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.
Community, Health

Enjoy all the tastes the Ex has to offer!

There are many tasty treats to enjoy at the 141st Canadian National Exhibition (CNE, also known as the Ex), Toronto’s most iconic summer celebration. Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) food safety inspectors are working on site, behind the scenes, from opening day to Labour Day to inspect all food establishments to help ensure that residents are kept safe from foodborne illnesses.

The way food is produced, stored, handled and consumed affects the safety of food. DineSafe is TPH’s food safety program that inspects all establishments serving and preparing food in the city. TPH’s food safety inspectors’ work helps to make sure that residents and visitors can dine out in Toronto confident that food has been prepared in safe and healthy environments. For special and large-scale events like the Ex, TPH plans ahead and works with organizers to ensure that food safety is top of mind.

From now until closing day at the Ex, TPH will conduct food safety inspections of all food and drink stands, carts, kiosks and trucks on the midway and in the buildings so people can enjoy their food and beverages knowing that the places where they eat and drink are providing safe and healthy food options.

Similar to other food establishments in Toronto, all locations where food is sold at the Ex are required to post their food safety inspection results in a visible location. Continue reading “Enjoy all the tastes the Ex has to offer!” →

Health

FIFTH ANNUAL WALK FOR HUNGER IN PEEL AND GTA

Sai Dham Food Bank will be inaugurating their 5th Annual Walk For Hunger on Saturday, August 31, 2019. The Walk For Hunger is an initiative where patrons and volunteers walk to raise awareness about hunger and funds to support programs across Peel and Greater Toronto Area that help elderly senior and disabled residents access food!

 Sai Dham Food Bank is the first and only food Bank that has taken this initiative 5 years ago when they realized that these seniors and disabled residents are unable to go to the regular food banks on their own to fulfill their needs to prevent hunger.

 “Our seniors have done their part and now it is our time to serve them. We will keep our best to make sure our seniors and people with physical disabilities do not go to bed hungry.” said Vishal Khanna, Founder of Sai Dham Food Bank.

 The Walk For Hunger started in 2015 with the mission of serving the Peel and GTA which helps deliver food to 250 Peel/GTA families and 300 Peel children each month along with supporting many meal programs in the community.

 Walk Date: Saturday, August 31, 2019

Time: 9 AM – 1 PM

Location: Mississauga – Brampton – Malton (Route TBA)

“Hunger has no religion. We are trying so that every ethnic group can come together and be one. Understanding their absolute necessity, Sai Dham started the initiative to deliver food at their doorstep, trying our best to provide healthy non perishable items keeping their health in mind.” said Subhra Mukherjee, Co-founder of Sai Dham Food Bank.

 Sai Dham Food Bank was founded by Subhra Mukherjee and Vishal Khanna in 2012.  Their belief that “no one should go hungry” is reflected in their tireless work alongside Sai Dham Food Bank volunteers who are dedicated to providing healthy food to those who are less fortunate. Sai Dham Food Bank is open 24-hour and is currently serving the Peel and Greater Toronto Area. In the last six years Sai Dham Food Bank has delivered over two million pounds of food. Continue reading “FIFTH ANNUAL WALK FOR HUNGER IN PEEL AND GTA” →

Community, Health, Lifestyle

Love Me Tender, Love Me Sweet
Ontario’s tender fruit is in season now – enjoy a tasty treat

Summer is in full swing, and so are Ontario’s peaches, pears, plums, cherries, nectarines, apricots and Coronation grapes. Pick up an array of these sweet treats while they are at their most ripe and flavourful at your local grocery stores, on-farm markets and farmers’ markets across the province.

“Our hardworking farmers are harvesting a bounty of healthy, delicious tender fruit for you to enjoy right now,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “I invite everyone to eat, drink and be ‘cherry’ this summer with Ontario’s terrific tender fruits.”

“Summer is here, and that means consumers across Ontario can enjoy the sun and the wonderfully sweet tree-ripened fruit that farmers have nurtured over the spring,” said Sarah Marahall, Manager of Ontario Tender Fruit Growers. “We encourage everyone to overindulge in peaches, nectarines, plums, grapes, apricots and pears before the trees and vines take a rest in the fall.”

Ontario’s tender fruit is delicious and nutritious. Peaches, nectarines and apricots are a good source of vitamin C, while pears are a great source of fibre. Plums are high in potassium, and cherries and grapes are high in antioxidants and folic acid.
Recipe: Plum Ginger Jam

You’ll need about 2 lbs (1 kg) of plums (about 15 medium) for this recipe.

To remove pits from plums, cut in half through the stem and twist to separate the halves. Repeat, cutting the half that still has the pit in half, then twisting the stone from the center. This technique helps a lot when the pits are tightly imbedded in slightly underripe fruit. Continue reading “Love Me Tender, Love Me Sweet” →

India

Handicare Intl Presents: “Athipattil Oru Adhyayam!”

On August 24, 2019, Mississauga Creations is staging an unique social drama as a fundraiser for HCI at Oakville Theater of performing arts – Liebherr auditorium.  Special features include cast by Ary – A Canadian singer who sings in Tamil and Christopher Sterling, an actor, along with well known actors from our Indian community.. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the Early Intervention therapy for children under 6 years of age in poor rural India. Money raised will be matched by Grand Challenges Canada.

“Athipattil Oru Adhyayam!” depicts the dynamic story of two families from diverse backgrounds. When the very remote probability of a reunion turns into a reality, problems arise, truths are discovered and relationships blossom. Follow these families on their journey to uncover their not-so-unrelated stories, beginning in the small town of Athipattu, Tamilnadu. This play is a testimony to how above all differences, what matters most is the love and friendship that builds everlasting relationships.

Handi-Care Intl. was founded as a Canadian registered charity in 1992. HCI has focused on the “Education, Rehabilitation, Vocational Training and Empowerment” of children and youth with disabilities from poor, rural South India. Currently, there are 500 children and youth under sponsorship. In addition, 900 children, below age 6, with disabilities are under Early Intervention program, that is co-funded by Grand Challenges Canada. Our program includes training, educating and creating awareness to the family members and surrounding community so the children will receive ongoing support in the home environment.

  • Handi-Care Intl. is run by volunteers. It is run in a home office.  Office space and all administration hours donated. The organization is supported by a host of enthusiastic, dedicated and committed volunteers.  This has enabled HCI to consistently  disburse in excess of 97% of  funds  it has raised towards charitable activities. How do we compare with other Canadian charities?
  • HCI is a registered charity, tax receipts are issued for all donations of $20.00 or more received.
  • HCI conducts annual fund raising events, apart from sustained commitments from kind hearted, empathetic persons of the community. Continue reading “Handicare Intl Presents: “Athipattil Oru Adhyayam!”” →
Global, Lifestyle, Reel Spin

Sofia Carson becomes Global Ambassador for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced today singer and actress Sofia Carson will become a global ambassador for the Foundation. Carson’s role will include advocating, promoting, and increasing awareness of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s mission and educational programs.  She will also participate in events to help raise funds and promote the Latin GRAMMY Foundation’s primary charitable focus: to provide scholarships to students interested in Latin music, grants to scholars and organizations worldwide for research and preservation of diverse Latin music genres, and music education programs, including musical instrument donations to schools in need.

Since its establishment five years ago, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has donated a remarkable $5 million USD in scholarships, grants, musical instrument donations, and educational events in the United States and Ibero-America.

“Sofia Carson is an exceptional role model for all”, said Becky Villaescusa, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Corporate Development, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Her education, discipline, and dedication inspire the music makers of tomorrow and we are incredibly thankful for her passion and generosity toward the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. We know she will be an outstanding ambassador, helping us make strides in our awareness efforts and growth.”

“I am immensely proud to be the first Global Ambassador for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, a foundation whose goal is to provide the Latin youth of the world with the precious gift of music education, and the priceless opportunity to share their music,” said Carson. “The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the incredible team behind its heart, offer life-changing opportunities to youth who are deeply committed to their art and are driven by their desire to leave behind a lasting musical legacy. I am deeply grateful. It is truly my privilege to be a part of this most worthy cause.”

In the world of entertainment, Carson is a force of nature, rising to the top of all she endeavors with grace and style. Carson was featured on the soundtrack to the Walt Disney film Descendants, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Continue reading “Sofia Carson becomes Global Ambassador for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation” →

Global, India

J&K would become a true part of India in letter and spirit : Article 370 scrapped

Announcing a path breaking decision by the Government, Shri Shah said that the Government is moving a resolution which would repeal the provisions under Article 370 of the Constitution of India,which granted a special status to the state of J&K. The provisions of Article 370 would cease to exist from the date President of India issues a notification in this regard, after the recommendation of the Parliament. Consequently, the Constitution of India would get applicable to J&K, on par with other states/UTs of the country, the Minister added.

Responding to apprehensions on the resolution and the future of J&K,Shri Shah said,“I would just say that the bill that the Government is bringing is historic. Article 370 has prevented J&K to merge with India rather than being a basis of its merger. The politics of vote bank has looted the youth of the state for over 70 years. I would call on the opposition members to debate and discuss on why the benefits of development were not allowed to reach the common people of J&K till now. Politics of religion must be avoided at all costs. Article 370 is equally harmful for people of all religions”, the Minister said.

Further, the Minister termed the provisions of Article 370 as discriminatory on the basis of gender, class, caste and place of origin. The youth is being taken for a ride by the political elite. This provision was temporary in the first place and it has to go in the larger interest of the people of J&K, he added.

Under article 370(3), there is a provision that President, on recommendation of the Parliament, has the power to amend or cease the implementation of article 370,through a public notification. This has already happened on a number of occasions in the past. The Home Minister pointed out to the opposition that everyone knows how the article 370 is hampering the development of the people of the state.

Shri Shah said that post the repeal of the Article 370, doors to private investment in J&K would be opened, which would in turn increase the potential for development there. Increased investments would lead to increased job creation and further betterment of socio-economic infrastructure in the state. Opening of buying of lands would bring in investments from private individuals and multinational companies and give a boost to the local economy, Continue reading “J&K would become a true part of India in letter and spirit : Article 370 scrapped” →

Global

“We have an opportunity to halt human trafficking”- Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC

To mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has  called on governments across the globe to adopt more stringent measures in the fight against human trafficking, and specifically to support Travel & Tourism initiatives that aim to curb this illicit activity. Human trafficking generates an estimated $150 billion in illegal profits annually.

In comparative terms, that’s the equivalent of the entire tourism economy of Brazil ($152.5bn). Trafficking relies on the travel industry to operate – not only across borders, but also within – using legitimate operations to illegally move people around and ultimately to exploit vulnerable people and children. In a bid to decimate both the activity and its profits, WTTC has formed a Human Trafficking Task Force, which was launched at the Global Summit 2019. Realising that many WTTC Member companies and sector associations are already very active in this fight, the aim of the Task Force is to leverage our position to facilitate information exchange and to coordinate efforts across the private sector, while strengthening cooperation with the public sector and civil society.

Members of the Task Force include AIG Travel, Airbnb, American Express Global Business Travel, The Bicester Village Shopping Collection, Ctrip International, Carlson & CWT, Emirates, Expedia Group, Hilton, Ingle International Inc., JTB Corp, Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority, Marriott International, Sabre Corporation, Silversea, Thomas Cook Group, TUI Group and Uber.

The Task Force will help to eradicate Human Trafficking through activities focused on:

1.    Prevention – to increase industry and consumer awareness of human trafficking. It is proven that the more we know, the more we can do to prevent this crime.

2.    Protection – to train employees and travellers on how to identify and report suspected cases.

3.    Action – to encourage governments to enact and enforce legislation which recognises human trafficking as a crime throughout the entire chain, and develop resources and support needed, such as national hotlines. Continue reading ““We have an opportunity to halt human trafficking”- Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC” →