreal for both of us.

Q: Can you describe your wedding attires?

Jaskeerat: For the welcome lunch, I wore a Mandira Wirk, pink floral dress.; for the engagement ceremony, I wore an emerald green Amit Aggarwal lehenga gifted by my mother-in-law. For mehendi, my outfit was an Anamika Khanna blue sharara with a

cape. For the wedding outfit, I wore a traditional red Sabyasachi lehenga. Lastly, for the after party I got a custom-made dress from a Serbian designer “Mina Fashions”.

All my jewelry was customed-designed from our family jewelers; Dessani and Dhadda Jewerls in Mumbai. I opted for diamond and syndicated open polki jewelry pieces for the events.

Naman: For the engagement, I wore a black Tuxedo by Mayank Chawla; for the mehendi I wore a custom-made black and maroon kurta - churidar by Puneet Arora. My wedding day outfit was from Puneet Arora; I wore a grey and gold sherwani with a red turban to match with Jaskeerat. Lastly, for after party I wore a blue suit by Mayank Chawla.

Q: Tell us about your reception?

Instead of having a traditional reception, we decided to have a Mexican club-themed after party. Since it was the last wedding event, everyone wanted to enjoy to the fullest. It was a night full of entertainment, performances, and tons of dancing.

DARPAN Weddings

Q: Where did you honeymoon?

We had a month-long honeymoon. We went to Los Cabos, Chicago, Paris, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Zurich.

Q: What are your goals as a couple?

As a couple our goal is very simple; enjoy life to the fullest, travel the world, excel in our respective careers, and continue growing our love and trust for each other.

Q: How long did you know each other before you got married?

We were dating each other for two years before we got married.

Q: How important is it to share interests and beliefs?

Our marriage is testament to the popular saying that opposites attract. Although the two of us share similar beliefs, many of our interests differ from the other. A blessing for both of us! We believe this helps us explore and experience new things while growing together. Both of us love trying new things out so having different interests works in our favor most of the times!

Q: What are the strengths of your marriage?

Our marriage is a relationship fueled by love, laughter, and trust. We are each other’s best friends and biggest cheerleaders.

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

Communication is the key! Be vocal about things and situations as it definitely brings you closer and builds trust. Be appreciative of other person’s efforts and always prioritize each other.

2022 Cadillac LYRIQ

Cadillac makes first move towards Zero Emissions

Cadillac is betting it big on its first all-electric vehicle the LYRIQ, which opened for Canadian orders at the start of summer. Darpan got a chance to see the vehicle up close at a recent brand event in Vancouver announcing a new charging perk for customers (see below), and here are a few initial impressions ahead of some much-anticipated seat time.

“Throughout the next decade, Cadillac will define the future of luxury transportation through a series of exciting new electric vehicles, and it all begins with LYRIQ,” says Rory Harvey, Global Cadillac vice president, in a news release during the initial reveal last year. “The 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ’s stunning design and artfully integrated technology combined with GM’s Ultium Platform will deliver a high-performance luxury experience unlike anything

that has come before it, setting a new standard for Cadillac.”

The stylish exterior manages to look futuristic and familiar at the same time. Hightech barely-there headlights are hidden in the vertical strip on either side of the black crystal grill housing a monochrome badge. The low roof ends in an integrated spoiler optimizing aerodynamics.

Inside, the cabin is more spacious than conventional models thanks to the absence of a traditional gasoline engine and drivetrain. A heavy luxury emphasis is still quite obvious evidenced by the laser-etched wood and aluminum trim, huge curved 33-inch LED screen similar to the display found in the Escalade, and 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system. Lots of customization is available down

to selecting from countless ambient light colours for the upper and lower interior sections.

Two variants of the crossover are offered: single-motor rear-wheel and dual-motor all-wheel drive. The former, arriving first, outputs an estimated 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque and boasts a range of 502 kilometres on a single charge, while the latter bumps the performance to 500 horsepower and provides a trailering capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Additional specs are expected closer to launch. Both may also be equipped with Super Cruise, allowing hands-free driving on 320,000-plus kilometres of compatible highways across North America.

By Benjamin Yong

Cadillac is betting it big on its first all-electric vehicle the LYRIQ, which opened for Canadian orders at the start of summer. Darpan got a chance to see the vehicle up close at a recent brand event in Vancouver announcing a new charging perk for customers (see below), and here are a few initial impressions ahead of some much-anticipated seat time.

“Throughout the next decade, Cadillac will define the future of luxury transportation through a series of exciting new electric vehicles, and it all begins with LYRIQ,” says Rory Harvey, Global Cadillac vice president, in a news release during the initial reveal last year. “The 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ’s stunning design and artfully integrated technology combined with GM’s Ultium Platform will deliver a high-performance luxury experience unlike anything that has come before it, setting a new standard for Cadillac.”

The stylish exterior manages to look futuristic and familiar at the same time. High-tech barely-there headlights are hidden in the vertical strip on either side of the black crystal grill housing a monochrome badge. The low roof ends in an integrated spoiler optimizing aerodynamics.

Rory Harvey, Global Cadillac Vice President

Throughout the next decade, Cadillac will define the future of luxury transportation through a series of exciting new electric vehicles, and it all begins with LYRIQ.”

FORD MUSTANG GT 2022

The 2022 Ford Mustang may very well be the swan song for the current pony car as the world awaits the arrival of the seventh-generation model. And though not much has changed since the last facelift five years ago, that’s just fine as it remains a great option for enthusiasts. Here’s why.

Out of all the semi-recent iterations, the blue oval brand has arguably done the best job here blending traditional and modern elements. The silhouette is spot on, and during the latest update things like full LED headlights, more

textured and 3-D vertical LED taillights, a lower hood, sleeker grille and front bumper, and quad exhaust tips were added keeping the GT convertible variant we tested crisp.

The cockpit is still driver-focused, with some pretty premium appointments including a hand-stitched leather wrap on the centre console and padded knee bolsters, and aluminum door handles and trim. The only cheap-looking part was the plastic paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Believe it or not, the rear seats are actually usable as

four (albeit skinny) adults crammed into the cabin for a road-trip. According to the rear passengers, a wind-blocker is sorely needed during highway runs.

One normally doesn’t think practicality when talking about a drop-top, but at approximately 332 litres the trunk can fit one full-size and one carry-on luggage. When the fabric roof is latched, the ride is actually pretty civilized even when the weather turns cold and rainy.

By Benjamin Yong

HIGHLIGHTS

MSRP: $56,745 (base)

Motor: 5.0-litre V8

Horsepower: 460 @ 7,000 rpm

Torque (lb-ft): 420 @ 4,600 rpm

Gearbox: 10-speed automatic

Layout: Front engine, Rear wheel drive

Fuel economy: 14.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

644-4716

644-4716

888-5862

888-5862

659-3200

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby, your award-winning Honda store.

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby, your award-winning Honda store.

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby is honored to be the recipient of the Honda President’s Circle Award, and the only Honda Driving Excellence High Achiever Award in BC, ranking #1 in Canada for 2021.

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby is honored to be the recipient of the Honda President’s Circle Award, and the only Honda Driving Excellence High Achiever Award in BC, ranking #1 in Canada for 2021.

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby

6984 Kingsway, Burnaby BC, V5E 1E6 (10-minute drive from Metrotown)

6984 Kingsway, Burnaby BC, V5E 1E6 (10-minute drive from Metrotown)

(604) 525-4667 | OpenRoadHonda.ca

(604) 525-4667 | OpenRoadHonda.ca

With over 30 years of Honda product knowledge and experience, our team serves each one of our guests with the utmost level of care, and we look forward to sharing our Honda passion with you.

With over 30 years of Honda product knowledge and experience, our team serves each one of our guests with the utmost level of care, and we look forward to sharing our Honda passion with you.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of the vehicle is the oh-so-sweet Ford 5.0-litre V8. The most powerful and highest-revving example in a GT thus far, the engine outputs 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission (or six-speed manual). Shifts are quick, except a slight lag going from D to R and vice versa.

The sound is as intoxicating as ever, particularly with the optional active valve exhaust system that absolutely sings in the upper RPM range. And to the delight of the neighbours, enabling quiet mode found in the digital instrument cluster menu turns the roar into a purr.

I drove more highway than twisty side roads during my time in the car however the independent rear suspension kept the drive predictable and fun. A MagneRide Damping System is available as well, which constantly reads the surface conditions and adjusts the stiffness of each damper to provide as comfortable and composed an experience behind the wheel as possible.

The Selectable Electric Power-Assisted Steering is also great for customizing feel for various environments: Comfort is perfect for every-

day motoring, Sport delivers a firmer response and Normal is a happy medium between the two. Similarly, there are selectable drive modes (Normal, Slippery, Sport, Track, Drag Strip)— controlled via a cool aluminum toggle switch on the centre stack — each adjusting settings such throttle, braking and gearbox behaviour to suit the chosen function.

If you can wait, the good news is American muscle lives on in the 2024 Mustang. The vehicle will continue to offer a V8 and features additions like the ability to rev the engine using the key fob and Electronic Drift Brake allowing novices to slide around corners. Stay tuned.

2022 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Recharge

Flagship PHEV SUV receives big update

Though pure EVs like the Recharge versions of the XC40 and C40 are taking a lot of the Volvo spotlight, the automaker released the revised XC90 T8 AWD Recharge — formerly simply called the T8 — earlier this year that promises fans of the plug-in mid-size SUV added performance and efficiency.

“Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles play an important role in the shift to electrification,” says Matt Girgis, managing director, Volvo Car Canada, in a press release. “These upgraded powertrains will demonstrate the many benefits of an electric future and will serve as an enabling technology that will encourage more consumers to adopt the electric lifestyle.”

Many components under the bodywork have been updated including a new long-range battery incorporating a third layer of cells thus increasing the capacity from 11.6 kilowatt-hours to 18.8. This allows approximately 58 kilometres of zero emissions propulsion

- Jeff Guyton

on a single charge — double the previous amount. The rear electric motor is beefed up too delivering 143 horsepower compared to 87 before. Total output is now 455 horses, which is the most the brand has ever produced.

The increased power to the back axle sharpens the handling of the big SUV, and improves the all-wheel drive system helping provide extra grip and towing capability. Granted the XC90 weighs 2,265 kilograms so don’t expect pavement-ripping acceleration and traction but going 0 to 100 km takes only 5.6 seconds and it’s just a joy to pilot on the highway, for example travelling to Whistler as I did. And while the physical footprint is on the larger side, visibility is excellent and daily driving and parking is not too difficult at all.

Another refresh bonus is the introduction of a one-pedal mode, already seen on the aforementioned XC40 and C40. When activated, the vehicle automatically slows

down whenever the foot is taken off the accelerator, a feature both convenient and practical because the resulting kinetic energy created is converted and put back into the battery.

On the same topic, during regular operation regenerative braking happens automatically whenever there’s gentle pressure applied to the brake pedal or engine braking takes place. The process isn’t the most obvious and the addition of paddle shifters

HIGHLIGHTS

MSRP: $103,150

Motor: 2.0-litre Turbocharged/ Supercharged Four Cylinder + Electric Motor

Horsepower: 455 @ 6,000 rpm

Torque (lb-ft): 523 lb-ft (net)

Gearbox: Eight-speed Automatic

Transmission

Layout: Front engine, All-wheel drive

Fuel economy: 7.6 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

to alter the level of regeneration would be nice, as seen on some competitors.

Stylistically there are no other changes since the facelift back in 2019 where the front and rear fascias were spruced up and a more contoured grille swapped in. The various polished aluminum bits around the exterior really lend an air of class to the appearance, and the Thor’s Hammer signature LED daytime running lights remain one of the mostwas

loaned and bundling the Lounge Package (+ $1,700) with the massaging driver and passenger seats and nubuck headliner. The cargo area is also generous regardless of whether the bench seating is upright or

Those that want to ditch fuel completely may be interested to learn a gasoline-free replacement is on the way, able to go 600 kilometres between charges. Dubbed the EX90, deliveries are expected to begin early

By Benjamin Yong

What’s better than a Mercedes-Benz wagon? Why, an off-road version naturally. The 2022 E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain is the vehicle we didn’t know we needed, offered as part of the refresh a couple of years back. And it’s pretty darn cool.

The idea behind the new offering is to blend elements from the brand’s SUV line whilst still keeping the sleek shape of the model. Check out the GLE-esque silver twin bladed grille, decorative polished front skid plate, roof rails and black wheel arch and lower bumper mouldings. Of the 11 selectable exterior colours, Darpan’s loaner was sprayed in the unique $1,400 orangey MANUFAKTUR (more on this in a second) Hyacinth Red metallic.

Inside, the 450 isn’t too different from the regular variants featuring ARTICO man-made tumbled leather upholstery

that is admittedly on the harder side. The steering wheel however feels nice, and Napa leather is available. Ours also had the optional MANUFAKTUR — Mercedes-Benz’s in-house customization program — Black Piano Lacquer “Flowing Lines” wood trim equipped, which is basically a shiny black dashboard with some interesting-looking pin-striping effect applied. A large panoramic sunroof is standard.

As expected, the wagon is a joy to pilot and is one of the best form factors outside of a crossover or minivan to haul a small family around. It’s definitely more stylish. Parking is a breeze thanks to a birdseye view camera displayed on the 12.3-inch display, next to the matching 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. MBUX voice-activated infotainment is excellent and can understand natural voice commands to

control in-car functions after saying the phrase “Hey Mercedes.”

One observation is for taller drivers who lower their seat, the A pillar creates a bit of a blind spot. The cargo capacity, rated between 640 and 1,820 litres depending on whether the back seat is folded, is easily able to

HIGHLIGHTS

MSRP:$82,900 (base)

Motor: 3.0-litre six cylinder + 48-volt mild hybrid system

Horsepower: 362 @ 5,500 rpm

Torque (lb-ft): 369 @ 1,600 rpm

Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic

Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive

Fuel economy: 14.1 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

accommodate ample amounts of groceries, luggage and sports and recreation gear. Legroom is plentiful anywhere in the cabin. Offered for the first time in the segment, a punchy 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid mill propels the vehicle. Making 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, the en gine is fitted with an Integrated Starter-Gen erator producing up to a temporary 21 horse power and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 48-volt onboard electrical system, assisting every thing from initial acceleration to smoothening the engine start-stop transition. It enables a zero-emissions “gliding” mode under low loads as well optimizing fuel economy.

The E-Class includes quite a lot of auton omous technology like Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC designed to utilize map and route data to automatically adjust the cruise control speed; Active Steering Assist that keeps the car in the centre of the lane on straight and slightly windy roads; and Active Parking Assist helping drivers enter and leave both parallel and perpendicular spaces at the touch of a button thanks to the onboard 360-degree camera.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain Wagon starts at MSRP $82,900.

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JOLLY DHALIWAL

RICK DHALIWAL

GURMAIL SENGHERA MIKE SANGHERA

Meet the Kumar Family

Why did you decide to migrate to Canada?

I decided to migrate to Canada to live a peaceful and beautiful life, and for a safe and better future for my daughters. Few prominent factors which really attracted me to migrate were dignity of human life, better infrastructure, clean air and social security.

Which year did you migrate?

I, along with my family, migrated in November 2014 from Jalandhar, Punjab, India, as permanent residents.

What were your first impressions of Canada?

‘WOW’ was my first impression of Canada. So beautiful and clean. We were welcomed warmly at airport and got encouraging support from different agencies for our documentation. We were able to get the same food, meet people from the same communities and practice our spirituality the same way, we used to do in India, so we didn’t feel like strangers since the beginning. It established a great reputation and positive image of Canada since the beginning only – a place for everyone.

CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS

SHARE THEIR STORY

Ish Kumar is the Project Manager at Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society

Where did you stay when you reached Canada? Hotel, relative or friends place?

After reaching Canada, we stayed in a rented accommodation. We are thankful to my friend who supported us a lot at that time to settle down.

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

This was the first time, when I along with my family moved to a different country, so it was before bit overwhelming. The biggest challenge we faced in the beginning was loneliness, away from our parents and siblings. We were not used to this kind of silence in the neighbourhoods also. Another big challenge was taking public transport, we couldn’t understand which bus goes west bound or south bound. And clearing the driving test was another nightmare.

How was your experience getting a job here? Was it easy or troublesome?

It was wonderful. Getting a job here worked very well for me. Organizations like PICS guided us well through their immigrant serving employment programs. They guided us about the Canadian job market, and prepared us for interviews. And this helped getting me a job in Shaw Cable in just 25 days of landing. I firmly believe and have experienced here that if you have a positive attitude and are willing to learn, there are many opportunities open for you.

How has your overall journey in Canada been so far?

The journey was very wonderful and adventurous. It taught us a lot about multiculturism and I feel that I have become a world citizen. I love Canada.

How do you see your future in Canada?

I see a bright and successful future in Canada for myself and my family. As there are so many opportunities available here with so much of support from the government, we feel our future is filled with all good surprises.

Biggest problem Resolution

One thing which really bothers me a lot; everyday we hear news of gunshots. I fail to understand how this is taking place in a country like Canada.

Good education and bright future for my kids is the only resolution we have till now.

Advice for immigrants

Be positive, optimistic, and take help from immigrant serving organizations as their staff is trained enough to guide you for your bright future and have the available resources. It can make your settlement journey easy.

Memory

We miss our parents and siblings, our childhood home and those streets where we grew up.