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| A
True Visionary |
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| Visions
of Punjab brings us the rustic sights and melodious
sounds of Punjab. For those of us living so far
away it gives us all a sense of pride and comfort
of the homeland. The television program manages
to do all this in the first minute of the opening
theme. Needless to say our Saturday mornings are
synonymous with one of Canada's most recognized
television hosts, Mr Iqbal Mahal. |
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| MeraDesh:
How did you become the host of Visions of Punjab? |
| Mr.
Mahal: I have been producing & hosting a radio
program called "Punjab Dee Awaaz" since
1976. In 1981 I met Mr. Joginder Kalsi, who just
finished a T.V. production training course, he suggested
that we should launch a Punjabi television program.
So we started on Rogers Cable TV in April 1981.
Then later we moved to CITY T.V. and then to Vision
T.V. |
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| MeraDesh:
What do you enjoy the most about your work? |
| Mr.
Mahal: I enjoy interviewing and meeting interesting
people, and also sharing my personal views with
our audience. |
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| MeraDesh:
You have interviewed hundreds of people, is there
any one interview that stands out the most? Why? |
| Mr.
Mahal: Out of all the people that I have met, I
personally enjoyed interviewing Jasbir Jassi. Because
he was very honest about himself. I personally like
candid and honest people. |
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| MeraDesh:
What's your funniest on-air moment? |
| Mr.
Mahal: Ha ha ha. Being interviewed by radio hostess,
Kuljit Kaur in Surrey, B.C. Too long and too embarrassing
for detail. |
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| MeraDesh:
What historical person do you most admire--and why?
|
| Mr.
Mahal: Baba Nanak is the most admired person in
my life because his message is so simple, and unified.
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| MeraDesh:
What do you think is the most important life question?
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| Mr.
Mahal: What is life? Zindgi Kaisi hai pahely hai…..!
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| MeraDesh:
What living person do you most admire--and why?
|
| Mr.
Mahal: My aunt Sardarni Bhagwant Kaur of Doraha,
because she has always willingly guided me throughout
my life. She is my mentor. |
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| MeraDesh:
What is your most prized possession? |
| Mr.
Mahal: The gift of love from my family, and friends.
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| MeraDesh:
What is your greatest talent--and which talent would
you most like to have? |
| Mr.
Mahal: I think I can spot talented people out of
crowds of hundreds. I truly wish I could write better.
|
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| MeraDesh:
What words or phrases do you overuse? |
| Mr.
Mahal: "Muaf karna…." |
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| MeraDesh:
What two people living or dead would you most like
to spend some time talking to? |
| Mr.
Mahal: I wish I could've spend some quality with
the late Shiv Batalvi. Second I would like to spend
most of my time with my daughter, Natasha. |
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| MeraDesh:
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
|
| Mr.
Mahal: My continuing passion for the promotion of
Punjabi language. |
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| MeraDesh:
What two qualities in people do you most admire
and value? |
| Mr.
Mahal: I like soft spoken and honest people with
a sense of humor. |
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| 0The
Fast Five |
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| MeraDesh:
What's your favourite TV show? |
| Mr.
Mahal: I always love watching "Seinfeld";
because all the characters in the sitcom were very
unique, and funny. |
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| MeraDesh:
What's the one message you want to leave us with? |
| Mr.
Mahal: Life is too short; enjoy a day at a time.
"Kal Ho Na Ho." Work hard to achieve your
goals, and always be truthful to yourself first. |
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| MeraDesh:
What is your favorite saying? |
| Mr:
Mahal: "Jinay kithee sharm osdhay phut gaya
karm. Jiay keeti behiayee osney khady dudh malai" |
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| MeraDesh:
What makes you laugh? |
| Mr.
Mahal: A good comedy live or T.V. shows. |
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| MeraDesh:
What three words best describe your personality? |
| Mr.
Mahal: Honest, loyal & generous. |
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