August 2, 2017 issue

Community Connection
 
A Picnic for 'All of Us' - a hot day at Wildwood Park
From left: Organizers John, Reg and Ray
What's on the menu?
By Peter Jailall
Sunday July 30th was a hot day for a picnic at Wildwood Park, Area A on Derry Road. People cruised into the park and met and greeted family and friends. They came from all over the GTA and represented different countries from which they originated - Guyana, Fiji, Trinidad, Jamaica, East Africa and Tanzania.
Picnics in summer are plentiful. But mostly they have very defined interests, such as a church picnic for a particular group or denomination, or a village picnic, and occasionally a family picnic (reunion). But this new concept cuts across those narrow boundaries and is for everyone, as the name suggests.
The idea originates from three businessmen - John Persaud of CDN Superbilt Shutters; Reg Sukhu, Real Estate Agent; and Ray, D.J. Impulse - the leading organizers.
John is no stranger to the Guyanese business community. He started by organizing boat cruises for charity many years ago. But from this year he has shifted his focus to a summer picnic where he has invited the business community to come out with their families and friends.
In addition to showcasing business ads and cards, the happy crowd of over 500 people was invited to eat, drink and be merry. Food was plentiful. DJ Impulse provided upbeat music that had all age groups moving to Indian and other popular music.
One picnicker, Mr. Paul, waxed philosophically by saying, "This picnic creates an atmosphere of home away from home." It was truly, as the sign displayed, "a picnic for all of us."
 
Mahaica Picnic – food, music, dance, games and more
Above: some of the activities at the July 23 Mahaica Picnic.
Arti Panday Photo.

By Arti Panday
Former residents of Mahaica, Guyana gathered at Thompson Memorial Park to celebrate the 25th Mahaica Reunion on Sunday, July 23, 2017.
With food, live entertainment, activities for all ages and a raffle, the picnic drew a healthy crowd of hundreds throughout the day. Reminiscing on times past and reconnecting with old colleagues, friends, family and teachers, the event provided an opportunity for the group of Guyanese expatriates to reunite in Toronto.
Organized by Karan Rajkumar and a team of trusted volunteers, the event was sponsored by a number of Toronto-based businesses with Guyanese roots.
The fun is set to continue at the same venue next year with the annual event tentatively scheduled for July 21, 2018.
 
Essequibo Day celebration
Come celebrate the Cinderella County's Essequibo Day on Saturday August 26 at Wildwood Pk , Area A, 3430 Derry Rd, Malton. Great fun in store with foods, games, music and solid entertainment. Meet old and new friends. Call John Persaud at 416-239-2863.
 
Wales, Patentia picnic
Wales, Patentia, Sisters Village, #1 Canal, #2 Canal and neighbourhoods will hold their summer picnic on Sunday August 13 at Morningside Park (Area 9). Come with your picnic basket and meet old and new friends. There will be races for all ages, dancing competition, hot music, softball cricket. Call Tomiee 416-283-7639, Nevill 416-755-5652, Jason 416-498-8506, Trevor 416-284-7157, Teacher Channo 905-420-2433.
 
Enmore 10th annual picnic
The Enmore Association celebrates it's 10th anniversary picnic on Saturday August 19th at Wildwood Pk , Area A, 3430 Derry Rd, Malton. Main event is live music by Fusion Frontline Band featuring a number of local artistes. Contacts are Bibi 905-567-9719, Ochi 416-456-7995, Jeno 416-857-2747, or visit website: www.enmoretoronto.com.
 
Scholarship Programme for
Diaspora Children for Higher & Technical Education in India
Academic Session 2017-18
The Government of India launched a scheme called “Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children” (SPDC), in the academic year 2006-2007, for the children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to assist them in pursuing Undergraduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes. SPDC is awarded to the following four categories:
(i) Children of Person of Indian Origin (ii) Children of Non-Resident Indian (iii) Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries studying outside India (iv) Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries studying in India
Under the SPDC scheme financial assistance for specific undergraduate courses in Professional and Non-Professional courses (except Medical and related courses) is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services. The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs from 66 select countries as listed.
The SPDC is open to applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 1st October 2017. Applicants born on or after 1st October, 1996 and before 1st October, 2000 are eligible to apply. Date of birth as recorded in the Secondary Education Board/University Certificate of Class 10th or equivalent, or as mentioned in a certificate for this purpose issued by the appropriate Government authorities of the respective countries will be taken as authentic for this purpose.
Last Date for submission of Completed Application Form Online on SPDC portal (http://spdcindia.gov.in) is 30th September, 2017.
Applicant shall submit Application Form Online on the SPDC Portal (http://spdcindia.gov.in) and upload the required documents on the portal itself. Only online application forms will be accepted.
 
Kalypso Hut brings Bollywood in TO's biggest summer show
This upcoming weekend, Kalypso Hut will be hosting a unique show – Bollywood Family Lime – with super entertainment that features the two biggest Bollywood bands from Trinidad.
Indar Kanhai and his Trishul Orchestra together with Anil Bheem and his BMRZ Band will be performing together for the first time on Caribana Sunday, August 6 at the Powerade Centre, 7575 Kennedy Road in Brampton.
Both Anil and Indar spoke with the host of popular Radio Shabnam confirming their attendance and expressing their excitement at the prospect of entertaining their thousands of fans as the largest carnival party gets underway this weekend.
Corporate Sponsor for the event is Greenview Capital Mortgage Investment Corporation whose President, Richard Aziz, urges everyone to “come out and enjoy this quality family event that will deliver everything that is advertised and promised.”
The gate opens at 12 noon and the show starts at 2pm.
For tickets and more information, please call 905-790-3648 or 416-897-8622.
 
Appeal from Heart & Stroke’s South Asian Survivor Network

Do you know any South Asian heart
attack or stroke survivors?
If so, please ask them to join Heart & Stroke’s South Asian Survivor Network!

At Heart & Stroke, we want to increase our knowledge and understanding of stroke and heart disease recovery and be better informed of our future direction in the creation of recovery-based resources, programs and services for our heart disease and stroke survivors. In order for us to be survivor-centric – we will soon begin first phase of engagement with South Asian survivors and their care givers/partners.
While survivors face many barriers and challenges in coping with the disease and better managing their lives after a heart attack or stroke – we are interested in hearing their stories and wanting to confirm what the literature is telling us: that the psychosocial support an individual receives is co-related to their ability to recover and self-manage their condition.
For this we need your help! We need you to connect us to South Asian survivors and their care-givers/partners in your communities and have them join our South Asian Survivor Network and have them participate in one of our survivor focus groups to be held in the GTA this summer. Results from these focus groups will be shared with all of you and also help inform Heart & Stroke’s Promote Recovery Strategy.
Please help us recruit South Asian heart disease and stroke survivors and their care givers/partners to start engaging them on this important dialogue.
YOU connecting us to them would take us a step forward in understanding and listening to what OUR SURVIVORS truly need and help them RECOVER and self-manage their health!
Contact: FIRDAUS ALI, South Asian Cultural Specialist, Ontario, Heart & Stroke C: 416-629-1689 firdaus.ali@heartandstroke.ca
 
 
 
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