The Asian Star April 9 2022

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Happy Vaisakhi

www.theasianstar.com Vol 21 - Issue 10

Daleep Singh, US Dy NSA who warned India on Russia ties US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics, Daleep Singh (pictured), a key architect of Washington DC’s economic sanctions against Russia, created controversy in India Thursday when he urged the country not to enhance ties with Moscow.He made the remark while on a two-day visit to New Delhi that began Wednesday, and hours before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in the national capital. In an interview with CNN-News18, he said it is unlikely that Russia would come to India’s defence should China breach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) again. “The more Russia becomes China’s junior partner, the more leverage China gains over Russia, the less and less favourable that is for India’s strategic posture. Does anyone think that if China breaches the Line of Actual Control, that Russia would now come to India’s defence? I don’t,” he said. Brahma Chellaney, geostrategist and professor of strategic studies at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi, noted in a tweet Friday that Chinese aggression at the LAC had been going on for almost two years, but US President Joe Biden hadn’t yet commented on the issue.

Saturday, April 9, 2022

Why Australia signed historic free trade pact with India Increasing strategic and economic tensions with China, and an impending election in May, have finally made Australia sign on the dotted line to approve a free trade agreement with India that had been in the making for over a decade, a step Canberra believes will further enhance its ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ with New Delhi. “There’s a panda in the room… India has faced border tensions, Australia has faced economic coercion, we were facing new

challenges in the Pacific. Those issues are not going to disappear overnight,” Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell said, without mentioning China, at an event organised by the Australia India Institute in Delhi Monday.

Forbes India Rich List 2022 Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani once again took the top spot among the wealthiest Indians in Forbes India Rich List 2022 – with a net worth of $90.7 billion, as of March 11. The top three ranking order is a repeat of 2021. Let’s take a look at the top 10 richest Indians and their net worth as of March 11, 2022. Amid a blockbuster year for IPOs in India— more than 60 companies raised a reported $15.6 billion last year— the total number of Indian billionaires rose to a record 166, up from 140 last year; their combined wealth grew nearly 26% to $750 billion. The pecking order of the top three is a repeat of 2021. Despite a modest 7% boost to his wealth, Mukesh Ambani, whose Reliance Industries is India’s most valuable company, retained his position as Asia’s richest person.

Pope Francis has made a historic apology to Indigenous peoples for the “deplorable” abuses they suffered in Canada’s Catholic-run residential schools. Francis, in an address to Indigenous leaders after meetings with Métis, Inuit and First Nations delegates, also said he hoped to visit Canada in July. One of the leaders, who want the pope to make the apology directly to their communities on their native lands in Canada, called his words “historic” and another said they reflected the “entirety” of their message to him. “For the deplorable behaviour of those members of the Catholic church, I ask forgiveness from God and I would like to tell you from the bottom of my heart that I am very pained,” he said, speaking in Italian.

Affordable housing takes centre stage in the 2022 federal budget. Here’s what you need to know Foreigners banned buying houses

Ambani remains at the top of richest Indians

Pope Francis apologises for ‘deplorable’ abuse of Canadian indigenous people

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The Liberal government will try to ease Canada’s housing crisis with more than $10 billion in funding meant to speed up home construction and repairs as well as through a ban on home buying by foreign investors and tax measures to reduce speculation, while at the same time adding help for those trying to get into the market. The commitments make up one of the biggest areas of spending in the federal budget unveiled Thursday, though the plans rely heavilyoncooperationwithotherlevelsofgovernmentandtheprivatesector. “Over the next 10 years, we will double the number of new homes we build. This must become a great national effort, and it will demand a new spirit of collaboration,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in her forward to the budget.

Omicron wave exposed, infected 50 per cent of British Columbians: Dr Henry Fifty per cent of British Columbians were exposed to and infected with COVID-19 during the surge in cases driven by the Omicron variant, provincial health officials said Tuesday. The rate among those under 19 years old was higher, at 60 per cent. The modelling presented was the first indication of how prevalent the virus has been in recent months, as testing has been restricted since capacity

was overwhelmed late last year. Dr. Bonnie Henry explained that the antibodies created by infection are different than those from vaccination, and can be differentiated in blood samples. Those caused by the virus indicate recent infection, because they “tend to fade away over time.” Henry noted not everyone with the antibodies would have experienced symptoms or even known they had contracted the virus.

Pakistan’s top court blocks PM’s illigel move to stay in power Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bid to stay in power, ruling that his move to dissolve Parliament and call early elections was illegal. That set the stage for a no-confidence vote by opposition lawmakers, who say they have enough support to oust him. The decision followed four days of hearings by the top court on the political crisis. Khan had tried to sidestep the no-confidence vote by accusing his political opponents of

colluding with the United States to unseat him. Lawmakers will probably convene Saturday for the vote, and the opposition says it has the 172 votes in the 342-seat house needed to oust Khan after several members of his own party and a key coalition partner defected. “It’s an unfortunate decision,” Khan’s ally and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, that unanimous ruling by five-member Supreme Court.

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Premier John Horgan tests positive for COVID-19 “This morning I tested positive for COVID-19,” he said on Twitter on Monday. “Fortunately, my symptoms are mild and that is thanks to being fully vaccinated.” Horgan said he is following public health guidance by isolating and working from home until his symptoms are gone. Horgan has had two bouts of cancer, including one as recently as late last year. He finished 35 rounds of radiation in January to treat throat cancer, and said after that he was “a little less robust” but feeling better by the

day. He had discovered a lump on his neck in October 2021. When he was in his 40s, Horgan survived bladder cancer. “It’s important … for people to understand that this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced a health issue like this,” Horgan said in October after announcing his second cancer diagnosis. “It’s the extraordinary efforts of our public health-care system that gives me complete confidence that all will be fine for me.”

Air Canada temporarily suspends flights between Vancouver and Delhi due to Ukraine war Air Canada is temporarily suspending its flight route between Vancouver and Delhi, India, because of a flight path disruption due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The flights have been diverting to avoid Russian and Ukrainian airspace, and the extended length means there’s an added stop for refuelling

$20 Per month high-speed internet is coming to Canada Hundreds of thousands of Canadians will be able to access the “affordable” internet prices. The federal government has laid out a plan to deliver $20 per month high-speed internet, a move it says will help to connect “hundreds of thousands” of Canadians. On Monday, April 4, federal officials announced the next phase of the Connecting Families initiative, which aims to help seniors and low-income families access highquality internet services at affordable rates. The government has partnered with 14 internet service providers across the country to deliver the service at $20 per month, including Bell, Rogers, TELUS and others. There will be no equipment or installation fees to pay, either.

Ontario aims to temporarily cut gas tax by 5.7 cents / litre Ontario car owners caught a break Monday as Premier Doug Ford announced his government is temporarily cutting the provincial gas tax by 5.7 cents per litre of gasoline; and a further 5.3 cents on the separate fuel tax for other forms of fossil fuels, such as diesel. The savings will take effect July 1 if proposed legislation is passed at Queen’s Park, and remain in place until December 31 of this year. The announcement follows the continued federal carbon tax which, as of April 1, now amounts to 11.05 cents per litre of gasoline as part of Ottawa’s plan to reduce greenhouse emissions amid global climate change. The latest move will see the total gas tax rate in place now cut from 14.7 cents per litre to nine cents per litre;

Homicide team called to Surrey after another shooting The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called to Surrey, B.C., following a shooting early Wednesday morning. Just before 1:30 a.m., Surrey RCMP officers responded to a report of shots fired at a home in the 15200-block of 24 Avenue. RCMP said when they arrived they found an injured 33-year-old man. He was taken to the hospital but RCMP said due to the serious nature of his injuries, he is not expected to survive. B.C.’s police watchdog agency called in after fatal police-involved shooting in Surrey. Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or contact them by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

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OPINION Gas rebate cheques do nothing for BC’s affordability crisis

As most British Columbians know by now, ICBC plans to issue rebate cheques for drivers in coming months. These rebate cheques – which amount to $110 for most ICBC customers, and $165 for commercial drivers – were branded as a response to high gas prices. They’re meant to help make the lives of British Columbians easier in an affordability crisis.

This money might fill up the gas tank once or – if they’re lucky – twice, but it’s certainly not going to make BC more equitable or affordable. It’s not going to help us be more resilient to international geopolitics or climate change – but mostly, it’s not good public policy. There has been a lot of recent discussion

about oligarchies in Russia, but we should reflect on our own wealth inequality and the undue power retained by billionaires and oil and gas companies here at home. In the first nine months of 2021, the largest oil and gas companies made a combined $174 billion in profits. Companies such as Exxon openly credited the high gas prices for their profits. These profits are reflected in the increasing gap between Canada’s billionaire class and everyday people. An analysis of the impacts of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic found that Canadian billionaires increased their wealth by $78 billion; the same analysis found that the richest 87 families in Canada held more wealth than the bottom 12 million Canadians combined. The economic pressures on regular households have been particularly challenging in BC. Average rents in Vancouver and Victoria have increased by more than 20% in the last six months. According to BC’s consumer price index, food is 5.8% more expensive than it was last year. And of course, gas prices have skyrocketed since Russia invaded Ukraine. The BC NDP’s campaign promises that would have made life a little easier or a little more affordable for British Columbians – such as free contraception or assistance for renters – remain unfulfilled. The minimum wage was recently increased to $15.65 an hour, but that’s leagues behind the living wage, which is a lot closer to $20 per hour in most B.C. communities. Inequality is growing and stratifying by the day. The rich are getting richer, everyone else is getting poorer, and the provincial government is content to stand by and throw a tank of gas our way to placate criticism. What could this provincial government be doing? Instead, this government could be restructuring the Climate Action Tax Credit. Right now, the provincial carbon tax raises $2 billion in revenue annually, but only $120 million of that is distributed back to British Columbians via the tax credit. Why not restructure the program to offset the inequitable impacts of the affordability crisis while shifting us to be better prepared for climate impacts?

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Saturday, April 9, 2022 Arbitrator upholds firing of health worker who refused vaccination A B.C. labour arbitrator has upheld the firing of a substance use counsellor who refused to comply with an order requiring health authority employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the

decision, Lori Capozzi had worked for the Fraser Health Authority for seven years and had a discipline-free record when she was fired last November after “multiple notifications” about the vaccine requirement.

BC to provide fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people age 70+ Clinically extremely vulnerable British Columbians and those 70 years of age and older will have access to a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine six months after their third vaccine. The province announced Tuesday it will start by providing the shot for those living in long-term care and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. “Our intent is to provide this extra boost to increase anti bodies and also

reinforce the immunity to protect from severe illness and death,” Henry said. “People will be receiving their invitation in the coming week.” The priority list will also include Indigenous British Columbians 55 years of age and older. The invitations to book a booster shot will be provided through the province’s ongoing immunization program. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization announced on Tuesday

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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Sikh family in BC shocked after relative attacked in NYC in apparent hate crime The New York Police Department (NYPD) is investigating after an elderly Sikh man with family in B.C. was attacked in an apparent hate crime while visiting the city over the weekend. Police said Nirmal Singh, 70, had been walking down 95 Avenue near Lefferts Boulevard in the South Richmond Hill area of Queens around 6:45 a.m. on Sunday. “As he was walking alone along the street, he was assaulted — punched — by an unknown adult male in his 30s,” NYPD Lt. Thomas Antonetti said, adding the attack was unprovoked. Singh had just arrived in New York City for the first time two weeks earlier. The area where he was attacked is roughly a block away from the Sikh Cultural Society, where Singh had been staying. ingh’s son, Manjit Singh Nirmal Singh, 70, was punched Kalley, said it was his father’s dream to visit New York City. while walking through Queens “Dad is feeling really bad,” said Kalley, who lives in Abbotsford. “It was the first time he went there and this happened.” “Whatever happened needs justice. Why did it happen? Every time, why do people attack my community? This shouldn’t happen to just my community but any community. No one should go through this.”


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Saturday, April 9, 2022 UN suspends Russia from human rights body over Ukraine abuses The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has voted to suspend Russia from the organisation’s leading human rights body amid allegations that its soldiers killed civilians while retreating from the region around Ukraine’s capital. The United States-initiated resolution on Thursday achieved the two-thirds majority of UNGA voting members required to pass, with 93 votes cast in favour and 24 against. Fifty-eight countries abstained, but their votes did not count towards the final tally. The brief resolution expressed “grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, particularly at the reports of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian Federation, including gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights”. The vote, which makes Moscow the first

permanent member of the UN Security Council to ever have its membership revoked from any United Nations body, was immediately welcomed by Kyiv but criticised by Moscow. “War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights. Grateful to all member states which supported the relevant UNGA resolution and chose the right side of history,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed regret about the decision. “We’re sorry about that,” Peskov said in an interview with Britain’s Sky News. “And we’ll continue to defend our interests using every possible legal means,” he said. Russia had called on an unspecified number of countries to vote “no”, saying an abstention or not voting would be considered an unfriendly act and would affect bilateral relations.

Man charged in murder of UBC Okanagan security guard A 22-year-old Kelowna man has been charged in the killing of a security guard at UBC Okanagan. Dante Ognibene-Hebbourn, 22 has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He will appear in court Wednesday. Harmandeep Kaur, 24, was working as a security guard at the Kelowna campus on Feb. 26 when she was attacked and later died of her injuries. At the time, police said a man working at the university had been arrested under the Mental Health Act. Kaur had moved to Canada in 2015 and was hoping to study to become a paramedic. In a news release Tuesday, RCMP Insp. Beth McAndie said: “This has been a difficult few weeks for the community in the aftermath of the tragic events of Feb. 26. The response in support to the woman’s family has been remarkable. “I would like to thank the Kelowna serious crimes unit and the first responders for their work to bring this case before the court.”

BC cabinet ministers in line to keep 10% portion of pay usually withheld in deficit years: Opposition The Opposition B.C. Liberal Party says cabinet ministers stand to gain 10 per cent on a portion of their salaries that’s normally withheld when the provincial government posts a deficit budget. The Liberals say the New Democratic Party government’s budget includes a proposed amendment to the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act that would give ministers the extra pay despite a deficit. Liberal house leader Todd Stone says while people in B.C. are struggling with rising costs, Premier John Horgan and his cabinet ministers are about to give themselves pay raises.

Record number of people moved to BC last year amidst labour, housing shortages The B.C. government is celebrating a record number of people moving to the province last year, a potential salve to the ongoing labour shortage despite concerns over affordable housing options. Statistics Canada found an additional 100,797 people came to B.C. from another province, territory or country in 2021 — the highest annual net migration total since 1961. “We welcome these newcomers with open arms, and we are determined to deliver the services and housing people in B.C. need to support this record growth,” Premier John Horgan said in a statement Wednesday. Net migration is defined as the number of people who moved to B.C. minus the number who left the province. Of that total, 33,656 people moved to

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Saturday, April 9, 2022 4 men charged in alleged BC fraud ring: RCMP Four men are facing charges in an alleged Richmond fraud ring, RCMP say. Christopher Birkbeck, of Surrey, along with Michael Ridley from Ontario, Richard Yeltatzie of Richmond and Ayron Borovic

of Vancouver are facing 24 charges that include fraud, forgery, possession of property obtained by crime and unauthorized possession of a firearm against one of the accused, according to a release from Richmond RCMP Cpl. Dennis Hwang.

Vancouver coucillor proposes a ‘mansion tax?’ A Vancouver councillor is pushing for the city to adopt what she’s calling a “mansion tax.” Jean Swanson has a motion coming up before council that will call on the province to change the city charter. If her motion is approved on the municipal level and then in Victoria, it would give the City of

Vancouver the ability to levy a progressive tax. Under the current system, the city can only charge one rate for property taxes, meaning whether you own a studio condo or a $70-million mansion, you’re paying the same rate in property taxes, she said.

Ruling finds VPD officers used ‘unnecessary force’ in wrongful arrest of grandfather, granddaughter A retired B.C. judge has found that Vancouver police officers “recklessly used unnecessary force” when arresting a grandfather and granddaughter in December 2019. Retired judge Brian Neal, Q.C., acting

as a Discipline Authority for the Office of the Police Commissioner, found the officers committed professional misconduct in their dealings with the pair and found that the man and girl “presented no risk to the safety

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Saturday, April 9, 2022 Surrey fugitive arrested after causing multi-vehicle crash

Vancouver police say a fugitive from Surrey is facing several charges after causing a multivehicle collision in an attempt to flee from VPD officers in East Vancouver Tuesday night. Police say an officer attempted to stop a vehicle near Main Street and Terminal Avenue

Budget 2022 unveils billions in ‘targeted’ new spending,

around 8 p.m. when the driver sped away. deficit projected at $52.8B The driver, who has not been named, is alleged through persistent inflation, while moving away In the 2022 federal budget, the government to have been a 29-year-old Surrey man with 10 from pandemic-era massive stimulus spending. outstanding Canada-wide warrants, including is unveiling tens of billions in new spending The budget proposes $9.5 billion in new for firearms and drug trafficking offences. over the next five years, aimed at “targeted” spending for the 2022-23 fiscal year—with the Police say the driver struck multiple vehicles initiatives to build the economy, while biggest ticket items focused on housing supply, continuing to chip away at the deficit. Indigenous reconciliation, addressing climate From addressing housing affordability, to change, and national defence—while also set to shoring up the Canadian military in the face of take in more than $2 billion in revenue-generating global instability due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, and efforts. The total new spending outlined in the making good on progressive policy commitments 2022 federal budget adds up to approximately helping to keep them in power, Thursday’s federal $60 billion, though the net new spending is budget from Deputy Prime Minister and Finance much lessapproximately $29 billion in the years Minister Chrystia Freeland outlines how the federal ahead— after factoring in plans to rake in tens Liberals propose to steer the Canadian economy of billions in new revenue by targeting banks

Surrey South MLA Stephanie Cadieux resigns seat to become Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer Surrey South MLA Stephanie Cadieux has announced that she will be resigning her position effective the end of the month. Cadieux is leaving provincial politics to become Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer. The longtime politician, first elected in 2009

in the Surrey-Panorama riding, released a statement Monday announcing her decision. “I have been proud to serve the constituents of Surrey in Surrey-Panorama, SurreyCloverdale and most recently, Surrey South for the last 13 years. It is with gratitude that I reflect on what has been an immense honour,


Saturday, April 9, 2022

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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New legislation to allow BC government to buy more land around SkyTrain for housing Forthcoming legislation changes will provide the provincial government with a new tool to build more transit-oriented development with a public benefit purpose. A new bill tabled by BC minister of transportation and infrastructure Rob Fleming today will provide BC Transportation Financing Authority with the legal ability to acquire land next to public transit hubs — SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges — to

build more housing and community benefits. The housing would be part of mixed-use developments, along with community amenities and benefits such as childcare, retail, schools, healthcare centres, educational facilities, public gathering spaces, and recreation centres. This would in effect allow housing and community amenities to be built as an integral part of the public transit system.

Provinces launch ‘full-scale attack’ on home prices Provinces from B.C. to Nova Scotia are rolling out a wave of new measures aimed at reining in rampant home price appreciation, but many in the real estate industry question whether the moves alone will be enough to tame the country’s housing dragon. A Bank of Montreal report last week, authored by economist Robert Kavcic, characterized the latest policy changes and the

Bank of Canada’s anticipated interest rate moves as a “full-scale attack on Canada home prices.” Among the new measures is a cooling off period introduced in B.C., that would give buyers an unspecified amount of time to be revealed later this year to change their minds after making an offer, leeway to pursue a home inspection or perform other due diligence. Ontario, meanwhile,

Workers shortage in Alberta’s oil industry The price of oil has been rising steadily the last several months, and while that should spell good news for the energy-producing province of Alberta, it has instead shone a spotlight on a problem — there aren’t enough workers. The province fell into a recession in 2014, when the

price of oil plummeted, putting Alberta in a tough financial position and forcing many oil and gas workers out of a job. But prices have spiked after sanctions against Russia have decreased its exports. Plus, after a slump at the beginning of the pandemic, oil consumption is

Greater Vancouver home sales cool down, dipping nearly 24 percent from record month The housing market in Greater Vancouver has simmered down. Home sales in March 2022 dropped 23.9 percent compared to the same period last year. It must be recalled that realtors in Greater Vancouver sold the most

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number of homes in a month’s time in March 2021, setting a new record. In March last year, a total of 5,708 sales were made. Last month, the number went down to 4,344. Still, March 2022 registered a 26.9


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Saturday, April 9, 2022

Wishing Everyone

Happy Vaisakhi

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Vaisakhi Special

Saturday, April 9, 2022

L 1

www.theasianstar.com

Vaisakhi Special

Vol 21 Issue 9 Saturday, April 9, 2022

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The Significance of Khalsa

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he collective body of allinitiated Sikhs represented by the five beloved-ones and can be called the Guru Panth, the embodiment of the Guru and the final temporal Guru/leader of the Sikhs. The word Khalsa translates to “Sovereign/Free”. Another interpretation is that of being “Pure/Genuine.” The Khalsa was inaugurated on March 30, 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. From then on the temporal leadership of the Sikhs was passed on to the Khalsa with the bestowed title of “Guru Panth” and spiritual leadership was passed on to the Guru Granth Sahib with the Khalsa being responsible for all executive, military and civil authority in the Sikh society. The Khalsa is also called the nation of the Sikhs. The Sikhs of the Khalsa can be identified with the given Five Ks and titles ofSingh

and Kaur, granted after the disciple has been baptized into the order of the Khalsa. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh at an event that coincided with the Vaisakhi day (of the new lunar month Baisakh Samvat 1756) created the Khalsa in the year 1699 A.D at Kesgarh, in Anandpur Sahib ordained that every Sikh becomes Amritdhari “Having taken Amrit]” and follow the Five Ks; which are not merely symbols but display commitment to the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev like a uniform of an organization. A Sikh male at being initiated into the Khalsa is titled Singh meaning “Lion” and

a female is entitled Kaur meaning “Princess”. From then on they are commonly referred to as Amritdhari (having taken Amrit). The Khalsa is considered the pinnacle of Sikhism. The Khalsa is expected to perform no ritual and to believe in no

superstition of any kind but only believe in one God who is the Master and the Protector of all, the only Creator and Destroyer. The usual interpretation of the Khalsa is made as “Pure” as in the following statement: (“pure/devoted”) word khālisa[h] is the recognition of every Sikh that follows the discipline and text from the Guru Granth Sahib. There is also another word from Arabic which is pronounced as “Khalsa” and is adapted in Punjabi / English / Hindi and many other languages. So, there are two different words in Arabic: (Khalsa) and (Khalisa) Furthermore, there is a word in Persian meaning “pure” and pronounced as “Khalis”. A reader of Urdu can testify the “Khalis” in the Persian script and language as described below. “Khalsa” is also used for a property which belongs to the emperor directly.

Premier John Horgan and your MLAs wish you and your family a Happy Vaisakhi.

Premier mier John Horg Horgan

Pam Alexis,, MLA

Jagrup g p Brar grup Brar,, MLA

Harry Bains, MLA

Garry Begg, MLA

Jinnyy Sims,, MLA

Abbotsford-Mission

Surrey-Fleetwood

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Surrey-Panorama

Harwinder de Sa Sandhu, d u, MLA

Adrian Dix, MLA

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Raaj Kumar

Press release

SELECTION

One of the greatest actors of Indiam cinema

SERVICE

NEW EXECUTIVE HIRES. NEW OFFICE PURCHASE. NEW GROWTH AT BALMORAL MULTICULTURAL MARKETING. Sharifa Khan, President and CEO of years ago, as vice-president, bringing Canada’s largest and longest-running two decades of global advertising multicultural marketing agency, experience to the agency and was Vice Balmoral Multicultural announced President of Young and Rubicam, India several new hires and promotions today, resulting from the agency’s unprecedented growth over the past year. Among them, three key executives: Jeffrey Almeida as Senior Vice President and continues as General Manager, and Canneswinning Donovan D’Souza as Executive Creative Director (ECD) and Keshav Kumar as Executive Media Director. Jeffrey Almeida, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Balmoral Staying true to Multicultural (left) and Sharifa Khan, President and CEO, Balmoral Multicultural (right). Balmoral’s pioneering DNA, the agency has purchased a and COO of Noble Advertising, Dubai brand-new office at premier location with an international roster of clients. at Sheppard and Yonge to support its D’Souza was a mid-pandemic hire for overall staff growth during the pandemic. Balmoral, and he came to the agency “Owning our new office, new hires as Creative Director. D’Souza has and internal promotions are allowing won several prestigious international us to create a new office structure, advertising and marketing awards. Cannes, designed specifically with our clients’ Spikes Asia and LIA to mention a few. needs in mind,” said Khan. “Moreover, Keshav is a seasoned digital marketing there is a recognition that multicultural expert and has spent more than ten years marketing has to be at the table with helping clients across categories targeting brands in Canada and it is and will mainstream and ethnic consumers. As continue to play an important part Executive Media Director he is leading in the success of their brand growth.” the media team at Balmoral applying A testimony to the above is that a mix of analytical and creative skills in 2021 Balmoral executed over 25 to build data-driven solutions hyper campaigns, for over 15 brands, across 10 targeting multicultural audiences. categories. And produced over 30 brand Balmoral’s unprecedented growth OLV’s – most of them original creative recently is exemplary of Khan’s longstanding - for different ethnic communities. and pioneering track record of success. In Khan has been committed to 2021, Khan made history, becoming the bolstering the agency’s bench strength, first multicultural marketer to be inducted in order to stay on the cutting edge into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends in areas across creative, digital, media (CMHOL). Since 2004, only 94 luminaries buying, and client account services. Lily have been granted this prestigious honour. Kwong and Puneet Ahuja was hired as About Balmoral Multicultural Marketing media directors and also an additional For 33 years, Balmoral Multicultural six new account servicing, media and Marketing has been helping Canada’s creative team members during Covid. leading brands, companies and She also strongly believes in promoting government organizations generate from within with two long-standing growth and connections in new markets senior member of Balmoral’s team by cultivating relationships with this – Lorna Leung and Yuli Wang being country’s ever-growing multicultural promoted to Group Account Directors. communities. From research and In 2021, Balmoral was the moststrategic planning to creative advertising, awarded multicultural agency in the digital and community outreach, events country. “It gives me great pleasure and PR, Balmoral offers a full suite of and I am elated to say this accolade multicultural marketing services. Balmoral reflects our exceptional growing team, has affiliated offices in Mumbai, Shanghai who produced exceptional strategic and and Dubai. For more information, creative work for our clients,” said Khan. please visit: www.balmoralmkt.com. Almeida joined Balmoral three

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Raaj Kumar was born as Kulbhushan Pandit on October 8, 1926. A great Indian actor who appeared in Oscar-nominated film ‘Mother India’ in 1957 and starred over 70 films in career that spanned over four decades. He died on July 3, 1996. Kulbhushan Pandit was born in Loralai, Baluchistan, now in Pakistan, into a Kashmiri Pandit family. In late 1940s, he moved to Bombay, where he became an inspector in Police. He married with Jennifer Pandit, an Anglo-Indian, whom he met on flight where she was an air hostess. Later she changed her name to Gayatri Kumar. They had three children, Puru Raaj Kumar (an actor), Panini Raaj Kumar and daughter Vastavikta Pandit, who also made her screen debut in films. Raaj Kumar made his acting debut in the 1952 film Rangili and appeared in films like Aabshar, Ghamand and Lakhon Mein Ek, but it was as Prince Naushazad in Sohrab Modi’s Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957) that he became famous. In 1957, he achieved prominence with

his brief role as the husband of Nargis in Mother India. He also worked alongside Shammi Kapoor in Ujala (1959). He followed this with the unglamorous role of a mill worker in Paigham (1959) alongside Dilip Kumar. In Sridhar’s Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Raaj Kumar played the role of a cancer patient for which he won the Filmfare Award in the Best supporting actor category. He was cast with Sunil Dutt, Shashi Kapoor and Balraj Sahni in Yash Chopra’s family drama Waqt in 1965. He became known for his distinct style of dialogue delivery.[6] His other notable films included Hamraaz (1967), Heer Raanjha (1971), Maryada (1971), Lal Patthar (1971) and Pakeezah (1972). After period of flops in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he had notable successes as supporting actor in Kudrat (1981), Ek Nai Paheli (1984), Marte Dam Tak (1987), Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987) and Jung Baaz (1989). In 1991, he reunited with fellow veteran actor Dilip Kumar after 32 years in Subhash Ghai’s Saudagar. His last most hit film was Tirangaa and his final film was 1995’s God & Gun.

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Saturday, April 9, 2022

BC NDP raised $3.6M in 2021, more than doubling BC Liberals’ haul British Columbia’s governing NDP outfundraised the opposition BC Liberals by a margin of more than two to one last year, according to Elections BC. In its summary of the province’s latest annual financial reports, the independent

elections administrator said the BC NDP raised nearly $3.6 million in 2021. That’s compared to just over $1.4 million raised by the BC Liberals, and nearly $1.1 million raised by the BC Green Party. Elections BC said the BC Conservative

Vancouver unveils plan to accommodate population growth through 2050 More density and economic opportunities in all Vancouver neighbourhoods will help improve affordability and livability by 2050, according to the city’s long-in-the-works draft Vancouver Plan released Tuesday. The broad-strokes document lays out staff ’s plan for redrawing land use throughout the city to allow for different types of housing,

as well as more commercial and community services, meant to tackle “uneven patterns” of development in different neighbourhoods. The goal is to prepare for what staff predicts will be 260,000 more people moving to Vancouver over the next 30 years, allowing new and existing residents to acquire affordable housing across the city.


Saturday, April 9, 2022

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Trudeau taps former premier to take over selection process for next Supreme Court justice Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has launched the selection process to identify a new Supreme Court of Canada justice who will soon replace retiring justice Michael Moldaver. A press release issued Monday states that qualified candidates have until May 13 to apply. “This open, transparent, and independent process we are launching today will identify esteemed Canadian legal minds to serve at the highest court of our country,” the prime minister said. Wade MacLauchlan, former premier of P.E.I.,

has also been named chair of the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments. He will replace former prime minister Kim Campbell, who has held the position for the last six years. Once the application period closes, the board will submit a shortlist of candidates to the prime minister for consideration. Moldaver, appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on Oct. 21, 2011, announced he would be retiring from the bench on Sept. 1.

B.C. floats rules to push charged, convicted politicians out of local elected posts The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has introduced new tools it says will help local governments in B.C. to act when elected officials are accused or convicted of breaking the law. A statement from the ministry says the legislative changes will give municipalities and regional districts two separate but related options when a politician is either charged with or found guilty of a criminal offence. The ministry says the first amendment updates existing rules to ensure any elected

person is disqualified from holding office as soon as they’re convicted of an indictable offence. The second revision orders mandatory paid leave immediately after a politician is charged with a crime. The statement says paid leave would continue until the criminal process is complete or the charges are resolved. It says the changes are in response to concerns raised by local governments as well as resolutions adopted by the Union of B.C. Municipalities,

BC Green Party calls for overhaul of funding for family doctors BC Green MLAs Sonia Furstenau and Adam Olsen are calling on the provincial government to “immediately act on the family doctor crisis” in British Columbia. The BC Greens are calling for a modernization of the fee-for-service payment model and to expand alternative payment models to better reflect the demand for in-

person, longitudinal, and team-based care. Currently, there are between 750,000 to 900,000 British Columbians without a family doctor. “The billing model is very outdated and does not provide the stability needed for good medical care,“ Furstenau said Wednesday.

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India to boost arms output, fearing shortfall from Russia

Kashmiri Pandits in panic after targeted attacks With four non-local workers and a Kashmiri Pandit being shot at over the last four days, the rise in targeted attacks is again causing fear among minority community members in Kashmir. The motive appeared to be to drive nonlocal workers and Kashmiri Pandits out of the Valley, said sources. Barring the Kashmir Pandit, Bal Krishan, who received four bullets around his chest after being attacked at his chemist store in Chotigam (Shopian), the other injured were shot at below the abdomen. “The militants are now firing at non-locals on their legs, unlike last year when they killed them, inviting massive public condemnation. The pattern of attacks is to create fear and drive them out of Kashmir,” a senior security official said. Bal Krishan’s brother Anil Kumar Bhat (32) said his father’s decision to stay back in Kashmir was costing them dear. “We are suffering because of one wrong decision. Had we left in the 1990s, we would have got good jobs and other social benefits from the government,” he said. Anil said once his brother was discharged from hospital, they would have to rethink on staying back. “In such a tense situation, we won’t be able

to open our shops or work in our orchards,” he said. After the attack, the authorities have provided security to the two Pandit families living in Chotigam. IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said security forces had also started night patrolling in areas inhabited by migrant labourers. Anil, however, said policemen could guard his house, but not him. “If I have to live here, I have to go to my apple orchards, market, hospital, etc. How can I take these policemen along everywhere,” he said, likening the present situation to the one in the 1990s when proIndia minority Hindus had to leave the Valley. More than 10 non-locals and Kashmiri Pandits were killed last year by militants amid fears of a demographic change among the Muslim-majority population. “In such circumstances, how can we send our children to school? Who will guarantee their safety?” asked Anil. In the 1990s, nearly 800 Pandit families had decided to stay back. Official estimates reveal that 3,800 Pandits have returned and taken up government jobs under a special Central package and are living in guarded accommodations across Kashmir.

India on Thursday said it would ramp up its production of military equipment, including helicopters, tank engines, missiles and airborne early warning systems, to offset any potential shortfall from its main supplier Russia. India depends on Russia for nearly 60% of its defense equipment, and the war in Ukraine has added to doubts about future supplies. Defence Ministry officials say India, with the world’s second-largest army, fourth-largest air force and seventh-largest navy, can’t sustain itself through imports. “Our objective is to develop India as a defense manufacturing hub,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday while releasing a list of military equipment that will be produced domestically and no longer imported. The ministry’s website said military orders worth 2.1 trillion rupees ($27.8 billion) are likely to be placed with domestic state-run and private defense manufacturers in the next five years. What weapons has Russia sent to India? Here’s a graphical representation of some major Russian weapons sales and deliveries to India from 2016-2020. Retired Indian Army Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda

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said that during a visit to India last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two sides decided to shift some manufacturing to India to meet its requirements. Imports of helicopters, corvettes, tank engines, missiles and airborne early warning systems will eventually be halted. “The requirements of the Russian military itself, with the kind of losses that it is suffering, may mean some of those spares that we need will probably get diverted,” Hooda said. To meet its short-term requirements, India may consider purchases from former Soviet republics and Warsaw pact countries, ministry officials said. Bulgaria, Poland, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine could help India with spare supplies for the Russian fighter aircraft types Sukhoi and MiG-29 as well as with upgrading tanks and armored vehicles, as they have similar Sovietorigin platforms and spares, said a ministry official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to talk to reporters. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told his British counterpart Liz Truss during her visit to India last week that there is now an emphasis on “Made in India”

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Vaisakhi Celebration at Gurdwara Nanak Niwas Vaisakhi has now become a very popular international celebration. It signifies the beginning of the harvesting season in the Punjab and creation of the Khalsa Panth in April, 1699. Creation (Sirjana) of the Khalsa was culmination of the teachings of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev ji. At the core of Guru Nanak’s philosophy was the emphasis on equality, universal brotherhood and stand against injustice. Creation of the Khalsa the Vaisakhi Day in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh ji gave Sikhs a unique and distinct identity. Over the years, Sikhs have made their community proud by providing selfless service to their fellow human beings. All along, the Sikh community has displayed countless examples of sacrifice, selfless service, providing Langar (free food) and medicines to the needy, hosting vaccination clinics, rescuing victims of wild fires and floods etc. Recognizing the contribution of the Sikhs to BC and Canada, the British Columbia Government has declared April as the Sikh Heritage Month. Similar gestures are being considered in many other jurisdictions. Efforts along these lines are under way in the United States to recognise April 14, as the National Sikh Day. Similar recognition has been given in many other countries. Organizations like Khalsa Aid and United Sikhs with their charitable work have greatly enhanced the image of the Sikh community. Almost in every major Canadian city Vaisakhi and

Khalsa Day will be celebrated with great deal of enthusiasm. For example, here in Richmond, India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas on Richmond’s Highway to Heaven will start the celebration with the beginning of Akhand Paath at 6 PM on Tuesday, April 12. On Wednesday, April 13, Nishan Sahib’s Chola will be changed at 5 PM. Akhand Paath’s Bhog will take place at 6 PM on Thursday, April 14. On April 14 (Thursday) after the Bhog, Keertan and Ardas, a number of prominent people /scholars will share with the congregation their thoughts about Vaisakhi, creation of the Khalsa and other historical facts. It will be an exciting evening. A delicious vegetarian Langar will be served in the Langar Hall downstairs. The Management Committee of India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, 8600 Number Five Road, Richmond cordially invites the public to this very special celebration of Vaisakhi and creation of the Khalsa Panth. Along with this celebration, the Gurdwara Management Committee has also launched the Ukraine Relief Fund. Amount thus collected will be passed on to a reputed non-profit registered organization to help the Ukrainian people. For further information about the celebration and the Relief Fund, please feel free to phone the Gurdwara at 604-2747479 or the undersigned at 604-836-8976. Balwant Sanghera General Secretary, Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Richmond,B.C.

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Saturday, April 9, 2022

India’s financial health worse than Sri Lanka, says Bengal CM West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that India’s financial condition is worse than Sri Lanka and urged the Centre to call for an all-party meeting to address it. “India’s economic condition is very bad. In Sri Lanka, people have hit the streets in protest. The financial condition is bad. The financial condition of India is worse,” Banerjee said, while adding that she was not comparing India with Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government is struggling to pay for essential imports after a 70 per cent drop in foreign exchange reserves over two years triggered a currency-devaluation. “I think that the Centre should call for an

all-party meeting and find a solution on how to sail over the crisis instead of using central agencies and forcefully trying to control the democracy,” the chief minister said. She was speaking to the media at the state secretariat after giving appointment letters to the family members of the victims of Birbhum massacre. Sri Lanka has declared an emergency and the country’s President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has invited all political parties in the country to join the ‘unity government’ to find a solution. “There is no planning. Fuel prices have been hiked 11 times in 13 days. The interest on Provident Fund has been slashed. From railways to banks, everything is being sold off. Several states have not received their share of GST,” she added.

Rishi Sunak faces questions over wife Akshata Murty’s non-dom tax status Chancellor Rishi Sunak is facing calls to “come clean” on his family’s financial affairs after it emerged his wife benefits from a tax-saving scheme. Akshata Murty has non-dom status, meaning she does not have to pay UK tax on income earned abroad. Ms Murty earns money from shares in an Indian software giant founded by her billionaire father.

Her spokeswoman said she pays all tax due in the UK - but Labour called for “complete transparency”. Under the rules, people can be granted non-dom status if they live in the UK but intend to return to their home country. Ms Murty is an Indian citizen and has retained family ties to India. The BBC understands she has said she would eventually like to return there.


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Saturday, April 9, 2022

INDIA High Court orders woman to pay alimony to her ex-husband The Bombay High Court has upheld orders passed by a local court in Nanded in Maharashtra directing a woman teacher to pay alimony to her “indigent” former husband.

In an order passed on February 26 this year, Justice Bharati Dangre of the Aurangabad bench of the high court upheld the orders passed by the local court in 2017 and 2019.

Govt orders blocking of 18 Indian, four Pakistani YouTube-based news channels The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed the blocking of 22 YouTube-based news channels, of which four are from Pakistan, alleging that they were spreading fake news that could impact national security, foreign relations and public order. This is the first time that action has been

taken against the Indian YouTubebased news publishers since the notification of the IT Rules, 2021, in February last year, it said. In an official statement, the ministrysaiditissuedanorderonMondaytoblock 22 YouTube channels, three Twitter accounts,

India reports first case of coronavirus variant XE: Five things to know India has reported its first case of the new coronavirus variant, which has been called ‘XE’. XE was first found in the UK and is a mutation of the Omicron variant. Early indications suggest it could be around 10 per cent more transmissible than other Omicron

Punjab

mutations, but there is no evidence that XE is any more serious in disease severity, with all Omicron variants so far shown to be less severe. The first case of the more transmissible coronavirus variant XE was detected in Mumbai on Wednesday, a civic health official said.

People feeling insecure in Punjab: SAD

The SAD today said the collapse of the law and order situation in Punjab post formation of the AAP government had created a feeling of insecurity in the minds of Punjabis. The party has requested CM Bhagwant Mann to take immediate corrective steps instead of remaining busy in propaganda exercises. Senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the law and

order had taken a turn for the worse immediately after the AAP came to power in the state and it had become alarming now. “We have not only witnessed the killing of kabaddi players, but also shoot-outs by gangsters and clashes during the takeover of the Jaito truck union and even communal disturbances,” Dr Cheema added.

Man ‘killed’ by estranged wife A man was allegedly strangled to death by his estranged wife at New Machike. The deceased has been identified as Sandeep Singh. Balwinder Singh, father of the

deceased, said his daughter-in-law Manjinder Kaur used to quarrel over petty issues with his son. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered against the accused.

Ex-MLA Simrajit Singh Bains seeks bail in rape case Former MLA and Lok Insaaf Party chief Simrajit Singh Bains has moved a local court for anticipatory bail in a rape case. Taking note of the bail application, Additional Sessions Judge Rashmi Sharma has summoned

the record of the lower court on April 8. The FIR was registered against him on the orders of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Harsimranjit Singh in July 2021. The chargesheet was filed in December 2021.

Pakistan Imran Khan’s wife’s friend leaves Pakistan amid corruption charges; her ‘$90,000-bag’ photo goes viral PML-N leader and former Pakistan Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail, alleged on Tuesday that the handbag carried by First Lady Bushra Bibis close aide Farah Khan costs $90,000, Geo News reported.

The former minister’s comment came after a picture of Farah went viral on social media. Ismail, while addressing a press conference alongside former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said

If India decides to topple govt in Pakistan it can do so with just Rs 10 to 15 billion: Imran Khan Pakistan’s outgoing Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday targeted his political opponents, accusing them of conspiring against his government at the best of their foreign masters, in an apparent reference to the US. Addressing the party workers at the Governor’s House here, Khan also chided his own party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, lawmakers

who joined hands with the opposition for what he claimed after taking ‘crores of rupees’. “If an enemy country buys 23 to 30 people (lawmakers) with PRs 10 to 15 bn it can send an elected government home. If today India decides to topple a government in Pakistan it can do so with just PRs 10 to 15 bn,” he said.

Ties with Pak ‘rock solid’; political crisis won’t affect cooperation, CPEC projects: China Asserting that its ties with Pakistan are “unbreakable and rock solid”, China on Wednesday said the raging political crisis in Islamabad will not affect the overall cooperation between the all-weather allies as well as the projects under the USD 60 billion CPEC. A wary China has been keeping a close watch on the recent rapid political developments in Pakistan, leading

to the dissolution of the Parliament over Prime Minister Imran Khan’s allegation of the US hand behind Opposition parties’ no-confidence motion against him. The Opposition parties in Pakistan moved the Supreme Court to adjudicate the legality of the dissolution of Parliament and declaration of fresh elections.

FIJI Survey reveals package jabbing in supermarkets A spontaneous survey by the Consumer Council in three divisions reveal many supermarkets are jabbing certain packaging to ease storage in their shops and bulks. The Consumer Council is urging consumers to properly check product packaging for minute holes or ‘jabs’ when

purchasing items such as rice and lentils/pulses. Chief Executive, Seema Shandil says during the investigation, supermarket workers informed the Council that product packaging is being jabbed to maximize efficient displays and saving storage space.

Officers under the spotlight for drug trafficking The Fiji Police Force is investigating an allegation whereby some police officers were involved in drug use and trafficking. This has been confirmed by Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho. The Commissioner says at least two officers have been identified for their alleged involvement and are currently under investigation. He adds

once the investigation is completed, the file will be handed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further action. “One thing has to be clear is we send it to DPP for sanction for transparency. We could have just charge them and take them straight to court but we send it to DPP for transparency on police.”

Aspiring Doctor Deo presents work at Harvard University, A Dream Come True The project was called ‘Ergonomics Education During Dermatology Training: A Survey’. My research was focused on the lifelong musculoskeletal problems that dermatologists can develop due to straining or improper posturing.” Having the opportunity to present her research work at Harvard University was a dream come true for Neha Deo. The Fijian-born student, who is studying to be a dermatologist, was one of the few students selected by the renowned American university from a pool of 250 applicants across the world to present on their research in dermatology in 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was not able to face the crowd in person, however she was able to do so virtually. Despite this, the easement of COVID-19 restrictions granted her the opportunity to visit university last month.

“It was amazing to be able to see the campus. I really did reflect on how my parents grew up from poverty, struggled to make ends meet in Canada, and because of their hard work, I was able to go to university and now medical school,” she said. She said each medical speciality had research conferenceseveryyearwherestudentsanddoctors could present their research to other people. In 2021, one of Harvard’s main hospitals – Brigham and Women’s Hospital – was hosting a dermatology research conference called ‘Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dermatology Medical Student Virtual Research Symposium’. “The project was called ‘Ergonomics Education During Dermatology Training: A Survey’.” “My research was focused on the lifelong musculoskeletal problems that dermatologists can develop due to straining or improper posturing.”


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Your one-stop location for gardening, home decor, Jacuzzi spas and much, much more 4391 King George Blvd. Surrey, BC V3Z 1G6

Gazebos and Pergolas

Bagged Soils & Fertilizers

Art Knapp’s Outdoor Living Centre is proud to carry the full line of Visscher gazebos and pergolas.

Art Knapp's Garden Centre in Surrey carries a wide assortment of bulk materials and landscape products like soil, mulch, lava rock, gravel and manure.

Wood materials for all Visscher structures are sourced in Canada and are graded, cut and painted in their own facilities, which allows them to provide a consistently high-quality product.

The majority of items listed on this page are available by the tractor scoop or bag it yourself in our supplied bags.

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Saturday, April 9, 2022

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Saturday, April 9, 2022


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