Sukhbir

Sukhbir Singh is a very popular Indian singer. He sings a type of music called Bhangra which is a mixture of fusion and Punjabi. He has been labeled the Prince of Bhangra and is very popular in the Indian Pop scene. He has many hit songs and is definitely not a one hit wonder. So where did this guy come from?

Sukhbir was born in Jalandhar, Punjab. At the age of one and a half he moved to Nairobi, Kenya where his father was a priest at the local Gurudwara. It was here that Sukhbir apprenticed and worked on his voice by practicing kirtans on the harmonium. After twenty years in Nairobi, Sukhbir moved back to India where he decided to try and to make a living with his music. He got this idea to depend on his music when business man Ketan Somaiyya discovered him and suggested it. Supported by his father, Sukhbir began recording music in 1996.

Sukhbir' s first album was titled New Stylee and was immensely popular. It was recorded in Dubai and had many foreign languages and songs in it. He was nominated for many awards. He published many more albums with many hit songs that were all huge successes. His Bhangra is immensely popular because of the many different styles he uses. His music is filled with fusion, rap, techno, and reggae. He can sing in 9 different languages, including his native Punjabi that he spoke growing up. He has won many different awards and sung with many other Indian musicians. Sukhbir is very popular and is definitely the Prince of Bhangra.

Walmart vs. Unions

We have all shopped at Walmart. It's cheap, it's a one stop shop, and it is always there. However, Walmart is not as perfect as it seems. Their workers are paid low wages, they buy goods cheap from China, which does not help support Canadian businesses, and not one of Walmart's stores are unionized. Walmart is most definitely opposed to unions. In 2005, a Walmart in Quebec became unionized. It was shut down, causing many workers to lose their jobs. The big question is if Walmart's lack of unions hurting the success of its commercial activities? Sadly I think it isn't. It still gets about 52% of the population to shop there, because its prices are still some of the cheapest, people love the the one stop shop, and people like how it hires those who normally couldn't get jobs elsewhere.

Most people shop at Walmart because of the low prices. It may not be the best quality, but it's cheap. What they don't realize is why it has cheap prices. Walmart buys it's goods from places like China, for really inexpensive rates. They then sell them for a higher rate, that is still cheaper then other places. Walmart also pays their workers very low wages, because they don't have unions to fight for them. This allows Walmart to keep their prices lower because they don't have to pay their workers as much money.

Walmart has almost everything. From clothes to outdoor equipment, it is the easiest place to go for a one stop shop. There are also super Walmarts, that sell groceries as well as all the the original products and goods. Many people don't want to take the time to go to a clothing store, a grocery store, and any other stores that they need to stop at. If they go to Walmart, they' can get everything at once. They can even get gas as most Walmarts. It seems that Walmart has everything.

People see how Walmart hires the young and the elderly, the crippled and the handicapped. They think how nice it is of Walmart to do this, and they continue to shop there. I am glad that Walmart gives jobs to people who normally couldn't get them elsewhere. However these people are barely paid minimum wage. They are often given inconvenient hours. Walmart does give people jobs, but at what cost?

I think that people shop at Walmart because they don't know about what it does, or they don't care. They don't care that the people are paid low wages because they don't have unions to fight for them. Sadly, people continue to shop at Walmart because of the low prices, it's a one stop shop, and it hires those unable to get other jobs. Many people may not have a choice in the matter. They may be poor and unable to shop elsewhere. I understand that, but still, 52% of the population is shopping at Walmart. This means that other stores are not getting as much because people sacrifice quality over cost. In my opinion, Walmart's lack of unions is not hurting their commercial activities, a fact that I find rather sad.

Turmoil in Iran

I am going to imagine that I live in Iran. It's the week after the June 12 elections, and my best friend just told me that she wants to join the protests against the government. The protesters are in a lot of danger. Many are being killed or injured. However, the government is running a scam and needs to be stopped. I would tell my friend to join in the protest, but be very careful. I would tell her this because I believe that the present government is doing some things that I think should be stopped, I think she should stand up for what she believes in, and I don't think the government should walk all over the people.

Iran's nuclear plants are one part of the problem. Mr. Ahmadinejad, the new president of Iran, says the plants are only interested in producing enriched uranium. However, western countries are worried that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The president has also faced opposition in his own government. He is losing allies over the nuclear plants as well as other things. The government is being torn apart from the inside as well as the outside. They are not going to be able to run this country if things continue how they have been.

I think that my friend should stand up for what she believes in. You can't let people push you around, and the government of Iran is pushing everyone in that country around. They are like the big bad bullies on the playground. I don't think that my friend should allow them to continue this unfair and unjust treatment of the people. Instead, she should stand up for what she believes in and fight against this unfair government action.

The government of Iran is used to walking all over the people and having the people doing nothing. However, most of the population of Iran is very young. They have modern devices that allows them to see what life is like in other places. They won't allow the government to walk all over then. However, the government is doing just that by appointing the former president Mr. Ahmadinejad to a second term of government. I feel that it is obvious that the popular Mr. Mousavi should have at least come closer then he did, if not winning the whole thing. However, the government doesn't care. They are going to put who they want to put into the office of president. I believe that the people cannot allow that to happen.

Iran is in turmoil, and someone has to do something about it. If fixing this problem means protesting against the government openly, then so be it. I think my friend should join the protest to stop the present problems going on in Iran, stand up for what she believes, and stop the government from walking all over the people. This will be dangerous, but I think that if she is careful, it will be worth it in the end.

H1N1 Poll

I voted in the H1N1 poll at www.news4youth.com .

H1N1 Flu Virus

The H1N1 flu virus, more commonly known as "swine flu", is a great cause of concern among many people. It is an influenza that was transported from swine to humans. It is a severe illness that can even result in death. Approximately 1,462 people worldwide have died from the H1N1 flu virus. However, experts say that about 98 percent of the people who get infected by this virus will recover quickly.

Although uncertain of the exact method the H1N1 virus spreads between humans, it is believed it spreads the same way as the traditional flu; through germs entering the nose and throat. To help avoid the spread of this infection, it is recommended that you wash your hands often using warm soapy water, cough and sneeze into your arm rather then your hand, stay home if you are sick, and keep objects and surfaces that are used often clean and disinfected.

A vaccine has not yet been discovered for the H1N1 flu virus, and it is unlikely that the seasonal flu shot will keep you safe from the virus. Since there is no vaccination, it is recommended that we take precautions against the virus.

The symptoms of this virus include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and lack of appetite. If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical consultation as soon as possible.

No one really knows what will happen with the H1N1 flu virus. Many expect it to just die off, while many others believe it will escalate quickly during the flu season. Although the WHO has declared the virus to be a pandemic, they do not want anyone to panic. They say that if we take appropriate measures, we should be safe from the H1N1 flu virus.

I Am Canadian

I am Canadian and I am proud of it. I love Canada. I love the extreme weather. I love how we welcome immigration. I love the identity and unity we feel when we hear the word, "eh". Canada has many things to offer, and I am glad to be a part of it.

Canadian weather can be very extreme. It can be -40 degrees Celsius with hundred km/hour winds, snow and ice blowing everywhere. Or it can be 35 degrees Celsius with not even a faint breeze. It can rain for weeks on end, or have a huge drought. Now this weather might not be very different from many other places. The interesting thing is what season this extreme weather occurs in. Snow might not fall till around December, but it might keep snowing right through May. It rains all summer, and then is stifling hot during the fall. Then there is the wind. From warm Chinooks to cold northern wind, Canada has a large abundance of windy weather.

Another thing I love about Canada is our welcoming of immigrants. We allow immigrants from all over the world to come into our country and make their home here. They are protected and cared for, and we welcome them here. We offer them homes and occupations. We also allow them to keep their cultural beliefs and traditions. We don't force them to accept Canadian ideals.

The third thing I love about Canada is the saying of the word "eh". It can mean so many different things. It is a question, a greeting, and an agreement, as well as a large abundance of other things. I feel that this is something that brings us together as Canadians. Not everyone says "eh", but it is one thing that we can look on with fondness. It makes us different, and allows us to feel unified as a country.

I love Canada. From our extreme weather, to our welcoming of other nations, to our saying "eh", it is an amazing country. It is a home in which we as a people can join together using simple and familiar objects. It is a place where we can look up and see the maple leaf flying high above us and feel proud to be Canadian. We are a peaceful country, and we love it here, eh?

Hello!

Hello! My name is Jasmine and I am doing this blog for educational reasons. In other words, this is a school assignment for September Social Studies. :)