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August 8, 2013
Welcome to another edition of MyBindi's newsletter!
I was fortunate to get invited to a private box event on Tuesday night where Jason Maglantay, a senior executive at Tennis Canada unveiled his plans to launch an outreach program to increase awareness, interest and diversity in this amazing sport. In 2014, you can expect to see a special South Asian day and MyBindi is honoured to be part of a special advisory committee on this initiative.
Congratulations also to MyBindi fans Janice Goveas and Rakhee Kotecha who have each won a pair of tickets to see "Entitlement" - the new play by Sugith Varughese.
Finally, congratulations to MyBindi fans Shariff Firoz and Ritu Saigal Chopra who each won a pair of tickets to see Shakuntala!
There are some specials though that are open to all!! For example, you can save yourself a lot of money with the discounted airfares offered by Nanak Flights. Not only can you select the cheapest fare available in Canada but every MyBindi fan that makes a booking will also receive a complimentary $10 gas card courtesy of Nanak Flights. So check it out :)
Until next week!
Regards,
Syerah
Editor-in-Chief & CEO
MyBindi.com
syerah@mybindi.com
 or  and never miss out on breaking news, offers and free giveaways from MyBindi!
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Lowest Airfares from Nanak Flights
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Nanak Flights would like to thank all members of MyBindi.com for their participation in the Signup and Win contest. The draw will be held on Friday and a winner will be announced on Monday, 12 August 2013.
Nanak Flights has now launched a new online flights booking engine at www.NanakFlights.com where you can find the lowest price on airfares in Canada and worldwide. In addition to unbeatable prices and our price drop guarantee that grants you up to $100 credit if the cost of your ticket drops after you purchase it from us, members of mybindi.com will also receive a $10 gas card reward for every ticket booked on the site. The $10 gas card promotion is exclusive to mybindi members only. Please send an email after the booking is done with a promo code MyBindi10.
Nanak Flights' excellent customer service will inform you regarding any change in your flight schedule or gate changes in a timely fashion. Click HERE for more information. |
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Miss India-Canada 2013 to Drive Off in a Brand New Chevrolet Spark!
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For the first time ever, the winner of Miss India-Canada title will walk away with the keys to a brand new Chevrolet Spark.
This year's 23rd annual show, is being presented by Chevrolet. Brita is returning as an associate sponsor.
UK, Bhangra Ambassador, Jassi Sidhu will be this year's guest of honour. The former lead singer of British Indian bhangra band B21, went solo in early 2000, where his career continued to skyrocket. Jassi went on to sing such hits as 'Darshan' from the blockbuster film 'Bend it like Beckham'. Other memorable tracks include: Agg, Pabi, Yaariya, and Ki Kehneh, to name a few.
When: Saturday, August 17, 2013
Where: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel
Time: starts at 5pm
Tickets: $200 sold out! | $150 & $100 remaining - All prices include dinner.
Tickets are nearly sold out. For further information, please contact: 905.851.0990. Starting tomorrow: don't forget to VOTE for your Favourite Delegate HERE. Click HERE for more information. This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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TD Celebrates Mosaic 2013
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Click HERE for more information. |
| Desi Grocery at FreshCo :: Taaza aur Cheaper | 
At FreshCo, fresher doesn't mean more expensive.
Click HERE to view a list of stores with a wide variety of
Desi grocery products.
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Art Gallery of Mississauga Summer Exhibits
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In 011+91 | 011+92, telephone calling codes to India and Pakistan begin the conversation for eight Canadian artists of South Asian descent. Also on view are P. Mansaram Past | Present, Paisley is a Street in Mississauga, and Alice Wang: The fallacy of misplaced concreteness.
The AGM also presents over fifty South Asian-inspired events, including a Monster Mixer singles night with Jus Reign. Exhibitions and events are sponsored by RBC. The AGM is located in the Mississauga Civic Centre across from Square One.
When: On now to September 7, 2013
Where: Art Gallery of Mississuga
Time: 10pm to 5pm
Tickets: Admission is free
Celebrate summer with the AGM!
Engage. Think. Inspire.
Click HERE for more information.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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| Entitlement :: A New Play by Sugith Varughese | 
ENTITLEMENT, a new play by award-winning screenwriter and actor Sugith Varughese premieres at the Summerworks Theatre Festival in Toronto, August 8-18. Directed by acclaimed director and actor, David Ferry, the play satirizes the current state of education as it transforms to "edutainment" to maintain tuition income than uphold standards. Starring Dora-award winning actress, Karen Robinson, Sam Khalilieh and newcomer Christo Graham.
Premieres as part of the prestigious Summerworks Theatre Festival in Toronto.
When: August 8 - 18, 2013
Where: Theatre Passe Muraille (Main Stage)
Time: Aug 8, 9pm | Aug 10, 1:30pm | Aug 11, 4pm | Aug 12, 6:30pm | Aug 13, 9pm | Aug 14, 1:30pm | Aug 18, 4pm
Tickets: $15 at door
Click HERE for more information. This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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Panorama India Day Festival & Grand Parade
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This is the 14th year of their existence and their 9th parade.
They are excited to celebrate India's 67th Independence Day in Toronto.
When: Saturday, August 10, 2013
Where: Yonge & Dundas Square
Time: 10am to 8pm
Tickets: This is a FREE event
About Panorama India
Panorama India was established in 1999, as a non-profit umbrella organization, to help unite all Indo-Canadian cultural associations and groups in the GTA, project a common identity based on their Indian heritage, and celebrate Unity in Diversity. It provides a platform for all Indian cultural associations, groups, and individuals to exhibit and showcase their arts and culture and to foster a better relationship between India and Canada.
Click HERE for more information.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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TD Mosaic Festival
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Now in its 8th year, TD Mosaic 2013 is set to establish new standards for South Asian festivals events in North America. The festival opens with a Comedy Night at Novotel Hotel Mississauga showcasing Azhar Usman (Allah Made Me Funny) from Chicago, Nitin Mirani (Komic Sutra) from Dubai and Ali Hassan (George Stroumboulopoulos Show). This is a ticketed event and tickets ($35.00) can be bought by calling 416.388.9596. A retrospective of Pakistani painter Jimmy Engineer's works at Promenade Gallery in Mississauga (Aug 12th - Sep 6th) will be followed by a film festival at Living Arts Centre (Aug 13th, 14th & 15th) including selections from Cannes and TIFF. The two-day outdoor festival will consist of indie music festival "Rock The Coliseum" featuring 18 bands at the Amphitheatre, 12 restaurants, vendors bazaar and main stage with over 200 well known local and international artists including legendary Channi Singh with Alaap from UK, SWAMI from UK, American Idol famed Turbanator from USA, Josh from Canada and Harshdeep Kaur from India. Click HERE for more information. This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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Yogathon Toronto 2013
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Join hundreds of yogis and health enthusiasts to participate in the Art of Living Foundation's second annual Yogathon. Witness as we turn Yonge-Dundas Square into an outdoor yoga studio! Yogathon challenges participants to complete 108 sun salutations in support of Care for Children, a program that provides education for children in communities in India. Yogathon is for the curious, novice and advanced yoga enthusiast. Even people who can't touch their toes or have never done yoga before are welcome! All you need is motivation, enthusiasm and your yoga mat.
Register as an individual or team. Whether your goal is to complete 10 or 108 Sun Salutations, it's easy to sign-up, collect pledges and help transform the lives of children around the world.
When: Saturday, August 17, 2013
Where: Yonge Dundas Square (1 Dundas St E, Toronto)
Time: 9.30am - 1pm
Tickets: Register ONLINEClick HERE for more information. This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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| Balika Fundraiser :: Because I am a GIRL | 
Pratibha Arts joins forces with Besharam to honour the power and resilience of female youth in Balika, an event featuring South Asian and female-powered performances. Balika will feature performances by Indo-Canadian dance company Raagini Dance, Flamenco dance artist Carmen Romero, social activist-dance artist Ashima Suri, hip-hop artist Diana Reyes, and Bageshree Vaze and her Global Bollywood band.
Proceeds from Balika will promote girls' rights and help end gender inequality through Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative.
When: Sunday, August 18, 2013
Where: Lula Lounge
Time: doors open at 7pm
Tickets: $10
For dinner reservations & guaranteed seating please call 416-588-0307.
Click HERE to to purchase tickets.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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Rogers Cup presented by National Bank
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Join fans at Rexall Centre on the York University campus to watch all of the top WTA stars, including Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, and many others, battle for the prestigious title.
It will be an action-packed week, with several other exciting events happening on-site as well, including an Opening Night exhibition, a first-of-its-kind men's invitational, and Rogers Legends Cup, which will feature exhibition matches with former world No. 1 players Jim Courier, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Pete Sampras.
When: August 3 - 11, 2013
Where: Rexall Centre
Time: varies depending on match
Tickets: starting at $25
Click HERE for more information on this must-see sporting event.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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Bollywood Monster Mash-Up
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This year, the day long event includes free Arts and Crafts activities for kids, free dance lessons in the square, free film screenings and a wide variety of delicious food all at one place! In the evening we will have performances by a Bollywood dance group, a West Indian Bollywood band, the singing sensation Kamal Khan will headline, and a special never-seen-before surprise act! When: Saturday, August 24, 2013
Where: Mississauga Celebration Square
Time: Starts at 1pm
Tickets: This is a FREE event!
Please note parking is FREE in the City Centre (City Hall, Library) & Living Arts Centre
Click HERE for more information.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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| Chennai Express |
 Chennai Express is a story of Rahul (Shahrukh Khan) who embarks on a journey to a small town in Tamil Nadu, only to fulfill the last wish of his grandfather to have his ashes immersed in the Holy water of Rameshwaram. En route, he meets a South Indian girl (Deepika Padukone) hailing from a unique family down South. As they find love through this journey in the exuberant lands of South India, an unanticipated drive awaits them. What follows is a series of adventures where he finds himself in estranged situations, challenged with an unfamiliar language! Chennai Express is an action packed romantic journey. Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
Director: Rohit Shetty
MyBindi is a proud promotional partner of Albion Cinemas and York & Woodside Cinemas - delivering the best of Bollywood Cinema in the GTA! 
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| Dare to be You :: 22nd Annual NetIP Conference | 
As South Asians are beginning to break away from social norms, we can spearhead the movement toward diversifying our lives and professions.
As NetIP's mission is to improve and enhance our community through our 4 pillars, we are sure we can be the forum for South Asians to explore diversity.
As many of us strive to find our place in society and break away from the traditional career and life paths, we realize we are inundated with infinite opportunities and it is important to find avenues to diversify our professions and lives!
When: August 30 - September 2, 2013
Where: Hilton San Francisco, San Francisco Bay area
Tickets: $350 until June 30
Click HERE to register for the conference and purchase tickets. Click HERE for more information on the conference.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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| What's New on BindiBlogs | 
Musical Bliss: The Piano Guys feat. Shweta Subram - KhushnumaWhat happens when you fuse a creative American musical group with a dynamic Indian vocalist? Musical nirvanva, as presented by The Piano Guys and Shweta Subram in their latest single Khushnuma. Shweta Subram, an accomplished vocalist from Canada, is well-known in the South Asian music scene. Besides performing with Salim-Sulaiman at the IIFA Awards, Shweta has also won Shankar Mahadevan's global singing competition and has worked with renowned artists like Shankar Tucker, Karthik, and Pravin Mani.
The Piano Guys' creative renditions and mashups of popular songs coupled with breathtaking videos have made them an online musical sensation. With Jon Schmidt on piano, Steven Sharp Nelson on cello, Al van der Beek as Music Producer/ Songwriter, and Paul Anderson as producer and videographer, The Piano Guys have over 250 million hits on Youtube and are signed by Sony Masterworks. These guys have been featured on popular TV shows such as The Katie Couric Show, and Jay Leno's The Tonight Show. Click HERE to read more. 
Stand ankles to ankles with your partner and bend down into downward dog or triangle pose as it's known in kundalini yoga In this upside down position lock eyes with your partner. Hold and breath long and deep for 2 mins. Can you stay mad in such an absurd circumstance? Doubt it. That is the power of angles and triangles on the body, mind and spirit. Click HERE to read more.  Everything was Good-Bye: Book Reviewby Wendy Aujla "EVERYTHING was GOOD-BYE" by Gurjinder Basran is a novel I had wanted to read for some time and finally did. This is a story that takes a lot of courage to read as it captures the struggles that Indo-Canadians experience in a Western culture. Gurjinder uses the main character Meena, the youngest of six daughters raised by a widow, to portray the expectations of Indo-Canadian immigrant parents who hold on to traditional ideas, customs and traditions that tend to influence how they raise their children abroad. I really enjoyed this novel as it touches on the immigrant experience, which involves settling in Canada and living in a traditional Indian household. It also examines gender differences in the South Asian culture; particularly how having daughters is not valued as highly as sons. Furthermore, the principles of the Sikh faith to some extent are addressed with an introduction into the temple and the first few line of the religious prayer that Meena recites, "Ik Onkar...".Click HERE to read more.  Stress Less with Supplementation! I am a huge fan of Adeeva Nutritionals - a Canadian supplement company founded by Dr. James Meschino - my nutrition professor at CMCC as well under whom I studied for my fellowship in Integrative Nutrition. This month, his focus is on Stress. Here is a tidbit from his recent newsletter of what stress is and how it affects us and what supplements are clinically proven to help mitigate the effects of stress on our bodies: "It's a known fact that stress and anxiety plague 80% of Americans. Stress manifests itself psychologically and physically, with the more common symptoms being fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances, digestive upset, muscle tension, and irritability. Stress is also known to rob the body of essential vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet and smart supplementation with essential nutrients can help the body fight back. To replace your "nutrient fuel tank", look no further than your high-potency multi-vitamin. Make sure it contains adequate amounts of the following nutrients, by reviewing its ingredients with your healthcare professional. Click HERE to read more.  Travelling Foodie: Desi Eats AbroadThe more I travel the more similarities I see between cultures. During my trip to Europe and Turkey this fall, I came across traditional Arabic desserts, snacks and drinks that looked and tasted very much like their Indian counterparts. Of course, with India's ancient history with the Mughal empire, a crossover was bound to happen. Here is Desi Globetrotter's guide to decoding the names behind these epicurean delights:
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| Shashi Bhat's Debut Novel: The Family Took Shape | 
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Shashi Bhat's debut novel The Family Took Shape is a touching and honest story of one unique family's search for happiness in Canadian suburbia. hen Mira Acharya's father dies, the challenges facing her Indo-Canadian family become that much more daunting. Ravi, her autistic older brother, requires special care but longs to be just like other children. Their mother must work full time to keep a roof over their heads and still make time to be a parent to an over-achiever and a developmentally challenged child. As much as Mira loves her mother and brother, she resents the situations in which living with them places her. It is only when Mira is older that she realizes a truth she has been missing all along: though her family's experience may be unusual, what holds them together - has always held them together - is universal. Check out the critics have to say: "A refreshing break from convention... Bhat seamlessly interweaves Canadian suburban life with Indian cultural life... moving and beautifully crafted..." - The Globe and Mail "A valuable contribution to the Canadian immigrant experience... a rare work of literary art, a view into a world that few of us has ever experienced firsthand. Mira is a miracle, a full-fledged character who will fascinate readers." - Owen Sound Sun-Times "The Family Took Shape has a strange and very beautiful ending, proof of Bhat's tremendous promise. - National Post "a compelling narrative... offers a beautifully crafted window on the world of a Hindu-Canadian family overcoming adversity and keeping traditions alive..." - 24 Hours "Bhat has a gift for astute observations of common, ordinary life experiences and making these fascinating by magnifying the details to great effect... The story has stayed with me well after I had finished reading, and I now look forward to more from this writer." - The Winnipeg Review "A quiet, tender novel that finds new ways to look at potentially fraught topics like the immigrant experience and autism." - Slightly Bookist Click HERE to read more.
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AGM Exhibit:
011+91 | 011+92
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Telephone calling codes of India and Pakistan initiate a critical discourse on Locational Identity and home.
011+91 | 011+92 is a curatorial research project that aims to initiate a critical discourse and presentation on locational identity as explored and presented by first and second generation Canadians who hail from South Asia.
What part does a geographical divide play in notions of home, place and being? The dial codes from Canada to India and Pakistan open the dialogue.
Mississauga represents the diaspora of many cultures - an estimated 58% of citizens speak Hindi, Urdu, or Punjabi as a first language. The artists in this exhibition respond to the act of communicating to, from or about home, framing contemporary artists at the forefront of a social conversation where identity may or not be central to the work, whereas life experience and humanistic values are at the forefront. In an age of when we are everywhere at once, how can being and displacement create a homing instinct?
In the Canada of tomorrow, home to an ever-increasing global diaspora and to heterogeneous, urban immigrant communities, can the hierarchical, colonial past be erased with emergent identities giving a new face to our nation? With the interface between ethnicity and the arts in Canada in the future being unpredictable, only one reality seems certain: a growing number and variety of artistic expressions of multiple and cross-cultural ethnicities comprise a strong future where a sense of home in conjunction with a connection to the new form a richer construct of self.
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The Proclamation for Raksha Bandhan Day
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The Brampton Mayor's office has officially approved the proposal for the proclamation of Raksha Bandhan Day. The day will be celebrated city wide on August 21st. The South Asian community makes up a large population in Canada. The strength of this community is embedded in the family oriented lifestyle full of love respect and honor. I consider myself lucky to have experienced growing up in a South Asian (Indian) family where, traditions are passed down from generations to generations. Click HERE to read more.
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