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APR 2020

w w w. g d a y i n d i a . c o m . a u

VOL 14 ISSUE 156

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AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

THE INDIANS OF MELBOURNE

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IN THIS ISSUE

G’DAY INDIA PTY LTD

TRACKING THE VIRUS

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

‘AUSTRALIA IS THE PLACE TO BE’

FOR NEWS, FEATURES, EDITORIAL, COMMENTS, REPORTS, FEEDBACK & ADVERTISING

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AUSSIE RESEARCHERS BEGIN TESTING C VACCINES

FEMALE STARS: MARRIAGE AND CAREER

MADHURI OFFERS FREE DANCE CLASSES ONLINE HOW THE CORONAVIRUS IS IMPACTING GLOBAL BUSINESSES AND ECONOMY

A MOVEMENT FOR VIC WOMEN

DIGITAL DEVELIVERY BY TEMPLES

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MISSING GOSSIP WORKING FROM HOME?

PEPE REINA DESCRIBES CORONAVIRUS BATTLE

TOP NEWS

Healthcare system to work as one during pandemic

MELBOURNE, April 2: The Victorian Government has struck a deal with the state’s major private hospital operators to ensure they can continue to care for Victorians during the coronavirus pandemic. Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos on Thursday finalised the agreement to support Victorian private hospitals, including St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Epworth HealthCare, Cabrini Health, Ramsay Health Care, St John of God Health Care, Healthscope and Healthe Care Australia. The deal will see Victoria’s public and private hospitals work together to relieve pressure on public hospitals and ensure the entire health system is operating at full capacity. Victoria’s healthcare professionals are on the frontline of this deadly virus and

this agreement will ensure our private hospital medical workforce and hospital staff, including porters, cleaners, cooks and security guards keep their jobs and remain in the healthcare system for the duration of the pandemic – when we need them most. The deal follows a guarantee from the Commonwealth to ensure the viability of all private hospitals after the suspension of all non-urgent surgery tomorrow. Significant work is underway to prepare Victoria’s hospitals for the prolonged increase in demand during this coronavirus pandemic as the numbers of cases increase daily. The Victorian Government has also recently hired 200 nurses from Epworth and Cabrini hospitals to undertake important contact-tracing work – identifying public exposure sites and close contacts. Healthcare specialists, including retired doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and allied health professionals, have also been called upon to return to work as part of the Government’s coronavirus response. The Victorian Government is continuing to talk to smaller private hospitals and day procedure centres about extra capacity they might be able to provide when the peak of the pandemic hits. (Media release)

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Aussie researchers begin C vaccine test CANBERRA, April 2: Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) on Thursday announced that they have begun testing vaccines for the novel coronavirus. The CSIRO said that it has commenced the first stage of testing at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, 75 km southwest of Melbourne, reports Xinhua news agency. The trials are expected to take three months and will be conducted on ferrets to determine if either of the two vaccines were safe and effective. “Beginning vaccine candidate testing at CSIRO is a critical milestone in the fight against COVID-19, made possible by collaboration both within Australia and across the globe,” Larry Marshall, the Chief Executive of the CSIRO, said in a statement. “CSIRO researchers are working aroundthe-clock to combat this disease which is affecting so many -- whether it’s at the AAHL or at our state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility -- we will keep working until this viral enemy is defeated,” he added. Even if the vaccines were found to be effective and safe, it could take 12 to 18 months for them to be rolled out around the world.

(Agencies)

Covid-19: what you need to know preventive measures THERE’S currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Wash your hands frequently Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. Maintain social distancing Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. Practice respiratory hygiene Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue

immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections. (Courtesy WHO)

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Extra 4000 ICU beds added MELBOURNE, April 1: Victoria’s health system will receive a massive $1.3 billion injection to quickly establish an extra 4,000 ICU beds in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos announced the boost, which will secure the ICU equipment, staff and space we need to meet the expected surge in case load at the peak of the pandemic. At present, Victoria’s public and private health services have approximately 450 fully equipped and staffed ICU beds, but we know that won’t be nearly enough if the spread of the coronavirus continues. To be ready for the pandemic peak, the government is ordering $1.2 billion worth of equipment and consumables needed, as well as investing over $65 million for capital works and workforce training – securing record capacity for our intensive care system. The order will also see additional personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased, including 551 million gloves, 100 million masks and 14.5 million gowns. This investment follows the Victorian Government reaching an in-principle agreement with the state’s major private hospital operators.

(Media release)

ALERT

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

On the spot fines of $1,652 Ban on sale of guns, ammunition for individuals who flout rules

MELBOURNE, Mar 28: The Victorian Government is working to protect our health system and those at most risk of contracting coronavirus, with Victoria Police being given the power to issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses who don’t follow the rules. The Victorian Government’s message to all Victorians is clear: if you can stay home, you must stay home. However there are still too many people failing to take this seriously, putting lives at risk. Fines can be issued to those who refuse or fail to comply with the Chief Health Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer emergency directions, public health risk directions, or those who refuse or fail to comply with a direction by the Chief Health Officer to provide information. This means persons or businesses could be fined on the spot: If they fail to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving at an airport in Victoria from

a flight originating from overseas, as set out in the Airport Arrivals Direction If they organise or attend a mass gathering prohibited by the Prohibited Gatherings Direction If they organise or attend a wedding that has present more than the two persons being married, the celebrant, and two witnesses, or a funeral that has more than 10 persons, as prohibited by the Prohibited Gatherings Direction If they organise an auction for the sale of a residential property, as prohibited by the Non-Essential Activity Direction. Victoria Police has already established a coronavirus enforcement squad of 500 officers to ensure containment measures that have been put in place to combat coronavirus are followed. This gives them additional powers. Coordinated through the Police Operations Centre, the officers are out in the community doing spot checks on returning travellers who are in 14-day isolation, 24 hours, 7 days a week, as well as enforcing the bans on indoor and outdoor gatherings. Information is being provided by the Australian Border Force of all those who have returned from overseas and this information is being used appropriately. Tasking is based on intelligence from the Department of Health and Human Services and community information.

(Media release)

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MELBOURNE, Mar 31: The sale of firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes will be temporarily banned, following deliberations by the National Cabinet. The new measures are designed to protect licensed firearm owners and dealers as well as the broader community. “We know that licensed firearm owners and dealers exercise a high degree of care when complying with their obligations, however, there has been an increase in firearms permits to acquire applications and additional ammunition in recent times, increasing the risk that firearms and ammunition may not be stored safely,” an official press release said. To prevent potential stockpiling, and the risk that firearms and ammunition could fall into criminal hands or dealers could be targeted by organized crime, licensed dealers will now be prohibited from selling firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak. Those with a need to access firearms for essential services will still be able to access them for these purposes.

(Media release)

ON THE JOB FRONT

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Measures put in place to ensure Money in bank for businesses, jobs business continuity

Fresh start in agriculture The Victorian Government is giving workers who have lost their jobs a fresh start in agriculture and ensuring primary producers have the workers they need to keep producing at high levels during the coronavirus pandemic. Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaclyn Symes launched the $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan, which will provide practical support for critical food industries, helping the sector and regional communities. The plan will match workers who have lost their jobs with employers in the agriculture sector, helping agribusinesses and primary producers to meet their labour and operational needs during this difficult period. Employers and workers in the agriculture and food production sectors will also benefit from payroll tax refunds and deferrals contained in the Government’s $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package. Call for skilled health professionals to join frontline Healthcare specialists, including retired doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and allied health professionals, are being called on to return to work as part of the Victorian

Government’s coronavirus response. Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos has launched a new website where people with a wide range of skill sets can express their interest to work as part of Victoria’s health system, with the aim of boosting our workforce and response during the coronavirus pandemic. The Victorian Government will also be seeking expressions of interest from patient care assistants, assistants-in-nursing, and undergraduate students in health-related disciplines to provide essential support to our doctors, nurses and midwives.

(Media release)

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MELBOURNE, Mar 28: Money is in the bank accounts of small and medium businesses – supporting them and thousands of jobs through the devastating impacts of coronavirus on the state’s economy. Premier Daniel Andrews and Treasurer Tim Pallas announced that payroll tax refunds have now hit the bank accounts of 2,700 small businesses, putting $52 million immediately back into the pockets of business owners. More than 21,000 small businesses have been contacted about their refund, with all eligible businesses who have provided their bank details to get their money from the Government by the end of next week. In more support for businesses impacted by the coronavirus, the first tranche of the Government’s $500 million Business Support Fund grants will flow from Monday, with $10,000 grants available for over 30,000 employers who don’t pay payroll tax. Cheques will be in the mail to 12,500 businesses either waiving or refunding their liquor license fees for this year and 64,000 small businesses will have their land tax deferred into the next financial year, helping them cut costs and survive through the impacts of coronavirus.

(Media release)

TRACKING THE VIRUS

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Did China conceal India mapping Nizamuddin Markaz attendees on war footing Covid numbers?

NEW DELHI, April 1: In a frantic search of thousands of people who were participants of Tablighi Jamaat congregation here in Nizamuddin area, the Indian government on Wednesday directed the states and Union Territories (UTs) and police chiefs to complete the contact tracing exercise on a “war footing” to check the COVID-19 spread. The aim is not only to stop those who attended the congregation but also those they came into contact with inadvertently creating new clusters of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 infections across India. Thousands of people who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation and then dispersed, may carry the COVID-19 disease

to states across the length and breadth of India. Through the video-conferencing meeting, the states were sensitized about the intensive contact tracing of Tablighi Jamaat participants as this has “increased the risk of containment efforts” of COVID-19. “The states were asked to complete the contact tracing process on a war footing,” Home Ministry statement said. Noting that foreigners who had participated in the Tablighi Jamaat had “violated” visa conditions, the Cabinet Secretary asked the states to initiate “action for violation of visa condition against the foreigners and the organizers of the event”. The Cabinet Secretary’s instruction followed the information received by the Home Ministry on Tuesday that as many as 261 foreign nationals among 1,746 people were lodged at the Tablighi Jamaat’s Nizamuddin Markaz facility as on March 21, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ‘Janata curfew’ across India. Additionally, about 824 foreigners had been, as on March 21, doing Tabligh (Chilla) activities in various parts of the country. Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz has been at the centre of storm for holding congregation during prohibitory orders.

(Agencies)

Corona cases to reach 1mn in next few days, toll to hit 50,000

GENEVA, April 2: In the next few days, the world will see confirmed COVID-19 cases reach one million and death tally climb to 50,000, the chief of World Health Organization (WHO) noted on Wednesday. “As we enter the fourth month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am deeply concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of infection,” WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing, Xinhua reported. Noting a near-exponential growth of new COVID-19 cases over the past five weeks around the world, Tedros said the death toll has more than doubled in the past week. As of Wednesday, the pandemic has killed 40,777 people worldwide, as a total of 827,419 infections were reported by over 200 countries and regions, the WHO situation dashboard indicated. Outside China, the number of cases surged to 744,781, while 37,456 patients have died as of Wednesday afternoon. According to WHO, the US has seen 163,199 cases, including 2,850 deaths, while Italy has reported 105,792 cases, among which 12,430 patients lost their lives. Other than those countries with a vast number of cases, Tedros warned that Africa, Central and South America which had reported relatively fewer confirmed cases so far, could see serious social, economic and

political consequences of COVID-19. He stressed that it is critical to ensure those countries and regions are well equipped to detect, test, isolate and treat cases, as well as identify contacts. Besides, Tedros called on governments to put in place social welfare measures to ensure vulnerable people have food and other life necessities during the crisis. “Many developing countries will struggle to implement social welfare programs of this nature,” Tedros said, noting that debt relief is essential to enable those countries to take care of their people and avoid economic collapse.

(Agencies)

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WASHINGTON, April 2: The skeletons are apparently tumbling out of the closet. A media report on Wednesday claimed that the Chinese government has deliberately underreported the total number of new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and deaths in the country. Citing US intelligence officials, Bloomberg said that “China’s public reporting of COVID-19 infections and deaths is purposefully incomplete”. The US intelligence community has submitted a classified report on this to the White House. “Two of the officials said the report concludes that China’s numbers are fake,” the Bloomberg report added. According to the data from Johns Hopkins University, China has reported 82,361 coronavirus cases and 3,305 deaths while the cases in the US has almost touched 200,000 with over 4,000 deaths. The White House or any Chinese official were yet to comment on the report. There have been murmurs in the world intelligence community of China not disclosing real coronavirus figures, which Beijing has always denied. Earlier, a Chinese blogger based in New York, Jennifer Zeng, posted the official monthly data released on March 19, showing the number of cellphone users decreased from 1.600957 billion to 1.579927 billion in February 2020. Similarly, the number of landline users reduced from 190.83 million to 189.99 million, a drop of 840,000 last month. Compared with the data, which was released on December 18, 2019, for November 2019 data, both cellphone and landline users dropped dramatically. Last year too, for the same month, the number of cell phones had increased by 24.37 million and the number of landline users had gone up by 6.641 million. Zeng insinuated the drop could be due to the closing of accounts due to coronavirusrelated deaths. A US-based independent news media run by American Chinese, The Epoch Times, in a detailed report described how cellphones are an indispensable part of life in China due very high level of digitization in every sphere of life controlled by the government. Activities in Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus seem to contradict the reported death toll in China. (Agencies)

GLOBAL CRISIS

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

A peep into how global economy and businesses are impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

GLOBAL economy could shrink by 1% The global economy could shrink by up to 1 per cent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and may contract even further if restrictions on economic activities are extended without adequate fiscal responses, according to analysis released on Wednesday by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA). The UN-DESA briefing finds that millions of workers are at risk of losing their jobs as nearly 100 countries close their national borders. That could translate to a global economic contraction of 0.9 per cent by the end of 2020, or even higher if governments fail to provide income support and help boost consumer spending, Xinhua reported citing the UN-DESA study. According to the forecast, lockdowns in Europe and North America are hitting the service sector hard, particularly industries that involve physical interactions such as retail trade, leisure and hospitality, recreation and transportation services. Collectively, such industries account for more than a quarter of all jobs in these economies. As businesses lose revenue, unemployment is likely to increase sharply, transforming a supply-side shock to a wider demand-side shock for the economy. The

severity of the impact will largely depend on the duration of restrictions on the movement of people and economic activities and on the scale and efficacy of responses by national treasuries. Many Indian traders to shut shop in absence of stimulus The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that a significant portion of traders in the country will be forced to go out

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of business due to the ongoing lockdown if the government does not come up with a stimulus package. The tradersâ€™ body said that more than 6.5 crore traders have completely downed their shutters in view of the national lockdown and have absolutely no means of revenue and will remain without income for a longer period. Airlines may post $39B net loss in April-June Q The aviation industry that is going through a tough phase amid the coronavirus crisis, is likely to register a net loss of $39 billion during April-June 2020, according to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The report further said that revenue of the airlines may fall by 68 per cent during the quarter. The fall in demand would be the deepest in the second quarter, with a 71 per cent drop. Variable costs are expected to drop sharply by some 70 per cent in the second quarter, largely in line with the reduction of an expected 65 per cent cut in second quarter capacity, said the IATA report. The price of jet fuel has also fallen sharply, although we estimate that fuel hedging will limit the benefit to a 31 per cent decline.

(Agencies)

THIS GIRL CAN CAMPAIGN

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Meet four Victorian women motivating other women to become more active

agriti Bhat, Melanie Fineberg, Natasha Korbut and Narelle Plant are ordinary women who are part of an extraordinary campaign to boost the participation of women in all kinds of physical activity. That having said, the women bring a powerful voice to change perceptions surrounding women and their bodies. The campaign ‘This Girl Can’ was launched by VicHealth three years ago and has encouraged more than 400,000 Victorian women to get out and get active in the past. This year, ‘This Girl Can Week’ was observed across Victoria from March 23 to 29 where women supported each other to become more active. As a new research released by VicHealth indicates, two-thirds of women are not motivated by #FITSPO images of women on Instagram, and around a third feel bad or inadequate about their own bodies and fitness when they see #FITSPO images. And three-quarters of women want to see a range of female body shapes in physical advertising. Conversely the research found over three-quarters of women are motivated to get moving after seeing images and videos of everyday women with a wide range of body shapes getting active.

JAGRITI BHATI, founder of Ignite Bollywood I was born in Kanpur, India. My dad moved to Australia when I was four years old because he was invited to manage the first Indian restaurant in Melbourne at the time. Being in the restaurant business, my sister and I would keep ourselves entertained by watching Bollywood movies and loving the dances. That’s how I started loving dancing. I have been running my Bollywood dance company Ignite Bollywood for almost 10 years now and worked with all kinds of people and different types of sizes. As a result, I’ve seen how dance can transform the way people feel. When I started my Bollywood dance business, a friend of mine introduced me to someone at a function who looked me up and down and the first thing he said was, ‘Aren’t you to fat to be a dancer”? I was genuinely shocked and hurt because I had never seen myself that way, all I knew was that I loved dancing so much. I never thought about how I looked when I am dancing, it was all about feeling great and my body just wanting to

move. I reflected on what the person told me, then I realised the man doesn’t know what he is talking about and it is not going to stop me from moving my body because I love it. I also think that the message that Bollywood movies are giving is that you need to be a size zero and have these slim waists and curvy bodies to please the audience, none of them are about how it makes you feel. This is sending wrong messaging. What is important is staying healthy and moving your body while you can.

MELANIE FINEBERG, VicHealth Head of This Girl Can We’re bombarded with imagery of women with so-called ‘perfect’ bodies working out without even breaking a sweat, which sends a message that there’s something wrong with us if we don’t look like that. Our research shows women want advertising that shows women of all shapes and sizes getting active in a realistic way – sweat, red faces, jiggles and all. The women featured in our campaign are everyday women with real stories and realistic bodies. We hope other women will relate to their struggles and triumphs and think ‘if she can, I can too’. It’s not about what you look like, it’s about how you feel. Being active ignites different feelings for different women – from feeling connected and strong, to calm, empowered or happy. Choose activities that make you feel good. Whether it’s a walk around the block to clear your head, or nailing a new dance move, focus on the feeling. Most of us aren’t training for a marathon, or training to be the best, but we can still get active when we can, and have fun while we do it.

NATASHA KORBUT, a body positive and Health At Every Size personal trainer I have been a personal trainer for three years now and my reasons for becoming a

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personal trainer were originally to change my body as I felt embarrassed and shamed by it. However, after studying and coming across the Health At Every Size movement, I came to realise it was better for my overall health to put aside how I look and focus on how I feel and my fitness levels. I have been practicing body positive behaviours for two and half years now and this has shaped my overall well-being, outlook on life, and interests. I lived in Sydney for six years where I practiced as a certified orthotist. Before leaving Sydney I decided to enrol to become a personal trainer and move back to Melbourne to study my Master’s in Public Health. Since completing my Masters, I like to dance, hike, go camping, cook and listen to music. I would love for Victorian women to start embracing their bodies as the wonderful works of art that they are! I also want to see women embracing fitness as a fun way to socially interact, nurture our mental and emotional health and see exercise as a form of self-compassion and not punishment for one’s size. Our bodies are worthy of love and praise and we deserve to take time to nurture them through exercise that brings us joy.

NATALIE PLANT, started water aerobics classes for women (now know as “Coffee Club”) in small rural town of Managatang I am a 42 year old mother of three. I’ve always enjoyed playing and watching sport. I trained as a PE teacher and when I moved to a small country town where there were limited opportunities for group exercise. I felt very isolated when I had a young family so I started group exercise classes and water aerobics. The physical benefits were great but the benefits to mental and social health were far greater. Women come together from farms and have the opportunity to exercise and catch up over a coffee afterward. My message would be, just get in and have a go. No one cares what you look like or what clothing you have on. Not only does exercise give you the opportunity to be physically active which improves physical and mental health, it’s also a great way to meet people. Social isolation is very common in women regardless of geographic location. Mums stuck at home, language or cultural barriers, rural isolation, financial stress all contribute to this and sport is an amazing way to break down this isolation.

(As told to G’day India)

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

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ADVERTORIAL

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

A Golden Chance To Secure Interest Free Loan For Solar Panels

ith the current COVID-19 crisis, many people are at home consuming energy, among other things. One of the ways to reduce maximum cost is by installing solar panels, feels Ankur Kumar Bhatt Bhatt says people must take advantage of the Victorian government’s offer of rebate up to $1,888 for solar panel (PV) system installation for homeowners and rental properties. “It is a golden chance for consumers to avail this opportunity,” says Bhatt, who has been in the solar energy industry for more than five years now. To further reduce installation costs, householders can apply for an interestfree loan, for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount. The loan is required to be repaid over four years. This means typical households can save up to $890 per year on their electricity bills when they install solar panels, according to Solar Victoria, which is responsible for the delivery of the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program. “It is an economical way and the right time to go ahead for installing solar panels,” says Bhatt. “Therefore, if people install solar panels now, they can get maximum power during the daytime and, thereby, cut expenses.” Bhatt further explains, “Even if people are not at home, unused energy is exported into the grid and power company gives some money. Energy prices keep increasing but if customers have their own solar panels, they can get their own renewable energy. Because of Solar Victoria’s rebate and interest free loan, customers don’t need to pay full money from their pocket and only have to pay 2,500-3000 AUD to install standard 6.6kw system (for residential system) as opposed to 6,000 or 7000 AUD earlier.” Bhatt suggests that one can go to the Clean Energy Council, Australia’s renewable energy association, and enquire

about products and companies. “It’s a government body and the perfect place to clear your doubts.” Bhatt’s own company Eco Solar Australia is an accredited fully Australian owned company that is centred on the sales, servicing and installation of solar batteries and solar panels in the Australia. “Since its inception, our company has recorded continual growth in the demand for its products. We have over 300 successful installations till today after the new government scheme announced on 1st July 2019 and have been getting very good response,” says Bhatt. Here is a look at how Eco Solar Australia works

Customer focus & revolutionised An end-to-end customer oriented alternative energy company, Eco Solar is environmentally friendly renewable energy company offering a broad portfolio of technologies, products, and solutions to clients. Products are the most efficient and reasonably priced in the industry. Part of a wave of new-age energy retailers revolutionising the way energy is delivered to schools, businesses and homeowners a more affordable and sustainable alternative.

store up power for when you really need it. Adding battery storage minimizes your reliance on the grid and reduces the money you put in your energy supplier’s pocket, says Bhatt. In the coming few years, “The demand for solar panels will grow because everyone wants clean, renewable power and the new technology will be in place by storing energy in batteries. Right now, there are batteries available, but the prices are too high. After five years, the hybrid

Services Installer and integrator of photovoltaic Offers a wide range of installation services, conforming to the highest quality standards Repair and maintenance

battery storage might be affordable,” says Bhatt. Bhatt is a businessman with a philanthropic mission too. From April 1, his company Eco Solar Australia pledges to donate 1$ for each panel towards COVID-19 donation for 1 year.

Solar batteries A huge step towards energy independence, solar batteries let you

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www.ecosolar.com.au

(GDI Desk)

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

GETTING MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA

Marriages during COVID-19 restrictions We are currently working through an unprecedented issue with COVID-19 impacting upon our normal lives. The celebrants are finding things difficult given the speed with which responses to COVID-19 are evolving. The Federal and each State and Territory Government is regularly updating information on COVID-19 on dedicated websites. If you have any questions in respect of COVID-19 measures, please visit their websites in the first instance. In response to COVID-19, the Governments of Australia are meeting on a regular basis as a National Cabinet and implementing measures to combat the spread of the virus. In the measures announced by the Prime Minister on 24 March 2020, which will take effect from 25 March, the solemnisation of a marriage is to occur with a maximum attendance of no more than five people, being the two parties, the authorised marriage celebrant, and the two witnesses. Social distancing of 1 person per 4 square metres is to be enforced. This applies to marriages both indoors and

outdoors. Whether requirements in the Marriage Act 1961 will be relaxed during this time. For example, whether a marriage can be solemnised remotely via Skype, the answer is No. All marriages still need to be solemnised in accordance with the Marriage Act, without exception. A marriage must be solemnised in the physical presence of an authorised celebrant and two witnesses. This information is based upon the latest advice from the Australian Government at the time of printing. If you have further questions about this issue you can contact me.

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G’Day Mate

LOCKDOWN DIARY

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Is it gossip you’re missing the most WFH?

IF you are feeling a little low while working from home (WFH) despite having all the facilities that one typically gets at the office or, even more, coffee, lunch time or even a short nap at home, it could be because you are missing out on neutral gossiping with colleagues. Take no offence. In fact, according to experts, gossiping, or simply talking about someone who is not present, need not always be negative -- it can also be positive or neutral. “Interpersonal interactions and communication have always played a key role in people enjoying work -- colleagues from work can be a great social support network,” Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare, said. “In the current circumstances, it is natural that people are missing out on that interaction and faceto-face contact, which may be leading to a sense of boredom and monotony,” Parikh said. A healthy gossip, having fun,

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pulling legs of each other in office make office surroundings livelier and bring people together. According to a study by researchers from the University of California, Riverside, people gossip for 52 minutes a day on average. The findings, published recently in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, showed that extroverts gossip far more frequently than introverts and younger people engage in more negative gossip than older adults. Women gossip more than men, but only in neutral, informationsharing, gossip, said the research.

By Gokul Bhagabati

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

MoneyGram Celebrates International Women’s Day With Former India Women’s Captain Mithali Raj MELBOURNE, Australia, 8 March, 2020 -- MoneyGram International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI), a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, is proud to serve as an ICC T20 World Cup sponsor. The company has cemented its commitment and connection with Australia’s South Asian community as it celebrates the success of women and supports women’s cricket during the Women’s T20 World Cup final in Melbourne. International Women’s Day provided the ideal backdrop to reflect on the contributions women have made to our society, in particular the much-loved game of cricket. Team India’s legendary former captain Mithali Raj was present at the event hosted by MoneyGram, where she shared her inspirational journey of playing a key role in popularizing women’s cricket, which has been perceived as a male-dominated sport. Raj used the opportunity to also impart some of her coaching skills on young cricket enthusiasts present at the event through an interactive state-of-the-art virtual reality cricket experience. Connecting the community to cricket was a strong theme throughout the event, which provided an exciting precursor to the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup in October. MoneyGram used the event to also take the opportunity to officially launch its cricket campaign for the local Australian market amongst South Asian media and prominent

community leaders. A host of activities were announced that will roll out between now and October to leverage cricket and further connect with the South Asian diaspora in Australia. MoneyGram is currently running its “Send and Win” cricket campaign, where MoneyGram customers, who send money overseas before 30 April 2020, will be entered into the draw to win one of six Apple Watches. With cellular capabilities, the Apple Watch will enable winners to not only stay connected to their loved ones, but also to the latest cricket scores and updates. In addition to the “Send and Win” campaign, MoneyGram will engage with the community through grassroot events and

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provide consumers with unique experiential events that cater to their love of cricket. “Cricket touches many lives and it’s truly exciting to be a part of this sport and witness its potential to inspire and transform lives firsthand,” said Anil Kapur, MoneyGram Head of Asia Pacific and South Asia. “When we talk about inspiration, Mithali Raj epitomizes it and has played a pivotal role in making women’s cricket exciting through her attacking skills. We are delighted to be here with Mithali to celebrate this occasion during International Women’s Day in Australia.” “MoneyGram has been a part of cricket for many years and we’re pleased to see the increasing participation of women in the sport,” added Anil Kapur. “With a love of cricket that transcends gender, we continue to commit to cricket sponsorships that provide ways for our customers to connect with the sport and bring fans closer to the game. As a brand built on the connection of people through money transfer, cricket is a natural fit that enables us to provide unique opportunities for customers to engage with MoneyGram and cricket at the same time.” “MoneyGram is one of the leading money transfer brands globally,“ said Mithali Raj. “And I am excited to be associated with them to kick start their cricket initiatives for 2020.” For more information, visit www. moneygram.com.au. To stay on top of all things cricket, follow @MGCricket #PickUpThePace

PEOPLE

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

‘Australia is the place to be’ P

reeti Daga clearly dons many hats. A public relations professional and a charismatic voice for many causes, her journey from India to Australia has been quite a smooth ride, contrary to the assumption that migrants generally find it hard to get a toehold in the industry of their choice. However, Daga attributes her success to sheer drive, hard work, courage, and most importantly, daring to dream big. Daga was already a careered media and public relations with a Masters in English from Delhi University when she arrived in Australia 12 years go. But Australia was new. By her own telling, Daga knew nothing about the industry here. “All I knew was, there is a market here and public relations is my forte, and that I should just give it a try.” It isn’t surprising that Daga fell in love with Melbourne the moment she set foot into the city. And when she got called for an

interview with Community Housing Ltd (CHL), Australia’s largest not for profit affordable and social housing provider, it would go on to change her life in more ways than one. For one thing, Daga quickly learnt to apply her essential public relation skills in the company using it for reputation management, profile building, issues management, advocacy, et al. It’s an experience that has been enriching. “I am a part of the company’s vision which invested in its people and took the people along with it,” reflects Daga, who is today the Global Head of Corporate Communications at CHL. But if her years at CHL has taught her much, it has also shaped Daga into a leader of sorts pushing her into the forefront of community and charity works. Her passion for diversity and inclusion has

led to further involvement with a wide range of programs from promoting anti-bullying, awareness of domestic violence to youth mentorship. She is also an ambassador for other premier organisations such as Bully Zero Foundation. Daga has also acted in close to a dozen short and feature movies on topics of mental health and domestic violence, an interest that stemmed from her college theatre days back in Delhi. An advocate for equality, Daga is also the official Brand Champion for the justconcluded ICC T20 World Cup 2020. This year, Daga became President of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC), Victoria, the peak business body fostering trade and business dialogue between India and Australia for more than 33 years. She has also served as the Vice President of the Victorian chapter since 2016. Learning not to eschew challenges has led her to newer roles. Recently Daga was appointed to the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s (VMC) Regional Advisory Council for the North West Metropolitan Region until 2021 advising on migrant matters to the commission. She is also on the board of Public Relations Institute of Victoria and is the Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for Public Relations at RMIT University. Daga has been recognised for her community leadership and honoured with the 2018 Pride of Australia medal, Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Emerging Leadership Award (2018), Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Achievement Award in 2016 and the India Australia Business & Community Awards (IABCA) Awards in 2017. Daga lives by the mantra ‘Work Hard but Live Harder’. Moreover, she says she is blessed with an amazing and supportive partner and a wonderful support system of friends and family. “As much as I love to work, I love spending time with them. I enjoy gardening and cooking so those are my daily stress relievers. Making time for all of this is non-negotiable for me as they are important for me to be able to recharge my batteries to go out each day and do what I love to do and give it my best.” Daga is uniquely doing what she is doing combining responsibility and pleasure. “In an ever-changing world it’s important to be flexible, collaborative and to keep constant learning a priority. I am presently enrolled in a leadership course and an avid listener of podcasts on leadership. I totally love what Indra Nooyi says, “Be a lifelong student”.” Most importantly, Daga likes to point out that Australia is the place to change your life. “If there is a country that will welcome, embrace and give you that opportunity based on your merit, you are in the right country. But, dare to dream and have courage in your convictions,” she implores. Who is arguing?

By Indira Laisram

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COMMUNITY

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Hindu temples in Australia adopt to digital delivery in the time of coronavirus

elbourne, April 1: As we all adjust to the new norms of life in 2020 influenced by the lockdowns and social-distancing to address the global challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS Hindu temples across Australia are rolling-out technology-led approaches to provide spiritual and social solace to devotees and well-wishers. After suspending all local spiritual and social activities across its 3,850 centres worldwide, including Australian metropolitan and regional centres, devotees started participating in the novel online programs since Sunday, 15 March, a press release said. On Sunday, 15 March 2020, BAPS Australia hosted its first weekly assembly on the digital delivery platform from it’s Mandir located in Sydney to bring together about 4,400 households across Australia for a 2 hours live program conducted in multilingual mode filled with devotional songs (kirtans), spiritual guidance by learned Hindu Sadhus and recorded blessings from BAPS spiritual

leader His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. The assembly also contained a special prayer session for restoring our lives soon by containing and resolving the coronavirus situation globally. It’s been only a couple of weeks since life in Australia suddenly shifted to new norms of less in-person interactions in social and work environments. In this unprecedented global challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic we notice that the governments, business leaders, community groups, volunteering organisations and businesses are adjusting to continue the life during the lockdowns and social-distancing, the release said. The closures and isolation across the world pose a major challenge for all ages in terms of how to stay connected and continue the spiritual practice. BAPS Mandirs have regularly hosted multiple age group based activities and assemblies in multiple languages on weekly and fortnightly basis across 7 Australian metropolitan cities and around 50 other suburban and regional centres. These weekly assemblies provide the continuity and inspire the

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digital attendees with the values such as hope, responsible behaviour, honesty and integrity, care and compassion, the release added. Kunal Patel a volunteer from Sydney states, “As a practising Hindu, it was very important for me and my young family to ensure that we are able to still receive our weekly spiritual nourishment through the weekly assembly even with social distancing measures in place. The Sadhus and volunteers in the short span of time delivered on the weekly assembly without us leaving the comforts of our own home”. BAPS Australia also runs its regular volunteer catch up meetings through messaging platforms and online conference systems to continue the momentum in its socio-spiritual activities. The availability of low-cost digital delivery platforms are enabling community organisations such as BAPS to provide the social and spiritual support to all age groups in challenging times. (Press release)

COVER STORY

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Tell us more about Indians in Melbourne and how it evolved. BEENU: Indians in Melbourne is one of the fastest growing group in Australia. Typically, the group focusses on how we can create a conclave that are willing to help one another. That means people come to the platform and ask for help/ questions on a daily basis. We get more hundreds of posts/queries a day which we have to filter and this is where my brother Dinesh helps me. He is like the chief operational officer. Why we do it is based on one fundamental principle: to create a group that is highly engaging and fruitful. It comes with a lot of merits but also a lot of pain points. My core team of Sonakshi Arora, Dinesh Arora and Karuna Sharma focus on maintaining the tempo and harmony in the group by reviewing all the posts daily. If there are any exceptions, we engage with the author or the person who is being impacted and try to create some sort of a bridge. We don’t necessarily become a referee, we don’t want to, we just want to be a platform where we are giving opportunity to everyone to come and share their thoughts in a respectful manner. That is the starting process but that is where the whole team gets together. DINESH: When we started there was no review process because we wanted everyone to share whatever issues they were having as they were away from India. At the same time, we wanted this group to grow. As the community grew, the group also got bigger and

hen Beenu Arora arrived in Melbourne in 2010, he was desperately looking out to connect with other Indians or like-minded people. To his disappointment, he found nothing, not even a common place to, say, play cricket. So, after a year in March 2011 he set up the Indians in Melbourne group on Facebook to help bring together those who were either new to the country or wanted to reach out. He also had a broader aim: to give the opportunity to other people who wanted to learn about Indian culture. Beenu, a cybersecurity professional with a double degree MBA from Columbia Business School and Melbourne Business School, admits it was all quite raw in the beginning although his brother Dinesh Arora who was in India then helped him with the project as a moderator. What the duo didn’t envisage was the phenomenal response the page would garner in the years to come. With the

influx of more Indians into Australia, Indians in Melbourne assumed importance. By 2017, Dinesh, an IT consultant, arrived in Australia and there has been no looking back since. Today, Indians in Melbourne have over 92,000 members and is perhaps one of the largest Indian Facebook groups in Australia. The Arora brothers are clear about the guidelines and principles they abide by in running this page. The team at Indians in Melbourne diligently spend hours every day to make this page unbiased and ensure the engagement of its members useful and productive. The Indian Weekly speaks with the dynamic brothers Beenu and Dinesh about this successful initiative of theirs.

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

What costs have you endured running Indians in Melbourne? DINESH: There is the economic costs of hiring contractors to review the posts, but that aside we are brothers and we both have an emotional view about things. No matter how unbiased you are, you are still going to have some element of judgement or inclination to a party. And that creates a lot of arguments. We argue multiple times on a daily basis (laughs). But early on, we realised that we should agree on some ground rules or basic principles. If you ask me how we measure the success of the group, it is based purely on quality of engagement.

along with it came spamming, followed by complaints that this group was not giving value anymore. That’s when we decided to sanitise the messages as a lot of them did not make any sense. We have 400/500 posts a day and we make sure they are not biased and hurting the sentiments of others or that of the community. This group is about what is happening in Melbourne and it is about Indians. What is the process of screening? DINESH: We have a strict screening policy and an internal mechanism making sure that any post or comment is aligned to the guideline and principles which is mentioned in “The About” section. We do not encourage or allow fake news, abusive languages, etc. We not only look at the content of the post but, in certain situations, we will also look at the profile of the original author to ascertain it’s not a bot or somebody’s software doing it. Of course, we are not intruding anyone’s privacy but looking at logical data points such as whether they are from Melbourne or are they just trying to sell their tools or commodities

from other places. That’s a very important aspect because our objective is to allow relevant and meaningful content. BEENU: I only see it as control where I allow only legitimate accounts to become members of this group. That’s why we have a questionnaire before you join this group. Some people just create their account a day before and it creates suspicion. But if they message me and cite genuine reasons such as seeking a particular help, I take their call and admit them. Maintaining the integrity of the group is key. What has been the contribution of the group in the growth of the Indian community? DINESH: We have more than 92,000 members. We are growing at a rate of 2 to 3 percent month on month, which is a good growth. Our greatest contribution is setting those principles which we can use to scale the group to the next level. For instance, it is gratifying to know that someone has found a job thanks to a contact from this group. There are a number of stories. People are getting mentorship, they get real information from the people here.

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There are other similar pages. How do you distinguish yourself from the others? BEENU: Facebook is a free platform and we had a reason when we created the group. I don’t see that as competition, in fact it provides others more avenues for engagement and addressing their problems. However, our group grew because our end motive is very transparent to our users. We have probably one of the highest engagement rates and are unbiased in our approach. We don’t support any specific community, religion or race. What is the goal for the group and where do you see yourself five years from now? BEENU: We have an aspiration: to create multiple success stories. If you have ever been helped through this group, tell your stories. Often, people are good in sharing hardships but not necessarily the good things. We have to find those adhesives that bind the community together. Given the influx of Indian population, this group will continue to engage people and in five years we would love to continue being one of the greatest platforms in the entire country for people to come and engage with others. I don’t count my aspirations or success with numbers. Numbers are irrelevant, it’s the engagement that counts. DINESH: We will probably open doors not only for Indians but for others. If we give value to other communities, we will be giving the greatest value.

(As told to G’day India)

COMMUNITY

Coming together in the time of Corona

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Melbourne community members from various walks of life show positive spirit, call for unity and share tips on how to cope with COVID-19.

Ali Mohamed

Abhi Narayan

Amit Tuteja

A.P.Singh Arneja

Arvi Walia

Chandana Brijesh

Dheepa Awtani

Dr Raj Khillan

Dr Ved Berani

Gagan Kaur

Girish Bordawekar

Haffsah Bilal

Husna Pasha

Karan Gandhok

Dr Manjula O’Connor

Molina Asthana

Nick Bahl

Prabhat Sangwan

Raja Uvaraja

Raj Kumar

Ravi Chand

Ravi Thacker

Riya Kaur

Satinder Chawla

Dr Sonia Cheema

Tanvi Mor

Tarun Chaudhary

Tina Narayan

Dr Vanita Sharma

Vasan Srinivasan

ARVI WALIA, Works at the Australian Tax Office and as a side hustle organises ‘Kidz Got Talent’ each year I believe women always have a greater responsibility regardless of what the situation is. Their drive to keep the family safe and to keep the household running will help them embrace and adapt to the change. Firstly, I would like you to take a moment to appreciate your hard work. Give yourself space and time to readjust. CHANDANA BRIJESH, Performer, Choreographer & Founder of Sindhubhairavi Centre for Indian Arts and Culture This is the best time for you to know your strengths and work on the areas of improvement. Be gentle and caring to your family, yet firm and assertive. The next few weeks are yours! This could also be the right time to know a bit more about your husband that you had missed out on all these years. DHEEPA AWTANI, Founder & Creative Director of www.babydelaw.com & Banking Professional Often, children are not aware of how the globe has got engulfed with COVID-19. It gets critical to master the art of conveying the same as also keep them entertained too. Many of us work from home too, so it is a grand juggle but it pays to manage all with positivity. GAGAN KAUR, Entrepreneur, retail, Classy & Trendy and Housewife A study suggests, globally 70 per cent of women are frontline health care workers

such as nurses, doctors and many more. Virus transmission is higher between family members who are under the same roof and the risk worsens during pregnancy especially at this time when you are under home isolation. So stay safe. HAFFSAH BILAL, Entrepreneur, Business Owner at Lajeen Boutique Salon This is not a permanent situation. So hang in there. Take it as an opportunity to bond as a family. True, children will miss their routine and connection with friends but parents can help young children feel productive by making them develop hobbies such as cooking together, inculcating hobbies, exercising and so on. HUSNA PASHA, Media Personality & Business Owner of Pashanet Speaking and Alisha’s Catering My advice to both stay-at-home and working mums is to take this time to appreciate what we have. Feel privileged and powerful that you are capable of handling what the world has asked us to face and the busier you are, the chances are your life is blessed. MANJULA O’CONNOR, Psychiatrist & Executive Director of Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health. The stressful time of self-isolation has brought many challenges. The inability to escape a stressful situation can lead to mental health problems. If you fear for your life, dial 000. If feeling trapped, anxious, panic attacks, feelings of helplessness or suicidal, speak to Lifeline Australia 13 11 14

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or 1800 Respect. MOLINA ASTHANA: Commercial Lawyer & board member of various organisations Women are generally saddled with more responsibility in times of crisis as often it is the woman staying back home to look after the family. Besides boredom, mental health issues may arise due to limited social interaction and cabin fever. Look after yourself first, only then you can look after others. PRABHAT SANGWAN, Media & Culture Officer, Consulate General of India Melbourne, Mental Health VolunteerMANAS Today, we have moved forward enough to view both parents as equal with regards to taking care of children who are staying home. This is a shared responsibility. It’s the time for self-reflection, time to connect with yourselves and time to take a break from the rush of life. RIYA KAUR, Full-time Housewife Enjoy the family time and learn new things to cook. Take on a new project and enjoy the idea of learning something new every day. I am not taking things for granted and isolation time has made me appreciate the little things in life. Be grateful for the things we have. Dr SONIA CHEEMA, Director of Student Services, St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020 The impact is definitely wider on each and every individual, but females are bombarded with extra burden of taking care of their children who are bound to stay at home. As an educator, I encourage women to connect with friends and loved ones through video and phone calls or emails. TANVI MOR, Public Servant & Founder, Mor Events Woman may get more affected because of the complex biological system especially if they are pregnant. But vulnerable men with any health problems would be equal high risk. Pick up the phone and reach out if you need assistance. Make that ‘me time’ which you had always longed for. TINA NARAYAN, Head of Strategy and Compliance – Insurance Life Pty Ltd. I have noticed many of my female friends have either lost their jobs or are being phased out due to the crises. To be socially isolated really feels intimidating at times but it is necessary if we were to successfully fight this pandemic. Look after the personal hygiene of yourself and the family. VANITA SHARMA, Deputy Chair, Complementary Health SkillsIQ Department of Education and Training Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine A downturn in the economy and job losses have added to the sense of fear in the community. During times of heightened stress or financial hardships, we are likely to see the rate of domestic violence increase. Be positive and don’t take this as ‘self-isolation’ but as a time for ‘self-reflection’. DR VED BERANI, Principal Dentist at Healthy Smiles Dental Group From my perspective as a doctor, the amount of panic that the community or society is based on a lot of misinformation. Observe some social etiquettes such as coughing into your elbows and disposing of the tissues immediately. For us Indians, these are things that we have to learn and understand. MANGIRISH BORDAWEKAR, Director of Manmohini Events We had a program coming up and they had to be unfortunately postponed. Perhaps, the only good side to this crisis is that we are not keeping people under one roof when there is a pandemic happening around, thereby averting risks on lives. I would request people to be a little patient with refunds. Dr RAJ KHILLAN, Paediatrician Western Health, & Director, Western Specialist Centre COVID-19 is going to greatly affect social and community life. We will never forget 2020 in our lifetime, this is going to change our behaviour forever and it is going to affect our society because our society is very close-knit but this is the time of helping because we

want our society to be healthy. RAVI CHAND, Actor, Filmmaker, Writer & Photographer We need to support one another. Check on the elderly and disabled and help them where you can. If you show signs, go to the doctor immediately and isolate yourself. I’ve seen some South Asian communities offering free grocery delivery, which is just inspiring. VASAN SRINIVASAN, Community leader & Chairperson of Mental Health Foundation We have taken measures to protect all employees by asking them to work from home. It is important to remember that in times like this, embracing community spirit is crucial - be that through social media, reaching out to friends, checking up on them or being considerate of the elderly and disabled. SATINDER CHAWLA, Actor, Sportsman, Mentor We all should take care of ourselves as well as our workplace and neighbours. Instead of rushing to the GP’s or hospital with minor flu symptoms, we should understand the load and pressure on doctors, clinics and hospitals. I wish good health to everyone. RAVI THAKKER, works for a global MNC within the Technology Consulting & Advisory business The brighter side to this pandemic/crisis situation is it will really test the thinking of business leaders/companies and bring the best of innovation on what measures can be taken to enable Digital Workplace which is a highly extendable environment that allows them to quickly scale and dynamically adapt to changing business needs based on global and local conditions. UVARAJA HARIRAMKRISHNAN (RAJA), Importer, wholesaler, CEO of Sabrini Foods Businesswise, it is a panic buy everywhere. Though it is an opportunity to sell more now, we are concerned that panic buying is creating price hike and overstock. There is no shortage of supplies yet unless there is lockdown of trucks or shipping containers. As of now, there is only delay in managing the high demand. ALI MOHAMMED, Financial Planner & Director of Planet Wealth Our advice to clients is, just stay invested and things will improve sooner or later (general advice only, please speak to your financial adviser to discuss your personal situation). Apart from that, we also have quite a few new clients seeking financial advice to make sure they maximise their situation. TARUN CHAUDHRY, Chaudhry, Director of Fab Events My personal experience says people are really having a hard time coping up with the kind of stress COVID-19 has laid in the entertainment industry. The commitments are

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broken, the flow of money has stopped and the chances of recovery are being delayed. All we can do is help each other and be a provider for each other. RAJ KUMAR, Consul General of India, Melbourne The coronavirus has impacted our fellow community members who wants to visit India. In this connection, we are issuing emergency special visas in utmost emergent conditions. Similar to other organisations, we are abiding by the local rules. Therefore, the High Commission is not organising any community or social event for the next 30 days. NICK BAHL, Property developer, Film producer, Director of Sizzlen Events The virus has affected the building and development industry badly as people have too much uncertainty in regards to investing money in property. The bright side is that the interest rate has gone low and this might lead to people investing in the property market rather than the share market. KARAN GANDHOK, Restaurateur, Caterer, Social worker The virus has already had devastating consequences for people all over the world, and may get much worse in the months ahead. Don’t panic in Australia, no one will die of starvation or for lack of medical care. As Baba Nanak said, “Vand key Chakho,” share what we have and look out for each other. AMIT TUTEJA, Owner of Desi Dhaba Restaurant Group So far, we haven’t had much impact as it’s still early days. However, as and when the city goes into a lockdown, we could see a significant drop or even closing of businesses as per the precautionary measures taken by the relevant authorities. We need to support our local businesses in order to keep the economy afloat. ABHI NARAYAN, managing director for Insurance Life Pvt Ltd COVID-19 has had a certain direct impact on my business as it involves meeting people. I just hope we all come together as Australians and give each other a fair go. Follow the guidelines issued, avoid mass gatherings and maintain self-hygiene. Delaying the spread of this pandemic every day will help save thousands of lives. A P SINGH ARNEJA, Businessman, Importer, President of Blackburn Sikh Temple. Fortunately, being a local manufacturer my factory has been busier than before, replacing Chinese manufacturers who are not able to meet required lead times due to factories closures or working at reduced capacity. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has become an increasing presence in our lives but supporting each other at this crucial time is very important.

SPORT

Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since 1945

LONDON, April 1: The 2020 edition of the Wimbledon Championships has been officially cancelled, organisers All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced on Wednesday. The AELTC said that instead, the Wimbledon will now be held from June 28 to July 11, 2021. It marks the first time since 1945 -- during the Second World War -- that the Championships won’t take place in a tennis season and the first time it has been cancelled in the Open era. “It is with great regret that the Main Board of the All England Club (AELTC) and the Committee of Management of The Championships have today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due

to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic. The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021,” the AELTC said in its statement. It also said that it has taken into account the impact of the cancellation on “those who rely on The Championships -– including the players and the tennis community in Britain and around the world,” and are developing plans to support those groups. “This also applies to our loyal staff, to whom we take our responsibility very seriously,” said the AELTC. Earlier, it was announced by the French Tennis Federation that the French Open will be held from September 20 to October 4. However, that remains uncertain with a number of players pointing out the difficulty of playing a clay court Grand Slam in the middle of the hard court season and because of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of stemming in most parts of the world. The Wimbledon thus joins a long list of major sports events that have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic which includes the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which will now be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021. The pandemic has claimed nearly 45,000 lives in the world so far and the UK has reported almost 30,000 cases as on April 1.

(Agencies)

Messi, other stars show off skills in toilet roll challenge

LONDON, April 1: They might not be sweeping their fans off their feet with dazzling skills on the pitch at the moment, with football coming to a halt almost all over the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, but stars of the game led by Lionel Messi are showcasing their skills from home with the #ToiletRollChallenge being a hit on social media. In a video compilation which has gone viral on social media, Messi is seen juggling with a toilet roll followed by other greats of the game like France and Arsenal star Thierry Henry, Spain and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos all showing off their tricks while being at home. The coronavirus pandemic has forced almost all league across Europe and over the world to shut shop for the time being. Messi recenty accepted a 70 percent reduction in pay at FC Barcelona. The Argentine explained on his Instagram page that the first team squad had not only agreed to reduce their salaries by 70 percent, but

that the players would also cover the wages of all of the other employees at the club. The ‘LaLigaSantander Fest, the macroconcert organised by LaLiga, Santander Bank, Universal Music and GTS in collaboration with other LaLiga sponsors, took place on Saturday and featured a group of musicians and footballers who had never lined up together before to raise funds to fight against the deadly virus. (Agencies)

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Reina on his COVID-19 battle

LONDON, April 1: Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has said he was unable to breathe for 25 minutes while struggling with coronavirus symptoms in what he describes as “endless minutes of fear”. In a Sky Sports report, the Aston Villa goalkeeper -- on loan from AC Milan -- said it was a scary situation. “The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moment of my life,” he told Corriere dello Sport. Reina began self-isolating after falling sick last month. “I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus. A fever, dry cough and a headache that never left me -- it was just that constant feeling of tiredness. “The only real fear I had was when I understood that there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed. “As a result, I spent the first six or eight days indoors. I am winning the battle against coronavirus now.” All football in England has been suspended until at least April 30.

(Agencies)

Olympic flame handed in low-key ceremony

TOKYO, April 1: The Olympic flame was handed over to officials in the Fukushima prefecture in a low-key ceremony on Wednesday. The flame will be on display in a lantern for the month of April in Fukushima after the Tokyo Olympics, and with it the torch relay, got postponed by a year due to the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “The lantern containing the Olympic flame will be on display from April 2 until April 30, 2020, with limited public viewing available,” said the organisers as per Olympics’ official website. The 121-day torch relay was due to start on March 26 from the J-Village due to its symbolism as being the focal point of Japan’s reconstruction following 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The facility, which is now reinstated as a training centre for young football players, was used as a base to launch recovery efforts for the coastline. (Agencies)

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

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RELATIONSHIPS

After your baby, bring back

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

excitement in your sex life It is natural for new mothers to feel low both physically, emotionally and psychologically after childbirth. Fathers also bear the emotional brunt of childbirth. Both new parents can experience a drop in their libido during the first 6-9 months after the baby’s birth. It is very important for the mother to understand her body and give it some time for recovery, it is even more important for her partner to be by her side during this time. “Post-partum hormones are responsible in making the new mother feel low on sexdrive. The first six weeks - Puerperium, are the hardest, both physically and emotionally. Also, low Estrogen levels makes the vagina dry and devoid of lubrication, so sexual intercourse is painful,” Dr Manjiri Mehta, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital. However, it is important to understand ‘when’ it is safe to have sex, more than ‘if’ you are ready to have sex - speak to your gynaecologist to address this question. Try to take some time off by engaging a babysitter or a close family member to look after the baby for a short time. Take this time to reconnect with each other’s bodies again; the release of Oxytocin is high when couples touch, hug and kiss each other. Hence, in the first 6 weeks even if intercourse is difficult, physical contact should be re-established between the couple. “Don’t compare sex to a battlefield, by that I mean that new moms judge dads for having sexual urges, whereas dads feel rejected and shame the new moms for their decreased sex drive; this doesn’t really help. Don’t let your relationship with your spouse get destroyed completely in an attempt to look after

the baby; spending every waking minute with the baby will leave you no time for your partner,” the doctor added. It is also important to try new things (sexual or otherwise), to re-establish bonds, create new bonds and build closeness. Find out what sparks’ intimacy between both of you, and work on it; there is no fixed formula for this so be creative and explore! Just became parents? Consider doing this:

4 Set-up date nights (once a week would be a good idea) 4 Have one meal with your partner (here, talks about the baby are a no-no, or are to be kept minimal) 4 Bring back her hobby (if the new mother

loves to read, buy her a gift by her favourite author) 4 Switch night-duty roles (this way both parents receive adequate rest, and may also be able to manage some intimate time) 4 Take on household chores from the new mother, giving her a little more ‘me’ time (fathers can help with two or more household chores, this could include dishwashing, laundry, restocking the pantry, etc.) 4 Leave her love/sex notes (leaving a little sex note for the mother may help have intimate conversations. It could be as simple as ‘how pretty you looked when you woke up today morning’) 4 Try new positions (couples after a period of time to get used to a certain routine, break away from it, try a new position that is mutually exciting, don’t be over-adventurous though-take it slow. If the pain associated with intercourse I not reducing, visit your gynaecologist, he or she could help you understand the problem better, and help resolve it. You may also seek your doctor’s help to understand the ideal time when new mothers can start exercising. Once you start exercising, work on toning up your body, start doing Kegel’s and pelvic floor strengthening exercises, they are found to be extremely important especially after childbirth. (AGENCIES)

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LIFESTYLE

To successfully tackle any condition all efforts, need to be on every holistic level--mind body and soul. With fears of coronavirus rising, anxiety is a natural side effect. But we can beat it. Pinky Daga, CEO, Thriive Art & Soul shares few are tips: On the mental front: Breathe, Breathe, and Breathe! The importance and effectiveness of breathing in these trying times is unparalleled. It not only keeps the lungs strong, but infuses the brain with oxygen, and goes a long way in calming anxiety. Indian pranayama--Anualom Vilom, Brashtrika, and Kapalabhati are great techniques to try. In recent years Wim Hof has perfected and created his own extremely simple yet highly curative breathing techniques available for free on his app--it’s a great time to start trying it out. Breath is our being, and a simple key to curing so many basic issues in our body. Five minutes of being able to go into the quiet

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Ways to deal with

coronavirus anxiety

spaces of your mind can really help balance out anxiety, and connect us to our higher source energy. When our monkey mind is out of control, meditation is often the only thing that can reign it in. Many believe they can’t meditate because they have too many thoughts. This is a false belief--meditation isn’t about cutting thoughts out--it’s about separating from them--and just gently observing those thoughts as if they were the thoughts of an outsider. That is why many ancient Sanskrit texts refer to meditation as a practice of knowing one’s self. Also when you observe your thoughts you can also catch recurring negative thought patterns that are at the basis of any anxiety. When you become aware of these patterns, you can overcome them much more easily--with either your own practices or reaching out to life coaches. Bach flower remedies---these are simple flower essence remedies that are proving extremely effective in balancing anxiety. A trained practitioner can identify the root of anxiety and prescribe a concoction of remedies that can soothe any emotional imbalances. For the body practicing basic calming yoga poses in anxious times also really help. They keep the blood circulation going, calm the nerves, balance hormones that could go out of whack due to stress, and open up the energy flow in the body. When energy is stuck in any area in the body, it leads to unseen blocks that cause physical and mental stress. Inverted yoga poses like Headstand, Handstands, Shoulder

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Stand, and Bridge gushes blood into the brain and a release of wonderful relaxing endorphin in our system. Warm fluids, lemon water, and certain ayurvedic herbs can strengthen our immunity, and alkalize our systems. The more alkaline our bodies, the more we are equipped to battle stress. Stress and acidity are commonly linked and form a vicious cycle in our body--causing headaches, brain fog, and a general sense of lethargy. An ayurvedic expert can diagnose the imbalances in your system-body and mind--and can prescribe the best herbs and diet to restore the system to balance. Energy shielding---energy healing is gaining great popularity globally as everyone is beginning to recognize how everything in our world is made up of energy. Energy healers like Reiki or Pranic healers can help shield and protect you mentally and physically from any negative energies--helping your system to combat a virus if it made it into your energy body. It’s another tool in your arsenal in the fight against Corona. It’s a great time to get in touch with the friendly neighbourhood pranic healer, or a reiki practitioner to get that little extra energy protection. If you’re reluctant to reach out to anyone, and it still feels like a bit too voodoo for your system a simple technique to follow anywhere anytime for anyone including loved ones is to visualize yourself or any other person immersed in a white pyramid of light. This infused the energy system with a healing protective white light. Above all it’s important that while we follow government regulations, and keep our social distancing, we use this time for self-balancing and healing, staying calm in the eye of the storm is what can take us from ordinary beings to extraordinary beacons of light.

By Puja Gupta

HEALTH

Eat tofu daily and cut your heart disease risk

f you want a healthy heart, eat tofu daily as eating food that contain higher amounts of isoflavones is linked to a moderately lower risk of heart disease. Isoflavones are a type of polyphenol found in legumes, including soybeans, chickpeas, fava beans, pistachios, peanuts and other fruits and nuts. Soybeans are the richest source of isoflavones, and soy foods and ingredients contain varying concentrations of isoflavones. After eliminating a number of other factors known to increase heart risk, the researchers found that consuming tofu, which is high in isoflavones, more than once a week was associated with an 18 per cent lower risk of heart disease, compared to a 12 per cent lower risk for those who ate tofu less than once a month. Published in the journal Circulation, the study from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital analysed data from more than 200,000 people who participated in three prospective health and nutrition studies; all participants were free of cancer and heart disease when the studies began.

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

aily drinkers, please take note. Researchers now reveal that heavy drinking in old age was linked to a 1.5 inch (4cm) larger waist and increased stroke risk in men. However, stopping heavy drinking at any point in life is likely to be beneficial for overall health. The study, published in the journal Addiction, examined the association between heavy drinking over a lifetime and a range of health indicators including cardiovascular disease. “Alcohol misuse, despite the common perception of young people, binge drinking, is common among older adults, with alcoholrelated hospital admissions in England being the highest among adults aged over 50,” said study first author Dr Linda Ng Fat from University College London in the UK. For the findings, the researchers used data from the “Whitehall II” cohort, which collected information from UK civil servants, aged 34-56 years at study outset, since 1985-88. The final sample for this study was made up of 4,820 older adults, aged between 59 and 83 years. The mean (average) age was 69, and 75 per cent were male. A heavy drinker was identified using the

The favourable association with eating tofu regularly was found primarily in young women before menopause or postmenopausal women who were not taking hormones. “Despite these findings, I don’t think tofu is by any means a magic bullet. Overall diet quality is still critical to consider, and tofu can be a very healthy component,” said study lead author Qi Sun from Harvard University.

Soymilk, on the other hand, tends to be highly processed and is often sweetened with sugar. The study found no significant association between soymilk consumption and lower heart disease risk. “Other human trials and animal studies of isoflavones, tofu and cardiovascular risk markers have also indicated positive effects, so people with an elevated risk of developing heart disease should evaluate their diets,” Sun said. “Tofu and other isoflavone-rich, plantbased foods are excellent protein sources and alternatives to animal proteins,” he added. For the study, researchers analysed health data of more than 74,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). The researchers emphasized that the study should be interpreted with caution because their observations found a relationship but did not prove causality. Many other factors can influence the development of heart disease, including physical exercise, family history and a person’s lifestyle habits, they added.

(AGENCIES)

This information was used to categorise their life-time drinking pattern: never hazardous drinker, former early hazardous drinker (stopped before age 50), former later hazardous drinker (stopped at age 50 or after), current hazardous drinker, and consistent hazardous drinker (during every decade of their life). More than half of drinkers (56 per cent) had been hazardous drinkers at some point in their life, with 21 per cent being current hazardous drinkers and 5 per cent being consistent hazardous drinkers. The findings showed that former early hazardous drinkers on average had a 1.17 cm larger waist than never hazardous drinkers, whereas former later hazardous drinkers, current hazardous drinkers and consistent hazardous drinkers had a waist circumference that was 1.88 Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for cm, 2.44 cm and 3.85cm larger. respectively. Consumption (AUDIT-C). Overall, the research found that heavy The screening tool consists of just three alcohol consumption over a lifetime is associated questions and assesses how often you drink, with higher blood pressure, poorer liver how much you drink, and how often you binge function, increased stroke risk, larger waist (have six or more drinks). circumferences and body mass index (BMI) in Participants were asked on a single occasion later life, even if you stop drinking heavily before to complete the AUDIT-C retrospectively for each age 50. decade of their life, from 16-19 to 80 and over.

(AGENCIES)

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

ASK Dr. Raj… EXERCISE FOR ARTHRITIS: Q: Hello Dr Raj, How long will it take the homeopathic medicines to control hair fall / loss? I am experiencing severe hair loss for no apparent reason for the last 6 months. Regards, Ms B. A: Dear Ms B, Treating hair loss generally can take anywhere between one month to six months and is greatly dependent on the condition itself. Every case calls for detailed study of the patient individually. It also depends on different factors like age, hereditary, occupation, any chronic or recurrent health conditions, stress etc. Some sufferers with chronic health conditions like diabetes may have to use a 3-4 week homeopathic medicine course once every 6 months. In most of the cases improvement is permanent or long lasting. You may also need to continue with a homeopathic

Health tip: hair oil to sustain the strength and health of your hair. It is vital to identify the cause of the hair fall, whatever it may be, stress, hormonal issues, reduced mineral levels in the body etc and address it effectively via food and lifestyle changes and safe medication like Homeopathy. Homeopathy can effectively address the underlying cause for the hair fall to reduce and then control the loss of hair. Coconut oil, curry leaves, amla, ghee, yoghurt, fresh fruits and vegies, water, low sodium, low sugar diets, nuts etc promote healthy hair growth. Avoid excessive shampooing, coloring and the usage of harsh chemicals on your hair. And remember, health should always come from within and is achieved only through good diet, active lifestyle and safe medicine only when needed. By Raj Kothuru

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

Garlic fights chest infection, cough and congestion (which explains the folk remedy -eat a clove of garlic dipped in honey at the first sign of cold)

6 Ways to Choose A Dentist You Trust

hat is the similarity between rocket science and choosing the right dentist? Both of these tasks are difficult! While we cannot help you with rocket science, we can surely provide you tips that will help you choose a dentist you can trust. Whether you are relocating, looking for a specific dental treatment, or simply want to change your current dentist, these are the 6 ways to choose a dentist. 1. Word of Mouth We trust our friends and family. And that’s where we can get dentist recommendations from. Your folks must have experienced a dentist’s services and know all that you need to know about them. Information such as payment plans, working hours can be obtained by talking to your people also. Listening to their positive or negative reviews can help you choose a dentist. 2. Search Online The Internet has become an indispensable part of our lives. You can just take out your smartphone and search for a dentist near you and it will list all the dentists nearby. You can get to know much information provided on their website like the services they provide. Reading previous patient reviews on a dentist’s and local directory websites can prove useful too. 3. Visit Personally After hearing about it from people or reading it on the web, you need to visit a dentist’s clinic in person. You cannot trust something you have never seen. And therefore, you need to visit their clinic yourself and meet the dentists. You can decide better when you talk to the dentists and understand their way of treatment. 4. Know Their Credentials When visiting a dentist, ask questions to know their qualifications and work experience in dentistry. Knowing these details can help you trust the dentist

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for your dental treatments. For example, when you visit us at Healthy Smiles Dental Group, you can comprehend that we have some of the best general and cosmetic dentistry practitioners, dental hygienists, oral health therapists, and specialist anaesthetist in our team. 5. Analyse Clinic Facilities Along with the dentist credentials it is also important to know all the facilities that are available at the dentist’s clinic. Information such as what equipment is available, do you need to go to another hospital or day-care centre for major dental surgery, what are the working hours of the clinic, etc. is vital. At Healthy Smiles, you are sure to get treated by world-class equipment in our state-of-the-art dental clinic. We provide services in general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry. 6. Decide After A Consultation To quote the famous baseball catcher, “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.” No matter how much you research, it cannot replace the real experience. Hence, the best way to choose and trust a dentist is to go for a simple dental check-up or cleaning procedure. You can experience it yourself. Feel free to visit us at Healthy Smiles Dental Group for a dental check-up. We are sure that the quality of our dental services and our friendly approach of our team will make us your trusted dentists. 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

HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Live Coronavirus found in spit and poop even after recovery

n an alarming find, Chinese doctors have recovered live coronavirus in spit and human excreta in samples from recovering COVID-19 patients. The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, found that some patients had positive, real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for SARS-CoV-2 in the sputum or faeces after the pharyngeal swabs became negative. Pharyngeal swabs are widely used to determine the appropriateness for a patient’s discharge from the hospital and/or whether isolation continues to be required. The findings from Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University in China raise concerns over whether patients with negative pharyngeal swabs are truly virus-free or if sampling of additional body sites might be needed. For the findings, the clinicians retrospectively identified a convenience sample of patients admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and paired RT-PCR testing of pharyngeal swabs with either sputum or feces. Among 133 patients admitted with COVID-19 from January 20 to February 27, 2020, the authors identified 22 with an initial or follow-up positive sputum or fecal samples paired with a follow-up negative pharyngeal sample.

RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV2 of sputum and feces was seen up to 39 and 13 days, respectively, after the obtained pharyngeal samples were negative. The researchers caution that the study was not carried out in a systematic fashion with a sampling of all patients in a protocolized manner, and “it is not known whether this positive sputum or faecal results indicate that the patient could still be infectious to others.’’ However, the findings are potentially

important because they suggest that more study is needed in this area. The global coronavirus positive cases crossed 7.8 lakh n Tuesday, with nearly 38,000 deaths. As of Tuesday, China reported 82,240 cases, with 3,309 fatalities, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at the Washington-based Johns Hopkins University. The US registered 164,274 cases, the highest in the world, while Italy had the largest number of deaths at 11,591. (AGENCIES)

Long working hours can cause underactive thyroid

orking from home? Read this carefully. Researchers have found that adults who work long hours are more likely to have hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism can cause tiredness, depression, feeling cold, and weight gain. The study, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, found a higher risk of hypothyroidism with long working hours regardless of the workers’ socioeconomic status or sex, even though this common thyroid disorder affects women more than men. “Overwork is a prevalent problem threatening the health and safety of workers worldwide. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that long working hours are associated with hypothyroidism,” said lead researcher Young Ki Lee from National Cancer Centre in South Korea. For the findings, the research team conducted the study using data from 2,160 adult full-time workers who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2013 to 2015. The investigators identified hypothyroidism from records of the participants’ thyroid bloodwork. Hypothyroidism occurred at more than twice the rate in participants who worked 53

to 83 hours weekly versus those who worked 36 to 42 hours each week (3.5 per cent versus 1.4 per cent), the researchers reported. For each 10-hour increase in the workweek, individuals who worked longer hours had an increased odd for hypothyroidism compared with those who worked 10 hours less (odds ratio 1.46). The researchers stressed the need for further studies to determine whether long working hours cause hypothyroidism, which

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is a known risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. “If a causal relationship is established, it can be the basis for recommending a reduction in working hours to improve thyroid function among overworked individuals with hypothyroidism,” Lee said “Additionally, screening for hypothyroidism could be easily integrated into workers’ health screening programs using simple laboratory tests,” he noted. (AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

illed with juicy arils enclosed in a thick peel, a pomegranate comes with its own crown, and we believe there is a reason for it to have one! Pomegranates are known as the fruit of paradise for its enriching quality coupled with a gentle hint of sweetness. It is surely a delight in itself, but the fruit has its own perks and benefits. Are you aware of them? For starters, pomegranates can help you fight both health and skin problems! They are highly recommended to improve immunity, blood pressure, and their rich nutrients can also prevent skin-related issues. Fresh and high-quality pomegranates are also delicious and sweet to taste, which gives it an edge over other fruit. So make some space for some tasty pomegranate in your diet. “India is the largest producer of pomegranates in the world, and it has always been a popular fruit here as it also comes with huge health benefits, apart from its taste and appearance. The demand for pomegranates in the world is increasing rapidly for fresh consumption as well as processed output like arils, juice and wines,” says Purnima Khandelwal, Chief Executive Office, INI Farms Pvt. Ltd. Khandelwal highlights few benefits this little red delight can offer:

Pulls impurities out, pushes antioxidants in Pomegranates are widely known and consumed for their antioxidant elements. They can help get rid of excess toxins present in the body without inducing any further chemicals. As these elements help in purifying the body, it can also bring down blood pressure and stabilize it. Pomegranates are a good source to maintain a neutral balance, and also acts as a natural remedy for those dealing with high blood pressure.

Slows down aging (yay!), boosts up immunity Pomegranate acts as an anti-ageing fruit as it consists of components that activate certain cells in your body which have an adverse effect on ageing. Consuming a bowl of arils or one glass of juice daily will surely get you positive results. With a blend of nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, pomegranates boost immunity which helps in preventing health issues such as prostate cancer, cholesterol, and arthritis. Sharpens memory, reduces the risk of heart diseases Find it difficult to keep track of things? Pomegranates can help you in this. A fruit with so many healthy components can provide a positive impact on the mind as well. A glass of pomegranate juice is recommended for children as it helps them to jog their memory. Its natural elements improve the blood flow which further tackles heart problems. We’ve got all our necessary nutrients right here, packed in a pomegranate! As they grow all year long, they’re easily available in the market, but ensure that you buy them from the right brand. So, get yourself pomegranates that can be traced back to their farms!

By Puja Gupta

Taking hot bath daily good for your heart

f you want to live longer, read on. Researchers have found that regular hot tub bathing is linked to a lower risk of mortality from heart disease and stroke. According to the study, published in the journal Heart, the higher the dose, the better it seems to be for cardiovascular health, with a daily hot bath seemingly more protective than a once or twice weekly one. “We found that frequent tub bathing was significantly associated with a lower risk of hypertension, suggesting that a beneficial effect of tub bathing on risk of [cardiovascular disease] may in part be due to a reduced risk of developing hypertension,” said the study researchers in Japan. Having a bath is associated with good sleep quality and better self-rated health, but it’s not clear what its long term impact might be on cardiovascular disease risk, including heart attack, sudden cardiac death and stroke. To explore this, the researchers drew on participants in The Japan Public Health Centre-based Study Cohort 1, a populationbased tracking study of more than 61,000 middle-aged adults (45 to 59 years). At the start of the study in 1990, some 43,000 participants completed a detailed questionnaire on their bathing habits and potentially influential factors: lifestyle, to include exercise, diet, alcohol intake, weight (BMI); average sleep duration; and medical

influential factors, analysis of the data showed that compared with a once or twice weekly bath or no bath at all, a daily hot bath was associated with a 28 per cent lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease, and a 26 per cent lower overall risk of stroke. The frequency of tub bathing wasn’t associated with a heightened risk of sudden cardiac death, or with a particular type of stroke, called subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleed into the space surrounding the brain), the researchers said. Further analysis of preferred water temperature indicated 26 per cent lower and 35 per cent lower risks of overall cardiovascular disease for warm and hot water, respectively. But no significant associations emerged for overall stroke risk and water temperature. After excluding those participants who developed the cardiovascular disease within five or 10 years of the start of the study, the history and current medicines use. associations found weren’t quite as strong, Each participant was monitored until death or completion of the study at the end but nevertheless still remained statistically significant. of December 2009, whichever came first, According to the researchers, this is with the final analysis based on 30,076 an observational study, and as such, can’t people. During the monitoring period, 2097 cases establish cause, added to which changes in bathing frequency weren’t tracked during of cardiovascular disease occurred: 275 the monitoring period. heart attacks; 53 sudden cardiac deaths; and 1769 strokes. (AGENCIES) After taking account of potentially

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Rumours around Kajol, Nysa’s Taapsee Pannu health baseless: Ajay Devgn can’t have a tattoo

ollywood actor Ajay Devgn has rubbished rumours related to his actress-wife Kajol and daughter Nysa’s health. Devgn took to Twitter to announce that his wife and daughter are “absolutely fine”. The 50-year-old star’s tweet comes days after a media report claimed that Nysa showed symptoms of COVID-19 and was taken to the hospital by Kajol. “Thank you for asking. Kajol and Nysa are absolutely fine. The rumour around their health is unfounded, untrue and baseless,”

Ajay tweeted. On the work front, Ajay will next be seen in “Maidaan”, based on the golden era of Indian football. The actor essays the role of the late legendary coach Syed Abdul Rahim. Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, “Maidaan” is scheduled to hit theatres on November 27, 2020. He also has “Bhuj: The Pride Of India” coming up, a patriotic film set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

(GDI)

Madhuri offers free dance classes online M

adhuri Dixit Nene feels that dance is one of the best forms of workout. As most people are locked in their homes now due to the nationwide lockdown, the veteran actress has teamed up with Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj and choreographers like Saroj Khan, Terence Lewis, and Remo D’souza to offer dance lessons on DancewithMadhuri.com. Madhuri’s online dance academy will give away two popular dance classes every week for free. “We want to provide people to relieve stress in the sanctity of their own home with an opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves. Dance is one of the best forms of workout, so it becomes a double bonanza to learn and get in shape,” said Madhuri. The audience can upload their videos to potentially win all-access subscriptions and even a chance to video chat with the dancing diva. (GDI)

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ctress Taapsee Pannu is a tattoo lover. She already has two tattoos. She also wanted to get a neck tattoo, but cannot get herself inked on that spot because of professional constraints as an actress. Taapsee shared a throwback image in which she is seen flaunting her temporary birds tattoo from the shoot of the film “Pink”. “The first tattoo trial of Pink. The idea was to find a design which resonates with the situation of Minal. A bird who wants to open her wings and fly. A bird who comes in her own elements by the end of it all. It was a pleasant surprise for me to know that post the film’s release there were many girls who reached out to tattoo artists to get the similar tattoo done on them. “I am myself a tattoo loving person provided it’s something that is attached to the person’s personality and not just a random design. I have 2 tattoos on me and had it not been this acting profession I would’ve probably gotten a third one on the nape of my neck by now,” she wrote On the film front, Taapsee has plenty of projects in her kitty. After giving a stellar performance in “Thappad”, she will be seen in “Haseen Dillruba”, “Rashmi Rocket” and “Shabaash Mithu”.

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

n movie o ti c a e r o m o d o Would love t

A R P O H C P R I YA N K A A

ctress Priyanka Chopra has done some daring stunts in movies. She says she wants to do more as she enjoys action films. “I have always done my own stunts. I trust my body immensely. I am athletic as a person. I just really enjoy action movies. I have done them in ‘Don’ and ‘Quantico’. I hope to do more of them,” Priyanka said. The genre is generally seen as a hero’s domain. “I am someone who believes in a gender-neutral world. I hope in my lifetime we reach a place where we say movies instead of female-centric movies, we say directors instead of female directors, we say athletes instead of female athletes,” said the former Miss World. “I hope my children don’t have to worry about the fact that ‘this is an Indian female cricket team or Indian

female movie’. We don’t say ‘it is a male-centric movie, so let’s go and watch it’. So why do we have to say that it’s a female (centric movie)? I hope that happens and I am seeing it more and more as the conversation... where girls are coming out of their shells, and parents are supporting in finding their own feet. My parents supported me in all my dreams and ambitions,” said Priyanka. She has many projects in her kitty, including a superhero movie titled “We Can Be Heroes”. Will the audience get to see her as a superhero? “I can’t tell you that but it’s a kids superhero movie by Robert Rodriguez. You know ‘Spy Kids’? This (‘We Can Be Heroes’) is in that world a little bit, and a lot of amazing actors have come together to tell the story. It will be really fun,” she said.

Memes don’t affect me: Nora Fatehi

ctress Nora Fatehi feels she is the “memequeen” and says that memes don’t affect

her. Nora is popular in the virtual world, courtesy memes around her. The actress doesn’t get offended by them. “I think I’m the meme-queen. I even post them on my stories. So, memes don’t affect me because by nature they’re supposed to be funny and I take them in my stride because I have a comedy streak to me. Someone said that if you become a meme then you’ve made it,” she said. Nora moved from Canada to India to become an actress in Bollywood. She managed to bag a few acting projects initially, including “Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans” and “Crazy Cukkad Family” -- they all were low-profile and went unnoticed. Then, her appearance on “Bigg Boss” and the dance numbers “Manohari” in “Baahubali: The Beginning” changed the tide. People started noticing Nora, and soon she was belting out the hit dance numbers, “Dilbar” (“Satyamev Jayate”) and “O saki saki” (“Batla House”). Looking back at her decision to shift to India from Canada, she shared: “People asked me why I would choose to leave a country like Canada to go to India when I don’t even know

anyone there. However, I have lived in many countries. My family is from Morocco and I have also lived in Saudi for three years. So, I’m a multicultural chick. So, coming to India wasn’t scary. Also, being someone who is well-versed with Hindi cinema, I knew I wasn’t going to have any cultural shock. But something that I didn’t anticipate was the struggle in the journey.” She was last seen in dance movie “Street Dancer 3D”, which also features Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor. The actress opened up about her life in an episode of “Starry Nights GEN Y”, which is aired in India on Zee Cafe. Talking about her struggle, she said: “My first-ever job was as a retail sales associate. I was sixteen and I had to work for many reasons. There were a lot of financial issues in my family and I was supposed to be the one that would step up and become the breadwinner. After that, I did numerous things such as waitressing in restaurants and even working at telemarketing offices where I had to cold-call people.” Asked to name an actress she envies, Nora said: “I envy Deepika (Padukone)”, going on to reveal her fascination with Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies as being the reason for the same. (GDI)

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(GDI)

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Female stars: Marriage and career D

oes marriage affect a film star’s career? Does a marriage affect a star’s following, popularity? Or does it even kill careers? That has been the ever-looming question, raised time and again. Does marriage affect a male actor more or the female? To be sure, marriages have called curtains for many film star’s careers, mostly female. Mainly, those who married at the peak of their career. But, over the generations, stars, especially female stars, have got smarter. They jump into wedlock when they are nearing the end of their run. The film world, especially the stars, was not very well literate and had little exposure to the outside world. They all had their own coterie of few people who surrounded them. For all that was worth knowing or otherwise was through this coterie. Most stars lived a closeted life: home to studio and studio to home. For everything else, from what was happening around the word to their food, they depended on the coterie. When it came to heroines, they always had mother escorting them making sure nothing that they did not desire happened. Most such girls who rose in the film industry to stardom, came from poor families. These girls were the milch cow for the family. But, the inevitable almost always happened. In the small world that the stars knew, they ended up falling in romantic tangles. Fellow stars, directors and others involved with filmmaking were the only community the stars knew and “inter community” weddings became a norm. There are a rare few cases when film stars married outside of the film industry. The list of those female actors who married within the film fraternity is endless starting from Nimmi, Vyjayantimala, Waheeda Rehman, Jaya Bhaduri, Poonam Sinha, Rakhee, Kalpana Kartik, Saira Banu, Leena Chandavarkar, Nargis, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Geeta Bali, Sadhna, Dimple Kapadia, Yogita Bali, and Nanda (for time being is reported to have married Manmohan Desai) to Yogita Bali, Neetu Singh, Padmini Kolhapure, Poonam Dhillon, Moushumi Chatterjee, Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Zarina Wahab, Bhagyashree, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Vidya Balan, and Deepika Padukone. A few who did not, include

Mumtaz, Juhi Chawla, Madhuri Dixit, Preity Zinta, Anushka Sharma, Sharmila Tagore, Dia Mirza, Priyanka Chopra. These stars are among those who married outside the film industry. However, these are but exceptions. In just about every case, the careers of the female actors were finished soon after they married! Most feel it is time to start a family. When they stage a comeback, it is usually in character roles. Was it because the film viewers did not like a married woman acting? It is strange, because, it had nothing to do with the viewers that these women were consigned to backbenches. But, somehow, the whole filmmaking breed behind a film doesn’t want to touch a married female actor, even if she is a super seller! The male lead is not very happy about the situation as the heroine is already ‘taken’. Filmmakers think that the chemistry is not the same between the hero and the married heroine, and the romance looks make believe. Also, when the chemistry worked, it made for a popular screen pair and the filmmakers liked to repeat the same pair. Such pairs did huge number of films with each other and included Raj KapoorNargis, Dilip Kumar-Vyjayantimala, Guru Dutt-Waheeda Rehman, Dharmendra-Hema Malini, Rajesh Khanna-Sharmela Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha, Rishi KapoorNeetu Singh, Jeetendra paired well with Mumtaz, Sridevi as well as Jaya Prada, Anil Kapoor-Madhuri Dixit, Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol, Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone. Filmmaking is all about proximity and lonely shooting schedules away from home and close ones for a prolonged period. In such a situation, every male connected to a film under making is a prospect hunter and fancies his chances with the women around, from lead to junior artistes and dancers. The count is big of romances growing between men and female shooting on days or month-long outdoor schedules. Since mine is not a gossip column, it would not be wise to dwell into the details of such stories; though the gossip magazines had a field day with such stories. How about marriage and male stars? Needs looking into in another column. By Vinod Mirani

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

er h n o s t c e fl e r a k Anush 9 1 D I V O C g n i realisations dur A

ctress Anushka Sharma has had time for some reflection in life during the nationwide lockdown, and says that she has realised just having food, water, a roof over her head and the good health of her family are most important. “Every dark cloud had a silver lining. And this time, while it may seem like the worst time and in so many ways it actually is, has also forcefully made us all stop and deal with things we might have been running away from because either we were ‘busy’ or it was convenient to say we were ‘busy’. If this time is respected for what it is, it will enable more light to shine through,” Anushka said. The actress is deeply pained seeing the sufferings of fellow countrymen. “For me just having food, water and a roof over my head and the good health of my family seems MOST important. Everything else is a bonus that I bow my head in gratitude for.” She added: “But, that which we call ‘basic’ is not so basic for everyone after looking at all the people who struggle for just those few things. My prayers with them and their families. May

everyone be safe and secure.” She feels time is delivering important life lessons to all. “This time has surely made me more reflective. This need to stay at home with your loved ones has been forced upon the entire world but there is a deep lesson for us all. There is a lesson to strive for work and life balance (I’ve valued and strived for this dearly for many years now), there is a lesson to devote more time in things that actually matter,” she said. Anushka says she wants to help as many possible in her best abilities. She said: “Today, when I’m surrounded by all the blessings in my life, I just want to tell everyone how much compassion I feel for everyone who I see suffer. I want to help as many possible in the best of my abilities. I feel pride in our resilience to be better human beings. I can instinctively feel this in and around me. “We will all have our individual and subjective lessons from this time and hopefully such lessons will continuously stay with us all.

(AGENCIES)

Salman Khan’s nephew Abdullah Khan no more

alman Khan’s nephew Abdullah Khan passed away on Monday 30 March. As per reports, the 38-year-old was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai owing to heart-related ailments. The Bollywood superstar took to social media to mourn the loss of his nephew. Salman posted a black and white photograph with his nephew on Instagram and wrote: “Will always love you...” Commenting on the post, actress Akanksha Puri wrote: “Still can’t believe he is no more. #gonetoosoon. Deepest condolence to the entire family! May his soul R.I.P” Singer Kamaal Khan, who is a close friend of the actor, commented: “You will

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always be remembered and loved.” As per reports, Abdullah Khan was admitted to Dhirubhai Kokilaben Ambani Hospital a couple of days ago, from where he was later shifted to Lilavati hospital. He was diabetic and reportedly suffering from heart-related ailments. Abdullah was close to Salman and often featured in videos shared by the actor. It seems from Salman’s social media post that he is deeply upset at the sudden loss. Meanwhile, Salman Khan and his entire family have shifted to their farmhouse in Panvel where they are under quarantine amid the COVID 19 lockdown.

FOOD

bon appétit

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Did you know:

Rub a banana peel every day for a week on your teeth to whiten them

Vietnam chef fights COVID-19 fears with ‘Coronaburgers’

that helps sell more and cheer (people) up,” chef Hoang Tung, founder of the Pizza Home restaurants in Hanoi, said. Whilst watching the film “Monsters, Inc.” with his son, Tung thought that one of the main characters, Mike Wazowski, was shaped like the virus, but that didn’t stop him from finding him nice and pleasant. A Vietnamese chef has created a That is when the chef thought of creating a coronavirus-shaped burger to help clients burger shaped like the virus using green-tea cope with the fear and uncertainty the buns. infectious disease has caused. “I talked to my chefs and in one day we “The economy is really down. Since January I had to close four of my restaurants... made the recipe,” he said. “When I sold the first Coronaburger, I So last week I thought of making something

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posted the photo on my Facebook (account) and after a few minutes we already had 50 orders. It’s big news in these depressing times,” the chef said. From that moment, sales have gone up and Tung has endorsed the motto one of his clients suggested: “If you are scared of the coronavirus, eat a Coronaburger.” Despite great exposure to COVID-19 due to the country’s links with China, Vietnam has managed to contain the outbreak in the country with strong preventive measures that has seen 148 cases of coronavirus, 17 cured and no fatalities. Vietnam closed its schools in early February and was one of the first countries to suspend flights from risk areas and impose quarantines. The authorities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have now ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses, so restaurants like Tung’s can only do home deliveries.

(AGENCIES)

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Test your culinary skills with this new recipe

Locked up in your home with absolutely nothing to do. Why not test your culinary skills? Top chefs and experts bring you healthy and easy home recipes.

Paneer / Tofu Satay recipe

by- Ashish Joshi, Executive Chef at Jaypee Siddharth INGREDIENTS: Paneer / Tofu: 200gms Thai Red Curry Paste: 2tbsp Coconut Milk: 6tbs Fresh Red chilli: 2 Oil: 30ml Lemon Grass : 1 Lemon Leaf: 2 Galangal: 1 small Coriander: 5gms Lemon: 1 Salt: To taste METHOD: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl except the paneer / tofu. Cut the paneer / tofu into 1/2 inch thick

finger shape. Now put the ready mixture of step 1 over the paneer / tofu fingers and mix well. check for seasoning and let it marinate for 1 hour. Put the marinated fingers on individual stay stick or a long toothpick. Cook on a grill and baste with oil. When cooked remove from grill and serve hot on a sizzling plate along with peanut sauce.

PEANUT SAUCE: INGREDIENTS Coconut milk: 1cup Peanut : 1/4cup Red curry paste: 1tbs Lemon leaf: 02-03 Coriander: 5gms Galangal: 2gms

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Fresh red chilli: 2-03nos Salt: To taste METHOD: Blend the above ingredients together till smooth. Heat the pan and put oil add the above paste into it and reduce it till it is a thick coating consistency.

FOOD TREND

G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Cooking is meditation: Chef Saransh Goila

spurs on lockdown creativity in food

Celebrity chef Saransh Goila, has an interesting digital quarantine initiative going on - he goes live on Instagram every morning with his celebrity friends from various fields - cooking. He does so as he deems it important to spread joy in the community at a time when loneliness is at its peak during the Coronavirus lockdown in India. His mantra? “Isolated but not alone.” #MorningsWithGoila, features the likes of Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef Ranveer Brar, Pooja Makhija, Mithila Palkar, Prajakta Koli and many more. The chef utilises the power of the internet to bind people together in these difficult times. The videos give us a sneak peek on the guests eating habits, along with teaching us to make some simple breakfast recipes. Saransh was in London this year, and did a two week pop-up there with Goila Butter Chicken at Carousel, which he said was very well-received.

can be. I am generating a lot of content; I have a schedule and I am not treating this like a holiday. So, I feel like this quarantine is a great time for me to be thoughtful, to reinvent myself, be myself and reshape my thoughts. Although it can get a little lonely in the home quarantine, people are getting creative, especially with food. How would you encourage people to channel their inner chefs at this time? Goila: Yes, people are getting creative especially with food. Well, the only way to encourage people is to channel their inner chef in this time as the produce and the pantry will also feature fewer ingredients. But mostly the videos are to tell them that cooking is not tough. It is in fact therapeutic. People should treat it as they would treat music. They should imagine how good music makes them feel and that’s how cooking should feel too. The idea is to tell them that it is easy. You don’t have to necessarily know how to cut,

new dishes every morning. I am also sharing a lot of recipes on my IGTV while in home quarantine.

chop, and bake. You can use a lot of quick tips and tricks from YouTube, my channel or from any other Chef’s feed as well, on how to preserve things or how to save time and energy while you are in the kitchen. Quick fixes, quick recipes, lots of eggs, pulses and basic ingredients can be made into fun things. I am doing #MorningsWithGoila of course to encourage people to channel their inner chefs and I would tell them not to make same things every day, because that also depicts monotony in your life. The idea is to keep your life exciting so you could take the same ingredients but create

in different ways - Tikki’s out of Dal, make a salad or Khichdi out of Dal. The idea is to use one ingredient and make different things around it. Like the same Poha that we are used to eating for breakfast, you can also make a Poha Pulao or a Poha Biryani, you can also use the Poha to give your tikki a crust. So start imagining an ingredient from different angles and I think that is what will help you to make a good breakfast.

Cooking is a survival skill, but also a very good way of keeping yourself and others happy? Goila: Cooking is a survival skill. Everybody should know that cooking is as important as swimming or driving and I think. It is definitely one of those art forms that does not keep only you happy but keep people around you happy. You can control what you are cooking, how much you are cooking a certain dish what ingredients are you adding in it, do you like more salt or pepper or do you want less of it. Everything is in your control when you are cooking yourself in the kitchen. I think it is a beautiful way of meditating, of keeping yourself healthy and ensuring that you are eating all vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins, good fats and to make sure all of that is a part of your diet. I think a lot of people need to cook to survive but a lot of people should cook to be happy and to meditate. What are some of the recipes people must cook during a quarantine if supplies are available? Goila: A lot of people can make use of Dal’s

Excerpts from his interview.

What’s the idea behind #MorningsWithGoila? Goila: The idea behind #MorningsWithGoila is to spread joy while we are all under selfisolation and stressed about the future. The idea is to add a positive note in everybody’s morning, so that they can actually spend the rest of the day with fun and happy thoughts. Also to teach amateurs and give them basic tips on how to survive in their kitchen while they are in self-isolation. It presents breakfast tips and shows how others are dealing with this situation - what are they eating, how are they spending their mornings and how they wake up. It is basically a community exercise; an Instagram live daily at 10 a.m. The idea is to get people to cook together and tell them they are not alone while secluded in their homes. How has the quarantine experience been for you so far? Goila: Honestly, the Quarantine experience has been tough. Yes, I am getting time for myself, I am relaxing and also it is a break in momentum from the fast-paced life that I am usually used to. But I would say that it is a tough situation to be in, having said that I am channelling as many resources I have. I am trying to be as active in my home as I

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By Siddhi Jain

RECIPE

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

Masaledar Kheema Biryani

The traditional method of cooking biryani dishes involves a lot of preparation, but this is a simplified version of Masaledar Kheema Biryani tastes so good with lot of minced meat pieces in a spoonful. One cannot just explain the taste through words....everyone must taste and experience this perfectly cooked spicy minced lamb with the fragrant fluffy basmati rice and of course the tantalizing aroma and exotic taste. A great - all time favourite dish!

Ingredients: 350 g basmati rice 500 g lamb, minced 100 g lean lamb strips 1 tsp garam masala 1 tbsp coriander powder 2 tbsp garlic puree 3-4 tbsp ghee

6-8 tbsp onion puree 1 tbsp ginger puree salt to taste 75 ml yoghurt, natural 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp ground black pepper stock or water

Spices:

1-2 bay leaves 2-3 inch cinnamon stick

Method:

recipe

4-6 green cardamom, crushed 6 cloves

Wash and soak rice for about 30 mins. Drain and keep aside. - Heat ghee in a large heavy saucepan and fry the onion, garlic and ginger until golden. - Add the minced lamb and cook until the colour changes. - Stir in the yoghurt with 250 ml water along with garam masala, coriander powder, salt, paprika and pepper. - Cover and cook about 15 mins until the meat is tender. - Add the rice and spices and enough stock to cover the rice by one third. - Bring to boil, cover with well fitted lid, turn heat on low and cook for 25-30 mins until all the liquid is absorbed. Serve hot. BY MANJIT SETHI

from the private collection

Garnish:

50 g cashew nuts, fried 1 tbsp fried onions (opt) 1 tbsp mint or coriander, chopped

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ASTROLOGY

MESHA (Aries)

You can look forward to several profitable opportunities for financial advancement during this coming month. Expect a sudden windfallThere is good chances for those of you who go in for speculation activity. In any case, for most of you, quick gains are very likely, as a result of your efforts, though the gains would not be very large. Best days: 3, 12, 30 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange & Cream

SIMHA (Leo)

Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

VRISHABH (Taurus)

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) MITHUNA (Gemini)

A fairly beneficial month for your health, during which you should stay fit. A note of caution, for over- exertion. This could create all kinds health problems for you. An excellent month during which you would have ample opportunity to advance your financial prospects. Some of you could get the benefit of an unexpected windfall. Best days: 9, 18, 27 Lucky Colour: Green, Blue

Some of you would be influenced by a mean streak which would make you severely exploit your juniors, this would adversely rebound upon you, creating a highly unpleasant situation from which it might be difficult to extricate yourself. There is a fair possibility that speculative activity could well bring very substantial losses. Best days: 2, 7, 9

KANYA (Virgo)

TULA (Libra)

Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow

M: 0425 660 220

KARKAT (Cancer)

Opportune times this month for your career advancement, you would not only gain materially but also derive a great deal of satisfaction from your activities. There are indications of some travel and this, too, would prove quite useful. Overall, a beneficial month during which you could achieve much. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

VRISHCHIK (Scorpio)

Your career prospects are quite good and you should do well. However, there is a distinct possibility that some of you may tend to operate outside the law for quick profits. Should you do this? a favourable month could become a nightmare for you. This apart all the other signs are quite favourable.

There is a distinct possibility of an old person or a female colleague doing you a favourable turns which would prove extremely beneficial. The picture so far as your financial prospects are concerned is pretty bleak, Performing arts practitioners would do well. Travel may prove beneficial.

Best days: 5,3 Lucky Colour: White & Orange

Best days: 3, 12 Lucky Colour: Orange, Green

DHANU (Sagittarius)

MAKARA (Capricorn)

You would have to work quite hard, and the gains would not be satisfactory. The family atmosphere would be vitiated with strife and discord. There is further possibility of serious differences with elders of the family, leading to unpleasant situations. You must keep your cool and refuse to be provoked into any kind of confrontation.

This would be an excellent month for you all in so far as your education is concerned. Those going in for higher studies would not only find the right opportunities, but also go on to do well in their chosen fields. The family atmosphere seems to be tension-ridden. Financially also you may not do very well.

A month during which your childrenâ€™s prospects may not be as smooth as usual, some of them may be prone to injuries, and the more adventurous among them should take care not to take unnecessary risks. Those pursuing higher studies would also face a rough time, since they might have to face obstacles of various kinds.

Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue

Best days: 5, 3, 6 Lucky Colour: White, Green

Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White

An excellent month during which you would tend to go for your targets like a bullet. A certain instinct of the hunter would enable you to seize any opportunity that might come your way. Travel will also bring gains, Further there is the likelihood of some old person doing you a favour that could substantially boost your career prospects.

There is a good chance that they would face serious losses. You must take the hint and stay away from all varieties of gambling. Not an auspicious period for investment and new ventures either, and such plans, should be shelved for the moment. Some old person or a female colleague would render extremely beneficial service to you. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

KUMBHA (Aquarius)

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This month you would have a lot of self-confidence and courage to take the initiative. The affairs of your family are unlikely to have smooth sailing; you should have trouble in your relations with the female members of the family. Use tact & stay out of trouble. Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange

MEEN (Pisces)

Strange but True

HAVE A LAUGH 1. In the 1400s a law was set forth in england that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence, we have ‘the rule of thumb.’ 2. Many years ago, in scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled ‘gentlemen only... Ladies forbidden’... And thus the word golf entered into the english language. 3. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades - king david, Hearts - charlemagne, Clubs -alexander the great, Diamonds - julius caesar

4. In shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... ‘Goodnight, sleep tight.’ 5. It was the accepted practice in babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his sonin-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

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G’DAY INDIA | APR 2020

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Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

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Gâ€™DAY INDIA | APR 2020

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