The Confluence |November 26th, 2018 | Covering Diwali

Confluence YOUR OFFICIAL COLLEGE MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 26th 2018

The

COVERING DIWALI

EXPERIENCING DIWALI 06

SALTLESS CURRY 10

MAPLE LEAF

PHOTOs OF THE EVENT INSIDE

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AN INTERVIEW: BALWINDER DHALIWAL 19

It’s the Chief Damon Robinson Editor-in-Chief Howdy, It’s been a great couple of weeks. International week was a booming success and I was glad to be able to see the cultural diversity that can be found at the college. While not focused on enough, the international population at the college truly makes it special. I can say solemnly, that some of the best people I have ever met have been international, so I have the college to thank for that.

This issue is Diwali-heavy, as like what happened to the college, the event took over everything. I am happy to say I had the pleasure of attending. I am excited to say that this issue has been curated to showcase Internation pride, and showcase the works of the talented internation students here at the college.

I am excited going forward, as I hope this issue bridges the connection between the Confluence and the students who have not yet made contact with us yet. With that in mind, I look forward to having the works of those from around the world be published in the magazine as there are incredible talents that have not been found.

If you’re one of those people, please submit your works. Photographs, art, poetry in your native language. We try to make the magazine as inclusive as possible, so don’t feel intimidated. I’ll be waiting.

Best of luck to those going into their exams, I’m sure you’ll do well.

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Cheers.

Damon Robinson

Paige Riding

Harman Dandiwal

Editor-in-Chief, The Confluence

News Editor, The Confluence

Organizer, CNCSU

EVENTS AT A GLANCE

CNC DIWALI 6PM-9PM PG Civic Centre

Rememberance day

Chapbook release party | 7PM-10PM Sonar Night Club

Submissions, inqueries and requests can be made to editor@cncsu.ca, in person at the CNCSU office room 1-303, or mailed to “The Confluence c/o CNCSU 3330-22nd Ave. Prince George, BC. V2N 1P8” All submissions are welcome, the authors of edited works used in the confluence receive a $20 cheque upon publication. Advertisement rates are available upon request.

ABOUT THE COVER I would like to give special thanks and credit to Karm Shah, a student here at the College of New Caledonia. He has been a consistent contributor to the Confluence and took all the photos of the Diwali event featured in this magazine.

Make sure to say hello to him if you see him in the hallway!

Karm Shah Student, Freelance Photographer

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The Confluence is produced biweekly at the CNCSU office on CNC’s Prince George campus

by Damon Robinson and Paige Riding.

CONTENTS MAPLE LEAF PAGE 11

EXPERIENCING DIWALI PAGE 6

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SALTLESS CURRY PAGE 10

AN INTERVIEW: BALWINDER DHALIWAL PAGE 14

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THE MANDALA PAGE 14

EXERIENCING

DIWALI

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Damon Robinson Editor-in-chief

On November 16th I had the absolute pleasure of attending the celebration of Diwali for the first time. Sitting down at my seat, I learned the Diwali is the celebration of light. It was then that I knew I was going to be one of the greatest experiences this past semester.

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To those who were unable to attend this years Diwali, you must take the opportunity. The performers are such talented and passionate people, and they deserve the credit. I would like to personally thank Karm Shah for documenting the event and providing amazing photos.

I hope by him doing so, the performances will be remembered forever.

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As you can see, the sights were incredible as I saw these proud, excited people perform in front of the crowd. There is something that should be said about pride, as it is truly a beautiful thing. The performers that displayed their talents that night had been practicing for weeks to show the crowd what they can do, and you could tell. While a part of me is glad that there will be no more loud music right beside the office throughout the night, a large part of me will miss it. It is not everyday that you can see something for the first time, and I’m happy to say that those who organized Diwali gave me the opportunity to do so.

Poetry

SALTLESS CURRY

By: Gabrielle Sandhu Sunday.

Baba almost died.

He pried open the reapers hands, Reclaiming his failing heart.

Barely pulsing.

The nurses commanded him a saltless diet.

Which for Baba, meant saltless curry.

He laughed in their faces. At their audacity.

Their apprehension.

Salt.

Sharp to the tongue, Rubbing the fleshy tissues of his heart dry and Drilling through his veins.

Because for Baba, Saltless curry was a Muted flame, and a crackling Inferno is what his tongue craved.

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At what point do we stop living for ourselves, and just start living?

When do we slip into the background, and go un-noticed?

Why will we choke down saltless curry, when our longevity is at stake?

Because we want to live? Because that is not living.

Rather, merely existing.

Loitering in space and time, With saggy skin and Nostalgic eyes.

That, is what we degrade to.

MAPLE LEAFT By: Enoch Lu

Wear a trench

Across the street

It’s time to see the maple leaf.

I smell

I touch

Feeling the leaves by my heart.

The leaves extends in different ways Like people from different countries come to Canada.

Leaves smell by my nose Like smelling sweaty maple sugar The sunlight fell aslant the leaves

Like the warm red light that warms my body.

Listen, “ sha sha”

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Oh, my mum is missing me I should go home.

An Interview with

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BAlwinder Dhaliwal Balwinder is the Business Representative at the College of New Caledonia’s Students’ Union.

During and before international week, Balwinder worked alongside the Diwali planning committee. I have interviewed Balwinder on his thoughts on the event and what it means to the internation community and the College of New Caledonia.

Here is how it went:

Q: What is the importance of Diwali?

A: For us, Diwali is the Festival of Lights.

In which we gather together and put lights on our houses. We also distribute gifts to our relative and we also eat sweets on that day.

Q: Do you feel like Diwali having a presence on campus is important?

A: It helps to make diverse cultures understand and know what our culture. It shows the importance of our festive.

Q: How do you think Diwali went?

A: It was really good. I got really good responses from the audience. I got some negative comments, such as the sound system and lack of a stage, but it will be improved in the future.

Q: Where do you think you guys will improve next year?

A: First of all, we are going to have a nice sound system. Afterwards, a nice stage with lights and it will look fancy.

Q: How about the volunteers?

A: Without volunteers we can do nothing. They put lots of hard work to put the event together. We had lots of meetings and it turned out very well.well.

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Q: Is there anything you want to say to the performers?

A: The performers did a very good job.

They looked very fancy and the performers are the people who make the event successful.

FEATURED ART

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MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST

“This is like a modern take on the Rangoli artwork for Diwali. People used to make this type design in front of their homes on the floor using colored sand as a part of the Diwali celebration” Designed by

Chintan gohil

Confluence The

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OPEN CALL for your submissions

Poetry-Photography-Articles-REVIEWS-PAINTINGS GRAPHIC DESIGN-CARTOONS-CREATIVE WRITING-ESSAYS Submit now to: EDITOR@CNCSU.CA

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Web www.cnc.bc.ca/Study_ Abroad

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Visit CNC International Education Room 1-780

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