Bit April 15

Indian Times

Brisbane

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Volume 12, Number 7 Saturday, April 11, 2015

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IPL’s eighth edition kicks off with opening ceremony at Salt Lake Stadium

• Article page 6.

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Inside

Indian Times A D ivi sio n of Qld Multi cultural Time s

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• Local News.................................5-25 • Who, What, Where, When...26 & 28 • Health & Well Being................32-35 • Astrology...........................................36 • Real Estate................................37-39 • Business Directory.......................40-41 • Classifieds..........................................42 • What’s On................................42-47 • Bollywood & Entertainment...48-49 • Sport..........................................50-51 2 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

WELCOME to April issue, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, the much waited four day weekend. Unfortunately every year we hear of so many fatalities over the break period.

We are looking forward the first combined Indian New Year Celebration in Brisbane, I believe that it may be the first of its kind in Brisbane, India is a big country and has many regions; all the regions celebrate in their own manner so we have decided to have a joint celebration. India is a culturally diverse country but united by the customs and traditions, that is why it is known as country that has unity in Diversity.

We are very pleased that Brisbane Lord Mayor has agreed to be our chief guest, alongside the honorary Consul for India in Queensland, Mrs Archana Singh and other dignitaries.

I would like to also thank Sanjeev Sharma of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan, who together with his Brisbane and interstate members worked really hard to make the function a success.

Lets now talk about our new venture Australian Indian Radio (AIR), which in its formative stage is receiving favourable response, we are pleased to announce that we now have a call to listen service which does not use your data, obviously the sound quality is compromised a bit but it least you are able to listen to the radio without chewing up you data. The call may attract a local call charge it will all depend upon your plan and service provider.

We have been granted the dial to listen service in three countries; in Australia the number to call is 028-072-5111, in UK the number to call is 330-606-0911 and in USA the number to dial is 712-832-2611. The recommended method listening is via Tunein radio or simply by logging on to our website www.indianradio.net.au.

The radio is available on any internet enabled device anywhere in the world twenty four seven. Our speciality programs such as the Tamil and Punjabi are quite popular and get a lot of listeners.

We can proudly report that we have had so many visitors to our studio for live interviews.

Brisbane

Published Monthly OWNERS / PUBLISHERS: Umesh & Usha Chandra

• Letters to the Editor.......................2 • Migration Matters...........................4

From the Publisher

JOURNALIST/ CORRESPONDENTS Ram Jattan (UK) Thakur Ranjit Singh (NZ) Thilliar Varnakulasingham (NZ) Shalendra Prasad (Fiji) Dhaval Vyas (India) Rama Gaind (Canberra) ML. M. Nawaaz Ashrafi Imam Muhammad Aslam Sundar Gopal Das Yadavendra Das Pastor Joseph Dass Haji Abdul Rahman Deen Janeth Deen Jitendra Deo Mehraban Farahmand (Baha’i International)

Ajit K Shahi (Immigration Matters) Jatinder Kaur Vinaya Natarajan (Inspire - Prem Rawat) Peter Lane Rai Parth Raval Shobhana Shet (Spiritual Science Research Foundation) Gurjeet Singh Matt Young (Sport) Suite 5, 2281 Sandgate Road Boondall Qld 4034 TELEPHONE: (07) 3865 6533 FACSIMILE:(07) 3865 5864 E-MAIL: prod@indiantimes.com.au Subscriptions: 12 months $40.00 (incl GST) 6 months $24.00 (incl GST)

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We have placed a lot of emphasis on community functions and events; we welcome all feedback and suggestions.

With the Easter holidays April Issue of Brisbane Indian Times is a smaller volume, compared to last months, we hope to get back in to the swing of things by next month, please be very mindful of deadlines, we try and accommodate as many submissions possible and do not wish to offend anyone by refusing a submission, it very hard to accommodate submission after the deadline as we have readjust the whole page layouts, it is not as simple as inserting another small article, the articles need to go in specific sections, and the page layouts are done well in advance.

During Easter we undertook minor revocations of the office, which resulted in the phone and data lines being disconnected, this disrupted the emails, we do apologise to everyone for any inconvenience that this may have caused, the techie blames the sparky and sparky blames the chippy, so turns out that it was on one’s fault.

Australia and the entire world for that matter is going through very rough times in terms of terrorism, and there seems to be no end to this tragic situation with daily some news of unprecedented violence from around the world.

It is challenging times that we are living in, during Easter long weekend there had been many protests marches by the group calling themselves “reclaim Australia”, while the protests have been controlled and well handled by police, it has created tensions within communities.

Aboriginal activists had a banner out saying it was never yours to reclaim, I personally have witnessed the gap widening rather than closing, tolerance levels are low, people are judgemental, some withhold their thoughts some are quite vocal and aggressive. It is really unfortunate, I don’t know what can be done, people are worried really worried. I must pen off now.

Until next Month Happy reading, Umesh Chandra.

Brisbane Indian Times is a monthly newspaper published in English. No material, including advertisements designed by Brisbane Indian Times, may be reproduced in part or who without the written consent of the manager. Opinions carried in Brisbane Indian Times are those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by Brisbane Indian Times. Brisbane Indian Times will not be held liable for any advertising / editorial content - Advertisers supply/approve content therefore should any content be deemed inappropriate it is the advertisers responsibility. While every effort has been made to capture the true likeness to colour printing is an art and therefore we cannot guarantee an exact matching of product to image. Refund / Credit is not given as a result of the previous mentioned.

All correspondence should be addressed to: Brisbane Indian Times, PO Box 197, Taigum Qld 4018.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 3

Migration Updates....

Significant New Amendments to Migration Regulation, which will commence on 18 April 2015 ALLOWS an English language test score to be accepted for points tested skilled visas if the test was conducted three years before the applicant was invited to apply for the visa, rather than three years before the application was lodged. This ensures that English test scores do not become invalid between the invitation to apply for the visa and the application being lodged.

Provide that the visa application form, the place in which a visa application must be lodged and the manner in which a visa application must be made (for example by internet or paper) are specified in an instrument made by the Minister, rather than set out in the Migration Regulations. This enables these administrative details to be changed more rapidly, as required, to facilitate more efficient processing arrangements.

Extend the timeframes in which an approved sponsor must notify the department of certain events relating to the sponsored person (for example, a change in work duties).

The amendment extends the timeframe from 10 working days to 28 calendar days to ensure there is sufficient time to comply with the requirement. It also reduces confusion for businesses, as it would align with other comparable reporting periods that must be met by business.

Repeal the requirement that an applicant for a Temporary Graduate visa must provide evidence of having made arrangements for medical examinations at the time of application for the visa. The amendment removes an unnecessary burden on applicants, as many applicants may not be required to have a medical examination to meet the health requirement at the time of decision for the visa.

Limit the number of domestic flights that foreign aircrew are permitted to work on while holding a Special Purpose visa.

The amendments provide a limit of two connecting domestic flights for foreign air crew and one connecting domestic flight for positioning foreign air crew (persons forming crew on departure). This ensures that opportunities for Australian workers on domestic flights are protected.

Select Legislative Instrument No. 34, 2015 [F2015L00351] Migration Amendment (2015 Measures No.1) Regulation 2015 amends the Migration Regulations to above.

This article is intended to provide general information on migration issues and does not constitute migration advice, and no responsibility is accepted by Ajit K Shahi or Naam Migration Australia for the accuracy of material appearing in Brisbane Indian Times. Ajit K Shahi MARN: 1174452

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 5

IPL’s eighth edition kicks off with opening ceremony at Salt Lake Stadium From page 1

HEAVY rain failed to dampen the spirit of ‘City of Joy’ as a dazzling Bollywood-style opening ceremony kick started the eighth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket after a one-and-a-half hour delay at the decked-up Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday 7 April.

The event was a little subdued compared to the galas of the previous editions but the cine stars still managed to put up a show, enthralling the thousands of drenched fans who were glued to their seats.

The cheer was loud for Virat Kohli, louder for Mahendra Singh Dhoni but loudest for their ‘very own’ Gautam Gambhir.

While Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan stole the show with his electrifying dance performance, leading lady Anushka Sharma brought on a lot of panache with her performance.

The versatile Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor regaled the crowd, both performing to their respective numbers from movies such as ‘Rock On’ and ‘Kaminey’.

Shahid hit a ramp while entering the stage on a motorcycle and then slipped while dancing before recovering quickly.

Of those from the glam world, Hrithik was the most sought-after as he gyrated to his hit numbers from Bang Bang and Dhoom 2.

The eight skippers led by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni signed the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge to start IPL 8 formally in front of Ravi Shastri before they posed for a formal group photo.

Bollywood then took centrestage with Haider actor Shahid making an entry in a motorcycle to the tunes of local hero Bappi Lahiri.

“Rain or shine the celebration will continue that’s how we love our cricket. Now, we

have a new season apart from monsoon, summer, winter and spring and that’s the season of IPL,” the anchor of the show, Saif Ali Khan, said in his opening address.

The ‘Omkara’ star called out the captains of the eight franchises as the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, JP Duminy and George Bailey walked onto the dais.

But it was the trio of Dhoni, Kohli and Gambhir who received the biggest applause as firecrackers lit up the Kolkata sky.

The ceremony began with a traditional Rabindra Sangeet rendition of ‘Ananda Loke’.

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New jobactive services to help more jobseekers into work THE Commonwealth Government will help more job seekers secure a job and to assist employers find the employees they need to grow their businesses.

The Government is investing $5 billion to establish jobactive which will improve the quality of services delivered to job seekers and employers.

In 1998, the Howard Government introduced the Job Network and revolutionised the delivery of employment services to job seekers. Unfortunately, the Rudd-GillardRudd Government changed the employment services system to reward process over results and encourage training for training’s sake. The system became mired in red tape, letting down job seekers and employers.

The new jobactive system will be focused on results and reward performance not process.

From 1 July 2015, 66 organisations will deliver one or more jobactive services to job seekers and employers across Australia.

There will be clearer incentives to ensure employment service providers are focused on better preparing job seekers to meet the needs of local employers and helping people to find and keep a job.

Service providers will no longer receive ‘job placement’ payments. The rules around training have also been tightened to ensure that job seekers are not being sent to training for training’s sake as is currently the case.

There will be less red tape so that providers can spend more time doing what they do best – helping job seekers find and keep a job. The new employment services contract will also be extended from three years to five years. A new regional loading for providers in selected regions will be introduced, recognising that labour market conditions vary across Australia.

The new model encourages young job seekers to take up a job and employers to take on new employees.

The Job Commitment Bonus programme will encourage young, long-term unemployed job seekers aged 18-30 to find and keep a job. The Government’s Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job programme will continue to offer eligible job seekers financial assistance if they move to a regional area to take up a job.

The Restart programme will encourage businesses to employ mature age job seekers.

The new model will also provide outcome payments for seasonal job placements that might last only four weeks, as well as a 12 and 26 week outcome payments for longerterm jobs. Data clearly demonstrates that

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people who have undertaken a few shortterm employment opportunities are substantially more likely to gain permanent positions.

Work for the Dole will be rolled out nationally to help job seekers to learn new skills and remain socially active and engaged while looking for work. Work for the Dole allows job seekers to show that they are keen and willing to work while also giving something back to the community that is supporting them.

All of the Government’s policies are focused on getting people into work because the best form of welfare is a job.

Eating ‘fiesta’ launches in Brunswick Street Mall THE fresh face of the Brunswick Street Mall is set to receive a boost today, with the opening of a new pop-up style food store which was designed as part of the Mall’s refurbishment.

Economic Development Chair Julian Simmonds said the Mall’s first commercial pod was now operational, adding to the fresh new face of Brunswick Street Mall.

“This booth-style shop space is designed for higher foot traffic areas, because it takes up minimal space, keeping the vibrant, open feel of the mall.

“The pod is designed to be easily-accessible for crowds of all sizes, and is suitable for a range of businesses.”

“The pod space will be operated by Mexican food outlet, ‘Street Burrito by Tuckeria’, bringing a new, tasty food option for mall visitors,” he said.

This pod space is just over 12 square metres, with an outdoor dining area that’s 26 square metres.

“With Council extending free Wi-Fi services in Brunswick Street Mall and Chinatown Mall last year, and the introduction of events like Chinese Lunar New Year and the Valley Fiesta, these small, savvy spaces will help the precinct become a world-class destination for entertainment and business,” he said.

“It’s better-equipped to host a wide range of events throughout the year, which is one way Council is working to spark more interest in the Valley Malls precinct.

“The Brunswick Street Mall has the potential to become a vibrant destination for entertainment, retail, and dining, and the introduction of commercial pods is the next step in that journey.”

For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/valleymalls or contact Council on 07 3403 8888.

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

International Congress for Fiji (ICFI) Affirms Commitment THE International Congress for Fiji Inc (ICFI) has re-affirmed its commitment to continue to provide financial assistance for the education of the needy students in Fiji.

Since its inception in 2002, ICFI has provided assistance to almost 10,000 students ranging from primary to university level diploma students.

“Although the need for assistance has declined a little in the last couple of years given the Fiji Government’s expanded educational assistance programme, the need still exists among the most needy students who for various reasons do not qualify for loans to fund tertiary education,” said Mr Sarat Maharaj, ICFI Vice President and Public Relations Officer.

Mr Maharaj said that over the last 13 years, ICFI has been able to bring hope to a large number of students from very poor backgrounds from all parts of Fiji, from Bua to Nalemba, from Levuka to Lau, from Tailevu North to Baulevu, from Navua to Mulomulo, from Drasa to Balata and from Nukuloa to Penang.

“If it was not for ICFI, hundreds of these students may not have been able to finish their education. With ICFI’s help many of them have been able to earn a living and most importantly, are helping their families, and brothers & sisters,” Mr Maharaj said.

The Fiji government is focussing very actively on education, and with its policy for free tuition up to Form 7, and the loan scheme for tertiary education, more and more students are able to continue their education. This year the Government has expanded the program to include vocational and technical assistance. But there are strict eligibility criteria and not all students get assistance. It is these students who need help the most.

Having already expensed $FJD850,000 in last 13 years, Mr Maharaj said that ICFI’s assistance program will continue in 2015, but it will be more focussed and targeted at only vocational and technical students, mostly in the poorest schools in rural areas.

As in the past, ICFI will be travelling to Fiji at their own personal cost to interview students and pay their fees.

“As always, our focus is to give help where it is most needed – to students who have no other opportunities,” Mr Maharaj said.

ICFI’s annual fund-raising event, Girmit Musical Nite held in May, has been an important event in Brisbane’s social calendar. However, Mr Maharaj said that given the number of similar events, this year the committee is looking at a different format, but still with the Girmit Nite theme, to be held a little later in the year.

Mr Maharaj acknowledged that a lot of people - sponsors, musicians, those who bought tickets or donated prizes – have supported ICFI’s fundraising efforts. “To all these very generous people, ICFI would like to say a big thank you on behalf of the hundreds of students who have benefitted from your kindness, and we look forward to your continued support” Mr Maharaj said.

Mr Maharaj said details of the 2015 Girmit Nite event will be released in due course.

Please visit ICFI website www.icfi.org.au for student testimonials and for other detailed information of which, you the donor, are an equal partner.

• Vocational Training Students at Mulomulo Secondary School, Nadi, showing their appreciation for ICFI's financial assistance.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 7

Khalsa Aid UK and Turbans for Australia provided aid to victims of cyclone Marcia in Queensland

MP Singh (Sydney)

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AUSTRALIA’S Sunshine State of Queensland suffered massive destruction when cyclone Marcia hit its coastline in end of February. Rockhampton city was the main epic point where around 1,100 houses were destroyed, trees were uprooted by strong winds that blew around 290km/hour.

As Sikh community is always front runner in providing all possible help to victims of natural disasters, UK based ‘Khalsa Aid’ came forward this time as well.

Khalsa Aid contacted Australia’s rising Sikh organisation Turbans4Australia and encouraged them to be local contacts for this help from them. Amar Singh of Turbans4Australia contacted Salvation Army of Rockhampton to know what type of aid is most suitable at this time and then arranged everything from buying pallets of drinking water, non-perishable food items, nappies for children and many other items worth $4500.

Two members of Turbans4Australia flew down to Rockhampton on 21st March to make sure these goods are delivered to the victims properly.

Salvation Army’s Major Colin Maxwell thanked Khalsa Aid, Turbans4Australia and all other volunteers on behalf of victims of cyclone and praised the efforts done at this most critical time when help from all quar-

ters is most required. It is worth mentioning that the team of Turbans4Australia had a chance meeting with a Sikh youth Sukh Cheema after landing at Rockhampton who when told about this generous cause got so moved that he quickly arranged a team of Sikh, Punjabi and Indian community people living in Rockhampton to help out with this noble cause. Salvation Army especially mentioned that this aid and help from locals will definitely bring Indian and Australian communities even closer.

May almighty bless Khalsa Aid, Turbans4Australia and all other volunteers for their wonderful Sewa and give them even more strength and wisdom to keep the concept of selfless service for wider communities up and running in future as well.

Lord Mayor’s Business Forum comes to Paddington LORD Mayor Graham Quirk is inviting the local business community to the Lord Mayor’s Business Forum on Wednesday 22 April at Iceworks in Paddington, for the opportunity to get tips from successful business leaders.

The Lord Mayor said the Paddington forum was the fourth session of the year and would promote knowledge-sharing and networking among business leaders and local business owners.

“This is an important opportunity for local entrepreneurs and business people to learn practical tips from industry experts to help their businesses grow,” Cr Quirk said.

“This free business forum aims to connect new and small businesses with key experts who will share their experience and insights as well as Council officers who can assist with business enquiries about planning, permits, licensing needs and more.

“Speakers include Founding Director of Croomo and Clui, Mr Schalk Pienaar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Liquid Animation, Mr Steve Viner, and Brisbane’s Chief Digital Officer, Ms Cat Matson.

“Attendees will also have the opportunity to win a one-hour workshop session with Ms Matson, to discuss digital media strategies for their business.”

Cr Quirk said Council’s business initiatives were vital not just for stimulating Brisbane’s economic development but for bringing the business community together 8 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

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and supporting the growth of emerging business leaders.

“These business forums as well as our business excellence workshops are a great way for local business owners to hear insights from successful business people, connect with Council, learn about the services we provide and how we can support them further,” he said.

“These initiatives are a part of creating our vision of a smart, prosperous city for all Brisbane residents and I encourage local business owners to attend.”

The Lord Mayor’s Business Forums attracted more than 530 attendees between September 2013 and May 2014. Videos of speakers from previous business forums are available on Council’s website by searching ‘Business Masterclass’.

Event details When: Wednesday 22 April, 7pm (for a 7.15pm start) and concluding at 9.15pm Where: Iceworks, 157 Given Terrace, Paddington To register: Email economic_development@brisbane.qld.gov. au or call 133 BNE (133 263) or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/business Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 9

2015 International Volunteer APSQ - Holi celebration Training Program and Ram Janam Diwas

ROYAL Brisbane Institute of Technology (RBIT), in association with the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) & Mayors’ Forum would like to announce the commencement of the International Volunteer Training Program for 2015APCS. This Volunteer Training Program will train volunteers who potentially will have the opportunity to support the 2015APCS event proceedings and contribute towards the success of this year’s Summit.

These APCS Ambassadors will also be important in representing a cohesive, multicultural Brisbane, network with international cities – in light of the 2015 APCS and its objectives.

Join the 2015 RBIT-APCS Volunteer Training Program organised by RBIT – the Winner

of the 2008 Queensland-China

Trade Ambassador Award and organiser of the 2011 APCS Ambassador Training Program. RBIT and its project team has skilfully developed the Volunteer Training Program, in order to provide quality Volunteers for the 2015 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum.

The Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and Mayors’ Forum is an event initiated by Brisbane City Council. It was first held in 1996 and has been held biennially since 1999, the venue alternating between the City of Brisbane and cities awarded to host the event in the Asia Pacific Region.

Recognised as the region’s leading business and government forum for managing cities and urban development, APCS provides a dynamic and interactive platform for participants to exchange knowledge, identify a common agenda, develop shared solutions, improve city governance across the Asia Pacific region and ensure sustained prosperity.

To start the International volunteer journey, and to apply for the training program, please visit http://www.rbic.qld.edu.au/menu_info/ volunteers/volunteer_application_form.php Please note that the closing datefor applications is at5:00pm, on the 24 April 2015.

For more queries regarding the volunteer training program, please contact: RBIT-APCS hotline: 3010 3888.

Dr. John Chen, RBIT-APCS Dep. Project Coordinator 0437 119 389 Ms. Amy Lee, RBIT-APCS Assist Project of Coordinator, 0418 151 548 Mr. Young Chae, RBIT-APCS Co-Assist Project of Coordinator, 0400 343 597 or RSVP, please contact: Ms. Sung Hee Seo, Secretary of RBIT-APCS Project Coordinator.

Now in its 10th summit, the 2015 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum (2015APCS) will be held in Brisbane on 5 –8 July 2015.

The overarching theme for this year’s Summit is ‘Business and Leadership in the Asia Pacific’.

Four program themes will be addressed by a host of international government and business experts on critical issues affecting modern cities including: * Global Cities – cultivating talent, technology and trade * Digital Cities – the science and technology behind cities * Future Cities – developing cities and smart communities * Cities for People – clean, green, accessible and inclusive cities Further information regarding the Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum can be found at www.apcsummit.org

IN the Vedic/Hindu tradition, there are many festivals that are observed throughout the year. There are different festivals to celebrate, some honour the seasons, harvests and a number of them to remember and pay tribute to very special people who have had a major influence on the general public. It has been a busy month for members of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland as Arya Parv activities were prevalent in March.

The Sabha also celebrated Holi - Festival of colours at QVCC on March 8th. Holi is a major Hindu festival that welcomes the spring. Holi celebrates the new life and energy of the new season. Holi is preceded by harvesting of a variety of crops and, therefore, it gives the farmers and their families a genuine springboard to go in for real merriment.When the barns of the farmers are full they have every reason to enjoy the fruits of their hard labour. The fresh grain is offered as ``aahuti` in the

havan. The function started with Yajna, and Pandita Usha Rai highlighted about the significance of Holi. Holi songs, also called "Chautals" were sung by Master Lalta Prasad, and members from community. The Chautal's entertained the audience and event was full of fun. The members also enjoyed playing with colours and powder. The programme concluded with refreshments and "Holi sweets".The Yaj was by Pandit Devendra and Sushila Pathik family.

The Sabha also celebrated Shri Ram Janan Diwas at QVCC. The Yaj was performed by Pandita Usha Rai, and then Shri Sukarm Singh spoke of ideals and humanity that Shri Ram demonstrated in his lifetime. The Ramayan teaches us how to value others and how you can be ARDARSH PURUSH, where Shri Ram showed how he was obeying son, loving brother, protective husband and honourable leader or King of AJODHYA. The afternoon concluded with Bhajans by Master Lalta Prasad and refreshments provided by Mr & Mrs Danny Singh family.

By Jitendra Deo President - APSQ

10 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 11

Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc. Chithirai Kalai Vizha ͞Multi Cultural New Year Celebrations͟ St. John͛s Anglican College, Alpine Place, Forest Lake 5.30 PM, Saturday, 18th April 2015 ___________________________________________________________________________

Project: Love & Care From time to time you may hear a story or come across someone or some group who through their dedication or unselfish actions provide you with an inspiration, uplift you and may even bring tears on your eyes.

Ann George, Director of a volunteer group of women called 'Love and Care', has agreed to be a guest speaker and will provide an insight into her Love and Care journey that we guarantee will move you, This short presentation will be held during our Chithiraŝ <ĂůĂŝ sŝnjŚĂ ͞DƵůƚŝ ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů EĞǁ zĞĂƌ ĞůĞďƌĂƚŝŽŶƐ͟ ƚŽ ďĞ ŚĞůĚ Ăƚ ^ƚ͘ :ŽŚŶ͛Ɛ ŶŐůŝĐĂŶ ŽůůĞŐĞ͕ &ŽƌĞƐƚ >ĂŬĞ ŽŶ ϭϴ th April 2015, also part of the proceeds from our Event will be spent towards buying care kits for children in foster care.

As a background to the Love and Care group, their purpose is to provide Care Kits to children and young people from birth to seventeen years when they are first placed in foster care. Ann advised that it is so sad to see little children standing before you often with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. They feel lost, lonely and afraid and are often traumatised and emotionally scarred, these precious souls need your love and attention immediately to lessen their pain, so please come forward to support Love and Care and show your compassion for these kids.

Love and Care accepts donations only in the form of goods so that 100% of the donations can be put in to care packages that can be given to children taken into care. ŽŶĂƚŝŽŶƐ ĚŽĞƐŶ͛ƚ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ďŝŐ͕ ǁĞ ŚŽƉĞ Ăůů ŽĨ ƵƐ ĐŽƵůĚ ĂĨĨŽƌĚ to donate $ 2 - $3 towards buying a paste or Brush for a kid in foster care and below is the list of items you could donate and list of contacts whom you could contact to make your donations, donations will also be accepted during our Chithirai Kalai Vizha ͞Multi Cultural New Year Celebrations͟ event and will be presented on that day to Ann George from Love & Care.

Brisbane North

Brisbane South

Brisbane East

Brisbane West

Madan ʹ 0412 790 297

Thilaga Vije - 0452 498 369

Saravanan ʹ 0406 487 453

Swapna ʹ 0422 344 248

Activity Kits School Stationary Supplies Colouring/ Puzzle books Picture or Reading Books School Bag

Clothing & Toys New Clothes Good Quality Second Hand Clothing Soft Toys Care Bags

Toiletry Kits Soap & Face Washers Tooth Brush & Tooth Paste Baby Nappies Brush or Comb Sanitary items for young women

´6HUYLFH WR RWKHUV LV WKH UHQW \RX SD\ IRU \RXU URRP KHUH RQ HDUWKµ ² Mohammed Ali

Islamic College of Brisbane investigated over ‘phantom debt’, secret payments THE finances of Queensland’s largest Islamic school are under the microscope amid allegations of thousands of dollars of “phantom debt’’ and secret payments to the former chairman of the board.

The Courier-Mail revealed the Karawatha-based Islamic College of Brisbane is under investigation after two critical audits in recent months.

One triggered a show-cause notice from the state government Non-State Schools Accreditation Board, which has moved to ensure the school’s board “complies with registration and accreditation requirements”.

The notice relates to governance issues surrounding the board’s relationship with the nation’s peak Muslim body, the Sydneybased Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, which owns the school’s land and has representation on the school’s board.

Of interest is a so-called paper debt of more than $650,000 that sparked a longrunning dispute between AFIC and the college, resulting in six college board members, and the long-serving principal, either being sacked or resigning.

According to financial statements obtained

by The Courier-Mail, AFIC claims it is owed $1,920,243 by the college – which argues the amount should be $1,251,203.

A source who asked not to be identified said: “The error was picked up by the former principal. The school can’t find any record of the extra $600,000. It’s like a phantom loan. Instead of correcting the problem, AFIC appears to be determined to put the blame on others – hence why so many people have had their services terminated.”

The Courier-Mail also revealed the college’s board was so concerned about the school’s finances that it ordered its own separate audit, which showed former chairman of the board Mohammed Yusuf was paid more than $105,000 over four years – despite being in an “honorary position”.

Accountant Saliman Sabdia, who conducted the audit, said: “Nowhere in the minutes does it state that he was receiving payment in a professional or technical capacity. Even if it was the case … it required the prior approval of the Board of Directors. This procedure was not followed.”

Mr Sabdia said the payments to Mr Yusuf dated back to April 2010, but only came to light at a board of directors’ meeting in 2012 which subsequently approved them retrospectively despite not having “any provisions to do so”.

“In my opinion therefore the payments to Br Mohamed Yusuf were in contravention of the provision of the Constitution of the ICB,” Mr Sabdia said.

Independent legal advice received by the college said “Mr Yusuf seems to be prima facie in breach of the ICB constitution”.

But Mr Yusuf rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.

“It was not a payment to me as a director.

I was supervising all the building projects, which was over and above my duty on the board,” he said.

Mr Yusuf said he was aware of NSSAB’s audit, and had also met with Federal Government officials “where everything was explained to them”.

A spokeswoman said AFIC “did not have time’’ to respond to questions.

Source: Courier Mail

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 13

Pundrik Goswami Maharaj Brisbane Tour 2015 VAISHNAVA Seva Sang of Brisbane and Brisbane Bhakti Yog Centre have great pleasure in informing that Acharya Sri Pundrik Goswami of Vrindavan, India will be in Brisbane from the 24th of April to the 1st of May. Shri Pundrik Goswami has dedicated his life to spreading the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu glorifying the holy names of the lord.

Since the tender age of 8 years Goswamiji has been giving discourses on various Vaishnava scriptures all over the world so that the general populous may benefit by gaining knowledge of the true goal of life.

Due to his young age and good command

of the English language, Sri Pundrik Goswami is particularly popular with the younger generation, have conducted numerous youth focused seminars throughout the world.

For further programme and venue details please contact the following committee members.

We are also looking for volunteers to help in organising the programmes and also people who may wish to host home programmes, please contact Prakash Raniga 0412 689 264, Raju Khatri 0419 679 252, Rajesh Gopal 0422 344 046, Pradeep Khatri 0411 696 250 or Pd Suresh Sharma 0417 600 851.

Australia moves to strengthen cockpit security DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced on 30 March that Australia’s domestic and international airlines will strengthen their cockpit safety and security requirements, effective immediately.

“The Australian Government and the aviation industry are taking a precautionary approach to ensure the ongoing safety and security of the travelling public,” Mr Truss said.

“Australian airlines will immediately update their Standard Operating Procedures to require two members of the operating crew or authorised persons on the flight deck at all times.

“These arrangements will apply at all times, to all regular passenger transport services where the aircraft has seating capaci-

ty for 50 passengers and above.

“The pilot in command of the aircraft will retain operational discretion on the application of the two flight crew cockpit requirements, to ensure safe operations, depending on flight crew circumstances.

“This is to ensure that existing safety and security standards in the passenger cabin continue to be maintained. These arrangements will take effect immediately and will be formally reviewed after 12 months to determine their effectiveness.

“As the investigation into the tragic loss of Germanwings flight 4U9525 proceeds, Australian Government aviation agencies will continue to work with the Australian aviation industry and airline staff to identify further improvements to the safety and security of aircraft cockpits as appropriate.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 15

By students, for students: Harmony Day at QUT

By Omar E. Ibrahim (B. Behavioural science, honours psychology) QUT students and staff recently celebrated Harmony Day on Tuesday 24th March at Kidney Lawn on our Gardens Point campus. The celebration included a showcase of student cultural clubs and an interactive performance program, imbued with invigorating Indian flavours.

• A student writes a note of Behavioural science student Omar E. Ibrahim thanks. shares his story and invites you to revel in the good vibes.

“The world is your oyster,” we always hear. True as it is, living in Australia brings a whole new notion to this oyster. You don’t have to board planes to get a taste of it.

Simply walk around your neighborhood (or university campus) with an open heart, and be prepared to be walk into new worlds every day.

“What are you thankful for?” was the question that was put to a group of students at QUT Connect Camp at the Sunshine Cost in November last year. These ten to fifteen students would become the Harmony Day student team.

They were dreaming of a day where harmony takes place.

• Dance Masala show us some Bollywood moves. (All photos by: Kate Donnelly, student photographer).

The group explored the notion of Harmony amongst themselves. They noted that the root culture in Australia is one of stories and arts, one that teaches people to be proud and strong. As the years go by, every culture that comes to the melting pot brings its story and writes the story of Australia as we know it now.

The result of their shared experiences and planning was a cultural club showcase and an energetic performance program. Harmony Day invitations with orange lollypops were distributed. Everyone was excited for the day to arrive.

The 24th of March came, and from a wall of hands with thank you messages spread all over it, emerged a beautiful day of amazing human experiences.

The audience was captivated by the opening performance of Aaron Ruska on didgeridoo. Aaron is part of the world-renowned Nunukul Yuggera group.

Next, the QUT Pasifika Association performed two beautiful dance items.

Students representing cultures from all over the pacific islands united under the name “Onenesia”, with harmony flowing through them.

This harmony was seen extending to the smiles of students learning Torres Strait Island weaving with Aunty Edna as she shared stories from her childhood.

The harmony continued with African, Latin and Contemporary Western beats from the energizing music and • The audience gets up to the beat of African drums by Joseph the Drummer.

dance performances by student groups and community members. Our souls, ears and feet were mesmerized!

The highlight of the day was the final energetic and bedazzling Bollywood dance performance by Dance Masala. Dance Masala filled the stage with vibrant and colourful passion for Bollywood dance. They also shared their expertise with students who eagerly learned steps in the lead up to the QUT Bollywood Ball, just four days away.

Lively, interactive and inclusive of everyone, Dance Masala lived up to their reputation and flare for promoting diverse Indian culture. Dance Masala’s representation and celebration of diversity and fusion was a fitting conclusion to the Harmony Day celebrations at QUT. Those who joined in and learned the steps were reminded of the joy of living life to the fullest.

Harmony Day at QUT was a wonderful reminder to us all to be thankful that our hearts continue to beat so we can embrace a world of difference.

• Didgeridoo player Aaron Ruska.

Sherwood State School Fete 2015 THE annual Sherwood State School Fete will be held on Saturday 9th May, a day before Mother's Day. For those who are new to the school and the fete, we would like to tell you about our most important fundraising effort for the year – our school fete.

Many would not know that the first Sherwood “fete” was held on 23 September 1918. The Brisbane Courier reported: “The first annual show and patriotic fete, under the auspices of the Sherwood Progress Association, was held in the Sherwood State School grounds on Saturday in genial spring weather. There was a splendid attendance of the general public, and the Railway Brass Band rendered a programme of music. His Excellency the Governor and Lady GooldAdams arrived at 3 o’clock, and were met by the president (Mr. J. W. Hammond) and Members of the association, the former reading an address of welcome.” Read the complete article: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20267003 Fete is an important community event and provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase our school to the local community and to foster the community spirit that is well known in our area.

Last year’s fete raised $65,000, thanks to the dedication of parents, enthusiasm of our kids, sponsors and a generous community.

16 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

The amount of money provided a massive boost to the school’s facilities and the standard of educational material we can offer to our kids. With last year’s profit, we have laser levelled and top dressed the ground/oval – making it a much safer place for lunch time activities, purchased new class laptops and ipads and extend the junior boys toilets.

Fete Day is an ideal day for delicious food stalls, as well as stalls selling cakes, jams, sweets, second-hand toy stall, book stall

and the nearly-new clothes stall, creative gifts and/or garden stall.

Apart from all that, fun activity for kids is the hallmark of this event - create-a-cup cake, chocolate toss and face painting stalls.

There are rides and amusements, and lots of choices of food.

Parents, and kids, can have entertainment all day long, which includes class performances, school musical groups, the Sherwood Arrows skipping team and bands.

This includes ballet, belly dance, choir,

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multicultural performances and many activities.

A Raffle is drawn on the day (tickets go home to families to sell a month before the Fete) and there is a Silent Auction with a wide array of wonderful items.

The fete is also a great way for new parents to get involved with the school and make new friends. The preparations start 4-5 months before the d-day and involves different committees, weekly newsletters, sponsors with their prizes, business owners putting in stalls for the day and other activities mentioned above.

9th May is approaching and we would like community to participate and make this successful. So stay tuned and please volunteer your time and ideas.

The Fete Facebook link is: www.facebook.com/pages/Sherwood-StateSchool-FETE The website address link is: www.sherwoodschoolfete.com.au Jo Chiu, Michelle McKinlay, Ron Hohenhaus and Ashutosh Raina are handling the media and promotions and are available on media@sherwoodschoolfete.com.au or 0403208908.

Looking forward to see you soon.

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 17

Ram Navami....

Ram Navami - Ram Navami is the day etched out in the Hindu calendar as the auspicious occasion that consecrates the birth of Lord Ram, Lord Vishnu’s seventh human incarnation on earth. Born to King Dasarath and his wife Kaushalya on the ‘navami’ or the ‘ninth day’ of Chaitra month, Ram Navami is celebrated in the spirit of a festival in March/April.

According to Hindu belief, Lord Rama came on earth invested with the divine qualities of Lord Vishnu, associated with purity of soul, beneficence and humility. From the mythological perspective, Lord Rama is seen as eternally blissful and in his earthly form came to exemplify the perfect man, referred to as ‘Maryada Purushottam’. It is this aspect that is recalled during the Ram Navami festival. Lord Rama’s dutifulness, integrity and magnanimity are detailed out through the various episodes of the epic ‘Ramayana’.

Ramayana is a very instructive tale and Lord Rama along with brother Lakshman, wife Sita and devotee Hanuman represent various divine aspects in their • Devotees at Laxmi Narayan Temple. earthly journey of life. The situations in their life have nine-day celebration and fasting rituals to seek Lord echoes in today’s life as well where man is accosted with Rama’s grace throughout the crest and troughs of life. unforeseen events that test his ego and moral sense of duty The rituals in the observance of Ram Navami include and humaneness. Thus, recitations and discourses from the recitations from ‘Ramayana’ or Tulsidas’s ‘RamacharitRamayana help us to take cues from Lord Rama’s demon- manas’, long renditions of bhajans and kirtans and awestration of integrity and courage in order to triumph over inspiring puja and arti. The bhajans are very uplifting as they eulogize the virtues of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. Hanuman is known for is his devotion to Rama, and a lot of devotees recite ‘Sunderkand’ that strengthen qualities of courage and dedication.

In Rishikesh, which is an important seat of Ram worship, special payers dedicated to Lord Rama, japas and constant chantings invoking Lord Rama’s name is a common practice. Mantras like ‘Om Sri Ram’, ‘Jai Sri Ram’ raise the higher energies around the place. One can opt to fast from sunrise till sunset on the Ram Navami day itself. On the final day of the Ram Navami festival, Lord Rama is adorned beautifully as well as temples are bedecked majestically with lights. Devotees listen to discourses which are supplemented by ample leaflets, booklets and books on Lord Rama’s life and teachings.

Ram Navami celebrations Ayodhya, Lord Rama’s holy birth place witnesses a huge • A large turnout at Vishnu Maya Mandir. congregation of devotees who come to take a holy dip in evil motives and selfish desires. Thus, Ram Navami festi- river Saryu on the pious occasion of Ram Navami. People val is for all those who want to imbibe these qualities in pray wholeheartedly to earn Lord Rama’s blessings. A most thought and action. It is with this spirit that Ram Navami is awaited event is Ayodhya is the two-day fair that includes celebrated in all parts of the country, with instances of full ‘rath yatras’, a ceremonial procession that involves carrying

the deities of Ram, brother Lakshman, wife Sita, and Mahavir Hanuman in chariots.

The gaudiest aspect of the Ram Navami celebration is the Ram Navami procession. Donning a pageantry look, four persons attired suitably pose as Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman and do the rounds of the city in a ‘rath’ - a ritual which devotees look forward to every year.

In South India, the Ram Navami festival carries on for nine days consisting of several elements of ceremony and rituals. Since the day coincides with the wedding of Rama and Sita, the mood on this day is extremely jubilant. The programs of kirtans, chantings and recitals lend a greatly inspiring and instructive tone to the Ram Navami celebration. In Andhra Pradesh, temples re-enact the marriage of Lord Rama and Sita on the final day of Ram Navami.

In Brisbane, Ram Navami was celebrated at various locations including Gayatri Mandir in Boondall, Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Burbank and Vishnu Maya Mandir in North Maclean. Dharam Guru Pundit Harsh Ram Tripathi Ji officiated the celebrations at Vishnu Mandir, Pundit Harihar Shastri officiated the celebrations at Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple while Pundit Praveen Shandil officiated the celebration at Gayatri Mandir. All centres reported above average turn out at all the locations.

This is an indication of the grouping number of Indian community in Brisbane.

• Pundit Praveen Shandil with Mrs Nirmala Krishnan and Mrs Anita Singh at Gayatri Mandir, Boondall.

Queensland’s biggest Hindu temple re-opens its doors with a new look ‘Maha Kumbabishekam’ a mega festival of Sri Selva Vinaykar Koyil - Brisbane (South Maclean) Queensland

MAHA Kumbabishekam is a Hindu Temple ritual, an exceptional occasion held only when consecrating a new Temple and then every 12 years upon reconsecration.

It is performed on an auspicious time by high ranking Hindu priests by pouring sanctified water over the (Gopuram) tower of the temple, which then trickles down a silver wire and enters the deity installed inside the sanctum sanctorum. Hindus believe this process homogenizes, synergizes and unites the mystic powers of the deity and it is an extraordinary gift to witness this ceremony.

The Brisbane Hindu Community’s journey to this event was a long time in the making. In 1983 there were only few Hindu families in Brisbane, they felt the need for a place of community worship and congregated regularly for prayer meetings at various locations. In 1986, as more Hindu families migrated to Brisbane, the community formed “Hindu Ahlaya Sangam”.

1995 saw the culmination of much hard work and dedication of several devotees 18 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

and members, when the Organisation was able to build a small temple, “Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil” at South Maclean, Queensland.

The Temple served as a place of worship and sanctity for many Hindus from Brisbane and South East Queensland.

The Poojas (religious service) and cultural activities brought a sense of identity, tradition and belonging to the local Hindu people and culture, especially to the new generation. In this respect the association has done a great service to Hindu society and Australian Multicultural Community.

Recently the Hindu population has grown several-fold due to a new generation and immigration from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, South Africa, Nepal, Mauritius and other places from where Hindus had previously emigrated.

The original Temple was not big enough to accommodate the influx of Hindu worshipers, so in 2012 the Hindu Ahlaya Sangam in Brisbane decided to expand and renovate the Temple. During this process

the Sangam added several new deities to accommodate the wider Hindu community and new unique drawings, paintings and sculptures to describe historical Hindu beliefs and mythology. Thus the consecration ceremony is the culmination of untiring efforts and dedication by Australian and Indian professionals and artisans. The Temple is now ready for reopening and consecration, MAHA KUMBABISHEKAM, on the auspicious time of 1st of May 2015 from 9.10AM. This corresponds to the 18th day of the solar month of ARIES, CHITHIRAI of the Hindu year MANMATHA. Several rituals must be completed before the Maha Kumbabishekam with festivities commencing on the 24th April 2015. There will be various special Poojas and rituals complemented with several cultural activities and Annathanam (food) every day, concluding on the Maha Kumbabishekam.

Twenty one Chief Hindu Priests (Kurukal) from Sri Lanka, India and Interstate have been invited to conduct the Ceremony. We are expecting well over 5000 devotees and best wishers from multicultural communities on 1st May 2015.

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Among the invitees for the “Maha Kumbabishekam” are the Governor of Queensland, the Queensland Premier, the Prime Minister, the Federal and State Opposition Leaders, the local Federal and State MPs, the Mayor, the Councillor as well as Multicultural Organisations and Foreign Dignitaries. Everyone is welcome to receive blessing and best wishes on this auspicious day. This renovated temple will be one of the great iconic structures and also will be a tourist attraction for Queensland.

It is the belief of the Hindu community that this temple will bring blessings and long-term prosperity to the region and to the state.

Location of this event will be at SRI SELVA VINAYAKAR KOYIL, 4915-4923 Mt Lindesay Highway, South Maclean, Qld 4280.

For further information, please contact: President: Mr R. Wimalchandren 0411 594 394 Media Coordinators: Mr A. S. Thillainathan 0400 246 047 or Mr O. Palanichamy 0421 656 000 View flyer page 47 Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 19

Brisbane celebrates Vaishaki Night

By Umesh Chandra

VAISAKHI Night 2015 was held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition centre on 30th March. The event was presented by Fusion events driven by Harry Singh and Jess Kumar who were assisted by Manpreet Singh, Kunal Prasad and Aman.

The show featured Babal Rai, Mandy Takhar, Sharry Mann and Jassi Gill. The event was held on a Monday night, and we got mixed reactions from people, some favoured the Monday night as many people are free on Monday nights and others stilled preferred a Sunday night.

The event began by showcasing the talents of many local artists who were backed on music by the visiting team of musicians.

These musicians were very talented and quickly caught on the

FTAs boosting the bottom line of Aussie business TARIFFS on Australian exports to Japan have been cut for the second time this year, giving businesses – large and small – an even greater advantage in this lucrative Asian market, Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb said.

Mr Robb was marking the milestone with a visit to Tasmanian business Abalone Farms Australia, who he explained, is already enjoying the benefits of the agreement.

“Under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement – or JAEPA – tariffs of 7 and 9.6 per cent on their products have already been eliminated, giving them a significant advantage over competitors in the Japanese market,” Mr Robb said.

Based in Bicheno, Abalone Farms Australia’s Director Jonathan Lillie said given Japan is by far their largest export market, the agreement has delivered significant results.

“Our exports to Japan have been increasing steadily in recent years; our parent company Southseas Abalone has gone from exporting 170 tonnes to Japan in 2014, to an expected volume of 270 tonnes by 2017.

“Following the drop in export costs to Japan, we’re now exploring how we can capitalise on the tariff reductions delivered by the Free Trade Agreement with China,” 20 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

Mr Lillie said.

Mr Robb encouraged other businesses to follow Mr Lillie’s lead and explore the potential opportunities created by the powerful trifecta of agreements with China, Japan and Korea – Australia’s first, second and fourth largest trading partners.

“While many exporters – such as Abalone Farms Australia – are fully aware of the terms of the agreements, I recognise there are those that are not certain about what the FTAs mean for their business. That’s why the government has begun rolling out a series of seminars around the country to help both existing and potential exporters, understand the agreements and the opportunities they create,” Mr Robb said.

“Work is also well underway on developing an online portal which will provide users with the information they need – including a comprehensive tariff finder – to help make informed decisions about trading internationally.”

More than 97 per cent of Australia’s goods exports to Japan will receive preferential access, or enter duty-free, once the agreement is fully implemented. JAEPA is the most liberalising trade agreement Japan has ever signed; delivering ongoing benefits for goods, services and investment exports well into the future.

scales of the local singers. All of the local singers performed well considering that did had no practice with the musicians at all.

The three singers of the troupe really connected with the crowd, with songs which really appealed to the audience, obviously the very talented musicians added to the charm of the program. The inbuilt sound system of Brisbane Convention was very well controlled and managed for the listening pleasure of the audience.

The main compeer was Rashpal Heyer, and he was ably assisted by his team of presenters from Radio 4EB 98.1Fm and Global Digital. Overall the program was very good; the attendance was average being a Monday night.

The production and presentation was very professional. I personally really enjoyed the very talented musicians.

Kick-start your start-up’s success story ACTING Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is encouraging Brisbane’s most talented and technology start-up entrepreneurs to apply for funding through the Budding Entrepreneurs Program.

The $25,000 Lord Mayor’s Budding Entrepreneurs Program offers grants of up to $5000 for entrepreneurs to attend a start-up event or conference, obtain professional advice, join a support program, undertake education or participate in a trade mission.

“The Budding Entrepreneurs Program provides practical support to some of our city’s best emerging start-ups,” Cr Schrinner said.

“In Brisbane we have a growing community of exciting and inventive start-ups with low-entry costs, and the potential to reach global markets and bring significant investment into the Brisbane economy.

“The Budding Entrepreneurs program is just one of the reasons that Brisbane is considered an innovation capital, rated in the top 15 per cent of cities worldwide for nurturing innovation.”

“I encourage any budding entrepreneurs looking to take their idea to the next stage to apply.”

Brisbane’s Chief Digital Officer, Cat Matson, said past grant recipients were able to use the funds to kick-start their start-up business and expand rapidly.

“Alex Ghiculescu, who launched Tanda, used the grant to develop their software idea into a fully integrated cloud-based rostering, time, attendance and reporting system for small businesses,” Ms Matson

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said.

“At the time, Tanda were operating their business from a home office – now they have hundreds of clients across Australia and overseas and have moved into an office in Fortitude Valley.

“Tanda’s achievements were recognised at the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards after the company won the award in the high-growth start-up category.”

Cr Schrinner said start-up companies had enormous potential to grow quickly and were important to ensuring the digital economy was a high priority for the Brisbane economy.

“Start-up companies, which have relatively low entry costs, have the potential to reach global markets and bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Brisbane economy,” he said.

The next funding round of the Lord Mayor’s Budding Entrepreneurs Program will open for applications on March 31 and close on April 30.

Apply and see Tanda’s story at digitalbrisbane.com.au.

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Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 21

Advertorial

You do not need to shop from Bank to Bank to find the Best Deal on your new or existing Loan IF you like to shop around from Bank to Bank in search of the Best deal on your Home or Business loan, I must say you are not alone. Many clients, especially the ones who are fairly new to the borrowing process tend to think that to get a best deal on a home or business loan is similar to shopping for a physical item. While it’s true in • Prashant Goyal. some ways but there is a smarter and quicker way to do so. All you have to do is to find a trusted, honest and experienced Mortgage Adviser who will be able to put all the options for you on the table.

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Malcolm Fraser: Australia's 22nd prime minister dies aged 84

• Malcolm Fraser photographed in 2014. Photo: Justin McManus.

FORMER Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser has been remembered as "a giant of Australian politics" and a "great moral compass" following his death early on Friday (20 March) morning at the age of 84.

"It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness, John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March, 2015," a statement released by his office said.

"We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him, but ask that the family be left in peace at this difficult time."

Mr Fraser — Australia's 22nd prime minister — was born into a wealthy pastoral family in 1930 and first entered Parliament in 1955 as its youngest MP. He spent nearly 20 years as a backbencher and in the ministry.

From his first days in politics, Mr Fraser was an advocate of immigration as a means of boosting the population.

As a minister in the Gorton government, he became the first federal politician to use the word "multiculturalism" — an historic break from the Anglocentric past of his own party.

He became opposition leader in 1975, facing off against Gough Whitlam and becoming prime minister in the wake of Mr Whitlam's

dismissal.

Mr Fraser's multicultural conviction found shape in immigration policy in the post-Vietnam war push to bring refugees from mainland South East Asia to Australia.

Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.

"I believe we had a moral and ethical obligation," Mr Fraser later said.

"If we had taken polls ... I think people would have voted 80, 90 per cent against us but we explained the reasons for it.

"We were also working to get people to understand that the idea and the reality of a multicultural Australia could be an enormous strength to this country, not a weakness.

"There is strength in this kind of diversity so long as we understand what it's about."

After the Whitlam years, there was persistent debate about the new government's legitimacy and Mr Fraser's role.

But he went on to win the next three elections.

In addition to multiculturalism, he embraced Aboriginal land rights, led the Commonwealth push to end Apartheid in South Africa and argued for an independent Zimbabwe.

Family and friends of former prime minister Malcolm Fraser filled Scots' Church in Melbourne on 27

22 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

March for his state funeral.

Peter Nixon, a parliamentary colleague of Mr Fraser and a long-time family friend, delivered the eulogy to the 600 mourners who packed into the church, and to many more outside.

"Malcolm Fraser has gone. Much has been written and said, some of it gratuitous, most of it praiseworthy," he said.

"One thing is certain. The country has lost a unique and great Australian.

"From the start it was apparent to me that Malcolm was sure to succeed. His contributions were always thoughtful. It was clear he was bound up in his work."

Hester's musical tribute Photo: Malcolm Fraser's granddaughter Hester sang a song of her own composition during the funeral. (ABC News) Mr Fraser is survived by his wife Tamie and their four children Mark, Angela, Hugh and Phoebe.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and other key members of the Government attended the service, along with former prime ministers John Howard, Paul Keating and Julia Gillard.

Among the absentees were Bob Hawke, Kevin Rudd and GovernorGeneral Peter Cosgrove, who were all overseas.

Source: ABC www.indiantimes.com.au

raise some serious doubts about your credit worthiness. So, be very mindful of the impact of a credit enquiry before you apply for any debt.

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Harnessing the Knowledge Boom: Putting international education at the heart of Australia’s future prosperity

MINISTER for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP is urging Australians to have a say on our most successful services export – international education.

Minister Pyne on 1 April released for consultation the Draft National Strategy for International Education, which puts Australia on a path for sustainable growth in this key area of the economy.

The national strategy is a first for the Australian Government and brings together key portfolios including Education, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Immigration, Industry and Science in a united effort.

“International education is a $16.3 billion export industry that supports 130,000 jobs nationally,” Minister Pyne said.

“After a period of decline under the previous Government, the Coalition took immediate steps to reinvigorate international education and student numbers are growing rapidly again.

“I can announce today (1 April) that in 2014 Australia hosted the highest number of international higher education students we have ever seen.

The growth in international student numbers has added $1 billion and 5000 new jobs to our national economy.

“International education is one of Australia’s greatest underthe-radar export success stories. It has been estimated that over the next decade international education could double in value to the Australian economy, creating tens of thousands of local jobs.

“With many traditional industries under pressure, Australia is well placed to harness the knowledge boom, meet international demand for education and prepare people for professional jobs globally.

“But the benefits of international education extend beyond being a mainstay of our economy.

“International education nurtures cross-cultural networks

in our region and strengthens our institutions across teaching and research. On top of that, international students bring enormous benefits to our economy, cities and towns.

“Wherever there is a university campus, a TAFE, a college or a school that offers international services, the local economy is healthier.”

The draft strategy is structured around three broad pillars: Getting the fundamentals right: Strong national policies for education, training and research will ensure we keep our reputation as one of the world’s leading providers of education.

Reaching out to the world: International education includes all aspects of our global teaching and research engagement. This includes Australian students studying abroad and engaging through language study. It includes research collaboration and the two-way movement of researchers, academics and professionals.

Staying competitive: Working together to provide international students with a great value package. High quality education experiences that utilise new technologies, offer strong and safe consumer protections and real work experience in professional and skilled employment are essential.

“A national strategy with clear goals, strategic actions and measures of success will help set a clear path for sustainable growth and strengthen all aspects of our international education and research engagement,” Mr Pyne said.

“We want to send a message to students from around the world that Australia welcomes them and will help them achieve their aspirations.”

To view the Draft National Strategy for International Education and make a submission visit: www.internationaleducation. gov.au.

Feedback is requested by 29 May 2015.

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Nominate your clean community FIELD Services Chairman Councillor David McLachlan is calling for nominations for the 2015 Cleaner Communities Awards.

Cr McLachlan said the awards, which are run by Council and Keep Queensland Beautiful and are now in their seventh year, recognise individuals and groups who have contributed to a cleaner and greener Brisbane.

“Our vision for Brisbane is to be an environmentally friendly, sustainable city at every level from the grassroots community groups right through to government,” Cr McLachlan said.

“The Cleaner Communities Awards are a great way to celebrate the achievements, passion and commitment of those who dedicate their time to achieving towards a cleaner, greener litter-free Brisbane.”

Cr McLachlan said Council was named Australian Sustainable City in 2014 and Australia’s best city for litter prevention two years running at the Keep Australia Beautiful National Sustainable Cities awards.

“We understand that tackling litter requires a multifaceted approach. Council conducts education and the installation of litter, public place recycling and cigarette butt bins as well as street cleansing and litter monitoring,” he said.

“We are leading the way in litter prevention programs having seen a 50 per cent reduction in littering within high traffic areas of the CBD and Fortitude Valley precincts over the past five years.

“This great result is why we have one of the lowest CBD littering rates in the country and is helping us build our reputation as being Australia’s cleanest and greenest city.

“These awards reward and acknowledge the ongoing hard work of individuals and groups across the city.”

The Cleaner Communities Awards are made up of the following six categories: • Clean Schools Award • Litter Prevention Award • Waste Management and Resource Recovery Award • Catchment Champions Award • Adopt-A-Spot Champion Award • People’s Choice Award Nominations for the Cleaner Communities Awards close on Friday 3 July and winners will be announced on Tuesday 25 August.

For more information on the Cleaner Communities Awards visit www.cleanercommunities.org.au The awards are an initiative of Keep Queensland Beautiful in partnership with Council and SITA Australia to promote a cleaner, greener, litter-free city.

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 23

International leaders conference Beyond the Challenges of Our Time: Transforming the Society, Nation and World MR Surendra Prasad was invited to participate in a special International Leadership Conference (ILC), by the Universal Peace Federation from 28th February – 4th March, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. The theme for ILC was “Beyond the Challenges of our Time: Transforming the Society, Nations and World. Among the sub-themes was considered are the following: conflict Resolutions and Peace building; Religious and International Relations; and strengthening Marriage and Family.

A highly selective group of delegates from the world including government leaders, religious leaders, women leaders and civil leaders where invited. Mr Prasad advised he was fortunate that he was the only delegates invited from Queensland. 130 delegates from over 40 nations attended the Conference.

Many issues in relation to peace, family and other matters affecting peace in the world was discussed. The main topics were: a. Transforming the Society, Nation and World b. Challenging facing Marriage and Family c. Overcoming the challenges facing Religions and Governments The delegates at the conference believe that it is important that Governments and Religious leaders work together and the Government to provide a legitimate space for inter-faith communities to contribute to peace and development. A mechanism needs to be established to accommodate different faith leaders at a platform for dialogue and reconciliation.

In addition all delegates were invited to participate as spe-

cial guest in the foundation day “Blessing Ceremony” in honour of Marriage and Family. Thousands of married couples took part in the ceremony. It was very colourful .The founder of UPF Dr Hans Moon personally took part in the ceremony. There were over 20,000 people at the stadium to witness the ceremony. The stadium was built by Dr Hans

Moon for the community and was named CHEON II GUK it means “two in one”.

South Korea is a beautiful country with 50 million population and has 3.5% unemployment.

Mamiko Rattley, 27th March, 2015.

Kota Kinabalu....a tranquil destination set between the tropical hills of the South China Sea TARGET Travel and Tours recently accepted awards for being one of the top ten retail and travel agents in Queensland by Malaysian Airlines. The awards were presented at a ceremony in the city of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia where Director Shyam Das was able to experience what the resort town had to offer.

Kota Kinabalu (KK) is a relaxing and tranquil destination set between the tropical hills of the South China Sea. A vibrant, serene and hassle-free resort city, Kota Kinabalu is a destination of exciting contrasts. It is situated less than three hours by air from East Asian capitals, with direct flights available from Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Perth and many others.

Kota Kinabalu was discovered in 1881 and began life as a tiny British settlement on Palau Gaya, the biggest of five islands and directly across from the present day KK city. The change of location was due to the island settlement being burnt by rebels in 1897, which forced the settlement to move to the mainland of Kampong Gantisan, where it is situated today.

Shyam Das had the opportunity to visit the remote village of Muri Muri and witness

• Mr Shyam Das receiving Target Travel & Tours award.

the way of life, the three tribes used to lead, the highlight was their cultural show. One of the tribes was known as head hunter, everything was very fascinating and interesting. So much to learn and worth visiting the remote village in the jungle of Kota Kinabalu. The resorts are mind blowing and the sunset is mesmerizing.

Kota Kinabalu is the perfect place to relax and leave all your troubles behind, with lush nature preserves and untouched beaches KK is without question a stress free

touch of paradise. To help you relax, the city offers a number of health and spa retreats based along the coastline to coincide with the stress free environment, geared with treatments that will leave you feeling fresh and renewed.

The city is best experienced through the locals, as they love certain places and are more than willing to show it off. One of the more popular destinations is the Jesselton Point Waterfront, which provides a refreshing sea breeze and fantastic views. It is also the departure point for the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, and for the ferry to Labuan. If you are feeling like a spot of shopping, the KK wet and dry central market provides all types of fruits, vegetable and poultry. Right next door is the handicraft market where you will find textiles, seashell crafts, wood works, jewellery and precious pearls. This market is the place for all your souvenir needs.

At night, the beautiful scenery illuminates, providing the perfect backdrop for your dining and nightlife experience. KK does not only provide exquisite local cuisine, but many different tastes from around the world including Italian, Thai and Indian. The local seafood is must try though, as it is made famous for its taste and freshness. The city

also has a number of bars and nightclubs which are great if you are looking for a fun time, and also provides an opportunity for you to meet some of the locals.

For further details please contact Target Travel and Tours on 07 3844 2088 or visit www.targettraveltours.com.au

Nominations open for 2015 Qld Multicultural Awards THE Queensland Multicultural Awards acknowledge outstanding Queenslanders who work and volunteer to promote the benefits of a multicultural society.

This year there are six categories and all nominations will also be considered for a special Minister’s award for Multiculturalism in Queensland.

The categories are: • Services and Communities • Business Excellence • Education and Training Innovation • Outstanding Volunteer • Communications and Media Achievement • Multicultural Ambassador If you are someone, or know someone, who does great work in this area, nominate for one of these prestigious awards.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 22 August so mark your calendars for this popular cultural event. The awards will be the opening event of Queensland Multicultural Week which will run from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 August 2015.

More information and Queensland Multicultural Awards nomination forms can be found at www.qld.gov.au/qma.

24 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

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Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 25

Who, What, Where, When

• Left to right – Hari Charan, Dr H.M. Badamia, Charlie Hari, Mayank Badamia, Sanjani HariBadamia, Rukmani Hari, Sheela Ben Badamia, Lila Wati Charan, and Anjani Hari • Pictured Left: Left to right – Riddhi Badamia, Anjani Hari, Bride and Groom Sanjani Hari and Mayank Badamia

• Umesh Chandra had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Kiran Paul and his wife who are visiting from India. They are from Berachah Ministries - Machilipatnam Krishna South India and run the Ashrayam Orphanage which currently looks after 204 orphans. Kiran is currently in Brisbane to promote their work, Valerie (second from left) kindly arranged the meeting.

• Anushka Chandra, daughter of Mr Praveen and Aruna Chandra (pictured centre) wed Luke Gardinor son of Late Mr Bruce and Mrs Christine Gardiner on 14 March, the reception was held at Greek Orthodox Parish Community Hall. Anushka’s brother Pranay Chandra (pictured far right) a renowned musician is pictured with his partner.

• Above & Right: Indian Seniors Citizen Association Inc celebrated their Holi function at the Nemies Road hall. The function was very successful with guest speaker Mr Pegg. Afternoon tea was very delicious, everyone enjoyed the afternoon with lots of music and colours.

Photo’s courtesy Roshni Sharma.

26 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 www.indiantimes.com.au

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 27

Who, What, Where, When

• Above & Right: Dhiru Bhai Desai family held a Bhajan Sandhya in memory of their late Mum, Mrs Maniben Thakorbhai Desai on Sunday 15th March at Vishnu Maya Mandir, main Bhajan singer was Gaura Prabhu from Vrindaban, many other local singers also joined in.

• Birthday Boy Ramneek Lal with his lovely wife Sarojni Lal at his 50th Birthday celebration. It was a double celebration for Ramneek Lal Family, Rameek celebrating his fiftieth and Ravinay celebrating his 21st birthday (pictured left) at the Blue Lounge reception centre, Melbourne.

• Dharma Guru Pt Ram Harsh Tripathi Ji blessing Mr & Mrs Ram Harakh Maharaj during Raam Navmi celebrations at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir.

• Dance Masala Bollywood Dance Company performed at Junction Park State School’s Harmony Day celebrations. They also performed at various other Harmony Day events including QUT, article can be located on page 16.

28 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

• Devotees of Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir listening to Raam Katha during Raam Navmi celebrations.

Raam Katha was recited by Dharam Guru Pt Ram Harsh Tripathi Ji for eight days. On the eight day Hawan was performed followed by Bhajan, kirtans and Raamjanam. Garba was also performed by devotees followed by Prasaad and Mahaprasad. Evening program was also conducted with singing of Bhajans, kirtans, Garba by devotees followed by Prasaad and Mahaprasad. Courtesy Devika Maharaj.

• Proud parents, Pravilesh and Harsha Chand and brother, Pravir showing off their new bundle of joy, baby Prerana Chand, born on 3rd of February, 2015. www.indiantimes.com.au

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 29

ARYA PRATINIDHI SABHA OF QLD INC

Morality Jitendra Deo President

Continued from last issue WHY VEDA ALONE? NAMES of certain historical persons and geographical places found here and there in the Vedas may create a false impression about the existence of the elements of historicity in the Vedas. But when we dig deeper and examine them in the context in which they occur and the texts which precede or follow them, the so called element of historicity vanishes. In order to substantiate our point of view a few examples are given here: 1. Mention is made in Yajurveda (23.18) about Ambika, Amba and Ambalika. It is contended that these names refer to the three girls whom Bhishma had abducted to marry them to his brothers. It may, however, be noted that in the Yajurveda they are stated to be Kampetavasinees (residents of Kampevel), whereas in the Mahabharata they are known as the daughters of the king of Kashi. As a matter of fact, as mentioned elsewhere in the Yajurveda (3.7 and 12.76) these refer to the names of particular medicines.

2. In Atharvaveda (13.3.26) Arjuna, the son of Draupadi. But in the Mahabharata Arjuna is said to be the husband, and not son of Draupadi. The correct meaning is known when, as required, the Mantra is interpreted etymologically (history of word and origins) and in accordance with the Shatapatha Brahmana, Krishna here means night and the day or sun, born, as if of night, is called Arjuna.

The same is true of the words suggestive of geographical names. We come across the mantra in the Yajurveda. The words are said to refer to the rivers of Panjab i.e. the land of five rivers. But everybody knows that the said five rivers do not flow into the Saraswati which itself remains unidentified.

They merge with the Indus and through it flow into the Arabian Sea. THE AGE OF THE VEDAS The age of Vedas according to some eminent historians of the day, is as follows Maxmuller, Macdonel, Keith 1400 B.C. Hang, Whitney, Wilson, Griffith 200() B.C. Jacobi 400() B.C. B.G. Tilak 6000 B.C. N.B. Panagi 24000() B.C. Dinanath Shastri Chulait 3, 00,000 B.C. However, according to maxmuller — “After the latest researches into the history and chronology of the Old Testament, we may now safely call the Rig-Veda, the oldest book, not only of the Aryans, but of the whole world.” But in Physical Religion, Grifford Maxmuller says: “We could not

hope to be able to lay down any terminus quo. Whether the Vedic hymns were composed in 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 years B.C., no power on earth could ever fix.”

To A.C. Das, some of the descriptions in the Vedas appear to refer such configuration of land as, according to geological hypothesis, could have existed in the Miocene (The Miocene epoch is a major division of the geologic timescale and the first epoch of the Neogene period of the Cainozoic( Cainozoic (Cenozoic) is the current geological era. It began 66 million years ago and continues today) or Pliocene epoch, whose age is to be computed by some hundreds of thousands, if not millions of years.

Scientists (Proof Ngai and Proof Zumberge of the University of Arizona) have found traces of ancient life and matter dating back to 2300 million years. The discovery was made in rocks, found in Transvaal area of South Africa, 320 K.m. north of Johannesberg.” The tribune, July 13, 1875.

The world’s highest mountain range could be 200 million years old twice as old as previously thought, a group of scientists said in a statement issued here (Bonn) by the West German Research group DFG on Friday.

The Hindustan Times, dated Oct. 18, 1987.

According to Indian traditions, based on astronomical data, the Vedas were revealed 1,97,29,490,95 (1995 A.D.) years ago.

The calculation, corroborated by the ‘Samkalpa’ almost invariably read out by our priests at the commencement of every Yajna. Works on modern science almost corroborate this oriental view about the age of the earth. Compare the following: a. Some good evidence that the real age of the earth is 2 or 3 thousand million years, has been arrived at by the study of uranium and an isotope lead (into which it irretrievably changes) in the layers of rocks. b. Recent archaeological discoveries have carried the origin of man to millions of years back.

And the Vedic research, as it advances, carries the antiquity of the Vedas ever further and yet further in the past. Latest theories tend to affirm that the Vedas are not only the oldest record of humanity but co-eva!

With man. c. The weight of scientific evidence is all against an infinitely, expended past, but the past which we formerly reckoned as six thousand years cannot be shorter than 1800 million years, and may be far longer. d. In the “Outline of Modern Knowledge’

by William Rose we read: “Our globe must be about two thousand million years old.” e. H.G. Wells (An Outline of History) said: “Astronomers and mathematicians give us 200 million years as the age of the earth as a body separate from the Sun.” (Continued in next issue) Please contact Jitendra Deo 3263 1914 or Hari Chand 33454716 for information on activities of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland or visit on: www.aryasamajqueensland.com

Get filled up...

Dear reader, it is easy to get first before helping their children. busy and occupied in taking While it may sound selfish, the care of people around us, message is clear that you cannot where you repeatedly find help others from a helpless posiyourself sacrificing, looking tion. after children, helping someProphet Elijah had a similar expeone get ahead, working more Pastor Joseph Dass rience. After guiding, ministering hours in office or assisting a and helping the nation of Israel, he companion who is battling. ended up feeling exhausted, worn While this is all good, you have to realise out and tired. He ran to the wilderness and that at some point you can end up feeling prayed that he should die. As he lay down exhausted, worn out and run down. That is under a tree asleep, an angel woke him up, why it is crucial to set aside some time to fed him 2 meals and gave him his next get filled up. assignment. Elijah was instructed to get In the scriptures we read that Jesus told His filled up and refreshed first before he could tired and weary listeners to come to Him to help others. get rested. Again He told those who were Again we read that the way to get refreshed thirsty to come to Him for a drink. That is to be in the presence of God. For in the means you cannot help others from a run presence of God is fullness of joy, peace down and worn out position. and victory. In His presence you are While demonstrating the emergency proce- refreshed and restored. dures before aeroplane take off, the crew advice parents to put on their oxygen masks God bless you, Pastor Joseph Dass 30 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

Mission Accomplished…

Good Friday!

DEAR BIT readers, welcome to an important message that will lead you to live an inspired life. When you hear someone declare the two most powerful words such as “mission accomplished”; everyone wants to know about it. Imagine you have been planning and preparing all your life to achieve one significant task. To you nothing else matters in life until you accomplish that task or that mission.

You may ask what is the most important mission that ever took place on this planet earth?

A grand vision to save the fallen humanity from the power of sin and death, God the Creator, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit had grand mission. Good Friday is not just a great story, but it is a powerful testimony of Lord Jesus. It is a love story of God the creator; the eternal Word of God who is The Lord Jesus Christ. His love for all humanity compelled Him to stretch His arms wide open on the cross to offer Himself as a living sacrifice. Nearly 2000 years ago, on Good Friday a supreme sacrifice took place.

Only through this supreme sacrifice our victory over sin and satan, our victory over darkness and the devil has been accomplished (Read John19: 28-30).

Most common question many people ask me is ‘Why did Jesus die to save all the people on this planet?’

To answer this important question, let us look into the Word of God first and then into our own heart. The Holy Bible reveals the origin of the universe and the creation of human beings in the image and likeness of God (Read Genesis 1:27). We did not evolve from atom to monkey then to man mysteriously.

Sin entered humans when they disobeyed God. This is some times called fallen humanity. Fallen from the perfect and loving relationship with God. The fallen humanity is subjected to decay and death; also the human spirit is cut off from understanding the love and grace of eternal God. Why do you matter to God as a very precious person? Because you are made by God, made in His image and in His likeness and God has a plan to bring you out of darkness into light.

Ancient Veda speaks of deep desire of the human heart that is expressed by every person deep in his or her hearts; Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya Mrityor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya Om Shaanthi, Shaanthi, Shaanthi The Meaning; Lead us from Unreality (of Transitory Existence) to the Reality (of the Eternal Self), Lead us from the Darkness (of Ignorance) to the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge), Lead us from the Fear of Death to the Knowledge of Immortality.

Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

God’s plan is the plan of peace, plan of eternal life by bringing us out of darkness into light. That is what Jesus said in John 14:6; ‘I am the way, the truth, and the light. No one come to the Father except through me.

This simply means; the faith and relationship with God can be established again to the fallen humanity when we believe on the mission accomplished on Good Friday. Jesus the Lamb of God became supreme sacrifice to offer us salvation. Wages of Sin is death, but free gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23).

The key to enter into friendship with God is that you believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and Saviour. Let this Good Friday season lead you into life filled with hope, peace and love as you search and seek the eternal God and His mission accomplished for you. (John10: 10)

Hindu Scriptures

By Awadhesh Sharma A SIGNIFICANT number of other ancient texts in addition to the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Shreemad Bhagavad Gita hold the position of Hindu scriptures. Among them the Brahma Sutras, Yoga Sutras, Dharma Sutras and Dharma Shastra are widely recognised scriptures. A Sutra literally means a thread that holds things together. Sutras in the Hindu scriptures hold the ideas together in small sentences or phrases easy to remember. They are a collection of maxims of short statements containing a truth of significance.

The Brahma Sutras is an early philosophical exposition of the Upanishads. Shree Shankaracharya commentary on the Brahma Sutras along with his creation Vivekachudamani is the foundation of the tradition of Advaita philosophy. Shree Ramanujacharya commentary on the Brahma Sutras known as Shree Bhashyam is the basis of Vishista Advaita philosophy.

Many religious teachers from Shree Shankaracharya to Shree Swami Shivananda have written commentaries on the Brahma Sutras to propagate their version of spiritual doctrines.

The Yoga Sutras originally written by Maharshi Patanjali is the basis of the Yoga system. It describes the methods of achieving union of individual soul with the supreme God. Postures and breathing techniques that are popular currently are only parts of the complete yoga system. The Dharma Sutras is the basis of Hindu rituals and includes a number of books that describe procedures to be followed by different sections of Hindu society. These

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books are credited to sages Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama and Vashistha.

Dharma Shastra relates to the legal framework for ancient Hindu society. Manu Smriti is the well-known text of this category.

It should be noted that there are references in a number of scriptures to other books, which are now not available. It is understood that they were lost during the destruction of holy sites, libraries and educational institutions by foreign invaders.

Scriptures of later origin relate to sects that originated after Hinduism re-established as a dominant religion following demise of Buddhism in India. Almost all modern Hindu denominations have specific sacred books that build the basis of their belief.

Shree Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Ramanandacharya, Madhavacharya, Ballabhacharya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Tulsi Das, Sur Das, Meera, Guru Nanak and many others have written on spiritual topics in Sanskrit, Hindi and regional Indian languages. Hindus consider their writings sacred.

Following the tradition of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) created

by Srila Prabhupada Swami has spread all over the world. Shree Narayan Goswami Maharaj of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Gaudia Vaishnava Sampardaya is also very popular around the world. The main scripture of ISKCON and other branch of Gaudia tradition is the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. It contains commentary by Swami Srila Prabhupada. Other Gurus of this tradition have also written commentaries and books on religious themes. Continued page 32 Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Moderation, the way of Islam

By ML. Nawaaz Ashrafi

IN THE name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

We thank and praise Allah SWT, Who prescribes moderation as the ideal way in our dealings and as a means of attaining socio-economic growth and stability. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah — Whose dîn guarantees social and material security for all its followers.

I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (saws) is the Messenger of Allah, who encouraged Muslims to shun extremes and to be moderate in every facet of life. O Allah, shower your choicest blessings on him, his noble Companions and relatives… all those who preferred humility to pride and arrogance.

Allah SWT enjoins in the Holy Qur’ân: “Thus have We made of you an Ummah, Justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations. ” Quran (2: 143) A question most frequently asked when Muslims meet, is: Why are we so divided today?

And almost in the same breath we venture reasons and solutions straight from sociology textbooks or try to justify the division as unity in diversity to quote the hackneyed phrase!

Common sense tells us that the more we discard our human values — the values prescribed by Allah SWT and exemplified by His Prophet Muhammad (saws), the more we estrange ourselves from one another ans destroy the coherence of the ummah.

We often wrongly emulate what we perceive as “commendable values” only to find ourselves moving further from the mainstream of the community. One such perception is the so-called the bigger-the better-syndrome which dictates our mode of functioning. Extremism is a new sickness that seems to plague us individually and collectively in relationships with one another.

We express extremes in our interpersonal behaviour, extremes in our lifestyles, extremes in our habits, like eating and sleeping and even talking, extremes in our interpretation of our dîn or political ideals, extremes in our expectations of our children’s abilities and many, many more.

These extremes are often not related to natural, God-given values and make it difficult for anyone…even our closest kin… to live in peace and harmony with us. In this khutbah we hope, insha-Allah, to look at and rid ourselves of this scourge, which threatens our survival as an ummah.

In the above verse of the Holy Qur’ân, Allah SWT offers us a clear direction on our stand in life: to be justly balanced in everything that we do ! Only then, says Allah, can we truly be witnesses over the nations . Parties often argue with one another because they hold extremely opposite views and refuse to compromise and accommodate each other’s views. It is only an outsider who is just that can bring them back to reason and make them realise their faults.

How often do we not suffer untold misery because of our excessive practices? Do we constantly have to blame market forces or use other capitalist euphemisms to justify our excessive spending? Sure, everyone loves a beautiful home, but do we have to land ourselves into financial difficulty and subject our families to humiliation and ridicule to acquire one? We would all love to have the beautiful things in life …and why not — most of them are free. But let us plan and budget carefully, even if it means taking longer to get the things we want. Allah SWT advises us in the Holy Qur’ân on the management of our spending: “Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly,But hold a just balance between those extremes…..” (25: 67) The secret of success in any effort lies in our ability to keep a “just balance” between the extremes. There are some of us who are by the means to eat or dress properly, but we are thrifty to the extreme — to the extent that we starve ourselves and our families and dress like tramps.

Once again let us keep the just balance between the extremes of extravagance and stinginess. We are reminded of the Hadîth in which Prophet Muhammad saws advises the ummah to dress according to their means. Abul Ahwâs reported from his father who said: “I came from the Messenger of Allah while there was a torn cloth on my person. Rasûlullah saws asked: “Do you have wealth ?” “Yes,” said I. He asked: “What wealth do you have?” “Every kind of wealth,” replied I, “Allah has given me camels, cows, sheep, horses and slaves.” Rasûlullah saws said: “When Allah has given you wealth, let the signs of the gifts of Allah and Allah’s generosity be shown upon your person.” (Nisa-i) In another Hadîth Rasûlullah saws said: “The generous man is near Allah, near the Jannah (Paradise), near the people, and far from the Jahannam (Hell); and the ignorant charitable man is dearer to Allah than the pious miser.”

(Tirmizi) Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

In our ‘ibâdât, the extremes in which we express destructive extreme we often resort to in our and of Patience and Constancy.” (S.103: 3) Let us remember that we are part of Allah’s creour piety may well nullify our efforts. Let us relationship with our friends and more especialconsider the person who reads the Qur’ân so ly with our children. We expect too much of ation and have a duty to harmonise our will with loudly in the mosque that his/her reading dis- them…to the extent that we fail to see their real the rest of creation. Only when we are able to do turbs the mussallee next to him/her–similarly, a qualities. When our little daughter puts on her this and to live in peace and harmony with one mussallee who recites his/her prayers so loudly mother’s clothes, she is not being stupid or exhi- another, then are we ready to submit ourselves that it distracts others around him/her. Hence bitionist, just a little child learning through her fully and unconditionally to the Will of Allah. fantasies. When our son at College or high Then and only then, can we take up our place as Allah SWT reminds us: “……..neither speak your prayer aloud, nor school does not get an A-pass in mathematics, he Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth. speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course is no less human than his friend who did get it.

Our expectations must consider reality, not the Hadîth: Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger between.” reality we choose to create in our minds, but the of Allah said: “Nobody who has faith in his heart (Q. XVII:110) And speaking of solâh, how often do we not reality that IS. Our expectations must be rooted to the weight of the mustard seed, shall enter miss our fajr (morning) prayer because we over- in patience and constancy. How beautifully the Hell; and nobody who has pride in his heart to the weight of the mustard seed, shall enter slept (excessive sleep). On a lighter note, a visit- Qur’an expresses this simple truth: ing lecturer to Cape Town was asked for his “And join together in mutual teaching of Truth, Paradise.” (Muslim). observation of the Muslims of the city. His comments were that we eat too much, hence many of us are overweight; we talk too much, hence we often find ourselves in trouble; and we sleep too much, hence we are often late for our fajr doon.” “I have not created jinn (subtle creatures)

By ML. Nawaaz Ashrafi prayers. I’m sure that if he had stayed longer he and human beings exept to worship Me.” Our would have had a longer list! The Golden Rule “A-úthu billáhi minash shaytánir purpose, as human beings, as children of Adam is once again moderation. Let us consider the and Eve, as custodians, guardians, trustees of wisdom of Luqman as he addresses his son, as rajeem. Bismilláhir rahmánir raheem Al hamdu lillahi nahmaduhu wanasta’eenahu, planet earth, is simply to know, to love, adore Allah SWT describes it in the Holy Qur’ân: “And swell not your cheek (for pride) at men, wanastagh-firuhu, wanatoobu ilayhi, wana’oothu and obey Allah.

When we do this, Allah lifts the veils of ignonor walk in insolence through the earth; for Billaahi min shuroori an-fusinaa, wamin sayyi Allah loves not the arrogant boaster. And be aati a’maalinaa. May- Yahdillahu fa huwal muh- rance from our eyes. Allah gives the atheist ordimoderate in your pace, and lower your voice; tad, wa may- yudlill falan tajidaa lahu waliyan nary sight, basar. But the Believer is given somefor the harshest of sounds without doubt is the murshida. Wa ash-hadu an Laa ilaaha ill-Alláh, thing more, baseerah, a penetrating inner sight, wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna the ability to intuit the hidden meaning of things. braying of the ass.”

This is the reward for taming the lower nafs, the Muhammadan ‘abduhoo warasooluh” (S31: 18-19) How true do these words not ring out when we ALL Praise is due to Alláh, We praise Him and selfish ego, and purifying the spiritual heart, conthink of those around us: the boaster and his/her we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from stantly seeking to keep it healthy and sound, qalb despicable arrogance or the loud-mouth outbray- Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in saleem.

People who argue that pain and suffering in the ing an ass! Not only are they despised by people Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. but by Allah! Moderation is the middle way. Anyone who is guided by Alláh, he is indeed world proves that there’s no God, are just looking ‘Alama Yusuf ‘Ali, in his comments on these guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will at life superficially, and drawing conclusions Quranic verses, says: “In all things be moderate. find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there from incomplete evidence. People of faith know Do not go the pace, and do not be stationary or is no god but Alláh, the Only One without any that pain and suffering are necessary tools for slow. Do not be talkative and do not be silent. partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad, building good character.

The mystical poet, Jalaluddin Rumi says that Do not be loud and do not be timid or half-heart- peace and blessings on him, is His servant, and “Suffering is a gift. In it is a hidden mercy.” ed. Do not be too confident, and do not be His messenger.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem! Ya Ay-yuhal- Suffering teaches us patience, sabr, and it also cowed down.” So often we remind ourselves of the limits of our modesty in dressing, but we for- latheena ‘aamanut taqul-laaha, haqqa tuqaatihee teaches us Ridhaa, which is total reliance on Allah, and a serene acceptance of whatever Allah get to remind ourselves of the undignified use of wala tamu tun-na, il-la wa antum Muslimoon.”

O You who believe, – Be aware of Allah, with decrees. It teaches us to persevere, to work hard our voices in public. Many of us have forgotten how to laugh. It is reported that, when Prophet correct awareness, an awe-inspired awareness, to seek Allah’s good pleasure, his Ridwaan. It teaches us humility, it teaches compassion for Muhammad saws laughed, it was hardly audible. and die not except as Muslims.

Ya Ay-yuhal-latheena ‘aamanut taqul-laaha, wa those less fortunate than we are. Prophet Another equally despicable practice among qawlan sadeedaa.

Yuslih-lakum Muhammad sws taught us, “How fortunate is the some of us is to appear self-righteous or reli- qooloo gious and to regard all those who do not sub- a’maalakum wa yaghfir lakum thunoobakum, Believer, he endures hardship, and it is good for scribe to our ideas, as lesser beings or being out- wamay yu-til-laaha warasoolah, faqad faaza him [it teaches patience]; then he enjoys relief from hardship, and it is good for him [it allows us side the fold of Islam. It is true that Allah com- fawzan atheemaa.”

O You who believe, – Be aware of Allah, and to be grateful to Allah]. Indeed, the true walimands us to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. But let us not overstep the authority speak a straightforward word. He will forgive Allah, the Friends of Allah are always overflowgiven to us by Allah SWT by humiliating and your sins and repair your deeds. And whoever ing with gratitude, in good times and in hard hurting the feelings of those that see and inter- takes Allah and His Prophet as a guide, has times…

There is really no ‘problem’ of suffering. The pret things differently. Allah is the ONLY already achieved a mighty victory.

Authority on HIS Qur’an and HIS dîn. Our In the opening verse of Sura An-Nisaa’, Allah problem is our human ignorance. If we interpretations are subject to our limited human says: O mankind! Show reverence towards your don’t know Allah, we won’t know His Plan. We understanding and intellectual capacities. This is Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single won’t be able to accept His Decree. We won’t precisely what we are warned against in the person, created, of like nature, his mate and from know our place in the vast cosmic scheme of the two of them scattered (like seeds) countless things. We won’t know who we really are, why Holy Qur’an: “O you who believe! Make not unlawful the men and women;― Be conscious of Allah, we’re here, where we’ve come from and where good things which Allah has made lawful for through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) we’re going to, after our death. Prophet you, but Commit no excess: for Allah loves not and (show reverence towards) the wombs (that Muhammad, sws, reminded us about the vital bore you): for surely, Allah ever watches over importance of self-knowledge. “He who knows those given to excess.” (S.5: 87) himself, knows his Lord.” [Hadith] To be tolerant is to adopt a moderate, balanced you.

Brothers and Sisters let us be truly grateful to There is a common argument we hear from atheattitude towards a person or an idea. Even if we don’t agree with a brother or sister, we can at ists: How can there be a God when there is so Allah, that we have this wonderful gift of Iman, least control our emotions and give him or her much suffering in the world? How can a merciful this gift of Faith, to illuminate our way through the right to say his or her piece. Why upset our- God allow so much pain and grief? These argu- life’s challenges. And through Faith, Allah also selves with those around us if they do not see ments say that because innocent people suffer gave us the road map, the Quran and the Sunnah, things our way or move around too slowly or pain and distress, that proves there no God. And so that we can navigate our way safely through speak too softly for our liking (perhaps through some atheists say that if God does exist, He must this life, towards our destiny, which is everlasting old age)? Why should we and our likes and dis- be very cruel and therefore doesn’t deserve our joy in the next life. Say Ameen.

In many places the Holy Quran reminds us, “Ala, likes become criteria for judging others? Have obedience and worship. I’m sure that here and inna awliya Allah, la khawfun alayhim wala hum elsewhere, we all have encountered such views. we become too important, too learned to give yah-zanoon!” our attention to those in need of our help. Once How do we answer them?

Firstly, we must determine whether we are hav- “Behold, on the Friends of Allah, there is no fear, again, be careful: don’t become self-righteous …let’s not become an ummah unto ourselves, ing a serious exploration to uncover the truth, or and no grief.”

No fear and no grief, and yet, if you study the cut off from the rest of humankind. Let us rather just another point-scoring debate. People who be tolerant of one another by controlling our make provocative public announcements to pub- Friends of Allah, and Prophet Abraham (as)is the emotions and being consistent in all our actions. licise their books or to massage their egos are not best example, you’ll find that their lives were filled with incredible hardship, pain and This is not such a difficult task. In fact, in a seriously interested in searching for Truth. endurance. This wasn’t so because Allah hated They want to play intellectual games, using menHadîth, Prophet Muhammad saws narrated by tal gymnastics to defend a closed mindset. My them or wanted to punish them. Allah loves all Bukhari, Abu Hurraira reported that the advice is, don’t waste your time with them.

His Prophets. The Friends of Allah taught Messenger of Allah saws said: “The dîn is easy, In a serious discussion, however, we should say us Ridha’, that wonderful and serene acceptance and nobody make it difficult…it will overcome that pain and suffering is part of life. It doesn’t of Allah’s will. If we can be islands of calm in the him/her. So be steadfast and seek Allah’s prove there is no God. On the contrary, it’s evi- oceans of turbulence; if we can show others a Nearness. Give good news and seek help at dence of God’s wisdom. Allah, in His infinite kind and helpful manner, in the midst of life’s morn and at dusk and some part of a dark night.” Wisdom has created a world of complementary problems, we will truly hold high that noble lega(Bukhari) opposites. What do we mean by this? It means cy of the Prophets and the Awliya, the Friends of In another Hadîth, S. Ayesha reported that the that opposites are necessary to for us to appreci- Allah.

Messenger of Allah saws said: “The most pleas- ate the world around us. There is life and death, This is what our world needs today. Our friends ing of actions to Allah is that which is done con- there is good and bad, there is love and hate, light and neighbors out there, indeed many of our feltinuously (consistently) though it be little.” In and darkness. The opposites need each other; it low Muslims are in dire need of spiritual guidthis Hadîth, Rasûlullâh saws gives us the secret has to be that way. How can you appreciate com- ance. They need a gentle helping hand to show of moderation and success, which is consistency fort without knowing pain? How can you show them how to cope with natural and manmade and steadfastness. Do a little at a time, but do it courage without resisting cowardice? How can calamities, how to keep their own pain and percontinuously or regularly. Let our students or you appreciate beauty without knowing ugliness? sonal grief in perspective. It won’t last forever, even our athletes struggling to get fit, take a les- How can you know anything before first being and Allah is only testing us all. Brothers and son from this Hadîth — do a little at a time…but ignorant about it?

Sisters, let us set a good example, let us inspire be consistent. How much wisdom is there not in Believers know that the universe didn’t create our communities with our serenity, our dignity the nursery school ditty? itself, and it just didn’t happen by chance. “Kun, and our strength that come out of true faith in “Little drops of water, faya kuun!” “Be! And it is!” That’s how it all Allah, and total reliance on His Mercy, Little grains of sand, happened. Allah created everything with a pur- His Rahma.

Make the mighty ocean and the mighty land….” pose. “Laqad khalaqtul Jinni wal insa liya’buContinued next issue...

We need to remind ourselves of a potentially www.indiantimes.com.au THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 31

Why so much suffering??

Health Beauty Wellbeing Breast Cancer

Big Belly - Dangerous Health Risk!!!

By Thilliar Varnakulasingham The female bosom is glorified and exalted Poets of all ages describe the breast As beautiful, charming, attractive and fascinating But it is a very vulnerable organ

By Dr.Pradeep Neupane (BAMS) Clinical Director Vibrant Ayurveda Wellness Center Ph: 7-38462272, 0452506389 info@vibrantayurveda.com.au www.vibrantayurveda.com.au

The incidence of breast cancer varies appreciably It is high in the United States But quite low in the Orient due To moderate intake of a high fat diet The causes of breast cancer are unknown However, there are some obvious risk factors A small percentage can be attributed to A genetic predisposition or a genetic susceptibility A family history of breast cancer may Have an increased risk of developing cancer A woman’s chances of developing breast cancer Increases as she gets older and older The older the age at which a woman Has her first full-term pregnancy The higher is the risk of developing A victim for the murderous coward There seems some association between increased Body weight and increased breast cancer Advisable to include healthy foods such as broccoli, Spinach, cauliflower, carrot and fruits in your diet Women who are on hormone replacement therapy May be at a higher risk for breast cancer There is a lower rate of breast cancer among Those who have breast fed their babies Some research studies show that regular Alcohol consumption is a risk factor In general white women are more at risk Than other races due to lifestyle and diet The possible indications of breast cancer include A lump in the breast, a change in its contour Or in the nipple, bleeding from the nipple, Fluid leaking from the nipple, unusual pain in the breast A woman who detects a lump or see any Unusual changes should see her physician Diagnosis is made using a combination of Clinical examination, needle biopsy and mammography Most Western countries have a screening program The earlier cancer is detected, the better the Chance of successful treatment and recovery Pray to the Almighty to keep you well

Hindu Scriptures

By Awadhesh Sharma Continued from page 30 The belief developed on ideas of Shree Guru Nanak Devji in early sixteen century matured as a complete religious faith. Shree Guru Granth Sahib is the most sacred text for this sect, which is revered not only by the followers of Guru Nanak tradition but also by many other Hindus.

Books expounding Vedanta philosophy with interpretation by Shree Rama Krishna Paramhamsa and his disciples including Swami Vivekananda and other scholars are sacred and revered by the followers of Rama Krishna Mission group and other Vedantis.

Vachanamrit, a collection of discourses given by Shree Swaminarayan, is the most sacred and foundational scripture of the Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya.

Although based on Shree Ramanujacharya Vaishnava Sampardaya, the Swaminarayan Sampardaya has developed into a distinct religious denomination.

Satyarth Prakash, originally written is Hindi by Swami Dayanand Saraswati is the sacred book to the followers of Arya Samaj.

The Satyarth Prakash contains exposition and clarification of Vedic principles.

The followers of denominations and religious personalities such as Brahma Kumari, Paramhamsa Yogananda, Swami Chinmayananda, Anandmayi Ma, Satya Sai Baba, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and many others have their own religious books.

These books explain ancient religious texts

in contemporary context highlighting the views propagated by them.

All the above-mentioned as well as many other denominations are active among Hindus in India and abroad. Leading Gurus and Acharyas of various denominations continue writing new religious books explaining themes of their teachings and making their sect more attractive.

Pilgrimage is an old tradition practiced by Hindus. Pilgrims visit sacred sites, mostly on the bank of rivers, lakes and seas. There they meet religious Acharya of their preference and take Diksha i.e. become a spiritual disciple.

Hindu religious centres such as Temples, Maths, Sthans or Akharas are located in and around populated centres almost all over India. Many people take Diksha from these local religious centres and follow instructions from their spiritual teachers.

Acharyas and religious centres publish their own books on religious matters, which reflect their views and their interpretation of ancient scriptures. These books are distributed among disciples who use them as sacred text.

Many sects and their texts have local and regional appeal. They are now becoming national or even international thanks to the use of mass media and electronic media.

Considering the diversity among Hindu traditions, it is almost impossible to have knowledge of all the religious texts of Hinduism. Their number is limited only by one’s research.

Some scriptures such as the Vedas and

32 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

IT IS a real fact that obesity is one of the most serious health issues in the modern world. Thousands of people are dying every day simply because of excessive fat in their bodies, which leads to serious health problems like Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer, etc.

Obesity isn’t only affecting the western world; it is now becoming a major problem in the cities of developing countries like India and Nepal where an increasing number of people are now living luxurious sedentary life-styles similar to those in the west.

Excess fat isn’t good for our health no matter where it is. But new research has shown that the location of fat will determine the health risks. According to this new research, fat lying deep inside the abdomen, called visceral fat, is more perilous than the subcutaneous (meaning “beneath the skin”) fat that we can pinch with our fingers.

Fat cells aren’t just inert storage depots.

They are biologically active cells that act like miniature endocrine organs, making and secreting hormones and other molecules that affect other tissues. Visceral fat cells are particularly dynamic. Their activity has been implicated in a number of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, and breast and colorectal cancers.

The good news is that visceral fat responds more efficiently to diet and exercise than fat on the hips and thighs. Here are some approaches that may help to minimize belly fat: Regular Exercise: Exercise can help reduce waist size. Even if you don’t lose weight, you will lose visceral fat and gain muscle mass. Engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days, both aerobic activity and strength training can help trim visceral fat or prevent its growth.

This may include fast walking, jogging or running for about half an hour at least every second day, followed by aerobic exercises and yoga stretching.

Here are a few gentle exercises you can do at home to reduce visceral fat: - Dvichakrikasana- lying down on back and cycling with alternate leg first and then both legs together. (5-6 times each) - Padavrittasana- Lying on back and rotating one leg in a circular direction and then Brahma Sutras are the subjects of highlevel religious discourse by scholars. Some of them including Dharma Sutras and Dharma Shastra such as Manu Smriti have become impractical to truly follow in the modern age.

Most people follow texts, which are common among their local community and have appeal to educated population and support from religious scholars, priests and Gurus.

Such religious texts are mostly in the form of prayers, songs of glories to deities, divine power and God, specific mantras and names of gods and goddesses and spiritual stories. They are published by religious centres or by publishers of religious texts.

Shreemad Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit verses remains the dominant scripture for Hindus. Various sects have their own interpretation but accept its authority. The Ramayana and Mahabharata as scriptures are excellent source of stories depicting ideal divine and human nature. Almost all Hindus are familiar with the Ramayana and Mahabharata stories.

Hanuman Chalisa, a collection of verses in Hindi glorifying the god Hanuman is a very popular religious text among Hindi speaking Hindus. Shree Satyanarayan Vrata Katha is a popular religious text used almost all over India and abroad by Hindus.

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other leg and both legs together. (5-6 times each) - Ardha-Halasana- Lying on back and lifting both legs straight up together at the angle of 90 degree. (5-6 times) Breathing Exercises: Certain breathing exercises increase the heart rate and can be beneficial in reducing fat in the body. Here is a good one: Kapalabhati Pranayama (Fast breathing out with forcefully pulling abdominal muscles in at the same time) for 2-10 minutes Good Diet: Choosing a good diet is vitally important in maintaining healthy weight. It is a real fact that our diet contains too many carbohydrates. Many of us love to eat rice and different fried foods all the times.

Unnecessary carbohydrate from rice or bread gets stored as fat mostly around the waist and abdomen. So, it is very important to consume more vegetable (about 40%) than protein (about 30%) and carbohydrate (about 30%) in our daily meals. Also, it is important to include plenty of food containing calcium in our diet as new research suggests that the more calcium we consume, the less visceral fat we gain. Here are some recommended foods with high source of calcium: low fat milk, yoghurt, cheese, broccoli, kale, spinach, orange, beans and Tofu, almonds, etc.

Regular Sleep pattern: A five-year study found that adults under age 40 who sleep five hours or less a night accumulate significantly more visceral fat. But too much sleep isn’t good, either—young adults who slept more than eight hours also added plenty of visceral fat. The best duration of sleep is 7 hours. However, children and sick people will need longer periods of sleep.

Herbs and spices: The following tips may help reduce excessive fat in the body: - Drink 1 litre of warm water first in the morning mixed with: - 1tablespoon honey - 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger paste You can also mix equal amounts of black pepper, long pepper and dry ginger and ingest 1 teaspoon after each meal.

Ayurvedic herbs like mulethi (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), Vilyati imli (Garcinia Combogia) our kitchen spice Methi can help regularise the fat metabolism in the body.

If above diet, exercise and regular sleep pattern is not enough to reduce stomach fat, you may have an imbalance in metabolising fat in your body. If this is the case, it is recommended to get your health thoroughly assessed by an experienced health practitioner as soon as possible.

This is a story taken from the Skanda Purana and is read during performing puja to express gratitude to God. Shree Vishnu Sahastranam, one thousand names of Lord Vishnu, is a collection of over 100 verses listing the names that characterise the attributes of the Supreme God. Vedic verses such as Purush Sukta, Gayatri Mantra, Maha Mritunjaya Mantra, and Shanti Path are highly revered. Durga Saptsati, a collection of seven hundred shlokas, taken from the Markandeya Purana is normally read during Navaratri festival. It illustrates the power of divine mother Ma Durga. In addition, a large number of other texts relating to deities such as Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Surya, Indra and Agni, Goddesses Laxmi, Parvati, Saraswati, Durga and Gauri are popular. Other books such as Santoshi Mata Katha, Teej Katha, Mata ki Chouki Katha, Vaibhava Laxmi Katha, Karwan Chouth Katha and many similar books are sacred for a number of Hindus The large number of Hindu religious texts represents the spiritual wisdom that Hindu sages and scholars have created to enhance religious experience of individuals for their spiritual and material growth.

More information on Hinduism will follow in the next edition of BIT. Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 33

Health Beauty Wellbeing

Natural remedy for Whooping cough vaccine not running Migraine

By Mazhar Sayeed

THERE are about sixteen (16) treatments, this month we will lock at 3 of the treatments. Read ‘Symptoms’ carefully for each one of the following and if it suits/nearer to your problems, then choose to follow it.

For Migraine Cure - Treatment No. 1 A migraine is a severe, painful headache that is often preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. Migraine headaches result from a combination of blood vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around these blood vessels.

Causes: Migraines may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Serotonin levels drop during migraine attacks. This may cause your trigeminal system to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain’s outer covering.

Symptoms: Depressed Full of energy Restless Sleepy Thirsty Diagnosis: The diagnosis of migraine is made by identifying a recurrent headache with certain features. There are no significant neurological signs on physical examination, nor abnormal findings on investigation. The International Headache Society has codified the diagnosis and this system provides useful pointers that can be simplified and should be used with flexibility in clinical practice.

Ingredients: Carrot juice, Spinach juice, Beetroot juice Natural Remedies: A mixture of carrot juice, either with spinach, works effectively in curing migraine. Combine 300ml of carrot juice with 200ml of any other juice and drink it. You can also mix 300ml of carrot juice and drink it on a regular basis.

Beetroot juice is its blood purifying and blood cooling ability which is on account of the high iron content of beet roots. This also makes the beetroot an important factor in the treatment of anemia as beet juice tends to reactivate and regenerate the red blood cells. Hence the consumption of beetroot juice is recommended for teenagers and children suffering from anemia. Spinach juice has been shown to help decrease blood pressure, prevent hangovers and may help to alleviate headaches. Try using spinach leaves instead of lettuce for a headachepreventing power salad. This summer salad is packed with headache-soothing foods: Toss together 2 cups spinach leaves, 3/4 cups cubed watermelon, 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots and 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts or almonds, and drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette.

For Migraine Cure – Treatment No. 2 Causes: Migraines may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Serotonin levels drop during migraine attacks. This may cause your trigeminal system to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain’s outer covering.

Symptoms: *Depressed *Full of energy

*Restless *Sleepy *Thirsty Diagnosis:The diagnosis of migraine is made by identifying a recurrent headache with certain features, no significant neurological signs on physical examination nor abnormal findings on investigation. The International Headache Society has codified the diagnosis and this system provides useful pointers that can be simplified and should be used with flexibility in clinical practice.

Ingredients: Carrot juice, Cucumber juice, Beetroot juice Natural Remedies: A mixture of carrot juice, either with spinach, works effectively in curing migraine. Combine 300 ml of carrot juice with 200 ml of any other juice and drink it. You can also mix 300 ml of carrot juice and drink it on a regular basis.

Cucumber may help slice dehydration out of the picture. Consisting of 95 percent water, the highly hydrating cucumber is an excellent option for a fresh and natural, headache-fighting snack or to add to a juice or smoothie.

Beetroot juice is its blood purifying and blood cooling ability which is on account of the high iron content of beet roots. This also makes the beetroot an important factor in the treatment of anemia as beet juice tends to reactivate and regenerate the red blood cells. Hence the consumption of beetroot juice is recommended for teenagers and children suffering from anemia.

For Migraine Cure – Treatment No. 3 Migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.

Causes: *Allergic reactions *Bright lights *Certain odors or perfumes *Changes in sleep patterns *Exercise *Loud noises *Missed meals *Physical or emotional stress *Smoking or exposure to smoke * Symptoms: A temporary blind spot, blurred vision, eye pain, seeing stars or zigzag lines, tunnel vision, are worse on one side of the head.

Diagnosis: Avoid artificial sweeteners and other known food-related triggers.

Get regular exercise. Get plenty of sleep each night. Learn to relax and reduce stress — some patients have found that biofeedback and self-hypnosis helps reduce the number of migraine attacks. Avoid smoking.

Ingredients: Nux vomica leaf. (from any nursery), Pepper, Garlic, Sesame oil.

Natural Remedies: The nux vomica tree inhabits India, along the Coromandel Coast, Ceylon, and other parts of the East Indies.

The wood is exceedingly bitter, especially that of the root, which is said to cure intermittent fevers and bites of venomous snakes. The pulp of the fruit is greedily eaten by various birds. The Lignum colubrinum, or Snake-wood, which is generally referred to the Strychnos colubrina, is also derived from the nux vomica wood. The chief constituents of nux vomica are strychnine (see Strychnina) and brucine, both existing in combination with igasuric acid (Pelletier and Caventou), a tannic principle identical with caffeo-tannic acid.

Pepper is used in certain tonic and rubefacient preparations and also used as flavour ingredient in most major food products including non alcoholic beverages, candies, baked foods, meat and meat products, Cheese, Condiments and relishes.

Take some Nux vomica leaf, cut it. Add some pepper and garlic pieces. Mix with 1 glass of sesame oil and boil it. Oil changed to red color after that filter it. Then apply on your head. After 30 minutes, take bath.

34 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

Continued next issue….

out in Queensland

CHIEF Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said today (4 April) there is no shortage of vaccines for the state’s pertussis (whooping cough) immunisation programs for children and pregnant women.

Following media reports of a shortage in Queensland, Dr Young moved quickly to reassure people that there was no danger of running out of vaccines.

“Although there is a world wide shortage of the vaccine, our immunisation programs for children and pregnant women are not experiencing shortfalls,” Dr Young said.

“Queensland uses a different brand of the vaccine for the pregnancy program to the one in short supply, so there is no issue at all for the state’s pregnant women and their babies.

“The Department of Health supplies the pertussis-containing vaccine to the School Immunisation Program, Childhood Immunisation Program and the Whooping Cough Vaccine for pregnant women program.

“The vaccine for pregnant women is free and provided to General Practitioners and Hospital and Health Services to administer.

“There may be some short term shortages in the private sector in circumstances where patients are seeking immunisation outside the children's program or the program that is in place to support pregnant women.”

Dr Young said reports of people being allegedly deferred by GPs would only be in cases where the vaccine was not time critical.

“These people can return when supplies are again available,” she said.

“People seeking a dose outside of the state government’s childhood program, school program or the program for pregnant women should seek advice from their GP. “If a GP cannot obtain vaccine for the patient at that time, the patient should discuss options with their GP, as the GP will

be in the best place to determine what is necessary in their particular circumstances.

“Other patient enquiries should be directed to 13 HEALTH.” Dr Young said the Department of Health was active in the prevention of deaths caused by whooping cough, particularly in infants under three months..

“Pregnant women in their third trimester are encouraged to be vaccinated for pertussis due to updated recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook,” Dr Young said.

“Vaccination in pregnant women has been shown to give direct and effective protection to the pertussis disease in newborn infants through the transfer of maternal antibodies in utero,” she said.

“I encourage all pregnant women to consult with their doctor about being vaccinated for whooping cough, considering the serious risks the respiratory disease can have to infants.

“Studies have found no increased risk to pregnancy associated with the vaccination and that the vaccination delivered in the third trimester can protect the baby until the recommended three-dose primary schedule for infants.”

Dr Young said that two booster doses were recommended during childhood to continue to protect the child through to their early teens.

“Booster pertussis-containing vaccines are also recommended for children aged 18 months and then four years.”

New PalAssist helpline picks up 24/7 A QUEENSLAND palliative care helpline is now available to patients, families and carers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Queensland Health has funded the Cancer Council Queensland to provide the helpline over the next three years.

Queensland’s palliative care helpline, now PalAssist, has extended its service hours from the previoulsy offered 9am to 5pm, five days a week.

The extended service will provide empathetic and accurate information, referral, advice and psychological support for people with a life limiting or terminal illness or condition and their families and carers.

Qualified and trained staff will be on hand at all times to take calls.

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Professor Jeff Dunn AO said PalAssist would meet the needs of all Queenslanders affected by terminal illness.

“Demand for palliative care in Queensland is expected to increase over time with the growth and ageing of the population,” Prof Dunn said.

“PalAssist will be a vital support service to help Queensland families and carers cope

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with terminal illness.

“The 24 hour service will help to address the many challenges faced by families, forming part of a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to quality care and support.

“Queenslanders who call can be assured of receiving professional advice and care, helping to overcome the feelings of fear, anxiety, and isolation that people affected by terminal illness commonly experience.

“Our hope is that PalAssist will improve access to palliative care services and raise quality of care at the end of life.”

PalAssist is a free service, now available to Queenslanders 24 hours, seven days a week, on 1800 772 273 or www.palassist.org.au Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Health Beauty Wellbeing Are you gluten intolerant?

Beware, even chapati can be deadly

Moistening your lips....

Courtesy Nimisha Modi Hetvi Hair & Beauty - 04 123 500 13

HEY Girls, mostly this time of the year everybody is complaining about chapped or dry lips. Some of the main causes are vitamin deficiency, allergic reaction, dehydration, smoking, excessive licking of lips, sun exposure and harsh weather.

Chapped or dry lips are a common problem that can be painful and unattractive.

Common symptoms are dryness, redness, cracking, flaking, and tender or sore lips.

There are many commercial products available to treat chapped lips. But you can save money and easily get relief with some easyto-follow home remedies.

Castor Oil: Castor oil is another good treatment for dry and chapped lips. Simply apply castor oil to your lips several times a day. You can also make a soothing treatment using one teaspoon of castor oil, one teaspoon of glycerine and a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and apply it on your lips before going to bed. In the morning, wash it off with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water. Repeat this daily until your lips are healed.

Milk Cream: The high fat content of milk cream makes it a great natural lip moisturizer. Apply fresh milk cream on your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then gently wash your lips with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water. Do this daily to help your lips heal faster.

Rose Petals: The rose plant in your garden can also come to your rescue when suffering from chapped lips. This remedy will help your lips stay moisturized while also enhancing their beautiful colour.

Chapped lips home remedy using rose: Wash a handful of rose petals thoroughly in water. Soak the petals in milk for a few hours. (If you have issues with dairy products, you can soak them in glycerine instead.) Mash the rose petals into a thick paste. Apply the paste on your dry lips two to three times a day and every night before going to bed.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that can help heal chapped lips caused by cold or dry weather. Simply apply pure coconut oil several times a day on your lips to keep them moist. You can also use olive oil.

Sugar: Exfoliating dead cells off your chapped lips will help restore their natural softness faster.

Chapped lips home remedy: Mix two teaspoons of sugar with one teaspoon of honey. Apply the paste to your lips and let it sit for a few minutes. Then use your fingers to gently rub the mixture around on your lips to loosen the dead skin cells.

Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Honey: Honey is a great moisturizer that also has healing and antibacterial properties to treat chapped lips. Simply apply pure organic honey on your chapped lips several times a day. You can also make a paste of honey and glycerine and apply it before going to bed to enjoy softer lips in the morning.

This will bring smile to your face and pocket.

See you next month...Nimisha

Beware! Your beloved eyeliner could be messing with your vision THEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;next time you pick up a pencil eyeliner, please consider that its particles can move into the eye and cause vision trouble.

The findings published in the journal Eye and Contact Lens Science and Clinical Practice emphasised that eyeliner can alter the tear film -- the thin coating protecting the eye -- and add to discomfort.

"We noticed that the makeup migration happened quicker and was greater when eyeliner was put on the inner lid margin," said Alison Ng from the University of Waterloo in Candada.

The scientists found that within five minutes, between 15 and 30 percent more particles moved into the eye's tear film when participants applied eyeliner to the inside of

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the lash line, compared to outside it.

The makeup also moved more quickly into the eye when eyeliner was applied inside the lash line.

Eyeliner ingredients commonly include waxes, oils, silicones and natural gums to help eyeliner stick to eyelids and last for prolonged periods.

Makeup that enters the tear film may cause discomfort for those with sensitive or dry eyes and also for those who wear contact lenses.

"If you thoroughly sharpen your pencil eyeliner before each application and get rid of the stuff that's stuck to the end, you will have a fresh tip which can help prevent infection," Ng pointed out.

Ignorance and self-medication proved fatal for 13-year-old Inakshi Gupta, an acute patient of gluten intolerance. The problem started during her infancy when she reacted to dishes made of wheat, bajra, jowar and many other cereals. Apart from dizziness and gastritis, she experienced rashes on her skin, constipation, and vomiting.

Doctors say gluten intolerance is a condition that causes reaction in an individual after consumption of gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and other cereals. Symptoms vary widely and include gastro-intestinal problems.

"Intolerance to gluten is not a minor problem as people consider it to be. If a child is intolerant to gluten then parents should not give items that contain the protein; otherwise the child may suffer from weight loss, dwarfism, obesity, rashes and intestinal problems. If not checked, it may lead to cancer and neurological disorders," Nishant Wadhwa, senior consultant and pediatric gastro-enterologist at the Delhi-based Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS. Wadhwa said that gluten intolerance was initially considered a disease of the West but has become "very common" among Indian children too.

However, he added that in India about 40% cases had advanced symptoms due to selfmedication and delay in consulting doctors.

Doctors said that gluten intolerance starts from childhood and continues into adulthood. It has to be managed through restrictions on the diet. They said that one reason for people not knowing of gluten intolerance has been lack of specific tests, which only started about five years ago.

They said that in Inakshi's case, her parents kept delaying a visit to a doctor and tried to cure her with self-medication, treating her problem as a mild case of body allergy.

However, her problems kept aggravating with the years. A year ago, she started losing weight and was suffering from intestinal ulcers, fatigue, joint pain and digestive problems. With her health problems mounting, Inakshi died at a hospital here last month.

According to the World Health Organisation, food allergy, which includes gluten intolerance, kills an estimated 2.2 million people globally.

WHO has kept this year's theme of World Health Day (April 7) as food safety.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with "diagnosed, undiagnosed, and latent gluten sensitivity" had a higher risk of death, mostly from heart disease and cancer.

Noting that three to five of every 100 chil-

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dren in India suffer from gluten intolerance, Wadhwa said that if they continue to be fed dishes made out of wheat, bajra and other cereals, the individual may suffer from infertility in later life, apart from intestinal and stomach cancer.

"Usually a child reacts to gluten while in infancy and the problem can be diagnosed," he said, adding that research has shown that mother's milk can help prevent gluten intolerance.

"If a child is fed wheat with mother's milk while 3-5 months old, the problem can be prevented," Wadhwa said.

Behram Pardiwalla, consultant in internal medicine at Mumbai's premier Wockhardt hospital, said the most severe form of gluten intolerance is celiac disease - an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack healthy intestinal tissue when gluten is present.

"This disease is the newest in the range of food-borne diseases," Pardiwalla told IANS. He said intolerance to gluten is diagnosed by a process of exclusion.

"Children should first be tested for wheat allergy and for celiac disease. If both of those are negative, then the doctor may recommend a gluten elimination diet. If symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet, then you are likely to have non-celiac gluten sensitivity," Pardiwalla told IANS. He said that saliva, stool and blood tests are used for confirming gluten intolerance.

Raj Kumar, professor and head of the National Centre for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Delhi's Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, said that gluten intolerance is a disease that deteriorates with time and once it leads to a severe health condition, it is difficult to pull a patient back.

"It is always advisable to consult a gastroenterologist or an allergy expert for symptoms like rashes, gastricitis and pain in the abdomen," Raj Kumar told IANS. He said gluten intolerance has been known for the past 40 years and originated somewhere in South America.

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 - 35

Magnificent Inter Continental lifestyle in Fiji

By Rama Gaind WHETHER you transverse the land or you are on top of it, below the water or above it or even from the air, Fiji’s bill of fare for sightseeing options are invigorating.

Almost 330 islands scattered across 32,000 square kilometers of ocean lie on the 180th meridian where the dawning of each new day occurs.

While the invasive image of Fiji may be languid days spent on sun-drenched beaches, discovering lush green forests or participating in intense water sports, the flip side of the coin sees a reconnection with luxurious living places.

If you’re seeking exclusivity and style with beachside cabana dining, sanctuary of wellness, wedding dreams, total relaxation or work with conference facilities, then indulge yourself by staying at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa for an outer island experience on mainland Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island.

The only five-star luxury resort on Natadola Bay, the resort has a strong commitment to both the environment and the local community in which it operates.

Community support InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is known as the ‘people’s resort’ due to its ownership by the Fiji National Provident Fund, hence all profits remain in Fiji.

Following the success of the long-term Community Care Fund which finances numerous projects, InterContinental Fiji started the School Community Fund to support additional schools in need in the Natadola Bay area.

One of them is the Rahmatullah Khan Memorial Primary School where 30% of hotel staff send their children to be educat-

• The beach facing Natadola Bay where the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa takes centre stage.

ed.

Resort manager Mohammed Feroz was proud of the assistance provided to the school and is looking forward to continuing their work with schools in the Natadola Bay community into the future.

Rest & relaxation The only five-star luxury resort on Natadola Bay with one of the world’s best beaches, is located 45 minutes from Nadi International Airport and nestled amongst 14ha of lush tropical grounds.

Chill out on palm-fringed white sand beaches, snorkel in rolling surf, enjoy

Astrology

world-class dining or unwind in the luxurious spa. With exceptional amenities, including four swimming pools and outdoor bars ideal for star gazing, there are other choices for the more adventurous. Enjoy the sun, sand and sea with a refreshing tropical cocktail … it’s never too early to start the day poolside at Toba Bar & Grill with a range of á la carte breakfast choices.

The resort, with 271 superbly appointed spacious rooms and contemporary suites, offers an array of recreational activities, including a water sports activity centre, dive centre, kids club, a wedding chapel

and conference facilities.

The 18-hole championship golf course is arguably one of the finest, with Vatu Lo Bar & Restaurant offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the undulating flawlessly manicured fairways, mountain ranges, coral reefs and rolling surf breaks.

Fiji’s own Vijay Singh, a former world number one golfer, had a hand in designing the liberally large greens where only three of the 18 holes do not face water scenes.

Cultural connection Alternatively, venture into the capital Nadi for a short reprieve. In the main street, I was captivated by the department store Tappoo (where staff including Roshni Lata, Farnaz Khan, Sanjeev Kumar and Jitendra Vijay were most helpful); met with Farzana Dean, Emmanuel Prasad, Chetan Chand, Artika Komal Karishma and Saiyad Dean at nearby shops; browsed inside Brij & Company for handcrafts, gifts, jewellery and leather goods in the main street; and owner Suresh Joshi elaborated on his family business while we enjoyed an appetizing lunch at the Shakti Vegetarian Restaurant.

A spiritual high was achieved after visiting the elaborately decorated Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple at the southern end of the main road through Nadi. It is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere.

Devotees are fascinated by the intricate, colourful traditional Dravidian architecture and offer fresh flowers in baskets, as garlands, bananas, coconuts, burn some incense and receive blessed offerings from the priests.

The rejuvenating escape ended in a picturesque setting … on a spiritual high!

Rama Gaind travelled at her own expense.

www.ganeshaspeaks.com

Aries - March 21 - April 20 During the first half of the month, some events on the domestic front could leave you a tad distressed. However, things will improve vastly by the latter half, so cheer up! You will attend and host parties, and enjoy wonderful moments with friends and family. Domestic matters may keep you busy too. Rising expenses will only make things more tricky. But, fortunately, the situation will change very soon, as Jupiter will start to move in a direct motion, bringing you luck in everything you do. Your earlier efforts, too, will start to bear fruits. Sensual desires will be at their peak during this time, and your sex life is likely to blossom like never before. Beware though, says Ganesha, as there are chances of disagreements and differences with your spouse, which may spoil the fun, a bit. Choose your words wisely, for they may lead to misunderstandings. Brace up for some steep ups and downs at your workplace too. Stay vigilant and act smartly.

Cancer - June 22 - July 22 Enjoyable activities and parties shall keep you preoccupied this month, and you may end up neglecting your work. Fortunately, you will soon realise your mistake, and will roll up your sleeves to make up for the lost time. You will work hard to meet the looming deadlines, and will sincerely do so to remain in the good books of your bosses. With an aggressive approach and straightforward attitude, you may not be your natural self, though, in the initial phase of the month.

While this may benefit you in some ways, on your own, do make sure you keep your aggression in check, or this attitude may pose hurdles in your path. The latter half of the month may be a little more challenging for you. Arguments with your spouse and the resulting despair may force you to go into a shell. Self help is the best help, so you yourself will have to make efforts to come out of this situation. Take good care of your health, says Ganesha.

Taurus - April 21 - May 22 You may feel torn between your personal and professional lives this month, foresees Ganesha. Though you shall experience a lot of positive events at home, things at your workplace may drag your spirits down. You shall be so dissatisfied with the atmosphere at your current workplace that you may seriously start thinking about a job change. Unfortunately, the planets may not help you in your search for a better opportunity. So, instead of sulking over your misfortune, keep up the good work. The stars are bound to turn benevolent around the middle of the month, when you will be able to successfully complete the tasks assigned to you, and in return, shall be applauded for your good work. For businessmen, profitable deals will come their way. Operations, though, will slow down in the latter half of the month. But, rest assured, you shall end the month on a high. On the financial front, rising expenses, both expected and unexpected, may become a cause of concern for you.

Leo - July 23 - August 22 Businessmen may look forward to a great month in April, says Ganesha. The efforts you have put into your business till now will start to bear fruit. As the month progresses, things will get even better. The planets will help you take correct decisions, as far as expansion plans are concerned. You may also come across a very good opportunity to make money; make sure you recognise and grab it in time. If you are into manufacturing sector, this is a favourable period for introducing a new product or idea in the market.

Finances will pose no problems, as you shall have enough to cover all your needs, but health will need special care. If you have been suffering from hypertension, be extra vigilant and make sure you monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. Drive carefully; this will nullify the possibility of any mishap. During this phase there is a strong possibility that you shall get attracted towards spirituality. Introspection will help you find answers to many unanswered questions.

Gemini - May 23 - Jun 21 This month looks set to bring a mixed bag of fortunes for you, feels Ganesha. While things will be smooth on the personal front, money matters may cause you a plenty of anxiety, and you will have to really slog it out to meet rapidly rising expenses. In spite of controlling unnecessary expenditure, you will be unable to save money. To add to your woes, some unsatisfactory returns on your investments made earlier may spoil your mood, in the latter half of the month. Spend time with friends to rejuvenate yourself, and also to get valuable guidance on how to come out of your financial troubles. If you are into a proprietary business, now is the right time to implement your well calculated plans. On the professional front, refrain from taking hasty decisions, as this will only hamper the progress of your organisation. Travel is on the cards, and will prove to be fruitful. This is a favourable month for love, so you may safely take it to the next level, hints Ganesha.

Virgo - August 23 - October 22 On the professional front, tight deadlines are likely to drain you out, says Ganesha. On top of it, uncooperative colleagues and their attitude will depress you. Let this not affect you work. Around the middle of the month you may suddenly experience an urge to clear the clutter from your office desk, home and even from your mind. The end of the month will be a time to rejoice, as you will successfully complete the work assigned to you. You shall also manage to impress your bosses. As for your financial situation, the stars may not be much in your favour this month. It will be difficult to make ends meet, and you might even have to borrow some money from a friend. Fortunately, there is a high possibility of getting some unexpected income – in the form of arrears or return on your earlier investment, which will give you great relief. Some minor health issues may crop up during this period, which may aggravate, if you don't get them treated in time.

Libra - September 23 - October 22 Ganesha predicts that this is the right time for you to shoot out job applications, if you are looking for a change, or are a fresher, because the chances of getting a favourable response are bright. You shall also have many choices, so think hard about all aspects, and grab the right opportunity. You can also look forward to appreciation coming your way now. Although, your peers may not be very co-operative in the last few days of the month, they will help you in a broad manner, and shall have no option, but to acknowledge your good work, during the rest of the month. If you are a businessman, you may expect a lucrative opportunity to come your way, but if you don't stay alert you are likely to miss out on it. Unforeseen expenditure may upset your budget a little this month. You may have to lend money to a close friend or relative in dire need and this may be the main reason for your disturbed budget. No need to worry, for you will surely balance your finances very soon, assures Ganesha.

Scorpio - October 23 - November 21 This month, you are going to remain very focussed on your tasks, and shall be working towards your goals single-mindedly. You will get a lot of appreciation from all.

Be prepared for more work at the end of the month, though. Blame it to the bosses, whom you have impressed with your talent and hard work.

They may now entrust you with a new, challenging task. Take this as an opportunity to prove your mettle, though. For businessmen, pending dues may cause concern. Don’t forget to send out polite reminders. As the month progresses, you will tend to become confused, not knowing what to do. If you are part of a joint venture, there could be some difference of opinion with your partner. Don't let your business suffer as a result of this. On the personal front, though, there may be some discontent among family members. But, you will handle the situation with maturity and resolve things peacefully. If you are in a steady relationship, you might now contemplate marriage.

Sagittarius - November 22 - December 22 On the personal front, there is a possibility of an argument between family members taking an ugly turn, disrupting domestic harmony – for many of you this month. You may have to deal with this situation very tactfully, and sort out the differences. To please them, you may decide to meet their demands, some reasonable and some unreasonable. But you should not mind that, says Ganesha, because it will help to bring back peace at home. Although no major problem is foreseen in your married life, you may not exactly be happy either. All may not be hunky dory for those in a relationship. Keep calm; stars will soon shower their blessings on you. At your workplace, your bosses will be impressed by your work and will appreciate your efforts. But support may not come from colleagues, who will be envious of your progress. It is advisable to be a little

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

36 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

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cautious such people. The latter part of the month may throw some major challenges at you, so be prepared. Travel is on the cards.

Capricorn - December 23 - January 30 Your workaholic tendencies may not let you enjoy life to the hilt, although you may have made up your mind to do so.

Your mind will keep reverting to work every time you try to let down your hair and have fun. You need to realise, says Ganesha, that both your body and mind need rest and relaxation, or else you will get fatigued, which may adversely affect your health. On the financial front, you may not exactly be short of money, but you are advised to look for new income options, just to make sure you have enough resources saved for future.

Fortunately for you, in the latter half of April, Jupiter will come to your rescue, helping you fix all your finance related worries. Make sure you invest your hard earned money wisely; this will give you a sense of security. Businessmen will see remarkable progress in turnover and profits.

If you play your cards well, you will strike gold through a few deals, and will no longer have to worry about your finances.

Aquarius - January 21 - February 19 On the professional front, this month is going to be a very eventful phase, predicts Ganesha. Do not let your emotions override your logical faculties so that you can perform to your full potential. New responsibilities and job offers will come your way, but weigh all options before deciding either ways. The beginning of the month is favourable for businessmen. You can now spread your wings and explore the unexplored. Money will not be an issue; in fact, it will come easy and there will be enough for you to invest. You will come across multiple investment options, which shall promise to give you good returns in a short period. With work and money keeping you busy this month, you are likely to neglect your personal life, which may lead to problems, especially around the middle of the month. But if you be calm and compassionate, you can win the hearts of your dear ones without any difficulty.

Pisces - February 20 - March 20 With such a lot playing on your mind on the professional side, and so many responsibilities to handle, you may begin to feel confused and be unable to set your priorities correctly. You will not only have to do your own job, but shall also have to help others. This may not be easy, but you will love the challenge, and will take it head-on. Saturn’s influence in the latter part of the month may make you work harder.

On the positive side, Saturn will make you a more patient and stronger person. And, remember that hard work is always rewarded, sooner or later.

The personal front on the other hand may be a little difficult to handle, but be patient and things will start sorting themselves out as the month progresses. Be careful during the last few days of the month, though, as your partner may not reciprocate the love and affection you shower on them, and this may hurt your feelings.

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Real Estate News

Brisbane buyer’s agent inducted into real estate hall of fame

‘Property is shelter. We study economic drivers and form opiniions as to which towns and cities, all over Australia, appear to have the best credentials for growth over the medium-long term. With a keen interest in commerce and the outlook of different industries, Propertyology’s progress for helping property investors to build a portfolio is quite similar to how I’d imagine a stock broker would assist a share investor’, Pressley concluded.

HI, I’M CRAIG WALSH YOUR HOME LENDING EXPERT.

LENDING IAN AW AL A TR

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Pressley said “I have a very strong vision to change the way in which everyday Australians go about investing in property.

That’s a very bold challenge and Propertyology still has some way to go however it is indeed humbling to be acknowledged as an industry leader.”

“I believe that one of the most common causes of property investors not realising their potential is because they get too caught up in the features and benefits of property instead of treating it as a financial instrument, much like the stock market.”

of time it takes for first home buyers who are renting to save a deposit to buy their first home’.

Currently, the rate at which rents are rising is slowing down. In fact, rents had an annual growth rate averaging 1.8 per cent in 2014, which means they were rising more slowly than inflation in 2014. If negative gearing were dropped, that situation could change rapidly.

‘Negative gearing plays a vital role in balancing supply against the demand for rental properties and this helps keeps housing affordable for everybody’, concluded Mr Ellis.

M

BRISBANE-based property market analyst and buyer’s agent, Simon Pressley, has received one of the most prestigious real estate awards in Australia having been inducted into the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s (REIA) Hall of Fame.

Mr Pressley, Managing Director of Propertyology, received the highly acclaimed accolade after winning the national award fo rBuyer’s Agent of the Year for three consecutive years - 2012, 2013 and 2014. Mr Pressley now joins a very elite but small group of real estate professionals who hold the honour.

REIA President, Neville Sanders paid tribute to Simon, congratulating him for this incredible achievement.

“Competition within the national awards is extremely tight so it is particularly noteworthy when an individual wins the same category three years running - it is only then that individuals are eligible for the Hall of Fame,” Mr Sanders commented.

In accepting the honour at the 2015 REIA National Awards for Excellence, Simon

than $80,000, suggestions that the rich are exploiting negative gearing are an exaggeration.

‘If negative gearing were removed in an environment of the lowest interest rates since the 1950s, Australians would be unlikely to continue to invest in rental properties at current rates. They would seek better returns elsewhere and, with population growth near record highs, the supply of rental properties would fall short of demand, therby forcing up rents’, said Mr Ellis.

‘This would place unacceptable pressure on the most vulnerable citizens in our community. It would also lengthen the amount

WINNER 2014 TG A

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THE chief executive of First National Real Estate, Ray Ellis believes suggestions that negative gearing is a perk for the rich is misguided and, if eliminated in teh next budget, the most vulnerable in our communities could soon see unaffordable rental prices.

‘The great Australian dream is to own your own home and it is important we remember just about every Australian begins his or her journey to property ownership as a tenant in

a rental property, said Mr Ellis.

‘Australia has one of the fastest growing populations in the OECD so keeping rents affordable depends entirely on maintaining an adequate supply of rental properties.

This can be done if Australians continue to invest in properties they are prepared to rent to others. The main thing that keeps that attractive is negative gearing’.

Current taxation arrangements offer Australians the opportunity to invest in real estate as a way of saving for independent retirement. However, with the average property investor owning just one rental property and having an income no higher

EA

By Ray Ellis REIA Independent Director and First National CEO (REIA March 15 - No.43)

AU S

Negative gearing not a perk for the rich

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Real Estate News

Not all banks are Reserve Bank keeps rates steady at 2.25% the same

By Gagan Tandon 0425 158 280 THE mistaken beliefs that all banks are the same and there is little competition in the lending market could be costing some borrowers thousands of dollars. In fact, in the past some time, the differences between lenders have become quite stark and there is now a significant disparity between lenders on interest rates, fees and credit policies.

When you make comparisons between lenders, it becomes clear they are not all the same. Borrowers can potentially save thousands of dollars by shopping around for a deal that better suits their needs. One of the more significant differences • homelenders and investment loans policy. between relates to credit On theand upper end ofloans the scale, there are • car personal lenders requesting an LVR (Loan • business and franchise loans to Value ratio) of 88 and per risk cent insurances with a deposit of 12 • general per cent, compared with a lender at the other end of the scale that is requesting Call deep Tandon only aGagan 5 per cent deposit.

If you paid a 12 0425 158 158deposit 280 280 • on gtandon@smartline.com.au per25cent your first home valued www.smartline.com.au/gtandon .smartline.com.au/gtandon at $400,000 for example, the lender would require $48,000 – versus $20,000 if you

were required to pay 5 per cent of the property’s value. Also, once the LVR is more than 80 per cent, the LMI (Lenders Mortgage Insurance) premium kicks in – and this too, varies between lenders.

How much can be borrowed can also significantly differ between the banks. The difference between lenders on variable and fixed rates appears small, but the variation when applied to a loan warrants borrowers’ attention.

The disparity between variable rates from the various lenders is roughly around a quarter of a per cent and for fixed rates it’s roughly half of a percent, depending on the term. While this doesn’t sound like much of a gap, if we look at say for example, 4.75 per cent versus 5.00 per cent and apply that to a $400,000 loan, it works to $1000 per year to the cost of servicing that loan. Over five years, that may add up to $5000, which could fund extra loan repayments or a family holiday. But be aware that cheaper interest could attract large upfront fees or a large exit fee.

With access to 25+ lenders we can assist you with finding you a competitively priced deal to meet your needs. For obligation free discussion contact us today on 0425 158 280 or email gtandon@smartline.com.au / www.smartline.com.au/gtandon

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BOTH a buyer and the seller are ready; they want to cut a deal. So who makes the first move when a property sale is on the table?

It seems everyone has a theory on how to start a negotiation in real estate.

Some say the vendor should set the pace and advertise a fixed sale price for the home. Others insist it is wiser to keep figures off the table and simply list the home for sale then wait until a prospective buyer makes an offer.

Principal of SydneySlice Buyers Agent, Deborah West says it is the buyer who “normally” – but not always – makes the first move in the property negotiation process.

You do this by making a written offer.

According to West, it is strategically sensible for buyers to make the first move because if the price is pitched right it will quickly get your seller to the negotiation table.

But be warned: “If you make your first offer too high it will only act to feed the seller’s expectation,” she says.

“The buyer should not put their best foot forward as their first offer as the seller will expect some negotiation.

“The best way for a buyer to put their best and final offer forward is on a signed contract with a 66W (Certificate) and deposit cheque.”

A Section 66W Certificate waives a buyer’s right to a cooling-off period in relation to purchasing a property in New South Wales.

West says any property listed with a sale price has already revealed its seller’s top price point.

“The seller should not put their final price as the asking price; they should leave some room for negotiation.”

Veronica Morgan, Principal of Good Deeds Property Buyers has negotiated hundreds of

deals during her career.

She says it is a basic negotiation rule that “the person who makes the first move is at a disadvantage”.

Having said that, the question of who should jump first also depends on the sale method and the market.

“If the property is being offered for sale by private treaty, then the seller has already made the first move by putting an asking price on it,” Morgan says.

“An interested buyer needs to make the next move in the form of an offer and, in the event of no forthcoming offers the seller would probably need to reduce their price.

“If the property is being offered for sale by auction, then the buyer has an option to make the first move via an offer prior to the auction or wait until auction before making a bid.

“If the selling agent is inviting offers prior to auction then we usually read that as a sign that they don’t have much interest in the property.

“If they are discouraging offers, then you can be confident that they have loads of buyer interest.”

The bottom line, according to Morgan, is: • In a seller’s market you will see the buyer often making the first move in order to limit competition from other buyers; • In a buyer’s market you will see the seller making the first move in order to entice a buyer to the negotiating table.

“Bucking the system usually costs you money,” Morgan says.

Justin Alpar, Principal Advocate of Your Property Advocate in Brisbane, disagrees.

He thinks buyers should always kick off deal-making.

If you’re keen on a property let the agent know because many agents won’t follow up. And if they don’t know you’re interested they may sell it to another buyer before you submit your offer, he says.

38 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

THERE were no post-Easter chocolates for borrowers today (7 April), with the Reserve Bank keeping rates on hold for the second month in a row.

While experts are confident of another rate cut this year, most predicted the RBA to hold steady in April.

The decision to hold the cash rate steady at a record 2.25% keeps the way clear for a possible cut in the first week of May, just before Treasurer Joe Hockey hands down his second budget on May 12.

“At today’s meeting the Board judged that it was appropriate to hold interest rates steady for the time being,” Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens says.

“Further easing of policy may be appropriate over the period ahead, in order to foster sustainable growth in demand and inflation

consistent with the target. The Board will continue to assess the case for such action at forthcoming meetings.”

Stevens notes the US economy continues to strengthen as China’s economic growth slows and says globally, financial conditions are accommodative.

“In Australia the available information suggests that growth is continuing at a belowtrend pace, with overall domestic demand growth quite weak as business capital expenditure falls.

“As a result, the unemployment rate has gradually moved higher over the past year.

The economy is likely to be operating with a degree of spare capacity for some time yet. With growth in labour costs subdued, it appears likely that inflation will remain consistent with the target over the next one to two years, even with a lower exchange rate.”

5 signs it’s time to sell

Australian Credit Licence Number 385325

When negotiating, who should make the first move?

By Caroline James realestate.com.au

By Sarah Miller realestate.com.au

By Caroline James realestate.com.au

KNOWING when to put your property on the market is one of the hardest captain’s calls to make.

Most of us want to list our homes when there a strong signs we will achieve a premium sale price.

Of course there are other circumstantial factors – family changes, relocations, job changes – that can also tell us we need to sell up.

1. Is there a shortage of property for sale?

According to CoreLogic RP Data, as of February 22 home listing numbers were down by 6% in Victoria to 56,060 on a year ago.

In New South Wales they were down by 4.1% to 55,834. In Queensland, new listings fell to 64,081 (a dip of 1.8% on 12 months’ ago) and in South Australia there were 17,030 homes listed for sale, which is a decrease of 3.9% Property values are affected by housing supply and demand, so signs of less stock on the market can push up sale prices.

“If I had a property to sell I would be on the market right now,” says Sydney buyer’s agent Rich Harvey, CEO of Property Buyer.

2. Is the Aussie dollar weakening?

When the local currency’s value falls it means cashed-up overseas investor demand rises.

“Our low Australian dollar – currently under 78 cents to the US dollar – is fuelling a lot more enquiries from expatriates looking to buy,” Harvey says.

“We were sitting at about 90 cents a year ago; that’s a big drop in just 12 months, and we’re seeing more demand from that segment of the market.”

3. Has your home changed shape over time?

Life looks different at 40 than it did at 25.

Kids, dogs, other bits and bobs start accumulating and it is very common to find that ‘roomy’ dream home of your early adulthood is now the bricks and mortar equivalent of a straight jacket.

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Likewise, you may be post-children-athome and suddenly those 10 bedrooms and five bathrooms are redundant.

“Circumstantial factors are often signs it is time to sell,” says Gavan Reynolds, Auctioneer at Reynolds Auctions in Newcastle.

“It would usually be things like mum and dad living in the old six-bedroom family home and only ever using the kitchen, lounge room and main bedroom.”

4. Are home loans repayments falling?

Roger that.

Last month, the Australian Reserve Bank reduced the official cash rate to a historical low of just 2.25%, which means home loan interest rates are lower than they’ve ever been.

CoreLogic RP Data Researcher Cameron Kusher says the rate reduction coupled with subsequent cuts to mortgage rates are largely responsible for home value growth in Melbourne and Sydney; good news if you are a prospective seller.

5. Did you know holidays can bring house sale gifts?

Is it almost Easter or Christmas? If so, this is a sign you may get a quick sale for your home because most buyers want a move complete before hunting chocolate eggs or drinking eggnog.

Harvey reports: “A lot of people are very keen to get into a house before Easter or Christmas and will pay a premium price just to know the deal is done.”

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11 April...

Baap Ka Baap... Ek Prayaas…A Rib tickling Comedy play in Hindi, Written & Directed by Naveen Bawa. Starring Asrani, Naveen Bawa, Chitrashi Rawat and Padmini Kolhapure. 7pm at ERPAC, 82 Stephens Road, South Brisbane. Tickets: VIP $125 / Gold $45 / Silver $25 / Children under 10yrs FREE. Book at www.trybooking.com/Embed.aspx?eid=11 7245 Show inquiry and group bookings contact Yaju Parmar 0408 343 999 / Himanshu Patel 0415 536 818 or Dipak Pathak 0413 612 746

Brisbane Multinational Church – Hindi Church Service...5.30pm at 757 Gympie Road, Lawnton. Refreshments will follow.

Enquiries Ps Joseph Dass 0424 180 240 Vaisakhi Mela (Harvesting Festival)...Proudly supported by Gurdwara Singh Sabha Taigum, Brisbane Sikh Temple Logan Road and Banyo District Community Group. 2pm - 5:30pm at Banyo Memorial Park, St Vincents Road Banyo.

(2 mins walk from Banyo Railway Station).

Gidha / Bhangra / Live Music / Food stalls and lots more. Stall and other enquiry contact Parminder Singh 0411 239 307 / Randip Singh 0433 774 366 Queensland Telugu Association invites you to Ugadhi, Srirama Navami and Easter celebrations...3:30pm to 4pm start at St John’s Anglican College Auditorium, Alpine Place, Forest Lake Qld 4078. Guests of Honour Smt. Sunitha, R.P. Patnayak, Parthu. Also surprise appearance of comedy artists and local talent, folk dances, kids performances. Members: Adults $18 and child $10 (5 to 15 years) / Non member: Adult: $25 and child $10 (5 to 15 years).

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Bhartiya Navarsh (Indian New Year)...

First time ever in Brisbane a combined celebration of Bhartiya Navarsh (Indian New Year) presented by AIR / DJJS / BIT. 4:30pm for 5pm start at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, 19 Shearwin Street, Sunnybank. For more information please contact Usha 0419 775 416 / Sanjeev Sharma 0431 383 002, Harry Singh 0430 877 001 or email air@indianradio.net.au 13 / 14 / 16 / 17 & 20 April...

Amma Embracing the World Australian Tour... Sydney 13 & 14th April at Sydney Boys High, Gate 2, Cleveland Street, Moore Park – onsite parking $5. FREE public programs – 13 April 10am & 7.30pm and 14 April 10am & 7pm Devi Bhava (World peace program). Melbourne: 16, 17 & 20 April at Sandown Racecourse, Springvale – free onsite parking. FREE Public programs – 16 April 11am (all day program), 17 April 10am & 7.30pm, 20 April, 7pm Devi Bhava (World Peace Program). Non-Residential Retreat 18-20 April (pre-registration only).

Visit www.ammaaustralia.org.au for more information.

14 April...

Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil (Ganesha Temple) Brisbane (South Maclean) Tamil Hindu New Year – Manmatha Varusham – more information please visit www.sriselvavinayakar.org 18 April...

Varnam Cultural Society Qld – Chithirai Kalai Vizha... Preparations are underway the major event to be held at St John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake. This year it is going to be a Multicultural Feast with

42 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

Brisbane Indian Times proudly serving the Multicultural Community since 2003 proudly sponsors this page for community organisations / non profit organisatons! To view full list of upcoming events visit www.indiantimes.com.au performers from a few other communities agreeing to be a part of it, also the event will be graced with the presence of various VIP’s from Indian and other communities.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from 1. Boys & Girls for folk dance 2. High School / College Girls for western / folk dance 3. Kids for drama 4. Toddlers aged between 1.5yrs to 3 yrs. 5. Upcoming instrumentalists (Violin, Guitar, Piano / Keyboard, Tabla, Veena etc) 6. Other programme organisers, choreographers, volunteers and performers interested in being a part of this event.

Rehearsals for most of these programmes will start early February. For more information contact Swapna Rajarajan 0422 344 248 or email varnamqld@gmail.com

OHM (Organisation of Hindu Malayalees) Qld – Vishukani, Vishukaineettam, Games for family and Vishu Sadhya... 10am onwards at 115 Cornwall Street, Annerley. Contact ohmqueensland@gmail.com / 0418 727 570 , 0468 950 307 for more details 21 April to 25 April...

Chinmaya Mission Australia - Geeta at a Glance with Swami Swaroopananda...

Free public talks in English at Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre, Level 1, 102 Main Street, Kangaroo Point Qld 4169.

Each Night 7.30pm to 9pm - Free Special Bala Yagna for kids aged 5-12 years with Br. Gopalji on Bhagavad Geeta at same time. For more information contact Priya 0413 490 308 / Ullhas 0401 382 573 or email brisbane@chinmaya.net.au 24 April to 1 May...

Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil (Ganesha Temple) Brisbane (South Maclean) Temple Consecration Ceremony Invitation – For program schedule visit

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more information please visit www.sriselvavinayakar.org

24 April to 26 April...

FANCA Australian Muslim Soccer Tournament – FANCA officials have received confirmations from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne soccer teams. The officials will select teams to represent Australia at the upcoming International Club Championship in Nadi later this year.

Venue: Ninevah Sports Stadium, Edensor Park, NSW. For further inquiries, please contact Jimmy 0449 109 028. FASA (Fiji Australia Sports Association) supports FANCA’s Muslim Tournament.

25 April...

ISKON - Hare Krishna Brisbane Temple – Snana Yatra Festival...Come and join us for Brisbane’s first ever public Snana Yatra festival from 4pm at the temple – 32 Jennifer Street, Seventeen Mile Rocks.

Take part in the unique opportunity to personally participate in the Abhishek ceremony for Lord Jagannath. The following week join us in the Gundica Marjana Festival. All the festivals lead up to the highlight Rathayatra on Saturday 9th May from 10am in Brisbane CBD. See www.festivalofchariots.com.au for more details and let your friends know about it too! For more information about any of these festivals, please contact info@festivalofchariots.com.au 26 April...

NATRAJ Productions Australia presents SAMANTAR (Two generations so near yet so far apart) Hindi Theatrical Drama with Rohini Hattangadi... Refer to flyer page 45. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information or to sponsor contact Prashant Tup 0424 994 560 or email tupep6@gmail.com Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

DA AY YS 7:30 PM! THURSD A TA AT VIRGINIA ST A TE SCHOOL HALL! rain Station Platfo form)!

(Next to Virg rgi ginia Tra

SA ANDGAT 1678 78 S ATE RD! VIRGINIA, BRISBANE 4014!

M: 0405 392 779 93!

E: saibababrisbane@gmail.com!

LIKE on ffa acebook – www.ffa acebook.com/SaiBabaBrisbane!

“It is My special charra acteristic to frre ee any perrsson, who surrre enderrss completely to Me and who does worrsship me ffa aithfully and who rre ememberrss Me and meditates on Me constantly” – Sai Baba !

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 43

WHATÊS ON! Continued from page 42

26 April...

Panache Entertainment & Nach Baliye present RAUNAK Mela 2015 live in Brisbane – Narinder Jot / Amar Arshi and Karamjit Anmol... 6.30pm to 10pm at Cavendish Road State High School, Cnr Cavendish and Holland Park Road, Holland Park. Ticket prices: General $35, Gold $55 and VIP $70.

Book your tickets at www.bookticket.com.au (no commission, no booking fees) For more information call Preet 0422 542 030, Tanveer 0432 184 680 or Jessica 0431 644 407 Recycle Expo comes to Brisbane... 9am to 4pm at 86 Green Terrace, Windsor. Entry to the Expo is free and the event includes a large diverse range of eco friendly exhibitor stalls, delicious healthy food and free eco friendly workshops on how to live and more sustainable life. Information on the exhibitors and the free workshops can be viewed at www.recycleexpo.com.au 2 May...

ISKON - Hare Krishna Brisbane Temple – Gundica Marjana Festival...from 9.30am at 32 Jennifer Street, Seventeen Mile Rocks. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally participated in this festival by cleaning the Gundica temple and have it clean and ready to receive Lord Jagannath.

We’ll follow in his footsteps and work together to clean our Brisbane temple (and our hearts!) to allow Lord Jagannath to come down for the Rathayatra festival. A scrumptious lunch prasadam awaits all those who come and join us. All the festivals lead up to the highlight Rathayatra on Saturday 9th May from 10am in Brisbane CBD. See www.festivalofchariots.com.au for more details and let your friends know about it too! For more information about any of these festivals, please contact info@festivalofchariots.com.au 3 May...

JOHNNY LEVER live in Brisbane...See

details contact Sarat Maharaj – Public Relations officer 0407 111 709.

APRIL / MAY 15 flyer page 9. Contact Kritika on 0402 375 805 or Alpesh 0449 181 115. Tickets are available at www.ticketbeans.com.au from 4th February onwards.

7 May...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert... 11am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Performers: Students of the Conservatorium’s Brass Department. For further information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or 07 3835 2222 9 May...

ISKON - Hare Krishna Brisbane Temple – Rathayatra... from 10am in Brisbane CBD. See www.festivalofchariots.com.au for more details and let your friends know about it too! For more information about any of these festivals, please contact info@festivalofchariots.com.au 9 & 10 May...

Vibrant Ayurveda presents FREE Ayurvedic Consultation – Ayurvedic Health Camp by a team of highly experienced Ayurvedic doctors... 9am to 5pm at 43 Vulture Street, West End. Attractions of the day will include free health check up and diet, lifestyle advice / free Ayurvedic body type analysis / 20% discount on any products / 20% discount on any services if booked on the day / free gift card. Please call us for booking 3846 2272, 0452 506 389 or email info@vibrantayurveda.com.au.

Visit ww.vibrantayurveda.com.au 16 May...

International Congress of Fiji (ICFI) – Annual Girmit night...Management Committee of ICFI advise that the annual Girmit night will be held on Saturday 16 May 2015. If you are planning any major event, the ICFI management will appreciate if you are able to please plan it around this date to avoid a clash. Thank you for your consideration and cooperation. For more

17 May...

Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir – Navagraha Maha Yagna by Dharam Guru Param Pujya Pt Tripathi Ji – 10.30am to 1pm at 86 Scott Lane, North Maclean. Everyone please come and join this Navagraha Maha Yagna. Bhajans Kirtans and food will be provided. Yagna Hawan Sponsor $111 / Food Sponsor $300.

Appeal for donation: we humbly appeal to everyone in our community to please donate Loha (steel) for Shani Deo’s Blessing on this auspicious occasion. The sponsor for one iron panel for the new fence at the temple is $89. Loha Dan Kijiye aur Shani Dosh Hataiye! Aisa Awsar Kab Milega? For sponsors, donations or any queries please contact: Devika Maharaj 0428 911 159 / Dhiru Desai 0406 213 153 For a secured online donation visit www.shreevishnumayamandir.com.au 23 May...

Bengali Society of Queensland presents Manomay Bhattacharya Live...from 7pm at GHD Auditorium, Advanced Engineering Building, University of Queensland, St Lucia.

Manomay Bhattacharya is a versatile, talented and popular young Bengali singer who achieved a lot of feat in the Bengali music industry within a small time. For more information and ticket prices please contact Mahua Sen 0401 693 983, Banibrata Mukherjee 0448 850 093 or visit www.bsqonline.net.au 4 June...

St John’s Cathedral FREE morning Concert... 11am at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 413 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Performers: The Conservatorium’s large vocal ensemble. For further information visit www.stjohnscathedral.com.au or 07 3835 2222 7 June...

Bollywood Soiree, Charity Dinner in aid of “Project: Home Chiang Rai” Building a home for rescued children from sexual exploitation in Thailand... 6pm seating for 6.30pm start at The Marigold Restaurant,

Ground Floor, Oasis Shopping Centre, 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach. Tic Reservations or event inquiries givinghearts@mail.com / Sabrina 0451 186 124 / Rebecca 0738 755 232 or Pushpinder 0416 137 580 19 July...

Hindu Society of Qld Inc - Gayatri Mandir - Guru Purnima...178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information contact Prakash Shandil 0408 876 414 or Sunil Maharaj 0488 324 891 or visit www.hindusociety.qld.org.au 15 August...

GOPIO QLD Inc – India Day Fair 2015...11.30am – 8pm at Roma Street Parklands Amphitheatre. Parades, live performances, cultural items, food and stalls.

For sponsorship Contact Usha Chandra 0419 775 416 or Vivek Chopra 0424 579 039 30 August TO 6 Sept...

Hindu Society of Qld Inc - Gayatri Mandir - Shree Krishna Janam Astami...178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall.

For more information contact Prakash Shandil 0408 876 414 or Sunil Maharaj 0488 324 891 or visit www.hindusociety.qld.org.au 12 to 13 September...

FASA (Fiji Australia Sports Association) Navtarang Community Cup – Interested teams (0/30’s, 0/40’s & Premiers) should contact via email fasa.sydney@gmail.com Please note tournament date may need to be rescheduled if NSW league is not completed then .Also check out FASA’s Facebook profile – Fiji Australia Sports Association for updates 17 September...

Hindu Society of Qld Inc - Gayatri Mandir - Ganesh Chaturthi...178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall. For more information contact Prakash Shandil 0408 876 414 or Sunil Maharaj 0488 324 891 or visit www.hindusociety.qld.org.au Visit www.indiantimes.com.au for full upcoming list of events.

Embracing the W Wo orld

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Gate 2, Cleveland St, Moore Park – onsite parking $5 FREE Public Programs — 13 April, 10am & 7:30pm, and 14 A il, 10 m & 7 m D i Bh a (W ld P eP )

Springvale – free onsite parking FREE Public Programs — 16 April, 11am (all day program) 17 April, 10am & 7.30pm, 20 April, 7pm Devi Bhava (World Peace Program) Non-Residential Retreat 18-20 April (pre-registration only)

ammaaustralia.org.au

44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

www.indiantimes.com.au

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 45

46 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

www.indiantimes.com.au

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 47

Bollywood & Entertainment Appear for next hearing or face warrant: Court to Saif Ali Khan in 2012 assault case SAIF Ali Khan has been asked to appear before a local metropolitan magistrate court in Mumbai on June 18, the next date of hearing in the 2012 assault case. Giving "a last chance" to the actor, the court warned that a warrant would be issued if the actor failed to be present at the next hearing.

Saif and his two friends -- Bilal Amrohi and Shakkel Ladak -- were arrested following a complaint filed by Iqbal Mir Sharma, an NRI businessman, after an alleged fight at a restaurant inside Taj Hotel in Mumbai on February 22, 2012. The three were later released on bail.

The court has framed charges against them under Sections 325 (assault) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code. They have pleaded innocence. According to the police, when Sharma protested the raucous chatter of the actor and his friends, Saif allegedly threatened him and subsequently punched Sharma in the nose, fracturing it.

The NRI businessman also accused Saif and his friends of hitting his father-in-law Raman Patel. Saif, on the other hand, said that Sharma made provocative statements and used abusive language against the women accompanying him (including his wife, actor Kareena Kapoor and her sister Karishma) which led to a spat.

The court had, on March 19, directed Saif to remain present as the first witness and complainant Iqbal Sharma was to depose against the actor. However, Khan's lawyer on Monday filed exemption application saying the actor could not make it as he was shooting abroad for an ad film.

Prosecutor Wajid Sheikh objected to the application and sought issuance of warrant against Saif. Magistrate Shankar Dabhade gave him a last chance to appear after Khan's lawyer said he will make sure the actor remained present on the next date.

Salman Khan's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo to release on Diwali SALMAN Khan-Sonam Kapoor starrer family entertainer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is set to hit the screens on November 11, on the festival of Diwali, its makers announced on Monday 6 April.

"Prem Ratan Dhan Payo will be releasing during the festival of lights -- Diwali. Salman and Sonam star in this complete family entertainer that we hope will tug at the heartstrings of audiences with the 'Indianness' of love, and values it has in its core," director Sooraj Barjatya said in a statement.

In the movie, Salman is said to be playing a character that he hasn't in a long time.

"He is the quintessential Prem once again that audiences have loved and treasured in their hearts. We are gearing up with release strategies that will unfold soon," added Barjatya.

Produced by Rajshri Productions and distributed by Fox Star Studios, the family drama marks the Dabangg Khan's return to a Barjatya film almost after over 15 years.

The duo last worked together in 1999's blockbuster Hum Saath-Saath Hain.

"Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan have

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! review: An edge-of-the-seat thriller

created magic with their movies in the past, made box office records and with Prem Ratan Dhan Payo -- a film that has its heart at the right place -- this is definitely the movie of the year releasing this Diwali," said Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios.

Apart from Salman and Sonam, the film also stars Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar, Deepak Dobriyal, Armaan Kohli and Anupam Kher in key roles.

Salman, meanwhile, will next be seen in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Directed by Kabir Khan, the romantic drama is slated to release during Eid. HT

'Sabki Bajegi Band' to expose Bollywood celebrities Sabki Bajegi Band promises to expose some of Bollywood's darkest sex secrets.

RJ Anirudh Chawla, who has directed this film, apparently got the idea after he hosted a farmhouse party last year. Unknown to his celebrity guests comprising Bollywood actors and models, he reportedly placed 12 cameras in secret locations to record their intimate conversations that revolved around sexuality, kinks, fantasies, marriages, affairs and rivalries.

The raw, uncensored footage was so scandalous that the radio jockey decided to turn it into the country's first reality film! It is being said that when the celebrities heard about the film 'revealing all', they threatened to sue him for breach of privacy. So, he devised a novel way of presenting what he had recorded to an audience that he knew would enjoy it.

Names were changed and events were dramatised using actors like Swara Bhaskar, Sumeet Vyas, Amol Parashar, Alekh Sangal and Aman Uppal.

Produced by Yusuf Shaikh and directed by Anirudh, the film has a tagline that says it all: No mercy, only controversy. The teasers, which use blurred images and dialogue posters, have generated curiosity, as has the film's trailer, which released recently.

Sabki Bajegi Band, produced by YEN Films and presented by Percept Pictures, releases May 1.

TNN 48 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Anand Tiwari, Swastika Mukherjee, Meiyang Chang Director: Dibakar Banerjee Critic Rating: 4 star Review by Rohit Vats Hindustan Times, New Delhi RAJIT Kapur’s popular TV show of the '90s set a benchmark for all those who wished to weave a story around detective Byomkesh Bakshi’s adventures, without doubt one of Indian literature's most recognisable figures. Understandably, many didn't give director Dibakar Banerjee much of a chance when he announced last year that he's planning a film around this cult figure.

Even Sushant Singh Rajput, as the detective, didn't inspire much confidence either.

Now that we've seen Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, here's what we have to say about it: This film will take the enigma around the popular Bengali sleuth many notches higher!

Banerjee sets his film in war-torn Calcutta of the early 1940s, a time when Japanese and Chinese agents and smugglers were engaged in covert activities to usurp the city from British control to get a foothold in the Indian and Burmese markets. The locals, caught in the crossfire, are just too tired of the proxy war.

In the midst of all this, we have our hero Byomkesh Bakshy (Sushant Singh Rajput): A socially-awkward youngster, readying himself to a meaningful life in the future.

His life takes a turn for the good when he encounters Ajit Bandopadhyay (Anand Tiwari), who is searching for his missing father. This meeting begins a journey that would eventually transform a raw, analytical mind into a great detective.

Yes, this is Byomkesh’s first case, but it is so dangerous that it could easily be his last.

It is way beyond the limits of a common whodunit story, but his intelligence, determination and instincts are guiding him to a dark corner. The haze around the city is getting thicker and so does the ambiguity, and the only person who can sail through this dark time is Byomkesh Bakshy.

The action in the film starts taking place from a distance and the director slowly involves the audience into it. Pre-independence Calcutta serves as the backdrop in the opening scenes, but it soon turns into a character. The attention to detail is obvious in almost every frame of the film. From the right clothes to correct signboards, every detail has been planned and put to a good use. Be it Brylcreem or be it Lipton, every signboard tells a story. If you've been to any really old Kolkata house near the Howrah Bridge, you would be able to relate to the utensils, wooden gates and the mystical surroundings of Ganga ghats the film has so

successfully captured.

When Byomkesh eats mango with fork, you laugh but also recall the university area and how Bengal used to be the cultural melting pot of those days. Byomkesh is a courageous chameleon who can easily mouth lies if it serves his purpose, and thus the audience couldn’t easily decide how to react when he expresses sorrow after somebody’s death. It is hard to say whether he is sad because of the death or is happy because he has just got a new clue. It completely takes you by surprise when he candidly says, “Iss duniya me aise hi kuch nahi ho jaata hai.” This man has no qualms in expecting that he has been bluffed and in the very next scene he bluffs back. After all, he believes, “Sach ke aas paas waala jhooth pakadna mushkil hota hai.”

But, Sushant Singh Rajput is not the only good thing about the film. Angoori Devi (Swastika Mukherjee) looks every bit a potential exotic dancer who also knows a lot about what’s going on. A bit of diffused light on her face and she becomes as opaque as a butter paper. Ajit (Anand Tiwari), Byomkesh’s client who unknowingly changes into his assistant, is a man of average intelligence, but he is so intrigued by the pace of the events that he decides to carry on. A fitness freak like Ajit is a valuable asset for any detective. Other character actors like Meiyang Chang and Divya Menon have also done justice to their roles.

A puritan may have some problems with the accent of the lead actor, but the director has tried to justify his fluency in Hindi.

Byomkesh was born and brought up in Bihar and when he came to Calcutta, he saw it in a different light than people who were always there.

The suspense is good, but the film is more like a thriller in its structure. The background score seems absurd as it’s hard to imagine hard rock in Calcutta of those times, but trust me, it absolutely fits into the scheme of things. In fact, it may ring in your head every time somebody mentions detective Byomkesh Bakshy.

One more thing that clearly stands out is Nikos Andritsakis' cinematography. His frames have brilliantly captured the colonial City of Joy in different colours and many moods.

It’s a film that will keep you glued to the screen for all the 135 minutes it runs into.

Don’t think of even missing a minute of it.

Detective By om Bakshy revie kesh w: Don’t think of missing even a minu te of it

For all the latest movie news or to view cinema times visit www.mindblowingfilms.com

www.indiantimes.com.au

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015 — 49

Sports News

Australians are deserved champions - Sir Vivian Richards They had a plan in mind and they executed it to perfection says the former West Indies captain icc-cricket.com FROM the outset, most people, including myself, had picked Australia and New Zealand as the two teams likely to win the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Both teams were successful in the last six weeks of competition and for them to clash in the final of this tournament then was a dream scenario.

The dominant manner in which Australia performed in the final on Sunday makes them deserved champions for a fifth time.

They have played many finals before and it showed how they performed in front of a packed MCG. As such, I also feel that New Zealand’s inexperience of such situations was a contributing factor too. It was only the first time for them in a World Cup final, and it showed.

I am a great fan of Brendon McCullum. It is joyful to watch him bat when he is in full flow. But sometimes you need to go back to the drawing board and re-assess your game plan as per the need of the team and the situation. It was just awful in the way he was swishing at the three balls he faced, and not connecting at all.

The match was for 50 overs a side, and it was a big final. You need to have a plan A, and then a plan B in such situations. But it did not reflect in the manner in which McCullum batted. Either he was too overawed by the situation, or, more likely, he was just determined to bat in the same manner that he has batted throughout this tournament. And so he started attacking from the first ball he faced, regardless of who was bowling to him, without respecting the bowler enough.

For their part, Mitchell Starc and the rest of the Australian bowling attack were just magnificent. I was very impressed with how they attacked from ball one of the match, and how often they hit the stumps.

They had a plan in mind and they executed it to perfection. People might say it was a one-sided match, but only because Australia did what they planned to do. You have to give due credit to them for their aggression and penetration in their bowling.

Defending 183 runs is nearly impossible these days. New Zealand’s only chance was in the partnership put up by Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor. They were doing very well to rescue the situation after a top-order collapse, and if they had managed to put 250

runs on the board, maybe it could have been a close finish. But quick wickets meant the pressure was on their big-hitters to save the day. Someone like Corey Anderson hasn’t lit up the World Cup despite his huge reputation. It was a great opportunity for him to show his true worth. But he was simply rolled over by the Australian onslaught, and that has to be lauded.

All in all though, it has been a great tournament to watch and remember. On an individual level, Martin Guptill and Chris Gayle stood out for me, for scoring ODI double hundreds, the first ones in an ICC Cricket World Cup. However it does bring into the spotlight the balance between bat and ball, and the administrators should sit down and have a rethink especially if there are bigger bats and smaller boundaries. For

most parts of the tournament, barring the likes of Starc or Trent Boult, the bowlers did not come to grip with these new rules.

Also, Michael Clarke was one of the better captains of this tournament for me, if not the best. His participation was under some cloud, and there were questions about whether he should be considered for the Australian squad or not. But the way he has led in this World Cup was simply marvellous.

From a team point of view, South Africa’s performance in their semi-final against New Zealand was wonderful. They gave it everything they had. I felt sorry for AB de Villiers. He is a magnificent cricketer.

There were tears shed by Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn as well, and it just goes to show how passionate they are about playing

for their country, and trying to win the ICC Cricket World Cup. Nobody should see them as a soft target.

In the end, I would like to re-iterate that it was a great tournament, wherein the two best teams played the final, and the best team won eventually. If there is a negative, maybe it was about the length of the tournament. People who love the game, as per my observation, do not understand why an ODI World Cup has to be so long. The scheduling was not correct either. Some teams got too much of a gap between matches and others did not. It doesn’t help with momentum in a tournament like this, which is very important from a performance point of view. Maybe this is something for the organizers to ponder over, going ahead.

ICC announces team of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 THE team was chosen by a select group of experts who were given the task of picking a balanced side on the basis of performances in the tournament.

Brendon McCullum named captain of the side that includes five New Zealanders.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the team of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with Brendon McCullum as its captain.

McCullum was chosen as the captain following his aggressive, innovative and inspirational leadership during the 44day tournament that was the cornerstone of his team’s progression to the final where it lost to Australia by seven wickets.

In doing so, McCullum also scored 328 runs in nine matches with four half-centuries at a strike-rate of 188.50.

The team was chosen by a select group of experts* who were given the task of picking a balanced side on the basis of performances in the tournament. Statistics were used but were not the sole basis for

50 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2015

• Brendon McCullum was chosen as the captain of the team, following his aggressive, innovative and inspirational leadership during the 44 day tournament.

selections.

In addition to McCullum, the side includes four New Zealanders – Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Daniel Vettori – three Australians in Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc, two South Africans, AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara as wicketkeeperbatsman.

Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor, who finished with 433 runs in six matches, was named as the 12th man.

Team of the ICC Cricket www.indiantimes.com.au

World Cup 2015 in batting order: • Brendon McCullum (New Zealand (captain) • Martin Guptill (New Zealand) • Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) (wicketkeeper) • Steven Smith (Australia) • AB de Villiers (South Africa) • Glenn Maxwell (Australia) • Corey Anderson (New Zealand) • Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) • Mitchell Starc (Australia) • Trent Boult (New Zealand) • Morne Morkel (South Africa) • Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) (12th man) ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, chairman of the panel, said: “The panel had an extremely difficult choice of selecting a 12-member squad at the back of an outstanding tournament, highlighted by some eye-catching individual performances including two double-centuries, 38 centuries, two hat-tricks and 28 four-wicket hauls.

“There were a number of other players that were discussed as possible selections in the team.

These included batsmen

Mahmudullah (Bangladesh) and Shaiman Anwar (UAE), fast bowlers Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami (both India), Wahab Riaz (Pakistan) and spinners Imran Tahir (South Africa) and R.Ashwin (India).

“But there were so many brilliant individual performances during the tournament that it was not possible to fit them into the team. The panel eventually came up with this side, which, in their view, was the most balanced outfit that is capable of beating any side on any given day.” *The selection panel that chose the player of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 consisted of: • Geoff Allardice (ICC General Manager – Cricket) • Andrew Alderson (Journalist, New Zealand Herald) • Harsha Bhogle (Broadcaster) • Richard Kettleborough (Member of Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and ICC Umpire of the Year 2014) • Chloe Saltau (Journalist, The Age) • Michael Vaughan (Former England captain and broadcaster) Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

Sports News Saina has done it again. Here’s 10 reasons we absolutely adore her

SAINA NEHWAL on Saturday became the first Indian female shuttler to be World No 1. Saina reached the summit after her closest challenger for the spot, All England Badminton champion Carolina Marin lost in the first semifinal of the India Open Super Series badminton championships. Saina also beat Japan’s Yui Hashimoto in the second semifinal. Even though Prakash Padukone has been World No 1, none of our female shuttlers have ever made it to the top slot of the world rankings - so this is really really good news! Here are the reasons why we absolutely adore her: 1. Winning the India Open Grand Prix Gold Five Times, Uber Cup Bronze Yes, Saina has kept the flag high whenever she has played in India. Although she has not yet won the India Super Series, at the Grand Prix Gold event, she has won five times including this year on Sunday. In 2014, the Indian women’s badminton team won a historic bronze in the Uber Cup team competition. The team was led by Saina in the singles and she won most of her matches.

2. Winning the World Junior Badminton Championships Saina became the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships in 2008 when she beat ninth-seeded Japanese Sayaka Sato 21-9, 21-18.

3. First Indian to win a BWF Super Series Title In June 2009, Saina stunned the world of badminton by winning the Indonesia Open.

She beat a Chinese player in the final.

4. Reaching the World No.2 Ranking With 64791.26 ranking points, Saina reached a career-high world No.2 ranking on 15 July, 2010 staying behind only Wang Yihan of China. This was a huge moment for Indian badminton.

5. Commonwealth Games Gold In 2010, Saina, who was the top-seed in the Commonwealth Games hosted in Delhi, won gold in the women’s singles event by beat-

ing Wong Mew Chow of Malaysia in the final in three sets. She even saved a matchpoint on her way to victory.

6. First Indian To Win The China Open Super Series Premier Saina did this only last year when she beat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the final.

Interestingly, on the same day, Kidambi Srikanth made Indian badminton even more proud by beating two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan in the final in front of his home fans in China.

7. Beating Chinese Players Was Not Difficult for Saina Saina has a 6-5 head-to-head advantage over China’s Wang Shixian, who is a former world No.1. Saina has also beaten a lot of other Chinese players apart from Wang.

8. Olympic Bronze In the 2012 London Olympics, Saina Nehwal recorded a rare moment in the history of Indian badminton when she won bronze in the women’s singles event. Even by her own admission, this was the best moment of her career. Her father watching back home, was ecstatic with joy. He said he always knew her daughter will win the bronze.

9. Eight Super-Series Titles, 7 Grand Prix Gold Titles Saina Nehwal has become a force to reckon with throughout the world of badminton with her incredible record. Every time she wins a Super Series title, India is as happy as when the cricket team wins a big match.

10. Lastly, Saina’s fighting spirit and her humble personality There is no better ambassador for Indian badminton than Saina at the moment although PV Sindhu is becoming a force to reckon with. Saina never gives up during a game and is always humble while speaking to the media. Her awards incude the 2009 Arjuna Award, the 2009-10 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the 2010 Padma Shri.

Pictured with her dad here. Salute!

TOI

Champions in Miami, title number 25’: its Sania’s moment of glory TENNIS ace Sania Mirza gave Indian sports-lover another moment to cherish when she partnered with Swiss legend Martina Hingis to lift the women’s doubles title of the Miami Masters at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.

Sania’s victory came a few days after badminton star Saina Nehwal briefly became the world number one after winning the Indian Open Super Series title last week.

Sania-Hingis won in straight sets 7-5, 6-1 against the second-seeded Russian duo of Elena Vesnina and Ekaterin Makarova.

An ecstatic Sania tweeted pictures of the trophy, one showing Hingis biting into the glassware and Sania poised to kiss it.

“Champions in Miami…. title number 25,” the caption said.

It was Sania’s 25th career title and first at the Crandon Park while Hingis notched up her fourth victory in Miami and her 43rd doubles title.

Sania-Hingis had earlier won the at Indian Wells after winning at Sydney with Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

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FASA – a breath of fresh air for the Fiji soccer community in Sydney FASA stands for Fiji Australia Sports Association and its emergence last year was inevitable due to a number of teams being frustrated with the manner in which the existing Fiji soccer body carried out its operations. Prior to Sanatan International Convention, teams were threatened with suspension if they participated in tournaments other than the soccer authority’s nominated event. The days of threatening players/teams, bullying people to dance to the soccer association’s tune is long over. The modern world does not operate through dictatorship and bullying, but works in collaboration with all stakeholders to enjoy success. It is quite ironic that a sporting body which should promote friendship and teamwork, did exactly the opposite.

FASA is an incorporated association with the Office of Fair Trading, and in November last year became an affiliate of Southern Districts Soccer Football Association. FASA’s aim is to continue the Fiji soccer tradition in Sydney, while actively promoting youth and community participation. This is the reason why the association changed its name to Fiji Australia Sports Association. An interim management committee has been set up with the foundation members that established FASA. The committee’s main objective is to promote professionalism, sportsmanship and ensure enjoyable sporting events for all former Fiji residents in Sydney.

FASA’s Fiji Cup Tournament was a huge success as demonstrated by the emergence of two new winners and runners-up who previously were not able to achieve similar success playing in other Sydney tournaments. Similarly, a number of individual players stood out due to a more level playing field than many one sided matches in past tournaments. In accordance with its aims and objectives, FASA catered for the greater community by providing opportunities for youth soccer and netball for female participation. A big vinaka vakalevu to our major sponsors – EsyKool (Eswa and Shalini Nadan) and Hemant Prakash (Solicitor). FASA is also grateful to Navtarang Media for promot-

ing the event and providing excellent post tournament coverage. FASA’s hardworking officials also contributed to the success of the tournament as they continuously experienced unexpected challenges due to interference from those that did not wish the new association to succeed.

FASA promised its stakeholders that it will grow its sports network further in 2015. Following the success of Fiji Cup tournament, there has been an overwhelming support in the local community with new teams inquiring about joining the network. FASA also received interest from overseas teams for its inaugural International Veterans Soccer tournament.

To avoid clashing dates with other soccer tournaments in Sydney, FASA officials met on 26 February to finalise its calendar of events and release the dates to the community. As FASA’s intention is to bring unity amongst the youth, premier and veteran soccer teams, it welcomes prospective teams to any or all three of its upcoming events. FASA, however, has strict guidelines on who can join the association and the code of conduct expected from the officials and players.

FASA officials encourage new netball teams to join its network and will establish a netball committee if there is sufficient interest.

For queries, please contact FASA via email fasa.sydney@gmail.com Also check out FASA’s Facebook profile – Fiji Australia Sports Association, for upto-date information.

Events calendar 2015.....

NAVTARANG COMMUNITY September 2015

CUP

-

12/13

Venue: TBA Interested teams: (O/30s, O/40s, & Premiers) should contact via email: fasa.sydney@gmail.com Please note tournament date may need to be rescheduled if NSW league is not completed by then.

ESYKOOL SPONSORED - FIJI CUP TOURNAMENT - 21/22 November 2015 Venue: TBA A local veterans soccer tournament for over 30s and over 40s, with kids soccer and netball competition. Please note tournament date may need to be rescheduled.

FASA supports FANCA’s Muslim Tournament Other results In the men’s final at Miami, big-serving Serbian Novak Djokovic, the top seed, defeated Andy Murray of Britain, 7-6, 4-6, 6-0.

In the women’s final, world number one Serena Williams joined an elite club, winning her eighth Miami WTA title with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.

The year 2015 has started on a high note for FASA as FANCA’s international personality, Abdul Ayub and FANCA Australia President, Jimmy, have both confirmed their support to FASA. As with veteran teams in the network, FASA will work in collaboration with FANCA officials to ensure quality tournaments.

FANCA’s Australian Muslim Soccer Tournament - 24 to 26 April 2015 at Nineveh Sports Stadium. FANCA officials have received confirmations from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne soccer teams. The officials will select teams to represent Australia at the upcoming International Club Championship in Nadi later this year. For further inquiries, please contact Jimmy 0449 109 028.

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