WHAT’S UP

OBITUARY

 

DHARM SINGH ATWAL, 62, has passed away. He was the brother of well-known businessman Harjit Singh Atwal and Jasbir Singh Atwal.

His funeral takes place on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. at Riverside Funeral Home in Delta. Bhog will be held at Gurdwara Sahib Brookside at 8365 140th Street in Surrey.

For more information, please contact Harjit Singh Atwal at 604-657-1729 or Jasbir Singh Atwal at 604-723-0426.

 

OBITUARY

 

SARDAR AMARJEET SINGH BHANDAL, a long-time resident of Burnaby who came from Bhandal village in Karpurthala district, Punjab, passed away on March 19.

His funeral will be held on March 23 (Sunday) at 2 p.m. at Riverside Funeral Home in Delta.

Bhog and Antim Ardass will follow at 4 p.m. at Vancouver’s Khalsa Diwan Society’s Ross Street Gurdwara.

Please contact 604-553-1478 for any information.

 

B.C. EVENTS

 

(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

 

 

Khalsa Diwan Society: Vaisakhi Day Celebration

 

Saturday, April 12: The timeline: * 7-9 a.m. – Kirtan * 9-9:30 a.m. – Reception for dignitaries * 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Speeches * 10:45 a.m. – Ardas. * Parade departs from Ross Street Gurdwara Sahib at 11 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.

 

Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar: Vaisakhi Celebration

 

Saturday, April 19: Parade Route: The Vaisakhi Parade is scheduled to begin at about 9:30 a.m. at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, located at 12885-85 Avenue. It will conclude there at about 4 p.m.  Main Stage Timeline: * 11-11:45 a.m.: Traditional Sikh hymn singers * 11:45 .am.-12:45 p.m.: Ceremony honoring community volunteers * 12:45-1:30 p.m.: Speaker series.

For more information about the event including the parade route visit: www.surreyvaisakhiparade.ca.

 

Surrey Libraries: Filing Personal Tax Return

 

Surrey Libraries are offering free clinics for those eligible, at City Centre, Guildford and Strawberry Hill branches. A volunteer from DIVERSEcity, trained by the Canada Revenue Agency, will help prepare & electronically file (if eligible) your tax return. You must be a Surrey resident and your income falls within these guidelines: Single Person: $30,000. Single parent with child: $35,000. Each additional child: $ 2,500. Couples: $40,000. Investment income under: $ 1,000. You have a simple tax return (no self employment, no bankruptcy, no forms for deceased, no capital gains / losses and no rental income). The clinics operate on a first come, first serve basis. For details, visit the Libraries or www.surreylibraries.ca

 

Richmond Library: Free Income Tax Clinics

 

Richmond Public Library, in partnership with the Family Christian Fellowship, is offering free Income Tax Clinic to help those with a low income file their income tax returns. The clinics take place on Saturdays: March 22 and 29, and April 5, 12, 19, and 26 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Community Place Room at the Brighouse (Main) Branch located at 7700 Minoru Gate. If you’re a single person with a maximum income of $30,000, a couple with a maximum income of $40,000, or an adult with one child and a maximum income of $35,000, then you qualify for this free service.  Sessions are 45 minutes per person and couples must sign up for one time slot each. To register, call 604-231-6413 or visit the Brighouse 2nd floor information desk. Bring all relevant documents such as T4 and T5 slips.

 

Free Income Tax Clinics: MP Jasbir Sandhu

 

* Saturday, March 22 – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Jasbir Sandhu’s Community Office, #107 – 13979 104 Avenue. * Wednesday, March 26 – 10a.m.-1p.m. at KEYS Housing & Health Solutions, 10667 135A Street.

 

Support Orphan Children of Northern Sri Lanka

 

The Children and Youth of Greater Vancouver present a blend of eastern and western culture in “A Night of Music and Dance” on March 22 at Scottish Cultural Cnetre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 for adults; $10 for kids; free for children 5 and under. Tickets Sam / Angela Nalliah at 604-759-2000; Vincy / Kala Gunaratnam at 604-304-1252; Karuna / Shuba Karunakaran at 604-270-7570. kidscharityvancouver@gmail.com.

 

PICS Multicultural Long-Term Home Fundraiser

 

A night filled with music and style from one of the best eras yet: the 80’s. Join us on Saturday, March 22 for the PICS Multicultural Long-Term Home Fundraiser at Royal King Palace (365-8158, 128th Street, Surrey). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be dinner, entertainment, silent auction, fun contests and lots of prize giveaways. All proceeds to benefit PICS Society’s Multicultural Long-term Nursing Care Home Project. A new multicultural long term nursing care home in Surrey is much needed and the community is in full support. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Rina Gill at 778-688-4973 or Shima Ghailan at 604-596-7722.

 

South Asian Seniors: Side Effects of Counter Medicines

 

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / seniors as well as non-members to attend a presentation – Side effects of medicines bought over the counter – by Dr. Ramesh Avinashi, a family physician, on March 23, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. There will be a Q & A also. Tea and light snacks will be served after the presentation. For more information, contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945.

 

Spring Break for Kids at the Library

 

This spring break, kids can explore the world of Science and LEGO Robotics at Surrey Libraries from now until March 31. At the Lego Robotics sessions, kids ages 6-12 can have loads of fun (and learn a bunch!) as they use Lego bricks to explore the world of robotics with Bricks 4 Kidz. At the Let’s Talk Science sessions, kids can explore the world of science with SFU’s science and technology students. Topics include Crime lab, bright lights, bugs and more! Topics and ages vary by branch. Free. For times and locations, visit Surrey Libraries or www.surreylibraries.ca

 

Girl Empowered Leadership Workshops

 

Surrey Libraries has partnered with Plan in support of the Because I am a Girl campaign which is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of girls and women both locally and globally. The Strawberry Hill Library will be hosting free motivational workshops for girls ages 10-14 to help raise awareness of issues girls face and inspire them to create change of their own. Tuesdays, March 25 to April 15 – 5-6:15 p.m. Snacks provided. Workshop Themes: * March 25: Because I am Girl: I am Connected * April 1: Because I am Me: Self Esteem and Speaking Out * April 8: Because I am Socially Responsible: I Want to Make a Difference * April 15: Because I am Cooperative: I Will Work as a Team. For more information, contact Jaskirat Sahni at jaskiratsahni@gmail.com. Register at the Strawberry Hill Library or call 604-501-5838. http://www.surreylibraries.ca/5252.aspx

 

South Asian Seniors: Filing Income Tax Returns Free

 

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey informs South Asian seniors that during the tax filing period we can help you to file your income tax returns for the year 2013 free of cost from now to April 20 if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria are as follows: 1. Single individual with annual income limit up to $30,000. 2. Couples with annual income up to $40,000. 3. Adult with one child annual income up to $35,000, add the income limit by $2,500 for each dependent child. Interest income not over $1,000 and this income will be included as total eligibility. With no investment income, no rental income and no partnership income, SIN card and photo identity will be required to prove the documents. If you are eligible then contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945.

 

Free Tax Clinic

 

Eligibility: Low income Permanent Residents who have been in Canada for 5 years or less. Locations: MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway; MOSAIC Vancouver, 2nd floor, 1720 Grant Street. Service dates: March and April. Appointments: Have your PR number ready and call required: 604 254 9626 (Vancouver) or 604 438 8214 (Burnaby).

 

An Evening Workshop: The “Comfort Women”

 

An Evening Workshop: The “Comfort Women” and Contemporary Forms of Sexual Violence Against Women. BC ALPHA, AWWA, AKCSE. Tuesday, March 25, 6-9 p.m., at Irving Barber Learning Centre, Room 261, UBC. During and in the years leading up to World War II, the Japanese Army mobilized more than 200,000 women from across Asia into sexual slavery. The victims were euphemistically referred to as “Comfort Women,” and the rape centers as “Comfort Stations.” Since 1991, survivors have publicly come out with their stories to demand justice in the face of denials by the Japanese government, and have led one of the longest standing protests in recorded history. Through presentations and small-group discussions, we will explore the “Comfort Women” issue as not merely an historical phenomenon but as a manifestation of systemic oppression that is directly connected to contemporary forms of sexual violence against women worldwide. This event is free of charge, food will be provided, and all members of the community are welcome. Registration is required through https://comfortwomen.eventbrite.ca/.

 

Vancouver International Auto Show

 

Presented by the New Car Dealers Association of BC, the 94th Vancouver International Auto Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre West from March 25-30. Show Hours: * Tuesday – Friday: 12-10 p.m. * Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. * Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: General Admission: $15. Seniors (65+) and Students (valid ID required): $10. Children 7-12 (when accompanied by an adult): $4. Children 6 and under (when accompanied by an adult): Free. Family Pass (2 adults and 2 children 12 and under): $30. Multi-Day Pass (good for any 2 days): $25. For more info: www.VancouverInternationalAutoShow.com

 

SFU Lecture on Qur’an

 

The Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures and The World Literature Program present: Reading the Qur’an as a Text of Late Antiquity. Keynote by Dr. Angelika Neuwirth, Freie University (Berlin), recognized as one of the world’s leading scholars on the Qur’an. This lecture is free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended and can be made through www.sfu.ca/reserve. For more information: www.ccsmsc.sfu.ca. Thursday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at SFU Surrey Campus, Room 2600, 250-13450 102 Avenue, Surrey.

 

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum: New Immigrants

 

As part of its drive to attract more new immigrants to the trades, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is holding three specialized information session funded by Citizenship Immigration Canada in Vancouver on March 28, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the ISS of BC Head Office, 333 Terminal Avenue, Suite 501, Vancouver. The sessions will provide information such as how to qualify as a certified tradesperson; the ins and outs of apprenticeship; and the perks and benefits of working in the trades.

 

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple

 

* Saturday, March 29: 6 p.m. – Shree Hanuman Japa * March 31-April 9: 6:30 p.m. – Chaitri Navaratri , Gudi Padva. 467 E 11th Avenue Vancouver. Phone: 604-874-0175. shreemahalakshmi@gmail.com

 

All Star Wrestling

 

At Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey with former WWE star, Native American TATANKA on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Alice Mckay Building, 6050 176 Street.  * Jason Cage (Champion) vs WWE legend, Tatanka * Kyle Sebastian (Champion) vs Adam Ryder * Azeem The Dream & Christopher Ryseck vs Kenny Lush & King of The Yukon * Moondog Manson vs Cremator Von Slasher * Collin Cougar Meat Cutler(Champion) vs Matt XStatic * Riea Von Slasher & Iron Maiden vs Bambi Hall & Raven Lake * TKO Cody Smith vs Breaker Iton. Tickets: $20 Front Row; $15 Ringside Rows 2-4; $12 Bleachers. Information-604-710-0872. Tickets available at www.allstarwrestlingcanada.ca or www.allstar-wrestling.com. Also available at: Central City Comix-10221 King George Highway, Surrey. www.centralcitycomix.com. Comics Scene-8912 152 Street, Surrey. www.comicsscene.ca. Meet the wrestlers after the show at Rockwell’s Bar & Grill located in the Holiday Inn on the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street.

 

Movie: Red Ant Dream

 

Hari Sharma Foundation and South Asian Film Education Society (SAFES) present Red Ant Dream directed by Sanjay Kak (2013) Hindi with English subtitles. 120 minutes. Sunday, March 30, 5-8 p.m., 1800 Terasen Theatre, SFU Harbour Center, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Red Ant Dream is a feature documentary on the revolutionary movement in India. It focuses on the Maoists in Bastar in Chattisgarh, tribals fighting mining corporations in Nyamgiri in Odisha, and peasants in Pumjab inspired by the revolutionary Bhagat Singh. Sanjay Kak will present the film and do a Q & A after the screening. Admission is free. RSVP Chin Banerjee: cbanerjee@telus.net

 

Hari Sharma Memorial Lecture 2014

 

Sanjay Kak: “Martyr and Witness: Reflecting on Kashmir”. And a Conversation on Kashmir with David Barsamian. Monday, March 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at 1420-1430 Segal Centre, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Admission is free. RSVP for registration: Chin Banerjee: cbanerjee@telus.net. Hari Sharma Foundation, www.harisharma.org, supported by South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD) and South Asian Film Education Society (SAFES).

 

Surrey Board of Trade: SFU President

 

Luncheon event featuring Professor Andrew Petter, President of Simon Fraser University.  Keynote address will focus on the Surrey’s Economy and SFU’s role in its transformation. On Tuesday, April 1 at Eaglequest Golf Course (7778 152 Street, Surrey). Time: Lunch and Registration 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; Program 12-1:30 p.m. For further information, please contact Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, at anita@businessinsurrey.com or at 604-634-0342.

 

Arundhati Roy in Vancouver

 

Celebrated author and Booker Prize-winning novelist Arundhati Roy will be making her first Vancouver appearance on Tuesday, April 1 at 8 p.m.  Roy will read from a range of her works and will speak about her journey in writing and activism at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church in downtown Vancouver, and is supported by SFU’s Surrey Campus Library, SANSAD and the Hari Sharma Foundation. Tickets are $25 for general seating and $20 for students, available through the Tickets Tonight box office and online at indiansummerarts.com. The box office opened on February 5. Tickets and event seating are available on a first come, first served basis. Roy’s books will be available for purchase at the venue and she will also be available for book signings after the event. Roy will also speak on April 2 at the British Columbia Library Conference.

 

8th Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

 

Sakura Days Japan Fair in partnership with the Japan Fair Association of Vancouver on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m.-5p.m., at VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak), Vancouver. This fun two-day celebrates the cultural arts and age old traditions of Japan, allowing everyone to try their own hand at origami, calligraphy, ikebana and other Japanese arts and crafts demonstrations. Purchase advance tickets. Experience the special ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese festival food, sample premium sake, guided Tree Talks and Walks to the cherry trees, and haiku readings. Experience Japan through performances including Japanese classical dance, taiko drumming, the Cherry Blossom Dance, soothing tones of shakuhachi (bamboo flute), martial arts performances, anime, the Kid’s Tent and more. Presented by Japan Fair Association of Vancouver (JFAV) and hosted by VanDusen Botanical Garden. For more info, visit www.vcbf.ca

 

Vancouver Satsang Cultural Society

 

2014 South Asian Heritage Musical Celebration. Come and celebrate the struggle and successes of Indians from Canada, Guyana, Trinidad, Surinam, Mauritius and Fiji on Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at 2215 Pender Street East in Vancouver. Free admission. Dinner included. Contact Chamaylee at 604-945-9510 for complementary tickets.

 

Mother’s Day Celebrations: Charitable Society

 

Fun filled celebrations with live entertainment during Mother’s Day weekend: Saturday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at Riverside Banquet Hall, 14500 River Road, Richmond. Tickets: Adults: $25. Tables of 10: $225. Children under 12: $10. Gujarati style meal. Cash Bar. All net proceeds to serve homeless in Vancouver and less fortunate in India and Uganda. For more info, contact Vasant Lakhani at (H) (604) 987-1925. vasantlakhani@gmail.com. www.indoafricacharity.com. www.vasantlakhani.com

 

7th Uganda Medical Mission

 

Indo-Africa Charitable Society (Canada). Venue: Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited – Lugazi: medical, dental & eye camp from August 4-15 to provide primary examinations and treatments to needy Ugandans. Donation: US$650 (non-refundable) or equivalent in other currencies per person. Register by May 31 by contacting Vasant Lakhaniv(H) (604) 987-1925, vasantlakhani@gmail.com, www.indoafricacharity.com, www.vasantlakhani.com. All participants arrive by August 3 committed fully till the end of the mission.

 

Canada India Education Council

 

Presents “The Business of Education” dinner event at Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver, on Friday, June 6, 5-9 p.m. Learn about BC’s new education quality assurance standards (EQA) and examine the confluence of ‘business’ with education.  How do we measure ‘ROI’? BC is committed to increasing international students by 50% by 2016. Interesting in attending / sponsoring?  To view the agenda / speaker profiles, visit: http://canadaindiaeducation.com/bc/