The Voice of the University of Toronto at Mississauga
MEDIUM THE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
VOLUME 35, ISSUE 4
www.mediumonline.ca
The story of King Khan and BBQ
Sex advice from S.E.C
UTM’s Mark Bania profiled
Page 5
Page 8
Page 11
Hindu ceremony blesses UTM MEREDITH LILLY NEWS EDITOR UTM’s Hindu Student Council (HSC) hosted a Puja and Havan spiritual ceremony for the wellbeing of the student community on Thursday, September 18. Nearly forty students attended and all were welcome to partake in the rituals. Student leaders from the council actively encouraged questions and explained the unfamiliar. Pandit (Pt.) Roopnauth Sharma from the Shri Ram Mandir Hindu Temple led students through the traditional blessings and offerings that make up the Puja, a religious ceremony that is performed throughout the year. The ceremony centered on Sarawasti, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge. Students asked for wisdom in preparation for this schoolyear. Throughout the ceremony, Pt. Sharma engaged the audience by drawing parallels between the relationship that people cherish with their friends and the relationship with god. Students were called to rise above the materialistic ambitions of this world and to become selfless in their pursuit of knowledge. They also asked to be freed from their senses and to be content with their lives. The symbolism behind the chants was explained so that all could partake in the blessing. The chants were complimented by a Tabla (percussion) and a Harmonium (a keyboard instrument) while some participants brought offerings of sweet food to use during the Puja. Petals were used as offerings during the ceremony to signify love and devotion to Sarawasti. Participants were sprinkled with water as a blessing and were encouraged to bring positive change to the world. “You are all knowledgeable people, but knowledgeable people have tried to destroy the world. You must have a good foundation from which to draw your wisdom and guide your life,” Pt. Sharma advised. Students then proceeded outside for the Havan, a purifying ritual led by Pundit Jee Roop Nath Sharma and Pundit Jee Avinash Kumar, where rice was thrown into a fire as a sacrifice and to bring purity to the participants. “Most Hindus take part in the cer-
Photo/Matthew Filipowich
Clubs Week helps students find niche KIRSTEN HILL From September 15 to 19, the UTM Student Union's annual Clubs Week took over the five-minute walk. For one week, student-run clubs promoted the services and activities they make available to interested students all year long. On Wednesday morning, a crowd gathered around a square of cardboard duct taped to the cement floor, on which a member of the club UTM Breakers performed a break dance routine. The performance took place a few meters away from the rest of the stalls put up by clubs just outside the student centre. The UTM Breakers, like many other clubs, were putting their best foot forward in an attempt to gain exposure and recruit new members in this year’s Clubs Week. As Mitchell Huynh explained, “Not too many people know what break dancing is.” Having on-site demonstrations was this clubs effort to increase publicity. Huynh went on to say that break dancing is a way to “express yourself and have a good time at the same time.” Student leaders encouraged the passing crowd to check out their stalls while music blared from a variety of colourful display tables. Excitement was heightened by offers of free candy and prizes from many of the organizations. The clubs represented ranged from academic societies to gaming clubs and religious organizations. According to Shamini Eswarakumar, a first year student, Clubs Week is “a good way to meet people and get involved.” There was a good student turn out, ranging from excited first-years still trying to figure out what the event was all about, to upper year students who claimed they were signing up for clubs they have been a part of in past years. Although there was a relatively constant flow of students visiting the stalls
throughout the week, Linda Emode, the Financial Director of the Erindale Campus African Students Association (ECASA), stated that, “Monday was the busiest day.” Emode spoke about how ECASA is a great way for African students to embrace their distinct cultures and identity, as well as to “put African culture out there.” The Ministry of Social Justice also had a presence, offering students with an opportunity to really get involved with causes promoting justice in the community. UTM Cricket Club’s (UCC) President Ibrahim A. Khan, expressed that he was expecting their club to grow from last year’s 220 members to 300 this year. Events such as intra/extra mural tournaments, live telecasts and pub nights feature in the UCC’s line of events. The Psychology Association of Undergraduate Students at Erindale (P.A.U.S.E) club was offering students a chance to meet their professors, a pub night, as well as resources, such as test packages to assist them in their study of psychology. Event coordinator Johnny Ho was pleased with the turn-out this year. “I believe Clubs Week was a great success this year. I measure success with the participation of the students and the satisfaction of the clubs.” A few management innovations helped students pull their booths together with ease says Ho, “this year, we assigned tables to each individual club and each table was labeled prior their arrival. This way, we eliminated a lot of confusion in the morning, which ultimately gave the clubs more time to promote themselves to their members.” As seen in the stream of students visiting the various stalls together with clubs gaining new members, Friday marked the end of another successful Fall Clubs Week.
Members of the Hindu Student Club participate in a Havan ceremony outside of the Student Centre. emony every month, there are different chants for different occasions,” explains Oindrilla Sarkab, HSC events coordinator. “The fire that is used during the ceremony represents purification. Fire treats everything in the same manner.” The HSC executives were delighted to bring the ceremony to UTM, a tradition that they feel is relevant to students seeking a successful school year. “As students, what is our ultimate goal? We worry about grades and academics. This blessing is for the whole school, for all students,” said Vivek Govardhanah, HSC VP finance.
Inclusivity was stressed by many of the participants. Students seeking a unique social experience are encouraged to join the ceremony along with those who hold more spiritual views. HSC has other events for students interested in learning more about South Asian culture, including a Desi Food Fest on September 24. “The events are about celebrating our culture, not preaching. We want to share the fun aspect of being a Hindu,” said Sarkab. HSC President Rohit Dubey added, “We want to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.”
PhotoMatthew Filipowich
A member of the Art History Club watches our photographer as he tends the booth during Clubs Week.