Darpan Magazine - JAN 2020 by Darpan Magazine

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2020

REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

WINTER

FEATURE

Road Trips From Vancouver

Learning from TV

FASHION

Designer Natasha Dalal

AUTO FEATURE SEMA AUTO SHOW

TECH

New Year,

Baby Tech for First-Time Parents

New Market

Future of Real Estate in BC

2020 Yearly

Horoscope

Surreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Second

Hospital

Raja kumari STORY

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REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

WINTER

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Baby Tech for First-Time Parents

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2020 Yearly

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Surrey’s Second

Hospital

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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ello readers, wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year! We are excited to present out first issue of 2020, featuring some interesting articles. On the cover is hip-hop, pop, dance music artist, Raja Kumari. Staying true to her latest song, Karma, she is a self-proclaimed queen of Hindustan who perfectly blends music from her birthplace – California and her roots – India. Raja Kumari aka Svetha Yellapragada Rao is a singer, songwriter and fashion icon. 2019 has been a gratifying year for this global sensation. From performing a cameo in the most-awarded movie of the year, Gully Boy, to releasing hit independent EPs like Bloodline, Raja Kumari is on top of her game. “It’s very important for me to incorporate my culture into my songs. I want to be the bridge between the east and the west and help people listen to music without borders,” says the international star. Read all about her exciting journey in our cover story. Our auto section has car reviews of some of the latest, gorgeous models. Read the reviews on 2020 Lincoln Aviator, 2020 Nissan Armada, and Porsche Taycan. The January/February issue also includes an auto feature on SEMA. The 53rd Speciality Equipment Market Association show took place in Las Vegas, the latest iteration at the close of 2019 hosting more than 161,000 guests. Among all the tuners and accessory manufacturers were select automakers showing off unique products not seen in dealer showrooms. We’ve rounded up the top six examples in the feature. Parents, read our short feature on what to look out for when choosing television shows for your young child to watch. Also, our article on ‘Baby Tech for First-time Parents’ is another fun read. Today’s generation of tech-savvy parents have access to a wide variety of products to monitor their newborns health, and make parenting a little easier. Look at the must-have baby tech products for new parents. We hope you enjoy the January/February issue. Share your thoughts by emailing us at editor@darpanmagazine.com or posting on our social media sites. Happy 2020!

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2020 CONTENTS

J A N U A RY | F E B R U A RY

LIFESTYLE

Raja kumari IN EVERY ISSUE

STORY

74 RECIPES

118 TRAVEL

Sangam and Inder Welcome to Bath

Eliminate Overwhelm from your Life

ENTERTAINMENT

82 FITNESS

6 Things to Keep in Mind While Working Out with an Injury

84 BEAUTY

CPR & AEDs: The life you save may be your loved one’s

10 DARPAN’S 10

Stella Bowles: Young Environmentalist

54 SALUTES

BUSINESS PROFILE 58 PICS Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program 92 BIBA

60 NEWS IN PICTURES

Jasmit Phulka

114 WEDDING

70 HEALTH

8 READER’S REACTION

SPOTLIGHTS 12 Shanampudi Saidi Reddy 16 Dr. Anita Natarajan 20 Amar Dhesi &

144 GLOBAL INDIANS

138 BOLLYWOOD

The Bollywood Filmi Calendar

138

140 HOLLYWOOD

‘Tis the Season to be Chilly

Here Comes the Glow

88 STYLE Feeling Blue

96 FASHION SPOTLIGHT Natasha Dalal

108 HOME

Enhance your Cooking Experience

Svetlana Tulasi

146 CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS

AUTO

FEATURES 36 FEATURE 2020 Yearly Predictions

44 FEATURE

Need of the Hour: Surrey’s Second Hospital

122 2020 Lincoln Aviator 126 Porsche Taycan

48 FEATURE Get Financially Successful in the New Decade

144

50 FEATURE

64 FEATURE

New Year, New Market

Learning from TV

56 FEATURE

80 FEATURE

Standing up to Climate Change

The Bitter Side of Sugar

50 6

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

112

Winter Road Trips from Vancouver

Baby Tech for First-Time Parents Chef Sanjay Thumma

46 YOUTH COLUMN

Jack Hundial

66 TECH

112 ACTIVITIES

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REFLECTING SOUTHASIAN LIFESTYLE

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019

CELEBRATING AN EXTRAORDINARY DECADE OF EXCELLENCE

Rea

Write to us: editor@darpanmagazine.com or Tag us on social media: @DarpanMagazine & #Darpanmgazine

2019

CELEBRATING INSPIRING STORIES

EXCLUCIVE PICTURES OF THE DARPAN AWARDS INSIDE!

MEET THE DARPAN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVERS OF 2019

PLANT-BASED DIETS Loved the piece on plant-based diets. Good to know what the diet really means and how one can include it in one’s lifestyle.

– Mira Rai

Glad to know that you enjoyed reading the article Mira. Plant-based diets are definitely here to stay and a great choice to stay healthy and reduce your carbon footprint. Do try out the recipes featured with the article. – Editor

ON OUR SOCIAL FEED A beautiful story done by Darpan Magazine. I feel very blessed and privileged to be following the voice of my soul, living a musical life and to be recognized for that is like cherry on the cake. This Whole is overly gracious. I am deeply in debt to you all for all the love, kindness, achievements and recognitions that i have received, believe me that my part in them is bittiest. I owe this to all those teachers who universe considered me worthy of their teachings. (sic) – Sharanjeet Singh Mand/ Facebook Congratulations amd Pranam to our guru Sharanjeet Singh Mand What a remarkable passage on how a sitar can sound like a human voice! . Brilliant write up by Darpan Magazine. Thank you (sic)

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT Gorgeous display of outfits in the December issue. I have not heard of Zara Umrigar much but her new collection is stunning! – Sia Kapoor

Re: Hi Sia, yes Zara Umrigar is a talented designer

and her latest collection, Reign, has beautiful outfits that would look great for any occasion. Through the segment, we want to introduce the couture collections of new and existing designers to BC’s South Asian community. – Editor

FITNESS Great article on fitness supplements in the current issue. Being a fitness freak myself, it is good that Darpan is letting readers know about the use and benefits of supplements. – Bhairav Gupta

Re: Hello Bhairav, thank you for sharing your thoughts

with DARPAN. Our aim is to always educate our readers on the current trends or happenings pertaining to the lifestyle sector, so that they can make informed decisions that can enhance their life. – Editor

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DARPAN’S Mayor McCallum’s style of leadership on his team, it’s not a leadership style that I’m used to. I’m used to something that’s a lot more inclusive, something where we actually have

JACK

communication and we don’t just communicate by

HUNDIAL COUNCILLOR, CITY OF SURREY BY PETRINA D’SOUZA 1 What are your views on the new Surrey

Police Department (SPD)?

I think any police force, whether it’s the RCMP or any kind of new police force, the underpinning issue is always that Surrey deserves the best police force. Certainly, what we saw in the report that was released, we’re actually getting less police officers for more money. So it’s actually a step back for me in public safety. I’m against making Surrey less safe. How I look at it is, when there’s a building that’s on fire, you really don’t care what colour the fire truck is. You have to invest in those public safety programs and you have to invest in the overall public safety. 2 Why did you leave the Safe Surrey

PHOTO: COURTESY OF COUNCILLOR JACK HUNDIAL

Coalition Party?

The first big divide was at the first budget that happened, when it was very clear there that we are not going to be investing any more into public safety. There will be no additional hires for the RCMP, no additional hires for fire [department] and we’re not going to be investing into the infrastructure for the city. So I think that’s when it first sort of started. And then, trying to spend the year working with the Mayor and his team and trying to move some of those issues forward. But, there’s very little dialogue on that. Then, as we went into the second budget, those same issues came back and they weren’t being addressed and committed to. So that was largely because there’s just lack of a voice at City Hall.

sending out press messages or using media to deliver your messages.”

pieces that you like, you have to take it all. You have to work towards the goal of it being all encompassing and it can be done. But I think people should be prepared that you’re looking at a 10-15 timeframe to get it to a level where you’re going to start seeing that impact. And during that time, you have to invest money into it. So, really that’s something that people need to understand now going into it. 4 According to you, what is the biggest challenge with forming a new police force?

If you look at the various polling, even in the Mayor’s own consultation process, and I believe it was one of the news organizations that said there’s 72 per cent that want to still keep the RCMP. And if you look at the overall polling that’s been done, the independent polling, it’s consistent with that. So the biggest challenge now is going to be really trying to convince the community that this is a step in the right direction and the reason why. So I think that’s going to be probably the largest challenge because in Canada we police by consent, at the will of the people for the people. 5 Will the SPD ensure safety in Surrey?

The way that transition report was designed, with less officers than we have today, I don’t think so. It’s a very simple equation to look at, to say it’s not going to be what we have today. Now we do have the ability to rapidly bring Surrey to a place where we do meet more of the community needs. And there is the opportunity within the RCMP to create that police board which would allow for the community to have a voice. Because councils and politicians are going to come and go but the police committee, even with the RCMP, that can be established under the Attorney General, just like every other police board.

3 Do you think the new police force would

be ready by mid-2020 as promised?

6 How would you deal with the safety concerns in Surrey?

I think the timeline is ambitious and I think even Wally Oppal [Chair of the Surrey Police Transition Task Force] has said the same thing as well. The report will be forwarded to the minister probably in a few weeks time I believe. So really it will be up to that point for the Ministry to decide on those key questions like what’s the timing going to be. Policing is not just Surrey, it’s very complex; it’s the entire region in fact. So you can’t just hive off the

I think one thing we can do right away today is invest more into the RCMP and bring us to a level where we’re certainly at par with our neighbouring communities, because we know that once we adequately resource it, it does have an impact. So I would target certainly on the street level drugs, we can target those if we give them the additional resources right now to expand the programs. The other thing that would be very important is to start with the asset forfeiture,

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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we do that currently where upon a conviction, we do seize people’s property. So I think once in Surrey, or any community, you go and you start seizing people’s homes and possessions of vehicles, the message is very clear that we as a community are standing up for safety. 7 What are your suggestions for the SPD?

First thing I would’ve done, I would’ve done a feasibility study, which is what Richmond did with their review. Red Deer in Alberta just completed their feasibility study and they decided not to go with it because of the financial implications. So the first thing I would do is the feasibility study. 8 What issues do you have with Mayor Doug McCallum’s leadership?

Well, you have to be mindful, he is the Mayor, and he does hold that seat. But certainly his style of leadership on his team, it’s not a leadership style that I’m used to. I’m used to something that’s a lot more inclusive, something where we actually have communication and we don’t just communicate by sending out press messages or using media to deliver your messages. If you’re going to be a leader in the community, you need to be inclusive of everyone, not just the people that didn’t vote for you, but even those people that didn’t vote. 9 There is report of lack of transparency in the Surrey government. What are your thoughts?

I would have to say I completely agree. There is just a complete lack of transparency, transparency in the programs and certainly as we move forward in the budget. Why are we focusing on some issues or some programs within the budget and not others? A good example would be: we committed to building an ice arena, a recreation facility, which our youth need because we know overall in Surrey we’re actually short compared to other communities when it comes to recreational facilities. We know that’s a proven way to keep our children safer, healthier and to keep families and communities together. So when we don’t explain why we cancelled that ice arena, people have the right to ask questions because those were their tax dollars that we were making those decisions with.

What is the purpose of Surrey Connect? Why did you and Councillor Brenda Locke create it?

Prior to the Mayor asking me to join his team, I announced as an independent. Then the Mayor asked me to come join his team, and also Counsellor Locke. When we joined with Mayor McCallum, it was with a promise that we’d have input, there’d be transparency and we’d look after the overall safety for the City of Surrey. So after a year trying to work in that, realizing that’s not the direction that we committed to, with not just our supporters but with our integrity, we made time to make a decision on how can we create hope for the city? And that’s what really this new party is about. It’s about going out consulting and connecting with the community. It’s about going out and giving them hope, that as we move into the future, Surrey is a great place to be. We can make it safer. It’s a great community to come to, whether you’re here to learn, to live, or to work. So, our goal is to create that vision for the city. And the first step in that is going out and meeting with the residents and consulting with the residents. And that’s a step we’ve undertook. So this spring, you’ll be seeing us out in the community a lot more, holding those town halls and hearing from the residents themselves. Surrey is a big city and the needs are different from different parts of the city.

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M.L.A SHANAMPUDI

SAIDI REDDY

THE SURREY CONNECTION S

BY PETRINA D’SOUZA

The former owner of Mayuri Restaurant in Surrey is now the MLA for Huzurnagar constituency in Telangana state in India. Saidi Reddy is working towards youth employment, women empowerment, water irrigation, and overall development of the region.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

hanampudi Saidi Reddy has led a very interesting and passionate journey. He moved to Canada in 2005 with his wife and first born, after a stop-over in Jamaica for few years to work for United Nations Organisation (UNO). After a year of working small jobs and as an IT professional in Canada, he started Mayuri Indian Cuisine, a vegetarian South Indian restaurant in Surrey, BC. Mayuri’s authentic and delicious food made it “one of the top successful restaurants in Surrey,” proudly states Saidi Reddy, “From that time onwards my wife and I started our career in Canada as restaurant owners.” Saidi Reddy fondly mentions his wife’s (still the owner of Mayuri) continuous support in all his

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Telangana faces on a grassroots level. Once Telangana became an official state in 2014, Saidi Reddy decided that it was time to “do something for my state, people and villages.” He moved back to India and co-started an organization called RISE - Rural Institute of Skill Empowerment – to empower youth. Seeing majority of graduated and well-educated youth without employment, Saidi Reddy used RISE as a platform to support youth with jobs. “Seeing how we have institutes like BCIT and Skilled Work and Employment programs in Canada, I started working with youth in Telangana through RISE. Until now we have employed over 4,000 youth in different trades. We trained them and placed them in different skilled jobs,” explains Saidi Reddy, the current MLA of Huzurnagar constituency in Telangana. Saidi Reddy’s venture into politics was not a planned move. It was his desire to see India and Telangana developed that led him to the political path. There were a few factors that encouraged him to run for the MLA election. Firstly, his parents had been sarpanch (decision-maker) of the village he grew up in. Also, his

endeavours throughout his married life. Despite his successful journey in Canada, Saidi Reddy’s mind was still on the development of India and his fellow people in Telangana state. He would visit India every year and use his time there to get involved in social service in the community. Yet he wanted to do more, to tackle the problem that people in MLA Saidi Reddy with Telangana CM K. Chandrashekar Rao

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SHANAMPUDI SAIDI REDDY

father Ankireddy was a well-known active social worker who fought for his area development and empowerment. That had inspired Saidireddy to start Ankireddy Foundation to serve the needy people of the area. “I knew the issues in my village and surroundings, how the poor are fighting for their livelihood. I knew that from day one.” Secondly, he had witnessed first-hand how developing countries function through his residency in Canada and his former work at the UNO. “I knew what issues a developing country faces and how developed countries are doing well,” shares Saidi Reddy. Additionally, in Canada he learnt a lot about humanity and kindness and reacting to problems. “Any bad thing happens in the world, the first person to react is a Canadian. That makes me really feel proud of being a Canadian. It made me question myself on what I should do for India as an Indian-born and bred and having seen the problems in the country.” Lastly and most importantly, Saidi Reddy was inspired to follow the footsteps of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) who started the TRS party. Saidi Reddy points out that TRS “is not just a party but a movement. He started it to benefit Telangana people. Water,

I will follow my CM and work for youth. I want to work more and bring a change in politics.‟ employment and funds – we are not getting these three things in the same share as Andhra people. He knew the core issue, problems and why people are suffering, and what we can do to make their life better.” All these factors inspired Saidi Reddy to serve his native motherland further, thus he reinstated his Indian citizenship by sacrificing his Canadian citizenship. This would open more opportunities to serve the people of his land. CM KCR believed in Saidi Reddy and gave him a seat in Huzurnagar assembly constituency. In October 2019, he won the election with a huge majority of more than 20 per cent margin and became the MLA of Huzurnagar constituency in Telangana. MLA Saidi Reddy mentions that in his constituency, out of 245,000 voters, 35,00040,000 voters are below 29 years of age. “We have about 140 villages and two municipalities in my constituency,” says the dedicated MLA, “During my campaign and

even before that, I went to each village and municipality five to 10 times to meet people, to know the problems, and help them with solutions. That’s how I worked morning to evening with people. It made me a part of them and people invited me and considered me and my family as their own.” As an MLA, Saidi Reddy is working towards youth employment, women empowerment and water irrigation. Talking about irrigation, he says that “About 40 per cent fields don’t have enough water for irrigation. That is my main focus. My entire government is pro-farming and pro-agriculture and we are planning to do water irrigation and build good infrastructure as most villages don’t have proper drains or roads in the region.” The Huzurnagar MLA adds that he “has received Rs. 100 crore funding from the CM for his constituency and municipalities.” In conclusion, MLA Saidi Reddy says he has major plans for Huzurnagar and Telangana. “I will follow my CM and work for youth. I want to work more and bring a change in politics. I want to create advisory groups and work together everywhere. We want to set an example in the political scenario. I will develop Huzurnagar region as a model constituency for the whole country, which would inspire many youth and NRIs to serve their motherland.”

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Dr. Anita Natarajan recently joined Babylon by TELUS Health as a Head-Office Physician Lead. Babylon by TELUS Health provides virtual healthcare through a free smartphone app. The app empowers patients with an AI-powered Symptom Checker, which draws data from over 500 million streams of medical knowledge. It asks the user questions and responds by providing them a course of action. If the patient needs to see a doctor, they can book

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appointments for face-to-face virtual video calls with locally licensed physicians. What’s more, the consultation is covered by BC MSP. After practicing medicine in an office-based practice for almost two decades, Dr. Natarajan wanted to do more to make healthcare accessible. She knew the challenges faced by those who live in the interiors of the province. So she decided to take on more responsibilities. “My role is varied; other than providing video-based care to patients across BC, analyzing incoming

test results, I also help our medical directors create policies and protocols for our team of physicians.” Turning to technology as her method of treatment wasn’t an easy decision. It involved a big change that Dr. Natarajan wholeheartedly embraced so she could help patients on a larger scale. “I am a very traditional person by nature. I previously used pen and paper to record all patient notes. I realized over time that the traditional model is very difficult to sustain. I was impressed by the mission, the technological expertise and the sincerity of the people who work for Babylon by TELUS Health. Through this service, British Columbians have another option for accessing quality care and communicating with healthcare professionals.” Dr. Natarajan believes all the hard work she put in to learn and promote this technology is for the greater good: making primary health care available outside of traditional clinic hours; a modern platform that will complement the existing provincial healthcare system. It particularly eases the stress on hospital emergency rooms, which for the most part deal with non-emergency health issues that occur at odd hours.

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She shares her experience, “Our team has had the privilege of helping hundreds of patients access much needed medical advice, lab tests, imaging, specialist consultations and rehabilitation services. We are connected through an internal messaging system where we continually share clinical questions, advice and updates in medicine. Each day, I learn so much from the collective experience of our physician group.” While she and her team vouch for the system, and believe it relieves some pressure on limited public health resources, they are still working towards addressing some shortcomings; the inability to examine a patient in person being top on the list. Dr. Natarajan takes extra measures to not let it affect her course of treatment in any way. “As a physician delivering virtual care, I arrive at a diagnosis through careful historytaking and examining each patient by video. While video consultations do have their limitations, I am able to accomplish much of the standard approach to examination via video by doing a thorough assessment of a patient’s overall appearance, level of activity, and mental state based on the conversation.” This is further supplemented by the ability to order lab tests, diagnostic imaging, and to review Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) medication histories. “If a physical examination is deemed necessary, I then refer patients to a physical clinic.” After seeing patients in an office setting for almost 20 years, Dr. Natarajan feels both ways of treatment are not very different. “I use the same skills over the digital platform as I would in an office setting. The challenges I face each day are the same as in general practice. When treating someone virtually we have to remember technology is a means to an end. The real goal is to listen to patients and keep all the possible diagnostic outcomes in mind, even the rare ones.” says the doctor who wants to share this new technology with her fellow doctors across BC.

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MEET THE WRESTLING

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BY NAINA GREWAL

AMAR DHESI The next major step for Dhesi is the March Olympic qualifiers, and if he does well enough there, he could punch his ticket to Tokyo representing Canada at the 2020 Olympics.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

mar Dhesi is one of the best wrestlers in the country and is looking to take his talents to the Olympics. The next major step for Dhesi is the March Olympic qualifiers, and if he does well enough there, he could punch his ticket to Tokyo representing Canada at the 2020 Olympics. Growing up, Dhesi started wrestling from the age of five. He reminisced how he always “wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps as a wrestler

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and I have kept pushing myself ever since then.” His father founded and currently serves as the president of the Khalsa Wrestling Club and it has been running and growing since 1976. Dhesi has trained with the club and it has helped significantly to shape who he is inside and outside of the gym. Dhesi had been wrestling his whole life and always committed to getting better each year. However, there was one experience that sticks out to him as the moment he believed he could take this to the next level. In the 9th Grade, Dhesi entered into the Provincial Championships for the 78 kg division and won the gold medal. “It was a tough tournament with a lot of talented wrestlers. I know I had to be at my best to even have a shot and I just went out there and won it all.” From this moment on, Dhesi strengthened his commitment to the sport and set his sights on more championships, and ultimately, the Olympics. He had a successful high school wrestling career winning several Provincial championships. His pinnacle victory, however, came as a grade 12 student as he snuck his way into the U21 Junior

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AMAR DHESI, WRESTLING CANADA LUTTE/ MICHAEL P HALL

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National Showcase in Las Vegas (only for Americans). Dhesi recalls how he â&#x20AC;&#x153;didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to do really well, I just wanted to compete against some of the best older guys. I just put it all out there and kept winning all the way to winning the title.â&#x20AC;? After he won against the consensus #1 recruit in the nation, numerous institutions sought to get Dhesi to attend their school. Oregon State University won the bidding war and brought Dhesi in on a scholarship where he has been a 3x All-American wrestler. He became the first wrestler from BC to get a scholarship to a Division 1 school in the NCAA. Dhesi has had to battle his way back for these past trials. In 2016, he finished in 2nd place at the Olympic Team Trials which ended his dream to make the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Going into the trials, Dhesi was seen as the young star and favourite to win to get to the Olympic qualifiers, but fate didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have it that way. Dhesi reached a point where he thought he â&#x20AC;&#x153;was done wrestling, I just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see myself bouncing back. Then my coaches said the best thing to do is just get back on the mat. And it worked, I have been thriving ever since.â&#x20AC;? Dhesi owes a great deal of gratitude to his coaches at Oregon State who really pushed him to getting over his tough loss and helping him grow. He is also a member of the Ohio Regional Training Center (RTC) where he works with the athletes and gets coaching help from the staff. The Ohio RTC have trained world champions and Olympians in wrestling and he hopes to be the next one to make it. Dhesi mentions how â&#x20AC;&#x153;the club has some amazing world champions and Olympians. I want to be the next one, and they have already been helping to make that dream become a reality.â&#x20AC;? The importance of wrestling in Indian culture is something that Dhesi understands. Its popularity is growing in India and he relishes the opportunity to represent the Punjabi community on such a high stage in the sport. His future plans focus wrestling through the next two Olympic windows for sure. Dhesi also wants to remain involved with the Khalsa Wrestling Club and continue to give back to the community. With a chance to make the Olympics, Dhesi can be one of the most successful Indo-Canadian athletes at an international level.

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JASMIT PHULKA BY HARJAN PADDA

Phulka’s recent win earned him a spot at the Olympic qualifiers in March where he could compete for the chance to wrestle in the Olympics for Team Canada.

asmit Phulka won the 74-kg title at the Canadian Wrestling Trials this past December. This win earned him a spot at the Olympic qualifiers in March where he could compete for the chance to wrestle in the Olympics for Team Canada. Phulka started wrestling at the age of 10 after his older brother joined it. He is a 3rd generation athlete as his grandfather was a kabaddi player and his dad also played kabaddi and was a powerlifter. The athletic genes have run in his family for generations

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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so it is no surprise to see Phulka establish himself as an elite athlete taking it to the next level. In Grade 6, Phulka took his wrestling dreams to the next level and trained every single day for two years before he could qualify for provincials. “I focused on getting better and stronger, I would do 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups daily. I set my mind to this and am still pushing forward in my training to this day.” One of the key elements of Phulka as a fighter is his thorough training regimen which started at a young age and continues to drive him. His dad’s work ethic has had a profound effect on Phulka as he strives to replicate this in his career. “My dad would always take me and my brother to practice. After matches he would give us advice to get better on top of our coaching which really kept us close and helped improve our performance,” shares Phulka. The support from his family has been instrumental in building his career. Many wrestling experts contend that the 74-kg weight class is the hardest to compete in. Phulka became the first Indo-Canadian to win the middleweight division at the Trials. He makes sure to mention that he dedicated this win “to my family who sacrifices for me every day and it meant a lot to see the love and support from my community. With God I am unstoppable, without God I am nothing.” The win was a

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huge step for Phulka’s career but he remains humble after his glory. Phulka realizes that he is in uncharted territory as a middleweight Indo-Canadian wrestler on the cusp of representing Canada. He shows a lot of gratitude towards 2012 Olympian Arjan Bhullar, someone he looked up to and sought advice from as one of the first Indo-Canadian Olympians with an impressive and clean resume. He knows his role as a member of the Punjabi community and is “committed to being a role model for young athletes and inspiring future generations. It can really make a difference for kids to see people have success from similar backgrounds as them.” With tournaments and competitions year round, he stresses the importance of staying in shape and eating clean. Phulka takes a great deal of pride that his ascension completely stems from natural hard work. He never falters from “training the natural way with a clean system. I don’t care about the medals, I want to look back and know that I did this on my own as a clean fighter.” There are tournaments for Phulka in the first few months of the year but they could be seen as tuneups before the March qualifiers. “That’s where we have to lay it all out on the line and execute. Those qualifiers are the only events that come in between me and the Olympics, I have to be at the top of my game” explains Phulka. The top two wrestlers from each weight class make it to the Olympics. When looking at long term goals, Phulka wants to keep training and wrestling through the 2028 Olympics as he attempts to earn the chance to represent Canada at the next three Olympics. He maintains that he wants to give back to the community and really pass forward the love and support he has received from his community as he progresses in his career.

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COVER STORY

Raja kumari Blending Tradition & Contemporary Music

BY Mrinalini Sundar & Petrina D’Souza

Staying true to her latest song, Karma, she is a self-proclaimed queen of Hindustan who perfectly blends music from her birthplace – California and her roots – India. Raja Kumari aka Svetha Yellapragada Rao is a singer, songwriter and fashion icon.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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It’s very important for me to incorporate my culture into my songs. I want to be the bridge between the East and the West and help people listen to music without borders.”

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

COVER STORY

Hip hop is one of the fastest rising genres in India, and it’s great to see more Indians step into the spotlight. In my new MTV show, Hustle, I’m excited to help discover more local, home-grown talent.” 2019 has been a gratifying year for the hip-hop, pop, dance music artist. From performing a cameo in the most-awarded movie of the year, Gully Boy, to releasing hit independent EPs like Bloodline, Raja Kumari is on top of her game. She also ruled the beauty scene as she was announced as the face of MAC Cosmetics’ holiday campaign. As part of her music journey,

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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the recording artist and the Grammy-nominated rapper has also collaborated with notable artists including Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Knife Party, and Fall Out Boy. She is currently a presenter and curator on the Apple Music Beats 1 Radio’s ‘New India Show’ that is broadcasted in 81 countries. Raja Kumari is exactly where she wants to be in her life. Becoming a singer was not an overnight dream for the rapper. “My dream was always to help people, and I found that music would give me the biggest platform to help the most amount of people,” she shares, adding that anybody can relate and connect to her music. “People all over the globe are going through similar problems, but sometimes we don’t know how to express those feelings. I think being authentic and wearing my heart on my sleeve helps people connect to the

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

COVER STORY

music and see themselves in my music,” says the global star. Her first introduction to music was with Carnatic classical dance and performing with a live orchestra. It was in her fifth grade that Raja Kumari discovered hip hop through The Score. By the age of 14, she

We’re currently in a musical transition where songs have no boundaries, and listeners from all over the world can experience the beauty of classical Indian music from inside their bedrooms all over the world.”

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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became a freestyle MC. But it was during college that her songwriting journey began. “I took a songwriting course from a professional outside of my curriculum and fell in love with the craft,” says Raja Kumari, who has a unique style of music.

So does blending traditional and contemporary music come naturally to the star? To this she says, “Blending Indian classical music with hip-hop wasn’t anything done on purpose, it’s just who I am. It was easy to blend the two because I grew up on Indian classical music but growing up in Los Angeles I was heavily influenced by hip-hop.” Raja Kumari merges both her worlds – Mumbai and Los Angeles – in her music. “It’s very important for me to incorporate my culture into my songs. I want to be the bridge between the East and the West and help people listen to music without borders,” states the City Slums singer.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

COVER STORY

People all over the globe are going through similar problems, but sometimes we don’t know how to express those feelings. I think being authentic and wearing my heart on my sleeve helps people connect to the music and see themselves in my music.” 32

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

What was once a dream soon became reality when Raja Kumari worked with AR Rahman for the movie Kaatru Veliyidai. It didn’t stop with that, she also got an opportunity to perform with him on stage. Talking about working with the Mozart of Madras, she says, “I’ve always had a really fun relationship with him. I always like to play him whatever new music is coming out, and he always stays so relevant by working with young artists and trying new things, and that’s what I like to be with him.” She has worked with several other music composers for Indian movies such as

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Judgementall Hai Kya, Zero, Race 3, and Vivegam. Besides AR Rahman, she has collaborated with several musicians in the past. It was her collaboration with Iggy Azalea that earned her a Grammy nomination for writing, Change Your Life. But she considers working with Gwen close to her heart. “Writing with Gwen Stefani is a fond memory – she’s a true icon and someone I’ve always looked up too. To help put melodies to her ideas was an honor,” she remembers. In fact, she has worked with Sean Garrett for her latest EP, Bloodline, a collection of anthems that Raja Kumari worked on when she was going through some low moments

in her life. Garrett has previously written and produced for musicians like Beyoncé, Drake, Usher and Nicki Minaj. Raja Kumari believes that partnerships are the way forward and her dream alliance would be with Missy Elliot and Sidhu Moose Wala. Raja Kumari can safely take credit for popularising Indian classical music to the international audience, thanks to her songs. “We’re currently in a musical transition where songs have no boundaries, and listeners from all over the world can experience the beauty of classical Indian music from inside their bedrooms all over the world,” explains the first Indian to host American Music Awards 2019.

“Blending Indian classical music with hip-hop wasn’t anything done on purpose, it’s just who I am. It was easy to blend the two because I grew up on Indian classical music but growing up in Los Angeles I was heavily influenced by hip-hop.” At the same time, Raja Kumari also has a major hand in promoting hip hop and making it more mainstream for youngsters in India. Her stint with Gully Boy helped her in this endeavour. “Hip hop is one of the fastest rising genres in India, and it’s great to see more Indians step into the spotlight. In my new MTV show, Hustle, I’m excited to help discover more local, home-grown talent. I get the privilege to mentor new hip-hop talent and foster the next generation. This will be the first prime time show for rappers,” shares the 34-yearold who will be judging the show alongside Raftaar and Nucleya. A few months ago, Raja Kumari completed a five-city Karma Kills tour in India. Performing at her homeland was a surreal feeling for the rapper. Sharing her

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“I’ve always had a really fun relationship with him [AR Rahman]. I always like to play him whatever new music is coming out, and he always stays so relevant by working with young artists and trying new things, and that’s what I like to be with him.”

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experience, she says, “It was a dream come true to me. To come home and hear everyone singing my songs and hearing the words back was something I dreamt about since I was a little girl, and it’s a feeling I won’t soon forget.” With over 445K followers on Instagram and 21K plus followers on Twitter, Raja Kumari is a huge inspiration for a lot of aspiring singers and youngsters. Her all-time message to her followers is to find their own voice, to be authentic and to speak for themselves. But who is her inspiration? “I take inspiration from the world around me, current events, and what is in the air at the time. I enjoy writing for other people because I’m able to help put the feelings of others into melodies and words,” says the artist, who looks up to people like AR Rahman, Madhuri Dixit, Lauryn Hill, her mother, and M.I.A. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF RAJA KUMARI

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What â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Store for you this year?

2020 Yearly PREDICTIONS

Georgia Nicolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wisdom and wit have made her a popular international astrologer whose horoscope columns appear in major newspapers and magazines around the world. Nicols also makes regular appearances on television and radio and has a popular website with more than a million annual readers. Her book, You and Your Future is a bestseller in Canada, and has international printings in three languages. Visit: www.georgianicols.com.

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By Georgia Nicols TM

2020 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

“The harder I work, the luckier I get!” Career & Money This year lucky Jupiter is in Capricorn. This blessing occurs only once every 12 years and will not return until 2032. Therefore, do everything to use this advantage. People and resources will be drawn to you. Personally, you will feel more confident and secure about yourself. It will be a time of learning and gaining new experience because Jupiter rules universities and travel. Even the spiritual dimension of your life will become greater. It will be a fortunate year for you both professionally and personally. By nature, you are cautious, but this year, you have Lady Luck on your shoulder. (It’s important to know that next year in 2021 you will become richer.).

Relationships When lucky Jupiter is in your own sign, you appear more attractive to everyone because you’re happier. You are more confident. This is one of the best years for singles to meet new people. However, all relationships will improve because you’re happier. Enjoy your good fortune this year, romantic or otherwise.

Home and Family For the last few years, your home experienced sudden interruptions. However, these changes were indications where your life needs to improve. For some, old ties with the past must be broken. Fortunately, this year, you’re happier, more relaxed and confident, all qualities that improve relations with family. After June, your home scene will have increased activity and chaos, and your ability to be upbeat and positive will be invaluable.

AquariuS

HOROSCOPE

Pisces

(January 20 – February 18)

(February 19 – March 20)

“I welcome new ideas, new places and new people into my life.” Career & Money This year begins low-key and then gets stronger and stronger, professionally speaking. In the last six months, you will be confident and assured. If you can avoid being overbearing, people will respect and listen to you. This year is also the beginning of a 30-year journey where you will reinvent yourself in the next eight years. After June, the pace of your everyday life will accelerate and you will feel a renewal of energy.

Relationships Because you’re striking out in a new direction, many of you will meet new people, especially romantic partners. However, after June, you will become more aggressive. Obviously, this has some positive benefits. But it can also be off-putting to close friends and romantic partners. They might see you as bossy, opinionated and too keen to proselytize your ideas. Oops!

Home and Family In 2020, much of the anxiety and depression you felt in the last few years will lift away, making it easier to feel compassion and a genuine sense of caring for loved ones. Mars will make you aggressive and opinionated. Therefore, be aware of how you speak. Be kind. Be thoughtful. Don’t get hung up on your need to convince others to agree with you. Remember: there are none so deaf as those who are wearing headphones.

“I will learn how to handle being popular.” Career & Money In 2020, you will be more popular, which means your challenge is to learn how to work with people and at the same time, maintain your own independence and integrity. Do not sell out to please everyone. Having said that, you do stand to benefit from your cooperation with others. (Yes, this sounds like a contradiction, and it is.) In the last six months of this year, you will work hard to make money.

Relationships This is one of the best years in your life for relationships. Friends will help you. You might take on a leadership role with groups and clubs. You will meet new people and encounter new romance. Jealousy is possible. Your partner might not understand why you choose to be more involved with others. Include your partner to assuage their suspicions or insecurities. But in the bigger picture, you will be happy with your popularity – and this happiness will reflect in a greater warmth dealing with everyone

Home and Family Because you are happier this year, you will enjoy more positive relationships with family. You’ll be happier dealing with your kids. However, your popularity and increased involvement with clubs might rob you of the time you spend at home. But hey, this year you’re a Gordon Gekko wearing shoes by Ferragamo. Or you’re prancing in a Prada suit, flashing red soles. I rest my handbag (Coach.)

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

2020

HOROSCOPE

tAURUS

ARIES

(April 20 – May 20)

(March 21 – April 19)

“This is my year to go for the gold!” Career & Money There are three reasons why this year is professionally successful. First, it’s your time of harvest, when your cherished dreams will come true. (This occurs every 30 years.) Secondly, lucky Jupiter will be at the top of your chart, during your time of harvest, which is a double whammy of good fortune. You will receive a promotion, public recognition, kudos and the increased esteem of your peers. The third influence is your ruler Mars will be your sign for the last six months of the year, making you work hard and ready to be a fighter for your own rights. You’ll be PowerPoint on steroids!

Relationships This is a winning year for your reputation and hey, success is sexy. If single, you’re a better catch. If in a relationship, you will be happier, upbeat and more ready to celebrate life. Meanwhile Mars will boost your sex drive for the last six months of the year.

Home and Family Obviously, when you have more physical energy, confidence, drive and optimism, you can address any situation and get better results. This year, you will have abundant energy for family activities. You will have more energy to share with your kids. You will be more enthusiastic about adventures and vacations. You will have more energy to do things in your personal life and this will make you a winner.

Lucky days in 2020

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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May 21 – June 20)

“This is my year of preparation for good things to come!”

“I’m happy to get more money and support!”

Career & Money

The year 2021 is your time of harvest. Not this year but next year. Therefore, the extent to which you study and work this year will dictate the success you have next year (and beyond). Therefore, this is the year to get performance ready. Take a course, go to school, get training that improves your chances for future success. If you can travel, great. This will give you the kind of edge you need to enter 2021. After June, it will be hard to get credit for your work.

This year is about your assets and the wealth you share with others (shared property, debt, or including insurance settlements). Last year, you had to get along with less support from others. This year will loosen the purse strings of partners and other sources. You can swing that loan or raise money for your business. Money and financial support are coming your way!

Relationships There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is because you will find it difficult to get credit for your work in the last six months of the year, you might feel frustrated, which will impact your relationships. Therefore, be mindful so you don’t let your frustrations harm your personal relationships. The good news is you will have amazing opportunities to travel and interact with other cultures. Fun stuff! You will find yourself involved with people who are different from you. (Maybe a new romance?)

Home and Family Your home scene might change this year because you’ll travel more. Some might move to another country or get involved with someone from another culture. You might be away from home because you’re attending school. However, you will feel rewarded by this increased travel. You will be stimulated by learning more, and this new stimulation will enrich your family relationships. Remember that your efforts this year will come to fruition next year with a stunning success that is obvious in 2021-2022. Patience!

Gemini

Relationships Money is a big factor in relationships, often more than sex. This is because money affects our day-to-day living and how we fulfil our wants and needs. In this respect, your relationships will improve this year because you will benefit financially and in practical terms. This will pave the way for smoother relationships. However, some friendships might experience problems, especially in the last half of the year. You will want your way. You will resent group pressures and find it difficult to work with anyone who tries to tell you what to do. Oy vey!

Home and Family Family relations will benefit from the increased wealth that you receive this year. Many will inherit. You might receive more money from the government or get a payout, which allows you to be generous with family. This makes fun vacations and social outings possible and create happy memories. If you have suffered recently, especially physically, this year it will be easy for you to heal because many fortunate changes are taking place that will make your life richer and more rewarding.

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Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

“I appreciate how important and helpful others are.” Career & Money

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This year partnerships will help your career. Therefore, be open to working with others and accepting their advice. Mars will be at the top of your chart for the last six months of this year arousing your ambition as never before; however, it will also make you bossy. Remember Goethe’s advice about educating children? Correction does much but encouragement does more.

Relationships Approximately every 33-38 years, Saturn lines up with Pluto and this is powerful. This occurred in 1914, 1947, 1982, and now in the beginning of 2020. For you, this occurs in your House of Partnerships, which means some might have a radical change to committed partnerships. Troubled partnerships might end. However, countering this influence, lucky Jupiter is also present in your House of Partnerships, promoting loving affection and mutual appreciation in partnerships.

Home and Family All your encounters will be positive this year because Jupiter is opposite your sign. (This happens only once every 12 years.) This also means that others will help you and vice versa. It also means it’s the best year for Cancers to get married in over a decade. However, for the last half of the year, you are eager to achieve your aims. This will rob your time from home and family and perhaps create conflicts with authority figures. Keep this in mind because promoting family harmony is vital for your happiness. Family is gold.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

2020

HOROSCOPE

Leo

Virgo

(July 23 – Aug 22)

(August 23 – September 22)

“My energy and focus help me attain success!” Career & Money

Relationships You might be so successful you give less energy to your relationships. (There are only 24 hours in a day.) Or you might be so happy because of your job success, you carry this happiness into your relationships. When people are happier, they are easier to be with and more fun. Success is a double-edged sword. This is an excellent year for your health, which is good news for all your relationships because when you feel good, everyone is happier.

Career & Money

This year you will socialize and enjoy fun vacations. (Buy classy duds to make the scene!) After June, Mars will heighten your sex drive for the rest of the year. The same energy could introduce quarrels about loans or shared property. You might not agree about how to spend a limited amount of money. Meanwhile, this is the best year in over a decade to enjoy a vacation. Make plans to take a vacation to stoke the embers of your romance.

This year your increased job success will make you feel happier and when you feel happier, everyone else is happier. Admittedly, your success might demand more of your time, which means you have less time for family. However, this year, especially from July onwards, you will have many opportunities to travel, and this includes family trips and family vacations. This year you will be a strong role model for your family because you are healthy, focused, motivated and happy.

“Home and family are gold.”

Relationships

Home and Family

Home and Family This is the best year in a decade for a family vacation! Make plans for whatever your budget will allow. Expect abundant opportunities to enjoy sports events, movies, fun outings, musical events and family get-togethers. This is the classic year to expand your family through birth, adoption or marriage. The bottom line to your family life this year is that you will get greater joy through your children.

Lucky days in 2020

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

(September 23 - October 22)

“This is my year for a vacation and fun times!” This year brings new opportunities in restaurants, hotels and resorts, the arts, the entertainment world plus music and videogame development as well as sports or teaching children. From July until 2021, you might be in conflict about shared debt and shared responsibilities. Don’t be bullied into doing something you don’t want to do. The thrust of this year is to explore opportunities for freedom of self-expression and to be bolder when dealing with your world in a professional sense. Your best opportunities will be where others pay money to be entertained ad financial speculation.

The year 2020 is the best chance in over a decade to improve your job. You will get better duties, a promotion, better working conditions or your evil boss will be transferred to Timbuktu. Or you can get a better job. From July 1 onwards for the rest of the year, Mars will boost your energy and make you vigourous and willing to work hard. Your self-confidence will be strong and yet, you will be calm, decisive and clear about your intentions. Your health will improve this year as well!

Libra

All aspects of real estate are profitable this year. If you invest in real estate or work in real estate, you can boost earnings. Before you push further in your career, you want to put down roots. This is wise. After June, fiery Mars will oppose you for the rest of the year creating tensions with partners and fellow workers. Don’t waste your energy fighting about something that isn’t worth fighting over. Hate the deed not the doer.

Relationships Because you will be happier this year, this will attract others to you and improve existing relationships. However, after June, Mars will make you less patient. There was once a great teacher named Atisha who had a cook, who was dirty, unkempt and rude, and he couldn’t cook. Confused, his students said to him, “Master! Why don’t you get rid of this terrible cook?” Atisha answered, “Abandon my cook? He is my most valued treasure! He gives me the opportunity to practise patience daily.”

Home and Family In 2020, your home and family life will improve in a wonderful way because this is one of the loveliest years for home and family. You might move to something bigger and better. Or you might change where you live by redecorating or renovating. Something will happen that makes you feel richer at home. Your family might expand your family through birth or marriage. Family members will be more mutually generous. Plan to entertain more at home!

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2020

HOROSCOPE

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

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“My new contacts and training are scripting my future.” Career & Money This year is a turning point. In 2012, you began to create a new you, and this year, that job is complete. Stick a fork in the Lord, I’m done! Now you will start to work for future goals. You might train in a new position or improve your existing career because you’re headed for a time in 2028-2029, a time of major recognition! That’s why this is the year to get advanced training in a field of study that can be useful to you. Late in the year, you might not get credit for what you do.

Relationships In the past year, you enjoyed playful, flirtatious fun relations. This will continue this year; however, a subtle change will start to take place as you begin to focus on establishing a home base for yourself. If you are with someone who does not offer stability, that relationship might end. Alternatively, you will seek out someone who offers the security you want.

Home and Family Even though you might have moved recently, you might move again because your main desire is to secure your home base. Accept that you are in a state of flux and do what you can to secure your home. One thing is certain in 2021 (and for later Scorpios in 2022) you will have a wonderful blessing in terms of home, real estate and family. At that time, you will move to something you really love.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)

“Bring on the wealth. I’m ready!” Career & Money Your exciting news this year is you will get richer. Ka-ching! Your earnings will increase or you’ll become richer through investments. You might become richer because you inherit. This new wealth might come in the form of material, land or shared property. One advantage you have this year is that in the last half of this year, your energies will soar. Your self-confidence will increase and you will be more effective at whatever you do.

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Relationships Relationships are a tad confusing because since 2015, you’ve been reinventing yourself. If you’re in a relationship, your partner will think, “Who will I wake up next to today?” This year you’re testing some values. One thing is certain, in the last half of this year, you will be strong, invigorated, confident, enthusiastic and you will attract this kind of person to you. (However, this newfound strength and exuberance might overwhelm others.)

Home and Family Because this year you’re getting richer, you will improve your home or move to bigger and better digs. You might help family members, which will be personally rewarding. A residential move will happen in the next two years. This is something to consider in future plans. After June, you will be more enthusiastic about your home or family projects. If there is something you want to achieve, you will make it happen! Your ability to be calm and yet effective and hard-working will earn the respect of relatives and anyone at home.

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DARPAN FEATURE

NEED OF THE

HOUR:

SURREY’S SECOND HOSPITAL BY GURLEEN KAUR BAJWA

A SECOND HOSPITAL, BEING BUILT IN CLOVERDALE, IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THREE YEARS.

urrey, a city which is expected to become the biggest in the province by 2030 in terms of population, has perhaps not received quite the amount of attention it deserves. This is especially true in terms of its health sector, as evidenced by its one hospital. Surrey Memorial Hospital was built back in 1959, and while it has since undergone massive expansions, the fact remains that it is the only one

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

servicing the majority of the rapidly increasing half a million population of Surrey. This is evidenced only too clearly with the problem of overflowing patients and ridiculous waitlists. However, it seems there is finally some form of solution on the horizon. A second hospital, being built in Cloverdale, adjacent to the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Campus at 5500 180 St., is expected to begin construction within three years. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum believes this is a project that has been long overdue, and that “with the growth Surrey is experiencing, [it] will alleviate the wait times at Surrey Memorial Hospital, while providing state-of-the-art public health-care services for residents.” However, while this is exciting news in theory, it is pertinent to carefully consider

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the details of this new hospital, including who it benefits the most, what sets it apart from the existing services provided at Surrey Memorial, and the more practical matter of when it will actually be opening. According to Health Minister Adrian Dix, the location of the hospital was carefully chosen in order to have geographical balance in terms of service. In fact, one

Health Minister Adrian Dix believes that the hospital will be a big step forward for health care in general for the Lower Mainland, as it will be introducing “more doctors and nurses, as well as state of the art medical technology, and faster, better care, closer to home.”

of the main reasons why the process of the hospital had been detained for so long, was because choosing such a location had proven difficult. A multitude of factors had to be considered, including the location of Surrey Memorial, so that the new hospital would

PHOTOS: ISTOCK

be most beneficial for those who have the most difficulty in reaching the pre-existing one. Cloverdale was finally settled upon, as Mayor McCallum also voiced that the “location chosen in Cloverdale is wellpositioned to delivering services in an area where there is a great need.” Minister Dix also believes that the hospital will be a big step forward for health care in general for the Lower Mainland, as it will be introducing “more doctors and nurses, as well as state of the art medical technology, and faster, better care, closer to home.” There are also more logistical aspects of the new hospital to consider, including the actual timeline of the project. The announcement of the second hospital in 2017, started the process of ‘concept planning’ which involves laying out the general proposal and identifying potential locations. This concept plan was recently approved in December 2019 by Premier John Horgan. From the plans, the new Surrey Hospital will reportedly have an expansive set of resources, including beds, an emergency department, operating rooms, lab and diagnostic services, outpatient services and virtual care services. Going forward, the next stage is the business planning stage, and is projected to take about 12-18 months. Only following that, will the actual price tag of the hospital be released to the public, as the project moves into procurement. Assuming the current concept plan schedule remains in place, construction could then start in 2023, with the new hospital opening in 2027. However it is important to note that a second hospital should not necessarily be considered a satisfactory solution for the current problems faced by residents in Surrey in regard to their healthcare services. When accounting for the 12,000-18,000 immigrants arriving each year, the population of Surrey is expected to surpass that of Vancouver in a decade. However, Vancouver has seven hospitals, while Surrey will have two; in about seven plus years. Furthermore, according to local residents, such as Dr. Pargat Singh Burji, while a second hospital will certainly help Surrey, there is a need to “plan for a third one as well.” Therefore, it’s vital to see the current developments not as a solution, but as a step in the right direction, and perhaps a good sign for the future.

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YOUTH SPEAK

CPR & AEDs: The life you save may be your loved one’s BY JOBAN BAL & ADRIJA CHAKRABARTI

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HEARTS OF BC FOUNDATION

f someone sitting next to you were to suddenly collapse, unable to breathe or respond to you, and only make gasping sounds, would you know what to do? These are typical signs of a cardiac arrest. This is important to know because eight out of 10 cardiac arrests happen at home or in a public place, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. What is concerning is that only one in 10 of these patients survive. But wait! Immediate action in these scenarios can double the chance of survival! When enough blood does not reach the heart tissue, a person will experience a heart attack, meaning damage to the heart muscle. The heart may still be beating and the person may be conscious. A heart attack may lead to a cardiac arrest, or vice versa. They are related, but they are NOT the same thing, even if we hear the terms used JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

interchangeably. Cardiac arrest is much worse because the electrical system that controls the pumping of the heart malfunction so it can’t get blood to the brain and other organs. The person will collapse and become unconscious, requiring Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and perhaps the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Cardiac arrest can occur in anyone, young and old, of any fitness level, and at any time. Moments following a cardiac arrest, every second is valuable as chances of survival decrease rapidly. Even out of the one in 10 people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, some will still have brain damage. This can be greatly improved if an AED is already nearby, along with bystanders who can immediately perform CPR until emergency workers arrive.

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Hearts of BC Foundation directors Joban Bal (bottom row extreme right) & Adrija Chakrabarti (top row, 3rd from right) with Hearts of BC Foundation team

What is CPR and an AED? You might have seen CPR as chest compressions and rescue breaths. An AED is a portable device that detects lifethreatening heart rhythms and can shock the heart to stop it, allowing the heart to restart its normal rhythm. Survivors of cardiac arrest are grateful for AEDs and bystanders that performed CPR on them. We believe it should not be a matter of “luck” for anyone in the province having a cardiac arrest to have an AED nearby and a CPRtrained individual on the scene. Fortunately, CPR education can be taught to anyone. AEDs are equipped with easy-tofollow diagrams and automated instructions, and can be used by anyone. The Good Samaritan Act protects anyone with good intentions, trying to help within reasonable measures, from being subject to any legal action against them. Together, we can take “chance” out of the picture, reduce permanent brain and organ damage, and most importantly, reduce deaths from cardiac arrest. You may be asking: why haven’t we already

done this, it is a no-brainer! Many organizations are tackling various aspects of this challenge, but we need your support in improving legislation, increasing AED accessibility, and educating our communities. We are currently searching for AEDs dispersed across B.C. that are not searchable by emergency services on the provincial database and the Pulsepoint AED app. You can help this cause by learning CPR and helping us connect to AEDs not yet registered into the provincial network. Reach us at heartsofbc@ gmail.com to know more.

To contribute to this column, please email us:

editor@darpanmagazine.com

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN FEATURE

Get Financially Successful in the New Decade Whether it’s becoming more financially independent, getting out of debt or becoming a millionaire, there are five ways you can make more money. BY STEVE SIEBOLD Steve Siebold is the author of the book How Money Works, and a self-made millionaire who has interviewed more than 1,300 of the world’s wealthiest people over the last 35 years.

2020

isn’t just the start of a new year, but of a new decade. If the 2010s didn’t bring you the financial success you were hoping for, what can you do differently this time around? Whether it’s becoming more financially independent, getting out of debt or becoming a millionaire, there are five ways you can make more money in the new decade.

Believe Above anything else, it starts with a single belief that you can do it. Unfortunately, when it comes to money and big-time success, the masses will scorn and make fun of you. They’ll tell you you’re being silly and to stop wasting your time.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Don’t pay any attention to them. The only one you need to listen to and believe is yourself. If you think you can do it, you’re much closer to making it than you realize. Ditch your friends and get around people who believe in your vision.

Solve a problem Problem solving is the cornerstone of big-time wealth and success. You can solve a very large problem for a small number of people, or a small problem for a large number of people. Either way, come up with the solution that is going to make life easier for others, and you’ve got a winner. Start with your natural talents and expertise. What is the biggest problem that you see? What do people struggle with? Do you have the solution? Most people believe making money is mysterious. The truth is money flows from ideas. The more value you bring to the marketplace the wealthier you become. Getting rich in a free market economy is simply a matter of trading solutions for money.

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Learn to be uncomfortable Most people just want to be comfortable, be it physical, psychological or emotional comfort. Comfort, more than anything else, is one of the primary goals of the middle-class mindset. The fact is, becoming a millionaire isn’t easy and the need for comfort can be devastating. If you want to attract the big money, you have to learn to be comfortable while operating in a state of ongoing uncertainty. The great ones know there’s a price to pay for getting rich, but if they have the mental toughness to endure temporary pain, they can reap the harvest of abundant wealth for the rest of their lives. Start today by making a list of five things you must do that are uncomfortable but will help you build your financial fortune.

Become obsessed with success The average person believes obsession is a bad word. The truth is wealthy people have a healthy obsession with getting what they want, which includes money. The wealthy see business and life as a game, and it’s a game they love to win. This is the reason millionaires still go to work every day chasing their next success. Money to these people is no more than a gage that tells them when they have achieved their latest target. For the ultra-wealthy, it’s no longer about money but about success and accomplishment. There’s nothing wrong with being obsessed with wealth, but winners love to win and the elation they experience after victory never gets old.

Problem solving is the cornerstone of big-time wealth and success. You can solve a very large problem for a small number of people, or a small problem for a large number of people. Either way, come up with the solution that is going to make life easier for others, and you’ve got a winner.

See money as your friend Most people have a dysfunctional, adversarial relationship with money. After all, we are taught that money is scarce, hard to earn and harder to keep. If you want to start attracting money, stop seeing it as your enemy and think of it as one of your greatest allies in the new decade. It’s a friend that has the power to end sleepless nights of worry, physical pain and can even save your life. The rich see money as a special friend that can help them in ways no other friend can, and these positive feelings lead them to build a stronger relationship every day. Start telling yourself on a daily basis that money is your friend and a positive force in your life, and your mind will go to work to help you acquire more.

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New Year,

New Market

Predictions for BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Housing Market 2020

BY NAINA GREWAL

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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2020 brings robust forecasts for a more positive outlook, as sales rise back up with an increase in prices, to pay the way for a more accelerated 2021.

ritish Columbia’s real estate industry impacts many facets of the community – from both a business and personal-use lens, across sellers and buyers. In ways more than one, the housing market saw relative stagnancy in 2019. However, 2020 brings robust forecasts for a more positive outlook, as sales rise back up with an increase in prices, to pay the way for a more accelerated 2021. Len Catling, senior officer, media relations, at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), points out that 2020 resale market activity is expected to return towards levels in line with the growing population. The growing number of new homes entering the selling arena are expected to balance out the decrease in inventories of homes for sale. As per the Canadian Real Estate Organization, prices are also expected to rebound in 2020 after a year in decline. CEO of Gilco Real Estate Services, Rahul Gill, predicts that the housing market also depends on Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, who has directed his finance minister, Bill Morneau, to review mortgage stress tests and potentially make them more dynamic. Such a scenario may increase sales by 10 per cent to 20 per cent within the province, coupled with an increase in price by just over 3 per cent. This means that the market will be lucrative for buying in the first quarter of the year;

Len Catling Senior Officer, Media Relations at CMHC

Rahul Gill CEO, Gilco Real Estate Services

“The positive forecast for housing markets in 2020 is supported by strong immigration numbers that are likely to maintain a sustained demand for housing in Canada’s most populous housing markets like Vancouver. Newcomers to Canada are expected to purchase one in every five homes on the market over the next five years.” buyers should buy before the prices start to increase in summertime. Gill reasons, “The positive forecast for housing markets in 2020 is supported by strong immigration numbers that are likely to maintain a sustained demand for housing in Canada’s most populous housing markets like Vancouver. Newcomers to Canada are expected to purchase one in every five homes on the market over the next five years.” Varun Chaudhry, director of Kraft Mortgages Canada, adds that 2020 is also a good time for people who are looking to invest for business purposes. There are

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Mayur Arora Realtor

“The market will be active in the condo and townhome segment, but slower in the higher end segment of over 1.3 million-dollar homes due to the government having introduced restrictions on financing.”

Eric Bond, suggests that multi-family units will account for the vast majority of new home construction as densification continues, and affordability challenges persist. Realtor Mayur Arora specifically outlines, “The market will be active in the condo and townhome segment, but slower in the higher end segment of over 1.3 million-dollar homes due to the government having introduced restrictions on financing.” Regardless of the upward trend in selling and buying, rental demand is also expected to remain high throughout the forecast period. This entails a two-pronged result: (a) low vacancy rates in absolute terms, propelled by strong demand, and (b) rise in rental prices, increasing at a rate higher than that of inflation. On the contrary, Gill claims that buying is smarter than selling, “Real estate consistently increases in value over time and outperforms other investments. The market is strong, with increasing prices and transactions. Renting a two-bedroom basement can cost $1,500 to $1,800 per month in certain neighbourhoods today. Yet, you can buy a $500,000 townhouse with just $1,700 per month in mortgage payments, with the rate fixed for 30 years — the best kind of rent control.” Arora interestingly positions, “We live in a unique geographical area, where there is no more land availability. Our area is locked by the ocean on one side, and mountains on the other side. Best is to get in the market, if you are not already.” Predictions for 2020 do look favourable from a stability standpoint.

many builders in the market sitting with good inventory, but without holding power, and are thus looking to sell at a good price. That said, there are specific types of properties that are expected to be more so riding the growth wave. CMHC’s Senior Specialist of Market Analysis,

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Varun Chaudhry Director, Kraft Mortgages Canada

While the market is not anticipated to accelerate heavily, growth is predicted for British Columbia. However, each individual buyer or seller, aside from an external analysis of market conditions, should also consider individual circumstances and needs to make a sound investment decision!

For tips on home buying in 2020, Catling shines light on the following steps:

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Check if you are financially ready to own a home. Costs are not just limited to the monthly payments, but also upfront costs that can cover a variety of areas such as inspections, down payments, legal fees, taxes and moving costs. It is essential to check savings and credit scores.

Finance your home.

A broker or lender is central to the pre-approval process. Chaudhry suggests a good mortgage broker on your side who can do proper evaluations and guide you properly to ensure you can qualify for a home right for you.

Make an offer and close the deal.

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While the negotiation process can be stressful, it is for the betterment for all parties involved.

Maintain your home and protect your investment. After ownership, financial and operational obligations must be met in a timely manner.

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By GARIMA GOSWAMI

STELLA

BOWLES:

Young Environmentalist What started as a Grade 6 science project by the 11-year-old Bowles has evolved into a $15.7M cleanup plan funded by the local, provincial and federal government.

Canada guidelines. During her testing, Bowles discovered a shocking 600 straight pipes dumping sewage directly into LaHave. A straight pipe system disposes of raw or partially treated sewage directly into the water. Although the discharge of raw sewage through straight pipes is illegal in Nova Scotia, hundreds of houses continue to use them – something Bowles

tella Bowles is a 15-year-old Canadian taking action against pollutants crippling LaHave River in Nova Scotia, Canada. What started as a Grade 6 science project by the 11-yearold Bowles has evolved into a $15.7M cleanup plan funded by the local, provincial and federal government. In 2015, Bowles ventured on conducting testing of LaHave after learning about how houses in the local community were dumping fecal matter directly into the river. The results confirmed the presence of fecal bacteria in the river which exceeded Health

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has been campaigning for the province to take action against. Bowles was first made aware of the issue when she insisted on going swimming in the river but was refused by her mother. Bowles’ mother, Andrea Conrad, explained the direct dumping of sewage in the river. As Bowles conducted testing, collected evidence and researched her findings, she narrated everything on a Facebook page which instantly catapulted a Grade 6 science project and Bowles’ concerns to various parts of the country, and most importantly the government. In 2017, three levels of governments pledged a $15.7M funding to replace straight pipes with septic systems that include septic tanks, pump chamber, sand filters and drain fields. “The municipality reported that over 600 homes along the LaHave River had illegal straight pipes. Since the implementation of the replacement program, about 140 of these illegal pipes have been replaced with approved septic systems,” says Bowles. The mission is to replace all these pipes by 2023. Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister, Mark Furey, described Bowles’ campaign as “the springboard” that allowed the project to move forward through various levels of the government. The young environmentalist describes the funding for LaHave cleanup as one of the most defining moments in her campaign so far. “[The most defining point was] when I got the call from my Member of Parliament, Bernadette Jordan, to tell me the funding came through.” The whole program hinged on the federal

DARPAN SALUTES government joining the program with the municipality and provincial government, Bowles recalls and adds, “It took a while for the federal government’s announcement and I was getting worried it wouldn’t come through. Her phone call to me was a huge moment for me. I realized it really was going to happen. I was beyond excited. I just couldn’t believe it was really going to happen.” The 15-year-old is using her work, knowledge, and skillset to spread awareness amongst the young members of her community. She is working at Coastal Action, an environmental non-profit organization, where she trains youth in Nova Scotia to test their waterways. “I want more youth to see that science can be interesting, fun and lead to

Bowles is working at Coastal

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Action, an environmental nonprofit organization, where she trains youth in Nova Scotia to test their waterways. “I want more youth to see that science can be interesting, fun and lead to actual changes in our communities. Even kids have the power to create change. I am proof of that!” actual changes in our communities. Even kids have the power to create change. I am proof of that!” Bowles is currently in Grade 10, taking active measures through awareness and advocacy to eliminate straight pipes from rivers. “This is a big problem all over our province and beyond.” She has received several accolades and recognition for her work, including Weston Youth Innovation Award Prize, and has also narrated her journey through a book called My River, Cleaning Up the LaHave River. “Overall, I just hope people in my community and beyond really think about the environment more and make wise decisions based on what they will leave for their children,” Bowles says. For more information and to support Bowles’ campaign, visit her website and social media page. Credit: Stella Bowles, Béatrice Schuler-Mojon

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DARPAN FEATURE

STANDING UP TO

CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change grows more and more serious of an issue by the year, and not enough is done to counteract it. and what leaders would do to move Canada forward to meeting our climate change he global climate strikes, goals. which took place all over Climate changes are the world September significant changes to the 20 to 27, had over 7.6 million expected average weathers for participants, spread across a particular region, or even 185 countries. They involved around 3,024 businesses, 73 trade unions and 820 organizations. This was the biggest climate mobilization in history. As climate change has progressed to alarming rates, it has also become more prominent of an issue over the years, with many world leaders promising changes. In fact, one of the biggest issues prioritized in the 2019 Canadian Federal Election was the environment

By Gurleen Kaur Bajwa

As climate change has progressed to alarming rates, it has also become more prominent of an issue over the years, with many world leaders promising changes. 56

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the entire Earth. Climate changes are usually long-term. There have been several abnormal variations to climate in the past, a prominent instance being the ice ages. However, there is a key difference between the ice ages, and the climate change happening now. The ice ages, and every other climate change period before now, was due to natural processes of the Earth. The climate change happening now is anthropomorphic; caused by human beings. There are still natural processes at play, including oceanic processes, volcanic eruption, and variation in solar radiations from the sun among others â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the major factor, by far for why the planet is getting warmer, is humans. Research has shown that the warming of the planet is closely linked to the alarmingly increasing rates of greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are those that effectively trap heat, and insulate the Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface, causing it to heat up. And the increase in carbon dioxide is linked to the burning of fossil fuels. The fact that climate change is bad for the environment is focused on quite a bit. However, how exactly is it bad? The answer may be more dire than generally assumed. All over the world, ecosystems are already taking hits because of the climate change crisis. For instance, in BC, recent photographs of starving bears circled the Internet, showing the effects of decreased salmon runs. Dually, this also means that fishermen in BC, and conversely the economy, suffer. Thus, climate change may be starting to creep over to effect society as well, more than might seem apparent at first glance.

Decreasing energy consumption at home by using energy efficient

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lightbulbs, turning devices off at night, using clotheslines, taking showers instead of baths, and

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to a reduced carbon foot print. In the case of food, as climate change gets bigger on an issue, and the effects of the warming of the planet get more severe, food security becomes unstable. As food supplies get unstable and uncertain, their prices increase, something felt more prominently the lower you are on the economic ladder. Climate change can also force species to relocate, exposing humans to new diseases. More directly, droughts, degraded air and water quality are hazardous to health, and will probably cause increased hikes in mortality in the coming years. So what can people do to start protecting the environment? Most things are quite well-known these days. Decreasing energy consumption at home by using energy efficient lightbulbs, turning devices off at night, using clotheslines, taking showers instead of baths, and having vegetarian days, all contribute to a reduced carbon foot print. On top of that recycle everything possible; it is possible to recycle things that you may not have thought of. Cell phones, glass, unwanted wire hangers, aluminum, newspapers – all can be given a second life. Sites such as 50waystohelp.com offer many more ideas. And also, on a grander note, it doesn’t hurt to show up to rallies to support and add your voice to the millions already protesting for policy change. Climate change is a problem that, unfortunately, cannot be put on pause while we figure out how to deal with. Humans have permanently changed the history of Earth. If you are not inclined to believe that just yet, know that 97.1 per cent of scientists surveyed in 2013, from every field imaginable, agreed that climate change is not only happening, but humans are the very root of the problem. Climate change grows more and more serious of an issue by the year, and not enough is done to counteract it. Therefore, it’s important for us to start recognizing it as a ticking clock to a final doomsday, which might not be as far away anymore.

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DARPAN PROFILE

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for this opportunity, candidates must be: • A Permanent Resident of Canada, no more than five years

CAREER PATHS

SKILLED IMMIGRANTS PROGRAM

he Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) provides support, programming and services for new immigrants to assist with their transition to Canada. They currently offer a highly informative, hands-on employment program called the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program, which is funded by the Government of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology. The program provides customized services for up to 22 months to assist skilled immigrants with experience in Sales and Service occupations such as Corporate Sales Management, Retail and Wholesale Trades Management, and Restaurant & Food Services Management, to ultimately obtain employment in their field of specialization. Shameemah Kalaichelvan, Manager of Employment Programs at PICS, explains that the program “will assist in pursuing a career path that will help them find a commensurate level of employment based on their pre-arrival education and experience. The intention is to eradicate underemployment and unemployment of the skilled immigrants.”

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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This program assists participants with the integration process into the Canadian labour market from the very beginning, including job search assistance, education funding to fill skill gaps, workshops to coach participants in becoming ‘job-ready’, personalized career path planning, networking events and mentorship opportunities. Employment for this program encompasses all positions and titles that come under three National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 0601- Corporate Sales Managers 0621- Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers 0631- Restaurant and Food Service Managers As skilled immigrant participants embark on their career path in Canada, the program also assists them with a Temporary Aligned Employment which is a stage in between their initial enrolment in the program and their goal employment. Shameemah takes pride in the

REGISTRATION

• A person who is awaiting PR Status per confirmation letter from IRCC OR Convention refugee and protected person outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement in Canada by IRCC • Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 or above (Intermediate to Advanced English) • Three years of pre-arrival experience in the fields of Sales and Service (one year for youth 19-30 years of age) • Underemployed or unemployed in Canadian Labour Market • Not receiving EI or BCEA

fact that the program contains great work experience opportunities and mentorship each step of the way: “We work with each participant in parallel with respect to their short-term and long-term employment goals. Participants of our program are also assisted with occupation-specific language training by VCC and practicum opportunities with local employers as per the need.” Additionally, the PICS Career Paths staff team is very friendly, client-focused and works on flexible hours to accommodate participant needs and help them reach their employment goals in BC.

PROGRAM LOCATION

Tel: 604-596-7722 Surrey BC: #205, 12725 - 80th Ave, V3W 3A6 Email: careerpaths@pics.bc.ca Vancouver BC: 8153 Main St, V5X 3L2 PICS offers this program province-wide through remote services TM

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DFSIN BC Excellence Awards B.C. philanthropist and businessman Perminder Chohan, Managing Director of the Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network (DFSIN) BC, organized the annual DFSIN BC Excellence Awards to recognize and celebrate the achievements of his advisors at Dhaliwal Banquet Hall in Surrey. The evening was filled with fun, great food and many advisors were recognized and awarded for their achievements and milestones in the network.

SHIAMAK Vancouver’s ‘spirit of BOLLYWOOD’

Sher Vancouver Christmas Gala Sher Vancouver hosted its year-end Christmas gala on November, 29, 2019, at the Aria Banquet Hall in Surrey. There was a packed house with over 140 guests in the audience including many current and former elected officials like MP Sukh Dhaliwal, Minister Adrian Dix, MLA Rachna Singh and MLA Jinny Sims, among others.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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BC audiences at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey were blown away by the amazing production of ‘spirit of BOLLYWOOD’ presented by SHIAMAK Vancouver. The SHIAMAK Vancouver Dance Team took fans on a two-hour journey from the black-andwhite era of Bollywood up until the glamourous hits of today. Photo Credit: Peter So

GIVING

TO OUR COMMUNITY

Van Gogh Designs donates furniture to international students

n January 2nd, Van Gogh Designs and The Goods donated 371 pieces of furniture to international students in our community to help them start their lives in Canada. Van Gogh Designs has been proudly manufacturing furniture in BC for 26 years and currently employs a team of 100 people in Canada. President and CEO, Jeet Dhindsa, moved to Canada from India when he was 21 years old, so he understands the challenges that many international students face when starting their lives in a new country. The desire to help these students in our community inspired this donation initiative, which was truly a team effort. The production staff generously volunteered their time to manufacture the sofas. AB Delivery provided free deliveries to the students’ apartments in Surrey and Delta, and Sky Foam provided a discount on the sofas’ foam. 170 students lined up at the Van Gogh Designs office in South Surrey on January 2nd to show their student ID and student visa to receive the furniture. The students were thrilled to receive the donation. Van Gogh Designs has previously made financial donations to charities such

Darpan Update 01.13.20.indd 1

as the Food Bank, Canadian Red Cross, B.C. Children’s Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Peace Arch Hospital, the David Suzuki Foundation, A World of Smiles, and Kids Play Foundation. The company also has sponsored 35 children in India. The team at Van Gogh Designs looks forward to continuing their charitable donations in the future.

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle 2020-01-13 2:16 PM

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Lohri Celebration at Richmond Gurdwara The special festival, Lohri, was celebrated at Gurdwara Nanak Niwas in Richmond. Eight families, who were blessed with newborn babies, and two newly-wed couples joined in the celebration by making generous financial donations.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN FEATURE

What to look out for when choosing television shows for a young child to watch.

Find shows whose characters speak properly (full sentences) and/ or are non-verbal. (Like Shaun the Sheep). Limit the amount of whiny voices. Any child under three needs proper examples for speech and language. Most American shows have multiple characters who speak in very high pitched whiny voices (My Pretty Pony) whereas shows from the UK/ Europe or Australia have less or none (Charlie and Lola).

LEARNING FROM

these shows are often creating them solely for entertainment purposes, and not necessarily as a way to improve the minds of young children. For children under three who have particularly malleable minds that are vulnerable to absorbing everything around them, it is especially important that screen time is limited (no more than one hour per day) and that the T.V. shows they’re watching are deliberately chosen by a caring adult. Here are some things to bear in mind when searching for appropriate shows for children under three years old, and a few suggestions of good shows and ones to avoid. Look for shows with minimal visual stimulation (Pocoyo and Charlie and the Numbers are good examples.)

BY DR. BETHANY COOK Dr. Bethany Cook is a clinical psychologist specializing in children and families, and a mother of two. She is author of the new book For What It's Worth: A Perspective on How to Thrive and Survive Parenting Ages 0-2.

n the age of digital streaming – Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube – parents need to be extra careful about what they’re allowing their kids to watch. After all, there are a lot of awful T.V. shows out there geared towards children. A quick Internet search of the phrase “I hate Caillou” will show just how much animosity grown ups can feel towards animated characters and it’s no surprise. The creators of

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Try to find shows that hold the scene shot for a minimum of three seconds. This means the characters can move around within the frame of the shot; there aren’t camera close-ups and cuts from person to person (Sophie La Girafe). Pick shows whose ethos you share. The Looney Tunes shows are funny but they are violent. My kids don’t watch them. If a character says something you

If a character says something

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you don’t like; turn if off and explain to your kids why. Remember, children learn by example.

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don’t like; turn if off and explain to your kids why. I did/do this often when starting a new show. Remember, children learn by example. So if the shows they’re watching are full of unkind language or actions, it is very likely that your child will start to mimic and adopt that behaviour as their own. These suggestions will help you filter what your children watch when they are under the age of three years old. Remember, their minds

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are so impressionable during these formative years. It’s best to feed them with hands-on play in the dirt or sand at this age; nevertheless, during times when you need a 15-40 minute When you need business wireless communications solutions, personalized advice break (or less) it’s ok to give your child is closer than you think. Experts are ready andsolutions, waiting atpersonalized your local Bell store When you need business wireless communications advice under three screen time if you stick to these to help you do more and make more. All on your own schedule. is closer than you think. Experts are ready and waiting at your local Bell store you neednecessary. business wireless communications solutions, personalized advice recommendations. You don’t need to switch NoWhen appointment to help you more and make Allare on your is do closer than you think.more. Experts readyown and schedule. waiting at your local Bell store up the shows for your little one, they love No appointment to help necessary. you do more and make more. All on your own schedule. mastering things at this age and will happily No appointment necessary. watch the same show over and over and over. Using a screen as a “semi-babysitter” allows for short mental breaks from the For a complimentary consultation, visit: monotony of taking care of and entertaining SURREY a small child. About 15 to 40 minutes might For a complimentary consultation, visit: 7711 128th St For a complimentary consultation, visit: not sound like a lot of time and maybe it isn’t SURREY 604 597-3115 for some. But sometimes those 15 minutes can SURREY 7711 128th make the difference between a bad afternoon 7711St128th St 604 597-3115 604 597-3115 and a good one. When T.V. time feels like the best thing to do, then go for it, just make sure you’re doing it with care.

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DARPAN TECH

or first-time parents, having a newborn baby is both exciting and overwhelming. Thankfully today’s generation of tech-savvy parents have access to a wide variety of products to monitor their newborns health, and make parenting a little easier. Let’s look at the must-have baby tech products for first-time parents.

Snuza Hero Portable Baby Movement Monitor

Let’s look at the must-have baby tech products for new parents.

BABY TECH FOR FIRST-TIME

PARENTS

One of the biggest anxieties faced by first-time parents is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death among infants one month to one year old. The Snuza Hero attaches to a baby’s diaper and monitors movements. The sensors can detect the tiniest of movements and alerts parents if abdominal movement falls below eight movements per minute. If the Snuza Hero doesn’t sense body movement for 15 seconds, the vibration feature becomes activated to gently rouse a baby. After an additional five seconds of no movement, a sharp audible alarm will sound to alert parents that an immediate response is needed. For parents concerned about SIDS, the Snuza Hero provides peace-ofmind and allows parents to go about their day while their baby is sleeping.

The most essential tech product for first-time parents is a reliable and secure baby monitor. The Miku Smart Baby Monitor is the ‘Tesla of baby monitor’. Miku’s proprietary camera sensors live stream video and audio to smartphones and provide real-time breathing and sleep tracking without wires or wearables. The Miku app analyzes a baby’s sleeping habits such as when they fall asleep, wake up, average onset, and movements. Parents can use their baby’s sleep data to create the ideal sleeping environment for the newborn. Unlike inexpensive baby monitors prone to hacking, Miku offers 256 bit encryption and houses a high security crypto chip so data remains secure. Parents can still share videos and photos to loved ones and download footage to their smartphones.

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DARPAN TECH

Yoomi Self-warming Baby Bottle Feeding a baby can become problematic especially late at night or on-the-go. The Yoomi self-warming baby bottle makes feeding easier by providing perfect breast milk temperature feed in 60 seconds. The baby bottle features a warmer that becomes charged by placing it in boiling water for 30 minutes and letting it cool down. The button on the warmer activates heat within 60 seconds as it is placed into the bottle. The breast milk or baby formula then passes through the grooves on the warmer, heating the milk before it reaches the nipple. Parents can purchase multiple warmers for easy on-the-go or nighttime feeding with milk or formula heated to the perfect temperature, anytime or place.

The Grohush is a handheld white noise baby calmer that uses soothing sounds to calm a baby to sleep.

4moms mamaRoo4 Baby Swing First-time parents quickly learn that babies enjoy the comfort of being bounced and swayed before falling asleep. The mamaRoo4 is a bouncing infant swing that mimics the natural soothing motions of parents comforting their baby. With five unique motions and five speed options, parents can choose between 25 different combinations. The mamRoo4 comes with four built-in sounds and features a 3.5 mm jack to connect a smartphone or MP3 player to play your own music. The motion and sounds are controlled by the hard buttons on the base of the unit or via the 4moms app, available for Android and iOS devices.

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Grohush White Noise Baby Calmer The last thing any parent wants is a baby that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop crying. White noise is a new tool being used by parents to calm distressed and crying babies. The Grohush is a handheld white noise baby calmer that uses soothing sounds to calm a baby to sleep. With three white noise sounds, heartbeat, rainfall, and waves, the Grohush is placed on a babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ear and the volume is preset at a safe 75 decibels. After 10 minutes, the Grohush automatically turns off as most newborns fall asleep within five minutes in response to white noise. The Grohush is suitable for use from birth, powered by three AAA batteries, and includes a high quality protective travel case and washable cushion cover.

BY ANDY BARYER Andy Baryer (aka Handy Andy) is a technology journalist, gadget reviewer, and DIY-expert based in Vancouver, Canada. As an on-air technology expert, Andy is a frequent guest on GlobalBC Noon News and heard on CKNW and Kiss Radio.

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DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN HEALTH

Eliminate

BY DR. ALOK TRIVEDI

Overwhelm From Your

Life

Become more fulfilled

Contrary to what you might believe, feeling overwhelmed isn’t usually a result of having too much on your plate. Overwhelm comes from not being fulfilled in the activities you are taking part in. If you know someone who is always on the go and never has time to stop, yet seems so happy and satisfied, it’s because they are doing things they truly enjoy. When you align yourself with your life’s purpose, overwhelm quickly disappears.

If not properly dealt with, it can lead to stress, anxiety and a host of both mental and physical Dr. Alok Trivedi is a psychological performance expert who is founder of the Aligned Performance Institute and author of the book Chasing Success.

hether you are a busy professional, a student or a stay at home mom, being overwhelmed is something that most people face. If not properly dealt with, it can lead to stress, anxiety and a host of both mental and physical problems. So, what are some great ways to deal with being overwhelmed?

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

problems. Here are eight ways to deal with being overwhelmed.

Stop multitasking

We’ve been sold this great big lie that multitasking is the solution to gaining more time. It’s not. Multitasking overwhelms us even more and detracts from quality. The best solution is to take one task at a time. Take on something, give it your best, and when it’s finished move on to the next item on your list. Your stress and anxiety will also quickly disappear.

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Get in the moment

People who tend to feel overwhelmed are usually reliving painful experiences in their past or worrying about what is coming up in the future. Instead, ground yourself in the present moment and what is taking place around you right now. If you have trouble with this, ask yourself questions like: What do I see? Who am I with? What do I smell? What am I doing?

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Take a break

If you feel like you’ve hit your breaking point, just stop and walk away. Put it all down, take a break and go do something else. Once you hit the point of mental overload, you’re not thinking clearly or performing at your best. The best way to break free from the emotional load of overwhelm is to get away and rest. In fact, it’s for this reason that many top performers take regular breaks throughout the day.

People who have a hard time with feeling overwhelmed usually are very hard on themselves. They are the type that look back on a completed task or project and start questioning why they did what they did, and why they didn’t say this or approach it some other way. You have to be your best friend and number-one cheerleader. If not, you’re setting yourself up for failure, misery and a lifetime of being overwhelmed with the results of everything you do.

Stop chasing perfect

People who struggle with overwhelm tend to always be chasing perfection. Even when they complete a task that turns out exceptionally well, they still strive to make it better. The secret is to always give your best, and let it stop after that. Perfection is a delusion that will lead to too much stress, anxiety and overwhelm, and can even make you physically sick.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

Stop beating yourself up

Clear up the confusion

Another reason people experience overwhelm is because they are confused. It could be a situation where you have to choose between two similar things, or where multiple people in your inner-circle are giving you different versions of a story. To decrease the overwhelm, don’t let the problem fester for too long. Sort out the facts and get to the bottom of it as soon as possible.

Make time for you

As busy as you are, you always have to make time for yourself each and every day. Even as little as 30 minutes to seek out some solitude or engage in an activity that you find pleasurable is important to how you feel and your overall well-being. Even the most successful people in any field carve out a little time for themselves and they never miss a day.

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DARPAN RECIPES

Chef Sanjay Thumma’s channel, Vahrehvah, has over 700 million viewers. In fact, YouTube calls him the DNA of YouTube India. Chef Thumma also won the prestigious Gold Medal in All-India Competition for Culinary Arts for his delicious and innovative recipes.

Chef

Sanjay

Thumma Popularly known as Vahchef, Sanjay Thumma is an admirable Indian chef and entrepreneur in culinary arts in Indian cooking.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

anjay Thumma, popularly known as Vahchef, is an admirable Indian chef and entrepreneur in culinary arts in Indian cooking. He graduated from one of the most prestigious hotel management colleges, the Indian Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, in Hyderabad, India. He began his career working with the prestigious ITC Hotels at Delhi, Chennai, Agra, Baroda and Jaipur. As a chef in various 5-star hotels, he served many heads of nations at Delhi and later shifted base to Chicago in 1998, where he started his own restaurant Sizzle India. In a span of seven years, he went ahead expanding his chain of restaurants to four and later sold them. Thereafter he launched his own food website, namely www.vahrehvah.com, and moved back to Hyderabad.

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YouTube honoured him with the lifetime views in the YouTube channel tag which reached up to 100,040,546 views from 2008 to 2012. Now, his channel has over 700 million viewers. In fact, YouTube calls him the DNA of YouTube India. Chef Thumma also won the prestigious Gold Medal in All-India Competition for Culinary Arts for his delicious and innovative recipes. He has been a judge on many TV cooking shows and live events in India and abroad. He is the founder of Indiblaze Restaurants and successfully created a healthy fast service restaurant brand. Vahchef took initiative to drive the campaign “Be Fit Be Cool” under the leadership of AAPI – American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, to educate children between the age group of four to eight years about healthy eating. He works voluntarily for a noble cause by helping people affected by natural calamities, donating to an orphanage, and education poor children. Recently, Vahchef has been assigned as a “Culinary Ambassador” for the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) India. He is a popular chef pan-India, especially amongst the foodies. His cooking shows are most admired in the USA, Canada, UAE and other countries overseas He has a vision to create a platform for talented young/new YouTubers. He has a mission of making Hyderabad a “Chefs City” by supporting and encouraging all talented, enthusiastic, and hardworking chefs to grow together. Photos: Courtesy of Chef Sanjay Thumma

DARPAN

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN RECIPES

Chicken Tangdi

Kebab

A super tasty kebab recipe that is loved by both adults and children.

Ingredients • 6 chicken leg pieces • 1 cup curd • 1 tbsps roasted chana dal powder • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste • ½ tsp turmeric powder • 1 tsp kasoori methi powder

y dad instantly liked this chicken kebab and he asked for more. This kebab is loved by children too as it is super tasty and can be eaten without any mess. It is very easy to make at home.

• 1 tsp mint powder • 1 tsp chaat masala • 1 tsp garam masala powder • 1 tbsp lime juice • 1 tsp vinegar • Ghee as required • Salt to taste

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

BY CHEF SANJAY THUMMA

Preparation • In a bowl, add curd, roasted channa dal powder, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, kasoori methi powder, mint powder, chaat masala, garam masala, lime juice, vinegar, and some salt, and mix it nicely. • Add chicken leg pieces to this mixture, and let it rest for one hour. • Heat a pan (tawa), place the leg pieces in it. Cover the pan with a silver foil and cook for 10 minutes. Then flip the chicken pieces, cover the pan with foil and cook again for 10 minutes. • Once cooked, arrange the chicken on a plate. Add some ghee on the top and serve with onions.

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DARPAN RECIPES

Veggie

Pops A delicious snack made by deep-frying breaded veggie dumplings.

Ingredients • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp chopped beans • ½ cup bread crumbs • 2 tbsp chopped carrot • 2 tbsp corn • ½ tsp curry powder

eggie pops are an excellent snack. They are a mix of vegetables moulded into dumplings, coated with bread crumbs, and deep-fried until crisp.

• 2 tbsp chopped green peas • 1 tsp mixed herbs • 2 tbsp oil • ½ tsp pepper powder • Salt to taste • ½ cup semolina • ½ cup chopped spinach • 1 cup water

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

BY CHEF SANJAY THUMMA

Preparation • Heat oil in a pan, add chopped beans, carrot, green peas, and corn, and sauté it. Then, add salt, mixed herbs, pepper powder, spinach, hot water, and semolina and mix it all together. • Put the lid on and cook all the ingredients on a slow flame for four to five minutes. Sprinkle some curry powder and cook it for another two minutes and then switch off the flame. • Add the all-purpose flour to the cooked mixture, mix it well and make small round dumplings. • Keep some all-purpose flour aside and coat the dumplings with the flour and put the dumplings in hot boiling water. Then coat the dumplings with bread crumbs and fry in hot oil. Serve this hot with your favourite sauce.

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DARPAN

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DARPAN FEATURE

THE

Whole wheat bread, ketchup, crackers, salad dressings, fruit juice and non-dairy milk are just some common staple foods that contain added sugars.

BITTER

SIDE OF

While sugar is often deemed as harmful and it is suggested that we avoid too much of it, an important part of understanding its impacts stems from the root question: why do we crave sugar? Cravings for any type of food is caused by the same area of the brain that controls memory, pleasure and reward. While sugar cravings may result from a sugar imbalance, they may also stem from memory of endorphins that are released after consumption. This is the same behaviour addiction display. Therefore, an emotional element is also present. After recognizing the root issue, it is just as important to understand the effects sugar has on the body. One of the most common side effects is diabetes, alongside heart disease. Other unwanted health issues include obesity, high blood cholesterol and cavities. A sugar-rich diet also leads to skin problems such as acne. Another possibility is the increased risk of depression as sugar has been known to increase inflammation throughout the body, including the brain itself.

SUGAR

ou eat more sugar than you may think. Whole wheat bread, ketchup, crackers, salad dressings, fruit juice and non-dairy milk are just some common staple foods that contain added sugars. As these items are slowly digested by your body, they are used by

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

Heart & Stroke mentions the following ways to reduce your sugar intake:

Drinking dirty Sugar comes in liquid forms as well! Flavour your water with healthy options such as strawberries.

Photo: iStock

BY NAINA GREWAL

consumes over 25 teaspoons of sugar in a day. Heart & your cells for energy, although Stroke Foundation of Canada sugar has no nutritional value recommends that you consume on its own. However, eating no more than 10 per cent of too much sugar is linked total calories per day from to bodily problems. Such added sugars, and ideally less problematic sugar is sourced in than five per cent; 10 per cent manufactured items containing roughly translates to about high amounts of added sugar 12 teaspoons. Sugars are for the purposes of taste and/or evidently found in fruits or shelf life. Candies, baked goods, vegetables but need not be and soft drinks are examples. avoided as there are many other According to Statistics beneficial compounds present Canada, the average Canadian as well.

The intent is not a sugar scare; not all these issues are bound to happen to you. Rather, the point is to steer clear of the risk of developing such issues through moderation and conscious awareness.

Avoid over-consumption of drinks like the below:

w w w. e x c l u s i v e f l o o r s . c o m

• Pop = 10 teaspoons of sugar • Specialty Coffee = 7 teaspoons of sugar • 100% Orange Juice = 5.5 teaspoons of sugar • Sports Drinks = 5 teaspoons of sugar

Think whole Try to leave foods as close to their natural state as possible. Do not process foods often or dress them with heavily processed food alternatives.

One of the most common side effects is diabetes, alongside heart disease. Other unwanted health issues include obesity, high blood cholesterol and

WHERE BUILDERS BUY

cavities. A sugar-rich diet also leads to skin problems such as acne.

Snack smart A seemingly small food item can contain high amounts of concentrated sugar, such as a muffin or pastry. Try yogurt or veggies with a dip if you need something to munch on.

Proactive prepping

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Cook at home rather than eating out. Choose recipes that involve lower sugar levels.

Know what you eat Do not forget to read the nutritional labels or ingredients list when you go for groceries. If sugar is listed as the first or second ingredient on a product, the sugar levels are most probably high. If you know what you are putting in your body, you are better equipped to treat it well. With these easy changes, you will be able to notice a significant difference in the way you feel and think. The idea is not to completely erase sugar from your diet, but to gradually make healthier decisions when it comes to the type and quantity of sugar you are consuming.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN FITNESS

A few things to keep in mind if you want to keep fit, healthy, and happy through your recovery period.

THINGS TO

KEEP IN MIND WHILE

WORKING OUT

WITH AN INJURY

BY NICK HILDEN

njuries happen. For any number of reasons — usually that we don’t see coming — we end up with pulled muscles, broken bones, torn ligaments, or any of the many other afflictions that can inhibit our bodies. And when it comes to fitness, few things can be as detrimental as an injury. Sometimes an injury requires cutting out our fitness routine altogether,

at least temporarily, but if you’re lucky, there are still things you can do to ensure that you don’t lose your hard-earned muscle or pack on fat while waiting to recover. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to keep fit, healthy, and happy through your recovery period.

Pay Careful Attention To Nutrition Nutrition is always the most important aspect of fitness, but this is especially true when you’re hurt. The injured area requires plenty of the right nutrients to ensure recovery, with protein, vitamin C, calcium, and zinc being among the most valuable. While you want to eat plenty of healthy food to ensure that your body has all it needs to heal and work out, it can be all-too-easy to take this too far. Nothing provides comfort like calories, but overdo it and you’ll come out of the other side of your injury with a lot of fat to lose. So eat well, but consider tracking your calories to ensure that you’re not going to balloon up.

Don’t Forget To Warm Up Stretching is a great way to prevent yourself from getting injured in the first place, but it can also help you heal and keep your injury from worsening. Stretching promotes healthy circulation, which is great for recovery. Begin your workout with 10-15 minutes of stretching, then start out each individual exercise with a low-weight set to get your muscles warmed up.

Check With Your Doctor First and foremost, talk with your doctor to make sure that exercise is doable at all. Fitness is important, but so is giving your body the time and rest it needs to heal. Oftentimes there is much you can do to work around an injury, but check to make sure that your efforts won’t slow your recovery or make the damage more severe.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

Work Around It If your injury is limited to a single area, you can oftentimes work out other parts of the body without concern. A broken ankle might slam the brakes on your mobility, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop doing your bench-press. It is important to note, however, that some body parts are integral to the motion of others. A torn rotator cuff, for example, might seem like it’s only part of the shoulder, but it plays an important role in muscles throughout your arms and upper body. Exercising these connected muscles can end up exacerbating the injury even if you avoid the hurt area itself.

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Take It Slow

Reflecting SouthAsian Lifestyle

Even if the majority of your body is undamaged and technically fine for exercise, remember that your body needs a lot of energy to heal an injury. If your body is throwing all its energy into recovering from hard workouts, it can slow your recovery. Dial back your routine in terms of weight, repetitions, and workout length. You can gradually work back up to your pre-injury levels, but initially, give your body a chance to rest.

If your injury is limited to a single

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area, you can oftentimes work out other parts of the body without concern. A broken ankle might slam the brakes on your mobility, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop doing your

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bench-press.

Photos: iStock

Focus On Your Mental Fitness One of the most damaging aspects of an injury can be mental. Pain, limited or lost mobility, interrupted progress in your fitness routine — all of this can be hard on your mind. Stay positive and use your recovery period as an opportunity to exercise your brain. Read that book you’ve had on your shelf forever. Watch some good films. Take up drawing or painting. Enroll in an online course. If your mobility allows, do yoga. Meditate. And if you find your ability to maintain a positive outlook slipping, seek help. Reach out to a friend. Connect with people on social media who have a similar injury. Talk with a therapist. Studies have shown that a positive outlook will not only help you stay sane through your recovery, but that it can actually help you recover faster. So keep your chin up, and do whatever it takes to maintain a healthy mind.

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DARPAN

Beauty Bridal beauty for 2020 is all about exuding a natural radiance.

Here comes

Glow

the

spoke with DARPAN agree that it’s all about embracing a natural beauty for today’s brides. Gone are the days of heavy, obvious BY MICHELE MARKO makeup — for both Western and A lifestyle journalist, South Asian brides. “The dominant Michele Marko is the former trend for 2020 for makeup is … Arts & Life editor at the Vancouver Sun and Province skin being very fresh, glowy and newspapers. While writing about radiant. The complexion to be beauty, fashion, design, food and travel, she’s written on a elegantly highlighted for more of variety subjects ranging from a natural sun-kissed look,” says ethical beauty to couture fashion designers to discovering the Anita Lee, owner of Vancouver’s best pizza in the world. Helmet Salon. Aj Woodworth, Hint: It’s in Italy. owner of The Glamoury in Yaletown, agrees, “For makeup, f there is one thing that every we are getting away from the bride is certain about, it’s that heavily contoured look and instead she wants to look flawless on focusing on glowy, dewy fresh her wedding day. Every detail skin.” — the dress, the hair, the makeup — Lee says that her approach to is carefully considered to present the applying foundation is always absolute best version of herself to be about enhancing the bride’s natural frozen in time in the couple’s photo beauty, making the skin look album. flawless and radiant. She prefers While brides strive to achieve that using deeper skin-tone powders perfect look, the beauty experts who to gently contour for more of a natural lift.

I 84

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Rada Sarn, owner of Rada Beaute in Abbotsford, concurs that bridal “makeup applications that are done with a heavier hand” are definitely passé. “Too thick makeup can create a caked on, negative effect,” she explains. Lee adds that

“

“This upcoming bridal season we are breaking away from the structured updo’s and are seeing effortless beachy boho waves,” says Aj Woodworth, owner of The Glamoury in Yaletown.

for makeup to last all day, the skin needs to be flexible, and says that means a dewy, radiant complexion. She acknowledges that mattifying products are still necessary to eliminate shine on the forehead and nose.

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DARPAN Beauty

“South Asian brides always want to honour their traditions and still have a Western flare to their wedding day look. Mixing both Indian and Western bridal looks together creates an elegant, dazzling bride who gleams radiance throughout her wedding day,” says Rada Sarn, owner of Rada Beaute. Lee further states the look for eye makeup is softer too — shimmery nude shades like soft gold, bronze and sable, apricot and pale rose tones. Sarn says “… a more natural eye complete with the right amount of glitter and shine is becoming

“

“The dominant trend for 2020 for makeup is … skin being very fresh, glowy and radiant. The complexion to be elegantly highlighted for more of a natural sunkissed look,” says Anita Lee, owner of Vancouver’s Helmet Salon. more modern for cutting-edge brides.” But false lashes and cat-eye liner are here for the long term, says Woodworth. Sarn and Lee also support that view. “False lashes and lash extensions always add an extra

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

level of romance to the eyes…” Sarn observes. Lee likes to apply more of a mid-length lash that looks ultra-natural but fluttery. “They really help to make the eyes pop because we’re going for more of a natural beauty,” she explains. Woodworth predicts that “a neutral eye with a winged liner and lashes” will continue to dominate bridal beauty styles. Lee echoes that view saying that her favourite eye technique is to finish up with a skinny cat eye look, using a brown liner on top of a black liner. “I call it soft drama,” she says with a giggle. All three experts agree that the bright, bold lip is no longer front and centre. Sarn says that even though women will still be drawn to a bold matte lip colour, she foresees a softer, sheer lip, finished with a swipe of gloss, becoming more popular. “For lips, [the trend] is more of the natural shades like the dusty rose colour, a peachy nude, creamy butterscotch tones and more of that subtle berry but beigey tone,” says Lee. Hairsytling too is looser and softer. “This upcoming bridal season we are breaking away from the structured updo’s and are seeing effortless beachy boho waves,” observes Woodworth. Sarn says her “favourite bridal hairstyles right now are the softer

up-dos and curls that have movement in the hair and an overall romantic feel.” Lee adds that the softer looks for hair mirror the more flowy-style dresses brides are choosing. “For hair, there is definitely a lot more hair [being worn] down — soft but voluminous wavy hair. Hair that is off the face and is fuss-free. Hair that is half up will continue to be fuller, to have volumized smoother waves. I see unique braids becoming more popular,” she says. Braids and low buns have more of an undone, almost messy look. Tendrils frame the face and the super, sleek, pulled-back updos are over. “Faded out looks for brides are the stiff bubble curls and loops that used to be very popular,” explains Sarn. “Adding too much detail to an up-do is no longer necessary and can give the hair an out of date look and feel.” And though the big flower crown may not be au courant, smaller hair accents like individual blooms such as roses or baby’s breath (yes, it’s back in a big way for everything bridal) are on trend, says Sarn. Carefully arranged sparkly hair accessories still complement bridal hair. Integrating Western and Indian customs can be a challenge for some brides, especially if they are only having a traditional Indian ceremony. “We find that South Asian brides are sticking with traditions [but] are incorporating more neutral tones to modernize their look,” says Woodworth. Sarn agrees saying, “South Asian brides always want to honour their traditions and still have a Western flare to their wedding day look. Mixing both Indian and Western bridal looks together creates an elegant, dazzling bride who gleams radiance throughout her wedding day.” At the end of the day, it all comes down to what makes the bride feel her most confident self on her wedding day. “We still want to portray them,” Lee says.

There are the temporary options of depilatory creams, shaving, waxing and electrolysis which is supposed to be permanent but produces mixed results. For true permanent hair removal, laser treatment is the only effective solution available and not to be confused with Intense Pulse Light.

Photos: Contributed by Rada Sarn, Anita Lee, Aj Woodworth, Michel van Eyck, Michael Callaghan of Photographic Manoeuvres, iStock

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Style

BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

ways to style the Pantone colour of the year, Classic Blue.

hat’s common between blueberries, an indigo kurta, the silent ocean, the evening sky, and a customized suit? They are all in the colour blue which also happens to be the Pantone Colour of the Year, 2020. Classic blue also known as cobalt or the royal blue – is powerful, subtle, calm, composed, yet not too flashy or overpowering. Style it the right way for a confident, refreshing and unfiltered message.

Feeling The other feature about the colour is that it is neither feminine nor masculine in nature and thus is dependable. With the designers flooding the runways and celebs sporting the colour too, Classic Blue needs to be in your wardrobe this coming year.

Here are nine ways to style the sapphire colour in 2020:

SUIT UP If minimal is your style, wear a blue customized suit. Pair it with hoops or embellished studs, nude makeup, a messy bun and sport a pair of white sneakers – you will be nailing it for the casual evening party. If suits are too formal for you, replace it with a jumpsuit. Playful, sporty, and effortless – this is an ultimate outfit that can fit any event.

DRESS IT UP A V-neck dress, a midi-dress or a formal office dress, or a plain-drop waist dress – anything that you wear in the sapphire blue is going to grab eyeballs. With all the top brands stalking up on the colour blue, it is not difficult to give your wardrobe a special twist.

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Photos: iStock, Images for representation

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Style

KNIT PICKS The easiest and less timeconsuming of all, wear a pair of denim and blue knitwear, sweater or a turtleneck. The classic blue can do wonders during the winter. Sport a beanie, cute danglers, minimal makeup, and boots. You could also throw in a blazer to complete the look.

Wear a big, bright puffer jacket which will keep you warm and make you look cool at the same time. Both short and long forms of the jacket are perfect especially when we are walking into the winter months.

SKIRT FANTASTIC While we talked about dresses, jackets, and accessories, a blue skirt, in metallic classic blue would be a perfect addition to your wardrobe. A pleated skirt, or a long flowy maxi skirt, flared skirt, ruffle skirt, or a divided blue skirt are some wardrobe-essentials. Our go-to top is either a plain white or black tee with chic footwear and voila – you could not look any more perfect.

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Shake things up a little this winter. Wear a big, bright puffer jacket which will keep you warm and make you look cool at the same time. Both short and long forms of the jacket are perfect especially when we are walking into the winter months. You could wear anything casual underneath – from a dress to denim or a skirt. The cobalt jacket can be a sight for sore eyes during the dipping temperature.

THE EXTRAS Cobalt coloured accessories could include a lot of things – earrings, bags, neckpiece, pendants, phone covers, watch, belts, bracelets, rings, and nail colour. Geometrically-designed pendants and earrings are a good start when it comes to jewellery selection. A hobo-style handbag, cross body strap bags, a cool clutch or a backpack are

PUFF THE MAGIC

some of your options that can come in handy for any occasion. A simple blue-strapped watch can also be a fashion statement of its own. If you want to play the blue game well, opt for a blue cover phone and paint your nails blue for maximum effect. All of these could pump up your look but don’t go overboard with the colour is our suggestion.

SHOE DAZZLE Turn your shoe collection upside down with blue-inspired boots, stilettoes, flats, ballerinas, sandals, loafers, pumps or sneakers. Our perfect pick is a black dress, blue pumps, and diamond earrings. The energetic blue shoes can add that much-needed oomph to your look.

ONE FOR THE HEAD Even though this falls under the accessory section – headbands or hair accessories in blue are cute and add zing to the overall look. We have several options when it comes to headbands: it could be just a plain blue headband, or for something fancier pick one made in velvet. However, we always like a little jazz and opt for headbands with crystal embellishments, pearls, motifs or beads. Wear the little piece of accessory that screams chic.

FOR THE SPORTY ONES It could be yoga or track pants accompanied by a sports bra, but sport them in classic blue and your workout is going to be so much more energetic and lightweight. Go for the ones that are a mix of cotton and polyester which will be soft, stretchy and incredibly comfortable. Get some workout in style now!

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IBA is a clothing brand that is well-known in India’s fashion industry. BIBA offers classy, comfortable, and beautiful pieces that are cherished forever. Presenting the latest in ethnic fashion, a BIBA outfit is so stunning that it makes one feel beautiful inside and out. One needs to adorn a BIBA piece to feel its magic. There is good news for BC fashionstas! BIBA has come to Canada, with its first store opened right here in Surrey at Payal Business Centre. Ruling the Indian fashion industry since 1986, contemporary ethnic fashion at an affordable price is BIBA’s commitment to fashion enthusiasts. The Surrey store will feature a plethora of Indian wear ranging from salwar kameezes, churidhars, duppatta sets and mix-and-match kurta pieces, in various colours, combinations and gorgeous patterns. Catering to each woman who loves ethnic wear, an attractive feature of Surrey’s BIBA store is its affordable price. BIBA has a timeless outfit for you for every occasion, and that too at a reasonable cost. Additionally, BIBA encourages its customers to mix and match and create their very own style. So make your way to BIBA in Surrey and enjoy a truly unique and ethnic fashion experience!

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To me being fashionable is less about trends and more about being comfortable in your own skin and the clothes are like the tools to help you do that!â&#x20AC;? ~ Natasha Dalal

A Portrait of

LOVE

By Designer Natasha Dalal 96

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT

How do you define fashion in your own words? Fashion is a perfect way to express your own individuality and a way to be creative everyday with your clothing choices. To me being fashionable is less about trends and more about being comfortable in your own skin and the clothes are like the tools to help you do that!

What is the inspiration behind your new couture collection? I was inspired by a recent scuba diving instance and the wonderful world under the sea. The colours, shapes and designs of coral reefs and tropical fish have inspired the intricate embroideries and colours used in this collection.Â

Photos: Courtesy of Natasha Dalal

What has been your most memorable moment or collection till date? My current collection is my favourite! This is mostly because I truly feel the design aesthetic keeps evolving as I keep designing. The most memorable moments in my career until now is every time a client sends a photo or text after wearing my design at their wedding. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t begin to explain the overwhelming feeling, to know that someone has chosen my design to wear on their most special day.

What is the fashion forecast for 2020? Fringe, flare pants and soft suiting! Bold colours and matching dark and light shades of colour to create an outfit, are just a few trends that I feel will be big in 2020. I hope to include some of these in a classic way to my designs in the next collection.

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DARPAN HOME

echnology has become a part of every home like never before, giving us control over all electronic devices at the click of a button. And while scores of super cool devices adorn most spaces of our house, the kitchen is not left far behind either. Today, with the advancement in technology, there are plenty of innovative gadgets and appliances that can transform your kitchen into a hi-tech zone. Here are seven 2020 luxe kitchen devices that can help save time, lessen stress and provide quick solutions to kitchen quandaries.

Seven 2020 luxury kitchen appliances that you need to be aware of. BY SHWETA KULKARNI

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

/ FEBRUARY 2020 108 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

ENHANCE YOUR

COOKING

EXPERIENCE COOL NEXT GEN REFRIGERATORS With every second item in your kitchen getting smarter, refrigerators aren’t left far behind. Today, the smart refrigerator is doing more than keeping your food fresh. Samsung’s Family Hub is one such refrigerator that is packed with several smart built-in features. It helps you keep track of food lists and gives you an inside view of your fridge on a mobile app, courtesy its three built-in cameras. What’s more, if you want, you can also listen to music and watch YouTube videos on Samsung’s Family Hub. One more smart refrigerator to take note of is the GE Profile French door refrigerator with built-in Keurig K-Cup Brewing System. This technology wonder is packed with several features and also doubles up as a coffee maker. How cool is that! LG’s InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator with SmartThinQ technology is plenty smart too and worth considering if you planning to invest in a refrigerator this year.

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HOTTEST OVENS One can’t deny the fact that an oven is an indispensable part of a kitchen and over the years, the countertop ovens have only become better with time. Now with superenhanced technology, there are plenty of new models in the market that are packed with smart built-in features and make cooking a hi-tech experience. Engineered with steam technology, the upcoming Anova Precision Oven is undoubtedly one of the hottest new ovens to look forward to

in 2020. Apart from its multifunction cooking, the oven cooks with either steam or convection or both. Other smart ovens to watch out for in the market are the super-efficient June Smart Oven, which claims to be seven appliances in one, and Amazon’s Alexa-enabled Smart Oven, which functions as a combination microwave, convection oven, air fryer and food warmer. Smart Ovens are indeed getting hotter and a definite must-have in your smart kitchen this year.

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The nouveau range of blenders helps you lead a healthier lifestyle. For instance, NutriBullet’s Bluetooth-connected model, allows you to use its app and gives you step-by-step instructions to blend your smoothies.

Photos: Courtesy of products featured

IDEAL COFFEE MAKERS Coffee makers in the kitchen are not a rare sight, however, the latest bunch of hi-end coffee makers in the market are nothing but a boon to coffee lovers. With Bluetooth connectivity and cool features that let you control the brewing of your coffee with your smartphone, coffee makers today indeed have evolved and how. For instance, the Behmor Connected coffee maker is compatible with Amazon Echo, so getting your cup of perfect coffee is as simple as asking Alexa to brew it for you. The Behmor Connected Coffee Maker lets you control brewing temperature and set other precision brewing factors through your phone app. One can even make custom brewing profiles or select one from the library in the app. Cool ain’t it? Another smart coffee maker to watch

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out for is Gourmia GCMW4750 Barista Butler Coffee Maker and Grinder. Enabled with wi-fi connectivity it allows you to control coffee brewing with voice control using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Interestingly, the coffee maker allows you to even set your coffee to be ready whenever you want and from wherever you are. What’s more, its warm setting will keep your coffee nice and warm for up to 30 minutes after brewing completion.

TOUCHLESS TRASH BINS A trash can is one of the most used items in the kitchen, so why shouldn’t it be smart as well, after all, who likes to constantly get their hands dirty when throwing something in the trash cans? Engineered with motion sensor technology, the latest range of touchless trash bins are hygienic,

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efficient, less messy and easy to use. Topping the charts is the itouchles Deodorizer Sensor Can, which is not only sleek in looks but also has the most advanced infrared sensor technology. It also has in-built odour absorbing filter, which eliminates garbage odours and so your kitchen is always fresh

and clean. Competing closely with itouch Touchless Deodorizer Sensor can is the voice-activated trash can by Simplehuman. Apart from the motion sensor, this trash can also respond to voice commands, which proves to be extremely helpful, especially if your hands are full.

BRILLIANT BLENDERS Blender has been one of the most useful countertop tools in any kitchen, with the advancement in technology they too have undergone a powerful transformation. With pre-programmed settings and compatibility with smartphones, the nouveau range of blenders helps you lead a healthier lifestyle. For instance, NutriBullet’s Bluetooth-connected model, allows you to use its app and gives you step-by-step instructions to blend your smoothies. Its smart scale and Balance app measure and log exactly what’s going into your blend and helping you make healthier decisions. Another blender that is ruling the market is the Vitamix A3500. With its self-detect technology and Wi-Fi capabilities, this blender is one of the coolest kitchen appliances available today. It also comes with five different program settings for hot soups, dips and spreads, smoothies, frozen desserts, and self-cleaning.

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Manning Park Resort

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ROAD TRIP S FROM

If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with the family, check out Manning Park Resort, located in the Cascade Mountains. Enjoy a range of winter activities such as Nordic skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding as well as tubing, ice-skating and snowshoeing. The resort is also a popular destination for stargazing, thanks to its limited light pollution.

VANCOUVER Planning your next getaway? Ski, snowshoe and sled in these five winter destinations in BC.

Tofino BY TARANA RANA

Nakusp Hot Springs

inter is officially in full swing and if you’re looking for a quick getaway to make the most of the season, you’re in luck. Vancouver is a stone’s throw away from some truly beautiful winter destinations. Whether you prefer to spend your vacation days in the presence of fresh snow, or would rather watch winter’s storms from the comfort of a resort, these five winter getaways offer something for everyone.

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If you’re looking for a tranquil, relaxing getaway, Nakusp Hot Springs are a welcome respite. These hot springs are located in the Kuskanax Valley in the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains and claim to have some of the cleanest natural spring water around. The mineral springs are surrounded by mountains and trees and are perfect for rejuvenating. After a soak, you can explore the pristine surrounding area for some winter hiking or snowshoeing.

Ever experienced the fury of a winter storm? Tofino is a hot spot for winter storm watching and the best time to go is from November to late February. For some unforgettable views, you can head to the deck of the Kwisitis Visitor Centre (possible closures this winter) or Florencia Bay Look-out, within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The Long Beach Lodge Resort and the Wickaninnish Inn are also both great places to experience this natural phenomenon.

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Nelson The charming town of Nelson is a winter wonderland at this time of year, and is home to some of the best skiing around. Explore the quaint town and it’s artisan stores and go skiing at the numerous resorts and hills. As Kootenay Lake doesn’t freeze over, winter fishing is another seasonal favourite at Nelson. Another unique activity is fat tire biking, for adrenaline junkies, which is essentially mountain biking in the snow!

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Valemount Ready for adventure? With breathtaking views, dogsledding in the wilderness is an unforgettable experience, whether you ride cozily in the sled or take the reins yourself. Cold Fire Creek Dogsledding near Valemount offers a variety of tours – from an hour up to an overnight trip that is an experience of a lifetime. Photos: Manning Park Resort, Tim Barker, Nakusp Hot Springs/Facebook, Jeremy Koreski, Mark Hobson, Cold Fired Creek Dogsledding/ Facebook, Wickaninnish Inn, iStock

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DARPAN Weddings

Q: What do you love most about one another? Inder: Sangam is really cheerful, lovely and an honest person. She loves me unconditionally and is the love of my life. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a really good singer. Sangam: I really love how caring and funny Inder is. He has a pure heart, and took the time to get to know each and everyone who is close to me in my family. He is very cooperative and agreeable, and likes to pamper me.

Q: Could you share your proposal story?

Sangam & Inder Photos: Rubial Riat

Our favourite moment was when we took the four auspicious rounds in the temple, solidifying our marriage and eternal bond. It was the best day of our lives!ËŽ / FEBRUARY 2020 114 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Q: How did you meet? Sangam: We were originally introduced by our families through a mutual family friend. We were in a longdistance relationship, as Inder was living in India, whereas I was in Surrey. Most of our relationship prior to our wedding was through Facetime and calling. We actually met for the first time in person just five days before the wedding. It seems quite unbelievable, but it just felt as though we had known each other for ages.

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Sangam: The day we met in person in India was the day Inder had planned a surprise proposal. He had booked a garden, and hired a guitarist, singers, a photographer, and had an entire arrangement of flowers and other sweet gestures. The location was absolutely gorgeous, and he made me feel extremely special.

Q: Describe your wedding day. What was your favourite moment? Inder: Our wedding took place in India, at a beautiful wedding palace. In the morning, Sangam sent me a Movado watch and a letter as a small token before the wedding took place. It was quite an

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DARPAN Weddings

Despite being physically apart in terms of where we were living for the majority of our relationship so far, our bond is as strong as any marriage. We ensure we make enough time for each other, and choose honesty as the best policy.ˮ emotional day for both of us, but a memorable one all the same. We had over 100 guests attend the wedding festivities, and the décor was absolutely stunning. Our favourite moment was when we took the four auspicious rounds in the temple, solidifying our marriage and eternal bond. It was the best day of our lives!

Q: Could you tell us about your reception? The reception took place at another / FEBRUARY 2020 116 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Indian palace, and had amazing decorations throughout the entire venue. Our pre-wedding shoot video was shown to the guests, and we danced to Ed Sheeran’s song “Perfect”, which perfectly depicts our love story. We danced a lot throughout the night, and it was a great way to celebrate with our relatives. We had a photoshoot until 3 am. It was truly a magical night!

Q: Can you describe your outfits? Inder: For the wedding, I wore an off-white Indo-western sherwani, with a velvet maroon dupatta and peach turban. For the reception, I wore a blue tuxedo with a maroon bow tie. Sangam: For the wedding, I was wearing a peach-coloured customdesigned gown, with a sea-green dupatta. For the reception, I wore a burgundy gown with golden embroidery and golden jewels encrusted throughout.

Q: Where did you honeymoon? Sangam: Our first honeymoon was in Maldives, which was right after our wedding. It was truly a beautiful

BE THE OF YOUR NIGHT!

place, and although it was quite short, it was very memorable for both of us. We also went on our second honeymoon to Dubai, where we went all around the city and celebrated Christmas together.

Q: What are your goals as a couple? We want to travel as much as possible, because both of us have a passion for travelling and seeing new places. Since our birthday is also in the same month, we have also set a goal of donating to a good cause each year to commemorate our birthdays.

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Q: What are the strengths of your marriage? Despite being physically apart in terms of where we were living for the majority of our relationship so far, our bond is as strong as any marriage. We ensure we make enough time for each other, and choose honesty as the best policy. Love and trust is the most important aspect of our relationship.

Q: If you could provide any advice to other married couples, what would it be? Always trust one another, be there in both the good times and the bad, and enjoy life together!

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Lush with Roman and Georgian architecture and stunning countryside, this world heritage English city is the ideal destination for a relaxing city-break.

DARPAN TRAVEL

BY TARANA RANA

WELCOME TO

BATH to Bath

isiting Bath is like stepping back in time. With its warm, honey-coloured Georgian townhouses, sweeping crescents, and well-preserved ancient Roman sites, this worldheritage designated city is truly majestic. Only a two-hour drive from London, come to Bath to unwind, relax and rejuvenate.

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Visit the Roman Baths Start your trip by exploring the Roman Baths, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most well-preserved Roman spas today. Built in around AD 70 as a place for public bathing and socializing by Romans, today the site still flows with natural spring water. During your visit you can see the

Roman Baths up-close, walk on the original Roman pavements, visit the museum and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. If you fancy a dip in the healing spring waters, visit Therme Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. Derived from the very same underground source as the original Roman baths, the water here is rich in minerals.

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Bath Abbey is a stunning gothic cathedral. Explore the abbey with a guided tour, which takes you to the bell chamber and the top of the tower.

Tour the Abbey With gorgeous stained-glass windows, honey-gold stone and beautiful fan vaulting, which it is renowned for, Bath Abbey is a stunning gothic cathedral. Explore the abbey with a guided tour, which takes you to the bell chamber and the top of the tower. It is a 212-step climb, which will give you a birdseye view over the city and the neighbouring Roman Baths. If you have the time, check out the abbey’s website for dates and details about frequent music concerts that are held at the cathedral.

Stroll down to Royal Crescent and Circus As a world-heritage site city, Bath is known for its spectacular Georgian architecture and the best way to experience this is to walk around the city and soak in the sights. One must-see is the Royal Crescent, a semicircular row of townhouses overlooking the Royal Victoria Park. If you’d like to learn more about how the Georgians lived, you can visit the museum housed in No. 1 Royal Crescent and a joint ticket also gets you entry into the Museum of Bath Architecture. After visiting the Royal Crescent, a walk along Brock St. will lead you to the Circus, another architectural marvel. This ring of 33 houses which forms a circle with its three entrances has detailed stonework and plaques

Photos: iStock

Walkable Bath Being a very compact city, most of Bath can be seen on foot. To make the most of your experience, choose from one of the many guided walking tours that are available. A popular option is a free two-hour guided tour that is offered daily by the Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides, which is a great way to get oriented and take in all the major sights. You can also sign up for a Jane Austen tour, a ghost tour, food tours as well as ‘Bizarre Bath’, which offers a comedy tour around the city.

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commemorate some of the townhouses’ more famous residents. It is said that the Circus is joined to the Royal Crescent by a ley-line, and that their design represents the sun and the moon. When you visit, make sure to stand right in the middle of the Circus to appreciate this inspiring piece of architecture.

Visit the Assembly Rooms The Assembly Rooms were where the Bath socialites in the 18th century would gather to play cards, listen to chamber music, and attend balls. Today, these stately rooms are open to the public. The Assembly Rooms also house the Fashion Museum, where you can view collections of historical clothing ranging from the late 16th century to present day.

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Take a day trip to Stonehenge and The Cotswolds If you’re in Bath for a while, make a day trip to Stonehenge. Just an hour’s drive from Bath, the iconic stone circle is an ancient wonder of the world and has a fascinating history. Bath is also a gateway to The Cotswolds, one of UK’s most beautiful rural regions with rolling hills and honey-coloured villages. If you only have a day, head to the picture-perfect villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter to experience the Cotswolds idyllic charm.

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Enjoy an authentic afternoon tea When in Bath, treat yourself to an afternoon tea at the Pump Room. This original Georgian venue, complete with Corinthian columns and glittering chandeliers, was once the heart of Georgian high society, who would come to Bath to drink the spa waters, which they believed, would relive all their illnesses. Today you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea here and try a Bath bun, which is a local delicacy. The Pump Room still has a fountain flowing with the spa water and if you’re inclined, you can try some of the healing waters for yourself! The waters contain around 43 minerals, so be prepared for its rather unusual taste.

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DARPAN AutoREVIEW

2020 The Platinum Captain’s Chairs model has seating for seven instead of eight by having bucket seats in the second row. This model is fully loaded with just about everything one could desire in a luxury vehicle.

BY BENJAMIN YONG

LINCOLN AVIATOR MID-SIZE LUXURY SUV

lthough we haven’t seen the name in use for quite some time, the Lincoln Aviator soars high again. The mid-size luxury SUV doesn’t really have anything in common with its namesake from the early 2000s, but rather is the replacement for the outgoing MKT — and there’s a whole lot more going on here besides a simple moniker swap. Read on.

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“What’s so unique about Aviator is [that] this is really Lincoln’s first crack at a revitalization or reinvention of the brand,” says product plans manager Jim Rideout at a media drive event held in Quebec. “It’s based on four key tenets: warmth, human, personally crafted and sanctuary.” Lining up the new vehicle next to the former version, reinvention

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is the perfect way to describe the changes. Gone is the former polarizing split-wing grille and blocky silhouette, replaced by the current signature repeating-star mesh grille and a smooth, windswept appearance. Staying true to the aeronautical theme, the windshield seems to wrap around the sides meeting the front windows, and both the hood and roof sit high and feature a strong downward taper like an airplane wing. The large 20-inch (22-inch optional),

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $69,000

Motor: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 Horsepower: 400 @ 5,500 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 415 @ 3,000 rpm Gearbox: 10-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 11.8 L/100 km mixed city/highway curved spoke alloy wheels resemble spinning turbines even while at rest. Looking large and in charge on the outside, the interior is equally as specious and can accommodate up to seven passengers. Echoing back to the earlier mention of sanctuary, sitting in the Aviator is a peaceful and comfortable experience beginning with the available Perfect

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“What’s so unique about Aviator is [that] this is really Lincoln’s first crack at a revitalization or reinvention of the brand,” says product plans manager Jim Rideout.

PHOTOS: LINCOLN MEDIA CENTER

Position front seats. Not only are they 30-way adjustable, there are air bladders installed in different sections within the cushioning so a customizable massage function can work the thigh area, lower

back, upper back or all three simultaneously. On longer trips, Perfect Position can make all the difference in keeping drivers alert and on the road longer than a conventional seat. The SUV is sold in one of two all-wheel drive flavours. The first, which we drove in and around the beautiful Charlevoix region along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, is the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 pumping out a cool 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, power delivery is linear and predictable, and the big vehicle moves along just fine whether in a straight line

or around bends. Also in showrooms now is a hybrid model, adding in a 75-kilowatt electric motor and 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery bumping output significantly to 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. Everything rides on a special adaptive suspension system

constantly monitoring surface conditions, via 12 on-board sensors, to predict and react to potholes, bumps and other obstructions. For example, the shock absorber is capable of pre-emptively stiffening to mitigate the amount of wheel drop into a detected rut, in order to lessen the harsh sensation of the tire striking the ground. Travelling over rough roads does feel a lot less jarring than when in a conventional car. Buyers may also choose to add Air Glide Suspension that utilizes air, rather than traditional coil springs. Doing so adds extra convenience functionality such as the entire SUV automatically squatting down upon approach of the occupants to ease ingress and the loading of cargo. Performance is improved as well, the lower ride height aiding aerodynamics at speeds above 110 km/h. The 2020 Lincoln Aviator in Reserve trim starts at $69,000.

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2020

VENTURING INTO THE ELECTRIC CAR MARKET

PORSCHE TAYCAN BY GLEN KONOROWSKI

A car that goes this fast has to stop just as well. When the brakes are applied, the car’s regenerative system supplies 90 per cent of the stopping power and the big disc brakes finish the rest of the stopping power.

ecently I had the opportunity to be at the North American introduction of the new electric car from Porsche called the Taycan in Niagara Falls, Canada. This is Porsche’s first venture into the electric car market as they feel it is important in the future of the automobiles business. To no one’s surprise Porsche is shooting for the fastest and the most advanced electric car on the market. / FEBRUARY 2020 126 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

The first two models in their new line are the base Taycan Turbo and the upper market car, the Taycan Turbo S. Yes, it seems strange to use “Turbo” in the name as there are no turbo chargers in an electric car, but I assume they feel that we the public identify “going fast” with the name. Speaking of fast, the Taycan Turbo will do 0 to 100 kph in just three seconds and the “S” model will cut that number by 0.2 seconds to a tie of 2.8, and that’s blindingly fast. To achieve these speeds Porsche uses a slightly

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different approach to the electric car platform by using two electric motors. They use one in the front and one in the rear, synchronized by a computer. Now, if that is not different enough, the makers go one step further by using a two-speed transmission in the rear motor, unheard of in present electric vehicles. So what does all this mean to the driver? It means that the two motors produce a combined power of 670 horsepower in the Turbo and 750 horsepower in the Turbo

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $173,900 (Turbo), $213,900 (Turbo S) Horsepower: 670 (Turbo), 750 (Turbo S) Torque (lb-ft): 626 Turbo and 774 Turbo S Gearbox: Two-speed on rear engine

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PHOTOS: PORSCHE.COM

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My first impressions looking at the Taycan were very positive. The designers have captured the Porsche family “look” with the sloping rounded hood and the 911 slanted rear area.

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S model. If you know anything about electric motors you know they produce torque instantly which means that the Turbo model has 626 lb-ft of torque and the S model has 774 lb-ft of torque. To achieve all this wonderful power, the lithium ion batteries are mounted in the floor to keep these heavy items low to make for better balance, which means better handling of this sports sedan. To enhance the electric motor the stators are wound in fine copper wire for more power in a standard electric motor.

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To make charging faster, Porsche uses an 800-volt system, double than that of the standard electric car. The second gear in the rear electric motor, as you might have guessed, is used for using less power once your chosen speed has been reached, adding to the cars distance travelled in a single charge. To improve travel distances, Porsche has designed the car with a very slippery shape giving it a drag coefficient of 0.22. A car that goes this fast has to stop just as well. When the brakes are applied, the car’s regenerative system (generates

power for the batteries) supplies 90 per cent of the stopping power and the big disc brakes finish the rest of the stopping power. Adding to this stopping power and the handling of the car are staggered sized tires with 245/45R20 front and 295/40R20 rear on the Turbo and massive 265/35R21 front and 305/30R21 rears on the S model. Enhancing the handling even more, the Taycan is also equipped with four-wheel steering. From the quick glance I had of the interior of the Taycan, the driver’s area seemed somewhat Porsche-like but with lots of touch screens to control driving functions. Seats appeared to look supportive and comfortable for a sport sedan. Storage for the car comes on both front and rear trunks, with 81 L front and 366 L in the rear. In keeping with its environmental status, the interior coverings are all made with recycled material, which with its stiff price might be a hard sell. My first impressions looking at the Taycan were very positive. The designers have captured the Porsche family “look” with the sloping rounded hood and the 911 slanted rear area. There is no mistaking that this car is not a Porsche. On looks alone, this car will sell. The big question is what will all this technology and speed cost? Well how about $173,900 for the Turbo and $213,900 for the Turbo S model? If this is a little much for your budget. Porsche will be launching a less expensive model, the 4S, at just $119,400 in the future. Will Porsche customers embrace this technology? It is too early to tell, but with this kind of performance I am sure there will be those who just have to have the fastest car and the newest technology.

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2020

BY GLEN KONOROWSKI

NISSAN ARMADA THE LARGEST SUV IN THE LINE-UP

t is not that often I drive as big a car as the Nissan Armada as a test vehicle. I have to admit that it took a few hours to get reoriented to a vehicle of this size and height. Now, if you are not that familiar with the Armada, it is Nissan’s largest SUV in their line-up. You could compare it to the Chevy Suburban or the Ford Expedition. The test vehicle I was given was the Platinum Captain’s

Chairs model, which means this vehicle has seating for seven instead of eight by having bucket seats in the second row. As the name implies, this model is fully loaded with just about everything one could desire in a luxury vehicle. The rear “Captain’s Chairs” or better described “Bucket Seats” were a very nice feature. The back seat passengers get basically the same luxury seats as the driver

MSRP: $65,900 base $73,000 as tested Motor: 5.6-litre double overhead cam V6 Horsepower: 390 @ 5,800 Torque (lb-ft): 394 @ 4,000 Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic/ two-speed transfer case Fuel economy: 17.7 L/100 km city and 12.9 L/100 km highway

PHOTOS: NISSANUSA, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CARS.USNEWS.COM, PINTEREST

The Platinum Captain’s Chairs model has seating for seven instead of eight by having bucket seats in the second row. This model is fully loaded with just about everything one could desire in a luxury vehicle.

HIGHLIGHTS

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Upon first glance I thought I would be a little overwhelmed with the size of the Armada as I don’t drive big vehicles that often but it became easy to manoeuvre about on the road and move about parking lots in hours. The commanding height gives you a great view of the road.

Under the hood is where the Armada steps away from many other SUVs as it is equipped with a stump pulling 5.6-litre double overhead cam V8 with 390 horsepower.

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and passenger including heated seats, which is nice on leather in the winter. Speaking of seats, the front buckets also have cooling built into them for summer driving – again another nice feature with leather-faced seats. The dash was easy to read and all the controls not hard to reach. For the most part the touch screen was easy enough to use, but for any more complex controls

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I highly recommend looking at the manual as it will save a lot of time and it is much safer than learning while one is on the move. As mentioned earlier, the back seats are comfortable and recline, which I loved. The Platinum is also equipped with a third row bench seat that has a 60/40 split configuration and these seats also recline. With these seats up, cargo space is hampered, so if you are carrying about a hockey team, your space for big hockey bags will be limited. Overall, the fit and finish of the Armada received top marks from me. Under the hood is where the Armada steps away from many other SUVs as it is equipped with a stump pulling 5.6-litre double overhead cam V8 with 390 horsepower. Trust me, the Armada had no problems pulling away quickly and exceeding the speed limit in micro-seconds. This can be a little exciting in snow but the traction control is quick to react. In rough road conditions, the Armada is equipped with a low range so overpowering the road/dirt is not an issue. The transmission is a seven-speed automatic with a two-speed transfer case. All this under hood power is best put to use towing and

the Armada doesn’t disappoint. The towing capacity is 3,856 kg (8,500 lb) and the vehicle tongue capacity/weight is 386 kg (800 lb), which is pretty good for a SUV that rides this well due in part to its independent rear suspension. If you do have a good-sized load and a trailer weighing the Amada down, it also has a self-levelling suspension. Stopping power consists of 13.8-inch rotors on all corners which I found great pulling the vehicle down from highway speeds effortlessly. Like all modern vehicles the Armada is equipped with anti-lock brakes. Tires on this Nissan are 275/60R20s on all four corners plus it also has a full-sized spare, so your travelling won’t be disrupted looking to fix your spare. Upon first glance I thought I would be a little overwhelmed with the size of the Armada as I don’t drive big vehicles that often but it became easy to manoeuvre about on the road and move about parking lots in hours. The commanding height gives you a great view of the road. Even though it is a tall vehicle, with its running boards, getting in and out was not a problem. With a starting price of $65,900 and our test vehicle about $73,000, one gets a vehicle that is more than capable of towing with a nice ride, something vehicles in this class can’t always give.

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DARPAN AutoFEATURE

SPORTS CARS & CONCEPTS AT

53RD ANNUAL SEMA AUTO SHOW A

BY BENJAMIN YONG

Among all the tuners and accessory manufacturers were select automakers showing off unique products not seen in dealer showrooms.

/ FEBRUARY 2020 134 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

nother year, another SEMA — the 53rd Speciality Equipment Market Association show took place in Las Vegas, the latest iteration at the close of 2019 hosting more than 161,000 guests. Among all the tuners and accessory manufacturers were select automakers showing off unique products not seen in dealer showrooms. We’ve rounded up the top six examples in the feature below.

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TOYOTA GR SUPRA HERITAGE EDITION If one had to pick a single car best representing SEMA 2019, it would have to be the brand new 2020 Toyota Supra. And you can’t blame the exhibitors as it is one of the hottest models to come out in a long time. So hot that the Japanese company brought out its own special souped-up take on the vehicle. Called the Heritage Edition, it’s the in-house brainchild of Ed Laukes, who is the

marketing group vice president at Toyota Motor North America. Meant to be a throwback to the former platform, a lot of the styling is reminiscent of the previous gen. In fact, the rounded rear spoiler is actually the same one used as MKIV and modified to fit. Sitting on TEIN adjustable coilovers and bespoke 19x10.5inch front/19x11-inch rear wheels, some serious engine mods match the show with a lot of go. The stock turbocharger has been modified to produce 18 per cent additional airflow, and is complemented by a custom intake, large diameter exhaust and engine tune. The net result? An output of 500-plus horsepower.

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The 2020 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, a factory-built competition-useonly racecar, limited to just 50 units, is ready off the assembly line to light up the tarmac at National Hot Rod Association and National Muscle Car Association sanctioned events.

MOPAR DODGE CHALLENGER DRAG PAK If the regular Dodge Challenger isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spicy enough for you, perhaps the 2020 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak will do the trick. This factorybuilt competition-use-only racecar, limited to just 50 units, is ready off the assembly line to light up the tarmac at National Hot Rod Association and National Muscle Car Association sanctioned events. Looking like an SRT Hellcat wearing nostalgic red, white and blue graphics, the vehicle is clearly all business. There are the wheelie bars and parachute mount installed at the rear, and the welded-in rollcage and Racetech seats in the cabin. Under the hood lies a supercharged 354-cubic inch HEMI V8, mated to a T400 three-speed transmission.

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CHEVROLET E-10 CONCEPT

The Mustang Lithium features

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SEMA & CARS FEATURED

FORD MUSTANG LITHIUM

an 800-volt power system

The upcoming Mach-E Electric SUV is getting a lot of press right now, but there was another electrified Ford basking in the spotlight at SEMA: the Mustang Lithium. Created in partnership with battery experts Webasto, the alternative energy fastback features an 800-volt power system generating more than 900 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of instant-on torque and mated to a Getrag six-speed gearbox. Many of the body components are made out of lightweight carbon fiber, and the suspension sits one inch lower than a conventional Mustang. Borrowed from the Shelby GT350R are massive six-piston Brembo front brakes, and a Super 8.8 Torsen differential ensures the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ultra high performance tires — wrapped around 20-inch staggered Forgeline wheels — are able to hook up.

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generating more than 900 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of instant-on torque and mated to a Getrag six-speed gearbox.

No, this isn’t a zero emissions version of the iconic Chevy S-10 pickup. The E-10, rather, represents the company’s take on the future of hot rodding and is actually based on the precursor to the Sierra, the C/K series. Integrating technology found on the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the slammed truck sends approximately 450 horsepower to the rear wheels. Outfitted with genreappropriate 20-inch alloy wheels, it may look classic but includes all the modern accessories such as LED head and tail lamps and electronic interior instrument displays. Interestingly, even the “engine” noise is digital: three speakers in total simulate air being sucked in from the intake at the front of the vehicle and a V8 exhaust note in the rear. The sounds mimic gear changes and may be customized to reflect different drive modes, or set to completely silent.

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TOYOTA

FINANCING

1968 FORD BRONCO While the sixth generation version of the iconic SUV isn’t available quite yet, the domestic brand whetted the appetites of showgoers in the meantime with this upgraded classic beauty. Owned by former late-night TV host Jay Leno, he, a team from Ford Performance and other industry professionals worked closely together to give this Bronco a complete makeover. For example, there’s a 5.2-litre supercharged engine lifted from a Mustang Shelby GT500, heavy-duty 4WD drivetrain, Wilwood big brake kit, restored body panels, trim and accessories, custom “Tonight Blue” paintjob and much more.

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2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY Due out later this year, Chevrolet showcased a teaser of the redesigned Corvette Stingray boasting a mid-engine layout and 495 horses. The new configuration allows improved weight distribution, better responsiveness and a sub-three-second 0 to 100 km/h time — the fastest ever. Both a two-door coupe and convertible model will be offered.

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The New Year kicks in on an excellent note; at least in the Bollywood horizon.

The

FILMI

CHHAPAAK Release date: January 10 Starring: Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey

entring a film around inspiring real-life characters and true stories has been attempted a zillion times in Bollywood. However, what truly makes Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming film special is the fact that it is based on the life of an acid attack survivor – Laxmi Agarwal and her aweinspiring journey. Versatile actress Deepika Padukone will be seen shunning her glamorous look and essaying the real-life acid attack survivor in the film. Going by the first look pictures of the film, one can be certain that she has nailed it once again. Padukone, who also turns producer with Chhapaak, claimed that the film is the toughest one of her career. “With Chhapaak, the process was exhausting. We had to get the prosthetics done for like three hours and another hour to take it off. Emotionally I have never been as burnt out as I felt after that.” The heart-warming story of trauma and triumph that celebrates the unbeatable human spirit definitely can’t be missed, right?

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CALENDAR

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

Following close on the heels is Varun Dhawan’s dance extravaganza, Street Dancer 3D, then there is Imtiaz Ali’s next film that tells us how love has changed in the last decade, and last but not the least is Aanand L Rai’s quirky love story about a same-sex couple – Shub Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. Now ain’t this eclectic list truly tempting?

ith a bevvy of promising films gearing up to hit the marquee soon, there is a bit of something for everyone in 2020. The year begins with a bang quite literally with Ajay Devgn’s magnum opus Tanhaji - The Unsung Warrior and the awe-inspiring story of an acid attack survivor in Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak.

TANHAJI – THE UNSUNG WARRIOR Release date: January 10 Starring: Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Kajol

dancers from the streets and their achievements as they diligently follow their passion. It is also learnt that the film is inspired by real-life people.

ance fanatics can rejoice as the most-awaited dance extravaganza film, Street Dancer 3D, is all set to hit the marquee soon. Featuring Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, and a bevy of exceptionally talented dancers, Street Dancer 3D promises to Release date: January 24 be a treat for everyone. Helmed Starring: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Nora Fatehi, Prabhu Deva, by choreographer-turneddirector Remo D’Souza, the film Punit Pathak, Dharmesh Yelande, supposedly chronicles the life of Shakti Mohan

STREET DANCER 3D

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Interestingly, Street Dancer 3D is the third film in the popular ABCD dance franchise. Speaking about the film. D’Souza said, “We have tried to do it as big as it can be, with the team and the cast. Street Dancer 3D should have some interesting elements as well for you.” Now, who wouldn’t want to watch this grand dancing affair on the big screen?

he fascinating chapters of Indian history have undoubtedly caught the fancy of several Bollywood filmmakers lately, with each one taking a leaf from the colourful past and bringing it alive on celluloid. The latest addition to the long list of history-inspired films is Ajay Devgn’s hotlyanticipated period action film Tanhaji - The Unsung Warrior. Based on the life of the brave military leader in the Maratha Empire, Tanaji Malusare, the magnum opus is set in the 17th century and once again brings together the power couple, Ajay and Kajol, on screen. The film also brings Devgn and Saif Ali Khan together after 13 years; the stellar performers were last seen in Omkara. Devgn, who hits a century with this film, said, “Apart from being my 100th film, it's really a special film because when you play a historical character like Tanhaji, who has been such a great warrior, it increases your responsibility as an actor. So, it is important to see you don’t portray such characters in the wrong manner.” Well, we certainly can’t wait to watch this grand retelling of history on the big screen.

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LOVE AAJ KAL 2 Release date: February 14

E: info@darpanmagazine.com | T: 604.537.7277

Starring: Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda

here are more than a couple of reasons to look forward to Love Aaj Kal 2. For starters, the film is helmed by none other than the master storyteller, Imtiaz Ali. What’s more, it brings the rumoured couple – Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan – together for the first time on the big screen. Shot essentially around the picturesque Himachal region, Udaipur and Delhi, the film is believed to be a sequel to the 2009 film Love Aaj Kal, which featured Sara’s father, Saif Ali Khan. While the makers of the film are tight-lipped about the film, producer Dinesh Vijan revealed that the film will talk about how love has changed over the years. He said, “Sara and Kartik are both strong actors who have the love of the audience, and with Imtiaz Ali, the master of heartbreaks, telling us how love has changed in the last decade, I am confident this film will be a much-awaited 2020 Valentine Day release.” We couldn’t agree more with him.

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SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS SHUB MANGAL ZYADA SAAVDHAN Release date: February 21 Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao

hub Mangal Zyada Saavdhan has piqued the curiosity of the audience like never before. A sequel to the 2017 hit film Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, which dealt with erectile dysfunction, this Aanand L Rai offering has homosexuality as the central theme and revolves around a quirky same-sex couple love story. What further makes this film promising is its stellar casting. The film is packed with powerhouses of talents like Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, and Gajraj Rao among others. Commenting about the film, Khurrana said, “It is a beautiful story told in the quintessential Aanand L Rai style of filmmaking that will touch your hearts and leave a smile on your face. It is one of the most brilliant films that I have read in a long time and it handles the subject of homosexuality really sensitively. It is an out and out entertaining film that will also make you think and that’s the hallmark of good cinema.”

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There are practically no weekends without a horror offering this winter, and that’s just the movies.

THE LODGE

BY JORGE IGNACIO CASTILLO

February 7

‘TIS

THE

SEASON CHILLY

TO BE

About five years ago, an Austrian film called Goodnight Mommy scared the bejesus out of the few people who saw it. Now the filmmakers behind it are bringing their brand of domestic horror across the pond. Two kids who lost their mom in violent fashion attempt to boycott his father’s new relationship, unaware of their would-be stepmother, has a less than sturdy grasp on sanity. The fact they’re alone and in the middle of nowhere makes a bad idea even worse. EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: Pretty high. Hopefully you’re not terribly attached to Alicia Silverstone’s Clueless persona.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jorge is a journalist and film critic with over 15 years of experience in publications across North America. Castillo is also a budding filmmaker with two shorts under his belt and a feature documentary in production. He is a member of the Vancouver Film Critics Circle since 2013.

GRETEL & HANSEL January 31 The tale of Hansel and Gretel has many sinister corners beyond a witch slaving a girl and fattening a boy to eat him. The idea of siblings left in the forest because their parents couldn’t take care of them is a pretty dark one. This version amps up the grim, while fleshing out the sorceress’ character by giving her a tragic back story. Nobody opts for cannibalism without a good reason. EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: As with The Turning, craftsmanship is the only differentiating factor when the story is so well known. / FEBRUARY 2020 140 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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THE GRUDGE January 3 Even though the franchise has run its course in native Japan (it jumped the shark two years ago when the spirits of The Grudge and The Ring were pitted against each other), Kayako remains an unsettling presence for North American audiences. This incarnation… is the same as the other ones, only set in the US: Scary house, vengeful and unstoppable ghost with a freaky-looking kid, suckers who go inside the place to investigate and never come out. EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: High. Evil Dead’s Sam Raimi is producing. Plus, there is something discomforting about physical, sprinting ghosts.

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THE INVISIBLE MAN February 28 The classic villain gets a #metoo-inspired makeover courtesy of the creator of Saw, Leigh Whannell. The Handmaid’s Tale’s Elisabeth Moss is an abuse-survivor who, upon inhering her tormentor’s fortune, suspects he’s not dead, but has become invisible to torture her a little more. EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: Medium high. The H.G. Wells creation is indelibly disturbing, although seems like this is a lot of effort to make someone’s life difficult.

FANTASY ISLAND

UNDERWATER

PHOTOS: SONY/COLUMBIA, VVS FILMS, FOX, ENTERTAINMENT ONE

February 14

January 10

It’s not a coincidence. This film is inspired by the 80’s TV staple, but digs into the murkiest areas of the concept: How come Mr. Rourke has the resources to fulfill the fantasies of his guests? Michael Peña takes over the Ricardo Montalbán role and adds a cruel streak to the otherwise affable host. No word if Tattoo makes an appearance.

This is how long ago was this movie made: Fox was an independent studio and T.J. Miller was still considered a viable presence in movies. Now, this $80 million film is being dumped with little advertising in January. None of this means Underwater is bad, but doesn’t bode well. Following an earthquake, a group of underwater workers are taken one by one by a mysterious creature dwelling at the bottom of the sea. Yes, it’s been done before: The Abyss, Leviathan, The Meg, Below, Deep Rising…

EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: Low, but the curiosity factor is off-the-charts.

EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: Medium low. The trailer seems run-of-the-mill and Kristen Stewart is at her best in little indies and foreign features. Charlie’s Angels didn’t exactly pan out.

BRAHMS: THE BOY II February 21 The Boy was the rare horror film that provided a satisfactory, rational conclusion to presumed supernatural events. This often-delayed sequel seems to backtrack on all that: Katie Holmes returns to the big screen as the beleaguered mother of a kid who befriends the creepy life-size porcelain doll at the center of the saga, pieced back together by the weirdo living in the house’s crawl space. EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: Medium low. The law of diminishing returns squarely applies here. Plus, when have you ever seen a good Katie Holmes movie?

THE TURNING January 24 The umpteenth adaptation of Henry James’ classic The Turn of the Screw has a young and hip cast going for it – Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things and Brooklynn Prince of The Florida Project – and a video clip specialist – Floria Sigismondi – to make it exciting. Still, the story of the governess facing against ghosts for the soul of two children may be too classic and too popular to surprise anybody. EXPECTED GOOSEBUMPS LEVEL: Low, but it will be a classy affair. Still, The Innocents with Deborah Kerr is hard to beat.

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Q&A

SVETLANA

TULASI

What would you say is the biggest misconception about Kathak out there?

artists copy, great artists steal. Learn how they do their thing and make it your own.” From this approach, Bollywood/hip-hop combinations have emerged, as well as multiple collaborations with Kumar Sharma. While traditional ballet as known to Westerners is air-based, Kathak sticks close to

BY JORGE IGNACIO CASTILLO

the grown.

ew people embody the concept of

Tulasi’s spin

“Global Indian” like professional

– Kathak

dancer Svetlana Tulasi. Born to a

fusion –

Telugu father and a Russian mother,

allows her more

Tulasi developed an interest for Kathak

freedom in lifting.

– one of the eight classical dances of

“In the beginning,

India – early on.

I was a purist. First

Kathak is representative of the

comes the foundation,

Northern and Western areas of the

then you experiment.

country and it is known for a heavy

There is no growing

storytelling component. Through hand

without stepping

movements, facial expressions and

“Hanju”, Indialucia’s

considerable footwork, those who

“Trilokam”) and TV ads.

practice it share epic stories and local mythology just using their bodies. Tulasi has helped popularize Kathak

She practices at least an hour a

back,” Tulasi

It’s a common belief that classical Indian dance is outdated and unappealing. I see it as my mission to show how beautiful Kathak is. Old is gold and classic lives forever. I believe a contemporary approach to Kathak would reach more people. How has being Russian and Indian shaped your view of the world? It has given me a great advantage, a global point of view. For example: My Kathak teacher (Yekaterina Seliviorstova) is Russian, but studied in India. As a result, her approach to teaching is structured and systemized, not how Kathak is usually taught in India. If awaken in the middle of the night, I would know the structure. Indians around the world have made significant contributions to their immigrated countries. What do you think of this accomplishment? Growing up outside India, there’s a missing part inside you. You feel disconnected of your roots. That’s how my interest in dance happened. If you have roots in India, you want to be a part of that. We all feel the need to be seen, to be heard, to represent Indian culture.

believes. “If you choose an Indian art form, it’s important to know that

has changed gears slightly by making

day (four to five hours when on tour).

you want to do this, no matter the

acting a bigger part of her artistic

In addition, she stays on top of new

obstacles.”

output. With that goal in mind, she

through her YouTube channel and

trends in contemporary dance while

appearances in Ukraine’s Got Talent

also revisiting more classical styles.

beyond her area of expertise

classes and auditioning. Her intention is

(her performance went viral), Russia’s

“It’s important to stay inspired,”

translates into an eclectic taste in

to increase her presence this side of the

Got Talent and So You Think You Can

says Tulasi.

music, one that includes heavy

Atlantic, although she says she’s “open

metal, jazz and the likes of

to the whole world.” For now, expect

Depeche Mode and Rammstein.

Tulasi to pop up in video clips and

Dance - Ukraine, among others.

A choreographer as well as a

Tulasi has also been the lead in

dancer, research often finds a way

video clips (Zee Music Company’s

into her work: “Picasso said good

/ FEBRUARY 2020 144 JANUARY Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Tulasi’s willingness to explore

Following an extensive tour, Tulasi

spent two months in Los Angeles taking

continue her educational output online.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SVETLANA TULASI

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CANADIAN SHARE THEIR IMMIGRANTS STORIES BIGGEST OBSTACLE FACED SO FAR IN CANADA: Taking care of our newborn son and older daughter all alone without any family support.

RESOLUTIONS MADE FOR YOURSELF OR FAMILY: To settle down soon with a good business and house.

Meet the

ADVICE FOR IMMIGRANTS:

handa

Don’t come here thinking life would be easy. Nothing is easy; you have to earn it to live happily.

FAmily

“We never wanted to look for a job and were looking for business opportunities right from the beginning. It took us a long time to understand the market here, and we are still exploring it,” say Karan and Hina, directors of their own company here in Canada.

Karan Handa is self-employed Hina Mahajan is self-employed Bhavya is five years old Kiyaan is two months old

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HANDA FAMILY

BY PETRINA D'SOUZA

MEMORIES OF YOUR HOMELAND:

aran Handa fell in love with Canada when he came to study here in 2007. Because of some personal reasons, he had to leave after completing his studies, with the hope that he would make Canada his home in the near future. “After we got married we visited Canada in 2011 and stayed for three months. We planned to migrate here at that time but were unable to do so. Last year we made

up our mind and applied [for permanent residence]. Finally we are here after a long journey,” shares Hina Mahajan, Karan’s wife. Karan and Hina, along with their daughter Bhavya, moved to Canada in June 2019 from India. For the first few months, they stayed in rented homes in Burnaby and Vancouver, found through Airbnb and Craiglist. As they were getting accustomed to the new surrounding, Hina recalls that transportation was a big issue; she was pregnant with their son, Kiyaan, at that time. “It was difficult to move around in

public transportation where one had to walk long distance even after reaching the closest bus/skytrain stop. Finding a good apartment was another task as we had to search a lot.” Karan shares that they got easily adjusted to the people and surroundings but are still trying to adapt to Canada’s weather. The couple co-owned a business back in India and were interested in doing the same in Canada as well. “We never wanted to look for a job and were looking for business opportunities right

Celebrating 14 Years of Publishing Excellence

We miss our family get-togethers and the amazing Indian food. from the beginning. It took us a long time to understand the market here, and we are still exploring it,” says Karan. Today, Karan and Hina are directors of their own company here in Canada. The family loves Canada for its multiculturalism and politeness. “I like the accepting nature of this country. It is a beautiful amalgamation of so many different cultures,” says Hina, further stating that she dislikes the growing drug problem especially in Metro Vancouver. The new immigrant family looks forward to settling down soon with a flourishing business and beautiful house. “Our journey so far has been great with many ups and downs. It has been a great learning experience coming to a new place, having a baby, and evolving in the process,” says Hina in conclusion.

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