Wednesday, November 26, 2025

'Canada Immigration Smart Plan': A Good Guide for International Students and Aspiring Immigrants to Canada


Are you an international student dreaming of a successful journey in Canada, from selecting the perfect educational institution to launching your career? The 'Canada Immigration Smart Plan' serves as a useful guide for you.

Written by an experienced Canadian immigration advisor (RCIC) with over 20 years of experience, this practical guide walks you through each critical step of your path to Canada. The book covers many aspects, including step-by-step guidance on the entire visa and immigration process, from student permits to permanent residency options.

This book is filled with useful tips on finding housing, managing finances, starting a career, securing internships in Canada after graduation, finding jobs, and expert advice on building a successful career. It is a book containing valuable information and advice for anyone wishing to immigrate to Canada.

Link to purchase this book - https://amzn.to/4pBxaFn

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

A Way to Escape Slipping!

 


Winter has begun. When temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius, the ground under the accumulated 'snow' freezes into 'ice'. In these situations, the chances of slipping and falling are high. For the elderly, such falls can even be life-threatening. I have also experienced such falls. Since then, I regularly use 'Snow Grips' for my shoes in such weather conditions. Even good brand winter boots did not protect me from slipping. Such 'snow grips' can be bought on Amazon.com. After that, I bought them on Amazon. They have lasted for the past few years.

The thoughts on racism in Sri Lanka and a conversation about it with Artificial Intelligence!

 

 

The Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government is speaking out against racism. Sinhalese politicians who have lost power are resorting to racism in an attempt to regain what they've lost. Tamil politicians, feeling threatened by the Anura government's influence and citing the JVP's past history, are also portraying them as racists who cannot be trusted. These two groups will continue to operate in this manner.
 
In reality, if the Anura government firmly acts against racism, disregarding these groups, and its positive results become evident, there's a chance that the opposition politicians who failed in their racist efforts might change their approach.
 
Furthermore, if racism is truly to be defeated, the government must expose the racist Buddhist monks among the Sinhalese people. The people will accept it. The government must ensure that Sri Lankan law deals with such monks. Doing so would be a strong step towards eradicating racism. If the government fails to do this and succumbs to the racism of some Buddhist monks, it will never be able to eliminate racism from the country.
 
Every time racist monks act, the law must be allowed to take its course. In such instances, the government must explain to the people in the South that these individuals are racists. The people will understand and support the government. If the government fails to do this and instead succumbs to the tactics of racist monks, its political future will ultimately be jeopardized.

The renowned dancer Kumari Kamala has also passed away. Deepest condolences.


Kumari Kamala in 'Paavai Vilakku': 'Is there a time I don't think of you?' ('Naan Unnai Ninaikkatha Neramundo')

I first learned about Kumari Kamala through my parents. Both had a great fondness for Kumari Kamala. They would always speak admiringly of her dancing skills. I first learned from my father that she was initially married to the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman, and that R.K.L was the brother of R.K. Narayan, one of my father's favorite famous writers. My father had a collection of R.K.N.'s English novels, along with a collection of novels by Graham Greene, the writer who introduced R.K.N. to the West.

They also recalled Kumari Kamala's excellent performance to Bharathiyar's Indian independence-themed songs in the film 'Naam Iruvar'. My mother even sang one of them, 'Aaduvome Pallu Paaduvome'.

The first film of Kumari Kamala's that I watched was 'Paavai Vilakku'. I saw it as a late-night second show when it was re-released in the seventies at Regal as an old Tamil film. Having read Akilan's novel 'Paavai Vilakku' before watching, I enjoyed the long film with great enthusiasm. Kumari Kamala appeared on screen as the character Sengamalam from the novel. It was a role perfectly suited for her.

The song 'Naan Unnai Ninaikkatha Neramundo' from the film 'Paavai Vilakku' is one of my favorite songs. This is also my most favorite dance sequence of Kumari Kamala's in a film. The lyrics were penned by poet A. Maruthakasi, and the music was composed by K.V. Mahadevan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxTM8X0OprM

A special documentary video compilation about Kumari Kamala is 'Fragrant Petals: Kamala's Natyam'.

Dancer Rama Bharadwaj, one of Kumari Kamala's students, briefly but engagingly describes Kumari Kamala's dance contributions in the forties, fifties, and sixties. This video was produced by another dancer, Anita Ratnam.

Monday, November 24, 2025

Jerzy Kosinski's 'The Painted Bird'

 


My article on 'Being There,' published in 'Subamangala', a Tamil magazine, was the first introduction of Jerzy Kosinski to the Tamil literary world. It was about his famous novel, a short but poignant work that was also adapted into a film. It's a novel that critiques the image-worshipping contemporary society.

Jerzy Kosinski was a writer who immigrated from Poland to America, began writing in English, and made a significant mark in English literature.

His novel 'The Painted Bird' is considered a major work in 20th-century American literature. Published in 1965, it has been translated into over thirty world languages. The novel shocked readers due to its often brutal descriptions of human rights violations during World War II, which chilled the hearts of those who read it. A Jewish boy's parents send him away with another person, hoping he will escape the Nazis. This boy then wanders across Eastern European countries during the war, trying to survive. He undergoes various experiences, and 'The Painted Bird' describes them.

Actor Dharmendra passes away!

 

Actor Dharmendra, remembered by many as the "He-man of Bollywood," has passed away. When I think of him, the first things that come to mind are his well-built physique and his charming, smiling face.

In the film 'Guddi,' which brought actress Jaya Bhaduri into the limelight in Bollywood, he played the role of Dharmendra, the actor who captivated student Jaya Bhaduri. I recall actress Jaya Bhaduri once describing him as a "Greek God."

He starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan in the landmark Hindi film 'Sholay.' He married Tamil actress Hema Malini, who also acted in the film, as his second wife. Because of this, he is sometimes affectionately referred to by Tamils as "Tamil Nadu's son-in-law."

Even though I haven't seen many of his films, I would describe him as an actor who truly captivated me.

Dharmendra is an important personality in the Hindi film industry and in Indian cinema! Deepest condolences.


In memory of the late Dharmendra, I am sharing this famous song from the movie Sholay, which resonated everywhere when the film was released.
youtube.com/watch?v=qfCt1U

[Digital painting technology, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG]

* Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

Diaspora Tamil Short Story: Seetha Akka! - V.N.Giritharan


 [This English translation of the Tamil story is a collaboration between Google AI Studio and V.N. Giritharan. The original Tamil version of the story follows the translation. Digital painting assistance (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

1.

The darkness hadn't fully receded yet. Autumn had begun, bringing a slight chill. The Toronto bus station was bustling with travelers. Just as I was getting ready to leave after sending off my friend who was going to Montreal, I heard a male voice in English, "Excuse me. Are you from Sri Lanka?" I turned around. A white bus driver stood before me.

"Yes, friend. What is it?" I asked.

"That's good. I'm a bus driver from Montreal. A Sri Lankan Tamil woman came on my bus. She's a refugee. She doesn't know anyone here. Could you help her if you can?"

"Certainly," I said.

"Thank you very much, friend!" He went to the waiting area and returned shortly.

"Friend! This woman needs your help," he said, bringing a woman with him. I couldn't hide my surprise when I saw her.

"Seetha Akka!" I exclaimed.

Seetha Akka was equally surprised to see me. It was an unexpected meeting, wasn't it? I thanked the Montreal bus driver. He too said, "Do you know her from before? That's good. It's all God's grace," and left.

You can earn through Facebook too!

Friends! Watch this video completely. It might definitely help you. It has been very helpful to me. This video shows that Facebook can actua...