Desi today eng aug sept

Vol. 6 | Issue 3 | Aug-Sept 2015

PRICE OF WEDDINGS

Now Vs. 10 Years Ago

OUR ANGEL:

Maple Batalia

INSIDE THE LIFE OF A

Drug Dealer’s Girlfriend

PM 40013094

www.desitoday.ca

WOMAN TATTOOS OWN FACE TO COVER BURN SCARS SO PUTH, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?

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what’s inside Features

PB MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS Borrow • Invest • Insure

604-593-5116 • Custom Mortgage Solutions • Residential & Commercial • Construction • Land Development

08 Her Story: A Look into the Life of a Drug Dealer’s Girlfriend 12 What Does it Mean to be Punjabi? Kids Respond 14 Wedding Bell Blues: Wedding Prices Now Vs. 10 Years Ago 18 So Puth, What Are You Doing With Your Life?

20 How a Bindi Can Save Your Life 22 Inkquisitive Illustration 24 Sikh Religion Vs. Punjabi Culture: Two Opposing Forces?

26 Who are the Top Hair and Makeup Artists in Surrey?

30 Sukhi Bath: Surrey’s Biggest Hero 34 East-Indian Love from Around the World 36 Criminals with a Conscience: Vancouver’s Biggest Thieves Refuse to Steal from Disabled Man 38 Our Angel: Maple Batalia 40 Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur 42 Culture De-mystified

Love & Relationship 46 Confessions of an Arranged Marriage 48 Boys Vs Girl Relationship Quiz: Who Knows Who Better?

Business & Career 50 Using Social Media to Improve Your Business: The 8 Laws 54 India-born engineer’s roti maker gets 11.5 Million Investment

Health & Wellness 56 The Science Behind Why You Felt Happier This Summer 58 Woman Tattoos Her Own Face to Cover Burn Scars 60 Brand Name Medicine: Waste of Money?

Food, Art, Entertainment 62 Keeping up With Jasmeen 64 Famous Stars Who Started Out As Pageant Winners 66 Who Wore it Better: Hollywood Vs. Bollywood 68 Bollywood Brain: Find Out Your Hindi Movie IQ 70 Hollywood Headlines

Life, Etc 74 Indian Jokes: Short Stories That Will Make You Smile 76 Happy Rakhri 80 Beautiful British Columbia 82 Horoscopes

• Private Financing Publishers Sanjeev Katyal Rakesh Gupta

Paul Boparai

, CFP

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Editor Parveen Sohal Writers Parveen Sohal Suresh Kurl Photos by Surya Photo Studio Chandra Bodalia Mahi Photo Studio Aziz Ladha Cover Shot by Bal Deo

No part of this publication may be used without written permission from the publisher. © 2013. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us.

Thank you.

The opinions expressed by writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. information presented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for error or omissions. Customer No. 2390434, Publication Agreement No. 40013094.

Letters editor@desitoday.ca Layout & Graphic Design Mohammed Ahmed Sales Desi Today Group 604.502.6100 info@desitoday.ca subscribe@desitoday.ca email: editor@desitoday.ca Published By Desi Communication Inc. #102-9360 120 St., Surrey, BC V3V 4B9 604.502.6100

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Letter from the Editor Ever since I can remember I have been a storyteller. When I would hear something on the news, watch something on TV, or hear a friend share a story, my first instinct would be to tell everyone I know. I would rephrase it, edit it, lengthen it and rewrite it: I would carefully mold it to create something that I know would cling to people’s minds. I now welcome you to the stories that live inside my head.

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My name is Parveen Sohal and I wrote 28 out of the 30 stories in this magazine. I edited it from cover to cover. I took part in deciding how it would be designed, I decided what stories you would see, and the order that you see them. This magazine is my baby. I’m so happy to see it open its’ eyes for the world. I am very proud.

I heard the chilling story of a girl who dated a big-time gang member; I listened to a group of adorable young kids tell me what it means to be Punjabi; I obtained research from person to person to find out exactly how much weddings used to cost in 2005; I spoke to Maple Batalia’s parents to ask what they want said about their sweet girl; I sat down with one of the wealthiest men in Surrey to found out he is one of the most generous people I know.

I carefully crafted each story to make sure each word reflects something I would be proud of. I wanted to create a magazine with stories that were interesting. Important.Heart-breaking.Genuine.

And, at times, I want the stories to be funny! I wanted to create something worth reading. It’s now up to you to decide if I have accomplished that.

I want to give a special shout out to my Nanaji, Naniji and Maji who, although are not here, have given me so much guidance to get me to where I am today. I want to thank my Mom and Dad for truly showing me what a strong work ethic means. To rest of my friends and family who have helped me immensely in creating this: thank you for your support and always encouraging me to do my very best.

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“Kuch bano” they said. So I did. I am the editor of a magazine.

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DESI TODAY EXCLUSIVE

SPECIAL FEATURE

HER STORY: A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF A

Drug Dealer’s Girlfriend

AL

N SOH

BY PARVEE

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

The Interview My sit down conversation with a young girl whose careful words and chilling memories paint the picture of what it’s really like to date a drug dealer in Surrey (note: names have been excluded for privacy protection).

How would you describe [him] as a boyfriend?

(Smiles) He was everything you could ever want in a boyfriend. He was smart, he was funny, he’s sweet, caring, open, honest, loyal—you name it. You know what he was the most? He was always very attentive. He was always so aware. Like, I would tell him a small detail, something so dumb that even I would forget I said it, you know? And then the next week or month he would surprise me with something going off of the littlest things I mentioned. He was a really good boyfriend.

And I know that’s not the answer you’re looking for. Yes, he was also a drug dealer.

(Laughs) He was a really good boyfriend and a really good drug dealer.

Did you ever feel your life could have been in danger while with him?

(Pauses) Yes? Yeah. It’s not an easy thing to admit but yeah, there were many times where I probably could have been killed— easily actually.

Like I’m sitting here and talking to you right now and there were times where I could have been shot. Like, what? What is that? It’s so weird to think back now, but it’s just the life I lived with him.

Where did you two meet?

Um, well I can’t get into too many details without revealing his identity but we met at a party.

Did you guys get along right away?

It was that cliché thing where he asked for my number and I said no. He asked again and I said no. He asked me again and again and I said no, no, no.

It wasn’t until near the end night that I saw him again. He saw me like glued to my phone and I remember he just came up to me, grabbed my phone, and took it away from me. And then he took his own phone www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

9

out of his pocket and gave both of our phones to his friend and he asked me to go on a walk with him. Sometimes, I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t gone on that walk. Within 5 minutes, he won me over. I mean I didn’t make it obvious to him at all that he won me over (laughs), he had no idea, but I swear he won me over.

What were your first impressions of him?

He got into a fight that night actually. It’s weird to think back to it now—how I didn’t turn away at the first sign of trouble. Some guy at the party said something dumb to his friend, and they got into a fight and I think he hit him with a bat. I mean I knew that this other guy ended up leaving the party bloodied because of what my ex-boyfriend did to him. But I didn’t turn away.

How long into your relationship did he begin dealing drugs?

Oh, really early on. Before, actually. Before he was with me. He always dealt like petty drugs all throughout high school. But it would be like selling weed or “E” or something like that. And it was selling to other like—you know what it was?—it was just like dumb brown kids selling to other dumb brown kids. And that was fine. It was all fine.

Until one day, it wasn’t just to other dumb brown kids, and it definitely wasn’t just weed.

What do you think led him to selling more than just weed?

Money? Power, I guess? I really don’t know.

Can you remember anything anyone did to you personally that put you in danger?

I guess just being mixed up in that crowd, not even just dating a drug dealer, but just being around that lifestyle, things happen.

You know, my tires have been slashed, my parents’ windows have been broken, stuff like that. I’m sure I’ve heard more gunshots

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

than most people do in a lifetime.

I remember this one moment where I had to kind of take a step back and was just like “woah, what is happening?”We were at a party and one thing led to another and a guy there got stabbed. I saw a knife pierced into his body—just sticking out of him. And that wasn’t even the weirdest part. The weird part was, after I found out my boyfriend was okay, I ordered McDonalds. I just went and ordered a cheeseburger. Like what?! What was I doing?

When I sat back down I realized how desensitized I had gotten to all this craziness.

I started thinking and it really freaked me out.

the things he’s done (pauses). It’s weird.

I mean it’s hard to admit to yourself that as a person that you love, that like as a whole, he’s not this “sweet” guy. But like, he was sweet with me, and to me for so long, so consistently, I began to make excuses and defending his actions and telling myself it was okay when it wasn’t. Yeah, he was a sweet boyfriend but he a terrible person— which should make him a terrible boyfriend too. I mean I don’t want a person like that as a boyfriend—so I’m slowly understanding that.

How long was all of this going on for?

Was that realization what led to you two breaking up?

We dated for a little over two years so for most of that time, I guess.

What would you say it’s like dating a drug dealer?

It’s just—it’s chaos. It’s chaos, it’s panic, it’s a constant party and train wreck all in the same night. Not to say it was like that all the time. It wasn’t, I guess. But just thinking back to my past year, there’s stuff that’s happened that I swear could be in a movie.

You have no idea, like the way these guys think, and plan, and scheme, and retaliate, I could honestly write a movie. This is going to sound really weird but these guys were sharp like they knew exactly what they were doing. They knew what they were doing to do, what the next guy is about to do, and what move they’ll make a month from now.

So you had some sort of respect for these guys?

I mean yeah, I guess. I don’t know. It’s hard to separate their world from the real world. And even with my boyfriend, it was hard to separate the person he was with me and with them, you know? I mean this is the guy who would hold my hand at a movie theater! And then to think about some of

What are you slowing understanding?

That he’s not a “sweet” person. He’s not.

It was a combination of a few things but it started out with my younger brother. My boyfriend used to always be very protective of my younger brother. He always would like ask him about like what schools he wanted to go to, and what he wanted to be, and made jokes about how he was too smart to ever go down the wrong path.

So my brother was like 16 when my boyfriend and I started dating, and toward the end of our relationship he was 18 wanted in on the drug/gang life. And my boyfriend didn’t stop him. He didn’t even try. He like encouraged it, and I was so taken aback and so angry.

We got into a lot of fights over that.

Like, how could he do that?! How could he do that? The same kid he said was like his younger brother, who wanted a better life for himself, how could he let him get into the drug life? I’m still not over it and I never will be. That’s my little brother.

What were the other things that led to the breakup?

I just like smartened up, I guess? I don’t know. Like, I remember this one time, when we first started dating and we were

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all at a party and this “big time drug guy” was there and kind of bothering one of my friends. And I remember her boyfriend was like to the guy “hey, bro like that’s not cool” and the other guy just didn’t care and was like “well, what are you gonna do?” and my friend’s boyfriend didn’t do anything!

And it sounds so dumb to think back now but like I remember my boyfriend came up to me and was like “babe, if that were you, I would have booted him in the face. No one talks to my girl or me like that.” And I just remember being so happy that I was dating him. And honestly—at the time—I thought my friend’s boyfriend was such a loser for doing that. And just I so distinctly remember just feeling so happy and proud to be with him—and I felt so bad for her.

And then like two years later, so like in the last few months of me dating my boyfriend, something stupid happened and my boyfriend ended up in the hospital. And I remember I was on my way home from seeing him and I got a call from that same friend and we hadn’t talked in a while but she invited me to the surprise party she was throwing for her boyfriend for graduating university and getting some internship or something.

And then—and I’ll never forget—she asked me like “oh, what has your boyfriend been up to?”

And that that very second I knew she was like “oh, what a loser.” And I just knew she felt so happy and proud to be with her boyfriend and now like she felt bad for me.

And I hated that. That was a big turning point for me.

ized how I would never want my boyfriend to be the father of my children. I wouldn’t, I couldn’t. I couldn’t let that happen with the things he was doing.

And I just kept telling myself “one day you might lose the father of your children, so you can cry over him. But you can’t waste your time crying over this guy.” And that helped a lot.

So is that when you two broke up?

Don’t? (laughs) Just don’t do it. It’s not a life you want for yourself, it’s not a happy life to live. You want cute little memories with your boyfriend and do couple-y things together and have a happy life.

You don’t want police showing up at your house at 2am, you don’t want to watch guys get bottled in the head, you don’t want to be afraid your boyfriend might get shot. What kind of a life is that?

Where is the happy ending?

There will never be a happy ending.

(Laughs) I wish. What really pushed me over the edge was (pauses) he just he crossed a line. I won’t ever say what he did and I won’t talk about it now, but he just, he did. He changed. He got really deep into that world and there was no bringing him back.

How was it like after you broke up with him?

I mean I was a mess. I loved him and we broke up. We were together for two years and he was my everything and we talked every day for two years and then all of a sudden, one day, we didn’t. And it was really, really hard. And I almost got back together with him a few times.

But I remember, like a month or so after we broke up, my first cousin had a baby. And I just remember seeing her and her husband in the hospital and so happy starting their family—and I wanted that. And I just realwww.desitoday.ca

So you don’t ever see yourself going back to him?

(Pauses) I really want to say yes. I really do, but I don’t know.

Like, if I were to get a call right here, right now that was he was like in the hospital, I’d leave this interview right now and go see him. I would. No questions asked.

I will always care for him and want to protect him and I know he would do the same. But I hope I’m smarter than that—to get back together with him. That kind of stuff scares me though, you know? He’s the love of my life.

He is and I know I’m not stupid enough to get back together with him but will I ever stop loving him? I mean, I don’t know.

I’m so afraid one day I’ll meet that “father-of-my-kids” kind of a guy and be happy and fine, but then one day, I’ll see him and I’ll just look at him and it’ll all come back. He is the love of my life, I know it. And I just wish I never met him and never got caught in all of this.

I wish (laughs) I wish I never went on that walk. But I did. And now he’s walking his own way and I have to walk mine.

What advice do you have to anyone dating a drug dealer?

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A Desi View

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FEATURE

“What Does it Mean to be Punjabi?”

Kids Respond

We asked kids aged 5 to 9 “What does it mean to be Punjabi” and this is what they said

a, 7 - May

- Devin,

ld

years o

6 years

old

rs old

, 5 yea

- Parm, 9 years old

years - Jovan, 6

old

- Preet

- Rajan

, 8 year

old

N

BY PARVEE

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SOHAL

www.desitoday.ca

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FEATURE

N

BY PARVEE

SOHAL

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Prices Now VS.

10 Years Ago

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www.desitoday.ca

With the high price of hall rentals, catering and entertainment for such large families, it is no surprise that Indian weddings are notoriously known to be expensive. It used to be that an Indian wedding would cost the down payment on a really nice car, now one would cost the down payment on a really nice house.

In just 10 short years the cost of weddings have sky-rocketed.

Parents are forking over more and more 10 thousand dollar checks and the to-be husbands and wives are giving them more and more reasons to do so. So, what exactly is getting more expensive? We surveyed countless couples and venues to find out. So let’s take a closer look at some averages:

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SPECIAL FEATUREFEATURE

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

www.desitoday.ca

R

emember that down payment on a house we were talking about? Yeah, we meant a house with a pool, tennis court and probably a gold-picket fence.

Everything from wedding outfits to decorations have become more and more costly. Now, how much of this can be blamed on the frivolous spending habits among the younger generation? Apparently, not all of it.

Our research shows that in 2005, the same hall could have been booked for about $6,000 that now can be bought for up to $18,000. The same photography companies had packages starting at $2,900 that now start at $4,500. The wedding industry itself has become a more business-forward field: private DJs now only work under larger companies, decorators now come separate for home events and hall events, and you better believe the powerful women in Surrey have made make-up artistry one of the highest profiting local businesses.

But we definitely cannot say that there isn’t a new trend toward “bigger” and “flashier” weddings. One of the biggest cost differences comes from the fact that it is now common practice to have events such as the Maaiyan at a hall rather than at a person’s house. Further, simple Butter Chicken and Naan menus apparently don’t cut it anymore: newlyweds mentioned having steak, dessert bars and even hotdog stands for the end of the reception night. Professional makeup is now necessary for every event, intricate lighting is a must-have for each hall booking and the wedding outfits have of course progressed to whole new levels. “I swear, the outfit that my mom wore to the Gurdwara, I could put on one of my bridesmaids” one 2015 newlywed remarks.

The most alarming part of the whole phenomenon is that is happened just within a 10 year span. Wedding costs in Surrey have tripled in a single decade. Let’s just say the and apparent need for Indian weddings to include photobooths, 15 groom’s men and a never-ending open bar is enough to send any anyone running down the alter screaming “I don’t” We agree that for your wedding, the people and companies you hire must be the best of the best but, there are certain areas where you can cut costs so you don’t completely break your bank. www.desitoday.ca

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17

FEATURE

u o Y e r A t a h W “So Puth, ” ? e f i L r u o Y h t i W Doing N

BY PARVEE

Whether it be at a wedding function, a family BBQ or during that two minute commercial from your mom’s favourite Indian Drama, the “Puth, what are you doing with your life?” is the most common question kids will get these days. Our typical answer is simply “I don’t know.”

Our parents’ glazed, high expecting eyes are filled with the same confusion and uncertainty that us kids wear on a daily basis.

Or, what’s worse is when 9-year-old Harman tells his dad he’s “thinking of studying Health Science” and suddenly his chacha’s sister-in-law’s fufur’s nephew starts congratulating him on his entrance into medical school.

Not fun times.

To gain some insight on this issue, we conducted a survey with 40 Indo-Canadian students at Simon Fraser University. We decided to present them with the same horrid, sweat-inducing question. We asked “Do you know with 100% certainty what profession you want to pursue with your degree? A staggering 55% of students selected “No.” More than half of the students did not know what job they wanted to obtain.

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SOHAL

Of those students who said “no,” we also asked them how often they thought about what they might want to do with their education and 68% of them selected “constantly.” We then asked all of the students (including those perfect kids who know what they’re doing with their lives) another question. We asked “how much pressure do you put on yourself in terms of school/ your career.” Instead of picking the option

“some” or “very little,” a shocking 75% of students chose “extensive.”

Out of a select 40 students, 30 Indo-Canadians put “extensive” pressure on themselves with their education and careers.

So what does all of this mean?

It means that we, as Indo-Canadian kids, are questioning our career paths ourselves and feeling pressure to obtain job success from ourselves. Being constantly ques-

“Do you know with 100% certainty what profession what you want to pursue with your degree?”

“How much pressure do you put on yourself in terms of school / your career”

Extensive

30

YES

18

Some

7

NO

22

Very Little

3

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tioned about it when we already constantly question ourselves does not help us try to figure it out.

We also asked students for open comments about the question “so Puth, what are you doing with your life” and we had some interesting responses: “I stress about it all the time. It’s always on my mind. And sometimes I just don’t even go to family parties cause I can’t hear that question again” “Sometimes my cousins bet on how many times we get asked that at a party” “Some parents just don’t know that we feel like such a failure every time we’re asked” “I’ll study for 8 hours straight, go two nights without sleep working on a paper and then get asked that. Like can I crawl in a hole?”

We understand that parents want to know what jobs their children want to pursue. Further, we have an endless amount of appreciation to all the parents who pay for our education. However, we are pleading to our parents for some time to figure out what exactly we plan on doing with the education. Somewhere in the mess of midterms, papers, assignments, volunteering, and part-time jobs, we are constantly trying to figure it out. Our surveys show that kids are frequently trying to decide which fields to pursue and you better believe that as soon as these kids do figure out, their parents will be the first ones they tell. We are requesting that, perhaps, after we answer “I don’t know” the first time that maybe you can wait until we tell you what we want to do before discussing it again?

A second, and almost more pressing issue that needs to be addressed is the idea of extended family members posing this question. It’s one thing for our parents to ask (they want to know where their thousands of dollars are going—fair enough) but when your “chacha’s sister-in-law’s fufur’s nephew” starts asking, it can get very stressful, very quickly.

There is nothing us kids want more than to use our education to build a successful life and make our families proud. If we could get there without the added stress of being questioned all the time, it would make our journey a lot smoother.

So, what can you ask instead?

Perhaps a “puth, what’s your favourite class this semester” or “puth, it must be so hard to get all your final papers handed in on time” or “puth, here’s some delicious homemade butter chicken.”

Basically any other question will suffice.

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19

FEATURE N

BY PARVEE

SOHAL

How A

BINDI

Can SAVE Your Life

In India millions of women face lifethreatening consequences due to iodine deficiency. Although it is not commonly talked about, iodine deficiency is the world’s leading cause of brain damage. It is also linked to severe complications during pregnancy such as cognitive birth defects or stillbirth.

In India alone, over 300 million people are

Iodine is infused into the Bindis 20

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

at risk. Unfortunately, many Indians lacking the mineral can’t afford iodine supplements ordiets that contain iodine. Indian research companies teamed up with NGO’s to come up with a cheap and creative way to administeriodine: a Bindi.

Researchers created Bindis that are infused with iodine and act as patches that distribute a daily dose of iodine to those who wear them.

As the day progresses, the Bindi’s iodine circulates throughout the body. The bindis come in various colors to cater to girls’ never-ending fashion needs—obviously!

The creators of this innovative product have named it “The Life Saving Dot” or the “Jeevan (life) Bindi.” Today, the Bindis are handed out in medical camps in rural India and

various villages across the nation.The best part of this life-saving initiative is that it is extremely cheap. A month’s worth of the Bindi’s cost just 10 rupees (about 16 cents).

The Bindi’s are expected to save millions of lives in India. The credit for these miraculous “dots” goes to the Grey Group and Neelvsasant Medical Foundation and Research Centre. These researchers proved what girls around the world have known for years: fashion can be life-saving!

Through out the day the iodine circulates through the body

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21

FEATURE

INKQUISITIVE

22

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

www.desitoday.ca

ILLUSTRATION An artist unlike any other

Travel into Inkquisitive’s mind to swim along a sea of rainbows and let his colors dance down the spine of your imagination. The unique artist, Amandeep Singh, better known in the art world as “Inkqusitive,” is a 26-year-old with a Master’s degree in Illustration. He credits his dad, a calligrapher, as a major source of his art inspiration. He recalls watching his dad in awe as he created beautiful twirls and swirls in his calligraphy. He also remembers hearing stories his dad would tell him about the Sikh religion and Punjabi culture. As an adult artist, he used these inspirations to create paintings that are unlike anything we have ever seen. His unique style of black outlines with splashes of coloured ink actually began by accident. One day he knocked a bottle of ink onto his paintings and watched the colors flow in what we can only imagine was a beautiful chaos. Today this style is his trademark. Ordinary images with careful interruptions of bright pinks and yellows scream one name: Inkquisitive AL

VEEN SOH BIO BY PAR

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A Desi View

23

FEATURE

N

BY PARVEE

SOHAL

Sikh Religion

VS

Punjabi Culture

TWO OPPOSING FORCES? One day, one of my caucasian friends asked me why myself and all my Indian friends have “Kaur” in our middle name.

With great excitement I explained how “Singh” and “Kaur” mean “lion” and “princess.” I went on to explain how Guru Gobind Singh Ji proclaimed that all Sikhs would bare these titles to abolish the prejudice created by the caste system. After explaining this to her, I sat with great content that I was able to share this sacred part of my culture— that we as a people are so united that we all share the same middle name. It wasn’t until my bus ride home that I realized that this is not true.

Although I explained my religion to her, I was not accurately depicting common Punjabi culture.

On my bus ride, I began to think about how some cultural Punjabi attitudes directly oppose the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The point of the religious names “Singh” and “Kaur” are to signify that all Sikhs are united and no individual is superior to another. However, it is the same select people that so proudly refer to themselves as “Singh” and “Kaur” who do not allow their children to marry outside of their caste— who have the cultural belief that thier Jatt caste is superior.

As my bus reached its’ stop, I realized the great irony in some Indo-Canadians’ philosophies. I know many Indo-Canadians who 24

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

take great pride in the Sikh religion—a religion that is focused on brotherhood, oneness, acceptance and equality—yet are the same Indo-Canadians who state that marrying outside of one’s caste would tarnish their family’s name.

I remember once humorously asking a distant relative “If I were choosing between two males to marry: one non-Jatt doctor and one Jatt garbage man, whom would you prefer I choose?” His answer was simply “we would find you a Jatt doctor.” I laughed at his response and thought nothing other than “that’s just traditional Punjabi parents.”

I want to stress that I am in no way am referring to all (or even most) Indo-Canadians.

I know many Sikh community members who would never discriminate a person based on their caste.

However, I find it very interesting how opposite the Sikh religion and traditional Punjabi culture can be at times. It is the same community members who meditate to the Gurus’ teachings of love and acceptance that would threaten to not attend their children’s weddings if they chose to marry to a lower caste. If you were to speak to these Indo-Canadians, they’ll explain how it’s a cultural thing: how it’s expected that you marry within your caste to uphold the respectable family name. What’s ironic about this cultural belief is that it goes directly against our religous belief.

One of the biggest worries parents have if their children marry outside of the Jatt caste is what others will think of them. To those parents I ask you: aren’t you worried about what Guru Gobind Singh Ji will think about about you? About assuming that just because someone is of a certain caste, they automatically are not a good fit for your child? That somehow being born a Jatt makes you better than another Sikh?

All of these beliefs go against what Guru Gobind Singh Ji tried to preach; go against the Paath you meditate to at the gurdawara; and definitely go against that name on your driver’s license that reads “Singh” or “Kaur.”

We conducted a survey with Indo-Canadian students at Simon Fraser University who had parents with Singh or Kaur on their birth certificate. We found 25 students who said their parents would agree with the statement that “Singh and Kaur unifies all Sikhs.” What was interestesting was that, of those 25 students, 17 agreed also agreed with the statement that “at least one parent has told me to exclusively marry within my caste.”

My question to those parents simply is: if you believe that being Jatt makes one spouce better for your child than another— and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s purpose behind giving you your middle name was to stop the caste system—then why bare the title “Singh/Kaur?” www.desitoday.ca

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

25

COVER STORY

Who are the Top Hair and Makeup Artists in Surrey?

Everyone knows there’s one event in every girl’s life where they way she looks matters almost as much as the event itself: her wedding. While grooms pull out their hair gels and year old beard trimmers the night before the event, the very first thought that pops into the mind of every to-be bride is “Who should I book for hair and makeup?!” It used to be that the answer to this question would have been “Mac” or “Sephora” or a beautician from a parlor who specializes in Caucasian events. About a decade ago,however, the powerhouse that is the “East-Indian hair and makeup industry” first spread its wings. Today, countless young girls with Blanche MacDonald certifications in hand know exactly how to cat-eye a brown girl’s lids and create an up-do that can withhold even the heaviest of Chooni’s. Today, the industry is so popular within the Indian community that you have to book these artists at least a year before your event.

Further, you are no longer just booking artists, you are booking a business.

So, who are these artists who give us ordinary Indian girls our Kim K cheeks and Kylie Jenner lips with a little hint of an inflated sense of self? We asked over 100 girls: “Who are the Best Hair and Makeup artists in Surrey.” Here are our top 5 answers.

1. Pink Orchid Studio 2. Drama Queen Studios 3. Farah Hansan 4. Studio 26 5. Andrea Tiller Ever since the advent of the beauty industry, society seems to hold a certain imagine of what the girls in the industry must be like.

After my sit-down conversation with Harp Sohal and Shannon Mann of Pink Orchid Studio, the first thought that popped into my mind was “These are two of the smartest girls I have ever met.” Their keen business sense, knowledge of the industry and overall speech and presence astounded me. Further, they have such a genuine passion for the industry: their faces light up talking about anything from pencils and shadows to gels and curlers.

The second and third thoughts that came into my mind were “these are the two sweetest and most down-to-earth girls I have ever met”. They have the celebrity status without the cliché snobby celebrity personality. They are witty, they are fun, and they are so thoughtful. They have such genuine desire to do everything in their power to make their client feel like the most beautiful person in the room. Before thinking about the money or the business behind what they do, they genuinely feed off of the satisfaction they receive from clients walking away looking like the best bride they possibly could.

What made these girls go into the beauty industry? What did their parents think? How did they build this empire? Find out what answers they gave that made me walk away asking “So, whenever I get married…who do I ask for a booking?!”

26

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

AL

EN SOH E V R A P Y B

www.desitoday.ca

THE INTERVIEW

Q

What do you think sets you apat from other hair and makeup atists?

HARP: Honestly, for every bride, we give it our all. There will be times where a bride’s jewelry set will break and we’ll send Shannon’s husband—poor Shannon’s husband (laughs) we’ll send him saying “Here!Go! Here’s a picture of the set, here’s the store it’s from, go, get it!” (laughs).

We do it all and we love to do it. Anything to make her look perfect and feel perfect.

That’s our number one priority and we never forget that. That’s the Pink Orchid way.

Also, when we first started out in the industry there was only, especially in the Indian industry, there was only one person doing both hair and makeup. And when we started Pink Orchid, we decided to specialize: we decided one person will do hair and one person will do makeup. That way you get to hone your own craft and master it.

It yields better work, it saves time and, honestly,it justmakes appointments more enjoyable! When there’s two of us, the dynamic completely changes! it just feels like a Saturday night with girls getting ready, chatting, getting to know one another while doing hair and makeup and building a bond.

SHANNON: And just little things, for example, when we’re working on a bride,we’re never just sitting down.

We use every minute to do the best possible job. And it’s not just hair and makeup. For example, one person will be putting on her chooni,and the other will be getting the tikka, and if one finishes, the other starts preparing for pictures downstairs—one time we finished maybe a minute earlier so one of us started ironing the groom’s kurtha! That’s just the Pink Orchid way.We’re never just sitting twiddling our thumbs, it’s “go, go, go!” What could we do to make this day go flawlessly? What else can we bring? What else can we add?

I think that’s why our brides trust us so much and are so happy with the end result.

We look out for them and we do everything to perfection. You’ll even see us talking a bride down when she’s upset at her their in-laws! (laughs). We’re not just makeup and hair artists: we’re counsellors, we’re supporters, we’re friends. We’re everything

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for our brides.

HARP: And I think what else is different is that we’re a “one stop shop,” from our product line, to our eyeliner, to our lashes, we created everything specifically for our brides.

For example, with eyeliner: in our culture, during the doli, brides would cry and there’s no waterproof eyeliner that we noticed would really last all day and was really 100% waterproof. So we made one! We made eyeliner that was water-proof, smudge-proof, doli crying proof! (Laughs). We do this to cater everything specifically to our clients and give them the very best work possible.

Q

What were your professions before Pink Orchid?

SHANNON: I was an ICBC Claims Adjuster for 10 years.

HARP: I was a Senior Underwriter under CAA for 8 years. We were both in insurance.

SHANNON: We both, you know, we listened to our parents: we worked hard, we got our degrees, we got government jobs and we were getting pretty good hours and making really good money. But we weren’t inspired.

We were plugging in 8 hour days, clocking in, clocking out and it just wasn’t challenging, it just wasn’t fun. I left in 2007 and now when I see someone from ICBC they say “you were really overdressed to work for a call center!” (laughs) HARP: Yeah! I worked at a call center too and I remember everyone would say “you do know no one can see you, right?” (laughs).

We just live and breathe the hair, make up and fashion industry—even in our days behind a desk!

Q Was it hard leaving?

HARP: I left a really good job and it was a job I worked really hard at. I was a senior, I made the award of excellent each time, I got promoted every year, I had 100% benefits. I left a really good job for Pink Orchid Studios. And in our generation, you get brained washed, right? You get brained washed by our society and our families that you need to do things a certain way. That you need a government job and you need this and that— and it’s not easy to leave that and go against everyone. My parents were saying “Don’t do it! Kee pata je kam roje melna?” It was a security blanket.

But even when I was younger, I’d always knew there must be more in life. There must be. I knew there has to be more than the just the 9 to 5and more than just Surrey. But I didn’t know anything different. It was really hard in the beginning.

Q

So when your success accumulated, how did your parents respond to it?

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

27

COVER STORY SHANNON: It’s funny because it wasn’t until we got interviewed by Shushma and they said “kuriyo tusi sachee?!” (laughs). Or, they saw an interview on OMNI news and that wasa big deal. And now, even to be on the cover of “Desi Today” and being able to show that to our mom and dad. That’s a big deal to us.

Q

How do you make sure you cater your work to each individual cient?

SHANNON: We have consultations with all of our clients, we get them to make look books, we’ll do dress rehearsals and, honestly, we ask the right questions.

HARP: And we take extensive notes. We have a great system where anything the client says, we’ll write down, or we’ll take pictures of, or make voice notes, video notes, anything we can to keep a record of what that bride said. So say, for example, we were doing your hair and makeup, before we even think about putting a brush or a curler near you, we would educate ourselves as much as possible about you and take our notes and review it all. We make sure that before you walk in, we’re knowledgeable about everything you want. That’s the Pink Orchid way!

Q

What are the most challenging things about being a makeup atist and hair atist?

SHANNON: The hours. When everyone else is off during the summer time or wedding, we’re always working. For example, everyone’s enjoying this long weekend and we’ve been working this entire time. Everyone has their social time and we get up at 3am, take naps in the day, and we miss out on a social life. We love our jobs, we really do, but it takes a lot out of us.

Q

What do you guys think is the biggest misconception people have about you?

SHANNON: I don’t know where it comes from but people think we’re diva’s. When in reality, we seriously bend backwards to do everything for our clients. There’s this false idea that having nice things makes a person arrogant or stuck up. Which is totally not us.

Anyone that knows us knows that we are the girls at bridal bookings on our knees putting shoes on and fixing broken sets and just doing everything we can.

HARP: And I think another big misconception is that everyone in this industry is shallow or only cares exterior. And honestly, for Shannon and I, that’s just simply untrue.

We’re 100% all about the interior and the core of who a person is. Ever since a young age, we were always told to do everything based of what you are on the inside. And now that there’s snapchat I think people are able to see us as for who we really are. They 28

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

get to see we’re down to earth, our family is our #1. Everyone who adds us on always “oh you’re nothing like you thought you were!”

Q

What do you two think is the biggest misconception about the industy?

SHANNON: That it’s easy. People think what we do is just do hair and makeup and leave.

When in reality we run an entire business.

And we do it on crazy hours. I still remember this one girl who took our class and said “I didn’t realize how hard all of this is, can I get a refund? I don’t think I can do it” HARP: And another girl asked well “is there a faster way? A quick look way?” And I said “No.” That’s not the Pink Orchid way. There are no short cuts. I remember another asked us what time we got up and she asked to quit (laughs). We told her we get up at 3am and she said “I can’t do this.” Also, a lot of people might not know there’s never an off season for us. People think “oh, summer season’s over so it’s off season for you guys.” When that’s not true at all. When we’re not doing makeup, we’re teaching classes, we’re making our product line, marketing our product line, we’re doing a photoshoot, we’re doing classes abroad—there’s never time off! We can’t even plan our pregnancies until we looked at our calendars and we can fit it in!

SHANNON: I remember when I realized I was pregnant with our child and I told Harp — HARP: I remember I said “how dare you?!” (laughs) I said “how dare you have this child now?!” (laughs harder). Our work takes up a lot.

Q

If you could go back to your first year in the industy what advice would you give yoursel?

HARP: Honestly, I don’t know how this answer will sound, but we worked so hard in the first year and put in so much planning and time and thought and care and effort and grunt work, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. I think we are where we are because

we were very particular about our business sense and our work ethic especially when we first started.

How would you two describe your relationship? How do you two know each other?

HARP: To describe it in one word, what we are, we’re each other’s— (both) “Narua!”

HARP: Yes, narua! Which means umbilical cord (laughs). We’re first cousins so my dad and her mother are brother and sister. We’ve always been so close: we’re cousins, we’re best friends, we’re sisters. I can’t explain our relationship. I love her to death.

SHANNON: We’re best friends and business partners and we support each other 100%.

Our relationship, it’s a beautiful thing. I feel we’re more a married couple than we are like best friends! It’s a partnership.I call her my wife! (laughs) Our husbands get super jealous of us!

Q

Did you always think you’d end up in hair and makeup?

SHANNON: We were both always known as the peacocks of our family. We love clothes, hair, makeup, we love to dress up and to feel beautiful. We’re both very much “girly girls.”

At a young age, people started asking us for help when it came to special occasions.

For example, when someone would be getting married and they would ask us for our opinion for everything from jewellery to shoes!And I still remember, the first time I did someone’s eyeliner (smiles). I was 14, and it was my cousin who was getting married and it was what, 20 years ago, and she asked for help doingher eyeliner. That was my first time doing something like that for someone else. That was 20 years ago.

And, yes, later on we did what our parents wanted us to do, we got the degrees and the jobs but it was never as rewarding as this. And when I realized it wasn’t rewarding I thought well, why not open up our own www.desitoday.ca

business and do this professionally?But it definitely started from there, from people asking us about hair, makeup and fashion.

Then we finally decided to finally kick it into high gear and create something really grand.

We wanted to create a business that was very polished and amazing and, above all, we wanted to make a company.

Q

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And you guys did it. You turned your passion into a business!

HARP: Yes! And you know what, I specifically remember Shannon saying that she glamorize the industry and turn it into a business.

Because, this whole thing: hair and makeup, it’s a successful business for so many peoplenow, but 8 or 10 years ago it was really looked down upon. Especially in the Indo-Canadian community, it wasn’t a “good” career.

And back then, it was every parent’s dream for their children to go to school and get a government job—which is amazing, I want that for my kids too if they want it—but no one was saying , you know, “go to Blanche Macdonald and do makeup.” It was looked down upon in our community. Saying you’re an “artist” to a brown parent is looked down upon. And now,we have Indian mothers walking their children into our classes and saying “my daughter has to take this class!” (laughs)

SHERJANG SINGH RANA

604-996-6868 ranasher@gmail.com

#301-8128-128 St., Surrey (Payal Business centre)

SANDEEP AHUJA

604-996-6862 sandeepahuja@punjabinsurance.ca

SHANNON: To go from Indian parents being embarrassed of their kids wanting to go into this industry and now wanting their kids to do it as a profitable career. It’s a full circle for us. We’re so proud. We worked tirelessly to market, plan, network and everything to take this “hobby” and turn it into a profitable business. And look how far the industry has come. We are immensely proud. It took a lot of work.

Q

What would you say is your signature look?

(Both together): Perfection!

SHANNON: And perfect is something different for each person, it’s perfection for that client.

HARP: When we do hair and makeup, we’ll turn our brides away from any mirrors and then that moment when we turn the bride around—that moment when she sees herself in that mirror—when we see a tear and then we know we did our job!

That’s how we know. Every time they’ll be shocked, or they’ll cry or something will happen where we know we got that money shot. And then, that adrenaline that we feel from knowing she feels this beautiful and confident because of us, that adrenaline is everything.

So, our signature? That tear and that adrenaline: that’s our signature. www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

29

FEATURE

Sukhi Bath with young orphan children n the exterior, Sukhi Bath may look like the ordinary suit wearing, business owning, corporate mogul counting the zero’s on the ends of his bank statements.

With one sit-down conversation, however, my entire perception of him changed.

Sukhi Bath is the ultimate paradox: a successful business man with the softest of hearts. “Mere thou kisay dhi gareebi nai dhek hundhi” (I can’t stand to see people in poverty). Today, Sukhi Bath donates a surprising 80% of his income to needy people of all capacities. 80%: a number that widens the eyes of even the most generous of people. While others are constantly thinking about money and power, Sukhi Bath truly, first and foremost, is thinking about all those suffering around the world. “When you start learning how some people live, your heart just aches and can’t help but do something.”

Giving his money away is just the tip of the iceberg for Sukhi Bath. What makes him so special is that he has such a genuine desire to visit, get to know, and interact with people who are suffering. Not only does he give 80% of his income, but 80% of his time is now spent being Surrey’s biggest hero. “You get addicted” he reveals.

“Once you start seeing how you can change people’s lives, you get addicted.”

On the morning of the devastating hurricane occurring in the Philippines, Sukhi remembers hearing about the news while having his morning cup of tea. He was struck by the sheer carnage of the attack 30

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

and the pain that so many people were enduring. That morning, he got ready and went to work as usual. Within two hours, his soft heart spoke and soon he was on a flight to the Philippines. “I saw body parts still left hanging on the trees” he said hauntingly. Within 7 days, he was able to wire $131,000 to the Red Cross to help the victims.

Thousands of Pilipino people survived the aftermath of the attack because of Suki Bath.

In India, Sukhi has currently taken 25 orphan children into his care. He discovered that these children, some as young as 3-years-old were forced to fend for themselves. Today Sukhi pays for their food, clothes, education and even the hiring of personal caretakers so they are taken care of on a daily basis. More so than just giving them money, he spends quality time with them and genuinely considers them to be his own. “They are my family” he reveals “if god is willing, I hope to see each of them get married.”

25 young orphan children will live a full life because of Sukhi Bath.

One very pressing health issue in India is the lack of eye care for its poorest citizens.

This has led to countless cases of severe infection, blindness and even death. As soon as Sukhi became aware of this, he set up eye camps in India’s poorest areas. As of early next year, he will have opened a total of 50 eye camps in India and single handily be responsible for over 50,000 eye check ups among India’s poorest. He will have

funded approximately, 6000 eye surgeries and 6000 corrective lenses. Sukhi has also made extensive feats in helping those in India with other physical disabilities. He has set up 5 camps in India where disabled people are provided everything from wheelchairs to funding for artificial limbs.

Thousands of people in India are now able to see, walk and move because of Sukhi Bath.

One of the most famous things Sukhi Bath has done for the extremely poor is funding weddings that would otherwise never happen. In India, a father will pay a dowry to give his daughter’s hand to another family. Many fathers in India simply cannot afford this and thus, their daughters do not ever get married. One wedding at a time, Sukhi Bath is changing this. Today he has funded 192 weddings in India. He hosts these weddings in his village, in his very own home. What’s so special about these weddings is they are not watered down because they are given through charity.

These to-be wed girls walk into ceremonies with full catering, decorations, music, a Doli—Sukhi does it all. Further, he doesn’t just marry off the girls and hope they can now fend for themselves. Instead, he sends off each girl with 100,000 rupees worth of items for daily use.

192 marriages, 192 families exists because of Sukhi Bath. These 192 couples will have children, who have children, who have children—generations of families will exist because of Sukhi Bath.

When I interview anyone, my first instinct as a reporter to gain as much information about them as possible: to know who they are, how they grew up, what they do for work, and any important accomplishments they may have made. I found almost nothing on the Sukhi Bath Foundation.

Although I found extensive information on Sukhi Bath Motors and his financial success, there very few details about his charity work in print. Even that is information was only as old as 2 years and Sukhi Bath has been making life changing donations for more than 16 years. He does not flaunt, he does not boast. He does not share his amazing story, so I took it upon myself to do just that.

Here is his time. Find out about the man that I sat down with to do a normal interview and got back up from my seat with a new role model. A hero. Find out how the surprising details of how he grew up, what his motivation is, and what truly fills his heart. www.desitoday.ca

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BY PARVEE

SOHAL

THE INTERVIEW

Q

It seems easy to get caught up in a life of wealth, fancy cars and big houses and choosing self-indulgence over helping others. Where do you think your giving nature comes from?

From day one, I actually belonged to a very poor family. I had 8 sisters. There were times when we didn’t know if there would be food at the end of the day. But still in those days, my mother told us to always give to people who needed more than we did. SoI got my nature all because of my mother.

She was a really religious woman and a very soft hearted woman. In those days, my sisters and I naturally grew up wanting to help peoplebut it was really my mother who was the hero in the story. Even when we had very little she would be the one to say, “don’t do this, save this dollar, and go to that place for that person. You know, help those people, pay some other students for their education fees, do whatever you can.” That was my mother.

And you know what my mother would say? When I was 8 or 9 years old, she would always say “C’mon Puthar (sweet child) become a loving human.” And I tried my best to be. Then when I was 11 or 12 she’d say “you’re good at being a loving human but now start doing it without condition. Please love them without conditions.” So that statement, right now even I work on a daily basis “love humans and do it without conditions.” I love humans, there’s no conditions and I do it from a clear heart. And when you start helping people and see how it changes their lives, it’s like you get addicted. It is such a good feeling, you become addicted.

SUKHI BATH:

Surrey’s Biggest Hero www.desitoday.ca

Q

What events lead to you stating theactual foundation?

Well, 16 years ago I went Indiaon a small budget actually. I took 25,000 rupees and I had nothing in mind about what I was going to do with it. But what I ended up achieving, what became of it was really good. I feel really good about it and it was just a small incident that started so much.

My wife and I were in one of the bazaars shopping and just busy looking at clothes and doing this and that. And my daughter, she was 7-years-old at the time, she looked outside and saw a man who had lost his legs AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

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DESI TODAY EXCLUSIVE

Multi-Millionaire spends the majority of his time and earnings to help the needy.

FEATURE from an accident. And he right there in the bazaar was begging for money. And he had nothing to help him move. I went outside to see the guy and I asked him what happened.

I asked him what happened and he told me about the accident. Right there I just felt he needed our help. So I asked him to come back to the same place the next day.

After we finished our shopping we went and bought a wheel chair. The next day we went to the same place and we found the same man. I remember we lifted him up and put him in the chair he held on tight because both of his arms were still working. And oh god, at that time…the way he was first on the floor with cars going by and bycles riding by, and then he was using his arms to move. To see the look on his face.

That was what, a thousand dollars worth in a wheel chair but Puthar but that feeling was something worth much more. The feeling that I had done something right.

From there I had about 15,000 left and did a couple of other things there. I enjoyed it so much. What I could do for needy people on that trip, I felt good. And that’s where it came into my mind. I decided I would continue with this.

like nothing. He felt so badly about this that he took his own life. He committed suicide.

The older girls was the first one that took initiative for and arranged for the wedding the going to the in laws house. Today (he smiles) today she has three kids now and is a very active member in the foundation.

That kind of feeling you see somebody die because he doesn’t have 50,000 rupees (1,000) to do things for the wedding and do her daughter’s wedding and that’s the sad part, he lost his life because he was harassed by other people, he feels like he’s nothing and kills himself. There’shundreds different incidents that happened this year that have brought me closer to these people in India.

I love it.

I’ll be honest I’m not friends with any rich people, you can ask anyone, I’ll even say it at functions (laughs). I’m not friends with any politicians, nothing. I don’t fit in with rich people. I want a very simple life and these people that I meet and help, they are my friends, they are my family.

Q

I was very quiet about the foundation until about two years ago. It was actually my daughter’s idea to share it, she said “you know we’re doing good thing, what’s wrong with letting other people know and we can inspire them too?” Now we update a few radio stations and TV stations here and there and definitely now that we live in an electronic world with social media, we could try to encourage more people. But I’m an old timer I still believe “Jai main puhn karna fir main dasna kateh ya? (“If I am helping someone what need is there to tell people?).

But it does make me happy to hear that when people know about what I am do-

What made you start the wedding foundation in particular?

There were a few incidents very early when I started doing work for the needy that really shook me up. People were dying because of 10,000 or 15,000 rupees. $200 and $300 and people were dying. People committing suicide. $200 dollars.

I met a family, and this was 16 years ago, very poor family and they had two grown daughters. Many things weren’t go right for them in the village and the father could not afford to get the girls married. And he was harassed because of it. He was made to feel

Q

Not a lot of people know about the foundation. Why do you think that is?

Sukhi Bath at doli ceremony for woman’s wedding which he funded

Sukhi Bath funds wheelchairs for the disabled. ing, they begin to do their own seyva. That makes me happy. There are the kinds of thigs we are not doing enough of.

Q

What is your main goal with this foundation? What do you hope to achieve?

If I can, I want to give people a better life.

You know right now I am working on more weddings, 55 more will be done in the upcoming year or so. What I really want to work on, and what I’ll continue wth the next generation is this: so I have so 25 girls I have of my own form my village or other places in India. I want to give them enough, enough education so they can stand on their own two feet and I won’t even have to spend money on their weddings. I want to make the next generation strong. That is the main goal from the foundation, to educate young girls Hopefully god will continue give us the blessing and it will go well.

Q

A lot people may give money to an organization but instead you created your own organization and visit these people yourself. Why is that?

My mom always taught us “oh pun nai hunda jinu hutie na kita javeh” (if you’re going to help someone, you must do it from your own hands”). If you find someone hungry and you want to buy him food, giving him $5 is not the whole point. Pick up the food, sit down next to him and let him eat.

Q

Why do you think most people do not donate their time and money?

For helping people, you have to have a heartfor it. You know, a lot of times many people come to me and say “Oh Sukhi we want to do this and that” and they have millions of dollars but when the time comes it become too busy. I always think, you know if I leave 50 million to my children, what’s

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www.desitoday.ca

thedifference? There born in Canada they are such nice kids they can take care of themselves, so who is really helped? And with my business, I reached my target for myself 7 years ago and now my daily routine and my money goes to the needy people.

It’s time.

You know, I came to Canada with nothing in my pocket. I was born in a family where we had an issue with not knowing if we are going to eat that night. I’ve been there. I’ve seen being poor. But I think helping the poor is something someone does for themselves to live a good life and a peaceful life.

We must do something, whatever we can “jo ve sukhdeh tho hunda.” Its god watching us. I never seen god but I believe there is a god and he is watching us all the time. He is watching us now and that god is inside us.

To me, accepting there’ss a god that exists that gives me the fear to walk straight. Everybody should do whatever they can

Q

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting the foundation?

I’m not sure if you would call it a lesson but instead I learned that: the more I do, god gives me more. That’s the lesson for me.

Yeah I know some foundations have a lot of ups and down. But to me, what I do with my own money and my own hands, we go to 50 camps and 50 villages, god is in our favor. I feel it.

And you know, when I go to India, I want to live a very ordinary life like I used to life 37 years ago. I don’t have a “kothi”(mansion) I have a very simple house, my dad’s house.

I don’t have a “gezar” (water tank) for hot water, we have cold water. For 6 weeks when I go to the camps I sleep on the floor. I live the way I lived 37 years ago. I love it. But you know when I go to India, I have children, Canadian born children, who sometimes go with me. One day, I remember we were doing work at a camp we always set up accommodations for everything but one of the

Sukhi Bath has created over 50 free eye camps in India. days there were more people that and it was the end of the day maybe 11 o’clock and everyone had already gone to sleep and there was nothing left for my son and I to sleep on. And we said okay, we’ll go to that corner and sleep on the floor. And when we went, I saw that my son was having a hard time falling asleep, I had been watching him for 5 or 10 minutes and I say son “what’s happening?” and he said “dad, the floors not bother me but I never sleep without pillow” So I picked up my shoes and I put it under his neck hand 5 minutes later falls asleep and I kept watching his face. I kept watching his face and saluting god. Here is a Canadian boy who grew up with so much luxury, he got whatever he wanted and now he’s in a village in India and here is sleeping on the Gurdwara floor. That’s the gift. That’s the blessing. Those are the kinds of thingsthat encourage keeping doing what I’m doing and to keep doing more. Because god has given me everything. God has given me angels: my children and my grandchildren.

That’s the biggest gifts in life. You feel it.

Q

What’s something you try to teach to the people that you help?

You know, people don’t hear too much about the foundations but when I do go radio stations or TV stations, I always try to encourage very carefully to people that I’m not trying to tell them “look at how good Sukhi Bath” is,” when I come on these

stations I really just want to tell people how easily you can achieve what you want to achieve. And when you do good in life, good things happen back to you. Even with my own experience, you can look anywhere with family point of view from when I started the foundation 16 years ago. 16 years ago I had two 12 year-old kids and now they are achieving everything they want—that’s the gift. 16 years ago I had one business and now we have 5 business and 240 employees. I think god gives it to you back. He says “you’re doing good, you need more money?

Here’s more money, go spend it” (laughs).

So I ask everyone to try feel other people’s needs, you first need to feel.

What I also want to teach and I say this in my book—I am writing a book called “Je Jeena Hi Hai Tha…” (If you want to live then…) and the first 30 pages is on happiness.

Something sad that happens in our community is that people become so into money but they don’t know the real meaning of happiness. And they have happiness inside but they don’t know how to bring it out. I see daily in our society, people postponing their happiness “aj nai yaar, kal sai” (not today my friend, tomorrow) and tomorrow never comes. Kuch karo, do something. My advice is do something that makes you feel and do something to help the needy. It’s our ethical duty, we must do this. Kuch karo.

Here is a picture some of the families Sukhi Bath has created. He has funded countless marriages for those who can not afford one.

www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

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FEATURE

East-Indian Love From All Around The World N

BY PARVEE

Take a look at this fully bearded, turban-rocking Singh in all his handsomeness. The young Sardar is featured as a model for this international western clothing line.

From international model Naomi Campbellto Oscar winning actress Julia Roberts, Hollywood just can’t get enough of Indian Saris!

Professional basketball team, Sacramento Kings, experienced this vibrant and cheerful Bhangra performance during the live televised game

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

SOHAL

There are strict policies for this high security bank in Bangalore. However, exceptions are happilymade for the widely beloved (and always peaceful) religious practises of Sikhism.

Non-Indians like our food so much, they not only eat it at our restaurants, they serve it at their own restaurants too.

Joeys, like many other large scale restaurants, have been including our unique and flavourful dishes for years!

He’s got blue eyes, blonde skin and a very dignified Kirpan to match his spirit! Nowadays, numberous Non-Indian Sikhs can be found practising the sacred religion. www.desitoday.ca

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FEATURE

Criminals Conscience Vancouver’s Biggest Thieves Refuse to Steal from Disabled Man

N

BY PARVEE

Vancouver police have noticed a great increase in assaults and robberies targeting Vancouver residents, especially those in wheelchairs. They decided to pull a page out of everyone’s favourite cop book as their line of attack: an undercover mission.

Police officer Mark Horsley strapped on a wheelchair and headed to five high risk areas in the Downtown Eastside. He told residents that he had suffered brain damage and had very limited mobility in his arms and head. As if Horsley wasn’t easy enough bait, he carried a fanny pack with him that was unzipped with money hanging out of it. He also carried other valuables such as a phone and camera.

Their plan was to go into Vancouver and

pick out the despicable attackers who have been targeting residents in wheelchairs.

Police officers were ready to catch them in their pathetic attempts to rob a disabled man, arrest them, and make Vancouver a safer place for all.

What they found was quite the opposite.

Residents (including known criminals) approached Horsley with only sympathy and support. They expressed genuine concern for his wellbeing and did anything they could to help.

“People would ask me if I had someone to care for me, if I had some place to go, if I was hungry, people gave me food…I didn’t panhandle. I didn’t ask for anything.”

Horsley came into contact with multiple criminals that are known to police and would constantly prepare himself for a fel-

SOHAL

ony to occur. Instead of attacking him, they made polite chit-chat. Instead of robbing him, they offered food. Two men bought him pizza.

“These are people that we know the profiles of, we know their criminal histories, we know where they’re at, but they wouldn’t stoop as low as to rob somebody that was that vulnerable.” Horsley revealed.

Police were stunned. Horsley even travelled in his wheelchair at late hours in the night, came into contact with 300 people in total, but no arrests were made.

With all the attacks that have been going on, police expected to complete this undercover operation to make them pay.

And they did. Residents gave Horsley $24 in spare change.

Again, Horsley did not ask for anything.

Vancouver police officer Mark Horsley goes undercover as a disabled man to lure attackers.

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

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Shot from Vancouver police surveillance showing resident zip up Mark’s open money pouch.

“I was really taken by the politeness, the manners, the number of people that were very courteous.” He states.

One man is even seen zipping up Horsley’s fanny pack that was exposing his money.

Stories such as this one reveal the “honor system” among some criminals. Certain criminals may “lie, cheat, and steal” and even be violent toward others, but certain acts are considered below ethical standards.

Reports show that the way two criminals interact with one other within a prison system isn’t necessary dependent on the crimes they committed. However, when a man is found to be sentenced for raping a woman or child, fellow prisoners will often ban together torture and torment the assailant. For them, rape (and perhaps stealing from the disabled) is simply “wrong.”

This is not to say that there aren’t people attacking wheelchair resident Vancouver, or that heinous crimes aren’t committed every day. Criminals of that nature do exist. We do admit, however, is that there is something so comforting in knowing the lengths certain criminals go to protect our city’s most vulnerable. That, in stories such as these, criminals will do what’s “right.”

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Shots from Vancouver police surveillance show the kind reactions Mark received.

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

37

FEATURE

It has been almost four years since 19-yearold Maple Batalia was gunned down while leaving Simon Fraser University after a night of studying. Since then, her name and her story still pour into the hearts of Surrey residents each day.

Our Angel: Maple Batalia N

BY PARVEE 38

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

SOHAL

www.desitoday.ca

THE TRIAL

WHO WAS MAPLE BATALIA? She was a model.

She was an actress.

She was an artist.

She is the girl that no one can stop talking about: a health science student on the cover of Bazaar magazine, with a part in an international movie all while holding a part-time job and still managing to help her mom clean the house every Friday. She was a girl unlike any other.

When you search her name, you get over 12,000 hits on the web. You see her face on the Vancouver Sun, The International Movie Database (IMDB), Huffington Post and newscast sites all over Surrey.

Along with being beloved within our city, her story also touched the hearts of those across the globe. A New York artist has painted a picture of her, international makeup company “Evelyn Iona,” created a lip gloss in her name and Penticton performer, Krystal Kiran, even produced a short film and dance in her name. These are all people who have never met Maple. And that was the type of girl she was: a heart so pure, a story so striking, that even strangers yearn to keep her name alive.

Friends, family, members of the community and (again) strangers continue to show their support for her memory by creating multiple scholarships under her name. The Maple Batalia Memorial fund at SFU for Health Science students alone has already received over $98,000 in donations. Even in classes with as many as 200 students, Maple stood out so much to SFU professors that some have requested that a portion of every paycheck they receive to go toward her memorial fund.

www.desitoday.ca

The accused is currently in prison awaiting prosecution. It has been almost four years since sweet Maple Batalia’s death and no convictions have been made. Why? The accused seems to be delaying trial by using tactics such as changing lawyers and requesting postponements. Thepublic sees pre-trial and trial dates for the Maple Batalia case becoming postponed time and time again. Why you may ask, would the accused want to prolong trial if he is alreadysitting in a pre-trial jail? First we must understand that any time spent in pretrial jail is included in a felon’s sentencing. For example, if a felon spends one year in pretrial jail and is sentenced to ten years, they would only have nine years remaining. Second, we must understand that, the Canadian Criminal code allows for a sentencing “discount” for felons spending lengthy amounts of time in pre-trial jail. Their rationale is that because pre-trial prisons do not include rehabilitation or treatment programs like regular prisons, the time served in pre-trial prisons is “hard” time. This is not “fair” to the felons so the time they spend in pre-trial prison could count as time-and-a-half. This means that every day a felon spends in a pre-trial prison would count as 1.5 sentencing days.

In some cases in the past, the pretrial prison time countedas double. For example, if an accused spends 4 years in pre-trial jail, this time would actually count as 6 or even 8 years.

While the accused is allegedly using these delay tactics, what are Maple Batalia’s parents doing? They are doing everything in their power to feel even an ounce of justice.

They are booking flights from India back to Canada just to attend a court date only to hear 20 minutes later the accused had the case rescheduled again.With every trick in the book, the accused is reopening the case and thus reopening the heavy wounds on the hearts of the Batalia family.

The Batalia family asks you to join their call to change this and other issues within our justice system for victims. They urge the public to join them in their pursuit for justice. For Maple Batalia and other victims. They have created a petition and seek 150,000 signatures.The petition can be found at: https://www.change.org/organizations/justice_for_maple.

We urge all readers to read the petition and stop the injustice. Help heal the wounds of the Batalia Family

A heart that matched her golden face, The daughter that you’d hope you’d raise, She was Maple.

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

39

FEATURE

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

www.desitoday.ca

Her words find their way inside of us. They creep into the cracks we don’t realize are open. And we can’t help but let them. Because inside us is their home: her poems tell the stories that live inside of us.

I discovered Rupi Kaur almost two years when my cousin reposted her poem “to fathers with daughters.” I was instantly hooked. To enter her Instagram page is to enter a world of love, loss, anger, culture, passion feminism, and hope. Today that page “rupikaur_” has over 200,000 followers. Since Rupi’s debut on social media in 2013, she has hosted multiple events from writing workshops to poetry readings.

21-year-old Rupi Kaur is a Toronto born writer and artist. She reveals that doing art was her “first love” before writing poems. As a young child, having parents who were very new to Canada, she did not have the many extravagant toys. What she did have, however, was paper and tools to create art. This is where her love began. Doing art was her therapy and her best most of expression. When her writing took full swing in 2013, however, she noticed herself shutting down in her art. It wasn’t until 2014 that she decided to mix the two and this became the birth of Rupi’s unique style. Simple etches of black ink framing lines of her poetry became her trademark. In November 2014, she released her first book filled with original poetry and illustrations titled “Milk and Honey.”

I can still see her words. They dance inside my head The book was an instant success. It has become the #1 best seller on Amazon.com for the Poetry by Women section. This is a highly acclaimed spot as virtually every sellable poetry book ever published is in the running for the title. The book is divided into four chapters: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, and the healing. She has shared her work in New York London and California, Waterloo, and—of course—Vancouver. This is a very powerful feat to know this young Toronto woman’s writing is powerful enough to take her across the globe. What’s universal in a lot of poetry is the idea that we’re all a little broken. What’s special about Rupi’s poetry is that is not self-deprecating. It does not encourage you victimize yourself, rather it encourages you to address the parts that are “a little broken.”

N

BY PARVEE

SOHAL

She has a very special way to her, this Rupi. With the simplest of words she strikes every tender spot inside of you. She’ll dig deep into the scars we pretend are healed.

With careful words, she coats them with milk and honey. www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

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FEATURE

Culture d e i f i t s y m De

During mid 1970s, I did some work on “The Survey of Factors Encouraging and Constraining Citizenship Registration” investigating the issues that would encourage or restrain individuals in the “East Indian Community” to apply for Canadian Citizenship. The project had been sponsored by the Government of Canada.

It was a great opportunity to learn about my culture, its psychology and issues that either move us forward or keep us stuck in the past. The individuals I dealt with represented a cross section of demography. They were from university educated to those who could not even write their name. However, their level of education did not seem to matter. What mattered was one simple common denominator that ran through their lives. They all ached for the country they had left behind.

The majority of them who came to adopt Canada found it climatically harsh, emotionally cold, cognitively challenging, and socially isolating. They had no idea that 42

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

adjusting to a foreign culture, more than often, takes generational efforts. The process is demanding of their long lived practices and traditions. It forces individuals to work on their cultural-addictions, cold turkey. On occasions, they find it annoying and questioning their judgement; even makes them suffer death-like-feelings of a loved one.

The majority of them came from families in which responsibilities were rigidly gender based meaning, men did not share domestic responsibilities such as, child-rearing, cooking, house-cleaning, doing dishes and laundry etc. Responsibilities to earn and spend rested with men. Women did not go out to earn and manage finances. No matter how hard they worked, they remained dependent on men, even for minor personal expenses, as bus fare.

For some, life in a foreign culture proved much too costly, beyond expectations.

Stressors began to show their ugly impact on togetherness and love all around. The family walls that were built with mutual

BY SURESH

KURL

trust and support collapsed. Families suffered. Couples, I was just getting to know separated, divorced.

Husbands walked out dumping their wives with several little children to raise them, alone.

Mothers cooked, cleaned and washed evenings and nights and left home early mornings to earn a living --- to feed, clothe and shelter their sons and daughters.

With no extended support in place, she kept the older children home to care for their siblings, which deprived them of education and the environment necessary for their personal growth.

And when, she considered the younger ones old enough to look after themselves, she encouraged the older ones to find jobs to subsidise the family expenses.

Those who were lucky enough to go to school learned English and also some of the segments of Canadian culture such as, sense of independence and equality. It empowered children and increased parental dependence on them to do the jobs that required English. For certain families it proved a game changer. It turned the table of family dynamics in favour of their ‘English speaking’ sons and daughters. Single mothers literally felt left out of their world.

As nothing is permanent in life, the project also ended. I submitted my report advising the government that a cross cultural education to the newly arrived immigrants was a must for a successful integration.

Then, soon after that the Ministry of Social Services hired me to help them out on domestic issues, where I soon came to realise that educating my white co-workers would be as essential as educating the newly arrived East Indian families.

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married known to us has been arrangedmarriage. This complex caste and class based marriage decision-making has always been the exclusive domain of family elders in our society. The western custom of dating had been unknown to most of us until we reached the shores of our adoptive country.

Consequently, instead of spending time on interviews for the project, I started spending chunks of my time sorting out “dating” conflicts between parents and their children, especially daughters. Unresolved, conflicts resulted in restrictions being put on their mobility, including bans on attending school. Unresolved conflicts even resulted in violence. However, it seemed boys enjoyed a favoured status.

I recall a poor mother, who immensely suffered at the hands of her daughter, who manipulated the social service agencies to get from her home into their protection, where she perceived life was freer than her mother was willing to give her. She even accused her father of “doing bed things to her.” It took a lengthy and well coordinated investigation to find the truth. In the mean time one could not imagine the hell she put her family through.

Another issue that some newly arrived Indian families failed to recognise quickly was the clear red line between child-discipline and child-abuse. Unfortunately, failure to understand and practice this distinction resulted in parents losing their children to the Child Welfare Department. On top of that, when police removed male spouses from home as they assessed them abusive to both children and their mothers, families broke down in three segments: fathers out of the house, children in care of the government and mother grieving alone at home.

I recall a family in which spousal abuse ended in mother’s death, resulting in husband going to jail and children being taken into the care and custody of the government. Later, somehow, the father managed to call me at 2 a.m. and ‘ordered’ me to arrange a visit with his children, and threatened, “If I failed to do so he would find me just as he found my phone number.”

Once, a supervisor from a different team, asked me to help investigate a case of alleged physical abuse. The child was reported to have marks of cigarette burns on his legs.

I went along the case worker to help her and the family she was working with. After explaining the purpose of our visit we asked the mother of the child to pull up child’s 44

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

trousers for us to see those marks. We both looked at them. My colleague seemed convinced that the marks were cigarette burns; a perfect small circle.

I took the worker outside the house for a private chat. I told her that I would like to show her something that she me might fine informative. Then I rolled up the bottom of my own trousers, pushed my sock down and showed her a similar round spot on one of my legs. “Please take a look at this round spot. Does it not look similar to the one we noticed on the leg of the child?” I asked and said. I assured her that it was not a cigarette burn. It is a boil mark. I got it when I was a child.

“I think we should return to the mother and ask her how the child got that round mark, which she did. The mother explained that her child had developed a few boils.

They became infected with pus, and when they healed they left those round marks.

“There was no child abuse,” we concluded and closed the case.

Another ‘enchanting’ opportunity to investigate a child-abuse complaint presented was when I was called to go out with another worker to investigate the concerns of a neighbour regarding a couple of children living in a rather unsafe environment. She alluded that her next door neighbours practiced Voodoo wrapping her concerns around the children’s safety. We decided to check it out carefully. I sure did not wish to step on any religious sinkhole.

When we arrived, we noticed the door was ajar. I heard them chanting “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna…” inside the house. I took a peek and noticed a few white women sitting on the floor in front of a picture of Lord Krishna, clapping and chanting. One of them saw us. She came to the door and inquired about the purpose of our visit. We introduced ourselves and told her about the complaint. She smiled and told us the two children we were concerned about were sleeping, but if we wanted to see them she could take us to their room. As the first rule of child-abuse-investigations is always to see the child in person, we accepted her invitation.

We found two little cute kids sleeping peacefully in separate cribs. They looked perfectly healthy from a distance. I lifted off the thin sheet they were partially covered with, looked at them up close and looked at their bodies for indications of physical abuse, but found none.

After a review, we returned to the front

room to the Krishna’s picture on a wooden platform. I bowed to Krishna. When the lady saw me bowing she gave us a few pieces of sweets. For my co-worker they were candies; for me it was “prasad.” On the way back I explained what was going on in that house.

The most disturbing aspect of social work for me was removing children from their homes. It was not that I never apprehended children, I did, but most of the times I found it heart breaking. Many times I found myself in serious conflict when on one hand I would play the role of a supportive individual, but on the other hand I would stand before a Family Court Judges and recite a catalogue of their parents’ short comings, and recommend the legal custody of their child or children be granted to the government, temporarily, even permanently. My heart really ached the day a young mother dropped her only child in my office and said, “You look after him. I can’t any more.”

Another story worth telling is about a couple. They had serious alcohol issues. The man used to tell me that Nazis had installed a microphone chip in his ears to be able to listen to distant conversations. One day he left her and she started drinking heavily. I tried to connect her with all different counselling agencies to address her drinking problem, but she wasn’t interested. Once I tried to seek support from her daughter, but she blasted me fore contacting her. Boy! Was she vulgar?

Co-incidentally, I had an under-age young mother, also a child-in-care, living in the same complex. I used to visit them more often than the client with alcohol issues.

Let’s name her Ms. C. One day Ms. C saw me coming out of the apartment of the young mother. She invited me to have coffee with her. As I was pressed for time, I told her I would visit her next time. But she kept insisting and I kept assuring her that I would do that next time. The end result was that I walked down the stairs without accepting her coffee.

The next day, I heard she was killed in a fire in her apartment. For weeks I kept thinking of her and her request for coffee.

To date, I regret the moments I wasted not doing a good deed.

By Dr Suresh Kurl Dr. Suresh Kurl is a former university professor; a retired Registrar of the BC Benefits Appeal Board and a former Member of the National Parole Board.

www.desitoday.ca

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CO FOANNAF E RR A N Although these couples now have 20+ years of getting to know each other, there was a time when they were mere strangers. Here’s some of the interesting things people confessed to us about their arranged marriages

His nose look ed a lot smaller in hi s picture

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d After my wedding, I crie for 3 nights straight 46

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S S I O N S G E D M AR R I A G E it off e k o r b I almost ized she l a e r I when an me h t r e l l was ta

BY COMPILED HAL O S N E PARVE

g The day after our weddin and he told me he loved me I think I laughed

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w him a s I i l o d During my when I s ’ t a h T . e cry for m s perfect a w e h w e kn AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

47

LOVE & RELATIONSHIP

Boys VS. Girls Relationship Quiz:

Who Knows WhoBetter?

1.

What’s your patner’s regular McDonald’s order?

(2 points)

2.

What color was your patner wearing when you first met them?

(1 point)

3.

4.

What’s your patner’s most recent clothing purchase that they told you about (1 point) What’s your patner’s all-time favourite spots team? (If your patner isn’t a big spots fan, here’s the alternate question for them: What’s the most bearable spot for them to watch on TV?) (1 point)

Gab a pen, paper and your not-sofotunate significant other and get ready and see how much you two really know each other. Number your pages 1-17 and SILENTLY write down your answers. At the end, exchange answers and see who knows who best! *Disclaimer: Agreeing to complete the quiz will give the winner the right to claim a 15 minute foot massage and (you better believe) all the bragging rights*

they don’t have Instagam, use Facebook or omit question) (1 point)

5.

What’s the longest you two have ever gone without any contact with each other?

(1 point)

6.

List the last 3 places you two went on a date (*paties don’t count) (3 points)

10. How much does your patner weigh? (you can luctuate +/- 10 pounds) (1 point)

7.

What was most recent reason your patner cried that you would know about?

(1 point)

11. What facial feature/body pat is your patner the most self-conscious about?

(1 point)

8.

What’s your patner’s dream car (Alternate: What color car does your patner think is the nicest?)

(1 point)

12. Name one person that’s been irritating your patner lately (1 point)

9.

Describe your patner’s most recent picture they posted on Instagam (If

13. What’s your patner’s shoe size?

(1 point) 14. Describe your patner’s background/ wallpaper on their phone (1 point) 15. What facial feature of yours does your patner think is the nicest? (e.g., my husband thinks my eyes are the nicest) (1 point) 16. Put your phones away! What’s your patner’s phone number?

(1 point) 17. GIRLS: When did your patner get their most recent hair cut?

GUYS: What was your patner’s most recent nail polish color (if you’re doing this quiz in person, what was the color previous to this one?)

18. Name your patne’s 3 closest friends *in order* (3 points)

___________ 23 HIS TOTAL

____________ 23 HER TOTAL

N

BY PARVEE

SOHAL

Did the woman’s memory prevail? Or did the man’s quick mind come out on top?

48

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

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BUSINESS & CAREER

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BY PARVEE

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START YOUR OWN BUSINESS! 1. Law of Free Promotion • Give your product/provide your service free of cost to established social media stars and have them review it • You don’t have to be popular on social media right away, you have to find the right people • If you have a great product/service the people you give them to will do the work for you: they’ll post about it, make videos tag your company name, etc

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51

BUSINESS & CAREER

overly glorified ads and products. They want to see real people who they can connect with and trust and those are the people they would be willing to purchase products from.

3. Law of Connection / Law of “4 in 5” Make the other 4/5 posts something many people can connect with: post funny pictures, interesting stats, quizzes that are really interactive. Be fun and engage with people! (P.S. funny posts are paamount)

4. Law of Reward Provide incentives for your followers.

Award free products, shout outs, etc for people on your accounts. If your product is good, these people will come for the reward and stay for the great investment.

5. Law of Accessibility • Be present on every social media outlet • Here is every outlet your business needs an account for: Facebook, Instagam, Twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, Snapchat, Blogging websites • diff erent people like diff erent social media outlets, so be sure to use them all • diff erent outlets have diff erent purposes (e.g., Instagam can show pictures of your business/product, Snapchat allows your consumers to know you/trust you)

6. Law of Frequency

8. Law of the Hashtag

• Have a set business Hashtag from the beginning and use it on evey possible platform (Facebook, Twitter, Instagam, etc)

Be on social media constantly. Daily.

Hourly. Be aware of what your consumer want to see, be aware of what they’re responding positively to and post accordingly

7. Law of 1 in 5 Have a maximum of one blatant business

52

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

“advetisement” in evey five posts you make. No one wants to follow an account that’s looded with ads

• Keep it short, simple and easy to spell • Try to get it trending: make a fun game out of it or have your award obtainable only if paticipants posts the hashtag. www.desitoday.ca

www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

53

HEALTH & WELLNESS

India-born engineer’s roti maker gets $11.5 mn investment n Indian-origin engineer in Singapore who invented an automatic one-minute roti maker machine seven years back has now fetched a second round of investment of $11.5 million from venture firms, a media report said.

Pranoti Nagarkar-Israni, a mechanical engineer from the National University of Singapore, came up with a prototype for an automatic roti maker which won her the “Start-Up Singapore” competition in 2009.

54

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

She later floated a product design company called Zimplistic with her husband to promote the roti maker brand called Rotimatic.

Zimplistic has now announced an investment of $11.5 million from Southeast Asiabased NSI Ventures and Germany-based Robert Bosch Venture Capital, web portal TechinAsia.com reported.

“It has been an amazing year for us and these new partnerships will only help to improve what we see as a revolutionary product that enables families to eat healthier,” Rishi Israni, Pranoti’s husband and CEO of Zimplistic, was quoted as saying.

www.desitoday.ca

One touch of homemade ROTIS. See the Multi-Million Product in Action

The automatic roti maker is smart enough to use its 15 sensors to figure out the ingredients put in it and the measures in which to combine them.

The user needs to put in the ingredients in the given containers and press a button.

Within a minute, a flat, circular roti slides out of the machine - much like a sheet of paper that comes out of a photocopier.

The machine also allows its users to customise the doughballs and flour discs.

Within a week of the launch of its beta version last year, $5 million worth of

roti makers priced at $999 each were sold and Zimplistic had to close pre-orders.

Today, there is a huge waiting list for roti makers and over 5,000 requests for distribution partnerships from around the world are pending with the firm.

“With this funding, Zimplistic plans to finish the Rotimatic beta, accelerate manufacturing rollout and set up operations in international markets to fulfil the big demand,” Israni said.

This new round of funding has been secured just few months after raising the first round of investment worth more than $1 million from NSI Ventures. (IANS)

Breads such as roti or chapati are staples in the diet of some 800 million Indians, and so Israni decided to launch her own startup when she came up with her first invention, an automatic “Rotimatic” set to be the rice cooker for the roti-eating population. The appliance, about the size of a mini-microwave oven, does the measuring, mixing, kneading, making, and baking of rotis, with users only required to refill the wheat and water compartments after a few days.

www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESI View

55

HeaLtH & WeLLness

You don’t need a scientist to tell you that summer is associated with brightness, sunny beaches, uplifted spirits and the 5-year-old inside of you urging you to go outside. What you may not know, however, is that there is biological research explaining why people tend to be happier in the summer.

Let’s stat off with some basic biology: melatonin is the hormone in our body that controls our sleep. Basically, when it’s dark outside, our bodies produce more mela56

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

tonin which makes us feel sleepy. When it’s light out, our eyes sense the light and send a message to our bain to produce less melatonin, making us feel awake and alet during the day. It’s impotant to note that melatonin does not automatically make us feel sleepier but works to put our bodies in a groggier, more tired state of mind.

Now that we’ve taken a trip back to Gade 12 Biology class, let’s get back to summetime happiness. During summer months there is more light outside which makes our

bodies produce less melatonin for shoter periods of time. This means our bodies are told to feel less sleepy and thus we feel less lazy and low-spirited in the summer.

For most of us, this seasonal phenomenon does not mean we suffer tagic changes in our lives in the winter months. Some people, however, claim to suffer from what’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder which, quite amusingly, goes by the acronym “S.A.D.” SAD is basically seasonal depression and people suffering from it repot feeling www.desitoday.ca

The Science Behind Why You Felt

Happier

This Summer

N

BY PARVEE

clinical levels of depression only during winter months. It is found that 4-6% of Noth Americans repot experiencing SAD and state that their depressive feelings disappear (or are significantly reduced) in summer months. It is also found that the oveall ate of depression is much higher in winter months compared to summer.

To suppot our earlier research, people suffering from SAD are found to be much more sensitive to light than the geneal public. This research shows that, unlike www.desitoday.ca

what people commonly assume, it’s the light not tempeature associated with seasonal changes that affect our mood. It’s also impotant to note that daylight savings requires us to have shoter, darker days in the winter time which affects our light exposure in the winter.

Whether you feel “SAD” or just regular “sad” in the winter months, you now have an excuse to leave work early in the summer, so gab your lip-lips, get outside and soak up the sunlight!—for your health, of course.

SOHAL

S.A.D. is basically seasonal depression and people su ering from it report feeling clinical levels of depression only during winter months. It is found that 4-6% of North Americans report experiencing SAD and state that their depressive feelings disappear (or are signi cantly reduced) in summer months.

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

57

HeaLtH & WeLLness

Woman Tattoos Her Own Face to Cover Burn Scars HAL

N SO

BY PARVEE

Basma burned as a young child

58

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

www.desitoday.ca

Basma Hameed A Pioneer in the Burn World

When Basma was just two-years-old, to take the risk. This is when Basma reher eight-year-old brother wanted to sur- ally took matters into her own hands. prise their parents by making them dinner Basma took the steps to become cetion a pan with hot oil. His sweet and car- fied to peform the tattoo procedure on ing gesture quickly turned into a night- her face.

When she saw the results, she commare for his younger sister. He put frozen meat into the oil filled pan and it quickly mented that she was filled with so much caught fire. As the young boy an to the hope and excitement.

“Anybody that has a scar or skin dissink, he tripped and spilled the inlamed oil onto baby Basma. 40% of the two year coloation needs to know that this proold’s face became covered in third-de- cedure exists because it has changed my gree burns. She lost her hair, one of her eyebrows and had to have one of her eyes glued shut.

The next 15 Basma’s results from self-tattooing years of her life consisted of multiple surgeries to treat life!” Basma remarks.

It is vey difficult to tattoo a burn her burns and reconstruct the damage on her face. When she was 16-years-old patient as it would mean working on she had completed over 100 surgeries. scar tissue that won’t necessarily pick At this point, she was told that there was up colors the way regular skin does. But nothing left that doctors could do for this didn’t stop Basma. She pefected her one-of-a-kind technique and today she her.

“The moment that I heard those owns a skin clinic where she peforms the words, I told myself that I can’t give up. procedure on burn patients around the I have to do whatever it takes to improve world. She has since been referred to as the “tattoo-faiy” for scar victims. it for myself.”

It seems easy for people like Basma And that’s exactly what she did.

She soon discovered face tattooing to who face such life-altering difficulties to create an inked eyebrow where hers had sink into a world of helplessness and negbeen burned off. She instantly noticed an ativity. However, Basma is anything but improvement in her appeaance and con- “helpless.” When doctors told her there was nothing left for her to do, she took fidence.

“I thought well, why not use pigment charge of her seemingly impossible situthat matches the rest of the skin and tat- ation by never giving up until she found a solution. Not only did she help herself, too that pigment into scar tissues?”

She asked various professionals to but she created an avenue to help burn peform this procedure but none wanted patients all around the world.

“Such a clever idea. Such a remarkable girl. The world needs more people like Basma Hameed” Some treatments Basma performed on her clients www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

59

HeaLtH & WeLLness

N SOHAL

BY PARVEE

Brand Name Medicine:

Waste of Money?

“If the active ingredients are the same—in the same amount— you’re essentially getting the same medicine.”

- Pharmacist Jaspreet Virdi.

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

A recent health suvey found that in 2014 alone, Canadians spent an astounding 33.9 billion dollars on pharmaceutical drugs. With the cost of medicines slowly rising, pharmacists are givingtheir patients the same advice: buy generic medicine.

What is generic medicine? Pharmacist Jaspreet Virdi explains that after a company gets approval for a new medicine, Health Canada awards them a “patent” that only allows that company to sell that drug for 20 years. This becomes the “band name medicine.” After that patent expires, other companies may replicate the drug for sale as the “generic band” version. Both band name medicine and generic medicine go through the same approval standards by Health Canada before they are sold. Generic

www.desitoday.ca

“The only real difference between is the price,”

ADVIL

Generic Brand

Advil Fast Relief Liquid Gels

Life Brand Ibuprofen Liquid Capsules

200 mg

200 mg

Active Ingredient

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen

Price

$24.99

$19.99

ADVIL

Generic Brand

Tylenol Ultra Relief

Life Brand Acetaminophen Headache Ultra Relief

565 mg

565 mg

Acetaminophen (500mg) Caffeine (65mg)

Acetaminophen (500mg) Caffeine (65mg)

$14.99

$9.99

BENYLIN

Generic Brand

Benylin All in One Cold & Flu Extra Strength

Life Brand Total Cold & Flu Extra Strength

180 mL

180 mL

Dextromethorphan (30mg) Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (60mg) Guaifensin (200mg) Acetaminophen (1000mg)

Dextromethorphan (30mg) Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (60mg) Guaifensin (200mg) Acetaminophen (1000mg)

$16.49

$13.49

CLARITIN

Generic Brand

Reactine

Life Brand Allertin

10 mg

10 mg

Loratadine

Loratadine

$18.99

$14.99

VISINE

Generic Brand

Visine Original Red Eye

Life Brand Original Eye Drop

15 mL

15 mL

Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride Ophthalmic

Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride Ophthalmic

$7.49

$5.99

Full Name Amount

Virdi reveals Full Name Amount medicine must also havea bioequivalent amount of the active ingredient andmust work in the bloodstream in the same way.

“The only real difference between is the price,” Virdi reveals. He explains how pharmacists suggest generic medicines whenever possible as they can achieve the same results without all the fancy packaging.

“Band names definitely deseve the credit for discovering new medications” he says passionately, “but in this economy, why not save a few dollars if you can use a cheaper version of the exact same thing?”

Quality is a big issue when it comes to medication: people want the top ingredients to ensure optimal health and safety.

But what consumers have to remember is that it is the ingredient that needs to be high quality, not the band’s name. Virdireveals that almost evey medication has a generic version with the same amount of the active ingredient. He explains that generic medicine bands can always be found shelved directly beside band name medicines and advises consumers to always read both labels. “If the active ingredients are the same—in the same amount—you’re essentially getting the same medicine.”

Below is a list of common over-thecounter medicines along with their cheaper generic versions. All medications and prices were found at Shoppers Drug Mat with all generic medications coming from their instore band “Life Band”.

Now if you’re smat enough to put down that Staples lyer for the half-priced Dollar store equivalents, why not ty one of these generic name medicines? www.desitoday.ca

Active Ingredient Price

Full Name Amount

Active Ingredient

Price

Full Name Amount Active Ingredient Price

Full Name Amount Active Ingredient Price

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

61

BeautY & CuLture

Keeping up with Your daily dose of affordable fashion trends! Modeled, styled and worn by yours Jasmeen Raihman

Blue Romper : Ebay Shoes : Aldo

Tights: eBay Shoes: Urban Planet Tank Top: Forever 21 Jacket: Forever 21 62

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

$6.00 $20.00 $1.80 $37.80

$15.00 $30.00

Grey Dress : Sirens Shoes : Sirens

$20.00 $12.00

www.desitoday.ca

Jasmeen Tell us a little bit about yourself I’m 24 years old. By profession I’m a child and youth care counsellor and absolutely have a love affair with my profession. I was born and aised in the lower mainland.

What made you get into fashion?

I never really thought of my self as “in the fashion scene”. If you were to ask me about an up and coming designer or fashion, I couldn’t tell you. I’m just a girl that loves clothes and dressing up.

What made you start your Instagram page?

With the suppot of my wondeful friends I stated my Instagam page. With the recent inlux of bloggers my friends made it a point to tell me that “I had to” stat my own page and so here we are. Up until a little over a year ago fashion had been something I wore, never really something I perused. However, that is all changed now!

I am so excited to be perusing my passion for fashion and beauty by blogging about the amazing, affordable clothes, accessories and makeup that I am wearing, and where you can get them!

What do you hope to achieve in the fashion world? Future goals?

My basic goal is to show women that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on clothes in order to feel amazing. To me expensive doesn’t always equal quality or fashion. Instead, if you spend less on your clothes and more time on learning how to feel good about yourself and how to piece things together, you will be able to wear anything and look amazing.

I am here to combine the world of fashion trends with affordability, through educating women on the impotance of inner beauty because, the real beauty of a person goes far beyond their physical appeaances or the clothes they are wearing!

N

BY PARVEE INTERVIEW

www.desitoday.ca

SOHAL

Top : Sirens $12.00 Skit: Charlotte russe $30.00 $24.90 Shoes: Forever 21 AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

63

BeautY & CuLture

SUSHMITA SEN

Miss uniVerse 1994

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Miss WorLd 2000

AISHWARIYA RAI

Miss WorLd 1994

Famous stars Who started as Pageant Winners

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

www.desitoday.ca

Winning Questions and ansWers

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Question: What qualities should Miss World 1994 should embody? ansWer: the Miss World’s that we have had till date, have been proof enough that they have had compassion, compassion for the under privileged, not only for the people for who have status and stature, who can look beyond the barriers that man has set up for ourselves of nationality, colour. We have to look beyond that and that will make a true Miss World, a true person, a real person. thank you!

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Question: What is the essence of being a woman? ansWer: Being a woman is gift from god and it should be appreciated, the origin of a child is a woman. and the essence of being a woman is showing your love and showing a man what love and care is all about.

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65

BEAUTY & CULTURE SURVEY BY

WHO WORE HOLLYWOOD V HAL

O PARVEEN S

VS.

89%

Priyanka Chopra

VS.

11%

Naomie Harris

56%

44%

Victoria Beckam Deepika Padukon

VS.

53%

Olivia Munn 66

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

47%

Aditi Rao Hydari www.desitoday.ca

IT BETTER: S. BOLLYWOOD

VS.

49%

Kristin Chenoweth

66%

Kim Kardahsian

34%

Kareena Kapoor

VS.

51%

Aishwariya Rai

VS.

44%

Kelly Brooks www.desitoday.ca

56%

Sonam Kapoor AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

67

FOOD, ART & ENT

Bollywood Brain: Find O

We’ve all had that one friend who boasts about knowing all there is about the most popular Hindi movies, so we decided to put

1 # T PAR

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In what movie did Shah Rukh Khan run the Tery Fox run by chasing a tain?

5.

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Where was the title song “Dil To Pagal Hai” shot (what was the location)?

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In Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kajol (playing “Anjali”) stats hysterically cying because she broke what item of Amitabh Bachchan’s? (“Yash’s”)?

4.

6

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Can you name 3 movies Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol shot together?

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What was the alien’s name in “Koi Mil Gaya”?

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Trivia Time! Here’s where all the long nights of being glued a screen with Shah Rukh Khan’s face on the other end will finally pay off! Find out how closely you were paying attention to some of the most popular films of the past two decades (1 point per line)

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Let’s get stated! Now, we all know how long you gaze lovingly into the eyes of your favorite Bollywood actor—or how intently you stare when that one slow tears runs down your beloved’s face, so let’s put your memoy to the test! Can you figure out which actor these sets of eyes belong to? (1 point each)

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Can you name 3 bollywood actors/ actresses that appeared in hollywoodfilms? ........................................................................ ........................................................................

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Total: ........... / 7

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In what movie did John Abaham and Abhishek Bachchan act as a gay couple? ........................................................................ www.desitoday.ca

ut Your Hindi Movie IQ

everyone’s Bollywood knowledge to the test! Grab a pen and follow along to find out what title you hold among other fanatics.

8.

9.

Finish the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai song line “Tum paass aye, yun muskuayee, tum ne na jaaneh kya…” ........................................................................

What was the song “Chhaiya Chhaiya” shot on top of (what object)?

Don’t think we were going to forget to include some snapshots of our favorite Bollywood men! But somehow, after seeing those beautiful green, hazel and caamel eyes of the Bollywood beauties, it just wasn’t the same with the men, so we decided to do something a little different. This time see if you can put the actors in order from youngest to oldest (0.5 points per correct actor guess)

T R A P #3

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10. What was Deepika Padukone’s first movie opposite Shah Rukh Khan?

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11. Which bollywood actor hosts the show Big Boss? ............................

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12. In what movie did Aishwariya Rai play Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter? ........................................................................

13. Shah Rukh Khan’s full name in Veer Zaa was “Veer…”? ........................................................................

14. In “Student of the Year” which famous guest star appeared for the song “Disco Deewane?” ........................................................................

15. Finish the “Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam” line “Ab yahan se kahan jaayen hum? Teri bahon mein…”

23-30: Bollywood Brainiac

You have watched and rewatched, cried and re-cried at the same Bollywood movies for years!

Bagging rights are all yours.

Here’s to your high score, the secret Shah Rukh Khan poster under your bed, and that constant Hindi melody playing in your head. You are a trueBollywood Bainiac!

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You see most of the latest movies in theatres and you have a few of the classics recorded on a VHS so we can commend you on that. And although you miss some details and are lacking the passion and dedication of a bainiac, we applaud you for knowing how much you do.

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12-17: Cinematic Sinner

You only watch Hindi movies when you mom forces you, DON’T YOU?! You know some facts here and there and you always say how much you “love Amitabh” but you have a long way to go before you can claim a respectable Bollywood viewer title.

N

BY PARVEE

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16-23: Hindi Hopeful

ANSWERS ON PAGE 77

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Under 12: Hollywood Heart

Under 12 points—where are your priorities laying?! Hollywood?!

Homework?! Your “job?” You need to set aside 3 hours evey night (yes, that’s how long a Hindi movie can be) and stat catching up!

The “Amitabh” comment from the Cinematic Sinner applies to you as well so we suggest watching evey movie he has starred—as a stat.

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

69

...

FOOD, ART & ENT LEARNING TO DRIVE August 21, 2015 After breaking up with her husband, Wendy (Patricia Clarkson), stats taking driving lessons from Sikh instructor, Dawin (Oscar winning “Ghandi” Ben Kinsley) who is having marriage problems of his own. Together they strike up an unlikely friendship and go on a journey that they never would have imagined.

The movie is not about learning to drive, it’s about learning to live and to love—how to be.

REGRESSION August 28, 2015 ”Regression” is an American-Spanish psychological thriller about a father accused of sexually abusing his daughter (Emma Watson,) but has no memoy of this. This leads to a conspiacy which shakes the nation.

Good: Well the obvious: seeing a Sikh chaacter portayed in large scale Hollywood film makes all of us extremely proud! But aside from the vey biased reason to like this movie, “Learning to Drive” is truly a film for viewers of all tastes. You’ll laugh, you’ll cy, you’ll learn. If not for anything else, watch the film for the amazing on screen chemisty between the two stars: the dialogue, the banter, the quick wits and genuine inteaction is one for all to see.

Good: This deliciously disturbing thriller is written and directed by the talented Alejandro Amenábar who is even choosing the soundtack for this film. The stoyline will catch your attention right away and will have your “black or white” ethical ground in question throughout. A great thinker and a great plot!

Bad: Can we say it’s “bad” that so far this film is only getting Oscar buzz instead of an official standing?!

BY KAJAL & OHAL PARVEEN S

Bad: Some are skeptical as to whether Miss Hermione Ganger will be able to cary such a challenging role. She has, however, surprised us before by expanding her ange in films like “Perks of A Walllower” (despite her wavering American accent in the film) she did great so who says she won’t do the same here.

HOLLYWOOD HEADLINES EVEREST September 25, 2015 “Everest,” directed by Baltasar Kormákuri, tells the tale of a climbing expedition to Everest distaught by an unexpected snow storm. This shocking film is actually based on a true stoy and stars the beloved Jake Gyllenhaal, Keia Knightly and Robin Wright.

Good: This action packed thriller will keep you on the edge of your seats!

Bad: Everest movies have been done almost to death. Do we really need another one?

We’ll see if this one has something different to bring to the plate vey soon.

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www.desitoday.ca

PAWN SACRIFICE Septemer 11, 2015 Based on a true stoy, this film is a bio-pic of the genius chess player, Bobby Fischer (Tobey Mcguire).

You’ll watch at the edge of your seat as Fischer gets caught between the reigns of two empires when he challenges a Russian champion during the height of the Cold War. Good: Hollywood finally gets a peek into the fascinating (and equally insane) mind of Bobby Fischer.

Bad: Although Tobey McGuire is immensely talented, he happens to look absolutely nothing like Bobby Fischer which may prove to be distacting for some of our histoy buff viewers. However it’s something we can definitely get over. Casting directors picked Mcguire for his impeccable acting skills and—as always—he provides nothing less than a jaw dropping peformance.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 September 25, 2015 The once old-school Hotel has changed a lot since the arrival of Mavis’ husband, Jonathon and is even admitting human visitors!

Dacula must, however, find a way to get his taditional father to accept these changes during an unexpected visit, meanwhile he must also deal with his half human half vampire gandson who seems to lack all supernatual abilities.

Good: All our favourite comedians from the first “Hotel Tansylvania” are in the sequel!

A guide to the most anticipated upcoming movies in Hollywood

Bad: Although it seems like a fun and lightheated lick, it is not likely to be one of those family movies which parents will also enjoy. Unlike our favourite catoon lick “Inside Out,” this may not be a movie all ages can enjoy.

MISSISSIPPI GRIND August 13, 2015 After facing great financial loss, gambling addict Gery (Ben Mendelsohn) is determined to change his luck. He is convinced that his new found poker playing friend, Cutis (Ryan Reynolds) is the answer to his payer. Together, the two go on a road trip to New Oldeans to paticipate in a high-stakes poker game.

The trip, the game, and their inherent chaacter laws lead the two stangers to creating an unbreakable bond.

The good and The bad: Whether most audience will like this movie is definitely a “gamble” (see what we did there).

Some may say the casino addict stoyline is predictable will others say their honest potayal of the human condition is unlike any other film this year. www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

71

DESI

Around Town

Insurace expert Perminder Chohan pens chapter in new book that reveals winning formula for uncommon success. In the left picture Perminder Chohan flanked by NDP MPs Jisbir Sandhu and Jinny Sims.

Sikh Community Kitchen serves food to the less fortunate ones in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside every second week.

Paul Bhogal of Sunrise Kitchens Ltd. and family welcomed Minister Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism, at their home recently. Also present were Tim Uppal, federal Minister of State (Multiculturalism), and Harpreet Singh, Conservative candidate for Surrey-Newton.

Mainland Athletics held their annual spring/summer soccer development program’s season ending Mini World Cup Tournament and BBQ last Saturday at Richmond’s King George Park.

1. Diljit Thind and friends at 2015 Yoga International Yoga Day event. 2. Mannu Sandhu enjoying the yoga event with friends. 3. Dr. Dhenju holding flowers at the Yoga event.

72

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www.desitoday.ca

DESI

Around Town

Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan held a highly successful fundraiser at Burnaby’s Royal Palace with NDP Leader John Horgan and many NDP MLAs and NDP MPs

Brittany Hazelman, stand among fellow contestant, is crowned Miss Fiji 2015.

(Left) The 2015 Annual Red FM Walk & Run with Harjinder Thind and Baldev Singh Mann.

(Top) Local star Jazzy B with young child at Red FM Walk & Run

Picnic Day of Hindu Temple Burnaby took place in the temple itself thanks to the rain on Sunday morning.

The annual Fiji Festival organized by Jai Fiji Television and Bula! Fiji Association of BC at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium was a resounding success.

The Akali Singh Sikh Gurdwara and Janata Sewak Society celebrated Canada Day at the gurdwara with kids.

www.desitoday.ca

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau met with South Asian supporters including Surrey-Newton candidate Sukh Dhaliwal at Narinder Nijjar’s residence.

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

73

LIFE & ETC

Indian Jokes : Short Stories ng Mr. i n n u C s y a w l The A

A wealthy Singh from India tavels all around the world on business. He is now in Canada and walks into a Canadian bank and asks for the loan officer. He says he’sgoing to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5000. The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the loan, so Mr. Singh hands over the keys to a new Rolls Royce, which costs quater of a million dollars.

“The car is parked on the street in front of the bank,” says Mr. Singh, “and I have all the necessay papers.”

The bank officer agrees to accept the car as collateal for the loan. After Mr Singh leaves, the loan officer, the bank’s president and all their colleagues enjoy a good laugh at the man for using a $250,000 Rolls Royce as collateal against a $5,000 loan.

One of the employees drives the Rolls into the bank’s underground gaage and parks it there. Two weeks later, Mr Singh returns, repays the $5000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41.

The loan officer says, “Sir, I must 74

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

Singh

tell you, we’re all a little puzzled.

While you were away, we checked you out and discovered that you’re a multimillionaire. Why would you bother to borrow $5,000?”

The man replies, “Where else in Canada can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41?”

Bibi and Baba’s Happy Marriage There was once an old Babaji and Bibiji man and woman who had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared eveything. They had talked about eveything. They kept no secrets from each other except that the Bibi had a shoebox in the top of her closet that she cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the Bibi got vey sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In tying to sot out their affairs, the Baba took down the shoebox and took it to his wife’s bedside.

She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.

When he opened it, he found two crocheted doilies and a stack of money totaling $25,000.

He asked her about the contents. When we were to be married, she said, “myNaniji told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angy with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doily.”

The Baba was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious doilies were in the box.

She had only been angy with him two times in all those years of living and loving.

He almost burst with happiness.

“My sweet wife.” he said and looked at her with love and fulfilment.

He looked again and the box and said “My sweet wife, that explains the doilies, but what about all of this money?

Where did it come from?”

“Oh,” she said, “that’s the money I made from selling the doilies.” www.desitoday.ca

That Will Make You Smile A Singh and a Lawyer There was an elderly Singh who found himself sitting next to a young, rich lawyer on an airplane. The lawyer kept bugging the Singh, wanting him to play a game of intelligence. The Singh just wanted to rest but the lawyer kept pushing him. Finally, the lawyer offered him 10 to 1 odds, and said evey time the Singh could not answer one of his questions, he owed him $5, but evey time he could not answer his, he’d give her $50.00. The lawyer figured he could not lose. The Singh knew he would keep bugging him the whole trip so he finally accepted.

The lawyer first asked, “What is circumference of the eath?”

Without saying a word the Singh handed him $5.

“It was 40,075 km” laughed the Lawyer.

“And you could have just looked it up on your computer! You Indians!”

The Singh looks at the lawyer calmly and says, “What goes up a hill with 3 legs and comes back down the hill with 4 legs?”

Well, the lawyer looked puzzled.

He took seveal hours, looking up eveything he could on his laptop and even placing numerous air-to-ground phone calls tying to find the answer. Finally, angy and frustated, he gave up and paid the Singh $50.00.

Right before the plane was about to land, the lawyer insisted “Well what is the answer to your question?!”

Without saying a word, the Singh handed him $5. www.desitoday.ca

BY COMPILED HAL O S PARVEEN

An Indian’s Speeding Ticket An Indian was driving well over speed limit and was pulled over by a patrol car. The officer approached the driver’s door.

“Is there a problem, officer?”

“You were speeding. Can I see your license please?”

“I’d give it to you but I don’t have one.”

“You don’t have one?”

“I lost it four times for drunk driving.”

“I see. Can I see your vehicle registation papers please?”

“I’m sory, I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“I stole this car.”

“Stole it?”

The Indian says, “Yes, and I killed the owner.”

At this point the officer is getting stressed. “You what?”

“The body is in the trunk. You can look if you want.”

The officer slowly backs away and calls for back up. Within minutes, five police cars show up, surrounding the car. A senior officer slowly approached the car, clasping his half dawn gun.

The senior officer said, “Could you step

out of your vehicle please!”

The Indian stepped out of the vehicle.

“Is there a problem, officer?”

The officer responded, “Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car please?”

The Indian opened the trunk, which was empty.

The officer said, “Is this your car sir?”

The Indian said, “Yes,” and handed over the registation papers.

The officer, understandably, is quite stunned.

“One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.”

The Indian handed a license to the officer.

The officer examined the license. He looked quite puzzled. “Thank you. One of my officers told me you didn’t have a license, stole this car, and murdered the owner.”

The Indian replied, “I bet you that liar told you I was speeding, too!

Studio: 778-218-4444 Cell: 604-781-9008 www.suryastudio.ca Photography, Videography Brass Band & Horse Packages available at the best prices in the market AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

75

LIFE & ETC

Happy Rakhri a tiny thread to tie the worlds of brother and sister

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www.desitoday.ca

How To Make Your Own Rakhri

BOLLYWOOD QUIZ ANSWERS:

Show just how much you love your brother this year by making him a Rakhri with your own two hands! Follow the step-by-step guides for different type of bracelets

PART 1: 1. Aishwariya Rai 2. Kareen Kapoor 3. Katrina Kaif 4. DeepikaPadukone 5. Rani Mukherjee 6. Anusha Sharma 7. Priyanka Chopra

www.desitoday.ca

PART 2: 1. Jadu 2. Baazigaar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Duplicate (1998), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabi Khushi

Kabhie Gham (2001), My Name is Khan (2010) 3. Vase 4. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 5. Disneyland 6. Aishwariya Rai (Pride & Prejudice); Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, Jurassic World,

The Amazing Spiderman, A Mighty Heart, etc); Anupam Kher (Silver Linings Playbook); Amitabh Bachchan (The Great Gatsby) 7. Dostana 8. Sapne dekhaye

9. Train 10. Om Shanti Om 11. Salman Khan 12. Mohabbatein 13. Veer Pratap Singh 14. Kajol 15. Mar jaaye hum

PART 3: 1. 2, 1, 4, 3 Abhishek Bachchan(39) Ajay Devgan (46) Shah Rukh Khan (49) Sunny Deol (57) 2. 2, 3, 4, 1 John Abraham (42)

Saif Ali Khan (44) Akshay Kumar (47) Aamir Khan (50) 3. 1, 4, 3, 2 Hrithik Roshan (41) Bobby Deol (48) Salman Khan (49) Sanjay Dutt (55)

4. 2, 4, 3, 1 Varun Dhawan (28) Ranveer Singh (29) Sidarth Malhotra (30) Ranbir Kapoor (32)

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

77

LIFE & ETC

Rakhri Dessert Recipes Jalebi By Pardeep Sahota Serving: 20 Jalebis Supplies : Icing bag or Jalebi bottle (substitute: cleaned & empty ketchup / mustard bottle) Ingredients • 1 cup all-purpose lour (“Maida”) • 2 teaspoons gram lour (“Besan”) • 1⁄2 cup plain beaten yogurt (“Dahi”) • 1⁄2 cup water • 500 ml pre-prepared sugar syrup (Chaashni) • 500 ml ghee or 500 ml oil • 1 pinch baking soda 1. Mix all-purpose lour with gramlour 2. Add water and yogurt 3. Mix very well for 5-7 minutes (make sure

there aren’t any lumps and consistency is runny) 4. Add a pinch of baking soda.

5. Heat oil on med heat on stove 6. Put batter into icing bag/bottle 7. Pour batter onto hot oil in pretzel-like shapes 8. Make until lightly brown on both sides 9. Drop the batter by squeezing the bottle/icing bag, into the hot oil, in concentric circular motion to make the jalebis.

10. Lightly brown on either side.

11. Repeat until all the batter is used up.

12. On a separate pan, hear the sugar-water syrup 13. Drain the excess oil from the jalebis.

14. Drop jalebis into the sugar-water syrup (dip well, toss well, to coat both side of the jalebis in the syrup.

15. Drain excess syrup from the jalebis.

16. Ready to serve!

GulabJamun By Sim Samra Ingredients • 3 cups sugar • 4 cups water • 2 1/2 cups skim milk Powder • 3/4 cup all purpose lour • 1 tsp baking powder • 500ml whipping cream Instructions 1. Create “Chaashni” (sugar sauce) by combining the sugar and water & boiling it 2. Separately, mix the skim milk powder, all purpose lour and baking powder together 3. Add the whopping cream in a little amount at atime 4. Boil butter or oil (desired amount to dip) 5. Roll into balls 6. Fry on low heat until golden brown 7. ENJOY!!

Barfi By Pam Sidhu Serving : 15 Barfi slices • 250 grams unsweetened khoya/mava/ evaporated milk • 5 tbsp sugar • ¼ tsp cardamom powder (take 3 cardamoms and put into grinder with husks removed) • 13 to 15 finely chopped almonds • 13-15 finely chopped pistachios • about ¼ tsp ghee (for greasing) • OPTIONAL: a pinch of saffron (optional) • OPTIONAL: 1.5 tsp 2% milk (optional)

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INSTRUCTIONS 1. Grate unsweetened khoya (until a crumbly consistency) 2. OPTIONAL: place saffron strands in milk (wait until dissolved) 3. grease a paper lined tray 4. add the crumbledkhoya in a pan.

5. cook on a low heat for 2 to 3 minutes (stir frequently) 6. Add sugar and stir for 8 to 9 minutes until smooth consistency and batter www.desitoday.ca

On this Rakhri, don’t buy your brothers sweets, make them!

Show your love and show off your cooking skills with these easy to follow recopies for everyone’s favourite Rakhri desserts!

NOTARY PUBLIC

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9. pour mixture in the greased pan (flatten mixture so it’s evenly 1 inch thick) 10. Sprinkle saffron (optional) 11. After barfi cools down, slice into squares or diamond shapes.

12. Ready to serve!

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79

LIFE & ETC

BEAUTIFUL BRI

Desi Today Readers sent in photos they have taken that capture the beauty within our province.

Surrey, BC - Kam Sandhu Kelowna, BC - Amrit Rai

Whistler, BC - Riya Sandhu

Surrey, BC - Salina Kaul

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Steveson Village, Richmond BC Ravneet Sandhu

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TISH COLUMBIA White Rock, BC -Harjot Mundi

Harrison Hot Springs - JanuJivananthan

White Rock Beach - Amrit Rai

Garibaldi Lake - Kamal Sohal If you would like to submit photos for the next edition, please send them to editor@desitoday.com with subject “Beautiful BC”. www.desitoday.ca

AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A Desi View

81

LIFE & ETC

East-Indian Love From All Around The World

KNOW WHAT YOUR STAR SAYS

HOROSCOPE A U G - 2 0 1 5 CAPRICORN (Dec 22- Jan 19)

You’ve been overthinking things way to much lately! Any decision you’ve been making lately, you’ll spend a great deal of time analysing and evaluating. This is usually healthy but you’re doing it to an extreme! Even when someone is talking to you, you’re always wondering what they “really” mean or why they chose to say something or do something concerning you. You need to stop over-analyzing because it’s eating you up!

Be present, trust your choices and trust that the people around you want what’s best for you.

AQUARIUS

(Jan 20-Feb 18)

Your personality has changed more in this month than it has in this entire year.

Even small things like the way you talk, the way you present yourself or the thoughts that have been running through your mind are very different. Although you’re changing, the world around you is not. You’re ready for a change. You will meet someone that will be the cause of this change.

PISCES

(Feb 19-Mar 20)

You’re directing your emotional energy on a past issue that you never quite �inished dealing with. It’s been occupying your mind and you’re still not sure how to resolve it. Tell someone about it who has a different personality than you. Get some perspective. If you don’t deal with it now, it will keep coming up on your future.

ARIES

(Mar 21 - Apr 19)

Instead of focusing on shortterm goals, you have been putting all your energy into thinking about long term goals. You’ve been thinking about your future in terms of your career, family and the person you want to be in life.

Good things will come of your future from doing

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AUG / SEPT 2015 News With A DESi View

this but don’t forget to be aware of the present and appreciate what you do have today.

TAURUS

(Apr 20 - May 20

There is something or someone that you were so sure about last year, but now you’re unsure. You’re wondering if your friends and family were right when they gave you warnings and the advice that you never wanted to listen to. You need to sit down and really think about what you want in life. Don’t let your pride and your desire to always be right determine if you continue on this path. You may have been wrong before but you can always change that today.

GEMINI

(May 21 - June 21)

You’ve been feeling really aggressive this month. You are more short-tempered and hostile toward your friends and family. In your work and school life, this has been helping your drive. However, it has taken a toll on yourself and you catch yourself getting angry a lot quicker than you usually do. Try to relax, do a fun activity and get back to your even-tempered ways!

CANCER

(June 22-July 22)

You �ind yourself comparing yourself a lot lately. Whether it be your friends, family or people you see on t.v., you can’t help compare their lives to yours. You know this is unhealthy but you’re doing it anyways. You need to stop! Compare your current self to your old self—not to other people! You have so many great qualities and so many great accomplishments this year and you need to remind yourself of this.

Also, if you do want to improve yourself, �ind out exactly what you want to change for yourself and do it for the right reasons!

LEO

(July 23-Aug 22)

You’re getting really bored lately.

You’re getting a bit frustrated with

this and on some days you get restless with your current routine. You’re also feeling tired and you might think this is because of lack of sleep, but it’s really a lack of something interesting in your life.

Go out and �ind something to stimulate your mind with: do an exciting activity, meet new people and set new goals for yourself. You need to peak your interest again and get out of this rut.

VIRGO

(Aug 23-Sept 22)

You’re a lot more self-con�ident in this month compared to others. When you say something, you’re 100% sure about yourself and you say exactly what you mean. This con�idence comes from you feeling older and feeling more comfortable with yourself. There is someone close to you who is doing the opposite: they are feeling really insecure about themselves and some of the decisions they have been making. Be careful you’re not making them feel even more uncon�ident and try to help them get to your level!

LIBRA

(Sept 23-Oct 22)

You’re feeling like you should have accomplished more in your life by now. You’ve had an image in your mind of the person you would be at this age and you’re not sure if you’ve lived up to your expectations. You’re feeling a bit down about this.

Don’t stress too much! You need to make a list of goals for yourself for the rest of the year and steps on how to achieve them. This will make you feel focused and motivated to be a better person.

SCORPIO

(Oct 23-Nov 21)

You feel like you have way too many options lately. You’re overwhelmed with options when it comes to work and your personal life and you’re not sure which direction to choose. It’s been a while since you’ve had to deal with something like this and you’re feeling very pressured. Talk to your friends and family and get their opinions and use their input to help make your current decisions. Another tip: trust your gut and make decisions quicker than what you’ve been doing!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21)

You’re making a big decision and you’re wondering if you’re rushing into it too quick. You know it’s something you’ve always wanted and perhaps even worked for a long time to get, but you’re feeling apprehensive. You’re not sure if you’re ready for this kind of change. Take a breath and remember why you wanted to do this in the �irst place. Trust your gut, trust your decisions.

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