The Queen room of Swagat Banquet Hall swelled with excitement one Friday night when DM Youth took over. On September 19th, from 7:30pm onwards, the hall steadily filled until nearly every table had a ready crowd, waiting for the night to begin. A few inaugural remarks by the MCs for the evening, Misters Ravi Gurdial and Rajin Ramkisoon, were followed by an endearing dance performance by the young and talented Sarah Yellapah. The young dancer is a returning performer from DM Youth’s Desi Explosion 2K9 this past May.

The evening progressed towards the moment that many have been awaiting all year, but it never came. This year there were no applications for the DM Youth Leaders in the Community $1000 scholarship, and therefore no recipient. The scholarship which would have been in its second year was one of the main goals of DM Youth at its inception, and this disappointing lack of interest from the members of DM Youth was unexpected. Hopes for the future of the scholarship are high, with this year as motivation for each coming graduating class to strive for the prize – recognition from their cultural community for their outstanding efforts both in school and out. While DM Youth remains determined in light of this shocking snub, a few simple words from Ravi Gurdial sum it all up, “This should not have happened”.

Diwali has arrived this year within weeks of Canadian Thanksgiving and it also calls for us to count our blessings. It asks us to look to the future not only with a hopeful eye, but to be mindful of what can be done to create a prosperous future for our families. The future may bring more opportunity for DM Youth to reach many lives in our communities, within the temple and within itself. None of it could be possible without the support of Devi Mandir, of our volunteers, and of the youth of the Devi Mandir.

DM Youth has been blessed with four years of growing prosperity and good fortune. It has created a framework for great things in the Hindu community for our youth. This year, unfortunately, there was no “Leaders in the Community” scholarship awarded. This was not through lack of funds, but lack of interest. The most trying aspect of DM Youth’s activities is maintaining interest from year to year, event to event. We will strive in the months to come to build momentum towards our common goal; of a vibrant Hindu community with strong youth to build our future.  

On Saturday May 17, 2008, DM Youth held its second annual talent show: Desi Explosion 2008. The event, having been hailed as a great success in 2007, was much anticipated and did not disappoint.

The audience was awed as a multitude of young performers each took the stage, showcasing a diverse range of talents. Performances included a semiclassical sitar/vocal/tabla medley, a dynamic fusion of martial arts and music, as well as a variety of captivating dances and vocal pieces. A number of performers and talents such as the highly-acclaimed comedic antics of Rajin Ramkissoon, returned with new acts for this year’s show.

The event was a major success, and this year it served a two-fold purpose. Unifying the Hindu youth community has always been a goal of DM Youth. With the success of yet another Desi Explosion event, this goal was one step closer to being realized. In addition, part of the proceeds from the show went to the charitable organization Plan Canada. On behalf of the DM Youth, Plan Canada will sponsor a needy child in India.

DM Youth held its very first workshop on March 30, 2008 after temple service at the Devi Mandir. There were close to 50 people in attendance, with an age range that one would say was highly diverse. Anil Persaud, from The Surya Academy (www.suryaacademy.org) was our guest speaker for the afternoon, as he focused on Hinduism in relation to the nature of the Self. Questions such as, “Who Am I?” and “What is a Hindu?” opened the floor for personal opinions and general discussion. Selected quotations from the Bhagvad Gita were used to provide answers to some questions while also teaching us how we can change our own lives based on the choices we make.

More than one voice was gone by the end of the night, because DM Youth is no stranger to high scores. Scores that night were into the high 200's, with a perfect game of bowling being 300. Even if the scores weren't perfect, the feeling was; Cosmic Bowling was the first DM Youth event ever, and it's clear why it has stuck for so long. For some good clean fun with good people, and a chance to meet new people and make friends with people you might not even know you know, Cosmic Bowling is your best bet. Don't miss out next year when DM Youth goes for year number 5!

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The newly renovated Swagat Banquet Hall was nearly packed, its sumptuous chandeliers glistening in the tense room, the annual speeches were yet to be made. The announcements usually accompany the anniversary feast, but this year there were a few unexpected ones, as well as one which was long anticipated. Just over 3 years ago, when DM Youth was just a dream, there was another dream with it; the desire to make a scholarship for young Hindus who are leaders in their communities and leaders in life. On Saturday, September 15th, that dream was realised with the awarding of not one but two “DM Youth - Leaders in the Community Scholarships” in the amounts of $1000 and $500 to two deserving young men.

The lights were dimmed, the stage set, but nothing could prepare the waiting audience for what they were about to witness. On June 2nd, 2007, the Devi Mandir auditorium played host to an explosion: Desi Explosion.

The first ever talent show put on by DM Youth, Desi Explosion went off with a bang! Many talents were showcased at Desi Explosion, from the conventional to the less ordinary, and of course the extraordinary! “It encouraged many young children to display their talent,” Anita Binda, performer and long time supporter of DM Youth relates, “while keeping our culture alive”.  In addition to song and dance pieces, there was a recorder solo, and a group martial arts demonstration which was expertly timed to music, and a comedic sketch that was beyond comparison.

According to Stacy Jagroop, Desi Explosion committee member and performer, the diversity of talent was important “so that people can see what other talent there is [in DM Youth]”. This event was a perfect representation of DM Youth’s ability to bring together young Hindus, from different mandirs across the GTA, for a common goal; unity, understanding, and some explosive fun.