MAY 2022
w w w. g d a y i n d i a . c o m . a u
VOL 16 ISSUE 181
FREE
AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
Community Torchbearers Reach Milestone 2007
Years
2022
For 15 years, G’day India has engaged the entire community, near and worldwide, with its distinctive Australian Indian perspective storytelling
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
2
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
3
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
4
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
5
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
6
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
7
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
8
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
9
NEWS VICTORIA
10
G’DAY INDIA PTY LTD FOR
NEWS, FEATURES, EDITORIAL, COMMENTS, REPORTS, FEEDBACK & ADVERTISING
CALL: TONEE SETHI Tel: (03) 9841 6263 Mob: 0412 114 383
Email: info@gdayindia.com.au Postal Address: PO BOX 1500, Doncaster East, VIC, 3109
Editor in Chief: Tonee Sethi E: editor@gdayindia.com.au Advertising: Amandeep Sethi E: info@gdayindia.com.au Contributors:
Anmol Anand, Debasree Das, Dileep Narayan, Dr Raj Kotharu, Gary Nair, Harpal Sandhu, Manjit Sethi, Narisa Dawar, Sanchita Abrol, Karthik Arasu, Abhi Narayan, Gurpal Singh, Monisha Iswaran, P. Harsora, Nandita Chakraborty, Archita Baweja, Barinderjeet Kaur, Gurpal Singh, Muktesh Chibber, Shivani Prabhu, Payel Ghosh 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 | MAY 2022
Creating Jobs and Keeping Local Communities Connected
MELBOURNE, May 3: The Andrews Labor Government is providing new and upgraded community hubs, playgrounds, childcare centres and streetscapes throughout our suburbs and regions to build better communities and create hundreds of jobs. The Victorian Budget 2022/23 will provide $77.4 million to community projects and programs – investing in the projects that matter to local residents while supporting Victoria’s continuing recovery from the pandemic. The pandemic shifted the ways in which we live and work, with access to high-quality community spaces more important than ever. A $50 million investment in the successful Growing Suburbs Fund will deliver a wide range of council infrastructure projects to ensure residents in Victoria's interface and peri-urban communities have the spaces they need, close to home. This new investment will create an estimated 600 local jobs, delivering as many as 35 community improvement projects, like the new the Golden Plains Youth Hub in Bannockburn opened in April and the new Dianella Community Centre in Tarneit West opened in November. The Budget provides $24.7 million to address local challenges and support pandemic recovery in the areas that need it most – including $9.7 million to continue supporting our successful Suburban Revitalisation Programs in Boronia,
Broadmeadows, Frankston, Lilydale, Melton, Noble Park, Reservoir and Tarneit. The $15 million Living Local Fund will focus on upgrading community activity centres to improve the places where people work, shop and spend time with their family and friends. Grants will be provided for projects to improve suburban shopping strips and public spaces, upgrade safety and accessibility and provide new playgrounds, splash parks, community gardens and public art. The Living Local Fund will also include grants for equipment and technology upgrades and activities for community organisations to promote neighbourhood connections. Public libraries are for communities to have access to universal information for life-long learning, and they’ll now be able to buy more books and deliver more community services and programs with $2.3 million in the Budget for the Public Libraries Funding Program. The recently released Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy will be supported with $350,000 to strengthen engagement between Aboriginal organisations and local councils and support pathways to self determination for Aboriginal Victorians. (MEDIA RELEASE)
Building A Safer and Fairer State for All Victorians
MELBOURNE, May 3: The Andrews Labor Government will strengthen gambling oversight, make sex work safe work and improve access to community justice services to build a safer and fairer state for all Victorians. The Victorian Budget 2022/23 provides a significant boost for casino and gambling
regulation, with $55.6 million to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence – making sure Victoria’s casino operator is held to the highest standards of probity and integrity. This investment will help the Office of the Special Manager undertake its stringent review of the casino licence over the next two years. In addition, more support will be provided for the regulator to oversee the casino operator and focus on driving down gambling-related harm. The regulator’s singular focus on the casino and gambling will be strengthened by transferring the liquor regulation function to the Department of Justice and Community Safety. An $11.3 million investment will help implement the Labor Government’s landmark sex work decriminalisation laws, keeping those who work in the industry safer and reducing discrimination. This will include free legal support to sex workers through the St Kilda Legal Service and $5.3 million for WorkSafe to establish a dedicated Sex Work Safety Team to develop guidance, industry support and awareness campaigns.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
This work will improve the understanding among workers and employers of rights and obligations under workplace health and safety and workers compensation laws. The funding will also support the development of specialist training for inspectors to effectively regulate and support the industry. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission will receive more than $1 million to educate accommodation providers and other businesses on their rights and duties under anti-discrimination laws. These investments build on the introduction of anti-discrimination laws for sex workers, put in place to help address stigma and remove barriers to sex work taking place in safe locations. A $1.9 million boost will help digital improvements in consumer call centre services that provide essential support to the whole Victorian community. More modern technology will result in better services to meet growing demand. The investment will streamline processes to reduce call wait times and ensure Victorian consumers and businesses can contact the services they need when they need them.
(MEDIA RELEASE)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Supporting Victims and Stopping Crime Before It Starts
MELBOURNE, May 3: The Andrews Labor Government is making our state safer and our justice system fairer by helping young people stay on the right path, targeting the root causes of crime, and providing record levels of support for victims of crime. More than $600 million will be provided in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 as part of a sweeping package of investments focused on youth diversion, reducing reoffending, increasing mental health support and providing financial assistance to victims of crime. The Labor Government is providing more than $39 million over four years to establish a new Financial Assistance Scheme to replace the current Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal – making it easier and fairer for people to get the critical help they need. This latest funding combined with those from last year’s Budget will see almost $100 million provided to support victims of crime – the largest investment by any Victorian government. Building on investments that have already seen young people successfully diverted from the youth justice system, more than $15.5 million will go to a range of programs
to prevent more young people entering the system – and ensuring those who do have the best chance at rehabilitation. The investment includes funding more Aboriginal Youth Justice Hubs to help prevent children coming into contact with the justice system as part of the implementation of Wirkara Kulpa, the Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy. The funding will also expand the Central After-hours Assessment and Bail Service and investment in the Children’s Court and Victoria Legal Aid to ensure children and young people are not remanded unnecessarily because there is no available court to hear their bail applications. We’re also reinvesting and increasing funding in the Women and Mentoring program, delivering $3.6 million to continue supporting women who are in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system. More than $357 million will be provided to commission and open the Cherry Creek youth justice facility, with two neighbourhoods comprising 56 beds expected to open in 2023. Additionally, $1.5 million will be provided to plan and design a youth forensic mental
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
11
service in adult prisons to ensure young offenders aged 18-25 serving sentences in adult custody receive services and support tailored to them. More than $76 million in funding will help drive down offending, including continuing the Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility for men exiting the prison system who would otherwise be homeless – because you can’t turn your life around without a roof over your head. The family visits support program will be bolstered, allowing mothers in prison to maintain bonds with their children, and existing rehabilitation and reintegration support services will also be enhanced.
(MEDIA RELEASE)
12
NEWS VICTORIA
Creative Economy Builds Community, Grows Jobs
MELBOURNE, May 3: The Andrews Labor Government is backing Victoria’s multi billion dollar creative economy, supporting arts and cultural destinations big and small to create more jobs and deliver the experiences Victorians love. Victoria’s renowned creative scene is roaring back to life. The Victorian Budget 2022/23 provides $245.8 million for our much-loved cultural attractions and booming screen sector – investing in the workers, businesses and institutions that make them shine. The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) will receive $32.1 million to support its blockbuster summer exhibition program, including the NGV Triennial. Since its inception in 2014, this highly anticipated series has attracted almost 11 million visitors to must-see exhibitions and special activities. Focusing on the best local and international contemporary art and design, the summer series offers a preview of what’s to come when the spectacular new NGV Contemporary – funded by the Labor Government as part of the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation – opens. ACMI, Arts Centre Melbourne, Geelong Arts Centre, Melbourne Recital Centre, Museums Victoria, NGV and State Library Victoria will share in a further $127.4 million to support a strong recovery after two years of disruption, providing jobs for local creatives, securing our pipeline of cultural experiences and boosting our visitor economy. This includes creative education programs for young people, commissions for local artists, initiatives for creative entrepreneurs as part of completed new spaces at ACMI and the State Library, and a range of new exhibitions and events for audiences of all ages. There will be a boost for Arts Centre Melbourne’s popular Australian Music Vault program, which showcases the iconic people, places and events that define the best of
Australian music. ACMI has been renewed both in its physical space in Federation Square and its vast online offerings celebrating the moving image, and funding will help the modern, multi-platform museum reach new audiences. The Budget confirms a landmark partnership with NBCUniversal worth $54.1 million, which will bring a pipeline of ambitious, job-creating screen activity to Victoria. Premium television series Metropolis is first cab off the rank and will be the largest screen production ever to be made in Victoria, employing almost 4,000 local screen industry workers and extras and engaging 600 local businesses. This investment also supports the installation of cutting-edge virtual production infrastructure – the first of its kind and scale in Australia – which will massively boost our competitive advantage as a global screen destination, upskill local workers, and attract and support further productions into the future. Small to medium-sized organisations will receive a boost with the $17.5 million Creative Infrastructure Program. Significant works will be undertaken at Footscray Community Arts and Castlemaine Art Museum to cater for new programming and better accommodate audiences, in addition to projects in St Kilda and Melbourne’s outer west and south east. In St Kilda, Theatre Works and the National Theatre will receive support for infrastructure upgrades, and funding will support important planning work for the Dandenong Arts Precinct and a performing arts centre in Tarneit North. These initiatives are part of a pipeline of generational creative facilities projects across regional and metro areas – from the recently opened Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon and Shepparton Art Museum to the Geelong Arts Centre and Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation projects now underway.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Local communities and creatives will also benefit from the $6 million Creative Spaces and Places program, which aims to grow affordable spaces for artists and creatives to develop and showcase their work around Victoria. Melbourne’s west will host signature events – including from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, RISING and Melbourne Fringe – supported by the new $2.4 million Go West Festivals Fund, encouraging major events to stage shows and commission new works in the area. The Fund will harness the creativity of the diverse communities of Melbourne’s west, showcasing their incredible local talent and culture. More than $1.1 million will be invested in the First Peoples Touring and Engagement program, driven by First Peoples creatives, to bring creative events that celebrate First Peoples culture and creativity to regional destinations. Further boosting diversity on our screens, local filmmakers will benefit from $1.3 million to establish a new short film competition and mentorship program, under the guidance of leading South Asian directors. The Indian Film Festival Melbourne will also receive $1 million to increase the profile and reach of the festival, while promoting Victoria as a production, tourism and education destination. Tourism and live music will receive $2.9 million to create dedicated touring circuits in regional Victoria, bringing the best Victorian acts to venues on the Surf Coast, in Gippsland, the Wimmera-Mallee and more. This builds on the Government’s $20 million Music Industry Restart package, which is reigniting our beloved live music scene. The funding will also support a Victorian Music First licensing initiative to increase the use of Victorian music in government settings and generate new income streams for local artists. (MEDIA RELEASE)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
13
Helping More More Support for Victorians Get a Roof Vulnerable Pet Over Their Head Owners
MELBOURNE, May 3: The Andrews Labor Government is building on its record $5.3 billion Big Housing Build with even more support to help Victorians get a safe and secure roof over their head. The Labor Government is getting on with its landmark housing build – the largest single investment of any Australian government in social housing – which will give thousands of Victorians the stability of a home and thousands more the security of a job. As that work powers ahead, the Victorian Budget 2022/23 will invest $75 million to transform services for Victorians experiencing or at risk of homelessness – including tailored support to get them into permanent housing. It will include funding for an Aboriginal Homelessness Access Point to provide a culturally appropriate response to Aboriginal people’s homelessness needs, and $24 million for new accommodation to help Victorians who need support to maintain their housing. We know the effects of
the pandemic linger for many families – so we’ll invest a further $11.5 million to provide targeted support to Victorians at greatest risk of homelessness because of COVID-19. Funding of $9.4 million over two years will be provided to the Homelessness After Hours Service, as well as services and accommodation for 40 young people at the Holmesglen Education First Youth Foyer. Work is ramping up across Victoria on the Big Housing Build, with more than 6,000 homes already underway or soon to commence construction. More than $2 billion has been spent on construction and development since the program started – creating 20,000 jobs. The Big Housing Build is set to deliver more than 12,000 new social and affordable homes and is creating 10,000 jobs a year. It is delivering secure, modern, and affordable homes throughout Victoria, with 25 per cent of funding allocated to regional Victoria.
(MEDIA RELEASE)
MELBOURNE, May 4: The Andrews Labor Government is supporting animal welfare organisations to provide care for animals whose owners are experiencing family violence or other crises, backed by funding in the Victorian Budget 2022/23. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas, Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville visited Cherished Pets in Ocean Grove today to announce $615,000 for an animal welfare package that will ensure animal care organisations have the tools and resources to care for animals in need. Cherished Pets will receive $465,000 to support the delivery of its ‘Geelong Pets in Crisis Project’ – which provides immediate respite for the pets of people experiencing housing insecurity or fleeing violence. It safeguards the security of the pet, while assuring peace of mind of the owner, allowing them to focus on their own safety and wellbeing. The funding will go toward pet boarding facilities that can be accessed at short notice as well as expand the team’s veterinary social work services to respond to complex crisis cases. Cherished Pets provides specialised pet care services for animals living in family violence situations, as well as for pet owners living with disabilities or mental illness. Keeping families and their pets together can help improve health outcomes for all involved, and the safety of pets that have experienced trauma must not be forgotten. The Labor Government is also investing in Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre with $150,000 to expand its Pets in Crisis Program which finds pet-friendly emergency accommodation for victims of family violence, ensuring the animal is not left behind.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
(MEDIA RELEASE)
14
NEWS AUSTRALIA
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
A Stronger Future for Australian Small Business
small and medium businesses as well as micro businesses (with 0-5 employees) affected by natural disasters and other hardships. The Government is also enhancing the BEAP small business energy check tool. Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said the Government continued to back small businesses to grow and create jobs as part of our plan for a stronger future. “We’ve seen more than 100,000 small and family businesses start up in the last 12 months alone and we know what is needed to help create even more,” Minister Robert said.
CANBERRA, May 5: A re-elected Morrison Government will help create 400,000 small and family businesses and back programs to help them cut their overhead costs. The new pledge to support the creation of 400,000 new small and family businesses over the next five years comes as the Morrison Government invests $17.9 million in the Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP) to help businesses navigate the electricity retail market and adopt more efficient technologies to reduce their energy cost. “When we create small businesses, we create jobs,” the Prime Minister said. “Our plan for a strong economy and a stronger future for all Australians relies on strong small businesses. “That means keeping taxes at record lows, slashing red tape, backing trades training and apprentices, signing new trade deals to create new export markets, and ensuring businesses can tackle the overhead costs of electricity prices. “We have the track record to set the conditions that help create businesses, and our ambitious pledge will see 400,000 more join our economy.” New data from the ATO also shows the Morrison Government’s unprecedented tax incentives have driven $23 billion of business investment in the last year. With more than $21.8 billion of business investment from our expanded instant asset write off and an extra $1.2 billion paid through the loss carry back initiative, we’re still seeing the benefits flow today. Notwithstanding the largest economic shock since the great depression, non-mining private business investment grew by 10.8
per cent through the year to the June quarter 2021, on the back of the Government’s business investment incentives. This is expected to continue with non-mining business investment forecast to grow by 7 per cent in 2021-22 and 9 per cent in 2022-23, reaching the highest share of the economy since 2011 in the June quarter of 2023. Overall, our incentive programs are expected to support $320 billion of business investment and create an additional 60,000 jobs by the end of June 2023. Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the expanded BEAP would benefit high energy using businesses in the accommodation, hospitality, agricultural, and our manufacturing sectors. “Since we launched the BEAP in 2019, over 13,000 small businesses have accessed the service to learn more about their energy bills, to plan energy audits, identify energy savings opportunities and ultimately lower their power bills,” Minister Taylor said. “Practical programs like this, alongside the Energy Efficient Communities program and the Hotel Energy Uplift program, have supported thousands of small businesses across Australia to invest in equipment upgrades and save money on their energy costs. “The extra investment in the Business Energy Advice Program will see an extra 15,000 sessions and combined with our $60 million Powering Business program and the instant asset write off, we’re giving small and medium businesses the tools to lower their costs, increase their productivity and ultimately grow their businesses.” The expanded Business Energy Advice Program will deliver advisory services to
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
“Our Plan reinforces our commitment to small and family business with a comprehensive package of measures to support small businesses to grow, innovate and create more jobs. “It builds on our small business investment incentives, including a 20 per cent bonus tax deduction on the costs of external training for employees and a 20 per cent bonus tax deduction on investing in new technology, up to $100,000 per year. “Our recent Budget also reinforces our commitment to small and family business with a comprehensive package of measures to support small businesses to grow, innovate and create more jobs. “From $5.6 million for a dedicated small business unit in the Fair Work Commission to $8 million to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman making it easier to access expert advice, $4.6 million to extend Beyond Blue's NewAccess for Small Business Owners program, $10.4 million to enhance and redesign the Payment Times Reporting Portal and Register, and $2.1 million for Financial Counselling Australia’s Small Business Debt Helpline making it easier for small business owners to receive financial advice. “Labor does not support enterprise, aspiration or small business. Labor have repeatedly voted for higher taxes and higher costs for small business and want to return union lawlessness to the construction industry by abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the Registered Organisations Commission. “With plans for $302 billion in extra spending proposed by Labor, we know that when they start spending, they can’t stop. They can’t manage money, so they always come after yours.”
(MEDIA RELEASE)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Australian central bank lifts interest rate for 1st time in over decade
15
Qantas unveils plans for new non-stop int'l flights
of 2 to 3 per cent.
SYDNEY, May 4: After dropping interest rates down to historic low levels during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted interest rates by 0.25 to 0.35 per cent, the first rise since 2010, in an effort to calm growing inflation. RBA Governor Philip Lowe said it was now "the right time" to withdraw accommodative monetary support designed to help the Australian economy through the pandemic. "The economy has proven to be resilient, and inflation has picked up more quickly, and to a higher level, than was expected," Lowe added. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week showed inflation had reached a two-decade high of 5.1 per cent in the last 12 months. This has prompted widespread calls for the central bank to step in to deal with inflation that has begun to stretch the budgets of Australians. The RBA Governor said while the Reserve Bank expects further rise in inflation in the short-term as supplyside demand is resolved, inflation is expected to return to the RBA's target
"The central forecast for 2022 is for headline inflation of around 6 per cent and underlying inflation of around 4.75 per cent, by mid-2024," he added. Professor Peter Swan from the University of New South Wales's Business School told Xinhua on Tuesday that the move defied expectations of a 0.10 increase. "You'd think it would take them 10 months to go up one per cent ... it's setting now the expectation that interest rates will move up very rapidly, and much faster than anyone expected." He added that at this rate it would mean interest rates would increase by 1 per cent every four months, which for a typical Sydney mortgage holder would add about 450 Australian dollars (about $320) to their mortgage payments, and 900 Australian dollars (about $640) by the end of the year. "That's going to be politically painful, because one and a half million homeowners have never encountered interest rate rises before." Swan said Australia's inflationary troubles would not be a quick fix, and interest rates would likely need to reach 2 to 3 per cent before they start having an effect.
(IANS)
CANBERRA, May 2: Australian flag carrier, Qantas on Monday unveiled plans for new non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to cities, including New York and London, starting from 2025. The carrier, which has been working on endurance flying under Project Sunrise for years, announced that it is ordering 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to service the routes, reports Xinhua news agency. They are expected to cut up to four hours of total travel time compared with one-stop options at present. "It's the last frontier and the final fix for the tyranny of distance that has traditionally challenged travel to Australia," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement. "The cabin is being specifically designed for maximum comfort in all classes for long-haul flying," he said. The planes will carry 238 passengers in four classes, including first, business, premium economy and economy, and have a "wellbeing zone" in the centre, with more than 40 per cent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating. Global travellers can also expect more direct routes to Australia as Joyce said the aircraft will also be able to operate non-stop flights to Australia from destinations such as Paris and Frankfurt. The carrier also released its third-quarter trading update on Monday, which showed domestic travel demand is returning to pre-Civud-19 levels ahead of expectations. Demand for international travel is also recovering, particularly as more Covid-19 restrictions ease.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
(IANS)
16
NEWS AUSTRALIA
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Can still win election despite trailing in polls: Scott Morrison
CANBERRA, May 6: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday declared he can still win the May 21 federal election despite trailing in the polls.
Morrison said that opinion polls that show his Coalition set for defeat in the election are not necessarily conclusive, with many voters yet to make up their mind.
dominated by cost-of-living issues.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently increased the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 0.35 per cent.
According to the polls, the opposition Labor Party is likely to win up to 80 out of 151 seats in the lower house of Parliament -- the House of Representatives -- and form the government for the first time since 2013.
It was the first rate rise in about 11 years and has been regarded as a blow to Morrison's campaign, which has been largely focused on the Coalition's economic record.
"People have not made up their mind and they're looking to determine what is going to drive their choice," Morrison was quoted by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) on Friday.
A survey published by the Australian National University (ANU) on Friday found that reducing cost of living tops voters' list of concerns leading up to the election.
"And at the end of the day, that is going to come down to who they think has got the credibility to be able to deal with these pressures."
Of more than 3,500 participants, 64.7 per cent identified the high cost of living as an issue that needs to be "urgently addressed".
Friday marked day 26 out of 41 of the election campaign and the end of a week
It found that cost of living transcended the political divide, with more than 60 per cent of supporters of both major parties choosing it
as major issues. It also found the second highest priority was fixing the aged care system, with 60.1 per cent of voters highlighting this as a key issue. The economy, reducing the cost of healthcare and addressing climate change also rated highly as concerns. (IANS)
Spike in postal votes could delay Australia poll results However, because postal votes are not counted on election day the AEC said a record number would delay results in close electorates that could decide the result.
"We got about 1.5 million postal vote applications last election. If the curve does flatten like we think, maybe that will end up at something like 1.7 million to 1.8 million this election," AEC media director Evan EkinSmyth told the media. "We don't count any postal votes on the night. And if you have some close seats, you've got fewer votes counted, you're less likely to get an indication on them."
CANBERRA, May 3: The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on Tuesday warned that a spike in postal votes could delay results of the May 21 general election. The AEC revealed it has already received 1.54 million applications for postal votes with 18 days until polling day, up from 1.5 million total in the 2019 campaign.
It is mandatory for people aged 18 and older who are on the AEC's electoral roll to vote in the election either by postal ballot, at a polling place on election day, or at an early voting centre from May 9. Counting of in-person votes begins when polls close on May 21, with results usually known on the same night.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
The AEC has introduced safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 at polling booths in an attempt to encourage as many people to vote in person as possible. All staff will be required to be fully vaccinated against the virus while the capacity limits on voting centres will be introduced. (IANS)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
17
18
NEWS INDIA
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
PM Modi's gifts to leaders from Nordic countries
reflect India's diversity, rich traditions
Koftgiri craft is intended to enrich the surface of the metal of which the article is made. The base metal is a mixture of three types of Iron (soft, hard and high). The layers of these three types of iron are hammered till they are completely mixed, and one base metal is made then blades in different shapes are made out of it and this blade is dipped into a solution of three herbs which brings out the design engraved on the blade. Finally, the blade is rubbed and polished with very fine paper. his Denmark counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, a wall hanging with Kutch embroidery.
COPENHAGEN, May 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who concluded his visit to Denmark on Wednesday, presented gifts to leaders of the Nordic countries that reflected India's rich cultural diversity, its deep links with the mother nature, its martial traditions, age-old handicrafts and exquisite work of artisans. The Prime Minister embarked on a threeday visit to European countries on May 2. He visited Germany and Denmark and is scheduled to have a stopover in Paris. The gifts to the dignitaries from different Indian states included a Silver Meenakari Bird figure from Banaras to Crown Princess Mary, a Dokra boat from Chattisgarh to Crown Prince Fredrik and a Rogan painting from Gujarat to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway in Copenhagen and also took part in the second India-Nordic Summit on Wednesday. The art of silver enamelling practised in Benaras (Varanasi) is almost 500 years old. The art has its roots in the Persian art of Meenakari (Meena is the Persian word for glass). The most distinguishing element of Banaras meenakari is the use of pink colour in various shades on various products. The base is a silver sheet, which is fixed on a metallic base. The sheet fixed on the base mould is beaten lightly to get a fitting form of the mould. The preliminary product is taken off in spliced form the mould and is deftly joined. On this, a design is worked on with a metallic pen. The 'Meena' is ground to a fine powder and mixed with pomegranate seeds in water. Thereafter, it is fixed on various parts of the product with a flat metallic tool called 'qalam'. The finished product is decorated with semiprecious stones and pearls. The Rogan painting, gifted by PM Modi to Queen Margrethe of Denmark, is an art of cloth printing practised in Kutch, Gujarat. In this craft, paint made from boiled oil & vegetable dyes is laid down on fabric using either a metal block (printing)or a stylus (painting).
The process of making Rogan's painting is very laborious and skilful. Artists place a small amount of this paint paste into their palms. At room temperature, the paint is carefully twisted into motifs and images using a metal rod that never comes in contact with the fabric. Next, the artisan folds his designs into a blank fabric, thereby printing its mirror image. The Dokra boat from Chhattisgarh, gifted to Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark, is non-ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used. There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. The product of artisans who are mainly from Central and Eastern India are in great demand in domestic and foreign markets because of their primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form. The Brass Tree of Life from Rajasthan, which PM Modi gifted to his Finland counterpart Sanna Marin, symbolizes the development and growth of life. The branch of a tree grows and develops upwards and contains various life forms representing inclusiveness. This hand-crafted wall decorative art piece depicting the 'Tree of Life' is made of brass and is an example of the excellent craftsmanship and rich tradition of India. The root of the tree represents the connection with the earth, leaves and birds represent life and the candle stand represents light. Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store was gifted a 'Dhaal' with Koftgiri art from Rajasthan by PM Modi. Tarkashi (Koftgiri) on metal is a traditional art of Rajasthan in India as a means of decorating Arms and Armour. Today it has been diverted to the decoration of objects such as picture frames, boxes, walking sticks and decorative swords, daggers and war accessories like shields. Koftgiri is the inlay work with silver and gold wires.
The Kutch Embroidery is a handicraft and textile signature art tradition of the tribal community of Kutch District in Gujarat, India. This embroidery with its rich designs has made a notable contribution to the Indian embroidery traditions. The embroidery, practiced normally by women is generally done on cotton fabric, in the form of a net using silk or cotton threads of myriad hues. Certain patterns are also crafted over silk and satin. The types of stitches adopted are "square chain, double buttonhole, pattern darning, running stitch, satin and straight stitches". The signature effect of the colourful embroidery sparkles when small mirrors called 'abhla' are sewn over the geometrically shaped designs. PM Modi gifted Pashmina stole in a Papier Mache box from Jammu and Kashmir to his Sweden counterpart Magdalena Andersson. A symbol of luxury and elegance, Kashmiri Pashmina Stoles have been treasured for their rare material, exquisite craftsmanship and reminiscent designs since time immemorial. The warmth and softness that these stoles offer are simply beyond comparison. Pashmina is an exclusive art of the Union Territory of Kashmir which is known for producing one of the finest Pashmina stoles. The wool used for making Pashmina stoles comes from a special breed of Kashmiri goat found in the high altitude regions of the Himalayas. A good Pashmina stole requires an expert hand for spinning, weaving and creating embroidery. The art of weaving Pashmina and hand-embroidery on Pashminas has been passed on as a legacy from generation to generation in the Indian Union Territory of Kashmir. The Pashmina stole is packed in a Kashmir Papier Mache box which is handcrafted and coloured. The piece is handpainted in a floral design depicting the flora and fauna of the Kashmir valley. The design used in this piece is an intricate pattern drawn with a fine thin brush. Water-based colours and natural pigments have been used in this piece. Pure gold foil and paint have been used in the design which imparts a royal look to the piece. Finally, the piece is coated with lacquer which protects it from water and gives extra durability. The Prime Minister embarked on a threeday visit to European countries on May 2. He visited Germany, and Denmark and is scheduled to have a stopover in Paris.
(ANI)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
19
India, Australia denounce terrorism, underscore need for Int'l cooperation
NEW DELHI, May 5: India and Australia underlined their commitment to counterterrorism cooperation while condemning terrorism in all its forms, besides stressing the importance of bolstering international collaboration to combat terror.
During the 13th meeting of the IndiaAustralia Joint Working Group on CounterTerrorism on Wednesday that was held in-person in Canberra, Australia, both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They emphasized the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. Both sides also condemned the use of terror proxies for cross-border terrorism. Mahaveer Singhvi, joint secretary for counter-terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs of India and Roger Noble, Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, led the respective delegations of experts to discuss the ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between the two
countries.
Both sides underlined their commitment to coordinate and collaborate on this important element of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks. Australia reiterated its condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, including 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot and Pulwama attacks, and showed its support for the people and the government of India in the global fight against terrorism. India and Australia exchanged views on various areas of cooperation in the sphere of counter-terrorism, including countering radicalization and violent extremism; combating the financing of terrorism; the proscription of terrorist individuals and entities as a tool to combat terrorism;
Putin signs new set of tit-for-tat measures over Western sanctions MOSCOW, May 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a package of economic measures on Tuesday to retaliate against international sanctions placed on Moscow. The new decree, "In connection with the unfriendly actions of the United States and its allies that violate international law and aim to illegally deprive the Russian Federation and Russian legal entities of their property," seeks to protect Russia's national interests, was adopted and published on the Kremlin's website, RT reported. Putin gave the Cabinet of Ministers 10 days to determine the list of persons to be placed under the reciprocal sanctions, it said. The new measures prohibit government agencies, organisations, and individuals from "carrying out transactions (including signing external trade contracts) with
legal entities, individuals, and organisations" on the new blacklist.
The decree also prohibits the export of products and raw materials if they are destined to sanctioned persons. Russian entities and persons are also prohibited from fulfilling their obligations and carrying out financial transactions with the sanctioned companies and individuals, RT reported. This comes after the US and EU placed several rounds of unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia over its ongoing military operation in Ukraine. Assets of the Russian Central Bank and various other entities and businessmen were frozen abroad, the country was effectively cut off from the dollar and euro-dominated money markets, and a wide array of foreign businesses stopped dealing with the country. (IANS)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
preventing the exploitation of the internet for terrorism; law enforcement cooperation; information sharing and capacity building. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together to respond to these challenges and discussed ways to deepen engagement between their respective counterpart agencies to further advance interaction, cooperation and information sharing in the sphere of counter-terrorism. The two sides also discussed counterterrorism cooperation in multilateral fora such as the UN, G20, GCTF, ARF, IORA and FATF, as well as with Quad partners, and ways to further enhance this cooperation. Australia looked forward to hosting India at the next Quad Counter-Terrorism Tabletop Exercise in October 2022, while India welcomed Australia's participation in the proposed No Money for Terror Conference in New Delhi, scheduled for later in 2022. (ANI)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
G’Day Mate
!
20
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
21
Getting married in Australia Happily Ever… Before and After (Part 4) During marriage: Family Counselling - Keeping relationships on track is not always easy. Relationship problems can arise at various stages of our lives. While having a shaky moment does not mean your relationship is in trouble, it may be a sign that you could do with some help. Family counselling can help couples come to terms with the many changes that happen during a marriage, such as the personal and interpersonal issues to do with children and family. Family counsellors can help you work through emotional problems with your spouse or partner, or to reach agreement about your parental responsibilities. Marriage breakdown: Family Dispute Resolution – (FDR) can help separating couples to reach agreement about property, money, and—most importantly— any children. The law requires separating families who have a parenting dispute to make a genuine effort to try to sort it out
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
through FDR. An accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner can help you discuss issues, look at options, and reach agreement. Importantly, FDR can help you to develop a parenting plan to set out arrangements for any children. More information about the services and advice is available for couples and families. If you have further questions, you may contact me on 0425 853 086 or navee64@gmail.com.
22
FEATURE
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Community Torchbearers
Reach Milestone
For 15 years, G’day India has engaged the entire community, near and worldwide, with its distinctive Australian Indian perspective storytelling.
T
he news magazine G’day India, known for its professional presentation of relevant content and eye-catching images, has reason to celebrate. G’day India’s relevancy to the Australian Indians is regarded highly by the community and mainstream Australia. The editor-in-chief of the monthly publication, Mr Tonee Sethi, is happy about its popularity and reach, admitting, “the proof is in the pudding” and “we have been blessed and busy ever since.” Mr Sethi, undeniably a forerunner in the industry and now fifteen years later wanted to share his story of “what made us what we are today.” Mr Sethi has strong ties to India, his birthplace, and he has lived and worked there, as well as further afield in Bahrain, America, New Zealand and Australia. He is a wellreputed international businessman in various industries from hospitality to fashion, and understands how to read markets and trends. Mr Sethi knows how to conduct business and build a good rapport with people. “We don’t
do business; we build relations,” he shares. In 1997, Mr Sethi returned to the land down under, accompanied by his wife, Manjit “Vimi” Sethi, two daughters and son, Amandeep Sethi. In no time at all, they immersed themselves and structured their lifestyle and busy work schedules to get the most out of Melbourne as part of the community. Their business forte was hospitality, juggling two Indian cuisine restaurants renowned amongst patrons and industry professionals. During this time, Mr Sethi’s love for storytelling only strengthened. It stemmed from his upbringing, surrounded by filmmakers and the entertainment industry. His father and uncle were filmmakers, and their influence helped him become passionate about films and storytelling. In 2006, Mr Sethi took a sabbatical from his busy restaurants. He studied the market for avenues to conduct a new business venture alongside his desire for filmmaking. However, he soon realised that his life-long dream “to
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
tell stories in the mode of films” was not an option due to the industry’s lack of reach. “There was no market for it at that time. There was YouTube, but there was no bandwidth. People used to use Motorola and Nokia, and there was no data for people to share videos,” he states. Being one not to back down from his love for storytelling and his heart for capturing issues, Mr Sethi decided to meld the two. “There was an influx of Indian students. Then all of a sudden, there was a bit of a vibe about it that these students, these Indians, were nothing but workers, 7-Eleven, security, they do odd jobs, and that was very hurtful because Indians are professional. They are very educated, and they do a lot of things, not only in India but all over the world. The diaspora was getting bigger; we had so many issues. No media was addressing those issues, so we came up with the idea to have a newspaper. There were already a few newspapers at that time, but they were not from an Australian Indian perspective. They were talking about things that were totally irrelevant. Now we
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
at Foxtel and working nights for G’day India. “The circulation just boomed in the first three to four months; we started getting a lot of advertisers. We started with a 36-pager and slowly started building to 60-pages, then 64. We reached a stage where we were doing over 100 pages. That’s the kind of response we got from the people,” Mr Sethi said.
wanted to have a newspaper that gives them what is important to the community.” In May 2007, Mr Sethi, Vimi and Amandeep embarked on the journey of storytelling through the media venture of G’day India from their home office. However, there was one major stipulation: the overriding tone and angle were to be clean, positive and inspiring, whether covering news and stories from Melbourne or afar. “We didn’t know if it was going to be liked by people and if the people would ask for the paper. Dedicating the entire newspaper to news and features that did not reflect anything negative was risky,” Mr Sethi shares. At the time, Mr Sethi devoted his days and nights to the newspaper. His wife, Vimi, a food connoisseur, was responsible for the recipe section. Meanwhile, Amandeep was juggling a busy schedule between long shifts
G’day India’s success was escalating, and just after a year and a half, Amandeep quit his Foxtel job to work full time at the newspaper. “We do everything from sourcing, formatting, layout, editing and distribution, which is 20 days’ work each month,” Mr Sethi reveals. Also, around this time, Mr Sethi took on passionate contributors and helped them develop their writing skills. Getting their names published in a reputable newspaper and professional assistance from the team at G’day India was a rewarding experience for these aspiring writers. Mr Sethi proudly states, “Some of them have done very well for themselves, with one an editor-in-chief in Singapore.” Within the 15 years, G’day India has expanded to incorporate two other workspaces in the Blackburn area. However, just before the Covid- 19 pandemic, they returned to working from one location, the purpose-built home office, due to the changing face of the industry and the online world. With the digital age reaching every household, it was time for G’day India to update themselves and stay abreast of the changing ways people engage. G’day India’s news and views were now accessible via a premium app compatible with many devices. The outcome accommodated a more flexible content delivery and engagement approach geared towards the digital subscriber. Similarly, advertisers got more than their
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
23
advert in the publication with the bonus of free marketing. “We understand that social media is here to stay; it goes on our website, and we also share the link on Facebook and other social media,” Mr Sethi expresses. “It’s just that people feel that once you’re in the newspaper and a credible newspaper, your business is credible. A lot of mainstream also pick up a lot of the stories we do because all the ethnic media has done their due diligence, and if they are talking about a business or person that has to be good, it gives them a bit of a kick-start.” Although the continued success of G’day India is attributed to support for and of the entire community, there is no denying how the publication revolutionised news and feature engagement. From its bite-sized content, unique Australian Indian perspective and positive community-based information inside a colourful, glossy format. Mr Sethi elaborates, “The people love it because it’s one paper you get all the information from. In our case, we talked about the community, and we went and saw life through the eyes of the people, whether they have reached somewhere or struggling with issues.” As G’day India’s Mr Sethi, Vimi and Amandeep celebrate this important milestone, they would like to thank everyone for their continued support and blessings over the last 15 years. Gratitude goes to their writers, contributors, dedicated readership, subscribers and the 270 plus distribution outlets. Notably, special acknowledgement to all the advertisers who allow this influential newspaper to continue to inform, engage and connect. By Agata Zema
24
GREATEST SHOWMAN OF OZ
FEATURE
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
THE
Promoting over a hundred memorable shows to his credit, the showman par excellence Yogesh Sharma knows ‘Best’ how to entertain and rock the Indian diaspora of Australia by bringing the crème da la crème from the music world of Bollywood.
I
n this day and age, our world is getting smaller with connectivity and networking. Everybody knows somebody through Instagram or Facebook, but it was not a technology that was possible back in the day. So how did our showman get to where he is today without the tools of social media? Going over hundreds of shows is not easy, and according to him, it is just the beginning. ‘Entertainment is serious business’, says Sharma. Working full-time in show business and giving his hundred per cent calls work admiration, and no wonder he does it so well. His ingredient to success is to keep doing what one is passionate about and not get distracted in life no matter what happens; as they say, ‘The show must go on.’ We at G’day India sat down to speak with the genius and down-to-earth showman to learn more about his story, his past, his vision for the future and most importantly, his secret in organising one after the other successful shows. After over a hundred shows and seventeen years later, it was all the passion, hard work, connection, and networking that Sharma built his goodwill leading him to his success in Australia. “He is the best we have in Australia, any show that has Sharma’s name embedded, one just cannot ignore. It is bound to be entertaining and ‘Paisa Vasool Show’ that’s the kind of reputation he has among the community,” says Tonne Sethi, editor-in-chief of G’day India Media Drumrolls for Sharma! A master’s degree in Mathematics education was not his forte. He owes his then celebrity Ranji Trophy cricketer brother Deepak Sharma for his admission to the prestigious Stephens College in New Delhi. He always felt compromised by his height; it was not until he saw the film Tootsie in the eighties starring Dustin Hoffman that that significant change inspired Sharma to Mumbai, the capital of showbiz, to give acting a go, his burning desire. In the nineties, he worked his way to gather
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
enough funds to move to Mumbai, like many others, to relinquish his dreams of acting. Sitting among many other strugglers, he also met Rajiv Bhatia, aka superstar Akshay Kumar, who led Sharma to Asha Chandra’s school for acting. Sharma defined himself for character roles, but that wasn’t the path he wanted to head, so he decided to become a producer and thought of producing a film. Then, the uncertainty of “What If?” was about to sink in. Just then one day, a good proposal came by for starting a new sound recording studio. He moved with the idea of not just opening something for the sake of opening but launching a proper recording studio where music directors and singers would have all the state-of-the-art recording equipment. In 1997 “The Tune”, one of the most highprofile and successful digital sound recording studios in Mumbai, was born, with the investment of sixty-four lakhs rupees and three other partners, which continued to flourish with leading music artists and directors from the industry. The studio attracted almost all the famous singers from Bollywood and beyond. Celebrities such as Jagjit Singh, Daler Mehndi, Sonu Nigam, Mika, Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Abhijeet, and many more were regular patrons of the studio. There, Sharma learned a lot about the industry, connecting with the who’s who of Bollywood, from singers to music directors and producers. All loved soft-spoken Sharma! Everyone knighted his studio, which made him happy; at least he was close to his passion, but unfortunately, it was not making any profit which was worrying. The businessman in Sharma was once again in a dilemma of what’s next? It was 2000 when Sharma moved back to Delhi from Mumbai at the request of Daler Mehndi, his long-time dear friend who was already a bonafide superstar by then. Sharma joined Daler Mehndi as an executive producer for Daler Mehndi’s new music company ‘DM Music’ which was also Sharma’s brainchild. Besides Daler Mehndi, Sharma also looked after Mika Singh. Sharma’s in-depth knowledge of the industry and his vision helped the brothers scale up the business. Sharma was not only the Executive Producer but was a very close friend and played an influential role in contributing to their growth as professionals in the Bollywood Music Industry. However, the winds of change arrived when Sharma’s elder sister, who lived in Australia, came for a visit to Delhi. She was the one who initially suggested he move to Australia. Sharma had no complaints about his life in India other than that he was not doing something creative for himself. This proposal of moving to Australia was something he started to evaluate closely. With a gentle push from his wife, he seriously thought about moving to Australia. Finally, in 2004 Sharma and his family landed in
Sydney for good. Sharma initially was not happy starting his life from scratch in Australia. Like most new migrants, he did odd jobs to keep going sincerely and diligently as he always believed in hard work. While making ends meet with odd jobs, he studied and understood the Australian event and showed the industry how it works. Sharma soon learned that there was a lot of scope and massive potential for significant events to be done professionally in Australia as the Bollywood concert scene until then was practically nonexistent. During these initial days, through reading various local community magazines, he discovered the local famous Bollywood singer Pupinder Mintoo in 2004, leading to his introduction to one Mr Ajay Singh. A prominent promoter in the scenes of the local events and ran a successful magazine by the name of Desi Style. Ajay Singh’s trust in Sharma’s capability led to a collaboration and the beginning of an endless journey of bringing Bollywood entertainment to the Asia Pacific. His first show in collaboration, Bollywood Remix, featured Meghna Naidu, Harry Anand, Sanober Kabir, and Jimmy Moses in 2004. Shortly after, in yet another partnership with Singh, Sharma brought the mega-superstar Sonu Nigam to Australia for the first time in 2005, giving the Indo-Australian community its first taste of a Bollywood musical extravaganza, and the rest is history. It’s a total myth when people think an event management industry is a money-making industry. Even after hundred shows, especially when one has brought the crème of Bollywood from young sensations to seasoned performers, rising stars to living legends like Salman Khan, Asha Bhosle, Jagjit Singh, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Pankaj Udhas, Gurdas Mann, etc. to the Southern Hemisphere. Sharma says it takes teamwork to be successful. As a leader, he has always taken his role very seriously and sets an example for his team with punctuality, integrity, efficiency, and staying calm and composed. His attention to detail and years of experience in the industry are instrumental in the massive success of his show business, creating fantastic memories for both audiences and artists alike. In recent times the market has changed tremendously, and Sharma now utilises online booking systems where patrons can now buy tickets directly, making life very easy compared to before. Gone are the days when it took months to distribute tickets to multiple outlets, and it was even harder to recover the money from the sold tickets. Nowadays, the online system saves effort and time, giving him the freedom to do more shows through partnerships with local promoters in different cities in the South Asia Pacific.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
25
Sharma always believes communication and high-quality service will carry people and businesses forward. This philosophy reflects in his company, Cinestar Events today, which has achieved the milestone of 100 successful shows promoted throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Being the pioneer in the Indian entertainment business of Australia, he’s also an Associate Partner at a highly successful real estate development group named Castle Group. Sharma says, “every business has a life of its own, representing a cycle of ups and downs.” That, however, doesn’t stop the showman from presenting the glitterati of Bollywood with the magic of artists, songs, dance, and variety shows. His sincere advice to young and aspiring event promoters is not to get swayed just by the showbiz’s glitter and glamour. He emphasises how important it is always to do the mathematics of the show beforehand. ‘To have a passion is good but to hone your craft needs a certain growth mindset’, Sharma says. From Sonu Nigam’s multi-city Australia tour to the Ghazal King Jagjit Singh’s premium concert at Sydney’s opulent Opera house in 2005 to Johnny Lever, Pankaj Udhas, Gurdas Maan, Asha Bhosle, Adnan Sami, Shreya Ghoshal, and Mika Singh up till 2016, and certainly not forgetting Salman Khan’s Dabang The Tour in 2017. Adding to his prolific profile, he provided a glorious opportunity and platform to the rising star of Bollywood, Jazim Sharma, a highly talented Ghazal singer, in the form of a highly successful Australia tour in 2018. Furthermore, Sharma continued to cement his legacy by bringing the Soulful Soprano of Bollywood, the legendary Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, in 2019. Sharma has brought them all because he believes in delivering the best Bollywood entertainment to the Australian community. With life getting back to normal postCOVID, Sharma is about doing what he does best, entertaining the masses in Australia by announcing two big shows coming soon to Australia. By substantial public demand, he’s bringing back Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in ‘The Legacy Tour’ in Sydney and Melbourne on the 25th and 26th of June 2022, respectively. And, to end the year, India’s biggest comedy star superstar, Kapil Sharma, will hit Sydney on Saturday 3rd September at Sydney’s Darling Harbour ICC and on Sunday 4th September at the MCEC in Melbourne. What can we say of Sharma? Well! He stands tall as the elite in the event business here in the South Asia Pacific. With that thought in mind, we couldn’t help quoting, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe” By Nandita Chakraborty
26
FEATURE FEATURED
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
SIMONE SINGH’S VOICE OF REASON High-achiever Simone Singh, born and raised in Melbourne, works hard to have her voice heard for all the right reasons.
G
’day India’s editor-in-chief, Mr Tonee Sethi, interviewed Simone Singh, a Senior Manager at Deloitte Australia, regarding her determination to expand her knowledge and skillset and be the people’s voice. Recently, at the Parliament of Victoria, Simone delivered her Pathways to Politics Program speech about her commitment to the community and making an impact in improving the livelihood of others. Simone shares, “Growing up, my parents always said there was a lot of potential in us to achieve what we want to do in our lives, and that drove me. When I look at Australia and our community, there is a lot of untapped potential in this country that we should be igniting, supporting and driving to make this place the best it can be for the future generations.” Simone’s parents, Pushminder and Jaswinder Singh, migrated to Australia from Punjab, India, in the late 1980s and embraced the opportunity to work hard and build a good life over the years. Bearing witness to her parents’ strong work ethic and achievements, Simone learned to strive for what she wanted from a very young age: “I always knew that I wanted to have a voice. There’s a video of me when I was young. I must have been maybe five, and I was in front of the TV, and I was pretending to be the news reporter speaking to my whole family delivering the news. I wanted to be speaking; I wanted to be heard” Simone’s aspirations led her to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Melbourne. For three years, she has been with Deloitte, a global consulting firm, where she has worked her way up to Senior Manager. “I have always been interested in business and the impact good businesses have on people, communities and the economy. My work at Deloitte allows me to support businesses to be the best they can be, and I love what I do.” Beyond her formal daily duties, Simone adds, “I also work on the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategies, as a key part of our culture is inclusivity at all levels. I am particularly passionate about supporting women so that they are equipped with the tools to succeed in the corporate world and so that we make strides towards our female leadership goals” Apart from juggling full-time commitments, Simone works hard towards an MBA at The University of Melbourne and is a board
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
member for a not-for-profit organisation, Volunteer West. Also, as part of the 2021 ensemble, Simone was selected out of thousands of applicants to be one of only thirty participants in the Pathways to Politics Program for women. Simone elaborates about the program and why she got involved: “My family, and I feel like a lot of Indian families are the same, you don’t raise your children to align to a specific political party, when they join university, they don’t go and join Young Liberals or Young Labor or anything like that. Pathways to Politics and other programs like this really help people who have not necessarily been brought up with the knowledge of what is involved in standing as a candidate in an election because there is a lot involved beyond campaigning. And programs like this help you through that process, they guide you, they educate you, and that’s something that I hadn’t experienced. We learn from a diverse set of MPs and experts in the program and are really given the foundations to make the big step into public office.” As part of the program’s final module, Simone delivered her speech in the Parliament of Victoria: “All of the participants in the program get the opportunity to present their speech. A number couldn’t make it, unfortunately, because they had Covid, so it was a limited group, but it was an amazing experience. I mean, being in the Legislative Assembly, which is the hall that we were in, there was definitely a feeling of a kind of awe. There was something in the air in that room,
and I think it’s the history of that room. I could see myself standing there in the future.” Simone delivered an inspiring speech and addressed many things that she believes will help people reach and embrace their potential. One topic she shares with Mr Sethi is, “If you look at our Parliament, there’s not a single Sikh or Punjabi individual in there. That’s a big part of what motivates me to bring diversity to Parliament because Parliament needs to look like the community it represents.” Simone also believes in inclusiveness, and it “comes down to ensuring that you have policy centred on including groups that otherwise are not included. We need to do that not only for our Indian community but other communities that are culturally diverse and are diverse in other ways, whether that be from a gender level or otherwise.” Children receiving a quality education is something Simone considers vital because “that is often the thing that allows people to break the generational cycle of inequality… Education is often the tool that people use to break the cycle. It’s certainly the tool that I used as a launchpad for my life, and it was something that was incredibly beneficial.” Simone’s family and friends are part of her unconditional support base as it can be challenging to juggle work and maintain a social life. However, the twenty-eight-year-old also knows how to look after herself amidst a hectic schedule by enjoying exercise and
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
27
keeping fit. “I enjoy keeping fit; I love running, it allows me to switch off and clear my mind” she admits. Also, a committed runner, her dad joined Simone on Sunday, the third of April, in the 2022 Herald Sun/Transurban 15km Run for the Kids, which raised funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal. Another contributing factor to Simone’s ongoing success is her partner of eight years, Amarjit Batra, and she describes him as her “number one supporter,” who pushes her to achieve more. She reveals that it is essential to surround yourself with people who are a positive influence, “I am very blessed to not only have amazing parents, but my amazing future in-laws, Harpal and Sonia Batra, who support me unconditionally.” We wish Simone Singh all the best for her future as she navigates her demanding work commitments and busy lifestyle to represent the community and be our voice of reason. She will keep striving to secure the political foundations and all that is necessary to be ready to run for the State or Federal Election one day. Simone reminds us that there is more work to be done, “I believe in ensuring people who reside in Australia have the best opportunity to be represented by their government, their leaders, whether that be their local council members, their state MPs or their federal MPs. They have a duty to represent the voices of our communities, I hope that I am given the privilege to do so one day.” By Agata Zema
28
TRAVEL
Where to see the
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Autumn colours in Melbourne?
A
BY DEBASREE DAS
ll leaves are falling down, Orange, yellow, red, and brown. Falling softly as they do, Over me and over you. The magical season of all times has arrived, and I can’t keep calm, as Autumn or fall is one my favourite season. So here is my guide on where you can spot the magical colours in Melbourne. If Bright, at the high country has been one of your favourite destinations during the fall season, let me take your attention to something more beautiful in the regional Victoria. Daylesford: Tugged away in the Macedon ranges this place is just 2 hours drive from Melbourne and would totally leave you spellbound. Head towards Wambat hill in Daylesford, for utterly vibrant red, the newly planted Nyssa (tupelos or swamp oaks) are unmissable. The autumn colours are at its best in the Wambat hill, take the scenic drive and enjoy the canopy of trees light up with vibrant colours. The Wambat hill café nested perfectly, and offers you some good downtime with friends and family with a coffee and cake. Mount Macedon: The mountain is a wonderland of heritage gardens and wild bush capes of eucalyptus, pine, and tall Mountain Ash. The United church offers a beautiful view during the fall season. The wineries and the trail walking along with the gardens offer magnificent adventure. Alfred Nicolas Gardens, Yarra Valley: Wellknown for the gorgeous autumn colours and equally beautiful in the spring, the gardens are a special part of the hill. The lake house situated in the valley is the perfect spot for wedding photography and offers the much-needed serenity for travellers. The fall colours are best enjoyed in the valley during April and May. So, if you’re in a mood for adventure along with bushwalking, this place is just for you. Kids friendly and offers medium level of hiking experience. Fitzroy Gardens/Carlton Gardens: You can’t
miss the rustling brown and orange leaves, while making your way to work in the city. Not a person who loves to be on the road no problem, the city gardens offer equally beautiful views of the autumn colours too. Treasury Garden, Fitzroy Gardens or Carlton Gardens all have the last few days of fall leaves waiting for you to capture. Victoria Barracks: This hidden gem is nested in the city. Many people don’t know this building turns into a fairy tale castle during the fall season.
The leaves and the colours are majestically beautiful and many couple choose to capture their best moments of being together here. However, please check with local authorities if you wish to do an official photoshoot here. If you have already seen all of them and have a hidden place to add to this list, do let me know. You can follow my adventures on Instagram @tarvelinstylewithdebs Till then enjoy the colours, till they last.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @travelinstylewithdebs for your daily fashion inspiration. travelinstylewithdebs
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
29
30
LEGAL
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Essential Validity of A Will And The Challenge BY GURPAL SINGH
A
last will and testament is exposed to the possibility of a challenge for numerous causes. One of the causes of challenge is on the ground of formal validity of the will which raises the question of its execution in accordance with the prescribed requirements and formalities under the law, although the court may otherwise dispense with these formalities in certain circumstances. Also, the will may be challenged on the ground that the will fails to provide for a family provision claim or an ‘adequate provision for the proper maintenance, education, or advancement in life of a person. In so far as the establishment of essential validity on the balance of probabilities and on the balance of the evidence as a whole, the court is required to be contend and satisfied that at the time of execution of the will, the testator intended to make a will; did have the testamentary capacity; knew and approved the contents of the will and was not induced by fraud or undue influence to make the will and the last testament. A person who has or may have had an interest in the will carries the standing to participate in the proceedings concerning the essential validity of the will of a deceased person. For this reason, the matters pertaining to the probate are referred to as an interest litigation’. An interest or reasonable possibility of an interest, however remote, will be sufficient to entitle a person to become a party and it seems erroneous to conclude that rights of low dollar value cannot amount
to a legal interest. In other words, a person will have a sufficient interest to oppose a grant of probate if the person has a right being affected by the grant of the probate. The preliminary requirement to challenge the essential validity may lodge a caveat in the court which will result in stay the proceedings seeking probate and/or the administration or resealing the will. The caveat remains in force for a period of six months. The caveator is expected to meet the test of evidence to demonstrate the interest of caveator in the estate or a reasonable prospect of establishing such an interest. Also, it warrants the circumstances to establish the need for further investigation prior to making probate. In case the caveator fails to provide such evidence, the court may order that the caveat cease to be in force. The court may also allow the costs of the application against the caveator. However, some types of persons may not be entitled to claim interest to oppose the grant of probate on the ground of essential validity including the beneficiary under an earlier will unless the person is a beneficiary under the will immediately preceding the one being propounded; a person who is the next of kin of the deceased unless the person shall be entitled to intestacy in the event the particular question was found to be invalid; the case where there is a will anterior to the particular will in
question remain unchallenged and disposes off the whole of the testator’s estate and shall take effect if the revocation clause part of the will in question is not effective; a creditor of the estate since such an interest is in the estate and not in the grant in question; the person with a derivative interest in the estate in question, where the ultimate interest of the person is by way of expected devolution through an intermediate estate; and a person eligible to make a claim for the family provision order under the succession act. Once the proceedings are initiated, the court shall ascertain the last will of free and otherwise capable testator. The court’s enquiry shall include the unique combination of principles relating to the onus of proof and onus arising from the presumptions of facts associated with procedural steps customary taken in the process of a formal will. The principles include the prima facie case, testamentary intention and the capacity, knowledge and approval, and the question of fraud or undue influence. The challenge to the essential validity calls into question the elements of making of a will. The essential validity is determined by reference to whether the testator in fact intended to make a will; had the capacity at the relevant time; had known and approved of the will and whether the person was unduly influenced or induced by fraud to make a will. The challenge also requires cognizance of the legal onus of proof in respect of instrument to be questioned and evidentiary onus arising from various presumptions. These proceedings have the tendency to become unnecessarily discursive and expensive. By Gurpal Singh
Gurpal Singh is the principal lawyer of Melbourne law firm, Saundh Singh & Smith Lawyers | W: www.sssl.com.au
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
BAPS
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Pramukh Swami Maharaj: Honored Yet Humble spirituality. Mahant Swami Maharaj Measuring the praise Pramukh Swami Ma- highlights that though Pramukh Swami haraj received is as futile as measuring the Maharaj was praised by all, he remained water in the ocean with a mere cup. How- ever humble. ever, the experiences of others give an inEVER HUMBLE... SHUNNING PRAISE sight into how Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s On countless occasions throughout his life, life touched people from different backPramukh Swami Maharaj has shunned any grounds all over the world in multiple ways. acclaim that came his way and deflected it The Solicitor General of Canada, Bob to others. Kaplan, said, “If the world learnt from After Akshardham opened in New Delhi, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, then it can India on November 6, 2005, many lauded become a place free of crime, war and Pramukh Swami Maharaj for building terrorism, and become a more peaceful such a breathtaking monument. Instead place to live.” Head of the Ramanuj of accepting this, he adamantly attributed Sampradaya, Pujya Varad Yatiraj Jeer all the achievements and glory to his guru Swami, said, “By the presence of such a Yogiji Maharaj. Everyone chases fame; sadhu, all of humanity is uplifted.” however fame follows great sadhus such REVERED & RENOWNED WORLDWIDE
Such was the world’s exalted opinion as Pramukh Swami Maharaj wherever of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s spotless they go; but, they do not desire it at all. character, selfless service to society and
Pramukh Swami Maharaj Spiritual Head of BAPS (1971 - 2016)
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s fifth spiritual successor who was revered throughout the world yet, was ever humble. He was praised by both politicians and paupers, royalty and religious leaders, tribesmen and technocrats. Yet, despite such widespread praise and honour, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was always humble and deflected the tributes towards God and guru. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham - New Delhi, India
PRAISING OTHERS
In 1985 in Amdavad, India at the conclusion of the grand 59-day bicentenary celebrations of Gunatitanand Swami the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, all praised Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s ability to execute such a remarkable festival. On the final day, during the concluding volunteer’s assembly, Pramukh Swami Maharaj said to the 15,000 volunteers, “Nothing is achieved by one person. This festival was a success because of all of you. Everyone contributed in their own way. We are truly blessed by God and guru. Your efforts have made this all possible. All I did was just sit on this chair...” Pramukh Swami Maharaj praised the devotees for their selfless service, sacrifice and claimed to have done nothing himself. However, the previous two years leading to the bicentenary celebrations highlights the depth of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s humility. Pramukh Swami Maharaj had suffered a serious heart attack causing all spiritual travels to be immediately cancelled. Doctors advised him to avoid any form of exertion, speak only for short periods and eat at regular times. However, his journey for the next two years shows nothing less than derision for his own fragile health.
In the period of 888 days, he visited a dizzying 737 villages, towns and cities worldwide. During his travels, there was only one certainty — that nothing was certain. His rest and meal times were erratic.
Swami Maharaj’s life that did not touch someone. Countless were impressed by his humanitarian work, while others were moved by his spotless character. Many were astounded by his mandir-building capabilities or how he inspired youths to renounce worldly ambitions; others were left speechless when they witnessed his devotion to God and his gurus. The mountains of praise Pramukh Swami Maharaj received bears testament to this. Amidst this, he remained untouched by ego, in fact he shunned the tributes, and showered praise on everyone else. His life is a pinnacle of humility.
This year marks Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centennial birth celebration year; The 20 visits to devotees’ homes sched- therefore, we aim to pay a tribute to his uled in the morning would become a 100 centennial birth celebration year, through in the blink of an eye. During this time, he this article series. travelled a staggering 133,404 km. To put Just like Pramukh Swami Maharaj, today, this into context, in 888 days, he circled His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the globe more than three times! the present spiritual successor of BhagSuch was Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s hu- wan Swaminarayan continues that legacy. mility; that despite his immeasurable ef- Through his association people have been forts, he could openly praise his devotees transformed to experience inner peace. for the outstanding success of the festival. To learn more about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and work, please visit: ALL THE PRAISE IS NOT ENOUGH... www.pramukhswami.org There was not an aspect of Pramukh Pramukh Swami Maharaj: Vicharan (Spiritual Travel)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
31
32
FEATURE
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
7 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO MEDITATE DAILY Contrary to popular belief, Meditation is not about zoning out and emptying your thoughts or mind. It’s about zoning inwards, acknowledging your thoughts, and then detaching from them without judgment. The most common reactions I get when I talk about meditation are- “I cannot meditate”, “I cannot empty my mind”, “as soon as I empty my mind a thousand thoughts enter my mind”, “sitting for long hours hurts my back and hips” or “mediation makes me more anxious”. Well, all of this can be true if you throw yourself into the deep end of mediation without any experience. Start from the basics. Preferably start by preparing your body through basic simple asanas (yoga stretches) and breathe through pranayama (breathing techniques). Find a place that is comfortable for you to meditate. Some people use a quiet space at home or in the office. You can meditate. outside in nature as well. Meditation reduces stress, anxiety, and negative emotions: Meditation is a gift that you should dedicate to yourself every day. Use your breath to help de-stress and become more aware and present at the moment. Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions are unpredictable, they come and go as they please but through meditation, you can control the power they have over you and your mind.
symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is because meditation helps fight stress and anxiety, which are both major triggers for depression. It helps increase focus, creativity, and productivity: Want to feel more creative and productive at work? Start meditating now! Meditation can encourage creative thinking and problem-solving. Meditation also helps us separate our emotions from our work, which helps us think more clearly and develop new ideas. Daily meditation can help you perform better at work! It helps increase your focus and attention and improves your ability to multitask. Meditation helps clear our minds and helps us focus on the present moment - which gives you a huge productivity boost. Boasts emotional intelligence: Unless you make the effort to observe your thoughts and attempt to understand what the mind is doing, you are never going to learn about your inner self. Many of us have trouble
understanding our emotions. Meditation teaches us how to be more aware of our feelings and emotions and helps us process them better. Simply believing every thought that pops in your head and living under your mind’s umbrella is not constructive. Practising meditation changes how you think and helps you learn to understand your emotions without having to act upon them. Improves Sleep: A variety of meditation techniques can help you relax and control runaway thoughts that interfere with your sleep cycle. This can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase the quality of your sleep. Helps fight addictions: Meditation develops mental awareness and can help you manage triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, manage unhealthy eating habits, and redirect other unwanted habits. Boosts immunity: Regular meditation has been shown to help boost your immune system. It increases electrical activity in the left side of the brain � which is responsible for your immune system. It was also found that those who meditate have higher counts of antibodies in their blood, which helps fight illness. Get more out of your workout: Exercise, especially HIIT workouts (High-intensity interval training) and long hours of cardio can do a number on your muscles and your central nervous system. Such workouts could unintentionally cause stress on the body and the mind and cause an increase in your cortisol levels in the body. Meditation allows you to deeply rest your body and mind removing stress from your physiology. With meditation’s ability to reduce our stress levels, we’re able to perform our workouts at an optimal level and at the same time meditation might also help minimize sensitivity to pain.
Over time you will observe a transformation in the amount of stress/anxiety you accumulate within. Simply closing your eyes and steadily breathing has a tremendous effect, especially when you acknowledge stressful situations arising. Meditation is so powerful to reduce anxiety. One of the main reasons people meditate is to help quiet a loud, overactive mind. Daily meditation might be able to help support the treatment and reduce the
After reading all these amazing benefits, isn’t mediation worth a try? By Samiksha Shetty
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
FESTIVALS
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
EID MUBARAK!
33
BY ARCHITA BAWEJA
T
he end of Ramadan is marked by a big celebration, known as Eid al-Fitr, which translated from Arabic means the 'Festival of the Breaking of the Fast'. During this event, Muslims thank Allah for giving them the strength to fast. Eid begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims meet in Mosques or open-air places for special prayers called Salat al-Eid, and have breakfast. Muslims all over the world celebrate this event with much fervour and each country’s celebrations vary as there is an influence of their traditions. Muslims worldwide celebrate the festival of Eid al Fitr by starting the day with the Eid prayer. After offering prayer they greet each other with the customary Eid greeting, 'Eid Mubarak'. Everyone gets new clothes made for the special occasion because every single person wants to look their best. Men generally dress up in traditional white attire whereas women wear traditional dresses with a Hijab. Many women apply intricate henna designs on their hands on the occasion of Eid. The day is spent with friends and family and doing get-togethers, indulging in delicious feasts and handing out gifts also known as Eidi. A very dear friend of mine is a Muslim, and she enjoys the religion and culture as
well as this time around each year. I see her getting excited about getting new clothes and gifts for her family and friends. One of the specialities of Eid and something she introduced to me was Sheer Khurma. It is a sweet dish made with milk and seviyan and is popular in all households during Eid. Some of the other spectacular and mouth-watering dishes made during Eid are Biryani, Mutton
Korma, Sheekh Kebab and Nihari. Eid is also considered as a day of charity. In addition to showing gratitude to Allah, Muslims pay Zakat al-Fitr, which is an obligatory payment in charity. Many Muslims volunteer at soup kitchens and food banks, handing out food to those in need. Eid also serves as a day of introspection for Muslims when they reflect on their actions and assess whether they have contributed to the wellbeing of those less fortunate. Eid is celebrated around the world in countries like UAE, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi, USA, Australia etc. In Melbourne this year a special event is going to be organised at Luna Park that will give families and their friends the benefit of Luna Park ticket discounts, unlimited rides, amusements, special Eid treats, and cultural entertainment. The festival will also be celebrated at St Albans community centre where people can come and celebrate the end of Ramadan, learn, share and enjoy the history, the culture, the music and connect with the community. As we can see, the tough rituals of Ramadan accompany the sweetness of Eid and bring people closer to the divine. In essence, Eid is a welcome break from the humdrum of life, a chance to reflect, break poor habits, renew spiritual connections and bask in the blessings from Allah Taala.
Archita Baweja of Melbourne is an engineer by profession but a writer at heart
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
34
TECH
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
SNAPCHAT INTRODUCES ITS FIRST DRONE CAMERA ‘PIXY’
Popular social media platform Snapchat has introduced Pixy, which is said to be a pocket-sized and free-flying sidekick drone. The company claimed that the device, which is now available in the US and France, can automatically crop into portrait and apply quick Smart Edits, like Hyperspeed, Bounce, Orbit 3D and Jump Cut. The users can then share it to Chat, Stories, Spotlight or any other platform. “We first created Snapchat as a new way to use the Camera for self-expression and communication. From lenses to spectacles, there are so many ways to share your perspective. Today, we’re taking the power and magic of the Snap Camera to new heights”, the company said in a blogpost late on Thursday. According to the company, the drone can fly in four pre-set flight paths.
It can float, orbit, and follow wherever the user will lead, without a controller or any set-up. It will land gently at the end of the flight. “Everything you need to capture the moment from a new perspective is right in the palm of your hand. With the simple tap of a button”, the company added.
Videos from flights can be wirelessly transferred and saved into Snapchat Memories. From there, users can use Snapchat’s editing tools, Lenses, and Sounds to customise what they capture.
(IANS)
META BUILDING AI THAT PROCESSES SPEECH & TEXT AS HUMANS DO Meta (formerly Facebook) has announced a long-term artificial intelligence (AI) research initiative to better understand how the human brain processes speech and text and build AI systems that learn like people do.
Unlocking this long-range forecasting capability could help improve modern AI language models. Meta recently revealed evidence of long-range predictions in the brain, an ability that still challenges today’s language models.
In collaboration with neuroimaging center Neurospin (CEA) and Inria, Meta said it is comparing how AI language models and the brain respond to the same spoken or written sentences.
For the phrase, “Once upon a...” most language models today would typically predict the next word, “time,” but they’re still limited in their ability to anticipate complex ideas, plots and narratives, like people do.
“We’ll use insights from this work to guide the development of AI that processes speech and text as efficiently as people,” the social network said in a statement. Over the past two years, Meta has applied deep learning techniques to public neuro-imaging data sets to analyse how the brain processes words and sentences. Children learn that “orange” can refer to both a fruit and colour from a few examples, but modern AI systems can’t do this as efficiently as people. Meta research has found that
language models that most resemble brain activity are those that best predict the next word from context (like once upon a... time). “While the brain anticipates words and ideas far ahead in time, most language models are trained to only predict the very next word,” said the company.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
In collaboration with Inria, Meta research team compared a variety of language models with the brain responses of 345 volunteers who listened to complex narratives while being recorded with fMRI. “Our results showed that specific brain regions are best accounted for by language models enhanced with far-off words in the future,” the team said. (AGENCIES)
DIGITAL
Telegram now lets users send cryptocurrency
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
35 35
YouTube Go to stop operating from August this year
After the encrypted messaging app Telegram previously gave up on its own token, it now supports crypto payments. According to Protocol, the addition could make crypto payments on messaging platforms more mainstream. The TON Foundation, which manages the toncoin token, has enabled fee-free payments, sending crypto to other users, using toncoin (TON) in the app. It also has added the ability to buy bitcoin within the app. Telegram, which has about 550 million users, previously dropped its plan for its own token after a legal challenge from theAUS Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC sued Telegram in 2019 after it raised $1.7 billion to develop its token, calling it an illegal token offering.
Telegram later paid a fine to the SEC and agree to return capital to investors. Since then, Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has endorsed a separate spin-off token Toncoin that is apparently independent from Telegram. That is the coin that is now enabled for payments on Telegram, the report said. The TON Foundation said it has enabled the ability to send Toncoin “without transaction fees to any Telegram user”, it announced on Twitter. (IANS)
WhatsApp working on showing status updates in chats list
Video-streaming platform YouTube has announced that YouTube Go, designed for offline videos, will no longer be available for users beginning in August. YouTube Go allows users to save videos for offline viewing, giving options over quality and file size so it is clear how much data a download will use. The app also allows for local sharing with nearby users without using any data. “Today, we are announcing that YouTube Go will be sunsetted beginning in August. To access YouTube, we recommend that YouTube Go users install the main YouTube app or visit youtube. com in their browsers,” the company said in a support page. The company said that in comparison with YouTube Go, the main YouTube app provides a better overall user experience as well as offers features that are not available on YouTube Go that many have asked for, such as the ability to comment, post, create content and use the dark theme. YouTube Go was launched in December 2016 for viewers in locations where connectivity, data prices, and low-end devices prevented users from delivering the best experience in the main YouTube app.
Meta-owned WhatsApp is likely working on the ability to view status updates right within the chats list in a future update of the app. According to WABetaInfo, this feature is under development, so it has not been rolled out to beta testers yet. “Another improvement for status updates is coming in a future update of WhatsApp beta,” the report said. “If you have an Instagram account, you know that it is also possible to view status updates right within the list of your private chats. Today, we can finally announce that the same feature is also coming to WhatsApp!” it added.
In a screenshot, it was seen that the contact had published a status update, which can also be seen right within the chats list or when the user is searching for chats and messages. If the user clicks on the chat cell, WhatsApp opens the conversation with the contact but if they click on the profile picture of the contact that published a status update, their status update shows up. A recent report said that WhatsApp is likely working on a feature that would let users chat with the same account on multiple phones, or a phone and a tablet. (IANS)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
“Since then, YouTube has invested in improvements to the main YouTube app that make it perform better in these environments, while also delivering a better user experience which is inclusive of our entire community,” the company said. “Specifically, we have improved performance for entry-level devices or those that watch YouTube on slower networks. We are also building out additional user controls that help to decrease mobile data usage for viewers with limited data,” it added. (IANS)
36
RELATIONSHIPS
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Stuck in Dating Life?
been immunised, and offline dating is regaining popularity. Take that first step toward meeting new people. The dating app QuackQuack has thousands of profiles of people who want to meet new people and hang out with people who have a different outlook on life. Meeting new people may sound intimidating, but it is something that must be attempted in order to break out of a rut. It also helps to break the pattern we discussed earlier. Giving Second Date and Third Dates a chance: Some people believe that the future is decided on the first date. Obviously, one would not want to waste time on a first date with someone with whom they did not connect. In any case, it is also a fact that people take the time to open up and show others their true, fun selves. It’s possible that the person you thought was boring was just awkward at first and needed time to get used to being around someone new.
Dating can be exhausting, especially if you have a string of bad dates. There will be ups and downs, but they should not feel as if they are sinking in quicksand. However, it does not imply that you are doomed to bad dating life. If you feel like you’re sinking into a union with no way out, it’s probably time to make changes in your dating life that will make it work better. Due to co-dependency, self-esteem issues, or family pressure, you may feel completely trapped while dating, and you may be unable to leave a situation that isn’t healthy or meaningful for you. Some exercises can help if you feel like dating is a chore, you’re not finding anyone worth pursuing, or you’ve run out of options. In your dating life, you can go from feeling stuck to experiencing a breath of fresh air. Practising Radical Self Love It’s a wonderful feeling to be dating someone you like. However, it is also critical that you practise self-awareness and make yourself available. When you begin to meet your own needs, you may discover that you no longer need to look for a partner who will fulfil these desires. So, for a while, you could experiment with radical self-love. This means doing things for yourself that you would like
your partner to do for you. It includes activities such as buying yourself flowers, going to the movies alone, and treating yourself to your favourite meals. Take a Dating Vacation Dating, like all daily activities, necessitates effort and consistency. Similarly, doing something repeatedly for an extended period of time can lead to burnout. A Dating Vacation is a break in your dating life. This dating vacation will be a time when you take a break from dating and invest in yourself. Meet up with people you haven’t seen in a long time. Participating in workshops or taking up hobby classes allows you to gain a better understanding of your own mind. The dating vacation does not shy away from a look back. Take a seat and reflect on your dating experiences thus far. Analyse the things that irritate you in people you date to see if there is a pattern. As a result, make an effort to disrupt those patterns. Abandon Your Comfort Zone The pandemic has been the world’s top concern for the past three years. It ruled everything around us, including our dating lives. But it is no longer the same. The vast majority of people have
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
If the first date does not go well, 43 per cent of QuackQuack users said they would give their match a second chance, reveals the dating app QuackQuack. Give a date a second and third chance if it feels strange or uninteresting to you. Life is bigger than a single decision, and everyone has a passion for something. Once that person is at ease with you, it is time for them to express themselves fully, and no one knows when the chemistry will kick in! Allow yourself to be honest about your options and risks. The world is vast, and you are deserving of all the love it has to offer. (IANSlife)
LIFESTYLE
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
37
Loneliness increases risk of being unemployed in future According to new research, people who experience loneliness have a higher risk of unemployment in the future. People who often feel lonely are much more likely to lose their jobs later in their lives. The findings of the research were published in the journal ‘BMC Public Health’, a team led by researchers at the University of Exeter. Previous research has established that being unemployed can cause loneliness, however, the new study is the first to directly explore whether the opposite also applies across the working-age population. Their analysis also confirmed previous findings that the reverse is true - people who were unemployed were more likely to experience loneliness later. Lead author Nia Morrish, of the University of Exeter, said: “Given the persisting and potentially scarring effects of both loneliness and unemployment on health and the economy, prevention of both experiences is key. Decreased loneliness could mitigate unemployment, and employment abate loneliness, which may, in turn, relate positively to other factors including health and quality of life.” “Thus, particular attention should be paid to loneliness with additional support from employers and the government to improve health and wellbeing. Our research was largely conducted pre-pandemic, however, we suspect this issue may be even more pressing, with more people working from home and potentially experiencing isolation because of anxieties around covid.” The research analysed largely pre-pandemic data from more than 15,000 people in the
Understanding Society Household Longitudinal Study. The team analysed responses from the participants during 2017-2019, then from 2018-2020, controlling for factors including age, gender, ethnicity, education, marital status, household composition, number of own children in the household and region. Senior author Professor Antonieta MedinaLara said: “Loneliness is an incredibly important societal problem, which is often thought about in terms of the impact on mental health and wellbeing only.” “Our findings indicate that there may also be wider implications, which could have negative impacts on individuals and the economy. We need to explore this further, and it could lay the foundations for employers or policymakers to
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
tackle loneliness with a view to keeping more people in work.” Paper co-author Dr Ruben Mujica-Mota, Associate Professor of Health Economics in the University of Leeds’ School of Medicine, said: “While previous research has shown that unemployment can cause loneliness, ours is the first study to identify those lonely people of any working age are at greater risk of becoming unemployed.” “Our findings show that these two issues can interact and create a self-fulfilling, negative cycle. There is a need for greater recognition of the wider societal impacts of loneliness in the working-age population.” (ANI)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
38
OH, MY KNEE! IS THE PAIN AGE RELATED OR SOMETHING ELSE? My knees have been hurting a lot over the last two months. They can be agonising at times. Is this a normal part of the ageing process? Reduced mobility, different job habits, and altered lifestyles all had a negative impact on people’s bone and joint health in the last two years of the pandemic. Working from home for about 10 hours a day, sitting all the time, being able to eat whatever they want, not having an exercise regimen, going for walks, smoking, and alcohol consumption, among other factors, have an impact on the joints of the majority of people in the country. You think this pain is caused by arthritis. Arthritis is not always present; it may come and go. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints in a nutshell. What causes Arthritis? Understanding how joints operate can help to determine what causes arthritis. To support our weight and provide functional structure, our bones are thick and robust. Bones, on the other hand, contain nerves. Movement would irritate those nerves if there was nothing in between the connecting bones. On the ends of our bones, our bodies basically have a cap. The shock-absorbing and load-bearing cartilage on the ends of bones is known as Articular cartilage. Joint fluid bathes healthy cartilage. Joint fluid is quite thick like engine oil and very cushioning at moderate speeds. It distributes the strain over the joint and protects it when you’re doing heavy tasks. When you run at high speeds, however, it thins down and becomes considerably less thick, providing less resistance and allowing the joint to move very swiftly. Dr. Biren Nadkarni, Sr. Consultant Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon at Sitaram Bhartia Institute and Holy Family
Hospital, New Delhi explained that “people became inactive as a result of the pandemic and have been away from their fitness regimen and activities for the past two years. Now that the pandemic limitations have been lifted, individuals should be cautious when returning to their preCovid lifestyle and exercise regimen,” he added, adding that “people should test themselves for any bone-related issues that may have gone unnoticed because of the lockdown”.
causes swelling, irritation, and discomfort in the joints.”
He further explains that “as we age, the cartilage in our joints can break down into little fragments, resulting in arthritis. These particles may float to the surface of the joint and become trapped there. This creates inflammation, which leads to the production of additional fluid. This
How can you know if you have arthritis and how to cure it?
Early in the day, everyone has more substantial pain and stiffness. The fluid offers joints a more frictionless glide as the body moves. Pressure and stress, on the other hand, might cause the pain to reappear. As the cartilage wears down even further, the pain becomes much severe.
An x-ray is the initial step in diagnosing arthritis. This can indicate the presence of arthritis, but not the severity of joint discomfort. “Because arthritis is caused by inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs that are available overthe-counter can help. When anti-inflammatory medication fails to relieve pain, an injection into the painful location is usually the next step,” said Dr. Biren Nadkarni Seeing an orthopaedic consultant is a good place to start. There are several excellent conservative-approach alternatives. Bracing can also be used to help support the joint and improve mobility. Physical treatment can also be beneficial. When everything else fails, joint replacement may be the best option. By Dr Biren Nadkarni
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
39
PLAN A PERFECT DATE FOR MOTHER’S DAY Mother’s Day is around the corner, it’s is a special day, but so are all of the others. However, if you are unsure about doing something special for your mother on Mother’s Day, do something fun with her instead.
Take your mother out on a date and spend the day doing fun things together. Go shopping: Shopping is something that most women enjoy, regardless of their age. Take your mother to the mall this Sunday to try on clothes, get a make-up makeover, and simply have fun. Choose some nice outfits for her and get her whatever she wants, whether it’s clothes, accessories, bags or shoes. She did our shopping
while we were in school. It’s now time to repay the favour. Spa Day: Set up a spa day for your mother and join her for a day of relaxation. Most spas allow you to use the entire facility for the day if you book just one service, but why stop there? Get a manicure and pedicure, visit the steam room, get a facial and massage, eat a delicious lunch, and then unwind by the pool. You can also get your hair and makeup
done before you leave! Watch a movie together: The best thing you can do is watch a movie with your mother. So, get your tickets for the two of you, and don’t forget to bring some popcorn and something to drink! Go on a road trip: Nothing beats the open road for relaxation, and road trips are a great way to get away from the stresses of everyday life. It’s the ideal time to have heartfelt conversations with your mother while listening to your favourite music. Get tattooed together: A mother-daughter tattoo is a great way to show off their special relationship. Tattoos hold a special meaning for many people, especially when they are identical or were created together. It tells stories of love, fights and laughter while also expressing love and feelings for one another. Dinner Date: Your mother’s true desire is to spend time with you. Taking her out to dinner will finally make her day, and it will undoubtedly earn you the title of Favorite Child. By Olivia Sarkar
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
40
HEALTH
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Loss of vision leading cause of anxiety, depression in elderly Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which accounts for 8.7 per cent of all blindness worldwide, is the most common cause of anxiety, and depression seen among people older than 60 years, health experts said. AMD is a disease where abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula - centre part of the retina - causing damage to the central vision and making it difficult to cope. Recent projections estimate that globally the number of individuals suffering with AMD will reach 288 million in 2040. In India, the overall prevalence of AMD currently ranges from 1.4 per cent to 3.1 per cent. The earliest symptom of AMD is difficulty in seeing at night. At a later stage, AMD patients see blind spots and their ability to read, watch television, drive and recognise faces gets affected. It later progresses to blindness. The impaired vision disturbs the routine of the patients, makes them dependent and also increases functional disability. “People suffering from AMD, who have lost over 80 per cent of their central vision are
While it is important to go for walks, supervise things at home, to manage depression, Dr. Vishali Gupta, Professor, Vitreoretinal and Uvea, Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh suggested the patients to engage in activities that they can do within the comfort zone of their vision. more likely to have anxiety and depression. This is mainly as they have plans to retire smoothly and find it difficult to read and perform recreational activities at this stage in life, which causes frustration and discomfort. Their life involves multiple visits to hospital accompanied with expensive treatments, which adds to deterioration in the quality of life,” Dr. Indu Singh, Consultant Retinal surgeon and Director, Dr Daljit Singh Eye Hospital, Amritsar, said. A recent study by International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also confirmed that AMD has a negative psychological impact, and it reduces the quality of life to levels comparable to severe illnesses like cancer and stroke.
“These patients should use magnifiers, iPads or other low vision aid devices that can help them read the script. Today there are apps that can read books to them. The idea is to keep oneself busy and feel useful,” Gupta said. Another way to fight AMD related stress is to go for regular screening in order to avoid worsening of vision. Early diagnosis of AMD can help early treatment and also halt progression to vision loss. Dr. Daraius Shroff, a retina specialist at Shroff Eye Centre in Delhi, suggested patients with AMD share with family and friends their anxieties to help relieve mental stress as well as to gain support to find solutions to alleviate depression. (ANI)
Intense exercise while dieting may curb cravings for fatty food
Do you crave for cheesy burgers and fries while on a diet? Doing high intensity exercise while dieting may dampen your cravings for fatty food, finds a study conducted on mice.
In the experiment, Brown and colleagues from WSU and University of Wyoming put 28 rats through training with a lever that when pressed, turned on a light and made a tone before dispensing a high-fat pellet.
In the study led by Washington State University, rats on a 30-day diet who exercised intensely, resisted cues for favoured, high-fat food pellets, offering hope for human dieters.
After the training period, they tested to see how many times the rats would press the lever just to get the light and tone cue.
The experiment was designed to test resistance to the phenomenon known as “incubation of craving,” meaning the longer a desired substance is denied, the harder it is to ignore signals for it. The findings, published in the journal Obesity, suggest that exercise modulated how hard the rats were willing to work for cues associated with the pellets, reflecting how much they craved them. While more research needs to be done, the study may indicate that exercise can shore up restraint when it comes to certain foods, said Travis Brown, a physiology and neuroscience
The researchers then split the rats into two groups: one underwent a regime of highintensity treadmill running; the other had no additional exercise outside of their regular activity. Both sets of rats were denied access to the high-fat pellets for 30 days. researcher at Washington State University. “A really important part of maintaining a diet is to have some brain power -- the ability to say ‘no, I may be craving that, but I’m going to abstain,’” said Brown. “Exercise could not only be beneficial physically for weight loss but also mentally to gain control over cravings for unhealthy foods.”
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
At the end of that period, the researchers gave the rats access to the levers that once dispensed the pellets again, but this time when the levers were pressed, they only gave the light and tone cue. The animals that did not get exercise pressed the levers significantly more than rats that had exercised, indicating that exercise lessened the craving for the pellets.
(IANS)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
ASK DR. RAJ…
Health tip:
This months Q: Q: Hello Dr Raj, I have scabies and would like to know if there is successful treatment in Homeopathy. Ms A? A:
Dear Ms.A, As you already know, scabies is a contagious disorder of the skin caused by very small wingless insects or mites called the Human Itch mite or Scabies itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The female insect burrows into the skin where she lays 1 - 3 eggs daily. A very small, hard to see, zigzag blister usually marks the trail of the insect as she lays her eggs. Other more obvious symptoms are an intense itching (especially at night) and a red rash that can occur at the area that has been scratched.
overall constitution. PSORINUM, SULPHUR, CAUSTICUM etc are some of the most popular, however, their properties are different and need to be prescribed by a Homeopath only. Treatment (or preventive) for all family and close contacts may be required. Also a thorough cleaning of environment is recommended to avoid reinfection.
Conventional medicine treats scabies with permethrin, lindane etc, all potent insecticides available by prescription.
The Indian neem tree is a natural pesticide and safe for the human body but may not be available here. Applying turmeric paste on the affected area can help prevent spreading. Please call for further discussions.
Homeopathy can successfully treat Scabies. There are a variety of remedies available based on the symptoms and your
Please send any of your health related questions to drraj@aurahealth.com.au with Ask Dr Raj as the subject line or ph: 94788649 / 0425761826. The questions will be published with your identity protected.
By Raj Kothuru
41
Men dealing with stretch marks can rub lotion high in Vitamin E into the troubled areas. Coconut oil also helps speed up the healing process
The Pros and Cons of Using General Anaesthesia for Sleep Dentistry
Sleep dentistry answers the need for anxious patients to help them stay calm during dental procedures. A widely used form of sedation for the same is general anaesthesia. Many patients have benefited by using it for getting dental problems solved. Are you planning to go for it too? Well, this article has found you at the right time then. It might be beneficial to weigh all your options before you go under the knife. Let us quickly have a look at the pros and cons of using general anaesthesia for sleep dentistry. Pros 1. Easy to operate General anaesthesia makes the patient completely unconscious. They cannot move by will. This gives dentists the room they much required to operate on patients’ teeth, which must have been difficult had the patient being conscious. Some patients such as children, people with nervous system issues, and anxious people cannot lay still on the dentist’s chair. General anaesthesia makes it an easy experience for both patient and dentist. 2. Amnesia A person under the effect of general anaesthesia may experience amnesia, that is a complete loss of memory for the duration of their dental procedure. Many patients who suffer from past bad experience memories and dental anxiety or phobia might prefer this feature. As the general anaesthesia is the deepest form of sedation, the patients do not have any painful memories of the dental treatment they undergo. 3. Rapid onset General anaesthesia is also preferred for its rapid onset. The time taken for the effects to show is less compared to other sedatives. This is helpful in cases where a quick dental work is required. It is also helpful when a person has met with an accident and has other injuries to be treated too. A lot of time can be saved. 4. Suitable for the majority of patients Sedation dentistry using general anaesthesia is largely suitable for patients with special needs. For example, people who cannot stop involuntary movements due to central nervous system condition, children who find it difficult to keep their mouths open or to stay steady for long durations, wisdom teeth removals, major dental treatments, etc. General anaesthesia sets all these issues aside and helps the patient have the dental care they need. Cons 1. Advanced training is required
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
Not every medical professional can administer anaesthesia. A physician or dentist who wishes to administer general anaesthesia must have to complete a professional full-time training in anesthesiology. It requires absolute precision and knowledge to be able to administer general anaesthesia to patients. 2. A trained team is required Along with the training for the anaesthetist, a competent team of anaesthesia assistant and a circulating nurse is required for the administration of anaesthesia at a hospital or dental clinic. If you are planning to undergo sleep dentistry, check if the dentist has the required personnel in his team. 3. Need for proper equipment and facilities When sedated with general anaesthesia, monitoring the unconscious patient becomes necessary. A hospital or dental clinic must have all the equipment needed to perform dental surgery along with monitoring the state of the patient. It takes time to wear off. Patients also require a recovery room wherein to recover after the dental surgery for a short while. 4. Limiting conditions Although being best for many patients, general anaesthesia is not meant for many others. The state and reaction to sedation may vary from person to person. You need to make sure you are the right candidate before proceeding with sleep dentistry by sharing your medical history with the dentist. At Healthy Smiles, we treat each patient carefully and ascertain their candidature for sedation dentistry by carrying out extensive research on their medical history. Also, we have the most advanced and efficient equipment, qualified and practising anaesthetist, and a whole team of experienced professionals to help carry out a general anaesthetic sleep dentistry procedure. Feel free to ask us about your dental care queries, we would be delighted to help. Drop by at our clinic in Blackburn or call us on 03 9877 2035 for more information. 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
42
HEALTH
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Study reveals why 7 hours of sleep is optimal in middle age Seven hours is the ideal amount of sleep for people in their middle age and upwards as a new study has found that both insufficient or excessive sleep is associated with poorer cognitive performance and mental health, including dementia. The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, indicates that one possible reason for the association between insufficient sleep and cognitive decline may be due to the disruption of slow-wave -- ‘deep’ -- sleep. Disruption to this type of sleep has been shown to have a close link with memory consolidation as well as the build-up of amyloid -- a key protein which, when it misfolds, can cause ‘tangles’ in the brain characteristic of some forms of dementia. Additionally, lack of sleep may hamper the brain’s ability to rid itself of toxins, said researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University. For the study, the team examined data from nearly 500,000 adults aged 38-73 years from the
UK Biobank. Participants were asked about their sleeping patterns, mental health and well-being, and took part in a series of cognitive tests. Brain imaging and genetic data were available for almost 40,000 of the study participants. By analysing these data, the team found that both insufficient and excessive sleep duration was associated with impaired cognitive performance, such as processing
speed, visual attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Seven hours of sleep per night was the optimal amount of sleep for cognitive performance, but also for good mental health, with people experiencing more symptoms of anxiety and depression and worse overall wellbeing if they reported sleeping for longer or shorter durations, the researchers said. (IANS)
Magic mushroom helps ‘open up’ brains of people with depression A psychedelic compound found in psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, can help to “open up” depressed people’s brains, enabling brain regions to talk more freely to one another, finds a study. Psilocybin is one of a number of psychedelics being explored as a potential therapy for psychiatric disorders. Several studies have trialled a synthesised form of the drug to treat patients with depression and anxiety, with promising results. A team at Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research believes to have untangled how psilocybin exerts its therapeutic effects on the brain. The new results, taken from two combined studies including about 60 adults, reveal that people who responded to psilocybin-assisted therapy showed increased brain connectivity not just during their treatment, but up to three weeks afterwards. This “opening up” effect was associated with self-reported improvements in their depression.
“The effect seen with psilocybin is consistent across two studies, related to people getting better, and was not seen with a conventional antidepressant,” said Professor Robin CarhartHarris, from University of California, San Francisco.
However, similar changes in brain connectivity were not seen in those treated with a conventional antidepressant (called escitalopram), suggesting the psychedelic works differently in treating depression.
“In previous studies we had seen a similar effect in the brain when people were scanned whilst on a psychedelic, but here we’re seeing it weeks after treatment for depression, which suggests ‘carry over’ of the acute drug action,” Carhart-Harris, who was former Head of the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research.
According to the team, the findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, are a promising advance for psilocybin therapy, with the effects replicated across two studies.
The researchers added that while followup data is still being analysed for participants, initial changes in brain activity one day following treatment were a good predictor of whether a person would still show improvement at six months.
They explain that patterns of brain activity in depression can become rigid and restricted, and that psilocybin could potentially help the brain to break out of this rut in a way that traditional therapies cannot.
However, they cautioned that patients with depression should not attempt to self-medicate with psilocybin, as taking magic mushrooms or psilocybin in the absence of safeguards may not have a positive outcome. (IANS)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
43
Scientists claim zinc, copper mix food supplement can fight viruses Israeli scientists have claimed that a special food supplement containing zinc, copper and chemicals that are found in fruit may help fight viruses.
Zinc is known to have anti-viral qualities, but also to struggle to enter cells. The other ingredients in the new supplement appear to bolster its ability to do so, Segal said.
A team from Tel Aviv University showed that a mixture of the three food supplements, each approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), appears to be a very capable of inhibiting replication of RNA viruses in a remarkable way’.
SARS-CoV-2, the RNA virus that causes Covid-19, hasn’t yet been tested, but Segal said he is optimistic its replication may also be slowed given results on other viruses from the coronavirus family. “Such an inexpensive combination of dietary supplements would be highly advantageous to have, alongside vaccines, as a safe prevention method affecting various RNA respiratory viruses,” Segal said.
In the study, published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, the team tested the mixture in the lab on cells from human lungs and elsewhere, along with RNA viruses including those that cause flu and the common cold. Scientists found that virus replication was decreased by at least 50 per cent compared to normal circumstances. “We have a mixture of ingredients, each of which is already approved by the FDA as a food supplement, and together appear very capable of inhibiting replication of RNA viruses in a remarkable way,” Prof Daniel Segal, from Tel Aviv University’s biomedicine school, was quoted as saying.
However, he acknowledged that the peerreviewed research took place in-vitro and gave no firm indication so far of what impact on humans the supplements may have, the report said. Beyond the zinc and copper, the compounds in the supplement are flavonoids, which are found in certain fruits and vegetables and are considered safe as a supplement.
“These results are very promising, possibly enabling the development of an orally administered treatment,” added Prof. Ehud Gazit, head of Tel Aviv University’s Blavatnik Center for Drug Discovery and part of the study. He said that such a product would reflect an “important step forward,” as it would be safe, natural, and potentially effective against a range of viruses and variants. (IANS)
Smoking reduces wealth’s tendency to increase life expectancy Smoking may dominate other factors, including the amount of wealth, in shortening lifespan, says a new study.
6,320 participants to examine the effects of childhood socioeconomic status, education, occupation, income, wealth, and smoking history on mortality for adults aged 20-92 years old.
A researcher, from the University of California, Riverside, said that the finding further confirmed that smoking shortens our lives and that abstaining from smoking might be cheaper and more effective for living longer.
In fully adjusted models, the researchers found that wealth outpaced all other measures of socioeconomic status associated with living past age 65.
“Our results suggest that even if wealth has a causal effect on mortality, it cannot compete with the impact of smoking. If you want to live longer, you better avoid the cancer sticks,” said co-author Dana Glei from Georgetown University.
and current smokers. Due to how the data was collected, wealth was measured in 1995 dollars. $300,000 is the equivalent of $558,000 today.
The new study found that the percentage of Americans surviving from age 65 to 85 was 19 percentage points higher for someone with at least $300,000 in wealth than for those with no assets.
The wealth-related disparity in mortality was larger than the disparities in education, occupation, income, or childhood socioeconomic status. But smoking made the greatest difference among all factors.
But there was a 37-percentage point difference between those who never smoked
For the study, the team used data from
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
Mortality declined at higher levels of wealth, but wealth above $500,000 (in 1995 dollars) yielded no further mortality benefit. This amount is the equivalent of more than $925,000 today. For smokers, however, the picture was much grimmer. Above age 65, the mortality rate among current smokers was three times higher than never-smokers. Former smokers had significantly lower mortality than current smokers, but slightly higher mortality than never-smokers. (IANS)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
44
SANJAY DUTT
REMEMBERS MOM NARGIS ON HER DEATH ANNIVERSARY
Aamir Khan to launch ‘Laal Singh Chaddha Ki Kahaniyaan’ podcast
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt took to social media to remember his mother and veteran actress Nargis on her 41st death anniversary. The actor shared a heartfelt note about his mother the late Nargis Dutt on her death anniversary. He wrote a heart-touching caption: “Not a single moment goes by when I don’t remember you. Ma, you were the basis of my life and the strength of my soul.” “I wish my wife and kids would have met you for you to give them all your love and blessings. I miss you today and every day!” Sanjay’s recently released ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ is breaking records globally and his character of ‘Adheera’ is also garnering immense love from the audience.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who is known for his creative bent of mind when it comes to film marketing and promotions, this time has another idea up his sleeve for his upcoming film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ where he stars opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Sanjay Dutt has some exciting projects coming up like ‘Shamshera’, ‘Ghudchadi’, and ‘Prithiviraj’. (IANS)
AKSHAY KUMAR
The actor is all set to release his own podcast, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha Ki Kahaniyaan’.
COMPLETES 30 YEARS IN CINEMA, YRF CELEBRATES WITH SPECIAL ‘PRITHVIRAJ’ POSTER Actor Akshay Kumar has completed 30 years in the Hindi film industry and Yash Raj Films celebrated his special milestone by creating a new ‘Prithviraj’ poster, which features every single film that the actor has been a part of. Akshay in a video shared by the production house is heard saying: “It didn’t even cross my mind that this activity is happening to celebrate my 30 years in cinema! It’s fascinating that 30 years have passed since my first film Saugandh! “The first shot of my film career was at Ooty and it was an action shot! Thank you very much for this gesture. This is really special.”
Akshay’s next ‘Prithviraj’ is based on the life and valour of the fearless and mighty Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. He is essaying the role of the legendary warrior who fought valiantly against the merciless invader Muhammad of Ghor. The film has been directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, who is best known for directing the television epic ‘Chanakya’ and the critically acclaimed film ‘Pinjar’. Manushi Chhillar plays the role of King Prithviraj’s beloved Sanyogita. The film is set to release on June 3 in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. (IANS)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
The move will allow Aamir to communicate and connect with the audience as he will discuss ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, behind-the-scenes action, anecdotes from the making of the film, the music, interesting incidents from the set and other such intriguing ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ stories. The first Aamir Khan podcast is expected to be out on May 5 and will be available on T-Series’ YouTube channel, Saavn and RedFM. ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Viacom18 Studios, has been directed by Advait Chandan from a screenplay written by Eric Roth and Atul Kulkarni. The film is a remake of the Tom Hanks-starrer ‘Forrest Gump’ which debuted in theatres in 1994. ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ is all set to release on August 11 in theatres worldwide. (IANS)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
45
ALIA BHATT ELATED AS ‘GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI’ BECOMES TOP NON-ENGLISH FILM ON NETFLIX Alia Bhatt is extremely happy as her film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ has become the top non-English film on Netflix globally. “It’s amazing to see how great stories continue to find new audiences, within India and beyond with Netflix. With all the love that Gangubai Kathiawadi has been receiving from its viewers all over the world, I’m rendered speechless. I’ve always aspired to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and to have our film find a home on Netflix and receive the splendid response it did, fills me with gratitude,” Alia said. “Streaming services, especially Netflix, break barriers of borders and languages and allow stories to find newer audiences every day. To see Gangubai Kathiawadi trend at #1 in Non-English films globally on Netflix and in the Top 10 in 25 countries from Australia, Canada to the United Kingdom is simply overwhelming,” she further said. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, which was released in theatres on February 25, revolves
around a girl sold by a suitor into prostitution and how she becomes a prominent and celebrated figure in the underworld and Kamathipua red-light district. Bhansali, too, expressed his happiness. “’Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is a special film that I hold very close to my
heart. The audience loved it when it was released in theatres and now, with Netflix, we are delighted to see how wide the film has been able to reach, finding new audiences. Its success on Netflix reinforces that Gangubai’s story of fight for justice for women is truly universal,” he shared. Also, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is one of the films to enter the 100-crore club this year.
(ANI)
On her 34th birthday, Anushka talks about work-family life balance
As she turned 34 on Sunday, actressproducer Anushka Sharma spoke about workfamily life balance and how she is focusing on being a part of the best scripts that the Hindi film industry has to offer. That, she said, would make it worth staying away from her one-yearold toddler Vamika.
of the films that she does.
Anushka says, “I will always want to be a part of the best scripts that come my way. I feel blessed that I am in a position today to select the type of films that I want to do, which also justifies the time that I will spend away from my child.
“As and when those come to me, I will be more than happy to do it. That’s how I’m approaching my career right now,” she says.
“I have always been a seeker of balance in life and my priority now lies there. I want to focus on my work life and my family life in equal measure.” The actress says her focus is on the quality
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
“I’m always looking for these special scripts that fill me up with joy. I will always be open to doing projects that are incredibly interesting, represents women in cinema correctly and is also disruptive and content forward.
Anushka will be next seen in ‘Chakda Xpress’, a film that traces India’s fast bowler Jhulan Goswami’s inspirational journey as she moves up the ladder despite hindrances posed by misogynistic politics to fulfil her dream of playing the sport for the country. (IANS)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
46
Rakul Preet Singh had tough time performing in front of Big B in ‘Runway 34’ Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh, who has been garnering positive response for her work in the recently released Ajay Devgn directorial ‘Runway 34’, has spoken about the challenges that she encountered during the filming of the project where she had to act and emote in front of a towering personality like Amitabh Bachchan. Elaborating on the same, she said: “Most challenging part was to perform the courtroom scene with Mr. Bachchan. I had to show the tension and vulnerability without showing any retaliation or dialogues at the beginning. “The fear, vulnerability, loyalty towards the company and dilemma of the character along with the tension and panic created by Mr. Bachchan’s character had to be shown through the eyes as the character was not allowed to speak.” But it was a blessing for her to have performed in front of the Bollywood megastar as it enhanced her performance in the film as well. “I feel when you have a strong actor
like him performing in front of you, your performance elevates too as you can feed on his energy and focus on giving
your best,” Rakul concluded. (IANS)
Rasika Duggal set to scare in supernatural horror ‘Adhura’ Actress Rasika Duggal is quite excited about her upcoming show ‘Adhura’ in which she has got a chance to explore a new genre of horror. ‘Adhura’ outlines a story set in an elite boarding school with a dark secret that will shake up the lives of everyone connected to it. Directed by Gaurav Chawla and Ananya Banerjee, it is also featuring Ishwak Singh. Rasika said, “It is exciting for me to experiment with a new genre. And that too supernatural horror. I am easily spooked and therefore haven’t watched any horror story at all. So, this one is all kinds of new for me. With this script, I realised on the second day of the shoot that I couldn’t go over my lines after 5 pm if I wanted a good night’s sleep. What is special about the show is that besides having all the elements of horror, the story is also very poignant.” The show will be releasing on Prime Video.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
(IANS)
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
47
Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani spotted together amid break up reports Seems like all is well between Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani as the two were spotted together at Arpita Khan and Aayush Sharma’s Eid party on Tuesday night, days after their breakup reports surfaced on the internet.
any event together ever since the news circulated in the media about their separation, leaving their fans elated.
They posed separately for the shutterbugs upon their arrival but went inside the venue together after seeing each other. A big Smile was clearly visible on Kiara and Sidharth’s faces.
Sidharth and Kiara, who featured together in ‘Shershaah’, have been speculated to be dating for a long time now. However, they have neither denied nor confirmed their relationship yet.
This is for the first time that Sidharth and Kiara have attended
“My cuties,” a social media user commented “Forever together,” another one wrote.
(ANI)
Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff is going full steam with preparation for three action films that require him to achieve peak fitness and the physique to match his roles. Speaking about his prep, Tiger confides, “I’m currently preparing for a very challenging and interesting schedule planned for ‘Ganapath’. It needs me to get into a certain kind of physicality, for which I’m currently training.”
TIGER SHROFF GIVES A SNEAK PEEK INTO PREP FOR HIS UPCOMING FILMS
He further adds, “Post that, we get into the prep for ‘Rambo’, which is very different from what is being done in ‘Ganapath’. And then, I will get into ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ with Akshay sir, and I’m really looking forward to it.” With three movie projects in the pipeline, Tiger Shroff is all set to charm the audience. Known for his charming smile and amazing dance moves, Tiger has a great fan following. (IANS)
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
FOOD
48
bon appétit
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Did you know:
Black beans are high in phytochemical anthocyanins. Studies indicate the darker the bean, the higher it is in antioxidants
The Age of
Dawns Mixology
J
ust before the world was paralysed by the pandemic, iconic restaurants were making way for resto-bars. Economic reforms had made a variety of drinks and imported food items available and waves of globalisation lapping our shores were creating ripples of aspirations. At the same time, there was much greater health consciousness, and the hardworking professionals were deterred from imbibing harmful intoxicating beverages.
highballs, old fashioned for low balls, martinis and gimlets in thin stemmed glasses and so on.
This has made it possible for sparkling, colourful mocktails to challenge traditional cocktails. The person-professional or amateur-- who mixed drinks in the good old days was called a bartender. Sommelier, the connoisseur curator who dazzled the gourmet with an encyclopaedic knowledge of wines has become Jurassic. Mixologists are working centre stage and enjoying the spotlight. The age of mixology has dawned. The surging trend of pairing food with wines or teas was bewitching the young. This continues to be the happening thing as lives return to normal and the hospitality business is gathering momentum slowly.
Gone are the days when mixed coolers like 'Long Island Iced Tea' or 'Planter's Punch' were prepared without a drop of tea. What is in vogue are mocktails without a drop of alcohol injurious to health.
The past, we are told, is a foreign land where they do things differently. As we age, the present too at times becomes a strange place with confusing language. There was a time, not very long ago when things were simple--cocktails meant mixed alcoholic drinks that enhance the potency of the beverage. The sophisticated elite imbibed them. Remember James Bond ordering his Martinis shaken not stirred? At times fruit juices were added to reduce the intoxicating content. Bloody Mary blended Vodka with tomato juice and other tall cool drinks paired a spirit with orange juice, soda, bitters or cream. Specific cocktails were served in special glasses--tall collins glasses for
It has been suggested that cocktails were created to disguise the taste of cheap spirits when prohibition was imposed. Others opine that the motivation was to enhance the potency of what was poured into the glass. 'Mix n Match' may also have been inspired by making the most of what was at hand.
As scorching summer descends on us mixologists are busy resurrecting extinct sherbets and creating cool recipes to quench our thirst. There was a time when a restaurant was known by the chef presiding over the kitchen. Nowadays it's increasingly the charismatic mixologist who attracts guests like a magnet. The art and science of mixology is treated as a specialised academic discipline and reputed culinary institutions are offering offline and online courses. A number of professionally qualified chefs have branched off into this emerging field. KAMA is the nom de guerre of one such Indian chef Kamalaksh K (alumnus of IHM Pusa) turned mixologist. His special claim to fame is The Big Bhaang Theory--propagating legalised therapeutic use of cannabis steering clear of any intoxicating parts of the notorious plant. He has resurrected traditional Chandan and Sattu sherbets and brewed a sugarless Stevia Tea. His experimentations continue to lure
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
tipplers off and on the wagon to his Drinking Safari Pit Stop on Gwal Pahari. He has won laurels with homegrown wellness-inspired mixed drinks at international mixology summits and has conceptualised a number of resto-bars and happening clubs. How times have changed! Earlier wines were paired with food. Now, food-small eats and canapes/ tapas- are created to match the mixed drinks on the table. Mixology is trending outside the Capital as well. The Cauldron Sisterss in Jaipur live by a strictly vegetarian code and have acquired an enviable reputation for their cocktails. Recently, they have started offering lost gems like Neera tapped from the date palm tree before sunrise as the sap ferments fast and become toddy. Neera and coconut water along with fruit and flower juices--jamun and rhododendron- are increasingly being used in mocktails and super coolants. Virgin Mary and Virgin Mojito are passe. Bottled panna and thandai flavoured and coloured synthetically and with added preservatives are losing favour with those who like to shake or stir their drinks without an artificial high. Gender biases take a long time to die but in the mixology world, the barriers are breaking. Mocktails and mixed sherbets are no longer for ladies only. The men with bulging biceps and enviable abs are also unabashedly reaching out for non-alcoholic highballs, old fashioned and smaller 'shots'. In passing, we may add that promoting prohibition is one of the directive principles in the Indian constitution and this trend seems to be quite in step with the temper of the times! By Pushpesh Pant
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
49
Did You Know-Vegetarian children have similar growth
and nutrition compared to meat-eating children
A
ccording to a new study at St. Michael's Hospital, nearly 9,000 children found those who eat a vegetarian diet had similar measures of growth and nutrition compared to children who eat meat. The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Paediatrics'. Researchers also found that children with a vegetarian diet had higher odds of underweight weight status, emphasizing the need for special care when planning the diets of vegetarian kids. The findings come as a shift to consuming a plant-based diet grows in Canada. In 2019, updates to Canada's Food Guide urged Canadians to embrace plant-based proteins, such as beans and tofu, instead of meat. "Over the last 20 years we have seen the growing popularity of plant-based diets and a changing food environment with more access to plant-based alternatives, however, we have not seen research into the nutritional outcomes of children following vegetarian diets in Canada," said Dr Jonathon Maguire, lead author of the study and a paediatrician at St. Michael's Hospital of Unity Health Toronto. "This study demonstrates that Canadian
children following vegetarian diets had similar growth and biochemical measures of nutrition compared to children consuming non-vegetarian diets. The vegetarian diet was associated with higher odds of underweight weight status, underscoring the need for careful dietary planning for children with underweight when considering vegetarian diets." Researchers evaluated 8,907 children aged six months to eight years. The children were all participants of the target kids’ cohort study and data was collected between 2008 and 2019. Participants were categorized by vegetarian status - defined as a dietary pattern that excludes meat - or nonvegetarian status. Researchers found children who had a vegetarian diet had similar mean body mass index (BMI), height, iron, vitamin D, and cholesterol levels compared to those who consumed meat. The findings showed evidence that children with a vegetarian diet had almost two-fold higher odds of having underweight, which is defined as below the third percentile for BMI. There was no evidence of an association with overweight or obesity.
Underweight is an indicator of undernutrition and may be a sign that the quality of the child's diet is not meeting the child's nutritional needs to support normal growth. For children who eat a vegetarian diet, the researchers emphasized access to healthcare providers who can provide growth monitoring, education and guidance to support their growth and nutrition. International guidelines about vegetarian diet in infancy and childhood have differing recommendations, and past studies that have evaluated the relationship between vegetarian diet and childhood growth and nutritional status have had conflicting findings. "Plant-based dietary patterns are recognized as a healthy eating pattern due to increased intake of fruits, vegetables, fibre, whole grains, and reduced saturated fat; however, few studies have evaluated the impact of vegetarian diets on childhood growth and nutritional status. Vegetarian diets appear to be appropriate for most children," said Dr Maguire, who is also a scientist at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital.
(ANI)
Eating 20% less beef may halve deforestation by 2050
S
ubstituting 20 per cent of beef with microbial protein -- a meat alternative produced in fermentation tanks -- could halve deforestation by 2050, suggests a study. The study by a team at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany showed that fungi-based meat alternatives may help save Earth's forests. While beef farming is a top driver of deforestation worldwide, more and more forests that store a lot of carbon are being cleared for cattle grazing or growing its feed. This also increases methane -- a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Thus, eating 20 per cent less meat may also halve the carbon emissions associated with beef,
revealed the study published in Nature. "The food system is at the root of a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with ruminant meat production being the single largest source," said lead author Florian Humpenoder, researcher at PIK. Part of the solution could be existing biotechnology: nutritious protein-rich biomass with meat-like texture produced from microbes like fungi through fermentation, what scientists call "microbial protein". It is made in specific cultures just like beer or bread. The microbes are living on sugar and a steady temperature and getting out a protein-rich product that can taste like, feel like and be as nutritious as red meat. Based on the centuries-old method of fermentation, it was developed in the 1980s. The US Food and Drug Administration greenlighted a microbial protein meat alternative (mycoprotein) as safe in 2002. "The good news is that people do not need to be afraid they can eat only greens in the future.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
They can continue eating burgers and the like, it's just that those burger patties will be produced in a different way." The team of researchers from Germany and Sweden included microbial protein in a computer simulation model to detect the environmental effects in the context of the whole food and agriculture system, as opposed to previous studies at the level of single products. Under a business-as-usual scenario, meat consumption will likely continue to rise in the future, and more and more forests as well as non-forest natural vegetation may be doomed to extinction for pastures and cropland. The team found that swapping 20 per cent of the world's per-capita beef consumption with mycoprotein by 2050 would reduce methane emissions by 11 per cent and halve the annual deforestation and associated emissions. At the same time substituting "50 per cent of the beef consumed per person for mycoprotein would result in a more than 80 per cent reduction in deforestation and carbon emissions and replacing 80 per cent of beef with mycoprotein would eliminate about 90 per cent of forest loss," the researchers said in the paper. "So, replacing minced red meat with microbial protein would be a great start to reduce the detrimental impacts of present-day beef production," Humpenoder added. (IANS)
50
DIET
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Adding extra spice to your life
-the benefits of herbs and spices BY DEEVYA GUPTA
T
raditional Indian recipes have been using spices and herbs for centuries. Good news- there has been an abundance of research into the role herbs and spices play on our health. Apart from just giving foods flavour and colour, herbs and spices possess other benefits such as being anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, affect on cognition and mood, glucose and cholesterol lowering. Another benefit of adding extra herbs and spices to your foods regularly may be reducing your need for adding extra salts for flavour to foods which furthers the benefits observed including lowering blood pressure.
Chilli foods
A study found that frequent consumption of spicy food was linked to lower death rates related to cancer, heart conditions, and diabetes. Regular consumption of red chilli/pepper/ capsicum has been linked to increasing antioxidants, anti-inflammation effects, improved heart health, decreasing blood glucose levels (when consuming 5 grams or more), reducing hunger levels, fat burning in the body, effects on blood pressure and heart rates, assisting with stomach ulcers, and improving gut health.
Cinnamon (Dal-chini)
Cinnamon contains natural antibacterial and antifungal components. In addition to this it also has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant affects particularly in a study with those who had
diabetes. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure have also been reduced with cinnamon intake, therefore also improving heart health outcomes. Cinnamon has also been associated with reduced fasting blood glucose levels (supplements of 3g per day) however there is still more concrete evidence to come in this area. Cinnamon has also been linked with neuroprotective effects (such as treating those with Alzheimer’s disease) where more research may be done.
Ginger
Consuming ginger is a common remedy for assisting with nausea and vomiting. As with the above spices and herbs ginger also possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant traits, in particular studies have been completed for those who have osteoarthritis to help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with it. Ginger is also associated with reduced muscle pain after exercise if consumed regularly before starting. Insulin function and fat-burning have also been observed to be improved with regular ginger intake as well.
Black pepper
Regular consumption of black pepper may assist with asthma, digestion, heart health, reducing hunger, better absorption of certain nutrients and even improving mood. Turmeric (Haldi) Turmeric is well used in Indian cooking and is easily found in most Indian households. Turmeric has been associated with reducing damage to DNA, reducing
inflammation (and therefore pain) in the body, improving heart health and increasing HDL (good cholesterol) in the body and reducing bad cholesterol levels. Studies have also shown improvement in liver and gut health (IBS and ulcerative colitis) also. Some improvements in insulin function have also been observed with regular intake.
Fenugreek (Methi)
Improved cholesterol levels, reduced blood sugar levels have been associated with regular consumption of methi. Adding methi to meals helps to reduce the overall glycaemic index (GI) by up to 20% of the meals as it also contains fibre. This may also help you to feel fuller easily whilst eating. Fenugreek may also help with endurance exercise performance.
Garlic
Garlic is another well-known herb for inflammation as well as assisting with heart health by regulating cholesterol in the body. Garlic is also known to contain chemicals to thin blood within the body as well as potentially helping with strokes and blood clots. It also has glucose lowering properties. Garlic may also enhance overall immunity however more research is needed in this space. Overall, the key message is to continue to reduce additional intakes of salts, sugars and fats and enjoy your foods with these herbs and spices while reaping the benefits also. 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
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
RECIPE
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
Papflet Hara Masala (Pomfret fish cooked with fresh green herb paste)
Pomfret fish is an important food sources for humans. It is widely available in the Asian countries, there’s no reason why we can’t enjoy it here in Melbourne! Pomfret is healthy and wonderfully tender when steamed, baked in the oven, fried or cooked in a curry. Pomfret Fry is a mouth watering fish recipe.
INGREDIENTS
2 Pomfret (medium sized) Salt and pepper ½ tsp turmeric powder Juice of half a lemon 1 tbsp garlic paste 1 tbsp ginger paste 1 tbsp red chilli paste 2 tbsp fresh mint paste 2 tbsp fresh coriander paste 1 cup rice flour 2 tbsp olive oil Oil – to cook
METHOD
1. Clean fish and make slits on either side. 2. Marinate the fish with salt, pepper, turmeric powder and lemon juice. Set aside for 15 mins. 3. In a bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients, except the rice flour, to make a thick paste. 4. Generously apply the paste on both sides of the fish and set aside for 30 minutes or more. 5. Coat the fish with a thin layer of rice flour on each side.(optional) 6. In a pan, heat enough oil to pan fry or deep fry the fish, according to preference. Fry the fish until golden brown. 7. Serve hot with Tadka Dal and Basmati rice or Chappati.
SERVES:
Serves four people.
GARNISH:
BY MANJIT SETHI
With lemon wedges and onion rings.
TIP: Have your fish pre-cut down the
centre for better taste.
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
recipe
from the private collection
51
52
ASTROLOGY
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) Mesha (Aries)
Existing operations would fail to deliver anticipated or planned results, despite a great deal of hard work put in by you. Those seeking loans from a bank or financial institutions would probably see their projects drag along and get obstructed. There is the further likelihood of those having dealings with parties outside India or even in a different status having rough sailing and even suffering losses. Best days: 3, 12, 30 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange, Cream
Simha (Leo)
Vrishabh (Taurus)
There would be a quantum of short-duration travel, which would not bring expected gains. There is little chance of contacts being able to do much for you during this period of time. Therefore, it would be a good idea to rely on your own capacity to resolve difficulties. Overall a month during which you would have to tread carefully on a number of sensitive issues. Best days: 9, 18, 27 Lucky Colour: Green, Blue
Kanya (Virgo)
Mithuna (Gemini)
There is a distinct chance that you would gain substantially through the good offices of an elderly person. Good fortune would further help some of you in that a partnership or a professional association with a member of the female sex would prove to be extremely beneficial. Some of you would also have a way of handing your workers or subordinates in a manner that will enable you to derive optimum benefit from their services. Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow
Tula (Libra)
A satisfactory month, for your financial prospects during which you could achieve significant gains, though not entirely without difficulties. Association with gifted people of learning and spiritual stature would catalyze the successful completion of your enterprises, whatever these may be. In fact, this would imbue your entire working life with a satisfying dimension of culture and refinement.
Those engaged in overseas trade would be adversely affected and may have to face a rough patch. In fact, most of you would have to struggle quite a bit to achieve planned goals, in which task you are unlikely to achieve much success. These could get stuck up. And finally any loan application or a proposal for fresh advances from a bank or financial institutions would not have much chance of success.
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. There are some grounds for refraining from over-exertion.
Best days: 5,3 Lucky Colour: White & Orange
Best days: 3, 12 Lucky Colour: Orange, Green
Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue
Dhanu (Sagittarius)
Those dealing with the government would have to face a rough patch as would people having dealings with foreign countries, or interstate dealings. In short, most of you would have to work quite hard and struggle to achieve planned targets, in which task, despite your best efforts, no significant success would be scored. Pending loan applications, or steps for fresh advances to banks of financial institutions are unlikely to meet with success. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue
Makara (Capricorn)
Most of you would have to struggle quite a bit to realize planned objectives and even after this, may achieve little success. Traders of all descriptions and those in overseas trade have a similar fate in store for them. Professionals would do well to make allowances for a lean period, because such a provision would come in handy this month. The period ahead is not favourable and, therefore, you should maintain a low profile till this spell is over. Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue
Kumbha (Aquarius)
This month should see you do quite well financially, those in the overseas trade would do extremely well. This would also apply to traders of almost all types. What is more they would realize their full profits, In fact, this would apply to most of you. But Professionals would have an extremely satisfying time not only in terms of financial gains but also in terms of their creative output. Overall, an extremely beneficial month. Best days: 5, 3, 6 Lucky Colour: White, Green
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
M: 0425 660 220
Karkat (Cancer)
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. Any pending loan application or a new proposal for fresh advances to banks or financial institutions would have excellent chances of being approved. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue
Vrishchik (Scorpio)
Your professional prospects are quite bright during the coming month. Expected gains would accrue to you, though the work-load might increase substantially. But work would tend to become a pleasure, since the atmosphere would be free of tension and smooth. Some of your female colleagues or associates would be quite helpful to you, and do you a significant favour. Look forward to a quantity of gainful travel. Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange
Meen (Pisces)
The configuration of stars that faces you this month, is not very favourable, and as such, your financial prospects don’t look too bright. Performing arts professionals would do well to store up for the rainy day since they are going to face an extremely lean period. This is true for traders and those engaged in overseas trade.
Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White
Have a laug h
HAVE A LAUGH
Here is Some Pun Fun I think I am becoming a social vegan…. I am avoiding meets.
What do you call a bedpan in Russia? A Poo-tin
I told my wife to 6:30 is the best time embrace her mistakes. on the clock. Hands She gave me a hug down. I accidentally sprayed deodorant in my mouth. Now when I talk, I have a weird axe scent.
I think his grandma is 80% Irish. People call her Iris. What does a house wear? Address
I married my wife for her looks. Just not My brother has been the ones she’s been trying to make my dad giving me of late. wear his hearing aid. He just won’t listen I am thinking of having my ashes For lovers of English stored in a glass urn. language. Even a Remains to be seen repeat is rib tickling.
VACANCY General Cleaners $3,000 per week
For move out / end of lease cleaning Plenty of work available daily. Our current operators are earning in excess of $3,000 per week.
Call: 9826 1111 or 0415 326 685
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
53 53
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
54
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
G’DAY INDIA | MAY 2022
www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
55 55