Lifestyle Diwali 2019

Sandeep Ahuja Now 2 locations to serve: SURREY: 84 Ave & Scottroad 604.591.3344 SURREY: king george & 72nd Ave: www.lifestylesa.ca 604.503.0604 OCTOBER 2019

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Publisher Note Dear Readers, We feel ecstatic and honoured to bring you our special supplement of the Lifestyle Magazine. This endeavour of ours is a biannual effort that helps us welcome the festivities with zeal, vigour and enthusiasm. This year as well, with a little more effort and a lot more dedication, we have come up with this special edition that has all things festive. We hope you will enjoy the experience of flipping through the pages.

This issue brings along the warmth of the festival Diwali. We throw some light on the roots of its origin and the reason for its celebration.

Moving on, we have covered the beloved festival that is all about merry making, Christmas, a festival that fills up the air with tons of cheer and excitement. Next, we take you on a ride of the exciting destinations we have shortlisted from across Canada to celebrate the New Year’s Eve. You can party and paint the town red or just relax and have a peaceful start to the year. The choice is yours!

Apart from the festivities, we want to educate you about the alarming rise of STDs in Canada. How can you prevent yourself and what measures are necessary. We also talk about the best quality higher education available in Canada. Last but not the least, we bring you some relationship advice pertaining to financial matters. Financial stress acts as a disturbing agent in many marriages and we have some expert advice just to get away with it. These simple yet complex issues are being faced by millions of people across the globe and we are just being a catalyst in answering their basic concerns.

We also have some gossips from the entertainment industry. In all this festive mood, do not forget to pamper yourself with some beauty and makeup tips and tricks. We have curated some interesting reads on beauty and festive styling, just for you!

The entire team behind this edition has worked relentlessly to bring forth quality content for the readers. We hope to stand high and rise above the expectations of you all. We would bring out some new and exciting content in our next edition and we promise to deliver something that you will enjoy reading thoroughly.

Till then, let’s make Canada proud. Support every community, respect every human being and live each day with a new purpose.

Visit our website www.ansalmedia.com / www.lifestylesa.ca to get an e-copy of this magazine. You can also get your hands on the South Asian Entertainment Magazine (www.entertainmentmagazine.ca) which is our monthly endeavour to inform, educate and entertain you all.

We would love to have your suggestions and recommendations in order to be better and grow with every upcoming edition. You can share your valuable feedback at ansalmedia8@gmail.com

Love and Regards, Sunita & Rajesh Ansal Happy Holidays!

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content 2019 PUBLISHER Ansal Media Group Inc. chief Editor Nikita Sharma COPY EDITOR Navjeet Nijjhar PRODUCTION/DESIGN/LAYOUT Sunil Kumar PHOTOGRAPHY Rajesh Archit COVER CREDITS Model: Nisha Photographer: Ashish Sompura Makeup: Yogesh Hairstylist: Savita

LIFESTYLE SPECIAL andi Chhor Divas: B A celebration of pride, sacrifice and honour 06. Life insurance : 7 important factors that demand your attention 14. Why our patients love Invisalign Teen 36. Embarking on a new journey, the accurate way 38. Alarming rise of STDs in Canada 44. Can money buy happiness?

50. Fashionably stylish!

76. Sonam Bajwa talks pay parity 20

Ris Canada

news article A recent CBC attention an brought to our of sexually rise g min alar ases in dise transmitted from World Canada. The data indicates ation anis Org lth Hea cases of new ion over one mill on a daily basis STD infections ide. worldw

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OCTOBER 2019

Alarming Rise of STD in Canada the celebrati on). some evidence Although Germans were winter holiday. them with hugs his birth may suggests that and as they believed terrified of Oden, gifts. in the spring have occurred flights through he made nocturnal (why would Christmas is people, and the sky to observe his shepherds be herding a festival then of joy. It is about middle of winter?) in the prosper or perish. decide who would helping others. sharing chose Decemb , Pope Julius I and presence, many Because of his er 25. It people chose people remembOn this inside. day, to stay is commonly believed lessons of life. er Jesus Christ and his that the church Saturnalia teaches us to The festival definitely chose this date in an love toward practice kindness and effort to In Rome, where each those who have other and help adopt and winters were as harsh as not less than us. country those absorb the is no other Saturnalia—a in the far north, Christmas: on the in s Eve They say there and vibrant holiday in honor An ancien today’s time, Santa Claus I wondered if tonight of t holiday Saturn, the god of agricultu and will come and There are various as diverse, secular surpassed the the festival of Christma The middle celebrated. the gifts give me re—was so many stories of winter has religious boundar in ancient India. g around the s has all this year? I have been eagerly wanting become a symbol as India and ng to just one a time of celebrati long been leading up Beginning in the week how and ies and believe to do you know take you legends revolvin of my friends It was not just me but winters in Decembof the holistic culture. has world. Centurie on around the legends pertainino doubt about it. festival. Somethe continuing for the winter solstice and reasons. But many The er carry a festive origin of this a full month, of started? Let’s Eve all year also waited for the Christma mainly due the man called s before the arrival of was a riotous festival leavesyou on a journey and Saturnal celebration goddess long. Many feeling to why this all the festival.

Jesus, early s it to be the a times we received the the cheer it the occurrence of this of celebrated i, the Europeans drink were time, when food and ia We now take actually light brings along. gifts of this festival day and to the roots e of Lakshm plentiful and years later that we wanted, although darkest days and birth in the you a glimpseof a common Roman social the normal s of Diwali marriag with Lord Vishnu and give of origin it I Usually, realised, winter. was order traditions eyes birthday presents from Many people all across the was turned rejoiced during those were of wealth, upside down.

History and don’t know through the it to be the of globe, the celebrations of the pagan of Santa Claus my family. Such is the the We bet you when the worst the winter solstice, begin others believe would becomeFor a month, slaves as the ‘festival The most craze Indian man. celebrations day and continue much before the Saturnalia festival.

Widely known a 5-day celebration, of goddess Lakshmi. for kids across and the gifts he brings behind them of the winter was main were in commanmasters. Peasants the festival the reasons behind the India and for around is along and they could that until we belief is that First called kindergarten the globe. In almost every forward to longer Lights’, Diwali and families get t parts of step into a new 2 weeks after Business and d of the city. look the widespread to mark the return across the world, women celebrate schools were across differen of the celebrations. year.

Nativity, the Feast of the learnt the famous hours of sunlight. days and extended that everyone ted wherein friends wife, kids have nce closed so Christmas to Men and custom spread birth of Jesus perform variousmaking is celebra could join in by 432 and the significa honor along with his Christmas carols. ‘Jingle Bells’ song to Egypt together and the fun. to England the five and other church and Christ. Religious people the of Lord Rama Lakshman, from a In Scandina by the end indulge in merry is the sixth century.

Also around cance of light via, the Norse of rituals and the time of The signifi God, Jesus Christ.the candles to pray go to kingdom Yule from Decemb Christmas is Sita and brother celebrated solstice, Romans ation eighth century, By the end of the the winter ways. The festival exile to the a festival which This is a festival to their in their own the celebrati of all faith towards winter solstice, er 21, the days of celebr 14-year-long commemorate the lighting ‘Diyas’ a feast honourin observed Juvenalia attracts people equally loved and that is on of of the through January.

To , Christmas had spread cherishe it. Being one all about people in their houses, festivals which kids. People In recogniti celebration all the way Rome. In additiong the children of of Ayodhya. king, the people Scandinavia. of those on also bring a d by adults and lamps to Each day of own tale to tell.

Today, es, , members the world, it is widely celebrated their homes Christmas tree sun, fathers of the return of the or earthen upper classes Russian orthodo in the Greek and return of their illuminated each of the all over has its is importan and decorate and sons would sorts of delicaci to day, all often g festival first x churches, t about of celebrated home large for us to know it with , the games decorative items gobblin birthday of bring this festival is celebrate Christmas of the kingdom old with earthen the logs, which more on Mithra, the gifts, playing d and also tie all sorts As per the legends pomp and show. we celebrate with ng to they would set on fire. it. Market, god of the unconquerable exchanging which is also 13 days after the 25th, asi marks the a red The such and every househ the festival of crackers. Accordi huge malls shops, showrooms and sock until the log people would feast Naraka Chaturdthe demon Naraka It was believed sun, on December 25. Epiphany referred to as the and hence, and burning calendar, Diwali is are burned even of all The lamps or decked up Three Kings day has a history that out, which could god, d. glittering red take as many conquering Day. This or the no was born of Mithra, an infant is the day it is believed the Hindu lunar and his wife to it along and white colorswith a theme of marked lights was observe a rock. For some ‘Amavasya’ believed that as 12 days. The Norse Romans, Mithra’s that the to set up the three wise men the festival by Lord KrishnaThis is followed with the traditions which go hand with some Christmas mood. observed on is an indication of each spark the origin of festival finally found spirit of Christma ama. birthday in hand represen from and some most day Jesus the was Satyabh night For ted a sacred day fire festival in the manger. enlightening moon s. We thought On Christma where the of the year. the ya, the second would be born new pig or calf that New Year. The lays in Bengal, the worship of Kali, by Amavas ali, which marks thethrough our you more about this festival of and share giftss night, people enjoy during the coming a dawn of a to be a harbinger of The origin In the early year. a big feast to special coverage ed to of Santa of Deepaw this special she is said traditional plumwith each other. Homema Easter was theyears of Christianity, is considered as it is believed that is dedicatgoddess of strength. The Claus edition of our of Christmas in Lakshmi as cakes, cupcakes de ngs mood, the are some of worship of festive magazin The end of the dark birth of Jesus main holiday; the new beginni , and muffins benevolent This iss.no d god and symbol the Decemb i herself visits e.

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Europe. At that on in most areas of decided to institute church officials year on 25th of auspiciousnessworshiped in most fulfilling the houses of devoteeand blesses It is ya and time of year, December. on Christma in this world also get to meet They also cattle were the birth of night, day or Amavasmainly considered a Jesus as a most s Eve, the name Ganesha is on this day along with the slaughtered of the dark Vishnu,celebrated good health, The no moon of Lordfestival that clicks anyone’s Claus’ dressed ‘Santa so they would Bible does holiday. Unfortunately, not have to Hindu homes i. For people who be and the story It is mind is them with wealth, tion,observed by fluffy red and in a For many, it fed during the winter. birth (a not mention date for the undoubtedly, happiness.

Lakshm the also tells dwarf incarnaChristian fact Puritans was his prosperity and of lights because goddess Jainism, Deepawali has Santa Claus. costume, who white year when they the only time of later pointed who, in his bully Bali and s, but out in greets practice of light But has anyone called the festival order to deny meat. In additionhad a supply of fresh nce as it is believed overcame the to hell. It is believed the victory significa the ses , most wine Lord added ever thought d him it symboli s, hope over despair beer made legitimacy of to and this day that of during bliss banishe is allowed to return how the concept that it is on finally fermente the year was over darknes evil. the eternal that Bali d and ready www.lifestyle of Santa Claus Mahavira attained for drinking sa.ca OCTOBER and good over . be 2019 www.lifestylesa.ca came into light of nirvana. of Diwali can OCTOBER 2019 In Germany The history thousands of years gained so much and , people to honored back promine traced the nce?

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The biggest

Diwali:

A harbinger of new beginnings

Special Thanks To www.canadianaffair.com, IANS, www.Bbcgoodfood.com, www. SanjeevKapoor.com, TNN, Beautyglimpse.

Sikh Dharma International www.History.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sandeep Aahuja, Dr. Vishal Sharma Ritika Tiwari, Dr. Pargat Singh Bhurji, Nikita Sharma, Navjeet Nijjhar, DR. Subhashini N. S., Krishna Jeeja

ing rm Ala in TD S e of

place in India. tions that take cultural celebra with great enthusiasm. the biggest and ss is one of in diverse ways and happine parties of the country of light, hope to indulge in and breadth it’s a reason gs, and for many Diwali, a festivalted across the length ed ganza witness and gatherin of the year when It is celebra cultural extrava is not just a it is that time long due bonus and Diwali at its best. feeling that brings he festive fervour they get theirthat bring nothing a Diwali is festival but the lives brought alongbefore the gifts at work In short, a spirit happiness in some, the and ss. joy months happine For seen engulfs but houses are merriment varied of many people. ted with new occasion; the excited, of cheer and due to festival is associag and a lot of people are other person every the decorated, and shoppin , for others clothes decorated binging and with all markets are festive food illuminated It’s a houses are ul lights. sorts of beautif

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reason for the holiday chee r

Houses brimming with the beautifully with a Christma aroma of freshly baked traditional s tree and lights. plum cakes and happines Kids being and living rooms s all around, that’s the kind showered with lots of presents and adorned of cheer Christma ver since I was s brings along. new dresses a kid, every Christma year

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and the locals You can follow place for ing place.

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Year? straight away! any other and this year’s in the New 8pm and another Toronto or to enjoy. So, firework display at places to see to Calgary, midnight. so many eventsto celebrate spectacle at of the best there will be places fireworks shortlist ten any events in the New are our top If you read New Year world to bring 2019 here in Canada! lots of other places in the features. As New Year There are this year: invariably celebraplace in Winnipeg Year, Canada New Year taking year’s this at be even bigger approaches, 4Winnipeg December are set to & Tiaras (31 tions in Canada than ever before.

4Banff 4 Top Hats – Enjoy music from The exciting and more 4Calgary 11am-1pm) science activities,by of hands-on Balloons diverse mixture 4Ottawa Solutions, home to a created by l cusand Canada is 4Vancouver s and traditiona festive balloons1,000-balloon drop cultural influenceto create a fantastic 4Yellowknife Mike, a festive to take photos of you fuse e. From pher toms that 4Montreal a photogra Eve experienc Quebec City hats and tiaras!

New Year’s 4Quebec in your top fireworks over Falls orse incredible the Niagara 4Whiteh and Falls City, Banff ties in 4Niagara to parVancouver, Winnipeg 10. and Calgary set to be This year is one for another big Winnipeg as there will be a host of New Year’s Eve ns takcelebratio

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t Banff The Fairmon its be hosting Springs will the Van Eve Gala in on a New Year’s . You can dine the Horne Ballroom meal, dance and see mouth-watering enjoying the ultimate in while Park.

New Year best Banff National one of the back-drop: city in Canada.

Mountains tions, making the New Year enjoy the Rocky as there Day You can also places to celebrate on New Year’s es to the make the most themselv nd heading activities to be Why We’d recomme you don’t have to are countless e come January 1st. the Park, but its fantastic to of your downtim Lake Louise or take the Olympic 9. Banff nner to enjoy here of a mini Times around into views Eve, head a medal-wi not hike Banff turns watch firepanoramic to New Year’s Downtown to Gondola for else will inspire facilities. For hours skating, listening crowds gather attend a variety Banff the quality range? Nothing year like that Square as and while away and spending some mountain your best up the sky the 2019 music make before works light brilliant you to and family headof events. time with friends finale. If you are view! party is the need midnight fireworks Plaza, then you Sasquatch It all free Olympic Banff’s Dancing n in Alberta.

Tim Hortons ing to the destinatio club most of the and see the ultimate party a mountain-themed to make the 8. Calgary and go play in n for small takes place will once again hot drink giveaway on display. party destinatiomake this of Calgary sculpture city celebraice perfect The to – the incredible of groups looking able. DJs will be of A host to a variety and large the editor Eve unforgett you can even also Paul Johnson, and New Year’s Travel Blog, Luxury latest music the too! playing ne cocktail feels you should Olympic enjoy a champag head to the he recomPlaza and heading to mends also Tower and the Calgary Central Library. ns celebratio “New Year are very family in Calgary on the fireworks – friendly Tower and roof of Calgary Olympic at the ice skating high two of the Plaza will be

r (31 Decembe NYE Gala one 4 Resolution late) – Regarded as to Year’s at 9.30pm and best New will of the biggest , the party in Winnipeg and Synthy Eve events Electric Kitten and welcome DJs favourite old play their Lox as they R&B, Hip Hop and their new hits from top 40 songs.

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Questions? Comments?

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OCTOBER 2019 or injury resulting from the use of materials contained herein. All the content of the South Asian Lifestyle Magazine is printed and published in British Columbia. All rights reserved. No part of any South Asian Lifestyle Magazine published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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W

ith the purchase of life insurance policy, you have made a wise decision in securing your family’s future. However, if you’ve had the same insurance policy for a while, there are chances that your needs may undergo a change.

To ensure that the insurance benefit passes over to your loved ones for their immediate financial concerns without any hassle, your life insurance policy should be ‘in place’ with adequate coverage without any gaps. It is highly recommended that you should review your policy regularly with your insurance advisor due to the below mentioned needs and circumstances.

• Continuity of Policy Once you have purchased your policy, it’s important that it remains in force for the entire period of coverage without any lapse in its continuity. At times, if by error/ due to the non-sufficiency of funds in your bank account, the bank rejects withdrawal of your monthly insurance premiums, the insurance company will send you

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OCTOBER 2019

LIFE INSURANCE:

7 important factors that demand your attention an ‘NSF notice’. There is a ‘30-day grace period’ after which the term insurance/ temporary insurance plan/ no saving policy will lapse.

As a consequence, the policy will need to be reinstated. For this, ‘evidence of insurability’ is required. If you had purchased the policy at a younger age when your health was fine, you got a desired/ lower rate of premium. Now, if your health remains fine, the policy will be reinstated within a specific allowed duration. But if your health deteriorates, it may not be possible for you to obtain insurance coverage again or, you may have to purchase the policy at a higher rate of premium.

You certainly don’t want to imagine yourself in such situation since you had purchased the policy with an assurance that you have coverage for entire life. But if somehow your policy lapses, to ensure continued coverage, it’s vital that the advisor may reach you for prompt assistance.

And to ensure that, he needs to have your updated contact details. For your best interest, it’s important that you get your policy reviewed at regular intervals by your advisor.

• Change in Family Status Any change in your family status demands a review of your policy. If you purchased a policy while you were unmarried, probably you have named your parent/grandparent as

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beneficiary who is eventually turning older earlier than you. As you get married, both you and your spouse become dependent on each other’s income. So you may need to add your spouse as your beneficiary. With the addition of a kid in your family, you would consider naming your kid as the beneficiary. But again, later on, when a second or third child is born in your family, you may need to review your policy again to add the other children as beneficiaries. This will ensure that your death claim benefit will divide equally among your children without creating any differences in them.

• Change in Marital Status Changes in marital status also affect your policy. In case of married couples, usually the spouse is your beneficiary. In the adverse circumstances such as a divorce, you may need to revoke the name of the previous spouse as beneficiary.

Further, in case of remarriage, you may need to name the new spouse as your beneficiary. Thus, a policy review on yearly basis will keep it updated.

• Changes in Health During the purchase of policy, if due to certain health issues, you had to pay a little higher rate of premium; when your health improves, it’s vital that you review your policy with your agent as you may get the policy at a better/lower rate of premium. The insurance company doesn’t inform you about available options via a letter. If you haven’t provided your updated address, phone number and email, the advisor won’t be able to contact you. For your best interest, always update the advisor in case your address, contact number or email id changes.

• New Plans and Promotions From time to time, the insurance companies introduce new plans and promotions that provide additional features/reduced rates. You can save considerable amount of money and avail additional advantages by reviewing your policy through your

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OCTOBER 2019

insurance advisor.

• Changes in Housing Situation With the changes in your housing situation, your insurance needs also undergo a change. When you buy a new house, it’s important that you should add enough insurance so that your family may be able to pay off the mortgage in case you die unexpectedly. With the passage of time, the value of your home will increase leading to an increase in its mortgage value. So you may need to add a little more coverage. On the other hand, if you have downsized or have paid off your mortgage, may think of reducing your life insurance coverage since your insurance needs have decreased. To tackle these situations without any hassle, a timely review with your insurance advisor will prove immensely useful.

• Change in Employment Circumstances A change in your employment circumstances also requires a review of your current policy. If your income increases from a salary raise or promotion, you may need to reevaluate your policy. Sometimes in your previous job you didn’t opt for coverage but now you have entered a high risk profession for which you need coverage. In other situations, if you had group insurance coverage under your previous employer, with the change in employer, you need to convert that

plan to an individual insurance policy within a specified period.

As we can see, to make sure that your life insurance coverage is appropriate for your situation, you should review your insurance policy annually. As an independent insurance advisor working through Punjab Insurance Agency, I deal with different insurance companies offering plans for different types of insurance. I can explain to you in detail, the insurance plan options and coverage that are suitable for your needs and resources. Besides, I can also help you to purchase mortgage insurance, super visa insurance, disability insurance, critical illness insurance, extended medical plans, group medical plans, RESP, RRSP, travel insurance, TFSA accounts, health and dental plans along with estate planning suitable for your needs and resources.

This article is © Copyrighted 2019-0719 and can be reproduced only with prior permission.

You can call at 604-996-6862 or send an email at sandeepahuja@ punjabinsurance.ca

Sandeep Ahuja

OCTOBER 2019

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Diwali:

A harbinger of new beginnings

Diwali, a festival of light, hope and happiness is one of the biggest cultural celebrations that take place in India.

It is celebrated across the length and breadth of the country in diverse ways and with great enthusiasm.

The festive fervour brought along Diwali is seen months before the occasion; people are excited, markets are decorated and the houses are illuminated with all sorts of beautiful lights.

It’s a cultural extravaganza witnessed at its best. Diwali is

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not just a festival but a feeling that brings joy and happiness in the lives of many people. For some, the festival is associated with new clothes, shopping and a lot of festive food binging, for others it’s a reason to indulge in parties and gatherings, and for

many it is that time of the year when they get their long due bonus and gifts at work that bring nothing but happiness. In short, a spirit of cheer and merriment engulfs every other person due to innumerable reasons. But do you know how and why this all

started? Let’s take you to the roots of the festival.

History and origins of Diwali Widely known as the ‘festival of Lights’, Diwali is a 5-day celebration, wherein friends and families get together and perform various rituals and indulge in merry making in their own ways. The festival is all about people lighting Diyas or earthen lamps in their houses, gobbling all sorts of delicacies, exchanging gifts, playing games and burning crackers. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya or the no moon night and is an indication of a dawn of a New Year. The festival is considered to be a harbinger of new beginnings as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi herself visits the houses of devotees in the middle of the dark night, and blesses them with wealth, good health, prosperity and happiness. It is called the festival of lights because it symbolises the victory of light over darkness, hope over despair and good over evil.

The history of Diwali can be traced back to thousands of years in ancient India. There are various

legends revolving around the origin of this festival. Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with Lord Vishnu and others believe it to be the birthday of goddess Lakshmi. The most widespread belief is that the festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama along with his wife, Sita and brother Lakshman, from a 14-year-long exile to the kingdom of Ayodhya. To commemorate the return of their king, the people of the kingdom illuminated each and every household with earthen lamps and hence, the festival of lights was observed.

For some the origin of the festival lays in Bengal, where the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kaali, the dark goddess of strength. The elephant-headed god and symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom Ganesha is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day along with goddess Lakshmi. For people who practice Jainism, Deepawali has the added significance as it is believed that it is on this day that Lord Mahavira attained the eternal bliss of nirvana.

They say there is no other country

as diverse, secular and vibrant as India and so many stories and legends pertaining to just one festival leaves no doubt about it.

We now take you on a journey and give you a glimpse of this festival through the eyes of a common Indian man. We bet you don’t know the reasons behind the celebrations across different parts of India and the significance of the celebrations.

The significance of the five days of celebration Each day of celebration of the festival has its own tale to tell.

As per the legends, the first day, Naraka Chaturdasi marks the conquering of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.This is followed

by Amavasya, the second day of Deepawali, which marks the worship of Lakshmi as she is said to be in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees.

The no moon day or Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who, in his dwarf incarnation, overcame the bully Bali and banished him to hell. It is believed that Bali is allowed to return to earth once a year to light millions OCTOBER 2019

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of lamps and dismiss darkness and ignorance while spreading the radiance of love and wisdom.

On the third day, famously known as Kartika Shudda Padyami, it is said that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu. The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes for a Teeka ceremony. This is similar to the spirit of Rakshabandhan wherein, the brothers vows to protect the sister.

Diwali also instills charity in the hearts of people. Govardhan Puja, a commemoration by Vaishnavites, on the fourth day of Diwali is observed by feeding the poor on an incredible scale.

The fifth day is observed as Dhanteras wherein many indulge in gambling and consider it to be auspicious. The Hindi word ‘Dhan’ means wealth and ‘Teras’ stands for the 13th. This celebration of wealth and prosperity occurs two days before the festival of lights.

Card parties are a big trend due to this day. The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva. She decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.

The significance of lights and firecrackers Every ritual practiced on Diwali has its significance and a story behind it. Homes are illuminated with lights, and firecrackers fill the skies as an expression of respect to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, and prosperity.

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As per a belief, the sound of firecrackers indicates the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state.

Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the firecrackers kill or repel many insects, including mosquitoes, which are plentiful after the rains. However, with the alarming rise of global warming and pollution levels, this practice should be discouraged.

The spiritual significance of Diwali Beyond the lights, gambling, and fun, Diwali is also a time to reflect on life and make changes for the upcoming year. With that, there are several customs that revelers hold dear each year.

1. Give and forgive: It is common practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere.

2. Rise and shine: Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a.m., or one and a half hour before sunrise) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work, and spiritual advancement. The sages who instituted this Deepawali custom may have hoped that their descendants would realise its benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives.

3. Unite and unify: Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another.

4. Prosper and progress: On this day, Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year.

People buy new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees.

Homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil lamps.

5. Illuminate your inner self: The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner illumination of the soul. It is an opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.

6. Moving from darkness into light: The light empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India, and the scent of incense sticks in the air mingled with the sounds of firecrackers signifies nothing but joy, togetherness, and hope.

Diwali is celebrated across the globe. Everywhere outside India, it is more than a Hindu festival; it’s a celebration of South-Asian identities.

If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a lamp or a candle, sit and introspect, shut your ­­­eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on the supreme light, and illuminate your soul.

If you happen to ever visit India during this festive period, you can spend this festival in the most amazing ways in these beautiful ­­ places that have different ways and traditions revolving around the celebration of Diwali.

1. Kolkata: The mighty city of Kolkata brightens up in every way possible due to the massive celebration of Kaali Puja. Goddess Kaali is worshiped in huge pandals (tents) that are decked up like a bride on her wedding day. The lip smacking food available in the city during this time is a cherry on

cake.

2. Goa: Since many people indulge in gambling as part of the Diwali fervour, the casinos in Goa are a sight to behold. It is fun and merry making all across the city, it is less crowded and nnot very busy unlike other months since a majority of Indians prefer to celebrate the festival with their families; this is considered as the best time to visit the party capital of India.

3. Amritsar: Even though Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple, is predominated by Sikh, Diwali is celebrated in a grand way there too. It is because this day marks the return from prison of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, in 1619.

He had been irrationally held for his beliefs, along with many others who he helped free. Also, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on Diwali, in 1577. So, expect to see an exciting display of fireworks over the Golden Temple on this day.

Nikita Sharma Freelance Writer/ Blogger/ Content Strategist

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Why Our Patients

Love Invisalign Teen I n the past, if your teenager wanted straighter teeth, there was basically one option: metal brackets, wires and bright elastics. But while traditional braces are highly

effective at perfecting teens’ smiles, they’re not exactly discreet. Many of the teen patients at Aura Orthodontics would prefer to keep their smiles (and high school memories!) metal-free. Fortunately, there’s a way for them to get the smiles of their dreams without the need for braces.

If your teen isn’t crazy about the thought of going through adolescence with built-in metallic hardware, that’s okay. Invisalign Teen is the perfect solution for those who want to straighten their teeth in a way that’s almost invisible. Invisalign Teen is specifically designed for younger, developing mouths, and Aura Orthodontics is the premier provider of Invisalign in the Fraser Valley. Curious to find out if Invisalign Teen is right for your kids? Here are some of the reasons our Surrey, Guildford and Abbotsford orthodontic patients love it.

1. visalign Teen is Nearly Invisible

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This is probably the feature our Invisalign Teen patients get most excited about. Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic aligners to straighten your teeth, instead of brackets and wires.

Made from a smooth, flexible, BPA-free material, your aligners are 100% customized to fit right over your teeth, making them barely visible. With braces, literally everyone you smile at or talk to will know you’re receiving orthodontic treatment.

But with Invisalign Teen, we can confidently say that people will hardly notice.

2. Your Aligners are Removable As you probably know, braces are a fixed teeth straightening solution, meaning your brackets and wires stay in your mouth for the entire duration of your treatment. This has a lot of benefits: it ensures you comply with your treatment because you can’t take your braces out when you feel like it. But it can also cause more disruption to your life than you might want.

To achieve optimal results with Invisalign Teen, you have to wear your aligners as often as possible, at least 20-22 hours a day, every day. But you also have the freedom to remove your aligners while eating and drinking, or during sports. This means you can eat all your favourite foods, you’ll have an easier time brushing

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and flossing, and you can enjoy your favourite activities without worrying about damaging your hardware. Talk about a win-win!

3. Oral Hygiene is Easier Than ever Speaking of brushing and flossing, these simple tasks get so much more complicated when you have braces. Food can get stuck behind your wires or in your brackets, making it tricky to brush and floss effectively. But since you can take your aligners out when you eat, you can brush just like you always have. The only added step to your oral hygiene routine will be cleaning your aligners. After every meal, just brush your teeth and then give your aligners a wash with a toothbrush, toothpaste and lukewarm water. (Be sure to avoid hot water because the heat can ruin the plastic!)

4. Invisalign Teen is Extremely Effective Every orthodontic treatment starts with your end goal in mind. After all, what’s the point of going through months or years with braces or Invisalign if you’re not getting results?

When you choose Invisalign Teen, you can rest assured you’re getting a premier orthodontic service that works.

As the Fraser Valley’s premier Invisalign providers, we use the latest technology, the iTero Element Scanner, to take digital impressions of your teeth and gums which helps us map out the ideal position for your teeth.

This super precise method allows your orthodontist to create a treatment plan that will help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

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5. You’ll Have Fewer Orthodontic VisitsWe love seeing our patients’ smiling faces when they come through our doors. But let’s be honest, nobody really likes to go to the orthodontist. With braces, you have to see your doctor every month to get your brackets tightened. With Invisalign Teen, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks at home, no adjustments needed.

You only have to visit your orthodontist every 6 weeks or so, and appointments are much shorter, so you can spend more time doing what you love.

6. See Your New Smile Every Step of the Way The hardest part of going through any orthodontic treatment is the waiting game.

You know what you want your new smile to look like, but you have to wait until treatment ends to see the real results, right? Not with Invisalign Teen!

Our iTero scanner has a tool called the Invisalign Outcome Simulator, which reveals the new you before you even get started. You can also use the Invisalign smartphone app to get a peek at your new smile all throughout your treatment.

7. Invisalign is Super Comfortable A major downside to traditional braces is that they can be uncomfortable; the brackets and wires can irritate your lips and the inside of your mouth. Orthodontic wax can help alleviate discomfort but it can only do so much. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are smooth, flexible and completely formed to your teeth. They’re so comfortable you’ll forget you’re

even wearing them!

8. Invisalign Costs the Same as Braces Parents, this one’s for you. Despite common misconceptions, Invisalign Teen costs pretty much the same as braces, so you don’t have to worry about spending extra cash for a more discreet teeth straightening treatment.

9. Length of Treatment is the Same as Braces People often think that treatment with Invisalign will take a lot longer than with braces, but that’s simply not true. No two mouths are the same, so the length of any orthodontic treatment varies from person to person. That said, the average treatment with either braces or Invisalign is about a year.

10. We’re Invisalign Teen Experts When you work with the doctors at Aura Orthodontics for your Invisalign Teen treatment, you’re not only going to achieve excellent results — you also have the benefit of working with Platinum Invisalign Providers. Dr. Sharma, Dr. Koo and Dr. Lin are all specially trained in Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, so you know you’re working with the best.

Ready to book your Invisalign Teen consultation? Call Aura Orthodontics today to take the next step towards your perfect smile.

Dr Vishal Sharma BSc, DDS, Cert. Ortho.

FRCD(C), FCDS(BC)

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Bandi Chhor Divas A celebration of pride, sacrifice and honour

B

andi Chhor Divas which translates to the Prisoner Liberation Day is the day when the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind ji, was liberated from the Gwalior Fort which is situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. He took along 52 prisoners to freedom with him as a sign of love, care and empathy towards his fellow inmates in the prison. This is how this day got its name and origin.

The occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas was first observed in autumn of 1619 and is still celebrated in the month October or November in accordance to the dates of the Hindu lunar calendar.

It is a day widely celebrated by the Sikh community in order to commemorate the sacrifice, pride, honour and the rich history and culture of the community.

How it all started: The saga behind Guru Hargobind being detained Guru Hargobind’s father, Guru Arjan Dev ji, had been martyred almost 13 years before, and the Mughal authorities were carefully watching the young Guru. When he constructed the Akal Takht, the Throne of the Almighty, in Amritsar and simultaneously strengthened his army, the Nawab of Lahore, Murtaja Khan, was alarmed and informed the Mughal emperor Jahangir about these happenings. The Nawab conveyed his fear that the Guru might be planning to avenge the death of his father.

Jahangir soon sent his men Wazir Khan and Guncha Beg to Amritsar to arrest Guru Hargobind.

Wazir Khan, however, happened to be an admirer of the Guru; instead of arresting him, he persuaded the Guru to accompany them to Delhi to meet the emperor. Even though Jahangir had ordered the execution of his father, the Guru accepted the invitation and journeyed to the emperor’s court. On his arrival, when Jahangir met the young Guru, he was captivated by his charm and purity

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informed the Guru of this fortunate turn of events; however, the Guru could not embrace his own fortune at the expense of the other prisoners and refused to leave the fort until all 52 of the Rajput princes were freed as well.

When the Wazir Khan put the Guru’s condition in front of the emperor, he initially refused it. It was only when the Wazir Khan reminded the emperor that the Guru had saved his life that he relented. He added a condition of his own: in order to be released from the fort, each prisoner must be holding on to the Guru’s Chola (robe) as he walked out of the prison gates. The emperor was pleased with himself because he was sure that a mere handful would be able to fulfill this condition.

of spirit. He asked him as to which religion was better as per him, Hindu or Muslim, to which the Guru quoted lines from poet Kabir asserting that there is “One Lord is within both Hindus and Muslims”. The emperor was spellbound by the wisdom of a young boy and prepared a royal reception for him. Soon, he even invited the young Hargobind to accompany him on his royal hunting expeditions.

It is believed that during one of these hunts, the emperor and his troupe were on a lookout for a lion which had been terrorising a village. Without warning, the lion exploded from the bushes and attacked Jahangir. Desperately, the other hunters fired their weapons but failed to stop its attack.

Realising this, Guru Hargobind jumped in front of the beast, without a sight of fear in his eyes, yelling that it must deal with him first. Raising his shield to prevent its jaws, as it leapt in the air, he killed the beast with just one powerful stroke.

The animal fell dead at his feet and it was surprising that this young boy, Hargobind, had saved the emperor’s life.

The Guru and the emperor became good friends, but this only provoked the jealousy of others who wanted the emperor’s favour for themselves. One such man was Chandu Shah, a rich banker, who had some influence in the court. Chandu Shah had been influential in arranging Guru Arjan’s death and now focused his wrath on his son, Guru Hargobind.

While in Agra, the Jahangir became very ill. It seemed that nothing could cure him.

Chandu Shah cornered the court astrologers and convinced them to tell the emperor that his illness was due to an inauspicious alignment of the stars which could only be cured if a holy man were to go to Gwalior Fort south of Agra and offer prayers for his recovery. Chandu Shah innocently suggested that there was no one more fit for this precious task than Guru Hargobind. Thus, at the emperor’s request, the Guru agreed and left for the Fort with several companions.

Rather than being a sanctuary of tranquility, Gwalior Fort was really a prison where enemies of the state, including a number of Rajput princes, were detained.

True to his nature, the Guru inspired them to join him in daily prayers and did his best to improve their conditions. In time, they came to hold in the highest regard for him. The governor of the fort, Hari Dass, was a Sikh and a follower of the Guru and hence, turned over to him a letter from Chandu Shah ordering him to poison the Guru.

After the Guru had been in Gwalior Fort for several months, his Sikhs, including the ancient Baba Buddha, made the long journey from Amritsar to tell him how greatly they missed his presence. Although the emperor had recovered, still the Guru was held captive. At this time, Mian Mir, a noted Sufi saint, traveled to the emperor’s court and asked him to release the Guru.

Upon his persuasion, the emperor ordered Wazir Khan to free the Guru. Hari Dass

Unbeknownst to him however, the Guru delighted in this challenge by having his tailor make a special robe with 52 panels attached to it. At the appointed time, the Guru donned the heavy Chola, which stretched for yards behind him. The 52 princes each grasped a panel; 26 on the right and 26 on the left. Walking behind the Guru, careful not to let go, they stepped out into the sunlight and freedom, to the cheers of the Guru’s Sikhs.

From this time on, Guru Hargobind was known as Bandi (prison) Chhor (liberator), and the day of liberation is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas (day).

Several days later, when Guru Hargobind reached Amritsar, the Hindu festival of light, Diwali, was being celebrated.

In their joy at seeing their Guru again, the people lit up the whole city with candles, lights, and lamps. After almost four hundred years, this tradition continues in Amritsar, and on this day the Harimandir Sahib is aglow with thousands of candles and floating lamps, strings of lights decorate the domes, and fireworks burst in the sky. Elsewhere, at Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak Dwara in Phoenix and around the world, Sikhs commemorate Bandi Chhor Divas, Prisoner Release Day, by lighting hundreds of candles in the evening around the Gurdwara, singing Shabads in praise of Guru Hargobind by Bhai Gurdas, preparing a festive Guru ka Langar , and basking in the spirit of joy and festivity.

Courtesy: With inputs from Sikh Dharma International

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BOLD, BEAUTIFUL AND BRILLIANT!

The 2020 BMW 7 Series has arrived in the Brian Jessel BMW showroom, and it’s just gorgeous. The 2020 model is also full of impressive updates that will have you wanting to take it out for a first date (we mean test drive).

You will love the little enhancements to the overall look. BMW’s signature grille is rendered even bolder in the new 7 Series, striking a pose of confidence and grace. Taillights are transformed into a single trunk-length LED strip that illuminates in an elegant sweep of light when the car is unlocked.

It’s beautiful on the inside too. Luxurious quilted leather, already a detail on the previous 7 Series, is extended to the console and all door panels too. It’s a lush effect that also provides superior acoustic balance.

The most remarkable thing about this supermodel is its intelligence. It’s equipped with the BMW iDrive 7.0, the carmaker’s most advanced dashboard technology. More intuitive than ever before, iDrive 7.0 responds to voice commands such as, “hey BMW, I’m cold,” by adjusting the temperature in a wink. The instrument panel now can be customized with features like a map or media selections, and the interface can be controlled by touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, or even no touch at all— use hand gestures to signal what you want.

The new 7 Series is a stunning expression of power, looks and smarts. Let us meet you at your home or work for a test drive. It will be a first date to melt your heart.

BRIAN JESSEL BMW

2311 Boundary Road (at Lougheed), Vancouver 604.222.7788 | brianjesselbmw.com

OCTOBER 2019

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The biggest reason for the holiday cheer

Houses brimming with the aroma of freshly baked traditional plum cakes and living rooms adorned beautifully with a Christmas tree and lights. Kids being showered with lots of presents and new dresses and happiness all around, that’s the kind of cheer Christmas brings along.

E

ver since I was a kid, every year on the Christmas Eve I wondered if tonight Santa Claus will come and give me the gifts I have been eagerly wanting all this year? It was not just me but many of my friends also waited for the Christmas Eve all year long. Many a times we actually received the gifts we wanted, although it was years later that I realised, those were the presents from my family. Such is the craze of Santa Claus and the gifts he brings along for kids across the globe. In almost every kindergarten across the world, kids have learnt the famous ‘Jingle Bells’ song and other Christmas carols.

Christmas is a festival which attracts people of all faith towards it. Being one of those festivals which is widely celebrated all over the world, it is important for us to know more about this festival we celebrate with such pomp and show.

The day has a history to it along with some marked traditions which go hand in hand with the spirit of Christmas. We thought of enlightening you more about this festival through our special coverage of Christmas in this special edition of our festive magazine.

This is no news that Christmas is celebrated every year on 25th December.

It is mainly considered a festival celebrated and observed by Christians, but

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in today’s time, the festival of Christmas has surpassed the religious boundaries and has become a symbol of the holistic culture. The winters in December carry a festive feeling mainly due to the occurrence of this day and the cheer it brings along.

Usually, all across the globe, the celebrations begin much before the main day and continue for around 2 weeks after that until we step into a new year. Men and women celebrate Christmas to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Religious people go to church and light the candles to pray to their God, Jesus Christ. This is a festival that is equally loved and cherished by adults and kids. People also bring a Christmas tree to their homes and decorate it with all sorts of decorative items and also tie a red sock on it. Market, shops, showrooms and even huge malls are all decked up with a theme of glittering red and white colors to set up the Christmas mood.

On Christmas night, people enjoy a big feast and share gifts with each other. Homemade traditional plum cakes, cupcakes, and muffins are some of the special treats on Christmas.

Kids are showered with lots of presents and new dresses. They also get to meet the ‘Santa Claus’ dressed in a fluffy red and white costume, who greets

them with hugs and gifts.

Christmas is a festival of joy. It is about sharing and helping others. On this day, people remember Jesus Christ and his lessons of life. The festival definitely teaches us to practice kindness and love toward each other and help those who have less than us.

Christmas: An ancient holiday The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many people rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January.

In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter.

For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.

winter holiday.

Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.

Saturnalia In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a riotous time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city.

Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.

Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honouring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25.

It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra’s birthday was the most sacred day of the year.

In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of

the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the

traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival.

First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

The origin of Santa Claus While thinking of the most awaited person in this world on Christmas Eve, the name that clicks anyone’s mind is undoubtedly, Santa Claus.

But has anyone ever thought of how the concept of Santa Claus came into light and gained so much prominence?

It is

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believed that Santa Claus is native to North Pole, but his historical odyssey is much longer and extremely wonderful than his once-in-a-year global tour on Christmas Eve. To know more about him, let’s take a dive into the true story of the muchloved Santa Claus-

Santa Claus: An ordinary child with a humble and generous heart Like we know Santa Claus today as a happy and a thrilling person, he was a total different fellow back then.

Neither did he have a long white beard and whiskers, nor a big red suit.

Long before when Santa Claus was believed to be a resident of the North Pole, and also much before his regular Christmas visits to children across the world, he was a simple child like everyone. He was a child of his loving parents who named him Nicholas, which means “hero of the people”.

Being an only child, his parents had high hopes from him. They believed that he will do something big and special in the future and make them proud.

Nicholas was naturally imbibed with the feelings of generosity and kindness ever since his childhood. He always lent a helping hand to the people who needed help. Whether it was about sharing the meals with the hungry people or bringing happiness in the lives and faces of young and elders alike, the young Nicholas was a best friend to all.

Very soon, he joined the church with a hope of helping and serving people of his village. During his services to the church, he always demonstrated special concern and treatment to the children of the village. Soon the village children

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developed fondness for him owing to his friendly and playful nature.

in the celebration of a great cause.

With inputs from History.com

The news of Nicholas’ kindness and wisdom spread across the land like fire and brought him immense praises and popularity. With such fame and recognition, he was soon declared a Bishop of the church. As Nicholas was still a young boy, people referred him as “Boy Bishop”.

While taking a ride on a horseback, Nicholas used to wear a long red robe and a red hat. Such was his popularity among children that they spot him from a distance looking at his bright attire and ran to wish him.

This is how he became famous and peoples’ fondness towards him grew.

Importance of the festival: Why do we celebrate Christmas?

Why do we go the extra mile to celebrate, give and create an atmosphere of merriment? The answers to these questions are numerous but we would mention a few.

1. Christmas reminds us of the importance of giving and sharing with friends and family.

2. Christmas shows the importance of joy and happiness.

3. Through Christmas, we know that Jesus birth is the beginning of great things in the world.

4. It is also an opportunity to correct actions we aren’t proud of in our lives.

5. It is generally an opportunity to think about nature and the reason for our existence.

So, whether you’re Christian or not, Christmas is an opportunity for you to put your biases and ill thought behind

Christmas Facts

Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today’s Mardi Gras parties.

Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.

The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.

Rudolph, “the most famous reindeer of all,” was the product of Robert L. May’s imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.

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Your guide to a perfect New Year’s

Eve experience I

t is one of the most awaited times of the year, where you and others from all over the world indulge in a partying spree. But where are the best places to see and experience the the best New Year’s Eve? If you read anylist of the best places in the world to bring in the New Year, Canada invariably features. As 2020 approaches, this year’s New Year celebrations in Canada are set to be even bigger and more exciting than ever before.

Canada is home to a diverse mixture of cultural influences and traditional customs that fuse to create a fantastic New Year’s Eve experience.

From incredible fireworks over Quebec City, Banff and the Niagara Falls to parties in

Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, Canada knows how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the best ways possible.

There are so many exciting ways to witness and welcome the New Year that you’ll want to get your bookings done straight away! Whether you book flights to Calgary, Toronto or any other top city there will be so many events to enjoy.

So, we bring you our top ten picks in the country to celebrate New Year in vogue!

4Winnipeg 4Banff 4Calgary 4Ottawa 4Vancouver 4Yellowknife 4Montreal 4Quebec City 4Whitehorse 4Niagara Falls

10. Winnipeg This year is set to be another big one for Winnipeg as there will be a

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plethora of New Year’s Eve celebrations taking place. You can follow the locals and flock to The Forks, a meeting place for over 6,000 years and where indigenous peoples traded fur and other products, on December 31st for its eagerlyawaited New Year’s Eve party. In the past, the event has attracted over 30,000 visitors and this year’s event will feature a mini firework display at 8pm and another fireworks spectacle at midnight.

There are lots of other New Year events taking place in Winnipeg this year: 4 Top Hats & Tiaras (31 December at 11am-1pm) – Enjoy music from The Solutions, hands-on science activities, festive balloons created by Balloons by Mike, a festive 1,000-balloon drop and a photographer to take photos of you in your top hats and tiaras!

4 Resolution NYE Gala (31 December at 9.30pm to late) – Regarded as one of the biggest and best New Year’s Eve events in Winnipeg, the party will welcome DJs Electric Kitten and Synthy Lox as they play their favourite old and new hits from R&B, Hip Hop and their top 40 songs.

9. Banff Downtown Banff turns into a mini Times Square as crowds gather to watch fireworks light up the sky and attend a variety of events.

Banff’s Dancing Sasquatch party is the ultimate party destination in Alberta. It all takes place in a mountain-themed club – the perfect party destination for small and large groups looking to make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable. DJs will be playing the latest music and you can enjoy a champagne cocktail too!

The Fairmont Banff Springs will be hosting its New Year’s Eve Gala in the Van Horne Ballroom. You can dine on a mouth-watering meal, dance and see the New Year in while enjoying the ultimate back-drop: Banff National Park.

You can also enjoy the Rocky Mountains themselves on New Year’s Day as there are countless activities to make the most of your downtime come January 1st. Why not hike around Lake Louise or take the Banff Gondola for panoramic views of the mountain range? Nothing else will inspire you to make 2020 your best year, like that view!

8. Calgary The city of Calgary will once again play host to a variety of

celebrations, making the city one of the best places to celebrate New Year in Canada.

We’d recommend heading to the Olympic Park, but you don’t have to be a medal-winner to enjoy its fantastic facilities. For New Year’s Eve, head here to while away the hours skating, listening to brilliant music and spending some quality time with friends and family before the midnight fireworks finale. If you are heading to the Olympic Plaza, then you need to make the most of the Tim Hortons free hot drink giveaway and go and see the incredible ice sculpture on display.

Paul Johnson, the editor of a luxury travel blog, also feels you should head to the Olympic Plaza and he recommends also heading to the Calgary Tower and Central Library.

“New Year celebrations in Calgary are very family friendly – fireworks on the roof of Calgary Tower and ice skating at the Olympic Plaza will be two of the high

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lights this year. But don’t forget also the family dance party and kids’ countdown at the Central Library… something for everyone!”

If you’re looking for a really family-friendly New Year’s Eve event then you should head to TELUS Spark as they countdown to noon! You’ll see exploding hydrogen balloons and when the clock strikes 12, you’ll need to get ready for the crackles and pops as you dance on the bubble wrap dance floor!

7. Ottawa If you’re looking for a bustling atmosphere for your New Year’s Eve celebrations, head to Ottawa, the country’s capital. Ottawa is a beautiful city boasting year-round events and withthe city pouring in money over the last five years to make it even more welcoming and accommodating, it has become one of the most popular cities to visit in Canada.

Escape Here told us they think one of the most exciting celebrations is the Hogmanay Scottish New Years’ Party.

“Visitors here will have the chance to skate to Celtic music, ice sculpt, scotch taste, listen to live music and more. And when midnight strikes, prepare for an amazing display of fireworks off the roof of city hall.”

The Covert Ottawa Guy, a site that highlights the different events taking place in the city, tells us about some of the other incredible events you can enjoy over New Year’s in Ottawa.

“Hogmanay is only one of many events to choose from. While visiting Ottawa for New Years, visitors can take in the final week of the Parliament Hill’s Northern Lights exhibit each night, which is a must-see around the Christmas time in Ottawa, plus there is a huge variety of other events going on around the city.”

There are brilliant events for all ages and one of the most elegant New Year’s Eve events in Ottawa will be held at the recently renovated National Arts Centre, which is hosting a party with dinner and music from the Big Band Ottawa. A great way to laugh your way into

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2020 will be to attend the 9th Annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Night at the Shenkman Arts Centre as you’ll be able to listen to some side-splitting material from top Canadian comedians such as Gilson Lubin, Andrew Chapman and Nour Hadidi.

As New Year’s Eve Blog explains, Ottawa is famous for its sporting events such as football, hockey, baseball and horse-racing.

So, if you’re looking for something a little different this year, why not check out the line-up for your favourite sports matches?

Another great place to visit is the CRAFT Beer Market, which started in Calgary in June 2011 with the idea to bring people together over great food and great beer. Now the market is a hugely popular destination for New Year’s Eve in Ottawa.

Andrew Gordon, the general manager at CRAFT Beer Market Restaurant + Bar, tells us about the popular attraction and why it is a great place to head to this New Year’s.

“We make almost everything in-house from scratch and are just as proud of our food menu as we are of our menu of over 100 beers on tap.

“We would recommend people come celebrate NYE with us if they are looking for a unique and approachable experience. We offer a four-course beer and food pairing, followed by a huge dance party to bring in the new year, DJ, party favours and all. All at a price that can’t be beat.”

6. Vancouver Vancouver is a hive of activity during the festive season, and New Year’s Eve is no different. Visit the beautiful VanDusen Botanical Garden for its stunning Festival of Lights. Journey through themed areas full of everything from Scandinavian gnomes to a Dancing Lights show at Livingstone Lake.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Vancouver New Year’s Celebration Society will be staging the Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver event. The downtown waterfront will be transformed with food trucks, live music, street performers and spectacular midnight fireworks. Alternatively, join the Fairmont Waterfront Gala Ball for a magnificent view of the Midnight countdown fireworks at Canada Place.

Macca Sherifi, who runs the travel blog An Adventurous World told us why

Vancouver is such a special place to visit over the New Year and recommended some other events you could attend.

“There’s a reason why Vancouver always gets voted in the top 10 most liveable cities in the world – it is such an incredible place to live and visit during the holidays, and the city really comes to life for New Year’s Eve! “The biggest event is near Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver where they have an amazing fireworks display, live music, food, a fair few bars and nothing but good times to be had. This is easily the best fireworks display in Vancouver and it is such a good way to see in the New Year.

“A couple of other fantastic spots for

New Year’s Eve are at the Telus World of Science where they turn the museum into a massive nightclub for 1,000 people – it’s such a different and unique venue – and a boat cruise down by the waterfront with cocktails and canapes. No matter where you see in the New Year though, Vancouver is the perfect place to do it!”

5. Yellowknife This is one for those people who fancy something a little different to start off the New Year. Canada’s Arctic north is a haven for adventure seekers, and if you’re one of these explorers, you’ll love spending the festive season here. From skating across frozen lakes to fantastic snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, there are a huge number of activities for you to try.

The Northwest Territories has idyllic towns and vibrant cities where you can see in the New Year, but Yellowknife, the capital of the province, should be at the top of your bucket list.

Kyle Thomas from Yellowknife Online tells us about some of the things you enjoy during New Year’s Eve. “Yellowknife is a thriving “little big” city in the middle of the vast and untouched boreal forest. While our city’s sponsored fireworks might start off the night at 8pm on December 31, the show doesn’t end there. You could take in one of the many New Year’s Eve parties across the city but we do also have our own naturally occurring lights in the Aurora Borealis. As the best place to view the Aurora Borealis in North America what better way to ring in the New Year than marvelling at the swirling Northern Lights overhead. Make it even more

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special by enjoying them from the warmth of a cosy cabin or prospector tent.”

4. Montreal No one does New Year’s Eve quite like Montreal does, a city that wrote the book on celebrations. Whether it’s live music and entertainment, a fireworks display or enjoying a nice meal, Montreal offers something for everyone. Montreal’s party at the L’Olympia de Montreal is world-famous. Each December, 2,500 people gather here to dance in the New Year during one vibrant party. This year you can enjoy a live performance from Ryan Stevenson and listen to DJs Domeno, Kleancut, Vito V and Spin.

Some of the city’s largest clubs, such as the Roxbury, Rouge Nightclub and La Boom can see crowds between 800-2,000 on New Year’s Eve! So you could find yourself dancing the night – and the end of the year – away in Montreal.

Merry Montreal’s free New Year’s Party on the Old Port’s Quai Jacques-Cartier is regarded as the best outdoor concert in the city. The sixth edition of the party pulls out all the stops this year with Quebec’s best musicians performing such as Afrikana Soul Sister, Andréanne A. Malette, Roxane Bruneau, Hubert Lenoir and more. There will be fireworks at midnight and a dance party featuring DJ Magic Stan until 2am.

3. Quebec City Quebec is a truly charming city to visit at any time of year, but especially during the festive season. The Old City, chock full of historic buildings, cobblestone streets and fabulous restaurants, looks incredibly picturesque when illuminated for the occasion.

Whether sightseeing, shopping, exploring the historic walled city or embarking on adventures like snow tubing and skiing, you can spend several days of the New Year period in this amazing area.

During your visit, you can explore the Quartier Petit Champlain, North America’s oldest neighbourhood and the site of Quebec’s first port in the day before get-

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ting tucked into the city’s world-famous food scene to celebrate the New Year.

Carole Funger, the blogger behind the Here By Design site, tells us why Quebec City is also one of her top choices for New Year’s.

“The city celebrates New Year’s in a big way with a large outdoor New Year’s Eve party on the Grande Allée, featuring live music, dancing and even a Ferris wheel.

The many restaurants on the periphery of the square feature special menus and their heated outdoor patios provide great vantage points from which to observe the festivities.

“In the afternoon we headed up the steep staircase known as ‘L’Escalier Casse-Cou’ to the Dufferin Terrace that runs along the top of the old Citadel.

From this high vantage point, you can take in sweeping views of the city. Just behind is the hotel known as Chateau Frontenac which is decked out in holiday splendour. It also has an outstanding afternoon Wine and Cheese Tasting at a beautiful circular bar with views out onto the St. Lawrence River.”

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat on New Year’s Eve then Aux Anciens Canadiens and Le Saint-Amour are highly recommended.

2. Whitehorse If you want to ensure that 2020 will be an unforgettable year, you have to begin it with something truly special. There is no better way to do so than seeing the Aurora Borealis. Canada is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights and with December to February offering the longest hours of darkness, it is the best time to see the lights in action.

The territory of Yukon and its capital, Whitehorse, are known for having some of the best spots on the planet to see the mindboggling displays of the Northern Lights. If you’re looking for an alternative New Year’s Eve that will create memories to cherish

for a lifetime, why not retreat to a cabin in the Yukon? Take in the dazzling lights with a hot chocolate in hand.

Alternatively, if you decide you fancy a party while you’re there, head to Whitehorse. At Shipyards Park you will be able to go skating, swimming, sledding, try snow painting, enjoy fresh hot apple cider and watch the fireworks finale at 8pm.

1. Niagara Falls Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve events may be the most well-known in the whole of Canada, and for a good reason.

You really don’t get a better venue than the world’s most famous waterfall. Over this period Niagara Falls often draws about 50,000 people and the all-Canadian New Year’s Eve Concert will again be a great way to kick off 2020. This year there will be performances from Niagara Falls-based band Avenue Inn, the awardwinning band The Sheepdogs, multi-platinum selling group Walk Off The Earth and Burton Cummings- one of the most celebrated Canadian musicians.

The Skylon Tower is a great place to visit whilst in Niagara Falls on New Year’s Eve and here Anita Pang Hrepic from the attraction told us what you can expect to see this year.

“Ring in the New Year in Niagara Falls at Skylon Tower! Countdown to midnight and the spectacular grand finale fireworks display launched from the top of Skylon Tower. Marvel at the magnificent fireworks display up close from our Indoor/Outdoor Observatory or celebrate the arrival of the New Year from our 2 restaurants; the Revolving Dining Room and Summit Suite Buffet.”

Other events you can enjoy include the Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights, which continues to the end of January with light displays, as well as the Fallsview Sound and Light Show, Holiday Lights Tours and over 3 million lights displayed along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and Niagara Falls.

So if you are going on holiday in Canada, make sure your New Year begins with a bang with these brilliant events and activities!

With inputs from www.canadianaffair.com

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Embarking on

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Given the high tuition fees at colleges and universities, international students have to learn the fine act of balancing education and employment

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anada attracts a number of students every year who decide to pursue their studies away from home, making the most important decision of their life.

However, embarking on a new journey in a new country may be overwhelming as it is exciting. International students have high hopes from Canadian universities and colleges. Many people choose Canada because of its education system and the plethora of opportunities that one can experience. Every individual finds a path to their plans and career over here. Moreover, the quality of life contributes as a big factor. However, transition from home to Canada isn’t that convenient. There are number of challenges being faced by an individual.

Alienation Adjusting to living and studying in a new country can be difficult logistically, but the social aspect of not having a nearby support system can add to the feeling of

alienation. When a person is away from home, living all by yourself, it is very tough. One goes through a turbine of emotions everyday, struggling with their lives and managing their day to day tasks. Having a healthy circle is one of the important things over here because better the circle, better is you. If there is a positive energy around you, automatically one is motivated towards life. Here are some tips to get socially more active in the community: • Joining clubs or group fitness classes • Volunteering • Supporting local sports teams • Attending local events and festivals • T hese activities can also provide networking opportunities.

Monetary concerns For many international students studying in Canada, this is their first time living away from home. On top of managing a school workload in another country, they must learn to manage their money.

A person who understands the value of dollar here and spends wisely, will never lose in life. One must understand that if you are earning in dollars than you are also spending in dollars. An international student must support themselves while living over here, covering their day to day expenses and sometimes managing with their family of the tuition fee expense.

When setting up a Canadian bank account, students can seek advice from

on a new journey, the accurate way their financial institution. Online tools are also available to help students with budgeting.

Market watch The Canadian Bureau of International Education’s study stated that 51 per cent of international students plan to apply for permanent residence in Canada after graduation, but many international students also feel the labour market is difficult to access. Here are two suggestions that may help. Primarily, strive to obtain

a co-op placement through school to gain Canadian work experience. Also, networking with friends and members of various communities, by joining clubs and attending events to widen exposure is essential a student’s life abroad. International students face unique barriers when obtaining an education in Canada. Taking the first step and participating in programs already in place would help in feeling integrated, settled, and ultimately achieving success.

its own positives and challenges.

When one grows up in such an environment, and learns to adapt things and going through with everyday struggles makes a person understand the worth of life and money and the most importantly managing time.

Navjeet Nijjhar Content Strategist

Being an international student has

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Alarming Rise of STDs in Canada A recent CBC news article brought to our attention an alarming rise of sexually transmitted diseases in Canada. The data from World Health Organisation indicates over one million new cases of STD infections on a daily basis worldwide.

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Untreated syphilis, can lead to:

I

ndulging in an act of vaginal sex, oral sex and anal sex can spread these diseases if one’s partner is infected and indulges in unprotected sex.

Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea across Canada have mushroomed, according to the latest figures compiled by CBC News, which comes amid a new surge in syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, herpes and many more diseases that are often sexually transmitted.

The figures show there were more than 126,700 chlamydia infections and 28,300 cases of gonorrhea diagnosed in 2017, the most recent year for which data is available.

The federal government also recently announced more than $32 million in funding for research into STIs and blood-borne infections, writing that “rates of sexually transmitted infections in Canada have increased over the last decade — chlamydia increased by 49%, gonorrhea by 81%, and syphilis by an alarming 178%.”

Efforts to contain the spread of STIs, such as interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behaviour, haven’t been sufficient as behavioural change is a

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4Neurological illness 4Blindness 4Hearing loss 4 Damage to the heart and other major organs complex challenge, particularly for marginalised populations.

Complicating things is the fact that patients may have multiple conditions and co-infections. It may not merely be dealing with syphilis.

It could be dealing with multiple infections such as HIV, hepatitis C, drug addiction or dealing with other mental health issues, making the process of being cured and recovered extremely complex.

It is hence advised that one should take appropriate care of one’s health. Open communication is important along with safe sex.

Avoiding multiple sex partners, seeking prompt medical help and also getting over the stigma and rising above social, religious and cultural taboos can be a part of educating oneself about the STDs. While most STIs can be cured today, one thing that is on the public health radar is antibioticresistant gonorrhea. The concern is that we may be running out

of antibiotics in the next few years, potentially, as resistance increases. Other factors that may be contributing to increasing rates include the decrease in the usage of external contraceptives, rise of on-line dating apps, lags in sexual health education, drug addiction and mental health concerns etc.

Testing and treatment remain important, in large part because of the long-term consequences of STIs. And STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility, according to WHO. Scarring of fallopian tubes harming fertility of those aged 15 to 29, is a potential consequence of repeated chlamydia infections that go untreated. Congenital syphilis, an STI passed to the baby in utero, can cause a number of deformities, as well as cognitive impairment.

The golden rule is to prevent from STDs is to be cautious and act responsibly and if one develops it then early treatment should be sought for recovering the earliest.

Dr. Pargat Singh Bhurji

MD,FRCP ( C ) Consultant Pediatrician Surrery BC

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Can money buy

happiness?

Over the years, as I grew up, I witnessed many couples struggling to lead a happy married life because of money problems, worries and other financial issues.

One of the questions that crossed my mind usually was ‘Does money makes people happy?’ With time, I assessed and concluded that the simple answer to it could be a ‘Yes’. In recent times, finances are the leading cause of stress in a relationship. If left unchecked, financial problems can ultimately destroy a marriage.

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W

atch for these common patterns, and learn how to keep them from becoming problems in your relationship: 1. Not realizing your own baggage.

Do you go on spending sprees when you’re upset? Do you make fun of anyone who buys an extended warranty? Do you always buy name brands? Or perhaps you insist on using a spreadsheet for even the most minuscule expenditures. We all

have money quirks, but the odds of our quirks being aligned with our partners’ quirks are very less.

Take a step back and acknowledge the differences that you and your partner have and—even more important—understand the ways that your quirks may be related to your

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upbringing and difficult for someone else to live with. Only then can you work out a healthier method of dealing with them.

toward as a team.

2. Thinking secrets aren’t a big deal.

Over the years, materialism or valuing things or money over the relationship has increased. People don’t value a person’s presence but they value their money.

You bought more clothes than you said you would, and are now hiding them from your partner.

Or you dipped into joint savings account, without telling your partner, to pay off what you lost on a bad investment. In these cases, the erosion of trust that comes from the secrecy is potentially more damaging than the original act. Don’t get caught in the slippery slope of financial infidelity. If you and your partner have agreed to keep your finances completely separate, that’s one thing.

But it’s hard to have a long-term relationship without money being intertwined on some level, so your joint financial goals need to align.

The more habitually you do your own thing and try to cover it up after the fact, the more you undermine whatever joint vision you are working

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3. Valuing things over people.

I had a friend who got married a few years back. She had always told me about her dream of having a beautiful home nicely decorated with a formal dining room and a landscaped lawn for her family to live in. She said having a house like that would be the ultimate source of happiness for her as she had wanted it for so long.

For years, she kept insisting her husband to buy a home they could barely afford along with fancy furniture and a landscaped backyard (as she dreamt it). To avoid the constant conflict in their marriage, her husband gave in and borrowed money from a friend for the same. He went into debt to make the marriage work. Unfortunately, the stress and

tension lead to various diseases and her partner passed away last year. Everyone must remember that things can come and go, but it’s the presence of a person that should be cherished. Many a times we don’t realize what we have until it’s taken away.

People must realize the value of a human being is way more than money and other temporary things.

Imagine you are living in a villa with the best of luxuries and facilities but you live there alone. In case you fall sick, all you would need is someone to be there with you and help you recover. The luxuries and facilities won’t matter much.

So, think and make your relationship your happy place and not something from which you would need an escape!

Nikita Sharma Freelance Writer/ Blogger/ Content Strategist

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Fashionably

stylish!

Our tips on how you can increase your fashion quotient by changing your style.

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It is likely that one can spot any difference between fashion and style as both are more or less correlated. Both terms are interchangeably used for each other but there’s one major difference between the two. Fashion is disposable while style isn’t because it is your personal choice. Before finding out more differences between fashion and style, let’s understand what the terms mean, and how you can up your fashion quotient by changing your style!

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Fashion for the fashionistas Fashion is anything that’s ‘in trend’ at the moment and doesn’t last for too long. It puts one in a comparison mode, where one wants to look like everyone else. The inspiration to purchase clothes that are in fashion comes from magazines, runways, and celebrity outings. They are not the most sustainable as they are designed for the moment, which makes them very expensive. Fashion changes every season and is always out of the ordinary.

For the style divas On the other hand, style is personal and unique to every person. It represents the personality of an individual and is something that everyone is comfortable in. The choice of style

or clothing lasts for a long time as it gives one confidence and charisma, which in turn makes you attractive to those around.

Up, close & personal Now that you know that fashion and style stand for two different attitudes, a clear differentiation will help you glam up your style and wardrobe too• Acceptance Fashion is a product of a designer’s imagination and is meant to be accepted by the society, whereas style is accepted only by a specific or niche group of people. It is all about identifying yourself with a fashion trend of the past, which you chose to continue even after new ones replaced it.

Today’s world emphasizes on fast fashion forcing customers to spend more money of clothes, only to impress those around you and win approval.

Brands like Zara, Forever 21, and H&M have embraced fast fashion and produce over 100 micro trends every year instead of two to four major trends every 12 months.

• Pace of change Both, style and fashion, change over time but style lasts for a long time and isn’t affected by latest fashion trends. Fashion

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changes every season and is inspired by the season’s colours and styles. It is designed to take away our attention from yourself, which eventually bores you out, so you move on to a new fashion trend next season.

• Quality of materials used Since style is meant to be sustainable and used for a long time, the materials used are of a superior quality. The clothes are well-designed and well-made, which makes them more expensive compared to fast fashion products. Even though price isn’t the best way to judge the quality of a clothing price, setting your budget per item controls your urge of impulsive buying.

In the long run, sustainable products are more affordable in the long run. Fast fashion is cheap, which encourages us to purchase clothes often but they aren’t well-made and never considered equal to being stylish.

Hit by environment The fast-paced fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. People throw clothes as soon as they buy them and drives your focus away from your true style. Apart from the negative environmental impacts including endangerment of aquatic life and water pollution, fast fashion negatively affects the society. If a person isn’t fashion aware, they get bullied and forced into spending money on something they don’t want.

Wear clothes that make you comfortable and confident and you will always be in style.

Ritika Tiwari Freelance Writer/ Blogger/ Content Strategist

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Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Amitabh Bachchan

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istinguished actor Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

The government award is India’s highest honour given in the field of cinematic art. Bachchan will be honoured with the award for inspiring generations with his diverse work.

“The legend Amitabh Bachchan who entertained and inspired for two generations has been selected unanimously for Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The entire country and international community is happy. My heartiest congratulations to him,” Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar wrote on Twitter while announcing the news on September 24.

Bachchan has successfully transitioned from Bollywood’s “Angry Young Man” to the “Shahenshah” of popular cinema, and gone onto become Indian film world’s most recognised icon on the global stage, through a career spanning over five decades.

The actor started his journey

in showbiz as one of seven protagonists in “Saat Hindustani”, and then went on to feature in the Rajesh Khanna-starrer “Anand”.

Once he got noticed in Prakash Mehra’s 1973 hit, “Zanjeer”, there was no looking back. The film also marked the birth of his Angry Young Man avatar.

Amitabh Bachchan means different things to different fans. Some remember him as the towering lead in films like “Deewaar”, “Zanjeer”, “Don” and “Sholay”, while some appreciate his nuanced, National Awardwinning portrayals in “Black”, “Paa” and “Piku”. There are fans who celebrate him for his comic timing, while others swear by his intense screen presence.

From touching the pinnacle of stardom to facing failure to his days of bankruptcy and to bouncing back in the game and seeing a meteoric rise -- Big B, as Bollywood and fans fondly call him, has seen it all.

His last release, Sujoy Ghosh’s thriller “Badla” has been declared a superhit by the trade.

His upcoming projects include

“Chehre”, “Gulabo Sitabo”, “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy”, “Brahmastra” and “Aankhen 2”.

As the news of Bachchan’s latest glory spread, members of the film fraternity rushed to congratulate the icon.

“The most inspiring legend of Indian cinema. He is a bonafide rock star. I am honoured and proud to be in the era of AMITABH BACHCHAN! The prestigious #DadaSaheb Phalke Award to Amitabh Bachchan,” filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.

Calling Big B a legend, actor Anil Kapoor wrote on Twitter: “There is no mention of Indian cinema without this Legend! He has redefined cinema with every role and deserves every accolade for his innumerable contributions!

Congratulations.”

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted: “Congratulations to the legend for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award. You have entertained, inspired generations with your exhilarating Performances. Wishing you more success and happiness.”

Source: IANS

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Daler Mehndi: Mentoring kids on music shows my way of giving back to society

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hangra-pop star Daler Mehndi has often taken the role of a mentor or a judge on singingbased shows. He says mentoring and judging are ways to give back to society the love and appreciation he continues to receive.

The former “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar” judge sees it as a moral responsibility to guide aspiring singers and help them in their musical journey.

“Mentoring and judging are ways to give back to society, the love and appreciation that I continue to receive.

It’s a moral responsibility. Had I not got teachers and gurus, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” Daler told in an interview.

“It’s a natural progression and an innate human nature - to give. The singers look up to you, they have the eagerness to learn and seek inspiration. I still listen to great maestros like Nazakat Sahab, Salamat Sahab, Ashiq Ali, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sahab, Pervaiz Mehdi, Ghulam Ali Khan, Jagjeet Bhaji, Asha ji to name a few. Everyone needs to continue learning, seeking, do the ‘Sangat of Maestros’,” he added.

The “Tunak tunak tun” hitmaker recently returned as a judge on “Radio City Super Singer”.

“Every year, ‘Radio City Super Singer’ provides a platform to aspiring singers to showcase their talent and takes things a notch above the previous year. We see better singers and bigger dreams with each passing year and it’s a joy to see this passion continue to burn bright every time,” said Daler.

There are other singers also, especially those who were popular in the ‘90s and are now judging singing-based shows.

Do such talent-based shows also provide a platform to singers who were once

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busy with back-to-back Bollywood songs?

“Talent-based shows have been ruling the roost for several years now.

Who gets selected as a judge is not a reflection of the quantum of work he/she currently has, but is a mark of their talent, the acclaim they have amassed over the years, and their standing in the industry,” said the singer.

“People become judges on talent shows because they are in demand which is why they are on television. Also, shows like these provide additional business avenues to any singer, the same being applicable to an actor or a public figure,” added the pop star, also a politician.

Over the years, he has given many hit Punjabi pop songs, including “Bolo ta ra ra ra”, “Ho jayegi balle balle” and “Har taraf tera jalwa”. Asked when his fans can expect a new single or album from him, the “Rang de basanti” hitmaker promised: “Soon!”

Source: IANS

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This New Year, make the right skin care choices for you and your baby (Dr. Subhashini N. S. is an Ayurveda Expert at The Himalaya Drug Company)

in baby’s overall growth and development.

I

t is the beginning of another year and the time when most of us make a resolution that we would like to achieve for both physical and emotional well-being. As a mother, it is natural to want the best for your little one. There is nothing more important than ensuring overall wellness for both you and your little one. This New Year, celebrate motherhood with a few simple tips that’ll help you adopt a safe and gentle skin care regimen.

Say yes to products with botanical ingredients It is time to go in for products with botanical ingredients. Products infused with the goodness of herbs remain the best and safest option for you and your little ones’ skin, especially during the initial months of childbirth and post-pregnancy. Moms can opt for products with the goodness of aloe vera, country mallow, winter cherry, khus grass, Indian madder, sesame, almond, coconut and the like that can help cleanse yet maintain soft and supple skin.

Moisturisation is the key

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Regardless of the weather, it is important to moisturise the skin.

Adequate amount of moisturiser will provide the required nourishment and protect the skin from dryness/ irritation. You can opt for a baby lotion with almond oil and licorice that help keep the skin soft and supple.

For you, opting for a body butter enriched with cocoa butter and glycerin will help retain the skin’s moisture.

When the moisturiser comes with invigorating fragrance of rose, lavender or jasmine, it also helps relax the mind.

Massage enhances the wellbeing of mother and baby For healthy and radiant skin, massage plays a key role. Regular massage with an oil enriched with sesame oil, country mallow and winter cherry helps strengthen your muscles and leaves you feeling rejuvenated.

A massage is also the best way to bond with your little one. You should look for an oil that is specially formulated for babies and enriched with olive oil and winter cherry that helps

Gentle cleansing goes a long way Gentle bath cleansers infused with herbal actives keep baby’s skin clean and hydrated. Baby products infused with chickpea, fenugreek and green gram act as an excellent cleanser.

To maintain soft and supple skin, choose a soap-free formula for a gentle and mild bath from the very beginning for your baby.

Bid adieu to rashes Pregnancy also triggers skin rashes for new moms, so your skin also needs care. Use a cream that contains yashada bhasma, aloe vera, almond oil and manjistha for soothing effect.

Just like you, your baby is also prone to minor rashes, especially diaper rashes. Regular application of a diaper rash cream infused with the goodness of yashada bhasma, almond oil, aloe vera, and five-leaved chaste tree around the diaper area soothes the irritated skin.

Kickstart the New Year by making the right skin care choices for yourself as well as your little bundle of joy!

By : Dr. Subhasjini N. S.

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Cookies

Ingredients 4 1 cup butter, softened 4 1 cup packed brown sugar 4 3/4 cup sugar 4 2 large eggs, room temperature 4 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 4 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda 4 1 teaspoon salt 4 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 4 2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until blended.

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.

• Shape 1/4 cupful’s of dough into balls. Flatten each to 3/4-in. thickness (2-1/2

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in diameter), smoothing edges as necessary. Place in an airtight container, separating layers with waxed paper or parchment; refrigerate, covered, overnight.

• To bake, place dough portions 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 400°.

• Bake until edges are golden brown (centers will be light), 10-12 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Courtsey: Bbcgoodfood.com

Gujiya

Ingredients

firm dough.

4 Powdered sugar for making the filling 3 cups 4Mawa (khoya) 500 grams 4 Desiccated coconut 3 1/4 teaspoons 4 Cashewnuts blanched and chopped 15 4 Almonds blanched and chopped 15 4Raisins 20 4 Green cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon

Step 3 Cover it with a moist cloth and keep aside for fifteen minutes.

Divide the dough into small balls and roll each ball into a small circles of four inches diameter.

FOR COVERING 4Refined flour (maida) 4 cups 4Ghee 5 tablespoons 4Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Method Step 1 Mash khoya and roast it in a deep pan on medium heat till pink. Take off the heat and let it cool. Add all the other filling ingredients to the khoya and keep aside.

Step 2 To prepare the covering, sieve flour and salt and rub in five tablespoons of ghee. Add enough water and knead into a

Step 4 Spread the circluar dough on a greased gujiya mould and fill a tablespoon of the filling mixture on one side. Moisten the edges of the puri (dough) and fold one side of the mould over the other.

Step 5 Press the edges and remove the excess dough and reuse.

Prepare all the gujiyas and spread on a damp cloth.

Step 6 Heat sufficient ghee in a deep pan and deep-fry the gujiyas, in batches on medium heat, till golden brown.

Step 7 Drain onto an absorbent paper.

Cool and store in an airtight tin. Serve as you like.

Courtsey: SanjeevKapoor.com

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8 Easy Makeup Tricks to Slim Your Face

Makeup is a powerful tool that enhances your best features and makes them look more pronounced. With the right tricks and techniques, you can instantly make your face look slimmer, well-defined and more chiselled. Here are eight easy to follow makeup tricks to slim your face and up your glam quotient!

1. Get the base right

get rid of the double chin

The right foundation can work wonders for your face. Use a foundation shade that suits your skin tone. Opt for a darker shade of foundation and use it on the hollows of your cheeks to get a slimmer look.

Contouring works wonders for your face. Start by getting a contour cream that’s two shades darker than your natural complexion to add shadows that give a slimming effect to your face.

2. Conceal your dark eye circles

Start just below your hairline and keep going down until you reach the middle of your eye. Apply a thin line of contour just above the arch of your eyebrow, down the sides of your nose and just under the hollows of your cheeks.

Other than making your face look drained, exhausted and aged, dark eye circles also add weight to your face. Get rid of them by covering them up using a good concealer. After applying the concealer, put on white eyeshadow on the inner and outer corners of your eyes to help them stand out.

3. Contour to

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Lastly, apply some contour right along and under your jawline to get a more chiselled look and make your double chin disappear. Then blend as much as possible to make the contouring look natural.

4. Complement the contour with a highlighter Contour works wonders when complemented with a highlighter, which emphasises the slimmer and angular parts of your face.

Apply highlighter just above your cheekbones to make your cheeks look sharper. Also, dab some highlighter on the bridge of your nose and under the arch of your brows to shrink the size of your face.

5. Use bronzer for a sharper look A bronzer creates natural shadows that sculpt your face and give it more definition. Apply some bronzer along the sides of your nose to make it look thinner.

Also, apply some bronzer on the hollows of your cheeks and at the bottom of your jaw to make your features look more slender and pronounced.

6. Fill up your eyebrows Define the shape of your eyebrows and create a slight arch using an eyebrow pencil. Afterwards, fill it up using some eyebrow powder or dark eyeshadow. Make sure to keep the shape angular for the slimming effect on your face.

7. Accentuate your eyes Focus on getting some dramatic, smokey eye makeup to draw attention to your eyes. Start by choosing a shimmery eyeshadow on your brow line, a slightly darker shade on the inner half of the crease and an even darker shade at the outer corner of your eye.

heavy mascara to add volume to your lashes and make your eyes pop.

8. Plump up your lips

While applying the eyeliner, do not follow the natural shape of your eye and angle it higher than usual as a winged eyeliner draws attention upward.

If you have thin lips, that might make your face look more round.

Use a lip liner on your lower lip to plump up your lips. Fill up your lips by choosing a shade of pink lip colour that suits your complexion. Steer away from nudes and bright shades as they make the lips look thinner.

Finish off your eye makeup by curling your eyelashes and applying a

While every woman is beautiful in her own way, makeup is the art that

enhances the best features every woman has. Makeup is a powerful tool that makes you feel slimmer, more confident and beautiful. Follow these techniques to miraculously transform your face and look fabulous all the time, no matter what.

Ritika Tiwari Freelance Writer/ Blogger/ Content Strategist

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PREP: 20 MINS COOK: 10 MINS SERVES: 4-6 Ingredients 4 100g panko or coarse dried breadcrumbs 44 crushed juniper berries 4160g feta-stuffed olives 43 tbsp plain flour 41 egg, beaten 4300ml vegetable oil

For the lemon and vermouth mayo 42 tsp dry vermouth 4100g mayonnaise 41 tsp lemon juice

Deep-fried olives

Coat feta-stuffed olives with juniper-flavoured breadcrumbs to make these easy canapĂŠs. Serve on skewers with a lemon and vermouth mayonnaise on the side Method 4 Crush the breadcrumbs in a bag using a rolling pin or in a food processor. Tip into a shallow dish with the berries, then season and set aside. Toss the olives in the flour. Put the beaten egg in a large bowl, add the coated olives and move them around to coat. Turn them one by one in the breadcrumb mixture, then put on a plate until ready to fry.

4 Heat the oil in a large pan to 180C, then fry the olives for 1-2 mins, or until golden and sizzling. Drain on kitchen paper and leave to cool for a few mins as they’ll be very hot inside.

4 To make the lemon and vermouth mayo, mix the vermouth with the mayonnaise and lemon juice. Serve the warm, deepfried olives alongside the mayo.

Courtsey: bbcgoodfood.com

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Radhika Apte thrilled about International Emmy nomination

R

adhika Apte says it’s a great feeling to be nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress at the International Emmy Awards for her act in the Netflix anthology “Lust Stories”. Nominations for the 2019 International Emmy Awards were announced recently by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Radhika will compete against Jenna Coleman from the UK, Brazil’s Marjorie Estiano and Marina Gera from Hungary. “Lust Stories” is also nominated in the TV Movie/ MiniSeries category.

“It’s a great feeling to be

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appreciated for your efforts and also I’m thrilled that Indian content is at par with today’s world television,” Radhika said in an interview.

“The new digital platforms have made it possible for us to better our content and have given us the platform to put it up. I’m absolutely thrilled that both ‘Sacred Games’ and ‘Lust Stories’ are nominated,” she added.

“Sacred Games”, featuring Radhika, has a chance to win in the Drama Series category at the awards ceremony, which will be held on November 25 in New York.

Courtesy: IANS

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www.lifestylesa.ca 2019-09-26 2:26 PM

Y

our eyes are the window to your soul. They can also say a lot about your mood and health. We all want sparkling youthful eyes that sparkle and make us appear youthful; here are five ways to get pretty eyes naturally.

Age, stress, long hours in front of the computer, poor diet, pollution, lack of sleep—all amount to poor eyesight and make your peepers look duller. But, here’s how you can bring them back to life –

5for beauty tips big, brighter eyes and make it look tired. Make sure you keep them hydrated by blinking often. Take a break from your computer screen every 30-40 minutes.

4. Natural eye masks Give a break to your iPad and say hello to eye pad. Natural ingredients like potatoes and cucumber have high water content that reduce puffiness and erase dark circles.

1. Start your days with berries Eat a bowl of fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and mulberries, every morning to get bright eyes. Berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that give you healthy boost to your eyes and skin.

2. Tea bag and olive oil You may have heard that placing chilled used tea bags on the eyes are wonderful for them. But here’s a trick to try next time—dip cotton ball in olive oil and swipe it on your

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eyes. Then place the chilled tea bags and relax.

3. Keep your eyes hydrated Using the computer or phone for too long can strain your eyes

5. Be happy Lastly, be cheerful and happy. Your eyes instantly brighten up when you’re excited, smiling and laughing.

Stress, anger and fatigue can make your eyes unattractive. To stay happy and relaxed, get proper sleep, meditate and stay positive.

Courtesy: TNN

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Exploring

I

the emerald waters of Canada

t’s believed that there are over 2 million lakes in Canada varying in shapes and sizes.

An estimate of 31,752 lakes are larger than three square kilometres, while around 561 of these lakes have a surface area larger than 100 square kilometres. In fact, over nine per cent of the country is covered by freshwater. That’s over 890,000 square kilometres! With so many lakes, it’s nearly impossible to decide which lakes are the best.

But some of these lakes are much more spectacular than the others.

Kayak, canoe, water ski or simply sit and stare whilst contemplating life, the universe and everything, there is no finer place to do whatever you feel like doing than by the side of a lake in Canada.

Here is a list of our picks of the 5 best lakes in Canada.

1. Spotted Lake Location: Northwest of Osoyoos, British Columbia One of the most remarkable and distinct looking lakes you would ever witness is this

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It is no surprise that Canada, the second larg country in the world, is kn for its natural beauty, the qu living, multicultural environm the best in class activities for e Along with its cultural and edu mélange, it is also a home to eig forest regions, two mountain volcanoes and the arctic zone. at the this, but Canada also is the abo lakeside world’s largest total of fresh and lakes, which are spread ac absorbing the country. the sights and pure mountain air, or exploring further by canoeing and hiking. It’s an incredibly jawdropping place that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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polka-dotted body-of-water. It looks so bizarre that you could be forgiven for thinking you were on an alien planet. This water body is famous due to its remarkable transformation during the summer months. The lake becomes spotted with different colours and the waters resemble a polka-dot design. This lake is not only a remarkable physical feature; it is also a very important historical and spiritual site for the locals.

2. Moraine Lake Location: Banff National Park, Alberta The beauty of Moraine Lake can leave anyone spellbound. The lake has a vivid shade of turquoise that changes in intensity through the summer as the glaciers melt.

Nestled in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake is surrounded by waterfalls, mountains and rock piles, creating a scene so picturesque it almost seems unreal.

You can spend hour sitting

3. Lake Superior Location: Michigan North to Ontario Lake Superior is not only the largest of the Great Lakes, it is also the largest body of fresh water on Earth. Situated on the northern border of Wisconsin, Lake Superior extends from the upper peninsula of Michigan north to Ontario, Canada, and reaches west to the eastern edge of Minnesota. During most winters, the majority of the lake gets covered in ice; however, it rarely completely freezes.

4. Emerald Lake

Location: Yoho National Park, British Columbia

gest With an unmatched nown diversity of both activities uality of and landscapes suited to the ment and passionate traveler, Emerald everyone.

Lake is one of the most ucational admired destinations in BC. ght distinct The hike around the lake is one of the least strenuous regions, but most rewarding in the Not only park and the surrounding ode of the areas.

Various geographical h water features can be viewed from cross the lake, including the worldfamous Burgess Shale fossil beds, the Michael glacier, and an avalanche slope, beautifully carpeted by meadows where the surreal sight of moose grazing is often encountered.

Emerald Lake is an incredible place to see wildlife as well, as animals are drawn to this important water source very frequently.

5. Lake Louise Location: Alberta Famous for its teahouses, grizzly bears and hiking trails, Lake Louise is also renowned for its much-commented-on ‘crowds,’ plus the incongruous lump of towering concrete known as Chateau Lake Louise. The lake overlooks the Rockies’ most spectacular sights, one that

has captured the imaginations of mountaineers, artists and visitors for many decades.

Considered by many to be the crown jewel of Banff National Park, Lake Louise is nearly impossible to describe without resorting to clichés. Standing next to this serene, unbelievably turquoise lake, Banff’s wild grandeur feels (and is) tantalizingly close.

Nikita Sharma Freelance Writer/ Blogger/ Content Strategist

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Punjabi star

Sonam Bajwa

P

talks pay parity

unjabi actress Sonam Bajwa might be the “highest paid actor” in the film “Guddiyan Patole”, more than her male counterparts, but she feels pay parity is a far cry because female actors overall do not get what they deserve.

“The issue of pay gap exists not only in Bollywood or the Punjabi film industry, but in Hollywood too. Why just cinema, it is prevalent everywhere, whether it is the corporate world or any other profession. It’s rare when a woman gets equal pay as her male employee,” Sonam told in an interview.

According to her, pay parity should be decided on an artiste’s skills more than the gender.

“Makers should see how good an actor performs, rather than seeing what is his or her gender. In today’s time, skill and talent matter the most. A film won’t work if it has no heroine. So, if actresses are giving their best shot to a film, they also deserve the best in return,” she added.

Sonam, however, believes things have changed, and lauded actresses like Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut for “bringing that change” in the industry.

“Look at Alia and Kangana. They have proved that women are no less than men. These actresses have brought the audience to cinema halls on their own. Now every Friday the audience awaits for their films. Isn’t it a great change? More women-oriented films are being made now, and after seeing this change in Bollywood, the Punjab industry is also trying to make good roles for female artistes.”

Sonam, who is known for starring in Punjabi hits such as “Muklawa” and the “Carry On Jatta 2”, is now gearing up for the release of the Punjabi remake of “Singham”. In the film, she plays the love interest of actor-singer Parmish Verma.

Apart from her acting stint in the Punjabi “Singham”, Sonam is also excited about her dance number in the upcoming Bollywood project, “Street Dancer”.

“I did a special song for ‘Street Dancer’. The makers wanted a Punjabi girl for the song, so this is not my fullfledged debut film in Bollywood,” she clarified. Courtesy: IANS

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Neck pain or back pain?

Physiotherapy can help you in surprising ways

T

he human body is so wonderful yet it seems weak.

The condition of neck pain, also known as cervical spondylitis is the biggest example of this case. Cervical disc disease is known for causing a huge amount of pain to the effected person. It has also been said that the pain can’t be minimised.

Therefore, physiotherapy is the only solution to relieve the person from bearing an excruciating pain. Physiotherapy can act as a boon even in the toughest situations.

4 Neck traction is considered to be one of the most effective methods recommended by the physiotherapists. It is advised to the people who are suffering from cervical spondylitis’ pain. Under this process, the neck is extended, however, at a very slow pace. You can practice neck traction at home also, but it is really important to check with a professional physiotherapist to ensure that the technique is going without any fault. And to make sure that no painful accidents occur and the situation does not get any worse.

4 Physiotherapy is all about employing in activities that would help a person in making his condition better. So, it

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has been advised that when a person is suffering from cervical spondylitis, he should visit physiotherapist at the earliest. The therapist would help him with the problem area so that it can be slowly adjusted and there is a proper motion of the neck.

4 There are a number of ways to go about relieving the pain caused by cervical spondylitis which only a professional can properly help with. Methods like a deep tissue massage and other intensive massages have countless fans who swear by getting so much relief after that.

These practices are highly popular to get the

patient back in the right condition.

Those who are looking for the best therapists, we have something for you. MJ Physio is one of the best therapists based in Vancouver and Surrey, B.C. offering therapies at the most reliable prices.

They have a team of highly-experienced physiotherapists, kinesiologist, massage therapist and acupuncturist.

27th

You can get in touch with them and avail these services. You would definitely love the results. Hit their official website and flood their inbox with appointment requests.

Krishna Jeeja (CEO MJ) Physio)

OCTOBER 2019

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Wishing you all a Very Happy Diwali

Mrs. Manjit & Mr. Davinder Mudhar

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CELEBRATE THE LIGHT. Happy Diwali.

BMW Concept 4

BRIAN JESSEL BMW 2311 Boundary Road (at Lougheed), Vancouver 604.222.7788 | brianjesselbmw.com

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