B.C. EVENTS: For the week of Saturday, January 11

(These are FREE listings. Submit your event / announcement at EditorVoice@gmail.com in typed format as early in the week as possible. No posters please.)

South Asian Health Expo

Anyone interested in kick-starting a healthy lifestyle in 2020 should attend the South Asian Health Expo in Surrey on Sunday, January 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sikh Academy, 12895 85th Avenue (across from Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara). This is the only South Asian focused trade show with vendors onsite from the health, wellness, beauty and fitness industry – and admission is absolutely free for the entire family. What to expect: Industry experts on-site, free health testing, product demonstrations, free product sampling, free exercise / dance classes, free workshops, play area for children, tons of prize giveaways and a flea market. You also have a chance to win tons of prize giveaways and pick up a free copy of the South Asian Health magazine. For more information about the Expo or to become a vendor, advertiser, and / or sponsor, contact event organizer Rina Gill at 778-688-4973 or rina@thehypeadagency.com.

South Asian Adults & Seniors: Playing Cards

Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults and senior members to come and play cards in groups of four to help preserve mental health and positive changes to the brain (memory) on Sunday, January 12, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further information.

PLEA Poetry / Short Story Youth Contest

Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA) is inviting original poems and / or short stories (in Punjabi) from people aged 21 and under. Stories and poems can be submitted via e-mail to Balwant Sanghera (b_sanghera @yahoo.com) or Sadhu Binning (sadhu.binning @gmail.com) on or before February 7, 2020. A panel of experts will select the top six stories / poems. The writers of these works will be invited to share them with the audience on February 22, at the International Mother Language Day Celebration to be held at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey. Each participant will receive a Certificate of Participation. Selected top six writers will receive Certificates of Participation and other prizes including cash. For further information, contact Balwant Sanghera at 604-836-8976 or Sadhu Binning at 778-773-1886.

20th Annual Shakti Awards 2020 Nomination Form

(All submissions are due on or before February 23.) The Shakti Awards were founded in 2000 to recognize and honour women who have displayed Shakti – strength and energy, in their community, locally and/or globally. Shakti is the mother Goddess, the source of all, the universal principle of energy, power and creativity. Shakti is responsible for creation; she is also the agent of all change. Similarly, the Shakti that resides within every woman is a force to reckon with and to celebrate. Do you know a woman who deserves to be recognized as a leader, advocate, artist, visionary or a source of strength? This is your opportunity to have her celebrated by nominating her for the Shakti Award. The women who have displayed Shakti amongst us represent an inspiring account of positive social, cultural and economic change in the world. The Shakti Awards are an opportunity for us to recognize these women, quite often the unsung heroes, and share their vibrant stories. If you would like to nominate a woman that embodies Shakti, use the information below and email your nomination to shaktisociety2000@gmail.com no later than February 23. The Shakti Awards will be presented at the Shakti Awards Dinner Gala on Saturday, March 7 at Bollywood Banquet Hall at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each. For tickets, donations and sponsorship enquiries, call 604-307-8796. Note that nominations must be submitted via email. Submissions sent through other means, (social media, in-person or phone / text messages will not be considered). Ensure that the description of the nominee’s accomplishments reflect the category in which she is being nominated and provide clear examples of how the nominee has excelled in the specific field and why you feel she deserves the Shakti Award in that specific category. Categories: * Academic Achievement Award (High School or University / College student) * Public Service / Volunteer Award * Business Entrepreneur Award * Artistic Achievement Award * Sports and Recreational Award * Resilience Award – A woman who has overcome adversity and has used her personal journey in a way to inspire and motivate others to be positive despite challenges and setbacks. Nomination Information: · Name · Age ·Address, phone number(s) and email · Name, phone number and email of nominator ·Brief summary of reason for nomination – how the nominee’s accomplishments relate to the stated category, the impact of their role, and why they should be chosen to receive a specific award. · Identify how the nominee will contribute to Shakti: Empowerment of Women, Children and Families Society.

(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)