Author: SITHARA

My passion in life is driven by meeting new people, connecting with them, knowing their stories, because for me that’s the best way to embrace new cultures when you travel.
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Goodbye Snow, Hello Flowers!

SITHARA
As the snow thaws, we know that garbage can pile up.  Here are a few tips on how you can help before the blooms make their debut.
Use the waste and recycling bins provided in parks and other public spaces
Did you know that Mississauga has more than 500 parks and 300 publicly owned woodlands and natural areas? These are public spaces that we all share. It’s up to each one of us to do our part to care for these spaces and keep them clean for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to put your trash in a proper container. If one isn’t available, hold onto your garbage until you find one. Follow the rules posted on signs – these rules protect you and the park.
Always pick-up after your furry friends
Use the black garbage containers provided in parks and public spaces when out for a stroll with your four-legged pals – avoid depositing it in blue recycling cans. Keep an eye out for Mississauga’s new in-ground dog waste containers – a number of which will be installed in select parks this spring as part of a one-year pilot program. With approximately 300,000 dogs in Mississauga, these innovative containers convert waste into renewable energy and fertilizers.
Report litter, dumping or debris
If you come across any illegal garbage dumping, litter or debris in Mississauga, report it using Mississauga’s online service tool or by calling 3-1-1. You will also be able to track your service request.
Use reusable or refillable drink containers or bring your own cup
Reduce and reuse as much as you can before you recycle. Mississauga supports reducing single-use plastics (like bottles, cups and bags) from polluting the environment and earth’s oceans, and encourages everyone to join this movement. Continue reading “Goodbye Snow, Hello Flowers!”
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Have the BEST backyard experience this spring and summer!

SITHARA

Creating the perfect backyard is easy once you attend the Backyard Living Expo, the only consumer show in the GTA dedicated exclusively to backyards.
Come hear from celebrity experts and industry leaders on how to make your backyard the place of your dreams, regardless of your budget or the size of your yard.

Also at the show, get the tips and secrets to entertain your guests with a perfect barbecue. The Backyard Living Expo runs from Friday, March 29 through Sunday March 31, 2019 at The International Centre (6900 Airport Rd), for more information, visit http://www.thebackyardlivingexpo.com.

Learn how to make the most of your backyard from a variety of HGTV celebrities, gardeners,
chefs, DIY professionals, and outdoor build and design experts as they present on the Weber
Grill Main Stage and the Pro Series Stage each day.

Here is a sampling of who you can see at the show:

Grill Master Michael P. Clive brings you the most popular menu items offered at the Weber Grill
Academy! Learn how to prepare the best of both land and sea – and yes, dessert too – using
tips, tricks and grilling techniques to help make you a backyard hero. BroLaws discuss how to budget for your outdoorspace and the latest and greatest for the outdoor world this year.

Ted Reader can talk about all BBQ trends for 2019 and how to create the best BBQ setting
including tools, tips and accessories to create the greatest grilling experience of the summer. Continue reading “Have the BEST backyard experience this spring and summer!”

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Modi: The Journey Of A Common Man

SITHARA
~Eros Now & Benchmark Pictures to make an original series biopic on the political superstar of India ~

Eros Now, the cutting-edge digital over-the-top (OTT) South Asian entertainment platform owned by Eros International Plc, a Global Indian Entertainment Company, offers a wide range of quality content that draws the attention of its worldwide audience. In an attempt to present yet another gripping story, the premium OTT platform, today announced the most-sought after biopic on India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, produced by Benchmark Pictures, a leading production house of India led by Umesh Shukla and Ashish Wagh. Titled ‘Modi,’ the Eros Now original series showcases the eventful life of the inspiring and influential leader.

The 10-part original series on Eros Now directed by the talented filmmaker Umesh Shukla captures different phases of Modi’s life. The story begins with 12-year-old Narendra and traverses through his teenage, youth to becoming the Prime Minister of world’s largest democracy, India. Modi’s siblings, friends, neighbours and school teachers reminisce his fascinating journey of self-discovery and enhances the authenticity of the original series. Actors Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur play his part to depict the different stages of his life. The original series is written by Mihir Bhuta and Radhika Anand and each episode ranges between 35 to 40 minutes highlighting many incidents that made him devote his life to the service of the country.

Narendra Modi was born to a family of grocers (who owned a tea stall) in Vadnagar, Mehsana district, Bombay state (present-day Gujarat) Continue reading “Modi: The Journey Of A Common Man”

Community, India, LifestyleLeave a comment

ROM Celebrates Opening of Treasures of a Desert Kingdom:The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India with Charity Gala

SITHARA
Philanthropic community raises over $500,000 net in support of the Museum

On March 6, 2019, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) welcomed more than 500 special guests at the ROM Ball, Ontario’s preeminent cultural charity gala in
support of the Museum.

“We are immensely grateful to the many volunteers, donors and partners who helped make our signature fundraising event a terrific success for the ROM,” said Susan Horvath, President & CEO
of the ROM Governors. “It was a wonderful night celebrating one of the largest and most important exhibitions of South Asian art and culture ever presented at the Museum.”
An unforgettable evening of culture and glamour made possible with generous support from Presenting Sponsor CIBC, the spectacular biennial fundraising affair, co-chaired by Deepak and
Neera Chopra & Victor and Maureen Dodig, featured a stunning cocktail reception followed by dinner in the majestic Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery, special live performances, and an
exclusive preview of Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India, with Lead Exhibition Patron Dan Mishra. This exhibition opens to the public on March 9, 2019 in the
ROM’s Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall. Treasures of a Desert Kingdom is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston with the collaboration of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust,
Jodhpur, India. Continue reading “ROM Celebrates Opening of Treasures of a Desert Kingdom:The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India with Charity Gala”

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Andhadhun to release in China as ‘Piano Player’

SITHARA

Andhadhun, a film that got the audiences, industry and even the critics raving, can easily be called the ‘Best Film of the year 2018. After winning accolades in India, the film is now set for a big opening in China soon. Produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures& Matchbox Pictures, Andhadhun is directed by India’s king of neo noir cinema, Sriram Raghavan. The film has been distributed internationally by Eros International.

Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios, says, “I am happy to announce that Viacom18 Studios has secured its maiden release in China and that too with our favourite film Andhadhun. I am very excited about our film’s prospect at the China box office and celebrating what is a major first for the studio.”

The film titled ‘Piano Player’ for the Chinese audiences is also the first China release for maverick director, Sriram Raghavan. He says, “I am super thrilled that Andhadhun is releasing in China. Ten years back, on a visit to China, I walked into a Beijing Cafe and was zapped to see Nasir Husain’s CARAVAN playing on a big screen. Dubbed in Chinese except for the songs. I was told the film was the favourite Indian film of that generation. I am curious how the Chinese audience responds to our musical thriller.”

Viacom18 Studios along with Eros International has now partnered with Tang Media Partners to release this quirky thriller in China.

Andhadhun starring Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana and Radhika Apte opened to rave reviews in India on October 5th, 2019.

Continue reading “Andhadhun to release in China as ‘Piano Player’”

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The 2019 ICFF Youth program offers a variety of youth films in multiple languages!

SITHARA

The 2019 ICFF Youth program will feature 12 films, burgeoning from an Italian film festival to a marvellous multicultural celebration of film, which includes 2 Canadian-made movies: La Légende de Sarila (The Legend of Sarila) and Nelly et Simon: Mission Yéti (Nelly and Simon: Mission Yeti).

The International Contemporary Film Festival Youth returns with another fantastic program from April 8th to the 13th. Presented by IC Savings, ICFF Youth continues to grow, now featuring more international films than ever. Screenings will take place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Cineplex Yorkdale, Cineplex Cinemas in Vaughan and SilverCity Richmond Hill.

The 2019 line-up features movies in Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles.

La Légende de Sarila (French)(The Legend of Sarila) is a Canadian animated movie based on Inuit culture and tradition. Set in northern Canada in 1910, it tells the story of three young Inuits, who head for the legendary land of Sarila in search of food for their clan.

Leo Da Vinci: Missione Monna Lisa (Italian) (Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa) is a North American premiere and a co-production between Italy and Poland. It tells the tale of a brilliant inventor who finds himself on an adventure to find a hidden treasure to help his friend Lisa, who has lost everything. Continue reading “The 2019 ICFF Youth program offers a variety of youth films in multiple languages!”

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Is Toronto a liveable city?

SITHARA
 Talks exploring our changing city kick off AGO spring/summer programming season

Inspired by the portraits of a city undergoing immense change on view now in Impressionism in the Age of Industry, the AGO today announces an upcoming season of public programming as dynamic and compelling as Toronto, including talks, poetry, dance and public exhibition openings.

Drawing on its reputation as a unique performance venue and a hotbed for emerging artists, the AGO launches AGO Live, a dedicated series of performance events designed to reimagine the limits of what art can be within the museum. From marquee presentations to intimate moments and special commissions, the series is intentionally experimental and its formula flexible, highlighting local and international artists’ creative journeys in music, dance and visual art.

“Toronto is a rapidly changing city, and our programs reflect the urgency, challenges and excitement surrounding us,” said Devyani Saltzman, Director of Public Programming at the AGO. “By offering everything from talks to performances and film screenings, we’re welcoming art in all its forms, strengthening the AGO’s reputation as the imaginative centre of our city.”

Toronto the Liveable City? Talk Series
In partnership with the Toronto Star and the Toronto Public Library, the AGO hosts a series of four free conversations about the liveability of Toronto now and in the future. Continue reading “Is Toronto a liveable city?”

Global, India, LifestyleLeave a comment

Jet Airways Operates All-Women Crew Flights On the Occasion Of ‘International Women’s Day’

SITHARA

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 08th March, 2019, Jet Airways, India’s premier full-service international airline, is planning to operate four domestic flights with all-women Cockpit and Cabin Crew members.

 These planned domestic flights 9W 346, 9W 355 (Mumbai-Delhi); 9W 358 (Delhi–Mumbai) and 9W 481 (Mumbai–Bengaluru), will be further managed exclusively by all-women teams from a cross-section of the business, including Engineering, Ground Handling, Ground Services, Security and Cabin Appearance Supervisors. Women aircraft Engineers, Technicians and Flight Dispatchers will attend to the technical services; while the non-technical work on the ground will be handled by women Duty Managers, Counter Staff and Security Officers highlighting the professionalism and capabilities of the airline’s women employees.

 The airline will surprise select women guests on-board these flights by presenting them with gift hampers, where each goody bag will contain gifts from top-notch participating brands such as Colorbar Cosmetics, Jean-Claude Biguine, Paris Salon & Spa and Lemon Tree Hotels. Jet Airways’ International Women’s Day will be replete with Lucky Draws for its women guests on these select flights.

As part of its special in-flight fundraising drive, Jet Airways is supporting the work of two leading NGOs working on women’s issues. Continue reading “Jet Airways Operates All-Women Crew Flights On the Occasion Of ‘International Women’s Day’”

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महाशिवरात्रि के पावन अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। ऊँ नम: शिवाय”

SITHARA

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has extended his greetings on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

“Maha Shivratri greetings to everyone.  महाशिवरात्रि के पावन अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। ऊँ नम: शिवाय”, the Prime Minister said.

 Maha Shivratri, the last bathing festival, celebrated at Prayagraj Kumbh today

Maha Shivratri, the last bathing festival of Prayagraj Kumbh, was celebrated today with religious fervour and enthusiasm. Large number of devotees thronged the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati braving cold and rains from mid night. Bathing was started very early morning.

Prayagraj Mela Authority had developed ghats at Sangam and other areas of the Mela for pilgrims. Mela Administration had estimated that about one crore devotees would take holy dip on the occasion. Special trains and buses were put into service to ferry the devotees. Elaborate security arrangements were in place in and around the Mela area. Entry of vehicles into Mela area was prohibited.

Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Mr Amit Khare visited the Prayagraj Kumbh. He went to the camps of All India Radio and Doordarshan and exhibition of BOC set up at the Mela. Continue reading “महाशिवरात्रि के पावन अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। ऊँ नम: शिवाय””

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Making Newcomers Feel Welcome in Your Community!

SITHARA
Newcomers bring new revenue and fresh ideas to your community. Here’s how to get intentional about welcoming and celebrating them.
 By Quint Studer

We all know we need people moving into our community to help keep it healthy. New residents fill job openings, pay taxes, populate schools, and spend money in the local economy. Plus, they bring in fresh ideas and new energy to keep things moving forward.

For these reasons, communities spend a lot of time and energy attracting new residents. We focus on economic development and tout our strong schools, reasonable cost of living, and low crime rate. But what we often don’t consider is what happens once they get here.

As I travel across the country and visit different communities, I find that at times people may do a great job on the hard stuff and forget to do the easy stuff. We need to make it a point to celebrate and include newcomers. When communities do a good job of this, it can be very powerful.

Think about your own social circle. When you’ve lived in a community for a while, you already have well-established groups. It can be hard to invite people in. But seeing these “closed” groups only makes newcomers long for their old community. Continue reading “Making Newcomers Feel Welcome in Your Community!”