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Mississauga’s Goan descent Ian D’Sa and his band Billy Talent honoured at Canadian Music Week!

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— Lachman Balani

On their silver anniversary, Mississauga’s powerhouse band, Billy Talent, was honoured with the coveted “Legends of Live” award at the Canadian Music Week festival on May 11, catapulting them into the ranks of former winners “Tragically Hip” and “Blue Rodeo”. The award ceremony was hosted by Canadian Paul Shaffer of David Letterman fame.

Billy Talent formed back in 1993 and have since come a long way, opening up for Guns ‘n’ Roses at their Toronto performance in 2016 and have headlined arenas like the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. They have also performed in many places in Europe. The original band members consisted of  Goan origin Ian D’sa (lyricist and producer), Ben Kowalewicz (vocalist),  Jonathan Gallant(Bassist) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drummer), who due to multiple sclerosis left a couple of years ago and was replaced by Jordan Hastings of Alexisonfire. However to his credit and despite his MS condition, Aaron showed up to accept the award and marked the occasion by delighting the attendees by performing for one of their songs, “Rusted from the Roof”. Jordan took over for the next song “Try Honesty.”

The evening was showered with performances from other bands with many more people, companies and venues being honoured adding yet another notable Peel region winner at the ceremony, the Metalworks Production Group, for best audio visual production company of the year. Metalworks is the brainchild of Gil Moore, former member of “Triumph”, one of Canada’s topmost internationally renowned bands. Continue reading “Mississauga’s Goan descent Ian D’Sa and his band Billy Talent honoured at Canadian Music Week!”

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JASHN- A LAVISH AFFAIRÉ raises the bar for South Asian Fashion Experience in Toronto!

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By N. Balani

The Greater Toronto Area fashion world was rocked by this one of a kind event held over the weekend at the Red Rose Convention centre In Mississauga.

Fashion brain and former Femina Miss India, Liza Varma teamed up with locals Sharad Lall Mathur and Rajiv Malhotra, to bring together the best in fashion design, models and global expertise. Top gun fashionistas Anju Modi, Shyamal and Bhumika , Satya Paul, Pallavi Jaikishan, Vikas Makhija, Jainee, Prarena Grover and Mohey-Manyavar creations  from India along with Mississauga-based designer Diinesh Ramsay,  Arpan Vohra from the London fashion scene, Rozzy Surii- a familiar face in the Canadian Fashion weeks of Vancouver and Calgary- plus many more graced the spectacular event.

The three day fashion extravaganza opened with a beautiful gala evening filled with dance, music, food and entertainment keeping true to its name Jashn – meaning a celebration. Apart from the elegant runway shows, this splendid affair had exhibits by luxury wedding planners like Vogue Wedding Company and luxury jewellery brands Art Karat and Red Dot amongst many others showcasing their designs and services throughout the weekend.

This event, one of the first of its kind aims to bring in the world of South Asian designers not just for a fashion show but to further Indo-Canadian ties and meld fashion industry with global business opportunities.

As Designer Shyamal put it “the bridal collections we showcase brings India to the world in the form of craft or couture with sensibility to the Western world- it is a kind of fusion”. Continue reading “JASHN- A LAVISH AFFAIRÉ raises the bar for South Asian Fashion Experience in Toronto!”

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MYSTIC INDIA: MAGICAL, MUSICAL, MESMERIZING!

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Ever so often, a great show that comes to town leaves an indelible impression on the audiences.  Recently, Cleveland witnessed “Mystic India: The World Tour” (“Mystic India”), a Bollywood dance spectacular.  The show, created and choreographed by Aatma Performing Arts’ founder Amit Shah, features renowned musicians, brilliant dancers, breathtaking aerialists and acrobats, and nearly 1,000 opulent costumes.

Namaste Newsline team had an opportunity to watch the show at the Playhouse Square last weekend.  The show was promoted by AIPNO (Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio) for a charitable cause.  One could feel the heightened sense of excitement in the air that evening.

The entire experience right from the outset, till the way to the grand finale was amazing.  If you’ve   never been to India, watching this show, would give you a feel for all things Indian! The show engrossed   the audience into India’s diverse culture!

The opening number, which was spiritual in nature, at the “temple”, before taking the audience on a regional tour of India.  There were enjoyable dances from regions like Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu!   The production also showcased dances from the Mughal period as well, and needless to say, a segment was devoted to Bollywood.

The stage effects and lighting enhanced the ambience of the show.  Kudos to the production for focusing on every detail to create the Mystic India experience. The choreographers utilized every inch of the stage, presenting the all the scenes very creatively.  In addition, the story teller, did a great job with his diction, which enhanced the experience. The fusion of dance, theatre and stunning visual effects is a magical, mystical merger of the old and new! Continue reading “MYSTIC INDIA: MAGICAL, MUSICAL, MESMERIZING!”

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World’s First Diamond Trading on BlockChain Unveiled! Experience Unique Crypto-Assets!

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AL KASIR GROUP LAUNCHES DIAMOND TRADING ON THE BLOCKCHAIN

On April 15th, at an event held at the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Members of the Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum – AL KASIR JEWELLERY TRADING L.L.C & AL KASIR PORTAL L.L.C announced the launch of Diamond Trading on the Blockchain with three Diamond backed Crypto Assets.

Al Kasir Group is a joint venture between Dr. Amit Lakhanpal and Private office of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum who belongs to the members of royal family of the ruler of Dubai.

Dr. Lakhanpal is an Indian entrepreneur, property developer and author. Dr. Lakhanpal is the founder and CEO of the Money Trade Coin Group. He is the author of the book “The World of Crypto Currency”. Dr. Lakhanpal is also called the Chief Managing Director of real estate development agency Flintstone Group and the founder of FlintBeats, an event agency founded in 2015.

Cryptocurrencies with their underlying Blockchain technology are increasingly popular amongst individuals, financial institutions and governments, however many of them view cryptocurrencies as objects of radical speculation and high volatility. Since they are subject to potentially huge price corrections, most cryptocurrencies are practically a poor store of value and means a barter-like exchange. This gives rise to a need for a more secure alternative.

For the first time ever, the world is about to experience a set of three crypto-assets by IGI certified real diamonds. Being backed by a real-world Asset, these three crypto-assets; AL, AL HAQEEK & AL FALAH are better capable to store and translate value due to a base measure or gauge around which their value revolves. Diamonds are an ideal asset backing for crypto-assets since they are rare, taking a billion years to develop, have several millennia of history as a recognized store of value, and are small and therefore easily stored and transported. Continue reading “World’s First Diamond Trading on BlockChain Unveiled! Experience Unique Crypto-Assets!”

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Balanced Budget: Stimulates and Supports

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Last week, the Finance Minister of Ontario, Mr. Charles Sousa and the Premier, presented the Budget 2018 to multicultural media. In several aspects, Budget 2018 is one which stimulates and supports growth and investments creating a plethora of opportunities.

Healthcare

First and foremost, they addressed what was meant by ‘A Plan for Care and Opportunity’ wherein the needs for accessible and affordable childcare, eldercare and long-term care for families that need these is the prime focus. Budget 2018 addresses these burning issues so that   extended health benefits, prescription drugs and dental care are made available to all families.

A caring government will enable many seniors to stay in their own homes, and also there will be long-term care beds which would include spaces for culturally approved. An increase of over 2 billion over the next four years to enhance the level of care and access for mental health and addiction services, including publicly funded psychotherapy and supportive housing.

Women Empowerment

Efforts to boost the economy include Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy which will invest in initiatives to support women’s access to opportunities. Support will be provided for female entrepreneurs and women’s corporate leadership. Equally important, it will develop a return-to-work program and continue to encourage sharing of caregiving responsibilities.

Education

Ontario is investing almost $16 billion in capital grants over 10 years for new and improved schools. This year alone, the Province is investing $784 million to build 39 schools and renovate 40 existing ones. The government is providing over $250 million in new funding over 3 years to eliminate waitlists for special education, ensuring that students with special needs have timely access to individualized needs and chart a path to success. Continue reading “Balanced Budget: Stimulates and Supports”

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Jo Alcorn’s Top Spring Trends

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by Jo Alcorn , Design Specialist, B.A. whitewash & co , @Jo_Alcorn  
I love spring! It’s a time to switch things up, refresh and renew your home and, more importantly, your backyard! I’ll be at the Backyard Living Expo coming up on April 6 for an on-stage presentation at 1:15pm and would love for you to join me to talk about all things backyard décor and design! As a sneak preview, here are my top 5 tips and trends for this season.

High Performance Outdoor Sound – I love music! I play it all day long and there’s no exception when I go outside to relax and enjoy the warmer weather. I love the high performance outdoor sound that Paradigm has to offer. Long gone are the days of the boom box or the huge speaker systems. This company offers discrete luxury speakers that can be wall mounted, deck mounted, faux rocks that can mix right into you garden and even garden oasis systems with an underground subwoofer for large areas.

Shading Style – While I love the outdoors, shade is of the utmost importance. This year I am obsessed with Pergolas. They have retractable systems that allow the light to shine in when you want a few rays, but you can also crank the roof closed when you need some shade. The great thing about these systems is that they can be built to spec for odd shapes, attached to an existing structure or they also have great stand alone units.

Grilling Galore – There is nothing Canadian’s love more than firing up the grill and as a designer when your grill can match your décor it’s even better! I love the new Weber Spirit ll series that comes in four bold colours so you can add the perfect barbeque to match your décor. My choice this year would be the gorgeous Ivory to add to my small space patio.  Spirit II gas grills are powered by Weber’s innovative GS4 grilling system to ensure every aspect of your grilling experience is easy and reliable. They are also iGrill 3 compatible and are backed by a 10-year 100% Weber Guarantee Warranty – from lid to wheels! Continue reading “Jo Alcorn’s Top Spring Trends”

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Movie Matters! Media Meet @ Mayura!

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At a press conference on Monday, March 26th, Punjabi film stars Gippy  Grewal and Roshan Prince spoke about the making of a biopic film ‘Subedar Joginder Singh’ which releases April 6th.

Hosted by Y Media Group, the President and CEO, Mr. Yudhvir Jaiswal, welcomed everyone in attendance with warmth and graciousness.

The film is inspired by the life of the Subedar who fought the Chinese during the Indo-Chinese war of 1962.  The movie is a saga of his dedication and devotion towards serving the country. He led his troops till he got wounded and subsequently died in Chinese captivity. He displayed such exemplary and unprecedented courage that the Indian Government honored him with the country’s highest wartime gallantry award – Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

The makers have delved into the past to showcase happenings and episodes of his life, most realistically. The movie has been shot in extreme weather conditions of Suratgarh, where the mercury soared to a melting level, and it has been filmed in the bone-chilling climate of Drass, Kargil where the temperature drops below freezing point! A major part of the film has been shot at a height of 14000 feet; the terrain was so insurmountable that it took the cast and crew hours of driving followed by a strenuous vertical trek to reach actual shoot location. Seven Colors Motion Picture Pvt. Ltd has produced the venture.

Both the actors   expressed immense happiness and excitement about being a part of this film, which is a highly anticipated one. With 4 million views of the teaser on YouTube already, this film is set to break ground for Pollywood and its push into the mainstream film industry.

Asked about the filming process, Mr. Grewal, who was seen in the Farhan Akhtar starrer Lucknow Central (2017), said that it was very tough. They had to weather rough conditions, undergo physical changes like putting on weight, losing weight and such. Continue reading “Movie Matters! Media Meet @ Mayura!”

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SOULFUL SINGERS’ PRAYER FOR PEACE

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Whenever Salim-Sulaiman, Bollywood’s top musicians, headline a concert in Toronto, their Indo Canadian fans come out in large numbers to immerse in their melodious and soulful performances. The scene was no different on March 17th when during their live concert the duo drew in thousands of music fans to the Powerade Centre in Brampton.

The band   opened with a glittering start, singing “Ishq Wala Love song from the movie Student of the Year “, against   colorful flickering lights and a wonderful backdrop. The team, which included  Indian Idol winner Vipul Mehta, Raj Pandit, Sukriti Kakkar rendered one hit after another for three straight hours, taking their fans into a frenzy. They brought back the old-world charm by rendering some of the evergreen hits and all-time favorites of Bollywood.

Sulaiman informed the packed house, “If we were to   sing all of our compositions, we would be here until tomorrow, so we will sing from our playlist…a love mashup.” So, the audiences were treated to plenty of songs, many devotional ones like Bismillah, Noor E Ilahiand Ali Maula.

A prayer for Syria was included as well, and songs from other genres as well. Enthused by the audiences’ reactions, they continued their tightly-spaced set, which included songs like “Marjawaan”, “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai” from the Shah Rukh and Anushka Sharma film. Continue reading “SOULFUL SINGERS’ PRAYER FOR PEACE”

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Hong Kong stock market sets the pace with 36% increase!

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–Lachman Balani

Amongst the most watched stock market indices in the world, the tiny robust business and finance enclave of Hong Kong won out over all others by increasing a whopping 36% to stand out as the stock star of 2017!

Next followed Nasdaq in the US stumping many revered US economists who had at the outset claimed that despite the Trump-bump of 2016 after his election in November, 2017 would be subdued due to the uncertain nature of Trump and his socio-economic policies .However, not only did Nasdaq jump 28% but even the hallowed Dow Jones and S&P500 showed impressive double digit gains setting record after record and reaching new highs. The Dow experienced the most 1000 point leaps ever going from 19762 at the close of last year to 24719.22 at the close of 2017.

BRICS countries India and Brazil (despite its many economic woes)came in 3rd and 4th manifesting double digit gains.

Japan and South Korea, known for household brands like Sony, Toyota, Honda, Sharp, Samsung, Hyundai, Daewoo, KIA, LG and more also saw double digit gains.

The DAX and CAC in Europe and FTSE of UK also gained territory. Continue reading “Hong Kong stock market sets the pace with 36% increase!”

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HYATT PLACE FRANKFURT AIRPORT OFFICIALLY OPENS

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 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport, marking the introduction of the Hyatt Place brand to Germany. Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport joins six Hyatt Place hotels across Europe, including Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport, Hyatt Place West London/Hayes, Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport, Hyatt Place Jermuk, and Hyatt Place Yerevan. The growth of the Hyatt Place brand in Europe highlights the growing importance of Hyatt’s select service properties across the region.

The Hyatt Place brand is rooted in extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable, seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and familiar routines. To embody this, the brand offers casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment.

“We are delighted to welcome guests to Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport,” said Ines Bruenn, General Manager of Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport. “The hotel has been designed specifically with our guests in mind, blending comfort with convenience. Our guests are constantly on the move, and we want to make sure our multitasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road. We are confident that Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport will help make our guests’ journey easier, more productive and successful.” Continue reading “HYATT PLACE FRANKFURT AIRPORT OFFICIALLY OPENS”