Over 500 students are ready to set the stage on fire with their dazzling performances on latest Bollywood blockbuster tracks. The show will present dance styles like Shiamak’s Bollywood Jazz^TM, Rock n Roll, Hip-Hop and many more. The show will also have a special performance by Shiamak’s Victory Arts Foundation (VAF), the non-profit arm of Shiamak’s company dedicated towards empowering people with special needs through dance.

“Spring Funk^TM is an extension of my motto – Have Feet. Will Dance^TM . With these shows I aim to give all my students, no matter what age, size or background, a professional platform to display their dancing talent. Canada has tremendous potential. People are culturally inclined and so enthusiastic to learn dance styles from India, especially Bollywood”, says dance magnate, Shiamak Davar.

The Spring Funk^TM workshop is a unique program, training amateur dancers to perform like confident professionals. Shiamak trains, energizes and reaches out to people from all walks of life. Aged 4 to 85 years, Shiamak’s students attend dance classes in the age groups of 4-6 years for Kids, 7-12 years for Preteens and 13 years and above for adults and perform in front of huge audiences in a professionally run-event complete with majestic set design, props, lights, sound and costume.

BOOK YOUR SEAT NOW!!!!

For ticket reservation, please contact: www.markhamtheatre.ca / 905.305.7469

It’s a good idea to ask questions about safety when you go for a job interview. It’s hard to do when you’re nervous, but you need to hear the answers to find out if the employer cares about your safety. Some questions to ask are:

• Will I get job safety training? When will I get it? (It has to be before you do the work.)

• Will I be working with any chemicals? If I’m working with any chemicals, will I get training before I start to use the chemicals?

• Is there any safety gear, like safety glasses, that I’ll have to wear? Do I have to buy the gear or will you give it to me?

• Will I receive training so I know how to wear the safety gear properly and make sure it’s in good condition?

• Will I be told about emergency procedures, what to do if I get hurt, etc.?

WHAT TO DO ON YOUR FIRST DAY OR WHEN ASSIGNED A NEW TASK?

The most important thing is to ask questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question, especially when you’re asking how to do a job that you’ve never done before. ASK until you’re out of questions to make sure you understand clearly the task that needs to be done and

how to do it safely.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T THINK YOUR WORK IS SAFE?

The OHSA says that if you see something at work that you don’t think is safe, you must tell your supervisor. Do it right away. If you have talked to your supervisor and still think something is

unsafe, you may have certain rights under the OHSA to refuse to do that work until the issue has been resolved. The OHSA says your supervisor must try to resolve the problem before you start working again. In cases in which the supervisor says it’s safe and you still feel it is not, you may still have a right to refuse to work, and a Ministry of Labour inspector must be called to investigate and decide if it’s safe for you to      back to work.

CAN YOU BE FIRED FOR REFUSING TO WORK OR ASKING ABOUT SAFETY?

It is against the law for your employer to punish or fire you for refusing work that you think is unsafe or for expressing a concern about a safety issue. If you feel you have been punished (e.g., were sent home without pay, had your hours drastically cut, were fired), you can report it to the

Ministry of Labour. The ministry will guide you either to your union (if there is one) or

to the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INJURED AT WORK

Get first aid right away and tell your supervisor too. Make sure someone tells your supervisor if you can’t. Get medical help. Also, your employer may need to file a notice of the injury with the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) as soon as possible. You might be eligible to receive benefits from the WSIB for any time you miss from work because you got hurt.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/brochures/OP2009_english.pdf

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Job Fair

DATE:     THURS. MARCH 11, 2010

PLACE:   CENTENNIAL COLLEGE RESIDENCE and CONFERENCE CENTRE

940 Progress Ave, Toronto, ON M1G3T5

(HWY 401 and Markham Rd)

Closest Subway: McCowan Subway, then bus 134 Progress to Centennial College

TIME:     10:00AM – 3:00PM

Jobseeker FREE REGISTRATION:  http://www.nappcanada.com/attendeeregistration.php

ADMISSION:    FREE

PARKING:       FREE

Partial List of Companies Participating:

• PEEL REGIONAL POLICE

• Greyhound Canada/Grey Line

• RBC

• Virtual Engineers – VE Collective Inc. recruiting for engineers: Electrical, Structural, Managers, Systems, Technical

• Recruiting in Motion

• Fox Wireless/ Fox Digital

• G4 Box

• Gardena Food Corporation

• ITW Construction Products/ Paslode Canada

• K7 Marketplace

• Korean Consulate

• Spring Masters

• West Star Printing Ltd.

• Vpi Inc

• Avon Canada

• BIZTECH

• CAF

• Canadian Payroll Association

• Centennial College

• CICS

• Contemporary Computers

• Debt Freedom

• DEVIK PHARMA

• ENS Inc

• Express Personnel

• Ridgestone Construction

• RS and Associates

• Sedna Globe

• Silantia

• Global Financial Associates Inc.

• Heritage Education Funds

• Investors Group

• Marca College

• Jobbeam

• Oxford College

• Primerica

• SunLife Financial

• Sutherland-Chan

• Toronto Jobs
• Zip Graphix
• TRG Field Solutions Canada
• DBA Engineering
• PPL Legal Care of Canada Corp.
• triOS
• Shalom Health Care hiring RN, PSW, RPN, Health aid, Support workers
• CJ Health Care College
• TriCom Security Services
• Uwin Pro

We are into the New Year. We have yet to break free from this reality and though we do hope to make a move soon, the possible directions that we move to from here have opened up a Pandora’s Box of possibilities. If and when the strike ends, we could be taken down the road of one or many possibilities: nothing is impossible and we are currently bracing ourselves, yet again, for the impossible possible. Thus I ask, “ Do we really desire to exist where impossible is nothing?”

To question impossibility, we need to consider what is possible. If we consider the strike alone, we will run out of time in considering the possibilities. Perhaps the only impossible phenomenon, at this time, appears to be a settlement. Now, since there are a number of possibilities that could shape the destiny of our predicament, we realize that there is no element of certainty to our lives. Most of the possibilities can be problematized at any instance and this, in turn, feeds more possibilities : we could be back in class sometime soon, we could bid adieu to the semester or we could be back tomorrow. The possibilities are endless and as such this leads us to admit that impossible is nothing. From this alone, I wonder over our thoughts towards impossibility. Without any certainty, we have no assurance. Do we, still, really desire to exist where impossible is nothing? Do we want to demand the impossible?

By the light of the strike, I answer in the affirmative.

The uncertainty of these possibilities is stabbing me in the open, but I am beginning to see that the power to inflict such a situation is nestled in the homes of a few. As such, they are able to conduct themselves through firing off possibilities. At this point, I feel as though I am a victim of this power struggle and as York U’s admin encounters the CUPE 3903, the possibilities that attack me are wearing me down. However, I still do desire to exist where impossible is nothing, a desire that I feel can be justified once I gain, for myself, the power to define possibilities. As York U puts it, the power to redefine the possible. Or, to be more precise, as CUPE 3903 puts it, demand the impossible.

In wishing to see impossible as nothing, I believe that I am willing to hold myself accountable to action in any given situation. At the surface of it, I am a touch helpless in terms of the strike, but if I resign my fate to the possibilities set by another person, I sign off my life to another person. The only way I can take back my being, is by considering what I can possibly do to defend myself against the possibility attacks of the other. I could protest or I could consider my options of heading elsewhere. The possibilities are, again, endless and  it really is  a matter of realizing one’s power in setting one’s own possibility!

Indeed, these notions are easier said than done. But the idea of living where impossible is nothing is to suggest that my downfall can also be the source of my revival. By removing impossibility from our lives, we risk stagnation and a society that does not move, is a society that does not change.

I truly hope that we have realized that our world speaks in the bullets of possibilities: you can either take it or bite it.x

Author: Ali Abbas

The facts are overwhelming.  Inhabited by just over 14.7% of the world’s population, Africa is estimated to have more than 60% of the AIDS-infected population.  In countries like Tanzania, where I visited three years ago, almost 9% of the entire adult population is living with AIDS.  While in Swaziland, a small country located just to the east of South Africa, an incredible 61% of all deaths are caused by HIV/AIDS, and have lowered life expectancy from 61 years in 2000 to only 32 years today.

These deaths don’t only cause incredible suffering, they are eliminating an entire generation of teachers, farmers, scientists and most importantly, parents.  This is leaving millions of children without families to fend for themselves, pushing more young people into poverty.

The best way to reduce the spread of AIDS is three fold: education, education and education.  We may find a full cure for the AIDS virus one day, but until then, we have to take preventative measures, and this means teaching young people what AIDS is, how it spreads and what actions they can take to avoid catching the disease, and this means education.

Uganda is the leading success story when it comes to AIDS prevention and education.  In the early 1990s, almost 15% of citizens were HIV positive.  That number is now about 5%.  The country accomplished this through a massive awareness and education programme started by President Yoweri Museveni and the Ministry of Health.

Lack of resources is an obvious challenge for many developing countries, although a great deal of aid is distributed throughout developing countries with high HIV/AIDS rates.  Every dollar counts, and it is amazing what just a little bit of money can accomplish.

I am currently applying for the Do Something Award, a highly popular, American-based charitable award that provides the Grand Prize Winner $100,000 to spend on their own initiative.  I passed the first phase of the application and I’m currently preparing my application for the second and final stage.  My project calls for teams of young people from Africa to teach AIDS prevention and education to children throughout the continent.

Students always respond more to young people their own age, and that’s the key to this project and its success.  I believe that this kind of education will engage and influence young people in Africa like never before, and lead to a sustainable decline in the AIDS epidemic throughout the continent.  For the last three years, I have spoken to dozens of organizations throughout Canada, raising funds for this program.  I firmly believe we will be able to start the project in Africa very soon – before it’s too late.

Author:Bilal Rajan

In July 2009, in collaboration with the United Nations, SCORE organized a EcoSikh conclave in New Delhi in which Sikh organizations and leaders declared a five year plan as a Sikh response and commitment to save earth against the threat of global warming. This plan was presented to the UN chief Ban Ki Moon in December at the Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s residence which hosted an international conference of all religions on global warming. Sikh plan includes creating a one particular environmentally focused celebration from Sikh history and theology and it focuses on five key areas — assets, education, media/advocacy, eco-twinning ( pairing gurdwaras across globe for collaborative work), and celebration.

Under this Sikh plan, we propose to coordinate an annual EcoSikh holiday season corresponding with Gur Har Rai ji Gurgaddi Diwas.  Guru Har Rai Ji’s* legacy provides one of the most inspiring models for our ecological consciousness. While commemorating and celebrating the important points of his life each year, meditating on our own environmental habits is a profound way to gain spiritual renewal.

During this observance, we can focus on ecological tips and encourage ragis to perform environmentally themed shabads. A number of shabads extol the relationship between Sikhi and the environment and we can focus on their message during this celebration.   Each community can create their own theme or follow one suggested by the EcoSikh initiative organized through the website. We hope that this particular day will be celebrated and the entire Sikh community will do something in solidarity around the world.

Various celebrations will take place in Punjab and in other parts of India. In North America, various Gurdwaras have committed to celebrating this day as a Sikh Environment day. Sikh youth is also getting excited in planning and executing ideas to celebrate this occasion.

Avtar Singh Makkar, President of SGPC, has agreed to send announcements to all educational institutions and Gurdwaras in Punjab to mark March 14th as the Sikh Environment day. He also pledged to plant 100,000 trees in SGPC run schools and colleges.  In addition, SCORE has requested him to direct all ragis to sing shabads with environment theme from the Golden Temple during the TV broadcasts to encourage Sikhs all across the globe to dedicate this Sunday for environment.

In honour of this day, we propose that all communities participate in a tree planting ceremony or various other activities listed below or in the EcoSikh plan at www.ecosikh.org.   In addition, we propose that all communities participate in a local environmental cleanup.

Sikh Youth in Washington has drawn up a plan to make presentations on Sikh environmental teachings on March 14th at the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. Youth will sing shabads focusing on nature. In addition, they plan to collect funds to support planting of 100 trees on a Kilometer of road leading to Khadoor Sahib in Punjab, India and other parts of India. Baba Sewa Singh, a Sikh environmental hero based in Khadoor Sahib, who has planted and nurtured over 100,000 trees in last ten years, has agreed to plant trees to kick start this celebration. To plant a tree and to water it for four years, the cost is $25 dollars.

*The story of Guru Har Rai Ji and the Trampled Rose expresses a profound call to ecological consciousness. When the Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Gobind Ji explains to his grandson and future7th Guru,  Baba Har Rai Ji that the Sikhs must come to the defense of all that is vulnerable and protect the well being of plants and animals, he plants the seeds in young Baba Har Rai Ji that would lead him to become an eternal defender and caretaker of our natural world. The beauty of this moment and the importance of these teachings may inspire us to celebrate our own relationship with the environment.

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What Can You Do?

Several suggestions that can be followed by individuals/families, Gurdwaras/Sikh organizations, and the wider community:

Individuals/Families:

• Plant an EcoSikh garden or tree
• Visit your local parks monthly as time for spiritual reflection and renewal

Gurdwaras/Organizations:

• Ragis sing shabads with environmental themes
• Distribute tree saplings
• Organize a tree planting ceremony or plant saplings of plants in the Gurdwara complex.

Wider Community:

• Become an active part of Earth Day celebrations (April 22nd)
• Join interfaith environmental work camps and celebrations

No one will profit from mandatory voting; as a political party may lose potential votes because the voter was unaware of its policies. The voter themselves will be dissatisfied, since they did not grasp the importance of voting, and just assumed that it was a waste of their time; not knowing how much of a difference they made to that country. Lastly, the people who decided to vote willingly, will be disappointed that the ideal party lost; due to the random votes, and therefore,  the political system is damaged.

In addition, people rebel more when they are forced to do something, and parents of any teenager can confirm this. The citizens of Australia are another example, as it is known that they are required to vote. However, many of them make their votes invalid, refusing to make a decision without comprehending the policies of the various political parties, during that small amount of time that they have to stand in a voting booth.

The government needs to realize that by not voting, citizens are still sending a message that they may want, and/or need to be informed; if they are going to make the right decision that could affect the rest of the population. The 50% of citizens who decide that they would rather skip out on the elections could definitely make a difference. The government needs to educate them about the benefits of voting; instead of making a law that forces them to do something that they have yet to understand. This is why a compromise is the best solution, and if the government would like voting rates to go up, they need to do something about it; to satisfy the citizens. However, if one thinks about it, voting is the least of the government’s concerns. They need to worry about more pressing matters, as voting is not something that taxpayers’ money should be wasted on.

If those citizens refuse to take part in something, it is their choice. Forcing them to do something is a violation of their rights. People are taught to believe that a democracy is a type of government run by the will of the people; and if that majority decides not to vote, they are best left that way. If not, the government would seem like it was betraying its own principles. After all, voting should not be a duty; it should remain as a right. Many people fought for the right to vote and it would be a shame if their efforts were wasted by others that start fighting for the right to not vote.

Any questions, comments or concerns? Email me at ahyakamal@hotmail.com

Author:Ahya Kamal

I haven’t lived in North America for long – a few years in New York City and a few years in Mississauga. And I have nothing but good to say about the part of the world I live in. The US offered me the best education of the world; my professors were extremely encouraging. In fact they prodded my brain, challenged my views to think rationally but at no time did I feel that they are even slightly pushing me to give up my values or my culture. The debates with diverse groups in class make you more tolerant and open to listening to others’, an attribute we – the South Asians and Muslims -   absolutely need to learn. Just by living and interacting with Americans can at times make us humane.

My sisters and I, and many other girls could walk out of the class at ten at night, sometimes even later than that, without a tinge of fear that someone would pass a rude remark on us or that we are not safe here. I could wear hijab if I wanted to or shalwar kameez, and no one would look at me as if they were X-raying me. I have countless opportunities to grow provided I work hard. Yes there are isolated incidents of hatred or racism but then again we have come from the part of the world where Punjabis don’t like Sindhis and South Indians are not too familiar with North Indians or Beharis have something against Mardrasis, sunnis are up against shias, and wahabis have their differences with deobandis and so on. In fact after 62 years of living in Pakistan, some of us are still mahajir (migrants). Yes, occasionally, people might not sit next to me in New York City transit because I was wearing shalwar kammeez, but what’s the big deal! America and Canada gave me the freedom and the liberty to be who I am and no one can cherish these liberties better than  I can and hundreds of thousands of South Asians and Muslims like me.

I told all this and more to this gentleman but he wasn’t happy with my response at all. He tried to show me a different picture of the US, a picture where George Bush forced the troops on Iraq by lying about Saddam Hussain and the weapons of mass destruction to not only Americans but to the entire world. He tried to tell me how America has no respect of sovereignty of other countries and how she is killing people in Afghanistan and the northern areas of Pakistan using her pilotless planes. He tried to tell me how immoral and decadent the western societies are where our girls go off to marry the blacks and the whites; how our children and teenagers’ character is damaged by morally corrupt societies. Somehow he failed to see and appreciate everything I and many others like me love about North American and the Western societies. He also forgot to mention that Americans didn’t like Bush’s policies so they elected a Democrat as a President of the US. And that the UK’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will probably face an inquiry commission on Iraq.

Somehow this elderly gentleman’s views – which of course are the views of a very select group – have seeped into the minds of South Asians and Muslim young men and women living in North America. They have been born and bred in the most beautiful part of the world, they hold the US passport, yet they are getting terrorist training. They are going to Pakistan, Yemen and Syria to get military training and are legitimately coming back to the US – the scenario that has the US government concerned as it rightfully should. Ms. Anne Patterson, the American ambassador to Pakistan, believes this is a “nightmare scenario” about which a government cannot do a whole lot. She added “It’s not very many. But it’s hard to get a precise number,” Patterson said.

However, as a community we can and we should step up to help our governments.

Yes people especially youth are distraught with the US government’s lack of initiative on Palestine and its lies about Iraq, but can you – can anyone – think of a country where you can live so blissfully and criticize the governmental policies at the same time. Mind you, criticizing the policies is very different from criticizing the state that has given you everything.

Can you be critical of the government in Saudi Arabia, in Pakistan, in India? Human rights’ violation in Saudi Arabia is well documented, however very few people criticize the Saudi government. In fact many people associate criticizing Saudi practices with condemning Islam.

As a community, as parents and as teachers we need to be mindful and watchful of who our kids and our youth are interacting with, what their background is, what their views and ideology is and what are they preaching to our kids. Many of the imams in the community are not very knowledgeable even about the Quran and other revealed books of God; they know very little of sciences and literature and culture of other societies. We have to carefully see what our kids are being taught at Islamic schools. No one is saying anything against the religious studies, however being radicalized is dangerous, very dangerous for all of us. Remember Osama bin Laden was only one man and he has ruined the name of Islam and Muslims throughout the world. Our adults have grown up in the societies where tolerance, patience, respect for women and ideas is not very much appreciated. For them to live and raise kids in an open society where almost everything is up for debate and criticism is hard.

In addition to that we live in a virtual world where the information is out there for us to access, comprehending and grasping it is another story though. We live in a world where we can conquer hearts and minds of people through google, twitter, youtube, facebook and several other social networking sites. Violent acts, bombing buildings, shooting at people disgusts human nature at a very basic level. If you want to get your message across, use technology and your brain. We should be envious of Jews’ success in North America. They have made inroads into the society not by using guns but by using their minds and education. Jews can tell stories of how they were discriminated and racially targeted, yet they have succeeded by their hard work, and not by using guns. And so can we.

Thinking about harming such a country is mind boggling to the majority of people. Here in Canada, the Canadian government added the name of Al Shabaab in the list of terrorist organizations whose activities are banned in Canada. Al-Shabaab means the youth. According to official press release “The Government received reports from the Somali community that Al Shabaab has attempted to radicalize and recruit young Canadians. The listing of Al Shabaab will help the Government of Canada to better support the Somali community of Canada.”

If gentlemen like the one I got into an argument with is in any shape and form the mentor of our kids in North America, we should be beware of them. We have to teach our kids the blessings of the Western societies. And about that moral corruption part, it’s up to you to adopt it or leave it. We have this freedom too.

Author:Asma Amanat

In past 40 years Desi females have received an unparallel booster shot of empowerment – education -career – talent – independence- leadership-ability. No matter what attributes you are looking at, the gains made by Desi females have far outpaced those made by Desi men. So it stands to reason that paradigm of male/female roles in Desi marriages has to change too.

Gone are the days (my parents’ generation) where males were bestowed with the wisdom and the intelligence and an unchallenged authority. Next came females (my generation) who were raised knowing the social norm of male dominance. It was so ingrained in their psyche that they did not question the male dominance to the extent a western female would. However coming to North America allowed them to be as productive or sometime far more productive than their male counterpart. However these women by and large played a team role (even when she knew it that she was far superior and can easily show the door to the male). This allowed many men of my generation to have their male ego not bruised too badly.

Now let us come to the current generation. The male child was generally pampered and treated as if he was the God’s gift to family (after all he was going to maintain family name). He was raised with his mom treating dad with respect and dignity (it was more of a reflection of how mom was raised and what her norm of acceptable behavior was). So when this young man becomes an adult he does not realize that old model does not work at all. New woman is more expressive of her anger, displeasure, power and even love.

De-masculization of men is happening for past 40-50 years in the western world. The empowered and now fearless women started standing up for their rights. Law supported females more than males (to level the playing field). Mother got preference over the father. The testosterone driven behavior was criminalized or looked down upon. With the women’s liberation a generation of ‘femi-nazi’ came in to existence. So many westerners would drop their jaw when they saw how our women were so willing to take a back seat – some of it was good while other was bad.

Life is lot more about perception than reality. Your generation of males feels the shock and bewilderment because this drastic change happened in a short period of time.

Addressing this issue may be an important step towards encouraging many of the eligible bachelors who are standing on sideline for some time. I am working on “infra red’ discussion of this topic – any suggestions?

So here are the questions,
” Is it possible that modern Desi woman make it difficult or impossible for ‘a man to feel like a man?’
Could it be that reluctance to run to the ‘mandap’ may be in part due to the perceived notion that marriage will end the life as he has known it?
How can we evaluate this important issue during Infra red dating?

If it is any consolation to Desi men – consider yourself very very lucky. Look at your counterpart – white males. Over last few decades he has given up nearly 50% of educational achievement – 30% of corporate leadership to her. To add the insult to injury came highly motivated men and women from India and other countries! They have ceded so much both inside and outside the house. They have to marry the women who as a group are far less committed than Desi women. That is reality. So trick lies in figuring out a solution that both male and female can live with.

Author:Vijay uncle is the coolest Desi uncle in North America. He gives relationship advice and motivates youth to register to donate bone marrows

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.

It was not your average run-of-the-mill university fashion show (I know, I know. I haven’t been to a show before, so how do I know?). For one, the show was held at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), and the settings and design surpassed anything York University has ever seen (source: overheard conversation at the show). Being a York student myself, I should stand to contradict this, but I was blown away with the professionalism in their display. And, they were running on time!!! In my experience, that’s a rarity for York shows.

The show started off with eye candy MC Brendan Beamish whose quirky humour set the tempo of the evening. The show included top brand names like Club Monaco, Bedo and French Connection, with the endorsement of a fantastic jewellery line by Gay Isber (who is also the officially jeweler for ROM). We were also treated to J(two) unisex shirts and Juju shoes, as well as AllieOop bags. The headliner designer was ‘Mis. James’, whose clothes, in my opinion, were made for ultra thin anorexic models, and which also made me wonder how she made it to the headliner slot. Oh well, I did say my sense of fashion was moderate. However, what stayed on in my mind long after the show was over was the musical performance by two jazz musicians that came right after the intermission: a jugalbandi of trumpets.

So, how did the show come about? In 2007, some UofT students (Fatima Yusuf, Juliana White, Heather McCann and Randy Alexander) from Woodsworth College had a vision. They wanted to raise money for War Child Canada, in a fun and engaging way that would bring the student community in Toronto together in the effort. And, it worked! Being their third consecutive year organizing the show, they have managed to move to a 600 attendee event (from just 100 students in their first year), consisting of fashion aficionados from UofT, York and Ryerson, raising over $20,000 in the past two years. As the story goes, the show gained so much popularity over the past two years that this year they had to move the location from Bata Museum to the ROM. It was a first for both Rock the Runway and ROM, because this was ROM’s first fashion show.

But fashion show aside, the cause behind the show is what is compelling. War Child Canada is a “Canadian charity dedicated to providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to war-affected children around the world. War Child Canada helps generate awareness, support and advocacy for children’s rights everywhere”. The organization has a major role in providing assistance and generating awareness for the support of children in places like Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Northern Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Darfur. Overall, it is a cause that needs more attention, and Rock the Runway does precisely that through an approach that is both appealing and important to our current sensibilities. This is one show that I definitely won’t be missing next year, as fashion for a good cause is a far better excuse than any.

Author: Sanchari Sur

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