“George Chow represents the change that B.C deserves. He is an excellent candidate who understands the meaning of public service. People in Vancouver-Langara will be fortunate to have him as their MLA,” said Chow.

“For Olivia to take the time to join me in bringing our message of positive change to the voters of Vancouver is a great honour, ” said George Chow, BC NDP candidate for Vancouver-Langara. “She has worked tirelessly to make life better for ordinary Canadians.”

George Chow kicked off the campaign by putting up signs in the community, followed by meeting volunteers in his campaign office.

Diversity Reporter Editor Mohsin Abbas is soaring high on the wings of a new passion – a documentary film he is making about the remarkable courage of a 15-year-old school girl from his native Pakistan.
Malala: A Girl from Paradise tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head and neck by a Taliban gunman last October while on a school bus with classmates.
The education activist first came to international attention after writing a diary for the BBC’s Urdu service about her life in Pakistan’s Swat district under Taliban rule. Writing under the pen name, Gul Makai, she chronicled the plight of children in the region after the Taliban outlawed schools for girls.
Malala was critically wounded and flown to Birmingham, England’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she underwent numerous surgeries by specialists in skull reconstruction.”
Abbas recently spent four months in Pakistan with a four-member film crew. They interviewed friends and family of Malala for their documentary. He said insurgency in the volatile tribal regions make it one of the most dangerous areas in South Asia for working journalists.
“The region is still very, very dangerous for journalists. When I go through our footage and my memories of our time spent there, I get goose bumps,” said Abbas.
Abbas, an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker and press freedom activist, is editor of the Diversity Reporter, a multilingual weekly newspaper for newcomers and immigrants in Canada.
He plans to rejoin his crew in Pakistan in July for the second phase of filming and post-production work. Abbas is attempting to raise $20,000 to complete the film, which he hopes to present to the public this September.
The film explores how the failure to silence Malala has inspired men, women and children, not only in Swat Valley, but beyond the borders of Pakistan. The documentary tells how a young girl from a remote village stood up against Stone Age ideologues, who wanted to take a nation of 200 million back in time. Malala became a shining light and force for change, not only in her Swat Valley, but around the world, said Abbas.
“We have some remarkable interviews about how she has changed the mindsets of people. A prime example is a woman we interviewed whose family business for generations had been (traditional folk) dancing. This woman told us because of Malala, her daughters will not dance, but will go to school.”
He said the females in this woman’s family have never been formally educated but learned how to make money for the home through performance of their traditional folk dances.
The film also explores the political intrigue and conspiracy theories that swirl around the attempted murder of Malala, said Abbas. The documentary, which will be in Urdu with English subtitles, will
explain how the oppression of women, political tensions and social injustices led to the horrendous attack on the young schoolgirl.
At the height of the insurgency, 401 out of 1,576 schools in the Swat Valley were destroyed by the Taliban. About 70% of the destruction targeted schools for girls. Some 60,000 children in the region have been deprived of education, with girls suffering appalling rates of illiteracy.
The Pakistani government’s record on education is also of great concern, with less than 3% of gross domestic product spent on education – among the lowest in the world. The government spends seven times more on its military than on education.
Being a Pakistani-born journalist, said Abbas, he believes he can bring deeper understanding of the culture and political turmoil that resulted in the attack on Malala.
Having survived being shot by the Taliban, Malala recently returned to school in Birmingham, England, where she now lives with her family while receiving treatment. She has also signed a book deal worth a reported $3 million. I am Malala is expected to be published this fall.
She has become the youngest person to ever be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and is a favourite to win because she embodies the causes of women and girls’ right to education, the plight of youth, and the fight against extremism.
Abbas said he intends to direct part of the proceeds from his documentary film to a school for girls in Pakistan to establish a library in Malala’s name.

This week is an opportunity to acknowledge that violence against women
has serious adverse physical, psychological, sexual, financial and
cultural impacts on women, children, families and communities. It also
provides the chance to let women know they are not alone and that help
and support are available to women who are victims of all types of
violence.

Community groups throughout the province will be holding events to send
the message that violence against women is not acceptable in our province
and that all women have the right to feel safe and live free from
violence.

Just one example of the many community-led initiatives happening during
the week is the Howe Sound Women’s Centre Society’s Clothes Line Project.
The project gives the public the chance to decorate a shirt with anti-
violence messages to display all week at the Whistler Public Library.
Staff and volunteers will be on hand to support victims of violence who
would like to reach out for help. Full details of other community events
can be found at:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crimeprevention/calendar/doc/PVAW_Week_Calendar_2013.pdf

The B.C. government has shown a clear commitment to preventing violence
against women and supporting female victims through more than 100
transition house programs and over 400 victim service and violence-
against-women counselling and outreach programs. Government has also
established the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence and is currently
developing a comprehensive, three-year domestic violence plan for
implementation this year.

If you have been the victim of violence, or know someone who has, support
is available at any time. Call your local police or access help by
calling VictimLink BC – a toll-free, confidential telephone service
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 110 languages,
at 1 800 563-0808.

The exhibition, a Canadian exclusive, celebrates the independent Sikh spirit under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, spanning the years 1708-1716. It begins with Banda’s meeting with Guru Gobind Singh, and includes materials that illuminate major incidents, significant forts and historical artifacts. Additionally, quotes from contemporary sources have been woven throughout the exhibit to create a sequential order of events as they occurred until Banda’s martyrdom.

“PDL Canada is proud to introduce The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic exhibition to Canadians. The exhibit helps to showcases the importance of digitizing Panjab’s heritage and PDL’s mission,” said President of PDL Canada Baljinder Kaur Narang.

Organized chronologically and thematically, the installation was conceived with an eye to illustrate the rich and ongoing dialogue about the impact Banda had on the psyche of the rulers of that time. A sampling of material includes reproductions of unpublished contemporary letters in Marwari, which afford a context that illuminates the concerns and ambitions the cultural group in that timeframe. The exhibition unfolds with paintings illustrating the events and eyewitness accounts of the executions of the Sikhs and Banda.

The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic exhibition is free to visitors and open to all ages.

The exhibition will be accompanied by mounted images of the exhibition. The images are curated by Panjab Digital Library and will be available during exhibition hours ($15 each).

A range of events and education programs will complement the exhibition. Highlights include:

Media Launch will animate the exhibition April 11, 2013 at 2 pm; illustrating the key role PDL Canada and the exhibition have for preserving Panjab’s heritage and culture
Guided Tour presented April 18, 2013 at 2pm. Explore the exhibition with skilled guides who will describe how it relates to culture and history. Tour is suggested for audience of 16+. Advance notice is recommended. (To reserve a spot contact: 604.805.5824 or 778.773.0899)
The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic Talk will take place on April 19, 2013 at 6:30pm. Featuring renowned speaker, Harinder Singh, Educator and Activist, discussing the essence of the Sikh spirit under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, spanning the years 1708-1716.

Today at Douglas College in New Westminster, Susan Fraser was presented with a Child Care Award of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The awards recognize the valuable contributions that are made in support of early learning and child care in British Columbia.

In 1992, Fraser became the editor of Canadian Children, and in 1993 she became one of the first Canadian delegates to visit the now world-famous preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Her book, Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom, is used in early childhood teacher preparation programs across Canada and the U.S.

May is Child Care Month in B.C., a time to recognize the extraordinary work of child care providers throughout the province.

In support of his latest release “Wrecking Ball” Bruce Springsteen has brought what many have called is darkest album to date to the corners of the globe. A full swing world tour that will take longer than one year to complete. He has been busy in the last ten years. This being fourth show in Vancouver since 2003. That maybe out of guilt since he went ten years of skipping Vancouver from 1992 – 2003.

Springsteen started the show with a new track “Shackled and Drawn” then jumped into “Out In The Streets” which requires full audience participation. The chorus of 20,000 back up singers is enough to blow the roof off its support beams. Third song, “Hungry Heart”, we didn’t wait for the chorus. we went through it verse by verse, screaming at the top of our lungs.

The stage set up was standard, but there was a platform that divided the arena floor in two parts. This gave The Boss opportunity to venture out, shake some hands, lead us in a sing-a-long and give a better vantage point for all. Few entertainer would make such an effort, but even fewer would leap into the crowd and trust to be returned to his place at center stage. After three songs he is dripping with sweet, the steam is rising of the crowd the we were barely 20 minutes in.

Over the next three hours we are taken through a history lesson spanning 40 years. His epic song “My City Of Ruins”, about New York on 9/11, was an emotional reminder of such a horrific act. Even within a rowdy party and celebration, a sobering reminder of lifes most difficult days is played. This time however it is played with current events on the table. Hurricane Sandy devestated New York and New Jersey. Leaving people without power for weeks, loss of property and belongings, but most disheartening, loss of life. Springsteen hails from New Jersey and still is proud to call The Garden State home.

New songs “We Take Care Of Our Own” and “Death To My Hometown” set up old classics “Spirit In The Night”, “Because The Night”, “Cover Me”, and “Badlands.” Encore included “Radio Nowhere”, “Dancing in the Dark”,”Born to Run” and the show stopping “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out”.
As their Boss would salute his band at shows end:
‘You’ve just seen…the heart-stopping, pants-dropping, house-rocking, earth-quaking, booty-shaking, Viagra-taking, love-making -Le-gen-dary E – Street – Band!”
They’ve had very few new member changes. Unforunately it’s been at the passing on of musicians. Pianist and organist Danny Federici passed in 2008 and Saxophonist Clarence ” The Big Man” Clemons passed in 2011. With great ovations a respectful tribute video was shown. Keeping within the family The Boss didn’t look far to replace Clarence. His nephew Jake Clemons has stepped in seemlessly to fill a huge void left by his beloved uncle. The E Street Band is a valuable part of the show. They are as diverse in their musicianship as Springsteen is to his lyrical content.

Bruce Springsteen is more than an entertainer, more than a musician, more than a poet. He’s also more than all those put together. He is the conscious of society on a musical scale. For 40 years he’s had his finger on the pulse of the day. He’s timeless. You can learn about an era by listening to his words. He’s also remained relevant his entire career. Springsteen doesn’t rely on an era to keep his career going, he writes in the moment, and in the moment he creates work that speaks to a generation. Many brilliant songwriters music don’t match their words brilliance, but Springsteen’s songs are as good musically as they are lyrically. He seems to be the guy each decade telling us, teaching us and involving us in the days events. Singing along to his songs aren’t just words coming out of your mouth, they are answers to the questions being asked in town halls, political campaigns and in the church pulpits across this great land. He’s inviting you to get involved in society. You best to what he says or you’ll get left behind

Rishi Kapoor Agneepath

Best Debut – Female

Ileana D’Cruz Barfii

Best Debut – Male

Ayushman Khurana Vicky Donor

Best Actress – Supporting Role

Dolly Ahluwalia Vicky Donor

Best Actor – Supporting Role

Annu Kapoor Vicky Donor

Best Actor – Comic Role

Abhishek Bol Bachchan

Best Playback – Female

Shalmali Kholgade Ishaqzaade

Best Playback – Male

Sonu Nigam Agneepath

Best Lyrics

Gulzar Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Best Music Director

Ajay Atul Agneepath

Best Debut Director – Critics

Gauri Schinde English Vinglish

Best Film – Critics

Gangs of Wasseypur

Best Actor Female – Critics

Deepika Cocktail

Best Actor Male – Critics

Irfaan Khan Paan Singh Tomar

Best Director – Popular

Anurag Basu Barfii

Best Film – Popular

Barfii

Best Actor – Female

Priyanka Chopra Barfii

Best Actor – Male

Ranbir Kapoor Barfii