BIT April 16 issue

Indian Times

Brisbane

A Division of Qld Multicultural Times

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Volume 13, Number 7 Saturday, April 14, 2016

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Queensland Fiji Disaster Group hands over collection to Sorptomist International in Ba Fiji

• Full story page 6.

From the Publisher WELCOME to April Issue of Brisbane Indian Times, well our last issue, featuring the wedding feature certainly received some very positive reviews. Last month we talked about the Cyclone Winston in Fiji and we had the council elections. The council election is over the new local government is set in place for four years now. As a media outlet we go to all party’s functions etc to keep abreast with all that is happening out there, we would like to congratulate the winning candidates.

Let’s now look at the fundraising activities for Cyclone Winston victims. On 11th of March Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief Group held the major fundraising dinner function at Michaels Oriental Restaurant, the response was overwhelming and extra tables had to be set to accommodate everyone. The program was well coordinated and presented, and was attended by members of various communities of Brisbane.

During Easter weekend I, together with my wife Usha Chandra went to Fiji for the handover ceremony. We had travelled at our own expenses, as our aim was to pass on every single cent collected to the needy recipients, we did not want to deduct any expenses out of the fundraising. Soroptimist International organised a lunch function for the signing of the MOU and handover ceremony. I am happy to announce that we handed over $53,298.77 in the local currency. Soroptimist International will handle the distribution of the funds to the needy approved applicants, please see the full report in the main article.

The people of Fiji are very grateful to all the organisations and individuals who assisted with the collective fundraising activities under the banner of Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief Group, all the supporting organisations and individuals are listed in the main article. Australian Indian Radio and Brisbane Indian Times will cover all of this in detail. I personally acknowledge the efforts of many others who have assisted Cyclone victims, I am aware that many organisations and individuals have contributed in their own ways, in whichever way you have contributed your

efforts are commendable. Government to government aid has come in from many countries, organisation to organisation aid has also reached a benchmark, individual contributions to their communities, family and friends are making a difference to the lives of so many people in Fiji. Just for the clarification, we have travelled at our own cost to Fiji, none of the funds collected have been used for any travelling or personal expenses.

Congratulations to the organisers of the very successful Sikh games in Brisbane, the event is growing every time and attracting more and more contestants and spectators. I am happy to advise that Minister Grace Grace has kindly accepted our invitation to be our chief guest at Navwarsh Mela 2016, we have quite an impressive row of performers already lined up, if you are thinking of performing or getting a stall please contact us asap.

Talking about Ministers, Brisbane Indian Times was invited to attend a dinner reception held in honour of Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at Hyatt Canberra. The dinner hosted by Indian High commission was attended by two hundred plus community leaders and prominent Australian Indian media personalities. The importance of the Australian Indian media is highlighted by this gesture, media plays an important role in building up communities with creative, responsible and timely reporting. I would also like to congratulate the Basava Samithi of Australasia Brisbane on hosting their seventh International conference (Sharna Samithi Samellena) in Brisbane. The function was painstakingly planned and executed, Brisbane Indian Times together with Australian Indian Radio were pleased to support the this function as media partners.

I should pen off now, really hope to see you all at the Navwarsh Mela 2016 on 23rd April at Banyo Memorial Park, the program will go on from ten in the morning till 4pm, see you then, until then happy reading.

Umesh Chandra

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Indian Times Brisbane

Published Monthly OWNERS / PUBLISHERS: Umesh & Usha Chandra

• Letters to the Editor........................2 • Migration Matters............................4 • Local News..................................5-25

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• Who, What, Where, When....26 & 28 • Health & Well Being................34-37 • Astrology...........................................36 • Real Estate................................38-41 • Business Directory.......................42-43 • Classifieds..........................................43 • What’s On................................45-47 • Bollywood & Entertainment...48-49 • Sport................................................50 2 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

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Queensland Fiji Disaster Group hands over collection to Sorptomist International in Ba Fiji From page 1 THE Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief Group handed over a cheque of FJD $53,298.77 to the Soroptimist International in Ba, Fiji Islands on Saturday 26th March 2016. The group was formed at a meeting held at Radio 4EB on 21st March 2016, whereby Umesh Chandra was appointed to lead the group in the fundraising activities.

Umesh Chandra travelled to Fiji in the first instance to visit some of the affected areas and gauge the damages. The second reason for the visit was to seek ground level partnership with a community organisation, that could handle the ‘Rebuilding Homes, Rebuilding Lives” project.

Soroptimist International was chosen for this project, QFDRG is aware of many other credible organisations operating in this space, but as the funds collected was not a very large amount, it is significant but by no means large so the group decided to go with Soroptimist International and manage the small project easily.

The handover ceremony was attended by members of Soroptimist Club, Mr Vinod Patel, Mr Brij Dayal, Mr Tarun Soni Vaitha, Kamlesh Chand Sharma. Mrs Veena Sharma, president of Soroptimist Club Ba welcomed Mr Umesh and Mrs Usha Chandra to the handover ceremony. Umesh Chandra highlighted the activities of various Queensland communities who had assisted with the fundraising.

The program included the welcome speech

by Mrs Veena Sharma, response by Umesh Chandra, the signing and witnessing of the MOU followed by the handover ceremony and vote of thanks. The function held at Doreen Charan’s office concluded with with sumptuous lunch.

The group, headed by Mr Umesh Chandra did their various ways of fund raising to reach this amount. After cyclone Winston hit Fiji, Mr Umesh Chandra came to assess the damage it brought to the people. Witnessing the devastation it caused, Mr Chandra seeked

6 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

the partnership to work together with Soroptimist International of Ba in assisting the needy families. It is then that the "Rebuilding Homes, Rebuilding Lives" project conceptualized.

This project will help those families who lost their homes and don't have any other means of income to rebuild their shelter.

The presentation of cheque and signing of Memorandum of Understanding took place in Ba on the 26th of March witnessed by the members of Soroptimist International of Ba, Invited guests, and Mr and Mrs Umesh Chandra.

"This generous gesture of the people of Brisbane will always be cherished will bring great change to the lives of these families", said Dr Doton, the project coordinator. The SI Ba will always be grateful to the Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief Group.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 7

• Photo: Moments Photography@ Reena Augustine

Commonwealth Day celebrations return to Middle Heaven IIN 2012, Brisbane’s Chung Tian Temple (whose name means Middle Heaven) was honoured by holding the first ever Commonwealth Day celebration in a Buddhist Temple.

This year, to mark the diversity of the Commonwealth, the Temple once again held the celebration. His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC the 26th Governor of Queensland, was joined with elected members of Government, Community leaders, and school children bearing the 53 flags of the Commonwealth with a service at the Chung Tian Buddhist Temple at 10am on 14th March.

At the service the Governor conveyed a message from Queen Elizabeth’s on how we in Australia can share and strengthen

the bond of Commonwealth citizenship we already enjoy by using our cultural connections to help bring us even closer together, as family and friends across the globe.

Mr Anthony Shorten, President of the Royal Commonwealth Society said, “On behalf of the Royal Commonwealth Society Qld, I would like to thank the Governor of Queensland, the Hon Paul de Jersey AC for attending and reading Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Day message. I would also like to thank Venerable Chueh Shan and all the volunteers from Chung Tian Temple who made Commonwealth Day 2016 so very special. To the Yarranlea school choir on a fantastic performance.

The Commonwealth of Nations is a unique family of fiftythree nations. With over 2 billion people or nearly a third of the world’s population the Commonwealth is a representative cross-section of the world community, including countries and peoples that are widely different in size, wealth, levels of development, race, culture and religion.

The 2016 Commonwealth Day service is proving a successful celebration in “Connecting Cultures� and Abbess of the Chung Tian Temple Master Chueh Shan reflected that: “Australia is a country of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, and as members of the Commonwealth family it is encouraging

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 9

Mahayaj - All World Gayatri Pariwar (Brisbane) & Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld MAHAYAJ was organised by AWGP Brisbane branch and APSQ on March 6 from 4pm. Mahayaj was for prayers and fundraising for victims of cyclone Winston in Fiji.

The event was well attended and Chief Guest was Mr Duncan Pegg MP (Member for Stretton).

Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief Group headed by Shri Umesh Chandra organised various fundraising events and raised total of

F$53,298.77. The Mahayaj was conducted

by Pt Pankaj ji. Chairman of Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre and President of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld Shri Jitendra Deo welcomed all and thanked AWG Pariwar for taking such initiative in helping people in need. He also wholeheartedly thanked Australian government for their role in pacific nation. He proudly emphasised being Australian, and the love and affection Australia

has shown to Fiji. Shri Umesh Chandra who had travelled to Fiji, described the devastation caused by Cyclone Winston and relayed the support required by victims. Mr Duncan Pegg MP, Member for Stretton spoke on relief efforts and much needed humanitarian

aid. Shri Tirat Achal was instrumental in this Mahayaj, and members from APSQ, Indian Seniors, Gayatri Pariwar and well-wishers took part in the event. Dinner was served at the conclusion of the programme.

Courtesy APSQ

Damini Women’s Association celebrated International Women’s Day

2nd Anniversary celebrations for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir DAMINI Women’s Association of Qld Inc celebrated International Women’s Day on 12 March at Carina Leagues Club. The celebration was very successful The Chief Guest for the event was Hon Grace Grace MP, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Claire Moore (Federal) Shadow Minister for Women, Carers and Communities and Mr Duncan Pegg MP, Member for Stretton also attended the celebration as VIP Guests. Leaders from diverse community attended the function, among them were Mrs Melody Chen, Hon President Life, World Arts MultiCulture Inc, Mrs Janeth Deen, President, Muslin Welfare Association Inc, Mr Jitendra Deo, President, Arya Prathinidhi Sabha of Qld Inc and the newly elected President of

Federation of Indian Communities of Qld Mr Palani Thevar.

Auntie Delamae accompanied by her son William Barton on Didgridoo delighted the audience with her traditional opening ceremony. Mrs Lila Pratap, the founder and president of Damini Womens said, the feedback received on the night and also via email were very encouraging and positive that has empowered the members of the Association.

The credit goes to Indrani Ganguly for her hard work and support, the two MC’s Bhavana Khandar and Milaan Ganguly Laten for their contribution on the night.

Thank you all for your support and attendance on the night for the International Women’s Day 2016. Remember our next event 10th Anniversary coming soon.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Brisbane, Australia held its Second Patotsav (Anniversary) celebrations on 27th February 2016.

Sadhus from India and devotees from Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and various other BAPS centres in Australia were present on the joyous occasion.

The celebrations began with a Vedic Mahapuja, after which Pujya Paramchintan Swami addressed the assembly highlighting the significance, importance and value of Mandirs and the aspect of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj as its inspirer.

Local Indian Community leaders and other invited guests graced the occasion with their presence. They both heartily congratulated and praised the Mandir and its activities.

Devotees performed an annakut (ceremonial

offering of food) of sweet and savoury dishes were offered to the murtis. The patotsav sabha concluded with arti and mahaprasad for all present. The event was attended by around 650 devotees.

Cyclone Zena to bring even more flooding to Fiji IT is near the end of cyclone season and the region from the Coral Sea to Vanuatu, Fiji through to Tonga, is now experiencing two tropical disturbances, and one cyclone.

Cyclone Zena is expected to bring gale force winds to Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, just over a month after deadly Cyclone Winston.

The north of the island is already experiencing heavy rains and flooding, and with the category 2 storm forecast to bring even more rain, all major rivers are now expected to flood.

Neville Koop from the Nadraki Weather Service in Fiji said the cyclone could move across Fiji as early as tomorrow morning.

"You're looking at winds gusting up around 150 to 160 kilometres per hour, so that's nothing to be sneezed at," he said.

"The path that it's going to take will bring it through the southern part of the group, the part that really missed the full impact of Cyclone Winston. So this is going to affect the Coral Coast, Pacific Harbour, Suva and islands to the south."

"Fortunately the people in the north will be spared the worst of the winds, but the rainfall and the flooding is really the 10 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

devastating impact we're experiencing right now, and that's occurring across the country."

Mr Koop said it was unlikely the storm would become stronger than category 2, and while winds from the storm would not be nearly as damaging as Cyclone Winston, the impact of the floods had been terrible so far. www.indiantimes.com.au

"The problem is the flooding, and that's already starting to affect crops, infrastructure, we've seen damage to roads and bridges," he said.

"The impact of the flood is going to be quite significant on the economy of Fiji I expect, coming so soon after the devastation of Cyclone Winston."

Authorities have closed all schools across Fiji (5 April), and communities are being urged to prepare ahead of the cyclone's arrival.

The storm is moving quite fast, and Mr Koop said this was a positive.

"The system will pass through quite quickly tomorrow, by tomorrow night, we should start to see weather improving quite rapidly," he said.

"These types of events used to be quite rare in my experience, but of course in the past few years we've had flood events that were typically one-in-20 or one-in-30 year events every couple of years.

"As island countries start to look at adapting to climate change, taking into account these extreme flood events is going to be part of that process as well."

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 11

Giving Grannies - Kits for kids or by discussing collection/drop-off options with Chitra 0449 909 943.

We appreciate your generosity!!!

Management Committee – Varname Cultural Society (QLD) Inc.

GIVING GRANNIES, a not for profit, non funded group has been chosen to be the recipient of this years Varnam Cultural Society (Qld) Inc’s charity initiation.

Services they provide

• Preparing and providing Baby Welcome Kits to families who need a helping hand when a new baby is on the way • Collect and distribute pre-loved baby and children’s goods

Baby Welcome Kits have the folple lowing items • Singlets, mittens, socks, bibs, hats, clothing, cot sheets, bunny rugs, blankets, toys, books, towels, face washer, nappies, wipes, baby toiletries etc. These kits may also include a small gift for the mother, formula, baby bottles and other items that would be of use • Most of the clothes and bedding in the kits are pre-loved and all the included items are donated by generous and kind hearted peo-

It is only due to the generosity of so many that GIVING GRANNIES are able to provide this service to target people identified through referrals from hospitals, community groups, refugee organisations and other charitable groups.

How you could help them • Do you or your friends and family have clothes, toys or baby items that you no longer

need? Perhaps you could tell your workplace, school, playgroup, etc about them • Perhaps you could donated pre-loved clothes, toys and books for older kids in the needy families Please start collecting all the goodies for donation and hand over to Varnam Cultural Society committee members either on the 16th April (St John’s School, Forest Lake during the Chithirai Kalai Vizha event)

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4 April 2016: The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) is proud to have joined forces with some of Australia’s leading businesses, sporting bodies and NGO’s to support the “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign.

ECCQ launched its support at an event with Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane last Friday and is the first peak body in Queensland to join the campaign.

The Commissioner addressed ECCQ staff at the launch and spoke about the importance of the campaign.

“Racism comes in many different forms and can impact individuals in many different ways.”

“We need to identify racism, not only as an act of violence or extremism but also in its more subtle forms, in negative stereotypes, ignorance and hurtful words,” said the Commissioner.

“I would like to welcome ECCQ to this campaign and we look forward to seeing the actions they take to counter racism.”

Also speaking at the campaign launch was Mr Mucktar Wesseh, a recent Brisbane City Council election candidate who spoke about his personal experience, having been the victim of racist acts in recent months.

“There have been several instances in which I have been impacted by direct and indirect forms of racism.

“For me, these experiences have taught me a lot about how to react to racism,” said Mr Wesseh.

ECCQ’s CEO Garry Page said that it is essential organisations such as ECCQ take a stand against acts of racism and have a no tolerance policy.

“While cultural diversity is central to our national identity, the reality is that too many Australians experience racism, prejudice and discrimination on a regular basis,” said Mr Page.

“Racism is not acceptable in our work places, our communities or our country.

“Today, we pledged our support to this campaign to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that racism is not ignored or accepted.

Racism stops with us,” said Mr Page.

ECCQ was joined by other campaign supporters, including Griffith University and the Multicultural Development Association.

The national “Racism. It stops with me” campaign, which is being led by the Australian Human Rights Commission, has been developed by a partnership of government and non-government agencies.

For more information about the campaign go to: www.itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/ Or follow the campaign on Twitter @ItStopsWithMe. Call 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 13

Rebuilding Fiji from another Cyclone

Chinmay Sonawane recognised for academic achievement

By Sarat Maharaj THE geographical location of Fiji, as beautiful as it is, unfortunately is prone to cyclones, hurricanes, and floods.

It’s just that Cyclone Winston was of much greater intensity than any previous cyclone in the history of Fiji Islands.

For those who do not know, Fiji comprises of over 300 islands of which about 173 are inhabited. These small islands are, in some cases, spread far apart and are low lying in altitude. Housing on these small islands are generally thatched houses called “Bure� made out of bamboo, reeds and coconut leaves. They are easy to construct from material found on the islands, and are idealfor a tropical climate. They are cool most of the year round.

When a cyclone hits Fiji, these small bure houses get demolished. Hence the cumulative destruction is always massive. These days, some of the houses being built are of concrete bricks, timber, and roofing iron. But when the cyclone strikes, the strong winds clears everything in its path, leaving behind just the brick foundation. It is a very scary experience.

On the bigger islands, buildings are vigorously regulated to comply with various wind-loading codes. Despite the strong construction, roofs and awnings still get ripped apart by the shear ferocity of the strong swirling winds.

One human causality is one too many. Sometimes people are caught up trying to escape or shelter from danger, but sometimes people act stupid and put their lives & that of others in danger. Our prayers are with families who have lost loved ones.

Rehabilitation during the immediate aftermath is always very challenging‌‌fallen power lines, flooded waterways, damaged roads, no communication links, no electricity, and so on. But people are very resilient. They usually compose themselves and pick up the pieces. Because no one can forecast the extent of damage, it always takes time to organise food, clean drinking water, and shelter for the victims. It is a logistical nightmare to reach the outer islands and remote settlements.

The government, with help from community organisations within Fiji get into gear and put an action plan based on previous experiences. Where the need is big, govern-

• Lions Sarat Maharaj, Purna Pariyar, and Rae Burton of Pacific Smiles Queensland packing containers with educational resources for schools, bound for Fiji.

ments of neighbouring countries who have better resources, step in to help in every way possible. Fiji is lucky in that sense.

Further, former Fiji residents, now living overseas, get together through their respective charity organisations and raise mainly cash funds, collect food & clothing for the victims. These amounts can be hundreds of thousands of dollars, even millions of dollars, to rebuild damaged houses, schools, and generally return people’s life to normality again. Fiji residents appreciate this very much.

Every attempt is made to share each other’s load of these charitable organisations overseas. To complement each other’s work, some look after emergency food& clean water in remote areas, some provide temporary shelters, and some focus on educational resources for schools and for students who have lost everything.

Parents of students who have lost all income as result of destroyed crops, lost employment on farms, lost employment from business sector, will not have any money to replace the educational resources for their children.

Education is just as vital to these students, as is food and shelter.

Now we need to look at the long-term rebuilding process for the affected regions of Fiji.

• Chinmay Sonawane, Brisbane State High School - Distinguished Academic Achiever. L to R Brian Short, Chinmay Sonawane, The Honourable Kate Jones MP.

BRISBANE State High School student Chinmay Sonawane, son of Lalit Sonawane from Brisbane was recognised by QCAA / QCE as a Distinguished Academic Achiever, he was among 29 Queensland students achieving top score in year 12 in 2015.

The second annual QCE Achievement Awards ceremony was held on 20 February at the State Library of Qld. Chinmay is now studying Medicine at Monash Uni. He

was offered ‘UQ Excellence Scholarship’ to study medicine at UQ, however, he chose to study at Monash.

A consistent academic achiever, an avid soccer player, coach and Football Brisbane referee, Chinmay was also a Member of Parliament 2015 and completed cadetship with Royal Australian Air Force.

BIT wishes Chimay success with all future studies / ventures.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 15

Holika Dahan celebrations at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir Courtesy Dhirubhai Desai (Temple Devotee) SHREE Vishnu Maya Mandir celebrated “Holika Dahan” on the evening of Wednesday the 23rd of March, 2016.

The festival was celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm by everyone present.

Around 250 eager devotees gathered to witness this year’s Holika Dahan.

The Holika Dahan wood pile was initiated

by Pundit Tripathi Ji, a week earlier as per the mahurat and then built up to a much bigger pile by the temple devotees.

Dharam Guru Pundit Tripathi Ji, performed the Holi Pooja and later fire was lit to the pile of wood. The lighting of this Holi Bonfire is called Holika Dahan. Holika, the sister of demon Hiranyakashyap (who claimed that he was a God), represents the BAD while Prahalad (Hiranyakashyap’s son) who wor-

shiped to Lord Vishnu represents the GOOD. During Holika Dahan, Holika (the bad) is burnt down to ashes while the powers of Lord Vishnu brings no harm to Prahalad (the good) and he walks out of the fire smiling.

This signifies the victory of Good over Evil.

It is said that just by being present at a Holika Dahan your whole families, “Dukh, Daridra Sab Mit Jata Hay”.

Throughout Holika Dahan and till late, the South Side Chautal Mandali led by Vasudeo Maharaj, Shiu Kumar & Suruj Deo sang some really good Faag Chautal. Temple devotees Ram Asre and Meena Ji also joined in and sang some nice Holi Geet. A big “Thank You” to the singing group.

Later everyone took the opportunity to do their own Holi Pooja. A real festive atmosphere was created and then the time came for the delicious Maha Prasad which included a

full dinner.

The success of our Holika Dahan was due to the hard work of Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir’s team. We would like to thank everyone who helped to make this a success.

A very special “Thank You” to the Brisbane Indian Times and everyone associated with it for their great assistance and help.

Those who missed out this year please watch for next year’s date. As the significance of Holi ranges from socio-cultural, religious to biological, there is every reason why we must heartily enjoy this festival and cherish the reasons for its celebrations.

Next year will be even bigger and better!

Breaking traditions: How Vrindavan’s widows celebrated Holi

WIDOWS smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by nongovernmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan.

Emerald Holi - Indians from Fiji South Africa India and Sri Lanka celebrated Holi with their families at Emerald Park.

Photo’s courtesy Angamuttu Mudaliar.

A widow smeared in Gulal takes part in Holi celebrations at Gopinath temple. This time a number of Sanskrit students and Pundits took part in the Holi celebration with widows.

Holi Celebration by Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Association of Qld Inc. In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. The widows were highly excited as first time they played Holi inside any temple, marking their further social assimilation.

Source: (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo’s) 16 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

Courtesy APSQ HOLI celebration was held at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre on March 26 from 3pm. The Celebration began with prayer by Pt Anant Sharma. The event chairman Shri Robert Khandasamy welcomed and also thanked all for taking part.

Chairman of Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre and President of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld Shri Jitendra Deo welcomed all very warmly and invited all organisations to come together and celebrate such festivals together, and also invited organisations to use the Centre as it’s available for use by all organisations.

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President of Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Association of Qld Inc Shri Annukar Mishra thanked all for taking part in the celebrations and looked forward for continued support of various Faag Mandali’s. Playing with colours was part of celebration and enjoyed by all.

The delicious sweets, savouries and dinner was served to conclude the programme.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 17

ECCQ celebrates Harmony Day

21 March 2016: Today, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) recognised Harmony Day by holding a lunch with staff from diverse cultural backgrounds.

ECCQ was among 150 000 businesses and organisations across Australia who took part in the day’s celebrations.

CEO Garry Page said the day is a wonderful opportunity to gather together and recognise the diversity in our work places.

“We are so fortunate to have staff who come from many different culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and contribute to ECCQ through different experiences and skills,” said Mr Page.

“Harmony Day is not only an opportunity to reflect on our diversity, but also a chance to reflect upon all that we have in common. It is a chance to reinforce the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians.”

“With almost 45 per cent of Australians being born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas, it is important that we dedicate at least one national day in the year to acknowledge and celebrate this diversity,” said Mr Page.

To mark the occasion, ECCQ staff each brought a plate of food and spoke about its cultural significance.

“I certainly see diversity as a strength. Multiculturalism has immeasurable benefits for our communities and our country,” said Mr Page.

“It is something we should cherish and something we should be proud of. I am delighted that Harmony Day provides us with an opportunity to show just how proud we are.”

To find out more information about ECCQ please visit www.eccq.com.au.

Courtesy YSPN THE Young Sikh Professionals Network (YSPN) Brisbane cordially invites you to our first marquee event of the year featuring keynote speaker, Curtis Pitt, the current Treasurer of Queensland, and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Sport.

At 39 years of age Mr Pitt has quickly reached great heights in his career. Sworn into office as State Treasurer in February 2015, Mr Curtis Pitt has overseen the maintenance of a transparent financial

GCHCA from Youth’s Perspective…

By Ishvar and Vikram THE recent increase of immigrant numbers from a plethora of different countries has added to the beauty and richness of Gold Coast’s cultural diversity.

The presence of the Hindu community on the Gold Coast has also grown from strength to strength and the Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association (GCHCA) has recognised the urgent need to build infrastructures that support the social and cultural development of younger members in the community.

This initiative, however, can only be achieved through the continuous efforts of all members in the community, and more specifically the youth. Since its inception, GCHCA has endeavoured to increase youth participation through a range of strategies including building youth leadership and encouraging volunteerism at community events. Young people have also been actively encouraged to contribute their time and ideas to the development of the upcoming Hindu Cultural Precinct.

After a year of planning the design of the precinct (which will include a temple, cultural and educational centres), the blood, sweat and tears of the numerous volunteers and association members have led to significant progress.

The GCHCA achieved a major milestone in late February 2016. The final lease registration of the land at Arundel has finally happened with the Gold Coast City Council and Queensland State Government (Department of Natural Resources and Mines) giving their assent and registering the title with the land registry.

GCHCA is quite close to filing the Building Application (BA) with the building certifier, having obtained the Development Approval (DA) about a year ago. GCHCA actively sought input from all sections of the community including the Youth Group that we belong to. In addition to this, GCHCA succeeded in obtaining financial support from GCHCA friends and supporters to the tune of $80K within the past few months alone. Significantly, GCHCA was one of the successful applicants for a federal infrastructure grant from the Stronger Communities Programme (Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development). The 18 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

ecosystem, whilst implementing holistic policy mechanisms concerning the interests of the Indigenous people of Queensland, and Queensland’s sporting infrastructure. Mr Pitts is additionally renowned for dedication to community service, with specific regard to his membership of the Edmonton Lions Club, Gordonvale RSL Citizens Auxiliary and his role as an Auxiliary firefighter with the Queensland Fire and Rescue service.

Mr Pitt will be speaking on his leadership journey and passing on his tips on how to build a successful career. The lessons you can learn will be applicable to anyone seeking to reach the highest positions in the corporate, business or professional world. There will be an opportunity for Q&A also.

Mr Pitt hails from the rural township of Gordonvale in Far North Queensland where the first Sikhs in Australia migrated over 120 years ago. Mr Pitt has always had a close bond with the local Sikh community in Far North Queensland and has always believed in the contributions that the Sikh community has made for the betterment of our nation.

He was one of the first politicians to appeal for Sikhs to be excused from wearing helmets whilst riding bicycles, as he understood how important and symbolic the turban was for the Sikh faith and identity.

• Engineers making final checks on the structural design.

federal infrastructure grant is solely for the development and building of the community square. The community square consists of a monastery-like retreat, a peaceful and tranquil place for the community to gather, hold functions and celebrate. The community square would be surrounded by neatly kept green lawns with a forest at the back, neatly maintained flower garden, running water, a fountain and a guardian Ganesh in the front.

It would be a peaceful retreat for visitors to the Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Precinct.

GCHCA will be starting this stage of the project soon (as early as July 2016) and is actively looking forward to your ideas to make it an absolutely unique place for the community and visitors from far and wide.

A/Prof. Muthu (Vice President) speaking to the Youth Group has acknowledged the support of the community and especially the Youth Group in taking the project this far in such a short time. A/Prof Muthu said support arrived in many forms: voluntary, intellectual, monetary, moral etc. For example, community engineers have done and still doing all the design work: civil, hydraulics, structural, architectural, electrical, landscape design, etc. The design teams are working collaboratively from as far as Melbourne, Sydney and here in Brisbane and Gold Coast.

A/Prof. Muthu said GCHCA appreciates every contribution made by volunteers and intends to engrain all contributors in the list

of builders of the precinct for the benefit of future generations. Mr. Rathinam Srinivasan (Treasurer) speaking to us added that all surveying work has been completed, and building works are about to begin at 9 Dunkirk Road, Arundel!

A proudly inclusive organization, GCHCA welcomes interested parties from all over the nation to participate and contribute to this historic project.

If you would like to become a member of GCHCA or contribute to the construction of the Hindu cultural precinct on the Gold Coast, you can contact GCHCA through email at gchcan@gmail.com.

For further information, see the GCHCA website at culture.goldcoasthindu.org.

Donations of $2 and above to the GCHCA building Donations Account is tax deductible. http://www.abn.business.gov.au/ SearchByAbn.aspx?abn=14153639953 You may get further information about this here: http://culture.goldcoasthindu.org/ donations/ The GCHCA youth group thanks all of you for making the journey with us so far and enjoin you to continue the journey so that we can make this a one-of-a-kind Hindu Cultural Precinct worthy of visitors from all over the world to come and enjoy and spend a few hours on their visit to Gold Coast.

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Mr Pitt has been part of the launch of several Sikh events (pictured- Launch of Azaad sports and Welfare club), where he has showed his continuous support for the Sikh people in Australia.

Mr Pitt believes in the potential of the Sikh Community in Australia and is ever so encouraging of its youth.

So come along to see Curtis Pitt on the 12th of April. This is very special opportunity to engage directly with one of the most prominent and influential politicians in Queensland. Don’t forget to buy your tickets as the event has limited tickets and will sell out!

Enjoy a stimulating evening with one of Queensland’s most eminent politicians, whilst connecting with likeminded professionals at the Australian Institute of Management, Management House Rosa St, Spring Hill QLD 4000, on the 12th of April.

Tickets are essential, and will sell out. They are purchasable via the link: http://bit.ly/AnEveningwithCurtisPitt Please arrive at 6pm for a 6:30pm start (there will be an opportunity to network with Mr Pitt and other attendees throughout the night).

Proceedings will conclude at 8:30pm.

Hope to see you there!

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 19

Global Welfare Summit 2016 THE Global Welfare Summit is your unique opportunity to hear firsthand from international speakers who are all experts in their field.

Renowned Indian palliative care specialist Dr Suresh Kumar will be in Queensland this April to address the audience on the current global challenges and to encourage people to consider new ways to address elder care in the future.

The 2016 Global Welfare Summit (GWS) will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, April 21 and 22. The summit will be followed by a Brisbane Town Hall one-day workshop about the Australian vocational education and qualifications.

The Australian GWS follows a 2013 summit in Japan, the

first in what will be a regular series of aged care conferences held around the world every three years.

This year's theme is "Striking the Balance: responsibility and innovation in care for the ageing". Leaders in aged care across the world will meet with other senior executives, decision makers and workers in the industry to discuss the challenges facing governments, educators, the medical profession and communities. They aim to better prepare aged care workers to tackle the problems of an ageing population and encourage them to share innovative developments and future approaches that provide quality of life for whole of life.

It will be hosted by award-winning and current Australian

International Training College of the year, CHARLTON BROWN. Dr Kumar will join a number of international speakers who will share their views, experience and expertise. He has been involved in the Palliative Care scene in India and abroad for the past 22 years, and is now technical adviser with the Institute of Palliative Medicine. He is also involved in establishing community based palliative care services in Pondicherry, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Manipur in India, as well as developing palliative care services in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

(Refer to page 21 - Charlton Brown for booking details.)

New Head office for Migration, Legal, Education Guru & Indus Institute Migration, Legal, Education Guru and Indus Institute inaugurated their brand new state of art Head office on 17 March 2016 situated on Level 18, 127 Creek Street Brisbane, QLD 4000.

INVITED dignitaries were treated to welcome drinks and canapĂŠs on arrival while enjoying the two piece jazz Band. Director and founder Ranjita Pillai started her business on a full time basis in 2006, she gave a brief description of her journey thus far. She thanked the Matthew Hill Architect and her entire tem for the wonderful work; she also acknowledged the support of her family.

Professor Sarva Daman Singh, as the key note speaker congratulated all involved in the success of Migration, Legal, Education Guru & Indus Institute, he started his speech with

20 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

reference to the pas, how it was hard ro move, getting visas, permanent residencies

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and university entrances were all very challenging. People who could provide services

in these sectors had a very marketable commodity. Universities and Migration agencies who offer services worldwide have enabled students from various parts of the world to come stay and study in Brisbane and in Australia for that matter. He congratulated Ranjita Pillai on this wonderful achievement. On this wonderful organisation, on the completion and fit out of these beautiful premises, I wish you well; it is with great pleasure that I inaugurate these new great office of yours.

Dr Ken Hopkins, shed light of the very humble beginnings, and congratulated the establishment on not only surviving but thriving.

Paul McKowen acknowledged Ranjita as a hardworking and ethical individual, he said that the regulator must be pleased with the way the business has been conducted. He congratulated Ranjita, Raj and the entire team of Migration, Legal, Education Guru & Indus Institute.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 21

Minister of India the Hon Arun Jaitley intensifies the Australia – India Relations

By Akashika Mohla Email: aakashika@gmail.com HON Arun Jaitley – India’s Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting in the selected Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and one of the 24 most influential people in the current world charms Australia during his recent visit in March, 16.

India is the second biggest nation in the world. As per a recent research titled “Longterm macroeconomic forecasts – Key trends to 2050” conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit, it is revealed that by 2050, India will become world’s 3rd biggest economy overtaking UK, Germany, Japan, France and Brazil.

PM Malcolm Turnbull prioritising the long awaited free trade deal with India on 23rd March, 2016 told the Lowy Institute, “The Indian economy by 2050 could be as large of that of the US and still growing fast”.

Minister Jaitley’s first official robust business delegation to Australia in March 2016 embarked a 4-day visit where he addressed a Make in India conference and met CEOs of multinational companies. The main objective of the finance minister’s visit was to attract foreign investment in India, especially in infrastructure sector, among others.

Minister Jaitley had an interactive session at SP Jain School of Global Management and inaugurated the Sydney branch of Union Bank of India, with pride. The day being closer to the Financial Year ending Min Jaitley was elated to mention that 2016 economic growth is 7.5 per cent-plus, making India the fastest growing big economy at a time of turbulent times near global stagnation. Min Jaitley was impressed with the way Australian Economy works with the law for a goods and services tax, and hopes for the one big reform pending in the Indian parliament - the passage of a law for a goods and services tax.

“It will have the ability to convert India into one giant common market, it will allow goods and services to transfer freely throughout India, it will check tax evasion in a big way, it could even end up bringing tax rates down (because the tax base will be much broader).” Minister Jaitley Said. Firefighting the testing times of Foreign Invest on Government’s ability to evolve with the constitutional evolution of economic change.

Speaking at the Australian National University (ANU), Minister Jaitley mentioned that a low oil price benefits India because it is a net buyer; vulnerability in the global economy reflects in the low export volumes for India; and the monsoons affect farmers’ incomes: 55 per cent of India’s population still lives in rural areas. The global price of oil, the strength of the global economy and the performance of the Indian monsoons are the 3 key factors beyond the Capital’s (of India’s) control that continue to influence the

22 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

economy and transform India by doubling its per capita income within next five years and beyond.

The significance of the enhanced growth potential will not only be for India but overall for the Global Economy and power skeletons – including Australia.

Jaitley also engaged heavily on our superannuation funds, which have more than $2 trillion under management that may be another key to change the power equations significantly – more so because of independent decision making that does not involve Government.

Is Australia ready to invest in India?

Foreign Investment in India surged by 40% in 2015, the investors “The investors who have invested in India have a good story to tell. Our infrastructure needs are very large; so are our investment needs. Pension funds are an important investment provider. They also are looking for stable and high returns.”

Jaitley’s speech at ANU reflected majorly on the potential of the government’s policy initiatives to stimulate financial inclusion, shorten poverty and create job opportunities through people’s rousing participation.

The Vice Chancellor of ANU was elated to share the tales of India and third class sleeper rides with the Indian Railways. Minister Jaitley was elated to revive that India has evolved more than 3rd Class Sleeper Class from then to now with the World Class luxuries in the Pink City of India – The palace on wheels, he said at the special reception organised by the Canberra-based Indian High Commission His Excellency – Navdeep Suri, attended by Indian community Leaders from several Australian cities.

Prime Minister Turnbull expressed interest in cooperating with India in renewable energy sector where Australia has expertise.

Minister Jaitley has invited PM Turnbull to visit India.

The Finance Minister also met his Australian counterpart Mathias Cormann, Treasurer Scott Morrison, Finance Minister Julie Bishop and NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Jaitley believes India-Australia relations

• HON Arun Jaitley.

have entered a “new phase”. With trade, direct investment, the profound ties created by talented Indians who have migrated to Australia, the newly revitalised negotiations on the free-trade agreement and strategic co-operation.

“That is why to aid the transition to a new and more diversified economy, I am placing a high priority on the conclusion of a free trade agreement with India, as complex as those talks have been,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.

“The discussions are on for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA),” he said.

The sooner the India-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is signed, the better, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute for International Policy annual speech, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, “Trade with India has not looked this promising for hundreds of years. That’s why, to aid the transition to a new and more diversified economy, I’m placing a high priority on the conclusion of a free trade agreement with India - as complex as those talks have been.”

Minister Jaitley said, “It (FTA) was a priority even when the Indian Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) was here in 2014. He (Modi)

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wanted this to be done in 2015. So, we have already crossed the deadline. The sooner the better.”

Although Minister Jaitley’s delegation said that Adani’s Carmichael coal project in Queensland was “not really” on the agenda, early in April 2016, The Queensland Government has approved mining leases for the $21.7 billion Carmichael coal mine and rail project in the Galilee Basin by Queensland State Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham, opening a the gates to 5000 jobs from this project during construction and another 4,500 during the peak of its operations – opening jobs for localities and Indian Expats.

Australia’s willingness to charting the future of Australia- India relations, post the triumphant tours from PM Narendra Modi’s Visit during G20 I 2014 to now is emerging to indicate a keenness on Australia’s part to improve its strategic relationships. The imperative for India to cooperate with Australia is to secure a long term strong political commitment for sustaining a sustainable framework of Bi-lateral cooperation.

India’s continual surge in economic growth has transformed the relationship with the outside world. Its rising middle class, has become a focal point for a global economy weighed down by sovereign debt and investor unease.

Special Envoy for Trade Andrew Robb visited India, from April 3-6 for further negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Australia and India, to advance trade and investment negotiations and opportunities for Australia.

“There is a massive growing middle class right across Asia and now is the time for us to put in place the building blocks to make the most of the opportunities on our doorstep,” he said.

“Work has been steadily taking place behind the scenes on an agreement, and while challenging I am confident we can give negotiations a further push on this visit,” Mr Robb said.

Energy minister Piyush Goyal during his visit to Australia in February, 2016 said, “India is open for business, with eyes on to buy cheap LNG from Australia”. He left Australia with an usher of enthusiasm to roadmap importing LNG from Australia and for Australia’s research capability in renewable energy. He said, LNG Industry needs to embrace a new gas field to power plant end-to-end integrated supply chain model, to push the gas delivery price down far enough to make it competitive in India.

India-Australia bilateral trade was about $14 billion in 2014-15, with Australian exports at $11 billion and Indian exports just at $3.2 billion. Australia’s engagement with China is much larger with annual bilateral trade at $160 billion.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 23

Musical Journey 2016 – Beats & Melodies

By Thilliar Varnakulasingham THE 4th Musical Journey (Isai Payanam) which was held in Auckland on 27th February certainly mesmerised the audience from start to finish, for the theme for this year’s Musical Journey was quite different from that of the last few years - the first and the last segments comprised of “beats” while the middle segment consisted of “melodies.”

The three exceptionally talented sisters, Geerthana, Divya and Manisha Nanthakumar, displayed their best on their preferred instruments of violin and key boards, whilst the beats section led by violins and the key boards hinged the melody part of the programme.

The show commenced with the wonderful instrumental rendition of “Om Shivoham” (from the movie “Naan Kadavul”), while the Beats section was fully covered with super hit fast numbers on the violin and the entire performance engrossed the audience due to the inclusion of “Avalukenna Azhagiya Mugam”, “Elamai Etho Etho”, “Kaadhal Pissasu” and “Rum Bum Bum.” Although most numbers for this show came from the Tamil cinema music of 1990’s and

2000, there were some real old songs such as “Nenjam Marappathillai” and “Avalukenna Azhagiya Mugam.”

The melody part was covered by 9 songs, aired by prominent singers – “Adi Athad” (Vishnupriya Mallela), “Nenjam marappathillai” (Vethahi Arunthayaparan), “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” (Synthia Shivakumar), “Kannalane Enadhu Kannai” (Anusha Suresh Ramachandra), “Netru Illatha Matram” (Alexshana Sivarajah), “Mulumathy” (Dheeraj Venkatachalam), “Oru Deivam Thantha” (Vishaalini Gunathas), “Vaseegara” (Subarna Sivaraja) and “Katre En Vaasal Vandhai” (Meerah & Rama Yogakumar).

While all the songs received thunderous applause and cheers from the audience, the Masters of the Ceremonies, Manisha Nanthakumar and Rama Yogakumar, executed their work far beyond the expectations of the audience.

The commitment, dedication and devotion by the performers, especially the three sisters – Geerthana, Divya and Manisha Nanthakumar- and their father Nadesan Nanthakumar (who was the co-ordinator) were applaudable, commendable and laudable.

Local student Hamza Al Ansari to represent Stretton at YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament MEMBER for Stretton, Duncan Pegg is pleased to announce that this year’s Stretton representative for YMCA Youth Parliament will be Year 11 Stretton State College student Hamza Al Ansari.

Each year the program brings together 93 young people representing each electorate in the state to debate in Parliament House.

The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament offers young Queenslanders the opportunity to speak up for their communities and learn first-hand about parliamentary processes, about our democracy, connect with their peers and have a say about important issues facing our state.

Mr Pegg said, “Queensland’s Youth Parliament has a strong history of empowering young people to become leaders of the future.”

“I know Hamza has worked hard at school and at home. He will do Stretton proud,” he said.

Hamza’s favourite subjects are Business

and Science and in the future he hopes to become an entrepreneur or politician.

Hamza said the reason he applied was that he wanted to be a better leader and to help the community.

Hamza’s parents Faisal and Ambreen are very proud of their son’s achievements and believe that it is important to give back to the community.

The Queensland Government provides annual funding of $60,000 to YMCA Queensland to run the program.

Indian subcontinent community Forum addresses domestic Violence

AT an initiative of White Ribbon Australia, SEVA International, Australian Government department of Social Services, Workers Blacktown and NSW Police, Sydney’s Mohit Kumar was urging men to stand up against such crime.

“Men are in a unique position to stop other men from perpetrating this crime,” Kumar said at a Blacktown forum. “If you see or suspect that this is affecting someone in your family or friends, call it out. Call the police and do something about it.”

White Ribbon is Australia’s only national male-led campaign to end violence against women.

The forum, held at Blacktown Workers Club, was intended to spread their message of primary prevention among people from multicultural backgrounds. In conjunction with Blacktown’s law enforcement agencies, the campaign has been working to encourage male leadership in the Indian community to support the prevention of men’s violence per24 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

petrated against women.

Blacktown’s Local Area Commander Superintendent Gary Merryweather, also a White Ribbon Ambassador, spoke passionately about tackling domestic violence. “Everybody has the right to feel safe out in the public or in their homes,” he said. He talked about the work being done by the Blacktown police to combat domestic violence, and in reaching out to the public in their community-driven campaign.

Senior Constable Genelle Warne, a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer, also addressed the forum. “Domestic and family violence occurs in all sections of the community and in all cultures, and one in three women is experiencing it,” she said. “My one role is to ensure that a victim is being protected by the law. If they still want to be with their family, those perpetrators have to realise that their actions are wrong. Very often perpetrators do not realise that their behaviour is incorrect.

This is where we need to create awareness.”

Recipient of the 2015 Blacktown Woman of the Year award, Snr Const. Warne urged people to call the police if they need help dealing with a domestic violence situation. “You should be able to live in your home without any fear,” she said. “I would like to tell the men who have sons and daughters to teach them to respect each other and to treat each other well.”

In his address, Police Prosecutor Mohit Kumar engaged the audience with stories from the Indian community and described some of the deep rooted cultural barriers in maintaining respectful relationships.

Diversity and Inclusion Manager at White Ribbon Australia, Sunila Kotwal, and Sumati Advani, Chief Operating Officer of Seva International, also spoke. Both reiterated the need to safely and effectively challenge the outlook of the minority of men who use or condone violence against women.

Other speakers highlighted different aspects of the social, physical and emotional factors

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associated with these behaviours.

Akshay Raj, a lawyer by profession, spoke from a legal perspective about societal gender inequality. He also spoke about his work with university students in promoting respectful relationships.

White Ribbon Ambassadors, and Queensland committee co chair, Umesh Chandra (who flew in for the event from Brisbane) and Liam Dooley (Community Engagement Manager at White Ribbon), highlighted the extensive work of the White Ribbon Ambassadors to raise awareness and provide tools to prevent men’s violence against women.

Avnish Sandhu from Pink Ladoo brought in a different perspective and spoke about focusing on gender equality at birth, by celebrating the birth of a daughter.

Perhaps the men who lived and worked with Balwinder Ghumman would like to answer this question: could you have done something to save the lives of two innocent women?

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Hindus urge Art Gallery of NSW to return Durga statue if found illegal HINDUS are urging the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) in Sydney to expedite the provenance of its Hindu goddess Durga statue, and if proved stolen, return it to Hindu temple it originally belonged.

According to reports, among AGNSW collections, a 140 cm tall early 10th century red sandstone statue of goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahisha is under scrutiny and it may have been illegally obtained.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) 3 April, said that AGNSW should make sure that its commitments to ethical standards were fully met and publish a definite timeline for completing the provenance investigations. Zed urged AGNSW to also properly undertake provenance research into all its Hindu artifacts.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged all the museums and art galleries of the world, including Australia, to exhaustively re-examine the procurement process and the provenance of their Hindu art collections, and if proved stolen, return to Hindu temples these originally belonged.

They should make sure when acquiring new Hindu artifacts in the future that these were not looted from Hindu religious centers and should follow strict due diligence procedures and have transparent provenance. Pillaging of Hindu temples and archeological sites for mercantile greed was not okay, Zed indicated.

Rajan Zed further said that devotees had been worshipping these images of Hindu deities for centuries and, if confirmed as stolen, the world should respect their feelings by making arrangements to respectfully return to the religious institutions these plundered antiquities rightfully belonged to before being stolen. He or other Hindu scholars would gladly assist if needed, Zed pointed out.

There was also an inappropriate portrayal of Hindu deity Krishna in a sculpture at an AGNSW exhibition last year, which upset Hindus thought was an absurd depiction of Lord Krishna with no scriptural backing, thus trivializing a highly revered Hindu deity, Zed noted.

Durga, highly revered Hindu goddess, is considered savior of the world from evil.

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Art Gallery of NSW, established in 1871, claims itself to be “one of the most beautiful art museums in the world”. Each year, it organizes over 30 exhibitions and gets over one million visitors. David Gonski and Dr. Michael Brand are Trustees Board President and Gallery Director respectively.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 25

Who, What, Where, When

• Hong Kong Chinese New Year celebrations at City Hall.

• Left & Above: Queensland Fiji Disaster Group fundraising dinner at Michaels Oriental Restaurant.

• Shiv Ratri at Gayatri Mandir.

• Ipswich Harmony Day Festival was celebrated on 12 March at Robelle Domain Park. Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and Shan Ju Lin among other dignataries addressed the community.

• James Cook University Brisbane Campus celebrated their 10th Anniversary.

26 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

• Chantex Pty Ltd staff celebrated Harmony Day 2016 by sharing various multicultural cuisines. www.indiantimes.com.au

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For all the latest updates visit

www.7hillsentertainment.com / Facebook 7hills Entertainment Australia

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 27

Who, What, Where, When

• Veena Lal distributing donations given to people in need in Rakiraki after the devastation from Cyclone Winston.

• Shriman Kishori Mohan Das & Sudevi Dasi singing Bhakti Kirtans at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir. Right: The group from Vrindavan receiving Blessings from Dharam Guru Pundit Tripathi Ji. Photo’s courtesy Dhiru Desai.

• Devotees at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir during Maha Shivratri Celebration.

Photo courtesy Devika Maharaj.

Dharam Guru Acharya Pt Ram Harsh Tripathi Ji blessing Surendra Prasad & his family during his 73rd birthday celebration at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir.

• “Thanks to the President Mr Tirath Achal and his team of Indian Seniors Citizens Association in organising International Women’s week for the ladies - Ekta Women’s group. Everyone enjoyed the night.

Money raised from raffle has been donated to the relief fund in Fiji” Photo’s courtesy Roshni Sharma.

• Community leaders at the Reception & Dinner for High Commission of India.

28 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

• Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld Inc. - Ved Prachaar at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre. www.indiantimes.com.au

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 29

Shorncliffe Pier to shine at the Bluewater Festival

THE Shorncliffe Pier, one of Brisbane’s most loved landmarks, was officially opened Friday March 25, 2016 with the first event it hosted the Bluewater Festival and the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Bluewater Festival attracted thousands of visitors to Bramble Bay, Shorncliffe on Good Friday each year to take advantage of the some of the best waterfront views.

“The celebration of the new Shorncliffe Pier aligns perfectly with the 2016 Brisbane to Gladstone Race and the Bluewater Festival, with more space for visitors thanks to its larger rotunda,” he said.

“The pier has been the starting point for the Brisbane to Gladstone since 1955 but the race has been started from a boat offshore for the past four years while the pier has been rebuilt.

“It’s very exciting to see the pier open to the public and as it has been dearly missed by local residents. I encourage the community to take advantage of this exciting integrated event.”

“The Pier has been an important destination where many Brisbane people met, married,

Running 10 km in thongs!

• Pete with the running group.

By Peter Lane Rai

celebrated, strolled, fished, picnicked and photographed for more than 100 years.

“The original Shorncliffe Pier was a landmark destination and now it has been restored to its former glory as part of a $20 million reconstruction project.

“Reconstructing the Shorncliffe Pier will create a vibrant new community space that reflects the character and over 100 years of history in Shorncliffe.”

“The renewed pier is focused on maintaining the magic which entrenched the original pier in the hearts and minds of visitors.

Cr Quirk said the new Shorncliffe Pier retains the heritage character of its predecessor, with timber joints decking, handrails and rotunda, but with new foundations constructed out of concrete and steel that are designed to last for a century or more.

“Not only will the pier have a larger space for the community to use thanks to a bigger rotunda, but we are also building a new wheelchair and pram friendly ramp from the beach to the pier, allowing for easy access.”

The former Shorncliffe Pier was entirely made from timber and was significantly affected by marine borers, with a number of the pier’s piles, headstocks and girders in poor condition prior to its closure.

Celebrating our beloved Mothers

By Celine Goh Features Writer

8th MAY 2016 is an extraordinary day. It is MOTHER'S DAY when Moms receive the acclaim, the respect, the devotion and immense love that they deserve!! Let's pause a moment to reflect on what this beautiful gift from God has done for us in our lives.

For me, this is the most poignant memory of Mom as she lay bed-ridden for 6 years, whispering in barely audible tones, "I know that you've just arrived today, but I'm so sorry that I can't cook special food for you". O, how I struggled to control the flood of tears that I didn't want Mom to see. I smiled, took her hands in mine and whispered into her ears, "Mom, it's ok ... you've been cooking for me all these years, let me cook for you now".

And I did, every time I returned home to Singapore to relieve my sister and our loyal Indonesian carer of their faithful duties to Mom. Yes, Mom smiled when I fed her soft blended chicken porridge. Her eyes twinkled ... that's tremendous satisfaction for me and memories dearly cherished till today!

My friends have their favourite memories of Mom too. Lien Bo Tran and Tran Mei Yong 30 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

were among the 'Vietnamese Boat People' who fled Saigon when South Vietnam fell to the Communist North on 30 April 1975.

Lien risked her young life for the sake of her family whom she was able to sponsor to Australia, after a horrendous crossing across the seas, braving the treacherous ocean waves, violent storms and merciless pirates. Yet, her only thought was to bring their parents, especially Mom, to a better life in Australia.

The hardships faced in Vietnam by the mothers of Lien and Mei Rong in trying to bring up large families were etched into their minds. Their mothers were the rock for their families, toiling long hours, lacking sufficient rest and eventually, suffering debilitating health due to the extreme stress of facing the daily grind of existence. This provided a passionate driving force for both Lien and Mei Yong to overcome all obstacles in their desire to bring their families, especially their mothers, to Australia.

Even though Annie and Jennifer have successfully raised their totally assimilated children in Australia, they think constantly of Mom in Taiwan.

For Annie and with many traditional Chinese families, Mom has been a strict disciplinarian

WHEN did you last run 10km in thongs? The answer is probably, “Never, never, never” as we all know what this would do to our knees, feet and hips!

Yet if you were Nayeem Mollah, a student from Bangladesh, whom BIT correspondent Pete Lane met in Nadi, Fiji in March, his answer was, “I run in thongs all the time as I have no money to buy runners. I arrived from Bangladesh with only 7 kilos of luggage so I had no extra room for sports shoes.”

Nayeem was one of the 15 international students on the 12 week Christian Youth programme in Nadi, Fiji that Pete Lane and his wife gave 15 hours teaching to on “Family and life values.” Amazingly, Pete and his wife had arrived in Fiji March 9th, the day before cyclone Winston devastated Fiji.

When a group of the students said that they regularly ran and exercised in Nadi’s heat and humidity, 69 year old Pete asked if he could join them. Being old enough to be the grandfather of some of them, they must have wondered how well he would run.

Nayeem was one of the running group but the only footwear he had to run in, other than his shoes, were a pair of thongs! Horror.

After the 10 km run that Nayeem halfwalked and half-ran, Pete was obviously concerned what damage Nayeem would do to his feet if he kept running in thongs.

Fortunately, running friends in Brisbane had given Pete some money to assist with any needs he might come across on the trip, so he gave Nayeem some money to buy running shoes from a local sports store. and quite reserved in expressing her affections. It is only now, being a mother herself, that Annie fully realizes why Mom has to 'control' her 4 children with tough love. Now, their bonds are further strengthened and enrichened with frequent visits to Mom in Taiwan.

Jennifer's experience is diametrically opposite, having grown up under the wings of Mom who worked hard in her business to provide almost anything for her and her brother. Warm and expressive, she has showered her love upon her family. This motivates Jennifer to plan to look after Mom in her old age in Taiwan. She feels quite emotionally torn, as her children are educated here and are happily integrated in the Aussie way of life. However, the pull to look after Mom in Taiwan remains strong, to shower her with the love that she absolutely deserves.

The Taiwan Women's League (TWL) will celebrate Mother's Day on Saturday 14 May

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• Pete and Nayeem with his new runners and holding those dreadful thongs!

Nayeem and the other runners were delighted at this so Nayeem got his running shoes Saturday 5th March.

As for geriatric Pete’s performance on the run - well he did BIT credit!

At the next run on Sunday 6th March, Nayeem turned up with his new running shoes and also resplendent in an “In Training” Brisbane Running Club running top donated by the club. (Pete had also given out IT shirts in Suva and Lautoka to other students who exercised with him).

This time a delighted, smiling Nayeem ran the whole way with Pete at his side! Thanks In Training Brisbane for donating shirts that bring so much pleasure to runners.

2016. Together with her team, Mayer Hou, President of TWL for the past 2 years, will honour all mothers with an entertaining programme showcasing the talents of their members in craft exhibitions, cooking competitions and performances in songs and cultural dances.

Displaying the unique qualities of a career lady and a mother of 2 adult children, Mayer is a source of energy and inspiration for her team of dedicated organizers, many of them are moms or juggling business or professional commitments with family responsibilities.

The celebrations have grown since 1994 and is a perfect example of the role of women in fostering social harmony. Mother's Day pays tribute not only to mothers who have migrated from Taiwan but also, to all mothers who have left familiar shores to call Australia home!

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‘Party All Night – Bhangra Style” FLY Hi Production & Randhawa Media held a bhangra night during the Easter Sunday with International Pop-Artists Ninja, Guru Randhawa, A-Kay and Himanshi, who had travelled to Brisbane for the first time during their AUS/NZ Tour. The night was dedicated to all Bhangra music lovers who love to experience Punjabi culture and dance.

The event started with Interstate Dj’s Avi and Sonu playing Bollywood Beats and Pop Punjabi Hits. All the eyes were on the Artists, people were eager to meet and greet them.

Everyone was excited to see their favourites perform live on stage.

A-Kay won the hearts of the crowd by performing hits like ‘Munda I-phone Warga’ ‘Brown Boi’ and ‘Kalyug’. A-Kay released his first with song with ‘Muzical Doctorz’ which touched the mind and soul of young adults in Punjab. He loves to play sport in his spare time such as Cricket, Volleyball, Football & Kabbaddi.

Guru Randhawa also mesmerised his fans by singing ‘Patola feat. Bohemia”, ‘Outfit’ & ‘Khat’ and other Punjabi hits. He is not only a singer, but a writer & composer and has

been singing since the age of 7. Guru is an extremely bubbly & down to earth person, he expresses emotions, love and relationships through his music. Guru enjoyed his time in Brisbane and personally thanked ‘Punjabi Rasoi’ for the delicious Indian food provided.

He is currently working on his next song ‘Tu

Meri Rani’ which will be released soon.

The event couldn’t have been more entertaining when Heartthrob NINJA stole the show. Ninja is highly talented not only does he sing but he plays the Harmonia, Flute and other traditional musical instruments. He is hard-working and dedicated to his music ca-

reer, he has delivered hits like ‘Aadat’, ‘Tokda Reha’ and most recently ‘Dil’. Ninja visited our Movie World in Gold Coast, whilst admitting he is afraid of heights, he enjoyed every minute and was grateful for the experience.

Urban Bhangra Night was proudly sponsored by Oceania College of Technology, a domestic and international college located in Acacia Ridge, Brisbane. The college provides courses in automotive, business management & hospitality. This event was also supported by Rent A Dream Car (providing Luxury cars for hire), Punjabi Rasoi, Punjabi Palace, Indian Brothers and Delights of Paradise. Media sponsors Brisbane Indian Times & Australian Indian Radio.

Fly Hi Production is run by Jess Kumar and Harry Singh and has been delivering events since May 2015. Now the team is working to deliver their next event Salaam-E-Ishq a family stage and dinner show. If you are interested to be part of this community event, please contact Jess Kumar 0422 414 668, Harry Singh on 0430 877 001 & Anu Sharma on 0450 574 402.

"Building Better Me" - HYA, Leadership Workshop

Report by Sushyanth and Ms. Uma JS. Umajs@vhp.org.au ON A beautiful sunshine morning of the Easter long weekend, Sunday the 27th March 2016, the children of Hindu Youth of Australia gathered to join in to attend the Leadership Workshop held at Novotel, Parramatta.

The subject focus of the workshop being "Building Better Me", was inaugurated by Aunty Kerrie kenton by traditional lighting of the lamp and with the blessings of almighty, which was followed by Vedic Chanting by all. Aunty Kerrie Kenton presented Welcome to the land and acknowledgment of the country. Aunty spoke about the importance of keeping our traditions alive and how Australian Aboriginal culture embrace other cultures with open hands.

After a small speech by VHP President Mr. Subramanian Ramamoorthi, the key role players of HYA were introduced highlighting their achievements. Youth Coordinator, Sushyanth Subramanian addressed to the group about the focus of the workshop as to "Unite, Lead and Discover", where all the Hindu Youth of Australia are united and lead in the positive path of discovering our culture.

The Yarn Game and Split or Steal conducted by Manikkam Iyer were the ice breakers for all the participants to have the opportunity to get to know each other and also learn to stay united to reap more benefits. Holroyd Councillor Lisa Lake, the guest speaker of the workshop spoke how the youth are positive role models who connect the Heritage and Tradition of Indian culture with the society. She praised how Hindu Youth play a significant role in uniting everyone with the values and goals of our ancient Hindu wisdom and spiritual healing applicable to the contemporary life style to have a harmonious multicultural Australia.

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on the Trivia question and answer session, which helped them to know the true facts on different topics of Indian Culture. We had the team speaking about hosting such workshops aims to foster better understanding of Hindu Youth maintaining balance of culture and religion in the wider community. The participants explained the Hindu significance of worshiping Murthis and some animal forms as being sacred and also how respect for Guru was important in order to gain knowledge and veracity.

Social misinterpretation of Hindu caste system was comprehensively discussed along with customs like wearing Bindi, praying before eating and reasons behind seeking blessings from the elders were explained.

Yoga session: The ancient practice of Yoga mentioned in Rig Veda and its name origin can't be better explained none other than our BSK Youth and young teacher Supriya Rajesh, followed by learning few asanas involving everyone.

The different kinds of Yoga and values of practicing yoga in our lives were well elucidated especially for an amateur like myself.

Misconceptions of Hindu Beliefs: Among many misconceptions of Hindu beliefs, worshiping multiple god forms is a momentous one. Contrary to prevailing misconceptions, Hindus worship one Supreme Being, though by different names and forms. Significance and meanings behind Hindu symbols like AUM and Swastika was interesting to know.

Public speaking and Debating: Before getting into debating, participants in small groups were given a topic to research and present it to all. The topics included analysing the different characters from our two great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, benefits of yoga, significance of lighting a lamp and justify the relevance of Hindu Dharma in our modern society. The participants were given the opportunity to speak their views on the topics that was put forward. www.indiantimes.com.au

Debate on whether Hinduism is a religion or civilization got interesting when the youth had their perspective to argue with confidence. The outcome of the debate explained how our children have their strong point of view to express. Debate forces children to consider two perspectives, not just their own. It encourages children to anticipate objections to their arguments, to answer counter arguments and to weigh the evidence on both sides.

To conclude, a few of the characters from Ramayana and Mahabharata were discussed and critically analysed in all aspects of scrutiny on the subject, "Can one be deemed all bad?" The participants had clarity, conviction and confidence in delivering their thoughts with their reasoning, which was great.

Entertainment: Several group activities formed part of the workshop which kept the participants engaged and entertained. One such entertainment was the karaoke performance of the song “Kikku erudhe” from the Tamil movie Padayappa, by Prashanth, who delivered the piece with great rhythmic vibrancy.

Summary: The day long workshop was greatly enjoyed by children aged as young as 6 to mid 20s, proved it is not too young or too old to know our culture and the reasons behind every Hindu beliefs.

The participants gained leadership kills, public speaking, team work and networking from today's workshop. Everyone in the forum got the opportunity to speak and interact with the each other.

Apart from food for thought everyone were fed abundantly with variety of food which was greatly enjoyed by each one of them, who attended.

For information regarding BSK classes & youth forums contact Mrs Akila Ramarathinam - akilar@vhp.org.au or visit www.vhp.org.au THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 31

International Women’s Day….

By Swagata Das INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day!! To me that is every day. I would like to dedicate this story to all the wonderful women in this world.

This story is about a woman. An incredibly powerful strong lady.

Her name was Bakul. She was born in Sheora Village in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. She was the ninth child in a family of ten siblings. Those were the days when the Indians revolted against the British occupation and wanted to have their own country.

One night a number of policemen chased her brother, a man fighting to free India. She was just 15. Her brother ran to their house and hid inside. She blocked the door. She did not let the police enter her house. “I have my newborn baby sleeping inside. I don’t want him to wake up and see you all” – Bakul lied to them. She told the police to wait till the baby woke up. But meanwhile she made her brother escape through the backdoor. When the police came inside there was no one at the house.

There was another night when a thief stole a box of valuable things from her home. The box is all she had. She ran after the thief. She made the thief run for his life. She alerted all the policemen along the way. In a few moments the entire area got surrounded by the police. The thief left the box in the middle of the road and managed to escape. She got her life back.

Bakul was married when she was very young, not even a teenager, to a man she never fell in love. She left her parents.

She would never see them again. She became a mother of six. It was a big family to feed with the meagre earnings of her husband.

That was 1947. Bengal was divided into West Bengal, India and East Bengal, Pakistan. Millions of people migrated between East and West Bengal. Hundreds and thousands of them died during the riots. Bakul was one of them who migrated to India along with her family. They moved to a place called Jirat, Hooghly. It was a small village north of Calcutta and west of Jessore, now in Bangladesh.

Bakul would start her day at the “Chullah” – an earthen fireplace. There was no stove or oven. The Chullah is made with burnt soil with three curved side top. The curved top was meant to make the cookware sit easily. Her kitchen was beside a mango tree. She used to carry water from the well for her cooking. After she fed everyone and made the kids sleep, Bakul would take all the kitchen utensils to the pond for washing. She could listen to the sound of the train. The train track was nearby. Bakul loved the sound of the train. The rumbling and whistling of the train was her clock. She knew what time of the day it was by different sounds of the train.

It can be a passenger train or a goods train or just the engine passing by. She knew all the sound by heart. Once she is done with her washing and cleaning, she used to sit beside the mango tree and watch the leaves flutter. The birds singing and the wind passing by. Bakul named the birds. They were her friends. Bakul never felt alone. She never cried. She never felt she missed anything in her life. She is content with her life, the mango tree, the pond, the sound of the train which she can never see. Bakul only missed her mother, whom she never met after her marriage. Her mother cannot read or write. Bakul wanted to write letter to her mother but there was no one who would read them to her. A man who lived at her mother’s village would sometime visit her. He used to come maybe once every five years. “How is my mother?”, “Does she still have long hairs?”, “Has she grown old?”, “Does she ask about me?” – Bakul used to ask him. Bakul used to close her eyes beside the mango tree and watch her mother cooking and washing with her long hairs tied at the back. Tears would come to her eyes. But those were not for sadness. Those were tears of love.

Her children grew older. The village grew bigger. There are rickshaws now. There is also electricity on the roads. There is a new school across the road. But Bakul still had her mango tree. After school is over, little boys from the school would come running to her to listen to stories. They would want her mangoes and ‘kamranga”.

Bakul’s husband died. She was 55. She never knew what a love is between a husband and wife. She never felt together.

One of her son’s got selected for a special engineering training and had to leave for Germany. She sat on her “uthon” – the middle of the square of her hut, and watched the clouds.

Bakul was puzzled. How does the aeroplane fly? Where does it go? Who drives the plane? Where is Germany? Do they have trains? Do they have mango tree?

Slowly all her children moved away to different places in

India and Germany. They got married and have their own busy life. Now she can spend more time with her mango tree and the birds. One day someone came to her door and said her mother is no more. She cried for the first time. She closed her eyes beside the mango tree and prayed for her mother.

She wakes up every morning, makes her morning tea, cooks lunch, dinner, sweep the house, clean the clothes, and wash the dishes. She did these every day till she was 87 years old.

She used to watch the clouds and think of her son in Germany. She used to watch the birds chirping on the mango tree and remembered her mother. She fell sick one day. Her children took her to Jamshedpur, where they now live. She was in the hospital for two weeks. She wasn’t getting better. She knew her end is near. She closed her eyes and thought about the mango tree, the sound of the train passing, the sound of the birds and the feel of the wind on her skin.

It was 1997. The morning Bakul died. She was cremated in Jamshedpur, Bihar. No one in her village, where she lived sixty years of her life, knew she died except the children at the school, the birds and the mango tree. They mourned her death though they could not see the smoke from the pyre.

Bakul’s younger daughter could not see her mother for the last time. She burnt some leaves from the pyre and let the smoke glide past her. She could feel her mother’s last touch.

Bakul Rani Das was my grandmother. Bakul’s younger daughter is my mother. May she be always with her mango tree wherever she is.

AIR Interviews...

• QAGMA curator Tarun Nagesh with Umesh Chandra and Rajani.

• Raman and Vahini from Heal Australia.

• Dr Satya Prasad from Heal Australia.

• Stanley Hsu.

• Akashika Mohla at Holi 2016.

32 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

• Ps Josheph Dass in the studio recording Easter program.

• Rajani Chaudhary & Tehlia Fritz covering opening of Shorncliffe Pier.

• Ps John Thomas in the studio recording Easter program.

• Indian Cruise Party ticket winners: From left: Vinta, Sunita and Anita. www.indiantimes.com.au

Call 07 3865 6533

The First Khalifa Hazrat Abu Bakr As Siddiq (RA) Prepared by Imam Muhammad Aslam ALL praise is to Allah Subahanu Wa Ta’ala, peace and blessings be upon his beloved prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Although we respect all Sahabah, there are a few Sahabah who are really great in the Islamic History such as the Asharah Mubasharah as well as the four Khulafaa. Showing respect to the Sahabah is actually showing respect to Allah Subhanau Wa Ta’ala and his messenger.

Preface: This is only a summary of the life of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA and in no way can it cover all the points of his story. It is not intended to be a biography, but rather a glimpse of the main incidents of his life so that we can get an idea of his character. For ease of reading, we have not inserted “May Allah be pleased with him (RA)” each time his name is mentioned or the name of each Companion, but please take it that the salutations apply to all of them, may Allah be pleased with them all.

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle SAW saying, “Anybody who spends a pair of something in Allah’s Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, “O Allah’s slave! This is good.’ He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of defensive war will be called from the gate of Johd, and he who is from those’ who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Raiyan.”

Abu Bakr said, “He who is called from all those gates will need nothing,” He added, “Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allah’s Apostle?”

He said, “Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 57 Hadith 18 PRE CONVERSION TO ISLAM Who is this person who has done so many good deeds in his life that he has the privilege of entering Jannah from any of the gates that he chooses?

His real name was Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafa. He was a wealthy merchant, Good mannered, obliging and upright in nature. Even during the times of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), he maintained a high degree of conduct, and he was loved and respected by his community.

He was of Quraish ancestry, and born around two years after the birth of the Prophet SAW. He then started being in the company of good men who believed in the Lord of Ibrahim AS and whenever he heard them talk, he was inspired on the truthfulness of their statements – EVENTS LEADING UPTO AND INCLUDING HIS ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM Abu Bakr was one of the first people to respond to the Prophet’s SAW call to Islam. Ironically, it was Abu Jahl (Father of Ignorance), who later proved to be an arch enemy of deen, who told Abu Bakr news of the Prophet SAW’s first revelation.

Abu Bakr’s heart quickened at this piece of information, and upon hearing full details of it, verbally affirmed what he had suspected all along. He declared that “If he [Muhammad saw] really said so, then, he has said the truth.”

It was not blind faith, but rather his long term friendship and intimate knowledge of Muhammad’s SAW pure and honest characteristics that made Abu Bakr believe the truth of the divine revelation without question. Abu Bakr knew that what was said was no lie as it was not possible for Muhammad SAW “the repentant, penitent, pious, righteous, honest and pure tell a lie about Allah?

Never! Never! Never!”

Without wasting any time, Abu Bakr rushed to the Prophet’s SAW house and upon entry asked whether the news that had reached him from the people was true. ‘They say that Allah has sent you to us (to order us) to worship Him Alone, and not associate anything with Him’. The Prophet SAW said: What did you answer them O Atiq?’ He said, ‘I said: If he said so, then he has told the truth’.

At this moment, the eyes of the Messenger of Allah SAW overflowed with tears. He embraced Abu Bakr and kissed his forehead. Then he narrated to him how the revelation came to him which he was in the cave of Hira.

Abu Bakr listened to the famous first words of the revelation – “Read, in the name of the Lord who created man from a clot….” lowered his head submissively and out of piety, in greeting of the banner of Allah, which in his mind’s eye, rose before high him, as manifest in those Holy Verses, sent down to the Prophet SAW. Then he lifted his head, and with both his hands, grasped the right hand of the Messenger of Allah SAW saying: “I bear testimony that you are a truthful honest. I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah”.

Abu Bakr was the first person outside of the family of the Prophet SAW who embraced Islam. He entered into the religion quietly and strongly with certainty of belief. From that day until his death, Call 07 3865 6533

he preferred the love of Allah and His Messenger above all else. Years later, when recalling the conversion of Abu Bakr, the Prophet SAW said, “Whenever I offered Islam to anyone, he always showed some reluctance and hesitation and tried to enter into an argument. Abu Bakr was the only person who accepted Islam without any reluctance or hesitation and without any argument.”

CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISLAM DURING PROPHET’S SAW LIFETIME How can one possibly recount all the qualities that would enable this man to enter Jannah through any of its gates? Below are a few key events.

Dawah efforts He was active in the call of people to Islam, and the people who accepted his call to Islam included Uthman bin Affan RA, who would later be the third of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. His conversion to Islam had an immediate repercussion on his flourishing business, which suffered a great deal. Yet, he still spent a great part of his wealth to alleviate the sufferings of the Muslims in distress, including the liberation of many slaves who had accepted Islam. The most famous of these was of course Bilal RA, whose freedom Abu Bakr purchased while Bilal was being severely tortured by his Master for refusing to renounce his monotheism.

Despite his status in society, Abu Bakr was not spared the boycott, abuse, persecution and torture inflicted upon many of the Muslims in the early days of the revelation. More than once, he interposed himself between the Quraishi attackers and the Prophet SAW, enduring severe beatings in the process.

His constant companionship and unflinching loyalty to the Prophet SAW saw them through some difficult key events over the next two decades, and would, in the near future be the Messenger’s SAW first successor as the ruler of the Islamic kingdom.

Isra’& Mihraj The steadfastness of Abu Bakr’s character and faith in Islam was demonstrated when the Prophet SAW made a night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascended to Heaven and returned. People had come to Abu Bakr to mock about the Prophet’s SAW journey, asserting that these events could not have taken place within one night.

Abu Bakr was steadfast and he understood that with Allah, anything is possible. His faith was strong and unshaken. He reaffirmed the Prophet’s SAW statements and said that “If he (the Prophet SAW) said so, then he has told the truth. I have believed him in what is more distant (to reason) that that, of divine information. “It was this incident that gave him the nickname As-Siddiq (the truthful).

Migration to Medina: Abu Bakr believed that Allah would not send down His Word to the people and leave it to be thrown away, second, that his belief in Islam should hold him responsible and ready to sacrifice himself (for the sake of this religion).

He thus decided that his mission was to make his life a fence to protect Islam and its Messenger SAW. The more dangerous it became and the more horrifying, “the more he would feel he was the luckiest, the most fortunate, the most rewarded and the happiest of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

When the situations of the early Muslims in Mecca became unbearable, it was decided that they would migrate to Medina, in batches, to begin a new life in another city. Abu Bakr sought permission to migrate, but the Prophet SAW bade him to wait so that it was possible for him to have a companion when he himself migrated. Both of them were among the last to leave Mecca, once it was clear that the majority of the Muslims had safely been evacuated from Mecca and were out of imminent danger. With each passing day, the risk of danger on those who remained increased.

Abu Bakr knew that that the migration to Medina would be paved with hardship, danger and risk, not least because of the assassination attempt plotted against the Messenger.

They left for Medina in the thick of the night, the cover of darkness making it possible for them to get past the Quraishi conspirators, and thus started a new chapter in the age of Islam.

The Cave of Thawr: Instead of taking the obvious route to Medina, they instead headed towards the opposite direction in order to throw off their pursuers. They then took refuge in the Cave of Thawr, where they spent three nights. Upon entering, the Prophet SAW, deeply exhausted by the arduous journey, immediately laid his head in Abu Bakr’s lap and fell asleep. Suddenly, a scorpion (and some reports say poisonous insect) stung Abu Bakr’s foot. Instead of flinching or crying out in pain, Abu Bakr remained still and silently bore the immense pain, so as not to break the Prophet’s SAW sleep. Can you imagine his devotion to the Messenger SAW? It was Abu Bakr’s tears falling on the Prophet’s SAW face that caused him to

wake up.

Meanwhile, the Quraish were still in pursuit, and trekked up to the entrance of the cave. It was only a divine miracle that the two of them were concealed from their pursuers. Reported in Sahih Muslim Book 31 Hadith 5868: Anas b. Malik reported that Abu Bakr Siddiq reported him thus: I saw the feet of the polytheists very close to us as we were in the cave. I said: Allah’s Messenger, if one amongst them were to see at his feet he would have surely seen us. Thereupon he said: Abu Bakr, what can befall twain who have Allah as the third One with them.

In Surat Al-Tawbah, Ayat 40, Allah SWT says; If you do not aid the Prophet – Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see…

What an honour was given to Abu Bakr, for being the companion of the Messenger SAW in the cave, and to have a place in the Holy Qu’ran.

Father-in-law of the Prophet After the deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija, Abu Bakr tried to console the Prophet SAW during his bereavement, and spent most of his time in the Prophet SAW’s company. He tried to fill the vacuum created by these deaths. Much later, it was suggested by Khawla bint Hakim that Abu Bakr should offer his daughter Aisha for marriage to the Prophet SAW. This request, while well received, thus, a simple ceremony was conducted to celebrate Aisha’s engagement to the Prophet SAW, although the marriage ceremony was held years later. In this way, Abu Bakr’s kinship with the Prophet SAW was cemented through the ties of marriage, and he was elated at the honour of being the Prophet’s father in law.

The Battle of Badr: The battle was difficult and the Messenger SAW kept supplicating to Allah for victory so that Allah can be worshipped on earth and supplicated so much that his voice became hoarse. Abu Bakr was with the Messenger SAW at this time and beseeched to the Messenger SAW to stop as Allah would no doubt fulfil what He has promised the Messenger SAW. Such was the faith of Abu Bakr, such was the support of Abu Bakr to the Messenger SAW. The Death of the Messenger SAW The death of the Messenger SAW stunned and created shockwaves throughout the community. Even Umar RA almost lost consciousness when he heard the news, and then firmly denied the truth of the report, threatening to cut off the hands and legs of those who claimed that the Prophet SAW had died.

Abu Bakr, who had already anticipated the death of the Prophet SAW, was the only one among the Companions who had the wisdom to handle this situation before it escalated into a nationwide hysteria and crisis. He spoke to no one until he went directly to Aisha’s RA room, where the blessed body of the Messenger SAW lay. He uncovered the face of the Prophet SAW, leaned over, kissed him and said: “Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Allah’s Apostle), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice.”

He then went out, asked Umar to be seated and addressed the assembly: “Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad SAW passed away, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is alive and shall never die.” He then recited “(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die.”

(Qur’an39:30) “Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, if he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.” (Qur’an3:144) Ibn Abbas said: “By Allah, it was as if the people had never heard the Qur’anic verse until Abu Bakr recited it as a reminder. So the people began reciting it until there was not a person who did not recite it.”

Hence, Abu Bakr’s wise intervention calmed unease and tension, and helped people in the transition to the next phase of Islam, where they were to live the Message without their beloved leader and Messenger SAW at the helm.

THE CALIPHATE RULE: Hence Islam entered a new era. The appointment of Abu Bakr as the first Caliph was already hinted by the Prophet SAW, who, on his illness prior to his death, had appointed Abu Bakr to lead the people in congregational prayer. We will not go into the political details of his appointment, but instead set out his achievements in securing the integrity and unity of the Muslim Ummah during his short rule below.

The First Speech The continued humility of Abu Bakr, now the

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leader of a powerful people, is demonstrated in his inaugural speech: “I’ve been appointed as ruler over you, though I’m not the best of you. If I did well (to you) then you should support me, and if I did evil (to you) then you should guide me to what is right….

Behold! The weak person amongst you would be considered as strong in my sight until I bring back to him his right (usurped by others). Behold! The strong person among you would be considered as weak in my sight until I take from him the right of others, which he usurped. You should obey me as long as I comply with (the orders and instructions of) Allah and His Messenger. But, if I deviated (from that), then you would have the right not to obey me”.

Those Who Refused to Pay Zakat.

The beginning of Abu Bakr’s Caliphate rule started with one critical problem. Part of the Muslim community began to refuse to pay zakat (the obligatory charity) after the death of the Prophet SAW. It was a civil rebellion but was fast changing in becoming an armed rebellion but Hazrat Abu Bakr handled it very well.

Compilation of the Qur’an During the lifetime of the Prophet SAW, the revelation was a constant process and there was no occasion for compiling the various verses on the form of a book. After his death, the process of revelation ended, and there arose the need to preserve the verses in a physical form. Many of the “Huffaz” were martyred in the battle of Yamanah, and it occurred to Umar that there was a danger that no one could be depended upon as a reliable custodian of the Qur’an.

Hence, he suggested to Abu Bakr that all the revelations of the Qur’an should be collected and compiled into a systematic book. Abu Bakr was initially reluctant for the fear of committing innovation, but Umar eventually convinced him otherwise. It was a laborious process, undertook by Zaid bin Thabit with the help and counsel of various Companions. The final version was scrutinised, amended and approved of by Abu Bakr, who himself was a Hafiz. Thus, Umar and Abu Bakr were instrumental in the preservation of the most holy book that we have on earth today.

The Creation of the Treasury: A treasury was created and a stipend of food and money were given from the Treasury to the Caliph. Abu Bakr was insistent that the Treasury only give what would suffice for him and his dependents reasonably and fairly. He used to still live frugally and was very careful not to eat anything where there was suspicion and was not extravagant. He was concerned that extravagance would lead to illegal ways of living.

He once said, “Every human body which grew up from an ill-gotten property, would be more entitled to enter the fire of Hell, so I am afraid that a portion of my body might grow up from this unlawful morsel.”

So much so, that before he died he called Aisha RA, his daughter, to look at his wealth and whatever increased in his wealth after being appointed Caliph was to be returned to the Treasury.

Umar cried when he saw what was left of Abu Bakr’s assets after Aisha RA returned the wealth to the Treasury. Abu Bakr’s assets only consisted of a camel, a milking vessel and a garment. A complete change from when he first entered Islam where he was a wealthy man – at the peak of his wealth. Abu Bakr had spent everything he had for Allah.

How He Lived: Abu Bakr was so concerned of going astray that he would continuously supplicate to Allah: “O Allah, the turner of hearts! Make my heart constantly firm in your Deen” and he would say “By Allah, I would not rest assured and feel safe from Allah’s punishment even if one of my feet was in Paradise”. He lived humbly and in humility to Allah.

HIS DEATH: He died, in submission to Allah, in piety to Allah, humble before Allah, in humility to Allah, in service of the Ummah, the first successor to the Messenger of Allah SAW. The Messenger of Allah SAW talked so much about (the good merits of) Abu Bakr. From among what he said about him, a mention might be made of the following: “There is no one who did a favour to us, but that we gave him a reward for it, except for Abu Bakr, who has done a favour to us, for which Allah would give him reward on the Day of Judgement.”

Love for the prophet Hazrat Abu Bakr had strong towards Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam as he knew that loving the prophet was the essence of Iman. For example, it has been mentioned that whenever Hazrat Abu Bakr was sad and in distress he would make the Ziyarah of Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam to seek comfort and relief. May Allah Subahanu Wa Ta’ala guide us to follow the footsteps of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam and his rightly guided Khulafa. Ameen.

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 33

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland Inc

Excess wealth – to be redistributed?

Jitendra Deo President APSQ

Continued from last issue

MANY people pour scorn on the idea of sharing between rich and poor. The first thing they claim is that redistribution works against the economic system of free capitalism, and that it takes away from a society’s growth opportunities because it denies wealthy people the opportunity to start new businesses or hire new employees, and this ends up hurting the nation’s economy. The second, and very important, point is that redistribution of wealth encourages laziness. Those who are dependent upon the redistribution of wealth might become reluctant to do their fair share, as they no longer have to work in order to live. Also, redistribution is often considered bad because it is a form of forced charity. The wealthy might not choose to donate the money of their own accord, and are, instead, forced to give up their money. Those who argue against the redistribution debate believe that the poor should only receive help from private charitable groups that willingly help the poor.

When we are motivated to share Symbolically, when our palms are tightly closed, we grab on to our wealth and we hoard. On the other hand, when we perform a Vedic sacrifice, say Swaahaa and practice surrender, we are motivated to open our two tiny palms to share. These tiny palms are grabbed by God’s huge Hands, and we are escorted to the higher realm of bliss. This Mantra emphasizes that when a person’s thinking is enhanced by a sense of surrender, no one can stand in his way to share, not even a thousand hurdles.

Devotion to higher ideals, especially to God, to knowledge and to selflessness, is always in perfect harmony with Truth. Truth, by definition, is the very opposite to falsehood.

These two – Devotion and Truth – can never be adverse to, or incompatible with, each other. When devotion in the form of earnest attachment is born, it immediately blends with waves in the stream of Truth. Such devotion lends us psychological resources like fortitude, patience, justice, humility, honour and honesty. These resources help us to embrace Truth.

Not Even A Hundred Hurdles Can Impede The Donor!

The Mantra for today is….

Na twaa shatam chana hruto Raadho dit-san-tam aaminan Yat punaano makhasyase – Rig Veda 9:61:27 O individual Soul! Not even a hundred hurdles can harm you when you, in purifying yourself, perform noble sacrifices with the intention of sharing your wealth.

Nectar-Like Devotion Destroys Base Desires – Todays Rig Veda Mantra Ete asṛigram aashawo Ati hwaraan-si ba-bhra-waḥ Somaa ritasya dhaarayaa – Rig Veda 9:63:4 These drops of nectar-like devotion blend with the stream of Truth. They flow rapidly through our crooked thinking and finally overcome them. They lend strength to, and sustain, my inner self.

There is tremendous value attached to sharing. When we distribute a portion of our wealth, we feel that we are practicing a sense of fairness with others, especially those who are marginalized and so, feel denied. And, in addition to conducing to fairness, wealth distribution influences peace and stability in a nation. As demonstrated with protests organized by people who feel themselves deprived, when the disparity between the rich and poor is too wide, society falls out of balance. This leads to social unrest and eventually to civil disturbances, looting and even revolutions. If wealth distribution is constantly pursued, it can work wonders for society. As long as money is carefully spent and accounted for, charity and sharing can go a far way in eliminating poverty and starvation for a great deal of the population.

Flowers growing on the heart-soil – Rigveda 9:61:5 Our fertilized heart-soil now causes lovely green plants to germinate and grow. Fragrant flowers of various colours soon become visible. These flowers include liberality, justice, universal love for people and morals, harmony, detachment, austerity, peace, and the ability to move forwards and upwards in life.

Which young lady does not look attractive with flowers decorating her hair? Which young man does not look handsome with flowers embellishing his clothes?

Please contact Jitendra Deo 3263 1914 or Hari Chand 33454716 for information on activities of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland or visit: www.aryasamajqueensland.com or www.qvcc.org.au

Living without comparison

DEAR Reader, it is our joy to wrong person and that’s not bring you the word of God. God you. Scripture says to let each has given you everything to have one test his own work and then and enjoy life. Jesus said “The his reason to boast will be in thief comes to steal, kill, and dehimself alone and not his stroy. I have come that they may neighbour (Galatians 6:4). have life, and that they may That means when we go Pastor Joseph Dass have it more abundantly.” Think about focusing on our potenabout it. So what is keeping you tial and not our limitations, it from enjoying life? You may not be in the job keeps the pressure off from comparing with you want, the car you drive, the wages you others. earn, the house you live in. These are only People who haven’t learnt to accept and get temporary things and if you focus on these, along with themselves tend to have more difit will only open doors to comparison, resent- ficulty in accepting and getting along with ment and frustration. others. The bible says a good tree will bear While it is good to have big dreams. It’s good fruit and a rotten tree will bear bad fruit. good to want to increase and have success. Likewise the fruits in our lives comes from It’s good to admire and learn from others suc- the roots within us. If you are rooted in infecess stories. But if you start comparing your- riority, rejection, guilt, lack of love and acself to others, it gives power to the enemy to ceptance etc, the fruit of your relationship steal your joy. If you don’t learn to be happy will suffer. It will lead you to see the worst where you are then you won’t get to where in you. It will tend you to compare yourself you want to be. with others.

What you have to realise is everyone has Comparison often sees the worst in you and their own weaknesses and flaws. There are the best in others. The measurements are in things they don’t have that you have. There metrics which no one can measure and it robs are things others cannot do that you can. Just you of your precious time spent in compar- because you have not seen it does not mean ing. What you have to realise is that you are it does not exist. too unique to compare fairly. Your gifts, talSo focus on what you can do well and do it ents, contributions, successes and value are over and over again. Focus on your potential entirely unique to you and your purpose in and possibilities and not your limitations and this world. They can never be properly com- flaws. pared to anyone else. It puts focus, on the God bless you, Ps Joseph Dass

34 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

Living the Dream...

DEAR BIT readers, Thank you for joining us on our journey to a new series of messages to inspire you for “Living the Dream” in 2016 and beyond.

This message is written to inspire you live a satisfying and successful life.

Key Scripture: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. — R o mans 12:2 (NLT) Living the dream is a journey that requires good of planning, unwavering commitment and deep desire to understand your purpose in life. From the inspired word of God, apostle Paul writes to Roman believers how to know the perfect will of God. When we can study this word and learn to apply the truth into our lives daily, we will begin to unpack our God given dreams.

Let us examine the key scripture in the light of God’s will (God’s desire for you) which is; Good, Pleasing and Perfect.

God desires that you have a good life, this does not mean, life without problems and challenges. It means that you will open your heart and mind to develop the characters that will produce good works to your family, your friends and to the nation. When you consistently trust in the goodness of God and learn to forgive and forget the past mistakes and failures, you are in a process of developing a godly character. You are taking steps in the direction of your dreams.

Lord Jesus summed up the solution for

human issues in one simple and powerful command. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength. When we learn and practice this command, only then we can be empowered to love each other with unconditionally.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world because they usually are selfish and corrupting to your mind. The evil in this world can only defeated when godly people take their good works seriously and challenge the injustice, then learn to love each other. But as simple as it sounds, it is not an easy task on your own strength. You need be transformed by God’s grace.

We must understand how God can transform us into a new person by changing our thinking. Our thoughts are the result of the condition of our heart and soul. When we know that our sins, faults failures are washed by the blood of Jesus, we can have clear heart and pure consciousness. We just celebrated the Good Friday and resurrection Sunday, to remember God’s greatest gift to mankind through Jesus’s victory over sin and death.

The Cross is the supreme revelation of God’s love and justice to humanity.

You can live the dream when stop copying the behavior of the world and copy the Christ’s character. This will empower you to live with God’s grace and wisdom. It will take your thinking to another level to live your dreams and find success and satisfaction.

For more inspirations email: navig8grace@gmail.com

Hepatitis C new treatments now availble in Australia HIV, Hepatitis and Sexual Health Program Ethnic Communities Council of Qld (ECCQ)

THIS is a really exciting time if you live in Australia and have hepatitis C. New direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatments are available from 1 March 2016.

What are the new Hepatitis C treatments?

The new treatments are: • Harvoni® (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir) two drugs combined in each pill • Sovaldi® and Daklinza® (sofosbuvir and daclatasvir) separate pills, taken together • Sovaldi® and Ibavyr® (sofosbuvir and ribavirin) separate pills, taken together Who can access the new Hepatitis C treatments?

All Australians over 18 years old who have a Medicare card can access government funded new treatments.

Children under the age of 18 years are not currently eligible for treatment with the new medications through Medicare. Children with hepatitis C should be seen and assessed by a paediatrician experienced in viral hepatitis. Due to lack of safety data, treatment of pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding is not recommended.

How long do the treatments take?

8 to 12 weeks for most patients, maximum 24 weeks.

How much do I have to pay?

Normally the new hepatitis C treatments cost $100,000. But if you have a Medicare you will pay • $38.30 per prescription for general patients • $6.20 per prescription for concessional

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patients What are benefits of the new treatments?

• Very effective and over 90% of people can be cured • Less treatment time: only 8 to 24 weeks compared to the old medications which took 52 weeks • Fewer side effects • No disturbance for life activities • Reducing liver cancer deaths Where can I go for treatments?

• Your current specialist who have experienced in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C such as gastroenterologists, hepatologists or infectious diseases physicians • GPs: your GP need to collect information about your disease and then consult with a specialist before prescribing the medicine for you. Please talk to your GP about the new treatments Where should people go if they need to find out more?

• Phone - English : 1800 648 491 (Hepatitis Queensland) or 3255 1540 (ECCQ) ext 214 - Vietnams: 0481 858 151 (ECCQ) - Chinese: 0479 130 997 (ECCQ) • email - chinese@eccq.com.au (Chinese) - vietnamese@eccq.com.au (Vietnamese) - info@hepqld.asn.au or health@eccq.com.au (English) About Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland BBV&STI Program Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Program is funded by Queensland Health to provide BBV&STI information and support to migrants and refugees throughout Queensland.

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Health Beauty Wellbeing

Nails maintenance....

Nimisha Modi Hetvi Hair & Beauty 0412 350 013

HEY girls, dry, cracking or splitting nails can cause lot of discomfort. However, you can easily treat brittle nails with simple home remedies that that will make your nails strong.

1. Sea Salt:- Sea salt has many healing minerals that are good for your nails. It can help strengthen brittle nails as well as soften cuticles and add a brilliant shine to your nails.

Mix two tablespoons of fine grain sea salts in a small bowl of warm water. Add two drops each of wheat germ oil and frankincense, myrrh and lemon essential oils. Soak your nails in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rinse it off with warm water, pat dry and apply a hand cream. Follow this remedy two or three times a week and very soon you will notice the results.

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2. Tea Tree Oil:- Tea tree oil can also help treat brittle nails, especially when caused by fungal infections. Being a powerful antiseptic, it helps fight infections. It will also help treat discolored nails.

Mix one-half teaspoon of vitamin E oil and a few drops of tea tree oil. Rub this solution on each of your nails and massage gently for a few minutes.

Leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a moisturizing lotion. Do this twice a day for a month.

3.Horsetail:- Horsetail contains high amounts of silica, a vital mineral for strong and healthy nails.

Plus, this herb can help get rid of white spots in your nails.

Add two teaspoons of dried horsetail herb to a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.

Let it cool down and then soak your nails in

it for about 20 minutes. Pat dry your nails and then rub some olive oil on them. Leave it on overnight, wearing gloves for best results.

Repeat this remedy three or four times a week. You can also drink one to two cups of horsetail tea daily for added benefits.

4. Vitamin E Oil:- Often the main culprit behind brittle nails is lack of moisture. Vitamin E oil is a great remedy to keep your nails moisturized and hydrated. It will also help strengthen and nourish your nails and cuticles.

Break open a vitamin E capsule to extract the oil. Apply the oil on your nails before going to bed. Massage gently for five minutes to help increase circulation to the nail bed. Do this daily for one or two weeks to notice a change in your nails. For added benefits, you can also take vitamin E capsules orally after consult your doctor.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar:- Apple cider vine-

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gar is another good remedy for brittle nails.

It is loaded with nutrients that are healthy for your nails, such as vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Plus, it has malic acid and acetic acid that can help fight nail infections.

Mix equal amounts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water in a small bowl. Soak your nails in this solution for a few minutes.

Immediately after, gently push down the cuticles. Do this once daily and within a few days your nails will become much stronger.

You can save the solution for future use.

6. Coconut Oil:- Coconut oil is very nourishing for weak and brittle nails. The saturated fat in coconut oil works as a great moisturizer. It will also prevent many kinds of nail infections.

Slightly warm some coconut oil and apply it on each nail. Massage gently and thoroughly for five minutes.

This will improve blood circulation and keep the nails moisturized. Follow this remedy two to three times daily.

Another option is to mix one-quarter cup of warm coconut oil and a little lemon juice in a bowl. Soak your nails in this solution for 10 minutes before going to bed. Wear gloves overnight for best results. Follow either of these remedies for several weeks until your nails become healthy and strong. Along with coconut oil, you can also use olive oil to treat brittle nails.

Hope this will help you.

See you next month, have a good day.

Nimisha

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 35

Benefits of Banana Plant

By Mazhar Sayeed sayeedmaz_12@hotmail.com NORMALLY a man can live for 120 years and if they live with more care, can even live longer than this age. The Banana plant can melt even ‘Iron and steel’. You can strike an Iron-knife on the Banana plant and leave it for few weeks. You will find the Banana plant slowly eating-away the edges of the metal knife. The Banana Plant contains Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Minerals, Amino Acids and Lime which helps to crush a Kidney Stone (without any surgical operation) and reduces Uric Acid levels.

Banana: Why they’re good for you? This tropical fruit is an American favorite, bananas are actually classified as an herb, and the correct name of a “bunch” of bananas is a “hand.”

Technicalities aside, bananas are an excellent source of Cardioprotective Potassium.

They’re an effective Prebiotic, enhancing the Body’s ability to absorb Calcium, and they increase Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Serotonin – Brain Chemicals that Counter Depression. Banana stem and root even can prevent future Kidney failure.

Hair Loss: Raw Banana is good to stop hair loss/hair fall. It will strengthen the roots of your hairs, if you include them often in your daily meals to eat as cooked dish.

How to extract ‘Banana Bark’ Juice: Cut

Astrology Aries - March 21 - April 20

Association of Mercury with exalted Sun, transiting through your sign could present good opportunity for monetary gains at the beginning. Stay alert. Mercury provides the necessary intellectual input, while exalted Sun offers the required exposure. However, during the subsequent union of Venus and Pisces, you will need to be cautious of unwise financial investments. Exalted Venus could induce you to spend money wastefully on luxuries and non-essentials. Avoid impulse shopping, warns Ganesha. For singles, the time isn't conducive. Your wishes for enjoying moments with someone from the opposite sex may remain unfulfilled.

In the second week, Moon transiting through mutable airy Sign Gemini is being directly influenced by retrograde Saturn and Mars. Singles may have to wait still more for serious relationship. According to Ganesha, planets do not support casual flings or any flirting without commitment. Those married will be elated by the prompt response of their spouse. You’ll be happy about the progress of your child. Important Dates 13, 15, 18, 21, 29

Taurus - April 21 - May 22

The retrograde movement of two planets, Saturn and Mars, is likely to wield strong influence, through the month. Businessmen and entrepreneurs may be keen to expand. However, with Saturn in retrogression, you will not be able to make much headway. This may make you feel dejected and uninspired. By 5th, you will be desperate to shake off your despondency. To divert your mind, you should make time to socialize with friends. In the second week, some major discontent in the family may arise; this will be handled sensitively by you. The exalted Sun in the 12th House from your Sign shall keep you in a charitable mood; you may spend for a social cause. Businessmen and professionals could be busy with routine activities.

A deep seated issue could worry you, though. Try and convert your negative feelings into positive ones, and move ahead, advises Ganesha. Singles could drop into the arms of a new found love and enjoy. Those who are middle aged and above may be troubled by untoward health issues. Important Dates 13, 15, 18, 21, 29

Gemini - May 23 - Jun 21

Your financial position will be comfortable, as the month opens. Planetary positions support monetary gains. There is a likelihood of singles getting into a romantic relationship with a coworker. You could be distracted and sidetracked by this. Around Wednesday, the influences of Mercury, Taurus, Venus and Aries, is not considered supportive of financial gains. Businessmen will now have to be satisfied with routine gains. Married couples could have a troubled time. Do not react to unnecessary provocations, else the situation could escalate, advises Ganesha. In the second week, family and finance looks to be your main concerns. It is not that you will earn less, but you will be confused about managing your finances wisely. List out your priorities in consultation with your family to create a well thought out budget, suggests Ganesha. Businessmen could experience a dip in sales.

Those doing jobs may be stressed by the heavy work load and excruciating deadlines. Health does not look good in the first fortnight of the month. There could be joint pains, respiratory complications or digestive disorders. You need to be extra careful here. Important Dates 15, 16, 18, 21, 29

the Banana Bark in small circles (remove the un-wanted silky threads and trash-away) and save cut pieces in a fresh water bowl with some Curd/Yoghurt + little Turmeric Powder (otherwise these white pieces will turn into black colour very soon). Filter and wash them and grind the pieces to get a 50ml extract/juice. Mix the juice with some fresh butter-milk, pepper and salt to taste and drink daily for a couple of months.

Banana Bark juice is good for Diabetes/Sugar patients and for those with depression. It will heal the blisters in the mouth and stomach and good for mouth Ulcer, Stomach Ulcer called ‘Colon Ulcer’.

Eat “Banana Bark” Juice or Raw Salad: Cut thin slices of ‘Banana Bark’ like chips.

Add few small chopped fresh Ginger pieces, salt, pepper (to taste). Mix with 2 spoonful of fresh Curd/yoghurt and add few fresh Coriander leaves to garnish and enjoy eating RAW Salad every often. The Juice/Salad is good for Diabetes/Sugar patients and also for those with ‘Depression’. It is a healing medicine for ‘Mouth Ulcer’ and Stomach Ulcer called ‘Colon Ulcer’. It is good for ‘Gout’ Weight loss/Obesity, for body muscle pain as it acts like a ‘Muscle tone’ and a perfect cure to crush the Kidney/Gall Bladder stone. To drink the juice or eat the salad is good to maintain your normal heart-beat, and good for Cardiac/heartattacks. In your daily food, please include a banana fruit or any one part of the banana plant to lead a healthy and longer life. This will prevent future Kidney failure.

Banana Leaves: In Asian culture most of the Indians eat their daily food (spread the main course of meals) on Banana leaves. To lead healthy and longer life, eat your food on the Banana leaves which will stop hair fall and

grey hairs.

Treatment for Computer Users/I. T. Personnel: Use the fresh tender banana leaves (called Cigar-leaves) as a blind-fold bandage on both your eyes before going to bed every night. This is good for nerves to cool the eyes of the Computer users especially I. T. Personnel to relieve them from their eye sore/pain and tiredness. It is also good for the eye-operated / Ophthalmic-patients to heal their eyessoar/pain.

Treatment for ‘Madras Eye’: It is good to cure ‘blood-coloured eyes’ this disease otherwise known as ‘Madras eyes’. Put a layer of Banana tender-fresh-leave otherwise called ‘Cigar-leave’ as blind fold bandage on your both eyes before bed for seven (7) nights, it will cure any kind of eye sore.

For Fire Accident Skin burns: Grind the Banana leaves and/or banana bark to make a paste to apply gently every day on skin burnt area for few weeks. It is good for Fire accident related Skin burns. You can use the Banana tender leaves called ‘Cigar leaves’ and spread the new-leaf gently on the skin burnt area. The repeated application of this leaf-therapy will cool the burns, reduce the pain and gradually heal them. The Banana leaves acts as anti-bacterial and anti-biotic.

To Reduce Growing Tummy: Use the Banana “Root’. This is good for medicinal use especially to reduce your Growing Tummy.

Clean/wash the root to remove the soil. Cut the Root in thin chips and eat them as raw salad OR grind the pieces and drink the juice of 50ml in empty stomach. Add some salt and pepper to taste and drink. This juice is especially good to reduce your growing tummy.

Drink it daily twice a day for a couple of months. The juice or the Salad will help to remove the ‘Diorites’ from the growing big tummy. The juice or the salad is good to maintain your heart-beat. Good for Cardiac/heart attack, Sugar/Diabetes and good for Depres-

sion patients.

How to make a food dish or salad from the Banana flowers: Add little curd, pepper and salt to taste, few leaves fresh Coriander to make ‘Banana flower Salad’ to eat raw. You can prepare a food dish of Banana flower. How to clean it: Remove and throw-away a few red thick shields protecting the actual growing banana fruit which looks like a flower. Take each one flower, open it to remove the one ‘longest’ tentacle which is bitter in taste from each flower and throw-away. Out of the two petals carefully remove the ‘small shiny petal’ which will be bitter in taste. Stop once you reach a white-soft-portion like cone. You can cut the ‘white soft cone’ and added with the cleaned flowers in to very small pieces. Then put the pieces of the Banana flower in a bowl of ‘Water + Curd + Turmeric powder’ to protect them from turning into black colour. Then filter, rinse in water one time and boil the flower pieces for at least 20-30 minutes. Once boiled, filter them. Use the boiled tiny-cut-pieces of flower to make a food-dish of your choice or eat as raw salad. The food dish of Banana flower is good for females to eat continuously for 2 months. This will help maintain monthly periods at right intervals. It will stops too much of bleeding during periods. It will cure ‘Lukeria-white discharge’. It will even heal the un-seen blisters inside the womb and remove body-overheat. It will clear the Urinary track, blood in urine and urine burning for both male and female.

The BANANA FRUIT – FLOWERS – LEAVES –BARK and the ROOT contain lots of ‘DIETERY FIBERS’. It contains Vitmin-6, lot of Potassium, which is good for High B. P. It acts as Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Biotic. Tender Banana leaves are good for I. T. Personnel / Computer Users as “Eye Cool” for their eyes and it is good for any eye-disease and eyesore.

www.ganeshaspeaks.com Cancer - June 22 - July 22

Presence of exalted Sun along with Mercury in the 10th House will be supportive for businessmen and professionals, as the month begins.

Take advantage of favourable conditions. But, at the same time, personal relationships may not work so well, given the combined influence of exalted Venus, malefic Ketu, Mars and Jupiter. Some domestic matters will need urgent attention. You may have to cough up money. Thankfully, in the coming days, stars may help you organise your work. Use this time to get systematic and increase your efficiency, urges Ganesha. The second week opens, in all probability, with your confidence spiraling down miserably. Your plans and projections could go haywire. You could appear directionless and unsure about the future course of action. But, by 12th or so, you can hope to recover, quite a bit. Be grateful for small mercies. Self assured now, you will be working decisively. Financially, there may not be any discomfort. Important Dates 13, 14, 18, 21, 29

Leo - July 23 - August 22

As Moon transits through mystical and intuitive Pisces, you will hope that a flash of intuition lights your way ahead, helping you choose wisely. Fortunately, your wish will be granted here! The planetary configurations in the next few days shall help you find the right direction and methods to achieve desired results. Businessmen could be delighted, as profitable deals may come their way. Professionals may also gain now. However, career professionals may be left feeling let down by their seniors. Financially, things remain comfortable. Though, in the second week, you could bungle up on a golden opportunity, due to influence of planets of contrasting nature. Family matters may keep you worried and discontented. You need to spend more time with the family to nurture these precious bonds. Retrograde Sun could escalate old health issues, here. Care and discretion are called for! By mid-month, you could face difficulties in managing money matters. Haphazard planning may land you in a financial mess. You need to list out your priority for good money management. Important Dates, 11, 15, 16, 18, 21, 29

Virgo - August 23 - October 22

Around month's beginning, with Moon transiting through mystic Pisces, you could be much concerned about your spiritual evolution. Other crucial matters like finance and career may not be your top priority now. Those married may get offended by the inconsiderate attitude of their spouse. Ganesha suggests that you spend quality time together to tide over differences. Singles keen to enjoy romantic moments may come across obstacles. On 6th-7th, the ruler of your Sign Mercury shifts to the fixed Taurus. This change will activate progressive forces. Finances will be relatively comfortable now. Later, the Moon transiting through Gemini will be influenced by Mars and retrograde Saturn. This could push you to explore your options, but you may come across a dead-end with no viable opportunities. Ganesha recommends you to continue with your present endeavour with due diligence.The influence of Mars over the 7th House, with Ketu posited there, does not spell well for smooth running of routine activities. Important Dates 8, 18, 21, 29

Libra - September 23 - October 22

Some strong resentment and discontent could prevail at the beginning. You could adopt an introspective and philosophical approach to handle issues as they come. Venus and Aries here help you find the right direction to follow. According to Ganesha, by Thursday, as the new Moon starts evolving, gainful time could commence. Job holders may get a hike in salary.

Businessmen and professionals could now think of striking profitable deals. Those married could be swayed by temptation of an extra marital affair. In the second week, work related activities could keep you on the go.

Influence of Mars may help you hurry through. However, in a rush, ensure you do not overlook important opportunities. Singles may get into a happy, healthy relationship with a likeminded person and enjoy romantic moments together. Those already in love may hesitate to make any commitment for the time being. But for married couples, there is discord and dissonance written during this phase. You need to take better care of the sensibilities of your spouse to restore harmony, suggests Ganesha. . Important Dates 11, 13, 18, 21, 29

Scorpio - October 23 - Nov 21

In the first fortnight of the month, you should keep a low profile and not assert your views aggressively. You may want to withdraw from the outer world and turn inwards for inspiration, at this time. This feeling could be triggered by Moon transiting through mystic Pisces. Further, Moon approaching Sun posited in the 6th House from your Sign - may also depress you. Ganesha advises that you should pay heed to constructive suggestions from well wishers. From 6th, with planetary alignments changing, there could be some relief, even though ground realities would not change much. You will need to be careful about your health too, as overexertion could take a toll. In the second week too, the influence of Moon on your psyche could be quite pronounced. Thankfully, with Moon entering another Water Sign – Cancer, you would start getting buoyant. But, even then, you may not make much headway. Important Dates 13, 14, 15, 18, 21, 29

Sagittarius - November 22 - Dec 22

At the beginning of the month, you could be keen to sow the seeds of a new consciousness; a consciousness that takes your towards spiritual evolution, away from materialistic pulls. This could be due to Moon transiting through intuitive Pisces that may drive you towards spirituality and higher thinking.

Around 6th, with Moon entering action oriented Aries, your frame of mind may change. Plus, Venus transiting through 5th House, at this time, should bring good times for love birds. Singles too will find a great companion of the opposite sex. However, married life may not ring in harmony. Those who will benefit the most, in the first fortnight, will be businessmen. A lucky break may come their way, forecasts Ganesha. If you work in a business partnership, you may have serious differences with your partner, in the month's second week.

Ganesha cautions against making snide remarks or taking hasty decisions, even if the situation looks unbearable. Professionals may get frustrated for not getting an upgrade in designation, despite being qualified for the same. Singles will be dreamy-eyed about a new found love. Important Dates 15, 18, 20, 21, 29

Capricorn - December 23 - Jan 30

Right exposure is necessary to showcase one’s inherent ability. At the beginning of the month, you could face hindrance in finding the appropriate platform to prove your skills due to two major planets transiting through the twelfth House. You may also not get due recognition for your work. This is called eventuality of fate, opines Ganesha. Emerging of New Moon around Thursday could lead you to follow the right direction. Health could take a serious turn here. This could be attributed to exalted Sun transiting through the fourth House. In the second week, a minor tiff could escalate into major differences with your significant other.

Both could rake up past instances to blame each other for some or the other wrongdoing. It will take a couple of days for the dispute to settle down. Singles seeking serious relationship are likely to get support from current planetary transits. You may need to listen to your heart here, not do an intellectual analysis of the person concerned. Important Dates 15, 16, 18, 21, 20

Aquarius - January 21 - Feb 19

As the month begins, focus on learning the art of building healthy, long-term relationships. Refrain from embarking on a fault-finding mission.

Saturn is now retrograde in the 11th House from your Sign. This could provoke negative, critical tendencies. In a relationship, a strong foundation can be built by concentrating on the positives, but be careful. With Mars in the 11th House from your Sign, you will need to be careful of people with questionable integrity. In the second week, given the contrasting influence of Moon, Gemini, Saturn and Mars, your ability to think decisively and act confidently could be reduced. Job holders may get stressed here. It is the constant nagging of your boss that infuriates you. At times, you may feel like throwing up everything, quitting your job and looking for new options. Ganesha advises that you should look for secure growth prospects and not immediate gains in salary here. Businessmen need to be all ears about feedback of customers. Pay attention to quality and high delivery standards. Important Dates 15, 16, 18, 21, 29

Pisces - February 20 - March 20

The month begins with strong overtones of sensuality and sexuality. Whether married or single, you will yearn for physical intimacy. It really is refreshing to enjoy the wonderful pleasures of life! You will be joyful and upbeat around this time. On 6th, Venus, the planet of love and enjoyment, comes out of your Sign to enter Aries. Now you need to be careful about monetary transactions. Businessmen will need to follow-up regularly to recover due payments. The ongoing transit of retrograde Saturn too does not look supportive for progress. Those working with multinational companies need to be careful and deliberate thoroughly before making final commitment.

In the second week, you could get stressed due to numerous conflicting impulses pushing you in different directions. This is because Moon shifts into flighty Gemini and prevents you from following a single goal. Adding to your confusion shall be the influence of two planets of contrasting nature on the Moon. Hang on! The situation gets better by 12th or so, especially when Moon transits through Cancer. Young singles seem to be favoured here. Those in love will be eager for marriage and pleasures of life. Important Dates 11, 15, 16, 18, 21, 29

Disclaimer: This is only a guide and is not directed towards any particular individual and the writer shall not be responsible for anything to do with the article content.

36 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

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Hindu Temples....

distinctive A HINDU temple design containing or Mandir isidols a building of divine of personalities. It is a common place of worship, spiritual rituals and activities, as well as a place of meeting with other people of the community.

Private small temples of simple designs are not uncommon and many Hindu families have a shrine at home with idols and pictures of divinities for use as a family temple.

Large and famous Hindu temples are the material manifestation of religious belief that Hindus hold high in their esteem. They demonstrate their rich spiritual and cultural heritage accumulated over millenniums through generations of Hindus.

Reference to temples is not found in the Vedas and historians say that a temple did not exist during the Vedic period. However, later scriptures including the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Puranas contain stories with reference to temples.

In the past temples exhibited the material wealth, achievements in architecture, art and culture, and honour of kings and kingdoms.

Building a temple was considered a common obligation for kings and subjects. Similar tendency can be observed among religious population even now.

Earliest temple structures were made of clay with thatched roofs. Cave temples were prevalent in mountainous terrain. With the progress in science and technology, large temples were built of bricks, stones and marbles. In places they were carved out of mountainous rocks.

Almost all religious denominations of Hinduism have temples dedicated to their preferred deities.

A large number of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations can be found throughout India and abroad. Temples of international fame are the Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Tulsi Manas Mandir in Varanasi, Valmiki Ramayan Mandir in Ayodhya, Vishnupad Mandir and Mahabodhi Vihar in Gaya, Badrinarayan Mandir in Badrinath, Dwarkadhish Mandir in Dwarka, Jagannath Mandir in Jagannath Puri and Birla Mandir mostly known as Laxmi Narayan Mandir at various locations built by industrialist GD Birla.

Iskcon temples in Mayapur, Bangalore and Vrindavan and at other locations in India and abroad are modern temples that attract pilgrims from all over the world.

Shree Swami Narayan temples located in India and abroad are mostly new temples and are generally known as Akshardham. Akshardham temples in Delhi and Toronto, Canada demonstrate their grandeur in design and architecture.

Famous Shaivite temples commonly referred to twelve Jyotilinga temples are located at Somnath in Gujarat, Mallikarjun in Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Vaidyanath in Jharkhand, Nageshwar, Trayambakeshwar, Bhimashankar and Ghrishneswar in Maharastra, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Kedarnath in Uttarakhand and Vishwanath Jyotilinga in Varanasi.

In addition, the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and Lingraj temple in Bhuwaneshwar are other ancient Shiva temples.

Among the existing Brahma temples the temple at Lake Pushkar is the most prominent temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Other temple that incorporates Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the same idol is the Sthanumalayan temple in Suchindram near Kanya Kumari at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Major temples dedicated to female deities are the Dakshineswar Kali temple in Kolkata, Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, Mansadevi temple in Haridwar, Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu, Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai, Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore, Durgiana temple in Amritsar and Devi Kanya Kumari or Shree Bhagavati temple in Kanya Kumari.

Famous temples dedicated to Lord Surya are the Konark temple in Odisha, and Deo and Ulaar Surya Mandir in Bihar. While Konark temple is a great tourist attraction throughout the year, the Deo and Ulaar temples attract devotees especially during the Chhatha Puja.

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cated in Mumbai is a renowned temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir in Varanasi is a famous temple of Hanuman, a great devotee of Lord Rama.

The Kailasa temple in Ellora is one of the largest rock cut ancient Hindu temples. It is carved out of one single rock. It is one of the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment.

The Khajuraho group of monuments famous for erotic sculptures consists of a group of Hindu and Jain temples. They are also used as a place of worship.

Angkor Vat temple in Cambodia is one of the well-known ancient Hindu temples overseas.

Although in ruins, its grandeur and design still attract thousands of tourists every year.

In addition to the above-mentioned temples hundreds of thousand of other temples are spread all over India and abroad. Although temples are generally named after a single god or goddess, most temples contain idols of many other divinities worshiped by Hindus.

Both ancient and modern temples display their grandeur of physical appearance, idols, design, decoration and calligraphy.

The whole Tulsikrit Ramayan is written on the walls of Tulsi Manas Mandir whilst the whole Bhagavad Gita is inscribed on the walls of Vishwanath temple at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. Similarly the complete Valmiki Ramayan is written on the walls of Valmiki Ramayan Mandir in Ayodhya.

South Indian temples are famous for their

• Badrinath temple.

special internal and external sculptures and appearance.

Temples had been a major target of attack by foreign invaders and local despots in the past.

Even now their ruins and destructions can be seen in cities like Varanasi, Mathura and Ayodhya. However, new temples and those restored to their glory such as the Somnath temple demonstrate the resilience of Hinduism to overcome adverse circumstances.

More information on Hinduism will follow in the next edition of BIT. Awadhesh Sharma

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Real Estate News What are genuine savings?

By Gagan Tandon - 0425 158 280 Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisors

APPLYING for your first home loan doesn’t need to be a complicated venture, but there are a couple of things to get your head around. For one, you’ll need to put down a deposit before you can secure the loan and lenders will typically want this to come from genuine savings.

But what does this mean? And what kind of things do they assess?

Here is a quick guide to help demystify the terms.

What are genuine savings?

Aside from the First Home Buyer Grant, your lender will normally need you to prove that you’ve got around 5 per cent of the purchase price of the property saved - this is known as genuine savings. Basically, it is money that you’ve accumulated over time. It can even gives you a great starting point to establish good saving habits, as well as preparing you for mortgage

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payments further down the line.

Why do I need them? Home loan providers usually ask for genuine savings when you’re applying for a mortgage with a high LVR, or loan-to-value ratio. For example, you’ll generally need to provide evidence of these genuine funds if you’re borrowing more than 80 per cent of the property’s value. Some lenders may even go up to 90% without a need of genuine savings.

What do lenders accept? It’s not just a matter of telling the lender you have the money saved - you’ll need to provide evidence in the form of bank statements. This should show that you’ve established the pattern over the space of three months. There are also other forms that lenders count towards your genuine savings, including equity held in other assets or investments, such as residential property and with some lenders your rent payment history can be considered. They might even accept inheritance and cash but the requirements vary.

In any case, make sure to have a chat with your Mortgage Adviser before approaching a lender.

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4 things people forget when buying a house

By Paul Brown for Slater & Gordon’s Conveyancing Works realestate.com.au IT’S easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding your dream home but there’s much more to think about than just your loan.

Here’s a list of four important things to always consider when buying property.

1. Getting legal advice Throughout your life you’ll be faced with different contracts.

Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases you’ll likely make, so before you sign on the dotted line it’s best to talk to a lawyer.

Having a qualified solicitor review your contract will help you understand if there are any potential issues and what further investigations into the property you might need before signing. This could include: • Building approvals for additions, renovations or even the house itself.

• Proposals for acquiring any part of the land for roads or infrastructure.

• For units and similar strata or community living – the relevant rules and costs.

2. Doing a valuation

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There are different ways to get a valuation done so you know you are paying the right price for the property. Having an expert involved in the valuation can help ensure you negotiate the best price possible for the property Having a professional property valuer who is independent of the sale or the seller can give you a much clearer view of the value for a property. They will also give you a written report explaining how they reached their valuation.

While your lender may want a valuation to decide whether to offer you a loan, you should consider getting one to make sure you are paying the right amount.

3. Building and other property inspections Unless you’re an experienced builder, you probably won’t know whether that small gap in the brickwork is simply a cosmetic concern or a catastrophe to come.

Even if everything looks perfect to you, without knowing the telltale signs or where to look you could end up buying a property with problems that can be very costly to fix.

Get a building inspector to give the place a thorough once over so you know more about the condition of the property. While inspections will cost a little, they could

save you a lot.

There may be other aspects of the

“While inspections will cost a little, they can save you a lot.” property you want to check depending on how important they are to you, such as whether the property is energy efficient, or low maintenance.

4. Conveyancing Don’t leave your conveyancing as an afterthought. Using an experienced conveyancer or solicitor when you’re buying or selling property will ensure you get the advice you need.

A conveyancer will help navigate through any problems that arise during the process of transferring the title of the property into your name, and will help manage the process from start to finish.

Along with securing finance, there are many important details to consider when buying property. To ensure that your transaction goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to seek advice from an industry professional.

Because laws vary from state to state, be sure to contact a professional in your area.

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 39

Real Estate News

Units vs houses: which is a better investment?

By Alice Bradley realestate.com.au/blog ARE you trying to decide between making an investment in a unit or a house? Well take a step back, because there are a few key factors that you should consider first.

In some markets, a house may be a better option, in others a unit may reap better gains.

So to make the most of your hard-earned money, you really need to do your research before you invest in either type of property.

Simon Pressley, Managing Director at Propertyology, says comparing units and houses as a property investor is like comparing banking stocks and medical stocks as a share investor. It is all dependent of the state of the market, whether that be the property market or the stock market.

But when it comes to property, somehow people get sidetracked by the fact that property is a tangible asset, one that we can see and touch.

“What’s important is for the investor to not focus on the property itself but instead to focus on the market,” Pressley says.

“What actually grows is the economy. A property itself is a static commodity; it’s the market around it that grows.”

Here are Pressley’s top three considerations to check off before you begin to weigh up which property type to go for: 1. Economics: Assessing economic drivers in detail will lead you to narrowing down the right property market.What is happening in a particular market? What drives the economy? Does that particular industry have staying power? Which towns and cities have the potential to create jobs in the future?

2. Supply and demand: Check the investment statistics of your chosen market. How many houses are there and how many units are available? How many houses and units will be available in the future? Because property investment is a long-term decision, don’t just look at what’s being built, but also at what’s been approved. There may be an undersupply now, but if a planned community has been approved, that may mean an oversupply of units or houses in the future.

3. Affordability: As an investor your objective is to make money. To do that you need to buy properties that are in-demand. And the number one driver of competition? Price.

Contrary to popular belief, demand for highly desirable, high-end suburbs is not as high as the more “meat-and-potatoes” type suburbs, Pressley says.

If you refer to these key factors when considering a property investment, you’ll then be in a position to weigh up which property type to choose.

Once you’ve reached that stage, there are certain risks and advantages you need to know.

Investing in apartments

Archers the Strata Professionals Partner Andrew Staehr says apartments offer an affordable entry point into the market, in locations 40 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

that may be beyond an investor’s budget if they were looking at houses.

“Highly sought-after (inner-city) locations are more attractive to tenants; offering higher rental yields and investment security,” Staehr says.

The potentially lower price point may also allow an investor to build up a diversified portfolio quickly.

Another advantage of investing in an apartment in a strata scheme is that insurance, maintenance and upkeep are provided by the body corporate.

“If you own a house, all maintenance issues are your responsibility, whereas the maintenance and care of an apartment building and its surrounds are the responsibility of the body corporate,” Staehr says.

Pressley says to avoid big complexes with features that tenants are drawn to, like lifts and swimming pools, because they will force the body corporate fees up considerably.

“They are the features that when need replacing cost a fortune,” he says.

The specific size of the building is important, but it changes depending on the location. In a capital city like Melbourne, a complex with 50 units is not considered big, but in a regional town like Ballarat, that would be considered a monstrosity. In a regional town, 12 lots would be more appropriate.

Pressley says to not get too caught up on whether or not the property has a balcony or a courtyard – that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad investment. If there is no demand in the market for those features, then it’s not important.

Investing in houses When it comes to houses, you have to pay 100% of the insurance and 100% of the maintenance and upkeep fees. Every single thing that happens to the house is your responsibility.

“Within my own personal portfolio, I’ve had instances where I’ve had to fork out $15,000 for a roof. When those things are needed for an apartment, you get the benefit of economy of scale,” Pressley says. “(With an apartment) you’re paying body corporate fees in lieu of the general maintenance and insurance outside you’re apartment. That’s probably a comparable cost.”

One advantage to keep in mind when considering a house, is the value of land.

Land appreciates over time, so even if all you can afford is a regional or outer suburb house – it could be a wise choice, provided you have assessed the supply and demand, affordability and economic factors outlined earlier.

So you’ve looked at the pros and cons of investing in houses and units, and you might be ready to dive in, but is there a right time to buy a particular style of property?

Units vs houses in today’s market “The answer to this question is always the

same,” Pressley says. “There’s not so much a good time, as a good market.”

“It’s important for the investor to refer to economic drivers and affordability… this will lead to a particular market. Then look at the supply and demand for apartments and houses in that market.”

It is true, however, that as a nation Australia is building (and buying) more apartments

than ever before, particularly in capital cities.

But some of the regional cities are actually building at the normal rates, and some have lower unemployment rates.

“There’s a misconception that regional means risk,” Pressley says. “That’s just an assumption formed by naiveté from people who haven’t lived in a regional area.”

Is AIRBNB a threat to Australian property managers?

It has been interesting to watch the rise of Airbnb in the Australian rental market over the past couple of years. This new rental model has signaled many changes in the short term rental industry, revolutionising the budget holiday sector and creating a new paradigm for property owners.

But how do such technological advances affect traditional property managers, and should they be worried?

Article by John Prendergast Commercial Director, Rockend Airbnb’s clientele is broad but limited Typically, Airbnb’s market is broad, but generally limited to the budget end of the property rental market. My observations of Airbnb have noted that you will rarely see high-end, high value properties on the platform. Rather, such properties remain with property managers, with owners requiring a long list of services to be provided for them.

When looking at the Airbnb business model it is important to remember that it grew out of a young, backpacking community looking to find places to sleep in foreign countries.

That mindset still pervades the Airbnb culture and as a result, it is focused towards the lower end of the market, firstly by design and now by its limitation in its range of services.

It is important to remember that property managers and Airbnb cater to two different markets.

High end properties demand more than what Airbnb can provide Fundamentally, the clientele who seek middle to high-end properties also expect a certain level of customer service that Airbnb cannot provide: contract management, payments, insurance, cleaning, resident screening, showings, maintenance and key swap.

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Property managers can provide a premium service that, as it currently stands, cannot be replicated through the internet model of Airbnb.

Technology goes hand in hand with property managers Property Managers are far from becoming obsolete with the advances in technology, they have much to gain in terms of making processes faster, cheaper and more efficient.

Technology can actually help property management businesses become more viable. Effective property management software allows businesses to operate in a more efficient and customer oriented manner. Technology enables Property Managers to: • Conduct Resident Screening: Software can provide criminal checks, rental history and credit checks on potential tenants, helping to identify higher quality tenants and secure rental income.

• Manage finances: Software allows for Property Managers to manage rental payments, maintenance and arrears in a systematic manner.

• Automation: Premium software automates mundane and time consuming tasks, such as bank reconciliation and inspections scheduling. Utilizing software automation frees up a property managers day, providing them with more time to spend with clients and managing your property.

From my observations, although Airbnb may be making waves in the Australian market, it appears that it is not a direct threat to the Australian property management industry.

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WHATÊS ON!

8 April to 15 April 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Ram Naumi – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir – Ram Katha Celebration – by Dharam Guru Pundit Tripathi Ji. Mon to Frid 6.30pm onwards / Sat & Sun 4pm onwards. Hawan will be performed on Friday 15th April at 10am. Hawan sponsor $101 – Food sponsor $300. For more information contact: Dhiru Desai – 0406213153 / Devika Maharaj 0424 891 159 Visit www.shreevishnumayamandir.com.au for secured online donation facility

12 April 2016...

YSPN Brisbane presents an evening with Curtis Pitt – 6pm to 8.30pm at Australian Institute of Management, Management House, Rosa Street Spring Hill Qld 4000.

Refer to page 18 for more details.

16 April 2016...

Varnam Cultural Society – Chithirai Kalai Vizha – Multicultural New Year Celebrations, 4pm onwards at St John’s Anglican College, College Avenue, Forest Lake. For more details contact President Rajarajan Thennava 0431 433 889 – varnamqld@gmail.com or visit www.varnamqld.org ….follow on facebook

17 April 2016...

Nachiketa Musical Night – 6.30pm – 9.30pm at Schonell Theatre, Union Road, University of Qld St Lucia Qld 4067. For more details refer to flyer below.

21 – 23 April 2016...

Charlton Brown – Global Welfare Summit – 8.30am – 5pm, 158 Ferny Avenue Gold Coast. The inaugural “Global Welfare Summit” hosted by Charlton Brown at the Gold Coast will discuss the innovative develop-

44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

Brisbane Indian Times proudly serving the Multicultural Community since 2003 - proudly sponsors this page for community organisations / non profit organisatons! To view full list of upcoming events visit www.indiantimes.com.au

ment and the future approaches which provide quality of life for whole of life. The GWS is a two day conference followed by a oneday Master Class. It is suitable for executives, management and senior staff in aged care as well as nursing and allied health specialist and professional carers – both residential aged care and home care. Early bird, student and group registrations are available, register six delegates for the price of five. For exciting sponsorship and exhibition opportunities speak to Sally Freestun at Charlton Brown today on 073216 0288 or visit www.charltonbrown.com.au

22 April 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Hanuman Jayanti – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

23 April 2016...

Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio presents…Navwarsh Mela 2016 – Celebrating Indian New Year! Expressions of interest – Stall holders / Entertainers.

Please contact Umesh Chandra 0421 388 465 or email ceo@chantex.com.au

5 May 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of each month. Performers: Q Horns. For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

2 June 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of

each month. Performers: Brass Ensemble.

For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

18 June 2016...

Pt Kushal Das – Sublime Master of Sitar – 7pm at BEMAC Qld Multicultural Centre, 102 Main Street, Kangaroo Point. Refer to page 45 for more information.

24 June 2016...

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Youth Night – Held at Runcorn Heights State School Hall. For more information contact secretary.sanatandharam@gmail.com or visit www.sanatanqld.org.au

7 July 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of each month. Performers: Brisbane Cello Chorale. For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

20 July 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Guru Purnima – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

22 July 2016...

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Ramayan Sammellan – Held at Runcorn Heights State School Hall. For more information contact secretary.sanatandharam@gmail.com or visit www.sanatanqld.org.au

24 July 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – 25th Annual General Meeting – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President

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Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

4 August 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of each month. Performers: Brisbane City Opera. For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

18 August 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Raksha Bandhan – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

19 August to 25 August 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Shri Krishna Janam Astami – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Krishnan Janamashtami Celebrations – Held at 311 Boston Road, Belmont Qld 4153.

For more information contact secretary.sanatandharam@gmail.com or visit www.sanatanqld.org.au

27 August 2016...

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Ramayan Sammellan – 8am to 5pm at Mercure Hotel, 85-87 North Quay Brisbane.

Conference theme: “United communities, United Australia”. For more information visit www.vhp.org.au or email mano.krishna@vhp.org.au Continued page 46

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 45

WHATÊS ON!

Continued from page 44

1 September 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of each month. Performers: Annastasia Bickel and Annika Hinrichs (vocal) For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

2-3 September...

Sangeet Mela 2016 – Featuring Pt Shubhendra Rao (Sitar) and Smt Saskia Rao De Haas (Cello) at Qld Multicultural Centre. For more information contact Shen Flindell shen@ethnosuperlounge.com

Brisbane Indian Times proudly serving the Multicultural Community since 2003 - proudly sponsors this page for community organisations / non profit organisatons! To view full list of upcoming events visit www.indiantimes.com.au

/ Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

6 October 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of each month. Performers: Sax Orchestra. For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

15 October 2016...

5 September 2016...

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Diwali Celebrations – Held at Runcorn Heights State School Hall. For more information contact secretary.sanatandharam@gmail.com or visit www.sanatanqld.org.au

16 September 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Annual Public Deepawali Celebrations – Venue TBA. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592

Gayatri Mandir – Ganesh Chaturthi – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 / Secretary Mr Sunil Maharaj 0431692899 or Vice President Mr Mukesh Rattan 0419 712 592 Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Pitr Shraadh Programme – Held at Runcorn Heights State School Hall. For more information contact secretary.sanatandharam@gmail.com or visit www.sanatanqld.org.au

17 September 2016...

Eswaralaya Kalaikookam proudly presents “An Evening of Indian Classical Dance” – Bharatanatyam Concert – For further information contact Smt. Manga Surendran on 0433 967 489

2 October to 10 October 2016...

Gayatri Mandir – Navraatri (Durga Naumi) Celebrations – 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information please contact President Mr Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414

22 October 2016...

3 November 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium. They are on the first Thursday of each month. Performers: Divertimenti String Ensemble. For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

18 November 2016...

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Assn. of Qld – Satsang – Held at Runcorn Heights State School Hall. For more information contact secretary.sanatandharam@gmail.com or visit www.sanatanqld.org.au

1 December 2016...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert – 11am – 11.50am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane. St John’s Cathedral FREE concerts for 2016 are offered

Weekly Events...

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld Inc – Vedic Yaj (Havan) –The Sabha performs Havan Yaj every Sunday from 2-4pm at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre, 198 Learoyd Rd, Willawong and the public is welcome to be part of it. The members of public now can perform Havan Yaj at the centre.

The fee of $50 is required for use of centre facilities to cover operating costs. The Havan Kund, utensils are available for use as well The Havan ingredients can be supplied if you are unable to get them. Mango sticks, Ghee, Samagri, Chamfor etc is available at the centre as well for $25. The seating capacity of the Yajshalla (Havan Hall) is 100. Contact Vice President Mrs Sushila Pathik for further information and bookings on 3314 6059. Contact Jitendra Deo 3263 1914 or Hari Chand 3345 4716 or visit www.aryasamajqueensland.com for further information.

Australian Pentecostal Assembly Brisbane – Sunday Worship every Sunday 9am-11.30am at 84 The Community Place, 84 Kedron Park Road, Wooloowin Qld with Pastor Prakash Jacob. Cottage Meeting every Tuesday 7.30pm-9pm / Kids Bible Study every Friday 7pm-7.45pm / Intercessory Prayer every Friday 7.45-9pm. Worship in Hindi, English, Malayalam and other Indian Languages. For more information Phone 07 3315 5597 / 0413 347 562 or email info@apabrisbane.com.au / www.apabrisbane.com.au

Brahma Kumaris Australia – Meditation & Positive Thinking Sessions – Mondays 10.30am to 11.30am: Regular meditation should improve your ability to focus and think clearly. By practising mediations which cultivate our ability to sense and care for our natural energy we are able to live life with greater awareness and confidence. Each class includes guided meditations, discussions, short talks and the introduction and practice of techniques.

Each session is a different topic. Meditation sessions Tuesdays 6.30pm to 7.30 pm and Sundays 5.30pm to 6.30pm. During these sessions there will be meditation commentaries, music and periods of silence. You can come and go at any time during these sessions. Venue: 27 Bordeaux Parade, Mermaid Waters. Please phone to register – 5575 2126.

Email goldcoast@au.brahmakumaris.org or visit www.brahmakumaris.org/au/whatson for more information

Brisbane Multinational Church Hindi Service – Every Sunday at 9.30am at 757 Gympie Road, Lawnton. Special service to pray for healing, deliverance and other spiritual problems. Enquiries Ps Joseph Dass 0424 180 240.

NORTHERN SUBURBS BOWLS CLUB invites the community to their Friday Night Meals and Fun Barefoot Bowls from 5.30pm. Families, friends and groups of all ages are welcome. Reasonable priced meals of a varied selection. Play under

in partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium.

For more information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or call 07 3835 2222 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday lights till 11pm. Adults $10, children $5 with a family at $20. Located in Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights the club welcomes people from all backgrounds. Come and meet new friends while enjoying fellowship and friendship.

Contact Lois on 3263 5148, club 3359 2142 or email bowls@nsbc.com.au.

Nundah Yoga - FREE meditation classes – Nundah Community Centre, 14 Station Street, Nundah.

Organization of Hindu Malayalees Queensland (OHM Queensland) – Monthly Bhajans held every first Saturday of Malayalam calendar. Activities include Bhajans, Malayalam Class, Library service, religious short educational presentations, vegetarian dinner etc. For further information please contact President Krishnan AK on 0418 727 570 or ohmqueensland@gmail.com

Sai Baba Aarti Program – Every Thursday 7.30pm – Virginia State School, 1678 Sandgate Road, Virginia (next to Virginia Train Station) Aarti & Archana opportunity for all attendees, Prasad & Dinner provided. Enquiries call 0405 392 793 / saibababrisbane@gmail.com / Like on facebook www.facebook.com/SaiBabaBrisbane

Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil (Ganesha Temple) Brisbane (South Maclean) – For full list of upcoming events please visit www.sriselvavinayakar.org

The Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association - Gold Coast Bhajan - monthly Bhajans held every third Friday of the month starting at 7.15am at the Helensvale Community Centre - 31 Discovery Rd, Helensvale. Activities include Bhajan recitals, short educational presentations and free vegetarian dinner. All are cordially invited to attend. For further information please contact Director/Religious Activities, Mr S Barataraj on 0417 588 839 or gchcan@gmail.com or visit www.goldcoasthindu.org The Mantra Room – Live Kirtan – Spend an evening of sacred Yoga chant with Gayatri, Ishvara, Jayadharma and friends Fridays 6pm, Sundays 5pm and Wednesdays 7pm at Australian School of Meditation & Yoga, 236 Montague Road, West End. Amazing Vego Food $5. Come celebrate, meditate and let the music set you free.

For more information call 3844 8441 or email brisbane@asm.org.au Yoga in Daily Life – Discount Yoga Classes – every Thursday at 6pm and every Friday at 4.30pm, they are $10 for 1 hour and half, with relaxation, asanas, pranayam and meditation, at Yoga in Daily Life Brisbane Ashram. Also full moon meditation at 7.45pm – 8.30, every Purnima by Donation. Yoga in Daily Life – 46 Doggett Street, Newstead Qld 4006. www.brisbane.yogaindailylife.org.au / brisbane@yogaindailylife.org

AUM Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland Inc.

Vedic Yaj (Havan) April 1, 2, 3 Ved Prachaar, all welcome and Dinner provided.

17 April Satsangh at 2pm-4pm; 24 April Satsangh at 2pm-4pm; at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre (QVCC) 198 Learoyd Rd, Willawong ALL WELCOME

46 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre opens to Public. The centre has basic facilities of Yajshalla (Havan Hall), kitchen and Restrooms. There is plenty of parking. The Sabha performs Havan Yaj every Sunday from 2-4 pm and public is welcome to be part of it. The members of public now can perform Havan Yaj at the centre. The fee of $50 is required for use of centre facilities to cover operating costs. The Havan Kund, utensils are available for use as well. The Havan ingredients can be supplied if you are unable to get them. Mango sticks, Ghee, Samagri, Chamfor, etc. is available at the centre as well for $25.00.

The seating capacity of the Yajshalla (Havan Hall) is 100.

You can contact Vice President Mrs Sushila Pathik for further information and bookings on 3314 6059.

Contact: Jitendra Deo 3263 1914 or Hari Chand 3345 4716 or visit www.aryasamajqueensland.com for further information.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 47

Bollywood & Entertainment

Priyanka Chopra tried committing suicide, claims ex-manager

THE industry is mourning the death of TV star, Pratyusha Banerjee. While everyone is still reeling under the shock, news of a superstar trying to commit suicide during her struggling days has surfaced. The superstar in question happens to be none other than desi girl, Priyanka Chopra, claims PC's exmanager, Prakash Jaju.

With a parallel career in Bollywood and Hollywood, Priyanka Chopra is a renowned international star. The former Miss World has only impressed us with her acting chops over the years, garnering millions of followers from around the world. However, according to PC's ex-manager, Priyanka was very vulnerable during her struggling days. "PC may look very strong now but she was also very vulnerable in struggling days, tried to commit suicide 2-3 times but i managed to stop her," he tweeted.

He also went on to mention that Priyanka and her alleged former boyfriend, Aseem

Merchant, kept having frequent fights and that PC would cry and call him up at midnight. He went to allege that once after her fight with Aseem, Priyanka drove to Mumbai's Vasai area to commit suicide, and that he managed to convince her to not do so. He further tweeted that Priyanka, who was very close to Aseem's mother, tried to jump off the building after his mother's death in 2002. He also wrote that Priyanka was then tied to a chair until grills were fitted on all the windows of the flat.

It's common knowledge that PC and her exmanager Prakash aren't on good terms.

Things apparently had turned bitter when PC allegedly abruptly terminated Prakash's contract, and Prakash filed a criminal lawsuit against the actress in the Mumbai court. In 2008, Priyanka's father filed a suit against Prakash for intruding his daughter's privacy and Prakash ended up serving 67 days in prison.

TNN

SUNNY Leone harboured a dream of working with Shah Rukh Khan since the beginning of her Bollywood journey and as she recently shot a song in Raees with the superstar, the actress found it difficult to control her emotions. Leone will be seen shaking a leg with the Dilwale actor in a remix of the 1980 chartbuster, Laila O Laila.

The Mastizaade actress feels proud to have worked with Shah Rukh, as she had wished for the opportunity “every single day”.

“Working with Shah Rukh was unbelievable, it was a dream come true. When you wish for something every single day and then you get a chance, just the offer to work with somebody like him, it was a very proud moment for me,” Leone said.

Even though the 34-year-old actress has made a mark for herself in Bollywood with several hit films to her credit, she got very emotional when she saw herself with Shah Rukh in one frame. “I was the happiest ever.

To see myself and Shah Rukh on the screen, in one frame, that was... the first time I saw, the first shot, it was very emotional for me. I was like ‘I have make up on, control your emotions’. I was constantly saying, ‘Oh God!

My first shot with him, thank you’.”

Usually bold and confident in her demeanour, Leone, was a bundle of nerves when she met the 50-year-old actor on the movie’s set. The Ragini MMS 2 star says she behaved like a “dork” in front of him.

“He is very nice, respectful, and professional. I am such a dork, I get shy, I am like that person who doesn’t know what to talk when that person is standing in front of you.

You admire them, look upto them and you think ‘they have accomplished so much’, and then they’re in front of you and you just don’t know what to say,” the actress says.

HT

Sunny Leone: I was a bundle of nerves in front of Shah Rukh Khan

Fan - releasing 15th April Starring: Shah Rukh Khan Directed by: Maneesh Sharma Produced by: Aditya Chopra Production Company: Yash Raj Films

Synopsis: FAN is the story of Gaurav (Shah Rukh Khan) a young man, 20 something, whose world revolves around the mega movie star Aryan Khanna (Shah Rukh Khan) or God as he refers to him.

From the by lanes of Delhi, young Gaurav embarks on a journey to the city of dreams, Mumbai, in order to wish his God on his birthday. After all, he is Aryan’s biggest FAN and even has a striking resemblance to him – how difficult could it be for the world biggest

FAN to get an audience with the world’s biggest Star.

When things don’t go according to plan, Gaurav’s love and passion for his God turns in to a dangerous obsession that crosses the fine line.

In an edge of the seat thriller, FAN will peel away at both Gaurav and Aryan’s personalities and characters as the two men discover people within themselves that even they didn’t know existed, and we’re left wondering who to sympathize with and whom to root for – can we really pick a side, after all, Superstars are also human beings but each one of us is also a FAN.

BAAGHI - releasing 29th April Starring: Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor Director: Sabbir Khan Produced by: Nadiadwala Grandson entertainment Pvt Ltd Written by: Sanjeev Dutta

Synopsis: Baaghi is the story of Ronny, a rebellious 23-year-old from Delhi. Fearing his unruly and angry temperament his father sends him to a disciplinary academy set in a sleepy town in Kerala. While traveling to the academy he meets Siya who also carries a rebellious streak but nonetheless spark fly be-

tween them. After his enrollment, Ronny encounters the star student Raghav and things get awry between them when Raghav falls for Siya as well. Years later Ronny is informed that Siya is abducted and is called upon for help to rescue her from the gritty underbelly of Thailand. Lost in the midst of a new city Ronny comes face to face with his nemesis, Raghav. They both still love Siya unconditionally and are in a battle to win her heart. But there will be only one person who will. Who will it be the rebellious Ronny or the furious Raghav?

For all the latest releases - screening dates visit

48 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

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www.mindblowingfilms.com

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016 — 49

Sports News

2,000 medal target within Windies overcome adverse reach as Ganga wins another circumstances to join 10 medals at championship league of champions

GANGA Prasad has set a goal of 2,000 medals, his recent performance at Gold Coast Masters and Regional Athletics Championship saw him win another 10 medals - 7 Gold and 3 Silver.

Ganga said, “It was one of my best performances as I did some record times in some of events with State Titles. Soon I will be reaching my 2,000 medals target as there are a lot of Championship and Competitions in 2016”.

Ganga started playing sports at the age of 6 in Primary School, his biggest motivation and inspiration was the teachers at the school. He played Soccer and Athletics and then went on to learn Badminton, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis and Chess at High School.

Having coompeted in numerous Sports tournaments and championships, he has won awards, certificates and trophies and was Champion in many school sports events.

When Ganga entered University he learnt more sports like Volleyball, Hockey and continued playing all those sports and represented Colleges and Universities in the above sports.

“I had been a Sports Teacher at many many Primary and Secondary Schools.Coached in schools too.Represented Fiji in many of those sports and won Medals Nationally and Internationally,” said Ganga.

Upcoming events in 2016 with further opportunity to add to his tally are: Queensland State Masters Championship in Townsville, Australian Masters Athletics Championship

• West Indies captain Darren Sammy holds aloft the nation’s men’s and women’s World T20 titles.

(AP)

in Adelaide, Alice Springs Masters Games, World Masters Athletic Track and Field Championship in Perth, Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters in Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Ipswich winter Athletics Championships along with local Championships.

BIT wishes Ganga success in his future events and will keep readers updated with his progress.

World T20: Virat Kohli declared as Player of the Tournament

• India's Virat Kohli raises his bat celebrates after scoring a half-century. (AFP Photo)

INDIAN star batsman Virat Kohli was declared the Player of the Tournament in the World T20 thanks to his brilliant batting performance in the tournament.

Kohli scored 273 runs in 5 matches with an average of 136.50 and a high score of 89 not out which he scored in the semi-final match against West Indies.

The run of scores were 23, 55 not out, 24, 82 not out and 89 not out.

But more than the quantity of runs, what stood out was the circumstances in which he

50 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2016

played the big knocks.

The under-pressure batting performances have not only made the spectators wonderstruck, but also earned plaudits from the experts.

He scored two half centuries in the tournament and also claimed a rare wicket when he dismissed Johnson Charles in the semifinal.

West Indies claimed the World T20 title on Sunday April after defeating England by 4 wickets in a high octane thriller at the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.

IT’S probably easier to eulogise a cricketer than an entire team. It has to be led by a Machiavellian captain, must have a famed pace bowling lineup, one or two great spinners, two complementing opening batsmen and a solid middle order that comprises one of those eulogised batsmen.

The last 50 years have produced some legends of the game. Great teams, however, are fewer. Like the West Indies team of the 70s and 80s or the Australia team that lifted three consecutive World Cups along with winning 16 Tests in a row first in 19992001 and then again in 2005-08. Even the Sri Lanka team, to some extent, that redefined 50-over cricket in the mid-90s was a tough unit.

For possibly the first time now, a T20 group has nudged the boundaries of greatness.

Not only because they have now won two World T20 titles in the space of four years but also because of the adverse circumstances in which they achieved it. They have a captain who neither has a central nor an IPL contract, no particularly express fast bowler, a spinner on self-exile because of his action, a truly great batsman who has two Test triple centuries but makes himself available for T20 selection and an exceptional middle order batsman who most likely will be forgotten in a few years’ time because he doesn’t have a decent Test record to go with it.

It’s essentially a group of men united by a cause, standing up for their right to a decent life and speaking their mind. What it’s not is a team of cricketers whose silence has been bought by hefty central contracts and undisclosed franchise league deals.

“We have been painted as money-grabbing players. I tell you we would have paid to play here. When we came here we didn’t have shirts or caps. Our manager Rawl Lewis had never managed a team before.

But he came here a few days earlier to ensure we got our shirts stitched here,” said West Indies captain Darren Sammy after the post-match media interaction.

Holding the trophy outside the stairwell of the Eden Gardens press conference room, Sammy looked pained at the prospect of perhaps never sharing the dressing room with dancing buddies Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo again. But he was also relieved to know that their last ride together was worth it, that he could walk his talk of being ‘in it to win it’.

“I don’t know when I will see the guys in the dressing room again. I don’t see any T20 schedule this year. We have a triseries, then a Test series against India where I’m not eligible for selection. This win meant a lot,” he said.

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Fearless cricket is this ---- playing to win knowing there might be no tomorrow, no recognition from your paymasters but only the unconditional love of the people of your country.

Sammy is perfectly in peace with that fate.

He was angered but didn’t let it consume his happiness. When asked if this victory was about vengeance, Sammy carefully requested the journalist to ask him the same question after a few minutes. Those few minutes were spent to describe his feelings after the win and to dedicate this victory to the Caribbean people. His priorities are defined. The battle has been won but he is not ready to go down without a fight in the bigger war. “Now that the cricket is over we can focus on other things,” said Sammy.

The biggest roadblock for West Indies cricket is the ego that bars administrators to understand their players’ problems --- a problem that has had its fair share of history in the Caribbean. It resulted in players signing up for the Packer series and even checking into apartheid South Africa.

But it also led to a bonding so great that it was reflected in gruelling Test tours. Maybe only those who have undergone it all can come up with a logical solution to this festering mess that has cost world cricket a few characters.

Right now, West Indies is all about those characters. Characters who entertain 65,000 requests for a title-winning six, who dance all their way from the team bus to the hotel and show a spine on live television. They are still good at their cricket, as has been proved by the T20 men’s and women’s double along with the U-19 World Cup win earlier this year. But there’s no doubt the game has taken a beating in that region. Even West Indies women’s captain Stafanie Taylor readily admitted to it.

Which is why Sunday night was the stuff of legend. Angered by hurtful opinion, here was a team almost disowned by their administrators that flew halfway around the world to win a World Cup. They could have easily stayed back at their homes in the opulence paid for by the franchise leagues.

Instead, they made it a mission to show not all is done for money. They showed consistency in a fickle format can be achieved through skills and perseverance. To pull that off without pretence makes Darren Sammy and his boys champions to remember for a long time.

Somshuvra Laha, HT

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