G'day India February 2020 Issue

FEB 2020

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VOL 14 ISSUE 154

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IN THE NEWS

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Travel advice to protect Australians from the novel coronavirus

Feb 1: The National Security Committee Any foreign nationals of Cabinet met again to consider new and who do arrive in Australia urgent information regarding the novel notwithstanding the prohibition, coronavirus situation. and who choose not to immediately return to their Based on updated health advice from port of origin, will be subject to the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical mandatory quarantine.

Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the We will also be requiring increased risk posed by the spread of Australian citizens, permanent novel coronavirus, we have decided to residents and their families introduce strict new travel restrictions and who do enter Australia and who new travel advice. have been in mainland China to self-isolate for 14 days from the time they Effective immediately, foreign nationals left mainland China. (excluding permanent residents) who are in mainland China from today forward, Further, enhanced screening will not be allowed to enter Australia for arrangements will be affected at ports 14 days from the time they have left or of entry. The Government will make transited through mainland China.

500,000 masks available for airport and port staff and arriving passengers and Australian citizens and permanent handheld thermometers will be made residents will still be able to enter, as available at impacted ports. will their immediate family members (spouses, legal guardians or dependants We will also raise the travel advice to only). This exemption will be extended Australians for all of mainland China to to airline crews who have been using Level Four – “Do not travel.” appropriate personal protective equipment.

We have not taken any of these decisions lightly. Over the past month we I want to assure Australians that we are have consistently relied on expert advice, doing everything we can, through these including from the Australian Health increased actions, to protect Australians Protection Principal Committee, based on and keep them safe from what is an the advice of the Communicable Diseases escalating threat.

Network Australia. Their advice has guided the decision to announce these This is a temporary measure, which will new measures today. be reviewed in 14 days.” He added.

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In particular, the changing epidemiology of the coronavirus in China and the uncertainty that remains around its transmission and virulence, mean the utmost precaution is warranted.

There is no basis for alarm. It is important to remember the risk to Australians is currently very low. We need to keep it that way.

Australia is well-prepared to respond to these challenges. We have been assessed by the World Health Organization as a world leader in preparedness for pandemics.

The Australian Government continues to monitor and respond to the coronavirus outbreak as it evolves.

We will work in close cooperation with state Government authorities and our international partners to coordinate our response and keep Australians safe.

(Media Release)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

China bans funerals for coronavirus victims

WHO issues public

information on coronavirus

BEIJING, Feb 2: China banned funerals, burials and farewell ceremonies for the victims of the novel coronavirus in an effort to control the outbreak as the death toll rose to 304 in the country.

The bodies should be cremated at designated funeral homes near their location, they cannot be transported between regions and cannot be preserved by burial or other means, said the has declared an international emergency in the trial guidelines issued by the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the face of the rapid spread of the virus.

Ministry of Public Security.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, the Chinese government has also Funeral traditions such as farewell reported a significant outbreak of H5N1 bird flu ceremonies are prohibited and bodies must on a farm in Hunan province, bordering Hubei. be disinfected and placed by medical workers into a sealed bag, which thereafter cannot be In the outbreak on a farm in Shuangqing opened. district of Shaoyang city, 4,500 chickens have Funeral homes must also send personnel and died out of 7,850, according to a statement special vehicles to deliver the bodies according released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. to the designated route, the guidelines said.

The Philippines registered the first death outside of China - a 44-year-old Chinese man who had travelled from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Among the China cases confirmed, 444 people are in critical condition while 1,118 are in serious condition, but 85 people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the number of people who have recovered to 328. There remains a total of 19,544 suspected cases in the country.

Although more than 99 per cent of the cases are in China, the virus has spread to at least 23 countries and the World Health Organization

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Local authorities have slaughtered 17,828 poultry after the outbreak, which at the moment has not infected people.

The H5N1 virus causes severe respiratory disease in birds and is contagious to humans, usually who have had prolonged contact with infected birds. According to the World Health Organization, it is possible, but difficult and unusual, to transmit from person to person.

Bird flu has a high mortality rate of 60 per cent, compared to that of SARS (another coronavirus, with 10 per cent) or the new coronavirus (so far, about 2 per cent).

(AGENCIES)

BEIJING, Feb 3: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released information and advice to the public regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, which the world body has declared it as a global health emergency.

“Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria,” the WHO said on its official website, noting that as it was a virus, antibiotics were not effective in preventing or treating it.

However, if a patient is hospitalized for the virus, the person may receive antibiotics since “bacterial co-infection is possible”, the organization added.

Up till now, there is no specific medicine for preventing or treating the virus, but some particular cures are being studied and will be tested in clinical trials, the WHO said, adding that it was working with partners to help accelerate related research and development work.

With regard to whether companion animals like dogs or cats can be infected with the virus, the world body said, adding that there was no evidence on it yet.

But the organization advised people to wash hands with soap and water after contacting pets, which can help protect them against “various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans”.

On 3rd Jan, the number of deaths in China rose to 361, with 17,205 confirmed cases and 475 discharged from hospital, according to the National Health Commission.

“People of all ages” can be infected with the novel coronavirus, More than 152,700 people while the elderly and ones with preexisting medical conditions such as are under observation, among asthma, diabetes and heart disease which there are a total of 21,558 suspected cases. are more susceptible, the WHO (AGENCIES) said.

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NEWS VICTORIA

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Cutting edge technology Celebrating Victoria’s Vibrant Multiculturalism In 2020 helping paramedics save lives MELBOURNE, Feb 2: Victorian triple zero (000) call takers will soon be making life-saving decisions using revolutionary artificial intelligence technology to fast-track urgent care to people suffering cardiac arrests.

MELBOURNE, Jan 31: The Andrews Labor Government is helping more multicultural and multifaith communities showcase their cultural heritage and traditions through festivals and events.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Richard Wynne opened round one of the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program, encouraging organisations to apply for funding for events held between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2020.

Small grants up to $2,000 (community stream) and large grants between $7,000 and $70,000 (partnerships stream) are available.

The program is particularly keen to hear from new applicants, those in regional areas and from new and emerging communities.

A regional roadshow will take place across Victoria from early next month to inform local communities and organisations about the program and how to apply.

In the last financial year, this program supported over 750 events and had an estimated 2.5 million participants, delivering more than $10 million of total economic activity to our state.

It’s important that all Victorians can Applications close on 10 March 2020. share their heritage and embrace diversity, For more information or to apply, with the program having previously supported a range of events, like food visit vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivalsfestivals, art and cultural performances as and-events-program. well as popular street festivals.

Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today announced that Ambulance Victoria would receive $1.71 million from the Andrews Labor Government’s Safer Care Victoria Innovation Fund for two ground-breaking new projects.

The Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac Arrest project will receive $1.36 million to help ESTA triple zero operators identify signs of cardiac arrest over the phone – saving an additional 185 lives each year.

The artificial intelligence technology runs in the background of incoming emergency calls and picks up key words, language and sound patterns of the caller that are likely to indicate the patient is having a cardiac arrest.

If the system recognises signs of a cardiac arrest, it alerts the ESTA triple zero call-taker to dispatch a high-priority ambulance and talk bystanders through CPR or defibrillation. Ambulance Victoria will be working with Monash University to develop the technology.

Ambulance Victoria also received an additional $350,000 to provide mental

health-related emergency callers with an option to use SMS to initiate a video call.

The limitations of voice-only triage are many people who call triple zero with a mental health concern often end up being transported to an emergency department by ambulance, causing distress and delaying face-to-face specialist care.

Ambulance Victoria’s ‘Tele-HELP’ project will facilitate emergency video calls with an experienced mental health nurse, allowing the nurse to more accurately assess the person and potentially provide face-to-face care sooner.

Safer Care Victoria is the state’s lead agency for improving quality and safety in Victorian healthcare. The innovation fund has allocated $16.2 million to fund 42 projects since it was established in 2016.

(Media Release)

Supporting Victoria’s wine New Worksafe campaign to industry with bushfire put employers on notice recovery wine grapes may be affected by smoke exposure.

MELBOURNE, Jan 30: The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the state’s world-class wine industry with a new $2.5 million package to help growers and producers impacted by the recent bushfires with technical advice to help make the best decisions for their business.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes visited the King Valley to endorse the package which will support producers who have been directly affected by bushfires or whose current vintage of

The support package includes: • $1.2 million for potential smoke exposure testing for growers which will provide a rebate to help growers get smoke exposure tests from specialist labs. The rebate will be capped at $1200 per grower and will be available statewide • $1 million for grants to growers who receive a test result that suggests their grapes might be smoke affected to assist with technical decision-making advice and support • $300,000 to research reliable and inexpensive predictive tests for potential quality impacts of smoke.

The support package is in addition to the assistance the Labor Government has been providing since 23 January for the collection and transport of grape samples to laboratories for testing of potential quality impacts of smoke.

The wine industry bushfire support package builds on the government’s investment in Victoria’s wine industry, through the Wine Industry Development Strategy.

For further details about accessing the new support package, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

MELBOURNE, Jan 31: The Andrews Labor Government is putting unsafe employers on notice with the launch of a new campaign highlighting Victoria’s new workplace manslaughter laws.

Minister for Workplace Safety Jill Hennessy joined WorkSafe Chief Executive Colin Radford today to launch the advertising blitz, which warns employers of the tough financial penalties and jail terms they face if their negligence causes a workplace death.

With five workplace deaths already this year, the campaign is a timely reminder of the responsibility all employers to ensure that their employees are safe at work.

for families following a workplace death and a specialist WorkSafe team to lead investigations and prosecutions.

More WorkSafe inspections than ever before were undertaken in 2019 with 49,771 visits completed and 14,939 health and safety compliance notices issued.

The Government is strengthening WorkSafe by recruiting an additional 40 specialist construction inspectors by 2022, with recruitment now underway for 10 of those positions.

Sadly 24 workers died in 2019 with farms were once again the most dangerous workplaces with six deaths.

Tragically, two of these were children aged two and three years old.

Under the Labor Government’s workplace manslaughter legislation, companies will face more than $16 The construction industry also continues million in fines, and individual employers to be overrepresented in workplace responsible for a workplace death up to 20 fatality statistics following the death of five years in jail. workers. In total there were nine industries that recorded at least one workplace The Government is investing $10 fatality last year. million towards the implementation of the new laws, including dedicated support (Media Release)

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music

quality and always well attended.

MHCMS is now stepping up to organise Melbourne’s first ever International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music, with the inaugural edition to be held from 6th- 8th March 2020. Headlined by the iconic vocalist Vd Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, the festival will feature Pt Sugato Nag (Sitar), Pt Rajendra Prasanna (Flute & Shehnai), Pt Abhijit Banerjee (Tabla), Pt Keshav Talegaonker (Vocal), Dr. Vasanti Tembe (Vocal), Sangeet Mishra (Sarangi) and Bobby Singh (Tabla), along with talented Melbourne-based Hindustani classical musicians.

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elbourne has rapidly become an unlikely but unquestionable hub of Hindustani classical music over the past decade, and a favored destination for Hindustani classical musicians from around the world.

This is thanks to the efforts of a group of Melbournians who love the art form, and have been enthusiastically sharing it with the wider Melbourne community over the past 3 years through the Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society Inc. (MHCMS), having hosted over 40 recitals in that time at iconic Melbourne performance venues as well as baithakstyle events in patron’s homes. The recitals are known to be of very high

Festivals are an important feature of Hindustani classical music – for audiences to hear the best musicians performing live, as well as for musicians to collaborate and innovate within this music form that is itself thousands of years old. It is a matter of distinct pride and indeed privilege for a city to hold an annual festival of Hindustani classical music. Just over 30 cities do so even within India, and only a handful outside of India, notably the Durbar festival of London and Tihai in San Francisco.

MHCMS has organised vocal, Sitar and Tabla workshops with these eminent musicians, and also a lecture/ demonstration on the very basics of Hindustani Classical Music.

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Biocon’s Kiran MazumdarShaw awarded ‘Order of Australia’

BIOPHARMACEUTICAL company Biocon said that its Chairperson and Managing Director Kiran MazumdarShaw has been awarded the -- ‘Order of Australia’ -- Australia’s highest civilian honour.

contribution to Australia or humanity at large.

According to the company, the award has been conferred to her for significant service to advancing Australia’s bilateral relationship with India, particularly in promoting commercial and educational links.

This follows the conferment of batsman Sachin Tendulkar in 2012, former Attorney General of India, Soli Jehangir Sorabjee in 2006 and Mother Teresa in 1982.

Honorary appointments in the ‘Order of Australia’ are made to foreign nationals who have made an outstanding

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Mazumdar-Shaw is the fourth Indian citizen to be awarded Australia’s highest civilian honour.

Mazumdar-Shaw is considered to be one of the pioneers of India’s biotech industry.

(IANS)

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NEWS NATIONAL

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Aus budget surplus threatened by bushfires

CANBERRA, Jan 21: Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warned that the government’s promised budget surplus could be jeopardized by the bushfire crisis.

Frydenberg had previously promised to deliver a budget surplus of A$5 billion ($3 billion) in financial year 2019-20, the first surplus since 200708.

However, he conceded that the surplus could be diminished by the “uncertain” economic impacts of bushfire that have affected Australia’s states and territories.

“The budget is back in balance for the first time in 11 years,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Australian Tourism Export Council warned that the fires could cost the industry A$4.5 billion ($3 billion) in calendar year 2020 alone, with foreign visitors already cancelling their plans to visit the country.

“What the Australian people know is that when you are responsible for economic managers you have the financial flexibility to respond to crises and economic shocks whenever they may occur. This is one.”

The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has said that the government can be excused for failing to deliver a surplus because of the extraordinary circumstances.

The government has announced A$500 million ($343 million) in funding for bushfire relief efforts this financial year.

Since September, blazes have killed at least 29 people, destroyed over 2,000 homes and burnt through 10 million hectares of land - an area almost the size of England.

Frydenberg said that while that figure would not be enough to threaten the surplus, the impact on tourism and the housing market could have far-reaching implications.

The crisis has been exacerbated by record temperatures, a severe drought and climate change.

(AGENCIES)

Compulsory Reserve call out to become voluntary

CANBERRA, Jan 23: The Government will request the Governor-General revoke the current compulsory Call Out of the Australian Defence Force Reserves with effect ‪from 7 February 2020.‬‬

Almost 6,500 full time and Reserve personnel have been providing direct support in the field, at sea, in the air, and from Defence bases as part of Operation Bushfire Assist.

As the immediate, wide-scale emergency threat has eased, Australian Defence Force (ADF) support is moving from assisting to save life and property, to relief and recovery operations.

Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Reservists would continue to serve under Operation Bushfire Assist, on a voluntary Call For basis.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the ADF would continue to provide support where it’s needed most, for as long as it’s needed, with its full-time forces and volunteer Reserve personnel.

“I am so proud of the service our ADF Reserve members have provided as part of this response,” Minister Reynolds said.

“It’s now time to allow ADF Reserve personnel who were part of the compulsory Call Out to return to their jobs, families, communities and personal commitments if they wish,” the Prime Minister said.

“Before any draw-down of the compulsory Call-Out commences, conditions will need to be met which includes ensuring there is no immediate threat to life, and that basic, essential services have been restored.

“The Australian Defence Force will continue to provide extensive support to the bushfire recovery, and dedicated elements of the full-time force will stand ready should an emergency response be required again this bushfire season.”

Three killed as firefighting plane crashes in Australia

CANBERRA, Jan 23: Three people were killed when a water-bombing plane fighting bushfires crashed into a large fireball in the Snowy Monaro area, south of the Australian capital, amid rising temperatures that have further fuelled the fires in the country.

“Initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground,” he said.

than 2,500 homes and 180,000 square kilometres (some 69,500 square miles) of land, an area equivalent to the size of Syria.

Fitzsimmons said there was “no indication at this stage on what caused the accident”.

These fires, which experts say have been more intense this year due to global warming, have so far emitted 400 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, an amount equivalent to the country’s average annual emissions, according to the global environment monitoring programme Copernicus.

The New South Wales (NSW) authorities said the C-130 Hercules tanker aircraft went down in the afternoon.

The victims in the plane crash were not immediately identified but the commissioner said all three aboard were residents of the US.

“Three people have lost their lives after a large tanker crashed. Our thoughts and prayers and heartfelt condolences go to their families,” New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

Canberra Airport was closed on Thursday after the Australian authorities once again activated the fire alert over rising temperatures, which in some places exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

She said the disaster was a “stark and horrible” indication that the fire season in Australia was far from over and highlights the “dangerous work” being undertaken to control the fires.

The flights arriving in and departing from the country’s ninth busiest airport in terms of the number of passengers were suspended around midday due to a fire raging nearby, the airport said in a statement on social media.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said contact with the aircraft was lost shortly before 1.30 p.m.

“Tragically, there appear to be no survivors as a result of the crash in the Snowy Monaro area. It has impacted heavily with the ground.

Bushfires, which have been raging since September and which worsened on New Year’s Eve, have claimed 32 lives and affected more than 1 billion animals.

The fires have erased more

A survey by the Australia Institute published found that 57 percent of the people surveyed across the country of 24.6 million inhabitants felt the impact of fires and smoke, while 26 percent experienced health problems as a result.

The report also underlined that about 1.8 million people were unable to work because of the fires, and the loss in productivity was estimated at AU$1.3 billion (US $894 million).

“Australia is in the grip of a national climate disaster. The social, economic and medical impacts are vast and only just starting to become clear,” said Tom Swann, a senior researcher at the Australia Institute.

(AGENCIES)

“I also acknowledge and thank their families and employers for their understanding and terrific support that has made this response possible.

“I thank our international partners who have stood in solidarity with Australia in our time of need and supported our ADF response in bushfire affected communities.”

Detailed planning to recalibrate ADF support to the bushfire recovery is ongoing, in consultation with local and state emergency services and local communities.

Defence and other Commonwealth agencies will continue to work closely with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

(Media Release)

Aussie soldiers cuddle, feed koalas saved from bushfires

CANBERRA, Jan 30: A photo of Australian army soldiers feeding and cuddling rescued koalas is doing the rounds on the Internet. Many servicemen and women were captured taking care of the koalas, wrapped in blankets.

The Australian Army shared the picture with caption, “#OurPeople from 16th Regiment Emergency Support Force have used their rest periods while #OpBushfireAssist to lend a helping hand at the Cleland Wildlife Park, supporting our furry friends during feeding time and by building climbing mounts inside the park. A great morale boost for our hardworking team in the Adelaide Hills. #AustralianBushfires”.

In the shared pictures, the army officers display their soft side. Several servicemen and women were seen cuddling the

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koalas -- swaddled in blankets -- during feeding time at the Cleland Wildlife Park in a photo posted at Instagram by the army.

As the post went viral, social media has been abuzz with reactions. A user wrote: “Drop Bear battalion well done guys.”

Another wrote: “This makes me so damn proud to be an Aussie.”

A post read, “This is so beautiful, you men and women are just incredible.”

A user remarked, “I’ve just come back from a holiday in Adelaide. I was unlucky not to see any koalas in the wild but wonderful to see you doing a fab job with the wildlife. Thank you for helping to save them and maybe if I return in the future, they’ll be abundant in the wild again.”

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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Koalas found dead on Scientists call on Australia Australia logging plantation to urgently reduce

CANBERRA, Feb 2: Dozens of koalas were found dead or injured at a timber plantation in the Australian state of Victoria, sparking an investigation by officials.

Blue gum trees, an important koala habitat, were harvested from the plantation last December, leaving only a few isolated stands of trees.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said it was prepared to prosecute over the incident.

About 80 surviving koalas have been removed and were being cared for.

Andrew Pritchard from the Department of the Environment said 25 koalas had been euthanised.

After the plantation was logged last December, reports of hundreds of starving koalas came in, environmental group Friends of the Earth Australia said.

The deaths come after tens of thousands of koalas were killed in the bushfires that have ravaged Australia since last September.

“People apparently witnessed the bulldozing of many dead koalas into slash piles,” it said.

The marsupial is listed as “vulnerable”

by Australia’s Environment Ministry.

(AGENCIES)

Australian woman dies in lamington eating contest

QUEENSLAND, Jan 27: A woman has died in Australia while taking part in a contest to eat as many lamingtons -- a traditional sponge cake covered in chocolate and desiccated coconut -- as possible.

The woman, aged 60, is reported to have had a seizure during the event at a hotel in Hervey Bay, Queensland, to mark Australia Day on Sunday.

She was given CPR at the scene and taken to hospital but later died.

Witnesses said the woman had crammed one of the cakes into her mouth when she appeared to get into difficulties.

Footage has emerged showing other patrons of the pub cheering on the eaters, who have glasses of water next to them, before the accident.

carbon emissions

CANBERRA, Feb 3: Australia needs to pull its weight when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to 274 of the country’s leading climate, fire and weather scientists who penned an open letter to the nation’s policy makers.

“In many ways, this letter is the product of despair as scientists witnessed the deadly fire season unfold,” Australian National University climate scientist Professor Nerilie Abram explained.

“Scientists have been warning policymakers for decades that climate change would worsen Australia’s fire risk, and yet those warnings have been ignored.”

With a litany of heat records tumbling across Australia in 2019 and early into 2020, the letter warns that heat waves on land and in the oceans are becoming longer, hotter and more frequent.

The Beach House Hotel in Hervey Bay posted a message on Facebook expressing Expecting to see regular 50-degreecondolences to the family and friends of the woman, who has not been named.

Celsius days in Sydney and Melbourne by 2040, the experts said increased Eating competitions are a popular game wildfire risk was just one part of a deadly during Australia Day, a national holiday marking the arrival of the first Europeans to equation.

Australia.

Other impacts could see Australia’s Contestants usually win prizes for eating iconic Great Barrier Reef under threat as many cakes, pies, hot dogs or other food along with a multitude of marine species in a limited time.

(AGENCIES) and land animals.

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“Scientists by nature tend to be conservative. Perhaps that explains why many of the projected climate impacts made in the peer-reviewed literature seem to be occurring earlier than forecast,” University of New South Wales Canberra fire researcher Professor Jason Sharples said.

“It’s important to remember that what we are seeing now are the dangerous and costly impacts of just one degree Celsius of global warming.”

“Yet while our climate changes rapidly, Australia’s climate change policies stand still and the world is on track for three degree Celsius or more of warming by the end of this century.”

University of New South Wales climate scientist Professor Katrin Meissner said “the thick, choking smoke haze of this summer is nothing compared to the policy smokescreen that continues in Australia”.

“We need a clear, non-partisan path to reduce Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions in line with what the scientific evidence demands, and the commitment from our leaders to push for meaningful global action to combat climate change,” she said, adding: “Not tomorrow, but right now.”

(AGENCIES)

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NEWS NATIONAL

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Rebuilding Australian tourism

CANBERA, Jan 19: Tourism businesses and fire-affected communities around the country will receive much needed support from the Morrison Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund through an initial $76 million tourism recovery package to protect jobs, small businesses and local economies by helping get tourists travelling across Australia again.

rebuild from fires, it will also take time and sustained effort to recover from the saturation media coverage and mistruths told online that have scared potential visitors away, including from parts of Australia that remain completely unaffected by fire.

“We will break from the practice of Tourism Australia exclusively focusing on international visitors and urgently kick off a local campaign because Australians are best placed to immediately understand that most of our country remains as safe to visit as ever.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was throwing its support behind the country’s $152 billion tourism industry as part of an initial push to help the sector recover after a devastating blow from unprecedented bushfires.

“Our federal response to these devastating bushfires is comprehensive and unprecedented,” the Prime Minister said.

“More than 6000 defence boots on the ground, more than $50 million in emergency payments already in hand and more to come, $76 million in new mental health support to first responders and local communities, $50 million to support wildlife recovery and habitat restoration, $75,000 grants to our farmers to help them rebuild, and now surging our support for our all-important tourism industry.

It’s all part of a clear plan to lead our response to the recovery driven by our National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

“Australian tourism is facing its biggest challenge in living memory.

“One in thirteen Australian jobs rely on tourism and hospitality so our $76 million investment is an urgent injection to help all those hotels, restaurants and cafes and tour operators get back on their feet.

“This is make or break for many businesses and tourist hot spots and not just in those areas directly hit by the bushfires.

“This is about getting more visitors to help keep local businesses alive and protect local jobs right across the country and especially in those areas so directly devastated such as Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills, the Blue Mountains and right along the NSW Coast and East Gippsland in Victoria.

“We’ve heard directly from local operators, industry leaders, communities and the states and territories. Their message is to act now and that is exactly what we are doing. And we’ll be working closely with them all to deliver on our recovery plan to get these regions back up and running.”

The Government’s initial tourism recovery package responds directly to calls from the tourism sector and includes $20 million for a nationally coordinated domestic marketing initiative and $25 million for a global marketing campaign to drive international visitation.

A further $10 million will be provided for a regional tourism events initiative across bushfire affected areas, $9.5 million for an international media and travel trade hosting initiative, $6.5 million to support tourism business’ attendance at the largest annual tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange, and $5 million for our diplomatic network to educate that our tourism, international education and export sectors are open for business.

Federal Minister for Tourism Simon Birmingham said the funding boost would help get tourists back into areas that need it most but also make it clear that Australia is very much open for business.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities around Australia and it’s absolutely critical that we help to get people back visiting those communities that rely on tourism,” Minister Birmingham said.

“These bushfires have dealt the biggest reputational blow to our tourism industry that it has ever faced internationally.

Losses caused by cancellations and collapsing booking numbers stretch well beyond those communities directly affected by fire into the many Australian towns that rely on international visitors to sustain tourism jobs.

“My message to anyone thinking about a holiday – from here or overseas – is that Australia’s towns and our incredible parks and beaches are open for business and they need your help.

“Just as it will be a long and challenging process for communities as they

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“Tourism Australia will work with all states to upscale their existing and planned efforts to increase tourism visitation. This will include support for efforts in both bushfire affected regions and elsewhere. We understand acutely that regions that neighbour bushfire affected regions as well as the broader national tourism sector have been impacted by this crisis.

“Australians have shown enormous compassion towards fire affected communities and donated in record sums.

For those who can, the next best way to help fire affected and other tourism dependent towns is to make a booking for a short break, visiting these towns and helping to sustain their small businesses and local jobs.

“Our international marketing campaign and extensive hosting of international media or travel trade partners will demonstrate to the world that Australia is very much open for business, that we maintain incredible tourism experiences in every state and territory and explain the regeneration that the Australian bush goes through after bushfires.

“I assure Australia’s tourism industry that we will work with them through this tough time to ensure visitors once again flow into our nation, supporting jobs for hundreds of thousands of Australians.”

This initiative forms part of the Morrison Government’s initial $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

(Media Release)

BUSINESS

Jio largest in revenue, customers base

NEW DELHI, Jan 27: Reliance Jio has become the largest telecom player by revenue and subscriber base, India Ratings said.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd has remained aggressive in subscriber acquisition and has become the largest player in terms of wireless subscriber market share, broadband subscriber base and revenue, it said.

The increase in RJio’s subscriber base is largely at the cost of Vodafone Idea Ltd, whose subscriber market share has declined consistently in last two years.

Revenue market share of RJio’s also grew to 34.9 per cent in 2QFY20, which is the highest in the industry compared to other players, the agency said.

India Ratings also said that the industry is showing signs of recovery.

The average revenue per user (ARPU) reported by telecom companies has started showing signs of recovery in the last two to three quarters. Moreover, the recent tariff hikes by telcos in the range of 25 per cent to 35 per cent is likely to support the increase in ARPU over the next few quarters. Furthermore, the share of broadband subscribers in the overall subscriber base is on a continuous rise.

“The rising share of data subscribers along with growing data traffic and stabilising data tariffs augurs well for revenue growth in our view,” it said.

TRAI has extended levy of INR0.06/

minute till December 2020 from December 2019 earlier. As a result, the effective date of implementation of the regime has been postponed to January 1, 2021.

Indian Ratings has downgraded VIL’s long-term issuer rating to ‘IND BBB-’ from ‘IND BBB’ while maintaining it on rating watch negative. The downgrade reflects the crystallisation of adjusted gross revenue related liabilities for VIL post the Supreme Court’s adverse ruling on January 16, dismissing the review petition filed by telcos. The SC ruling provides clarity on the liabilities that are payable by VIL to the Department of Telecom, which was earlier contingent upon the outcome of the review petition, the agency said.

(IANS)

Air India sell-off

NEW DELHI, Jan 29 : External factors such as high fuel prices and adverse forex would be key to the success of Air India disinvestment, but aviation experts said that interested bidders will take long-term view of the sector which is the third largest market globally and growing fast.

After failing to attract any bidder in its first attempt to sell the national carrier, the government has sweetened the deal this time by offering 100 per cent stake in the airline to private parties, removing nearly two-thirds of the Rs 60,000 crore debt from its books.

The new buyer will have to take the debt of only Rs 23,286 crore which primarily pertains to long-term aircraft loan. Moreover, total debt and liability on the books of Air India at the time of transaction will be equivalent to the

Many industry veterans have described the proposed Air India deal as sweeter than expected with some of them claiming that a substantial chunk of investment could be recovered by entering into sale and lease back agreement for the 82 aircraft owned by the carrier.

Air India, along with its subsidiary Air India Express, has a total operational

15

Amazon Pharmacy may expand to UK, Canada, Australia SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 22: Amazon is looking to expanding its prescription drug delivery business likely to be called Amazon Pharmacy, to countries like the UK, Canada and Australia.

The e-commerce titan has applied for a trademark on the name “Amazon Pharmacy” in Canada, the UK and Australia, according to CNBC. Amazon reportedly filed its applications on January 9, in what could’ve been one of the earliest steps it took to start medicine delivery in countries other than the US, Engadget reported.

written down value of its assets.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has hinted that the government may further relax the terms of disinvestment to ensure the flag carrier gets a new owner in the next 5-6 months.

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

fleet of 146 airplanes.

“Those bidding for Air India will take a long-term view. The ongoing slowdown may not last long. Whoever will bid for Air India will look at long-term planning.

In the long-term, most of the external factors such as fuel price will stabilise,” said Rajan Mehra, CEO at Club One Air and former India head of Qatar Airways.

The government is expected to announce the names of shortlisted bidders in the first round by March 31, 2020.

By Nirbhay Kumar

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The retail giant had purchased online pharmacy PillPack in 2018, a year after reports came out that it was looking to enter the healthcare industry.

PillPack is a medicine delivery service catering to customers who need to take multiple daily medications.

A few months after the acquisition was announced, the tech giant changed PillPack’s branding to “PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy”, the Engadget report added.

(IANS)

16

WORLD NEWS

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa lights up in Indian flag colours

Britain begins new chapter outside European Union

DUBAI, Jan 27: The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, celebrated the Indian Republic Day by displaying the tricolours on its LED facade.

Colours of the Indian flag lit up the tower at 8.10 p.m. on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leadership congratulated Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion.

The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent messages to Kovind, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also sent similar messages to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The day also saw cultural programmes at Indian missions all across the UAE, which was attended by a large number of expats.

(IANS)

Bill Gates’ eldest daughter set to marry an Egyptian equestrian

LONDON, Feb 1: European leaders have expressed sadness at the UK leaving the European Union (EU) after a long association of 47 years, with French President Emmanuel Macron emphasising Britain’s “unrivalled ties” with France.

Macron said he was “deeply sad” while EU’s Guy Verhofstadt pledged to try and “ensure the EU is a project you’ll want to be a part of again”, the BBC reported.

Celebrations and anti-Brexit protests were held on Friday night to mark the UK’s departure.

Ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis said everyone would be a winner in the end.

The UK officially left the EU on Friday at 11 p.m. after 47 years of membership, and more than three years after it voted to do so in a referendum.

Brexit parties were held in some pubs and social clubs as well as in London’s Parliament Square, as the country counted down to its official departure.

In Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU, candlelit vigils and anti-Brexit rallies were held.

In a message released on social media an hour before the UK left, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to bring the country together and “take us forward”.

“For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come,” he said. “And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.”

In an open letter to the British public, Macron said he was thinking of the millions of Britons “who still feel deeply attached to the European Union”.

“You are leaving the European Union but you are not leaving Europe,” he said.

“Nor are you becoming detached from France or the friendship of its people.

WASHINGTON, Jan 30: Jennifer Gates (23), the daughter of Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, will tie the nuptial knots with Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar.

who has a net worth of nearly $110 billion.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Jennifer said: “Nayel Nassar, you are one of a kind. Absolutely swept me off my feet this past weekend, surprising me in the most meaningful location over one of our many shared passions.

He helped Egypt qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which is their first such Olympic qualification for 60 years.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives learning, growing, laughing and loving together. Yes, a million times over.”

Nassar also shared the happy news on his own Instagram account and wrote, “SHE SAID YES!!...I’m feeling like the luckiest (and happiest) man in the world right about now. Jenn, you are everything I could have possibly imagined. And so much more.”

According to media reports, Nassar was born in Egypt and raised in Kuwait.

“Jennifer has also participated in professional horse riding competitions and shares a deep love for the sport,” said reports.

Gates married Melinda French on a golf course on the Hawaiian island of Lanai on January 1, 1994. They have three children.

The family resides in Xanadu 2.0, an earth-sheltered mansion on the side of a hill overlooking Lake Washington in Medina, Washington.

The would-be couple attended Stanford Jennifer’s mother Melinda Gates took University and the love blossomed there. to social media and wrote, “So thrilled for Jennifer is the eldest daughter of Gates you and @mayelnassar!”

(IANS)

with the EU by the end of 2020 but “it can be done”.

The UK is aiming to sign a permanent free trade agreement with the EU, along the lines of the one the EU has with Canada, by the end of the transition period in December.

Davis said reaching a deal was “not a charitable exercise, this is an exercise of both sides recognising their own best interests”.

European leaders have warned that the UK faces a tough battle to get a deal by that deadline.

Mairead McGuinness, the vice president of the European Parliament, said progress to agree a trade deal “might be left to the very last minute”.

“Normally in trade negotiations we’re trying to come together,” she told BBC. “For the first time we’re going try and negotiate a trade agreement where somebody wants to pull away from us. I can’t get my head around that and I think it’s going to be quite complicated.”

Thousands gathered in Parliament Square to celebrate Brexit on Friday night, singing patriotic songs and cheering speeches from leading Brexiteers, including Nigel Farage.

The Brexit Party leader said: “This is the greatest moment in the modern history of our great nation.”

Pro-EU demonstrators earlier staged a march in Whitehall to bid a “fond farewell” to the union.

Police in Whitehall arrested four men and also charged one man with criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly, while in Glasgow one man was arrested.

Meanwhile, other symbolic moments on a day of mixed emotions included:

“The Channel has never managed to separate our destinies; Brexit will not do so, either.”

* The Union flag being removed from the European Union institutions in Brussels

Macron also said the EU must learn lessons from the “shock” of Brexit, adding: “I am convinced therefore that Europe needs new momentum.”

* The Cabinet meeting in Sunderland, the first city to declare in favour of Brexit when the 2016 results were announced

And he defended the way France acted in the Brexit negotiations, saying neither the French nor anyone else in the EU was “driven by a desire for revenge or punishment”.

Meanwhile, the EU Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Verhofstadt responded to a message which had been projected onto the White Cliffs of Dover by a pro-EU group.

“We will look after your star and work to ensure the EU is a project you’ll want to be a part of again soon,” he said.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Davis - who quit as Brexit secretary in protest at former prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan - said it would be a “fair race” to reach a trade deal

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*A light show illuminating 10 Downing Street and Union flags lining The Mall * A 50p coin to mark the occasion entering circulation * The building of the UK government’s delegation to the EU changed its name and sign Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was “pleased” the UK and EU had agreed a Brexit deal and the US would continue to build its “strong, productive, and prosperous relationship with the UK”.

Washington’s ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, said Brexit had been “long supported” by US President Donald Trump.

(AGENCIES)

NEWS INDIA

Govt suspends e-visa entry from China to India

NEW DELHI/BEIJING, Feb 2: The Central government temporarily banned the e-visa entry of Chinese and other foreign nationals into India in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.

In a tweet posted by the Indian embassy in Beijing, the government said, “Due to certain current developments, travel to India on e-visas stands temporarily suspended with immediate effect. This applies to holders of Chinese passports and applicants of other nationalities residing in the People’s Republic of China.”

The government warned, “Holders of already issued e-visas may note that these are no longer valid. All those who have a compelling reason to visit India may contact the Embassy of India in Beijing or the Indian consulates in Shanghai or Guangzhou, and the Indian Visa Application Centres in these cities.”

The decision came hours after the government evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan, the epicenter of the 2019nCoV epidemic. Over 300 people have died and 14,000 people have been infected in Wuhan by the virus so far.

The US, Australia and many other countries have evacuated their own respective citizens and already banned the arrival of foreigners from China. WHO has called the outbreak a global health emergency.

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

17

NRIs not taxed in any country will pay tax in India NEW DELHI, Feb 1: There is a killer provision pertaining to non-resident Indians in the Union Budget for 202021 which states that an NRI who is not taxed in a foreign country will become taxable in India.

from 182 days. This means that those who actually have their businesses in India and stay in India for more than 120 days while they are resident elsewhere, would now become resident in India”.

and also not in India”.

Bohra said this will adversely impact high net worth individuals using the domicile mechanism to evade tax globally. “The Union Budget 2020 has now proposed to introduce a deeming provision that every Indian citizen who is not liable to be taxed in any other country, by virtue of his domicile or residence, shall be deemed as a resident of India. Consequently, his global income would be taxable in India”, he added.

NRIS have to live outside India for more than 245 days to be able to remain out of Indian tax net, Baxi said. “Also, an Indian citizen, who is not taxed elsewhere in the world for whatever reason and also not taxed in India because not being present in India for more than 120 days, will now be taxed in the country. This will hit those who have Experts have clarified that the person moved out of India to tax havens, but who is “resident of no country” and is have not yet got their foreign citizenship”, out of India for 183 days (now more This provision will hit those who she added. than 240 days from 1st April, 2021) just have moved to tax havens and are yet to maintain the NRI status, he will be to take up citizenship. Not only does Tax experts say it was entirely possible considered as Resident of India and the taxation kick in for those not paying taxes for high net worth individuals to arrange income will be taxable. elsewhere, the definition of NRIS has the stay in India and abroad in such been changed in the Union Budget with a manner that they would not pay tax Citing an example, experts say that if a new stipulation much more tougher. anywhere and nor in India.

X lives in Dubai, UAE for more than 180 To be categorized as an NRI, an Indian days, he is automatically a resident of now has to stay abroad for 240 days, Gopal Bohra, Partner, NA Shah UAE and the balance days if he is living as against 182 previously. An Indian Associates, on the new proposed tax in any other country taking the total to national who wants to claim the nonresidency amendments said, “Currently, more than 240 days outside India, then resident status can’t stay in India for if a person who is a Citizen of India or only his Indian income will be taxable more than 120 days or more in a year. a Person of Indian Origin, managed his and he will be considered as NRI. stay in India such that he remained a Daksha Baxi, Head, International non-resident in perpetuity, he was not If X lives for 20 days in Dubai, 30 in Taxation, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, liable to pay tax on his global income in the US, 50 in Europe etc, it means he is on tax amendments for NRIs said, “The India. It was entirely possible for high net not a permanent resident of any country, number of days’ presence in India for worth individuals to arrange his affairs so in that case, he will be deemed to be remaining non-resident is reduced for in such a fashion that he would not be resident of India and his global income those who are non-resident to 120 days liable to be taxed in any other country will be taxed.

(AGENCIES) Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey said in the post Budget briefing: “Some people are residents of no country. They may be staying in different countries for certain number of days.

So, if any Indian citizen is not a resident of any country in the world, he’ll be deemed to be a resident of India and his worldwide income will be taxed”.

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18

NEWS INDIA

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Indian govt allocates Rs 4400 cr for clean air in cities NEW DELHI, Feb 1: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, citing pollution as a matter of concern, said the government proposes to encourage states that are formulating and implementing plans for ensuring cleaner air in cities with a population of one million. The Union Budget allocated Rs 4,400 crore for National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the year 2020-21.

Detailing the plans for environment and climate change in the Budget 2020 speech, Sitharaman said, “In large cities having population above one million, polluted air is a matter of concern...

Parameters for the incentives would be notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change.

Allocation for this purpose is 4400 crore for 2020-2021.”

Emphasizing the Prime Minister’s international initiative - Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) with its Secretariat in Delhi, 2019 and International Solar Alliance, 2015, Sitharaman said this will help strengthen global partnership to address a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as also it aims for

Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. “It will enhance climate change adaptation with a focus on disaster resilient infrastructure”, she said.

Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), the energy intensity is targeted to decline by 33 to 35 percent by 2030, in comparison with 2005, in addition with 40 percent of power from non-fossil sources.

The FM also said the government will advise utilities to close down thermal power plants if their emission is above prescribed norms under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

“There are yet, thermal power plants that are old and their carbon emission levels are high. For such power plants, we propose that utilities running them would be advised to close them, if their emission is above the pre-set norms.

She also added India submitted its The land so vacated can be put to Nationally Determined Contribution, alternative use.” Sitharaman said. under the Paris Agreement in 2015 on a “best effort” basis, bearing in The government had directed all mind the development imperative the thermal power plants to install of the country. “Its implementation Flue Gas Desulphurization (FDG), effectively begins on January 1, which reduces emissions of sulphur 2021. Our commitments stand as dioxide in phases. By December action will be executed in various 2022, all the 440 coal-fired plants sectors by the Departments/ that produce 166.5 GW have to Ministries concerned through the comply with the regulation. The normal budgeting process”, she said FM also proposed to provide about further.

Rs 22,000 crore to power and renewable energy sector in 2020-21.

According to India’s Intended (IANS)

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Internet lauds Kashmiri youth’s snow car model

NEW DELHI, Jan 21: The video of a Kashmiri youth, named Zubair Ahmed from Budgam district who made a supercool ‘snow car’, is making the rounds of the Internet.

It took him two days to finish it. The car is so beautiful that people were captured taking pictures and selfies, posing with the snow car. A user posted a clip which shows a Kashmiri youth giving the final touches to his snow car.

The post captioned, “A Kashmiri boy namely Zubair from Budgam made snow car which took him 2 days to finish this snow car. People

from different areas are taking selfies with snow car.”

The tweet went viral and social media has been abuzz with reactions. The Internet is in love with the snow car and the snow car maker.

A user on the microblogging site Twitter posted, “Good talent. We must appreciate such activities for tourism.”

“Orissa sand sculpture and now Srinagar Ice Car...great artists” wrote another. A post read, “Wow, talented man....”, Tweeple remarked, “After removing 370 young talent are coming.”

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

ISRO to send humanoid Vyommitra first into space

India likely to have its own TOEFL for foreign students NEW DELHI, Jan 21: India is likely to frame its own English language test, on the lines of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), for foreign students to improve its ranking among the most preferred countries for education in the world.

CHENNAI, Jan 22: Indian space agency ISRO will send a half-humanoid female into space as part of its human space mission programme Gaganyaan, said officials.

The robot -- Vyommitra -- was unveiled by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru.

It is called half-humanoid since it does not have legs, though it can bend forward and sideways.

According to ISRO, Vyommitra can recognise humans and answer questions as well as carry out some experiments. It can monitor biological parameters and operate switch panels and lifesupport activities. Vyommitra

can also converse with astronauts.

ISRO Chairman K.Sivan had said that two test space missions would be carried out before sending three Indian astronauts into space sometime in 2022.

The test missions expected by this year-end and mid2021 will validate ISRO’s crew module and its systems.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is shortlisting four astronauts to get trained in Russia for the purpose.

The Indian space agency has already developed systems for space capsule re-entry, recovery and crew escape.

(IANS)

19

At a press conference, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) President Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said that after several brainstorming sessions with the UGC, Niti Aayog and other related institutions, the government has identified several issues that held back India from being in top ten or 15 countries for education.

“As per the data, India is 26th most favorite destination for education, globally. We are trying to make efforts to move up the ladder, and get into at least top 15 list,” Sahasrabuddhe said.

One of the reasons for not being in the top ten list, he said, was that students from non-English speaking foreign countries, once admitted in Indian institutions, found it difficult to cope up with English

medium education. The government, he said, is also looking at building hostels and providing accommodation to couples since a considerable number of foreign students are married.

According to the ICCR, there are around 50,000 foreign students, mostly from Asian and African countries, studying in various degree programmes in India. However, other ministries claim that there are around 100,000 foreign students. There is no definitive official data on foreign students nor has been there any survey on the most preferred graduate programmes among foreign students.

The ICCR, the cultural arm of the Ministry of External Affairs, has been promoting India’s soft power for over 60 years, through cultural and education exchange programmes. The council is the largest governmental body to offer scholarships to foreign students. At present, around 4,000 foreign students are recipients of the ICCR scholarships.

Sahasrabuddhe also said that

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the number of foreign students would go up if people who visit India for studying and training in Indian classical music, dance, ayurveda, yoga, culinary under tourist visa are added. “We are yet to devise a mechanism which will give us an exact idea about the total number of foreign students in India,” he said.

With a mission to make India a preferred hub for education, the ICCR in collaboration with Symbiosis International and Savitribai Phule Pune University, he said, is organising a national conference ‘Destination India’ in Pune on January 28 and 29.

“This is the first time that all the institutions involved in hosting foreign students will come together to prepare a roadmap to bring two lakh foreign students to India by 2022.”

The ICCR will also honor four distinguished foreigners who studied in Indian universities and rose to high positions in their respective countries. The annual award was set up by then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in 2015.

By Aarti Tikoo Singh

20

DIASPORA

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Indian American appointed in Trump advisory commission American Bazaar said in a report.

The new members were administered the oath of office by Vice President Mike Pence on January 27.

Indian American named Bloomberg’s presidential campaign spokesperson his bid last November, at a campaign event, saying: “My first all staff and @ MikeBloomberg is rallying the troops with some jokes.”

Born, brought up and based in New York, Parmeswaran released a statement after his appointment saying: “As an Indian-American from New York and the son of Indian immigrants who came to this country as students in pursuit of the American dream, I am honoured by this appointment.

The Bloomberg campaign also issued a statement welcoming Singh on board, saying: “We are thrilled to have Sabrina on board - she’s a veteran of multiple races who will add to our talented team as we continue to grow in the run-up to Super Tuesday.”

“I will undertake this responsibility very seriously.”

WASHINGTON, Feb 2: An IndianAmerican has been appointed in President Donald Trump’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islander.

Prem Paramesvaran, the Group Chief Financial Officer and President of Indian motion picture production and distribution company Eros International’s North America operations, happens to be the only Indian to be selected in the commission comprising 13 members, the

Parameswaran joined Eros in 2015 and comes with a varied experience in fields such as global telecommunications, media and investment banking.

NEW YORK, Feb 1: Indian-American Sabrina Singh, who served as a former top aide to New Jersey Senator Cory Bookers unsuccessful White House bid, has been He is also on the boards of the Columbia appointed as the national spokesperson University Alumni Trustee Nominating for Democratic candidate Michael Committee and the Program for Financial Bloombergs presidential campaign.

Studies at Columbia Business School.

Singh, who also previously served as a Parameswaran was also invited to the spokeswoman for the Democratic National White House Oval Office Reception for Committee (DNC), took to Twitter to Diwali in 2017 with President Trump. announce her new innings with a vow to (AGENCIES) help defeat President Donald Trump, The American Bazaar said.

Arvind Krishna replaces Ginni Rometty as IBM CE0

NEW YORK, Jan 31: Indian-American Arvind Krishna will take over as the CEO of IBM -- the world’s oldest technology company -- as long-serving Virginia ‘Ginni’ Rometty has decided to retire, the company announced.

“Some personal news... I have joined @ MikeBloomberg @Mike2020 as national spokesperson! I’m beyond excited to work with this incredible team to defeat Donald Trump,” she tweeted.

She put up a photo of Bloomberg, the former New York Mayor who announced

Even though Bloomberg would miss the next Democratic debate on February 7, his campaign is actively targeting the Super Tuesday Democratic primary on March 3.

Singh also served as a regional communications director for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016, said the American Bazaar report.

She comes with a varied experience in politics. Besides being a top aide to DNC Chairman Tom Perez, Singh has also overseen party’s coalition programs and several other important activities.

Singh comes from a family deep-rooted in American politics.

Her grandfather J.J. Singh was the head of India League of America. Back in the 1940s, he along with a group of Indians, channelled a campaign against racially discriminatory policies in the US. (IANS)

Dubai-based Indian expat’s stamp collection worth $27,225

Currently IBM’s Senior Vice President for Cloud and Cognitive Software and principal architect of the company’s acquisition of Red Hat, Krishna will also be a member of the Board of Directors, effective from April 6.

“Arvind is the right CEO for the next era at IBM. He is a brilliant technologist who has played a significant role in developing our key technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud, quantum computing and blockchain,” said 62-yearold Rometty.

“I am looking forward to working with IBMers, Red Hatters and clients around “He is also a superb operational leader, the world at this unique time of fastable to win today while building the paced change in the IT industry,” he business of tomorrow. Arvind has grown added.

IBM’s Cloud and Cognitive Software business and led the largest acquisition The company also announced that in the company’s history,” she added.

James Whitehurst, IBM Senior Vice President and CEO of Red Hat, will now Krishna, 57, leads the IBM business be IBM President, effective April 6. unit that provides the cloud and data platform on which clients build the future.

“In Arvind and Jim, the Board has elected a proven technical and businessHis current responsibilities also savvy leadership team,” said Rometty, include the IBM Cloud, IBM Security and who will continue as Executive Chairman Cognitive Applications business, and IBM of the Board and serve through the end Research. of the year, when she will retire after Previously, he was general manager almost 40 years with the company. of IBM’s Systems and Technology Group’s development and manufacturing Rometty became Chairman, President organization. and Chief Executive Officer of IBM in 2012.

Prior to that he built and led many of IBM’s data-related businesses.A During her tenure she made bold changes to reposition IBM for the future, He has an undergraduate degree from investing in high value segments of the the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur IT market and optimizing the company’s and a PhD in electrical engineering portfolio. from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. Krishna joined IBM in 1990.

Under Rometty’s leadership, IBM acquired 65 companies, built out key “I am thrilled and humbled to be capabilities in hybrid cloud, security, elected as the next Chief Executive industry and data, and AI both organically Officer of IBM, and appreciate the and inorganically, and successfully confidence that Ginni and the Board completed one of the largest technology have placed in me,” said Krishna. acquisitions in history.

(IANS)

DUBAI, Jan 24: A Dubai-based Indian expat has a vintage collection of more than 100,000 stamps from around the world for which he spent nearly $27,225, a media report said.

The 65-year-old P.C. Ramachandran is now one of the senior collectors of the Emirates Philatelic Association and has been recognised for the outstanding efforts taken in collection and preservation of the vintage and antique stamps.

His fascination with stamps began while he was in school as most of his relatives were based outside India and would often send his family letters.

“Every letter had colourful stamps on it and that’s how my fascination with stamps started. I began collecting stamps from letters and from wherever I could.

But when I came to Dubai in 1973, I began collecting in a professional way and started dedicating my weekends making meticulous books and catalogues of my stamps,” he said.

“For many people a stamp is just a stamp, but for me there is much more to it. This is a great and quick way to learn history of any country and culture as the country’s complete culture and history is displayed on these stamps.”

Paying tribute to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ramachandran has a complete collection of stamps not only after the formation of the country but also those in mint condition that were used in

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the Trucial States and even when the UAE was divided into princely states.

“I have complete collection if stamps from the time the UAE started issuing stamps, which was in 1973.

Earlier, the issuance quantities were around 500,000 but now, it has come down to 40,000 or so because no one uses them anymore.”

He also has a huge collection of all Indian stamps that were issued after 1947.

Apart from stamps, Ramachandran has a collection of currencies of 193 UNapproved countries, many of which have ceased to exist.

“Some of these currencies are of dead countries such as East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Burma (Myanmar), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). I keep memories alive through these collectibles... It fascinates me.”

Ramachandran has dedicated a section of his residence to vintage collection and also possesses a collection of thousands of telephone cards and telephone directories issued in the UAE. (IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Texas county gets first Sikh Deputy Constable was the first one to give me a call back.

He opened this agency with open arms for me.”

Singh will now have to undergo months of field training, after which he will be assigned to patrol.

HOUSTON, Jan 25: Indian-American law enforcement officer, Amrit Singh, has created history by becoming the first ever turban-wearing Sikh to be sworn in as Deputy Constable in Texas state’s Harris County.

The 21-year-old wears the articles of his faith -- turban and beard -- proudly while serving in the line of duty.

Constable Alan Rosen Harris County tweeted: “A historic day as we swear in Deputy Constable Amrit Singh - the FIRST Sikh deputy Constable ever in Harris County. We’ve also now adopted a new policy which specifically allows our deputy constables to wear articles of faith in uniform.”

After the swearing in ceremony, Singh said: “Growing up, I always wanted to be a Deputy and my Sikh faith was also very important to me. Constable Alan Rosen

The swearing-in ceremony also coincided with the adoption of the new policy by the state that allows law enforcement officers in nearly every single Harris County Constable’s Office to wear articles of their faith while in uniform.

The policy came into force to honour the memory of Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, the first Sikh Deputy in Harris County who was shot dead while on duty last September.

In 2009, Dhaliwal became the first Sikh to join the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and in 2015, he became the first Sikh law enforcement officer to be allowed to wear his articles of faith in uniform.

Following the death of the officer, law enforcement agencies in California, Washington and in Texas have signalled willingness to change their policies, said Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Coalition.

The new policy has been welcomed by the members if the Sikh community residing in the US.

(AGENCIES)

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GETTING MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA

Obligations of Marriage Celebrants when Solemnising Marriage – Part I

The celebrant is obligated to complete marriage documents - before the ceremony, at the ceremony and after the ceremony.

Before the ceremony the notice of intended marriage (NOIM) have to be finalised. Ensure the couple provides the NOIM to celebrant no later than one month and no earlier than 18 months before the ceremony. It is different when couple obtains a shortening of time from a prescribed authority.

Celebrants record on the NOIM the date they receive it. Check, and note on the NOIM, evidence of each party’s date and place of birth are required. Satisfy with each party’s identity as Attorney General’s Department recommends checking photo identification. Celebrant should check that the full names of the parties are correctly recorded on the NOIM. Verify that each party is free to marry, noting on the NOIM whether they are related and any evidence you have seen about how any previous marriage ended.

Ensure an interpreter is present if you consider it necessary e.g. to establish each party is giving real consent to the marriage or the parties request one. While completing the forms, type or use block letters, identifying upper and lower case where necessary.

Make sure the NOIM is signed by both parties and has been witnessed by a person authorised to do so, the list of authorised persons in Australia and overseas is listed on the NOIM. The NOIM may be signed by one party only where the other signature cannot be conveniently obtained. The other party must sign the NOIM in the presence of the authorised celebrant before the marriage is solemnised.

Celebrant has to complete the ‘For

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Celebrant’s Use’ section on the page 4 of NOIM. Give each of the parties a copy of the Happily Ever Before and After brochure, and note this on the NOIM. Make sure all questions on the NOIM are answered.

If either party is under 18 years of age, celebrant has to make sure a court order and parental consents have been obtained.

Marriage must take place within three months of the date of the court order and parental consents. Under no circumstances can two persons under 18 years of age marry each other in Australia. Ensure the parties complete their declarations of no legal impediment.

Celebrant has to copy information from the NOIM to the declaration form accurately and legibly. If a party’s address or occupation has changed since completing the NOIM, updated details should be shown on the declaration, but the NOIM should not be amended. Parties should sign their declarations as close as possible to the ceremony. To be cont. …

G’Day Mate

!

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OFF BEAT

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

2nd largest diamond ever discovered

IN a unique collaboration, luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton is all set to transform a rare and exceptional diamond specimen-- the 1758 carat diamond, SEWELO DIAMOND. The monumental 1758 carat rough diamond, has been named Sewelo, meaning ‘Rare Find’, in the Setswana language. It was recovered at the Lucara Diamond Corp.’s 100 percent owned Karowe mine, Botswana. It is the second largest rough diamond ever discovered and the largest to come out of Botswana. Together with Lucara Diamond Corporation and the HB Company of Antwerp, the second largest rough diamond ever discovered is set to be transformed as per an announcement made in Paris.

Roughly the size of a tennis ball, measuring 83mm x 62mm x 46mm, weighing 352 grams, the Sewelo is the second largest rough gem diamond in recorded history, eclipsed only by the Cullinan, at 3106 carats, discovered in South Africa in 1905, and fashioned into historic diamonds that are now in the British Crown Jewels and royal collection.

It is also the largest, exceptional rough diamond to be recovered from Lucara’s state-of-the-art Karowe mine in Botswana. Remarkably, the diamond remained unbroken thanks to Lucara’s high-tech XRT circuit, a highly advanced recovery process that avoids crushing the diamond-bearing rock, a drawback of previous processes.

Initial analysis of the Sewelo characterises the stone as ‘near gem quality’ with ‘domains of high-quality white gem’, while detailed studies of the stone, its composition, qualities and potential will continue for several months. It is spectacular not only for its immense size

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but also for its intriguing characteristics of shape, colour, formation and composition.

The rough crystal is largely covered in a very thin layer of black carbon, enveloping the 2 billion-year-old history within; the full extent of variations in colour and clarity of the diamond yield is still unknown.

Louis Vuitton is working closely with master diamond cutters, HB Company, from Antwerp, using the very latest scanning and imaging technology to assess the final potential of the stone, and plan the optimum yield of individual finished, cut and polished diamonds.

The first step is to open a window onto the stone, in order to gain visibility into the heart of the Sewelo, and plot various permutations of size, colour and shape. Diamond-cutting is an age-old, near-mystical blend of art and science, expertise and intuition. Advanced, cutting-edge technology will play a crucial role in the entire process from initial scanning and planning to the cutting and polishing which is estimated to take a year to complete. The unique properties of the Sewelo, its size and black surface coating, mean that new nanotechnologies have to be used in place of standard equipment.

In a spirit of creative collaboration with HB Company, Louis Vuitton will be involved at every stage, ensuring that the maximum light, life and fire, character and charisma will be unleashed from the magnificent rough crystal. The size of the diamond will enable production of Madeto-Order Louis Vuitton Cut diamonds, each complex, each skilfully fashioned in the form of one of Louis Vuitton’s emblematic Monogram, the rounded flower and star-shaped motif.

(IANS)

WEIRD NEWS

Baby Koalas’ new mom win Twitter hearts

MELBOURNE, Jan 26: A video of a vixen feeding baby Koalas in Australia has gone viral on the social media.

Twitter is in love with the beautiful video and are calling it “humanity”.

lactating mother.

It all started after a Twitter user Adarsh Hegde @adarshhgd shared the video with the caption: “A Fox allows itself to feed Koala Babies in Australia. In #AustraliaBushfires babies have lost their mothers & many mother animals have lost their little ones. This is a fine example of Humanity (sic.).”

A user @DhirRahat wrote: “Let’s call it ‘Animality’ ...

Humanity has lost its meaning now a days.

The 30-second video shows a vixen standing calmly in the wild, while a group of baby Koalas taking feed from the

Twitter is in awe of the video and the social media is flooded with their reactions.

along better than humans...” read one post, on which Sushma Shaw remarked: “They know better how to help each other in need rather than us human.”

(IANS)

“Another Amit Porwal wrote: “Seems animal kingdom is getting more sensible as human race get inclined towards stupidity !!!”

“Funny how animals can get

Couple of weeks back, the girl from an upper strata family was brought to the hospital by her parents for severe stomach pain and lack of appetite.

ball of hair inside her stomach which has to be taken out by operating her. But the parents -- well educated and both employed -- were in a denial mode and went away. The next day they came back as the girl was suffering from severe pain,” Krubashankar said.

The doctors took out a ball of hair and empty shampoo sachets from her stomach weighing about half a kilo.

“On preliminary physical investigation, we felt a lump inside her stomach and decided to do a CT scan. It was followed by endoscopy,” surgeon R. Gokul Krubashankar said from Coimbatore.

On further enquiry, it was learnt that the child was upset after her maternal uncle, who used to live abroad and was supposed to meet her soon, died suddenly some six months back.

The doctors found the endoscopy tube being blocked.

“The girl was very much attached to her uncle and vice versa,” Krubashankar said.

“We told the parents that there is a

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Wife of exlover puts chilli powder in her private parts AHMEDABAD, Feb 1: A 22-year-old woman in the Vadaj area, here, has filed a complaint against wife of her former boyfriend and two others for putting chilli powder into her private parts and threatening to disfiguring her by throwing acid on her.

Hair & shampoo sachets recovered from 13-yr-old’s stomach

CHENNAI, Jan 28: The doctors at the VGM Gastro Centre in Coimbatore were baffled when they saw a ball of hair and empty shampoo sachets in the stomach of a 13-year-old girl after a CT scan followed by endoscopy.

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

He said the girl went into depression due to that trauma and started the strange habit of eating her own hair and empty shampoo packets.

The parents did not notice the behavioural changes in their daughter.

She had thick hair and hence the hair loss was also not noticeable, he said.

According to Krubashankar, the girl has gone back home. The parents and the girl have been advised to undergo counselling.

According to the victim, she worked at the garment shop of Girish Goswami and was in relationship. She later quit and started working at another establishment.

She also ended the relationship.

But two months ago, according to her, she received a phone call from Girish.

They started talking again.

This upset Girish’s wife Janu Goswami.

At around 10 a.m. On Thursday, Janu intercepted her and took her to a house.

With the help of another women, Janu stripped her and inserted chilli powder into her private parts, according to the victim.

The take home message from this case is that parents have to be alert in spotting any behavioural changes in their The police have arrested all the child. The other point is that even children accused on charges of kidnapping. could get into depression owing to a trauma, Krubashankar said.

(IANS)

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(AGENCIES)

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YOUNG TALENT

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

At 15, Shivaan Bahl dreams

to entertain the world and spread positivity through music At the age of 15, Shivaan Bahl has a few memorable events that stand out tall in his memory. For instance, performing with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in Melbourne in 2017 in front of a huge home audience was a “big and happy moment”. He says that experience expanded his range from small to big. With his stage name as Shivi B, is a rapper, dancer and writer who wants to exploit the entertainment industry, by his own telling. Having been performing on stage since the age of seven, Shivaan has his sights firmly set on making a mark on anything related to music. He shows ample maturity as he speaks with G’day India. Excerpts

and dancing?

In order to improve my crafts on stage and when I am recording in the studio, I reckon I should take singing lessons and learn everything about music as much as I possibly can. Information is very accessible these days, I can do my own research and learn everything I need to know. That way I can develop my craft.

In order to perform in front of thousands of people, I need to outwork thousands of people in my own style, by my own self. I need to be able to perform at the same standard when I am by myself, so practice plays a big part in that. And, practising consistently.

Do you have a favourite singer?

I listen to every possible genre, every possible artiste and take inspiration from everyone. But my main inspiration, ever since I was a kid, is Michael Jackson. He is a complete package.

What genre do you follow?

At the moment, it is based around hip hop and R&B, but I have come to slowly love Punjabi music which is very popular.

There are many types of Punjabi music but if I have to incorporate my own style into Punjabi music it will be hip hop. So, I feel Punjabi movie is the genre I am aiming towards but I want to put my own twist to it.

Do you have a big dream?

What does it feel like to be a 15-year old?

Obviously, age is just a number, but I find it advantageous to be 15 because it gives me an advantage of knowing what my goals and aspirations are in life. It gives me time and no pressure because I know what my dreams are, and it gives me more time to fulfil them.

You write songs and sing them as well. What got you started?

I started dancing at the age of seven.

Obviously, Bollywood music is all part of our dance and culture, and I grew to love music overall. My parents often put me on the stage, and I learnt to match my dance steps to music. As I grew up and got older, I developed a big interest for hip hop and R&B music. That led me to make music and exploit my creative side.

Are you more of a singer, a writer or a dancer?

I see it this way: I am trying to combine all of them together. My ultimate goal is to entertain. I want to be a singer and a dancer at the same time, I would not want to separate the two, but I want to be able to dance on my own music. Writing

is also a big part of making music, so writing and singing all comes into one.

How is it performing on a song that you wrote straight from the heart?

It feels amazing. It feels I am in control of everything. When I am dancing on my own music, it makes it much easier for me to express my feeling, whereas if you are performing on someone else’s song you wouldn’t have that same type of control and expression.

Where does your ideas and inspiration come from? Do you follow any formulas?

I don’t follow any formula to create my ideas and make more music. It just comes to me naturally. So, during the daytime or at any random time, say, when I am going for a walk or a bike ride or even sometimes when I am asleep, ideas pop up in my mind. I always have the mindset of creating. I want to create something new every day and never stop.

How do you plan to improve your crafts of writing, singing

My one big dream in life is to be able to entertain and spread positivity through my music. I want to tour around the world and connect with people for the rest of my life. So, becoming an international artiste and just being able to fulfil my dreams is a big goal.

What keeps you grounded?

I surround myself with people who have the same amount of hunger that I have. They want to achieve big things in life, and I realise that those people around me keep me grounded. That includes my family and friends.

How do you handle criticism?

I handle it by not taking it personally. I take it towards my craft.

At the end of the day, I want to do the best that I can. So, any criticism – good or bad – I will take it as a way to learn and become better.

Tell us a bit about life in school. What kind of extracurricular activities to you do?

I am in year 10 and I enjoy extracurricular activities. It is a great way to socialise and keep learning things every day. I am just finding it as a way to get more inspiration.

Going to school every day is a great way to get new ideas, make

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new friends, and every day is a new opportunity to do something. It is also a bit of a struggle to balance schoolwork with my music. I used to play a bit of sports but now I am focussing all my time towards developing my craft, that includes going to the studio, practising and performing at places.

How is your relationship with social media?

I find social media very powerful especially with the new generation. I find it a motivation and I use it as an actual skill to extend my reach in terms of music to many more people than I can reach in real life. I use social media as an asset or a tool to promote my music and make the most of what I can. The criticism on social media is also very important to know what people actually want.

Do you have support from your parents/family/friends in terms of what you like to do?

They are all very supportive of what I do. That includes motivating me, giving me constructive criticism, love and everything I need to become successful in a music career. Some artistes grow up without the support of their family, which is very challenging but either way, I think I can overcome anything that comes on the way and just chase my dreams.

Any message to aspiring young talent of Australia?

I have a few words: follow your dreams. If you find something that you love and identify something that you want to do in your life and are happy with, that’s something that you should put your focus on. And one thing that I keep in mind always is: chase happiness not money. Happiness is a big part of being successful, success is not a measurement of how much money you have.

(As told to G’day India)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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TECH

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G’DAYG’DAY INDIAINDIA | JANUARY | FEB 2020 2014

ART & CULTURE BEAUTY

Varshaya

T

By Sanchita Abrol

Prayer for Downpours

Australian Indian Artists Coming Together in Aid of Bush Fire Appeal and Rehabilitation Peacock Hall, Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, Carrum Downs Victoria, Sunday, February 23, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

he nation is being ravaged by the most devastating bushfire season the country has ever seen. Kalakruthi school is hosting and coordinating a concert in aid of Bushfire Appeal and seeks participation and contribution from all artists and schools of Melbourne.

The founder of Kalakruthi school, Shobha Sekhar says, “I am sure we all share an intense feeling of ‘giving’ something to the victims and firefighting volunteers.

We may have even done something in our own capacity. I urge all practitioners of classical Indian music and dance to come together as a community and show our generosity and solidarity.”

Funds collected through this concert will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire appeal. This event is being partnered with the Mental Health Foundation Australia in this endeavour. A nominal ticket fee for every participant and audience member is available via Trybooking.

Many senior musicians, singers and dancers will be seen on stage together with their students as part of this charity show. The school will also welcome other artists to express their interest in performing for this genuine cause.

Let’s pray through music and dance to make Australia green again.

Tip from the Art Guru Free trial class!

Helpful or not, Look out!

Many times, you see advertisements for dance classes, saying “Free Trial Class Available!! Register Today”.

Are these actually the decision-making point for you or your kid’s entire life?

Art Guru says, “Think Again”.

With the availability of many options, at times beginners get confused in finding the dance they are fit for. You may even find a dance that you are fit for, but finding the dance that defines you is altogether different.

That’s why the concept of trial classes was created. Sadly, now it has become like a package deal, where trainers intentionally teach you the simplest steps of any art form to allure you into joining regular classes.

Our Art Guru suggests that in a trial class, you should try and watch the other senior dancers first and then learn a few new steps, rather than pushing your own limits by trying and learning the whole new dance vocabulary. By watching other dancers, you will know if the art form resonates with you or not.

The purpose of a trial class is to understand the antiquity and meaning behind that art form, to be able to appreciate the deep-seated roots. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you are able to learn even a single step in that class or not. The point is to go back home and do your homework by learning more about that style.

If confused between a few dance forms, you can certainly take a few classes of each style and then compare your comfort level. If you do that, then make sure that you give each dance form a sufficient amount of time for it to develop into something beautiful. Learn about the theory of that art form too, so that you are able to compare the basic cultural ethos. Developing an art and nurturing an artist are both time taking processes. Nothing will happen in just one trial class.

You need to recognize the dance aesthetics to excel. Each dance has simple and difficult movements and choreographies, unless you give any art form its required time, you will never achieve your best. Simply doing a few movements is only interim happiness.

Once you have found your medium of expression, your success will be a reflection of your persistence. The more effort you put, the more you will shine.

Therefore, our Art Guru says, be conscious in selecting your own artistic expression, especially for the young beginners, parents have to be very careful in making them aware about different options but then letting them choose their own.

What’s On

What’s on in Melbourne, is here

Pt Rajendra Prasanna (Flute & Shehnai) with Pt Abhijit Banerjee (Tabla), Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC), 207 Barkers Road, Kew, Victoria, Friday, March 6, 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM The Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music will host Pt Rajendra Prasanna from India and Vinod Prasanna (Flute & Shehnai) accompanied by Pt Abhijit Bannerjee (Tabla). Pt. Rajendra Prasanna is a foremost exponent of Bansuri & Shehnai and a celebrated artist recognized for his unique ability to perform on two instruments at a topmost level. Belonging to a traditional family of musicians of Benaras Gharana, he preserves, exercises and performs the old traditional music and arts of India.

This act will also be complimented by local artist Bikram Singh Malhar (Vocal) accompanied by Bobby Singh (Tabla) and Sangeet Mishra (Sarangi).

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SPORTS

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Two million sign petition to make Bryant the new NBA logo to mourn his passing. My initial goal was to get a mere 100 signatures. Never would I have thought for this petition to get so incredibly big”.

The support from the NBA and Kobe Bryant fans has been overwhelmingly amazing.

K

obe Bryant’s fans all over the globe are joining to honour him in a different way. A petition to change the NBA logo image to a silhouette of Bryant has now got more than two million signatures.

It all started after a fan of Nick M. started an initiative to pay tribute to him in a special way. Nick M. wrote a post on the Change. org petition: “With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant, please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalize him forever as the new NBA Logo.”

The initiative started by the fan was so successful that as of Tuesday night, more than 2.5 million people had added their signatures.

Overwhelmed by the support, Nick M. wrote, “When I started this petition I was just some 16 year-old kid who had lost his role model and hero. I was using it as a way

“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Because of all of you we can make this dream become a reality. So, I ask all of you to please continue sharing this as much as possible so as we are on the verge of changing NBA history! For Kobe. Once again, ‘Mamba out’”, he added.

Twitterati all across the globe hailed the initiative and have flooded the social media with their reactions.

A user wrote, “And why not. Widely regarded as one of the greatest ever and passed away in a massive tragedy... would be fitting. It’s been 2 days, but it still feels so strange to think Mamba isn’t with us anymore.”

Another wrote: “Respect to Kobe and all he achieved, but what will happen if the likes of Jordan, LeBron etc pass away? Change the name of the NBA itself to honour them? I believe there are other ways to immortalise Kobe aside from changing the logo.”

A post read, “But the NBA doesn’t need a new logo, how often will we do this in the future?” A Tweeple remarked, “Great initiative...one question though, what happens when Jordan dies.”

(AGENCIES)

I

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Need to handle pressure better this time at T20 WC: Harmanpreet

ndia skipper Harmanpreet Kaur echoed head coach W.V Raman in saying that handling pressure would be the key as they look to win the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, a feat they came close to but could not achieve in the last two global showpieces.

India made a semi-final exit from the last T20 World Cup and in the previous ODI World Cup, they had finished as runners-up.

“We were quite close in the last two World Cups, the only thing is we have to keep in mind how to handle pressure in the tournaments, last two World Cups we lacked in handling pressure,” Harmanpreet told reporters at the pre-departure press meet ahead of the tri-series involving England and hosts Australia, which will be followed by the World Cup next month.

“This time we want to enjoy rather than taking more pressure on ourselves, thinking that it is a big tournament. We have to avoid thinking like that and focus on giving our best,” she added.

Coach Raman had told in an interview a few days back that the presence of youngsters like 15-year-old Shafali Verma and uncapped Richa Ghosh does not mean that the team members will feel more pressure due to the stature of the tournament that they are playing in.

“Sometimes we try to put into their heads

whereas they don’t necessarily feel it (pressure). Youngsters don’t have fear, it is others who tell them that,” he had said.

On India’s chances, Raman said: “I am very positive about our girl’s chances. I fancy their chances a lot. The one thing probably that needs to be enhanced is to strike an emotional balance.

“There would be sudden change in tempo in scorecards, it would induce emotions from both ends. If they can find a middle path that will enhance our chances,” he said.

The women’s World Cup will be played in Australia from February 21 to March 8. India are clubbed with Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the Group stage.

(AGENCIES)

I see ‘incredible’ Kohli breaking more records: Steve Smith

I

t’s the year of the World T20 and it isn’t just Virat Kohli and the Indian boys who are looking to take every opportunity to prepare for the showpiece event slated to be held later in the year. Run-machine Steve Smith is already excited at the prospect of playing another ICC event at home after the 2015 World Cup. In fact, he believes that his stint in the IPL with Rajasthan

Royals will have a major role to play in the build-up to the mega event Down Under.

Smith spoke about the much-debated proposal to have four-day Tests, India skipper Kohli’s gesture to ask fans to support him during the 2019 World Cup, the Indian Premier League and how Tim Paine has done a brilliant job leading Australia in Test cricket.

For a man who has dominated batting charts in the last few years, Smith’s numbers in the shortest format of the game definitely has room for improvement. But the former Australia skipper wants to keep playing and improving on the go rather than changing his style of training going into the World T20.

“No real specific training, but just playing a lot more T20 cricket and just getting the right tempo I guess for the game is the most important thing for me. I would love to be a part of the World Cup, it’s obviously at home in Australia. I was involved in the ODI World Cup here in 2015 and had the most amazing six-weeks of my cricketing career and loved every minute of it. So yeah would love to be involved in another World Cup at home for sure!” he smiled.

Asked if he was looking at his time with Rajasthan Royals to try some new stuff as it will be the

perfect training ground for the World T20, Smith doesn’t sound the sort who likes to tinker much with his training ritual. But he does have it on his mind to give his leg-spin skills a thought.

“Ah, don’t want to try too much different. I don’t really know, maybe a bit more bowling perhaps, but then that takes time away from my batting. So yeah, it’s a difficult one but we’ll wait and see,” he reveals.

A chat with Smith can never move forward without discussing Kohli. It looks like these two will go ahead and share all the records between them when they hang their boots.

The greatness of Smith though is in his humility. The moment the talks move towards the comparison, he decides to highlight how brilliant Kohli has been both as batsman and leader.

“Yeah, he is terrific. His batting numbers just speak for themselves. I think he’s an incredible player in all three formats and I think we will see him break many records. He’s already broken plenty of them and I see him breaking many more over the years. He has got the hunger for runs and doesn’t stop getting them. Hopefully he can stop getting them against Australia, that’ll be nice.

“As a captain he’s already made India the number one side in the world in Test cricket.

From what I have seen he sets really good standards for them. He is a lot about fitness and is health conscious and things like that.

He’s got the Indian side into a really good place and leads them exceptionally well,” the 30-year-old pointed.

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Asked about Kohli’s gesture to ask fans to show him support during the 2019 World Cup, Smith feels it was really nice of the India skipper. “In the World Cup it was really nice of Virat to do what he did. He did not have to do that and yeah it was a lovely gesture and really appreciated that,” he smiled.

Kohli, in fact, won the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ award for his gesture in England.

There have been talks that Smith is a natural leader and that the national captaincy could well return to him in the near future.

But for the batsman, Paine is the captain and someone who is doing a good job with the boys.

“Yeah, Tim’s done a terrific job. He has led the troops really well. Obviously retaining the Ashes in England in twenty-odd years was an exceptional effort and yeah he has led the team exceptionally well,” he said.

From the Ashes to the ICC’s proposal to have four-day Test matches on a regular basis from 2023, Smith is a traditionalist in the matter and wants the format to stay as it is.

“I am comfortable with five days. I like the challenge of a five-day Test match. Obviously, there has been a lot of talk of the four-day Tests, but my personal opinion is I like five days. I don’t make the decisions obviously of how it all works out, but my opinion is five-days Tests is what it is all about,” he signed off.

By Baidurjo Bhose

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TRAVEL

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Khajuraho Today

I

ndia’s world famous Khajuraho temples completed 1,020 years in 2019. For those who have never been to Khajuraho, whatever one reads or hears about the temples do not do justice to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. For me it was far more incredible than I had ever imagined and on my very first visit I realised that its erotic element that has been the most highlighted, is but a miniscule part of the whole.

A third temple built around 1028 AD and is known as the Shanti Nath temple, has a four and a half metre high standing image of Adinath, known to attract pilgrims of the Digambar Jain Sect, throughout the year.

There are also three Hindu temples in the group - Brahma, the Vamana and the Javari dedicated to Vishnu, with their richly carved gateways and exterior carvings. But what I found more interesting was the Hindu ‘Ghantai Temple’ (temple of bells), located within the village and is counted among the eastern group. This temple must have been a rather splendid structure, but now lies in ruins.

Visiting Khajuraho has become much easier these days. To start with, there is a modern airport with a number of wide runways. On my first visit, the plane had touched down on a runway stretching out among the fields! I remember being shocked at the short bumpy runway and the choice of location!

There is a fascinating legend behind the dynasty that created Khajuraho. The creators claim their descent from the moon and Chandravaraman, the founder of the Chandela dynasty is said to be born from the un-

All that remains is the entrance doorway with its rows of heavenly bodies and the seventeen pillars carved with scrolls of bells, after which the temple is named.

ion of Hemwati, the beautiful daughter of a Brahmin priest and the Moon God. In his

dreams, Chandravaraman is said to have been told by his mother, to build these temples- a task achieved in an inspired burst of activity, over a span of 100 years. With the decline of the dynasty, the temples lay forgotten for many centuries and are said to have been rediscovered only in the last two centuries.

On my first visit to Khajuraho, I reached rather late in the afternoon and sunset was not too far away. On the cab driver’s advice, I restricted my visits to the eastern group of temples, located near the village and are said to be a combination of Hindu and Jain origin. The Parsvnath Temple is the largest in this group and most of the beautiful carvings that one sees printed everywhere are part of this group - the standing figure of Shiva and Parvati, usually used for posters on Khajuraho and others, such as the famous Singara figures of a graceful feminine figure applying kohl to her eyes and another removing a thorn from her feet, are all here.

Adjacent to the Parsvnath Temple is the more recently restored Adinath temple with its fine carvings running along the sides in three bands of sculpture. Within both these temples there are images of Tirthankars in black stone. According to me this temple could well be considered one of the most graceful structures in Khajuraho.

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Thanks to the driver I also managed a ‘Darshan’ of ‘Shankar Bhagwan’ at the Matangesha temple. This is part of the western group of temples but is located outside the walls of the complex and still in use. Not a particularly ornate temple, it was, however, clear that it dated back to the same period as the rest of the temples.

Religious sentiments appeased, I decided to call it a day. Next morning, I set out quite early for the western group of temples, but found a large number of visitors, there before me!

Here, the first temple to see is the Lakshmana Temple, dedicated to Vishnu and his incarnations. On the lintel of the entrance to the temple are carved images of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In the intricately carved sanctum, there are idols of Vishnu’s many incarnations.

Located right opposite the Lakshmana temple, lies the Varaha Temple. Here one can see an amazing nine-foot standing statue of Vishnu’s ‘Varaha’ (boar) incarnation - its intricately carved surface polished by the touch of countless hands. This rare and fully carved standing image has hardly ever been seen or mentioned in any description of the Khajuraho temples. But is definitely a must -see!.

By Shona Adhikari

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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RELATIONSHIPS

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Children see males as more powerful than females

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esearchers have found that children, as early as 4 years, might see males as more powerful than females.

Loneliness as dangerous as smoking or obesity

Published in the journal Sex Roles, the study by the French National Centre for Scientific Research, showed children associated power and masculinity. In some situations, the power-masculinity association didn’t manifest in girls.

The researchers wanted to know whether children aged 3-6 years in France, Lebanon and Norway attributed more power to masculine figures than feminine figures.

In first experiment, they showed children a picture with two non-gendered individuals, with one of them in dominant physical posture and the other in subordinate posture.

First, the children had to guess which of these two individuals was exerting power over the other. Next they had to assign a gender to each individual.

The results revealed that from 4 years onward, a large majority of children considered the dominant individual to be a boy.

The power-masculinity association was observed in both boys and girls, and just as much in Lebanon as in France and Norway.

But it was not significant in 3-year-old children.

In second experiment, school going children, aged 4-5 years, in France had to imagine themselves in the picture and imagine the other person as a boy or a girl. When the

children had to consider their power relation with a person of the same gender as themselves, girls and boys both largely identified with the dominant character.

But when they had to consider their power relation with a person of the opposite gender, boys identified more often with the dominant character, but girls didn’t significantly identify more with one or other of the characters, the study said.

Finally, in third experiment, children aged 4-5 years in Lebanon and France were allowed to watch a series of exchanges between two puppets, one representing girl and the other boy, behind a board.

In one case, the puppets were getting ready to play a game together and the child heard one impose their choices on the other. In the

other case, one puppet had more money than the other to buy ice cream.

In France and Lebanon, most boys thought the puppet that imposed its choices or that had more money was the male puppet.

But girls in both countries didn’t attribute the dominant position preferably to one or other gender.

These results showed children had early sensitivity to a gender hierarchy, though in some situations girls didn’t associate power and masculinity.

The researchers hope to find out what power forms they attribute to feminine figures and whether they legitimise the expression of gendered power’.

(IANS)

Perfect your online dating profile this matching season

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ith Valentine’s Day ahead of us, and the Singles Sunday behind us, the online dating season this year has begun and is picking up pace. Dating and social networking platform Bumble says that people are looking to connect during this time more than ever, and shares some tips to rock the season.

Here are a few ways from 75-millionusers-strong Bumble, in which the members can turn their profiles into ones that get noticed and gives them the best chance to connect in a meaningful way.

4Make your first photo stand out Bumble found that showing off your smile, your eyes (without sunglasses) and your whole face (without a Snapchat filter) make a positive first impression. Make sure it’s only you in this first photo. It’s great to include photos with your friends too, but you want your potential matches to know just who it is they’ll be swiping right on when they land on your profile.

or more profile photos increases your chance of matching by 31 per cent.

4Less is not more

urday night?

4Ask a trusted BFF for advice

Don’t leave your profile blank! This is your opportunity to show off your amazing sense of humor and let your next potential match get to know a little bit about you. Everyone loves a funny, quirky profile. Remember to keep it positive! For guys who are looking for a date, asking a question in your profile that a woman can answer as her first message to you is always a good idea.

Sometimes we can be our own worst critics, and our friends - both men and women - can help us see things we might miss. Ask them how they might describe you, or the things about you that stand out the most. Allow your closest confidantes to take a look at your camera roll or Instagram and help select some great photos, too. It’s been scientifically proven that letting someone else choose your profile photo results in more matches.

4Show what makes you stand out

4Making the first move

Give specific examples or anecdotes that show your matches what sets you apart. Lots of people are fun, outgoing, adventurous, love to travel, or enjoy being active. If you like to cook, what’s your favorite dish to make? Have you been to a great concert or festival recently? What’s your favourite local spot on a Sat-

Bumble’s research has found that you’re less likely to get a match if you just say “hey” when kicking off a conversation.

So, make sure to create the right profile before you jump into the pool looking for a potential match.

By Siddhi Jain

4Keep your highlight reel real

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oneliness rivals smoking and obesity in its impact on shortening longevity and has become a public health concern, especially for the older adults, say researchers.

With older adults increasingly moving into senior living or retirement communities, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine sought to identify the common characteristics of residents who feel lonely in these environments.

The new study, published in the journal ‘Aging and Mental Health’, found that people’s experience of living with loneliness is shaped by a number of personal and environmental factors.

Age-associated losses and inadequate social skills were considered primary risk factors for loneliness.

“Some residents talked about the loss of spouses, siblings and friends as the cause of their loneliness.

Others mentioned how making new friends in a senior community cannot replace deceased friends they grew up with,” said Alejandra Paredes, a research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

The feeling of loneliness was frequently associated with a lack of purpose in life.

Others expressed a sense of “not being attached, not having very much meaning and not feeling very hopeful” or “being lost and not having control”.

The research team also found that wisdom, including compassion, seemed to be a factor that prevented loneliness. Other protective factors were acceptance of aging and comfort with being alone.

To reach this conclusion, researchers conducted individual interviews of 30 adults of ages 67-92, part of an overall study evaluating the physical, mental and cognitive functions of 100 older adults living in the independent living sector of a senior housing community in San Diego.

“It is important that we identify the underlying causes of loneliness from the seniors’ own perspectives so we can help resolve it and improve the overall health, well-being and longevity of our aging population,” suggested senior author Dilip V. Jeste, senior Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Your photos are all about showcasing slices of your actual life, especially the slices you’d like to share with someone. If you’re adventurous, show that off by including that great picture of your cliff-diving in Majorca. If your dog is the center of your world, include a cute snap of you and the pup.

Bumble also shared that using three

(AGENCIES)

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LIFESTYLE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

94% middle school teachers suffer high stress levels

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60% millennials feel anxious about unread emails

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ore than 60 per cent millennials in India feel anxious when they see unread emails in their inbox, reveals a survey.

The survey was conducted by Hiver with over 600 millennials in India to understand their work email behavior patterns.

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eachers and parents, please take a note. Researchers have found that 94 per cent of middle school teachers experience high levels of stress, which could contribute to negative outcomes for the students.

Reducing the burden of teaching, experienced by so many teachers, is critical to improving student success -- both academically and behaviourally, the research added.

The study, which expands on work that looks at stress among elementary school teachers, provides additional evidence that teacher-stress might lead to negative outcomes for the students.

“Unfortunately, our findings suggest many teachers are not getting the support they need to adequately cope with the stressors of their jobs,” said study researcher Keith Herman from the University of Missouri in the US. “The evidence is clear that teacher stress is related to student success, so it is critical that we find ways to reduce stressful school environments while also helping teachers cope with the demands of their jobs,” Herman added.

For the findings, published in the Journal of School Psychology, the research team studied data collected from nine middle schools in two neighbouring urban school districts in the Midwest.

Factors analysed included self-reported levels of teacher stress and coping, student disruptive and pro-social behaviour, and parent involvement.

The researchers found that nearly all teachers reported high stress. They also found that teachers varied in the ways they coped with stress.

The largest group, 66 per cent, reported high stress and high coping. Nearly one third of the participants, 28 per cent, reported high stress and low coping.

According to the study, only six per cent of middle school teachers reported low levels of stress and high coping ability.

“There are research-based tools that can help screen and identify teachers who might be at risk for problems related to stress, coping and the risk of burnout,” Herman said.

“Knowing what we know about how teacher stress can impact students, it is imperative that district and school leaders examine policies and practices that make the job less burdensome while also supporting teachers’ well-being,” Herman added.

(AGENCIES)

Millennials across the globe today are increasingly getting hooked on to the practice of keeping their inbox empty/ near-empty at all times - popularly known as eInbox Zero.’

The survey also revealed that as many as two in five millennials get extremely uncomfortable if they haven’t been able to check their work email for three-four hours at a stretch.

When asked about the first app that they check on their phone upon waking up, 59 per cent chose WhatsApp, 29 per cent mentioned social media apps such as Instagram and Facebook, and only 9 per cent said emails.

The findings also reveal some interesting insights on how emails affect em-

ployee productivity. As many as 63 per cent millennials agreed that long emails hampered their workplace productivity, and that they preferred them to be

shorter and to the point’. Another 60 per cent interestingly said that emails can be a good substitute for workplace meetings.

By Puja Gupta

71% parents believe video games good for teens

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eventy-one per cent of parents believe that video games may have a positive impact on their kids, while 44 per cent try to restrict video game content, says a new study.

According to the CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health in US, 86 per cent of parents agree that teenagers spend too much time gaming. Parents also reported very different gaming patterns for teenage boys than girls.

Twice as many parents said that their teen boy plays video games every day compared to parents of teen girls. Teen boys are also more likely to spend three or more hours gaming.

“Although many parents believe video games can be good for teens, they also report a number of negative impacts of prolonged gaming,” said poll co-director Gary Freed from University of Michigan.

“Parents should take a close look at their teen’s gaming behaviour and set reasonable limits to reduce harmful impacts on sleep, family and peer relationships and school performance,” Freed added.

Overall, parents surveyed said that gaming often gets in the way of other aspects of their teen’s life, such as family activities and interactions (46 per cent), sleep (44 per cent), homework (34 per cent), friendship with nongaming peers (33 per cent) and extracurricular activities (31 per cent).

Parents of teens ages 13-15 (compared to those with older teens) are more likely to use rating systems to try to make sure games are appropriate (43 per cent versus 18 per cent), encourage their teen to play with friends

in person rather than online and to ban gaming in their teen’s bedroom.

Parents polled also use different strategies to limit the amount of time their teen spends gaming, including encouraging other activities (75 per cent), setting time limits (54 per cent), providing incentives to limit gaming (23 per cent) and hiding gaming equipment (14 percent).

The researchers noted that while gaming may be a fun activity in moderation,

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some teens -such as those with attention issues -- are especially susceptible to the constant positive feedback and the stimulus of video games.

This may lead to prolonged play that is disruptive to other elements of a teen’s life, the researchers added.

“Parents can play an important role by setting clear rules about appropriate content and how much time is too much time spent on video games,” Freed said.

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

34

HEALTH

Artificial sweeteners may contribute to type 2 diabetes

A warned.

$2.2 billion industry to help people lose weight through artificial sweeteners may be contributing to type 2 diabetes, researchers have

The study, published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports, also found that people who use low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) are more likely to gain weight, the exact opposite of what consumers expect.

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he controversy about whether eggs are good or bad for heart health may be solved, as researchers have found that eating an egg a day is not linked to the risk of heart diseases.

This is despite controlled clinical trials showing that artificial sweeteners do lead to weight loss, the research added.

“There has been a 200 per cent increase in LCS usage among children and a 54 per cent increase among adults in the past 20 years,” said study researcher Peter Clifton from the University of South Australia.

Low calorie sweeteners are used in place of sucrose, glucose and fructose.

They have an intense sweet flavour without the calories, but recent studies have highlighted potential adverse health effects.

According to the researchers, a US study of 5158 adults over a seven-year period found that those who consumed large quantities of artificial sweeteners gained

more weight than non-users.

“Consumers of artificial sweeteners do not reduce their overall intake of sugar. They use both sugar and low-calorie sweeteners and may psychologically feel they can indulge in their favourite foods,” Clifton said.

“Artificial sweeteners also change the gut bacteria which may lead to weight gain and risk of type 2 diabetes,” he added.

Artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) are also linked with increased risks of death and cardiovascular disease, and strokes and dementia among older people, but it is not clear why.

Study researcher Clifton cites 13 studies which investigated the effects of ASB intake on the risk of type 2 diabetes, all of which found either no link or a positive one.

One study found that substituting ASB for sugar-sweetened beverages or fruit juices was associated with a five to seven per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

“A better option than low-calorie sweeteners is to stick to a healthy diet, which includes plenty of whole grains, dairy, seafood, legumes, vegetables and fruits and plain water,” Clifton said.

(AGENCIES)

BP problems linked to higher heart disease risk in youths

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ide swings in blood pressure readings among young adults are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease by middle age, according to a new study.

“But is that difference associated with health outcomes in later life?” Yano said.

“That’s the question we sought to answer in this study, and it turns out the answer is yes.” Yano added.

The researchers arrived at their conclusion after analysing 30 years of data from a large, diverse cohort of young people enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study between March 1985 and June 1986.

Of the 3,394 people studied, about 46 per cent were African American and 56 per cent were women.

The study from McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found the answer by analysing data from three large, long-term multinational studies.

“Moderate egg intake, which is about one egg per day in most people, does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or mortality even if people have a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes,” said study first author Mahshid Dehghan from McMaster University in Canada.

“Also, no association was found between egg intake and blood cholesterol, its components or other risk factors.

These results are robust and widely applicable to both healthy individuals and those with vascular disease,” Dehghan added.

Although eggs are an inexpensive source of essential nutrients, some guidelines have recommended limiting consumption to fewer than three eggs a week due to concerns they increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Previous studies on egg consumption and diseases have been contradictory, according to the researchers.

The findings, published in the journal JAMA Cardiology, suggests that the current practice of averaging blood pressure readings to determine whether medications are necessary could be masking a potential early warning sign from the fluctuations themselves.

“If a patient comes in with one reading in December and a significantly lower reading in January, the average might be within the range that would appear normal,” said study lead author Yuichiro Yano from Duke University in the US.

Eating an egg, a day not bad for your heart

The patients had regular blood pressure checks, with patterns evaluated across five visits, including at two, five, seven and 10 years. At the 10-year mark, the average age of the patients was about 35.

The main reading of concern to Yano’s research team was the systolic blood pressure level, the upper number in the equation that measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart pumps.

A systolic blood pressure reading over 130 is considered hypertensive and has long been a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The researchers were able to identify which young people had variations in systolic blood pressure by the age of 35 and then track them over the next 20

years and see whether there appeared to be a correlating increase in cardiovascular disease.

Over those years, study participants reported 181 deaths and 162 cardio-vascular events, which included fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease, hospitalisation for heart failure, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or a stent procedure for blocked arteries.

The researchers found that each 3.6-mm spike in systolic blood pressure during young adulthood was associated with a 15-percent higher risk for heart disease events, independent of the averaged blood pressure levels during young adulthood and any single systolic blood pressure measurement in midlife.

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AGENCIES)

For the findings, the researchers analysed three international studies conducted by the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI). Egg consumption of 146,011 individuals from 21 countries was recorded in the PURE study and in 31,544 patients with vascular disease from the ONTARGET and the TRANSEND studies.

The data from these three studies involved populations from 50 countries spanning six continents at different income levels, so the results are widely applicable, said the researchers.

The results suggest there is no harm from consuming eggs. Given that the majority of individuals in the study consumed one or fewer eggs per day, it would be safe to consume this level, the researchers said.

“This is because most of these studies were relatively small or moderate in size and did not include individuals from a large number of countries,” said study researcher Salim Yusuf.

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

ASK Dr. Raj…

Pomegranates are a rich source of ellagic acid, which can help protect your skin from UVA and UVB-induced cell damage

Health tip:

3 Ways to Beat Dental Phobia and Anxiety

This months Q:

A healthy well balanced diet with an increased dietary intake of fish oils, Omega 3 fatty acids from fish, nuts, flaxseed oil etc to reduce flare ups and avoiding food OSTEOARTHRITIS triggers like potatoes, tomatoes, pep– EARLY SMPTOMS: pers, corn and eggplants, orange juice Q: Dear Dr. Raj please let me etc are essential. All the spicy, deep fried and very oily and pungent food recipes know whether Osteoarthritis is should be avoided, since these are becurable if diagnosed at early lieved to cause damage to the degenerstage. I have early symptoms ated joints. Moderate amount of grapeand m y parents also have this in fruit juice will help to reduce cartilage chronic stage. I am from Sri Lanka destruction in the joints.

and used to Ayurvedic treatments earlier.

Thank you and looking for an early reply. Mrs. B. A: Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of

the joints, involving breakdown of the cartilage at the ends of bones. Pain and inflammation, often from misalignment or overuse, can lead to thickening or bony deposits in these areas.

One thing is for sure; almost all diseases if identified at an early stage provide a very good chance of achieving a full recovery in most forms of natural and alternative remedies such as Homeopathy and Ayurveda. Family history of this disease increases your chances of getting it. Your age, mental and physical traits and family history, presenting symptomatology etc all have a huge role in deciding suitable and effective Homeopathic remedies for your ailment.

They promote the body’s natural healing system and also change the tendency of the body to attract this disease.

Moderate, regular exercise to maintain mobility and to prevent further deterioration is necessary. Cycling, walking, tai chi, water aerobics etc are great to help Osteoarthritis. Yoga asanas like Vajrasana, Padmasana, Dhanurasana, Marjarasana, and Pranayama (breathing techniques) like Nadishodan and Bhastrika are very useful in Osteoarthritis.

Just as you mentioned Ayurveda, it is important to say that Ayurveda, along with Homeopathic remedies and yoga work wonders and can effectively address the arthritis in early stages and arrest of development in well developed cases. Ayurvedic oils massaged as per your constitutional requirements and medicines like ‘Triphala choorna’ and Guggul work well to amend physiological changes while Homeopathic remedies will act on the body’s vital energy changes.

By Raj Kothuru

Please send any of your health related questions to drraj@aurahealth.com.au with Ask Dr Raj as the subject line or ph: 94788649 / 0425761826. The questions will be published with your identity protected.

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ronically, dental phobia and anxiety are more common than actual dental issues. People are so afraid of going to the dentist that they even prefer the pain over visiting a dentist. People with this anxiety can experience sweating, high pulse rates, or low blood pressures at the mere mention of a dentist.

need. You can read all the treatments that you are about to undergo beforehand. You can also discuss your doubts and worries with our dentists about the procedure. Our dentists will try their best to accommodate comfortable dental treatment steps to help you maintain your balance.

This fear and anxiety often arise out of past bad experiences. Some people might have had bad dental surgery or extreme pain during dental surgery as a child. The trauma can be carried forward to adulthood in most cases. Our team of expert dentists has listed 3 foolproof ways to beat any dental phobia or anxiety that you might have.

We agree that you went through a bad experience in the past and stopped believing in good dental treatments. But, to tell you the truth, technology has advanced manifolds since then. There are ways in which we ensure that you walk out of our clinic pain-free and with a beautiful smile.

Sleep dentistry is our solution to providing a virtually pain-free dental surgical experience to our process. A choice of sedation is administered to the patient before beginning with dental surgery. This makes sure that the patient does not feel the pain. Some sedatives are so easy, that you can even drive home after they wear off. Selecting the right sedative is done as per the requirements of the dental surgery and the overall health of the patient. If a major surgical procedure is to be carried out like dental implants surgery, and the patient is healthy, a deeper sedative such as anaesthesia may be preferred. While for small surgical procedures can do with lighter sedative medication.

1. Know Your Dentist

Many people feel uncomfortable in the presence of unknown people. Many others might find strict behaviour depressing.

Our dentists encourage a healthy doctorto-patient interaction about dentistry.

You can talk to our team of dentists and ask questions about their qualifications, and experience of practice in dentistry.

This way, you get to know our dentists.

Their amiable behaviour can make you feel safe and encourage you to go for dental treatment. We also provide free consultation for patients so that they can discuss their dental problems.

2. Know Your Dental Treatment Plan Beforehand Fear is a direct reaction to the feeling of loss of control. We are sure to get scared when we don’t know what exactly is going to happen during a dental procedure. To solve this issue, we give information sheets on the type of procedures that you might

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3. Do Not Worry About the Pain

Make sure you talk to dentists about your dental and general health and past medical history. Do not hesitate anymore, Healthy Smiles Dental Group is here to help you.

Healthy Smiles Dental Group

150-152 Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South VIC 3130 Call us: (03) 9877 2035 | www.healthysmiles.com.au

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HEALTH

Smoking hookah may increase heart attack, stroke risk

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Eat walnuts daily for better gut, heart health

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alnuts may not just be a tasty snack, they may also promote good-for-your-gut bacteria, say researchers, adding that these ‘good’ bacteria could lead to better heart health.

The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, suggests walnuts as a part of healthy diet may be a heart- and gut-healthy nut.

Additionally, those changes in gut bacteria were associated with improvements in some risk factors for heart disease.

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esearchers have found that tobacco smoke from a hookah caused blood to function abnormally and be more likely to clot and quickly form blood clots, which can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, found that tobacco smoke from a hookah caused blood clots to form within an average of about 11 seconds, compared to an average of five minutes for clotting without exposure to hookah smoke.

Exposure to the hookah smoke also caused other abnormalities related to the way the blood flows, the research added.

Some studies have found that the smoke emitted from one hookah tobacco smoking episode contains significantly more harmful chemicals compared to a single cigarette.

“Our findings provide new evidence that hookah smoking is as unhealthy - if not more so - than traditional cigarettes. “Smoking a hookah, cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other forms of tobacco all increase your risk for heart disease and stroke,” said study researcher Fadi Khasawneh from University of Texas in the US. In this study, researchers exposed mice to hookah smoke from a smoking machine that mimicked real-life smoking habits.

The smoking machine used 12 grams of commercially available, flavoured tobacco that included tobacco, glycerine, molasses and natural flavour with nicotine and tar.

Researchers then compared platelet activity among the exposed versus the unexposed mice.

The study simulated the type of nicotine exposure that occurs with smoking a hookah, which the researchers verified by measuring the levels of cotinine, the nicotine metabolite.

In May 2019, the American Heart Association published a Scientific Statement, “Water Pipe (Hookah) Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease Risk,” to analyse available research on the health effects of hookah smoking.

The statement noted that hookah smoking results in inhaling significant levels of toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide and particulates from tobacco that can harm blood vessels, the heart and lungs, as well as creating a dependence on nicotine.

“Substantial evidence shows that small improvements in diet greatly benefit health. Eating two to three ounces of walnuts a day as part of a healthy diet could be a good way to improve gut health and reduce the risk of heart disease,” said study researcher Kristina Petersen from Penn State University in the US. According to the researchers, another research has found that changes to the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract -- also known as the gut microbiome -- may help explain the cardiovascular benefits of walnuts.

For the study, the researchers recruited 42 participants with overweight or obesity who were between the ages of 30 and 65.

Before the study began, participants were placed on an average American diet for two weeks.

After this “run-in” diet, the participants were randomly assigned to one of three study diets,

all of which included less saturated fat than the run-in diet.

The diets included one that incorporated whole walnuts, one that included the same amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids without walnuts, and one that partially substituted oleic acid (another fatty acid) for the same amount of ALA found in walnuts, without any walnuts.

In all three diets, walnuts or vegetable oils replaced saturated fat, and all participants followed each diet for six weeks with a break between diet periods.

To analyse the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, the researchers collected fecal samples 72 hours before the participants finished the run-in diet and each of the three study diet periods.

“The walnut diet enriched a number of gut bacteria that have been associated with health benefits in the past,” Petersen said.

“One of those is Roseburia, which has been associated with protection of the gut lining. We also saw enrichment in Eubacteria eligens and Butyricicoccus,” Petersen added.

The researchers also found that after the walnut diet, there were significant associations between changes in gut bacteria and risk factors for heart disease.

According to the study, Eubacterium eligens was inversely associated with changes in several different measures of blood pressure, suggesting that greater numbers of Eubacterium eligens was associated with greater reductions in those risk factors.

(AGENCIES)

Eating yogurt daily may cut breast cancer risk

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ating natural yogurt daily may lesson breast cancer risk owing to lactose fermenting bacteria which reduces inflammation triggered by harmful bacteria, say researchers.

Yoghurt contains beneficial lactosefermenting bacteria commonly found in milk, similar to the bacteria -- or microflora 00 found in the breasts of mothers who have breastfed.

Scientists from Lancaster University said their idea -- as yet unproven -- is supported by the available evidence, which is that bacterial induced inflammation is linked to cancer.

“There is a simple, inexpensive potential preventive remedy; which is for women to consume natural yoghurt on a daily basis,” the authors wrote in a paper appeared in the journal Medical Hypotheses.

“We now know that breast milk is not sterile and that lactation alters the microflora of the breast,” said Dr Rachael Rigby from Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine.

“Lactose fermenting bacteria are commonly found in milk and are likely to occupy the breast ducts of women during lactation and for an unknown period after lactation,” Rigby added.

The researchers suggest that lactosefermenting bacteria in the breast is protective because each year of breast-feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer by 4.3 per cent.

Several studies have shown that the consumption of yoghurt is associated

with a reduction in the risk of breast cancer, which the researchers suggest may be due to the displacement of harmful bacteria by beneficial bacteria.

There are approximately 10 billion bacterial cells in the human body and while most are harmless, some bacteria create toxins that trigger inflammation in the body.

Chronic inflammation destroys the harmful germs but it also damages the body.

One of the most common inflammatory conditions is gum disease or periodontitis which has already been linked to oral, oesophageal, colonic,

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pancreatic, prostatic and breast cancer.

“The stem cells which divide to replenish the lining of the breast ducts are influenced by the microflora, and certain components of the microflora have been shown in other organs, such as the colon and stomach, to increase the risk of cancer development,” said the researchers.

“Therefore a similar scenario is likely to be occurring in the breast, whereby resident microflora impact on stem cell division and influence cancer risk,” they added.

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

37

Kids who drink whole milk Lose tongue fat to improve less likely to be obese common sleep disorder

L

osing weight is an effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and now researchers have found that improvements in sleep apnea symptoms appear to be linked to the reduction of fat in the tongue.

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the effect of weight loss on the upper airway in obese patients, the study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, found that reducing tongue fat is a primary factor in lessening the severity of OSA. “Most clinicians, and even experts in the sleep apnea world, have not typically focused on fat in the tongue for treating sleep apnea,” said study researcher Richard Schwab from University of Pennsylvania in the US.

P

arents, please take note. Researchers have found that children who drank whole milk had 40 per cent lower odds of being overweight or obese compared to children who consumed reduced-fat milk.

The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analysed 28 studies from seven countries that explored the relationship between children drinking cow’s milk and the risk of being overweight or obese.

All studies together involved almost 21,000 children between age one and 18 and showed that children who drank reducedfat milk have a lower risk of being overweight or obese.

Eighteen of the 28 studies suggested children who drank whole milk were less likely to be overweight or obese, the study said.

“All of the studies we examined were obser-

vational studies, meaning that we cannot be sure if whole milk caused the lower risk of overweight or obesity. Whole milk may have been related to other factors which lowered the risk of overweight or obesity,” said study lead author Jonathon Maguire from St. Michael’s Hospital in Canada.

The findings challenge Canadian and international guidelines that recommend children consume reduced-fat cow milk instead of whole milk starting at age two to reduce the risk of obesity.

“The majority of children in Canada and the United States consume cow’s milk on a daily basis and it is a major contributor of dietary fat for many children,” Maguire said.

“In our review, children following the current recommendation of switching to reduced-fat milk at age two were not leaner than those consuming whole milk,” Maguire added.

(AGENCIES)

“Now that we know tongue fat is a risk factor and that sleep apnea improves when tongue fat is reduced, we have established a unique therapeutic target that we’ve never had before,” Schwab added.

A 2014 study led by Schwab compared obese patients with and without sleep apnea, and found that the participants with the condition had significantly larger tongues and a higher percentage of tongue fat when compared to those without sleep apnea.

their body weight, on average, over six months.

Overall, the participants’ sleep apnea scores improved by 31 per cent after the weight loss intervention, as measured by a sleep study.

Before and after the weight loss intervention, the study participants underwent MRI scans to both their pharynx as well as their abdomens.

Then, using a statistical analysis, the research team quantified changes between overall weight loss and reductions to the volumes of the upper airway structures to determine which structures led to the improvement in sleep apnea.

The team found that a reduction in tongue fat volume was the primary link between weight loss and sleep apnea improvement.

The researchers next step was to determine if reducing tongue fat would improve symptoms and to further examine cause and effect.

The study also found that weight loss resulted in reduced pterygoid (a jaw muscle that controls chewing) and pharyngeal lateral wall (muscles on the sides of the airway) volumes.

The new study included 67 participants with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea who were obese -- those with a body mass index greater than 30.

Both these changes also improved sleep apnea, but not to the same extent as the reduction in tongue fat.

Through diet or weight loss surgery, the patients lost nearly 10 per cent of

The authors believe that tongue fat is a potential new therapeutic target for improving sleep apnea.

(AGENCIES)

Drinking low-fat milk linked to less aging in adults

R

esearchers have revealed that drinking low-fat milk is significantly associated with less aging in adults.

tional biological aging.

When research team analysed the extremes of milk drinkers, adults who consumed whole milk had telomeres that were a striking 145 base pairs shorter than non-fat milk drinkers.

Published in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, the study from Brigham Young University found that people who drink low-fat milk experience several years less biological aging than those who drink high-fat (two per cent and whole) milk.

Nearly half of the people in the study consumed milk daily and another quarter consumed milk at least weekly.

“It was surprising how strong the difference was, if you’re going to drink high-fat milk, you should be aware that doing so is predictive of or related to some significant consequences,” said study researcher Larry Tucker from Brigham Young University in the US.

Just under a third of the adults reported consuming full-fat (whole) milk and another 30 per cent reported drinking two per cent milk.

For the study, the researchers investigated the relationship between telomere length and both milk intake frequency (daily drinkers vs weekly drinkers or less) and milk fat content consumed (whole vs two per cent vs one per cent vs skim).

age; each time a cell replicates, humans lose a tiny bit of the endcaps.

Telomeres are the nucleotide endcaps of human chromosomes. They act like a biological clock and they’re extremely correlated with

And, apparently, the more high-fat milk people drink, the shorter their telomeres are, ac-

Therefore, the older people get, the shorter their telomeres, the researchers said.

cording to the study.

The study revealed that for every one per cent increase in milk fat consumed (drinking two per cent vs one per cent milk), telomeres were 69 base pairs shorter in the adults studied, which translated into more than four years in addi-

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Meanwhile, 10 per cent consumed one per cent milk and another 17 per cent drank nonfat milk. About 13 per cent did not drink any cow milk.

The findings provide support for the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (20152020), which encourage adults to consume low-fat milk, both non-fat and one per cent milk, and not high-fat milk, as part of a healthy diet.

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

38

Many asked me to re-think the gay role:

AYUSHMANN KHURRANA

A

ctor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is waiting for the release of his next “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan”, says that many from the Hindi film industry asked him to re-think over playing a gay man on screen.

“I’m what I’m because of my family.

They have constantly been a massive support system for me, and they have always enabled me in taking the biggest life decisions. When I decided to pursue a career in showbiz, they stood by me like a rock.

“When I decided that my brand of cinema will stand for taboo breaking subjects and characters like being a sperm donor in ‘Vicky Donor’, a man dealing with erectile dysfunction in ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’, someone who is prematurely balding in ‘Bala’, to now proudly playing a gay man in ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, they told me to always back my instincts and never think of what society or my immediate community will say about me,” Ayushamnn said.

He said many people from the industry told him to rethink playing a gay man on screen.

“Their (family’s) confidence in me and my dreams has made me who I’m today, has

made me what I stand for and I can’t thank them enough. Doing ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ was one of the most important decisions of my life. A lot of people from the industry asked me to re-think this because no leading hero has ever portrayed a gay man on screen. But I knew, this stereotype needed to be shattered and the time to change it, is now. I somehow knew I had to do it and take the plunge,” he said.

Ayushmann is set to have a screening of his film for his entire family soon and he is excited about seeing their reaction.

He said: “I have a free pass to do all things different and quirky and I wanted to raise nationwide awareness on the taboos linked with the LGBTQ community at large.

I was sure that we have to make ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ as a full family entertainer that brings a smile to people’s faces, to spread the message of the film to as many people as possible across the country and I’m thrilled with how the movie has shaped up.

“My family thoroughly supported me in my decision and I want to see this film with my parents and all my relatives. It’s a moment that truly defines me in Indian cinema and I want to cherish this moment with my entire family.

(GDI)

KAJOL

A

She shared about the unfortunate incident while interacting with Humans of Bombay.

She also shared their post on Instagram.

Talking about her miscarriage, Kajol recalled: “I was pregnant during ‘K3G’ but had a miscarriage. I was in the hospital that day - the film had done so well, but it wasn’t a happy time. I had another miscarriage after that - it was tough. But eventually it worked out - we had Nysa and Yug and our family’s complete.”

The actress has also recollected how she met actor Ajay Devgn on the set of a film

and how they fell for each other. She shared: “We met 25 years ago, on the set of ‘Hulchul’. I was ready for the shot and asked, ‘Where’s my hero?’ Someone pointed him out - he was broodily sitting in a corner.

So, 10 minutes before I met him, I b**ched about him! We began talking on set and became friends.”

“I was dating someone at the time and so was he...I’ve even complained about my then boyfriend to him! Soon, we both broke up with our significant others. Neither of us proposed - it was understood that we were to be together. It went from hand-holding to a lot more before we knew it!”

Kajol, who is married to Ajay for 21 years now, also shared how her father had objected to their marriage initially. “We’d been dating for 4 years, when we decided to get

T

he general perception about actors is that their look is surely the priority to succeed in the business of entertainment. However, actor Aditya Roy Kapur, who is widely acknowledged as a handsome young man, says at times the good look can overpower acting skills of an actor.

“I do not want to think about it too much, though in all the reviews I read (there is) at least one line about the way I look. People talk about my look, but my appearance is not in my hands, right? If we look at the West, whether it is Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and some others mainstream actors -- they don’t get enough credit for their acting skills at times, but their screen presence and how handsome they are (are spoken about). People can discount their acting skills and put it down to their looks. When it comes to me, I have no control over it but surely, I want to establish myself as a combination of both,” Aditya said.

So, when was the last time he looked at the mirror and said, ‘wow! Aditya, you are hot!’?

He laughs. “No, that does not happen. I mean I don’t do that -- who does that? I think before the shoot of ‘Malang’ I saw myself in the mirror once and felt that my body is looking ‘not bad’. That is, it! I don’t know how to answer this question,” he blushes while responding.

suffered a miscarriage during ‘K3G’

ctress Kajol has opened up about suffering from a miscarriage during the release of her 2001 movie “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” (“K3G”).

People tend to discount acting skills of a handsome actor: Aditya Roy Kapur

Aditya’s upcoming film “Malang” is directed

by Mohit Suri with whom he has collaborated “Aashiqui 2”. That film made him a star overnight in 2013.

married. His parents were on board, but my dad didn’t talk to me for 4 days. He wanted me to focus on my career, but I was firm, and he eventually came around. Again, there was no proposal - we just knew we wanted to spend our lives together.”

On the work front, Kajol and Ajay were seen together in the movie “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior”. While Ajay plays Maratha warrior Tanhaji Malusare, Kajol plays his wife Savitribai Malusare.

(GDI)

Asked about how special was it for him to work with Mohit again, the actor said: “One of the reasons the shooting of this film was exciting for me is, I got a chance to try out some new adventure sports. We went to Mauritius four days prior to the shooting, so that we got to learn those sports -- at least the basics so that we looked right in the scenes. I learnt a little bit of kitesurfing during the shoot and I thinking I will learn it properly once I take a break. I think I like that sport,” shared the actor.

‘Malang’ also features Disha Patani, Anil Kapoor, Kunal Khemu among others.

By Arundhuti Banerjee

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Got lucky to start off with different platforms: Nora Fatehi

N

ora Fatehi feels her decision to start off with different platforms paid off and says all those experiences made her a better artist.

“My journey is still early on in my career because I am still very new. If I look at it from the beginning of my journey up until now, it has been amazing. I have learned so much and I am lucky to have received such a start,” Nora said.

“It is not like any other mainstream journey; a lot of people start off directly with movies. I got lucky to start off with different platforms like Tollywood movies, Bollywood films and reality shows. So, being able to have that experience and opportunity, it has made me a better artist that I am today,” she added.

How has her struggles shaped her? “It made me a better artist. With the kind of struggle, I have been through I am more connected to my emotions as an actor and as a performer,” said the actress.

Nora moved from Canada to India a few years ago to become an actress in Bollywood.

She managed to bag a few acting projects initially, including “Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans” and “Crazy Cukkad Family” -- they all were low-profile and went unnoticed.

KRITI SANON

Then, her appearance on “Bigg Boss” and the dance numbers “Manohari” in “Baahu-

bali: The Beginning” changed the tide. People started noticing Nora, and soon she was belting out the hit dance numbers, “Dilbar” (“Satyamev Jayate”) and “O saki saki” (“Batla House”). She will now be seen in dance movie “Street Dancer 3D”, which also features Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor.

Nora feels “Street Dancer 3D” will be a push for her career.

“We always hope for the best whenever we do any project, Any project that I have done on the TV show or a south film or a song in a movie. It has shown a huge positive impact on my career and I just hope ‘Street Dancer...’ does the same for me,” she said.

Explaining her thoughts, the actress continued: “It is a huge film and I have a very prominent and important role in it and the audience has the opportunity to see me dance and act at the same time. The positioning I have in this movie is something the people are looking forward to seeing and the experience shooting on the sets has been life changing as a performer. I am dancing in this movie in a very different style which I have never tried before and there is so many elements in the movie which are new for me and the audience to see. And I believe this will be a push in my career.

(GDI)

As actor I want to explore different genres:

K an actor.

riti Sanon, who has worked in genres across drama, romance, comedy and historical, says she wants to explore herself as

“Everybody likes different kind of films here (in the country). If I want to cater to all kinds of audience and also explore myself as an actor in different genres, it is because that’s more fun. Otherwise you get stuck and it gets monotonous,” Kriti said.

She says she wants to try out every genre possible. “(I want to work with) All gen-

res and characters, and not restrict myself.

I am not someone who watches or loves horror films but if I get something kickass in that genre I would still like to explore, because I feel it will help me grow,” she added.

Currently, Kriti is preparing for the release of “Mimi”, a story based on surrogacy.

The film has an unusual story by Bollywood standards. It casts Kriti as a young surrogate mother. “Mimi” is directed by “Luka Chuppi” fame Laxman Utekar.

(GDI)

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JUN 39

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

40

‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ is about accepting age:

SAIF ALI KHAN A

ctor Saif Ali Khan said: “Jawaani Jaaneman” is about accepting age, and responsibilities as a father. He also praised his co-actor Tabu saying she is one of the best actors in the country.

“This story is about a man accepting his age, his responsibilities and his journey in life. I think the father is one of the most important people in our lives. A lot of people mess up being a father and create children that need therapy, that need friendship and that need all kinds of things to fix their problems because they are not ready to be responsible fathers. In the film, my character is not ready. He thinks that (hav-

ing) a family is not cool, and the solo life is the way to go,” said Saif, while interacting with the media at the launch of the song “Gallan kardi’’ from his upcoming film.

Present with Saif at the song launch were his co-actor Alaya F., who is actress Pooja Bedi’s daughter and who makes her debut in the film, besides film’s director Nitin Kakkar, singer Jazzy B and choreographer Muddassar Khan.

The film casts Saif as a 40-year-old man, and traces his relationship with his teenage daughter (Alaya). Tabu plays a pivotal role in the

film.

There is a dialogue in the trailer where Saif’s character declares that a man is like a tiger before marriage but post marriage he becomes a ‘chomu’ (moron).

“My character believes that family makes a man a ‘chomu’. He means that after marriage, we (men) become slaves of our wives and children and that changes the vibe. So, my character celebrates ‘jawaani’ (youth). ‘Jawaani’ is his ‘Jaaneman’ (darling). He is a bachelor and he is scared of the concept of family,” Saif explained.

(GDI)

Glad I made an impact: Taapsee Pannu

A

ctress Taapsee Pannu, who recently won awards for her films ‘Game Over’ and ‘Sandh Ki Aankh’, says she is glad she could make an impact on the minds of the audiences with her projects.

Last year, Taapsee featured in ‘Badla’, ‘Game Over’, ‘Mission Mangal’ and ‘Saand Ki Aankh’.

She recently won best actress award for ‘Game Over’ (in Tamil) instituted by Ananda Vikatan and best actress award in Bollywood at Star Screen Awards for ‘Sandh Ki Aankh’.

Along with Bollywood, Taapsee makes it a point to do at least one movie down South.

“It’s heartening to see audiences and jury across languages believing that I am worthy of this honour,” Taapsee said.

“I have always maintained that awards are very subjective and it’s not really an ultimate mark of how good one is. But the reason I feel like celebrating this is that I have finally achieved a feat in the same year and that I could make an impact in both Hindi as well as in southern states. This will make 2019 the most special year in my career,” she added.

In 2020, she will be seen in Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Thappad’ and ‘Rashmi Rocket’. She will also be seen in murder mystery, ‘Haseen Dillruba’.

(GDI)

I faced a stalker when I was younger: Dia Mirza

Sunny Leone campaigns against use of animal skin in fashion

B

ollywood actress Sunny Leone has joined hands with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA) for a new campaign against use of animal skin.

now, I’ll say will help animals save their skins,” she said.

Sunny is set promote vegan fashion, which is free from leather or other animal derived materials.

Sunny recently took to social media to announce her newest upcoming PETA India campaign by sharing a #PostPackupShot by photographer Avinash Gowariker.

In the image she is seen wearing a PETA T-shirt.

“It has been wonderful associating with PETA India, working on so many campaigns - from encouraging the adoption and sterilisation of cats and dogs to speaking about the importance of going vegetarian. I look forward to unveiling the next campaign soon, which for

“Sunny Leone regularly volunteers with PETA India to save animals’ lives... And she lives by example.

Her dog is adopted from a shelter, and you’ll never find an animal on her plate,” Sachin Bangera, PETA India’s director of celebrity and public relations, said.

(GDI)

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A

ctress-producer Dia Mirza has recounted her younger days when she was stalked.

“When I was younger, back home in Hyderabad even I faced a stalker. I confronted him and asked him his name. That moment, the boy didn’t have an answer. One should never ignore or be afraid of reporting or calling out a harasser. There is no shame in doing so. It empowers us with the ability to address the problem and more often than not data indicates that it makes a big difference. The harassment does stop,” she said.

She feels that safety is not just a law and order issue.

“It is much more, with its long and firm roots in the mind-sets and the play of patriarchy. The manifestations of violence can take as horrific a turn as rape.

It renders me speechless to hear how young children also fall prey to most heinous of violence and violations,” added the former beauty queen.

She was recently speaking at an event hosted by NGO Save the Children, of which Dia is the Artist Ambassador.

(GDI)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

JUN 41

PROUD TO BE SAIF ALI KHANS’S DAUGHTER:

SARA ALI KHAN A

ctress Sara Ali Khan says she feels proud to be Saif Ali Khans daughter and hopes she will get the opportunity to prove herself in the film industry.

“Honestly, I am still Saif Ali Khan’s child and that will never change. It (being Saif’s daughter) is a tag I am proud of, so if it (the tag) exists, it is fine.

If people like my work, then it is a good thing. I hope that I get the opportunities to prove myself,” said Sara.

While on Bollywood bloodlines, the budding actress is constantly being compared with contemporaries newcomers Janhvi Kapoor, daughter of the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor, and Ananya Panday, daughter of Chunky Pandey.

“I feel all three of us are very young girls. I understand why it (the comparison) happens but to compare one person with another just doesn’t make any sense.

I think three of us are very different as people, as actors and in general. So, I don’t see the point in comparing. They are my contemporaries and friends, of mine and I wish them the best and I hope they wish me the best for my next film, too,” she said.

The budding Bollywood star will soon be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s film “Love Aaj Kal”. She was recently spotted at the trailer launch of the film, which was also attended by her co-actor Kartik Aaryan, direc-

DEEPIKA PADUKONE is 1st Indian star in a Louis Vuitton global campaign

B

ollywood star Deepika Padukone has become the first ever actor from India to feature in the global campaign of luxury brand Louis Vuitton.

“I am beyond thrilled to be joining the Louis Vuitton family! To be a part of Nicholas Ghesquiere’s vision for the world’s most iconic brand is not only exciting but also very humbling!” Deepika announced on Instagram.

The actress’s husband, actor Ranveer Singh, was among the first to post applause. “Next level !!!” he wrote.

Deepika features alongside global celebrities in-

cluding Emma Roberts, Sophie Turner, and Chloe Grace Moretz for the Pre-Fall 2020 campaign of the brand, according to moneycontrol.com.

The campaign this year is themed on pulp horror, as depicted on film and in books. The look book features of the campaign 25 poster girls and boys including Deepika, who strike poses as characters in fiction bestseller covers. Ghesquiere, artistic director of Louis Vuitton Women’s collections, posted the look book on Instagram.

Deepika’s campaign is a poster of Michelle Gagnon’s thriller bestseller, “Don’t Turn Around”. She is seen striking a seated pose in a black-and-white midi dress, turquoise boots and a grey long coat.

(GDI)

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tor Imtiaz Ali and producer Dinesh Vijan.

Interestingly, Imtiaz Ali has made a version of “Love Aaj Kal” with Sara’s father in 2009. The film co-starred Deepika Padukone, Giselli Monteiro, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. It was commercially successful and critically acclaimed.

Sara knows there will obvious comparison between the two films.

“We haven’t made a sequel of ‘Love Aaj Kal’ (of 2009). Our film represents how young people love each other in today’s time. I think my father, Deepika (Padukone), Imtiaz (Ali) sir and Dinoo (Dinesh Vijan) made a fantastic film in 2009 about how people used to love each other back then. Now, we have made the same effort, so there might be a comparison,” the young actress said.

She added: “I don’t think Kartik has tried to play my father’s character or I have tried to play Deepika’s character. I think we are all individually telling a new story with different characters. Our film’s story and characters are different, and I feel today the definition of love is different. So, I feel we all have come together to showcase that. Comparisons that are not really necessary will, I guess, continue because that’s what thrives here (the film industry).”

“Love Aaj Kal” is set to hit the screens on Valentine’s Day. (GDI)

FOOD

42

bon appétit

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Did you know:

Did you know that cardamom is an anti-spasmodic and controls involuntary muscle spasms. So, next time you have hiccups ‘eat cardamom’.

India loves to order-in, says new report

M

ore Indian food lovers are preferring to order-in food in the comfort of their homes, rather than eating out, says a new report by a food delivery platform.

India has a dynamic food culture with 48 per cent Indians preferring to order in, surpassing the 34 per cent that prefer dining out today, Bansi Kotecha - Head of Operations, UberEats, India and SA said.

“Of all meals that are consumed with spouses or partners, 36 per cent are order-ins at home, making this the new form of date nights. 19 per cent

Indians order

I

ndians ordered on an average 95 biryanis per minute or 1.6 biryanis every second from Swiggy in 2019, the online food delivery platform said.

of consumers prefer to spend some me-time with themselves over comfort food. About half of the respondents say ordering food is more economical than hiring a cook which often tends to be both, expensive and tedious,” Kotecha said, explaining the research report ‘Food Moods of India’.

The report reveals that the top reasons why people order-in include convenience (28 per cent), to break the monotony (28 per cent), celebrate a special occasion (16 per cent), or to catch up with friends, family and colleagues (10 per cent).

North Indian food and biryani rule the

roost among adults, while desi Chinese and pizza are children’s favorites. Three out of four Indians order food to their homes, as compared to a minority that order to offices and other places.

95 biryanis per minute from Swiggy desserts on Swiggy with a whopping 11,94,732 orders this year.

A special ice-cream filled Falooda was

Other popular sweet treats include the usual suspects such as ‘death by chocolate’, ‘tender coconut ice cream’, ‘tiramisu ice cream’ and ‘kesar halwa’.

fried rice, veg biryani, tandoori chicken and dal makhani, said the report.

With overall orders for healthy options crossing 3.5 lakhs this year, the latest food trend that has taken the nation by storm is the Ketogenic diet which includes meat, fish, poultry and nonstarchy vegetables.

Swiggy noticed a 306 per cent increase in Keto-specific items ordered in 2019.

Biryani has topped the list of most ordered dish for the third year in row.

Highlighting some unusual requests, the report revealed that customers have used Swiggy Stores to get ‘gaumutra’ (cow urine) from an ayurvedic store in Gurgaon and rent receipts, among other things.

However, the year also saw a rise in demand for ‘khichdi’. Orders for khichdi on Swiggy grew 128 per cent this year.

“While our patrons love their chicken biryanis, they prefer vegetarian toppings on their pizzas. Cheese, onion, paneer, extra cheese, mushroom, capsicum, corn, jalapenos and olives were among the most common toppings on pizza orders,” Swiggy said, adding that pineapple was the least preferred topping, and were preferred by only 1.5 per cent of pizzas ordered.

Besides 17,69,399 gulab jamun orders and 2,00,301 orders for halwa in 2019, falooda is the newest entry to the top

“Nuclear families are definitely a reason for consumers especially working professionals to seek convenience through ready cooked meals,” the UberEats spokesperson said.

Out of home food is more a function of convenience than a means of celebration. Easy to eat, all-in-one meal bowls see favour amongst almost oneThe report sought to understand the third of consumers. Almost half still like to non-home food landscape and focussed order a-la-carte dishes. on triggers of choice, consumption moments, cuisine perceptions and The report also says that Indians forward-looking trends. love to stick to the familiar. Despite consuming out of home food often, restaurant experimentation is limited. “82

By Siddhi Jain

In fact, biryani is the most common first order by new users on Swiggy, according to the company’s fourth yearly ‘StatEATistics’ report on India’s food ordering habits.

While people continue to indulge in gulab jamun and moong dal halwa, India has found another sweet favourite.

per cent consumers stick to a maximum of 5 restaurants in their repertoire”.

Swiggy’s current delivery fleet of over 2.3 lakh active delivery partners has over 1,000 women delivery partners.

Sudha from Kochi was the platform’s top woman delivery partner for completing over 6,838 orders having joined Swiggy only 13 months ago, said the report. ordered over 6,000 times in Mumbai.

Another favourite, ‘choco pie and drink’ was ordered 79,242 times in Chandigarh alone.

Overall, the most loved dishes in 2019 were chicken biryani, masala dosa, paneer butter masala, chicken fried rice, mutton biryani, chicken dum biryani, veg

The findings are based on Swiggy’s order analysis during January 2019 to October 2019 across over 500 cities that Swiggy is present in.

(AGENCIES)

Indian online food delivery market to hit $8bn by 2022

R

apid digitisation and growth in both online buyer base and spending will help India’s online food industry to become a $8 billion market by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 25-30 per cent, a new report said.

people to try online food ordering for the first time.

The report by Google and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) revealed that variety in cuisines (35 per cent) was one of the top reasons for recurrent use of online food ordering apps, followed by good discounts and convenience.

“Overall online spending in India is rising rapidly and expected to grow at 25 per cent over the next five years to reach over $130 billion,” said Rachit Mathur, Managing Director and Partner, India Lead of BCG’s Consumer & Retail Practice.

“Food tech has now made its presence in greater than 500 cities in India and with consumer confidence growing, there are new opportunities for the players to ‘win with the consumer’ in an evolving market,’” said Roma Datta Chobey, Director-Travel, BFSI, Classifieds, Gaming, Telco & Payments, Google.

Peer or network advocacy (52 per cent) played a critical role in drawing

This was followed by advertisements (19 per cent) that emerged to be a strong driver in metros and among the higher income groups across the country.

“Riding on the wave of rapid digitization and steadily growing consumption, the reach of Food Tech companies has grown six times over the last couple of years and will continue to increase further,” Mathur added.

acquired Uber’s Food Delivery Business in India in an all-stock deal of nearly $350 million and Uber will have 9.99 per cent stake in the Deepinder Goyal-led food delivery platform.

The Google-BCG report also suggested that consumers have common impediments that hinder adoption.

A fifth of the respondents stated a lack of trust in the app as the main barrier to usage.

Delivery charges (18 per cent), food quality concerns (13 per cent) and lack of customization (10 per cent) are other reasons why customers have, so far, not experimented with online food ordering.

“Interestingly, these observations vary based on the maturity of the market.

While delivery charges is the top reason Zomato and Swiggy currently dominate for not ordering food online in metro the online food delivery market in India. cities; in Tier I cities, lack of trust in apps Zomato last week announced it has (29 per cent) is the primary roadblock,”

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the findings showed.

“Food tech start-ups have revolutionized the way Indians eat.

Ordering food online is now a habit.

There is large headroom to increase reach, engagement and usage frequency for food tech apps,” said Abheek Singhi, Senior Partner and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group.

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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Reinventing Indian regional cuisine

I

ndia has a diverse culinary culture.

Every state has a different cuisine to offer and a story behind it to tell.

Dhansoo Cafe brings together the taste and stories behind the culinary specialties of almost all Indian states under a roof.

Situated at (Sangam Courtyard, the place offers Indian regional food with mix of exploration and experimentation, and brings to you the versatility from Indian cuisine all over the region.

Located on the ground floor, the cafe gets noticed from a distance because of the facade that has ‘Dhansoo’ written in four languages.

The name and food at the cafe is as Indian as you may think but the whole feel, minimalistic decor and ambience of the place gives it a European outlook.

Soothing, live music is another highlight of the place.

Dhansoo Cafe has an elaborate A La Carte menu which serves signatures and original food from almost all the Indian states that brings back the legacy and lost stories around it. It includes dishes like “Litti Chokha”, “Moth Kachodi”, “Bamboo Rice” and “Kottu Roti”, which do not usually find a place in menus of upbeat cafes. However, there are a few continental dishes included in the menu in case someone craves for it.

of Bailey Irish cream, vodka, kahlua, green fairy absinthe.

It also has a full-fledged bar that serves exotic cocktails and fusion drinks apart from regular alcohol options. We tried “Pisco Sour Infusion” -- a cocktail of Peruvian origin with kaffir lime and lavender made in grapefruit and lemongrass flavour. The drink is best for those who like the balance of sweet and sour.

From poultry, we tried “Chicken Malai Black Pepper”, served with ‘Rumali Roti’.

Succulent boneless chicken pieces made in creamy sauce with distinctive taste of black pepper - the dish is worth a try.

The food menu has four different categories for starters and main course poultry, seafood, meat and vegetarian.

To start with, we tried from the “Dhansoo Bhel” made with peanuts, curry leaves tempura and Thai Salsa from the vegetarian section.

Moving to the seafood category, we ordered “Tandoori Jumbo Prawns”, served with mint sauce and spiced onions, and “Koliwada Fried Bhetki” Another option for those who like their -- deep fried �bhetki’ fish, marinated drinks sweet is “Rasmalai Punch”. The with poppy seeds and served with chilli cocktail is like our very own Indian sweet thohcha and chips. It’s an ultimate bet for “Rasmalai” put in the form of liquid, made fish lovers. However, the prawns left us

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disappointed as it was served cold.

Moving to the main course, the chef chose to serve us “Alleppey Fish Curry”.

The dish was served in a big bowl with steam rice and “Dal Chutney”. Thick, orange curry with two succulent pieces of bhetki fish is a good option for those who want to try less spicy food but a riot of flavours.

The next was “BBC British Roast Butter Chicken”, served with “Naan”. This is not to be missed. However, it is going to leave you with a guilt of cheating on your diet as the dish come with large spiced, chicken chunks dipped in lot of butter.

Bringing the elaborate dinner to an end with the dessert, we tried the “Delhi Belly Almond Halwa Quiche”, with the very famous sweet of Delhi “Daulat ki chaat” topped as the mousse.

By Puja Gupta

44

FOOD TREND

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

How dine-out culture in India is picking up

W

ith close to a whopping 4,566 tables being booked each hour in Indian cities in 2019, Indians dined out 4.5 times more in 2019 as compared to 2018, a recent report suggests.

India is a food-loving country with different states offering a myriad of cuisines.

However, North Indian food emerged to be a clear winner with 37 per cent Indians ordering it across India including South Indian states. Chinese came second at 19 per cent and Continental at 12 per cent respectively.

As per the recent report published by India’s restaurant solutions company Dineout, almost 60 per cent Indians also ate out over the weekends.

Tikkas and chilled beer turned out to be the favourite food combo of the country.

Talking about the growing dining out culture of a price-sensitive market, the report also highlighted that Indians foodies dined without fear of bill on any occasion.

Another interesting find is Udaipur city having maximum ‘table for 2’ reservations, and Indore is family first with a maximum ‘table for 4’ reservations.

“In 2019, close to 4,566 tables were reserved per hour across Indian cities including metro and non-metro cities and while the average bill value for dining out was Rs 1600, for ordering in it was Rs 300,” it said.

It said that Bengaluru spent the highest while dining out as compared to the rest of India.

By Siddhi Jain

Must try Punjabi dishes The harvest festivals of the northern belt of India signify the conclusion long nights and usher in sunny winter days. Food being the most essential part of India, here are some Punjabi dishes you should try at home by Hansveen Kaur from online portal Momspresso.com

Kada Parshad Kada Parshad is made with whole wheat flour, ghee and sugar. It is offered to all visitors at gurdwaras and has religious significance. Kada parshad is made daily at the Gurdwara with the unique flavor of devotion and served in true Sikh spirit of equality among all. As a sign of humility and respect, visitors accept the offering with hands cupped and raised. Kids in particular are very fond of this treat!

Langar Ki Dal Have you ever tasted langar? If so, then you must be familiar with the rich and creamy Punjabi langarwali dal made with Split black urad lentil and chana lentil. Put the lentils with water and whole spices to cook on slow flame in the evening and keep stirring it to become thick and creamy, this adds the flavour. By the morning its ready to be served after tempering it.

Meethe Chawal A traditional Punjabi dessert of long grained, highly aromatic Basmati rice and sugar syrup. This saffron colored dish is

Chef’s table at Bruxie

US-based fast-casual restaurant chain Bruxie, which started in California in 2010, has entered into Indian market this month with its first outlet in Gurugram, Haryana.

The brand presents a new take on sandwiches, using a proprietary version of an authentic Belgian Waffle to offer a light, airy, crispy alternative to the traditional sandwich bread.

An offbeat concept in the culinary domain, it has gained immense popularity around the globe through its unique concept of Crispy Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches.

Besides offering its patrons with a wide range of delectable food, the brand has its special drinks to get your tastebuds racing ahead of digging in the special menus, fresh-made ginger ale and homemade strawberry lemonade are few to suggest.

Sunny-side up egg, maple-glazed fried chicken, bacon, sriracha mayo served between two waffle halves tagged as “Super Cluck”, smoky spice rub, tangy sauce,

shredded lettuce and pickles paired with delicious waffles that are baked fresh on-site throughout the day, tagged as “Kickin” are few items hit in the restaurant. Alternatively, they serve crispy fried paneer bun and veggie waffle sandwiches from the Indian palette.

To enjoy the sweeter side of Bruxie, the restaurant offers Creme brulee, and Nutella and banana waffles.

Exhibiting its finesse in the food industry, the brand ensures its food is prepared with high-quality ingredients where the chicken is fresh. Each piece is hand-breaded and fried to each order while sauces and dips are made in-house.

Average Cost: Rs 900 for two people (approx.)

Address: 317 A, 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall, NH 8, DLF Phase 3, Gurugram

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

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usually served flavored with cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon and kesar. Dry fruit like pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashews and raisins are added to enhance the flavor of this awesome recipe. It’s one of the most loved dishes of Punjabi households.

Chana Dal Khichdi A simple but flavourful recipe made using rice and chana lentil. This is a protein rich recipe. Chana Dal Khichdi is a one pot meal which is delectable and easy to prepare. The khichdi with lots of flavours and texture will surely make everyone crave for more. It is a wholesome nutritious meal in itself, which is an added benefit.

Makki ki Roti with Sarso ka Saag Served with a dollop of white butter or Makhan and crispy warm Makki Ki Roti with Sarso Ka Saag is soul warming during the chilling winter season in Northern India. This classic North Indian Dish is not only easy to make but healthy too as it is cooked in a manner that preserves all nutrients of green leaves accompanied by the bread made from corn meal.

(AGENCIES)

RECIPE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

Masala Tuna Pasta

This dish is cooked in a similar way to the Mediterranean style but with a twist of Indian.

Serves 4

recipe

BY MANJIT SETHI

Ingredients: 250 g pasta (cooked) 185 g tuna with chilli (can) 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 2-3 garlic cloves crushed 1 med onion roughly chopped 1 carrot diced 1 small eggplant diced 1 zucchini diced

1 red (bell) pepper sliced 1 green (bell) pepper sliced 180 g mushrooms sliced 3 tomatoes sliced 4 tbsp tomato puree (pasta) 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp curry powder salt and black pepper to taste

from the private collection

Method: Heat oil in frying pan (skillet) and cook the garlic, onion and chilli flakes and stir for about 2 mins.

Add the tuna,carrot,eggplant and sautĂŠ for 3 mins. Now add the zucchini, mushrooms and the peppers and cook 3-4 mins.

Blend in the tomatoes and pu-

ree. season curry powder, salt and pepper.

Reduce the heat and cook about 8 mins, stirring occasionally.

Cook the pasta in salted water for 10 mins.

Drain well and add to the sauce.

Mix well and serve hot.

Garnish:

with chopped coriander

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46

ASTROLOGY

MESHA (Aries)

Your financial prospects look good this month, since you will get several notable opportunities, for profit. Those of you who go in for speculative activity or even gambling may look forward to, making handsome profits. Further, for some of you there is a distinct possibility of an unexpected windfall.

A fair amount of travel is also indicated. But this too would bear no fruit, still, there might be some percentage in a sojourn towards the South. There could also be a general getting together of people against you at your place of work.

Best days: 3, 12, 30 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange & Cream

SIMHA (Leo)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

VRISHABH (Taurus)

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) MITHUNA (Gemini)

A beneficial month, during, which the stars would ensure that no serious health or mishap troubles you. Any predisposition to sudden acute illnesses, like fever or inflammations would get considerable relief, and such problems should not bother you. Overall a helpful month, with encouraging prospects, for your health. You can look forward to several profitable opportunities for financial advancement during this coming month. There is a legitimate reason to expect a sudden windfall.

The scenario for your career prospects is quite bleak this month. There is very little chance that some of you would tend to operate outside the law for quick gains and thereby create uncontrollably adverse situations. Firmly refrain from such activity and stick to your normal work. So far as your financial prospects are concerned. You would surely miss even the normal self-confidence and the ability to take initiatives, and this would tell adversely on your progress.

Best days: 9, 18, 27 Lucky Colour: Green, Blue

Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow

M: 0425 660 220

KARKAT (Cancer)

The picture so far as your financial prospects are concerned is pretty bleak performing arts practitioners would do well to make provisions for a rainy day, since they would face a trying time during this coming month. There would be a dearth of opportunities for all of you, simply not enough to go around, as they say. But speculative activity could turn a difficult situation into an impossible one.

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

A month, during which you should have fairly smooth sailing to your targets in so far as your career is concerned. Some old person or a female colleague would render extremely beneficial service to you, Others among you would be prone to indulge in speculative activity again, for quick profit. There is a good chance that they would face serious losses. Quite obviously, you must take the hint and stay away from all varieties of gambling.

Not an auspicious period for investment.

A fairly beneficial month, from your health point of view. Any predisposition to bouts of sudden acute sickness like fevers or inflammatory conditions would get considerable relief. Serious temperaments would be less sombre and more cheerful.

Further, some of you would be inclined to do other people’s dirty work in order to make a fast buck.

As things stand, luck would be nowhere in sight and you would find yourself in the middle of a very thick soup indeed. Refrain from such actions.

KANYA (Virgo)

TULA (Libra)

A month during which even with the apparent makings of a fairly beneficial month as far as your career prospects are concerned, certain influences will prevent the realization of anything fruitful.

You would be influenced by a mean streak which would goad you on to severely exploiting your juniors and subordinates for personal advantage.

There would be fewer problems relating to your children that they would have to face during the coming month since they face a beneficial time.

This month will be quite beneficial in so far as your educational prospects are concerned, since the stars are quite favourably disposed. Those pursuing languages, journalism, accountancy would have a very successful spell. Technical students would also fare quite well in their studies. There would be a fair amount of travel which will, however, fail to bear any fruit. Contacts also would not be very helpful. The circumstances will also demand a great deal of hard work from you.

Best days: 5,3 Lucky Colour: White & Orange

Best days: 3, 12 Lucky Colour: Orange, Green

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange

DHANU (Sagittarius)

This month does not hold out any cheer for your financial prospects, because Dame fortune is not in a good mood. There would be a dearth of opportunities for all of you, not enough to go around, as they say. Effort would have little scope for realizing much success. This month your efforts on the educational front would flounder quite a bit, since the stars are not in a favourable mood. Most of you would struggle to get to your objectives .Even then only limited success may come your way.

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

MAKARA (Capricorn)

This month your efforts on the educational front would flounder quite a bit, since the stars are not in a favourable mood. Most of you would struggle to get to your objectives. Even then only limited success may come your way. Your efforts are not likely to take you very far in realizing your objectives. Further, expected gains from Government are unlikely to come through. The climate would also be far from congenial for investment and new enterprises. Therefore, any such plans should be solved for the time being till a later and more favourable period.

Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue

KUMBHA (Aquarius)

Association with several gifted people of learning and spiritual stature is not going to be very helpful either. Whatever gains that do finally come your way, would be extremely slow in fructifying.

Further the climate would be far from congenial for investment and new enterprises. If you have any such plans, these should be shelved for a later and more propitious period. There would be a lot of hard work and the returns nowhere near commensurate with the effort put in. This would add to the difficulties.

Best days: 5, 3, 6 Lucky Colour: White, Green

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VRISHCHIK (Scorpio)

MEEN (Pisces)

Those planning to go abroad for higher studies should be careful about the steps they take. It may not be a bad idea to postpone such a step to later and more favourable times. This would also be the case with most of you who might have to travel a good deal within the country for similar ends. Even the most favourable direction, i.e. North, will not work for you. This month the stars are in a mood to bless you and as such the prospects for your family welfare are quite cheerful. The elders of the family would be quite pleased by your conduct and in return bless you whole-heartedly.

Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White

CLASSIFIEDS

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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48

L AUGHTER HAVE A LAUGH

T HERAP Y

DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? In an office: *TOILET OUT OF ORDER...... PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW* In a Laundromat: *AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT* In a London department store: *BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS* In an office: *WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN* In an office: *AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD* Outside a second-hand shop: *WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?* Notice in health food shop window: *CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS* Spotted in a safari park: *ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR* Seen during a conference: *FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN’T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR* Notice in a farmer’s field: *THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES*.

On a repair shop door: *WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN’T WORK) * We all need a good laugh, keep on smiling

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G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2020

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