There is widespread shock in the community over the senseless killing of 18-year-old Harvey (Harman) Hans, a grad student of Abbotsford Rick Hansen secondary school, just outside his house on Ridgeview Drive early Saturday (May 24).

There is also resentment at the manner in which some mainstream media tried to paint him in the usual stereotypical Indo-Canadian youth gangster image – which is absolutely false – because of the usual police jargon: “known to police.”

[Full Story]

KOMAGATA MARU APOLOGY: ‘A VALIDATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT SHOULD MAKE US FEEL GOOD’
Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism Wally Oppal put it best when he told me last Friday after the B.C. Legislature’s formal apology about the denial of entry into Canada of 376 passengers aboard the Komagata Maru in 1914: “I think it is a validation for our community and our community should feel good about what happened today.” [Full Story]

‘SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE KOMAGATA MARU APOLOGY’
I am writing in regards to a story published in last week’s edition of The VOICE regarding my Private Member’s Motion that was recently passed in the House of Commons asking the Canadian Government to apologize to the Indo-Canadian Community and those impacted by the 1914 Komagata Maru tragedy. [Full Story]

JOURNALIST MOHINI SINGH TO RECEIVE ORDER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Well-known Indo-Canadian journalist, activist and community leader Mohini Singh of Kelowna is among the 15 British Columbians who have been selected for this year’s most prestigious provincial honour – the Order of B.C. - for their extraordinary contributions. [Full Story]

BOLLYWOOD STYLE VICTORY FOR HUSBAND OF SLAIN MAPLE RIDGE BEAUTICIAN: ELECTED TO VILLAGE COUNCIL
And just this week, the very village - Kaunke Khosa near Jagraon - that shunned him for four years, elected him a “panch” (councillor). Quite obviously, most of his fellow villagers believe him. According to a Punjab newspaper, “Mithu was declared winner by one vote only after 10 other votes in his favour were cancelled late (in the) evening.” [Full Story]

CRIME WATCH
#1. MINOR PLAYER BHUPINDER SINGH BENNING SHOT DEAD AS MURDER RATE MORE THAN DOUBLES THIS YEAR

#2. ONE ARRESTED IN BRUTAL ATTACK ON INDO-CANADIAN ACTOR
#3. CHARGES POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK IN LANGLEY CURRENCY EXCHANGES RAIDS
#4. REENA VIRK CASE: WHEN WILL KELLY ELLARD AND HER FAMILY FACE UP TO REALITY? [Full Story]

OUTSTANDING INDO-CANADIAN STUDENTS AMONG THOSE SELECTED FOR MILLENNIUM EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation says it is proud of the 140 laureates in British Columbia for their 2008 millennium excellence awards (entrance-level). The award recognizes students entering university or college for their outstanding achievements in leadership, innovation, academic performance, and, moreover, community service. [Full Story]

WHEN WILL WE LEARN TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO HEALTH ISSUES?
Health is THE MOST important thing in life. All the money in the world can’t buy you good health if you don’t protect yourself in several ways such as watching your diet, exercising regularly and taking certain precautions. This all involves educating ourselves constantly. [Full Story]

MASTER BLASTER JUNIORS FIGHT OFF WEST COAST TAMILS III
The BC Master Blaster Junior team played their third match against West Coast Tamils III at the Crescent Park home ground in Surrey on May 24. Winning the toss the Master Blasters elected to bat and following useful contributions from Kamal (25), Jatinder (32) Captain Anil (48 n.o.) and Navdeep (36) set the rival team a formidable target of 199 to chase in 45 overs. Saravanan Algarsamy of the Tamils was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 9-0-4-33, while Aravind got 2 wickets. [Full Story]

SOUTH ASIAN SOCCER TOURNAMENT FOR GIRLS INCREASES IN POPULARITY
On May 24 Dasmesh United FC held their second annual girls only tournament at Memorial Park in Vancouver. The tournament was formed because of the rising popularity of girls' soccer in the South Asian community, to provide a venue for the girls to showcase their ability. [Full Story]

FOCUS ON SURREY
#1. NEWTON GROUP’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WINS AWARD

#2. INDO-CANADIANS PROUDLY FEATURE IN FIRST GRADUATION FOR YOUTH IN RCMP ‘SPURS’ PROGRAM
#3. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY FOR OLYMPICS, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR SURREY’S HEALTH CARE NEEDS!
#4. NDP TO GOVERNMENT: SHOW LEADERSHIP ON PATTULLO BRIDGE
#5. SUPERINTENDENT WAYNE RIDEOUT APPOINTED OPERATIONS OFFICER IN SURREY
#6. TELUS MEMBERS REACH OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE [Full Story]

BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA PLACE SHOWCASES B.C. TO THE WORLD
As well as giving visitors an opportunity to learn about B.C. and promote the upcoming 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games here, the Pavilion is a venue for British Columbia and Canadian businesses, First Nations and communities to build new relationships with Chinese industries and explore new economic opportunities. Our cutting-edge clean technologies, research and innovation, first-rate international education, and more will all be on display. [Full Story]