By Adit Kumar
At 80, he writes with a passion and fearlessness for Indo Caribbean World; he still practises medicine, undertaking challenging cases; he still plays golf albeit with a 'top of the line 1976' golf club and is full of vigour and optimism. That is the type of person Dr. Mohan Ragbeer is.
Surrounded by his wife, Mary and his children, he was felicitated and even 'roasted' by family members, friends and close associates last Saturday at a special function to observe his 80th birthday which was held in the Albion Hall of the Hamilton Convention Centre.
The kind sentiments expressed by his six children - one daughter and five sons - speak of the respect and honour in which they hold him. He influenced their lives in many respects and as one son put it, he made it clear to them that not because their father was a doctor they would get everything on a platter.
He imbued in them strong values and placed education high on their agendas. Today they are all grateful to him for those teachings which allowed them to successfully chart their own lives.
Dr Ragbeer stands out as an excellent role model for all. Coming from humble beginnings in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, from a family of eight siblings and losing his father at the tender age of 7, he, by dint of hard work, perseverance and refusing to give up, rose to become an icon in the medical field, earning high reviews both by his peers as well as his patients. His brilliance was spotted early in his school life and he won himself a scholarship to pursue secondary education at the Berbice High School.
From there on it was no turning back as he went on from strength to strength earning accolades all the way in his academic pursuits at home and abroad.
Despite his high achievements he never lost touch with his roots and maintains high respect for his Indian culture and heritage. Of striking significance also in the photographic collage that was on display, was one of young Mohan dressed in a dhoti and kurta as he participated in a thanksgiving prayer service on his return home from his studies abroad.
Despite his busy schedule, his commitment to helping the community saw him making time to get involved in the establishment of the Indo Canadian Network Council – a professional and business network organization, and the Canadian Indo-Caribbean Association in Hamilton which gives him the opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of Indian Culture and Heritage in his area.
Happy birthday Dr Ragbeer and best wishes to you for many more years to come, from all of us at Indo Caribbean World.

 

His deep, dignified voice carried the restlessness of a vagabond's heart and a philosopher's calm. Music maestro Jagjit Singh, 70, who passed away at Lilavati Hospital due to brain haemorrhage and terminal cardio-respiratory failure here two Mondays ago, brought ghazal to millions of middle-class drawing rooms beyond the genteel soirees of music aficionados.
The singer-composer contemporized the genre boldly using western instruments: the 12-string guitar and the bass guitar. In him, ghazal found a refined and classically proficient but trendier, market-friendly face and voice. In the 1980s, it was impossible to visualize an evening party in small-town north India without either Old Monk rum or Jagjit's ghazals.
Jagjit had suffered a brain haemorrhage on September 23. Despite two operations in between to clear the blood clots, he never regained consciousness. A week later, a relatively minor procedure to "decompress" the brain was also carried out. He was on ventilator all this while.
Sources say Jagjit had suffered from high blood pressure for over a decade. "He had over half a dozen stents in his heart," said a source. It is said that he was a heavy smoker till a decade ago when he suffered his first heart attack. He was a diabetic too.
Jagjit and his wife Chitra were India's premier ghazal couple. Chitra stopped singing after their son Vivek died in a road accident in the early 1990s. Recalls Asha Bhosle, who sang several duets with Jagjit, "He did not express his grief to people. When I went to his house to condole his son's death, he just told me not to speak about it. He kept all the sadness inside him and did not vent it, which probably took a toll on his health."
Another tragedy hit the couple a decade later when Chitra's 49-year-old daughter Monica Dutta Chowdhury committed suicide. Fellow ghazal singer Anup Jalota said, "Jagjit Singh and Chitraji moved to Bandra after Monica's death to stay with her children. It is at this Bandra residence that Jagjitji suffered a stroke and was taken to Lilavati Hospital."
Incidentally, the singer's south Mumbai residence at 23, Pushpamilan, is up for sale. Raju Anna, who works with Jagjit, told the press, "We are selling the flat and expecting to get at least Rs 11 crore." A notice was pasted on the door saying, "Old restored antique furniture. Flat also for sale."

 

The Canadian Softball Cricket Association will hold its Annual Presentation and Dance on Saturday November 5, 2011 at the prestigious Coconuts Restaurant on Steeles Ave at Keele. The 22 clubs associated with the CSCA are all expected to be attending this much anticipated event. The buffet dinner will be at 7 pm followed by Dance at 9 with the party going till 4 am. Dance performance by Chris Badri Dance Academy. Entertainment by Illusions sound Crew, Mix Master and DJ Reg & Wingman. For info, call Haro 647-688-4276 or Leon 905-792-8883.
Coconuts will follow up this event with a Halloween Party for kids and grownups on Sunday October 30. It's a free family event with free giveaways for the kids. There will be fun, entertainment, face painting and prizes for pumpkin carving and scariest costume. Call Coconuts at 905-532-9594.

 

Toronto Kaiteur Lions Club will hold their Buffet Brunch
on Sunday November 13th., 2011 at 12:00 noon at De Sweet Spot Restaurant, 1157 Ellesmere Road at Midland, Scarborough. Tickets $15.00 per person. Tel 647-352-7768.

 

Pakaraima Guyanese Canadian Writers and Artists Association
and friends of the Caribbean invite all to the Annual Literary Dinner and Social Evening on Saturday, November 12, 2011
from 6:00 pm at the Caribbean Wave Restaurant, 875 Milner Avenue, Unit 106, Scarborough. Call: Shirley 416-904-7912,
Janet 905-780-8866 or Habeeb 416-823-1738.

 

Toronto Arya Samaj will hold a Diwali Satsang on Wednesday Oct 26, 2011 from 6:30pm. Its Diwali Concert will be on Sat Nov 5 featuring Panwar Music and Dance Productions, starting at 6:30 pm. Call Kevin Samaroo 647-505-1793 or Sat Sarju 647-292-4370.
Also Arya Samaj Markham will hold a Diwali Mela on Saturday Oct 22, 2011 from 3pm. There will be Meena Bazaar, live music, food stalls and a cultural program. Free admission. Call Ajit Wadhwa 416-491-7584 or Yash Kapur 905-948-9100.
Venue for programs: Vedic Cultural Centre, 4345-14th Avenue, Markham.

 

The Toronto Chapter of the Queen's College of Guyana Alumni Association will be holding a Dinner and Dance Gala to celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Saturday, October 29th, 2011 at Sts Peter & Paul Banquet Hall, 231 Milner Ave, Scarborough. Cocktails 6:30 pm; Dinner 8:00 pm. Admission $50. Music by live band "Storm"; live singing by Guyanese sensation Pamela Maynard; DJ Solid Goald. For info, call Syed Rayman 416-412-0103; Audrick Chung 416-750-8872; Vivian Wong 416-724-5937, Gerald Alleyne 416-693-5011.

 

Only one unpublished poem not more than 20 lines may be submitted. Authors wishing to submit more that one poem must pay $10.00 for each additional entry. Contestants are limited to 3 entries. All entries must be type-written in English and double-spaced. Title of poem, writer's name, email address and other contact information must be supplied in a separate letter. The poem itself must only indicate the title of your work. Entries must be submitted or postmarked by October 25, 2011. Entry Fee: $10.00 must be sent with cheque or Money Order payable to Pakaraima Writers and Artists. Contestants must be over 16 years of age. Members of Pakaraima are not eligible to enter this competition. First Prize – $100 plus the 2011 Winner's Plaque; Finalist Prize – $50 plus a Certificate of Achievement; One Merit Prize – 2 to 4 books by authors of Guyanese or Caribbean heritage; Honorary Recognition – Certification of Recognition. Pakaraima. Entries must be sent to: 9 Bridlepath Street, Richmond Hill , Ontario L4S 1V8. Contact: Email: pakaraima9@yahoo.ca; phone: 905-780-8866.

 

Voice of the Vedas Cultural Sabha will hold its Diwali Gala and Fundraiser on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Ave East, Brampton. There will be a live band and fashion show. Guest artiste is Venky from Vancouver. Reception 5 pm, Program 6 pm, Dinner 6 pm. Tickets: VIP $100; adults $60; children $30. Proceeds towards VOV Global Care Outreach Program. Info 905-886-1724 or 1-888-222-2375 or visit vishnumandir.com

 

The Sony Centre For The Performing Arts announces Diwali Night at the Sony Centre, in collaboration with MyBindi.com, for the opening night of BHARATI on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. The Sony Centre will transform into a Diwali Festival Marketplace for the first night of Diwali, putting its own theatrical stamp on the official Year of India in Canada. For info, 1-855-872-SONY (7669) or online at www.sonycentre.ca

 

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