Community Connection
Sign up now for Indian Music and Dance Workshops offered by Swar Sadhana Music Lovers Club. Swar Sadhana provides a quality platform to develop music and dance talent at two locations, Brampton & Scarborough. They have about 8 highly talented teachers providing training in Vocal (singing), Harmonium, Keyboard, Tabla, Sitar, Flute, Violin, Guitar, Bharatnatyam, Folk and Bollywood style of dances. Before beginning the new semester, Swar Sadhana organizes a parent-child workshop that allows everyone to explore and experience, the environment and meet with the teachers for their expert guidance. The new semester is starting from Thursday, September 1, 2011 at both the locations. For more information, please visit the website at www.swarsadhana.ca or contact Neha Bhavsar @ 905-794-4013. September 1 (905-794-4013) (www.swarsadhana.ca).
The wedding was followed up the next day with a reception that took the form of a boat cruise on Lake Ontario on board the Captain Flanders.
A small crowd of curious onlookers and passersby cheered the bride as a vintage car brought her to board the vessel at Toronto Harbour Front where she was greeted by Brian and the wedding party.
Guests had a great time as when they were not grooving it up on the dance floor they were enjoying the moonlight on the deck under a clear and starry sky in beautiful weather.
Pix By Adit Kumar
By Adit Kumar
A colourful cultural and flag raising ceremony marked the celebration of India's 64th Independence Anniversary last Sunday at the Town of Markham.
Five organizations – Vedic Cultural Centre, Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre, Patanjali Yog Samiti, Rajastan Association of North America, and Agarwals Based In Canada - pooled their resources to stage yet another grand celebration for the independence anniversary of their home country. Despite threatening clouds the rains stayed away for the open air program which included the hoisting of the Indian Flag, the singing of the Canadian and Indian National Anthems, greetings from dignitaries and dances by the various groups.
Representatives of all three levels of government were present and brought messages from the Prime Minister, the Premier and the Mayor of Markham. They all congratulated India, the largest democracy in the world, on its 64th independence anniversary and paid glowing tributes to the resilience of the people of India and the significant contributions India has made to the world and continues to make today.
Dr Helena Jaczek in her presentation thanked India for giving the world mathematics, algebra, the decimal system, pi and the zero which she noted that today's technological world cannot function without.
MP John McCallum also noted that 40% of the scientists of NASA are people of Indian origin. They acknowledged that today, about one million people of South Asian descent are living in Canada.
Among the dignitaries who spoke at the program were MP's and MPP's Peter Kent, Mark Adler, John McCallum, Michael Chan, Dr Helena Jaczek and Deputy Mayor of Markham Jack Heath who represented Mayor Frank Scarpitti. Several councilors from the Town of Markham as well as representatives of all the host organizations were also present. The York Region Police were represented by Officers Rickey Veerapen and Carolyn Bishop.
The speeches were interspersed with colourful dances performed by representatives of the five hosting groups including youths and seniors. The program also included demonstrations of yogic breathing exercises and explanations of their value in maintaining a healthy lifestyle relevant to today's stressful environment.
At the end of the program attendees were treated to a sumptuous lunch at the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre and the Vedic Cultural Centre. The host organizations have been holding this program at the Markham Centre for the past several years and promise to continue to do so in the future.
The event was well attended with participation from a wide spectrum of the local and global community of friends, family, associates and well wishers. Participants included members of the POA Education Foundation, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) from the Caribbean and India; Non-resident Indians (NRIs); members of the Greater Toronto area and media persons.
The "Top 25 Most Influential Indians in North America" is another in the series of notable publications from Global Indian Origin.
The 25 honorees profiled in "Top 25 Most Influential Indians in North America" are: Mr Vasu Chanchlani (Canada), Dr Ram Charan (USA), Mr Sant Singh Chatwal (USA), Mr Bharat Desai (USA), Mr Gururaj Despande (USA), Mr Bob Dillon (Canada), Mr Ujjal Dosanjh (Canada), Dr Aron Govil, Hon Gov Nikki Haley (USA), Dr Valluvan Jeevnandan (USA), Dr Aditya Jha (Canada), Mr Asa Singh Johal, Mr Vinod Khosla (USA), Ms Indra Nooyi (USA), Mr Deepak Obhrai (Canada) , Mr Vickram Pandit (USA), Dr Sudhir Parikh (USA), Mr Hasmukh P. Rama (USA), Mr Ashook Ramsaran (USA), Dr C S Ranawat (USA), Mr Kuldeep Rai Sahi (USA), Mr Ram Kavitark Shriram (USA), Hon Harinder Takhar (Canada), Dr Salim Yusuf (USA), Ms Sunita Williams (USA).
Ashook Ramsaran was recognized for his many notable achievements as an active and versatile civic leader both in the local New York community as well as the Indian diaspora.
Ramsaran is Executive Vice President of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) and CEO of Ramex, Inc his own electronics manufacturing company founded in 1988 and based in New York.
Ramsaran was recently presented with India's prestigious 2011 Pravasi Samman Award conferred by the President of India for his initiatives and collaboration to establish the Kolkata Memorial which was unveiled on January 11, 2011 in Kolkata, India.
The citation on the "Indian Diaspora Heritage Award 2011" presented to Ramsaran states: "In recognition of his outstanding contributions through broader community service and individual achievements in numerous activities".
In a statement, editor and publisher Dr Anand Raj Giri said that, the "Top 25 Most Influential Indians in North America" publication profiles the lives and achievements of 25 prominent members of Indian diasporic community of North America. While the success of Indian immigrants in newly adopted countries can be attributed to economic progress, they have integrated well in their host countries through good citizenship, hard work, discipline and philanthropy. The personalities included in this publication all have an excellent record of exemplary successes and outstanding achievements in all segments of society: business, entrepreneurship, politics, humanitarian deeds and philanthropic activities"
"As India has grown in recent years into an economic powerhouse, something we all have beheld with amazement, our strong ties to India have given us a competitive advantage that others envy", said Ontario Premier McGuinty. Similar sentiments were shared by Dr Runte, both of whom spoke highly on the increasingly strong and growing bonds between Canada and India as well as the many significant contributions of Indian immigrants in Canada.
Consul General Saran also spoke on Indian immigrants in Canada and the common interests shared by India and Canada.
Indians share a long history of migration and the mobility of Indian people to faraway lands is evident today in many countries with significant populations of Indians and people of Indian origin, numbering over 25 million spread across 110 countries around the globe. The global Indian community is rapidly increasing, particularly in Canada, and making tremendous contributions in transforming major economies, adding to scientific innovation, participating in political processes, and contributing meaningfully in their adopted countries.
When asked how he felt to be among the top 25 most influential Indians in North America, Ramsaran remarked: "It is beyond my expectations and indeed quite an honour to be so recognized among stalwarts of Indian origin in North America".
Global Indian Origin is the world's leading publisher of books on the Indian Diaspora, devoted to researching and chronicling their success stories. Through publications like table books and magazines, Global Indian Origin brings their struggles and achievements to the global audience.
(William Doyle-Marshall pix)
By William Doyle-Marshall
Denise Herrera-Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of the Festival Management Committee (FMC), current producers of Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival, Toronto says the just concluded Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival of Toronto does not make money.
In an exclusive post-festival interview she admits there is need for restructuring in order to make money. "This year we tried to increase our gate and revenue opportunities. That's what we are working on now, The reality is, we have tried very hard not to lose money and tried to break even because if we do get into a deficit situation, that affects a lot of our funding. Our funding is tied to performance and we've got to be very careful about that" she explained.
Reports from ticket sales are still coming in.
The CEO is encouraged by public response to the new configuration for this year's parade route. Admitting there were breaches along the Lakeshore route Herrera Jackson promises to go back to all our stakeholders. "We are going to talk to the police, the parks and rec, the sanitation people, the fire, ambulance, all the different services that we do buy or are provided to us for the festival and all our stakeholders; our event managers, our volunteers and get a whole set of feed back," she emphasizes.
The lights are now off and cameras are away from the glitzy mas scene. Masqueraders have discarded their costumes as there is no museum for posterity. And bandleaders are looking at next year's Carnival festival. What would it be called or would it happen again?
While some are mulling over these crucial details, Bryce Aguiton, Chair and members of the Toronto Mas Bands Association are expecting very serious change especially in the funding formula for festival participants.
Her plan is to complete review of this year's operation by October and begin planning for 2012. With this in mind she is inviting public comments and suggestions.
"I also want you to give me a suggestion and not only do you give me that suggestion but I also want you to tell me how we can implement the suggestion because it's okay to give me a suggestion but you should help to implement it and start planning and moving forward," the Festival CEO insists.
Community input can be forwarded to Herrera-Jackson by email – info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
Aguiton insists the FMC funding to bandleaders isn't sufficient and that under-funding was the motivation for him becoming involved in TMBA leadership. He acknowledges the useful contributions made by his predecessors, and promises that he and his new team are trying to approach masquerade production from a much more business perspective.
"We are saying first of all we need to get the money earlier; we need to get more money. They (funders) have to realize it is an investment. The people who are the cogs; the people who run this thing are the ones who always struggle. So money should come earlier; there should be more of it and we should also be corporately funded," he emphasizes.
Giving the bands funding a month before the festival is useless and according to Aguiton and other players in the arena, "Everybody broke; everybody credit card max out; everybody funding gone; everybody bank account drain. And that is real hard on people and that is big band, small band, it doesn't matter. Big band is bigger costs."
Chris Alexander, Chief Administrative Officer of the FMC initially tried side stepping inquiries about the need to fund TMBA at least six months before the festival. He claimed there has been an existing contractual arrangements with the bandleaders for 44 years. But after constant questioning he alluded that there was need to revisit the funding formula. At the launching of the 2011 festival at Nathan Phillip Square he announced alternative sources are to be explored for 2011 because there was too much dependence on grant funding.
Overall consensus among masquerade bandleaders like Marlon Singh, leader of Callalloo, Marcus Eustace of Carnival Nationz, Narissa Ali and Robin Blues of Blues Carnival Fusion, Corey Howard, leader of Rags to Riches, Mervyn Skeete and Wil Morton festival organizers is there is need to treat them much better than in the past.