G'day India Dec 2022 Issue 188

FREE AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

DAN-TASTIC! Congratulations to Premier Daniel Andrews for winning one of the most arduous and hard-fought election campaign in Victoria.

The Expression of Respect - Actor-director Ravi Chand creates a film with refreshing honesty from his experiences with 'Namaste Yoga'

Are you Hungry?

- Sarah Todd partners with Chef George Calombaris

The Rising Pop Star

- Eleven-year-old Sienna Katelyn

CALL: TONEE SETHI

Tel: (03) 9841 6263 Mob: 0412 114 383 Email: info@gdayindia.com.au Postal Address: PO BOX 1500, Doncaster East, VIC, 3109

Editor in Chief: Tonee Sethi

E: editor@gdayindia.com.au

Advertising: Amandeep Sethi

E: info@gdayindia.com.au Contributors: Anmol Anand, Debasree Das, Dileep Narayan, Dr Raj Kotharu, Gary Nair, Harpal Sandhu, Manjit Sethi, Narisa Dawar, Sanchita Abrol, Karthik Arasu, Abhi Narayan, Gurpal Singh, Monisha Iswaran, P. Harsora, Nandita Chakraborty, Archita Baweja, Barinderjeet Kaur, Gurpal Singh, Muktesh Chibber, Shivani Prabhu, Payel Ghosh

DAN-TASTIC!

Premier Daniel Andrews has secured a historic third term win in the Victorian election as the voters given his government the thumbs up.

Premier Andrews often shared that right from his early days he was taught ‘that with every opportunity comes a profound obligation to do your best, to work hard, to do what matters’ and that is exactly what he has delivered over the last eight years as a premier of Victoria.

The election results on Saturday confirmed Daniel Andrews is the most preferred leader and supreme political figure in the Victorian state of affairs.

Mr Andrews said, “I am humbled and so grateful, so, so grateful, that Victorians have re-elected a majority Labor government. Our party's plan was for all Victorians, including those who did not vote Labor. We will govern for you. We will govern for your kids, for your health, for your education, your future," Mr Andrews added.

Mr Andrews said the result confirmed Victoria's reputation as "the most progressive state" in the country.

Quote attributable to Victorian Premier, Hon Daniel Andrews

“Friends, hope always defeats hate.”

“Trying to be popular all the time doesn't work, because it's not right.”

“You've got to do what's right and that's what we've always strived to do.”

"Our positive plan is for every single Victorian."

"I'm so thrilled to be able to do it for another four years."

“I would like to start by congratulating my friend Daniel Andrews on an extraordinary result in Victoria. Winning a third term with an absolute majority is an extraordinary achievement. Daniel Andrews has led Victoria through difficult times, in particular the pandemic. But he has also been rewarded for having a vision for the future: a vision about better infrastructure, a vision about better hospitals, better schools, free kindy, additional free TAFE places, and a plan for Victoria going forward, including the recreation of the SEC and a plan for a clean energy future. Daniel Andrews and his team deserve a big pat on the back for

the work that they've done. And I'm very much looking forward to continuing to work with Dan”

- PM Anthony Albanese

“I congratulate the Australian Labor Party on winning the 2022 Victorian state election.

I want to put on record my deep appreciation to all the Liberal and National Party candidates, their campaign teams and volunteers for the tireless work they have done, particularly over recent weeks.

As soon as it is clearer which Liberal Party candidates will form the next parliamentary party room, I will call them together to elect their new leadership team. I will not be a candidate for the position of leader”

-

Liberal Leader Matt Guy

Delivering For All Victorians with The Suburban Rail Loop

MELBOURNE, Nov 28: Early works on the state-shaping Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) are advancing after Victorians backed the project for a second time in Saturday’s state election, following a similarly emphatic endorsement four years earlier.

With trains running by 2035, SRL East will open up access to key education, health and employment centres in Melbourne’s east and southeast, relieving pressure on roads and slashing congestion and travel times across the network, as well as supporting up to 24,000 local jobs in the construction phase.

Those jobs were on the ballot paper on Saturday and Victorians overwhelmingly voted for ongoing investment in the transport infrastructure the state needs.

SRL will transform the public transport system, delivering the critical wheel on our hub and spokes train network and changing how people move around Melbourne.

The multi-faceted project will reshape how we grow in the decades ahead – creating major employment centres in the middle suburbs with more housing options, services, and open and public space all a short walk from an SRL train station.

SRL Airport is also underway from

Sunshine to Melbourne Airport, delivering a long-awaited rail connection to the airport by 2029.

Early works have been underway in Clayton since June and the next phase of service relocations starts in Glen Waverley in the new year.

Preparatory works will also kick off at Burwood and Monash, and at Box Hill to

relocate the 109 tram terminus on Whitehorse Road ahead of construction of the new Box Hill SRL station.

With the next stage of early works beginning in 2023, hundreds of local jobs and a pipeline of opportunities for apprentices, trainees and cadets will start to take shape on one of Victoria’s most important projects.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

Indian-origin Sikh wins 2023 NSW Australian of the Year award

Every week, Singh and his organisation package and distribute up to 450 food and grocery hampers to people experiencing food insecurity in Western Sydney.

They have also delivered hay to farmers experiencing drought; supplies to flood victims in Lismore and bushfire-impacted people on the South Coast; and food hampers to the isolated and vulnerable during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Singh and his group are also teaching people in cities across Australia about the Sikh community via their Turban Fest events.

"By tying turbans on people's heads, we create an opportunity to chat with our fellow Australians and show them that our turbans and beards are nothing to fear," Singh said in his community website.

SYDNEY, Nov 14: Indian-origin Sikh Amar Singh has been honoured with the New South Wales Australian of the Year award for supporting the community impacted by floods, bushfires, drought and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Singh, 41, is the founder and President of 'Turbans 4 Australia' -- a charity organisation that assists people facing financial hardship, food insecurity, homelessness and those impacted by natural calamities.

"Our President and Founder was named NSW Local Hero this week! We are beyond proud of you Amar," Turbans 4 Australia tweeted last week.

Singh, who was awarded in the Local Hero category, founded the charity in 2015

after experiencing racial slurs and insults because of his Sikh turban and beard, a New South Wales (NSW) government release stated.

"A co-worker once told me I looked like a terrorist. While simply going about my daily life, strangers on the street have asked me if I'm carrying a bomb, or what I'm hiding under my turban," Singh, a strong advocate of multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue, said.

"I wanted Australians to see Sikhs as people they could trust and turn to in times of need," he added.

Singh, who moved to Australia as a teenager, said that he has been very passionate about community service from a younger age.

He was awarded Member of the Order of Liverpool (Honorary) in 2021.

In the past, Singh has volunteered during the Sydney 2000 Olympic games, Invictus games, and Gold Coast commonwealth games.

Since its inception in 1960, the Australian of the Year awards honour an exceptional group of highly respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.

Apart from Singh, there are four other recipients of the award from NSW, who will come together with awardees from other states for the national awards ceremony in Canberra on January 25, 2023.

(IANS)

India-Australia joint military exercise begins

RAJASTHAN, Nov 28: The joint military exercise between armies of Australia and India 'Austra Hind-22' begins at Rajasthan's Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, with a focus on peacekeeping operations under the UN mandate.

The exercise, scheduled from November 28 to December 11, aims to build positive military ties, imbibe each other's best practices and promote the ability to operate together. In a statement, the Defence Ministry said it is the first exercise under 'Austra Hind' with the participation of all arms and services contingent from armies of both nations.

The Australian army contingent comprising soldiers from the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Division will take part in the exercise.

"Aim of the exercise is to build positive

military relations, imbibe each other's best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking multi-domain operations in Semi deserts terrain under a UN peace enforcement mandate," the Defence Ministry said.

For the joint exercise with Australia, the Indian Army will be represented by troops from the Dogra regiment.

The 'Austra Hind' will be a yearly event that will be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.

The ministry said that the joint military exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for carrying out tactical operations at the company and platoon levels for neutralising hostile threats.

According to Defence Ministry, training on new generation equipment and specialist weapons, including snipers, surveillance and communication equipment for a high degree of situational awareness as well as casualty management, evacuation, and planning logistics have been planned.

During the exercise, the armies of India and Australia will engage in various tasks, including joint planning, joint tactical drills, sharing basics of special arms skills, and raiding a hostile target.

The Defence Ministry said the joint exercise, besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, will further help in strengthening ties between India and Australia.

Australian media hails trade deal with "unstoppable" India

light for Australia to reduce its dependency on China.

Lisa noted how China's sanctions remain despite the diplomatic freeze ending between both nations, following the meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

"That makes India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) even the more important," Lisa added.

The Australian government has said ECTA is a great opportunity for Australian businesses as it will open up new markets to reach around 1.4 billion consumers in the world's fastest-growing major economy.

Last week, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said that the trade agreement with India presents an enormous opportunity for Australian services companies and professionals accessing the Indian market.

"The quality of this Agreement, in terms of market access and opportunity for Australian businesses, demonstrates India's commitment to our bilateral economic partnership," Farrell said.

CANBERRA, Nov 25: Australian Parliament this week ratified Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, a move being hailed by industry leaders and seen as an opportunity boost to trade in multiple sectors on both sides.

Australia is an important strategic partner of India and both democracies are part of the four-nation QUAD, Trilateral Supply Chain Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF), according to a press statement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, former Australian senator Lisa Singh said the Australia-India trade deal was more than 10 years in the making, adding the deal will allow the nations to trade goods and services almost tariff-free.

"The scale of Australia's trade dependency on its biggest trading partner was felt hard, particularly by farmers, when China imposed economic sanctions on USD 20 billion worth

of Australian goods," Singh wrote in the opinion piece titled "Australia just signed its answer to China's grip on its trade - with unstoppable India."

Lisa Singh, the first woman of Indian heritage to be elected to federal parliament, said that when compared to the AustraliaChina trade volume of USD 251 billion, trade between Australia and India worth USD 27.5 billion last year is minuscule. However, the gap only serves to illustrate the huge opportunity seized this week when the Australian Parliament passed a new trade deal with India, she said.

The trade relationship facilitated through ECTA will open a new chapter on India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership between two vibrant economies with shared interests and trade complementarities.

This ratification comes as analysts contend that the deal also signals a green

After the ratification of the trade deal in the Australian Parliament, Union Minister Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that duties on 100 per cent tariff lines would be eliminated by Australia under the landmark deal.

He was addressing a press conference on the ECTA following the approval of the Agreement by the Australian Parliament today.

Goyal said that the ECTA would boost several sectors of the economy, especially textiles, gems, jewellery, and pharmaceuticals.

He noted that the Agreement would also open new opportunities for the service sector in India and would immensely benefit students by offering them an opportunity to work in Australia.

India-Australia trade deal win-win for alcohol beverage industry

least two years to be classified as whisky in Australia. This is superfluous for us as whisky matures at a much faster rate in the warm Indian climate. We are glad to note that the Agreement envisages setting up a joint working group of the two nations to review this and are optimistic of an early resolution since that would truly open up the Australian market for Indian liquor."

CIABC also said that this FTA, being the first with a developed nation, was historic and showed the self-confidence of the new India to take on global competition.

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: The Free Trade Agreement is a win-win for both India and Australia as it would open up the Indian market for quality Australian wines and also help the Indian wine industry evolve while further benefiting from the expertise and investment from their Australian counterparts, said Vinod Giri, Director General, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies.

The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies welcomed the ratification of the India-Australia FTA by the Australian Parliament and said this would take the trade ties between the two nations to newer heights. Giri said quality Australian wines would certainly benefit from easier

market access to India and the Indian wine industry would gain from the technical collaboration and potential investment coming from Australia and said he was happy to add that the industries on both sides are fully supportive of the FTA and even before the FTA was ratified, the two industries have already begun collaboration through Australia Grape and Wine and CIABC.

CIABC added that the FTA envisages a time-bound resolution of the Australian laws that, in the Indian industry's viewpoint, restrict the export of Indian liquor products to Australia.

Giri said, "Currently Australian law requires a whisky to be matured for at

It said that India was fast emerging as a producer of high-quality liquor. Single malt whiskies like Amrut, Rampur, etc, are filling up shelves of top stores all over the world. CIABC said Indian craft gin like Jaisalmer, Terai, Stranger and Sons are winning accolades across the world.

"Indian alcobev l industry is turning around. This FTA provides the template which will help India turn from being the world's buyer to become the world's supplier. We thank the Government of India and Minister Piyush Goyal to provide this roadmap that will establish India as the producer and exporter of truly world-class products in the alcobev sector," Giri added.

CIABC said that this agreement was going to benefit the grape farmers and wine industry of the country.

By Shailesh Yadav

Australia facing disastrous summer of extreme weather events

CANBERRA, Nov 28: Australia's climate council warned that the nation is facing a disastrous summer of extreme weather events.

In a report, the council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) identified floods, cyclones and outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus as major risks faced by Australians through the summer.

The report said climate change has rendered Australia's disaster planning not fit for purpose, calling for a boost in resilience funding and a national disaster strategy.

"There is nothing natural about these disasters, they are being unleashed on Australians by decades of reliance on fossil fuels," Lesley Hughes, a leading climate scientist and author of the report, told local media.

"These same companies are enjoying billions in public subsidies. It's high time we end fossil fuel subsidies and use the savings to create a climate disaster fund so we can help communities deal with the fallout of compounding and worsening disasters," said Lesley.

Most of Australia has received higher than average rainfall in 2022 due to a La Nina event while the country is not expecting a severe bushfire season.

However, wet weather has created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and not allowed the east coast to recover from catastrophic flooding through winter and spring.

The report found that weather-related disasters cost Australia A$35 billion in the 2010s, more than the previous two decades

combined.

Disasters have cost the state of Queensland more than A$30 billion since 1970, significantly more than any other state or territory.

Priorities and challenges before India as G-20 Chair

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: India will assume the Presidency of the powerful grouping from the current chair Indonesia on December 1. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the U.K., the U.S. and the European Union.

India's tenure as the G-20 chair comes at a time when the world order is facing an increasing threat of global recession looming large and intensifying energy and food shortages causing unprecedented inflationary pressure and making cost of living unaffordable in both advanced and developing nations while Russia-Ukraine war continues unabated. The world is looking up to India to find decisive but conciliatory

solutions to all these problems.

The task becomes further difficult due to uncertainty regarding China's role in the global order and Indo-Pacific region including South China Sea and South Asia as it is aspiring to become a global power. It is not only because of the resurgence of Covid pandemic in China but also lack of its synch with international laws and conventions and apparently irreconcilable differences with the Western countries on human rights of the ethnic minorities and democratic movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan. India has its own issues with China despite the latter being the biggest trade partner of India, albeit with a much skewed trade balance.

India is a beacon in these uncertain times because of its pacifist and cooperative image.

Its leadership of G-20 raises hopes because it is equally acceptable to the advanced nations as well as the global South, i.e., the developing countries due to its past track record of finding solutions to geostrategic and bilateral issues through discussions, negotiations and consensus within the bounds of international laws and conventions. Other two most important reasons for India's high credibility in international arena is its adherence to independent foreign policy and adoption of peaceful and responsible means rather than force or military power to resolve differences.

India is most likely to prioritise global economic recovery through a synchronised response of the G-20 members as soon as possible. In a recent interview, former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran

and now member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) said that India's number one priority during its upcoming G20 Presidency should be to restore the economic order that provides stability and creates an atmosphere conducive to the growth of an economy such as itself. He added that another important priority for India during its Presidency would be to address the issues of concern to the developing world such as energy, food, climate securities, and to see how India's voice and perspective can be infused into the G20.

The contemporary world order is replete with conflicts and disputes, sometimes even raising the fears of imminent third world and nuclear war. At this crucial juncture of history, India's role in setting up a new global order that is marked by peace, prosperity and sustainable development becomes the need of the hour. Pankaj Sharan highlighted the necessity of a semblance of sanity back into the global order which is at present witnessing "weaponisation of economic and financial transactions in the world." He said: "the fault for this lies both on the advanced western economies as well as Russia, and the victims are developing countries like India." He added: "Having said that India enjoys a unique position in the world where it has developed enough equities to talk to all sides -- whether it is Russia, Ukraine, US or Europe. So as President we can play the role of introducing some sanity and rationality into the world order."

As India is seen as one of the influential leaders of the global South, another key priority for India would be the issue of reform of multilateral international organisations and institutions as they, in the current state, do not reflect contemporary realities. Already there is an increasing consensus among many advanced and developing economies on extending permanent seat to emerging economies including India in the UN Security Council and raising quota in the International Monetary Fund reflecting the current political and economic roles and stature. This could be taken to a logical fruition.

However, India's Presidency of the G-20 would have to countenance some of the problems which would not find an easy solution. Although developing countries and advanced nations are equally facing threat of terrorism, the concern on terrorism seems to have fallen off the global agenda as observed in the G-20 in the Bali declaration, which got only a fleeting reference. It would be difficult to bring terrorism into the forefront of the G20 agenda, but nonetheless, this is necessary. Pankaj Saran said: "We have the twin challenges of the Taliban-led Afghanistan and the deep state of Pakistan. Whether and how much we try to bring terrorism into the forefront of the G20 agenda, has to be seen and depends on developments on the ground."

For India as G-20 President, it would be challenging to steer ahead with a balancing

act as G20 President with China, a prominent member of the grouping, which has issues with the advanced nations on one hand and with India on the other. India is likely to ensure that G-20 deals and agreements bring a win-win to all the stakeholders, but China's aspirations to expedite its rise to global power and expressing readiness to embrace even the military action to defend its interests poses a challenge. The former Deputy National Security Advisor cautioned in his interview that dealing with China would be a "challenge" for India during its G20 presidency and New Delhi would adopt a "cautious approach" towards Beijing, judging by its deeds and not words. The deft diplomatic handling and honest efforts from both the sides where the two countries and other G-20 members have differences would

go a long way in finding solutions.

India as President of G-20 would likely give fair consideration to the perspectives of all the stakeholders and it is contrary to India's approach that it imposes its perspectives on others without consensus. Nevertheless, India as usual would hold its stance firmly on core national interest including sovereignty, territorial integrity, adheres to the agreements on peace and tranquillity at the border, Russia-Ukraine war and buying Russian oil, etc. China is hoped to accept and deal with India on terms which are equal and as the G20 President. It is hoped that China understands and recognises that India is a rising economy, it is a rising power, said Saran.

(IANS)

Indo-Fijian lawyer may face jail for pointing out spelling error

The High Court in Suva gave its decision last week after a complaint by Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who described Naidu's post as malicious and inviting others to mock the judiciary, the RNZ reported.

The case will be called on January 5, 2023, to hear sentencing and mitigation submissions.

In Fiji, the sentencing range for contempt of scandalising the court appears to be between three to six months' imprisonment.

to exercise his freedom of expression," the rights group said in a statement.

Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International Pacific Researcher, tweeted that "the charges are ridiculous and should be thrown out!"

In a statement, The Bar Association of India called upon the Attorney-General of Fiji "to forthwith bring the proceedings to a satisfactory closure by causing the conviction to be annulled".

SUVA, Nov 28: Prominent Indian-origin lawyer Richard Naidu has been found guilty of contempt and scandalising the court for pointing out a spelling error in a judgement.

Naidu may face a jail-term for his Facebook post in February 2022 in which he posted a picture of a judgement in a case that had the word 'injunction' wrongly spelt as 'injection'.

"Maybe our judges need to be shielded from all this vaccination campaigning. I'm pretty sure all the Applicant wanted was an injunction," Naidu said in his post with a "thinking face" emoji.

According to law associations and human rights organisations, Naidu's sentencing is a "violation of the right to freedom of expression".

Amnesty International said it "believes that the charges are an excessive and politically motivated response to pointing out a spelling error in a court judgment and violate the right to freedom of expression".

"Pursuing a lawyer with criminal or administrative punishment for pointing out accurately on social media a spelling mistake in a public court judgment is manifestly disproportionate and a violation of his right

"The Bar Association of India calls on the Fijian judiciary to respect the right to freedom of expression. The Fijian judiciary's reputational excellence is not lowered in any way by mere statements or humorous remarks," Bar Association President, Prashant Kumar, said.

The Law Council of Australia noted in a statement that "Naidu was denied procedural fairness and was not afforded a fair trial".

Naidu is a long-time critic of the present government in Fiji.

The South Pacific nation goes to polls on December 14.

2 Indian Americans in Fortune's 40 Under 40 List

NEW YORK, Nov 16: Two Indian Americans have made it to Fortune's annual '40 Under 40' list, featuring founders, executives, investors, and activists who are shaping business in 2022.

Kanav Kariya, president of Jump Crypto and Ankit Gupta, founder and CEO of Bicycle Health, are among the list of trailblazers and influencers who are creating and seizing opportunity, and also empowering others.

"Honoured to be included on Fortune's 40 Under 40 list this year! Especially amongst all the amazing trailblazers shaping the healthcare industry. A well-deserved recognition of our incredible team at BicycleHealth and their dedication to the care of patients with OUD (Opioid Use Disorder)," Gupta wrote in a tweet.

Ankit Gupta, 35, has been featured in the Health and Bioscience category.

Starting out with a single clinic in Redwood City, California, in 2017, Gupta's Bicycle Health launched its virtual care platform in 2020, providing specialized telehealth services for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

It aims to increase access to highquality, integrated medical and behavioural healthcare for people with opioid use disorder.

The company has since expanded to 29 states, treated 20,000 patients, and raised $83 million in venture funding.

Before Bicycle Health, Gupta was cofounder and Chief Technology Officer of

Pulse News.

Gupta graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, and he earned his Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science from Stanford University, specializing in machine learning.

When free, he volunteers for his non-profit organization, Docs and Hackers, which aims to bridge the gap between the technology and healthcare fields.

Listed in the Finance and Crypto category, 26-year-old Kariya started as an intern at Jump Trading Group, a start-up incubator for crypto companies.

In 2021, he was handed over the reins of its re-branded, 170-person digital assets division, Jump Crypto.

Since then, according to his company profile, "Kariya has overseen billions in investments in the crypto space and helped position the company as a major player in Web3".

Kariya told Fortune that he wants Jump Crypto to be a "key infrastructure builder that is part of the furniture of the industry as it scales".

According to Fortune, Jump Crypto "is undeterred, and has invested in more than 100 crypto companies in a year.

KarAya has a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Mate G’Day

Getting married in Australia

Number of Marriages in Australia (Part I)

There were 89,164 couples who married in 2021, well below pre-pandemic marriage numbers. Marriages in New South Wales and Victoria were down when compared with 2019. There were 56,244 divorces granted in 2021.

These numbers were well below pre-pandemic numbers but more than the historic low of 78,989 recorded in 2020. Public health orders including lockdowns, size and density limits on gatherings, mask mandates, and restrictions on social activities such as singing and dancing would have all impacted on couples' marriage plans, especially during the Delta wave from June 2021 onwards.

This article provides details of marriages in 2021, with comparisons made to 2020, the first year of the pandemic, and 2019 as the last pre-pandemic year. Comparisons are also made with an average of 2015-2019 marriage counts to highlight changes in seasonal patterns.

In 2021, there were more marriages registered which was 12.9% higher than in 2020, but still 21.7% lower than 2019 which was 113,815. The crude marriage

rate was 3.5 per 1,000 people, compared with 3.1 in 2020, and 4.5 in 2019.

In 2021, there were 31.0% fewer marriages in New South Wales and 34.6% fewer marriages in Victoria when compared with 2019, with the Delta wave and associated public health orders impacting on marriage plans from mid-2021 onwards. New South Wales was the only jurisdiction that recorded a decrease in marriages when compared to 2020.

This information is based upon the data from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

If you have further questions, you may contact me on 0425 853 086 or navee64@gmail.com.

Hindi By Reena: A Fun, Hindi-Learning Platform for Aussie Kids

language, and there is a lack of classes and tools for them to become fluent. This program solves this problem and with a wide range of videos, live quizzes, homework, and more. The best part is that our program is fun -using games, arts & crafts songs and dance to keep kids engaged!”

The program has 85+ entertaining videos, with live quizzes, homework and games. The platform allows kids to 1). learn the language, 2). understand it, 3). speak it and 4). hear it. Additional video content will be added on a bi-monthly basis.

To learn more about Hindi By Reena and its new program, please visit www. HindiByReena.com or @HindiByReena on Instagram.

Hindi By Reena is the world’s first comprehensive Hindi-learning brand for kids, it is the first-ever Hindi Learning Subscription Service, that teaches kids through Hindi online classes and immersion videos.

This service is available all around the world, which means Aussie kids can learn Hindi in the comforts of their home! Nani and Nana are back in India, have no fear, Hindi By Reena is here to help. In fact, the next time you visit India, the Hindi program can help kids feel comfortable having a conversation with the family.

The program was created by Reena Bhansali, after 10+ years of teaching kids Hindi and creating three successful Hindi

children’s books (Available on Amazon Australia). In this program, she uses a unique approach to language learning -combining her tried and tested conversational Hindi Classes with Immersion Videos. The immersion videos, which will continue to expand, currently include dance videos, singalong songs and story time videos that are 100% in Hindi/Urdu.

“I am extremely excited to launch this program, made especially for parents around the world who want to teach their children Hindi,” said Reena Bhansali, founder of Hindi By Reena. “Conversational Hindi or Hindustani is the 3rd most spoken language in the world, yet kids living outside the Indian Subcontinent are not learning it like they used to. It is hard to expose children to the

The “Netflix for Learning Hindi” is a robust program with 85+ Hindi/Urdu videos and counting!

The Expression of Respect

In 2020, a nationwide call-out made by ABC and Screen Australia was made for The Kaleidoscope Project to showcase the best of Australia's next generation of culturally and linguistically diverse filmmakers. In 2021 six filmmakers were sorted out from many highly talented and competitive emerging storytellers. So, when Ravi invited us to his premier on the 19th November at Cinema Nova, Carlton, we couldn't help but be there to witness his journey.

From the moment, he got accepted into the Kaleidoscope Project to his release date, it was approximately two years, and they had to postpone the shoot thrice due to COVID.

Thankfully, that worked in Ravi's favour as the COVID delays meant he gave more time to the script, with the actors, Elders, Community and my vision. "It is why you see the level of detail in Namaste Yoga", says Ravi.

During the lockdown, everything was held on Zoom - writers' rooms, meeting with cast and crew, auditions, creative meetings,

etc. During the shoot, everyone had to test for COVID and send the results to the production team the night before. Everyone on set worked with masks and had a COVID Safety Officer. Everyone had to be double vaccinated, and the kids had a separate area during their downtime. Ravi had to be particularly careful as he was a writer, director, and producer and played the role of the father in Namaste Yoga.

Namaste Yoga refers to what it was like for Ravi growing up, what he didn't get to see, and how he would represent on his behalf. Ravi talks about the damage that did to him and made him feel about himself. While making the film, he was guided by the community; there was an entire community team. "I'd always be like, " Okay, well then, let's take us back to what this means for our characters and how that affects them as well?" adds Ravi.

We get to see the storytelling always grounded in the truth, but it was also from a young child's point of view, for example, his six-year old son. So, if his son sits and watches it from start to finish, then Ravi

knows he has done his job.

He candidly speaks about him stuck in time. His mother passed away a week before his eleventh birthday in a car accident.

There's this part of his childhood that is trapped within him that he can tap into as if it's just like yesterday, and he knew he would want to create or see something as a kid that he would feel proud of.

Ravi made it quite clear, even in the writer's room, that he is making this for our kids, the primary audience is kids, and he knew that ABC has a much larger audience of kids. Shiv and Kali, the child protagonists in Namaste Yoga, were beautifully played by Emil Jayan and Ellora Iris, who went into professional workshops. Yet the kids had to act naturally, learning their lines and dance choreography.

There are a lot of layers to Ravi's Namaste Yoga and mainly when he talks about Mother Earth as the place of our ancestors. In this land, we are born; Karma is the work we do with indigenous

Actor-director Ravi Chand creates a film with refreshing honesty from his experiences with 'Namaste Yoga'

people. Ravi makes it clear that Yoga is not Bollywood. The main takeaway from Namaste Yoga is that it is indigenous. There's always this perception that Indian cinema is Bollywood, the furthest thing that Ravi wanted it to be. Not that he has an issue with Bollywood, but this is very different.

The characters of Shiv and Kali are two sides of his character, two sides of his personality growing up, so when Ravi moved to Australia in 1982. It was strange for him to see a person of colour in school and the entire suburb. Facing racism was frequent and quite common. The first racist slur he met was when he was just five years old, and he was trying to go under the radar, trying to blend in and just wanting to be an Australian kid. Whatever that meant, he was soon trying to get accepted and shedding away from his culture. The other side of him was Kali, where he was getting into fights nonstop.

Ravi explained that they had discussions

with elders worldwide from the concept stage to the script scene.

Ravi points out that the music in Yoga is quite sacred and significant, so the entire progression of the story is about the journey from darkness to light. They did a lot through the way they cut lighting, the colour grading, and the explosion of colour towards the end. Translating some of the lyrics is very difficult to explain, just with subtitles; it says from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality, and the meaning of that sums up amid Yoga and the whole story arc.

It's profoundly indigenous and decolonizing complex themes and the language that kids can understand and continue to have

conversations with their loved ones.

"Grounded truth, the movie has a sense of belonging and connection to culture - with emotive language and versatile camera hues, the storyline takes its characters and viewers from darkness to light. It explores heavy themes about identity and multiculturalism with subtle humour and authenticity." Sanchetaprofessional Kathak artist and cultural entrepreneur.

The premiere of the film was attended by Screen Australia, Victorian multicultural commission, Canter for Multicultural Youth, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Australia, India, Samantha Ratnam, City space Federation of Indian music and dance, Bernard Acharya Association Victoria, Senators Susan G. Pereira, and several incredible supports of the Indian and South Asian media, community and veteran leaders.

By Nandita Chakraborty

The Rising Pop Star

This year's Australia got talent got a lot more interesting with Melbourne's eleven-year-old Sienna Katelyn.

In this era of pop culture, age is no bar, and most definitely, talents emerging here are worth noticing as they take a bow on national TV. Shows like 'Voice', 'Master Chef', and now 'Australia Got Talent’ has done precisely that by giving the power back to the audience to choose its artists and embracing the richly diverse community that exists right here in Melbourne.

So, when eleven-year-old Anglo-Indian Chennai girl Sienna Katelyn from Truganina took to the stage of AGT (Australia Got Talent) with her father, Mario, we at G'day India had to interview this pop sensation. Auditioning with bronchitis to the judges with an extensive song, ‘If I ain't got you’ by Alicia Keys, proved that she meant serious business and most definitely made it to the finals on the 20th of November.

Born to a family of musicians, especially father Mario, who came to Melbourne in 2003 and mother Diana, who came with her family in 1996, has been a significant contributor. Mario works in superannuation, and Diana works as a project manager; during weekends, they both rehearse with

Sienna as she always wanted to be a singer as early as six years old. Emerging as a shy child, she would often record herself in her bedroom and show her videos to her parents; later, they would usually pay her to turn around when singing at family gatherings.

Sienna's final song choice, a gospel song, 'you say' by Lauren Daigle, is basically about her journey from self-doubt to selfconfidence in believing in herself, winning the audience and a standing ovation from the judges. With Mario playing the guitar in the background. Though she lost to Acromazing dance group, if she had won AGT, Sienna would have donated some of her earnings to the Cancer Council because it's close to her heart, and she also used some of the money to start her career.

This young artist is already taking her acting and performance coaching at the Dan Hamill performance school and hopes to release her solo album one day.

Though inspired by her father, she also looks up to prominent voices within the

soul and pop singers like Ariana Grande, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and Billy Eilish. Sienna says that heaps of ginger and lemon tea are her secret to sounding like them and keeping her voice modulation intact.

If she hadn't taken to singing and, like any young artist, the reply would always be something creative, so if singing didn't choose her, she would have opted for fashion or interior designing.

Immaterial of the fact that she didn't win AGT, she's a winner, inspiring her nine-yearold sister Zoe and the entire nation with her talent.

We see a bright future for this young singer who's not only going to make Australia proud but also India. From all of us at G'day India, we wish this new pop sensation the best in life.

Nandita Chakraborty

Loan or gift – property division

BY GURPAL SINGH

The property settlement between separating couples/partners requires to identify the property pool, its assets, liabilities, contributions and financial resources held individually and/or jointly. On calculation, the net value of the property pool is distributed amongst the separating couples/partners in accordance with the principles of Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (the act).

It is frequently seen that the parents provide/contribute money to the newlyweds/ de facto partners to purchase the property. At the time of such an action, the money per se is given as a gift. However, at the time of separation and the property settlement, and in order to deplete the value of the equity in the matrimonial pool, such payment by the parent(s) is claimed to be a loan rather than a gift. This is notwithstanding that such transaction fail to satisfy the features of a loan. Such a claim is made purposely as a loan owed to parents or third parties shall constitute a liability and returned to the lender. In such an event one of the partner shall loose the money in final settlement whereas the other party gets undue enrichment at the cost of the partner.

Generally, the financial assistance via a loan incurred during a marriage or relationship is considered a joint liability of the parties. Such joint liability should be paid from the asset pool. Taking advantage of the principles, it has become a common practice for parties in a property dispute redefine what was once understood to be a gift.

The Family court often come across a situation where it requires to determine if a particular transaction was a ‘loan’ or a ‘gift’.

A loan agreement might be drawn up to protect the parents’ financial assistance intended for both parties shared benefit when they are together but not to be distributed for the ex-spouse’s benefit after separation.

The court is governed by the principle of ‘presumption of advancement’. Transaction from a parent to child relationship gives rise to the presumption of advancement – a legal presumption that such a transaction is presumed to be a gift. Such a presumption was, however, rebuttable. The assessment requires consideration of various factors including but not limited to the loan agreement; security for such a loan; intention of the lender/parents at the time of contribution of the funds; repayment terms and if a demand for repayment was made; evidence of any repayment; acceptance by the partner(s) that the funds so transferred were a loan; evidence of representation to

third parties including the bank that such a payment was given as a loan; if the parties had not separated, would the loan have been called for repayment; likelihood of the loan actually being returned; if the loan was an enforceable debt or lapsed by the limitation; so on and so forth.

The burden of proof lies with the person alleging that the transfer of funds was a loan and not a gift. If a party is unsuccessful in rebutting the presumption and funds are considered a gift, the funds will be considered as a part of the financial pool and included in the assessment of contribution and distributed.

The case law on this issue had disregarded the loan agreement(s) where the evidence to its legitimate existence and intention to repay is vague. In the matter of Af Petersens the court stated that “it’s common in this court to meet a situation where a parent has made a loan to a child which is in all respects legally enforceable, but which is not in fact enforced and would not really be expected to be enforced. It is no doubt an “obligation” but if the obligation is not likely to have to be met, it should not be take into account”.

The court will look at surrounding evidence when determining the treatment of a loan and whether it should be taken into account. The court is more likely to recognise parents’ financial assistance a loan where the criteria is met. On the contrary a verbal agreement with no past repayment can still constitute a valid loan, it is far more difficult to prove its existence and the court is more likely to categorise it as a gift and treated as an indirect financial contribution of a party who received the gift.

Gurpal Singh is the principal lawyer of Melbourne law firm, Saundh Singh & Smith Lawyers

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrates Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Birth Centenary at Marvel Stadium

"In the joy of others, lies our own" – These are not just the words but the philosophy (credo) His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived by until his last breath. World-renowned spiritual leader and the fifth successor of Bhagawan Swaminarayan, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, inspired millions across the world, built over 1,100 Hindu temples worldwide and initiated over 1,000 sadhus to nurture and celebrate Hindu faith for the generations to come.

Year 2022 marks a momentous year in the history of humanity when Pramukh Swami Maharaj's 100th birth year celebrations are taking place worldwide. Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited Australia for the first time in 1984, while the Indian community was tiny compared to what we see in Australia nowadays. His first visit to Australia was limited to a few selected cities to meet and nurture the Hindu faith community with the message of hope, preservation of Indian values in the family members and the importance of unity for growth & prosperity.

On the occasion of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Centenary Celebrations, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organised largescale events and community activities all across Australia. To pass the message & blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, current spiritual leader of BAPS, Sadguru Pujya Swayamprakash Swami (Pujya Doctor Swami) and Sant Mandal visited Australia between August 2022 to November 2022.

BAPS Swaminarayan Santha organised a large-scale Indian cultural evening at Marvel Stadium on 12th November 2022 to pay tribute to his life, legacy, and his gifts to the Australian-Indian community. The theme of this volunteer-run production was Family Love and Harmony.

Through multiple musical performances, Indian cultural dances, mesmerising speakers & engaging audio visuals the event highlighted the importance of retaining peace and harmony between family members. Pujya Priyachintan Swami mentioned in his address, "Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an ideal example of giving children the time". He described how Pramukh Swami Maharaj travelled 1,800 kilometres in February 1990 in India to visit a child's home when that child requested Pramukh Swami Maharaj to come and bless his family at home.

Pujya Paramchintan Swami addressed to over 7,500 attendees at the stadium on the importance of giving time to each other in the family. He added Pramukh Swami Maharaj has taught us to listen to our family members and forgive each other in the case of a mistake or conflict. Asking for forgiveness from a family member is also a unique remedy that can bring much more peace and unity. Efforts towards understanding each other, spending time with family and regularly doing Ghar Sabha have delivered benefits of peace and unity in families worldwide.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited over

250,000 homes during his lifetime, providing instrumental guidance on various aspects of life to individuals and families. Based on his vast experience with people, he believed that family harmony is the key for an individual to lead a happy life. As part of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Centenary Celebrations, volunteers across Australia and New Zealand participated in the 100-day 'Parivarik Shanti Abhiyan' – a unique initiative to promote family values and unity based on Pramukh Swami Maharaj's seven core messages for family harmony.

As part of this 100-day initiative, the volunteers went house to house to convey the messages of family harmony as revealed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The volunteers contacted a total of 56,437 homes across Australia and New Zealand and conveyed the seven practical messages of Pramukh Swami Maharaj for family harmony in English, Hindi and Gujarati. This entire initiative was conducted by more than 650 volunteers, who dedicated more than 25,782 man-hours of voluntary service.

The families contacted were of various religious and cultural backgrounds, and they all appreciated the volunteer work for the benefit of others.

The event at the Marvel Stadium also showcased how over 300 volunteers from the age of 3 years to 60 years dedicated their time to deliver dances, drama and skills-based contributions such as audio-visuals on giant screens.

Sadguru Pujya Doctor Swami blessed the gathering in his address by reminding everyone that the God should be at the centre of our life and activities. He recited his observations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj & his selfless service to the community. How his teachings and legacy still alive through BAPS Swamis, volunteers and their tireless efforts to please Bhagawan Swaminarayan and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The event was also attended by over 45 Members of Parliament from Victoria including Hon Tim Pallas, Treasurer of Victoria, Hon. Matthew Guy, Leader of the opposition and Dr Sushil Kumar, Consul General of India in Melbourne. There were also leaders from over 60 Indian community organisations active in Melbourne Metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The month-long 'Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Festival' of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who had lived his entire life by his words, “In the joy of others, lies our own”, will be celebrated on a gigantic 600-acre site called 'Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar' in Ahmedabad, India from December 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023.

By Community Reporter

Find some motivation to save money!

BY ARCHITA BAWEJA

Chris and Anna have moved in together and it’s been an exciting time for them since then. They have been trying to get to know each other better, doing their chores together, and planning their budget as a couple.

The cost of living has been soring up ever since the pandemic hit in 2020 and they both have been feeling the pressure recently with the increased prices of rent, groceries, loans and insurance premiums.

They have been saving some money for a Euro trip they plan to go in mid-2023. But almost every month when they reconcile their finances, they see that they are over the budget. This means they aren’t able to save as much now. Chris has researched on how to get motivated to save in these pressing times especially if you are trying to save for a certain goal.

He wanted to share the below pointers with everyone who might get some help from these:

1) Crystal clear Goal/s: Having a clear goal in mind is a really good starting point. One should know if one wants to save for a holiday, starting a family, make a down payment for a home, a new car or a lot of other things! Having set a clear intention about your goal, it is also important to note how much savings one needs to make and in what time.

2) Realistic and achievable goals: The goal/s set should be realistic and achievable, else you will burn out soon, and demotivation will set in. For example, a realistic goal would be to save roughly $5000 in a year, again

depending on the money you earn and the expenditure of course.

3) Budget for the month: List down all your seen expenses for a month and add some dollars to the miscellaneous section too or any unforeseen costs. Once a budget is set, this will help you in making a realistic and achievable goal for saving as pointed out in point 2.

4) Create a positive environment: Surround yourself with positive and understanding people who support your goals and dreams. Being around people who burn their paychecks month after month will only take you away from reaching your goal. Also, get support from family and friends when things seem difficult. Take their advice or let them cheer you up.

5) Track your progress and reward yourself for reaching milestones: Track your

progress each month. These days there are also many apps that let you see your progress with the money-saving goals. Rewarding yourself for achieving milestones is another important step. This not only helps in tracking but also gives you the kick of motivation needed to keep marching towards your goal.

6) Push a little extra: You can take up a second job or work overtime by giving yourself that extra push. This helps one achieve the goal sooner and gives a little slack in the budget.

Following the above Chris has already been able to save much in the last few months and he will put that towards their trip to Europe. I hope the above pointers also help the readers of this article as they have helped Chris.

Archita Baweja of Melbourne is an engineer by profession but a writer at heart

BMW M240i xDrive Review

BY AMANDEEP SETHI

The BMW M240i was previously a middle child in the BMW sedan segment. The previous generation M-Performance lineup, including the M240i, M340i, and M135i, were great cars, but they seemed almost redundant. If you want a BMW M car, you should buy a BMW M car. I suppose BMW justified the M-Performance brand as the “attainable” M car for those that aren’t willing to shell out the big bucks. With the 2022 BMW M240i xDrive however, it seems that BMW has found the right balance between performance and daily-drivability.

To cut to the chase, the new 2-Series might not be to everyone’s taste as far as appearances go. Like many other BMW models that have fallen prey to BMW’s new questionable design philosophy in recent years, the 2-Series also received some controversial revisions.

It is clear that BMW wanted to up the aggression with the new model. It works to some extent in the front with the M240i’s dramatic triangular air intakes, but falls short in the rear, which looks more bubbly than anything. Other additions like the laser high beams seem good on paper, but suffer from shortcomings in practice. In the case of the high beams, they are exceptionally bright, but have a distracting black spot centrally where they are projecting.

The M240i has also grown in the generational change, measuring in as 96mm longer, 64mm wider, and with a 51mm increased wheelbase. While the 2-Series used to be noticeably more petite than the 3-Series, the difference between the two isn’t as extreme anymore.

The interior of the new M240i xDrive is as to be expected, following many of the same styling details and high-quality modern fit

and finish that BMW has been providing in their newer generation of cars. Post-July 2022 models received a tech overhaul, including a larger 14.9” touchscreen display running BMW’s newest iDrive 8 operating software. That has some early M240i owners miffed, as the older models, including our test vehicle, only had a 10.25” display running iDrive 7. Even so, both screens and operating systems are intuitive and user-friendly.

The front of the M240i xDrive’s cabin is spacious, but the same can’t be said for the second row. While the rear seats are passible for a two-door, aided a bit by the electric sliding seats in the front allowing for easier access, don’t expect your passengers to enjoy extended drives. Boot space is plentiful for the M240i xDrive’s size as well, offering up to 390L.

Since we are talking about one of BMW’s most recent performance models, let's jump into the technical nitty-gritty. The 2022 BMW M240i xDrive sees a 35kW increase over the previous generation M240i, bringing its total power figure to 285kW. That is a difference that

is immediately noticeable. The added power comes from the M240i’s B58 turbo inline sixcylinder engine that it shares with the M340i.

Power delivery is buttery smooth with little delay in throttle response due to its twin-scroll turbocharger. BMW is truly approaching perfection as far as their 8-speed Steptronic transmission is concerned, as it puts down the power effortlessly and with almost no delay between shifts.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system is a welcomed addition to the Australian M240i after previously being offered in rear-wheel drive only. The inclusion of xDrive in the most recent M240i is due to the fact that the new 2-Series is built on BMW’s new Cluster Architecture platform, which lends itself well to all-wheel-drive.

With that being said, xDrive has impacted the M240i’s turning radius significantly, making tight maneuvering more challenging. That doesn’t apply at speeds, however, as the M240i xDrive feels nimble and precise. While the M240i is predictable, it suffers from a lack of road feel due to BMW’s modern electronic power steering system.

So, where does all of this position the 2022 BMW M240i xDrive amongst the rest of the BMW lineup? Unlike the previous M240i, the newer generation model seems to have carved out its own valuable space by separating itself even further from the regular 2-Series range. The impressive 285kW power figure is a massive increase over the BMW 230i’s 185kW output which is the model directly underneath the M240i in the 2-Series hierarchy. While the new M2 is predicted to have 343kW, M cars have a history of feeling a bit jittery on the road.

It truly seems that BMW has found the sweet spot for the M240i xDrive. It maximizes performance from the 2-Series chassis without sacrificing the good road manners of the lesser models. For most people, the M240i xDrive is all of the car that you’ll ever need.

Where to catch the

Christmas Spirit in Melbourne?

BY DEBASREE DAS

The Jolly good season is here to stay, and I can’t be any happier as it’s the best time of the year. With Melbourne summer finally here, it is getting festive everywhere in Melbourne.

So let me take you to the places where you can catch the Christmas spirit In Melbourne

• Tinseltown, District Docklands: Where every day is Christmas

It's time to make every day cheery again, and you guessed it...Tinseltown is all about celebrating Christmas so you can expect Santa, elves, presents, tinsel, festive tunes, and lots of winter warmer drinks, including a fabulous Christmas cocktail menu! The halls are more than fully decked with baubles, bows, hanging trees, wreaths and just about every festive goodie ever! You'll be left unable to shake the spirit and joy of our favourite season.

This place is number 1 on my list because of the sheer festive spirit, you can also enjoy

with kids and the props are a perfect way to get that Christmas family photo too.

• Federation Square: MELBURNIANS are invited to celebrate Christmas in the city and spread the Christmas cheers this year with an extended lineup of events entertainment and pops set-ups.

The 17.5 metres Christmas tree is the tallest in Victoria and lights up every day from 24th of November onwards.

You can also catch all the photo sessions with Santa Clause for free. Check the times on the Federation Square website before you visit.

The Fed Square is lit up and looks festive already, you can see from the images how beautiful the tree looks.

Santa’s Workshop is one thing that all kids love, even we do, don’t we?

• Myers Christmas Windows: Myers Christmas Windows is iconic, and this year’s theme is all about Disney characters.

Windows include Mary Poppins, Bert and the Banks children; Mickey and Minnie

soaking up the sun, sea and sand on their Hawaiian Holiday; the coronation of Elsa from Disney’s Frozen; Peter Pan taking Wendy and her brothers on a magical flight across the London night sky; the Lion King’s Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumba, Zazu and Rafiki on Pride Rock; and the famous Disney Studios' opening sequence featuring Tinker Bell.

Christmas Carnival: Enjoy festive thrills on the banks of the Birrarung at the Christmas Carnival. Ride the ferris wheel, drive the dodgems or get the best view of the city lights as you spin 35-metres in the air on top of the Sky Flyer. Try your luck at much-loved carnival games and complete the experience with classic carnival food.

Entry is free. Tickets for each ride can be purchased at the ticket box on site.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and embrace the Spirit of Christmas in Melbourne. And don’t forget to give me a follow on Instagram (@travelinstylewithdebs) to see what new places I have been discovering in Melbourne.

inspiration. travelinstylewithdebs

10 SIGNS YOUR PARTNER IS FEELING INSECURE

Relationships are the most magical aspects of life, it empowers both partners to be the best versions of themselves. However, life can sometimes be tough and make one feel less confident. Whether this is in their personal or professional lives or even within the relationship, insecurity can damage the emotional bond between partners and lead to serious issues.

What makes it a bigger concern in some cases, is when one partner is insecure about the other. This further grows into jealousy, spite, and negative emotions. Controlling this early on before the insecurity gets bigger is absolutely essential to keep the relationship happy and healthy.

Lack of independent social life

When two people are together for most of the time, a little space and alone time is a must to get a break. If you notice your partner is always tagging along with you or does not want to pursue any other social plans without you, it is a huge sign that they are insecure.

Jealousy

Insecurity in a relationship comes when one partner feels inferior to the other and thinks they might lose them. Jealousy is a common action in such cases and a major indicator that your partner does not feel secure in the relationship.

Playing the victim card

During arguments or just a conversation, your partner happens to put the entire blame on you and plays the victim there are often in need of attention. This could be a natural trait or a personality they picked up on while growing up. Irrespective, this sign is not healthy for a relationship.

No personal space

Despite telling them that you require some time

alone if your partner does not give you any personal space, it clearly means that they want to constantly be around you and are afraid of losing you.

Cannot handle criticism.

Insecure people tend to react loudly when criticised. This could be constructive criticism or an opinion you are sharing. If it is remotely about them, a massive fight is coming your way.

Snaps back often

Immaturity often tags along with an insecure person. They don’t seem to see the other perspective and only want everything to cater to them almost like being self-centred. Arguing and snapping back is common in such cases.

Needs re-assurance

No matter how many times you try to tell them that you love them or that they are safe with you, your partner keeps needing reassurance on their status with you. This can become extremely exhausting and even disrespectful for some.

Apologising for small things

Relationships often have arguments and misunderstandings but over-apologising and creating situations out of nothing can start to look extremely irritating. You may notice that your partner is constantly looking to make sure they don’t hurt you in any way and instead end up making you feel even more conscious.

Comparing every move

In case both partners are at different stages of life, professionally, one may feel like they have to keep up and the exhaustion from this can lead to major insecurity and low self-esteem.

Overthinks

Constant overthinking about the same subject and making assumptions about how they are

feeling or what you said is everything an insecure person does.

In a situation like this, it often becomes difficult to help your partner out and get their confidence back. For most this insecurity comes out of personal shortcomings and reflective exercise can immensely help overcome this. Sit with your partner and help them build their confidence back. As soon as they start to appreciate themselves and be comfortable in their own skin, the relationship too will start to flourish. However, if you do think that the concern is major, visiting a couple therapists is a great idea.

Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager India for Gleeden dating app shares, “When a partner is feeling insecure, it is important to empathize and understand where they are coming from. Relationships are built together and only when both willingly and maturely handle ups and downs is what really matters. In terms of a partner feeling insecure, calmly handling the situation and strong communication is the best way to realign the relationship. However, if things get worse, know that one person alone cannot handle the baggage of the relationship and everyone deserves a secure and safe loving relationship.”

www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383

www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383

RESEARCHERS UNVEIL 3D-PRINTED HOUSE

MADE FROM BIO-BASED MATERIALS

Researchers from the US-based university have unveiled BioHome3D, the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials.

The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) has created this first 3D-printed home, according to an official report.

The 600-square-foot prototype has 3D-printed floors, walls, and a roof made of wood fibres and bio-resins.

The house is completely recyclable and highly insulated, with 100 per cent wood insulation and customisable R-values, said the report. The US, and particularly Maine, are facing a crisis-level shortage of affordable housing.

According to a US report, there is a need for more than 7 million affordable housing units nationally.

“Our state is facing the perfect storm of a hous ing crisis and labour shortage, but the University of Maine is stepping up once again to show that we can address these serious challenges with trademark Maine ingenuity,” said Janet Mills,

Governor of Maine.

The technology was intended to address labour shortages and supply chain issues that were driving high costs and limiting the availability of affordable housing, as per the report.

Because of the use of automated manufacturing and off-site production, less time will be required on-site for building and fitting out the home.

Moreover, future low-income homes can be cus tomised to meet a homeowner’s space, energy efficiency, and aesthetic preferences using ad vanced manufacturing processes and materials developed at UMaine, the report added.

The prototype was created with the world’s largest polymer 3D printer, which was also used to create the world’s largest 3D-printed boat in 2019. (IANS)

NASA’S MARS HELICOPTER MAKES A SHORT YET SIGNIFICANT FLIGHT

NASA engineers have taken its Mars Ingenuity helicopter on a short but important 18-second successful flight to test new capabilities.

The operations team has been working on the new capabilities over the past few weeks. The software upgrade includes hazard avoidance on landing and the use of digital elevation maps.

“Despite the flight’s simple nature, the team is very excited because of what it means for the future of Ingenuity,” the US space agency said in a statement.

NASA tested the new software for the first time on Flight 34.

“Jezero Crater is a rocky place, so safe airfields have been tough to find! Using Ingenuity’s downward-facing navigation camera, this software update adds hazard avoidance on landing,” said Joshua Anderson, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Operations Lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“While in flight, Ingenuity will identify the safest visible landing site. When preparing to land, Ingenuity will then

divert over to this selected site. This capability allows Ingenuity to safely land in rockier terrain than before, providing our pilots with many more potential landing sites,” Anderson added.

The navigation system for the helicopter was created on the assumption that the vehicle would be travelling over flat ground.

“Over long flights, navigation errors caused by rough terrain must be accounted for, requiring the team to select large airfields,” Anderson mentioned.

The team will use results from the flight to start testing the new capabilities, making sure that everything works as expected on the surface of Mars.

WHATSAPP WORKING ON VOICE STATUS UPDATES ON IOS BETA

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly working on voice status on iOS beta for an upcoming iOS update.

It provides users the ability to share voice notes to their status updates, reports WABetaInfo.

According to the report, the microphone icon will show up when users don’t enter any text and it will allow users to post a voice note up to 30 seconds to their status updates.

Last month, the messaging platform had rolled out the business tools tab on iOS beta.

The feature helps users to easily reach all messaging tools available to businesses without opening WhatsApp Settings.

The new tab called ‘Tools’ would replace the old camera tab if the feature is enabled for

the user’s account.

The business tools tab feature was released to a few businesses after installing

the latest update of WhatsApp Business beta from TestFlight.

Google has started testing full emoji reactions in its Messages platform, which allows users to react with any emoji. Full emoji reactions have already rolled out for some users, reports 9To5Google.

For some time now, users have been able to react with only seven emojis by long-pressing on an RCS (Rich Communications Services) chat -- thumbs up/down, smiling face with heart-eyes, face with tears of joy, face with open mouth, crying face, and angry face. Moreover, recently used reactions will display in the top row, but it is still unclear whether it will eventually replace the seven defaults, the report said.

Earlier this month, the tech giant had started testing a newly designed gallery-focused ‘photo picker’ in its Messages platform. With the redesigned photo picker users are able to see around 22 images by swiping left and it also provides a shortcut to quickly open the camera.

(IANS)

YouTube has started testing new shopping features on its short-video platform Shorts, along with affiliate marketing.

According to TechCrunch, the new shopping features will allow users to buy products as they browse Shorts.

Initially, the video-sharing platform added shopping features to Shorts for eligible creators in the US as a pilot, which will give them the ability to tag products from their own stores.

“We firmly believe YouTube is the best place for creators to build a business and shopping is a piece of that,” a spokesperson for YouTube was quoted as saying.

Moreover, users from the US, India, Brazil,

Canada and Australia can see the tags and shop through the Shorts.

The company says it plans to continue bringing tagging to more creators and countries in the future, according to the report.

The platform is also testing an affiliate program in the US, which will enable creators to earn commission by recommending products in their regular and Shorts videos.

The platform says that the test is still in its early days, and it plans to gradually expand the experiment to more creators next year, the report added. Meanwhile, YouTube isn’t the only digital giant to bet on the future of shopping, as TikTok and Meta have also invested in the space.

(AGENCIES)

VIOLENT SEXUAL PREDATORS USE DATING APPS AS HUNTING GROUNDS

The use of dating apps has become ingrained in American social life, yet there is still work to be done to assure user safety. According to recent research, violent sexual predators are seeking helpless victims on dating apps.

A Brigham Young University nursing team examined the medical exam records of Utah sexual assault victims from 2017 to 2020 in the largest research of its type. 14 per cent of the 1,968 rapes perpetrated by acquaintances, they discovered, took place during an initial meeting set up using a dating app. In certain instances, the attacks were noticeably more violent and victims with mental problems and other vulnerabilities were specifically targeted. “What we found is incredibly concerning,” said BYU nursing professor Julie Valentine. “We’d started to see an increase of victims reporting being raped after meeting someone on a dating app, and we wanted to know if rapes facilitated through dating apps differed from other acquaintance rapes. They are indeed very different.”

Previous studies have shown that those who have mental illnesses are already more prone to experience sexual assault. In the study, 47 per cent of acquaintance rape victims who had no connection to dating apps had acknowledged a mental disorder. The percentage was substantially greater among those who were assaulted during a first meeting arranged via an app, with 60 per cent admitting a mental disorder.

“In a dating app, people can shape themselves however they want to appeal to vulnerable victims. Those with mental illnesses like depression may be more susceptible to a predator who might, for example, flatter them profusely and persuade them to meet in person,” Valentine said.

Men were nearly twice as likely to be victims of assaults aided by dating apps than by other acquaintances, and college students were similarly more likely to be assault victims.

Sadly, the rape offenders who used dating apps appeared to be exceptionally brutal. The attacks resulted in more injuries to victims than previous acquaintance rapes; for instance, onefourth of the victims suffered breast injuries. Additionally, 22 per cent of victims who were not meeting attackers for the first time through an app reported being strangled, whereas 33 per cent of victims claimed to have been strangled during the assault.

Because there are few ways for potential victims to vet potential mates, dating apps are a haven for predators.

“It used to be that people would meet

through mutual friends or at work or school, and there was a degree of vetting that went in place before dating. Dating apps have completely taken away that process,” Valentine said.

The researchers contend that the existing safety precaution in dating apps, a documented list of rules for safe dating, is insufficient since it puts the onus of safety on potential victims. Victims may blame themselves for not adhering to the rules exactly after being persuaded by a predator, and this self-criticism may discourage them from reporting the assault. The authors advise dating app companies to raise their security standards instead.

“Dating app companies can increase artificial intelligence to identify perpetrators, have stricter identification requirements for users, run criminal history searches at no extra charge and connect with other companies to ensure that perpetrators aren’t just jumping from one app to another. They can also improve ways for victims to report assaults and provide more support services for victims,” Valentine suggested.

These modifications might be approaching. To enhance safety in dating apps, the BYU team worked with dating app providers and lawmakers to create the “Online Dating Safety Requirements” Utah House bill, which is supported by Representative Angela Romero. They hope that additional states will follow their lead and enact the law during the upcoming legislative session.

“What I don’t want people to take from the study is that we shouldn’t use dating apps -they’re the number-one way that happy couples meet. We want to preserve that but increase the safety,” Valentine concluded.

STRONGER SENSE OF PURPOSE IN LIFE MIGHT

OF DEATH

Evidence suggests that one’s sense of purpose, the degree to which someone perceives a sense of direction and goals in their life, might be linked to health-protective benefits such as improved physical functioning and lower risks of cardiovascular disease or cognitive decline.

Now, a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher found that people with higher levels of purpose may have a lower risk of death from any cause, and that this association is applicable across race/ ethnicity and gender. Published in the journal Preventive Medicine, the study results did suggest that this association is slightly stronger among women than it is among men, but there was no significant difference by race/ethnicity.

“Having a purpose in life has been known to improve many health outcomes on average,” says study lead author Dr. Koichiro Shiba, assistant professor of epidemiology at BUSPH. “In another study I led, we found that the effect of purpose on lowering allcause mortality may differ by socioeconomic status. In this study, we extended the prior evidence and found that the beneficial effect of purpose persisted regardless of gender and race/ethnicity.”

For the study, Dr. Shiba and colleagues at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Harvard Chan) utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of US adults ages 50 and older. The team assessed self-reported sense of purpose among more than 13,000 people, based on the “purpose in life” of the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scales, a widely used tool that measures different aspects of well-being and happiness. The researchers also examined mortality risk over an eight-year period beginning between 2006-2008.

The results showed that people with the highest sense of purpose indicated the lowest risk of death (15.2 percent mortality risk), compared to people with the lowest sense of purpose (36.5 percent mortality risk).

The team also gathered data on additional factors that can influence health, such socioeconomic status, other demographic characteristics, baseline physical health, and depression, and found that an increase in these factors was also associated with increases in a higher sense of purpose.

Dr. Shiba speculates that the stronger observed purpose-mortality association

in women may be attributable to gender difference in the use of healthcare services, “one of the postulated pathways linking purpose and health,” he says. “Evidence suggests men tend to underuse necessary healthcare services, due to social norm. However, future study investigating the mechanisms underlying the gender difference is warranted.”

These findings can help inform future policies and other efforts to improve health and well-being.

“This evidence on effect heterogeneity tells us whether population-level purpose interventions can promote people’s health not only on average, but also in an equitable manner,” Dr. Shiba says. “Although evidence suggests purpose interventions would not lead to widening racial disparities in mortality, policymakers should also be aware of other sources of heterogeneity, such as SES and gender. Even though people may view purpose as a ‘psychological’ factor, its impacts on health cannot be explained solely by processes that operate in our mind and biology. We need to consider how the psychological factor interacts with our social world and ultimately impacts our health.”

BE ASSOCIATED WITH A LOWER RISK

HEALTH

EVEN LOW DRINKING DURING PREGNANCY ALTERS BABY’S BRAIN STRUCTURE

Consumption of alcohol, even in low to moderate amounts during pregnancy, can change the baby’s brain structure and delay brain development, a new MRI-based study has warned.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can expose the fetus to a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Babies born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders could develop learning disabilities, behavioural problems or speech and language delays.

“Fetal MRI is a highly specialised and safe examination method that allows us to make accurate statements about brain maturation prenatally,” said study senior author Gregor Kasprian, associate professor of radiology at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria.

For the study, researchers analysed MRI exams of 24 fetuses with prenatal alcohol exposure. The fetuses were between 22 and 36 weeks of gestation at the time of MRI.

Alcohol exposure was determined via anonymous surveys of the mothers.

In fetuses with alcohol exposure, the fetal total maturation score (fTMS) was significantly lower than in the age-matched controls, and the right superior temporal sulcus (STS) was shallower.

The STS is involved in social cognition, audio visual integration and language perception.

“We found the greatest changes in the temporal brain region and STS. We know that

this region, and specifically the formation of the STS, has a great influence on language development during childhood,” said Dr Kasprian.

Seventeen of 24 mothers drank alcohol relatively infrequently, with average alcohol consumption of less than one alcoholic drink per week. “Nevertheless, we were able to detect significant changes in these fetuses based on prenatal MRI,” Dr Kienast added.

According to the researchers, delayed fetal brain development could be specifically related to a delayed stage of myelination and less distinct gyrification in the frontal and occipital lobes.

The myelination process is critical to brain and nervous system function. Gyrification refers to the formation of the folds of the cerebral cortex.

“Pregnant women should strictly avoid alcohol consumption,” Dr Kienast said, as “even low levels of alcohol consumption can lead to structural changes in brain development and delayed brain maturation.”

High salt intake increases stress levels

A diet containing lots of salt can contribute to increased levels of stress, a new study has revealed.

According to the study published in Cardiovascular Research, scientists found in studies of mice that a high-salt diet increased the levels of a stress hormone by 75 per cent.

“We are what we eat and understanding how high-salt food changes our mental health is an important step to improving well-being,” said Matthew Bailey, Professor of Renal Physiology at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Cardiovascular Science.

“We know that eating too much salt damages our heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. This study now tells us that high salt in our food also changes the way our brain handles stress,” he added. The recommended daily salt intake for adults is less than six grams, but most people eat about nine grams, according to the study.

This can lead to higher blood pressure, which increases the risks of heart attacks,

strokes, and vascular dementia. Despite the well-established effects on the heart and circulatory system, little was known about how a high-salt diet affects a person’s behaviour, the study added. In order to study this, experts from the University of Edinburgh used mice, who normally eat a low-salt diet, and high-salt food to resemble the typical human diet. The researchers found that not only did resting

stress hormone levels increase, but the mice’s hormone response to environmental stress was double that of mice that had a normal diet, said the study.

Experts say further studies are already in progress to determine if high salt intake leads to anxiety and aggression.

In 8 older adults experienced depression for 1st time during pandemic

1

Anew, large-scale study of more than 20,000 older adults has found that approximately 1 in 8 older adults developed depression for the first time during the pandemic.

For those who had experienced depression in the past, the numbers were even worse. By the autumn of 2020, almost half (45 per cent) of this group reported being depressed, according to the study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

“The high rate of first-onset depression in 2020 highlights the substantial mental health toll that the pandemic caused in a formerly mentally healthy group of older adults,” said Andie MacNeil from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and the Institute for Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto.

While the surge in prevalence of depression among older adults during the pandemic is well known, few studies prior to this have identified the percentage of people who experienced it for the first time or the percentage of people with a history of the disorder who experienced a relapse.

“The devastation of the pandemic which upended so many aspects of daily life hit those with

a history of depression particularly hard,” said study co-author Sapriya Birk, currently a medical student at McMaster University in Canada.

The researchers identified several factors that were associated with depression among older adults during the pandemic, including inadequate income and savings, loneliness, chronic pain, trouble accessing healthcare, a history of adverse childhood experiences, and family conflict.

Individuals who experienced various dimensions of loneliness, such as feeling left out, feeling isolated, and lacking companionship had approximately 4 to 5 times higher risk of both incident and recurrent depression.

“Social connections and social support are essential for well-being and mental health. Better support and outreach are needed for those who are isolated,” said co-author Ying Jiang, Senior Epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Individuals with a childhood history of adversity were more likely to be depressed during the autumn of 2020. Older adults who experienced family conflict during the pandemic had more than triple the risk of depression compared to their peers who did not, said the researchers.

Health tip:

Eat almonds to reduce the risk of heart diseases. They contain potassium, folic acid, protein, and monosaturated fats

How Can Noise Cancellation Headphones Help You Get Good Teeth?

Does the noise of drills at the dentist’s make you run for life? You are not alone. The noise of dental drills cutting deep into your teeth is so scary people often avoid going to the dentist because of it. But what suffers the most from this dislike is your dental health. And you cannot compromise your dental health.

To solve this issue, we, at Healthy Smiles Dental Group have introduced noise cancellation headphones at our clinic. Our principal dentist, Dr Ved Berani, says, “Noise cancellation headphones are becoming very popular these days. You can see hordes of people syncing to their favourite rhythms without disturbing others. So, we thought, why not use them for dentistry and provide comfort to our patients suffering from dental anxiety due to dental drilling noise. And it is working just fine. We treat many of our patients while they are using these headphones. Our greatest joy comes when we see them smiling carefree.”

Noise cancellation headphones have positively comforted anxious dental patients.

Let us learn more about how these noise cancellation headphones prove beneficial to the patients:

2. It works to distract you from worries

Patients suffering from dental anxiety have all kinds of worries and troubling thoughts about a dental procedure. But when we explain the whole dental process in advance, it helps them feel in control of their surroundings with the knowledge of the proceedings in advance. And the noise cancellation headphones add to this comfort. They distract the patients from whatever that is left of the worries. Patients can relax throughout the whole dental procedure.

3. You can also watch a show of your choice on our screen

These noise cancellation headphones can also be synced with a TV screen on the ceiling. You can watch a TV show while our dentists work on your teeth. When the patients are relaxed, our dentists can also concentrate more on the treatment.

The aim behind using noise cancellation headphones for dentistry is to provide patients with a comfortable dental care experience. Our dentists enthusiastically work towards providing the best dental treatments using state-of-the-art technology so that you can leave all your anxieties behind and walk out with a confident smile.

1.

Music can uplift your mood faster

As we all know this proven fact, music is one of the best remedies when it comes to uplifting spirits. No matter how stressed a person is, good music can soothe all the lines on the forehead. When it comes to dental patients who are anxious about their dental treatment, we use the same concept. Our Healthy Smiles clinic provides Spotify streaming in all rooms. You need to select your favourite genre and tune in while we operate on your teeth. Patients have had a great experience with noise cancellation headphones.

Do not neglect to look after your teeth and oral health because a lot of health issues can stem from oral health conditions. Contact us today to make use of this new method of cancelling out the drill noise and pay your teeth all the attention they need.

Potatoes can be part of healthy diet

Potatoes are frequently included on a list of foods to stay away from, especially for people with insulin resistance, because of their reputation for causing weight gain and an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes.

However, a new study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, says that potatoes actually did not increase that risk, are filled with key nutrients, and packed with health benefits. Candida Rebello, PhD, an assistant professor at Pennington Biomedical, served as co-investigator of the study which examined how a diet including potatoes affects key health measures. Rebello, who is also a registered dietitian, said, “We demonstrated that contrary to common belief, potatoes do not negatively impact blood glucose levels. In fact, the individuals who participated in our study lost weight.”

“People tend to eat the same weight of food regardless of calorie content in order to feel full,” Rebello explained. “By eating foods with a heavier weight that are low in calories, you can easily reduce the number of calories you consume. The key aspect of our study is that we did not reduce the portion size of meals but lowered their caloric content by including potatoes. Each participant’s meal was tailored to their personalized caloric needs, yet by replacing some meat content with potato, participants found themselves fuller, quicker, and often did not even finish their meal. In effect, you can lose weight with little effort.”

The study involved 36 participants between

the ages of 18 and 60 who were overweight, had obesity, or insulin resistance. Insulin resistance refers to a health condition in which the body’s cells do not respond well to insulin and glucose does not enter into the cells to make energy. Insulin resistance is linked to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes

Participants were fed precisely controlled diets of widely available common foods including either beans, peas, and meat or fish, or white potatoes with meat or fish. Both diets were high in fruit and vegetable content and substituted an estimated 40% of typical meat consumption with either beans and peas or potatoes. Previous studies have shown that

eating beans and peas improves blood glucose levels in individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. To increase the dietary fiber component of the potatoes, they were boiled with the skin intact and then refrigerated between 12 and 24 hours. Potatoes were incorporated into the main lunch and dinner entrees, such as shepherd’s pie and creamy shrimp and potatoes, and served together with sides such as mashed potatoes, oven-roasted potato wedges, potato salad, and scalloped potatoes with lunch and dinner entrees.

“We prepared the potatoes in a way that would maximize their fiber content. When we compared a diet with potatoes to a diet with beans and peas, we found them to be equal in terms of health benefits,” Rebello said. “People typically do not stick with a diet they don’t like or isn’t varied enough. The meal plans provided a variety of dishes, and we showed that a healthy eating plan can have varied options for individuals striving to eat healthy. In addition, potatoes are a fairly inexpensive vegetable to incorporate into a diet.”

Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Executive Director John Kirwan, PhD, and Principal Investigator on the study said, “Obesity is an incredibly complex disease that Pennington Biomedical is tackling on three different fronts: research that looks at how and why our bodies react the way they do, research that looks at individual responses to diet and physical activity, and policy-level discussions and community programs that bring our research into strategies our local and global communities can use to live healthier lives. These new data on the impact of potatoes on our metabolism is an exciting addition to the arsenal of evidence we have to do just that.”

Morning exercise lowers risk of heart disease and stroke

Morning physical activity is associated with the lowest risk of heart disease and stroke, as per a new study.

According to the study, which was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the findings were consistent regardless of total daily activity.

“It is well established that exercise is good for heart health, and our study now indicates that morning activity seems to be most beneficial,” said study author Gali Albalak of Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.

“The findings were particularly pronounced in women, and applied to both early birds and night owls,” she added.

The study used data from the UK Biobank (a large-scale biomedical database and research resource). It included 86,657 adults between the ages of 42 and 78 who were free of cardiovascular disease at the start. The average

age was 62, and 58 per cent were women.

Over the course of six to eight years, 2,911 participants developed coronary artery disease, and 796 had a stroke, said the study.

When peak activity times were compared

over a 24-hour period, being most active between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. was associated with the lowest risks of both heart disease and stroke.

In a second analysis, the researchers divided participants into four groups based on peak physical activity time - midday, early morning (8 a.m.), late morning (10 a.m.), and evening (7 p.m.).

After adjusting for age and gender, participants who were most active in the early or late morning had 11 per cent and 16 per cent lower risks of incident coronary artery disease, respectively, compared to the reference group, the study added.

“Our findings add to the evidence on the health benefits of being physically active by suggesting that morning activity, and especially late morning, may be the most advantageous,” said Albalak.

Very low levels of air pollution deadlier than previously thought

A new study now claims that mortality risk from air pollution is very high even at very low levels of outdoor particulate matter (PM) 2.5 -- levels which had not previously been recognised as being potentially deadly.

These microscopic toxins cause a range of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and even cancers, said the study from McGill University in Canada.

The World Health Organisation estimates that over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution.

“We found that outdoor PM2.5 may be responsible for as many as 1.5 million additional deaths around the globe each year because of the effects at very-low concentrations that were not previously appreciated,” said Scott Weichenthal, Associate Professor at McGill University and the lead author on the recent paper in Science Advances.

The researchers arrived at this conclusion by combining health and mortality data for seven million Canadians gathered over a 25-year period with information about the levels of outdoor PM2.5 concentrations across the country.

Canada is a country with low levels of outdoor PM2.5, making it the perfect place to study health impacts at low

concentrations.

The WHO recently set out ambitious new guidelines for annual average outdoor fine particulate air pollution, cutting its earlier recommendations in half, from concentrations of 10 to concentrations of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

The current US Environmental Protection Agency standard of 12 micrograms per cubic metre is now more than double the value recommended by the WHO.

“One takeaway is that the global

health benefits of meeting the new WHO guideline are likely much larger than previously assumed,” adds Weichenthal.

The next steps are to stop focussing only on particle mass and start looking more closely at particle composition because some particles are likely more harmful than others.

“If we can gain a better understanding of this, it may allow us to be much more efficient in designing regulatory interventions to improve population health,” said the researchers.

KAJOL REVEALS AJAY DEVGN IS A FABULOUS COOK, HAS QUIRKS IN THE KITCHEN

Bollywood actress Kajol has revealed that Ajay Devgn, who has been playing different characters on screen, is in real life, a lovely husband who cooks delicious food.

Kajol will be seen gracing the special episode‘30 Years of Kajol’ this weekend along with actor Vishal Jethwa on Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. During the shoot, the special guest Kajol made the interesting revelation about her husband Ajay Devgn.

When Bharti asked Kajol about Ajay’s cooking skills and her favourite dish that Ajay cooks, Kajol revealed: “As unbelievable as it may seem,

Ajay loves cooking. We often say that some people have taste in their hands, Ajay is one of those cooks you know, who prepares any dish and it turns out to be delicious.”

“Cooking is something Ajay enjoys very much, and he shuts the door of the kitchen when he is cooking. Even when he is cooking, he doesn’t share his recipes or what he is preparing. He often cooks amazing Khichdi for me and that is his specialty.”

After delivering eye-catching and powerful performances across comedy, thriller and family genres, actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s next release is a high-octane action flick titled ‘An Action Hero’.

The 38-year-old actor is busy with the promotions of his next along with its director Anirudh Iyer. Following promotions for their upcoming flick, the two sat down and shared some exclusive insights into their film with ANI, while also opening up on the alleged ‘boycott culture’ against Bollywood. On the film’s relatability with the ‘boycott culture’, Ayushmann told ANI, “The plot of the film is based on this era and whatever we have seen in the last few years. Whatever has happened in the recent past or is happening now has also been portrayed well in the film. You will surely get a glimpse of it in the film. Be it a targeted online campaign against a star or how vulnerable a superstar could be, you will find it all in this film. The film, in a nutshell, portrays how a society reacts to a

star these days.”

On the so-called boycott culture, which has taken a toll on some big-budget releases, including Aamir Khan-starrer Laal Singh Chaddha and Akshaye Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj, Iyer said, “What’s happening is very evident but I would like to give an elaborate answer to this

question. There are always two ways of looking at this -- repercussion and punishment. I feel that nobody deserves to be punished this way. It is wrong. There is a slight difference between these two viewpoints and I strongly believe that one should understand this difference.”

In the film, the ‘Bala’ actor will be seen portraying the role of an actor who is being chased by the character portrayed by Jaideep Ahlawat. The film is produced by Anand L Rai and Bhushan Kumar.

It is all set to hit the theatres on December 2, 2022. The film marks the ‘Dream Girl’ actor’s first action-packed role.

Ayushmann also has several projects in his kitty, including upcoming comedy ‘Dream Girl 2’ alongside Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor, Manoj Joshi and Vijay Raaz. The film is all set to hit the theatres on June 23, 2023

Life is not a bed of roses, neither it’s full of thorns -- this pretty much sums up Bollywood diva Yami Gautam’s acting journey for the past 10 years.

Yami began her career in acting with a lead role in daily soap Chand Ke Paar Chalo and further did more shows like Raajkumar Aaryyan and Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam. It was 2012 when she actually started her Bollywood journey with the hit film ‘Vicky Donor’, which also marked the debut of Ayushmann Khurrana, and since then she has been putting her best foot forward. Films like Badlapur, Kaabil, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Bala and Thursday worked in her favour while films like Total Siyaapa, Sanam Re, Jooniyat, Batti Gul Meter Chalu and Ginny Weds Sunny failed to impress the audience.

Looking back at her journey so far, Yami, with a big smile on her face, said, “My journey is still on...I have faced loads of ups and downs but it’s all worth it in the end.”

She also recalled the time when she felt lost right after the success of her debut film.

“Right after my first film, in fact right after the success of the film I did feel lost...I did not know which way to take...I was not able to connect to the opportunities I was receiving at that time...’Do I stay without work or do I take these opportunities and still try,’ all these thoughts used to linger in my mind...it took me a while to understand my own self and how to channelise my voice,” Yami said.

“I had to rediscover myself to understand what’s my purpose of coming all the way here and leaving my hometown,” she added.

Speaking about Yami’s upcoming projects, she will be seen in a thriller titled ‘Lost’, which was screened at the 53rd International Film Festival of India.

“WOMEN ARE THEIR OWN ENEMIES,” JAYA BACHCHAN

On a recent episode of her granddaughter Navya Nanda’s podcast, veteran actor Jaya Bachchan expressed her opinion about women being their own enemies.

While Navya was speaking about how sons should be raised just like people bring up their daughters, Jaya interrupted and said, “Educated women also have double standards, which is so sad. I want to say it sometimes but do not feel good about saying it, but women are their own enemies.” She also added that raising children is not only the responsibility of a mother but that of a father, too.

Earlier in the podcast, Jaya Bachchan Shweta Bachchan mentioned that women need to be nicer and more supportive of other women. Jaya Bachchan said that she is very nice to Navya. “I am always helping other women and always speaking

for them. Let’s not talk about mother and daughter,” she said.

Shweta then said, “There is a Madeleine K Albright quote, ‘There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.’ Charity should start at home,

mother.”

Meanwhile, on the film front, Jaya will be seen in Karan Johar’s film ‘Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’, which also stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi. (ANI)

KRITI SANON REVEALS VARUN DHAWAN’S MOST ANNOYING HABIT

Actress Kriti Sanon reveals that her ‘Bhediya’ co-star Varun Dhawan’s telephone conversation is annoying as he does not say ‘hello’ or ‘bye’ in the beginning or at the end of the talk.

In IMDB’s segment titled Ask Each Other Anything, Varun and Kriti opened up about their fondness for each other and how the two have evolved as actors and friends since ‘Dilwale’, their first movie together.

Talking about his annoying habit, Kriti said: “Something that annoys me a little bit, when you talk on the phone there is no hi, hello, nothing. ‘Haan!’ - It’s firstly that. Secondly, always when you keep the phone down there’s a subtle distraction.”

“Either someone has called you or you have to do something else. You don’t say bye, only ‘Okay I’ll just call you back haan.’ And the call never comes! It’s a very detached conversation at the beginning and the end. Like, sometimes, you won’t say bye and you’ll just vanish.”

When Varun asked about Kriti’s first impression of him, she said: “You were a little bit of a flirt. Genuinely, I felt like you were very, very obviously high energy. Very talkative. Sweet, but flirty.”

Varun revealed his favourite thing about Kriti: “Since I started liking you as a person, you have a lot of qualities, but I

think one of the best qualities about you is that you have a very clean heart when it comes to people.”

“There’s no manipulation in you. There are no double face nature type things you do with anyone for that matter, whether you like the person or dislike the person.”

He also explained the challenges he faced during the shoot of the transformation scenes.

“What was supposed to be over two days, we shot it in one go. Definitely, it has to be one of the most physically draining things I’ve ever done. I was just running through a wall, my head was going through it. I broke that wall at least 12 times and they made it very hard, and I banged into it and fell down.”

Kriti also spoke about how the pair have evolved since their first movie together.

“I feel like, through Dilwale, we were not really friends in the beginning. We became closer friends towards the end of the shoot. And then promotions, I think we bonded a lot more. It rarely happens but I’m working with you after six years and we’ve still remained close friends and actually gone stronger. It doesn’t happen very often.”

RANDEEP HOODA EXPLAINS WHY HE’S BEEN UNDERWEIGHT FOR LONG

Recall Randeep’s film ‘Sarabjit’ (2016)? The actor shed over 20 kg in 28 days to play the role of Sarabjit Singh, who died in Pakistan jail after he was sentenced to death by a Pakistani court for alleged terrorism and spying. Randeep literally starved himself to look like real Sarabjit.

Cut to 2022, the 46-year-old has once again stunned everyone with his drastic weight loss. Seeing pictures of his current look a slew of his fans even raised their concern on social media.

Randeep revealed that he is currently underweight due to a project on the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

“I have been underweight for a very long time…and I agree I shouldn’t have been underweight for too long. However,

the biopic on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar demands it and I love to push my limit and do everything possible to do justice to the character I am playing. It’s not that I have to undergo transformation out of duty or something. It’s just that I like to go through emotions of different characters. This kind of training makes me feel closer to the character,” he shared.

However, he admitted that such kind of extreme transformations can take a toll on one’s health.

“It does take a toll on health...so I try to take breaks and pause for a while. Taking breaks really help to undergo tough transformations,” Randeep added.

Randeep has already started shooting for Swatantra Veer Savarkar, a biopic on V D Savarkar. It also marks the directorial debut of Randeep, who plays the titular role in the film. (IANS)

Actor Randeep Hooda has been synonymous with versatile roles that involve sheer hardwork, determination and unbelievable transformation.

IF I HAVE STRENGTH, IT DOESN’T MEAN I CAN’T BE VULNERABLE: SHEFALI SHAH

With her acting prowess, choice of narratives, and fearless personality, actor Shefali Shah has always managed to win the hearts of people.

Be it ‘Jalsa’ or ‘Delhi Crime’ or ‘Darlings’, Shefali is mainly known for playing strong roles on screen. However, this time in the film ‘Three of Us’ she will be seen playing a woman who is vulnerable.

Speaking about her character ‘Shailja’ in ‘Three of Us’ at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Shefali said, “The script was originally told to me as a one liner. For a change from strong characters, I play a vulnerable and fragile women. That is the beauty of the character. But just because I am strong doesn’t mean I can’t be vulnerable. Both are beautiful. Why must one choose between the two? Strength and vulnerability reside within each of us.”

“Also, many people believe that I play only strong roles...but people need to understand if have strength, it doesn’t mean I can’t be vulnerable,” she added.

‘Three of Us’ is directed by Avinash

While recalling the journey of becoming actor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui on Tuesday said that initially, he accepted small roles for survival as he had no other alternative.

He was speaking on the topic‘Journey as an Actor’ in International Film Festival of India, underway in Goa.

“I was offered small roles which I accepted for survival then. I had no other alternative. But I never got disappointed. It is the difficult time that makes you strong,” he said.

He said, “if you have to begin from zero, you have to first unlearn what you have learnt”.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who has appeared in some of Bollywood’s major films such as ‘Black Friday’, ‘New York’, ‘Peepli Live’, ‘Kahani’, and ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, spoke about struggles and challenges.

Nawazuddin said that after graduating from a college, he worked as a chemist in a petrochemical company for a short

while. However, to fulfil the dream of becoming an actor, he got associated with theatre.

Eventually, he got admitted to the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi.

Responding to a question on how ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ turned out to be a turning point in his acting career, he said that the movie made him believe in himself.

“I was confident that my struggles will get over after this and people will appreciate this movie,” he said.

Nawazuddin also shared his experience of working in web-series on Netflix and other OTT platforms.

He said that initially he was hesitant to work in series on OTT platforms as he had no idea about them.

However, Anurag Kashyap convinced him for working on these platform. It is to be noted that Sacred Games web-series turned out to be a big hit on Netflix.

Nawazuddin also shared his words of wisdom on playing versatile roles in biopic ‘Manto’, where he played role of prominent Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto, and ‘Thackeray’, in which he played the role of Bal Thackeray.

“Acting is my hobby and I don’t get tired of it. Acting is my everything, it’s my life. Even one life is not enough to satiate my thirst for acting,” he said, adding it motivates him.

Arun that also stars Jaideep Ahlawat. It is a relationship drama and also features actor and lyricist Swanand Kirkire in the third lead. (IANS)

bon appétit Did you

Actress Kriti Sanon reveals that her ‘Bhediya’ co-star Varun Dhawan’s telephone conversation is annoying as he does not say ‘hello’ or ‘bye’ in the beginning or at the end of the talk.

In IMDB’s segment titled Ask Each Other Anything, Varun and Kriti opened up about their fondness for each other and how the two have evolved as actors and friends since ‘Dilwale’, their first movie together.

Talking about his annoying habit, Kriti said: “Something that annoys me a little bit, when you talk on the phone there is no hi, hello, nothing. ‘Haan!’ - It’s firstly that. Secondly, always when you keep the phone down there’s a subtle distraction.”

“Either someone has called you or you have to do something else. You don’t say bye, only ‘Okay I’ll just call you back haan.’ And the call never comes! It’s a very detached conversation at the beginning and the end. Like, sometimes, you won’t say bye and you’ll just vanish.”

When Varun asked about Kriti’s first impression of him, she said: “You were a little bit of a flirt. Genuinely, I felt like you were very, very obviously high energy. Very talkative. Sweet, but flirty.”

Varun revealed his favourite thing about Kriti: “Since I started liking you as a person, you have a lot of qualities, but I think one of the best qualities about you is that you have a very clean heart when it comes to people.”

“There’s no manipulation in you. There

are no double face nature type things you do with anyone for that matter, whether you like the person or dislike the person.”

He also explained the challenges he faced during the shoot of the transformation scenes.

“What was supposed to be over two days, we shot it in one go. Definitely, it has to be one of the most physically draining things I’ve ever done. I was just running through a wall, my head was going through it. I broke that wall at least 12 times and they made it very hard, and I banged into it and fell down.”

Kriti also spoke about how the pair have evolved since their first movie together.

“I feel like, through Dilwale, we were not really friends in the beginning. We became closer friends towards the end of the shoot. And then promotions, I think we bonded a lot more. It rarely happens but I’m working with you after six years and we’ve still remained close friends and actually gone stronger. It doesn’t happen very often.”

(IANS)

Almonds can help cut calories during weight loss Green Mediterranean Diet

Subsequent analysis, published in BMC Medicine, found that the green Med diet reduced visceral fat by 14 per cent, the Med diet by 7 per cent and the healthy diet by 4.5 per cent.

important indicator than a person's weight or the circumference of their waist.

Visceral fat aggregates over time between organs and produces hormones and poisons linked to heart disease, diabetes, dementia and premature death.

The green Mediterranean diet is further enriched with dietary polyphenols and lower in red/processed meat than the traditional healthy MED diet.

The green Mediterranean diet (MED) significantly cuts visceral adipose tissue, a type of fat around internal organs that is much more dangerous than the extra "tire" around your waist, a new study has revealed.

The green Mediterranean diet was pitted against the Mediterranean diet and a healthy diet in a large-scale clinical interventional trial.

"We learned that the quality of food is no less important than the number of calories consumed and the goal today is to understand the mechanisms of various nutrients, for example, positive ones such as the polyphenols, and negative ones such as empty carbohydrates and processed red meat, on the pace of fat cell differentiation and their aggregation in the viscera," explained professor Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.

Reducing visceral fat is considered the true goal of weight loss as it is a more

On top of a daily intake of walnuts (28 grams), the participants consumed 3-4 cups of green tea/day and 100 grams (frozen cubes) of duckweed green shake/ day.

The aquatic green plant duckweed is high in bioavailable protein, iron, B12, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols and substituted meat intake.

"A 14 per cent reduction in visceral fat is a dramatic achievement for making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. Weight loss is an important goal only if it is accompanied by impressive results in reducing adipose tissue," said Dr Hila Zelicha.

The team has shown in previous studies that the green MED diet has a variety of salutary effects ranging from the microbiome to age-related degenerative diseases.

know:

Blueberries have vitamins, sodium, copper, fructose and acids that improve digestion and keep constipation at bay

Are you ?

Premium media and production company Dual Entertainment produced this six-part series. 'Hungry' sets out to take the audience on a rich culinary journey, whether it is his memories of childhood eateries in Mulgrave or meeting everyday Australians who cook food from their soul and learning to inspire some of Melbourne's top restaurants. Co-host Sarah Todd will join him, who helps to tell the unique stories that melt together the traditions of generational cooking and modern innovation.

George Calombaris' popularity is recognised and respected worldwide, and his culinary genius navigates around a story of passion for food.

George is diverse, leading him to India, South Africa, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Indonesia; and well recognised from his appearances on TV shows, including MasterChef Australia, MasterChef Poland, MasterChef Greece and Saturday Kitchen in the UK, among many others. Having won The Age Good Food Guide "Chef of The Year" Award in 2008, George has gone on to build an illustrious career, including his role as a judge on MasterChef Australia. George has an immense passion for cooking great food that draws inspiration from his Greek, Cypriot and Italian heritage.

George's career span has led him forefront of some of Australia's finest, award-winning restaurants, coaching and mentoring many of Australia's next generation of extraordinary young chefs and hospitality workers.

He is not only a mentor to young talent but has always found the time to generously indulge in important causes, including mental health and bowel cancer prevention.

Life's been challenging, surviving trials and tribulations that have come his way, but his creativity and passion for food have always remained intact. Being a risk taker and a leader, currently George is the Culinary Director at Hotel Sorrento, one of Melbourne's oldest and most cherished establishments on the Mornington Peninsula. "I'm so excited to bring Hungry to the people of Australia; it's not your normal cooking show. Hungry has heart and soul, and it'll make you want to get out and meet the people making these dishes come alive," says George.

His partner in crime and G'day India friend Sarah Todd is a classically trained chef, having learned at the distinguished cooking school Le Cordon Bleu in London. Following stints at Merchant's Tavern and St. Crispin, Sarah went on to star in season six of MasterChef Australia, where she gained a legion of fans with her infamous aloo gobi—

recently returning for MasterChef Australia series 'Fans v Favourites.

Sarah opened three restaurants in India and released cookbooks, "My Indian Kitchen" and "The Healthy Model Cookbook". "Bringing Hungry to life has been a highlight of my career. It has always been important to me to ensure the food I cook is more than just the ingredients. It has been so fun to team up with George again and explore Melbourne in and outside of the kitchen together," says Sarah.

Across these six episodes, George and Sarah will navigate the pulse point, the heartbeat behind the Australian culinary scene. 'Hungry' will indulge in some of Melbourne's most iconic food hotspots, including St. Ali Coffee Roasters and Daylesford Longhouse, revealing untapped gems in Carlton, Flemington, Malvern, Collingwood and Oakleigh.

Hungry is a brave food journey of two dynamic duos, definitely not for the fainthearted. It taps into real-life stories that matter, taking its audiences to our diverse population that pushed us to thoughtprovoking, innovating new ideas that prompted a culinary movement in Australia; it will take reminiscence into soul food that digs into our palate with our taste bud tingling.

Hungry also boldly delves into the food wastage issues we face, so Australia, the

heat is on, and definitely, stakes are high as the stories are undoubtedly genuine.

Co-creator, director and producer of Hungry, Rikki-Lee Lacco, said, "This show was breaking the mould for us as we are looking to bring more life and energy to the stories we want to tell. This series not only sees George and Sarah break down their walls to share more of their inner world and culinary journey, but it also showcases food being the vehicle to bring people, culture and families together to share, express and connect."

Co-creator, director and producer of Hungry, Darren Anderson, said, "We are proud of Hungry - a show vastly different to other food-related content produced in this country - its honest, informative and real. George and Sarah are the perfect hosts to drive the story, and we think the Australian TV audience is ready for something a little different like Hungry."

We at G'day India wish our favourite chefs, Sarah Todd and George Calombaris, on this fantastic show. Find episodes of Hungry on 10, which premiered on Saturday 26th November, at 6:30 pm.

By Nandita Chakraborty Source: Press Release

Our restaurateur friend Sarah Todd has partnered with renowned chef George Calombaris in his journey going back to his roots with an incorrigible candid new series Hungry coming to Channel 10

Using Food to Help Reduce Inflammation and Pain

BY DEEVYA GUPTA

Certain known foods have been well-researched to reduce or, in some cases, even increase inflammation within the body. Increased inflammation may contribute to many health conditions including common joint pains and some chronic conditions related to heart and diabetes health.

Some commonly known foods to help reduce inflammation include:

Nuts and seeds

Plant-derived foods such as nuts and seeds, are a rich source of omega fatty acids. Some also contain magnesium and Vitamin E, which can help reduce inflammation as well a reduction in risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Remember to opt for unsalted nuts and a handful a day rather than the whole jar! Nuts and seeds would make for a perfect snack in between meals to help with satisfying hunger levels throughout the day or evening.

Extra-virgin olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil has been commonly associated with reduced inflammation amongst its many benefits for many years. Benefits are usually seen with an intake of up to three tablespoons per day. Extra virgin olive oil can be used in cold foods as well as daily cooking. So, you can enjoy these benefits with your regular food consumption

Cinnamon (Dal-chini)

Cinnamon contains natural antibacterial and antifungal components and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. You can enjoy cinnamon in a range of foods including desserts, as well as cooking.

Ginger

Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant traits, in particular studies have been completed for osteoarthritis patients to help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with it. Ginger has also been associated with reduced muscle pain after exercise if consumed regularly before starting.

Turmeric (Haldi)

Turmeric has been associated with reducing inflammation (and therefore pain) in the body, improving heart health, increasing

HDL (good cholesterol) in the body, and reducing bad cholesterol levels.

Black pepper

Regular consumption of black pepper may assist with asthma, digestion, heart health, reducing hunger, better absorption of certain nutrients and even improving your mood. Consuming black pepper with turmeric may help with the body’s ability to absorb the main anti-inflammatory component of turmeric.

Fatty fish or fish oil

Fatty fish or fish oils are also rich in omega acids, decreasing overall inflammation with regular consumption. Studies have reported some benefits in improving tender joints and stiffness in the morning. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel contain the highest amount of natural fish oil. The recommended serves would be 2-4 times per week.

Reduce your overall intake of processed foods

Processed foods usually contain a high amount of fats, salts or sugars, of which fats and sugar may contribute to inflammation.

Below are some examples of processed foods, which you may choose to enjoy occasionally in small quantities to help reduce inflammation:

• Biscuits and chips (packaged foods particularly cooked with cream, butter, sugar or ingredients-alike)

• Fried foods

• Take away foods

• Sweets, chocolates and lollies

• Packaged snacks

• Packaged sauces

• Processed foods (with low fibre content)

Increase your overall intake of everyday foods

These include going for high-fibre cereals, wholegrains instead of white flour products and plenty of vegetables, salads, as well as two servings of fruits per day.

Please note this advice is of a general nature. If you have any concerns or queries you should get tailored advice from an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and always consult with your General Practitioner before making any changes. Feel free to contact us if you require any specific Dietitian advice, our Dietitians are here to help.

Deevya Gupta is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian in Melbourne | W: www.abcofnutrition.com.au

Mesha (Aries)

This will be a good month for you to reconnect with your finances and make sure that you’re not spending too much money and that you’re saving for the things you want. The less you spend, the more you’ll have to put towards your future goals, which is why this month will be an excellent time to take a look at your finances and ensure that you’re on track with your goals.

Best days: 3, 12, 30

Lucky Colour: Red, Orange, Cream

Simha (Leo)

This month, you should accomplish activities that make you happy. You have earned the right to have fun and express your ideas. You’ve been patient for far too long, and it’s time to start focus ing on your goals. Some people in your life may not be as influ ential as you are. These folks rely on you to be understanding of their flaws.

Best days: 5,3

Lucky Colour: White & Orange

Dhanu (Sagittarius)

You’re feel ing so much better about yourself that you’re like a chameleon, able to blend in wherever.

You can speak on practically any topic in a way that makes others want to learn more about you. You’re feeling sociable and pick ing up on other people’s ener gies, allowing you to be more in tune with them.

Vrishabh (Taurus)

You are very much inclined to feel a little insecure about your achieve ments, which is very natu

ral, but you can come out of it only by following a strategy that works, and that is how you can get rid of your insecurities. In other words, you need to get your hands dirty with new challenges to feel more secure with yourself. A new chal lenge is waiting for you to come out of your comfort zone and feel the thrill of victory.

Best days: 9, 18, 27

Lucky Colour: Green, Blue

Kanya (Virgo)

You can be rather frigid in this man ner, but that is why you can preserve your feeling of serenity and balance. The odds are that you’ll have to cope with a few instances that will make you unhappy. However, remember that you are not alone, and many around you are willing to assist you. That is also a nice thing.

Best days: 3, 12

Lucky Colour: Orange, Green

Makara (Capricorn)

This month, indicating a better finan cial equation for your benefit. And economic improve

ment can be possible if you play your cards right. If you are wise enough, you can make some profit in the stock market or in short-term investments. There are chances of getting a better job, which will bring in more money.

Mithuna (Gemini)

You will have sever al exciting possibilities to meet new people and begin a new job. However, your profession is likely to be the area of your life that requires the most significant changes in Decem ber. This is because December is a time for wrapping things up and be ginning again. First, it is a moment to reflect on what you are doing and how you are doing it.

Best days: 2, 7, 9

Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow

Tula (Libra)

This month, the planet Venus will give you a reason to rejoice. You will go to social gather ings and form new relationships. This is an excellent time to organ ise a vacation or a special event. On the domestic front, there are no significant issues. If you’re single and seeking love, chances are you’ll find it this month.

Karkat (Cancer)

You may confront sev eral problems this month, but this is nothing new. You’ve gone through it before, and you’ll be able to do it again. Cancer patients may feel abruptly excluded from everything in December, even though loved ones surround them. Cancer patients may believe they are forced to choose between their family, friends, and profession. All you need is the confidence that everything will work out.

Best days: 9, 18

Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Vrishchik (Scorpio)

You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have on your plate this month. The critical thing to remember is that you can only accomplish some things. It would be best if you learned to delegate. You are a very skilled person, but you are not superhuman. Allowing someone else to take on some of your responsibility can lighten your load and allow you more time to focus on the things that are genu inely essential to you.

Best days: 9, 18

Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Kumbha (Aquarius)

You may experience some difficul ty with your relationships and money this month. In ad dition, Mars’s negative energy may put you in a bad mood, resulting in disagree ments with close ones. Spend time with your family, visit friends and relatives, and attend as many social functions as possible to replenish your energy and recover your good mood.

Best days: 1, 3, 4

Lucky Colour: Red, Orange

Meen (Pisces)

Your future ambitions will come true due to your hard work and the assistance of others. Re frain from being easily disheart ened if someone does not give you their full support since you will ultimately discover the help you require. There is a possibility that someone or something from your past may remerge and must be dealt with. And there is a potential for your feelings.

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

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya)

Have a laugh

Just 10 Minutes

Sit for 10 mins before a drunkard - u will feel life is very easy.

Sit for 10 mins before sadhus & sanyasis - u will feel like gifting away everything to charity.

Sit for 10 mins before a leader - u will feel all your studies are useless.

Sit for 10 mins before a LIC agent - u will feel that it is better to die.

Sit for 10 mins before traders - u will feel your earnings are too meagre.

Sit for 10 mins before scientists - u will feel the enormity of your ignorance.

Sit for 10 mins before good teachers - u will feel like wanting to become a student again.

Sit for 10 mins before a farmer or a worker - u will feel u are not working hard enough.

Sit for 10 mins before a soldier - u will feel your services & sacrifices are insignificant.

Last but best one

Sit for 10 mins before a good friend - u will feel your life is heaven! A Reply From a friend:

Sit for 10 mins before your wife - u will feel u are the most useless person on earth Company Matters...!!