South Asian Star Oct 5, 2011

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

www.southasianstar.com

Sanjeev Maingi gets campaign boost in Bramalea – Gore Malton

Momentum continues to grow at the Sanjeev Maingi campaign following weekend visits from federal and provincial leaders. Hon. Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, Hon. Minister of Sports Bal Gosal and Hon. Minister of Democratic Reform Tim Uppal graced the campaign office of Ontario PC candidate Sanjeev Maingi from Bramalea-Gore-Malton over the weekend to show their support for the PC candidate. On Sunday there was huge rally with Minister Jason Kenney where more than 350 supporters attended the event and pledged their support to PC Candidate Sanjeev Maingi.

“We have a choice on October

6th, higher taxes and more spending under McGuinty’s Liberals or change. Our policies will create jobs and improve education and health care services. This is what Ontarians want, and I think that has translated into positive support for our campaign,” said Maingi.

The Maingi campaign has mustered a wealth of support in recent weeks including endorsements from former Ontario Premier Bill Davis, former Brampton Mayor Peter Robertson and Hon. Minister of Sports Bal Gosal. The campaign trail is looking good for Maingi who hopes to beat out his opponent’s when Ontarians head to the polls on Thursday.

Ph: 905 487 1320

2

Bi-Weekly

om

.c

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

Ontario PCs grilled over flyer called anti-gay Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is deflecting questions about flyers issued by his party labelled by critics as anti-gay.

The flyer, a copy of which is shown on the page, casts a critical eye at a Toronto District School Board document aimed at helping educators fight homophobia in schools.

It singles out quotes purportedly lifted from the document titled “Challenging Homophobia and Heterosexism: A K-12 Curriculum Resource Guide.”

“Read some traditional folk tales and fairy tales with the class. Have students write/illustrate their own ‘gender-bending’ versions,” the flyer quotes the guide as saying.

“Don’t want this for your kids? Parents don’t have a say,” the flyer says, adding: “Parents: Have your say. On October 6, vote against the McGuinty agenda.”

The flyers, which say they were authorized by

the chief financial officer for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, were handed out over the weekend in some ridings in the Greater Toronto Area. A Punjabi translation was also distributed in Brampton ridings.

The flyer includes one quote from the document —”crossdressing for six-year olds”— that can’t be found anywhere in the TDSB document.

The flyer also says the quotes are taken from the K-12 curriculum.

But the quotes are not included in the curriculum, only in the antihomophobia resource guide.

The TDSB document does not recommend educators send out permission slips before talking about issues around discrimination and harassment, but notes “sending a school newsletter home at the beginning of each term is a best practice for keeping parents/guardians/caregivers informed of all upcoming equity topics in the classroom without having to single out one topic over the other.”

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Etobicoke can choose change: NDP Leader Andrea Horwath New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath says voters are hearing the NDP’s message and will make a positive choice on October 6th. Horwath made the remarks amongst supporters at the campaign office of Etobicoke North Candidate Vrind Sharma.

“Our work is paying off, people right across this province know that have a choice in this election, they can choose leadership that puts people first,” said Horwath. “Instead of the same old parties that focus on themselves, they can choose New Democrats who will work hard to create good jobs, make life affordable and cut hospital waits.”

“Vrind Sharma has been working hard to make this community an even better place to live. You can count on him to put you first when you send him to Queen’s Park in just a few days.”

Horwath said voters have been telling her throughout the campaign that they’re tired of being taken for granted.

She said the NDP’s practical plan will bring real change that puts people first within 100 days of taking office. The NDP’s plan includes taking the HST off home heating, changing priorities in healthcare by capping CEO salaries and investing in frontline care, and rewarding companies that create jobs in Ontario, not the ones that ship them overseas.

“You can count on Vrind and our team to show leadership by taking action in the first 100 days of a New Democrat government to bring relief to everyday people and make life more affordable,” said Horwath.

Liberal staffer quits over ‘smoke for votes’ comments

A senior Ontario Liberal campaign staffer caught on tape describing how she offered cigarettes to residents of a Toronto shelter in exchange for votes has quit.

Nikki Holland, the Liberals’ opera-

tional vice-president, announced her resignation on Friday evening.

Sun Media published a story Friday about Holland’s taped comments from a July 16 training session in which she was heard saying she once offered cigarettes to people in a shelter in the Toronto riding of St. Paul’s, but not until after they voted.

Those comments sparked an immediate outcry. Progressive Conserva-

tive Leader Tim Hudak slammed the Liberals over Holland’s comments.

Holland admitted to making the comments, but said they were made in jest. She said she was repeating stories she heard about NDP campaign tactics and that she never actually handed out cigarettes.

Holland characterized her comments as a “stupid mistake.” In announcing her resignation, Holland said she did not want the comments to be a distraction to the election campaign.

When asked about Holland’s comments earlier on Friday, McGuinty called them “completely unacceptable,” but said he didn’t ask her to step down.

“It was a bad joke in poor taste,” said McGuinty. “She apologized for it.”

McGuinty also noted Hudak was one of six MPPs who voted against the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, the antismoking legislation that went into effect in 2006.

Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

3

4

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Business Office Suite 201, 1295 Shawson Dr, Mississauga, L4W 1C4 Call: 905 487 1320 Fax: 905 487 0349 contact@southasianstar.com www.southasianstar.com

Publisher & Editor Manan Gupta manan@southasianstar.com (416) 451 0040 Advertising Stephen Alford

Graphics Division Jigar Vyas

PROUD MEMBER OF

FOLLOW US

www.twitter.com/southasianstar

Mississauga mayor McCallion found in conflict of interest

The inquiry probing the possible violation of conflict of interest rules by longtime Mississauga, Ont., Mayor Hazel McCallion has found that she had a “real and apparent conflict of interest.”

The City of Mississauga judicial inquiry report by Justice Douglas Cunningham ruled that McCallion was inappropriately involved in a failed $14.4-million land deal between the city and World Class Developments, a development company partly owned by her son, Peter McCallion.

The report states that people “fortunate enough to enjoy friendships” with the mayor have reaped benefits from those ties, and that the popular mayor’s actions raise “significant concerns.”

Cunningham, who wrote the report, said he made his findings with a “measure of regret” because of McCallion’s “unique history of public service” to Mississauga. In fact, he said he was hopeful his recommendations would “enjoy her personal support.”

The report found that reforms are necessary at the provincial level and recommends changes to Mississauga’s Code of Con-

duct, the Conflict of Interest Act and the Municipal Act, as well as an enhanced role for an integrity

commissioner.

“It is clear that Mississauga, and indeed all Ontario municipalities, requires a better ethical infra-

www.facebook.com/southasianstar LET US KNOW !

Readers are invited to send us press releases and photographs related to community events, cultural activities, significant achievements, entertainment, sports and any other topic of public interest through email at news@southasianstar.com Disclaimer

All advertisements, and/or editorials are accepted by SOUTH ASIAN STAR on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials are authorised to publish the contents and subject matter thereof.

The advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials agrees to protect the publisher against legal action based upon libelous or inaccurate statements, unauthorised use of photographs, or other material in connection with advertisements placed in SOUTH ASIAN STAR. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising which in his opinion is misleading or in poor taste. Press Releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorials. The opinion expressed in the articles and columns are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of SOUTH ASIAN STAR management. SOUTH ASIAN STAR and people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers & do not endorse any products or services advertised in the publication. SOUTH ASIAN STAR is in the business of selling space and the claims made by the advertisers are not tested/confirmed by an independent source.

Notice

Copyright © 2010-11 SOUTH ASIAN STAR. All rights reserved.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without written permission from the publisher. All artwork, film and material produced by SOUTH ASIAN STAR on behalf of an advertiser is the sole and exclusive property of SOUTH ASIAN STAR. Violations will be legally pursued.

Available FREE Across the GTA

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

416 897 7793

structure,” concluded the report.

Economic transparency will serve to “protect the public interest by removing possibilities for members of council to discharge their public offices in their pursuits of private interests.”

The mayor repeatedly denied having conflicts of interest in advocating for the World Class Developments deal — which involved a convention centre, a luxury hotel and condo developments on a parcel of land near the Square One shopping centre.

She said she was unaware that her son was an 80 per cent shareholder in the company, which collected $4 million in an outof-court settlement with the city when the deal fell through.

Cunningham rejected her claim of ignorance, saying the mayor must have known her son stood to gain much more than a real estate commission. If the deal had gone through, he argued, Peter McCallion might have made more money than he otherwise would in a lifetime.

Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

5

Feds launch anti-cybercrime campaign The federal government has launched a national campaign aimed at stopping cybercrime and helping Canadians protect themselves online.

The month-long campaign hopes to encourage Canadians to take responsibility for protecting their personal and private information from hackers and identity thieves.

“C y b e r at t a c k s represent one of the biggest threats facing Canada today,” said Public Safety Minister Vic Toews at the campaign launch in Ottawa. “Canadians want to know that their private information stays private.”

The minister noted that as more and more Canadians use digital technologies in their private and professional lives, they are more and more vulnerable to new violations of their privacy and personal security.

One radio advertisement running during the month of October offers tips on secure passwords, while another video advertisement

shows a woman deleting an email that says she’s won the lottery.

The new ads also publicize Public Safety Canada’s website getcybersafe.ca, which offers a range of tips about cyber security and aims to educate people about dangers such as phishing, where fraudsters masquerading as co-workers or bank employees try to obtain sensitive information.

The site will also compile information from the RCMP, Canada’s spy agency and the private sector on new cyber threats, such as computer viruses and scams.

The federal government is also beefing up its own online security with training for employees and

new software and hardware. Earlier this year Treasury Board and Finance Canada experienced an unprecedented cyber attack that involved phishing. Employees at the two departments have had limited access to the internet ever since.

Toews touted the leadership role the federal government hopes to play in cooperation with provincial/territorial, law enforcement, business and international partners. Recent federal legislation has targeted identity theft and spam.

Last week a report by the Conference Board of Canada found most people don’t understand how vulnerable they are online. The conference board called on the private sector and government to help improve Canadians’ understanding of threats such as online crime, espionage and sabotage — yet it found most people also ignore cyber safety campaigns.

Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca

Montreal-born scientist gets posthumous Nobel honour

Montreal-born scientist Ralph Steinman will be awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine, despite his death three days earlier.

Steinman and two other scientists were announced as winners of the Nobel in medicine on Monday.

“The events that have occurred

are unique and, to the best of our knowledge, are unprecedented in the history of the Nobel Prize,” the Nobel Foundation said in a statement.

“According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, work produced by a person since deceased shall not be given an award. However, the statutes specify that if a person has been awarded a prize and has died before receiving it, the prize may be presented.”

The committee said the decision to honour Steinman was made in good faith under the assumption that he was alive, and compared the situation to someone who was named as a laureate but died before the actual Nobel Prize award ceremony.

Steinman was honoured for “his discovery of the dendritic cell

and its role in adaptive immunity.”

Steinman’s daughter, Alexis Steinman, said the family was touched that his many years of hard work are being recognized by the Nobel committee.

American Bruce Beutler and French scientist Jules Hoffmann shared the 10-million krona ($1.5 million) award with Steinman, the Nobel committee said.

Steinman was born in Montreal in 1943. He studied biology and chemistry at McGill before moving on to study medicine at Harvard medical school, where he received his MD in 1968.

Last year’s medicine award went to British professor Robert Edwards for fertility research that led to the first test tube baby.

Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca

BHARAT MATA MANDIR WELCOMES ALL SENIORS TO JOIN….

BHARATIYA SENIORS PARIVAR LOCATION: BHARAT MATA MANDIR

(Jaipur Gore Plaza) 8887 The Gore Road, Unit # 44 Brampton, ON We welcome you to join and socialize with multi-talented, fun loving and caring seniors, enjoy a variety of creative activities and seniors outings and relax with warm tea and light snacks in an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere.

For more information contact: Temple @ 905-794-5530 K.K. Sharma @ 905-856-1467 K. Salwan @ 905-265-8303

6

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

Police Seek Witnesses “Staged Motor Vehicle Collisions� in Serious Assault in Fraud Project Concludes with Arrests Brampton Investigators from the 22 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau are investigating a serious assault that left two Brampton residents with serious injuries.

On Thursday, September 29, 2011, at approximately 2:24 a.m., police responded to 600 Queen Street East, at the Frigate and Firkin in response to a complaint of an injured person.

As a result of an altercation at this Brampton establishment a 26 year-old Brampton man and a 20 year-old Brampton woman received serious injuries. The parties responsible for the assault fled the scene in a late model white van.

The identity of these individuals

was determined and they were subsequently arrested.

Investigators are seeking anyone who may have been at the pub and recorded the altercation on their cell phone as they may have information pertinent to the case.

Ross Michael SCHOENFELD, a 29-year old Brampton resident, is charged with three charges of Assault, two charges of Assault cause Bodily Harm and Aggravated Assault.

Phout PHAPHOL, a 33-year old Brampton resident, is charged with two counts of Assault and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

The Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau have concluded a six month investigation into fraudulently staged motor vehicle collisions.

In April, 2011, Peel Police began an investigation into three Brampton area rehabilitation clinics after allegations surfaced that the clinics were filing fraudulent insurance claims. The insurance claims were allegedly filed on behalf of individuals who staged motor vehicle collisions. Insurance companies in turn, paid out an estimated 2 million dollars in fraudulent claims. Insurance claim payouts included; homecare, assistive devices, vehicle payouts and benefits.

In early September, search warrants were executed on two Brampton area residences and the following suspects have been charged in connection with this investigation; Wayne ISACCS, a 46 year-old male from

Brampton, has been charged with Leader of a Criminal Organization, Commit Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Possession of Proceeds of Crime.

Krishan ARORA, a 38 year-old male from Brampton, has been charged with Commit Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Possession of Proceeds of Crime.

Balraj THIND, a 41 year-old male from Brampton, has been charged with Commit Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Possession of Proceeds of Crime.

Anyone who has any information regarding this fraud is urged to contact the Fraud Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3335.

Anonymous tips can also be left by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

7

Trade minister downplays fear of new U.S. tariff Trade Minister Ed Fast must meet with his U.S. counterpart to head off talk of a new tariff for goods shipped through Canada and into America, the head of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said Monday.

Fast says the attempt by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to add a tariff to cargo shipped into Canadian ports and across the U.S. border is in its infancy. He says it’s too soon to say what could come of it.

But Perrin Beatty, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, says the government should intervene very forcefully to make it clear that the move would run contrary to U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s attempts to ease trade.

Fast should meet with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Beatty says, and Canadian embassy staff in Washington should be meeting with American authorities.

Fast said Monday the government is still considering remarks made by the chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission in a speech last week about asking the organization to look at ways to reduce the amount of

cargo unloaded in Canadian ports before going on to the U.S. by land.

The chairman, Richard Lidinsky, suggested it could go as far as imposing a tariff on cargo entering the U.S. after coming into a Canadian port.

The news comes as Harper has been lauding talks with the U.S. about adjusting border controls to improve trade, as well as increase security, known as Beyond the Border. It also follows news that a Canadian exemption to a Buy American clause has expired, risking some Canadian trade sectors.

Fast says the Canada-U.S. relationship is “strong and mature.”

“This most recent development is one that is in its infancy. As I said, we are monitoring the situation. Right now there is no legislation, there is no action that is being proposed. All that’s happening is that the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has been asked to do a study,” he said.

“That commission hasn’t even decided whether to conduct that study.

For me to speculate as to where that will go would be premature.”

Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca

8

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

Custodial death row in J&K escalates The row over the custodial death of a NC worker escalated on Monday with Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessing high drama and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying he is ready to appear before a judicial probe after Opposition PDP levelled allegations against him.

Stung by the allegations in connection with the death of Sayeed Muhammad Yousuf last week,

allegedly in police custody, Omar broke his silence and said he has “no hesitation” in presenting himself before a judicial inquiry.

D i s missing the PDP allegations as “baseless and wild”, Omar said he was consulting his lawyers

to respond in the form of defamation notice which will be taken to its “logical conclusion.”

Talking to reporters, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the needle of suspicion in the mysterious death was pointing at the Chief Minister, his father and Union Minister

Farooq Abdullah and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani.

Reacting to Omar’s threat of defamation, Mehbooba said he is free to sue her and pressed for his resignation.

Ugly scenes were witnessed in the Assembly which had to be adjourned thrice without any business being transacted after the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion notice moved by PDP demanding a discussion on the incident.

During the chaos, an opposition member even hurled a pedestal fan towards the Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone while others uprooted mikes and tore papers. Some of them stood on their seats.

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

9

Gilani ready for talks with Taliban Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his government is ready to start parleys with Taliban, but evaded questions whether the reconciliation would include the Haqqani faction.

For the first time, Gilani dropped his earlier pre-condition of militants giving up arms before any talks, but warned that if the parleys fail to work, the military will launch operations in the tribal areas.

Gilani provided details about how the talks would be conducted for the first time, days after a meeting of Pakistan’s political parties called for peace talks to end unrest in the militancy-hit tribal belt.

The proposed talks will be monitored by a parliamentary committee to ensure transparency and civilian oversight of the

process, he said.

“We want to give peace a chance now...The national interest is above everything, we will give people a chance to reconcile.”

Asked whether the Haqqani network blamed by the US for high-profile terror attacks in Afghanistan would be part of the reconciliation, Gilani evaded a direct answer and said a parliamentary committee would implement resolutions passed on such issues by parliament and the All Parties Conference (APC) that was held on September 29.

The APC adopted a resolution which said Pakistan “must initiate dialogue with a view to negotiate peace with our own people in the tribal areas and a proper mechanism for this (should) be put in place”.

The premier had called the

meeting of all political parties to forge consensus on a response to US accusations that the InterServices Intelligence agency was backing the Haqqani network in waging a proxy war in Afghanistan.

Gilani chose to highlight Pakistan’s desire to play a peacemaking role in Afghanistan.

“Our common enemy, which does not see us united, might be involved in (former Afghan President Burhanuddin) Rabbani’s assassination and I categorically informed (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai that we should not play into the hands of such elements,” Gilani said.

Gilani rejected the impression that his government had a secret agreement with the US on the war against terrorism and said Pakistan would only take steps that were in its interest.

10

Bi-Weekly

om

.c

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

Pay attention to all the terms of a prepaid card (NC)—Before buying a prepaid card as a gift or for personal use, carefully read the card agreement and answer all these questions before you buy it: Is another form of payment better for you? Compare fees and benefits for using cash, prepaid, debit or credit cards.

Where can you use the prepaid card? Can you use it online, in the stores where you normally shop or outside of Canada?

Does the card have an expiry date? If so, check if you lose any remaining balance after this date, or if you can transfer it to a new card.

What are the fees? There can be activation, purchase or dormancy fees. There can also be fees to check your balance, withdraw money from automated banking machines (ABMs), and to replace or load more money onto the cards.

Can you add more money

onto the card? Some prepaid cards are reloadable. For non-reloadable cards, once the balance reaches zero, the card is no longer valid.

Is information on fees, terms and conditions available where the cards are sold, on the card’s packaging or on the issuer’s website? If you buy the card as a gift, give this information and the proof of purchase to the recipient of the card.

What happens if the card is lost or stolen? The card issuer may transfer a balance to a new card, or you could be out of pocket just as if you had lost cash.

Can you cancel the card? Fees to cancel the card can be equal to the balance on the card at the time of cancellation.

More information is available online at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s website at fcac. gc.ca.

You can also follow @FCACan on Twitter and YouTube.

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Denmark introduces ‘fat tax’ Denmark has introduced what is believed to be the world’s first tax on foods cont aining saturated fat.

The Danish government is applying a surcharge to foods with more than 2.3 per cent saturated fats, in a bid to combat obesity and heart disease.

The new tax will be levied on food such as butter, milk, cheese, pizza, oils and meat. It means customers will be paying about $3 more per kilogram of saturated fats in a product.

Prices rose Saturday in many grocery stores as the tax came into force, while some customers cleared out shelves earlier in the week to stock up on fatty favourites.

Food industry managers have complained that the tax will be a bureaucratic nightmare.

I n 2004, Denmark declared war on trans fats, making it illegal for any food to have more than two per cent of the artery-clogging oils. Austria has a similar law. In July 2010, Denmark imposed a tax on sugary junk food.

About 10 per cent of Danes are considered obese. Britain is the fattest nation in Europe; one third of children and nearly twothirds of adults are overweight or obese.

More than one in every four Canadian adults and almost one in 11 children are obese, with a body mass index of more than 30, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

11

Afghan women, justice at risk, Oxfam warns Two new reports from the international aid group Oxfam paint an unnerving portrait of human rights in Afghanistan and warn the international community, including Canada, not to trade women or justice in order to achieve peace.

The studies urge western governments to pay more attention to what the Karzai government is doing in the areas of women’s equality and accountability for security forces before international troops are pulled out in 2014.

One study, released Sunday, demands that women be given a voice in the peace process and even a seat at the negotiating table.

Over the weekend, the process toward reconcilation

was dealt another blow when President Hamid Karzai called off negotiations with the Taliban in the wake of last month’s assassination of the head of the High Peace Council.

Mark Fried, an Oxfam policy co-ordinator in Ottawa, said Canada, with its significant contribution to both combat and security force training, has invested heavily in Afghanistan and should not walk away leaving only vague promises of support.

The reported noted in the decade since the fall of the Taliban there has been a

remarkable surge in the participation of women in Afghan society, including the recent election of 69 women to the country’s parliament and the return of thousands of girls to school.

But those gains are tenuous, and women’s rights groups in the country point to draconian laws, such as the 2009 Shia family rights legislation, which essentially legalized rape within a marriage, as examples of how quickly advances can be reversed.

A separate study, published late last week, warned in blunt terms that the West is focusing on quantity and not quality when it comes to training Afghan national security forces, which could lead to a human rights disaster.

12

Bi-Weekly

om

.c

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

THOUSANDS OF DENGUE FEVER CASES EMERGING IN PAKISTAN, UN REPORTS More than 12,000 cases of dengue fever and 125 deaths linked to the disease have been reported across Pakistan so far this year, with the majority occurring in Punjab province, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said last week.

WHO is supporting sub-groups that have been formed by Pakistani authorities to respond to the epidemic through case management, community mobilization, vector control and public awareness campaigns, the agency’s spokesperson, Tarek Jasarevic, told reporters in Geneva.

He said WHO has also been facilitating and supporting dengue case management training at the district level in several provinces. A WHO expert on the disease arrived in the country last week to provide technical guidance on

dengue fever control.

A dengue fever booklet for teachers has been printed and is being circulated. WHO has also circulated new clinical case management guidelines drafted by Pakistani doctors on the basis of a retrospective study of Pakistani hospital data and global and regional experiences.

Last year, 11,024 confirmed cases of dengue fever and 40 deaths were reported in Pakistan, but this year the number of cases has climbed to 12,466.

Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of four dengue viruses. Symptoms appear within three days to two weeks after a bite by an infected mosquito.

Symptoms can include fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and a rash.

Fighting raged for Muammar Gaddafi’s birthplace on Monday as Libya’s new leaders eyed a symbolic victory in their battle to eradicate the last vestiges of his 42-year rule.

C om m an d e r s of the advancing National Transitional Council troops said they now controlled most of Qasr Abu Hadi, the small town where Gaddafi was born in a nomad tent in 1942 when it was still a tiny desert hamlet.

It was the latest in a string of loyalist communities to be mopped up by NTC troops as they close in on the toppled despot’s diehard fighters in the centre of the coastal city of Sirte, 20 kilometres to the north.

An international Red Cross team attempted to deliver desperately needed medical supplies to hospitals in the city centre but was forced to turn back when intense exchanges of fire erupted on the front line to the west.

“Seventy-five percent of Qadr Abu Hadi is under our control,” NTC field

commander Mufbah Raslan told the news agency.

Operations commander Osama Swehli Muttawa said NTC forces had seized the military garrison but were still facing resistance on the outskirts.

Qasr Abu Hadi prospered under the rule of its most famous son and the surrounding countryside is dotted with large villas in gated compounds.

But some housed large numbers of families huddled together for safety amid evident fear of retribution from the victorious NTC troops.

Most residents refused to speak to the news agency and those that did were clearly afraid.

He said he had 30 families hiding in his large villa but would not allow AFP in.

“They all are scared. There are many children too with them and they have no milk or food. I only have bread and tea to offer to them.

Libya eyes symbolic coup in Gaddafi birthplace

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

13

The food you eat affects your arthritis (NC)—Research has shown that healthy eating habits play a vital role in managing arthritis symptoms. For example, if you are overweight and have arthritis, one of the most important things you can do to help yourself is to look at a change in diet to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. For others, healthy eating may give you the energy to complete your daily activities.

The most important link between your diet and arthritis is your weight. Being overweight puts an extra burden on your weight-bearing joints (back, hips, knees, ankles and feet) when they are already damaged or under strain. The Arthritis Society offers the following tips for cutting down on excess calories: Reduce fat intake. A healthy diet should include a small

amount of unsaturated fats and limit the amount of saturated and trans fat. Fill up on vegetables, fruits and whole grainbread and cereals that are naturally lower in fats. Eat fish and skinless poultry more often.

Bake, broil and grill instead of frying foods. Use oils and softtub margarines sparingly.

Reduce sugar intake. Sugar contains ‘empty’ calories and has no other food value so it can be cut back without losing any nutrients. There is little nutritional difference between white table sugar and brown sugar, honey, syrup, cane sugar, raw sugar or any other type of sugar—so beware. Limit or avoid adding sugar to drinks and cereals. Although artificial sweeteners contain few calories, it is better to get used to food being less sweet.

Eat more vegetables and

fruit. Vegetables and fruit should make up the largest component of your diet. Besides being a great source of energy for your body, vegetables and fruit are a great way to boost your fibre intake, which will help you with weight management. Eat at least one dark green (broccoli, romaine lettuce and spinach) and one orange (carrots, sweet potatoes and winter squash) vegetable each day. Choose vegetables and fruits prepared with little or no added fat, sugar or salt.

More information on managing arthritis can be found online at www.arthritis.ca.

For Advertising Call SOUTH ASIAN STAR

905 487 1320

14

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

Zenit player named Somdev out of best in Europe Tokyo ATP event

Zenit midfielder Roman Shirokov has been voted Player of the Week by visitors of the UEFA official website, after scoring two goals in Champions League match against Porto.

Football experts and fans are taking part in separate voting at uefa. com after each Champions League matchday.

Shirokov was given nine points out of the 10 possible from the experts, and 7.8 from the fans.

The 30-year-old Russian left behind such stars as Kaka of Real Madrid and Lionel Messi ofBarcelona.

Yet another Zenit player, Miguel Danny, shared 6th position in the list together with Mario Gomez (Bavaria), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Lars Bender (Bayer), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal).

Somdev Devvarman suffered yet another first round defeat as he lost in straight sets to world number 24 Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic in the ATP Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo on Monday.

The unseeded Indian, ranked 85, lost 4-6 3-6 to his seventh seed opponent in the singles event of the USD 1,214,50 hard court tournament.

Statistically it has been a successful year for Somdev as he touched a careerhigh rank of 62 this season but lost in the first rounds of several ATP tournaments.

Reaching the final of the Jo-

hannesburg event and the prequarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters remain the highlight of his season.

Somdev did create chances on

Monday against Stepanek, who also figured in top-10 at one time in his career, but the Indian could not convert much of the break points he earned.

In all, he managed to get seven chances but converted only two and dropped his serve twice in each of the two sets.

The Indian challenge is still alive in the ATP 500 event with Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi competing in the doubles.

The Indo-Pak pair has been given the top billing and they open their campaign against Brazilian pair of Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

IOA call urgent meeting of HI and IHF on October 4 Taking a serious note of FIH’s threat to stop India’s participation in London Olympics if issues relating to the game’s governance in the country were not resolved, the IOA has convened an urgent meeting of Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation in New Delhi on October 4.

The meeting will discuss issues raised by the FIH in its letter to Sports Secretary, Sindhusree Khullar and will try to find out an amicable solution to the satisfaction of all, IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a statement on Friday.

“I am quiet hopeful that in the interest of the country and the game, the matter will be resolved,” he said.

In its letter to the Sports Ministry, dated September 27, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has warned that India’s participation in next year’s London Olympics and other international tourna-

ments may be jeopardised if IOC charter and FIH statutes were not adhered to while resolving the issues related to the governance of the game in the country.

The FIH may have taken away the hosting rights of this year’s Champions Trophy from India because of the long-standing power-struggle between HI and IHF, Malhotra was optimistic about the country staging the Olympic qualifier next year.

“My optimism is based on my talks with FIH president Leandro Negre here last month, during which I made IOA’s stand very clear on the issues raised by him,” he said.

“IOA is totally committed to the IOC charter which clearly states only one association for one sports. I told Mr Negre in no uncertain terms that we do not approve of two federations for one game, be it hockey or any other discipline,” he added.

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

MAHIM JUNCTION Bollywood style play comes to the Rose Theatre Brampton direct from Delhi On November 2 at 8pm, Rose Theatre Brampton will present for one night-only the Bollywood-inspired play Mahim Junction, written and directed

by Sohaila Kapur and featuring a colourful cast of fourteen.

Mahim Junction first opened at the Edinburgh Fringe as Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan where it won the Herald Devil Award for “embracing the spirit of the fringe” and enjoyed critical acclaim including this review from the U.K Herald, “the sheer energy of the musical numbers and its unexpected edge of political home truths might well surprise and delight you”.

The play was subsequently invited for a five city tour of the UK by the Arts Council of England and travelled to Singapore. Later it went on to UAE (Dubai), Oman (Muscat) and Malaysia (Kuala Lampur) and the Indian cities of Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai as Mahim Junction. The Rose Theatre Bramp-

ton is pleased to be the first to bring this dynamic production to Ontario.

Set in the sixties and seventies, Mahim Junction is considered by its creators to be an affectionate spoof of and a tribute to the idyllic films of that golden age of Bollywood. It was a time when film heroes wore their hearts on their sleeves, villains paved the mean streets of Mumbai with gold and the reality of a developing country emerging from years of colonialism was on display.

This unique comedy wears the guise of a Bollywood movie of yore, tackling contemporary issues in traditional epic style. Full of slumdog heroes, kitschy morality, saccharine emotions and colourful dancers, Mahim Junction draws the portrait of a city that was and still is India’s commercial hub.

Politics and corruption, socialism and communalism, and in the midst of it all, love, song, dance and seduction!

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

15

BOLLYWOOD STANDUP WITH SPECIAL GUEST NITIN MIRANI Acclaimed comedian Nitin Mirani stops off at TIFF Bell Lightbox for an afternoon of Bollywood-themed comedy in a pre-Diwali celebration on Sunday, October 9th. After a sellout debut show at Masala! Mehndi! Masti!, Mirani will reunite with local comedienne Crystal Ferrier this time to take aim at beloved Bollywood films.

Mirani employs his comedic gifts to poke gentle fun at the stars, clichés and stereotypes of this unique cinematic form. With clips from Bollywood classics including Namak Halaal (1982) and the recent Housefull (2010), Mirani reflects on how art imitates life which imitates art and so on.

Born in India and raised in Dubai Mirani decided to pursue a variety of careers from TV producer, to salesman, to pursuing the art of the perfect french fry, which all give him a perfect background for a career in stand-up comedy.

Having been on the comedy circuit entertaining audiences for over five years, pioneering comedy in the Middle East and selling out shows from India to

Hong Kong, his act has been described as refreshing, exuberant, completely unpredictable, un-clichéd and therefore highly entertaining. From recession to Swine flu, Hollywood to Shahrukh Khan, Mirani takes all his current observations about life and makes them unbearably funny.

Visit tiff.net for more details.

16

om

.c

Bi-Weekly

Oct 05 - 18, 2011

FREE BUS TRANSPORTATION

TO AND FROM BRAMPTON AND MISSISSAUGA! For select performances. See below for details.

LIVE ON STAGE! 70 SINGERS, DANCERS, ACROBATS, MUSICIANS & 1000 COSTUMES “

HYPNOTIZING!

A celebration of India’s treasures, vitality and joy!”

– MUSIK & BUHNE (VIENNA)

Presenting Sponsor

OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 6 1 FRONT STREET EAST, TORONTO

1-855-872-SONY (7669) | sonycentre.ca

RIDE THE BHARATI BUS FOR FREE! Use promotional code BUS when ordering.

Purchase any full price ticket for any of the following performances: Thursday October 27 at 8pm, Saturday October 29 at 2pm, and Sunday October 30 at 2pm, and you will receive transportation to and from the Sony Centre for FREE! BHARATI TRAVEL SPONSOR

PROMOTIONAL PARTNER

PROMOTIONAL PARTNER

The bus will leave from Shoppers World in Brampton and Square One in Mississauga two hours prior to the performance time. A bus voucher will accompany your tickets, and full details will be sent via e-mail prior to the performance.

PROMOTIONAL PARTNER

INNOVATION PARTNERS

sonycentre.ca

OUR 2011/12 SEASON ALSO MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF MOIRA AND ALFREDO ROMANO