Culture Corner

Samvatsara Padvo (Ugadi)

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Wish you all a very happu Ugadi. May this Shubhakruta Nama Samvatsara brings lots of happiness, prosperity and good health in everyone’s life. This year Ugadi falls on 2nd April 2022.

The name Ugadi (Yugadi) is derived from the Sanskrit words “YUGA” (time period/era) and “Adi” (beginning), thus it’s “ Beginning of a new time period/ era”.

Ugadi is also called Samvatsara Padvo in Konkani, Gudi Padwa in Marathi, Ugadi in Telugu. Ugadi falls on the “Chaitra Shuddha Padyami” or the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month of “Chaitra”. In North part India, people celebrate Ugadi as Chaitra Navaratri from Chaitra Padyami to Ram Navami. During this festival, the season of spring ( Vasantha masa) is believed to have arrived at its fullest potential, and everywhere the colors of the festival can be seen. New leaves on the trees look amazingly beautiful. It signifies a period when the earth starts to recharge itself for a new beginning with the help of Sun’s energy. Ugadi marks the start of earth’s energising period.

As per the Hindu calendar, it is a celebration welcoming the new time period called a year Samvatsara. This generally falls in late March or early April of the Gregorian calendar. We celebrate this festival because Hindus believe that it was on this day Lord Brahma created the Universe. As per Hindu mythology, during the evolution of the cosmos, Brahma, the creator commenced the act of creation of the universe on this day.

The term “Samvatsara” is a Sanskrit word for “year” in Vedic literature. It starts with the month “ Chaitra” when the Sun enters the sign of Aries and the first day after the New moon. It’s believed that the yugas began when the two biggest planets, Jupiter and Saturn were at 0- degrees of Aries. Jupiter takes 12 years and the Saturn takes 30 years to complete one revolution around the sun respectively. So, if we take the LCM (lowest common multiple) of 12 and 30 to find when they will intersect, we get 60. Therefore, every 60 years, both Jupiter and Saturn will be positioned at nearly the same sidereal coordinates where they started off at the beginning of the Yuga, thus forming a sixty-year cycle. This is why there are 60 Samvatsaras. Once all the 60 Samvatsaras are over, the cycle starts over again. The first Samvatsara is “Prabhava” and the last one is “Vyaya”. This Ugadi starts with SHUBHAKRUTA nama samvatsara.

The calendar dates back to the Shalivahana era, which is supposed to have been built by the great legend Shalivahana and is responsible for initiating the “Shalivahana shakha(era)”. 

An important aspect of the Ugadi festival is “Panchanga Shravanam”, (almanac reading), the hearing of recitation of forecast from the traditional lunar calendar (Panchaang) by the eldest member of the society or the priest in the temple giving out predictions for the upcoming year. Usually, every family visits the nearby temple wearing brand new clothes to take the blessings of their “Ishta devata” before starting the New samvatsara (year).

The special symbolic dish of Ugadi is “bevu-bella” or “Ugadi pachhadi”. This dish is made from a mixture of neem flowers/buds, tamarind, chilli powder, unripe mango, salt and jaggery. It is the first dish to be eaten in the morning, on Ugadi day. This dish signifies the essence of life through its ingredients. Each ingredient signifies a different taste. Neem (difficulties), chilli (anger), tamarind (challenges), unripe mango(surprises), salt (interest), jaggery (happiness).

Special dishes are cooked for the occasion and enjoyed together by families. Madgane, khotto,sheeta, dalitoy, upkari, phodi etc. are some of the special amchigele food preparations for Ugadi.  Sweets are shared with friends and neighbors.

Many new ventures are started on the day of Ugadi. People commence the construction of their new houses, undertake new business endeavors, make important purchases like a new vehicle, etc., and sign new deals.

Ugadi is all about leaving behind the past and starting new fresh expectations and a positive frame of mind. Thus, the festival is celebrated to welcome a New start in life with expectations of happiness, well-being, growth, and prosparity.

Jevan Khann

Good food. Good friends. Good spirits.

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There is a sweet secret I would like to share with my OKA family. Come every weekend our own Nandan Shanbhag puts on his chef’s hat to deliver a homemade brunch for his family. If you are thinking of eggs, bacon, toast or waffles, kasle tu vichar karta. Instead, it is always a trip down memory lane with upma, niru dosa, mushty dosa. And this is just the start. Nadan’s recipes have a special family linkage as they are from a cookbook published by his late mother, Geeta akka Shanbhag about the recipes written by his late grandmother Kaveribai Shanbhag affectionately known as Lilli mamamma to Nandan and Lilli akka to a huge joint family, relatives and friends in India and abroad

It has been more than 30 years since Nadan arrived in Saudi Arabia and with a bit more time on his hand began to develop his culinary skills. Home sick in the land of Sheiks and missed his home, because so many great memories are inextricably linked to food and family history.

Nandan’s remarks on cooking:

“I have many loves and good eating, amchigelo, is right at the top. I get so much enjoyment from cooking, mindfulness and sharing that joy in the form of homemade food. It is not just cooking, it is spiritual. From the simplest of ingredients, you can produce a mouthwatering aroma and that is what makes for a satisfying meal. Also, given that our children are growing up in North America and have so much external influence there is always a tendency towards diluting your own culture, hence keeping that essential link to our roots is a sacred duty.”

Roots of that kitchen wisdom stretches back to Lilli akka’s cookbook bound by traditions, simplicity and locally sourced ingredients.

Lilly akka was born in Udupi district in a Katapadi village in a prominent Nayak family. A Nayak family with deep roots in ayurvedic medicine. He explains his vivid memories of his multiple visits in his childhood and youth to that ancestral house which has still stood the present times. Visiting that place one can feel that belongingness to the roots. That place embodied that energy or vibration and at the same time love and warmth. A great example of a large big joint family. This is the place where his grandmother grew up. The family’s involvement in India’s freedom struggle and being surrounded by that spirit perhaps have helped in shaping her personality as most caring, standing for righteousness, sharing, doing good to humanity as whole etc. which was evident from the life she lived. When her recipe book was published, she was just 82 years of age full of energy   with an ambition to write a book on ayurvedic medicine, which unfortunately remained only as a wish. Lilli akka kept abreast with politics, cricket, movies, even self-taught herself to read the headlines of the english news papers 

Fast forward, Lilli akka gets married into the Shanbhag family of Hegde which is a village in North Canara district of Karnataka state, that’s where Nandan’s beloved mother Geeta akka’s  entry happens in this scene of our story. She decides to edit and publish this book to fulfill her mother’s wish. It has her mother’s original recipes not only from her upbringing in Katapadi but also through her stays in Hegde and travels around the whole country. Simply put, Konkani is a culinary culture as we understand it. This cookbook was published in Hegde in 1992. Talk of Hegde brings memories of my own ancestral home with mango, coconut and jackfruit bagayat. The book reveals the importance of food and community through healthy eating  though locally sourced ingredients.

The book cover picture above was taken by Nadan’s dad, an avid photographer, who had his own film developing technology. A picture is worth a thousand words and the cover is just skimming the surface of what is inside. If the cover makes your mouth water and brings the memories of ruchi jevan, wait till you see what is inside!

The book reveals the importance of food and community through a holistic perspective and takes you on a journey through the coastal regions of Karnataka (South Canara and North Canara (now named as Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts) also testing waters of north indian cuisine. Although she was a strict vegetarian void of even root vegetables, Lilli akka perfected the skill to prepare mouthwatering non-veg dishes to feed her loving family who were strict non-vegetarians, jokes apart.  Normally, cooking tasty food is a central theme of all cookbooks, but this book evolves the recipes through back yard grown vegetables, sustaining nature, spirituality and migratory patterns. Is it any wonder that our Gokarn Partagali Srimad Vidyadhiraja Teertha Swamiji officially released the first copy of the book with his divine blessings.

Konkani is a shared communal shrine to the shared communal history of the migration of Saraswat brahmins. To me these pages offer gratitude to the great chain of Konkani lives, nourishing ingredients and sustaining traditions delivered as a gift of memory to the generations to come.

Here is a bit of my chat with Nadan Shanbhag,

Madhav:  What is the impact of this book on you?

Nandan: Huge! This is a sacred copy preserved in my book library. There is a saying isn’t it, if one has to hide some secret cash in a household, the best place is the holy book Gita as we never open it to read it. There are exceptions however. In contrast, this is my “Geeta”, (my mother who is behind this book with my grandmother), which I open from time to time to read & for me, in a way it is a spiritual connection, to think of those great souls This is a way I remember them, pay tributes and respects through the most simple but profound element – food.

Madhav: Tell me the significance of the title of this book?

Nandan: The book is in Kannada titled “Sanyukta Grihapaka” meaning “Combined or compiled recipe book”. Since the book has compiled Konkani’s typical breakfast, lunch/dinner and desserts recipes; typical traditional food and sweet dishes Konkani’s prepare during different festivities. Not to mention it does not disappoint non-vegetarians, not even an inch. It mentions the subtle ingredients, spices in its measured quantities. Every time I prepare from this book, I wonder how mamma could articulate that exact measure which in effect makes that big difference in the outcome of the product.

Madhav: Would you like to share a recipe of a unique dish?

Nadan: Mushti Dosa:

It simply means “ Fist measured dosa”

Ingredients:

4 “mushti” or measure rice

1 “mushti” Udid dal

1 “mushti” fresh grated coconut

1 “mushti” powa or puffed rice

2 spoons salt ( or to taste)

Method: soak the rice & udid for a few hours; before grinding it into a batter make a powder of powa when the grinder is dry (it is just my tip) and keep it aside. Grind the rice and udid into a thick consistency of dosa batter. In the grinding process add the fresh grated coconut and the powdered powa. Leave the batter to ferment (be mindful of cold climates we are in which can take longer time to ferment). Finally add salt to taste before making the dosa.

Tips: Some of the household tricks can be used such as covering the container with a towel or keeping the batter in an oven with the light on for creating the right ambient temperature. By the way, this is not in the book.

Serve with the accompaniment of your choice – my favorite is coconut chutney.

This dosa can be cooked on one side only- depends on the individual’s liking. This is a thicker type of a dosa so not much spreading of the batter on the hot tava (indian frying pan) is required. Important thing is to close it with a lid while cooking.

About the author…
Madhav Shanbhag moved to GTA in 2017, after spending more than 40 years in Fredericton, New Brunswick. In retirement, Madhav enjoys the luxury of few hours of leisure and nature time…

Food For Thought

3 Essential Strategies to Get Good Grades

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Hello everyone, and congratulations on completing the first semester of the 2021-2022 year! I’m sure we have all been working hard at school, but things can become really stressful when the stakes to perform well are high for post-secondary admissions and other academic programs. If school isn’t challenging enough by itself, don’t forget that heading off to college or university will bring a whole new set of obstacles and challenges into the picture. Things only get harder year by year. Furthermore, a 2020 study by Finances Online proved that 66% of students are frequently or always worried about getting into their dream college or university. But if you plan and make decisions wisely, it will make things a lot less stressful. Today, I will be sharing a few helpful strategies to help you perform at your best level next term and later on.

My first tip, which is probably the most important one, is to clearly understand the purpose and objective of every assignment before starting. I’d put it this way – not understanding the goal of a task is like driving without knowing your destination. The chances of making a mistake and finding yourself lost will be extremely high in this case. In short, guidelines are like ropes. Staying within them will ultimately lead you to success, but straying off will only steer you into danger, which could mean anything from bad grades to late assignments. The easiest and most effective way to avoid these problems is by reading the success criteria and rubric before starting a project. After all, there is really nothing to lose from spending a couple of extra minutes if it could save you a lot of time later on.

If you’re still confused after reading the guidelines or somewhere during the process, never be afraid to request your teacher for an explanation. When I was in elementary school, I lost a handful of marks every year because I was generally scared to ask for help. All of this might sound like a lot of added pressure over the task itself. But if you focus more on summative assignments than formative ones, you won’t be stressed over every little thing. If you follow these steps carefully, you will hopefully find your schoolwork less challenging and more rewarding. But there’s way more to success than simply knowing what to do.

This brings us to my second tip which relates to time management. With a few simple steps, you will be able to achieve more in the same amount of time. Let’s face it. We all have those few assignments at times that seem incredibly difficult or boring. I’m now going to share a few strategies I use during tough times in terms of schoolwork. First things first, it’s extremely important to spend more time on assignments that are worth more marks. After all, remember – every marked assignment is a step to determining your final mark. As a result, it’s definitely a bad idea to work when you’re feeling angry, tired, or frustrated.

If it helps, you can plan how much time you will spend on each segment based on how the marks will be distributed. Of course, you won’t want to waste time on anything unnecessary, so be sure to pause for a moment before starting part of an assignment. Ask yourself, “Is this really necessary?” You’ll also want to use a similar approach for assignments that require you to choose a topic for the framework. In this case, making a decision is similar to positioning yourself for a free throw in basketball. If you find an easier option, then congratulations! You’ve just saved yourself some pointless labor. Just remember that if at any point in time you’re having trouble making a tough decision, having a friend or classmate around can certainly reduce the pressure and make things a lot more entertaining.

My main point is, be mindful of how much time you spend on each task. Remember that when comparing the amount of time spent on a task to your mark, the result with generally is a curved graph like this one:

So spending 20 minutes of one assignment and 180 minutes on another might give you a terrible average of around 62%, but spending the same amount of time – 100 minutes on each – will give you a much better score of around 83%.

These strategies will take you a long way in assignments, but it won’t be too long before COVID ends and tests are back again at our doorsteps. To do well on exams it’s essential to take organized notes. According to ResearchGate, students who take notes score 13% higher on average. But the big question here is, have you been taking notes correctly?

For starters, remember that though your teachers might be looking at one of your lab reports, they probably won’t be digging furiously through your binder to evaluate your chemistry notes. The most important note-taking tip is to keep your notes short and easy to read. If it helps, feel free to use diagrams, images, or charts. After all, what matters is that you are able to understand your class notes – not your friends, or even your teacher! To do so, you will have to still ensure that you don’t leave any incomplete points. If something doesn’t need to be written, don’t write it. Give your pen a break. After all, you shouldn’t feel pressured to write four pages of notes in an hour just because your friend is doing so.

While studying for tests, you will only need to recap a summary of the information – not everything word-by-word. As it has repeatedly been proven that writing is one of the best ways to retain information, taking notes wisely will help you not only to study during quizzes and tests but also to remember key concepts. Hopefully, if you follow these tips and work hard, you’ll be able to avoid situations like report card shock.

Remember that if you didn’t do too well the last term, there is always hope. Most universities only look at your marks for the second term of grade 11 and for grade 12, so keep your hopes up! I wish you all the best of luck for the second semester. Thank you!

Seniors Corner

Learning Avenues

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UPCOMING EVENTS

COOK WITH CHEF SIVA – DIABETES FRIENDLY RECIPES:  SVBF in collaboration with OKA AND South Asian Diabetes Chapter will hold two online Cooking Shows on March 27 and April 17, 2022. In these shows, you will follow along with Chef Siva cooking South Asian meals that are low GI and diabetes-friendly. 

Siva Swaminathan is the Executive Chair and one a founding member of the South Asian Diabetes Chapter.  After being in the IT field for 12 years, she pursued her dream of being a chef by attending the George Brown Culinary program, where she worked with many Canadian top chefs. She apprenticed in Germany and Switzerland for two years and now operates Chezsiva Cooking School, which offers a variety of cooking classes and services. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 15 years ago and has been using her culinary skills to develop low GI, healthy meal plans for people with diabetes, celiac and heart disease.  Siva has also been the driving force behind developing culturally relevant patient literature. Siva is now working on her next dream, which is authoring a cookbook.  

USEFUL INFORMATION

OKA EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM: Estate, Will and Power of Attorney, and End of Life Planning are two major elements of this OKA Seniors Forum Program.

For preparing Wills and Powers of Attorney you may contact Marvin Talksy (905) 405-0199 ext.  257 or Mary Bojkovski (905) 405-0199 ext. 276 of Nanda & Associate Lawyers. For additional information or assistance, you may also contact Raghunath Kamath or Ashok Bhatt.

For End of Life Planning one may contact Harjinder Bilku of Chapel Ridge Funeral Home at (905) 305-8128 or (647) 966-0093.

Additional information about OKA Seniors’ Forum is posted on www.ontario-konkanis.com

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

ONTARIO GUIDE TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR SENIORS: Please click on the following link for the latest upgraded guide.A guide to programs and services for seniors

LONG TERM HOME FINDER WEBSITE: The Ontario government has created an excellent website where you can find out how to choose a long-term care home, how to apply, and what happens when you move in. Please click HERE to visit this excellent website. Or copy and paste this link into your browser https://www.ontario.ca/page/long-term-care-ontario

WHAT EXECUTORS NEED TO KNOW AND WILL PREPARATION. At the ZOOM meeting on January 27th Dale Barrett of Barrett Tax Law gave THIS excellent presentation which provided a brief overview of wills, why they are essential, the role of the executor, what an executor needs to know, and what is involved in probate. This presentation can be viewed by clicking this link. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/GK7H5XtozyOKhPpRWhRSZPHEwQjCfl1o-FLT5u5ns5k2QqTajhBILE9o_oTenq1F.PjQ1wau_9Wt4Y-pp

Passcode: 4$pBPb&3

(The above Other Useful Information was obtained from the C.A.R.P. Halton Chapter Mid February Newsletter)

SERVICES FOR SENIORS provided by Indus Community Services is helping seniors to stay in their homes longer than ever, and alleviating pressure on the hospital and long-term care centers. Health Services is also highly regarded for providing respite and support to caregivers. Through these programs, they provide client-centered care to frail and/or cognitively impaired individuals in a safe and encouraging environment.

Their services promote healthy aging, encourage an active lifestyle, and ensure that the privacy and dignity of all participants remain intact. Indus offers culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the entire community and has special expertise in South Asian Cultures.

The Health Services offered include:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Friendly Visiting
  • Caregiver Support Groups
  • Assisted Bathing Services
  • Foot Care Services
  • Seniors Wellness Groups

Indus Community Services is an accredited, not-for-profit community benefit organization that has been serving local communities for over 35 years. It provides services to newcomers, families, women, and seniors. They have offices in Brampton, Mississauga, and Oakville.  Their Head Office is at 3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206 Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 Canada, Phone: 905-275-2369 Email: info@induscs.ca

The following organizations disseminate very useful information either through a regular news releases and/or seminars, webinars, and workshops:

Canada India Foundation www.canadaindiafoundation.com

C.A.R.P. Canadian Association of Retired People) www.carp.ca

Diabetes Canada www.diabetes.ca

Indus Community Services www.induscs.ca

UHNF (University Network Foundation) www.uhnfoumdatiom.ca

(Articles by and for seniors under this section are always welcome)

Culture Corner

Is Ravana the first aviator, a myth or a fact?

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Many think the Wright Brothers invented the first plane in 1903 but the truth is that demon-king Ravana was the first known person in the world to fly an aircraft around 7,000 years ago.

When explaining the purpose of research conducted based upon the ancient architecture that startles its audience to News18, Shashi Danatunge, ex-Vice Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority stated, “King Ravana was a genius. He was the first person to fly. He was an aviator. This is not mythology; it is a fact. There needs to be detailed research on this. In the next five years, we will prove this”.1

If Ravana was the world’s first aviator, the Ramayana also claims that Hanuman, the Hindu monkey-god, could fly without the use of a ‘pushpaka vimanam’ or a Ravana-style aircraft. This raises the question of whether The Vimana was a myth or a reality. According to Valmiki Ramayana, it describes Ravana riding “The great golden aerial chariot, Pushpaka”.2 Ravana had acquired aviation skills and built his own aerial vehicle. The Tourism Ministry has taken up the challenge of proving that aerial chariots were in fact a reality, as mentioned in Hindu mythology.

Ravana does have an aerial vehicle in the original Sanskrit version of the Ramayana in which he abducts Princess Sita, although there is no evidence of its mechanics or that it resembles a bird (or peacock) in design. Indeed, vimanas, or “flying castles,” are a common visual metaphor in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts from South Asia, some of which date back more than 2000 years.

Martin Wickramasinghe wrote The Dandumonara Kathava, a little children’s book based on one of these famous folk stories. The peacock’s design is depicted in these stories: its wings flap to create lift, and the operator “peddling” (padinav) from his pilot seat controls pitch and direction with three ropes (tied to ailerons?). While the Sinhala term for this device (dandu-monara, or “wooden peacock”) is unique, the core story topic and the notion of the bird-machine can be found in numerous regional literature and oral traditions across India. The dandu-monara appears to be a representative of a wider literary genre in Sanskrit literature that deals with mechanical contraptions, including human and animal machines, which are found in the Pañcatantra (an old collection of folktales) and the Kathasaritsagara (“Ocean of the Streams of Stories”).

The Samarangana Sutradhara, a technical treatise written by the poet-king Bhoja (fl. 1025), includes a chapter on machines that blurs the lines between magical and technical in its descriptions of elaborate plumming, automatically refilling oil lamps, motorized menageries, robotic soldiers, and alchemically enabled combustion engines. There are several particular directions on how to build flying aircraft in the text:

laghudārumayam mahāvihaṅgaṃ dṛḍhasuśliṣṭatanuṃ vidhāya tasya udare rasayantramādadhīta jvalanādhāramadho’ sya cāti pūrṇam, Having built a great bird made of light wood, with a fine, tightly knit outer covering, and placing within its belly a mercury mechanism (rasa-yantram) functioning as a receptacle for a blazing fire,

tāruḍha puruṣastasya pakṣadvandvoccālaprojjhitena anilena

suptasvāntaḥ pāradasyāsya śaktyā citraṃ kurvannambare yāti dūram

Through the power of that mercury (pāradasya śaktyā) and the force of the air released from the wings [of the bird] flapping in unison, a man mounted atop it may travel a great distance through the sky, painting pictures [amid the clouds], his mind altogether serene.

–Bhoja’s Samarangana Sutradhara, chapter 31, verses 95 and 96 (Translation)

These Ancient Hindu inventions gave courage and assured that mankind could evolve and enhance technology to further aid the world and its people. The first-ever flying vehicle existed some 7000 years ago, it was called “The Vimana”, a couple of thousands of years later the Wright brothers invented the first plane. Some examples of recreated technologies in this day are; targeted missiles back in ancient India they were known as “Astra’s” and test-tube babies, the first test-tube babies were known to be Gandhari’s 100 sons, the Kauravas, and many more.

These technologies would, later on, be discussed further in the next articles. Hope to see you soon!

This article is part of a series titled “The Ancient Mysteries”

Feature image source

References:

– Henry, Justin. 2019. “Ravana’s Mechanical Flying Peacock.” Council of American Overseas Research Centers.

– Lakshmi, Rama. 2015. “Indians invented planes 7000 years ago — and other startling claims at the Science Congress.” The Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/01/04/indians-invented-pla nes-7000-years-ago-and-other-startling-claims-at-the-science-congress/.

– Moorthy, Saathiya. 2020. “Ravana the aviator, mythology or science? – South Asia Journal.” South Asia Journal.

http://southasiajournal.net/ravana-the-aviator-mythology-or-science/.

– Satish, DP. 2020. “Sri Lanka Says Enough Facts to Prove Ravana Was 1st to Use Aircraft, Asks People to Help With Research.” News18, July 19, 2020.

https://www.news18.com/news/world/sri-lanka-says-enough-facts-prove-ravana-used-aircr aft-to-fly-asks-people-to-help-with-in-depth-research-2723371.html

– “Sloka & Translation.” n.d. Sloka & Translation | Valmiki Ramayanam. Accessed February 6, 2022.

https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value= 3.

– “Sri Lankan government asks people to submit proof that Ravana used the first aircraft.” 2020. Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/international/sri-lankan-government-asks-people-to-submi t-proof-that-ravana-used-the-first-aircraft-863219.html

Contribution

My Early Days in Toronto

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I got married in India and landed in Toronto on February 18, 1968, after staying in Paris for a couple of days. As we were landing, I could only see “white stuff” and NO land at all!!! All I heard from Ratnakar’s friends was about the big snowstorm they had a few days before. I took it easy the next couple of weeks, learning how to cook, figuring out how to take the subway downtown, etc. I started looking for a job in April. I got two offers, one from the government and the other one from the bank. The bank accepted my Indian qualifications since I was from a Commonwealth country, so I accepted the TD Bank offer. After a year, I was promoted to an Officer position. They were opening the King and Bay branch for the Head Office with 54 storeys on April 21st. Notably, this was the tallest building in the Commonwealth in 1968! You could pay 50 cents to go to the top floor and look at the view – you could see Niagara Falls from there at the time! It was a big tourist attraction!

I started my new job on the following Monday and the inauguration party was on that Friday. There was champagne and “meat” hors d’oeuvres. I had never had alcohol in my life nor did I ever see meat, as I was vegetarian. When they were serving, they were offering refills on the champagne… when I said no, my new co-workers nudged me and said to just take it – they drank my share as well!

Those days, there were very few Indians in Toronto. In the whole 54-storey building, there were only three Indians. I used to go for lunch in the Bank cafeteria with two co-workers and I would always see a Tamilian fellow. One day, he asked me how much rent we were paying in the posh area we were living in and he said he just bought a house in Don Mills for $25,000 and we were paying more for the apartment than he was for his mortgage for his house! At that time, we thought we were not handy enough to own a house and we also did not want to shovel the snow!

There were no Indian shops at that time, except one place at Dupont and Avenue Road area… it was not really a store, but a garage! When I first went there, I told the lady I needed everything. I was able to buy spices and dal. There was only one place to buy vegetables, Piri’s Dixie at Victoria Park and Lawrence area – they had Indian and West Indian fresh and canned vegetables.

Each day I would walk to the subway to go to work, sometimes I would see another Indian lady. One day she stopped and waited for me – those days, you would stop any other Indian stranger and talk to them as it was a novelty to see another Indian face!  She asked me where I was from and which language I spoke. She said that she thought I resembled someone she knew, Nirmala Kamath, which happened to be my first cousin! They just happened to study together in Bangalore!

In the ’70s, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau opened up immigration and there was also an exodus of Indians from East Africa, so more Indians started coming to Toronto. Some Indian businessmen built “Little India” on Gerrard Street and it developed fast!  We used to go there once a month for treats and shopping and we saw a lot more Indians.

From my office on the 36th floor, the air was clear – no smog! – and they slowly started to develop downtown with high-rises, the CIBC bank, BMO building, etc., and I could see them digging in 1974… what would eventually become the CN Tower, which opened in 1976.

On weekends we would take day trips, to the 1000 Islands for example, as there was no traffic! Some Konkani and Kannada families started going together having picnics locally, as there were no associations at that time. Slowly, more and more Konkani families came to the area and we began to meet on a regular basis, creating the lifelong friendships we still enjoy today. Now, it warms my heart to see hundreds of Konkani families meeting regularly!

I came to Canada to be with my new family, as a newlywed to my dear late husband, and to later raise my two daughters. I came alone but never felt alone. With my husband, children, and now grandchildren and the Konkani families I considered to be my family, my story continues.

Kids Corner

Gen Alpha – Ivaan Kamath

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Hello OKA Folks,

Hope all our little ones are keeping safe and enjoying the winter!! We are having quite some snow this year and so many snow days at school as well!!

Parents- Isn’t it so precious when our little ones look up bright-eyed and in wonder at the pristine white snowflakes falling down!! Kids know how to be in the moment and how to enjoy the little things life offers us!! So Let’s all try and be innocent kids this winter and take some time out of our busy days- to take a short walk in the snow or make snow angels in the yard or even have a snowball fight!! And do not forget to have some Hot chocolate handy for after..😊

This month’s Gen Alpha is IVAAN KAMATH

His parents Akshatha and Mahesh Kamath have helped him convey his Hello and introduction to our OKA members:

Hello my Konkani Family – I am Ivaan Kamath!! I am the one and only naughty prince to my parents! I am 2.5 years old and I live in Pickering. I lived in Dallas, Texas before moving here.

For my breakfast- I love to eat Idli with yellow chutney (Ghee)

And for lunch and dinner- Fish and Egg with my rice and Dalithoy!!😋

I like to play with my Mommy and Daddy (well.. Daddy a bit more because he is my superhero🤪).

I love trucks, cars, garbage trucks, fire trucks, and all other vehicles which have wheels and gears⚙️😀 I like to fix things with my daddy because I get to play with screws and screwdrivers !! 🤭(It’s very dangerous for a kid my age– I know🙈)

My favourite sport is soccer and Yes, I have broken a lot of things at home playing this !!

(Oh Ivaan.. Guess what !! You are just being a 2-year-old and doing what every other 2-year-old does – being ever curious, discovering things, In the midst of breaking things, and yes- always keeping your parents on their toes!!  :😉)

I always get away with any mischief by following the below script (And yes it always works!!)-

Me: (Making a mess in the kitchen while Mommy is busy)

Mommy: (Starts shouting as she realizes what I have done.)

(Asks me to serve Timeout)

Me: (Using all the words I know)

“It’s ok momma”

“By mistake momma”

“Sorry Momma”

“Ivaan clean it Momma”

Mommy: (Melts, cuddles me and sets out to clean the mess herself !!)

Me: “Always!”

(Ivaan.. you super genius!! You seem to have cracked the code so young!! How are you little ones so smart? Makes us wonder as parents if we should be proud or really worried !! 😉)

The only thing that keeps me grounded is the Silly crocodile that My mommy claims is there in our attic!! I make every attempt in a day to bring him down!! 😉

Ok, gotta go now – to make more of a mess, eat some yummy food and yeah take a good nap!!

See you later, alligator 🐊 Take care and Have fun!!😀

(What a life.. I envy you Ivaan!! Thank you for being so entertaining and such a little darling!! We hope to meet you soon someday and learn more about cars and gears from you!! Until then- Mellya aani gammat Khellya (my Konkani attempt at your See you later, alligator) 😛

Ending with today’s mega dose of Cuteness- Some baby pictures of Ivaan.

Food For Thought

The Divine Number 9

Every Hindu must be proud of Sanatana Dharma. Since times memorial our Ancient Sages have scripted this religious order as a Science more than a Religion,

As mentioned in my last article on the number 108, it is said that this is a divine number that compromises of the 12 Rashi’s X 9 Grahas. This simply embodies what we call the circle of life. Now let’s dig deeper into these numbers. Both 9 and 12 are intricately connected to Santana Dharma.  In this article let’s focus on the number 9.

When you add up the divine number 108 as 1+0+8 it equals 9.

The number 9 is revered in Hinduism and considered a complete number because it represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system, which originated from the Indian subcontinent as early as 3000 BC. 9 is a very important number for geometry, architecture and angles. It is said there are Nine influencers that are an integral part of Indian astrology. According to our Hindu philosophy, there are nine universal substances or elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Ether, Time, Space, Soul, and Mind.

Navaratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the nine forms of Durga.

Navaratna, meaning “nine jewels” may also refer to Navaratnas – accomplished courtiers, Navratan – a kind of dish, or a form of architecture.

The number nine is often associated with a divine connotation in the mystical thought and religions across the globe from ancient times.

Our scriptures talk about Goddess Durga the divine female power synonymous with creator of the universe, the embodiment of pristine purity and truth, annihilated the demons representing the evil forces.

Goddess Durga waged a war for nine days to combat the potent rakshasas (satanic power) and bestow deliverance to the world in general.

In Santana Dharma, Rishi Vyas created 9 Puranas, 108 Maha Purana (Upanishads). Our ancient Rishi’s have written that are 4 Yugas. Now when we look at the number of years each Yug lasted and add up all the numbers, yet again we land on Nine.

Satyayug – consists of 172,800 years (1 7 2 = 18 = (1+ 8 = 9)

TretaYug consists of 1296000 years (1 2 9 6) = 18 = (1+ 8 = 9)

DwaparYug consists of 864000 years (8 4 6) = 18 = (1 + 8 = 9)

Kalyug consists of 432000 years (4 3 2) = 9

According to Sanatana Dharma, a Healthy Person normally takes 21600 breaths in a day which again gives Number 9 after summing up (2 1 6=9). In Hindu astronomy we recognize nine planets, collectively knows as Navagraha’s, whose movements and configuration we believe would affect the lives and destinies or the state (graham) of beings in different worlds. These nine planets are the Sun (Surya), the Moon (Chandra), Mars (Managala), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brihaspathi), Venus (Sukra), Saturn (Sani), Rahu and Ketu. However, in the temples they all are worshipped collectively or as a group and very rarely alone.

In addition, our Hindu Astronomy speaks of   27 constellations in our galaxy, and each one of them has 4 directions, and 27 * 4 = 108(1 0 8=9), In other words the number 108 covers the whole galaxy.

Our Astrologers consider Number 9 as the number of Brahma, the Creator.

Now let’s get to Geometry and angles: A Circle degree is 360 which is further (3 6=9).

If you multiply nine by any whole number (except zero), and repeatedly add the digits of the answer until it’s just one digit, you will end up with nine. Go ahead and try the Nine tables that we used to repeat every day.

2 × 9 = 18 (1 8 = 9); 3 x 9 = 27 (2 7=9)

What is it about Nine that is so unique? All of the above reasons make Nine a Divine Number in Sanatana Dharma.

On a more spiritual angle the Bhagavata purana mentions nine forms of devotion: sravanam (hearing about God), kirtanam (singing the praise of God), mananam (remembering God), padaseva (serving the feet of God), archanam (worshiping God), mantram (offering prayers to God), seva (serving the cause of God), maitri (friendship with God) and saranam (surrender to God).

The human body is considered as a city of nine gates which correspond with the nine openings (two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, navel and two excretory openings). Because atman or the self resides in it, it is also called a temple with nine gates.

In the foundation laying ceremony of a temple construction, it is a tradition to place nine jewels and nine forms of grains (Navadhanyas) in the earth where the foundation stone is laid and also where the idols are installed.

No wonder the number nine is associated with a divine connotation in Hinduism from ancient times.

Is this a mere coincidence or is there a deeper connection to this?  Nine seems to be integral part of life and our very existence. Remember the Number 108 that I wrote about in my last article. 9 and 12 are a part and parcel of Santana Dharma. You just have to be amazed by the depths to which our Religion goes. No wonder we say Hinduism is a Way of Life rather than a strict boundary laid out in many other religious orders.

Jai Ho!!! To all our Ancient Rishi’s

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Food For Thought

108: Just a Random Number or….

Have you ever wondered why do we have to chant a Mantra 108 times, take 108 pradakshinas around the temple deity? Why is 108 viewed as holy for all Hindus?  You will be amazed when you read this article.

You see 108 is a divine number that is crucial for Life and Death on Planet Earth. The very existence of life on Earth is based on this number 108.  To think our Ancient Sages did not know this is a gross understatement. With all their collective wisdom they laid the foundation of our entire Sanatana Dharma to be a way of life as opposed to just a religious order.  

Is it just a random number or is there a deeper connection to it? Our Ancient Sages attribute a lot of importance to 108.  Now let us dissect this meaningfully.

Amazing aspects of “108”:

There are 108 vital points or marma in a human body according to Ayurveda. Each chant of a Mantra goes through each of those vital points.

Also, in Hinduism, there are 108 Upanishads, the sacred texts of wisdom from ancient sages. Additionally, in the Sanskrit alphabet, there are fifty-four letters. Each letter has a feminine, or Shakti, and masculine, or Shiva, quality. 54 multiplied by 2 equals 108.

There are 12 Raasi’s or astrological houses and 9 Graha’s or Navagraha’s planets.

An average person is said to breathe 21,600 times in a 24-hour period. Half, 10,800, is solar energy (breaths during the day), and the other half is lunar energy (breaths during the night). 100 multiplied with 108 equals 10,800.

The Yog Gurus always tell us that our body contains seven chakras, starting at the top of the head and ending at the base of the spine. Each chakra is said to be an energy center within our body. The heart chakra, located at the exact center of the chest, is associated with transformation and love energy. It is believed that opening this energy center will lead to joy and compassion. Apparently, this heart chakra is also said to have 108 nadi (energy lines) that converge to form this energy center.

River Ganga spans a longitude of approximately 12 degrees (79 to 91) and a latitude of 9 degrees (22 to 31). 12 multiplied by 9 equals 108.

The Sarsen Circle at Stonehenge in the UK has a diameter of 108 feet.

The Brideshwara Temple in the city of Tanjore has a height is 216 ft which is 108×2.

The Koh Ker is the modern name for an important city of the Khmer empire in Cambodia. During the reign, the Kings Jaya Varman IV and Harsha Varman II Koh Ker were briefly the capital of the whole Khmer empire (928–944 AD). Inscriptions in the town mention this city as Lingapura (city of lingams). Koh Ker Pyramid at the time had an impressive Lingam atop this impressive structure. The height of this pyramid    before the Lingam was destroyed was 108 ft

Now for the real interesting part:

If you were to divide the distance between the Earth and Sun by the diameter of the Sun it is approximately equal to 108

If you were to divide the distance between the Earth and the Moon by the diameter of the Moon it is 108

The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of Earth. The distance from the Sun to Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. The distance from the Earth to Moon is 108 times the diameter of the moon. This is also the reason when you look up in the sky you see the size of the Moon and the Sun as the same. We all know that Sun is at least 400 times larger than the Moon. The Moon should have appeared as a speck in front of the Sun, but what you see every day and during eclipses is vastly different. All of this is attributed to this unique number.

The very existence of life on Earth is because of this unique position of the Earth, Sun, and Moon and the axial tilt of the Earth. Imagine if this was not 108, our existence on this planet would be at severe risk exposing us to catastrophic calamities such as Tsunami, Ice storms, Heatwaves. Very soon this Blue Planet would be like Mars or Venus.

For those Geeks out there, look up the equations to see what you get when you measure the distance to the Sun divided by the diameter of say, Mars or Venus. And do the same with the moons of those planets respectively. The reason why Life does not exist is said to be because of this.

But then you may ask the question is there a planet out there which can sustain Life. Perhaps yes, but certainly not at least in this Solar system. In another Galaxy that may have its own equivalent of a Sun and planets revolving around it, this may be a potential scenario. Again that 108 is crucial to have to sustain life.

When you look up and see the Billions of stars in the galaxy, surely there might be at least one Planet out there that follows this equation.  Who knows the Gods must be watching us from this Planet… aka Swarga / Heaven?

Coming back to why we were not told about going around the deities in a temple 108 times or reciting a mantra or a prayer 108 times; Well, WE SIMPLY NEVER ASKED OUR PRIESTS. But now you know.

If you are a Sanatana Dharma follower, you have to be just AMAZED at how our Ancient Sages knew this when they spun the foundation fabric on Santana Dharma and deemed it as a Way of Life. No wonder Sanatana Dharma regards 108 as a Divine Number

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Kids Corner

Gen Z – Ronak & Seher Shenoy

"A person's a person, no matter the age" - Dr Seuss

Hello OKA Folks,

It is already February’2022.. whaaattt!! Don’t you feel like time is just flying?

It feels like by now, most of our kiddos have gotten used to surviving amidst this pandemic!! After all, it’s been 2 whole years !!

I’m sure it has been really hard on all our kids- to not get to attend school in-person or not meet their friends, as much as they would have liked to or to have to stay quiet when mom/dad are on their work calls..

But they have all been so understanding and for that- A HUGE SHOUTOUT and lots and lots of virtual sanitized HUGS to all our OKA Gen Z’s and Gen Alpha’s <3

We have two little Gen Alpha’s today who want to say Hi. Their parents Shyamala and Prasad Shenoy have helped pen their introduction: Say Hi to RONAK & SEHER SHENOY

Hi everyone,

I am Ronak. I am 5 years old and I live in Waterloo, ON. Prior to this, I used to live in Singapore and it was VERY hot there!! I thought it would be amazing to move to a colder country and now that I have, I am not so sure, as It’s SOOO COLD here !! 🙂

(Agreed Ronak!! But wait till you grow older- You will love to ski and sled down the slopes and the cold will slowly grow on you 😊)

I enjoy riding my bike, playing soccer, building using Lego, I love to draw and absolutely Loovvee DINOSAURS !!

I love watching videos about different animals and learning more about what they eat, how they live etc. My dad recently explained about evolution and how tigers came from sabretooth!!

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

This is some of my art of my favorite animals:

(Ronak.. We love all your art and your fascination with animals.. Wild animals :P)

My mom gets mad when I watch TV and dad’s my partner in crime!! She gets mad at him too!!

(Moms.. Tell me about it !!)

Last year I was promoted to BIG BROTHER and now she is my favorite person in the whole world!! Seher makes funny sounds, always smiles at me and wants to take all my toys. I love reading stories to her but she doesn’t really listen and just wants to eat the books. Grrrr.. haha!!! 😊

(Awww.. She seems like a little ball of delight!!)

I hope to meet you all someday!!

Until then, stay warm and stay safe!!

Ronak and Seher- Thank you to your parents for introducing you both to the OKA klan!! Sending you lots of warmth for these cold days!! Please enlighten us with more interesting facts about animals, the next time we catch up!! 😊

It was a pleasure getting to know you both and we can’t wait to meet you soon!!

About the author…

Neha Mallya is a Chartered Accountant and currently in the unchartered territories of motherhood. In her spare time Neha loves to write…