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From the Publisher
ACROSS the world, the Indian diaspora stands as a testament to resilience, tolerance, and the strength of human spirit. From bustling metropolitan hubs like New York and London to quiet communities in Australia, Indians have forged a place for themselves, contributing significantly to the cultural, social, and economic landscape of their adopted countries. This remarkable ability to not only adapt but to thrive in diverse environments begs the question: What fuels this extraordinary capacity for perseverance, and where does the inherent tolerance and resilience come from?
The answer, perhaps, lies in a deeply embedded cultural and spiritual legacy that spans millennia. India is a country that has been shaped by a rich and complex history, where the values of tolerance, respect for diversity, and the capacity to overcome adversity have been interwoven into the very fabric of society. These qualities are not merely the result of circumstance but are deeply influenced by the country’s religious teachings, which continue to guide the hearts and minds of Indians, both in India and across the globe.
A DEEP-ROOTED RELIGIOUS LEGACY
The cornerstone of Indian tolerance and resilience can largely be traced to the deeply rooted religious and philosophical traditions that have shaped the Indian psyche for centuries. India is the birthplace of major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and each of these faiths has an inherent emphasis on non-violence, compassion, and the unity of all people.
In Hinduism, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita offer a profound understanding of tolerance. The concept of "dharma" encourages individuals to live their lives according to higher values, focusing on respect for others and living harmoniously with the world around them. The belief in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), emphasized in the Upanishads, teaches that all beings are interconnected,
fostering a sense of unity despite differences.
Jainism, with its principle of ahimsa (non-violence), further amplifies the importance of respecting all living beings, instilling an inner peace that helps individuals withstand adversity. Sikhism, too, has long taught the values of equality, respect, and social justice, with Guru Nanak’s teachings advocating for the unity of all people irrespective of their caste, religion, or background.
Buddhism, which emphasizes compassion and mindfulness, adds another layer of understanding to the Indian commitment to tolerance. The practice of meditation and the idea of overcoming suffering through personal growth create a deep well of resilience in its followers.
In each of these religions, the common thread is the belief in non-violence, respect for diversity, and the idea that suffering is part of life but can be overcome with the right attitude. These spiritual teachings have equipped Indians with an inner strength to face life’s challenges, making them not only resilient but also compassionate toward others.
THE GLOBAL INDIAN EXPERIENCE: NAVIGATING CHALLENGES WITH GRACE
The Indian diaspora, one of the largest and most diverse in the world, provides a living example of how religious teachings and cultural values translate into realworld resilience. Whether they have migrated as part of the Indian indentured labour system during the British colonial era or as skilled professionals seeking new opportunities, Indians have consistently demonstrated an ability to overcome obstacles and adapt to new environments.
In countries like Australia, the Indian community has faced its share of challenges, from dealing with cultural differences and racial prejudice to adjusting to a new way of life. Yet, time and again, Indians have shown remarkable resilience in the face of these challenges. Their ability to integrate into new societies while retaining their cultural heritage is a testament to the deep roots of their spiritual teachings.
The establishment of "little India" precincts across cities, the flourishing of Indian businesses, and the prominence of Indian professionals in fields like medicine, technology, and academia, are just some examples of how Indians have made substantial contributions to their new homes. Despite the initial hurdles, they have risen to prominence, in many cases excelling and becoming integral parts of their communities.
Indians are known for their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether it’s the enduring spirit of farmers in rural India or the success of tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, the global Indian
Australia Introduces Skills in Demand Visa: Spotlight on Core and Specialist Skills Streams
AUSTRALIA has revamped its migration system with the introduction of the Skills in Demand Visa, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482). At the heart of this change are two new streams—the Core Skills Stream and the Specialist Skills Stream. These streams focus on addressing critical workforce gaps in essential and high-skill sectors, making the visa more aligned with the country’s current labour market demands.
WHY THE FOCUS ON CORE AND SPECIALIST SKILLS?
The Skills in Demand Visa aims to fix limitations in the previous TSS visa by offering more targeted solutions. While the Labour Agreement and Subsequent Entrant streams remain unchanged, the Core Skills Stream and Specialist Skills Stream introduce much-needed flexibility for employers and better opportunities for skilled workers. These new streams provide clear pathways to address both essential workforce shortages and specialized skills gaps.
The Core Skills Stream ensures that employers can fill critical roles in industries such as healthcare, education, and skilled trades, all of which face acute labour shortages. This stream supports businesses struggling to find local talent by offering a temporary but structured solution.
KEY DETAILS:
• Stay Duration: Up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders).
• Eligibility: Applicants must be nominated to work in an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
YOU MUST:
• Be nominated to work in a CSOL occupation.
• Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
• Complete a relevant skills assessment if required.
• Work only for your sponsor or their associated entity, unless exempt.
This stream offers employers the flexibility to secure talent in essential roles while giving skilled workers access to stable, rewarding opportunities in sectors vital to the Australian economy.
The Specialist Skills Stream targets advanced roles requiring unique expertise. This stream enables employers to hire workers for highly specialized positions, ensuring Australia remains competitive in fields like IT, engineering, and medical sciences.
KEY DETAILS:
• Stay Duration: Up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders).
• Eligibility: Applicants must be nominated for roles listed in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
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ACS Professional Year
• Accredited by Australian Computer Society
• Learn in Corporate Training Rooms
• Great Student Amenities
• High Quality Digital Learning Resources
• Professional High Quality Experienced Trainers
• Industry Standard Internship Placement
• Monthly Intake
• Easy payment plan
• CBD Location – Close to Central Station
• May be eligible for migration points towards permanent residence in Australia
Program structure
- 45 weeks duration
- Orientation
- Communication & Performance in Australian Workplace
- Entry & Advancement in Australian Workplace
- Professional Australian IT internship for 12 weeks
- ACS Professional Environment
- Graduation
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ACS Professional Year Program, you must have:
- Completed an undergraduate or postgraduate award in Australia in ICT
- Hold or applied for a 485 visa (either stream)
- IELTS Score of 6 overall and no band less than 5
Online Racism Rises Against Indian-Australians
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ON a Saturday night in Fitzroy, a lively South Indian club night unfolded at Laundry Bar, pulsating with bass and filled with dancing bodies. But beneath the rhythmic beats and carefree moves, the event represented something deeper — a safe space carved out by and for South Asians in Australia, amid a growing tide of online and political hostility directed toward migrant communities.
“It’s a space where [attendees] don’t feel strange or feel they stand out,” said Pradip Sarkar, one of the night’s DJs and a long-standing community radio host. Speaking to the ABC, Sarkar explained the importance of such events for South Asian Australians and international students who often feel out of place in the mainstream.
In recent months, anti-Indian sentiment has been festering online, particularly across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Decontextualised videos portraying migrants — especially South Asians — in a negative light are being shared widely, often originating in the United States and Canada before making their way to Australia. According to ABC News journalist Jeremy Story Carter, these clips frequently stoke xenophobia and fuel the misconception that migrants are "invading" Western societies.
In February, this online racism took a particularly high-profile turn. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, a member of Elon Musk's DOGE (Department of
Government Efficiency) taskforce resigned after racist posts targeting Indians surfaced, one of which encouraged followers to “normalise Indian hate.” Though the staffer was later reinstated with the backing of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the message to Indian communities around the world was loud and clear: racism is increasingly being legitimised.
Australia has not been immune. During the recent AustraliaIndia Test Cricket series, some fans at the MCG were recorded chanting “Where’s your visa?” — a video that quickly went viral. Another clip showing Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station accompanied by the caption “Mumbai or Melbourne?” attracted millions of views. These seemingly casual jabs are part of what Sarkar refers to as “algorithmic racism” — discriminatory content amplified by social media algorithms, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Academic and community voices have raised concerns about the effect this has on Indian-Australians. Dr Sukhmani Khorana, an associate professor at UNSW who has studied the Indian diaspora for over a decade, describes this phenomenon as a new wave of racism born out of digital spaces.
“There’s a particular type of racism… directed broadly at international students, but sometimes more specifically at Indian-Australians,” she told the ABC.
This backdrop of cultural tension comes amid a heated federal election campaign in
which immigration has emerged as a focal issue.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton blamed migrants for Australia’s housing crisis during the first leadership debate. "If we ask why we’ve got a housing crisis, we can point to [migration]," Dutton said, reinforcing a narrative that directly targets migrant communities.
Such assertions, however, have been debunked by housing and policy experts. Dr Surjeet Dogra Dhanji, a fellow at the University of Melbourne, labelled the idea that migrants are to blame for the housing shortage “a joke.” Speaking to the ABC, she argued that housing stress in Australia has been decades in the making due to underinvestment by successive governments.
Moreover, Dr Dogra Dhanji highlighted the contradiction in political rhetoric during election season. “They rush to the temples, the mosques, the community centres — it is tokenism come the elections,” she said. “You malign me or scapegoat me and then at the same time you want my vote?”
Indeed, the Indian diaspora — now Australia’s fastest-
growing migrant community — has become a political football. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Indians represent the largest group among permanent migrants in Australia. Yet despite making up just 4% of the population, Indian-Australians often find themselves at the centre of national debates on immigration and integration.
A recent study led by Dr Dogra Dhanji titled Victorians’ Perceptions on India and the Indian Diaspora, commissioned by the Australia India Institute, found that while 51% of Victorians viewed the Indian community positively, there remains a notable perception gap among Australians without tertiary education — just 38% held positive views.
“The perception that the Indian diaspora is taking over Australia or Victoria or Melbourne is totally incorrect,” Dr Dogra Dhanji said. But such misconceptions are easily fuelled by media headlines, political scapegoating, and unchecked social media narratives.
Language, she emphasised, plays a critical role. When
leaders frame migrants as a “burden” or “problem,” they not only dehumanise communities, but also embolden those already inclined toward racist thinking.
Despite the challenges, many in the IndianAustralian community are refusing to retreat into the margins. Instead, they are creating vibrant cultural spaces that affirm their identities and promote inclusivity.
Back at Laundry Bar in Fitzroy, Sarkar said the night was reminiscent of earlier migrant communities finding their own spaces in a sometimeshostile society. “I have friends from the Italian community and a lot of them said back in the 1980s they would have Italian clubs… because they felt they could express and be themselves.”
The South Indian dance night is more than just entertainment.
For Sarkar and others, it’s a form of cultural assertion, a declaration that Indian-Australians are not just “tolerated” members of society but active contributors to its vibrancy.
Similarly, venue manager Jade Trombley sees the club’s embrace of diverse events not only as inclusive policy but good business sense. In a multicultural city like Melbourne, these events reflect the reality of a community that is broad, youthful, and eager to celebrate its identity.
Professor Khorana notes that despite common misconceptions, migrants don’t vote solely based on ethnic or religious identity. “Most research has shown that ethnicity, race or
religion only becomes a salient feature when that community is slighted in a particular way,” she said.
In this light, recent political scapegoating may not only be offensive but politically shortsighted. Migrants, like all Australians, are concerned with cost-ofliving, employment, and housing affordability — universal issues that transcend identity. As Australia continues to grapple with its migration narrative, the voices of Indian-Australians — particularly younger generations — are asserting themselves more powerfully than ever. Whether through radio, dance floors, or the ballot box, the community is making it clear: they’re not going anywhere, and they refuse to be defined by prejudice.
SOURCES
• Story and photos by Jeremy Story Carter, ABC News. “As the migration debate heats up, Indian diaspora carries weight of online racism.” Published July 2025.
• Dr Surjeet Dogra Dhanji and the Australia India Institute, “Victorians’ Perceptions on India and the Indian Diaspora,” 2024.
• Wall Street Journal, reporting on Elon Musk’s DOGE taskforce staffer controversy.
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), migration data, 2024.
• Interview content from Dr Sukhmani Khorana, UNSW.
Note: This article was prepared with full credit to ABC News and original reporting by Jeremy Story Carter.
Australia Introduces Skills in Demand Visa: Spotlight on Core...
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YOU MUST:
• Be nominated to work in an ANZSCO occupation listed in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, with a salary meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
• Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
• Complete a relevant skills assessment if required.
This stream ensures Australian businesses can access the global talent pool for positions where local expertise is limited while providing skilled workers with a pathway to contribute to critical
projects and industries.
HOW THESE STREAMS BENEFIT EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS
FOR EMPLOYERS:
The Core and Specialist Skills Streams allow businesses to attract workers for both essential and advanced roles. Employers gain a competitive edge by filling hard-to-staff positions quickly, with streamlined processes for accredited sponsors.
FOR WORKERS: These streams open doors to opportunities in Australia’s most indemand sectors. Workers can enjoy stable roles
with competitive salaries and, in many cases, pathways to permanent residency. The inclusion of family members further enhances the visa’s appeal for longterm settlement.
WHY UNDERSTANDING THESE CHANGES MATTERS
The introduction of the Core Skills and Specialist Skills Streams reflects Australia’s evolving workforce needs. These changes require employers and skilled workers to stay updated on eligibility criteria and application processes to maximize their opportunities. By focusing on the Core and
Specialist Skills Streams, the Skills in Demand Visa highlights the government’s intent to strengthen its economy by targeting both immediate and longterm labour market gaps.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
The Skills in Demand Visa is a major opportunity for both employers and skilled workers. If you’re a business looking to fill critical roles or a professional seeking career advancement in Australia, it’s essential to act quickly and prepare your application carefully. Learn how to leverage these new streams to your
advantage by visiting migrationguru.com.au. Take the first step toward securing your future in Australia. At Migration Guru, we remain committed to providing expert guidance and support to navigate these complexities and help our clients achieve their migration goals. For those seeking further information about this development or any other immigration advice, Migration Guru, with over 90 years of collective experience in Australian migration law, encourages you to get in touch. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing comprehensive
assistance and guidance in navigating the evolving landscape of Australian immigration. Our team may be contacted via email at info@migrationguru. com.au or by calling 073036-3800. Readers are encouraged to follow us on Facebook for all the updates to Migration Law - Migration Guru Facebook. Migration Guru Pty Ltd, Level 3, 183 North Quay, Brisbane, QLD. Phone: 07-3036-3800
Disclaimer: The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.
India Set to Make History with First Astronaut to ISS in 41 Years
AFTER a gap of 41 years, India is ready to send one of its own into space again. Under the upcoming Axiom Mission 4, an Indian astronaut will journey to the International Space Station, the first time ever for India on the ISS. This mission not only revives India’s human spaceflight program but also marks a significant
milestone as private spaceflight partnerships like Axiom open new frontiers.
The excitement is high as the nation’s space ambitions reignite and inspire a new generation of explorers. A proud moment for India. The countdown begins!
Youtube chaneel credit- Wion
Apply or nominate for one of the four awards categories before Sunday 6 July.
• Scan the QR code
• Visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/multicultural
• Call Brisbane City Council on 3403 8888 or
• Email multiculturalunit@brisbane.qld.gov.au
Winter Reflections, Community Strength, and What’s Ahead This Season
DEAR AUSTRALIAN INDIAN TIMES
READERS,
I hope you’ve been staying warm and soaking up the beautiful winter days that July brings here in Brisbane. For me, winter is always a time to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with myself, my family, and with all of you. Thank you for your kind messages, your thoughtful conversations, and for the ongoing support you show one another and this vibrant community we’re so lucky to be part of.
I want to begin by acknowledging those doing it tough right now— those facing illness, grief, or financial pressure. Please know you’re not alone. Community means being there for each other in every season, and I want to remind you that if you need a helping hand, you can reach out. Over the past month, I’ve spoken with many who are struggling with unexpected healthcare costs. Visiting the GP has become more expensive for some, especially with new out-of-pocket charges for scans or pathology tests that used to be covered under Medicare. For those without pension or a health care cards, it’s even harder. If you’re in this position, please reach out—I may be able to connect you with local not-for-profits or community organisations that can help with medical costs, food parcels, or other support.
On a more uplifting note, July has been rich with cultural and spiritual significance. Many observed Ashadi Ekadashi, marking the beginning of Chaturmas—a sacred time in the Hindu calendar for prayer, fasting, and spiritual reflection. It was a joy to see so many families sharing this
beautiful tradition in their own ways.
We also came together as a wider community to celebrate NAIDOC Week, held from 6–13 July. It’s always a powerful reminder to listen to, honour, and learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures— the oldest continuing cultures in the world. I encourage everyone to carry the spirit of NAIDOC into everyday life, not just for one week a year.
This month also brought attention to our
shared responsibility to care for the environment.
National Bee Keeping Day on 19 July reminded us of the essential role bees play in our ecosystem, and on 28 July, World Nature Conservation Day called us to reflect on our environmental impact and how we can do our part for future generations.
Looking ahead, there are some exciting community events I’m thrilled to share. First, the GOPIO India Day Fair returns to Roma Street
Parklands on 17 August— an event I’ve loved since childhood. I recently had the pleasure of attending the fundraising dinner alongside GOPIO members, local leaders, and community friends, and it filled me with pride to see the dedication behind this celebration and of course – JD and Sandy. I’m always thrilled to catch up with them. It's a wonderful day of dance, food, culture, and unity that always feels like a giant family reunion.
Pencil these dates in
your diary: 4 October, The Grand Diwali Festival returns to Dreamworld—a magical evening filled with fireworks, music, food trucks, and joy! And on 5 October, CrestWalk 2025 invites us all to walk together in support of mental health, community connection, and wellbeing.
August is also Multicultural Queensland Month—a time to reflect on inclusion and the beauty of diversity. I’d like to sincerely thank the Deo family and the Queensland
Multicultural Council Inc. for their tireless work championing cultural voices across Queensland. Their continued efforts to support inclusive community events and publish stories that matter help us all feel heard, seen, and valued.
During the school holidays, I had the chance to volunteer with the Mustangs Rugby Union Club in Forest Lake. In the leadup to Multicultural month, I will make special mention of their President, Elisaia ‘Saia’ Taufao, who is a quiet achiever making a big impact. Saia’s passion for community, youth sport, and Pacifica leadership is truly inspiring. He reminded me how sport brings people together and builds resilience, especially in young people. The club is in need of support—so if you’re in a position to sponsor, donate, or volunteer, please reach out to Saia directly. Every bit makes a difference.
And just a friendly nudge—I hope you kept all your receipts! As we step into the new financial year, several important tax changes have come into effect. There are new income tax brackets offering relief for low and middle-income earners, a 20% HECSHELP loan reduction planned for June 2025, continued asset writeoffs for small businesses, and superannuation contributions increasing. If you’re unsure how these changes affect you, please seek advice from a qualified financial advisor or accountant.
As always, if there’s a topic you’d like me to cover or a story you think deserves to be told, I’d love to hear from you. This column is about all of us—and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.
The Tolerance and Resilience of Indians Globally: A Legacy Rooted in Spiritual Teachings
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community continues to defy odds. What’s often not discussed is the psychological and spiritual resilience that underpins these achievements. Many Indians derive strength from the concept of karma, or the belief that our actions have consequences, which encourages them to persevere through difficult times with a sense of purpose and faith in the future.
WHY TOLERANCE AND RESILIENCE ARE
PROMINENT AMONG INDIANS
The question remains: Why is tolerance and resilience so deeply ingrained in the Indian experience? While numerous factors—such as historical experiences of colonization, migration, and the social fabric of India— play a role, the likely reason lies in the deeply ingrained religious and philosophical teachings that have shaped the values of the Indian people. Indian religious philosophies have always emphasized
the importance of nonviolence, compassion, and equality. These values, when applied to daily life, create a sense of harmony even in the most challenging of circumstances. They are not mere doctrines but are woven into the very fabric of Indian society, shaping the way people interact with one another and the world around them. Moreover, these teachings often encourage individuals to look beyond the material world and embrace a higher sense of purpose, which helps them navigate life’s adversities
with grace and resilience.
As a result, tolerance becomes not just a social value but a spiritual one. It is grounded in the understanding that all paths lead to the same ultimate truth, fostering an openness toward different cultures, faiths, and perspectives. This outlook is fundamental to the Indian approach to life, where the focus is on coexistence, peace, and mutual respect.
A MODEL FOR A DIVIDED WORLD
The resilience and tolerance exhibited by Indians globally offer
a powerful example of how cultural values and spiritual teachings can help individuals and communities overcome even the most difficult challenges. In a world that often seems divided, the Indian model of navigating adversity with dignity and respect for diversity provides valuable lessons for all.
The deeply rooted religious teachings of tolerance, non-violence, and resilience offer a framework for living harmoniously in a multicultural world. As the Indian community continues to thrive
globally, their example stands as a beacon of hope, showing that through tolerance and resilience, we can all build a better, more connected world. This enduring strength and grace are not merely inherited traits but are part of a longstanding legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. As we move forward in our globalized world, the Indian ethos of unity in diversity remains a valuable guiding principle for fostering peace, understanding, and mutual respect.
PM Modi Receives Ghana's Highest National Honour for Distinguished Global Leadership India Rejects Third-Party Mediation on Kashmir: PM Modi’s Clear Message to President Trump
HISTORIC MOMENT:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded Ghana's highest national honour, the prestigious "Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana," by President John Dramani Mahama in a ceremony that underscores the growing strength of India-Ghana diplomatic relations.
This extraordinary recognition celebrates PM Modi's "distinguished statesmanship" and his transformative influence on global leadership, marking a significant milestone in India's expanding diplomatic footprint across Africa.
The award ceremony represents more than just a diplomatic courtesy - it's a testament to PM Modi's vision of strengthening India's ties with African nations and his commitment to South-South cooperation.
Ghana's decision to bestow this rare honour on the Indian Prime Minister reflects the deep appreciation for India's developmental partnerships, trade relationships, and shared values of democracy and multilateralism.
This recognition comes
at a time when India is actively pursuing its "Africa First" policy, with PM Modi's leadership playing a crucial role in positioning India as a reliable partner for African nations seeking sustainable development and economic growth.
The "Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana" is among Ghana's most prestigious civilian honours, typically reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to international relations and global peace. By receiving this accolade, PM Modi joins an exclusive group of world leaders recognized
for their outstanding service to humanity and diplomatic excellence.
This honour not only celebrates PM Modi's achievements but also symbolizes the mutual respect and shared vision between India and Ghana for a more prosperous and peaceful world. The ceremony strengthens the foundation for enhanced bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, technology, agriculture, and sustainable development, promising a new chapter in IndiaGhana relations.
Youtube channel credit- Times Now Image credit- MSN
IN a decisive and unapologetic move,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s longstanding position on the Kashmir issue during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump late Tuesday. The 35-minute call, which took place while Modi was in Canada attending the G7 Summit, was marked by clarity and conviction.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, stated that PM Modi made it "absolutely clear" that India neither seeks nor will accept third-party mediation
regarding Pakistanoccupied Jammu and Kashmir. This statement came in response to President Trump's query about Operation Sindoor, an ongoing counterterrorism operation near the Line of Control.
“Prime Minister Modi emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India,” Misri noted, highlighting New Delhi’s consistent policy of bilateral resolution—excluding any outside interference, including from friendly nations.
This strong diplomatic messaging not only
reaffirmed India's sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir but also sent a firm signal to both Islamabad and Washington: territorial integrity is nonnegotiable.
As global leaders convened at the G7 Summit, India's position on sensitive geopolitical matters remained grounded in constitutional principles and national interest—demonstrating a leadership style that is both assertive and responsible.
Youtube channel creditNDTV Picture credit- The Telegraph
International Yoga Day Celebration at Government House, Brisbane: A Celebration of Health, Harmony, and Unity
THE serene grounds of Government House in Brisbane were filled with peace and vitality on June 21st, as the Queensland community gathered to mark the 9th International Yoga Day. Organized by the Consulate General of India in Brisbane, the event was a remarkable celebration of yoga’s profound global impact, promoting health, wellness, and cultural unity. This year’s celebrations took on a particularly special tone, as the event was graced by the presence of Queensland’s Governor, Her Excellency Dr. Janette Young, whose participation added prestige and recognition to this significant occasion.
From early in the morning, the majestic lawns of Government House were transformed into a space of collective calm. The event drew a diverse group of participants, from seasoned yoga practitioners to newcomers eager to experience the calming effects of the ancient practice. With its theme "Yoga for Well-
being," the celebration embodied the values of health, mindfulness, and harmony that yoga promotes.
The morning began with a welcoming address from Consul General of India in Brisbane, who highlighted the significance of International Yoga Day and its growing global appeal. He explained how yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India thousands of years ago, has become a universal tool for improving physical and mental well-being across the world. In his
speech, he underscored the importance of holistic health, noting how yoga integrates mind, body, and spirit to create balance and harmony in daily life. He thanked the Queensland Government and Her Excellency Dr. Janette Young for their support in promoting such a meaningful event.
Following the address, Her Excellency Dr. Janette Young, Queensland's Governor, took centre stage, radiating warmth and positivity. As a passionate advocate for health and well-being, Dr.
Australian PM Albanese Confronts Trump Administration After Journalist Shot
AUSTRALIAN PM
Young’s participation in the event was a testament to her commitment to fostering an inclusive and healthy Queensland. She expressed her delight in joining the celebration and emphasized the growing popularity of yoga in Australia, noting how it had become a cornerstone of mental health and wellness for people of all ages and backgrounds. Her Excellency took part in the yoga session, participating in the collective practice alongside the crowd, symbolizing the unity
and connection that yoga fosters among diverse individuals.
The core of the event was the group yoga session, led by certified instructors from renowned yoga schools. The peaceful atmosphere of Government House, coupled with the guidance of experienced instructors, provided the perfect setting for participants to explore various asanas (yoga poses), breathing techniques, and meditation exercises. The morning air was crisp, and as the participants moved through each posture with mindfulness and grace, a sense of tranquillity settled over the gathering. The sound of gentle instructions and the rhythmic flow of collective breathing created a feeling of unity, both within the participants and in the broader community.
The success of this year’s International Yoga Day celebrations was evident in the positive feedback from participants. Many expressed how the event helped them deepen their connection to the practice
of yoga, while others appreciated the sense of calm and focus that they experienced throughout the session. Yoga, as an ancient practice, continues to evolve and adapt in modern society, and the Queensland community’s embrace of it speaks volumes about its universal appeal.
Finally, the International Yoga Day celebration at Government House was a beautiful reminder of the power of yoga in fostering wellbeing, unity, and peace. Her Excellency Dr. Janette Young’s participation and the Consulate General of India’s thoughtful organization of the event ensured its success, providing a platform for people from all walks of life to connect, breathe, and experience the transformative benefits of yoga. As the participants left the event with a sense of calm and positivity, the message was clear: yoga is not just a practice; it’s a way of life that transcends borders and brings people together in the pursuit of health and harmony.
Catastrophic Weather System NSW Communities Begin Massive Storm Clean-up Efforts
The incident has sparked serious questions around press freedom and the safety of journalists covering protests and unrest abroad.
Albanese’s prompt
Anthony Albanese has confirmed that he has already raised concerns with the Trump administration after Nine’s U.S. correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, was struck by a rubber bullet.
diplomatic response underscores Australia’s commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding media rights internationally.
Youtube channel credit9 News Australia
Albanese Condemns Trump’s Plan to Double Tariffs on Australian Steel and Aluminium
ALBANESE Slams
Trump’s Tariff Threat on Australian Steel and Aluminium
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to double tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium if he returns to office.
Speaking out firmly, Albanese labeled the plan as “damaging and unjustified,” warning that such protectionist measures would strain the long-standing trade and strategic alliance between Australia and the United States.
“This proposal flies
principles,” Albanese said.
MAJOR CLEAN-UP
UNDERWAY: New South Wales is mobilizing massive recovery efforts after a devastating "bomb cyclone" unleashed catastrophic weather conditions across the state, leaving a trail of destruction that has impacted millions of residents from Sydney to the South Coast.
The destructive bomb cyclone battered NSW's central and south coasts, cutting power to nearly 40,000 homes and triggering severe weather warnings statewide. Emergency services are working around the clock to restore essential services and assess the full extent of damage caused by this rare and powerful weather phenomenon.
The unprecedented storm system brought winds comparable to speeds experienced in a tropical cyclone and delivered torrential rainfall that has resulted in over 200 homes being flooded across affected regions. Communities from Coffs Harbour in the north to Bega in the south experienced the full force of nature's fury, with Sydney, the Central
Coast, Newcastle, and coastal communities all experiencing severe weather and disruptions that have disrupted daily life and infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.
The clean-up operation represents one of the most significant weatherrelated recovery efforts in recent NSW history, with emergency services, local councils, and volunteer organizations coordinating to restore power, clear debris, and support affected communities.
The heaviest rain was expected over the NSW central coast, with totals of up to 200 millimetres possible, creating challenging conditions for
recovery teams working to restore normalcy to storm-battered areas. As the bomb cyclone moves away from the coast, the focus shifts from immediate emergency response to comprehensive recovery efforts, including infrastructure repair, insurance assessments, and community support services. The resilience of NSW communities will be tested as they work together to rebuild and recover from this extraordinary weather event that has reminded everyone of nature's unpredictable power. Youtube channel and picture credit-9 News Australia
Why Are We So Tolerant to Racial Discrimination?
Jitendra Deo Chief Executive Officer JD Group Australia
IN every corner of the globe, from the lively streets of Sydney to the bustling cities of the UK and the USA, the Indian diaspora continues to shine as a testament to resilience and unity. Yet, despite the many challenges faced by the community, particularly in the form of racial discrimination, one remarkable characteristic stands out: tolerance.
But why are we, as Indians, often so tolerant when faced with racial prejudice? Why do we, as a people, choose patience over confrontation, love over hate, and peace over anger, even when we are unjustly targeted? The answer lies in a complex interplay of cultural
teachings, historical experiences, spiritual beliefs, and our natural inclination toward harmony and hard work.
CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL LEGACY
Tolerance is deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural fabric of India. From the ancient teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads to the more contemporary philosophies of Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, non-violence and compassion have always been central tenets of Indian thought. The concept of ahimsa (nonviolence) goes beyond physical harm and extends to emotional and psychological well-being, teaching us that true strength lies in responding to adversity with peace and understanding. Additionally, the Indian belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the idea that the world is one family—encourages us to see beyond skin colour, nationality, or religion. We are taught from an early age that every person, regardless of their background, is worthy of respect and kindness.
This philosophy has transcended generations, and for many, it forms the cornerstone of our approach to life in a multicultural world.
THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT
India’s long history of colonization, invasions, and struggle has shaped the Indian psyche in ways that make tolerance almost second nature. Having endured centuries of foreign rule, we learned early on how to bear the weight of oppression without resorting to violence. Figures like Mahatma Gandhi embodied this approach, advocating for satyagraha (truth and non-violent resistance) as a tool of empowerment and change.
This historical experience has made us resilient, and it’s this resilience that shapes our response to racial discrimination. Rather than retaliating with anger, we choose to respond with dignity and persistence, knowing that our struggles will be overcome not through conflict but through perseverance and respect.
Rotaract Club of Brisbane International - 2024/2025 Recap
"A Year of Impact and Inspiration: Reflections from the President of Rotaract Club of Brisbane International
As I reflect on my term as President of the Rotaract Club of Brisbane International, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for what we have achieved together. This year has been a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and community spirit. Our club has not only grown in strength and unity but has also made a tangible difference in the lives of others—locally and globally.
One of our most meaningful initiatives was our partnership with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), where we assembled and donated 100 care packs. These packs were thoughtfully curated to support the health and wellbeing of Indigenous families, and the project served as a powerful reminder of the importance of reconciliation and community support.
Financially, our club raised money for a variety of charitable causes. This incredible effort was made possible through the
dedication of our members and the generosity of our supporters. Among the many causes we supported, we proudly contributed $560 to the Kicks for Kids program, helping provide quality footwear to children in need—ensuring they can walk, run, and play with confidence and comfort.
We also had the privilege of supporting a passionate student to attend a United Nations conference— an opportunity that not only empowered a future leader but also extended our club’s impact to the global stage. This initiative underscored our commitment to fostering youth leadership and global citizenship.
Throughout the year, we were inspired by a diverse lineup of guest speakers who generously shared their time and wisdom with us. From innovative entrepreneurs to respected leaders across various industries, each speaker brought unique insights that enriched our understanding of leadership, resilience, and service. These sessions sparked meaningful conversations and motivated our members to think bigger and act bolder.
Behind every project
HARD WORK AND DESIRE FOR PEACE
Indians, wherever we are in the world, have earned a reputation for being hardworking and dedicated. Whether in professions such as medicine, engineering, education, or entrepreneurship, the Indian community is known for its focus on progress and productivity. Our approach to life is rooted in a desire to build better futures—not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us. We are not in the business of harming others. We don’t seek to create trouble or disrupt the harmony of our adopted homes. Instead, we want to contribute, to be productive, and to live peacefully alongside others. We believe in helping others rise, irrespective of their race or background, because we understand the importance of mutual respect and growth. In a world where divisions are too often drawn based on race, ethnicity, or religion, we choose to be agents of change through peaceful coexistence and collaboration.
FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY: A SOURCE OF STRENGTH
For many Indians, faith plays an important role in helping us navigate challenges. Regardless of which religion we follow—whether Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, or Buddhism—the core values of love, compassion, and respect for all humanity are universal. These teachings not only provide solace during difficult times but also guide us in our interactions with others. Our religious practices, whether through prayer, meditation, or acts of service, help us maintain peace of mind in the face of adversity.
This spiritual resilience strengthens our ability to endure racial discrimination without allowing it to define us. Instead of seeking vengeance, we look within ourselves for peace, knowing that our strength comes from our values, faith, and collective humanity.
THE QUESTION WE MUST ASK OURSELVES
Yet, despite our
peaceful nature and our resilience, the question remains: How long should we continue to tolerate racial discrimination? While many of us have been taught to rise above prejudice with dignity and patience, it’s essential to consider whether this tolerance should come at the expense of standing up for our rights. Shall we continue to be tolerant or raise our concerns with the authorities? It is time to reflect on whether we need to shift from silent endurance to more active engagement in addressing issues of racial injustice. The strength of our community has always been in its unity, hard work, and peaceful spirit—but it is equally important to ensure that we are heard, that our dignity is respected, and that we live in a world where discrimination has no place. The choice is ours: Will we continue to silently endure, or will we speak up, raise our voices, and demand the equality we deserve? The future of our community, and of our shared world, may depend on the answers we choose today.
and event was a team of dedicated Rotaractors who brought energy, creativity, and heart to everything we did. Whether it was organizing fundraisers, volunteering at community events, or simply showing up with a smile, our members embodied the spirit of “Service Above Self” in every way.
As my presidency comes to a close, I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary group of individuals. I’m also thrilled to pass the torch to our incoming President, Maansi Amratlal, whose passion and vision I wholeheartedly support. I have no doubt she will lead the club to even greater heights, and I’m excited to see the incredible things she and the team will accomplish in the year ahead.
To our members, partners, and supporters— thank you for believing in our mission and for walking this journey with us. The future of the Rotaract Club of Brisbane International is bright, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next."
By Dhru Lodhia President (2024-2025) Rotaract Club of
Brisbane International
Where is it cheaper to have a mortgage than rent?
RECENT media coverage based on a joint study by Ubank and Cotality talked about Australian suburbs where making mortgage repayments was cheaper than paying rent.
The study had found some 500 unit markets and 600 house markets across the country where servicing a mortgage would be the cheaper option than paying Australia’s median weekly rent of $659.
The rentvesting sector might also find value in the study’s finding.
Rentvesting has been a healthy trend in the real estate scene for some time now and has proved to be an attractive option for those who can’t afford a mortgage where they’d like to live.
The joint study’s research showed that mortgage repayments, along with a 20 per cent deposit, were a cheaper
Information coming out of the study was generally interesting, informative and might be useful for home buyers and property investors.
option to renting in 7.7 per cent of Australian suburbs, and gave some examples highlighting capital cities, with Darwin the strongest showing for this trend.
It’s important to do your own research because, taking Brisbane for example, where the median weekly rent sits at $678 and the purchase price equivalent would be $606,000, the study explains that figure is similar to the current median value of houses in Leichhardt and units in Zillmere; but things are not
always exactly as it seems. Zillmere is a suburb in Brisbane, 13.2 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD but Leichhardt is actually a suburb of Ipswich, not Brisbane, and is 46.4 kilometres southwest of Brisbane CBD. Location is a big factor in property decisions.
If you want to read the run down on other capital cities and suburbs, go to https://www.ubank. com.au/newsroom/ rentvesting-on-the-rise Credit: RE/MAX Australia
Surr Live in Concert – Dil Se: A Mesmerizing Musical Journey in Brisbane
BRISBANE’S stage was alive with energy as the city played host to the highly anticipated Surr Live in Concert – Dil Se, a celebration of music that bridged the gap between classical and contemporary sounds. Dil Se- the concert was a visual and auditory masterpiece, captivating the hearts of all who attended. As the evening unfolded, the crowd felt an undeniable sense of excitement in the air. With the stage lit up, the first beats of the music reverberated through the venue, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. The performance was a tribute to the magic of Bollywood music, and the musicians on stage, a talented ensemble, were ready to captivate the audience with their passion and skill. The performing artists were Om, Ruchi, Preet, Indira, Aastha and Yamini. The master of ceremonies Ameet entertained al very well.
What truly set the concert apart was the fusion of traditional Indian instruments, such as flute and tabla, with contemporary sounds
from electric guitars and drums. The musicians were Eswar on Keyboard, Sidarth on Kayboard, Manpreet on Octapd, Reet on Percussion, Parbin on Dholak and
Tabla, Pranav on – flute, Ruskin on bass Guitar, Yathav lead guitarist and Wilson on Rhythm Guitar. This dynamic blend of east and west created a unique soundscape
that resonated with the diverse Australian Indian community in attendance. The crowd swayed, clapped, and sang along, creating a sense of unity and connection that only music can provide. As the concert ended with a powerful encore, the audience was left in awe, their hearts full of the magic they had just experienced.
Surr Live in Concert –Dil Se was more than just a musical event— it was a celebration of culture, emotion, and the universal language of music.
THE chosen date of 28 July as World Hepatitis Day was to honour the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel laureate who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed the first diagnostic test and vaccine 56 years ago. It highlights the importance of hepatitis B among all types of hepatitis, including the other four viral hepatitis types (A, C, D, and E).
The hepatitis B virus was first discovered by Dr Blumberg in the 1960s in Australia. Today, this preventable infection— which can cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer— still affects 254 million people worldwide.
In Australia, chronic hepatitis B (having the virus for more than six months) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis, and the burden falls disproportionately on communities born overseas in regions where the virus is endemic and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Yet, common barriers prevent people from accessing diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. This is evidenced in the latest
Source: www.worldhepatitisday.org
national Viral Hepatitis B Mapping Project report (https://ashm.org.au/ resources/viral-hepatitismapping-project/), which shows that in Australia in 2023, an estimated 219,800 people were living with chronic hepatitis B:
• 31.2% of these people remain undiagnosed.
• 75.5% do not access crucial six-monthly liver health checks to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, despite all of them being required to do so.
• 17% of people who are eligible for hepatitis
When
B treatment are not yet receiving it.
Barriers to care include language differences, cultural beliefs, and simple lack of knowledge, other factors—such as fear of discrimination, stigma, social isolation, or judgment—drive many to hide their status and avoid medical care entirely.
ON WORLD HEPATITIS DAY, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO:
1. GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT:
Hepatitis B mainly spreads through blood and can also be
transmitted through sexual contact. It is not transmitted through casual contact like hugging, kissing, sharing food or water, or shaking hands. Knowledge reduce fear.
2. TALK OPENLY:
Encourage respectful conversations about hepatitis B. Normalising discussion reduces shame and encourages help-seeking.
3. GET TESTED:
If you were born in a high-prevalence country or believe you
might be at risk, see your doctor. A safe, effective vaccine exists to prevent infection.
4. OFFER SUPPORT, NOT JUDGEMENT:
If someone confides that they are living with hepatitis B, respond with empathy. Encourage them to access regular medical care and receive treatment if required. About 30% of people living with chronic hepatitis B need treatment, and treatments are highly effective at controlling the virus and protecting the liver. Due to the highly effective hepatitis C treatments—with cure rates reaching 96%—the number of people living with hepatitis C has dropped from 162,590 in 2016 to less than 68,890 in 2023 in Australia (https:// ashm.org.au/resources/ viral-hepatitis-mappingproject/). We expect that
the remaining people living with hepatitis C will be diagnosed and cured, preventing further liver damage and cancer. Currently, the Love Health Program at ECCQ is partnering with the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW to provide free rapid hepatitis B and C testing for people born overseas, as part of a large national research project aiming to improve testing and diagnosis.
If you are interested in getting a test, please contact health@eccq. com.au or scan the QR code to register for a free test. You can find more information including translated resources on hepatitis, HIV, and STIs at www.eccq.com.au/bbv.
If you are in Cairns, you can contact the team at Cairns Sexual Health Services by calling (07) 4226 4769 or emailing cairnsshs@health.qld. gov.au.
Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Program Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ)
You’re Hard on Yourself:
The Hidden Invitation to Grow
THERE’S a moment, quiet but sharp, that many of us know well. You forget something. Miss a deadline. React poorly.
And before anyone else says a word, your own voice turns on you:
“You should’ve done better.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Why can’t you ever get it right?”
That voice, your inner critic, is something most people experience. It cuts deep, lingers long, and rarely offers compassion. But could it also carry a hidden grace?
One of the Mind and Motion Cards, Flaws offers a gentle prompt:
“Being hard on yourself can limit growth, but it may also reflect a deeper care for who you are becoming.”
Let’s sit with that.
THE HABIT OF HARSHNESS
Being hard on yourself often masquerades as self-improvement. It insists it’s making you stronger, sharper, more disciplined. But often, it contracts the heart. It limits movement, physically, emotionally, mentally.
From a Vedic lens, the mind is both guide
and saboteur. As shared in the Bhagavad Gita:
“For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy.” (Gita 6.6)
When self-talk becomes harsh, it may not foster learning, it can freeze growth. Rather than guide us forward, it may keep us circling past mistakes. And yet, this harshness usually emerges from a protective place, a shield against disappointment, rejection, or failure.
It’s not about weakness. It’s about survival. But survival is not the same as living.
THE MOTION OF BECOMING
Here’s where a subtle shift happens, what limits us may also reveal what matters to us. Beneath self-judgment lies care. We don’t criticise what we don’t value. If you’re hard on yourself, perhaps it means you care deeply, about your impact, your growth, your values.
The Mind and Motion Card – Flaws encourages curiosity, not condemnation: “What is this
voice protecting?”
“What might it sound like if translated into care?”
From here, we may begin to respond, not with punishment, but with presence. Like breath returning us to the body, gentleness returns us to movement.
SOFTNESS AS STRENGTH
If the aim is to grow, not just succeed, but evolve, then kindness must be part of that journey. Stumbles are part of motion. Awareness, not fear, shapes who we
become.
A Reflection Practice
Next time your inner voice tightens its grip, consider this reflective practice, inspired by the Mind and Motion approach:
1. Pause. Take a breath.
2. Acknowledge the voice: “I hear you.”
3. Ask: “What am I afraid will happen if I don’t push myself like this?”
4. Listen with compassion, not correction.
5. Respond: “There
FROM A VEDIC LENS, THE MIND IS BOTH GUIDE AND SABOTEUR. AS SHARED IN THE BHAGAVAD GITA: “FOR ONE WHO HAS CONQUERED THE MIND, THE MIND IS THE BEST OF FRIENDS; BUT FOR ONE WHO HAS FAILED TO DO SO, THE MIND WILL REMAIN THE GREATEST ENEMY.” (GITA 6.6) WHEN SELF-TALK BECOMES HARSH, IT MAY NOT FOSTER LEARNING, IT CAN FREEZE GROWTH. RATHER THAN GUIDE US FORWARD, IT MAY KEEP US CIRCLING PAST MISTAKES. AND YET, THIS HARSHNESS USUALLY EMERGES FROM A PROTECTIVE PLACE, A SHIELD AGAINST DISAPPOINTMENT, REJECTION, OR FAILURE.
may be another way to grow, one that includes care.”
Let that land. Let it move you.
Being hard on yourself isn’t necessarily a flaw, it may be a sign that you’re aware of your own potential. But if you stay caught in the cycle of harshness, you may miss the deeper invitation: To grow, with awareness, with care, and with motion.
So, the next time you hear “You should’ve done better,” Pause. Breathe. And whisper back: “I’m already becoming.” Explore Further The Mind and Motion Cards offer guided reflections like this to support your personal growth journey. These tools are designed to complement, not replace, professional support. For more resources or to purchase the deck, please visit www. monicapema.com/blog
Monica Pema | Integrated Wellness Expert MSc. Psychology | Dip. Holistic Kinesiology “From Passion to Purpose in All Walks of Life” This article is intended for self-reflection and general education only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or psychological care.
Where Law Meets Business
‘STOP, porridge pot, stop’. At least the little girl had the magic words to stop the porridge pot from producing and overflowing porridge. This is a reference, of course, to the fairytale story, The Magic Porridge Pot.
In reality, we have overflows of another kind and things have gone terribly wrong and we don’t have the magic words to make it stop.
To begin, it was a Harvard Law School professor who articulated a set of principles about the morality of law including:
• that laws must be publicly known and accessible so individuals and businesses can understand and comply with them—the principle of promulgation;
• that every letter of the law should be simple and clearly stated. It should be written in a way that it is easily understood. It should not require high level skill or higher education for a law to be understood—the principle of clarity;
• that the law should not be fleeting but relatively steady through time so that individuals and businesses can adjust their behaviour accordingly—the
If we embrace these three principles as benchmarks, we have lost our ways.
The principle of promulgation: that laws (which includes regulations, rules, rulings and determinations) must be publicly known and accessible.
Yet in practice, they’re anything but that. Laws are not announced on television or sent with your electricity bill. They are scattered across obscure government websites, nested within complex legislation, and buried deep in court databases—hardly in plain sight.
We come to the principle of clarity: that the law should be simple and clearly stated. This hardly needs to be said that this is no longer the case. As the then Justice Steven Rares of the Federal Court said, in reference to the Income Tax Assessment Act, the Competition and Consumer Act and the Corporations Act the ‘business community of this country cannot be expected to deal with legislation of this unnecessary detail.
The cost of trying to understand the discordant patchwork of wish list amendments that have been welded onto a
simple body of an original Act must be truly mind boggling. Do we really need a telephone booksize statute to regulate corporations?’
So much for the principle of clarity.
Finally, we come to the principle of stability: that the law should not be fleeting but relatively steady. Legislation is churned out so frequently and in such piecemeal fashion that even lawyers might struggle to stay current. Pity the entrepreneur.
Yet too often, these principles— benchmarks—are cast aside in favour of quick fixes—laws shaped less by thoughtful design and more by panic, politics or the desperate need to be
anything—no matter the cost.
But these principles are not academic because when these principles are cast aside or ignored, which is happening too often, two things happen and have happened and will continue to happen. First, Justice Rares’ phrase, ‘legislative porridge’, captures one result: a mix of legislative measures stirred together in haste. Laws shaped more by panic, politics or the desperate need to be seen to do something—anything— no matter the cost. But this lacks the structure and substance that you and your business needs. Spurred by successive crises and regulatory failures (for example, the Optus outage, PwC tax leaks, consumer difficulty in accessing consumer guarantee remedies, Robodebt Scheme, underpayment of wages, poor airline performance, enforcement of restraint of trade clauses, children being harmed online), the legislative engine has been working at a relentless pace.
Second, the outcome may best be described as what the author calls ‘corporate pudding’—a term that captures three
of corporate noncompliance that should be apparent to both businesses and informed observers: (1) the nature of the noncompliance and failures demonstrate a striking disregard for fundamental principles or requirements of the law; (2) businesses repeating its own previous noncompliance, indicating a failure to learn from past mistakes; and (3) businesses committing the same or similar breaches that were committed by their competitors, indicating a disengagement from, or disregard of, the legal and regulatory developments around them.
But here is the more intriguing point: corporate noncompliance often triggers the very reactive lawmaking that creates the legislative porridge in the first place. It raises a worthy question: does ‘legislative porridge’ cause ‘corporate pudding’, or does ‘corporate pudding’ cause ‘legislative porridge’ or are they, in fact, mutually reinforcing—each a cause and a consequence of the other?
If this all sounds like a legal porridge bowl tipped sideways, that is because it often is. To help make sense of it, the author of
this article is the author of a new book called Bridging Business and the Law in Australia. It was published by LexisNexis on 5 June 2025. And that is precisely the point of the book: to serve as a navigational guide through the thickets of modern Australian business law.
It spans 40 chapters organised into nine parts. The chapters appear in the order that events are destined to arise for a business. The book not only presents the law in an accessible way, it goes further—offering practical tips, red flags to watch for, highlighting common traps and how to avoid them, presenting lesser-known free tools that can make a real difference to businesses and including real-world scenarios. This book fills a gap in Australian legal and business literature not previously addressed. With about 2.5 million businesses in Australia, many without lawyers or easy access to professional legal advice, the legal system’s growing complexity can be daunting. This book provides a margin of safety for them.
—Nilay B. Patel is a lawyer based in
AUSTRALIA SPECIAL INVITATION Saturday 26 July 2025 th 8.30am to 2.00pm
We would cherish your presence at the Installation Ceremony of Goddess Bhuvaneshvari Devi at Chinmaya Bhuvanam Ashram 8 Julie Rd, Ellen Grove QLD 4078
Program
8.30am: Stapana (Installation) Ceremony
10.45am: Nethronmeelanam (Opening of the Eyes)
11.00am: Bhuvaneshvari Devi & Gurudev Pooja
12.00pm: Blessings from Pujya Swamiji
12.30pm: Maha Aarti followed by Prasad
CHINMAYA BHUVANAM Centre for Vedantic Studies ~ Knowledge ~ Devotion ~ Service .
Situated i n the city of Brisbane, may the Chinmaya Bhuvanam Centre ever grow with Vedanta, Devotion and Seva!
Chinmaya Bhuvanam will be open daily for Arati - 7pm to 7.30pm
Please contact Aarti 0434 617 615, Anu 0401 621 977, scan QR code or email us on brisbane@chinmaya.com.au for the following:
Sandy & Jitendra Deo
Yamma Yamma Returns – A Bollywood Comedy Spectacle Hits Brisbane! The Wisdom of Warren Buffett
GET ready, Brisbane!
After a string of sold-out productions, Australian Indian Theatre is back with its latest laugh riot – Yamma Yamma Returns, playing Saturday 26th July at Calamvale Community College.
This all-new musical comedy takes audiences on a wild ride through time, where Yamraaj (yes, the god of death!) must fix a divine mix-up with a search of true love. Expect crazy twists, killer dance numbers, and a tribute to every era of Bollywood— all packed into one night of hilarious mayhem.
Known for shows like Bhasamasur, Junction ki
chudail, Salaam-e-Ishq, Shakuntala, and Shri Raam Leela, Australian Indian Theatre has built a reputation for blending Indian storytelling with modern Aussie flair. With packed houses
and a growing fan base, we’re not just making theatre—we’re creating a movement.
Don’t miss the most outrageous theatrical party of the year. Tickets on Eventbrite now!
It was, apparently, a tragic day when Warren Buffett finally announced he was retiring. The financial world went into a meltdown—journalists were weeping into their Bloomberg terminals, hedge fund managers clutched their limitededition Patagonia vests, and CNN rolled out the sort of coverage usually reserved for royal funerals or Elon Musk tweets.
But why, I ask, was everyone so shocked? The man is ninety-five! That’s not an age, it’s a geological era. The fact he’s still been stringing coherent sentences together—and beating the market while doing it—is frankly more surprising than the fact he’s stepping down. I’m nearly half his age and already need a sit-down after putting my socks on. My knees sound like a bag of gravel in a tumble dryer. And if I ever do make it to 95, I’ll count it a win if I can successfully locate the bathroom without Google Maps.
Will there be another Warren Buffett? Probably not.
There are clever investors and analysts out there. The world’s full of them. Shiny suits, fast talk, spreadsheets longer than your average war novel. But few have that Buffett magic. He didn’t just know what to invest in— he knew how to explain it without sounding like a malfunctioning robot from an accounting convention.
He was honest too, which is practically a revolutionary act in the investing world. Everyone else acts like you need a PhD in applied rocket economics before you can touch a stock. Warren? He just said: keep it simple. Don’t be an idiot. And ideally, don’t pay someone else to be an idiot on your behalf.
I’ve always kept an eye on what the man had to say—partly because he’s smart, and partly because when a 95-yearold speaks with more clarity than half the CEOs of Silicon Valley, you listen. And also, because he’s worth like a trillion dollars.
I’ve followed his advice for years and what stands out, after decades of market wisdom, is that it all boils down to three painfully simple lessons.
1. Simple and boring is the way to go Buffett once said that when he dies, he wants his money dumped into a basic Vanguard index fund. That’s it. The man who turned $10,000 into
a multibillion-dollar empire is basically saying, “Ignore all of us fancy financial folk. Just buy an index fund. And then go watch telly or if you want to be fancy go sit on Waikiki Beach and enjoy a few cocktails.”
It makes no sense— except it makes perfect sense.
Berkshire Hathaway returned an increase in value by 5,500,000%. The stock market? A crappy 39,000%. And yet he says you and I should go for the boring option. Why?
Because unless you are Warren Buffett—and let’s be honest, you’re not—you’re better off avoiding all the suits who’ll charge you fees to underperform your investment.
Fees, you see, are the silent killers of wealth. Like cholesterol, but for your bank account. And most fund managers, despite all the shouting, don’t beat the market consistently. One year they’re kings. The next, they’re clowns.
So yes, I took his advice. I threw some of my cash into index funds more than a decade ago. Not flashy. Not sexy. Just slow, steady, and reliable—like a Volvo estate in a world of Lamborghinis with dodgy gearboxes.
And my kids? They’re on the same plan. Four index funds. That’s it. No fuss. No drama. No broker named Chad ringing me at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday to talk about “emerging market dynamics.” – whatever that is.
2. It’s a simple life Warren’s from that mystical era where success didn’t automatically mean buying a yacht, three helicopters, and a football club in Dubai. The man still lives in the same house he bought in 1958. He drives a normal car. He doesn’t have a driver. He eats McDonald’s. The man is basically a billionaire version of your kaka called Shantilal.
Sam Walton, the Walmart founder, was the same. He had a pickup truck smelling of his dogs. Hundreds of billions between them and still living like two old lads who shop at Bunnings.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I like a good car and I have a few stashed away. So, I get why people splash out. But these days, people are spending money they don’t have on things they don’t need to impress people they don’t even like. It’s madness. Bonkers even.
I’ve seen it. People
have Rolexes, Louis Vuitton wallets, and Instagram-perfect homes. And then they tell me they can’t afford a $500 consultation that could invariably change their financial lives. Equally bonkers.
Buffett taught me that just because you can buy something, doesn’t mean you should. That’s why I still live in the same modest four-bedroom house I’ve had for 17 years. And because I have, I paid off my mortgage by 38. We should all enjoy the labour of our hard work – but not go beyond that.
3. It’s not about money. It’s about fulfilment
We all want to be rich. That’s a given. But I have spent two decades of asking people and researching what we as humans really want and the answer that comes up again and again is: fulfilment.
You can follow the success formula from Tony Robbins. Yes, there is a formula for success. But there is no formula for being fulfilled. But if you’re unhappy, what’s the point? Most of it is just noise. Shiny distractions. Temporary sugar highs for the soul. When I watch Warren, I don’t see a man obsessed with wealth. I see someone who genuinely loves what he does. And it shows. He talks like a teacher, not a tycoon. His purpose isn’t just to make money—it’s to make a difference. That, I think, is why he’s still been at it at 95, while most of us are fantasizing about retirement by 45. I recently interviewed someone who wanted to join our team. She said, “The day I don’t want to go to work is the day I quit.” That’s not jobhopping. That’s wisdom. That’s fulfilment. And Warren Buffett? He’s been saying the same thing for decades. He didn’t just get rich. He got happy. That’s the real deal.
At WOW! Advisors, we have a simple purpose: help clients work less, earn more, and build awesome wealth. And we love what we do. Which is probably why, if I do make it to 95, I’ll still be here. Ranting. Writing. Blogging and Podcasting. And on that bombshell... I’ll leave you with this: What’s your purpose? What difference will you make? Because once you answer that, wealth becomes the by-product. It will just happen. And happiness? That becomes the engine.
— Hitesh Mohanlal
Raising Children with Roots and Wings
By
MANY of us made the bold decision to leave behind everything familiar - our families, our friends, even our favourite street food spots - to start a new life in Australia. We came here with dreams tucked into suitcases, driven by the hope of building a better, safer, more prosperous future for ourselves and our families.
But along with opportunity comes responsibility. As migrant parents raising children in a culture different to our own, we often carry the invisible but significant burden of instilling the values that will help our children not only survive but also thrive in a multicultural society like Australia. How do we raise children who are resilient, respectful, and culturally rooted?
The challenge is real. We want our kids to succeed in a world that celebrates
Practical Steps for instilling strong values for the desi millennial parents
independence and selfexpression, without losing the respect for family, culture, and community that defines our upbringing. We want them to be strong enough to face life’s challenges, but soft enough to be kind. We want them to have roots that ground them and wings that allow them to fly.
This is not just about preserving culture or discipline. It is about raising conscious, compassionate, and confident human beings who can walk in two worlds – proud of their heritage and prepared for the future.
Here are some practical, everyday steps we, as desi millennial parents, can take to instil these values in our children:
1. Respect Begins at Home – It’s a Two-Way Street
"Respect your elders" was drilled into us from childhood, but how many of us truly felt respected as kids? Many of us grew in households where we felt invisible to our elders. The first lesson in teaching respect is practising it ourselves. Children who are treated with respect grow up understanding how to respect others – including themselves. This means listening when they speak, validating their feelings, and allowing ageappropriate choices. Correct them when needed, but do so with dignity, not with humiliation or fear. How we treat our partners, elders,
and even strangers in their presence teaches them far more than lectures ever will.
Respect does not mean giving in to every demand. It means setting clear boundaries with kindness and ensuring children understand that their opinions matter, even when the final decision rests with us.
2. Model Resilience Through Your Own Life
Resilience is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. It is not about making them tough by dismissing their feelings. It is about showing them that setbacks, failures, and challenges are not the end.
Our migrant journeys are filled with resilience – adjusting to a new country, finding jobs, building community, navigating racism, and overcoming loneliness. Instead of hiding these struggles, share ageappropriate versions with your kids.
Let them see that you have faced hard times and kept going. When they struggle –whether it is with schoolwork, friendships, or sports – avoid rescuing them immediately. Coach them through the problem, ask questions like, "What do you think you can try next?", and praise their efforts, not just the outcome.
Children who see their parents overcome challenges grow up believing they can do the same.
3. Make Gratitude a Family Ritual
Gratitude doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated through small, daily practices.
Many migrant parents hope their children appreciate the sacrifices made for them, but constant reminders often backfire. Instead, build a family culture of gratitude: share one thing you are grateful for at bedtime, involve kids in volunteering or community service, encourage thank-you notes for gifts or acts of kindness, highlight life’s small blessings – a sunny day, a shared meal, a good laugh.
When gratitude becomes a habit, children naturally develop humility and a sense of abundance.
4. Build Emotional Awareness Through Everyday Conversations
Many of us were taught to suppress emotions in the name of strength. But true resilience requires emotional awareness. Teach your children to name and express their feelings. When they are upset, instead of dismissing it with "Stop crying," say, "It is okay to be sad. Do you want to talk about it?"
Model emotional expression yourself. Share when you are feeling stressed, tired, or proud. This normalises emotions and teaches children that feelings are not weaknesses to hide but signals to understand.
Emotionally aware kids cope better with stress, build
stronger relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.
5. Celebrate Your Culture with Joy, Not Obligation
Our children are growing up in a multicultural society. They will question, compare, and at times resist aspects of their heritage and that is normal. Our role is to make culture a source of pride, not pressure.
Celebrate Indian festivals with excitement. Cook traditional meals together. Share stories about your childhood. Teach your native language through songs, games, dances and casual conversation – not just formal lessons.
At the same time, respect their Australian identity. Encourage them to explore, make friends from diverse backgrounds, and find their own balance.
Culture thrives when it is offered with love, not imposed with guilt.
6. Encourage ProblemSolving and Independence
It is tempting to shield our kids from struggle, but resilience grows when they face age-appropriate challenges.
Give them opportunities to solve their own problems: struggling with homework? Guide them, don’t complete it for them; conflicts with friends? Listen, but let them navigate social dynamics.
When children learn they can overcome obstacles, their confidence and independence soar.
7. Create a Safe Emotional Home
No matter how strong or independent we want our kids to be, they need to know they can always come home to safety, love, and acceptance. When they mess up, be the parent they can turn to, not the one they fear. Correct them with firmness but without breaking their spirit. Celebrate their successes, big or small. Listen when they struggle. Offer comfort without conditions.
A child who feels safe at home becomes resilient in the world.
The Journey Forward Raising children between cultures is both a privilege and a challenge. We can give our kids the best of both worlds: the values, traditions, and strength of our Indian heritage, and the freedom, independence, and diversity of Australian society. It requires patience, selfawareness, and constant reflection.
In doing so, we honour the sacrifices of our parents, the dreams that brought us here, and the bright futures of the next generation.
Let’s raise kids who know who they are, where they come from, and most importantly, who have the strength to shape where they’re going.
Rinchaal Patel, Mindset and Relationship Coach, YOLO Academy
NORTHERN Territory (NT) lies in the central and northern part of Australia. It is the third largest Australian federal division behind Western Australia and Queensland. It borders Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south and Queensland to the east. To the north lie the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea, the Gulf of Carpentaria and islands of Indonesia.
It is sparsely populated with a population of 232,605 in 2021 census. The NT has the highest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people relative to its total population, which is significantly higher than the national average.
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory. It is the smallest, wettest and most northerly of the Australian capital cities, and serves as the regional centre of the Top End. The population recorded for Darwin in the 2021census is 139,902 and accounts for 60% of the total NT population.
The town of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory is situated roughly in Australia’s geographic centre. The surrounding region is known as Central Australia or the Red Centre. A number of major natural tourists attractions including Uluru and Kata-Tjuta are located in this area.
Recently I with my wife, grandchildren and their parents travelled to the Red Centre. We visited Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Watarrka and Alice Springs and toured popular tourist attractions in the region.
Yulara - We landed at the Ayers Rock Airport. The airport is about 8 km from the Ayers Rock Resort Township also known as Yulara. Hotels and other essential services are located at the resort. A cinema hall, the Gallery of Central Australia, book and souvenir shops and several small entertainment centres are also available in the township. Children can make their own art free of cost in the Gallery of Central Australia.
The resort is the base for visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is a protected zone covering an area of 1,326 square kilometres. In 1993, the park got its current name, which recognises its Aboriginal origin. The area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for natural and cultural landscape. The major attractions of Uluru and Kata Tjuta are located in the UluruKata Tjuta National Park. A pass for entry to the National Park is required that allows access to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The Red Centre
The Anangu people, who have lived in the area since thousands of years, have a deep spiritual connection to Uluru and Kata Tjuta. They view them as places where ancestral beings created the landscape and established the laws of their culture. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta are described in Anangu creation stories as physical evidence of the actions of their Ancestral Beings. The sites are considered sacred and hold immense spiritual significance, with certain areas and knowledge associated with specific genders and age groups.
Uluru is one of the most popular attractions in Australia. It is a large, red sandstone monolith and is a significant cultural landmark. The name Uluru is a proper noun like a specific name for a person, place, or object in a local aboriginal language. It is about twenty minutes drive from the Ayers Rock Resort.
The first non-Aboriginal person William Gosse saw Uluru in 1873 and named it Ayers Rock in honour of Sir Henry Ayers, Governor of South Australia. In 1993 the name was changed to Ayers Rock/Uluru and in 2002 the name was changed to Uluru/Ayers Rock. Local people prefer the name Uluru and mostly this name alone is used in tourist brochures.
Uluru as a single megalith is composed of a coarse grained sedimentary rock called arkose. It is made up of a mixture of small particles and pebbles of sand, quartz and feldspar with traces of iron oxides, clay and fragments of other rocks. Uluru is red from outside but inside the caves, which are formed in some of its sections, it is greyish. The un-oxidised grey arkose becomes coated with reddish iron oxide after its exposure to oxygen and to the weathering process.
Uluru rises to 348 metres above the surrounding sandy plains and is 867 metres above sea level at its highest point. It extends underground for about 5 km deep and 100 km wide. It has a circumference of 9.4 km. The beautiful form of the monolith is enhanced by the deep red colour of the rock, mainly caused by the rusting of one of
its minor constituents, iron. The colour becomes particularly rich at sunrise and sunset, when the light from the red end of the spectrum is reflected from the surface making it lustrous.
Major tour activities at the site include visiting the Gallery of Central Australia, watching the sunrise and sunset over Uluru from designated viewing points, various walks around Uluru, and camel and helicopter rides. The Uluru Base walk is the longest walk around the complete perimeter of the monolith. It is a 10.6 km loop and takes around 3.5 hours. Other walks are shorter and they include the Mala walk 2 km, Kuniya walk 1 km, Liru walk 2 km, Dune walk 500 m and Lungkata walk 2 km. We completed the Base walk around Uluru. The walking path is wide and mostly flat on the sandy ground.
Smaller walks relate to certain stories of creation.
A brief summary of the Mala walk story is presented below.
The Mala people came from the north seeking Uluru for a place to perform their ceremonies. Their ceremony was disrupted by an invitation from the west, which they declined. This led to the creation of Kurpany, a devil-dog spirit, which attacked the Mala men. Consequently, the Mala people fled south. The Kingfisher Woman, Luunpa, warned the Mala, but they didn't listen. The story continues with the Mala women remaining at Uluru. Kurpany's footprints remain embedded in the rock.
Similar stories are also described in relation to the other walks. Brief references to these legends are written and displayed on signs along the walking paths. The local people encourage tourists to visit the site with a view to learning about its importance and listening to Aboriginal stories from experts.
Kata Tjuta is another major attraction in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It lies about 30 km to the west of Uluru, visible across the low sand plain. William Giles was the first non-Aboriginal to see Kata Tjuta in 1872 from a distance. He named its highest peak Mount Olga in honour of Queen
tors, Kata Tjuta, Uluru and Mount Conner lie in a straight line on the map. To my knowledge, it has not been yet explained geologically why all the three lie in a linear formation.
South Australia. The Arrernte people, the traditional custodians of the land, called the area Mparntwe. Todd River, usually dry, passes through the town.
Olga of Wurttemberg. It was renamed in 1993 and then in 2002. The latest name is Kata Tjuta/ Mount Olga recognising both the traditional and the European names. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park consistently uses Kata Tjuta as its primary name in its tourist information brochures.
The name Kata Tjuta means ‘many heads’ that refer to numerous smooth rocks at the site. There are 36 dome shaped rocks, varying greatly is size. The tallest Mount Olga, 546 metres above ground level, is the highest point in the National Park. The whole group of domes covers 35 square kilometres. Kata Tjuta also has religious significance for Aboriginal people. Its sacred stories are considered men’s business and cannot be revealed to the uninitiated person.
The Kata Tjuta sunrise and sunset viewing and a number of walks are the main activities for tourists. Walk at Kata Tjuta are on stony, rugged and isolated paths. As the walks are moderately difficult, most visitors visit the site to experience the impressive grandeur of the domes from close range.
Tourists are warned of health risks such heat exhaustion, dehydration and hyponatraema (low blood salt). We visited Kata Tjuta after completing the Uluru Base walk. Being about midday, it was sunny and hot. We spent some time reflecting on the beauty of the domes and then returned to our hotel.
A road sign near Kata Tjuta indicated the direction to the Western Australia border, which is around 200 km away to the west.
There are several important sensitive areas around the base of Uluru and throughout Kata Tjuta. Photography is not allowed at sensitive locations. The following day we travelled to Kings Canyon.
Mount Conner - while travelling on the Lasseter Highway from Yulara to Kings Canyon one can see a massive rock named Mount Conner. It rises more than 300 meters above the sand plain and lies within a pastoral lease. It is also religiously woven into stories of the local people. The three
Kings Canyon known as Watarrka in the Aboriginal language lies in the George Gill range of Watarrka National Park. It is about halfway between Alice Springs and UluruKata Tjuta National Park. The Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road connect Uluru to Watarrka and it takes around three hours to traverse. The roads are fully sealed and suitable for 2-wheel drive. The accommodation in the Park is available at the Kings Canyon Resort. Tourists generally travel from Alice Springs or Yulara to Watarrka.
The full beauty of Watarrka can be appreciated through walks into the range. The Kings Canyon Walk and Kings Creek Walk start from the car park at Watarrka. The Kings Canyon walk is a 6 km loop that takes about 4 hours to complete. It requires good fitness, as the walkers have to pass through steep climbs and isolated rugged sections.
We undertook the Kings Creek Walk. It follows the creek between the canyon cliffs to a vantage point, which has a view of the cliffs and the dry waterfall at the end of the Garden of Eden. The track winds along the rocky creek bed, between shady trees and huge boulders of sandstones that have fallen from the walls of the canyon. It takes about an hour to complete the walk. We returned to Yulara in the afternoon.
On the next day, we travelled from Yulara to Alice Springs, which took us about four hours via the Lasseter Highway and Stuart Highway. At the junction of the two highways lies the Erldunda Roadhouse. It is a small centre with a petrol station, a shop and basic tourists facilities. An emu farm nearby also entertains the children and tourists alike.
Alice Springs – is the largest inland settlement in the NT with a population of 24,855 according to the latest census. The town is nearly equidistant from Adelaide and Darwin. The Stuart Highway that stretches from Port Augusta north of Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin passes through Alice Springs. The town was and remains a base for visiting Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Watarrka and other attractions in the region.
Alice Springs was named after Alice Todd, the wife of Sir Charles Todd, who was the Superintendent of Telegraphs and Postmaster General of
From south the entrance to Alice Springs is through the grand gateway of Heavitree Gap, a natural break in the MacDonnell ranges. The Heavitree Gap known as Ntaripe in the Aboriginal language was and still is an important sacred site for the Arrernte people of the area.
Numerous tourist attractions are located inside the town, including the ANZAC Hill, Reptile Centre, women’s museum, Alice Plaza and shops selling Aboriginal paintings and other artworks.
We climbed ANZAC Hill, which can also be reached by car. From the hill, one can view the town in its entirety. The majesty of MacDonnell ranges, Heavitree Gap and the expansive horizon are also visible.
Our trip to the Reptile Centre was especially amusing for my grandchildren. They were able to hold wild animals like the blue tongue lizard and thorny dragon lizard on their palms. My grand daughters were courageous and held a large python on their body fearlessly. The Reptile Centre is a privately owned facility that houses Australian reptiles and provides environmental education. It contains the largest collection of local reptiles in the Northern Territory.
At the Women’s museum, we witnessed creative works produced by talented women of the region.
A number of attractions are outside the town, including several sites with rock paintings. We visited the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve. It is located 35 km away from Alice Springs and features a collection of rock carvings, made by the Arrernte people. Access to the paintings is through a sandy and meandering road and requires significant walking to reach them.
We also undertook a long drive to see the MacDonnell ranges along the Larapinta Drive. The peaks and cliffs of the ranges are impressive and dominating. The background landscape composed of beautifully coloured red sand, dotted with innumerable trees and bushes, is breathtaking.
We found this trip to be educational. It enhanced our understanding of the vastness of the Australian land and strength of Aboriginal culture.
—Awadhesh Sharma www.hinduguru.com.au
KEY SCRIPTURE: All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him (Yeshu). -
Psalm 22:27
WHO IS SATGURU YESHU?
Is He truly the Light of the World?
Before you scroll further, pause and reflect on these questions:
• Can light and darkness dwell together?
• Why do we instinctively seek light when we are lost or afraid?
From the beginning of time, many cultures—especially in Bharat—have looked forward to the arrival of a divine figure… an Avatar, a Messiah, a Deliverer.
When I first heard about Satguru Yeshu, I wasn’t sure what to believe. I was a
Jesus said “Arise and Shine…”
total sceptic and an unbeliever. I looked at life with human logic and reasoning. I was not going to embrace any foreign guru or god. But in the darkest moment of my life, my human reasoning did not give me hope. During this time, I began to question the rigidity of my belief system. For me, Yeshu was just another spiritual teacher… or was He truly the one sent by God?
The more I explored, the more I realised that Yeshu is no ordinary man. His life, teachings, and actions continue to illuminate hearts across the world. He didn’t just point to the light—He claimed to be the Light.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
WHAT MAKES SATGURU YESHU SO UNIQUE?
Here are some significant truths I discovered after my encounter with Yeshu:
• His coming was prophesied centuries in advance
• His birth was a miracle—conceived by divine power, born of a virgin
• Wise men from the East saw a heavenly sign and travelled far to honor Him
• He was born in a
people, regardless of caste or background
• He healed the sick, restored the blind, and even raised the dead
• He had power over dark forces, showing victory over evil
• He was transfigured in divine glory before His closest disciples
• He opened a new path to Moksha— freedom from sin, shame, and fear of death
WHERE DO WE FIND HIS STORY?
The life of Satguru Yeshu was recorded in four sacred writings— biographies written by His followers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These form the heart of what is now called the “Good News” or Gospel.
In the villages of Galilee, they called Him Yeshu. In the West, He is known as Jesus.
to the light. Satguru Yeshu doesn’t just teach light—He gives it by expelling dark clouds. He offers to walk with you, to guide your steps, and to transform your life.
Will you take the first step out of the shadows? Out of dark clouds?
Will you dare to explore the life and light of Satguru Yeshu?
Your journey to truth, peace, and eternal hope may begin right here.
When you call on Yeshu, with all your heart and mind, you will surely see Him as the Light who gives new life filled with hope, joy and peace. I did not come to give us another religious rules, but a genuine relationship with God the Father.
humble village, not in a palace
• He lived a life of perfect dharma, never breaking divine law
• He was a man of peace, a teacher of radical love
• He lived as a Brahmachari, choosing purity and simplicity
• He welcomed all
But no matter the name or language, the truth is the same: He is the Light that shines in the darkness—and the darkness has not overcome it.
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
In Sanskrit, guru comes from two words:
• Gu = darkness
• Ru = light
A Satguru is not just a teacher—but one who removes darkness and leads us into truth and
PLEASE PRAY THIS WITH A CHILD-LIKE HEART:
Father God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Please open the eyes of my heart. Help me to know you personally with a genuine relationship. I confess that Jesus died and rose again as a sacrificial lamb to set me free from deception and the curse. Today, let my spirit come alive in the knowledge of your grace and mercy; I ask this in Yeshu’s name. Amen.
GOPIO Gold Coast Yoga Event 2025
THE GOPIO Gold Coast celebrated the 2025 International Day of Yoga on the 14th of June. The theme for the 2025 International Day of Yoga is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health". In keeping with this theme, GOPIOGC hosted four different styles of Yoga practices.
Ranjitha Shenoy, who runs the Yoga and Wellness by Ranju school, started off with classical Hatha Yoga. Her gentle and yet effective Asanas helped everyone stretch their bodies gently on a cold morning. This was followed by Shekher Arya's session on SOMA Breathwork. Shekher, who runs Amavi retreats, focused on a specific form of Pranayama to create a sense of happiness. The third session was conducted by Leela Avva and Aoi Okoch from the Heartfulness Institute. They focused on chair yoga, which helped those who were not comfortable sitting on the floor for too long, and silent deep meditation. This session helped people relax their mind and body at their own pace. The final
session was conducted by Sharma Slavic who runs various sound-based healing events in South East Queensland. Her use of the crystal sound bowls and the harp, further
calmed everyone. There were close to 50 participants all of whom found the sessions very engaging. The entire program lasted close to two hours although it
felt that it was over in a jiffy. GOPIO-GC thanks all the instructors and the participants for making the event a great success. The event was supported by the Consul General
of India, Brisbane and Experience Gold Coast.
Thanks to our presenters and supporters.
GOPIO Gold Coast was represented by Pradip Gorasia (President),
Preetham Krishna (2nd Vice-President), Paddy Krishnan (Joint Secretary and Coordinator of the event), Madhuri Soni (Secretary) and Varsha Badhe (Asst. Treasurer)
Dreamscape 2025: A Legendary Celebration of India’s Independence Day in Brisbane
BRISBANE, QLD – August 16, 2025: In a spectacular tribute to India’s Independence Day, the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc. is proud to present Dreamscape – an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and unity on Saturday, 16 August 2025 at the Life Centre Auditorium, Salisbury, Brisbane.
Themed "Let's Celebrate India's Independence Day with Legends", this event promises to enthral the audience with worldclass performances by legendary artists, including Stephen Devassy, the internationally acclaimed keyboard maestro, and Rajesh Vaidhya, the virtuoso veena player known for his electrifying stage presence. They will be
joined by an ensemble of talented musicians—
Prithvi (bass guitar), Kuberan (drums), and Praveen (tabla)—bringing together classical roots and contemporary rhythms in a musical fusion unlike any other.
With doors opening at 5:30 PM for a 6:00 PM start, Dreamscape is not just a concert— it is a celebration of cultural pride, freedom, and artistic brilliance. It is expected to draw hundreds from across Queensland’s vibrant Indian and multicultural communities.
Organized by the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc., the event highlights the organization's continued commitment to promoting Indian arts
and heritage in Australia, creating bridges of cultural exchange, and honouring the spirit of independence and unity.
EVENT DETAILS:
• Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
• Time: 5:30 PM (for 6:00 PM start)
• Venue: Life Centre Auditorium, 63 Fairlie Terrace, Salisbury QLD 4107 For ticketing, sponsorship, and more information, please contact:
• Preetham Krishna: 0402 537 209 Don’t miss this legendary celebration of music, freedom, and cultural pride. Join us for Dreamscape 2025!
A Guru Mixes the Right Cocktail
SADHGURU: There is a wonderful story in the yogic lore. One day, a gnana yogi, a bhakti yogi, a karma yogi, and a kriya yogi were walking together in a forest. Usually these four people can never be together, because a gnana yogi has total disdain for every other yoga. An intellectual person, a thinking person has complete disdain for everybody else. A bhakti yogi, full of emotion and love, thinks all this gnana, karma and kriya yoga is just a waste of time. Just love God and it will happen. The karma yogi thinks everybody is lazy and that they have all kinds of fancy philosophies. What needs to be done is work. One must work, work and work. The kriya yogi just laughs at everything. The whole existence is energy. If you don’t transform your energy, whether you long for God or anything else, nothing is going to happen.
So, usually they cannot be together,
but today they were walking together. Then it started to rain heavily. They started running, looking for shelter, and they found an ancient temple which just had a roof and no walls. In the center of this structure, there was a linga. These four people went inside the temple for shelter. The storm became more and more furious and it started raining in torrents. The fury of the
storm was getting into the temple so they went closer and closer to the linga. There was no other way to be because it was just blasting them from all sides. Then it became so furious and there was no other place, so the only way they could get some protection was for all four to hug the linga. Suddenly, they felt something enormous happening. A huge presence, a fifth
presence was there. All of them said, “Why now? For so many years we have pursued You and nothing happened. Why now?” Then Shiva said, “At last the four of you got together. I have been waiting for this to happen for a long time.” Without addressing the four basic ingredients of body, mind, emotion and energy out of which all your present experiences are rooted,
one cannot move ahead on the spiritual path. Right now, the only things that are in your experience are your body, your mind, and your emotions. You know them to some extent, and you can infer that if these three things have to happen the way they are happening, there must be an energy that makes them happen. Without energy, all this cannot be happening. For example, a microphone amplifies sound. Even if you don’t know anything about the microphone, you can infer that there is a source that powers it.
So these are the only four realities in your life: body, mind, emotion, and energy. Whatever you wish to do with yourself, it must be on these four levels because you can only start a journey from where you are right now. If you use your emotions and try to reach the ultimate, we call this bhakti yoga, the path of devotion. If you use your intelligence and try to reach the ultimate, we call this gnana yoga,
the path of intelligence. If you use your body or physical action to reach the ultimate, we call this karma yoga, the path of action. If you transform your energies and try to reach the ultimate, we call this kriya yoga, that means internal action.
These are the only four ways you can work with yourself.
In one person the heart may be dominant, in another person the head may be dominant, in yet another person the hands may be dominant, but everyone is a combination of these four, so you need a process that is a combination of these four. And only if it is mixed in the right way for you, it works best. What we give for another person, may not work well for you. Only when it is mixed in the right proportion it works for you. That is why on the spiritual path there is so much stress on a live Guru. He mixes the right cocktail for you, otherwise there is no punch.
The 2025 GOPIO Gold Coast Annual Gala Dinner
Dinner was held with great success, bringing together community members, leaders, and supporters for an evening of celebration, culture, and connection. The event was marked by vibrant music, delicious food, and a warm atmosphere that truly reflected the spirit of unity and multiculturalism.
The musical performances throughout the evening created a lively and engaging ambiance, with guests taking to the dance floor and enjoying every moment.
The night was filled with friendship, and inspiring conversations, as attendees from all walks of life came together to support the ongoing work of GOPIO Gold Coast in community engagement, advocacy, and cultural promotion.
We would like to thank the Guest of Honor, Queensland Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Public Works, MP Charis Mullen and Experience Gold Coast Director of Education Jennine Tax
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous
sponsors, whose support made this evening possible. Platinum Sponsors (Nextweb & ACE One). Your commitment to our vision and continued partnership is deeply valued. Silver Sponsors, (Mortgage Assistance, Business 2 Sell, Global
Grocery & Spices and MP Angie Bell. Thank you for your vital contribution and encouragement of our efforts.
Your support enables us to host events like this that strengthen our community bonds and help us continue to make a positive impact.
We look forward to welcoming everyone again to our future events and extend our gratitude to all those who joined us to making this Gala Dinner a memorable occasion.
GOPIO Gold Coast was represented by Pradip Gorasia (President),
Mokhtiar Singh (Vice President and Gala Dinner Coordinator), Preetham Krishna ( 2nd Vice-President), Madhuri Soni (Secretary), Paddy Krishnan (Joint Secretary), Jessy Kaurah(Treasurer), and Varsha Badhe (Asst. Treasurer)
THE 2025 GOPIO Gold Coast Annual Gala
Brisbane Comes Alive with Colours and Culture at Basava Jayanthi 2025
BRISBANE, Australia
– 23 May 2025: The vibrant multicultural city of Brisbane witnessed a heartwarming celebration of Basava Jayanthi 2025, hosted by Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific (BSAPAC). The annual event commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Basava, the 12th-century social reformer and spiritual visionary who pioneered inclusive social
practices and ethical living, centuries ahead of his time.
Held at a packed venue in Coopers Plains, the celebration showcased a spectacular blend of devotion, knowledge, and community spirit. It was a multicultural confluence of the community dressed in traditional attire, children and adults alike participated in a lively procession of Vachana
recitations, songs, and interactive discussions— highlighting the adoption of Guru Basava’s values that centre on equality, compassion, and rational thought.
The program opened by lighting the lamp followed by the key note address was delivered by Mrs Karen Lay-Brew, the Board Member of Energy Queensland, Strategic Advisor to Australian
Government. Karen migrated with family at the age of 11 from Mynamar provided an inspiring speech of the hardships of migrants and their journey to success, happiness and peace while navigating through the value system of life. Her speech was inspirational and touched the hearts of young and old.
Mrs. Margie Nightingale, Member of Inala, graced the audience and was impressed to see the community unity threaded with the values. Her encouraging best wishes meant to a lot to the growing community and the charity.
The key highlight of the discussion was the interactive introspection from the audience representing different ethnicities in the community namely, Sri Lanka, multi cultural diaspora of India, Pakistan, Iran, Burma, local Australians sharing their journey of life and the adoption of values. The Distinguished speakers, including local leaders and community scholars, praised BSAPAC’s commitment to Engage,
Educate, Empower, and Enlighten across the Asia Pacific. / Guru Basava vegetarian, non-alcoholic community meal (Anna Dasoha), symbolising Basava’s vision of social equality through shared values.
The event also honored young children for their beautiful singing from the Sargam Academy of Music. We thank Mr. Mithun Chakraborthy and Mrs. Bonita Chakraborthy for presenting the wonderful music to the audience. Mr. Linden May, Ex-Board Director of the Charity awarded all the children with the medals for their fantastic participation.
Other notable programs included the Australian national anthem via the violin, presentation of the Guru Basava Dashboard Idol – a spiritually uplifting artefact designed for the car, symbolising values of truth, work, and devotion, ideal for daily travel inspiration by the 12 year old Master Hanish Banavar. BSAPAC will promote these dashboard idols that can be used in the cars via their shopping carts.
Mrs. Soniya Sharma,
from the ANZ Bank Mt Ommaney also spoke to the team regarding the offering of the Home Loan Introductory Program. Other notable organisers were Mrs. Girija Karekal, Executive Director; Mr. Stephen Hodgson, CEO, Mrs. Nivedita H E lead coordinator of Brisbane Chapter. BSAPAC offers gratitude for all the volunteers and children who made this an intimate evening and strengthened the values through multicultural confluence.
“Guru Basava’s message is more relevant today than ever. His vision of a just society is what drives our charity’s work in over eight locations across Australia and New Zealand.”
Basava Jayanthi 2025 in Brisbane stood not only as a celebration of history but also a call to action for unity, service, and purposeful living in our contemporary world. Learn more at https:// basavasamitiapac.org Follow us: #BasavaJayanthi #BSAPAC #GuruBasava #STEMWithValues #EngageEducate EmpowerEnlighten
RCBI Delivers on Promise: 5 Dialysis Machines to Ba Kidney Dialysis Centre (BKDC) in Lautoka awaiting installation
THE Rotary Club Of Brisbane International (RCBI) is proud to announce the successful delivery of five complete dialysis machines to the Ba Kidney Dialysis Centre in Fiji. In addition to the Dialysis machine 6 Dialysis day beds and hospital beds were allocated to BKDC together with medical PPE. This life-changing initiative marks the fulfillment of a heartfelt project and vision led by
our President, Madhuri Jogia Azam. The container reached Lautoka last month and has reached all recipients. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our key partner, Someone Who Cares, Rama Krishna Mission and the tireless efforts of Past President and International Projects Director, Rajnish
Padarath , who played a vital role in navigating logistics and negotiations.
A HEARTFELT VINAKA VAKALEVU TO OUR ROTARY PARTNERS IN FIJI: Management and Team of Credit Corporation (Fiji) Pte Limited, for providing storage facility and assisting in devanning of container.
Labasa Rotary Club, for their invaluable
assistance with customs clearance.
Lautoka Rotary Club, for their generous help with storage and distribution of all medical supplies.
In addition to the Ba Special School equipment and educational supplies, we’re delighted to share that the Golden Age Home, an aged care facility in Lautoka, received an ECG machine, hospital beds, and a wheelchair— helping bring dignity and care to our elderly.
Another ECG machine was also delivered to the Labasa wellness Clinic, further strengthening
medical services in the north.
Dr. Dur Samy of BKDC has shared that, thanks to this generous contribution from RCBI, patients from Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki will now be able to receive dialysis treatment at a significantly subsidised fee, based on eligibility.
President Madhuri Azam extends her deepest gratitude to all RCBI members who helped load the container, and to the staff at the Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment (RARE) facility for their invaluable assistance in storing and preparing the
shipment.
The container also carried educational equipment donated to the Ba Special School, thanks to the thoughtful contribution from Calamvale Special School. In addition text books and other fiction and non fiction books were sent which will be distributed in schools in the western area of Viti Levu.
As we visited the facilities on 13th of June, we could really see the direct impact our community here has made in so many lives.
This remarkable project is a testament to the power of partnerships, compassion, and Rotary's enduring commitment to "Service Above Self."
Heartfelt thank you and Vinaka to everyone who sponsored our events, attended our Gala and Bohemian Sundowner, plus donated generously to RCBI... Together, we are bringing hope and healing—and a touch of magic—to communities in need & Turning Conversations into Action.
Who, What, Where, When...
Hindu Society Of Qld
Queensland Suva Soccer fundraiser
Senator Paul Scarr at GOPIO Gala Dinner
GOPIO Gala Dinner
RCBI Delivers on Promise: 5 Dialysis Machines to Ba Kidney Dialysis Centre (BKDC) in Lautoka awaiting installation
Rotaract Club of Brisbane International
International Yoga Day celebrated at Government House in Brisbane
The Sacred Month of Muharram: Its Importance, Historical Events, and Spiritual Lessons
ASALAMU Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu, All Praise is due to Allah Ta’ala, The Cherisher and Sustainer of all the worlds and Peace and Blessing be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ This article will cover key points and facts pertaining to the month of Muharram, the immense rewards of fasting on particular days during Muharram and the importance of the Ahle Bayt in the lives of Muslims.
Whilst Muharram is approaching, we are currently in the month of Dhul Hijjah and will be welcoming the Hujjaj later in the month as they return from their pilgrimage. It’s a great honour and privilege to welcome them and the etiquettes of greeting them are listed below.
The etiquettes of greeting and meeting the Hujjaj who come back from performing Hajj- The Pilgrimage to Makkah and Madina.
• Greeting: Offer a warm greeting, similar to a “Salam (peace) or other appropriate greeting
• Handshake: Shaking hands is a common way to show respect and welcome
• Seeking dua (prayer): Muslims ask the Hujjaj to pray for them, believing that their prayers are more likely to be heard by Allah, given their recent pilgrimage.
• Asking for forgiveness: It’s customary to ask the Hujjaj to ask Allah Ta’ala for forgiveness for you, as they are considered to be forgiven by Allah Ta’ala for their sins
The Sacred Month of Muharram: Its Importance, Historical Events, and Spiritual Lessons
Islam is a religion that attaches great significance to time. Certain days and months are given a special status due to the events that occurred within them or the virtues Allah has bestowed upon them. Among the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, Muharram holds a particularly esteemed position.
The Importance of Muharram
Muharram is the first
Muhammad Aslam
month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
This statement alone illustrates the high status of this month. It is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.”
— (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)
The sacred months are Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. During these months, good deeds are multiplied, and Muslims are urged to
in a heartbreaking event that continues to be remembered with sorrow and reverence by Muslims around the world.
This event serves as a solemn reminder of the cost of standing up for truth and justice. While Islamic teachings do not prescribe any specific religious rituals to mark this day aside from fasting, it is a moment in history that evokes deep reflection on the values of sacrifice, honor, and faith.
increase acts of worship, including fasting, prayer, and charity. Sinful behavior during these months is also considered more severe, encouraging believers to be especially conscious of their actions.
Historical Events in Muharram
The month of Muharram is marked by several significant historical events. Among the most notable is the event of Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram. The day of Ashura has been recognized as a day of importance even before the advent of Islam.
The Salvation of Prophet Musa (Moses) ملاسلا هيلع
According to authentic narrations, when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he found that the Jewish community was fasting on the 10th of Muharram. Upon inquiry, they explained that it was the day Allah saved the Prophet Musa ملاسلا هيلع and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. In response, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“We are closer to Musa than you.” And he fasted on that day and encouraged his followers to do the same.
— (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2004)
This act of fasting became a recommended Sunnah, and the Prophet ﷺ emphasized its reward and significance.
The Tragedy of Karbala
Another deeply significant and tragic event that took place in the month of Muharram was the martyrdom of Imam Husayn
the beloved grandson of the Prophet ﷺ This occurred on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH (680 CE) in Karbala (modernday Iraq).
Imal Husayn هنع الله �ر, the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah al-Zahra—the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ—was known for his piety, courage, and commitment to justice. He stood against tyranny and was martyred along with members of his family and companions
Ashura, I hope from Allah, will expiate the sins of the previous year.”
— (Sahih Muslim, 1162)
This hadith shows the immense mercy of Allah and the opportunity for purification and renewal. Many scholars recommend also fasting on the 9th of Muharram, in accordance with the Prophet’s guidance: “If I live till the next year, I will surely fast on the 9th also.”
The Status of Ahl al-Bayt in Islam
The Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet ﷺ) hold a special place in the hearts of all Muslims. Their closeness to the Prophet ﷺ and their exemplary character make them models of righteousness.
Allah Ta’ala commands love and respect for the Prophet’s family in the Qur’an:
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘I do not ask you for any reward except love for my near relatives.’”
— (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:23)
The Prophet ﷺ himself spoke of the importance of his family:
“I am leaving among you two precious things: the Book of Allah and my family. If you hold fast to both, you will never go astray.”
Among the most prominent members of Ahl al-Bayt are:
• Ali ibn Abi Talib الله �ر هنع – the cousin and sonin-law of the Prophet ﷺ, known for his knowledge and bravery.
• Fatimah al-Zahra الله �ر اهنع – the beloved daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, known for her piety and modesty.
• Hasan and Husayn �ر امهنع الله – the grandsons of the Prophet ﷺ, referred to as "the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
• The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ wives.
Muslims are encouraged to love the Ahl al-Bayt, follow their virtuous example, and honor their sacrifices for the cause of Islam. Their devotion to the truth, humility, and commitment to justice serve as moral beacons for all generations.
The Importance of Fasting on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura)
Fasting on the 10th of Muharram—known as the Day of Ashura—is a highly recommended Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged this fast due to its great reward: “Fasting the day of
— (Sahih Muslim, 1134) Fasting on both the 9th and 10th distinguishes the Muslim practice from others and follows the Sunnah more completely.
Lessons and Reflections from Muharram Muharram is not only a time of historical remembrance but also a time of spiritual renewal. Among the lessons we can draw from this sacred month:
1. Upholding Justice –The stance of Imam Husayn هنع الله �ر teaches us that standing for truth may come with great difficulty but is essential to maintaining the integrity of faith.
2. Seeking Forgiveness – With the opportunity to have past sins forgiven through fasting, Ashura provides a spiritual opening to return to Allah with sincere repentance.
3. Gratitude for Divine Salvation – The story of Prophet Musa ملاسلا هيلع reminds us to be thankful for the ways Allah saves and guides His servants in times of hardship.
4. Unity through Shared Values – The love for Ahl al-Bayt, recognition of historical events, and commitment to Islamic teachings should serve as a unifying force for Muslims rather than a cause for division.
Conclusion
The month of Muharram is a sacred and blessed time in the Islamic calendar. It is a period for reflection, devotion, and remembrance. Whether by fasting on the Day of Ashura, honoring the legacy of the Prophet’s family, or recalling the great events that shaped Islamic history, believers are encouraged to use this time to draw closer to Allah. By increasing our worship, remembering the noble sacrifices of those before us, and reviving the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, we not only honor our heritage but also rejuvenate our souls for the year ahead.
Hajj Mubarak to all Hujjaj
NELSON Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Life Global Australia was founded largely because Chairperson Dr Dipti McGowan witnessed that weapon in use.
Dr McGowan’s family was originally from Gujarat and, on a visit to her family’s ancestral village, she saw the effects of the transformation of a school by Project Life. At this school, the children had been getting a part-time education as there were not enough classrooms, so lessons were conducted in shifts. Temperatures in summer were 40 degrees and more, and rain came into the rooms during monsoons. This situation was not unusual in a region devastated by an earthquake in 2000.
Dr McGowan’s father decided to donate the funds necessary for Project Life to build a new school in Mulchand. A year later, Dr McGowan attended the opening that led to LifeGA’s foundation, and its ongoing partnership with Project Life.
“I was extremely impressed by the big picture view with which Project Life approached its work. It is always looking to improve lives by giving people autonomy and creating lasting change,” Dr McGowan said.
Education is one of the basic rights of every child, according to the United Nations. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises that education can mean lifting a vulnerable child and their family out of poverty. UNICEF states that for many children around the world, going to school can be the only opportunity to receive nutritious food and clean water, or a young girl’s only chance to break down gender barriers.
Dr McGowan saw that school buildings often did not meet the needs of the students.
“The lack of separate toilets for girls, for example, meant that they did not attend school consistently, and young girls were being withdrawn to help with working on farms and at home.”
Dr McGowan was particularly aware of this issue as her own mother was withdrawn from school after completing Grade 3 to help at home with younger siblings. Consequently, she
The power of education
made it a priority to ensure the education of her daughter, giving Dr McGowan the opportunity to carve out a successful career based on her studies, and experience firsthand the benefit education can bring to an individual, family, extended family and community.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child particularly stipulates the encouragement of regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.
Amisha was a student at Mulchand when Dr McGowan attended the opening ceremony. Her life changed when the new school was built.
“We suffered severely with dark and unlit classrooms, especially in monsoon with water everywhere,” Amisha said.
The new school was constructed as a modern facility with spacious, naturally lit, wellventilated classrooms.
Mulchand is now a “Smart School” in which technology is embedded in the curriculum and pedagogy, thus increasing communication, student engagement, and learning outcomes. As a result, the school has been able to educate thousands of students from poor families.
Amisha is now studying for a degree in Commerce, and is confident her education at Mulchand will ensure her family’s financial security.
“I knew we needed to encourage young children to remain in
education by providing a good environment for study,” Dr McGowan said. “They then have a chance to explore and prosper, and both students and the community can develop.”
Dr McGowan has now attended the opening of several schools, and has spoken to staff about the effect of school transformations on their working lives. They told her that with safe, solid school rooms and buildings, schooling is no longer interrupted by weather.
“We can now actually complete the curriculum,” one teacher said. “We can focus on teaching, and pedagogy, what we all got into teaching to do. We can also run clubs and extracurricular activities with the donors providing sports and music equipment. In essence, we can practise our craft, do curriculum differentiation and help students reach their potential, whether it is in academics, sports or the arts.”
By 2023, Project Life had rebuilt 108 schools. The schools won international excellence grants for rural and regional schools in developing countries such as India.
LifeGA is proud of its success in supporting women’s empowerment (see https://www. gofundme.com/f/ international-womensday-25-empowerwomen-today) and health programmes in India, but bolstering primary education in rural communities
is probably the most ambitious project.
“LifeGA aims to build five state-of-the-art schools in some of the
poorest areas of India, and has already received donations to support that goal,” Dr McGowan said. LifeGA wants to use
the powerful weapon of education to support, sustain and enrich people’s lives. www.lifeglobal.org.au
JULY 2025 PREDICTIONS
ARIES ( 21ST MARCH TO 20TH APRIL )
The beginning of this month seems better for your career but you will just need to bear a little more to gain as the transiting Saturn may demand patience this time around. If you are in business, despite your hard work, there will not be expected results due to which you may feel frustrated and nervous. Calculative Investments done during this month can be beneficial but you will have to take decisions very cautiously. Issues related to property can be resolved during this month. Love will dominate during the most of the parts of this month but do not allow trivial matters to spoil your relationship around the mid of this month. Mercury indicates favorable phase for your education. You have to take care of your health with regular fitness program. The transiting Mars and Mercury indicate that, you shall be preoccupied with making a smart strategy for your progress around the middle of this month. If you are in business, you will be facing a very tough competition here. Venus is likely to boost your financial prospects. The latter half of month may remain in favour for studies and there are higher chances to get admission into reputed institutes. The North Node may have adverse impact on your health conditions. You will have good time to complete pending work as you will have support of transiting Jupiter now. However, you are likely to undertake a few new endeavors, but you may find difficulties to finish your projects successfully on time. The time for family affairs can be highly discouraging due to the impact of the South Node. You may not spend enough time for your studies and wasting some important lectures for trivial matters. The South Node does not bode well for your health. The transiting Mars shall inspire you, bringing you some constructive ideas around the month end. If you are in business, you might get happy on bagging a new project or deal. Under the influence of North Node. you may not be sure as to what direction to take, when the crises arise in your love life.
As the month begins, Jupiter is likely to favour you at your career front. For business persons, new relations can be made which will enable you to grow and to expand your horizons. Venus will make you feel relaxed and comfortable with your financial status but you may feel a little low as far as your love life is concerned. Mercury indicates that you will enjoy the success in your studies but energy levels are likely to drop. As the month advances, Saturn indicates some obstacles to face at your work place hence keep your expectations low. Business persons will need to formulate an effective strategy to score over competitors. Mercury indicates that some romantic conversations may increase the joy and charm in your life. It may be a great idea to make travel plans with your family, friend or beloved around the mid of this month. The middle of this month is not good for initiating into the new venture. The impact of South Node can be complex hence; you are likely to face several obstacles. Mercury indicates that healthy conversations with your beloved ones may help you bring clarity during the latter half of month. For appearing in entrance examinations, competitive exams, this could be the perfect time as there are higher chances to get success. Mars may bring some visible opportunities to grab amid obstacles and stiff resistance around the month end. Some growth in your finance can be expected however it will be on the slower side, indicates Saturn. Venus will be favourable for dating, shopping, watching movies, hanging out together to strengthen your relationship. But some wrong move can disrupt your progress in studies. Planets may boost your immune system. However, Mars looks injury prone hence you are advised not to take any physical risk around the month end.
LIBRA ( 23RD SEPTEMBER TO 22ND OCTOBER )
During this month, Saturn requires extra attention in love, finances start strong but Mars may jeopardize stability, and Mercury helps calculated decisions in career and education. Venus and Mars bring exciting developments in love, finance, career, education, and health in the middle of the month, with new love opportunities, financial gains, career disruptions, academic success, and health challenges. In the latter half, Saturn demands clear goals and adaptability in career, education poses challenges due to South Node, and health is a priority. In the ending part of the month, North Node disrupts love relationships, Saturn demands planning and innovation in finance, Mercury indicates career opportunities, South Node causes disruptions in education, and Saturn emphasizes self-care and nourishment in health. Throughout the month, navigate fluctuations with empathy, exercise caution, make informed decisions, adapt to challenges, and prioritize wellbeing to emerge stronger and more connected in love, solidify financial foundations, support career growth, overcome academic challenges, and maintain physical and mental resilience. The planetary impact demands patience, focus, adaptability, and proactive navigation to overcome obstacles and achieve harmonious relationships, financial stability, career advancement, enhanced knowledge, and overall well-being. By embracing the influences of Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, North Node, and South Node, you'll position yourself for success, prosperity, and overall well-being.
( 22ND DECEMBER TO 20TH JANUARY )
At the month's beginning, career goals are within reach, despite the South Node's challenges. Gradually, opportunities for extra income emerge, and stars prompt a realistic assessment of love and relationships. For students, this is a time to forge ahead with positivity and determination. As the month advances, Mercury indicates a busy period, but business ventures flourish, turning projects into gold. Mid-month, Jupiter's blessing enables successful implementation of new ideas. During the latter half, Mercury heightens mental powers, leading to increased earnings and profitable investments in real estate or commercial property. For singles, Venus brings love opportunities, radiating energy and attraction. However, the South Node complicates love life around month's end. Health and energy are favorable, but Saturn demands adaptation to regular physical activity. Hard work in studies yields rewards, so continue striving for excellence. By month's end, Saturn's influence may profoundly impact personal and professional perspectives, prompting growth and self-reflection. Embrace the month's opportunities and challenges with resilience, and you'll emerge stronger, poised for future success. Prioritize determination, hard work, and self-care to make the most of this dynamic month.
GEMINI ( 22ND MAY TO 21ST JUNE )
Saturn is likely to bring some tough conditions in the beginning of this month. Business person may look for new opening and plans to expand the business activities gradually. The influence of Mercury may remain beneficial for your financial growth and your desired goals will be fulfilled. However, be extra attentive to financial matters as you need to remove bottlenecks. Your love life will be exciting but, at times your impulsive approach under the influence of Mars is likely to make your relationship vulnerable. You are likely to do well in studies but this phase may be causing some seasonal health problems. Due to the complex impact of the South Node, some uncertainty and obstacles may continue to bother you in career during the first half. Your willingness to learn new things may help you to improve your skills and your teachers and mentors too will be pleased with your performance. Mercury indicates progressive phase for your career around the mid of this month. And, if you are doing business, you are likely to strike a big ticket deal. The impact of South Node can be very complex for your love life though. Issues related to your love life can be resolved amicably with the help of good friends. Saturn seems to present kind of mix results for career growth around the month end. There may be some opportunities for gain and growth in business but the efforts to chase high worth customer to strike major deal may face some delays. This phase can change the equations of your relationship all of sudden. Mercury may help you to understand some complicated subjects easily and it is going to bring gradual improvement in your health.
As the month begins, things shall start picking up positive momentum in your career. Mars will help to expand the business growth. Mercury indicates that some uncertainty over some important financial matters but Venus may favour you to enjoy material pleasures to the fullest. There may be some differences on important relationship issue but the favourable impact of Venus will help you to strengthen your relationship. Continue to work seriously with determination, and Jupiter can bring success for you in your studies. Some seasonal impact may continue to bother you this time around. Venus may bring growth in your profession gradually however, there will be some obstacles and bottlenecks created by Saturn. Venus will be supportive for you love life as the month advances. Here you may find the charm and enthusiasm back in your life. You may face difficulties to maintain a balance between studies and social life. Mars indicates that you will have great stamina. You will have a pretty good energy level as well. Your career will get positive momentum during the latter half of month. Business persons will also be able to grab some important projects in this phase. Venus will provide you with ample opportunity to upgrade your life style. Some complex issues created by North Node may lead to dilemmas and confusions which may affect your performance in studies. There may be some disruptions in your personal life and relationship due to the impact of Saturn around the month end. Venus and Mercury may continue to bring some good opportunities for progress in your career. If you are in business, you must avoid making rash decisions under the influence of Mars though.
This month, Venus' influence brings clarity to relationships, removing illusions and allowing for a deeper understanding, while Jupiter offers good earning opportunities, but Saturn advises caution. Mid-month, Jupiter and Venus bring a noticeable event in love life, fresh energy, and harmony in personal relationships, profitable financial opportunities, new professional relationships, and assignments, but challenging situations for students. In the latter half of the month, Venus strengthens relationships, Jupiter brings financial growth, and Mars fosters cordial professional relationships, while students experience positivity and opportunities for progress. Towards the end of the month, Jupiter resolves tricky relationship issues, facilitates successful financial dealings, and brings career progress, but with initial challenges, and students enjoy a favorable period, but must make choices aligning with their potential. Overall, it's a month of clarity, growth, positivity, and opportunities, with some challenges to navigate, requiring adaptability and proactivity to achieve success in various areas of life, with Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn influencing relationships, finance, career, and health.
TAURUS ( 21ST APRIL TO 21ST MAY ) AQUARIUS ( 21ST JANUARY TO 18TH FEBRUARY )
In the beginning of this month, things will start getting better at your workplace. You will get opportunities for expansion and good gains in business. If looking for a new relationship, Venus will bless you to find your match. If desirous of pursuing higher education abroad, your wish could be fulfilled. As the month advances, Jupiter's blessing will get you hired into a new position. Though financially stable, Saturn's impact may teach you the importance of an emergency fund. North Node's influence may interfere with studies, but something new and positive is headed your way in your career. In business, Mars' influence may rush things, but Venus will bless your love life. South Node may hamper study progress, requiring more concentration. Jupiter's blessing will move stuck projects ahead, and luck will support business growth. Saturn will demand focus on real needs and priorities. No serious health disorders are expected. Important decisions at month-end will take your career to the next level, with Venus supporting your love life. Mercury indicates distractions in studies, but with persistence, you can overcome them. Stay focused and adaptable, and prioritize health and relationships.
Saturn may bring some dissatisfaction regarding your position at work place in the beginning of this month. If you are looking for change, Mercury may bring some option for your consideration. Planetary positions portend busier times for business persons. Your old immovable asset or investments may bring good financial rewards. Refrain from taking instinct based decisions in financial matters. The combined impact of Mars and Venus may bring immense energy in your love life. It will be a good time to advance your knowledge. Mercury will help you boost your prospects in education. This week may bring positive impact on your health but you must not take your health for granted to remain healthy. As the month advances, the impact of Venus and Mercury may motivate you to push yourselves harder towards your career. Business persons can now start implementing long held plans. Venus is likely to bring loads of action and tones of super energy in your love life but, things may not be as smooth flowing around the mid of this month. Here you need to work harder in your studies as your projects or assignments may get delayed. During the latter half, Jupiter will increase level of goodwill but you need to be cautious while making important decisions regarding your job or business. North Node indicates that there may be challenges as the conditions may not be very friendly on the financial front. The impact of Mars will be intensifying your emotions hence you need to act with patience with your beloved ones. This could be a good phase to gather new skills from learned people in order to achieve your goals in your studies, suggests Mercury. Do not allow laziness to dominate you in order to remain healthy. Around the month end, businessmen will have enough funds to undertake development oriented activities now.
VIRGO ( 23RD AUGUST TO 22ND SEPTEMBER )
Mercury strengthens relationships, and singles may find new connections in the beginning of this month. However, South Node brings confusion, and Saturn indicates old financial issues may resurface. Mars increases competition at work, but growth is expected. Business people can take decisive steps, and academic pursuits may face difficulties. The middle of the month, Mercury clears uncertainty, and Venus brings stability to relationships. Finances require caution, and Saturn indicates obstacles in existing projects. Educational prospects look promising, especially in foreign universities. Mercury improves health and fitness, but caution is necessary. The latter half of the month, North Node indicates tricky situations, but Venus brings benefits to love life and relationships. Long-term growth prospects look bright, and Mercury accelerates career progress. Jupiter blesses academic results, and students can expect outstanding performance. By monthend, Saturn indicates ups and downs in relationships, requiring tactful handling. Mercury executes plans efficiently, but financial goals face obstacles. Confidence boosts career prospects, and business sees positive developments. Students face challenges, but seeking guidance helps refine their approach.
This month, Jupiter and Venus' influence will open doors to high-ranking positions, and solid planning will aid business success. Mercury indicates new career engagements, providing a platform to pursue longterm goals and dreams. Performance will improve, and Jupiter may bring promotions. However, if finances are unbalanced, implement corrective measures to achieve financial security and stability. Discreetly manage your finances, avoiding unnecessary disclosures. In love, cosmic energy brings harmony, making you extra attractive at the month's beginning. But, mid-month, minor issues may escalate into larger conflicts. Venus' influence will help you address problems by month's end, through subconscious messages. Planetary support will boost health initially, but later in the month, health concerns may arise. Identify the root cause, although serious issues are not foreseen. Students will achieve expected results, but Mercury indicates challenging situations requiring self-confidence and motivation. Stay focused, adaptable, and determined to overcome obstacles and achieve a balanced, harmonious life. Make the most of this month's celestial support and watch your hard work pay off. Prioritize self-care, manage stress, and nurture your overall well-being.
PISCES ( 19TH FEBRUARY TO 20TH MARCH )
This month begins with some decisions proving correct, but surprises are likely, and Saturn may cause delays, advising caution in business dealings and postponing implementation of plans. Mid-month, Mercury brings success to business presentations and promotions, energizing performance and boosting financial prospects, ideal for developing strategies to increase earnings, taking competitive exams, and improving habits for a healthier lifestyle. As the month progresses, Jupiter's favorable influence opens new horizons for professional growth, bringing promising career opportunities, financial growth, and refreshing experiences in love life, helping discover inner strength and emotional resilience. Mars intensifies feelings, and Mercury enables progress in studies, making it a great phase to learn new subjects and develop skills. However, the South Node may cause health fluctuations, emphasizing self-care and relaxation. Toward month's end, encouraging remarks from seniors accelerate project implementation, Mercury enables reviewing financial strategies, and inheritance matters become favorable, but beware of share market and betting temptations. Committed relationships provide stability, while singles may feel insecure due to the North Node's influence. Seek guidance from experienced mentors to enhance academic performance, and physical and mental endurance improves. Throughout, prioritize self-care, manage finances wisely, cultivate emotional balance, stay focused, adaptable, committed, and proactive to navigate challenges and opportunities effectively. This month offers opportunities for growth, improved finances, and enhanced well-being.
CAPRICORN
LEO ( 23RD JULY TO 22ND AUGUST )
SAGITTARIUS ( 23RD NOVEMBER TO 21ST DECEMBER )
CANCER ( 22ND JUNE TO 22ND JULY )
SCORPIO ( 23RD OCTOBER TO 22ND NOVEMBER )
Important Events in the Month of Safar
By Ml.M.Nawaaz Ashrafi
The month of Safar is like all other Hijri months. Any Muslim who held a wrong misconception about the month must drop it, as there is no proof to back any claim.
WE are going to discuss the major events that took place during the month of Safar. These events are significant to Islamic history and anyone who has an iota of doubt, on whether the month is conceived with bad luck and tragedies, the good events that took place during this month would be an eye opener for them.
IMPORTANT EVENTS
IN THE MONTH OF SAFAR
There are important occasions that took place during the month of Safar, as oppose to the Jahiliyya misconception. Following are some of the events:
4 The Battle of Abwaa (took place on Safar 12, in the year 2 AH)
4The Battle of Khaibar (took place in Safar in the year 7 AH)
4Khubaib Ibn Adey (R.A) was martyred in Safar in the year 4 AH
4Zaid Ibn Dathina (RA) was martyred in this month in the year 4 AH
4Khalid and 'Amr bin al-'As Accept Islam on Safar 8th Hijri
4Hadhrat Ali (RA) married Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon Him) daughter, Hadhrat Fatima (R.A) in the latter days of Safar in the year 2 AH
4Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) completion of marriage to UmmHabibah (RA)
Good events and activities do happen in the month of Safar. And this shows that the moth is just as blessed. If the personality of our beloved Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), can do good things – like the completion of his marriage to UmmHabibah – in the month of Safar, that shows just how pious the month of Safar is.
SUPERSTITION & THE MONTH OF SAFAR
All praises to Allah (Subha naho wa Ta’alaa) and choicest blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammud (Sallal lahu ‘alay hi wa sallam).
We are entering the second month of the lunar calendar. Sa-far with a “Sawd” either means ” To turn yellow’ or ‘To be empty/vacant’
It was in Autumn when the leaves turn yellow or the homes of the Arabs were empty of their menfolk, that
this month was named Safar.
This month is also known as, Sa-farul Mu-zaf-far or Sa-fa-rul Khayr, which means, prosperous , successful, good fortune etc. This is to eradicate the corrupt beliefs of some people who say, the month of Safar is badluck, evil, ill-omened, unfortunate etc., so marriages, major transactions etc. must not be conducted in this month .
Rasoolullah(S) eradicated all superstitious beliefs. Time, day, week, month, year is an estimation and effected by the will of Allah .
If anyone does good at anytime, he will be rewarded accordingly and the effects of evil and sins will be decided by Allah .
There are many periods of the lunar calendar and many places in the world where the rewards of good deeds are multiplied and has an adverse result with sins. Our intellect and understanding is limited, therefore we seek divine guidance from the Glorious Quraan and Ahaadees of Rasoolullah . Senior scholars have explained many things to us, in accordance with the Sha-ree-’ah, which we must accept and adhere to, if we desire success in both worlds.
There are a host of corrupt beliefs regarding this month. True and sincere Muslims should refrain from them and engage in beneficial deeds. In reality, no
time or individual is evil originally. All the customs and beliefs of Safar are baseless.
Many people have erroneous beliefs regarding this month i.e. it is a month of misfortune and calamities. The teachings of Allah Ta’ala and His Most Beloved Rasool (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) gives us clear guidelines on such incorrect beliefs.
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says in the Qur’an al-Kareem:
These erroneous beliefs have also been condemned in the context of the following Ahadith:
There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, no bad omen in the month of Safar.[Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5707]
There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no Ghouls (evil spirits). [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2222]
The above Ahaadith clearly refutes all incorrect beliefs and superstitions regarding the month of Safar. These incorrect beliefs flow from the preIslamic period of Jahiliyyah .
THE MONTH OF SAFAR DURING THE DAYS OF IGNORANCE
The Muhaddithin have recorded many of the superstitions harboured by the Arabs during the Days of Ignorance. A few are
mentioned below:
1. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a snake which lives in the stomach of a human being and when hungry, bites the person. This is the discomfort one experiences when gripped by the pangs of hunger.
2. Some said Safar are worms which originate in the liver and ribs due to which the colour of the person becomes yellow, a condition we know today as jaundice.
3. According to some, the month of Safar flanked by Muharram and Rabi al Awwal is full of calamities and misfortune.
With the advent of Islam and the teachings of Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam), all evil and incorrect beliefs common in pre-Islamic times were discarded.
Incorrect Beliefs: Today too, there are some Muslims who hold incorrect beliefs regarding the month of Safar.
1. A nikah performed in this month would not be successful.
2. This month is full of misfortune and calamities.
3. To commence any important venture, business etc. during this month will bring bad luck.
4. The first to the thirteenth of Safar is illfortune and evil.
5. The person who distributes food or money on the 13th of Safar will be saved from its ill-fortune.
6. To celebrate the last Wednesday of Safar and regard it as a holiday.
is inauspicious, and particularly to believe that its first thirteen days are ‘bad luck’ or that it is harmful to marry or propose to marry or undertake a journey, etc., during these days are beliefs which are against the teachings of Islam.
In pre-Islamic days people considered the Month of Safar to be evil and ominous. Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam strongly rejected such beliefs and ideas. The truth is that no time, day, month or date is in itself evil, but the deeds of people are either good or bad. The time spent in the performance of good deeds will be auspicious and the time spent in sin and the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala will be evil and ominous.
WHAT TO DO:
1. To shun all types of erroneous beliefs regarding the blessed month of Safar.
2. To understand that the most unfortunate person is he who disobeys Allah Ta’ala’s commandments e.g. does not perform the five daily salaah etc. It is narrated in a hadith that Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Pray, 0 Allah! Cause not any of us to be a wretched destitute.” He then asked: “Do you know who is a wretched destitute?” Upon the request of the Sahabah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum) he replied, “A wretched destitute is he who neglects his salaah.”
3. We should understand that all conditions which befalls us, good or bad, favourable, or unfavourable are from Allah Ta’ala, (as a result of our actions). Allah Ta’ala says: ” Whatever misfortune befalls you, it is due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin.” (Surah 42 – Verse 30).
This can also be confirmed by the following Hadith: Sayyadina Jabir (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) has said that, “I have heard Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is untrue.”
To believe that the Month of Safar
The Month of Safar is not ominous. Evil deeds and incorrect beliefs are ominous and should be given up and repented for. It is incorrect to postpone or delay marriage or its proposal or a journey, etc. because of such beliefs.
Rejecting the false beliefs of the days of ignorance Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam said, ‘Belief in ill-omen is Shirk (polytheistic) (he said this thrice) and the owl’s ominousness is nothing.’ The Mushriks of Arabia used to believe that a house near which an owl screeches will be ruined, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam refuted this belief as false. Thereafter, he said, ‘There is nothing ominous about the Month of Safar’. (Bukhari vol.1 pg.857)
The polytheists believed the Month of Safar up to the 13th day to be inauspicious, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam rejected this superstition. It is therefore wrong for Muslims, who are the followers of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, to adopt the ways of the non-Muslims and to entertain the very beliefs which he had come to change.
May Allah Ta’ala grant all Muslims the ability to accept and practice upon all the beautiful teachings of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, Aameen.
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Candy Cove the magical land of candy folk!
BY NERIN NAIDU
ONE of the greatest joys I experienced as a teacher was narrating stories to my eager students, watching them listen with silent fascination, keen to know what happens next. Their eyes open wider during moments of suspense and closing completely when imagining the exciting world of fictional lands and people. Often their mouths fell slightly ajar waiting with baited breath to hear what happened next, almost ready to shout out in defence of their hero. Some held onto the hands of their friends who were only too happy to have the comfort of a buddy equally excited to hear whether the protagonist
beat all odds to emerge the winner.
It was at this crucial point in the story, that I, their teacher, would close the book and observe the many expressions that looked back at me.
“No!” they would shout out. “What happens next?” After a brief pause I would continue the story knowing that I had
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For being an avid reader and writer myself, I wanted my students to experience the utter and complete emersion into the world of stories.
My love for reading and books started from early childhood when my mother, a teacher and entrepreneur took time out of her busy day to read me a story or more if time allowed. It was mother and daughter time, a sacred moment when I had my mum all to myself, sharing a mutual love – stories. When mum exhausted the fairy tale, fables, nursey rhymes, classics and other conventional books, she asked me to close my eyes and imagine
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I found inspiration for Candy Cove from my students, a cheerful bunch, most times.
Each candy family, as in the case of human families, have their unique, quirky, lovable ups and downs.
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Yeshnil Karan breaks 54-year Fijian record
with stunning 10,000m run in Gold Coast
FIJI’S distance running prodigy Yeshnil Karan has rewritten athletics history, smashing a 54-year-old national 10,000m record with a breathtaking performance at the UniSport Australia Nationals Athletics Championships.
Competing as a guest at the prestigious inter-university event held at the Gold Coast Performance Centre on Tuesday evening, Karan clocked a sensational time of 30 minutes 19.92 seconds, crossing the finish line first and leaving an indelible mark on the track.
His time demolished the long-standing Fijian record of 31 minutes 32.00 seconds, set by the legendary Usaia Sotutu in 1971 in Provo, USA. Karan sliced a staggering 72 seconds off the previous mark, announcing his arrival as one of the Pacific’s most promising long-distance athletes.
Even more impressive, this was only Karan’s second-ever 10,000m race on the track. He obliterated his personal best of 32 minutes 32.30 seconds, recorded during his gold-medal run at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, by a
remarkable 2 minutes and 12 seconds.
Among those watching the historic race was 1976 Olympian and Fiji Sports Hall of Fame inductee Tony Moore Junior, a former teammate of Sotutu in the early 1970s. He was full of praise for the young runner, saying:
“This delightful young man is brimming with talent and potential.”
Yeshnil Karan’s feat not only cements his status as a rising star in Fijian athletics, but also serves as a generational milestone—proof that brilliance can rewrite history in just over 30 minutes.
New-ball burst pegs Aussies back in tight Test
AUSTRALIA'S new opening pair have succumbed to another West Indies new-ball burst as the tourists slumped to 2-4 in their second innings late on day two of the second Test in Grenada.
Any ascendency Australia had gained from taking a 33-run firstinnings lead was quickly eradicated by Windies' quick Jayden Seales who accounted for both Sam Konstas for a duck and Usman Khawaja (2) after the pair were tasked with a challenging 35-minute period to survive before stumps.
Konstas survived just four balls as he chopped on chasing a short and wide delivery in the first over of the innings, while Khawaja was stuck on the crease and trapped lbw for the third straight innings in Seales' (2-5) second over.
With Khawaja hesitant to commit either forward or back, the Windies quicks have clearly made note of targeting the left-hander's pads from around the wicket, with opposing captain Roston Chase alluding to such post-play.
"I guess that's the area we're trying to exploit, and it's been working for us so far," he said.
Cameron Green (6 not out) and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (2no) weathered the remaining 20 minutes as Australia went to stumps 2-12 leading by 45 after West Indies were bowled out for 253, but the task of surviving tomorrow morning remains just as ominous with the Dukes ball just six overs old and swinging considerably.
Josh Hazlewood, who himself claimed a wicket in his first over earlier in the day, said it was unfortunate to lose two wickets in what is the "hardest time to bat" with nothing to gain in the period before stumps.
"We saw there late at night, that's the toughest time to bat with a new ball," he said at stumps.
"If you can get through that, we've seen runs flow through the middle order (this series).
"It's unfortunate we lost two (wickets) but a good sign from 'Greeny' and 'Gaz' (Lyon) to get through and as long as we get through that new ball tomorrow for the first hour, I think batting is going to be a little bit easier."
Aussie skipper Pat Cummins earlier took one of the all-time great caught and bowled catches as Australia also took advantage of the new ball at the National Stadium in St George's.
Brandon King's maiden Test half-century – and West Indies first of the series – helped the hosts fight back after more top order struggles until Cummins (2-46) intervened again in the middle session alongside Nathan Lyon (3-75) to see Australia take a narrow first-innings lead.
The Aussie skipper and his off-spinner combined to take 3-5 in four overs in the hour before tea after King's 75 from 108 balls and opener John Campbell's 40 from 52 set them a solid platform from which they would have been eyeing their own first-innings advantage.
But having progressed
to 4-169 with Shai Hope (21) also contributing in a 58-run stand with King, West Indies slipped to 7-174 before eventually being bowled out for 253 after some lower-order hitting by Alzarri (27) and Shamar Joseph (29) saw them add 51 for the eighth wicket in no time.
The second day began with a showcase of athletic feats from Australia's fast bowlers as Josh Hazlewood (2-43) and Cummins claimed the first two West Indies wickets caught and bowled, which was just the eighth time in almost 150 years of Test cricket that mode of dismissal had accounted for the first two wickets of an innings.
Top order batting again proved tough as day two resumed 11 minutes early due to the rain on the opening day, with Kraigg Brathwaite falling for an eight-ball duck in his 100th Test when he chipped a catch that Hazlewood collected low down in his follow
through.
The second caught and bowled was on another level however, after Cummins found the edge of No.3 Keacy Carty (6) with his second ball of his spell from the pavilion end.
The ball then ricocheted off his pad and into the leg side, with Cummins rapidly changing direction to pouch the ball in his outstretched right hand millimetres from the turf after sprinting across the pitch and diving full stretch to take the catch.
Opener John Campbell looked to have found his feet again at Test level after being recalled for this series as he added a quickfire 40 from 50 balls, but after pulling Hazlewood for six and occasionally walking at the Aussie quicks, the approach also brought his downfall when he advanced to Beau Webster and skied it to mid-on to leave West Indies were 3-64.
It was Campbell's
sixth time out in the forties in his 22 Tests having only managed three half-centuries, as he registered another promising start with his 21st score over 20 before again failing to kick on.
The hosts went to lunch 3-110 but that became four down in the first over after the break as Hazlewood trapped Windies skipper Roston Chase in front, who was sent on his way after Australia successfully reviewed Adrian Holdstock's not out call.
White-ball stars King and Hope wrestled back the momentum as they dominated the next hour of play, targeting Lyon for the second Test in a row as the former crashed him for a pair of sixes down the ground as the off-spinner's first 32 deliveries cost him 30 runs.
King raised his bat in Test cricket for the first time when he flayed Starc over gully to bring up a 77-ball fifty as the pair put on 58 for the
fifth-wicket.
But it was more Cummins brilliance that conjured the breakthrough, setting up Hope from wide on the crease with a trio of deliveries that beat the outside edge before producing a peach of a wobble seam delivery that decked back sharply on the inside of the bat and cannoned into off stump.
Lyon then found the glove of King down the leg side in the next over with a ball that bounced and spun, given out on review for the highest score in the match thus far as the off-spinner begun to find some purchase off the Grenada wicket.
His second wicket in the space of two overs brought a puff of dust from the surface as it spun and catch the inside edge of Justin Greaves' bat, with Alex Carey pouching the rebound off the pad amid a strong day behind the stumps.
After the Josephs big hitting took the Windies beyond 200, lastwicket pair Anderson Phillip (10) and Jayden Seales (7no) eked out a painstaking 16 runs from 65 balls to reduce the first-innings deficit to 33 before another contentious catch off Travis Head's part-time spin ended the innings with 19 overs remaining in the day.
That left Aussie openers Khawaja and Konstas a tricky 35-minute period to negotiate before stumps, but both were back in the sheds well before stumps amid Seales' terrific opening spell.
Dhurandhar first look out: Ranveer Singh-starrer
CONFIRMED to arrive in theatres on December 5; take a look inside Aditya Dhar’s world
ON the occasion of his 40th birthday, actor Ranveer Singh received a special cinematic tribute as the makers of Dhurandhar unveiled the first official asset from the highly anticipated film. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar brings together a powerful ensemble cast and marks Singh’s next big theatrical release after a brief hiatus from the big screen. The first look
video opens with R. Madhavan’s intense voiceover: “Bahut saal pehle kisi ne mujse kaha tha, ‘Pados mein rehte hain, godde bhar ka zor laga lo, bigaad lo jo bigaad sakte ho.’ Bigaadne ka waqt aa gaya hai.” His words set the tone for the gripping, politically charged world of Dhurandhar — a world on the brink of chaos. What follows is a blood-soaked, fierce visual of Ranveer Singh — his face scarred and smeared in red — exuding
Coolie surprise: Aamir Khan gets introduced as ‘Dahaa’ in Rajinikanth starrer action thriller
ON the occasion of his 40th birthday, actor Ranveer Singh received a special cinematic tribute as the makers of Dhurandhar unveiled the first official asset from the highly anticipated film. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar brings together a powerful ensemble cast and marks Singh’s next big theatrical release after a brief hiatus from the big screen.
The first look video opens with R. Madhavan’s intense voiceover: “Bahut saal pehle kisi ne mujse kaha tha, ‘Pados mein rehte hain, godde bhar ka zor laga lo, bigaad lo jo bigaad sakte ho.’ Bigaadne ka waqt aa gaya hai.” His words set the tone for the gripping, politically charged world of Dhurandhar — a world on the brink of chaos.
What follows is a blood-soaked, fierce visual of Ranveer Singh — his face scarred and smeared in red — exuding
a dangerous calm. The mood is reminiscent of his menacing turn as Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat, with the same haunting eyes and restrained fury. Singh delivers just one line in the teaser, but it lands with weight: “Ghayal hoon, isliye ghatak hoon.”
Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Dhurandhar also stars Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, a line-up that has already generated
considerable buzz. This is director Aditya Dhar’s second major film after the 2019 blockbuster URI: The Surgical Strike, which earned him acclaim for both scale and storytelling. Interestingly, the first look video also confirmed that the film will be released on December 5, 2025. It is worth noting that Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report on the Ranveer Singh starrer's release date. It will clash with Prabhas' The Raja Saab.
a dangerous calm. The mood is reminiscent of his menacing turn as Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat, with the same haunting eyes and restrained fury. Singh delivers just one line in the teaser, but it lands with weight: “Ghayal hoon, isliye ghatak hoon.”
Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Dhurandhar also stars Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, a line-up that has already generated
considerable buzz. This is director Aditya Dhar’s second major film after the 2019 blockbuster URI: The Surgical Strike, which earned him acclaim for both scale and storytelling. Interestingly, the first look video also confirmed that the film will be released on December 5, 2025. It is worth noting that Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report on the Ranveer Singh starrer's release date. It will clash with Prabhas' The Raja Saab.
Vaitarani FIRST poster out: Rashmi Gautam leads in horror inspired by real events
THE much-awaited supernatural thriller Vaitarani, directed by Akhil Babu, has unveiled its first poster today, offering a spine-chilling glimpse into a world where the search for truth spirals into a harrowing battle for survival.
The idea for the film was sparked when the director came across a real incident horror footage recorded by a family — a clip that has been going viral over the past few months. Deeply disturbed by the rawness and realism of the video, he was compelled to explore the unspeakable silence left behind by trauma. Vaitarani was born from that spark — a film that dives into true events and stories people never dared to tell.
Told through the immersive lens of foundfootage and cinema verité, the film brings a fresh and bold take on the horror genre — one that’s rarely been attempted in Indian cinema. Shot bilingually
in Hindi and Telugu, the story draws from real-life experiences of terror and psychological distress, balancing culturally rooted emotions with international-grade horror storytelling.
Leading the cast is Rashmi Gautam in a role that challenges her like never before, along with Rudra Pradeep, Ramarao Jadhav, Santhosh Nandivada — all wellknown actors from the Telugu industry who bring intensity and authenticity to the screen.
Director Akhil Babu tells us, “This film was born out of a real
encounter that haunted me for years. What started as a conversation with a survivor turned into a journey of unearthing stories buried in silence. Vaitarani is about the terrifying void trauma leaves behind, and we’ve poured everything into making it feel unflinchingly real.”
Backed by National Award-winning technicians and a panIndia crew, Vaitarani promises to be a raw, unsettling, and emotionally gripping horror story — one that lingers long after the credits roll.
Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 finally gets rolling: Ranveer Singh – Kiara Advani to shoot from January 2026, Priyanka Chopra may return
THE long-awaited Don 3, directed by Farhan Akhtar, which had been delayed for various reasons, is finally set to begin shooting in January 2026. Confirming this development, a source told Subhash K Jha, “Yes, there’s been a delay—but it couldn’t be helped. Ranveer Singh, who replaced Shah Rukh Khan in the franchise, had to deal with a wave of online trolling for ‘daring’ to step into SRK’s shoes. Farhan and Ranveer mutually decided to lie low and
let the heat die down. Ranveer also needed time to physically and mentally prepare for the role, which requires rigorous martial arts training.”
The source further added, “After that, Kiara Advani— who was signed on to replace Priyanka Chopra as the female lead—got pregnant. Farhan had to halt the film’s progress due to her changed circumstances. To add to that, Farhan got deeply immersed in his own acting schedule for the intense war film 120 Bahadur,
where he plays Major Shaitan Singh. That film is scheduled to release on November 21, 2025.”
Now, with all hurdles cleared, Don 3 is finally ready to roll. Shooting begins in January 2026, with a targeted December 2026 theatrical release.
And here’s the most exciting part—the source hints at a major surprise, “There is a possibility that Priyanka Chopra may return to the Don franchise.”
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