Piquancy – Silent Heroes: A Powerful Documentary Celebrating the Quiet Strength and Beauty of Human Diversity
Astronaut Sunita Williams plans emotional visit to father's homeland India; art teacher paints heartfelt welcome
PM Albanese Announces Australian Federal Election on May 3
Dalai Lama Honoured with Prestigious Gold Mercury Award for Peace
Press Editorial - Hindi
Australian Electoral Commission, 10 Mort Street,
Produced in partnership with the Australian Electoral Commission, 10 Mort Street, Canberra.
Victorians Encouraged to Keep Cyber Safe
MELBOURNE, Mar 31: The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to activate multi-factor authentication (MFA) on their devices to better protect themselves, their finances and their personal data from scammers and cybercriminals.
Minister for Government Services Natalie Hutchins launched MFA on the Service Victoria platform and made the appeal to all Victorians to take up the security measure.
Victorians lost more than $42 million to cyber scams last year with research showing only one in three Victorians used MFA to protect their online accounts.
Multi-factor authentication – also known as two-step authentication – is an effective tool that Victorians should use to protect themselves from online threats. MFA is like locking a door with two locks instead of one. The steps to use MFA are simple - just
choose your preferred security combination:
• Step 1. Use a strong, unique password as your base layer of security
• Step 2: Confirm it’s you by using a second method, like a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint scan.
This second step makes it much harder for anyone else to gain access to accounts, even if they know the password.
Rowville Seniors Club member Jeff Lovegrove has heeded the message and turned on MFA for several of his online accounts, choosing a combination of authentication methods to keep his accounts secure.
Jeff said that activating MFA was a simple process. He has multi-factor authentication switched on for his banking and super fund, as well as facial recognition and a PIN code for his laptop and now feels more confident using these accounts with the added layer of security.
MFA should be used to protect Victorians’ most important accounts, such as an email account, online banking, social media, government accounts like Service Victoria, and accounts with personal information.
These service providers will usually ask or prompt users if they wish to incorporate MFA into their log-in.
More information about MFA can be found at vic.gov.au/MFA.
Investing In Victoria's Diverse Multicultural Celebrations
MELBOURNE, Mar 20: The Allan Labor Government continues to support a busy calendar of events for every Victorian, with the opening of a new round of grants as part of its flagship multicultural festivals and events program.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt today announced that grants of up to $50,000 are available through the first round of the 2025-26 Multicultural Festivals and Events
(MFE) Fund and Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund (RMFEF) – helping communities across Victoria celebrate cultural diversity and promote inclusivity.
More than $1 million in funding will be shared with multicultural and multifaith groups for festivals and events held between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has
delivered more than $42 million to deliver close to 10,000 multicultural festivals and events in every corner of the state through both the Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund, and the Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund.
Previous recipients of MFE and RMFEF grants include the Bodhi Dhamma Buddhist Association in Bendigo that received $37,500 for their New Year Rice Festival, which marks the offering of the first harvest of newly harvested rice to Buddha symbolising gratitude and blessing for prosperity.
Another recipient was the Pakistani Students Association of Australia which received $20,000 for their Basant Kite Festival which represents the arrival of spring and is celebrated by flying colourful kites in the sky.
Victorians come from more than 300 ancestries, speak 290 languages and follow almost 200 different faiths, providing our state with a rich and unique social tapestry.
Applications for this round are now open and close on 17 April 2025.
To apply and for more information, please visit: vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-andevents-program
Toughest Bail Laws in Australia Pass Parliament
MELBOURNE, Mar 21: The Allan Labor Government is delivering the toughest bail laws in the country, with the first tranche of legislation passing the Parliament this morning.
These new laws will jolt the system. They will change what decision makers consider, ensure respect for the rules and toughen the bail tests for the worst offences.
Starting immediately, community safety will come first on all bail decisions –becoming the overarching principle for bail decision-making. It will also no longer be necessary to consider remand as a last resort for a child.
Two bail offences of “committing an indictable offence while on bail” and “breach of bail conditions” will come into effect immediately. These will deliver consequences
for those who do not respect the rules of bail and can be considered by bail decisionmakers as a reason to refuse bail.
Both offences will be punishable by up to 3 months imprisonment on top of any other sentence imposed for any crime committed.
Additionally, if someone on bail has been arrested for breach of bail, the Bill will also allow police officers to bring that person to court directly, rather than wait for a bail justice.
The Tough Bail Laws will uplift serious high-harm offences like aggravated burglary, home invasion, carjacking and armed robbery to the toughest bail test, so bail is less likely even on the first charge.
Many crimes that most Victorians would consider serious and high-risk do not face tougher bail tests, so bail is more likely. We are ensuring that offences like serious gun and arson offences, and other knife and weapon offences like machete violence will be subject to a presumption against bail.
The changes to the tests for these offences will come into effect in at least three months. Because the changes to the
bail tests are expected to result in another increase in the number of adult and youth offenders on remand, their start date will be linked to system workforce capacity.
The Government is ramping up this capacity, fast.
An expanded recruitment campaign is being prepared for corrections and youth justice workers, and further planning is underway to prepare the adult and youth systems for the increased demand.
The second Tough Bail Bill will be introduced in the middle of the year.
The second Bill will create the proposed tough new bail test for serious, repeat offenders. It will also uplift the new offence of ‘committing an indictable offence while on bail’ to face a tougher bail test – triggering the second-strike rule. Safeguards will be developed so the uplift is proportionate.
The second Bill is expected to result in a further increase in the number of adult and youth offenders on remand, for which the system must be ready.
These tough new laws build on our changes to the youth justice system last year, and our recently passed nation leading ban on machetes.
Peace Of Mind for Families with Free RSV Protection
MELBOURNE, Mar 31: The Allan Labor Government is keeping Victorian babies safe from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) this winter, with a long-acting immunisation available free from tomorrow for eligible families until 30 September.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today opened the upgraded Tweddle Early Parenting Centre in Footscray and announced that RSV immunisation will be free for all newborns if their mother wasn’t vaccinated during pregnancy.
Free RSV immunisation RSV is a highly infectious virus that infects
up to 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life. The Labor Government is delivering a free program to protect around 40,000 Victorian babies born this RSV season.
As part of the program, the long-acting monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, is administered in hospital as part of standard post-birth care – helping parents save and avoiding visits to the GP.
Eligible infants aged up to two years who are vulnerable to severe RSV disease will be protected thanks to a dedicated catch-up program.
The Labor Government’s state-based program complements the Commonwealth maternal vaccine, Abrysvo, which commenced in February as part of the coordinated national effort to protect as many babies as possible.
Mothers are encouraged to get vaccinated during their pregnancy to help build immunity in their baby as early as possible. However, for those unable to be immunised with Abrysvo, or mums immunised less than two weeks before delivery, the Victorian-funded, nirsevimab, will now be available for babies.
In Australia, RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infants because it can often progress to pneumonia or bronchiolitis in very young children.
New and upgraded Early Parenting
Centres
Local mums and dads in Melbourne’s inner west can make the most of Footscray’s refurbished Early Parenting Centre (Tweddle), which will support more than 1,200 local families each year.
The new building includes 12 residential family units, day-stay places, playroom, dining room and multi-purpose room, admin areas and interview rooms – as well as outdoor upgrades including native landscaping and parking.
The centre provides both short and long-term programs to improve the health, wellbeing and development outcomes of children up to four years old.
Parents experiencing challenges with sleep, settling and feeding will receive expert advice while extra care is available for babies and toddlers with additional needs.
Family units are designed with flexibility in mind supporting different structures –meaning they can bring multiple children or accommodate older siblings, grandparents or other carers during their stay.
The Labor Government is investing more than $165 million to upgrade and expand Victoria’s network of Early Parenting Centres, including delivering a dedicated Aboriginal Early Parenting Centre in Frankston.
Victoria Calls for A Real Increase to Minimum Wages
MELBOURNE, Apr 3: The Allan Labor Government is calling for a pay rise for workers on the minimum wage – delivering much-needed cost of living relief for these hardworking Victorians.
The Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney joined Victorian workers to unveil the Labor Government’s submission to the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. Fair Work's Annual wage determination affects the pay of millions of Australians. As part of its submission, the Government is
calling for a real wage increase for minimum and award wage workers, who are largely employed in our retail and hospitality sectors.
The Government is also calling on the Commission to modernise apprentice and trainee pay. These Victorians are increasingly older and more likely to be living independently.
As part of its submission, the Government proposes shifting younger apprentices to adult apprentice wages at a set age and adopting a competency-based progression system for fairer, more consistent pay.
The Labor Government recently accepted all recommendations of the Apprenticeship Taskforce Report, which identified apprentice wage increases as a top priority.
The submission also asks the Commission to consider how changes to minimum wages could improve the gender pay gap and wage outcomes for women, younger workers and older workers.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 23 per cent of Australian employees are reliant on minimum award wages – with women making up 60 per
cent of these workers, earning on average $117.40 less per week than men.
Today’s submission sits alongside the Albanese Labor Government’s submission, which also calls for a real wage increase for Australian workers.
That’s in stark contrast to Peter Dutton’s Liberals – who have never once advocated for a wage increase for Victorian workers.
In fact, the Liberal Party have admitted that low wages have always been a “deliberate design feature” of their economic policy. Last year, their Federal Shadow Finance Minister even claimed a real wage increase would be “the worst thing for Australians”.
Confirming a cut to Victoria’s infrastructure funding earlier this week, the Leader of the Opposition has already earmarked the thousands of jobs at risk under his watch.
The choice at this election couldn’t be clearer: a pay increase for the workers who need it most – or under the Liberals, working longer for less.
Protecting More Victorians from Hate
MELBOURNE, Apr 2: The Allan Labor Government has passed landmark legislation to strengthen our anti-vilification and social cohesion laws – standing up to hatred while Brad Battin and the Liberals try to block these laws.
Despite the Liberals’ attempts to water down the Bill, the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024 will:
• Protect more Victorians from vilification – which is the worst kind of hate speech or conduct that profoundly harms people and undermines social cohesion
• Introduce new criminal offences for serious vilification, such as inciting hatred or threatening physical harm against someone because of who they are or what faith they follow
• Strengthen existing civil protections against vilification and provide more options for people to seek remedy and resolution if they have been harmed
• Protect the right to free speech and religion by recognising exceptions for religious and artistic purposes, and more.
Under the new laws, protections will be extended to cover disability, gender identity, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, and personal association with a person who has a protected attribute – for example, being the parent of a disabled child.
That means all Victorians will be protected against vilification and hate for who they are, what faith they follow, where they’re from or who they love or care for.
The reforms will create two criminal offences to respond to serious vilification:
• It will be an offence to incite hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule against another person or group based on their protected attribute
• It will be an offence to threaten physical harm or property damage against a person or a group based on their protected attribute.
These offences will be placed in the Crimes Act, where they belong. They will apply when incitement or threats occur in Victoria in any context – private, public or online.
These offences will be easier to prove than Victoria’s current serious vilification offences, with stronger penalties of up to five years imprisonment to hold perpetrators to account for their actions.
The Bill strengthens current laws to help protect people from things that are said or done in public or online that harm them.
This new harm-based protection could capture conduct such as posting photos on social media that severely ridicule a person with disability or expressing hateful comments about a group’s race at a public
meeting.
The Bill also modifies existing protections against incitement to now include public conduct that is likely to incite hatred or revulsion, which reflects how the legal test is currently applied by the courts.
People and groups will still be able to make a complaint and seek a remedy through dispute resolution services at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission or the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Having this avenue for civil as well as criminal action will provide alternative options to address harm, including through an apology, compensation or removing harmful material.
The Bill recognises freedoms by retaining the current exceptions in the law that protect activities done for genuine religious, academic, artistic, public interest or scientific reasons.
To be clear, that means the Bill protects genuine and legitimate religious activities, such as worshipping, practising, proselytising and teaching religion – they will always remain someone’s right in Victoria under this Government.
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas praises India as "massive centre of global growth"
MUMBAI, Mar 29: South Australia
Premier Peter Malinauskas praised India as a "massive centre of global growth" with increasing influence on the world economy.
Malinauskas said that Australia sees immense potential for collaboration between India and Australia.
"India is clearly a massive centre of global growth. India is going to have an ever-growing level of influence on the global economy over the decades ahead. In my home state of South Australia, we have great affection for the Indian community. We see an opportunity for greater collaboration," he said.
Malinauskas said that several Indian students go to Australia, and other than that,
there is a scope for greater collaboration, particularly in areas like steel production, renewable energy, and education.
"We already have students coming to Australia, collaboration around steel products, with India being one of the world's largest steel producers. I see the opportunity for direct flights to and from South Australia and also the sharing of technology around renewable energy. These are bigpicture opportunities that require greater collaboration. I've been very grateful to be here during this visit," he said.
Malinauskas also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for being pro-investment and committed to
economic growth through partnerships.
"The Modi government clearly is a proinvestment government that is very committed to economic growth and partnerships can help achieve that. Partnerships across jurisdictions with friendly like-minded countries such as Australia I think and not just assist in that growth but really fulfill its potential in a way that delivers for people in a way that's mutually beneficial," he said.
"I think what the Modi government appreciates is the power of trade and investment to lift people up and provide more and improved living standards in a way that's mutually beneficial across jurisdictions, and that's what we're exploring on this visit," he added.
He said that such partnerships can help achieve mutual benefits and improve living standards.
Malinauskas, who was on a four-day visit to India from March 24-28, said that this was his second visit to Mumbai and fondly recounted his previous visit in 2004 when he came to watch cricket.
"This is the second time I've been to Mumbai. The first time I came to Mumbai was in 2004 to watch the cricket here. And India won by 13 runs in a very close test match. Harbhajan Singh took 10 wickets. It was incredible," he said.
Further praising the dynamism of Mumbai, he said, "And the moment I came to Mumbai, that first visit, I knew that this was a place that had vibrancy and passion and dynamism. And to see how much the place has grown over the last 20 years is a sight to behold that is inspiring for everybody," he said.
"I'm going to my father's home country," Sunita Williams plans trip to India
WASHINGTON DC, Apr 1: NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams said she plans to visit India soon, and meet with ISRO's team during her visit.
Williams said during NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Post-Flight News Conference that she found India to be 'amazing' each time her spacecraft passed by the Himalayas during her extended stay of nine months in space.
"I hope and I think for sure I'm going to be going back to my father's home country and visiting with people and getting excited about the Indian astronauts who's going up on the ISRO mission coming up," she said.
Sunita Williams' mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya (nee Zalokar), is of SlovenianAmerican descent, while her father, Deepak Pandya, is from Gujarat.
Williams said she would love to share her experience up in the space with ISRO, and said it was great how India put its foot forward in the space sector, being a fellow democracy.
"[It's] pretty awesome- they'll have a hometown hero there of their own that will be able to talk about how wonderful the International Space Station is from his perspective," she said.
"I hope I can meet up at some point in time and we can share our experiences with as many people in India as possible because it's a great country, another wonderful democracy that's trying to put its foot in the space countries and I would love to be part of that and help them along," she added.
When asked if she planned to take her crew along in her impending trip to India, she responded in the affirmative and jested, saying the crew would be primed with spicy food.
"Absolutely! You might stick out a little bit but that's okay- we we'll get you all primed
with some spicy food we'll be good," she said.
Williams said that she could see India's geographical formation, when the landmass collided to form Himalayas and as a ripple effect, India was formed.
"India is amazing. Every time we went over the Himalayas- we got some incredible pictures of the Himalayas- so just amazing. Like I've described it before just like this ripple that happened. Obviously when the plates collided and then as it flows down into India. It's many, many colors," she said.
Williams talked about India's diversity visible from the space, from the Himalayas, to a different culture from the East to the fishing fleet on the West.
"I think when you come from the East, going into like Gujarat and Mumbai- the fishing fleet that's off the coast there gives you a little bit of a beacon that here we come!
All throughout India," she said.
Williams said the country looked like a network of lights, with major cities being the brightest, and waning down towards smaller cities.
"I think the impression I had was it was just like this network of Lights from the bigger cities going down through the smaller cities. [It was] just incredible to look at night, as well as during the day. Highlighted of course by the Himalayas which is just incredible as a forefront going down into India," she said.
NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months on March 19 after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
Delays caused by issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which surfaced during a test flight piloted by Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams last summer, led to the astronaut duo remaining in space for nine months instead of a week, CNN reported.
At that time, ISRO expressed its desire to collaborate with Williams in future space missions.
Dalai Lama presented with Gold Mercury Award for peace
DHARAMSHALA, Mar 31: The Dalai Lama was presented with a Gold Mercury Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to peace, compassion, education and human rights at his residence at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.
Nicolas De Santis, President and Secretary General of Gold Mercury International, presented the Gold Mercury Award for Peace to the Dalai Lama.
"It is a profound honour to present to you the Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability 2025. You are a leader whose wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication to peace have inspired the world," he said.
Santis said that Dalai Lama's message of universal responsibility inspired peace in the fragile planet.
"We reflect on your extraordinary legacy. For decades, you have championed non-
violence, human dignity, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship, always reminding us that true peace begins within. Your message of universal responsibility teaches us that we are all connected--not just as nations, but as one human family, sharing one fragile planet," he said.
Santis praised Dalai Lama's advocacy for non-violence and sustainability, and the way he advocated for the rights of Tibetans.
"Your Holiness you have defended the rights of the Tibetan people through nonviolent means, and you are also a global voice for sustainability, warning of the urgent need to protect our environment long before climate change became a worldwide concern," he said.
Santis said that the award was presented to the Dalai Lama for his teachings, which advocate for world peace.
"At Gold Mercury International, we honour
visionary leaders who shape the future with courage and integrity. Your Holiness embodies these ideals, and your teachings will continue to guide generations toward a more peaceful and ethical world. Your Holiness, it is with deep respect and gratitude that we present you with the Gold Mercury Award 2025--in recognition of your lifelong commitment to a better world for all," he stated.
China labels the Dalai Lama a "separatist" and asserts that it will select his successor. However, the 89-year-old has stated that any successor chosen by China would not be honored.
Human rights groups and media sources report that China suppresses Tibetan culture, religion, and freedoms through intense surveillance, forced assimilation, and crackdowns on opposition.
India and Thailand Strengthen Connectivity and Cooperation
BANGKOK, Apr 5 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, have agreed to significantly boost physical, digital, and financial connectivity between India and Thailand. During their meeting, the leaders elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, discussing collaboration across numerous sectors including defence, trade, investment, innovation, space, education, health, culture, and tourism.
A joint declaration emphasised accelerating infrastructure projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, including its eastward extension, and implementing the Motor Vehicles Agreement. Enhanced maritime connectivity through coastal shipping, port connections, and improved air links are also planned.
Educational cooperation will deepen through mutual recognition of qualifications, expanded student exchanges, joint research, and increased scholarship opportunities. Collaborations in skill development, language training, vocational education, and Thai-Hindi studies were specifically highlighted.
Cultural relations will strengthen via joint events in performing arts, exhibitions, seminars, and festivals under the Cultural Exchange Programme. Additionally, both countries will explore collaboration in sports integrity, sports governance, research, sports tourism, and professional exchanges.
The leaders agreed on closer cooperation with India's North Eastern Region (NER), particularly in tourism, education, culture, and vocational training. Science and technology cooperation will grow, with joint research
projects, workshops, and knowledge exchanges focusing on agriculture, biotechnology, ICT, and space technology.
Health sector collaboration, particularly in traditional medicine, research and development, and human resource training, is set to increase. Agreements were exchanged across various sectors to facilitate sustainable economic growth, emphasising renewable energy, energy efficiency, BioCircular-Green Economy, and environmental sustainability.
Finally, closer collaboration between financial institutions was agreed upon to streamline cross-border trade, investments, and payments, strengthening economic ties and regional stability.
Getting married in Australia
Coercive Control
The Australian Government and state and territory governments released the National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence (National Principles) in September 2023.
The National Principles set out a shared understanding of the common features and impacts of coercive control, as well as guiding considerations to inform responses to the issue.
Coercive control is when someone uses patterns of abusive behaviour against another person. It can involve physical and non-physical abuse and, over time, creates fear and takes away the person’s freedom and independence. This dynamic almost always underpins family and domestic violence.
Marriage celebrants may encounter relationships where someone is perpetrating family and domestic violence against their partner, or situations in which consent to marriage was obtained through coercion.
The National Principles, and related supporting resources, can help us better identify coercive control and respond appropriately. These supporting
resources include videos and factsheets, an Easy Read version and language translations. You can access them by visiting the AttorneyGeneral’s Department’s website.
Fake celebrant - A 31-yearold Melbourne man who pretended to be an authorised celebrant was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to purporting to solemnise five marriages between March 2022 and April 2023. He was handed a six-month Community Corrections Order with a single condition of performing 50 hours of community work.
Kash Patel sworn in as the Director of the FBI
WASHINGTON, Feb 28 — Kash Patel was officially sworn in as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and simultaneously took on the role of acting chief of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This unusual appointment places Patel at the helm of two significant Justice Department agencies, raising immediate concerns and criticisms from various political and advocacy groups. The swearing-in ceremony took place
privately at ATF headquarters, just days after Patel became the FBI director, according to sources speaking anonymously due to a lack of official authorisation to publicly discuss the matter. The administration has not clarified whether Patel's role at ATF will become permanent or if President Donald Trump intends to formally nominate him.
Patel now manages approximately 5,500 ATF employees tasked with enforcing federal firearms laws, tracing criminal gun use, and
regulating firearms dealers nationwide.
Democrats have criticised Patel’s appointment, highlighting his limited managerial experience compared to predecessors and controversial statements, including labelling certain government investigators as "government gangsters." Gun safety advocates have expressed particular alarm due to Patel’s vocal support for Gun Owners of America, a group advocating for the ATF's abolition.
Patel previously voiced strong opposition to perceived infringements on Second Amendment rights. At a Gun Owners of America event, Patel pledged to fight "unelected bureaucrats" whom he accused of eroding constitutional freedoms. Gun control groups, including Brady, fear Patel's leadership may dismantle recent Biden administration efforts aimed at enhancing firearm buyer background checks.
This shift in leadership follows Attorney General Pam Bondi's controversial dismissal of ATF chief counsel Pamela Hicks, further fuelling anxieties about the agency's future direction.
ONIR, RIMA DAS TALK ABOUT THEIR STORIES OF LOVE, DISABILITY IN ANTHOLOGY FILM ‘MY
The anthology film ‘My Melbourne’ includes four powerful stories directed by filmmakers Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das and Onir.
Director Onir got candid about the story ‘Nandini’, which revolves around Indraneel, a queer Indian man who reunites with his estranged father in Melbourne to complete a ceremonial ritual.
It explores the complexities of their fraught relationship, the power of forgiveness, and the healing process amid grief.
“It is a story of a father and son. A father who disowned his son after the death of his mother when he came to know that he is gay tries to rebuild the bond. But after a year, he feels a void and realises that he did wrong with his wife by not allowing his son to meet him.
Then, as an apology to his wife and to rebuild the bond with his son, he travels to Australia with his mother’s ashes. So, it is a story of acceptance, a love story and a story of loss,” Onir said.
He added, “Many will relate with the story as many parents do the same with their children.”
Filmmaker Rima Das, who is known for her 2017 film ‘Village Rockstars’, which won several national and international awards and became India’s official entry for the 90th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, talked about the series and her story, ‘Emma’.
She shared, “We are talking about inclusivity, race, gender, sexuality and disability. I did a part called Emma, the disability part. Emma (Ryanna Skye Lawson) is a beautiful deaf dancer, and she is also slowly losing her vision.
The cast was authentic, and Ryanna is coming from a deaf community, so for me, it was a special journey, and I learned how to be mindful.”
Set in Melbourne, Australia, the anthology film ‘My Melbourne’ offers a glimpse into unique, thought-provoking tales of human connection, resilience, and identity. It is scheduled to be released in theatres across India on March 14, 2025.
As per the press note shared by the makers, the movie delves into the diverse experiences of four characters, each facing their own personal journey. The four stories are all inspired by true incidents. ‘My Melbourne’ addresses universally relevant themes of race, gender, sexuality, and disability.
MELBOURNE’
The stories featured in ‘My Melbourne’ include, NANDINI - Directed by Onir, tells the story of Indraneel, a queer Indian man who reunites with his estranged father in Melbourne to complete a ceremonial ritual. The film explores the complexities of their fraught relationship, the power of forgiveness, and the healing process amid grief.
JULES - Directed by Arif Ali along with the creative direction by Imtiaz Ali. It tells the story of a newly married Sakshi who forms an unexpected bond with Jules, a homeless woman. Together, they navigate their personal struggles and discover the power of connection despite their differences.
EMMA, directed by Rima Das, tells the story of a talented deaf dancer who grapples with self-doubt and discrimination until a chance meeting with another deaf dancer inspires her to embrace her uniqueness and find her inner strength.
SETARA - Directed by Kabir Khan, is a
real-life story of a 15-year-old Afghan girl who rebuilds her life in Melbourne after fleeing the Taliban. She finds her sense of belonging through cricket and resilience amid family tensions and past trauma.
The movie’s recently released trailer opens with a shot of Melbourne’s bustling streets. It starts with the introduction of a young woman who faces difficulties at her workplace.
She struggles to keep up with the demands of her workplace, her distress evident as she fumbles, dropping a pan full of food and quickly apologising.
It was followed by glimpses of a deaf dancer playing ballerina, a queer Indian man who shares a bitter relationship with his father and an Aghan girl who finds comfort in cricket after fleeing from the Taliban with her family.
Piquancy – Silent Heroes
Celebrating the Strength of Diversity Through Documentary
A beautifully evocative thought, blending “piquancy” and “migrancy,” offers a profound metaphor for a documentary that invites the viewer to reflect on the rich, layered beauty of diversity. “Piquancy” suggests a sharp, appetizing flavour, while “migrancy” introduces the complexity of diverse cultural experiences. This documentary, Piquancy –Silent Heroes of CALD Community Voices, brilliantly weaves these ideas together, showcasing the powerful fusion of stories, perspectives, and histories. It is a celebration of how the unique flavours of individuals from various backgrounds contribute to the
collective experience, enriching the narrative in ways that cannot be measured. Through this documentary, the creators bring together an elevated, intensified experience, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
The film is a co-production between Niru Tripathi, the Founder and President of CALD Community Voices, and Nandita Chakraborty, a writer and director. Piquancy – Silent Heroes is a tribute bringing the voices of CALD communities to the forefront. Supported by the Victorian Government, the documentary features the inspiring journeys of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities who have made meaningful contributions to Australian society.
The documentary's recent screening at the Parliament on March 18th, during Cultural Diversity Week, was made possible by the efforts of Greens MLC Anasina Gray Barberio. “We are delighted to invite you as a special guest to this fantastic event, where powerful stories will be celebrated on screen. This documentary celebrates the rich fabric of a migrant’s journey, bringing to light inspiring human stories alongside Melbourne’s vibrant culture and diverse communities. “Anasina Gray Barberio MLC, Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
The event helped foster deeper conversations about diversity and multiculturalism in Australia. Prior to the Parliament screening, Piquancy – Silent Heroes was originally premiered at Cinema Nova in November 2024. The screening was attended by figures such as Samantha Ratnam, and from that initial showing, the thought of bringing the documentary to Parliament began to take shape. Much of this came to fruition due to the advocacy and support of Dr. Sabi Kaphle, a Senior Academic and Social Activist.
As Dr. Kaphle aptly put it: “Diversity is the vibrant thread that weaves our communities together, fostering innovation, creativity, and growth, and reminding us that our differences are not just our greatest strength but our most precious asset. This documentary is a testament to this construct of diversity as a strength in our community, which we embrace to belong.”
The documentary explores not just individual stories but also how Melbourne thrives on diversity and the continuous interplay of cultures that have shaped the city's identity.
Piquancy – Silent Heroes highlights the lived experiences of individuals from CALD backgrounds, capturing their struggles and triumphs in navigating identity, cultural exchange, and integration into Melbourne’s ever-evolving social fabric.
Through heartfelt interviews and personal
anecdotes, the film underscores how cultural expression strengthens Melbourne's multicultural identity, fostering empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging. It also showcases the resilience, creativity, and invaluable contributions of these individuals, reminding audiences of the importance of representation in the media.
The film’s creation was deeply personal for its creators. Both Niru and Nandita, having themselves experienced migration, shared a vision of telling stories that highlight the importance of migration in shaping Melbourne. When Niru approached Nandita with the idea, she was immediately struck by the trust Niru had in her to craft the story. Together, they embarked on this journey to celebrate the unsung heroes of Melbourne’s CALD communities.
The production process was swift, beginning in earnest with Nandita's crafting of the concept, script, and pitch document around this time last year. By August, filming was completed.
The creative team, including Sam Thang Man, the Director of Photography from Burma, and Chengrui Ray Zang, the Sound Designer from China, worked tirelessly to bring the documentary to life. For a month, Nandita along with Sam dedicated. long hours to editing, color grading, and perfecting the story so that it would feel like a personal conversation rather than a traditional documentary.
The documentary was not made for financial gain but rather to highlight the real-life heroes of Melbourne’s CALD communities. Niru, Nandita, and their collaborators wanted to ensure that the voices of both established and new migrants were heard. Through these stories, the creators hoped to give the audience a deeper understanding of the contributions migrants have made to the city’s economy, culture, and identity. Their purpose was to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of these individuals, celebrating the rich diversity that Melbourne is known for.
The documentary has already made a significant impact with its screenings, and its
journey is far from over. The screening at the Parliament opened the door to even more opportunities, including a special screening at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne. This screening was organized by Rohini Kappadath, the General Manager of the Immigration Museum, and further reinforced the conversation around the importance of cultural diversity.
“In celebration of Cultural Diversity Week, Immigration Museum’s Discovery Centre will host a rolling screening of “Piquancy" a documentary that explores the nuanced narratives of diverse voices, highlighting the rich tapestry of experiences that shape our understanding of belonging.
By cantering stories of individuals from varied backgrounds, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own connections to community and identity - and serves as a powerful platform for dialogue.” ROHINI KAPPADATH
More screenings and discussions are expected to follow, as people from all walks of life are drawn to the powerful message of unity and inclusivity in the film.
Piquancy – Silent Heroes is a poignant reminder of the strength that comes from embracing diversity. The film serves as a catalyst for dialogue and reflection, encouraging audiences to celebrate the richness that migrants bring to Australia.
As the creators themselves have emphasized, this documentary is about belonging—about the power of shared experiences and the beautiful complexity that comes with the fusion of different cultures.
For those who have not yet seen it, Piquancy – Silent Heroes is a must-watch. It is a deeply moving, insightful, and beautiful portrayal of the many faces of Melbourne, telling stories that are as diverse as the city itself.
Those interested in learning more about the invaluable contributions of CALD communities are encouraged to attend upcoming screenings, where they can experience this heartfelt and inspiring documentary firsthand. G'day wishes the team continued success as they share their vision with the world.
G’day India
MOTOR REVIEW
MINI Aceman SE Favoured | REVIEW
If someone told you that a crossover could wear purple, pretend to be a spaceship, and still have the cheeky charm of a go-kart, you might think they were off their rocker. But then you meet the MINI Aceman SE Favoured.
From the first glance, it draws attention, not for being garish, but for being... well, cool. That Indigo Sunset Blue paint plays tricks with light, throwing off a playful purplish shimmer that reveals itself only when sunlight hits it. The contrasting Jet Black roof? Surprisingly understated and not the kind of combo you would expect to fly under the radar, but it does.
Step inside, and you are greeted by a cabin that tries to be equal parts lounge room, spaceship and office chair. Let me explain. The OLED circular display is the centrepiece, radiating all kinds of digital goodness. It looks impressive, no doubt, but with information scattered across different zones, it can feel like trying to track multiple aircraft on a radar screen (cue Mav from Top Gun trying to lock in a bogey). Cool? Definitely. Calm and intuitive? Not quite. The seats feel premium and comfortable, expected from a $60k price tag, but the fixed armrest to the left of the driver is a jarring let-down. It has all the ergonomic vibe of a high-end office chair someone tried to retrofit into a car slightly out of place, but not entirely
offensive.
That said, the creature comforts come thick and fast — heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic glass roof that inspires creativity and open-mindedness, ambient light shows at night, and even a heated steering wheel. The Harman/Kardon sound system is above average, delivering clarity and kick. The pop-up head-up display made from plastic is functional and clear. On the road, the Aceman SE surprises. While its spec sheet reads a modest 160kW/330Nm with a 0-100 time of 7.1 seconds, it feels noticeably quicker in realworld sprints. The instant torque delivery from the electric motor combined with front-wheel drive means traction can be tested, but MINI’s traction control is quick and fuss-free when called into action.
The steering is responsive and confident. Cornering remains snug and planted, though there is a sense of the car pulling against its own weight — unsurprising given the Aceman tips the scales at 1,710kg, nearly 200kg heavier than a petrol MINI Countryman Cooper S. You will not be wrestling with the wheel, but you are aware there is a battery pack under there doing some heavy lifting. Ride comfort?
Let us call it "character building." On typical Aussie roads, the ride leans firmly towards the bumpy end of the spectrum. Sport mode adds a bit of engagement and firms things up further, but never to the point of being jarring. The dampers do a respectable job keeping the car
balanced under acceleration and braking.
But the real quirk — and this will divide people — is the cabin sound modulation. In sport mode, the Aceman starts pretending it is some turbocharged, intergalactic hovercraft. It is fun at first, then... not. One moment you are grinning, the next you are asking the car if it is going through an identity crisis. Are you electric or petrol? Make up your mind.
Cabin noise insulation is generally good, especially in efficiency mode where the Aceman is eerily calm. However, on the freeway while battling both high speeds and strong winds, an annoying whistle emerged from the passenger side window. A classic case of double-checking the window is fully closed — only to find it already was. For a car in this price bracket, that kind of aero noise is a tad disappointing.
Practicality? You get 300 litres of boot space — which is behind many hatchbacks today. Fold down the seats and it opens up to a usable 1,005L, but it will not swallow your Bunnings haul without a bit of planning. Adding to the annoyance is the underfloor boot storage cover’s refusal to stay open — no latch or clip means you are one hand down if you need to access that underfloor area, which can be especially frustrating when trying to retrieve the run-flat repair kit or store items in a hurry.
Still, for all its eccentricities, the Aceman remains a breeze in the city. MINI has managed to keep it feeling agile despite its added weight, and the 11.1m turning circle means circus acts — or at least tight U-turns — are well within its comfort zone.
Final verdict? The Aceman SE Favoured is not trying to be the most practical or fastest EV on the road. Instead, it sets itself apart with design flair, engaging character, and genuine personality. In a sea of lookalike electric crossovers, it dares to be fun, a little flawed, and totally likeable. A charming electric go-kart with personality to burn, bursting with individuality and full of surprises in all the right ways.
By Amandeep Sethi
BUT HAS LIMITS UNDER MAJOR DEPRIVATION GOOD PARENTING HELPS,
Good parenting can make a huge difference as newborns learn to communicate and process information. An increasing amount of early childhood development research has indicated that parent training is a worthwhile investment in improving childhood outcomes.
However, there may be a limit to how much skillful parenting may boost a newborn’s language and cognitive skills, particularly if the family is experiencing substantial deprivation.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis wanted to see how “prenatal social disadvantage,” a newborn’s brain volumes and parenting factor into cognitive and language abilities. Prenatal social disadvantage refers to not having the resources to meet a family’s
basic needs. To do this, they recruited from obstetric clinics in St. Louis to find pregnant people from a broad variety of backgrounds.
They followed up with approximately 200 new mothers and their newborns at ages 1 and 2 to conduct parenting observations along with language and cognition assessments. What they found was that prenatal social disadvantage is associated with lower cognition and language scores and that supportive parenting behaviors could improve those indicators -- but only up to a point.
The research, published in the Journal of Paediatrics, can help inform how to improve the effectiveness of prenatal and early childhood interventions.
Researcher Deanna Barch describes “social disadvantage” as a spectrum of how much a family’s financial needs are being met. Barch is vice dean of research and a professor of psychological and brain sciences in Arts & Sciences and the Gregory B. Couch Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine.
If someone has basic needs covered such as stable access to housing, food and insurance, “then parenting can make a difference,” Barch said. “But if basic needs are not met, that’s probably what is constraining cognition, and parenting doesn’t have the opportunity to have the positive influence.”
Supportive parenting may not be able overcome the “hit” that deprivation causes to a newborn’s brain development. The research can be helpful in developing social programs that invest in prenatal care and parent training.
First author Shelby Leverett, a PhD student in neuroscience at WashU Medicine, explained they were initially surprised by the results because much of the scientific literature shows that parenting skills can be an effective intervention target, but the majority of those findings may be based on a narrower, more advantaged, sampling of the “social disadvantage” spectrum.
“It’s really important that we aim to support families so we can eliminate disadvantage and kids have a chance to develop optimally,” Leverett said.
LIFESTYLE RISKS WEIGH HEAVIER ON WOMEN’S HEARTS
Lifestyle and health factors that are linked with heart disease appear to have a greater impact on cardiovascular risk in women than men, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session.
While diet, exercise, smoking, and blood pressure have long been associated with heart disease risk, the new study is the first to indicate that these correlations are higher in women than in males. According to the researchers, the findings indicate that sex-specific screening or risk assessment methodologies could provide a more realistic picture of cardiovascular risk and better drive people to adopt hearthealthy habits.
“For the same level of health, our study shows that the increase in risk [related to each factor] is higher in women than in men--it’s not one-size-fits-all,” said Maneesh Sud, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the department of medicine, interventional cardiologist and clinician scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and the study’s lead author. “This is novel and something that hasn’t been seen in other studies.”
The study focused on eight factors associated with heart disease: diet, sleep, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure. Overall, the results showed that women were more likely to have fewer negative risk factors and more positive ones compared with men. However, women with more negative risk factors faced a more pronounced increase in their
chance of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event compared to men with a similar risk factor profile.
“We found that women tend to have better health than men, but the impact on outcomes is different,” Sud said. “The combination of these factors has a bigger impact in women than it does in men.”
The researchers analyzed data from over 175,000 Canadian adults who enrolled in the Ontario Health Study between 20092017. None of the participants had heart disease at baseline and about 60% were women. Each participant was classified as having ideal or poor health in terms of each of the eight risk factors, and these scores were combined to calculate an overall risk factor profile as poor (fewer than five positive factors or more than three negative factors), intermediate (five to seven positive factors) or ideal (ideal across all eight factors).
During a median follow-up period of just over 11 years, researchers tracked the incidence of seven heart disease outcomes--heart attack, stroke, unstable angina (chest pain that results from restricted blood flow to the heart), peripheral arterial disease (narrowed blood vessels in the arms or legs), heart failure, coronary revascularization (procedures to open blocked arteries) and cardiovascular death--among participants in each of the three groupings.
In the study population, significantly more women were categorized as having ideal health, with 9.1% of women and 4.8%
of men scoring a perfect 8 out of 8. Women were also less likely to be categorized as having poor health, with 21.9% of women and 30.5% of men falling into this category. In terms of individual risk factors, women were more likely than men to have ideal diet, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, while women were slightly less likely than men to have ideal physical activity levels.
After adjusting for age, the results showed that participants of both sexes saw an elevated risk of heart disease if they had poor or intermediate health compared to those with ideal health, but these differences were more extreme in women than men. Women with poor health had nearly five times the risk of heart disease as women with ideal health, while men with poor health had 2.5 times the risk of heart disease as men with ideal health. Women with intermediate health had 2.3 times the risk as those with ideal health, while men with intermediate health had 1.6 times the risk as those with ideal health.
Further study is needed to understand how each factor might be affecting outcomes differently in men and women based on either biological or sociocultural factors, the researchers said.
The researchers plan to conduct additional analyses to determine whether there are any differences in risk factor impacts among people of different racial and ethnic groups or among women before and after menopause.
HEALTH
ASPIRIN MAY PREVENT SOME CANCERS FROM SPREADING
Scientists have uncovered the mechanism by which aspirin stimulates the immune system and can reduce the metastasis of some cancers.
In the study, published in Nature, the scientists say that discovering the mechanism will support ongoing clinical trials, and could lead to the targeted use of aspirin to prevent the spread of susceptible types of cancer, and to the development of more effective drugs to prevent cancer metastasis.
Studies of people with cancer have previously observed that those taking daily low-dose aspirin have a reduction in the spread of some cancers, such as breast, bowel, and prostate cancers, leading to ongoing clinical trials.
However, until now it wasn’t known exactly how aspirin could prevent metastases.
In this study, led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, the scientists say their discovery of how aspirin reduces cancer metastasis was serendipitous.
They were investigating the process of metastasis, because, while cancer starts
out in one location, 90% of cancer deaths occur when cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
The scientists wanted to better understand how the immune system responds to metastasis, because when individual cancer cells break away from their originating tumour and spread to another part of the body they are particularly vulnerable to immune attack.
The immune system can recognise and kill these lone cancer cells more effectively than cancer cells within larger originating tumours, which have often developed an environment that suppresses the immune system.
The researchers previously screened 810 genes in mice and found 15 that affected cancer metastasis. In particular, they found that mice lacking a gene that produces a protein called ARHGEF1 had less metastasis of various primary cancers to the lungs and liver.
The researchers determined that ARHGEF1 suppresses a type of immune cell called a T cell, which can recognise and kill metastatic cancer cells.
To develop treatments to take advantage of this discovery, they needed to find a way for drugs to target it. The scientists traced signals in the cell to determine that ARHGEF1 is switched on when T cells are exposed to a clotting factor called thromboxane A2 (TXA2).
This was an unexpected revelation for the scientists, because TXA2 is already well-known and linked to how aspirin works.
This new research found that aspirin prevents cancers from spreading by decreasing TXA2 and releasing T cells from suppression. They used a mouse model of melanoma to show that in mice given aspirin, the frequency of metastases was reduced compared to control mice, and this was dependent on releasing T cells from suppression by TXA2.
The scientists caution that, in some people, aspirin can have serious sideeffects and clinical trials are underway to determine how to use it safely and effectively to prevent cancer spread, so people should consult their doctor before starting to take it.
Brain Perceives Unexpected Pain
More Strongly
Researchers used visual threat manipulation and thermal stimulation in the virtual reality environment to investigate how the brain perceives pain. They found that the brain perceives pain more strongly when the perceived pain is out of alignment with reality. In particular, pain was amplified when unexpected events occurred.
Pain perception can vary greatly. Sometimes, we feel pain more intensely than expected due to an injury or physical ailment but may feel less intense pain in other similar instances. This variability indicates that our perception of pain is highly dependent on our expectations and uncertainty.
In this study, the mechanism underlying the perception of pain was investigated.
Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain how the brain perceives pain. One is the Estimate Hypothesis, where the brain estimates the intensity of pain based on predictions.
The other is the Surprise Hypothesis, where the brain perceives pain as the difference between prediction and reality, otherwise known as the prediction
Health tip:
4 Reasons for Root Canal Treatment
The structure of a tooth is made up of various layers. The innermost part is made up of a soft substance and is known as pulp. This pulp is connected to a nerve which further gets attached to the sensory network of nerves transmitting sensations. The outer layer of a tooth envelopes both these inner components and protects them from harm.
But in case of tooth decay, the acids produced by the bacteria go past the protective layer and reach the pulp of a tooth. That’s when endodontists prefer to go for a root canal treatment. Let us read the cases when root canal treatments are a must.
The reasons to carry out root canal treatment are:
Deep decay
error.
In the experiment, healthy participants received painful thermal stimuli and reported feeling pain intensity while observing painful or non-painful visual stimuli in virtual reality.
The researchers found that the participants strongly perceived pain when the prediction error was large.
The study further confirmed that pain was amplified when unexpected events occurred. People with chronic pain often experience vague pain-related fears and anxieties.
Possibly, this uncertain gap between expectation and reality further increases the perceived intensity of pain. Therefore, reducing the gap between pain expectation and reality or “surprise” is important in reducing pain.
This study has resulted in a better understanding of pain perception. It would help to facilitate the development of new treatments that would enhance recovery from chronic pain and trauma.
Tooth decay is the worst enemy of our teeth. Bacteria enter the cavities in our teeth causing considerable damage as tooth decay. Anti-bacterial medications prove futile as the inflammation caused by the bacterial infection hinders the blood supply to a tooth.
As mentioned above, when the decay reaches deep down to the nerve of a tooth, a root canal treatment is the call of the hour. When left untreated, deep decay can spread to gums and other parts of our bodies such as the lungs or the brain.
Cracked or chipped tooth
Our teeth are fragile enough to crack or chip-off when subjected to trauma. This can also occur while chewing hard foods such as nuts, ice, corn on the cob, rock candies, etc. Cracked teeth can or cannot be painful, but they can always hold room for food particles to get stuck which is a breeding ground for tooth caries.
These damaged teeth need to be repaired to fill the cracks and chipped off parts. Root canal treatment makes sure the decay does not reach to the pulp.
Repeated procedures
The process of degeneration of our natural teeth is a continuous one and any laxity in their care can result in decay time and again. What follows are extensive dental restorative works. In cases where not much of the tooth structure is left, dentists prefer to put on a
dental crown on the tooth after performing root canal treatment.
Injury to pulp
Tooth decay is not the only culprit to harm dental pulp. There are times when the dental pulp gets damaged due to trauma. It can be an extremely painful condition and requires to be treated as soon as possible. Dentists often prefer root canal treatment for such injuries as they can be deep and cause much harm to the pulp.
The procedure of root canal treatment
Measuring
This is the preliminary stage where a dentist first sedates the patient with light sedatives to numb the area around the damaged tooth. The tooth is then drilled up to the pulp chamber. Measurements of the root canal are then carried out to know the extent of decay and possible treatment options. This measurement is done with the help of X-rays or Apex locator.
Cleaning
The decay or damage to the pulp is removed from the measured tooth. The root canal inside the tooth is then thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The hole is filled with a temporary filling and left as such for a few days to ascertain any sensitivity.
Filling
Once the tooth is free from all the infection, the temporary filling is replaced with a permanent filling.
Additional Treatment
If the tooth structure is still found fragile, it can be capped with a dental crown. Otherwise, the above three steps are enough to cure a tooth.
To know more about root canal treatment, visit our Healthy Smiles Dental Group Blackburn clinic. You can also call us on 03 9877 2035 to book an appointment.
Dr Ved Berani BDS(Mum), ADEC(Aust), MBA(Melb), FIADFE, MFGDP(UK)
Principal Dentist & Clinical Advisor
Healthy Smiles Dental Group 150-152 Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South VIC 3130 Call us: (03) 9877 2035 www.healthysmiles.com.au
Tired feet? Soak them for an hour in warm water with Epsom salts. This helps to relieve muscle pain and stiffness
Fibre in diet may boost the body against infections
A new study has found that the composition of the gut microbiome helps in predicting how likely a person will succumb to potentially life-threatening infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli and other bugs -- and it may be altered by changing your diet.
The group of bacteria called Enterobacteriaceae, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella, E.coli and others, is present at low levels as part of a healthy human gut microbiome. However, certain catalytic factors such as increased inflammation in the body, or by eating contaminated food these bugs can cause illness and disease. In extreme cases, too much Enterobacteriaceae in the gut can be life-threatening.
Researchers have used computational approaches including AI to analyse the gut microbiome composition of over 12,000 people across 45 countries from their stool samples. They found that a person’s microbiome ‘signature’ can predict whether a person’s gut is likely to be colonised by Enterobacteriaceae. The results are consistent across different states of health and geographic locations.
The researchers identified 135 gut microbe species that are commonly found in the absence of Enterobacteriaceae. It likely protects against infection. The results are published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
Notable among the protective gut species is a group of bacteria called Faecalibacterium, which produces beneficial compounds called short-chain fatty acids by breaking down fibre in the foods we eat.
This seems to protect against infection by a range of disease-causing Enterobacteriaceae bugs.
The researchers suggest that eating more fibre in our diet will support the growth of good
bacteria -- and crowd out the bad ones to significantly reduce the risk of illness.
In contrast, taking probiotics -- which don’t directly change the environment in the gut -- is less likely to affect the likelihood of Enterobacteriaceae infection.
“Our results suggest that what we eat is potentially very important in controlling the likelihood of infection with a range of bacteria, including E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae because this changes our gut environment to make it more hostile to invaders,” said Dr Alexandre Almeida, a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and senior author of the paper.
He added: “By eating fibre in foods like vegetables, beans and whole grains, we can provide the raw material for our gut bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids -- compounds that can protect us from these pathogenic bugs.”
Klebsiella pneumonia can cause pneumonia, meningitis and other infections. (IANS)
Increasing contrasts in young people’s mental wellbeing
More teenagers report good mental health, but those who are struggling rate their depressive symptoms much higher than prior cohorts did at the same age, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg.
The study examined changes in how young teenagers in Sweden rated their depressive symptoms over two decades.
Researchers compared two groups of 13-16-year-olds: one from 2004 and one from 2019-2020. Both groups rated their depressive symptoms using the internationally established Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), a selfreport assessment.
The results show that the overall proportion of adolescents reporting depressive symptoms increased from 21 percent in 2004 to 29 percent in 2019-2020--an increase that is not considered dramatic in this context.
However, a key shift is evident: more adolescents than before report feeling extremely well. In the 2019-2020 group, 33 percent had very low CDI scores, indicating strong mental well-being, compared to just 15 percent in 2004.
At the same time, those who are struggling report feeling significantly worse than before.
Adolescents with depressive symptoms in 2019-2020 rated themselves higher on selfdeprecating and negative thoughts compared to their counterparts in 2004.
“Those who report high levels of depressive symptoms today rate themselves significantly higher than those in previous cohorts. We also see notable increases in certain areas, particularly self-deprecation--something that primarily affects young women,” says Carl Wikberg, district nurse and adjunct senior lecturer in community medicine and public health at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.
The CDI assessment measures various aspects of mental well-being, including negative mood, self-esteem, ineffectiveness, and interpersonal problems. In the 2019-2020 group, three statements stood out among those reporting depressive symptoms: Nothing
is fun at all, I am bad all the time, and I can never be as good as other kids. The fact that some young people report strong self-loathing is concerning and can make us feel despair. However, there is also hope: we are seeing a larger proportion of adolescents at the very lowest end of the scale, meaning their mental well-being has improved. So, the trend is not entirely negative,” said Wikberg.
While the study does not provide definitive answers as to why these changes are occurring, the researchers highlight the role of evolving public discourse on mental health. A more open attitude toward mental health issues and treatment may influence how young people describe their wellbeing in self-report assessments.
At the same time, the study underscores the importance of school health services and primary care in identifying adolescents with high CDI scores. Screening tools like CDI create opportunities to detect and support those in need. The study included 617 adolescents (aged 13-16) from 2019-2020 as part of a larger research project on depression. The comparison group consisted of 80 adolescents of the same age from 2004 who participated in a CDI validation study in a Swedish context.
“A LOT OF MEN ARE EMBRACING THEIR FEMININE SIDE IN THEIR FASHION”:
VIJAY VARMA
Bollywood actor Vijay Varma never shies away from experimenting with his sartorial picks. In fact, he has often shown how fashion has no gender.
He attended the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, where he talked about the evolution of fashion.
Championing fluidity in fashion, Vijay said, “Overall fashion is evolving...I think what is interesting that has happened in the last few years is that there is no men’s and women’s fashion. It’s actually a lot of exchange that is happening between the two genders in fashion. And I’ve been a championing it that for years.”
“I’ve been rocking stuff that probably should be found in a women’s wear, women’s section. I enjoy the delicateness, the colors, the textures, the jewellery. So, I feel like the exchange is very interesting, and a lot of men are embracing their feminine side in their fashion,” he emphasized.
On the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week, Vijay was spotted crafting a bespoke Magnum at the Iconic Magnum Dipping Bar. The event was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, on the acting front, Vijay has many exciting projects in the pipeline, such as ‘Matka King’ and ‘Ul Jalool Ishq’.
Sharing details about them, he said, “I’m very excited about the upcoming Ul Jalool Ishq...it’s a very exciting and a very simple, lovely, beautiful, rich love story . I am in the process of wrapping Matka King. It’s again one of those larger than life epic story of a man who found a loophole in the system and made the most out of it.”
While opening up about his upcoming projects, he also talked about his goal to always push boundaries.
“That’s been the pursuit actually to be able to push boundaries and check if I can do more than what I did before. It all boils down to the opportunities, and somehow, I’ve been lucky to get great opportunities and to work with directors who see more in me than I see in myself,” Vijay concluded.
INDIA HAS BEEN “ROBBED” OF OSCARS MANY TIMES: DEEPIKA PADUKONE
Actor Deepika Padukone believes that many Indian films deserved to win Oscars but were repeatedly snubbed.
Deepika took to her Instagram account to share a video in which the actress, who is seen getting ready for a Louis Vuitton show in Paris, recalls being at the Academy Awards when RRR won Best Original Song for ‘Naatu Naatu’ in 2023.
The actress also expressed her disappointment, stating how India has been “robbed of the Oscars” too many times despite its rich cinematic heritage and the talent present in the industry.
“India has been robbed of the Oscars many times. Many, many deserving movies, I feel, have been snubbed. Whether it’s movies, whether it’s talent... But I remember being in the audience when they announced RRR, and I got emotional. Outside of being an Indian, I had nothing to do with that movie, but that was a huge, huge moment. That felt very, very personal,” Deepika said in the video.
The ‘Chennai Express’ actress also spoke about this year’s Oscars and mentioned that the one win that made her very happy was Adrien Brody’s Best Actor win for ‘The Brutalist.’
As she spoke, clips of critically acclaimed Indian films, including ‘All We Imagine As Light’, ‘Laapataa Ladies’, ‘Tumbbad’, and ‘The
Lunchbox’, were featured in the video. These films, which received worldwide praise, did not get nominated for the Oscars.
Deepika attended the Louis Vuitton show at the Cour Carre du Louvre. The actress is the first Indian to be signed as a global ambassador for both Louis Vuitton and Cartier.
“MY HUSBAND IS HARVARD RETURN”: PARINEETI CHOPRA
Actor Parineeti Chopra couldn’t contain her excitement as she celebrated her husband Raghav Chadha’s latest achievement.
The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has completed a prestigious leadership program at Harvard University, and Parineeti expressed her pride on social media.
Taking to her Instagram account on Saturday, Parineeti, who is often seen heaping praise on Raghav, shared a fun reaction to his achievement, calling herself a “Harvard wife.”
Raghav Chadha shared a series of pictures on Instagram, standing proudly in front of the Harvard Kennedy School.
He described his experience at Harvard as “transformative,” highlighting how it expanded his horizons and strengthened his commitment to public service.
“Learning, unlearning, and growing--one class at a time! From intense classroom teachings to insightful discussions with brilliant minds from across the world, the Harvard experience has been nothing short of transformative,” read the caption
of his post.
The ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ actress, known for her playful and affectionate nature, quickly responded to her husband’s post.
She shared a picture of Raghav with a cheeky caption, “My husband is a Harvard return.”
In another post, she proudly declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a Harvard Wife. Bye.”
Meanwhile, on the work front, Parineeti is set to make her web series debut after the success of Amar Singh Chamkila. She will be seen in an upcoming mystery thriller directed by Rensil D’Silva.
The untitled thriller will stream on Netflix. In the series, she will be joined by actors Tahir Raj Bhasin, Anup Soni, Jennifer Winget, and Chaitannya Choudhry. The cast also includes the multi-talented Sumeet Vyas, Soni Razdan, and Harleen Sethi.
Parineeti’s series debut is produced by Siddharth P. Malhotra, director of Maharaj, and Sapna Malhotra of Alchemy Productions. (ANI)
(ANI)
DON’T WANT CONTROVERSY AROUND ‘SIKANDAR’:
SALMAN KHAN
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who is known magnetic screen presence, is gearing up for the release of his muchawaited film, ‘Sikandar’. While promoting the movie, Salman opened up about various aspects, including controversies and fan expectations.
Salman was asked if controversies have become a trend with every film release. Responding to this, the actor made it clear that he does not want any controversy surrounding ‘Sikandar’.
“Arey nahin chahiye bhai humko koi controversy. Bohot saare controversies se guzar chuke hain hum. Humko nahin chahiye koi controversy,” the actor said.
“And I don’t think controversies make a film a hit. We’ve seen, in fact, that sometimes a film’s release is delayed due to controversies, for example, from Friday to the next Tuesday,” he added.
“Abhi bhi hain time bhai. 3 4 din nikal jaane do aur picture release ho jaane do uske baad bhi koi controversy chaie nahi,” he further said.
Talking about what fans can expect from Sikandar, Salman assured that the film has much more to offer beyond what is seen in the trailer.
He said, “This is just a 3.5-minute trailer. When you see a 2 hours 25 mins long film, you will understand that this trailer was nothing. We cannot put everything in the trailer. There are a lot of things in the film that you are going to like...For an action film, emotions are very important...”
On being asked about Film Producer and his father Salim Khan attending the trailer launch of ‘Sikandar’, Actor Salman Khan said. “The love and respect he has earned is still intact. When I was leaving from home to attend the trailer launch, he told me he would join me too. Every member of our family looked at Dad and asked what has happened to you? When he came there, he climbed more than 8-10 steps to sit behind. He wanted to see the reaction of the press.”
The film is directed by A.R. Murugadoss, renowned for his Tamil and Hindi blockbusters like Ghajini and Thuppakki. Sajid Nadiadwala has produced the project, marking Salman Khan’s reunion with him after their 2014 blockbuster, Kick.
‘Sikandar’ released on March 30, 2025. (ANI)
“IT’S A LIFELONG JOURNEY”: RICHA CHADHA ABOUT EMBRACING MOTHERHOOD
Richa Chadha had an eventful 2024, from starring in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi’ to producing Girls Will Be Girls and welcoming her first daughter, Zuneyra, in July.
The actress recently attended the IIFA 2025 in Jaipur, where she spoke about her journey as a new mother and the success of her film.
While talking to the media at the event, Richa shared how she is adjusting to motherhood and expressed that it is still a new experience for her and something she is learning every day.
“It’s still very soon. She’s just a few months old now. I think it’s a lifelong journey, so we’ll find out how we fare, but the idea is to do our best,” she said.
Meanwhile, Richa’s film Girls Will Be Girls has received nominations at the IIFA Digital Awards 2025 for Best Director and Best Original Story.
The film recently won the prestigious John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards 2025.
The coming-of-age drama Girls Will Be
Girls, produced by Richa Chadha and Claire Chassagne, is a compelling story set in a boarding school in a small Himalayan hill town in northern India. It follows the journey of Mira, a 16-year-old girl whose rebellious awakening is intertwined with her mother’s unfulfilled comingof-age experiences.
The IIFA 2025 is currently underway in Jaipur. The grand IIFA Awards Night, which is set to take place on March 9, will feature a special celebration of the iconic film Sholay on its 50th anniversary, with an exclusive screening at the
make a special
This year, the audience will see Kartik Aaryan as the host of the IIFA Awards.
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan is all set to attend the 25th edition of IIFA as a performer this March, and she will pay tribute to her grandfather and legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor at the awards show.
SHAHID KAPOOR TEACHES SON ZAIN HOW TO RIDE A CYCLE
Giving a glimpse into his fatherly duties, Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor on Saturday shared a video of him teaching his son Zain how to ride a cycle with a towel’s help.
In the video, Shahid can be seen helping his son, who’s wrapped in a towel around his chest, maintain balance on the cycle. Shahid’s “towel hack” left netizens in splits.
In his caption, the ‘Jab We Met’ star even asked netizens for easier ways to help his son learn to cycle.
“Teaching your son how to cycle with a towel. Any better suggestions on how this can be easier,” he wrote.
As soon as Shahid dropped the video, netizens flooded the comment section with their reactions.
Shahid’s brother Ishaan Khatter wrote, “dial the chachu helpline.”
“Gali ke bachho ke sath chhor do 1 din me hi heavy driver ban jayega,” a fan quipped.
Shahid and Mira got married on July 7, 2015, in an intimate wedding in Delhi. Their daughter Misha was born in 2016 while they blessed with Zain in 2018.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Shahid was last seen in ‘Deva’, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
In the movie, Shahid portrays a rebellious police officer who delves into a high-profile case. As he digs deeper, he unravels a complex web of deceit and betrayal, plunging into a perilous journey
of investigation while Pooja Hegde is the leading lady in the role of a journalist.
Produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, ‘Deva’ is an action-packed roller-coaster ride full of thrills and drama. It was released on January 31, 2025.
In the coming months, Shahid will be seen headlining Vishal Bhardwaj’s directorial. He has previously collaborated with the acclaimed director on Kaminey, Haider, and Rangoon. Their new collaboration is a love story, reportedly set against the backdrop of the Mumbai underworld in the 1990s.” (ANI)
famous Raj Mandir Cinema. Legendary MMA fighter and combat sports trailblazer Anthony Pettis will also
appearance.
Did you know:
Peaches make you feel full and keep you from overeating. At 50 calories a peach, it's the perfect snack
THE SUPERFOOD YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED IN LIFE!
Millets, a diverse group of small-seeded, hardy grains, have been an integral part of India’s agricultural landscape and dietary traditions for thousands of years. Because of their resilience and suitability for India’s varied agro-climatic conditions, millets require little in the way of inputs and water to thrive. India is the highest producer and consumer of millets worldwide. Its leadership in mainstreaming millet production and consumption opens practical solutions to addressing global hunger and malnutrition.
Here are 5 reasons why you should add millet into your daily diet:
Nutritional Significance: Millets are an excellent source of protein and dietary fibre, and they are high in important minerals including iron, calcium, and phosphorus. They are also a great option for people with dietary restrictions and gluten sensitivity as they are a healthier substitute for commonly used cereals like wheat flour and allpurpose flour.
Environmental Impact: In comparison to other high-input crops, millets have a reduced carbon footprint, which implies they demand
less irrigation and synthetic fertilizer, making them a good choice for farmers in developing countries, where poverty and environmental degradation are major factors.
Promotes Sustainability: Beyond their nutritional value, millets contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture that enhances soil health and biodiversity. In addition to enhancing agricultural land’s long-term productivity, this serves to conserve the environment. Due to their low water requirement, their ability to thrive in semi-arid conditions makes them ideal for regions facing water scarcity, contributing to water conservation in agriculture and promoting food security.
Climate Resilience: As millets require little water, they are very tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, including drought and high temperatures. Because of their durability, they are less vulnerable to changes in the climate, which helps to maintain stable agricultural production even under adverse conditions. They are ideal for farmers with little land or water resources because of their short growth cycle.
Traditional and Cultural Importance: Millets have long been an integral part of diets in many cultures. They serve as the foundation for various traditional recipes and cuisines deeply rooted in cultural practices and celebrations, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and success. While millets have varied cultural significance across various regions, they are perpetually significant in many communities, customs, and practices, adding to their diverse cultural tapestry.
With the global recognition of the significance of nutritious and sustainable food supplies, millets have garnered renewed interest. They are regarded as an essential part of India’s farming and food future. The Indian government has taken several excellent initiatives to encourage the cultivation and consumption of millet. Garnering these schemes, India has seen 80 plus new startups in the millet sector in the past year, highlighting the government’s commitment to using them as a catalyst for better nutrition, ecological balance, and economic growth.
By Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi
Satisfying Your Sweet Cravings
BY DEEVYA GUPTA
Some prefer savoury and other sweets. How do we best satisfy our craving for sweets without having too much? How much really is too much anyway? When we think of sweets we usually think of processed foods. Fruits are a beautiful creation of nature we all get to enjoy that are highly nutritious, containing many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folate, calcium, potassium and fibre just to name a few.
The current recommendations for fruit:
The current Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest an average daily intake of approximately two servings a day for adults. This includes various types of fruits such as:
• Fresh
• Dried
• Frozen
• Canned
• Juice
The most common types consumed being fresh or dried fruits.
What is a serving of fruit?
One serving of fruit is the equivalent of:
• 1 medium sized fruit (e.g. apple, pear, banana, orange)
• 125ml fruit juice (not an everyday preferred option)
Are there certain fruits I should not have?
Not specifically. It is suggested to have the whole fruit instead of opting for juice as the fruit itself will contain more fibre which is beneficial for our gut and bowel health. This is the same recommendation for children as well as adults. This will also help to keep you full for longer, as compared to juice which has minimal fibre and more sugar. Also think about how many fruits it takes to make 1 glass of juice – certainly more than
2 fruits!
At times people may be medically advised to reduce their overall intake of certain fruits if they have interactions with medications. Other than this it is not usually suggested to avoid certain fruits.
Some fruits are higher in fibre therefore keep you full for longer such as apples, other fruits such as watermelon may be easily eaten without making you feel full. If you feel less full, you are more likely to eat more.
I have Diabetes, am I still able to have fruit?
Most definitely yes. The two fruits per day suggestion is also applicable to those who are living with diabetes also. Just remember to have high fibre fruits wherever possible and not to over-eat at one time.
Is there a specific time to eat fruit?
Generally, fruit is best had in between meals, to help bridge any hunger gaps throughout the day.
It is also recommended to spread your two daily serves out so that your body has a chance to digest the fruits one at a time. A good indicator of when to eat fruit is when you are starting to feel hungry.
Try spread the fruit intake out during the day or afternoon as most likely in the evenings after dinner time you may not be as active.
Making the sweets more satisfying
-Try to eat the sweet food of your choice very slowly, enjoy every bite of it
-Consider if there are lower sugar options if you have a craving for sweet, over time you will get used to having less sugar
-Share with friends and family, take a smaller portion for yourself
Enjoy a variety of whole fruits with the family as a nutritious snack!
Mast Mast Machi
Trevally cooked in a mild and flavoursome mustard sauce
Variation:
Serves 2-4
Serve: Garnish:
Ingredients:
1 med size Trevally fish in cutlets
Marinate: Spice:
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp salt
Method:
1 tbsp mustard seeds
3 tbsp oil or mustard oil
1 inch ginger chopped
5 cloves garlic chopped
2-3 green chillies chopped
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp panch phoran (spice blend)
1 onion finely chopped
3/4 tsp turmeric
1 cup coconut milk Salt to taste
1. Marinate the trevally cutlets with salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil or mustard oil in a non stick pan.
3. Stir in the mustard seeds, when it crackles add the chopped ginger, garlic, green chillies and fry lightly.
4. Add vinegar and remove from the heat. Allow to cool a little. Transfer this mixture into a mixer jar and grind to a fine paste.
5. Heat the remaining mustard oil in another non stick pan.
6. Add the panch phoran and chopped onions to the oil and fry until translucent.
7. Stir in the ground paste and mix. Pour in about ½ cup of water, salt and turmeric powder and mix well.
8. Pour in the coconut milk and stir well to mix. Bring to boil and allow to simmer for a few mins until gravy thickens slightly.
9. Meanwhile fry the travelly cutlets until golden in colour. Drain on paper.
10. Serve on a platter along with the hot gravy and garnish with coriander.
BY MANJIT SETHI
Serve hot with Basmati Rice or Roti
Fresh Coriander Leaves
In step 9 gently add the fish pieces and stir slowly to mix. Cover the pan and cook until the fish is tender.
ASTROLOGY
Mesha (Aries)
An excellent month in which to reap a rich harvest of gains since the augury from the stars is quite favourable on this score. You might go on a pilgrimage to some holy place that is not easily accessible. That spirit of adventure could effect you this month. This apart if you have already gone on a trek or such like expedition, a field day is in the offing for you this month.
Best days: 3, 12, 30
Lucky Colour: Red, Orange, Cream
Simha (Leo)
A favourable month, for your financial prospects, during which you should be able to achieve success with a touch of boldness. In fact, this month, your most noteworthy assets would be well placed self-confidence and a great deal of courage. These would solve many problems for you and ensure gains. These would be medium sized gains but would accrue to you in quick time.
Best days: 5,3
Lucky Colour: White & Orange
Dhanu (Sagittarius)
You have a month which holds out fairly encouraging prospects for your health. Even those with a tendency to having their digestive organs easily disturbed will experience relief from their troubles as will also people with a predisposition to coughs, colds, and bronchitis. This means improvement of the general condition.
Vrishabh (Taurus)
The combination of stars facing you would bring a great deal of cheer to your financial prospects this month. Some of you would have a way of managing your subordinates, workers, or just simply people below you in the social strata, in a manner enabling you to derive optimum benefit from their services.
Best days: 9, 18, 27
Lucky Colour: Green, Blue
Kanya (Virgo)
There is nothing particularly favourable for your financial prospects in the combination of stars, facing you this month. In all your dealings a lack of self- confidence and the ability to take initiatives would be missing. This would make for stagnation and retard all progress. There would also be a storage of any worthwhile opportunities.
Best days: 3, 12
Lucky Colour: Orange, Green
Makara (Capricorn)
A month during which the prospect of gains from travel is bright, since the augury from the stars is quite favourable on this score. The travel undertaken by you for pleasure, like a holiday with the family of which there are good chances, may definitely bring much fun.
By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) M: 0425 660 220
Mithuna (Gemini)
This month the turn of events is bound to favour your financial prospects. Some of you would have a big way of managing your subordinates or workers, or even people simply below you in the social strata, in a manner that will enable you to derive optimum benefit from their services. This would be a very big gain for you.
Karkat (Cancer)
There is a lot of cheer for your financial prospects in the augury, from the stars this month. Association with several gifted people of learning and spiritual stature would not only bring you substantial gains but would also impart a highly satisfying dimension of culture and a taste for higher spiritual achievements.
Best days: 9, 18
Lucky Colour: Red, Blue
Best days: 1, 3, 4
Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue
Best days: 2, 7, 9
Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow
Tula (Libra)
An excellent period is in the offing for the advancement of your career possibilities. Those inclined towards artistic endeavours and practitioners of the fine arts would have a satisfying period of creative pursuits. In fact, some of you may well go on to make a mark for yourselves with your contributions.
Best days: 9, 18
Lucky Colour: Red, Blue
Kumbha (Aquarius)
The stars are in a good mood and your financial prospects, therefore appear to be quite bright. Musicians, dancers, painters, and other practitioners of the arts can look forward to an extremely satisfying and productive spell during this coming month. They would not only benefit financially but also have cause for satisfaction at their creative output.
A month that has little cheer for your financial prospects, since the stars are not in an obliging mood. Any litigation or dispute that you might be involved in would quite probably be decided against you. This could result in a loss, and, therefore, you should strive to get the decision postponed to a later and more favourable time.
Best days: 1, 3, 4
Lucky Colour: Red, Orange
Meen (Pisces)
Nothing particularly favourable about the augury from the stars in so far as your financial prospects are concerned. This month you would tend to be dispirited by the lack of self-confidence and the ability to take initiative. This would bring all prospects to a halt. Dearth of opportunity would compound your problems.
Best days: 2, 7, 9
Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White
Just Think About It!
COMPANY MATTERS
Sit for 10 mins before a drunkard - you will feel life is very easy.
Sit for 10 mins before sadhus & sanyasis - you will feel like gifting away everything in charity.
Sit for 10 mins before a leader - you will feel all your studies are useless.
Sit for 10 mins before a life insurance agentyou will feel that it is better to die.
Sit for 10 mins before traders - you will feel your earnings are too meager.
Sit for 10 mins before scientists - you will feel the enormity of your own ignorance.
Sit for 10 mins before good teachers - you will feel like wanting to become a student again.
Sit for 10 mins before a farmer or a workeryou will feel you are not working hard enough.
Sit for 10 mins before a soldier - you will feel your own services & sacrifices are insignificant.
Last but best one
Sit for 10 mins before a good friend - you will feel your life is heaven!
From a friend:
Sit for 10 mins before your wife - you will feel you are the most useless person on earth.
