RCMP Chief Superintendent Fraser MacRae, Surrey Detachment Officer-in-Charge, says he's looking forward to participating in this year's Vaisakhi Parade organized by Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara as it is a celebration of the community.

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SURREY RCMP COMMUNITY INITIATIVES WHICH YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN
RCMP Chief Superintendent Fraser MacRae, Surrey Detachment Officer-in-Charge, spoke to The VOICE about the partnerships the Surrey RCMP have with the school district and the City's Parks and Recreation, besides other programs involving the community. [Full Story]

INJECTING SOME REALITY INTO THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF THE CRIME SITUATION
RCMP Chief Superintendent Fraser MacRae, Surrey Detachment Officer-in-Charge, told me in an interview at the Surrey RCMP Detachment headquarters that although the crime rate has been going down, tackling the perceptions of safety is another matter. [Full Story]

TWO INDO-CANADIANS AMONG 99 TOP ATHLETES FOR 2006-07 HONOURED BY PREMIER
Weightlifter Jasvir Singh of Burnaby and wrestler Jagroop Bhullar of Richmond were among the 99 top B.C. athletes representing 56 sports disciplines that Premier Gordon Campbell paid tribute to this week at the 2008 Premier's Athletic Awards. Jasvir Singh has figured in this newspaper several times as he trains with Surrey's famous Lions Weightlifting Club whose coach Makhan Sandhu has produced winners at the provincial, national and international levels. In fact, another athlete who trains with the club, Joke Adekola, also received the Premier's award this year. [Full Story]

A FAMILY PILGRIMAGE TO CHERISH AND REMEMBER THEIR INDIAN ROOTS
The group will visit areas such as Jaipur, Mysore, Bangalore, Goa, Agra and Mumbai (Bombay) before they make their way to the Punjab area where a great deal of time will be spent visiting historical sights in Delhi, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh. [Full Story]

VANCOUVER'S JOHN HENDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S ACT OF KINDNESS DESERVES PRAISE
The Spirit Leadership Team at John Henderson Elementary School in Vancouver consists of students in grades 5 to 7 who take on leadership roles within the school. Each year, the Spirit Team makes a commitment to fund raise for a charity or worthwhile cause outside of the school. This year, the students from the Spirit Leadership Team decided that Henderson School should focus on raising money for a school and orphanage in Namibia, Africa. The students set a goal to raise $2,000 by February, 2008, for their African Outreach Project: Namibia. [Full Story]

TACO DEL MAR RESTAURANT ARSON SUSPECT IN HOSPITAL WITH 40 PER CENT BURNS
Vancouver Police Detective Constable Rodger Shepard, an arson investigator, announced on Thursday that police had identified the person they believe is responsible for 2:30 a.m. fire and explosion on Wednesday in the 600 block of West Broadway in Vancouver. [Full Story]

BOTH LIBERALS AND NDP SHOULD FACE REALITY AND ACCEPT ELIMINATION OF TWO RURAL SEATS
That's what democracy is all about: fair representation for all - and if there aren't enough guys in the rural areas (and that is a trend that is going on all around the world - just in case some ignoramuses in B.C. politics don't know), that's too bad. Why should they get special consideration? [Full Story]

VOICE MIRROR
#1. TURBANS AND MOTORCYCLES: BIGOTS IN ONTARIO SHOULD STOP HARASSING SIKHS
#2. AIR INDIA INQUIRY: HOW STUPID CAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAWYER BE?
#3. 'FAIRLY UNUSUAL' CASE OF PASSPORT FRAUD
#4. WHY IS VANCOUVER POLICE SUCKING UP TO VANCOUVER SUN?
#5. DECENT NEW AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER APOLOGIZES TO ABORIGINES [Full Story]

YOUR TURN
#1. THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT TARA SINGH HAYER
#2. TRANSLINK BOARD PAY HIKES - ONE
#3. TRANSLINK BOARD PAY HIKES - TWO
#4. GRUESOME PRACTICES: DON'T BUY FUR! [Full Story]

BRITISH COLUMBIA TO INCREASE ITS PRESENCE IN INDIA
"The strong potential for co-operation in research and development, joint technology development and pharmaceutical research make India an exciting partner," Hansen said. "A B.C. presence in the market will facilitate these kinds of collaborations and partnerships, and promote British Columbia as a globally competitive business location." [Full Story]

PETER MACKAY TO LEAD CANADA'S ATLANTIC GATEWAY BUSINESS MISSION TO INDIA
National Defence Minister and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Peter MacKay will lead an Atlantic Gateway-focused business mission to India from February 18 to 22. The mission will include key business forums in New Delhi and Mumbai and promote Canada's Atlantic Gateway to Indian shippers, business leaders, and key government representatives. [Full Story]

INDIA LAUNCHES PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR OIL EXPLORATION
The Indian government launched an effective promotional campaign in Calgary on January 31, showcasing 57 exploration blocks on offer under the seventh round of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-VII). The blocks include 19 in deepwater, 9 in shallow water and 29 on land. [Full Story]

DIWALI TO BE PROCLAIMED AS ONE OF UTAH'S FESTIVALS, SENATE OPENED WITH HINDU MANTRA
Rajan Zed, prominent Hindu chaplain, presented a memorandum to Utah Governor Jon Huntsman at his office in Salt Lake City yesterday requesting to proclaim Diwali as one of State of Utah festivals, replying to which Governor Huntsman said, "Of course, why not?" [Full Story]

OVERCROWDED HOSPITAL PROVIDES SHARP CONTRAST TO CAMPBELL'S EMPTY THRONE SPEECH
Overcrowding at Royal Columbian reached such severe proportions that fire officials had to prepare to shut the hospital doors. This reality stood in stark contrast to Campbell's empty promises. [Full Story]