namastey A HALLMARK PRODUCT
www.namasteynt.com.au Issue 01 | November 2014
T: (08) 89819111 Ext: 111 • 3/60 Mcminn St. Darwin 0800 PO Box 3924 Darwin NT 0801 www.facebook.com/namasteynt
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Issue 01 | November 2014 PAGE
Features 9
MAIN FEATURE School Study Trip Makes A Difference By Neethi Ashok
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INTERVIEW MIGRANT STORIES Selvam Kandasamy By Neethi Ashok
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LOCAL TRAVEL Explore, Enjoy and Experience Gunlom Plunge Pools By R. Chondur
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HEALTH Oral Health To Keep Teeth For Life By Padmaja Damodaran
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YOUTH Learner’s Paradise: Charles Darwin University By Ritika Singhal
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MIGRANT STORIES Specific Life Lessons By Hock Seng Lee
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Our Mnemonic
Publisher: Hallmark Computer Pty Ltd. Editor: Neethi Ashok Creative Head: Boben Mammen Graphic Design: Hallmark Designs ©2014 in Namastey NT magazine is published monthly for Hallmark. All rights reserved. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Namastey NT. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising matter. The publisher assumes no liability for return or safety of unsolicited art, photographs or manuscripts. Mandate and Mission of Namastey NT Namastey NT, published for members Indian Sub continent and South East Asians living in Northern Territory and the larger community as a continuing education service to keep them informed of trends and issues all across Northern Territory and beyond. The magazine is a forum for discussion, a place for news, and a source of ideas for the development and improvement of the community in the region. Specifically, Namastey NT publishes articles on topics relevant to the South east Asian Community. The magazine also publishes a wide range of columns and features with information and commentary of interest across a broad range of divisions and readers. All materials submitted for inclusion in Namastey NT are subject to editing for consistency, length, and style. In the event that significant changes result from editing decisions, the submitting author(s) will be contacted for review and approval.
How to Submit Your Article or Idea Namastey NT welcomes submissions and queries of articles to be included in the magazine. If you’ve already written the article, please feel free to submit it at any time. We are also happy to hear from you if you’re about to start your article, or you have an idea for one and are wondering whether Namastey NT might be interested. Send all articles and ideas to the Editor of Namastey NT: Neethi Ashok Email: neethi@hallmark.com.au Naamastey NT features short articles (~400 to 750 words) written in a conversational tone (i.e. accessible to a broad audience). If you have an article or an idea that is substantially longer or shorter than this — shorter than 400 words or as long as 1,500 words — please contact the editors before submitting it. Photographs, illustrations, or other graphics are encouraged where they augment the article. Submit your finished article in electronic format (preferably Word or RTF) as a simple attachment to email. It should be in Times New Roman, 12-point, single-spaced throughout, and with no fancy formatting. Photographs and illustrations should be sent as separate files/documents and not imbedded in the text document. Please also provide a brief bio, including at least your current job title and institutional affiliation (or other preferred identifying information) as well as complete contact information at the end of your article.
Copyright, Permissions, Deposit, and Republication Namastey NT is an open access publication. Unless otherwise specified, all articles comply with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. For photos that contain a recognized individual, or a recognizable portion of an individual, authors should secure the individual’s permission in writing for use of the photo in Namastey NT. Photos taken at public events or news events, or crowd shots taken in a public place, do not require permission from the subjects. Please ensure that any photographs or illustrative material are compliant with the Creative Commons license. If you wish your submission (text, photograph, illustrative material) to be covered under a different license, please contact the Editor-in-Chief. Open Shelf generally does not publish articles that have been published elsewhere, except under unusual circumstances. Photographs and Illustrations Please supply photographs and illustrations as attachments to email. Photos must be saved as a TIFF, JPEG, or EPS, and in colour with a good tonal range. Please identify the subject, activity, place, and other relevant details shown in the photo, and provide a brief text for a caption. The same applies to other illustrative material such as drawings, prints, graphs, charts, etc. All submitted material is subject to editing.
Publication Schedule Namastey NT publishes on a continuous schedule with new material being published every month. Submissions are accepted any time throughout the year.
Contributors
Cover Design by Padmarajan Sukumaran Kerala, India Thank you Jayant Jayakrishanan for your support
Padmaja is a Dental surgeon from India and holds a Masters in Sustainable development and advanced diploma in Dental Hygiene. She was a globe trotter from childhood - lived and worked in many countries before moving to Australia in 2009. She enjoys multi-linguistic movies, music and gardening. Currently she is practicing as dental hygienist and is passionate about dental health.
“Hock grew up in Singapore and migrated to Australia 22 years ago. He is a late developer, earning his degree and PhD in his late thirties in Brisbane. Now, Hock works as an applied mathematician or statistician in the NT Fisheries. Growing up very poor taught him that hard work is the only way to success.”
Chondur is living in Darwin since 1994. He enjoys cooking vegetarian dishes, travelling, spending time with nature and his family and friends. His most favourite places in NT are Gunlom, Uluru and Douglas Hot Springs. He works in NT government and believes that one can lead a happy life by being simple, supportive and spiritually oriented.
Ritika Singhal is a typical modern-day girl who likes to maintain a perfect balance between her personal and professional life. After successfully completing her Double Masters degree from USA, she moved to Australia in 2011 and worked with Bupa Australia and Charles Darwin University. She now owns Jim’s Bookkeeping Arafura along with her husband Himanshu Bhatia.
Message from the Honourable Chief Minister, Northern Territory, Australia The Territory has a proud history of welcoming people from all over the world and has a long history with people from South East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent who work, study and live here. It’s a history that has helped to build the rich multicultural society that makes the Territory such a unique place to live. The Territory is well known for events and activities that promote and celebrate multicultural diversity and the Territory Government is committed to supporting our rich, cosmopolitan community regardless of race, colour or religion. It is always a pleasure to see our multicultural society wanting to share their lives and entrepreneurial spirit though publications such as this. Congratulations to everyone involved. ADAM GILES The Honourable Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
Message from the Honourable Minister, Northern Territory, Australia The Northern Territory is a blend of the oldest living cultures on earth and migrants from all over the world, we are one of the most culturally rich places in the nation. All those who call Australia home, from traditional Aboriginal owners to those who have come from all around the world to settle here have the freedom to celebrate, promote and share their culture. The rich diversity of the Territory proves that knowing and understanding your neighbour, leads to harmony, peace and social cohesion. This enables us to appreciate that all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and how we all enrich it in our own unique way. The Northern Territories history of cultural and linguistic diversity has enriched, and is continuing to improve our society – economically, socially and culturally. It is great to see the growing and diverse multicultural groups within the Territory sharing their stories. PETER STYLES The Honourable Minister for Multicultural Affairs Northern Territory, Australia
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Issue 01 | November 2014
News
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Congratulations to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winners!
From the Editor Dear Reader, It gives us immense pleasure to offer up this, the first ever issue of NamasteyNT. A magazine that covers the vast ethnic diaspora that have made their homes in the Northern Territories. Australia’s top end has been a warm welcoming place for many migrants to the country, especially from Asia with which it shares weather conditions owing to its geographical position. We hope to reach out to all of you and offer you a truly interesting read in this and the forthcoming issues. Everyone who migrates to Australia comes with new hopes and aspirations. For most it is a bold step to leave all that they knew behind and for others it sometimes involves drastic steps and a risk to their lives to make the journey. If there is a common factor that unites all the migrants who come to this lucky country, it is the dream for a better life. How they go about achieving it could be different and it is wonderful to share some of their stories through our magazine. Our intention is to cover local news and stories and also provide a forum for people to share their ideas and promote their vision to a wider community. As a company, at Hallmark, we always felt that we had the support of the local community in the top end. This magazine is our humble way of giving something back to the community that supported us. It has been five years since we moved to Darwin to become a part of the vibrant migrant community in Darwin. The social and ethnic mixture of Darwin is something very unique compared to other major cities in Australia. We could experience it first hand from the day we arrived. Interestingly, our first ever visit to Darwin was to participate in a Diaspora meeting organised by CDU. Many participants whom we met there later became our close friends. The size of each ethnic community has grown in the past few years in NT. This is evident from the number of community groups that operate in this small city and all the celebrations we get to see in a year. Apart from being a beautiful collage of many cultures, traditions and languages, Darwin is also a place where many dreams come true. Since it is a smaller capital city with not much traffic and other disturbances, we tend to get more time to pursue our other interests. Our own experience with this magazine is a part of that. We’d like to express our gratitude to everyone who guided and helped us in creating the magazine. Kindly do support NamasteyNT by contributing articles, news, photographs and providing feedback. And until next time...Namastey. Neethi Ashok Editor
In spite of all the age old tensions between India and Pakistan, peace is what the two nations have in common in the eyes of the Nobel Committee. By sharing the Nobel Peace Prize for this year, Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating girls’ right to education, and Indian children’s right activist Kailash Satyarthi have bridged a gap to unite the two nations. The pair were awarded the prize for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people. It was reported that the Nobel Committee also regarded it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism. It may sound a bit strange that religion was mentioned as an important point by the Nobel Committee however, it is a fact that India and Pakistan were divided on the basis of religion. If the calculated estimate that there are 168 million child labourers around the world today is true then much is needed to address this problem and encourage education for all children. Both Malala and Kailash have shown great personal courage in fighting for children’s rights and we congratulate them for this important milestone.
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Issue 01 | November 2014
Letters to the Editor
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On behalf of the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT) I congratulate the hardworking team for their initiative and vision, and convey our very best wishes, for the launch of the NamasteyNT Magazine. The MCNT is the local service provider of first choice for recently arrived migrants and the peak body for multiculturalism. This magazine, while focusing on the spectrum of ethnic diasporas drawn from across the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia, will no doubt appeal to everyone in the Top End who embraces our unique cultural diversity and celebrates our vibrant multicultural arts and performance scene. The MCNT supports and welcomes the creative endeavour of NamasteyNT which provides the opportunity for our migrant communities to showcase their talents, share their stories and promote their events. We are happy to be involved in this new exciting tradition at its inception, and look forward to many inspiring and interesting editions - watch this space! – Ron Mitchell MCNT Program Manager
will be the thread binding all together. I like to congratulate Ashok Alexander and the others involved in it. I understand there are many hours of voluntary work involved in it. I wish them well. – Sabaratnam Prathapan President Hindu Society of NT
NamasteyNT is a new initiative. The publication aims to be a common platform where everyone can share their passions and culture. When I came to Darwin in 1978, I was the sixth Tamil to come here and we had about forty Hindus. Now we have more than three thousands from Indian subcontinent. In addition there are many more with different religious belief but belongs to the same cultural group. Hopefully NamasteyNT
Innovation and creativity are admirable and invaluable traits and I congratulate you on your new exciting venture – Namastey NT. Marketing and advertising are critical areas for not just businesses but for not-forprofit community organizations and community events. NamasteyNT offers a plethora of rich opportunities allowing businesses and organizations for maximum exposure and promotion in NT.
Indian cultural society NT (ICS) is the oldest association that is proud of its diversity is willing to showcase Indian culture and cuisine through its premier events , India at Mindil, Dipavali and Holi, and other youth and sporting activity. ICS congratulates NamasteyNT on the release of its magazine to the community. We wish them all the success. – Bharat Desai, President Indian Cultural Society of NT. Darwin Nice effort to see the first South Asian community magazine coming which will portray the talents, struggle and success of the community and would be a medium for greater insight to the wider community– Tomy Jacob, PRO Darwin Malayalee Association
You have in the limited time that you have been in the Top End demonstrated that ‘you think outside the square’ and have the capacity to venture into unchartered territory – which is the hallmark of innovation and creativity! I wish you all the very best with NamasteyNT and hope that it reaches amazing heights in terms of excellence in information dissemination, as an exemplar of quality advertising and as a model for high quality marketing in NT. “The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” — Henry David Thoreau. NamasteyNT is a prime example. With best wishes – Jaya Srinivas Essington School Tatvamasi welcomes Namastey NT. As the first such publication, we hope this will be a great avenue for community news, events, and collaborations. We extend our support and best wishes. – Ganesh Koramannil, Secretary Tatvamasi (Foundation of Hindu Malayalees NT) Happy Diwali to all my Indian friends. I wish you a prosperous year – Farshid Dakh, Darwin Persian Association
Best wishes to “NamasteyNT” and its readers. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy new Year in advance. – Darwin Malayalee Forum
Good Wishes. Chowdhury Md. SADARUDDIN, Bangladesh Association of Darwin Inc. It is my pleasure to wish NamasteyNT Magazine for the first edition publishing this November 2014. We were really in need of such magazine which will highlight migrant community of NT. Thank you NamasteyNT Magazine team for your courageous project and best wishes for the future. Nitesh Raj Pant, Actor / Director I am glad to know that Hallmark is bringing out its monthly community Magazine “NamasteyNT”. Community magazine is an important medium to connect, server and support its member and their activities. It offers vast opportunity especially to young writers to express their views on various topics and creative talents. I intensely hope that entire Northern Territory (NT) community will make the best use of this opportunity by contributing to the Namastey NT Magazine and the readers will benefit from the knowledge content. Best wishes to Hallmark and NamasteyNT Team for successful publication of the Magazine. Nirajan Pokharel Nepalese Association of Northern Territory Inc. (NANT) Wishing the team & community of NamasteyNT a happy & Successful journey ahead. Rose Felice, Malaysian Airlines
as a proud Territorian and as a keen advocate of Aboriginal struggle for recognition, I am pleased with your effort to introduce a new print medium through which we can all be informed and communicate. I admire your foresight in providing a platform for Indians from all corners of the world and of all professional backgrounds to be able to share their views and contribute towards making the Territory a better place for us all.I wish you all the very best in this venture. May your dreams in this regard be fulfilled. Nandri Vanakkam – Gokula Chandran Good Luck!! Padmaja, Darwin
Rama
and
NamasteyNT will be a good source of community information and will be helpful to wide range of people new & old. Best wishes. – Baby Abraham, PFG Money Best wishes to Namastey NT – Jane Love, Marbella, Spain
Good Initiative. – Abdus Sattar, Adviser, Local Government Business Support at NT Public Service Congratulations, to the new venture. – Suzzette Heydenreich, South Africa All the best wishes to Namastey NT – Saji Markose, Kingdom of Bahrain
Excellent idea and forum! Keep it up –Sumesh Dhir, Darwin
I am sure that NamasteyNT will capture the attention of all migrants in Darwin and connect them back to their roots. With best wishes – Sanal and Anita
As a senior citizen of Darwin, as a member of the Tamil community,
Wish you all the best in your new venture. We hope the magazine
will be a medium to share stories that matter. – Rajesh Nair and Family We are certain NamasteyNT will be a Innovative Magazine to coordinate the cultural activities of different sections of society. Our Best Wishes - M.P.Alexander and Alice Alexander, Kerala
Namestey NT - New to Territory. Good luck to you for your new and different challenges. We have no doubt that you will make all of us proud in your new adventure. Saffrron wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors. – Selvam Kandasamy All the best for this awesome venture. – Prasanna Adams “A great initiative guys. All the best’” – Bala and Vanaja All the best – Deepak Panchal, Sydney Seems marvellous, colourful, good luck. –Prasad Sundararajan, Kerala Look forward to its launch – Megha Raut Looks great – Madhu Das Gupta We wish the magazine and all those involved a very successful and prosperous future. Best wishes – Meeta & Ram Emphasising the interconnectivity between all nations, Good Wishes will set a precedent in the Northern Territory by providing an assortment of accessible and varied magazine vested in our interests. Expatriates rejoice! - Farzand Ali, Pakistani Community & CDU Student
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Issue 01 | November 2014
Main Feature
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By Neethi Ashok
School Study Trip Makes a Difference
Mother Teresa once said, “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received or how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in”. Marrara Christian School, a senior school in Darwin has incorporated this noble ethos into its curriculum with a series of special study trips with an altruistic purpose. While giving students the opportunity to learn about new cultures and ways of life the school has created a programme for its Year 9 to Year 12 students that also aims to help build a sense of community spirit and instill in the youngsters the heart and soul needed to serve those less fortunate. The school teams have been visiting countries like East Timor, Indonesia, Thailand and India and the most recent of these trips was in September 2014 when a team of 20 students went to Hyderabad, India. In the period of a little over a fortnight that they were there the youngsters not only experienced the local culture, food and lifestyle but
Feeling welcomed in India
also reached out to orphans and the downtrodden. For the students the experience was an eye-opener as they learned to appreciate just how much they themselves have especially when compared to the lives of the needy. Visiting schools, churches and orphanages in a completely different context definitely enlightened the students about the world beyond their own comfortable lives. A student who was part of the team was quoted saying “….I have never felt the love of God as fully or as tangibly as I did in those two weeks. The gentle touch of a child who has known
neither mother nor father is not the kind of bittersweet heartache one can recreate by any means whatsoever….” While the purpose of the trip was to be a blessing for the people who were served, the students felt that the interaction with the playful children and the kind-hearted locals made them more blessed at the end of it all. “It’s easy for us here to give, but breakfast at the house of a woman who already has little to eat is a different kind of love altogether,” recollected a student. NamasteyNT met with the coordinator of the trip, Mrs
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10 had been trying to tell them. She was encouraged by the positive impact the trip had on everyone and since then she has been coordinating and running the “India study trip” successfully for the last five years. Each year a new set of students are introduced to a better way of seeing things in a more sympathetic and service-oriented way. Mrs Adams is aided by a married couple in Hyderabad, India, who have committed their lives to serving. The couple help her organise the schedule, travel and run other things smoothly while in India. Eating together.
Prasanna Adams to understand more about the logistics, planning and thinking that goes into the school trip. Hailing from India, Mrs. Adams started teaching at the Marrara Christian College, Darwin in 2001.
theoretically impart the value of valuing everything available and being thankful for the same, but the students needed an experience - a trigger point - that can inscribe in their minds what they have been taught about,” Mrs Adams said.
“I was always surprised at the amount of food and other materials that were wasted by the students here. Coming from a humble background myself and also having brought-up witnessing testing circumstances of the people in the locality and the region, I could not fathom the situation here. I decided to express my viewpoints in that behest. As a teacher I could
When a teacher asked Mrs Adams in 2009 if she would like to organise a study tour to India, she readily agreed. It required some planning to set the objectives right and get the facilities in place and in 2010, she coordinated the trip and teamed up with YWAM Darwin, and took a group of 19 students to India for the first time. Finally she could show the students what she
Understanding one another.
“This is a self-motivated trip and students show interest in knowing more about how they can be of help. They are encouraged to make a commitment and work towards it. Some of the students are doing this as a year-12 subject as well. They do most of the documentation, communication and coordination, organise the events and much more which forms a part of their school assessments. They also do projects while they are in India. So it certainly adds value without curtailing their time, energy and priorities,” Mrs Adams said. The preparation for the trip starts at the beginning of the year. Students got familiarised with the country and culture by collecting information from various sources including books, the internet, through discussions with Indian migrants in Darwin who came from a similar culture, and talking with people in India who have been working with Mrs Adams over the last few years. Fundraising activities such as concerts, BBQ fundraisers at Bunnings, Woolworths, Harvey-Norman, etc. are held and the funds collected are used to distribute necessities to those in need on the trip. Besides the funds that were raised by students themselves for the cause,
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Entertaining audience.
many individuals and organisations supported them with donations. Mrs Adams had only good words about the students who were part of the tour. She said with pride, “Our students are always very adaptive to the culture, food and other dissimilarities and are extremely well behaved. Although everything they experienced would be much different and less comfortable to what they are used to, they never complained about anything. They coped very well, sometimes they had to sleep in the orphanages where there were no facilities of comfort but they adjusted well to the unfamiliar environment and conditions.” “It is not possible to make changes in a big way, but you can make a difference to the world we live in by taking one small step at a time. We are blessed with the best of opportunities and resources in this country and I want to share a small amount of this with the needy,” added Prassana. Many of the students who went on previous trips found their experience to be profoundly moving and they continue to strive to make
a difference to the world they live in. A few have participated in the tours more than once just to learn that tad-bit more. For most of the students, it is a first trip overseas and certainly a first to a third world country. The biggest challenge for Mrs Adams is planning the trip. Currently she is the only one on the tour who can thoroughly bridge the cultural gaps between the two countries and as such it is a big challenge to keep everyone safe and ameliorate any negative experience for anyone involved. All aspects of the tour must be micromanaged: booking accommodation, getting the commuting taken care of, providing the right food, safer surroundings, handling the distributable goods and donations, safeguarding important documents, communication between students and the parents back home, taking care of health and other aspects - everything needs meticulous precision to ensure that the trip reaps the benefits that are expected. Besides going and serving in schools and orphanages set in rural and urban areas, students also get to do a bit of sightseeing and shopping
to add flavour to the trip. Being a culturally rich country, India offers the students a lot to talk about. The experiences in some of the world class shopping malls and well maintained tourist spots showed them the extremes of lifestyles in developing worlds like India. Though the stay is short to have a complete awareness of the social and cultural aspects it is ensured that a broad experience is given. This year’s Nobel Peace Prize winning, Pakistani teenager Ms Malala Yousafzai proved that no one is too young to serve a cause. Her life is an example of having service as a mission and having the courage and commitment to achieve it. It is really a matter of pride that at Darwin, in small and smart ways these students and teachers have the willingness, ability and actionplan to bring about a change that matters. Their story may inspire more students and elders to think beyond their comfort zone and do their part for the benefit of others. For a visual perspective and an article written by one of the students on this trip please visit this you tube link: http://youtu.be/ oj8vgx3JPt4
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Issue 01 | November 2014
12 Migrant Stories PAGE
By Neethi Ashok
True Darwinian Every month NamasteyNT will be speaking to entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, homemakers, teachers...the entire spectrum of people that make up our community. In this, our inaugural issue we find out a little more about a migrant success story. Meet Mr Selvam Kandasamy of the Saffrron restaurant in Parap Village shopping centre. Born in a small village near Trichy, a city that is famous for its temples, industrial units and educational centers in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Selvam left India 14 years ago to come to Australia. Since he started it, Saffrron has won many prestigious business awards including the Telstra Small Business Awards in 2012.
I arrived in Darwin in 2000 as a chef. Initially I worked in the Hanuman restaurant and during my time introduced Indian Food there. Then I went to Brisbane in 2004. After a couple of years I came back to Darwin and started Saffrron. Like any migrant I also came to Australia for a better future.
I never thought of becoming a chef or owning a restaurant. But, the memories of vast areas of farming land around my village and the wonderful food that my grandmother used to make always inspired me. Once I went to study Hotel management I learnt more about food and working in big kitchens such as the Sheraton gave me the opportunity to refine my skills as a chef.
2. How much do you think your upbringing in India helped in your success here?
3. What was your dream as a child? Did you ever think of the food industry?
Definitely growing up in a small village in India, I learnt the value of hard work and the importance of good work ethics. As a child
Like many other kids of my age at that time, I wanted to become an engineer. But life had better plans for me. I still enjoy reading about technology; I listen to the talks and
1. Tell us a little bit about your arrival in Australia.
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I think I was lucky to get the opportunity to work in great places. Wherever I worked I learnt something new. So this is a product of continuous learning and evolution. In a nutshell, I can say that what I have gained is from many people and places rather than one or two people. 7. When you start an Indian restaurant you also have to think of the local palate. How did you go about it?
read books about game changers like Steve Jobs. That is how I spend my free time and keep in touch with what is happening in other interesting fields. 4. Are there any unique factors in Darwin that contributed to your success? First of all the weather, it is very tropical like in my village and it is good to grow all the tropical vegetables which I use for my dishes. So as a chef it was easy to continue the same way of preparing food in Darwin. Secondly, it is a small place like my village. So it was easy to establish a connection with the local people and get their support. Without that support we couldn’t have done well. 5. Business owner and chef, how do you handle these two very different roles? Being a restaurant owner, gives me a lot of flexibility to try something new. As a chef working for someone sometimes means you don’t get as much freedom. One of the difficult things was managing staff. I look for people who are naturally interested in cooking and come with a great attitude to learn rather than going for qualifications and experience. 6. Do you have any key personal guides or mentors whom you approach for advise or support?
I know many people add sugar and cream to reduce the spiciness. I go the other way, instead of more additives I choose to put the same spices in less quantity to give the flavour without going to the extremes and covering it. Also whenever I get a chance I always talk to the customers and get their feedback. In general they expect the taste and consistency whenever they visit. Sometimes even minor changes also they notice. 8. In your experience, are there any differences in entrepreneurship in India vs. Australia? In India the boss is a higher authority than the workers, whereas in Australia every worker has their rights and has an equal voice in their area of work. Also there are so many rules and regulations with regard to employment, which sometimes make it tough for a small business.
9. We noticed that you have received many awards for sustainability and Environmental commitment. Also the environmentally friendly plates used at your restaurant are a novelty. Could you tell us more? When I started the restaurant I wanted something to differentiate us. Also, I wanted to reduce the environmental impact. We did a fair bit of research on possible solutions and settled for plates made from sugarcane and bamboo. Compared to normal ceramic plates, they are much cheaper to make, manage, dispose and have much less of an environmental footprint. 10. How do you see in Darwin in 5 years time? Darwin is really growing. It is also much more multicultural than many cities in Australia. I believe it will continue to grow for many more years because of government policies, defence presence and its proximity to Asia. What Mr Selvam said about growth in Darwin seems to be spot on. Let’s hope that in the years to come, Darwin will continue to be a vibrant growth spot in the country, attracting a diverse range of people who can contribute to the forward journey of this tropical city.
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Issue 01 | November 2014
14 Local Travel PAGE
By R. Chondur
Explore, Enjoy and Experience Gunlom Plunge Pools
Have you ever been to any beautiful, natural divine places that were close to home? Even though we, in Darwin are lucky enough to live nearby to many exotic places on this beautiful planet, most of us are not fortunate enough to visit and enjoy the remarkable beauty of these places. My week end trip in June to Gunlom was memorable and I would like share some information about it. Gunlom is part of the Mary River catchment area, situated in the southern part of Kakadu National Park. You can reach Gunlom either via Jabiru or via Pine creek. To get to Gunlom Falls, turn right shortly
after passing the southern entrance into Kakadu National Park. If you come from the other direction turn left about 90 km from the Cooinda/ Yellow Water turn off, (Just follow the signs). Then some 30 km of well maintained gravel road will take you to the falls. Driving through on the gravel road to Gunlom, is an experience in itself. You come across breathtaking scenes of rugged hills, ridges and valleys. Often driving is bit of a challenge on a long gravel road and it is advisable to take a 4WD or drive carefully as some part of it can be difficult for a 2WD.
Once at Gunlom, a steep downhill walk for about 30 minutes leads to scenic plunge pools and picturesque views of southern hills and ridges. The rock pools filled with sparkling fresh water along with mild breezes and peaceful natural surroundings will refresh your body and mind. The best time to visit Gunlom is during the dry season from May to September. Gunlom is perfect for camping, with grassed, shady picnic areas and camping facilities including solar-powered hot showers and toilets. Visitors are required to take all the necessary items for camping such as: camping
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gear, first aid kit, torch, drinking water, food, hats and sun screen. The nearest place for an overnight stay is Mary River Road House, 40km from Gunlom or 10km on the Kakadu Highway from the intersection. Mary River Road House caters for overnight stay, food and fuel. It is advisable to ring and book in advance for accommodation. Alternatively, you can stay at Cooinda lodge, or Pine Creek. As a visitor you are expected to respect the place you visit. Gunlom is no different to this and the following quote clearly state what you, as a visitor is expected to follow in Gunlom. “Today you’ve come to our country, that’s good. Long ago we Jawoyn lived here. The old people have passed on. It’s okay for you to go around here. You stay maybe two nights, then you go back to your country”. By Violet Smith, Wurrkbarbar clan Jawoyn traditional custodian.
In my experience of exploring various parts of the top end, I reckon it is a perfect place for a short visit and enjoy one of the hidden treasures that Northern Territory can offer.
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Issue 01 | November 2014
16 Community News PAGE
MCNT HOMEWORK CLUB
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR
Buddhist Society of the Northern Territory Inc. 5 – 8pm Sunday, 16 November 2014, at the International Buddhist Centre, 37 Parkside Crescent, Leanyer Free Entry • Family Entertainment • Delicious International Foods from Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Vietnam and More • Fruit and Vegetables for Sale •Traditional Dancing Featuring Sri Lankan and Chinese; Lion Dance; African Drumming • All Wecome
MALAK ONLINE TV
Darwin Community Arts is producing an informative online video program and are looking for volunteers for Malak Online TV multilingual program presenters for their first episode of Malak Online TV which will be uploaded on www.malak.org.au during the month of September 2014. If you are a performing artist, singer or dancer of any community and want to showcase your talent then send your expression of interest ASAP to http://www.malak.org.au/ malakonlinetv/. For more details contact Creative Producer Nitesh Raj Pant at niteshrajpant@gmail.com
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
A relaxed monthly group for parents from diverse background meet every for weeks at MCNT Community Room Malak. Share stories, hear speakers, strengthen your craft, sporting skills and go on outing. Transport available to families who don’t have their own. Interpreters can be booked in your language. For further information contact Lynne Fisher 89459122, Rebecca Lowe 89234999 or Charles Pitia 89853311
PASSPORT TO DRIVE PROGRAM 2014
The Passport to Drive Program opened on 1 July 2014 for permanent residents who arrived in Australia within the last five years under Humanitarian entrants; family stream migrants with low English proficiency; dependants skilled migrants in rural and regional; selected temporary residents (prospective marriage, provisional spouse and provisional interdependency visa holders and their dependants) in rural and regional areas and who have low proficiency. The project period is from 1 July to 31 December 2014. For further information contact Nitesh at 89459122 or diving@mcnt.org.au
The homework club runs on Wednesday and Thursday 4.00 to 6.00pm during the school term to provide young people (middle and high school age, from newly arrived refugee and no-English speaking backgrounds) with assistance with their homework and school studies. For further information contact Mary Kukua 89459122 or 0469802832 or sgp@mcnt. org.au
COMMUNITY SAFETY INFORMATION SESSION
MCNT is hosting a community Safety and information Session for our clients and members. Venue: MCNT Community Hall Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2014 Time: 5pm to 7.30pm For further information please contact: Ron Mitchell: 89459122
INDONESIAN CLASSES
Selamat. Want to travel to Bali for the weekend? How about trying to learn some basic words of the language to break the ice. The Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia are offering free language classes at the Indonesian Consulate. For more information contact Jherry/ Hesti on 89430208 or matahelumual@ indoconsdarwin.org.au Website: www.kemlu.go.id/darwin. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ konsulatrint
ENGLISH CLASSES
English for everyday living classes are being held each Monday 9am to 12pm at the meeting room Casuarina Library by the Happy Migrant Learning Centre. Sessions are open from beginner to advanced levels. All are welcome. For further information contact Cecilia (Co-ordinator) 892273108
HINDI CLASSES
Free Hindi language classes are scheduled each Saturday to commence from 2-3pm at Alawa Primary School during school terms only (entrance from Pett St.Alawa) Room 4. For more information contact Sumesh Dhir 04146 630 75
free dance classes each Saturday at the MCNT community room Malak. For more information contact 0450990710 or Bollywood.bda@gmail.com or facebook. com/b.d.a.darwin
SKILLED MIGRATION OR 457 VISA HOLDER
The MCNT provides general information asssistance for skilled migration and 457 visa holders. Workshops focus on employment, financial management and other forms of assistance aimed at benefiting these Visa holders and other community members. Contact Ron Mitchell for more information at 89459122 or ron.mitchell@mcnt.org.au
INDONESIAN STORY TIME
Enjoy a bilingual story-time session each month for Indonesian and non Indonesian speaking families. This fun multicultural activity for you and your child-suitable for 0-5 years is fun way to get to know your neighbouring people. Sessions are held at 10am on last Friday each Month at Darwin City Library. For more information Frances Brougham on 89305235
CHILDRENS’ DAY
A day specially set aside to celebrate and appreciate the children on this entire universe. Children are the Perfect gift from God, so lovely, adorable and tender. Always innocent looking and practically gets away with almost anything as one easily has empathy for them. Darwin Malayalee Association is really proud to announce the Children’s day celebration on November 8th (Saturday) from 4pm to 8pm at the MCNT hall, Malak. DMA has planned for various activities for children like Elocution (English & Malayalam), water painting, fancy dress competition, Quiz competition and some fun games as well. Children will be grouped as sub junior, junior and senior students. There will be a booking fee of $5 for each participants just for providing materials and snacks. Darwin Malayalee Association www.darwinmalayalee.com.au darwin.malayalee@gmail.com
URDU CLASSES
Free Urdu language classes are scheduled each Sunday to commence from 11am to 1pm at Alawa Primary School during school terms only (entrance from Pett St. Alawa) Room 3. For more information contact Farah Sattar 0432240362
BOLLYWOOD DANCE ACADEMY
The Bollywood dance academy’s motto is ”anybody can dance” and they provide
RADIO PROGRAM
“Friendly India” is a community-run radio show broadcasting at Darwin 91.5FM Xstream Radio on Wednesdays from 8-9pm. This program is brought to you by the Multicultural Broadcasting Council, NT (MBCNT) in partnership with the Indian Community. People who are interested in broadcasting for the program can contact Jyoti Vemuri on 0413723448
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Issue 01 | November 2014
Health
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By Padmaja Damodaran
are the main causes of tooth decay.
Oral Health
To Keep Teeth For Life To keep teeth for life, oral hygiene needs to become a habit from an early age. Most dental problems begin with plaque, a sticky layer of germs that grows on teeth daily. There are two main dental diseases - tooth decay and gum disease.
When we think of an infant or a toddler one of the first things that comes to mind is their delightful smiles. Part of those smiles is a new set of pearly white milk teeth and though these will give way to their permanent set later in life it’s still important to maintain them while they are there. With the extra sugar and other chemicals that is present even in baby food, more caution is required to keep those smiles as attractive as they should be. When it comes to oral hygiene, it is a surprising fact that even educated parents are unaware that dental diseases are preventable from early stages of development. Here we share some insights into this important aspect of a child’s life.
Tooth decay (bottom-right) occurs when germs in the plaque turn the sugars in food into acid which attacks the teeth. If this happens many times the acid causes a hole in the tooth (tooth decay). Tooth decay can start at a young age. Decay develops when sugars (present in milk, juice, cordial, honey and other substances) are left to remain on the teeth for prolonged and frequent periods. Plaque (a sticky, almost invisible film of bacteria that forms daily on teeth) uses these sugars to produce an acid that attacks teeth. After many acid attacks the teeth can decay. The enamel on baby teeth is softer and thinner than that of an adult, making them much more prone to tooth decay. Tooth decay is more rapid in children falling asleep after bottle feeds. This practice is best avoided as less saliva is produced during sleep which then leads to decay as infants or toddlers feeding habits continue. Excess sugar in the children’s food and sugary snacks
Gum disease (left) occurs when germs in the plaque infect the gums causing them to become red, puffy and bleed easily (gingivitis). If plaque is left on teeth for a long time it becomes hard and this is called ‘calculus’ or ‘tartar’. This cannot be removed with a toothbrush; it needs to be scraped off by a dental professional. A few oral health steps for parents to follow from the child’s birth: 1. After each breast feed, wipe baby’s gums with a clean damp cloth. 2. When a few teeth appear, clean with a small soft toothbrush and no toothpaste. 3. For children 18 months to 5 years of age, use a small pea-sized amount of low fluoride toothpaste for children. 4. Gradually use normal strength toothpaste for children 6 years or more. 5. Make sure that children spit out, not swallow and not rinse after brushing. 6. It is desirable to brush after every feed, however often it is not realistic for everyone to follow. Inculcating the practice of brushing twice daily helps them follow this lifelong habit, which prevents several dental treatments. Keep your child’s SMILE as precious as ever with early preventive oral care and hygiene.
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Issue 01 | November 2014
18 Youth PAGE
By Ritika Singhal
A Learner’s Paradise: Charles Darwin University Through the Eyes of an International Student As Ishita, 19, talks about her time at Charles Darwin University (CDU), she believes that CDU, Australia offers the best graduate programs. Ishita is currently doing Bachelors of Midwifery and believes that the curriculum is well designed, places an emphasis on acquiring practical knowledge and fulfils the needs and requirements of the students. “CDU is full of modern pedagogy, supportive teaching staff and hospitable ambience. Effective and efficient student amenities enhance the overall study environment,” she says. Ishita’s experiences as a student at CDU have been life changing and meaningful, and have helped her in becoming self-reliant and confident. Within this well- structured framework, she has managed to figure out her strengths, interests and passions. She is grateful for the support and hands-on experience offered by the University in the form of Clinical Teaching Blocks and Clinical Placements at Royal Darwin Hospital and Darwin Private. Also, by being an active member of StARRH (Students Association for Rural & Remote Health), Ishita has procured an insight about public and community health. This experience has also
given her a wonderful opportunity to meet new students, academic staff, nurses, midwives, doctors and various other specialists. “Charles Darwin University’s collaboration with Flinders University will allow medical students to broaden their knowledge through curriculum enhancement and extensive research facilities. It would also take the Northern Territory’s medical system to the most successful point,” expresses Ishita.
Charles Darwin University not only provides a high quality multicultural environment to an international student but also contributes towards the overall growth and development of an individual by offering services like gym, a well-equipped multistory library, medical services and psychology clinic. CDU also supports students with the help of academic development programs
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Issue 01 | November 2014 PAGE
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number of cultural events all year round. Some of the most popular events as described by Ishita are CDU Open Day, Harmony Day, Halloween and Christmas celebrations, Rock Concerts, Easter Breakfasts and Barbecues. Students also look forward to joyful events such as movie nights, day-trips, photo competitions and games.
like the Academic Language and Learning Success Program (ALLSP), Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), the Student Ambassador Program and other online resources. Ishita further talks about other important services like the on-campus accommodation, the university bus service, IT support and likewise that allows an international student to
Sudoku
live a happier and comfortable life. Ishita notes that CDU’s culture includes “a harmonious assimilation of a diverse group of people from different continents who share a special bond with each other.” The office of International Service at the University also helps in making this bond stronger by organising a
She expresses that Darwin’s scenic beauty and peaceful environment has attracted her the most and the city’s vibrant and dynamic culture doesn’t make her feel away from home. “Medicine is where I see my future, and I look forward to an enthusiastic and uplifting educational experience at CDU that will give a boost to my career aspirations,” she says on a positive note.
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Issue 01 | November 2014
20 News & Events PAGE
One Step Closer! Fund Raising Event for acquiring land and building Cambodian Buddist Temple. Honourable Kezia Purick MLA, Speaker of Legislative Assembly Independent MLA Gerry Wood, Member for Nelson, Visiting Monks Leang Soy Te - President Cambodian Australian Community Association
Going Pink to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Research
New Imam
Chief Minister Adam Giles with Imad Daud and Team
PINK RIBBON NT Cancer Council Fundraiser Breakfast at the Essington School on 12th October 2014. More than $5000 was raised towards cancer research.
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Issue 01 | November 2014
Eid-ul-Adha
Movie Review By Uday Alexander
The Maze Runner A thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch the main characters race against powerful forces to escape from their prison, The Maze Runner is based on James Dashner’s popular young adult novel of the same name. The story follows a group of youths who have to survive on monthly rations supplemented by whatever hunting and farming they can do while trapped in an ever changing maze. The middle of the maze where they are trapped is a place of refuge but a select few known as ‘The Runners’ have been chosen to scout the surrounding maze. However there is a slight twist. The opening that connects the maze to the refuge closes every night and once you are trapped in the maze you never return. This is the environment Thomas, a curious but courageous boy, is introduced to at the start of the film. He quickly realises that all is not as it seems, and the rest of the plot follows his journey, as he becomes a ‘Runner’ and goes further than anyone goes before. The movie is full of exciting plot twists and revelations and is highly recommended for both, children and adults alike. Eid-ul-Adha Gathering 2014 - At Islamic Society Of Darwin
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Issue 01 | November 2014
Migrant Stories
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By HockSeng Lee
Specific Life Lessons
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” This is a life changing quote by Helen Keller and also one my favourites. The starting point is to gain an insight into one’s life by taking several deep breaths, by going back into a positive and a joyful childhood experience and by trying to revisit it. At the same time, one has to avoid being judgemental about the assessments to be able to cherish it, live it and feel the happiness. Now, slowly begin to unfold each year of your life as it takes you through the most important people and specific times that you spent with them. It will also take you through the situations that had a strong emotional impact on you but also made you stronger with time. Eventually, you are going to bring yourself to the present scenario while looking back at the experiences of your life. Now is the time to ask yourself the following
questions; what specific scenes, situations, and behaviours seemed to recur? What were your reactions? Did you manage to sense that the major characters in your life have been cut from the same cloth? It is very important to be honest and fair while assessing the themes, scenarios, past and present to understand the real and specific lessons that life teaches. All humans need to understand that life is a series of choices that one has to make at every single point of one’s life and the easiest way to make a choice is to ask whether the decision is being made out of fear or love. Some decision can be mundane and some can be substantial but they all design one’s world. One has to understand that it might not be possible to control the entire world and its problems but everyone has control over the choices in their own little world. It will not only make one’s life better but will also make this world a better place to live. One’s
true mission should be to avoid demands and expectations and learn to acknowledge true love, forgiveness and compassion. Excerpt From: Van Praagh, James. “Adventures of the Soul.” House. About the Author Hock grew up in Singapore and migrated to Australia 22 years ago. He is a late developer, earning his degree and PhD in his late thirties in Brisbane. Now, Hock works as an applied mathematician or statistician in the NT Fisheries; he is also good at GIS mapping and databases. When he isn’t glued to a computer screen, he spends time reading about life, watching movies, and often pondering about the meaning of life. Growing up very poor taught him that hard work is the only way to success. He also believes that the best investment in life is health. His dharma is in the pursuit of the ultimate wisdom of simplicity.
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Issue 01 | November 2014 PAGE
Recipes
Fish Molee
If you never tried this one!!! Fish- 250gms of any fish. To marinate • Pepper pwd- 1/2 tsp • Turmeric pwd- a little less than 1/4 tsp • Lime juice- 1/4 tsp • Salt- to taste Onion- 1, thinly sliced • Green chillies- 2, thinly sliced • Tomato- 1, cut into bite size cubes • Ginger garlic paste- 1 tbs • Cardamom- 2 pods • Cloves- 2 pods • Cinnamon- 1/4inch stick • Thick coconut milk- 1/2 cup Thin coconut milk- 1 • Cornflour- 1 tbs • Curry leaves- 1 sprig • Oil- 3 tbs • Salt- to taste To temper Coconut oil- 1 tbs • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp • Dry red chilli- 2 (optional) Marinate the fish pieces with all the ingredients in the ‘to marinate’ section and keep for half an hour. Crush the ginger garlic paste with the chillis in a small bowl and keep ready. In another bowl, mix half cup coconut milk with 1 tbs cornflour without any lumps to make thick coconut milk. Keep aside. Heat about 2 tbs of oil in a wok and fry the fish for two to three minutes. This is just to keep the fish intact. Don’t over do it. Remove and drain on paper towels. In the same wok, add the remaining oil and once hot throw in the spices. When they start to splutter, add the onions and the ginger garlic chilli paste. Cook till the onions become translucent and oil starts separating. To this add the thin coconut milk and let it boil. Add the tomatoes and curry leaves and mix well and then the fish slices, making sure they don’t flake. Add enough salt required and let this boil on medium fire. Once the tomatoes are cooked add the thick coconut milk and leave it on low fire till it starts to boil, stirring at intervals. This way the fish gets nicely coated with all the masalas and coconut milk. Take it off the heat and just before serving do a tadka with the oil, mustard seeds and dry chilli and pour over the curry. Your fish molee is ready. Enjoy!
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Issue 01 | November 2014 PAGE
GREETINGS Congratulations to Prabha and Shankar who had a second baby, a gorgeous little boy named Aaryan. Congratulations to Vinit and Manisha who welcomed the first baby boy Tanish
Buddhist Society of the Northern Territory Inc.
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR 5 – 8pm Sunday, 16 November 2014
at the International Buddhist Centre, 37 Parkside Crescent, Leanyer Free Entry • Family Entertainment • Delicious International Foods from Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Vietnam and More • Fruit and Vegetables for Sale •Traditional Dancing Featuring Sri Lankan and Chinese; Lion Dance; African Drumming • All Welcome
DIWALI CELEBRATIONS with a night of dance, music, raffle prize and traditional Indian food. When: 6.30pm 8th November Where: Marrara Indoor Stadium
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