Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

13 Jan

India’s Harvest Festivals Celebrate Unity in Diversity and Spirit of Gratitude

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaand Bhogi, Harvesting Festival, India, Lohri, Magh Bihu, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan

Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Celebrated across different regions during the harvest season, festivals such as Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu, and Bhogi beautifully reflect the richness of India’s traditions, cultural heritage, and unity in diversity. Though known by different names and observed with unique rituals, these festivals share a common essence—gratitude to nature, farmers, and the harvest that sustains life.From the warmth of Lohri bonfires in North India to the sacred sun worship of Makar Sankranti, the thanksgiving celebrations of Pongal in the South, the vibrant kite-flying festivities of Uttarayan in the West, and the joyful observance of Magh…

13 Jan

IHF to Celebrate 3rd Anniversary of Ayodhya Shri Ram Temple with Grand Shri Ramotsav 2026 in Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharna)) : The International Hindu Foundation (IHF), with strong community support, is set to commemorate the third anniversary of the historic Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya by organizing Shri Ramotsav 2026, a grand spiritual and cultural celebration in Calgary on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Magnolia Banquet Hall, 5075 Falconridge Blvd NE. The official poster of Shri Ramotsav 2026 was formally released during a community interaction by Sonia Joshi of the International Hindu Foundation, along with her dedicated IHF team and other respected community dignitaries. During the poster release, detailed information about…

13 Jan

Earthquake Uncovers Hidden Fault in Remote Yukon Mountain Region

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlaska-Yukon border, geological survey, hidden fault line, plate tectonics, seismic activity, Yukon earthquake

Yukon (Rajeev Sharma): Researchers surveying a remote mountain area in southwest Yukon are examining signs of avalanches and landslides after a powerful earthquake struck near the Alaska–Yukon border last month. The magnitude 7.0 quake, which occurred on Dec. 6, prompted scientists from the Yukon Geological Survey to launch an aerial reconnaissance using helicopters to assess the earthquake’s surface impacts. Their findings have helped confirm a long-standing geological theory that a previously undetected fault lies beneath the region. Although both Alaska and the Yukon are known for seismic activity, scientists say the earthquake occurred in an area that has seen little…

13 Jan

Saskatchewan Judge Sends Impaired Bus Driver to Jail After Endangering Dozens of Children

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessImpaired Driving, Saskatchewan Court, school bus safety

Saskatoon (Rajeev Sharma): A Saskatchewan judge has sentenced a charter bus driver to jail after ruling that he posed an extreme and unacceptable risk by driving while impaired with more than 50 children on board. The provincial court judge said the driver’s decision to mix alcohol with prescription pain medication while operating a bus full of schoolchildren was “breathtakingly reckless,” adding that a community-based sentence would not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offence or protect public safety. The incident occurred in March 2025, when the 71-year-old driver was transporting 52 students and two teachers back to Saskatoon from a…

13 Jan

Ontario Municipalities Ration Road Salt as Early, Severe Winter Strains Supplies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontariomunicipal services, Ontario winter weather, road salt shortage

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Winter is not yet over, but several Ontario municipalities are already facing shortages of road salt, forcing adjustments to how roads and sidewalks are treated during snow and ice events. Cities across the province report that an early start to winter, combined with more frequent and intense precipitation, has led to faster-than-expected use of salt supplies. Municipal crews are responding by rationing salt, increasing the use of sand, or applying blended materials to stretch existing stockpiles. In parts of southwestern Ontario, rainfall and snowfall totals during November and December significantly exceeded seasonal averages. Municipal officials say the…

13 Jan

Temporary Residents Face Uncertain Future as Canada Tightens Immigration Pathways

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada immigration policy, expiring work permits, permanent residency uncertainty, temporary residents Canada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): After spending several years building lives in Canadian communities, many temporary residents are now facing the prospect of leaving the country as immigration policies tighten and job instability grows. One young worker in southwestern Ontario arrived in Canada in 2019 as an international student, completed post-secondary education, and invested tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and living expenses. After graduating, he secured employment in the automotive sector and applied for permanent residence through a provincial immigration pathway. That pathway collapsed when successive layoffs—linked to economic pressures and tariffs—caused him to lose the employment required to remain…

13 Jan

Calgary Teen Convicted of Breaching Terrorism Peace Bond After Posting Extremist Content

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A 19-year-old man from Calgary has been found guilty of breaching court-ordered conditions after continuing to post extremist content online, prompting a tense exchange with a youth court judge over his expressed beliefs. The teenager, whose identity is protected under a publication ban imposed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was convicted Monday after Justice Todd LaRochelle ruled that he violated a terrorism peace bond. The conditions required him to stay off social media and avoid certain locations, including synagogues. Court heard that the young man resumed posting videos linked to ISIS propaganda and shared pro-Nazi material…

13 Jan

Abbotsford Shooting Claims Life of Young Man With Punjab Roots, Police Cite Gang Feud

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingAbbotsford

Abbotsford (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night shooting in West Abbotsford has left a 28-year-old man of Punjabi descent dead, with investigators linking the incident to an intensifying feud among criminal networks tied to drug trafficking in British Columbia. The victim, Navpreet Singh Dhaliwal, was born and raised in Canada, though his family originates from Sudhar village in Punjab’s Ludhiana district. Authorities say the killing was premeditated and forms part of a broader pattern of violence connected to rival groups operating across the province. Police received an emergency call just after midnight on January 9 regarding gunfire at a home on Siskin…

13 Jan

Canada–India Relations Thaw as Prime Minister Mark Carney Prepares Landmark Visit to New Delhi; High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik Says “Trust Is Back”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, India, Mark Carney, PM Narendra Modi

Toronto ( Rajeev Sharma): Canada and India are set to reset strained bilateral ties as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to visit India in the coming weeks, ending more than two years of diplomatic friction. The visit comes as both countries seek to diversify trade partnerships amid rising U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade war. India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, confirmed the visit will take place after India presents its federal budget on February 1. He said the renewed engagement signals a clear improvement in relations, noting that “trust is back in the system” and that both…

13 Jan

Langley City Council Approves 2026 Financial Plan Focused on Safety, Recreation, and Core Services

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaLangley City

Langley ( Richa Walia): Langley City Council has approved its 2026–2030 Financial Plan, setting a clear roadmap that prioritizes public safety, expanded recreation, and reliable core services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The plan includes a 5.82 per cent property tax increase aimed at sustaining service delivery and supporting long-term community growth as the city’s population continues to rise. City officials say the financial plan builds on progress achieved during the current council term and reflects the evolving needs of residents and businesses. Investments outlined in the plan are designed to ensure essential services remain dependable and accessible across the community.…