Great Quotes from Simple Truths

“ Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go, it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow. ”

~Alice Mackenzie Swaim “ There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ” ~John Andrew Holmes “ Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go. ”

and Dreams come true..So Dream On....sharing our journey as best friends and true love to the day of our marriage..

This Post was first posted in September 2013..and has been re-posted as a Mile stone of our journey as two strangers who found each other 15000 miles way from home..

There is a Song from the movie `True Grit.'.which is a classic wild west movie..the song is sung by the legendary singer Glen Campbell. The name of the song is..Someday little Girl.... This is  a song that brings tears to my eyes and makes my hair stand on end..it is  a song that gives me goose bumps..because each word is so true..it is almost exactly the kind of words that my father said to me as he lay on his death bed 25 years ago..and it is also a song of promise and hope that I should live my life with courage and grit and that one day the true love of my life.. a man of kindness and courage would come along and the pain would vanish..

When I was a young girl in India..I would love to hear  the stories my father and mother would tell me about their time in Canada and America, I would love watching cowboy movies and always dreamed that the man I would marry would be a true cowboy..tall handsome..rugged, brave and loyal and unpretentious..a man who would spark something in me that no body else ever has..a man like the salt of the earth brave, free in thoughts and spirit and above all noble..and kind..( the inner qualities of my Dad)..

Yet authentic, American cowboys do not exist in India..so my dreams seemed so unrealistic to many.. My brother often laughed at me and so did most people..because I just refused to let them `find a good husband' for me. I revolted strongly whenever the plans to find me a match started and led quite a rebellious life on that count. I did not believe in `arranged marriages' then and I do not believe in them now..
The funny thing was  I actually believed in my dreams and visualized exactly what my true love would look like and be like...and Yes you are right..the man I always dreamed about looks exactly like my true Canadian Love who became my  husband Brian..so uncanny..but  yet so true..

My father loved the songs of Glen Cambell..My father and Mother had lived in N America in the mid and late 60s and had  a deep love and respect for the men and women of this land.

My parents returned to India to fulfill their family duties towards their old parents. All of his short life ( Dad died at the age of 52) my father was known as a man of  great courage,an indomitable spirit and of a great heart...He knew that  my heart and spirit longed for something that would take me across the oceans to his beloved land Canada one day..and though I was a young girl/ woman when he left us..he told me to be true to what I believed in..to always be a little girl in my heart and that one day..I would find the man who would be waiting for me..

This is the song from the Movie True Grit..which he spoke of..

"True Grit"

One day, little girl, the sadness will leave your face
As soon as you've won the fight to get justice done
Someday little girl you'll wonder what life's about
But other's have known few battles are won alone
So, you'll look around to find
Someone who's kind, someone who is fearless like you
The pain of it will ease a bit
When you find a man with true grit

One day you will rise and you won't believe your eyes
You'll wake up and see
A world that is fine and free
Though summer seems far away
You will find the sun one day

 I have fought many battles in my life..I have  tried to live my life with courage.,..to never be hypocritical in what I do or say.. When I was a lone lady crime reporter  back in India..I always tried to write the truth and live up to the ideals I had set for myself and seen in both my father and my grand father..

Coming alone to a far away country like Canada was perhaps the craziest thing I ever did..but not giving up on the fight to make it.here..despite the great pitfalls and defeats .was the best decision I took.
If you want to under stand life and  human nature and the true character of the people you meet the best way to do that is to face the world alone with out the protection of your father or family name and walk alone incognito in a far away land . The best age to do this is from your twenties to your forties..how people treat you will reveal a lot about what they stand for and who they are..and who you are too..
The people who discouraged me the most in my journey alone here were sadly men and women from India who were also immigrants..settled or struggling here. some were friends and others family as in relatives. The people who ridiculed me and laughed at me the loudest for preferring to be in a relationship with a ' Canadian Cowboy' were also from the same background . Interestingly the worst of the lot in heckling a woman alone as she lives her life in her own terms..were those married and influential women that pretended to be the  `pillars of society' proud of their high status and their husbands played their parts in bullying and threatening whenever they could . There is so much of hypocrisy in the `little expatriate communities' in Canada and many shades to racism...that is often laughable how many masks  men and women both wear.. ..I am proud of the great spiritual heritage of India and the love and simplicity which marks the character of the homely  common man back there..but  definitely not the 'sophisticates' who hide the `Shark hearts' behind their fake smiles..
.It is here in Canada in my experiences within our Indian community that I saw the mean, jealous , selfish and inhuman side of the human character..however I will also say that there are many great men and women in that same community..true men of God..Reverend Swami Pramathananda maharaj, revered Swami Kripamayananda maharaj( Vedanta society of Toronto) and some like Professor Vijay Kumar Murty ( U of T )who are light houses of knowledge, Light and inspiration and have touched lives across the globe with their contribution to society and their true spirituality. I am honored and blessed that I have had the privilege and blessings to meet and be blessed by these great people during my life here in Canada.They represent the highest spiritual , intellectual and human values of India and her great Vedic heritage.
We have both also faced our share of `racism ' from many Canadians especially the older generation of `White` women as well as those young and old who have never traveled out side of N America..and do not approve of mixed couples..it is Brian's great hearted ness that he swiftly tells off anyone who has ever tried to put me down in front of him.  ( Note here many Indians of Indian origin are more `color driven and racist than Westerners). 
This much I will say for the younger generation of Canadians in the big cities of Canada..they are in one of the world most multi ethnic environments and so almost 60 % of children who are in school here today are likely to choose a partner of an ethnic heritage different from their own and they will hopefully be one of the most integrated societies in the world of tomorrow
The strongest communities in the world are the ones that stand by each other..and the weakest those that try to pull each other down. India will be weak if  we are  a billion people divided among st ourselves in India or abroad and not one who respect and support the dreams and aspirations of each individual...

As every individual knows  In our search for love in life we also often meet the wrong person who can cause deep wounds and make us lose trust in humankind.Sometimes life can get us down..its not been easy coming to a far away land alone almost 15 years ago..and there have been dark and lonely periods when I almost lost trust in the `light of hope and dreams' that always lead me in life..I turned inwards to my God and my faith and that has given me everything I wanted and more..
I never ever believed in arranged marriages..I know the pressure and injustice that a woman and a man have to endure to choose a partner `arranged' for them and most often the criteria is always for the wrong reasons. I have seen the tragedy and pain behind many of these arranged marriages in my own family of cousins,.. I remember turning down suitor after suitor in my younger days and the hell I had to face because I stood my ground..I was even prepared to walk alone for the rest of my life..if  I did not find the right one and I walked alone so long because of my stubbornness..but it has all been worth it..
So  every cloud has a silver lining, I followed the music in my heart and the drum beats of my soul..and ,The best friend I ever found..was my Cowboy Brian..and when I met him..I knew..he was the one my father had told me about..he was kind and deep and though incredibly handsome and gifted in many ways and ...he is one of the most unpretentious and noble minded  persons I have ever met.

                            Someone who's kind, someone who is fearless like you
                            The pain of it will ease a bit.. When you find a man with true grit

Being homesick.. was really rough..until I met Brian in the spring of 2009..it is ironic that he came into my life..just as my Mom who was here on her 'once in a few years' periodical visits was getting ready to fly back to India..
I have always been honest and open with her and never hidden any friend or any secret from her.
..Brian was just back from a two year stint in Vancouver and was getting over a really dark period in his life too.. he had posted something really funny on a dating website..It was the day I  was searching for something or someone who would be my best friend and my life partner..When I read his post it cracked me up.I laughed so hard..I wrote back saying how  much I enjoyed his whacky sense of humor..

.I sent him a pic of two ground hogs looking into each others eyes and asked him to guess which one was me.

.One week later we met in real life ..He whisked me off to Niagara Falls ..it was the last week of March 2009..the falls still had frozen icicles at the edges..but I had  a warm feeling about the man I had just met. Tall and handsome..a sweet, quiet and yet warm and friendly aura about him..his simplicity..non pretentiousness and honesty blew me away...two weeks later he came to meet my Mother.." I wanted to honor both you and your Mother" he says now..I found it touching then and still do now..

As a journalist girl I have met many men in my life. before I met Brian...Indian , Middle eastern, European and North American..Every human being has something beautiful in them..some people touch others and bring happiness, joy and blessing into their lives but sadly.there are others who poison the very water they drink..that is their legacy to the world...
Often we meet a few individuals who are driven with a selfish self conceit that makes them evaluate themselves so highly that they have nothing to give but pain and a bitter experience to those they touch...and this vanity and superficial sense of self importance  in such individual s has always been enough to make me run.. and I remember my father's words warning me that its time to run when you discover cruelty and selfishness that can poison your life if you chose the wrong friend or partner.

When Brian came to meet my Mamma..I was nervous...but I had no reason to be..
My lovable and sweet Mother had lived in Canada for almost 4 years in the late sixties with Dad( 1965-69) had  a lot of love and respect for the true Canadian pioneering folks and their decedents such as Brian who are the heart and soul and salt of this land..Brian's grand Mother was a very brave Scottish gal who had crossed the oceans and come alone to Canada in the early 1930's..and so he thought what I did in 2001..was on the same lines as a his Scottish Grand ma..Brian's Grand Pa was a handsome strapping American Cowboy who met Grand Ma in Sunny Side Toronto and the rest is history..

I was wondering if they would understand each other...Mamma is a bit hard of hearing and has  a distinct British and Indian accent..Brian is all Canadian Cowboy with more of a California drawl than the boring low monotone of many Toronto Canadians..

While I was heating Samosas and brewing coffee in the kitchen I was surprised to hear the two of them laughing and sharing jokes like old friends. When I walked into the living room He  was complimenting her on her crisp Cotton White Sari and she thought it was so touching the way he smiled and blushed when she asked him to sing.. ( My cowboy like all good members of his tribe..is a guitarist and singer when he is not busy at work )....after he left she said.." This is the man who will walk with you and hold your hand  until you draw your last breath of life.." powerful. Especially since it was just a week or two since we just met..She also commented that there was something about Brian that reminded her so much of my Dad..

I cried like a school girl being left alone at the airport when Mamma flew back to India...but my Cowboy Brian was there to console and warm me..I would learn bit by bit the personal  pain and shock which he was overcoming in his own life and even though nursing his own wounded heart he was there to comfort mine..

That year 2009 took me to the Good Friday play at the Queensway and.When the choir sang " Amazing Grace" my strong Cowboy Brian  cried .and I knew then at that moment that he was the only guy for me.. 

Summer turned to winter and that was the year of yet another kind of flu hitting the city..one day I lay sick and weak in my bed when I got  a call from my cowboy..was I ready to go up north to Midland to see the Snow squalls..Brian is as passionate about the winter weather as any true Cowboy..I am no less of an adventurer and we set off into the snowy wilderness to take on  the Canadian winter..flu and all..so we both drove up north chasing winter storms and that was an amazing experience for me..
That Christmas week we played in the snow..he swam like an otter in the warm pool in doors and we drove across Lake and mountain country which was frozen over. from the little town of Bala to Gravenhurst..from Bracebridge to Midland...everyday we drove by the Martyrs memorial at Midland... a piece of history I would never have known on my own...and explored the snowy hills alone..just he and me and the elements..was this not the dream and the man I had waited for all my life and was this not the reason I came to Canada..? That was the first time that he said he loved me.. For.a man of few words ..who means what he says..each word is worth a million diamonds..
Over the years we have had our scary moments..A couple of times at public functions and social events we were not prepared for what happens when you invite a handsome man to a  gathering where some men and women harbor dark secrets in their hearts..the seemingly `harmless' and least suspicious women who  you thought were your best friends suddenly become your worse night mare . Yet the test of  a strong relationship is the integrity and trust partners have for their relationship and for each other in such dangerous encounters and we came away stronger and closer than ever before.

The years have flown.during his beloved father's funeral in 2010.I got to meet his Mother  Irene and then his sister Karen  and her family and  eventually become part of the Cowboy's happy and warm family...They are laid back, unpretentious, happy and down to earth folk..hard working and very Canadian with the ability to share they hearth and their hearts with those who can respect and embrace them and be part of their lives......

The years of being  ' so lost at sea' in a far away land..had ended for me..
Our marriage was a deeply spiritual experience for both of us and we both cried with emotion and joy as we took our vows and exchanged wedding bands in a simple yet deeply loving and moving ceremony in Toronto. All of that day the spiritual head of the Vedanta Society of Toronto Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj prayed for us and gave me spiritual guidance and assurances. My Mother in far way India was on the phone with me through every second of the auspicious hour. Our Marriage minister prepared an extraordinary prayer and vows that took the beautiful verses and hymns from the Bible which Brian wanted and also spoke an universal prayer that means that we promised each other our Love, our life and our loyalty till the last day of our lives and beyond.
..

When I am by Brian's side .listening to old music on the radio...and the song from True Grit comes up..I say to him...It is a song that was written just for me..

All of us have dreams..some are fundamental..To love and be loved. true stability begins with that...some people have dreams that are great and extraordinary..to fly to the planets..to touch the stars..to save the world..to be like Mother Teresa..unless we truly love those who are closest to us and around us everyday..how can we claim to love the world..and care for human kind ? The greatest dream they say is to one day find God..but the journey starts here in the true love and dreams we have in our time on this earth...
..
And no matter how many years pass..or how impossible the dream may seem..no matter how many people berate you or belittle you and laugh at your dreams..and at you..believe in yourself..and believe in your dreams...
for each word of them is true...The great sage Swami Vivekananda once said..we cannot believe in God unless we believe in ourselves and the proof of that begins when your Dreams come true..

It does not matter if your dream is as insignificant as longing for true love in a far away land.. ..it may be even as great as wanting to save the world and even better saving the last of the species of  the almost extinct bright pink whale that lives somewhere near the equator. Your dream may be for a better life..for freedom from oppression, for Truth..for .knowledge... .for fame...to  reach the top of the business empire you or someone else  built..to win American idol and the greatest :To be a blessing and not  a curse to everyone you meet on your journey..No matter how small or big your dream..I do believe we must each have the right and  freedom to choose our own lives..and to every little girl out there who dares to dream I will say.. .

One day, little girl, the sadness will leave your face
As soon as you've won the fight to get justice done
Someday little girl you'll wonder what life's about
But other's have known few battles are won alone
So, you'll look around to find
Someone who's kind, someone who is fearless like you
The pain of it will ease a bit
When you find a man with true grit

One day you will rise and you won't believe your eyes
You'll wake up and see
A world that is fine and free
Though summer seems far away
You will find the sun one day 
(  Lyric from the Title song of the Movie True Grit)

By Lipi Read
 formerly Lipi Mukherji
lipiwriter@gmail.com

Even the impossible becomes possible through devotion.

Sarada Devi

Guerrilla style Business marketing Happens Cowboy style only in Canada

I guess I heard the phrase "Guerrilla Marketing" for the first time in our business school this summer. What we learnt is slightly different from the advertising term. It was tailored for us a Class of 22  Entrepreneurs hoping to be on their way to business stardom. Of the 22 only four decided to enter the Food and Hospitality business.

 When I mentioned the term `Guerrilla Marketing ' to Brian he cheekily asked  " Does that mean you and your class will be selling Gorilla Burgers this summer..is that what we Canadians can now look out for ?"
."  Oh No" I protested "One of the terms means that  this is the most basic style of marketing..You..your product out there on your own facing the crowds.. .facing the elements and proving your worth with no other support. There is also a surprise element in it..do it in a way that catches people by surprise.That is for traditional. market places where you directly sell your product. What's the twist I used ? The power of the word !
In advertising Guerrilla Marketing is an advertising strategy that focuses on low-cost unconventional marketing tactics that yield maximum results. The original term was coined by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book 'Guerrilla Advertising'

Kim and Peter who live next door got a `kick' out of the phrase and said.." Get your Man Brian in a Gorilla suit ..he will make sure they buy all your goodies".Jokes apart I finally had my first  Go at  traditional "Guerrilla marketing" when I got a weekly spot with an Environmental group at their community event a month ago.. .At Farmers markets and festivals Each entrepreneur becomes a `Lone warrior" giving it their best shot for what ever you are worth..that's for us Guerrilla marketing! Its the oldest form of Marketing and is still a way of life in most parts of the world.  
 In Our  Class of 22  Entrepreneurs Not all were immigrants nor had arrived here less than 15 years ago..at least 95% of the class represented born and Educated in Canada men and women from all walks of life , professional backgrounds and age groups.
In an earlier post after my return from a visit to India in 2014  I  had written : (Canada is a great land...however it does not recognize the qualifications and skills of many highly qualified immigrants from other lands. This is both the loss of Canada and  to the immigrants who come here. Many immigrants with University Degrees and  High In demand skills are pushed into jobs that do not match their education. This is  a huge Human Resource failure for Canada and that is why The American Dream and the Canadian Dream are not the `same story'. But things are changing now..) 
The highly successful Business program run by The Toronto Business Development Center and Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Education is one of the best examples of how entrepreneurship has created wealth and opportunities for both the province and thousands of Entrepreneurs over the years. TBDC celebrates 25 years of success this September. One of our directors told us that since its inception TBDC Entrepreneurs had generated a revenue of more than
 $ 9 Million while still in the program. 
Well here is my account of what it is like starting your food business in Summer at the Traditional festivals and Farmers markets all over the big city. Before you launch into buying a restaurant or Holiday resort that could cost you a few million dollars you start small and you start in the traditional market places and then create a market, an awareness and a solid viable business than enables you to go and create something bigger one day..
 The city of Toronto takes Public health safety seriously and that is a great thing. Every one in the Food and Hospitality industry as well as Health care workers, care givers and anyone planning to " handle food for the public" needs a Food Handlers certificate/ license.Believe me its an eye opener ..you wont mess with taking  kitchen hygiene or food quality lightly ever after taking this program.The rules of vending include setting up your own canopy and tables( don't want birds dropping their " goodies" on your food). Operating from a licensed commercial Kitchen and setting up everything on your own..Plus all the `compulsory hard ware and handling `Operations' on your own" I suddenly appreciate how one of our Business teachers mentioned the word  " One man or woman army" to describe what starting a small business in Canada actually means..Being an entrepreneur in Canada truly means running your own
 " Army' Not like it would have been in India with Mom and Dad and friends and family to provide all the funding. and support...all the man power and even a host of servants to do your " unpleasant work..while you `Play Big Boss" and never have to do the ` Real Hard labor ".This much I will say..Starting a Business in Canada is not for the weak in heart and spirit nor for those with any kind of ' Hang Ups'..If you don't like people..if you are too snooty and highly value your manicured hands and feet...if the Hot sun makes you faint and you would rather sit in an air conditioned office than be on your feet,if you want a job that pays highly but needs almost no hard work..Then advise from the Heart " Stay Home" and continue with your customer service and 9 am to 5 PM jobs behind the phone .If you enjoy gossip, love power ,politics and climbing the social and corporate ladder..please continue to pursue your ambitions exactly where you are and if that's not enough join a  organization or "committee as a 'Titled 'member'where you will get all the power and control opportunities you ever wanted..but do not become an Entrepreneur....because you will be so busy handling so many tasks you will have no time left for your favorite " Pass Times" such as these. That is exactly the words of one of our Best Teachers who is also a founding member of Enterprise Toronto..'Watch out for committee members in many Not For Profit Organisations".he said " They are the `best case of Mismanagement  skills and Power politics".However on a more encouraging note..for those who love cooking and experimenting with new cuisine..who like meeting new people and love the spirit of hospitality and entrepreneurship..the food and Hospitality industry is one of the oldest, most successful and promising industries anywhere in the world..As my Father used to say quoting a Hindi proverb three things will never go out of business that is :Roti ( Food) Kapda( Clothing) and Makkan ( Real Estate and Construction) However regarding Business in Canada especially starting in Food and hospitality Industry.. here is only for those who are ready to plunge into very hard work, and the excitement and adventure of true Cowboy spirit of the ~Real Canada" Go there and meet your customer at the Market Place..face to face..No facades, No Masks..just who you are.
I also need to say this loudly..I Love the spirit of Dignity of Labor in North America. No job is too small or too ordinary..you are respected for working hard and giving your best..not for sitting around until you are offered the Presidential seat. There are many people in the world who measure you your worth by your Job Title and the money you make..and that is like a game of " Snakes and Ladders" in todays world..one day you are up high and then again  back to zero..so the only way to measure a persons worth is to look at their integrity and character.
Plus as far as I can see there is no corruption and Bribe giving as in other countries and that speaks very highly about the Canadian system.
So Make your " Visions and Missions "become a reality with your efforts . Join the community that believes in true Freedom and Fair competition." Its more about opportunity for all and not competition between vendors " says Sarah the Manager of the Community market where I started my summer business project.. 
 The 'Community Market place' where I am to set up shop..looks like a Cowboy hang out or Gypsy Camp..Colorful tents and canopies..vendors selling everything from Cookies to fresh grown vegetables and corn .and even Tibetan Mo-mos. A young man in a Cowboy hat strumming his guitar and singing aloud his songs that sound like true  country music. Everyone's wearing a colorful scarf or a cowboy hat or cap..( Public health rules) .A Water fountain gurgling in the background and kids and mothers passing by and stopping at each vendors canopy..Most vendors have a partner or an assistant or half their clan helping them..
Since Brian works from noon to almost midnight..I'm on my own at this one. However it was he who had helped me with buying everything from  the canopy and gave me everything thing I ever needed to get started..He is my Hero! I have seen him rebuild and renovate his elderly Mother's 100 year old house almost brick by brick over the last few years.What would take at least 6 to 7 or even 10 men working together to lift and carry..and he does it after putting a full week of work at his office . Weekend days are devoted to rebuilding Mother's old home..and then its time to ourselves..He appreciates that my Indian upbringing enables me to respect and appreciate and support him and believe me he also devotes and gives me more than my fair share of love and attention even while he is at it.
He does the renovations alone..with his own strong shoulders and his quick thinking of ways to use tools and technology to his best advantage . I think of his hard work and drive and they enable me to get through the toughest moments and greatest hurdles.I see his talent and tell him that my Father would have been so pleased to have met him My father and Grand Father would have truly seen and respected him for the true Man that he is.Just like they were..
Anyway..I'm late.by almost half an hour for my first gig . Underestimated cooking time. It.took almost two hours to freshly cook my " vegan and vegetarian Indian goodies" from a licensed kitchen. Some of which are favorite street food in South Asian countries. Here there are stringent laws..but once you meet them you can do great.
The coordinator  of the Market place Sarah is friendly and understanding and accommodating. She is there to always give us a helping hand and encourage everyone, Sarah requests the Public Health officials running the Health awareness booth to share their canopy space with me. I think to myself " Oh Boy. Hope I got my stuff in the right order" but I'm in for a very nice surprise. They are both very friendly and helpful. One is a very friendly nurse named Citara ( Irish from her parents) and the gentleman is a Canadian of Nigerian decent .By the time I have spread and arranged my wares..Citara looks at me and says.." Hey that looks delicious..I offer her a free sample..but she says " No I will buy.".She is my first customer. Slowly but surely people stop and buy..I feel so encouraged.I suddenly understand that being yourself is the best way to sell..be friendly..be welcoming....give them more than they ask for and they will bring their Friends..neighbors and even their Dog..

Examples of Hard sell !

I remember one of our Business advisers at Business school warning us not to confuse business with charity..but I think you can do both and make a profit as well. Know who needs a `Break' a little bonus or a little more.. and who can pay their bit or higher and one will take care of the other.

In between breaks vendors walk across to talk to each other and offer their goods to other vendors. Sam and Abigail from the West End Food coop come and talk with me and encourage me once they hear its my first gig of this sort.Sam says " Bravo lady"..Welcome to the community!
I observe that there is a `law' to this..how you display your goods..the way you smile and greet people..does your product look appealing or appetizing to anyone passing by and how the waves of potential customers react..

Everything you ever learned about life and learning come into play here..not just what you learn at Business school..

How you treat people..can you respect those who have a little struggle with their little change ? Do you enjoy being around people of different races and backgrounds?Can you recognize the eyes that says..I need some but do not have enough to pay you the right amount..Yes they taught us that business is not charity..But I came across a strange secret that is almost magic..the Moment you are ready to Gift a bit to someone who can use it or a fellow vendor..who is sweating in the sun..you will find that suddenly a crowd of people come out of no where and start buying your product.

By half time..everything in my table is gone.Sold out...I'm thrilled but also realize I underestimated the amount or the potential of The East Indian mouth traditional snacks  that are still a hit at all festivals and gatherings and occasions..

I remember childhood in India  whenever we had Guests Our Moms  mixed a hand full of chopped vegetables with Chick pea batter and Lentil paste and deep fried them into a treat known as the " Pakora"...Suddenly The humble Pakora has become a popular name with everyone around. in Toronto.just like the Tibetan Momo..and the Indian Samosa..its a Hit..kids love the word Momo..and the Tibetan stall does brisk business all evening..I remember someone was looking for Momo's and got the name wrong they asked everyone.." Where are the Bun- Buns ?" ..Its all in the name..

Brian explains it to me.." Its the sound of the name he says..After all it was he who coined the Name `Lipilicious' for our  business..I wanted to name the company after my Dad and Mom..but a market survey showed that Canada could not pronounce East Indian names yet and we ended up with `Lipilicious.' ( again his idea not mine).In India we honor our parents and our God and name everything after them..but here it works differently..

I was once telling Brian the story of one of our Pet Dogs named `Tinku'' and he said "Hey..you can name something you cook after Tinku..that  will  really sell !!! Wow..so much for a name .so watch out next for `Tinku Pakoras.'.Named after a Black and White stray that adopted my parents.( yeah )...and here is Brian now a Master of Guerrilla marketing. In the East businesses have names such as `Shri Sataya Sai Samosas' or `Govardhan Thali'..in the West you can say `Fox and the Squirrel' or ` Jacks the Man' and run a Pub!

No wonder people crowd to the stall that sells Momos..its also the `name' and of course an excellent product.
The Tibetan Momo sellers are a family of Three..very friendly..very helpful.folks.( they help me put up my tent and run and grab my paper plates when the wind has blown them around.).

Though I thought I was alone..I realize I no longer am....I find myself in a new family of Vendors and community organizers and hundreds of people..suddenly the thought " The world is  my family" comes to me.. I learnt that years ago on the lap of my Mother and Father..

People say that some communities in Toronto such as the one that Greenest city and the West End serves has a lot of broken people..by the end of two weeks I realize that I did not see any broken souls..but brave and smiling ones..warm hearts and appreciative smiles and encouragement.People who stand behind each other and support one another..and then to think of it..which of us alive in this world is not broken in some way ?

Is there a single person who has not had a broken heart..a broken dream..a broken leg a broken bridge of opportunity or hope or promise in their life..?have we not all had broken Faith and broken friendships and loss of trust ?Are there not " Broken souls" where we are not looking for them..?In the High towers of Bay Street and Wall Street.. In the Entertainment district where people pretend to be happy but someone gets shot almost every weekend..In the men and women who wear Masks that say they are happy in their constantly competitive and wealthy life styles but are always looking for ways to break up those who have the contentment and spunk that they do not..When broken people with well meaning hearts come together..they form a beautiful Mosaic..a picture that is a Master piece by itself..that is community and family..and people who are the Salt of the Earth..

I used to go to a beautiful Temple and a class On Wednesdays. .. But when my time was over I sadly walked on ..and discovered that the world and this Market Place became my learning ground ..My teacher and my friends..

This is the market place in Toronto..all over the city..open festivals and events and farmers markets where Canadians take pride in selling and buying Locally grown and produced ..and where even International prepared foods come from locally procured sources..true Canadian pride! Anyone entering the Food and hospitality industry must graduate from this phase..Its tough..its very hard work.it needs wits and energy and no false pride.!

I remember a commercial back in India when I was growing up..It was for some really tough looking jeans but would surely apply here..
The commercial said in Hindi / English " Rough and Tough Ho to Rough and Tuff Pehno" which means..if you are tough..wear Tough "

Well we may not show our toughness in our appearance or our way of life..but to become an entrepreneur of any sort in Canada you have to be  and believe in it.. 

The rewards are great...Successful vendors at summer markets can make enough to see them through a year in just a few seasons..
There is a thrill in meeting new people and having a very warm and enjoyable interaction with them since Food , people, festivities and fun all go together."Short and sweet" is the best way to describe interactions in the Market place.and both parties are happy at the start and end of it.

There is a philosophy to Hospitality..In India, the Traditional thought is that every girl is meant to be a mother and should manifest the motherliness and nurturing side of her personality uppermost. and the truth is Men have that side as much if not more than many women..

The Food and hospitality Industry is a wonderful opportunity for individuals who love to create Food, be around new people..serve and befriend others and express that giving side of their personality. The interactions are almost all Positive..

The Summer festivities and Vendors also provide a Huge chunk to the economy of the city..Not only can vendors with a good plan and organisation  skills make Good money they can also provide employment to many.

I heard someone who has worked in the Banking and Mortgage Industry say that they have seen Food vendors buy Homes and make mortgage payment with cash..

But warning..this is not the job for those who want to make a few quick bucks..get rich quick and come into the industry  just because they heard that someone there is making it big..For every successful business there are many that don't make it..!

It has to be the passion of your heart and the idea you have had for a long time and worked on it..and of course first and foremost The Blessings of the one above and of your parents and all those who have blessed you in your life's journey !

Finally just as the evening falls and we all pack up to go home we probably have this euphoric moment just like this little chap below :..Hey I thought I.had no wings..but now I can actually  fly- I am Batman !
  ( or woman if you were talking about a dozen or more female Warriors including me )

Mce Ma Chaine Etudiante photo

Guess what I am Batman !