JANUARY ISSUE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES by Brisbane Indian Times

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GOPIO Queensland at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur

From left: Two of GOPIO Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delegates, Surendra Prasad, Sunil Gurram, Naidu Bodapati, Umesh Chandra, Vinita Khushal, Alka Jaggessar, Amitha Jaggessar and Robin Jaggessar. Absent - Shyam Das, GOPIO Queensland President, and Prasad Yarlagadda. Full report page 6.

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From the Editor or give up if you are not on HAPPY New Year to all track, ask family or friends readers, advertisers, past and for help...that is what they present! are there for!! With the beginning of every Trudi Tarres There are always going to year we hear many of our be obstacles, for dieters it friends, colleagues and peris the sweet smell of a bakhaps even ourselves proudly boasting New Year resolutions that will see ery :-), for savers it is that item that you us change all of our bad habits and of really must have and for others sometimes course lose the kilo’s that we acquired over it is fear.....fear of change / failure! The important thing to remember is that the holiday season! Whilst it is good to set goals, it is also you can do it!! Be strong in your choicimportant to be realistic, change does not es...say no to that chocolate éclair and happen overnight! I myself have been a bit embrace change and success. I wish all of overzealous at times, those of you who you, who like me have committed to a new know me well might say, most of the time, goal, a positive and empowered journey. especially when it comes to diet and exer- The Brisbane Indian Times team have been cise....what can I say, I LOVE CHOCO- very busy processing the nominations for the Commonwealth Bank and Brisbane LATE!! Ok enough chocolate confessions, back to Indian Times 2012 Multicultural Business setting realistic goals. Common goals for and Community Awards. Nominees have the new year include: lose weight, give up been sent their certificate along with selecsmoking, save more money, change person- tion criteria (for those who have received their criteria, it has been pointed out to me al / professional circumstances. These goals are fantastic, however, it is that the date for end of achievements was important to plan out how you are going to incorrectly stated as 1 January 2011 - please achieve your goal to save any unwanted disregard, the correct date is 1 January 2012). stress or pressure on yourself. Stress is thrown upon us from all direc- The response for business nominations has tions, so no point adding to your blood been extremely high this year, unfortunately I cannot say the same for the community pressure unnecessarily. My tip is to outline what your goal is in nominations. Numbers are down in the foldetail, include the end result in terms of the lowing categories; community volunteer, positives that you will gain.....this will keep community function/event, young achiever of the year and lifetime achievement award. you motivated. A good idea is to buy a diary...pocket size Quite often after the awards I receive comso that you can carry it with you. List steps ments of “why didn’t this person get nomithat are required to achieve your goal, put a nated?” the answer is simple....no-one took time limit on your goal and include the time to nominate them. I encourage readers to take the time to progress dates to see if you are on target. Don’t beat yourself up or get disheartened nominate individuals/associations that they believe deserve recognition for their selfless work. Nominations have been extended to mid February and you will find the form on page 29 of this issue. With every venture, the success depends on the support given, whether it be from spon• Letters to the Editor.......................2 sors or participation from businesses / readers. I must acknowledge and thank our • Migration Matters...........................4 sponsors: Naming Rights Sponsor, The • Local News.................................3-17 Commonwealth Bank; Platinum Sponsor, New England College of Technology; Gold • Business News................................18 Sponsor, Horton Media; Category • Who, What, Where, When...20 & 22 Sponsor of Young Achiever of The Year • Health & Well Being................25-27 Award, EIDFEST Committee. The above sponsors like BIT share the • Real Estate................................30-32 same vision and belief in the ethnic com• Astrology........................................32 munity as positive contributors to the social and economic growth/wellbeing of our • Classifieds/Business Directory......33 diverse country and agree that they inspire • What’s On................................34-35 others and deserve recognition for their contributions. • Bollywood & Entertainment...35-37 To discuss becoming a sponsor either call • Sport..........................................38-39 me on 07 3356 0102 or email Brisbane admin@indiantimes.com.au I will be out and about visiting several shops in the coming weeks, so if you see me, don’t be shy...come up and say hello! I A Div isi on of would love to hear your comments and Qld Multicultural Time s feedback. Published Monthly We try to publish as much community OWNERS / PUBLISHERS: news as possible, in order to do this, we do Umesh & Usha Chandra need to be informed by the organiser or ADVERTISING: Trudi Tarres association that the event is taking place. If EDITOR: Trudi Tarres we are not informed, we are not able to PA to CEO: Charmaine Crisol-Cagungun publish information on it. We do not disJOURNALIST/ CORRESPONDENTS: criminate, all submissions are welcome! Ram Jattan (UK) Until next month, be happy / healthy / Thakur Ranjit Singh (NZ) strong and focused and remember each day Thilliar Varnakulasingham (NZ) is a blessing.

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Recent news about Australian Migration Regulations Student Visas: Further Knight Review Reforms Announced

THE Federal Government has announced an extension of the post study work arrangements effective from 2013 for international students after they complete their Australian studies. Poststudy work arrangements for uni versity graduates will be available for: 1. Graduates who complete their Bachelor degrees after at least two aca demic years’ study in Australia will be eligible for a two year stay; 2. Graduates who complete their Masters degrees after at least two aca demic years’ study in Australia will be eligible for a three year stay; and 3. Graduates who complete their PhD after at least two academic years’ study in Australia will be eligible for a four year stay. These changes would apply to Bachelor or higher degree graduates from other education providers accred ited to offer degree level programs, in addition to university graduates. The existing Temporary Skilled Graduate (Subclass 485) visa, which provides for a stay of 18 months for those with qualifications in eligible fields of study, will still be available.

South Australia State Sponsorhsip Update

The South Australian State Government has reached the planning level for the 20112012 program years for the following occupations under the General Skilled Migration Program: * 233411 Electronics Engineer * 261112 Systems Analyst * 261399 Software and Applications Programmers nec * 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer * 263311 Telecommunications engi

neer * 233211 Civil Engineer * 261312 Developer Programmer * 261313 Software Engineer * 262112 ICT Security Specialist * 262113 Systems Administrator * 263113 Network Analyst These occupations are no longer avail able for State Sponsorship under the general skilled migration program unless the applicant can meet certain special criteria. Some of the special criteria can include more work experi ence, higher English ability and job prospects.

Introduction of powers to reduce fraud in Business Skills visas

In November 2011 powers were intro duced to reduce fraud in all Business Skills visas at both the temporary and permanent stages. This power is called the fraud Public Interest Criterion 4020 (PIC 4020). This criterion has been discussed before under the general skilled migration program. This criteri on has now been included for most business visas. The introduction of PIC 4020 provides a strong basis for action against attempts to provide false information or documents. PIC 4020 allows a decision-maker to refuse the grant of a visa to a person and impose a three year ban on obtaining a new visa for having provided false, misleading and/or bogus documentation and/or information to the department. The department takes any misrepresenta tion to secure a visa to Australia seri ously and strives to uphold the integri ty of all visa applications. The Fraud PIC now applies to Business Skills applicants who provide false, bogus or misleading documents during the course of their visa applica tion, or in an application within the last 12 months that resulted in the grant of

a visa. This also applies to those Business Skills visa applications which have been submitted previously but have not yet been finally decided. The department will give applicants who have allegedly provided fraudu lent information an opportunity to comment on the documents the depart ment suspects to be fraudulent. The applicant will also have the opportuni ty to demonstrate compassionate and compelling circumstances why their visa should be granted

SkillSelect – the new General Skilled Migration Model from 1 July 2012.

We have previously advised of the new SkillSelect model to be implemented from 1 July 2012 and will replace the General Skilled Migration points test system. SkillSelect is based on an electronic twostage process whereby prospective migrants first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and may then be invited by the department to make a skilled migration visa application. New appli cants for Independent, Family or State/Territory Sponsored or Business Skills migration will need to submit an EOI and be issued with an invitation before lodging their visa application. It is important to note that the EOI is not a visa application, and a bridging visa would not be granted. A bridging visa would only be considered once a valid visa application has been lodged. If the visa an applicant holds is about to expire before an invitation has been received, they would need to apply for another visa in order to remain in Australia. If they do not meet the requirements for grant of another visa, they would need to depart Australia before their visa expires. The EOI application would still be valid and under process even if they are off shore. Continued page 10

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Shree Laxminarayan Mandir News GOPIO Queensland at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur 1173 Mt Cotton Road Burbank www.laxminarayan.com.au NOW that the festive season is over and the New Year already started – let’s put our energy back into the goals we have set/the resolutions we have made – be they personal/official/social or whatever. May I take this opportunity to wish all the readers of Brisbane Indian Times - a very happy and fruitful year 2012. Just a reminder to all the members, devotees and well-wishers of Shree Laxminarayan Mandir that its web page is at: www.laxminarayan.com.au and contains an update on various matters, including major programs, photo clips, rules, contact details, opening/closing hours – etc. Seeing is believing. As per previous years, Mata Saraswati Pooja will be held on Saturday 28 January 2012, commencing with bhajan/kirtan at 4 pm and the ritual, including returning the books to students together with the blessed gift pack by the Mandir, will be completed by 7 pm, followed by “Prasad” and “Maha Prasad”. The parents and students should note that the placing of books at the lotus feet of Mata Saraswati will commence from Sunday 22

From page 1 GOPIO Queensland took the largest delegation ever to the PBD and GOPIO International Conference 2012. PBD is being held in Jaipur Rajasthan, the Pink City. Queensland delegation included Umesh Chandra (GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania), Sunil Gurram, Shyam Das (GOPIO Queensland President), Mohan Khushal, Vinita Khushal (GOPIO Queensland Secretary), Robin Jaggessar (GOPIO Queensland Assistant Treasurer), Amitha Jaggessar, Alka Jaggessar, Madanlall Jaggessar, Dr Naidu Bodapati (GOPIO Member and FICQ President), Surendra Prasad

January till Thursday 26 January. As per past practice, a student list will be available at the Temple for putting the names of the students - this will allow the Management Committee to prepare the blessed gift pack (by the Mandir) for the listed students participating in the program. Please place attached “Mata Saraswati’s picture here Please note: Mata “Chonki” will also be held on the same night from 8 pm till midnight. All are welcome. For further information – contact resident Pt Tripathi Ji – 32168848 or any committee member as per web page contact details. Authorised by President – Surendra Pratap 31 December 2011

and Dr Prasad Yarlagadda. The tenth PBD was held in Jaipur from 7th till 9th January, while the GOPIO International conference was held on 6th Jan and the tenth Dialogue with India by GOPIO International was held on 10th January. Queensland delegation's presence was recognised at all the functions. Governor of Rajasthan, HE Shri Shivraj V. Patil and Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Hon Shri Ashok Gehlot, both attended GOPIO CSA Awards, and Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, both attended the 10th PBD. The cultural items and all other arrangement by Rajasthan

Give time to yourself also Submitted by Sundar Gopal Das ANOTHER year rolls on. After the end of year festivities and spending time with family and friends we look ourselves in the mirror and make new resolutions for the New Year. “I will give up some bad habits, I will start some good habits, I will spend more time looking after my health, with my family and friends and so on.” In the midst of making these new resolutions and other commitments, we often tend to forget the ‘me’ inside us. We are busy cleaning the cage that we forget to feed and nourish the bird inside. One of the first statements

in the Vedanta Sutras is that we should search for happiness or bliss. Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita is that we are not this body but the soul within the body. The soul is eternal, it can never be destroyed and its nature is that of bliss. We have forgotten who we are and since our nature is that of happiness, we are always looking for happiness. However most of the happiness provided by this world is temporary and does not completely satisfy us. Hence we are always looking for something more to give us that happiness. About five thousand years, a group of saints had gath-

Government have been superb. The whole city has been transformed with large billboards welcoming all overseas Indian back home in the night the whole city lights with an extravagant display of lights. The cultural programs are second to none with the unique and historic location within the palaces and Gardens have been a sight to see and experience. Over 1900 delegates have registered for this year’s PBD making it one of the biggest so far. The Indian Government has announced some very promising schemes to assist overseas Indians and for migrating workers and students. Full report on various sessions will be carried in our next edition.

ered together and asked a more realised saint “What have you ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general?” The realised saint replied “The supreme occupation for all humanity is that by which everyone can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.” Last year we went through quite a bit. From the South East Queensland floods, which affected most of us in some way, to Cyclone Yasi in northern Queensland, to the Christchurch earthquake and to the Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami that caused massive destructions. We

began to appreciate the temporary nature of this world. So this year, in the midst of our other resolutions, we should also make a resolution that we will give some time to our loved ones and also to ourselves and to be introspective. We will give ourselves some time daily to read some spiritual texts, or regularly attending spiritual seminars. And in this way we will begin our journey towards getting that eternal happiness. For comments and queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at bhaktibrisbane2010@ gmail.com. We usually have a get-together on Saturday evenings and discuss from spiritual texts. Please contact us for more information.

APSQ contributes to Salvation Army for Christmas donation affair owing its allegiance to personal beliefs and convictions of a person, but Dharma is an universal affair. Dharma makes people broad minded and as such binds and holds them together. Righteous people, adhering to VEDAS, therefore, consider the whole world as one family. VEDAS expect every human being to be humane in the true sense and thus advocate "humanism" as the Dharma of the entire humanity. Donations are an integral part of Religion. Since time immemorial both the terms 'Donations' and 'Religion' have been used together, so much so that they have become synonymous to each other. Be human and humanise others, this is the message of VEDAS since its eternity. The Sabha wishes all the readers, members, and well wishers a Happy and Prosperous 2012.

By Jitendra Deo President APSQ ARYA Pratinidhi Sabha of Qld (APSQ) members got together and donated food items to the Salvos who in turn will provide assistance to the unfortunate and needy families. This initiative was taken by the Arya Samaj members by considering the less fortunate ones, who may be in need of such assistance to fulfil their festive season wish. The members provided food items and it was collected and delivered to Salvation Army centre in Taigum northside in Brisbane. What we have shared with others, the needy, poor and downtrodden gives lasting happiness. The Sabha in the future will continue to take active part in sharing and providing help and available resources to the wider community. The President of the Sabha, Mr Jitendra Deo, thanked all the members for this noble cause and pointed that by undertaking this sort of activities our communities can also integrate with wider society. According to The VEDAS, it is mankind's

• Youth Group members Ravneel & Soneel donating food items to Salvos.

Dharma (our duty) to help others. Dharma means duties and essential characteristics,

6 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

without which a thing cannot retain its very own existence. Religion may be a personal

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Let us all move forward with Dharma and consider the whole world as one family. There is definitely optimism as we look to the year ahead and we will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. May GOD bless you all.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 — 7

FICQ Executive Committee Elections Amarjit S Nagi Sunnybank THE Federation of the Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ), held its Annual General Meeting on 4th December 2011 at the INDOZ Sikh Community Centre. The election for Executive Committee members was also held on the day. Firstly, for those who may not be aware, this organisation is unique, in that it does not merely represent a group of individuals, as many other organisations do, instead it is a group of various associations & incorporated bodies that represent people of Indian background in Queensland. Simply put; the FICQ is an Association of the Associations and therefore, no individual membership is permitted. Only an Association or Organisation can be a member of the FICQ. Please visit the FICQ website for more information. Currently the FICQ has thirty one associations & incorporated organisations on its register. The FICQ was formed in 1998 and up until now, the Executive Committee elections has been a very tepid affair. I am told that in previous years, the members had to be cajoled, coaxed and pleaded to take up an Executive Committee position and the voluntary work that goes with it. Perhaps it is a sign of the growing Indian community and increasing clout & strength of the FICQ that this year’s Executive Committee elections were very keenly fought; all four positions of the Executive Committee were contested. Given the variety of the Member Organisations consisting of Malayali, Guajarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Oriya, Fiji and many others, the atmosphere in the election room was truly pan-Indian.

Matters related to the points of order, allegations of noncompliance with the FICQ Constitution, counter allegations, legal opinions, proxy votes and their desirability or otherwise, were all passionately discussed, whilst the humdrum of the voting process continued. In essence, the spirit of democracy was all pervasive and its power to resolve differences and build consensus was in ample display; kudos to all for this. The following were declared elected members of the Executive Committee for next two years: President - Naidu Bodapati Vice President - Paramjit Sarai Secretary - Tirat Achal Treasurer - Mul Chand Considering the growth of the Indian Community in Queensland, and consequently increasing workload of the FICQ Executive, a motion was also passed to increase the number of Executive Committee members. As a result, the following additional members were nominated. The following positions do not currently exist in the FICQ’ Constitution and therefore appropriate changes need to be made in the Constitutions to validate the following new positions in the Executive Committee: Vice President - Prasad Yarlagadda Assistant Secretary - Anil Bakrania Public Relations Officer - Unnikrishnan Pillai All past members deserve our commendation for their hard work. To the newly elected members, we give our best wishes, as they have their task clearly cut out, that is, to excel the high bar set by the previous team. PS: The above information does not purport to be the official declaration of the election results. Those interested in confirming the Executive Committee election results may contact FICQ.

Talent Search 2011

Courtesy Jolly Karumathy MALAYALEE Association of Queensland Inc (MAQ) organized Talent Search 2011. This was a drawing and colouring competition to find the highly talented young artists in Brisbane. The competition had various categories. Justin Karumathy and Andrea Karumathy came first and second in beginner’s category. Leo Easo and Milan Jacob came Fist and second respectively in Tiny Tots category. Dorine Geoge won the first place in

Teenagers category. The winners were awarded with prizes at special Christmas Celebrations at Holland Park State High School Hall. MAQ President Jayarajan Chaladan welcomed all the guests. Councilor of Brisbane City Council, Angela OwenTaylor and Mr. Garry Page, Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs Queensland were the Guests of Honor. Suma Ajith and Ajith Baskar were the Master of Ceremonies.

www.msit.tafe.qld.gov.au/international www .ms msit.taffe. fe. e qld. d gov.au/int au/international

8 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

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Recent news about Australian Migration Regulations 2 Jan

Continued from 4 PROSPECTIVE applicants will first submit claims for skilled migration through an online EOI and then may be invited to make a visa application. It is important to note that an EOI is not a visa application; it is an expression of interest in being considered for migration. All prospective applicants will be required to have met the relevant English language standard and obtained the necessary skills assessment before submitting an EOI. Applicants will be ranked according to their points test score and the time they submitted their EOI. The highest ranking applicants will be invited to apply each month. A limit will be placed on occupations to ensure that the program covers as many occupations as possible on the Skilled Occupations List. Applicants who have lodged a visa application before SkillSelect takes effect and whose applications are pending processing, will have their application processed in accordance with any priority processing direction in effect at that time. Transitional arrangements currently apply to certain people who, on 8 February 2010, held or had applied for a Skilled Graduate (subclass 485) visa. This group will still be able to apply for a permanent skilled visa under the current system until the end of 2012. Impact on State/Territory Governments,

Businesses and Australian employers. SkillSelect will connect state and territory governments and Australian employers with potential skilled workers through a central database. This will be the sole method for state and territory government sponsorship of business skills and state and territory sponsored visas. If applicants are interested in state or terri-

tory sponsorship under these programs you will need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) and receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application. In your EOI you can specify the state or territory you are interested in. State and territory governments can search in SkillSelect and select potential applicants for nomination (as long as they have not

reached agreed limits on their State Migration Plan). SkillSelect will then generate an invitation to be issued to the selected candidates. The State Migration Plans specify which occupations state and territory governments can nominate applicants under, and the number of visas that will be granted as part of the program. The review of the business skills category is considering whether state and territory sponsored business migrants should be included in State Migration Plans. SkillSelect does not impact Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS), Subclass 457 visas, Graduate, Skilled Recognised Graduate, Distinguished Talent visas and Labour Agreement programs SkillSelect will also be able to address regional skill shortages. SkillSelect will enable prospective migrants to nominate their willingness to live and work in regional Australia. This will benefit employers experiencing regional skills shortages and state and territory governments attempting to settle migrants in regional Australia. This article is intended to provide general information on migration issues and does not constitute migration advice, and no responsibility is accepted by Kiran Goel or AIEES for the accuracy of material appearing in the Brisbane Indian Times. (Ms Kiran Goel MARN: 0639149).

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um or special service numbers. Mega Plan is available in the following denominations: $39.90 with $10 included call credit; $49.90 with $20 included call credit and $59.90 with $30 included call credit. For customers needing more credit for services not included in their unlimited access, they can also top-up within the 30-day period with $9.90 or $19.90 extra call credit with a Mega recharge. And when they renew their Mega Plan after 30days, they won’t lose any unused credit - it will simply roll over to

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excludes Pivotel Providing the customer renews their Mega Plan on or within 30 days or recharges with a Lebara Standard recharge value (which will revert them back to the Standard Plan and they will lose their ‘Unlimited’ access). All Mega Plans have a 30-day credit expiry. 2

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 — 11

Ba Soccer presentation night

N Naye Varsh Ki Subh Kamnayen

Yeh Varsh Apke Liye Mangalmay Ho!

BA Sports and Social Inc. held its annual presentation night on 11 December 2011 at Bay Leaf Indian restaurant in Albion. The event began with childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities like musical chair, etc and finished off with the arrival of Father Christmas. The night featured lively karaoke by Himaansu as entertainment, award presentation to sponsors, players and the hard working committee members by the president. President, Pravin Deo, welcomed everyone and thanked all for their tireless efforts in bringing the association to its current level. The soccer team has been in top form but unfortunately had not won the major tournaments, hoping for better luck in 2012.

Blessings for NewBlessings Year -for2012

Dharam Guru Param Pujya Pt. Tripathi Ji. Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Brisbane Dharam Guru Param P

NOW we are living in the year 2012. The Swhole world and the entire universe have changed. Nowadays everyone is in the gasp of fear with one another. What is the cause of this fear in us? We tend to doubt on Divinity and its true form and this doubt gives rise to the thought that divinity is

We tend to doubt on Divinity and its true form not with us. First and foremost, go near divinity and automatically, you will be free from fear. This is the teaching of our Upanishad. Upa means NEAR, Ni means DOWN and Shad means to sit. Hence Upanishad takes us closer to divinity. Whatever you hear outside is only a resound of what you utter. It is not coming from elsewhere but from within you. As I am speaking to you, all of you are able to hear my voice. If I do not speak at all, how can there be a resound? Reaction, reflection and resound emerge from within. Happiness and sorrow arise from within us and so we are the cause of our own sorrow. It comes from within us. Whatever we experience outside is our own reaction, reflection and resound. When you will understand this truth, you will be full of bliss. So always try to understand â&#x20AC;&#x153;who you areâ&#x20AC;?. With these few words, I would like to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

St Alphonsa Sunday School celebrates anniversary Courtesy Jolly Kurian ST Alphonsa Sunday School celebrated their Anniversary at Wavell heights Community Centre. Fr. Thomas Areekuzhy inaugurated the celebrations, Lourde Matha Catholic Community National Council president Dr Jose Alappat; St. Alphonsa Catholic Community President John Mathew and St Gerald Parish Priest Rev Gerard McMorrow did felicitations.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinamâ&#x20AC;? God Bless You All

Head master Babu Mathew presented the annual report of the School. All the winners of the Bible Kalolsthavam were presented with their Trophies. There was a variety of entertainment programs and a community dinner.

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Muslim Charitable Foundation Courtesy of Janeth Deen THE Muslim Charitable Foundation is still in its infancy. Its committee is working on reaching out to those who are not yet aware of the functions it carries out in society. For the Muslims, it is important to know that the Muslim Charitable Foundation has opened accounts to accept Zakat and other money given in charity. These funds are distributed according to all the requirements stipulated by the religion. A General Fund for weekly, monthly or yearly donations also exists. The Zakat A/C BSB 124155 A/C No 20897312; Interest A/C BSB 124155 A/C No 20897385; General A/C BSB 124155 A/C No 20897392 The website - www.muslimcharitablefoundation.com.au will give an up-to-date account of the work carried out by the Muslim Charitable Foundation during 2011. All the financial reports can also be sourced from the website. The committee have been very active during the year in distributing the funds to those in need. With the global economic crisis, as well as all the natural disasters, it was great that this charitable organisation had funds in place to help those unfortunate people impacted by these unforseen events. It is only when working in the community at large, that one realises the impact the economic downturn has had on the lives of those who are struggling to make ends meet. Welfare recipients barely have much left over to budget with, if they are paying

• Antoni Tsaputra weds Yuki Melani on 17 December 2011.

rent, electricity, water etc. Times are tough all around. Many businesses are going to the wall and their owners have to face the reality of looking for work in a depressed economy. Migrants have come to this country and have trouble finding employment. Many do not know who to turn to when they face financial difficulty. The floods hit hard and disrupted many lives. Donor fatigue has also hit those who generously put their hand in their pockets. One natural disaster after another was the story of 2011. Political unrest caused many people to migrate to other countries as refugees. Refugee camps needed vital resources to keep people alive. The Muslim Charitable Foundation worked on behalf of all those who donated their funds to respond to the needs of people both in Queensland as well as overseas. 2012 has already seen floods in the Northern Territory and also

14 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

damage by storms in Melbourne. On a positive note, Antoni, the Indonesian student with Muscular Dystrophy, who came to Australia to study his Masters of Journalism, married in December. The wheelchair donated by the Muslim Charitable Foundation carried him to his wedding ceremony. This courageous student has achieved his ambition of leading a normal life, in spite of his disability. He was so thankful to those who donated funds to MCF to enable them to provide him with an electric wheelchair after occupying his old chair for twenty eight years. The Muslim Charitable Foundation committee will actively respond to cases that are referred to them. They also need the support of donors to ensure they have funds to meet unforseen expenses that arise in the lives of the people referred to them.

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Extra help for families with teenagers who stay in school FROM 1 January 2012, eligible families with teenagers aged 16 to 19 will get a boost to their family payments of to up to $4,208 per teenager, if their child stays in school or a vocational training equivalent. This increase will bring the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A for eligible teenagers to $6,307 a year. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Families Jenny Macklin today (1 January, 2012) met with the Huynh and Tran families in Smithfield, Sydney, to discuss what the increased Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A payments will mean for them. We all know teenagers don’t cost less once they turn 16. If anything they cost more, which is why we're making this important change today. There are about 630,000 families across Australia with a teenager turning 16 within the next five years who stand to benefit from this increase if their child stays in school or a vocational training equivalent. Today's increase means these families could benefit from the increase in the maximum rate of FTB Part A of up to $160 extra per fortnight to help pay the bills, which translates to an increase of $4,208 annually. In addition to this, more than 82,000 teenagers currently aged between 16 and 19 could also benefit from the changes. Families already receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A will have their enti-

tlements automatically adjusted from today if they are entitled to the higher rate. The Minister for Families Jenny Macklin said that evidence showed that those teenagers who finish their education or get a trade are better off in the long term. We want all children to stay in school or get school-based apprenticeships to give them the best chance at getting a good job. This change will provide parents with that extra financial support to ensure their older teenagers achieve a Year 12 Certificate or equivalent qualification. The Government’s $770 million investment over five years will be particularly valuable for families with lower incomes. In 2006, Year 12 completion rates were at 59 per cent for students from low income homes, compared with 78 per cent for higher income students. These findings indicate that the costs of educating teenage children are an important barrier for families on low incomes to support their child’s education. Most families with a teenager in full-time secondary study who is currently receiving Youth Allowance are likely to be better off on Family Tax Benefit and should check their eligibility. For more information, go to: www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/families/ payments/Pages/supporting_ families_teenagers.aspx Teenagers who will be eligible to receive additional support if they stay in school

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 15

Special day event for our special people

By Mrs Akila Ramarathinam Hindu Social Services Foundation VHP Australia

Celebrate todayr.row. Live it again tomo Australia Day isn’t just about freedom and wide-open spaces. We’re not just celebrating our diverse blend of cultures. And it’s not just about friends coming together for an all-day eat-a-thon. We celebrate on 26 January because tomorrow, we get to live it all over again. To find out about celebrations near you, visit australiaday.org.au o

INTERNATIONAL Day of People with Disability is an important day in our community calendar. We hear countless stories of inspiration from everywhere across the country; people with disabilities who are achieving great things day-in day-out, overcoming obstacles and making a difference in the world. International Day is about celebrating this and engaging with the broader community. In light of this, The Hindu Social Service Foundation organized a fun filled special event on December 18th at The Pennant Hills community Centre. The aim of the event was to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities. The event was proudly sponsored by the Hornsby Shire Council and more than 100 people from various ethnic groups including the local seniors group from Hornsby attended this function. The celebration was declared open by Brij Pal Singh, president of VHP Australia followed by lovely prayers on lord Ganesha by Mr Karthik Iyer and Master Arun Kumar which triggered a very special evening. The special guests of the day were: Hon. Nick Berman (Mayor, Hornsby Shire Council), Mr. Dilip Chopra (Councilor, Hornsby Shire Council), Hon. Greg Smith (MP for Epping, Attorney General and Minister for Justice), Mr Dave Passi, Dr Yadu Singh and Inspirational speakers Mr Shiva Ram and Miss Robecca. Congratulatory & support messages were received from Senator and Hon. Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers The master of ceremonies Mrs Vandana Dixit did a fantastic job conducting the day’s events in a very well organized manner. Vandana was introduced by Miss Priya Sashi, Sanskrit Student from BSK, Moorebank. The inspirational speaker Mr Shiv Ram and Miss Robecca reduced the audience to tears and spellbound everyone with their outstanding talent, skills and achievements.

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Hon Minister Greg Smith admired VHP for organizing this special event and acknowledged the ongoing commitment to supporting people with disability in the local community. Clr. Dilip Chopra said he was truly moved by the inspirational speaker and was extremely happy that VHP was organizing this wonderful event. He further added that he was very glad to see that the small grant given by the Hornsby Shire Council was used in such a commendable way. Councilor Chopra assured the support of the council for future activities by The Hindu Social Services Foundation. Mr Passi provided a wealth of information about the services offered in the aging & disability areas across respective shires and various types of pensions and mobility allowances. Dr Yadu Singh, Cardiologist and a consultant physician extended his best wishes and assured his continuous support to VHP and its activities. He stated that “It was an admirable effort by VHP to arrange this function on a Sunday and catered for people with disabilities. Dr Yadu Singh shared his vast knowledge and information with everyone at the event and The VHP social services foundation is extremely grateful to him. The art works of Robecca from Kellyville were exhibited and everyone in the audience was awe struck with this young girl’s artistic talent. She truly is a star and she later thrilled the audience with her singing and dancing talent as well. Mrs Saraswathi Sashi invited Rebecca to BSK Sanskrit school to teach her art skills to other students and this would be a great way for cross community collaboration. There was a lively Bollywood dancing session and games session organized by HSS Youth Group, BSK Sanskrit School Youth Group, Hindu Youth Australia Volunteers and Mrs Ritu Singh. Everyone joined in and the rumour is that our audience is going to star in the next Bollywood block buster to be made with a dance sequence. If there are any aspiring film makers, they should grab this talented bunch immediately. All the seniors and the children including Aaron, Shiva, Robecca, Kumaran, Karthik, Arun Kumar, Arunan and Santoshi danced very well with the volunteers. Afterwards, there was a musical chair game and everyone enjoyed it to the fullest extent. The participants were given a small present in token of their sky high achievements. Suggestions and feedback forms were distributed for the participants to fill in to help VHP SS foundation in planning future activities. Mrs. Akila Ramarathinam, General Secretary VHP, spoke about the future activities of VHP. She also thanked all the participants, Hornsby Shire Council and all the volunteers for their love and support throughout the programme. The day’s events would not have been possible without the hard work of all the volunteers. Three cheers to all our special participants and the carers. All of them need to be inducted in the largest hall of fame with the highest honor. Overall it was a fun afternoon that will be remembered by one and all. The happy faces in the room said it all. And VHP hopes to come up with many such events in the future. The next event to be organized by the VHP Hindu social Services foundation will be a carers get together and a family picnic. “We want every Australian, including people with disability to achieve their best in life, to develop skills and gain experience, and to have confidence and believe in themselves”. Visit WWW.VHP.ORG.AU

16 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

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Queensland Multicultural Dinner with Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk QUEENSLAND Multicultural Council (QMC) held its annual multicultural dinner at Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant and Function Centre in Eight Miles Plains on 9 December 2011. The annual event attracted about 120 people. Queensland Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Transport, Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk graced the occasion as the chief guest. She congratulated QMC for putting on the multicultural dinner and said that she greatly values the work done by various multicultural communities. She further acknowledged the efforts of the Queensland multicultural communities during the devastating floods which hit Queensland in January 2011. The delightful MC for the program was Diptie Achal. President Umesh Chandra welcomed and acknowledged everyone. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Queensland Multicultural Council was formed to celebrate and embrace other cultures. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world we see many suffering because of perceived differences. I used the word perceived as that is exactly what it is. Back in our school days we studied about the theory of apparent and the truth. The principles

are still the same and it was the lack of understanding of other cultures that led to disharmony. It has been the aim of QMC to engage with different communities and bring them together for the purpose of better understanding and appreciation of each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultures. We have all come here to this wonderful land Australia that we call home. We have come from all corners of the world and we are very fortunate to be living in a country which has an inclusive and free policy. We have freedom of speech, equal rights, freedom of press and freedom of religion. We indeed are living a wonderful country. Here in Queensland all communities are well served by Multicultural affairs Queensland, which under a very supportive minister and able staff deliver excellent service to diverse and challenging needs of Queensland Multicultural communities. The new multicultural policy is a testament of this. We will all recall the hard-

ship some of us faced back in the counties we have come from. It is hard to neglect that and we should do whatever we can to assist our people personally. Government to government relations is governed by the foreign policies which sometimes may not be seen as just by some. Human rights violations in some countries, military rule in some and discriminatory and racist attitudes of some counties are issues that bother many of us. Indeed we are fortunate to be living in Australia.â&#x20AC;? The entertainment was provided by the colourful and vibrant Sher-e Punjab Group who performed the popular Bhangra dance. The welcome invocatory dance was performed by the Indonesian group. Councilor Angela Owen Taylor represented Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, and Councilor Milton Dick did very well as the auctioneer for the night. Anthony Lin, President Taiwan Friendship Association of Queensland, Inc., moved the vote of thanks. Overall, a very successful function with a good cross section of dignitaries and elected members in attendance.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 17

Hindu statesman Zed honoured at Anandpur Sahib

ATO launches new multilingual DVD for small business Courtesy Sudesh Aggarwal THE ATO recently unveiled a new multilingual education DVD: Your business and tax, targeted to small business. The Your business and tax DVD educates new Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) businesses operators about their tax “obligations and entitlements. Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said that the DVD was part of an ongoing commitment to assist small business with their tax affairs. “We are committed to helping people from non-English speaking backgrounds understand their rights and obligations,” Mr D'Ascenzo said. “We understand that Australia’s tax system can be difficult to understand, which is why we have developed this new DVD for new small business. “The production of the DVD involved extensive collaboration with the different language communities to ensure the product is tailored and culturally appropriate. I am pleased to unveil the Your business and tax DVD and encourage the community to access it from the ATO website.” Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said the DVD would help make running a small business easier for people from non-English speaking backgrounds. “The DVD clearly explains to small businesses how to stay on top of their tax obligations, pay superannuation to employees and claim their entitlements in six languages – Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese and English,” Minister Shorten said. “This ATO initiative is a great

way to welcome new small business owners who may not have spoken English as their first language.” Your business and tax is the second of its type, following the groundbreaking Tax in Australia – what you need to know, which was launched in 2009. This DVD received community acclaim and is now available in 16 languages, including Auslan. More information • Your business and tax runs for about 30 minutes with chapters covering topics such as, business structures, registrations, GST, BAS, record keeping and employing people and is available in six languages, which include Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic and English. • Your business and tax is being distributed to NESB communities throughout Australia and will also be available on the ATO website at www.ato.gov.au/otherlanguages. To order a copy of Your business and tax email diversity@ato.gov.au. • The Tax in Australia - what you need to know DVD is downloaded from the ATO website 250 times a day. • The Your business and tax DVD was officially launched as part of the annual ATO's Non-English Speaking background Forum held in Melbourne on 8 December. This forum was attended by 45 NESB community representatives. Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo also talked about the DVD at a similar forum held in Sydney on 1 December. That forum was attended by 40 NESB community representatives.

Update on "Hope for Dzenan" eye gaze fundraising Courtesy of Janeth Deen DZENAN Nuhovic has not been able to communicate with his family and carers since his car accident in October 2000. He has been lovingly cared for by his devoted parents and carers. He still suffers seizures and cannot be unattended at any time. He is so lucky to have such lov ing parents and a sister and brother. He has only recently become an uncle to a baby boy. Dzenan has to be treated as a helpless, dependent child himself, due to his accident. He still has his eyes to take in his surroundings, even if he cannot move his head or any other part of his body. Two months ago a trust fund was set up to collect funds to purchase an eye gaze machine to help restore his ability to communicate. The response to the appeal for donations has

been overwhelming. The fund now has $22,800 of the $30,000 required for the eyegaze machine. The Appeal "Hope for Dzenan" was posted on Facebook. Funds were received from as far away as Norway where Dzenan moved to escape the Bosnian war. The local com munity have been generous with donations for this appeal. A multicultural function will be held at the Macgregor Primary School on Sunday, 4th March 2012 from 2 5 pm for International Women's Day with an entry fee of $20. The funds from this event will be donated to help pay for the Speech Pathologist and other costs in relation to Dzenan's need to communicate once again with his family and friends. Sincere thanks is extended to all those who generously sup ported this trust fund.

18 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

IN a remarkable interfaith gesture, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed was honoured with a siropa on the evening of December 11 in Anandpur Sahib (Punjab, MediaIndia) release 2011/09 in the Sri Kesgarh Sahib complex, which houses one of the five holy Takhts of Sikhism. Siropa (robe of honour) was presented by Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism and is based in USA, was also given a shawl; a large framed picture of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib; a set of books about Sikhism, its scripture, its Gurus, its shrines, etc. Rajan Zed was honoured sometime back by Nevada • Rajan Zed (second from right) being presented with a framed image of Takht Sri (USA) Governor with a cer- Kesgarh Sahib by Giani Tarlochan Singh (right) on the occasion. At extreme left is tificate for his work in inter- Surjit Singh. faith dialogue, which stated: Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the birthplace of the “For exemplary service in building a dialogue Khalsa, where on March 30, 1699, Guru Gobind between the various faiths in Nevada and around the Singh baptized five Sikhs with amrit and gave them world; for building unity and creating awareness the last name Singh (lion) and then asked them to iniabout the diversity of our state; and for sharing those tiate him. According to Shiromani Gurdwara messages on behalf of the state around the world”. Parbandhak Committee website: All the 'Five Takhts' Zed has taken up interfaith, religion, Hindu, envi- are a fountainhead of inspiration and a centre of ronment, Roma (Gypsies) and other causes all over enlightenment for the entire Khalsa Panth. the world. He is one of the panelists for “On Faith”, Sikhism is fifth largest religion in the world and a prestigious interactive conversation on religion pro- Sikhs believe in one immortal Being; Ten Gurus, duced by The Washington Post, and has been from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; the Guru bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award”. He Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York Gurus; and baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru. headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Personal contact with Sikhs usually impresses the Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of outsider with energetic hospitality. Hinduism, oldest Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to and third largest religion of the world, has about one National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultiFamilies, etc. mate goal.

GOPIO International appoints Umesh Chandra as GOPIO International Coordinator for Oceania region THE Executive Council of GOPIO International has appointed Mr Umesh Chandra of Australia as GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania. The Oceania region includes Australia, New Zealand and Fiji Islands. GOPIO International President Ashook Ramsaran said, “The selection of Mr Umesh Chandra as GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania was based primarily on his many years of outstanding service to GOPIO and the Indian community in various countries, his contributions as an active president of GOPIO Brisbane chapter and his continuing support of GOPIO activities in Australia and elsewhere. Also taken into consideration is his many years of relevant experience and knowledge in serving in the larger Indian, in combination with his commitment and interest in GOPIO and its objectives, as well as his knowledge of the Oceania region. The Executive Council of GOPIO made a thorough evaluation and concluded that Mr Umesh Chandra is suitably qualified to be GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania. The effective date of Mr Umesh Chandra's appointment as GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania is immediate and the term of all appointees coincides with the term of the Executive Council. As GOPIO International Coordinator, Europe Mr Umesh Chandra reports to the President of GOPIO International. Mr Umesh Chandra will be working towards outreach and expanwww.indiantimes.com.au

sion of GOPIO with rejuvenation of existing chapters and the establishment of new, bone fide chapters in Oceania, recruitment of suitably qualified candidates for GOPIO’s several councils, increasing membership in chapters and at GOPIO International level, coordinating the activities of GOPIO’s chapters in Oceania (including organization of conferences, seminars and symposia) and providing activity reports in a timely manner. The portfolio requires regular reports minimally on a monthly basis, or sooner as circumstances, conditions and events make them necessary. The appointment of Mr Umesh Chandra as GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania is one of several GOPIO International Coordinators as we strive to establish a collaborative and supportive international team that can effectively contribute to serving the global Indian Diaspora under the banner of GOPIO and its policies and guidelines. Consistent with GOPIO’s policies, upon his assumption of the position of GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania, Mr Umesh Chandra has relinquished his previously held position of president of GOPIO Brisbane chapter. We place very high value in all of you as members of GOPIO chapters, council members and life members of the Oceania region and your continuing contributions to GOPIO and your continuous level of interest and support of the Indian community.

I am very confident that your support of and collaboration with Mr Umesh Chandra as GOPIO International Coordinator, Oceania will bring much credit and transparency to GOPIO and further expand its outreach among the Indian communities in Oceania and globally. I look forward to your continuing support in a mutually effective and beneficial relationship as we continue to make more progress in GOPIO and in the global Indian Diaspora.” GOPIO Brisbane Qld executive committee has appointed Mr Shyam Das as the president of GOPIO Brisbane Queensland. Shyam Das has been a founder member of GOPIO Queensland and is very well known within the Queensland multicultural community. Both Umesh Chandra and Shyam Das together with a delegation of twelve people from Brisbane are attending 2012 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, GOPIO International Conference and awards banquet and 10th PIO Dialogue with India. FICQ president Naidu Bodapati is amongst the delegation as well. Brisbane Indian Times will feature a full report on this year’s PBD and GOPIO annual conference in the next issue. Brisbane Indian Times has been covering these annual events for the last four years, Umesh Chandra has personally attended these events plus others like the Pravasi Samellan. Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

Business News KKN Spices opens in Chelmer on 15 January! ON 15 January a new run successfully for over spice and grocery shop, 12 years. "KKN Spices" will offiThe floods of January cially open to the public at 2011 damaged the premisChelmer. Although the es and Narayanasamy has name "KKN Spices" is decided to renovate and new to readers, the locaimprove the retail space. tion 127 Leybourne Street, Renovations are now comChelmer and the familiar plete and customers will face behind the venture, be impressed with the lay"Narayanasamy", is not! out of the shop and the Narayanasamy was variety of products from amongst the first who saw India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, a need and demand for Bangladesh and South ethnic groceries in East Asia. Brisbane. In 1996, Narayanasamy is looking Narayanasamy opened the forward to being of serdoors at Leybourne Street vice to the community and and provided the commuinvites you to join him on nity with quality products 15 January for the opening • Mr Narayanasamy. from around the world. of KKN Spices! His welcoming manner, affordable products and strong focus on For more information on KKN Spices customer service enabled the business to please refer to their advert on page 15.

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Who, What, Where, When

• Double celebrations for Chantex Pty Ltd staff! A lunch was held at the Homestead Tavern to celebrate Christmas and also Brisbane Indian Times publisher Umesh Chandra’s birthday on 22 December, 2011. Pictured right is Cassie Swyers with her beautiful daughter Majenta.

• Antoni Tsaputra weds Yuki Melani on 17 December 2011 at Antoni's residence in Padang Indonesia. Antoni is pictured with his Dad, wife Yuki, Mum and Grandmother.

• Above & Below Right: St Alphonsa Sunday School celebrated their Anniversary at Wavell Heights Community Centre. Photo’s courtesy Jolly Kurian.

• Birthday celebrations for Charmaine from Brisbane Indian Times.

• Left: Congratulations to Soneel Deo for achieving four awards at his school graduation ceremony. He achieved Langdon Citizenship Award which is given to a student with outstanding contribution to the civic life of the school. He received Excellence Award in Mathematics for achieving academic excellence. He also received awards for Academic achievements in LOTE and Science. Soneel was also Vice School Captain and had shown leadership skills. He is pictured with school Principal Mr Campanaris and Deputy Principal Mr Wilkinson.

• Benjamin Anshuman son of Mr Satish & Mrs Sudesh Aggarwal and Neha, daughter of Mr Rajeev and Mrs Chitra Goel at their wedding reception held on 27 November, 2011 at the Greek Orthodox Community Hall, Mount Gravatt. 20 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 — 21

Who, What, Where, When

• Wynnum Women’s Association Club members having dinner at a Thai Restaurant in Tingalpa. From Left to Right: Mrs Sindh Prasad (Secretary) Mrs Shanti Prasad (Asst Secretary) Mrs Parmila Kumar (President) Mrs Sushil Kapoor (Treasurer) Mrs Mohini Chand (Vice President) Absent: Mrs Madhu Bhan (Asst Treasurer) • Above Right: Sahibjeet Singh Bains was declared the DUX of School out of the 110 students that attended Jinibara State School in 2011. Sahibjeet is pictured with school Principal, Mrs Leanne Odorico (left) and his mother, Devinder Kaur Bains (right). Sahibjeet was the Vice Caption at Jinibara State School and was the winner of the public speaking competition 2008 - 2011, he went on to the District competition and came third in 2008 and 2009. He received the highest prize, Gold, for receiving more than 6 A’s. BIT congratulates Sahibjeet on his achievements.

• Above & Left: Members of the Indian Senior Citizens Association celebrated Christmas at a function on 11 December 2011 at Runcorn Heights State School Hall, Brisbane. Photo's courtesy Bir Sahai - President, Indian Senior Citizen Association.

• Saikat Bhattacharya (centre) at Woodford Folk Festival with Shen Flindell (left) on the tabla and Bipasa Bhattacharya (right) on the tanpura.

• The Hindu Social Service Foundation organized a fun filled special event on 18 December at Pennant Hill community centre to celebrate International Day of People with Disability. Photo’s courtesy Mrs Akila Ramarathinam. Full report is located on page 16

• Yuvraj Singh from Rani Creations, catches up with Spin King Shane Warne at the Big Bash"

• Lakshmi Ramasubramanian celebrating the Bangle ceremony with Mum Malathi, husband Yuvraj and close family and friends. 22 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

• Lakshmi’s grandfather visiting from India for her Bangle ceremony along with Mum, Malathi and Nalini Kumar. www.indiantimes.com.au

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Former publisher’s thesis on 2000 Speight coup taints the Fiji Times Thakur Ranjit Singh ON 15th December 2011, I graduated with Masters in Communication Studies (MCS) with Honours from Auckland University of Technology (AUT). My thesis was based on Speight’s coup of 2000 on Chaudhry government. My choice of thesis was not very difficult, because as a former Publisher of the Daily Post newspaper, I was aware that sections of Fiji media were not fair to Chaudhry’s government. I wanted that to be substantiated by comprehensive and in-depth content analyses of the Fiji Times (hereafter referred to as FT) during one-year rule of Chaudhry government. The analysis and interpretations presented in my thesis amassed into some interesting findings. Some of the notable concluding observations from the content analysis are: a) There was a clear discord between what

FT said and advocated in its editorials and what appeared in the papers and its news selection and writing in the newsrooms. In fact, it was comparable to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde approach, where the same individual tends to show two completely different and diametrically opposed opinions and attitudes. This description aptly fitted FT on occasions where it appeared to have one view of the editorial writer while an opposite stance was seen in the stories appearing in the news pages. b) There was lack of coordination between

the newspaper management and the newspaper operations. The “management” comprised of expatriate policy and editorial formulators, notably the expatriate publisher and the editor in chief, Alan Robinson and Russell Hunter (for part of the time) respectively. The “operations” or the Fijian “gatekeepers” comprised the editor Samisoni Kakaivalu, his deputy Netani Rika and the senior Fijian newsroom team including Margaret Wise. Lack of coordination appears to have stemmed from unbri-

dled newsroom control on the local staff who produced slanted headlines and the choice and “manufacture” of stories. A case was cited where a journalist at FT admitted that the article she wrote about a Minister had been “totally twisted” and the headline was given by a member of the senior staff. The “management” expatriate executives ought to be accountable for what was found as an environment which gave unbridled “gate keeping” duties to unqualified, insensitive and partisan newsroom staff. c) FT provided ample opportunity for opponents to attack the highest office of the country - the President and the Prime Minister. A responsible media, especially in a developing country divided on racial lines, would be expected to exercise caution and ethics and not permit a display of such disrespect to the leaders of a the nation under the guise of media freedom. Continued next issue

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478 Prosecutions: do the crime, face the consequences Courtesy Sudesh Aggarwal 25 NOVEMBER 2011: Acting Tax Commissioner Jennie Granger reminded the community that the ATO is continuing its ongoing focus on those who do the wrong thing. “Those who are caught face serious penalties including criminal conviction, significant fines and imprisonment,” Ms Granger said. “Even if penalties do not include jail time a criminal conviction will mean a permanent criminal record. This may stop you from getting some kinds of jobs, as well as stopping you doing other things such as travelling to some countries. “For the quarter 1 July to 30 September 356 people and 122 companies were prosecuted and convicted of taxation and superannuation offences. During this period twelve people received jail sentences, ranging from two months to five years,” Ms Granger said. “We use leading technology, sophisticated national and international networks and community intelligence to catch those who are doing the wrong thing. It is not a matter of if, but when we find you. Ask yourself: is doing the wrong thing really worth the risk?” Ms Granger said. Refund fraud continues to be a focus for the ATO. Refund fraud

First Sikh women to be appointed to the Australian Government Access and Equity Inquiry Panel

is the attempt to obtain a tax refund dishonestly by deception or other means. Common types of refund fraud include making claims using false or stolen identities and scams where people are tricked into giving away personal details. Recently a Sydney man with a background in commerce was sentenced to five years jail for deliberately lodging 41 false income tax returns totalling $180,000. However it doesn’t have to be large scale to attract the ATO’s attention. Earlier this year, a Sydney fencing contractor who made false statements in his business activity statements was fined $18,000 and ordered to pay an additional $17,319 to the Commissioner. “Providing false or misleading information to the ATO is a criminal offence. If you do the crime, you will face the consequences,” Ms Granger said. If you would like to talk to the ATO about your personal situation or need help, call us on 13 11 42. If you want to report someone who you think is doing the wrong thing, call us on 1800 060 062. If you don’t speak English well and need help with your call, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.

ON 18 November 2011, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, announced the establishment of an independent panel of eminent community leaders to conduct an inquiry into Australian Government services to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. One of the appointed panel members is from Queensland: Mrs Jatinder Kaur, (Sikh women, pictured), who is also a Cultural Diversity Consultant. Mrs Kaur appointment onto the Inquiry panel was made in recognition for continuous efforts over the past 5 years in policy advocacy work in raising the profile of migrant and refugee families who become involved in the Australian child protection system. She has also provided advice and input into the Social Inclusion Agenda and advocated for the needs of migrant and refugee children in the Early Childhood Development Agenda which are key Social Policy initiatives being led by the Australian Government. Mrs Kaur stated that she feels very honoured and fortunate to be given such an opportunity to assist the Australian Government to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)

communities and be able to inform policy at the National level. This is also the first time that a Sikh woman has been appointed to such a senior advisory role to the Australian Government. Jatinder Kaur is the director of JK Diversity Consultants, which specialist consultancy service in working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across Australia. The services offered: Policy, Advocacy, Research, Evaluation, Psy-Social Assessments and training for NGOs, Government, Business and community groups. If you are interested in any of these services, please contact her on: jkaur@jkdiversityconsultants.com. au or mobile: 0422887579. Since establishing her consultancy in June 2011, some of the

achievements and projects that she has been involved include: * A Multicultural Strategy to be developed in the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, to meet the needs of CALD/refugee communities who become involved in the child protection system and collection of data on CALD/refugee families in statutory child protection system; * The National Child Protection Clearinghouse commissioned her to write a research paper synthesising all the Australian research on CALD and refugee communities in the child protection system; * The development of a 1 day Training Workshop on ‘Working with CALD and refugee communities in the Child and Family Welfare setting’ which has been endorsed by the Australian Association of Social workers for continuing professional development credit points (as there was no training available for social workers). This has now been delivered in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and has been incorporated into 2012 Professional Development Training calendars for Social workers/human service staff in both NSW and Victoria. * Successfully securing an Arts Queensland funding grant for an NGO working with CALD youth and seniors.

Australian Indian Community Leaders forum in Canberra HER Excellency Mrs Sujata Singh (pictured left), Indian High Commissioner to Australia hosted the third successful Australian Indian Community Leaders forum in Canberra on 17 December 2011. The meeting was held at Rydges Hotel. HE Mrs Sujata Singh has become the longest serving Indian High Commissioner to Australia. She has gone out of her way to connect with the community. She is highly respected not only within the Indian community but at the various levels of Government nationally. The forum this year had a much toned down atmosphere, as opposed to the first one which had a hostile and apprehensive nature. This in itself is a proof that the goals of these meetings have been achieved. The credit goes to HE Sujata Singh for her initiation of such a forum. Many of the issues had been somewhat tackled and others were work in process of being attended to. Many of the complaints were aimed at VFS, the visa processing company, once again their complaints were minimal compared to previous years. Issues around consular staff was minimal, processing times have been shortened and progress tracking system together with the SMS alerts added quality of service delivery. There was a concern regarding the charges for attesting documents by the High Commission, the delegates were told that the fees was set by Indian government and not by High Commission. It was the delegate’s individual financial institutions back in India who required the paper to be attested by High Commission. HE Sujata Singh stressed the point that High Commission staff does not create rules but merely followed what has been laid down by the Indian Government. She took on the concerns that she would pass on to Indian Government. Yadu singh president of CIA raised concerns about the credit given to Harish Velji for his contribution towards Australian Labor Parties decision to reverse its policy on sale of Uranium to India. HE Sujata Singh said that many people had lobbied behind the scenes to make it happen and the issue had been brought in Victoria and Queensland when she had visited those states. She also said that division based upon a person’s country of birth should not created within our community she acknowledged that Harish Velji was born in Fiji. She used the example of Surendra Prasad, past president of FICQ who hails from Fiji, and she said he is more Indian than many. Dr Yadu Sigh also raised concerns about Indian Diplomats involved with community associations, HE Sujata Singh 24 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

asked Consul General Amit Dasgupta to respond. Amit explained his involvement with some committees on which he was invited to serve. The special focus to the remote areas would be given as the presence of Indian community in these areas are growing rapidly. The establishment of a Consul office in Perth was welcomed. Umesh Chandra presented a report on GOPIO activities and students liaisons. It was noted that the number of students had declined. He reported that his appointment had been renewed at a reduced activity and reporting level. Queensland is the only state in Australia to appoint a dedicated students’ liaison officer. Amarinder Bajwa, president of UIA Sydney, spoke on their activities, UIA hosts the largest India Day Fair in Australia. Amongst other speakers, Naidu Bodapati, the newly elected president, spoke on FICQ activities. FICQ was commended for its work. Associations were encouraged to register with the High Commission to administer funds and support to Indian women deserted by their husband, this is an initiative of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) HE Mrs. Sujata Singh was generally pleased at the www.indiantimes.com.au

progress that the Indian community is making. She said it is time do a bit more and rise beyond community associations only. There are capable people in the Indian community who, with the united support, can rise to the next level. This would be in the best interest of the Indian community in Australia, leave petty politics behind and concentrate on the larger picture. Small issues and problems would always be there, we are not immune from that. The best kept secret of the meeting was the announcement by HE Mrs Sujata Singh, that all the delegates would be having dinner with the visiting Indian Cricket team. This announcement was much applauded. The dinner function was held at the High Commission premises, delegates and their spouses were invited to attend. The excitement, in expectation grew by the minute during the cocktail reception and there was a loud cheer as their bus arrived. HE Mrs Sujata Singh welcomed the team and wished “that the best side win, and may the best side be India” Dinner followed the speeches and as the team finished dinner, they humbly signed autographs and took part in the photo session. Guests were requested not to bother the team too much, as was the case at their previous visit. The team made a discreet exit as they had a busy day ahead of them. Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

Health Beauty Wellbeing Sun care and home remedies for sunburn skin Nimisha - 0412 350 013 Hetvi Hair &â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Beauty

HEY Girls, wishing you Happy and Prosperous New Year. Holidays are over and we are all back to work including me. Queensland summer means someone asking to get sunburn. Sunburn is a condition where your skin is damaged by increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation comes from sunlight; it is invisible rays of light that may be very harmful to your body. Too much UV radiation may damage your skin cells, and the DNA inside them. Sunburn occurs when your uncovered skin is under UV rays for a period of time. Different people can take different amounts of UV radiation before their skin gets damaged. If you observe any of following in your skin, please consult your doctor. Your symptoms may become worse 12 to 24 hours later. * Blisters. Itchiness. Pain or a burning feeling. Peeling and flaking. Redness. The perfect ways to Cure Sunburn after holidays are: Remedies for Burnt Skin 1. Apply Aloe Vera or vinegar on the affected skin; it will stop inflammation and pain. Avoid products made from benzocaine, lidocaine and petroleum jelly. 2. Rub mustard oil on the affected skin and allow to it dry, this will take out the heat from the skin. 3. Cut fresh cucumber slices and rub them on the affected area. Before taking bath,

add some baking powder to the bath water, this will help to soothe the burnt skin. 4. Apply lavender oil or peppermint oil on the burnt skin. 5. Apply apple cider vinegar to the burnt skin using cotton ball. 6. Take herbal bath; put few drops of chamomile and lavender essential oils in bath water. 7. Take Epsom salt or ice compress. 8. Grate some potatoes and apply them on the burnt skin. Starch from the potatoes will soothe the burn. Other home remedies to treat sunburns naturally are quite simple. * Take 3 tablespoons of ground meals and mix it with half cup of yoghurt. Rub this mixture on over your neck and face. Wash it off after sometime. * Two teaspoons oatmeal and a drop of honey must be added to half cup ripe papaya. This mask must be applied and kept for 20 minutes, after which it can be washed off. * Mix honey and lime in 2: 1 proportion and apply on affected area. It can be washed off in 20 minutes. * A pinch of turmeric must be added to yoghurt and must be applied on the face, neck and arms for half hour on a regular basis. * Cucumber and lime juice serve to cool and lighten sunburn. Therefore, they must be mixed in equal ratio and applied often. * For sunburn relief, a paste of turmeric, barley and yoghurt must be applied on the sunburned area. * Consuming raw mango juice that is mixed with sugar and salt serves as a cool, refreshing drink. It will help hydrate the system. * A lotion prepared from vinegar and olive oil must be rubbed on the body before a

cool bath. * Applying a thin layer of sandalwood paste on the affected area can work wonders. * Aloe Vera is known for its soothing properties, so some pure Aloe Vera gel must be applied on the sunburned area for relief. Take Vitamin E and Vitamin C Diet Antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C are very helpful in curing sunburn. Hence include vitamin E and vitamin C in your diet. Tomato is a good antioxidant. Eat good quality protein foods like meat, egg, fish, chicken and so on. Eat lots of fruits. They will supply essential vitamins and minerals. To keep the body hydrated and compensate for the lost fluids, drink lots of fluids.

SPF 30 or Above Sunglasses Should be Used While going outdoors wear good quality sunglasses and apply good quality sunscreen creams whose SPF is 30 or above. Do not use harsh soaps to wash sun burn. Besides applying sunscreen, other basic precautionary tips are mentioned below: * First and foremost, it is best to avoid venturing out in the sun during peak hours of the day. * The use of a hat and light clothing are recommended. * Protect your lips from the UV rays by applying a good quality lip balm. Lip balms with SPF are also available today. * Shield your eyes from the harsh rays of the sun by donning protective eyewear.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year To All

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 - 25

Health Beauty Wellbeing A new doctor for Logan Central Family Clinic LOGAN Central Family Clinic at Woodridge has recently changed management. Dr Mahaveer Jain (pictured) is the doctor on call at the clinic. He has over 25 years experience and has worked in Australia, New Zealand and India. He has a great deal of knowledge in many areas of medicine including Pediatrics, Aged care and family health. Dr Mahaveer has a great reputation for being caring and being great with children. He is looking forward to servicing the community and looking after all your health care needs. Dr Mahaveer shares some of the best natural health tips to enjoy this 2012 below: Don't let stress hurt you and your family Stressful way of life is not just bad for your health but can also affect your relationship with your family. Pinpoint the things that you think are causing you stress and formulate a plan to prevent it from affecting your life. This can prevent you from being sick and helps make your relationships stronger and happy. Promises are meant to be broken If you really want to get fit and have a healthy body, don't just ask yourself to workout but have the guts and the will to do it. Most people are making promises regarding losing weight and other health related body fitness but the thing is, it was all meant to be ignored and the promises became overrated. Want to lose weight? Act now and promise later! Don't be fooled by hefty product advertisements Health products that are available in the market are commonly labeled as "less fats" or "no cholesterol" and other sorts of encouragement. Guess what? These products are still bad for your health. Less fats doesn't mean that there is 100% no fat in your favourite products. Fats are just lessened but there are certainly have fatty contents. Processed foods are the most dangerous foods Foods that came into any types of process

are bad for your health. Processed food products can cause cancer, heart diseases and many other sicknesses known to man. So if you want to have a healthy year, avoid processed foods. Any physical activity is good for your health Having time to get a good workout or just a simple exercise can be a daunting task for most busy people. Good thing is that any simple physical activity is a great alternative for regular exercise. A simple 15 minute walk can strengthen your immune system and will lessen your risks of different cardiovascular diseases. House chores, biking or a simple car wash are all good for your health. Natural is still the best Natural foods are known to have more beneficial health effects. It is still much advisable that we consume natural products than artificially made foods such as fruit juice drinks and canned fruit cocktails. Fruits and vegetables can easily be bought in any local market, why eat artificial foods if you can eat natural products which are better health wise? You decide! There you go. Remember to smile everyday because it can add positive healthy cells to your body which fights bacteria, cancer cells and viruses. Always act nicely and don't let bad things destroy your day. Source: healthtalkbuzz

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Can you change the story of your life? Nothing Trivial

An Indian poet once said that human beings have all the wealth they could

possibly want. They just don’t know it. The infinite is in every heart, and when it Courtesy Vinaya Natarajan back up into that becomes nothing. From that nothis recognized, everything changes. Everything beautiful. ing to the unfolding to the folding back Not knowing what we have, we measure ourselves by what we don’t have. And we HERE we are. is and your your story. Not are told that if we haveagain this, this, this, existence, we will be happy. I know a person successful, and in one else's week everything He was very Somehow it all happened. who There is this somebody story orturned theirupside storydown. for you went from being at the top of his game to being nobody. He even became distant beautiful planet earth - just gorgeous. The drafted by them, but your story as drafted from himself. blue is just amazing. The rivers - the way by you. I know that solitary confinement is considered the harshest punishment for people they run, the way they sound, the way the Some people say, "Destiny isyourself prewritten; because we are social animals. What if you had to be just with yourself? ? How sunlight shines on them and creates whatever is with written on each one of that be? be ? all would Have you made peace your existence? you those be existence ? Or would by questions do not want to ever turning be asked butpages that you is carry within you—the darkness the unknown, hounded these ripples. The you green leaves - the already written." Soof then why of your fears? fears ? of the leaves in the fall, and then the danc- pray? Whose mind are you trying to Everyone has fears. fear of how you appear in the eyes others—what colleagues, your it ing of each leaf There in theis the wind. It failure: is spectacuchange? Andof if you prayyourand you think neighbors, the world think of you. But have you learned to live with yourself? yourself ? Have you socialized with this human lar. Deserts sand and more works, thenyourself you have the definiarejust ? You, being that you -are? as a human being, sand what isand value? by all to thechange scales that people put in your value ? You judge you, “This is what’s important, this is what’s important, what’s important.” you say, “Let front of rock formations. tionthisofisdestiny. It's not And prewritten; it me canseebe where I am on this scale.” And that becomes the measurement of your success. Get rid of that scale. You don’t need it, And then you, who can appreciate it all. influenced. because it is relative. You can be extremely sad, but on that scale, you’re still right up at the top. This earth cooled down to just the right Other people say, "I am responsible for So how steady are you? you ? How steady is your house? house? Instead of wasting time temperature so that you can exist. unfolding every bit. I am the one who trying to measure up, strengthen your house, because the storm is going to Variations. - winter theIt’s irrelevant, writes everything." How about a happy come. Maybe itThe will beseasons a little storm, maybe aand big one. if your house is strong. Inner strength is the strength lasts. Themedium? person I was The fact that each part of the thawing of winter turn into spring,that where talking about had everything. All he needed was inner strength. But when his life begins house of cardsnew. fell, he fell with it. His house wasn’t strong. Ifstory he had is hadgoing to unfold is destiny, but that okay.You're He would’ve happy. He’s Youinner arestrength, placedit would’ve on thisbeen earth. notbeenthere's nothing written on the pages. The still not poor, but that’s not the point. That scale will fluctuate. The question going to last for billions of years. This story paper feeder is automatic. You write the is, will you fluctuate with it? it ? unfolds from almost nothing. One part story. What would you like to write? What Don’t judge yourself by what the world has done to you and what the world unfolds, then another and another. It does a should y your story be like? Should it be tells you, by what has happened or what has not happened. You are alive. little ofAnd unfolding, then it folds about suffering, pain, anger, and a list of all You’re dance breathing. because youand are breathing, you are rich, not poor. You

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of BY the Vedas we generally mean the Vedic Sanhitas, which are collections of prayers and ritual formulae. Their main heroes are the gods and the recurring motive of their worshippers is propitiation. The so-called 'way of works' (karma vidhi) is a way of pleasing the celestial governors of human destiny. In the course of time, rituals grew and multiplied whose meaning only the experts knew. Possibly the later search for the ways of knowledge(jnana) and devotion(bhakti) began in a dissatisfaction with this elaborate ritualism of the Vedic religion. The birth of the Upanishads, with their emphasis on knowledge and meditation, and the Bhakti literature, with its emphasis on love and adoration, were revolts against the formalism of the Vedic system.... The Vedic Aryans were divided into different groups, but they were held together by a common worship of their gods and by their ordering of religious observance. In their view, [one's] life was in the hands of the gods, to be killed or raised to a status with their own. The correct performance of sacrifices brought earthly increase and an assured comfort in the heavens above, the ideal of Vedic [life]. It is only in the Atharvaveda that one hears of men along with the gods and the heavens. This may be

one of the reasons why the orthodox have always frowned upon the Atharvaveda; it contains references to many non-Vedic influences, such as the prayers of the outcastes (Vratyas) who opposed sacrifices. There are four Vedas: Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The oldest and most important of these is the Rigveda.... Of the different recensions only has come down to us, which consists of 1,028 hymns divided into eight or ten books. The Atharva may be mentioned next in order of importance. It contains a large number of magical formulae and contains definite pre-Vedic influences. Atharva literally means the Fire Priest. Many of its verses are also found in the Rigveda. Some of the mantras do not seem to be heavily endowed with spiritual meaning, but from time to time one comes across utterances of very considerable sophistication which elevate the character of the entire anthology and make one feel that there is clearly more in it than meets the eye. The Sama contains a large number of [Rig] mantras. These mantras used to be sung and there are instructions for the tunes. The Yagurveda deals mainly with works of sacrifice and is divided into two parts. Most of the Vedas had various divisions and subdivisions, not all of which have survived,

You can make a difference in 2012 DEAR reader, it is our your hand teacher, joy to bring you the because you are good to word of God. me and care for me." As we say goodbye In Matthew 28v 19 it tells to 2011 and welcome Pastor Joseph Dass us to "Go, therefore and another period of 12 make disciples...."That months we can reflect means we are to reach out on what did or didn't happen and where we and make a difference to someone i.e., we can improve and do better this coming year. have hands that can help, mouth that can It's said you will only be remembered for bring encouragement, ears to listen to ones one of two things: The problems you create that are hurting. and the ones you solve. This means, we all We read about Mandela, Gandhi, Martin have opportunities to make a difference Luther King Jr., John Newton and others someone. In the Bible it says in Matthew 5v who have had such an impact but let me 13, 14 that we are the salt and the light of encourage you that your life matters. Where this world. Can you imagine this world you are, at work place, the place you live, without salt and light? Just as salt and light the family you are in is all for a good reamake a difference, God reminds us that we son. Jesus put it this way "love your eneall can make a difference to someone for mies, bless those who curse you, do good the right reason. to those who hate you and pray for those Once there was a teacher, who at who spitefully use you and persecute you”. Thanksgiving asked her year 3 students to This is what Luther, Gandhi, Mandela and draw a picture of something they were others did and they changed our world and thankful for. She was sure that many of the so can you. Its a new day and YOU TOO underprivileged kids in her class wouldn't CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR have much to be thankful for. When the WORLD. drawings were turned in, there were pictures of animals and family but one in parLet us pray, "Loving Heavenly Father, we ticular caught her attention, it was a picture love you and thank you for another great of a hand. year ahead of us. Thank you for remindShe was wondering if it was a parents hand ing us that we all can make a difference or even God's hand. When she asked the lit- through your power at work in us, we pray tle boy, whose hand it was, he said "It's this in Jesus name, Amen." the things you don't have? Or should it be a really interesting story? The adventure. The biggest adventure is not climbing Mt. Everest. That's been done. The biggest adventure that will ever unfold in your life is you finding you. The story is fun. It is delicious, and it is the biggest mystery: You are never far from yourself, ever. The closest you will ever be to anyone is you, and the one you don't know is you. You know everybody else, and what you have to do is find you. Talk about an adventure - this is Dragon Land. Here, dragons are not imagination. They really exist. If you don't tame the dragon in your adventure, it will eat you. And if you do tame the dragon, you get to fly on its back wherever you want to go. In this story, there are swords, but there is one sword that has unbelievable powers the sword of clarity. Everyone has it but is afraid of it. They're not afraid of the dragon. They should be, because the dragon has only one mission in mind: Food. And if you are not careful, some of your most treasured things will be taken away from you. You are the protector, the knight in shining

have a great gift. The same power that’s backing up the entire universe is backing you up—something I cannot even pretend to fathom. I know the word infinite. infinite. I cannot fathom it, but I can feel it, because that infinite is also within me. And that’s my strength. The universe breathes; it comes together and expands, comes together and expands. It’s a living thing. Something is “Breath? What is this breath? breath ? keeping it all intact. And breath is coming to you, courtesy of that. Most people ignore it: “Breath? 26 —don’t THEignore BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 www.indiantimes.com.au ” But it, experience it.

armour of this story. You have the sword of clarity that can make everything right, but you're afraid to pull it out. Does this adventure start from your birth and then there is a happy ending? No, this story plays out every single day. You get to make a happy ending and you get to be victorious every day. Can you change the story? That's the million dollar question. A lot of people will tell you, "No. You cannot." Me? Yes, of course you can change the story. And not only that, I have seen it changed. Even in your most frustrated, darkest day, there's a place inside of you where you can go, touch that place within, and your story has changed. If you choose to change the story, I'm here to help and I can help. I've helped a lot of people. But the most important thing is that there is a lot of hope. If you really understand that you can change the story, there's a tremendous amount of hop - hope that this life can be fulfilled every single day. And that is a might nice hope to have. And not only hope, but tools to make it real. Maharaj

http://tprf.org - http://maharaji.net - http://contactinfo.net/

This thing called life has been described as a portal, a gateway. This is as close as the infinite and the finite can get. And here, in this life, the finite can experience the infinite. Just like in space, eventually the infinite will consume the

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Qld Inc - Vedic Teachings partly because they were long transmitted by word of mouth. On the time of the composition of the Vedas, opinions differ. Modern scholars do not consider them as ancient as the majority of Indians have done so far. Winternitz thought the Vedas belonged to a period stretching from 2500 B.C. to 7000 B.C., but most scholars today would certainly put the origin at a date later than 2500 B.C. In a document of about 1300 B.C., the Mitannian king Mattiuaza is found invoking the gods Mitra, Varuna, and Indra of the Hindu pantheon; so the roots of the Vedas certainly stretch at least to the middle of the second millennium B.C. It may be mentioned in passing that religiously-minded people often have little interest in fixing the date or the age of their beliefs. More than the history it is the revelation itself that interests the Hindu. Most of the Vedic gods are taken from nature: the sun, the moon, fire, sky, storm, air, water, dawn, rain, and so on. Indra, the god of rain and thunder, seems to have enjoyed a greater importance than others. The hymns to the gods contain some wonderful pieces of poetry. They even include abstract notions such as sky and space deified into Prajapati and Varuna. Varuna later changed into the god of good and evil, of the right law, Prajapati became the one Lord of all creation, the force than runs the world. Even Faith was deified. The hymns to Night and to the Forest show, besides the spiritual significance that may be attached to these largely esoteric writings, an extraordinary sensitivity to the beauties of the physical universe. The hymns to Usha (dawn) and Vak (speech) are equally marvellous as poetry. The Rishis were fully aware of the impor-

tance of the subtle and the abstract. The Atharva contains hymns to Life and Time. Similar consciousness of the abstract is seen in the hymn to Vak (speech) referred to earlier. One of the Vedic mantras that forms part of the daily worship of the Hindus is the Gayatri Mantra (Rigveda, 3, 62, 10). Its main theme is: "We contemplate and adore the knowledge and power of the WorldCreator who infuses the intellectual faculties in us." Yajna was the chief method of sacrifice. The performance centered around a sacrificial fire and offerings were thrown into it. On the very rare occasion, offerings were thrown into water. The offerings consisted of materials of which the owner was fond and very often included things like butter, milk, meat, grains cooked in milk, intoxicating drinks, and other such items.... There are some differences of opinion on the purpose of the yajnas. First, yajnas can be looked upon as the methods of pleasing gods by giving them parts of one's wealth. Secondly, yajnas can stand for token offerings made to gods to indicate obedience and allegiance. Finally, quite irrespective of the gods, the sacrifices can be looked upon as methods of practising renunciation. There can be little doubt that the yajnas began as methods of pleasing gods, and that their significance changed with time until integration with renunciation and other ideas of later Hindu philosophy was eventually achieved. Sen, K.M. Hinduism.1961. . Penguin Books. pp 45-49.

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

BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES DEADLINES FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE Article submissions / Advert Bookings 27 JANUARY 2012

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Your asthma - eat five plus a day By Thilliar Varnakulasingham THE World health Organisation recommends a daily intake of 400g of fruit and vegetables, defined at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables. A healthy diet emphasises the inclusion of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk, milk products, lean meat, fish, beans, eggs, nuts and foods low in saturated fats, trans-saturated fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugar. Besides having essential vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables have non-nutritive bioactive constituents such as phytoestrogens and other phytochemicals.

Increased fruit and vegetable intake is associated with improved control in long term conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes and a reduction in obesity and cataract development. Although experts recommend eating five plus servings of fruit and vegetables per day for optimal health, scientists at the National Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico want to know which fruits and vegetables are likely to prevent specific diseases. The scientists at the National Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico have studied with the participation of 69,000

women which foods have the ability to reduce the risk of developing adult asthma. The research reveals that those who eat plenty of tomatoes, carrots and leafy greens are less likely to have asthma. Those who eat sufficient greens, especially spinach and lettuce are 22 percent less likely to have asthma than women with the lowest intake of such vegetables. Carrot eaters have a 20 percent lower risk of the disease and tomato lovers have an 18 percent lower risk. Even after taking other factors into consideration such as weight, calorie intake, smoking and vitamin use, the women who partici-

Maulidun-Nabi By Imam M. Aslam ALL praise is due to Allah (SWT) peace and blessings upon his beloved messenger Muhammad (sallallahu Alahi wasallam). The holy month of Rabi-ul-Awwal Rabi-Ul-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar. The meaning of the word "Rabi-ul-Awwal"- The first month of spring. Auspicious Occasions: The Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) was born in this month as mercy for all and departed from this world 63 years later. The commemoration of -Milad-un-Nabi in brief: The word Milad has been derived from "viladut" which means birth. Therefore, according to Arabic language, Milad is word which signifies the place and time of birth. In the light of Shariah, we mean, Milad is to remember the events which took place at the birth time of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) and we get the opportunity of narrating the Seerat of the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) on this occasion, we also presents the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) gifts of Durood-o- salam. We mention before the people attributes and praises of the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw). Milad un Nabi (saw) is a great source of preaching. This Islamic month of Rabbi-ul-awal is the month of an immense well of charity, blessing and purity because in this month of the 12th Allah (swt) gave us Rehamatal-ul-lilalameen holy prophet Ahmede Mujtaba Mohammed Musatafa (saw) and by doing so showered his blessing to all mankind for which Allah (swt) has made all the worlds. Evidence of the Holy Quran The Qur’anic verses prove that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also a praiseworthy. 1) Allah Almighty says in Quran: "The peace is on Him the day when he was born and the day when he will die and the day when he will be raised alive." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al-Maryam, Verse 15) In the above verse Allah Almighty has mentioned the complete Milad of Sayyidina Hazrat Yahya (A.S) and before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day as Ahle Sunnat adopts for the Milad of the last prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) of Allah (swt). In other words the Prophet of Allah (swt) Sayyidina Hazrat Isa (A.S) celebrates his own Milad. 2) As Allah (swt) says: "And the same peace on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I would be raised alive." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Maryam, Verse 33). Before this verse Allah (swt) has stated the whole story of Sayyida Bibi Maryam (r.d.a) that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great son, the Prophet of Allah (swt) Sayyidina Hazrat Isa (A.S). Allah (swt) also mentioned the words of Sayyidina Hazrat Isa (A.S) by which Sayyidina Hazrat Isa (A.S) praised himself. This style of narrating story is nothing but celebration of Milad of Sayyidina Hazrat Isa (A.S). Ahle Sunnat also narrate the event of the birth of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw). We too narrate the events

which took place before the birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Sayyidina Hazrat Yahya and Sayyidina Hazrat Isa (A.S). 3) Allah (swt) says: "And remind them of the days of the Allah." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse5). In this verse Allah (swt) orders his prophet Sayyidina Hazrat Musa (A.S) to remind his nation the days of Allah (swt). "The days of Allah" are those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed his great rewards to his creature. As the Holy Quran testifies this explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Holy Quran Sayyidina Hazrat Musa (A.S) says: "And when Musa said it his people remember Allah (swt) favour upon you, when he delivered you from Firawn's people who used to afflict you worstly, and slaughter your sons and let your daughters live and in it there was shown great mercy of your lord." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse 6) According to the Qur’anic verse emancipation of the nation of Sayyidina Hazrat Musa (A.S) from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) is, with any doubt, also a day of Allah (swt), because the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) emancipated whole world from the darkness of ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the birthday (Milad) of the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event. 4) Allah Almighty says: "Then remember the bounties of Allah and wander not in the earth spreading mischief." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Araf, Verse 74) In the above verse Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and rewards. The last Prophet of Allah Almighty prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) his great favour for mankind as He says: "Undoubtedly, Allah did a great favour to the Muslims that in them from among themselves sent a messenger who recites unto them His signs and purifies them and teaches them the book and wisdom and necessarily before that they were certainly apparent error. (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ale Imran, Verse 164) Therefore, according to the Qur’anic commandments we must remember the beloved Prophet of Allah prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) and Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him). In another words Allah Almighty says: "And publicize well the favour of your lord" (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Duha, Verse 11) The companion of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas (Allah is well pleased with Him) explained the word favours. He says here, in this verse favour signifies the prophet hood and Islam. So in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw), we can say that Allah Almighty orders us to remember Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) in our

28 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

pated in the research study still have lower prevalence of the lung disease. Carrots, spinach and tomatoes contain carotenoids, some of which are converted into vitamin A which helps regulate the immune system and maintains the lining of the respiratory tract. Besides containing vitamin A and C, tomatoes contain dietary fibre, beta-carotene, iron, calcium, lycopene, magnesium, sodium, copper, manganese, selenium niacin, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin and thiamine. Spinach, which is an important leaf vegetable, is grown throughout the temperate regions of the world. On cooking its volume decreases by three quarters. The nutritional values per 100 g of raw spinach are carbohydrates 3.6 g, sugars 0.4 g, dietary fibre

2.2 g, fat 0.4 g, protein 2.9 g, vitamin C 28 mg, vitamin E 2 mg, calcium 99 mg, iron 2.7 mg, vitamin K 483 Armstrong units and folate 194 Armstrong units. Carrots are low in calories, and are an excellent source of beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A by the body. Beta carotene is also a powerful antioxidant effective in fighting some forms of cancer. It helps maintain the surface linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts. Vitamin A is important for maintaining good eyesight, especially at night when it helps our eyes adjust to the dark. It also helps fight infection, keeps skin and hair healthy and supports bone growth and maintenance. If you are an asthmatic and not allergic to these vegetables, it is advisable to eat them.

(Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam) gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him), as I have written is a best way for this Qur’anic purpose. 4) Allah Almighty orders us: "Say you obey Allah's grace and his mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice. That is better then all their wealth." In this verse Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If we see around us we find that each favour of Allah Almighty is great mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But the greatest Nimat of Allah is the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw). As Allah Almighty says: "And we sent not you but mercy for all worlds." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Ambiyaa, Verse 107). And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad un Nabi (saw). Specially for enjoying the mercy of Allah Almighty that is the beloved prophet of Allah Almighty .Therefore the Holy Quran itself confirms the Milad un Nabi (saw) 5) The gathering of Milad un Nabi (saw) incite Muslims on saying Durood and Salam ) Allah Almighty says: "Oh you who I believe send upon Him blessing and salute Him fully well in abundance. (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Ahzab, Verse 56). According to the law of Shariah, a thing which is desired by Shariah, is exactly a like an aim of Shariah. And the benefits of Durood -o- salam are so much in numbers that can not be counted. Durood -osalam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this world and here after. So Milad un Nabi (saw) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty 6) Allah Almighty says: "And all that we narrate to you of the tidings of the messengers is for the purpose of strengthening your heart therewith." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Hood, Verse 121) This Qur’anic verse reveals that the wisdom of mentioning the stories and events of prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) was to stand fast the heart of the last prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw). And it is obvious that we are, also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how; the prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) faced the problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad un Nabi (saw) provides us an opportunity to know the Seerat of the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) In the holy Quran in many places Allah (swt) has made reference: “Wa rafana laka zikrak” (And raised high the esteem you are held) (Chapter 30 Surah Nashrak) “la khad ja kum rasoolim min un fusikum” (O believers you have amongst your ummant) “la khad minulaalah ho allul mumineena uz lay faheem e rassola” (I have done a favour on all believers that I gave you the holy prophet (saw)) “Waz kuru niyamat illahi alaykum” (Remember Allah (swt) favours) “Wama arsalnaka illah rehmatullil alameen” (I have sent as blessing for whole mankind) “By all means The Prophet Mohammed

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(saw) is theNimate-uzma of Allah (swt)” “Allah (swt) in the holy Quran has said in Surah duha chapter 30 (para)” “Remember Allah (swt) blessing which is upon you Surah Al-Imran chapter 4 (para)” By doing milaad sharif you are performing prophet Mohammed (saw) zikr, in the above aayats Allah (swt) has ordered to do zikr of prophet Mohammed (saw). There are many narrations, which prove the Milad Sharif but I write a few: 1) The Prophet of Allah prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) himself stated his own birth from very beginning He says: "I had been transferred, continuously, from purified offspring to purified wombs. I had been given birth by a lawful marriage. When Allah Almighty sent Adam Alaihis Salam on earth so He put me in his spine and then transferred in Nuh Alaihis salam in his boat, and then in Ibrahim Alaihis salam Allah Almighty transferred me continuously from noble offspring to the purified wombs up to that He brought me in my parents who never committed adultery." (Tafseer Ruhul Bayan, Vol. 3, Page 54) Milad means the time of birth or place of birth. So the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) himself celebrated his own Milad. In the same way Ahle Sunnat following the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) narrate the events of the birth of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw). This hadith is the clear proof Milad un Nabi (saw) 2) Imam Bukhari Rahmatullah Alaih narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in the hell on Monday. Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid indicating by his finger, when the Prophet of Allah Almighty (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So as a reward of happiness on Milad un Nabi (saw) he would be given water by his finger. (Saheehul Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 764) 3) The Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) celebrated his own Milad by having fast. Imam Wali ud din write this narration with reference to the Saheeh Muslim. When the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) was asked about the fast of Monday, He (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) said: "I took birth and the Quran was revealed upon me in this day." (Mishkat Sharif, Page 179) This narration proves that to celebrate Milad un Nabi (saw) is a tradition of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (saw) on every Monday. Secondly, it is lawful to fix a particular day for Milad un Nabi (saw). And there are some other evidence on Maulud-un-nabi (sallallahu Alahi wasallam) given by Great scholars of Islam. The main purpose of commemorating Maulud-un-nabi (sallallahu Alahi wasallam) is to gain Prophets love and his closeness ) and to motivate ourselves to follow the traditions of the beloved prophet (sallallahu Alahi wasallam). Assalatu Wassalamu Aklaika Ya Rasulullah Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya HabibAllah. Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

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Real Estate News Experts guide to buying Queensland property SUPPORTED by 4BC the session is designed for first-home buyers, new and seasoned investors or anyone interested in Queensland property, this session will address some of the key questions about buying property and provide practical advice to make the process as stress-free as possible. Topics include: • An overview of the national and state economies; • The current state of the Queensland property market; • How to research your next property purchase; • Attending inspections and negotiating the sale price; • Financial considerations and lending criteria; • Legal processes and requirements; • The pros and cons of established versus new properties; • The importance of location in your buying decision; • Key infrastructure projects in Queensland; and • Where to buy in the future. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of the latest REIQ Queensland Market Monitor. When: Saturday, 25 February 2012, 9am to 1pm Where: REIQ, 21 Turbo Drive Coorparoo Cost: Free For more information phone 07 3249 7373 or send an email to profdev@reiq.com.au to register your place. REIQ

Pool safety laws Swimming pools should be fun. However drowning is the leading cause of death in Queensland for children aged one to four years. Supervision of kids and teaching them to swim at a young age can save lives. Effective pool fencing also helps keep kids safe. This is why new pool safety laws have been introduced. Stage 1 of the new pool safety laws was introduced on 1 December 2009 and applies to new residential pools. The final stage, stage 2, commenced on 1 December 2010 and mostly affects existing swimming pools. What the pool safety laws mean for me Under the new swimming pool safety laws: ■ a pool safety certificate, issued by a licensed pool safety inspector, is required when selling, buying or leasing a property with a pool (pool safety certificates are valid for one year for a shared pool and two years for a non-shared pool) ■ the pool safety standard applies to all pools associated with houses, units, hotels, motels, backpacker hostels, caravan parks, mobile van parks and other forms of shortterm accommodation ■ the pool safety standard applies to indoor pools as well as outdoor pools ■ all swimming pools needed to be included on the state-based pool safety register by 4 November 2011 ■ safety barriers are mandatory for all portable pools and spas deeper than 300 millimetres. If a building such as a home, unit or hotel room is within the pool fence perimeter, it needs to be fenced from the pool. This includes buildings with living areas such as games rooms. Toilet facilities and change rooms may be located within the pool area, but these structures must not provide a thoroughfare into the pool enclosure from outside.

Lalit Bhalla Principal 0412 152 449

When the new pool safety standard has to be met Pool owners have until 30 November 2015 to comply with the new pool safety standards, or earlier if their property is sold or leased before then. If you are selling a property with a nonshared pool on or after 1 December 2010, such as pools for houses or townhouses or units with their own pool or spa: ■ a pool safety certificate must be obtained before settlement of a contract; or ■ a notice of no pool safety certificate form 36 ( 60 KB) issued before contract and before settlement advising the buyer that a certificate must be obtained within 90 days of settlement. If you are leasing your property, a pool safety certificate must be obtained before entering into the lease. If you are selling or entering into an accommodation agreement (e.g. lease, hotel stay etc.) for a property with a shared pool associated with short-term accommodation, such as hotels, motels, backpackers or hostels, you have a six month phase-in period to obtain a pool safety certificate. If you are selling or entering into an accommodation agreement for units and townhouses with a shared pool or spa, there is a two year phase-in period to obtain a pool safety certificate. New swimming pools All new swimming pools require a building development approval. For new swimming pools: ■ mandatory follow-up inspections are

required to be undertaken if the final inspection has not been done. Building certifiers are required to undertake a mandatory follow-up inspection within a set time frame after giving a building approval for a swimming pool. The time frames are 6 months for new pools or 2 years in cases where building approval is granted for a swimming pool and a new building. If the building approval is due to lapse earlier than 6 months or 2 years, the final inspection must be done before it lapses. ■ compliant temporary fences are permitted for a maximum period of 3 months during the construction of a pool. After this time, compliant permanent barriers are required. Both the temporary and permanent fences will need to be inspected and certified by the building certifier who approved the application. The building certifier, either a private building certifier or a local government building certifier, who approved the building approval must inspect and certify the pool safety barrier before the pool is filled to a depth of 300 millimetres or more. For inspection and certification costs, check with the building certifier who approved the application to allow the pool and safety barrier to be constructed. The fee may have been incorporated in the building development application fees. For more information and the applicable forms, visit www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/pool-safety/ pool-safety-laws.html Source: dlgp.qld.gov.au

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Astrology Aries “The Ram” “The Go-Getter” March 21 April 20 - You begin the year in fine form, dear Aries, with an attitude that says you're ready to take care of business. Emotionally, you're sufficiently detached to be able to handle your work, and yet friendly and sociable. Home and family demand your undivided attention around the Full Moon. The 12-14th are exceptionally strong days for business and personal magnetism. From the 23rd forward, your social life tends to take precedence, and you may need to reassess some of your recent work projects and efforts.

Cancer “The Crab” “The Caterer” June 22 - July 22 - Close relationships receive top billing this month, dear Cancer, and you are at your most accommodating and attentive. Strong focus is on your social life and a significant relationship. A personal revelation or relationship drama can occur around the 9th when the Moon is Full in your sign, and the outcome can be quite positive. Career efforts are strong, but by the last week of the month, you could be second-guessing some of the recent projects you've taken on. You begin 2012 feeling strengthened by your friendships and connections.

Taurus “The Bull” “The Builder” April 21 - May 22 - Travel, if it can be managed, would be especially rewarding now, dear Taurus, as your hunger for adventure is strong. Nevertheless, emotionally, you're much more settled than you were in December. You begin 2012 with lucky Jupiter in your sign, and while you're no stranger to this energy that began last June, its forward motion this month can bring a stronger, more confident manner. Hiccups in a romantic relationship, with children, or with creative projects might be experienced in the last week of the month. It's time to do some backtracking and reassessment of how to better approach these matters.

Leo “The Lion” “The Boss” July 23 August 22 The year begins with strong energy and heightened intelligence for work, health, and fitness routines, dear Leo. It's a good time for organizing your home and your finances. Financial matters can become a little sticky starting in the last week of January, so it's a good idea to get on top of your budget before then. Love matters are excellent this month - you're in fine form for attracting or strengthening a relationship. Turning a hobby into a career is possible this month. In 2012, you continue to strengthen your professional reputation, and later, branch out by making strong connections.

Gemini “The Twins” “The Magician” May 23 - June 21 - You're in a planning and dreaming stage this month, dear Gemini. It's a time for reassessing your goals and formulating new ones. Midway through 2012, you'll be raring to go, but for now, life is more about getting in touch with where you are headed! Getting serious about your finances is necessary and valuable on the 12-16th, when your instincts for what needs to be done are on the mark. You're especially able to magnetize positive things your way on a professional level. However, home life requires more of your attention this month.

Virgo “The Virgin” “The Accountant” August 23 - Sept 22 - You begin the new year feeling energetic and on top of your game, dear Virgo. Educational matters are strong, you're feeling supported, and domestic matters are hectic but running well. You're likely making all sorts of plans for personal projects, and you are especially attentive to your physical appearance and health. Motivation and enthusiasm may take a bit of a nosedive in the last week of January, however, when you could be questioning your recent choices and reassessing your goals. Try not to make new commitments until you are certain you have a handle on current ones.

Libra “The Scales”“The Councellor” September 23 - October 22 - You begin the year with much going on with family and around the home, dear Libra. You're making new connections in January, but you are also reconnecting with people from your past. This trend continues into the next few months. Listen to your intuition about a creative project on the 12-14, when you can have good ideas about how to turn a profit. It's also a good period for romantic relations. In the last week of January, some revisions in a close partnership may need to be made. Energy levels are not at their best this month, so pay attention to your body's signals for more rest. Scorpio “The Hydra” “The Psycho Analyst” Oct 23 - Nov 21 - Errands, paperwork, making connections, and reaching out are in high focus as the year begins for you, dear Scorpio. A close partnership can feel easy and secure, and romantic matters are strong from the 14th. A burst of confidence is with you from the 12th. Your powers of persuasion run high. Try to avoid scattering your energy, and you'll do well. Some confusion or stalling is likely, however, in your work or daily routines from the last week of January. There can also be some backtracking and revisiting old issues required in a friendship at this time. Sagittarius “The Archer” “The Teacher” Nov 22 Dec 22 - The year 2012 is likely to open up doors for you in your work and with relationships, dear Sagittarius. You begin the year with strong financial ideas and plans. Good news comes your way from the mid month. Some backtracking in romance and career is likely to distract you somewhat in the last week of January, however. There can be some grudges to deal with. Avoid coming on too strong in your work environment. The month ends on a busy note, with plenty to do but much help from friends as well.

Capricorn “The Goat” “The Mayor” Dec 23 - January 30 January can be a personally influential month for you, dear Capricorn. The year ahead brings strong opportunities for both work and play. A partner can have important revelations earlier in themonth - a time when something about yourself or your personal plans might also come to light. Professional and financial matters are especially strong from the 12-14th. There may be a need to rework projects around the home or legal matters in the last week of the month. However, it's better to rethink plans rather than push them ahead at this time. Aquarius “The Water Bearer” “The Innovator” Jan 21 - Feb 19 - The year begins charmingly for you, dear Aquarius, with a nice balance of work and pleasure in your forecast. The first few weeks of January are typically private ones for you. However you are starting this year with quite a bit of attention. You are certainly never short of admirers! The 12-13th are particularly strong days for your powers of attraction. 2012 is a year of discovery and excitement, although you are likely to begin really feeling this forward-looking energy from June onwards. Now is the time to build your strength, sense of security, and confidence. Pisces “The Fish” “The Social Worker” Feb 20 - March 20 - The year begins on a good note, dear Pisces, with friendly energy and benefits through your connections. Friends and lovers can have exciting news around the Full Moon on the 9th. On the 12-14th, something from your past or something that was previously hidden, such as a good deed, comes to light and brings you benefits. Support from others is forthcoming in January.

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

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A complete guide to Hindu rituals and routines... Cont’d from last issue Courtesy Dhavl Vyas, India 8. Why do we apply the holy ash? The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshipped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma. Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it. The word bhasma means, "that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered.” Bha implied bhartsanam ("to destroy") and sma implies smaranam ("to remember"). The application of bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

called vibhuti (which means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her. Homa (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred chants) signifies the offering or surrender of the ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity of the mind, which results from such actions. Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide wait for none. Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all over His body. Shiva devotes apply bhasma as a tripundra. When applied with a red spot at

the center, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe). Tryambakam yajaamahe Sugandhim pushtivardhanam Urvaa rukamiva bhandhanaan Mrytyor muksheeyamaa amrutaat "We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes and spread fragrance in our lives. May He free us from the shackles of sorrow, change and death – effortlessly, like the fall of a rip brinjal from its stem." 9. Why do offer food to the Lord before eating it? Indians make an offering of food to the Lord and later partake of it as prasaada - a holy gift from the Lord. In our daily ritualistic worship (pooja) too we offer naivedyam (food) to the Lord. The Lord is omnipotent and omniscient. Man is a part, while the Lord is the totality. All that we do is by His strength and knowledge alone. Hence what we receive in life as a result of our actions is really His alone. We acknowledge this through the act www.indiantimes.com.au

of offering food to Him. This is exemplified by the Hindi words "tera tujko arpan"– I offer what is Yours to You. Thereafter it is akin to His gift to us, graced by His divine touch. Knowing this, our entire attitude to food and the act of eating changes. The food offered will naturally be pure and the best. We share what we get with others before consuming it. We do not demand, complain or criticise the quality of the food we get. We eat it with cheerful acceptance (prasaada buddhi). Before we partake of our daily meals we first sprinkle water around the plate as an act of purification. Five morsels of food are placed on the side of the plate acknowledging the debt owed by us to the Divine forces (devta runa) for their benign grace and protection, our ancestors (pitru runa) for giving us their lineage and a family culture, the sages (rishi runa) as our religion and culture have been "realised", aintained and handed down to us by them, our fellow beings

(manushya runa) who constitute society without the support of which we could not live as we do and other living beings (bhuta runa) for serving us selflessly. Thereafter the Lord, the life force, who is also within us as the five life-giving physiological functions, is offered the food. This is done with the chant praanaaya swaahaa, apaanaaya swaahaa, vyaanaaya swaahaa, udaanaaya swaahaa, samaanaaya swaahaa, brahmane swaahaa After offering the food thus, it is eaten as prasaada - blessed food. 10. Why do we fast? Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food. Fasting in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means "near" + vaasa means "to stay". Upavaasa therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental proximity with the Lord. Then what has upavaasa to do with food? Cont’d next issue

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 — 33

WHAT’S ON! AUM - Arya Pratinidhai Sabha of Qld Inc. Vedic Yajna (Havan) Venue: Progress Hall 1873 Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt. Time: 2-4pm Dates: 15 January, 5 February and February 19 Venue: Bracken Ridge Hall (library) Cnr of Barrett St and Bracken St, Bracken Ridge Time: 2-4pm Dates: 8 January and February 12 Tune to Radio Brisvaani on Sundays 7-7.30am for Vedic Sandesh Program. Read about Vedas in this paper. Contact: Jitendra Deo 3263 1914 or Hari Chand 3345 4716 or log on www.aryasamajqueensland.com for further information. ----------------------------------------------------------------BRISBANE BELIEVERS FELLOWSHIP “Expect Great things from the Lord and Attempt Great things for the Lord”. Address: Zillmere Community Hall, 54 Handsford Rd, Zillmere. Worship time: Every Sunday at 9.30 AM. Activities: Holy Communion (First Sunday of the Month), Sunday school, Fasting Prayer, Youth Meeting, Bible Study and Ladies Meeting. Contact:Pastor John Thomas & Mary Thomas Sanju P. (Secretary) Phone: 0402 551 220 / 0402 907 776 or 0422 815 782 Email: maryhoney59@hotmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------Brisbane Bhakti Yoga Centre 28 King Edward Avenue, Darra. Most Saturdays (5.30pm - 8.30pm) and festivals. For enquiries please contact: Prakash Raniga on 3715 7570 or email: bhaktibrisbane@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------Brisbane Christian Assembly, Herston, QLD. Expect a miracle from God, Come and pray for any need in your life, with us in Herston (near RCH Hospital) every Saturday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. We are praying and God has been doing miracles in many people’s life. Contact Pastor Prakash Jacob 07 3162 5207 or 0413 347 562. Brisbane Christian AssemblyAddress: 5/15 Aberleigh Road, Herston QLD 4006 Pastor: Prakash Jacob Events: Prayer, Fellowship, Worship, Adult Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Love in Action, and much more.. Saturday Schedules: 6:00pm-7:00pm: Kids Bible Study, 7:00pm-09:00pm: Intercessory Prayer Sunday Schedules: 10:00am-01:00pm: Worship in Truth & Spirit, Bible Study, Prayer, etc. Email: prakashjacob@yahoo.com Ph: 07-31625207, 0413347562 ----------------------------------------------------------------Brisbane Multinational Church 53 Telegraph Road, Bald Hills Special times of prayer for the sick (Diabetics, Cancer Sufferers, Asthmatics etc) every Sunday during the Church Service. For more information please contact Pastor Joseph Dass on 0424 180 240 or Assistant Pastor Shrish Chand on 0450 612 304. ----------------------------------------------------------------Brisbane Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) 2679 Logan Rd, Eight Mile Plains. www.brisbanesikhtemple.org.au Brisbane Sikh Temple is open 7days a week, free food (langar is served daily) Sunday Service is from 9am to 1pm. Weekdays evening service is from 6pm to 7pm including meditation. Mr Baljit Singh Secretary of Brisbane Sikh Temple (for all bookings enquiries) Ph: 0412 057 554, Email: secretary@brisbanesikhtemple.org.au Gianni Kuldeep Singh Priest of Brisbane Sikh Temple (for all religious functions) Ph: 0422 705 936 Email: priest@brisbanesikhtemple.org.au ----------------------------------------------------------------Eben-Ezer Pentecostal Church, Brisbane – Sunday School, Prayer & Fasting, Youth meeting & worship (Malayalam) Contact: Pastor Mathew Tharian 07 3165 7617, 0431 413 482 or Eng. Victor George 07 3359 8946, 0413 069 477. ----------------------------------------------------------------Fiji Senior Citizens’ Satsang Association of Qld Inc 1 Kensington Place, Wishart 4122. Monthly meetings will be held on th last Sunday of the month at 2pm. All members are invited to attend. For further information contact President Raymond Saran 3290 0653, Secretary Surendra Prasad OAM 3849 5435 or Treasurer Shui Shankar 3841 3058 ----------------------------------------------------------------Forest Lake AOG Church Hindi Service - Second Sunday of every month - commencing @ 4.30pm. Cnr of Alpine Place & Forest Lake Boulevard Road. Contact Sudesh on 0401 519 541. ----------------------------------------------------------------Hindi Speaking Christian Fellowship Meets at 2.30 p.m. last Sunday of each month at Merthyr Uniting Church, 52 Merthyr Rd., New Farm All welcome. Contact Irene 3878 4094 ----------------------------------------------------------------Hindu Mandir Association of Queensland - Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir 1173 Mount Cotton Rd, Burbank. First Sunday South African group from 2pm-4pm. Every second Friday Bhajans by Youth 7.00pm to 8.00pm. Every Sunday pravechan by Pundit Harsh Tripati. Dinner is provided after the service & all are welcome. 4.00pm to 6.00pm. For further information contact: Suren 0447 762 520; Rajesh 0422 344 046; Anil 0431 026 714. ----------------------------------------------------------------Hindu Society of Queensland Inc. Gayatri Mandir (178 Lyndhurst Rd, Boondall). Gayatri Mandir opens every Sunday from 8am to 11am. Mandir opens with Punditji. Weekly Programs & Mandir Openings: • Every Tuesday from 7pm Ramayan & Bhajan recitals • Every 2nd & 4th Friday from 7.00pm – Ramayan & Bhajan Recitals. • Open Every Sunday from 9.00am – 12.00pm For further information contact President Prakash Shandil 0408 879 414 ----------------------------------------------------------------Hindustani Language School conducts lessons in Hindustani language and Indian Culture every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm, at both its major centres at Calamvale Community Intermediate College, 11 Hamish Street, Calamvale and Boondall State School, Roscommon Rd, Boondall. Hindi is our mother tongue. Students of all ages wishing to learn: * Hindi

34 - BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

Chinmaya Mission Australia JAN 12 / FEB 12

Language *Indian Culture * Dance & Drama * Music * Leadership and Personal Development Contact: Secretary Jay Haripersad on 3243 7062 - Vice President Mul Chand on Mobile 0418 461 960 - or President Sarat Maharaj on 3263 2093 or Mobile 0407 111 709 ----------------------------------------------------------------Indian Church Service News Every Sunday 9.30am - 11.00am. Southern Springs Community Church 59 Marshall Road, Rocklea. Meet with Indian Christians for prayer, praise & worship. Fellowship & refreshments after the service. contact Ps. Sivanus Naidu (Senior Pastor) 3274 2542 or 0417 197 747 ----------------------------------------------------------------Indian Senior Citizen Association Committee meetings are held 3rd Sunday of every alternate month from 2pm to 4pm. For further information contact: President: Mr Bir Sahai 3344 4715, Secretary: Mr Tirat Achal 0407 620 663, Treasurer: Mr Hari Prasad 3209 5174 ----------------------------------------------------------------International Multicultural Christian Fellowship Elevate Church (AOG Church) Vision - Each One Reach One Worship & Word every Sunday at 9.30am to 11.30am followed by free sausage sizzle - everyone welcome. Home prayer meeting every Wednesday at 7.00pm to 8pm. Fasting and prayer Thursday from 7.00pm to 8.00pm for special needs. Youth group - every Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm at 3, Montserrat Pl, Forest Lake Kids church - special kids church every Sunday Music and food - once a month at the Forest lake stage 5pm onwards.Womens group - every thursday 11.00am pls contact Ps. Mavis on 0418745179 Revelation 3:20 (NIV)Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Church Address - Elevate Church, Grand Avenue Primary School, Forest Lake 4078, Corner of Grand Avenue and Centennial Way, Contact Pastor Raj Singh with any questions about church on: Mobile 0407177117 or Email rajmavisforjesus@yahoo.com.au www.elevatechurch.org.au ----------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society of Queensland hosts Zikre Mustapha programme Program starts from Maghrib to Isha Prayers. 2nd Saturday of the month at Rochedale Mosque - 2664 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains. Dinner provided to all after Isha Namaz. For enquiries contact Imam Ali on 0407 156 527, Asif Ali Khan on 0411 516 007 or Shamim Khan on 0403 541 012. ----------------------------------------------------------------Lourde Matha Malayalee Community Every month Malayalam Mass (Qrbana) in Brisbane. An opportunity to meet with other malyalees for Mass, prayer and spiritual renewal. For more information about up coming events. Contact Fr. Thomas Areekuzhy 4697 3177 youth coordinator. Siju Mathew 0432 192 558. ----------------------------------------------------------------Malayalee Association of Qld – For a detailed list of upcoming events, contact the President C K Oonnikrishnan Nair on 0416 927 100 or email ckuknair_maq@hotmail.com, Dr Cyril Fernandez - Vice President on 0404 433 044 or email cgfernz@hotmail.com. E: maq@brisbanemalayalee.org or visit www.brisbanemalayalee.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------Public Zikre Mustapha programme Program starts from Maghrib to Isha Prayers. Last Saturday of the month at Logan Mosque - 260 3rd Avenue, Kingston. Dinner provided free to all after Isha Namaz. For enquiries contact the chairman Mr Nawab Khan on 3209 4627 ----------------------------------------------------------------Queensland Telugu Association President – Dr Nallamilli Prakash; Treasurer – Dr Prasada Rao Nagulapalli; Secretary – Mrs Rama Kanchibotla; Executive Committee Members – Dr Meher Prasad Chintamuneedi; and Mr Manoj Kumar Vemula. For a list of upcoming events and membership information, please contact: Secretary, Mrs Rama Kanchibotla (Ph.3378 1062, email: rama_kanchibotla@yahoo.com.au) or President, Dr Nallamilli Prakash (Ph. 3356 6456, email nal_prakash@yahoo.com.au) ----------------------------------------------------------------Sai Saileshwara Mandiram 1614 Sandgate Road, Virginia. Every Thursday 7.30pm - Aarthi, meditation. Enquiries contact: Sailesh or Marina on 3266 3192. www.saisamaj.org Email: saisaileshwara@optusnet.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------Sant Mat Regular Meeting (Sant Baljit Singh) Kelvin Grove. Sundays 3.30pm. Contact Dr Sandeep Gupta on 07 3123 9440 or sandeep@santmat.net.au ----------------------------------------------------------------Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil (Ganesha Temple) and Hindu Education Centre 4915 – 4923 Mt Lindsay H’way South Maclean. Temple Opening Hours: 7:30am – 11:00am and 5:00pm – 8:30pm. Pooja times – Weekdays 9:00am and 7:30pm. Weekends 9:00am and 6:00pm. Contact President Vimal “Vic” Ratnam 0411 594 394, Temple Priest 07 5547 7302 ----------------------------------------------------------------St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Brisbane Malayalam Holy Qurbono, Sunday School and other spiritual activities. Holy Qurbono celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jigi Varghese at 2pm on the third Saturday of every month at St Mary’s & Joseph’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 2 Hamish Street Calamvale Qld 4116. For more information about upcoming events and activities please contact: Dr. Joy Pynadath 0431 631 397, Joy Mathew 0403 114 470, Roby John 0401 900 494 ----------------------------------------------------------------TOUCH Group of families Program includes Bollywood dance, Sri Lankan dance, Saomoa cultural dance, fashion show, musical program. Anyone who would like to join can contact touch.families@gmail.com or call Sripathy & family 0432 768 607, Vijekumar & family 3823 4628, Saravanan & family 3823 5037, Shanker & family 3711 3912, Sri Jayendrakumr 3272 5781 ----------------------------------------------------------------What’s on is your Council guide to what is happening in Brisbane. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au>

Chinmaya Mission Australia conducts family programs every Sunday morning from 10am-11.45am at Holland Park State High School. Balavihar classes for children and teenagers and gita classes for adults are conducted under the guidance of spiritual teacher, Bramachari Gopal Chaitanya. Please visit www.chinmaya.com.au or email Brisbane.info@ chinmaya.com.au for details.

Lotus Ashram

have the following activities. * Weekly Yoga and Meditation workshops * Regular Yoga and Meditation workshops *Monthly Shiv Saadhana * Children’s classes * Music classes * Meditation Bliss at Saadhana Shivir (over 4 days and nights) * April 2012 spiritual retreat (over 3 days and nights) * Lectures and Pravachans - Ashram will host a variety of lectures and pravachans in the coming months. More details will appear later. If you would like more information on the above, please ring Jayesh Dayal on 0412 278 808 or call Rajan Kirion 0422 671 990 or send an email to ambashramm@gmail.com. Visit website for details (note website may be unavailable at times due to maintenance reasons) www.lotusashram.org

Learn How to Meditate

Brahma Kumaris Australia - NO CHARGE, Monday 16 January - 9.30am to 10.30am or 6.30pm to 7.30pm. In the information session you will learn a meditation technique that can help you become more peaceful and calm. Bookings are essential - phone 07 5575 2126 or email goldcoast@au.bkwsu.org

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Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

WHAT’S ON! Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa - Makara Jyothi Ayyappa Pooja

14 January - 5pm to 9pm at Senior Citizen Hall, 9 Maryvale Street, Toowoong. We request you all to attend the pooja with family and get the blessings from SWAMY AYYAPPAN. Please pass this message along to friends. The pooja will start at 5pm with Ashtothara Namaavaly. 18 devotees will be offering the Pushpam (flower). For more information contact C K Unnikrishnan Nair on 0416 927 100, Jayakrishnan 0430 217 740, Jagatheesan 0434 486 442 or email ayyappa_pooja@hotmail.com

Bal Utsav - Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc Summer School Holiday Special / Childrens Cultural Workshop

JAN 12 / FEB 12

Maulood-un-Nabi Conference

Saturday 4 February - 6.30pm till 9pm at Logan West Community Centre, 2 Wineglass Drive, Hillcrest. You and your family are invited to join us on the Blessed Jalsa of Maulood-un-Nabi (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasalaam). International guest speaker: Hazrat Zain Siddiqi and other renowned scholars. All Welcome. For more details contact Haji Nawab Khan 0422 320 879 or Haji Sheik Mukhtar Ahmed 0439 726 786. Al-Mustapha Institute of Brisbane www.almustaphainstitute.org

Big Band Era Hits with Cate Shaw

Tuesday 7 February at the Salvation Army City Temple, 167 Ann Street Brisbane. 12 noon to 1pm - FREE ADMISSION. Sponsored by BCC the event will celebrate the music of the Big Band Era from last century. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy with us favourites from Cole Porter, Gershwin etc. with songs like “I’ve got you under my skin”, “I got rhythm”, “Night and day”, “I get a kick out of you”, and many more. Joining Cate are well known and highly regarded musicians Chris Poulsen on keys, Josh Hatcher on alto saxophone, Jeremy O’Connor on double bass and Luke Glanville on drums. For more information visit www.cate.net.au

Brisbane Powerhouse - World Theatre Festival 2012

Brisbane Powerhouse will be home to the World Theatre Festival 2012 this February. Showcasing the best independent theatre from around the globe World Theatre Festival will be a community gathering; connecting the multicultural audiences of South East Queensland and beyond. This year, the main program includes productions from Australia, Belarus, India, Italy, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information visit www.worldtheatrefestival.com.au

Brisbane Powerhouse, Abhinaya Theatre Company and Topolgy present Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea

Friday 24 - Sunday 26 February at Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse. Described as “a poem come to life” by Brisbane Powerhouse Director Andrew Ross, The Lady from The Sea is one of master playwright Henrik Ibsen’s iconic works, featuring a married woman who must decide between her husband and her first fiance - a rebellious sailor who returns decades after his escape from the law to claim her hand. Further information is available by calling 07 3358 8600 or by visiting www.brisbanpowerhouse.org

Saturday 21 January from 9.30am - 4pm for children aged 5 to 15 Years at Toongabbie Public School, FitzWilliam Road, entry from Binalong Road. $30 per child. The Bal Utsav workshop helps children underpin the essential values of Hindu Culture and Heritage through Sanskrit slokas, story-telling, yoga, skits, sports, games and creative art and make them more confident and a good team member. For details and registration contact: Mehul_joshi@hotmail.com or call Mehul on 0430 721 856, Rohini 9863 3067 or visit www.vhp.org.au

The City is the place to be these school holidays Children visiting The City

have been told to expect the unexpected these school holidays. The City has a variety of hearty assortment of fun and laughs for the young and ‘young at heart’ at the Queen Street Mall Stage. Plus there’ll be action off the stage with special roving performers throughout the mall. QSM Kids comedy festival will run up to 26 January and is on daily at 10am and 2pm. For more information visit www.bnecity.com.au

Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah!! Srimati Jadurani (Syamarani) Dasi is visiting Brisbane

Brisbane Bhakti Yoga Centre is pleased to announce Srimati Jadurani (Syamarani) Dasi is visiting Brisbane and will be speaking at their Centre, 28 King Edward Avenue, Darra on Friday 13 - Wed 18 January. Srimati Jadurani Dasi met her eternal spiritual master Srila A.C. Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966 and was one of his first disciples. Under his guidance, she painted more than 200 paintings for his temples and books for 11 years. In addition she visited yoga centres, schools and universities including Harvard University in spreading Krishna consciousness. For more information please contact Malini Dasi 0417 993 644, Sundar Gopal Das 0403 993 746 or email bhaktibrisbane2010@gmail.com

Charity Villa Sale in Byron Bay 14 & 15 January at

210 Balraith Lane, Ewingsdale from 12pm to 4pm. Working with Barnardos & Starlight Children’s Foundation to raise money by marketing a magnificent Villa in Byron Bay. For more information visit www.realestateinbyronbay.com.au

Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 - 35

Bollywood & Entertainment

A.R. Rahman: 46, and ready to play on! A R RAHMAN, who celebrated his birthday on 6 January, gets chatting on topics close to his heart 2 011 was a relatively disappointing year for fans of the Mozart of Madras as the composer had just a couple of Hindi albums (Rockstar and Ek Deewana Tha) releasing. But there's good news in this New Year as A R Rahman - who turned 46 - is all set for his homecoming, quite literally, with at least four Indian projects. There's Rajini's Kochadaiyaan, Gautham Menon's Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru, Mani Ratnam's film and a movie with Bharatbala on the cards and the Oscarwinning composer is looking forward to more creative work. "I am doing Rajini's film and it should be exciting," he starts off. Will he use any of the tunes that he already composed for Sultan or Rana, the other Rajini films that are on hold at the moment? "Well, we're yet to decide about that," he says. Though all these assignments will make the composer stay more in Chennai, and India, his first week of the New Year has mostly been out of the country. "I was out of the country on January 1 and was 'pardes' on my birthday as well; so there are no special plans," he states. Rahman will join hands with his favourite director Mani

Ratnam yet again for his upcoming flick that's already making headlines. So, what can we expect from the combination this time around? "Well, Mani Ratnam is quite secretive these days," he says with a smile, "We're still in the process of working out the music for the film." Any non-Rahman film music that he has liked of late? "I can't think of anything other than Kolaveri, which is nice," he replies. Currently, the composer is extremely happy that some of his popular orchestral tracks will be performed live by a team from the German Film Orchestra, Babelsberg, and the stu-

dents from his K M Music Conservatory in a five-city tour. "When I was a musician, a crowd used to gather to witness how music is made," he reminisces, "Unfortunately, now the studios have shrunk and that no longer happens. In these concerts, you can witness that - and the way orchestral tracks are played, sans any digital enhancements." Rahman's keeping his vocal cord busy this year too, as he's begun by crooning a track in Ek Deewana Tha. "It's an addition to this album, something that didn't feature in the Tamil original (Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya)," he signs off. TOI

All is not well with Priyanka Chopra JUGGLING shoot schedules, hopping across the globe for events and possibly too much emotional stress has left Priyanka Chopra not in the pink of her health. At the Mumbai Police annual celebration, Umang, the actress, who was supposed to perform on stage, had an alarming bout of dizziness and almost collapsed. In fact, she was left so weak that she had to skip her act with the cops and was rushed home immediately. "It happened all of a sudden. Piggy Chops (as she is fondly called) felt extremely weak. Her blood pressure dropped drastically," a close friend of the actress informed. Sensing that something was wrong, when she failed to step out of her vanity van, the organisers of the Police Mela (Moranis) rushed to Priyanka's side. "Accompanied by some senior cops, the Moranis went into her van and told her to take it easy. They advised her not to perform and quite categorically told her to go home," added the friend. This is not the first time Priyanka, possibly one of the busiest stars in the industry, has had medical issues. Her health raised an alarm in April 2009, when she fainted on the sets of Ashutosh Gowariker's What's Your Rashee? At the time, her mother had rushed to the sets of the film along with a doctor. "My immune system has just gone a bit hay-

wire," Priyanka said then. Though Gowariker had wanted to pack-up after the incident, Priyanka insisted on completing her shots. The next day, despite her ill health, Priyanka had performed at the Miss India pageant and returned to shoot for Ashutosh's film soon after. The ill health however, had not stopped nagging her. A couple of days later, Priyanka complained of stomach ache and had no strength to shoot. She was taken to the hospital for a check up and was later admitted. Her father, Dr Ashok Chopra, had said then, "Her reports are all normal but she has been advised to slow down her work." Work however, did not slow down. In August 2009, Priyanka fainted again. This time at a promotional event for Kaminey held in an Andheri multiplex. Attributing her latest health issues to a bout of fever and long hours of work, Priyanka's friend told Mirror, "She has just come back from Aurangabad after completing her shoot for Kunal Kohli's Teri Meri Kahaani. She wasn't keeping too well in Aurangabad either. She had fever as well. And then on Saturday, she spent the entire day dubbing for Karan Malhotra's Agneepath. And then she went for Umang. All this added up and took a toll on her health." "She is better now but has been advised rest by doctors. Hopefully, she should be up and about soon," said the friend.

36 - THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

TOI

India takes on Ibsen’s iconic love triangle Brisbane Powerhouse, Abhinaya Theatre Company and Topology present

The Lady from The Sea

CINEMATIC projections, live music and tonnes of sand will help bring an epic version of Ibsen’s classic love triangle The Lady from the Sea to life at World Theatre Festival 2012. The show is a premiere collaboration with India’s award-winning Abhinaya Theatre Company and Brisbane’s own Topology, due to hit the stage from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 February. Described as “a poem come to life” by Brisbane Powerhouse Director Andrew Ross, The Lady from the Sea is one of master playwright Henrik Ibsen’s iconic works, featuring a married woman who must decide between her husband and her first fiance - a rebellious sailor who returns decades after his escape from the law to claim her hand. Abhinaya’s Artistic Director MG Jyothish explained that The Lady from the Sea had many links to contemporary Indian culture. “Marriage and love are popular topics in India and The Lady from the Sea explores the links between love and a sense of duty in relationships, with insights that are still relevant all these years after Ibsen wrote the piece,” Jyothish said. “When creating the show we decided to strip it back to the three main characters, and use the cinematic projections and live music to create an epic theatre experience,” said Jyothish. “Our approach to theatre is to combine current trends in contemporary drama with traditonal Indian performance techniques to create a unique approach to

storytelling.” The Lady from the Sea is the first Australian performance for the company and Jyothish said that they were excited to work with Brisbane’s Topology to create the live soundtrack for the show. “After performing internationally in France and Portugal, we’re delighted to have the Australian premiere for The Lady from the Sea at World Theatre Festival. We’re also relishing the opportunity to work with Topology, whose work is already well known in Brisbane. As the band work across multiple genres they’re the perfect collaborators for this project.” Abhinaya Theatre Company, from Kerala, has been lauded at many theatre festivals including Villeneuve en Scene-Avignon Festival, France; Festival de Alamada, Portugal; Bharat Rang Mahotsav, New Delhi; Rang-Swarn, New Delhi; and Prithvi Theatre Festival, Mumbai. Jyothish was awarded the Sanskriti Pratishtan Award in the field of theatre in 2009 and was invited by the British Council to attend the 2009 Edinburgh International Festival. Topology is the ensemble-in-residence at Brisbane Powerhouse and has worked collaboratively with such artists as the Brodsky Quartet, Katie Noonan, The Kransky Sisters, Kate Miller-Heidke and Misinterprotato. For more information visit www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif start filming for Yash Chopra’s next YASH Chopra’s next directorial venture has started filming. The yet to be titled film has Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead, with Anushka Sharma in a pivotal role. The movie is being described as an epic romance to be shot in London, Thailand and India. The film will have music by A R Rahman and lyrics by Gulzar. Yash Chopra, who is returning to direction after eight years, is directing the Yash Raj film. His last venture was the Shahrukh Khan - Preity Zinta - Rani Mukherjee starrer Veer Zaara in 2004. Yash Chopra’s son, Uday Chopra had revealed on Twitter that the film would go on the floors on Monday. “Launching my dad's film today with a little pooja at YRF... shoot starts tomorrow with @ iamsrk and Katrina Kaif.. Dad directing after VeerZaara,” Uday tweeted. Yash Raj and Shahrukh Khan have had a very successful collaboration, with numerous blockbusters, including Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil to Pagal Hai and Mohabattein. "Feel extremely happy when I start work with Yashji...from the inside. Easy...smiles...happiness...purity of storytelling," Shahrukh had posted on Twitter on Friday, 6 January. Anushka Sharma had made her debut

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opposite Shahrukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and has since been a Yash Raj favorite. Katrina has been shooting with Salman Khan for Ek Tha Tiger and after shooting with SRK, Katrina Kaif will shoot Dhoom 3 with Aamir Khan. That’s successive movies with the three leading Khans, all with the Yash Raj banner. This will be the first time SRK and Katrina will be paired together on the silver screen. The film is expected to release on Diwali this year. Source:apunkachoice Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES DEADLINES FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE Editorial Submissions / Advert Bookings 27 JANUARY 2012

RED CHAIR AND QPAC PRESENTS

FLAMENCO fire

pathways A seductive journey from India to Spain featuring Kathak and Flamenco dance, music and song

2 TO 4 FEBRUARY PLAYHOUSE, QPAC QPAC.COM.AU | 136 246 FEATURING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS FLAMENCO DANCER FRANCESCA ‘LA CHICA’ INDIAN KATHAK DANCER SULAGNA BASU FLAMENCO PERCUSSIONIST ANDREJ VUJICIC DIRECTOR ANDREW VEIVERS CHOREOGRAPHIC DESIGN SIMONE POPE Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

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D edicated to a better Brisbane

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 - 37

Sports News A new face to the Messi wins World Player of Year award again grand old game Matt Young I HAVE to admit up front that I am a staunch traditionalist and a trifle conservative when it comes to cricket. I love the history of the game and all those quirky statistics. But times change. Evolution unfolds in every facet of the planet and the grand old game of cricket is not immune to change. I recently found myself sitting in that most conservative of all places- the Members section of the ‘Gabba, watching a Big Bash T 20 match between the Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes. Where on previous occasions I had sat and watched cover drives and leg glances, now I saw ramps, paddles, switch hitting and lap shots. At no point has it been truer that the score book never says “how”, it only records “how many”. Where I sat and enjoyed the respectful murmurings of Test cricket, I was now rocked by Rock and Roll and flame throwers spewing flames into the air with every wicket. The rest of the crowd was different too. Rather than a male dominated population, Mums, Dads and young kids were enjoying a night out. Young blokes sat with one eye on the match and another on the pretty young girl by their side. Dinner and a night of cricket has become a date option for young love. Instead of Nations and States doing battle, I was watching two “franchises” taking on each other. The relevant statistics that were flashed onto the screen were not “highest scores” and “averages”, but “balls per boundary” and “tournament sixes”. I am not saying that all these contrasts are a bad thing; rather I am just saying that they take a little bit of time to adjust to. Other contrasts to Test cricket are equally stark. In just over three hours, I saw 399 runs scored. I saw over a dozen sixes. I saw incredible desperation in the field. This is a game where one or two runs can be, and often is, the difference between victory and defeat. The game was played in a much more relaxed atmosphere. Players seemed to be genuinely playing for fun. There were laughs and smiles that the pressure filled days of Test cricket seem to have rendered redundant. More players interacted with the crowd and the crowd seemed to be part of the game. Before play a laughing Rana posed for plenty of photos with kids and created great memories for dozens of starry eyed youngsters. A whole new set of skills has been invented by bowlers looking to avoid the willow’s wrath. Slower balls have evolved exponentially. Some bowlers have three or four variations. The slow bouncer has been born. Subtle variations in pace, line and length are the survival tools of the fast bowler. These skills will no doubt cross pollinate into the longer versions of the game very soon. The biggest draw card of the Big Bash has been the possibility of seeing a few of the game’s greats running around for one last time. The Heat-Hurricanes game featured every Queenslanders hero, Matt Hayden. The big man didn’t let his adoring public down either. I am sure numerous bowlers around the world suffered flash backs and night terrors as “Haydos” smoked a huge straight drive into the stands and then followed up soon after with a trade mark sweep that travelled into orbit before returning to earth in the crowd. It is said that memory consists of moments and these are two moments that I will savor for many years. After seeing Haydos blast 76 off 51 balls, everything else seemed a bit irrelevant. Owais Shah (69 from 44 balls) and Travis Birt (74 off 36 balls) almost performed a miracle to get the Tasmanian team home, before the Brisbane Heat triumphed 201 to 198. The game was in doubt until the final over, when Alister McDermott kept a cool head and dismissed them both with the final two balls of the night. At the end of the night, 15 000 people had enjoyed a great night out. It was almost a cultural experience rather than a sporting one. There had been great theatre and tension. There had been colour and excitement. We’d seen some explosive batting, some heroic fielding and some courageous bowling. The match had been a cliff hanger. Most of all for me, though, I’d been gifted one last chance to see the great Matt Hayden put an attack to the sword. The incredible crowds at the Australia- India Test matches reflect that Test cricket is the game we all want to see, but the Big Bash certainly has a place in the cricket landscape. At the very least it will help introduce a whole new generation to the game we all love. 38 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012

ZURICH: Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, still only 24, won the World Player of the Year award for the third time in a row on 9 January, 2012. Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was second in the vote for the 2011 FIFA Ballon D'Or and Messi's Barcelona team mate Xavi third. Messi, who inspired his Spanish team to win the Champions League, La Liga and Club World Cup, was also first last year when the award was created by joining together the separate annual prizes handed out by FIFA and France Football magazine. "To win it three times running is a very big honour," Messi, who also won both old awards in 2009, told the audience after being presented with the trophy by former Brazil striker Ronaldo a threetime World Player of the Year. "I want to share it with the people who helped me, my team mates and coach. This is very special, I want to divide it with me team mate Xavi." No player has previously won the FIFA award three times in a row, although Michel Platini claimed the France Football prize three years in succession

in the 1980s. Barcelona's Pep Guardiola won the coach's award ahead of Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid. Ferguson took the FIFA presidential award for outstanding service to the sport. The ceremony, co-presented by former Netherlands striker Ruud Gullit, also saw Japan's Homare Sawa voted women's player of the year, ending a run of five successive wins for Brazil's Martha. Brazil and Santos forward Neymar won

Karun says he won't race in 2012, Narain is not sure either NEW DELHI: In what can be considered as sad news for Indian motorsport fans, Karun Chandhok has declared that he will not race in the 2012 Formula One season while Narain Karthikeyan is still struggling to earn a racing seat. The 2012 Formula One season is set kick off in about two months from now and there are only two seats available -- one with Hispania and one with Williams -- which Karthikeyan can try and grab. The two Indian racers are frustrated but can't do much as drivers from small teams require massive financial backing, which neither Chandhok nor Karthikeyan enjoy. The situation was expected to change a bit after the success of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix but both the racers are expected to spend the 2012 season on the sidelines. Chandhok was with Lotus, to be known as Caterham from 2012, and Karthikeyan with Hispania in the 2011 season. While Chandhok could race just once - German Grand Prix - Karthikeyan was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo in the second half of the season with the exception of Indian GP. The picture is not rosy for this season, beginning at Melbourne from March 16, as Chandhok admitted that he will have to continue as a Test and reserve driver with one of the teams. Karthikeyan, who had a oneyear contract with Hispania, is not yet certain whether he will get to race in 2012. He is still negotiating with

Hispania but nothing concrete has come up as yet. "Things have been a little slow to be honest, with the Christmas and New Year's break. But with the holiday season now behind us we should be able to go ahead with our discussions as nothing has been finalised yet," Karthikeyan said. "There are only a few seats available on the grid for next year, so it's open I guess. We are hoping for the best. It is a question of many things coming together, not just what I want. So it is all up in the air as of now," Karthikeyan added. Chandhok has now planned to race in the resurrected World Endurance Championship in North America and Europe as he will have plenty of time after the Friday's F1 practice sessions. "It's frustrating to watch the races and not doing it. But it is unlikely that I will race in 2012. The next best option is to continue as test and reserve driver and for that I am still talking to teams," Chandhok said. "You know the way F1 is. A lot of decisions are made on commercial considerations. It's tough for us. It's not that people from the corporate world have not spoken to us but they are still analysing the sport. " The two drivers feel that the Indian GP may not have been too beneficial for them individually but said it will certainly boost the future of the sport in the country. "May be the Indian GP has not benefited Karun and Narain but it will certainly

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the award for the goal of the year, a stunning effort in a Brazilian championship match against Flamengo. Messi swept home with 47.88 per cent to votes in the survey among national team coaches, captains and selected media. Ronaldo took 21.6 percent and Xavi 9.23 per cent. "I would like to share this award with Mourinho and Ferguson and all the coaches around the world who love this game," Guardiola said. "I also thank the thousands of people through more the 100 years who have worked in football in Barcelona and have developed one of the best clubs in the world." Blatter heaped praise on Ferguson before handing him his prize. "In a world in which coaches are expected to produce instant results or be changed, his longevity is a shining example of what can be achieved through stability, continuity, investment in development and trust and confidence in the personality himself," said the Swiss, in his fourth mandate as FIFA president. "Twenty-five years managing the same club, can you imagine that today?" TOI

help the future generation of Indian drivers. It does not change overnight," Chandhok said. Karthikeyan also felt that things will change but it will take some time. "Indian GP undoubtedly did a sterling job of bringing motorsport into the limelight in our country, but if you're expecting miracles overnight it isn't going to happen. "Personally, I have seen a lot of positive response after the GP as corporates and people in general are more aware of what it brings to the table," he said. "We have to be patient though - India is in its motorsport infancy and you just can't expect it to skip tens of

years in progression because we hosted an F1 race. The GP was what we need to kick-start, now we need more national motorsport to adequately exploit that potential. In that sense, 2012 should be a landmark year for Indian motorsport." Talking about the upcoming i1 Super Series, Chandhok said he will race in the new event for the sake of the sport in the country. "As an ambassador of the sport in India, I need to support initiatives like this. It's a good opportunity for young Indian drivers. They will have a lot to learn from racers such as (Gianracrlo) Fisichella." Karthikeyan, however, said he has not yet decided if he would participate in the event. PTI

Venus Williams withdraws from Australian Open even-time Grand Slam S singles champion Venus Williams withdrew from

the Australian Open on Monday 9 January, as she struggles to return from the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome. In a posting on her website, the US star said that she has been making progress and plans to return to WTA Tour play in February, when events begin in the United States. "I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the 2012 Australian Open," Williams posted on her website. "After several months of training and treatment, I am making steady progress to top competitive form. "My diet and fitness regimen have allowed me to make great strides in terms of my health and I am very close to being ready to return to WTA competition. I have every intention to return to the cir-

cuit in February." Williams, whose ranking has slipped to 100th in the world, pulled out of last week's WTA event in Auckland because of the illness, which saps her energy, causing fatigue and joint pains. Williams, 31, is not the only member of her family in doubt for the first Grand Slam event of 2012. Younger sister Serena, a 13-time Grand Slam singles champion, pulled out of the event at Brisbane with a sprained ankle. Serena Williams posted a Twitter message saying she was doing better, hinting she might be ready for the Melbourne fortnight that begins on 16 January. AFP Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

Sports News strong Hurricanes weakened by sizzling Brisbane Heat By Parth raval BRISBANE Heat pulled off an amazing victory over the Hobart Hurricanes in a nail-biting thriller here at the Gabba on January 6th, 2012. Going into the game, with not a single win to their name, Brisbane Heat was facing the strongest team of the season. It looked everything else but a team at the bottom of the ladder with a blistering start from Hayden and Robinson, which enabled them to put up the highest total of the season on board for Hobart Hurricanes to chase. The visitors required 16 off the last over and when Shah hit youngster Alistair McDermott for a boundary followed by a six, the impossible run-chase looked like it might just come off; the Hurricanes needed just four off two balls. But McDermott had other plans, fielding brilliantly off his own bowling to dismiss Birt, who had been backing up, before dismissing Shah off the last ball of the innings, caught by Christian on the rope, to leave the visitors excruciatingly short of an unlikely victory. The KFC Big Bash League is all about the synergy of cricket and entertainment. It is acting as a catalyst to promote cricket amongst

the youth of Australia and thus enable to sustain the game amongst the large mass. Brisbane Heat has been extremely successful in doing so. The crowds for all home games have been phenomenal, with a record breaking 33000 people attending the opening game on 20th December, 2011 and not to anyone’s surprise, the Brisbane crowd has been extremely well behaved. One big question that arises with the emergence of T20 cricket is that what does it take to sustain mainstream cricket amongst the youth of Australia? “It cannot be taken for granted that the new generation will necessarily be cricket followers. A lot of research data across various surveys conducted by Cricket Australia shows that cricket is the number one pick of sporting activities for people aged more than 30, but it is not even in the top 6 for the under 30 year olds”, said Graham Dixon, C.E.O. of Cricket Queensland. “One of the strategic plans for Brisbane heat is to focus on reengaging with the 5 to 15 year olds to the game of cricket and T20 provides an excellent opportunity to introduce the game to the youth with entertainment and fast pace integrated into the game and over time they will graduate into

Test Cricket”, he added. “When the one day internationals first came in, people thought that it would be the death of test cricket and everyone wanted to have a go at One Dayers. But forty years later, Test Cricket is still as popular as it was before and with a stiffer competition, with teams now getting more than 350 runs a day. Looking at the demand of cricket viewership these days, a third brand of the game has proved to be extremely helpful especially at the domestic level. Domestic T20 games will generate crowds like they have never before and this format of city based teams certainly provides Cricket Australia with an opportunity of an income stream which again will be used to sustain the game in the distant future”, he said. Brisbane Heat is acting as a platform to a lot of young players to represent the city at this level and giving them the opportunity to play along with players of immense experience and extreme class. “We are aware that there is a massive Indian Community in Queensland as well. We will encourage young Indians to mature from informal cricket and join mainstream club cricket”, said Graham. Brisbane Heat is

looking at engaging a lot of international players in the near future as well, with the likes of wellknown players like Matthew Hayden, Daniel Vettori, Van Der Merwe and James Hopes already in the side. Brisbane Heat is undoubtedly helping provide a sustainable future for cricket in Australia and at the same time delivering high-quality entertainment to the Brisbane Crowd. So get your Brisbane Heat Jerseys and come in to Roar at the Gabba to provide your support to your very own home team, Brisbane Heat.

Win tWo free tickets to the Brisbane Heat v/s Sydney Thunders game at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Wolloongabba on January 17th, 2011. Against which team did Brisbane Heat record their first win of the season? Email your answer to prod@indiantimes.com.au to win one of the two free tickets to the last home game of the season.

tiger to make Us PGA 2012 debut at Pebble Beach PEBBLE BEACH (California): Tiger Woods will play his first US PGA event of the 2012 season at next month's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the 14-time major champion announced on 9 January on his website. The appearance will be the first for Woods at the event since 2002. He won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2000, rallying from five strokes back in the last round, and won the US Open four months later by a record-setting 15 strokes. "I'm excited to start my PGA season at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am," Woods said. "I'm looking forward to playing in this event. I haven't been to this tournament lately, but I have a lot of good memories at Pebble."

The major victory at Pebble Beach began a run of four major titles in a row for Woods, the famed "Tiger Slam". Woods, who first saw the Pacific Ocean-side layout as a junior golfer, shared fourth at the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach. "It has always been one of my favorite spots," Woods said. "It might be the prettiest place on Earth." Woods will open his 2012 season on

January 26 at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi. The Pro-Am features play on Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula's Shore course as well as Pebble Beach in the first three rounds. "I've never played Monterey Peninsula and am looking forward to it," Woods said. "From all I've heard, it's a wonderful course and the greens are fast."

Woods snapped a two-year win drought last month by winning the 18-man World Challenge event to benefit his foundation, but has not won a US PGA event since September of 2009. "It was great to finish 2011 strong," Woods said. "More importantly, it's good to be healthy again. I'm hoping to get off to a fast start." Woods, whose 84 worldwide titles include 71 in US PGA events, was nagged by injuries the past two seasons as well as the fallout from his infamous sex scandal. In addition to chasing the career record of 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus, Woods is also chasing the all-time US PGA victory record of 82 won by Sam Snead. AfP

flandersman tops score for the nation with 270 not out Matt Young THE Ned Flanders cricket club’s favorite son, Brendan Dillon made history in December by scoring a mammoth 270 not out for the club against the Mormon Rangers XI in the Queensland Churches Cricket competition. The knock was not only the highest score for the week end in the whole nation, but it was also the highest score made by any player, in any competition in the entire country this season. The monster effort is believed to have broken the record for the highest score in Churches cricket history. Opening bat, Dr Tom Dover was in the thick of the action as well making a solid 118 and combining with Dillon to the tune of 295 runs, to smash the club partnership record. During Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102

the massive innings, Brendan smoked 27 sixes to all parts of Holland Park State High ground and the only thing that deprived him of a triple century was the close of play. In typically modest fashion, Brendan commented that he was “just happy to have helped the club have a win”. The innings was his first game back after his honeymoon to Thailand, and a few of the Flanders batsmen were thinking about heading to Thailand for their Christmas holidays to try and discover Brendan’s secret. December was a tremendous month for the Neddies, as the team consolidated its place atop the 2 Day competition ladder. After four rounds, the Flanders boys have racked up three outright wins and an emphatic Dillon led 1st innings victory against the Mormon Rangers XI. Other star performers in recent weeks have included young fast bowler Jon

Pearce who took his inaugural five wicket haul, with 6 for 13 against the Mustang Sallies. Jon is a young man who has been on the fringes of the club for a season or two but this season he has come of age and was richly rewarded for his passion and enthusiasm. The sentimental favorite innings for the season so far belongs to veteran Neddy, Andrew (Chook) McMurtrie who finally cracked his first century, with a majestic 130 not out against the Mustang Sallies as well. After 135 games for the club and a host of scores in the 80s and 90s the big man finally tickled one down to fine leg and reached a much coveted ton, much to the relief and delight of all his team mates. The tension in the sheds was

palpable as big Chookie crept his way through the nineties and I doubt any century has ever been greeted by more excitement than this one. As the Test series between Australia and India starts to hot up, I wonder if any of the Indian superstars can have a lash at knocking off Brendan Dillon’s 270 not out. I reckon Sehwag might be the most likely contender. He certainly has a liking for the giant centuries. Finally I hope all of the club’s friends and families have had a great Christmas and a cracking New Year. The whole club appreciates all of the support we have received from our Indian friends and supporters this year. As 2012 rolls out the Flanders will look excitedly towards • Left: Brendan Dillon basks in the their next international tour. glow of his 270 not out for the Ned USA, Cuba and Mexico await the team in June this year. Flanders XI.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2012 — 39

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