Anuj's thoughts...

Featuring Keynote Speaker: Nathalie Rochefort, former Liberal MP, current consultante in Social Integration


WHERE/OU: 2149 MacKay (Metro Guy Concordia) Montréal
QUAND/WHEN: Vendredi/Friday: 19h à 21h
Samedi/Saturday 9h à 17h
POUR/FOR: Youth 18-35 years who would have something to say on this topic
Jeunes 18 à 35 ans qui veulent partager sur cette sujet


COMMENT S'INSCRIRE: Reply confirming your participation to montreal@canada25.com
Confirmer votre participation à montreal@canada25.com

Participer maintenant - start participating already

Comment on our discussions so far in this blog.
Laisser nous des commentaires sur nos discours d'auparavent


Come share your ideas about being an active citizen in Montreal, and get a chance to hear what others have to say as well. Participate in discussion groups leading up to the creation of a final report, and have your say in the articulation of Montreal’s plan to become the most civically engaged city in the world.

Venez partager vos idées sur la citoyenneté active à Montréal, et profitez-en aussi pour écouter ce que les autres ont à dire. Participez dans des groupes de discussion menant à la création d’un rapport final, et ajoutez vos opinions à l’élaboration du plan de Montréal pour devenir la ville la plus engagée civilement au monde

If anyone is interested in discussing topics of Civic Engagement, I'm coordinating a Round Table with Canada25 Montreal on this topic. We also have an online blog at http://www.canada25montreal.blogspot.com/ where you can contribute to the discussions.

Yo yo! Ca va tu bien lecteurs de blog? Des commentaires, des commentaires... j'en ai besoin afin d'affirmer mon existence!

So, the weather is still warm here in Montreal. Funny thing, it apparently was snowing in Winnipeg (also in Canada, and further south then Montreal). Is this global warming, or what? As the hurricanes devastate central america, we keep producing toxins and filling our wonderful air with smog and pollution so that we can overconsume to compensate for other lactitudes in our life and end up not having money, so having to work more and then having to compensate more... and so the circle continues.

Everyone should go to India, to China or another overpopulated developing country to see what some of the true simpler values of life are...

Save up and travel...

Carpe Diem!

on a happier note, my cousin/sister just had a baby boy... welcome to the world Chetan!

Bonjour! I'm back... with a realization that time really goes by quickly. I can't believe that it has already been months since I have returned from my Europe trip... my holidays (that feels as if I have not even taken any). Upon returning I had Etienne and Christele visit me from France... it was wonderful to show them around Montreal. You can check out some pictures of our patio party at: Etiennes blog

As October hits, signs of fall and another seasonal era begin... school starting, summer ending and harvesting for an upcomming period of winter, spring and summer. however, having been in Montreal now for three years, i feel that i am falling into the trap of north americanization... consumption.. amasing resources for a hibernation, however truly trying to compensate for some adventure that is out there in the world... being a sort of nomad again. Funny.. as I was typing this, I got a phone call from a friend of mine, marnie, in the Phillipines... asking me what I was doing in November and if I could go to Asia.. but see, I am stuck down here with work... and constraints of budget for travelling and taking time off work... ahh... if only I could find the solution allowing me to be living planet earth as if it was my neigbourhood...

well, those are my thoughts. Would love some comments, consolations or suggestions...

Voici un petit image de Christele, la copine/blonde d`Etienne chez eux qui offre un accueil chalereux... photo prise par Etienne.

A moment to reflect in Vendome France with a nice belgium beer and great atmosphere. This is taken at Etienne`s parents little cafe bar on a lovely street corner of this beatiful city.

Bonjour bonjour;

je suis presentment dans la belle ville de Vendome France... ou les cloches de l`eglise sonne presentement 11h. Vendome est une ville formidable... tres fleuri, accuillante et belle. En voici quelques images de la belle ville, tres proche de Paris, mais beacoup plus agreable.


This building used to be the Lycee (high school) where Balzac had studied. Today it is the hotel de ville (city hall)



The view of the city.. notice how the church stands out as the centre of the city.

I am currently recuperating after an amazing experience... after participating in the world culture and traditions festival in Gannat France. I was there performing Quebecois dance with a group I dance with in Montreal. The festival was an amazing experience in interacting and exchanging with people from all corners of the world. During the 10 day festival I was able to party with with the Irish, learn about life from the Brasilian Amazonian tribe of Chavantes, dance with the peruvians and be amazed at the talent of kids by the Georgian and Colombian children performing at the festival.

If you ever have the chance to participate or visit a folk culture festival, I would strongly suggest taking advantage of that opportunity. Dance and music is a very integral base of any cuture that it truly permits understanding and appreciation of other cultures. This was the second dance festival i have participated in... the first one being in 1998 in Canary Islands with a group from Saskatoon (La Ribambell). Ironically at this festival there was a group from Ukraine that was also at this same festival in 98. It is a small world, after all.

Feeling so far away, here in Canada from the recent attacks in the UK... helpless, sad and at the same time feeling some sense of indifference. There were attacks in Spain last yeat, now UK where next. This is quite sad, that innocent lives are being hurt, but for what reason? What is the motivation. At the same time as i do not respect these acts, i do not either respect the sense that we need to kill innocent people in another country that does not share the same believes as ours... is that not what some countries are doing in war? Not to mention any names, but I am sure that one of our southern neighbours is guilty of such crime. Fighting fire with fire only makes more fire... i just can't understand why the people of the world can not just speak, understand and love... is that not what humans do best, or i am just dreaming on cloud 9 still...

Amazing! Yesterday was a very rainy wet day in Montreal... however this did not at all hinder the Jazz fans of this amazing city to hit the festival... and was it ever worth it. THis years festival is totally nomad and international... just yesterday there was a latin american group and then a Brasilian-Quebec group playing... and to top of the event a free outdoor concert with CHAMPION (DJ) and his G-Strings.... an amazing techno-jazz multimedia show that took over downtown montreal with art, music and dancing... despite the rain. http://montrealjazzfest.com/fijm2005/accueil_en.asp

Sorry... forgot to add to my blog that today is Canada Day! Bonne 138e ... Happy 138th Canada! and special happy 100th to Saskatchewan... ah oui... envoie moé de la blé!

... as i continue to Nomad my days around Montreal's tropical summer heat, I must say that each day i find new things that keep me filled with new energy and hope... Yesterday after a 4 hour volunteer shift at the Montreal Arts Festival, i noticed lovely flakes of colourful fire (fireworks) in the sky... for no apparent reason there were fireworks... either for the start of the Jazz Festival or pre canada day... who knows.. .just enjoy them. Aftere this, I ventured down to the Jazz Festival... going alone not knowing the program didn't hinder me from getting a taste of Montreal energy. After squeezing through the hoards of people (jazz fans) i finally made to the steps of Place des Arts... for a Brass Band.. but hang on a sec... not any Brass Band... this one had some different spice to it... a bit of Garam Masala... they were Indian.... i moved closer to the group to make sure.. and yet, they were the Rajistan Brass Band. For their first time in North America, they were at the Montreal International Jazz Festival... amazing! As I moved closer, I ran into a bunch of Columbian, Chilean and other latino friends all jazzing away to the bangra jazz beats... what a night, what a surprise... life is great when you are adventourous! Carpe Diem!