Brisbane Indian Times_April 2019

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Volume 15, Number 8 Saturday, April 13th, 2019

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The Brisbane of tomorrow: Adrian Schrinner Takes office as Lord Mayor 20 ROBINSON ROAD, VIRGINIA. 4014. (next door to McDonalds on Sandgate Rd) We’re OPEN 7 DAYS !!!

On Monday 08th April has was sworn in as lord mayor, but Adrian Schrinner hass already thinking about his legacy.

Thirteen years ago Cr Schrinner was elected to Brisbane City Council, attracted to the LNP party by its longterm vision for the future of the city he loves.

Now, the Chandler councillor and deputy mayor of eight

years, is taking on his biggest challenge – steering the city in a new direction as its lord mayor.

On Monday, Cr Schrinner, 41, was sworn in at a special council meeting as one of the youngest mayors the city has seen, ready to lay out his own long-term vision.

At a press conference, announcing his selection by the LNP party room to step into

the shoes of retiring lord mayor Graham Quirk, Cr Schrinner said there had been too much focus on the short-term, and it was time that changed.

Cr Schrinner reiterated his new administration’s goals: to build the infrastructure the city needs for a growing population, and to create and protect Brisbane’s green space.

That goal will be a new vision

for the next 15 or 20 years despite the council election in just 12 months’ time.

“When it comes to what the people of Brisbane expect, there’s two critical things they expect from any level of government,” Cr Schrinner said.

“One is stability. There’s obviously a lot of fatigue in the community about instability in government, and I can understand that.

They want stability, but they also want a fresh agenda and new ideas, and our team has the right balance of those two things.”

Cr Schrinner said the LNP’s track record of long-term mayors, most recently with Campbell Newman and then Cr Quirk, proved the party had the experience to continue leading the city.

Facing the prospect of having just a year to convince voters to re-elect him and his colleagues, Cr Schrinner said “any administration focused on elections rather than governing Continued on Page 6

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From the Publisher Welcome to April, this is the month of Bharatiya Navwarsh, known by many names this significant event is now getting the due attention, previously it was somewhat on the back burner. DJJS is one organisation that has been promoting the event, in my opinion they are the ones who started spreading the message to the wider community. Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio were proud

• Local News....................................4-39 • Migration Matters............................. 4 • Who, What, Where, When........ 41, 52 • Health & Well Being...................38-39 • Real Estate........................................ 44 • India News........................................ 42 • What’s On......................................... 50 • Business Directory/Classified.......... 56 • Sport.................................................. 54

to have been associated at the beginning of this journey. This year the event was in King George Square, which is quite a step up from previous years, congratulation to them, wishing everyone all the best for Navwarsh – (New Year) Moving on to my next topic, the act of terror in Christchurch was designed to put fear in our hearts but we will not be cowed by terror and bigotry. The aim of terrorists is to divide us and to turn our citizens against each other — but we will not let them win. We must stand together as we do today as an international community, united against terrorism, racism, extremism, discrimination and violence.

We share our deepest sympathies with those affected by the devastating terrorist attack by a right-wing extremist in Christchurch and share the grief of New Zealanders and Muslim communities the world over. This is the time for unity and inclusion. We must all work together against extremism and take care to ensure our public debates about

this horrific incident do not encourage the very divisions between faiths and cultures that extremists seek to create.

I must commend the efforts of our Muslim Community in Brisbane, for the timely and very effective prayer service of the victims, we have not seen such big community support for a condolence meeting before, and this demonstrates the unity that exists against terrorism.

This terrible news reached us when we were on our way back to Jakarta from Bandung, Indonesia, we were all shocked, after attending the two day interfaith dialogue in Bandung. At the interfaith dialogue we had discussed many of these points, the interfaith dialogue – the first Indonesia- Australia Interfaith dialogue to be organised at a government level, which was more important than ever that our communities came together and promoted messages of peace and respect. It was instructive to be part of Indonesia0Australia Interfaith Dialogue in Bandung. I did come away with a deeper understanding of the diversity of culture

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and faith in both Australia and Indonesia.

Perhaps the most important thing for the future that came out of this dialogue is the increased connections between individuals from both of our countries, whether this be in the form of friendships, research collaborations or professional networking. The interfaith leaders who attended the dialogue with me in Indonesia are a great example of the bright future we should aim for, they were clearly passionate about democracy and pluralism. I was indeed honoured and privileged to be an Australian representative at such a high level.

And now focussing to Brisbane, both Usha and I, as Brisbane city Councils citizen of the year 2019 have been kept busy with so many function. The acknowledgments by function organisers has been tremendous and we have had the pleasure of been chief guests at so many functions, really appreciate the support and encouragement from our community, it is heartfelt and energises us to do more.

We try and attend as many functions as we possibly can, and we do apologise if we have not been able to make it to any of the functions that we have been officially invited to.

Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio continue to support many community events, obviously the level of coverage (sponsorships) will be directly proportionate to the level of recognition offered by you, and choice is yours. Our stance is that we do have a point of difference and distinction that we kindly request that to be respected, as the saying goes compare apples with apples , we have been established for over fourteen years, have the largest circulation , most number of pages.

Moving on I would like wish everyone all the very best for Ram Naumi , we know that many functions have been organised all over Brisbane , please take part where you can , and let the true spirit of Ram Naumi prevail well beyond the nine nights.

Unitil Next month, Happy Reading Umesh Chandra

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New Visitor Visa For Parents (Subclass 870)

The Australian Government has finally recognised that the permanent parent visa queue is very long and this is causing significant hardship to parents who cannot apply for a contributory parent visa from coming to Australia and spending time with their children or grandchildren. In order to alleviate this issue, the government has announced long term temporary parent visa’s that range from 3 years to 5 years in duration and will allow parents to stay in Australia.

The cost for each parent for the 3 year visa is $5,000 and the cost of 5 year visa is $10,000. The number of places for this new visa is limited to 15,000 visa’s per year. The visas are multiple entry, with conditions like no work, no further stay, no medicare benefits attached and generally must be lodged while the parent is offshore.

A parent can stay up to a maximum of 10 years under this visa subclass and must wait offshore for atleast 90 days between subsequent visa applications.

Although this visa requires no Balance of Family Test, only Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Eligible New Zealand Citizens can act as a sponsor for this visa application.

The visiting parents and the sponsor must be in a child parent relationship, and the sponsor must meet certain income threshold requirements and must be of good character before they can qualify as a sponsor.

The sponsor also must pay

a department fee of $420 (no pun intended) for the sponsorship approval.

The new parents visa is a complex and expensive visa and there will only be 15,000 visas granted each year, hence it is essential that sponsors and applicants consult with a Registered Migration Agent at Migration Guru who have the expertise required to handle even the most complex cases. The Department of Home Affairs is accepting sponsorship applications from 17th April 2019, so if you are serious about getting your parent over to Australia using this new visa subclass then you are suggested to act quickly.

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The Brisbane of tomorrow: Adrian Schrinner Takes office as lord mayor Continued from Page 1

is focused on the wrong thing.”

However, he has the new slogans ready – building and protecting Brisbane; a cleaner, greener Brisbane; the Brisbane of tomorrow.

And the council the new lord mayor leads will undoubtedly be a different beast to We’ve had a continual injection of new people into the team over those years and that will continue as well,” he said.

"Obviously some of our councillors like Julian Simmonds will be standing down. There’ll be new councillors coming in."

His first announcement – the building within the next 10 years of five new green bridges to get pedestrians, cyclists and buses across the city – was met with a mixture of praise and scepticism.

The announcement was fitting for a new lord mayor who has spent several years chairing the public and active transport committee, leading the $900 million Brisbane Metro project to transform the city's central public transport.

With four of the bridges concentrated on inner-city suburbs such as West End and We’ve had a continual injection of new people into the team over those years and that will continue as well,” he said.

"Obviously some of our councillors like Julian Simmonds will be standing down. There’ll be new councillors coming in."

His first announcement – the building within the next 10 years of five new green bridges to get pedestrians, cyclists and buses across the city – was met with a mixture of praise and scepticism.

The announcement was fitting for a new lord mayor who has spent several years chairing the public and active transport committee, leading the $900 million Brisbane Metro project to transform the city's central public transport.

With four of the bridges concentrated on inner-city suburbs such as West End and Kangaroo Point, what about the suburbs outside the inner-city ring?

“Every person on foot,

on bike or on scooter is potentially taking another car off the road, so that doesn’t just benefit them, it benefits people who have no choice but to drive as well,” he said.

So what kind of Brisbane will lord mayor Schrinner want to leave behind, when some time in the future he too announces his retirement, or his defeat in an election?

As he becomes lord mayor, he leaves his ward of Chandler behind, and the beginning of his legacy.

"In my mind the biggest achievement was the green space we protected in the eastern suburbs, with the ... koala bushland in suburbs like Belmont, Gumdale, Chandler, Burbank," he said.

It's a legacy he hopes to take city-wide.

Infrastructure is an ephemeral thing, always growing, always changing.

But bushland, protecting the increasingly rare natural wildlife that still calls Brisbane home despite increasing pressure from residential, industrial and community needs, is a high priority for Cr Schrinner.

"The existing bushland that we’ve got in the city needs to be protected and we’re doing that," he said.

"That’s really a lasting legacy in the 10 or 20 years down the track.

"People will look back and say we’ve made the right choice to invest in parkland, invest in bushland, saving bushland."

He hopes, too, to create and lead a city where the character of its suburbs is protected, the "tinand-timber" beloved by Queenslanders.

Earlier this year the council submitted a request to State Development Minister Cameron Dick to approve a temporary local planning instrument – a two-year order stopping the development of townhouses and apartment blocks in low-density-zoned suburbs.

Labor councillors criticised the LNP for taking action months after the opposition had already raised the issue as an urgency motion in council and the proposal was met with some hesitancy from the state development department.

The two-year ban would

influence how Brisbane’s suburbs develop well into the future, potentially halting higher density developments in places traditionally known for big blocks and Queenslander houses.

“This is something I have long felt strongly about,” Cr Schrinner said.

“In many cases the level of concern generated around townhouses is significantly higher than you get for highrise buildings.”

Cr Schrinner said while apartment buildings were often focused more in areas of the city already prepared for high density living, such as the inner city and CBD, townhouse developments were more often suburban.

The state is concerned the proposed two-year ban, and legislative amendment to follow and make the ban permanent, could cause issues in population density and permanently alter the growth of Brisbane’s suburbs.

But Cr Schrinner said he would continue to push the issue, saying the two-year ban “needs to happen”.

“The people of Brisbane want it to happen and it is a shame it’s taking so long at a state government level,” he said.

Outside the harder political issues, taking on the role of lord mayor is not just a change for the council - or for the new lord mayor.

His wife Nina and their children Octavia, 6; Wolfgang, 4; Monash, 2; and Petra, 14 months, are all facing a different life ahead.

A key role for the new lady mayoress will be that of chairing the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, taking the reins from the departing Anne Quirk.

“Nina is really excited about getting involved in the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, she’s really passionate about that,” Cr Schrinner said.

“That’s the thing she’s looking forward to most of all. Anne Quirk has done a fantastic job with that and Nina’s looking forward to continuing on that great work.

“She’ll be very hands-on as well in that role and is very excited about it … we both are excited about the opportunity to make a real difference.”

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 7

Compelling anecdotes exemplify assiduous Indian hospitality

By Rama Gaind Travel is said to be the ‘only thing you buy that makes you richer’. In this instance, it’s being rich with experiences while on vacation because it’s people’s actions that have contributed to creating memories that will last forever.

Unexpected, astonished, and yes, totally overwhelmed … here are enduring reflections of my sojourn in India last year.

Visiting tourist icons do leave an indelible mark, just like the conviviality.

Customer assistance and efficient service delivery is what hospitality is all about – or, at least, it should be. Aristotle said: “We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence then, is not a single act, but a habit”.

To this born traveller, recognition of impeccable service is just as imperative as appreciation. It doesn’t cost much to say kind words or to be considerate, yet they achieve much, as these experiences recounted from two hotel stays will exemplify.

Personalised hospitality Two hotels in Maharashtra offered diverse insights.

Imposing view: impressive first sight of the Novotel Imagica Khopoli, 73km from Mumbai, which is adjacent to India’s first theme park – Adlabs Imagica. Photo: Rama Gaind

India’s financial capital – Mumbai – attracts an estimated six million tourists a year, even though across the globe it’s the 16th most costliest city.

In the 30th most visited city in the world, which is home to Bollywood, you’ll also find the Sofitel BKC Mumbai where ‘Life is Magnifique!’

Splendid Indian tradition in signature art nouveau style is intricately blended with Parisien design, culture and gastronomy. The vitality and colour of this city by the bay is echoed in Sofitel BKC's imposing décor with stylish French savoir faire.

Comfort and wellbeing is assured with refined room designs, plush furnishings, state-of-the-art amenities and modern sophistication.

General manager Biswajit Chakraborty is eloquent in his praise.

“A perfect mélange of French ‘art de vivre’ and

warm Indian hospitality, the grandeur of Sofitel Mumbai BKC is reflected in its unrivalled facilities and personalised service from the heart. Strategically located in the central business district of the city, Sofitel Mumbai BKC is designed specifically for the global traveller, offering multifaceted experiences in cuisine, entertainment and relaxation.”

“Welcome to this stunning address, blending art and French flair, situated in the heart of the vibrant city of Mumbai. Discover a home away from home, where luxury is the key essence.”

It’s difficult not to be swept away with prime reflections and convivial experiences.

“Food is not just eating energy, it’s an experience.”

Executive chef Neeraj Rawoot endorsed such sentiments. I indulged in feasts at four restaurants at the Sofitel BKC. Much welcomed was the

accompanying attention to table service.

The never-ending culinary banquet at the Artisan, Jyran, Pondichery Cafe and Tuskers was a tastebud sensation!

For young and old Excitement & imagination levels skyrocket when you visit Novotel Imagica Khopoli, which is just under a two-hour drive from Mumbai. Adjacent to India’s first theme park – Adlabs Imagica – Novotel is a one-of-a-kind resort with five-star facilities.

The fun starts even before you check-in. Did I just see Pinocchio greeting guests in the lobby? You’ll meet many more colourful cartoon characters in the hotel’s exclusive breakfasttime frolic parade, including the hotel mascot, Tubbby, the elephant. Why not be greeted in style and get a character wake-up call!

Thrills, spills and

Being diligent: attentive service from Anna Wewle (left) and Rohit Bhamburkar made dining an experience to remember in Tuskers at the Sofitel BKC Mumbai. Photo: Rama Gaind

excitement are aplenty not just at the amusement park, but within Novotel as well.

If you’re an adult, then for many, nostalgia will reign supreme as you recall the many fables and iconic film heroes. As for the children, well, many of their dreams will come true as they take the time to meet the larger-than-life animated characters and then discover more attractions next door at Adlabs Imagica.

While at the Novotel, you’ll enjoy the comforts of the accommodation and inhouse amenities. Dining is a treat as assistant executive chef Lokesh Jarodia prepares local delicacies, while assistant restaurant manager Vinayak Mohite ensures they are heartily

savoured.

General manager Srinivas Srirangam knows well the successful formula to ensure there are no unhappy customers. “We treat every guest to the holiday of a lifetime. Come see for yourself how the fun never ends at the Novotel Imagica Khopoli.”

It doesn’t take long to rediscover we are all young at heart. Dr Seuss was so right about adults being obsolete children!

There is no finer quote about hospitality than this from India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: "welcome a guest to send back a friend.”

Now, that’s a winning formula!

Breaking ceremony for the BAPS Bal Sanskar Kendra (Kids activity centre) performed on Sunday 10th March 2019 The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity and selfless service. BAPS Swaminarayan temple – Brisbane is serving the very purpose of the organization since last 5 years.

At BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Brisbane, on 10 March 2019, Param Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami (Kothari Swami), Senior Saint performed the Vedic pujan of bricks to be laid in the foundation of the new building “Bal Sanskar Sadan” (Kids Activity Centre) to be built in Brisbane. This building is an extension to existing facilities of BAPS Brisbane Temple. Present on this auspicious occasion was Dr. Jim Chalmers Federal

Member for Rankin, Queensland, join the Vedic rituals of Khaat vidhi.

Because of the growing decadence in values, our world is overwhelmed with spiralling problems. BAPS understand that the solution to securing the promising future is by nurturing our children today.

Bal Sanskar Sadan would facilitate academic programs, character building initiatives, and wellness programs. Children would be provided with a platform to practice and perfect their talents, while maintaining functioning relationships with their parents. With the skills developed through these initiatives, BAPS encourage Children to contribute to the larger Australian community.

The primary aim of Bal Sanskar Sadan is to mould children to create a better

8 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

society and a brighter future!

At Bal Sanskar Sadan below three important things are said to be focused: • Develop virtues like humility, tolerance, service, etc. and organize children's lives through training programs in time management, cleanliness, personal health care and endeavour.

• Instil pride and dignity for our culture through traditions, history and heritage.

• Foster our faith through prayers, satsang, rituals, spiritual reading and devotional singing.

The new Bal Sanskar Sadan will facilitate value-based activities so that future generations can be anchored in their faith and spirituality and continue to strive and grow as good citizens while retaining valuable traditions and culture.

The centre will provide a place for kids to play indoor sports year-round while building supportive friendships. It will also host workshops for humanity development, language

and classical music and instruments. The training is unique - it is value-based.

BAPS teaches children to not only develop their talents and perform but to do so in order to benefit

others. The Kids centre will also help meet the needs of the community by providing a facility for open events such as walkathons, health fairs, and conferences to name a few.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD MEDICAL & OFFICE SUITES Mater applauds Springfield City Group for the establishment of the medical suites adjacent to Mater Private Hospital Springfield.

The hospital is looking forward to productive conversation and partnerships with doctors who move into this facility.

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“Balance for Better” International Women’s Day 2019

By Damini Women’s Association of Qld Inc

It was another scintillating International Women’s Day celebration by Damini Women’s Association of Qld Inc. ‘Gender balance is a human issue not a women issue’ (Annabel Crabb) Mrs Lila Pratap said.

Vibrant dances, soulstirring speeches, songs and poetry recitals, a presentation showcasing Damini’s activities and achievements, a book launch and a delicious vegetarian dinner. There was something for everybody at another very successful celebration of International Women’s Day by Damini Women’s Association of Qld Inc at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre, Willawong.

The event was attended by more than 100 people including dignitaries, community leaders, members and representatives from diverse communities in Brisbane.

The evening began with a colourful Indian classical dance by the students of the Nadananjali School of Dance in praise of Lord Nataraja, choreographed by Smt. Chitra Yogi Srikhanta and performed by Rithika Preethi and Abirami Somasundaram.

This was followed by an acknowledgement to country by Aunty Lesley Williams, respected

Aboriginal elder and wellknown activist and author of several books to make sure history is not forgotten.

Aunty Lesley began by explaining the difference between the welcome to country which is done by the traditional owners on the land on which events are held and acknowledgement which is done by those who do not belong to the country.

She also spoke about her own life growing up in Cherbourg, her struggles there and later which is now documented in several books including Not just black and white.

Well-known Brisbane singer, Mr Yousuf Ali Khan, continued the evening with the soul stirring song ‘He Mere Vatan ke Logon’ to commemorate the sacrifices

by Indian soldiers over the years.

Mrs Lila Pratap, the energetic President and founder of Damini Women’s Association of Qld Inc. set the scene by welcoming guests and performers and highlighting that gender balance was a human issue, not a woman issue and it would lead to ‘Australia being a more humane and successful place’ (Craig Foster). She also introduced Navneeta Hinz, Ms Fiji Universal, who is Damini’s Official Ambassador for 2019.

As Navneeta is representing Fiji she shares

the same vision as Damini in the Kid’s Project, to help children meet their basic education needs. Mrs Pratap ended by encouraging the audience to ‘go home tonight and think – is there a better way of empowering – than giving a smile to someone, bringing the hidden talents of students, men, women, and children in so many different ways. Then, think again for a moment and reflect everything happened tonight, and then say to yourself “Am I Ready for a Change” May be I am ready for a little change that is the first step’. The little steps taken by Damini which have become bigger over the years was highlighted

by Navneeta and Mrs Amrita Singh, A/Secretary of Damini in a colourful PowerPoint presentation.

Past, present (particularly the Fiji kids initiative) and future projects, including an Arts project was received with great interest by the audience. Anyone wishing to know more about these projects should contact Mrs Lila Pratap or Mrs Amrita Deshpande via email: d a m i n i wo m e n s a s s o c @ gmail.com or phone: 0431648802.

Dignitaries who spoke at the event included Ms Jessica Pugh MP, Member for Mt Ommaney, Member for Stretton, Mr Duncan Pegg,

long-standing supporter of Damini and Ms Amy McMahon, Green Member for South Brisbane. Ms Pugh spoke about efforts by the government to promote gender parity, including the first Aboriginal and the first Torres Strait Islander members of Parliament.

Mr Pegg highlighted that Damini was one of the longest existing women’s groups in Brisbane and commended for their work not just with the Indian or local community but across the board. ‘The number of community members present from different backgrounds was testimony to the work of Damini’ Mr Pegg said. Mrs Amy McMahon highlighted that many women could not attend functions like the International Women’s Day

celebrations due to financial or family reasons.

Mrs Archana Singh, Hon Consul of India, continued the theme of balance for better highlighting that ‘balance is not just a gender but a business issue and a human rights issue in the home, workplace and wider society’. Mrs Archana Singh also launched a new book by Damini’s Public Relations Officer, Indrani Ganguly, The Rose and the Thorn which is based on the role of so-called ordinary women in India’s struggle for freedom from the British and social reforms.

Some new touches were added to the program by songs and dance by women from Sri Lankan community and a riveting poetry recital in both English and Hindi on the issue of making women

more visible by Ms Kavita Khullar. Members of the audience who did not know Hindi said it didn’t matter as her performance was so lively and the meaning came through. Ms Navneeta Hinz delivered the vote of thanks, ending with the stirring words about women: ‘May we know them, be them and raise them’.

A delicious vegetarian dinner with a superb cake for dessert and then some lively music and dancing ended the night’s festivities.

A live recording of some highlights of Damini’s IWD celebration is available at https://youtu.be/ PYpj8JVkv98 Dr Indrani Ganguly, Public Relations Officer and Mrs Lila Pratap, President, Damini Women’s Association.

Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association (GCHCA) News: Maha Shivarathri for lord Shiva was celebrated by Gold Cast Hindu Cultural Association on 4th March 2019 at 6-10pm at Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre,833 SouthportNerang Road, Nerang, QLD 4211. Devotees were able to participate and receive the

blessings of the Lord Shiva on this special occasion and had the opportunity to participate in the Special Rudrabhishekam conducted by the priest, Pundit Hari Raj Adhikari. Students from the Gold Coast chapter of Bala Samskar Kendra (BSK) Queensland chanted

Vedhic hymns/ mantras and made the occasion vibrant.

Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association as a part of Holi festival celebrated the colours day at Albert park in Broadbeach waters on 24th March 2019. It was a sea of colour and celebration at

the Albert Park on Sunday morning between 11am to 2pm as the Gold Coast Hindu community held the Holi Festival. Children and adults enjoyed the applying and spraying colours each other in a friendly manner.

Children used water fight, using water pistols and spraying each other with coloured water. The event was advertised via face book and our web site as well as via Brisbane Indian Times.

We got a wider community participation with young and old gathered for the event. With DJ music many had a community dance and enjoyed the food as well. The event was supported by the Queensland Government multicultural grant.

Upcoming events: Gold coast Hindu cultural association as a part of Holi and new year for certain parts of Indian subcontinent falls in March -April,is planning to have a Hindu celebration in their proposed 10 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

Hindu cultural precinct land on 20th April 2019 Morning. The celebration will facilitate get together of all Hindus and wider community members and have Yagya with holy fire rituals in the land asking for the blessing for common wellbeing of the everyone as well as harmony and peace.

Those following Lunar calendar consider the month of Chaitra (corresponding to March-April) as the first

month of the year, so the new year is celebrated on the first day of this month.

People from Tamil nadu celebrates newyear as Tamil Puthandu where as Kerala it is called Vishu. In Andhra and Karnataka it is called as Ugadi. The details of the function we plan to have on April 20th 2019 will be available shortly in our Facebook and website.

Please look for it.

Call 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 11

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 13

Angkor Wat – The Sacred Abode of Lord Vishnu

By Awadhesh Sharma

Angkor Wat is the principal temple of Angkorian region, located in Northwest Cambodia. Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country with capital Phnom Penh.

Cambodia’s population is estimated at 16.5 million. Around ninety-seven per cent of its population follows Theravad Buddhism, which is the official religion of the country. The remaining population follows Christianity, Islam, tribal traditions and other religions.

Like in several other Southeast Asian countries, the primary religion in ancient Cambodia was Hinduism. Both Shaivism and Vaishnavism, based on Shiva and Vishnu worship traditions respectively, had been practiced in Cambodia. Later, Mahayan and Theravad Buddhism became the dominant state religion. Cambodians adopted the Indian religions on their merits. The acceptance of Indian religions

by Cambodians demonstrates the close relationship between India and Cambodia in the past.

Reliable information detailing the ancient relationship between the two countries is limited. According to a popular legend prevalent in Cambodia, it originated as a country from the union of an intelligent Hindu youth from India named Kaundinya and a daughter of the serpent king, who ruled over the water that submerged the land of Cambodia in ancient times.

Kaundinya sailed over the sea close to the region of Cambodia. Princess Nagi, the daughter of the serpent king of the watery realm, paddled over the water towards him.

He saw the princess and shot a magic arrow in her direction, which caused her to fall in love with him. The serpent king arranged the wedding of his daughter with the youth, and

removed the water to make the land available for them to live, prosper and procreate. The land area was named Kambuj, which later became Kampuchia and then Cambodia.

Their children and descendants populated the land of Cambodia.

Our recent trip to Cambodia started from Siem Reap, which is a provincial capital with an international airport. It is the nearest town to Angkor Wat and is the centre for sightseeing tours to various historical temples and monuments in the region.

Angkor National Museum, Cambodian Circus, Wat Bo and other Buddhist Monasteries, and the night market in and around Pub Street are major attractions in Siem Reap. Vendors selling fried scorpions, snakes and worms can be seen in Pub Street.

The word Angkor is a Khmer pronunciation of the Sanskrit word “Nagar” which means capital city. The term Khmer is used for the Cambodian language as well as for the Cambodian people. Wat also has its root in Sanskrit and Pali languages and is translated as temple or Buddhist monastery.

As there are many ancient monuments in the region, tours in the region are generally spread over many days. Visitors have the choice to buy one day, three day and seven day entry tickets priced at 37/62/72USD respectively. In two days, a tourist can visit most of the major attractions. The US Dollar is almost universally accepted currency for transactions in Cambodia.

Tour operators have arranged their sightseeing itineraries as small tour circuit and grand tour circuits. The small tour circuit includes Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom with Bayon in the middle, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei temples and monuments.

The grand tour circuits include the abovementioned sites plus Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup temples.

Tour operators and guides are mostly willing to accommodate requests to visit other sites. Each of the above listed sights is a fascinating monument that displays the creativity of ancient Cambodians.

The main attraction in the Angkorian region is the Angkor Wat temple. The original name of Angkor Wat was “Barom Visnulok” in Khmer, which means the sacred abode of lord Vishnu. The temple structure denotes mount Meru, the mythological mountain where gods reside.

The Hindu king Suryavarman II built the Angkor Wat temple during his reign from 1112 to approximately 1150 AD. Prior to him, other kings had established their capital cities near the same area and had built numerous grand temples and palaces.

Ruins of some of them are included in small and grand tour circuits. The majority of the ancient temples were dedicated to lord Shiva. Angkor Wat was dedicated to lord Vishnu.

The Angkor Wat temple complex is one of the largest religious buildings in the world

and covers an area of 163 hectares. The whole building complex is surrounded by a moat filled with water. The building is designed in ascending order from west to east with a number of levels, galleries and Gopuram towers. The central Gopuram tower is 65m high. Walls of the building are filled with stone carvings based on stories from Hindu Scriptures such as the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, and Purans. Themes depicting deities and demons churning the milky ocean, Apsaras, nymphs dancing in various poses, Vishnu’s incarnations, Krishna’s childhood pastimes, bird Garuda, snake Vasuki, elephant Aerawat, Indra and other guardians of directions and regions, and other religious stories are elaborately carved on building walls and towers.

The next famed king of Angkor was Jayavarman VII who ruled from 1181 to 1220AD. He was also a great builder and built palaces, temples and irrigation infrastructure. He was a follower of Mahayan Buddhism. He modified and added structures to Angkor Wat with Buddhist themes.

Jayavarman VIII, a Hindu king who reigned between 1243 to 1295AD, attempted to restore and improve Angkor Wat and other old Hindu temples. With the arrival and broad acceptance of Theravad Buddhism in fourteenth century Cambodia, further alterations and additions were made to Angkor Wat. The additions were mostly made of wooden structure, which did not survive for long. Angkor Wat was a prominent temple complex until the end of sixteenth century. During the years after its glorious heydays, Angkor Wat remained a pilgrimage site for observant Buddhists.

Angkor Thom was the largest capital city of the ancient Khmer kingdom, with palaces, temples and other public buildings.

A gated wall surrounded the whole complex.

Bayon temple, presumably dedicated to the four-faced lord Brahma, in the middle of Angkor Thom, has a number of Gopuram towers with faces carved in stones. It is an incredible attraction in Angkor Thom.

Ta Keo was built as a Shiva temple. Steps leading to its upper sections are so steep that one has to crawl on them to climb up or down. A similar steep steps construction is found in many other temples. Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei were also walled cities.

The Indian Archaeological Department is assisting Cambodia in restoring Ta Prohm.

Sites and monuments included in the grand tour circuits are similarly impressive. In addition there are many other temples, monuments and sites of tourist interest.

Notably among them are floating villages on water that are exciting attractions in the region.

Numerous Shiva Lingas and bases for them alone can be seen in many old temples.

Some temples display Buddha Statues where visitors offer prayers. One can see

overgrown trees encompassing ancient statues and building walls in a number of temple complexes.

During the French colonial rule over Cambodia, Henri Mouhout, a French explorer passed through the Angkor Wat area and wrote a travel diary, which was published in 1863. His description of the temples in the region attracted many adventurers from Europe to explore this area further. The author is recognised as the finder of Angkor Wat hidden in the Jungle. This claim of the French discovering Angkor Wat in the nineteenth century is not universally accepted. Other European travellers had also described it earlier in their travel diaries.

The French colonial government undertook and funded restoration works to recondition Angkor Wat and other temples during its rule. The work continued after Cambodia won independence in 1953, and continues to date. Many countries including India are currently participating in restoration works of ancient temples and associated structures.

Angkor Wat has played a significant role in Hinduism and Buddhism. Considering its important role in the history of Cambodia, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared it as a World Heritage Site in 1992.

Angkor Wat is the national symbol of Cambodia and its Gopuram towers are depicted on the national flag.

During our journey from Siem Reap to capital Phnom Penh by road, we noticed a flat landscape dotted with villages and towns that reminded us of the landscape of India.

It is common to see a Buddhist temple/stupa in front of houses and businesses.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city is large and bustling with a population of over 2 million people. The Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, Cambodia Vietnam Friendship Park and Monument, Independence Monument, Norodom Sihanouk Statue, Genocide Museum and Killing Fields are major tourist attractions.

The Silver Pagoda is a beautiful Buddhist temple in the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh. Murals based on stories from the Ramayan are drawn on walls enclosing the Silver Pagoda. The Genocide Museum and Killing Fields relate to the tragic events during the reign of Pol Pot regime from 1975 to 1979. The river Tonle Sap meets the mighty river Mekong near Phnom Penh.

Riverside areas are very scenic and well developed to cater for recreational activities.

Cambodians are friendly people and we noted their natural respect towards Indians.

Ongoing cooperation in restoring ancient monuments, tourism and cultural exchange should help strengthen our ancient historic bonds.

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

Confidence Without Clarity Is A Disaster

Sadhguru, Isha Foundation

Q: I want to know the difference between confidence and clarity.

Sadhguru: Let us say my physical vision is not good – I cannot see clearly – and I need to walk through a group of people. But I am

very confident. What will happen if I walk through?

A lot of people are walking through their life like this because they are confident.

They cannot see a damn thing, but it does not matter; they are confident. This is disastrous for you and for everyone around you. If my vision is clear, I would walk through the whole group without touching anyone. If my vision is not clear, at least if I have the humility to see that I have no clarity, I would seek help and walk slowly. I may not walk as quickly as a man

14 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

who has clear vision, but I would at least go gently.

People think confidence is a kind of substitute for clarity – it is not. Let’s say whenever you want to make big decisions in your life, either professional or family-related, all you do is get yourself a coin and flip it, “Heads we will do this, tails we will do that.” It will work fifty percent of the time! If you are right only fifty percent of the time, there are only two professions you can pursue – you can

either be a weatherman or an astrologer. If you are in any other job, you would most likely be fired.

If we want life to happen the way we want it, the first and foremost requirement is to be clear about what it is that we really want.

Even simple practices can go a long way in creating this. Every day when you wake up in the morning, sit up on your bed crosslegged, sit with your hands open, eyes closed and just look at everything you are not. Appreciate all

that you have gathered – your home, your family, your relationships, your qualifications, your body, your clothes – everything.

Be thankful for that. At the same time, identify everything that is not you as “This is what I have gathered,” and mentally keep it aside. What you gather can be yours, but it can never be you. Spend ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the night every day. This will bring clarity. If one is properly initiated by a Guru, this particular process can take

on a new dimension. But till such an opportunity comes in your life, you can do this by yourself. It will definitely have a big impact upon your clarity.

Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and bestselling author.

Sadhguru has been conferred the "Padma Vibhushan", India’s highest annual civilian award, by the Government of India in 2017, for exceptional and distinguished service.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 17

Cr Angela Owen to run for Moreton in next Federal Election

Cr Angela Owen, who is chair of the council, has been preselected as the LNP candidate for the federal seat of Moreton.

Cr Owen was elected in 2008 and began running council meetings at City Hall in 2015.

The former accountant represents Calamvale ward on council, which abuts the Moreton electorate.

"I am humbled by the support I have received from locals," she wrote in a statement.

“To contest the seat of Moreton is an extension of my commitment to serve the people of the Southside of Brisbane.

“As an accountant I can foresee the devastating impacts the Labor policies will have on the community, from the cradle to the grave.”

Cr Owen will not resign from council while she contests the election.

However, Deputy Opposition leader Jared Cassidy said Cr Owen should stand down from her council duties.

"That Angela Owen would keep her $200,000 publicly funded pay packet while running as an LNP candidate in a federal seat is the height of arrogance," he said.

"Ratepayers are already angry that the LNP administration uses their money to

advertise themselves. Now their rates are being used to fund a political campaign for a Councillor that looks like she is just doing it for fun."

Moreton has been held since 2007 by former teacher, solicitor and education union organiser, Graham Perrett.

The marginal electorate stretches from the riverside suburbs of Chelmer, Sherwood and Corinda in the north, west to Mt Gravatt and south to Sunnybank Hills and Acacia Ridge.

If Cr Owen wins Moreton, she would be the first woman to hold the seat since federation.

Her announcement came days after fellow LNP councillor Julian Simmonds bid farewell to City Hall in order to pursue greater political ambitions and lord mayor Graham Quirk announced his retirement from politics.

The Cr Simmonds (Walter-Taylor Ward) will resign from council as soon as the federal election is called and will run in seat of Ryan.

The Federal seat for Moreton has been a labour strong hold for decades, Graham Perrott MP has been a popular member, well liked and respected by the multicultural community.

Angela is quite popular in the area as well, so it will be a tough campaign for both.

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, leaves a legacy to be proud of The 62-year-old said after 34 years in council it was time for generational change.

"I just feel now is the right time to hand the reins over and pass the baton," he said.

The decision comes 11 months out from the next council elections.

Cr Quirk said he could not commit to another four years but denied he was quitting because he was concerned about his prospects at the next poll.

"It wasn't a consideration at all. Every election is a big fight … and I've faced a lot of them," "It was a personal assessment together with [my wife] Anne … She does a lot of work behind the scenes. We came to a joint decision that this was probably the right time."

Cr Quirk listed the Howard Smith Wharves development, a major park at Oxley Creek, putting LED lights on city landmarks, and the yet-to-be-built Brisbane Metro bus system among his achievements.

But he said no matter what time he left, there would always be a list of jobs left to complete.

"I felt a little frustrated in recent times in terms of the speed of State Government approvals for [Brisbane Metro]," he said.

"It's now up to the next person to take it forward and make it happen."

Mr Newman, also a former Queensland premier, thanked Cr Quirk on Twitter for his service to Brisbane.

"You have made a major contribution to our community and can be proud of your legacy," he said.

Labor lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding, who Cr Quirk beat at the 2016 council election, thanked him for his service and wished him the best for the future.

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri wished Cr Quirk the best for his retirement.

"Graham Quirk and I obviously disagree about a lot of things, but I do acknowledge that elected office is a big sacrifice and a big responsibility and I think he has worked hard for the city in his time as Lord Mayor," he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thanked Cr Quirk for his contribution to Brisbane, while Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said he leaves the city a better place.

Sallyanne Atkinson was lord mayor of Brisbane from 1985 to 1991 and Mr Quirk was a 27-year-old councillor when she was elected into the top job.

She said he was leaving a remarkable legacy.

"He's taken Brisbane to a whole new level ," she said.

"Brisbane is now truly an international city — you just have to walk around town so see so many visitors from overseas, people enjoying South Bank and the very large number of hotels that have opened in recent times."

Ms Atkinson said he had been a steady hand at the helm.

"One of the strongest characteristics that Graham Quirk has is that he's authentic, he genuinely loves Brisbane — he has a very strong feeling for it — but he has always been true to himself," she said.

"What you see is what you get — he's not a show-off."

Cr Quirk entered council in 1985 as councillor for the Rochedale Ward.

He served as deputy lord mayor under Campbell Newman and took over the top job when his predecessor sought to make the jump to state politics.

Cr Quirk said the biggest challenges during his tenure were the problems with Council's IT systems.

Council's technology upgrades suffered a $60 million cost blowout, and accusations that it knew about the alleged exploitation of IT subcontractors brought to Australia on 457 visas.

After years of being accused by the Opposition and some community groups of overdevelopment, last year his administration announced a plan to stop townhouses and apartments being built in areas for single homes.

The move was described by the Opposition as "a multi-million-dollar mea culpa".

The LNP won the last council election in a landslide, reducing the Labor opposition to just five seats.

Harmony day event at Annerley

one hundred people from 40 different ethnic communities came together at Annerley on Harmony Day (21st March) to celebrate the diversity of our Australian culture.

The event, the first of its kind organised by the Fiji Senior Citizens Association of Queensland at the Multicultural Hub at Arnwood Place, Annerley, featured an evening of music, song, dance, culture and ethnic food.

Fiji Seniors Association President, Mr Surendra Prasad OAM, welcomed all guests including representatives of the three levels of government led by the Lord Mayor,

Councillor Graham Quirk and representatives of the indigenous community Aunty Peggy and Aunty Cathy.

Mr Prasad said that particularly in light of the sad event which occurred in New Zealand last week it was important to stress the cohesiveness of Australian society and how tolerant we are of each other’s cultures.

One minute’s silence was observed in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the New Zealand tragedy.

Mr Prasad said “Harmony Day is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our

18 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

community.

We have welcomed new Australians from all corners of the globe and we have opened our taste experiences to a wide range of foods from all over the world.

Through the food, dance, culture, customs and traditions brought to us from other lands we have expanded our horizons and tolerance of our new citizens.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless

of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values”.

During the festivities fifteen members of the Fiji Senior Citizens Association

all aged over eighty were presented with Life Membership.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 19

Even a heavy down pour at the start couldn’t halt this event from going ahead

Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc.’s Chithirai Kalai Vizha, Multicultural Tamil & Indian New Year Celebrations was held at Robelle Domain Parklands on Saturday 30th March 2019 and was graced by nearly 1500 people despite the weather uncertainties.

A not for profit organisation that was started with the intention of providing opportunities to new and young talents to perform on stage, Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc. has so far staged nearly over 900 talents including a lot of new talents.

The Chithirai Kalai Vizha event started with an opening video which is first of its kind for an event in QLD, followed by the lighting of auspicious Kuthu Vizhakku by the dignitaries including Mr. Milton Dick MP – Federal Member for Oxley, Mrs. Charis Mullen MP – State Member for

Jordan, Cr. Angela Owen, Calamvale Ward, Chairman of Council, Brisbane City Council and other VIP’s from the Indian and Multicultural Communities in QLD and welcome speech by the President Rajarajan Thennavan and the elected members of the parliaments and council.

Lots of colourful and mesmerizing Tamil, Bollywood, Bhangra and Telugu performances followed since that got relayed live on the huge screen at the venue to enable audience to watch them from anywhere within the park vicinity. Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc.’s Community Service award for the Year 2019 got presented to Mr. Palani Thevar for his tireless service to the community and other highlights of the event included a Selfie Frame that the VIP’s, Performers and all those attending the event took advantage of by clicking their favourite

Individual and group photos.

Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc. team also took this event as an opportunity to raise an awareness around Domestic Violence and the MC’s got everyone to take pledge to stand against domestic violence and violence against women. The event came to end with the audiences joining and counting together the fireworks countdown displayed on the big screen followed by a wonderful fireworks display and audience dance at the end where a large number of kids joined on stage to dance together and as per their requests the audience dance was played twice to satisfy their desire to dance on stage.

Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc’s Committee is planning on making this event an even more grander venture next year (2020) to be celebrated at two venues in Brisbane and Springfield.

Students celebrate diversity with Colour Fun

On Thursday, 21 March the Boondall State Community enjoyed an afternoon of Colour Fun. The event was planned to coincide with Holi and Harmony Day. Students, teachers and families came together to celebrate the diversity that makes up the Boondall school community. It was a major fundraising activity for the Boondall Primary P&C. Sponsored by Globenet Realty, the event raised $8,500 towards the school's $90,000 target to build a new Prep playground.

GOPIO Gold Coast Sparkling High Tea GOIPIO Gold Coast organised Sparkling High Tea to celebrate International Women’s Day on 9th March 2019 at Pearls Bar, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast. The event was attended by women from various walks of life from the Gold Coast Indian Community who enjoyed some sparkling wine with a scrumptious High Tea. The highlight of the afternoon was a thought provoking panel discussion on the theme for 2019 - Balance for Better.

Associate Professor Dr. Sonu Nigam, Medical Director – Anatomical Pathology, Gold Coast University Hospital was the Guest of Honour and a panellist. The other two panellist Dr. Pooja Sanghi and Mrs. Vahini Panda were selected from the audience.

The moderator, Ms. Seema 20 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

Chauhan, asked the three panellist their views on the balance in social, political and economic platforms and they shared their perspectives and stories.

As it was a much needed conversation many present in the audience also shared their insights and discussed how everyone can help to create that balance.

Pure Indulgence, Priceline Broadbeach, Robina Lower, Surfers Paradise and Elanora, Terraces Restaurant, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Kokum Restaurant and Goa Indian Fusion Restaurant generously contributed towards various prizes.

GOPIO Gold Coast also announced their next event, a business networking event to be held in May 2019 at Seaworld Resort.

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Shabaan: One Of the Gateways To Paradise By . Ml. Nawaaz Ashrafi

The entire year is an occasion when the

servants of Allah are to strive to do their utmost to obey Allah in his obligations and prohibitions and to perform voluntary acts of worship to draw closer to their Lord, gain extra credit, win His favour, and qualify for paradise. Because man was not sent to this world as a perfect creature but with the capacity and inclination to commit sins, Allah in His infinite mercy appointed certain times throughout the year when there is an abundance of rewards for good deeds and an abundance of forgiveness for evil ones.

Allah the Almighty says, “Nay,-whoever submits His whole self to Allah and is a doer of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” [Quran 2: 112]. As we go through our time on earth, we accumulate sins, both minor and major. So it is necessary to make use of the months, days, and hours when Allah’s grace and favor are at their epitome.

The superior times, so described because of the abundant flow of Allah’s grace and favor upon His servants, are scattered throughout the year. Some of the months that have greater meritorious value above the rest are the four sacred months, and the months of Shabaan, and Ramadan.

Examples of the superior days include Friday, the day of Ashura, Mondays and Thursdays, the night of power (Laylut alQadr), the six days of Shawwal, and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Moreover, certain parts of the day carry more virtue than others. Examples include one hour on Friday when supplications are answered and the third part of the night.

SHABAAN Shaaban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, falling between the holy month of Rajab and the glorious month of Ramadan.

It is one of the most meritorious months of the year; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made special mention of it and gave specific instructions on its observance.

The word ‘Shabaan’ means to spread or distribute. This month was so called because during this time the people of Arabia dispersedin search of water or set out on military expeditions after the holy month of Rajab had ended.

The month of Shabaan is a month overflowing with Divine prosperity, mercy, and forgiveness. As with the other times that Allah has chosen for greater virtue, the importance of the month of Shabaan comes from its value for greater gains and rewards. It is therefore to our greatest advantage to seize this opportunity to do good deeds and to have their rewards multiplied to compensate for our mistakes and shortcomings throughout the year. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times” [Muslim]. If this is the reward of good deeds performed at any time, think then of the rewards earned for the performance of good deeds during this special time!

Good deeds come in many forms. They spring from a desire to please Allah the Almighty and end up putting extra weight in the good side of the scales. Every time we perform a good deed, the deeper the scales tips in our favor. There is not a single way to go about this; Allah in His grace and mercy provided us with numerous avenues for good. Some may be arduous, others may be effortless; some may be public, others may be concealed; some may be spiritual, others may have practical worldly value to us or to others. But no matter what, they are always motivated by a love for Allah, hope for Divine propinquity, and an elevated station in the hereafter. Allah the Almighty says, “So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it” [Quran 99: 7] and “Allah is never unjust in the least degree: If there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from His own presence a great reward” [Quran 22 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

4: 40]. No good deed, however seemingly small or insignificant, will go unrewarded.

This is because the reward for good deeds is based on the actual goodness they entail and only Allah can be the judge of this. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do not underestimate any good deed, even if it is [just] a smile in the face of your brother” [Muslim].

Fasting and Shaaban Perhaps there is no greater act of worship that can be performed during this month than fasting, mainly due to its excellence and the superior rewards it entails. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "All of man's good deeds are rewarded tenfold or up to seven hundred times. Allah the Almighty says: Except for fasting. It is Mine and I repay the faster who gives up his desires and food for My sake” [Bukhari and Muslim].

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized the excellence of the month of Shabaan by fasting in it more than in any other month except Ramadan. UsamaIbnZayd narrated that he once told the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “OMessenger of Allah! I do not see you fasting so much in any month like you do in Shabaan.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “It is a month to which people do not pay attention for it comes between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, so I like for my deeds to be raised when I am fasting'" [Al-Nisa`i].

Several lessons can be deduced from this hadith. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) observed fasting in abundance during this month to direct our attention to its importance and special merits. Since the month of Shabaanfalls between two months of extra worship — Rajab, a holy month, and Ramadan — the people tended to neglect this month, missing out on the great good it entails. This is why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wanted through practical example to redirect the people’s attention to this month. The hadith further provides us with the motivation to increase our devotional activities. He said, “It is a month when the record of our deeds are raised to Allah the Almighty.” So it is only fitting that our deeds be presented to Allah when we are in a state of piety, sincerity, patience, selfrestraint, and humility produced by fasting.

Ibn Rajab said, “Fasting in Shabaan is better than fasting in the sacred months, and the best voluntary fast is that which is observed in the months closest to Ramadan, before or after. The fast of these months is to Ramadan what al-Sunan al-Rawatibare to obligatory prayers; they make up for any shortcomings in their regard. Just as al-Sunan al-Rawatib are better than other kinds of voluntary prayers, so are the fasts observed (in the months) before and after Ramadan better than the fasts observed at other times.”

Preparation for Ramadan It was said that the month of Rajab is the month when we plant seeds; the month of Shabaan is the month in which we water the seeds, and the month of Ramadan is the month when we harvest the fruit of our labor. How can the seeds bear fruit if we do not plant or water them?

The month of Shabaan is a prelude to Ramadan.It is therefore tantamount to a training period for the upcoming monthlong physical and mental strain of fasting.

The physical restraints upon nourishment and sexual activities required by fasting and the emphasis on the conscious avoidance of spiritual and moral defects and shortcomings during the fast of Shabaan all help to wean us off appetites, desires, and sins that can become our masters rather than our servants.

Other voluntary acts of worship Because Shabaan is tantamount to a

training period for Ramadan, it is most advantageous to perform in it what is to be performed in Ramadan. Apart from fasting, it is also desirable to pray in abundance, make dhikr (remembrance of Allah), maintain good relations with others, give alms, and make a conscious and sincere effort to abstain from sin and disobedience to Allah.

It is moreover especially favorable to recite the Quran and reflect on its meanings. Apart from being a religious duty, the recitation of the Quran will intercede for its reciters on the Day of Judgment, raise their status in this life, make them from the best of people, admit them in the company of the noble and obedient angels, and elevate their rank in paradise. SalamahIbnKuhayl said, “It was said that the month of Shabaan is the month of reciters [of the Quran].”

The month of Shabaan is indeed an opportune time to engage in profitable trade with Allah.He says, “Verily, those who recite the Book of Allah, and perform prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a (sure) trade¬gain that will never perish” [Quran 35: 29], and “O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment?” [Quran 61: 10].

Celebrating the eve of mid-Shabaan The eve of mid-Shabaan is a special night.

Commemorating this night is,without doubt, lawful regardless of the strength and authenticity of the hadiths that establish its merit. The majority of scholars have maintained the permissibility of acting upon weak hadith if They are related to virtuous deeds and to exhortation and dissuasion.

It was reported that Aisha, the mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “One night, I did not find the Prophet in his bed, so I went out in search of him. I found him at al-Baqi’ cemetery with his head raised towards the sky. He said, ‘O Aisha! Did you fear that Allah and His Messenger would treat you unfairly?’

I said, ‘No, I thought you had gone to spend the night with one of your [other] wives.’

He said, ‘Allah the Almighty (MERCY) descends on the eve of mid-Shabaan to the lowest heavens and forgives more people than the number of hairs on the hides of the sheep of Banu Kalb” [Al-Tirmidhi, IbnMajah, and Ahmad].

Mu’adhIbnJabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “On the eve of mid-Shabaan, Allah looks at His creation and forgives all of them except for the polytheist and the quarrelsome” [IbnMajah].

There is no objection to celebrating this night by performing extra devotional observances, whether individually or in a group,provided they are not considered obligatory and sinful to neglect them and provided the celebrations do not include anything unlawful. The command to observe “the days of Allah” has been mentioned in the Shari’ah. Allah the Almighty says in the Quran, “… and remind them of the Days of Allah” [Quran 14: 5].

Furthermore, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) provides us with a precedent for such commemorations as it was reported that he used to fast on Mondays because it was the day on which he was born. It was also recorded in the Sahihs of Bukhari and Muslim that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) migrated to Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. So he asked them, “What is the significance of this day you are fasting?”

They replied, “On this day, Allah delivered Musa and his people [from their enemy] and drowned Pharaoh and his army—so Musa fasted this day out of gratitude to Allah. We therefore fast on this day too.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said,

“We have a greater right to Musa than you.”

So he fasted on this day and commanded [Muslims] to fast it.”

A landmark event Numerous reports mentionthe manifold virtues associated with the eve of midShabaan. Apart from its spiritual excellence, a great incident that is of special significance for Muslims occurred on this blessed night.

During his journey to the heavens, the Mi’raj, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) received the command for him and his followers to perform the five daily prayers. The qiblah, direction to which the Muslims were told to face during prayer, was Jerusalem. During their time in Mecca and for sixteen or seventeen months after their migration to Medina, the Muslims had turned their faces towards Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during prayer. Then came Allah’s command to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca.For the Muslims of Mecca and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in particular, the Ka’ba was of central significance. The fact that it was erected bythe prophet of Allah, Ibrahim,not only gave it great antiquity but emphasized its connection to Islam. It was moreover a symbol of unity — the gathering ground of all people in pilgrimage. So it was therefore only natural that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had a sincere desire to pray towards the Ka’ba.

Allah knew what was in His Messenger’s heart and answered his deepest desire. He told His Messenger, “We see the turning of your face (for guidance to the heavens: now Shall We turn you to a Qiblah that shall please you. Turn then your face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever you are, turn your faces in that direction.

The people of the Book know well that that is the truth from their Lord. Nor is Allah unmindful of what they do” [Quran 2: 144].

Every second, minute, and hour in a day or night that we spend in worship and submission to Allah, the Lord of all, is of exceptional value. Let us not waste these precious times, especially those that Allah the Almighty has singled out with greater blessings and excellence. Let us not be among those who are heedless of this month but make good use of the innumerable blessings and opportunities presented to us. Let us knock hard on the door of the Almighty to forgive us, to have mercy on us, and to accept us among His righteous servants. Let us turn to Allah with pure hearts laden with faith. Let it be registered in our book of deeds in these days of grants, mercy, and forgiveness thatwe hear and obey His words, “O you who believe!

Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach to Him, and strive with might and main in His cause; that you may prosper.”

[Quran 5: 35] Merits of Sha`ban Sha`ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad S. It is reported in authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad S, used to fast most of the month in Sha`ban. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl) and well deserving of reward, for Sha`ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. The Prophet S mentioned in a hadith, “Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of the Nation”.

1. The blessed companion Anas R , reports that Prophet Muhammad S, was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied, “Fasts of Sha`ban in honor of Ramadan.”

2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid , reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad S: “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha`ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.”

Lighting of Lanterns receives Buddha’s blessing The Buddha Birth Day Festival returns to Brisbane for its 23rd birthday and kicking off the celebrations tomorrow evening is the official Lighting of over 1,000 Red Chinese Lanterns that are currently hanging throughout the South Bank Parklands.

By the time the Festival begins on May 03, more than 2,500 Red Lanterns will light up the Parklands. With the inclusion of energy saving LED globes together with a range of other sustainable measures, the Festival is now recognised as the largest ccredited Climate Friendly Event in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Red Chinese Lanterns date back to the early Han Dynasty (c. 205BC) and denote happiness, good fortune and the ability to ward off evil spirits. Traditionally Red Lanterns were hung above doors and in windows during periods of celebration.

Since the Festival began in 1997, nearly 3 million visitors have basked in the glow of the Red Lanterns, embracing the rich and memorable cultural experience on offer.

Before the Lighting takes place a special Buddhist blessing is being held to purify the Lanterns and all those who enjoy their light.

Schrinner, Lord Mayor-elect together with representatives from Queensland Multicultural Affairs, the Queensland Police Service and McCullough Robertson Lawyers.

The Buddha Birth Day Festival is listed as one of the Iconic Events of Queensland and a Signature Event of Brisbane which commemorates Australia’s harmonious cultural diversity.

With 200,000 visitors, over 1,000 volunteers, 400 performers and 180 events, makes this family friendly event Queensland’s biggest birthday celebration and the largest annual commemoration of Buddha’s birthday in the world.

Lighting of the Lanterns supported by McCullough Robertson Lawyers

Venerable Chueh Shan, Abbess of the Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Buddhist Temple, co-organiser of the Buddha Birth Day Festival, reflects that “these Red Lanterns symbolises hope for the world and each

small good action can make a difference.

A single lantern allows one person to read but 2,500 lanterns can brighten up a whole Parklands”.

Participating in the Lighting is Cr. Adrian

Date: Wednesday April 03, 2019 Location: Arbor entrance next to the Wheel of Brisbane, South Bank Parklands Time: 5.30pm - 6:00pm - Lanterns switched on at 6:00pm www.buddhabirthdayfestival.com.au www.facebook.com/buddhabirthdayfestival @buddhabirthdayfestival.qld snapBuddha

Carers Queensland delivering the NDIS in the Brisbane region The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is now available across the Brisbane region.

Carers Queensland is the official National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) partner in the community (PITC) for Brisbane, and is responsible for local area coordination (LAC) of the Scheme locally.

Carers Queensland Chair Jim Toohey, said that Carers Queensland could be thought of as the ‘gateway to the NDIS’ here in Brisbane.

“The LAC program has two main responsibilities. Firstly, working with and supporting people with disabilities and their families to undertake individual planning conversations for their NDIS plans and help to bring those plans to life.”

“The second, is to work with the whole of Australian society to make it more inclusive of people with

disability,” he said.

Members of Carers Queensland’s Community Development teams are currently hosting NDIS Drop-In Sessions in community spaces across Brisbane.

Staff at these sessions can support people to make NDIS access requests and answer any questions people may have about the scheme.

Once a person gains access to the NDIS, Carers Queensland staff will work with that person throughout the entirety of the process, from pre-planning to using their plan and beyond.

For those not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland staff can help with providing information and referrals to supports within the community.

For any questions about the NDIS in your area, please contact your local Carers Queensland office on the

numbers below.

For details of Carers Queensland’s NDIS events in Brisbane. www.sbrisbanecarersqueensland.eventbrite.com.au/ Lutwyche (Brisbane North service area) Level 4, Lutwyche City Shopping Centre 120 Chalk Street, Lutwyche 4030 P: 07 3215 9600 E: brisbanenorthlac@carersqld.com.au Eight Mile Plains (Brisbane South service area) Garden City Office Building 20, Level 1, 2404 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains 4113 P: 07 3719 9600 E: brisbanesouthlac@carersqld.com.au

The NDIS a ‘game changer’ for this Brisbane family For Brisbane mother Jody, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has opened the door to a world of opportunities for son Michael, 9, who has multiple disabilities and complex support needs.

“Michael has an unbalanced translocation, he is profoundly deaf with global development delay and physical impairment and epilepsy,” Jody said.

“He has got a lovely character and a fabulous disposition.”

“With the NDIS we can look at the things which are important and donate more time and resources towards that. For us the most important thing is Michael, so we can focus on him and his therapies without worrying about where the money is coming from.

“It takes the limitations off us in terms of what we can access to support Michael.”

Michael’s goals involve increasing his communication skills, his physical capacity and developing his daily living skills.

“I try to look every year at what is most important to us for Michael.

“Communication, learning to read and write – these things can open the world up to Michael. He is non-verbal but if he can sign, type or write he can communicate with you.

“These things are important for him moving towards being self-sufficient.”

To achieve these goals, Michael regularly takes part in a number of funded activities including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

Due to a lack of regular funding in the past, the family had paid for these supports in full since 2015.

“As much as we could afford financially we have done ourselves. We have always been accessing all the therapies, but now we can up the level of the support.

“Where once we could afford to do physio once a month we can now do once a week.

Call 07 3865 6533

“It is a game changer. For someone like Michael who learns through repetition it’s important.

Funding has also been made available for Michael to attend intensive therapy programs, which have proved instantly beneficial.

“The progress after a few weeks is great. Michael is now self-feeding, and able to spoon feed himself as a result of the intensive sessions.”

Alongside therapies, the family have been allocated funding for a support worker to help Michael with self-care and to learn daily living tasks.

Additional funding is utilised to employ a Deaf Mentor, www.indiantimes.com

who teaches the family Auslan and educates them about the Deaf community.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge, as well as helping us understand the challenges the Deaf community face.

“We always wanted Michael to feel that Auslan is an accepted language and that we are all involved in it with him.”

Michael attends public school, which is home to a dedicated hearing impairment unit.

Many of the teachers are proficient in sign language, and the school has adapted the curriculum to suit Michael’s specific learning needs.

“He finishes his fourth year there now and in that time he has learned to sign.

“His receptive sign is exceptional, they can sign to him and tell him what they want or what they are doing and he understands.

“He is also learning to sight read. He can read 100 words and is now signing those words, learning simple words and engaging with maths.”

Jody says she feels incredibly appreciative of the support she now receives for Michael.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the NDIS for making this support available to us.

“Being able to access supports that can improve Michael’s quality of life and give him opportunities for his future makes us feel very blessed.”

Jody and Michael are supported on their NDIS journey

by Kirri White, a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) at Carers Queensland’s NDIS LAC office in Lutwyche.

CONTACT / ENQUIRIES: Douglas Connor Communications Officer NDIS LAC PITC Brisbane Douglas.Connor@ndis.gov.au. Ph: 0417 986 316 THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 23

Sangeet Mela 2019 Sangeet Mela 2019, the fifth edition of Australia's premiere Indian classical music and dance festival, was held on Saturday 30th March at Queensland Multicultural Festival. All who attended enjoyed a beautiful bouquet of styles presented by local and international artists. The first session featured young artists who received the Sangeet Mela Rising Star Awards for their dedication to their art. Then followed a range of Hindustani and Carnatic artists in vocal, instrumental and dance with highlights for everyone including 8th generation sarangi master Sri Sangeet Mishra direct from Mumbai, the exciting Qawwali of Tahir Faridi Ensemble, and a transcendent journey in Raga Thodi by

renowned Carnatic vocalist Smt Charulatha Mani and her expert accompanists.

Festival director Shen Flindell said "Events such as Sangeet Mela are invaluable in cultivating Indian classical music, both as the ideal vehicle for artists to perform for a quality audience at a quality venue, and as an attractive package to attract new audiences to this wonderful culture. Unfortunately I am unable to continue to drive this event and will be withdrawing from organising large events to focus on my own practice and students. I will be very happy to support and provide continuity for any individual or organisation who would take over the management of Sangeet Mela."

GOPIO Queensland Celebrates International Women’s Day "We cannot all succeed, when half of us are held back." - Malala Yousafzai “A balanced world is a better world”, the Global theme for International Women Day (IWD) 2019, aims at raising worldwide awareness of genderbalance. Be it workplace, community or home front, myriad people are making a concerted effort towards a “Balance for Better” via intangible actions. As a result, from grassroots to highest authorities’ awareness is raising to highly visible campaigns

and celebrations over the globe.

Aligning with the theme, GOPIO Qld celebrated IWD 2019 on Friday, the 15th of March at Delights of Paradise Brisbane.

GOPIO Qld pro - Kavita Khullar said, “the event is to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against gender bias and to take effective action for equality”.

GOPIO Qld collaborated with JK Events Qld to organise IWD celebration.

Amarjot Goraya, the

newly appointed 2nd Vice President of GOPIO Qld, introduced GOPIO Qld Chapter to the audience and President Vinita Khushal, formally welcomed everyone to the event. Vinita Khushal is the principal solicitor of Bridges Family Law and spoke on selfempowerment and how to conquer everyday stress.

Dr. Sonu Haikerwal from Haans Medical Center, Gold Coast talked about women's health and general wellbeing, which had been an eye opener for the listeners. Dr. Deepti

Parwani, winner of Mrs. India Global 2019, explained how to chase dreams by managing work life balance.

Mrs. Usha Chandra, Immediate Past President of GOPIO Qld, shared details about the upcoming GOPIO's iconic event India Day Fair 2019 and list of GOPIO Qld’s events for the rest of the year.

Kavita Khullar, Director UBS Accountants recited her self-written poems on Balance for Better that enthralled the audience.

Indrani Ganguly, author of book titled The Rose

and The Thorn, shared her inspiration and motivation behind writing this book.

The celebration was spiced up by Bollywood songs, belly dancing and Bollywood workshop

by DJ Desi, guests also participated in several games winning prizes.

Raffle prize winners were the grinners. The jewellery stalls were mesmerizing, while the zeal and enthusiasm at the Bollywood workshop presented by Sajita More had a twist of its own.

As usual, Anu Sharma did a remarkable job as MC, while event co Ordinator Jess Kumar's (JK Events) contribution towards the event is worth mentioning.

Social media coverage was fantastically covered

by GOPIO Qld team's PRO Kavita Khullar.

Exclusive media partners for the sell-out event were Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio.

The overall function left an imprint on the audience to be self-empowering to bring balance for better.

Womens Conference 2019

The Women’s Conference 2019 was organised on Saturday 30th March 2019 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Kingston, Brisbane, an evening of education and inspiration in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2019 and around 160 women gathered at this Grand Gala Dinner event.

Queensland for two years. Mrs Mano Krishna - a President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Queensland chapter, a Senior Scientist at Royal Brisbane Hospital and Suzanne Elliott - a winner of the LSQ Women of Influence Award 2018, a leading researcher in Science for more than 25 years.

The theme of the evening was “Strength Within”.

Mrs Usha Chandra, spoke about her achievements in serving the Indian community and how she worked side by side with her husband in promotion of Indian culture , religion , music and dance to the wider community , in many countries were people of Indian Origin.

Event commenced with a Deep Pragatya (a traditional kick off ceremony) - a Deep Pragatya vidhi by the respected guests and prominent women of the society, those who have offered tireless community and public service, and women of special strength. Invited guests included Mrs Usha Chandra - a winner of the Citizens of the year award, successful businesswoman and a president of GOPIO

Mrs Manonmanii Krishnamohan and Suzanne Elliott have shared their experiences of life and struggles, how they overcame from it and achieved excellence in their studies as well as balanced family life. The main message

of the evening and the guest speeches was to share that there are inspiring women all around us and we can learn so much from them. A seemingly simple housewife can not only teach us how to help raise a strong and happy family, but also about multitasking, prioritising and managing expectations. After event, we took the time to connect with all the all participants, guests and attendees individually which gave us an opportunity to get their feedback and to

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 25

2019 Brisbane International Arts Festival to Celebrate Harmony Day The 2019 Brisbane International Arts Festival (BIAF), hosted by World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. (WAMCI), was held on March 8th & 9th at SunPAC in Sunnybank, Brisbane, Australia, to celebrate Harmony Day, a nationwide celebration on inclusiveness, respect and belonging for everyone.

The chair of BIAF Melody Chen, WAMCI President Edward Lin and WAMCI team welcomed likeminded friends in culture and arts to join for the arts feast.

This year’s BIAF consisted of ten events hosted in five different locations, including Lantern Painting Competition and Exhibition, STORIES Multinational Painting Exhibition, Brisbane International Arts Festival Multicultural Performances, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Charity Performance by Da-Feng Symphony Orchestra and Chinese Youth Goodwill Association (Taiwan), and Taiwan Temple Festival

by Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe and MiaoHsuan Dance. More than 200 performers and artists from diverse cultural backgrounds were invited to share their talents and cultures with over 2,500 participants in pure joy.

On March 8th, the 2019 BIAF Grand Opening was launched with the opening reception of STORIES Multinational Painting Exhibition and the ribbon

cutting ceremony, along with the presence of our honourable guests, the likes of which include federal and state MPs, councillors, OAMs, Queensland Police Service, and community leaders, expressing heartfelt gratitude to WAMCI for hosting such a meaningful festival and to the artists for their inspirational artworks. The six artists from 3 different ethnic backgrounds, Poland: Dr Renata Buziak, Australia: April Giblin and Mark Davey, and Taiwan: Pi-Er Chang, Chih-Ping Hsieh and Melody Chen shared their STORIES, through their vivid and powerful expressions of their life experiences and emotions.

Followed by the climax of the festival, the marvellous Multicultural Performances.

It had performing groups all the way from Taiwan: Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe, Da-Feng Symphony Orchestra, Miao-Hsuan Dance, and Chinese Youth Goodwill Association (Taiwan); Greek group: the Hellenic Dance; West African group drumming group: Beats Eclectic; Indonesian group: Seharum Nusantara Dance Group & Viva Lestari Indonesia dance Group; and South Korean group: Queensland Korean Choir.

The astounding performers literally brought their cultures and arts to life through singing, dancing, instruments, their energy and passion.

On March 9th, two special events introduced audiences to multicultural arts and culture. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Mayoress Anne Quirk both attended the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Charity Performance by Da-Feng Symphony Orchestra and Chinese Youth Goodwill Association (Taiwan), organised by the four Brisbane Ambassadors and WAMCI. For more than 50 years, the fundraising efforts of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust have improved the wellbeing of the most marginalised, vulnerable members of the Brisbane community. This meaningful event raised a total fund of $16,280 for the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust. Lord Mayor and Mayoress presented certificates of appreciation to all the donors in return for their kind hearts.

In the evening on the same day, Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe and Miao-Hsuan Dance brought Taiwanese traditional culture and arts to give us an international cultural exchange.

Through their performances, the audiences became familiar with traditional as well as contemporary Taiwanese dance and artistic expressions.

A special thanks to our sponsors from different areas in the society, including state government, Brisbane City Council,

businesses, banks, airlines, and media, especially Brisbane Indian Times – Umesh Chandra. It couldn’t be as successful without your support.

Bangladesh Association in Brisbane (BAB) welcomed the new year with an exceptional arrangement By handing out the very last pack of food, we felt a great accomplishment and satisfaction by assisting those who are in need during the new year eve. Around a month-long work, including collection of food, arranging legalities and permissions, Bangladesh Association in Brisbane Inc. (BAB) successfully arranged & distributed most essential needs for those are in need and guaranteed few days’ worth of food for the new year 2019.

Maybe it’s not a significant contribution for those who are in need, but we see this is a start and a small step towards a greater transformation. Bangladesh community members were highly delighted and appreciative of this initiative and assisted thoroughly during the various processes.

On the New Years Eve, BAB in association with the Society of Bangladeshi Doctors Queensland (SBDQ) and Rohingya Support Group Australia distributed nonperishable canned food and hygiene products to nearly 100 needy people around the Brisbane City Area. Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Rosies - Friends On The Street (www.rosies.org.au) were also present at the that time to support this initiative. During this time Rosis also carried out their regular Free Coffee & Tea services. The distribution place was Emma Miller Place near Roma Street in the city.

For nearly one-month BAB was collecting canned food and hygiene products through multiple collection points around Brisbane as well as through home visits. A day before, BAB team gathered all foods and made mixed packs for distribution.

26 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

The program was announced by social media (Facebook Community Group) and emails and the response of the Bangladesh Community Members were outstanding.

They came forward, they donated as well as praised the initiative.

As a responsible community group, we combinedly worked towards a better cause and tried to bring some positive change in the community as well as in the lives of those who are in significant need and assisted them for their survival.

Multiculturalism emphasises on the diverse cultures, and that they are able to show their uniqueness in this country.

It’s the 6th annual Brisbane International Arts Festival

to celebrate Harmony Day, that WAMCI provides a platform for cultural exchanges, allowing different ethnic groups to be seen, to be appreciated, and to be respected.

Making Waves Behind Bars: The Prison Radio Association

In the first study to explore the growth of radio stations in prisons, this book documents the history of the Prison Radio Association (PRA) in the United Kingdom, the first organisation of its kind internationally. Through a detailed case study of the formation of National Prison Radio, this book outlines the process through which relatively smallscale media activism, based on prisoners’ rights, came to be an intrinsic part of prison culture, playing a central role in institutional operations.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 27

Growing together: Partnerships to help community radio thrive A key strategy of the CBAA

is to assist stations to build their capacity. This means, helping your station to build its skills, resources, knowledge, personnel, infrastructure, content and income to continue thriving and growing to meet the current and changing needs of your community.

I’ve recently been thinking about the many ways in which we do this. But what exactly does capacity building mean, and what does it look like?

A traditional understanding of capacity building in the not-forprofit sector is one that highlights that organisations accepting help or support (be it through partnerships, contractors or funding avenues) must eventually grow up (and "on") and be able to eventually stand on their own two feet. And this may be true, and one of the things we assist stations to do and be as well - independent and sustainable.

But this narrow definition can sometimes be detrimental. If the “ultimate goal” of a not-for-profit organisation is a complete state of self-sufficiency where they are not reliant on external resources to run or support operational tasks, then organisations end up doing a lot of highly-specialised operational tasks that they might not have trained people or enough people to undertake. This especially impacts small organisations with limited personnel, or, like many community radio stations, those that are volunteer run. Trying

to do a lot of things not so well instead of a few things really well can often lead to burnout or an unsustainable organisation.

All types of organisations outsource work: be that accounting, report auditing, market research, web development and maintenance or waste collection services. By not bringing these operational tasks into your organisation, it doesn't mean that you're not independent

or sustainable, but rather you've found a model that allows you to focus on your organisation's key purpose and tasks. Perhaps in community radio, you bring a bookkeeper in, so you can focus on creating engaging radio content that reaches your community.

We understand this model can be challenging for volunteer-run stations, and all stations have limited finances. One way we aim

to help build stations' capacities is by providing affordable or free services and partnerships. For example, the CBAA provides Radio Website Services (RWS), a tailored website package that is developed for community broadcasters, by community broadcasters, and can be catered to your unique needs – including IT support and training. We provide the Community Radio

Network (CRN), which offers supplementary content you can use to broadcast alongside and enhance your local programming offerings. We provide Amrap to help you find the newest Australian musicthat you can access for free, to help build your station's library and find new artists, which you can share with your listeners. The aim of these services is not to take away from your independence, but rather to support your independence, and assist you in making the best radio possible to service your community.

So I propose a new way of thinking about capacity building: one that really helps us to become the best community organisations that we can be, that enables us to focus on our specialities, provides us with time and scope to learn new things, and relies on healthy partnerships for other organisational functions.

Our sector has a long history of collaboration, as well as sharing knowledge, music, content and resources, and has always worked creatively to problem solve and contribute to a diverse and democratic Australia. We’ve never been afraid to ask for help when we need it, and continue partnerships when they’re working and meeting our needs. I look forward to continuing in partnership with you all.

Originally published in the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia's CBX Magazine, November 2018 edition.

Is Shakespeare’s Macbeth based on a Holi legend?

Phagwa or Holi, the Festival of Harvest and Colour, is here!

It is signalled by the bloom of the large poui trees visible for miles because of their distinct bright yellow and mild pink colour. The bloom of the poui foresees Phagwa and the heart of the dry season when watermelons are harvested and sugarcane was cut not too many years ago.

All over the world, Phagwa is celebrated with chowtal songs, music and dances.

Added to the repertoire in Trinidad and Tobago are pichakaree songs on the theme of resistance and empowerment.

A variety of watercolours (abeer) are mixed and sprayed on participants, with the corresponding coloured powder (gulaal) smeared on their clothes and bodies. Phagwa is also a time when Hindus, who have studied the legend of Hiranya-kashipu and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, meditate on the deep similarities between the two stories. The similarities are too peculiar and numerous to dismiss as sheer coincidence.

Both Hiranya and Macbeth were over-ambitious kings who turned into tyrants.

Each plotted the murder of someone once held dear and close to him. King Hiranya planned the murder of his own son, Prahalad.

Similarly, General Macbeth murdered his king, Duncan, and usurped the throne.

Hiranya and Macbeth were both granted a boon of invincibility by supernatural beings.

Hiranya was promised by Lord Brahma that he would not be killed by man or animal; in the day or night; indoors or outside; and on earth or in space.

Eventually, he was slain by the avatar, Narasimha, in the incarnation of a man with a lion’s head. Hiranya was defeated at twilight (when it is neither day nor night), on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor outside), and on the avatar’s lap (neither earth nor space).

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the tyrant king was assured by mystical creatures that he would not be killed by anyone born of woman, and until the forest of Birnam moved to the hill of Dunsinane. Eventually, Macbeth, was slain by Macduff, who was born by a Caesarean section. He was killed when soldiers camouflaged themselves

28 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

with branches from the forest of Dunsinane.

Frithjof Schuon, the respected Swiss philosopher of religion, also notes the striking similarities between the legends of Hiranya and Macbeth. In the book Logic and Transcendence (1975), Schuon uses the story of Hiranya to illustrate the point that a prophecy cannot be entirely accurate, and, therefore, should not be taken literally. Schuon discusses the sequence of prophecy, false assurance, pride and “divine ruse” in the legend of Hiranya, and concludes that “Shakespeare took this subject or doctrine for his theme in Macbeth ...”

In an article entitled “The Invisible Saraswattie” published in a peer-reviewed journal, Sasenarine Persaud (1996) contends that “...

nowhere is the Indian influence more remarkable in Shakespeare than in one of his greatest tragedies, Macbeth.”

The story of Hiranyakashipu is narrated in the Bhagavata Purana, (also known as Srimad Bhagavatam, or Bhagavata), one of the sacred literary texts of Hinduism. The celebrated text contains mainly stories of devotees and their attachment to divine incarnations, particularly Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu. Historical scholars generally agree that the Bhagavata-Puranawas probably composed around 3100 BCE. It is believed that Shakespeare wrote The Tragedy of Macbeth (commonly called Macbeth) sometime between 1603

and 1607.

The source of the story is controversial. It is commonly considered to be based on historical accounts drawn from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1587). However, the outline of Macbeth bears little relation to real events associated with the Scottish king and Scottish history.

It seems that Shakespeare drew the outlines of Macbeth from the legend of Hiranya.

There are a few of his other plays that show Indian influence. One is King Lear, apparently based on the Indian folktale “The King and his Seven Daughters,” published in my book Caribbean Indian Folktales (2005). Both stories open with a king summoning all his daughters to question their loyalty and love for him. The youngest, honest daughter does not flatter him like the others do.

In shock and anger, the king banishes her without her inheritance from the kingdom. It is a mistake the king realises only at the end when they reunite.

A third example is The Merchant of Venice derived perhaps from in the LalitaVistara, the biography of Buddha, written in 100

AD. The “pound of flesh” motif in LalitaVistara reappears in this Shakespeare’s play.

In his article, “The Invisible Saraswattie,” Persaud provides details of trade between Europe and India dating from as early as 2000 BCE. Persaud developed the subject first introduced by A.L. Balsham in his monumental work, The Wonder that was India (1979).

This contact between the two places influenced economic, political, social, cultural and literary life in both societies.

Europe’s most dramatic contact with India was the Greek invasion, starting with the conquest of Alexander the Great in 326 BCE. The romance of India attracted Europeans to the fabled land for thousands of years. In 1492, it drove Christopher Columbus to set sail across the Atlantic to find a sea-route to the land of gold, silk, spices and stories.

(Dr. Kumar Mahabir is Assistant Professor in School of Cognition, Learning and Education,University of Trinidad and Tobago.)

(Source: www.pravasitoday.com)

2019 Federal Budget: What it means for Individuals

Personal Income tax cuts were the headline of the 2019 Federal Budget – along with a change to super contributions and a new work test age.

By NAB Group Economics

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s first Budget focuses on reducing the tax burden for the majority of working Australians, greater superannuation flexibility for retirees and a one off energy relief payment for eligible income support recipients.

Personal tax savings • Immediate tax relief: Low and middle income earners will receive a tax saving of up to $1,080 per person. This can be claimed in the 2018/19 tax return.

• Preservation of tax relief for low and middle income earners: From 1 July 2022, the 19 per cent tax bracket will increase from $41,000 to $45,000, with an increase in the low income tax offset from $645 to $700.

• Reduction in key marginal tax rate: From 1 July 2024, the current 32.5 per cent marginal tax rate will drop to 30 per cent for income between $45,000 and $200,000.

• Minimisation of bracket creep: The Government estimates that from 1 July 2024, 94 per cent of taxpayers will have a marginal tax rate of no more than 30 per cent.

Greater retirees

superannuation

flexibility

for

• Changes to voluntary super contributions: Australians aged 65 and 66 will be able to make voluntary super contributions without meeting the work test – removing the need for people of this age to work a minimum 40 hours over a 30 day period.

• Increasing age limit for spouse contributions: The age limit for people to receive contributions made by their spouse on their behalf increases from 69 to 74 years.

• Extended access to bring-forward arrangements: People aged 66 and under will now be able to make three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions to their super in a single year, capped at $100,000 a year.

Small to medium business • Increase in instant asset write-off: The threshold for the instant asset write-off increases to $30,000 from $20,000. It has also been broadened to include businesses with up to $50 million in turnover, making it available to around 3.4 million Australian businesses.

Pensioners & welfare recipients • Energy Assistance Payment: Over 3.9 million eligible Australians will automatically receive a one-off payment of $75 for singles and $125 for couples (combined) to assist with their energy bills.

This payment will be exempt from income

tax and not counted as income for social security purposes.

Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law.

For more insights about what the federal budget means for you visit mlc.com.au/eofy.

BrisAsia’s Holi Festival showered with Multiculturalism/coloured everyone Equal The Indian Cultural & Sports Club Inc. (ICSC) hosted the Indian festival of colours- Holi under the initiative of BrisAsia Festival of Brisbane City Council, also supported by the Queensland Government on March 2nd, 2019 at Rocks Riverside Park, Seventeen Miles Rocks.

Every year, ICSC holds Brisbane Holi with a vision to unite people from diverse cultures and ethnicities and commemorate the festival with nothing but love for each other.

The event was opened by invited guests by Mrs. Archana Singh Hon Indian Consulate in Brisbane, Jagdeep Singh Bhinder (President Indian Cultural & Sports Club Inc.) Cr. Matthew Burke (Chairman of City Planning Committee and Councillor for Jamboree Ward / represented Lord Mayor of Brisbane), Jess Pugh (MP for Mt. Ommeney, Milton Dick MP Federal Member for Oxley / represented Minister Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe ), Angela Owens (Chairman of Council & Councillor for Calamvale), Ram Mohan (President of FICQ), Evan Alaxander (Marketing & Creative Industries Director | Access Community Services Limited), Swaroop Verimmilly (Director Swades Foods) The speakers and guests applauded the efforts of ICSC in organising this mega event and congratulated the members and volunteers.

With the concept of ‘Colour Everyone Equal’, this multicultural fest was immensely successful with performances from Songlines Choir Committee, Gujrati Association of Queensland, Indonesian Dance Group and Grand Avenue State School, SJJ Creative, Dance Masala, Bollywood Australia Dance Competition (Bollywood Battles), Bhangra United, Call 07 3865 6533

Let’s Bollywood and many more.

The free to join event was graced by thousands of city dwellers coloured with joy witnessed the spectacular colour throws in the sky and danced to the tunes of Bollywood together, during the event.

Chairman of Indian Cultural & Sports Club Gurtej Chahal said “We are proud that wider communities’ participation has increased every year to more than 50% this year and this event has showcased the sheer joy of such people who forgot everything and chose love when coloured equally.”

‘Our objective was to spread happiness and foster positive relationships with diverse communities to promote multiculturism, through this festival of colours.

“I commend and congratulate all the volunteers for working so hard and grateful to our corporate sponsors to make this event an enormous success,” he said.

For event pictures and videos: https:// www.facebook.com/ICSCBRISBANE/ For further information please contact: Gurtej Chahal 0433 992 826. Chairman Indian Cultural & Sports Club Inc. www.indiantimes.com

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 29

3

FOR

5

$ .00

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 31

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Happy Easter Dear reader, it is with great joy we bring to you the Word of God, during this month of Easter. Let me start by asking, are there things you’re living with that you need to say, “It is Pastor Joseph Dass finished?” Are you carrying around regret and shame because of past mistakes, living in guilt, feeling less and not expecting anything good? You need to declare, “It is finished! I’m done beating myself up, living condemned.

God’s mercy is bigger than my mistakes.

I’m restored. I’m forgiven. I am a child of the Most High God, and I’m excited about my future.”

This is what happened about 2000 years ago. When Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, between two thieves, at a crossroads so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew, Latin and Greek language.

People of all works in life passed by that way and so could read the writings in their own languages. This is where Jesus draws a deep breath, pushes His feet down on those Roman nails and cries: “It is finished.”

What was finished? The work done on earth by Jesus Christ as a man was finished. The blood was shed, a sacrifice made, the curse of sin was broken, and the sting of death was removed. The work of redeeming humankind and their salvation was completed. The question of “What happens when we die?” is answered and sin that leads to hopelessness and eternal punishment has been taken care of. For you and I, are saved not by doing good works

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but by the grace of God, who in His great mercy chose to forgive all our wrongs and sins by sending His Son Jesus Christ to suffer punishment and die on the cross on our behalf. From the cross, He was laid in the grave, but on the third day He rose again, declaring: “I am the Beginning and the End, I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive always, and because I live, you will live too.” By placing our faith in Jesus and the finished work at the cross, we enter, into eternity with Jesus.

You too can put your faith in Jesus today by saying “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to save me. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Saviour. Now, help me to live for You the rest of this life.” You are saved!

It simply means, when we could not make it to heaven, heaven came to us. He has brought life and immortality to all humankind.

Not only has Jesus finished the work in the future, but He has done so for you today.

Are there things you are living with, that you need to say, “It is finished?” Are you carrying around guilt and shame because of past mistakes, living in regret, feeling inferior and not expecting anything good?

Then you need to say, “It is finished!

I’m done beating up myself and living condemned. God’s mercy is bigger than my mistakes. I’m redeemed. I’m forgiven.

I am excited about my future.

God bless you and have a blessed Easter.

Ps Suresh Dass Joseph

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 33

Historical Indonesia Australia Interfaith Dialogue

BANDUNG, Indonesia was the host for the historic interfaith dialogue between the two countries, historic in the sense that this was the first time an interfaith dialogue was organised in collaboration with the two governments, normally interfaith Dialogues are organised by faith based organisation and not government.

From Brisbane Queensland Umesh Chandra was chosen as part of the delegation, indeed a proud privilege for him to be an official representative of Australia. Australian Delegation was made up of, Umesh Chandra (Qld) - presenter, Dya Singh (Vic) – moderator, Rev Samuel Green (Tas) presenter, Sister Elizabeth Vagg ( Tas) presenter , Dr ( Mrs ) Zuleyha Keskin ( WA) keynote presenter , Quang Ba Thich ( ACT) moderator.

Head of Australian delegation was H.E. (Mr).

Gary Francis Quinlan AO, Australian ambassador and

the Indonesian delegation was headed by (Mr).

Cecep Herawan, Director General for information and public diplomacy. The program began with an official breakfast reception for Australian delegation hosted by Ambassador Gary Quinlan at De Paviljoen Hotel. Following the official opening the plenary sessions began, the first plenary session was “democracy, Religion and Pluralism” the second plenary session was “freedom of Expression: Spreading peaceful messages and combatting misuse of Media”. After lunch plenary session three was “Addressing the problems: Strengthening cooperation and advocating policy towards inclusive society” A dinner reception was hosted by Ministry of foreign affairs at rooftop Vesper Sky lounge, the enjoyable evening of music saw many delegates including head of Indonesian Delegation join

AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR JAKARTA 29 March 2019 To: Participants of the 2019 Indonesia-Australia Interfaith Dialogue I would like to thank you for your participation in the 2019 Indonesia­Australia Interfaith Dialogue in Bandung on 13-14 March. It was a powerful demonstration of the importance of respect and acceptance and messages of peace.

The savage terrorist attacks in Christchurch show how vulnerable our societies are and how difficult it remains in the face of such extremism to promote the messages from the interfaith dialogue. The Australian Government condemns unreservedly this act of hate.

As Prime Minister Morrison said in his statement on 17 March, love conquers hate. There is no excuse for violence towards any person, and Australia rejects discrimination of any kind. An attack on one faith is an attack on all faiths.

Following the tragedy, Australians have united in a show of support for our Muslim communities.

There were prayer vigils across Australia on the weekend after the attacks involving all senior political, religious and community leaders and all faiths. Mosques in Victoria were open for non­ Muslim visitors and received record non-Muslim attendance.

Our Prime Minister contacted President Widodo directly to convey our condolences for the death of an Indonesian in Christchurch and the injuries sustained by a father and his son. Last week, our Foreign Minister Marise Payne visited Jakarta and discussed Australia's response to the terrorist act with her Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Marsudi. Minister Payne also visited Indonesia's national mosque, Istiqlal, to express her solidarity with the Muslim community there.

In addition, I have been engaging personally with key members of Indonesia's Muslim communities.

Following the attacks, an independent Senator in Australia made comments that were rejected as unacceptable by the government, political parties and civil society leaders. When Australian Parliament resumes in April for its final session before the election in May, both the Government and Opposition parties have indicated they will table a resolution condemning the senator's comments and reaffirming the importance of tolerance and respect.

I am sure there will be a number of practical responses to the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

The government is looking into ways to ensure the principles of civility, openness and acceptance, which have helped to make Australia such a successful multicultural society, continue to apply

34 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

online as they do offline. Our Prime Minister has proposed the G20, a forum of the world's largest economies including Indonesia and Australia, examine this issue. Australian security agencies are working closely with their New Zealand counterparts on the response to the terrorist attacks, and what lessons we can learn from it.

In such a connected world, terrorism requires the closest international cooperation. Australia and Indonesia have a long history of cooperation in combatting terrorism and extremism. We have the closest counter terrorism cooperation of any neighbours in our region. Terrorism has no religion, and we must all stand together against hate and intolerance.

In the wake of the Christchurch attacks, it is more important than ever that our communities come together and promote messages of peace and respect. The action of one deranged terrorist does not undermine the fundamental values of mutual respect that underpin both Australia and Indonesia.

It was instructive to be a part of the IndonesiaAustralia Interfaith Dialogue in Bandung. It is my hope that you all, like me, came away with a deeper understanding of the diversity of culture and faith in both Australia and Indonesia.

Perhaps the most important thing for the future that can come out of these dialogues is the increased connections between individuals from both of our countries, whether this be in the form of friendships, research collaborations or professional networking. These links are increasingly vital in deepening the people-topeople relationships that need to form the bedrock of relations between Australia and Indonesia.

The interfaith youth leaders who attended the dialogue in Bandung are a great example of the bright future we should aim for. They are clearly passionate about democracy and pluralism.

To encourage their ongoing contribution to interfaith relations, we support the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia to hold a regional interfaith youth camp in Indonesia in 2020.

We would welcome your initiatives or suggestions coming out of the 2019 Indonesia-Australia Interfaith Dialogue.

Personally, it was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to staying in touch in the future.

Gary Quinlan AO

in the singing. Next day the delegation was hosted

by Maranatha Christian University, were Dr Zuleyha Keskin delivered her keynote address titled “The use of social media for interfaith dialogue and spreading peace, following her talk a movie “ Da’wah “ was screened it gave an insight of everyday life in an Islamic Boarding school.

The delegation then left for site visit to the village of tolerance where, a Mosque, a Temple and a Church stand side by side, in his speech Umesh Chandra commended the administrators of the villages and suggested that the name could be changed to “village of Unity” instead of village of tolerance. A special dinner was hosted for Australian Delegation only

by Davis Peebles, minister Counsellor political and public Affairs.

Below is the letter from Ambassador Quinlan to the participants.

Jai Shree Krishna

SSDHAQ would like to sincerely thank each and everyone of you for taking your valuable time out to attend the 2019 Faag Sammellan celebrations held at QVCC Hall. The event was attended by a record turnout of over 250 devotees.

Holi is referred to as the most energetic Indian festival, filled with fun and good humour; and even the rules of separation are abandoned. All the Faag Mandalis and people present lived up to this expectation as was seen from the electrifying atmosphere of the evening. The united golden voice of the Chautaal Singers with the beat of the dholak, the sounds and rhythms from the musical

instruments, talents and skills of young and seniors within the various chautaal group, merrymaking and the dances added to the excitement of the evening.

SSDHAQ would like to thank all the 5 mandalis that participated. A very big thank you to the Chairman of the Faag Sammellan Committee and to the hardworking volunteers including individuals and mandalis who assisted in

any way or form towards the catering / logistics of this event in making this event another success.

As with any event of this magnitude run solely by volunteers, there may have been some drawbacks / shortfalls and we offer our apologies for any inconvenience that may have been caused.

We would welcome any suggestions and feedback that you may have.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019 — 35

focus on fiji

Fiji revokes big Chinese resort's rights The Chinese developer of a new resort on a Fijian Island faces a massive clean-up bill after Fiji's Department of Environment cancelled the project's approval.

The cancellation came a day after Newsroom journalists who have been investigating the development on Malolo Island were freed after being detained by police in the capital, Suva, after seeking answers from the developer Freesoul Real Estate.

Newsroom's co-editor Mark Jennings, Investigations editor Melanie Reid and cameraman Hayden Aull had been arrested after staff at the Suva office of the developer, Freesoul Real Estate, accused them of trespassing.

The High Court in Suva was to hear an application for an interim injunction on Tuesday morning to halt work at the resort.

It was being brought by the adjacent land owners who say the developer has wrecked part of their land and caused extensive damage to the foreshore.

Their lawyer, Dr Kenneth Chambers, said he was called by Freesoul's lawyer late Monday afternoon and told the Department of the Environment had revoked the developer's Environment Impact Assessment approval.

Chambers said Freesoul's lawyer indicated it would concede to the injunctive relief his clients are seeking.

"The interesting point that comes out now is that the cost of rectifying the damage that's been done. The big question is whether the Chinese Government will put its hand in its pocket. I believe Freesoul is part of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative," said Chambers.

Freesoul's Chinese-language website says it signed an agreement in 2017 with the Shanghai Media Group to help it explore the "highly promising" Fiji tourism market as part of the Belt and Road policy.

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama was the only South Pacific leader invited to the first Belt and Road Forum in 2017, the

site says.

The two landowners, Australian Woody Jack and local man Ratu Jonah Joseva were last week joined in their battle against Freesoul by expat New Zealand businessman and philanthropist, Sir Owen Glenn.

Glenn, who has the title of Ratu - or chief - of the Mamanuca Islands, said he had just recently discovered what was happening on Malolo.

He has a block of undeveloped land next to where Freesoul is building its controversial resort and casino. In an affidavit prepared for today's hearing he said: "I am the rightful landowner of 5 acres of land on Malolo Island, of which I believe has been desecrated by Freesoul and respectfully request that Freesoul make good to the condition it was before they carried out their works. I am a concerned neighbour and landowner on Musket Cove, Malololailai and have funded the school in Solevu village by being a sponsor for the school's rebuilding and renovations. I need to weigh in on these issues because they are close to my heart and also affect my property interests."

Chambers said he doubted Freesoul had the resources to restore the once pristine land to its original state as it would cost "two to three million dollars a day for weeks and weeks.

"Dickson Peng (Fiji based director of Freesoul) runs a phone shop in Suva and that sort of business does not have the clout to do this by itself. The Chinese Government will have to help sort out the mess."

Freesoul had been granted its environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval with 55 conditions attached, in December 2018.

On January 31 this year, an inspection team from the Department of Environment visited the development site and found 20 of the 55 conditions had been breached. Fourteen of the breaches were considered serious as they had a direct impact on the surrounding environment.

Fiji thrash France to claim record fifth Hong Kong Sevens title

Fiji celebrate winning the Hong Kong Sevens Source: Associated Press

Fiji won a record fifth Hong Kong Sevens rugby trophy at Hong Kong stadium, beating France 21- 7 in the final.

Fiji opened the scoring with a try by Wilimoni Boitu in the fifth minute and then another by Aminiasi Tuimaba on the halftime whistle to go into the break 14-0 up.

France scored a penalty try in the second half to close to within seven points with five minutes left on the clock after Josua Vakurinabili was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle that prevented Gabin Villiere from scoring.

France's advantage did not last long with Tavite Veredamu deemed guilty of the same infringement on Paula Dranisinukula to make it six on six.

36 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2019

Tuimaba made the most of the extra space to score again in front of the Fijian supporters.

Fiji, with the crowd firmly behind the team, looked unstoppable all week, beating Argentina 29-24 in Sunday's quarter finals before disposing of league leaders United States 28-19 in the semifinals. The win takes Fiji to 123 points and second in the 2019 world series standings.

France beat 12-time series winners New Zealand in a close 14-12 quarter final before beating Samoa 19-12 en route to the finals.

Second place puts France 9th in the overall rankings before moving on to the next world series clash in Singapore.

Freesoul Real Estate carved a large channel through the reef near its big Malolo resort development.

They included the influx of sedimentation into the waterways with no silt traps; the impact to the seagrass and coral reef ecosystem from barge anchorage and offloading activity; the impact to iguana for the clearance of tropical dry forest; and the pollution to the environment of poor management of waste.

The inspectors strongly recommended that the EIA approval be cancelled and that Freesoul be compelled to dismantle all structures built at the site. They also recommended that Freesoul be made to restore and rehabilitate the site to its original state.

Freesoul was given 14 working days to meet with the Department of Environment and submit in writing the reasons for its noncompliance.

Newsroom understands that Freesoul did not make any written submission but the department has sat on its hands for nearly two months, until Friday.

Asked if he thought the international publicity surrounding the release of the Newsroom journalists on Thursday and the subsequent apology from the Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, had been the catalyst for action, Chambers said, " I think it must have …..It is not that difficult to join the dots, they were very quickly connected too."

Fiji's Prime Minister told Parliament on Thursday before meeting the Newsroom journalists that he had personally ordered their release, and would undertake a full investigation to see why a small group of "rougue officers" had used such heavy handed tactics.

He said if there has been "undue influence" appropriate action would be taken.

"The conduct of Freesoul Real Estate Development has been deeply concerning to me personally for some time. As both a Fijian who treasures our environment and a global advocate for sustainable development, I share the public's outrage.

"We need to send a strong message Freesoul Real Estate Development and other developers looking to cause us harm, that they are not welcome to operate in Fiji - that message needs to be backed by law to prevent repeat offences from bad faith developers.

"That is why we have been considering a law which we will urgently introduce in the next session of Parliament to permanently ban companies that blatantly disregard our environmental laws and protections. " Chambers said his clients were very happy with the Department of Environment decision. "They feel like David did when he whacked Goliath with the rock."

Fijian PM receives an internationally recognized award Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has received the 2019 Sustainable Development Leadership Award from the Energy and Resources Institute of India [TERI].

TERI Director-General Dr Ajay Mathur says Fiji was awarded due to its effort in recognizing the potential of the global community to increase the proportion of finance available for climate change adaptation and resilience building.

Dr Mathur adds Fiji’s efforts to create an environment of communication through the use of the Talanoa Dialogue at the international stage is also worthy of praises.

“You have been at the forefront of ambitious policies to combat environmental damage

and you know some of the things that all of us are very proud of in the community is your promise that at least ten per cent of electricity in Fiji would come from the new renewable sources and this is in addition to the hydroelectricity which is already zero carbon.”

He also spoke highly of the environment and climate adaptation levy that has been put in place by the government.”

The Prime Minister while receiving the award reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment towards climate change global action.

“This award was more than a win for me or win for Fiji, it was a win for small and developing states around the globe and it shows that when it comes

to impacting the world, it is not the size of your country that matter but the size of your voice and for a country like ours with a population of less than a million to be recognized by TERI based in your nation of over 1.3 billion of population is proof that Fiji’s voice is being heard far and wide.”

Bainimarama while appreciating the award acknowledged that the win was not for him or Fiji but for small and developing states around the globe.

Individuals of the likes of former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon have won a similar award.

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Life is in The Blood! ….Therefore It is called The Good Friday and The Resurrection Sunday!

Key Scripture: Revelation 12:11 And they overcame the Devil by the Blood of Lamb (Jesus Christ) and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death (That is the believers testified to what the Word of God says about the blood of Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross) Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the body is in the blood. I have given you the blood on the al-tar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood given in an exchange for life, that makes purification possible Dear Reader, We are excited to bring you the Greatest Good News on this planet earth. Our theme simple and clear. It is to make God Real and Personal the reader. And to reveal our Creator as a God of compassion and forgiveness, so that we may know how to relate to Him. Just like a Father and Children have a loving relationship.

First, we need to understand that God is not an object or an image or an imagination of human mind. God is a living and loving person. His nature and characters are unchanging for generation to generation. We find this amazing revelation in the pages of The Holy Bible.

Keep reading with a humble heart and an open mind. You will surely en-counter your Creator today. You don’t need a thousand years for your Salvation (Mukti). You can receive your greatest miracle ‘Mukti’ today. This is the confidence you can have in Christ alone.

Have you considered value of the human blood? The life of human body and soul is in the blood cells. When there is no blood in the body there is no life. The Red Cross and other blood banks knows the high value of blood. The human blood can’t be produced in a laboratory or in any manufacturing facility.

The human blood has to be given voluntarily to save life of other human beings. Let us look Call 07 3865 6533

at the supreme truth about the blood of Jesus Christ that brings peace and reconciliation to the lost humanity on this planet earth.

The gift of Good Friday is that The Lamb of God gave His blood for the entire humanity.

Jesus shed His blood for redeeming the lost humanity. For God so loved the world and He gave His one and only Son as a supreme sacrifice. Whosoever believes in the sacrifice of Christ will not perish. For Jesus went to the cross for our sins of entire human race. When you receive this truth into your heart and soul you receive an eternal life.

Christ also promises a new heart and new mind to all who trust in His Word and in His love. The whole world has one main issue, it is the issue of sin in the human hearts. Because of that one issue, our blood is infected with sin and this has separated us for knowing God personally.

Only God can cure this sin infected heart of human race. That is exactly what Christ did on the Cross of Calvary. That is why it is called as “Good Friday”. Something that is extremely good happened to entire human race on that day.

Jesus Christ shed His blood to Redeem us from the Satan’s grip (Ephesians 1:7) Continued on Page 55 www.indiantimes.com

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 37

Health

Beauty Wellbeing

Achieve beautiful hands and nails • mixed nuts such as brazils, almonds, walnuts & pecans (unsalted) • cold pressed vegetable oils i.e. extra virgin olive, add to salads and soups • raw seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and poppy seeds, add to salads and/ or dressings

Nimisha Modi

Hetvi Hair & Beauty 0412 350 013 Hey Girls, do you suffer from dry skin, dehydrated cuticles, hang nails, flaking, brittle and discoloured nails? If you do then keep reading for beauty cubes ‘back to basics’ tips on all round hand and nail care.

‘Water alert’ – choose your fluids wisely Cut down if you can on caffeine and alcohol, which naturally dehydrate and draw nutrition away from the skin and its associated cell membranes. Opt if you can for antioxidant rich beverages such as green and white tea, and naturally sweet antioxidant rich fruit juices such as pink grapefruit, orange and apple.

‘Beauty comes from within’ – review your diet Are you getting enough vitamins, minerals and protein? The essential ones for skin, and nails are A, C & E along with calcium, selenium and essential fatty acids, otherwise know as omega 3. These will all maintain overall skin and nail health, and good sources of these to include in your diet are:

‘Smooth your troubles away’ – gentle exfoliation is key Use a good exfoliator once a week, to slough away any dead skin cells that make the skin look dull and slow down cell renewal. Gentle stimulation of the skin will improve circulation, and ensure a speedy delivery of nutrients to the cuticle and nail bed areas. This weekly treatment will also allow a greater absorption of any hand cream applied thereafter on a daily basis.

The product ingredients will penetrate deeper into the base cells, which in turn

• low fat dairy products. i.e. natural yoghurt • cereals (sugar free variety) • carrots, leafy greens – spinach is excellent & broccoli too • sweet potatoes, excellent baked or roasted • forest fruits, i.e. strawberries, blackberries & blueberries

Taking the hassle out of funding IVF treatment

When someone is experiencing trouble falling pregnant, that can be worrying enough, let alone also having to worry about how to fund extra services like IVF if they are needed.

Most people starting out with fertility treatment will have many questions like: “Will I need to pay for a full IVF cycle or not?”, “How many IVF cycles will it take?”, “What additional treatments will I need to pay for?” etc.

The follow information provides an insight into what the usual fees are when undergoing an IVF cycle at City Fertility and the range of hassle-free payment options that the clinic offers.

A patient’s treatment costs will vary depending on the level of assistance they require.

To ensure all our patients understand all aspects of their fertility treatment including the costs involved, we offer an additional complimentary pre-treatment information session with a fertility nurse and patient service administrator – this follows on from the patient’s initial consultation with the specialist.

If the specialist has determined that IVF treatment is required, a portion of the fees may be able to be claimed back if the patient is eligible for a Medicare rebate. At City Fertility, the usual IVF cycle fees include: • A comprehensive education session with a fertility nurse.

• Quantitative hormone testing (blood tests) during your 30 day IVF cycle.

• All ultrasounds with your specialist during your 30 day IVF cycle.

• Most embryology/laboratory services.

• Semen preparation for IVF. • Consultation with a City Fertility affiliated dietitian.

• The intensive support of a specialised team of nurse coordinators and scientists.

• Counselling appointments with a City Fertility affiliated counsellor during your 30 day IVF cycle The current City Fertility out-of-pocket costs after Medicare benefits (as at 1 January 2018) for an initial consultation range between is $150 and $300 (depending on specialist) and

the first IVF cycle is $3,395.45 with subsequent cycles $2839.80 in the same calendar year.

Costs not covered in the IVF cycle price are: specialist consultation fees; a PBS copayment for each type of fertility medication (usually around $200 per cycle); anaesthetist fees; hospital fees; other laboratory services in addition to the standard embryology services.

City Fertility offers several payment plan options for IVF cycles. These payment options are only available for City Fertility fees and cannot be used to pay for external provider fees such as hospital, anaesthetist, pharmacy and specialist fees.

The payment options available to choose from are: • Full up-front payment: The full City Fertility fee is paid up-front on or prior to the first day of the cycle commencing. This payment option is available for all cycle types and procedures.

However, the first day that an online claim can be submitted to Medicare is on the day of egg collection.

• No up-front payment plan: A flexible payment plan that allows patients to commence their IVF cycle and delay payment until the day that egg collection takes place. Medicare rebates are usually paid within 3-5 business days.

• Instalment payment plan: Allows payment of a designated amount on or prior to the first day of commencing the cycle. The balance of the fees is payable on the day of egg collection.

• Accessing superannuation: A payment method available via external provider SuperCare and based on an Australian Government initiative to assist individuals and their families to access their superannuation to cover medical costs. The SuperCare IVF Services Team can facilitate the funding required for various treatments.

• Financial payment plans: A payment method available via MacCredit - a broker that provides credit assistance and payment plan options tailored to suit your needs. They specialise in offering suitable, flexible payment plans for various medical treatments.

For more information visit www.cityfertility. com.au

38 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

will ensure the best results from your selected hand treatment.

‘A girls best friend’ – crystal files are your secret weapon!

These really do work! They seal the end of the nail free edge, and keep nails looking tidy and neatly shaped if used correctly.

Its best to file in one direction in 3 simple steps, side to middle to side, up, across and down. For a natural look shape in an oval finish, and for a more polished and professional finish go for a square shaped look. Remember to always file first before immersing the hands in water or applying any topical treatments.

‘The final finish’ – pure white For natural looking, white nail tips, use a slice of lemon or the juice on a regular basis as a add in treatment, to soak the nails in a small bowl of lukewarm water.

Do for a maximum of five minutes, which will ensure that its gradual, and natural whitening effects over time will result. The water will also soften the cuticles, before any exfoliation or treatments to follow this take place.

Dont forget – ‘a girls golden rule’…

Always apply a good quality hand cream daily, ideally first thing in the morning to

protect and last thing at night to repair.

Watch this space for beauty review of the best hand creams available. Pair with this another handbag essential, a white nail pencil to use under the free edge of the nail.

These are great while you are on the go and my best revealed secret yet for naturally healthy looking nails. With this you wont need to apply varnish again, unless for a special occasion, and your nails will be in a much better condition as a result. The chemicals in nail polishes can strip the nail of natural oils, causing dry and brittle nails over prolonged use with time. and finally…

Beauty tip: apply hand cream before applying those marigolds and washing up! The heat from the water will allow for greater absorption of your products ingredients, also a great ritual for those that easily forget to apply their hand care daily! Alternatively invest in some natural cotton gloves, and use with your favourite hand cream while watching tv, doing the housework or whilst asleep etc… zzzZ.. girls get your beauty sleep too for improved results!

Hope this will help you. Take care and see you next month. Nimisha from Hetvi Hair & Beauty

Hepatitis B – What does an undetectable viral load mean?

There is no such thing as a ‘healthy carrier’ or a ‘carrier’ for hepatitis B. The virus is always there but may be at such low levels that it is undetectable in the blood.

The amount of virus can rise for many reasons and needs to be checked at least yearly, to make sure that it is not causing damage to the liver.

Any person who has a chronic hepatitis B infection should have a blood test every 12 months to check how much virus is in their blood. As there is no cure for hepatitis B at this time, this needs to be done for the rest of the person’s life.

This blood test is called a HBV-DNA test or a viral load test.

The amount of virus in the blood (viral load) will help the doctor know if the person needs treatment, and how often they need to be seen to monitor their infection.

If you are taking hepatitis B medication and you have an undetectable viral load, it doesn’t mean you have cleared the virus (or cured), it means the treatment is working and keeping the virus under control.

People are prescribed treatment if their body’s defence system (immune system) is not able to keep the virus under control.

Treatment is also prescribed if they already have damage to their liver called fibrosis or cirrhosis, and need protection to reduce the risk of the virus causing more damage.

Treatment must be taken and SHOULD NOT be stopped even if the virus is undetectable. Stopping treatment can cause the virus to ‘flare’. It means the virus can replicate quickly in the blood and cause damage to the liver and make the person very sick. Also, stopping treatment can cause the virus to become resistant to further treatment. Stopping treatment also increases the risk of developing liver cancer.

Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Program Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ)

BIT MAY. 2019 DEADLINES

ADVERT BOOKING 1st May, 2019 Email: prod@indiantimes.com.au Editorial / Photo Submissions 1st May, 2019 submissions not accepted after this date Email: prod@indiantimes.com.au or call 07 3865 6533

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1300 956 215 cityfertility.com.au Sunnybank Private Specialist Centre Suite 33, Level 2, 245 McCullough Street, Sunnybank QLD 4109 Call 07 3865 6533

www.indiantimes.com

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 39

Holika Dahan, the lighting of bonfire takes place on the eve of Holi Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir celebrated "Holika Dahan" on the evening of Wednesday the 20th of March 2019.

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

It all started with Holi songs and bhajans sung in the temple by the temple's bhajan mandali. There was a short prawachan

by Dharam Guru Pt. Tripathi Ji and then everyone moved over to where the Holika Dahan wood pile was set up. This wood pile was initiated by Pundit Ji, weeks earlier as per the mahurat and slowly the pile was made bigger and bigger.

Dharam Guru Pundit Tripathi Ji, then did the Pooja and later fire was lit to the pile of wood.

The lighting of this Holi Bonfire is called Holika Dahan. Holika, the sister of demon Hiranyakashyap (who claimed that he was a God), represents the EVIL, while Prahalad (Hiranyakashyap's son) who worshiped to Lord Vishnu represents the GOOD. During Holika Dahan, Holika (the Evil) is burnt to ashes while the powers of Lord Vishnu brings no harm to Prahalad (the good) and he walks out of the fire smiling. This signifies the victory of Good over Evil. It is said that Just by being present at a Holika Dahan your whole families, "Dukh, Daridra Sab Mit Jata Hay".

Later everyone took the opportunity to do their own Hoil Pooja while the temple mandali kept on singing the lovely Holi Songs with great joy throughout the entire time. Southside Ramayan and Chautal Mandali also joined in and sang a few

traditional Holi Chautaal songs.

Offerings such as popcorn and coconuts are thrown into the fire as offerings to God. In some parts of India and Fiji, the cooked coconut is then collected and eaten as Prasad. Our Dharam Guru Pundit Tripathi Ji believes that as Holika was burnt down, this Bonfire represents a funeral pyre for Holika and therefore whatever is thrown into this fire should not be taken back and eaten. Hence at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir we do not allow the eating of coconuts collected from the fire.

COME & JOIN US IN OUR BIGGEST CELEBRATIONS

Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th April

From 6.30pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 14th April from 9.30am.

Prasadam and Maha Prasadam served daily.

Venue: QVCC HALL 198 LEAROYD ROAD WILLAWONG

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FOR FOOD AND PROGRAM SPONSORSHIPS PLEASE CONTACT SURUJ DEO ON PH 0403282648 or ASHOK PRASAD 0419334418 Email: ssdhaq@gmail.com 40 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

A real festive atmosphere was created at the temple and then the time came for the delicious Maha Prasad which included a full dinner.

The success of our Holika Dahan was due to the hard work of Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir's team. We would like to thank everyone who helped to make this a success and a special thank you to our devotees who cooked and served the delicious Maha Prasad and stayed back to clean up the pots and pans.

Timing was very strictly followed by Pundit Tripathi Ji. Everything took place exactly as scheduled and the dinner was not delayed but served right on time.

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

Next year will be bigger and better!

Who, What, Where, When…

Large turnout to honour the victims of Christchurch terror attack at Islamic College of Brisbane jointly organised by Islamic Council of Queensland and Council of Imams Qld

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart with multicultural community at Islamic College of Brisbane

Hard working volunteers pleased with the outcome of their hard work

Queensland Premier and leader of opposition both supported and co-hosted a fundraiser for Queensland flood victims at Qld Parliament house

Part of the large crowd that turned up for the Flood appeal at Qld Parliament house

Miss Fiji Universal, Mrs Fiji Universal, Ms Mauritius Universal and Mrs Asia Pacific Universal at Glam Up for charity night of cultures at Heritij Brisbane.

Dr Chaithanya Unni, Pravinita Singh Pillay and Usha Chandra supporting Feriel Ali with her fundraiser

Members of Ekta Women’s club and Indian Senior Citizens Association at their International Women’s Day celebration , Usha Chandra was special guest and speaker at the function.

Call 07 3865 6533

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 41

indian news

San Francisco’s Gadar Memorial Restoration Project Expected to be Completed by 2021 at a Cost of $9 Million SUNITA SOHRABJI, India-West Staff Reporter

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Gadar Memorial restoration project, originally scheduled to be completed this year, is now expected to be finished by 2021, at a cost of $9 million that will be paid by the Indian government.

Architect Arvind Iyer, of San Franciscobased Iyer and Associates, and India’s Consul for the West Coast Sanjay Panda formally signed off on a consultancy agreement March 6 at the historic hall, in San Francisco’s Richmond District. Over 50 Indian Americans, including prominent Sikh American community leaders, attended the event.

MEI Architects had originally delivered the plans for the restoration project in 2016, but Panda told India-West that the project was ultimately allotted to the lowest bidder, as per Indian government norms.

The restoration project must now be approved by the San Francisco Planning Commission, which may take up to six months, according to Panda. The two-year construction project involves a complete

tear-down of the existing structure and construction of a four-story building with a facade resembling the original Gadar Hall.

Panda said the hall has “huge symbolic significance” for the Indian diaspora. “It is a symbol of the glorious sacrifices of those who struggled for India’s freedom.”

“The hall has significance for people around the world. The Gadar Party was a major movement which provided the spark for India’s freedom movement,” he said.

Before his posting in San Francisco, Panda said he went to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. “Everyone there was talking about the Gadar Memorial,” he said.

The Gadar Memorial – initially built in 1914 and refurbished in 1974 – is the birthplace of the Gadar Party, a movement led primarily by Sikh Americans to support India’s independence from the British. The movement was led and funded primarily by Sikh American farmers from the Central Valley and students at UC Berkeley.

The hall had an electric printing press onsite, which printed out 10,000 copies of a six-page newspaper every week, and was then distributed throughout the U.S. and

sent by ship to India, according to Inder Singh, chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin. The newspaper was first written in Urdu by Lal Har Dayal, then translated into Punjabi, and stamped and addressed manually. (See previous story India-West story: https://bit.ly/2Uqg3Iv) Singh and other community members have ardently advocated for the new structure to resemble the old building, which was burned down in a fire in the 1950s. The hall

was rebuilt in 1975.

The new structure will host an auditorium, museum, a library, and a meeting room, among other features, according to Panda.

The formalization of the project comes five weeks ahead of the 550th birth celebration of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

The current memorial hall features photos of several Sikh American freedom fighters who returned to India to battle the British.

India's BJP releases manifesto before elections

The BJP promises to scrap Article 35A, which prevents non-residents from buying property in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made 75 promises, which include the contentious decision to scrap a decades-old law providing special rights to the residents of disputed Kashmir region, according to the party's election manifesto.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP has consistently advocated ending Kashmir's special constitutional status, which prevents non-residents from buying property in Indian-administered Kashmir, arguing that such laws have hindered its integration with the rest of the country.

"We believe that Article 35A is an obstacle in the development of the state," the party's manifesto said.

Political leaders in Muslim-majority Kashmir, where India is fighting an armed rebellion against its rule, have warned that repealing the law would lead to widespread unrest.

Modi has made his strong stance on national security a key part of the BJP's election campaign, following a recent flareup in tensions with arch foe Pakistan, which also lays claims to Kashmir.

"Nationalism is our inspiration," Prime Minister Modi said at the release of the BJP's election manifesto at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Amit Shah, the head of the Hindu

from neighbouring countries who are not Muslim to get Indian citizenship."

Farm income

Prime Minister Modi and BJP president Shah greet each other before releasing their party's manifesto [Adnan Abidi/Reuters]

nationalist party, along with other top leaders released the BJP manifesto for the upcoming elections that begin on Thursday.

The BJP also promised to reserve 33 percent of seats in the Indian parliament and state assemblies for women, if it is voted back to power.

India enforces ban on civilian vehicles on key Kashmir highway (2:18) "Women's welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and the BJP is committed to 33 percent reservation in parliament and

state assemblies through a constitutional amendment," the manifesto said.

Al Jazeera's Faiz Jamil, reporting from New Delhi, said these manifestos are the intent not necessarily what the governments are going to do.

"Among the more controversial promises is to create a uniform civil code - currently under the constitution, different religions have different civil code rights, particularly for marriage and inheritance," he said.

"They also want to pass the citizenship bill - a measure that would allow immigrants

The BJP promised a capital investment of 100 trillion Indian rupees ($1.44 trillion) on infrastructure by 2024, to help create jobs for the millions of youth entering the workforce every year.

The party pledged to simplify the goods and services tax (GST), which disrupted businesses and hurt economic growth when it was introduced by Modi's government in 2017.

The party said it is committed to building a temple for Hindu god Ram in Ayodhya in place of medieval era Babri mosque, which was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992.

The main opposition Congress party led

by Rahul Gandhi is seeking alliances with regional parties to thwart Modi, accusing the BJP of undermining India's secular foundations.

Surveys suggest the BJP is the frontrunner going into the election, although some have said it could lose the clear majority it won five years ago.

The national elections will see close to 900 million voters cast their ballots in nearly a million polling booths - the world's biggest ever democratic exercise.

Voters will elect 543 of 545 MPs to India's lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha.

Delhi Statehood, Haryana Seats Are Trouble Spots In AAP, Congress Talks New Delhi: The Congress is playing for more time as it continues negotiations with Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party for an alliance in Delhi. Top party sources have made it clear that the Congress will not settle for anything less than three of Delhi's seven seats. AAP, in turn, wants an alliance in Goa and Haryana, which the Congress has ruled out. The other contentious issue is

statehood for Delhi, to which the Congress has agreed in principle but wants certain areas to remain under Central control.

The Congress says it is agreeable to giving Delhi full statehood, except in the areas controlled by the New Delhi Municipal Council.

These include the heritage area of Lutyen's Delhi that houses ministers and

42 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

political leaders, Connaught place, the commercial heart of the capital, the landmark India Gate, Raisina Hill - the seat of the Central government - Rashtrapati Bhavan and parts of posh South Delhi, including the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri, which hosts a majority of foreign embassies.

The trouble spot about an alliance in Haryana is

Dushyant Chautala's newly formed Jananayak Janata Party, a breakaway faction of his grandfather Om Prakash Chautala's Indian National Lok Dal. The JJP, which is alliance talks with AAP, wants to contest four of the state's 10 Lok Sabha seats. The Congress is not ready to concede as many.

Arvind Kejriwal has said

his party needs alliance in Haryana and not in Delhi, where it can hold its own against the BJP. Last month, he called the Congress and JJP for a tie-up in Haryana, saying if the three parties combined, the BJP would not win even one seat in the state, which it has been ruling since 2014. Assembly elections are due in Haryana later this year.

Like the Congress's Delhi

unit, the Haryana unit is not keen on an alliance with AAP in view of the assembly polls. But it has left the decision to party chief Rahul Gandhi.

At Mr Gandhi's last meeting with the Delhi Congress, the leaders who earlier voted unanimously against an alliance, agreed to a coalition in principle.

But they have left the final decision to Rahul Gandhi.

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www.indiantimes.com

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 43

Real Estate News

An Australian housing and economic bust is reality — time to act Australia’s housing market is tanking fast and the economy is facing an Ireland-style economic bust. We must act, now, to avert a social catastrophe and restructure the financial system to fix the cause of this crisis.

Australia’s big four banks account for 80 per cent of the financial system, and mortgage lending is around 65 per cent of their business. This concentration on housing is the highest by far of any banks in the world. Thanks to decades of deindustrialisation, financial services is the biggest sector of the economy, and, thanks to the housing bubble, construction is second.

A crash in housing is economic Armageddon.

The fall in house prices that started in late 2017 continued all through 2018, and has now accelerated in 2019, with the biggest falls in the biggest markets of Sydney and Melbourne.

Melbourne is experiencing the fastest falls ever recorded. The real estate sector is desperately trying to talk up the market by wheeling out improved auction clearance rates and highlighting one-off large sales, but the auction figures are distorted by very large numbers of auctions that are not being reported, and real estate reporters have been caught out faking claims.

The downturn is being blamed on bank lending, but that is only half the story. The real issue is the borrowers, the Australian

people, who are saturated in debt.

Banking and real estate analyst Martin North of Digital Finance Analytics, and economist John Adams, have recently posted important video presentations on YouTube which expose the reality of where Australia is at, and how bad it can get based on the Ireland precedent.

In “Just How Much Trouble Are We In?”, North reports the latest Bank for International Settlements (BIS) statistics on household debt. Australia’s household debt-to-GDP is now 120 per cent, higher than all equivalent nations and second only to Switzerland, and far higher than the USA, UK, and Ireland were in 2008 when they all experienced devastating housing bubble crashes.

Australia’s household debt service ratio is also the second highest in the world, which is a measure of the mortgage stress being experienced by over a million households which are struggling to meet their repayments, despite record low interest rates.

We know from the banking royal commission last year, and the work of Denise Brailey of the Banking

and Finance Consumers Support Association, and Lindsay David and Philip Soos of LF Economics, that the only way the banks were able to push the market up over the last decade was by ignoring household debt and committing outright fraud in their mortgage lending, based on grossly understated living expenses.

It would seem they can’t do that now. As prices are still not back to affordable levels, though, where are the buyers going to come from to stop the price falls?

Economist John Adams tweeted the news on 7 March that the giant American bank JP Morgan last week flew its top housing experts in to Melbourne for a conference, and is telling its clients to get out of Australian real estate.

This is ominous, as a 2017 report by the US Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, “Indispensable economic partners: the US-Australia investment relationship”, revealed that the United States has been the “overwhelming” source of the funding for the Big Four banks.

The fall in house prices, combined with the fall in the number of house sales, is hitting the stamp duty revenue of state

governments. Stamp duty revenue almost doubled in the four years to 2018, such was the frenzy of buying in the housing bubble, providing a windfall to state governments. That’s now over. On current trends, Victoria could suffer a $1 billion hit to its budget this year, and NSW will also take a big hit.

Out of options?

The last time house prices were falling like this, back in 2008, prices were lower than now, and interest rates were far higher— the Reserve Bank’s cash rate was 7.25 per cent. In response to the falls, which threatened a banking crash, the RBA slashed its cash rate from 7.25 per cent to 3 per cent within a few months, which averted mass foreclosures and, combined with the Rudd government’s tripling of the First Home Owner Grant, drew a lot more people into the market.

But that means that to save the market they created a lot more household debt, and effectively only “kicked the can” of a crash down the road. The can has now stopped, but this time the RBA rate is 1.5 per cent, so it doesn’t have the option of cutting rates by 425 basis points to save the bubble.

Another Martin North video, “A First Hand View from Ireland”, is a confronting account of the Irish housing bubble and banking crash in 2008.

Financial commentator Eddie Hobbs relates the disturbing similarities between Ireland and Australia, which many expatriate Irish who migrated to Australia as economic refugees after 2008 are starting to see here. In a third video, “The Document that will Shock You”, Martin North and John Adams reveal that in 2007 the IMF had stresstested Ireland’s banks for steep falls in house prices and large withdrawals of deposits, and announced they would survive both.

Ireland eventually suffered house price falls of 50 to 70 per cent, and a massive exodus of bank deposits, and its banks collapsed, plunging Ireland into deep economic and social misery.

Indebted Irish homeowners suffered through a hellish bankruptcy process, and the nation witnessed a spike in suicides.

Act now!

Australia’s government, financial authorities and banks are right now desperate to prop up the bubble again, but that would be insane, if it would even work. It’s time to acknowledge it’s a bubble and let it burst, but

implement measures to protect the economy. The CEC is fighting to: 1. restructure the banking system to protect the public and stop such bubbles recurring, through a Glass-Steagall separation of banking from speculation, and a national bank to regulate banking and credit; 2. avert a social catastrophe with an immediate moratorium on home and farm foreclosures (not investment properties) to stop families being thrown out on the streets; 3. launch an infrastructure development program to create jobs and restructure the economy and employment back on to a productive footing.

Join the CEC’s fight!

What you can do Get involved in the fight, starting with the immediate campaign for a Glass-Steagall banking separation.

The CEC drafted legislation that Pauline Hanson introduced in Parliament on 12 February, the Banking System Reform (Separation of Banks) Bill 2019, into which the Senate Economics Legislation Committee is now conducting an inquiry.

Make a submission to that inquiry in support of banking separation today.

Luxury, lifestyle and location draws Sharma family to Brookwater BROOKWATER is known as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Greater Springfield region and now more families are choosing to call this beautiful place home.

Three families per day move to the thriving community, which is nestled in a spectacular pocket of natural bushland and enveloped around the award-winning, Greg Norman-designed golf course.

Medical Oncologist Dr Amit Sharma and his family recently moved to Brookwater and said the decision to build there was based on the tranquillity of the area and convenience it provided.

“My wife Archana has quite a few friends living in Brookwater and she loves going for her walks on the walking tracks which go through natural bushland,” he said.

“My oldest son Aditya is able to take a train from Springfield Central to the city where he is studying engineering and my

youngest son Dhruv has many friends who live close-by.

“He also goes to the nearby Swim Factory for swimming lessons and plays tennis at the tennis courts near the Brookwater Golf

and Country Club.”

Living in Brookwater provides easy and convenient access to all of life’s essential amenities including excellent schools, thriving businesses and modern

Suite 1, 2281 Sandgate Road, Boondal Qld 4034

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www.air@indianradio.net.au 44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

infrastructure.

There are also a number of Indian cultural events in the area which Dr Sharma said all residents can enjoy.

“Brookwater has a lot of Indian families when it comes to making friends from the same cultural background, but even otherwise everyone here seems to be very friendly, approachable and easy to get along with,” he said.

“We have had Deepawali celebrations in the Brookwater Golf and Country Club for many years and Robelle Domain Parklands has hosted many different Indian festivals and events.

“We would definitely recommend Brookwater to other people looking at buying in this area. The lifestyle that Brookwater offers is unique and incomparable and we are loving living in this beautiful suburb.”

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Real Estate Is Our World GREAT INVESTMENT

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1

• Situated on 620m2 block • 3 double built-in bedrooms

• 3 bedrooms plus study + open plan air-con lounge & dining • Modern kitchen, plenty of storage • Separate bathroom & toilet • Large entertainers deck • Spacious media room, kitchenette, 2nd shower & toilet & laundry • Current Rent = $480.00 per week • Lease expires = 31/01/2020

Offers over $449,000

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Boondall

1

Auction Date: Saturday 4th May at 11:30am onsite • Excellent location with 2 street access • Open plan living areas • Good sized kitchen • Covered entertainment area • Lockup garage • Fully fenced • Short stroll to shops & all other amenities

painted with new carpets + air-conditioned open plan living downstairs • Separate laundry + powder room • Lockup garage with remote control + internal entry • Great entertainment balcony over looking private courtyard • Potential Rent = approx. $450-$460 per week

Offers over $470,000

1

CORNER POSITION & 766M2 BLOCK

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Kedron

5

4

3

2

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Fortitude Valley

boondall@globenetrealty.com.au

$409,900

www.globenetrealty.com.au

2

2

1

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www.indiantimes.com

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 47

Real Estate Is Our World

FULLY DUCTED AIR-CONDITIONED FAMILY HOME ON ELEVATED POSITION

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• Close to Taigum Shops, Medical Centre & all amenities • Spacious air-conditioned open plan lounge & dining • Modern kitchen with granite bench top, breakfast bar & plenty of storage, plus room for double door fridge • 3 built-in bedswith ceiling fans, main with spacious ensuite & TV • Separate family bathroom with skylight & bath

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3

2

1

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0

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48 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

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• This property is situated on a 1,567m2 block • 2 bedrooms • 1 bathroom • Walk to all amenities • Age is approximately 70+ years • Rates are approximately $380 per quarter

Boondall

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YOUR COMPLETE HOME YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 49

What's On!

5th May 2019

Hindu Heritage Camp for Children 2019 Sunny Bank State High school Contact: bskqld@live.com.au Phone Number: 0411 137 396 Hari.

Registration close by 28th April 2019

27th April 2019

Bengali New Year Multicultural Festival 2019

11:00AM till Late.

Venue: Robelle Domain, Springfield Lakes.

Mother’s Day Flower stall Boondall State School

11th May

South Indian Festival 2019

from 07: 00 Am. Acacia Ridge State School Bookings Premiertickets.co Contact: dancegalatta@gmail.com Durai: 0470 146 054

27th April 2019

Indian Standup Comedy

Frontiercomedy.com/kannangil

25th May 2019

Live Music Entertainment presented by MSV production Book Now: www.trybooking.com/BBTQT

13th April 2019 VAISAKHI NIGHT

Program starts at 06:30 PM Venue: Delights of Paradise (43 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba Purchase Tickets: www.jkeventsqld.com.au 08/04/2019

18th May 2019

High Tea For Charity

From 02:00PM- 04:00 PM Venue: 80 Nemies road, Sacred Heart Hall $35.00 Per Head.

6th April to 13th April 2019

Ram Navami Event Shree Sanatan Dharma Hindu Association QLD

Sunday 14th April 2019

Ram Navmi Celebration Organized by Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir

Saturday 13th April 2019

Venue: 86 Scott Lane, Mclean www.shreevishnumayamandir.com.au

Friday 26th April 2019

Annual Dinner & Charity Auction.

Archerfield Rotary club.

Gambaro Seafood Restaurant (Caxton St, Petrie terrace) Email: rcarcherfield@rotary9630.org

25th May 2019

Multicultural Fest. 2019. Organized

by ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE SYRO MALABAR PARISH Venue: 108-112 Middle road, Hillcrest QLD 4118 Free Entry & parking

6th April 2019

Indian New Year Celebration Presented

By DJJS Australia Contact: Sanjiv Sharma 0431 383 002 djjsaustralia@gmail.com

HINDI CHURCH SERVICE EVERY SUNDAY 1.30PM 53 TELEGRAPH RD, BALD HILLS

Great time of praise, worship and preaching of the word. Special time of prayer for the sick and other needs.

Contact: 0424180240

19 -21st April 2019

Spiritual retreat @ Mt Glorious getaway cottages

Browns road Mt Glorious Qld 4520 Book Now: info@vedantabrisbane.org Tickets for Members: $250.00. Non Members: $300.00

6th July 2019

A Cultural Event Presented by Singh School of Music

Venue: QMC 102 Main St Kangaroo Point.

Tickets: Adult $20.00

26th July 2019

RKSV Foundation presents LIVE IN BRISBANE

along and meet families from all backgrounds in your community. Every Monday (Except public holidays) 10am – 12pm. Picabeen Community Centre, 22 Hoben Street, Mitchelton Qld. Phone 3354 2555 Zi Za Dong Zen Association – Energy Healing to improve health and well beings – ZZDZ Assn.

Inc is a not for profit charity foundation based in Brisbane. Focusing on energy healing named Qi Gong through meditation, it provides free energy healing sessions and guidance.

Practicing Qi Gong will encourage you to achieve a positive outlook on life, by helping to reduce stress and calm your mind. It also increases vitality, enhances your immune system and helps to eliminate negative attitudes and behaviours. Session Times & Locations: Mondays-Thursday & Saturday 9am – 12pm at 10 Cognac Court, Calamvale.

Thursday afternoon (except 1st week)

Bollywood Musical genius Shankar Ehsaan Loy Brisbane Convention centre, Great Hall from 06:30 PM Tickets Available on TICKETEK

3.30pm – 6pm at Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown Library. 67 Level 2, Cnr Calam & Compton Road. Friday afternoon 2pm-5pm at Logan West Library – 69 Grand Plaza Drive, Brown Plains. For more information email zzdz. aus@gmail.com or visit www.zzdz.org.au

DJ SV Presents Live Concert by JIMI NATHU

Wednesdays…

13th April 2019

The Mantra Room – Live Kirtan – Spend an evening of sacred Yoga chant with Gayatri, Ishvara, Jayadharma and friends Fridays 6pm, Sundays 5pm and Wednesdays 7pm at Australian School of Meditation & Yoga, 236 Montague Road, West End. Amazing Vego Food $5. Come celebrate, meditate and let the music set you free. For more information call 3844 8441 or email brisbane@asm.org.au

Venue: Chardons Corner Hotel, CNR of 7 Cracknell Road & 688 Ipswich Road, Annerley $30.00 Admissions.

For Ticket: 0411 088 776 Sushendra Singh

Children Holiday Retreat

Time: 09:30 AM – 03:30 PM Vedanta Centre Springfield Lakes

18th April 2019

Conscious innovation & creativity.

Red Cross Hall, Park road, Milton.

06:30 PM to 07:30 PM

February 25th/March 25th/April 22nd/May 27th/June 24th/July 22nd/August 26th/September 23rd/ October 28th/November 25th GOPA KUTEERAM( Working towards spiritual, moral emotional, social & creative development of Children.

Venue: Taigum State school Hall: 266 Hanford Road.

Contact: Dr Aparna 0430117994/ Email: brisbane@godivinity.org.au

Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Association of QLD invites devotees to weekly Ramayan Katha

Weekly Events...

Mondays…

Brahma Kumaris Australia – Meditation & Positive Thinking Sessions – Mondays 10.30am to 11.30am: Regular meditation should improve your ability to focus and think clearly.

By practising mediations which cultivate our ability to sense and care for our natural energy we are able to live life with greater awareness and confidence. Each class includes guided meditations, discussions, short talks and the introduction and practice of techniques. Each session is a different topic. Meditation sessions Tuesdays 6.30pm to 7.30 pm and Sundays 5.30pm to 6.30pm. During these sessions there will be meditation commentaries, music and periods of silence. You can come and go at any time during these sessions.

Venue: 27 Bordeaux Parade, Mermaid Waters.

Please phone to register – 5575 2126. Email goldcoast@au.brahmakumaris.org or visit www.brahmakumaris.org/au/whatson for more information Brisbane Good Samaritan Prayer Fellowship (Malayam Service) – Congregation on every Sunday from 10am to 12pm at Stafford Scouts, 38 Appleby Road, Stafford, Qld 4053. For further information contact 0468 358 646 or 0411 269 322. Come and hear the message of your eternal life, GOD BLESS

Picabeen Community Centre – you’re invited to playgroup! – For parents with children aged 0-5 years from all cultures and backgrounds. Come 50 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

Brisbane Good Samaritan Prayer Fellowship (Malayam Service) – Cottage Meeting on every Wednesday from 6.30pm to 8pm at Stafford Scouts, 38 Appleby Road, Stafford, Qld 4053.

For further information contact 0468 358 646 or 0411 269 322. Come and hear the message of your eternal life, GOD BLESS

Thursdays…

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

Sundays…

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld Inc – Vedic Yaj (Havan) –The Sabha performs Havan Yaj every Sunday from 2-4pm at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre, 198 Learoyd Rd, Willawong and the public is welcome to be part of it. The members of public now can perform Havan Yaj at the centre. The fee of $50 is required for use of centre facilities to cover operating costs.

The Havan Kund, utensils are available for use as well The Havan ingredients can be supplied if you are unable to get them. Mango sticks, Ghee, Samagri, Chamfor etc is available at the centre as well for $25. The seating capacity of the Yajshalla (Havan Hall) is 100. Contact Vice President Mrs Sushila Pathik for further information and bookings on 3314 6059.

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

Australian Pentecostal Assembly Brisbane – Sunday Worship every Sunday 9am-11.30am at 84 The Community Place, 84 Kedron Park Road, Wooloowin Qld with Pastor Prakash Jacob.

Cottage Meeting every Tuesday 7.30pm-9pm / Kids Bible Study every Friday 7pm-7.45pm / Intercessory Prayer every Friday 7.45-9pm.

Worship in Hindi, English, Malayalam and other Indian Languages. For more information Phone 07 3315 5597 / 0413 347 562 or email info@ apabrisbane.com.au / www.apabrisbane.com. au Bala Samskar Kendra – Hindu Scripture Classes for Children – The aim of Bala Samskar Kendra (BSK) is to provide an opportunity to the children to learn about rich Hindu culture through value based education from various Hindu scriptures and let them gain self- confidence and grow up in to individuals who are proud of their tradition.

Every Sunday 2:30pm-5pm at Sunnybank State High School, Sunnybank (use Turton Street entrance). Contact bskqld@live.com.au / Hari 0411 137 396 / Krrishna 0411 776 509 / Ram 0416 813 747 Brisbane Multinational Church Service – Every Sunday 9.30am at 757 Gympie Road

Lawnton. Come and join us for a great time of Praise and Worship plus inspired preaching of God’s word. We thrive for the presence of God and are passionate to see people be trained up and grow in the knowledge of the word of God. Special service time to pray for healing, deliverance and other spiritual needs.

Enquiries 0424 1802 40.

Star Christian Church – Clontarf Beach State School Hall. Every Sunday – Morning Service at 9.30am. Evening Service at 5pm. Come fired up and expectant! Star Church is a great, young church located on the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula. A Pentecostal community connected with the Australian Christian Churches. We passionately want God’s presence in our lives, desire to be trained and knowledgeable in His Word, hungry for the supernatural, excelling in our service and hospitable at life. For more information visit www.starchurch.org.au

Monthly Events...

Hindu Cultural Hub (HCB) at Clayfield – Monthly Cultural congregation – Bar-Jai Community Hall, 178 Alexandra Road, Clayfield Qld 4011.

Pooja by Hindu Priest, Bajan and Kirtan by devotees, monthly religious updates / guest speakers on spiritual (or) yoga techniques.

Prasatham with vegetarian dinner served. For more details contact 0469 016 416 or visit www.hinduculturalhub.org The John Oxley District Orchid Society – Meeting – We pride ourselves on being a friendly Society and new members and guests are always welcome at our meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 7.30pm. Venue is Oxley Bowls Club, 24-30 Englefield Road, Oxley. Please contact Sonia Addison 3277 5825 or jodos-inc@hotmail.com for more information The Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association - Gold Coast Bhajan - monthly Bhajans held every third Friday of the month starting at 7.15am at the Helensvale Community Centre - 31 Discovery Rd, Helensvale. Activities include Bhajan recitals, short educational presentations and free vegetarian dinner. All are cordially invited to attend. For further information please contact Director/Religious Activities, Mr S Barataraj on 0417 588 839 or gchcan@gmail. com or visit www.goldcoasthindu.org Organization of Hindu Malayalees Queensland (OHM Queensland) – Monthly Bhajans held every first Saturday of Malayalam calendar.

Activities include Bhajans, Malayalam Class, Library service, religious short educational presentations, vegetarian dinner etc.

For further information please contact President Krishnan AK on 0418 727 570 or ohmqueensland@gmail.com Shirdi Sai Sansthan Brisbane Ltd – Shirdi Saibaba Bhajans and Aaratis – last Saturday every month. 5.30pm at Runcorn Heights State School, 200 Nemies Road, Runcorn Qld 4113. Dhoop Aarati, Bhajans, Ashtotaram, Shej Aarati and Mahaprasad at 7.40pm. For more details contact 416 813 747 or 0479 143 724 – visit www.shirdisaibrisbane.org or follow on facebook Shirdi sai baba Brisbane Mata Amritananadamayi Centre- Brisbane: Regular Satsangs are held at 32 Burnside Crescent, Westlake on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 4 pm. Spiritual chanting, singing, reading and Arati are followed by a prasad meal. Sri Lalitha Sahasranamavali chanting takes place at the Sri Selva Vinayakar Kovil at South Maclean on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 10:30 am. Register your interest for IAM Meditation courses. www. ammaaustralia.org.au; facebook: Amma Brisbane Satsang. Contact: brisbane@ ammaaustralia.org.au; ph: 07 3715 8278 Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil (Ganesha Temple) Brisbane (South Maclean) – For full list of upcoming events please visit www. sriselvavinayakar.org Yoga in Daily Life – Satsang and Full Moon Meditation – Satsang every last Saturday of the Month from 5-7pm with Rajastani Bhajans, meditation & Prasad. Purnima Full Moon Meditation from 7:45pm - 8:30pm (see our website for dates). Regular daily Yoga & Meditation Classes. Shiv Mandir is open daily for Darsan. Website: yidlbris.org, Email: brisbane@yogaindailylife.org

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 51

Sports News

Punjab Lions - Warehouse Cricket Sunday league top grade Premiers Punjab Lions won the top grade (A3N) of Sunday League of Warehouse cricket by defeating Peninsula Cricket club by 42 runs in the Grand final played in Marchant Park 10 on 24th March. Captain Sandeep Dhaliwal won the toss and chose to bat first. Opening batsman Dharinder kumar gave flying start to Punjab Lions and top scored with 48 runs and Sandeep scored sensible 28 runs to help set the target of 130. While bowling, Karanvir gave a great start to Lions and troubled every batsman with his swing bowling. All other Punjab Lions bowlers bowled with great control and accuracy

and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. None of the batsman of Peninsula find scoring easy in the chase and they got all out on only 87 runs. Dilbag 3/14, Sandeep 2/17 and Simran 2/18 were particularly impressive with the ball in the Grand final. Dharinder won Man of the match award for his quickfire 48 runs with 7 fours and 1 six when every other batsman struggle to score runs on that slow wicket. Simran Singh won the best batsman award from warehouse cricket in this group after scoring 224 runs. He also won ‘Baber Sher of Punjab Lions’ award from Punjab Lions cricket club after being very

impressive with both bat and bowl throughout the season. Captain Sandeep with 196 and Inderjit Bhatti with 149 runs were other two consistent batsman for Punjab Lions in the summer season. Simran, Sandeep and Karanvir were 3 best bowlers of the season with 19, 17 and 12 wickets respectively. It was a great team effort to beat many good teams throughout the summer season to win the trophy. Special thanks to Gurwinder Chahal for taking responsibility of scoring for the team.

Top Row: Pushpinder,Dilbag,Inderjit,Simran,Harman,Neville,Luis Bottom: w:Jagdeep,Dharinder,Ravinder,Sandeep(c),Karan,Gurwinder,Amrinder

ITTF Asian Cup: Sathiyan Gnanasekaran Qualifies For World Cup After Finishing 6th Sathiyan Gnanasekaran lost the 5th-6th position match to end up at the sixth spot in ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup to books a World Cup berth.

India's G Sathiyan booked a berth at the World Cup after finishing sixth in the ITTFATTU Asian Cup in positions 5-8 match here Sunday.

Sathiyan, who had stunned World No. 14 Chun Ting Wong of Hong Kong on Saturday, couldn't produce his best against 17-y Despite the defeat in the positions match, Sathiyan sealed a spot at the World Cup, to be held in Chengdu, China from October 18 to 20.

Fresh from his recent title win at the Challenge Plus Oman Open, the world no

21 Lin seemed far superior than the 26-yearold Indian.

The left-hander was at his usual best and quickly took the first game. Sathiyan managed a few more points in the next two games but Lin, exploiting the angles well, mounted the attack to put pressure on the Indian.

The world No. 28 Indian could have taken a game from the Taipei's No. 2 paddler as he had two game points in the fourth set, but the wily teenager pocketed it to push Sathiyan, who is competing in his first Asian Cup, to the sixth spot.

Local News

Adani welcomes the Minister for the Environment's approval of groundwater management plans

Adani has today welcomed the Minister for the Environment’s approval of the groundwater management plans for the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Infrastructure project.

This approval follows more than 18 months of consultation with the Department, and the independent evaluation and endorsement of the plan

by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.

The independent evaluation and endorsement by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia verifies that the measures outlined in the plans will ensure groundwater at the mine, and the ecosystems that depend on it, are protected.

The Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Management Plan and the Groundwater Management and Monitoring Plan detail all the activities we will undertake and safeguards we will implement to ensure that we meet the approval conditions for the mine relating to groundwater.

This includes a network of more than 100 monitoring bores to track underground water levels.

The plans will ensure we achieve sustainable environmental outcomes and we’re now looking forward to delivering the thousands of jobs our project will create for people in north and central Queensland.

52 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

Throughout the past 18 months, the Federal Department provided us with certainty of process and timing, including the steps involved in the independent review by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia experts.

In contrast, the Queensland Government has continued to shift the goal posts when it comes to finalising the outstanding environmental management plans for the mine and is standing in the way of thousands of jobs for Queenslanders.

It’s time the Queensland Government gave us a fair go and stopped shifting the goal posts so we can get on with delivering these jobs.

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran is currently on his career-best 28th spot in the ITTF world rankings.

(Photo Credit: Sathiyan Gnanasekaran)

$290,000 for the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia The Morrison Government will provide more than $290,000 to the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) so it can continue to represent culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people at a national level in the aged care sector.

Australia’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths and as our population ages the Morrison Government is determined to ensure equal access to high quality, culturally comfortable aged care for people of multicultural heritage.

Staying connected to your culture and being cared for by someone who understands your background can make all the difference to a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.

This continued investment in FECCA’s work will help senior Australians from CALD backgrounds to overcome barriers preventing them from connecting with the aged care system.

The barriers may include a lack of awareness and knowledge of the services available, navigating complex systems, language barriers, and lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate aged care providers.

In 2016, there were 3.7 million Australians aged 65 years and over. Of this number, onethird were born in a non-English speaking country.

The Morrison Government wants all senior Australians to be able to access the aged care services when and where they need them, delivered in the way they want.

FECCA led the consultations for the Aged Care Diversity Framework and the Action Plan to Support CALD people.

It’s important for people with diverse characteristics and life experiences to be involved in the design of aged care services and the sector broadly.

The funding for FECCA complements a number of other Government programs and projects that are improving the experience of older CALD people. Other examples include: • The longstanding Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Program (PICAC) which supports aged care providers in delivering appropriate care to multicultural communities • The new system navigator trials will be delivered by CALD-specialist organisations.

FECCA is directly involved in this project.

• Australian Healthcare Associates will analyse barriers to accessing quality palliative care, including people from CALD backgrounds.

• The Moving Pictures project to improve the understanding of dementia and access to care for people in Chinese, Indian and Arab communities through a series of short films • The Speak My Language radio project to broadcast up to date information about aged care in up to 25 languages.

The Aged Care Diversity Framework and the Aged Care Diversity CALD Action Plan is available at: https://agedcare.health.gov.au/ older-people-their-families-and-carers/peoplefrom-diverse-backgrounds.

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RELIGIOUS SERVICES religious services For all 16 Vedic Sanskaar Sanskrit prayers: Hawans, Weddings, Death rites; new homes, anniversaries, birthdays etc Pandit Dr G A Tularam RELIGIOUS SERVICES 0403 819 327 or email a.tularam@griffith.edu.au www.indiantimes.com.au

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www.indiantimes.com.au

Please contact Dr Bhat for traditional Vedic Pooja-Paat, Havan, Sathyanarayana, Navagraha For all 16 Vedic Sanskaar Sanskrit prayers: GaNa& Ganesh Poojas: Graha-Shanti-Havan, Hawans, Death rites; new homes, anhooma, Weddings, Bhumi-Pooja, Weddings, Graha niversaries, birthdays etc Pandit Dr G A Tularam pravesh, Cremation & Shardha with English 0403 819 327 or email a.tularam@griffith.edu.au commentaries.

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Serving the Community for 43 years

Life is in The Blood! ….Therefore It is called The Good Friday and The Resurrection Sunday!

Continued from Page 37 Jesus Christ gave His blood Cleanse from all sin infected life.

(1 John 1:7) Jesus Christ has Justified us not guilty, when we trusted in His blood atonement. (Romans 5:9) Jesus Christ has Sanctified and purified us by His blood.

(Hebrews 13:12) In the book of Exodus chapter 12, God commanded the children of Israel for the First Passover. God commanded each family has to Sacrifice a lamb and by using a bunch hyssop sprinkle 42 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, December, 2017 its the on the door posts of their home. The death angel 42 blood — THEofBRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, December, 2017 could passover the houses that had the blood sprinkled on the 42 —posts.

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, December, 2017sprinkled, door And the houses where the blood was not there was death in that family. The blood and the obedience to God’s command protected the family from death.

This was the prophetic picture of Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) who was going to give His life as a supreme sacrifice to all humanity. By faith in Jesus Christ we come into new covenant relationship with our Creator. God was in Christ to reconcile the lost humanity. When we testify what the word of God says about the blood of Jesus, we sprinkle the blood of the Lamb of God over our life. We come under the mercy and forgiveness God through the Blood of Jesus.

For I am absolutely convinced that finding and receiving God’s love and mercy is the most significant purpose of your life. No

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religion or tradition can give you an unconditional love; and a supreme love that is offered by Jesus Christ is an invitation to save your soul.

To know Jesus as The Lord, mean to know that He is the author of 16 your life. And to walk Sanskrit in His ways mean, that journey For all Vedic Sanskaar prayers: For all this 16 Weddings, Vedic prayers: through life by Sanskaar faith Death in His Sanskrit Word in homes, His finished Hawans, rites;and new an- work Hawans, Weddings, Death rites; new homes, an-know on the Cross.

He is the most loving person you will ever niversaries, birthdays etc Pandit Dr G A Tularam For all 16 Vedic Sanskaar SanskritDrprayers: niversaries, birthdays etc G A seek Tularamwith on this planet.

His is Pandit open all who 0403 819Weddings, 327 orinvitation email a.tularam@griffith.edu.au Hawans, Death rites;tonew homes, him an0403 819 327 or email a.tularam@griffith.edu.au aniversaries, sincere heart.birthdays His mercyetc is sure to all put their trust in Him. Pandit Dr G A Tularam And His819 protection is available to all who call on His name. www.indiantimes.com.au 0403 327 or email a.tularam@griffith.edu.au www.indiantimes.com.au Taste and see the Lord is good, His ways are perfect and His promises never fail.www.indiantimes.com.au Therefore, we invite you to pray this with a sincere heart; ‘Dear Father God, today I thank you for your word that has touched my heart. I repent of my wrongs and I confess with my mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins, God raised Jesus from the dead for my Mukti (Salvation). Blood of Jesus has reconciled me to the loving relationship with my creator. Now help me to know Jesus more and more so that I can grow in the knowledge of your grace and mercy. Teach me your ways so that I can be person who will learn to honour you and learn to love each other’. Amen Please email to us your encounter experience, so we can help you to grow in the understanding your Creator and Redeemer. navig8grace@gmail.com www.indiantimes.com

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bollywood & entertainment

Samudranil’s latest film ‘Outdooring’

Born in Kolkata, and raised in Brisbane, Samudranil chose to pursue film, attending Griffith Film School and recently graduating with a Masters in Cinematography from the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles. Whilst his time at Griffith, he also worked on big projects such as Thor:Ragnarok, The Shallows and Mako Mermaids, as well as shooting multiple short films and commercial projects.

His latest short film 'Outdooring' with director Maxwell Addae has just been selected for its World Premiere at SXSW, a major and prestigious film festival in Austin, Texas where Samudranil and his entire team will be presenting the film. Outdooring has also been selected to play for 'Outfest Fusion' at The Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, and invited to the Dallas and Minneapolis International Film Festivals. We are proud to announce that Outdooring has also been invited to be showcased at our very own

Brisbane Queer Film Festival, playing at the New Farm Cinemas on 16th March. Another of Samudranil's projects titled 'Shilpi', focusing on cultural disparity using the dance form of Kathakali, is in the pipeline towards major festivals. Samudranil has more than a dozen narrative works which include short films and feature length series.

Besides filmmaking, he enjoys playing the saxophone, and has often played at the Brisbane Multicultural Festival, GOPIO, Bengali Society of Queensland and various other multicultural festivals in Australia.

His solo performances on Live network tv channels in India have been highly appreciated. Until now, he has released three audio albums with HMV SaReGaMa and is set to release a few more in the near future.

He is fluent in Bengali and Hindi as well, and is currently residing in Los Angeles, where he starts filming on two feature films, this year.

Modi biopic: Supreme Court asks petitioner to provide objections for release, postpones hearing

The Supreme Court Monday said it cannot pass an order at this stage on a plea seeking stay on the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic as the censor board is yet to certify the film.

The apex court said it will hear the matter on Tuesday and could possibly pass an order if the petitioner brings on record what the film depicts is "highly objectionable".

"Any kind of order from the court will be possible if the petitioner states and pleads what the film is seeking to depict and his objections on this count," said the order by a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

The bench also refused the plea of the petitioner, Congress activist Aman Panwar, that the copy of the film should be given to him.

"Why should we direct that individual be given a copy of the film," said the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna.

"On behalf of the petitioner, a prayer has been made that directions should be issued for furnishing a copy of the film to enable the petitioner to act in terms of the order.

We fail to see how such a direction can be issued by the court," it said.

At the outset, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) said the film is not yet certified and referred to April 4 statement by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Prasoon Joshi given to about it.

Joshi had told that the film was undergoing due process of examination and

certification.

"Since there are a lot of queries around the certification of the film, (I) would like to give a clear picture: the film is going through the due process of examination and certification according to the requisite guidelines and is yet to be certified as the process is not complete at this point," Joshi had said.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the Congress activist, said producer Sandip Singh had come out with a statement that the biopic would be released on April 11.

Taking note of his submission, the bench said the producer may have come out with such a statement on release of the biopic on April 11 anticipating that the film would get the certification from the censor board.

The bench said as of now there is no cause of action for challenging the film's release.

When Singhvi repeated for further stay on the biopic, the bench said, "How can we stop the release of the film? It is not yet certified. There is only a statement from the producer for its release."

Singhvi submitted that there was no level playing field and allowing the release of the film would be a direct assault on the structure of the Constitution.

However, the bench said it cannot decide on the grievances raised by the petitioner as it did not know what was there in the film.

Singhvi also submitted that

58 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019

the judges themselves can see the film in advance to decide the matter.

He said the lead actor, Vivek Oberoi, has been named as the star campaigner for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. His father, who was also an actor, is a card holder of the BJP. "You have the power to call for the screening of the movie," the senior advocate told the bench.

"The film has considerable ramifications as it would be screened for the coming 40 days across the country," he said.

The plea has sought deferment of the biopic's release till the completion of the coming Lok Sabha polls, alleging that it was designed to "manipulate, influence and impress viewers and voters".

Titled 'PM Narendra Modi', the biopic which was slated to be released on April 5, has been postponed till further notice, Singh said Thursday.

The plea has sought a direction from the court declaring that advertisement and promotion of the film

during the operation of the model code of conduct violates electoral laws.

It has sought directions to

the Centre, CBFC and the Election Commission to delay its release till the completion of the general elections next month.

LY K G N C N O BLO NI I 1 A EM

R

CARINDALE HOUSE & LAND PACKAGES ✔ Boutique estate in quiet cul-de-sac ✔ No body corporate ✔ Flat blocks ready to build on ✔ City views from selected blocks

Carindale Heights is an exclusive enclave, just 14km from Brisbane’s CBD, in close proximity to public transport and an abundance of local parkland. Situated in the highly sought after Mansfield State High School & Belmont State School catchment areas. Located within minutes of the Pacific Golf Club and the diverse offerings of Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre including major retailers, supermarkets, boutiques and gyms.

D S FI E L M AN HIGH E STAT OL C S HO E NT M H CATC

HOUSE & LAND FROM $745,500 or LAND ONLY FROM $505,000

Call 1300 903 003 | Hereford Crescent, Carindale QLD 4152 | carindaleheights.com.au Call 07 3865 6533

www.indiantimes.com

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, March, 2019 — 59

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