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Saturday JUNE 27, 2009
 
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IN FOCUS

 

 

 

#1. THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN THE THIRD ANNUAL NEW WESTMINSTER NAGAR KIRTAN

 

 

Over 10,000 Sikhs walked through the streets of New Westminster Saturday as Khalsa Diwan Society held its third annual Nagar Kirtan. The festivities began with a colorful parade from Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar at 347 Wood Street to the New Westminster Community Centre. 

The congregation of thousands spread throughout the park where numerous events and exhibitions were held throughout the day, including music, the new building extension exhibition, dastar and khalsa dress competitions, sports events, martial arts, discussion groups, and, of course, lots of Punjabi and Canadian food.

This year’s event was again held to commemorate the martyrdom of the Sikhs’ fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji.  He was martyred in 1606 by the ruling Mogul empire for defending the rights of the oppressed. Guru Arjun Dev Ji taught all of humanity many lessons including living a peaceful, spiritual life, yet still standing up for many freedoms that society takes for granted today.

New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright was impressed by the event and the large number of Sikhs who came from all over the Lower Mainland, as well as the many non-Sikhs that were enjoying the food and learning about Sikhism.

A special feature at this year’s parade was the exhibition that outlined the plans for the Gurdwara Sahib building extension. These plans have been shared with the Sangat and local community for many months now and participants were once again given the opportunity to give their input. Construction is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2009 and this project will add a much-needed Langar Hall and classroom space.

 

#2. SURREY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS SET AN EXAMPLE IN GIVING

 

 

A Newton Elementary School class led by teacher Shelley Stark with special education assistant Bev Painter raised $1,000 for the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. The Grade 4 students created a quilt that generated the donation. The quilt represents the uniting of the Aboriginal and European cultures, and showcases the common virtues and values that are important to both. It also represents the coming together of many cultures within the classroom.

Also, Kirkbride Elementary School in Surrey has been recycling bottles, cans, and drink boxes in support of Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. Student organizers Manseerat Randhawa, Priya Benipal, Tonya Dhindsa, Amreena Chahal, and Priya Rehallu presented the Foundation’s Jennifer Dmytryshyn with a $250 cheque during the last day of school.

 

#3. APARNA KAPUR NAMED BEST EMERGING CANADIAN FILMMAKER BY CANADIAN FILM CENTRE

 

Emily Carr University of Art and Design graduate Aparna Kapur received the Jackson-Triggs Award for Best Emerging Canadian Filmmaker, and a $5,000 cash prize for her film Amma, at the CFC World Wide Short Film Festival, June 21.

“Amma truly represents Aparna's studies at Emily Carr, where she took courses in scriptwriting, critical and cultural studies, film production, and animation,” said Associate Professor Martin Rose, Head, Animation. “We are thrilled that she has achieved such a high honour, and we wish her the best with what I am sure will be a long, successful, and meaningful career as an artist and filmmaker.”

Amma is a poetic narration of a young girl's life and her deeply rooted relationship with her grandmother. Rendered in rich monochromatic shades, this animated film is far from singular in the moods and stories it evokes. One is magically transported into the filmmaker's craft, which is that of simplicity and honesty. The film explores the deep symbiotic relationship between the child and grandmother’s love for one another, and how it surpasses the physical world.

http://www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com.

 

#4. ATTRACTIVE STREET BANNERS TO PROMOTE VANCOUVER’S PUNJABI MARKET

 

With support from Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Neighbourhood Matching Fund, the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House organized a community art project partnering with Punjabi Market Association, John Oliver High School, Sunset Community Centre, Sunset CityPlan Committee and Langara College to develop street banners promoting the Punjabi Market.

The banners were designed by srt students from John Oliver High School and the Sunset Community Youth Leadership Program under the mentorship of talented artists from Langara College’s fine arts program. Sixteen designs were produced and two were chosen by the community and developed into banners now proudly displayed on the lampposts along Main Street between 49th and 51st avenues.

The two designs selected were created by Jieun Seo (peacock feathers) and Reagan Szeto (dancing woman).

 

#5. DASMESH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB HOLDS ITS THIRD ANNUAL GIRLS TOURNAMENT

 

 

Recently, Dasmesh United Football Club held their 3rd annual girls tournament at Memorial Park in Vancouver.

This year over 60 teams participated (about 800 players) from U6 to open. At the divisional level there were some very competitive final matches, including the one in which West Coast Panthers defeated the host club in a shootout in the open finals.

Dasmesh United FC thanked Akal FC, Abbotsford United SC, GNSC, Sikh Temple, WCP, Punjab Tigers (who entered 20 teams), Pacific Eagles and CRS.  Theclub also thanked the many volunteers who put in countless hours in planning and organizing the tournament.

 

Some results provided by the organizers:

 

Open: West Coast Panthers – 1st; Dasmesh United FC – 2nd

U16 gold: Dasmesh United FC - 1st; Pacific Eagles – 2nd

U14 gold: Punjab Tigers - 1st; GNSC – 2nd

U14 silver: Pacific Eagles -1st; GNSC – 2nd

U12 gold: Punjab Tigers – 1st; Pacific Eagles – 2nd

 

#6. TWO INDO-CANADIANS CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING AFTER TWO-YEAR INVESTIGATION

 

On March 10, Robinderpal Rathor, 30, and Taranjit Rathor, 21, were both charged with several counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering after a total of US$160,000 was seized as offence-related property by the RCMP’s Federal Integrated Proceeds of Crime (IPOC) Unit in Vancouver.

According to Sgt. Dave Gray, the investigation began in 2007 after police received intelligence to lead them to target two currency exchange businesses in Langley. These two currency exchanges were operated by two men who were allegedly laundering the proceeds of crime through these businesses. Through the use of RCMP undercover operators, police were able to infiltrate this criminal organization. Investigators were able to successfully launder CDN$21,300 and over US$550,000 through the money exchange businesses.

In May, 2008, with the assistance of Langley RCMP detachment, several search warrants were executed and $154,500 were seized as offence-related property. The two men were arrested and charged with many counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They have had several court appearances, but no plea or trial date has been confirmed. Their next court appearance is on July 15.

“Money laundering is usually linked to drug trafficking and people who knowingly participate in money laundering by turning a blind eye and not asking the right questions on where the money is coming from is contributing to help put profits into pockets of drug traffickers. If you participate in money laundering then you are no different then the drug traffickers themselves. The RCMP will track you, bust you and shut down your business if you are involved,” said Inspector Wade Lymburner, Officer-in-Charge of the Federal Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit in B.C.

The RCMP said it would like to remind business owners to exercise due diligence in questioning where a large sum of money is coming from before incorporating it into their own business to ensure they are not contributing to organized crime themselves.

To assist in educating businesses about money laundering the RCMP Federal Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit has launched its fifth annual Merchants Against Money Laundering awareness campaign. For the fifth year in a row, students from the University of British Columbia work with IPOC during the summer months in delivering presentations to businesses about money laundering and how it negatively impacts their business and community.

This short, 45-minute personal presentation is available upon request that will focus on and discuss:

• Why criminals launder money

• The methods money launderers use

• How to identify a suspicious transaction

• How your business can be used to facilitate the laundering process

• The role of FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada)

The last thing a business owner wants to do is be associated to money laundering as it negatively impacts their business’s reputation and ultimately makes them participate in criminal activity. For more information and to participate in this money laundering educational opportunity, contact:

*Chris Pallai

Student - Merchants Against Money Laundering

chris.pallai@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

(778)571-7412

*Marc Sorrie

Student - Merchants Against Money Laundering

marc.sorrie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

(778)571-7411

*Corporal Jan Campbell

Federal Integrated Proceeds of Crime Investigator

Merchants Against Money Laundering

jan.campbell@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

(778)571-7453

For more information on money laundering and what you can do to help, visit:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/poc-pdc/launder-blanchir-eng.htm

 

#7. HARPER: ‘OUR GOVERNMENT WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF TERRORISM AND THEIR FAMILIES’ 

 

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following statement on June 23 to mark the fifth annual National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism:

 

Today marks a tragic anniversary for our country.  On June 23, 1985, it was dramatically demonstrated that Canada is not immune from terrorist acts.  A bomb on Air India Flight 182 killed all three hundred and twenty nine people aboard, most of them Canadians.  On this day, the 24th anniversary of the event, we pause to remember all Canadians who have lost their lives because of acts of terrorism.

Canadians need no reminder that the threat of terrorism remains all too real.  Twenty-four Canadians lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones to terrorist violence.  It is up to all of us to do everything we can to prevent future attacks against Canadians or our friends and allies.

Our Government has no greater responsibility than protecting the safety and well-being of Canadians.  That is why we introduced legislation to modernize Canada’s laws, to give our police and intelligence agencies more tools to keep Canadian families safe.

This is a major reason why the Canadian Forces continue to serve bravely in Afghanistan, so a secure and stable Afghan state can never again be used as a staging base by those who plan future acts of terror.

Over the past three years, memorial sites have been unveiled in Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto to honour the Air India victims and all Canadians who have been affected by terrorism.  These memorials commemorate the innocent lives lost, and remind us of the need for continued vigilance against threats of all kinds.  Our Government will always remember the victims of terrorism and their families. 

Even more recently, our Government introduced legislation to allow victims of terrorism to seek redress from the perpetrators, patrons and supporters of terrorism.

Today is a difficult and emotional day for many Canadian families.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost loved ones to such senseless and despicable acts.  We will always stand with you.

 

#8. WSO: TRIBUTE TO AIR INDIA VICTIMS – QUEST FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE

 

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) on June 23 paid tribute to all victims of the Air India airplane tragedy that claimed 329 innocent lives and caused pain and hardship to many more. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the downing of Flight 182, off the coast of Ireland. 

“The loss of 329 lives is a loss for all of society, and not just a loss for the victims’ families,” said Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal, President of the World Sikh Organization. “Amongst the victims were accomplished humanitarians, scientists, artists and community activists, from many different faiths: Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian.  The incomprehensible criminal act that resulted in the loss of their lives is an affront to all right thinking Canadians.”

Speaking about the political aftermath of the Air India tragedy, Gian Singh Sandhu, Senior Policy Advisor for the World Sikh Organization, stated, “Tragically, the Sikh community has been doubly victimized from this tragedy.  Not only were there significant numbers of Sikhs amongst the victims, but the Sikh community of Canada has lived under a cloud of suspicion ever since. Sikhs routinely faced interrogation, harassment and intimidation, by Canadian authorities in the first decade following the Air India tragedy.  While the harassment has dissipated over time, the wounds left in its wake have not.  Sikhs continue to face widespread public hostility, and are still largely misunderstood due to the very successful anti-Sikh media campaign launched against them throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

“For well over two decades, the WSO had been calling for an Inquiry into the botched RCMP and CSIS investigation, which left the victims, their families, and the Sikh community, with no closure or redress.  Twenty-four years later, we continue to wait with the Air India Inquiry Report still pending; but with no real hope that the Inquiry will be able to ever redress the wrong that has been done to so many innocent victims, and the Canadian Sikh community. A  tragedy like this cannot be easily forgotten, and nor should it be.  We need to continue to be vigilant as a society in order to prevent such acts of violence, and the demonization of an entire community, from occurring again.”  

 

#9. SENATOR JAFFER ON NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORISM

 

Senator Mobina Jaffer’s statement in the Senate on June 23:

 

Honourable senators, today is Canada's National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, a day when we reflect as a nation on the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and remember those who had their lives cut short by terrorist violence. It is a day to mourn, a day to extend our empathy to those who have lost loved ones and a day for us to remember why we, as a nation, should remain resolute in opposing terrorism in all its forms.June 23 also marks the anniversary of the single largest mass murder in Canadian history — the bombing of Air India flight 182. It has been 24 years since the terrible act, but its effects can still be felt in many communities throughout Canada. Children, now adults, who have grown up without parents; husbands and wives who have been forced to live on without their loved ones; parents who lost children — all of them bear the scars of that day every day. I see the scars regularly in the eyes of children, parents and spouses in my province of British Columbia. I can never find the right words to help heal that pain.

I know that honourable senators will join with them in remembering, and hold in your hearts all of those Canadians who have lost their lives or personally felt the devastating effects of terrorism throughout the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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