Lies hurt more than just the people around you, they also hurt you

2 May 2014

DID you know that according to the book of lies by M. Hirsh Goldberg that the average person lies about 200 times a day?

This number includes white lies and omissions, which really tells us how our society has become what it is known as today.

National Honesty Day is celebrated all across the world on the last day of April. Goldberg invented this day and he chose the last day of April since the first day of the month, April Fools’ Day, represents foolishness and distrust. Remember that this day is a day to go obout about telling the truth to others around you. It’s a time for you to show your bravery in sharing opinions, perspectives and thoughts while being open about them by not keeping anything to yourself. However, always be cautious not to offend or upset anyone by saying anything that may not be considered polite.

I can admit that I have lied to people around me almost all the time about general things that I might have been asked about. For example, if someone asked how my day went, my general answer would probably be “fine,” and I just don’t expand any further on that. Some days that answer of “fine” may as well mean that I’m not having a great day or just simply too tired to answer.

Another example of me lying can be when someone asks me how he or she might look and my general response will be that they look great. In my defense, I prefer not to criticize someone for their flaws but at the same time that person will sooner or later notice that I am not someone that they would want to ask again on how they look as I just approve of everything! These are just some of the situations that I have been a part of when I lie to someone during the day.

In school, lies take the shape of excuses to get out of things such as assignments and due dates. Lying is not the last resort to not finishing your homework, so simply let your teacher know that you didn’t do what you were told to do and that’s that.

Being truthful about a school assignment may be hard at first but it’s all worth it in the end because the teacher will feel reassured that you didn’t break the trust relationship you have with them over a silly little homework assignment or project. The next time you don’t do something that you were assigned to do, just tell the truth straight up because it takes less stress to tell the truth than a lie and it also causes less stress for others around you to not doubt you.

BY HARNOOR GILL
Grade 10 student
Christ The King Catholic Secondary
Georgetown, Ontario

Last but not least, let’s get the word of National Honesty Day out there and get the Internet spewing out all the truthful facts of the world. This will in turn influence people to participate in this event by not lying and being straight up honest about everything that they say. To get the word out, spread the word through media sources such as facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, photobucket, linkedin, myspace, formspring, ask.fm and even blackberry messenger. On this day, it is also worthwhile to speak out against the misconceptions and misinformation that is present in our media, particularly on the Internet.

So, this year I will attempt to not produce any lies of any sort for one whole day out of the 365 in a year this April.

Have an honest and truthful National Honesty Day!

EVENTS

2 May 2014

OBITUARY

Lives lived: Manpreet (Manny) Samra

November 2, 1973 – April 26, 2014

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Manpreet (Manny) Samra on April 26 at the tender young age of 40.

Mannny was blessed with a bright personality, which complemented his outgoing and loving nature and led him to make lasting friendships wherever he went.

Throughout his lifetime, Manpreet was an attentive son who always tended to the needs of his father and mother, as well as a protective brother who loved his sisters dearly. As an affectionate uncle, he was adored by his nieces and nephew who cherished his kind-heartedness.

Manny leaves us with an enormous loss that will weigh deeply on everyone whose lives he touched; we are blessed with countless moments that we will treasure forever.

Like a whisper, he has gone too quickly, but lived a fulfilling life as was his engaging manner. Manpreet is survived by his loving wife Amandeep, parents Ajit and Bhajno, sisters Pummi, Kim, and Nimrit, brothers-in-laws Jatinder, Warren, and Deepak, nieces Jasmine and Giselle, nephew Jason, and many others loved ones who will miss him dearly.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, May 3 at Riverside Funeral Home located at 7410 Hopcott Road Delta, B.C., at 3 p.m., followed by prayers at Nanaksar Gurdwara.

BHOG AND ANTIM ARDAS

With profound grief and sorrow, we share with you the sudden demise of my father Sardar Rajinder Singh of Dumna (Ex-Principal) on April 27.

Kirtan and Antim Aradas for the departed soul will be held on Sunday, May 4 at Gurdwara Sacha Dhan, Phase 3B1 Mohali from 12-1 p.m.

Grief Stricken

Kamal Singh & Family – Surrey, Canada

Kiran Preet Kaur & Family – Dhaulra, Haryana

1398, Phase 3 B2, Mohali – Mobile 9803202220

B.C. EVENTS

(These are FREE listings. Email: [email protected])

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. Dr Satya Prakash will capture the essence of our history of the legend of our ancestors through his original compositions and soulful singing. He will be accompanied by artistes from Naad Foundation of Canada, Amarjeet Singh on tabla and Dr Bruce Harding on flute.

South Asian Seniors: Group Birthday

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members to celebrate group birthday of 24 senior members born in March & April on Saturday, May 3, 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140^th Street, Surrey. It will start with serving snacks, tea and pop, and there will be live entertainment by our members. Cake-cutting ceremony will take place and a pure vegetarian lunch will be served in the dining hall. Registration required for non-members. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for registration.

Cloverdale Antiques & Vintage Fair

In the Show Barn at the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Grounds, 17763 62 Avenue, on May 3 and 4. Show hours: Saturday – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $6 at the door. Children 13 & under free with an adult admission. ATM & snack bar. Wheelchair accessible.

Safe and Sure Child Car Seat Installation Workshop Program

Chevrolet is working with Parachute, a Canadian charity dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives, to roll out the new Chevrolet Safe and Sure program to help educate parents and caregivers with hands-on instructions on car seat safety. The program offers free one-on-one workshops with a certified car seat technician who will teach families and caregivers how to use and install car seats in any vehicle so children are safe for every ride no matter the make or model of their vehicle. Appointment registration is available in advance of this workshop at www.safeandsure.ca. May 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Barnes Wheaton GM, 3050 King George Boulevard, Surrey.

South Asian Seniors: Low Back Pain, Healthy Legs

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members and non-members to attend a presentation, which was requested by many members, by consultant occupational therapist Amit Kumar to speak on Low Back Pain, Healthy Legs & Managing Skills on May 4, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140^th Street, Surrey. There will be a question-and-answer session. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for more information.

Documentary on Sri Lankan Civil War

South Asian Film Education Society (SAFES) & South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD) present “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields Of Sri Lanka” (2014), a 49-minute documentary in English by director Callum Macrae on Sunday, May 4, 2-5 p.m., in Room 1800, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. There will be a discussion following screening. Moderator: Chelliah Premrajah. The documentary is on the last days of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009 and is a devastating indictment of the human rights violations by the Sri Lankan army. Admission is free. RSVP Chin Banerjee: [email protected]

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Richmond Public Library will be hosting the six-week program “Chronic Disease Self-Management” in English on Mondays from May 5-June 16 from 1-3:30 p.m. The program will take place at the Brighouse (Main) Branch in the 2nd floor community place, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. This workshop is designed for people with one or more chronic conditions. It will teach you to better manage your health, discover useful tips to maintain an active lifestyle, and communicate effectively with your health care team. Family members and friends can also attend.

Richmond Centre for Disability

“Promoting a new perspective on disability”. Dealing with hidden challenges? The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) invites you to a screening and discussion of the acclaimed film, “Love Simple.” Where: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, on Wednesday May 7, 6:30-9 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door. For more information, call Dave at the RCD 604-232-2404 or visit website: www.rcdrichmond.org

Special: BC Victims of Homicide

Are you living with the traumatic loss of a loved one? Are you in need of support? The BC Victims of Homicide, an initiative of the BC Bereavement Helpline, is hosting an eight week traumatic loss grief support group for the South Asian community in Surrey in partnership with Valley View Funeral Home. When: Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting May 7 and ending June 25. Cost: Free – but registration is required. Space is limited. Languages: Punjabi, Hindi and English. Facilitators: Jas Cheema and Manjeet Singh. To register or for more information, contact Jas Cheema by phone at 604-561-2700 or by email at: [email protected]. Please refer this group to your network or to anyone who may benefit from it.

Shakti Dance

Presents “Five Faces’ – a montage of five unique Bharata Natyam dance performances by Anusha Fernando and Sujit Vaidya. Written and narrated by Anusha Fernando.Visual art by Sue Leibik. On Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets: $20 / $15 for children, seniors and arts workers. Tickets available at Banyen Books (604) 737-8858 and Gaia’s Fair Trade (604) 886-7117. For information, contact [email protected] or (604) 733-3439.

Indo-Africa Charitable Society Charity Event

For the past seven years, Indo-Africa Society has been raising funds to provide free essential services to the poor in rural Gujarat, India, and rural Uganda such as medical camps, medication, water wells, meals and other amenities that we in the west take for granted. Free meals are also offered on a monthly basis to the homeless in Vancouver. On Saturday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at Riverside Banquet Hall, 14500 River Road, Richmond. Tickets: Adults – $25. Children under 12 – $10. Table of 10 – $225. Keynote address by Dr. Banthia and Dr. Bhanji, Gujarati-style meal, entertainment by Vancouver singers Sheila Siekham, Pravin Narottam, and Anzoom Nathani accompanied by DJ Sham, cash bar. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Vasant Lakhani at 604-987-1925 or email: [email protected] or visit www.vasantlakhani.com.

Disfiguring Identity: Art, Migration and Exile symposium

On May 10 and 11. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru episode Surrey Art Gallery, On Main Gallery, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Fine Arts Department are collaborating to present a two-day symposium Disfiguring Identity: Art, Migration and Exile. These institutions are turning to visual artists to guide a conversation on the power of art to critically address cultural stereotypes and experiences of migration. The symposium takes place on May 10 at Centre Stage at Surrey City Centre (City Hall) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and on May 11 at Surrey Art Gallery from 12 to 5:45 p.m. This event is free – donations are gratefully received.

#NoEnbridge Pipeline Rally

Join us for the #NoEnbridge Pipeline Rally on Saturday, May 10 at Sunset Beach in Vancouver. Last November over 5000 people flocked to Science World on a chilly winter afternoon to stand up to Harper and his toxic pipeline proposal. This May, we’re planning to top that with the biggest action on Enbridge this province has ever seen. Canadians across the country will come together on May 10 in a National Day of Action to Defend our Climate and Defend our Communities.

Quran Memorization Competition

Muslim Association of Canada is holding the 12^th Annual BC Quran Memorization Competition: * Preliminaries: Saturday, May 17 * Finals: Saturday, May 24. At MAC Masjid & Community Centre at 2122 Kingsway, Vancouver. The competition is open to participants of all ages, males and females, from all parts of the province. Participants may register for both memorization and recitation. Sponsors needed for the Quran Competition Awards – call 604-434-7526 or email: [email protected]. Registration deadline: May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Information and registration: quran.islamicinfocenter.org.

Annual Show of Gujarati Seniors

The annual cultural program for all ages is on Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. at Michael J Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Avenue, Burnaby. Tickets: $20. Light refreshment (1-2:30 p.m.). Tickets: Contact Sarojben Desai at 604-523-9360 and Rameshbhai Gandhi at 604-294-0360.

Surrey International Children’s Festival

The Surrey International Children’s Festival is celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Festival dates: May 22-24. Thursday / Friday: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at Surrey Art’s Centre box office. The Arts Centre Box Office can be contacted at 604-501-5566.

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, [email protected], 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/

Canucks fire head coach John Tortorella and assistant coach Mike Sullivan

30 April 2014

VANCOUVER Canucks President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden announced Thursday that Head Coach John Tortorella and Assistant Coach Mike Sullivan have been relieved of their coaching duties.

Linden said: “Today we are making an important change in the direction of our team. On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our thanks to John, Mike and their families for their commitment to the Canucks and wish them the very best.

“We have a lot of important work to accomplish this off-season as we build our management and coaching staff, improve our roster and connect with our fans. Our General Manager search is well underway and we will begin assessing head coaching candidates immediately.”

Tortorella signed a five-year contract last summer.

When Linden’s appointment was announced on April 9, the Canucks said he would “be responsible for all hockey operations, including the coaching and scouting staffs, player procurement and development, and minor league affiliations and operations.”

Ontario’s Peel Police: Investigation into Immigration Watch flyer ongoing

30 April 2014

ONTARIO’S Peel Regional Police announced Wednesday that on Tuesday “information was miscommunicated to the media” and they wanted to correct that.

They said: “The investigation relating to the Immigration Watch flyer distributed last week in Brampton is still ongoing.”

Peel Regional Police have sought guidance from the Crown Attorney’s Office regarding the messaging in the flyer and are still awaiting a response.

Peel Regional Police said they want the public to know that they will continue to work with their communities in order to achieve a “Safer Community Together.”

TheWorld Sikh Organization of Canada had last week condemned racist flyers distributed by the group “Immigration Watch Canada” targeting the Sikh community in Brampton.

The flyer titled “The Changing Face of Brampton” laments the decreasing proportion of “Mainstream Canadians” in Brampton and contrasts an older picture of a largely Caucasian group with a recent picture of a group of Sikh men and women.

Brampton is home to a large Sikh population. According to the 2011 Census results, approximately 19 per cent of the Brampton population reported their religion as Sikh.

WSO Ontario President and Brampton resident Prabhmeet Singh Sarkaria called the flyers “the work of an isolated fringe group and don’t reflect the view of the vast majority of Bramptonians or Canadians.”

WSO President Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill called the flyers “an example of ignorance and fear-mongering.” He added: “Despite Immigration Watch Canada’s claims, Sikhs are proudly “mainstream” Canadians. We have been in Canada for well over 100 years and Sikhs are an integral part of their communities in Brampton and across Canada. We are Canadians. Period.”

Where is Narendra Modi’s wife? Found in Mehsana, Gujarat

29 April 2014

New Delhi (IANS): An advocate from Meerut has written a letter to the Chief Justice of India and Delhi High Court Chief Justice seeking their intervention for the “safety and security” of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s wife Jashodaben, alleging she has been “wrongfully confined at some unknown place”.

“It is seriously apprehended that she has been wrongfully confined by certain anti-social elements in collusion with top-level Gujarat security personnel,” said the letter written to Supreme Court Chief Justice R.M. Lodha and Chief Justice G. Rohini.

“It appears that she has been abducted and had been kept in wrongful confinement at some unknown place and her life is in danger.”

Sources from the Delhi High Court confirmed that a letter written by advocate Hari Shankar was received April 25 but is yet to be placed before Chief Justice Rohini.

Asking the court’s direction to trace Jashodaben, Shankar also forwarded the letter to the union home secretary and the Delhi Police commissioner.

Shankar said “her (Jashodaben’s) life is in serious danger” and it also needs to be investigated whether she is “alive or not”.

“You are requested to kindly look into the matter and the life and liberty and safety and security of Jashodaben without any loss of time.”

The letter said that for the first time it was known that Modi was married to Jashodaben.

“She was shown by some news channel in Rajosana village in Gujarat… her interview was also recorded. Suddenly, she disappeared and her whereabouts are neither known nor available for the past many days,” it said.

Modi had written Jashodaben’s name as his wife in the affidavit while filing his nomination papers in Vadodara, from where he is also contesting the Lok Sabha polls apart from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi constituency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had so far remained silent on his marital status.

Modi, in his earlier affidavits filed in the 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2012 assembly elections, did not reveal he was married.

“… one thing is clear that she is in wrongful confinement and her life is in serious danger and it also needs to be investigated whether she is alive or not,” the letter said.

Media reports recently claimed Jashodaben was being kept at one of the ashrams of yoga guru Baba Ramdev in Uttarakhand until the election is over.

Ramdev has, however, refuted the claim.

ON Wednesday, Indian media reported that Modi’s wife Jasodaben voted in Mehsana parliamentary riding in Gujarat. The retired school teacher cast her vote in Kot Kuva area of Unjha town in Mehsana district.

Modi for the first time publicly acknowledged Jashodaben as his wife in an affidavit filed by him from Vadodara Lok Sabha seat, which is one of the two ridings from where he is running for Parliament.

NBA bans Clippers’ Sterling for life, fines him $2.5 million

29 April 2014

NEW YORK: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, it was announced Tuesday at a press conference in Manhattan.

Silver also fined Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. The fine money will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the Players Association.

As part of the lifetime ban, Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.

Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.

The discipline issued is based on the Commissioner’s conclusion that Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league.

NDP expects Liberals to “spend big money to attack” soon-to-be-leader John Horgan

29 April 2014

AS nominations for the NDP leader’s post close the day after tomorrow and it’s quite obvious that John Horgan will be the sole candidate, the party president, Craig Keating, sent out an appeal on Tuesday for money to counteract anticipated attacks on him by the Liberals.

Keating said: “In a way this is very exciting — we can come together as soon as May 1 when nominations close and start building towards winning the next election.

“However, we also need to be very careful: the BC Liberals play by a very specific right-wing playbook. It is the same playbook that Stephen Harper used to destroy Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff before they even had their feet under them.

“That playbook says smear your opponents from the start.

“We know that the BC Liberals will spend big money to attack. We need to be ready to introduce our new leader to protect them from the attack ads that the BC Liberals will spread.

“Those attacks could start as soon as May 1.”

He then appealed for donations.

B.C. EVENTS

28 April 2014

(These are FREE listings. Email: [email protected])

Canada Cancer Society

Help us build our Daffodil Campaign in April in the City of Surrey and Abbotsford community. We are looking for volunteers to donate 2 to 4 hours on weekends throughout April. Please call 604-837-6837 to volunteer in Surrey, call 604-533-1816 to volunteer in Abbotsford.

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 Saturday: April 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 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: April. Appointments: Have your PR number ready and call required: 604 254 9626 (Vancouver) or 604 438 8214 (Burnaby).

South Asian Seniors: Potluck

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members to a potluck on April 26, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There will be a live entertainment program by our Parivar members from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140^th Street, Surrey. Registration required for non-members & participants. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for registration.

South Asian Family Association: Mother & Daughter

South Asian Family Association (SAFA) is hosting their annual Mothers & Daughters – Part 6: on April 26 at 6 p.m. at Vancouver’s Fraserview Hall at 8240 Fraser Street. Come and honour your mother (or daughter) and share your personal story about mother & daughter relationships. Participate in our popular “Aaja Billo Nachiye” Dance Competition, Zumba lesson, Boliyaan competition, entertainment, open dance floor and exquisite food. Tickets available at Kamal’s Video Palace in Surrey and Main Video in Vancouver or call 778-688-3996 for only $20 for a fun-filled evening.

Sai Japa

All devotees are invited at Hindu Cultural Society and Community Centre of B.C. (3885 Albert Street, Burnaby) to participate in Sai Japa on Saturday, April 26 at 5 p.m. Remembrance of Samadhi Day of Satya Sai Baba. Program: 5:15-6:15 p.m. – Bhajans / Kirtan. 6:30-7:15 p.m. – Sai Japa. 7:30 p.m. – Priti Bhojan. Contact: Rajubhai at 604-327-8259,Vijaybhai at 604-986-5958, Kantibhai at 604-522-7989, or Mandir at 604-299-5922.

All Star Wrestling

Presents April Anarchy on Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. At Alice Mckay Building, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050A 176 Street, Surrey. Featuring former ECW, WWE, TNA Star, the Innovator of Violence, Tommy Dreamer teaming with Moondog Manson to take on Kyle Sebastian & Collin Cutler aka Cougar Meat – and much more. Your host will be Scotty Sweatervest. Tickets are $20 front row, $15 ringside rows 2-4, $12 bleachers. Available at

www.allstar-wrestling.com or at Central City Comix, 10221 King George Highway, Surrey, Comics Scene at 8912 152 Street, Surrey. For more info, call 604-710-0872.

Punjabi Language Education Association

Punjabi Language Education Association’s 11th Annual International Mother Language Day on Sunday, April 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m., at Balti House Restaurant, 8220 – 120 Street (Scot Road), Surrey. This year’s function will be dedicated to the Komagata Maru Centenary. Presentations by Punjabi students. Representatives from municipal and provincial governments will share their views about the difficulties in having Punjabi language education classes started in elementary and secondary schools. The audience will also be given time to voice their opinions and engage in an open dialogue. PLEA invites everyone to be part of the annual celebration of Punjabi language. Free event. Refreshments. For more information, contact: Balwant Sanghera at 604-836-8976, Sadhu Binning at 604-437-9014, Parvinder Dhariwal at 778-838-1121 or Paul Binning at 778-889-8255.

South Asian Seniors: Eat Right, Lose Weight

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members as well as non-members to attend a presentation on ‘eat right – lose weight’ by Bijal Thoda, nutrition & weight loss consultant on April 27, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140^th Street, Surrey. There will be a question-and-answer session. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for more information.

Earth Day Pilgrimage to Burns Bog

On April 27. The annual pilgrimage engages several ethnic and religious people in a spiritual journey to connect with the environment and to celebrate the sacred ground of Burns Bog – the largest dome-peat-bog on the west coast of North America and the largest wilderness area in the urban setting of North America also. It is a home of hundreds of species of plants and animals. Join us in protecting it. All are welcome. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the entrance to the Delta Nature Reserve (beside Planet Ice Delta) with a gathering followed by pilgrimage. For further information, call Dara at 604-572-0373, Rob Dainow at 604-523-0123 or Acharya Dwivedi at 604-507-3099.

Learn More About Richmond

Find Your City, Find Your Voice workshop, hosted by the City of Richmond and supported by UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning, provides immigrants the opportunity to engage with the City of Richmond and learn how they can participate in local government within their community. It takes place on Thursday, May 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brighouse branch of the Richmond Public Library, 100 – 7700 Minoru Gate. Admission is free. Seats are limited. To reserve your spot, email Eliana Chia at [email protected].

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.

Cloverdale Antiques & Vintage Fair

In the Show Barn at the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Grounds, 17763 62 Avenue, on May 3 and 4.Show hours: Saturday – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $6 at the door. Children 13 & under free with an adult admission. ATM & snack bar. Wheelchair accessible.

Documentary on Sri Lankan Civil War

South Asian Film Education Society (SAFES) & South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD) present “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields Of Sri Lanka” (2014), a 49-minute documentary in English by director Callum Macrae on Sunday, May 4, 2-5 p.m., in Room 1800, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. There will be a discussion following screening. Moderator: Chelliah Premrajah. The documentary is on the last days of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009 and is a devastating indictment of the human rights violations by the Sri Lankan army. Admission is free. RSVP Chin Banerjee: [email protected]

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Richmond Public Library will be hosting the six-week program “Chronic Disease Self-Management” in English on Mondays from May 5-June 16 from 1-3:30 p.m. The program will take place at the Brighouse (Main) Branch in the 2nd floor community place, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. This workshop is designed for people with one or more chronic conditions. It will teach you to better manage your health, discover useful tips to maintain an active lifestyle, and communicate effectively with your health care team. Family members and friends can also attend.

Richmond Centre for Disability

“Promoting a new perspective on disability”. Dealing with hidden challenges? The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) invites you to a screening and discussion of the acclaimed film, “Love Simple.” Where: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, on Wednesday May 7, 6:30-9 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door. For more information, call Dave at the RCD 604-232-2404 or visit website: www.rcdrichmond.org

Special: BC Victims of Homicide

Are you living with the traumatic loss of a loved one? Are you in need of support? The BC Victims of Homicide, an initiative of the BC Bereavement Helpline, is hosting an eight week traumatic loss grief support group for the South Asian community in Surrey in partnership with Valley View Funeral Home. When: Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting May 7 and ending June 25. Cost: Free – but registration is required. Space is limited. Languages: Punjabi, Hindi and English. Facilitators: Jas Cheema and Manjeet Singh. To register or for more information, contact Jas Cheema by phone at 604-561-2700 or by email at: [email protected]. Please refer this group to your network or to anyone who may benefit from it.

Shakti Dance

Presents “Five Faces’ – a montage of five unique Bharata Natyam dance performances by Anusha Fernando and Sujit Vaidya. Written and narrated by Anusha Fernando.Visual art by Sue Leibik. On Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets: $20 / $15 for children, seniors and arts workers. Tickets available at Banyen Books (604) 737-8858 and Gaia’s Fair Trade (604) 886-7117. For information, contact [email protected] or (604) 733-3439.

Indo-Africa Charitable Society Charity Event

For the past seven years, Indo-Africa Society has been raising funds to provide free essential services to the poor in rural Gujarat, India, and rural Uganda such as medical camps, medication, water wells, meals and other amenities that we in the west take for granted. Free meals are also offered on a monthly basis to the homeless in Vancouver. On Saturday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at Riverside Banquet Hall, 14500 River Road, Richmond. Tickets: Adults – $25. Children under 12 – $10. Table of 10 – $225. Keynote address by Dr. Banthia and Dr. Bhanji, Gujarati-style meal, entertainment by Vancouver singers Sheila Siekham, Pravin Narottam, and Anzoom Nathani accompanied by DJ Sham, cash bar. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call Vasant Lakhani at 604-987-1925 or email: [email protected] or visit www.vasantlakhani.com.

Quran Memorization Competition

Muslim Association of Canada is holding the 12^th Annual BC Quran Memorization Competition: * Preliminaries: Saturday, May 17 * Finals: Saturday, May 24. At MAC Masjid & Community Centre at 2122 Kingsway, Vancouver. The competition is open to participants of all ages, males and females, from all parts of the province. Participants may register for both memorization and recitation. Sponsors needed for the Quran Competition Awards – call 604-434-7526 or email: [email protected]. Registration deadline: May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Information and registration: quran.islamicinfocenter.org.

Annual Show of Gujarati Seniors

The annual cultural program for all ages is on Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. at Michael J Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Avenue, Burnaby. Tickets: $20. Light refreshment (1-2:30 p.m.). Tickets: Contact Sarojben Desai at 604-523-9360 and Rameshbhai Gandhi at 604-294-0360.

Surrey International Children’s Festival

The Surrey International Children’s Festival is celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Festival dates: May 22-24. Thursday / Friday: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at Surrey Art’s Centre box office. The Arts Centre Box Office can be contacted at 604-501-5566.

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, [email protected], 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/

Campaigning ends in 9 states, union territories for April 30 poll

28 April 2014

New Delhi (IANS): Campaigning ended Monday for the April 30 Lok Sabha polls in seven states and two union territories where nearly 139 million voters will decide the electoral fate of over 1,200 candidates who are in the fray for 89 Lok Sabha seats.

This is the eighth round of the staggered 10-phase general election that began April 7 and ends May 12. The votes will be counted May 16.

Simultaneous assembly polls are scheduled to be held for 119 seats in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Besides, by-polls are being held in Bihar (one), Gujarat (seven), Uttar Pradesh (two) and one in West Bengal.

Balloting will take place Wednesday for 17 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, seven in Bihar, 26 in Gujarat, one in Jammu and Kashmir, 13 in Punjab, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 9 in West Bengal, and one each in the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli as well as Daman and Diu.

Electors in Gujarat and Punjab will be voting for the Lok Sabha seats from the respective states in a single-phase poll.

The eligible voters will cast their ballot at 152,673 polling booths across the 89 parliamentary constituencies where polling will begin at 7 a.m.

Gujarat has a maximum of 334 candidates contesting for its 26 parliamentary seats, while the union territory of Daman and Diu has the least number of candidates at a bare four.

In Uttar Pradesh, a keenly watched contest is in Rae Bareli where Congress president Sonia Gandhi is seeking her third consecutive term. She is pitted against Ajay Agarwal of the BJP, Pravesh Singh of the Bahujan Samaj Party and Archana Srivastava of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Her Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) counterpart Rajnath Singh is contesting from Lucknow, a seat that has been represented in the past by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Also in contention is veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who, having been eased out of Varanasi by prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, will face the electorate in Kanpur.

Gujarat will witness BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi fight it out against Congress candidate Madhusudan Mistri in Vadodara. Modi is also contesting from Varanasi which will vote May 12.

BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani is contesting the Gandhinagar parliamentary seat.

In Andhra Pradesh, the key contestants include union minister S. Jaipal Reddy, Sarve Satyanarayana and Balram Naik, TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, his daughter K. Kavitha, Lok Satta party chief Jayaprakash Narayan and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi.

As Telangana will formally become a separate state June 2, the Election Commission is holding the polls in undivided Andhra Pradesh, which is now under President’s rule.

The seven Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar going to polls Wednesday are known to be backward pockets with high rates of poverty and illiteracy.

Prominent leaders in the fray are Sharad Yadav, Hukum Deo Narain Yadav, Ali Ashraf Fatmi, former cricketer Kirti Azad, Pappu Yadav, and NRI doctor Prabhat Ranjan Das.

In Jammu and Kashmir, retaining Srinagar appears to be a tough call for union minister Farooq Abdullah, the 78-year old National Conference patron and three-time state chief minister.

The constituency has been represented in the past by Abdullah’s mother, Begum Akbar Jahan. His son and state chief minister, Omar Abdullah has represented Srinagar in the Lok Sabha thrice.

Punjab will witness a tough electoral battle with the Congress seeking to make inroads in the ruling Akali Dal-BJP bastions.

The key contenders include BJP candidate Arun Jaitley fighting against Congress nominee Amarinder Singh for the Amritsar seat and Gurdaspur incumbent MP Pratap Singh Bajwa being pitted against three-time BJP MP and actor Vinod Khanna.

In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress and the main opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist are the main contenders in the electoral battle.

The BJP has, meanwhile, fielded celebrities like famed music composer Bappi Lahiri from Sreerampur, Bengali actor George Baker from Howrah and journalist-turned-party spokesperson Chandan Mitra from Hooghly.

The union territory of Daman and Diu will see sitting MP Lalubhai Patel of the BJP taking on Ketan Dahyabhai Patel of the Congress, Bhavesh Patel of the Bahujan Samaj Party and Kessur Goan of the AAP.

In Dadra and Nagar Haveli constituency, Natubhai Gomanbhai Patel, incumbent MP and BJP candidate, faces Delkar Mohanbhai Sanjibhai of the Congress, Khulat Janiyabhai Chandubhai of the Nationalist Congress Party and Chhotubhai Babubhai Patel of the AAP.

Whitecaps FC launch Ring of Honour: Lenarduzzi, Valentine, Mobilio, Neil to be inducted

28 April 2014

IN celebration of the club’s 40th anniversary, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have launched a new Ring of Honour to acknowledge exemplary players and figures who have embodied “Our all. Our honour.” and who represent the club’s three core values: Unity, Winning, and Honour. Based on input from a selection of alumni, the first four inductees will be Bob Lenarduzzi, Carl Valentine, Domenic Mobilio, and Andrea Neil.

“When we decided to launch our Ring of Honour, we were looking for people who have left a lasting legacy,” said Rachel Lewis, Whitecaps FC Chief Operating Officer, on Monday. “Bobby, Carl, Domenic, and Andrea represent exactly what this club has always stood for and each of them have made remarkable contributions to our club and community. They’re exceptionally deserving of being the first four inductees.”

Lenarduzzi will be the first to be inducted during the next home match on Saturday, May 3, as he joins the rest of his teammates from the inaugural 1974 Whitecaps team. This match will celebrate the first game in Whitecaps history, played on May 5, 1974, against San Jose Earthquakes – nearly 40 years to the day.

“I’m humbled to be inducted into the Ring of Honour,” said Lenarduzzi. “There have been amazing soccer moments in this city over the years and I’m very grateful to have been a part of many of those. Throughout it all I’ve had incredible teammates, so it will be fantastic to have several of them with me on May 3.”

Neil will be inducted on August 10 at BC Place, 10 years after she captained Whitecaps FC to their first United Soccer Leagues W-League championship on August 8, 2004. Two years later, Neil was again captain as the ‘Caps won a second W-League championship on August 6, 2006, at Swangard Stadium.

Valentine will be honoured at the September 10 match. On September 9, 1979, a 21-year old Valentine joined his teammates in front of 100,000 people at the championship parade in downtown Vancouver to celebrate the club’s Soccer Bowl triumph.

Finally, on October 4, members of the Mobilio family will be at BC Place for the induction of the late striker. After setting a league scoring record and winning league MVP, Mobilio led Vancouver 86ers to their fourth consecutive Canadian Soccer League title on October 6, 1991.

Who should be inducted next into the Ring of Honour? Four nominees have been put forth based on voting received from alumni thus far, with a write-in option also available. Fan voting for the next inductee began Monday and will run until the end of May at whitecapsfc.com/since1974.

Ring of Honour Inductees

Bob Lenarduzzi

A product of Grandview Legion minor soccer and member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Bob Lenarduzzi has been a part of the Whitecaps since the inaugural season in 1974. Lenarduzzi is the all-time leader in games played in the North American Soccer League with 312 and ranks first all-time for Whitecaps FC in games started with 356 and second all-time in games played with 362. Primarily a left back, Lenarduzzi also sits 13th all-time in club scoring with 34 career goals. In 1978, he was voted as the only Canadian ever to win NASL Player of the Year and in 1979 he helped the club win the NASL Soccer Bowl title. As a player/coach, he led Vancouver 86ers to the CSL title in 1988, and after retiring as a player, he coached the team to another three championships for an unprecedented four straight CSL titles. Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, played with Canada at the country’s only FIFA World Cup appearance in 1986. Today, after 40 years, Lenarduzzi remains with Vancouver Whitecaps FC as club president.

Carl Valentine

One of the all-time fan favourites in Vancouver professional sports and a member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Carl Valentine is the club’s all-time leader in appearances with 409 and fourth all-time in goals scored with 65. The English-born talent arrived in Vancouver for the start of the historic 1979 season and became a key contributor to the club’s run to the NASL Soccer Bowl. Valentine would stay in Vancouver until the NASL folded following the 1984 season and would go on to join West Bromwich Albion back in England. The winger represented Canada in the 1986 FIFA World Cup and in 1987 he returned to Vancouver to become a key member of the 86ers team that went on to win a remarkable four straight CSL championships from 1988 to 1991. Valentine played 19 memorable seasons in Vancouver and remains with Whitecaps FC today as club ambassador and Residency staff coach.

Domenic Mobilio

The all-time leading scorer in Canadian Soccer League history and the most prolific goalscorer in club history, Domenic Mobilio sits alone atop the charts with 170 career goals – nearly 100 more than any other player. A member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, the Vancouver, BC-born striker, who is also fifth all-time with 286 appearances, was a member of Vancouver 86ers for each of the team’s four consecutive CSL championships from 1988 to 1991. A six-time CSL all-star and league MVP in 1990, Mobilio played a total of 15 seasons in Vancouver. In 2004, Mobilio tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack.

Andrea Neil

The first female soccer player ever inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Andrea Neil had an 18-year career with the Canadian women’s national team program, and six years with Whitecaps FC women. From 2001 to 2006, Neil played for the ‘Caps (originally known as the Breakers). She was the club’s captain for the first six years of the franchise’s existence and was a player/assistant coach for the last three seasons. In 2004 and 2006, she led the club to two United Soccer Leagues W-League championship titles. She ended her Whitecaps FC career as the team’s all-time leader in assists with 22 and games with 69, as well as third all-time with 24 goals. Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, represented her country in four consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.