July 2022 - Online edition

A Division of Qld Multicultural Times Print Post Approved PP : 424022 1724 | ISSN 2652-6182

Volume 18, Number 11 Saturday, July 9th, 2022

As God is One, we respect all Religions

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India now third most common place of birth of Australian residents, census results show

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ABS data shows that in 2021 more than 600,000 residents were born in India, overtaking China and New Zealand India has overtaken China and New Zealand to become the third largest country of birth for Australian residents, 2021 census data has found.

On 10 August 2021, 673,352 people living in Australia reported India as their country of birth – an increase of 220,000, or 47.9% per cent, since the

previous census in 2016.

The most common country of birth was Australia, followed by England.

Overall, more than one million migrants arrived in Australia in the past five years despite Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The census data, released on Tuesday, provides the

most up to date information on cultural diversity, language and religion, and found Australia continues to be a broadly multicultural nation.

Half of Australians have a parent born overseas, and more than one in four were born internationally.

CONTD. ON PG 53

File photo - India Day Fair

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Inside

• Local News ..................................4-41 • Real Estate ................................14-18 • wwww ...................................... 28-29 • India News ..................................... 42 • Fiji News ......................................... 44 • Entertainment .............................. 46 • Health & Well Being .................... 48 • Business Directory/Classified ... 51 • Sports News ................................... 52

A Division of Qld Multicultural Times Published Monthly OWNERS / PUBLISHERS: Umesh Chandra OAM & Usha Chandra ADVERTISING: 0430 193 715 sales@indiantimes.com.au JOURNALIST/ CORRESPONDENTS • Thakur Ranjit Singh (NZ) • Thilliar Varnakulasingham (NZ) • Shalendra Prasad (Fiji) • Rama Gaind (Canberra) • Ml. Nawaaz Ashrafi • Imam Muhammad Aslam • Pastor Joseph Dass • Haji Abdul Rahman Deen • Jitendra Deo • Nimisha Modi • Ranjita Pillai (Immigration Matters) • Peter Lane Rai • Awadhesh Sharma • Shailendra Singh • Gagan deep Tandon • Ravi Vastrad • Brian Sullivan (Photography) • Amod Datar • Rajesh Chand • Ashok Attri Address: PO Box 197, Taigum Qld 4018 Ph: (07) 3192 5188 Fax: (07) 3865 5864 E-mail: prod@indiantimes.com.au Subscriptions: 12 months 6 months Brisbane Indian Times is a monthly newspaper published in English. No material, including advertisements designed by Brisbane Indian Times, may be reproduced in part or who without the written consent of the manager.

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2 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

From the Publisher Welcome to the July Issue of Brisbane Indian Times; yes, it’s tax time, and everyone in the accounting field would be very busy, but I must say that things have become much more straightforward than they seemed to be over the year. I can vividly remember the tension leading up to the end of the financial year; At the same time, many looked forward to getting tax refunds; others would dread the stock take, balancing the books, rolling over the accounting software, reconciliation, backups, preparing group certificates, and the likes. Well, whatever you handle, please take it and don’t let tax time be too taxing on you.

The census report is out, and India is now the third most common place of birth for Australian residents. India has overtaken China and New Zealand to become the third largest country of birth for Australian residents, most common country was Australia, followed by England. Punjabi made it to the top five languages spoken on the home list. In contrast, Hinduism and Islam made it to the supreme

religious affiliations, so overall; we are a growing force. Our number would have been better had it not been for the pandemic; we have seen a steep decline in new international students.

Still, our presence is notable at all citizenship ceremonies.

International Yoga Day this year was a huge success globally; the directive this year was to practice Yoga at as many Iconic sites and venues as possible as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. In Australia, Sydney Opera House and Gabba Cricket stadium in Brisbane played host to the event.

Throughout the world, images of extraordinary efforts have appeared. It is lovely to see how well this has been accepted globally since the declaration

by United Nations. DJJS held the event at two different parks on two days.

If you are out and about driving, take extra care as increased penalties have taken effect from the 1st of July for high-risk driving behaviors that continue to cause severe injury and loss of life on our roads. These include

speeding, failure to wear a correctly fitted seatbelt (or child restraint), and disobeying traffic lights. The penalties are increasing to align with similar offenses and deter dangerous driving behaviors on our roads. The road rules for speeding, seatbelts and child restraints, and obeying red lights have not changed.

And now to finance, and let’s begin with the budgets first, the federal Budget got delivered, followed by the state government budget for Queensland. Finally, regarding the city council budget, which has seen an increase in City Rates, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said A global pandemic and devastating flood had tested our resilience. We must continue rebuilding and recovering, suburb by suburb, street by street, to ensure Brisbane bounces back more robust.

Fortunately, our commitment to strong financial management over the years means we’re able to prioritize our rebuild and recovery while keeping our Budget unashamedly focused on Brisbane’s suburbs, with a new “Suburbs First Guarantee” ensuring at least 80 percent of all spending is directed to the suburbs.

Congratulation to Suman Dua on a very successful inaugural Migrants Awards; what a great start and high benchmark as a launching pad for the awards; this will only grow bigger from here. We were happy to have supported the event; it is a great concept and long overdue. Kairali Brisbane should be congratulated on the successful multicultural (fusion) festival. The whole day event featured a citizenship ceremony. The open-air festival in Archerfield was a runaway success; the ease of parking and relaxed venue conditions made it a very manageable event.

Access community Centre and Logan City Council jointly hosted a successful “where you belong” community leaders’ dinner at Beenleigh Convention center on 30th June as part of the refugee week celebration; we were privileged to participate in the event. Iconic India Day Fair is shaping up well, as reported in the last issues; this year will be a record-breaking year in terms of the crowd, a Harbhajan Maan is a famous artist, and this will be the only free show in Australia. The event will have key features such as the India Day Parade, VIP reception, cultural performances, showstopper, and food stalls. We hope to see you all there.

Well, with that said, it’s time to pen off for this month until next month, Happy reading —Umesh Chandra OAM Publisher

BIT AUGUST 2022

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Partner Visa’s The Department of Home Affairs allows Australian Citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their married or de facto partners on the basis of their genuine and ongoing relationship.

Partner visas are generally processed in two stages in Australia. Sponsored applicants must hold a provisional visa, a Partner (Temporary) visa, in order to be granted a permanent visa, a Partner (Residence) visa. The grant of the provisional visa enables them to travel to and remain in Australia on a temporary basis. Following the grant of a temporary visa, a permanent visa may be granted where the decisionmaker is satisfied the relationship has been ongoing for at least 2 years and is genuine and continuing. In some circumstances, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection may grant a waiver for the 2 year waiting period, or grant permanency even where the relationship has broken down before the end of the 2 year period.

Generally a provisional partner visa takes up to 12 months to be processed.

Depending on the circumstances, visa applicants may be able to lodge their partner visa in Australia (subclass 820/801), and be granted a bridging visa, which will allow them to stay in Australia whilst the visa is being processed. Alternatively, a partner visa may be lodged and granted offshore (subclass 309/100).

Applicants will be required to show that together with their partner, they have a genuine commitment to a shared life together. This may be evidenced through financial interdependence, social context, nature of the household, nature of commitment to each other, and history of relationship. The department may take into account the

cultural background of the applicant, including cultural and legal marriage ceremonies.

Migration Guru has assisted a vast number of clients, in various and complex circumstances, including arranged marriages and de facto applicants. Migration Guru has more than 80 years of collective experience in the industry and a team of Migration Agents / Solicitors. With our vast experience and skills, we are able to provide accurate migration or legal advice based on our clients’ personal circumstances.

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Our team may be contacted by via email on info at migrationguru. om.au or by calling 07 3036 3800.

Readers are encouraged to follow us on Facebook for all the updates to Migration Law - https://www. facebook.com/migrationguru/ Migration Guru Pty Ltd, Level 18, 127 Creek Street, Brisbane, QLD. Phone: 07 3036 3800 Migration Guru Pty Ltd, 31002, 27 Garden Street, Southport QLD. Phone: 07 5606 6160 Migration Guru Pty Ltd, Level 1, 162 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS. Phone: 03 6281 8008 Migration Guru Pty Ltd, Level 5, 490 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson, ACT. Phone: 02 6109 9110 Migration Guru Pty Ltd, Suite 323, Level 3, 1 Queens Road, Melbourne, VIC. Phone 03 6240 1930 Disclaimer: - The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 3

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between French Polynesia and American Samoa.

Cook Islands

A ‘glorious collection’ like no other

By Rama Gaind

Looking for an island getaway like no other? Then, get ready to travel to one of the world’s smallest countries – the Cook Islands.

A self-governing country in ‘free association’ with New Zealand, the Cook Islands are an easy and safe destination comprising 15 islands in the heart of the South Pacific.

Even Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 has named the Cook Islands as the coveted number-one country to visit this year!

Australians can travel to the Cook Islands via Auckland on Air New Zealand and on Jetstar. Air New Zealand’s direct service from Sydney to Rarotonga is expected to recommence later this year.

According to the general

manager of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation for Australasia, Graeme West, a journey to the Cook Islands is the ultimate South Pacific experience.

“Cook Islanders are waiting with open arms and big smiles to greet their first Australian visitors in just over two years. Because tourism is the mainstay of our economy, the last two years has caused significant financial hardship for many people. We are looking forward with much anticipation to welcoming Aussies back to our beautiful islands.”

“Our tourism infrastructure is well established and offers a wide range of fantastic choices for accommodation, restaurants and outdoor activities.”

Known for snorkelling, scuba diving and island time, coral reefs ring the island.

The spectacular beauty of the lagoons surrounding both Rarotonga and renowned Aitutaki, have to be seen to be believed.

They have it all: lagoon cruises, fishing, guided mountain hikes, storytelling cycling tours, buggies, quadbikes or 4WD trips inland — and there’s a lot

The Cook Islands are a combination of 15 islands and atolls located in the middle of the South Pacific. more.

One of the top places to visit is Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands and the capital (Avarua is the main commercial and administrative centre).

Visit Muri and Titikaveka beaches in Rarotonga; take in a Te Vara Nui Village Tour & Cultural Show; a great way to explore Rarotonga’s lush scenery is Cross-Island Hike to Te Rua Manga (The Needle); and one of the best places for snorkelling is at Aroa Marine Reserve. If the beach is not your thing,

then visit Rarotonga’s Maire Nui Gardens and discover the Marine and Wildlife Eco Centre.

Tour options will vary according to taste, but popular sites are Aitutaki Lagoon, the highest point on Aitutaki at Mount Maungapu, go on a Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) tour and being onboard the Marlin Queen is the ultimate game fishing experience in Rarotonga. Take the Takitumu Nature Walk, go on a hike on Pa's Trek, set off on a fishing adventure, 4WD tours will take you off the

beaten track or go on a green fingers garden tour.

Travel advice Regarded as a ‘glorious collection’ of islands in the South Pacific, the total land area is only 237-squarekilometres which is spread over two-million-squarekilometres of ocean.

While travellers seeking a stunning tropical holiday can now go to this great holiday destination, it is advised that you first take the time to view the travel advisory on entry requirements.

Although the Cook Islands boasts a vaccination rate of 97 per cent of the eligible population, health advice is continually changing. There are some requirements that tourists must comply with.

All visitors over five years and three months of age (changing to over 16 years of age from 2 May 2022), must be fully vaccinated and provide an official International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate issued by the Australian Government. A supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of departure from Auckland to Rarotonga is required and currently must be taken in New Zealand.

However, Australian visitors can take a supervised RAT or PCR test in Australia 48 hours prior to their scheduled flight time from Auckland to Rarotonga. As well, visitors must complete a Cook Islands contact form no more than 96 hours prior to the scheduled departure time from Auckland to the Cook Islands. Check for latest travel health advice before leaving for your destination.

Once again, island dreaming becomes reality!

HAGAR – THE EGYPTIAN HOUSEMAID

Pastor Suresh Dass Joseph josephdass@optusnet.com.au

Dear reader, it is with plenty of joy we bring to you the word of God. In life, people are running away from or avoiding things that they should be dealing with.

Others may have hurt us or did us

wrong, and instead of forgiving them, we keep a lid on it. Or we may need to say “sorry” for what we have said or done, but we keep delaying it. Some people run all their life. They are running from a bad temper, getting into shape, and eating healthy. You can miss what God has in store for you when you keep running. You can’t keep running from everything hard. When you choose to deal with issues instead of hiding them or ignoring them, then you will find it is not all that difficult to apologise, forgive others and rule over your attitudes. Though at times it may look impossible, God will give you the grace, the energy, and strength to do what you could not do on your own.

In the scriptures (Genesis

4 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

16 v 1-9), we read about Hagar, a housemaid who worked for Abraham and Sarah. Abraham and Sarah could not have children, so they got Hagar pregnant. But this did not go well with Sarah, and when she dealt harshly with her, Hagar fled from her presence. But when the angel of the Lord found her at the water spring in the wilderness, He told her to return to Sarah and submit to her. God promised to bless her, and in obedience to His words, she returned to Sarah.

Here are 3 things we can learn from Hagar.

1. Running away from difficulties and responsibilities is a race you will never win. Some people are on the run from

forgiving people. Others are on the run from dealing with their attitudes. Then some run when things become problematic.

Hagar ran away when things turned ugly for her. But the best way to deal with the problem was for her to confront the issue.

Instead of ignoring and hiding her situation, it was best to deal with it.

2. Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step in your life. When Hagar fled from the presence of Sarah, she was in a hurry, moving forward but going nowhere. Why? Because she was running when she should be confronting by forgiving Abraham and Sarah. But after the command from God, she was no longer

running but walking home. Those small steps in the right direction were now her significant steps toward her future.

3. You will not get into fight mode if you are in flight mode.

While Hagar was running, she was not dealing with the situation. Fear caused her to see her problem as too big, which could not be fixed. In the flight mode, your difficulties will look bigger than they are. God told her to go back and fight. Not with Sarah or Abraham, but to fight her fears. The question is, “Are you running in some area today, running from making things right in a relationship or running from getting your finances in order, from people who did you wrong, from the past, from

insecurity.” Then it is time to stop running and face those giants.

Instead of running, it is time to confront those forces. Here’s the key, when God sees you make a move to what is hindering you, to deal with what you have been ignoring, God will breathe on you new life, and it won’t be as hard as you think. God said to Hagar, “I will multiply your descendants.”

You don’t have to go back to abuse. Yet anything you run from, eventually, you will have to return and deal with it. You can’t keep running when things get complicated and expect to reach your destiny. And while you are there dealing with the situation, God will give you the grace to stay there, just as He did for Hagar!

God bless you!

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Amateur Vs Professional - Sadhguru, Isha Foundation Question: As a professional, if I am too saintly, work will not happen. Is anger the path for me?

Sadhguru: We always use the word “professional” in the context of saying that someone did something without any emotion – someone did just what is needed. When someone is just doing what he is trained to do, where is the room for anger or anything else?

It is good to function as an amateur rather than as a professional. Generally, you use the term “amateur” to describe someone who does not know what to do.

But I am not talking about a novice. I am talking about an amateur. An amateur is somebody who does things because he is passionate about it; he sees meaning to what he is doing. A professional does not see much meaning to it. Something is being done because something else will happen out of it. A life like that is very barren. Unless there is involvement in what you do, unless it means a lot to you, the work that you do is just a waste of time and life, both for yourself and for everyone.

Involvement does not come because you do certain things. If there

is involvement, certain things will naturally happen out of you – that is beautiful. If you do the same things without involvement, it becomes ugly.

If you function as a professional, your life is ugly. If you are an amateur it is okay, but if you are a volunteer in the world, it is

6 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

very wonderful. If you are always willing to do what is needed with great passion, life becomes very beautiful.

What the end result is, who is in the way, who is supporting you, who is not supporting you – nothing matters. Whatever you do is being done with such tremendous involvement that everything that you do

is beautiful.

One problem you have is that you are a professional, another thing is that you have an anger problem also.

What is the role of anger?

People do not move when you say something, so you think anger will get them to move. What is needed is not anger but

involvement. If people around you see that you are doing things with great passion, why would they not move? When you are doing everything with great passion, everyone around you will be moved.

Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic,

I am talking about an amateur.

An amateur is somebody who does things because he is passionate about it; he sees meaning to what he is doing. A professional does not see much meaning to it.

Something is being done because something else will happen out of it. A life like that is very barren.

Unless there is involvement in what you do, unless it means a lot to you, the work that you do is just a waste of time and life, both for yourself and for everyone. visionary and a New York Times bestselling author Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 7

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION Mrs. Gurpreet Pinky SINGH, QLD MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION Mrs. Gurpreet Pinky SINGH, QLD, For service to the community through various roles.

Gurpreet Pinky SINGH has been awarded OAM for the following community services: Punjabi Welfare Association of Australia (PWAA) • Founding President, since 2016.

Community • Founding President, Brisbane Indian Prestige Lions Club, since 2018.

• Community Ambassador, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, 2018.

• Advisor, Indian Council of Australia, Queensland Inc., since 2022.

Brisbane City Council • Ambassador, Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust,

since 2019. • Ambassador, Lord Mayor's Multicultural Round Table, since 2019.

Liberal National Party • Multicultural Chair, Liberal National Party Women, since 2018.

• Policy Chair, Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, since 2021.

• Candidate, Central Brisbane Electorate of McConnel, 2020.

• Member, current.

Madhu Khanna of Australian Indian Radio interviewed Pinky Singh OAM on her community involvement and achievements.

The interview can be heard on Australian Indian Radio, and the transcribing will be published in our next issue.

Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio congratulate Pinky Singh OAM on her award.

Tushar Apte honoured with the G’day USA Rising Star Award at the AAA Arts Gala in Los Angeles Australian record producer, songwriter, and composer Tushar Apte was honoured with the historic Rising Star Award at the 2022 AAA Arts Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday 11 June 2022 (Saturday 12 June AEST).

The event was hosted by the American Australian Association (AAA) and G’Day USA with APRA AMCOS Chief Executive, Dean Ormston, presenting the award to Tushar, an APRA AMCOS Ambassador.

During his speech at the prestigious awards ceremony, Tushar expressed his gratitude: “I am very thankful that every day I get to make music with my friends and a lot of them are some of the best people in the world to do this with. To be in a position where that is what I call a job is an extremely privileged thing and I try not to take that for granted.

Of course, none of this happens without a team.”

Tushar thanked his family, friends and colleagues with a special acknowledgment to his parents who were extremely supportive of his musical ambitions in the early days.

Growing up in Sydney as an only child to Indian parents hailing from Pune, few could guess that this determined young man would go on to work with such iconic names in the American and International music industry.

Apte has collaborated with

Tushar Apte honoured with the Rising Star Award in Los Angeles musical artists like Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, BTS, Demi Lovato, Zayn, Charli XCX, Blackpink, Noah Cyrus, Jessica Mauboy and more.

Besides his pop production credits, he also scored for cinema and TV, with major projects like The Bobby Brown Story and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist under his belt Apte has also worked with Babyface the iconic American singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Tushar’s most recent work with emerging Tik Tok star Benson Boone resulted in a global hit record, 'Ghost Town' that has received over 150M streams to date.

While Apte’s back catalogue of work speaks for itself, the songs he’s produced and written over a decade have over 1.3 billion collective streams as of 2022.

These accolades combined with his wildly diverse

8 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

catalogue of musical creation more than back up Apte’s reputation as a super versatile creative and entrepreneur with his works Apte didn’t shoot straight to the top in an 80’s style success montage — he fought, worked, and hustled with tenacity and gumption to earn the esteemed place he currently occupies within the industry.

After giving up a comfortable corporate life in Sydney, Australia to live on his cousin’s couch in Los Angeles, USA, Apte fought tooth-and-nail to earn a place in the music industry.

Making the most of his immense talent and work ethic, he made it to the elite level many aspire to reach — and all for the love of music.

Since then, he’s worked as a songwriter, producer, keyboard player, composer, and more. It’s clear that there’s no one box that Apte fits into.

Years of his life were spent

Tushar Apte in the recording studio in LA in Hollywood cafes, tapping away at the keyboard of his dusty old MacBook, making cold calls and emails looking for work, and even waiting to overhear people talking about work in the industry so he could approach them in search of an opportunity.

These years were punctuated by varied bits of work to keep some cash in his back pocket and inspiration in his heart, but at one point he even came a hair’s breadth from leaving it all behind.

Six months after applying to an APRA sponsored song writing camp, disheartened with no call back, Apte had his bags packed and ready to book a ticket home the next morning. But, as he was going to sleep, his phone rang — he answered, and the voice down the line asked if he would

attend the song-writing camp in Toronto.

The day after arriving at the camp, he wrote the song that would go on to become his collaboration with American R & B sensation Chris Brown, which peaked at #7 on US Pop Radio — many regard this song, Zero, from Chris Brown’s Billboard RnB #1 album Royalty to be his breakthrough moment.

In the following years, Lucas Keller of the iconic management agency, Milk & Honey became Apte’s manager, and Apte then signed with Warner Chappell Publishing in 2017.

From there, Apte has gone on to work with the biggest cultural giants that exist today, ultimately shaping the landscape of modern music.

“This is an extraordinary

story of Australian success in one of the largest music industries in the world.

Tushar’s exceptional achievement should be applauded. This is a story of aspirations, determination and one of perseverance.

It’s a story of multicultural excellence!” said Reg Raghavan Founder and CEO, CulturalPulse.

CulturalPulse has worked with Tushar in the past to showcase his success in collaborating with some of the biggest names in music.

As an international diaspora agency, CulturalPulse supports diverse talents in business, sports, music and the arts.

Apte continues to exercise his creativity and musicianship in new ways every day, maintaining his illustrious position in the industry and his vibrant career — all for the love of music.

Learn more on Tushar Apte: Tushar Apte Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ taptemusic Tushar Apte Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ springloaded/ CulturalPulse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ culturalpulseau CullturalPulse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ culturalpulseau/ CullturalPulse Website: Visit www.culturalpulse.com. au and search Tushar Apte Images copyright: Tushar Apte

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GOPIO Gold Coast

GALA Dinner 2022 GOLD COAST, On the 25th of June 2022, continuing the legacy from the previous years, GOPIO Gold Coast hosted GALA Dinner 2022 at

the Hellenic Function Centre.

The event was felicitated by MP John-Paul Langbroek, OAM Pinky Singh, and many other dignitaries. The

night was a massive success with a live music band, stand-up comedy act, and, to top it, a live DJ to make the night merry and joyful.

The mesmerizing decor, delicious food, live bar, and professional photographer, along with the red carpet, made the event gala indeed.

We thank the ongoing support of the enthusiastic sponsors and the sparkling community members from Gold Coast and Brisbane, who

made the event truly special.

GOPIO Gold Coast executive members had a great time hosting and are full of gratitude for a sold-out event.

A Collaboration for The International Yoga Day in Brisbane: Art Of Living Foundation, Indian Council Of Australia, Qld, Inc. And Brisbane Maharashtra Mandal Inc. Indian Council of Australia collaborated with the Art of Living Foundation (AOL) to organize Yoga Day for the local people of Brisbane on the 26th of June 2022.

Brisbane Maharashtra Mandal Inc. also supported ICAQ on this event by recruiting volunteers and promoting the event to its members and other connected community organizations. In his speech at the yoga day, the President of the Indian Council of Australia, Mr. Parminder Singh, expressed his gratitude for allowing the newly formed organization to collaborate with the Art of Living foundation. He said, “ICAQ, thanks, Hon. Consul.

Mrs. Archana Singh, AOL coordinator Mrs. Seema Lathkar, and Mrs. Parul Patel, for having faith in ICAQ, a newly formed peak body to collaborate on this event. ICQ is an Association for Indian organizations and Individuals living in Queensland, as well as those Australian organizations, doing work on or associated with India or have a significant number of members of Indian origin in their organization.” He also thanked his Excellency, Mr. Manpreet Vohra, for endorsing the event and

sending 30 T-Shirts to ICAQ, which were given to volunteers helping us on this event. He added, “ICAQ believes in equality, respect, and collaboration while executing any event with our member organizations.

We are here to support noble causes which will facilitate community wellbeing.”

The morning of 26th June filled the atmosphere with spiritual harmony and peace. Yoga is the complete

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cleansing, healing, training, and maintaining a process for the mind, the soul, and the body. It is an honour that the UN has recognized this Yoga tradition, and given it the necessary status, recognizing its benefits to developing a healthy mind and body and helping become a spiritually liberated soul.

The International Yoga Day (IDY) 2022 theme “Yoga for Humanity and Peace” is

apt for the current situations in post-COVID in Australia.

Because of IDY (now in its 7th year), India has successfully spread yoga to various countries worldwide.

This soft power has put India in conversations with locals residing in many countries

who now practice Yoga and celebrate it on June 21st, the solstice day. It is a proud moment for Indians in India and non-resident Indians living abroad, who make it a point to come together to celebrate this day.

This year, Indians living

in Australia and Australians celebrated this day in a big way. There were not just one, but many events organized in Brisbane, Queensland, to commemorate the 2022 International Yoga Day. The Indian Community in Brisbane, thanks to the councilors, government officials, and High Commissioner of India in Canberra, Hon. Consul Mrs. Archana Singh and the local community organizations for their efforts in supporting and organizing these Yoga events.

The highlights of the Yoga Day were the Children’s Yoga, the Bhangra Yoga dance, and the Meditation.

Hon. Consul.

Mrs. Archana Singh was so moved by the Children performing the Yogasanas routine that she couldn’t resist walking on stage to get a photo with all the children striking their best Yoga poses.

Attendees of the event returned with smiles, compassion in their hearts, and a peaceful state of mind.

It rejuvenated the soul.

ICAQ thanks the Art of Living Foundation for its efforts in putting the event together, conducting the yoga sessions, and allowing ICAQ to collaborate with the Art of Living Foundation.

HELPING YOU GET THE HOME YOU WANT Chat to Nitin Puri, your local Home Finance Manager: 0457 517 732 npuri@westpac.com.au Westpac Aspley 1374 Gympie Road, Aspley

Credit provided by Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 11

Development Application Finalised Gayatri Mandir, Boondall

By Dharmesh Prasad Jai Sri Ram We are pleased to announce that on 1 June 2022 final order was granted by the Planning and Environment court.

AR Development PTY Ltd appealed the DA application since DA was given on 18th April 2019.

The court ruled on 1 June 2022 that the appeal against the original decision be allowed, the initial decision is set aside, and approved DA subject to conditions and plans.

We want to pay our deepest gratitude and heartful thanks to our Vice President, Mr. Ravendra Narayan, who has been instrumental in the Appeal process. Ravendra has been selfless and has magnanimously offered his time and effort; with his legal knowledge, tenacity, perseverance, and great attention to detail, this appeal was successful.

The Management Committee has taken time to read and digest the final order, particularly the conditions of the approval; we need to understand and explicitly comply with the requirements.

The Committee wasted no time

and has begun planning and forming project committees.

As soon as project planning and strategy are finalized, all our members will be informed so that each of us can be part of this auspicious occasion of building a temple and a multipurpose hall. It is not very often we get this opportunity in our lives to be part of this inspiring and enriching cause.

At the same time, Management Committee acknowledges and is grateful for the past office bearers with the vision and dream to build a temple and multipurpose hall. We are thankful to everybody due to their hard work and commitment. Hindu Society of Qld Inc is debt free and has no liability; we should be proud of our achievement as an organization.

We are at the cusp of fulfilling our dream; the proposed cultural precinct would be home to a temple, space for Bal Vikash, the teaching of music, art, literature, and a multipurpose hall. We Endeavor to provide a space to experience and practice our cultural engagement and enhance the spiritual journey of devotees in our diverse community.

Our responsibility in the community is to preserve and foster our religion and culture. This is our identity; we should cherish and demonstrate to our younger generations to uphold the dharma, living one's life according to the codes of conduct described by the Hindu scriptures.

This noble cause requires lots of hard work, commitment, and dedication, and we appeal to our brothers and sisters with

the grace of God. This would allure each of you to be part of our project in furthering our noble objectives.

The Management Committee respectfully seeks assistance from qualified professionals in our community who wish to offer their services in the Bracken Ridge project. All help and assistance are welcome.

Ramayan recital continues every Tuesday; Sundarkand and Trayodashi have been continuing each month at

the temple. We have seen these programs appeal to many people as participation at the temple and traffic on social media have increased.

We will continue with these programs as we strive to enhance and provide a space for spiritual development.

We are happy to report that Bal Vikash, under the inspirational teacher Mrs. Nirmala Shandil is progressing very well; we have 18 students in the class. The children are doing

very well; they are speaking Hindi in class, competence in reading and comprehension of the Hindi language is improving.

The children have been learning to recite mantras and sing kirtans, which bodes well for the future.

Hindu Society of Queensland has embarked on a database project; many devotees have moved and have new details. We are updating membership details like mobile phone numbers, email addresses, etc. This would assist us in communicating better and updating members on the latest developments at the mandir; please get in touch with Secretary Mrs. Nirmala Shandi on 0466 436 964 or Asst Secretary Mrs. Neelima Chand on 0405 409 156 or email us at gayatrimandirqld@gmail. com. Many thanks for your support.

Please visit our new website www. hindusocietyqld.org. au; our email address is gayatrimandirqld@gmail. com. We have feedback and the contact us page; feel free to provide us.

Feedback, and we will be happy to oblige.

Upcoming Events

Ramayan Recital every Tuesday: 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm 30 July – Sundarkand 26 July Trayodashi Programs begin at 6.30 pm, followed by Prasad and Mahaprasad Sundarkand and Trayodashi are held monthly at the mandir; please visit our website and Facebook page for details and sponsorship. Regular updates will be sent to all devotees via Facebook and text messages.

Stay Connected with the Hindu Society of Queensland W: www.hindusocietyqld.org.au F: Hindu Society of Qld’s Gayatri Mandir and email us at gayatrimandirqld@gmail.com Phone: (07) 3865 3164 Address: 178 Lyndhurst Rd, Boondall QLD

Rev. Dr. Bernard Malik was honored with a knighthood by the Knights of Rizal Sydney, Australia - In a glorious Saturday ceremony, Rev. Dr. Bernard Malik was honored with a knighthood by order of the Knights of Rizal.

The granting of the coveted title is a significant mark of respect and gratitude to Dr. Malik’s persistent and compassionate efforts to society. Dr. Malik joins the other remarkable Knights of Rizal members with this honor. That list includes King Juan Carlos I of Spain, the long line of prestigious Presidents of the Philippines, diplomats, artists, and more.

Rev. Dr. Malik is a global academician, diplomat, and philanthropist.

His fundamental mission is to change the world, one step at a time. Part of his mission includes initiatives in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and supporting the

underprivileged. He has a long list of philanthropic endeavors, including launching multiple educational institutes across Australia, India, Africa, and PNG. Additionally, he has established the Save Girl Child Foundation and the Global Women Empowerment organization.

He’s even helped set up the Leaders Institute alongside the widespread education institutions. He is also the President of Research and Policy House, a conservative Think Tank that impacts policy in the more significant interest of the society.

Dr. Malik facilitated and organized a comprehensive program to offer scholarships to underprivileged young girls to give them a premium education. He also supports the needy by launching programs like Feed the Hungry at Westend Brisbane.

12 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

Every Tuesday, students of the American College serve fresh, warm meals to the homeless and underprivileged. The program not only aims to

help hungry people but also aims to instill a sense of empathy and compassion in its volunteers.

The Knights of Rizal is

the sole order of knighthood in medals of the Philippines.

The Act of the Philippines Parliament was established in 1951. As part of the ritual,

the prefix “Sir” is attached to the first names of the distinguished members, and their wives carry the prefix “Lady.”

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 13

More than one in five Australian homes sold for $1 million or more

A record number of Australians spent $1 million or more to secure a home in the past year, CoreLogic’s annual Million Dollar Markets report reveals.

Over the year to March 2022, CoreLogic collected 596,733 sales nationally, up 19.8% from the 497,923 sales recorded the previous year.

Of these 23.8% sold for $1 million or more.

Report author, CoreLogic Research Analyst Kaytlin Ezzy, said Australia’s bullish economic and property performance during latter part of 2021 had led to a record result for both the volume of transactions and the proportion of milliondollar sales.

In the year to May, an additional 487 markets (450 house and 37 unit markets) joined the million-dollar club. In total 1,367 or 30.4% of house and unit markets analysed in May recorded a median value of $1 million or more.

“High consumer sentiment, tight advertised supply, and low interest rates fuelled strong home value growth throughout 2021, resulting in a new record high annual growth rate of 22.4% over the 12 months to January,” Ms Ezzy said.

“Despite values having risen across all capital cities and rest of state areas annually, we have seen a divergence in growth conditions across markets over the year to date.

“Since January, dwelling values across Sydney and Melbourne have started to decline, while values have continued to rise across South Australia and Queensland.

More recently, Canberra, which had previously recorded many months of consecutive growth, recorded its first falls in dwelling values in some years in May.” The report shows Sydney suburbs made up 26.3% of the new million-dollar markets, which Ms Ezzy said is unsurprising given the city’s median dwelling value has sat above $1 million since May 2021.

“While the the largest

concentration of new million-dollar markets in the city’s South West, Outer South West and Central Coast, Sydney’s milliondollar markets are fairly wide spread, with more than half of all Sydney sale over the 12 months to May transaction at or above $1 million,” she said.

Highest sales Significant trophy sales in some of the country’s top prestige markets have been recorded in the year to date, including the $60 million transaction of a north-facing six-bedroom, six-bathroom waterfront home on Lindsay Avenue, Darling Point in

Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

In Melbourne a fivebedroom property in Orrong Road, Toorak sold for $38.5 million in February and the most expensive regional sale in 2022 has been a six-bedroom beachfront home on the Gold Coast’s millionaire’s row, Hedges Avenue at Mermaid Beach, which sold for $21.5 million in May. Regional Regional housing markets have shown a stronger growth trend through the pandemic to-date compared to capital cities, with values up 41.4% across regional Australia since March 2020 compared with a 21.8% rise across the combined capital city markets.

14 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

Byron Bay houses in the Richmond-Tweed region recorded the highest median value in regional NSW at $2,741,847, up approximately $400,000 from this time last year.

Regional NSW has 150 house and four unit markets with a median value at or above $1 million, more than double the number recorded this time last year. The Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regions had the highest concentration of million-dollar new comers.

In regional Victoria, 22 house markets made the million-dollar list, of which most were in Geelong,

where Aireys Inlet houses had the highest median at $2,189,874.

Queensland is the only state to have a similar number of million-dollar markets in its capital city of Brisbane (122) compared to its rest of state area (107) Ms Ezzy said, largely due to the popularity of the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast had a median value of $2,680,187, overtaking the Sunshine Coast’s Sunshine Beach ($2,651,978) as regional Queensland’s most expensive house market.

Yallingup houses in the Bunbury region of Western Australia remains the west’s only regional market to make the million-dollar list with a current median value

of $1,620,473. Tasmania and South Australia had no regional million-dollar markets.

Million-dollar outlook Australia’s housing demand, transactions and national median values have eased gradually over recent months amid growing global uncertainly and affordability constraints.

CoreLogic’s Home Value Index recorded the first monthly fall in national values in May and Ms Ezzy said high non-discretionary inflation coupled with rising interest rates will likely see household budgets tighten in the coming months, further dampening housing demand over the medium term.

“As the market moves into the downward phase of the cycle it’s likely a number of the recent entrants to the million-dollar list will see their median values decline below the $1 million mark,” she said.

“Despite this, Australian household wealth hit record high levels at the end of the March quarter, driven by continued strength in the housing market largely driven by gains across the real estate sector.”

National highlights (please see report for full list of new million-dollar markets) Sydney In Sydney, 448 house and 104 unit markets have a current median value of $1 million dollars or higher, an increase of 26.6% from the previous year. The new million-dollar markets are largely concentrated in the

city’s South West (30) and Outer South West (15) as well as the Central Coast region (20). In the year to May, 51.9% of transactions in Sydney sold for $1 million or more. Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs is the most expensive house market, both across Sydney and nationally, with a current median value of $8,024,682.

Melbourne Across Melbourne, 212 house and 11 unit markets had a median value at or above $1 million in May, the majority of which were located in Melbourne’s Inner (39), Inner South (42), Inner East (30) and Outer East (30).

Brighton, in Melbourne’s Inner South, recorded the highest median value across Melbourne, at $3,778,312.

Over the year to May, 34.6% of sales had a price of $1 million or more, up from 26.5% the year prior.

Brisbane Queensland’s relative affordability and strong interstate migration underpinned a surge in values with the number of million-dollar markets more than doubling across Brisbane (up 139.2%) and regional QLD (up 127.7%) compared to this time last year. Teneriffe ($2,873,947) maintained its position as Brisbane’s most expensive house market.

Adelaide As of May, Adelaide had 79 markets with a median house value of $1 million or higher; more than double the number of markets recorded this time last year. Over the

year to May, 13.0% of sales recorded a sale price at or above $1 million. Unley Park in the Central Hills region maintained its position as Adelaide’s most expensive house market, with a current median value of $2,129,770, up approximately $420,000 from the year prior.

Perth Across Perth, 56 house markets made the milliondollar list in May, up from 43 the year prior. Nine of Perth’s top 10 most expensive house markets were located in the city’s Inner region, where Dalkeith recorded the highest median value at $2,965,588.

Hobart Over the 12 months to March, 19.3% of sales across Hobart had a sales price at or above $1 million, up from 8.3% the year prior. As of May, 10 house markets were in the millionaires’ club, eight more than this time last year. Houses in Sandy Bay recorded the highest median value in May, at $1,402,803, followed by Acton Park at $1,316,329.

No markets across regional Tasmania recorded a median value of $1 million.

ACT Across the ACT, 52 house markets made the milliondollar list in May, more than double the 28 from the year prior. While no unit markets made the list, 62.7% of ACT’s house markets did. The portion of million-dollar sales rose over the year to May, from 16.0% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2022.

Find the complete Million Dollar Markets report at corelogic.com.au/news.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 15

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 19

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland Samaj Havan Yajna Satsang at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre

International Day of Yoga

For further information on on Havan Satsang program at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre 198 Learoyd Road Willawong QLD 4110 please contact Vice President Mrs.Sushila Pathik 33146059. ओ३म ्

International Day of Yoga- Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall

Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall Hindu Center of Atlanta The 2022 theme “Yoga for Humanity” is a wakeup call: Yog (yoga) is not only on the time spent on the mat or in the caves. Yog is about daily life.

The precepts of YamaNiyama, the starting blocks of Ashtang Yog (Sage Patanjali’s Yog Darshan) constitute a panacea to spare us from the problems that send us rock-bottom. They need to be followed at the level of our thoughts, words and physical actions (manasik-vaachanikshaareerik karma) …from the subtle to the gross levels and thereafter we shall be realize a peaceful living …at the physical, mental-moralspiritual and social levels. The practice of Yama-Niyama in

our daily life makes us more effective on the next steps: aasana, praanaayaama, pratyaahaara, dhaaranaa, dhyaana and samaadhi in our quest of moksha-mukti, salvation or liberation to be in the eternal bliss of the Allblissful Creator.

Yamas, the precepts that lead to good social order, are: • Ahimsaa, Non-violence towards all living beings, especially in our pursuit to satiate sensual cravings (taste, smell, sight, hearing & touch); • Satya, Truthfulness at all times, learning from history, some deep thinking and due diligence spares us and the community from the reckless forwarding of messages; • Asteya, Non-stealing would help curb profiteering & the exploitation of people in need; • Brahmacharya, Selfrestraint, personal discipline leads to better understand the reasons behind the prevailing dire conditions and be humane; • Aparigraha, Nonaccumulation of superfluous things enables us to prioritize on the essentials to sustain life.

Niyamas, the principles of personal discipline, are: •

Saucha, Purity of mind-bodyspirit generates an aura of positivity enhancing selfconfidence and mutual trust within the family, society and world; • Santosha, be content with the things that we have instead of being unhappy for the things that we don’t have or we have to let go endows us with inner peace, serenity; • Tapah, the practice of austerity finetunes our ability to cope with adverse situations thus tones down our selfish behavior and we’ll be more working for the common good in which lies our personal good; • Swaadhyaaya, the study of scriptures and allied texts puts us on better footing to understand the causes of suffering and follow the science, logic…; • Ishvarpranidhaana, surrender to God, the laws of nature, and the laws of the creation will led us to be friendly with all (living & non-living beings).

These norms of social and personal discipline are truly secular, wide-ranging …applicable to all human beings, irrespective of appurtenance to any faith, group, country, etc.; in fact

अपने आचरण को पहचानें। आप कृतज्ञ हैं? अथवा कृतघ्न?

कोई व्यक्ति आपके ऊपर कोई उपकार करे , आपको सहयोग दे वे, आपका भला करे , आपकी समस्याओं को सुलझावे, आप की किसी भी प्रकार की सहायता करे । और यदि आप उसके इन उपकारों को हृदय से स्वीकार करते हैं , उसका आभार मानते हैं , धन्यवाद करते हैं , उसके साथ सभ्यता नम्रता सम्मानपूरक ्व व्यवहार करते हैं , तो इसका नाम 'कृ तज्ञता' है । और यदि आप इसके विपरीत व्यवहार करते हैं , तो उसका नाम 'कृ तघ्नता' है ।" कृ तज्ञता ही मानवता है । यह मनुष्यता का सर्वप्रथम लक्षण है । सबसे उत्तम कर्म है । सबसे बड़ी सभ्यता है । *"जो व्यक्ति कृ तज्ञता का व्यवहार नहीं करता, बल्कि इसके

विपरीत कृ तघ्नता का व्यवहार करता है , उसे शास्त्रों में बहुत बड़ा पापी बतलाया गया है ।" रामायण में तो यहां तक कहा है , कि कृ तघ्नता इतना बड़ा पाप है , कि इसका कोई प्रायश्चित भी समझ में नहीं आ रहा, जिसे करके व्यक्ति इसके बुरे संस्कार से छूट जाए। इसलिए कभी भी कृ तघ्नता नहीं करनी चाहिए। विशेष रूप से अपने माता-पिता और गुरुजनों के साथ या और भी जो बड़े विद्वान धनवान बलवान उच्च पदस्थ महानुभाव हैं , उनके साथ तो ऐसा व्यवहार कभी भूल से भी नहीं करना चाहिए। *"जो लोग मन में राग द्वे ष रखते हैं , अभिमानी हैं , हठी दरु ाग्रही हैं , किसी की बात नहीं सुनते, सब जगह

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अपनी मनमानी करते हैं , ऐसे दष्ट ु प्रवृत्ति के लोग ही इस प्रकार की कृ तघ्नता के पाप करते हैं ।"* ऐसे लोगों को सावधान हो जाना चाहिए। जो विद्या उन्होंने अपने माता-पिता और गुरुजनों से प्राप्त की है । उस विद्या को कलंकित नहीं करना चाहिए। और भी सेवा प्रोत्साहन सहयोग सुरक्षा

they heighten the humane aspect of life.

Prevention is not only better but also cheaper than cure. In our efforts to mitigate social evils and the unrest, economic hardship…. in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the RussiaUkraine war, social response through appropriate behavior will enable us to better handle forthcoming shockwaves.

Hence, the theme “Yoga For Humanity” is the most befitting.

We need to start with the beginning and live the ideals of Yog (Yoga) in daily life.

Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall Ji

आदि अनेक प्रकार का लाभ उन्होंने अपने माता-पिता गुरुजनों आदि से प्राप्त किया है , उसका भी सदप ु योग करना चाहिए, दरु ु पयोग नहीं। उन्हें अपने दोषों से युद्ध करना चाहिए। अपने हठ दरु ाग्रह ईर्ष्या अविद्या राग द्वे ष अभिमान आदि दोषों को दरू करके ईश्वर की कृ पा का पात्र बनना चाहिए। समाज के साथ सभ्यता नम्रता से मिल जुलकर रहना चाहिए। ऐसा करने से वे अपना जीवन भी सुखमय बनाएंगे और दस ू रों को भी सुख दें गे। ऐसा करने से ही उनका जीवन सार्थक और सफल होगा। *"अन्यथा वे बहुमल ू ्यवान कठिनाई से प्राप्त होने योग्य इस मानव जीवन को व्यर्थ तो करें गे ही, साथ ही ईश्वर की बनाई हुई पशु पक्षी वृक्ष आदि लाखों योनियाँ भविष्य में उनका स्वागत करने के लिए तैयार खड़ी हैं । स्वामी विवेकानंद परिव्राजक जी ओ३म ्

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland Inc members held a very rewarding/ gratifying International Day of Yoga celebrations commencing with Havan Yajna on Sunday 19/06/2022 at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre.

It was really pleasing to see FICQ President Mr. Anoop Nannuru Ji and Vice President Mr Anil Subramaniam Ji also attend the function.

The eight limbs, or steps of Yog -Yam ,Niyam Aasan Pranayam Pratyahar,Dharana Dhyan and Samadhi were addressed.

Mr. Avinish Bhardwaj Ji and Dr.Sukhvir Singh Ji with the audience participating very ably demonstrated various Aasans (body postures)and Pranayam( breathing exercises,and control of prana) which have widespread benefits with improved health, breathing,strength, balance and flexibility.

There was also a very entertaining, captivating laughter yoga session

dedicated to providing health and wellbeing relieving stress, to stay fit, healthy and happy which the audience really enjoyed as well.

Outstanding arrangement for delicious, mouth watering flavoursome refreshments/ snacks/ mishthaan for all.

We express our deep gratitude, appreciation to everyone who contributed in any way and participated in the APSQ International Day of Yoga celebrations program. धन्यवाद नमस्ते जी, ओ३म ्

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 21

PART 1: BAINIMARAMA VERSUS RABUKA A SEARCH FOR A BETTER LEADER

Thakur Ranjit Singh, FIJI PUNDIT

As we will have Fiji elections within months, I decided to include political writings for interest of former Fiji residents. This will come in four parts. Here is Part 1.

Fiji is at crossroads, in a crisis - and dilemma. They have to choose between two former Army Commanders, two coup-makers and two persons who had positions as head of government - and both with controversial tenures. They are Sitiveni Rabuka and Frank Bainimarama.

And both are changed persons now – one has changed for the better, and the other for the worse.

Herein is an analysis for you to make your minds for the upcoming election.

RABUKA: He is a changed man now, quite different from the young hot-blooded third ranking officer from military who heeded the call of his chiefs to deny Fiji the ultimate test of democracy preventing transition of power to Bavadra government after 1987 election.

Since that coup, and subsequent to ups and downs in politics, growing up by experiencing reality of situations and gaining real life experience, Rabuka seems to have matured. He appears to have grown up now into a respectable sexagenarian elder after going through baptism of fire. Many in Fiji feel that Rabuka is a changed man, and I agree. Many

who advocate democracy and hate hates coups and coup-makers, now feel that the passage of time has transformed the original coupmaker into a gentleman.

Rabuka appears to have repented and apologised, and partly redeemed his sins of 1987 by delivering the 1997 Constitution and sacrificed his political life by shaking hands with Jai Ram Reddy and fighting 1999 election together. People seem to forget that the 1997 Constitution he gave also gave Fiji its first Fiji Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry.

And nowhere in history of ant coup, Rabuka gave back power to his Chiefs and people only after seven months .

But memories and injuries of 1987 were still very raw and he and Reddy were soundly defeated at the polls.

He had committed mistakes, as many of us do in our younger days.

However, as we grow older, we tend to rehabilitate, as Fiji's yellow ribbon programme advocates.

Fiji now is between the devil and the deep blue sea. Rabuka may have been the reason for starting all this with a coup culture he birthed in 1987. In doing so, he delivered and fulfilled the wishes and intentions of his Chiefs and the Great Council of Chiefs stick on to power. As a young Army officer, he was extremely loyal to his Chiefs, so loyal that to date, he continues to protect those behind the coup.

In doing so he has become the fall guy whom many Fiji Indians still despise, view with doubt and fail to forgive.

I know my people, as many are very vindictive and unforgiving, with very strong memories, who don’t even forgive their own kith and kin, so who is Rabuka?

However, they don’t seem to realise that the person who penned Ramayan, Valmik was a thug, a dacoit and a robber once, before he saw the light, repented,

FRANK BAINIMARAMA, PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI sought forgiveness and ended up being a sage and author of the epic Ramayan.

People do change - so has Rabuka. Many now see him as a changed man who is humble, compassionate, listens to others, has learnt and matured from his past mistakes, has experience running government, and is a wiser man now. Like many, I also trust him.

Now he seems to be out to redeem himself of the sins of 1987 by liberating Fiji from a worse situation than 1999 when he lost the election to Chaudhry. Or a situation dirtier now than when Bainimarama removed Qarase, promising to clean up Fiji, but seems to have forgotten that promise halfway.

Fiji is now down a rabbit hole, dirtier than ever before, with one man, or perhaps two men dictatorial rule, and that leader is not the PM -but his AG. Therefore, Fiji needs to be rescued. Is Rabuka the man to clean up Fiji, after Bainimarama failed to keep his promise, and made it even dirtier?

As a sceptical person who now trusts him, I have some advice for him. He needs to remove the

God is a Righteous Judge…

Jesus said “Arise and Shine…”

Key Verse:

As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the king-dom of their Father.

Whoever has ears, let them hear. - Matthew 13:40-42 Dear Reader, In these times of global challenges with wars, economic crisis, global unrest, we need to seek God for His mercy and grace.

Our theme simple and clear. It is to make God real and personal in these troubled times.

And to make God very Real Person so you can kern to know His nature and relate to Him. God is not an object or an image or imagination of human mind. God is a living and loving person.

We find this amazing revelation in the pages of Holy

Bible. Keep reading with an open heart and humble spirit. You will encounter your Creator to-day.

You don’t need a thousand years for your Salvation (Mukti).

You can re-ceive your greatest miracle ‘Mukti’ today. This is the confidence you can have in Christ alone.

This month we focus on some of the most important questions someone may ask you.

It is self assessment and sincere evaluation of our heart condition.

For example, “Are you a good

22 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

person?”

Just like asking you “Are you Mr Good Guy?” It looks a like a simple question, but your honest answer to this questions will lead to a self discovery; that may reveal the true condition of your heart and soul.

Try to ask yourself this question “ Am I a good person?”.

The only person who can give an absolutely true answer to that question is God alone. So, why not you ask God this same question, “God, can you please reveal to me that do I qualify as good person according to your standard?”

Let’s meet Mr. Good Guy (Mr. GG), if all good people go to heaven, he will be the first on the line.

Our first question to Mr. GG is: “Have you kept the God’s ten commandments?”

GG: “Pretty much”.

Really?

Do you mind that God examines your life style Mr GG…?

Have you ever told a lie?

GG: Yeah, who hasn’t?

What do you call some who lies?

GG: A liar.

SITIVENI RABUKA, LEADER OF PEOPLE’S ALLIANCE PARTY (PAP)

fears of Fiji Indians, and assure them to maintain and honour the securities and all the good things Bainimarama had delivered till he went off the track.

He listens and has already promised to have Girmit Day as a Public Holiday in Fiji on 14 May and introduce compulsory Girmit History in Fiji School curriculum.

Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ had requested these from Bainimarama seven years ago in 2015, but had been ignored.

The other concern of Fiji Indians is rolling back of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), which has a tainted history of being behind all the coup, abuse of power by some Chiefs and their unelected influence and their interference in politics. GCC is good as a ceremonial body, but should have no authority to interfere in the elected government. He also needs to spell out and remove fears of Fiji Indians on land tenure and assure them security and from harassment by landowners. These are only some. I will follow other concerns in an open letter later.

Therefore, Rabuka has a steep hill to climb to gain Fiji Indian confidence and votes. He has good chances, as many Fiji

Have ever stolen anything?

GG: Nope.

But you just admitted that you are a liar.

GG: Well, I did steal some pencils and pens from a schoolmates What do you call some who steals?

GG: A thief.

Have ever looked at someone with lust?

GG: Of Course!

Remember, Jesus said, Everyone who looks at a person with lustful intent has already committed adultery with that person in their heart.

Have you ever used God’s name in vain?

GG: Yes, when I was angry at some one who did wrong to me That is called blasphemy “The Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

(Exodus 20:7) GG: Ok, So I am not perfect.

Actually, it is worse than that…

Suppose, God could put a microchip device into your brain that could rec-ord all your private thoughts for a month and play them on a big movie screen for all your friends and family to see…

GG: Oh no, that will be absolutely embarrassing!

Remember, God knows the

First supporters like me had a rethink and change of mind after Bainimarama had abdicated PM’s position to his deputy, and seems to be manipulated by him, and being the real man running the government.

Fiji voters need to be reminded a vote for Bainimarama is a vote for Khaiyum, hence the need to bring the change they wish to bring to Fiji.

BAINIMARAMA: He has also changed from 2006 when he was seen as the messiah and saviour of Fiji, especially Fiji Indians, when he removed Qarase for getting very racial and bringing laws to hurt people, and getting very ethnonationalist. He promised to tidy up a dirty Fiji. We all were overjoyed with his promises and intention to clean-up Fiji and promises that no Military officer would directly benefit from the takeover and all the earth, the sky and the moon to people of Fiji.

I, like many others, was his ardent supporter and was hated for that. My argument was that a democracy which fails to deliver social justice and equality to all its citizens is not worth defending.

secrets of every heart (Psalm 44:21) and he knows all our thoughts (Psalm 139).

GG: Well, compared to some worst people in the history of mankind I am saint.

True, but the moral standard is God’s law and not other people. Each of us have to give an account of them self to God (Romans 14;22).

GG: But won’t God just forgive me?

Try that in court of law…

Justice demands that for every broken law you must pay full penalty. Imag-ine trying to escape from paying driving offences.

GG: Then, there is no one man is good in this world.

Yes, that is true, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s moral law that were given through ten commandments.

GG: I can never pay for all the laws I have broken day after day!

There is no way…

Yes, humanly speaking it is impossible, But, There is only one way…

God’s way.

If a sinless person offered to pay your punishment, then justice would be served and you could go free.

God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners

I had published many articles supporting him. He was a good, clean, fair and compassionate leader initially. He gave Fiji Indians hope, security, dignity, self-respect and social justice.

He also gave us a common name and dual - citizenship, both of which were opposed by the past ethnocentric Fijian regimes.

However, from being a respected man whom I immensely supported, he seems to have degenerated as a second-fiddle to his Attorney General Khaiyum (AG), unable to function without his life-support of knowledge and brains, when he had abundance of it from his support staff and Cabinet.

Like Vibhishan in Ramayan deserted his evil brother Ravan, I did the same.

This happened when the real mover and shaker of Fiji First, its Attorney General, Aiyaz Saiyad Khaiyum came on the scene and Bainimarama appears to have abdicated his position and gave it to a manipulative narcissist Attorney general, who thinks the world revolves around him.

We trusted Bainimarama, but he seems to have betrayed Fiji.

He became a mere co-pilot of the Aircraft we call Fiji. He enjoyed his trips overseas, collected his healthy per diems while the AG ran the show at home the way he wanted - and planted people of his belief in most top positions in Fiji and sold parts of it.

[To be continued in Part 2 - a shocking revelation rarely spoken before] [About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is former Publisher of Fiji’s Daily Post newspaper. Thakur was fired and removed from positions by two diametrically opposed Prime Ministers: Chaudhry and Qarase. This was for speaking the truth and being too frank and not mincing his words.

He is doing same now, is a media commentator, a journalist and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT.]

(law break-ers), Christ Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).

We can’t earn God’s forgiveness by our million good works. All our good works without right standing with God accounts to zero credits.

It is our humble and repentant heart that opens the way to receive the free gift of God’s forgiveness to all who trust in the name of Jesus.

It begins with accepting that we are morally fallen short God’s standard, and none of our good works can pay for our sins. Then, we can repent of our lifestyle and turn to God; For He is more than willing to accept all who call on His name with a sincere and sobering heart.

Therefore, we invite you to pray this with a sincere heart; “Dear Father God, today I thank you for your word that has touched my heart. I repent of all my sins. And I confess with my mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins, God raised Jesus from the dead for my Mukti (Salvation).

Now help me to know Jesus more and more so that I can grow in the knowledge of your grace and mercy. Teach me your ways so that I can be person who will learn to honour you and learn to love each other. Amen.

P

Y

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 23

Parashuram – An Incarnation of God Vishnu Parashuram is the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, among his ten popular incarnations. He appeared as a human at the advanced stage of evolutionary development of life on Earth. Five incarnations before him included the Matsya, Kurma, Varah, Narsimha and Vaman. Incarnations that followed him as Ram, Krishna and Buddha exclusively displayed characteristics of mortal human being. Kalki, the tenth incarnation is yet to transpire.

Parashuram, which is translated as Ram with an Axe, is known by many other names including Jamadagnya or the son of Jamadagni and Bhargav, the descendent of Bhrigu. He was a mighty warrior sage who destroyed atrocious rulers, many time ridding the earth of their transgressions.

Tales relating to him are found in Hindu scriptures including the Ramayan, Mahabharat and Purans.

Origin – In an ancient age, there was a mighty king named Gadhi. He had a daughter called Satyavati. At one time, the king was living with his family in a forest. Sage Richika, a scion of Bhrigu, came across his daughter and was mesmerised by her beauty. He asked the king for his permission to marry her.

The king was puzzled by such a request from an ascetic.

However, he indicated a dowry of one thousand steeds was required to become eligible to wed the princess. An offering of such gifts was a traditional requirement of his royal family. The sage fulfilled this request with the help of a deity named Varun and married Satyavati.

After the wedding, Satyavati implored her husband for a son for herself, and also for her mother, as she did not have a brother. Richika prepared two bowls of gruel, a preparation of rice and milk, and blessed each with a different set of Mantras. One was meant for his wife and the other for his motherin-law.

After preparing the bowls he went out to bathe. During his absence Satyavati’s mother came to her and asked for the gruel.

Satyavati thought her husband would have prepared the superior gruel for the queen, her mother, since the child born from her would be king one day. She gave her mother her own gruel, and ingested the food intended for her mother.

Richika returned from his bath and immediately discovered what had happened. He said to his wife, “You have exchanged the gruel.

Now you will have a fierce warrior son, a scourge for his enemies and a terror to the world, with the nature of a Kshatriya and your mother will have a gentle son, the knower of Brahma with the disposition of a Brahmin.”

Satyavati fell to his feet and begged her son should not be a terror. Richika took pity on her and spoke, “Your son will be a gentle soul, but his son, our grandson, will be dreadful. He will bear the effect of the gruel that you ate.”

In another version of the legend, Satyavati’s father-in-law had given her two bowls of gruel, one for her and other for her mother. He had also asked to embrace two different trees before eating the gruel. She was to embrace a Peepal tree and her mother a Bargad, fig tree. The women swapped the trees as well as the gruel.

Satyavati gave birth to a child named Jamadagni. He devoted himself to the study of the Veds and the practice of penance. He became a great sage and attained the status of the Saptrishis, seven sages in the

constellation of Ursa Major in the sky. Jamadagni married Renuka, the daughter of king Prasenjit.

She bore him five sons, Ram, who became renowned as Parashuram, being the last but the greatest of them.

Restoring his mother and brothers - Parashuram learnt Vedic texts from his father. He performed penance and acquired spiritual knowledge. Pleased with his penance and devotion, Lord Shiv presented him an axe, with celestial powers. He also acquired knowledge of using sophisticated worldly and celestial weapons.

Jamadagni lived with his family in a forest hermitage. Renuka was a faithful wife. Due to this perceived virtue, she could collect water in unbaked clay pots from the riverbank. Once all their sons went out to gather food and firewood in the forest. Jamadagni sat in meditation and Renuka went to fetch water from the river.

There she saw the Gandharva king Chitrarath, playing with his wife in the water. He was so beautiful that Renuka stood enchanted gazing at him. Her mind became polluted with desires and continued looking at the Gandharva for sometime.

Suddenly she realised that it was late. Due to her adulterous thought, she could not collect water in the unbaked pot.

She hurried to the ashram.

Jamadagni gleaned the reason for her returning late without water and became angry with her. At that moment, their four elder sons returned to the Ashram. In a fit of rage, he directed them one by one to end the life of their mother. But they were confounded and could not follow his command. He cursed them to become inanimate objects.

Then Parashuram entered the hermitage. Jamadagni order him to slay his mother. He immediately took up his axe and severed his mother’s head.

Jamadagni was pleased with his son’s action. He advised him to ask boons of his choice.

Parashuram requested that his mother be restored her life. He

24 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

did not want to be haunted by the remembrance of his cruel act or be affected by any sin. He wanted his brothers to recover live forms and regain their former states. He desired to be unrivalled in the field of battle and to obtain a long life.

Jamadagni granted all these wishes to Parashuram.

Fight with Kartavirya - During the last stage of Satyug, the first aeon of the universe, Parashuram destroyed the powerful king of Haihayas, known as Kartavirya Arjun. He is recognised as a thousand armed Arjun, a metaphor for his military might.

Once Kartavirya was bathing with his women in the River Narmada, near his capital city named Mahishmati. Intoxicated with drink and immense power, he stopped the flow of the river with his hands. The water level rose upstream and extinguished the sacrificial fire of Ravan who was camping on the riverbanks. A furious Ravan attacked Kartavirya, but was overpowered by him and kept in custody. Only after a request by sage Pulastya, Kartavirya freed Ravan from captivity.

Another time, during a hunting expedition, Kartavirya came upon Jamadagni’s ashram. The sage received him and laid out a feast for the king and his entourage. All the materials were arranged thank to the wish-fulfilling cow Surabhi, the daughter of the celestial cow Kamdhenu. Kartavirya became envious of the opulence offered to him by the sage and desired the cow for himself. After his return to capital he sent Haihaya warriors to seize the cow and pay any cost the sage desired. When the sage did not agree to part with his Surabhi, the king soldiers forcibly took her, along with her calf, for the king.

Parashuram was away from the ashram when these events happened. Once he returned, he found Surabhi missing and Jamadagni upset. He became angry, seized up his battle-axe, his bow and quiver, and shield, and went after the king’s forces. He waylaid them and arrived at Mahishmati.

The king sent his army to fight against him, however, Parashuram destroyed all his fighters.

Kartavirya came to fight against him. Parashuram killed him with his axe and freed the cow and calf.

Kartavirya’s ten thousand sons fled in terror from Parashuram to save their own lives. Parashuram returned to the ashram and informed his father about these events.

Upon hearing the details, Jamadagni was mortified.

He censored his son for his actions and instructed him to go on a Tirthyatra, a visit to sacred sites, to expunge his sins. Parashuram followed his father’s instructions and became free from the sin of killing the king.

Meanwhile, the Kartavirya sons were burning with thoughts of revenge. They stalked Jamadagni’s ashram and one day, when Parashuram and his brothers were away deep in jungle, the princes entered the ashram. They saw the sage in deep meditation.

They approached him quietly and beheaded him before he could open his eyes. Renuka came to the scene and begged the killers not to spoil her husband’s corpse, however, they took his head away as a trophy.

Renuka cried for her sons.

Parashuram heard her cry and rushed back to the ashram. He saw his father lying headless in the sacrificial enclosure. After hearing the account of events, he went to Mahishmati, and slew the ten thousand sons of Kartavirya.

He blamed the Kshatriyas for the tragedy and swore to wipe out the race of kings from the earth. He went on twenty-one campaigns and did kill almost every Kshatriya in the world. He made five lakes of warriors’ blood in a holy place called Samant-panchak.

He appropriated their kingdoms.

Finally, he returned to his father’s ashram, his face and body dark due to the sins accrued from the killings he had performed. He brought his father’s severed head, affixed it on his neck and performed sacred rituals for his father and his own soul. He donated lands to priests

who helped him perform the sacred rites and he donated the remaining earth to sage Kashyap.

Purified of all his sins of slaughtering generations of kings, he had his closing ablution in the River Saraswati. Jamadagni lived again in a glorious spirit body as a Saptarishi. Parashuram lived upon Mount Mahendra.

Popular legends - Parashuram is one of the Chiranjivis, possessor of a long life. He had been involved in the events of the Ramayan in the Tretayug and in the events of the Mahabharat in the Dwaparyug.

Pauranic texts describe that he will be a teacher for Kalki, the tenth incarnation of Vishnu, in Kaliyug.

In the Ramayan, Parashuram appears in Janakpur after Ram had broken the Shiv’s bow during the Svayamvar for princess Sita. He was angry with Ram for breaking the bow of his favoured god, and challenged him to shoot an arrow from his Vishnu bow.

When Ram set the arrow on the bow, Parashuram realised his divinity.

He recognised that Ram was an incarnation of Vishnu and had appeared to establish Dharma on the earth.

In the Mahabharat, Parashuram appears in many places throughout the text. He taught the arts of war and use of weapons to Bhishma, the son of Ganga. He also taught Dronacharya, the royal Guru of Pandav and Kaurav princes. Karna, the son of Surya and Kunti, was his disciple.

Parashuram tried to mediate between Amba, the princess of Kashi and Bhishma, who had abducted her. Amba asserted that Bhishma should accept her as his wife. On his refusal, Parashuram fought against Bhishma for many days to restore the right of the woman. Following a celestial intervention, the battle was stopped, to avoid the destruction of the world.

In the case of Karna, Parashuram loved him deeply for his sincerity and devotion to his teacher and duty. He taught him all the knowledge of arms. However, in an incident he realised that Karna has cheated him by incorrectly disclosing his social status.

Subsequently, he restrained Karna’s power to use the Brahmastra, the weapon of Brahma, at the time of his greatest need.

In one legend, Parashuram went to Kailash to pay homage to his deity Shiv after killing Kartavirya.

Lord Ganesh was guarding the access route to Shiv. He stopped him from meeting Shiv. A fight ensued between them. In a rage, Parashuram hurled his axe on Ganesh breaking one of his tusks.

Ganesh did not defend himself, as the axe was a gift of Shiv.

Parashuram is especially popular in the western coast of India. It is believed that he shot an arrow in the Arabian Sea and reclaimed the western coastline of India stretching from Mumbai to Kerala. A Parashuram temple is located at Parashuram village in Ratnagiri district, Maharastra. It is believed that Lord Parashuram leaves for the Himalayas at sunrise, performs Tapasya in the mountains and returns to the temple at sunset.

The birth anniversary of Parashuram is celebrated as Parashuram Jayanti. It falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksha or bright fortnight in the month of Vaishakh. It is an auspicious day and is observed by Hindus with great devotion. Devotees engage in charitable work on this day.

Awadhesh Sharma, web: hinduguru.com.au

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 25

Celebrating Vyasa Purnima gives religious merit equivalent to celebrating all the Purnimas in a year Brothers and sisters, Sadhaka, No bliss is greater than Self-Bliss. आत्मलाभात परम लाभं न विद्यते। No attainment is superior to that of Atman.

So, when you retire to bed at night, think: "What did I get today and what is bound to be left behind. What have I done for the eternal?"

The content of this article is taken from the teachings of H.H. Sant Shri Asharam ji Bapu. Pujya Bapu ji had addressed the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in September 1993, that was 100 years after Swami Vivekananda addressed the same parliament in September 1893. To save the youth who are being ruined due to the lustful festivals like valentine’s day, in 2007 Pujya Bapu ji-initiated celebrations of Matri-Pitri Pujan Diwas (Parents worship day) on 14th February. Pujya Bapu ji felt that, due to the blind imitation of Western culture there has been a steep rise in the incidences of alcoholism, suicide, and other immoral activities, especially among the youth during the last week of December. To rescue the youth from this debauchery and denigration, Pujya Bapu ji came up with the idea of worshipping a sacred Tulsi plant (holy basil). So, with a view to awaken the cultural pride of the India and to save the countrymen from mental slavery, in 2014, he initiated celebration of Tulsi poojan on 25th December.

"What purpose does it serve?"

How miserable was the state of Ravana? Hiranyakashyapu practiced such a terrible penance and so intelligent was he that he made Hiranyapur. His name was Hiranyakashyapu. 'Hiranya' means 'gold'. He constructed a city of gold. Finally, he got involved in it so deeply that he could not attain the bliss of inner Self, the omnipresent Narayana.

Lord Vishnu blessed him with a son named Prahlada. In the end, Hiranyakashyapu, tired of worldly riches, was defeated and Prahlada emerged victorious. History is replete with such examples. King

And then reflect at night, "I belong to the eternal, inseparable, because the individual soul is the eternal portion of the Supreme Self."

The body is made up of five elements. After death, it will merge into the five elements and remain here. But you are immortal. हरी सम जग कछु वास्तु नही .....

The world is nothing compared to God. The world doesn't hold any value or significance in comparison with the Existence and Consciousness of God. प्रेम पंथ सम पंथ .....There is no spiritual

“To the person who always has the Guru Mantra on his tongue, all acts become fruitful, otherwise not. By the attainment of a Guru, one attains everything. One without a Guru is a mere fool.”

“O Parvati! He alone who has received a Guru mantra in his life is accomplished in his undertakings; the rest of the poor guys do hard work uselessly.”

So Today is Guru Punam. It is also called Vyasa Purnima. In memory of this great man who has done a great service to humanity for its welfare, by editing the four Vedas. Today is the day to worship the Self-realized SatGurus. This is not the day to worship posing Gurus who get a little training in harmonium, and other fake Gurus. This is not the day to worship the Gurus who make others their disciples for money.

This is the day to worship only the Brahmajnani Gurus who have attained realization of SatGuru Tattva, Truth absolute.

Tattva, Truth absolute. Sant Kabir said: सद्रु गु मेरा सूरमा करे शब्द की चोट। मरे गोला प्रेम का हरे भरम की कोट।।

My Guruji spoke about the state of such Gurus: "He utters some mantra and says, 'You are my disciple, and I am your Guru. Pay dakshina (charge for giving mantra) to me. I don't care about your emancipation or death."

Such Gurus are at their level, but Self realized saints like Sant Kabirji, Nanakji, Vyasaji, and Bhagavan Lilashahji are rarely found. When mother Kali said to Ramakrishna Paramahansa, "Take initiation from Totapuri Guru." He replied: "Mother, I am having your Darshan". She replied: "You get my darshan (glimpse) but it is because of your intense feelings. As soon as the feelings change, I disappear. You recognise your inner self by the instructions from Guru Totapuri.

So, Guru Punam is the day to worship and adore such kinds of Gurus. And then pleasure and pain become a dream and Antaryamin Indweller God, becomes ours. Lord Shiva says: उमा कहूं मैं अनुभव अपना। सत हरी भजनु जगत सब सपना।। "Uma, I will tell you my own realization; the only thing real is worship of Lord Rama, and the whole world is a dream.”

What is the fruit of worshipping Hari? What is the sign of worship?

One gets the joy of Atman, one gets divine joy, and thereby one gets a chance to save himself from slavery to sense pleasures. This is the sign of worship.

This year Guru Purnima will be celebrated on 13th July 2022.

Talking about the religious merits of Guru Purnima, pujya Bapu ji says that everyone should contemplate and reflect on the significance of Guru Purnima festival.

Guru Purnima marks the incarnation day of Bhagavan Veda Vyasa ji. Veda Vyasa ji wrote the world's foremost and best text on philosophy entitled 'Brahma Sutra'. He started to write it on the full moon day in the month of Ashadh. This day also marks the conclusion of the writing of the great epic, Mahabharata. 'Vyasa Purnima' is celebrated in memory of the great man who performed unforgettable service to mankind in its deliverance. His memory is so pleasant, enlightening, and gracious that even Lord Krishna and Lord Rama heard and instructed respectfully, his books, scriptures and commentaries and considered them authentic.

Celebrating Vyasa Purnima gives religious merit equivalent to celebrating all the Purnimas in a year. It also bestows sublime understanding! Brother! Even if you make material progress to any extent, or even get a golden city like Lanka, but if you do not get repose in the Self by eradicating desires, what is the use? Adi Shankaracharya said,

worshipped. Just as quacks are a menace (to society), similarly Gurus seeking worship are a great menace.

Nriga was born as a chameleon in his next life. He was a very renowned king. King Aja became a python in his next life. Sant Kabir ji said: "What should we do and accumulate for this short life?

Everyone is departing this life leaving his body, house, wealth and kingdom.

When you must have to leave your body, house, wealth, and kingdom, do something which will ensure that you get eternal happiness.

Sisters and brothers! Eternal bliss is not far from you. Dear children! It is not rare dear sons!

It is not beyond your reach; it is your own Self-God; that is called 'Self-knowledge." आत्मज्ञानात परम ज्ञानं न विद्यते। No knowledge is higher than Self-knowledge. आत्मसुखात परम सुखम न विद्यते।

26 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

path as good as that of Love divine.

The path of love to attain God is unequalled.

Before sitting to attend Satsang, we remove our shoes outside.

When we see a dog wetting others' shoes, we do not bother. But the moment we see the dog near our shoes, we will immediately get up and shout "Hey!" This happens because the shoes belong to us.

We love the shoes because they are ours. So, brother! My beloved Self-God was yours, is yours and will remain yours. Believe Him as your own and get repose in Him. Know Him as your own and talk to Him. Know Him as your own and seek Him. He remains always with you. He verily knows your mind.

He verily knows your intellect. You cannot perpetuate your pain and pleasure. But you cannot separate yourself from that Beloved.

Lord Shiva says: गुरुमंत्रो मुखे यस्य तस्य सिद्धयन्ति नान्यथा। ... गुरुलाभात्सर्वलाभो गुरुहीनस्तु बालिशैः।।

Brother, it is not that you make worship or any ritual a business. This is not the day to worship those who wander to get worshipped; this is a day to worship Brahmavetta SatGuru.

"My SatGuru is valiant. He strikes with Word. He demolishes the fort of illusion with the ball of Love.

He removes the illusion - 'I am the body, the world is real, pleasure and pain are real by imparting Self-knowledge, saying: 'You are the witness of all these things. You are Atman. You are the indivisible eternal portion of God. ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूत:ै सनातनै:। "An eternal portion of Myself, having become a living soul in the world of life ... " (The Gita: 15.7) These kind of Gurus (who impart true knowledge which shakes the depth of the heart), who have attained realisation of Krishna Tattva, such Gurus who are knowers of Brahman, alone can bless the disciple with emancipation, the rest of the people become Gurus just to get

Narayana!

Narayana! Narayana!

Narayana!

To listen 24X7 live divine Satsang of Pujya Bapu Ji, please search “Mangalmay live” on google, visit http://www.ashram. org/live or search “THE SBM STUDIO” on you Tube. By the Divine Inspiration of Bapu ji, the weekly sessions of Bal Sanskar and yoga are held in Brisbane.

To know more about His Divine Holiness Bapu Ji, please watch this video. https://bit.ly/2uZvJuN To get a free copy of monthly spiritual magazine Rishi-Prasad in your mailbox in Australia or to get free online subscription of Rishi -Prasad, please contact by email at bskamd@gmail.com or

by WhatsApp/phone to Ashok Attri and Anu Attri at +61 426 834 434 & +61 405 277 802. Please read more about our Vedic culture in the next issue of The Brisbane Indian Times.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 27

Who, What, Where, When...

Prayers to begin University based multifaith chaplains meeting held at the multifaith centre of Griffith University.

“University Chaplains in a changing world” is the topic for discussion with Guest speaker Rev Dr. Russell Briese at the SEQUC meeting

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, with his budget speech at the lunch meeting

A sell-out Brisbane City budget briefing and lunch at Gambaro’s

Mrs. Archana Singh, honorary council for India in Queensland, Mrs. Usha Chandra, and Sandra Micallef, honorary for Malta, at SOP dinner

Mala and Bimal Singh at SOP Dinner at Brisbane City Hall

From left Pinky Singh OAM, Mrs Usha Chandra, James Martin MP, Seema Chauvan President GOPIO Gold Coast and Umesh Chandra OAM

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner at the inaugural Serving our people Galaxy Glamour fundraising dinner at Brisbane City Hall

Usha Chandra and Honey Binny with the beautiful Cambodian dancers at the refugee week dinner held at Beenleigh Events Centre 28 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

Garry Page, Etienne Roux, Umesh Chandra OAM, and Habib Jamal at Refugee Week community and faith leaders’ dinner

Who, What, Where, When...

Aunty Peggy Tidyman with her painting that was auctioned on the Qld Budget dinner night with Treasurer Camron Dick organized by Leanne Enoch MP, Peter Russo MP, and James Martin MP

A piece of art painting that was auctioned on the Qld Budget dinner night with Treasurer Camron Dick organized by Leanne Enoch MP, Peter Russo MP, and James Martin MP at Golden Lane restaurant Sunnybank

The Qld Budget dinner night with Treasurer Camron Dick was organized by Leanne Enoch MP, Peter Russo MP, and James Martin MP at Golden Lane restaurant Sunnybank and was a sell-out success.

Dignitaries ready for the Migrant Achievers night with host Susan and Jolly Dua

A family Fair – three generations together at Migrant achievers’ awards night held at W Hotel

Boys hang out at the EID Mela Carnival BBQ – Rocklea Showgrounds

Dignitaries line up at EID Mela Carnival 2022 at Rocklea show grounds.

The International Yoga Day in Brisbane: Art Of Living Foundation, Indian Council Of Australia, Qld, Inc. And Brisbane Maharashtra Mandal Inc Call: (07) 3192 5188

Honorary Chair for ECCQ Serge Voloschenko did the honors of drawing the winning raffle prize Qld Budget dinner.

Rath Yatra Utsav – about to begin at BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Temple Kingston, Sunday 3rd July

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 29

Perceiving all to be equal Pramukh Swami Maharaj saw God in all he met and showed this through his actions Observe the ocean superficially or from afar, and you will not be able to appreciate it fully. But take a deep dive to experience its wonders, and you’ll understand its true worth and greatness.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life was similarly deep, like an unfathomable ocean. Only those who dive deep into his life can realise his greatness and universality.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj perceived people of all classes, religions, countries and climes to be equal. He abundantly showered his compassion, love and respect upon all.

Once as Pramukh Swami Maharaj prepared to depart the BAPS Mandir in the village of Bochasan, India, the devotees rushed towards him for a last darshan. But Manibhai of Thasra, who was blind, remained seated where he was. Pramukh Swami Maharaj saw him, went up to him and placed his hand on his head.

Surprised, Manibhai asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s Pramukh Swami,” Swamiji replied.

On hearing His Holiness’ voice, Manibhai was deeply moved.

“Oh, Swami,” he exclaimed in a voice choked with emotions. He was so overwhelmed that he could utter no more words. Everyone around understood Manibhai’s heartfelt emotions and realised that Pramukh Swami Maharaj belongs to all.

Yes, everyone felt that Pramukh Swami Maharaj was theirs.

He never differentiated between people regarding their caste, colour, religion or wealth.

That is why Mamdibhai of Botad, who was fasting in the month of Ramadan,

requested for prasad from the hand of Pramukh Swami Maharaj to conclude his fast. Not having any prasad on him at the time, Pramukh Swami Maharaj promised to have some sent to him from the village of Paliyad, where he was headed. He kept his promise, and Mamdibhai was overcome with joy.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj respected everyone, and everyone in turn respected him. He was a ‘samdrashta’.

In 1974, Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited the home of Chandubhai Patel in London. Chandubhai’s neighbour, Mr. Stringer, walked in. While getting acquainted with him, Pramukh Swami Maharaj learnt that his sons had left him. Mr. Stringer was living a solitary and unhappy life.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj instructed Chandubhai to look after Mr. Stringer.

Then, at Mr. Stringer’s

request, Pramukh Swami Maharaj also sanctified his home next door. Ten years later, in 1984, when Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in London again, Mr. Stringer came to the mandir for his darshan. Pramukh Swami Maharaj recognised him instantly and blessed him. Mr. Stringer thanked Pramukh Swami Maharaj because Chandubhai, on his instruction, was still caring for him. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s care and compassion extended to people of all countries and cultures.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj cared as much for the poor as he did for the rich. He respected both the higher class as well as the lower class, poor and rich, and literate and illiterate.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj perceived the true form of all beings as the soul. The art of equality could be learnt from him. Pramukh Swami

Maharaj once introduced Hira Bharwad, a cowherd serving in Sarangpur mandir in Gujarat, to an affluent devotee, Harshadbhai Rana of Nairobi in Kenya.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj had equal respect, honour and love for both.

On another occasion, Pramukh Swami Maharaj said to an assembly of tribals in Pavi near Jetpur in Gujarat, “I see God in you all.” Pramukh Swami Maharaj rarely talked about his own virtues, methods or insights. But his words revealed his perception of equality towards all. He saw God in everyone. To accept a human as a human and to see a human in a human being is humanism. But to see God in a human is divinity. This is the highest perception and state of seeing others with equality.

In Mumbai, a youth once asked Pramukh Swami Maharaj, “How does

Bhagwan Swaminarayan talk to you?” Pramukh Swami Maharaj replied explicitly, “The same way you are talking to me.”

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was God-realised and that was the essence of his life and work, and the source of his infinite virtues. He harboured no differences or prejudices towards anyone.

He not only wished for the good of others, but did his best for them. “I have never ever thought of hurting anyone,” Pramukh Swami Maharaj said famously.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s perception and actions of equality towards all reflect his great, divine personality.

His love, care and respect for all will forever remain as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.

Following in the footsteps of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the present spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, continues the legacy of seeing the Supreme in all human beings.

Through his work own today, many people have been transformed to experience inner peace.

This article series aims to pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the BAPS movement in his birth centennial.

To learn more about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and work, please visit www. pramukhswami. org

Rath Yatra Utsav 2022 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple KINGSTON, July 3rd, the annual Rath Yatra (Chariot festival) at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple was held at 2:00 pm. James Martin MP and Umesh Chandra OAM joined Pujya Santos with opening prayers, breaking the coconuts, and leading the Rath Yatra. As usual, the event was organized orderly; the attention to detail by the organizers and the dedication of the volunteers, especially the youth, are commendable.

The Rath Yatra festival, popularly known as the procession of chariots, originated in the pilgrimage city of Jagannath Puri.

Every year on Ashadh Sud Bij, the deities of Jagannath Mandir, namely Shri Krishna, Balaramji, and Subhadra Devi, are placed in a colorful chariot. Devotees

lovingly pull the chariots in a procession through the streets. Hundreds of thousands of people gather to perform puja of the murtis by sprinkling rice and gulal powder.

The Rath Yatra festival is celebrated at BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs around the world. During this celebration, the small murti of Harikrishna Maharaj is seated in a chariot and is taken around the city or the mandir complex.

Devotees pray to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, asking Him to guide the chariots of their worldly lives across the ocean-like samsara.

Several stories explain the origins of this festival: Kansa, the maternal uncle of Shri Krishna, wanted to kill Shri Krishna and Balramji.

Kansa invited Shri Krishna and Balramji to Mathura

30 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

by sending Akrur to Gokul with a chariot. Shri Krishna and Balramji left the gopis in Gokul and climbed onto the chariot.

This day commemorating their departure is celebrated as Rath Yatra. – Shrimad Bhagavata Purana (10/39).

After Shri Krishna vanquished the evil Kansa, he gave darshan to devotees while sitting in a chariot with Balramji in Mathura.

When Shri Krishna was in Dwarka, on the west coast of Saurashtra, he took his sister, Subhadra, around the beautiful city in a chariot.

After Shri Krishna passed away, his bones floated to the shores of Jagannath Puri.

Here, he gave darshan to the local king, Indradyumna, instructing him to collect the bones, put them behind a wooden murti, and build a mandir.

Lalithakalalaya devoutly presents

Nava Vidha Bhakthi ( 9 Progressive realisation of the supreme ) Mukthi

Bhakthi

Bhakthi Pravaham A flow of unflinching devotion

On Saturday , 24th September 2022 @ St.John’s Anglican college - Forest lake

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 31

HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM Prepared by: Imam M.Aslam

All praise is due to Allah Ta'alla the cherisher and sustainer of the world and peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. We will discuss the fundamental rights of human life.

The first thing that we find in Islam in this connection is that it lays down some rights for man as a human being. In other words it means that every man whether he belongs to this country or that, whether he is a believer or nonbeliever, whether he lives in some forest or is found in some desert, whatever be the case, he has some basic human rights simply because he is a human being, which should be recognized by every Muslim. In fact it will be his duty to fulfil these obligations.

1. The Right to Life The first and the foremost basic right is the right to live and respect human life. The Holy Quran lays down: Whosoever kills a human being without any reason on earth, it is as though he had killed all mankind ... (5:32) As far as the question of taking life in retaliation for murder or the question of punishment for spreading corruption on this earth is concerned, it can be decided only by a proper and competent court of law. If there is any war with any nation or country, it can be decided only by a properly established government. In any case, no human being has any right by himself to take human life in retaliation or for causing mischief on this earth. Therefore it is incumbent on every human being that under no circumstances should he be guilty of taking a human life. If anyone has murdered a human being, it is as if he has slain the entire human race. These instructions have been repeated in the Holy Quran in another place saying: Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the due process of law ... (6:151) The Holy Prophet, may God's blessings be on him, has declared homicide as the greatest sin. The Tradition of the Prophet reads: "The greatest sins are to associate something with God and to kill human beings." In all these verses of the Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet the word 'soul' (nafs) has been used in general terms without any distinction or particularization which might have lent itself to the elucidation that the persons belonging to one's nation, the citizens of one's country, the people of a particular race or religion should not be killed. The injunction applies to all human beings and the destruction of human life in itself has been prohibited.

2. The Right to the Safety of Life Immediately after the verse of the Holy Quran which has been mentioned in connection with the right to life, God has said: "And whoever saves a life it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind" (5:32). There can be several forms of saving man from death. A man may be ill or wounded, irrespective of his nationality, race or colour.

If you know that he is in need of your help, then it is your duty that you should arrange for his treatment for disease or wound. If he is dying of starvation, then it is your duty to feed him so that he can ward off death. If he is drowning or his life is at stake, then it is your duty to save him.

3. Respect for the Chastity of Women The third important thing that we find in the Charter of Human Rights granted

by Islam is that a woman's chastity has to be respected and protected under all circumstances, whether she belongs to our own nation or to the other nation y, whether we find her in the wild forest or in a conquered city; whether she is our coreligionist or belongs to some other religion or has no religion at all. A Muslim cannot outrage her under any circumstances.

4. Individual's Right to Freedom Islam has clearly and categorically forbidden the primitive practice of capturing a free man, to make him a slave or to sell him into slavery. On this point the clear and unequivocal words of the Prophet (S) are as follows: "There are three categories of people against whom I shall myself be a plaintiff on the Day of Judgement.

Of these three, one is he who enslaves a free man, then sells him and eats this money" (al-Bukhari and

32 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

Ibn Majjah). The words of this Tradition of the Prophet are also general, they have not been qualified or made applicable to a particular nation, race, country or followers of a particular religion.

The Position of Slavery in Islam: Briefly I would like to tell you about the position and nature of slavery in Islam. Islam tried to solve the problem of the slaves that were in Arabia by encouraging the people in different ways to set their slaves free. The Muslims were ordered that in expiation of some of their sins they should set their slaves free. Freeing a slave by one's own free will was declared to be an act of great merit, so much so that it was said that every limb of the man who manumits a slave will be protected from hell-fire in lieu of the limb of the slave freed by him.

The result of this policy was that by the time the period of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs was reached, all the old slaves of Arabia were liberated. The Prophet alone liberated as many as 63 slaves. The number of slaves freed by 'Aishah was 67, 'Abbas liberated 70, 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar liberated one thousand, and 'Abd al-

Rahman purchased thirty thousand and set them free.

Similarly other Companions of the Prophet liberated a large number of slaves, the details of which are given in the Traditions and books of history of that period.

Thus the problem of the slaves of Arabia was solved in a short period of thirty or forty years 5. The Right to Justice This is a very important and valuable right which Islam has given to man as a human being. The Holy Quran has laid down: "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression" (5:2). "And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness" (5:8). Stressing this point the Quran again says: "You who believe stand steadfast before God as witness for (truth and) fairplay" (4:135).

This makes the point clear that Muslims have to be just not only with ordinary human beings but even with the people of other faith..

In other words, the justice to which Islam invites her followers is not limited only to the citizens of their own country, or the people of their own tribe, nation or race, or the Muslim community as a whole, but it is meant for

all the human beings of the world. Muslims therefore, cannot be unjust to anyone.

Their permanent habit and character should be such that no man should ever fear injustice at their hands, and they should treat every human being everywhere with justice and fairness.

6. Equality of Human Beings Islam not only recognizes absolute equality between men irrespective of any distinction of colour, race or nationality, but makes it an important and significant principle, a reality. The Almighty God has laid down in the Holy Quran: "O mankind, we have created you from a male and female." In other words all human beings are brothers to one another. They all are the descendants from one father (Adam) and one mother (Hawa). "And we set you up as nations and tribes so that you may be able to recognize each other" (49:13). This means that the division of human beings into nations, races, groups and tribes is for the sake of distinction, so that people of one race or tribe may meet and be acquainted with the people belonging to another race or tribe and cooperate with one another.

This division of the human

race is neither meant for one nation to take pride in its superiority over others nor is it meant for one nation to treat another with contempt or disgrace, or regard them as a mean and degraded race and usurp their rights. "Indeed, the noblest among you before God are the most heedful of you" (49:13). In other words the superiority of one man over another is only on the basis of God-consciousness, purity of character and high morals, and not on the basis of colour, race, language or nationality, and even this superiority based on piety and pure conduct does not justify that such people should play lord or assume airs of superiority over other human beings.

Assuming airs of superiority is in itself a reprehensible vice which no God-fearing and pious man can ever dream of perpetrating. Nor does the righteous have more privileged rights over others, because this runs counter to human equality, which has been laid down in the beginning of this verse as a general principle.

From the moral point of view, goodness and virtue is in all cases better than vice and evil.

This has been exemplified by the Prophet in one of his sayings thus: "No Arab has any superiority over a nonArab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay" (al-Bayhaqi and al-Bazzaz). In this manner Islam established equality for the entire human race and struck at the very root of all distinctions based on colour, race, language or nationality. According to Islam, God has given man this right of equality as a birthright. Therefore no man should be discriminated against on the ground of the colour of his skin, his place of birth, the race or the nation in which he was born. Islam is the religion of peace and Islam itself means peace. Islam always hates terrorism and things relating to hatred, enmity and disunity. The prophet of Islam has said that the best believer is the one who’s tongue and hands other people are safe. Living in peace and harmony is the fundamental right of every human being and we Muslims believe in that.

Certain individual’s wrong actions have nothing to do with Islam.

Islamic Society of Algester wishes Hajj Mubarak to all the Hujjaj.

May Allah keep them safe and being them back safely.

Next month is Muharram which is the beginning of the new Islamic calendar.

Happy Islamic new year.

May Allah keep us all safe.

Eid Mela Carnival 2022 was a resounding success ROCKLEA The Islamic Society of Queensland Inc, under their fundraising banner group called Mela Carnival Team, hosted their annual event, Eid Mela 2022, at the Rocklea Showgrounds on Saturday, June 4th.

Following the Friday night of some heavy rain, the Rocklea Showgrounds were a bit soaked but did not dampen the spirit of the carnival organizers and the vendors to open the festival.

Eid Mela is a celebration of Eid after the month of Ramadan and is organized annually by the fundraising team of IQS. The event is scheduled to celebrate the food festival by making available a variety of international cuisine and a vast array of traditional costumes for the public to purchase. A fun-filled day of exciting programs, activities, and competitions was staged to attract as many people as possible.

Once again, the Mayor of Brisbane, Cr. Adrian Schrinner, officially opened the Eid Mela carnival after the usual traditional welcome to the country

by Uncle Joe Kirk and his grandson, Bradley, who played the didgeridoo. The Organising Committee had well-represented support from the three levels of governing bodies of the area: - Cr. Angela Owen (of the Calamvale Ward) and

Cr.Steven Griffiths ( Moorooka Ward), Raj Raaz (Event Coordinator & IQS Secretary), Mahboob Ali (ICQ), Hon.Milton Dick MP (Oxley), Farzana Pasha (Chairperson, Eid Mela), Cr. Adrian Schrinner (Mayor of Brisbane), Saiyad Pasha (President, IQS), Suhana Shah (Eid Mela Comm. Member), Fazia Day (Harcourts Elite - Sponsor), Fina Aslam (Eid Mela Comm. Member), Mohammed Aslam (IQS Comm. Member) Mouzam (Harcourts Elite - Sponsor).

Cr. Steven Griffiths (the Moorooka Ward) from the Brisbane City Council. While there was a representative of the Federal Government in Member for Oxley, Hon. Milton Dick MP while at State level, Hon. Peter Russo MP, Member for Toohey, represented the Queensland Government Multicultural Affairs Minister, Hon. Leanne Linard MP at the opening ceremony.

It turned out to be a glorious day with lots of sunshine and excitement.

The event built up slowly as the many vendors set up their merchandise and food for the crowd. This year there were some new activities like pony rides and animal petting and a youth soccer exhibition match, both of which attracted a

lot of kids and teenagers as fun activities. The usual food competition and other multicultural dance and music performances continued on the stage throughout the day. The festival rides and jumping castles had their fan following among the kids and youths, while some adults also had fun on the rides.

The most anticipated attraction of the Eid Mela was the Jetpack shows which were a big hit with most of the crowd at the grounds, culminating with the jetpack show with fireworks at the finale. The Organisers wish to thank all their sponsors wholeheartedly, supporters, volunteers, vendors, and the public for each playing their roles in making this event

successful.

Their gratitude extends to the media partners Brisbane Indian Times, Australian Indian Radio, and Radio Brisvaani.

They jointly promoted their Mela, this time and for the previous two Melas. The organizers did manage to get a good mix of ethnicities among the general public attending the carnival. Still, there is more potential for other communities to participate in more significant numbers. Towards this end, the organizers will need to personally invite and get involved with other organizations’ leaders and attend other cultural events.

Events like the Eid Mela require a lot of planning, background work, and organization before the day

arrives – the Mela Carnival group has been planning and preparing for this festival for the best part of the last 4-6 months. Many obstacles and issues must be dealt with, and arrangements must meet their deadlines so the event can finally occur.

Overall, the Eid Mela of 2022 at the new venue of Rocklea Showgrounds was a success and managed to get the old fame of the Showgrounds back when

the crowd of almost 6000 passed through the gates.

It was amazing to note that the same venue was under meters of flood waters only a few months ago. Hopefully, the following year's event will be even better attended, more culturally diverse groups of communities will be in attendance, and the local Moorooka residents who had been flooding affected this year will be able to participate."

Kavita ji

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 33

Kairali Brisbane Fusion Festival 2022 was a huge success

Kairali Brisbane Inc., one of the most significant Malayalee community associations of Queensland, hosted a spectacular and successful multicultural celebration on 18th June 2022 at the Spanish centre community ground. A 10hour signature event and an essential contribution

by Kairali Brisbane Inc. to promote the spirit of multiculturalism.

The primary purpose of this Fusion fest is to bring together the different cultural forms under one roof to enjoy with family, friends, and community and to highlight the values of compassion, selflessness, harmony, tolerance, and respect values that resonate with the Indian and the broader Australian community.

The celebrations included a vibrant combination of the many forms of traditional and contemporary dance, music, fashion, and culinary delights that comprise the rich and diverse cultural tapestry of the different countries. Brisbane city council is one of the major sponsors for this event. The event started at 10.30 am with the lighting of lamps by the Kairali executive team members, which

flagged off the whole day event. As part of the fusion fest 2022, Kairali Brisbane got the privilege to host the Citizenship ceremony and holds the title of the first Malayalee association in Queensland to host the citizenship ceremony.

The line of dignitaries

was impressive and demonstrated the value they placed on the event; the citizenship ceremony included Senator Paul Scarr, Mr. Graham Perrett MP, Cr. Angelia Owen, Mr. Umesh Chandra OAM, and the official ceremony included Mr. Milton Dick

MP, Mr. James Martin MP, Mr. Palani Thevar, and other community leaders.

Without the support of the sponsors, an event of this magnitude is impossible. Kairali Brisbane acknowledged each of the sponsors by giving a token of appreciation to

the dignitaries. The crowd thoroughly entertained the day by mixing different cultural performances, live music, vocal singing, and the rocking DJ Virsa.

The ‘Skylighter fireworks displayed a phenomenal firework to conclude the evening festivities. Kairali

Brisbane also runs a fundraiser raffle stall on the day to raise funds for the “Home for Homeless” project.

Kairali Brisbane executive committee members and volunteers worked hard to present Fusion Fest 2022, and we would like to thank everyone for attending. We would like to place special thanks to all Master of ceremonies and performers who put in a lot of effort in staging their acts and an extraordinary mention to all our sponsors and stall holders. A special thanks to the videographer and photographers for capturing the beautiful photos of the whole event.

Kairali Brisbane Inc. Executive committee members: President: Mr. Tom Joseph, Vice President: Mrs Liji Jijo, Secretary: Mr. Simon Mulangan, Treasurer: Arun Kalluparampil, Public Relation Officer: Dr Preethi Suraj, Joint Secretary: Mrs Shainy Esthappanose, Executive Members: Mr. Shojan Varghese, Mr. Mobin K Thomas, Mr Leo Sunil, Mr. Saji Joseph, Mr. Jerin Karol, Miss Ashna Roby, Mr. Ashik Chacko, Miss Dania Sony and Mr. Ajith Markose.

Friends of Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM) annual Fundraising Dinner

At a recent Friends of Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM) annual Fundraising Dinner, Telugu and Gujarati Christian Fellowships sang

beautiful praise songs.

This annual event raised funds towards Tailoring Centres for women in the remote parts of India

34 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

and towards education of children in Andaman Islands and Orissa.

There were many friends IEM represented

from many states and nations including Pakistan, Fiji, Panjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, Kerala and many others.

If you would like to be part this annual event and would like to give a tax-deductible donation, please contact

IEM national director or Queensland director: Vincent Devasahayam at Email: devasahayam@ hotmail.com.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 35

Bhajan Sandhiya at Vishnu Maya Mandir

NORTH MCLEAN, July third, a bhajan Sandhiya was organized at Shree Vishnu Maya Mandir.

Bhajan Sandhiya began with bhajans by the local Mandir Mandli, and members including Sat Narain and Meena Prasad – Suresh assisted them on Dholak on the curtain riser segment.

Umesh Chandra OAM was the MC for the program.

The main event began with Bhajans by Dhiru Desai and Ravi Shanal Singh, accompanied by dholak by Suresh Chand.

Their segment was for an hour and was appreciated by all. The second segment had renowned Dr. Mansey

Kinarivala Gandhi and Dr. Shivani Kinarivala.

They were accompanied on Tabla by talented and accomplished Paramjeet Namdhari and on Harmonium by Joseph Nand, another gifted musician.

This mesmerizing segment went on for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Once

the mood was set audience appreciated and enjoyed the blissful bhajans. Dr. Shivani said they were glad to be back and performing at the Mandir after a long time and thanked Guru Ji and all organizers and coordinators.

Mithun and Bondita Chakraborty did the finishing segment; the couple was accompanied on the keyboard by Ishwar, Joseph Nand on the harmonium, and Tabla, Paramjeet Namdhari.

This segment was also appreciated and applauded by all. Bhajan Sandhiya concluded as planned at 8:00 pm. This was followed

by Vandhana, bhajan by Gurumata Ji, Aarthi, Shanti Path, and Bhog. The program finished with Maha Prasad (dinner) for all.

Arya Samaj Queensland

The Revelation

Jitendra Deo President ASQ

Animals differ from humans.

They predominatingly work with their instincts (which, of course, is another name for divine knowledge that they receive from their creator) and insignificantly by instruction.

Almost every member of the species instinctively works in accordance with its code of conduct. A calf does not acquire training in swimming. A honeybee does not get training in an engineering college to construct a beehive. Birds at the right time have been preparing their nests instinctively out of whatever material they get from their surroundings. They need not be trained in their art.

And that is why their art has always remained consistent.

It is true that animals, who live in free surroundings, have very often social organisations and they had social ethics of their own.

Their herd instinct has given them a code of conduct. They

also choose their leaders.

There is often a clash or conflict between leaders of opposite groups. Sometimes they fight to the finish and the group accepts the leader who wins in the fight. But their social behaviour is also almost instinctive, not acquired. And that is why we generally do not talk about morals or ethics, and consequent reward or punishment, in the animal kingdom.

Human comes to this world of activity in a physical body, more or less as helpless creature. They cannot even walk as animals do. They cannot swim as fish do and cannot soar high in the sky as birds can. They cannot build houses as white ants build

their moles or as bees build their hives. They cannot sing as the cuckoo does or prepare honey as the bees do. In all these matters, other creatures are in a more advantageous position than man.

To a certain extent, humans also work in accordance with their instincts. But they possess the intellect and own discrimination.

Though weak by instinct, humans are the most powerful creature in entire creation.

Even where they work with instincts, they are free to impose certain restrictions or restraints on all types of instinctive enthusiasm.

The more involved a man is, the better progress is achieved by the process of

instruction. His greatness lies in a suppression of the demands of instincts, whenever necessary for himself or for others to whom he is dedicated. Since humans enjoy intellect and freedom to will and act, they have to be instructed appropriately, and failing this they can be distracted to evil paths. Therefore, they need caution, schooling and tutoring. Humans very often need a code of Dos and Don'ts based on the experience of those who have gone ahead of them. Humans acquire knowledge by reading books and receiving oral instructions from others.

Knowledge is imparted through books, through preceptors and through the

experience of others.

At the beginning of creation, there was no system of teaching and learning, nor were there any books to read.

How could, then, humans acquire knowledge? Humans could not be dependent on empirical knowledge, and instinctive knowledge, they have to acquire knowledge.

Therefore, only way of receiving instruction is from the primeval source of all knowledge — the one who had created him, Please contact President: Jitendra Deo 3273 3029 or Secretary: Sunil Dutt 5613 3410 for information on activities of Arya Samaj Queensland or log on: www. aryasamajqueensland.org/ Facebook Arya Samaj Qld

Life is Hard Everybody wants to be happy in life. We all want to live a perfect life. We want that great job or a successful business. We want to be married to Mr Right or Mrs Perfect. We want to have great kids. We want to have friends that stick by us come rain or shine. We want to be able to have all the material things life has to offer and have all our problems just disappear.

Everybody wishes for a good life. It may be at different levels. One person may define a good life one way and another may describe it another way.

For one person a good life may be just having three meals a day and a roof over their head.

For another, it may be having a huge mansion and a couple of million dollars in the bank.

There are different levels and meanings to what a good life is. But whatever your definition of it, there is perhaps one thing that you may have in common with many other people. You might want that good life, stress-free. You would

like to have it without having to work so hard or struggle so much for it. That is a normal human expectation. Nobody likes to struggle through life.

Unfortunately, that is also what may be stopping you from having that great life. The thought of all that work, all that planning, overcoming hurdles and resistance is enough to make a lot of people give up before they even start. It can all seem too overwhelming, and for many, it all just doesn’t seem to be worth it. It’s like being drained of energy just at the thought of running a marathon.

Before you are even at the starting line the thought of all that running just scares you and tires you so much mentally you just decide not to go for it.

It’s just too hard.

One of my favourite books is titled “The Road Less Travelled”

by M. Scott Peck. The first sentence in the book is: “Life is difficult.”

Now, if you pick up a book and the first thing it tells you is “life is difficult” you may just

36 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

think “is this book going to get reassuring and encouraging after such a start?

But, as Peck goes on to explain, once you accept that life is hard, it no longer becomes an issue that it’s difficult.

He says: “Once we know that life is difficult- once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult.”

In life, you will have difficulties getting anything you want. It is very rare to get anything in life without some degree of effort. Only if you win the lottery will you have everything without effort, and even then, you would have had to go out and buy the lottery ticket anyway so it’s not free at all.

Life is hard – your boss will not always be the nicest person in the world. Your job will have challenges that you did not foresee. Your workmates will sometimes be a pain. You won’t always get the salary and recognition that you want and deserve at work. Your clients

may not be the nicest people in the world.

Life is hard – your kids won’t always be the ideal kids you want them to be. Your wife or husband may not be as perfect as you thought they were when you married them – in fact, I can guarantee you they are not. Your home may not be the ideal place you would want it to be. You may not be the perfect wife or husband that you once thought you were.

Life is hard – running a business is not as easy as you thought it would be. No one is lining up to bring money to your business, even though you are a nice person, and your business has great products to offer.

I could go on and on with these examples, but the bottom line is that “Life is hard.”

I don’t mean to say in all this that you don’t deserve a break.

I am not saying that you are not justified in thinking that you deserve more than what you have gotten from life and the world to this point.

I am not saying that you are

not justified in feeling the way that you feel. I know you have had it tough at times. I know that at times you feel that it’s all very confusing and just too hard. I mean you have worked very hard. You’ve done all that you possibly could in your life whether it is at work or at home.

But things just don’t seem to have worked out as well as you had planned or hoped. It all just seems to have gone wrong and you don’t know or understand how or why.

But that’s okay. It’s normal.

That’s what being human is all about. That’s what life is all about. Life is hard. Accept that.

Once you do, you will feel better about your circumstances. Then you won’t think of your situation as anything but what is common to every human being. Then you will think of your situation as a part of life. You will no longer beat yourself up about how bad things are or how you are not doing so well in one area or another. You will realise that

you are only human. You make mistakes just like everybody else. You are not perfect just like everybody else.

But don’t stop there.

Accepting that life is hard does not mean that you accept every circumstance and simply go with the flow.

Life teaches us many lessons along the way. Some are good experiences, and some are bad.

Good ones teach you positive aspects of life, how good life is and how good people are in your social circle.

It’s the motivation to do even better.

Bad experiences teach you who are your genuine friendsespecially that saying” friends in need are friends indeed”, tells you why you went wrong and gives you reason not to make that mistake again.

Finally, in my firm, I believe in the service to humanity. I am passionate about serving humanity thus various communities and organisations.

—Jitendra Deo

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 37

International Day of Yoga 2022 by DJJS Brisbane PALLARA, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS), with the support of the High Commission of India, Canberra, and Cr Angela Owen, raised curtains on International Day of Yoga for the year 2022 here in Brisbane, Australia.

This year this event was conducted at two different venues, Pallara park, and Calamvale district park, on the 18th and 19th of June 2022.

Since 2017, DJJS, along with the support of Honorary Indian Consulate Mrs. Archana Singh and Cr Angela Owen, has been conducting this event in Brisbane, Australia. DJJS is steadfast in its support of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi's initiative to take this gem of Indian Cultural Heritage, called Yog (Yoga), to the world. It is a day to acknowledge the depths and breadths of knowledge, study, research, and wisdom of our saints, and seer and educates the societies and cultures around the globe about its significance in our lives.

The torrid time humanity is going through in today’s scenarios makes it even more relevant to take this science, of our sages, to every home.

Yoga, popularly known as Yoga, is a holistic science for health and wellbeing that not only works on your body but transcends to the level of mind and soul while maintaining a complete equilibrium between all three. On this International Day of Yoga 2022, let us all pledge to make Yoga (Yoga) an inseparable part of our lives because this is the need of the hour.

ABOUT DJJS: Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS), established and run under the Mentorship of His Holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, is a registered socio-spiritual, not-forprofit organization.

To realize the vision – ‘From Self Awakening to Global Peace’ and to transform the torn and tormented humanity into a peaceful “global family.”

DJJS is steadfast in its support of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi's initiative to take this gem of Indian Cultural Heritage, called Yog (Yoga), to the world. It is a day to acknowledge the depths and breadths of knowledge, study, research, and wisdom of our saints, and seer and educates the societies and cultures around the globe about its significance in our lives.

IN AUSTRALIA: In Australia, DJJS has been actively working for the community for more than eight years.

It has been organizing and participating in various cultural, social, and spiritual events across different cities like Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide. To name some of the events - Told the significance of Holika

Dahan and Ram Navmi through an engaging play, carried out Kalash Yatra (Traditional Procession), and performed collective Yagya; we brought the festivity to King George Square for the first time and showcased the scientific aspects of ancient Indian Kitchen and the highly advanced and regarded Gurukuls of old India.

Free vegetarian lunch served at Loganlea community centre Brisbane QLD Australia LONGANLEA, Seva Dharma Mission organized a monthly free vegetarian lunch program on the 2nd Saturday of every month at Loganlea community centre at 11.00 am. We served rice, peas dal, Zukini, potato, cheek peas, curry, bread, fruit juice, and herbal tea. We also distributed some fruits and bread. Everyone enjoyed and appreciated the tasty meal. Some people showed interest in yoga and meditation classes.

Thanks to Dadas and Deepti family, who helped, and Lindel, manager of Loganlea community centre, who always helped to organize. Thanks a lot, Krishna Grocery Store and Raveena, for groceries contribution to the free lunch program.

If you want to volunteer or contribute, please call Dada on 0422823341.

Please contact the above number and register

anyone who wants to enjoy vegetarian lunch.

The following free lunch will be served on the 9th of July 2022, the 2nd Saturday of the month.

a monthly free vegetarian lunch program on the 2nd Saturday of every month at Loganlea community centre at 11.00 am. We served rice, peas dal, Zukini, potato, cheek peas, curry, bread, fruit juice, and herbal tea. We also distributed some fruits and bread. Everyone enjoyed and appreciated the tasty meal. Some people showed interest in yoga and meditation classes.

38 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 39

Queensland Sangeet Mela Association-2022 AGM and concert NUNDAH, Queensland Sangeet Mela Association was founded in early 2020 to foster the development of Indian classical music in Queensland. Our launch event was a magnificent concert with international artists in March 2020, just as the COVID era was dawning.

Since then, with lockdowns and restrictions, it has been hard to put on concerts; though there have been a few, there have been many cancellations.

Thus, with much hope for new beginnings, QSMA members gathered at Nundah Memorial Hall on Saturday, 18th June, for our 2022 AGM and concert. The concert was free for QSMA members.

The concert opened with a tabla solo by rising artist Guhanesh Ganesh, with harmonium accompaniment by Shainthra Birabaharan.

Both teenaged performers are senior students of leading local tabla player and QSMA founder Shen Flindell. Guhanesh is the recipient of this year's Ashu

Babu Memorial Tabla School Scholarship and is blessed with nimble fingers and an inclination to improvise.

He impressed the audience with a traditional Benares Gharana-style tabla solo,

opening with Bhumika, Uthan, Mukhra, Mohra, and Chakardar Tihai before presenting Bant, Rela, Gat, and Tukras.

The primary item was a sitar recital by Sri Saikat

Bhattacharya, formerly based in Brisbane but living in Melbourne for the last few years. Originally a disciple of Pt Manilal Nag, in the previous five years, Saikat has been training

under Ustad Shahid Parvez.

Saikat presented Raga Bhimpalassi - Alap, Jor, Jhala, and gats in Matta Taal (9 beats) and Teentaal, with tabla accompaniment by Sri Shen Flindell.

The concert opened with a tabla solo by rising artist Guhanesh Ganesh, with harmonium accompaniment

by Shainthra Birabaharan.

Both teenaged performers are senior students of leading local tabla player and QSMA founder Shen Flindell.

Guhanesh is the recipient of this year's Ashu Babu Memorial Tabla School Scholarship Now that concerts can be organized without too much fear of cancellation, and artists are visiting from overseas again, QSMA has some inspiring concerts in the pipeline: • Sat July 16: 15th Annual Ashu Babu Memorial Tabla School Concert • Fri August 12: Master of Rabab - Qais Essar (Afghanistan/USA) • November (date TBC): Smt Sahana Banerjee (sitar - Kolkata) Details of QSMA, including how to become a member, can be found on our website: www. sangeetmela.org.

“Where You Belong” Community Leaders Connect Forum Beenleigh “Where You Belong” Community Leaders Connect Forum Dinner to celebrate Refugee Week was held on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the Beenleigh Function Centre Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.

Through Community Leaders’ Connect Forums, Access has worked collaboratively with Logan City Council and Community Leaders for many years to identify challenges that refugee families face, work towards solutions, and celebrate the success

of these families from refugee backgrounds, thus, celebrating the Refugee Week in this Community Leaders’ Forum.

The event began with a traditional welcome to the country and first nation’s song and dance, followed by multicultural performers from the refugee countries. The night included keynote speeches and a panel discussion on healing and refugee experiences, focusing on their hopes and dreams.

The event was attended

by Logan City Councillors, faith, and community leaders, the free dinner was based on an Indian menu. A well-organized function highlighting the refugee experience and making them welcome.

40 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

Australian IndiaN Radio Interviews

June Interviews on Australian Indian Radio BRISBANE, Australian Indian Radio conducts a series of interviews of community interest, Air is approached by many agencies for the interviews conducted by Umesh Chandra OAM. Regular shows include weekly Real Estate Update, Monthly Migration Updates, Legal topic, topical community concerns etc. The interviews can be heard on our social media channels and on our online stream. This month Australian Indian Radio, apart from the regular shows had the following interviews.

• Brodie Moore, Veteran and nurse at Veteran Benefits Australia encouraging Veterans to connect with brothers in arms on PTSD Awareness Day • Guruji Saileshwara & Marina Chand ji regarding upcoming event - SAI BABA PALKI FESTIVAL Guru Purnima 2022 • Sanjiv & Ashish regarding - International Day of Yoga 2022 • Belinda Allen, Senior Economist discussing Aussies household spending

habits across the month of May and the predictions on what the economy will do next month

If you have any topic that you would like to discuss, Australian Indian Radio will be more than happy to

get you on the show, please contact our office for further information. Delhi based PIO TV has a long association

with Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio and they produce a daily India report exclusive

to Australian Indian Radio Facebook live, the program is live streamed on Facebook live and YouTube channel.

training of students during her time as a Paediatrician, contributing to many projects and programs, including: • actively involved in teaching medical students,

registrars, and residents • refugee health • pediatricic asthma research • asthma clinic support Aap Ki Sehat features on the Facebook live channel

of Australian Indian Radio on the first Saturday of every month and an audioonly version on Australian Indian Radio on the first Sunday of every month at 10:00 AM.

Dr. Upasana Kapoor was featured in the July Episode of Aap Ki Sehat on Australian Indian Radio

BRISBANE Dr. Upasana Kapoor was featured in the July episode of Aap ki Sehat, meaning Your HEALTH Program, initiated

by IMA, QLD, Australia.

This is the Public Health message Program from IMA Queensland, streamed by Australian Indian Radio.

Dr. Upasana Kapoor is an Australian-based health professional. Dr. Kapoor brings 15 years of experience in General Paediatrics, treating newborns to adolescents, to the Greenslopes’ Paeds in a Pod Call: (07) 3192 5188

practice. Having completed her medical training in India and Australia and additional training at Melbourne University in child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Kapoor offers comprehensive care for patients.

Her many years of training, work, and research has seen her develop a specialist focus in the following areas: • Child behavior and development • Asthma • Neonatology

• General and acute pediatrics By studying and working across two continents and numerous regional and remote areas of Australia, Dr. Kapoor adapts well to treating various conditions and dealing with patients from differing backgrounds.

Her focus is on providing optimum care and educating families about options as required during treatment.

She has been actively involved in many areas of research, development, and

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 41

AICTE plans audit to identify gaps in Udaipur Tailor access for students with disabilities Murder: 32 Senior AICTE is seeking to empanel an agency to carry out an accessibility audit of Cops Transferred identified educational institutions across India.

Amid Criticism

The All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to conduct an accessibility audit of affiliated institutes to identify gaps in facilities for students with disabilities and to set up at least one model institute for accessible education in each major state.

“The AICTE proposes to create one model institute imparting accessible education, in each major state which will be able to inspire others, so that over time all institutions start imparting accessible education,” the AICTE said in a letter seeking proposals for the audit on Tuesday.

It said AICTE is seeking to empanel an agency to carry out an accessibility

audit of identified educational institutions across India. The audit will cover the infrastructure and educational aspects of institutions. “The audit report shall become the basis for [the] development of a

proposal by the educational institute, for funding from the AICTE.” AICTE said it wants to encourage the enrolment of students with disabilities in technical education. “To make them as comfortable as other

students and empower them to complete their studies, certain special provisions are to be created or modified in the existing institutions for a supportive atmosphere.

These mechanisms should comprehensively cover physical accessibility of academic institutions, improvement of the teaching learning process, support systems once admitted and other linkages...”

The areas to be covered under the audit include administrative and circulation spaces, building infrastructure, classrooms, libraries, workshops, laboratories, cafeterias, hostels, sports facilities, digital content, printed content, etc.

'CMs are of 3 types…': Shashi Tharoor's veiled dig at Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde In a move that stunned political pundits, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that Eknath Shinde will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday sprang up a surprise by announcing rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde as the next chief minister of Maharashtra. In a curious turn of events, former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was widely believed to take up the CM's office, first announced that he would stay out of the Shinde-led government but was sworn in later as Shiv Sena leader's deputy.

The BJP, however, is expected to safeguard the party’s interests in the state and the government by ensuring that key portfolios

remain with it.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor quoted satirist Sharad Joshi in an apparent swipe at the newlyappointed chief minister.

“There are three types of chief ministers: the elected chief ministers, the planted chief ministers and the third are those who become (chief minister) in the battle of the first two!” he tweeted in

Hindi.

On Thursday, Congress accused the BJP government of capturing power "unethically" by use of money and muscle power, and destabilising democratically elected governments.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a statement that the focus of the Bharatiya Janata Party has been to capture power in the states

and bring down the elected governments rather than serve the people.

"We strongly condemn the way BJP is destabilising both democratically elected governments and democratically installed governments. This is not only an insult to democracy, but also an insult to the people who voted against the ideology of BJP," the Rajya Sabha member said.

"Through the naked display of money and muscle power, the BJP has undemocratically and unethically captured yet another state government.

Under the Modi-Shah duo, the BJP wants to capture power at any cost, either directly or through remote control. What happened in Maharashtra is shameful for Indian democracy," he added.

Udaipur police came under criticism for not providing security to Kanhaiya Lal after he complained of threats over a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma.

As many as 32 officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS), including the Inspector General and Police Superintendent Of Udaipur, have been transferred in the wake of the gruesome murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal. Udaipur police came under strong criticism for not providing security to the 48-year-old after he complained of threats over a social media post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, whose comment on Prophet Muhammad triggered massive outrage.

He was murdered on Tuesday by two men who filmed the killing. Later, Riaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad put out another video in which they bragged about the murder and also threatened to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two have been arrested, and five others have been detained.

The Union Home Ministry has handed over the investigation into the sensitive case to the country's top anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The killers had links with Pakistan-based group Dawate-Islami and one of them also went to Karachi in 2014, say investigators.

The tailor's murder was a planned act of terror and more people were involved, Rajasthan police chief ML Lather said.

"The main accused were in touch with organisation Dawat-e-Islami.

One of them also went to Karachi in Pakistan in 2014 to meet the organisation. We are considering it an act of terror," he said.

Mr Lather said an Assistant Sub-Inspector has been suspended for not taking proper action to prevent the incident.

The two accused were produced in court amid heavy security yesterday. The court sent them to judicial custody for 14 days.

Crowds raised slogans against the two on the Udaipur court premises.

Udaipur continues to be on alert as the curfew imposed in the wake of the horrifying crime continues.

Comments A religion procession by devotees of Lord Jagannath is scheduled to be taken out today and heavy force has been deployed to ensure peace.

"Set Country On Fire": Supreme Court Slams Ex BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma Nupur Sharma's offensive remarks during a TV debate earlier this month sparked massive protests in India and several Gulf countries summoned Indian diplomats to issue severe reprimands.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today blamed former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for igniting tension with her comments on Prophet Muhammad and said "she and her loose tongue have set the country on fire".

In unusually strong comments, the court said she must apologise to the country. "The way she has ignited emotions across the country. This lady is single-

handedly responsible for what is happening in the country," said the judges.

Nupur Sharma's offensive remarks during a TV debate earlier this month sparked massive protests in India and several Gulf countries summoned Indian diplomats to issue severe reprimands. On Tuesday, a tailor in Udaipur who had backed Nupur Sharma in a social media post was murdered on camera by two men who said they were "avenging an insult to Islam".

Questioned on the "deceptive name" on her petition, her lawyer said she had not used her name because of the threats. The

42 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

judges snapped: "She faces threats or she has become a security threat?"

The court also snubbed Nupur Sharma's argument on "equal treatment" and "no discrimination".

Her comments showed her "obstinate and arrogant character", said the Supreme Court.

"What if she is the spokesperson of a party?

She thinks she has back up

of power and can make any statement without respect to the law of the land?"

The judges added: "These remarks are very disturbing and smack of arrogance.

What is her business to make such remarks?

These remarks have led to unfortunate incidents in the country...These people are not religious. They do not have respect for other religions.

These remarks were made for cheap publicity or political agenda or some other nefarious activities."

Her lawyer replied she had only responded to a question by the anchor during a TV debate. When the lawyer

referred to the citizens right to speak, the judges replied caustically: "In a democracy, everyone has the right to speak. In a democracy, grass has right to grow and the donkey has the right to eat."

Nupur Sharma's argument citing a previous order about protecting journalistic freedom also did not wash.

"She cannot be put on the pedestal of a journalist.

When she goes and lambasts on a TV debate and makes irresponsible statements without thinking of the ramifications and consequences that it will have on the fabric of society," the Supreme Court said.

The Inaugural Migrant Achiever awards 2022

BRISBANE, Nationwide Migration, and Education presented the Migrant Achiever awards 2022 on Sunday 26th June at the prestigious W hotel. This is a new initiative by Nationwide Migration to recognize the contribution of talented and skilled students or migrants who support Australia's economy in numerous ways to celebrate all the international graduates and skilled migrants who have come a long way to achieve their Australian dream.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

Suman Dua, director of Nationwide Migration, said, “We believe their successes must be appreciated and celebrated, hence the big night! The journey of the migrants would have typically started with acquiring valuable qualifications in Australia.

They are then moving on to tirelessly upskilling to secure the job of their dreams or start a business of their passion.

These people are now making a difference to our

society by contributing their skills in their industry of work; or by creating opportunities for others in the community at the same time. The award nominations were open until 31st May 2022 and 88 nomination applications were from all over Australia.

Three prominent awards were presented.

Excellence Award in Professional Category- won

By Ankit Sharma, a data engineer.

Young Achiever Award –

won by Kashyap Trivedi, the small business owner Global Talent Independent Categoryjointly won by Neeraj Mall and Daniel Odion Iyinomen.

Gracing us tonight were migrants who are business owners, doctors, social workers, nurses, and from other diverse professions.

Senator Paull Scarr and Ms. Marney Richardson from the QLD State Government were present to show their incredible support to international graduates and

www.indiantimes.com.au

migrants. We would also like to give a big applause to our Judges, Cr. Sandy Landers, Mr. Umesh Chandra OAM, Immediate Past President of QMC, and Mr. Farouk Adam, President of the Muslim Business Council, for all their expertise, dedication, and hard work in selecting the winners tonight.

We sincerely thank Saurav, Minerva, and their team from Oceania College for their support tonight. Thank you to Rahul Fernandes and Adriano

Tagliari from Canterbury College.

We also appreciate the presence of Mrs. Usha Chandra from Globenet realty, Ms. Upma Kite from Ravishing Fashionista, Caroline Russo from Hush Hush Biz Media, and Karen Ossorio from Brand 4 Profit, Kate Kendall from Impact your life.

We would also like to thank our Exclusive Media partners, Brisbane Indian Times, and Australian Indian Radio”.

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 43

FOCUS ON FIJI High Court grants bail to Labasa lawyer Amrit Sen and others The High Court in Labasa has granted bail to Labasa lawyer Amrit Sen and two others – Shumedha Chand and Mustaqir Saif Khaiyum, with strict conditions.

The fourth accused Joji Bale was granted bail yesterday and is now on Taveuni.

In allowing bail, High Court judge Justice Aruna Aluthge put down strict conditions that included a curfew of 6pm to 6am for Mr Sen, and 8pm to 4am for the rest.

He also ordered that they report to the Police Station

every Saturday, to surrender all travelling documents, and provide a surety bond of

$5000 for Mr Sen and $1000 each for the rest.

Mr Sen has been charged

with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, one count of conspiracy, seven counts of acts intended to cause grievous harm, two counts of criminal intimidation, one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one count of damaging property.

Ms Chand has been charged with one count of act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while Mr Khaiyum and Mr Bale have been charged with conspiracy.

The case has been adjourned to August 2 (2022).

Supervisor of Elections says he wished new elections training for the media was compulsory but it is not A new Fijian Elections Office virtual training called “e-vuli” has been launched today for the media, however it is not compulsory to undertake this training in order to report on elections.

Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem says he wished it was made mandatory for the media who wish to cover the upcoming general election.

He says the training for the media in the lead up to the 2022 elections will be held virtually as opposed to face to face as not everyone has the time to attend the sessions.

When questioned by fijivillage whether the virtual training would also see no face to face session to thrash out issues between the media and the Fijian

Elections Office in order to provide better coverage, Saneem made it clear that the media handbook and training has covered everything they feel needs

to be covered for the media.

The Supervisor of Elections has encouraged members of the media to find time to go through the training and he is hopeful the training will provide information that will help build capacity around reporting in elections.

Meanwhile, Saneem says the e-vuli elections training will also be open to the international media, universities and high schools as well as members of the public who are interested in getting to know how the general elections are covered.

Bus drivers must show compassion and empathy towards all children who board their bus with or without a bus card - Raj The recent video which has gone viral, showing two young girls walking on a busy highway after being disallowed to board their school bus in Lautoka for not having their bus cards, is disturbing.

Those are the words of the Director of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj who says bus drivers must show compassion and empathy towards all school children who board their bus with or without a bus card.

The Commission acknowledges the Fiji Bus Operators Association for strongly condemning the inhumane conduct of the bus driver in question.

Raj is urging all key stakeholders – the schools, bus operators and the parents to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all children while in school and after school until they are in the safety of their homes.

He says one can expect

children to misplace their cards given that they are children.

The Director says some children may be disabled, on the autism spectrum or generally shy to explain why they don’t have a bus card so the onus is on the bus drivers to ensure these children reach their home safely.

He says drivers can direct their concerns with appropriate authorities

44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

so that we have a more effective system in place rather than punishing our children.

Raj says for a bus driver to refuse a child to board the bus especially when the child is not accompanied by his or her parents or guardians is inhumane and such an act must be denounced.

He says these children are particularly vulnerable.

The Director says they

could have been kidnapped or physically and sexually abused and simply dumped by the roadside.

Raj stresses that every child has the right to be safe from harm and it is incumbent on all stakeholders to work collaboratively on improving their existing system to ensure that no child is denied space on the bus while travelling to school and back home.

Minimum wage increases again today

The implementation of the second tranche of the National Minimum Wage and the Wages Regulations commences from today.

The new rate for the national minimum wage will be $3.34 per hour while the minimum rate for the 10 sectors is provided in the gazette notice.

In a statement, the Ministry of Employment is reminding all employers and workers of this minimum wage rate increase with the

first tranche that came into effect on 1 April, following the revised 2021-2022 national budget announcement.

It adds that the Employment Ministry’s Labour Standards and Compliance Team will continue to conduct inspections of the implementation of the second tranche wage increase in all workplaces in Fiji to ensure that all workers are remunerated with the right wage rate.

Real estate agent tells AG a 2% commission is not sustainable A real estate agent has told the Minister for Economy during the budget consultations that a 2% commission on the sale of a residential property is not sustainable for some businesses.

The agent says they used to charge 5% commission before and bringing it down to 2% is a 60% reduction in their income.

He says despite this their expenses have not decreased.

While responding, Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they are thinking long term and they will look into it if the Association makes a submission.

However Sayed-Khaiyum also says real estate agents have fractures between themselves and that is a pity because they do not have a strong association.

We are still waiting for a response from the Ministry regarding food poverty issue – FCOSS

We are still waiting for a response from the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in regards to the food poverty issue where some children are scavenging for scrap metal in dump sites while others are selling food near supermarkets to put food on the table for their families.

This is according to Fiji Council of Social Services Executive Director Vani Catanasiga who says they even invited the Ministry

for a talanoa session with development partners last Saturday however no one turned up.

When questioned what FCOSS and other NGOs are doing to address the issue of food poverty, Catanasiga says many civil society organisations are already carrying out work in this area like Save the Children Fiji, Empower Pacific and other community and faith based organisations.

However, she says a lot of these work are reactionary and what they want is the problem to be addressed at the roots which will require multi sectoral approach and this can only come from the Ministry responsible for social welfare.

We sent questions to the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar last Wednesday on the food poverty issue. She has not responded. We have been told by the Ministry that it is preparing a response.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 45

Mahhi Vij approaches Mumbai Police after her cook threatens to kill her family

Television actress Mahhi Vij, who is married to coactor-host Jay Bhanushali, recently took to Twitter to share that she and her family were harassed by her cook.

She even revealed in those deleted tweets that she has approached the Mumbai Police to request them for help after her cook hurled abuses and threated to stab her with a knife. In a report with ETimes, the actress spoke about the issue that left her and her family baffled.

In her ETimes interview, she revealed that the temporary cook, they had hired through a friend’s reference, was caught stealing some items by their nanny. She went on to add, “It had just been three days and we were alerted that he’s stealing. I had waited to inform Jay. When Jay came, he wanted to settle the bill but the cook demanded to be paid for the entire month. When Jay tried to reason out, he

said ‘200 biharis laake khada kar dunga’. He got drunk and started hurling abuses at us.

We went to the cops. I don’t care if anything happens to me, but I was scared for my daughter.”

She also added that she is extremely afraid that if he comes out in bail, he will try to harm her and her daughter.

“If something happens to me, people will protest later.

What’s the point then? I am scared for my family’s safety. I heard he will be out on bail. What if he actually gets men after coming out of the jail and targets us?” she maintained.

Mahhi Vij also maintained that when they hired the cook, despite asking for more salary, he eventually agreed to the payment as per their budget. He also asserted them that he had a family and kids. She expressed in disappointment that she never knew he would turn out to be like this.

Ek Villain Returns Trailer Launch: Here’s how John Abraham responded when his chemistry with Disha Patani was compared to his and Bipasha Basu The trailer of Ek Villain Returns was launched with much fanfare today amidst the entire cast ensemble which included John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Disha Patani, and Tara Sutaria. As for the film, this glimpse into the world of villains showcased layered characters and power-packed action. Amidst that, it also gave us a sneakpeek into the chemistry of John – Disha and Arjun – Tara. During the trailer launch, one of the questions posed to John Abraham was the comparison between his chemistry with ex-girlfriend Bipasha Basu versus his chemistry with Disha Patani.

A press conference was held after the trailer of Ek Villain Returns was unveiled, in which, John Abraham was asked about his chemistry with Disha Patani. When it was compared to his chemistry with Bipasha Basu with reference to their films like Jism, he said, “I think there are certain actors, with whom I have worked with in the past, my chemistry with them was lovely. I think with Disha it was absolutely fantastic. And you will see

Ek Villain Returns Trailer Launch: Mohit Suri confirms Tara Sutaria sings for the film We recently witnessed the dark and action packed trailer of Ek Villain Returns which features shaded characters and some interesting stunt sequences.

While the trailer showcases a glimpse of chemistry between John Abraham and Disha Patani as well as Arjun Kapoor and Tara Sutaria, the film also showcases a bit about the characters they are playing. So it is quite visible that Tara plays the role of a rockstar.

Interestingly, director Mohit Suri also confirmed that the actress will be singing in the film.

While speaking about the character she will play in Ek Villain Returns, Tara Sutaria described that she

will be seen as a ‘rockstar’ and not just a ‘singer’. When she was asked what prep she underwent for the film, she added, “I did have some music prep but I won’t speak much about that because woh aapko baad mein pata

R Madhavan doesn’t want to be Manu in Tanu Weds Manu anymore; says, ‘No point beating a dead horse’ R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut wooed audiences with a romance-comedy franchise Tanu Weds Manu.

The two films that released with the onscreen couple managed to garner immense audience appreciation both times. However, we haven’t seen the return of the third part despite the way people appreciated the chemistry between the pair. When asked the hero, Madhavan, who is the in the midst of promoting Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, revealed that he wouldn’t want to return as Manu.

In report by Hindustan Times, Madhavan was quoted in an interview with the popular YouTuber Jaby Koay, wherein he spoke about the third part of Tanu

Weds Manu. “I think that’s water under the bridge.

There is no point in beating a dead horse. You know, it’s so difficult to come up with original stuff, and then there are expectations of a film. See, if it’s a sequel to Avengers or a superhero

Aryan Khan moves court to release his passport it in the film.” He went on to add, “Kyunki bahut kam logon ke saath aisa hota hai ki (There are very few people with whom) when you see them onscreen, you look at them and you say, ‘it’s really working. With Disha, we felt that. It was really nice and special.”

Ek Villain Returns will also feature Arjun Kapoor and Tara Sutaria as an onscreen couple for the first time. Directed by Mohit Suri, even though it is a sequel to the Riteish Deshmukh, Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor starrer, the plotline and characters are different from its prequel. Produced

by Ekta Kapoor and Bhushan Kumar, the action thriller will hit the big screens on July 29.

46 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2022

chalega (because you will know it later).” On the other hand, director Mohit Suri confirmed that she has sung songs for the film as well.

He said, “Tara is actually singing for the film also. She is a great singer. I was like

wow this is double whammy.”

Interestingly, Tara began her career in the entertainment industry as a singer with Disney India's Big Bada Boom. Speaking about Ek Villain Returns, the film, directed by Mohit Suri, is produced by Ekta Kapoor and Bhushan Kumar. The film is a sequel to the 2014 thriller Ek Villain that featured Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh in the lead.

While the name is associated to its prequel along with the smiley mask, this second part is a stand-alone movie featuring John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Tara Sutaria, and Disha Patani in grey roles. It is slated to release on July 29.

A while back Aryan Khan made headlines after he was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on charges of being involved in a drug case. However, the star kid was later given a clean chit by the court in connection with the case. Now, Aryan moved court on Thursday, requesting the return of his passport which had been seized during the proceedings of the case.

For the uninitiated, Aryan Khan was accused of being involved in a drug trafficking case after the NCB conducted a raid on a cruise which included some high profile names on the guest list. Post his arrest and imprisonment, his passport was seized as per the bail conditions, under which he was released after 20 days of incarceration. However, in a charge sheet filed in May, the name of the star kid was

not included. Later, Aryan and five other accused were given a clean chit by the NCB due to insufficient evidence.

As per PTI reports, following his acquittal, Aryan Khan filed an application on Thursday with the help of his lawyers from the Desai Desai Carrimjee and Mulla firm, requesting the return his passport. Responding to Khan's request, the court has ordered NCB to file a reply before the next hearing which is expected to be held on July 13.

series, it’s easier because you have a template. But with Tanu Weds Manu, it’s impossible. And I think I am done with it. I don’t want to go back to being Manu now,” he was quoted saying.

For the uninitiated, Tanu Weds Manu that released in

Release Date 01 Jul 2022 01 Jul 2022 01 Jul 2022 07 Jul 2022 08 Jul 2022 08 Jul 2022 15 Jul 2022 15 Jul 2022 15 Jul 2022 22 Jul 2022 22 Jul 2022 28 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2022 05 Aug 2022 11 Aug 2022 11 Aug 2022

2011, showcases the story of the two titular characters, how they meet and how complex their love story gets, eventually leading to marriage. Tanu Weds Manu Returns in 2015 spoke about their post marriage life which deals with their internal issues and the entry of yet another character named Datto who adds twist to the plot. While the 2011 release had garnered a positive response from the audience, the 2015 film managed to break records.

Speaking about Madhavan's forthcoming film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, it marks the directorial debut of R Madhavan and is based on the life of the ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan. It is slated to release on July 1.

Movie Name Audience Score Rocketry - The Nambi Effect 70 Rashtra Kavach OM 80 Minions: The Rise of Gru (English) 50 Thor: Love And Thunder (English) 34 Khuda Haafiz: Chapter ll Agni Pariksha 76 Titu Ambani 67 Shabaash Mithu 70 Hit - The First Case 80 Judaa Hoke Bhi...

84 Shamshera 72 RK/RKAY 0 Vikrant Rona 75 Ek Villain Returns 74 Good Luck Jerry 67 Match Of Life 88 Laal Singh Chaddha 72 Raksha Bandhan 65

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2022 — 47

World Hepatitis Day - Hepatitis Can’t Wait!

Hepatitis is a significant public health issue in the world including in our multicultural populations in Australia. Do you know?

• Unmanaged and untreated hepatitis B or C can lead to liver cancer • Every 30 seconds a person dies from a hepatitis-related illness worldwide1 • 354 million people are living with a hepatitis B or C infection globally2 • 90% of people with viral hepatitis in the world do not know they have it2 • Over 230,000 people in Australia are living with chronic hepatitis B, and the majority of them were born overseas • Hepatitis B and C can be well managed if diagnosed early • Hepatitis B can be treated • Hepatitis C can be cured • Over 80% of people with chronic hepatitis B in Queensland do not access regular care as required3.

a year, please see your doctor now to get your liver checked. You should get checked every six months for life.

• If you are taking medication for hepatitis B, you cannot stop except if your doctor advises you.

• If you have chronic hepatitis C, you should see your doctor and get treated. You can ask your doctor to check if you have been cured (no hepatitis C anymore) 12 weeks after you have finished treatment.

worldhepatitisday.org 2. www.who.org 3.

Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: National Report 2020 If you need any further information and support, please contact us: Website: www.eccq.com. au/bbv Phone: 07-3844 9166 If you live in Cairns, you can also contact: Rhondda Lewis Viral Hepatitis Health Coordinator Phone: 07-4226 4761 Email: Rhondda.Lewis@ health.qld.gov.au

References: 1. www.

This will increase the risk of developing liver cancer.

What to know more about hepatitis? You can • Attend our World Hepatitis Day Multicultural Community Forum on 30 July at Toowoomba City Library from 10:30 am.

Contact health@eccq.com. au to register for yourself

and perhaps bring family or friends along • Access our resources at www.eccq.com.au/bbv (make changes for your language) • Attend our free community education workshops – contact us at health@eccq.com.au or phone 38449166

What should I do?

• If you were born overseas and you don’t know you have hepatitis B or C, you should see your GP to get a test as soon as you can • If you have chronic hepatitis B but haven’t seen your doctor for more than

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

How to manage Sensitive

Nimisha Modi

Hetvi Hair & Beauty 0412350013

Hey Girls, let's us talk about skin care today.

1. Watch what you’re buying: Sensitive skin unfortunately does not react well with all types of ingredients that are present in the products. It is very important to know the ingredients present in the product you’re buying to avoid any skin irritation which can occur after using. Many beauty parlours do skin tests just to find out the right product that shall suit your skin type.

2. Skin test for sensitive skin: Like I mentioned above, it is very important to have a skin test done before using a new product on your face or trying a new brand of cosmetic altogether. Just put a small amount of product on your skin (preferably small patch), not the face, for 48 hours to see any skin reaction.

3. Moisturize your skin: Having a healthy skin care regime is very important for all skin types, especially the sensitive skin types that requires water to be locked in to prevent it from drying.

Use a moisturizer that suits your skin, preferably organic.

Many cosmetic companies have come out with special moisturizing creams specially made for sensitive skin. Try one of them to get good results.

4. Check what you eat: This is something that you’d ready in every post talking about clear and radiant skin. It is very important to check your diet. Healthy eating habits flush out toxins and give you glowing skin. Drink lots of water and fresh juices to keep your skin hydrated.

This is the most important of beauty tips for sensitive skin. Some foods may react adversely on your skin and increase the sensitivity.

Analyze and avoid them.

5. Keep away from the sun: Too much heat damages skin cells and can often cause

48 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

skin rashes and diseases.

Harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun should be avoided by wearing sunglasses, using sunscreen lotions with high 50+SPF and you can cover your head with hat or cotton scarf. Also don’t step in the sun as much as possible.

6. Wash your face: Whenever you get a chance, always wash your face. It not only hydrates your skin but also helps to cleans out impurities that might be clogging your pores. Always pat your skin to dry. Avoid rubbing.

7. Take care of your eyes: Skin around the eyes is very sensitive compared to the rest of the face.

Therefore, it becomes even more important that you use Castor Oil every night before going to sleep.

8. External factors for sensitive skin: It’s not just what you’re eating, some external factors such as dust, pollen, smoking, stress, lack of sleep or excessive pollution can cause sensitive skin to flare up with rashes and may

also cause even bigger skin problems.

9. Use facial cleansing wipes: Instead of using harsh towels, try using facial wipes that just requires to be patted on your skin than rubbing it.

10. Overall care for sensitive skin: Not just your face, your entire body needs love and care. Use shower gels and moisturizers that label for sensitive skin.

11. Choose Cosmetics Carefully: Always choose cosmetic products which are “Fragrance free” because most of the cosmetics with

fragrance may react on your sensitive skin to create problems.

12. Use Products Carefully: Never test on new products, especially before a party. They may worsen your skin condition and spoil the whole looks. Always go for products that you have experienced before.

13. Use Mild Cleansing Agents: Avoid using soaps and face washes that contain harsh chemicals and preservatives as they may dry and damage your sensitive skin. Go for mild cleaners instead.

14. Effective Toner: Don’t use alcohol toners

on your skin. Dab fresh rose water over your skin using a clean cotton pad.

15. Yogurt + Oatmeal: Yogurt and oatmeal can be blended together to make a homemade face mask for sensitive skin types. They gently remove the dead cells and tan without stripping off moisture. Regular usage gives you a flawless skin.

16. Drink More Water: Last but not least, drink plenty of water. Haven’t you heard that water makes skin glowing and beautiful?

Follow the mentioned tips and naturally fight against skin sensitivity! Enjoy, I will see you next month. Nimisha

“Molecular Advances in Insect Resistance of Field Crops-Modern and Applied Approaches,” An awesome book and an uncommon blend of pure and applied science

by Dr. Amarjit S Tanda – Professor (Dr.) Gurdev S. Khush In the 1960s there were largescale concerns about the world's ability to feed itself.

The widespread adoption of "green revolution" technology resulted in major growth in food-grain yield.

Between 1966 and 1990, the population of the densely populated low-income countries grew by 80%, but food production more than doubled. The advancement in biotechnology that led to the dramatic achievements in world food production over the last 30 years was the development of bioengineered, high-yielding cultivars of wheat and rice crops. These cultivars have multiple resistance to insects, diseases, and crop production sustainability.

Recent progress in functional genomics research and the genetic improvements of insect resistance in field crops is quite promising, especially in cereals. The present tome “Molecular Advances in Insect Resistance of Field Crops-Modern and Applied Approaches,” is of the latter kind. On this modern subject, Dr.Tanda has attempted to highlight the theme that plants have advanced in a bewildering cluster of morphological and biochemical hindrances for security against insects and different herbivores.

The investigation of these interrelationships, as illustrated in this chapter, is of incredible importance for future crop development.

RNA interference (RNAi) could be used selectively to kill an insect pest species without adversely affecting non-target species by targeting the genes essential for the pest insect’s growth, development, or reproduction.

The mechanism of RNAi and steps involved in fruit host plant-induced RNAi for insect-pest control followed by the present status of RNAi-based insect-pest control in fruit crops in which specific vital genes have been silenced and have been used in improving food security and livelihoods.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

Understanding mechanisms of plant resistance to insects, and the development of insect-resistant cultivars requires the identification and deployment of molecular markers associated with insect resistance.

The information on the potential and limitations of molecular markers to identify genes of interest and QTLs for markerassisted development of crop cultivars with insect resistance will be beneficial for sustainable crop production.

It is widely understood that the advancement of insectresistant and safe cultivars of plants and progress in integrated pest management need a mind-boggling comprehension of insect host-plant relationships.

Best-in-class strategies like freak investigation, metabolomics, RNAi, and proteomics created have been useful in giving an improved understanding of these interrelationships. The chapter targets the strategies for RNA interference against different insect pests of fruit plants for enhanced fruit production.

In response to damage by the insects, the plants respond to herbivores rapidly by producing a variety of plant secondary traits to minimize the damage and colonization by the herbivores. The importance of constitutive and induced resistance for pest management and sustainable crop production has been described in detail. It is vital to use the molecular markers in crop breeding and their potential and limitations in insect resistance research.

In order to overcome chemical defenses, many insects have developed a number of counter adaptations that functions either before or after the consumption of food. In the next chapter, an attempt has been made to describe glucosinolatemyrosinase based defenses and their role in specialist and generalist insect herbivores interactions.

In current understanding of the plant defense mechanism and genetic resources, specieswise availability of genetic sources of aphid resistance in wheat and related species

is summarized including a review of aphid resistance gene identified in wheat and its progenitors in wheat research. In breeding grain crops, molecular technology and genetic engineering paved way for adopting an extensive range of new approaches for improving the efficiency of selection strategies. This chapter highlights available molecular tools like QTL, marker-assisted selection, and genetic engineering including transgenics, genes, and proteins in insect resistance of cereal crops.

The exploitation of plant R genes, lectin coding genes, ribosome-inactivating proteins, plant secondary metabolites, RNAi can be of great importance in imparting resistance against turnip aphid.

However, there are acceptance and biosafety issues related to the use of transgenics. Thus, there is a need to have a better understanding of the plant-aphid Antixenosis and antibiosis mechanisms to develop an aphid-resistant cultivar that is reliable, safe, and acceptable.

Various techniques like genetic engineering, wide hybridization, markerassisted selection, gene pyramiding, RNAi, CRISPRCas system, proteomics, and metabolomics have been discussed for creating novel resistance against insect pest and for the development of insect natural enemies conferring beneficial traits in biotechnological interventions for creating novel resistance against major insect pests of rice chapter. The integration of genomics and proteomics with metabolomics will enrich understanding of the gene-function relationship that can be utilized in achieving crop improvement.

The proficiency of these tools and techniques could be a promising field of research for developing improved crops and providing sustainable biological elements for integrated pest management (IPM).

With changing climatic conditions, developing resistant cultivars while taking care of changing populations of plant hoppers and biotype development, is a major challenge. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing, highthroughput genotyping, and genome editing technologies hold a great potential to tackle this challenge.

Genome editing approaches such as CRISPR/Cas9 should be used to identify novel alleles for resistance and develop cultivars resistant to hoppers for sustainable rice production. Most the genetically engineered (GE)

cultivars is the main focus of today’s biotechnological industries for sustainable agriculture. GE developed cultivars play an important role in ensuring the efficient management of insect pests utilizing an integrated approach important for food security, agricultural sustainability, and environmental protection.

These crops that provide protection against insects and diseases, are important tools that complement an integrated pest management technology (IPMT) strategy. Genetically engineered cultivars which are developed by gene editing biotechnology, may provide a preventive defence against the insect pests and plant diseases,

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a suitable alternative crop system for blending in IPMT program, in the future agro industry. In the gene editing, CRISPR (Clustered consistently interspaced short palindromic rehashes) and the Cas9 (CRISPR-related quality) are a multifaceted tool in modern crop improvement programs. The concept of CRISPR-CAS9 system and its application on the insect genome has been utilized in plants and animals, including arthropods which are important in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and public health.

The omics technologies aid in identifying novel chemical compounds with the potential to be resistant to insect pests. A multi-

omic approach is required to understand everything from genes to ecology. In, multi-omic approaches in insect pest interactions against resistance, current omics technologies, tools, and methods of multiomics, as well as approaches undertaken by researchers to comprehend host plant resistance, its governing factors, and their use in insect pest management technology have been utilized.

Legumes are multipurpose crops and the majority of the world population relies on legumes as their stable energy source to mitigate malnutrition.

In the last chapter present trends and future advances in molecular aspects of insect resistance in legume crops have been well described.

This is, indeed, an awesome book and an uncommon blend of pure and applied science presented in the broader human social context. I would like to congratulate Dr. Amarjit Tanda, the editor of this book for bringing out a valuable collection of chapters concerning the most important aspects of molecular advances in insect resistance research.

This book will serve as a vital reference tool of benefit to scientists, students, policymakers, and other researchers in academia and the agro industry.

Gurdev S. Khush FRS Member US National Academy of Sciences Adjunct Professor Emeritus University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA Former Head, Plant Breeding Genetics and Biotechnology, IRRI Los Baños, Philippines

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 49

JULY - 2022

Aries ( 21st March to 20th April )

Taurus ( 21st April to 21st May )

Gemini ( 22nd May to 21st June )

Jupiter and Mars will be with you in your business dealings and working atmosphere this month. You would get good results in business and new venture from a foreign land. This month would be hectic at work. It would help if you had a pre-planned strategy for anything relevant to the office or sector. This month's service or independent specialist may have a hectic schedule, so make a plan based on priority. This preparation can also shield you from hassle and stress. Because of your hard work and persistence, you have a good chance of being promoted. There may be several marriage proposals from family and friends. You should be able to start a relationship as the stars are on your side. You have a good chance of succeeding in your love marriage. You would enjoy your family's company and a small party with family members. Some interior design changes could necessitate financial investment on your part. People over the age of 65 must take care of their well-being. Some of you can gain weight, so you should avoid fatty and rich foods. Make an effort to exercise daily. Mars transit can trigger problem-related aggression and pimples, which must be avoided. Those who participate in sports would be given enough opportunities to compete and sound advice from your coach. To maintain good health, you should exercise daily this month. Mercury and Venus are transiting, indicating that you are about to make a significant investment in land or property, so you must be cautious before making a final payment, be clear on all legal terms, and have a clear discussion with the opposing party.

When it comes to your interests and dislikes, there are many points of view. This month's preferences and aversions are unlikely to make you feel at ease, but you would be happy and willing to take some risks.

Tell your panicked inner self not to be frightened by the problems that surround you. The issues are complicated by various factors for which others, not you, are to blame! Many of these issues are minor and would be resolved quickly. Make plans for recreational activities to help you unwind from your stresses! Perhaps a weekend trip to a nearby destination would alleviate the stress that has reached an all-time high. Again, if you like adventure sports, this is the month for you. The third and fourth weeks are likely to compel you to engage in such an endeavour, and you would feel proud and satisfied with your decision.

Furthermore, some of you may be interested in taking a foreign trip; if so, this is the month for you. You need to be concentrated on your job while still placing a high value on your money so that it does not flow outward. This is the month for students who have been collaborating with their peers to boost their academic performance. You would like to find the right combination of activities that must allow you to study thoroughly to boost your grades. As a result, everybody would have mixed feelings about the month.

This month is shaping up to be a strong one. You need to pay attention to your friendship with your life partner. Don't become reliant on luck because Saturn may cause delays in receiving assistance. This month, your family life will be exemplary, and you would be happy because of the functions and celebrations.

There may be a get-together with friends. When it comes to love and marriage, you can proceed with caution. Venus and Rahu This month's transit can trigger an emotional breakdown in a relationship, leading to depression. There could be a communication chasm between you and your partner. Try to be humble and work out any problems you have with your partner. If you were involved in a legal matter concerning your marital life, this month could provide some relief, but there is a risk of a breakup. Savings may be anticipated, along with some expenditure. Try to have a spending plan in place ahead of time; this would ensure your protection. A change in location or work may bring about changes, but it would also bring you the desired financial benefit. If you work in the medical or language fields, this month may provide you with the expected financial service and an excellent opportunity to accumulate wealth. Anger can be a source of health problems. Maintaining a balanced diet and eating juicy fruits would help improve your immunity. Avoid using electronic devices excessively as this can cause health problems with your eyes. Get a nutritious lunch and stay hydrated to improve your health.

Cancer ( 22nd June to 22nd July )

Leo ( 23rd July to 22nd August )

Virgo ( 23rd August to 22nd September )

According to the monthly horoscope, you would devote your efforts to the well-being of your children and family members. This month, you may need to pay more attention to your health because it is likely to be the cause of concern. Enemies may plot against you, but don't let it get to your head. Maintain a relaxed demeanour in your career to prevent any potentially stressful situations. In terms of finances, you can invest exactly as much as natives earn this month. For native students and children, there would be a position and possibly admission to a foreign university. You must be cautious about your mother's health. Your abilities are beneficial in the workplace; use them wisely. During this month, more native natives may experience ups and downs and face challenges. You are most likely to make slow progress this month due to a pause in the resulting process. Throughout the month, there can be unexpected occurrences that result in incredible gains or losses.

Furthermore, this month would require you to increase your efforts and hard work to make decent progress in your career. In addition, the monthly Horoscope predicts that your married life may be challenging this month. Since the planets are not in a favourable location, your married life may go through a difficult period this month. On the bright side, the month appears to be advantageous for new romantic relationships. This month may see an increase in love and romance, as well as a strengthening of your bond. This month, students would work hard and produce fruitful results.

It would be difficult for you to find the beauty and harmony you want because you are impatient, impulsive, and searching for the wildest kind of excitement. This week, your siblings would be more accepting of you. They would do their part to make your dreams a reality. Are you planning a trip with your children? This is an excellent time to do so! This may also be an opportunity for you to learn how much they miss your love and care as a parent. It is a good time for you to choose a profession or start a new business. Creating a new foundation now would benefit your entire future. You're now in a relationship where nothing seems to happen because you're still waiting for the other to make the first move. It's best if you act now before it's too late. When you make a promise to another, you can only be happy to remain faithful to them.

It allows you to stay connected to those who love and care for you.

Minor disagreements with your partner are are expected to make your days drab. Find a way to talk things out so that both of you feel relieved and your good days return. You are going to place a higher value on mutual interests and emotional compatibility. It would be best if you also allowed yourself to accept what others have to say and to support their ideas. Otherwise, it would cause you to become estranged from others.

Various planetary arrangements suggest that things are most likley to go smooth for you as the month progresses. Before implementing any of your ideas as a businessperson, you must first create a successful strategy. Professionally, you are likely to face several challenges in the middle of this month.

However, there wouldl be some visible opportunities to seize in the latter half of this month. As the month starts, you may feel anxious and uneasy due to limited opportunities for development and benefit. However, the stars are likely to shine brightly in the middle of this month, so your financial chances would improve.

Things may seem a little tight at the end of the month, but they would gradually change. This month may be crucial in understanding your relationship's equation. You are likely to feel more relaxed and at ease as the month progresses. During the latter half of the month, romantic conversations can increase the joy and charm in your life. This could be a productive month in terms of your studies. This may be the ideal time to take entrance tests or competitive exams. During the latter half of the month, you may find yourself in a better position, resulting in ease and comfort. Your mood is more likely to remain positive throughout the month. However, the planets can require you to adopt a healthy lifestyle and adhere to strict discipline to keep yourself healthy. The middle of this month would be ideal for staying fit. Health fluctuations can trouble you towards the end of the month, but these could be a short-term trend.

Libra ( 23rd September to 22nd October )

Scorpio ( 23rd October to 22nd November )

Sagittarius ( 23rd November to 21st December )

Overall, you can expect a good month both personally and professionally. There would be a stroke of luck, and your coworkers and superiors are likely to recognise your efforts. Jupiter and Mars are going to bless you, and your positive attitude can allow you to spend more time with your family and friends. A small celebration at home may provide a sense of renewal in one's life. This month's savings would be as planned. There is a fair chance that you can get a good offer from a foreign nation. The previous investment could yield a good return. The student would achieve the desired outcome. This month, you may develop your ability to learn new skills and communicate with others. There would be encouraging responses from your loved one, and those who wish to propose to someone they like will do so. In a relationship, you have to keep your dedication and avoid being egoistic with your partner. There's a chance you would end up in a secret relationship. Those that have been divorced before would be able to remarry this month. The health would be fine, although there might be some sleeping difficulties that must be addressed. Avoiding alcohol and smoking during Rahu transit shall may result in unexpected health issues. Children must take good care of their teeth and eyes. As Rahu suggests, you should be cautious when responding to others via email or phone. A disagreement can arise. Some of you may receive good news about your pregnancy.

Saturn can cause a delay in receiving anticipated financial benefits from your family, so you should be patient, or you may face needless arguments that would damage your health.

This month would bestow you favourable outcomes in your work, finances, and a variety of other areas. During this month, you would be bursting at the seams with energy and vitality. This planetary position would assist you in making sensible life selections.

During this time, you have the opportunity to become well-known. Religious and spiritual activities are likely to pique your curiosity. It may assist you in achieving inner serenity and tranquilly. During this time, you would conquer your competitors and any litigation (if any). If you have a legal case, the final judgement would be in your favour. Beauty, creativity, design and clothing businesses would be particularly prosperous this month. Politicians may rise to positions of power. During this time, the Sun will transit your horoscope. Travel expenses may increase around this time of year.

Natives may be able to find new employment options. Some of you may even have the opportunity to work in multinational teams. Money flow may also grow. If you were preparing for a federal job, you might hear some good news this month. This is also a good month to make any long-term decisions. However, before making such a decision, consult with someone. You would require the support and understanding of someone on your side if you need to make the proper decision. All of your efforts would be directed in the appropriate direction. So, exercise caution when making decisions.

With Venus in your house of gains this month, your professional and financial life are expected to be strengthened, and you may excel at work. This would be an auspicious time for you. However, the planetary positions are signalling some difficulties, particularly around the middle of the month. This condition may persist, but it would not be concerning because you would be diplomatic in getting your work wisely done through people.

Nonetheless, you are likely to have the opportunity to renew your enthusiasm at this time. This appears to be an excellent time to spice up your sex life. You would also receive the required assistance from coworkers and elders. However, you may need to maintain control over your speech to avoid verbal disputes with your spouse. You're going to have a pleasant time with your siblings. However, there is a potential that your mother or siblings may have some health issues this month.

You are possibily be clever, generous, engaging, and fascinating, giving you a never dull, constantly busy, and very alive personality to deal with. You are under a lot of financial stress or have a problem with your self-esteem. Though there is undoubtedly some truth to the picture, you may overstress yourself with this concern. Your capacity to approach problems confidently enable you to deal with certain difficult situations calmly. Try to keep your emotions in check when dealing with people. You need someone's support to enhance your energy and enthusiasm if you're feeling insecure.

Capricorn ( 22nd December to 20th January )

Aquarius ( 21st January to 18th February )

Pisces ( 19th February to 20th March )

Your outgoing personality and an acute sense of humour would draw you to beauty and harmony.

Other people would be drawn to you as well. This week, success would be your trademark in your professional life. This week, you may be easily disturbed that you would become inactive and lack the energy to present yourself as the charismatic man you once were. Your undivided attention and dedication to your family would make it a happy place. Everyone in the family would be happy if their roles are completed satisfactorily. Finally, your patience is likely to allow you to obtain what you have been seeking for a long time. Your efforts are likely to be recognised. Take a break from your busy schedule and spend a week or two with your loved one. A trip to a lovely location may revitalise your dwindling relationship owing to a lack of romantic moments. You place a higher value on mutual interests and emotional compatibility. It would be best if you also prepared yourself to accept what others have to say and support their beliefs. Otherwise, it may cause you to become estranged from others. Obsessive eating and drinking for the sake of escapism can be harmful to your health.

Meditation and self-control would help you to get rid of this situation.

Those associated with philanthropic organisations or such businesses would eventually find that their efforts are acknowledged mainly by the public. Doing good would always result in a worthwhile outcome.

Separation from your family would be an unfamiliar experience for you.

It is going to be tough for you to find the beauty and harmony you desire since you are restless, reckless, and yearning for the craziest kind of thrill. Are you planning a trip with your children? This is an excellent opportunity to do so! This may be an opportunity for you to learn how much they miss your love and care as a father. It is a good time for you to choose a job or start a new business. Creating a new foundation now may benefit your entire future. Your critical and contentious nature toward your subordinates may cause them to assume a negative attitude toward the wise and sensible decisions you make. When you commit to someone, you will only be delighted to remain loyal to them. This allows you to stay connected to those who genuinely love and care about you. Minor disagreements with your partner are likely to make your days dull. Please find a way to talk it out so that both of you feel relieved and your joyful days return. You are a pioneer with a mission as a natural leader. You tend to achieve your objectives in uncomplicated ways that do not cause harm to others. You wield a lot of influence and are always looking for new tasks, people, and interests. You are likely to feel revitalised as a result of your hopeful temperament. You are expected to be relieved this week because your enormous efforts have enabled you to meet the demands of your family members.

Overall, natives are expected to have a good month both personally and professionally. There may be a stroke of luck, and your oworkers and superiors may recognise your efforts. Jupiter and Mars are blessing you, and your optimistic attitude possibly allows you to spend quality time with your family and friends. A simple party at home might provide a sense of renewal in one's life. This month's savings would be as expected. There is a good chance that you may get a good opportunity from a foreign country. The onetime investment may yield a substantial return. Students are likely to achieve the desired outcome. This month, you may strengthen your capacity to learn new abilities and communicate with others. There would be positive answers from your loved one, and those who wish to propose to someone they admire may do so. In a relationship, all you have to do is keep your commitment and avoid becoming egoistic with your partner.

There's a chance you may end up in a covert relationship. Those who have been divorced before would be able to remarry this month. The health would be fine, but there may be some sleeping difficulties that must be addressed. Avoiding alcohol and smoking during Rahu transit can result in unexpected health issues. Children must take good care of their teeth and eyes. As Rahu suggests, you should be cautious when responding to others via email or phone. A dispute may arise. Some of you may receive excellent news about your pregnancy. Saturn can cause a delay in receiving desired financial gain from your family, so you should be patient, or you may face unneeded arguments that may harm your health.

50 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2020 — 51

Australia’s women’s 7s team win consecutive Dubai titles as coaches fight to save careers The success of Australia’s rugby sevens teams in the UAE might not be enough to save the futures of coaches Tim Walsh and John Manenti.

Australia’s women’s team, coached by Manenti, claimed back to back World Sevens titles for the first time since 2017-18, defeating Fiji 15-5 in the Dubai 7s final.

“A double tournament is way harder the second week,” new skipper Demi Hayes said.

“You’re always sore and complaining about all these aches and pains, but we had one goal in our mind and that was winning and going back to back and that’s what we did.”

Soon after, Walsh’s men’s team blew a tryscoring opportunity with 22 seconds remaining to go down 10-7 to South Africa in the final.

It was the first time since the 2018 Sydney 7s Australia

had both their men and women in a final - a tournament they each won.

The silver medal result came a week after South Africa blew Australia apart in a quarter-final one week earlier, before Australia rallied to finish fifth.

“A blend of leadership, naivety, strategy and youthful exuberance delivered a nearly perfect outcome,” Walsh said in a statement.

“Pre-Olympic creative initiatives and innovations delivered the team an opportunity to perform.

“The diverse mix of players provided individuality to be expressed.

“The engine room and leadership of Nick Malouf, Henry Hutchison and Josh Turner set the standards for the young guns to flourish.

Corey Toole, Ben Dowling and

Dietch Roache thrived in the environment and performed exceptionally.”

The impressive outings, which came with New Zealand’s men’s and women’s teams missing because of the Covid pandemic, came mere months after both teams crashed out in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

Their underwhelming results proved the catalyst

for Rugby Australia asking both experienced and 2016 gold medal Olympic-winning coaches to reapply for their roles.

Nor did the men’s team’s involvement in a boozie plane trip home from Tokyo go down well with the governing body, who were forced to apologise for their involvement just days after they were wrongly accused of messing up their

Reds’ finals hopes dealt massive blow after season-ending injury as Latu returns to Australia Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was in Melbourne on Monday talking up Australia’s competitiveness and the importance of depth.

As he was doing so, the news came through that his biggest trump card was down for the count.

In a crushing blow for the Queensland Reds’ hopes of securing a home Super Rugby semi-final, Taniela Tupou - Australia’s most dominant figure in the competition - is expected to miss the rest of the domestic season following a calf strain.

Tupou did not feature in

the second half against the Chiefs, as he cut a forlorn figure on the sidelines with ice trapped to his tree-trunk left calf and right foot and

was forced to watch his side go down 25-27 in Brisbane.

A QRU statement confirmed his injury on Monday, with the Reds

“seeking further medical advice” around his injury.

With Test playmaker James O’Connor and talented outside backs Jordan Petaia and Suliasi Vunivalu already on the sidelines, it was a sight few in Queensland, indeed across Australia, wanted to see. Without O’Connor pulling the strings, whose direction and decisionmaking has been dearly missed, the Reds have lost back to back matches for the first time this year and risk losing touch with the top four.

Tupou’s loss is just as significant.

James Anderson returns to England team for India Test as Jamie Overton drops out Sam Billings remains in the squad as Ben Foakes continues to recover from Covid; watch England vs India live on Friday from 9.30am on Sky Sports Cricket, with play getting under way at 10.30am.

Ben Stokes has announced James Anderson will return to the team in place of Jamie Overton for England's rearranged final Test against India, starting on Friday.

The England skipper also confirmed Ben Foakes remains out as he continues to recover from Covid, meaning Kent's Sam Billings keeps his place behind the stumps.

"Unfortunately Foakesy hasn't recovered as well as we'd have liked him to," Stokes said. "So Sam is going

52 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022

to stay in the team and keep. "(Foakes) hasn't really recovered from last week and doesn't feel like he could give the best account of himself this week. We took the decision out of his hands and said 'get yourself better'."

Overton's omission follows an impressive performance against New Zealand that saw him fire 97 with the bat as part of a key partnership with Jonny Bairstow to spark an England revival from 55-6.

He had replaced Anderson in the team as England's record wicket-taker sat out the final game due to injury.

"That's how sport at the top level works sometimes," Stokes said. "It must be very disappointing for him but he can walk away knowing he did everything he could."

quarters in the Olympic village.

The duo had their interviews last month and are yet to get any indication whether they will hold onto their jobs.

It is understood that their success, which saw the women’s team record consecutive series wins for just the third time, will count for little.

Sources have told foxsports. com.au the high performance review and interviews were concentrating purely on the results and set-up of the sides up until the Olympics.

RA will make a decision over the coming fortnight as to whether they resign their coaches. Yet given the Commonwealth Games will be played at the end of July any decision to move either on will come with an inherent risk.

RA has been going through a restructuring of their high performance unit, including the sevens programs.

The women’s squad was reduced to just 15 players while the men’s squad were cut to just eight full-time players as part of cost-cutting measures by RA. “It’s a really exciting time for our Sevens programs with an important three years ahead featuring the Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup 7s and Paris Olympics ahead,” RA Director of Rugby said in a statement last month.

“The new collaborative approach between our sevens programs and the Super Rugby clubs will ensure there are opportunities for all of our elite development players to get game time at an international level, benefiting both formats of our game.”

Ryan appointed Director of Elite Performance by Brentford BEN RYAN, who famously led Fiji to their first Olympic gold, in Rugby Sevens, has been appointed to the new role of Director of Elite Performance by Brentford.

The 50-year-old, who was also England Rugby Sevens coach from 2006 to 2013, is taking his first role in football.

The Director of Elite Performance role was advertised on TGG in April and the remit was to “lead all aspects of player and staff performance and development” outside of technical and tactical football matters.

Chris Haslam will remain under Ryan as Head of Athletic Performance, which is a more hands-on role.

Phil Giles, who took on sole Director of Football duties after Rasmus Ankersen left the club, said: “Director of Elite Performance is a role I think will help us reach even higher levels of performance across both players and staff. When Rasmus left us in December 2021, I spent

Stokes also offered his backing to opener Zak Crawley after the Kent man endured a difficult time against New Zealand's bowling attack, managing four single-digit scores between knocks of 43 and 25.

"When we picked the squad before we'd even played a Test match the squad was picked on the basis that every player in every position is the best player in England to carry us forward in the way we want to," said Stokes.

"This team and this squad

some time thinking about the future direction of the department and what skills and experiences I felt we needed moving forward.

"After a thorough recruitment process, Ben emerged as the outstanding candidate. He brings huge experience of how to reach elite level across a range of sports and has a coaching background which will help him work effectively with Thomas. He is also a Brentford fan, so already understands the Club, knows what we’ve achieved already, and what we want to achieve together in future."

is going to be given a lot of time to perform. Zak Crawley is still in the plans going forward regardless (of what happens against India)."

"We've just beaten the best team in the world 3-0, India are obviously a completely different opposition, different dynamic of team, but we concentrate on ourselves, we understand what we do well.

"We have also taken into account who we are playing against, but because the opposition changes it doesn't mean we're going to change."

India now third most common place of birth of Australian residents...

CONTD. FROM PG 1 Dr Pradeep Taneja, an academic fellow of the Australia India Institute, said he wasn’t surprised that India had become the third largest country of birth for Australians.

“It’s been happening for a while,” he said.

Taneja said numbers jumped after the Howard government in 2006 signed a memorandum of understanding with India to encourage Indian students to take up student visas to complete vocational training in Australia.

“Australia has always had a smattering of Indian migrants,” he said. “Before they were essentially highly skilled white collar migrants [but] we saw at that time a wave of Indian students.

“That trend has continued, even though the link between vocational education and migration has weakened somewhat.”

Taneja said migration from India to Australia had increased as a result of deepening strategic and economic ties between the two countries since the turn of the century.

“Australia has emerged as a popular destination for Indians seeking opportunities, not just for themselves but their children, and better quality of life,” he said.

“Since 2007 there have been better relations between Australia and India, and under the previous Coalition government we saw a qualitative change in Australia’s relationship with India.”

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, met India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, at the Tokyo Quad meeting in May, and has pledged to forge stronger economic links with the nation while diversifying from China.

Taneja said Australia’s increasingly strained relationship with China had also played a part in India’s rise.

“No doubt the relatively poor state of the bilateral relationship has led to a decline in the number of [Chinese] migrants coming to Australia,” he said.

“We’ve seen a reverse cycle; some well-off Chinese migrants are deciding to go back to China so it’s not surprising numbers are down.”

Taneja, whose current research focuses on the rise of China and Sino-Indian relations, was a graduate student at Peking University in the 1980s and worked in China for a number of years. He suggested a shared colonial history may make it easer for Indians to assimilate in Australia.

“Indians find it easier to settle in this country, unlike migrants from noncommonwealth countries like China,” he said.

“Earlier, if you looked at Indian media, there Call: (07) 3192 5188

was hardly any coverage of Australia. Now, media covers Australia quite extensively beyond cricket.

The day Labor won the election, we saw vibrant media in languages like Hindi about Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong.”

Taneja said “almost every family” in Punjab now knows somebody who lives in Australia.

“It’s a virtuous circle, the more people come the more information spreads about Australia as a migrant destination,” he said.

“We’re already seeing the cultural impact, Indian films take up hundreds of cinema screens. It’ll contribute to a more vibrant and multicultural Australia.”

The second largest increase in country of birth was Nepal, now the 11th most common nationality in Australia. An additional 70,000 people were counted in the 2021 census, an increase of 123.7%, bringing the total to 122,506.

The majority of Nepalese migrants since 2017 have arrived on skilled state and territory and partner visas, Department of Home Affairs figures show.

Nursing, accounting and cooks are the most popular professions.

Business development manager Madan Mani Adhikary became a permanent resident in Australia in 2019 after arriving from Nepal as an international student.

Adhikary said many young Nepalese adults struggle to grow their careers at home, while Australia provides greater opportunity for settlement.

“Back home people have a lot of exposure of Australia’s lifestyle and opportunity,” he said.

“They see people achieving here quite easily which is really hard and beyond expectations back home. By nature Nepalese people are hardworking and dedicated, [but] there’s political instability and low economic growth.

That’s a pushing factor.

Religious diversity is also increasing. For the first time, fewer than half of Australians identify as Christian, while there have also been increases in other religions such as

Hinduism, which grew by 55.3% to 684,002 people, or 2.7% of the population.

The number of people who use a language other than English has also risen

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to more than 5.5 million people, up by nearly 800,000.

Mandarin continues to be the most common language other than English used in the home, followed by Arabic. But Punjabi, spoken in the Indian province of Punjab, had the largest increase, growing more than 80% compared to 2016.

Vaibhav Gaikwad arrived in Australia on a University of Newcastle scholarship and became a citizen in 2019. His wife joined him in 2016.

Gaikwad said while India’s diaspora has widened, the majority of migrants remain from a middle or upper class background. Gaikwad is the first in his family to study internationally.

He and his wife now work

as

chemical engineers.

“It’ll take time for that to change the class and caste aspect to [migration],” he said.

“Most students who come here are from dominant castes. There are families who have settled from all backgrounds, [but] it’s an uphill battle.”

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ chief statistician, Dr David Gruen, said the census collected information on more than 250 ancestries and 350 languages.

The top five ancestries followed previous trends and were largely Anglodominated with English at 33%, Australian at 29.9%, Irish at 9.5%, Scottish at 8.6% and Chinese at 5.5%.

Source: The Guardian

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 53

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, July, 2022 — 55

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