All posts by Vivek Nayak

OKA Kudos

Suvarna & Sadanand Mankikar

At the recently held 2022 Konkani Sammelan, Suvarna & Sadanand Mankikar were honored with the ‘Outstanding Public Service’ award in recognition of their over forty five years of service to the Konkani community in North America and abroad, contributions to blood banking with Canadian Blood services and consulting expertise to Institutions in Canada, Europe and India. Sadanand and Suvarna  profusely thank Ashok & Amita Bhatt for nominating them for this award.

In January of this year Sadanand was nominated by the Ontario Konkani Association for the ‘Ontario Volunteer Service award’. This award recognizes volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service to an organization ranging from five to 65 years of continuous service.

For Suvarna &Sadanand Mankikar, the call for community service in Canada came about forty-five years ago. On a fine Sunday morning in 1977, Sadanand got a call from a long-standing member of the Marathi Bhashik Mandal, Toronto telling him that he had volunteered Sadanand’s name for the Mandal’s Executive Committee. Since then, Suvarna & Sadanand have been dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers in various organizations involving not only Canadians of South Asian origin, but also the larger Canadian community in and around GTA, and the Gloucester/Ottawa areas. They have been closely associated with Ontario Konkani Association for over 30 years and have been leading the OKA Seniors Forum for the past several years.

After working for six years at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto as Virology Research Technologist, Sadanand joined Canadian Blood Services in 1979 and retired as Executive Director, Quality Assurance in 2006. He worked as a consultant in Canada, Europe and India and developed Quality Management Systems for Stem Cell Program, International Plasma Fractionation Plant and National Blood Program. Suvarna started her career at Canara Bank, Davangere, and after 38 years with the Ontario Government, she retired as Supervisor in Corporate Finance at the Ontario Securities Commission.

ONTARIO KONKANI ASSOCIATION (OKA) SINCE 1990

  • Member since 1990
  • Vice President (2003 – 2004)   
  • President (2004 – 2005)
  • Established OKA Scholarship during Association’s 15th Anniversary (2004)
  • OKA Scholarship Committee (2004-2008, 2011-2014)
  • Chair, KAO Vision 2020 (2013-2014)
  • OKA Senior’s Forum (Since 2016)
  • OKA.SVBF Health Awareness Program (Since 2018)

ONTARIO KONKANI ASSOCIATION SENIOR’S FORUM (Since 2016)

  • Initiated the Forum to develop and implement socio-cultural programs with a focus on seniors and soon to be seniors in the community to help prepare for and adapt to the changes. It has developed teams of volunteers to provide support and assistance to the seniors.

PROJECTS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED:

  • Emergency Preparedness Program comprising of
    • Emergency Preparedness Kits
    • End of Life Planning
    • Estate Planning, Wills and Power of Attorney
    • Support during personal emergencies, including death
    • Information about services provided by Government and Non-Government Agencies
  • Interactive forum “OKA Aadhaar Chat”
  • Carpooling for seniors for attending OKA programs

INFORMATION SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS:

  • Five Brain Storming sessions and Focus Group Meetings
  • Two Seniors’ Lunches and Get-Togethers
  • Seven seniors’ Information Sessions covering Wills and Power of Attorney, End of Life Planning, Emergency Preparedness
  • Six Technical Support Workshops (assistance in handling emerging technology provided by youth in the OKA Community)

ONTARIO KONKANI ASSOCIATION AND SRINGERI VIDYA BHARATI FOUNDATION HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAM (Since 2018)

  • Seminars/webinars in collaboration with Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (SVBF), Canada India Foundation, South Asian Diabetes Chapter and other relevant organizations
  • Eleven seminars/webinars covering various health related topics including Diabetes, Heart, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Mental Health, Digestive System and COVID 19.
  • One webinar on Wills and Power of Attorney
  • One webinar on Seniors/ Retirement Community
  • One webinar on Assisted Living, Home Care and Long Term Care
  • Three Technical Support Workshops (conducted by youth)

OTHER RELATED SENIORS’ ACTIVITIES (2017-2019)

  • Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors February 2018
  • Member, Seniors’ Community Housing Project, Indus Community Services 2018
  • Member, RetCom/Nirvana – a Seniors’ Residence Project (2018-2019)
  • Scattering of Ashes/Asti Visarjan Project by Ontario Government – Town Hall Meeting and Brainstorming sessions 2017-2018
  • Ontario Liberal Caucus –Indian Friendship Group Meeting March 2017

OKA COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS (2010 – 2015) 

  • Developed and conducted five Annual Communication and Leadership Workshops comprising of practicing Communication and Leadership skills, Career Booths and presentations on mentoring, Preparing for University Life, Interview Skills etc.

NORTH AMERICAN KONKANI ASSOCIATION – NAKA (2004-2021)

  • Executive Vice President, NAKA Convention in Hamilton, Ontario, (2004-2006)
  • Director, NAKA Board of Directors (2006 – 2012)         
  • White paper on NAKA Reorganization 2012
  • Vice President, NAKA Board of Directors (2012 – 2016)
  • Conducted Workshop “Now I am a Senior, What Next” at NAKA Convention, Atlanta, 2016
  • Coordinator, “Seniors’ Corner” on NAKA website 2017-
  • Chair, NAKA Board of Director’s Election Committee 2021

JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION (2022)

  • Member, Curriculum Development Committee

SRINGERI VIDYA BHARATI FOUNDATION (SVBF) (SINCE 2009)

  • Volunteer since 2009
  • Member, Maha  Kumbhabhishekam  Organizing Committee 2010
  • Member, Maharudra Organizing Committee 2016
  • Coordinator, Health Awareness Program since 2018

CITY OF BURLINGTON CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE (2008-2010)

  • Volunteer, Organizing Committee
  • Master of Ceremonies on the West Stage

JOSEPH BRANT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, BURLINGTON, ONTARIO (2006-2009)

  • Member, Board of Governors’ Quality Assurance Committee

MARATHI BHASHIK MANDAL, OTTAWA (1995-1996)

  • Founding Secretary

CANADIAN KIDNEY FOUNDATION (1991 -1995)

  • Campaign Volunteer in Orleans, Ontario       

GLOUCESTER, ONTARIO (1991-1992)

  • Organized and moderated Candidates Debate, Gloucester Civic Election 1991
  • Facilitated public consultation on structural reform to municipal government in Ottawa-Carleton (G. M. Kirby Commission) 1992
  • Member, Gloucester Leisure Recreation Board 1992
  • Community Policing Brainstorming Session 1992

CHAPEL HILL CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS (1990-1992)

  • Founder 1990
  • Coordinator 1990-1992

CHAPEL HILL RESIDENT’S ASSOCIATION, ORLEANS, ONTARIO (1988-1992)

  • President, Chapel Hill Residents Association
  • Editor, CHRA Newsletter
  • Initiated Neighborhood Watch Program
  • Organized Community Health Fair

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL (1980-2006)

  • Held Club to District level Leadership positions in two different Districts
  • Conducted District Conferences, Speechcrafts, Youth Leadership Programs, Officer Training Sessions, Seminars, Workshops in two different Districts
  • Started a number of Clubs including a Gavel Club for Youth in two Districts

METRO INTERNATIONAL CARAVAN, TORONTO (1978-1982)

  • Member of the Organizing Committee that initiated and organized the New Delhi Pavilion at the Metro International Caravan – a multicultural nine-day festival with over 60 pavilions in and around GTA.
  • Award winning Entertainment Coordinator 1978
  • Award winning Pavilion Host 1979
  • Chairman 1980-1982

INDIAN IMMIGRANT AID SERVICES (1977-1982)

  • Volunteer
  • Planning Committee, of the first “Indians in Canada” Conference 
  • Member of IIAS Board to select author of Report on concerns of the South Asian Canadian Community regarding their place in the Canadian Mosaic.
  • Member of IIAS Race Relations Committee that presented a report to Attorney General, Government of Ontario.
  • Member of IIAS Race Relations Committee that presented a report to Toronto Police Commissioner.

FEDERATION OF INDO-CANADIAN ORGANIZATIONS, TORONTO (1977 -1978)

  • Founding Member
  • Vice President
  • Chair, Education and Social Services Committee

MARATHI BHASHIK MANDAL, TORONTO (1977-2011)

  • Secretary 1976 -1977
  • President 1978 -1979
  • Member, MBM Think Tank Group 2011
  • Member, MBM Think Tank Core Group 2011

For animal lovers, this place is great to see Alpacas of different hues and colors strutting their stuff. The Shed Chetwyn farm is located at 500 Closson Rd, Hillier, Ontario. There are a few parking spots and I found the parking sign amusing. It read” For Alpaca Lovers only”. Only a few yards further on this road is the Prince Edward County Lavender Farm. The best time to visit is late June through July. Our visit in August was a bit too late to see the colorful lavender flowers. Other sites in the vicinity are the Trent Severn Waterway and the Laundry’s farm market.  

Tyendinaga Caves and Caverns

Ontario’s Oldest Natural Cavern, Tyendinaga Cavern and caves is a private network of natural caves and is thought to be the oldest such in Ontario. It is approximately 150 feet long and 45 feet deep. While you won’t see Stalactites and stalagmites, this cave is solid rocks with narrow passages and several levels. Located at 2623 Harmony Road, Belleville this place is worth visiting during summer when you feel like getting out of your city.

Contribution

Ontario – Yours To Discover

With the Pandemic now in its third year, one would think that all the restrictions imposed by public health and other government agencies would curb our enthusiasm and spirit to discover and experience new things. However, in the last three years even with all the restrictions we traveled and experienced several things within Ontario, some of them for the very first time.

Sunflower farm:

A visit to a sunflower farm is surely a cause for a smile, photo ops, and plenty of sunshine. We visited the Edward Sunflower Farm a few months ago. Located at 1574 9th Line, Innisfil, ON L9S 3Z1 this farm has rows and rows of sunflowers.

Sunflowers are usually in bloom from late July through the middle of August. But always check the farm’s website before you go to make sure they are open and in bloom.

Apple Picking:

In October 2021 we went Apple picking at West Wind Farm located at 690 Baseline Road, Terra Cotta in Caledon. It was an interesting experience going in a tractor-driven buggy to a spot deep inside the Apple orchard. We were given about an hour to pick our own apples. Ladders were available for us to select any tree and climb the ladder to pluck the juiciest of apples. We picked a bag full of crisp Golden delicious apples for under $10.

Point Pelee National Park:

This is a national park in Essex County in southwestern Ontario where it extends into Lake Erie. This spit of land is slightly more than seven kilometers long by 4.5 kilometers (2.8 mi) wide at its northern base. Established in 1918, Point Pelee was the first national park in Canada to be established for conservation. We went to this park and visited the southernmost part of Canada in the month of March 2021. We did not visit the island as the ferry was not in service. However, we did climb the tower and got a great view of Lake Erie. We saw flocks of migratory birds everywhere. 

Badlands:

The Cheltenham Badlands is one of Ontario’s geological treasures, formed at the base of an ancient sea about 450 million years ago. The 36-hectare (91-acre) site is a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and hosts one of the most recognizable and visited natural heritage landmarks in southern Ontario. In October of 2021, we went to this unique place and were fortunate to see a lot of fall colours. Hard to believe we have so many places worthy of a visit so close to home.

Alpaca Farm:

For animal lovers, this place is great to see Alpacas of different hues and colors strutting their stuff. The Shed Chetwyn farm is located at 500 Closson Rd, Hillier, Ontario. There are a few parking spots and I found the parking sign amusing. It read” For Alpaca Lovers only”. Only a few yards further on this road is the Prince Edward County Lavender Farm. The best time to visit is late June through July. Our visit in August was a bit too late to see the colorful lavender flowers. Other sites in the vicinity are the Trent Severn Waterway and the Laundry’s farm market.  

Tyendinaga Caves and Caverns

Ontario’s Oldest Natural Cavern, Tyendinaga Cavern and caves is a private network of natural caves and is thought to be the oldest such in Ontario. It is approximately 150 feet long and 45 feet deep. While you won’t see Stalactites and stalagmites, this cave is solid rocks with narrow passages and several levels. Located at 2623 Harmony Road, Belleville this place is worth visiting during summer when you feel like getting out of your city.