Brisbane Indian Times - June 2021 online edition

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

Volume 17, Number 10 Saturday, June 12th, 2021

As God is One, we respect all Religions

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Harry and Meghan welcome their second child, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have welcomed their second child.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's daughter, Lilibet "Lili" Diana MountbattenWindsor, was born on Friday, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan revealed on Sunday.

Their daughter was born at 11.40am (4.40am on Saturday AEST) at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

California, weighing in at 7lbs, 11oz (3.5kg).

She is a little sister to the couple's son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor, who turned two on May 6.

Her first name, Lilibet, is a nod to Her Majesty The Queen's nickname. Her middle name is in honour of her grandmother and Harry's mother.

"On June 4th, we were

blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili," the Sussexes said, in a statement.

"She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we've felt from across the globe.

"Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."

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Inside

• Local News ..................................4-28 • Real Estate ..................................... 30 • India News ..................................... 34 • Fiji News ......................................... 36 • Entertainment .............................. 38 • Health & Well Being .................... 40 • Astrology ........................................ 42 • Business Directory/Classified ... 43 • Sports News ................................... 44

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 Ram Jattan (UK) / Thakur Ranjit Singh (NZ) Thilliar Varnakulasingham (NZ) Shalendra Prasad (Fiji) / Dhaval Vyas (India) Rama Gaind (Canberra) • ML. M. Nawaaz Ashram • 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 • Cartoon Corner: Merwyn Machado • Brian Sullivan (Photography) 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, June, 2021

From the Publisher Welcome to June, yes, it’s time to prepare for tax as we end this financial year, this one will be bit challenging due to job keeper and jobseeker etc. Some business took advantage to QRIDA, for which repayments have now began. The job outlook has surprised many, though the full impact of job keeper being stopped will not be felt till the end of the last quarter of this year. The economy has held well for many reasons, but a major contributor has been the saving people made by not travelling, that money have been spent in the local area, and as a result many local businesses have done well. Local tourism has been the beneficiary, while hospitality industry took a hit.

In May we had two major GOPIO events, Girmit Diwas and the mental health seminar both went very well and very delivered to a very high standard. The mental Health seminar was organised by Arpit Singh, youngest committee member of GOPIO Queensland, and he did a wonderful job of delivering the event to a very high standard, all aspects of the event was impeccable.

GOPIO represents people of Indian Origin from around the world and hence it has been observing the Girmit Diwas in recognition of those Indians who were taken under the

British rule to different countries, GOPIO International has inaugurated memorials in many countries in their remembrance and was successful in securing the boarding site in Kolkata as a memorial Monument.

We were privileged to attend the Luminous lantern parade, this year it was organised slightly different the parade took place in little Stanley street and not from the cultural forecourt as usual. So, under the circumstance’s things are changing and that is way GOPIO Queensland has shifted their India Day Fair to a new secure and under cover venue, South Bank Piazza, same venue as lantern parade. The decision was made considering public safety etc, as the compliance requirements of Roma Street Parkland was very challenging especially around the COVID safe plan. This venue has a covid approved plan which made it the obvious choice for this year.

I must congratulate Basava Samithi for the wonderful Basava Jayanti, we were delighted to be invited as guest of honour at the function. Indeed, we have been quite fortunate in Queensland, when you go around to functions and vents you can see the growing numbers of attendees and that too without masks.

Special mention to Sanjeev Sharma and his wonderful volunteers of Diva Jyothi Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) for delivering a very successful event Bharatiya Navwarsh in King George Square, it is not an easy task organising an event, the presence of Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress meant a lot to our community. Usually the event focussed on joyful cultural performances and displays, this year considering what is happening globally and specially in India, the event was themed standing by India. The cultural display area was very good and is a good means of displaying our traditional and cultural artefacts etc to the wider Australian community.

These public events must meet a lot of strict council requirements when they are held at such a venue, school halls and grounds are in a different category and they do not require as stringent compliance.

Many organisers have received notices for non-compliances, we must obey and uphold these rules and regulations, our habit of overlooking and bypassing these is not a good reflection on our community. The requirement of having all electrical leads tested and tagged, the use on a licensed electrician, the way the electrical cords and other leads are placed and taped, we often pull the leads willy Nilly and leave them dangling here and there. The sound control with the monitoring of the allowable decibels is often overlooked. The attention to detail in these areas sets the professional from the amateurs.

The disintegration of a community or cultures begins by disintegration of its language, so it is very important to maintain one’s language which in turn maintains the culture. The annual Mother Language and Community Language schools’ annual event held at Indooroopilly State school was a testament to this profound principle. The event was co hosted by Bangla school and Ethnic Schools Association of Queensland.

The event is normally held in Robelle domain Springfield but this year with COVID restrictions the event was moved indoors.

I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation to all advertisers for who have been with us for a long time, we would not exist without you, it is no secret that putting out a free publication, is not a profitable exercise, quite the opposite. To sustain the operation, it must be complimented by other source of income, despite these challenges with your support we have managed to keep the paper going for the last seventeen years.

From the very outset we have focussed on the quality, keeping in mind that it is newsprint that we print on and variation in colours and the picture quality will always differ.

With this I hope you all the best, get your taxes done get in early and get it over with, and mark your diaries for GOPIO’s India Day Fair on the 15th of August, we may be going through challenging times but the fact remains that it is our independence day and we must observe that day.

Until Next Month, happy reading and stay safe.

—Umesh Chandra OAM

BIT JULY 2021

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Temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders to exceptional circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to ensure the supply of critical services, the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force will take a flexible approach to student visa holders working beyond their usual work limitations, but only in specified industries.

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Students will be allowed to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight if students are: • employed by an aged care Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID, before 8 September 2020 • employed by a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider • enrolled in a health care related course and you are supporting the health effort against COVID-19, as directed by health officials • employed in the agriculture sector • employed in the tourism and hospitality sector These options will be of particular interest to international students and it will create numerous job opportunities for students.

Students do not need to do anything special to avail this concession.

More clarifications will be available shortly for what is covered under tourism and hospitality and whether services

related indirectly to tourism and hospitality are also covered under this measure.

While these measures are in place, the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force will: • exercise their discretion under s116(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958 to not cancel the visas of students who work in excess of 40 hours each fortnight to support your organisation • not refer student visa holders for investigation of any potential offence under s235 of the Migration Act 1958 that might relate to the hours worked by a student visa holder in breach of their visa conditions • not refer you or relevant third-party labour hire companies, as an employer, for investigation of any potential offence under s245AC of the Migration Act 1958 that might relate to allowing a student visa holder to work in breach of their visa conditions Migration Guru has assisted a vast number of clients, in various and complex circumstances, including student and business visas. 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. If you would like more information regarding your visa eligibility,

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Crystalbrook: Riley is a smart sustainable asset in Cairns This is the second in a two-part feature on Cairns where you rediscover fun and some hope for tomorrow.

By Rama Gaind

sunshine be your favourite accessory as you continue your voyage of discovery in Tropical North Queensland. A short break means reveling in the wonders of the deep blue seas of the Great Barrier Reef. Some time should also be spent in Cairns, taking in the picturesque surrounds of a tropical forest, up and down the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Karunda Scenic Railway and the Cairns Esplanade, lined with bars and restaurants, where there is a swimming lagoon.

The latter is a fabulous highlight - right in the heart of the city. This pool is a very popular picnic spot where you can swim, the children have a ball and the infinity pool effect is amazing!

The Cairns region is home to a number of interesting museums, including one dedicated to Captain James Cook, in Cooktown. There are also a large number of art galleries showcasing quality local artists, Indigenous artists and international work.

Check out attractions such as the Flecker Botanic Gardens, a wonderful showcase of tropical botany, visit the Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Why not zoom around the waters of Cairns on a jet boat ride, go on a luxury catamaran harbour and dinner cruise or visit an award-winning eco-tourism attraction called Hartley’s

Let

Feel invigorated when you go to the lagoon on the Cairns Esplanade. Photo: Rama Gaind Crocodile Adventure.

A wander around the markets at Yungaburra or Rusty’s Market in Cairns also offers the opportunity to see, smell and taste the tropical north.

Other destination options include Mossman Gorge , Barron Gorge National Park, Fitzroy Island, Green Island, Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls and Rainforest Day Tour, Mulgrave River tubing, Paronella Park, Lake Barrine, Millaa Millaa Falls or travel to Port Douglas.

Cairns is Queensland's adventure capital, so the city also has many tour companies offering scenic flights, cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, bungee jumping, skydiving, white water rafting and coach tours to the rainforest.

Share in the natural wonders of the World Heritage-listed spectacular and discover how best to explore the seven regions and five precincts that make up the Great Barrier Reef.

Rich in biodiversity, it is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching from the tip of Cape York in Queensland’s north, all the way to Bundaberg in the south. It can be seen from outer space and there's a

whole underwater world for you to explore with an abundance of marine life and tropical fish.

There are so many ways to experience the reef: dive it, snorkel it, sail it, sleep on it, kayak it, learn about it, fly above it ... and that's just for starters.

You can get wet 'n' wild by white water rafting down one of three mighty rivers: the Tully River, the Barron River or the North Johnstone River. White water rafting is fun and exciting. A visit to the stunning Atherton Tablelands provides many opportunities to explore.

Riley, Crystalbrook After (or in between) the time you’ve explored Cairns and beyond, look for accommodation that’s comfortable, and make your way to Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, The Esplanade, Cairns. It has understated elegance, contemporary design and a splash of fun. What’s more commendable is the resort is aware of ‘going green’ and the practice of sustainability.

My first encounter with Crystalbrook’s environmental policy starts from the minute of check-in (paperless of course). Made from 100%

THE PIECES OF A PUZZLE

Pastor Suresh Dass Joseph josephdass@optusnet.com.au

Dear reader, it is with joy we bring to you the word of God. In life, we all go through setbacks, pain, and loss.

Within the last two weeks, I attended two funerals of my friends. Pain and death are part of life. During this

pandemic, we see so many deaths happening around the globe. Losing someone we love can be very painful. Statistics show that some people with extreme grief become depressed, even suicidal. It is easy to get discouraged, even bitter, and ask, “Why is this happening to me?”

But you have to trust that even in your time of loss and grief when you don’t understand everything and while you are hurting, you are never alone. Just like the pieces of a puzzle, God is at work in your life. Without that piece with “grief’ on it, your life will not be complete, just like an incomplete puzzle.

God, doesn’t make any mistakes.

While He didn’t promise

4 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

your life to be without pain, grief, and loss, He did say that in the end, it will work out for your good. Even that piece that looks painful looks like a mistake, but it will make perfect sense when it all comes together.

In the scripture (Book of Ruth), we read about Naomi, who had migrated from Judah to Moab with her husband and two sons. While living there, her husband died. Her sons got married, but later on, they died also.

All she was left with were her daughters-in-law, Orpah, and Ruth. Naomi went through a tough and painful season. She was bitter and felt forsaken by God. Finally, she chose to move from Moab back to Judah

recycled wood, key card access tokens are your first clue that your Cairns holiday experience is starting in the means it intends to carry on.

Save on plastic with Crystalbrook's reusable water bottles. In fact, even the coat hangers in the rooms are made from 100% pressed cardboard.

Special Building Management System ensures the rooms sit at the same temperature – so you’re never too hot, never too cold.

Smart technology kicks in – from the moment you check in your air conditioning cranks up so you walk into a cool room. Equally it works in reverse too, when the sensors recognise you’ve left the room, the air conditioning switches off to conserve energy. Ingenious!

It’s been an amazing welcome back for the great escape – when we stayed more than a while – and relished our experiences with a playful outlook on life. Besides, the setting sun still whispers a promise for tomorrow!

It was lovely to meet Rama Dhandli, a housekeeping supervisor at the Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, The Esplanade, Cairns. Photo: Rama Gaind

Share in the many wonders of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Rama Gaind

with Ruth. While in Judah, a relative of Naomi named Boaz married Ruth. They had a son named Obed. Boaz was wealthy and influential.

After going through all her pain, hurts, and loss, Naomi was now rejoicing again. In the beginning, it didn’t look good for Naomi, made no sense, but in the end, when the pieces of the puzzle in her life came together, she saw the hand of God and was joyful.

Here are 3 things we can learn from Naomi 1) Grief can either break you or change you. It is okay to grieve when going through a loss. It doesn’t make you perfect, but it shows that you are human. Instead of working around your grief, work through it. You have to decide to move on from your place of pain and loss.

After grieving over her lost loved ones, Naomi processed her grief. She understood this principle that she had to move from the place of pain in Moab to the position of blessing in Judah.

2) We were never meant to walk alone while going through a loss. You should not make the mistake of isolating yourself after a tragedy. When Ruth offered to help Naomi, she accepted her offer. Instead, she took Ruth with her to Judah.

3) We cannot be grateful and hopeless at the same time. While grieving, we mainly focus on what we have lost. But to get past the pain, we ought to focus on what is left. Naomi suffered the loss of her husband and her sons. It looked like her life was over, her future bleak, and all hope for anything good was all gone. Yet Naomi focused on

what was left. Even in her time of grief, she began to support and help Ruth towards her future. During your time of loss and sorrow, when you go and be a blessing to someone else, help another person get past their pain, then God sees you doing so, and like Naomi, He can turn your life around also. I am sure if somebody asked Naomi about her loss and pain, she would say, “there were many things that happened to me which I didn’t understand at that time but, like pieces of a puzzle, but when it all came together, I can now see that it was all good.”

Friend, the scripture says (Romans 8v28), “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

God bless you.

have a

after dark Brisbetter Days Out

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The Role of Sadhana - Sadhguru, Isha Foundation It is not that something like enlightenment “happens.” Enlightenment never happens. It is there; it is always there. The sadhana that you do is just to see it is there. You are not doing sadhana to construct divinity within you – if you do this, you will only construct ego.

So sadhana is not about building something. It is not about creating divinity within you, not about becoming enlightened. It is simply there. Sadhana is just a way of opening your eyes. Sadhana is like an alarm bell. Some people need just a buzz – they wake up. That is all sadhana is. A long alarm bell – it must be piercing. These days, kids have those new James Bond watches. In these watches there is a small sharp object which comes out and pricks your arm, along with a beep-beep sound. So if somebody is too thick-skinned then we have to really poke. The whole thing is a process of just waking up, that is all.

We are just stuck to one level of reality.

Waking up to another level of reality, can it just happen? There is nothing to happen, if your involvement with this is total, so total that you transcend it. Or you

are not at all involved, absolutely no involvement with what is here, then also you see the other.

These are two ways, either with 100% involvement or zero involvement. Then you become loose in the present reality. Then you see the other reality within you.

So never seek enlightenment.

The moment you start seeking, you get rooted into this

6 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

Reality.

Please understand that. Without seeking you must work, that is the thing. When people have nothing to get, they cannot be intense.

That is their problem right now. That is exactly what you need to learn.

When a person does not seek anything but still he can act totally, with utmost intensity, then there is a way. If you seek, then something

else happens. You get entangled with this, then nothing happens. So the whole process of spiritual dimension or the path is just because people don’t get this distinction.

They have a mind which does not allow them to be intense and involved with anything where there is nothing to get. That is the reason why it seems to be a great sadhana or struggle; otherwise, it is nothing.

If you see this aspect, if you just eliminate this one calculation – “What can I get?” and simply you know how to throw yourself into everything that is around you, then 90% of the sadhana is over in one stroke. Simply, it is over.

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

Waking up to another level of reality, can it just happen? There is nothing to happen, if your involvement with this is total, so total that you transcend it.

Or you are not at all involved, absolutely no involvement with what is here, then also you see the other. These are two ways, either with 100% involvement or zero involvement.

Then you become loose in the present reality. Then you see the other reality within you.

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

Discover our new South Asian range We’ve extended our range, so now it’s even easier for you to get authentic South Asian ingredients and products.

New arrivals include favourites like Indian yoghurts, and a delicious range of freezer snacks and frozen vegetables, as well as key ingredients like rice, wheat flour, turmeric, fresh coriander, saffron and ghee.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 7

GOPIO Queensland’s Girmit Diwas 2021 BRISBANE, GOPIO (Global Organisation of people of Indian Origin) is an international organisation for Indian Diaspora and has chapters in most the countries where people of Indian Origin reside, the aim and objective of this organisation is to represent the people of Indian Origin irrespective of their country of birth, as long as they have ancestral ties back to Mother India. Through the efforts of GOPIO – Girmit memorial monuments have been inaugurated in various countries were Indian Indentured labourers were taken under the British rule.

Umesh Chandra OAM, founder president of GOPIO Queensland has personally attended many of these inaugurations , some of which include Durban, South Africa , Mauritius , Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe .Perhaps a greater achievement has been the inauguration of a permanent monument at Kidderpore Ghat in Kolkata the very port from which many Indian left under the indenture system. This monument has now become a place of pilgrimage to the descendants of their heroic ancestors. Umesh Chandra OAM served on the lobbying committee and took part in the historic inauguration in 2011, a proud and cherished moment. Below is an extract from Kolkata newspaper

Indentured Indian Labourers Memorial and Clock Tower Kolkata Port Trust, Kidderpore, Kolkata “We are the forgotten children of Mother India.

Mauritius, Trinidad, Suriname, Guyana and Fiji celebrate Indian Arrival Day and have memorials for the Indian workers. But in India no one remembers them” David Sheoraj of Trinidad and Persons of Indian Origin

(PIOs) Fiji: 14May, Mauritius: 2Nov., Trinidad: 30May, Guyana: 5 May, Suriname: 5 June, Jamaica: 10 May. These days are all national holidays in the respective countries and are known as the Indian Arrival Day. Indian Arrival Day is celebrated in these countries to remember the day on which the first wave of Indian indentured labourers arrived in the respective countries.

These days are not only celebrated as holidays, but also various cultural events are held by the People of India Origin (PIO). Sadly, India has forgotten its lost children but Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) making all efforts to retrace the great Indian Diaspora.

The Kolkata Memorial, an initiative of GOPIO, at the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) docks is a latest initiative to remember the Indian indentured labourers. It is a meaningful significance to the millions of descendants of those who left India as indentured Indian laborers from 1834 through 1920.

GOPIO Queensland has been observing the Girmit Diwas since 2014 in Brisbane, every year on the 14th of May itself. As it is solemn occasion GOPIO Queensland has been observing the day

a day of remembrance, a day of tribute – in the same spirit of ANZAC – lest we forget participants respectfully lay wreaths and flowers in the memory of all those who endured the horrific journey and harsh treatment of the rulers. Everyone has always been welcomed to attend, participate and contribute to this memorial service.

The MC for this year was the amazing Pele Ramdhani , with South African background , President Rakesh Sharma welcomed everyone to the event and went through the long list of dignitaries.

The acknowledgment of the traditional owners of the land was done by Elder Aunty Betty McGrady and her speech was very informative and emotional. After the acknowledgement Umesh Chandra OAM introduced a

special song “Bidesia” which was reproduced from one of very old collections. Umesh Chandra OAM Explained to Aunty Betty and the wider community that similar to the stolen generation of Australian First nation people , we too shared a similar story , and like their dreamtime storytelling we to had our folklore – The specially prepared “Bidesia” covered the complete story , members of Ekta women’s club did a wonderful rendition of the bidesia , The lead singer was Shobna Bali. During the singing translation of the verses was displayed on the big screen, this had a big impact no one in the audience had a dry eye.

The “bidesia” can be viewed on Australian Indian Radios facebook live and YouTube channels.

Keynote speeches were

by Mrs Archana Singh, Honorary Counsel for India In Queensland and Mr Hari Raniga honorary Counsel for Fiji In Queensland. The event concluded with all present paying their respect and tribute at the cut out of the Kolkata memorial. Dinner provided by Cornerstone Law Offices was served in the foyer. The feed back has been

very good.

GOPIO Queensland officially announces the date for next year’s Girmit Diwas – as usual the 14th of May at Queensland Multicultural Centre – subject to venue availability but he date is firm and confirmed, any one wishing to contribute in any which way is as usual welcome.

GOPIO Queensland Hosts Mental Health awareness function BRISBANE, "In this fastpaced world, where social media consumes our lives and post likes & comments have taken the place of a real one-to-one compliment or a smile, a recent event held last Saturday (29th of May) reminded people the importance of valuing and maintaining one's mental health and mental well-being, especially at a time when the whole world is fighting the battle against the pandemic in one way or another.

GOPIO Qld & QLD Mental Health Commission had organised a Mental Health Awareness event which was held at the QMC Auditorium, Kangaroo Point on the 29th of May. This event brought the Brisbane community together to talk about and discuss a very relevant topic which is not often talked about - Mental Health, with the theme - How to take care of your mental well-being in 2021. Arpit Singh, Treasurer of GOPIO Qld was the initiator of the event and was in-charge of its

planning and execution. The whole GOPIO Qld committee successfully hosted the event under the guidance of President Rakesh Sharma & GOPIO Qld's Business Council chair, Umesh Chandra OAM. Mental Health Experts from esteemed organisations like Black Dog Institute, Qld Trans-cultural Mental Health Centre (a body of Qld Govt), World Wellness Group and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, came together to discuss the importance & the crucial need for mental health awareness and education in the Indian diaspora and the community in general as well.

Lady Mayoress, Nina Schrinner also graced the event with her attendance and shared her concerns over the growing rate of suicides amongst men and the predictions of a mental health pandemic in the near future. Lady Mayoress emphasised on the need to have more open discussions about the mental health and

8 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

congratulated GOPIO Qld for organising a forum to initiate the discussion and education on the topic.

Peter Ferriera from Black Dog Institute presented a presentation on 'Breaking Down Depression' and

explained the facts about Depression in a very easy-to-understand manner. He laid down the main symptoms of Depression to look out for and the ways to help your near and dear ones

who might be suffering from it.

The four panelisist were; Dr Soman Elangowan (Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Belmont Private Hospital),

Sonia Kumari (Metro North Mental Health Services), Peter Ferreira (Black Dog Institute), Umesh Chandra OAM – session was moderated by Arpit Singh.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 9

BHARATIYA Navwarsh held in King George Square, Brisbane BRISBANE, annual flagship event of (DJJS) Brisbane branch – Bharatiya Navwarsh (New Year) was this year held on 22nd of May at King George Square in the heart of Brisbane City. Despite many obstacles and restrictions, the event was successfully showcased by the hard work of many volunteer members of 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-for-profit organization.

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

In Australia, DJJS has been actively working for more than 8 years now. 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 New Year is celebrated across the world on January 1st, according to the Gregorian calendar.

However, as per the Lunisolar Calendar, which is followed in India, the New year is celebrated in March/April.

Within different regions of India, it is known with different names like ‘Ugadi’,’ Gudi Padwa’,’ Cheiraoba’, ‘Navreh’, etc.

Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) Australia initiated the celebration

of the Indian New Year in 2015 and since then have been celebrating it every year through various multifaceted events with a perfect blend of science, spirituality, fun, and infotainment. DJJS through this event showcases a myriad of cultures in one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse country.

The 2020 edition of the event had to be postponed to this year due to the unprecedented times and circumstances created because of COVID-19. This year as well, the event was supposed to happen on 10th April, because 12th April was the first day of the Indian New year. But due to the recent lockdown in the Greater Brisbane Region, it had to be postponed to 22nd May. But it was the constant motivation of our master Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji that kept the team energized to pull off this grand event in such uncertain times.

The highlight of this year’s event was the Exhibition on understanding the science and spirituality behind the Indian traditions and rituals

observed at significant occasions in Human Life.

We endeavored to take the treasure of wisdom in our scriptures to different cultures and further boost the multi-cultural nature of this amazing city.

Witnessing the havoc of COVID19 in India, the 2021 edition of the event was to ‘Unite for India’. It was an occasion to come together and stand united against the pandemic. Through this event, we showed support and prayed for the wellbeing of everyone around the world. We had Vedic mantra chanting to wish for peace and care for humanity in these unprecedented times. The event was graced by cultural performances by talented groups like Bala Samskar Kendra, ISKCON, Tulja Dance Academy, Kavishi Dance, The Rhythms Dance Group, and Bollywood Reconnections.

We also had food stalls that served sumptuous home-cooked Indian curries and street food.

As DJJS, we were pleased and honored to have Lord

Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner as the Chief Guest at the event and showing their support for the cause.

They spent some good time at the event, in which they addressed the audience, visited the exhibition, and showed keen interest in knowing more about the rich cultural heritage of India. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress were kind to have clicked pictures with the attendees at the event. We were also obliged to have the presence of Dr. Mark Robinson MP (State Member of Oodgeroo), who accepted our invitation at such short notice. DJJS would like to thank Honorary Indian

Consulate Mrs. Archana Singh and Cr Angela Owen for their constant support and distinguishing the occasion with their presence. We would also like to thank our other esteemed guests and longtime associates of DJJS, Mr. Umesh Chandra OAM and Ms. Usha Chandra, Mr. Rakesh Sharma (President, GOPIO Brisbane), Mr. Pushpinder Oberoi (President, GOPIO Gold Coast), Mr. Shyam Das (President, FICQ), Mr. Parveen Gupta (Principal SolicitorGupta Lawyers), Mr. Vinod Sharma (President, Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir), Ms. Tanvi Goel (AusIndia Travel) and Ms. Kavita Khullar (UBS Accountants).

Every year we endeavor

to bring a different aspect of the Indian Cultural Heritage and give a new perspective on the things we have been following for ages. As in 2017, we told the significance of Holika Dahan and Ram Navmi through an engaging play. In 2018, we carried out Kalash Yatra (Traditional Procession) and performed collective Yagya. In 2019, 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 (Indian Education system). We hope to make this annual event even bigger, better, and informative every year.

16th Annual Basava Jayanthi Celebrations Wynnum, The

16th Annual Basava Jayanthi Celebration was held online and onsite on 23rd May 2021 at Wynnum Municipal hall. This success was attributed to the hard work, valuable support, and contribution of all the volunteers. The great team spirit was by the grace of Guru Basava.

Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific is an Australian owned registered international charity. It is an umbrella organisation offering shared services to Basava Samitis across the Asia Pacific region.

The objective of this charity is to build righteousness and beauty in the character of individuals for bringing communal harmony, by incorporating and inculcating the philosophy of Basava as a way of life. Thereby strengthening compassion, and wellbeing in the general public and the ecosystem.

Basava Samithi presidents across Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, New Zealand and Singapore unanimously joined hands together to establish this umbrella organisation.

This organisation along with its members will prepare Basava Samitis for the future, by creating

consistency and efficiency in its processes and messaging.

It will also bring faster mileage, recognition and respect among the wider communities.

For the first time, this program was co-hosted by a non-Indian speaking background individual Ms Lisa Gallagher, to promote diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism. It was also cohosted by the next generation young Australian Master. Nandish Karekal (14 years) with the kind support of Mr. Ravi Hiremath throughout the event. Thanks to all the non-Indian speaking delegates who supported this spirit and brightened the evening.

Our appreciation to the key speakers from overseas Mr. Somashekhar (Singapore Vachana Koota, Dr. Lingappa Kalburgi (Chair, Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific), Mr. Ramjan Darga (India), Mr. Vijayakumar Kammar (India) for addressing the gathering.

Our sincere appreciation to all the beautiful children for their performances, and their teachers and parents who supported them.

There was nearly a 60% increase in the number of

10 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

delegates compared to the previous celebration (2019).

More than 50% of the delegates were reasonably new to our 'Basava Parivaara and we look forward to their continued engagement and participation in the coming years.

We thank Kannada Sangha of Queensland Inc.; Federation of Indian Communities Queensland Inc.; Brisbane City Council; and the Brisbane Indian Times Australian Indian Radio media for their support.

This was our first attempt to broadcast the program online. We experienced some difficulties, our sincere apologies to the online delegates for the poor lighting, audio-visual and technical

inconsistencies they observed during the program. We will share the video link/photos as soon as we can.

We encourage any additional feedback and comments in relation to the program to improve upon and enhance our capability in the near future. ಶರಣು ಶರಣಾರ್ಥಿ. ॥ಓೆಂ ಶಿರ�ೇ ಗುರು ಬಸವಲ್ಲ೦ಗಾಯ ನಮ:॥ ಮಾಡಿದೆನೆ​ೆಂಬುವದು ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆೊ�ಳೆದಡೆ, ಏಡಿಸಿ ಕಾಡಿತ್ು​ು ಶಿವನ ಡೆಂಗುರ, ಮಾಡಿದೆನನದಿರಾ ಲ್ಲೆಂಗಕೆ​ೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆನನದಿರಾ ಜೆಂಗಮಕೆ​ೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆನೆ​ೆಂಬುವದು ಮನದಲ್ಲಲದಿದದಡೆ ಬೆೇಡಿತ್ುನ�ೇವನು ಕ�ೊಡಲಸೆಂಗಮದೆೇವ --------------------------------ಶರಣು ಶರಣಾರ್ಥಿ, ನೆನೆ​ೆಯ ಆ ಸವಿಸಂಜೆ, ಅತ್ು​ುತ್ತಮವಾಗಿ ಸಂಘಟಿಸಿ,

ಸಂಯೋಜಿಸಿದ ಕಾಯಿಕ್ರಮ. ಒಂದಿಷ್ು​ು ಮನೆ ೋ�ರಂಜನೆ, ಒಂದಿಷ್ು​ು ಜ್ಞಾನಾಜಿನೆ, ಹಿರಿಯರ ಹಿತ್ವಚನ, ಕಿರಿಯರ ವಚನ ಪಠಣ. ಕೆ ನೆಗೆ ರುಚಿಯಾದ ಪರಸಾದ ಭೆ

ೋ�ಜನ. 12ನೆೋ� ಶತ್ಮಾನದ ಆ ಮಹಾನ್ ಚೆೋ�ತ್ನಗಳ ಕಾರಂತಿಯ ಆಶಯವನುೆ ಇಂದಿನ ಜಗತಿತಗೆ ಸಾರಿ ಹೆೋ�ಳುವ ಈ ಪರಯತ್ೆಕೆ​ೆ ನನೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು.

- Manjunath H Goudra.

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, June, 2021 — 11

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Queensland

Patron Re’t Justice Pandit Devendra Pathik “Arya Ratn”

Trustee Mr. Sukarm Pal Singh

Trustee Mr. Mul Chand

जीने के लिए कितनी संपत्ति चाहिए? बहुत थोड़ी। इतने में जीवन तो चल जाता है । बाकी तो इच्छाओं का बोझ है , जो मरते दम तक कभी कम या खत्म नहीं होता।* सब लोगों का जीवन स्तर एक समान नहीं होता। किसी के खर्चे कम होते हैं, किसी के अधिक। किसी के परिवार में सदस्य कम होते हैं, किसी के अधिक। कोई सामान्य वस्तुओं से भी अपना जीवन यापन कर लेता है , किसी को बड़े ऊंचे शौक होते हैं। वह ऊंची ऊंची महं गी चीजें खरीदता है , और लग्जरी जीवन जीता है । इस प्रकार से सब की स्थिति अलग अलग है । फिर भी हम सब रूप रं ग आकृति से मनुष्य कहलाते हैं। *यदि हम सब मनषु ्य हैं, तो 1 गण ु तो सभी में होना चाहिए, जिसका नाम है "मनषु ्यता"। यह हम सब को एक कोटि अर्थात कैटे गरी में खड़ा करती है ।* मनुष्यता के बहुत सारे लक्षण हैं, जिनमें से एक मख ु ्य लक्षण है , दस ू रों पर दया करना। *जैसे हम अपना दख दरू करना चाहते हैं, ु और अपने दख ु दरू करने का प्रयत्न करते हैं। ऐसे ही दस ू रों का भी दख ु

दरू करने की इच्छा रखें और उसके लिए प्रयत्न भी करें । जैसे हम अपने लिए सख ु चाहते हैं, और उसके लिए प्रयत्न करते हैं। इसी प्रकार से दस ू रों के लिए भी सख ु चाहें , और उनके सुख के लिए प्रयत्न भी करें । इसका नाम दया है ।* यदि किसी में ऐसा गुण है , तो मानना चाहिए कि वह मनषु ्य है । क्योंकि यही मनषु ्यता का सबसे बड़ा लक्षण है । मान लीजिए, बहुत से लोगों के पास संपत्ति बहुत अधिक है , उनकी आवश्यकता से भी कई गन ु ा फालतू

है । जबकि वे उसका कोई उपयोग नहीं करें गे। सिर्फ जमा किए रखेंगे, अपने संतोष के लिए, या दस ू रों के दिखावे के लिए, या और भी किसी कारण से। उस जमा संपत्ति का वे लोग न तो अपने लिए प्रयोग करते हैं, और न ही दस ू रों के लिए। वह संपत्ति व्यर्थ पड़ी रहती है । यदि उस फालतू संपत्ति का धनवान लोग दस ू रों की उन्नति के लिए प्रयोग कर दें , तो लाखों करोड़ों लोगों को लाभ हो सकता है । उनके जीवन की रक्षा हो सकती है । उनकी शिक्षा और चिकित्सा की व्यवस्था हो सकती है । लोगों के रहने के लिए मकानों की व्यवस्था हो सकती है । उन धनवानों के सहयोग से लाखों लोगों की वद् ु मय ृ धावस्था आदि सख हो सकती है । परं तु दे खने को तो यही मिलता है , जिसमें ऐसी दया और मनुष्यता की भावना होती है , उसके पास धन नहीं होता। क्योंकि उसके पूर्व जन्म के कर्म कुछ कमजोर थे। उसे जन्म ही निर्धन परिवार में मिला। अतः उसकी इच्छा होते हुए भी वह दान सहयोग दया आदि नहीं कर पाता। जिसके पास धन फालतू है , वह जमा

International Day of Yoga

International Day of Yoga will be observed on 21st June 2021 to spread awareness about the importance and effects of Yog (Yoga) on the health of the people.Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Today Yoga is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity everywhere.

Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by the current Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on 27 September 2014.

Prime Minister stated Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day. A total of 177 nations cosponsored the resolution, which is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.

International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

Maharishi Patanjali Ji is often considered the father of yoga and his Yoga still strongly influence most styles of modern yoga. A few centuries after Maharishi Patanjali, yoga masters created a system of practices designed to rejuvenate the body. Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an

12 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

किए रखता है । उसमें दया नहीं है , कि वह अपने फालतू धन से दे श दनि ु यां का उपकार करे । प्राणियों की रक्षा करे । कुछ लोग अपवाद के रूप में होते हैं, जो दयालु होते हैं। जो ऐसे दया दान आदि कर्म करते हैं। ऐसे लोग धन्यवाद के पात्र हैं। हमारी ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि, वह अन्य धनवान लोगों को भी सद्बुद्धि दे , ईश्वर तो सदा सबको सद्बुद्धि दे ता ही है । वे धनवान लोग ईश्वर से सद्बुद्धि प्राप्त करें , जिससे कि वे ईश्वर की भक्ति उपासना करके कुछ दया भाव सीखें, और अपनी फालतू संपत्ति से दान दया आदि करके मनषु ्य तथा अन्य प्राणियों के जीवन की रक्षा करें । हां, दान दया आदि करने से पहले उचित पात्र की परीक्षा अवश्य करें । परु ु षार्थी परन्तु कमजोर लोगों की सहायता अवश्य करें । और जो किसी कारण से विकलांग रोगी वद्ध ृ आदि जन हों, उनकी सब प्रकार से सहायता सेवा करें । तो यह पथृ ्वी स्वर्ग बन सकती है , तथा मानवता की रक्षा हो सकती है स्वामी विवेकानंद परिव्राजक ओ३म ्

extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living. करो योग रहो निरोग, महर्षि पतंजलि योग के आठ अङ्ग होते हैं । 1) यम 2) नियम 3) आसन 4) प्राणायाम 5) प्रत्याहार 6) धारणा 7) ध्यान 8)समाधि आसन-ईश्वर के ध्यान के जिस स्थिति मे सुखपूरक ्व ,स्थिर होकर बैठा जाये उस स्थिति का नाम 'आसन' है | *आसन का फल=आसन का अच्छा अभ्यास हो जाने पर योगाभ्यासी को उपासना काल मे तथा व्यवाहार काल में सर्दी-गर्मी,भूख-प्यास कम सताते है ,तथा योगाभ्यास की आगे की क्रियाओ को करने मे सरलता होती है | आज के समय में सभी के जीवन में योग का बहुत अधिक महतव्‍ है । उच्च प्रकार की शक्ति प्राप्त होने तक नित्यप्रति शारीरिक और मानसिक आसन postures करने पड़ते हैं .योगियों ने इस प्रकार के आसन का वर्णन किया है जिनके करने से शरीर एवं मन पर संयम आता है । आसन की सिध्दि से नाड़ियों की शुद्धि, आरोग्य की वृद्धि एवं स्फूर्ति प्राप्त होती है .आसन दो प्रकार के हैं - (1)ध्यान आदि के लिए जैसे- पद्मासन, सिद्धासन,आदि.(2) आरोग्यार्थ जैसे- शीर्षासन,भुजंगासन, चक्रासन आदि इनसे शारीरिक बल, यौवन, कार्य क्षमता बढती है ,और शरीर का सर्वांगीण विकास होता है . पूरे विश्व भर के आम लोगों के बीच योग ,प्राणायाम के फायदों के बारे में जागरुकता बढ़ाने के लिये योगा प्रशिक्षण कैंपस, योगा प्रतियोगिता जैसे क्रिया-कलाप और बहुत सारी गतिविधियों के आयोजन के द्वारा अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर इसे मनाया जाता है । लोगों को ये बताने के लिये इसे मनाया जाता है कि नियमित योग अभ्यास बेहतर मानसिक, शारीरिक और बौद्धिक स्वास्थ्य की ओर ले जाता है । तनाव भरी जीवन शैली में अगर आप कुछ समय निकालकर योग (Yoga Aasans, pranayam करते हैं , तो शरीर में दिन भर उर्जा (Energy) बरकरार रख सकते हैं । आपका स्टैमिना बढ़ता है , शरीर लचीला और मजबूत बनता है । स्फूर्ति बनी रहती है , और आप स्वस्थ रहते हो । ये सकारात्मक रुप से लोगों की जीवनशैली को बदलता है और सेहत के स्तर को बढ़ाता है । ओ३म ्

President Dr. Sukhvir Singh

Secretary Mr. Hari Chand

TreasurerMrs. Suman Chand

Havan Yajna हवन यज्ञ, अग्निहोत्र families are now performing Havan on special occasion like birthdays, wedding anniversaries etc . The agnihotra (fire ceremony) Havan Yaj has been a very important part of all Vedic Hindu ceremonies since the beginning of time.

Havan Yajna. is the most ancient form of Hindu prayer/devotion/ invocation.

Havan or fire ceremony is one of the most important rites laid down in the Vedic scriptures for householders and is part of the eternal Sanatan Vedic Dharm/culture.

The benefits of agnihotra are multi-dimensional. Spiritually, it has an enlightening effect on us because selected verses from the Vedas and other Vedic literature are recited during the course of yajna. Other than enhancing intellectual agility, such regular recitation of so many important Vedic mantras leads to them being memorised.. Socially, it strengthens bonds between members of a family,Samaj or community because groups of people get together to carry it out communally. Hygienically, it has the effect of medicinal cleansing of air in the vicinity.

Physically, agnihotra also has an uplifting effect on the material domains of human life it encompasses all the meanings that are conveyed by the word YAJNA Yajna is the cornerstone of the Vedic way of life. It is said to be the soul of the sixteen sanskaars (sacraments).Yajna is a very broad term-meaning Dev Pooja, Sangatikaran and Daan.

Dev Pooja- prayer to GOD, taking care of the elderly,the learned and performance of Havan; Sangatikaran- in the company of wise people and Daan is donating to the needy.

Saam VED verse 1529 statesAagne sthooram rayim bhar prithum gomantamashwinam.

Angdhi kham vartayaa pavimmeaning When Hawan is performed properly ,it purifies the air and the surrounding environment and provides clean rain water,sunlight and contributes to increase in wealth.

Rig VED 3/32/12-Yajo hita indra vordhano bhut-Yajna is the means for the soul to refine itself and seek prosperity (salvation).Yajur VED 18/11 says – Matischa mein sumatischa mein

Many

yajyen kalpantaam meaning Humans ordinary intellect can be successfully transformed into super intellect through the conduct of daily yajnas.

Shatpathbrahman 1/7/1/5 states “Yajao vei shreshthatam karma”-Yajna is the most noble of deeds. With many benefits and in this battle for achieving the goal of getting pollutionfree environment,we all should keep performing Havans day after day as fellow human beings without any distinction of caste, creed, colour, region or religion. वेदों में ईश्वर ने संसार के सभी मनुष्यों को यज्ञ करने की प्रेरणा की है । यज्ञ से रोगों व विषैले किटाणुओं का नाश होता है । यज्ञ सर्वश्ष्ठ रे कार्य वा कर्म को कहते हैं । आजकल यज्ञ शब्द अग्निहोत्र, हवन वा दे वयज्ञ के लिए हो गया है । मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम श्री राम चंद्र जी और योगेश्वर श्री कृ ष्ण चंद्र जी दोनों समय संध्या ओर यज्ञ करते थे I वेदादि शास्त्रों ने भी तथा महर्षि दयानन्द जी ने भी यज्ञ एवं अग्निहोत्र के अनेकानेक लाभ बताए हैं ।यज्ञ, अग्निहोत्र या होम के लाभों को दो भागों में विभक्त किया जा सकता है । प्रथम प्रकार के वे लाभ हैं , जो होम से स्वतः प्राप्त हो सकते हैं , यथा वायुशद्ु धि, जलशुद्धि, स्वास्थ्य-प्राप्ति, इन्द्रिय-सामथ्र्य, दीर्घायुष्य आदि। यदि अग्नि में यथोचित मात्रा में सुगन्धित, मिष्ट, पुष्टिप्रद एवं रोगहर द्रव्यों का होम किया गया है , तो यजमान चाहे या न चाहे , इन लाभों के प्राप्त होने का अवसर रहता ही हैं । शीत ऋतु में गुड़, मेथी, सोंठ, अजवाइन, गूगल जैसी साधारण वस्तुओं के होम से ही गृह-सदस्यों को सर्दी के अनेक रोगों से बचाव और छुटकारा मिलता दे खा गया है । दस ू रे प्रकार के लाभ वे हैं , जो अग्निहोत्री यजमान के इच्छा, प्रेरणाग्रहण एवं प्रयत्न पर निर्भर हैं । यदि यजमान मन्त्रों के अर्थ का अनुसरण करता हुआ परमेश्वर के एवं परमेश्वररचित यज्ञाग्नि के परमेश्वरकृ त गुण-कर्म-स्वभाव का चिन्तन करता हुआ उन्हें अपने अन्दर धारण करने का व्रत लेता है और तदर्थ प्रयत्न करता है , तो वह सन्मार्ग पर चलने की सद्बुद्धि प्राप्त करे गा, पापकर्मों से बचेगा, सदाचारी बनेगा, तेजस्वी एवं यशस्वी होगा और मोक्षप्राप्ति के अनुरूप कर्म करने की प्रेरणा लेगा, तो मोक्ष कीओर बढ़े गा । यज्ञों वै श्रेष्ठतमं कर्म - यज्ञ करना सबसे श्रेष्ठ कर्म है । नियमपूरक ्व यज्ञों को करने से हम अपने दायित्वों की पूर्ति कर सकते हैं जिससे हमें आत्मिक सुख मिलता है तथा इह लोक और परलोक दोनों में हम स्वर्ग-सुख का भोग कर पाते हैं , यही वेद का सन्देश है , ओ३म ्

Samaj Havan Yajna Satsang at Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre

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

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 13

FIJI INDIANS IN NZ REACH APEX OF THEIR ADVOCACY FOR SEARCH OF THEIR IDENTILY

Thakur Ranjit Singh, FIJI PUNDIT

The zenith of Fiji Indians’ organisational leadership in general and their advocacy for identity in particular was reached in an overflowing Malaeola Community Centre on 7 May 2021, with over 1,600 people.

This Mangere, South Auckland venue was the celebration of 142nd Anniversary of FIJI GIRMIT REMEMBRANCE DAY. And that is the number of years Fiji Indians have been part of the Pacific – and some six generations on.

After normal salutations and acknowledgements, that is exactly what Krish Naidu, a youthful President of the organisers, FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ, advocated.

He very judiciously and expediently chose the right place and time. This was on the stage overflowing with Community leaders, diplomats, Government Ministers, Academics, and a potential National PM, among other politicians in the welcome Presidential speech. His advocacy was emphatic - and he sounded like a confident sure leader . And this could be summed as the punchlines of the evening: We are Pacific people. We are not asking for a favour - we just wish to be recognised for what we are.

Fiji Indians needs to be acknowledged as part of an inclusive Pacific community where diversity within the Pacific community is embraced and celebrated. An official recognition is needed from the government beyond the role of Stats NZ. In his emphatic and forceful

welcome presentation with a very attentive audience, Krish Naidu reminded that the Ministry for Pacific Peoples role is to improve outcomes for ALL Pacific Peoples by bringing ALL Pacific voices, perspectives and understanding into policy. He questioned why Fiji Indian voice was silenced and ignored. He emphasised that to be effective, this Ministry must also hear voices of ALL Pacific peoples. He supported the view that Fiji Indians should not be treated as a ceremonial piece.

They needed to be part of official policy framework of Pacific people always, and not merely when it suits them. He continued: The taxpayer funded ministry of Pacific People is for all Pacific People. It is not a ministry for Indigenous Pacific People alone. This bias - this institutional and structural discrimination must stop. And for that, we need real political leadership.

And at that instance, the stage full of dignitaries and politicians erupted in spontaneous applause at mention of need for real political leadership. And leading them was the potential National Party Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon.

Perhaps in body language, the current and past National opposition politicians on the stage were taunting the Labour Party politicians. This is because Labour Party, from the days of David Lange, were always seen to be close and sympathetic to Fiji in general and Fiji Indians in particular. And requests from Fiji Girmit Foundation implied that there appeared to be hints dereliction of duties from some sections of the Labour Party Government, and Ministry of Pacific Peoples some sections of the bureaucracy were not listening or paying attention to their calls and concerns.

Krish Naidu also reminded that Fiji Indians also featured negatively with issues like diabetes, heart disease, mental health, with certain diseases linked to Fiji and their Pacific lifestyle back in Fiji. He repeated that real gains for the overall New Zealand health system could only be made if diversity of all Pacific

Krish Naidu, President of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ people were captured, as this was not currently done by the concerned Ministry.

Human Rights Commissioner, Meng Foon, who was a keynote speaker at the function, concurred with stance of Fiji Indian advocacy was hopeful some solution to the issue could be found soon as far as human rights was concerned. He added: The commission is here to support anyone in New Zealand who feel they have been aggrieved or discriminated against. We also support the fair treatment of all, and this includes in the collection of data which could impact the fair distribution of resources.

He said Fiji Indian community in New Zealand has expressed its concern for over 20 years and this was a valid one. The Foundation hopes to find a solution within the framework of human rights and would be approaching them for assistance if no other solutions are found.

Apart from this crucial issue for Fiji Indians, the evening was a fitting tribute to memory of legacies and heritage of Fiji Indians. A miracle was that it was a free event that was fully funded by the community, with no external support, overflowing with snacks, refreshments, kava and of course very sumptuous dinner and desserts.. This was through enlightened generosity from businesses and individuals in their community which joined in to salute Girmitiyas and consequently provided thousands of dollars’ worth of services in kind.

The theme of the evening was aimed at remembrance and recognition of Girmitiya

Dinesh Chand receiving his Excellence in Grassroots Volunteer Award by JenniferKhan-Janif, a Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation(S 2) A photo of the audience in one of the largest community halls in Auckland, with over 1,600 people in Mangere, Auckland in Malaeola Community Centre.

Sam Achary, receiving Excellence in Community Services and Leadership (Supreme Award) from Bhav Dhillon, Honourary Indian Counsel in NZ. descendants, and over 50 Fiji Indians aged over 80 were honoured with commemorative medals as an appreciation for carrying the flame of the rich Girmit legacy. In addition, the foundation expanded its vision to celebrate and recognize people and institutions for their noteworthy, contributions, achievements, and services to our community. The category of awards and recipients for the Girmit Legacy Award included: Excellence in Community Services and Leadership (Supreme Award) - Sam Achary Excellence in Grassroots Volunteer Award - Dinesh Chand Contribution to Girmit Literature – Dr Farzana Gounder

Contribution to Arts and Culture - Pooja Cultural Trust Special Appreciation Award – Kashmir Kaur The Foundation wished to promote the importance of 14 May for Fiji Indian Community because it marks the day first Indians arrived in Fiji, which importantly marks the birth of Fiji Indian identity. And Girmit marked their foundational history and they do not wish the new generation to be denied the opportunity to know about their history - and rich legacy.

Before 2012, Fiji Indians had been living in larger numbers in Auckland for over 30 years, but no such event or organisation was commenced until some visionary unsung heroes initiated this 9 years ago, and now that seed has grown into a fruit-bearing tree. Fiji Girmit Foundation, apart from marking the remembrance has grown into an advocacy body for Fiji Indians and have plans of expansion into other cities and towns of New Zealand.

Christchurch already has a chapter while Palmerston North, Wellington and Dunedin are expected to have theirs within this year with support of the Foundation in Auckland.

Fiji Indians now stand united and are enlightened about their stolen history and feel proud of their history, rich legacies, and heritage. And this, among others is the reason why they do so well as migrants and rarely, if ever make it into negative statistics.

Over the years, FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ has grown from strength to strength, and culminated in the crowning glory in this memorable event on 7 May 2021 in Auckland. The crowning glory of the Foundation was realized by the vision of current trustees, very unlike in many other organizations when the baton was passed to the new generation led by the current youthful Trustee, Krish Naidu to manage and organise future Girmit events - and they rocked.

We salute the Trustees, the Executives, and the organising committee of nine-year-old FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ for bringing such a huge, memorable, and noteworthy Remembrance Day in New Zealand.

Our only hope remains for a similar event to be emulated by almost forty-year-old Fiji Girmit Council on the soils where Girmit took place - Fiji. And hoping following in the footsteps of elder Trustees of Foundation in NZ, the ageing Trustees of Fiji Girmit Council can pass the baton to the new generation to see Girmit Legacy continued.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation, is a journalist, a media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT. He has a passion for his forebears, Girmit Legacy, and Heritage, and has written various articles on them in the past in FIJI PUNDIT blog and elsewhere. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]

Girmit Remembrance Day May 15 2021

Jitendra Deo President ASQ The inaugural event was organised by Fiji Girmit Foundation Australia which is working towards recognition of our Girmityas. The aim of the foundation is to create awareness amongst our Fijian Indian community at large and special attention given to younger generations so they can carry this forward.

The foundation aims

to join hands with other such organisations worldwide for recognition and enhancing the awareness amongst our younger generations.

The Foundation also wishes to request the government and local governments to provide

14 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

a memorial grounds/ place in recognition of our Girmityas and such a place where memorabilia is kept for our future generations.

Amidst other important tasks the focus shall be observing of the Girmit Remembrance Day and creating chapters

throughout the Australian cities specially Sydney and Melbourne and observing the day concurrently.

The free event was attended by 200 people and performances included presentation, panel discussion and cultural items such as dance,

Lokgeet, Birha, poetry and Girmit songs. Three course meal was served and it was sensational eveing.

The Fiji Girmit Foundation Australia is proudly supported by Deo Family Charitable Trust and Radio Brisvaani. The Deo Family Charitable

Trust was also launched and to enhance our language and culture the charity pledged $1000 to each organisation Hindu Society of Qld and Sanatan Qld for teaching of language and culture such as drama, dance and music at their centres.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 15

Maharani Ahilyabai was the ruler of Malwa kingdom in India from 1767 to 1795.

She was a great builder and a patron of religious and welfare institutions.

She built temples, dharmashalas, rest-houses, ghats or the flights of steps at riverbanks, wells, ponds and other infrastructure for the welfare of her subjects.

She ruled her kingdom with compassion, love and fairness.

Ahilya was born in the village named Chaundi in the present day Ahmadnagar district of Maharastra on 31 May 1725. Her father’s name was Mankoji Shinde, who was a village chief. Her mother was Sushila Shinde. They belonged to the community, which was mostly engaged in farming and sheep rearing trades.

In the early eighteenth century, Maratha forces had expanded their control over a large part of India. In the Maratha administrative structure, Peshwas or Prime Ministers held a very powerful position and in reality, they were the real rulers of the Maratha domain.

Peshwa Baji Rao I ruled from his headquarters at Pune on behalf of Chhatrapati Shahuji, the Maratha king, who was based in Satara. The Subedar or head of a province reported to him.

Subedars were responsible for administration of provinces.

Baji Rao I had appointed Malhar Rao Holkar the chief general of the Malwa region, which now constitutes parts of modern Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Malhar Rao eventually became a Subedar. He was the first Maratha ruler of Malwa.

Indore was the capital of the region. Indore is the distorted form of Indrapur, the ancient name of the place.

Malhar Rao had a number of wives but had only one son named Khande Rao from his first wife Gautamabai. He loved his son immensely and was conscious of his weaknesses. Khande Rao was not interested in the state’s affairs, and his temperament was not encouraging for an effective future ruler.

Malhar Rao was on a journey to Pune to see Baji Rao I in 1933. On the way he stopped at village Chaundi.

As per the prevailing practice, he stayed at the village chief Mankoji’s house. There, he saw Ahilya, the eight-year-old daughter of Mankoji. He noticed her strength, courage and compassion towards fellow human beings and animals alike.

He learnt about incidents involving her actions. In one instance, the temple priest of the village had barred girls from worshipping at the Shiv temple. She built her own Shivling for girls where they could worship

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar without restrictions.

In another incident, she freed a cow, which was separated from her calf and held in a temple’s enclosure. A third incident related to her friend who became a widow soon after her marriage.

The practice of child marriage was common during that period. Widows were ostracised from the community. Ahilya objected to this practice and tried her best to help her widow friend.

Malhar Rao realised that the girl demonstrated traits uncommon in a village girl of her age. Appropriate trainings would help her abilities to flourish and would make her a fitting companion for his son. Her attributes would hopefully help him become a worthy ruler.

He approached her parents with a request to allow Ahilya marry his son Khande Rao. Ahilya’s parents agreed and soon the wedding was solemnised in the village. Malhar Rao renamed her Ahilyabai Holkar. After the wedding Ahilyabai came to Indore and started living in the palace.

Ahilyabai was unaccustomed to the palace etiquette. Everything was new to her. She missed her parents, pet animals and friends. Khande Rao was two years older than her.

His attitude towards his wife was unfriendly in the beginning.

Malhar Rao had full faith in Ahilyabai’s potential and instructed her chief queen Gautamabai to teach the girl palace customs and other skills that queens required. Gautamabai and another sympathetic queen Harkubai helped Ahilyabai to learn palace practices and to read and write. Ahilyabai also learnt politics, handling of arms and art, culture and religion.

Ahilyabai became familiar with governance and politics as well as with domestic responsibilities.

Malhar Rao permitted her to attend and witness court proceedings. She was trained to become helpful in state administration. Her counsel to her husband and even to her father-in-law proved to be beneficial at times.

She gave birth to a son Male Rao in 1745 and a daughter Muktabai in 1748.

In 1754, the Maratha forces laid siege upon the Kumbher Fort, which was under control of Maharaja Surajmal. Khande Rao was inspecting his troops in the open battlefield where he was struck by a cannon ball from the enemy’s army and killed instantaneously.

Ahilyabai decided to commit Sati, a Hindu tradition of voluntarily burning of a widow on the funeral pyre of her husband.

Malhar Rao prevented her from committing Sati. In those times, it was wrongly thought that a woman’s life had no value in society, if

16 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

she did not have a man to take care of her. The practice of Sati is now banned in India.

In 1761, the Maratha army was defeated in the Third Battle of Panipat.

Malhar Rao survived the battle but felt greatly humiliated. He died in 1766.

After his death, Malhar Rao’s grandson and Khande Rao’s only son Male Rao became the ruler of Malwa, under the regentship of Ahilyabai. Male Rao was mentally unwell and died of his illness in 1767.

The deaths of her husband, father-in-law and son in succession devastated Ahilyabai. She was the only person from the Holkar family trained to take over control of administration of the province. She accepted her responsibility to protect and serve her subjects.

Ahilyabai appointed her loyal defense aide, Tukoji Holkar, as the chief of army.

Some in Malwa objected to her rule in the province.

Their leader conspired with Raghoba Dada of Pune and invited him to take over the reign of Malwa. Raghoba was the uncle of Madhav Rao Peshwa, the fourth Peshwa of Maratha Empire.

He aspired to become a ruler.

Raghoba planned to challenge Ahilyabai and take over rule of the province. Ahilyabai’s spies kept her well informed.

As Raghoba marched on towards Malwa, Ahilyabai sent him a message, “Fighting you would not affect me as much as it would affect your prestige if you lose to a woman.”

Ahilyabai also wrote to Madhav Rao seeking permission to look after the administration herself. She sent letters to other Maratha nobles requesting their support and help of their armies. The army of Malwa supported her leadership.

Raghoba reached Ujjain. Ahilyabai set out to meet him. She headed a procession of her entire army, elephants and horses.

As she set out on her epic journey, people came out in her support and veneration, to see their queen in all her strength and glory. This expression of love, respect, admiration and loyalty by the common people was acknowledged in Pune.

In December 1767, Madhav Rao Peshwa instructed Raghoba to return and granted permission to Ahilyabai to continue the administration of Malwa.

She moved her capital from Indore to Maheshwar, by the banks of the river Narmada.

Maheshwar is the modern name of the ancient town of Mahishmati.

The town had been associated with ancient legends relating to Ravan, Arjun Kartyavirya and Parasuram.

Here, on the banks of Narmada, Kartyavirya captured Ravan when the later challenged him to a combat.

Ravan was released only

after Parasuram killed Kartyavirya.

At the start of her reign, the province of Malwa was not at peace due to the activities of anarchists in its remote regions. Ahilyabai decided to suppress these illegal activities and declared a competition for subduing evil forces in her kingdom. A brave man of ordinary origin Yashwant Rao succeeded in accomplishing her mission.

Ahilyabai gave her daughter Muktabai in marriage to Yashwant Rao. Muktabai had a son from Yashwant Rao named Nathoba for whom Ahilyabai had deep love and whom she considered as her heir. However, Nathoba died of consumption in 1790 and about a year later Yashwant Rao passed away.

Muktabai decided to immolate herself with the dead body of Yashwant Rao. Ahilyabai tried to dissuade her daughter from taking this recourse but Muktabai remained firm in her resolve and committed Sati.

This event caused Ahilyabai immense personal grief.

In her role as queen, Ahilyabai ruled Malwa in an enlightened manner. She reinstated those who had opposed her. Ahilyabai held court every day. She met the public daily and was accessible to anyone who wished to speak to her.

She was religious from her childhood and used to pray at home and temples.

Khandowa, a form of Shiv, was her ancestral deity.

Shivling was the revered deity of the Holkar family.

While dispensing justice, she held a Shivling in her hand, considering that lord Shiv would guide her to the correct judgement.

Ahilyabai was one of the wealthiest rulers in the Maratha Empire. She did not use the kingdom’s riches for her personal pleasures.

Rather than residing in a palace, she lived in a humble two-story house.

Ahilyabai was able to grant rights, which even today women struggle for. She abolished laws that forbade widows from owning property and adopting children.

Among Ahilyabai's accomplishments was the development of Indore from a small village to a prosperous and beautiful city. She built, temples, forts and roads in Malwa, sponsored festivals and donated to welfare and religious institutions.

During her time, trade grew, and farmers were happy.

Art, music and literature blossomed in the province.

Maheshwar became a place of literary, musical, artistic and industrial

enterprise. She entertained famous Marathi poets from Maharashtra, and patronised Sanskrit scholars.

Craftsmen, sculptors and artists received salaries and honours at her capital. It was indeed an ideal kingdom.

Weavers settled and developed their skills in Maheshwar because of Ahilyabai’s encouragement.

She set up a textile mill there. So fine were the Maheshwari weaves that the prosperous officers in the Peshwa courts used to order them to Pune. In current times, Maheshwar continues to be known for its fine cotton and silk cloth, and Maheshwari Sarees.

Outside Malwa, Ahilyabai built dozens of temples, ghats, wells, tanks and rest-houses across an area stretching from the Himalayas to pilgrimage centres in South India.

Among the temples, which Ahilyabai built in all parts of India, two were particularly significant.

Their reconstruction gave immense pleasure and satisfaction to millions of Hindus. About a century ago, Somnath and Kashi Vishwanath temples were razed to the ground on a Mughal Emperor’s orders.

Both Somnath and Kashi Vishwanath temples housed two of the twelve Jyotirlings of Shiv. Ahilyabai rebuilt both temples near the original sites.

Ahilyabai built Vishnupad Temple at Gaya, a sacred site for offering Tarpan, oblations to ancestors.

Temples and religious institutions in Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka, Badrinath, Rameshwar and Jagannath Puri and other places received regular charity from Ahilyabai.

She was conscious of dangers posed by

activities of European trading companies and advised rulers to be careful of their interference in Indian domestic affairs.

Ahilyabai died on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70. Ahilyabai's rule is remembered as a golden age in Malwa’s history. After her death, her commanderin-chief and nephew Tukoji Rao Holkar succeeded her. He soon abdicated the throne in favour of his son Kashi Rao Holkar in 1797.

Ahilyabai is venerated as Devi, deity and is addressed by terms Rajmata, Maharani and Punyashlok.

Historians have noted how she encouraged all within her kingdom’s boundaries to succeed in their endeavours.

Annie Besant, a British theosophist and ardent proponent of Indian self rule, wrote about Ahilyabai, “Far and wide the roads were planted with shady trees, and wells were made, and rest-houses for travellers. The poor, the homeless, the orphaned were all helped according to their needs. The Bhils, who had long been the torment of all caravans, were routed from their mountain hideouts and persuaded to settle down as honest farmers. Hindu and Muslim alike revered the famous Queen and prayed for her long life.”

A commemorative stamp was issued in her honour in 1996 by the Indian government. As a tribute to the ruler, Indore’s domestic airport has been named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport.

The Indore University too was renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.

Numerous books have been written and films produced about her life. A TV serial entitled Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar has become very popular among viewers.

—Awadhesh Sharma

Call: (07) 3192 5188

www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 17

Obstacles During Mantra – Japa and methods to overcome them The content of this article is taken from the satsang of H.H. Sant Shri Asaram 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 2006 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 2013, he initiated celebration of Tulsi poojan on 25th December.

Continuing form the April 2021 issue of The Brisbane Indian Times…

Mantra – Japa, when performed in Madhyama, is 10 times more beneficial than Vaikhari; the same, when performed in Pashyanti; is a further 10 times more beneficial, i.e. 100 times altogether; and Japa, when performed in Para, turns out to be infinite times more beneficial. As you move from Vaikhari to Madhyama, Madhyama to Pashyanti, and Pashyanti to Para while performing Japa; and you dive deep into the Bliss that

you experience in your after that; you will realize that there will be Bliss all over. If you speak after plunging into the same people around, you will be delighted and even the particles emitted from your body will be those of Bliss.

Expanding the glory of the Guru-Gita, Lord Shiva said: “The study of Guru-Gita puts an end to untimely death and all afflictions.” No matter how miserable and anxious an individual is, 30 minutes of Japa of the Vedic Mantra imparted by the Guru brings an end to all his worries and sorrows. Mantras have been discovered by MantraDrashta Rishis (i.e. Rishi who is the seer for a particular mantra). When they plunged deep within, they discovered formulated Mantras that are called Bija mantras or seed mantras. Bija Mantras hold a lot of meaning in a single Bijakshara (the root letter or the seed letter in which there is the latent power of a Mantra). For example – “Aum or Om” is a Bija Mantra.

Many precautions related to Mantra Japa are also prescribed by the knower of Mantra, Self realised, SatGuru Pujya Bapu Jiin his nectarine Satsang, which are enumerated hereunder.

In order to get maximum benefit of Mantra Japa one should strictly follow these instructions.

(1) Mantra Initiation: One should pursue sadhana under the guidance of a Selfrealised SatGuru capable of removing obstacles and impediments coming in the way of Sadhana.

(2) Gomukhi (Rosary Bag): Keep the rosary inside a Gomukhi or covered under a piece of cloth while doing Japa. Do not gaze hither and thither. Keep you mind focused on the mantra.

(3) Sumeru (the biggest bead): When a mala is completed, on coming to the last bead one should not cross the Sumeru but touch the

head and eyes reverentially with it; turn one’s finger and begin the next mala of Japa.

(4) Speed of Japa: Repeat the mantra neither with very high speed nor very low speed. Generally, one should take to medium speed.

However, when the mind is disturbed or wandering wildly (building castles in the air) one should do Japa with a great speed. After completing the scheduled number of mantra Japa, do Japa of the mantra in an elongated fashion and concentrate in the heart while getting engrossed in silence of meditation.

(5) Dullness or idleness: In case the mind becomes dull or lethargic during Japa, one should bring some variation in the Japa.

For this, one may pronounce a mantra or names of God aloud inside one’s room.

Then do Japa in a low voice (verbally) for some time, in a whisper for some time. It is difficult to meditate if one starts meditation with closed eyes.

Meditation ensues naturally if one meditates after doing mantra Japa or aJapa Japa (spontaneous chantless mantra).

(6) Kriyas: While doing

Japa, if one gets absorbed in meditation in meditation or Kriyas (involuntary movements occasioned in the human body under the effect of Yoga) take place of Prana Shakti awakens one should allow it.

(7) When Japa is finished: When you finished Japa do not leave your seat immediately, do not meet people, do not talk but remain seated quietly in that position for ten minutes without indulging in any worldly activity. Later, leave your seat only after paying respect and offering salutation to God. (8) During a journey or illness: In such conditions when it is not possible to do Japa under the prescribed Japa- disciplines, on ecan do mental Japa while walking, or lying.

(9) Practicing Saucha (cleanliness) for performing Mantra-Japa using a Mala (rosary): One shouldn’t sit for Japa with a mala in hand with an unclean mouth or unclean hands. Si t for Mantra -Japa only after taking bath or at least washing hands and feet. Though the mantra for chanting (mentally) while breathing consciously (with every inhalation

and exhalation) could be performed in any and every stater, yet the Japa, when performed using a mala, needs one to observe purity as under.

(10) Shishendriya Snana (bathing the genital organ): The Japaka (i.e. the individual performing the Japa) should bathe his genital organ with water after urination, etc. The more the cleanliness and calmness while performing the Japa, the more the benefits.

(11) Disciplines for cleanliness: One shouldn’t go to the toilet wearing his Mala.

If this happens inadvertently, make sure you take bath with the Mala and then wash the Mala before wearing it again.

If one is compelled to get up for micturition or defecation while performing sadhna (i.e. doing Japa with the Mala), one must purify himself/ herself either by taking bath or at least washing hands, feet & face, and then sit for sadhna again: and perform an extra round of Japa with the Mala for purification. It is mandatory to take bath after becoming impure, but one shouldn’t take bath after sunset. If one must take bath in the night, one should do so only from feet through the waist, and wipe the upper half of the body with a wet cloth.

Women, getting menses in the night, should necessarily take bath.

(12) During Menstrual periods: During mensuration, women should neither wear the Mala, nor perform Japa using the same; they shouldn’t chant the syllable “Om” in the mantra either. For example, if one’s mantra is “Hari Om” the one may repeat “Hari…Hari” skipping Om. (13) About covering the head: It’s said that mantraJapa, when performed with one’s head covered doesn’t lead one to siddhi or perfection in the mantra. So those, striving to attain siddhi of the Ishta-Mantra, must

follow this rule. However those who want to perform Japa only for the love of God, might do so in whichever way convenient to them, be it while walking or wearing a turban. In case of one seeking success in actions, or Mantrasiddhi, one may observe the rule of not covering head for that period.

(14) During a period of uncleanliness, due to the birth or death of any member of one’s family: During the period of uncleanliness, due the birth of a baby, the mother shouldn’t perform Japa with the Mala until 40 days after childbirth: the father shouldn’t be doing so until after 10 days of childbirth.

Similarly, during the period of uncleanliness due to the death of any member of one’s family, they should not do Japa with the mala for 13 days.

However, one may repeat the mantra mentally during any and every situation.

(To be continued in next issue of The Brisbane Indian Times……..)

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 regular 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 For more info about Bal Sanskar and yoga sessions, to get a free copy of monthly spiritual magazine RishiPrasad 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 Brisbane Indian Times.

ਇਨਕਲਾਬੀ ਕਵੀ ਸ. ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਰਾਹੀ।

ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸੰ ਤੋਖ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਸਿਡਨੀ, ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਆ

1979 ਵਿਚ ਮYN ਅਤੇ ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਰਾਹੀ ਅੱ ਗੜ ਪਿੱ ਛੜ ਹੀ ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਪਹੁੰ ਚੇ ਸੀ। ਥਾਈਲੈਂ ਡ, ਮਲੇ ਸੀਆ, ਸਿੰ ਘਾਪੁਰ, ਇੰ ਡੋਨੇਸੀਆ, ਕੈਲੇਡੋਨੀਆ ਮੁਲਕਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਦੀ ਵਿਚਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਏਥੇ ਅਪੜੇ ਸਾਂ। ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਸਿੰ ਘਾਪੁਰੋਂ ਸਿਧੇ ਹੀ ਆ ਗਏ ਸਨ। ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿੱਕੇ ਭਰਾ ਸ. ਸੇਵਾ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਨਾਲ਼ ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਕੁਝ ਦਿਨ, ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਦਾਖਲ ਹੋਇਆ ਸਾਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਕਿ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ,

ਆਪਣੇ ਇਕ ਸਾਥੀ ਸ. ਮਨਜੀਤ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਔਜਲਾ ਸਮੇਤ ਸਾਡੇ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਪਹੁੰ ਚ ਗਏ ਸਨ। ਸਾਡੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ ਨਿਊ ਸਾਊਥ ਵੇਲਜ਼ ਸਟੇਟ ਦੇ ਕੌ ਰਾ ਨਾਮੀ ਟਾਊਨ ਵਿਚ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ ਜਿੱ ਥੇ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਕੁਝ ਹੋਰ ਪੰ ਜਾਬੀ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ਼ ਐਸਪੈਰਾਗਸ ਕੱ ਟਣ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਜ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਸਨ। ਮੈ ਵੀ ਚਾਹੁੰ ਦਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰਾ ਵੀ ਕੁਝ ਦਿਨ ਕਿਤੇ ਮੇਹਨਤ ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰੀ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕਰਾਇਆ ਭਾੜਾ ਬਣਾ ਲਵੇ। ਸਿਡਨੀ ਤੋਂ ਸ. ਗੁਰਜੀਤ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਰੇਲ ਗੱ ਡੀ ਉਪਰ ਬਹਾ ਦਿਤਾ ਤੇ ਅੱ ਗੋਂ ਇਕ ਪੰ ਜਾਬੀ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਸਚਦੇਵਾ ਜੀ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਦੋਹਾਂ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਾਰ ਉਪਰ, ਫਾਰਮ ਵਿਚ ਬਣੀਆਂ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਬੈਰਕਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪੁਚਾ ਆਏ। ਸਾਡਾ ਡੇਰਾ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ ਕਮਰੇ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਲਵਾ ਦਿਤਾ ਗਿਆ। ਜਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਉਠੇ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੱ ਜਣ ਹੀ ਚੁਪ ਚਾਪ ਘੁਸਰ ਮੁਸਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਫਿਰਨ, ਕਿਸੇ ਦੇ ਝਰੀਟਾਂ ਆਈਆਂ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਸਨ। ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਲ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਕਾਰਨ ਵਿਗੜੀ ਹੋਈ ਦਿਸੀ। ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਲੰਗਾ ਕੇ ਤੁਰ ਰਹੇ ਸਨ। ਸਾਨੂੰ ਦੱ ਸੇ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕਿ ਕੀ ਭਾਣਾ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਹੈ! ਹੌਲ਼ੀ ਹੌਲ਼ੀ ਦਿਨ ਚੜ੍ਹੇ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਾ ਕਿ ਰਾਤੀਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦਾ ਛਾਪਾ ਪਿਆ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਇਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਮੁਕਾ ਬੈਠੇ ਹੋਣ ਕਰਕੇ, ਸਮਝੇ ਕਿ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੜਨ ਲਈ ਇਮੀਗ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਨੇ ਛਾਪਾ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਹੈ।

18 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

ਨਿਜੀ ਯਾਦਾਂ ਉਪਰ ਆਧਾਰਤ

ਇਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਛਾਲ਼ਾਂ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਝਾੜੀਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਜਾ ਵੜੇ। ਓਥੋਂ ਕੰ ਡੇ ਵੱ ਜੇ। ਕੈਂਪ ਦੇ ਪਿਛਵਾੜੇ ਵਗਦੀ ਨਦੀ ਟੱ ਪਦੇ ਕੁਝ ਉਸ ਵਿਚ ਡਿਗ ਪਏ। ਏਸੇ ਭੱ ਜ ਨੱਸ ਵਿਚ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਵੀ ਲੱਤ ਤੁੜਾ ਬੈਠੇ। ਮੈਂ ਕਿਹਾ, “ਓਇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਦੱ ਸ ਦਿੰ ਦੇ! ਅਸੀਂ ਵੀ ਭੱ ਜ ਜਾਂਦੇ।“ ਕਹਿੰ ਦੇ, “ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ਼ ਬਾਬਾ (ਵੀਜ਼ਾ) ਹੈਗਾ ਸੀ।“ ਭਰਾ ਨੂੰ ਓਥੇ ਛੱ ਡ ਕੇ ਮੁੜਨਾ ਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਓਸੇ ਸਮੇ ਹੀ ਸੀ ਪਰ ਓਥੇ ਦਾ ਰਮਣੀਕ ਆਲ਼ਾ ਦੁਆਲ਼ਾ ਵੇਖਣ ਦਾ ਮਾਰਾ ਚਾਰ ਦਿਨ ਰੁਕਿਆ ਰਿਹਾ। ਇਹ ਸੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ਼ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ। ਬਾਕੀ ਕੁਝ ਲੋ ਕਾਂ ਵਾਂਗ ਅਸੀਂ ਵੀ,

ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਮੈਲਬਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਨਿਊ ਸਾਊਥ ਵੇਲਜ਼ ਸਟੇਟ ਦੇ ਖੇਤੀ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ ਟਾਊਨ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਿਥ ਵਿਚ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਸਿਡਨੀ ਵਿਚ, ਸਰੀਰਕ ਅਤੇ ਆਰਥਕ ਪੱ ਖੋਂ ਸੈਟਲ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਦੂਜੀ ਵਾਰ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ਼ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੇਲ਼ ਜੂਨ 1984 ਵਿਚ ਓਦੋਂ ਹੋਇਆ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਹਿੰ ਦੁਸਤਾਨੀ ਫੌਜਾਂ ਦੇ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਉਪਰ ਹੋਏ ਹਮਲੇ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁਧ, ਸਿਡਨੀ ਵਿਚ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ ਮੁਜ਼ਾਹਰੇ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੋਣ ਲਈ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਿਥ ਅਤੇ ਨੇੜਲੇ ਟਾਊਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿੱ ਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਜਥਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਆਏ। ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਦੇ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਮਾਰਟਨ ਪਲੇ ਸ ਵਿਚ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮੈਨੰ ੂ ਹੀ ਆਣ ਕੇ ਮਿਲ਼ੇ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ। ਉਸ ਪਿੱ ਛੋਂ ਫਿਰ ਅਸੀ ਸਾਰੇ ਰਲ਼ ਕੇ ਚਾਹੇ ਸਿਡਨੀ ਚਾਹੇ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ ਕੈਨਬਰਾ, ਹਰੇਕ ਥਾਂ ਮੁਜ਼ਾਹਰਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੁੰ ਦੇ ਰਹੇ। ਹਿੰ ਦੁਸਤਾਨੀ ਫੌਜਾਂ ਦੇ ਇਸ ਹਮਲੇ ਨੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੰ ਸਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਵਸਦੇ ਸਿੱ ਖਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੋਚ ਨੂੰ ਝੰ ਜੋੜ ਕੇ ਰੱ ਖ ਦਿਤਾ। ਇਸ ਹਮਲੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਸੰ ਸਾਰ ਭਰ ਦੇ ਸਿੱ ਖ ਸਮਾਜ ਦੀ ਸੋਚ ਦੇ ਸਮੀਕਰਨ ਹੀ ਬਦਲ ਗਏ। ਕਦੀ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਸੋਚੀ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲ਼ੀ ਅਣਹੋਣੀ ਵਾਪਰ ਗਈ। ਹਰੇਕ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਰੱ ਖਣ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ ਸਿੱ ਖਾਂ ਨੇ ਬਤੌਰ ਸਿੱ ਖ ਸੋਚਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਦਿਤਾ। ਸ. ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਕੱ ਟੜ ਖੱ ਬੇਪੱਖੀ ਵਿਚਾਰਧਾਰਾ ਦੇ ਪੇਰੋਕਾਰ ਸਨ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ

ਦੀਆਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਲਿਖਤਾਂ ਕਮਿਊਨਿਸਟ ਵਿਚਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਤ ਹੋਣ ਕਰਕੇ, ਨਕਸਲੀ ਲਹਿਰ ਵਿਚ ਨਾ ਕੇਵਲ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਰਗਰਮ ਹਿੱ ਸਾ ਹੀ ਲਿਆ ਬਲਕਿ ਉਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਕਵਿਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਾਰਤਕ ਵੀ ਸੱ ਬਰਕੱ ਤੀ ਲਿਖੀ। ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੁਲਝੇ ਹੋਏ ਨਾਸਤਕ ਅਤੇ ਖੱ ਬੀ ਸੋਚ ਦੇ ਮੁਦਈ ਜੇਹੜੇ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਿਤਕਾਰ ਸਿੱ ਖਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਲਮਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਿੱ ਖੀ ਵਿਚਾਰਧਾਰਾ ਵੱ ਲ ਮੋੜਾ ਖਾ ਲਿਆ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਇਕ ਉਘਾ ਨਾਂ ਸ. ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰ ਘ ਰਾਹੀ ਵੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਅੱ ਗੇ ਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਚਾਹੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਵਿਤਾ ਲਿਖੀ ਜਾਂ ਵਾਰਤਕ ਤੇ ਜਾਂ ਫਿਰ ‘ਨਾਦਰਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਵਾਪਸੀ’ ਵਰਗਾ ਵੱ ਡਾ ਨਾਵਲ ਲਿਖਿਆ, ਉਸ ਵਿਚ ਜੂਨ ਚੌਰਾਸੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਦੇਸ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਪਰਨ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ ਜ਼ੁਲਮ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਹੀ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤੇ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਵੀ ਯਥਾਰਥ। ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਫਿਰ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਿਥ ਵਿਚ ਮੇਰਾ ਅਕਸਰ ਹੀ ਆਉਣ ਜਾਣ ਬਣਿਆ ਰਿਹਾ। ਚਾਹੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਟੂਰਨਾਮੈਂਟ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ ਸੱ ਦਣ ਤੇ ਚਾਹੇ ਵੈਸੇ ਹੀ ਸਿਡਨੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਮਹਾਂ ਨਗਰ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਦਿਨ ਬਾਹਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਨੂੰ ਜੀ ਕਰੇ, ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਟਾਊਨ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਿਥ ਵੱ ਲ ਹੀ ਮੂੰ ਹ ਕਰਕੇ ਤੁਰ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਅਜੋਕੀ ਖੁਲ੍ਹੀ ਕਵਿਤਾ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਂ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਅਨੰਦ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਕੇਵਲ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਖੁਲ੍ਹੀ ਕਵਿਤਾ ਹੀ ਹੈ। ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ

ਪੰ ਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ ਉਚ ਦੁਮਾਲੜੇ ਸਾਹਿਕਾਰ ਸਨ। ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਣ ਨਾਲ਼ ਪਰਵਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਅੱ ਗੇ ਵਧ ਕੇ ਸਿੱ ਖ ਸਮਾਜ ਅਤੇ ਪੰ ਜਾਬੀ ਸਾਹਿਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਪੂਰਾ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲ਼ਾ ਘਾਟਾ ਪਿਆ ਹੈ। ਅਸੀਂ, ਜਦੋਂ ਵੀ ਮਿਲ਼ਦੇ ਸਾਂ, ਅਕਸਰ ਹੀ ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਆ ਦੇ ਸਿੱ ਖ ਸਮਾਜ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਹਿਤ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਿਚਾਰਾਂ ਕਰਿਆ ਕਰਦੇ ਸਾਂ। ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਹਿਤ ਦੀ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ ਹਰੇਕ ਵਿਧਾ ਵਿਚ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਸਾਹਿਤ ਦੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ। ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਿਥ ਦੇ ਪੰ ਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਦੀ ਹਰੇਕ ਸਰਗਰਮੀ ਵਿਚ ਉਹ ਮੋਹਰੀ ਹਿੱ ਸਾ ਪਾਉਂਦੇ ਰਹੇ। ਚਾਹੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਟੂਰਨਾਮੈਂਟ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਉਸਾਰੀ ਜਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਬੰ ਧ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਜ ਹੋਵੇ, ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਅੱ ਗੇ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਹਿੱ ਸਾ ਪਾਉਂਦੇ ਸਨ। ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਮਾ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ਼ ਇਕ ਲੰਮੀ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ ਵੀ ਛਾਪੀ ਸੀ, ਜੋ ਕਈ ਪੱ ਤਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਛਪਣ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਤੀਜੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ‘ਯਾਦਾਂ ਭਰੀ ਚੰ ਗੇਰ’ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਛਪੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਵਿਚ ਮੈਂ ਖ਼ਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ ਸਮੇਤ, ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਸਲਿਆਂ ਉਪਰ, ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਸਵਾਲ ਕੀਤੇ ਸਨ ਤੇ ਓਨੀ ਹੀ ਬੇਬਾਕੀ ਨਾਲ਼ ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਵਾਬ ਦਿਤੇ ਸਨ। ਰੱ ਬ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰੇ, ਰਾਹੀ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਆਤਮਾ ਜਿਸ ਵੀ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਰਬਤ ਪਰਵਾਰ, ਸੰ ਗੀਆਂ, ਸਾਥੀਆਂ, ਮਿੱ ਤਰਾਂ, ਸ਼ੁਭਚਿੰ ਤਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਣਾ ਮੰ ਨਣ ਦਾ ਬਲ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੇ।

Shahid Minar in Brisbane

Bangla School and Ethnic Schools Association of Queensland (ESAQ) jointly organised a multicultural festival on 29 May 2021 at Indooroopilly State High School to celebrate Mother Language and Community Language School (CLS) Day. The festival was supported by Queensland Government.

It was a great one in terms of language and cultural diversity (few selected photos for each group are included).

The young students, teachers and volunteers of the Bangla, Chinese, Hungarian, German, Filipino, Sinhalese, Dinka, South Sudanese, Korean and Urdu language schools, Sargam Music Academy and Aboriginal group (Koolabara Dancers) came to showcase their mother language and cultural heritage at one stage, one

Brisbane

after another. Representative from Gujrati language also came to support the festival. The Bangla School’s performances were superb, as usual.

Rafiul Alam (Vice President, ESAQ) spoke about the progress of establishing a Shahid Minar (Mother Language Monument) in Brisbane. The proposal he submitted to the Queensland Government in January 2019, on behalf of the Brisbane Bangla School and ESAQ, is now in its final stage. Approval at all levels of government is completed, now only the construction process is left.

As promised by the government, the Shahid Minar will be established at a popular place where everyone, young and adult, can go with a group to lay floral wreaths easily and have wheelchair access.

The Shahid Minar will be a devoted place to pay homage to all the language martyrs of the world, particularly the Bangla language martyrs, and a permanent symbol of the multicultural society where there will be a call for the preservation of the mother language.

Rafiul Alam added that the formation of the relevant committee was delayed last year due to the Queensland parliamentary and city corporation elections, and the COVID-19 situation. As a result, the final approval of the Shahid Minar was given recently - almost a year later. He hopes that the construction work of the Shahid Minar will be completed before February 21 next year.

Irene Bayldon (President, ESAQ), Mohammad Alauddin, Ahmed Rahman Santu, Maksudur Rahman,

Sayeed Chowdhury (President, Brisbane Bangla School), Mahiul Morshed (Convenor, Brisbane Bangla Radio) and Sydney expatriate Nirmal Pal (MLC Movement International) have supported in different ways at different times to implement this initiative of establishing a Shahid Minar.

Ms Jonty Bush MP (State Member for Cooper) was the Chief Guest who represented Hon Lennae Linard MP, the Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

Mrs. Charis Mullen MP (Assistant Minister for Treasury and State Member for Jordan), Mr. Milton Dick MP (Federal Member for Oxley), Dr. Amy McMahon (State Member for South Brisbane) and Consulate General of Bangladesh to Sydney Mr. Khondakar Masudul Alam were the

Special Guests. Mr. Umesh Chandra OAM, CEO of Chantex Pty Ltd was the Guest of Honour. Several leaders of the Bangladesh community were present who have worked or are still working selflessly for Bangladesh Association in Brisbane, Brisbane Bangla School and Brisbane Bangla Radio for a long time.

AKM Shahinuzzaman,

Shilpi Rahman and Shahin Akhter Shimul are notable.

Also, present was Tahsin Ali, General Secretary of Bangladesh Association in Brisbane.

The Shahid Minar will be a great achievement, not only for the Bangladeshi community, also for all local communities as it will be a permanent symbol of multicultural Queensland.

Kavita ji

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 19

International Women’s Week celebration

by ISCA & Ekta Women’s Group RUNCORN ISCA (Indian Senior Citizen Association) together with Ekta women’s group celebrated international women’s week. The program started with universal prayer and National Anthem.

Chief guest Mrs Archana Singh acknowledged the association and appreciated the work and commitment of all members involved.

ISCA also celebrated 100 years of a very special member in our community Mrs Ram Dulari. Function continued with variety of items such as singing, dancing and storytelling. The day concluded with delicious meal prepared by Mr Raj Prasad and cake donated by Mr Duncan Pegg’s office.

OSMAN ALI RANE AWARDED ORDER OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL

At a ceremony at Government House on 14 May 2021, the Governor of Qld, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey awarded Osman Ali Rane his Order of Australia Medal. Osman was named in the Australia Day 2021 list of medal winners for his services to the Muslim Community of Queensland.

Osman is from one of the first five continuous Muslim families to settle in Brisbane and is the third generation of the Rane family who migrated from India. His father, the Late Haji Abdul Rahim Rane was the first appointed Imam of the Holland Park Mosque, the first mosque on the east coast of Australia and the oldest continuous mosque in Australia. He fulfilled this role on a voluntary basis for thirty years.

The role of the Imam in those years was to care for the needs of the whole Muslim community in Queensland which was scattered and small in comparison to what it is today, since the White Australia Policy was abolished in the 1970s.

Haji Rane worked part time as a Security Guard for the Bank of New South Wales, now Westpac to support his family of eleven children consisting of six sons and five daughters.

Osman was sixth in line and was very close to his father.

He travelled with him from the age of fourteen to visit the sick and help support those in need and became familiar with most of the families and community both in Brisbane and rural areas.

He had a good grounding in the five pillars of Islam and the needs that arose in the community. What is most important, he grew up in the

Australian community and the Aussie way of life. Ossie grew up a true blue Muslim Aussie with great morals and ethics instilled in him by devoted parents.

His mother was a distant relative of the Booth family who established the Salvation Army and also of Danish origin. From these parents Osman, nicknamed Ossie, began his young life as the first Muslim volunteer of his generation and has continued in this role into his early sixties and still spending a great deal of his time in the service of others.

He is a founding member and Vice President of the Muslim Charitable Foundation which is a Muslim Charity that

20 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

has been established to help Queenslanders and operating since 2008.

On Sunday 30 May, MCF and members of the Rane family enjoyed a true blue Aussie luncheon on the Gold Coast to honour Aussie for receiving His OAM. The Muslim community are so happy that one of the members of the Muslim pioneer families has received this great honour.

It is so well deserved. Ossie has seven children and he has instilled the need of community work into the psyche of his children who assist him in many of the tasks he carries out.

OAR is now an OAM Osman Ali Rane OAM a True Blue Aussie! Oi Oi Oi

Australia and the Philippines celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021 The Philippines is one of Australia’s longest-standing bilateral relationships. Their enduring friendship is based on shared interests and values, supported by strong people-to-people links. The relationship has developed into a mature partnership that seeks to advance our mutual interests through cooperation in trade, development, defence and security.

Recognising the shared values between Australia and the Philippines, the 75th Anniversary campaign bears the theme “Mateship and Bayanihan”.

The Filipino ideal of “bayanihan” which conveys the spirit of communal unity and cooperation, is akin to the Australian tradition of “mateship” – that notion of friendship, solidarity and pulling together. These values have been tested under the most gruelling periods of history, including today, as we work together in

these times of COVID-19.

In Brisbane, on May 22nd and 23rd 2021, FAFQ Inc Board of Management celebrated the first and last session of the 75th Philippines Australia

Diplomatic Relations with the Philippine Ambassador in Australia, H.E. Mrs Ma. Hellen B. de la Vega , Guests and Different FilipinoAustralian Organisations.

Mabuhay!

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 21

Arya Samaj Queensland

Jitendra Deo President ASQ Prarthana means prayer to God to be our guide. Prayer is asking for God’s inspiration and help so that we may gain spiritual knowledge, wisdom, strength and determination to acquire virtuous qualities in ourselves as well as live a virtuous life, learn humility and with our abilities help fellow human beings. After making one’s best effort, it is asking God, the Universal Benefactor, for His blessings so our requests are fulfilled.

Praying teaches us humility and reminds us that we are not all powerful like God. It also helps us acknowledge our limitations and our arrogance so that we learn where we need to improve.

Praying also reminds us of our moral duties (dharma) both to ourselves and to others and further shows us that we should seek God’s counsel first and then that of our fellow humans, not the other way around.

The following Veda mantra is an example of prayer to God : Tayjo asi tayjo mayi dayhi, viryam asi veeryam mayi dayhi, Balam asi balam mayi dayhi, ojo asi ojo mayi dayhi,

Manyur asi manyur mayi dayhi, saho asi saho mayi dayhi. (Yajur Veda 19 : 9) This manta describes six of God’s attributes and is a prayer to God to help us acquire at least elements of some of the same attributes in our lives. The mantra starts by stating that God is the Radiance that enlightens everybody because He is the source of all knowledge that is known by truth. God is the Supreme Light that leads us forward in our life, towards brightness and away from ignorance and darkness.

After acknowledging that God is the Supreme Radiance, we pray for radiance in our own lives also. Similarly in this mantra, God is addressed as the Almighty and the storehouse of Infinite Strength, Vigour and Vitality, Courage and Fortitude followed by prayer that we may also acquire an element of the same attributes in our lives.

When we pray to God, or ask God for something, it is not a passive request. When we ask for God’s grace and also make an active commitment to change our life, we become deserving of God’s gifts. Giving is God’s attribute and He gives all of us what we deserve based upon our karma. When we pray, our actions should not contradict our prayers.

A person praying for good health is not expected to eat six doughnuts and/or drink six beers daily. Moreover, if we ask God to give us something (i.e. share with us), then we must be willing to share what we have with those who are less fortunate.

Lastly, as acknowledged

in this mantra, God is the Foremost Power and we should only ask Him when we need something.

We should, therefore, not seek protection or shelter from those who seem to be powerful but are actually quite vulnerable themselves. Such shelter or protection from other humans, in the long haul is doomed to failure.

Therefore, one must first and foremost ask God, the Giver of all givers with humility and generosity. An advanced aspirant who has completely surrendered to God does not ask anything for himself or herself but only for the welfare of others.

Such aspirants leave the responsibility of their welfare, shelter and protection to God and trust that God will meet their needs one way or another.

There are a few things one should remember about praying: • One must never pray for impossible things (such as asking that the sun rise in the West). It is wrong to test God. • One must never pray for the harm or the destruction of others just because we disagree with them but it is wise to ask God’s help and grace when one is fighting for truth and righteous causes.

• As stated above one should never pray for help without first having made one’s best effort. Prayer is not a substitute for action (karma). God helps those who help themselves.

• Prayer does not mean chanting God’s name over and over but requires one to make an improvement

(Pic. .gkkhoj.com/fingerprint)

Do You Really Know?…

Jesus said “Arise and Shine…”

How Significant you are?…

Key Scriptures: Gen. 1:26a,27 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Dear Reader, Do you truly understand how significant you are?

Do you value your life as precious and priceless gift?

Currently we live in a world that is troubled and traumatised by the Pandemic. But we need know the truth about our true significance in this world.

Vaccination is only a temporary victory over our current pandemic. Our real problem is we do not understand our true significance. It is critical for us to challenge our thinking: Do I really know my true identity?

Where did I come from?

Why I am here earth?

What is my purpose?

Do not ignore these very important questions. Because this short article is intended to tell you the most important message that you will ever hear. Yes, not only it is the most important message you will ever hear, it is also the best news you will ever hear. In fact, this message is called “The Gospel” which means “The Good News”.

We truly hope this message will bring you a great comfort in these troubled times. Our theme is simple and clear. It is to make God real and personal.

And to present God as a Living

22 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

and Loving Person; so you may understand His true character, nature and relate to Him personally.

1. What “In the Image of God” Does NOT Mean; It does NOT mean that man is divine!

It does NOT refer a physical likeness that we see and touch.

2. What “In the Image of God” Entails? Man is capable of speaking, Man is capable of writing, Man is capable of advancing intellectually, Man is capable of reasoning. Man is capable of making rational choices. Free will given by the Creator God. 3. What “In the Image of God” Entails • Man has an innate sense of morality. Awareness there is a difference between right and wrong. Recognition that men are amenable to this “moral oughtness”. Ability to

choose between right and wrong. Man is creative Man can experience heart-felt emotions: love, mercy, compassion, anger, etc. Man has an innate religious inclination (Rom. 1:20-23).

Therefore Man possesses an immortal soul. (Ref: slideserve. com/jeb/genesis) God is not an object or an image or an imagination of human mind. God is a living and loving person. We find this amazing revelation in the pages of Holy Bible. Keep reading His Words with an open heart and humble spirit. You will encounter His awesome forgiveness, mercy and unfailing love.

Think about this, three essential things such as oxygen to breathe, rain and sunshine are free to everyone on this earth. Just because they are

in his/her character and conduct of life. Prayer is also a time for selfreflection and to think about whether or not one has become more virtuous by discarding personal vices. Without an attempt to change one’s life, prayer is not only useless but also hypocritical.

• One must pray for oneself and not ask a priest to pray on one’s behalf.

The role of a priest is that of a teacher, guide and confidante to help a person understand the spiritual aspects of life and to teach someone how to pray and meditate.

• While one should not ask others to pray on one’s behalf, it is perfectly appropriate to pray for the well-being of others, nation and the universe. It is a generous and unselfish

free we tend to ignore their significant purpose in our lives.

This booklet is also free. But the message it carries brings true and satisfying life.

How do I know this? I have lived first 26 years of my life as ignorant of basic truth.

I grew up with an ideology and philosophy that told me become a good person. Do well in studies, work hard and be honest. Our family tradition was to bow down for many idols and images of family gods.

As children we performed all family rituals with a content heart. As I grew older, I was began to search for meaning of life through a scientific mindset.

Therefore I use think and reason ‘if there is a Creator, or a God, let Him fix the whole mess in this world, then I can consider knowing about Him. When someone asked me about my faith or religion I would say humanity is my religion and scientific knowledge is my faith.

I was almost in denial of any Supreme Creator or the God of the universe.

Now, I am a recipient of many miracles in my life. And I know that many of my friends and family also have encountered the supernatural favour.

This is purely as the result of relationship that we have been developing through the Holy Scriptures. It has nothing to do with our great service to our

gesture and may include praying for wisdom for your enemy so that the two of you may reconcile your differences.

• Summarising above, one prays not only for one’s personal spiritual, mental and physical welfare but also for that of others, extending one’s requests to all mankind and nature as well. Most of the prayers in the Vedas are for “us” rather than for “me,” with great deal of emphasis on being generous and giving to others because this allows one to receive God’s blessings.

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

job or community, it is simply knowing who we are as God’s children. Therefore the greatest miracle that happened to me was the changing of my heart and mind. When we learn to humble and accept the free gift of God’s love and mercy to touch your hearts, you qualify for a miracle.

When you say a prayer with childlike faith and sincere heart, God send a miracle power your way. No amount of good works or million dollars can buy or create a miracle. Miracle is simply learning to know and say YES to our Creator and Lord Jesus and letting His love flood our hearts. Therefore the greatest miracle is when you know you have been forgiven and made a new creation.

If you need a miracle today, why not say YES to the Miracle Maker Jesus Christ. Say this prayer with sincere hearts; “Father God, I need your help, forgive me, heal me, I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose again to give me a life of miracles. Bless me with your unlimited grace and mercy.

Thank you God in Jesus name I pray, Amen”. Friends if you said this prayer for the first time, write to us, so we can help you to grow in the life of supernatural miracles that are waiting for you.

Our email is: navig8grace@ gmail.com

Ravishing Fashionistas Fashion Show 2021 Fashionistas exist to help women to embrace themselves confidently by breaking through stereotypes in the fashion industry. Following hot on the heels of the past two years of successful fashion runway shows in 2019 and 2020, we are back in 2021 with more Brisbane based models, designers, makeup artists , photographers & stylists.

We love to challenge ourselves and aspire to deliver our guests an unforgettable experience.

Local politicians, celebrities and influencers gather under one roof to witness the best of Brisbane's models, fashion designers, jewellery creatives, stylists, hair and makeup artists, photographers, social media influencers and guests.

On Sunday, May 16th,

Ravishing

Call: (07) 3192 5188

Team Ravishing Fashionistas presented our Pre-Event Launch Party to our VVIP’s at The Emporium, South Bank.

It was a fabulous evening of fashion, food, chatting & dancing. Upma Kite, Mrs Australia Universal 2019, is the founder & director of Ravishing Fashionistas.

Alongside her team, she presented to her guests her inspiration for the concept creation of the show, as well as her dreams for this year’s event.

Upma herself is a published model and knows the struggles within the industry. She wanted to create a space that encouraged women of all shapes, sizes, ages & backgrounds to embrace themselves by breaking stereotypes in the fashion industry. The host of the night, Liz Murrihy, presented a small showcase

of our Ravishing Fashionistas Models, providing a snippet of what our guests can expect when our dedicated teams of designers, creators, hair & makeup artists, stylists gather to create a dynamic show on July 3rd, 2021 at the Royal International Convention Centre.

Continuing the mission to embrace yourself by breaking stereotypes and advocating positive body image, the Ravishing Fashionistas Team is determined to deliver an exceptional Fashion Show experience.

Team RF are encouraging everyone to fight prejudice and advocate positive body image for all women. Their message to the community is to confidently embrace their beauty and body irrespective of their age, body type, background, skin colour or culture. Every woman has a story and a unique personality - and we want to hear it.

The Ravishing Fashionistas Team consists of experts from the fashion industry and other professional backgrounds who volunteer their time to produce the show for professional and emerging models and designers. The team has delivered two sold out shows in the past at Sofitel, 2019 and Stanford Plaza, 2020. With every event produced, RF pledges that a portion of funds raised will go to a charity. This year Ravishing Fashionistas Fashion Show 2021 will donate a portion of profits to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Dignifying Women.

You can find out more about our unique concept & see exclusive behind-thescenes from our launch party and model rehearsals on our instagram page: @

RavishingFashionistas Tickets are available now for the Ravishing Fashionistas Fashion Show, July 3rd 2021 at the Royal International Convention Centre - join us for a stunning night of gold & glitter!

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 23

Who, What, Where, When...

Connie Da Cunha presented newly released book Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the citizenship ceremony

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi!! Welcoming new citizens with glitz and glamour

Invited guests at the pre-citizenship ceremony reception

Speaker for the representative family displays her citizenship ceremony

Lisa Crawford, regional director Home affairs second from left with Umesh Chandra OAM at refugees’ welcome ceremony at Brisbane City Hall

Rajarajan Thennavan with Qld Day award for Varnam Cultural Society (Qld)

Lord Mayor addresses new migrants and invited dignitaries

Team Varnam Cultural Society with Minister Leanne Enoch and Jim Chalmers MP

Members of Valley Business Lunch group mingle with pre-lunch drinks at Bijou Bijou restaurant in the valley 24 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

Tony Gleeson finally gets a haircut – but for a good

Delightful performance by African Fusion group at refugee’s welcome ceremony

Investment in Qld announced during Queensland Week

Councillor Vicky Howard and Trevor Evans MP have ago at trimming Tony Gleeson’s hair supporting worlds greatest shave

Who, What, Where, When...

Captivated audiences in all shows of VOID – Powerful performance by Aarti Bajaj and team

Thrilled patrons at the VOID opening night at HOTA

Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio represented at the show

Its that time again – the Luminous lantern Parade in a slightly different format

Let the parade begin! official guest light their specially prepared lantern to mark the beginning of the parade

From left Usha Chandra, Umesh Chandra OAM, Peter Forday, Dr Jishu Das Gupta (JD) at the VIP reception of Lantern Parade

Team Philippines at the parade

Queensland Multicultural Council supporting Eid Ul Fitr by Indonesian Community

Sharing the joys of Eid Ul Fitr with Indonesian community

EID celebration at Sam and Shabnam Abdul family is always a pleasure Call: (07) 3192 5188

Nothing but the best – a wonderful spread by the family, plentiful and stylish www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 25

The Girmit Museum Project by the Global Girmit Institute (GGI) The Global Girmit Institute (GGI) has commenced work on building a dedicated Museum to focus on Girmityas and their legacy.

The museum is co-located with the GGi library and headquarters in Saweni, Lautoka, Fiji.

The library at the GGI has an extensive collection of resources most of which has been acquired through a private donor. It is the largest collection of its kind globally and open to the public at no charge. The premises provide a muchvalued centre being used by students regularly for research and study.

The Museum will be a centre of excellence in the quest for and dissemination of knowledge on the collective memory of Girmityas and in the preservation of the national heritage of the people of the Fiji Islands.

Collection of Girmit era artefacts will showcase the lifestyles of people during and after the Girmit era.

These include objects that related to their homes, farms, lifestyle, music, dance, garments, jewellery, community and religious events.

The aim is to collect 50 artefacts from relatives/ extended families of Fiji residents living in Queensland via their relations in Fiji.

Fiji individuals living in Queensland can liaise with me in relation to donating artefacts from their relations in Fiji or globalgrimitinstitute@ gmail.com in Fiji. Artefacts we are keen to collect include and not limited to: old sewing machines, horse plough, bullock pulled harrows, horse pulled chisel plough “hanga” and ‘khudkudia”, old milk cans, “mathni”, “ghasita”, “jhwatta”, horse “collar”, “jhata”, old iron pots, two man hand held saws for tree felling, needles used to sew large mats or “paa’al” etc.

The museum is also embarking on collection of

folk songs either by CDs or USBs of Bihra, Aala, Sohar, Log Geet, Chautal, Fagua or Faag, Bhajans and Tassa.

Few collections have been sent by me to Global Girmit in Lautoka. Any persons wishing to send their collection to Global Girmit can contact me as email below.

Global Girmit is working towards building a traditional “bure” thatched house plus a well at the Girmit compound. The plan is also to promote Fiji Indian dishes as a tourist attraction once the pandemic restriction is lifted with Fiji Indian cooking promotion.

The Global Girmit is planning to organise a chautal/faag mela next year including primary and secondary school students. There is also plan to hold a chautal/faag

Global Girmit is working towards building a traditional “bure” thatched house plus a well at the Girmit compound. The plan is also to promote Fiji Indian dishes as a tourist attraction once the pandemic restriction is lifted with Fiji Indian cooking promotion.

The Museum will collect, preserve and use in a sustainable manner the Girmityas tangible and intangible heritage for the purpose of increasing knowledge and understanding of Fiji’s past; developing interest and pride in its historical legacy; and promoting appreciation and respect for the heritage throughout Fiji Islands and world stage. day for all the countries where Girmityas settled including Australia and New Zealand.

Some 60,500 plus labourers from India were sent to Fiji Islands by the British Government between 1879 and 1916. A majority of Fiji residents are now direct descendants of these Girmityas. An equal number as those who now reside in Fiji, now also reside in countries like Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and the UK. Although the Fiji Museum has exhibits showcasing a range of lifestyle artefacts from the Girmit Era, do date no dedicated museum exists in Fiji to immortalise the history of Girmit.

The Museum will

collect, preserve and use in a sustainable manner the Girmityas tangible and intangible heritage for the purpose of increasing knowledge and understanding of Fiji’s past; developing interest and pride in its historical legacy; and promoting appreciation and respect for the heritage throughout Fiji Islands and world stage.

It will exhibit the relationship between the Fiji Sugar Industry and the Girmit showcasing collection of equipment, machinery, farm implements and farm life.

The Girmit Museum will be in the homes of the global citizenry via virtual and internet technology. There will be active programmes

including interactive facilities for school children and educational seminars in forms of storytelling, reading from history books and participating in choreographed shows.

The vision is to develop the museum in phases to include artefact and virtual museums. Donation of artefact, fundraising or any other support is encouraged and will be greatly appreciated.

The Girmit Museum Project Committee comprises a team of volunteers residing in Fiji and the Fiji Indian diaspora groups in Australia and New Zealand.

Contact Information: For further information please contact: Pravind Kumar Executive Committee Member Email: Pravind.kumar@ gmail.com Mob: 042720480 For cash donations: Bank of South Pacific (17 Tukani St Lautoka) Account Name: Global Girmit Institute Account Number: 82178895 BSB Number: 069-010 Swift Code: BOSPFJFJ

Chinmaya Mission Brisbane GEETA YAGNA 2021 86 Scott Lane, North Maclean /www.shreevishnumayamandir.com.au. Mob 0481238360

Navagraha Maha Yagna By: Dharam Guru Param Pujya Pt Tripathi Ji.

Everyone please, come and join this Navagraha Maha Yagna

Date: Sunday 20th June 2021 Bhajans Kirtans and Special Maha Prasad will be provided Yagna will start at 10:30am Sharp & a Special Navagrah Maha Prasad will be served at 1:30pm.

Yagna Hawan Sponsor $111.00 Only two Persons per sponsor

Food Sponsor $400.00

Once a Year Only

Is Navgrah Yagna mein bhag lene se, ap ka sab dukh dard ka nash ho jaye ga.

Sponsor and receive the Blessings from all the nine Graha.

You will not require to do any other Grah pooja till next year.

Is Mahamari ke samay mein Apna aur Sansar ka uddhar kariye.

Contact: Dhiru Desai: 0406 2131 53, Bharat Solanki: 04111 31485,

Ranil Dayal 0403 146575, Rajesh Gopal: 04223 44046, Devika Maharaj: 04248 91159, Rabean Singh: 04034 33379, Narendra Singh: 04780 64876 or The Temple 5548 6814 For secured online donation facility visit: www.shreevishnumayamandir.com.au

It is only befi-ng that at this 1me when the global humanity, in unison, is working to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, that Chinmaya Mission has chosen to devote the en1re year 2021 to taking the upliCing teachings of The Holy Geeta to the length and breadth of this world.

The divine conversa1ons between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, which is encapsulated in The Holy Geeta, has stood the test of 1me, and bears significant relevance to the challenges faced by humanity, not only in today’s modern world but also for posterity.

Mahatma Gandhiji – “When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad Geeta.”

Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji devoted his life to expounding The Holy Geeta. He asserted that the message of the Geeta is the an1dote to all humanity’s problems and a blueprint for real happiness. To honour and con1nue this priceless service to society. Geeta Yagna 2021 intends to bring The Holy Geeta to every home and every individual across the globe.

The Holy Geeta can be accessed through different portals •Ebooks through Apple Books, Google books – Free Download •Bhagavad Geeta Podcasts through your podcast providers •Gita 365 App from Google Play/App Store •YouTube GeetaCapsules •Go through Geeta, Grow through Geeta – Contact us for your free copy This is a global ini1a1ve and Chinmaya Mission welcomes par1cipa1on from all quarters of the Queensland community.

How can you par1cipate in the Chinmaya Mission Geeta Yagna 2021?

•Share informa1on about free eGeeta and invite others to join study groups •Volunteer to become a Geeta Doota (Geeta Ambassador) •Support the Yagna to bolster resources and enabling greater outreach If you are interested to par1cipate in the Chinmaya Mission Geeta Yagna 2021, please contact either Raman on 0404 160 896 or Suresh on 0434 309 817. Email – chinmayaholygeeta.qld@gmail.com https://www.theholygeeta.com

26 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

www.chinmayamissionsydney.org.au/donations

PRESENTS

Musical Night

SAT

7 AUG

Raffle tickets FREE PARKING

5.30PM ONWARDS

Tickets:- https://www.trybooking.com/BROPV VENUE:- VALMAI PIGEON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE (VPAC)

Somerville House, 17 Graham Street, South Brisbane BONDITA:- 0422735899 email:- info@sargam.com.au www.sargam.com.au

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 27

Our Schools 1971 vs 2021

Although technology, culture and the economy have been transformed in the past 50 years, driven largely by mass communication and cheaper global transportation, schools have remained relatively recognisable versions of their 1971 selves.

The school day remains roughly intact, conducted in most schools between 9 and 3.

Classrooms, although brighter, more colourful and more flexible than they once were, also contain a large group of young people, grouped by similar age.

The core curriculum English, Maths, Science, History, Languages, PE, with Arts and Technology specialisations -- is also largely the same as 50 years ago.

The teacher, albeit

more skilled and with more responsibilities for character development, social and emotional development, remains in charge of driving the learning.

I sometimes wonder why it is that schooling in 2021 and schooling in 1971 is not as different as we might expect.

Our approach at Canterbury College is questioning traditional assumptions about what makes a great school.

We have spent significant time reimagining the learning process for our 1,450 students from Prep to Year 12.

We are driven by a desire to make learning fun and challenging.

We want to explore topics that excite and motivate our students.

Importantly, we want

to build choice in what students learn, outside of the core curriculum.

Our Year 5 and 6 elective program includes semester units from a very nontraditional list of topics: photo-journalism, filmmaking, philosophy, sports psychology, robotics and drones, electronics and many others.

In Year 7, 8 and 9 we allocate 30% of the academic week to elective subjects: psychology, chemistry and physics extension, engineering, anatomy and physiology, politics and law, digital solutions, film and television as well as nearly 20 other options.

As I visit classrooms, I see the impact of providing

student choice over what they learn. It creates happy, disciplined and high-energy classrooms where learning is turbo-charged.

Over the next few years, we will look at new approaches to the school day as well as greater independence for our senior students, as they transition to an independent style of

learning at university.

We're committed to innovation and to ensuring we are living our vision of inspiring and nurturing confident, optimistic and compassionate young people who are ready for the world.

—Dan Walker, Principal Canterbury College

Harry and Meghan welcome their second child, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana CONTD. FROM PG 1 The couple said both the baby and her mother were healthy and well, settling in at home.

No photos of the newborn or the Sussexes accompanied the announcement.

The royal family released a statement saying it was "delighted" with the news of the baby's arrival.

"The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex," the statement from Buckingham Palace read Prince William and Kate Middleton also congratulated the couple on the birth of their daughter.

"We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili.

Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie," the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said.

Prime Minister Boris

Johnson also passed on his congratulations to the pair.

"Many congratulations to The Duke & Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their daughter," he said.

The couple had announced they were expecting their second child by releasing a photo and statement on Valentine's Day. Captured in their backyard, it showed Meghan laying in Harry's lap with her right hand resting on her baby bump.

A spokesperson for the couple said at the time: "We

28 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child."

During the couple's tellall interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in March, they revealed they were expecting a girl and said their daughter's birth would complete their family.

"Just grateful … to have any child, any one or any two would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, you know,

what more can you ask for?" Harry said at the time.

"But now ... we've got our family. We've got, you know, the four of us and our two dogs, and it's great."

As was the case for Archie, the baby won't receive a royal title.

Harry and Meghan had reportedly planned a home

birth for their first child at their previous home in the UK, Frogmore Cottage, with an all-female midwife team.

Instead, the duchess welcomed Archie at Portland Hospital in London.

The Sussexes' daughter is eighth in line to the

British throne.

Even though Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in March 2020, the line of succession remains in play.

Harry currently sits in sixth place, with Archie following him at number seven.

Call: (07) 3192 5188

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 29

CoreLogic: Australia’s housing boom rolls on with national home values lifting another 2.2% in May Housing markets around

Australia continued to surge in May with CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index up 2.2% over the month. The rise in May was a stronger result compared with April (1.8%), but weaker than the 32-year high recorded in March when values surged 2.8%.

CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless, observes that growth conditions remained broad based both geographically and across the housing types and valuation segments.

“Values were up by more than 1% across every capital city over the month, with both house and unit values lifting across the board. Of the 334 SA3 sub-regions analysed by CoreLogic, 97% have recorded a lift in housing values over the past three months. Such a synchronised upswing is an absolute rarity across Australia’s diverse array of housing markets.”

For the second time in three months, growth conditions in capital city home values outpaced the regional markets. The combined capital city index rose 2.3% in May compared with a 2.0% rise across the

combined regional areas.

Across the capital cities, the monthly change in dwelling values ranged from a 1.1% rise in Perth through to a 3.2% jump in Hobart. Across the non-capital city regions, conditions were more diverse.

Regional NSW led monthly gains (2.5%), while values in regional WA had the weakest result (-0.1%).

Mr Lawless reaffirmed the fundamentals driving strength in the housing market remain in place. “The combination of improving economic conditions and low interest rates is continuing to support consumer confidence which, in turn has created persistently strong demand for housing.

At the same time, advertised supply remains well below average. This imbalance between demand and supply is continuing to create urgency amongst buyers, contributing to the upwards pressure on housing prices.

“Despite the consistently strong headline results, the underlying trends have shifted over the past year,” Mr Lawless said. “The most expensive end of the market is now driving the highest rate of price appreciation

across most of the capital cities, whereas early in the growth cycle it was the most affordable end of the market that was the strongest.

“From a geographic perspective, it was the smaller capital cities that led the housing market out of the COVID slump, but now Sydney has risen through the ranks to record the largest capital gain over the past three months with values up 9.3%.”

Although housing values are now rising the fastest once again in Sydney, at least in trend terms, the annual growth rate is generally higher across the smaller capitals, as well as Regional New South Wales and Regional Tasmania. Darwin cracked the 20% annual growth barrier in May, with values now 20.3% higher over the past 12 months.

For Darwin dwellings, this is the strongest annual gain on record. Housing values across Regional New South Wales are up 18.6% while in Regional Tasmania values are 18.1%higher.

At the other end of the spectrum, the weakest housing markets over the past year have been in

Regional Western Australia (0.0%), and also in Melbourne

(5.0%) where the extended lockdown has created a more

significant drag on the annual rate of growth.

Bengali New Year 2021 Celebration in Brisbane

Nababarsha (নববর্ষ) – Bengali New Year….The first day of the Bengali calendar indeed is a big occasion in the life of every Bengali. It is a day of cheerful celebrations with great pride and enthusiasm.

Pohela Boishakh is the festival of celebrating Bengali New Year. Pohela means first and Boishakh is the first month of Bengali year. Every year the Bengali New year is celebrated in West Bengal – India, Bangladesh and all over the world with great enjoyment. Bongs greet one another by saying Shubho Nobo Borsho where 'Shubho' means happy, 'Naba' means New and 'Barsha' means Year.

If we have to talk about History, then it has a splendid backdrop.

During the Mughal rule, land taxes were collected from Bengali people according to the Islamic Hijri calendar which was a lunar calendar, and its new year did not coincide with the solar agricultural cycles.

According to some sources, the festival was a tradition introduced in Bengal during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar to time the tax year to the harvest, and the Bangla year was therewith called Bangabda.

Akbar Mughal Emperor Akbar had later requested his classic astronomer Fathullah Shirazi to develop a new calendar by combining the calendar dates of both the Hindu & Muslim religions. It was termed as the harvest calendar whose

original name was Fasholi shan. It is claimed by some historical scholars that it gave rise to the Bengali calendar.

It helped in collecting the seasonal taxes from the zamindars, during springtime.

“The Bengal” organized “Nababarsher Boithok O Noishobhoj” ( New Years Get Together and Dinner) and the Bengalis in Brisbane celebrated this year’s Bengali New Year with with much splendour on 1st May 2021 at Grange Community Hall, Brisbane. Nearly 100 people participate on that evening. It was a fun filled event with lots of activities like Cultural program, Dress up competition, Cooking competition, Kids activities and more.

The inauguration song was sung by Arundhuti Mukherjee and Rishav Mandal guided by Sarmistha Mandal.

The program followed by Kids song sung by

30 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

Ariyana Banerjee, recitation

by Rehan Dutta, Rabindra Sangeet sung by Dr Rumna Kundu, Sulagna Basu, Bengali modern song sung

by Sayari Bhattyacharya and Portia Joshi along with Dance performed by Supriya Bose.

MC of the evening was Anjan Kundu.

The Best Dress up in male section won by Jathin Jyoshi and the women section won

by Vandana Rao and Suchitra Mahendrakar and the kids section by Rehan Dutta and Ariyana Banerjee. Pinky Das achieved the best Bengali chef Award 2021 among all other notable Bengali chefs.

Where there is any Bengali event food is one of the important part, there wasn’t any exception in this event too. Entrée was Jhalmuri, singara(Samosa) and Tea followed by authentic Bengali cuisine ( dinner) Rice, Ghee, Dal, Alu Bhaja, Tarkari, Macher Kalia, Kosha Mangsho, Chatni,

Papad, Misti, cold drinks, Paan masala.

Handicraft, Garments stall was there for the invitees. Raffles was another attraction with attractive prizes sponsored by All India Food, Myra Indian Grocery Shop,Night OwlWoolongabba and The

Bengal.

Nababarsher Boithok is the first time of its kind in Brisbane, though similar events been organized by “The Bengal” for few years in Auckland, New Zealand.

The invitees was overwhelmed and eagerly waiting for the next year

to celebrate Bengali New Year with great zest and enthusiasm.

Program Organised By : “The Bengal” Event Managed by : @ Ur Service Event Management Article : Tapas Mandal Photo courtesy : Krishnendu Bhattyacharya

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 31

32 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 33

Jabs opened to private hospitals to speed up drive, but number of giving shots down to 1/3rd NEW DELHI: The new vaccination strategy was supposed to boost inoculation through the private sector but CoWin data shows that it has actually reduced the number of private facilities providing doses. With these hospitals left to stitch up deals with manufacturers directly, most that are not part of large panIndia corporate chains lack the wherewithal to arrange for procurement, transport and other logistics.

As of end-April, there were around 5,000 private centres providing vaccines every day. Now, that number is down around 1,300 to 1,700 on most days; on Friday, for instance, 1,689 private vaccination centres were active, according to an analysis by TOI's Insight Group.

In its affidavit in the Supreme Court justifying the "liberalised" vaccine policy, which envisaged a larger role for the private sector, the Centre had stated that setting aside 25% of vaccines for the private sector would

facilitate better access and reduce the operational stress on government vaccination facilities from those who could afford to pay and would prefer to go to a private hospital. Yet, hundreds of private hospitals, especially small and medium ones even in India’s eight largest cities, have had to shut or drastically slow down vaccination due to non-availability of doses.

They are too small to be able to deal directly with the manufacturers and place

orders.

A comparison of the number of doses administered in private hospitals in the eight largest cities till May 30 shows that more than three-fourths of private vaccination centres had administered few or no doses since May 16. Only about 10% of the private centres had administered over 500 doses in this twoweek period. Most of these were large hospitals, centres set up by corporate chain

Serum Institute Gets Nod To Make Sputnik Vaccine New Delhi: Adar Poonawalla's Serum Institute of India has got permission from the country's drugs regulator to make Sputnik V, the Russian COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr Poonawalla's company will test, analyse and then manufacture the vaccine at its Pune plant, sources have said. The test licence granted to the Serum Institute means it can develop and manufacture the product for testing, but not sell it. The first dose of Sputnik V was administered in Hyderabad on May 14 as part of a soft launch by Dr Reddy's Laboratories.

India has recorded over 2.85 crore Covid cases so far, according to government data.

Meanwhile, a government study has found that the coronavirus variant first found in India, the Delta strain, is highly infectious

and fast-spreading and drove the savage second surge of COVID-19 in the country. The Delta variant or the B.1.617.2 strain - is "more infectious" than the Alpha variant first detected in Kent, UK, says the study by scientists of the Indian SARS COV2 Genomic Consortia and the National Centre for Disease Control.

The Delta variant has also become the dominant variant of concern in the UK and may come

with an increased risk of hospitalisation, health officials in Britain have warned. According to Public Health England, which monitors all COVID variants in the country, Delta variant infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431 on Thursday. The latest statistics have led experts to conclude that Delta is now closing in to overtake Alpha - the variant of concern first detected in the Kent region of England.

hospitals, and those set up in workplaces by private companies.

It isn’t just smaller hospitals and nursing homes that have had to stop vaccinating. Among those who did little or no vaccination over this two-week period are big hospitals like HCG and SMS hospitals in Ahmedabad; BGS Gleneagles and Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru; Billroth, Kamakshi Memorial and Vijaya in Chennai; Spinal Injuries Centre, Jaipur Golden, Shriram Bharti and Holy Family in Delhi; Kamineni Health Services, Virinchi and Medicover in Hyderabad; Belle Vue Clinic and Peerless Hospital in Kolkata; Hiranandani and K J Somaiya hospitals in Mumbai; and the Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital and Aundh Institute of Medical Sciences in Pune.

"We paid Rs 76 lakh on May 19 for 12,000 doses to SII. We were told the vials would be delivered by the end of May. Each time we follow up with the company,

we are told that we will get our supply in due course of time. But no definite reason has been cited for the delay. We are confused," said Sudipta Mitra, CEO of Peerless Hospitals in Kolkata.

In Delhi, Dr P K Bhardwaj of Saroj Hospital said things were fine as long as private hospitals were being provided doses by the government. But since May 1, after the liberalised vaccine policy kicked in, the hospital has not managed to get a fresh supply of vaccines.

Dr Giridhar Gyani of the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) said that it has brought together 850 small and medium hospitals to place an order for vaccines.

"We are being told by the vaccine companies that the government has to approve the list of hospitals for us to be provided vaccines. I don’t understand why we need any government approval when the government has already said that we can procure directly from the companies.

After much negotiation,

SII and BB have agreed to provide us with vaccines, but it is not going to happen before middle or late June," said Dr Gyani. He added that AHPI has tied up with Vardhman Pharma, which has cold-chain facilities across the country, to store and deliver the vials to small and medium hospitals in smaller towns.

While AHPI might be able to help a few hundred hospitals in Tier 1 and 2 cities access vaccines, Dr Gyani is clear that private hospitals and nursing homes in more rural areas will not be able to access the vaccines. "The government will have to take care of vaccination in rural areas as it is not possible for us to arrange for delivery to such areas," said Dr Gyani.

There are indications that some of the bigger hospitals that have had to halt vaccination are beginning to access some supplies. But a month’s time has been lost and even the future holds no assurance of regular supplies for many of them, say private hospital officials.

Kerala Chief Minister Backs Odisha's Suggestions On Covid Vaccine Procurement Bhubaneswar: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has agreed to his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik's suggestions that COVID-19 vaccines should be procured by the Centre from abroad and the states should be given the flexibility to manage the inoculation procedure. "...We are in complete agreement that the Centre should procure a preventive vaccine against COVID-19 and the administration of vaccination be left to be managed effectively by the states," Mr Vijayan wrote to Mr Patnaik on Thursday.

"Looking forward to fruitful cooperation in the efforts to meet the unprecedented challenge posed by the pandemic," he added.

Mr Vijayan said this while responding to Naveen Patnaik's June 2 letter to all the chief ministers where he had sought unity among states on an ideal procurement policy. He had also advised

states to shun competition over procuring vaccines from manufacturers.

Mr Patnaik had proposed a central procurement system and subsequent distribution among states for vaccination.

He had also said that there should be a consensus regarding the procurement of vaccines and states should not fight against each other.

"The only way to protect our people against future COVID-19 waves and provide them with a hope of survival is vaccination. Countries that have focused on vaccination programs have seen a

remarkable improvement in their coronavirus situation.

We have to provide this healing touch to our people," Mr Patnaik wrote in the letter that he shared on Twitter, tagging all the chief ministers.

"But this cannot be a battle among the states to compete against each other to procure vaccines," Mr Patnaik had stated in his letter to all the Chief Ministers.

Mr Vijayan had on May 29 written a letter to all nonBJP chief ministers including Mr Patnaik seeking a united effort to press the Centre to procure vaccine and ensure universal vaccination.

Raise States' Borrowing Limits: Bengal To Union Finance Minister Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Friday suggested to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that the borrowing limits of states be raised to 5 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) without any condition to save them from a financial crisis.

In a letter to Ms Sitharaman, state Finance

Minister Dr Amit Mitra also expressed disappointment over the proposal of hefty GSTs on items required to fight Covid-19 at the GST Council Meeting held on May 28.

"You are aware that just like last year, there has been (a) sudden dip in revenue, threatening the fiscal viability of the states. In our case we

34 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

have been hit by a double whammy -- of a second wave of Covid-19 and the Cyclone Yaas," the letter read.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation due to the states from April 2020 to January 2021 has been estimated at ` 63,000 crore, out of which West Bengal expects ` 4,911 nominal gross state domestic product crore,

Mr Mitra said.

Referring to the Centre relaxing the borrowing limit of states up to 4 per cent (unconditional) and up to 5 per cent (conditional on certain achievements), he said, "But for the current financial year, annual borrowing limit has been fixed at four per cent of GSDP, out of which only 3.5 per cent is unconditional and

0.5 per cent is linked to capital expenditure targets."

"In view of the present impasse and the anticipated 3rd wave (of the pandemic), I once again urge you to allow the borrowing limits of states to be raised to 5% of GSDP without condition," the state finance minister said.

Mr Mitra also urged Ms Sitaraman on revisiting

the matter of the gap to be funded where, he claimed, the borrowing would be `2,13,000 crore instead of the Centre's estimated ` 1,58,267 crore.

"I am taken aback that after a year like 2020-21, it is being expected that our capital expenditure would not only be back on track, but increase by more than 100 per cent since 2019-20," the letter read.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 35

FOCUS ON FIJI Fiji records 35 new COVID-19 cases which includes 3 cases from the Incident Management Team and 11 cases from the IMT’s warehouse in Lami

Fiji recorded 35 new COVID-19 cases yesterday which includes 3 cases from the Ministry of Health Headquarters COVID-19 Incident Management Team and 11 cases from the Management Team’s warehouse in Lami.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says 1 is a case from the Navy cluster that was reported last night while the remaining 34 new cases were recorded today.

10 cases are from the CWM Hospital cluster, 5 cases from the Navosai cluster, another 2 cases from the Navy cluster, and 1 case from the Nadali cluster.

Doctor Fong says there are 2 new cases from Navosai and Tamavua under investigation to determine any links to other cases.

The 3 cases from the Ministry of Health’s Headquarters COVID-19

Incident Management Team were picked up as a result of a program of routine swabbing of the health staff.

Doctor Fong says more than 80 staff at the Ministry of Health’s Headquarters at Dinem House were swabbed, with all but the 3 returning negative results.

He says the staff identified as primary contacts of the 3 cases will quarantine for 14 days while secondary contacts, who are contacts of the primary contacts, will self-quarantine at home for at least 4 days, awaiting results of day 4 swabs of the primary contacts.

6 patients have recovered, which means there are now 378 active cases in isolation.

There have been 501 cases during the current outbreak that started in April 2021. Fiji has recorded a total of 571 cases in Fiji since the first case in March 2020, with 189 recoveries and 4 deaths.

500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines donated by New Zealand expected to arrive in 3 months

Fiji born man and 3 others die in horror crash in Christchurch Christchurch man was driving a group of country music fans to the Gold Guitar Awards festival when their van was hit side-on by a truck on a rural Canterbury road and shunted into a power pole. stuff.co.nz reports the collision left four people from the van dead, including 31-year-old driver Avinash Avinesh Chand, who was planning on Monday to celebrate his older brother’s birthday.

The driver of the truck was injured, though not badly, and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The crash happened at the intersection of Cochranes

A Fiji-born

and Wakanui roads in Elgin near Ashburton shortly before 10am yesterday.

Police believe the van was driven through the controlled junction, which had stop signs on both sides, in a

“moment of carelessness”.

Chand, one of four siblings, was the co-owner of tour company Identity Tours Ltd, and worked with disabled people.

His brother, Visal Chand,

told stuff he learned of the incident through another brother who was visited by police at work and who rang him immediately.

Visal described his brother as a “sweet person” who had moved to New Zealand over 10 years ago from Fiji, and was well known among Christchurch's Fijian community.

When he first moved to the country he worked on a dairy farm in Rakaia, and after two years he met a couple who ran a special charter service for a tour company for people with special needs, before ending up with his current tour company.

Tudravu warns of strict action against those that are inciting fear and hatred through a viral post Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu has warned that strict action will be taken against those who put up hate speeches that can incite fear and hatred amongst the members of the community.

Tudravu highlighted this following a post that has gone viral on social media and has words that could incite hatred and fear.

He says many people that are posting, commenting, sharing and supporting such hate posts showed they were not fully aware of the consequences and they are advising the public not to

be carried away by such information.

The Acting Commissioner is urging the

public to refrain from such actions as they will not allow this type of hate speech and rhetoric to continue and will

investigate those involved in such actions.

Tudravu says while we are in a situation that needs everyone’s support, the rhetoric will not assist but will make things more difficult as we try to battle the pandemic.

The Acting Commissioner is urging the public to continue adhering to the health restrictions and orders, stay home and enjoy the time with our loved ones.

He says we should all work together for the betterment of this country.

Professor Ahluwalia’s appointment is illegal - AG Fiji’s loss and Samoa’s gain – Ro Teimumu

The 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines provided by New Zealand is expected to arrive within the next three months.

New Zealand will also be donating around $3 million to support vaccine preparedness and rollout.

This was highlighted by the New Zealand Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth Phil Twyford during the NZFiji Business Council Meeting.

Twyford says in the last few weeks New Zealand has provided emergency assistance worth over NZ$500,000 to support Fiji in containing the immediate effects of the outbreak.

The New Zealand Government has also offered a grant contribution of approximately $60 million in budget support and Twyford says they are well aware that more must be done to support Fiji.

He adds as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated, they will be in a position to begin conversations with other Pacific neighbours including Fiji on quarantinefree travel arrangements when the time is right.

Twyford says whatever the timeframe for reopening, their priority will always be keeping the New Zealand and Pacific people safe.

36 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the appointment of Professor Pal Ahluwalia as University of the South Pacific’s ViceChancellor is illegal.

The Council of the University of the South Pacific resolved a few days ago to offer a new contract to Professor Ahluwalia as the Vice-Chancellor and President of the USP and that he will work from Samoa.

While contributing to the debate on the Review of the University of the South Pacific 2018 Annual Report in Parliament last night, SayedKhaiyum says the Charter of the USP regulations is specific which says that when a person’s contract is terminated because of the cancellation of the work permit, the contract automatically gets terminated.

He says there is a particular

process through which the Vice Chancellor is appointed which is to advertise, go through a selection panel and then an appointment is made.

He says Professor Ahluwalia could have been reappointed if the USP Council would have gone through the process and Fiji would not have had any objections.

Sayed-Khaiyum also told parliament they have

discovered that even though the USP Council had agreed that Professor Ahluwalia’s contract had been terminated, they continued to pay him.

He says Fiji is the largest contributor to USP which is in excess of $30 million and the next highest contributor is $2 million.

Meanwhile, SODELPA MP, Ro Teimumu Kepa says there is good news as the USP

Council has resolved to offer a new contract to Professor Ahluwalia.

Ro Teimumu adds the parliamentary committee has stated in their report that $9.9 million grant was not given to USP when they were compiling their report.

She says this is the commitment that the Fijian Government has made and the allocation was passed in the budget debate.

Ro Teimumu says it is not good when the Minister for Economy who is supposed to be providing this allocation to USP does not provide it on time.

The SODELPA MP adds there was a request from some USP students who are trying to do their assignments at home but they do not have access to any study labs and do not have access to computers.

ओ३म ्

Presents

For tickets and further information please contact Dr. Sukhvir Singh 0421897157 Mr. Hari Chand 0437430062

svsingh55@gmail.com

hari_chand50@yahoo.com.au

Music has been a part of every known society, past and present, and is common to all human cultures across the globe. For a fabulous evening entertainment and relaxation don’t miss this wonderful experience. ĝŃúıć øı æĝĕ Ġijďĝijēćı èĝđŐ ĞĹ Įø ĒĞ ĕļúļŃ øļ ÿļģćı ĞĹ

Please come and support a worthy community fundraising project

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 37

Akshay Kumar and three other prominent celebrites to feature in COVID-19 awareness campaign ‘Corona Ko Harana Hai’ The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) will launch ‘Corona Ko Harana Hai’ – a multilingual mass media awareness campaign about COVID-appropriate behaviour, targeted at families to protect themselves from COVID. The campaign will be featured across the country via mass media, including TV, print, radio, and digital media starting today, with the slogan ‘'Har ghar ne thaana hai, Corona ko harana hai’.

FICCI, along with its

members, has created a comprehensive communication plan in different languages, featuring popular and well-

respected personalities, led

by Akshay Kumar in Hindi, Marathi, and Punjabi, Arya in Tamil, Chiranjeevi in Telugu, Punit Rajkumar in Kannada amongst others.

The second wave of the pandemic has been dreadful – its intensity and virality calls for urgent collective action. FICCI’s Media and Entertainment committee has come together to support the government’s efforts to increase awareness and sensitise audiences about the need to maintain COVIDappropriate behaviour during these challenging

times. These efforts at mass citizen awareness with contributions from the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), Indian Advertising Association, larger media community, and members of FICCI’s Media and Entertainment Committee, along with ongoing efforts from FICCI to ramp up critical medical infrastructure and initiate vaccination drives, can help in controlling the spread of the virus and reduce the burden on existing health infrastructure.

FICCI’s Media and

Biopic on Sahara Group’s chief Subrata Roy to be announced on June 10 A film based on the life of business tycoon Subrata Roy is in the works. Roy, who is the chief of the Sahara India Group will soon be celebrating his 73rd birthday on June 10.

The makers of the film will be making an official announcement of the biopic on the same day.

Details of the biopic including the name of the filmmakers and cast are yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, in 2020, Netflix had released a three-episode docuseries titled Bad Boy Billionaires, out of which one focuses on Sahara Group

chairman Subrata Roy. The documentary, however, did not go down well with the Sahara group who issued a statement calling the series-

“ill-motivated, incorrect, misleading documentary depicted through some disgruntled people who hold personal grudges.”

Roy is the Managing Worker and Chairman of the Sahara India Pariwar which was founded by him in 1978. Since 2012, he has been embroiled in a lengthy court battle with SEBI over a case involving a Rs. 24,000 crore refund to investors.

He was also arrested for the same in 2014 and sent to Tihar Jail in Delhi. Roy, who at different times owned an airline, formula one team, cricket team, plush hotels in London and New York, and financial companies, stayed in jail for over two years and is currently out on parole since 2016.

Entertainment committee have also met the Empowered Committee of the Government of India on COVID-19 and briefed them on these efforts.

Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Chairperson of the FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee said, “Thanks to the heroic efforts of our healthcare workers and various NGOs, we are at a point where it’s beginning to feel like the tide is turning. But we must remain vigilant to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from

the continued spread of the virus. This is a crucial period to scale vaccinations and implement an effective preventive programme to ensure that we are prepared for the future and minimise the impact of the virus on lives and livelihoods. It’s incumbent on us to come together to inform and provide specific education through effective communication strategy to all Indians and enable everyone to adopt Covidappropriate behaviour.”

The campaign will start on June 5.

Actor Yami Gautam gets married to Uri: The Surgical Strike director Aditya Dhar; shares first pic

Kirti Kulhari starrer Shaadisthan to explore a life changing road trip with two different generations; to release of Disney+Hotstar Four young and freespirited musicians, a smalltown couple, their young daughter, and one camper van.

An eye-opening encounter. Shaadisthan - An unforgettable journey from Mumbai to a small town in Rajasthan shows how unconventionality doesn’t equate to being morally wrong. An eighteen-year-old Arshi finds herself caught between her parents' wishes while wanting to live life on her terms. Amidst the family chaos, Arshi and her parents Sanjay and Kamla Sharma take a road trip with four musicians Freddie, Imaad, Sasha, and Jigme and are exposed to a whole new way of living.

When two generations with opposing beliefs come together - one representing freedom of choice and the other guarding the beauty of tradition – will this 24-hour drive turn into something really unexpected?

Featuring an ensemble cast of talented artists, the movie stars Kirti Kulhari,

Medha Shankar, Nivedita Bhattacharya, and more along with real-life musicians Shenpenn Khymsar, Apurv Dogra, and Ajay Jayanthi.

Versatile actor Kay Kay Menon also makes a special appearance. Directed by Raj Singh Chaudhary and coproduced by Famous Studios

38 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

and Opticus INC, Shaadisthan will leave audiences thinking about their own perceptions of traditions and the modern world. Shaadisthan releases this 11th June 2021 exclusively for subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium under the banner of Disney+

Hotstar Multiplex.

Actor Kirti Kulhari said, “I could instantly relate to my character Sasha - an unapologetic, strong and confident young woman who lives life on her own terms, strives to shatter stereotypes and isn’t worried about being judged by anyone.

Shaadisthan is not only an entertaining movie but also holds a mirror to the society and the conditioning it imposes on people and how people live by it as if it’s their truth.”

Director Raj Singh Chaudhary said, “Shaadisthan is a really special movie to me as it is inspired by a story in my own life. The movie is well crafted in a way that the audiences can find their bits of entertainment while understanding an important social issue. Each character in the movie is unique and celebrates its own individualism and all the other elements of the movie are inspired by real-life scenarios.”

Actor Yami Gautam who is known for films like Vicky Donor, Bala, Uri, among others tied the knot today.

She got married to filmmaker Aditya Dhar who made his directorial debut with the National Award-winning film Uri-The Surgical Strike in 2019.

Yami Gautam, on Friday, took to her social media handle to share a picture from their wedding ceremony while making the announcement. "In your light, I learn to love - Rumi.

With the blessings of our family, we have tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony today. Being very private people, we celebrated this joyous occasion with our immediate family," she wrote.

"As we embark on the journey of love and friendship, we seek all your blessings and good wishes,"

she wrote as a joint message from the two.

Yami Gautam went for a traditional red saree for the wedding ceremony while Aditya opted for a traditional off-white sherwani with matching headgear. Soon after the announcement was made, the couple was showered with congratulatory messages from their colleagues. Actor Dia Mirza, who recently tied the knot herself, wrote, "Congratulations Yami and Aditya. Lots of love and best wishes to a wonderful journey ahead!". Vikrant Massey, who was Yami's co-star in her last release Ginny Weds Sunny wrote, "Bahut bahut bahut badhaaiyaan Yami ji and Bhai sahab. Incredible. God bless you both!!!! Dher saara pyaar!!!". Kartik Aaryan, Bhumi Pednekar, Jacqueline Fernandez, and others also congratulated the couple.

Weddings in Brisbane

Tushar Srinivasan -son of Alka and Subramanian Srinivasan of Christchurch New Zealand wed Ajita Basu , daughter of Amit and Sulagna Basu of Brisbane Australia, pre wedding celebration took place at Basu residence in Springfiled, the wedding proper took place at Flaxton Garden, Sunshine Coast and the grand reception was held at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Gold Coast

Ravneel Sharma son of Rohini and Ravi Sharma wed Prtha Singh daughter of Reena and Rakesh Singh at a grand style wedding held in the Grand Ballroom of Eatons Hills Hotel, the organisation was par excellence, setting a very standard within our community.

In April 2021, Oditi Saha (daughter of Dr Tapan Saha and Beauty Saha) and Rohit Tularam (son of Dr G A Tularam and Roshni Sharma) got married in a traditional Bengali style Wedding Ceremony which was performed by Pallab Bhattacharjee. Rohit and Oditi were very lucky to have the wedding ceremony with 200 guests (Covid restriction just lifted a day before the ceremony). God bless the young couple.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 39

Who gets tested for Hepatitis B and C when they migrate to Australia?

Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland would like to remind everyone not all people are checked for hepatitis B and hepatitis C when they migrate to Australia.

Only people applying for permanent or provisional visas who are 15 years old and over: • wanting to work or study as a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic (hepatitis B and C); • applying for an onshore protection visa; (hepatitis B and C) • pregnant and planning to have a baby in Australia (hepatitis B only), • or a child for adoption or in the care of an Australian state or territory government welfare authority (hepatitis B only) People who are 15 or older are only routinely checked for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus – HIV for permanent or provisional visa applicants, not temporary visas.

In Australia and in Queensland over 60% of people with Hepatitis B were

therefore protected and cannot get the infection (again) • Hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb)– this will indicate whether you have a past infection or a current infection.

• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) – this will indicate a current infection that will need to be managed and monitored regularly

The

born overseas and over 30% do not know they have the infection.

Whilst hepatitis C is not as prevalent, it is estimated in Australia over 10% of people who are infected were born overseas and do not know they have the infection.

If you have never been checked you should ask your GP for specific hepatitis B

and C blood tests to check for either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. For hepatitis B the GP should check for 3 things: • Hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAb) - this will show if you have immunity either form vaccination or past infection and are

For hepatitis C the GP will check for: • Hepatitis C core antibodies – this will indicate a current or past infection • If hepatitis C core antibodies are found in the blood, the doctor will need to check for Hepatitis C RNA also called a hepatitis C PCR or viral load test – if there is virus present in the blood then the person has the infection and requires treatment.

Hepatitis C is a curable infection and GPs can generally prescribe medication needed to cure the infection. Medication is needed for 8 to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, hepatitis B does not have a cure at this stage but has good treatment to control the virus, although not everyone with hepatitis B needs treatment. Usually, treatment for hepatitis B is taken for life once started.

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccination.

Vaccination in Queensland is free for people from countries where hepatitis B is prevalent (Tam Jun and Nellie please add– this includes (insert your country here). Not all people with hepatitis B need medication but all people need regular monitoring with their doctor/nurse practitioner or Specialist – usually every 6 to 12 months with blood

tests and ultrasounds for some people (such as a family history of liver cancer, diagnosed cirrhosis, women over 50 and men over 40).

Like other conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes regular monitoring is required, this is to ensure there is no damage being caused to the liver or liver cancers are forming.

For more information please visit our webpage at: www.eccq.com.au/bbv Email: health@eccq.com.au If you live in Cairns, you can also contact: Rhondda Lewis: Viral Hepatitis Health Practitioner Phone: 07-4226 4761 email: Rhondda.Lewis@health.qld. gov.au

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

Remedies of Baking Soda Nimisha Modi

Hetvi Hair & Beauty 0412350013 Hey Girls, this time we

are discussing remedies of Baking Soda. Yes I Know we all have box of baking soda always handy in the pantry, these solutions are for smoother hair, brighter skin, smoother foot and hands, and whiter teeth Dry Shampoo Dry shampoo is an amazingly useful product to have on hand. Apply it on those mornings you hit snooze one too many times, after a gym session, or to simply give your hair some added lift.

Baking soda makes for a fantastic all-natural dry shampoo which really keeps the oiliness in check. Use it on its own, or mixed with a few drops of essential oil – like lavender, lemon or rose – for a pleasant scent.

Those with light coloured hair can just work the powder evenly through the hair, before brushing.

Brunettes may need to add a little cocoa powder to the mix first to avoid a grey tinge.

Repair “Swimmers’ Hair” If you’re a blonde who swims regularly, you probably suffer from some dullness, discoloration or

Facial scrub Love that deep-clean feeling you get from a facial scrub with microbeads?

These products may do wonders for your skin. But for a safe alternative: Make your own exfoliating facial scrub using baking soda.

Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub onto your face with gentle, circular strokes, then rinse with warm water.

even a green tinge to your hair!

One of the easiest methods of removing this build-up is by mixing a paste of baking soda and water.

Coat the green areas with this paste and leave to work in for ten minutes before rinsing with clean water.

Make sure to shampoo the sodium bicarbonate out and follow up with a good conditioner as this can be quite drying. Depending on how green your hair is, you may have to repeat the process a few times.

In future, soak your hair thoroughly in clean water before entering the pool.

This stops the hair from taking up chlorine and other metals from the water which lead to discoloration Body exfoliator Your skin will look dull and ashy if you allow dry, dead cells to build up on the surface. Speed cell turnover and get an enviable all-over glow by exfoliating once a week. No need to buy an expensive scrub; make your own with baking soda by using the same formula as your face: one part water to three parts baking soda.

Detox Bath Soak Pair baking soda with Epsom salts for the perfect pre-bedtime soak.

Not only will this duo help you eliminate toxins, but they will reduce bloating,

40 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

promote a restful sleep and encourage healthy skin.

While running your bath, pour in a half cup of baking soda and a handful of Epsom salts. For added benefit, shake in a few drops of essential oil.

Relax in this soothing blend for 20 to 30 minutes, remembering to hydrate afterwards with a glass of water.

Artificial tan remover Have you ever applied self-tanner expecting a summery bronzed glow and instead ended up with orange skin or unsightly streaks? Next time you have

a self-tanner mishap, you don't have to wait for it to fade away. Use the body exfoliator formula—one part water to three parts baking soda—to gently scrub it away.

Deodorant If you have sensitive skin, you may be able to use a dusting of baking soda in place of store-bought deodorant. Baking soda neutralizes acids and bases, so it removes odours. It also won't stain your clothes the way many antiperspirants can.

Razor burn soother A razor burned bikini line can be painful, not to mention unsightly. Soothe your sensitive skin with a

solution of 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Allow the solution to dry on your skin (it will take about 5 minutes), and then rinse with cool water.

Men can also use this same formula for a pre-shave or after-shave treatment on their face as long as they avoid the eye area.

Itchy skin reliever You don't have to settle for skin that's dry, itchy, and uncomfortable in the cold winter months. Taking a warm bath (not hot—that'll make your dry skin problem worse!) with a half-cup of baking soda will soften and soothe your whole body. You can also take a cool baking soda bath in the summer to relieve sunburn or bug bites.

Cautions of Baking Soda on Skin While baking soda has a multitude of uses for hair, skin and more, it can be very drying and may even cause irritation to those with sensitive skin. To ensure baking soda is right for you, test out any treatment using sodium bicarbonate on a small patch of skin before applying liberally.

Discontinue use if you experience any unwanted side effects.

No matter your skin type, you should avoid using baking soda too regularly as it may alter the pH balance of the skin – apply no more than twice per week, or less if you have dry skin.

See you all next month where we will discuss even more uses of baking soda.

In the meantime, if your face or your hair is giving you too many problems, you can always book a facial or a hair mask with me on 0412350013.

Aap Ki Sehat

(Your Health) June Episode In the June segment,

we had the pleasure of talking to and listening to Dr Vagish Singh a well-experienced Cardiologist and the President of Indian Medical Association of Queensland in the popular segment "Aap Ki Sehat”, meaning Your HEALTH Program, initiated by Indian Medical Association of QLD. Dr Vagish was interviewed by Dr Cyril Fernandez, secretary General of IMAQ Brisbane.

They discussed the importance of heart health and about Dr Singh’s experiences.

Dr Vagish has varied educational background from Mussoorie, Lucknow India and from the University of Queensland.

Dr Singh mentioned Indian are three times risky to this chronic disease than the local people.

Diabetes is the main factor, but Dr Vagish said there are other major factors like obesity, smoking, and family history.

It was interesting to note that Dr Vagish is missing his international conferences although he is attending virtual meetings to keep everyone up to date. He likes travelling,

Dr Vagish Singh

Call: (07) 3192 5188

playing golf and tennis during his free time.

Australian Indian Radio brings you up to date with information on various health topics via this program. You can view “Aap Ki Sehat” on the first Saturday of every Month via Facebook live and YouTube channel of Australian Indian Radio at 10:00am, the audio only version goes to air on Australian Indian Radio online radio on first Sunday of every month. www.indiantimes.com.au

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 41

JUNE-2021

Aries ( 21st March to 20th April )

Taurus ( 21st April to 21st May )

Gemini ( 22nd May to 21st June )

This month you simply should be wary of your mentality and must have a positive methodology towards the difficult circumstances that you may confront. Stay away from hostility as much as possible. This month, you have to remain careful while speaking with your companion, as there are odds of some misconception with your accomplice. Attempt to have a quiet nature while having a discussion with your life partner. Hostility and conflicts of sense of self may ruin your accomplice's disposition. Attempt to fraternize and go on a short outing.

As far as expert life, this might be a feverish week for you. In any case, it might be simple for you to follow your work routine and complete your assignment on schedule. No significant changes are predicted for the current month.

This month may give the normal outcomes for your work. You may find the opportunity to meet senior authority at the working environment or identified with new ventures. This month, there are odds of money related use ashore or on different things. On the off chance that you have applied for a credit, at that point this month that may get endorsed. You may plan to put resources into land or land or may even arrange to purchase a house in a far off nation.

Yet, you ought to be wary while taking the advance and have an unmistakable discussion. You may accept the guidance of your money related counsel for this issue. This month, understudies may confront a few difficulties in their examinations. They are exhorted not to be forceful and dodge antagonistic individuals and negative contemplations as this can occupy them from their investigations. Likewise, get ready ahead of time as there are odds of the unexpected test and assessment. You may get worried because of a ton of prospectuses left. Notwithstanding, your difficult work, assurance, and arranging may assist you with scoring great in your test. This month, your wellbeing will be normal. You may feel worry because of an abrupt remaining task at hand. It can negatively affect your wellbeing and you may confront some medical problems. Reflection and yoga may assist you with achieving true serenity and help you to keep up great wellbeing.

This month is probably going to bring normal outcomes for you. Difficult work and assurance at the work environment may assist you with getting the ideal achievement. There are odds of certain difficulties in your relationship. Subsequently, you have to remain wary and fare thee well while speaking with your accomplice. Attempt to get to know one another and figure out the issues. This month, you are probably going to set aside cash yet there may likewise be some surprising costs. There are high possibilities that you may get a decent get back from your past ventures. Notwithstanding, there are some unforeseen and spontaneous costs on cards. A colleague may request monetary assistance from you because of the travel of Mars. There are odds of monetary consumption on heading out identified with your profession. This month you have to work with persistence and there might be some adjustment in the workplace. Attempts to maintain a strategic distance from a contention with senior power and furthermore don't roll out a significant improvement without consent. You may get an undesirable work obligation this month which may give pressure and remaining tasks at hand as well. In the event that you are looking for the activity, you may get accomplishment in a meeting. Besides, you may find the opportunity to join an unfamiliar related organization this month. It is a positive month for understudies. Difficult work and assurance are probably going to acquire positive development on their examinations.

They may score well in the assessment. This month you have to take additional consideration of your wellbeing. Begin doing yoga in the event that you are not happy to go outside for work out. The wellbeing of your kids may offer pressure to you. Have a family normal exam. Reflection and a solid eating routine can assist you with keeping up great wellbeing. Additionally, remember products of the soil vegetables for your morning meal.

This month may end up being trying for you. Attempt to think before offering left-gave praises to others as you may show a pointless extravagance to exhort when redundant. A portion of your whims, which make you hard to change in the general population, may get stopped through your difficult work and contemplation. Presently you will have the option to manage individuals all the more unhesitatingly. Your super-delicate emotions may hamper your own advancement. You have to figure out how to give up and pay attention to things somewhat less as opposed to responding to it right away. Family issues and vocation related vulnerabilities may get a few predicaments in your life.

Trust in the best, uphold from your relatives may assist you with defeating your issues. This month, you may meet some decent individuals who may assist you with finding an exit from your fancies. This may likewise support up your inventive abilities. Notwithstanding, your obstinate nature may cause others to feel that you have a disposition and can't comprehend others' perspectives. A demonstration of goodness, excusing an individual for his slip-up that hurt you a ton, from your part may make you more decent among individuals you love. Your physical wellbeing is probably going to stay great this month. Despite the fact that you may experience a few issues, you may emerge from all that effectively. An ever increasing number of individuals will move toward you for your direction. There are odds of certain difficulties in your relationship, yet with shared comprehension, you are probably going to beat them proficiently.

Cancer ( 22nd June to 22nd July )

Leo ( 23rd July to 22nd August )

Virgo ( 23rd August to 22nd September )

The month is probably going to be positive for you. The positive planetary impacts may inspire you generally so as to accomplish an extraordinary degree of achievement in your life. Notwithstanding, there might be hardened opposition and aggravations regularly this month. On a good note, you may get new openings for your profession just as you begin to create good affections for your vocation and your future during this month. Notwithstanding the highs and lows that you may confront intellectually, on an entire, you may make huge progress just as quality information this month. This month, you may attempt to maintain family conventions and culture. Likewise, Jupiter travel may assist you with amassing riches in the event that you deal with your assets well. You may even discover new techniques for producing income. Your costs may stay under check. Accounts are probably going to be sound except if you enjoy theories or betting. Saturn may request severe control and strong arranging this month. Jupiter's travel likewise demonstrates that the importance of land might be settled without any problem. Besides, you are probably going to get more than anticipated. You may feel a profound association with your mate. Planets may assist you with fortifying your relationship during this month. You are probably going to appreciate some great minutes with your accomplice. The effect of Venus shows that your eagerness is probably going to be at its top so your exhibition will likewise increment. Progressively the relations with companions and partners are probably going to improve.

However, you have to remain calm in any case the effect of Mars may cause interruptions. Planets may give you adequate chances to gain ground in your investigations. However, absence of center or fixation may not permit you to exploit. Excepting some minor issues, your wellbeing is probably going to stay great this month.

The development of traveling Jupiter and Saturn may keep on impacting your life for an enormous scope this month. Every so often of the month may end up being trying for you. So you have to have enough fearlessness to confront the challenges and beat them with the assistance of your self control and eagerness. You may run over a urging chance to gain ground at your vocation front during this month. Be that as it may, handle this period cautiously and cease from being high headed. The time frame doesn't appear to be good for beginning something new. However, planetary positions portray a positive picture once this troublesome stage is finished. You may get numerous open doors for monetary profit during this month. In any case, there might be some weight on your pay because of some surprising costs consequently you have to stay cautious. Here you should remember that Saturn will request severe order.

Because of Venus travel, there might be an upgrade in your affection life.

Nonetheless, you might be genuinely reckless and some senseless issues can disturb the agreement. Additionally, be cautious, while getting into an adoration relationship with somebody, you don't generally have the foggiest idea. Your energy to learn new things may lead your approach to progress and fulfillment in your investigations. Planets will improve your essentialness.

Nonetheless, the effect of Mars may likewise make it inclined to some injury.

Henceforth you should not face any physical challenge and remain careful.

The month may start with certain obstacles at your vocation front. The traveling Mercury may not offer wanted help and Mars may make you to some degree hyper. So there can be weight by virtue of your disparities with bosses.

Do whatever it takes not to lock in under the weight. During the last part, your sure dealings may likewise make you ready to determine some forthcoming issues and that may bring simplicity of working. It will assist you with striking productive arrangements. This month may assist you with accomplishing your drawn out money related objective. Venus may assist you with arranging your activities successfully. There might be a few hiccups en route at the outset however. In any case, as the month advances, the time will be positive to search for something strong and remunerating money related arrangements.

There are chances that your old unfaltering resource or speculations may bring great money related prizes. This month the traveling Venus may urge you to assemble concordance and great family relations. The infinite associations are probably going to be exceptionally strong of conjugal rapture. During the last aspect of this current month, remain mindful and reconsider before settling on any significant choices with respect to your relationship. Go moderate, as all may not be as blushing as it shows up from the start. This month, Jupiter may make you exceptionally sure about your capacities and abilities. There might be some troublesome tasks to deal with in your investigations toward the start of this current month. The last 50% of this current month might be acceptable to search for higher development and gain abilities. This month may assist you with keeping up your wellbeing in a superior manner. Toward the start of this current month, Mercury may cause a few vacillations in your wellbeing status. As the month propels, planets may help you in working up quality and endurance. You may need to deal with the rushed timetables productively so as to keep up your wellbeing and wellness however.

Libra ( 23rd September to 22nd October )

Scorpio ( 23rd October to 22nd November )

Sagittarius ( 23rd November to 21st December )

This month is probably going to acquire some certain transforms. There might be a lift in your certainty which is probably going to assist you with getting the ideal achievement. Presently you might have the option to manage individuals all the more certainly. In any case, make an effort not to be excessively passionate as it might make a few issues in the way of progress. Try not to pay attention to things as well, attempt to explain them with an inspirational demeanor as opposed to overresponding to it. It will be better for you to make some postpone in starting the new tasks.New ventures may not bring the ideal prizes, henceforth remain mindful while contributing or beginning the new undertaking. You are probably going to meet some decent individuals who may support you and guide you to defeat your challenges and tackle your questions. They may likewise assist you with upgrading your imaginative capacities and show your gifts. You are probably going to be autonomous, driven, and profoundly objective for the current month. Insight and snappy mind you have will empower you to arrive at your objective absent a lot of exertion. Time is truly good at this point. Intricacies because of misconceptions in your affection life may get you into some confused circumstances this month. A decent discussion between both of you may bring you better minutes and resolve the issues. In the event that you are wanting to begin any new business, this may not be a positive month. You may confront troubles to extend the business. Ensure you make child strides before growing going all out. This will limit your errors generally. This month, no significant medical problems are anticipated. Remain mindful and deal with your wellbeing.

This month, your life is probably going to take a positive turn. You may get the prizes of your difficult work and assurance, and you may feel happy with the advancement. You are probably going to make new associations this month. You may make new companions or partners throughout your life and they are probably going to be exceptionally fascinating. This month you might be keen on attempting a journey or heavenly visit and this is probably going to bring joy to your life. You may feel genuinely content with this outing and some karma is probably going to exude towards you.

Attempt to be cautious in all types of your budgetary management this month. You may cause misfortunes if not cautious about your dealings.

You should be extra cautious if intending to begin an organization business. The back-ground registration is fitting and this may spare you from the mix-up and substantial misfortune. Make an obvious association deed before going into any endeavor. In the event that you are single, you may fall into a sentimental relationship. This might be unexpected as you can accidentally become hopelessly enamored with somebody. This is probably going to be a magnificent stage where you will be glad to invest quality energy with somebody you have known for long and now gradually you two can see each other in a superior manner. This might be an exceptional month. On the off chance that wanting to put resources into land or property, at that point this month is probably going to be a lot of compensation in your life. Speculations might be fulfilling and you may take the correct choice with the beauty of god-like.

The month is probably going to be normal for you.

Toward the start of the month, you may get a few chances to travel and that may completely engage you. Be that as it may, there might be an ascent in your costs and bungle in your assets. Subsequently, remain wary and don't burn through cash on superfluous things. It is probably going to be a lucky month for you. You may get an opportunity to meet tip top individuals that may empower you to improve your business association. You may invest great quality energy with your family and may get their help in each aspect of your life. Also, you might be more disposed to strict exercises and this may allow you to introspect. This month, no significant issues are anticipated in your family life. You are probably going to stay lost in old recollections for quite a while this month. These recollections will keep you nostalgic which will be beneficial for you to keep up stable wellbeing. You may likewise prevail upon your companions. Alongside perpetual wellsprings of pay, you may get monetary profit from different sources as well. You are probably going to get acknowledged for your difficult work and there might be an ascent in your glory at work. You may get all the necessary help from your seniors. Your inventive capacities are probably going to improve. It is a decent and ideal opportunity to go through with relatives and companions.

Travel openings might be fulfilling. You may get an opportunity to go to a festival in the family or at a relative's place. Some uplifting news is anticipated and identified with your youngsters.

Capricorn ( 22nd December to 20th January )

Aquarius ( 21st January to 18th February )

Pisces ( 19th February to 20th March )

This month, you may confront numerous difficulties throughout your life. You may have less chances and less energy to get things done. In any case, working truly on your side interests may bring a beam of expectation into your life. This is an extraordinary month to zero in on yourself and your abilities. You are encouraged to remain careful while conveying and monitor your self image. Abstain from taking choices in scurry else, it might make negative conditions for you. You may build up an expanded enthusiasm for beautifiers and pieces of clothing fields during this stage. Abstain from spending sumptuously on useless things and take a stab at saving a good sum for what's to come. Retrogression of Venus may perhaps bring a deficiency of cash or assets, during the second 50% of this current month. This month isn't good for arranging work or recreation trips. Try not to expect a ton from your companions and family members this month since they will most likely be unable to arrive at your desires. On the off chance that this occurs, at that point you'll feel broke and incredibly disillusioned. In the last aspect of the month, you'll have the option to beat your difficulties and prevail upon your opponents. Your resolution and certainty level will be very high right now.

All the difficult work and endeavors which you have put till now may get the ideal prizes. You may get thankfulness from your partners and seniors. You can anticipate advancement this month. Generally, this month is probably going to be testing yet encouraging as well.

This month is probably going to be profitable for you. You may clear the entirety of your over abundances and complete all your forthcoming undertakings.

Notwithstanding, stay away from negative contemplations and over-investigation may make obstacles in your work and furthermore influence your eagerness to put forth a valiant effort. This month is for personal development and to make things done. There are high possibilities that this month you may get great monetary benefits. New associations are on cards, and consequently your companion circle is probably going to increment. This month, Jupiter travel may get positive outcomes in your life. You might have the option to invest a decent amount of energy with your family. Furthermore, there are odds of little festivals with your relatives. You may get a great family this month. You may likewise request monetary assistance from your relatives if out of luck. There are odds of certain issues in your relationship with your kids.

Likewise, you have to deal with their wellbeing. Odds are that you may stay forceful because of their thoughtless conduct and not being mindful in their examinations. Nonetheless, you are encouraged to remain quiet and give them some time, a good planetary position may assist you with reinforcing your relationship. Attempt to invest quality energy with your youngsters and you may likewise design excursions with them so you can live and revive your family life. This month, you are probably going to determine every one of your issues with your accomplice and restore your affection life. Venus travel will assist you with fortifying your bond with your accomplice. Nonetheless, remain wary and deal with your wellbeing. There are odds of nervousness and resting uneasiness because of remaining burden and stress. Contemplation and yoga may assist you with keeping up great wellbeing.

This month is probably going to get numerous positive changes for you. You may get great monetary benefit this month from your past venture. You may settle on certain choices identified with your business that may assist you with getting the ideal monetary profit. There are odds of new arrangements with unfamiliar organizations in the business. Notwithstanding, you may confront difficulties in your working environment. Dodge contention with your senior and authoritative official this may give pressure and put you in a difficult situation. This month, there are odds of progress in work or work profile.

Your knowledge and inventive capacities may give you accomplishment in your business. You may confront a few difficulties in your family life. Make an effort not to be forceful and don't utilize brutal words with your relatives.

Additionally, attempt to invest some quality energy with your ccomplice and attempt to give some space to your companion. Attempt to explain your issues with clear correspondence and see each other in a superior manner.

Understudies may get achievement in a meeting. You are probably going to get great outcomes in your test. There are odds of learning another subject.

Profound information identified with sacred writing may likewise improve this month. There might be impromptu consumptions identified with specialized gadgets. There are likewise odds of costs because of business related to power in your home. You are likewise liable to burn through cash on shopping. You may purchase another house in an unfamiliar land or a long way from your home. The wellbeing of your folks and kids may get influenced because of planetary travels.

42 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 43

THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, January, 2020 — 51

EXCLUSIVE: Townsville may force major rethink on Origin venues, Darren Lockyer says State of Origin's unplanned foray into Townsville could inspire a major rethink of the series' future fixturing, Queensland icon Darren Lockyer believes.

Origin I was moved from the 100,000 capacity MCG to the 25,000-seat Queensland Country Bank Stadium, due to Melbourne's resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

The NRL has embraced mass-scale neutral venues, also playing games at Adelaide Oval and Perth's Optus Stadium to spread the rugby league gospel. In coming years, Optus Stadium (2022), Adelaide Oval (2023) and the MCG (2024, 2026) will all feature again in the Origin series, alongside Sydney and Brisbane.

Yet Lockyer believes that the NRL may stumble across something irresistible in Townsville; an incredible small-stadium atmosphere

that ticks another box, given that it's in a regional rugby league heartland. Stadiums such as Newcastle (33,000 capacity) and Canberra (25,000) may get a chance to host matches if Townsville is a smash hit, Lockyer suggested.

"It's going to be an interesting test," Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports' QLDER.

"If you look at when they're trying to grow the game, you take it to Adelaide Oval, the you go to Perth, then you go to the MCG. I know that holds a lot of people but those markets don't necessarily 100 per cent understand rugby league.

"And the crowd's a little bit away from the rectangular field, so it dilutes

the product somewhat because of the atmosphere.

You go to a smaller stadium, the atmosphere, we know, is going to be amazing and the whole build-up to this game's gonna be enormous.

"I think once the dust has settled after this game, the NRL would have to seriously look at the numbers that are generated from a brand uplift and from the financial perspective, and go, 'Well, this might work at smaller stadiums across the country'.

"Whether Newcastle comes into it, Canberra does.

I just think this could be the start of something new for the NRL." Fellow Maroons great Wally Lewis said that Townsville, which will add 2000 temporary seats, would put on a spectacular match.

The Townsville region produced great players such as Billy Slater, Sam Thaiday

Melbourne club side lands coaching coup with Jayasuriya Sri Lankan World Cup winner Sanath Jayasuriya is set to return to cricket via a one-year head coaching stint with Melbourne club side Mulgrave next summer.

Jayasuriya, who in February 2019 was banned from all cricket for two years as the result of an ICC investigation into corruption in cricket in Sri Lanka, will link up with his former international opening partners Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga in the city's Eastern Cricket Association.

According to a Herald Sun report, Dilshan helped convince the 51-year-old veteran of 586 internationals across three formats and two decades to make the move when the pair played

alongside one another as part of a Sri Lanka Legends side earlier this year.

"Dilshan opened the door for us there, and it was a fantastic opportunity that was presented to us," said Mulgrave president Malin

Pullenayegam. "We just had to work on it and come to an agreement, and we have.

"I think it's a great opportunity for our young guys to know what international cricket standards are.

"That kind of exposure from a young age just elevates the standard of cricket they'll be playing."

Jayasuriya has 42 international hundreds to his name and was player of the tournament at the 1996 World Cup, which Sri Lanka won, but in the past decade he has also been engulfed in several scandals, most notably the investigation into cricket corruption in Sri Lanka in 2019.

Dilshan meanwhile played for Premier club Casey South-Melbourne last summer, while the presence of Tharanga, who only retired from international cricket in February, is another coup for the community cricket club.

Crusaders down Western Force 29-21 but miss out on bonus point after final-second heartbreak The Western Australian side

headed into tonight's match as underdogs before quickly stamping their authority on the match when Toni Pulu produced some magic to get his side in front in the opening three minutes.

While their early lead was quickly erased when the Crusaders, who were without All Blacks trio Richie Mo'unga, Sam Whitelock and Sevu Reece, laid on three consecutive tries, a five-pointer late in the second half to Ollie Callan reduced the deficit to just three points.

The Crusaders responded

by notching back-to-back tries before Jordan Olowofela gave the Force the last laugh.

The Crusaders, who sit behind the Blues and

44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021

Hurricanes on the Super Rugby trans-Tasman ladder, needed both a win and a bonus point to keep in touch with the top of the

competition.

And it appeared the Crusaders would walk away with both results before Olowofela scored in the shadows of full-time.

"US Open coming up next week, this is like a par five when you're really looking for a birdie if you're the Crusaders," commentator Tony Johnson said.

"The Force have denied them the bonus point they wanted."

After this weekend's fixture, just one round remains in the Super Rugby trans-Tasman competition before the final on June 19.

and Gene Miles, and was the long-term footballing home of Johnathan Thurston.

"This is going to be a wonderful game, it's going to have enormous atmosphere, being played in the bush," Lewis said.

"Townsville certainly has produced plenty of rugby league history over the years and to see the game going up there is going to be exciting for everybody. Certainly in the Queensland camp, at least."

Yet the small stadium idea was rebuffed by NSW coach Brad Fittler, who said that the NRL was right to use only major venues under normal circumstances.

"You really want to get into the biggest venues, Suncorp, (Stadium Australia)." Fittler said on Freddy and the Eighth.

"I know this is unusual, how this was just sprung

upon us. Newcastle would be good but I think you've got to take it to the biggest venues."

The NRL has pushed for club matches to be played in regional areas and such fixtures are now a normal, popular part of the season.

Townsville is the first regional host of an Origin match and will likely be the last, unless the NRL is taken with the attractions lauded

by Lockyer.

Neutral venues have also been employed through the prism of fairness; the series is then one home game per team, rather than 2-1 on a rotating basis. Queensland gained a major advantage by securing two consecutive matches - Townsville then Brisbane - after the MCG fixture was scrapped. The deal was reportedly sealed by an $8 million bid from the Queensland state government.

County wrap: Red-hot Harris blasts another hundred

Marcus Harris continued

his superb start to his maiden County Championship season overnight, making a third hundred in his sixth match to help Leicestershire pile on 5-357 against Gloucestershire.

Harris, whose 10-Test career has come in fits and starts since his 2018 debut, plundered 21 fours in his 148 from No3, to make it backto-back hundreds after his match-winning 185 against Middlesex last time out.

The incumbent Test opener also scored 101 in his third match for the county, with his most recent century making him one of just three batters to record three hundreds already this northern summer in the 18team competition.

Speaking with cricket. com.au last month, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Harris was perfectly capable of filling a middle-order spot in the Test side as opposed to the opening position he has played to date.

Such a scenario would put him in direct competition with Travis Head, whose 14 for Sussex against Yorkshire means he has now played six

innings for the county this season without passing 20.

"I don't think (Harris) needs to open," Ponting said.

"If he shows that he's good enough and scores enough runs in domestic cricket as an opener, then I think he can bat in the middle order quite easily.

"I think (the selectors have) just got to work on who their best player is and if it's Harris, if it's Head, if it's (Moises) Henriques – work out who it is and give them a chance there.

"That's probably just going to come down to weight of runs. Out of those three guys, I think one of them will be batting in the middle."

Elsewhere among the Aussie contingent, veteran seamer Peter Siddle collected 3-76 for Essex against Notts, Marnus Labuschagne broke a run of low scores with an aggressive 44 for Glamorgan in reply to Lancashire's 173 (Michael Neser 3-46 & 17no, Michael Hogan 2-30), while Cameron Bancroft (18 for Durham) and Dan Worrall (145 for Gloucester) also turned out for their respective sides, with Ben McDermott still to bat for Derbyshire against Warwickshire.

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 45

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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021 — 47

48 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, June, 2021