THE NEXT STEP

In my opinion, Canadiandesi has become a mature site with enough members on board ready to provide guidance both to intending immigrants as well as persons already settled in Canada. With this in mind, I have a suggestion to make:

Since many of us really want help others and learn from others’ experiences, why don’t we decide to meet in person, say either once a month, or if that is too much, once every alternate month. This would help others and us in a variety of ways:

1. We can NOW take a step further and decide how we can extend the help that we intend to provide thru this site in a more concrete and physical manner – I personally have a few ideas and definitely the desire to REALLY help each other. We can all discuss that when we meet. This help would be directed to all – intending immigrants, newly landed, as well as persons who have been here say more than 2 years. Personally, my family has been doing that for a number of years – and in 2003, a short documentary was produced and telecast a few times by TV Ontario to show how we have been doing that.

2. This would help us develop our net-working. Looking at the private messages that I have received thru this site, I am confident that we definitely want to help each other by using our “Contacts” and knowledge. Meeting in person would help that a lot – a good example would be knowing each other by actual name (and sex at times!) rather than the internet names.

3. This would help in providing specialized knowledge for each profession – when we can have a few persons from same or similar profession discuss and enlighten each other on professional matters. It would help all to get into their fields faster and in a smoother manner. At the same time, it could help in creating a group of advisors for each profession – say IT, Accounting and Tax, Engineering, Fine Arts, Banking etc. etc. which would help others in the same profession as well as not in the same profession. Basically an extension of things we do over the net, but in a faster and more informed manner.

4. It would also bring like minded people (and sometimes not so like minded people – which is good for debates and exchange of opinions) closer socially. I for one do not know many people here, and personally crave for friendship.

I can volunteer to provide space for the first few meetings – enough for accommodating upto 60 persons without cramming. If there are less than 15 persons, it can be done in my apt., and if more, we have nice multipurpose room (no drinks or food allowed), or party room (this one at a charge of $100 but needed when later we might want to add food for meeting or party!). Infact, the meeting can even be followed by a movie in the multi purpose room!

I know that many of our contributors are in places like Alberta and Vancouver, and they might not be able to join such meetings – but we Torontorians can atleast start such meetings – and since people like Jake3D are not too far, can join us whenever he is a mood for an outing and willing to MAKE A DIFFERENCE for the Desis!

We can do the first meeting say by the end of this month or early December – and if people are a game for it, follow it up by organising a combined new year’s eve bash!

People who might be interested in this, and I am fully aware that the response may be “Zero” because writing on the internet is very different from actually physically doing it, may contact me by mail on

Hoping for an encouraging response, but am prepared for the worst!

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

its a 5 hr drive but why not! I think its a good idea. If not for anything else just the chance to meet one another. This and the first cpl of weeks of the next month are not good for me and I may have to pass up on the first cpl of meetings. Keep me posted, however.

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Encouraging response!

A 5 hr drive will be worth it to experience the Indian hospitality which I can promise!

And that might give you a chance to develop new friends who will be willing to travel to Montreal to meet you!

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

I really like your suggestion. And I am sure that we can muster a group that can meet on a regular basis. However, I was not clear about the basic purpose of the group or may be it depends on the number and composition of members.

Is it to allow a free flow of dicussion or to form some kind of a mentoring or resource group that others could draw from? I am sure we can provide significant help to newcomers wanting to successfully settle in Canada.

Also, I guess that someone would need to create a form/database and compile the necessary information.

I would definitely be willing to contribute my time and resources.

Quote:

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Orginally posted by Kal

I really like your suggestion. And I am sure that we can muster a group that can meet on a regular basis. However, I was not clear about the basic purpose of the group or may be it depends on the number and composition of members.

Is it to allow a free flow of dicussion or to form some kind of a mentoring or resource group that others could draw from? I am sure we can provide significant help to newcomers wanting to successfully settle in Canada.

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

Chandresh,
Kudos for the initiative...it is a great idea ....just yesterday i was thinking of at least trying to meet with some of you after coming to canada ... this group is a great effort of all those involved and is a great meeting point of different indo-canadian perspectives ....i am new to this discussion group and will be moving to Toronto form US in Jan04...and do hope to be able to participate and contribute in whatever way i can.

I have spent last 10 years in 3 different countries and everywhere i went i tried to meet with the indian community ... but the beauty about this group is that we already share and know a lot about others even before meeting them...


lookforward to more posting on this ...

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

Great Idea Chandresh!
I am moving from Chicago to Toronto during US thanks giving(End Novemeber).Looking forward to meet canadiandesi memebers there in Toronto
Cheers!

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ani