Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - April 2009 - Index

COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Piyu iyu Singh, Singh, 40, taught
grades 11 and 12 in
Delhi and her husband
Vishwaraj,
ishwaraj, 44, was in the garment
export business. They
emigrated to Canada to experience
a new culture.
The Singhs landed in
Canada in February this year
and celebrated their first Holi
in Vancouver last month.
“It was the quietest Holi of
my life,” laughs Vishwaraj,
known to everyone as Vishey.
“There was not much hap-
New to Canada? Start Right with Scotiabank
pening around us, but we
have friends in Surrey, and it
was nice to celebrate with
them. We called home and
spoke to family and friends.”
“Our kids really missed all
the Holi fun,” adds Piyu. “The
gulal, the balloons filled with
coloured water, the pichkaris
(water pistols)...”
Open a ScotiabankTM account even before
you take off!
The Singhs were introduced
to banking in Canada
before they even set foot on
Canadian soil.
Besides its five branches in
India, Scotiabank also has a
strategic alliance with HDFC
Bank which enables new immigrants
to open an account
in Canada – even before they
have boarded the plane!
They can fill out an appli-
28 Desi News April 2009
cation, apply for VISA cards,
etc., and these are couriered
to Canada, where their bank
accounts are set up. A welcome
kit is mailed out to the
clients or, if their arrival is imminent,
an e-mail detailing how
to remit funds is sent out so
everything is in place.
“Scotiabank offers a comprehensive
StartRight
StartRight
StartRight StartRight
StartRight TM Program
for new Canadians,”
says Rania Rania Llewellyn, Llewellyn, Vice-
President, Multicultural Banking.
“It was created after a lot
of research.”
Vishey credits Pankaj
Pankaj
Mehra, Mehra, Director, India and
South Asian Markets, with
smoothening their move.
“We met Pankaj at a seminar
he conducted in Delhi for
new immigrants. He was
friendly and explained things
in detail. Before we left Delhi,
we received e-mails from
Pankaj and Harinder Harinder V VVirk,
V irk,
Personal Banking Officer at
Fraser and 49th in Vancouver.
Sorting out something as important
as banking while still
in India was hugely reassuring.
On arrival in Vancouver,
there were e-mails directing
us to the closest branch. This
was a big help at a time when
we would otherwise have
been a bit shaky and unsure.
“For brand new arrivals,
the feeling that you know
PIYU AND VISHWARAJ SINGH
WITH YOSHITA AND RIDHAV
NEW IMMIGRANTS, SCOTIABANK CUSTOMERS
someone at the bank is comforting.
It is like landing in
Canada and meeting a friend.
The welcome was very warm,
very genuine.”
StartRight TM keeps pace
with your changing needs
StartRight is an innovative
program, tailor-made for
newcomers (see box, right).
“I recommend StartRight to
others who are in the process
of immigrating. I tell everyone
we are StartRight customers
for life!” says Vishey.
Their children, Ridhav
Ridhav, Ridhav 13,
and Yoshita,
oshita, 10, have settled
in well. Ridhav is looking forward
to playing cricket at
school as Scotiabank, the official
sponsor and bank of Cricket
Canada, is taking the sport to
schools across the nation.
The Singhs are full of optimism.
While Vishey hopes to
be in the garment business,
Piyu is thinking of moving into
counselling.
“As new immigrants, there
are so many experiences we
have had that I feel I can help
guide other new immigrants.”
“The time will come when
we will purchase our first
home in Canada and I know
where I will go for help and guidance,”
says Vishey. “Scotiabank!”
Do it right
with StartRight!
• Free Scotiabank day-to-day
banking account for one year
• Build credit history through No-
Fee Scotia Moneyback VISA
• Free safety deposit box
• Helpful tips and advice for
newcomers including applying
for government issued identification
• Ideas and resources to help
with job searches
• Welcome to Canada mortgage
• More info at www.StartRight.
Scotiabank.com and 1-866-
800-5159