Archive | Interviews

Making light of Marriageability : Tahniya

Posted on 10 March 2010 by staffwriter

Meeting Tahniya was as if I was meeting with an individual who was full of life, an individual who can make light of serious issues and joke about them. Comfortable in her skin, she talked to me about religion, about aunties who would talk of successful unmarried girls as if they are diseased, about politics, about culture, about growing up in Ottawa and living in Toronto now.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Tahniya forgot about being a doctor when she discovered how hard it is to get into a med school. At that time, she told herself “ to forget school and get through the university.” Then she pleaded with God to get her through double major in Biology and Biotechnology. She even gave up matching her degrees with her father’s who has worked for the government as well as academia. Her father has PhD in Economics and three MAs. “I don’t try to live by his standards,” she jokes. However she did manage to secure herself a job with Health Canada as a Senior Compliance Officer.

On a more serious note though she believes that Islam as a faith is misunderstood by a large number of people.  “A lot of people in our society  don’t understand what Islam is and believe that we are along the lines of Hindus because of Pakistan. They don’t realize that Islam is a monotheistic religion,” she said when I asked if religion ever comes up at her place of work. It almost never does, Tahniya says.

Here’s the controversial part. She believes “niqaab should be banned in Canada.” It’s neither necessary nor mandatory. Moreover “anything that creates negative image, why do it?” she says candidly.

Describing her visits to Pakistan, she says “everybody’s chill in Karachi and Pindi is like a pind (village).” She was overwhelmed by poverty and pollution while she was in Pakistan. At one point, she thought about settling in Pakistan. However, she was quickly reminded that she is enjoying all the luxuries in Pakistan because she has Canadian money in her pocket, and was shopping and eating at five star restaurants. Not to forget that there is no electricity in Pakistan and the lights go off almost every hour.

Nonetheless living in Canada has its own challenges. “Marriage is a big issue because you’re in a gora society,” she says. As a successful young professional, Tahniya has invested in real estate and is making good money but every time she bumps into uncles and aunties, marriageability becomes the issue.

The attitudes of elders is “beta abhi tak shadi nahi ki..hum dua karein ge” [Daughter, you’re still not married..we will pray for you] as if I am diseased.

I asked her what the solution to finding the mate is.

naseeb.com, she responds laughingly.

She noted an issue with dating websites and dating events, however. “They are artificial because we try to be this or that in searching for the soulmate,” Tahniya says.

For now, however, Tahniya loves Toronto and its diversity, the places she can go to for sushi, food and desi events.

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Jennifer Boyer-Ensuring Students ‘Learn to Be Fit and Are Fit to Learn’

Posted on 03 March 2010 by staffwriter

There is no need to look for a better coach, teacher, or idol. Jennifer Boyer is the complete package, from being the guidance in a student’s life to the extra push to win that gold.

Canada lately has had a lot to celebrate in the category of sports and achievements. In Ontario we get to watch these sports and all the gold from afar, having Olympics all the way on the other coast. But to find success and crude determination, we need not look west, but into the heart of our great province. Jennifer Boyer has been nominated for Campbell’s Chunky Most Valuable Coach (MVC) for the province of Ontario. She has created a sports empire in the center of Mississauga Secondary School (MSS) and the spotlight will not waver. From the first day she started working at MSS Jennifer Boyer has strived to expand the athletics department and work hard to have a successful student body. Coach Boyer started Field Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey for female athletes at the school. She also coaches Curling, Flag Football, Ultimate, Running Club and is a staff sponsor for the school Athletic Council. Through these teams she has had the opportunity to influence the lives of hundreds of young women, many of whom are becoming involved in a sport or team for the first time.

Boyer shows an extreme amount of dedication to her students and players. “Ms.Boyer always puts the students first and pushes them to use their full potential.” Says Christine Bui, member of the Mississauga Athletic Council (MAC).  As an educator and a coach, Boyer puts the student’s future ahead of everything else. She works with them to help build self-esteem, morals, civil qualities and the determination to be who they want to be. Winning is important but it is not everything, this is something that can be said about Boyer’s coaching style. Though the winnings aren’t running low, through the success she enjoyed coaching a proud girl’s field hockey team. She understands that at this vital age students need the helping hand and encouragement to persevere and believe in themselves.

After sitting and watching my colleague interview her, even I began to adore and feel the passion by just sitting aside and listening in. As I sat and listened, I could see that a major part of why she does what she does is just the smile on a child’s face. She works as hard as she does for the greater happiness of someone else. Not often enough does the world grant us such a kind and nurturing person and shares them with a great community. Many students find it hard to let go and hard to open up, Boyer remains an outlet at MSS by giving advice and lending an ear.

Many coaches in Canada have to face the issue of dealing with diversity and being culturally sensitive especially in health class. Boyer is no exception; she draws the interest and attention of people who have never even heard of the sport. She tends to have the ability to take a brand new player and turn them into a prize possession both on and off the field. MSS has a large South Asian population and Boyer gladly works with every single person to see what they can bring to the sport and works day and night to help as much as she can.

While sitting in that confined room I was able to see the passion in her eyes and the young spirit soaring in her voice. It was interesting to see a coach that has such a great reputation and has been nominated for a prestigious award. This is because I personally have been around many coaches; right away I could feel the energy and positive vibe she gave off. By the end of our interview, several students were still in the hallways, out and about while most teachers had left to go home, Jennifer Boyer was still there. Recorder was off and the pens were down but the amazing Boyer shown on CityTV and heard on our tapes still remained. She does not put up a front to the public and does not drop a smile behind the scenes, the immensity and greatness of her heart definitely goes all the way through. No matter when and where, Jennifer Boyer shows the confidence of a role model, the delicacy of a teacher and the fire of a coach. Jennifer Boyer is Ontario’s most valuable coach and counts on you and me for the votes to win MVC of Canada. I have casted my vote, when will you?

Author:Fadil Yakub is Vice President of Student Union at Mississauga Secondary School.

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H-DHAMI :Your Culture is Very Strong, Keep it Alive!

Posted on 24 February 2010 by staffwriter

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Shisha-a Flavored Poison

Posted on 17 February 2010 by staffwriter

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Call Him Ordinary or Stereotypical…But he ROCKS!

Posted on 10 February 2010 by staffwriter

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Shweta Wahi- Fusing Fashion From Dehli to Dubai to Toronto

Posted on 10 February 2010 by staffwriter

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We have to be best at Everything – Bikram Dhanoa

Posted on 03 February 2010 by staffwriter

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Perseverance and Positive Attitude Led to my Success :Aanchal Sharma, Miss India Canada

Posted on 03 February 2010 by staffwriter

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Cultural Organizations are divided

Posted on 27 January 2010 by staffwriter

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Passionate for Science – Chamila Anthonypillai ,Chamila won RBC scholarship of $3,500

Posted on 20 January 2010 by staffwriter

While hunting down for scholarships, Chamila Anthonypillai came across Royal Bank of Canada’s scholarship for students.  $3,500’s scholarship from RBC paid off for the first semester of her academics at University of British Columbia. “University education is very expensive and…cash is not readily available to me or my family, so I thought maybe if I could help my dad,” Chamila says, and this sum goes a long way in helping her and her family.

Good grades, extracurricular activities, an essay on multiculturalism and being an immigrant was all she needed. With 90 percent average, she met all the requirements.

Chamila’s parents are very much involved in her and her sister’s education. Her parents go to every parent teacher meeting, giving Chamila and her sister whatever support they need.

A lot of students choose to volunteer because it makes their resumes flashy. However for Chamila, it was much more than that. She felt that as “an immigrant you’re not really part of the community,” so you have to make an effort to belong. And community engagement is the best way to do it. She has volunteered with City of Surrey, at her Church as a teaching assistant, at day camps and a number of other activities.

Born in Sri Lanka, Chamila had come from Hong Kong to Canada in 2004. “My culture isn’t exactly the same as Western,” so she made her school her community, and started from there.

Very outspoken, Chamila has gained her confidence in Canada. She was very conscious of her accent when she came in grade 8, but multiculturalism and acceptance in Canadian society made it easy for her to accept others and to be accepted.

For now, she is exploring Faculty of Science to see what career she would want to choose. But Chamila knows she is “passionate about Sciences.” She had a dream of being a pediatrician.

“I am really grateful to RBC. The scholarship really helps. Thank you RBC,” Chamila said as we ended our conversation.

By: Asma Amanat

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