Mehfil Magazine was a Canadian-based South Asianlifestyle magazine, launched in 1993[1] by brothers Rana and Minto Vig. Their idea was to produce a periodical that would not only showcase the community to its own, but also provide a tool and a bridge to foster better cross-cultural harmony and understanding. The word "Mehfil" means "a gathering". During its run, Mehfil Magazine featured the South Asian community's leading business men and women, writers, artists, social workers, law enforcement, politicians and students. It also tackled some of the South Asian community's social and political issues, including the Air India bombing, sexual abuse, arranged marriages, health concerns such as diabetes, the plight of seniors, as well as the cultural challenges of a new generation trying to integrate. The magazine ceased publication in 2010.[2]
In 2009 Mehfil Magazine held a black tie gala dinner event at Vancouver's Waterfront Fairmont Hotel. CBC's Peter Mansbridge was the keynote speaker.[3]
In 2010 Mehfil Magazine held its second gala dinner event where Montreal based comedian Sugar Sammy was the evenings emcee.[4]
100 Year Journey
In 2014 Rana Vig launched The 100 Year Journey - a community project committed to preserving the stories of the South Asian pioneers that helped to build Canada. A 150-page book of the same name was released on 29 November 2014 at a sold out black tie gala where 500 ‘movers & shakers’ of the community gathered to be part of an historic evening.[5] Among the attendees were British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Federal senior cabinet Minister Jason Kenney who applauded the efforts of this unique inaugural publication and event.[6]
Community work
In 2009 Rana Vig and his brother Minto established the Mehfil Magazine Endowed Journalism Award at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Committed to inspiring future journalists to reach their potential, the Mehfil Magazine Endowment was created to encourage discussion about what role or significance, if any, ethnicity and cultural background should have in contemporary journalism. The endowment, which started at $40,000,9 has grown to $100,000 through various contributions made by the magazine and by Rana Vig.[7]
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