ICCC Communique #18

ICCC Communique #18 dated August 8, 2020

Purpose: To provide an update on the activities and accomplishments of ICCC.

(Note: Please click on Link(s) for additional information)

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  1. ICCC Virtual Event – Community Celebration 28 Aug 2020 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) ― This event is being held to felicitate Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Uttra Bhargava for the award of Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).The Indo-Canadian Community Centre (ICCC), on behalf of its Board and volunteers, the Life Members, and the Indo-Canadian community of Ottawa, proudly congratulates Mr. Subhas & Mrs. Uttra Bhargava who have been recently named for the award of coveted Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada.Invitation to join the celebration virtual event: Friday, the 28th August 2020 (10:30-11:30 a.m.). R.S.V.P. By Friday, the 14th August 2020, email to usb@icccottawa.org.N.B. This event supports ICCC’s mission to celebrate the accomplishments of the members of the Indo-Canadian Community in Ottawa. We welcome the news and information about the honours and accomplishments of all Indian diaspora in Ottawa so we may post them on the ICCC Virtual Portal (the Website, Event Calendar, Forums, Social Media, etc).2. ICCC Annual General (Virtual) Meeting of Members (AGM 2020) – Saturday, Sept 26, 2020: A Notice of the AGM will soon be mailed out to all Life Members of the ICCC.

    3. ICCC Charity & Philanthropy Program:

“ICCC COVID-19 Relief Fund” campaign ― to support the Ottawa Hospital and Food Banks:

The Indo-Canadian Community Centre is thankful to the Ottawa community for supporting the “ICCC COVID-19 Relief Fund” campaign and generously donating over $77,000 to-date. In addition, the community has also provided several “in-kind” contributions including 1500+ face masks and 500+ meals (Indian cuisine) for frontline medical staff of Ottawa hospitals. ‘Giving Back to the Community’ is a cherished value of our rich Indian heritage. ICCC requests for continuing generous donations for its ongoing COVID-19 campaign.

Face Masks: Please contact Mr. Anil Sukhija, Chair, ICCC Seniors Program (613-791-7593) if someone needs face masks or can volunteer for stitching face masks for the community.

“ICCC – EKAL Vidyalaya Collaboration” ― to support education and empowerment of remote rural India:

ICCC has donated $25,500 to EKAL Vidyalaya (having world-wide endorsements) to help the opening of Life-time schools and the stitching of 14,000+ face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Appeal to support EKAL initiatives: ICCC will greatly appreciate receiving your donations (100% tax deductible) to support Ekal initiatives in your area of choice in India. Donate via e-transfer: treasurer@icccottawa.org.

ICCC-Canadians Sharing Locally & Globally (CSLG) collaboration” ― Charity challenge to raise funds

ICCC & the CSLG are participating in The Ottawa Scotiabank Charity Challenge to raise funds and support medical and educational programs in India. Your donations (e-transfer: treasurer@icccottawa.org) for this initiative will be matched.

A Virtual Music Concert by EKAL:  Please enjoy a FREE VIRTUAL MUSICAL CONCERT –“100 YEARS OF BOLLYWOOD – A journey of trendsetting music genres” live at  www.ekal.org/canadawest2020 on Saturday, 8th August 2020 (8:30 p.m. EST).

4. ICCC Youth Program – Scholarships & Hiring of Summer Students:
ICCC has awarded community sponsored Scholarships of $500 each to five (5) University/College students this year. Your support for enhancing the ICCC Leaders of Tomorrow – Youth Scholarship Program” will be truly appreciated.

ICCC has also hired eleven (11) summer students in 2020 to work on its various projects. Options to meaningfully engage community youth, through regular ICCC sponsored meetings, are being explored. ICCC would greatly appreciate your suggestions and volunteer help for implementation of the ICCC Youth Program.

5. ICCC Seniors Programs:
ICCC Seniors Virtual meetings are held every Thursday (2:00-3:30 p.m.) and Friday (10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon) and attended by more than 80 seniors. ICCC encourages all seniors in the community to join in to relieve from isolation, boredom, and loneliness.

6. ICCC Social Network of Women (S.N.O.W) Program:
The annual International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds collected by S.N.O.W. for the event were donated to Interval House ($2500) and The Ottawa Mission.

7. ICCC Virtual Portal:
ICCC provides numerous platforms such as Community Hubs, Community Programs, Community Forums, Social Media, “Events Calendar”, etc. to bring the community together. These platforms are designed to receive your input and provide a central “GO TO” place for community activity/news/events and a wealth of other useful information from many sources.
ICCC would welcome and greatly appreciate your postings on various platforms.

OTHER INFORMATION & ICCC Appeal:

NOTE: The ICCC physical Community Centre in the “Rideau-Rockliffe Community Hub,” pending signing of the lease, is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indo-Canadian community is blessed and richly endowed in all walks of life. ICCC values community input and is striving hard to raise the community profile in the Canadian mainstream. Please come forward with your suggestions, join ICCC and support its initiatives to showcase the significant contributions of Indo-Canadians, raise the community profile and together accomplish the Vision: “A United Indo-Canadian Community Thriving in The Canadian Mainstream”.

Kindly share and celebrate the above information with your colleagues, friends, family, and other networks.

Please Stay Safe & Healthy.
Kind Regards.

For and on behalf of the Board of Directors, Program Chairs & Volunteers,

Kanwal (Ken) Talwar
President, ICCC
613-866-5623
E-mail: president@icccottawa.org
Website: https://icccottawa.org