From the Publisher

WELCOME to this special February issue; February 2023 claimed to be a once-in-a-lifetime February, but the fact check does not approve the claim. The second month of the year, February has 29 days in leap years or 28 days in regular years. The shortest month of the year, however, is jam-packed with festivities.

In India, the festival seasons are widely dispersed throughout the year, and some areas have a festival every month. However, everyone in India looks forward to February because it is the season’s last, more cooler months. Additionally, February is home to several important national and international celebrations, festivals, and events.

Important dates and days are observed to raise public awareness of the significance of holidays, days, etc. In addition, certain events draw attention to issues like disease, poverty, etc., educating people about their importance and raising awareness in government examinations like SSC, banking, etc. The General Knowledge section plays an important role.

Valentine’s Day (February 14) is when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday originates in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in midFebruary. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I forbid the celebration of Lupercalia, which is sometimes attributed to replacing it with St. Valentine’s Day.

Brisbane Has been abuzz with activities; just so much happening out there, and politicians and community leaders have a challenging time trying to fit everything in. So, first of all, I must congratulate Kannada Sangha for the successful launch of Kannada Shale – Kannada language school, I was honoured to inaugurate the school, and I am sure it will do well.

Congratulation to ISKCON for acquiring the property at Burbank, a great initiative and a proud achievement for our community; it is our duty now to get behind the project and support it wholeheartedly; we were proud to have been invited to the inauguration; it was an uplifting experience.

World Harmony Day, arranged by Bahai Brisbane, was another great initiative highlighting the similarities of many faiths; the theme close to my heart was the role of an individual- as Gandhi ji said, be the change you want to see in others, let the change begin with you.

The sixth Isthapna Diwas of Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir went well, with all three levels of government and QPS joining in with multifaith community leaders. Congratulations to Parma Nand on getting this year’s community service award by Dharam Guru Pundit Tripathi ji; he is genuinely deserving.

We attended many Lunar New Year celebrations, Vietnamese for whom it is the year of the cat. Then we hear a Taiwanese celebration at Landmarkthe year of the Rabbit, a Chinese community civic reception by the Lord Mayor. All in all, fantastic to take part in all of these beautiful events.

• Gagan deep Tandon

• Brian Sullivan (Photography)

• Rajesh Chand

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Indian Republic Day four events, Flag Raising at the consulate office, ICAQ celebration and citizenship ceremony in Sandgate, FICQ function at Sunpac and GOPIO GoldCoast function; needless to say, all of these kept us very busy, but then that’s the way we like to be.

We attended two unique Lohri events, first at Sushma and Baldev Sharma’s residence; once again, they did a fantastic job organising the event; second, Usha was the Chief Guest at the Northside community celebration; what an honour and privilege.

We were pleasantly surprised at Suren and Manga’s get-together to discover that Suren had taken up tabla under Tabla Guru Dheeraj Shrestha (Dheeraj Bhai) for us. It shows that you can start music any age, wishing him all the best.

Our lead story this month is the Bris Asia festival, a fantastic launch partythe production team did wonder with the sound and lighting. The Dance Masala Group featured a stellar performance at the launch; please check out all the free events. Some require ticketing, so check them out on our and Brisbane City Councils’ websites.

With all that said, it’s time to say goodbye; wishing you all the very best for February until Next Month; happy reading