Gen Z

July 30, 2021 Neha Mallya

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

Arjun (7) and Rohan (3) were both born in North Carolina and moved to Canada with their parents 2.5 years ago. Both the kids acclimated well to their new life in Regina, Saskatchewan by enjoying the gorgeous prairie summers and bracing the cold winters.

Arjun and Rohan now live in Vaughan, Ontario. Arjun is very outgoing and makes new friends quickly. He also enjoys solving his math problems and probably is the most vocal voice in his classroom, regardless of online or in person learning.

Rohan is quite different from Arjun. Rohan tends to be shy and an introvert, but he is a troublemaker! He loves music and art !! He recognizes patterns and structures easily and recited numbers and alphabets way early for his age.

Both the kids love the outdoors! They love the sun and playing in the sand (of course). They can’t wait to meet other children in the OKA group and make new friends !!

We wish you all the very best with everything and hope you have a great year ahead !!

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…

Seniors Corner

Learning Avenues

July 29, 2021 Sadanand Mankikar

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young"...Henry Ford

TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS FOR SENIORS: Ria Koppikar, grade 11 student from Minneapolis ALONG WITH Aditya Pai and Ananya ai of Ontario have developed unique series of virtual workshops to help seniors become confident and comfortable in handling modern communication technology. These workshops will be sponsored and promoted by Ontario Konkani Association, Canada and Super Tech Savvy Seniors, U.S.A. in collaboration with Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation, Canada, Chitrapur Heritage Foundation, U.S.A. and Saraswat Foundation, U.S.A.

The next session on Sunday, August 8, 2021 will cover everything about phones including smartphones, iPhones, iPads, texting, google maps, as well as social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Facetime, Tweeters etc. Details will be shared at a later date.

Future sessions on dates to be determined will cover other devices and systems. Suggestions may be emailed to Ria at supertechsavvyseniors@gmail.com

In addition to these sessions, Ria is also planning to set up groups of teens to provide one-on-one technology support to seniors across North America. Anyone needing assistance may send an email to Ria. Any teenagers who are interested in actively participating in this project may also contact Ria.

DIABETES CANADA PEER CONNECT PROGRAM: Register for the Type 1 or Type 2 Peer Connect Series to enjoy four virtual evenings of peer support and education. We attended the first session in the Type 2 series on April 28 and found it not only informative but also very entertaining. Each series will feature topics and presentations aimed towards the uniqueness of the type 1 or type 2 diabetes community. Each session will be themed around a specific topic and provide an opportunity to hear from knowledgeable speakers, connect with a panel of experts, and provide an opportunity to discuss with peers in breakout discussions.

If you are an individual affected by diabetes, family member or caregiver, this series is for you. Just grab your laptop, tablet or even your phone, and take part in this amazing networking and learning opportunity.

Peer Connect – Type 2 Series

Session 3 – Blood Glucose Monitoring
Wednesday, August 25, 2021; 7:00 – 8:50PM, EDT. Speakers: TBD
Session 4 – Mental Health
Wednesday, October 27; 7:00 – 8:50PM, EDT. Speakers: TBD

Peer Connect – Type 1 Series

Session 3 – Blood Glucose Monitoring
Thursday, August 26, 2021; 7:00 – 8:50 PM, EDT. Speakers: TBD
Session 4 – Mental Health
Thursday, October 28, 2021; 7:00 – 8:50PM, EDT. Speakers: TBD

For more information, visit event page or contact DC-ontario@diabetes.ca

About the Author
Sadanand Mankikar is the Past President (2004-2005) of the Ontario Konkani association and has been instrumental in the initiation and maintenance of the OKA Seniors Forum.

Culture Corner

Gokarna Math Swamiji

July 28, 2021 Oka President

Shree Samsthan Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam math is one of the three religious orders of the Gowd Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community (the other two being Shree Kaivalya Math and Shree Kashi Math). HH Srimad Vidhyadiraja Theertha Swamiji was the 23rd Swamiji at the Gokarn Math lineage which is said to have been founded in 1475 AD and has a history of 546 years.

Srimad Vidyadhiraja Teertha Swamiji was born on August 3, 1945, at Gangoli, in Udupi district. His birth name was Raghavendra Acharya. He was given Sanyas Deeksha on February 26, 1967, at Shri Ram Mandir Wadala, Mumbai by his guru and predecessor, Shrimad Dwarakanath Teertha Swamiji. He succeeded as the head of the math following the demise of his guru on April 5, 1973, and thereafter tirelessly working for the spiritual upliftment of the followers, the prime duty cast on the maths. Under his leadership, numerous old temples and math branches were renovated and rebuilt. He is also credited with reviving the ancient modes of worship like yagas and yajnas and undertaking pilgrimages to holy places, including the remote part of the Himalayas. He has also headed the numerous charitable and educational endeavours of the math.

In Feb 2017 Swamiji anointed Sri Uday Bhat Sharma as his Shisya and successor, giving him the name Shri Vidhyadheesh Theertha.

Many of us may have had several interactions with our Pujiya Swami ji. I know I did when I was very small I was blessed by Swamiji at the Dwarkanatha Bhavan in Wadala after my Munji. He advised me to worship my parents and never to let them down. I will forever cherish those words.

Now H. H Srimad Vidyadhish Theerth Swamiji will carry the Guru Shisya Parampara a tradition that dates back to when the Gokarn Math was started.

Given below are some of the precious video links to Swamiji’s pravachan on the History of Gokarn Math in his own blessed voice.

Part 1