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La La Way @ Las Vegas

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Vegas! We were  here for a good time, not a long time!

We were on a tight schedule, and wanted maximum fun with minimum days! Vegas was our answer! Considered as the world’s most favourite destination for providing non-stop entertainment, we decided to visit this city during Thanksgiving. We discover that there’s plenty of action on the Strip, even for teetotaler and vegetarians like us!

Being  non smokers, Planet Hollywood was an ideal choice for our stay, as this Casino has a great air vent system, to extract the smoke.The casino also has a mall in it, which is perfect for this tourist town, and shoppers really enjoy it. Just like the other hotels in Vegas, PH has several pools, workout area, spa etc. In terms of location on the Strip, it is next to Paris, and a short walk to Caesars, New York  and Aria. The view from our window was awesome, all the way to the boundary of mountains with tall palm trees!

Any visit to Vegas is incomplete if you don’t watch at least one of the amazing shows that they city puts up! So what do we do? Watch a show:))

So an evening was devoted to watching ‘LOVE’ by Cirque Du Soleil at the Mirage. It was well worth it!

The landscape of ‘LOVE’ is inhabited by fictional characters plucked from the Beatles’ lyrics. Sgt. Pepper, a central figure, encounters many familiar faces, including Lucy in the Sky, Eleanor Rigby, Lady Madonna and Mr. Kite. In an exception to this stylistic choice, the “Here Comes the Sun” scene features a character resembling Krishna. Similarly, several scenes include mop-topped, dark-haired figures in black suits who resemble the Beatles. Continue reading “La La Way @ Las Vegas”

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#DareToShine

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Launch of FIFA’s first-ever global strategy for women’s football

FIFA has launched its first-ever global strategy for women’s football which charts the course for how FIFA will work with confederations and Member Associations (MAs), clubs and players, the media, fans and other stakeholders to realise the full potential that exists within the women’s game.

FIFA strongly believes that women’s football brings one very important benefit to the many young girls and women involved in the game – empowerment. Encouraging empowerment through football, growing the game, getting more girls involved in it earlier and keeping women in football longer are all key elements of FIFA’s Women’s Football Strategy.

Speaking about the launch of FIFA’s global strategy for women’s football, Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “As FIFA’s first female Secretary General I am proud to launch our first-ever global strategy for women’s football. The women’s game is a top priority for FIFA and via our new strategy we will work hand-in-hand with our 211 member associations around the world to increase grassroots participation, enhance the commercial value of the women’s game and strengthen the structures surrounding women’s football to ensure that everything we do is sustainable and has strong results. Most importantly it will make football more accessible to girls and women and encourage female empowerment, a subject of great importance, now more than ever before.” Continue reading “#DareToShine”

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Factory presents its 49th Season “Canada at Your Doorstep”

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FACTORY presents THE MEN IN WHITE
Written by Anosh Irani | Directed by Philip Akin October 13 – November 4, 2018

Factory presents its 49th Season “Canada at Your Doorstep,” six provocative works in the Mainspace that challenge and interrogate popular narratives of Canadian identity. The 2018-2019 season begins with the return of Dora Award-winning playwright Anosh Irani (Bombay Black) to Factory, and the Toronto premiere of his latest play, THE MEN IN WHITE, directed by Philip Akin.

Abdul’s Vancouver cricket team wants to end its losing streak by recruiting his younger brother Hasan, a talented “all-rounder” from India. One problem is that he is a professional chicken cutter from the wrong side of town – a fact not lost on some of his teammates, let alone the immigration authorities. Bringing Hasan to Canada will take more than just a plane ticket, and not all of the team agree it is worth the cost.

Alternating between the Dongri neighbourhood of Mumbai, and a Vancouver locker room, this touching and funny story follows a charming band of feisty misfits as they discover that home can be found in a sport, and unite family across nations.

It is a sweet comedy about a group of rag tag cricket players in BC banding together to bring a ringer over from Mumbai. It is the game of cricket that times them all together, and gives them a sense of home, so far away from home. Continue reading “Factory presents its 49th Season “Canada at Your Doorstep””

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Anurag Choudhury becomes famous British graffiti artist Banksy in Toronto!

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–By Nita Balani

There is no better way to welcome fall than spending an evening at the theatre. Becoming Banksy is running at the Redwood Theatre until October 14, 2018. This theatre is an ideal location for this avant garde fringe theatre script about an English tourist who visits Toronto and is mistakenly identified as none other than the famous British grafitti artist, Banksy.

The timing could not be better as Toronto just hosted one of the largest art exhibits of Banksy the past three months. The location is more than perfect as the Redwood Theatre (originally a vaudeville theatre) is one of the city’s oldest independent theatres built in 1914. It supports a diverse range of innovators in the creative fields including circus, theatre, art, and film.

Becoming Banksy is a delightful tale of Will Banks (Anurag Choudhury), an unemployed artist from London who is going through an emotional separation . His best friend and fellow street art artist Mark ( Daniel Pagett), suggests he needs to get away from the painful and highly emotionally charged atmosphere at home by taking a well-deserved break to visit Toronto. The plot then takes a comical twist as Will is caught up in a case of mistaken identity by the Toronto hotel receptionist, Caitlyn (Caitlin Driscoll), who thinks he is definitely the graffiti artist Banksy. When Mark finds out, he suggests they take advantage of this folly to sell a number of their paintings for a profit. Continue reading “Anurag Choudhury becomes famous British graffiti artist Banksy in Toronto!”

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Prime Minister of Canada welcomes new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, yesterday welcomed an agreement-in-principle between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on a modernized trade agreement – the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – that will create good, well‑paying, middle class jobs, strengthen economic ties, and expand Canada’s trade in North America.
Following more than a year of negotiations, the three countries have reached understandings in key areas, including rules of origin for automotive manufacturing, agriculture, labour, intellectual property rights, culture, and dispute settlement.

Further, Canada has ensured that any US Section 232 tariffs will not impact Canadian auto and auto parts exports. Canada has successfully preserved key elements of the original NAFTA, while building on the agreement to expand opportunity and improve protections for workers across North America. The resulting agreement offers crucial predictability and stability for Canadian businesses, investors, traders, workers, and innovators.

Throughout the negotiations, Canada’s approach has been constructive. Negotiating objectives remained clear: defend Canadians’ interests, uphold Canadian values, and fight for Canadian jobs and living standards within an agreement that is mutually beneficial for all three countries.

When implemented, the USMCA will help Canadians compete globally and prosper in a healthy, integrated North American economy. The Government of Canada will continue to engage with North American partners to finalize the details of an agreement that benefits all Canadians. Continue reading “Prime Minister of Canada welcomes new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement”

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Toronto’s Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden wins international achievement award

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The City of Toronto, in partnership with local community groups, has won the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence in Public Space for the innovative Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden. The installation was selected from among 17 qualified submissions in the same category.

The community transformed the intersection into a landmark and gathering space that celebrates the area’s Indigenous history and symbolizes the aspiration to positive international relationships.

“The Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden is the result of hard work and vision by neighbourhood residents, business owners, volunteers and others,” said the Councillor for Ward 14. “I would like to thank the selection committee at the International Downtown Association for recognizing the work of Roncesvalles community and for celebrating the vibrancy of our city.”

The International Downtown Association (IDA) will officially present the award during the IDA Conference and Tradeshow in San Antonio, Texas from October 24 to 26. The Public Space category recognizes capital improvements that have enhanced the urban design, transportation methods, physical function, or economic viability of downtown and the community.

Planning for renewal of the space was initiated by the Friends of the Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden community group along with the Roncesvalles Village Business Improvement Area, and the garden officially opened in June 2016. Representatives of the Mississaugas of the Credit were engaged and a number of local volunteers donated their time to reimagine the space. PLANT Architect Inc. was commissioned to create the design concept. Continue reading “Toronto’s Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden wins international achievement award”

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‘Roobha’ – She’s enchanting…and then she dances!

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The 18th Reelworld Film Festival will feature the film ‘Roobha’ as their opening night Gala on October 9th.  The evening will include a cocktail reception, the Toronto premiere of opening feature film ROOBHA, and an engaging Q&A with director LENIN M. SIVAM and special guests. 

Speaking  an exclusive interview with the director Lenin Sivam says it is “. A raw multi-layered look into feelings that many don’t understand. A relationship develops between an older Sri Lankan man and a young woman. He’s… married, with children, and she’s… a trans-woman. Yes, it’s complicated, but it’s also a beautifully thoughtful portrayal of what we all want… to love and be loved.”​

Roobha weaves a unique romantic tale that deals with the complexities of personality and gender identity within the South-Asian community. Roobha, a trans-woman, struggles to make a living in Toronto after she is ostracized by her family. Her chance encounter with a family man, Anthony, leads to a beautiful romance. However, their blissful existence is short lived as their families soon discover their relationship.

When asked if the passing of the Bill 377 recently would make a difference in how the film is perceived, Lenin says that certainly, it would have a positive impact. He is excited about the film being one of the feature presentations in an upcoming Film Festival in India as well. The LGBT community in India  is currently rejoicing and celebrating their victory and the timing of this film couldn’t have been more perfect.

It is a taboo subject among the South Asians, and they are not ready to accept this and the film will aim to tell a beautiful love story, so that there’s more acceptance. The director says that we need to accept our transgender members for who they are with open arms. He hopes that the film can at least initiate a meaningful dialogue. Continue reading “‘Roobha’ – She’s enchanting…and then she dances!”

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‘WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE A GLOBAL CONCERN; IT IS A UNIVERSAL ISSUE’  – SHAZIA JAVED

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In India, Muslim women have been fighting an arduous against the law of triple-divorce that allows Muslim men to give instant, oral divorce. 3 Seconds Divorce tells their story.                                                                               

‘Talaq’. Lubna’s husband said this one word, three times and threw her out the house along with their infant son. As per the prevailing sharia practice of triple or oral Divorce, this divorce was legal and final. In order to return to her husband, Lubna was asked to undergo halala that requires the divorced woman to marry another man, let him ‘consummate this marriage’ and then divorce her before she can remarry her original husband.  3 Seconds Divorce’ tells Lubna’s story as she reels under the effects of triple-divorce and finds her way into Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, an Indian muslim women’s group fighting for reforms to Muslim family law with focus on ban on triple-divorce.  However, Muslim faith leaders are adamant and accuse the muslim women of pandering to the agenda of Hindu right. Under resourced and out-numbered, the women continue the struggle against all odds and celebrate small victories.

The documentary follows Lubna and the members of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan in this bitter-sweet journey.  Shot over three years, the story is told through a mix of verité, interviews, archival images and animation. Although the practice of triple-divorce and halala are prevalent in many Muslim dominated countries like Pakistan, the documentary focuses on the issue in India as the socio-political circumstances of the country with Muslims as the largest minority add a unique perspective to the story.

In an exclusive interview with Usha Pudukkotai, the film maker Shazia Javed shares her ideologies, and how would like to make an impact and create an awareness on gender based issues. Continue reading “‘WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE A GLOBAL CONCERN; IT IS A UNIVERSAL ISSUE’  – SHAZIA JAVED”

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Present yourself with respect and dignity – Tonya Williams

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Canada is celebrating the first-ever annual Gender Equality Week from September 23 – 29, 2018. At Namaste Newsline, we take pride in supporting women’s causes and empowering women. As part of our initiatives, we had an opportunity to speak with one of Toronto’s very successful woman entrepreneur, who has been making a huge impact in the society for over a decade.

Tonya Williams, Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of ‘ReelWorld Film Festival’, says that Gender Equality is something she grew up with, everyday of her life. She calls out to all women to take this week to reflect on what they have accomplished and not to think that they are disempowered. Especially, with regards to sexual harassment issues that came forth last year, Tonya says that how women present themselves confidently and professionally will contribute hugely towards their success.

A WIFT-T Crystal Award recipient, Tonya Williams has established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Always fearless, in 1979 she was one of the first black actresses to break into mainstream Canadian television. She is best known for her twenty year starring role as “Dr. Olivia Barber Winters” on the popular daytime drama The Young and The Restless which airs in over 60 countries and has garnered her two Emmy Nominations and numerous national and international awards, including two NAACP Image Awards and an ACTRA award of excellence.

With over forty years in the entertainment industry, she has worked in front and behind the cameras. Through her production company, Wilbo Entertainment, she has been both producer and director, and for five years Tonya sat on the Toronto Film Board where she worked tirelessly at creating more opportunities for emerging talent. Tonya Williams is a passionate, tenacious advocate for filmmakers of colour around the world. Continue reading “Present yourself with respect and dignity – Tonya Williams”

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The toughest race in the world, Mountain Biking takes places in November!

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The second edition of the Dalmia MTB Arunachal; Hornbill’s Flight International Race 2018 will be held wef 14th November to 22nd November 2018 from the state capital Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh to Mechuka, an enchantingly beautiful valley nearly 650 kilometers away, in the West Siang district.

The race with an expected Elevation gain of 1,12,000 feet, is claimed to be the toughest race in the world. More than 100 cyclists from over 10 countries will try to outdo each other across the valleys and jungles enroute to lay their claims on the total prize money of Rupees 22.5 lakhs.

This year well known international cyclist like Ilda from Portugal, Celia from Canada, Sarah, Heidi and Lauri from USA, Andrew Seawald, Thomas Bush, Sarah, Frank and Holger from Germany, Catherine from UK, The Indian teams from Army, SSB, Navy, Hero Action Team, Nepal Army and APF Teams, Bhutan Royal Army Team etc. will participate.

The curtain raiser for the same was graced by Union Minister for State (Home) Sh. Kiren Rijiju today in Mumbai. President MTB Arunachal & MLA, Arunachal Pradesh, Sh Pasang Dorjee Sona and popular Bollywood personality Sh. Salman Khan. Continue reading “The toughest race in the world, Mountain Biking takes places in November!”