G'day India Feb 2022 Issue by gdayindia

FEB 2022

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VOL 16 ISSUE 177

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AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

HONOUR AND HARD WORK: JUDGE PARDEEP TIWANA

Newly appointed Judge Pardeep Tiwana has achieved a momentous feat on His Honour’s appointment to the County Court of Victoria – the first Indian Australian to accomplish this noteworthy triumph.

RAAF’S DENTIST

An NGO to her name was only the beginning for this Royal Air force dentist, Ajitha Sugnanam now travels far and remote in the service of people and charity

R.I.P

The ageless voice of India Lata Mangeshkar passes away at 92. Her demise leaves a void that will never be filled FREE SUBSCRIPTION FREE FOR 3 MONTHS GET YOUR COPY DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR www.gdayindia.com.au/contact-us/

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NEWS VICTORIA

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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 Disclaimer: Opinions published in G’Day India are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. No advertising design or material is to be reproduced without the written consent of the editor. All copyrights reserved to G’Day India. Articles, pictures, photographs and advertisements accepted by G’Day India Pty Ltd are on the understanding that the supplier of such materials has obtained all the relevant copyrights, permissions and grants permission to G’Day India Pty Ltd to publish them. Any liability arising from failure to obtain such permission lies entirely and exclusively with the supplier. Qualities of products and services advertised in G’Day India are not guaranteed by G’Day India Pty Ltd.

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Rapid Antigen Tests for Early Childhood Families

MELBOURNE, Feb 8: The Victorian Government is taking extra steps to protect young children and their families and minimise transmission in vital early childhood education and care settings, with free athome rapid antigen tests to support Victoria’s youngest learners. As supply of rapid tests increases across Australia, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the expansion of the Government’s voluntary education surveillance testing program, with free rapid antigen tests to be available to all children aged 3 to 5 attending early childhood education services. More than 1.6 million rapid antigen tests will be delivered to early childhood settings in the coming weeks for families to conduct voluntary twice-weekly testing. Sessional kindergartens will receive their deliveries over the next two weeks, followed by other early childhood services like long day care, family day care and occasional care. This investment will help thousands more Victorian families keep their children safe and slow the spread of the virus, increasing access to rapid tests without the barriers of cost or global supply issues. As with school settings, the program will

be voluntary, but highly recommended – testing will not be a requirement to attend early childhood settings, but families will be provided with medical guidance on how to easily administer the nasal tests to young children and get a result within 15 to 30 minutes. The expansion of the early childhood testing program adds to 943,000 rapid antigen tests already being delivered to all staff working in early childhood settings – helping services stop the spread of coronavirus before it enters the service. The surveillance testing comes on top of a full suite of measures the Government has delivered to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission in early childhood settings – including mandating three doses of the vaccine to all staff, a stronger focus on conducting outdoor programs, external drop off and pick up and contactless check in. The Government has also invested $7.5 million in early childhood services to improve ventilation, alongside a further $7.4 million in grants to support kindergarten services to implement the best COVIDSafe measures for their individual settings, keeping children and staff safer in the classroom.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

Full Steam Ahead for Sitting on The Sills of Puffing Billy

MELBOURNE, Feb 4: The time-honoured tradition of sitting on the sills of Puffing Billy will make its long-awaited return to the iconic heritage railway. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula joined Member for Monbulk James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing to relaunch the experience, which returns for the first time since March 2018. A drawcard for the Dandenong Ranges and broader Yarra Valley region, sitting on the sills will once again be allowed on trains running from Belgrave to Lakeside stations daily after operators implemented risk

management processes to ensure its safe reintroduction. The return of the iconic experience will deliver significant benefits to local businesses as visitors get back to enjoying the things they love with family and friends. Managed by the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, the open-air steam train critically preserves Victoria’s railway history and has provided countless memories over many generations. It attracted around 500,000 visitors annually prior to the pandemic and was further strengthened as a tourist attraction via the recently opened state-of-the-art $24.8

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million Lakeside Visitor Centre. The Lakeside Visitor Centre was backed by a $12.7 million commitment from the Andrews Labor Government and boasts world-class facilities for tourists, day-trippers and school groups alike. It includes a range of dining options, featuring seasonal produce from across the Yarra Valley, as well as a hi-tech function space to host workshops, conferences, events and school excursions. For further information on the sitting on the sills experience and the railway’s operations – including to book tickets – visit puffingbilly.com.au

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Ten-Year Plan to Strengthen Equality in Victoria

MELBOURNE, Feb 6: Victoria will strengthen its push for equality, with the release of a landmark 10-year plan to drive inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians.

At the annual Midsumma Pride March today, Minister for Equality Martin Foley released Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022-2032 – Victoria’s first long-term plan for LGBTIQ+ equality. Victoria has made great progress towards equality in recent years, removing discrimination from legislation, providing strong support for LGBTIQ+ organisations and events and delivering the Victorian Pride Centre, but there is always more to do. The plan outlines four areas of reform - protecting equal rights and freedoms, making services more equitable, inclusive, and accessible, building evidence to drive decision making and ensuring LGBTIQ+ communities are safe and strong - which will underpin work across all Government services and organisations.

It also includes specific actions Government will take over the next decade to ensure that all Victorians feel safe, are healthy, have equal human rights and can live wholly and freely.

The Andrews Labor Government will kick the strategy off with an immediate $6.5 million investment to make organisations safer and more inclusive for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, support the health and wellbeing of people with an intersex variation and continue peer support for trans and gender diverse Victorians. This investment will also include campaigns to tackle discrimination, making sure those who have been long excluded from services and opportunities in the community because of who they are, feel included. The strategy has been shaped by more

than 1,600 contributions from LGBTIQ+ people, organisations and allies. Progress on the impact of this landmark strategy will be formally tracked and reported over its ten-year lifetime. Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022-2032 can be accessed at: vic.gov.au/pride-our-future-victorias-lgbtiqstrategy-2022-32.

Victoria Attracts More International Feature Films

MELBOURNE, Feb 4: The Andrews Labor Government has attracted production of another highly anticipated international feature film, showcasing the state’s exceptional facilities and destinations while bringing jobs to Victoria’s creative industry. Amazon Studios’ epic production Foe has recently begun filming in the state, with locations to include Winton Wetlands in northeast Victoria and Docklands Studios

Melbourne. The starstudded cast includes Saoirse Ronan (Little Women, Brooklyn), Paul Mescal (Normal People) and Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad). Attracted to the state through the Victorian Screen Incentive and the Regional Location Assistance Fund, Foe will inject up to $32 million into the Victorian economy and create 950 jobs for Victorian cast and crew – including four leading Head of Department roles. The sci-fi psychological thriller will be directed by Victorian filmmaker Garth Davis, best known for his Academy Award nominated film Lion. It is based on the novel of the same name written by Ian Reid, who is a co-writer of

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the adaptation alongside Davis. Producers on the project include Kerry Kohansky-Roberts on behalf of AC Studios, Garth Davis for I Am That, and Emile Sherman and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films. Executive producers include Ian Reid, and I Am That’s Samantha Lang. Libby Sharpe will co-produce for I Am That and See-Saw Films. Foe will engage over 500 local businesses from across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including construction companies and caterers. Through Film Victoria’s skills development program, the Labor Government is supporting placements for three local practitioners to hone their specialist skills while working on the production – director Michael Hudson, costume buyer Ellen Stainstreet and set decorator Tom Herbert. Foe follows other epic productions like Better Man starring Robbie Williams and Blacklight starring Liam Neeson, choosing to film in Victoria. It is supported as part of Victorian Government’s $191.5 million VICSCREEN strategy. Activity in the Victorian film industry is at record levels, with more than $391 million channelled into production expenditure in 2020/21.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

NEWS VICTORIA

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Kids in Victoria test Covid positive after returning to school students and 925 staff since schools reopened last week, Victoria's Education Minister James Merlino said.

Despite the infections, no schools have been forced to return to remote learning, and Merlino argued the current highly recommended twice weekly rapid antigen testing is "really providing confidence and comfort to everyone in school".

MELBOURNE, Feb 8: Thousands of children in the Australia's Victoria tested positive for Covid-19 since returning to classrooms, while the state government hasn't decided yet to extend the school surveillance testing. There were 2,368 school students and 125 staff in the state tested positive on Monday, taking the infection tally to 7,046 school

"We knew there will be positive cases once we do the surveillance testing, but it means we identify the cases early, and this will overall drive the number down, stopping the transmission," Merlino said. Meanwhile, Victoria recorded 20 Covid-19 deaths and 9,785 infections on Tuesday, an

Protecting Ourselves and Others on The Road MELBOURNE, Feb 9: Victorians are being reminded to be extra cautious on the roads after a tragic start to the year, with 33 people losing their lives across the state – 13 higher than the same time last year. Some of the most vulnerable on our roads remain motorcyclists with ten people already losing their lives – five higher than the five-year average. Pedestrian (3) fatalities are also higher than the five-year average. With a spike in the road toll, the Andrews Labor Government has launched two confronting campaigns to help protect our most vulnerable road users. A new hard-hitting Transport Accident Commission campaign highlights the shocking injuries that motorcycle riders could avoid by wearing their safety gear on every ride. It urges Victorian riders to wear protective clothing each time they get on their bike, no matter the distance or speeds travelled, the weather or the destination. TAC research shows contusions, abrasions and lacerations are the secondmost common type of injury sustained from on-road motorcycle crashes in Victoria, behind fractured limbs. Over the last five years, on average there have been around 2,500 motorcyclist claims per year, equating to around $115 million

annually in compensation and medical bills. To further protect pedestrians near or on roads, TAC has partnered with KidSafe on a new driveway safety community awareness campaign highlighting the dangers that driveways pose for children. The ad encourages parents, carers and the community to take extra care to avoid run-over tragedies. In the past 18 months in Victoria, at least two children have been killed in lowspeed run-over incidents. Every year in Australia, on average seven children aged 0-14 years are killed and 60 are seriously injured due to driveway run-overs – children under five years of age are at greatest risk. The campaigns are part of the Labor Government’s Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and Action Plan – working across policy, education, technology, enforcement, vehicle safety and infrastructure to improve safety for those who are more vulnerable on our roads. The Strategy sets ambitious targets to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030 and sets the state on a path to zero road deaths by 2050.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

increase of more than 1,500 from the previous day's tally. Under the state's back-to-school plan, the surveillance testing is only for the first four weeks of term one. The state government is yet to make any extension to the plan, saying that the situation will be reviewed in time, and they will inform any changes. However, this school Covid-19 testing program will be expanded to children aged three to five at early childhood services, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday. In the next two weeks, 1.6 million rapid antigen tests will be delivered to services, beginning with kindergartens and then early childhood services.

(IANS)

Improving Connectivity to Help Victoria’s Economy Thrive MELBOURNE, Feb 1: Victorians have voiced their need for better mobile and broadband connections to improve economic growth and community safety. Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today released the Connecting Victoria engagement report, which received more than 11,000 responses through Engage Victoria and more than 110 formal submissions. About 300 people also attended 13 roundtables held across the state. Peter Brennan, a resident on Mount Dandenong in outer Melbourne, has been campaigning for better connectivity for the ridge-top communities for years with telecommunications outages during storms and bushfires of major concern for locals. Mr Brennan interviewed local residents and businesses to collect on-the-ground data about connectivity and build a true picture of the services available in the area before submitting the information to Connecting Victoria. The engagement report shows connectivity challenges exist right across the state, including the need to better support those working and studying remotely, telehealth and improving service quality. The Government will take into account insights from those who contributed to the engagement process and use it to form part of the decision-making process for which locations will be upgraded in future. The Commonwealth and telecommunications providers will also be encouraged to co-invest in the delivery of new infrastructure. Locations to receive upgrades or new infrastructure will be announced throughout this year. To read the report, visit engage.vic.gov.au/ connecting-victoria

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Jobs Boost for Young Victorians Victoria’s Food Bowl Encouraged to Get a Move on For Health

MELBOURNE, Feb 7: Major progress is being made on the construction of an exportstandard fruit packing factory in Mooroopna thanks to an Andrews Labor Government grant. Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green today toured the Geoffrey Thompson Holdings fruit packing and selling warehouse on the former SPC Ardmona site. The project is being delivered thanks to a grant from the Labor Government’s $20 million Food Source Victoria program, which aims to boost exports, build industry capabilities and generate jobs in regional Victoria by encouraging food producers and supply chains to collaborate. Works are well underway to repurpose and refit the site into a state-of-the-art fruit packing and grading factory, which includes installing new sorting, grading and packing equipment. Fruit grown in the Goulburn

Valley food bowl and processed at the factory will be sold locally and used for purees and juices. Stock will also be exported to international markets. The site will use automation and advanced software to operate equipment and assist with sorting fruit for its highest value use. The project will also reduce sorting, grading and packing costs to make Victoria’s exports more competitive in the global market. The project – which is expected to be operational later this year – will create up to 44 new full-time jobs and lead to $46 million worth of new Victorian fruit exports by its fifth year of operation. Geoffrey Thompson is one of Australia’s largest apple and pear growers. This redevelopment is expected to halve post-harvest costs for fresh and processed fruit in Australia and will directly benefit more than 50 growers in the Goulburn Valley region. (MEDIA RELEASE)

MELBOURNE, Feb 7: The Andrews Labor Government is giving Victorian kids more opportunities to lace up the boots, hit the dance studio or slide down to a skatepark, as part of a refreshed campaign promoting physical activity. Minister for Education James Merlino announced the launch of the Get Your Move On campaign with AFLW star and captain Emma Kearney at North Melbourne Football Club as well as the latest Active Schools grant recipients. Get Your Move On encourages kids to engage in 15 minutes of physical activity four times a day, through activities they enjoy – like walking their dog, riding to school, or kicking a football with friends. It is part of the broader $24.2 million Active Schools initiative ensuring all Victorians aged 5 to 18 years old have the skills, confidence and motivation to live a happy and healthy life by boosting their physical movement each day outside of school. Active Schools supports schools to take a holistic approach to physical activity, recognising there is no single solution to shifting inactivity,

and encourages kids to be active through quality physical education, quality school sport, active classrooms, active travel, active recreation and a supportive school environment. Ninety-six Victorian schools have received $30,000 through the latest round of Active Schools Grants, for the purchase of sports equipment, to upskill physical education teachers and to engage local organisations and clubs to deliver sporting programs. The grants can also be used to make classrooms more active, encourage greater active travel to and from school through bicycle education programs, upgrade playgrounds to support greater physical activity, and provide opportunities for more recreation activities such as dance, Pilates or skateboarding. (MEDIA RELEASE)

T20 WC 2022: India-Pak match tickets sold out within five minutes of going on sale

MELBOURNE, Feb 8: Excitement is building for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, with general ticket allocations for two match-days sold out on the first day of going on sale to the public.

General Ticket allocations have all been sold for India v Pakistan at the MCG on October 23 and the double-header that features South Africa v Bangladesh and India v Group A runner-up at the SCG on October 27. This comes after 200,000 tickets were sold during the pre-sale period across the 45 matches being played in Australia from October 16-November 13 later this year.

Such was the demand to see one of world cricket's biggest rivalries, the allocations for the India v Pakistan match were sold within five minutes of going on sale. Over 800,000 fans are expected to attend the global showcase for men's T20 cricket when it comes to Australia for the first time, and there is still plenty of opportunity for fans to secure seats to all other fixtures in the general public sale. ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Local Organising Committee CEO Michelle Enright said: "The response from the fans has been fantastic and we're proud of the fact we were able to reward our fans who purchased

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tickets to the postponed event in 2020 and those who registered early with us to get priority access to tickets in the pre-sale."

The Men's T20 World Cup 2022 is slated to be held in Australia between October 16- November 13 and it will be played across seven venues -- Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Geelong, Hobart and Perth. A total of 45 matches will be played across Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, ensuring the same national footprint as the postponed 2020 event.

(ANI)

NEWS AUSTRALIA

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Billion Dollar Reef investment backs Queensland communities

CANBERRA, Jan 28: The Morrison Government will invest an additional $1 billion in protecting the Great Barrier Reef, while supporting 64,000 Queenslanders and their jobs which drive the Reef economy. New funding will back world leading marine science, the deployment of new climate adaptation technology, major investments in water quality programs, and state of the art onwater management practices to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish, protect key species and prevent illegal fishing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new investment would extend the Federal Government’s investment under the Reef 2050 Plan to more than $3 billion. “We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said. “This is already the best managed reef in the world and today we take our commitment to a new level. “Funding will support scientists, farmers and Traditional Owners, backing in the very latest marine science while building resilience and reducing threats from pollution in our oceans and predators such as the Crown of Thorns starfish.” The additional $1 billion package over the next nine years includes: • $579.9 million for water quality –

working constructively with land managers to remediate erosion, improve land condition and reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff. • $252.9 million for reef management and conservation – additional support for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS), implement advanced health monitoring systems and the prevent illegal fishing. • $92.7 million to research and deploy world leading reef resilience science and adaptation strategies. • $74.4 million for Traditional Owner and community-led projects including species protection, habitat restoration, citizen science programs and marine debris. Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the record level of investment in the Reef was being driven by the best science and engagement with local communities and industries, and through working with Traditional Owners. “From breakthrough science in coral seeding and restoration, to improved water quality, the latest on water management and compliance systems, as well as the protection of native species, we are working across every aspect of the reef,” Minister Ley said. “Our farmers, tourism operators, and fishers are our reef champions, and we are supporting them through practical water and land-based strategies that will

Canberra, its allies will lose next decade unless they oppose Beijing in South China Sea: Defence Minister

CANBERRA, Feb 8: Canberra and its allies will "lose the next decade" unless they stand up against Beijing in the South China Sea, said Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton. "I think we have lost a considerable period of time where China gave assurances about their activity in the South China Sea," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Dutton as saying. "And the United States and others acquiesced and allowed the militarisation now to the point where China has 20 points of presence in the South China Sea, which does not help stability in the region," Dutton added. Stressing on the matter, the Minister said: "If we continue on that trajectory, then I think we shall lose the next decade. And my sense is that we are better off being honest about that." Expressing his belief, the Minister noted that it was important to speak out about China to educate the Australian public and to ensure the past decade was not repeated in which Beijing had militarised the South China Sea, according

to The Sydney Morning Herald. The Australian Minister also revealed he was extremely confident that Australia would have its first nuclear-powered submarine before 2038. Dutton said that recent discussions with American and British officials under the AUKUS agreement had reassured him that the submarines would be built years earlier than many defence experts expected. Emphasising that his focus was on "prevailing peace" in the region, Dutton said that it was important to realise that Australia was not the only country experiencing significant tensions with Beijing. It came as Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is set to take place in Australia which will witness the presence of the foreign ministers of the Quad nations, the US, India, Japan, Australia. The Dialogue is expected to intensify co-operation on security and development assistance in a bid to stand up to China.

(ANI)

contribute significantly to the health of the reef.” Federal Member for Leichhardt and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Warren Entsch said the Morrison Government was working hand in hand with Reef communities. “The people in Cairns and Far North Queensland care about the Reef more than anyone,” Mr Entsch said. “Our tourism operators, local communities and Traditional Owners are invested in the health of the Reef and this funding supports their commitment and the future of the world’s greatest natural wonder. “The Reef is an amazing place for people to visit and, particularly as local businesses start to recover, I encourage people to come up and see that for themselves. “This funding will help us keep it that way and ensure that we remain the best Reef Managers in the world.” Reef vision available on this link: http:// downloads.gbrmpa.gov.au/files/fwd6pdjhn

Australian Defence Force deployed to ease pressure on aged care system

CANBERRA, Feb 8: The Australian government has deployed military personnel to aged care homes to ease a staff shortage crisis as a result of surging Covid-19 infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced up to 1,700 Australian Défense Force (ADF) personnel will be sent in to support the aged care workforce. The ADF personnel will assist across facilities including logistics and general duties tasks, such as screening of entrants to facilities, providing companionship to residents, supporting with meals and other non-direct care functions to take the pressure off qualified aged care workers and medical staff. The aged care industry has come under pressure in 2022 due to widespread outbreaks of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in facilities. There have been reports of residents being isolated for months and going without proper care due to staff shortfalls. Till date there are 11,980 COVID-19 positive residents (5,439) and staff (6,541) in 1,176 active outbreaks in residential aged care facilities across Australia, according to the Department of Health. On Tuesday morning, Australia reported more than 20,000 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 50 deaths -- 20 in Victoria, 18 in New South Wales and 12 in Queensland. There were 3,916 cases being treated in hospitals on Monday, including 274 in intensive care.

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(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Australia's Economic Accelerator to Propel Economy

CANBERRA, Feb 1: A new $1.6 billion economic accelerator will turn Australia’s leading research into worldbeating businesses as part of the Morrison Government’s focus on building the country’s resilience. Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) features as part of a $2.2 billion package to focus the commercialisation of the six national manufacturing priority areas – resources and critical minerals, food and beverage, medical products, recycling and clean energy, defence and space – bringing the country’s brightest business and academic minds together. Together with a new $150 million expansion of CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures, the AEA will reshape research funding to emphasise projects with high potential for commercialisation that are directed at National Manufacturing Priorities and industry engagement. The Prime Minister said the AEA would invest in projects as they progressed through the stages of their development. “Stronger commercialisation of research and ideas will mean a stronger economy and a stronger future for Australia,” the Prime Minister said. “This is about funding projects to bridge the ‘valley of death’ where early-stage research is often not progressed due to higher levels of risk and uncertainty. “The AEA will drive our universities and businesses to work hand-in-glove through the stages to prove projects’ viability and potential. “Expanding the CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures program then takes this further, incentivising the additional venture capital investment support needed to progress innovative new products and technologies through to market to become the new businesses and employers of the future.” Acting Minister for Education and Youth Stuart Robert said the AEA would boost investment in two critical stages of experimental development: proof of concept and proof of scale.

“The AEA will become a critical source of competitive funding support for innovating new projects with high commercial potential and will take a lot of the risk and uncertainty for universities out of the equation,” Minister Robert said. “We will start with a big range of contenders – a contest of ideas. “But as we progress to stage two, the number of applicants will diminish and the value of the funding to each will increase. “For example, stage one will involve nearly 100 grants a year of up to $500,000. Recipients will be required to engage industry through in-kind support or even co-location. “In order to be one of the 36 recipients attracting up to $5 million in funding as part of ‘stage two’ projects, industry will need to put more skin in the game with a 50 per cent co-investment. “At stage three, up to 50 companies will be supported through the Main Sequence Venture, where we are providing $150 million in two successive co-investment funds. “This investment is about new jobs, increased wages, and creating products that make life easier, more efficient or even more interesting,” Minister Robert said. Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the grants were an investment in Australia’s future industries and smart manufacturing within the Morrison Government’s National Manufacturing Priorities. “By working with industry and researchers, the government is helping to ensure our economy benefits from our world-class research, both now and well into the future,” Minister Taylor said. Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the $150 million expansion of the CSIRO Main Sequence Ventures program would back start-up companies and help create commercial opportunities from Australian research. “The Morrison Government is prioritising investment in research and action to turn Australia’s best ideas into new industries and strengthen our future prosperity,” Minister

Price said. “The expansion of the Main Sequence Ventures will further support the development of spin-off and start-up companies with high commercial potential arising from local research. “Over the past four years, Main Sequence Ventures has invested in 39 companies that are commercialising deep tech opportunities that have created more than 1,200 technology-related jobs. “Our new investment in this program will ensure it can play a bigger role in our economy and help develop the next generation of great Aussie companies and products.” Minister Robert said the Morrison Government would also invest $296 million in industry focused PhDs and fellowships to support its research commercialisation goals and drive greater university-industry collaboration. “This new scheme will generate 1,800 industry PhDs and over 800 industry fellows over 10 years to fundamentally reshape the workforce of Australia’s universities,” Minister Robert said. “PhD students will benefit from the experience of undertaking research within industry settings, creating employment pathways beyond academic roles. “Industry will benefit from the opportunities to host PhD students, bolstering their ability to harness ideas and concepts for innovation, as well as to open the pathway to the recruitment of high-calibre graduates. This will be further enhanced by a new suite of ARC Fellowships that will recognise and reward our academics who collaborate with industry, helping to drive the translation of their research, creating new pathways for their work. “These initiatives will change the culture and the focus of research across Australia’s universities – building greater engagement with industry and ensuring that innovation is at the core of our economic future as a nation.” (MEDIA RELEASE)

Reopening to tourists and other international travellers to secure our economic recovery CANBERRA, Feb 7: Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February. These changes will ensure we protect the health of Australians, while we continue to secure our economic recovery. Australia’s health system has demonstrated its resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including though the recent Omicron wave. With improving health conditions, including a recent 23 per cent decline in hospitalisations due to COVID, the National Security Committee of Cabinet today

agreed Australia is ready to further progress the staged reopening of our international border. Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements. Today’s announcement will give certainty to our vital tourism industry, and allow them to start planning, hiring and preparing for our reopening. In 2018-19, tourism generated more than $60 billion for the Australian economy, with more than 660,000 jobs dependent on the industry.

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Since the Morrison Government commenced Australia’s staged international border reopening on 1 November 2021, we have seen almost 580,000 arrivals come to Australia including to reunite with loved ones, work or study. The Commonwealth continues to work with States and Territories on the safe resumption of the cruise industry and looks forward to further announcements on this in due course. (MEDIA RELEASE)

OBITUARY

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

India's Melody Queen, a beacon of inspiration, attains immortality

hough anticipated, when it became official that the Melody Queen of India, Lata Mangeshkar, is no longer among us, it hit the collective consciousness of the nation like a sledgehammer. The only consolation was that she may have passed on, but her voice, which moved our hearts and provided succour to our souls for more than seven decades, will forever be with us. Like all inspirational stories, Lataji's early struggle to establish herself in the 1940s is one that we cannot ever forget. In those days, she would take a BEST bus and travel from her south Mumbai home regularly to meet Naushad Ali at his Khar West bungalow or in the studios, hoping for a 'singing break' under the legendary music maker's baton. In the vicious Mumbai monsoon, she would come to Naushad's home, wearing her trademark sari, carrying an umbrella but totally drenched, shivering and barely able to speak, let alone sing. The music director would offer her piping hot tea and cookies to soothe her, but no songs ... yet .... "I felt her voice was not yet 'ripe' for my style of music," said Naushad, the perfectionist, in a conversation with this writer. He was trying to justify not giving her an early break. "To improve her diction and control over words, I advised her to learn and practice Urdu, which she did ... and finally, she was ready to record for me." The first choices of Naushad were the reigning stalwarts -- Noorjehan, Suraiya, Shamshad Begum, Zohra Ambalewali, to name a few. With time, trained by her father, Dinananth Mangeshkar, Lataji grasped the maestro's advice and got her first major hit -- 'Uthaye Ja Unke Sitam' ('Andaz', 1949) -- composed by her mentor Naushad. With it, she 'arrived' in the film industry. Thereafter, top music directors of the era wooed her, and they included Sachin Dev Burman, Husan Lal-Bhagat Ram (brothers), Ghulam Haider, Sardar Malik, Ghulam Mohammed, Jaidev, Salil Chowdhary, C. Ramchandra, Shankar-Jaikishan (partners), Roshan, Madan Mohan, M. Zahur Khayyam,

Kalyanji-Anandji (brothers), LaxmikantPyarelal (partners), Sonik-Omi (unclenephew), Ravi Kumar Sharma or 'Ravi', Sudhir Phadke, Sajjad Hussain, Usha Khanna, and even A.R. Rahman, Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan, Anand-Milind and Jatin-Lalit, among the younger crop of baton wielders. Producers and directors vied for Lataji's unique voice and style for their top heroines, especially because she could 'mould' her voice to suit most heroines. Without doubt, she had become the first among women singers, a position that Mohammed Rafi enjoyed among the men. Yet, there was a music director who remained aloof from Lataji -- with haughty pride -- and yet rose to the top echelons of the music industry -- the incomparable O.P. Nayyar. "I found Lata's voice too thin, too shrill, which did not suit my compositions," Nayyar had once said, claiming he was "the only music director who succeeded in Bollywood without Lata's voice". He added: "I needed a more vivacious, richer, healthier voice of, say, Shamshad Begum, Geeta Ghosh-Dutt, Asha Bhosale." One woman singer, Suman Kalyanpur, was blessed with a voice rivalling that of Lataji's, but she was content being in the shadows, yet she thrived on enduring masterpieces composed by some of the music directors. As Lataji's singing style matured under master music directors, her voice helped heroines who acted or danced to her tunes catapult to stardom, such as Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nargis, Ameeta, Beena Rai, Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala Bali, Tanuja, Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Nutan, Saira Bano, Sadhana Shivdasani, Babita Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi, Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi, Neetu Singh, Madhuri Dixit, and many others in the post1980s, right down to the youngsters, notably, Kajol, Rani Mukherjee and Karisma Kapoor. After the exit of Noorjehan from India and the fading away of other stalwart female singers, by the late 1950s/early 1960s, Lataji was firmly perched on the top of the heap and brooked no nonsense from anyone -- producers, directors, composers, siblings or contemporaries -- attempting to clamber anywhere close to her roost. Bollywood is full of stories of how Lataji ring-fenced her position till the very end, often raising the hackles of her female peers, although male singers, such as Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor and Manna Dey (all deceased) and others, chose to maintain a professional rapport with her. Nevertheless, there were tales of how Rafi once bore the brunt of her "other side", or certain composers quivering as she gently declined to sing for them after they allegedly dared to commission some other female singers, for whatever reason. Of course,

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powerful filmmakers such as Mehboob Khan, Raj Kapoor, Kamal Amrohi, Dev Anand, Shakti Samanta, B.R. Chopra, Yash Chopra and the likes had no time for tantrums. Born on September 28, 1929, as the oldest child of a musically inclined family in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) -- comprising father Dinanath, Lataji, Meena (Khadilkar), Asha (Bhosale), Usha and sole brother Hridaynath -- she was tutored by her dad from the age of five and also acted in his musical stage plays, till death in 1942. Helped by a close family friend, Master Vinayak D. Karnataki, she got a foothold in singing and acting that year with a first Marathi song and a maiden Hindi song in 1943 before shifting to the film industry capital in 1945. In Bombay (now, Mumbai), she learnt classical music and continued singing the odd songs, till her big break with 'Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahinka Na Chhoda' ('Majboor', 1948), with full help from Ghulam Haider, whom she later described as her "godfather". With a colossus such as Noorjehan still around, Lataji continued her with a few more hits -- 'Aayega Aanewala' ('Mahal', 1949) and 'Uthaye Ja Unke Sitam' ('Andaz', 1949), heralding her entry with a bang in big-time Bollywood. Simultaneously, she sang in different Indian languages with aplomb, non-film songs, with her range encompassing classical, tragic, melodious, erotic, melancholic, light, mischievous, depending on the composer, or the heroine, or the song situation. After the seniors passed away or faded out, Lataji sang expertly and easily with the gen next of male singers such as S.P. Balasubramaniam, Amit Kumar, Shabbir Kumar, Nitin Mukesh, Anwar, Udit Narayan and Sonu Nigam, and astounded her listeners with the seemingly "undying" power and youthfulness of her golden voice. Over the decades, she was decorated with a multitude of rewards and honours -- three Padma awards, five Filmfare Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award -- capped by the Bharat Ratna in 2001. More than that, state governments named awards and institutions after her. Lataji sang at prestigious live concerts or charitable events, enthralling global audiences, picked up more overseas accolades, such as France's highest civilian honour, Officer of the Legion of Honour, in 2007, briefly dabbled in high-end merchandise, such as signature jewellery and perfumes, launched a production and music house, and entered into international music collaborations. Death has only removed her physically. The legacies she leaves behind will outlive her for decades. By Quaid Najmi

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Indian scientists develop selfdisinfecting, anti-viral face mask when people wear those and move about at densely populated places like hospitals, airports, stations, shopping malls and so on where the virus load is very high.

"In the present scenario, where mutations in coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic are fast emerging, it is an urgent necessity to develop a low-cost antiviral mask. To this end, scientists have developed the self-disinfecting 'Copperbased Nanoparticle-coated Antiviral Face Masks' under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) sponsored Nano-Mission project," a release from the Ministry of Science & Technology said. NEW DELHI, Feb 4: A team of Indian scientists in collaboration with an industry partner has developed a self-disinfecting 'Copper-based Nanoparticle-coated Anti-viral Face Mask' to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The biodegradable, highly breathable and washable mask exhibits high performance against the Covid-19 virus as well as several other viral and bacterial infections.

This face mask was developed by scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and Resil Chemicals, a Bengaluru based company.

Public mask wearing is most effective in reducing the spread of the virus Covid-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, an enveloped positive sense single-stranded RNA virus, where the mode of transmission is via respiratory particles that are mainly airborne.

ARCI developed copper-based nanoparticles of around 20 nanometres by a Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) processing facility. FSP process involves conversion of solution precursors into nano-powders by high temperature pyrolytic decomposition. Stable nanoparticle suspension was obtained by optimizing the solid loading and pH.

However, the Indian market is selling expensive masks that neither exhibit antiviral nor antibacterial properties, especially

A uniform layer of this nano-coating on the cotton fabric with good adhesion was achieved using a suitable binder. The coated

fabric exhibited an efficacy of more than 99.9 per cent against bacteria. CSIR-CCMB tested the efficacy of this fabric against SARSCoV-2 for their disinfection properties and reported 99.9 per cent disinfection, as evident from the standard results. Prototype masks having different designs such as single layer and triple layers with nanoparticle coated fabric as outer layer have been demonstrated. A single layer mask is especially useful as a protective antiviral outer mask over a regular mask, the release said. "The industrial partner Resil Chemicals, Bengaluru is now producing such double layer masks on large scale. The presentday face masks only retain the viruses by filtering and do not kill them and hence, are prone to transmission if the masks are not properly worn or disposed. Simple multilayer cloth masks present a pragmatic solution for use by the public in reducing Covid-19 transmission in the community and wearing these self-disinfecting cloth masks is definitely one of them," the release added. Additionally, a huge concern is expressed around the globe regarding the disposal of used masks. Most of the conventional masks effective against Covid-19 are for singleuse and are not bio-degradable, creating serious environmental concerns and wastemanagement issues. The present antiviral mask which is made from cotton fabric that is biodegradable would eliminate that problem too besides making it highly breathable and washable. (IANS)

Google to build more products in India for the world: Sundar Pichai

NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Reiterating his vision to help India join the digital bandwagon, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said the ongoing investments are a reflection of the company's confidence in the future of the country and its digital economy. The company, which announced a $10 billion Google for India Digitisation Fund last year, has already invested $4.5 billion for a 7.73 per cent stake in the top telecom network Reliance Jio Platforms, along with recently investing up to $1 billion in Bharti Airtel. "It is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India, its digital economy, our desire to build products there, which we think

will help us globally," Pichai said during the company's earnings call.

On the company's payment strategy, Pichai said it is thinking deeper about emerging markets like India as it "lines up with our mission of building a more equitable Internet for everyone". Pichai is also bullish on YouTube's future in the country. "When I look at YouTube in India, some of the commerce ideas we talked about earlier, you may see as the first stride in India first because we can get quicker feedback, a very dynamic, youthful population," he noted.

"So, we'll do it there (in India) and then roll it out globally. We are constantly looking for opportunities like that," Pichai added. YouTube Shorts continues to drive significant engagement for the company globally including in India. "We just hit 5 trillion all-time views and have over 15 billion views each day globally. This is helping our creator community reach newer and bigger audiences," Pichai added. "In 2022, we'll stay focused on evolving our knowledge and information products, including Search, Maps and YouTube, to be even more helpful," he added. (IANS)

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NEWS WORLD

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

New Zealand to reopen border in 5 stages from Feb 27

WELLINGTON, Feb 3: The New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated Kiwis and other current eligible travellers from Australia February 27 midnight and to the same groups from the rest of the world on March 13. The government's five-step reconnecting plan will see all New Zealanders and key visa holders able to start to enter the country over the coming three months, assisting with the economic recovery and immediately address worker shortages, Xinhua news agency quoted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as saying. From February 27, vaccinated New Zealanders and eligible travellers from Australia will be able to enter New Zealand without staying in managed isolation and

quarantine (MIQ) facilities. Two weeks after March 13, New Zealanders and eligible travellers from the rest of the world will be able to come home, Ardern said.

All arrivals will be provided three rapid antigen tests at the airport, one for use on day 0/1, and one for use on day 5/6, with one extra for backup, Ardern said.

"While travellers will no longer need to stay in MIQ we are maintaining border measure to reduce the spread of the virus," she said, adding that the self-isolation requirements for travellers will be 10 days, but that will drop to seven days when New Zealand moves to phase two of the pandemic plan as cases rise.

In about five weeks, the Working Holiday Visa schemes will be reopened. This will supply urgently needed workers for the tourism, hospitality, wine and horticultural sectors as well as providing some muchneeded visitor spending, said Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi.

On April 12, border extension will be extended to include a large international student cohort of up to 5,000 students for entry ahead of semester two and temporary visa holders who still meet relevant visa requirements. The reopening to visa free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date, she said, adding that in October the border will open to all other visitors and students who require a visa to enter New Zealand, with normal visa processing resuming.

"Before Covid, New Zealand was issuing over one million visitor visas per year. What's being announced today is about gearing up in manageable steps to fully re-open as safely as possible to enable us to live with Covid but not be overwhelmed by it," he said. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said with 94 per cent of the population fully vaccinated, and 92 per cent of those over 18 now eligible for a booster by the end of February, it's time to focus on reconnection and recovery.

(IANS)

WHO recommends countries ease Covid measures 'in steady, slow way’ He reiterated his concern over the narrative taking hold in some countries that "because of vaccines, and because of Omicron's high transmissibility and lower severity, preventing transmission is no longer possible and no longer necessary."

GENEVA, Feb 2: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries that are starting to lift Covid-19 measures to do so in a steady and slow way, as recent data have shown a sharp increase in coronavirus-related deaths around the world.

"More transmission means more deaths. We are not calling for any country to return to socalled lockdown. But we are calling on all countries to protect their people using every tool in the toolkit, not vaccines alone," he said. "It's premature for any country either to surrender or to declare victory."

"Since the Omicron variant was first identified just 10 weeks ago, almost 90 million cases have been reported to the WHO, more than were reported in the whole of 2020. We are now starting to see a very worrying increase in deaths in most regions of the world," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing.

According to Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, more than 22 million cases have been reported to the WHO in the past seven days, largely driven by the Omicron variant. More concerning right now is that the past four weeks have seen a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus-related

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deaths around the world, which "shouldn't be happening at the present time when we have tools that can actually prevent this." Commenting on reports that certain countries have started to relax their Covid-19 restrictions, Van Kerkhove urged caution "because many countries have not gone through the peak of Omicron yet" and "now is not the time to lift everything all at once." She said that those countries should do so "in a steady and in a slow way, piece by piece," because this virus is quite dynamic. Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, echoed that countries should chart their own paths in lifting the measures instead of following blindly what the other countries is doing. "I think it's a transition phase for many countries, not every country is in the same situation," he said. "Those countries that are making decisions to open up more broadly also need to be sure they have the capacity to reintroduce measures with community acceptance quickly if needed. So as if you open the doors quickly, you better be very well able to close it very quickly as well." (IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

IMF warns El Salvador from using Bitcoin as official currency

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned El Salvador to no longer use Bitcoin as a legal tender, citing large risks for financial and market integrity, financial stability and consumer protection. El Salvador in September last year became the first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as an official currency. The central American nation announced that it plans to buy "a lot more" bitcoins soon. It purchased 200 tokens earlier and another 200 more ahead of its rollout as a legal tender. In a statement, the IMF said that the adoption of a cryptocurrency as legal tender can also create contingent liabilities. The IMF agreed on the importance of boosting financial inclusion and noted that digital means of payment -- such as the Chivo e-wallet -- could play this role. However, the IMF urged the authorities to narrow the scope of the Bitcoin law by removing Bitcoin's legal tender status. Some IMF directors also expressed concern over the risks associated with issuing Bitcoin-

backed bonds. El Salvador is accepting payment in bitcoin alongside the US dollar, which has been El Salvador's official currency since 2001. Bitcoin, along with other digital cryptocurrencies, has crashed to its lowest levels and the continuing meltdown has wiped out over $1 trillion from the global crypto market value.

coin on Wednesday and the largest digital asset by market value has lost nearly 50 per cent since reaching its peak in November 2021. Bitcoin hit an all-time high of roughly $69,000 in November. The crypto crash came as the US Federal Reserve raised the possibility of boosting interest rates as soon as March and withdrawing stimulus from the market. (IANS)

Bitcoin was hovering around $37,000 per

Mark Zuckerberg's cryptocurrency dream gets over

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1: Facing regulatory hurdles, the cryptocurrency dream of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is officially over as the company has sold its digital coin known as Diem for around $200 million to Silvergate, a crypto-focused bank. Originally launched as Libra and later renamed as the Diem Association, the cryptocurrency initiative faced regulatory backlash, and the US Federal Reserve was a key opponent to Diem launching.

"Despite giving us positive substantive feedback on the design of the network, it nevertheless became clear from our dialogue with federal regulators that the project could not move ahead. As a result, the best path forward was to sell the Diem Group's assets, as we have done today to Silvergate, a said Diem Networks CEO Stuart Levey. "We remain confident in the potential for a stablecoin operating on a blockchain designed like Diem's to deliver the benefits that motivated the Diem Association from the beginning," he said in a statement late on Monday. Over the coming weeks, the Diem Association and its subsidiaries expect to begin the process of winding down.

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The Libra Association in December 2020 decided to change its name to Diem Association in a bid to reinforce its organisational independence. The Diem Association (Diem means day in Latin) also had its subsidiary called Diem Networks to serve as the payment system operator. Facebook and 20 partner organisations formally joined the digital currency project during a meeting in Geneva in October 2019. In a move to win regulators' hearts, the association had announced that its cryptocurrency will offer stable coins backed by just one nation's currency, meaning some coins offered would serve as the equivalent value of a dollar or a euro. However, several heavyweights pulled out of the Libra project, like PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Mercado Pago, eBay, Stripe and Booking Holdings and Vodafone over privacy concerns. (IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

G’Day Mate

Dating deal breakers ahead of Valentine's Day

The last two years of lockdowns and social distancing restrictions have altered how people connect online and what they seek when looking for a partner. Bumble, the women-first dating app, reveals the dating deal breakers for single Indians ahead of Valentine's Day. CLEAR DATING INTENTIONS Who doesn't want to be on the same page as their friends? Not having clear dating intentions can be a deal breaker for 66 percent of single Indians polled as they embrace dating in 2022.

ALIGNED ON POLITICAL LEANINGS For Gen Z and young millennials in India, political views are becoming increasingly important. According to Bumble's research, not agreeing on political views can be a deal breaker when it comes to dating. 46 per cent of single Indians polled say they will not date someone with opposing political views. VACCINATED OR NOT For daters in India, adhering to safety protocols is still critical. Almost one-third (27 per cent) of Indians polled prefer not to go on a date without first discussing COVID-related safety precautions and

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health concerns, and up to 42 percent say they will not go on a date or have sex with someone who has not received the COVID-19 vaccine. Bumble has added a COVID Preferences Centre to the Bumble app, which can be accessed by tapping the profile icon. This will help normalise and better facilitate conversations about dating during the pandemic. Following a match, both individuals will be able to see what the other person's dating preferences are - virtual only or meeting outdoors and in uncrowded places only and what precautions they want to take.

"It's critical to be authentic about who you are and what matters to you in order to forge a meaningful connection." Lockdown restrictions and social distancing norms have had a seismic impact on our dating priorities and choices when it comes to who, when, and how we want to date in the last two years. 2022 appears to be the year when people want to date in the way that is most comfortable for them, without making any compromises." Bumble's India Communications Director, Samarpita Samaddar, commented. (IANSlife)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Getting married in Australia

Happily Ever… Before and After (Part 2) On your wedding day, your celebrant will solemnise your marriage. Your celebrant will then ask you, your partner and your witnesses to sign up to three marriage certificates. After your wedding, your marriage celebrant will register the marriage with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where your marriage took place. Health and welfare benefits - If you receive health or welfare benefits, you will need to contact the relevant agencies to advise them that you have married. These agencies will advise you if your benefits will change. You may lose benefits and even be penalised if you fail to tell them you have married within a reasonable time after the wedding. Changing your name - Any person who marries may choose to take their spouse’s surname. You are not legally required to take your spouse’s surname once you are married. If you wish to take your

spouse’s surname, you must obtain a certificate of marriage issued by your state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This is usually sufficient evidence to have your personal documentation (e.g., driver’s licence) changed to your married surname. The certificate you received on your wedding day is ceremonial and will not meet the identity requirements of many government agencies, such as the passport office. If you have further questions, you may contact me on 0425 853 086 or navee64@gmail.com.

Melinda French Gates to no longer give bulk of wealth to Gates Foundation NEW YORK, Feb 3: Melinda French Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will no longer be pledging the majority of her wealth to the philanthropic organization. According to the Wall Street Journal, French Gates still plans to distribute much of her fortune across philanthropic endeavours, but largely outside of the Gates Foundation, which is one of the world's largest. "I recognise the absurdity of so much wealth being concentrated in the hands of one person, and I believe the only responsible thing to do with a fortune this size is to give it away – as thoughtfully and impactfully as possible," French Gates wrote in a new letter. In 2010, French Gates and her then husband Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, launched The Giving Pledge, alongside billionaire investor Warren Buffett. The campaign encourages the world's richest people to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

At the time, the former couple revealed in a joint letter that they have "committed the vast majority of our assets" to the Gates Foundation in efforts to address preventable death from various diseases and "tear down other barriers to health and education". However, since their divorce in 2021, French Gates and Gates have each penned individual letters detailing varying philanthropic commitments. In 2015, French Gates founded Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company that seeks to advance social and professional progress for women and families across the US, the report said. In French Gates' letter, she reiterated her commitment to giving away the vast majority of her wealth. "I think philanthropy is most effective when it prioritises flexibility over ideology – and why in my work at the foundation and

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Pivotal Ventures I'll continue to seek out new partners, ideas, and perspectives," she wrote. (IANS)

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Honour and Hard Work:

His Honour Judge Pardeep Tiwana

Newly appointed His Honour Judge Pardeep Tiwana has achieved a momentous feat on his elevation to the County Court of Victoria, Criminal Division – the first Indian Australian to accomplish this noteworthy triumph.

’day India’s CEO, Tonee Sethi, recently met with Judge Tiwana to offer his congratulations and acknowledged, “…you reached where not many people can reach.” Judge Tiwana, a gently-spoken and well-mannered gentleman, replied a humble thank you: “It’s a new beginning, and I’m hopeful I’ll be able to carry it out to a high standard in accordance with the oath of office that I have taken.”

The calmness behind Judge Tiwana’s demeanour signifies a man of confidence and ambition. He admits his long and dignified career in criminal law has been hard work, and his dedication to law has helped him achieve where only a few can succeed. His Honour shares, “Fortunately, I have been given this immense privilege to serve the community in this very important role.” Although “Law has been a constant” for Judge Tiwana, it did not start with adolescent ambition, but curiosity won in the end. “I was very laid back and immature. I was a daydreamer,” he admits. “I did have an interest in films, Indian cinema, and I did see myself involved in some way in the Indian film industry. But, ultimately, I did end up studying law. I had a cousin who was a lawyer, and I thought it might be

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interesting. It wasn’t really until I started my degree that I developed an interest to become a barrister.” Born in England and brought up in Birmingham, he is very proud of his Indian Sikh background. He explains that his grandfather and father came to England in the 1960s from Punjab, India, via Singapore. Judge Tiwana studied law at the University of Wolverhampton and graduated with First Class Honours. He practised as a barrister at the Birmingham Bar for over a decade before moving to Australia. In 2006, he moved to Melbourne with his wife and two young children. Judge Tiwana underwent further legal studies at Melbourne University before practising in criminal law as a defence barrister until his appointment to the County Court of Victoria last year. He reveals, “I’ve had a very long and satisfying career as a barrister persuading judges to follow a particular path or make a certain decision on the law or to pass a particular sentence. I’ve also persuaded juries arguing why my clients should be acquitted. Now, of course, I’m on the other side; it is a complete role reversal.” Although His Honour is conscious of the responsibilities of his new appointment, he shares, “There is a sense of nervousness; there’s a sense of excitement and a sense of doing my best.” Judge Tiwana admits that working for the Victorian County Court is great. He also finds solace and support within the close-knit team, “I’m very fortunate to have fantastic colleagues. My brother and sister judges are a source of comfort. I know that there is help around me, whenever I need it, which is a lot when you are just starting out.” Judge Tiwana’s daily grind revolves around what most people consider highly stressful. He elaborates, “I hear serious criminal cases relating to all sorts of offending – drugs, sexual allegations, dishonesty, violence, fraud, offences involving death on our roads – culpable driving. My tasks include sentencing offenders who plead guilty or who are found guilty. I hear appeals from the magistrate’s court against sentence and conviction. I also sit in criminal trials involving a jury. In a trial, essentially, my role is to oversee the hearing; to ensure it

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

is conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.” What keeps Judge Tiwana humble also motivates him to succeed in a meaningful career with integrity and ethics. He enlightens us with his constant personal reminder of the five virtues of Sikhism, “They are important and very close to my heart: Sat, Daya, Santokh, Nimrata and Pyaar.” These virtues translated are truth, contentment, compassion, humility and love. Judge Tiwana has received hundreds of good wishes since his official appointment. Messages from family, friends and the wider community from here and abroad. He remembers fondly, “When I was appointed last year, the appointment was clearly met with a lot of excitement. The family were over the moon. Many Indian background lawyers, here, India and other countries whom I did not know, sent messages on social media.” The admiration and respect did not stop there. Judge Tiwana’s appointment has ignited praise and activated a dedicated following from those who regard him as a role model. “I also received lots of messages from young students who aspire to forge a career in law: messages saying that my appointment was an inspiration to them,” he says. “So, those messages brought home to me the fact that my appointment is important, particularly for the younger generation who are embarking upon a legal

career. I realise they will inevitably look up to me and say we can do what Judge Tiwana has done.” The basis of His Honour’s new appointment signifies the importance of diversity. He states, “Diversity is important because it sends out a strong message that we are all equal. We’re all Australian, despite being from different cultural backgrounds.” Judge Tiwana has some words of wisdom of his own for those interested in pursuing a career in law. He advises, “The legal profession can be very rewarding, but also at the same time tough. You need to work hard throughout university, and the hard work continues when you enter the profession. In fact, it never ends. Reputations are difficult to build but very easy to destroy, particularly in this profession. So, it’s important that you perform your work with the utmost integrity and ethically.” Another aspect influencing caring for the community and law is the Covid-19 pandemic. He remarks, “The legal

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profession has been significantly impacted. For a very long time, the courts were not able to conduct jury trials, and the county court is the main trial court.” However, nontrial work proceeded because “the court was very swift to develop an online hearing system, and it has worked very well and continues to work well”. Recognising the pressures of his work, Judge Tiwana is grateful for the upside, the allotment of generous holidays. He loves to spend time with the family, travel (Covidpermitting), dining out, movies, cricket and barracking for his favourite team – “the doggies”. He appreciates quiet reflection and gym workouts and keeps up-to-date with Indian politics. Judge Tiwana has plenty of work ahead of him, even dedicating his weekends during his transition from barrister to judge. Also, the Indian community has invited him to speak at events, such as Diwali functions and the Sikh Faith Family Violence Prevention Project. His words and actions have won the community’s trust because, for them, “the confidence of knowing that those who are making these important decisions affecting livelihoods represent the wider community in which we live”. We wish His Honour Judge Pardeep Tiwana a rewarding and successful career on the bench. By Agata Zema

FEATURE

RAAF’S DENTIST

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

An NGO to her name was only the beginning for this Royal Air force dentist, Ajitha Sugnanam now travels far and remote in the service of people and charity.

ing Commander Ajitha Sugnanam story is a remarkable tale in every sense from success to international travel, and joining the Royal Australian Air Force as a dentist allowed her life to navigate the route she wanted. Ajitha’s travels within RAFF taking her to people in need in remote locations was only possible with her experience back home in India, where she started her own NGO providing the health care and required support. Originally born in Saudi Arabia to professional Indian parents, she was brought up in Caboolture before moving to Canada. They spent time in the Newfoundland

Labrador province, and she graduated early from high school at the age of 16, eventually completing her degree in Dentistry at Griffith University, Australia, and joining the RAAF in 2010. Ajitha’s parents had always given her everything she ever needed. Both her parents helped and pushed her to succeed, and so, it was a shock to them with her decision to join the military. “Of course, they have flipped hundred eighty since then, and they are now very proud of her. My father particularly had his reservations about me joining the military as an Indian heritage female, and when I passed my Officer Selection Board it caused some family tension” says Ajitha People often say charity is a selfless act. She honestly believes that those who choose to volunteer or do philanthropic work, do it because it gives them a sense of fulfilment unable to be gained through other facets of life, so not selfless but truly fulfilling. She started doing charity work because it gave her a sense of purpose, surrounding her with likeminded, loving, giving people. Allowing her to concentrate on her efforts in an impactful manner with a team of unbelievable people. “When I focus on what others don't have it's

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hard not to be grateful for what I do have. The ripple effect of sense of community has made a profound impact on how I see the world and what I believe we can achieve together.” Ajitha Sugnanam has spent the last ten years – and about a hundred thousand dollars of her own money – bringing health care and life skills to people in need in three continents. Now the Indian Australian Wing Commander has registered her Esesson Foundation as a charity in Australia and is seeking donations to allow her to continue the work here, with vulnerable refugee children and families firmly in her sights. “I want to make the Foundation more sustainable into the future and expand the work we have been able to do in places like India to help people in need here in Australia” she said. Treating more than ten thousand people since Ajitha started doing this work during her leave in 2011, takes a lot of effort to put together groups of clinical staff who all donate their time and expertise and fund their travel to the locations they provide care. By leaning on family and political connections in India and with support from medical equipment suppliers, colleagues and medical friends, the Esesson Foundation has run dental and women’s health clinics across the sub-continent. She has also led teams of volunteers to Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico and Uganda. Everything happened organically as one day a relative who was the principal of a school put Ajitha in front of a class full of young ladies and asked her to speak to them. From that experience, it became clear that there was a need for some of the other things they now provide. Since 2018 they have been

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

providing nutrition and fitness coaching, and self-defence lessons which sadly many of them may be forced to use. With the COVID-19 pandemic making it impossible to travel overseas, the foundation is now working with ACCESS Community Services to provide dental care to children at the Milpera State High School. This is an area where there are some very long waiting lists, and this is a real problem for these kids who are facing a number of other challenges as new arrivals to Australia. If a child needs to wait for two years for dental treatment, they might end up losing their adult teeth before they are even adults. “We will work with anyone who is among the neediest whether or not they are migrants or refugees – what matters to me is there is a group of people who need the kind of help we can provide their background isn’t what’s important” Ajitha points out. As we ask her what is the future of women and any message for young aspiring leaders?

On that, she replies that the future for women is whatever we choose it to be. There are many women in the past who have set us up for success. Australia's current trajectory is well on its way to equal opportunities. “My message to aspiring leaders is, "do not make the decision not to do something based on history, and make sure you have tried every avenue within your limits before you make a conscious decision that you believe you cannot do it, because otherwise, it just means you have not tired." Ajitha has served all over Australia and had been deployed to Afghanistan and the Middle East. She was recently promoted to Wing Commander, and completed her Masters in Clinical Dentistry – Oral Surgery at Griffith University So, what’s next for this inspiring dentist? She simply seals it with her academic curriculum, currently gaining a Masters in Defence Studies. She hopes to continue working for the Royal Australia Air Force,

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hopefully proving that she’s capable, while being exposed to opportunities that allow her to learn and manage complex issues in this large service-oriented organisation. In the long term, she hopes to increase the impact Esesson Foundation has by expanding the reach of its current programs while ensuring the impact is consistent and enduring. Indeed, a story of a brave woman and her noble cause has definitely inspired us and we hope this beautiful story has inspired all our readers too. With that, we at G’day India wish Ajitha and her Esesson foundation the very best to reach new heights. We couldn’t help but quote Mother Teresa “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” By: G’day India (The Esesson Foundation is a registered charity in Australia and India and donations are welcome via https://esesson.org/donate-now)

LEGAL

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Sale of land and rescission of contract BY GURPAL SINGH

n interesting topic that touches the lives of every Australian buying or selling the land in Australia and in this case reference to Victoria. We know that a party to a contract is bound to perform his/her obligations in accordance with the terms of the contract. A failure to do so will constitute a breach creating thereby an entitlement of the other party to rescind the contract forthwith. A vendor legally rescinds a contract upon the failure of a purchaser to complete in accordance with an essential tie stipulation. In such event and in the absence of fraud, accident, or mistake and/or other conduct of the vendor which might have caused or contributed to the breach of the essential stipulation, the contract will be at an end and purchaser will have no basis for seeking specific performance. We note that the contract of sale would in normal situations, will carry a term ‘the

time is of the essence’. Such term is made mandatory and essential by agreement between the parties. If time is not of the essence or has ceased to be of the essence resulting into a party’s performance or non-performance because of a cause of dispute, the party suffering may issue a notice to complete on the defaulting party requiring performance to take place within a reasonably stipulated time. Such stipulation regarding the time being an essence have been mandated by the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (VIC). If the time has ceased to be of the essence, the party suffering shall first require serving a notice making time of the essence and then serve a default notice for compliance and in the absence of compliance, the same results in the contract being rescinded. A failure by the purchaser to pay the balance of the price on the agreed date of settlement, will constitute a breach and such breach goes to the very fundamentals of the contract. And such a breach confers a right on the vendor to rescind the contract subject to the other terms of the contract. The purchaser’s failure to pay the balance price, along with the conduct of the party may sufficiently demonstrate an intention that the party is no longer intended to be bound by the terms of the contract. The vendor may immediately accept the repudiation, putting an end to the contract. However, if the purchaser simply failed to pay the balance without more, the vendor

in such event shall require grounding the rescission on breach of condition rather than the repudiation. The vendor in such situation shall require serving a notice to complete the contract. If the vendor finds that termination y acceptance of repudiation is of more advantage, it will usually be sensible to give a notice to comply. This helps the vendor to demonstrate that the other party has repudiated his obligations under the contract. On the other hand, if the time is not of the essence, a party can terminate the contract if the other party is guilty of protracted non-completion and delay in delivering performance from which an inference of repudiation can be safely drawn. However, where a party by act or conduct waives the benefit of a provision to that effect, any unequivocal act indicating an intention to forgo the right to rescind will constitute a waiver. The waiver requires a deliberate act and/or intentional conduct. The waiver may occur when a vendor allowed the purchaser to occupy the property for an extended period after settlement date without paying the balance of the purchase price but subject to payment of possession fee or rent. In such an eventuality if the vendor serves a rescission notice without serving the notice to complete (making time to be the essence), such notice will be ineffective. At the same time it is emphasised that a mere extension of time will not constitute a waiver of the benefit of an element as to the time clause, but an extension of time if combined with other circumstances will affect a waiver. Rescission generally is open to a party who is willing to perform the contract on its proper construction; did not bring about or materially contribute to the occurrence of the event which give rise to the right of rescission and is ready, willing, and able to perform his obligations at the time one purports to terminate the contract. If you face such situation in either side, kindly seek legal opinion before taking the next steps.

Gurpal Singh is the principal lawyer of Melbourne law firm, Saundh Singh & Smith Lawyers | W: www.sssl.com.au

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OPINION

Year of the Tiger!

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Year of the Multicultural community! BY KARTHIK ARASU President of “Australia India Sports Council

his article is not about your Zodiac reading; it's about how the times ahead look upbeat with changes beginning to happen. I have written numerous times about multicultural communities, the Indian Australian community in particular and their challenges to break the glass ceilings, about inclusion and diversity. This article is no different from them, but I strongly believe these topics need to be spoken regularly by everyone, for us to have a chance to progress and move past the taboos that others hold us down with and what we hold us with. This Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger is known as the Lord of the Jungle, and the zodiac sign Tiger is a symbol of strength, braveness and exorcising evils. Tiger is also special for Indian Australians as it is India's National animal. The qualities of Tiger, both in real and zodiac, are the characters we need to emulate for our progress. As a community, we need to be aware of our challenges ahead and start working together for the betterment of us and our future generations. A few years back, the Indian festival Diwali was not a well-known festival in Australia. Indian Australians, both individually and collectively through organisations, made efforts to positively showcase their festivals in a simple inclusive manner. Just by putting lights on the home façade or by conducting competitions and events, or by educating our neighbours and friends about our festivals,

we have made our cultural & religious festivals widely celebrated in Australia. A lot of effort has gone in by the entire community to achieve this change; both individually and collectively, the same efforts are required to showcase our talent and progress in politics and workplaces. This year we will face both Federal & State elections in Victoria; as a community, we have a huge responsibility to think and select the right candidate and party to cast our vote. I have heard from many that they just run into the polling booth and tick the 1st square or just vote for a party based on their marketing. This is not just putting your vote to a lousy use but also throwing the entire community under the bus. It's not just for the adults; we need to educate the children on why it's essential to choose the right candidate by themselves and not be influenced by others no matter who they are. Each one will promote the party they belong to; it is up to us to analyse and determine who has done what for our community. Last year Deputy Leader of the Labor party openly called the coronavirus Delta variant an Indian variant. In contrast, he and his party have been very careful to date not to associate the virus with China or any other country name for variants. Associating the virus with any country is wrong; I wrote in support of Chinese

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businesses when they were under attack by hateful campaigns against them at the start of the pandemic. Time and again, the parties who say they are the champion for multiculturalism actually split us into many divisions and literally pit us against one another. We have a Senator from NSW who runs a regular hate campaign against India and Israel, conveniently ignoring raising any voice for the persecuted minorities in any other parts of the world. She even attacked the Indian Prime Minister in the parliament, and her party colleague from the state attacked the Hindu community in the NSW state parliament. Any persecution has to be condemned in any part of the world, but it should not be used as a tool to discredit a community or country to show loyalty to one's country of origin. Remember all these when casting your vote; remember who looks after the community equally and fairly, not just using our communities for their gains. Remember, your vote is for Australia and for your community. Unfortunately, we have some of our own community members putting us down, specifically in politics. Some people who say good things to you do a 360 when you are not around; they are not interested in doing the hard yards; those are the ones we need to be careful not to support or engage. The good news is they can't continue this method for long; sooner or later, they will be caught out both by the community and by their masters. Coming back to the year of the Tiger, John F. Kennedy famously said, "Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside." I would like to remind those who are riding on the back of our communities for their selfish gains, Tiger is waking up, and with words of Wole Soyinka, "A tiger does not shout its tigritude, it acts."

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Globalising AYUSH

– India Australia Partnership Opportunities

he Diaspora is indeed the living bridge between our two nations. Brilliant message by Hon Dan Tehan MP on the recent Globalisation of AYUSH -Our India Australia partnerships virtual showcase. “It is an important step, but not enough” we must accelerate an action to achieve Indian PM Narendra Modi’s goal of Globalising AYUSH in a statement released by Chairwoman Ayurveda Dr Vanita Sharma - Australasian Pacific Council of Ayush Sciences(APCAS), not for profit, Melbourne Victoria, Australia on the eve of the virtual celebration of India’s 73rd Republic Day and Australia Day on Friday 28th Jan, 2022 in collaboration with The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), New Delhi India History has been made with this significant industry meet by bringing together so many global leaders, said Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, CEO/Founder Indian Australian Business Community Alliance, Gandhi Creations while making an announcement of conducting AYUSH event Yoga & Meditation to support APCAS vision of AYUSH Globalisation. A wonderful event is just a beginning in Australian history with these Academicians, Researchers, Industry specialists, Australian University representatives, Educationists, Business councils, AYUSH practitioners and Ayurvedic product manufacturers from India, Australia & UK ready for future collaboration with APCAS & ASSOCHAM. Global pandemic has brought Indian Medical system to a world stage. The ministry is also providing support to AYUSH product manufacturers for registration in the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia and other international regulatory agencies overseas for the purpose of export. Academic and Research Partnership are

strategically significant for ensuring growth of the sector and acceptability mentioned by Ms Perminder Jeet Kaur, Director East and Northeast and AYUSH National Task Force Coordinator.

A SNAPSHOT OF THE VIRTUAL INDUSTRY MEET: A discussion was made on the opportunities and the challenges for enhancing Global partnership, especially focussed at Australia, ASSOCHAM in partnership with Dr Vanita Sharma Founder, APCAS, Australia while hosting a virtual meet focused on: 1. India Australia Ayush Sector Synergy 2. Enhancing Academia, Research Partnerships. 3. Registration and Exports of Indian AYUSH Drugs 4. Industry Challenges, Quality Compliances. Yasmin King, CEO SkillsIQ, NSW Australia, as an opening keynote, stated about the role of SkillsIQ IRC in developing Training Package & setting up standards and benchmarks for Australian institutes to prepare their curriculum for VET courses. Complementary Health IRC is led by Dr Vanita Sharma, as a Deputy Chair along with Chair Marsha Ellis and other Committee members from various other organisations that register Ayurvedic practitioners along with other modalities in their associations like ATMS, ANTA and many more. Amarjeet Singh Bhamra, Founder of All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Indian Traditional Sciences, London UK & advisor APCAS is also keen on discussing further affiliation with SkillsIQ. Prof Dennis Chang, Director NICM, Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University Australia put insight into establishing Ayurveda Chair & further developing evidencebased Ayurvedic medicine in NICM Australia. Prof Rajesh Sharma, Senior Lecturer, Justice & Legal Studies, RMIT University & Advisor APCAS stated “We must now ensure that the next chapter charts the success of the commitments we have solemnly made together during the event with the ongoing support of Australian govt & Indian AYUSH Ministry & Indian mission Australia. Various discussions were made for maintaining standards according to Australian TGA and quarantine by Prof Dilip Ghosh, Ayush product manufacturers from India like Dr Gayatri, Dr

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Karthik, Dr Sudipta Narayan Rao, Chairman ASSOCHAM and Dr Neeraj Thakur, Deputy Chair, APCAS with a vote of thanks from him addressing on Agribusiness and Advisor International Affairs AYUSH and Alternative Medicines APCAS and Advisor ASSOCHAM, ICC & AACCI Chairman Mr Sudip Kumar Jha. Australia India Business Council NSW, President Irfan Malik referred to integrating indigenous traditional medicine. ASSOCHAM & APCAS feel humbled and honoured to conclude this event with support of DFAT successfully, Hon Minister Dan Tehan MP, all keynote dignitaries, industry specialists and IT team & admin support by Mr Manesh Sharma and Kalol Ghosh from ASSOCHAM, Media support by Editor Gurbir Sethi, G’day India and Indian weekly magazine Melbourne Australia and of course for excellent feedback from our wonderful audiences and participants for this wonderful event & industry meet. “We did not yet achieve these goals at this virtual event. But we have some building blocks for progress,” I’m aware and know that the path of progress is not always a straight line. Sometimes there are detours and ditches. But I know we can get there. We are in the fight for recognition of Indian legacy and AYUSH sciences in Australia and this fight must be won. Never give up & keep pushing forward”. Dr Vanita Sharma declared. THE OUTCOME: “It is an incremental step forward but not in line with the progress needed. Dr Vanita Sharma stressed that for every announcement made during the event, the expectation is that the “implementation plans and the fine print” will follow. Let us enjoy what we accomplished but also prepare for what is coming, after recognising the advancements on adaptation, among others across the globe. By Vanita Sharma www.ausayushcouncil.org

BAPS

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

The Foundations of A Glorious Life:

ETERNAL VIRTUES Analysing the seven decades of his pure and spotless life often raises a question: Which is the most overpowering of all the virtues of Pramukh Swami Maharaj? The answer is his humble persona. He was polite and simple, natural and transparent. He never craved or expected recognition or praise.

If there was one simple reason why His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan was so loved by people, and even more so, revered by people, it was because he was deeply virtuous. His virtues were not just temporary, fleeting moments of being good to others or being humble on occasions. His virtues were constant and eternal. More than any of the accomplishments of his life, his virtuous life was what attracted so many to him in so many different ways.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was honoured and felicitated every day of the week for the past 40 years! He had been welcomed and received at the United Nations, the British Parliament and by the likes of President Clinton, Ted Turner and the Sheikh of Bahrain. However, it doesn’t seem to faze him. He was untouched by all his awards, accomplishments and fame. He remained untouched and unaffected by it all. His answer to any compliment or reward was always: “It is all due to the grace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and our gurus.”

In this article series we will journey through Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and witness how he not only lived by but also fostered service leadership from youth to seniors, from remote most areas on the planet to the global power houses.

After visiting Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, India, the Police Superintendent of Bihar State, Ajay Verma, came for Swamishri’s darshan. He said, “I have been longing to meet the creator of Swaminarayan Akshardham.” Pramukh Swami replied, “God is the creator. He inspires all of us.”

Anahamkrutihi – Total absence of ego. The Sanskrit word anahamkrutihi means total absence of ego. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was at such a spiritual level where no feelings of his self remained. He lived for the betterment of others. He worked tirelessly to help others. His practical knowledge has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals live by the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads.

On January 3, 1994, Kantibhai Kamdar, a leading builder and Jain community leader, met Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Madras and said, “Just as Mahavir Swami had come in the fifth century, God has sent you to liberate us. Your work is amongst the best in India and the world.” Pramukh Swami responded, “I am only a servant. God is almighty and the all-doer.”

He made more than 15,500 villages, towns and cities visit to revive the traditions of Hinduism and spirituality. He created mandirs and monuments around the globe that will carry forth Indian culture for generations to come. He reformed society through antiaddiction campaigns, tribal care programs, women empowerment activities and disaster relief operations. He cared for millions through his educational, healthcare and environmental initiatives. His unconditional love set a standard for world peace and religious harmony. His dedication helped BAPS grow from a small local organisation into an international organisation that has positively influenced the lives of millions.

Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi is a monument anyone would be proud of. People even brag about how many times they have visited it. Whenever Pramukh Swami Maharaj was praised for creating Akshardham, he lowered his head and gave the credit to others, “No, no, I haven’t done anything. This is all because of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s grace, the blessings of my guru, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj and the efforts that all the sadhus and devotees have put into it.” When the sadhus and devotees tried to credit and praise him, he immediately interjected, “You have got it all wrong. I haven’t done anything. Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Yogiji Maharaj have done everything. Praise them. Praise the sadhus and devotees that have contributed to the complex. I am just a servant.”

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The reason Pramukh Swami Maharaj was able to be so humble was his love and devotion for God. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s humility was visibly expressed in his constantly folding his hands to others. He bowed to everyone, even his disciples. His humility was the reason he respected everyone, even those who opposed him. His humility was the reason he could laugh at himself, even in public. His humility was the reason he could comply and apologise, even to a toddler. In short, his humility was why he was always happy, even amidst insults and stressful circumstances. It has been his humility and many other virtues where he has relentlessly travelled the Earth to selflessly serve each and everyone, either directly or indirectly. Below is a short introduction of what His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was able to accomplish in 95 years on this earth:

2022: A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS Join us, celebrate, and be inspired through thought provoking articles highlighting 'Eternal Virtues' revealing the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj based upon the divine virtues described in the Shrimad Bhagvat and other engaging programs throughout 2022. LEARN MORE ABOUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

• @BAPS - www.baps.org | www.youtube. com/bapschannel • @BAPS Charities - www.bapscharities.org/ australia/ • @BAPS Better Living – www.youtube.com/c/bapsbetterliving | www. instagram.com/baps_betterliving/

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

HOW TO CLEAN GOLD JEWELLERY AT HOME?

There are many reasons why gold trinkets, both new and old, lose their lustre over time. The most common cause of your gold jewellery losing its natural brilliance is known to be regular use. The longer you wear them, the less gloss and glitter they have. That’s not all, though. Many variables impair gold’s natural brilliance, from grime to cosmetics and common chemicals. Perfumes and moisturisers that you use on your skin might also harm your gold.

quickest and easiest ways to restore the lustre of your gold jewellery.

4The filth that has gathered in your jewellery will be loosened by these carbonated liquids. You can get a 4So, how can you clean your plain gold professional jewellery cleaning solution for ornaments using soap and water? Let us your home too. see. “Cleaning your gold jewellery with 4Begin with filling a basin halfway with gemstones, however, you should not warm water. Mix with the mild soap to follow this procedure to clean gemstonemake a solution. To make the solution, studded jewellery. Owning and wearing mix mild detergents or a few drops of gold jewellery with jewels is a wonderful dishwashing solutions in water. thrill. Any gemstone, from costly stones like diamonds and rubies to semi-precious You don’t have to go to the jeweller 4Dip your gold jewellery in the solution. stones like topazes and tourmalines, every time your gold necklaces or Allow for 15-20 minutes of soak time. After enhances the beauty of gold. earrings start to lose their lustre. We are that, rinse it with cold water and lay it flat here to suggest some simple and effective on a nice, dry cloth or towel. Let it dry Never immerse gemstone-studded tips to clean your gold ornaments at completely in the open air. jewellery in water, even if you use a home. soap water solution,” says Dishi Somani, 4Use a soft-bristled brush to remove Director, Dishis Designer Jewellery, 4Cleaning your gold jewels with a dirt from the nooks and crannies. But don’t “Soaking it can cause water to accumulate toothbrush is one of the simplest and rub the jewellery too hard. Remember in the setting, causing it to corrode or most effective ways to do it. to keep it safe and secure, preferably in discolour over time. Instead, rinse it a jewellery box. This soap-water-brush and clean it using a soft toothbrush, 4Don’t be pessimistic! You can clean procedure can be used to clean yellow, such as a baby toothbrush. Check your your plain gold necklaces, bracelets, white, and rose gold jewellery. ornament before washing to ensure it earrings, bangles, and other decorations doesn’t contain any loose stones. Let it with a simple soap and water solution. 4The water should neither be boiling dry completely before storing it. Check Cleaning your basic gold jewellery nor be cold. You can also use sodium-free the water isn’t too hot, especially if your with soap water removes dirt and oils seltzer water or club soda instead of tap jewellery includes delicate gemstones like accumulated over time. This is one of the water. opals.”

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

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VALENTINES

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas The day of love doesn’t have to be celebrated in an expensive restaurant or with expensive gifts. There are some fun ways you can celebrate this year's Valentine’s Day with a twist, going beyond dinners and flowers. Here are some fun ways:

BY DEBASREE DAS 1. PICNIC IN NATURE’S LAP: Roll up that rug and open the Picnic basket; Melbourne’s summer is best spent in nature’s lap. Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury gardens, Botanical gardens to name a few. Or head out to your favourite sunset viewing spot on a beach, a secluded park, or a little alcove on a natural trail. It’s a unique and inexpensive way to spend the day with someone you love. Personally, I love to have a beach picnic along with a good swim and some wine by the day. If you’re like me, hit me up with your beach ideas. 2. STAYCATION: As Valentine’s Day falls on a mid-week, the best way to usher in this day and celebrate it too is to have a staycation in the city or at your favourite place for a night. Pamper yourself with some self-hosted breakfast or sleep in to wake up to some breakfast in bed or surprise your partner with some fresh flowers and coffee to go along. This is a way more romantic idea to sneak

in for a night before the Valentine’s Day. DINNER DATE: No time to celebrate and work making you go crazy, not a problem. Make an appointment at your favourite food joint and grab that glass of champagne to say how lucky you’re to be with the person you love. Remember to make your Valentine’s Day reservations early as I would probably be one of them to sneak out for a dinner date too. 4. SPA-CATION: Call it a day at work and sneak in for a couple’s retreat. No better way to relax and spend some quality time with someone you love. There are some amazing Spa places in Mornington

peninsula, Montrose or even in the city. 5. HEAD TO NATURE’S TRAIL: If you are an adventurous couple then this would be a perfect choice to escape in nature and celebrate the day. There’s no dearth of hidden gems in Victoria, like waterfalls, beaches and hikes that would be just perfect for you to discover and relax. 6. CELEBRATING AT HOME: No time for love, well then cook with love and celebrate the evening with some candlelight dinner at home. Order some fresh flowers and balloons to spice up the evening and music to keep you company. With the days being longer a backyard dinner sounds just perfect. Keep that wine or beer flowing or pop that champagne and say the 3 magical words. Whatever way you choose to celebrate, make the most of the Melbourne summer days at your disposal. If you have any unique way that you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, let me know. As for me, I am heading to the beach for a late evening picnic, while having dinner and seeing the sunset. How romantic isn’t it?

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @travelinstylewithdebs for your daily fashion inspiration. travelinstylewithdebs

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FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

TRAVELLING HELPS TO DE-STRESS AND TRANSFORM Wellness travel is one of the best ways of re-aligning oneself with wellness. As a highly evolved and intelligent generation, we are a most stressed-out lot. While we all know we need to add wellness to every aspect of our living life, the sheer pace and circumstance of our life tend to methodically get us off course of our grand plans; planning a wellness vacation or even conforming to wellness travel then will surely transform lifestyles. Sharmilee Agrawal Kapur, Founder & Pranic Healer, Atmantan Wellness Centre shares various aspects: Me-Holiday The purest form of a me-holiday is when you are your topmost priority, and a wellness getaway is exactly this. True wellness is the wellness of the soul (Atma), mind (mana) and body (tann) and this can be single-handedly pursued for wellness. As you de-stress, rejuvenate and heal, your wellness travel becomes a source of healthy indulgence. Nature heals Nature and all its God-given elements heal. Today a wellness destination that has plenty of sunlight, green foliage, fresh air and water, will heal you as you imbibe its living prana (Life-giving force). This transfer of healing energy enables detoxification, aligning of the chakras and a re-alignment with the energy of the world. You are enhanced from the inside out. Consciously working upon the subconscious Mental Health is the biggest game-changer of the 21st century. This aspect of health defines the very core of us and yet this is something we don’t always prioritise. However, our mental health gets the exact care and attention it needs and deserves when we take that wellness get-away. While re-balancing the mind and the inner self, this is also a way to carry back healing practices to everyday life. Actions become habits We all want great wellbeing habits, and the only place to really take these on are during wellness travel where you actually do these. This is where you experience ideal endorphin and dopamine rush, even as you revive the ideal circadian cycle (sleep-wake cycle). And all this as you naturally work towards a healthier you! Starting a habit starts by doing the same every day; A proper wellness holiday has you living the good life day in and day out. Wellness travel is always the start or recap we need to take on life-transforming habits. Health truly is wealth The fact of the matter is that lifestyle diseases are a rich man/ woman’s problem. What simply makes us a smarter person is when we figure out that health truly is wealth. Affluence should be boosting our health instead of compromising it and hence wellness travel is a top trend in travel. I am glad to say that most the people I know usually scribble in 2-3 wellness holidays a year into their itinerary as a sheer commitment to their health. If we have learnt anything in the last 2 years, it is that wellness needs to be sprinkled into all we do, and wellness travel is a great way to get to just what we need is the destination is then our healthy transformation. By Rajesh Namby

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FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

TRAVEL BLUES? CHECK IN FOR A STAYCATION

It’s the year 2022, and humans have always found ways to adapt to COVID-19. As travel restrictions across the globe continue and people fear travelling even within the country, looking for comfort and new experiences much closer to home is always an option with staycations.

pushed the hotel industry to create more holistic experiences for guests in a limited amount of time. For guests, it is now more possible than ever to experience their own cities like never before, especially with hotels like The Lodhi, offering experiences that are rarely found in city hotels.

for their other popular getaway packages, such as Shopathon - every shopaholic’s delight - and their exclusively curated Honeymoon package - designed to ensure an unforgettable romantic affair. They also introduced a Golfcation package for golf enthusiasts, while ensuring maximum safety and a memorable weekend.

More and more people are considering the convenience of a vacation closer to home. The hospitality industry has taken notice of this shift, and hotels have responded by developing more innovative offerings and experiences for guests to enjoy.

The Lodhi’s opulent rooms and private plunge pools offer a taste of world-class luxury in the heart of Delhi. At their in-house restaurants, Elan and Perbacco, they serve the finest cuisines from around the world (and more), with menus curated by some of the best chefs. They have something for everyone, whether it’s a celebration lunch, a date night with a special someone, or a midnight hunger pang.

Apart from relieving the stress of planning a vacation, staycations have also been shown to be more environmentally friendly by reducing the carbon emissions one would have had if they had taken a flight. The hospitality industry is also maximising staycation demand by providing guests with additional reasons to stay. In addition to the weekend getaways, hotels are rebranding themselves as co-working spaces. Guests looking to escape their monotonous work-from-home routines during lockdowns have found solace in staycations in hotels where they can work and play!

Pent-up leisure demand, aided by the shift of outbound leisure travel to domestic, has resulted in an increase in bookings from city residents looking to escape their day-to-day lives while remaining safe. Staycations are not a new concept, and they predate the pandemic. While the pandemic has made it an obvious solution for travellers looking for adventure in times of uncertainty, the concept of staycations has been popular for some time. Owing to their hectic lifestyles, people, in general, have started preferring multiple smaller vacations over a few long vacations throughout the year.

Their variety of recreational facilities ensures that one never runs out of options. Their Spa and Salon are among the best in the country, offering a wide range of treatments to rebalance the mind, body, and senses. From squash and tennis courts to a 50-meter climate-controlled swimming pool, gymnasium, pilates studio, and a functional zone with top-of-the-line equipment and some of the city’s best personal fitness trainers, The Lodhi leaves no stone unturned to ensure a memorable experience, especially in these trying times.

This shift in people’s vacationing habits has

They’ve seen an increase in guests checking in

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While they have managed to stay afloat as an industry, they are still living in uncertain times. It’s great to see the staycation trend gaining traction, especially since it has resulted in travellers supporting Indian businesses and making environmentally friendly choices. They’re both nervous and excited to see where things go, and they’re always hoping for the best! By Rajesh Namby

TECH

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WILL PLUNGE INTO PACIFIC IN 2031: NASA The International Space Station (ISS) will continue its operations until 2030 and will plunge into the most remote point in the Pacific Ocean in 2031, NASA confirmed in a new transition plan released this week. According to the space agency’s budget estimates, the ISS, launched in 1998, will be “deorbited” in January 2031. Once out of orbit the space station will make a dramatic descent before splashlanding in Point Nemo, which is about 2,700 km from any land and has become known as the space cemetery -- a final resting place for decommissioned space stations, old satellites and other human space debris, the Guardian reported. Also known as the “Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility” or the “South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area”, the region around the space cemetery is known for its utter lack of human activity. It’s “pretty much the farthest place from any human civilization you can find”, NASA has said. This week, the space agency announced a new transition plan for low-Earth orbit science. Further, NASA has signed agreements with three private companies to launch commercial space stations for use by both private companies and government astronauts. These new commercial space stations will be launched by Blue Origin, Nanoracks LLC and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, NASA said. They’re expected to be operational by the late 2020s, before the ISS falls into the sea, Space. com reported. Till then, the ISS will remain busy

with experiments undertaken both on behalf of NASA researchers and private contractors. “The International Space Station is entering its third and most productive decade as a ground-breaking scientific platform in microgravity,” Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station at NASA Headquarters, said in the statement. “This third decade is one of results, building on our successful global partnership to verify exploration and human research technologies to support deep space exploration, continue to return medical and environmental benefits to humanity, and lay the groundwork for a commercial future in low-Earth orbit,” he added.

The ISS, about the size of an American football field, orbits the Earth about once every 90 minutes, and has been continuously occupied by astronauts since November 2000. Last September, a Russian official warned that small cracks had been discovered on the space station that could worsen over time and raised concerns about ageing equipment and the risk of “irreparable failures”, the BBC reported. The space station was originally intended to operate for just 15 years, but NASA said in a report that “there is high confidence that ISS life can be further extended through 2030”, though some analyses of its viability are still being conducted.

(ANI)

TESLA QUIETLY UNVEILS FLEET OF NEW ELECTRIC TRUCKS Elon Musk-owned electric vehicle company Tesla has quietly unveiled a fleet of new ‘Tesla Semi’ electric trucks as part of its new financial result report.

Tesla surprisingly didn’t comment on the status of Tesla Semi production in its earnings report, but it did release a new image of a small fleet of four brand new units.

However, there is no word on the status of production and customer deliveries, auto-tech website Electrek reported.

They appear to be parked at Tesla’s new Megacharger station at Gigafactory Nevada, where the automaker has deployed some low-volume production capacity, as per the report.

The situation around the Tesla Semi has been unclear over the last few months. It has already been delayed several times, as it was originally supposed to be delivered in 2019. While Tesla has been making progress toward bringing its electric semi-truck to low-volume production in Nevada, the automaker confirmed last year that customer deliveries of the Tesla Semi are

pushed to 2022. Some new prototypes have been spotted around Gigafactory Nevada over the last few months, the report said.

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While Tesla didn’t comment on the status of the vehicle programme in the earnings report, the company could comment on it in the following conference call. (ANI)

DIGITAL

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

33 33

iPhone users may soon be able to use Face ID while wearing a mask

Apple might be working on a new feature that will let iPhone owners use Face ID to unlock the phone even while wearing a mask. As per MacRumors, the iOS 15.4 beta added a new feature designed to allow Face ID to be used with a mask and without an Apple Watch for authentication. However, it looks like the Face ID with a mask feature requires an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 model, as the feature is not available for users who have the iPhone 11 at this time. Apple previously made Face ID “compatible” with wearing a mask, but the limitation was that an Apple Watch needed to be authenticated and connected so that a partial face match was possible. One of the newest features recently discovered on the latest iOS 15.4 beta is the ability to use a partial Face ID that would be useful when wearing a mask, except it no longer requires you to have an Apple Watch connected. Even with a mask, Face ID can be used for Apple Pay, App Store downloads, and third-party apps. You can set up Face ID with or without a mask on and if you opt for the mask-on setup, you don’t have to wear one during setup.

According to Apple, masked face ID uses less biometric data than full-face face ID so there may be times when the user’s entire face cannot be recognized. In that instance, the user may be required to enter their passcode. Face ID, like the mask feature, employs a newly designed algorithm that focuses more on the eye area to validate the unlock because the nose and mouth, which make up a large percentage of face data, are covered. With each registered look, Face ID with mask

feature will support up to four pairs of glasses. Currently, Face ID uses a state-of-the-art TrueDepth camera system with sophisticated technology to properly trace the shape of your face to deliver easy and safe authentication. Face ID is compatible with a wide range of headgear, scarves, spectacles, contact lenses, and goggles. It may also be used indoors, outside, and even in complete darkness. (ANI)

TWITTER’S UPCOMING FEATURE COULD SHARE TWEETS WITH UP TO 150 SELECT USERS Micro blogging site Twitter is reportedly developing a feature that will allow users to curate a list of people -- up to 150 users -- to send certain tweets out to. If this sounds familiar, it is because Instagram’s Close Friends feature lets you do the same thing; but in Twitter’s case, you will be limiting your tweets to your “Flock,” The Verge reported. Twitter first gave us a glimpse of the feature last July, which it called “Trusted Friends” at the time. Since then, mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi has been keeping track of Twitter’s progress. According to the report, Twitter seems to be working on a page that shows more information on Flock, which explains you can add up to 150 members. Only these users can view or reply to tweets sent out to your Flock. And in case you decide you do not want someone in your Flock anymore, Twitter notes you can remove people from your list at any time, and they won’t get a notification. If you are in someone’s Flock and they send

out a tweet, Paluzzi notices a label that may appear beneath that tweet.

Flock, you can send out tweets to a specific Community rather than all your followers.

To send a tweet to your Flock, it looks like Twitter will display an audience option before you send it out, letting you choose between all of Twitter and your selected users.

“Twitter is always working on new ways to help people engage in healthy conversations, and we’re currently exploring ways to let people share more privately,” Twitter spokesperson Tatiana Britt said.

Twitter launched invite-only Communities back in September, a similar feature that lets you connect with users with shared interests. Just like you can limit your tweets to your

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“We don’t have any further news to share about the feature at this time, but we can confirm ‘Twitter Flock’ is just a placeholder name,” Britt added. (IANS)

RELATIONSHIPS

Sensitive people respond better to couple’s therapy 34

Relationships are fragile. Very often, small fights can lead to permanent damages in them. It takes honest communication and faith in one’s partner to keep a relationship afloat. And to help it, there is ‘couple’s therapy’. According to a new study led by Queen Mary University of London and Denver University, how well someone responds to couple’s therapy could be determined by their genes. The study was published in the ‘Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology’. The well-established ‘Prevention and Relationship Education Program’ (PREP) has been shown to improve communication skills and the quality of relationships as well as prevent divorce among married couples. However, the effects of PREP can be inconsistent with some people benefiting more than others. Previous studies have shown that individual differences in sensitivity can impact on people’s responses to positive and negative experiences including psychological therapies. Therefore, the researchers set out to explore whether differences in an individual’s sensitivity could explain the varying responses observed with the program. As almost half of the differences in peoples’ sensitivity can be explained by genetic factors the research team collected DNA from

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

over 150 US couples taking part in PREP to explore if genes known to be associated with sensitivity impacted on an individual’s response to the program. They found that those individuals that were more genetically sensitive, benefitted more from this type of therapy.

Couples completed questionnaires to assess communication, bonding, marital satisfaction, and likelihood of divorce both before and after treatment, and then at six-month intervals over a two-year followup period. The researchers found that an individual’s genetic sensitivity had more impact in the years following treatment than in the short-term. As PREP is a skillsbased therapy, the researchers suggest that this result could reflect the time taken for individuals to adopt new skills. The researchers assessed an individual’s genetic sensitivity using two different measures, one based on looking at a small number of known genes related to sensitivity, and another that used genome-wide data with thousands of genetic variations. Whilst both approaches showed that people’s responses to PREP depended on their genetic make-up, the results suggest that genetic sensitivity was best captured using the broad, genome-wide approach. Importantly, these findings were replicated in an independent sample included in the study.

Surprisingly, the researchers found that individuals with low genetic sensitivity who did not take part in the program showed similar positive responses in relation to marital satisfaction over time as individuals with higher sensitivity who were involved in the program. These findings suggest that whilst individuals with low sensitivity don’t respond as well to treatment, in general they could be less vulnerable to typical relationship stressors experienced by couples. Professor Michael Pluess, Professor of Developmental Psychology at Queen Mary University of London, said: “Our findings show that an individual’s genetic make-up can influence how they respond to couple’s therapy. As we know that not everyone who takes part in relationship programs like PREP benefits in the same way, in future it could be helpful to identify people with low sensitivity, that might benefit less from these standard treatments, and potentially offer them an alternative.” “Whilst in this study we’ve used genetic data to determine an individual’s sensitivity, this is not the only way to do this as an individual’s sensitivity is also influenced by environmental factors. It may be more practical to use sensitivity questionnaires that can be quickly and easily completed to capture these differences.”

(IANSlife)

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LIFESTYLE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

When and why people divulge other people’s secrets Secrets, those dastardly details you confide in another person that come back to haunt you, are a social phenomenon among humans. Some would say it’s part of our social fabric, to talk about others, to gossip, to divulge another person’s deepest secret. But when and why would someone divulge another person’s secret to others? According to a new study by researchers at Arizona State University and Columbia University, the divulging of a secret has a direct correlation to a person’s morals. The findings of the study were published in the ‘Journal of Personality and Social Psychology’. It seems that when someone learns another person’s secret that breaks their own moral code, then the person who was confided in seems to be willing to divulge that secret so to “punish” the secret holder, according to Jessica Salerno, an associate professor of psychology in the School of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Arizona State University. “Keeping things about ourselves secret is burdensome and has a negative impact on our relationships and our health,” Jessica Salerno said, an associate professor of psychology in the School of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Arizona State University. “Confiding in others is important, but we assume that the people we confide in have similar motivations to keep the information quiet as we do to protect us and prevent us from being punished for that secret behaviour. Yet, our discovery is that it’s not just that people often don’t keep our secrets, but they may be inclined to actively reveal the secret to see us punished when they think the secret behaviour is immoral.” The research is based on a series of nine studies that asked participants how often they decide it is appropriate to reveal someone else’s secrets and what their motivations were behind those decisions Salerno and her co-author, Michael Slepian of Columbia University, found a consistent trend in how often secrets were divulged and some of the motivations as to why they were divulged. “Across a wide variety of commonly kept secrets--ranging from being unhappy at work to sexual infidelity--people revealed other people’s secrets 30 per cent of the time on average,” Salerno said. “When we specified that we only wanted to know about secrets that were directly confided

in our participants by someone close to them, we expected this percentage to drop a lot, but it didn’t, people still revealed 26 per cent of other people’s secrets that had been directly confided in them,” she added. “This means that the majority of secrets were kept but a meaningful percentage, that some might consider horrifying when they consider their own confided secrets, were revealed to at least one other person,” Salerno said. As to why people divulged other’s secrets, Salerno said, morality played a key role. “Across many studies and situations, people were significantly more likely to reveal someone else’s secret if they considered the secret to be an immoral behaviour,” she explained. “And we found out why: People are more likely to reveal other people’s secrets that they think are immoral because it satisfies a (perhaps unconscious) emotional need to see that person punished for the morally outraging secret behaviour,” she said. In fact, the role of punishment is a key in the divulging of a secret. If the person who was confided in thinks the person who holds the secret has already been punished, then they are less motivated to divulge the secret. Remove the punishment, however, and then people are more motivated to divulge the secret to fulfill that need to see them punished, Salerno said. This motivation to reveal information as punishment appeared to be limited to the realm of secret information.

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“We found that when the information was a confided secret, people’s decisions to reveal it or not were driven by their motivation to punish the person,” she said. “But when the same information was presented as not being a secret, people’s decisions to reveal it or not was not driven by their motivation to punish the person, but instead by their desire to gossip about it,” she added. “So, this phenomenon of being more likely to reveal someone else’s immoral behaviour to punish them is something specific to secrets--if the information is public, it is driven more by a desire to gossip,” Salerno explained. So why even confide in another person if you know your secret could be damaging? While people generally keep their own misdeeds quiet to avoid punishment and reputational damage, Salerno said confiding in someone provided a relief to the secret holder. “Keeping secrets leads to social isolation, stress, damage to relationships and health problems,” she explained. “People might reveal the secret to others to avoid these negative consequences, or also to feel close to the confidant, ask advice, or to receive social support. Being able to confide secrets--including those that are immoral--is important for people’s relationships and mental health, which is why it is important to know how to choose those confidants wisely,” she added.

(ANI)

HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

90% people lost some degree of vision due to pandemic New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS) About 9 in 10 people have lost some degree of vision during the last two years of Covid pandemic, health experts said on Monday. It is because most of them skipped their regular eye check-ups and followups due to pandemic-induced lockdowns, fear among others. Retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration have few or minor symptoms at first and are only detected by eye examination or a screening. These conditions have the tendency to create severe damage to the eyes if not timely intervened with. “Unfortunately, 90 per cent of patients lost some degree of vision due poor follow ups, during the first and the second wave of Covid, especially the ones suffering from wet AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration). These patients mostly missed taking their Intravitreal injection, owing to which the diseases progressed rapidly,” Dr Ajay Dudani, CEO Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Mumbai Retina Centre, said.

visits for macular degeneration or diabetic macular edema, unless the patient has Covid symptoms,” Dr Raja Narayan, the General Secretary, Vitreoretinal Society of India, said.

“Owing to the fear of Covid, we have witnessed a decline in patients coming for a regular eye check-up in the past 3-4 months. This has resulted in delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can compromise vision in the long run,” added Dr Chaitra Jayadev, Senior Vitreo-retinal Consultant, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, Bengaluru. Doctors said that early detection and treatment is key to control the disease and prevent any loss in vision. The longer one puts off visiting the clinic, the worse the eye health will get. “While we should take precautions during this Covid wave, patients should not delay

“With the third wave, we are seeing a similar pattern from the past, as patient visits, especially amongst elders, have dropped by nearly 50 per cent. Since the retina cannot be replaced, missing an injection, or treatment follow ups, can magnify the eye disease,” Dudani said. Doctors also encouraged patients to take up teleconsultations. There are vision tests that one can undertake sitting at home, whose reports can be sent to the doctor for examination and further intervention. “If patients experience symptoms such as blurred vision, sudden loss of vision or black spots in the visual field, they need to go for an immediate eye check-up, as these could be signs of diabetic retinopathy. To prevent worsening of such complications, diabetics must ensure that their sugar levels are under control,” Jayadev said. (IANS)

PEA PROTEIN 101: DECODING THE MYTHS

We live in an age where it’s imperative to be conscious about what you’re eating and how you’re treating your body. With all the types of protein supplements available at hand and so many different sources of information all around, it can be quite confusing. From doubts about dietary requirements to questions concerning weight loss, we’ve tried to bust some myths surrounding Pea Protein. Whether you’re someone that’s looking to try the drink out for yourself or just someone looking for a quick comparison to their existing protein supplement, here’s a quick and easy breakdown of all things Pea Protein by Madhvi Datwani, Co-Founder, Green Protein:

Pea protein can cause acne - This myth comes from whey protein and acne breakouts going hand in hand. Since sometimes whey protein is extracted from cow’s milk, it can affect one’s hormones. Luckily, pea protein is derived from plants and won’t adversely affect your hormones or your skin. In fact, it contains all the amino acids you need. It also has a wicked amount of fibre, which helps with digestion and in turn, might just contribute to clean and clear skin.

vegan or vegetarian. Meat eaters looking to be a bit more sustainable with their supplements as well as those with lactose, soy, or gluten allergies can all jump onto the bandwagon, too.

Pea protein won’t help you build muscle mass - It’s a common misconception that the only way to bulk up is to consume meat, lots and lots of it! That’s not true. In fact, there are so many vegetable sources to turn to. From Glutamine to Arginine, some of the amino acids found in pea protein can help with muscle synthesis and even recovery. Basically, if you work out right and consume the correct daily requirement, you shouldn’t have any trouble reaching a reasonable and desired weight and size. Pea protein is only meant for vegans or vegetarians - This one goes without saying - but anyone that wants to consume pea protein can! It’s definitely not only meant for those who’re

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Pea protein doesn’t taste appetizing - Pfft, as if! Pea Protein is one of the best tasting plant proteins and is a wonderfully natural way to get your daily protein requirement without compromising on taste. It’s versatile and super easy to mix as well. We at Green Protein, in particular, flavour our protein in various fruity flavours so that it feels more like a tropical drink and less like a nutritional must-have! Pea protein isn’t complete protein - Essential amino acids that can’t be produced by our body is the reason this myth stems. Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids. A lot of people think that pea protein isn’t quite complete when compared to whey, however, you can stay assured that it does contain all nine building blocks. If you’re looking to lead a sustainable, healthy lifestyle and are thinking of making the switch from traditional sources of protein to pea protein, now is the time. Superhealthy, tasty, kind, sustainable and definitely, a must-try! By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

ASK DR. RAJ… This months Q: DRY SCALP Q: Hello Dr Raj, I have been suffering from a very bad condition of my scalp for the last 6 years. The scalp becomes totally dry and itches intensely after I take my shower. How can Homeopathy help me? Mr A

Health tip:

ural therapy. This has proved to be extremely effective for several people but I strongly suggest that you consult your practitioner or visit a Homeopath to check out your existing condition thoroughly.

Take a cup of olive or coconut oil and heat it gently. Add dried flowers of hibiscus (shoe flower) and curry leaves, methi seeds, A: Dear Mr A, scalp disorgarlic skins and neem leaves if ders are also skin conditions. you can get them. Pour into a There are a few conditions like bottle and seal. Apply to hair 1 tinea of the scalp, psoriasis hour before you shower. Also and seaborrhic dermatitis etc. once a week apply a mixture In Homeopathy along with Hoof washed hibiscus leaves and meopathic creams and oils we use indicated remedies to treat young buds (made into a paste) the condition which are effective and leave for ½ hour. Gently massage scalp well and Wash and may relieve you of the condition in a few months time. hair with warm water only. This Stop using any chemical based is great as a shampoo and conditioner and nourishes your hair products like gels, and hair thoroughly. sprays. You may apply warm coconut hair oil for 2 hrs before you take a shower and use only Seershasana and Sarvangasana are the Yogasanas that mild herbal shampoos. Take might help combat several excess of fruits and vegies. In specific amla, soaked fenugreek scalp related problems. seeds and curry leaves are By Raj Kothuru good for scalp conditions. Please send any of your health related questions to You might want to try this nat-

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

Having peppers two to four times a week can reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease by 30 per cent

The Pros and Cons of All-on-4 Dental Implants

he secret to a sparkling smile is impeccable teeth. We know how much our teeth matter when it comes to looks and missing some of our teeth is not only bad for the looks but also affects proper chewing. It is a pain going through teeth loss, but on the bright side for those of us suffering from teeth loss, dental implants work just like natural teeth. Read on to know more about Allon-4 dental implants. Dental implants are teethrestoration treatment. It includes inserting tiny posts of titanium fused with other friendly metals into your jawbone in a quick surgical procedure. These posts serve as anchors for the overlay dentures, which are a set of artificial teeth for a whole jaw. To support the dentures, the dental implants are inserted into four places that are strategically designed. This method is known as All-on-4 dental implants. It takes a period of up to three-six months for healing after inserting the implants. Once the implants are fused in with the jawbone, overlay dentures are secured on them using screws. Let us look at some of the pros and cons of the All on 4 implants. PROS 1. Fewer Insertions All on 4 dental implants require minimum insertions. An overlay denture is supported by only four titanium implants. The positions of these implants are strategically designed to withstand all the chewing forces and pressures in the oral cavity. Other options of dental implants for multiple teeth include All-on-6 and All-on-8. 2. Enjoy All Your Favourite Food After getting All-on-4 dental implants, you can eat all your favourite foods that you could not do without the full set of teeth in your mouth. You must have craved some foods and drinks in the teethloss phase, and now you can eat them to your heart’s content. Just remember that the food should not be too hard to chew and clean your teeth after eating. 3. Better Aesthetics Dental implants look better than temporary dentures or other teeth restoration methods as they have a positive impact on your looks. Dental implants enhance your jawline and make you look younger. 4. Reduces Jawbone Deterioration The friendly amalgam of titanium

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and other metals merge with the jawbone over time. This process is known as osseointegration. Due to the presence of these metals, the bone deterioration seen in normal individuals as a side-effect of aging can be reduced. 5. Better Longevity When cared for properly, All on 4 dental implants last much longer than other methods. There are even cases where dental implants have lasted a lifetime. 6. Easy to Care For Looking after All-on-4 dental implants is as easy as your natural teeth. A normal oral hygiene routine of brushing twice and flossing once a day would suffice. As they are not your natural teeth, any food particles stuck between the artificial teeth cannot decay them. However, care must be taken as the food particles can decay the tissues of your gums which can lead to a bad situation. CONS 1. Must be precise When going for All-on-4 dental implants, make sure you are consulting an experienced dentist since the success of dental implants depends greatly on the skill and expertise of your dentist. Dental implant surgery needs to be effective. Visit our dentists at Healthy Smiles Dental Group for a detailed analysis and check-up. Our expert dentists will be more than happy to help you out with your dental needs. Bottom Line As with any surgical procedure, the surgery for a dental implants procedure also has its risks and precautions involved. Make sure you follow the guidelines provided by the dentist. To decide if All-on-4 dental implants are a treatment option for you, visit our dentists at Healthy Smiles Dental Group. Feel free to contact us on 03 9877 2035.

Dr Ved Berani BDS(Mum), ADEC(Aust), MBA(Melb), FIADFE, MFGDP(UK) Principal Dentist & Clinical Advisor Healthy Smiles Dental Group 150-152 Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South VIC 3130 Call us: (03) 9877 2035 www.healthysmiles.com.au

HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Too much ‘giloy’ can do more harm than good

When the first wave of Covid struck, know-itall doctors and ‘medical experts’ claimed that ‘giloy’ was an immunity booster that would help fight the virus.

Almost overnight, the sales of Giloy rocketed and people started taking it without any medical consultation. Now two years later, a study recently published in Hepatology Communications, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, has found that consumption of ‘giloy’ without prescription and monitoring can cause damage to organs such as the liver. The study was conducted by Liver Research Club of India at 13 medical centres including King George’s Medical University (KGMU). Giloy, also known as ‘Amrita’ or ‘Guduchi’ in Hindi, is an herb that helps improve digestion and boost immunity. It has heart-shaped leaves that resemble betel leaves. All parts of the plant are used in Ayurvedic medicine. However, the stem is thought to have the most beneficial compounds. The study was conducted on 43 patients -- 23 females and 20 males -- who reported symptoms of jaundice. Clinical findings revealed that all patients were suffering from chronic liver disease or liver failure. Doctors also found that each of the patients

had a history of taking a concoction of giloy. Dr Ajay Kumar Patwa, associate professor of gastroenterology at KGMU, said, “We found that giloy was the main cause of liver issues in 67.4 per cent (29) patients as there was no other factor like excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, thyroid, hypertension or any other etiological reason. The remaining patients consumed alcohol regularly and had comorbidities, hence they were not included

among those in whom giloy was the main cause.” “Most of these patients had consumed the herbal drug without prescription or taken unprescribed doses for an average 46 days. This generated common antinuclear antibodies which started attacking liver cells and induced acute hepatitis with autoimmune hepatitis-like features,” said Prof Patwa.

RED WINE COULD HELP STAVE OFF COVID, SAYS NEW RESEARCH Red wine could help stave off Covid-19, according to new research. People who drink more than five glasses a week had a 17 per cent lower risk of catching the virus, a study said. Experts believe this is due to the polyphenol content, which can inhibit the effect of viruses such as flu and respiratory tract-related infections. White wine drinkers who consume between one to four glasses a week had an eight per cent lower risk of catching the virus compared with non-drinkers. Beer and cider drinkers had a nearly 28 per cent higher chance of getting Covid, regardless of how much they consumed. Figures from British database UK Biobank were analysed at China’s Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, the report said. (IANS)

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(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Daily workout for more than 10 minutes may reduce mortality: Study According to a team of researchers, an increase in daily exercise for more than 10 minutes could prevent more than 100,000 deaths. As per Fox News, in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA Network), a team from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used activity monitor data to estimate the public health impact of small increases in physical activity across the U.S. adult population. The authors estimated that if adults aged 40 to 85 years or older increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by 10 minutes per day, approximately 6.9 per cent of annual deaths could be averted, or 111,174 preventable deaths a year. More benefits were linked to larger increases in activity, with similar benefits observed for men, women, Mexican Americans, nonHispanic Black Americans and non-Hispanic White Americans. While previous studies have “depended on

less reliable self-reports of physical activity, convenience sampling in cohort selection and relatively large increases in population activity levels,” the authors used activity monitor data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), according to the NIH National Cancer Institute.

The National Cancer Institute highlighted that previous studies have shown physical activity improves human health, reducing the risk for several chronic diseases that cause premature death, including some cancers . (IANS)

The data included oversampling of nonHispanic Black and Mexican Americans. The researchers paired a week’s worth of activity monitor data from NHANES participants between 2003-2006 along with National Death Index data available through the end of 2015. “To our knowledge, this is the first study to estimate the number of preventable deaths through physical activity using accelerometerbased measurements among U.S. adults while recognizing that increasing activity may not be possible for everyone. However, [one] week of monitoring may not reflect changes in activity over time and the observational study design limits the direct determination of causality,” the authors wrote.

MOST EFFECTIVE HERBS TO PREVENT CANCER

Nutraceuticals, functional foods, and supplemental micronutrients have the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. A variety of natural dietary herbs have even been shown to have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cancer and are regarded as an effective strategy by Nutraceutical experts all over the world.

Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that dietary habits are one of the most important predictors of chronic diseases, including several types of cancer. Thus, diet and food have a direct impact on health and disease. Through nutrition, humans have evolved a sophisticated and cooperative system of antioxidant defence mechanisms against toxic oxygen intermediates, according to biochemical and epidemiological evidence. This suggests that increasing antioxidant intake through nutrition may significantly reduce the risk of cancer. Following are some of the herbs suggested by the experts in nutraceutical space which has significantly shown positive results in the prevention of cancer cellsGraviola (Annona muricata): Annona Muricata, also known as Graviola, soursop, Brazilian pawpaw, or guanabana, is an evergreen tree native to the Americas’ tropical regions and a member of the Annonaceae family. Graviola contains hundreds of acetogenins, which are chemicals (ACGs). ACGs have the ability to kill many different types of cancer cells while leaving healthy

most medicinally valuable plant species in the Apocynaceae family, which is used worldwide in traditional herbal medicine. The plant has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Western medical science began researching this plant in the twentieth century. Catharanthus roseus is well-known for producing the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, which are derived from the dimerization of the MIAs vindoline and catharanthine. The anti-tumor activity discovered in C. Roseus is due to the presence of dimeric alkaloids, which are already widely used in industry. Podophyllum:

cells alone. It aids in the inhibition of energy production in cancer cells while also inhibiting the oxidative stress response. Graviola has also been shown to cause apoptosis. In addition to its positive effects, the herb may cause some side effects such as low blood pressure, low sugar levels, or even nerve damage. As a result, it is strongly advised not to consume directly. To avoid any access consumption or such side effects, please use a product supplement that contains the desired amount of Graviola. Catharanthus Rosea: Catharanthus Rosea, also known as Madagascar Periwinkle, is a miracle plant. It is a member of the Apocynaceae family. It is the

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Indian Podophyllum is another name for Podophyllum. Vanyakarkati is its Ayurvedic name. The rootstock of this herb has beneficial properties that aid in the prevention of cancer. Podophyllum is a purgative that is also used to treat vaginal warts. Etoposide and teniposide, two podophyllotoxin derivatives, are used in cancer treatment. Etoposide is an alkaloid derived from the mandrake plant Podophyllum peltatum that is used to treat germ cell tumours, lung cancer, Hodgkin’s and non-lymphomas, Hodgkin’s gastric cancer, breast cancer, and testicular cancer. Although podophyllotoxin has a high cytotoxic effect and acts as a tubulin polymerization inhibitor, if used excessively, it is more toxic than beneficial as an anticancer drug. As a result, it should only be consumed in the amounts recommended by an expert in the form of supplements, with the quantities added rationally. By Suresh Garg

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

WANT TO BE THE FIRST AT TRYING SOMETHING THAT HASN’T BEEN DONE BEFORE: RANVEER SINGH Bollywood livewire star Ranveer Singh, who will next be seen in films such as ‘Jayeshbhai Jordaar’, ‘Cirkus’ and ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’, reveals that he wants to be the first at trying something path-breaking and be the best actor of the country.

I AM CELEBRATING EVERY INCH, EVERY CURVE: ILEANA D’CRUZ

Ranveer said: “Right now I am becoming obsessed with this craft. I want to play more with it and want to explore more, so yes right now its burning like a blazing inferno wanting to do more and see what the possibilities are. Do things that haven’t been done before.” “There was a very dear, very respected and admired colleague of mine who after 83 pointed out that if you are analysed - there is no reference for you actually. A mainstream leading man of Hindi cinema doesn’t really go this distinctively into different characters and then you have this off-screen persona that also has no reference.” Ranveer shared: “So, I think I am doing something that I may not have done before and therefore I am achieving what I want to achieve which is doing things which haven’t been done before.”

limitless and infinite. There is no extent of how you can transform yourself into another character.”

“Let me be the first of trying something that hasn’t been tried before because I’m now deeply attached to the process which is the ultimate prize.”

Ranveer added: “It’s now 10 years down the line that I feel like I don’t know anything. That I have barely scratched the surface of the potential of this. With every film, with every collaborator, with every passing year, I continue more and more and I have realised that there is no end to even learning.”

After Ranveer completed a decade in cinema, he felt like he knew nothing about the craft and needed to explore himself.

“There is no end to exploring the possibilities of this realm - performance art and the craft of acting. It is limitless, you can just about do anything.”

He says: “I really have evolved as a person and as an artist. Initially I was very cocky. I used to think I know it all and I am invincible. Now, over the period of time, as I started doing more work and started collaborating with more people like Mr Bhansali, who break you down.”

Talking about his ‘creative appetite’, Ranveer said: “I am like ravenous. I want to see how deep this rabbit hole goes and keep doing more of the same. And I am probably at the hungriest right now.”

The actor says this is a journey of exploring this craft.

“They’ll completely decimate these constructs that you’ve made for yourself thinking that these are the boundaries of acting. It’s after gaining a certain amount of experience that I realised that performance art, craft of acting is

“It’s like 10 years of work you might feel let’s pull your foot off the pedal, maybe live life a little, create the worklife balance. But right now, I feel I’m just starting and I’m hungry for more. (IANS)

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Actress Ileana D’Cruz shared a picture of herself in a red bikini and has talked about body positivity as she says she is celebrating every inch and curve. Ileana posted the picture of herself on Instagram, where she is seen flaunting her curves. She even talked about how she deleted applications which make one look ‘toned’ and ‘slimmer’. The actress wrote alongside the powerful picture: “So easy to get sucked into apps that get you alter body so effortlessly to make you look ‘slimmer’, ‘more toned’ etc etc. Proud of the fact that I’ve deleted those apps and chosen this instead.” “This is me and I am celebrating every inch, every curve, all of me.” Ileana will next be seen in ‘Unfair N Lovely’, a comic take on India’s obsession with fair skin. The film is set against the backdrop of Haryana and features Ileana opposite Randeep Hooda. She also has a film with Indian American sensation Sendhil Ramamurthy, Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi. It is a romantic comedydrama film. (AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

I’M DEEPLY HUMBLED IF I HAVE SET AN AGENDA FOR CONTENT IN MY COUNTRY: AYUSHMANN KHURRANA Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who has never shied away from touching upon taboo subjects, says he feels humbled if he has set an agenda for content in the country. Ayushmann has played gay man on screen (Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan), played a bald hero (Bala), played a hero with erectile dysfunction (Shubh Mangal Saavdhan), a sperm donor (Vicky Donor), tackled how every body type should be celebrated (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), backed a film about the inclusivity of the transgender community in India through Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. Asked to comment on how he has been the only star driving important social conversations in the country for the last five years through his content-pole cinema, Ayushmann says, “have always felt that films that not only entertain people to their fullest but also leave a message for everyone to ponder over in the most unique and fun way, are movies that are the most engaged with and discussed heavily.” “So, maybe, subconsciously I have found myself pulled towards scripts that have radiated this novelty.”

(IANS)

He adds, “In my pursuit to find the best scripts that the Hindi film industry can make, if I have found myself projects, directors and film-makers to set an agenda for content in my country, then I’m deeply humbled.” “I have been a fortunate actor who has been trusted by outstanding film-makers with their visionary scripts. So, if I have set agenda for content over the years, I share that honour with my creative collaborators who have punted on me and also approached me with such disruptive content that hasn’t been made by Hindi cinema before.” Ayushmann will be next seen in Anubhav Sinha’s Anek, Anubhuti Kashyap’s ‘Doctor G’ and film-maker Aanand L. Rai’s ‘Action Hero’ being directed by debutant Anirudh Iyer. He says, “I’m proud of my body of work and it will be my personal ambition to keep finding more such projects that hopefully contribute towards giving people fresh and remarkably new films that don’t have a reference point in Indian cinema.

PARINEETI CHOPRA IS GRATEFUL TO DIRECTORS WHO HAVE BROUGHT THE BEST OUT OF HER Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra feels lucky to have worked with filmmakers who have brought the best out of her and helped her in honing her craft. In her opinion, it’s important to collaborate with people who push an artiste to do better. Parineeti says, “I’m lucky to have been directed by some of the best cinematic geniuses in Indian cinema. Such experiences have only enriched me and made me a better performer. As an actor, one needs to constantly evolve and collaborate with people who can push you to excel, who can open horizons for you and make your craft better.” She adds, “From being groomed by Aditya Chopra, to working with filmmakers like Rohit Shetty (Golmaal Again), Maneesh Sharma (Shuddh Desi Romance), Dibakar Banerjee (Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar), Amole Gupte (Saina), Habib Faisal (Ishaqzaade), Vinil Mathew (Hasee Toh Phasee), Anurag Singh (Kesari), Ribhu Dasgupta (The Girl On The Train), I couldn’t have imagined a more fulfilling journey in cinema for myself.”

This year, the actress will be seen in two big-ticket releases: Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Uunchai’ in which she will be seen with Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher and Boman Irani. Sharing her excitement, she says, “The fact that I’m now working with Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Sooraj Barjatya sir in the same calendar year is incredible. Working with Sooraj sir has always been a dream for any actor, including me. He is the maestro of family entertainers and I know that my parents were thrilled when I told them that Sooraj sir has cast me in ‘Uunchai’”. About being directed by Sooraj Barjatya, who has made films like ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, Parineeti says, “I can’t believe that Sooraj sir, who has worked with the best of the best and created milestones in Indian cinema, has chosen me to be a part of his cinematic vision.” She concludes, “Sooraj sir is even better a person than I had imagined. Simply by being himself, he is a masterclass in humility. I am beyond

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blessed to be directed by him. Being his heroine is another blessing that 2021 gave me.” (IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

SHEFALI SHAH OPENS UP ON HOW SHE DOESN’T LET HER CHARACTERS AFFECT HER

I take great pride in my songs becoming raging hits: Sunny Leone

Shefali Shah, who was most recently seen in the medical thriller ‘Human’, follows a different approach to work around with her characters. She takes an objective route and does not let her characters affect her emotions as a human being. Talking about the demarcation in her subconscious, Shah said: “When I do a project, I get completely submerged in it. Having said that, I am not the person who would carry the emotions of a scene or from the set back home. Yes, I will give everything that I have for that moment.” Despite the emotional disconnect, her mind constantly keeps exploring her characters, going deeper into them. She said: “I do not disconnect as an actor because I come back home, freshen up and start working on the next day’s scenes. It is a continuous process, I don’t stop. Because that character has an identity of its own, you have to keep feeding that identity with your observations and homework to put a certain conviction into that character. (IANS)

ACTING IS ALL ABOUT REACTING: FATIMA SANA SHAIKH “Dangal” actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, feels that a lot of acting is defined by how an actor reacts to their co-actor. She maintains that actors feed off each other’s energy to sketch a good performance.

Elated with the love pouring her way, she says, “I see myself as an entertainer and I take great pride in my songs becoming raging hits. People have been loving the number. It’s so overwhelming that my hard work has paid off.”

Elaborating on her stance, she said: “I believe, acting is a lot of reacting. It’s always good to have good performers opposite you so that you can feed off their energies.”

Considered among the industry’s most effortless dancers, Leone says she remembers training for most part of November to make sure each of these numbers have a different vibe to them.

The actress recently worked in a TVC with Sidharth Malhotra. They instantly clicked and their camaraderie seems to have translated into their work as well, going by her statement on her experience of working with the actor. “It has been a blast working with Sidharth for the ad. We gelled so well on the sets, it didn’t feel like it was the first time we were working together.” About their upcoming projects,

Sunny Leone, who had incredible dance number hits with tracks like ‘Auntiyaan Dance Karengi’, ‘Machli’ and ‘Panghat, for which she reunited with Baby Doll singer Kanika Kapoor, is in a happy space. The actress maintains that all the songs pushed her to do her best as all of them were very different from each other.

She adds, “Sometimes there is a tendency to replicate steps but each of these songs were designed so differently. It meant working on a different track every few days, but I consciously wanted each of these to stand out. I am so happy with the response.” Fatima Sana Shaikh will be next seen in “SamBahadur” while Sidharth Malhotra will be next seen in “Mission Majnu. (ANI)

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Ask her if there’s a favourite and she signs off with a smile, “Why pick when you can groove to all?. (ANI)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

WITH 7 RELEASES IT’S A PACKED YEAR FOR

RAKUL PREET SINGH

ctress Rakul Preet Singh has all her fingers in the pie as she will have seven massive releases up her sleeve for the year 2022, out of which six are in Hindi cinema. Her titles in Bollywood include names like ‘Doctor G’ with Ayushmann, ‘Runway 34’ with Amitabh Bachchan & Ajay Devgn, ‘Thank God’ with Ajay Devgn & Sidharth Malhotra, ‘Chattriwali’, ‘Attack’ and an untitled film with Akshay Kumar. An excited Rakul shared, “Well I’m hoping that 2022 will be one of my best years. I’m really looking forward to 2022 because there are 7 films which are lined up for release, 6 in Hindi. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that people appreciate the films. I’ve had an amazing experience shooting for all of them and once the films start coming out you’ll see that each character is very different from each other, each film is a different genre.”

She continues, “If there is an ‘Attack’ which is a Sci-Fi action then there is ‘Runway 34’ where I play a pilot then there is ‘Doctor G’ where I play a gynaecologist, ‘Thank God’ is your commercial slice of life film and then there is Akshay sir’s film which is your thriller commercial zone, then ‘Chattriwali’ which I am heading where I play a condom tester. So yeah, it’s a year filled with this labor of hard work from the last 2 years shooting in and out of the pandemic.” She adds, “I’m just hopeful that people really like it, it’s been an amazing experience shooting for these films and now the time is for them to come out. I’ve just been waiting for these films to start rolling out, people to see more work that I have done so yeah keeping my fingers crossed for 2022. I’m excited about it and excited to see people’s reaction. (IANS)

RICHA CHADHA DECODES WHY CRIME THRILLERS ARE INTERESTING TO WATCH

Actress Richa Chadha, whose latest OTT release is ‘The Great Indian Murder’, has talked about what makes the genre of thrillers so popular universally. Talking about the show, Richa said: “This is like a deep dive investigation. This is like a team cracking a case. Within that team there are different things.

“But 100 per cent I feel these things are interesting because there is a lot of crime around us and I think crime by and large is an interesting topic, if you see one of the most watched shows is ‘Savdhaan India’.” Ever since she stepped into the world of acting, Richa has always impressed the audience and critics with her powerful performances. Are taking on strong-headed characters a conscious choice? “No, not really. What happens is when people perceive you as string headed then those are the parts that tend to come to you. It’s not something that’s conscious at all.

“I would love to play a variety of characters but obviously I am not going to turned down super interesting characters like in this one it is a no brainer I will not turn down a character like Sudha,” she added. ‘The Great Indian Murder’ helmed by Tigmanshu Dhulia is a screen adaptation of Vikas Swarup’s second novel ‘Six Suspects’. It revolves around murder

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of the son of a high-profile minister and promises an intriguing mystery with a talented cast that includes Pratik Gandhi and Richa in the lead, along with Raghubir Yadav, Ashutosh Rana, Paoli Dam, Jatin Goswami and Shashank Arora. It is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali. (IANS)

FOOD

bon appétit

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Did you know:

Including tuna in your meals will prevent high blood pressure and chances of having a stroke

Teas to help you unwind after a long day T

ea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. It is the second most consumed beverage after water. It offers a number of health benefits, but studies have shown that specific varieties of tea can increase your immunity and help you avoid chronic illness. It can also protect your cells from the effects of time, slowing down the ageing process and keeping your skin tight and radiant. Tea offers a number of other advantages, including the ability to de-stress and relax you. Starting and ending your day with a cup of tea can prove to be very relaxing. Tea has a lot of health benefits and only a few ingredients to make it tasty. Antioxidants in tea are beneficial in the battle against inflammation. It's even been found to help with blood vessel hardening prevention. Tea use on a regular basis can greatly lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. Bala Sarda, Founder & CEO, VAHDAM India shares herbal teas you can add to your daily routine:

Chamomile Tea: Chamomile flowers have long been regarded for their golden abilities to induce sleep and encourage relaxation. Chamomile infusion is also recognised for its capacity to kill dangerous microorganisms, thereby helping enhance immunity. It functions as an anti-inflammatory defence and is quite good at slowing down the ageing process due to the presence of antioxidants. It can be created by boiling chamomile flowers in hot water and straining them together. Lavender flowers or mint leaves can also be added to the boiling water. This can also be sweetened with sugar or honey. Rose Tea: The aroma of roses is enough to ease the mind and reduce stress. Rose petals can be used fresh or dried, and they should be soaked in water until dark. Take a sip before retiring to your bed. It has a calming effect on the mind, making falling asleep simpler. Ginger Tea: Ginger is an ancient superfood that has long been utilised in healing potions and health elixirs. Ginger teas are high in antioxidants and have

anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. This is created by steeping black or green tea with freshly grated ginger and straining it. It can be sweetened with whatever sweetener you like. Holy Basil Tea: This ayurvedic herb is incredible. It not only boosts your immunity and fights infections, but it also aids in the healing of a variety of skin conditions. Green tea with basil leaves or just basil leaves can be boiled and filtered to make this. Mint / Lemon Green Tea: Camellia sinensis is the plant that produces tea leaves. Green tea is one of the least processed varieties of tea and contains a lot of antioxidants and polyphenols that are good for you. The flavanols in green tea, particularly 'catechins', provide the majority of the antioxidants. Green tea leaves can be cooked with mint in hot water and then filtered to form a delicious beverage. It can be sweetened with fresh lemon juice or any other sweetener of your choice. By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Cooked leafy greens were first served 3,500 years ago

ooked leafy vegetables make a substantial proportion of our food today but if we look at their origin, leafy greens were first dished up some 3,500 years ago in west Africa, archaeologists and archaeo-botanists have unearthed.

The results published in the journal 'Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences' revealed that more than a third of the 66 lipid profiles displayed very distinctive and complex distributions -- indicating that different plant species and parts had been processed.

made from pearl millet in the drier savannahs in the north.

The teams from Germany's Goethe University and University of Bristol in the UK examined more than 450 pre-historic pots and 66 of them contained traces of lipids, that is, substances insoluble in water.

By combining their expertise, archaeology and archaeobotany researchers at Goethe University and chemical scientists from the University of Bristol corroborated that the origins of such west African dishes date back 3,500 years.

With the help of lipid biomarkers and analyses of stable isotopes, the researchers from Bristol were able to show that the Nok people in central Nigeria included different plant species in their diet.

On behalf of the Nok research team at Goethe University, chemists from the University of Bristol extracted lipid profiles with the aim of revealing which plants had been used.

These leafy sauces are enhanced with spices and vegetables as well as fish or meat and complement the starchy staples of the main dish such as pounded yam in the southern part of west Africa or thick porridge

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"Carbonised plant remains such as seeds and nutshells preserved in archaeological sediments reflect only part of what people ate back then," said Katharina Neumann.

Using carbonised plant remains from central Nigeria, it was possible to prove that the Nok people grew pearl millet. (AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Survival of restaurants post pandemic The hospitality industry has taken a beating during the third wave of pandemic and are planning revenues for survival post-pandemic. Business planning and strategy are currently in a state of flux because no one knows what will happen next.

espite the fact that it employs a large number of people and has a multiplier effect on the economy, the government has ignored the hospitality industry. The third wave has the potential to be the industry's final nail in the coffin, with the last hope for survival giving way to total restructuring.

and unforeseen situations. Yes, saving their revenues at this time is a difficult task because the landlords have not waived off the rentals they have to pay the full amount for their place, in Gurugram the restaurants are kept open until 11 p.m. but there is hardly

strategies to thrive in the aftermath of the pandemic. Having the right technology will allow them to conduct contactless transactions and orders, allowing restaurateurs like them to resume operations and increase revenue. They will even be

any footfall because people are not moving out of their house and have again become conscious to come and dine which generates no or little income.

working on new menus to attract guests once things return to normal. Inviting big artists and having theme parties will undoubtedly be a thing once things return to normal. As a result, they are hoping that the pandemic will soon end so that they can get back to business and look forward to hosting some great parties at our restaurants very soon.

Karim's, a big culinary to Mughlai cuisine restaurant, has survived 108 years and the first and second waves only by remaining consistent with their food taste. Food serving is always the most important factor, and consistency can only ensure that customers will want to order from you again and again. They are growing, and they want to make sure that when they enter a city, they leave an impression that makes people want to try the flavours again and again. The key will be an effective communication strategy backed up by efficient manpower. They have seen significant reassurance from our customers during the first and second waves, which has been the most encouraging for us to expand in recent times. Technology will play a significant role, resulting in reduced manpower and greater impact from algorithms across platforms. It is impossible to survive three years of business uncertainty. There is now a different perspective on understanding new consumer behaviour in order to ensure that revenue is marked up to ensure survival. According to the passing waves, there is hope that people will step out and return to their favourite restaurants and hotels to enjoy them as they are in the past. As the Omicron variant through the city, increasing daily coronavirus infections, the government has imposed strict regulations requiring every restaurant and bar to close. It's no secret that the pandemic continues to impact and affect all businesses and sectors, but among all businesses, our restaurant industry is particularly hard to hit, and it's quite visible and evident how badly they struggle to manage daily costs, revenues, and still try to survive in the industry. As the third jolt of Covid appears to be the most difficult, the owners of The Drunken Botanist, a fascinating restaurant have tightened their belts and are holding their breath in preparation for the unfortunate

Despite the fact that there are no fixed business expenses such as rent or salary, they must bear the cost of electricity. They now have further revenue-generating options, so they are focusing on home deliveries, mostly takeout, and safe deliveries to ensure an increase in revenue while keeping our cost-cutting mode afloat. In addition, they have reduced their staff, are keeping a close eye on electricity consumption, and have reduced other overheads to manage expenses in these difficult times. They believe that every cloud has a silver lining, and this time they have observed further death rates and people fighting and recovering more than the previous two occasions, which gives us hope that the restaurants will soon be back in the game assuring utmost safety. They will undoubtedly adopt new

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Dorrance, the largest rooftop cafe, bar, and lounge, is the newest, most appealing, and undeniably one-stop solution for all Faridabad residents and visitors. This beautiful place has recently opened its doors with an amazing high-class launch party and is certainly capturing people's attention with its variety and overwhelming service. Enter the venue and immerse yourself in the essence of luxurious sips, varied flavours, and cutting-edge cocktails served alongside an array of lip-smacking delicacies. The place ensures that the craziness and energy are multiplied by the musical performances and eclectic sips served. By Olivia Sarkar

DIET

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Plant-based eating- what’s the fuss about? BY DEEVYA GUPTA

lant-based eating is becoming increasingly popular like many other diets. While there may be a bit of momentum building up, it is actually nothing completely new, especially when it comes to Indian foods. As with any particular diet, any form of restriction of a complete food group may result in deficiencies of certain vitamins and nutrients that our body needs. What is considered as plant-based eating? There are a few different forms of plantbased eating. This can be the same as being vegetarian (no meat products consumed) or vegan (no meat or animal products consumed, including dairy). Another option is ‘flexitarian’, where for the majority of the time, a vegetarian diet is observed with the occasional intake of meat.

and, therefore, reducing the overall intake of processed foods.

Is there any benefit of going plantbased? Some research suggests that there has been a reduction in chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers with plant-based eating. These benefits may be mostly observed with the increase in the overall intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds

Is plant-based eating sufficient to give my body all the nutrients it needs? There are certain nutrients that are easily found in animal products however they can also be found in a variety of plant-based foods. Here are some to keep in mind: Iron: Iron foods can be easily found and absorbed from red meat, however if wanting to obtain these purely from plant-based

foods, these can be found in lentils, legumes, tofu, seeds and nuts. There are also cereals and whole grains which may be fortified with iron. In addition to this, it is recommended to include foods high in vitamin C to help with the absorption of iron, such as tomatoes, broccoli, lemon juice, capsicum, or fruits. Omega 3 fatty acids: These are essential fatty acids that are commonly found in seafood and fish however can also easily be consumed with the intake of walnuts, flaxseeds/linseeds, green leafy vegetables and chia seeds. Vitamin B12: Found in meat and eggs and is an essential vitamin for our body’s function. For anyone who is following a diet with no meat or eggs in the long term should consider having B12 fortified foods or even supplementation to avoid anaemia. Levels of B12 can be checked by the GP for anyone who may be at risk of deficiency. Calcium: The most known source of calcium is dairy products however calcium is also found in dairy-alternative milks that have calcium added. Other sources include chia seeds, tofu, kale and celery. Should I change to plant-based eating? No one diet would fit all. Overall increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, lentils and reducing processed foods is positively linked to health benefits that we can all enjoy. Written by Accredited Practicing Dietitian Deevya Gupta 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.

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

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RECIPE

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

Seafood Stew This healthy, delicious Seafood Stew is one pot casserole. Quick and easy to make, ideal for cold winter nights. The herbs and spices used in this recipe aren’t overpowering and allow you to appreciate the natural flavours and textures of the flaky fish and meaty prawns. If preferred, add a dash or two of Tabasco for a little extra kick.

Ingredients: • 500g firm white fish, cubed • 300g peeled raw prawns • 500g potatoes • 2 dried red chillies, deseeded • 1 large onion, chopped • 4-6 garlic cloves, chopped • 3 med tomatoes, chopped • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin

Method: • 1 -2 tsp paprika • Salt to taste • 1 tbsp. olive oil • 3 cups chicken stock • Juice 2 limes • 3 tbsp. coriander, chopped finely

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, garlic and salt and cook for 3 mins. 2. Break and deseed the dried chillies and add to saucepan along with the cumin, paprika and tomatoes. Stir to mix well. 3. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 mins.

4. Puree the stock mixture until very fine. Pour the mixture back into the pan and bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. 5. Gently add the fish, prawns and potatoes and stir. Cover and cook until tender, for about 10 mins. 6. Add the lime juice and chopped coriander. 7. Serve hot.

BY MANJIT SETHI

from the private collection

Variation

Add clams, mussels, squid or any of your favourite seafood

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Garnish:

with coriander and lime wedge

Serve:

serve with crusty bread roll, garlic bread or corn chips

ASTROLOGY

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) Mesha (Aries)

Vrishabh (Taurus)

This month, you have fairly encouraging financial prospects. You could expect further good fortune through a partnership or a professional association with some member of the female sex. This could also bring handsome gains. Further, any pending loan application or a new proposal for fresh advances to banks or financial institutions would have excellent chances of being approved.

A satisfactory month, for your financial prospects during which you could achieve significant gains, though not entirely without difficulties. Yet it is likely that you will face difficulties on the way. There are also some chances of delay. But success is assured. A fairly good period, during which you would not only achieve much, but also derive much satisfaction

Simha (Leo)

Kanya (Virgo)

Best days: 3, 12, 30 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange, Cream

Best days: 9, 18, 27 Lucky Colour: Green, Blue

Mithuna (Gemini)

Your generative powers may also be affected, but here again, this is merely an evil influence of the stars which would only last for some time. Suitable restoratives could set this right in pretty short order. A period, during which you should exercise proper caution and take suitable measures to be free of worries. Those engaged in overseas trade would be adversely affected and may have to face a rough patch Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow

Tula (Libra)

A good month, when you have the blessings of the stars for your continued good health. Even those with a predisposition to chronic disorders, will experience a good deal of relief. The body will make good use of the diet and nutrition will be fully assimilated. Those given to assessing their generative powers, would be pleasantly surprised to discover that their faculties are, if anything far above average.

There is nothing particularly favourable, in the augury from the stars about your financial prospects this month. Any dispute on litigation that you might be involved in would almost certainly go against you. Try and get a decision deferred till a later and more favourable period. Those dealing with the government would have to face a rough patch as would people having dealings with foreign countries, or interstate dealings.

Nothing particularly helpful is likely to happen regarding your financial prospects this month. Those dealing with foreign counties or interstate associations would have to go through a rough patch this month. In fact, most of you could well find themselves working quite hard to achieve planned objectives which may remain elusive despite all this effort.

Dhanu (Sagittarius)

Makara (Capricorn)

Kumbha (Aquarius)

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

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

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

You should do extremely well financially, Those dealing with or having foreign or interstate commercial connections or so would prosper and gain considerably. For most of you, the existing operations would enable you to realize planned gains during this period. Those who have proposals for loans, pending with any bank or financial institution would succeed in their efforts.

A month during which the stars are out to bless your health and you really have very little to worry about. There are grounds however, to be careful in treating any sudden illness of the acute type without any loss of tonic. A good month, during which you have nothing much to worry about on health grounds, except just this little bit of care.

This month the combination of stars facing you is none too favourable for your financial prospects, and your efforts would bear little fruit, despite your association with several people of learning. Most of you, may have to struggle quite a bit to realize your anticipated objectives and even then achieve little success.

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

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Karkat (Cancer)

A good month, during which the stars are out to bless your health in a big way. Your system would derive the full benefit from nutritious food, imparting extraordinary strength and vitality to your mind and body. Even your generative powers would remain at their possible best. You would remain active and energetic throughout the month, with the additional bonus of being in a happy mental and emotional state. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Vrishchik (Scorpio)

Most of you could well find yourselves working quite hard and struggling to realize your pending targets, and not getting anywhere because of a set of adverse circumstances. To top it all, the climate would not be at all encouraging for the expansion of operations or for the launching of new ventures. The times are not favourable, and it would be best to maintain a low profile till the adverse spell is over. Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange

Meen (Pisces)

This month your financial prospects would be extremely encouraging, There is every possibility of good Fortune coming to your door-step, through some service done to you by some elderly gentleman, which would prove to be extremely beneficial. Some of you would also have a way of handling your workers and subordinates, in a manner that will enable you to derive the maximum benefit from their services. Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White

Have a laug h

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

HAVE A LAUGH

Think before you speak!!!!! Here are six reasons why you should think before you speak .... The last one is great! Have you ever spoken and wished that you could immediately take the words back...? Or that you could crawl into a hole? Here are Testimonials of a few people who did... FIRST TESTIMONY: I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly... How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job? I turned around and walked back out and never went back...My husband didn't say a word... He knew better.

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To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, 'If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!' The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me, were screams of laughter. LAST BUT NOT LEAST TESTIMONY: This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow but don't get any! So, the day after it was supposed to have snowed up to a couple of inches and didn't.... the female news anchor turned to the weatherman and asked:

SECOND TESTIMONY: I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using...After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking 'So, Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me gentlemen who works at the store...he asked if he last night?'... could help me... Without thinking, I looked at him and Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the said, 'I think I like playing with men's balls' crew did too, as they were laughing so hard! THIRD TESTIMONY: My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of candy and nuts. As we were looking at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help.... I replied, 'No, I'm just looking at your nuts.'.... My sister started to laugh hysterically... The boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my sister has never let me forget it.

Remember…we all say things we don't really mean.... So, think before you speak!!!!!

FOURTH TESTIMONY: While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving 'right now' she would be punished....

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

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

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

G’DAY INDIA | FEB 2022

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

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