Congratulations to Varsha and Ryan who recently exchanged marriage vows.
The radiant couple participated in a Vedic wedding ceremony held on Friday, August 10, 2018 at the Vedic Cultural Centre/Arya Samaj Mandir in 14th Avenue, Markham and conducted by Pt Satyanand Sarju. This was followed by a Nikkah held the next day at the Woodbine Banquet Hall in Etobicoke, conducted by Imaam, Faizul Khan, of Washington.
Varsha is the daughter of ICW columnist, Adit Kumar and Keoli Kumar, while Ryan is the son of Azad and Narrie Bacchus.
The dashing groom arrived in an open top car accompanied to the rhythms of live Tassa music. The bridal party did not hesitate to join the groom and his wedding party in dancing to the vibrating rhythms of the Tassa. Following this the groom and his party were greeted in traditional style by the bride’s relatives.
Throughout the Hindu wedding ceremony Pt Sarju offered explanations on the significances of the various steps of the wedding, while Imaam Khan did the same in the Nikkah, keeping the mixed audience well informed of the proceedings.
An elaborate wedding reception was held at the Woodbine Banquet hall on August 11 where the DJ belted out the right music that continuously kept the audience on the dance floor.
The bride and groom and their parents thanked all those who attended and lent their support to make the wedding a very memorable one.

Guyana Help The Kids (GHTK) 8th Annual Dinner & Dance Fundraising Gala will be held on October 13th, 2018 at the Woodbine Banquet Hall & Convention Center, 30 Vice Regent Blvd, Etobicoke.
Tickets can be obtained from the GHTK website: https://www.guyanahelpthekids.com
GHTK is a registered Canadian charity with the goal of decreasing the neonatal and infant mortality in developing countries, particularly in Guyana.
Founded in 2006 by Guyanese-born Canadian Pediatrician Dr Narendra Singh, GHTK’s major focus has been on providing comprehensive education to Guyana’s local physicians, nurses and other allied healthcare professionals. GHTK has assisted with the procurement of specialized equipment to further elevate the level of neonatal care.
GHTK’s initiatives have resulted in the opening of a new neonatal intensive care unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, along with the establishment of innovative pediatric residency and neonatal nursing programs. These efforts were successful in decreasing the neonatal mortality at GPHC by forty percent (40%) in its first year.
GHTK’s activities have been extended to the regional hospitals in New Amsterdam, Linden, Suddie and West Demerara where Neonatal Units have also been established.

The life and times of Trinidad-born Joseph E. Nancoo were honoured and celebrated at a function in Montreal recently.
Attending the celebration from Trinidad were Rev. Gloria Hay a Minister with The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago, who administered Holy Communion; Sandra Ramjuss Maharaj, a teacher with Penal Rock Presbyterian School; Shalini Maharaj, a student of Naparima Girls High School; and Grace Ramjuss his sister from Siparia. Also in attendance were family and friends from the Canadian cities of Montreal, Mississauga, Markham and Hamilton.
Tracing the 89-year old Joseph Nancoo’s significant contributions to Trinidad and Canada was Stephen E. Nancoo, a Canadian Educator and author of several books on community policing, diversity, strategic planning and leadership.
Joseph, he said, was a champion debater, a committed educator, journalist, a poet and community leader.
Joseph attended Naparima College and St. Andrew’s Theological College in Trinidad. As a student, he led Naparima to victory in the first-ever inter-college debate against Queen’s Royal College. In Canada, he also distinguished himself as a debater for Mount Allison, Concordia and Mc Gill Universities against such institutions as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, West Point Military Academy and other major universities in the United States and Canada.
Joseph started his education career at Bien Venue and Hermitage Presbyterian Schools in Trinidad. Most of his years as an educator were in Quebec, Canada. He taught at various High Schools in Montreal and its environs as well as on a Canadian Forces Base and an indigenous reserve in Kahawake. Joseph was a journalist in Trinidad and Canada. He was also editor of various Teachers’ publications in Quebec.
Joseph derived immense satisfaction from his community development and voluntary service both in Trinidad and Canada. During his early years as president of community groups he made representation for services and quality of life improvements in Hermitage, and neighbouring communities in Trinidad.
In Canada, Joseph was for many years President of the Montreal Chapter of the Royal Commonwealth Society, which was actively engaged in a wide range of community activities. He was also a Director of Alliance Quebec, an advocate for language rights in Quebec. He served in various capacities in the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers and a representative of Canadian Teachers at the World Conference of Teachers. Joseph is a published poet and was widely recognized for his community service in Montreal, Canada.
In response, Joseph Nancoo thanked the audience for an inspiring occasion. He also recited one of his favourite poems, "Precious Golden Hours" (reproduced below), which he wrote in honour of his late wife, Emma Meek Nancoo.

Precious Golden Hours
by Joseph E. Nancoo

Love is only love
When, even in adversity
It so tenderly embraces me,
Lifts me from my despondency
And my despair
Is made to disappear

Love is only love
When, even with changing fortunes,
Its changing constancy
Is my anchor in uncertainty
And hope, for me,
Is made to re-appear

Love is only love
When, even the furrows of my brow
Tell our story, ever since we met, 'till now
Two lovers life-long links together,
Vows made dearer as love grows deeper
Each precious golden hour.

Authors' And Writers' Corner >