Power Play

Have a happy, healthy holiday season

Its the time of the year, first comes the joy then the bills and yeah how can you forget all the extra lbs from the holidays! I know I do it, so this year, I decided to get smart(I mean try ) and be better educated and take some precautions now, instead of regretting over it (again!). So I talked to my friend Anjali Dua, who is a Nutritionist and a member of SAPNA, an organization dedicated to increase awareness Diabetes, Heart disease and other health issue facing the South Asian community.

She recommended five key points that I thought I will share with you. Hopefully you can keep a few lbs away! Seasons greetings and happy holidays and most importantly, be safe.

 

Consider healthier alternatives- Instead of eating a plateful of samosas, pakoras or other fried food, why not eat a bowl of fruit or baked goods? Mangos, cantaloupe, and dates are great fruits, and baked pitas or boiled brown rice are great choices for the holiday. Spice up your creations this holiday season by cooking low-fat, low-sugar treats!

Eat five times per day- Spread out your meals and eat more often to help boost your metabolism. This also keeps your stomach partly full and prevents you from overeating. As a general guideline, try to eat three meals, and two healthy snacks per day.

Don’t deny yourself- It can be hard to give up your favourite foods, but completely depriving yourself of them will make you crave them more, and may result in you overeating! Continue to enjoy your favourite foods, but eat in moderation. (Yes, this means you can eat one samosa!) Try to eat smaller portions to satisfy your cravings.

Weigh yourself often –To motivate you to maintain a healthy weight that will help you look and feel your best, check and keep track of your weight. Weigh yourself at least once a week or every few days at the same time each day to determine if you are at your ideal weight, losing weight or gaining.

Make your holiday active- Exercise not only makes you look good, but it makes you feel good too. Engaging in light or moderate exercise such as dancing to your favourite Bollywood songs or going on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day for at least 3 days a week can really make a difference. As an added bonus, you can also enjoy more of your favourite foods if you workout regularly.

 

Dua also reminds everyone to see their doctor, dietitian or nutritionist before making any major changes to their diet.

The politics of maps by google

In Canada we don't have too many border disputes, at least ones for which we will go to war. India on the other hand has border disputes with is neighbors, thanks to poor demarcation by the British when they left the subcontinent.

So the question is how does a global giant like google wade in and satisfy everyone in this matter. Here is an example of Indo- China dispute, something for which they went to war in 1962. The state of Arunachal Pradesh that is in India is also claimed by China.

Google has three different maps to please everyone accordingly !

India  http://maps.google.co.in/  -  This is an Indian version of Google Map.Type 'Arunachal Pradesh' in the search box and see.  Here Arunachal pradesh which is in the North East of India is shown as a part of India.

International  http://maps.google.com/  -  This is the International version of google Map. Type  'Arunachal Pradesh' in the search box and see.  Here it is shown as disputed area.(shown as dotted lines)

China   http://ditu.google.cn/- This is Chinese version of Google Map.  Type 'Arunachal Pradesh' in the search box and see.  This is shown as Chinese territory. 

Google has effectively satisfied the government of India and China and the billion people living in each of them.

November is CPR month. How much do you know about CPR ?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure provided to someone with an cardiac arrest, by anyone who knows CPR until professional medical help can be provided.

November is CPR month and shockingly only 30% of Torontonians know about CPR .

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has good information on CPR in simple language. There is also a lot of free CPR training events across Canada this month, one of them for South Asians this Saturday November 14th in Scarborough. Details below.

Here is the basics  on CPR and here you can find more detailed resources in South Asian languages from HSF.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure involving chest compressions (pressing down on the chest) and artificial respiration (rescue breathing). It has the power to restore blood flow to someone suffering cardiac arrest, keeping them alive until an ambulance arrives.

Why get trained?

Once the heart stops pumping, seconds count. For every minute that passes without help, a person's chance of surviving drops by about 10%. But if you know how to respond to a cardiac arrest, a person's odds of survival and recovery may increase by 30% or more.

Learning CPR is easy and inexpensive – just a few hours could make an important difference in someone's life. Find out about the different kinds of CPR courses available.

Since most cardiac arrests happen at home, you could be saving the life of a family member or friend.

Here is details of an upcoming FREE CPR training event

HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

in partnership with

UNITED TAMIL COUNCIL OF CANADA (UTCC)
SOUTH ASIAN PROFESSIONAL NETWORK FOR HEALTH AWARENESS(SAPNA)

Present

FREE CPR SKILLS, AED AWARENESS AND HEALTHY LIVING FOR TAMILS EVENT
Including talk by Dr. Pon Sivaji
 
Date:Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time:9:00am - 12:00pm
Location:Eastown Banquet Hall
Street:2648 Eglinton Ave East, Scarborough, ON

To register please contact Vijay Sappani at
416-716-1522 or email cpr@mysapna.org

The first 100 families/couples will receive a free Heart&Stroke
CPR Anytime™ Family & Friends™ kit. (One per family per
household valued at $40)

- Come and get training on CPR and save lives in emergency
- Learn about health risk factors for Tamils and prevention methods

 

If you are South Asian you are likely to get heart disease

Here is something that I found recently that is amazing to some extent but scary over all. South Asians have among the highest risk factors for heart disease and diabetes but South Asians in North America have an increased risk dur to food habits and lack of exercise. Here is an information sheet that I found interesting to rea that all South Asians should be aware off.

South Asian Canadians failing to get exercise message

Edmonton – Exercise is a wonderful way of boosting heart health, but it's proving to be a tough sell in Ontario South Asian communities, Dr. Milan Gupta told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.
South Asians recovering from coronary heart disease have less access to opportunities for physical activity than do white Caucasians, says Dr. Gupta, a Stroke Foundation researcher. They also develop coronary artery disease much earlier – in some cases in their 30s or 40s.

How South Asians approach opportunities to exercise, what to do about it, and how to counter the premature onset of coronary disease was the subject of Dr. Gupta's study.
"We know that Canadians of South Asian origin develop premature coronary heart disease, partly due to the early onset of classic risk factors," says Dr. Gupta, a cardiologist at the William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, Ontario. "Sedentary lifestyle may be an important risk factor in this group, as they are susceptible to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance."

South Asians perceived their residential neighbourhood environments as being safer compared to white Caucasians' self perceptions, and they reported significantly lower availability of home exercise equipment and less access to convenient physical activity facilities.
Patients from both groups rated their accessibility to physical activity, including the availability of exercise equipment such as a treadmill in their homes, the availability of sidewalks and enjoyable scenery in their neighbourhoods, and having recreation facilities such as parks, trails, and gyms within a five minute drive.

"The bottom line is that, after we have adjusted for baseline differences, South Asians have less access to home equipment such as exercise bikes or treadmills, and they make less use of formal exercise facilities like gyms and community centres," says Dr. Gupta. It may be that these patients perceive themselves as 'sick' and not able to exercise, or they may not fully appreciate the health benefits of exercise, yet for many, it's key to improving their heart health.
Earlier research from Dr. Gupta's group reveals that South Asians are also less likely to join or complete a cardiac rehab program following heart attack, when compared to white Caucasians. Cardiac rehab, which combines regular exercise with intensive education around lifestyle changes, has been shown to improve outcomes following a heart attack.

Regardless of one's racial background or sex, people living with heart disease and those at risk can benefit from physical activity. It's never too early or late to make a behavioural change.
"People of South Asian descent often have more risk factors for heart disease and stroke," says Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson Dr. Beth Abramson, noting that research has shown that they are more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes and are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke than the general population. Many of these risks can be prevented by lifestyle changes.
How does one get the message out about the power of physical activity to keep hearts healthy?
"It's interesting that while South Asians perceive their neighbourhoods as safe, they aren't using them for physical activity. Why not? We need to increase awareness of simple but powerful effective ways of getting the heart moving," she says. "A walk with a friend around the block − or in your local mall on very hot or cold days – is a great heart-healthy activity." She recommends that patients with heart disease talk to their cardiologists about simple ways to integrate physical activity throughout their day.

She suggests all of us can:
Climb the stairs instead of taking the escalator or elevator
Get off the bus or subway a stop earlier and walk
Park the car further away from your destination
Walk to the corner store, bank and post office
Stand while talking on the phone

Adults need 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week. Doing 10 minutes at a time that add up to 30 minutes or more during the day works, too. Physical activity can dramatically lower one's risk of heart disease and stroke and helps prevent and control risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and obesity. Before starting a physical activity program, people should speak to their healthcare provider to discuss what is right for them.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has developed heart health information in Tamil, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. "Being aware of the problem is the first step in solving it," says Dr. Abramson. "It's essential we communicate the heart health benefits of physical activity and how to get it to this community while addressing their perceived barriers."

A total of 2,673 patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease participated in Dr. Gupta's study. One hundred and seventy one patients identified themselves as South Asian and 1,301 identified themselves as white Caucasian. The average age of the South Asians was 62; for the white Caucasians it was 65.

These findings may be explained by differences in cultural preferences, socioeconomic status, issues in survey translation, lack of cultural-sensitivity in survey items, recreation centres offering services in English-only, or reduced awareness of the health benefits of physical activity.

###
Statements and conclusions of study authors are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Foundation or CCS policy or position. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society make no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.
For more information and/or interviews, contact the CCC 2009 MEDIA OFFICE AT 780-969-0453 (Oct 24-28)

Diwali bonus- Clean energy proposal from Ignatieff

The past few months you have heard the possibility of another federal elections and a series of attack ads on Michael Ignatieff from the Conservatives. Average people get put off with attack ads and highlights the negative side of partisan politics.

Michael Ignatieff as a part of his policy platform has released information his clean energy platform and what is interesting is asking Canadians to join the debate and share your ideas on it. 

Call it a Diwali bonus, like its done in India when new announcements are made during diwali, I think this diwali we have many reasons to celebrate. This is a great opportunity for Canadians to interact with the Liberal party to share your ideas and help build a platform that is meant to serve us.

Michael will be celebrating Diwali this year at the Vishnu mandir annual diwali dinner event. I will be with my in laws at home and then joining Michael later in the evening. What are you doing this diwali ?

Have a safe and happy diwali!

 

 

 

Michael Ignatieff speech at Canada India Foundation Gala

I know, I have been slow on blogging this summer. Been golfing a bit and trying to spend time with family (ok wifey, I said trying!) but here is something spectacular that I thought I should share with you. As  you may know I have been a supporter of Michael Ignatieff from the early days because he is a politician who puts values and principles ahead of ambition and power.

He is the kind of person we need to govern Canada, but more so someone who will not pander to the ethnic communities for votes and engages us for ideas and policies. Here is a speech he delivered at the Canada India Foundation Gala on April 18, 2009. This speech was written by Michael himself, as he does with most of his speeches.

Canada India Foundation Gala and Award 2009

Let me begin by thanking the CIF’s Co-Chair, Ramesh Chotai, for the immense contribution he has made—and is making—to Canada.

It’s a pleasure to be invited to speak to so many leaders in business, government and the professions and spend an evening with members of a community that has given Canada so much. Including Hockey Night in Punjabi.

My wife Zsuzsanna was very happy to be invited, because it gave her an opportunity to wear her sari.

Your honouree this evening is an inspiring example of foresight.

Decades ago, Mr. Tanti invested in two wind turbines. Today, he is a global leader in clean energy.

And your other guest of honour, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, is one of the world’s economic thinkers.

Jim Flaherty, our country’s Minister of Finance, is here representing one of Canada’s great Conservative leaders … his wife.

The Minister and I disagree about a great deal, but I salute his dedication to public service.

Ladies and gentlemen, at this very moment, India is making history.

Days ago, India began the largest democratic vote in the history of humanity—the four-week election of a new Lok Sabha.

Since the midnight hour in 1947, India has shown the world how to build democracy and development together.

Since the 1990’s, you have shown that you can not only catch up to the rest of the world. In many sectors, you have left the rest of the world behind.

You have become a global economic giant: in steel, automobiles, high tech and soft-ware. You have become the back office for the entire world.

At a time when other global economic giants are staggering through the current crisis, India continues to thrive.

These are great achievements. But there is more.

As a people, you stood up against the terrorists who stained the streets of Mumbai with blood last year.

As a people, you put aside your differences and spoke with one voice to the ideologists of hatred and division. You said:

“You will not weaken our democracy. You will not undermine our tolerance.
You will not succeed.”

We stand with you in this struggle.

India’s values are Canada’s values. Like you, we reject the politics of nihilism and the culture of hatred.

Our countries share Parliamentary institutions, a multi-lingual, multicultural, multi-national society, held together by ancient traditions, shared values and the rule of law.

When Mike Pearson and Jawaharlal Nehru worked together, with such obvious mutual respect and affection, the whole world benefited.

I believe the golden era of friendship between our countries lies ahead of us, not behind.

Not all Canadians have understood the significance of India’s recent rise to power.

India’s ascendancy requires Canada to re-position its own centre of gravity in the modern world.

From Confederation until after the First World War, Canada built its nationhood inside the British Empire.

Our centre of gravity was the North Atlantic.

From the Second World War until quite recently, Canada built its prosperity on our trading relationship with the United States. Our centre of gravity was the 49th parallel.

Now we need to ask ourselves: will the 21st century belong to the United States?

The world’s economy is shifting westwards from here, to Asia and the Pacific. And where economic power shifts, political and geostrategic power is sure to follow.

China and India are already important economic and political forces. Their importance will only grow.

Canada must adapt its trading patterns, and its pursuit of global influence, to reflect these new realities.

Our center of gravity needs to shift too.

We need to diversify, to reach out, to establish new trading and political relationships with the new giants of the 21st century economy.

At a time when US growth has stalled and Indian growth is surging ahead, diversification of our markets becomes a necessity.

We have been slow to wake up to India’s new power.

Our trade with India has not kept pace with the spectacular growth of the Indian economy.

Canada’s share of India’s imports has actually declined.

We must reverse that trend. And we will.

I want Canadian businesspeople to travel to India—as they did under the former Liberal government’s Team Canada trade missions.

Canada must mobilize its greatest asset: the Canadian citizens who speak the languages of India, the entrepreneurs, businessmen and professionals in this very room.

You deserve a federal government which reaches out to you and asks how do we work together to capture more market share in India; how do we increase inward investment from India and outward investment to India?

Canadian foreign policy also needs to adapt to the growing power of India.

India is already a mainstay of the emerging institutions of global governance, especially the G -20, an institution which owes its inspiration, more than any other, to a Canadian: former Prime Minister Paul Martin.

India and Canada can accomplish so much together on the steering committee of the world economy. That steering committee is the G20.

Having said something about the challenges and opportunities presented to Canada by India’s rise to power, let me say something about the role of your community within the multicultural tapestry of Canada.

We cannot build a great country without the full participation of every single Canadian.

In my life-time, we have become one of the most diverse countries on earth.

It is an incredible strength, but only if we use it: if every business, every profession, every part of our public service actively recruits men and women of talent from every community in Canada.

We’re not there yet. Our Parliament, our courts, our board-rooms, our public boards and our public service do not yet reflect the magnificent diversity of our country. Too many of our foreign trained professionals languish in occupations which do not reflect their skills.

We cannot be one people until they bring their skills to bear on our national life.

I dedicate myself as Leader of my party to actively recruit the best and brightest from your and other communities. I need you in Parliament. I need you in my office.

As a potential Prime Minister, I dedicate myself to making the public service of my country reflect its awe-inspiring diversity.

As a party leader, I also make a second pledge: to seek, in so far as I can, to unite Canadians, rather than divide them, and above all never divide them on lines of race, religion, language or national origin.

We cannot fight our partisan battles—we cannot try to win elections—by pitting one community against another, one region against another, one group of Canadians against another.

If we push for political victory by tearing the threads of mutual respect and common citizenship that unite us as Canadians—then we will have gone too far.

If we seek partisan advantage by sowing fear among Canadians—then we will have broken faith with the improbable unity that is our proudest national tradition.

We must not let conflicts in far off lands become sources of dissension and bitterness here at home.

We must never let the Middle East conflict divide us into bitter solitudes. We must reach out and find a common way—commitment to the security of Israel, equal commitment to a Palestinian state living in peace beside its neighbour.

We must have the discipline not to pander to ethnic and cultural communities.

That approach is wrong. It makes the insulting assumption that the members of an ethnic community all share the same opinions.

That approach is wrong because it involves addressing Canadians from diverse backgrounds as something other than as equal Canadian citizens. You are proud of your community. You are just as proud of being Canadian citizens. You wish your community belonging to be respected. But even more, you wish to be heard and respected as citizens.

By indulging in a multiculturalism of political wedges, a multiculturalism of pandering and voter targeting and electoral math, we can only shred the soul of true Canadian multiculturalism—the equal respect and equal citizenship that’s written into our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

For me, as a political leader, it means saying the same thing to all Canadians, whether you’re talking to them in a church basement in Trois-Rivieres or a mandir in Brampton, a gurdwara in Vancouver, a mosque in Toronto, or a synagogue in Montreal.

It means never picking and choosing which groups are entitled to respect and fair treatment.

And it means advancing the interests of our communities by advancing the national interest of our country.

By lifting all Canadians up, no matter where they live or where they come from or what they believe or how they vote.

Our country is not 10 provinces and territories strung out along the 49th parallel. It is not 5 separate regions. It is not les deux solitudes

Our country is not a hotel. It is not a market bazaar.

It is our home and native land.

I feel in you, as I feel in myself, the same simple conviction: that we are not many, but one, not a collection of communities, but one great people, bound to each other by the promise of equality, opportunity and justice for all.

This is my Canada. I will try to speak for it and defend it. I am sure you will too. Thank you for your attention.

Canadian soldier Cpl. Nicholas Bulger killed in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Nicholas Bulger is Canada's 121st soldier to become a martyr fighting for our values against the terrorists in Afghanistan. It is always hard on a family when a near and dear one dies and it is hard on our family of 33 million Canadians to have lost another father/brother/son of our country.

Cpl. Bulger leaves behind his wife and two daughters. He was in Afghanistan fighting for the Canadian forces who were constantly bombarded by IED's by the Taliban.  We should be proud of Cpl. Bulger and our Canadian forces who are fighting to not only  make this world a safer place from the threats of terrorists, but also they are fighting to hold our flag and honor high.

In your prayers, don't forget Cpl. Bulger for his supreme sacrifice to Canada and his proud family whom Canada will and should take care.

Happy B'day to our best Friend and Ally: USA

As Americans celebrate their 233rd Independence day,  Canadians stand with pride and honor to our best friend and ally.  We share the largest trading block, the biggest open border but what makes our relationship unique is we share the values of democracy, freedom and compassion not only between us but as leaders for the rest of the world.

There will always be attempts by naysayers to differentiate and divide US and Canada and we need to defeat those forces to stay united as friends, as we have always been.

That doesn't mean we are going to let you keep the Stanley cup south all the time :)

United Tamil Council of Canada (UTCC) fundraiser for Sri Lanka massive success

United Tamil Council of Canada (UTCC) cocktail reception to raise funds in support of Tamil children affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka on June 25, 2009 was a massive success. For the first time in the Tamil community an event was attended by many politicians and leaders of diverse communities.  “We are very happy with the support we have received from the Canadian public to help Tamil children in Sri Lanka” says Dr. Pon Sivaji, chair of the fundraiser.
 
 Kula Sellathurai, president of UTCC added “The project will be executed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), recommended by the Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka. This is a zero overheads event, with 100% of the funds donated going directly to the project with full public accountability and transparency”
 
Over 220 invited guests attended the event at Holiday Inn, Markham including several leaders from diverse communities. “This is the first time so many non Tamils have attended a Tamil community event. UTCC is a new beginning for Tamils in Canada” said Kanimozhi an attendee at the reception. Some of the key guests at the event were Hershel Ezrin CEO of Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA), Len Rudner, Director- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ramesh Chotai, Chair- Canada India Foundation, Asha Lutha, president Indo- Canada Chamber of Commerce, Dr.Doobey, president of Vishnu Mandir, Ajit Khanna, chair-Panorama India. Others included leaders from Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Pakistani and Indo- Canadian communities.
 
  “We had about 550 members before the event and will add another 100 members from the event. Our membership is very diverse with Sri Lankan, Indian, Malaysian, Burma, South African, Singapore Tamils all coming together under the UTCC banner. This is a new concept in Canada and we want to keep UTCC a truly United Tamils group” says Surya Navaratnam, VP of Membership at UTCC.
 
The event also had many political luminaries attending a Tamil event after a long time Some of the MPP’s were Gerry Phillips, Margaret Best, Amrti Mangat (Liberals) and  Michael Prue (NDP).  MP’s were Maria Minna, John McCallum, Andrew Kania, John McKay, Derek Lee, Yasmin Ratansi and Michelle Simpson. Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the opposition sent his greetings to UTCC for the event as he was in Vancouver and unable to attend. No Conservative MP was present at the event, even though the organizers had invited many of them.
 
At the event, UTCC briefly talked about future projects including a MoU with Government of Tamilnadu funded Tamil Virtual university to help children in Canada learn Tamil, joint events with  Indian, Jewish and other communities, programs to help Canadian Tamils on immigration, mentoring, social housing, arts, education and few other areas. UTCC also elaborated on upcoming meetings with dignitaries from India, Israel, US and UN and a visit to India to meet Government of India and Tamilnadu to discuss the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
 
UTCC is a non profit, non partisan organization that strives to unite and be inclusive of Canadian Tamils of all background and represent them in the broader community and to work towards the socio, economic and political empowerment of Canadian Tamils and represent their aspirations from a Canadian perspective on domestic and global issues. Its board consists of diverse Canadian Tamils from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Burma striving to represent all Tamils in Canada.
 
Should you require further details on UTCC, please feel free to contact Mr. Vijay Sappani, V.P. Media and Public Relations at 416-716-1522 or vijay@unitedtamils.org

Gay sex decriminalised in India

In all honesty, I never thought that this will happen in India before my grandchildren came, but amazed and delighted that while some of the so called developed countries are still debating and discriminating, India, a land of multiple religions, cultures, social stigma and religious conservatism has moved forward.

Gay sex has been decriminalised in India by a court, which is a big step forward. There will be opposition to it, challenges both legal and cultural, but this is a great step forward for India and the rest of the world to learn from.

In a decade that I have been away from India, things have been rapidly changing, thanks in part to the growth of the economy that has created millions of new tech jobs and invasion of western culture through call centres, IT and R&D centre, but also credit should be given to the changing attitude among the political brass who are trying to keep pace with a young India.

The biggest cultural shock to me when I came to Canada in 1999 was the prevalence of homosexuality in Canada. It was something that was rarely talked about and never seen in public during those days in India atleast in the conservative south India. In a decade things have fast changed, for the good with cities like Mumbai , Calcutta having pride week celebrations and even a popular TV channel in the south has a transsexual as host.

To me it is a simple factor. As a visible minority, I know and feel racism and discrimination. You can't fight against discrimination by colour, origin and then discriminate against people by sexuality. There are no two ways to it. If you want fair treatment, be ready to give fair treatment to everyone.