Library in Toronto/ Canada

Hi All,
          This post is for all book lovers, movie watchers, magazine readers.

All of us will agree that there is nothing more soothing and enjoyable than the company of  a hard bound book. But the problem which comes is the purchase of books/cds/magazines.

Well for people like us, Govenment of Canada have created number of libraries in Toronto. These libraries house a lot.. lot of books , a number of movie collections, a huge set of magazines and lot more. Anyone can become a member of these libraries and then enjoy the huge collection of database.

All of these library are interconnected, so you can also order a book online, if its not at that particular library[nearby to your place]. You can pick it up later.

And the best part of it is that All of it is "FREE". Yes.. You read it right. No fee , nothing.

They also have other interesting parts like "Reading Club" , "Writing Club","Knitting Club" and a number of other interacting programs for all age groups.

So what are we waiting for. 
Just search for nearby library nearby to your home
Visit the place. Become a member.
And Enjoy .

URL : http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/new-to-canada/
 

Newly Arrived Indians in Toronto

Hi All,
         This is my post for all the Indians or rather everyone who comes to Toronto for first time.
I am just going to mention about few things which would be helpful to set comfortably here.


Even the newcomers are normally aware of basic things like "SIN", "OHIP card" . Even if you were not aware of them, well, now you are.

What I am going to mention about some other things which we need [typically Indians].

1. Bank Account : Well, we know that there are lot of banks around like TD Bank, Scotia, RBC, CIBC etc. where you can easily open an account and also get a secured or unsecured Credit Card along. But what I would suggest you to open an account with any Internet bank like ING Direct [even if you do not use it much]. Reasons are below.
 a. They do not have monthly fee.
 b. They have no minimum balance.
 c. They do not charge for transactions.
 d. One more benefit which is generally for Indians on work permit or short travel. Before going back to India, we need to close the bank account . Unless if you wish to maintain the account with minimum balance. If you close the account and go back to India. Then to collect the income tax refund of Canada, you will need an account which you can operate from India. In this situation, your online account will come handy as it provides all facility of banks along with the fact, that it can be closed from India too.

2. Ontario Id Card: Its a card which can be received from "Service Ontario" branch with a payment of 35$. Its benefit is that it serves as Government Id Card. So you do not need to carry your passport or other identification proof along with you while you are in Canada.

Well these are the initial tips for new arrivals.

Other tips will continue in next posts.

Have a nice stay in Canada...................

Durga Pooja in Toronto/ Scarborough

Hi All,
             Its Durga Pooja time in India . A lot of celebrations are already undergoing in various cities around India . Being out of India at this time, I really miss the festivals and celebrations of India. Like most of us, who are out of India during festival time, I also wish if we have some temple and place to go during these days, where we can go and enjoy the festival along with celebrations .


Luckily for me and others who wish the same, I found that "Hindu Dharmasram" are organizing "Durga Pooja". They are located at "1510 Birchmount Road, Scarborough".  This pooja is scheduled for full duration[10 days] of Durga Pooja.

They have a very beautiful "Durga"  goddess which is very nicely decorated as per the Durga Pooja rituals. They have also placed a lot of statues of other god like "Radha- Krishna", "Shiv-Parvati", etc. When I visited them today morning, I found prists doing worship to them. I also saw a few ladies and gentlemen dressed in tradional Indian dress who were taking care of various works of Food, Pooja, Prasad.

Later they told me that everyday morning they do "Pooja", then they have "Prasad" after 1 PM. They have "Aarti" in evening at 7 pm. They also have a separate area at same place for doing cultural programs which are conducted every evening after 7 pm "Aarti". 

I also realized that this organization does regular work and celebrations . I saw their event calender which had
all major Indian festivals.
Tomorrow is Dashmi and last day of Durga Pooja. So friends, If you wish to be part of Durga Pooja and Celebration and this is the place to go .
See u around.

Location : 1510 Birchmount Road, [Opposite Village of Punjab restaurant]