Desi Today Apr-May 2022 Web

Vol. 13

ARSHDEEP BAINS:

| Issue 2 | Apr-May 2022

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RAJESH VORA:

A Canuck from Surrey

Capturing Punjab in his iconic pictures

JOSH FEINBERG:

PAMELA LEILA RAI:

The sitar virtuoso in Concert

The Olympian Spirit The Beating Heart of Healthcare BC Nurses’ Union President

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AMAN GREWAL

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what’s inside

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Features 8 Canucks Sign Surrey’s Arshdeep Bains 16 Josh Feinberg in concert 20 Rajesh Vora: Capturing Iconic Punjab’s rooftop sculptures 24 Pamela Leila Rai: Olympian Spirit for Old Growth Forests 28 Navigating between idealistic aspirations and the barriers 32 Polar Preet Singh: Living on the edge 40 The lives of Sikh Gurus, Granth Sahib represent a remarkable unity of thought

Interviews 10 BCNU’s president Aman Grewal 36 Vancouver is on her canvas 48 Ishan Sandhu: Celebrating masculinity

Health & Wellness 54 Preventing Food Waste at home 58 How to sleep through the night 60 Boost your Immune System through the Power of Food 62 5 things all women should know about their hearts 64 Tips on choosing The Right Gym 80 Scams that target Seniors and Immigrants

The Beating Heart of Healthcare Beauty & Entertainment 66 Deepika Padukone’s key to a successful relationship 68 Priyank a Chopra: I couldn’t have survived had I listened to what everybody thought 74 Rani Mukerji: Films portray women the way society sees them 76 Iftikhar Rashid launches tribute to KL Sehgal

Auto 86 Ford Edge: Solid performer 2022 and value for money.

88 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Recipes 91 92 94 96

Chilli skillet mac Roasted red pepper cauliflower pizza The ultimate 7 layer dip Piña Colada Cupcakes

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Canada’s health care system was already at its full capacity and struggling when COVID hit in 2020. But the pandemic made the health care system much worst. The workforce that remained the backbone and heart of the healthcare was doctors, nurses and supporting staff.

Nurses being in the forefront suffered a lot and are still struggling. They are demanding better support from the governments. In spotlight, in this issue, is the voice of these nurses - Aman Grewal. Aman is the president of BC’s Nurses Union. In an interview with Desi Today she shares her journey of being a nurse and what BCNU expects from the government.

The South Asian community has been making its strong presence in BC’s art and cultural scene too. Read our special stories on Arshdeep Bains who was signed by Canucks, Ishan who moved to BC to pursue higher studies but fell in love with stage and acting, and how he began his career with a unique play on Men expressing their feelings.

India has a rich culture and history. There are so many things to fall in love with in this country. Indian classical music is one of them.

Meet Josh Fienberg, a Jewish American musician, who was looking for answers in music when he started his journey. And when he encountered Indian classical music, he fell in love. He has gained popularity as a sitar player and will be playing soon at the Surrey Arts Centre.

Just like hot weather, our Bollywood section is getting hot with some amazing interviews of top Bollywood actors. Read and don’t forget to comment on our social media pages to let us know what you want to read more about.

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Desi Reader’s Untold Story of Dalits in The

North America

Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing "The Untold Story of Dalits in North America" in your last edition.

Writer of this article has done great justice by writing this article and our heartfelt appreciation to Team Desi Today for providing a forum and publishing it. Thank you.

The following caption in the article sums up our sentiments: "Never let a social construct such as caste limit you. You define your identity. You create your own destiny and do not let society every tell you differently." - Meera Estrada.

When Dr. Ambedkar presented the Constitution of India, he declared that as of today, we have political equality meaning one person one vote.

He cautioned that without social equality, political equality and democracy will remain vulnerable.

Thank you for your contributions to addressing social inequality. We are hoping that approaches in Canada such as Truth & Reconciliation will be adopted globally and fully implemented. When media outlets such as Desi Today join forces and provide the leadership, it gives greater hope that visions of leaders such as Dr. Ambedkar Will undoubtedly bring fruit.

Thank you for being a part of the solution. Let us renew our pledge to continue to move the caravan of social transformation forward.

Jai Bhim and best wishes to you all for the season.

e c i o V WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We are eager to hear from you about our magazine. Send us your thoughts on editor@desitoday.ca or leave us a comment on our Facebook page Desi Today Magazine.

ARJAN BHULLAR: THe ReAL sULTAN I loved the cover of Desi Today. Arjan Bhullar looked like a true sultan ready to conquer the world. He is a true inspiration for our community. Wish him luck and loads of love.

- SuKWInDer

WHAT’s iN A VACCiNe

Vaccines are important but so is the information about them. I am still not convinced about their no long term impacts on health. With every season new strain of Covid circulating, who do governments expect from us? To get the needle every six months? Not sure if I am in for it. I have seen people in my circle of friends complaining of other health issues after vaccines.

Vaccines are still a big controversy. Dr Grewal’s efforts are appreciated. But we need more answers on the long term effects and efficacy. We were all told to get 2 doses and then even boosters. Even after following all public health orders, all in my family got sick.

Now the government wants to have seasonal boosters. How far common person can stretch to follow vaccine mandate without knowing the long term effects.

- PAul

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JAI BIrDI, General Secretary, Chetna Association of Canada

THe POLiTiCs OF VACCiNes

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DR NAVDEEP GREWAL

Fighting Vaccine Hesitancy APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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FEATURE

Canucks Sign Surrey’s Arshdeep Bains to Entry Level Contract

V

ancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced that the club has signed Surrey, BC's Arshdeep Bains to an entry level contract.

Bains, 21, has appeared in 55 games for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season collecting 82 points (30-52-82) and 46 penalty minutes.

He leads the league in both points (82) and assists (52), becoming the first player of South Asian descent to lead the WHL in points.

This season, the 6'1", 184-pound left winger collected 11 power play goals and 24 assists on the man advantage to help 8

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the Rebels boast the third-best power-play percentage in the league.

Arshdeep tweeted "Truly honoured & grateful to sign a contract with my childhood team the @Canucks. It’s a dream come true.

I would like to thank the @Rebelshockey for helping me reach my goal, thank you to my family, teammates, billets & @ LiveSportsEnter for everything they’ve done."

Arshdeep’s dad, businessman Kuldip Bains, was thrilled when he received the news. He said “It’s just amazing! I can’t believe this is happening! It’s great!’

He added: “I am very proud of him. He’s done an amazing job.” He said Arshdeep

Truly honoured & grateful to sign a contract with my childhood team the @Canucks.

It’s a dream come true. has drive and determination and works hard.

Kuldip said that there were a few teams that were interested in his son, but the family just heard about the Canuck’s contract.

“There’s nothing more special than playing on your home team,” he added. “So, he’s so happy that it happened here and he’s with the Canucks and he’s very excited about that.”

Kuldip said: “He probably knew for a few days that something’s happening … and they [the Canucks] confirmed it this morning.”

Arshdeep becomes the fourth player of Punjabi descent to sign an NHL deal after Jujhar Khaira, Robin Bawa and Manny Malholtra.

Arshdeep becomes the fourth player of Punjabi descent to sign an NHL deal after Jujhar Khaira, Robin Bawa and Manny Malholtra. www.desitoday.ca

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COVER

The Beating

DESI TODAY

Heart of

Healthcare THE INTERVIEW: dt Aman we would like to start by knowing something about you. Tell us something about your family, childhood days?

I was born and raised in Duncan, on Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, to two loving, caring, and hardworking parents. We belonged to the Sikh community that congregated at Paldi Sikh Temple. It’s important for me to highlight that because we were rooted in the heritage and had a sense of belonging to something unique and great. Duncan was one of the largest Sikh communities in BC. My maternal great grandfather arrived in Canada in 1906. My family has had a rich history with many successes and accomplishments, and I believe that is thanks to the approach taken to our upbringing by our parents and ancestors. I graduated from Langara College nursing school in 1987. I think back on a time when there were no vacant nursing positions – one had to wait to get into any nursing school, let alone finally becoming employed to practice your profession.

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www.desitoday.ca

There are just so many possibilities in nursing – the world is your oyster.

It will take time for the toll of the pandemic to be fully quantified, but stories of how the healthcare workforce has really been put to the test during past 2 years, are in abundance. Nurses in COVID-19 hot spots, across the world, have been asked to do the unimaginable.

They have pushed body and mind to the limit to save lives.

Despite the significant challenges associated with being a nurse during the pandemic and beyond that, there is something about this profession that has inspired many of courageous women to stay in the profession, fight for their rights and for their patients. One among those is Aman Grewal, president of BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU). Aman has been nursing for over 35 years. She began working at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) where she found her passion in pediatrics and later in

dt When did you discover your passion for nursing or what made you attracted towards this career?

I always knew I wanted to go into healthcare, but I didn’t realize I wanted to go into nursing until I was in first year university. The endless opportunities in nursing attracted me to this profession – and it certainly is a profession… right up there with being a doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, etc. As a nurse you advocate for your patient, you assess your patient, you treat your patient according to your assessment, and you teach your patient or their loved ones how to take care or how to perform procedures at home. You are a jack of all trades with so many options to pursue.

If you are passionate about elders and seniors care, you can go into gerontology or medicine. If you are interested in how www.desitoday.ca

pediatric emergency, before settling into leadership role. Supporting and championing cause of nurses has been a cornerstone of Aman’s work since the time she joined this profession. Her involvement with BCNU came early in her career during the strike of 1989 when she took on the challenge of serving as her region's job action coordinator for SMH while the chief steward was away on leave. She stepped up to take on hospital management, coordinate picket lines, and liaise with other unions to help maintain the job action at the large campus.

In an interview with Desi Today Aman shares her journey, perspective on why she is so passionate about supporting and championing the nursing community, as well as what these unprecedented years have meant to nurses. the body works, there is the surgical unit, operating room, or internal medicine. For those who enjoy working with babies and children, there is the specialty areas of labour and delivery, pediatrics, or neonatal intensive care. There are further specialties from those areas as well such as pediatric emergency, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, etc.

There are just so many possibilities in nursing – the world is your oyster.

dt Tell us about your journey from being a nurse to becoming voice for nurses.

My nursing career began at Surrey Memorial Hospital in February 1988. I worked at that site for over 30 years when I transitioned to the BC Nurses’ Union upon election as the union’s vice president in April 2019. I was again elected to the same position in August

2020. Just over a year later, I became union president, in September 2021.

I felt the spark of union activism early in my career, back when BCNU members took strike action for the first time in 1989.

I credit my dear late father for instilling his union values in me and the need to fight for the rights of the workers; to fight for safer, improved working conditions; to fight for fair wages with gender equality and parity.

In my career journey at Surrey Memorial hospital, I followed my passions and worked in pediatrics, emergency, and pediatric emergency. I also became involved in diabetes education through teaching newly diagnosed children and their families, adults, and gestational diabetics. As the South Asian population increased, so did the prevalence of diabetes in this community, and I began teaching Punjabi classes on diabetes care and management. Then an opportunity arose for me – a leadership role as a Shift Coordinator, which was a supervisory role, and it then transitioned into the Site Leader and that’s a role I have held since 2003.

As an advocate for the staff and nurses at Surrey Memorial Hospital, and as a BCNU member wanting to ensure my fellow members were achieving a fair and equitable collective agreement in 2019, I found that my desire was reignited to become more fully engaged in unionism and advocacy.

dt As a nurse you meet new patients everyday, is there any story of a patient that touched your heart?

My 35-year career as a nurse is filled with so many stories that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Seeing a patient work hard to achieve a difficult physical milestone is exciting! And to experience that alongside your patient is incredible. Also, holding a distraught mother who is crying at the loss of her baby from SIDS, and crying with her… that is unforgettable. The most fulfilling experience must be performing CPR on a patient and getting their heart to start beating again! There are people you meet along the way, and a bond is created through your shared experience together – it may be an unspoken bond, but it carries great impact and stays with you for your entire life.

dt When the world was hit by Covid in 2020, what was your reaction? Did you expect APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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that it will take the shape of monster or were nurses prepared for it?

When Covid 19 hit, it was surreal. It seemed like it was happening far away, but when it hit North America, it quickly became a reality for us all here in BC. We as nurses had worked through SARS, H1n1, the Ebola scare… and then we were faced with Covid-19. Nurses are forever adapting and are so resilient and have always taken on a new challenge. But this time it was different in the sense that they did not have the proper personal protective equipment to keep themselves safe. This was a very unfortunate reality that was due to a critical shortage of pandemic supplies in BC and across Canada. Then you layer that on to the already severe nursing shortage, and our opioid crisis. Through these extreme challenges, nurses have prevailed as the backbone of the healthcare system these past two years. We have come out as champions.

dt How has the pandemic affected nurses in these past 2 years? What are some of the biggest challenges nurses are facing?

Nurses are tired. Really tired. They’re physically exhausted. They are mentally and morally distressed from working on overdrive since the start of the pandemic. Every single day they work short-staffed with increased workloads. They are depleted! Yet they keep on getting asked to give more - including even being mandated to work extended hours, after a 12-hour shift. They’re also constantly being asked to come in on their days off.

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Holding a distraught mother who is crying at the loss of her baby from SIDS, and crying with her… that is unforgettable

When will nurses get the real break they deserve?

These are the working conditions for nurses, even as they are in the depths of staffing crisis. For years before the pandemic, BC has had a shortage of nurses. And now, in the pandemic, they are really bearing the brunt of it all.

BCNU learned more about that in a recent survey of our members. We found that 76% of nurses said their workload has increased compared to before the pandemic. 68% said staffing was inadequate over the last three months. And 82% said their mental health has worsened during the pandemic. BCNU is very concerned for the mental and physical wellbeing of our members. They need more mental health supports and increased access to time off to recover. If nurses are not well looked after and cared for now, how can we expect them to continue to look after us in BC when we need care?

Another major risk to nurses is the threat of workplace violence. Violent acts are perpetrated against them on the job! That would not be tolerated in any other profession or workplace. Nurses are experiencing verbal and physical assaults! It happens all over the province and just two recent examples include the Kelowna General Hospital, where a nurse at a screening desk was struck and verbally assaulted while working. And, in Kamloops, two nurses were verbally assaulted after leaving a testing centre.

We know that as staffing levels go down, rates of violence go up. Between the first and third waves of the pandemic, nurses reported a 35% increase in the amount or severity of

violence in their workplace.

Security measures must improve to keep nurses and all health care workers safe.

BC government in the recent budget and StrongerBC plan announced more seats and training for nurses, however a recent survey has shown that pandemic burnout and experience has made them leave this career. On one hand government is planning to prepare workforce, but are there plans to retain that workforce? dt

That’s a great question for the government.

Our biggest ask right now is for government to come up with ways of retaining the nurses we have now as well as recruiting more for the future. What we really, really need is more nurses! Right now, there are thousands of nurse-vacancies in BC. BCNU has welcomed the recent government announcement of 602 new nurse education seats at post-secondary institutions across the province. This investment is a promising step towards addressing the nurse staffing crisis that is currently crippling our health care system.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who are ready to jump into this wonderful and meaningful profession and that www.desitoday.ca

fills me with tremendous hope, to know that there is demand for nursing programs. That is why it is critical we do everything we can for them to achieve their goal of becoming a nurse. But first we must get these students into the schools. In 2021, UBC had 860 applications for 120 spots. Douglas College had a waitlist of long than one year. Once they are graduated, we also must ensure we keep our BC-educated nurses practicing and working in this province. In 2019, nearly 10% of nurses graduating in BC were migrating to other provinces.

In 2021, the Labour Market Outlook advised that we need to hire more than 26,000 nurses by 2031. We have repeatedly asked the BC government to come up with a health human resource plan to outline how to retain nurses. There are senior nurses who are tired and ready to leave after giving so many years of service – but now they’re working short staffed – and that’s after highlighting the staffing crisis for years and saying that a staffing shortage was looming! Well, now we’re in it. So, let’s retain these nurses to mentor the new nurses who are starting their careers – let’s set them up for success so they want to stay in the career they worked and studied so hard to pursue. Government should incentivize nurses to stay.

Another important factor in retention is how the environment is where you work.

The provincial health authorities employ our nurses and as employers, they must commit to improving the existing workplace culture. They must foster psychologically safe work environments that are inclusive and respectful, free of harassment and bullying. Additionally, there are some other real challenges nurses face at work, such as when they’re unexpectedly redeployed, or are saddled with inadequate orientation, or expected to perform non-nursing duties.

The BC Nurses’ Union is more focused than ever on ensuring the nursing profession remains a top priority of this government.

If the government does not make solid, sustainable investments in nursing education and retention, it will be impossible for BC to meet its health care demands.

Recently you said the recent budget doesn’t do enough to focus on the overdose crisis, which claimed over 2,200 lives last year. What according to you is the solution? dt

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Then you layer pandemic on to the already severe nursing shortage, and our opioid crisis. Through these extreme challenges, nurses have prevailed as the backbone of the healthcare system these past two years. We have come out as champions.

We believe the solution is in the fundamental understanding that addiction and substance use are health-care issues, not merely criminal or moral issues. The opioid crisis should not be addressed by criminalizing personal possession and consumption.

Lives are being lost to criminalization. BCNU has advocated for preventative health care policies long before the opioid crisis was declared a public health crisis.

We recognize the challenges that come with this crisis but still we call on government, both federal and provincial, to step up and tackle it now. Recent measures, such as the Provincial Health Officer’s order that allows RNs and RPNs to administer pharmaceutical alternatives is one step in the right direction to saving lives. Expanding nurses’ scope can absolutely help. But long-term investments are still needed to build a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care. While harm reduction remains a crucial aspect of a comprehensive approach to controlled substances, it is the toxicity of the drug supply and the need to reframe the approach to drug use that also warrant additional measures.

If we are to scale up harm reduction services in BC, we believe this must be done in concert with the decriminalization of people who possess controlled substances for personal use. This is the approach that will save lives.

The federal government has an obligation to act because it has failed to control the illegal drug supply or keep fentanyl out of it. We call

on the federal government to immediately decriminalize the personal possession of all drugs. We call on the federal government to declare the current opioid overdose and fentanyl poisoning crisis a National Public Health Emergency under the Emergencies Act, with the aim of reducing and eliminating preventable deaths.

Let’s give people the approach and the care they deserve, now.

dt What is your message to all the nurses who have been working tirelessly, but are feeling the pandemic burnout?

My message to all the nurses who have worked throughout the pandemic and are feeling burnt out, is about the deepest gratitude that I and so many others feel. I am so tremendously grateful for our nurses who have been the backbone and the bedrock keeping our healthcare system functioning during multiple, ongoing public health crises.

Our job now is to now support and care for nurses’ mental and physical health. We must help them heal from all that they have endured through the pandemic. The mental distress and deaths they have seen over the past two years… it’s more than many will ever see in an entire career. As case numbers decline in BC, let’s hope and pray this is the last we see in variants, and let’s hope we can start to look forward to a new normal in our everyday lives – and let’s also hope and pray that our nurses can have a chance to just relax and catch their breath. www.desitoday.ca

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FEATURE

Josh being felicitated by Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj

SI E D AY D TO USIVE L EXC

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Josh Feinberg

Josh with Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain

ALL STRINGS ATTACHED TO INDIAN CLASSICAL

BY SURBHI GOGIA

I first heard music of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, it made very strong impression on me and music of Ustan Ali Akbar Khan Sahab touched me in a profound way. I think Indian classical one of the world’s greatest art forms. It is the sum total of everything music can be, it is beautiful, complex, emotional, intellectual, virtuosic. Everything That I was looking for in music. It fits what I found in Sitar and Indian classic I thought that I was coming home. www.desitoday.ca

B

orn in cultures far away from Indian soil, many foreign-origin artists have tuned their hearts and attached their musical practice to the depth of Indian classical music. Many musicians are inspired by the complexities of Indian classical music traditions, be it for deeper education, enhanced creative interpretation in their own works or, a personal spiritual connection.

One among them, is Josh Feinberg, the international Sitar virtuoso, who has been winning the hearts of Indian classical music connoisseurs and music listeners alike for the past two decades.

Josh has lived the process of enquiry into the classical arts of India, to discover a true love with Sitar, transcending boundaries to master difficult Ragas, (musical constructs) and bring perspectives from his training in Jazz and western classical music to Indian musical instruments.

Josh was born in America into a Jewish Family. Though music runs in his family and culture as both his parents were musicians and as he describes musical education is highly prioritized in Jewish culture, his was a “love marriage” with music. It did not come to him as an obligation but something that he was born to do. At an age when most of us are busy figuring outspoken languages, Josh was already learning the language of music at 4. He began training with western classical and jazz on piano and bass in New York City.

He was hailed as a prodigy performing in orchestras, jazz venues, and concert halls.

He came into formal education of music and it was while pursuing a bachelors degree from New England Conservatory that he got introduced to Indian classical music. “The

music of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee made a very strong impression on me and the music of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahab touched me in a profound way,” he says.

From there he shifted his focus to Sitar and Hindustani music. While describing his shift to Indian Classical music he said, when he started learning he thought Indian classical music is “one of the world’s greatest art forms.” He adds, “It is the sum total of everything music can be. It is beautiful, complex, emotional, intellectual, and virtuosic. Everything that I was looking for in music I found here. What I found in Sitar and Indian classic, I thought that I was coming home.”

Josh is a student of the Maihar Gharana (school of playing style) learned with music maestros like Ustad Ali Akbar Khan as well as Ust. Aashish Khan, Sri Alam Khan, Pt. Tejendra Majumdar, Dr. Peter Row, Dr. George Ruckert, Sri James Pomerantz, Sri Warren Senders and Smt. Vijaya Sundaram. He was trained both in US and India, learned tabla, and attended workshops with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee.

He self describes himself as a “musical immigrant” who with his knowledge of Western and Indian music can create something unique for his audience. Asked if he ever felt like an immigrant would feel in a foreign land, Josh said the answer is complicated. “On one hand I identify myself as a guest in classical Indian musical scene but on the other hand I am a recognized and respected performer.”

While he says Hindustani music might be nationalist pride but he feels his presence as an American Jewish Sitar player shows that music transcends geography and cultures.

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Vivek along with our home artists at ‘Meet the Artists’ Reception on May 12th.

About NiNA buddhdev

Hailed as one of the most original and dynamic sitar maestros of his generation, Josh’s music is a unifying force that brings people together from different cultures and walks of life.

Josh recorded his debut album, Homage, featuring tabla maestro Swapan Chaudhuri in 2013 and released his second album, One Evening in Spring, in November 2014 featuring tabla maestro Anindo Chatterjee.

His album with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, A Fallen Blossom in the Thorns, was released in early 2017 to great acclaim.

In 2019 Josh had three international tours, ‘Madhura’ including 25 concerts in 28 days for his India tour at some of the leading venues in the country. After performing in various countries, and mesmerizing international audiences around the world with his ability to infuse musical forms, Josh is all set to take Vancouverites on a musical journey this summer at Surrey Art Gallery.

The listeners will have a chance to immerse themselves into the sounds of sitar infused with Jazz and Western classical music. Josh will be accompanied by Vivek Pandya, a young tabla prodigy of enormous promise and talent. The audience will hear traditional North-East Indian Ragas imbued with other musical styles.

While there are many who have deep knowledge and understanding of Indian classical music and musical styles, during 18

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

concerts most of the audience does not come from a formal musical background does Josh has some music for such listeners too? His answer is, “Just as you do not need to be a genius chef to enjoy a wonderful meal you do not need to be a connoisseur to enjoy classical music.”

Josh says that the past two pandemic years have given him the time of exploring and re-examine a lot of things about his life and art. “And during the concert, I will allow various knowledges of music that I have to intermingle and create something hopefully new and enjoyable for my audience.”

About ‘Josh FeiNberg iN CoNCert’; sitAr by CANdlelight with vivek PANdyA oN tAblA. A Traditional India Series program Equally unique will be the ambiance of the concert. The audience will be able to experience the Main Stage ‘in a whole new light quite literally since the concert will be bathed in the flickering candlelight. And the person who has driven this production forward, that you will remember for a long time to come, creator of the HOC awarded project, Traditional India Series, Nina Buddhdev.

Nina is the project consultant to Surrey Civic Theatres, for Josh’s concert on May 13th, 2022. She will be interviewing Josh and

Nina brings with her, decades of prolific experience. An established sector specialist for Indian heritage arts development, Nina’s centered approach in Canada, has carved out new pathways & has opened obstinate doors for artists to flourish in their respective practices with trajectory of qualified opportunity. Nina’s experience, insights and advocacy has propelled valuable knowledge exchange for the growing diversity in Canada’s creative and cultural economy. She has inspired artists, cultural groups, and media streams with her meritorious initiatives in BC, that have given outcomes to new opportunities for artists and cultural groups with key profiling, representation, performance opportunity, and access to project funding. Nina is a graduate in 3DDesign, from De Montford University & Fine Arts from the Royal College of Arts, London. She is also a parent mentor for the Gifted education programs in BC. Nina says, “I have known Josh Feinberg for over fourteen years, I have seen his music touch the hearts of fellow musicians, masters, and audiences. During the planning and curation of Josh’s 2019 tours, ’Madhura’, I learned so much more about him than meets the eye. I love his comradery, his emotive connection to the pure nectar of bhava, the way he illustrates elevated thoughts through each movement and allows them to pulsate like butterflies with the essence of his art… speaking to our soul, beyond the perceptions of artistic measure or cultural positioning.

For Tabla accompaniment, we are thrilled to have Vivek Pandya in town with Josh. Vivek is so excited to meet our Tabla students & Teachers. On May 13th, for the first time in the lower mainland, traditional Indian classical music will be presented candlelight for a creative, enchanting journey that will incite wonder into your evening for an experience to cherish.

We are so fortunate, that Surrey Civic Theatres are bringing world masters of their craft to our doorstep, Josh and Vivek are too, excited to meet our knowledge keepers, communities, and our audiences. Join us as we welcome Josh and Vivek as 'Atithi Devo Bhava', to our vibrant land, community, and city. At the reception you will meet our visiting artists & celebrate the success of our lower mainland movers and shakers; the traditional artists who live, practice, teach and perform www.desitoday.ca

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Audiences can expect to soak up the traditional warm air of Indian music presented by our international Sitarist, Josh Feinberg & Tabla accompanist, the enigmatic, Vivek Pandya. Set among the flickering candles illuminating the performers, Josh Feinberg and Vivek Pandya will take audiences on an all-encompassing experience and one that you ought not to miss. As Josh has so wisely said, "Everything we are, as humans, is in this music' as a continuum, I, feel, to arrive at our innate knowing, one must take a deliberate step into the sacred waters of ancestral tradition, knowing, that we already know!

A special thank you Nanak Foods for the delicious hospitality and Zee TV Canada for extending the media outreach.

I so look forward to meeting everyone as we celebrate the influence and impact our traditional arts creative sector makes for us to feel our sense of home, here in Canada. I am in awe of young people practicing a classical arts discipline and I am even more in awe of their teachers & parents who make the talim (education) a priority in their children’s lives and an integral part of the home environment.

When we were, growing up, we did not have the resources to give continuity to our creative curiosities, and therefore, lie so many other members of our community, I am so passionate about directing resources towards such disciplines, where affirmed character is seeded, true confidence is given soil, and the deeper faculty of our intelligence is harnessed through the ancestral anchors, such is brought forward through our teachers, parents and talim. See you on the 12th and 13th May… Pranams. www.desitoday.ca

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FEATURE

D e SI T o DAY S P E C I A L

Rajesh Vora, from the series Everyday Monuments, 2014–19, inkjet prints, dimensions variable.

Photos courtesy of artist and PHOTOINK, New Delhi

RAJESH VORA

Capturing Intriguing Punjab’s Rooftop sculptures Rajesh Vora is Mumbai based photographer and has documented these sculptural water tanks and exhibited photographs of them at PHOTOINK, New Delhi (2016). Vora graduated in 1979 from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India. He has been professionally photographing for over thirty years with a focus on architectural related subject matter.

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T

his spring, Surrey Art Gallery is hosting the photography exhibition Rajesh Vora: Everyday Monuments from April 9 to May 29. Since 2014, Mumbai-based photographer Rajesh Vora has documented domestic sculptures mounted on rooftops in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab that tell a story of identity, diaspora, family, and culture. Made from rebar, wire mesh, cement, and paint, many of these intriguing objects

serve as functional water tanks.

While Greater Vancouver has a Punjabi population established more than a century ago, it was during the latter half of the twentieth century that an increasing number of Punjabi villagers migrated to other parts of the world.

Canada was one of their chosen destinations.

Many return to India for seasonal visits, keeping close ties with families remaining in the villages and helping to finance the making www.desitoday.ca

of these houses. The houses themselves are an intricate mix of various styles, genres, and historical periods. Several stories high, they signal a shift from the traditional one-story courtyard-style house. Together, the unique houses with their rooftop embellishments break with conventional design boundaries.

They show how art, architecture, and everyday life meld together. Vora’s photographs are an important record of this cultural expression of the Punjab that is all but unknown beyond India.

The sculptures installed on top of the houses are emblems of pride. They often represent personal and commemorative family symbols. For example: My grandfather had the first tractor in the village; my son is a weightlifter; we took Air Canada to reach our new home; we bought a Maruti car; my father www.desitoday.ca

was in the Indian army. These anecdotes reveal that these domestic sculptures are more than an artistic or architectural phenomenon. They tell a diasporic story that has echoes around the world.

This phenomenon is distinct to Punjabi villages, gaining popularity in the 1980s.

At that time, local artists precast these sculptures from a mould that usually took the form of airplanes, falcons, and footballs. Over the years, artists have custom fabricated the sculptures for each homeowner, resulting in more diverse and elaborate works of art.

The exhibition Rajesh Vora: Everyday Monuments is displaying photographs of more than one hundred and fifty of these sculptures. Birds, soccer balls, airliners, automobiles, army tanks, weightlifters, pressure cookers, lions, and horses are

The sculptures installed on top of the houses are emblems of pride. They often represent personal and commemorative family symbols. among the varied objects.

Rajesh Vora: Everyday Monuments is guest curated by Keith Wallace and is made possible with financial support from The Hamber Foundation, Hari Sharma Foundation, and Zheng Shengtian Art Foundation. South Asian Studies Institute is a community partner. This exhibition is also part of the 2022 Capture Photography Festival Selected Exhibition Program.

Both Vora and Curator Wallace had discovered these intriguing sculptures during their visits to Punjab. They joined hands in 2019 to bring this work to the world.

While explaining why he was attracted to this subject, Vora said, “I had heard so APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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Rajesh Vora has visited close to 150 Punjabi villages since 2014 to document these amazing sculptures.

With Surrey being the hub of BC’s Punjabi population, Surrey Art Gallery is the natural location to exhibit his photographs.

- KEITH WALLACE

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much about the NRIs and how they changed the rural village landscape in Punjab, but there was hardly any visual documentation.

For me, it was a discovery in 2014 when travelling in Punjab on an assignment documenting stories about global migration.

I witnessed a unique scene—at a place of worship popularly known as the Airplane Gurdwara, devotees offered plastic toy planes in the hope of quickly obtaining a visa to leave India. While there, I heard rumours of immigrants who were successful in gaining a visa and then returning to their village and placing a sculpture of an airplane upon their

newly built homes, which, for me, was a more fascinating story. The toy planes are a symbol of hope, while the sculptures are a symbol of achieving that hope.”

"Intrigued, I made frequent trips to the Doaba region, popularly termed Punjab's NRI hub. This fascination turned into excitement and soon a visual obsession. As I travelled looking for these airplanes, I was glad that I had no map, GPS, a guide, address, or available research. I crisscrossed over 150 villages, making six trips and travelling 7,500 km through four districts—a hunch, a hint, a friendly nod, a passing glimpse, a silhouette or at times just aimless driving was all that I needed to discover these sculpted water tanks in rural Punjab,” he added.

Wallace has travelled to India more than a dozen times over thirty years and artists of South Asian descent he has exhibited in Vancouver include Shani Mootoo, Sunil Gupta, Vivan Sundaram, Subodh Gupta, and Anita Dube.

“Rajesh Vora has visited close to 150 Punjabi villages since 2014 to document these amazing sculptures,” notes Keith Wallace, curator of this exhibition. “With Surrey being the hub of BC’s Punjabi population, Surrey Art Gallery is the natural location to exhibit his photographs.”

Surrey Art Gallery is hosting the exhibition from April 9 to May 29. Admission is free. www.desitoday.ca

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FEATURE

PAMELA LEILA RAI

Olympian Spirit for Old Growth Forests

BY DURGADAS CHAPMAN

F

rom the swimming pool, to the high school classroom, to the yoga mat to the frontlines of the largest and longest civil disobedience action in Canadian history, Pamela Leila Rai could be called a true warrior woman. As the first woman of Indian ancestry to win an Olympic medal, Pamela’s taste for a challenge is something she is drawn to. After her many years as an elite athlete, Rai poured her energies into her career as a much beloved high school English, Math, Special Ed. and Social Justice teacher. She also embarked on a journey to her ancestral homeland of India, where she studied yoga in depth and subsequently spent 8 years building a sustainable earthen yoga centre on her acreage in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island called Silent Motion Yoga.

Since September 2020, Rai has been an integral member of the Rainforest Flying Squad, a peaceful group of grass roots, direct action folks dedicated to environmental and social activism. They have been blockading the Teal-Jones Group timber company from accessing the last 2.7% of ancient temperate rainforests left in the world. These biodiverse forests in British Columbia are home to trees up to 2000 years old and to endangered

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species of flora and fauna that are unique to this environment.

Rai’s unwavering passion for bringing awareness to important issues led to her early retirement from teaching so she could dedicate her time to activism. “I realized my ability to affect change was hindered in the schools. I was frustrated with the coloniality of the education system. My values and perspectives were not valued in my district.” admits Rai. Her drive for a just and harmonious world is the same drive that made her an Olympian.

“It’s largely unconscious but when you are not of the dominant culture, nor look like them, the need to excel in whatever you choose to do, takes over to prove some worthiness.

Hence, my success as an athlete I suppose.

There’s a fearlessness that is embodied and I think that’s what makes me a good activist too. I’ve always stood up for the underdog.

From a young age, I have always had a sense for social justice - whether it be Rights of the Disabled, Animal Rights, Women’s Rights, Rights of BIPOC or Environmental Rights; it runs through my veins.”

Her life has always been punctuated with activist leanings; she even won a Canada

I realized my ability to affect change was hindered in the schools. I was frustrated with the coloniality of the education system.

My values and perspectives were not valued in my district. wide environmental poster drawing contest at age 9 where her theme was ‘Keep Trees Green.’ Her ultimate purpose in life she says is in the service of promoting peace and love.

Something she feels stems from her ancestral Indian roots.

For the forest protectors, the fight has not been an easy one. The past year has been met with constant misinformation in the mass media, covid, living in the bush through everything from snow to a heat wave, legal battles and a government whose lack of action has created a backlash from environmental and indigenous rights movements that is unprecedented. Rai has been there since the inception of the movement when it was just a handful of concerned citizens fighting for these sacred forests. Armed with resolve, strong facts, a few tents, banners and a mission, the Rainforest Flying Squad has emerged as a force that government and industry cannot ignore.

As with all grass roots, direct action movements, they started out small. Everyone www.desitoday.ca

in the movement took on a variety of roles from media relations to fundraising, to building structures, to reconnaissance missions, to cooking for the entire camp. Rai spent the winter creating the Rainforest Flying Squad and Last Stand logos, as well as helping run social media and creating materials for print. She not only spent endless hours on her computer, in meetings strategizing, she also ran back and forth to camps to join the frontline forest protectors in their plight.

“I’ve done everything from chopping wood, being headquarters site captain, managing social media, graphic designing, cooking, digging outhouses, running supplies, to acting as police liason,” says Rai. “I like to be involved on every level so I have a full understanding of what’s going on.

There are so many intricacies with the law, with indigenous rights, media, environmental scientific facts and daily operations that it is nothing short of a miracle what we’ve managed to do here. We have grown into a significant voice for the forests, for indigenous sovereignty, for the planet and for the survival of the biosphere,” states Rai. At the outset, with the help of donations, the flying squad managed to attain a few buses and retrofitted them with wood stoves.

Rai explains fully the amazing resilience and commitment of people involved, “Surviving the cold fall and winter off grid, up in the rainforest was not an easy task. I am grateful for those who made it their residence throughout those months to keep blockading. We will do it again through the cold and wet if need be, but we’re hopeful the people of BC will force the government to do the right thing. The NDP government did a strategic review on www.desitoday.ca

these old growth forests and deemed them at risk and in need of protection. That was over 18 months ago, and nothing has changed.

There’s been no protection. The old growth forests have been completely mismanaged.

There is no more time to stall. We are wanting a full moratorium on old growth logging. The sheer plethora of unique species of life and traditional medicines for coastal indigenous peoples in these forests are irreplaceable.”

Rai, far from alone in her commitment to the cause, has met thousands of people from all over Canada that have come to join forces in this historic fight. Everyone has a role and important function in this inclusive community. It’s truly a testament to how a community can pull together. She continually raves about how this protest is full of the most beautiful people on the planet.

As the months progressed, so did the imminent threat of police action draw near.

On April 1, 2021, the Teal-Jones Group managed to get an injunction to continue the plunder of these biodiverse forests; RCMP started enforcing the injunction in May 2021.

Since the time of enforcement, the movement has seen the destruction of many of their makeshift communities at various camps.

There have been over 14 camps set up in and around southern Vancouver Island and only a few satellite ones stand now.

Rai’s involvement she insists is nothing special. There are so many dedicated and committed folks on the ground and behind the scenes that have made this happen. At the crux of the movement to save Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek) are the rights of indigenous to self-govern and maintain their traditional ways of being and culture. The Pacheedaht

The NDP government did a strategic review on these old growth forests and deemed them at risk and in need of protection.

That was over 18 months ago, and nothing has changed. There’s been no protection. territory is unceded land in which the RCMP and gov’t have no jurisdiction over.

Simply put, Teal-Jones and the RCMP are invaders on this land. Elder Bill Jones of the Pacheedaht nation serves as the central figure and spiritual leader of the movement.

He works tirelessly to ensure land defenders retain optimism for a successful outcome.

“I strictly follow Uncle Bill’s wishes and advice,” says Rai. “He has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom and the voice of calm we all deeply respect. As a guest on his territory, I have appreciated both his softness and his firmness. I enjoy being in his presence and learning from him very much.”

Rai wants to be able to use her privilege as an Olympian, as an educator and as prominent woman of colour to bring awareness to this critical environmental issue.

She is a strong adherent of ancient wisdom traditions and often parallels the values and lessons of local coastal indigenous with those of her dharmic ancestry. “When I learnt about the eco-warrior Amrita Devi, who in 1730, was beheaded along with her three daughters APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

25

and 389 others for hugging the khejri trees in Jodhpur, India to save them from being logged,” mentions Rai, “I was inspired by how important it is to protect the land for the survival of cultures and life itself. I have endeavored to do the utmost I can in my locale in the spirit of their sacrifice.”

Rai reminds us all that respect for the land and the importance of heeding elder wisdom is paramount for maintaining a sustainable planet. “Universal truths found in all the world’s ancient traditions warn us to stop the destruction of these ecosystems.

It is irresponsible, unethical and a crime against mother earth to continue this ecocide.

Resource extraction and destroying these ancient forests are not only a climate crisis faux pas, they are the continued act of genocide against indigenous peoples.”

There have been over 1000 arrests and charges and many more hundreds of “catch and release” arrests since May. This has been the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history. The forest protectors have used ingenuity, grit, song, dance, drumming and sleepless nights blockading access to these giant trees. Forest protectors have set up full camps with welding capabilities, supplies caches, cooking facilities and communication hubs with internet access to help win this war in the woods.

“We go in and build hard blocks like sleeping dragons (arms chained in steel pipes concreted into the ground), tripods, human occupied trenches, tree sits, cantilevers under bridges and soft blocks like mass sit-ins, debris on roads and standing non-violently singing. The RCMP destroy the builds, extract protectors and we go right back in and rebuild. People do all night missions, we call them turtles, and pack in 26

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supplies on their backs through bush and steep trails for many kilometers in order to keep the frontline fortified. I have never seen such passion for a cause. Each and every one of the forest protectors is a hero. Each one embodies the Olympian spirit – a calling to something bigger than oneself.”

Rai has been arrested twice thus far. Once she spent all night and ½ a day with her arm chained in a sleeping dragon and another time she tried to block an industry truck from making its way up to the forests.

“Compared to my forest protector friends, says Rai, “who have been peppered sprayed, beat and injured, I managed to be detained with only a bit of manhandling. Not surprising though, I was the only person in my group of arrestees who was cuffed, frisked and kept in metal cuffs while transported in a police van away from the enforcement zone.”

Onlookers speculate race played a part in Rai being treated differently than other arrestees. The RCMP’s behaviour and aggressive targeted actions towards indigenous and BIPOC folks has been noted and criticized by many observers throughout this protest.

When asked what she thinks of the RCMP tactics and violent enforcement towards land defenders, Rai sighs, “Nothing has changed in over 150 years. Colonial mindset, colonial greed and a blatant disregard not only for the court rulings that these tactics are unlawful, but more aptly, for the lack of adherence to the laws of nature. I am dumbfounded.

It’s frustrating, upsetting and downright infuriating that the ruling dominant culture is hell bent on destroying human beings and all other living things along with them.

It’s nothing short of a suicide pact amongst the elite. I am at a loss as to what will make

Rai has been arrested twice thus far. Once she spent all night and ½ a day with her arm chained in a sleeping dragon and another time she tried to block an industry truck from making its way up to the forests. these rulers and corporations wake up to the crisis we are faced with. The science is clear on climate change. All I can do is try to help raise awareness and the only way seems to be through peaceful direct action, even if it means getting arrested for what is right. It’s my duty.”

The fight to save the last of these ancient temperate rainforests continues and needs your help. As of Sept. 14, 2021 RCMP have managed to escort industry up to the cut blocks and chainsaws have been heard amongst these pristine untouched forests.

Please consider volunteering, donating and calling on the British Columbia gov’t to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems. The time is NOW.laststandforforests.com www.desitoday.ca

FEATURE

DAVID SHURNA

NAVIGATING

idealistic aspirations AND the barriers BETWEEN

BY VISHNU MAKHIJANI

H

ow do you discover your purpose?

Once you have found your purpose, how do you use it as a catalyst for real, measurable change in your life - to activate the best version of yourself to effectively confront your toughest challenges? How do you find the right community to help support you in your newfound purpose?

"Discovering a compelling vision for yourself that is rooted in purpose requires getting rooted in your values. From your values... you'll start to craft a purpose statement for your life. Crafting your purpose statement, though, is just the beginning. Few of us are taught how to navigate the gap between our idealistic aspirations for a life of purpose and the barriers that get in your way," Tom Lillig and David Shurna told IANS in a joint interview of their book, "What's Within You" that provides a proven framework to 28

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

stay rooted in your purpose even as adversity strikes.

"Over the past 20 years, our research shows statistically significant growth across all factors measured for tens of thousands of participants in our programs. Research aside, the testimonials we receive from people every week describing how we 'changed' or even 'saved' their lives are testament to the effectiveness of the approach," they added.

"Despite the barriers - both big and small that each of us face, we can learn how to push past them, reconnect with our purpose, and unleash the best in ourselves and others," the authors maintain of the "Seven Life Elements" they present in the book that serve as a blueprint to help navigate the torrid waters of self-doubt, and infuse hope and courage to bring about a tectonic shift by breaking the barriers that have always held one back.

TOM LILLIG

We choose to embrace our struggle wholeheartedly, and with shattered bones and hurt feelings, we continue moving forward.

The narrative will introduce you to a host of world-famous barrier breakers - among them Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest, and Mandy Harvey, the deaf jazz vocalist whose America's Got Talent performances captured the hearts of half a billion people - to prove that what's within you is indeed stronger than what's in your way.

What then is the seven-step recipe devised by Lillig and Shurna? fIrST AnD foremoST IS vISIon. In discovering your purpose, you need to learn the difference between what you want to do in life and what you want to be. Most of us have been oriented toward living life through a collection of goals. But what happens after that? What keeps you focused month after month, year after year? Vision is about allowing your core values to reveal a foundational and sustainable purpose for your life.

The SeConD IS reACh. Once you've cracked the code on purpose, how do you use that new understanding of yourself to confront your challenges? How do you step outside your comfort zone and fully acknowledge the obstacles that have been keeping you from your best self? With Reach, you will grab hold of the adversary and prepare yourself to overcome these challenges.

The ThIrD IS AlChemY. By this point, you've discovered your purpose and confronted your problems head-on. In ancient times, alchemy

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was the process of transforming base metals into gold. For us, Alchemy is about the ability to have hope and optimism in the face of adversity.

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The SIxTh IS SummITS. This is about reflecting on your journey even when you may still be in the middle of it, because sometimes, even in these moments of reflection, you will recognise Summits that you didn't realise had passed along the way.

The SevenTh IS elevATe. This is the moment where your perspective turns from focusing inward to focusing outward. Elevate is about taking what you have learned on your journey and sharing it with those around you. Just as others have supported you along the way, now it is time for you to become a part of someone else's support system.

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Harkening to Aristotle that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, the authors say that it is only the full combination of these Life Elements that will produce the total and desired effect.

They've even devised The What's Within You manifesto which says in part: "We choose to embrace our struggle wholeheartedly, and with shattered bones and hurt feelings, we continue moving forward. For it is our suffering that makes us stronger, and our many falls that fuel our rise.

We draft ourselves into service, passionate warriors for our communal potential. We come together under our proud but tattered flag, bound by both our brokenness and our bravery.

Marching toward the challenge and guided by our light, we are fearless, resilient and unstoppable, because What's Within Us Is Stronger Than What's In Our Way." There it is: Your Roadmap To Living Life With No Barriers, as the book, published by Fingerprint, is sub-titled.

Courtesy IANS

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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Little did Rhiannon Harries, a British diplomat, know four years ago that she hoped fall in love in India.

Harries married an Indian man and their wedding picture has left users chatty online.

Harries is Britain’s Deputy Trade Commissioner (South Asia) and works in New Delhi. She shared a beautiful picture from their wedding ceremony where she is wearing a bright red lehenga with heavy jewellery and mehendi.

She looked like a beautiful north-Indian bride.

Holding her husband hand, he is wearing a sherwani and turban.

“When I arrived in India nearly 4 years ago, I had many hopes & dreams for my time here. But never did I imagine I would be meeting and marrying the love of my life,” the young bride wrote. “I found such happiness in #IncredibleIndia & so glad it will always be a home,” she continued, adding the hashtags ‘shaadi’ (wedding) and ‘pariwar’ (family).

e h t h it w e v lo in ll e f …and we a g n e h e L d e R in e British Brid

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FEATURE

British Sikh Army officer makes history with solo climb to South Pole

POLAR PREET

LIVING ON THE EDGE

C

aptain Harpreet Chandi, a 32-yearold Indian-origin British Sikh Army officer and physiotherapist also known as Polar Preet, has created history by becoming the first woman of colour to complete a solo unsupported trek to the South Pole.

Chandi announced her history-making feat on her live blog at the end of Day 40 after travelling 700 miles (1,127 kilometres) while pulling a pulk or sledge with all of her kit and battling temperatures of minus 50 32

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

degrees Celsius and wind speeds of around 60mph.

“I made it to the South Pole where it's snowing. Feeling so many emotions right now. I knew nothing about the polar world three years ago and it feels so surreal to finally be here. It was tough getting here and I want to thank everybody for their support,” she wrote.

“This expedition was always about so much more than me. I want to encourage people to push their boundaries and to

believe in themselves, and I want you to be able to do it without being labelled a rebel. I have been told no on many occasions and told to ‘just do the normal thing', but we create our own normal," Chandi said.

She uploaded a live tracking map of her trek and also posted regular blogs of her journey to the snow-capped region.

“Day 40 – Finished. Preet has just made history becoming the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica,” reads the final entry of her blog. www.desitoday.ca

"Polar" Preet Chandi, a British army officer, became the first woman of colour to ski to the South Pole on a solo expedition, having battled temperatures in Antarctica as low as -50c and wind speeds as high as 60mph.

The 32-year-old sikh, said she hoped her journey would motivate people to challenge cultural norms and inspire young people, women and those from ethnic backgrounds.

"You are capable of anything you want.

No matter where you are from or where your start line is, everybody starts somewhere. I don't want to just break the glass ceiling; I want to smash it into a million pieces,” she said.

As part of a Medical Regiment in the northwest of England, Chandi's primary role is to organise and validate training for medics in the Army as Clinical Training Officer.

Currently based in London, she is www.desitoday.ca

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

33

When I told my family of my plan to cross Antartica, my brother was not surprised and said ‘you never give up.’ Even if it is out of pure stubbornness to not give up, I know I will achieve this goal.

34

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

completing her masters degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine, part-time, at Queen Mary's University in London and had dragged around two large tyres over the past few months for her polar training as a substitute for the heavy sledge she has been dragging along in Antarctica.

“It definitely feels colder in the last degree where I'm at higher altitude. I haven't seen anyone here in the last degree and now I'm 15 nautical miles from the South Pole. I can't believe I'm almost there,” read her entry from Sunday, a day before her milestone.

She also used her time in the cold to think about wedding plans for when she returns to England, having been engaged to Army reservist fiance David Jarman before setting off on her expedition.

“I read somewhere that when you ask people to be your bridesmaids it's nice to do it in a special way, so all the way from Antarctica I would love nothing more than for you to be my bridesmaids. Sonia Chandi, Rachel Tucker-Norton, Kamal Dhamrait, Tig Bridge, Hannah Sawford (or Hannah Smith now) and Collette Davey,” Chandi wrote.

“I love you all and would love you to be my bridesmaids. I think at least three hen do's are required. That's normal right?

But even if it's not normal that's never been anything to stop me,” she added.

Chandi says she has always been keen to push the human body to its limits and sees her latest mission as part of this wider research.

As an "endurance athlete", she has run marathons and ultra-marathons and, as an Army officer, completed large-scale exercises and deployments in Nepal, Kenya and most recently a six-month United Nations peacekeeping tour to South Sudan.

“Anything ambitious can feel out of reach at the beginning but every bit of training I complete brings me closer to my goal.

My training expeditions in Greenland and Norway have helped prepare me and my goal is now in reach,” she declared before setting off for the South Pole in November.

www.desitoday.ca

DeSI ToDAY E XCLUSIVE

SNEHA SANSARE

painting vancouver on her canvas

BY SURBHI GOGIA

I

t is said that what’s meant to be yours will come to you. Sneha’s story of becoming an artist is an example of this wonderful life cycle. Her childhood dream of becoming an artist was lost due to life’s other priorities, but eventually the universe brought her closer to her dream once she landed in Canada. A science professional, she recently got an opportunity to talk about her journey as a selftaught artist at the Surrey Art Gallery during an illustrated talk. In this illustrated talk, she discussed her practice and experimentation 36

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

with different forms and mediums. She also did a live painting demo on the occasion of Holi, the ancient Indian festival of Spring also known as the “Festival of Colours.”

Born in India, Sneha was always passionate about art. She says she always used to express herself through art which included ceramics, glass painting, nib painting, paper quilling, henna design, rangoli designs, crocheting, zardozi designs, flowers making and many more. “I would immerse myself so much so that I even lost track of

time, escape from the real world, and never wanted to come back. I also had a dream to join an art school, but art wasn’t considered as a career few years back, hence I moved on with life.”

After completing her master’s in science, she moved to Canada in 2017. Just as most of the immigrants encounter loneliness once they move to a new country, Sneha says she perceived that “sudden hollowness after leaving a large group of family and friends back in India.” But this hollowness brought www.desitoday.ca

One of my inspiration is beautiful British Columbia and pleasant weather of Vancouver. It is so easy to reach out and touch this nature which provides a feeling of joy and gratitude in our heart. Being in Vancouver itself is a soothing, calming factor which helped me to grow my inner self and put those impressions on canvas.

her closer to art one more time. “It started to resurface what I felt from inside all this time along, my love and appetite for creation of artwork.”

“I remember that day very well, where I bought some colors from dollar store and started painting. The results were satisfactory but at the same time I knew I was on a very long road to some semblance of perfection. I have experienced that when you start to follow any path, start to believe in yourself and have set a goal, the doors open automatically for www.desitoday.ca

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

37

Sneha loves experiment with different art forms Warli painting, Madhubani painting, Meenakari painting, free hand designs, but she says Vancouver’s beauty is what she loves to capture on her canvas after moving to Canada.

38

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News With A Desi View

success,” she recalls.

Her journey in Vancouver art scene started when she came across AFAA stall in farmer’s market and joined this group.

“This is where my actual art journey started.

I somehow managed to produce 3 paintings of different styles within a week, all in acrylics.

Lord Ganesha which was my first big canvas 16”x20” painting, Diwali festival painting because it was around the corner in October and Warli art painting, it is a tribal art form of India.”

Some of her paintings were displayed at Western sky books store for around 4 months during 2021 fall. Painting Grouse Mountain was selected to be a part of Art Focus calendar of 2022 along with contributions from other senior artists. “Currently 3 of my landscape paintings are displayed at Michael Wright Art Gallery of Port Coquitlam until April 2022,” she says.

Sneha loves experiment with different art forms Warli painting, Madhubani painting, Meenakari painting, free hand designs, but she says Vancouver’s beauty is what she loves to capture on her canvas after moving to Canada.

“One of my inspiration is beautiful British Columbia and pleasant weather of Vancouver. It is so easy to reach out and touch this nature which provides a feeling of joy and gratitude in our heart. Being in Vancouver itself is a soothing, calming factor which helped me to grow my inner self and put those impressions on canvas. I love spending time in this exquisite nature to make my thoughts find their own way. I feel so blessed to live in this beautiful country. I hope the bright colours in my paintings speak about how colourful life should be and growth of our inner self.”

She has created many beautiful scenic sights like Vancouver’s fall, her painting ‘Dusk at Stanley Park’ is the one of her favourites. “It was my first big canvas painting of size 18” x 24” in acrylic colors. I have created shadows in water, and it looks astonishingly real.

The colors have come together magnificently on the canvas and it looks very subtle but pleasing to the eyes if you observe it www.desitoday.ca

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Sneha loves experiment with different art forms Warli painting, Madhubani painting, Meenakari painting, free hand designs, but she says Vancouver’s beauty is what she loves to capture on her canvas after moving to Canada. with naked eye. I enjoyed creating this as I took some time to paint each step slowly and mindfully. This was created for the art exhibition currently happening in Michael Wright Art Gallery of Port Coquitlam and is displayed there until April 2022.”

Sneha says she feels lucky to be part of generation, where the exposure to electronic devises was minimum. She feels working with real colours removes “fear of exploring new thing.”

For her painting and colouring is not just passion but an experience of life that teaches you different life lessons. She advices all the parents to let their kids explore the fun of real colours instead of virtual paints, “The colors have a positive impact on a child’s mind. The thought that makes them think- that they can make or create something beautiful out of it by their own hands which is appreciated by several people is terrific. Through this process they learn so many things such as being patient, facing the challenge, finishing the task on hand, never be afraid of the result, but work hard to achieve the best out if it.

The most important factor in today’s life is to distract them from the virtual world and engage in the actual process of creation.” www.desitoday.ca

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

39

HEALTH & WELLNESS

G

'The lives of

Sikh Gurus, Granth Sahib represent a

remarkable unity of thought'

By Vishnu Makhijani 40

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

rowing up in Sikkim, he had never learned to read Gurumukhi as a young man. The coming of age happened when he was pursuing graduate studies in the US and a series of "fortuitous encounters" with Sikhs inspired him to learn about his faith. And proof that faith can move mountains is evident from his book "The Story of the Sikhs - 1469-1708", a comprehensive account of the ten Gurus that intricately weaves in accounts from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Dasam Granth and epic Braj poetry.

"The lives, teachings and writings of the Gurus and the divine wisdom enshrined in the Guru Grant Sahib together represent a unity of thought that is remarkable, but often misunderstood," writer, podcaster, commentator Sarbpreet Singh said in an interview from his home in Massachusetts, adding the book "is a distillation of what I learned during my own journey as a young Sikh trying to understand and engage with his identity".

"I left India to pursue graduate studies in the US as a young man and through a fortuitous series of encounters with Sikhs who inspired me, I was motivated to learn about my faith. This budding interest in the history of Sikhism was accompanied by a deep immersion in Gurmat Sangeet or Sikh sacred music.

"Over the years, I started teaching both Sikh History and Gurmat Sangeet to young children in New Jersey and Boston and my interest deepened," he added.

"The Story of the Sikhs" (Penguin) first saw life as a podcast that he launched in an attempt to engage young Sikhs and inspire them to connect with their faith, "as I had as a young man. The success of the podcast, in particular the response of young people www.desitoday.ca

all over the world, motivated me to write the book", Sarbpreet Singh said.

Considerable research has gone into the book "Having grown up in Sikkim, I never learned to read Gurmukhi as a young man; hence my first engagement with Sikh history was through authors who had written books in English," he added.

The very first work he read was J.D. Cunningham's "History of the Sikhs", which gave him an insight into the struggles of the Gurus as well as Sikhs in the 18th century as well as the sacrifices that went into the formation and preservation of Sikh identity.

He went on to read Max Arthur Macuauliffe's opus, "The Sikh Religion", which was written from a very traditional perspective, followed

by Sardar Khushwant Singh's two volume history.

"As the years passed, I taught myself Gurmukhi which gave me the opportunity to read multiple works by the Sikh writer, savant and mystic, Bhai Vir Singh which opened up a new world for me. Through Bhai Vir Singh's books such as 'Guru Nanak Chamatkar', 'Ashth Guru Chmatkar' and 'Sri Kalgidhar Chamatkar', I was introduced to the early Janamsakhi (biographical) accounts of Guru Nanak and the beautiful Braj poetry of Kavi Santokh Singh in his work 'The Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth," the author elaborated.

Using Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's encyclopedia, "The Mahan Kosh", as well as Braj dictionaries published during the British Raj, he was then able to engage with a host of other writings such as 'The Gurbilas Patshahi Chevin', 'The Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvin' of Koer Singh and the 'Sri Gur Sobha' of Senapati, one of the celebrated court poets of Guru Gobind Singh.

"The Gurbilas literature with its soaring literature and tales of heroism gave me a deeper appreciation of the times that the Sikh faith lived through and its struggles with the later Mughal Emperors who had abandoned the liberal ways of Akbar The Great. For the sections of the book that deal with the life of Guru Gobind Singh, I delved into the Dasam Granth as well as into research by scholars such as Dr. Trilochan Singh and Dr. D.P. www.desitoday.ca

I wanted to create a work, which, while deeply researched was engaging and accessible Writer, Podcaster, Commentator Sarbpreet Singh

Ashtha," Sarbpreet Singh said.

He also engaged with the writings of Bhai Nand Lal, another of Guru Gobind Singh's beloved court poets, who composed beautiful ghazals in Farsi addressed to his master and diligently documented the code of conduct that had been created for the Sikh nation.

"Poetry from a variety of sources played an important part in the creation of this book, which is replete with excerpts in translation.

Selections from The Guru Granth Sahib, The Dasam Granth, The writings of Bhai Gurdas, Guru Arjan's scribe, and Bhai Nand Lal, The Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, The Gurbilas texts and the haunting marsiye or elegiac poems (of mourning) of Allah Yar Khan Jogi have

been included in the book in translation," the author pointed out.

How did he come to adopt the storytelling style rather than that of a historian for this book?

"Having taught history to reluctant teenagers for several years, I have always had an appreciation for how difficult it is for young people in particular, to engage with history.

There are many wonderful books that have been written about the Sikh faith; many have been written by scholars and are intended to serve as text books or reference material.

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41

"I wanted to create a work, which, while deeply researched was engaging and accessible. There is precedent for this type of writing; I have greatly enjoyed the historical writings of William Dalrymple and Manu Pillai; I find their work to be extremely engaging and truly a joy to read," Sarbpreet Singh explained.

Thus, his is a very "personal" book in that it focuses on those aspects of Sikh history that appealed to him and inspired him.

"Hence, it was natural for me to approach it as a storyteller rather than as a student of history," he said.

What is the common thread running through the 10 Gurus, as also the Guru Granth Sahib, that makes the religion so appealing?

"The lives, teachings and writings of the Gurus and the divine wisdom enshrined in the Guru Grant Sahib together represent a unity of thought that is remarkable, but often misunderstood. The world has over time, dichotomized Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh by focusing on the former's spirituality and the latter's valour.

"Within the Sikh tradition, this unity is clearly understood and is echoed in writings as diverse as the Var of Satta And Balwand, which appears in the Guru Granth Sahib 42

NOV / DeC 2020 News With A Desi View

and the Sri Gur Sobha of Senapati. This dichotomy, which has been reinforced by popular artistic representations of the Gurus, as well as what I would call 'lazy scholarship', does a great disservice to the faith" the author maintained.

Guru Gobind Singh, he asserts, was no less spiritual than Guru Nanak and the evidence is clear if one reads his compositions such as the Jaap Sahib. SImilarly Guru Nanak was every bit as militant as Guru Gobind Singh and as concerned about issues of justice.

"He was equally committed to the opposition of tyranny in all forms. The evidence lies in his collection of hymns known as Babarvani, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, which is an excoriation of the tyranny of Babar as he subjected the inhabitants of Northern India to violence as he was establishing his rule," Sarbpreet Singh pointed out.

To that extent, while there are already endowed Chairs of Sikh Studies at several prominent US universities, he would "personally be inspired more by a Chair that focused on the Sikh traditions of Seva or Service and the Sikh commitment to fighting injustice and the Sikh embrace of inclusion as reflected in Guru Nanak's broad worldview. I would posit that the world needs this in a time when divisions seem to be deepening and cynical demagogues who benefit from them are ascendant in almost every nation".

The lives, teachings and writings of the Gurus and the divine wisdom enshrined in the Guru Grant Sahib together represent a unity of thought that is remarkable, but often misunderstood... is a distillation of what I learned during my own journey as a young Sikh trying to understand and engage with his identity www.desitoday.ca

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"I am presently working on a few different things", and some of these projects are close to fruition:

A fictionalised retelling of the life of the Sufi Shah Hussain in the form of a novel that is a celebration of his magnificent poetry and his unconventional life A collection of short fiction that traces the fortunes of the early Punjabi diaspora in North America Volume 2 of the Story of the Sikhs, which covers the turbulent years of the 18th century when the Mughal Empire was collapsing and northern India was reeling from repeated invasions by Ahmad Shah Abdali, creating an opportunity for the Sikhs to seize political power."

This is Sarbpreet Singh's third book after "Night of the Restless Spirits" on the aftermath of the events of 1984, and "The Camel Merchant of Philadelphia" on the cosmopolitan court of the "Lion of Punjab", Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Thus, there is much to look forward to when Volume 2 of the present book appears.

Courtesy IANS www.desitoday.ca

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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I NDI ANS S HI NI NG

D e SI To DAY

A

Ashish Jha Bihar-born health expert is US top o�icial for Covid response

44

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

Bihar-born global health expert has been appointed by US President Joe Biden to the White House position of overseeing the nation's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I am excited to name Dr Ashish Jha as the new White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator", Biden said on Thursday announcing the appointment.

"Dr Jha is one of the leading public health experts in America, and a well-known figure to many Americans from his wise and calming public presence."

Jha, who is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, is one of the most popular experts that the media reaches out to for explaining the Covid pandemic and the efforts to control it.

"For all the progress we've made in this pandemic (and there is a lot). We still have important work to do to protect Americans' lives and well being. So when @POTUS asked me to serve, I was honoured to have the opportunity," Jha said in a tweet.

He will be joining Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta, and Center for Medicare Director Meena Seshamani at the higher echelons of US health care system.

Jha succeeds Jeff Zients, who is leaving the White House after 14 months during which two variants, Delta and Omicron, fuelled a surge in Covid cases that the US struggled to contain.

Zients leaves office with 65 per cent of Americans having received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine and nearly 77 per cent have been fully vaccinated with the sevenday average of infections plummeting from 806,851 in mid-January to 30,570 in midMarch.

Jha was born in Pursaulia in Bihar in 1970 to parents who were educators. The family moved to Canada in 1979 and to the US in 1983. He did his BA in economics at Columbia University and switching to medicine, he got his MD and master's in public health from Harvard University.

He came to Brown from Harvard, where he was the director of the Harvard Global Health Institute and the dean for Global Strategy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

He had also served as the co-chair of the Independent Panel on the Global Response to Ebola, which examined the failure of the www.desitoday.ca

For all the progress we've made in this pandemic (and there is a lot). We still have important work to do to protect Americans' lives and well being. So when @POTUS asked me to serve, I was honoured to have the opportunity international community's response to the disease.

Even while he was heading the Brown University's School of Public Health, he continued to practice medicine at a hospital for ex-military members.

During the Covid pandemic, he made frequent appearances on TV, wrote op-eds for leading newspapers and was often quoted by reporters.

The medical news website, STAT, called him "network TV's everyman expert on Covid" with the qualities of a "telegenic phenom" and a "great communicator".

Zients was a businessman and a bureaucrat, unlike Jha who is a doctor.He is a former CEO of an investment company and a member of Facebook's board of directors.

Before that, he had served as a special assistant to former President Barack Obama and as the director of the National Economic Council.

The changeover to a doctor marks an inflexion point in the pandemic where the logistics of mass vaccination and testing are in place and the future task is to monitor and prepare for new variations or other developments. www.desitoday.ca

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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I NDI ANS S HI NI NG

D e SI To DAY

IndianAmerican Miss World 2021 first

runner-up lives with pacemaker, survived

Facial Burns

The story of Shree Saini, the 26-year-old Indian American who was named the first runner-up in the Miss World 2021 pageant in Puerto Rico, is one of resilience over adversities that would daunt even the sturdiest individuals.

Ludhiana-born Saini, who grew up in Moses Lake, Washington, has been living with a pacemaker since the age of 12. With a heartbeat rate of 20 per minute, doctors ruled her out for her first love -- ballet. But, literally dancing against all odds, Saini became a trained ballerina and has been accepted as a trainee by the prestigious Joffrey Ballet, based out of Chicago.

In October 2019, Saini collapsed right before the final night of the Miss World 46

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

America competition, where she eventually got to wear the crown, which she accepted from Miss World 1997 Diana Hayden.

Taking to Instagram that evening, Saini's mother, Ekta Saini, said that doctors had kept her daughter on "cardiac arrest watch" because just 1 per cent of individuals around the world get a pacemaker implant. Undeterred by the episode, Saini went on to be crowned Miss World America 2020.

Saini, incidentally, is a former Miss India USA (2017-18) and Miss India Worldwide

(2018-19).

Before she left for Miss World earlier this month, Saini shared a "global message of hope and resilience" in which spoke about how she survived a "major rollover car accident that left my face with bleeding wounds" while she was still in university.

Recalling that horrific episode, Saini wrote: "I no longer had my face.

I couldn't even recognise myself. I couldn't even cry because my tears would burn as they would pass down my wounds. It was the most excruciating pain I had ever endured."

Speaking to a source about her historic win, Saini said, “My win shows America stands for diversity and inclusion. We are already doing a good job with diversity, but we can always do more for inclusivity. I’m now your first American of Indian origin and the first Asian to become Miss World America. Because of the historicness of my crowning, I believe this is a collective win.… It’s not just my win.

It’s a win for our inclusive America. It is a win for our diverse America, for every race, for everyone. I am honored to represent that Inclusivity that America has.”

The Instagram post, which went viral after Saini became the first runnerup at Miss World 2021, concluded with her urging her social media followers

"to keep being solution-oriented ... to never lose sight of hope ... to have a possibility mindset ... and to apply solutions to everyday difficulties".

The post is accompanied by pictures of Saini's blood-stained lacerated face to drive home the point that even a car crash as disfiguring as that one did not stop her from aiming to become Miss World. www.desitoday.ca

Indian-origin expert helming first 4G network on Moon for NASA

I

ndian-origin Nishant Batra working as Chief Strategy and Technology Officer (CSTO) at smartphone maker Nokia is helping NASA to build the first ever cellular network on the Moon.

Batra joined Nokia as CSTO and a member of the Nokia Group Leadership Team in January 2021. He holds an MBA from INSEAD, a master's degree in telecommunications and a master's degree in computer science from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and a bachelor's degree in computer applications from Devi Ahilya University in India.

Prior to joining the telecommunications major, Batra worked at Veoneer in Sweden, as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. He had also spent 12 years at Ericsson holding several positions.

Batra is based in Espoo, Finland, and has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and the US. At Nokia, Batra's responsibilities include managing technology architecture and pioneering research at Nokia Bell Labs whose innovations will be used to build and deploy the first ultra-compact, low-power, spacehardened, end-to-end LTE solution on the lunar surface in late 2022.

NASA is looking to regain its presence on the lunar surface with its uncrewed Artemis mission slated for launch in May this year and crewed mission in 2026.

In October last year, the US space agency selected Nokia as a partner to advance "Tipping Point" technologies for the Moon, deploying the first

LTE/4G communications system in space and helping pave the way towards sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

For the mission, Nokia has also partnered with Intuitive Machines to integrate the groundbreaking network into their lunar lander and deliver it to the lunar surface.

The network will provide critical communication capabilities for many different data transmission applications, including vital command and control functions, remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high definition video while containing power, size and cost.

These communication applications are all vital to long-term human presence on the lunar surface.

The network will self-configure upon deployment and establish the first LTE communications system on the Moon.

Nokia's lunar network has been specially designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the launch and lunar landing, and to operate in the extreme conditions of space.

This is not the first space collaboration for Nokia's Bell Labs.

In 1962, Bell Labs and NASA launched into orbit Telstar 1, the first communications satellite capable of relaying TV signals between Europe and North America.

In 1964, Bell Labs researchers and future Nobel laureates, Arno Penzias and Bob Wilson, discovered the cosmic microwave background radiation left over from the Big Bang, confirming the now predominant theory on the origins of the universe.

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47

FEATURE

As a closeted pansexual brown hockey player, he doesn’t belong on the ice. His people don’t belong on the ice, his sexuality doesn’t belong on the ice but deep down he knows there is no one else who belongs to the ice more than him

ISHAN SANDHU

celebrating masculinity 48

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

www.desitoday.ca

Men Express Their Feelings was hailed by the Calgary Herald as “an instant Canadian classic,” lauded for its patriotic nod to Canada’s favorite pastime and “wildly, unabashedly funny” script.

I

t is universally believed that men process emotions differently than women. While most women tend to recognize and express how they are feeling, when it comes to men, society has set different expectations from this gender. It is socially acceptable for women to express their feelings, like sadness, fears or tears. But men are not encouraged to outwardly express their emotions. From an early age, men are conditioned to believe that expressing their feelings is out of character with the male identity. Doing so can ruin their image of being strong and stoic.

Specifically, men are told that crying in front of other people will threaten their masculinity.

These cultural norms and gender stereotypes have been circulating for generations, and they can be toxic, especially for males. Men who express their emotions are often seen as weak. Because of that, www.desitoday.ca

many men neglect to show their emotions because they’re afraid of the repercussions.

While there are many people actively dismantling traditional notions of masculinity to build a more inclusive and empathetic society for all genders, heteronormative expectations of how a man should look, act and feel are still pervasive in our culture today, explains Zee Zee Theatre’s Artistic and Executive Director Cameron Mackenzie who has recently directed play Men Express Their Feelings.

Zee Zee Theatre recently presented the Vancouver premiere of this play in March. Written by Canadian playwright Sunny Drake, the poignant and provocative comedy challenges all these stereotypical assumptions about masculinity, gender norms, sexuality, and identity.

This brilliantly funny and meaningful comedy, written by Canada’s celebrated

trans male playwrights, offers Vancouver audiences an essential perspective on masculinity that embraces and empowers vulnerability and transparency and ultimately redefines what it means to be a man.

Following its premiere in March 2020, Men Express Their Feelings was hailed by the Calgary Herald as “an instant Canadian classic,” lauded for its patriotic nod to Canada’s favorite pastime and “wildly, unabashedly funny” script.

Set in the locker room of a community hockey rink, two teen hockey players and their dads are forced by the minor hockey league chair to work through their feelings following a heated scuffle between the dads in the parking lot. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, the foursome tackle difficult conversations, addressing complex topics of racial and cultural tension, sexual attraction, and generational divides with wit and levity.

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

49

Structured like a hockey game, the work has three distinct periods and instant replays that depict moments from different characters’ viewpoints, inviting audiences to witness their transformation as they move beyond physical aggression to explore the deeper meaning of their emotions.

Men Express Their Feelings stars Quinn Churchill and Ishan Sandhu as 17-yearold hockey players with Jeff Gladstone and Munish Sharma as their dueling fathers.

Ishan, who is one of the main characters of the play in an interview with Desi Today talks about his role and how the play challenges stereotypes.

Ishan moved to Canada in 2015 to pursue higher education. Describing himself as “first-generation actor and writer based in Vancouver,” for whom acting was a passion and hobby but never something he thought as a career option. And that all changed during his second year at UBC when he took stage acting class as an elective. “I spent most of the term being obsessed with that class, saw many plays, analyzed scripts and gained an appreciation of the art at the deeper level,” he 50

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

says.

He knew it was for him then and landed on the opportunity to work in this play. In Men Express their Feelings, Ishan is playing the character of Raj Sharma, a 17-year-old IndoCanadian high school hockey player who is “complex, beautiful, funny, very stupid, scared and very very sarcastic.”

He is someone who is trying to identify in this world and at the same time trying not to be defined. “As a closeted pansexual brown hockey player, he doesn’t belong on the ice. His people don’t belong on the ice, his sexuality doesn’t belong on the ice but deep down he knows there is no one else who belongs to the ice more than him,” Ishan explains.

Characters like Raj exist around us who want to express what they feel, however socially defined parameters of masculinity come in the way. Therefore, a need for such plays becomes important. “Masculinity for me as a word has a negative connotation attached to it. Having grown up hearing ‘men don’t cry’ or ‘Be a man and do it’ has made the essence of masculinity an emotionally

As a closeted pansexual brown hockey player, he doesn’t belong on the ice. His people don’t belong on the ice, his sexuality doesn’t belong on the ice but deep down he knows there is no one else who belongs to the ice more than him

unavailable, unaffected bravado that men must mask themselves with. It is this mask that needs to be removed so that we can see what truly lies behind it and redefine what it is to identify as a man. Because I can tell you one thing masculinity is soft, tender, hot anger, and a whole lot more than what we believe.”

And when it comes to South Asian males, the perspective on masculinity becomes more flawed because of the stigma attached to mental health. The lack of expression of feelings can lead to mental health problems.

But Ishan rightly says, “There is a bigger stigma associated with mental illness and therapy in South Asian households – something that we all know but don’t acknowledge.”

According to him, it is time we all stop categorizing masculinity under one umbrella, celebrate it for the million different things, and support “each other when we express ourselves.” www.desitoday.ca

Photos by: Jashan Deol Photos

A FULL HOUSE MEGA SHOW BY FAMOUS SINGER RANJEET BAWA HELD ON APRIL 2, 2022 AT QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE.

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

www.desitoday.ca

Photos by: Jashan Deol Photos

THE SHOW WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND PRESENTED BY GURJIT BAL PRODUCTION AND GILL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, SURREY.

www.desitoday.ca

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

53

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Preventing

Food Waste at

home can help tackle

Climate Change

C Food waste has a devastating impact on the planet, and each of us has an important role to play 54

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

anadians produce nearly 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, simply by wasting perfectly edible food at home — however, there are plenty of simple actions everyone can take to help prevent unnecessary food waste.

Wasting food means we are wasting the resources used to grow, produce and distribute that food to consumers. Getting food from farm to table, and then managing or disposing of food as waste, also has a significant carbon footprint – contributing to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s 2.2 million tonnes of avoidable household food waste is equivalent to 9.8

million tonnes of CO2 and 2.1 million cars on the road!

Diverting food waste to composting is better than sending it to a landfill, but preventing food from being wasted in the

first place is an even better way to lessen our impact on the environment. Every tonne of household food waste that is avoided is the equivalent of taking one car off the road each year.

This year, from March 7 to 13, Canada joined with environmental charity WRAP for the first global Food Waste Action Week, with the goal of driving home the message, “Wasting Food Feeds Climate Change.”

The international week of action was delivered through the National Zero Waste Council, an initiative of Metro Vancouver, and its well-known Love Food Hate Waste Canada campaign.

The National Zero Waste Council is leading Canada’s transition to a circular economy by bringing together governments, businesses and NGOs to advance a waste prevention agenda that maximizes economic opportunities for the benefit of all Canadians. The Council has been leading on food loss and waste prevention since 2012, advocating for fiscal incentives, policy change, and the adoption of best practices. Its national A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada prioritizes actions for governments, businesses, and community organizations. http:// www.nzwc.ca/ “Food waste has a devastating impact on the planet, and each of us has an important role to play,” said Jack Froese, Chair of the National Zero Waste Council.

www.desitoday.ca

“As someone with a lifelong connection to farming, I know full well how hard farmers work to put nutritious and tasty food on Canadian tables. Food Waste Action Week is all about helping people get the most from the food they buy, for the sake of the planet.

Sixty-three per cent of the food Canadian households throw away is considered avoidable, meaning it could have been eaten. Nationwide, that amounts to almost 2.2 million tonnes of edible food wasted each year, at a cost of more than $17 billion.

The environmental impact of this waste is equivalent to 9.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, or 2.1 million cars on the road.

Globally, around one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, which accounts for between eight and 10 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Fighting food waste at home has a direct impact on these emissions: every tonne of household food waste that is avoided is the equivalent of taking one car off the road each year.

“When we reduce waste, we also lessen carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment. Walmart is proud to support the Love Food Hate Waste campaign in Canada as we work towards becoming a regenerative company and eliminate surplus food as part of this journey. Our associates are passionate about reducing food waste in our stores and throughout our operations. Each Walmart store is paired with a local food bank to maximize surplus food donations. The LFHW campaign provides Canadians with practical solutions to save money and prevent surplus food. When we all work together, we can create waves of change in our communities,” said Sam Wankowski, Chief Operations Officer, Walmart Canada Canadians are encouraged to use the food-saving tips shared on the Love Food Hate Waste Canada social channels (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) and through the #foodwasteactionweek hashtag.

From storing food correctly, to using up leftovers and making sure none of the food we love goes to waste, every small change can make a big difference.

Food Waste Action Week was supported

by Love Food Hate Waste Canada strategic partners and many other business, nonprofit, and government organizations and citizens working across Canada in the fight against food waste.

www.desitoday.ca

Waste Less with Kids

Conservation doesn’t come naturally for many of us — especially when it comes to food. For new parents, this becomes readily obvious as they have to beg and bribe their kids to finish a meal.

But it’s also a chance to teach little ones the virtue of a clean plate. Here are some great ways to start.

Feed Them Your Food

they’re interested.

Save time, energy and untouched leftovers by feeding your child the same food you eat, pureed for the little ones. Serve yourself a smaller portion knowing you’ll likely finish what they don’t. Start when they’re young and you’ll never be a short order cook for your child.

Save Tiny Portions

Serve Tiny Portions We want our kids to try new foods, but studies show many children have to try a food up to 15 times before accepting it. Start with small portions and minimize untouched food. You can always offer seconds when

Speaking of those barely touched portions — save them! Either serve leftovers again in the next couple of days, or, incorporate them into something else. Put leftover milk in your morning coffee and leftover veggies in a stir fry. Purees can be added to pasta sauce or soup.

Limit Snacking Kids that munch constantly aren’t hungry during mealtimes.

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

55

HEALTH & WELLNESS

3 SIMPLE TIPS TO BOOST YOUR

Health at Home For many of us, it’s been tricky to create or maintain healthy habits while the world continues to be so topsy turvy. To help you be healthy, follow these three simple tips:

FOR NEW EATERS Forget The Five-Second Rule Place a clean mat below your small child’s high chair before serving food. That way, food that falls (or gets jettisoned) off the tray is still safe to eat and can just be placed back on their plates.

Feed Finger Foods Little nuggets don’t spill, can be easily recovered off the mat below and allow your child to learn to feed him or herself independently.

Don’t Tolerate Food Flight Kids throw food on the floor to test their boundaries. Don’t put up with it. Stay nearby as they’re learning to eat and intervene before the food starts flying. Give them a specific place on their plate or tray to put it instead. They’ll eventually get it and you’ll have less cleaning to do as a result

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

AS THEY GET OLDER Inspect Lunchboxes Pack reusable containers with lunch and have your kids bring home leftover food and drinks.

Asking why some food went uneaten will help you offer the right foods in the right amounts next time. Sometimes small changes like cutting foods into smaller pieces can make lunch more appealing.

Use The Ikea Effect People tend to like things they helped make and children are no different. So involve your kids in cooking. Give them choices when possible. Allow them to serve themselves in the portions they want, within reason.

Visit a Garden / Farm Kids who are involved in growing fruits and vegetables are more likely to eat them. Give your child an appreciation and respect for the resources required to bring food to the table by starting a garden, joining a community garden, or visiting a farm.

Source News Canada

1

Stay active – keep moving.

We all know this one, but it’s important. There are countless online workouts and yoga classes to try for free or by subscription, but you can also dance while cooking or doing the dishes, take jumping jack breaks, or go for a walk to mark the end of your workday. Every move counts, and so try to bring the fun into everyday activities.

2

Get the right set up – ease your pain

After a couple of years of working from home, it’s time to get serious about your home office setup if you haven’t already. Though you may be back in the office part or most of the time, hybrid work is likely here to stay.

Whatever your workspace looks like, making it ergonomic is crucial. It’ll save you a lot of neck and back pain or discomfort, eye strain and visits to chiropractors.

Do your research and ask your friends and family what’s worked for them to help you find the best fit.

3

Make sure your home is safe – test for radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that’s in all our homes. If your home has a high level of radon, all the time you’re spending at home these days could be increasing your exposure and your risk of lung cancer. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test. You can buy an inexpensive DIY kit or have a professional come in and do the test for you.

Find more information about radon testing at canada.ca/radon.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

Opening Soon This December, Maharaja Restaurants will redefine the fine dining landscape of Metro Vancouver!

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep to be their best. But many of us don’t get enough. That can cause irritability, depression, high blood pressure and slow reaction time. Here are a few things you can do at any age for a restorative night’s rest.

How to sleep through the night Set a routine

Try going to bed and waking up at about the same time every single day. You’ll get into a rhythm so waking and sleeping feel natural.

If you like a lazy weekend morning, try slowstart activities like reading or listening to music with a cozy cup of tea or coffee.

No napping

As tempting as it might be, taking a nap in the afternoon means you might not be as tired when your bedtime comes around, which will make it harder to fall asleep.

Stop with the screens

Turn off the tv and put down your phone about two hours before your bedtime. The light from your devices is thought to interfere with your body’s natural rhythms.

Check your health

Try talking to your health care provider to see if you have a condition like sleep apnea or if you grind your teeth at night. In these

58

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

instances, a simple machine or night guard can boost your quality of sleep immensely.

Mind when you eat

Having a heavy meal within an hour or two of lying in bed can cause heartburn or stomach discomfort and make you have to pee.

But don’t starve yourself either: a hungry, grumbling stomach can also keep you up at night.

Use stress-management techniques

It can be as simple as writing down your tasks for tomorrow or doing a short meditation before going to sleep. Whatever you do, try to keep your worries out of the bedroom so you can drift off peacefully.

Check your genetic profile.

According to a recent study by The DNA Company, 35 per cent of people have a gene that leads to interrupted sleep patterns. They suggest that variations in our genes affect our sleep in other ways too, such as making some of us feel stress for longer periods than others. By getting your genetic profile, you can learn how your genes affect your sleep so you can find the most effective tips for you.

Find more information about getting a report on your genes at thednacompany. com.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

5 Ways TO KEEP YOUR Kidneys Healthy 1 BE PHYSICALLY

ACTIVE

One of the most powerful things you can do for your health is move your body. Exercising for 30 minutes three to five times a week is recommended, but even small amounts have health benefits. Start slow, find activities that you enjoy and consider buddying up to stay motivated.

2 FOLLOW A

HEALTHY DIET

What you eat affects your kidneys, so limit foods that can cause them extra strain. Try cutting back on salt. Most of our sodium comes from prepared foods such as canned soup, frozen entrées, processed meats and snack foods. Replace these products with fresh and homemade foods instead. When you cook, flavour your food with seasonings that suit your specific kidney diet such as pepper, onions, garlic, lime, lemon or vinegar.

3 DRINK ALCOHOL IN

MODERATION

Canada’s low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines recommend no more than two drinks a day, 10 per week, for women, and no more than www.desitoday.ca

three drinks a day, 15 per week, for men. Try not drinking on some days each week and switch to fruit-infused tea or water to quench your thirst.

4 REDUCE YOUR

STRESS

Stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body. Staying active can help you manage stress, while also lifting your mood and helping you sleep better at night. Other ways to boost feelings of calm include meditating, keeping in touch with friends and family and limiting screen time.

5 KNOW YOUR RISK

FACTORS

Since there are often no warning signs when your kidneys begin to fail, knowing your risk of kidney disease is essential. Your risk is higher if you smoke; are at an unhealthy weight; have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems; or are over 65.

If you’re concerned, talk with your doctor about your risk factors and how often you should have your kidneys checked. If caught early, kidney disease is manageable. All it takes to find out are some simple blood and urine tests. Find more info at kidney.ca Source News Canada

(NC) Did you know that kidneys are very important to your health? They’re just as important as your heart or lungs, working hard to remove waste from the blood, regulate water, help balance the body’s minerals and produce important hormones.

Taking care of your kidneys is part of maintaining overall body health. Follow these simple tips from The Kidney Foundation to help yours stay in top shape.

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

59

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Boost your Immune System through the Power of Food

F

all is a favourite season for many with beautiful colours, cozy sweaters and everything pumpkin spice.

But one thing fall brings that is a little less thrilling is cold and flu season. Wearing a mask in public, staying away from others who are sick, washing your hands regularly and getting enough rest are a few of the things you can do to stay healthy. But maintaining a good diet is equally important.

Here are three simple things you can add to your diet to help boost your immunity:

Vitamin C

Research shows Vitamin C can help make your immune system stronger, but before you reach for supplements, there are lots of food sources that naturally contain it. While you may only think of oranges and other citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli and kiwi are also great sources. Tip: Make a bell pepper sandwich by slicing the pepper in half and taking out the seeds and adding your choice of meat, vegetables or cheese. You can customize this for breakfast, lunch or dinner and play around with different techniques.

Zinc

Include adequate protein-rich foods because they contain nutrients that are important for immune health. Zinc helps maintain immune function

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

and can be found in meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, soy, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Try adding more beans to your soups and sauces or nuts and seeds to your yogurt and baking to get more of this immuneboosting nutrient. Tip: During your annual pumpkin carving, save some pumpkin seeds and roast them in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes. Make it fun and add cinnamon and brown sugar or make it spicy with siracha.

Probiotics

Foods with probiotics, such as kefir and yogurt, can benefit our gut and immune health. Be sure to look for the word “probiotic” on the label, as this is a regulated term. Try including more of these foods by having yogurt parfaits, using yogurt in dips and adding kefir to your morning smoothie.

Tip: Try yogurt bark for an easy on-the-go breakfast. Simply spread probiotic yogurt on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add toppings of your choice, such as berries, bananas, honey and chocolate. Freeze for two to three hours or until firm.

Looking for more inspiration?

Reach out to your local Loblaws dietitian for more immuneboosting recipe ideas. They also provide a range of services, including phone consultations and online workshops. Find one near you at bookadietitian.ca.

Source News Canada

IMPOSSIBLE CHOICES

A

1 in 8 Canadians struggle to access the food they need

lthough many of us are excited to go back to indoor dining and welcome family and friends back into our homes, millions of Canadians struggle to access the nutritious food they need due to a lack of money, which has led to an ongoing epidemic of food insecurity.

One charity working on the problem is the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security, which is committed to working collaboratively across sectors to reduce food insecurity in Canada by 50 per cent by 2030. Sarah Stern, leader of the centre, provides these eye-opening statistics on food insecurity across the country:

Daily impossible choices

“Food insecurity is a reality for one in eight households in the country, and it forces hardworking people to compromise the quality and quantity of the food they buy for their family so they can pay fixed expenses like rent and heat,” explains Stern.

These difficult choices include whether to pay for rent or feed their children, or whether to buy winter boots for their growing child or feed them breakfast before school.

Food charities won’t solve food insecurity

“Hunger in Canada will not be solved through food charity; it requires concerted action from all levels of government,” says Stern. “For too long, food banks have borne responsibility for responding with emergency food relief, but this is not a sustainable solution.”

No one in Canada should have to rely on charity relief to ensure adequate nutrition for themselves and their loved ones. While charitable giving of food or monetary donations is important and supports those in need, Stern believes it should not be viewed as a long-term solution to food insecurity. To make a lasting impact, the priority should be to change the systems that perpetuate food insecurity.

Canadians helping Canadians

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on strong community values and having an equitable society where everyone can thrive.

“Food insecurity has become even more prevalent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this can change,” says Stern.

“Social change happens because people get behind it. We make noise. We band together. We commit and contribute. We have the means and the public will. Let’s act now. Because at its heart this is a social justice issue, not a food issue or a matter of charity.”

Find more information at feedopportunity.com.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

5

things all should know about their

women hearts W

Through research and advocacy, nursing professor Colleen Norris is helping raise awareness of women’s heart health among patients and health professionals.

(Photo: John Ulan)

62

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

omen face risks and causes of heart disease that men don’t — and knowing the differences is important to help them protect and advocate for their health.

Five times more women die from heart disease than from breast cancer. Yet many women don’t realize that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada.

Although treatments and outcomes of cardiovascular diseases are known to be different between men and women, women continue to be underdiagnosed, undertreated, undersupported and underresearched, according to Colleen Norris, professor in the Faculty of Nursing.

The “Hollywood heart attack” stereotype doesn’t fit women, said Norris, which means their symptoms are often missed. The causes of heart attack and the risk factors are also very different between men and women. Some of the risks for women can arise at an unexpectedly early age.

Cardiac researchers like Norris want Canadians to know the risks specific to women — and to share that knowledge with all the women they know on Wear Red Day. “If you ask Canadian women what they are afraid of, they will say breast cancer,” said Norris. “The idea of Wear Red Day is to educate and advocate about women’s heart health.”

Norris is co-chair of the Prairie working group of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance, which is hosting Wear Red Day Feb. 13, as well as the scientific director for Alberta Health Services’ Cardiovascular Health & Stroke Strategic Clinical Network.

Here is some of the information she wants women and health-care professionals to know.

Hospitals miss women’s symptoms more than 50 per cent of the time In her research, Norris tracked the number of women who showed up at emergency departments with signs www.desitoday.ca

of a heart attack or stroke and were sent home without being diagnosed. Her initial research showed that between 2010 and 2020, an average of 300 women a year were discharged from Alberta hospitals, only to return with a full-blown heart attack within 30 days.

Know the warning signs for women: • an abrupt change in how you feel • chest pain or discomfort • sharp pain in the upper body • breaking out in a cold sweat • sudden or unusual tiredness • unexplained nausea • light-headedness or shortness of breath

Women have risk factors that men don’t Two-thirds of research into heart disease and stroke is based on men, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. So it might come as a surprise to women to learn that every life stage for women, including pregnancy, poses risks to their heart health.

Women who have had prenatal complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia or protein in their urine are at significantly higher risk to develop early heart disease, Norris said.

“Getting pregnant is the first stress test you will have — it really taxes your vascular system,” she explained. “Identifying women at risk early in their lives means that it may be possible to alter that risk.”

There are other risk factors influenced by gender, such as socioeconomic inequity, health literacy and psychosocial factors related to stress at home, high workloads, tight deadlines and lack of control on the job.

The causes of heart disease can be different in women Women are more likely than men to experience some types of heart disease, and health-care providers may be unaware of these differences. Well-known causes in men and women include coronary artery disease, heart valve disease and an irregular heartbeat.

Women are more likely to have spontaneous coronary artery dissection (90 per cent of all cases are in women), microvascular dysfunction, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by severe stress or emotion, and coronary vasospasm. These have different symptoms compared with the better-known causes. Knowing more about www.desitoday.ca

Warning Signs • an abrupt change in how you feel • chest pain or discomfort • sharp pain in the upper body • breaking out in a cold sweat • sudden or unusual tiredness • unexplained nausea • light-headedness or shortness of breath

these conditions can help you take care of yourself — and help other women in your life take care of themselves, too.

Know your personal risk factors Ask your health-care provider about your personal risks. What tests can be used to assess that risk — for example, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight — and how often should they be done? Ask for the results of the tests and how they compare to the norm.

Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, minimizing alcohol intake and getting regular checkups are among the ways women can reduce their risks. Avoiding smoking or vaping can also help.

Women may have to advocate for the care they need Given that women’s symptoms aren’t always recognized, even by medical professionals, it’s important that women make themselves heard. If you think you’re having a heart

attack: • make it clear your symptoms are not normal for you.

• insist on an electrocardiogram and blood tests that can diagnose a heart attack.

• ask what your blood pressure, electrocardiogram and other test results show.

• ask to see a doctor who specializes in heart problems.

Before you go home, ask: • what should i do if i feel symptoms again?

• where can i follow up if i have questions about my heart?

• what should i do if i feel symptoms again?

Colleen Norris is among the women’s health experts speaking at a free event on March 8 featuring a discussion of the disparities that exist for women in health research and care, and the importance of women advocating for themselves and their loved ones.

Courtesy: Folio.ca APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

TIPS ON

Choosing THE Right Gym IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD

G

yms and fitness centres across British Columbia are now allowed to return to their full capacities after BC announced it is easing health restrictions in place to reduce COVID-19 transmissions.

After several rounds of closing and reopening, it finally seems to be a good time for people to consider their gym memberships and start tackling those 2022 health goals.

Before you make a decision on which membership you’d like to signup for, the BBB is sharing their tips for finding the right gym for you, and what issues to watch out for. Every year, the BBB receives numerous complaints about health clubs or gyms closing abruptly or refusing to cancel a contract or provide refunds.

Other common complaints include inadequate equipment maintenance or facilities or difficulty keeping up with the gym’s constantly changing class booking policies.

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

Therefore, before you sign on those dotted lines, BBB encourages you to consider the following tips to help you determine which gym is the best place to keep you on track.

Check BBB.org.

Business Profiles can help you check on the trustworthiness of fitness clubs and gyms. They show whether a facility has complaints and how the gym resolved them. You also can find out how long the facility has been in business, who owns it, and a rating from A+ to F.

Take a tour Ensure the gym has the equipment, classes and trainers you need or expect. Pay attention to things that are important to you, whether it’s the cleanliness of the showers or the availability of Wi-Fi. Ask questions and make sure you understand all the rules. Ask about busy times, wait times for equipment, whether classes www.desitoday.ca

require pre-registration, availability and cost of trainers, etc. Ask how the gym staff is keeping up with COVD-19 restrictions and maintaining the cleanliness of the facilities.

Ask questions about limited free trials Gyms often give a one-week free pass for potential members; this is a great way to see if the gym is a good fit for you. Try the gym at different times to see how crowded it is and whether there is a wait for certain equipment.

Check out classes if they are offered.

Understand the terms Read the contract carefully before signing.

Make sure that all verbal promises made by the salesperson are in writing. What matters is the contract and the terms within it, so don’t just take a salesperson’s word for it. What happens if you move or the gym goes out of business? Will the membership renew automatically at the end of the term?

What are the options if the changes in gym policies contradict your benefits? What is the cancellation policy, and under what circumstances?

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Calculate the true costs Gyms often use special introductory offers to encourage new members, but the price could go up more than you budgeted once the initial period is over. Make sure you understand the regular monthly fees and what they include.

Figure out your priorities

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Think carefully about what is most important to you. Will a convenient location and extended hours help you stick to your fitness plan? Will a variety of equipment or classes keep you motivated? Do you prefer a chain with numerous outlets?

Don’t feel coerced Do not give in to high-pressure sales tactics to join right away. A reputable gym will give you enough time to read the contract thoroughly, tour the facilities, do some research, and make an informed decision.

For more information on specific gyms and businesses visit BBB.org and check out the available Business Profiles for more details.

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

65

BEAUTY & ENT.

B

ollywood superstar Deepika Padukone, who has redefined romance with her actor-husband Ranveer Singh time and again, has shared the key to a good and healthy relationship.

The actress, who in 2018 was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME, has also talked about what it feels like to be in love. She says for her love is trust, friendship, companionship and where one can just be themselves.

What it takes to make a relationship healthy and successful, Deepika said: “Communication.”

She added: “I think honest communication in a relationship is extremely important and it’s not necessary that two people in a relationship are always on the same page. They may not necessarily have to agree with each other on all points but I think to communicate the way you feel about certain things and to be honest about that.”

Deepika says “communication is extremely key and important.”

“Even if there are arguments and disagreements. The fact that you feel a certain way and to communicate is that I think is important. So, I think a key to a good or a healthy relationship is communication,” added the doe-eyed actress.

Deepika and Ranveer have set the benchmark of what love is with their constant romance-filled exchanges on social media.

Asked what it feels like to be in love, Deepika shared: “Well, I think love in itself is a very loaded and complicated word to use like that I think. Also, because love just

means so many different things to different people.”

She added: “But as far as I am concerned, for me love is trust, friendshop, companionship, love is where you can just be yourself, love is adjustment. I think when you are 19 or 21, the definition of love is very different and when you get older the definition changes.”

Deepika currently awaits the release of her upcoming romantic drama ‘Gehraiyaan’, which talks about love and complex human relationships. The film is all set for a digital release on Prime Video on February 11.

Talking about her character Alisha in the film, Deepika said it was her story that was emotionally draining.

“I don’t think I can say there’s one thing that drained me. I think just the backstory of the character is the baggage that she’s carrying from the past. The emotional and mental turmoil she is going through when you see her in the film and the circumstances around her throughout the film,” she said.

“So, it’s like the character has been layered from the start so the minute you introduced to the character you realise that she is already at quite a juncture in her life in a sense so I think the hardest part was obviously was the conviction with the choices that are being made by this character and the repercussions of the choices,” Deepika added.

“So, emotionally that sort of turmoil of choices and consequences was the most difficult part for me.”

DEEPIKA PADUKONE’S

key to a successful relationship 66

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BEAUTY & ENT.

Ever since her acting debut in 2003, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has proved herself in every work that has come her way. The global star says she performs better when under pressure but does not take the stress from other people’s expectations.

Ever since her acting debut in 2003, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has proved herself in every work that has come her way. The global star says she performs better when under pressure but does not take the stress from other people’s expectations.

The former Miss World, who is currently creating waves internationally with her stellar performances, says she was always told that she wouldn’t be able to do it.

Proving everyone wrong, Priyanka, who is one of India’s highest-paid and most popular entertainers, in a chat with IANS said: “I do put pressure on myself.

When I put pressure on myself I perform better, I take decisions and work well under pressure. But I don’t take pressure from other people’s expectations.

“I never have because I would never be able to survive if I was listening to what everybody thought. I have always been told that ‘Yeh thodi na kar payegi’ and ‘you won’t be able to do it’. I have always heard that but I just keep walking forward and keep doing my work.”

The 39-year-old star garnered immense success with her powerpacked performance in the ‘Fashion’ in 2008. Since then there was no looking back for Priyanka.

The actress swept the audiences off their feet with her work in films such as ‘Mary Kom’, ‘7 Khoon Maaf’, ‘Barfi!’, ‘Kaminey’, ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’, ‘The Sky Is Pink’ and ‘The White Tiger’ to name a few.

That’s not all!

In Hollywood, Priyanka earned global recognition with her work in the thriller series ‘Quantico’ and 68

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

followed that a string of hits such as ‘Baywatch’, ‘A Kid Like Jake’, ‘Isn’t it Romantic’,’We Can Be Heroes’ and now she awaits the release of the much talked about film ‘The Matrix Resurrections’.

How does she take her own game a notch higher?

“I have said this from the beginning that I think that life is a journey, ambition is a journey.

Everything is a ladder, you have to take one step forward and two steps back. So I always try… especially now in Hollywood I started from the beginning like about seven-eight years ago.”

Priyanka had her own share of struggles in Hollywood too.

“I had to, as a new actor, introduce myself working towards being able to get roles like this and playing leading parts.”

Priyanka added: “It’s taken a while because I think it is required to educate this side of the world that South Asian talents can be mainstream but I feel very proud to be able to do that now and I always as an artiste try to better myself in everything I do.”

The Jamshedpur-born actress, who celebrated her third marriage anniversary with her American pop star husband Nick Jonas, also talked about the challenges of shooting a film like ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ starring Keanu Reeves.

Priyanka said: “It is a very difficult task to take on… We almost shot for seven-eight months and also we shot during Covid. So, that was difficult. Also, the scale of the movie. I think there was a lot of pressure on everyone.”

“But we have an amazing team, such an amazing technical team behind the movie that it was bound to be in great hands.”

Warner Bros Pictures is all set to release ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ pan-India last year in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

I couldn’t have survived had I listened to what everybody thought

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BEAUTY & ENT.

Unfortunate that LGBTQ community is invisible in our society AYUSHMANN KHURRANA

From playing a gay person on screen in the 2020 film ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ to falling in love with a transgender woman in his movie ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’, the poster boy of content-driven cinema Ayushmann Khurrana has made ends meet to spread awareness about the LGBT community.

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Talking to IANS about the LGBTQ community still not getting the acceptance they deserve in today’s time, Ayushmann, who is a strong believer of inclusivity, said: “It’s unfortunate that the LGBTQ community is very invisible in our society.”

Cinema has seen an evolution in the representation, says Ayushmann, who has been feted with a National Film Award.

“We have seen them being represented in a very different manner on screen in the past. We have come a long way from ‘Maharani’ (‘Sadak’) on screen to ‘Maanvi’ in ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’.”

The actor, who has appeared in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list of 2013 and 2019 and has been named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020 by Time Magazine, does not mince words when it comes to creating awareness about inclusivity.

“It is part of our social responsibility as an artiste to give something back to the society and it is required, it is the need of the hour. It is a 2021 film and in 2022... be more inclusive as a society. I think this film may trigger a small change.”

The 37-year-old has given back-to-back hits such as ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, ‘Andhadhun’, ‘Article 15’, ‘Bala’ and ‘Dream Girl’ to name a few in his nine-year journey in Hindi cinema.

The future too is bright as he has several films lined up such as ‘Anek’, ‘Doctor G’ and ‘Action Hero’.

With so many hopes and responsibilities riding on him, does Ayushmann ever feel the pressure?

“I think it is a happy expectation and I am glad that people expect something out of me because there is pressure to choose the right kind of scripts and parts... I have played in the past nine years it needs to solidify because there are certain benchmarks in the past I have achieved and I think the pressure will always be there but it’s a happy expectation I think from my side,” he said.

There are no limits when it comes to pushing boundaries for Ayushmann. The Chandigarh-born actor underwent rigorous training to flaunt a well-chiselled body in his latest film.

Talking about the hard training he underwent, Ayushmann recalled: “That was the toughest part for me till now. I had never had this kind of a transformation in the past and this was something which was required for the character of the film and I was waiting for a film where I could undergo this change physically and I am glad this happened with ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’.” www.desitoday.ca

BEAUTY & ENT.

L

actor magic LARA DUTTA

An can create on sets 72

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ara Dutta’s digital debut ‘Hiccups and Hookups’, directed by Kunal Kohli, has set the stage for the entry of Lionsgate Play in India. The show revolves around a modern Indian family, who are quite open about talking about pretty much anything that is considered a taboo in our society, from their dating to their sex lives.

Lara, who played Vasudha Rao, a single mother separated from her husband at the age of 40, spoke with IANS about the show, her thoughts on the changing nature of conversations on taboo subjects and how she approaches a character.

Excerpts from the conversation.

Talking about the mix of nervous energy and excitement with which she views the show, the actress, who was most recently in the news for playing Mrs Indira Gandhi in ‘Bell Bottom’, said: “For an actor, every single release brings along a nervous energy. But when it’s ready, when you see the finished product, it’s always made for the audience, we don’t make things for ourselves.

There’s also excitement when you feel like you’ve been a part of something really special, crazy and fun.”

Speaking specifically about the central theme of ‘Hiccups and Hookups’, Lara said: “Picking up a subject like this and presenting it in a relatable and humorous way, and to normalise a lot of things that are considered taboo subjects in a contemporary way, is what makes it truly special.”

Sharing how she approaches a character, the actress said: “When I hear a story, I already start seeing certain scenes in my head, imagining what those scenes would look like on screen. For ‘Hiccups and Hookups’, I was the first actor to be cast, followed by Prateik (Babbar) and Shinnova.”

Explaining how the creative process works, she added: “So, when the actors are cast, once everyone starts doing table reads together, once everybody gets on sets, it (the story) evolves in many ways. The beauty of it is that what sounded one way on paper, can completely transform and elevate when brought to screen. That’s the best part of being an actor: you create magic on sets.”

When asked about her source of inspiration for the show, Lara said: “You draw inspiration from people you interact with, from the observations you make in routine life and circumstances that life throws at you.”

Lauding her director, Kunal Kohli, the actress said she was confident about her character in the show because of him.

Concluding her conversation with IANS, she said: “Having Kunal Kohli helm this project, I knew right off the bat that I was in the hands of an impeccable director.Kunal is a director who has a certain sensitivity and sensibility about the way he sketches his female characters for the screen.” www.desitoday.ca

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BEAUTY & ENT.

RANI MUKERJI:

Films portray women the way society sees them S

tories of good Samaritans have emerged as rays of hope and positivity in these grim times.

Spotlighting a number of these real-life superheroes through his narration is Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao, who has recited a moving Hindi poem written by lyricist Swanand Kirkire as part of an eight-episode Spotify series.

She made her acting debut with the Bengali film ‘Biyer Phool’ in 1996 and entered Bollywood the same year with ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat’. Rani Mukerji, who has been in the industry for over 25 years, has talked about how in Bollywood the definition of a “heroine” has changed over the years.

Rani, who has always wooed the audiences with her power-packed performances, says actresses have

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always been showcased in a “dynamic” way and that films “portray women in the way the society sees them”.

Rani, who has impressed the audience and critics alike with her impactful skills in movies such as ‘Hey Ram’, ‘Saathiya’, ‘Black’, ‘Mardaani’ and ‘Hichki’ among many others, said: “For me, a heroine has always been a quintessential Hindi film heroine. I don’t think anything has changed.”

“If you see the graph of film actresses from the ‘40s or from ‘50s, you will see that Indian women were always portrayed in a very dynamic way...barring a few because every time your film has to reflect society as such.

So, if you seen the growth in India...you have seen the growth in the films as well in all characters and stories.” www.desitoday.ca

Rani added: “Things have changed with the times so I think films portray women in the way that the society sees them, the way they are right now and with each passing year that’s what has happened and shown in films.”

Having been in the industry for over two decades, Rani does not “feel” it.

“When somebody says 25 years I say ‘oh really!’ because for me it just doesn’t feel like it is 25 years. Time has really flown I feel.

I still remember my first day on my first film, I still remember my ‘Ghulam’ days, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’...”

She added: “So, it’s really crazy that somebody says 25 years...I say ‘don’t say na 25 years’ it’s making me feel like I am here forever’.”

Rani, who is married to the head honcho of Yash Raj Films Aditya Chopra and has a daughter named Adira, has reprised her role of Babli/Vimmy in the latest release ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’.

Is their any pressure to up her own game every time she comes on screen?

Pat came the reply: “Absolutely”.

That’s the fun of it, feels Rani.

“That’s the fun I feel for my craft you see because when I kind of work in a film that challenges me as an artiste that is what drives me. That is what makes me kind of excited about going back on set and trying to deliver something I don’t think I will be able to do it unless or until I reach the set.

So, there is always that excitement you know.” www.desitoday.ca

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BEAUTY & ENT.

‘Rum Jhum’ A TRIBUTE TO

K. L. SAIGAL

IFTIKHAR RASHID Launches Music Career at the of Age 70

Singer Iftikhar Rashid, proving age is just a number, has officially launched his music career at age 70 with his debut song Rum Jhum, a tribute to K.L. Saigal. Music for the song has been produced by the talented Shamsher Rana who also happens to be Iftikhar’s grandson. Directed by Ali Ashraf, the video is stylized to capture the young energy of a contemporary vibe, wrapped in retro soul.

Talking about his musical inspiration, Iftikhar Rashid says: “The two singing voices which I always felt were the greatest voices in the subcontinent were K.L. Saigal and 76

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Pankhaj Malik. From my very school days I started listening to their songs and also some semi-classical music. Over the years, they became my tutors in the sense that I was fond of music and singing, but I did not keep any ‘ustaad’. I have never been tutored in music … my tutors are Saigal and Pankhaj.

I used to listen to them on cassettes and in the car and sing along with them. With the passage of time my voice was cultured and I started singing their difficult songs with reasonable ease. Then a time came when my daughter insisted that I should practice on the harmonium also, as my vocal cords would

improve. When I did that, I was amazed to see that I could reach the higher notes of Saigal and lower notes of both Saigal and Pankhaj, with reasonable ease.”

Explaining the backstory to Rum Jhum, Iftikhar Rashid says: “When I saw the 1943 film ‘Tansen’, there were four or five songs in that film which were really inspiring in the sense that they were difficult, melodious, and were also very appropriate to the nature of the film and the scene’s situation. My debut song, which is inspired by the original “Rumjhum Rumjhum Chal Tihari” from the movie Tansen, is not a very happy song per say, but it has a lot of music and melody to it. In the movie, they show that the heroine is attacked by elephants and when Saigal starts singing this song, he has influence over the animals and they get charmed when they hear him and start doing exactly what he wants them to do. So he manages to stop elephants from attacking his beloved by singing this song, and eventually the animals all surround him and salute him.”

A time came in Iftikhar Rashid’s life when he began only liking classical music and subsequently in 2003 set up a teaching academy ‘Ahang-e-Khusravi’ in Islamabad, under the late Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan, known as a maestro of classical music. “So Fateh Ali Khan was a tutor in our academy for a good 16 years and passed thousands of years of pristine classical music to the younger generation. When I started liking classical music, Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan, in fact anybody who came across me who loved music or would play music, would insist that I adopt it as a professional career. This included Sohail Rana, Rashid Attre, and Inayat Hussain Bhatti also wanted me to sing for him when I was in college. However my father and family considered this to not be acceptable by way of our family customs and traditions. I was not allowed to sing”, he reminisces.

At the ripe age of 70 Iftikhar felt it was finally the right time to start singing.

“Therefore I have recorded this song and am happy with how it has turned out. Music is a passion for me and because of it I can deliver better than if I was without that passion”, he says. Iftikhar feels it is too early in the day to definitively comment on where he thinks his music career will end up leading him. “If people like my music and my debut song Rum Jhum, I will continue releasing more music”, he concludes. www.desitoday.ca

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SCAMS

that target SENIORS and

IMMIGRANTS

North Vancouver RCMP continuously warns general public about the scams and frauds persistently targeting the elderly and other vulnerable populations such as immigrants and those for whom English is not their first language by Email, Phone call and message and Fax. Here are some common ones -

The “Emergency” scam

Emergency scams prey on your fear of a loved one being hurt or in trouble. Scammers claim to be someone you know and tell you they need money immediately.

Scenarios they may use include: • Needing bail money because they’ve been arrested • Being in a car accident • Trouble returning from a foreign country

The “Social Insurance Number” scam

Fraudsters may call and tell you that your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is linked to 80

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

a fraudulent account or criminal activity and then demand that you either: • Verify or provide your personal information • Withdraw money and deposit it into a “safe account” or to a representative

What you should know:

• Fraudsters can manipulate caller ID to display phone numbers starting with your area code or the legitimate phone number of these agencies - this is called “Callspoofing”.

• No government agency will contact you and tell you that your SIN is blocked.

• Police officers will never present themselves at your residence to demand a payment.

The “Romance” scam

A scammer convinces you to enter a virtual, online relationship so the scammer can gain your trust and affection. This can occur through: • Email messages • Fake profiles on social media and dating sites Eventually, the scammer may ask you: • for money for travel, a medical emergency or family assistance – making it seem urgent or like an emergency • to receive money for them – by doing so you might unknowingly be committing a crime • to join a business venture with them www.desitoday.ca

• to invest in cryptocurrency

The “Extortion” scam

The Canadian AntiFraud Centre collects information on fraud and identity theft. We provide information on past and current scams affecting Canadians. If you think you’re a victim of fraud, report it!

Extortion happens when someone unlawfully obtains money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution through coercion.

Ongoing extortion scams include:

Bomb threat

A scammer sends an email to a person or business stating that they’re an assassin and they’ve planted a bomb. They demand a large sum of money (possibly in Bitcoin) in return for not carrying out the mission.

As of Feb. 28, 2022 REPORTS OF FRAUD:

12,252 (106,637 in 2021)

Denial of Service (DOS)

VICTIMS OF FRAUD:

Scammers send an email to a business threatening to attack or bring down the business’s website and internet services.

The email states it’s from a hacker group. It requests payment via Bitcoin or other crypto currencies immediately.

7,922 (67,724 in 2021) LOST TO FRAUD:

$75.5 M ($380 M in 2021)

Explicit video

Via email, a scammer claims to have hacked your computer and recorded you performing an explicit act (i.e., masturbation). They often cite some of your personal information (e.g.

Social Insurance Number) or a password you have used as proof of the hack. They state that they will release the video publicly if you do not pay a fee via Bitcoin.

The computer has not been hacked. The password cited was obtained in a previous data breach.

Hitman

These emails claim that someone betrayed you and hired the sender to kill you. The sender offers to cancel the contract and provide the name of the person who hired them, for a cost. The email requests the payment in Bitcoin and provides an address to send the payment to.

In some variations, the scammer claims to have links to terrorist organizations.

These emails attempt to create a sense of urgency and alarm to get you to send money.

Hostage

Scammers claim to be high-ranking government officials. We’ve received reports of scammers saying they were the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Finance or www.desitoday.ca

Source : antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

the Minister of Public Safety.

The scammer asks for financial help from the business to pay a ransom. They may state that employees of the business are being held hostage. While the ransom demand is real, the actual hostage-taking is fake.

These scams are well constructed. They appear to come from Canadian government officials who are known to the recipient. The scammers target various industries, but often within the critical infrastructure industry.

Hydro

A scammer claims to be an employee of a local or provincial hydro company. They state that you or your business have an unpaid balance on your hydro bill. You must pay it immediately or the company will turn off your power.

The scammer may request payment via money service businesses, pre-paid cards/ gift cards (iTunes Google Play or Steam cards) or Bitcoin.

Immigration extortion

The scammer calls you at home and claims to be with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (formerly Citizenship and Immigration Canada). They tell you that you’ve failed to complete or register certain immigration documents. They insist you need to pay the fees immediately or risk: • deportation • loss of passport • loss of citizenship Learn more about immigration scams and fraud.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious software (malware) that: • infects a computer • denies access to the system or data • demands a sum of money to restore the information APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

81

If you have an infected computer, you’ll see an on-screen alert stating your files are encrypted.

Sextortion

Scammers create fake profiles on social media and pornographic and dating websites.

They use these profiles to lure you into a relationship and coerce you into performing sexual acts on camera.

The scammer records the session and threatens to send the image or video to other people unless you pay or provide more sexual content.

Taxpayer or Canada Revenue Agency

A scammer claims to be an employee of either the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada. They state that you: • have a compromised SIN number • have an outstanding case against you • owe back taxes • have unpaid balances • committed a financial crime They threaten that if you do not speak to them immediately, you’ll be arrested, fined or even deported.

The scammers may request payment via money service businesses, pre-paid cards/ gift cards (iTunes, Google Play or Steam cards) or Bitcoin.

Telephone calls targeting the Asian community

The Asian community in Canada is being targeted with automated calls claiming to have an urgent message from sources such as: • the Beijing police • interpol • the Chinese consulate • a delivery agency These calls can be very intimidating and threatening.

The scam calls vary, but generally they claim customs intercepted a letter or package in your name, and implicate you in the fraud.

For example, the message may state that customs stopped a suspicious package containing many bank cards and you are the subject of an investigation.

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Scammers will try to use any means necessary to convince you that their requests are legitimate. The majority of fraud is not committed by amateurs and they will use technology to their advantage.

Look out for these red flags and be suspicious: • when someone you haven’t met in person professes their love to you • if the person wants to quickly move to a private or different mode of communication (Email, Text, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts etc.)

• if they always have an excuse not to meet in person • if you receive poorly/oddly written messages, sometimes even addressing you by the wrong name • if the individual claims to live close to you but is working overseas • if they act distressed or angry to guilt you into sending money • if the individual discourages you from discussing them or their situation with your friends and family (attempting to isolate you from those who may be suspicious of the relationship)

Here are some additional guidelines to follow to help prevent being victimized: • Don’t be afraid to say no • Do your research Remember: If you didn’t initiate the call, you don’t know who you’re talking to, NEVER give out personal information such as: • • • • •

Your name Your address Your birthdate Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) Your credit card or banking information

For more information about scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre website.

If you have been a victim of a scam, please contact your local police or call 9-1-1. To report a scam where you have not been victimized, whether you were contacted by phone, email or otherwise, please report it to the Canadian Anti Fraud Website online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

www.desitoday.ca

Baby Fever

UBC study finds advertising and social media can boost desire to have children

W

hat exactly motivates people to have children? Over time, researchers have attributed it to reasons like biological drive, social pressures and emotional fulfillment. But according to a new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business, advertising and social media should be added to that list.

The research team found that viewing positive parent-child images, like going to the park, having dinner, drawing, taking fun trips or playing with their children, reliably boosted young adults’ desire for their own little bundle of joy. This response is mostly driven by people’s empathic emotions.

Notably, viewing negative parent-child images, like children drawing on walls, crying, fighting with siblings, or having a meltdown on an airplane, did not have much of an effect on people’s desire to have children.

“Advertising and social media play an important role in how we view the world.

In general, what we see on Instagram and Facebook are positive portrayals of parenthood, with #blessed and

www.desitoday.ca

#bestkidsever. How often do we see parents post #mykidsareterrible?” asks study coauthor and UBC Sauder Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Cavanaugh (she/her).

“We wanted to see if, by simply showing pictures of kids in advertising, we could affect the desire to have children.”

A desire that’s difficult to dissuade In a series of four studies, researchers observed a total group of 1,093 young adults between the ages of 18-35, none of whom had children. Some participants were shown advertisements with positive parent/child images, and others were shown versions of the same ads but with the child removed.

Researchers found that young adults who viewed the positive parent-child images had a 22 per cent stronger desire to have children than those who viewed the neutral images (i.e. the same image but without a child). They also reported significantly greater empathic emotions (such as tenderness, compassion,

sympathy, caring, affection) after viewing the parent-child images.

A second study looked at the response that viewing negative images would have on people’s desire to have kids. In this study, participants were divided into three groups: one that looked at positive images, another who looked at negative images, and one that looked at images of only the featured products.

Interestingly, those who viewed the positive parenting images experienced that same boost in their desire to have kids of their own, but those who saw images of misbehaving kids with frustrated parents did not see their desire wane. In fact, the negative portrayals of parenting didn’t have much effect at all.

“These are people who don’t yet have children, so it could be they see the comedy in kids behaving badly. When it’s not you trying to clean up the mess or get a child to eat before you go to work, it can be humorous,” says Dr. Cavanaugh, who co-authored the study with Dr. S. Katherine Nelson-Coffey of Sewanee: The University of The South.

“But we can say with certainty that people without children who saw these negative parent-child moments were not dissuaded.”

A long-lasting “baby fever” The researchers also found that the effects were far from fleeting among those who felt the increased desire to have kids, as these empathic emotions and aspirations to have children remained high even three days after seeing the images.

“That may not sound like a big deal at first, but consider the constant drip of images in our social media feeds. People are regularly seeing images of their friends’ kids along with plenty of celebrity parent pics posted on social media, and the effect could accumulate over time,” Dr. Cavanaugh said.

Dr. Cavanaugh says it is fascinating that when young adults are of childbearing age, their desire to have children could be measurably affected by something as simple and common as advertising and social media posts — especially since it’s a decision with such significant consequences for themselves and for society.

This study was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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d E S i T odaY AUT O

2022

ST Line : Solid performer and value for money.

FORD EDGE F

or 2022 there is a real focus on technology and safety in the Ford line, and the mid-sized Edge Crossover range is no exception. Handsome, stylish, and superbly made, the Edge has a strong, confident exterior styling that is aging well; this is one of the best-looking midsize CUVs you can get. There are a choice of fuel-efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, while the performance ST Line model as tested, offers a powerful 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 250 Horsepower and Torque at 275 @ 3000 rpm.

Across the range, the Edge offers a luxury ride, premium interior trims and a plethora of high-tech. The single 3.7-liter V6 engine meanwhile powers the performance ST Edge and the top-level Titanium model. Not much

is new for 2022 apart from a huge 12-inch touch screen housing the Ford SYNC 4A infotainment system and a few minor updates.

The transmission is via an8/Automatic w/OD hooked up to All Wheel Drive.

The Ford Edge ST Line as tested is a comfortable, performance enhanced CUV. The unique Ford ST performance appearance package comprises: 20 - inch machined and black finished rims, a sport-tuned suspension, leather sport seats with suede inserts, an ST perforated-leather steering wheel, aluminum pedals, dual-polished exhaust tips and most of the upper cut Titanium models equipment package. There are also body-color exterior mirror caps, body-color Door handles, black beltline moulding, gloss black painted

THE GOOD • Long list of features • Satisfying acceleration • Plush, well-padded seats • Plenty of space for passengers and luggage • Fuel-efficient and performance-oriented engines

THE BAD • Down-market interior quality • Over-reliance on touch screen for some controls 84

APR / MAY 2022

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mesh grill and trapezoidal fascia and a black rear diffuser. Other ST Line -specific enhancements include some faux vents, LED headlights and taillights. Option on our tester included: Evasive Steering Assist, .Adapt Cruise W/S&G & Lane Control, Built-In Nav(3-Yr Incl), Cold Weather Package ($500.) .Heated Steering Wheel, Panoramic Roof ($1,850.) , And Class I1 Trailer Tow Pkg ($600) Interior wise, the Edge ST offers a roomy, well finished interior with excellent occupant space front and rear. There are full power leather seats, a unique aluminum instrument panel appliqué, Four 12-Volt Power points, and Ambient Lighting.

Technology is high and Ford has you covered completely with a new Ford+Alexa app: BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Hands-Free, FootActivated Power Liftgate, Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start, Lane-Keeping System, Rotary Gear Shift Knob, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Cruise, Secondary Audio and 5-Way Controls, SYNC® 390 Two Driverconfigurable 4.2-inch LCD Displays in Cluster.

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

Options include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering, AutoDimming Driver’s Exterior Mirror, Enhanced Active Park Assist with Side Parking Sensors.

The Edge comes with Fords Co-Pilot360 Protect suite technology, now available as standard on all trims. The safety suite includes active steering, auto emergency braking with pre-collision braking, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, backup camera with lens cleaner and auto high-beam assist.

The ST Lines sport seats are supportive and comfortable and have a luxury look. At 1,110 L behind the rear seats, cargo volume is generous, and the opening to the tailgate

is nice and wide. Well, thought out buttons remotely lower the second-row seats from just inside the liftgate, and using them opens the cargo volume to 2,079 L. The Edge is supremely comfortable for all occupants.

On the road, the Edge offers excellent acceleration from the smooth Fur cylinder turbo engine with a wide powerband and lots of torque. With the Ecoboost’ s excellent engineering, Ford has overcome the traditional downsides of turbocharged engines — poor performance at low rpm, turbo lag and not so good fuel economy. In urban settings the Edge ST proves to be a comfortable family cruiser and in contrast lets rip on the highway. . With tuned suspension, steering and optional performance brakes, the ST Line can handle just about any winding road with utter confidence. Throttle response is just about instant. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available, and shifts are smooth and quick. Handling is good, cornering is well controlled thanks to at Edge’s firmer suspension.

Overall, the ST Line is a fast, fun to drive competitive CUV and has great interior luxury and offers excellent features, other models in the Edge lineup still offer great value for the buck, but the Edge ST has the slinkier looks and the increased performance. Fuel economy is rated at: Est. City/Hwy L/100km.

11.5/8.3. To sum up, not a lot to complain about, apart from the lack of an available third row. The Edge is a great daily ride. Its fast, entertaining and offers a versatile layout for families as well as being comfortable, and well featured. Highly recommended. www.desitoday.ca

2022

TRD Sport : Added to Lineup for 2022 Model

TOYOTA 4RUNNER

A

s a Toyota lineup mainstay for nearly 40 years, the Toyota 4Runner has carved out its place as the doanything SUV that’s at home whether on the pavement or the trail. For 2022, the 4Runner lineup expands with the addition of TRD Sport, offering an exceptional combination of style and performance.

Similar to its mid-size truck sibling the Tacoma, 4Runner adds TRD Sport grade to complement TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro, but where TRD Off-Road and Pro add trail-ready features designed for tackling the toughest terrain, TRD Sport looks to add style, flair and some road-worthy upgrades.

With an emphasis on everyday comfort and enhanced road dynamics, 4Runner TRD Sport adds the exclusive CrossLinked Relative Absorber System (X-REAS) suspension to enhance on-road handling.

The X-REAS system, also found on the Limited grade, automatically adjusts the damping force of shock absorbers when driving over bumpy surfaces or when cornering. A centre control absorber cross-links the shock absorbers on opposite corners of the vehicle, like an “X,” to help reduce pitch and yaw by offsetting opposing inputs.

TRD Sport is available in part-time 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case and provide an ample 9.6 inches of ground clearance. TRD

www.desitoday.ca

Sport builds upon the SR5 grade on which it is based by swapping the 17-inch wheels in favor of new machine-faced 20-inch wheels with Dark Gray accents. All 4Runners come equipped with a full-sized spare tire.

Unique styling comes in the form of colour-keyed accents on the grille, rocker panels and body molding. The signature TRD-style hood scoop is added to TRD Sport, as is a front spoiler, and black roof rails complement the colour scheme. Inside, TRD sport ditches cloth for SofTex-trimmed seats, which adds heated front seats to the mix. The black SofTex-trimmed seats offer unique gray contrast stitching, and the front headrests feature gray-coloured TRD stitched logos.

TRD Sport floor mats are included and a standard TRD shift knob completes the look.

4Runner TRD Sport is equipped with a standard 8-inch multimedia touchscreen display. In addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the multimedia system includes a USB media port, hands-free phone capability, advanced voice recognition and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and a SiriusXM® 3-month All Access trial. Connected Services include Safety Connect® with 1-year trial. For 2022, all 4Runner grades include LED headlamps (low beams), fog lamps and now LED high beams as well.

THE GOOD • Actually able to excel offroad • Packed with standard driver-assistance tech • Inside boasts generous passenger and cargo space.

THE BAD • Fuel economy is average • Not as refined as newer mid-size SUVs • Tall step-in height makes for awkward entry and exit.

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

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dE S i T odaY AUT O

2022

Ultimate AWD : New EV breaks out with 488 km of driving range and more!

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 • Fantastic gas mileage • Intuitive infotainment system • Many standard safety features • Roomy front seats and cargo area • Snug rear seats • Price tag of top-spec version

A

fter a long much anticipated wait the fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback is finally arriving in dealer showrooms. With a top electric range of 488km, radical out of the box styling, a roomy interior, and a lot of high- end technology, the Ioniq 5 looks like a sure -fire winner. Its boxy looks, flush pop out door handles and funky front and rear light cube treatments give it a unique look.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is offered in three powertrain configurations and five trim levels. The base Essential trim is a single engine, RWD configuration that delivers 354-kilometre range and starts at $44,999.

The next trim up is the Preferred model, which adds a heat pump, 350 kW fast charging, keeps the same 354-kilometre range rating and starts at $46,999.

At the top of the range are the two longrange models equipped with the larger 77.4 kWh battery. The first one is the Preferred model with RWD configuration that offers 488 88

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

kilometres of range –It starts at $51,999.

The only available AWD model is the Preferred AWD trim which starts at $54,999.

This one can be optioned with the Ultimate Package as tested, comprising 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, a Bose sound system, and remote parking feature. Our tester had the 239kW Electric motor, 77.4kWh lithium-ion polymer high-voltage battery and HTRAC All-Wheel Drive Now in terms of electric charging, Hyundai says the Ioniq 5’ battery can charge from 10 to 80% in as miniscule as 18 minutes when using a fast charger (800V). You can also gain a quick 108 km of driving range after just five minutes of plugged-in time. A 10.9kW AC Level 2 charger installed at home will get the car from 10 per cent to a full charge in six hours and 43 minutes. The Ioniq 5 is also fitted with the V2L feature, which lets you use the battery’s power to feed appliances and charge electronics.

Like all Hyundai vehicles, standard equipment is extensive. You get a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite navigation, 8-speaker Bose audio system, ventilated, and heated seats, power liftgate, 20-inch alloy wheels, semi-autonomous parking assist, remote smart parking assist, and dual-zone climate control and more.

In terms of technology, the Ioniq 5 features Hyundai’s second-generation highway driving assist tech with assisted, turn-signal-triggered lane changes, and cool augmented-reality head-up display system which overlays graphics on the view out of the windshield.

Interior wise, the Ioniq 5 features a clean, neat cabin that is a little is more subdued than the funky exterior. In keeping with its green credentials much of the interior such as the seats, headliner, door trim and floor, are made from recycled plastic bottles and natural, plant-based wool yarn. The www.desitoday.ca

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dashboard is dominated by a twin-screen 12inch setup that includes the instruments and the infotainment system. In the front, the fully flat floor leaves a surplus of room below the dashboard and between the two front seats.

By the way, those two front seats can also turn into cool recliners with leg support for short naps during charging. The front armrest/ centre storage console in the middle can be also moved forward and back. Cargo space offers 532 litres with the seats up, but this increases to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded down. There is even a tiny 56-litre space in the front hood for small items.

On the road, the powerful motors fitted to the Ioniq 5 deliver that awesome “shove in the back” feel on acceleration so typical of high torque EV cars, in this case with 320 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque available.

With an electric motor at each axle, the Ioniq 5 AWD Hyundai EV has a very impressive zero to 100 km/h in a scant 5.1 seconds. Its exciting to drive an EV at this price point that performs like a premium performance hatchback. You can also tailor the driving dynamics with three available drive modes, Eco, Normal and Sport, which are selected with a button on the lower part of the steering wheel. As far as handling goes, the Ioniq 5 is agile with minimal body roll and takes fast corners very well in a composed stable manner. In terms of fuel economy, we are looking at a gasoline equivalent of 2.4 L/100KM of 2.1. City and 2.7 highway. All impressive numbers.

To sum up, I predict the Ioniq 5 will be a winner with its unique styling, awesome electric range, and roomy versatile interior.

It’s a fresh take on the EV and has decent performance. Also note that with its competitive pricing at just under the $45,000 mark, buyers will still be eligible for both federal and provincial EV discounts and rebates. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has my vote!

Very impressive and a good addition to the Hyundai EV lineup. Highly recommended. www.desitoday.ca

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89

FOOD

DESI TODAY RECIPE

Chilli Skillet Mac Diabetes friendly meals to keep you warm and nourished

PrEP TimE: 10 MINUTES cooK TimE: 25 MINUTES SErVES: 6 CUPS / 4 (1 ½ CUPS PER SERVING)

Ingredients • 1 lb (454 g) extra lean beef (or ground turkey/chicken) • 1 tsp (5 mL) canola oil • 1 onion, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 stalk celery, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder • 1 tbsp (15 mL) yellow mustard (optional) 2 cups (500 mL) sodium-reduced beef broth 90

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

• 2 tbsp (25 mL) tomato paste • 1 cup (250 mL) canned, cooked, no-salt added red kidney beans, drained and rinsed • 1 cup (250 mL) cooked small shell, bowtie or elbow pasta • 1 lb (454 g) extra lean beef (or ground turkey/chicken) • 1 tsp (5 mL) canola oil • 1 onion, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 stalk celery, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder • 2 tbsp (25 mL) tomato paste • 1 tbsp (15 mL) yellow mustard (optional)2 cups (500 mL) sodium-reduced beef

For most of us, months of comfort food and sedentary lifestyles come at a cost. For the over three million Canadians living with type 2 diabetes, it’s even more important to stay on track. The great news is that by incorporating healthy foods into your diet, you can help balance blood sugar levels and manage health-related risks. Have the best of both worlds; hearty and comforting meals, while keeping your diabetes top of mind.

Try this simple and fun spin on two family favourites.

broth • 1 cup (250 mL) canned, cooked, no-salt added red kidney beans, drained and rinsed • 1 cup (250 mL) cooked small shell, bowtie or elbow pasta

Directions 1. In a non-stick skillet cook beef for 8 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain in colander.

2. Return skillet to medium heat and add oil. Cook onion, garlic, celery, carrot, and chili powder for about 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in beef, tomato paste, and mustard if using, to coat.

3. Add broth and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in beans and pasta; simmer for about 5 minutes or until heated through and thickened slightly.

Find more recipe ideas at cart2table.ca.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

FOOD

DESI TODAY RECIPE Want a healthier twist on a takeout favourite? Try this nutritious and delicious spin with cauliflower pizza, for those nights when you want a treat that’s as good for you as it tastes. This kidneyfriendly pie is perfect for those looking to limit their intake of sodium and phosphorus.

It was developed by dietitian Hanna Kim for the Kidney Community Kitchen, a Kidney Foundation website that offers tasty recipes, tips and expert advice on how to make cooking fun, even if you have restrictions in your diet. Try this pizza to prove cooking on a kidney diet doesn’t have to be boring.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Cauliflower

Pizza

A VEGGIE TWIST ON A FAMILY FAVOURITE Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

½ head of cauliflower, stalk removed ¼ cup grated parmesan 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp Italian seasoning ¼ tsp of salt 1 egg ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese 2 red bell peppers 1 tbsp of olive oil + 1 tsp for drizzling on peppers and garlic • 2-3 garlic cloves with peel • 5 sprigs fresh basil • 1 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch)

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and pat dry the bell peppers and place them and the unpeeled garlic cloves (this prevents the garlic from burning) on a baking sheet.

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

2. Drizzle on 1 tsp of oil and a dash of salt, then bake peppers and garlic for 30 minutes on the top rack until peppers look soft and brown.

3. While peppers bake, pulse cauliflower in food processor until it’s crumbly and a rice-like texture.

4. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread riced cauliflower in a single layer and bake for 15 minutes in the same oven, on the rack below the bell peppers and garlic.

5. Check on peppers and garlic. Take out of the oven once ready and let cool for 10 minutes.

6. Peel and trim stems off peppers and peel garlic. Add peppers, garlic, olive oil and cornstarch to food processor and run on high speed until mixture is finely pureed and smooth.

7. In a small pot, stir bell pepper sauce for

10 to 15 minutes on low heat until the sauce thickens; set aside.

8. Take cauliflower out of oven. After it cools, transfer to a clean cheesecloth or dishtowel. Squeeze out excess moisture and discard water.

9. In a large bowl, add riced cauliflower, spices, parmesan, salt and egg. Mix well.

10. Press dough into a circle onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at ¼-inch thickness.

11. Bake for 30 minutes at 400°F until golden. Flip crust over and bake again for 10 more minutes.

12. Remove from oven and add roasted red pepper sauce, mozzarella and basil.

Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts.

Find more recipes at kidneycommunitykitchen.ca.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

DESI TODAY RECIPE

Put down the food delivery apps and level up your snack game for the next match day with this amazing avocado dip recipe – and no, it’s not guacamole. This healthy and colourful snack combines creamy avocados from Mexico, beet hummus, fresh salmon, crunchy vegetables and a hint of jalapeño — just enough to spice things up.

It’s easy to make and also for clean up.

7-Layer Dip THE ULTIMATE

A HEALTHY DIP FOR THE ULTIMATE GAME NIGHT PrEP TimE: 30 minUTES cooK TimE: 0 minUTES SErVES: 6 To 8

Ingredients: • • • •

3 tomatoes, diced ¼ jalapeño, chopped 2 green onions, minced 60 mL (¼ cup) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro • 4 avocados from Mexico, peeled and pitted • 1 garlic clove, chopped • Juice of one lime 94

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

• 500 mL (2 cups) beet hummus • 375 mL (1 ½ cups) store-bought roasted peppers, chopped • 2 mini cucumbers, sliced into thin rounds • 300 g (2/3 lb.) hot-smoked salmon, shredded • Fresh chervil leaves for garnish • Salt and pepper • Crackers, sliced baguette and endive leaves for dipping

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix tomatoes with jalapeño, green onions and cilantro. Season with

salt and pepper and set aside; drain any excess liquid.

2. In another bowl, use a fork to mash avocados from Mexico with garlic and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

3. Pour beet hummus into a bowl of approximately 1.5 litres. Add in layers: tomato mixture, guacamole, roasted peppers, sliced cucumber, cilantro and smoked salmon. Top with chervil leaves and serve with crackers, baguette bread and endives.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

DESI TODAY RECIPE

Our favourite FrenchCanadian comfort food got a serious healthy makeover… made in Mexico. This delicious dish can be turned into something nutritious as well, without compromising on taste. What happens when the spicy flavours of Latin American meet the tastes of our childhood classics? Get ready to fall in love with this poutine featuring avocados from Mexico.

Try a Mexican twist on a Canadian favourite

Mexi-Canadian Poutine WITH VEGGIES AND AVOCADOS

PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES COOK TIME: 20 – 25 MINUTES SERVES: 4

Ingredients: VEgETaBLE STicKS • 1 sweet potato, peeled, cut into sticks • 1 turnip, peeled, cut into sticks • 3 parsnips, peeled, cut into sticks • 3 carrots, peeled, cut into sticks • Splash of canola oil • Salt and pepper, to taste SaUcE • 1 cup (250 mL) ready-made poutine sauce www.desitoday.ca

• 2 tbsp. (30 mL) tomato paste • 2 tsp. (10 mL) Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp. (15 mL) hot sauce (such as Valentina, Red Hot, etc.)

• 1 tsp. (5 mL) cumin seeds (optional) PoUTinE • Kernels from 2 grilled ears of corn • 2 grilled peppers, diced • 1 ½ cups (375 mL) cheese curds • 2 avocados from Mexico, peeled, pitted and cubed • 2 shallots, minced • 2 tbsp. (30 mL) cilantro, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 180°C/375°F. 2. Mix vegetable sticks in a bowl with the oil, salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cook on centre rack for 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Add sauce ingredients to a pan and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Set aside.

4. When vegetables are done, put roasted vegetables, cheese curds, roasted peppers, grilled corn and avocado from Mexico cubes on a serving platter (or 4 individual plates). Top with shallots and cilantro. Drizzle with sauce before serving.

Source News Canada APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

95

DESI TODAY RECIPE

PIÑA COLADA

Tired of the usual salads and avocado toast?

Try adding some Latin American twists to your table. This exciting recipe is sure to remind you of your last holiday — it’s a healthy bite combining the creaminess of avocados from Mexico with the energizing flavours of a piña colada. It’ll level up your snack time and brighten up even the greyest day.

CUPCAKES HEALTHY CUPCAKES FOR A COLOURFUL SNACK

PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES SERVES: 12

Ingredients: cUPcaKES • 375 mL (1½ cups) all-purpose flour • 10 mL (2 tsp.) baking powder • A pinch of salt • 2 eggs • 160 mL (2/3 cup) sugar • 180 mL (¾ cup) vegetable oil • 1 avocado from Mexico, peeled, pitted and pureed • Zest of 1 lime • 180 mL (3/4 cup) milk FroSTing • 225 g (½ lb.) cream cheese 96

APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

• 60 mL (¼ cup) coconut cream (careful, not coconut milk!)

• 250 mL (1 cup) icing sugar oPTionaL garniSh Toasted coconut flakes, grilled pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Sift flour into bowl with baking powder and salt.

Set aside.

2. Beat eggs and sugar together with a mixer. While stirring, drizzle in oil until mixture is smooth. Add avocado from Mexico puree and lime zest. Add flour and milk alternately.

3. Pour cupcake batter into 12 paper

cupcake moulds and bake for about 20 minutes.

4. Combine cream cheese, coconut cream and icing sugar with a mixer.

5. Once cupcakes are baked and have completely cooled, pipe frosting with a pastry bag, sprinkle with toasted coconut and garnish with grilled pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries.

TiP: If you don’t have a pastry bag, cut parchment paper to create a triangle shape.

Tightly roll into a cone shape. Pour in icing mixture and push towards the bottom. Bend the end to close cone properly. Cut the tip at an angle and you’re ready to frost your cupcakes like a pro.

Source News Canada www.desitoday.ca

LIFE & ETC.

For entertainment purpose only

Know what your star says

Horoscope May 2022

BY MOON SIGN

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Small start gently for native Aries. It will take patience to see finally happen important changes in your life. Some planets are not soft with you, suddenly, some delays are possible, expect to live missed appointments and other unforeseen, nothing catastrophic only somewhat constrictive situations. There is a positive point; despite the contrarieties your smile remains intact, which does not spoil anything. Quickly everything comes back in order, from the third week the small difficulties are dissipated; good vibrations give impetus to your projects. Luck comes in your sign at the end of the month, now or never, you must seize the opportunities. Your relationships are stronger, new bonds are created.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) We can say that spring you succeed dear Taurus! From the beginning of the month, you are well in your sneakers, you look like happy days. It’s as if nothing could destabilize you. In this spring, the family is well represented, it holds an important place in your daily life; you bend over backwards for your loved ones. Yet around the 14th, in the family circle, a little caution will prevail. A combination of circumstances will lead to a misunderstanding and this will create some inevitable tensions, your beautiful smile will disappear. The good news is that it does not last, quickly is the return to calm. It is also the month of change, indeed, around you there are transformations that take place, you provoke destiny.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) You want calm and rest; you need to recharge the batteries. May begin slowly. The top priority is to do what you love, if to get there it takes time, you adopt patience. In the meantime, you can make the most of your close surroundings, as soon as possible you can disconnect by practicing leisure or sports activities, alone or with your friends. If at the beginning of the month the projects are a little slow to materialize, around the 17th, everything accelerates. From 19 to 25 you do good business, you have good ideas. In love the exchanges are passionate, you radiate. Your desires come true.

The end of the month is pretty good overall.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) During the first week you are the boss, you manage; you introduce yourself to others as true conqueror. Whether at work or at home, you are the boss, even for feelings, you only obey your personal desires. Towards the 18th a change takes place, your mind finally opens to others, in your head you are no longer alone. You need to put your qualities or your skills at the service of others which brings back a good atmosphere in family, at work and in your friendly circle. Little by little you learn to delegate, you trust, the exchanges

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APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View

the 17th you are stressed. You are hitting hard to hatch your professional projects, your nerves take over. Towards the 20th of the new horizons open to you, you will have no other solution than to take a look at the new opportunities which are necessary.

The spring meetings will lead to love stories or solid friendships. Do not forget to give yourself a little bit of one-to-one moments to disconnect from your hectic life.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)

are constructive. The stars play benevolence with you. You end the month the liberated mind, you are less on the defensive; you listen to others.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22) The month of May offers you some pleasant surprises but also some small difficulties. Tensions appear in your relationships from the second week, instead of containing you, you explode. You face delays of all kinds, you do not move forward, you waste time unnecessarily and you do not support it, your loved ones pay for it. During this period, your activities and your love life slow down. Before seeing a positive evolution of your situation, it will be necessary to wait until the 22nd, it is painful, but you need more to destabilize you. You continue your journey without changing anything in your projects. At the end of the month, it’s calmer, the discomforts disappear, it allows you to breathe and relax.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22) Everything must be framed in your mind, you do not leave room for the unexpected except that this month, the unexpected is part of your daily life, it will adapt to changes, complicated exercise for the natives of the Virgin, since for you everything is organized weeks in advance. An astral sky completely clear, not a gray area, spring is here, it brings you good news but also some changes in anticipation. The field of work is constantly evolving, around you it is the time of the new; you do not have to fear difficulties.

Presence and kindness in family, support in love, you are filled. Your motivation is always relevant in the work, you get good results. From the beginning of the month until the end of the month the loves are explosive.

Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22) This is the month of stability, in May it is announced a beautiful and rewarding period. The moment is opportune for your business and for work; the personal, emotional and loving domain is also concerned.

The stars encourage you for all the good decisions you will make, you are not at the end of your surprises, things happen. You may be tempted by new experiences. After the second half of the month you will have choices to make about the family. Your shape is dazzling, especially during the first three weeks, then your energy drops a little bit but you keep up the pace. If to regulate a situation you have a hard time making up your mind, our dear planets put pressure on you on the 25th.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) We cannot say that you are listening to others, but rather that you pretend to listen to them because it suits you not to participate in debates that you consider unimportant. This month, as you do not have a minute to breathe, you prefer not to waste your time with gossip. Until

This month is marked by beautiful encounters, you build strong bonds; it calms you down. If your ambitions remain in a corner of your head, your greatest wish is to succeed in your family life; you feel the need to talk about it around you. On a personal level, your intuitions only rarely deceive you, regardless of the obstacles you decide to move forward, until May 19th, you have free field, no annoyance interferes, you can act on your own guise with confidence; love is rendezvous. In business, on the other hand, to be careful is to protect yourself from potential problems. By playing security you avoid certain difficulties. You show a good moral resistance. In May you pursue your goals.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) No more acting in an emergency. Dear Capricorn, you are on the road to success, your motto this month: everything comes to those who wait. You are in attack, your form is dazzling until the end of the month, there are opportunities to seize in the professional and financial field; love also has its place. Around May 11 you turn the tests into winning shots, your ideas are explosive, your mind is boiling, you have the baraka. However you are so anxious that you are afraid that everything stops at once, but you do not have to worry that it is going to last. Positive influences push you forward; you just have to let yourself go, even more if you want your entourage to follow your prowess.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Movement, you want some, you’re going to have some, dear Aquarius. May is the month of change and transformation.

Professionally, emotionally, everything moves, and you do not hold in place. Spring is a good time to get started on a project or to pursue a goal. As of the 11th, your actions are promising, you earn stripes; you appreciate your sense of duty and your seriousness. You always compare yourself to others by simple competitive spirit, we cannot blame you.

Attention small jealousies will interfere in your daily life. You have better things to do than pay attention to gossip. Around the 19th a new love situation is looming, you’re right, you have to believe it.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) No effort to make, from the beginning of the month your state of mind is freed from all obligations. Then gradually it changes, around 18, you seem more anxious, less relaxed, the fear of seeing a situation escape you weakens, you have to pull yourself together very quickly, do not let yourself be overtaken by emotions. In work, a situation becomes reality, you could sign a contract; we could also solicit you because your ideas are attractive; in short you gain to be known. Towards the 22nd of the external supports make official a change. You will have a little trouble getting your daily pace, yet it will be necessary. The family is important; you need your loved ones to be near you.

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