Quo Vadis: Perspectives on the Commonwealth Caribbean From Colonial Times to Present is released by author Paul Erriah
The Caribbean has historically been the first “New World” stop for people living on the East and West coasts of the Atlantic Ocean since Christopher Columbus anchored there in 1492 in what he called Hispaniola. The Spanish Colonial Empire became a colonization model for other European countries for the next 400 years. Interest in sugar cane fueled the introduction of African slavery when natives rebelled, and English planters emerged as a wealthy and powerful force. Sugar and plantation policies continued to shape the islands’ economics, society and politics.
In Quo Vadis, the author tackles this complicated topic by dividing his book into two sections. The first offers a political and historical overview, starting with the British presence in the region and the introduction of slavery and indentured labor, and continuing with the rise of nationalist movements, political leaders’ vision for their respective states, and economic development. The second portion of the book explores the region as an entity, including development at state and national levels, the historical background for regional unity from the West Indian Federation to CARICOM, and an evaluation on how well regionalism works today and could work in the future.Thus, the lead in the title,”Quo Vadis”, asking where is the Caribbean area heading from now and the future.
Author Paul Erriah, born in Plantation Albion, Guyana, attended universities in Montreal and Ottawa, Canada. He is a retired high school teacher for the New York City public school system. He now teaches in the English department of the College of Professional Studies at St. John’s University, New York, where he has been an adjunct assistant professor of journalism and writing since 1989. Erriah has published articles in newspapers and journals. His career includes serving for five years as moderator of the current affairs program “Viewpoint,” as a freelance journalist on Trinidad and Tobago Television.
Quo Vadis: Perspectives on the Commonwealth Caribbean from Colonial Times to Present, Paul Erriah, Dog Ear Publishing, ISBN: 978-160844-959-0 176 pages Available at Ingram,Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble (bn.com) and fine bookstores everywhere (worldwide).

A first of its kind in Toronto, Coconuts Restaurant will be holding a special Phagwah Family Event on Sunday March 20 from 3 pm at the Restaurant, 2180 Steeles Ave West. It's a FREE show with vegetarian food and powder on sale. Coconuts will be closed to the public but open to those celebrating Phagwah. Persons not wishing to be involved in the powder and abeer mix are asked to refrain from attending. Live entertainment by Omesh Singh, Anil Singh, Lakeram Rampersaud, Suresh Hanoman, Savitri Persaud, Kavita Maharaj and many others backed by Ravi Sookhoo and the N2 Band. Call 416-795-9599 for more info.
Starting tomorrow March 17 and continuing through to April 2, Coconuts will be opened from 5:00 am to ensure that cricket fans have the opportunity to view the ongoing World Cup games being played in the subcontinent and Sri Lanka. If you're not connected to get the games live, make Coconuts your connection where there will be dozens of other fans like yourself enjoying the matches just as if they were at the cricket grounds. Don't miss any game in the run up to the Final on April 2.
Free breakfast will be served on all days that West Indies would be playing.
Additionally, Kishore and his wife Jenny, the owners of Coconuts are inviting all their clients and friends to come out with their kids to the Restaurant on April 3 for the birthday party of their daughter Ambika who will be seven years old. The hosts will be providing all food, refreshments and gifts for the kids.

Devi Mandir invites you to their annual Holi Mela to be held at Devi Mandir, 2590 Brock Road, Pickering on Saturday, March 19, 2011 starting at 6:30 pm featuring songs, music, dances and chowtaal. For info call 905-686-8534, 905-428-6905, 647-294-5711.

The 2011 Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be held in Toronto on June 9 and 10th. Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce is the nodal agency for the event. The theme is Building Bridges: Positioning Strategy of the Indian Diaspora. Indian Diaspora members in Canada, USA, Mexico and the Caribbean countries are expected to attend the PBD Canada 2011 convention in large numbers. Participation by the provincial governments and from Canadian mainstream organizations is expected. For enquiries contact Mayank Bhatt, Chief Administration Officer, Tel: 416-224-0090.

Devotees of Shri Sathya Sai Baba’s Sai Nilayam Ashram invite all to join in Holi/Phagwah celebrations and Sai Satsangh on Saturday, March 19 , 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at
SN Rameshvara Hall, located at 45 Cranfield Road, Unit #10, East York. For info, please contact 905-796-9097.