We should be more outraged by taxes rather than tariffs
Pradip Rodrigues Much of the Canadian news cycle was dominated largely Trump and ofcourse we got a taste of the rare streak of Canadian jingoism. …
It’s time to live a plastics-free life!
Sabrina Almeida The recent move to eliminate single-use plastics such as grocery bags, straws, freezer bags, garbage bags and plastic-coated paper plates and cups will …
What we can learn from China
Sabrina Almeida Travel offers a learning experience that no text book or news report can equal. I am thankful to our three tour guides who …
Ethnic businesses should invest and respect human capital
Pradip Rodrigues Recently I had three conversations with three different people and it all ended with the same conclusion. Most small Indian businesses are condemned …
Want better restaurant service? Smile, be polite and TIP
Pradip Rodrigues A couple of years ago after receiving poor service at a bar from an indifferent waitress I had words with the manager and …
The high price we pay for “free” health care!
Sabrina Almeida Everything has a price… and our publicly-funded (often mistaken for free) health care system is exacting heavy dues from its users. While news …
Modi’s burden has become heavier after Karnataka setback
The hopes of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) adding Karnataka to the list of 19 states where it is in power has been dashed although …
The nomination process is broke, what’s Plan B?
If there is one thing Ontarians can take away from the upcoming elections regardless who wins, it is the fact that the nomination process political …
Why Facebook is suddenly bullish on Indian smartphone consumers?
MUMBAI When we talk about advertising potential on Facebook, the fact is that 2.2 billion global users — almost a quarter of the world’s population …
Why staying off all media is good for you
A few days ago, a lawyer posted an audio clip on WhatsApp declaring he had given up his lucrative practice in a district court and …
Empowering South Asian girls requires a cultural shift in mindset
Recently I was in conversation with Rekha Rao, who is National Technical Director, Dynamics 365 at Microsoft who uses her personal example to encourage more …
All politicians should vow to take care of our own
Pradip Rodrigues Last week all the politically correct Ontario politicians piled onto Ontario PC leader Doug Ford for a statement he made during the northern …
The truth about lying
Sabrina Almeida A recent CNN report said that US President Donald Trump has lied more than 3,000 times in the past 466 days. How do …
How will you celebrate mom?
Sabrina Almeida This Sunday many Canadians will celebrate their mums and grannies. Mother’s Day is a time-honoured tradition around the world albeit on different days. …
A few thoughts and observations on politics and truck drivers
Pradip Rodrigues Last week I met with a provincial party candidate who happened to be South Asian, if you haven’t been paying attention, most of …
Opinion like advice is often unwarranted, stop giving it!
Sabrina Almeida A co-volunteer called me last weekend to update me on his progress regarding a community program our group was working on. After informing …
Is multicultural justice the next big thing?
Pradip Rodrigues Recently an Ontario Superior Court Justice Shaun Nakatsuru declared that the time has come for the judiciary to consider the effects of systemic …
When tragedy strikes… how do you respond?
Sabrina Almeida Have you ever wondered how the end will come? Most of us do not want to have such “morbid” thoughts. However, the only …
Why is it so easy for South Asians to win nominations?
Pradip Rodrigues At the beginning of my career 30 years ago, I recall meeting a semi-retired philanthropist industrialist who was often asked to consider politics …
Do earnings impact relationships and marriage?
Sabrina Almeida The adage ‘when poverty walks in the door, love flies out the window’ is as relevant today as it was a hundred years …
Why immigrants need to look beyond their community
Pradip Rodrigues Last week I interviewed Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker Arshad Khan on the release of his documentary called Abu. We spoke about his life growing up …
Should we confront stereotypes or laugh them away?
It has been said that Indians lack a sense of humour. The flood of stand-up comedians of Indian-origin on the world stage tells a different …
Thoughts about reparations for India’s colonization
Rekha Iyer An author, politician, and former international civil servant, Shashi Tharoor straddles several worlds of experience. Currently a second-term Lok Sabha MP representing the …
Trucking company ordered off the road after Saskatchewan crash
Pradip Rodrigues The crash involving a truck and a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos hockey team which killed 15 and injured 14 ranks as one …
Time to bring all cultural festivals into the mainstream
Pradip Rodrigues Carrassauga in Mississauga and Carabram in Brampton are two festivals that promoters of multicultural Canada love to believe celebrates cultures and cuisines. White …
Why you should encourage your children to read
Sabrina Almeida A news report on International Children’s Book Day (ICBD), celebrated on Monday, April 2 this year, got me thinking about how a critical …
To help newcomers honesty triumphs political correctness
Pradip Rodrigues I was in a group discussion recently talking about ways we could really help newcomers in Canada. Naturally then everyone threw up the …
What’s in your blue recycling bin?
Sabrina Almeida Do you give much thought to what you put in your recycling bin? If not, chances are plenty of wrong items will end …
Are boys and men being set up for failure?
Sabrina Almeida It’s no longer a man’s world, according to Tucker Carlson. And he may be on to something big here! The Fox News anchor …
What aspiring Canadian politicians can learn from the news cycle
Pradip Rodrigues The Canadian news cycle has been dominated by two stories, both involving leaders of two federal political parties and having to do with …
Looking for happiness can make you sad!
Sabrina Almeida Looking for happiness could actually stress you out and make you even sadder than before! How? It’s a time-consuming task, cautions a new …
Women’s Day ignores cultural hurdles faced by immigrant women
Pradip Rodrigues Last week I attended an event commemorating Women’s Day at Mississauga City Hall hosted by Mayor Bonnie Crombie. In attendance were selected female …
Weight loss is all about your relationship with food
Sabrina Almeida It’s only the middle of March and many of us have already abandoned our weight loss resolutions. Having let many family gym memberships …
Why do South Asians love posing with Canadian politicians?
Pradip Rodrigues Pictures of South Asians posing with white politicians makes me cringe. Most of those who go out of their way to pose with …
The status of women hasn’t changed much!
Sabrina Almeida With International Women’s Day almost upon us, pink is getting its fair share of notice. No doubt cities all over the world are …
What clothing says about people and their culture
Pradip Rodrigues An internet search revealed that there are just about 20 places left on earth where its inhabitants stubbornly cling to traditional clothing, cultural …
The average Indian’s impression of our Canadian prime minister
Sabrina Almeida Headlines in Indian newspapers on the Trudeau visit have been quite unflattering, to say the least. “Family vacation” and “unusual trip” have been …
Do we vote for candidates who are ethnically similar to us?
Pradip Rodrigues In 1999, the BBC ran an BBC News Online poll for the millennium, and the result shocked Britain when Bollywood filmstar Amitabh Bachchan …
Why vacationing in India is both exhilarating and frustrating!
Sabrina Almeida It was my first trip to the home country all by myself. I had no expectations as it all seemed surreal till I …
Many South Asians celebrate “Joint” Family Day
Pradip Rodrigues When Sweetie, a sauntered into her office with a box of chocolates because she moved into her new million dollar plus McMansion house …
Bad news, Canada is one of the ‘best-educated’ countries in the world
Last week there was a news report about Canada being one of the best-educated countries in the world, all thanks to immigrants. An internal government …