Diwali Edition 2022

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

DEAR READERS, On behalf of The Times of Canada team, I would like to wish you all a May this festive

Happy, Joyous Diwali & Bandi Chhor Diwas.

season brings health, wealth and happiness in your lives.

In Canada, Diwali has emerged as one of the festivals to bring communities closer and numerous galas and events are organized to mark this joyous occasion. Food and firecrackers are another important part of this wonderful festival of lights. People share sweets, and good wishes with each other. Giving gifts to each other is also a part of the celebrations. The Times of Canada always keeps up with all these traditions.

VINAY SHARMA Managing Director

Every year, The Times of Canada celebrates Diwali Gala event in the Lower Mainland around Diwali. This year, we are organizing our annual Diwali Gala & Awards on October 28th, 2022. Some great achievers and inspiring personalities will be felicitated with the prestigious The Times of Canada Excellence Awards. One lucky winner will take home an amazing car and many more prizes to be won. I would like to thank all our sponsors who always support all of our initiatives and events.

Sincerely

THE TEAM

SEEMA SHARMA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Seema founded the Times of Canada along with her husband Vinay Sharma. She has an extensive background in retail and customer service and looks after the overall management of the magazine. She loves to spent time with her free family and friends.

LAVPREET KUMAR (RICKY) MANAGING EDITOR

Ricky has been working with The Times of Canada (TOC) since 2013, the very first year TOC organized its Diwali Gala & Car giveaway. He helps us in editing the magazine, website and manages our galas.

MINU GUPTA, SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Minu is an Artist & a experienced Graphic Designer in print, web, social media. Her sense of current trends with minimal approach gives magazine a new uplift. She full fill her passion for art by teaching drawing - painting to kids, teens and adults. For her art work – follow her on Instagram, Facebook and You Tube–#MinuArtByHeart.

RAMANDEEP KAUR, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ramandeep has a Bachelor Degree in Science & education and also a master Degree in Zoology. She has an extensive background in teaching and administration and in her spare time like to watch comedy shows. She loves to explore new places.

facebook.com/ChandraAryaCanada @AryaCanada www.ChandraArya.ca chandra.arya@parl.gc.ca

Chandra AryaChandra

Member

The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions

carries no responsibility for the opinions expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content in this magazine without the

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With Proven track record in helping clients to find their dream home

Condominium

MAYUR ARORAMAYUR ARORA

I POUR MY HEART AND SOUL INTO REAL ESTATE

Mayur Arora, the owner/founder of the real estate brokerage OneFlatFee, has been the Top 1% Realtor® (Sales) in Greater Vancouver from 2011 to present. He has more than a decade’s experience of selling homes. Mayur set the industry abuzz when he started his low commission real estate brokerage, OneFlatFee. His client centric approach and strong negotiating skills made him extremely popular and successful Realtor®.

Mayur has been a great supporter of The Times of Canada group. He was one of the top sponsors of our very first Diwali Gala in 2013. He has been supportive of all of our events and initiatives till date. We recently got a chance to interview Mayur and talk about his experience and success mantra. It will definitely be a great read!

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I grew up in Delhi with one sister, Tisca Chopra who is a leading Bollywood actress turned-producer/director and parents who were both top educators (vice chairman) in the private high school system. I obtained a Bachelor in Journalism from Delhi University.

When did you come to Canada & what kind of jobs did you do prior to becoming a Realtor®?

I initially immigrated to Seattle in 1996 with just $400 in my pocket. A friend had invited me to a luncheon at an upscale hotel where they were offering visa lotteries to young people. By total luck, I was given a visa to study in the US and I jumped at the opportunity. I lived with my uncle while attending Seattle City University, where I obtained my Master in Business Administration (MBA) while working multiple server jobs to pay for my tuition. I eventually moved to Surrey where I started my own used car sales lot and imported cars from the US. After a few years of being in the car business, I bought and managed an upscale Indian restaurant in downtown Vancouver, ‘Maurya’, which drew politicians, celebrities and Vancouver Canuck players. After a 3 years exhausting – yet successful run, I sold my restaurant for a profit & became a full-time Realtor®.

Why and when did you decide to become a Realtor® ?

Real Estate was something that always interested me. When I sold my first home many years ago, I was shocked at the high amount of commission I had to pay to my Realtor® for a few days of work. This

prompted me to open my own real estate brokerage OneFlatFee and offer a different service model which entails a flat fee service, for sale by owner concept and lower commissions translating into thousands of dollars of savings for my clients. I knew this concept would resonate well with people and that it would be a huge success.

There are so many Realtors in the Lower Mainland, why should someone choose your service?

Yes, in fact I am competing in a field of over 14,000 Realtors in the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board (GVREB) and a total of 22,000 Realtors in British Columbia!. The advantage I have, is my decade plus experience selling over 1,800 homes (over 100 homes per year), my strong negotiating power in getting my clients top dollar for their home and the fact that my brokerage OneFlatFee offers a unique concept – I help clients save thousands in commissions going with me, while getting full service such as open houses, virtual tours, professional pictures, brochures, and negotiation on their behalf.

As a business owner, I pour my heart and soul into Real Estate spending

early mornings, late nights, sacrificing time with family and friends, and foregoing many parties and events in order to prioritize active opportunities and the needs of my clients. Most of my clients come as a result of referrals from past clients – many of whom have been repeat clients and become friends.

What are the most common concerns of a client? Real Estate is the largest investment most people make. Clients naturally question if they’re making the right decision to purchase or sell, and whether the timing is right. When dealing with an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor®, you’ll receive the right guidance. Another common concern of buyers is regarding financing, and these days about rising interest rates. I always recommend buyers to receive pre-approval for financing from their bank prior to househunting.

What are your achievements as a Realtor® till now? Since I began my Real Estate career, I have consistently ranked in the Top 1% of Sales year over year for the past 12 years by the GVREB – which earned myself a spot in the Medallion Club (Top 10% of all Realtors) and President’s Club (Top 1%). These achievements could not be possible without the trust and business from my clients – many of whom are repeat clients. I’ve grown my team with three assistants, as I’ve expanded my business into the Presale market which has been very strong and successful for me –largely due to the trust I’ve earned from past clients, referrals and from those seeking early access to presale homes.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years and 10 years?

I will be continuing to grow my presale business alongside my wife Moana who has been working with me for the last year, and has been instrumental in my success. I am also going to continue serving my current and new (resale) clients – I’ve recently revamped my marketing and branding efforts, as well as acquiring a new office in Guildford.

With the recent interest rate hike, what is your opinion on the condition of the BC Real Estate market and what will be its future?

With the interest rate hike in September, I anticipate the housing prices to come down a little more which will create the perfect buying opportunity. Next year somewhere between Summer and Fall, home prices should start to rise again with renewed market stability.

Mayur Arora

SHELINA MAWANI

A SUCCESS STORY

Shelina was born in Mwanza – a city in northern Tanzania, East Africa. Where she grew up, there were no computers or cell phones; no TVs, no large shopping malls, and none of the many conveniences we have today. Despite this, she was always interested in business while growing up. Along with her sister Nasim, she established Nanas Kitchen in the year 2000 and today it is a large manufacturing facility which is the only HACCP/BRC federally inspected plant in British Columbia in this category. Today their Convenient Comfort Foods with a Global Taste are sold in the Deli case at mainstream grocery chains across North America.

Here’s Shelina sharing her thoughts with us: I was a carefree small-town girl, simply living a day-to-day lifestyle. I was unsure of what my long-term goals or vision would be, especially after failing senior high school. Although I failed in school, I wanted to make something out of myself. This would require another level of determination and unequivocal relentlessness. From a young age, I knew I wanted to make difference in the world. My role model has always been Oprah Winfrey.

Just as Oprah had struggled as a child and understanding firsthand the challenges that come with women of color; these were challenges I faced. When Oprah began her career, she had faced a lot of rejection, however she persevered; many women look up to her today including me. Understanding firsthand, the struggles that come with immigrating to a new country, I made sure to create job opportunities for people who did not know the English language. Employing a growing staff of 70 people, we have impacted countless families as they integrate to their new communities far away from home.

I resonate with the hardships people have to face every single day. I foster support to our employees

and their families throughout their careers. Though I make my footprints in a new community, my immeasurable impacts are where I came from.

Leaving impacts has been a very fulfilling part of my life. I faced huge challenges from opening a restaurant and closing it down, huge losses, and getting in the wholesale business of Samosa. It was a difficult time. I was competing against a product that was the only product known to the consumer. I had to start marketing and approaching in a new way, so I chose to educate the public on a different samosa. To manage a successful business is not easy. I had a milliondollar idea and to successfully execute it, I used my three C’s:

CONVERSATION : never be afraid to start a conversation.

COLLABORATION: connect with others to take your business to the next level.

CELEBRATION: don’t forget to cele

brate on small wins as this is a very important part of life.

Even the most successful entrepre neurs have made mistakes along the way. This however allows them to discover valuable lessons that enable their growth. So, regardless of the market you enter, be sure to do your homework. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that things will just fall into place, prepare the funds to support your business ventures long-term. Also, remember to question whether your product or service has some demand; and ensure that you’re con sidering both passion and practicality when you commence tackling one of life’s biggest ventures. Lastly, while creating your business, keep in mind the importance of family.

by The Times of Canada.

• 2016 Best Export Business by Surrey Board of Trade.

• 2017 Woman of the Decade in Innovation and Enterprise.

• 2018 The Bharat Saman Award at The House of Lords in England.

• 2019 BMO celebrating women for community and charitable giving.

• 2020 Surrey board of trade business excellence resilience award.

• Voted top 11 women owned business by Business in Vancouver 2021.

• 2022 G100 exceptional women of excellence award at The House of Lords.

Shelina Mawani’s Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelinamawani-a8258334/ https://www.facebook.com/shelina. mawani.1 https://www.instagram.com/ shelinamawani/

My personal message to women is to have a right mindset. Don’t be hard on yourself, you are doing the best you can do. Sometimes you need to make choices that break your heart but heal your soul. Don’t focus on the pain but focus on the progress and celebrate your little milestones.

Shelina Mawani and Nanas Kitchen’s Accolades

• 2014 New Canadian Entrepreneur award.

• 2015 Multicultural award.

• 2016 Business Woman of the Year

“I began my working career helping my father manage a series of local boutique hotels. I soaked up my business acumen and learned valuable lessons.”

FESTIVAL of LIGHT & JOY

An ancient festival that contin ues to spread hope and cheer even in modern times.

Deepavali also known as Diwali, has many definitions, for some it is a reli gious festival, for others it has historic significance. In fact, it is a festival of life. Diwali is celebration of hope and virtues of life that make a human being

successful, values that make a society prosper and progress.

Historically, Diwali is predominantly celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains but modern-day Diwali is celebrated by many people across the globe regard less of their religion, caste, and creed. It has indeed become a global festival.

Everyone has their own reasons for celebrating Diwali, but the underlying principle is the same, ‘it’s a celebra tion of victory of good over evil; it is a celebration of justice’. The lighting of earthen lamps (diyas) or decorating the

homes with lights on the dark moonless night signi fies that even one single ray of light can penetrate the boundless darkness and brighten up the lives of many.

If you ever get a chance to travel to India during Diwali, the land from where the festival originated you will notice that even an open tract of land in the middle of nowhere will have one earthen lamp lit to spread light and warmth. This is done because as per tradition, to remind us that no matter how much overwhelming the darkness might seem, but we should not lose hope and with the light of our soul, the strength of our values and fortitude we can overcome any challenge.

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chor Divas, because in 1619, Guru Har Gobind Singh Ji along with 52 kings and princes were released from the Gwalior Fort by the Mughal emperor Jehangir and safely arrived in Amrit sar; Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism of present Avasarpani era in the 6th century BC.

Diwali has been celebrated by Hindus from the time of Lord Ram. Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravan. There have been many theories on the date of origin of this festival. Many experts say that 1st Diwali was celebrated in Ayo dhya, India on 30th Dec 5076 BC*. In some texts it is mentioned the practice of lighting earthen lamps started on the day Lord Ram arrived in Ayodhya and since it was a dark moonless night, the subjects of his kingdom lit up the path with thousands of tiny diyas.

Regardless of the timeline the festival of Diwali for Hin dus has always been the most significant festival. The prelude to Diwali is Dusshera, the festival celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. The 1st moonless night that comes after Dusshera is celebrated as Diwali. This day special prayers are offered Goddess Laxmi who is goddess of wealth and prosperity.

In Canada, Diwali has emerged as one of the festivals to bring communities closer and numerous galas and events are organised to mark this joyous occasion. Food and firecrackers are another important part of this wonderful festival of lights. People share sweets, and good wishes with each other.

*The dates are sourced from various news and blogs on Internet, The Times of Canada is not responsible for any inaccuracy.

By Aradhana Sharma

Let’s talk life goals

Paul Olak Branch Manager, Fraser Street Branch 604-549-5421

Satwinder Matharoo Branch Manager, Nordel Crossing Branch 604-549-5313

Bobby Dhaliwal Assoc. Vice President Mobile Service 604-549-5370

Rackinder Kombo Manager, Business Banking 604-549-5240

Veer Shergill Branch Manager, Cloverdale Branch 604-549-5222

Simran Dhaliwal Branch Manager, West End Branch 604-549-5467

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD WE ARE THAT VILLAGE

Education, Mental Health/ Counselling, Community Engagement, and Environment - which are contributing factors towards reducing youth crime by giving young people a positive identity, feelings of empowerment and by helping youth acquire leadership, teamwork, and selfgovernance skills under adult supervision. The sports component encompasses all sports run by the organization and in partnership with large scale sports organizations.

schools with the Surrey, Abbotsford and Langley schools. The Environment portfolio consists of building programs with an emphasis on sustainability through the Adopt a Street program with the City of Surrey, tree planting initiatives and Recycle for KIDS program. Our Community Engagement programs equip volunteers with a toolkit to learn how to navigate in various situations - this is done through a community patrol program.

The Mental Health portfolio is run by clinical counsellors and a registered nurse - running one on one sessions, group therapy and the Art Therapy program. All programs are intertwined

Kids Play Youth Foundation is a registered charity which began in early 2015. Its inception and subsequent ratification was done by veteran officer, Kal Dosanjh. The organization operates programs in BC, AB, ON and internationally in Colombia and Punjab, India. KidsPlay has six streams: Sports, Mentorship,

The education component comprises educational presentations on issues affecting the community - presentations on bullying, racism, women’s empowerment, and drug and gang abuse. Mentorship component comprises the afterschool programs run by KidsPlay in

as a means to a holistic approach run voluntarily by youth led teams.

We advance dialogue and support initiatives that address critical issues that have been highlighted in the recent years. Our communities have faced endless amounts of obstacles in the last few years and given the current pandemic, it has been difficult for organizations such as ourselves to support these vulnerable populations. We want youth to understand that the challenges & obstacles they are facing can be overcome with the right guidance & mentorship. Not too long ago, a young fourteen year old lost his life due to the

ongoing gang violence. Who failed him? Who do we point the fingers at? We, as a community, need to recognize the importance of working together at all fronts to avoid such tragedies from happening. It is easy to create an unjust narrative, but that is not the solution. No one organization or agency has all the solutions to this ongoing epidemic, but together, we can bring in all resources, and do our best to avoid another child falling victim to such a lifestyle. With our projects, we aim to provide a positive outlet for our youth. We want to show them how those with similar upbringings, faiths, backgrounds, who have overcome similar struggles are now living honourable lives. There is a way out – we want to be that way out for these youth.

Stanley Price is a founding member of one of the deadliest gangs originating in Vancouver, BC, Red Alert, who has now turned his life around after having his own son fall victim to that lifestyle. You can read more about Stan and the team at kidsplayfoundation.com.

Kids Play Foundation leads by example giving thousands of young kids a safe place to belong. Many of our youth are at the verge of falling victim to a life of crime, a key factor being the need to belong. KidsPlay Foundation

has brought together youth from all walks of life. We recognize the team of volunteers serving the community - who make positive contributions, building trust in the community, and encouraging more youth to get involved in acts of volunteerism. We ask all to join us in combating issues affecting the community. KIDSPLAY RAN SUCCESSFUL SUMMER CAMPS FOR OVER 300 YOUTH IN SURREY AND ABBOTSFORD. THESE CAMPS WERE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO YOUTH.

SHAHI TUKDA

Shahi tukda is a royal Indian dessert which can be made with minimum effort. It is nothing but crispy fried bread dipped in sugar syrup and served on a bed of rabri. It is a simple Indian Bread Pudding which is delicious and scrumptious.

INGREDIENTS –

For Toast –– 5 to 6 slices of bread (preferably 1 or 2 days old)

– Oil / ghee for frying

– 1 tblsp Chopped Pistachio (Pista)

Sugar Syrup / Chashni –

– 1 cup Sugar – 4 cups Water

– 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder (Elaichi Powder)

For Rabri –– 1 cup Water – 3 tblsp Milk Powder – Pinch of saffron – 1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder

INDIVIDUAL PREPARATIONS –

Rabri – In a heavy bottom pan add 1 cup of water when it becomes lukewarm add 3 tblsp of milk powder. On low flame reduce the milk. Switch off when the milk has reduced and become thickened. Add crushed saffron and cardamom powder. Mix well and keep aside to chill.

Sugar Syrup – Now to prepare the sugar syrup. Take one cup of sugar in a wide vessel and add four cups of water. Heat it and let the sugar dissolve. Add

the elaichi powder to the syrup. Keep aside to cool while you fry the bread.

Bread – Cut the bread pieces into desired shape. You can cut triangular or even square. Heat the oil for frying and on medium flame fry the bread slices till crisp.

ASSEMBLING THE SHAHI

TUKRA – Take a platter, dip the bread slices in the sugar syrup. Evenly coat each bread slice with the sugar syrup. Take it out and place it on the serving platter. Coat each piece in sugar syrup and arrange them neatly on the platter. Next pour the rabri on the sugar syrup coated bread slices. Garnish with sliced pistachios. Serve the shahi tukra on a base of Rabri.

YouHEALTH & FOOD

Diwali is a season of festivities, celebration and Food is an important component of celebration. This article shares reflections on Food and its role in health. While celebrating with all its traditions and ceremonies, please also do reflect on food and its direct role in health.

Health more than just absence of disease. It is a composite of financial, spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing.

It is an integral part of one’s lifestyle. Though reactive treatment of acute diseases requires external diagnostic, pharmaceuticals, and surgical interventions, our current system has made much progress and provided exemplary and much needed services of responding to acute need.

However life is much longer and this is where this external intervention has limited role, and lifestyle plays major role in health. Food becomes the main

pillar of good health, along with stress and physical activity.

Food has many components and biochemical basis of food is an important component, making sure that biochemical nutrients, major components of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, required vitamins, micro nutrients all are taken in balance.

My conversation for this article is

much more holistic, integrative and sustainable. Most important component injurious to your health is added sugar. Diwali pays special attention to sweets and direct simple refined sugar and your diet. This simple intervention will go long way in lowering the burden of chronic disease like diabetes.

To start with food security plays a major role in wellbeing, availability and equity is an important component of lifestyle and thus healthy living. But even more important is understanding of how lifestyle habits play acritical role in building best utilization of the food for good health. Habits like when you eat, how you eat, why you eat, how much you eat become far more important than even what you eat.

What you eat will always be important and balance between macro and micro nutrients, understanding of supplements, is the backbone of what we eat. Balance between carbohydrates, proteins and fats is key for healthy living. In postindustrial society, understanding of preservatives, artificial chemicals and its impact of food ingestion is in early stages of understanding and will be one of the key component of producing healthy eating habits and food consumption.

Labeling of the food in simple and comprehensive way will be required for consumers to make informed choice. This is major part of our work in understanding total food composition and its impact on body systems and overall healthy. Its link to inflammatory response and guts biome and in turn overall health. Digestion and conversion to biological emery, storage of energy

all play an important role in healthy Food.

When you eat is another component, on which we have total control and our dietary habits of late evening eating is one life style, which can and does play major role in how food is utilized by the food and in turn become focus of storage and biological resistance. As for diabetes it can be major source of fatty deposits in organs and thus insulin resistance.

How you eat is, though simple, is not practiced in daily living. Making sure you take time to eat, chewing food properly has been taught to us all from childhood. Make use of the gift of our teeth. Chewing food properly so that it can be digested easily and properly How much you eat- portion size is sometimes lost and some old habits of unless you are full, you have not eaten are counterproductive. This leads to excess food calories which permits buildup of body organ fat and start of

key cause of insulin resistance and type II diabetes. In this context role of fasting is also a healthy habit, well prescribed in Vedic sciences.

Last why you eat, social eating and eating when you are not hungry, again is cause of ill health.

So on this Diwali, make a selfdetermination of eating healthy and promoting good health, an ounce of prevention is worth pound of disease. Make use and live healthy life. Diabetes can be prevented, can be delayed and even reversed with combination of internal interventions of positive healthy eating and when required external interventions of medications.

Arun K Garg, MD Clinical professor The Univ of British Columbia

Happy Diwali

COCONUT WATER

ENERGY DRI NK

REVITALIZE YOURSELF WITH THE GOODNESS OF VITAMINS

Energy drinks are known to give you the boost you need to remain active, alert, awake, and energetic during the most critical times, but they are not exactly the healthiest thirst quenchers. However, there is already such a thing as coconut water energy drink for times when you want to revitalize yourself with a healthy alternative to conventional energy-boosting beverages.

Coconut water, especially the organic kind, is free of artificial sweeteners and other additives. It is low in calories, so you get the all-natural goodness of the super fruit that is naturally cholesterol and fat free. It is high in potassium, too, which your body needs to stay hydrated.

Coconut water contains carbohydrates in the form of electrolytes and sugar, and these are easier to digest and process in the body for energy. In its natural state, it is clear liquid that comes from the young, green coconuts. On its own, it has a nutty and sweet taste, but some manufacturers of coconut water drink add flavoring to make the drink more interesting and tastier for discerning consumers. Coconut water is naturally

refreshing and more hydrating than conventional sports drinks, and best of all, it has less sugar than sodas, fruit juices, and sports drinks.

A good coconut water drink contains only 50 calories, but the serving is already high in antioxidants and a 100 percent recommended daily value of vitamin B and C to promote better health. For added taste, consider a product that has a fruity flavor, like pineapple. Some products contain yerba mate and green tea to help with your metabolism. Rest assured, the product is free of artificial sweeteners and chemicals, and uses only natural sweeteners from coconut sugar and organic sugar cane.

Go organic when choosing coconut water drink, so you can be sure that it does not contain any genetically modified and potentially harmful ingredients. Make sure that all ingredients are non-GMO verified, so you can confidently drink and enjoy the beverage. Consider buying a highquality coconut water energy drink from a reputable manufacturer of organic energy drinks.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKES

A PERFECT DESSERT FOR ANY OCCASION

Cakes play an important role in any happy occasion. Whether there is a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, mother’s day, father’s day, friendships day or any other significant holidays. Cakes are also an integral part during festivals like Holi, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, New Years and so.. Today, people like to commence their happy occasions or celebration by cutting cake.

As cake brings love, happiness, fortune and sweetness in the life. It is also one of the most favorite foods in the world. From kids to senior citizens, everyone enjoys cake.

Today there are thousands of flavors in cake. Out of which chocolate truffle cakes have always been a hit shot! Its taste, its aroma, its texture can melt anyone and everyone’s heart.

Chocolate truffle cakes are a great idea for desserts on any special

occasions. Like for instance:

BIRTHDAYS: If you have your brothers birthday, who is a chocoholic, then chocolate truffle cake will be the best gift for him. Similarly, if it’s your favorite cousins birthday or your sisters birthday or even your spouse. Chocolate truffle cake will not fail to impress them and be the highlight of the occasion.

ANNIVERSARIES: Whoa! This is a day of love, romance and celebration. Chocolate is synonym with all the prior mentioned words. Its sweet & bitter combination of taste can easily win the hearts of the recipient. It will be a blissful surprise for your spouse, fiancé, girlfriend or boyfriend who is a serious chocolate lover and loves anything and everything which is made up of chocolate. Just gift him or her the moist dark chocolate truffle cake and hit the right chord on this momentous day of your anniversary!

FRIENDSHIPS DAY: This is also one of the occasions where a chocolate truffle cake can do wonders. Chocolate are pretty popular amongst the youth. That their hot favorite pick for any occasions. Woo your best of best friends with chocolate truffle cakes and just capture the beautiful smile on their smile!

VALENTINE’S DAY: This is a day of love and romance. Chocolate truffle cake will add that extra breeze of love in the air.. Let your lover know that what he or she means to you and you are thankful of their presence in your life. Let the chocolate truffle cake send out this message to your partner and increase your love. It is a sure reason to strength your love bond on Valentine’s Day.

Surprising Uses For AGED BALSAM IC VINEGAR

Over the last few years, more people have become big fans of really enjoying the food they eat beyond just the yumminess. They appreciate the artistic presentation, the use of local ingredients, and above all else, they are enamored by the attention to detail when it comes to pairing flavors. This hyper-focus is the mark of the foodie, but it has also made its way into the everyday kitchen. Take a look around, and people have started taking a greater interest in making the kitchen the central hub of the home.

folks that’s looking to make a splash in the culinary arts with some nice aged balsamic vinegar, here are a few uses that you may not have thought of:

SALADS – A drizzle is all you need, and while some may venture into emulsification, that would entail adding more stuff to what’s already a great product. Let it speak for itself.

MARINADES – If you’re intent on combining flavors with the balsamic vinegar, use it to marinade pork, chicken, and beef. A little will go a long way, but the flavor profile you’ll create will be something else.

If you’re a big fan of good food and killer ingredients, then you are very familiar with one of the great elixirs of the world — aged balsamic vinegar. This gorgeous nectar has tantalized taste buds for centuries, and while it hasn’t necessarily lost popularity in the culinary world, it has become one of the ingredients that’s been championed by the rise of foodies everywhere.

Home kitchens feature commercial-grade equipment, and there is a desire to use highquality ingredients even if they are at a bit of a premium. Enter aged balsamic vinegar. The multi-barrel, multi-year process of creating this amazing ingredient is what has cast an almost mythical aura over it, but in recent years, people have started finding widely available bottles of the stuff for a few bucks on grocery store shelves. Clearly, this is not the fine Italian product that can sell at a couple hundred dollars per ounce.

Let us assume that we’re working with an aged balsamic that’s somewhere in the middle of these two price extremes. The question still remains — what do you do with it? If you’re one of the

FINISH A MEAL – In the same way you can use a touch of extra virgin olive oil to top off a dish, aged balsamic can do the same but in much more complex manner.

DESSERT – Pair it with strawberries, figs, apricots, or even chocolate truffles, and you’ll never eat dessert the same way again.

SODA ALTERNATIVE – If you’re giving up soft drinks but still want some fizzy goodness in your life, try aged balsamic vinegar with some sparkling water.

It’s important to note that aged balsamic vinegar is gaining momentum in terms of its domestic production, which means you can get really wellmade balsamic without the plane-ticket premium price that comes with the imported stuff. Moreover, this gives you a chance to buy as locally as possible, which supports small business, and you also get unique tastes that really capture beautiful areas of the country in a bottle.

SUKHVINDER SUNGER

DECONSTRUCTING BARRIERS

presented itself while his wife was pregnant with their first child, despite this, she supported his lifelong dream of serving abroad. After an extensive national vetting process, Sukhvinder was selected by the U.N. and was deployed shortly thereafter in January 2012. For the next twelve months, Sukhvinder bore witness to the atrocities of the 22 year-long civil war on the South Sudanese population, while simultaneously training and mentoring the South Sudanese National Police Service.

keeping his hair unshorn and wearing a turban.

In 2019, the VPD pipe band participated in a cultural tour of India including several performances, as well as the commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. Sukhvinder vastly underestimated the significance of his presence within the band. Through interactions with Indian citizens, especially those who resided in Punjab, many expressed how meaningful it was for their children to see someone born abroad adhering to the principles of Sikhism. As a consequence of this deeply impactful trip, advancing the visibility of Sikhsparticularly from a historical perspective - has become increasingly important for Sukhvinder. A recent project championed by him is the WWII short film Promises - due for an upcoming release. The film aims to accurately portray the frequently overlooked contributions of Sikhs to the allied forces, a subject that continues to garner his interest.

Sukhvinder

Sunger was born in Matsqui, British Columbia (B.C.), and subsequently spent his formative childhood years in Victoria, B.C., alongside his parents and two sisters. Driven by the desire to assist those in need and give back to the community, he joined the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in 2002 at the age of 24, after completing his education in criminal justice.

In 2011, Sukhvinder was provided with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - the United Nations (U.N.) Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. This opportunity

Provided the difficult environment, Sukhvinder relied on listening to shabad during his tour of duty as a medium to restore equanimity and provide strength. Several years upon his return to Canada, Sukhvinder sought assistance for the PTSD he acquired as a result of his tour to South Sudan. With a deep appreciation of the stressors of policing, coupled with his personal journey, Sukhvinder presently supports fellow officers as a union representative and advocate.

In 2017, Sukhvinder joined the VPD Pipe Band. Following a year of practice and lessons on the tenor drum, he became the first member of the band since its inception in 1914, from a visible minority background. Incidentally, performing with the band coincided with a time in his life when Sukhvinder made the decision to adhere to the articles of the Sikh faith -

Sukhvinder remains grateful for all of the South Asian police officers who helped pave the way before him and strives to deconstruct barriers for future generations of officers, by helping implement more inclusive policies within the VPD. With over 20 years of policing, Sukhvinder has learned that communication, kindness,

and simply treating people like human beings are often all that are needed to come to a resolution.

GULZAR CREATIONS

CULTURAL CHATS

Culture Chats BC Association is a not-for-profit association.

We engage the community through free events and programs promoting multicultural arts. We offer a free

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

writing program for newcomers with professional instructors. If you would like to participate in our free writing workshops please email culturechats@gmail.com for further details.

Orfan was dearest to everyone. He was a cute baby with lovely black eyes. Orfan was almost 10 months old when he said his first word ever, which was MAMA (uncle) and it was the happiest moment for all family members. We were asking him again and again to say MAMA, say MAMA…. Each of us was trying to teach him our own names, but he was laughing and calling everybody MAMA. Days passed and we noticed that now he is calling everybody MAMA Basit (my youngest brother). It was funny for us with a big question mark, why can’t he say mother, but he can say a harder word, which is Basit. We asked Basit how is it possible? And he told us “I wanted that the first name baby Orfan learns, should be mine; so, I worked hard on him, and I spent lots of money on buying toys and baby food for him until he learned my name.

By Bahishta Rahmani

JOURNEY TO CANADA

I was excited to come to Canada to join my husband after getting married in November 2019. But Covid happened and my visa got delayed. I was so depressed in those two years. It changed my life. I reached Canada in Dec 2021. Started my new journey with my husband. I was so excited, as everyone is, when coming here. I got my first ever job just after 25 days in American Eagle. But my experience with them was not good so far. One of my co-workers humiliated me because she was 17 and I am 31. According to her I was too old to work there. That embarrassed me. Every time I went there, I felt humiliated. I had to leave that job. After 4 months I got another job which I always wanted to do, a daycare job. I am now pursuing this job. I am happy and satisfied where I am and whatever I’ve achieved so far in this new country.

By Harpreet Kaur

I WILL NEVER FORGET

As an amateur writer, who mostly writes for herself, I will never forget the moment when my stories were published. It didn’t matter whether the stories were published in a community newsletter or a book with a small publication volume. What mattered was that finally I could crack the cocoon of the fear of being rejected and misunderstood. I could tell people through my writing about my existence, feelings, emotions, attitude, challenges, ups and downs, highs and lows. When it happened, I felt as if I was at the top of the mountain. I wanted to cry out, I wanted to cease this moment. I will never forget it.

By Tanya Kan

oman empowerment is not a tangible thing; it is a feeling, a mindset and behavioral change that society, including women, need to bring within themselves. For some women

Women Empowerment

IS IT A NEVER-ENDING PROCESS?

and their parents’, empowerment is all about money - a wealthy or wellsettled husband and for some it is about making their mark in the society, becoming a ‘self-made’ woman (cliché is ‘a self-made man’).

Woman empowerment does not mean women should be ranked above men; women empowerment means women should be placed equal to men. Women empowerment does not mean pampering women with freebies, and over the top attention, women empowerment means accepting the fact the women are humans too, they have the strength to create to things, and they have weaknesses too, just like men.

WThe reason we are still struggling to bring equality between men and women is not just men, but many women themselves. They think they are some privileged humans. The day women

start thinking themselves to be equal to men; they will start the journey to empowerment. Men cannot empower women, they have tried and failed, it is a woman who can empower herself and other women in her life.

There always have been brave women – women who have not only fought for themselves, but for other women too. The modern-day feminist movement began somewhere in the late 1700s. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, by British writer Mary Wollstonecraft has been considered as the first feminist publication. Which means, it’s been more than 250 years that the fight for women rights has been going on, in almost all parts of the world, but alas! it is not over yet and looks like it is going to go on forever. Should we blame men for it? Are all men bad? No. Maybe we need to re-look at the strategy, maybe the whole ‘women empowerment’ has

served its purpose and now it’s time to start a new movement, a movement for equal human rights for men and women. A movement for the human beings.

Last 250 years, there has been a lot of progress. Women in both developed and developing countries are making their own society; they business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists, etc. A woman being financially

independent is not an idea anymore, it is a reality. But has their primary place in the society changed? No. Has the place of men changed? No. Men are still expected to be the bread earners of the family. A boy is supposed to study hard and earn well and possibly get a house before getting married. It would not be wrong to say that with the growing stature and importance of women, and in the fight for women rights, men have been but put under a lot of pressure.

A well-educated, well-earning city girl still expects to get married to a well-established, affluent man. They would not even look at a man who is less qualified than them or earns less. So, this brings us back to what has been going on since the time immemorial – men must support families, they must make a home, they must earn well, and it is their duty to provide for the family, while women give birth (if they want to) and take care of home besides their own work/

profession.

So technically, nothing has changed. Even an educated woman expects the same things from her husband, and in return he still expects her to cook with the added responsibilities of working!

What modern society needs to do is not elevate women above men but make both equal. Bring the change in the mindset.

To all women out there … Don’t depend on men to make you cozy homes, till the time you expect men to do that; you can never to be actually ‘empowered women’ no matter how rich or well settled your husband is, be an equal partner in home and business building, be an equal partner in creating financial stability for your family. Consider yourself to be a human first, then a woman. The day we do that, we will be empowered.

By Aradhna Sharma

In

SCHIZOPHRENIA

SCHIZOPHRENIA SCHIZOPHRENIA

AN AYURVEDIC VIEW

this modern era people are working like a machine resulting in mental and physical problems in the body. According to Ayurveda Schizophrenia (called Unmada in Ayurveda) is a disorder of mind caused by imbalance of doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder

in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning and can be disabling.

In the ancient texts of Ayurveda, there are detailed descriptions of mental

disorders known as “Unmada”, and schizophrenia can be correlated with many of the types of “Unmada. Ayurvedic physicians describe schizophrenia as a disorder of the mind caused by the doshas (vata, kapha, and pitta). Moving in the wrong paths due to increased toxicity. According to the classical Ayurvedic texts, the

Charaka Samhita, insanity is defined as, “the perversion of the mind, intellect, consciousness, knowledge, memory, desire, manners, behavior, and conduct. It is denominated as insanity (umada) because it is madness (mada) of the mind caused by a deviation (unmarga) of the humors”. Acharya Charak has described it as vitiation of particular dosha, different types of Unmada like Vataj Unmada, Pittaj Unmad and Kaphaj Unmada.

In Ayurvedic classics, hallucinations were called false perceptions (mithyajnana), illusions (maya), infatuations (moha), or confusion (bhrama). Hallucinations were not independent but a symptom of mental disorder (manasa roga). Hallucinations of different sensory organs were observed and explained. These symptoms could be observed in patients suffering from any illness of tridosha origin or psychiatric disorder.

According to the Asthangahydaya of Acharya Vagbhata, “Insanity is a toxicity/disorder to the mind caused by dohas (vata, etc.) moving in the wrong paths due to their increase”. It also said that other reasons for these doshas are having unhealthy foods which are spoiled, unaccustomed, contaminated and using food and drinks in improper manner. It may occur to those who are dejected due to worry, grief, etc., who have weak mind due to the effect of sudden increase of disease, emaciated persons indulging in activities in improper ways, by doing sinful acts, loss of balance of mind, by the effects of strong poisons or weak poisons due to these reasons the doshas getting increased in the mind in persons of Feeble mind produces vitiation of the mind, and invading the manovaha shrotas channels of the mind, caused insanity. All these corruptions cause the intelligence, understanding, and memory to go astray. Because of that, the body looses any sense of joy or sorrow, and wanders about purposelessly like a chariot which has lost its driver”.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not experience. Beliefs that are odd or that others do not share, trouble thinking logically, agitated or repetitive body movements, lack of emotional expression when talking, speaking little, lack of pleasure in everyday activities, difficulty paying attention, trouble applying information to make decisions, problems with working memory (a type of short-term memory involved in processing information).

Ayurvedic’ treatment methods work on balancing the biological humors through appropriate physical remedial methods of diet, herbs, and exercise. Ayurveda deals with such problems in natural way. Ayurveda’s treatment for schizophrenia includes panchakarma and ayurvedic Herbs.

Thanks. May goodness of nature bring you good health and happiness.

Please consult your Doctor or Health provider before using any tips or contents mentioned in this article.

THE TIMES OF CANADA DIWALI GALA THE TIMES OF CANADA DIWALI GALA

The Times of Canada Diwali Gala is one of the most anticipated events of the year in British Columbia. At the Gala, extraordinary individuals of the community are felicitated. This year too, some very deserving and inspiring personalities have been recognized in various categories of The Community Excellence Awards.

The Times of Canada group was established in 2010 with the vision to create better understanding about the South Asian culture, heritage, fairs, and festivals and its people within the mainstream Canadian society; and to spread awareness about the achievements, talents, and exceptional contribution of extraordinary of South Asian community members, The Times of Canada Community Excellence Awards was constituted.

Seema Sharma and Vinay Sharma are the driving force behind the Times of Canada group. Their aim is to host events that promote goodwill and cooperation amongst the society as a whole. Vinay Sharma says, “We will continue to host such events and celebrate our vibrant community.”

The purpose of The Times of Canada group is to be a bridge between people of different cultures and connect them with each other. Seema Sharma says, “The spirit of Canada is multiculturalism and this is our inspiration.

SERGEANT JAS JOHAL EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICES

Having completed 22 years policing with the RCMP, Sgt Jas Johal has had the very definition of a diversified career in policing. Graduating from the RCMP Training Academy in July 2000, his first posting was to the White Rock RCMP.

After four years of General Duty Policing, Jas moved on to work with the Border Integrity Unit. While there he investigated human smuggling, drug smuggling and cross border weapons trafficking files. From there he accepted an opportunity to teach new recruits back at the RCMP Training Academy.

After 3 years and a promotion to the rank of Corporal, Jas transferred back to BC and was made the Watch Commander in Oliver, BC.

In 2018, Jas accepted a position with the Surrey RCMP’s Diversity and Indigenous Policing Unit. Since that time, he has

made an impact in the community here in Surrey. With a well-deserved promotion to Sergeant earlier this year, Jas now leads the Surrey RCMP’s Diversity and Indigenous Peoples Unit.

Jas has also been rewarded two commendations for bravery. In the first instance he saved a man from a burning building, and physically carried others down several flights of stairs when the elevators became inoperable. The second recognition was saving a drowning victim who was intoxicated and had found himself in the ocean.

Service runs in the family as Jas is married to Sharon, a nurse who is currently working as a public health manager for a local Health Authority.

Jas and Sharon also have two adult daughters, Shinaaz and Farnaaz who both graduated SFU and are currently pursuing further education at UBC.

DR. N. K. DUTTA

EXCELLENCE IN KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE & LONGEVITY

Dr. N. K. Dutta is an exemplary citizen of our community. He is humble, helping and very friendly. He was born and broughtup in district Jalandhar in Punjab. He successfully completed his Ayurvedic Study from Dayanand Ayurvedic College Jalandhar in 1975. During his practice in India he continued his study and successfully completed Diploma in Naturopathy and Yoga Therapy. He finished hid MD in Alternative Medicine in 2004 and PhD in Alternative Medicine in 2006. He completed his Diploma in Natural Health Consultant from Stratford Career Institute Montreal and Diploma in Herbs for Health from Alive Academy of Natural Health in Canada.

In 2006 he started his Ayurvedic medicine practice in Surrey BC. He is successfully running his business under the name Dutta Health Centre-Ayurvedic Clinic. He is a proud Member of British Columbia Herbalist’s Association,

Professional Member of National Ayurvedic Medical association USA, Member Examining Board Of Natural Medicine Practitioners Canada and proud member of Canadian Health Food Association.

Along with his practice Dr. Dutta also takes part in social and religious activities. He is a Life Member of Indian Red Cross Society. He was a member of Lions Club in India. He also served as President of Shiv Mandir in his town in India. He is volunteering with many community groups. At present he is serving Lakshmi Narayan Mandir – a biggest Temple in North America as a Bulletin Editor.

He is involved in Canada Day Celebrations, Parades and Fairs. He also helps Canadian Cancer Society and Heart and Stroke foundation in the events arranged by RIDE 2 SURVUVE.

AWARD PRESENTER: G&F

STEVE KOONER MERITORIOUS SERVICES AWARD

Steve Kooner believes that he is a better lawyer, because of the opportunities given to him to serve the community. He has felt blessed by being able to do community service and philanthropy. He is committed to helping out the youth in our community so they can achieve valuable advancement opportunities where they can succeed in a positive way, such as in law and other fields. Over the years, he has truly enjoyed acting as a mentor for countless youth as well as a principal teacher for many aspiring lawyers through the Law Society of British Columbia Admissions Program.

He is also committed to raising awareness for community organizations, such as the Guru Nanak Food Bank, doing great work within our own community and also the larger

mainstream community. He was recently asked to be an Ambassador for the Guru Nanak Food Bank. He takes every opportunity to discuss the great work of the Guru Nanak Food Bank, which has built a significant philanthropic profile in helping out people in need on a large scale. Steve believes that: we all do better when our community as whole does better!

POONAM ARORA WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Poonam is a born entrepreneur, a proud mom to her four children, and a radiant citizen of our community. She has had an incredible journey and embraces the scars and smiles that led her to all her accomplishments.

She was born into a Sikh family in the city of Tarn Taran, Punjab in 1979. Her family immigrated to Surrey, B.C. in 1992. Upon arrival all the children of the family worked on farms so they could appreciate the value of money in this new land of opportunities.

She is passionate about serving our community so she can empower others to seek their full potential. She previously hosted her own TV show focusing on multiculturalism and unity. She regularly volunteers for and supports many nonprofit organizations. She is an influencer in many Federal, Provincial and city

political campaigns.

She established her own business as an Architectural and Construction Interior Designer when she established Tamanna Architectural Design. Poonam has four kids that she is raising as a dedicated single mom: Nishita, Neelima, Sameer and Sohil.

Poonam was recently crowned as Mrs. India Canada for 2022 and attended the international competition in New Jersey, USA for Mrs. India Worldwide. As she championed her crown and represented Canada as an Indian woman, she advocated for supporting those that have experienced trauma from mental, physical, and psychological abuse.

She is a woman that is true to herself, is a role model for others, and ultimately holds others up and makes a difference

RAJ HUNDAL COMMUNITY CRUSADER AWARD

Raj Hundal has more than 12 years of experience in Employment Programs, including employment counselling, case management, workshop facilitation, job development and program management.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia, a Law Degree from the United Kingdom and holds the designation of Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) from the BC Career Development Association. He has worked with diverse client groups including newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities and youth. In addition, he is experienced in public relations, communications and marketing. He has previously worked at the City of Vancouver, Provincial government and the Government of Canada. In addition, Raj has previously taught as a parttime Career Development Professional

program Instructor at Langara College, teaching “Work Search Skills and Employment Development.” Currently Raj is a Director of the Association of Service Providers For Employability & Career Training (ASPECT BC).

The 7-person volunteer ASPECT Board of Directors reflects and represents the diversity of our membership. They hold broad and deep expertise, and engage in regular professional and governance development. The Board holds fiduciary responsibility and provides oversight for strategic and business planning for the Association. All board members serve on a volunteer basis. The leadership team’s generous contribution of time, skill, and knowledge reflects their commitment to the sector.

AWARD PRESENTER: SHINDA AHEER FROM AHEER TRANSPORT

SHUBHA CHAUDHURY INSPIRING PERSONALITY AWARD

Shubha Chaudhury was born and raised in Rohtak, Haryana (India). She was determined to succeed in life when she came to Canada. With her hard work and ambitious attitude, she established herself in the finance industry. Currently, a Licensed Mortgage Professional with Mortgage Architects A Better Way – Keyways Mortgage Inc. Shubha Chaudhury, has been in the finance industry for more than 15 years.

Shubha believes in giving back to the community which supported her and played a major role in her success. Shubha supports is multiple charities and non-profit organizations here in Canada and in India. She does food drives with Surrey food banks, and is involved with various homeless shelters, orphan homes, as well as BC Children’s Hospital,

With her go-getter attitude to succeed in life and her philanthropic vision, Shubha inspires us all to work diligently towards achieving our goals in life and helping others who are in need.

and Jan Seva Sansdhan NGO in India. She is a member of the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society, Surrey.

AMIT PUNNI VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Amit Punni, currently volunteering with Kidsplay since 2015, graduated from North Delta Secondary in 2019 and is now studying Criminology at Douglas College. He has put countless hours of hard work with his community, doing the best he can to serve and give back. He has dedicated his time to help youth reach their goals. Without the leadership, mentorship, and guidance from his mentors at KidsPlay, it wouldn’t be possible for him to reach his goals. It has made a huge positive impact on Amit’s life and has made him who he is today.

Amit has used all his teachings and has applied them to an after-school program where he mentors underprivileged children. Amit has seen many children headed towards a very unsuccessful future and wants to turn that around and

show them there are better ways to make it better in life. Amit has worked alongside KidsPlay volunteers to organize sporting events representing KidsPlay Foundation. Amit wants to be a symbol of hope and guidance someday just like his mentor Kal Dosanjh.

YOGI’S KITCHEN FOOD SERVICES LIMITED EMERGING BUSINESS AWARD

Yogi’s Kitchen is a modern, customer-oriented, and technology-based platform committed to making life easier and convenient for those struggling for their lunch and dinner meals with delivery. They don’t just make fresh and delectable meals, but also deliver to all their customers.

Yogi’s Kitchen was established by Mr. Yogesh Chawla in 2018. Mr. Chawla was a management professional with a total work experience of more than 18 years. He says, “I always wished to not only meet my own financial goals but at the same time boost the economy and generate employment for others. After I moved to Canada in 2015, I continued to explore the market and I finally came up with the concept of Yogi’s Kitchen in 2018.”

At Yogi’s kitchen, meals are curated by an in-house chef, using fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers, delivering the highest quality, perfectly portioned, ready-to-eat meals right to your door. Their consistent taste, impeccable delivery & 24X7 customer care is yet a far-fetched dream for most of their competitors. Their copyright technology and features like pause meal, change address daily, mobile app for menu selection etc., are things that none of the other meal delivery services provide & that’s where we have a huge advantage. What started with 5 meals daily is now 3000+ meals daily. They have an ongoing program called ’Feed the Need’ where they donate 50 free meals daily to the people in need.

Mr. Chawla’s ambition is to make Yogi’s Kitchen a global brand.

BISMAN ARORA YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Bisman Arora is a regulated Canadian Immigration consultant and the CEO of Excel Career College, a private postsecondary career training College offering hands-on training with a career focus. I am also the CEO of Pro Recruitment Services, a licensed recruiting firm specializing in various industries. Excel Career College was the winner of Professional Business of the Year Award in 2014 and 2022 by Business Examiner.

Bisman became involved in business management at a very young age. She always wanted to continue the legacy of her father Mr. Avtar Arora, owner of Arora Canadian Immigration Consultancy Inc. Her passion is to take The Arora Group of Companies to greater heights.

Bisman is a strong supporter of higher education. She believes that knowledge is power, and with a strong theoretical foundation backed by practical exposure, individuals are able to take their careers to greater heights. Bisman says, “Entrepreneurship consists of inventing your own opportunities and visualizing the potential in them. My entrepreneurial spirit has enabled me to advance the business.”

AWARD PRESENTER: GULZAR TRANSPORT

TOXIC POSITIVITY

Toxic positivity can be attributed to “insincere” positivity which is detrimental to someone’s mental well-being. It is “the assumption, either by one’s self or others, that despite a person’s emotional pain or difficult situation, they should only have a positive mindset” as Dr. Zuckerman phrased

it. Examples of when toxic positivity in daily phrases can include “it can be worse”, “everything will be fine”, “look at the bright side”, and “just be happy”.

Optimism can be considered an “attractive behavior in people that makes them seem more well-

adapted” said Dr. Preston, who specializes in empathy, altruism, and the way emotions affect behavior. As per the research of Dr. Preston and Dr. Carolyn Karol, optimism can lead to an issue when people begin to invalidate the range of emotions they experience, or a problem they

have encountered. Carolyn Karoll, a psychotherapist in Baltimore also states that in doing so it is not only counterproductive but “it can give the impression that you are defective when you feel distressed, which can be internalized in a core belief that you are inadequate or weak.” As per Dr. Zukerman, toxic positivity can constitute consciously or unconsciously as an avoidance strategy “used to push away and invalidate any internal discomfort” which can lead to disrupted sleep, increased substance abuse, prolonged grief, or even PTSD.

This topic is especially integral to discuss in a time period, where hardships of people during the Pandemic are even more prevalent. It has been stated that 40.9% of respondents for a survey in June 2020 reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder. During a time period where people are more susceptible to a mental health condition, people must not get persuaded by forms of toxic positivity in their aspirations of recovery.

Social media is unknowingly flooded with toxic positivity, to lift people’s spirits during this time period. People are embraced by quotes such as “pursue a hobby” and “you have so much time make use of it”. These notions are valuable ways for people to be engaged in their community and stay connected with themselves and their passions during the pandemic. However, “putting one foot in front of the other is an accomplishment for many during this global pandemic.” as Dr. Karoll states. Being productive

can be constituted as something important to consider during the pandemic, but let this not hinder people from validating their emotions and finding the support they need with it.

To refrain from a mindset that is regulated often by toxic positivity, people must first understand the gravity of the situation of their lives during the pandemic, and realize that the pandemic naturally cause interferences in people’s schedules and lives, thus amounting to stress at times. People must learn to stay in tune with their emotions and reflect on their current state of mind. If a person realizes that they are not able to cope or adapt to the current situation, they should understand that this is natural and that they have the right to be upset.

Our word choices and thought patterns can greatly affect our approach in supporting others.

Instead of using phrases such as “it can be worse”, people should try saying something along the lines of “I know things are currently difficult right now for you, what are some positive things that you can surround yourself with?” Instead of saying “just be happy” say “it’s okay if you can’t be happy right now, that’s normal and part of life. Do you need to talk about it? What are some things you can turn to that will help you feel better?” These small changes in our wording choices validate and fully experience their emotions, and then reflect on it and work towards a solution, opposed to simply suppressing what they feel.

When these steps are acknowledged in a person’s path to rehabilitation, a person without the hindrance of ‘toxic positivity’ can truly digest their experiences, and grow from them.

By Sanjana Karthik

SHACHI KAUSHIK

A WRITER WITH REMARKABLE STORIES & GOALS

Kaushik, a bilingual HindiEnglish children’s media enthusiast who is passionate about sharing stories of cultural diversity and authenticity. She is an author and works behind the scenes in the animation industry.

Shachi

Shachi migrated to North America about a decade ago, but her journey of self-discovery and writing stories for children has just started. Shachi has been an active community member and loves sharing her culture. She has hosted Hindi- English story time at her local library for children and even hosted Diwali events. She understands the importance of passing traditions from generation to generation as an immigrant.

This Diwali, Shachi brings to us a new picture book ‘Diwali In My New Home’, illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon published by Beaming Books. Diwali In My New Home, is a lovely picture book about finding hope and happiness in new places. The story is about Priya, a young girl celebrating Diwali away from India for the first time. As she shares her culture and traditions with her neighborhood, she finds new ways to celebrate old traditions with her family and friends. Even in a different country, Priya learns how to stay true to her roots.

This book is a must-read—an incredible

story to introduce readers to the festival of lights, Diwali. The beautiful pictures add to the story’s charm and significance. As we live in a diverse world, one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the ability to better connect with others and with the world. Diverse books such as ‘Diwali In My New Home’ is a perfect example that can help children understand that people have different cultures, different celebrations, and different outfits — and

that these differences are not something to find intimidating or strange but simply something to accept and embrace. This greater connection with the world will help your children make more friends, make better interpersonal connections, and, as they grow up, have a stronger grasp of what it means to be an individual in our multicultural society.

Several families move from different parts of the world to Canada. This story will touch hearts of the immigrants as they celebrate their favorite holiday in Canada for the very first time.

Shachi also understands that parents are always looking for ways to connect their children to their Indian roots. To assist parents who want to expose their kids to the Hindi language and Indian culture, Shachi runs her own YouTube channel, “Happy Hindi Learners”. Shachi’s goal is to create more stories with universal themes, yet holding elements of her South-Asian culture.

Website: storiesbyshachi.com Twitter: @ KaushikShachi Instagram: @ storiesbyshachi LinkendIn: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/ shachi-kaushik/

Shachi Kaushik

CAR GIVEAWAY CAMPAIGN 2022Free

THE BRIDGE

OF RELATIONS

A HEART-WARMING STORY OF TWO REAL BROTHERS

of the farm and lent a helping hand to one another in times of need. The fight began over a small misunderstanding, which can normally happen, but the dispute dragged on and became an angry exchange of words, followed by weeks of silence.

One day, there was a knock on the elder brother’s door, when he opened the door, a bearded old carpenter appeared at the door holding a tool box. Sir, can I be of any help and do some carpentry work for repairs at your farm. Yes, replied the elder brother, I have got a job for you, across the creek, there is a farm that belongs to my younger brother. Until recently, the whole area between our homes was green, but then my younger brother changed the creek’s path, making it into a border between our farm. I am sure he did that for spite, but I will show him... “ said the elder brother. Dear carpenter, you see those trees by the barn? I want you to turn them into a 10-feet high fence. I never want to see my younger brother’s face again.

carved banister. It happened that the same time the younger brother came to the same spot. He rushed over the bridge and embraced his elder brother and said, “You are something special... building a bridge, after all I have said and done the damage. I have realized my mistake. While both brothers were hugging each other, the old carpenter collected his tools and started walking away. Both the brothers turned to the carpenter and said, “Please, stay for a few more days - we have more things that need fixing”. “I would have loved to stay, kind sirs, said the old carpenter but I have many more bridges to build and many things to fix in other places” said the carpenter.

The moral of the story - We often let anger push us away from our beloved ones, and allow pride to come before our love & affection. Don’t let it happen to you, learn to forgive and appreciate what you have. Please remember the past cannot be changed, but future can be changed, no quarrel should spoil a true connection. Build your bridges when you have to, and always cross them with a smile.

Twobrothers were living side by side in their own farms for many years, but one day a foolish argument caused a rift in between them. This became the most serious disagreement between the brothers, they had in all their 50 years. They always worked in their fields together, shared their knowledge and the produce

The old carpenter thought quietly to himself for a few minutes and eventually said, “I see”. The elder brother helped the carpenter carry on his tools and the wood, and then he drove off to the city for some shopping. When he came back in the evening, the old carpenter had finished his job.

Upon arriving at the creek, the elder brother was stunned, his eyes were bulging out and he couldn’t utter a single word. Where a fence should have been standing, a bridge now stood. A quaint and special bridge, truly a work of art, with an intricately

Shared with the South Asian Community members on the auspicious Festival of Lights, to share love, affection, sympathy & happiness with all of you by Surendra Handa, Coordinator Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Surrey and also Coordinator APNI South Asian Community Response Networks Surrey BC, Tel. 604507-9945 and email: surendra_handa@ hotmail.com

BY BHARAT KAKKAR

Bharat Kakkar is a registered physiotherapist with a blend of physiotherapy knowledge and hands on approach. His approach is client centered & focus not only in providing best care to patient but also developing a good communication with client. Since his teenage, Bharat had a desire to be in the field of medical science. His interest in sports guided him to choose physiotherapy as a profession.

He completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy in India from RGUHS in 2010 & then pursued Master of Physiotherapy in India from CCS university. He has experience of working in private practice as well as various eminent hospitals of Delhi, India. His vast experience of more than 10 years has given him exposure to musculoskeletal, sports injuries, neurological, as well as cardiological cases including back pain, neck pain, frozen shoulder, ACL, post-surgical joint replacements, stroke, Parkinson, TBI, CABG, heart failure etc. He is certified in Dry needling, mobilization, kinesotaping, & believes in continuing education & aiming to learn new techniques in future.

His evidence-based approach to alleviate pain by including manual therapy, electrotherapy & exercises has helped him in providing best care to his patients. He is multilingual, fluent in speaking English, Hindi & Punjabi to

develop better communication with his patients.

Bharat says, “Being a physiotherapist gives you a lot of satisfaction as it gives you opportunity to help people suffering from various conditions. It gives immense pleasure by seeing patients recovering & feels better to be a part of their journey from painful to pain free. Being a physiotherapist has given me opportunity to learn not only about human anatomy but also about human behavior. I got opportunity to work with people of different cultural background & learn a lot about different cultural values. The most important thing I learn is that honesty & hard work can get you success in any field”.

When not at work he enjoys his time in traveling, exploring new places, & spending good time with family & friends.

Beginning October 2022, He is establishing his own practice with name of Acu-Pro Rehabilitation with dream of forming an organization where different therapists can work under one umbrella to provide best care to patients. In span of 5-10 years, he has a goal of establishing this kind of set-up in different cities of British Columbia.

AMC INSURANCE

WHAT IS INSURANCE?

Insurance is a source of having peace of mind 24/7 while we are on the road or running a business or doing daily activities. There is no denying that we will have greater peace of mind if we know that we and our loved ones are financially secure from various unforeseen situations. Uncertainties in life could crop up at any moment, such as an unfortunate death or a medical emergency. These situations also include an accident or damage to our vehicle, property, etc.

There are several types of insurance plans available. Some of the commonly preferred ones include the following:

HOME INSURANCE - It may not be something we think about every day, but unexpected incidents can happen at any time to your home, which is why home insurance is important to have.

AUTO INSURANCE - Auto insurance is mandatory if we own a vehicle. All Canadian provinces and territories require drivers to have at least liability and accident benefits/ bodily injury coverage.

BUSINESS INSURANCEBusiness insurance coverage protects businesses from losses due to events that may occur during the normal course of business. There are many types of insurance for businesses including coverage for property damage, legal liability, and employee-related risks.

TRAVEL INSURANCETravel Insurance is a type of insurance that covers different

risks while traveling. It covers medical expenses, lost luggage, flight cancellations, and other losses that a traveler can incur while traveling.

LIFE INSURANCE - The primary purpose of life insurance is to provide a financial benefit to dependents upon the premature death of an insured person. The policy pays a specified amount called a “death benefit” to the named beneficiary when the insured dies.

AMC takes pride in having well-versed, responsible and experienced team members who have been working for

more than 55 years in the insurance industry. Take advantage of their skills to save your money.

Check our website amcinsurance.ca for further details or call us at 1-866350-8555 for a free quote. Our brokers are available seven days a week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. We have 9 locations to serve you better.

Written by: Gazal Dhillon, Khushbu Solanki, and Shivinder Ghuman AMC Insurance

My Best Friend, My Therapist, My REALTOR!

THE UNSUNG RELATIONSHIP…

a “majority of home buyers and sellers say they value and confide in their agents more than they do a therapist, and even feel they know them better than their own neighbors.” Trust me, It’s true!

YOUR AGENT OR YOUR THERAPIST?

To the World, a real estate deal is just a business transaction like any other. Period. Yet as a real estate agent myself, I can verify that my relationships with clients can get rather intimate. Even intense.

It makes total sense when you think about it, given the gravity of such an expensive, life-altering purchase as a house, the situation can get emotional fast, blurring the lines between professional and personal far more

than might unfold when you splurge on, say, a latest iPhone.

The home buying process is also complicated, so depending on whatever real estate curve balls come hurtling your way, your real estate agent will likely become your shoulder to cry on, shrink, perhaps even your 24/7 emergency line when you discover an email at 2 a.m. that your mortgage approval fell through. In fact, a new survey from RE/MAX finds that

Real estate interactions demand financial transparency. As such, real estate agents are privy, by profession, to the dark corners of your past that few get the privilege to see—including every number and nuance in your bank accounts, dings on your credit score, skeletons in your marital closet, and so much more, not to mention your individual tastes and personalities. What sets a good agent apart from a great one is their empathic ability, and while I’m not ashamed to admit that my intuitive connection with my clients helps me guide them to the closing table, it can be deeply challenging.

For example, especially when I’m representing a first-time home buyer, in the time between submitting an offer and waiting to hear whether it’s accepted, I am often as nervous as my buyer. Given that my buyers are on

the brink of a long-awaited dream and spending the most money they likely ever will spend on one thing, that’s an intense mountain of emotions. It sets the stage for a milestone moment. And the same is true for the seller, in different ways. Here, there might be financial stakes that can make or break their life trajectory. Furthermore, they likely have strong feelings about a home they’ve lived in for years.

The selling relationship also places a huge weight on an agent’s shoulders. As we see in the current market, owners expect their properties to move quickly, but the pricing and marketing must be on point. It takes a lot to place their trust in an individual to sell their beloved home, and sellers don’t hesitate to let me know that “It’s on Me!”

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS,

A ROLLER COASTER RIDEHere’s where things get sticky: There is no such thing as a simple real estate transaction, especially today. You can lose your Eighth bidding war. Problems can crop up with your home’s title. Your mortgage broker might ghost you. The home inspection might find “a portal to another dimension” in the basement etc. Such issues can lead to agents and their clients having lengthy and urgent midnight phone calls. Sometimes tears are involved.

Then there are the especially needy clients. Some people require more hand holding than others, and I am always there for it. But I will never forget an older couple who insisted on dominating my time, multiple times a day, at all hours. The husband and wife didn’t seem to communicate very often, so I was fetching calls from both asking the same questions and frankly, just wanting to chat. I went above and beyond to deliver the redcarpet service I am known for, but when a deal breaker emerged with a house, they were in contract to buy,

they walked away from the situation without so much as a goodbye. And after a week of trying to get a hold of them, I got a text saying they bought something close to their daughter’s house on the Island. Not going to lie, it hurt my feelings and yes, we have them as well.

With another recent transaction, I was lucky that the clients were referred to me by one of my friends. It was wonderful getting to know them, and we got to the right place at the right time. I found them a great deal on their dream home, which is rare these days. We arrived at the final walkthrough, I had a nice housewarming gift basket for them; they had their furniture scheduled to tow the next morning, only to discover that there was a leak under the bathtub in one of the upstairs washrooms, causing a drip through the ceiling. The only reason we detected that was due to the inspection we conducted three days prior, where the inspection agent must have tested the water pressure in the bathtub, which further seeped through a faulty seal and caused a leak. To say we were mutually devastated would be an understatement. After the seller repaired the damage and underlying issue, and much drama and tension, we finally got to the closing table.

On this note & with all due respect, I would like to deliver the following announcement on behalf of all the fellow agents in this trade: While

an above-and-beyond agent will always make time for you, please consider that they are real people, with real lives of their own and multiple obligations. What they are not? Your personal punching bags or psychiatrists. Boundaries, people!.

Then again, there are the positive & happy stories as well. I have been blessed with many treasured, long-lasting friendships with some wonderful clients over the years. Besides the pleasure of each other’s company, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship when you can be on speed dial to give recommendations and guidance to your buyers/sellers/ buddies long after the closing date has passed, and your new “friend clients” are more than happy to not only refer you to their nearest and dearest, but also to keep you in mind for future transactions.

When I finally get to the closing day, it gives me nothing but pleasure to congratulate a new buyer or seller on a successful transaction. As agents, we’re here to guide you through some very stressful and vulnerable moments, crushing disappointments, and hopefully, one of the happiest days of your life.

By Sukh Sandhar Sandhar Real Estate. www. soldbysandhar. com

OFFICE INTERIOR Getting your RIGHT

Business owners are always looking for new ways to get the best out of their staff. One thing that could easily be overlooked is the influence that office interior design has on employees’ happiness and productivity. Many people spend more time in their workplace than at home, and so it is vital that their surroundings are inspiring and, most importantly, comfortable.

Revamping a workplace seems a mammoth task, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, with good planning and a clear focus on some vital points of office design

you can achieve the best workplace possible.

Here are four key elements of office interior design that will help ensure you get it right.

LAYOUT

One of the most important things to consider when looking to style a work space is the layout. In recent years, many business owners have foregone tight and enclosed desks in favour of an open plan configuration. This allows for interaction and collaboration amongst employees, as well as decreasing feelings of isolation.

Whilst there are countless benefits to an open plan workplace, it is important to recognise that this will not suit everyone. Some personalities require quiet spaces to focus or for personal meetings. Employers should strive to achieve a good balance between socialisation and privacy for their staff. One way to achieve this is to have areas dedicated to socialisation within the office, for example lounges or break rooms.

Workplaces should be efficient. Place those who often collaborate on projects close to one another, and if there are staff members who make

regular trips to another department, it makes sense for them to be located in close walking distance.

NATURAL LIGHT

Lighting has a huge impact on people’s emotions as well as their work ethic. Evidence shows that a lack of natural light leads to low productivity as well as tiredness and, in some cases, illness.

thinking and creativity. Pick colours according to the effect you wish them to have. Blues will promote a calming atmosphere and work well in areas devoted to relaxation; yellows fuel imagination and are particularly effective in high-paced working

now showing that sitting for long periods of time is more harmful to one’s health than a lack of exercise, employers should shift their focus to prioritising the health of their staff. Standing desks, orthopaedic chairs and other ergonomic furniture options are easy ways to ensure the comfort of workers.

Clearly, the key to successful office interior design is prioritising employees’ needs and desires.

environments; reds are brilliant for keeping attention.

F URNITURE

Employers should aim to include windows as part of their office interior design. Large windows let in a lot of sunlight. This leads to a positive impact on their mood and in turn increases productive capacity. On top of this, views of open spaces can inspire creativity, another valuable benefit of investing in natural light.

COLOUR

Colour is known to have a significant

The importance of furnishings in offices can be overlooked. Many business owners choose standard desks and chairs with little concern for their employees’ comfort and wellbeing. However, with evidence

Business owners will likely notice that consulting with their staff in conjunction with focusing on the key elements listed above produces a more enjoyable working environment for everyone. Employing a professional office design and build company will alleviate the stresses that come with revamping a workspace, as well as ensuring the process is cost effective.

By Daniel Freeman Consultant: Buildgen

Archy

Jass met

They were both born and raised in different countries, and came to Canada as immigrants in 2013 and 2014 to get a better future for themselves and their families. Archy came from Ukraine and Jass from India.

They met at Subway restaurant where they used to work back in 2015. Archy used to work in a different store than Jass, but later he got transferred to the same store where Jass used to work.

This is their love story in Archy’s own words;

One day, I walked in to the store and while walking towards back of the store I saw Jass making sandwiches, our eyes met and I felt instant spark that went to my heart. That was love at the first sight. From that moment, my only goal was to get more information about her and try to make win her love. This is how our story began. I offered her a ride to her school (Douglas college) a few times, to bringing her coffee at the store. Finally she realized how serious I am. I was successful in melting her

heart :) and then we started dating.

Initially it was difficult, as being an interracial couple, it was hard for Jass to tell her parents. She hid their relationship from her family and relatives for a good 3 years, because of the fear of dating a Non-Indian guy.

Luckily, when Jass expressed her feelings to her parents and told them about me, her parents didn’t react much. They were calm and it was a surprise for us. Her parents are so understanding and mature. All they said was that they wanted her to be happy but at same time they were worried about our long time commitment. Their main concern was our mutual understanding because of cultural differences.

Jass assured them that she’s really happy with me and they decided to come to Canada back in 2019 to meet me. Finally they came, did our Roka: An India Engagement ceremony. My mom and grandma already knew about our relationship and were so happy for us.

Jass’s parents really liked me and said that I was like their son. I was overwhelmed by emotions, of course positive emotions. We both are so lucky to have parents like ours, who always put their kids’ happiness first.

In 2020, I took Jass to Las Vegas on my

birthday and decided to propose to her. And she said YESSSS!!!

We both have been through many ups and downs, but our love never faded. Due to immigration reasons I once had to leave Canada for unknown period of time. I had to leave Jass alone here. We had no idea if I will ever be coming back, but our prayers and love brought us together. That was the hardest time of our life.

In 2020, I went India to attend Jass’s brother’s wedding. It was a great experience visiting India, the amount of love I received from people there was unanticipated for me. It was so much fun attending all the events.

Same year we planned to get married, we finalized our date and venue. September 19, 2020 was the date, exactly 5 years after we met. But unfortunately Covid hit. Our parents were supposed to come to Canada for our wedding but Covid made it impossible. We decided not to cancel our wedding but organize a small ceremony, so we had our civil wedding. In 2022, when things started getting better, we got the chance to do our dream wedding (it was Jass’s dream to have a wedding like this). I am so happy that her dream came true. She was looking like a princess in Indian wedding dresses. We both respect and love each other’s culture, beliefs. All I can say is that we had our dream wedding in Canada. We both worked so hard for it. Jass herself planned the wedding. I was her assistant. I am so proud of her. Now we are a happily married couple.

It’s hard to describe our 7 years’ relationship in this small article, but few things we want to say. No matter where you come from, your religion or your beliefs, it all comes down to your love, mutual understanding and respect for each other. Nothing can stop your relationship if your feelings and intentions are honest and you have a pure heart.

Destiny is all…… JASS & ARCHY

PHOTOGRAPHY www.robinkanozia.ca

Picture courtesy ROBIN KANOZIA

PREDICTIONS

ARIES: The last few months of 2022 will bring you a major chance to heal and envision how you’d like your life to grow, Aries. You’ll find that you are being divinely guided by a loving universe as you reflect on the past, learn the lessons you need and prepare for a bright new chapter to begin. October until December will be the most magnificent period of the year for you, as you are ready for a great rebirth. While there will certainly be professional growth during these and due to powerful eclipses shifting and expanding your income and assets throughout the year — you’ll find that you’re a bit more focused on your own personal hopes, goals and development.

TAURUS: You will see great change during these months, Taurus! On a professional front, it is clear that you’re stepping more into your power and rising higher than ever before. You’re being groomed for greatness and could have significant opportunities for wealth, recognition or even fame. However, be prepared to put in the work because it won’t be easy. Your social circle will thrive greatly as you become more involved with groups. A soulmate friend could step into your life this year and open the door to one of your most deeply desired hopes, dreams or aspirations. Existing couples may decide it’s time to move in, get engaged or be wed. However, if your relationship has been rocky for some time, you may decide it’s time to break free and leave them behind.

GEMINI: These months will bring you opportunities to soar in new directions,

as well as rise to greater professional power, Gemini! You’ve been craving new experiences and freedom and have been working hard to meet the next echelon of your ambitions. Happily, the month of October could shower you with success and recognition, whether in the form of a promotion, award or new job offer. However, if you’re not happy with your career track, you may now realize it’s time to pursue a more fulfilling direction. Beware of November and December, as you could feel you’re especially exhausted and running into challenges at every turn. You’ll experience destined events around your physical and mental health this year, too, so find a way to put your vitality as a top priority and perhaps pursue a better diet or fitness regimen.

CANCER: Cancer, you’ll be eager to charge into new horizons as much as possible. You’ve been reviewing your relationships, assets and intimate needs recently and are ready to begin the next major phase of your life. Many of you will find joy in travel, academics or spirituality, while others will decide to immerse themselves in milestone creative projects. The month of October will be an especially notable period for your professional growth, as you see opportunities for promotions, recognition or new jobs. The end of the year could cause you to deeply reflect on any situations that need closure or healing. This period could bring old flames back into your life, so if you’re eager to rekindle something, do it now! Some Cancers will meet and fall in love with soulmates or even hear news of a pregnancy.

LEO: You will continue a major trend around your partnerships and relationships, Leo. On one hand, you’ll be deeply focused on forging unions that will stand beside you forever. However, if you’ve instead felt like the entire universe is challenging you and you’re a bit distant from others that is because you’re being taught your independence, stamina and perseverance. Many Leos could have a chance to gain wealth, recognition or be deeply emotionally fulfilled by others, too. The last few months of the year will make you especially social, too. Some Leos will end up moving or dealing with major situations around family. Others will see opportunities for success and glory, while others may realize they need to change their career trajectory altogether.

VIRGO: Happy opportunities for connection and romance will be present for you! The planets will be encouraging you to connect with others, helping your current rapports to grow more sweetly. If single, you could find a soulmate connection who completes you in ways you never expected. If you’d like to rekindle a connection, take the lead. Many Virgos will decide to go back to school or pursue intellectual and communication projects. Travel, immigration and international business could also provide great joy. In the month of October, major progress on your professional goals can happen — but beware of a period of stagnation at the end of 2022.

LIBRA: These months will bring big opportunities around a better work-life

balance, job, income and assets. With so much energy, now is the time to hustle toward your next greatest career goals. New jobs, more responsibilities or exciting projects could be presented to you —with more wealth appearing, too. However, if you’re unhappy with your trajectory, now is the time to seize the day and turn your career in the direction that will fulfill you most. Finding the right routine should manifest more easily for you, especially once you integrate more healthconscious plans such as diet or fitness regimens. Big wins could also happen around investments, stocks, loans or inheritances, too. Single Libras could find a soulmate, while those in existing unions could make long-term plans.

SCORPIO: Romance, relationships and personal euphoria are major points for you during the last few months of 2022, Scorpio! Your stars will help you to open your heart and fall in love more deeply than ever before. Single Scorpios are especially favored, but committed ones can also reignite the fire in their connection. However, because you’ll be feeling the intense need to step into your power and have your authentic worth recognized in relationships, friction could also happen if you’re not in alignment with another. Another major aspect to pay attention to will be your home, real estate and domestic life, as you’ll be experiencing more weight around these subjects. This will be an auspicious period around employment and health matters in October, where you could experience a better work-life balance.

SAGITTARIUS: The month of October will predominantly help you to feel more stable in life professionally, as well as emotionally. You are embarking on a new chapter that is more fulfilling than ever before. Your major focus would be around your home, real estate, family or domestic life in the year to come. These areas

should improve drastically and help you to feel more in control of your path. You will be crowned with love, passion, creativity and fertility, so making these a top priority will fill your heart with light.. You’ll notice a greater focus on partnerships and commitments — but be cautious of some frustrations in November and December. If you’ve been looking for the right specialist, trainer, doctor or therapist, you could soon find them.

CAPRICORN: Personal relationships — family, friends and love — will be of utmost importance for you during the last few months of 2022, Capricorn. You might feel nostalgic as you’re reflecting on the past and likely reuniting with people from before to rekindle a connection or instead find closure and move on once and for all. A new trend around moving, renovating or real estate could crop up for you. However, the most intense transformations will likely take place around true love, fertility and friendships. Single Capricorns could have fated situations around romance, such as meeting a soulmate or falling in love, while others could realize the spark has gone and it’s time to move forward. Committed couples can share this energy by bringing the spice and passion back. When it comes to your professional life, the last few months of the year will make you especially busy. Be careful not to burn yourself out, as your health could suffer.

AQUARIUS: Knowing your worth and stepping into your power will be key themes for you during these months. Recently, you’ve been focusing on taking more responsibility and being intentional about everything that you do. Luckily, a lot of this is going to pay off in regards to your income and professional life! Most importantly,

you could be showered with more wealth and abundance in the coming months, whether it’s in the form of a raise, new job, lucrative client or bonus. If you’re unhappy with your professional progress, now is the time to be practical and find legitimate ways of redirecting your path. Your communication skills will be highlighted too, so launch initiatives. Your personal relationships will see shifts during the last few months of the year, as destined situations around home or family occur — whether in the form of moving to a new location or having to step in to handle a family affair.

PISCES: Pisces, you are entering a period of rebirth and new beginnings where opportunities and luck will shower upon you. This isn’t a time where you’re going to ‘hit it big’ in every way, but instead, start taking action to build the life you want in the long-term. Soulmate connections, true love, joyous career breakthroughs, pregnancy or new horizons beckon to you — choose wisely! The month of October will bring you more opportunities for income and wealth, too! Soaring into new horizons will also be important to you, as you decide to pursue travel, new educational endeavors or even become more involved in a spirituality of your choice. Prepare to make a lot of progress, but watch out during November and December, as there could be some challenges that make you quite emotional.

Karishma is a professionally certified Intuitive Psychic, Tarot Reader, Numerologist, Astrologer, and a Reiki/Crystal Healer with an international client base. For any personal queries, you can contact her at, WhatsApp and Phone Number: 6725138781 Website: www.karishmaoberoipsychic.com Email ID: oberoikarishma24@gmail.com

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