Over the years, the streets along Young and Wellesley have hosted an eclectic array of ethnic restaurants that would satisfy even the toughest and most critical of taste buds. Whether your tummy grumbles for Indian food, Chinese, Italian, Greek or just plain fast food a good stroll along the streets of Toronto can usually provide the typical dining daredevil with a wide variety of delicious options to choose from.

For Muhammad Haddis, the owner of The Ethiopian House restaurant, surviving in a competitive and thriving restaurant atmosphere, for fifteen years, has proven that traditional Ethiopian hospitality continues to entertain the imagination and stomachs of his customers.

“We have been here 15 years,” replies Mr. Haddis confidently, “and we see a lot more restaurants like ours popping up. When we started there were not many restaurants like us especially with our location, which is mostly downtown. So it mostly comes down to the quality of the food and the atmosphere and the ambience and the décor, these are the things that make it different from others.”

Being ‘different’ from other restaurants, is an understatement for Mr. Haddis and his staff. Often new customers to the Ethiopian House experience will first notice that their table bears no cutlery in sight.  Mr. Haddis explains that this unusual table setting is not as uncommon as one might think.  “Well, we use our hands to eat like a lot of South Asians and other cultures do as well, but instead for us the food is mostly eaten in a communal way from a big platter.” For many regulars to the Ethiopian dining atmosphere, washing of the hands at the restaurant before and after a meal is a common custom that is followed to maintain cultural rituals.

When asked what the most popular dishes are, Mr. Haddis chuckles before replying that it mostly depends on his customers’ preferences.  “For the vegetarians, they order our veggie combo and for the meat eaters the meat combo. However, the Injera which is a flat bread that looks like a sponge cake that is really popular with customers. Some others may call it Dosa in South India. Actually the flavor and taste might be similar in nature to some South Asian foods but the presentation and the way you eat it is a little bit different. “ With both combos served together with the famous Injera bread, customers can delight in the traditional platter sized meals destined to provide a variety of options on each plate when dining at the Ethiopian House.

As Torontonians continue to delight in the slightly dated décor and music choices, of the Ethiopian House restaurant, it will ultimately be the unique and authentic Ethiopian experience that will continue to bring these hungry stomachs yearning for seconds.

By Staff Writer

“Why do people need an occasion to set goals for themselves? Shouldn’t the fact that they have something they want to change be motivation enough?”

It is that time of the  year again, that festive time when everybody starts stuffing their stockings and decorating their trees. Kids have time off school, and adults from work. Along with the gift giving and holiday cheer also comes time for a serious thought.

Once again, it is the time for New Year’s resolutions. People must think of the one thing they are going to do differently in the New Year. Whether it is losing weight or finding a job, there is a change that people desire to make in their lives.

After speaking with thirteen different people about their previous New Year’s resolutions of 2011 and their planned resolutions of this coming year, I have heard some interesting things that they had to say.  Nineteen year old, Samandeep Sahota explained that her resolution last year was “to go to all of my classes, during the end of the semester I start to skip a lot of lectures”. Upon asking if she had fulfilled her promise, Sahota replied “for the most part. I mean, I probably should have made a more realistic resolution since I forced myself to go to classes when they really weren’t necessary or when I was sick.”

Sahota was not the only one who dreaded last year’s resolution. Twenty-three year old, Bhaven Kapadia, explained that his resolution last year was to gain weight and become more fit. “My resolution was more frustrating than it was motivating”, he explained. “When I got through half the year and realized that I still hadn’t reached my goal, I just gave up. I think that New Year’s resolutions just give people high expectations that disappoint them when they aren’t reached.” I asked Kapadia what his resolution would be this year, he replied with “nothing, I don’t really think I accomplished anything this year, it’d be pointless for me to try again.”

Surprisingly, not everyone viewed their New Year’s resolutions as negatively as Sahota and Kapadia. Adarsh Kaur, forty-five year old woman, explained that her resolution last year had been achieved. “I wanted to spend more time with my husband and son. I find that I work a lot and with my son graduating high school soon, I should devote more of my time to him.” Kaur explained that her resolution was quite well thought out as she was able to fulfill it, and it benefitted her family and herself.

Besides Kaur, another person who provided me with positive feedback was fifty year old, Joga Riar. “My main goal of the New Year was to volunteer more around my city when I got the time.” Riar continued to explain that his resolution proved to be both rewarding to himself and helpful to his community. “Resolutions should be a reflection of who you are as a person. As long as you want to achieve something that is meaningful to you, you should have no problem fulfilling them.”

Hiren Rangunwala and Neil Khatri both had similar resolutions last year; to do well in school and on tests. Rangunwala, twenty-three year old male, was concerned with passing his United States Medical Licensing Examinations to get placement after completing medical school. “The pressure was so high”, Rangunwala explained. “Since I’d made it my New Year’s resolution to get placement, I guess that I had more motivation to study harder. I didn’t want to let myself down. Once I got the notice that I’d done well on my tests and would be starting my rotations, I attributed my success to my resolution.”

Like Rangunwala, eighteen year old Khatri explained that the most worrying thought he had last year was whether or not he would make it into the university of his choice. The difference between these two individuals is that Rangunwala gave the credit of his achievement to his resolution, whereas Khatri explained that “the resolution was just there as a guide, I know that I accomplished my goal on my own merit and hard work.”

Not only did people tell me about what their resolutions were last year, they also revealed to me their resolutions for this coming year.

Twenty year old, Janki Kapadia, explained that although she did not have a New Year’s resolution last year, she made one for 2012. “I really need to learn to cook. I never thought it was necessary before when I lived with my brother and parents because I always had people to do it for me. I think the ability to cook is an essential skill for one to have if they are living on their own.” Kapadia is not the only one wishing to make a change involving food.

Twenty year old Manpreet Jhass also has a food related desire. “I need to eat healthier. Whenever I come home from work or class, I just grab whatever I can get my hands on. Chips, soda, cookies, anything really.” Jhass recognizes that there are many people who wish to lose or gain weight. “I don’t necessarily hope to lose weight. I just want to live a healthier lifestyle.”

Fifteen year old Simran Uppal has made her resolution far from anything relating to food. Uppal explains that her one goal is to control her temper. “Lately I’ve noticed that I get angry really easily, especially with my older brother. My anger makes everyone in my family stressed out so I think I should learn to control it. For a teenager, Uppal seems to be quite sensible, a lot more than I was at her age.

A complete contrast from Uppal was thirty year old, Dhaval Mashruwala. “I guess that the only thing I need to change is the way I let out my emotions. I suppress a lot of things, especially when I’m angry”, explains Mashruwala. “It would be better for me to express how I really feel instead of hiding things from people.”

Parag Khatri, also at thirty years of age, is making his New Year’s resolution all about his personal life. “I think I need to settle down”, stated Khatri. “I need to stop focusing so much on going out to parties, and focus more on my career.”

Twenty-four year old Bindya Bhundia, like Khatri, defined the importance of her career. “I don’t know what to make my New Year’s resolution this year. I think it should involve me finishing school and starting my career, though. I’ve been in school for over twenty years, I think it’s about time I started the next chapter of my life.”

The last person I spoke to about the upcoming New Year was Ram Pyari, seventy-six year old woman. Pyari explained firstly that she does not make resolutions. “Why do people need an occasion to set goals for themselves? Shouldn’t the fact that they have something they want to change be motivation enough?” Pyari’s comment is interesting as it represents a completely different opinion than all others I had spoken to. It is open to interpretation, do you find New Year’s resolutions straining, encouraging, or do you find them needless altogether? Either way, remember to think carefully about what your resolutions will be this year, but in the process, don’t forget to have a Happy New Year.

By Gagan Batra

With large amounts of scrunched up wrapping paper, turkeys  and eggnog cartoons finally laid to rest in recycling bins or bulging bellies, holiday fans are slowly snapping out of their Christmas food coma’s to realize that 2012 is already peaking its head from around the corner.  In anticipation of the official ten second ‘countdown,’ many holiday celebrators often take this brief intermission between Christmas and New Year to assess the success or failures of the resolutions they’ve made only twelve months ago.

Whether it was a promise to lose weight, quit smoking, or to merely spend less, the long list of the usual resolution topics has floated around consistently from our interviewees into three common areas of interest: health, finance and kicking bad habits. As many of these resolutions are frequently derived from a necessity to self improve and change one’s lifestyle, it is not surprising that New Year promises are often formed with the overall betterment of oneself in mind rather than others.  For many, it is merely a reminder to put yourself first.

For 25 year old Sharda Persaud making resolutions was never a tradition she followed or even cared about trying until after graduating college. “The necessity to buy my own things and do my own things is what motivated me” explains, Ms. Persaud. “When I started working after college, I said that every year that I would start saving more and more money, so I don’t have to rely on my parents and I can pay for my own things.”

Much like Ms. Persaud, Michelle Sankar, describes her initial resolution blossoming from an overall need to make a change in her life. However, for Ms. Sankar the need to change arose not from financial reasons but from a more personal need.  “My first resolution was made at the age of 24 (kind of late I know). I was prompted to make the resolution due to feeling dissatisfied with myself and wanted to develop my personal interests further. I followed through because I had recently gotten out of a relationship and realized that I had lost my own way of life and was living my ex’s life which was sedentary and unhealthy. I wanted to change that and be totally different. I wanted to have something positive that would take a large portion of my time.”

As both Ms. Persaud and Ms. Sankar relay the success of these resolutions to our Generation Next reporter, their success is not often shared by the great many that are often unable to complete their resolutions.  Pat Lekhraj, an Executive Assistant and a mother of three, explains that her hectic work and home schedule often affects her goals each year. “Every year I make the same resolutions. Get my driver’s license and lose weight and I never make the time to accomplish any!” As Ms. Lekhraj continues to make the same resolution each year since she was 25 she chuckles lightheartedly about her determination to keep on trying as the necessity to change still remains. “Put it this way, I am 39 and I still don’t have a driver’s license!”

Ken Katryan, a 28 year old Horse Trainer and Owner describe similar feelings of just being too busy to carry through on his resolutions. “I’ve made a New Year’s resolution before but never kept one of them” replies Mr. Katryan to Generation Next. “I don’t know what makes me do resolutions each year but I do. It was a couple of years ago that I started making resolutions when I started to put on some weight.”

For many like, Ms. Lekhraj the failure of following through on a resolution is not what any person really hopes for. The initial passion to complete a resolution is often carried through and often gradually lost over time. Mr. Katryan explains that “I would usually follow through on my resolutions for the first month, then with work and not going to the gym and being busy prevents me in the end.”

As the constant failure of a resolution can eventually become depressing or discouraging for some, it is sometimes better to pick a more short term and simple resolution. Mr. Pokhrel, a 28 year old Social Service Worker reiterates his belief in making goals that are not only doable but easier to accomplish each year. “I was 17 years old when I made my first resolution. I had just come to Canada from Nepal. I never made resolutions in Nepal, only when I arrived here in Canada. It is a more popular tradition here. Some of the resolutions that worked for me like applying for college, and keeping my grades up were some of the more successful resolutions I made.” With keeping his goals to more practical and specific targets, Mr. Pokhrel is able to use his smaller achievements as platforms for some bigger resolutions he has his sights on. “It’s all about focus. If you focus on what your resolution is and not feel restricted to a year to achieve it, then it is possible.”

As 2011 slowly expires with each passing day, the pressure for new beginnings and promises are in full effect for the upcoming 2012 year. Whether it is to shed a few pounds, build up your bank account or merely kick that annoying habit the common advice offered from all our participants was unanimous regardless of age and sex: whatever you make for a resolution, make sure that it keeps you in mind first because in 2012 you’ll need it!

By Anna Katryan

With their signs littered across the GTA, many residents have often identified Homelife Maple Leaf Realty Ltd. agents solely from the familiar names seen hammered firmly into the front lawn of a neighbours house.  As many happy property owners can affirm, choosing a Homelife agent provides comfort in relying on an organization that has already become a force to be reckoned with within the industry.

With their independent agents usually hard at work throughout the year, it was a pleasant reunion for many in attendance Friday evening at the annual Homelife Maple Leaf holiday appreciation event held at the Versailles Convention Centre.  Agents shared with utter delight through friendly whistles, clapping and loud cheers as peers were awarded throughout the evening with a much deserved trophy or plaque.

Mohammad Rafi, a rookie agent with Homelife for nine months was one of many awarded recipients at the event. He gladly reflects with our Generation Next reporter on the overall importance of being appreciated as a fairly new agent within a competitive industry. “At the end of the day you want appreciation and these kinds of events are always good to have. However, deep down inside only you will know what you are capable of.”

As new agents were honoured for their vast accomplishments achieved within a short time, Homelife also acknowledges those agents whose success has earned them great respect within the industry.  Nav Sidhu, a well known veteran agent within the Homelife Maple Leaf Realty organization was a proud recipient honoured within the evening as well. As an agent who has been around for many years Mr. Sidhu extrapolates on the importance of choosing a knowledgeable agent . “[An experienced agent] has a good reputation and is known which is why it is important to make sure you are getting the right experienced agent. Knowledge is very important, and experience really counts, people look for experience.”

Narender Sehgal, the enthusiastic host of the evening expressed to Generation Next his belief in these agents will continue to do well in the housing market for 2012. “The market is going to stay solid. As far as the CMAC is concerned they said that the year 2012 is going to show a 8-12% higher result than 2011. For the condo market, there are some predictions but we will wait and see.”

When asked if he believes the South Asian community will have a stronger role within the housing market in 2012, Mr. Sehgal was quick to express a high expectation from the South Asian community. “I can assure you one thing. The South East Asian community has been the force in the residential and commercial market. You can see the share [they] capture in the market and I think [this share] will continue to increase day by day.”

As many of the Homelife Maple Leaf Realty agents end their 2011 year on a high note of sucess, Mr. Sehgal like many others throughout the evening maintain that 2012 can only get better. As Homelife looks to expand their number of agents in the coming year, readers can be assured that signs will be out in full force once again bearing the all too familiar Homelife Maple Leaf slogan for 2012.

It’s that time of year again. Restless shoppers’ break out the wallets and rev up their rusty credit cards, holiday bonuses, and paychecks hoping to find that perfect gift for the many beloved names etched onto their holiday wish list.  With Christmas only a few days away, the commercial galore within the GTA is in full effect for shoppers who have become frantically obsessed with ‘gifting’ their feelings through tokens of appreciation. For many seasonal shoppers, the desire to appease both the commercial and personal pressures of the holiday season is usually a tricky feat to manage.

Alliyah Khan, a 27 year old chartered accountant explains to Generation Next that her shopping ritual is often driven by multiple motives that can be broken down into two distinct categories: obligation and tradition. “I feel a sense of obligation towards my boyfriend’s family because I feel like I have to get them something and because his mom always gets me something. With my boyfriend and my friend, it’s a tradition. We’ve kept this up for quite a long time and I don’t want to end it.”

Buying gifts out of obligation for extended family, co workers, and casual acquaintances can often add to the stress of budgeting over the holiday season.  For Ms. Khan, the overwhelming need to buy gifts has compelled her to shave off the names that are no longer a necessity. “I don’t give gifts to anyone else because I hate shopping and I hate thinking of gift ideas. I used to get gifts for my siblings as well but now that we’ve all grown up, I find it’s harder to think of what to get them. Most of the times, they can’t even think of what they want or if they even want it [and if they do] they would probably go buy it themselves.”

Reducing the size of your shopping list is often a great way for shoppers to maintain their holiday budget and make each gift more meaningful.  For Swechchha Pokhrel, a 23 year old student and Early Childhood Educator the role that her holiday budget plays each year ultimately dictates who makes or does not make her list. “I don’t usually have a budget but if I know I can afford certain things then I will buy it. It all depends on how much I earned. Having a full time job will mean I have more money to spend, but since I am still  a student and part time worker, I am not left with very much choice.”

Another great and trendy option for those hoping to survive the gifting frenzy is seen by those willing to purchase items online. Although, this method may take some pre-planning strategies it allows many budget conscious buyers to seek out the best web deals and save the stress of standing impatiently behind a ridiculous cahier line up. Lemar Kumar, a 26 year old banker, reiterates the growing appeal of switching shopping methods. “I do most of my shopping at the malls because I [usually] start shopping too late to wait for online deliver. If I had enough time I would do all my shopping online.”  For online shoppers, placing their trust on the postal system is merely small price to pay to avoid the madness that fills the local malls at this time of year.

Audrey Lau, a 27 year old Executive Assistant and HR Coordinator describe the relief that buying online has given her especially within her busy work schedule. “Ebay for example is wonderful because you can get a good price for most things and they will ship it right to your door! No line-ups and I can do this in the comfort of my own home.” For many young professionals like Ms. Lau saving time through easier shopping methods can only enhance the holiday giving experience. After all, as Ms. Lau states, “a little festive spirit during the holidays is a nice reminder to show appreciation.”

Here are some helpful shopping tips our shoppers had to offer to maximize your shopping experience:

1. Do your holiday shopping early! You can avoid the stressful crowds and not get sucked into spur of the moment purchases while waiting in lines.

1. Create a shopping list. It can help keep you on track with a budget and keep you focused on the people you value most.

1. Do your research. Look for good sales via online and in flyers to ensure you are getting the best prices for your items.

1. Although some feel strongly against it. Re-gifting items that you will not find useful can save both money and offer a better home to that unwanted item collecting dust in your closet.

By Anna Katryan

1. Make a list, and check it twice. Did you know that research has proven that people who shop at the grocery store with a list spend between 30% and 40% less than those who don’t plan their purchases? The same can be said for your holiday shopping. Make a list for everybody before you hit the malls, and avoid making impulse purchases at all costs.

2. Stash away a little extra cash. Even when you’re great at sticking to a holiday shopping budget, often the spirit of the season causes generosity to beat out frugality. Pad your available cash for the holidays a bit by setting aside a few extra dollars a few between now and the end of December. This will help you avoid, or at least reduce, the amount you use credit cards to make holiday purchases.

3. Hunt down online deals, especially for big ticket items. It’s unusual these days to find big ticket items like jewelry, computers, or electronics in stores for less than you can buy the same product online. If you plan on surprising somebody special with a gift that costs more than $100 this year, keep browsing the Web for the right deal. One tip: A long-time favorite Web store of high-tech professionals, e-store Buy.com offers some of the best prices on hot consumer electronics like digital cameras, laptops, and mp3 players. New customers can also enjoy either $5 off $100 on anything or $5 off $75 on $5 OFF the purchase of $75 of music, movies, or games.

4. If you must use a credit card…Your monthly budget is already stretched thin. If you haven’t been saving for holiday gifts all year, you’ll end up using credit to make the purchases. Using credit cards for the holiday’s isn’t ideal, but so long as you’re good about paying off those balances in a few months (not a few years) I don’t think it’s a cardinal sin.

If you do use a credit card for your holiday shopping that you don’t plan on repaying immediately, get a card that offers a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months.

Gift giving spend decreases while holiday entertaining increases

According to the BMO 2011 Holiday Spending Outlook, global economic uncertainty doesn’t seem to be putting a damper on Canadians’ holiday spending plans. In fact, on average, Canadians expect to spend $1397 during this holiday season – up from $1305 in 2010.

Holiday Spending Allocation – Year over Year Comparison

Holiday Spending Across the Country

To help shoppers make sense of their money, avoid overspending and save more this holiday season, BMO Bank of Montreal offers the following tips:

• Set a Budget and Stick to It – Build your budget as early as possible and revisit it often to lessen the impact of the holiday spending surge. Using online tools, such as BMO MoneyLogic, to set and track spending limits can help keep you on track.
• Get a Head Start – According to the survey, while the majority of Canadians plan weeks or even months ahead for their holiday shopping (81 per cent), one in 10 consider themselves last-minute shoppers. By waiting until the last minute to get your holiday shopping finished, you risk over-spending, going over budget and sometimes missing out on the gifts at the top of your list.
• Spend Smart – Get the most out of your purchases this holiday season by using a credit or debit card that offers rewards for purchases at multiple retail locations. Combine this with programs such as the AIR MILES® Reward Program to accelerate your rewards earnings by allowing you to double dip, essentially earning rewards twice on the same purchase.

It is estimated that during his lifetime, 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Rates of prostate cancer in men are comparable to rates of breast cancer in women.

The incidents of prostate cancer is increasing due to the aging of the population and due to better detection methods.  It is a far greater threat for those with a family history of prostate cancer.

Dr. Ash Tewari is one of the world’s leading researchers and surgeons in the field of prostate cancer; he specializes in robotic prostatectomy.

According to him, the incidence of prostate cancer amongst South Asians in the U.S. is just 4.6 per 100,000 as compared to 104.3 per 100,000 amongst non-South Asians.

The prostate gland is located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder.  In the early stages, when the cancer cells are only in the prostate, the disease is very curable (cure rates of 90% or better) because in most cases, prostate cancers grow relatively slowly.  Unfortunately, it is hard to detect in the early stages due to few symptoms.  If you have a family history of prostate cancer or if you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor:

(1)   Need to urinate frequently, especially at night

(2)   Difficulty to start or to control the urine stream

(3)   Hesitancy with urination

(4)   Painful urination

(5)   Difficulty with erection or pain with ejaculation

(6)   Blood in the urine or semen

Ignoring the symptoms may hinder detection in the early stages.  Your doctor may examine the prostate by one of many methods – digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA blood test, ultrasound, and biopsy.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treatment ranges from just monitoring in simple cases to radical surgery/radiation/hormonal therapy for more aggressive cases.  If untreated, aggressive cases can spread to other parts of the body, considerably reducing the chances of a cure.
Prevention of prostate cancer has not yet been achieved because the genetic and environmental risk factors have not yet been strongly identified. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. It is very rare (although possible) to be diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 40, but a man’s risk increases quickly after age 50.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Ethnicity also plays a role in the risk for prostate cancer. African-American men have the highest risk of developing prostate cancer; they are 65% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men.  However, South Asian men are more likely to die from their prostate cancer. This discrepancy may be because 85% of these patients present for treatment of prostate cancer are detected at late stages. In contrast, 15% of Caucasians in the United States present are in the late stage for treatment.

Diet may play a role; for example, Asian men who remain in China are at lower risk than Chinese men who have moved to North America. The following are some dietary strategies that may reduce your risk of prostate cancer recurrence or to delay the progression of any diagnosed disease:

• Reduce the amount of fat in your diet, especially the amount of animal fat like red meat and of high-fat dairy products.
• Substitute with a variety of plant proteins, such as lentils, beans, grains, and nuts and seeds.
• Consult with your doctor about adding soy to your diet as one of the substitutes for high-fat dairy and animal protein.
• Significantly increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, particularly of dark-green leafy vegetables, red and purple vegetables and fruit (e.g.  red grapes, and pomegranates), and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.  Choosing by colour ensures consumption of foods with different anti-cancer properties:

a)      Red group: tomato juice or sauce, watermelon, pink grapefruit.

b)      Red/purple group: pomegranates or pomegranate juice; red grapes, red grape juice, or red wine; plums; assorted berries.

c)      Orange group: carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, mangoes, cantaloupes, apricots.

d)     Orange/yellow group: oranges, peaches, papaya.

e)      Yellow/green: spinach, yellow corn, green peas, honeydew melon.

f)       Green: broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale.

g)      White/green: garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, onions.

• Drink green tea
• Avoid excessively preserved, pickled, or salted foods.
• Use olive oil, which is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants.
• Avoid refined sugars.

EXERCISE REDUCES RISK

Research suggests a probable link between increased physical activity and decreased prostate cancer risk/improved survival among those diagnosed with prostate cancer. Learning to keep the levels of stress to a minimum will also help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

After consulting with your physician, you can invest in some supplements that may be possibly reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer -  selenium, lycopene, garlic, vitamin C, and vitamin E, vitamin D and pomegranate extract.  Excess calcium, zinc and vitamin A may increase the risk of prostate cancer; therefore, it is better to get these from the diet.  Previously suggested supplementation with prostate cancer-SPES, shark cartilage and saw palmetto are no longer suggested.

In short, South Asian men may not be able to substantially reduce their risk of prostate cancer but they can definitely reduce their mortality from prostate cancer by seeking medical attention sooner rather than later.

Debutant Director Puneet Issar’s “I am Singh” is a story about a Sikh family affected by racial discrimination post 9/11.

Ranveer Singh is youngest son on the family, who is living in India. However when he hears the news of his family being affected by racial discrimination, he rushes to America in order to find answers for himself.

Upon his arrival he realizes that he is stuck in between political turmoil and will have to take the battle upon his own hands. The movie provides viewers with suspense, action keeping its audience at the edge of their seat for the first half of the movie.

Puneet Issar, attempts to summarize aftermath of 9/11 attacks with a new perspective, highlighting the affect the incident had particularly towards the Sikh community.  The movie followed a great screenplay, acting, and editing, however viewers loose interest towards the end of the film, when it becomes just a cat and dog chase between the protagonist and antagonist. The movie ends unexpectedly and does not come to concrete conclusion.

There is nothing special about the songs in the film, neither do they complement the film.  The use of item number in the film is pointless and does not suit such genre of the film. Overall Puneet Issar tried to create an innovative film with a serious plot, however failed to keep viewers interest till the end of the film.

By Saurabh Agarwal

A classical galore greeted music lovers on November 17, 2011 at the Panasonic theatre in an elegant manner that could only leave the great Bach, Beethoven and Chopin brimming with pride.  One of the most successful plays in the history of Canadian Theatre relives the magic on stage with a celebrated performance of 2 Pianos 4 Hands.  Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, the creators, directors and performers of this Canadian play provide a catchy storyline that masks the well known masterpieces lyrically gliding underneath the movement of their fingers.

Music lovers of all kinds could not help but fall in love with this classical journey that our two stars take you through beginning and ending with an encore breathtaking performance of Bach’s 1^st movement, Concerto in D minor.  Every ticket holder took home an experience they not only was a treat to watch but a memorable treat hear as well.

According to estimates from the UNAIDS Global Report 2010, around 30.8 million adults and 2.5 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2009 in India alone, the number is about 2.5 million people.

MYTHS And MISCONCEPTIONS:

(1)  HIV is transmitted only through sex with sex workers and through same-sex relations;

(2)  It is easy to contract HIV by even being in the same room as a HIV-infected person;

(3)  There is no way to help HIV-infected people – so it is better to institutionalize them and protect the rest of the world;

(4)  HIV and AIDS mean the same thing.

These misconceptions have led to the stigma associated with HIV – this was seen in the suffering by the character that is played by Sanjay Suri in the Bollywood flick, “My Brother Nikhil”.  Infected people are reluctant to seek medical attention. As a result, high mortality and morbidity rates are associated with HIV infection.

Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of different bodily fluids – blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, anal secretions, or breast milk.  It is not transmitted via inanimate objects used by HIV-infected people because the virus does not survive outside the human body.  There is a very minimal risk of transmission by sharing the toilet seat, shaking hands, kissing or sharing kitchen utensils only if the uninfected person has an open wound and contacts the blood of the infected person.

SOUTH ASIANS AND AIDS

Sex is generally a topic of taboo in the South Asian community as engrained into us by our parents and into them by their parents and so on.  This may be due to a fear of encouraging sexual relationships outside marriage. Same-sex relationships are also a taboo due to conservative cultural/religious views. Such taboos have the opposite effect of what they are intended for. The lack of openness about talking about sex and sexual orientation leads to poor education and in turn, temptations to experiment in secrecy. This includes the man having a relationship with a man or with a paid sex worker outside his heterosexual marriage. Due to the guilt around the breaking of the taboo, there may be a reluctance to use condoms and to take initiative to do appropriate screening tests for sexually transmitted infections. This increases the risk of contracting HIV and of missing the diagnosis of HIV in its initial stages; the naïve HIV-infected person can unknowingly infect his/her current and future partners.  This is demonstrated by the character that is played by Salman Khan in “Phir Milenge”.  Even worse is the scenario where an infected pregnant mother passes it on to her child.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Sex workers, injectable drug users and men having sex with men are at the most risk.  Women account for a growing proportion of people living with HIV in South Asia – particularly in rural areas. A large proportion of women with HIV appear to have gotten infected by their regular partners who were infected during paid sex.  Slowly, programs are coming into place to increase the levels of condom use in the context of sex work.  Harm reduction programs are being developed to promote safe needle exchanges for injectable drug users.

STRUCTURAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS:

• Ongoing stigma related to sex, sexuality and HIV
• Structured commercial sex and casual sex with non-regular partners
• Trafficking of women and girls into prostitution
• Male resistance to condom use
• High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Low status of women, leading to an inability to negotiate safe sex
• Poverty
• Low literacy levels

TREATMENT AND AWARENESS:

Treatment with antiretroviral drugs increases the life expectancy of people infected with HIV and improves their quality of life.  This is demonstrated by the character that is played by Shilpa Shetty in “Phir Milenge”.  It also reduces the risk of the infected mom transmitting it to the child during birth or breastfeeding.  Most people infected with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years, but this can be delayed with the help of these drugs if the diagnosis is made early enough.  People with AIDS mostly die from infections or cancers.  Without appropriate therapy, AIDS can kill a person within a year.

Widespread education and getting comfortable with openly talking about sex are the promising solutions to this preventable epidemic. School sex-education programs and organizations like ASAAP (Alliance for South Asian Prevention) are instrumental in making the topic of sex less of a taboo in the South Asian community. ASAAP serves the South Asians in the Greater Toronto Area; it offers health promotion and support for HIV-infected South Asians, and works with diverse communities on prevention education (http://asaap.ca/). It is advisable for both partners to get tested before starting a new relationship and after ending the current relationship; in North America, HIV testing is part of the routine initial bloodtests for the pregnant woman.  In Toronto, you can get anonymously tested at the Hassle Free Clinic (www.hasslefreeclinic.org).

Dr. Amitha  Mundenchira is a Family Physician.