Community Connection
Scholarships open to Guyanese students
Guyana Awards Council is inviting students of Guyanese heritage to apply for a Guyana Awards National Scholarship. The program was established in 2008 "to support and profile the achievement of academic excellence by students of Guyanese heritage pursuing post-secondary education in Canada," a release from the Council states.
The Scholarship Program provides monetary awards to qualified students.
"The goal of the Guyana Awards Council is to maintain a comprehensive National Scholarship program that benefits a wide range of students, while encouraging business partnership opportunities with corporate citizens, as well as mentorship programs and career counseling for scholarship recipients," the release further explains.
In 2008, seven inaugural scholarship recipients were chosen by "an independent panel of judges" from applications submitted.
To qualify for the Scholarship, the student has to be currently enrolled, or planning to enroll no later than the Fall of 2009, in a full-time undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate program at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school in Canada. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 17 and 30. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on a combination of high academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.
Honorary Consul General, Danny Doobay, explained that the Council’s ultimate goal is to develop a scholarship endowment fund that would benefit a wide range of students in Canada and Guyana.
“In future years, we would like also to expand the Guyana Awards Scholarship Program to include Guyanese youths who are pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies,” he said.
The Scholarship winners will be presented with their awards at the annual Guyana Awards Gala on May 23, 2009.
The Guyana Awards Council will also honour outstanding Guyanese-Canadians at the Gala on May 23, while recognizing and promoting outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in the Guyanese Canadian community towards the achievement of excellence, and the development of Guyana, and Guyanese heritage and culture in Canada.
A complete portfolio of Scholarship Application Forms and information may be downloaded in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF from http://www.guyanaconsulate.com.
Scholarship Applicants may also call Felicia Kwang at the Guyana Consulate (416 494 6040 Ext. 23) for any questions they may have.
Scholarship applications must be received at the office of the Guyana Consulate no later than February 28, 2009.
The Scholarship Program provides monetary awards to qualified students.
"The goal of the Guyana Awards Council is to maintain a comprehensive National Scholarship program that benefits a wide range of students, while encouraging business partnership opportunities with corporate citizens, as well as mentorship programs and career counseling for scholarship recipients," the release further explains.
In 2008, seven inaugural scholarship recipients were chosen by "an independent panel of judges" from applications submitted.
To qualify for the Scholarship, the student has to be currently enrolled, or planning to enroll no later than the Fall of 2009, in a full-time undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate program at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school in Canada. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 17 and 30. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on a combination of high academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.
Honorary Consul General, Danny Doobay, explained that the Council’s ultimate goal is to develop a scholarship endowment fund that would benefit a wide range of students in Canada and Guyana.
“In future years, we would like also to expand the Guyana Awards Scholarship Program to include Guyanese youths who are pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies,” he said.
The Scholarship winners will be presented with their awards at the annual Guyana Awards Gala on May 23, 2009.
The Guyana Awards Council will also honour outstanding Guyanese-Canadians at the Gala on May 23, while recognizing and promoting outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in the Guyanese Canadian community towards the achievement of excellence, and the development of Guyana, and Guyanese heritage and culture in Canada.
A complete portfolio of Scholarship Application Forms and information may be downloaded in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF from http://www.guyanaconsulate.com.
Scholarship Applicants may also call Felicia Kwang at the Guyana Consulate (416 494 6040 Ext. 23) for any questions they may have.
Scholarship applications must be received at the office of the Guyana Consulate no later than February 28, 2009.
Pt Sitaram - a beacon and guide at 94
Panditji is a well known and highly respected member of the Vedic faith, very learned in the Shastras and considered an authority on matters relating to Vedicism and Hinduism generally.
At 94, Pt Sitaram has maintained a very healthy life and is quite active socially. He is an ardent practitioner of the tenets of his religion and at his 'advanced' age, he performs daily yoga exercises which he credits for his longevity and good health.
Panditji proudly proclaims that every morning he is up at 4 am without fail, and does his religious Sadhanas before engaging in any mundane activity. He is an avid reader of religious texts and has keen interest in religious discussions, debates and lectures. He himself is a sharp debater and an absorbing lecturer. He keeps himself active in doing his personal research work and records his findings which he shares freely with others.
The self-taught Pt Sitaram stands as beacon within his community and is an inspiration and guide to young and old alike. And he is readily available whenever called upon.
Pt Sitaram was born in Canje, Berbice, Guyana, in 1915 and was very acive in the promotion of Vedic Dharma in his native land.He later moved to Trinidad where he worked among followers of the Vedic Dharma and where he conducted classes in Yoga. He later moved to Toronto in 1976 and joined the Toronto Arya Samaj.
At the Vedic Mission Scarborough, Pt Sitaram was felicitated by those present who wished him continued health and success on his way to becoming a deserving centenarian.
Picture above shows Pt Sitaram engaged in a Havan performance with his grand-daughter. Pt Ramesh Chandrapal is officiating.
Devi Mandir Holi Mela
The Pickering Devi Mandir will hold a Holi Mela featuring bhangra, dances, chowtaal and film songs on Saturday March 14 from 6 pm at the Mandir Auditorium, 2590 Brock Rd, Pickering. Admission - $10, children under 12 - $5, under 5 - free. For info, Mandir 905-686-8534, Sam Persaud 905-428-6905 or Amar Binda 416-249-3579.
TAS Phagwah celebrations
The Toronto Arya Samaj will be holding its Phagwah celebrations on Wednesday March 11, 2009 starting at 10 am at 4345 14th Avenue, Markham. The program will be marked by a prayer service, Chowtaal and bhajan singing and the playing of Phagwah. Lunch will be served from 12:00 noon. The Samaj's Annual Phagwah Concert will take place on Saturday, March 14, and will feature the Dynamic Saffron Ork led by Rajesh Sharda. Program starts at 7:00 pm. There will be songs, music, dances, fashion show, food bar, raffle and more.
For info call Sat Sarju 647 292 4370 or Dave Ramotar 416 663 4037.
For info call Sat Sarju 647 292 4370 or Dave Ramotar 416 663 4037.
Golden Agers Chowtal
T&T 50+ anniversary
Indian Mining delegation for Prospectors Convention in TO
On March 3, an India Day Presentation will be held at Room No. 714 A in South Building of MTCC from 2 to 5 PM, where the India’s mineral potential, capabilities and investment opportunities will be exchanged. Further details are also available at:http://www.pdac.ca/pdac/conv/2009/presentations-rooms.html
Lakshmi Mandir's Shivratri
Construction of the Mandir's new temple in Needham Lane, Mississauga is in progress and some areas still need to be completed to make it usable.
There is a shortfall of drywall materials a bundle of which costs $100. Persons wishing to help may contribute in this area. Tax receipts are issued for all contributions.