Latest news with #Maharajh
Winnipeg Free Press
11-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Suspected arson forces Main Street eatery to close
Winnipeg police are investigating a suspected arson that forced the closure of a restaurant in the Exchange District. The fire at Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar at 456 Main St. started around 5 a.m. Thursday. The blaze was quickly contained but the building's sprinkler system caused extensive flooding. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Commonwealth Kitchen and Bar on Main Street is closed after what appears to have been an arson. 'The damage is quite horrific,' said owner Nikola Maharajh. He said it appears a man used a brick or cinder block to smash three windows, before throwing something inside that lit a booth on fire. Part of the incident was captured on interior surveillance cameras. The man left a shopping cart, which had a gasoline canister in it, outside the restaurant, said Maharajh. The fire spread to a wall, but was quickly put out by the sprinkler system. Firefighters arrived quickly and turned off the sprinklers, said Maharajh, but water flooded the main floor and basement. 'It flooded our basement in three, four inches of water — it was dripping through the ceiling, down the walls, all over electronics and everything in the basement,' said Maharajh. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service spokeswoman Erin Madden said crews were called to the restaurant by its monitored fire alarm at 4:56 a.m. Maharajh has sent information to police, he said. No arrests have been announced, but investigators are probing the incident. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS 'The damage is quite horrific,' said owner Nikola Maharajh. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. He said the restaurant will be ready to fully reopen in six to eight weeks, and may be able to partially reopen sooner. 'It looks like we have to replace the ceiling, the walls and the floors in the basement, and then some of the floors probably on the main floor, as well as a few other things,' said Maharajh. He opened Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar in 2024 in the former Bank of Toronto building. The three-storey building, a designated historic site, was built between 1905 and 1907, the Manitoba Historical Society says. The building once housed Mexican eatery La Carnita, which shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Webinar discusses Ghandi's teachings on how it could apply towards inclusive democracy
IT is clear that the enduring vision of Mahatma Gandhi with its unwavering emphasis on truth, non-violence, sustainability and social transformation, continues to offer profound insights for the contemporary world, particularly for South Africa's ongoing journey towards true democracy and equality. This was emphasised by Lokesh Maharajh, from the School of Education at UKZN during a webinar hosted by the School of Education at UKZN on Tuesday last week (April 30). The webinar focused on the relevance of Gandhi's teachings in South Africa's journey towards an inclusive democracy, featuring discussions on his principles of peace, non-violence, and truth. Maharajh said: 'It is compelling to consider how the philosophies of Gandhi as well as Nelson Mandela made change and how they might offer pathways to address the persistent challenges of racial tensions, gender insensitivities, religious strife, corruption and power struggles that plague the world. Their unwavering commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and inherent dignity of all human beings serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of principled leadership and collective action.' He admitted that Gandhi's principles and teachings remain a powerful force for inspiration and change. 'Gandhi's time in South Africa significantly influenced South African history and shaped the country's struggle for liberation, particularly his development and application of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance). His teachings resonate in various social contexts, from civil rights movements to environmental activism, inspiring individuals to work towards a more just and equitable world,' Maharajh added. However, Maharajh alluded that Gandhi's methods of non-violent resistance and his advocacy for social justice have inspired numerous movements for change in South Africa and worldwide. 'Gandhi's philosophy continues to inspire individuals and groups to strive for a more peaceful and equitable society, demonstrating that his principles are not just historical relics, but vital guides for the present and future. His teachings encourage actions like empathy, kindness, and constructive dialogue, emphasising that change can begin with individual efforts and small steps,' he said. Dr Dev Rakshanam Govinden, a speaker at the webinar, said Gandhi's most important legacy was in creating a culture of peace, improving the effectiveness of non-violent non-co-operation, and drawing the world's attention to the gap between what we do, and what we are capable of doing. 'Mahatma Gandhi's enduring legacy is his continued relevance to our thinking and action on a broad sweep of issues, from protecting the environment to promoting justice, from education to inequality. His teaching remains fresh and thought-provoking, including his emphasis on the importance of facing up to the truth with courage,' Dr Govinden added. The webinar ended with a discussion on how Gandhian principles can be applied to address current societal issues and create a more peaceful world. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
UKZN webinar shines spotlight on Gandhi's teachings
IT is clear that the enduring vision of Mahatma Gandhi with its unwavering emphasis on truth, non-violence, sustainability and social transformation, continues to offer profound insights for the contemporary world, particularly for South Africa's ongoing journey towards true democracy and equality. This was emphasised by Lokesh Maharajh, from the School of Education at UKZN during a webinar hosted by the School of Education at UKZN on Tuesday last week (April 30). The webinar focused on the relevance of Gandhi's teachings in South Africa's journey towards an inclusive democracy, featuring discussions on his principles of peace, non-violence, and truth. Maharajh said: 'It is compelling to consider how the philosophies of Gandhi as well as Nelson Mandela made change and how they might offer pathways to address the persistent challenges of racial tensions, gender insensitivities, religious strife, corruption and power struggles that plague the world. Their unwavering commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and inherent dignity of all human beings serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of principled leadership and collective action.' He admitted that Gandhi's principles and teachings remain a powerful force for inspiration and change. 'Gandhi's time in South Africa significantly influenced South African history and shaped the country's struggle for liberation, particularly his development and application of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance). His teachings resonate in various social contexts, from civil rights movements to environmental activism, inspiring individuals to work towards a more just and equitable world,' Maharajh added. However, Maharajh alluded that Gandhi's methods of non-violent resistance and his advocacy for social justice have inspired numerous movements for change in South Africa and worldwide. 'Gandhi's philosophy continues to inspire individuals and groups to strive for a more peaceful and equitable society, demonstrating that his principles are not just historical relics, but vital guides for the present and future. His teachings encourage actions like empathy, kindness, and constructive dialogue, emphasising that change can begin with individual efforts and small steps,' he said. Dr Dev Rakshanam Govinden, a speaker at the webinar, said Gandhi's most important legacy was in creating a culture of peace, improving the effectiveness of non-violent non-co-operation, and drawing the world's attention to the gap between what we do, and what we are capable of doing. 'Mahatma Gandhi's enduring legacy is his continued relevance to our thinking and action on a broad sweep of issues, from protecting the environment to promoting justice, from education to inequality. His teaching remains fresh and thought-provoking, including his emphasis on the importance of facing up to the truth with courage,' Dr Govinden added. The webinar ended with a discussion on how Gandhian principles can be applied to address current societal issues and create a more peaceful world. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mahatma Gandhi's legacy: His teachings remain a powerful force for inspiration and change
IT is clear that the enduring vision of Mahatma Gandhi with its unwavering emphasis on truth, non-violence, sustainability and social transformation, continues to offer profound insights for the contemporary world, particularly for South Africa's ongoing journey towards true democracy and equality. This was emphasised by Lokesh Maharajh, from the School of Education at UKZN during a webinar hosted by the School of Education at UKZN on Tuesday afternoon (April 30). The webinar focused on the relevance of Gandhi's teachings in South Africa's journey towards an inclusive democracy, featuring discussions on his principles of peace, non-violence, and truth. ALSO read: Ela Gandhi saddened by the removal of her grandfather's statue Maharajh said: 'It is compelling to consider how the philosophies of Gandhi as well as Nelson Mandela made change and how they might offer pathways to address the persistent challenges of racial tensions, gender insensitivities, religious strife, corruption and power struggles that plague the world. Their unwavering commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and inherent dignity of all human beings serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of principled leadership and collective action.' He admitted that Gandhi's principles and teachings remain a powerful force for inspiration and change. 'Gandhi's time in South Africa significantly influenced South African history and shaped the country's struggle for liberation, particularly his development and application of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance). His teachings resonate in various social contexts, from civil rights movements to environmental activism, inspiring individuals to work towards a more just and equitable world,' Maharajh added. However, Maharajh alluded that Gandhi's methods of non-violent resistance and his advocacy for social justice have inspired numerous movements for change in South Africa and worldwide. 'Gandhi's philosophy continues to inspire individuals and groups to strive for a more peaceful and equitable society, demonstrating that his principles are not just historical relics, but vital guides for the present and future. His teachings encourage actions like empathy, kindness, and constructive dialogue, emphasising that change can begin with individual efforts and small steps,' he said. ALSO read: Ela Gandhi becomes CANSA volunteer Dr Dev Rakshanam Govinden, a speaker at the webinar, said Gandhi's most important legacy was in creating a culture of peace, improving the effectiveness of non-violent non-co-operation, and drawing the world's attention to the gap between what we do, and what we are capable of doing. 'Mahatma Gandhi's enduring legacy is his continued relevance to our thinking and action on a broad sweep of issues, from protecting the environment to promoting justice, from education to inequality. His teaching remains fresh and thought-provoking, including his emphasis on the importance of facing up to the truth with courage,' Dr Govinden added. The webinar ended with a discussion on how Gandhian principles can be applied to address current societal issues and create a more peaceful world. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
