By Ramnarine Sahadeo
Tetri Singh (Violet), born February 11, 1936 expired on September 8, 2017.
My eldest sister, Violet, was compelled to play the role of a second mother to her siblings by circumstances and cultural values handed down from one of the oldest civilizations on earth.
My father Jahaji's (Feb. 25, 1908 to July 25, 1948) early demise at age 40 made my mother a widow, a status she retained for 50 years. However she had six infants to support. I was the youngest at one year old.
Violet assumed most household responsibilities at age 12 because my mother had to quickly learn tasks usually left for men, such as milking the cows, planting rice and vegetables. There was no discussion or debate; this was a duty imposed by culture and not the law of the land.
Violet acquired skills as a seamstress, in household budgeting, time management and babysitting which served her for the rest of her life in Leonora (Guyana) and eventually in Canada.
Her marriage in 1953 is still etched in my memory as the only cinema on the island of Leguan – then called Lakshmi – had to be closed to the public because its generator was moved to the wedding house (which is today opposite the land on which stands the tallest Hanuman Murti in the hemisphere). Some villagers who used hand lamps and bottles with wicks for light may have seen the magic of electricity for the first time.
At Leonora she contributed to the household income by teaching sewing and domestic duties to girls, some of whom still have their partners from marriages arranged by her. By virtue of her influence in the community she gravitated to family counselling but was quick to rely on the advice of elders and utilized the Panchayat system of dispute resolution used by our ancestors in India.
My sister Violet left this earthly abode at Leonora a few feet away from the original Singer sewing machine that was the hub of her life. Her body was sent to Canada where family and friends in the hundreds from many countries witnessed her cremation on September 18, 2017. In her memory they took home a copy of the Gita by Gandhi.
Left to celebrate her life are four siblings, four children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

At Heart & Stroke, we want to increase our knowledge and understanding of stroke and heart disease recovery and be better informed of our future direction in the creation of recovery-based resources, programs and services for our heart disease and stroke survivors. In order for us to be survivor-centric – we will soon begin first phase of engagement with South Asian survivors and their care givers/partners.
While survivors face many barriers and challenges in coping with the disease and better managing their lives after a heart attack or stroke – we are interested in hearing their stories and wanting to confirm what the literature is telling us: that the psychosocial support an individual receives is co-related to their ability to recover and self-manage their condition.
For this we need your help! We need you to connect us to South Asian survivors and their care-givers/partners in your communities and have them join our South Asian Survivor Network and have them participate in one of our survivor focus groups to be held in the GTA this summer. Results from these focus groups will be shared with all of you and also help inform Heart & Stroke’s Promote Recovery Strategy.
Please help us recruit South Asian heart disease and stroke survivors and their care givers/partners to start engaging them on this important dialogue.
YOU connecting us to them would take us a step forward in understanding and listening to what OUR SURVIVORS truly need and help them RECOVER and self-manage their health!
Info: FIRDAUS ALI, South Asian Cultural Specialist, Ontario, Heart & Stroke C: 416-629-1689 firdaus.ali@heartandstroke.ca

Canada Post and India Post are joining hands to issue stamps that celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, an important annual observance for many Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains in Canada and around the world. The joint stamp issue is a historic first between these postal services and reflects the country's diversity in the year of Canada 150.
The stamps were unveiled on September 21 at Toronto City Hall by Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra; His Excellency, Mr. Vikas Swarup, the High Commissioner of India to Canada; and His Worship John Tory, Mayor of Toronto.
"The Diwali stamps express our pride in Canada being a land of diverse faiths, customs and celebrations," says Mr. Deepak Chopra. "It is fitting that this historic first joint issue celebrates the strong relationship between Canada and India."

About a month ahead of Diwali celebrations, which will be held from October 19 to 23, two domestic-rate stamps are available in Canada. A stamp with a red background is the Canadian design, while one with a gold background was designed by India Post. The souvenir sheet has a Canadian international rate stamp and an Indian stamp.
Diwali, a five-day celebration, begins on the 15th day of Kartika in the Hindu calendar. Its main theme is the triumph of light over darkness. The celebration traditionally includes fireworks. In Canada, people often light candles in their homes, while in India, they light small clay lamps filled with oil; illumination is believed to ward off evil and attract happiness and good fortune. Believers also display colourful geometric rangoli patterns to decorate entrances. Families and friends also share sweets and gifts with one another and with those in need.
Designed by Gerald Querubin of Entro Communications and India Post, and printed by Lowe-Martin, the Permanent domestic-rate stamps measure 30 mm by 35 mm. They are printed in five colours plus a varnish, and are available in booklets of 10. The Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Toronto, ON.
The Diwali stamps are among several that reflect Canada's religious diversity 150 years after Confederation. They include the annual Christmas stamps with a Christian image and another with a secular holiday theme. In May, the Eid stamp recognized Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, two important festivals for Canada's more than one million Muslims and those worldwide. A Hanukkah stamp will recognize the Jewish faith's eight-day celebration in December.

The following is a statement issued by the Indian Diaspora Council International on the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi:
"The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) and its global affiliates join with other organizations, agencies, officials, groups, individuals and institutions worldwide in commemorating the 148th birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and pay special homage and grateful recognition of Gandhiji as the pre-eminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India through non-violent means.
IDC supports this worthy and deserving tribute to Gandhiji and Gandhian non-violent teachings for peacful protests to achieve freedom and social justice. Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent teachings have inspired many to protest in peaceful ways against oppression, colonial rule, subjugation and violent discrimination in many countries.
Gandhiji developed this non-violent way first and he succeeded in his goals, as India was completely freed from a European country's domination. Gandhiji championed the cause of freedom using non-violence which encouraged many other colonies of European powers to seek and obtain freedom from colonial rule.
Others, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr of USA, using similar non-violent techniques, were successful in organizing peaceful protests and ultimately achieving freedom, the easing of oppressive rule and social justice and legally ending racial discrimination. Nelson Mandela achieved a smooth transition to majority rule in South Africa following Gandhiji's teachings of peace and reconciliation.
Gandhiji’s statement, 'You must be the change that you want to see in the world' is a challenge and reminder of the possibilities for good as well as the role and responsibility of everyone to be supportive of advancing social justice in even small ways."

Kaisoca Ladies cricket club of Toronto through its founder and manager, George Maharaj, has organised a food and clothing drive in aid of the ravaged Caribbean island of Dominica. Permission was given by the Dominican Association of Ontario.
Date : Sunday October 29th. 2017
Time : 12 noon to 5pm.
Drop off venue : 2020 Don Mills Road, Toronto.
Items urgently needed are : canned food, baby cereals, hammers and saws, tooth brushes, toothpaste, soaps, blankets, clothing.
Kaisoca Ladies cricket club currently has in its roster three Dominican players as well as players from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St. Vincent, Barbados, Pakistan, India and Australia.
Kaisoca Ladies has captured the league’s championship in 2011 and 2016 and was runner up this year.
Contact : George Maharaj 905-621-6157

Canadian Immigrant magazine has announced a Career, Education and Settlement Immigrant Fair in the Greater Toronto Area for 2017 at the Living Arts Centre on Friday, December 8, 2017, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair is for immigrants who are looking for information relating to jobs, school and settlement in their new home. Admission id free.
This fair in the new Mississauga venue will include:
• diverse exhibitors, including employers, education institutes and social service agencies
• interactive activities like a resumé clinic and networking opportunities
• inspirational speakers’ lineup
• and more to be announced later

Durban Hindu Heritage Centre will hold its 1st Diwali Gala on Friday Oct 13 at 7pm at Chandni Grand Banquet Hall, 3895 McNicoll Ave, Scarborough. Tickets $50 includes dinner. For info, callKamal Soni 905-767-0072, Pt Damodar Sharma 416-577-1641 or Mohan Bissoondial 647-769-5961.

Art and Entertainment >