As the second and third generations of South Asians flourish in Canada, the South Asian youth has become the mouthpiece of their parents’ generation. They have become interpreters for the first generation immigrants from South Asia. They translate and interpret for their parents at hospitals, at police stations, at lawyers’ office, at schools and so on. This youth explains to their parents the documents that come in the mail from banks, credit card companies, Canada Revenue Agency, licensing and accounting firms.

Does this mean that the South Asian youth have been overburdened by being South Asians and Canadian at the same time? Do they feel that there is just too much pressure to deal with? Is this youth carrying the baggage of their parents’ generation’s grievances from South Asia? Are there still remnants of conflicts in South Asia that South Asian youth has mercilessly been left to deal with? The conflict in when to begin the holy month of Ramadan baffles this generation. Some wonder that in this age of advanced technology, how can moon sighting be problematic.

We are learning that the South Asian community have just begun to realize that our youth is parenting their own parents. In fact, this young professional generation has gone way beyond to introduce South Asian talent in mainstream by organizing events at places like Dundas Square. Of course this is no easy task, and requires time commitment, a lot of dedication and incredible patience. Sathish Bala embodies that commitment. And he confesses that he made mistakes before getting where he is.