Canada India Foundation brings out its E-Newsletter, Vol 32, Issue 19, Sep 2021
CIF E-Newsletter
Volume 32 Issue #19 September 2021
Chair’s Message
CIF India Chapter Takes Off with Full Force
Hello friends. As you all know, we have a federal election coming our way on September 20th, 2021. And for those of us who are fortunate to live in a democracy, elections give us the opportunity to express our deepest feeling and sometimes, suspicions, about our rulers. Voting is one of the most precious rights that we have to get our viewpoints across. Do not waste it.
Not always will you get your wish i.e., the party you voted for comes into power. That’s in the nature of democracy. We have a system that accommodates all viewpoints as represented by our political parties but gives the right to govern to the party with the greatest number of seats. The important thing to do is to participate, and not ignore this opportunity. Depending on what your priorities are for you, your family, your community, and your country choose a platform/party that aligns most with your aspirations.
On September 20 (or earlier at available locations), you get out there and cast that vote without fear or favor for the candidate of your choice and you’ll have fulfilled one of the most sacred duties as a free citizen of a democracy. Leave the rest to history.
We have reported to you already on a spectacularly successful charity golf tournament that CIF held last month that raised a record-breaking over one hundred thousand dollars. Once again, we thank all donors and raffle participants for making this a huge success. We hope that this level of support will continue in the following years. Because the permanent fund being set up is dedicated to the noblest cause — the higher education for the children of the fallen heroes here in Canada as well as in India. We have considerably notched up our plans in the area of helping needy children to pursue education.
That was the thinking behind our recent decision to adopt 75 children in India by extending all support including financial (to the tune of one hundred thousand rupees per child each year) till they complete their school education and in an exceptional case, even later into their post-secondary education. I am thrilled to mention here that this is an initiative largely driven by our recently constituted CIF India Chapter.
India and Canada can fight the climate battle together
As India celebrates the 75th year of its independence, it has again reaffirmed a commitment to strong climate action. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target for the country for its centenary in 2047: self-reliance in energy production through a mix of solar energy, electric mobility, a gas-based economy, and as a global hub for green hydrogen.
India is not alone in the quest for a greener future. At Cornwall in June, leaders of the world’s largest market democracies marked a recognition that while humanity battles a devastating global pandemic, the grave threat of climate change continues to gather. Extreme climate events and warmer weather this summer have underlined the immediacy of the climate challenge. Interacting with G7 leaders, India’s Prime Minister reiterated India’s strong commitment to climate action. (Read more)
Ayurveda Speaker Series Session — 23
Ayurvedic Management of Breast Cancer
The 23rd edition of the ongoing CIF Ayurveda Speaker series focused on a very critical aspect of women’s health — Ayurvedic Management of Breast Cancer. The expert speaker of the day was Dr. Ranjit Nimbalkar MD, Ph.D. (Ayurveda) from the Comprehensive Cancer Care Clinic in Pune, India. Fittingly, the event also fell on the day that Hindus all over the world mark as Raksha Bandhan, a unique tradition that confirms the bonds of love and mutual care between brothers and sisters.
The Special Guest who graced the event was Ms. Shipra Verma, Chief Electoral Officer, Manitoba. Verma has overseen four general elections since her induction. She has also been invited to be a member to observe elections in Ukraine, Russia, and India. She is currently the Chair of the Canadian Society for Elections Officials Training and a Member of the Steering Committee for the Secretariat for Electoral Coordination. (Read more)
Click here to watch the session
Dramatic Rise in Student Visas by Canada
Approval of student visas by Canada to Indian applicants has shown an 83% rise year over year to hit 67,000 in the first four months of this year. (Read more.)
Delay in Processing will Keep Some Indian Students Out
Canada’s High Commission in India has cautioned that all students seeking visas may not be accommodated in time to join their 2021 fall semester classes. (Read more.)
Employers Advised to Enforce Vaccination
Toronto’s top public health officer has issued an advisory for all employers to put in place a protocol that would require their employees to be vaccinated. (Read more.)
US Issues Record Number of Student Visas to Indians
Despite the ongoing Covid-19 related issues, the US issued a record number of student visas to Indian applicants this year. (Read more.)
World’s First DNA-based Vaccine Introduced in India
An Indian pharmaceutical company has got regulatory approval for emergency use of its indigenously developed vaccine, the world’s first DNA-based vaccine, on children 12 years and older. (Read more.)
Long way home: How Indo-Canadians have been traveling amidst a travel ban
Days before she was about to fly home to Canada, Meenu Kanda was told her Air India flight from New Delhi to Toronto had been canceled. After the federal government placed a ban on direct flights to and from India, Ms. Kanda was stranded in the midst of India’s devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections. (Read more.)
Stuck in India: Academics allege racism on Canada’s Covid testing policy
Two Indo-Canadian academics stuck in India due to the ongoing ban on direct flights to Canada are alleging Ottawa of pursuing racism with regard to this and allied measures. (Read more.)
CIF in News
CIF Charity Golf Tournament raises over $100,000 in Aid of Families of Fallen Heroes
Hornby, ON, August 25, 2021: The 6th Annual CIF Charity Golf tournament was held at the Royal Ontario Golf Club in Hornby, ON, on August 25th, 2021. The event drew record attendance and raised funds toward the welfare of the families of the fallen heroes in Canada and in India.
Held under the aegis of the CIF Charitable Foundation, the golf tournaments have been one of the most successful fundraising events specifically targeted at the military families that need support. This year, additionally, the organizers announced an expansion of the fund to create more opportunities for the children of the fallen heroes who may want to pursue higher education in Canada. (Read more)
