Mr Raghubir Samaroo celebrated his 92nd birthday with a prayer service at his daughter's, Sita Raykha's residence last Saturday.
Close friends and family members were there to celebrate with him and wish him well. The service was conducted by Pandit Satyanand Sarju.
At the end of the service there was a session of chutney songs and Mr Samaroo could not resist the temptation of dancing to the rhythms. Despite challenges to stand up, he was so overjoyed that he made his dance moves while holding on to his chair.
He expressed his gratitude to God for achieving his 92nd birth milestone and looks forward to many more.

 

Pranav Ashram will hold its Annual Fund raising Dinner and special Recognition Award presentation at the Elite banquet Halls, 1850 Albion Road on Saturday October 15th, at 6.00pm. Hon. Judy Sgro. MP for York West and Philanthropist and social worker Mrs Indrani Gayadeen will be recognised for their contributions to society and their achievements. Pranav Ashram Students of Shri Dev Bansraj and Dev Bansraj (Jr) will provide the evenings entertainment. For info, call. Ashram: 416-741-4335. Sat: 416-825-2900. Sew Sanker: 905-794-1717.

 

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

 

By William Doyle-Marshall
Two female students were awarded the 2011 Imam Abdul Razak Foundation scholarship. Shameeza Allard is in her second year at York University pursuing studies in kinesiology and Sherricka Case is at the St. George campus of the University of Toronto where she intends entering the criminology programme next year. Currently she is working on the social sciences.
This is the second year that Allard was selected by the panel of judges for the $6,000 award. Looking ahead into the future Ms Allard said it would be amazing if she emerged as a person who finds a cure for something or be the person that does something really great.
Winning the scholarship means a lot to her because she could truly focus on her studies without worrying about securing student loans. "I think that would be pretty cool, in my field at least," she remarked. She is impressed by the individuals you read about who make discoveries and are featured in text books and "are all over pages about having done something great".
Case, a graduate of Dunbarton High School, Pickering, on the other hand, visualizes herself just giving back to the community, particularly to young kids. She would like to start an organization or some type of thing, maybe for helping the community to help those young people believe in themselves and find themselves the way she did. Drawing on her experiences from working with children in Malvern, she feels a need for helping young people in particular. Back in the day growing up in the Jane and Finch community, Case had first-hand experience of the challenges of facing stereotyping head-on.
"You're often judged and stigmatized and all of those kids there end up in a particular stereotype because people in the community base and they judge those people saying: oh they might not be able to make it," Case reflected..
She didn't think that she would ever be receiving a $6,00 scholarship because of the amount of things she has done to help other people. In fact she had doubts even while applying for the Imam Abdul Razak Foundation Scholarship. Being a finalist from a field of 135 applicants Case is particularly happy and considers the experience and her success "amazing".
Imam Abdul Razak after whom the foundation is named, was born in Guyana into a very humble family in 1926. Working along with Latifan his wife of 48 years, they provided food and shelter to numerous individuals in Guyana. Through their efforts several parents were able to provide higher education for their children.
Imam Razak's generousity and compassion continues through the efforts of his son Sham and his wife Nazli with the foundation. They are continuing his message of peace, love and help for their fellow human beings. In addition to offering a four year university scholarship to one qualified individual, the foundation provides financial assistance and moral support to the elderly and those facing hardships; free financial and business advice to individuals of low income; free tax services for seniors and low income individuals; and necessities of life for victims suffering from a natural disaster in their country.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Imam Abdul Razak Foundation are Sham Razak President; Romeo Bacchus, vice president; Osman Khan, Yasmin Valani, Nazir Valani, Nelu Vergi, Raymond Matt and Jim Chung – directors.
The President called the scholarship dinner a late Eid celebration in honour of his parents. He reported immense success with securing the foundation's charitable status despite having to overcome barriers. Patrons attending praised Sham's commitment to the effort of supporting members of the community who are in need socially and otherwise.

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