MOVING TO CANADA DURING
 A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Parting with your native land and relocating to a new nation is itself a life-changing decision. It requires an enormous amount of endeavour and determination to traverse through numerous junctures of the immigration process.

Most of us understand and are geared up for the subsequent challenges, however, this year exhibited ambiguous times.

I am a newcomer who moved to Canada in February 2021 and my start has been a bit unusual because of the ongoing Global Pandemic.

I have penned down a few challenges followed by some quick tips that can prepare you well for your journey.

Challenge-1 LANDING

As we did a soft landing in 2019, we saved a lot on the paperwork this time. However, the global pandemic has resulted in new regulations, and it is currently mandatory to book and pay for a 3-night hotel stopover before you arrive in Canada. One must stay at the government-authorized hotel while awaiting their arrival Covid-19 test results.

After receiving your negative test results, one must move to their place of accommodation and do a compulsory quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

Tips & Tricks

• Select a place with an accessible open space that will allow you some outdoor time while you are quarantined.
• If you are accompanied by children, keep a variety of engrossing games, worksheets or quizzes that can make their isolation comfortable.
• Install a few apps for doorstep delivery service for groceries.
  Apps such as Instacart and Uber eats allow you to select from several stores that can deliver essential items to your location.
• Do not book for shared space accommodations.

Challenge-2 ACCOMMODATION

While you are still in your temporary staying arrangement, head start to explore short or long-term rental spaces. Obtaining a place of your preference can be time taking and as a newcomer, be ready for a few roadblocks. If you are new, unemployed and have no credit history, be prepared to hear a ‘no’ more often.

Nevertheless, stay optimistic and keep looking. Pandemic has caused a slump in the rental price, and you might close on a great offer.

As soon as you have address proof, apply for your health care as the waiting time for it is now waived off.

Tips & Tricks

• If you are employed, keep your offer letter, and pay stubs (slips) ready.
• Keep basement and walk-out basement options into consideration.
• Keep clarity and decide soon, as you might lose on a decent option.
• If you are unemployed, look for a short-term lease.
• Find a home closer to public transit to save on a few dollars.

Challenge-3 JOB MARKET

Securing a career in a new country is undoubtedly the most challenging task that people face. The global pandemic has made it worse by hitting the job market. Although most of the jobs have seen a substantial blow, a few industries, such as IT and advertising have seen growth like never before.

These challenging times have taken a toll on people’s psychological well-being. However, hard work, persistence and perseverance are the proven keys.

Tips & Tricks

• Utilize this time to constantly enhance yourself by doing demanding courses in your field. Platforms such as Udemy, LinkedIn, Google Academy etc are offering a plethora of courses to choose from.
• Use additional hours to eliminate the language barrier.
• Work on your resume and build an online presence on useful platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Zip Recruiters etc.
• Take ‘Job Search’ as a 9-5 job and take time to unwind.
• Sign Up with employment agencies and continue to follow up.

Challenge-4 NETWORKING

Networking physically is yet another challenge and the elevator pitch is no more effective. But then again, this should not prevent you from building connections virtually. Accept the changeover and switch swiftly to the digital sphere.

Tips & Tricks

• Create your digital presence and network through professional channels.
• Attend webinars and link with your industry professionals.
• Join virtual meetup groups and connect online.
• Register for virtual job fairs and keep connected digitally.

Challenge-5 REMOTE LEARNING FOR KIDS

 is incredible to observe how technology did not let education suffer and how families and schools supported each other’s transformational move. However, this whole process has been extremely overwhelming and taxing for teachers, parents, and children.

Tips & Tricks

• Create a schedule and adhere to it. This will help you to organize your day and help kids to plan their time.
• Fix some quality time with children so you do not feel guilty at end of the day.
• Keep worksheets and engaging activities handy.
• Plan for family walks to channelize their energy.
• Enrol kids in virtual workshops.

I hope the above pointers will support your journey while you create your own story.

Just remember, we are together in this.

Playing a #womencard

I chose this heading because I am a woman. A lot many times, that I am observing, whenever a woman expresses her views/an uncomfortable situation, people don't take a minute to tag this as #womancard.

Well, nobody has directly used it for me so far, however, there have been instances when their tone and facial expressions have shown it clearly.

Now, can you make out my obvious consciousness, my defensive approach and probably a disclaimer that this is not supposed to be playing a #womancard. This is just ‘sharing my thoughts.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

‘I am grateful for what I have is my daily affirmation and a strong belief too. I have almost got what I ever wanted, not very easy though. This can not be a fact-based true statement but this is what I would like to believe to maintain my own sanity levels. Of course, there have been things here and there, some compromises and things just like every other story.

I am a woman, who finished her basic education, completed her master’s and moved on a journey of being financially independent. My professional journey has not been very smooth though. I have had a few breaks which were not in my control (and I hate to say this) probably. The most significant break has been because of ‘motherhood’. 

At this point, stop judging me already!

I lacked a vision of an obvious life that most women have. I just focussed on achieving small goals in my personal world also. I thought of marriage but did not read enough about post-marriage challenges. I handled things as they were coming to me. And similarly, motherhood. I (read we) wanted to be a mother(read parents) so I (we) planned. Pretty simple!

I never thought about what drastic change this would bring in my personal and professional life.

I struggled to continue my professional journey because of no other support system. I am the mother and I brought this baby to the world. So, who is going to take care of the baby? We. 

This has nothing to do with me. It is not just my story. This is the story of countless women around the world who leave their paying jobs for this full-time (permanent) role.

INCESSANT JUDGEMENTS

At this time, there can be many perspectives that people (judgemental) might have.

1. She delivered a baby, she needs to handle it.

2. Lucky she, now she can just stay home and do nothing!

3. Is she still thinking about a career? Why baby then?

4. She joined back her work? Such a selfish mother.

5. And if it's a tricky joint family system, then it's my way (their way) or the highway!

But that's not the point. Most women learn through the journey and struggle to find a solution. Unlike men (not a #womencard yet), they struggle to find a balance at each level. Their constant struggle is unseen or looked down upon. Their mind is occupied with feeding, baby food, family health, love, laundry and what not!). Most women lose a definite connection with their profession. They constantly ask themselves, what is happening? When things will be back on track? When can I enter the professional world again?

This is the sole motive of this post. I want to highlight how a woman struggles to find a way back in her ambitious world. This is definitely not a cakewalk. Unfortunately, she finds many roadblocks on her way.

COMMON ROADBLOCKS

1. To touch base back with the industry trends.

2. Connect with industry people.

3. Come out of her own zone and sell her skills.

4. Give detailed explanations of her break and how she upgraded herself in that ‘break’

5. Explain, how can she resume work? What's the family support structure now?

6. To do courses, training, sometimes unpaid internships

Surprisingly, this is invisible. Nobody wants to talk about the ‘elephant in the room’.

STIGMA IS REAL

Remember, how sometimes we have to wait in a long queue to get a coffee? And then, imagine we have to leave the queue to attend an urgent call! We are back after 10 minutes, only to find that you are at the end after fifty-odd people. And the coffee is served only on a first come -first serve basis.

How to co-relate better?

1. The long queue at the Coffeehouse is an employment queue, door to your dreams and ambitions.

2. An urgent call is family responsibility - child care

3. 10 minutes - 3-4 years!

4. Fifty odd people - competition in millions

Of course, the employer would pick the one who is more closely connected to the professional world. Somebody, who is in touch with their ‘work’.

And, this is okay! They need to pick up the best resource who they see can hit the ground running.

I just wanted to tell the world, this is real. This is happening. Our woman is struggling at multiple levels. I have only highlighted one aspect. Don't close your eyes while looking at the resume. If a woman is applying after a break because she has some stubborn ambitions that she refuses to give up. She has a tsunami of dreams and is totally up for challenges. She just needs one chance and definitely not an unpaid one! Because that permanent non-paid full-time role she already has.

BE THE PART OF THE SOLUTION - BRING CHANGE

1. Do you hire? Give her an opportunity.

2. You can't afford and take a chance? You might be missing out on energetic volcanic results.

3. Can you afford her skills? Train her and she will be in charge in no time.

4. Find your own solutions but do not close your eyes.

5. Try to be part of the solution.

Still, think it's playing a #womancard? Go away and browse something that polishes back your patriarchy.

I welcome more perspectives. Leave your comments below.

RJ

Aur phir khud se zara milna

Peron mein ladkhadahat,armano mein kami si hi..

Vichlit mann tha,ankhen kuch soch mein rami sit hi..

Hawao mein yun zulfon ka bikharna,

Sooraj ki roshni mein palkon ka yun bar bar jhapakna..

Wo milna mera kuch ajnabiyon se yun ki..

Garmi aur ghabrahat se mere gale ka sookhna..

Sabki muskurahat ko dekhkar,

Khud ko bhi mehfil mein shamil karna..

Zabardasti ka hasna, aur akele mein azaad mahsoos karna..

Yun waqt ane per ek ajib si himmat ikatthi karna,

Aur phir ghar akar tasalli se letna..

Apne khokhlepan se bahar nikalna,

Aur phir khud se zara milna..

Mood Swings!!

I was smiling for no good reason.. wow! What a beautiful season..

The weather is nice.. all sweets no spice..

A smooth life of my own.. the thoughts of how we have been grown..

The wonderful memories and missing those pals a get together with you guys and gals..

And chit-chat on mobile and net.. my exciting tone as if all life is set..

These mood swings..haah..I was smiling since morning.. 

suddenly something and it seems a bad ending.. (for the day)

I am feeling emotional and empty inside.. 

wish you were here with me this while..

and don’t say anything I may cry 

for you would never know and ask me why see.. 

the pearls rolling with precision.. and I am crying for no good reason..

Music- A part of me!

Music is such a beautiful thing. I am surprised at myself that why it took me so much longer to express myself on such a thing which have played a major role for me. I have been listening to my mom’s voice ..those old beautiful lyrics all these days. And now when I repeat those numbers.. she gives me a look which says “how come you know these old-time songs!” and then I remind her of her own sweet voice which I have been listening to all these years.

Not a trained singer, but I managed to be a part of a song group during my school. Those practice sessions and an amazing calmness on my teacher’s face brought me all the closer to music. We practiced easy alaaps, variations. Those patriotic songs prepared specially to perform in interschool competitions are still part of my memory.

Songs are intangible but when they get connected to a person or situation – they add all the more tangibility. They undoubtedly play a major role in transforming my mood. There have been phases in life that were a little more challenging, a little more demanding, tensed situations where all I needed was hope, situations filled with romance, expression of love and celebration of friendship –Music was always there.

Music therapy is becoming popular. Music does have an effect.

I still cannot forget the time when the song “ye honsla kese rahe.. “ gave me the required hope to move on.. the song “chak de “ helped me with MBA Entrance preparation! “Yaron dosti” reminded me of my closest friends and the friendship we share, “what goes around comes back all around” gave me the strength in my relations, “hame tumse pyaar kitna” brought this special smile, and the songs “here without you baby” , “kyon hawa aaj yun..” , “kabhi alvida na kahna” reminds me of some special people .. “In the end” brings back all the energy and reassurance, “ankhon ke sagar” takes me close to my emotions, “dil toh baccha hai ji” takes me to the world of salsa and ball dance! “d.dd..dilli dilli” helped me in daily travelling from here and there, “zoobi doobi” reminds me of my college girls gang, “ye kaali kaali ankhen” takes me years back in a dance class where I could not dance this fast so I prepared on “payaliya..ho..ho..” “sayoni” takes me directly to my Manali trip from college, “hotel califronia” , “18-till I die”, the beautiful ghazals.. The list is endless. And this time seriously it is! Personally, I like the people who love music, because somewhere they are nice in their hearts.

Music has given me strength. Besides, it has given me an imagination. It is just so impossible to survive without music. There has to be something which can keep you lost in yourself!

Marketing - Its So Very Human!

I chose marketing not because I was inclined towards the four P’s, but because I found this subject somewhat more practical than others. Probably the strong faculty in marketing also influenced me in making this career decision. And I have never regretted this decision. My theoretical knowledge in classroom teaching made me observe so many things in a better way. 

Probably “structured way” is an apt phase. I started connecting marketing with almost everything. When a child is born, the event is a kind of “NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH”- a NEW PRODUCT, who is to be named. Someone who will create a different brand value altogether. Either he will be known because of the “PARENT BRAND” or he will create his own identity and his own sub-brand. In course of time, he will interact with different people- maybe the “clients, users or the competitors”.

With his actions, he will be “POSITIONED” in the mind of others. Whether the marketing message he is giving, is consistent or not, would depend on the types of personality he is portraying. An inconsistent message would create a “dilemma” in the decision of buyers – colleagues, friends, TRADE PARTNERS- Juniors, neighbours, bosses; sometimes even the suppliers – parents and siblings.

Now the so-called “child”, who has reasonably grown will not like to be associated with cheaper brands because that can “DILUTE” his “BRAND VALUE”. While reaching the peak, he will suddenly add to his ego, attitude and rude behaviour – such a sudden increase in his “PRICE” value will affect his buyers in a negative way. There will be a sudden fall in the number of well-wishers. Some will switch to other brands – the people who can provide better benefits. Some will stay forever – The family, the best of friends – The set of “LOYAL CUSTOMERS”. The so-called “child”, who is no more a child is tested and tried by a number of people in his life – “THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE”.

In a competitive world like this, where everyone is fighting to make a brand out of him; “HE” tries to find a feature that can help him “DIFFERENTIATE" and provide a “COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE”. He starts focussing on his “CORE COMPETENCY”.

He promotes himself through “PACKAGING” – following the latest fashion trends. He “CUSTOMIZE” himself according to the customer’s demand – Maybe he wants to get into the IT industry, so he learns C++ and JAVA! Then sometime in life, he reaches the stage of “MATURITY” – he becomes more or less stable now. He starts focussing on the “TARGET AUDIENCE”.

The only thing he focuses upon is “RETAINING CUSTOMERS”. The customers who still make him feel important and worth something – The respect, recognition, care etc. Then comes the “FINAL STAGE” of the product life cycle. At this stage, “new spectacles” is the only investment a company can make for the dying product. The other expenses also happen – on medicines, treatment etc. According to the BCG matrix – it brings the product to the quadrant named “DOG”. Will he ever die or live forever, is up to him. 

It depends on the “FORMULATION” of the “STRATEGIC PLAN”, the way of “IMPLEMENTATION, “MONITORING” and “CONTROL”.

A special day has hardly made her days special..

“What do you want to become in your next life?” – The question which we all must have answered. Ask a woman, if she still wishes to be a woman in her next life and the reaction would be a considerable amount of pondering and then probably a NO! Ask a man, and he proudly says “Yes! A man again”. A time pass question that has so much to say.

No specific day for a man – they have all the days with them unlike women with just one day!

It is still a male-dominated society; however, the metro cities have shown a major change. Women are becoming powerful by expressing themselves more but the societal mentality is still a problem.

Ask an urban woman, if she wants to visit her grandmother who resides in a village. A strange worry can easily be seen on her forehead. You have to change it all – those fully covered dresses; preferably suits, staying at home all the time, hesitation in picking up a male friend’s phone, talking nice and so on.

Our society is designed in such a way, that not just men but even the ladies of old times have contributed so much in suppressing the position of women.

“Feminism” exists but more of it is still required. There are so many things written on women.

People read on to them, sympathize and move on the very same way. Let me not make it just another writing piece mentioning women’s sacrifices, her deep love, her contributions to society, and what she gets in return – the female infanticide, dowry murders, forced sex, eve-teasing, domestic violence and so on. These things are so much common that women have started taking things as normal. Nobody wants to fight or question a man and society. I wish to see a world where a man is turned into a woman to understand what she goes through throughout her life.

Sometime back, someone asked me the same question – “what do I want to be in my next life – a man or a woman”. Without much thinking I answered “man”; not because I am not proud to be a woman but I want to know a man’s mind, his hard heart, how eve-teasing can give him pleasure, does he turn robot when he forces a lady for sex, doesn’t his heart cry when his wife is tortured for money, does he feel proud with the amount of dowry he gets, what fun does it give to cheat on to his girl, and of course, I want to understand that damn Man’s Ego.

Women’s day – 8th march

She smiles when somebody wishes her. She smiles when she gets a gift on the day. Sometimes a man decides to cook for her this special day to give her respect and thank them for the things she does for him and the family. She might get a beautiful dress. Go out on this day, and just see how the malls and brands make the day so very obvious. I wish the things done on this special day become a usual affair. Respect throughout her life.

Though the celebrations on a particular day at least make the things noticed. It would be a great time when the day will be celebrated even in the remotest of areas. I am taking it as a positive start. But this start should achieve a right finish too.

For all the companies making the best use of the day – let's make it happen all over the place, not just for marketing your own product but changing the positioning of women among the target audience called man and the society – because you have the resources to make it happen.