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C o n t en t s Red Shield Appeal Australia News
Solar System Technology Technology
STREES to BLISS Ayurveda
YouGo with Rajini Yoga
Glimpses of Vaisakhi Gallery Melbourne
Australian Sikh Games Sports
Hoa Lo Prison, Hanol World News
The Power of Good Wishes That’s Life
COVER STORY
Published by:
Hello Everyone,
Desi Media Group (Desi Australia Pty Ltd) Editor-in-chief: Arti Banga Sales and Marketing: Dimple Deez Victoria Editor: Garima Dhawan Queensland Editor: Priya Singh ACT Editor: Rajni Ghai Malhotra Western Australia Editor: Ankita Tandon South Australia Editor: Daljeet Bakshi Address: Desi Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 102, Casula, NSW 2170 Email : info@DesiAustralia.com Mob: 0433121339
Australian voters are getting ready to decide on 18 May, federal election day, whether to return the government or defeat. When an opposition challenges a government at the polls, it’s battling the weight of history. Those elections that see a change in government are often thought of as the most significant. Paul Keating has been credited with saying that if you change the government, you change the country. But it's also true that you can change the country by returning a government.
Arti Banga Editor-in-chief
Desi Australia congratulates the Nationals candidate Gurmesh Singh for winning Coffs Harbour seat in the NSW State election in March 2019. The third generation farmer said a key to polling strongly was meeting people face-to-face. In his words, ”We tried to meet as many people as possible, we tried to visit people in their homes and people could see that we were working hard and I think it was one of the keys, we started in Red Rock and went all the way down to Bonville.” Many celebrated Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day and Iftar during the month of May and we have covered the glimpses of few of the events. Moreover, you will find interesting and helpful articles on bankruptcy, food, sports, health, travel, science & technology, politics and celebration of Indian festivals. We hope you will enjoy reading Desi happenings around major cities of Australia. DesiAustralia.com-“Keeping you connected”
Disclaimer All rights reserved. Do not re-use any content and photo from Desi Australia without the prior written permission from the editor. All the material published in Desi Australia, including articles, features, fillers, advertisements, and all other contents, are published in good faith, and the editor or the Desi Australia magazine cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. All material is published on the understanding that it is copyright free, and Desi Australia accepts no liability for any subsequent copyright issues. We also cannot accept responsibility for and do not endorse views expressed by the contributors.
Australia News
The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal to multicultural communities
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ederal Minister Hon David Coleman MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, launched The Salvation Army's annual Red Shield Appeal for 2019. The launch will appeal to Australia's multicultural communities to help raise $79 million for Aussies in need. The Red Shield Appeal launch to multicultural communities, is one of the key events for The Salvation Army's annual appeal, which culminates with Australia's biggest doorknock over the weekend of 25-26 May this year. Commenting on the launch, the Hon David Coleman MP said, “Multicultural communities in Australia have contributed enormously to the economic and social fabric of our society. We are very proud of our nation and the contributions of Australians of all backgrounds. It is my privilege to launch The Salvation Army's annual Red Shield Appeal for 2019 to multicultural communities across Australia.”
The Hon David Coleman MP
The Salvation Army's National Multicultural Spokesperson, LieutColonel Xuyen Pho, says the organisation's services are open to every person who calls Australia home. “Hardship does not discriminate. More Australians from all walks of life are turning to The Salvation Army for help and we need the public's support now more than ever to ensure we can help those doing it tough” says Lieut-Colonel Pho. Over the past 12 months, The Salvation Army (The Salvos) has supported more than 38,000 people experiencing homelessness, 14,000 people overcoming addiction, provided over 50,000 financial counselling sessions, given care to 5,000 people experiencing family violence, and assisted more than 150,000 people with emergency relief. “The Salvos provide a number of important social services for multicultural Australia. These include homelessness support, women's and children's services, financial counselling through Moneycare, addiction and Download Our App
Lieut-Colonel Xuyen Pho
recovery services, legal assistance through Salvos Legal Humanitarian, English classes and many more.” says Lieut-Colonel Pho. “It is only through the public's support that The Salvation Army can continue to support the hundreds of thousands of Australians who rely on our services. We ask the Australian community to dig deep to support this year's Red Shield Appeal and help give hope where it's needed most.” “It is only through the public's support that The Salvation Army can continue to support the hundreds of thousands of MAY | 2019
Australians who rely on our services. We ask the Australian community to dig deep to support this year's Red Shield Appeal and help give hope where it's needed most.” Australia's leading independent multicultural marketing agency MultiConnexions is once again partnering with The Salvation Army as the sponsor of this year's launch. MultiConnexions CEO, Sheba Nandkeolyar, is proud of the longstanding relationship the company has built with The Salvation Army to support its work across Australia. www.DesiAustralia.com | 06
Australia News
Laurie Robertson, Xuyen Pho, Sheba Nandkeolyar, Hon Minister, Joseph Assaf
The Salvation Army team
that Australia has provided them with a new beginning and look forward to opportunities where they can contribute back,” said Ms Nandkeolyar. Mr. Joseph Assaf, Chairman of Ethnic Business Awards and staunch supporter of The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal for over twenty years said, “The support The Salvation Army gives disadvantaged Australians, including those from multicultural communities, is invaluable and important. I encourage everyone to volunteer for this year's doorknock and donate.”
“Multicultural audiences are proud of their country of birth, they are also proud that Australia has provided them with a new beginning and look forward to partnering with The Salvation Army as the sponsor of this year's launch. MultiConnexions CEO, Sheba
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Nandkeolyar, is proud of the longstanding relationship the company has built with The Salvation Army to support its work across Australia.
To donate or volunteer for this year's Red Shield Appeal, please call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or online at salvationarmy.org.au, in person at any Westpac branch or Salvos Stores or by posting your cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.
“Multicultural audiences are proud of their country of birth, they are also proud
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Mag Corner
God could not be everywhere, and he therefore made Mothers- Rudyard Kipling On the occasion of Mother’s Day Desi Australia spoke with few mothers who shared their experience of motherhood. Becoming a mother has been the hardest, yet most fulfilling and beautiful thing I've ever done. In a lot of ways I feel like my life has just begun, because I am seeing the world through their eyes now. In the beginning this overwhelming sense of love over took me. Now that they are getting older, I feel like it continues to help me become a better, stronger, more fearless version of myself. My world is a happier place because I am a mother to my boys; they are and always will be my greatest accomplishment.
In words of Kate Winslet “Having children just puts the whole world into perspective. Everything else just disappears.” My 2 lifelines Rahul and Ria. These angels have given a new meaning to my existence. I can't imagine a life without them. Their smiles give me strength, their hope gives me courage and their strong belief in me pushes me to work above and beyond. In words of my daughter Ria “Can't imagine my life without my mum, I guess it would be an epic disaster” Love them to bits and wish the best for them in every way of life.
Manjoo Dinesh Lalwani (pictured with her boys Siddharth and Dev) Standards Development Service Manager at Work Standards Australia For me, motherhood is an endless a d v e n t u r o u s j o u r n e y, h a r d y e t rewarding. It is a constant reminder that this universe can create beautiful things through us and bless us to witness them grows into a better version of ourselves. It is unbelievably the most precious and beautiful experience!!
For me motherhood is being unconditionally always “being there” for my kids and support them so they are empowered to be the best versions of themselves. Motherhood is leading by example by being the most kind and generous version of yourself which can then manifest in your own children!
Ekta Gupta (pictured with her boys Aryan and Ansh) Allocations manager - Big W (Woolworths) Motherhood means the world to me. As a mother it's my responsibility to make my boys good citizens of the world , correct them when they are wrong and help them become good men who will respect and empower women . As a mother of boys I feel if we bring up our boys to respect women we can make a big difference. Download Our App
Meenakshi Sethi (pictured with son Rahul and daughter Ria) Crew Support Officer/Sydney Trains
Anisha Mehra (pictured with daughters Ishika and Jia) Teacher at Sydney Catholic Schools MAY | 2019
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Mag Corner time. That's what makes the experience so satisfying and puts the whole world into perspective for a mother. Someone said this and its true “Motherhood is where All love begins and ends.” Motherhood is messy and challenging, crazy and sleepless, giving and still so unbelievably beautiful. Knowing each day that the greatest contribution to this world may not be the things we do, but the children we raise is what makes this journey OURS!
Motherhood to me is 'life-changing'; It has filled my heart and soul with 'Pure Happiness'. I am passionate about my kids, because they complete me in every sense and I will continue to do the best for them, only to get their endless cuddles & kisses.
Kusha Sharma (pictured with Onella & Elin ) Talent Acquisition Specialist, BAE Systems Australia Motherhood is self-sacrifice, great joy, great heartache, and an overwhelming awe when I look at my children and realize they are my legacy. It's teaching my children but allowing myself to learn from them as well. You are always going to wonder if you're doing things wrong, but that's what it means to be a mom, to care so much about someone else that you just want to be as perfect as possible. As a mother, you think twice for everything- once for yourself and your children at the same
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(Pictured with son Amogh & daughter Meera) Priya Mangal- Senior ICloud project analyst, IBM Tanya Arora Pictured (with son Krish & Kayan) Director (Mortgage & Investment Strategy) at Securezy Financial Group)
MAY | 2019
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Entertainment
Sufiana Shaam at Sydney Opera House
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istory was made on 27 April as Satinder Sartaaj became the first Punjabi turbaned artist to perform Live at the Iconinc Opera House. This first of its kind event was organised by SEEG Productions in Sydney.
Sartaaj had an informal interaction with the media and sponsors at a meet and great evening organised by relocated Maharaja’s Haveli in Dural. Satinder took down to his official Twitter handle and shared this joyous news with his fans. Photo Credit : Jindeep photography
He wrote: “History in Making..Honoured to be the first Performer from our soil! TomorrowSat.#27thApril at @SydOperaHouse Ecstasy Tour 2019 #AustraliaNew Zealand#SartaajLive.Thank you all for making me worthy to perform at one of the most prestigious concert venue of the world ” A scholar and musical icon representing the Punjab Sufiana tradition, Satinder Sartaaj presented popular devotional songs to rarely heard ancient compositions which were enjoyed by the audience with full enthusiasm.
Photo Credit : Jindeep photography
Sartaaj wrote a special song for Sydney Opera House: Eh #Opera di imarat hai badi maaynaz hai! #Sydney di Dharti te kul Dunia nu iss 'te naaz hai ! Fakhr hai #Punjab de Pinda'n di lishki dhoorh da; #Boli ne sir Taaj dhareya taaio'n is a'n #Sartaaj hai
by singing and dancing to his tunes. The Sufi maestro defines Sufi as a form of love and feels Sufism is a deep concept. Sartaaj was awarded Certificate of appreciation for contribution to Excellence in the Field of Music by Rob Mitchelle MP, in the Victorian Parliament House.
Sartaaj is an interactive singer who keeps the audience engrossed by giving them the opportunity to be the part of his performance and people made the best of lively atmosphere Download Our App
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Entertainment
Organised by SEEG Productions
Photo Credit :
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Technology
Solar System Technology
By: Sarang Vengurlekar
W
e are now in the era of renewable energy as we move towards “Going Green” trend. We do hope to contribute towards the recent concerns raised with global warming and other environmental issues. The best and the most popular way of doing this is by investing in a solar system for your home. The solar solution is readily available but there are so many options that it may confuse even the techie home owner. Over the past five years, the cost of installing a solar system has reduced dramatically. Solar energy is normally used during the day, and then batteries (if installed) will supply electricity at night which can generate significant savings. If you have not installed a solar system you are a consumer of electricity who are going to pay for their electricity indefinitely, users are like a tenant who will keep on paying indefinitely for the accommodation. Owning a solar system, you typically own a big share of the electricity you generate and consume, most likely you will start to pay off the cost of your investment immediately. In a typical scenario many homes will have paid off the investment you spent in about five to six years. SO, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEM? 1. Solar Power can save you money – Installing Solar power enables you to generate your own electricity. By using your own electricity rather than buying it Download Our App
Photo Credit : Fronius Solar Products
from your electricity company, you will save money as every kW/h of electricity you use from your solar system is a kW/h of electricity you do not have to buy from your electricity company. 2. Environmental Benefits – By using electricity generated from solar panels, we reduce the need to generate electricity from fossil fuels like coal and gas which create carbon dioxide (CO2). This can reduce the potential for global warming and can create a more sustainable cleaner energy mix, this effect is even stronger if your solar system lasts a long time. 3. Energy Independence – By owning your own solar system, you have the capacity to create your own electricity. This reduces your reliance on the electricity grid and electricity retailers etc and increases your control over your future electricity needs, expenses and lifestyle especially if you add batteries to your system in the future. 4. Property Value – there are studies that show that installing a quality residential solar system may increase the value of your home. Home buyers are increasingly recognising that a home with quality solar panels installed will have lower electricity costs. 5. Energy reliability – High quality solar power systems are a reliable power source. The sun rises and sets every day, while the sun shines, solar panels will generate electricity. While the weather and the seasons vary, the amount of electricity that the panels generate is predictable. With the help of lithium- ion batteries, which are becoming more affordable, you can also store solar power during the day and use it at night. MAY | 2019
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS A solar system is made up of multiple solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, a DC to AC power converter (inverter solution) and a framing system to hold the PV panels in place. PV panels are generally fitted on the roof facing northerly, easterly or westerly direction, and tilted at a particular angle to maximise the amount of sunlight that each panel receives. Electricity system uses 240V alternating current (AC), but the electricity generated by solar panels consists of variable direct current (DC). To transform the DC electricity into AC electricity for ordinary household use, grid-connected solar PV systems have inverters attached to each PV panel called micro inverters or a single inverter for a string of connected PV panels called a central string inverter. The third possible inverter solutions are power optimisers, which are a variance of the string inverter and the micro inverter. All these technical solutions can create a great solar system. Today houses with grid-connected solar systems consume solar-generated electricity first, before switching to the electricity grid if more electricity is required than the solar system is able to generate. Grid-connected solar systems can also feed electricity back to the grid if too much electricity is generated via the solar system for the immediate needs of your home. There is currently a rebate offer from the government available for the residential market that will make your system even cheaper. www.DesiAustralia.com | 12
Technology
Photo Credit : tesla.com
There are many sizes available for solar systems. The size of the system will vary from home to home but most of the time for an average home 5kW is suďŹƒcient. Please consult your installer to determine the size for your home. The typical sizes are:
The nest product is optional within the solar packages available but in my opinion, it would be the right choice to have it included in the package. YES!!! We are talking about the battery for your solar system which will store energy for you to use during the night. This way you are not purchasing electricity from the grid with higher pricing but you will end up using that was sold during the day. There are many batteries available but I prefer the Tesla as they have the latest technology available.
3kW, 5kW, 6kW & 10kW Unless you add storage batteries to your system, a grid-connected solar system is unable to store power in your home for use at night. It is recommended that the battery is installed even though it is expensive at start.
Photo Credit : LG Electronics
Inverters are required to convert DC to AC as our home appliances require 240V AC. Once the voltage is converted we can run the whole house on the energy generated from the sun. The most popular Inverter in the market is known as Fronius. They are great quality inverters and although they are not very cheap it will give you years of service without any hassles.
Photo Credit : LG Electronics
A variety of Solar Panels are available, although the most popular solar panel on the market is from LG Electronics. These solar panel are known as LG NEoN2
Photo Credit : tesla.com
MAY | 2019
I hope you have gained a basic understanding on how a solar system works and the brands to look out for during your purchase. Please also provide feedback on info@desiaustralia.com if you found this article informative.
Photo Credit : Fronius Solar Products Download Our App
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Festival
Sydney Chithirai Festival
organised by Tamil Arts and Culture Association Inc
S
ydney Chithirai Festival is a daylong grand outdoor celebration of Tamil New Year organised by Tamil Arts and Culture Association Inc (TACA, Sydney.) This was the 8th successful year and Super Singer fames Senthil Ganesh and Rajalakshmi came from India bringing with them the rich Arts & Culture to Australia. Below are the glimpses of the colourful event. Photo Credit : Harmohan Walia
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Festival
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Community News | Sydney
Iftar Dinner to mark the Holy month of Ramadan
By: Harmohan Singh Walia
U
nions NSW, TWU and South Asia Labor celebrated Iftar at Trades Hall of Labor HQ, Sydney. Bob Carr, who served as Premier of New South Wales from 1995 to 2005 and later entered federal politics as a New South Wales senator, and served as Minister for Foreign Aairs from 2012 to 2013 attended Iftar. Aisha Amjad was MC. Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer. This is their second meal of the day; the daily fast during Ramadan begins immediately after the pre-dawn meal of Suhur and continues during the daylight hours, ending with sunset with the evening meal of Iftar. Happy and Spiritual Ramadan!
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Ayurveda
STRESS to BLISS at Nature Care Ayurveda
By: Dr Naveen Shukla Dr Vishal Sharma
L
ife is not merely to be alive, but to be well and live well.
Is stress becoming an integral part of your life? To most of us the Answer is Yes! To me, Stress is the Trash of modern life. We all generate it, but if we didn't dispose of it properly it will pile up and overtake our life. I strongly hold an opinion, we all need a stress-free zone to attain optimal health and obtain a peace of mind. WHO (World Health Organization) defines Stress as Physical, Mental and Emotional strain/tension. As an Ayurvedic Physician (a Vaidya), Stress-Anxiety-Depression and other day to day psychological imbalances are the most happening and challenging issues in daily practice. Stress has become the greatest threat to the wellbeing of people in this modern World. It can be quite harmful and can compromise with our general wellbeing. The after effects of the Stress and Anxiety be like disturbed physiology, Premature ageing, Fatigue, Nervousness, Insomnia, Digestive issues, Metabolic dysfunction, Weight gain, Migraine, Low immune response (auto-immune disorders), Sinus, low self-esteem, lack of interest, relational conflicts, inability to adapt and will inevitably wear us down. There are few stressors always around us that we can't control. But, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda offers a beautiful perspective in numerous ways to combat day to day Stress and relieve the Anxiety. Download Our App
Ayurvedic science initially explores the potential consequences of excess stress and establishes proper understanding of the human stress response.
most of the time, jumping and always panicky, aggravation of existing health problems, difficult to relax due to misuse of the senses and mind.
The healing with Ayurveda is unique as it works on Mental, Physical and Emotional planes of health. Moreover, Ayurveda in conjunction with Yoga and Meditation helps human race to expand their perception and realization that “LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL” not a burden.
Recommendations to ease Vata Stress: It is important to cease non-essential activities, prefer enough rest with positive- peaceful mind. Light and simple physical activities, slow meditative Yoga, breathing exercises including Sun salutes/ SuryaNamaskara. Abhyanga (Massage) with Sesame oil helps to calm the nervous system.
Ayurveda shines in its capacity which begins with an understanding of one's body constitution-Dosha Viz (VATA, PITTA, KAPHA), bringing in balance the biological energies-Mahabhutas (Air, Space, Fire, Water, Earth) and learning about five senses (Touch, Hearing, Smell, Taste & Sight). The Stress is defined under Mental, Emotional and Physical per Dosha's dominancy. Vata Stress (Mental Stress) Vata Dosha reflects the qualities of Air and Space carries nutrients and waste to and from the cells. It also governs psychological phenomena like perception, imagination and motivation. The Vata body constitution people are more vulnerable to Stress because of high wind component. The people with Vata imbalance often experiences lack of sleep, nervousness, being worried MAY | 2019
Pitta Stress (Emotional Stress): Pitta Dosha consists the qualities of fire and water which digest nutrients to provide energy for cellular functions. Being a Mind-Body operator, it supports the mental phenomena like intellectual, comprehension, conviction, courage and controls the emotions with the heart functions. The Pitta stressed people are more prone to irritability, anger, short temper, depression and emotional instability. Moreover, they suffer with insomnia, poor concentration and over stimulation. Recommendations to ease Pitta Stress: Cooling therapies are highly beneficial such as early to bed, minimal use of computer screens and exposure to bright light, practice gentle Yoga, alternate www.DesiAustralia.com | 18
Ayurveda nostril breathing exercises. Abhyanga with coconut oil will probably help to cool the heat and reduce the stress. Kapha Stress (Physical Stress): Kapha Dosha reflects the qualities of earth and water provide structure to the cells. It also governs the phenomena like emotions, stability, determination etc. The Kapha stressed people often feel excessive fatigue, mental confusion, dullness, sluggish digestion and weight gain. It also affects the joint lubrication; circulation and one may develop eating disorders. Recommendations to destress Kapha Dosha: It is advised to do moderate exercise consistently, get enough rest, engage in vigorous yoga. Breathing exercises like Kapalabhati, Nauli kriya etc are highly beneficial. Stress management at NATURE CARE AYURVEDA: We always recommend people to see Ayurvedic experts to get a tailored plan. The Ayurvedic lifestyle adjustments, special tailored therapies, Yoga, Music therapy drawn from ancient scripture with Meditation help to illuminate a clear path towards the healing and reestablishing harmony with the Nature. In addition to this, Ayurvedic herbs aids in building up the body's resistance to Stress and increases its vitality and endurance. Ayurvedic Herbs that helps to manage Stress are Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Amalaki, Shatavari, Punarnava etc Nature Care Ayurveda Yoga Detox & Rejuvenation is the only Sydney based Ayurvedic centre where you can experience a complete range of
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Ayurvedic therapies like Panchakarma, Shirodhara, Detox, Abhyanga Body massage, Back Care, Chronic Disease management, consultation from experts. The team is highly professional and working under the direction of Dr N a v e e n S h u k l a ( Vi c e P r e s i d e n t Australasian association of Ayurveda for NSW), Dr Vishal Sharma (Member International Academy of Ayurved) & Dr Nikhila Venugopal (Female Health and Marma Specialist).
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Nature Care Ayurveda & Desi Australia in synergy focused to spread the word of Ayurveda in the community and promote wellbeing as “WE CARE FOR YOU” For more information /to see a doctor/ for specific health concern visit our website www.naturecareayurveda.com.au or call us on 02 9572 6990
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Talent
The Sky is the Limit
66 year old Dr Harshan Singh Grewal qualifies for World Masters Championship
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fter winning three gold medals at the NSW Masters, retired academic and Professional Dr Harsharn Singh Grewal participated in 2019 Australian National Masters Championships (National Athletics Event) over the ANZAC weekend held in Melbourne, finishing 3rd in 5km event (M65-69), 6th in 1500m(M65-69) event and 7th in 800m(M65-69) Last year Dr Grewal participated in the Pan Pacific Games held in the Gold Coast and had won four medals - two silver and two bronze. When asked the secret of his strength, 66 year old Dr Grewal said "I recite Gurbani (prayers from the Sikh scriptures) as I run, and don't feel tired at all.” Inspired by the world's oldest Marathon runner Fauja Singh, Dr Grewal has a strict regime. "I wake up at 4 am every morning. At least three times a week, I run for 15 kms and twice a week, I run 20-21 kilometres.” he said. An alumnus of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Dr Grewal migrated to Australia in 1991, first living in Adelaide, then moving to Newcastle. His family are really proud of him as continues to prove that age is no barrier in achieving personal milestones. He is now qualified to represent Australia in his age category for the upcoming World Masters championships next year to race in 5km event.
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Community News | Canberra
Canberra local Jade Ghehna marches in the Anzac Day Parade
By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra
C
anberra girl Jade Ghena Mills Jinna Raisoqoni, a Year 10 student of Canberra High School, Australian Air Force Cadets recently made us all proud by being one of the young cadets who marched at the Anzac Day Parade in Canberra on 25 April 2019 at War Memorial, Canberra and at her School ANZAC Parade at School. 1. In what capacity did you march in the Anzac Day parade. I marched as an Air Force Cadet in the ANZAC day parade in the ACT with many other ACT AAFC members. We had marched from the RAAF memorial on ANZAC parade all the way to the front of the War Memorial.
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2. What inspired you to join the Airforce? I have always been fascinated by the military lifestyle ever since I was a little kid. Since I was exposed and introduced to Aviation and planes at such a young age, I decided that the RAAF was for me. 3. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? After year 12, I plan to join the RAAF as an officer cadet. I hope to join the pilot programme and gain a degree. In 5 years, I hope to see myself contributing in some way to the Air Force, even if it means in another field.
Go for it! If you have your doubts, there are many Defence Work Experiences for women around the age of 15 to 24. I would recommend signing up and having a crack at it. Remember, the sky is the limit! Jade hails from a well known family of Canberra who originally moved from Fiji. Her maternal grandfather Mr Kanti Lal Jinna OAM has been calling Canberra home for over 35 years and her parents William Mills Raisoqoni and Meenakshi Ben Jinna Raisoqoni have been living in Canberra since 1982.
4. What do you find most exciting about training for the Air Force? The fact that it challenges you in many ways itself is exciting. It's like an adventure at every turn. Plus, even if flying isn't your thing, there is still something for you. 5. What message would you like to share with other young girls who might be thinking of joining the forces?
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Community News | Canberra
Meet the Candidates - Federal elections organised by GOPIO Canberra and IWiN
By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra
W
ith the upcoming Federal Elections 2019 just around the corner, GOPIO Canberra and Initiatives for Women in Need (IWiN) hosted a Meet the Candidates event at ANU on 9 May. The interactive session provided a platform for a gathering of nearly hundred people to pose questions to the candidates with emphasis on addressing the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse community, particularly women. Those present were Labor candidates Nancy Waites and David Smith MP, Greens candidate Penny Kyburz and Independent candidate Nicholas Houston. The audience comprised of representatives of multiple multicultural and community groups. The evening began with a welcome address by Nishi Puri, President GOPIO Canberra. She encouraged the audience to orient their questions to the candidates around issues faced by the CALD community. She emphasised the objective of the workshop was to help the community make informed decisions at the upcoming elections. Dr Madhumita Iyengar, Chair IWiN, spoke about the need for understanding and recognising the issues of intracommunity diversity that apply to the larger culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community. She emphasised that for policies relating to CALD community issues to be more eective, the dierences in the cultural practices and nature of barriers amongst the communities need to be understood. The proceedings were held together by MC Manaswini Iyengar and vote of thanks was extended by Praveen Jain, Secretary GOPIO Canberra. Download Our App
Photo Credit : Rajni Ghai Malhotra and Canberra India Council
MAY | 2019
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Community News | Canberra
Meet and Greet with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr by Canberra India Council
By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra
C
anberra India Council (CIC) hosted a reception at the ACT Legislative Hall on Wednesday, 8 May for a meet and greet with ACT Chief Minister and patron of CIC, Hon Andrew Barr. The evening saw a gathering of more than hundred people of various multicultural communities come together for the official launch of the CIC Youth Chapter and success of another Download Our App
India in the City event at the National Multicultural Festival.Mr Deepak Raj Gupta, Chair CIC, while acknowledging the cultural milieu brought together at the Festival each year mentioned that immigrants played a role in shaping the cultural landscape, having brought with them their own beliefs and attitudes that shape their perception of their adopted homeland and reflected on how India in the city had grown over the last 11 years into a platform for different cultures and communities of the subcontinent. Hon Andrew Barr praised the role played by volunteers at India in the City and did the honours for the official launch of the CIC Youth chapter, which will provide a forum for the capital’s youth to be involved in multicultural activities. Chief Minister Barr encouraged the new members to be active in participation and gave MAY | 2019
assurance that their voice would be heard. In the words of Mr Gupta, “It is vital to involve our youth in multicultural activities that enhance our quality of life and bring people from all our communities together.” Amongst those present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry MLA, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Chris Steele MLA, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury MLA, Susanne Orr MLA, Vicky Dunne MLA, Elizabeth Kikkert MLA and Deputy High Commissioner of India Mr P S Karthigeyan. Mr Gupta thanked the ACT Government and Chief Minister Barr for their ongoing support to CIC’s activities and looks forward to their next event - the World Curry Festival in July. www.DesiAustralia.com | 24
Community News | Canberra
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Yoga
YouGo with Rajni – Let's Be Mindful Series
Part
: Mindfulness for Mums
By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra
I
n the words of Elizabeth Stone, “Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” It is also to forever have your emotions running riot inside of you! Because, let's face it, motherhood is not easy. An ordinary day in the life of a mum can make her go from laughter to tears, joy to anger, elation to disappointment, confidence to self-doubt, relaxation to exhaustion, feeling on top of the world to hitting rock bottom and back again like an erratic pendulum that's never learnt to work to a rhythm. Mums are at once, the most rock solid and yet the most vulnerable people in the world. Whilst a single word or smile from them can bring instant calm to their children, a single word or action of their child can shatter their peace within seconds! Not to mention the constant striving to be the best mother you can be often leads to burnout, both physical and emotional. So, what can mums do to bring balance and escape that feeling of emotional and physical exhaustion? Practice mindfulness of course! Mindfulness is an approach to nurturing yourself, helping yourself to feeling better, to being more connected and calmer. With mindfulness you can spiral yourself into a positive cycle of self-care and kindness, a general feeling of wellbeing and a dispassionate connectedness with the here and now. Take a Pause in the Busyness: Practice the pause, as many times in a day as you can. According to Tara Brach, Download Our App
to pause in the midst of busyness is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Pause. Inhale. Exhale. A few slow breaths are sometimes all it takes to release the tight hold your emotions may have taken over the moment and return to the busyness with a calmer, quieter you. A calmer you that is more present in the moment and able to choose how to respond rather than react to the chaos of the moment. Dip into the moment An ordinary day in the life of a mum can involve juggling range of activities driving, cooking, working, school assignments, rushing to activities, spending time with the kids. All these and more! But there are also moments when you are not rushing, when all is well in your world. They are the happy moments, the restful moments. Be on the alert for such moments and take a conscious few minutes to dip into their warmth. Allow yourself to completely immerse yourself in the feel good moments and help yourself to heal and re-energise. Mindful affirmations Worries, anxieties, regrets, doubt there's not a mother in the world who isn't carrying some or all of these with her wherever she goes. Affirmations are an effective way to minimise these MAY | 2019
emotions and allow yourself the ability of being a mother who is more present when she is with her family. Here are a few general affirmations for you to try. I am doing the best I can for my family I love deeply and am deeply loved by my family I will not second guess myself I will see the best in me and the best in my children I let go of trying to control every tiny detail Each day I soak myself in the love and smiles of my children The beauty of affirmations is that you may create your own affirmations that speak to you and help you to stay positive. So, to all you beautiful mums out there who are reading this, take a pause, a slow mindful breath and with gentleness and compassion permit yourself to just be, to feel the love that surrounds you and remind yourself that you are the best mum for your children. There YouGO! This Mother's Day you have made mindfulness your mantra and given yourself the gift of the pause. Yours mindfully, Rajni Follow Rajni on Facebook @YogaWithRajni www.DesiAustralia.com | 27
Travel
Vietnam - A Growing Country
By: Harmohan Singh Walia
I
t wasn’t always thus. A mere 30 years ago, Vietnam was one of the poorest countries in the world. How did this southeast Asian nation grow to become a middle-income country? Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has spurred rapid economic growth and development. It has been transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations to a lower middle-income country. In 1986, the government introduced “Doi Moi”, a series of economic and political reforms, and steered the country to becoming a “socialist-oriented market economy”.
Golden Bridge
Today, Vietnam with population over 97 million is one of the stars of the emerging markets universe. Its economic growth of 6-7% rivals China, and its exports are worth as much as the total value of its GDP. Anything from Nike sportswear to Samsung smartphones are manufactured in this ASEAN nation. Armed with the necessary infrastructure and with market-friendly policies in place, Vietnam has become a hub for foreign investment and manufacturing in Southeast Asia. Japanese and Korean electronics companies like Samsung, LG, Olympus and Pioneer and countless European and American apparel makers set up shops in the country.
Presidential Palace
According to analysts from the World Bank and the think tank Brookings, Vietnam’s economic rise can be explained by three main factors: “it has embraced trade liberalisation with gusto, has complemented external liberalisation with domestic reforms through deregulation and lowering the cost of doing business and has invested heavily in human and physical capital, predominantly through public investments.” These investments paid Download Our App
Two Room Home of Ho Chi Minh
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Travel off. It may mean that one day, instead of the hustle and bustle of small shops and scooters, Vietnam will be characterised by large malls and cars. But for now, Vietnam is young and growing, at its own pace, and in its own way. A recent technological icon, the Golden Bridge is a 150-metre-long (490 ft) pedestrian bridge in the Ba Na Hills resort, near Da Nang, Vietnam. It is designed to connect the cable car station with the gardens (avoiding a steep incline) and to provide a scenic overlook and tourist attraction. The bridge loops nearly back around to itself, and has two giant stone hands designed to appear to support the structure. The project was completed by the Sun Group. The bridge was designed by TA Landscape Architecture based in Ho Chi Minh City. The company's founder, Vu Viet Anh, was the principal designer. The bridge opened in June 2018. Over the last thirty years, the provision of basic services has significantly i m p r o v e d . Vi e t n a m i s t o d a y a significantly more educated and healthy
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society than 20 years ago. Gender gaps are narrowing. The World Happiness Report shows a ranking of 95, with a rating of 5.1 in terms of overall happiness. In terms of religious preferences among the population of Vietnam in the World Factbook, we see Buddhists at 7.9%, Catholic 6.6%, Hoa Hao 1.7%, Cao Dai 0.9%, Protestant 0.9%, Muslim 0.1%, no preferred religion 81.8%. The government has applied high tax on cars and only the rich citizens can afford one. It is about 200 percent of the price of the car. Hence, it is more economical when you own a motorbike than a car. Therefore, motorbikes or scooters on the streets of Saigon and Hanoi on any given day are a popular and cheaper mode of travel. They are used to carry everything – from a whole family of four crammed onto a single motorbike or daily amenities. It is a good way to save time and money. Vietnamese people love their white skin, female and male. They wear small masks over their nose and mouth
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because they don't want to inhale motorbike fumes and they are genuinely concerned about protecting their white skin from ultraviolet rays of the sun. For most of his tenure as President of North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh lived in a modest stilt house behind the grandiose Presidential Palace in Hanoi. His Stilt House, the simple two-room dwelling without any toilet, where he lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. Nearby, sitting in a lotus pond, is a miniature One Pillar Pagoda or Chua Mot Cot. A big Yellow coloured Presidential Palace close to the Stilt House, was offered to Ho Chi Minh for his residence, but he refused as he wished to live a simple life amidst nature. To this day, the stilt house (known in Vietnamese as Nha San Bac Ho, "Uncle Ho's Stilt House") can be viewed by visitors in Hanoi, Vietnam to get a better look at the life of Vietnam's founding father. Undoubtedly, Ho did his utmost to cultivate a down-home, "man of the people" personality that contributed in no small part to his mystique as a leader.
www.DesiAustralia.com | 29
Mag Corner
ANZAC DAY March in Sydney
O
n Thursday 25 April 2019, Sydney's ANZAC Day March gave the participating veterans
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and the general public an opportunity to pay tribute to the ďŹ rst ANZACs and to all the brave servicemen and women who
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have since followed in their footsteps. Desi Australia captured the glimpses of the parade.
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Mag Corner
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Mag Corner
Screen Time
Good or not Good.... decide yourself !
By: Daljeet Bakshi
W
atching television is a common form of entertainment and relaxation for many families . While a third of programs are now viewed on computers and other screens . Television is still the main way family watch programs . Television provides a window into the world for children but increased screen time for children has come at the cost of children's physical activity which helps build healthy and happy bodies . More time watching television and other screens means less time to play , socialise and be active . Some healthy tips can benefit your child and help to have a happy childhood. Choosing good- quality screen time is important and planning what children watch according to suitable for their age. Help them to make sense of what they see by understanding the structure of stories. Help them to understand how characters solve the problems Try to avoid turning television on as soon as you arrive home. Turning the television off as as soon as planned time scheduled by you to watch television or other screens is finished . The closer the screen the greater the interruption to sleep. According to sleep professionals , 2 hours before the effect of screens with the blue light interferes with sleep hormones. We as parents need to decide whether screen time is good or not good for all children for their active brains and their healthy bodies. For more info visit : www.Childrenandmedia.org.au Download Our App
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Community News | Brisbane
From Research to Reality
- Dr. Anu Choudhary's Genetic Pursuit of Accomplishment In Dr. Choudhary's words, “I see a gap in weed control tactics that genetic technology can fulfill. I'm not a plant expert, but my diverse scientific background allows me to see the gaps, and how I can contribute.” By: Joseph F. Kolapudi
B
ecoming a doctor may sound like a career dream to most aspiring Indians, but for others, making a difference in the field of research is a pursuit that can sometimes reap dividends. This was certainly the case for Dr. Anu Choudhary, who recently took home the People's Choice Award as part of the Queensland Women in STEM Prize at the World Science Festival held in Brisbane.
Her research aims to identify seedshedding traits in weeds, and switching them off to significantly reduce the number of seeds reaching the soil, which potentially can suppress the overall weed population as a result. The Queensland Women in STEM Prize points to the increased interest and dedication of young female scientists,
Dr. Choudhary was one of three women recognised on the night, and also the only woman of Indian heritage to win an award. However, she attributes her success to the significant role that her mother played in the pursuit of science. Being born and raised in India, her mother had developed an interest in biology and eventually went on to finish her PhD while raising three children. Both Dr. Choudhary and her sister also gained an interest in the sciences, eventually moving to Australia to complete her PhD studies in Genomics and Molecular biology. She recently joined CSIRO as an early career researcher in the field of weed control, researching non-chemical forms of agricultural weed control.
and their continued contribution to the broader community in regards to scientific innovation and research-based endeavours. Hopefully, this will also inspire more women to engage in STEM, especially young women who, from an early age, will be able to also follow in the footsteps of those who have paved the path in the sciences, just like Dr. Choudhary.
“Weeds can drastically reduce food production, and in an increasingly populous world this will impact a lot of people”, Dr. Choudary commented. This costs the state of Queensland approximately $600 million annually, and every year across Australia, weeds destroy enough food to feed almost three million people.
With the increased interest amongst Indians regarding the sciences, and especially in STEM, educational institutions, including schools and universities, are able to provide a platform for young aspiring researchers to eventually become leaders in their own field.
So when Dr. Choudhary's research was recently featured as a finalist in the Queensland Women in Stem Prize, she was both surprised and delighted to find out that she won the award.
Dr. Choudhary's accomplishments are sure to be an inspiration for many other aspiring Indians, who continue to make a difference beyond the lab and are able to lead by example within society.
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Gallery | Melbourne
Glimpses of Vaisakhi Celebrations in Melbourne
F
irst time ever , a Nagar Kirtan was organised by VSGC from Parliament House to Flagsta gardens in City, yearly Vaisakhi Celebrations held at Federation Square and special Vaisakhi Celebrations in Parliament of Victoria.
Photo Credit : Daljeet Bakshi, KP Singh and Jasmeet Singh Photography
Photo Credit :
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Gallery | Melbourne
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Upcoming Events | Adelaide
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Community News | Adelaide
Glimpses of Vaisakhi Mela, Adelaide
P
unjab Aussie association of SA Inc organised Vaisakhi Mela @ civic Park, Modbury, SA. Great eorts by Rajesh Thakur, Harmeet Thakur and team for organizing the event. His Excellency Hon Governor of
SA, local Ministers and other politicians, dignitaries attended the Mela.
By: Daljeet Bakshi
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Recipe
Super Spring Rolls Crispy, crunchy, deliciously irresistible and packed with secret veggie delights!
By: Dr Sne
S
pring rolls! We all love them, but how can we make them tasty but healthy treats while keeping them deliciously crunchy? These spring rolls aren't deep fried but rather are baked, allowing the veggies to gently steam inside and keeping the outside nice and crisp. They are a clever way of packing in veggies for our little ones, and can be served as snacks, lunchbox ďŹ llers, or as part of a main meal. Enjoy! Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius For this recipe I recommend preparing the carrot and zucchini in thin strips (julienne). This can be done on a mandolin or with a vegetable peeler with a julienne blade Ingredient 1 large carrot peeled then julienne 1 medium zucchini julienne 1 small bunch tender stem broccoli cut into thin strips 200g ďŹ nely shredded or sliced white or red cabbage 200g straw mushrooms 200g bean sprouts 1 small bunch spring onions (green ends trimmed) sliced thinly 2 garlic cloves grated 1 teaspoon grated ginger 2 tablespoons oyster sauce or soy sauce if preferred 1 tablespoon sesame oil or olive oil Large spring roll wrappers Method Heat the oil in a wok When the aroma of the sesame oil starts, add the garlic & ginger and stir Download Our App
until fragrant Then add the carrots and broccoli Allow to just start to soften Then add the cabbage and stir fry Then add the zucchini and spring onions When the zucchini has just started to soften Remove the veggies from the heat Then mix through the bean sprouts, straw mushrooms and oyster sauce Ensure all the veg is coated evenly with the oyster sauce Set aside allowing to cool. Place a sheet of spring roll wrapper on a board with the corner pointing toward you (i.e. in a diamond shape)
Lay the roll on a baking tray lined with foil and then baking paper on top. When all the mixture has been rolled and the rolled are laid out on the tray, brush them with sesame oil or olive oil, all over if possible. Option is to sprinkle with sesame seeds prior to baking. Then place in the oven and bake until golden brown and crispy. Then turn over and bake for a further couple of minutes to ensure that the bottom isn't soft, but watch carefully so that they don't burn. Then remove from the oven and serve!
Lay a tablespoon of the cooled vegetable mix across the corner. Then fold the corner nearest to you over the mix, and roll once.
You can add stir fried sliced chicken or pork to the vegetable mix as well for another variation. Yummy!
Then fold over the two side corners and continue to roll.
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Entertainment
‘Curry Kings of Parramatta’ Projecting Hardships and Hopes
By: Rekha Rajvanshi
N
autanki Theatre's latest production Curry Kings of Parramatta was staged at Riverside Theatre Parramatta from the 18th to 20th April 2019. The play reminded us all of the mushroom growth of Indian-Pakistani restaurants in Western Sydney suburbs and their struggle to survive. The real challenge for them is to attract customers from this intense competition. The play opens up to a busy kitchen scene where owner head chef Billa (Aviral Mohan), with his staff is busy preparing 35 dishes to fulfil restaurant owner Yasin's (Dinsha Palkhiwala) son Shakheel's (Gregory Dias) ambitious plan of inviting stars and organizing a Curry-O-Ke night. As everyone is working hard, emotions run high. Yasin, Shakheel and Shahab (Firdaws Adelpour) have inter-generational clashes about how to run the restaurant. Amidst chopping vegetables, helping and cooking in the kitchen, the drama unfolds. Each character has a set of problems and plans. There are arguments, frustrations and anger as well as love, compassion and teamwork. Kitchen helpers Nadim (Atharv Kolhatkar) and Mariam (Yolanda Torres) talk about fulfilling their goals in life, whereas young Mariam realizes she is pregnant. Isaac (Zabi Malik) Mariam's brother is emotionally disturbed and is trying to fulfil his dream of returning back home one day.
awareness about how head chef Billa's isolation can be excruciating and how Yacoub (Niyin Vengurlekar), Khalida (Abida Malik) and other staff are working hard to make ends meet. All the actors suited their characters. Light projection was good but dialogues at times were somewhat inaudible. The play reflected well on many issues faced by the Indian subcontinent migrants in a new country e.g. business owners struggling to run businesses, employees facing emotional and social problems, their isolation issues in a new place, inter-generational conflicts, workers' financial hardships etc. And eventually there is a feeling of relief for everyone after the successful Curry-O-Ke night at the restaurant. A good production overall. Photo Credit : Reema Gillani
This story of humour and satire is written ably by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan. The play is set in the contemporary time which raises Download Our App
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Gallery | Sydney
Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day celebration organised by UIA
Photo Credit : Harmohan Walia
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Community News | Sydney
IWPG Celebrates Women and Peace Over a Candlelit Dinner
Photo Credit : Harmohan Walia
A
ll over the world, in times of conflict those who participate in war, and sacrifice their lives are the youths; individuals in the prime of their lives who are then sent out to battlefields to defend pride and country. Those who raise these youths are often the mothers, grandmothers, aunts and many other female figures. Yet, those who decide to participate in wars are neither the youths nor the mothers who ultimately experience the loss and pain of war and conflict. Thus, inspired by the heart of a mother, IWPG was created to protect the youth from perishing in wars and to pass on a world of peace to our future generations.
representatives of the community participated in one such event which began with a reading of a condolence poem regarding the Sri Lankan tragedies that recently occurred. The poem was written and recited by Dr. Chandrika Subramaniyan, an esteemed member of the community who was a citizen of Sri Lanka herself. Embodying the heart of sadness and pain at the loss of lives cut so short, this poem was a sobering touch of the reality of today's world and also an excellent reminder of why IWPG and its partners tirelessly do the work of peace.
The evening continued with the congratulatory remarks of the councilor of Parramatta, Cr Sameer Pandey, who expertly appraised the contribution of women to society as is the theme of Mother's Day, by sharing the example and memory of his own mother. Such an honest presentation of the impact of one woman, which motivated the audience to reflect on their individual influence on the world, was then followed by a crisp introduction of the International Women's Peace Group by the Australia branch manager, Mrs. Lydia Im.
On the 26 t h of April 2019, IWPG (International Women's Peace Group) proclaimed the International Women's Peace Day in the Republic of Korea, under the theme of 'Cessation of War and Creation of World Peace as 3.7 Billion Women Become One.' This is now the banner under which women all over the world who are a part of IWPG and those yet to join have participated in various events over the last month in order to raise awareness for peace and for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW); the vehicle through which peace can be achieved. On the 11th of May in Sydney Australia, women, their families and Download Our App
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Community News | Sydney In her confident and clear words, she reinforced the capability of women united in one cause to change the world, which is something that the IWPG all over the world has catalysed and witnessed in its peace letter initiative in support of the DPCW. This synergy of peace work, and the recognition and celebration of women continued throughout the course of the event as this testimony of the work of the IWPG across the world was followed with a comprehensive breakdown of the DPCW by the regional manager of HWPL Sydney's International Law department, Mr. Andrew Young. After carefully detailing the motivation, history, and progress of the DPCW, two key supporters of the international law who have been actively working with both IWPG and HWPL, Mrs. Patricia Garcia and Mrs. Saroni Roy, gave their testimony on the value of the DPCW, their congratulations for the proclamation of the International Women's Peace Day, and also delivered their heart towards their own and mothers everywhere. The evening then concluded with the signing of two memorandums of understanding with Afghan Women on the Move, and with the Love Peace Harmony Foundation; two partner organisations who have actively joined IWPG's work of peace in Sydney, after recognising that 'partnerships like this are exactly what allows us to bring peace to each person's heart and to the greater world' – Mirva Inkeri. Amidst the presentations and words of peace, this beautiful evening was also accompanied by an acoustic performance of jazz classics, dinner consisting of the traditional Korean dish bibimbap which is a balance of ingredients and harmony of flavors much like the balance and harmony IWPG and its partners wish to bring to the world, and most touchingly, the gift of a single red carnation to every woman in attendance.
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Sports
The
nd Annual Australian Sikh Games- Melbourne
T
he 32nd Annual Australian Sikh Games were held from 19-21 April 2019 in Melbourne. The three-day carnival oered a mixture of sport & culture and is run by volunteers from the Sikh community.
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The competing teams came from all across Australia along with New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries. The event included 14 sports held across the seven venues of City of C a s e y C o u n c i l ’s f a c i l i t i e s . Australian Sikh games received a
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funding $100,000 from the State Government for the event, along with a $50,000 contribution from Council. The Australian Sikh Games are held every year in capital cities and major regional areas around Australia.
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Sports
Aus World Kabaddi Cup
, Melbourne
By: Daljeet Bakshi & KP Singh
K
hakh Production Australia organised Aus Kabaddi World Cup in Knights Stadium , Sunshine North , Vic, on 5th May 2019 . Total 6 teams from Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand, India , USA participated in this battle for the title of Aus Kabaddi World Cup. First match was played between the teams of UK and USA , followed by matches between Canada & India , New Zeraland & USA , Australia & Canada . Semi final 1 was between Australia & India , Semi final 2 between UK & USA . Australian team emerged as winners of the World Cup. The winning team (Australia) was awarded with $21,000 along with the trophy. The team from New Zealand was awarded with $15,000 as the second prize.
There were food stalls, games and other activities for the audiences too. The organisers Khakh brothers Love Khakh & Arsh Khakh and team Sabhi Singh, KP Singh, Amar Singh, Pinda Khera, Gindi Hansra and their volunteer team remarkably managed the event professionally and with proper arrangements . The teams were cheered up by thousands of people present there .
The crowd was thrilled to see international players of fame playing in the ground . There was real excitement as the players showcased their skills in the ground . The major attraction of this event was the Prizes . The new orange color Ford Mustang for the winner amongst the ticket holders from public, brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle for Best Raider and Best Jaffy, two big LCD’s, plus other cash prizes . The draws were fair and it was announced in front of media and other renowned personalities of Melbourne . The New Ford Mustang worth $70,000 was won by Sarabjot From Craigeburn , Melbourne . Sandeep Ludhar won the title of Best Raider & Mangi Bagga Pind grabbed the title of Best Jaffy. Both Sandeep and Mangi were proud winners of Harley Davidson each. Jasvir Singh and Gagandeep won a T.V. each as a part of the lucky draw. Download Our App
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Cover Story
Gurmesh Singh becomes the first “Singh”
A
businessman and a farmer with experience in the tourism industry, Gurmesh Singh is born-and-bred in Coffs Harbour. He is the third-generation Coffs local, raising his two young children with his wife Manni. Gurmesh's great grandfather came to Australia for the first time in around 1896 as a seasonal worker and worked in the cane farms. His family has been growing bananas in Woolgoolga since the 1940s but made the transition to berries in 2001. Mr Singh is a blueberry grower, chairman of Oz Group Co-Op, a member of the NSW Farmers' horticulture committee, and serves on the advisory council for Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair. Mr Singh became the Member of National Party from middle of 2018. After 28 years in office Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser announced his retirement in August 2018 and that's when the party announced the pre selection. 4 local candidates put their hand up and on 24th Nov 2018 after the meeting of the party Mr Singh was selected as the candidate. When asked why he has put up his hand for National Party and not any other, Mr Singh said “National Party is the best representative of the values of community in Coffs Harbour. Born-andrasied here, I want to continue in Andrew Fraser's footsteps by being a strong local member who isn't afraid to fight for our community on the big issues that will see our region remain strong. As a businessman and farmer, I'm focused on protecting our local jobs and lowering taxes so our economy can boom. I've already been a vocal advocate for making sure the bypass has tunnels, not cuttings and that we continue to see our facilities meet our growing population's needs, Mr Sing said. Mr Singh was sworn-in the NSW Parliament on 9th May and in his inaugural speech, paid tribute to his predecessor Andrew Fraser, “As much as I am proud to be here today, I stand here fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. I thank the electorate for giving Download Our App
Gurmesh Singh
me the opportunity to be their State representative, and in particular I pay enormous credit to Andrew for supporting me and for providing great mentorship as I have made this move into public service. Although I have been in the job only a short while, my family is feeling the impact already.”Mr Singh said. Sharing his experience of campaigning, Mr Singh said, “The last few weeks of MAY | 2019
the campaign I ran purely on adrenaline and caffeine. I will admit to a few sleepless nights. But on the night before polling day I had the best sleep I had had for months because—to use some football slang—I had left it all on the park. I knew that night that whatever the result we had done everything possible to win. I woke up on polling day feeling refreshed and relaxed. I started the day as I have started nearly every day for the last few years: I went down to my local www.DesiAustralia.com | 46
Cover Story
to be sworn in the NSW Parliament good intentions. Luckily, I have a strong and supportive network of friends who will not only boost me when I am down but also help keep my feet on the ground. Some of the best friends I will ever have are friends I made in Sydney. I met my closest circle through sport—the smart ones made it here today! Now, as a group of men in our mid-30s to mid-40s, we have realised the importance of keeping those relationships from our late teens and early 20s strong. Too many of us lose touch with our inner circle of close friends as we get older. We now make an extra effort to catch up more regularly, even though we only ever get a quorum at the Christmas catch-up.” He said
cafe and sat at our regular table 25 and had a coffee with my mates. Although we normally discuss diverse topics such as vegan ethics and mountain biking, on polling day it was all about the election. It is important for me to point out that this group, probably more than any other, encouraged me to take the step of running for pre-selection. I thank them.”
“I love the diversity of the Coffs Harbour electorate, but I still maintain there is far more that unites us than divides us. I know getting involved in politics may mean I expose myself to extra scrutiny, bullies and unfair criticism, but I can only go into this confident of my own
Mr Singh is very passionate about his work and says “The politics I represent is not about left or right, it is about the people of the Coffs Harbour electorate having access to the same services and the same opportunities as someone living elsewhere in the State. I represent opportunity and growth. I represent rewarding those who work hard. I represent helping those in need of extra support. I represent lower taxes, less red tape and fiscal responsibility. I represent affordable, reliable and clean energy. I represent regional New South Wales. I thank the people of Coffs Harbour for trusting me to represent them. On behalf of Desi Australia we congratulate and wish him the best of luck.
He spent nine years in Sydney and worked odd jobs while at uni—at a newsagency at Bondi Beach and in a late-night pharmacy at Taylor Square in Darlinghurst which was an eye-opening times for him.. He moved on to more professional jobs, steering his career towards marketing, advertising, and design, all the while refining his skills in solving complex problems and building relationships. He brought those skills with him when he moved back to the Coffs coast. After a few years working as a designer in Sawtell he then decided to try his hand at farming full time. Download Our App
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Legal
What is Bankruptcy, and how will it affect you?
By: Mittu Gopalan
I
f you are unable to attend to the payments of your debts, Bankruptcy is a legal process commenced by a Creditor, where you are declared to bankrupted and classified to be a person unable to pay his or her debts. If a Creditor commences proceedings against you by issuing a Bankruptcy Notice against you, then the creditor can proceed with the Bankruptcy proceedings if you are unable to pay the debt within a period of 21 days. An “Act of Bankruptcy” is deemed to have taken place 21 days subsequent to the personal service of the Bankruptcy Notice upon you. If the payment is not forthcoming within 21 days of service of the Bankruptcy Notice against you, a Creditor can issue a Creditor’s Petition with the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, commencing Bankruptcy Proceedings against you within six months of the date of the Bankruptcy Notice having been issued. If the Creditor’s Petition proceeds to a Hearing, and the Debtor is unable to successfully defend the matter or attend to the repayment of the outstanding debt, the Court proceeds to issue, a “Sequestration Order.” Sequestration Orders declares the Debtor to be Bankrupt for a period of three years and one day. A Bankruptcy Trustee is appointed by the Court when a Sequestration Order is entered. A Trustee is a person or a body who manages your Bankruptcy. This can be either an official Trustee from the Australian Financial Security Authority (“AFSA”) or a registered Trustee. Alternatively, the Creditor can nominate a registered Trustee of his or her choice.
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You can also enter into voluntary Bankruptcy by lodging a Debtor’s Petition. The Consequences Once you are declared a Bankrupt, you must provide details of your debts, income and assets to your Trustee. Your Trustee can sell certain assets belonging to you to help repay all the outstanding debts. Your Trustee will proceed to notify all your creditors that you have been declared Bankrupt, and this will prevent the creditors from contacting you directly. The creditors (both secured and unsecured) will then proceed to liaise with the Trustee. If you are unable to repay your debts and you are considering Bankruptcy, it would be most prudent and advisable that you proceed to liaise with a Financial Advisor or your Solicitor in order to discuss your options of dealing with your unmanageable debt. You have to obtain professional help in relation to your debt decisions, so that you can attempt to renegotiate your repayments, consider your options, and also understand the serious consequences of being declared Bankrupt. Credit reporting agencies keep a record of your Bankruptcy for a period of five years from the date you became Bankrupt, or two years from when your Bankruptcy ends, whichever is the later date. One of the common questions raised by a debtor is whether he or she can travel overseas once you are declared Bankrupt. MAY | 2019
During the Bankruptcy period, you can travel overseas as long as you have obtained permission from your Trustee to leave Australia. You do not, however, need approval from a Trustee to travel within Australia or to Australian Islands and Territories (for example, Norfolk or Christmas Island). There is a formal process to follow in order to seek the relevant permission. If you do not have a passport, Bankruptcy does not prevent you from applying for a passport. This requirement of seeking permission from the Trustee also applies even if the intended travel purpose is workrelated, as well as urgent travel or for compassionate reasons. If you travel without the relevant permissions, you could face penalties whereby an extension of your Bankruptcy for a further five years from your return date could be made, in certain circumstances, or even a term of imprisonment. To avoid Bankruptcy and the serious consequences that follow, we strongly recommend that you make contact with us in order to have all your queries answered. Please do not hesitate to contact Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors if you have any further questions on (02) 8917 8700 or by email to reception@freedmangopalan.com.au
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Health & Well Being
“Journey to Wellbeing” A community event addressing mental wellbeing in the South Asian Community
T
he room filled up quickly, some knew each other, some meeting for the first time, men and women of all ages. The ladies wearing shades of green were the ladies from Tamil Women's Development Group (TWDG) and Haathi in the Room (HIR). Some of the attendees also arrived wearing green the colour theme advertised for Journey to Wellbeing. Julie Owens MP for Parramatta and Julia Finn MP for Granville, print and radio media representatives and medical practitioners also were present.
portraits. The range of ages, professions and cultural backgrounds of his sitters demonstrated clearly that mental illness does not discriminate. There were poignant stories attached to each portrait and the last one he showed that of a 14year-old boy moved many. What was made clear in this presentation was that like physical conditions like diabetes, mental illness required ongoing management and care and support not only by therapists and medical practitioners but most importantly by family, friends and society at large.
TWDG together with HIR presented “Journey to Wellbeing” on Saturday 4 May at Parramatta RSL from 1.305.00pm with all net proceeds donated to Beyond Blue a charity that works to reduce stigma attached to mental illness and raise awareness about depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.
Daniel Di Fluri also spoke about his struggles and the difficulties he encountered as a person with mental illness and the challenges he still faces to speak openly about it to people around him due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
This event was a call to the South Asian community in Sydney to join an important conversation about mental health to promote the overall health and wellbeing of the community. Based on research evidence that indicated the need for mental health awareness advocacy in the South Asian community “Journey to Wellbeing” is a unique mental health promotion initiative, the second of such collaborations by TWDG and HIR, designed to raise awareness, combat stigma and address issues specific to the community. The keynote speaker of the day, Joe Lander Artist in Residence, Macquarie University, Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology presented “Portraits of Recovery” a series of portraits of male subjects who are on the road to recovery from mental health issues. This is an academic project that blurred the boundaries between the arts and mental health research. Mr Lander spoke about his own struggle with mental illness and the need for support and understanding in society in general for those challenged by mental health issues. He had one of his large canvases on display and brought along with him the subject of that portrait, Daniel Di Fluri. Mr Lander explained the journey he had taken to produce the series of paintings and showed slides of his other Download Our App
At the end of Mr Landers' presentation audience members asked questions about what the sitters felt when being painted and how that impacted their wellbeing. Mr Lander said that all his sitters had found it a positive experience and they found some relief sharing their story when being painted and this helped in the healing process. If the artist would consider continuing the series with female subjects was also raised and Mr Lander answered that even being here at this event was never envisaged when he started this project and there was always room for it to grow further. Sharing “Portraits of Recovery” at “Journey to Wellbeing” had achieved TWDG's and HIR's intention that through these artworks and the stories within, conversations about the attitude to mental health and the stigma surrounding it had been initiated.
stressors that migrants encounter moving to Australia and the added layer of cultural and family expectations that impact mental health that many from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities face. Her story would have resonated with the audience who would have experienced similar migrant stories. The final segment at “Journey to Wellbeing” was and interactive workshop on Resilience and Stress Management in the Workplace by Mary McNamara from Wesley Mission. A simple but effective take home self-care message from this workshop was recognising ANTs in our lives Automatic Negative Thoughts, and how to challenge and contradict them and to inculcate mindfulness practices into daily life to help build resilience. This workshop was followed by a short meditation session when all took part in a simple breathing exercise that they could be used when stressed or at any time to calm themselves. This was followed by a fun filled auction and a raffle draw. The formal proceedings ended, and people mingled over finger food and beverages. Many were heard discussing the various aspects of the evening with the realisation that an open dialogue and sharing stories had the potential to destigmatise mental health issues which was essential to improve the health and wellbeing of the community. For further information, contact Manju at TamilWDG@gmail.com OR Nitasha at Haathiintheroom90@gmail.com
The sombre and thought-provoking nature of the previous speaker's subject matter was very gently shifted to a meditative mood with an interlude of music played by school student Jathushan Jeyarasa, a beautiful rendition on the reed flute. The next speaker Cecille Sy an ambassador for Beyond Blue shared her lived experience with mental health issues. Her presentation highlighted the MAY | 2019
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Health & Well Being
Photo Credit : Harmohan Walia Download Our App
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World News
Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi many future leading figures in Communist North Vietnam spent time in Maison Centrale.
By: Harmohan Singh Walia
M
aison Centrale was a prison used by the French colonists for political prisoners. It was intended to torture and execute Vietnamese political prisoners voicing for independence. A 1913 renovation expanded its capacity from 460 inmates to 600. By 1954, it held more than 2000 people. It had become a symbol of colonialist exploitation and of the bitterness of the Vietnamese towards the French, its inmates suffered subhuman conditions, From the 1930s to 1940s,
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After the French left Hanoi, the prison came under the authority of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. It was then known as Hoa Lo Prison (means fiery furnace or Hell’s hole or “stove”). The American POWs, sarcastically nicknamed the complex "Hanoi Hilton" in reference to the wellknown Hilton Hotel chain. From the beginning, U.S. POWs endured miserable conditions, including poor food and unsanitary conditions. A l t h o u g h N o r t h Vi e t n a m w a s a signatory of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949, which demanded "decent and humane treatment" of prisoners of war, severe torture methods were employed, such as rope bindings, irons, beatings, and prolonged solitary confinement.
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In early 1967, a new area of the prison was opened for incoming American POWs. It was dubbed "Little Vegas” as its individual buildings and areas were named after Las Vegas Strip landmarks, such as "Golden Nugget", "Thunderbird", "Stardust", "Riviera", and the "Desert Inn". These names were chosen because many pilots had trained at Nellis Air Force Base, located in proximity to Las Vegas. Most of the prison was demolished in the mid-1990s and the site now contains two high-rise buildings, one of them the 25story Somerset Grand Hanoi serviced apartment building and the gatehouse remains as a museum. Other parts have been converted into a commercial complex retaining the original French colonial walls. It’s used as an education centre for revolutionary doctrines and activity, as it exemplifies historical significance to the North Vietnamese.
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Politics
Labor’s pledges- Migrant Parents Cheaper Visas and Grant of $ Million to Sri Om Care
By: Harmohan Singh Walia
P
arents of migrant Australians will find it easier and cheaper to get visas if Labor wins the 18 May 2019 federal election. Labor is promising to end the current system, which forces Australian families to choose which set of parents can get a visa to visit. The current cap of 15,000 parents a year will be removed and will be "demand-driven", Labor says. "Many elderly parents want to reunite with their
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families but have to travel to Australia as tourists - proving costly, frustrating, disruptive and exhausting as they ferry between countries," Labor leader Bill Shorten said on 6 May in Sydney. The cost will also be reduced, from $5000 for a three-year visa to $1250, and from $10,000 for a five-year visa to $2500
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Greenway MP, Michelle Rowland, Shadow Minister for Communication announced $5 million funds for Respite Care project of Sri Om Care on 9 May 2019 at Glenwood Hub, Glenwood, if Labor wins the 2019 election. The total cost for Respite Care is estimated as $11 million. Sri Om Care provides vital home support services to hundreds of seniors and disabled every day. It is an Australian not-for-profit charity organisation that has been providing community healthcare and respite care services since 2006. Feel free to call them on 0405 367 238 or email: info@sriomcare.org.au to share your concern and find out more about the support Sri Om provides. Either you, your carer or your doctor can contact them on your behalf for more information.
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Politics
Morrison Government supports
first Indian Community Centre in Victoria
T
he Morrison Government announced that if re-elected, the Federation of Indian Associations in Victoria (FIAV) will receive $2.5 million in funding to build Victoria's first Indian Community Centre in Bayswater, Melbourne.
The Centre will create a space for enhancing cultural experience, provide integrated facilities for functions, and facilitate social inclusion and community development and support. The Centre will also greatly benefit the local community and economy by generating new employment opportunities for local businesses as a result of increased visits to the area.
FIAV is an umbrella organisation devoted to strengthening the community and providing services to approximately 150,000 Victorians of Indian heritage. The desire to live, work and study in Australia has seen the Indian community become one of the fastest-growing in the country. The latest Census in 2016 recorded 455,389 India-born people in Australia, with the community playing an important role in the social, cultural and economic make-up of our nation.
The Indian Community Centre will be a hub for language and cultural education classes, and offer a wide array of facilities that will service the needs of the local Indian Australian community.
The funding of the Indian Community Centre demonstrates the Government's commitment to supporting multicultural communities and creating a stronger Australia, and those of Indian Australian heritage have a long and proud tradition of contributing immensely to the nation.
Affinity Intercultural Foundation would like to wish all Muslims around the world, especially those living in Australia, a Ramadan Kareem! We hope that this Ramadan brings humanity peace, goodwill and unity. It is in these special periods of time that humanity can engage and make the world a better place to live for all. We hope that all Muslims, together with non-Muslim brothers and sisters take the opportunity to get to know each other to help erase all forms of prejudice, injustice and cruelty from our society.
May the month of Ramadan be fruitful for all and may all Muslims have a joyous Eid!
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That's Life
The Power of Good Wishes
How to turn things around
By: Margaret Goodwin
O
ne of the meditation students recently told me that, when someone wants to have an argument with him, he just remains quiet. He does not say a word. Then, later, the other person will come to him and apologise. I thought: Well done! I want to add something to this, though, something that will stop the other person from wanting to argue with him anymore. This is a most simple and yet effective method to stop others from even wanting to have any conflict with you. I refer to the law of karma for this. What does it state? Like the second law of thermodynamics, the law of karma states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In simple terms, what I give out, I will get back. When there is an argument between two people, first of all the two must engage in the argument for conflict to occur. If one of them does not engage, if one individual remains silent, then the first one has no one to argue with. Outward conflict simply cannot happen. However, if those refusing to engage harbour any negative thoughts about the others, they will continue to draw negative responses from them in the future. This is because they are giving out negative energy. Others will feel that negative energy and will continue to have negative feelings about them. To break that negative cycle so that others will not even want to fight with you again, you need to change your own feelings. You must not generate any negative feelings or emanate any negative energy towards others.
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How can you change your feelings towards them? They have attacked you. They are very angry. You may be scared or upset by their outburst. How will you manage to control your own feelings and your reactions? The answer: it is clear knowledge that, if you do not change your own feelings, you will not be able to break the negative cycle. If you want to break that cycle, you can. To do this, you need to give positive energy by having a constructive attitude and beneficial thoughts and feelings towards others. So, how to do this? Well, for example, you could think: I hope he learns that what he is doing is bad for him and others, and can learn a better way of responding when things don’t go his way. What have you done by thinking in this new way? You have projected positive energy towards the other person. The other person was angry and you responded, not just with silence, but also with empowering, positive energy and good wishes for him. He will feel these. He can’t fight if there is no one to fight with. Instead, he has encountered someone who wishes him well.
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According to the law of karma, you can only receive a good return for your positive response. He will feel your good and supportive energy and will not want to fight with you again. Not only will the fight be over, but the war with that person will also be over. There will be no further conflict. (Margaret Goodwin is a practitioner and teacher of Raja Yoga m editation. She can be contacted on blacktown@au.brahmakumaris.org)
The Brahma Kumaris in Australia The Brahma Kumaris have had a presence in Australia since 1975. There are centres and class locations in the major cities, as well as three Centres for Spiritual Learning, where courses, classes and retreats are held. The Brahma Kumaris Australia is a registered charity in the area of education (spiritual). All programs are offered free of charge as a service to the community. The ongoing operations are funded through donations from students and the public in the spirit of maintaining its educational services for the benefit of all in the community. Meditation online: http://learnmeditationonline.org, www.brahmakumaris.org.au, www.facebook.com/BKAustralia
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Desi News
True Expression of Worship
A
n internationally renowned artist, Mr Sukhpreet Singh, resident of Ludhiana, had showcased his unique art with painting Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple, Amritsar) in an hour in front of the audience at Glenwood Gurdwara on 14 May 2019. He also put a small exhibition
of his art work at the Langar Hall of the Gurdwara. His main expression of art is on Sikh Kingdoms and their Generals at that time, travelling artists and famous personalities. He has travelled 29 countries to showcase his art work and received tremendous applaud for his work.
By: Harmohan Singh Walia
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