ICCC Communique #20 dated January 3, 2021
Purpose: To provide an update on the activities, accomplishments & upcoming events of ICCC.
(Note: Please click on Link(s) for additional information)
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ICCC Community Celebration – Virtual Event – 29th January 2021(10:30-11:30 a.m.) ― This event will be held to felicitate Dr. Jagmohan Humar, C.M., Distinguished Research professor, Carleton University on his appointment as Member of the Order of Canada, one of the highest awards bestowed by the Government of Canada.
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 Dr. Jagmohan Humar for his recent appointment as Member of the Order of Canada Medal (C.M.) by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada.
Please mark the date & time in your Calendar to join the community celebration.
Program details and the ZOOM meeting link will be sent soon. R.S.V.P. By Friday, the 22nd January 2021, email to jmh@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 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, Events Calendar, Forums, Social Media, etc.).
2. ICCC Annual General (Virtual) Meeting of Members (AGM 2020) – on 26th Sept. 2020 was attended by over 75 Life members. All Board members & Executives have agreed to continue serving the community in their present capacity. Further, the Board, at its 12th December 2020 meeting agreed to: (a) enlist Mr. Anil Sukhija, Chair, ICCC Seniors Program as a Board member, and (ii) invite a meeting guest at future meetings. The objective is to encourage Youth (e.g. summer student, Others) and/or a Program Chair to bring new ideas and better understand ICCC policy & operational requirements.
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 $90,000 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: DYMON Storage is giving out 1 million K95 masks; 20 Facemasks at no cost per visitor, for a limited time, at its various locations in Ottawa. |
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| “ICCC – EKAL Vidyalaya Collaboration”― to support education and empowerment of children in remote rural India:
ICCC has donated an additional $2500 to open 5 new schools near Chennai, New Delhi and in Kerala. This is in addition to $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. School opening cost is $500 per annum (approx. 25 students/school), |
“ICCC Charity & Philanthropy Program”: ICCC greatly appreciates an emerging trend: by donors channelling donations via ICCC for charity & philanthropy to CRA approved charities. ICCC members recently made donations via ICCC to Queensway Carleton Hospital ($10,000), Children’s Hospital ($550). EKAL ($2500), CSLG ($1000), etc. Some in the community have also started sharing their donations information, on a strictly confidential basis, with ICCC. N.B.: In compliance with its policy, ICCC does not collect/channel donations for religious and political purposes. ‘Giving Back to the Community’ is a cherished value of our rich Indian heritage. The publication of an “Annual Report – Donations by the Indo-Canadian Community of Ottawa” will greatly enhance the community profile in the Ottawa mainstream. |
| A Virtual Music Concert by EKAL: Please enjoy EKAL’s FREE VIRTUAL MUSICAL CONCERTS – Details are available on the ICCC’s EVENTS CALENDAR. | |
4. ICCC Youth Program – Scholarships, Summer Students Hiring, Taste of India & Mentorship Program:
Options to meaningfully engage community youth, through various ICCC sponsored initiatives are constantly being explored. ICCC would greatly appreciate your suggestions and volunteer help for implementation of the ICCC Youth Program.
ICCC awards community sponsored Scholarships of $500 each to University/College students. Your support for enhancing the “ICCC Leaders of Tomorrow – Youth Scholarship Program” will be truly appreciated.
ICCC’s eleven (11) summer students in 2020 completed their work assignments in early December 2020. Implementation of an ongoing ICCC Youth Program is progressing well. The Taste of India component of this program commenced with Dance classes in October 2020. The Mentorship Program component of the program is providing high school students guidance from university students.
ICCC seeks community professionals as volunteers to provide guidance/mentorship to university students. Your cooperation in providing feedback on the soon to be sent survey will be greatly appreciated.
ICCC will be applying for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) grant for 2021 in January. Your suggestions for student assignments and volunteering will be greatly appreciated.
5. ICCC Seniors Programs:
ICCC Seniors Virtual meetings, 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 continue attracting newcomers. ICCC Seniors Computer & Social Media classes and Brain Health Program, in collaboration with the Social Planning Council of Ottawa, continue attracting the participation of many seniors.
Your support in encouraging seniors to join these programs to relieve from isolation, boredom, and loneliness will be greatly appreciated. Further, your cooperation in completing ICCC Seniors’ initiative:” Meals on Wheels Survey” will be greatly appreciated.
ICCC Diwali Celebrations on 12th November 2020, organized by ICCC Seniors attracted over 150 participants.
ICCC Lohri/Pongal/Makar Sankranti Celebrations on Friday 15th January 2021 are also being organized by ICCC Seniors.
6. ICCC Social Network of Women (S.N.O.W) Program:
2020 was a particularly challenging year for SNOW members, and despite the cancelation of its fundraiser, Annual Gala – International Women’s Day (IWD) Celebration, SNOW along with ICCC COVID-19 Campaign, raised funds for both a women’s shelter ($2500 for Interval House) and a men’s shelter ($2500 for The Ottawa Mission). SNOW also collected $1000 and toys in support of women and children at Interval House during Christmas. SNOW virtual ZOOM meetings addressed: COVID-19 issues, Nilambri Ghai’s experience in writing the book: Johanne to Janaki — her grandmother’s journey from Denmark to India.
7. ICCC Virtual Hub – Portal & website: icccottawa.org
Presently, this is our Virtual Community Centre – a valuable resource for providing services to the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic – and it incorporates the latest in computer, social media and internet technologies.
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 (Examples: COVID-19, Latest Community News, High Commission of India’s services, Public services, etc.). Additional new information is constantly added under various headings.
ICCC would welcome and greatly appreciate your input and direct postings on various platforms.
8. ICCC Spiritual Hub:
Yoga & Meditation, Ayurveda, Pilates exercises, Spirituality articles, videos and other information are now available under this Hub.
9. ICCC Sports Hub:
ICCC has now an ongoing mutually beneficial collaboration agreement – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – with the Rideau Hall Cricket Association / Ottawa Valley Cricket Council (RHCA-OVCC Ottawa Valley Cricket Club (OVCC).
Negotiations with a well-established field hockey club (Nepean Nighthawks) are also progressing for a mutually beneficial partnership, and with a potential to realize a physical ICCC Community Centre in a convenient Ottawa location.
OTHER INFORMATION & ICCC Appeal:
Heartiest congratulations from ICCC to Shri Gurbachan Singh Bedi, a World War 2 veteran for his Mayor’s City Builder Award on 23 September 2020, and for celebrating his 103rd Birthday on 12th September 2020. You can find the video of the award presentation on YouTube (Click here to see the video).
ICCC is thankful and greatly appreciates free Yoga classes and Ayurveda information provided on virtual platforms by Dr. Virendra Bharti, Mrs. Girija Waghray, Mr. Premji Kerai, Mrs. Veena Sharma and Mrs. Savita Bansal. Additional information about these services is available on the ICCC Virtual Hub (ICCC Portal & website: icccottawa.org) – EVENTS CALENDAR and SPIRITUAL HUB.
True measure of mankind is seen when faced with such challenges. The Indo-Canadian community not only survived 2020, but also came together in numerous ways, surmounted the COVID-19 pandemic challenges, and adjusted well with a new ‘Norm’ for us all. Examples: Face masks, latest in Virtual meeting technologies (e.g. ZOOM, GoToMeeting, WebEx, JIO meeting platforms), etc.
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; Inspired, Active and Socially engaged (virtually).
Wishing you a Very Happy & Peaceful New Year 2021.
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
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Indo-Canadian Community Yoga Classes
Try and attend as many of these yoga classes as you can. There are many benefits to daily yoga practice. Yoga makes you feel better. Yoga increases your flexibility. Yoga improves your strength. Yoga boosts your immune system. Yoga builds focus. Yoga energizes you. Yoga boosts your metabolism. Yoga reduces anxiety.
Google Meet link for Shree Yoga classes focusing on ‘Asanas’: by Sri Prem Kerai, and Smt. Veena Sharma
https://meet.google.com/ipk-djft-odj
Sundays: 8 AM EST led by Sri Premji Kerai
Mondays: 8 AM EST led by Smt. Veena Sharma
Tuesdays: 6 PM EST led by Smt. Veena Sharma
Wednesday: 6 PM EST led by Sri Premji Kerai
Fridays: 6 PM EST led by Smt. Veena Sharma
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WebEx link for Yoga classes focusing on ‘Pranayama and Dhyana’ by Smt. Girija Waghray:
https://dhyaanwithgirija.my.webex.com/meet/girijaw
Wednesdays, Friday, Saturday, Sunday….8 AM – 9:30 AM EST
Please join the class 10 minutes before the start time.
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Seniors Exercise Sessions Lead by Smt. Savita Bansal
Monday to Thursday: 2:30-3:30 PM
To join these sessions, please call Savita at 613-226-5461. She will need your email address to forward you the link.