Community News
By Manshad Mohamed
On a beautiful Saturday on August 16, the Wildwoods Park in Derry Rd was ablaze in colours as live entertainment brought out some patrons on their feet dancing at The Caribbean Children Foundation annual summer picnic.
Emcee of the program was John Phillips; musical entertainment was provided by Omesh's Wave Band with support from Dick Lochan who rendered Casino Craze and the Juice Man; Mr Jaggernauth, the Ordinary Man, performed and entertained the crowd with his hit number "baigan chokha" and a Happy Birthday song. There were also several dancers on show and the group, “Flaunt It” put up an eye catching Fashion Show. The Sylvan Bharrat Tassa group also provided good rhythms.
The day of celebrations was organized to raise funds and awareness of the Caribbean Children Foundation. The Foundation's president and Real Estate Broker, Jay Brijpaul sponsored the event, and donated the hefty sum of $10,000 to the charity. In addition to this another $10,000 was raised from sale of food and entrance tickets. Trillium Labels also donated the sum of $1000.
Brijpaul said that since its inception forty children have received various forms of help from the Foundation and it is expecting another seven children from the Caribbean to arrive in Toronto for medical treatment.
Over 1500 persons attended the event which brought together a wide cross section of the Caribbean community.
Brijpaul was pleased with the response he received from his clients and well wishers. He used the opportunity to draw his annual raffle where his clients are eligible to win attractive prizes. The first prize of a Honda Civic motor vehicle was won by Kauum Jameer.
Brijpaul said most of the food was donated and there were over 50 volunteers who ensured the success of the day’s event.
Problems in moving Caribbean cargo a troubling aspect of Singh's operations
place to do business
By William Doyle-Marshall
Improving trade from the Caribbean nations into North America is an item that would certainly ease Ken Singh’s mind.
This Guyanese-Canadian entrepreneur founded Atlas International Freight Forwarding 17 years ago and is still troubled by the type of cargo service his people are getting back home. He is troubled that the governments in the Caribbean have not been able to succeed in assisting the farmers and the producers with the movement of their goods north bound.
“The aeroplanes they use today in the Caribbean are small. They are using 737s which is what BWIA has. There is no space for cargo. So we have to look at other means in order to get cargo there,” he disclosed in a recent conversation.
He is concerned that the Caribbean is not a simple place to do business and he further agonizes over the fact that it is not also quick to get cargo into the Caribbean as the airlines “in the Caribbean continue to falter”.
“They have space for passenger but no space for cargo. So what has happened over the years is we are trying to develop systems and service to provide efficient, cost competitive pricing for cargo into the Caribbean,” Singh continued. He is in a position to know as some of his large clients who had operations throughout the Caribbean included Crown Life, Confederation Life, Manulife, Bank of Nova Scotia and Bank of Commerce. In fact his company has offices around the world.
Although in the winter months many airplanes take tourists going down there in the summer shippers suffer. This affects trade considerably from the Caribbean to Canada. This explains why so often lovers of mango and other tropical fruits yearn for their favourites and Canadian shopkeepers cannot say when it will arrive.
“A lot of produce is available in the Caribbean and there is no ability to bring it up here. So the producers of trade in the Caribbean and South American countries have great difficulty in getting fresh merchandise up to Canada. Naturally it does affect income. But this has been a continuous problem and I haven’t seen anyway it is going to change,” Singh reflected.
Atlas has engaged in its own consolidation to service Caribbean clients effectively. This meant putting people's goods together for frequent shipment in to Barbados, Jamaica and Antigua. “We go to Antigua more frequently and the reason is that we use LIAT out of Antigua to catch all the small islands in the Caribbean and LIAT was one of our big partners when we had service coming in from Canada, going into Antigua,” Singh recalled.
The difficulty is further exacerbated, the experienced cargo handler said, with goods not being able to transit the United States to come to Canada, particularly because of United States Department of Transportation and Food and Drug Administration regulations. “If a shipment gets stopped en route and gets delayed for four days, the spinach is no good, ochro is no good, and plantains get discoloured so it can’t transit the United States. You can’t risk doing that. You risk the trade,” he observed.
To understand the degree of frustration this entrepreneur must endure in dealing with his own people, it must be emphasized that his company has two specialalized areas of operation - aerospace and pharmaceuticals. Servicing big aerospace customers like Rolls Royce, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, City Line and Standard Aero is an every day occurrence for Atlas. In the aerospace industry there is no time. When an aeroplane is down in a country Singh and his team must get the part there at a competitive price. The customer is not asking for a quote.
“They gave us the responsibility to make sure we get the part there quickly at the best possible price. They do not double-check us and therefore it is left on our expertise, our commitment to our clients to make sure we do just that. After the job is done and a year later they are doing their audit and they check the prices they will see that we have offered the best price in the marketplace and we have been continuing to succeed in this aspect of the business.”
As Singh’s desire for improvement in service within the Caribbean region lingers on like the aftermath of a hurricane, he admits there are always surprises because the world of commerce is not generic. Not all the countries are at the same level of advancement and the rules are not followed in the same fashion. Rules change for certain countries that are not following a consistent pattern of duty and taxes and clearances, he disclosed.
He has dealt with tough countries in places like Nigeria where it is extremely difficult to handle transportation in a simplistic way. The Guyanese-Canadian businessman learnt a while now that there are always hidden charges and taxes, fees and royalties that come out of the woodwork depending upon who is bringing it (the goods) in. “No two shipments are the same”. However, with things evolving now gradually towards unification of customs’ system, Singh is convinced this unification will result in betterment in commerce.
Pix by Adit Kumar
By Adit Kumar
“I thought of doing something special with this tree to remember it,” said Seelall Baijnauth as he was contemplating cutting down a 70-foot tall pine tree that had started to lean dangerously in his front yard. And the awesome hand work which his thoughts translated to reality, is now attracting the attention of curious onlookers who pass by, take pictures, drop in to chat about the significance of the eye catching multi- cultural artwork, or just sit around to admire it.
The tree was about 45 years old and Seelall had known it for about half its life having lived there for over 20 years but for safety reasons he had no choice but to cut it down. But the ever thoughtful Seelall, a practising Hindu who had grown a strong attachment for the tree, was sad to see it go and stumbled upon the idea of leaving a section of the trunk standing, converting it to a monument depicting Hindu philosophy.
So he set to work carving Hindu symbols on it. But the neighbourhood soon took a keen interest in the project as it was unfolding and suggested that he also include their religious symbols on it as well. He loved the idea and had no problem in doing that. In fact Seelall was quick to relate to that idea pointing out that in Guyana, where he was born, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are the three major religions practised there and the followers of these religions mutually coexist showing love and respect for one another.
His neighbourhood provided him with the symbols of their religions and today the once leaning pine tree now stands as a tall symbol of multiculturalism with 16 religious symbols colourfully carved into it.
Seelall, who can also be described as an artist with many paintings to his credit, said the symbols represent Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Sikhism, Tsaoism, Buddhism, Judaism and Native Aboriginal religion.
While working on the trunk, Seelall also thought of using another section of the tree for a family tree but soon he came up with another idea of hanging philosophical words from it instead. So adjacent to the trunk now stands the “family tree of motivational and inspirational words” such as karma, contentment, faithfulness, tolerance, unwavering, charity, peace, determination which surely set the mind thinking. Seelall said one can take any of these words and coin one’s life out of it for peace, comfort, enlightenment and harmony. The words were chiseled in then burnt and painted.
Encouraged by the interest generated, Seelall also added a third section which includes words of welcome from many cultures such as “namaste”, “jah”, “salaam”, “bon jour”, “good day” etc. The hanging words create musical chimes in the wind that knocks them against one another adding to the serene atmosphere surrounding the sculpture.
The project which started in 2005 is still ongoing and has the support of the Baijnauth’s family. Seelall’s son, Rono, a practising lawyer, who helped to take the tree down, described the project as an “ever evolving” one, where new ideas would be welcomed. Seelall is open to adding new words and looks forward to receiving suggestions from the public. His wife Rita describes the project as “a neighbourhood project that included everyone's help and inputs”.
To view the fallen tree with its wide ranging messages go to Lot 3 Safari Street, Scarborough, at the corner of Midland and Eglinton.
Pix by Adit Kumar
Mahila also known as Moses celebrated his 90th birthday with a prayer service in company of friends and relatives at the Arya Samaj Mandir, 14th Avenue, Markham on August 16. A havan was conducted by Pandit Kupchand supported by the kirtan group of Toronto Arya Samaj led by Pt Dave Ramotar.
Mahila, who came from humble beginnings, was a proud farmer back in Guyana and migrated to Canada in the early 1980’s with his children. He worked as a cashier at a Sherbourne and Yonge Street business until his retirement. He is the proud father of nine children including popular poet and author Peter Jailall, 15 grand children and one great grandchild.
The Jamoon Tree (Canadian Caribbean Business Network) group held its first Summer Barbeque recently on the lawns of Anava Financing office at Islington Avenue. The group was recently recognized by the Hon. Roy Cullen, Federal MP, for its role in promoting growth in the Caribbean business community. Here are some of the members present at the summer get together.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs had introduced a Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children (SPDC) in 2006, to assist Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursuing under graduate courses in several disciplines in India. Under this program, over 220 PIO/NRI children have benefited during the last three academic years.
The Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children - 2009 has been announced. The following are the highlights of the SPDC-2009:
• 100 scholarships are being offered for undergraduate courses in several disciplines including Engineering/Architecture/ Technology, Humanities/Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management - BBA/BBM, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture/Animal Husbandry, Sciences, Law, etc.
• The program is open only to PIOs/NRIs from the specified 40 countries having a larger concentration of Indian Diaspora.
• 50% of the scholarship would be reserved for PIOs. However, in the event of non-availability of suitable PIO candidates, the unfilled slots could be assigned to NRI candidates.
• NRI candidates would be eligible for the grant of scholarship only if their total family income per month does not exceed an amount equivalent to US $ 2,250 (US dollars two thousand two hundred and fifty only)
• Children of NRIs should have pursued at least three years of education inclusive of 11th & 12th or equivalent (not beyond), in a foreign country during the last six years, and should have passed the qualifying examination abroad.
• The last date for receipt of duly filled-in application forms in the prescribed format by Ed.CIL is 1st September 2008.
• PIO/NRI Students already studying in India on a self-financing basis or under any other arrangement will not be eligible under this scheme, which is open only for fresh admissions in the first semester/year of undergraduate courses.
• Candidates would be selected on the basis of a common entrance test to be conducted by Ed.CIL on 26th October 2008 at this Consulate. Exact timings would be intimated subsequently. The candidates would also have to fulfill all the criteria prescribed for the purpose.
• The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of the Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) or US $ 3,600, whichever is less. IEC includes Tuition fee, Hostel fee & other institutional charges.
A copy of the announcement, information booklet and application form for the Program can be downloaded from the Ed.CIL websites www.edcil.co.in and www.educationindia4u.nic.in.
The Arya Samaj Mandir and Vedic Cultural Centre celebrated its 12th Anniversary last Sunday. The building was declared open on August 18, 1996 to coincide with India’s independence.
In the week long program to honour the occasion, a Gayatree Yajna was held twice daily in which the Gayatree Mantra was chanted 108 times at each session. It is believed that positive vibrations will result from the chanting of this universal prayer for the benefit of mankind in general.
At the end of the final prayer session last Sunday the members then went to the Markham Civic Centre where they joined the Mayor of Markham in celebrating the 61st anniversary of India's Independence.
Enterprise-Nonpareil will be holding their annual Picnic on Sunday August 31 at Centennial Park, Area 5 starting from 12 noon. There will be games and fun for the whole family. Bring your picnic baskets. Call Jay Jairam 416-744-0476 for more info.
Contact Suresh 416 724 9233, Bibi Mohamed 905 567 9719, Ramesh 416 550 6302.