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AUG 2021

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

VOL 15 ISSUE 172

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AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

THE EVOLVING BACKPACKER

Chasing his dreams along with his newly wedded wife; Jason Rebello wrote a book ‘Red Earth Diaries’

TRUST THE LOKI

THE MASTERCHEF WINNER 2021

Justin Narayan inspiring migrants to believe in dreams coming true

PASSAGE TO TIBET

Loki and his wife inspiring an individual with a food dream

Australian film maker Mark Gould’s tribute to Mt Kailash

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Anmol Anand, Debasree Das, Dileep Narayan, Dr Raj Kotharu, Gary Nair, Harpal Sandhu, Manjit Sethi, Narisa Dawar, Sanchita Abrol, Karthik Arasu, Abhi Narayan, Gurpal Singh, Monisha Iswaran, P. Harsora, Nandita Chakraborty, Archita Baweja, Barinderjeet Kaur, Gurpal Singh, Muktesh Chibber, Shivani Prabhu, Payel Ghosh Disclaimer: Opinions published in G’Day India are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. No advertising design or material is to be reproduced without the written consent of the editor. All copyrights reserved to G’Day India. Articles, pictures, photographs and advertisements accepted by G’Day India Pty Ltd are on the understanding that the supplier of such materials has obtained all the relevant copyrights, permissions and grants permission to G’Day India Pty Ltd to publish them. Any liability arising from failure to obtain such permission lies entirely and exclusively with the supplier. Qualities of products and services advertised in G’Day India are not guaranteed by G’Day India Pty Ltd.

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Seven Day Lockdown to Keep Victorians Safe

MELBOURNE, Aug 5: Due to the COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours – suspected to be the highly infectious Delta variant – Victoria will enter a state-wide lockdown for seven days from 8:00pm tonight, Thursday 5 August. With suspected Delta cases infectious in the community, as well as a high number of associated close contacts and exposure sites, Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer has declared stay at home restrictions will be reintroduced. This means from 8:00pm tonight, there are only five reasons to leave home: getting the food and the supplies you need, exercising for up to two hours, care or caregiving, authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home, or to get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.

Shopping and exercise must be done within 5km of your home or the nearest location. Face masks will remain mandatory indoors (not at home) and outdoors unless an exception applies – this includes all workplaces and secondary schools. Private gatherings are not permitted except for an intimate partner or nominated person visits. Public gatherings are not permitted. Exercise is limited to two people. Childcare and Early Childhood Care will remain open. Schools will close, with primary and secondary school students returning to remote learning – except for vulnerable children, and the children of authorised workers who can learn on site. Where a parent or carer indicates that a student with

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a disability cannot learn from home due to vulnerability or family stress, the school must provide on-site learning for that student. This will apply to students enrolled in specialist schools and students with a disability enrolled in mainstream schools. Higher education students will also return to remote learning, except for learning programs allowed on the Authorised Premises and Authorised Workers (APAW) List. With the Wangaratta wastewater detection and the potential that regional Victorians have been exposed to COVID-19 linked to the current outbreak, restrictions will apply statewide to keep regional Victoria safe. There are no changes to the current arrangements for border communities.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Rent Relief on The Way for Commercial Tenants

MELBOURNE, Aug 3: The Andrews Labor Government will introduce new legislation today to provide rent relief to commercial tenants that have experienced a loss in turnover of more than 30 per cent during the pandemic. Eligible businesses will benefit from rent relief through the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, with tenants and landlords encouraged to enter negotiations as soon as possible. Rent relief for eligible tenants will be calculated by comparing their turnover for the final quarter of the 2020/21 financial year with turnover from the final quarter of 2018/19. Tenants will be eligible for the scheme if the drop in turnover is greater than 30 per

cent. The percentage drop will also determine the amount of initial rent relief available to the tenant. The Government is ensuring new businesses don’t miss out on this assistance. Special arrangements will be in place to assess the turnover impacts for new businesses which were not operating in 2019. A mandatory reassessment of turnover further into the new scheme will support fair treatment for all parties. Eligibility for the scheme will be a one-time test. Businesses which are eligible at the beginning of the scheme will remain eligible throughout, with the proportion of rent relief adjusted in line with their turnover. For eligible applications under the new

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scheme where there is also an agreement already in place from the first Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, existing deferred rent repayment requirements will be frozen until 15 January 2022, when the outstanding amount will be added to the deferred rent accrued during the current Scheme. To help landlords that are doing the right thing by eligible tenants, the Government will provide land tax relief of up to 25 per cent, in addition to any previous relief, at an estimated cost of $100 million. Small landlords who can demonstrate acute hardship will be eligible to apply for payments as part of a $20 million hardship fund. The protections are backdated to start from when the scheme was announced last Wednesday and mean commercial landlords can’t issue an eviction notice for eligible tenants without obtaining a direction from the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC). Tenants and landlords are encouraged to enter negotiations directly, with the VSBC available to provide mediation if parties cannot reach a satisfactory agreement. Tenants and landlords can contact the Victorian Small Business Commission for further information on 13 87 22 or visit: www.vsbc.vic.gov.au.

NEWS VICTORIA

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Strengthening Our Disability Workforce

MELBOURNE, Aug 3: With growing demand for disability support workers, the Andrews Labor Government is rolling out a new campaign to help develop a strong and skilled disability workforce – to support all Victorians to get the help they need and deserve from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today launched the Work that Matters campaign to boost recruitment but also celebrate these incredible workers and the clients whose lives they enrich each and every day. The way people with disability access support is changing and the campaign is vital to supporting the growing number of Victorians participating in the NDIS to get the support they deserve. Data shows more than 10,000 extra disability support workers will be needed in Victoria by 2024 under the NDIS. The campaign – which will run on radio, print and online – is part of the Labor Government’s $26 million workforce plan for

the NDIS, Keeping our Sector Strong, to support the Federal Government, which is responsible for the NDIS. The campaign includes a new online hub with resources and information to support entrants into the disability sector, help current employees progress their career, and employers recruit workers. This also builds on the launch of the nation’s first Disability Worker Regulation Scheme, with registration of Victorian workers starting from 1 July this year. The Labor Government is contributing over $2.8 billion this financial year as part of our contribution to the NDIS. The Government is also providing more

opportunities for Victorians to upskill or start work in the disability sector through the signature Free TAFE program, which includes specialist courses in Individual Support, Mental Health, Community Services, Disability and Allied Health. To find out more about the campaign and discover the possibilities, go to: vic.gov.au/workthatmatters

New Projects to Accelerate Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones

MELBOURNE, Aug 3: The Andrews Labor Government has announced six new major energy projects across regional Victoria, that will prepare our grid for the unprecedented load of renewable energy in the pipeline. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the Stage One projects of the $540 million Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) will make it easier for new projects to be connected to Victoria’s grid — signalling to developers Victoria is ready for new solar and wind projects. Currently Victoria has its strongest energy infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley, where coal

fire power has historically been concentrated. However, Victoria has significant natural resources – wind and sunshine – found along the windy Southwest coast, and Western Victoria, as well as the sunny North-west. These transmission and energy upgrades will improve and modernise the energy grid in these areas, so more renewables can flow through Victoria. These six projects include three pieces of infrastructure that will work like ‘shock absorbers’ to smooth out higher and lower rates of energy flowing through the lines, making it easier for renewable energy to enter

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the grid. There are also three projects that will upgrade the transmission network, to increase the capacity of existing lines, so they can carry higher energy loads, pumping more renewables across Victoria. The Labor Government has commissioned the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to seek tenders for the six projects, which will modernise Victoria’s electricity grid and unlock new renewable energy investment. The Government will continue to assess a further two network investment projects - the Mortlake Turn-in, and the Western Victorian Transmission Network Uprate which is also subject to an Environment Effects Statement process currently underway. VicGrid, a new body which has been established as a Division within the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, will oversee investment decisions related to the $540 million REZ Fund. VicGrid will continue to evolve, following further stakeholder consultation, to coordinate the future development of Victoria’s REZs. The development of Victoria’s REZs will unlock more than 200 megawatts of new clean energy, while also creating jobs in regional Victoria, boosting energy reliability and affordability, and strengthening our network for the future. For more information visit energy.vic.gov.au/ renewable-energy/renewable-energy-zones

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

October Fest: Supercars, Sporting Community To ‘Band Together’ For Road Safety Superbikes Head to Phillip Island MELBOURNE, Aug 5: A weekend of elite motorsport action headlined by a round of the marquee Supercars series will attract thousands of visitors to the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the wider Bass Coast region in October. In addition to the Supercars’ Phillip Island Super sprint, the 2224 October Bass Coast Festival of Motorsport will boast Australian Superbikes and Porsche Carrera Cup championship racing. Further attractions could be added with talks with other championship bodies continuing. The four and two-wheel bonanza will provide a feast of racing action and a major fillip for local businesses in the wake of the cancellation of the 2021 Australian MotoGP due to the ongoing impact of the global pandemic on international motorsport. The Australian MotoGP is contracted to be held at Phillip

Island until at least 2026. The Andrews Labor Government has consistently backed Phillip Island’s worldclass tourism industry, including by locking away the Australian MotoGP and investing almost $50 million in the Penguin Parade visitor centre. The Bass Coast has been one of the major beneficiaries of the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme, with some 8,850 vouchers claimed and an estimated $13.4 million spent by holders of those vouchers. A fourth round of the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme involving 80,000 vouchers, each valued at $200, will be released soon to encourage more Victorians to spend time on the Bass Coast and other regions. Further information on the Bass Coast Festival of Motorsport including ticketing will be available soon at grandprix.com.au

MELBOURNE, Aug 4: Victorian footballers, netballers and supporters will don blue armbands this weekend to honour people killed on our roads and show their commitment to road safety. The Andrews Labor Government has partnered with AFL Victoria and the TAC for the second annual Road Safety Round, with people from every AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball league to show their support with armbands. The blue armbands have a QR code that links to an online hub featuring stories from ambassadors explaining why road safety matters to them. Road Safety Round runs from August 6 to 8 and will see more than 1,200 clubs leading road safety conversations in their communities, reaching more than 700,000 members of grassroots football and netball clubs. Victoria’s footballers and netballers travel thousands of kilometres on the state’s roads for games and training sessions every year. So far in 2021, 128 people have died on the state’s roads, compared to 134 at the same time last year. The round is complemented by the TAC’s Footy Rewards Program, which offers grants of up to $10,000 to clubs that engage with their members on road safety issues.

Top Students Recognised in Premier’s VCE Awards MELBOURNE, Aug 1: Victoria’s best performing VCE students have been recognised with Premier’s VCE Awards, celebrating their outstanding efforts and achievements in their final year of schooling amidst the challenges of 2020. Minister for Education James Merlino congratulated the high-achieving students, which include a young musician with her sights set on the world stage, a creative designer who won a competition creating an outfit she designed for visionimpaired teenagers, and a profoundly deaf student now studying to become a teacher for deaf children. A total of 297 Victorian students received 323 awards across 90 subjects, including 297 Study Awards, 23 Top All-Round VCE High Achiever Awards and three Top International Student Awards. The Top All-Round VCE High Achiever awards recognise those students who achieved

study scores of 46 or higher out of 50 in at least five VCE subjects, while Study Awards recognise the best performers in individual VCE subjects. The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promise to build the Education State so every Victorian student can get a great education. The Labor Government’s $60.2 million investment Student Excellence Program is equipping schools with the resources, tools and professional learning opportunities needed to support high-ability students. Every government school now has a high-ability practice leader to coordinate their school’s participation in these programs and to support their high-ability students. A full list of the Premier’s VCE Awards recipients is available at education.vic.gov. au/vceawards

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(MEDIA RELEASE)

NEWS AUSTRALIA

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

International students Tony Abbott still rate Australia highly appointed Australia CANBERRA, Aug 5: New research shows Australia remains an attractive destination for international students, despite the impacts of COVID-19. About 87,000 international students took part in the 2020 International Student Experience Survey in August and September last year, with 91 per cent rating their overall living experience in Australia highly. Of those surveyed: • 97 per cent were satisfied with their personal safety on campus. • 91 per cent were satisfied with their accommodation. • 91 per cent were satisfied with opportunities to improve their English skills. There were, however, declines in satisfaction with students’ overall learning experience, which can be largely attributed to more international students studying online and the impacts of the pandemic. The survey was conducted at the height of Victoria’s lockdown and at a time when many students were studying offshore. The rating of the Quality of the Entire Educational Experience fell from 75 per cent to 63 per cent, with significant drops in the Learning Resources (11-point drop) and Learner Engagement (10-point drop) categories. While international student ratings of the overall education

experience fell, some universities, like Edith Cowan University and Southern Cross University managed to improve their results. Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said it was pleasing that international students still rate Australia as place to live and study. “While our international student market has been significantly impacted by COVID-19, our fundamentals as a destination of choice remain strong,” Minister Tudge said. “It is clear some institutions have managed the COVID-19 transition better than others, and universities will need to consider how they improve the international student experience in the short and medium term to keep students engaged. “International students are an important part of the Australian community, and more than half a million have stayed here during the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming other back to our classrooms, campuses and communities, as soon as possible. “We continue to work closely with universities, states and territories on their plans to return international students when conditions allow. “I do acknowledge that it has been a particularly challenging time for many students and their families, both in Australia and overseas, and I thank them for sticking with us during this difficult period.”

(MEDIA RELEASE)

PM Scott Morrison's special trade envoy for India

NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been appointed Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Special Trade Envoy for India to increase bilateral trade and investment to propel the economic relationship towards its full potential. Abbott would be in India from August 2 to 6 and will be meeting ministers, businesspeople and think tanks to energise bilateral economic ties. Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell said on Monday that the bilateral relationship is at a historic high. "In 2020, PM Modi and PM Morrison elevated the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We also committed to strengthening our economic relationship," he said. The envoy said that Australia is keen to deepen trade and investment links with India and take the economic relationship to next level. Barry O'Farrell said increasing bilateral trade and investment will help drive economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and build secure and resilient supply chains. "Ex-Australian PM, Tony Abbott, has been appointed Australian PM's Special Trade Envoy for India for progress in that agenda. He's in India from August 2 to 6 and looks forward to meeting with ministers, businesspeople and think tanks to energise bilateral economic relationship," he said. "Mr Abbott looks forward to discussions on India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, which will propel our economic relationship to its full potential, to mutual benefit of the Indian and Australian people," he added. Both India and Australia are members of the Quad, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN Regional Forum and Asia Pacific Partnership on Climate and Clean Development. (ANI)

Suicide, incarceration rates rising among Indigenous Australians

CANBERRA, July 29: A new reported published revealed that Indigenous Australians were significantly more likely to be imprisoned, die by suicide or have their children removed, than non-Indigenous people. The report was published by Closing the Gap program that aims to reduce disadvantage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The report was the first time that data on the strategy has been published since federal, state and territory governments reached an agreement with Indigenous organisations to overhaul the framework in July 2020. It found that while improvements in life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since the baseline of 2005-

2007 narrowed the gap to 8.6 years for boys and 7.8 years for girls in 2015-2017, the national target of "no gap" was not on track to be met. The suicide rate among Indigenous people rose to 27.1 per 100,000 in 2019, with the target of a "significant and sustained reduction in suicide towards zero" not on track to be met. Among the agreement's targets is a goal to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates by 15 percent within the decade. The report found that the Indigenous incarceration rate rose to 2,081 per 100,000 people in June 2020, with the national target not on track to be met. In 2020, the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-17 years in out-of-home care was 56.3 per 1,000 children

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in the population, an increase from the 2019 baseline, with the national target of a "reduction in the rate of home care by 45 per cent" not on track to be met, said the report. However, the rate of Indigenous children in youth detention fell to 25.7 per 10,000, with the national target on track to be met. The Productivity Commission could not provide an update on some of the 17 targets due to a lack of available data. "The agreement is now 12 months old, but the most recent available data for monitoring these socioeconomic outcomes are only just hitting the commencement date for the agreement," commissioner Romlie Mokak said in a media release. "It is likely to be some years before we see the influence of this agreement on these outcomes."

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Aus reaches vax targets for roadmap out of pandemic CANBERRA, July 31: Australian leaders have reached an agreement on vaccination targets required for the country's roadmap out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the National Cabinet, which is composed of him and state and territory leaders, has "agreed in principle" to the roadmap that will see Australia eventually treat Covid-19 like any other infectious disease. The National Cabinet agreed that Australia will move to the second phase of the plan, under which vaccinated people will be subject to fewer restrictions and lockdowns unlikely but possible and targeted, when 70 per cent of the adult population is fully inoculated against the virus. "To get to that next phase, all of Australia

has to get there together, on average. And, then beyond that each state and territory will pass into that second and third phase based when they reach those thresholds," Morrison told reporters here The third stage, Phase C, will begin when 80 per cent of the population have received both vaccine doses, lifting all restrictions on outbound travel for vaccinated Australians and extending travel bubble for unrestricted travel to new candidate countries. The final stage is the post-vaccination phase, under which Australia's international borders will be reopened with quarantine only required for arrivals from high-risk countries. So far about 39.9 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over have received a first dose of a Covid-19 jab, and about 18.2 per

cent have been fully vaccinated. As of Saturday morning, there have been 33,909 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia, with 923 deaths. (IANS)

Opposition proposes cash incentives for Covid vaccines CANBERRA, Aug 3: Australia's opposition proposed a cash incentive for citizens to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the country's most populous city of Sydney continued its battle against the latest outbreak triggered by the Delta variant. Anthony Albanese, the leader of the Labor Party, revealed a plan to offer every Australian who is fully vaccinated by December 1 a A$300 cash bonus. The proposal would cost an estimated A$6 billion, but Albanese argued that constant lockdowns across the country were costing significantly more. "That's a small amount compared with the A$2 billion a week that these mass lockdowns are costing our national economy," he told the Nine Network television. "So this would be good for our health but also would provide a much-needed stimulus at a time when workers and small business is

really struggling to get by as a result of these lockdowns." Prime Minister Scott Morrison on July 30 revealed details of a four-phase pathway out of the coronavirus pandemic. Under the plan, Australians would be granted greater travel freedoms when 80 per cent of the adult population is fully vaccinated. Till date, about 19.2 per cent of Australian adults have received two vaccine doses. In a statement, Albanese said that cash incentives would help Australia reach 80 per cent coverage earlier. "The faster this is achieved, the faster the recovery as we emerge from lockdowns that are bleeding hundreds of millions of dollars a day from the nation's finances," he said. "Now that Australians are relying on Scott Morrison to do his job and rollout the vaccines, we are coming last in the developed world."

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Responding to the proposal, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said it "won't work". "Our approach has been to be guided by principles, principles that making sure spending is targeted, it is proportionate, it is focused on getting the exact outcomes that are necessary," he told the media. (IANS)

NEWS AUSTRALIA

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Qantas to stand down 2,500 employees

CANBERRA, Aug 3: Australian flag carrier, Qantas announced that 2,500 of its frontline employees will be stood down amid the ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns and border closures across the country. In a press statement, the airline said the move is a "temporary measure" that aims to ultimately preserve jobs once states begin to re-open their borders and domestic flying resumes. The stand down, estimated to last two months, will come into effect in mid-August. Domestic pilots, cabin crew and airport workers from both Qantas and its low-cost subsidiary airline Jetstar were put on notice late last month. Qantas said they will continue to pay staff until that time but afterwards many are expected to have to lean on Covid-19 disaster payments currently being issued

by the federal government. The announcement came after the airline's CEO Alan Joyce told staff in a company-wide email just over a week ago to expect a stand down if multiple states continue to keep their borders closed. Joyce said that while the airline has been significantly hit, citing a drop to 40 per cent of its usual capacity in July, he is still optimistic that the airline industry will rebound as states begin to re-open and vaccination rates rise. "Fortunately, we know that once borders do reopen, travel is at the top of people's list

and flying tends to come back quickly, so we can get our employees back to work," he said. "The vaccine rollout means the end is in sight and the concept of lockdowns will be a thing of the past. Australia just needs more people rolling up their sleeves as more vaccine arrives."

(IANS)

Stolen generations redress scheme

CANBERRA, Aug 5: The Morrison Government is delivering $378.6 million for a financial and wellbeing redress scheme for living Stolen Generations members who were removed as children from their families in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory prior to their respective selfgovernment and the Jervis Bay Territory. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was committed to delivering practical action on a long-standing issue of national importance. “Earlier this year I met with the Healing Foundation and survivors of the stolen generations and I committed then that I would look at this important issue,” the Prime Minister said. “Today we are delivering on that commitment with practical action that will positively impact the health and wellbeing of Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.” Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said that supporting intergenerational healing was key to the Morrison Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap. “Through the Commonwealth’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, the Morrison Government is committed to working in partnership and listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Minister Wyatt said. “This announcement reflects the Government’s commitment to recognise and acknowledge the wrongs of the past as part of the nation’s journey to reconciliation, and this scheme represents a major step forward towards healing.” The scheme will provide eligible applicants: • A one-off payment of $75,000 in recognition of the harm caused by forced removal.

• A one-off healing assistance payment of $7,000 in recognition that the action to facilitate healing will be specific to each individual. • The opportunity, if they choose, for each survivor to confidentially tell their story about the impact of their removal to a senior official within government, have it acknowledged and receive a face-to-face or written apology for their removal and resulting trauma. The scheme will be open for applications from 1 March 2022 and will run until June 2026. While states will manage arrangements in their jurisdictions, the Morrison Government is ensuring this scheme is available in the territories administered by the Commonwealth in the past. The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is part of $1 billion in new investments committed by the Commonwealth to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Additional information: To be eligible for the scheme, recipients would be: • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait

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Islander people, • under the age of 18 years at the time they were removed from their family by government bodies (including the police), churches/missions and/or welfare bodies, and in circumstances where their Indigeneity was a factor in their removal, and • removed whilst living in the Northern Territory or in the Australian Capital Territory prior to their respective selfgovernment or the Jervis Bay Territory. The National Indigenous Australians Agency is working to establish the scheme over the next seven months, with the scheme open for applications from 1 March 2022. Families of a Stolen Generations member who passes between 5 August 2021 and 1 March 2022 will be able to submit an application on their behalf. The scheme will receive applications until 28 February 2026, with the remaining four months of the scheme providing time to process final applications, complete the personal responses and conduct an evaluation. (MEDIA RELEASE)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

National Gallery of Australia to return 14 'looted' artworks to India

NEW DELHI, July 29: The National Gallery of Australia has decided to return 14 artworks from its Asian art collection to the Indian government. Worth a combined value of $3 milion, 13 of the artworks were purchased from the New York-based gallery, Art of the Past, run by antiquities dealer and alleged smuggler Subhash Kapoor. The artworks include six sculptures, six photographs, a painted scroll and a processional standard. Some of the items date back to the 12th century. This is the fourth time that the NGA will be returning illegally exported works from Kapoor and his associates. In fact, Kapoor was extradited from Germany to India in July 2012 and has been charged with stealing and illegally exporting antiquities. "We have strengthened our processes and have zero tolerance now for any inconsistencies in the provenance of a work of art. This is another step towards us building an ethical approach to managing our collections," ABC News quoted NGA director Nick Mitzevich as saying. "It's unfortunate, and the institution is sorry for this development. We are doing all we can to avoid any future missteps of this kind,"

Mitzevich said in The Australian. "It's a historic issue... The NGA was part of an international fraud campaign that affected more than a dozen of the world's leading institutions," he said. Kapoor's clients included the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, as well as the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore,

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the NGA and the Art Gallery of NSW. The Indian High Commission in Australia has welcomed the move, though it will take a few months before the works are actually handed over. In a tweet, Manpreet Vohra, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia, said that India is grateful to Australia and the National Gallery of Australia for their decision to return the extraordinary pieces of art to India. (IANS)

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

India, China militaries hold talks to resolve border dispute

NEW DELHI, July 31: The twelfth round of top commanders-level talks between India and China are underway at Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh region. The talks are happening after a gap of three months. Indian military delegates are discussing disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains. Indian delegation is led by Leh-based XIV Corps chief Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon and Additional Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Naveen Srivastava. The Chinese military delegation is led

by Commander of the PLA's Western Theatre Command Xu Qiling, who was appointed earlier this month. The build-up in Depsang was not being considered part of the current standoff that started in May last year as escalation here took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues across the Line of Actual Control. "The initial attempt will be to resolve Gogra and Hot Springs. Finding a solution to Depsang might be tricky and take longer," said the officer. In April, during 11th round of Corps Commander level talk, the focus was disengagement on friction points at Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. On February 20, Indian and Chinese militaries held 10th round of dialogue to de-escalate tension at the Line of Actual Control. Till now, apart from 11 round of Corps

Commanders-level talks, the two forces have also held 10 Major Generals level, 55 Brigadiers-level talks and 1,450 calls over the hotlines. China has been enhancing military infrastructure across the Line of Control. Looking at it, India has changed its posture towards China, unlike its previous defensive approach that placed a premium on fending on Chinese aggression, India is now catering to military options to strike back and has reoriented its military accordingly. India has reoriented around 50,000 troops whose main focus will be the disputed border with China. The reorientation comes when China is refurbishing its existing air-fields in Tibetan Plateau that will allow twin-engines fighter aircraft to be stationed, sources said. In addition, China has also brought troops from the Tibet Military region to the Xinjiang region that passes through Karakoram range down south Uttarakhand. Further, they have deployed larger numbers of long range artillery and are rapidly building infrastructure in the Tibetan Plateau. So far, the troops of two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year. (IANS)

India doubles tiger 703 km of highways using numbers 4 yrs ahead of plastic waste constructed schedule in India

NEW DELHI, July 29: India achieved the target of doubling of tiger population four years ahead of schedule of the St. Petersburg Declaration on tiger Conservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the International Tiger Day. Greeting the wildlife lovers, especially those who are passionate about tiger conservation on the International Tiger Day, in a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said: "On #InternationalTigerDay,

greetings to wildlife lovers, especially those who are passionate about tiger conservation. Home to over 70 per cent of the tiger population globally, we reiterate our commitment to ensuring safe habitats for our tigers and nurturing tiger-friendly ecosystems." "India is home to 51 tiger reserves spread across 18 states. The last tiger census of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger population. India achieved the target of doubling of tiger population 4 years ahead of schedule of the St Petersburg Declaration on tiger Conservation," he said. India's strategy of tiger conservation attaches topmost importance to involving local communities. "We are also inspired by our centuries old ethos of living in harmony with all flora and fauna with whom we share our great planet," Modi added.

(IANS)

NEW DELHI, July 29: So far 703 km of National Highways have been constructed with use of waste plastic in "wearing coat of flexible pavement", the Parliament was told. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told the Lok Sabha, in a written reply, that the ministry has issued guidelines for mandatory use of waste plastic in periodic renewal with hot mixes and in wearing coat of service road on national highways within 50km periphery of an urban area having population of more than 5 lakhs. Use of plastic waste in construction of road protects the environment from adverse impact of waste plastic. Plastic roads consist of 6-8 per cent plastic, while 92-94 per cent is bitumen. In 2016, Gadkari had announced the usage of plastic waste in road construction in 2016. Since then, plastic waste has been used in constructing

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roads in 11 states. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, as much as 3.3 million metric tonnes of plastic waste was generated in India, which is approximately 9,200 tonnes a day (TPD), in 2018-19. The report stated that the total municipal solid waste generation is 55-65 million tonnes and out of it, plastic waste is approximately 5-6 per cent. To regulate use of plastic, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change came up with draft Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021, which proposes a ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of specific single-use plastic from January 1, 2022. Specific single-use of plastic include plastic sticks for balloons, candy sticks, icecream sticks, plastic flags, and thermocol.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

India's 5G space booming with global, domestic players pitching in

NEW DELHI, Aug 1: India's 5G dreams may have been delayed amid the pandemic but this has not been able to detract the equipment makers from engaging in terms of equipment manufacturing and network development. Further, both domestic and global companies are set to benefit from the nonparticipation of Chinese majors Huawei and ZTE in the 5G trials. Global equipment majors such as Ericsson are not the only ones in the game. Even domestic players have risen up to the occasion and are now actively pursuing tie ups along with growing their technical prowess. Tech Mahindra, Sterlite Technologies Ltd and state-run ITI Ltd are among the Indian companies which have come up with 5G expertise. The latest announcement of Tata Sons' subsidiary Panatone Finvest acquiring controlling stake in telecom equipment maker Tejas Networks would toughen the competition. Panatone Finvest will buy a 43.3 per cent stake in Tejas Networks for Rs 1,850 crore and along with other Tata Group companies, Panatone would make a public announcement to acquire up to another 26 per cent stake in Tejas. In a regulatory filing, Tejas said that it sees a very large opportunity in the telecom sector both in India and global markets with the new cycle of investments in 5G and fiber-based broadband rollouts. In June, telecom giant Reliance's Jio partnered with US chipset maker Qualcomm to manufacture critical equipment for the 5G ecosystem in India. Jio has also indigenously developed 5G

Radio integrated with Jio's 5G core network and is in its development of in-house Massive MIMO and indoor 5G small cells is in advanced stages. Tech Mahindra is also understood to be going with robust plans in terms of 5G technology. The company recently reported strong earnings for the first quarter of FY22 and analysts are of the view that with the government's plan to stick to India-made 5G rollout, the company is expected the gain a significant portion of that "5G tech" pie. As several partnerships in the telecom space have been announced, last month Bharti Airtel and Tata Consultancy Services announced partnership for the implementation of 5G solutions, starting pilot from January 2022. TCS will implement the 5G solutions it has developed for Airtel. Tata Group has developed 5G solutions using OpenRadio Access Network (O-RAN), a part of telecommunication architecture. Earlier this year, Bharti Airtel announced that it has become the first telecom service provider in the country to successfully demonstrate and orchestrate live 5G service. The demonstration took place in Hyderabad. Last year, Bharti Airtel extended its multiyear contract with Ericsson for deploying 5G-ready radio network, strengthening their long-standing partnership. Vodafone Idea in June announced to collaborate with Cisco to improve its existing 4G network and, in the future, 5G use cases for offering better quality experience for its customers. The telco said that it would work with Cisco to design and build a cost-efficient network architecture to drive greater speed to market

as it taps opportunities in 4G, 5G, Cloud, and IoT. Finnish mobile and equipment maker Nokia may to be seen in India's much awaited 5G scenario. Sector experts are of the view that the Rs 12,195 crore production linked incentive scheme would also be a major boost for the sector and more players may pitch in to manufacture equipment and network devices in India. As per the government, the scheme envisages to create global champions out of India who have the potential to grow in size and scale, using cutting edge technology and thereby, penetrate the global value chains. Telecom products play an important role in the larger vision of "Digital India". This whole target of domestic manufacturing gained traction last year amid the border standoff with China. Amid the standoff and concerns over security, the government decided to keep Chinese players, some of which are giants in this very segment, out of the 5G trials in India. The much-anticipated 5G trials have begun and the Department of Telecommunications granted permission to Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea Ltd on May 27, 2021 and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited on June 23, 2021 for conducting 5G Technology trials with a validity period of six months. As India takes strides in terms of manufacturing and technology, it seems it may turn self-sufficient and even a global leader in terms of 5G technology with several major global companies coming in and homegrown players too joining the bus. (IANS)

India, US discuss strategic partnership, Pacific cooperation

NEW DELHI, July 28: India and the US discussed measures to deepen their strategic partnership, along with Indo-Pacific cooperation and issues of regional security, including Afghanistan. On his first visit to India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had a warm discussion with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Blinken said the discussion included deepening the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including strengthening Indo-Pacific cooperation bilaterally and through the Quad. Jaishankar said it was a wide-ranging and productive discussion with Secretary Blinken. "Useful in mapping out the next steps in our

bilateral partnership. Strong convergence of views on many regional concerns. Agreed to work closely on multilateral and global issues," he added. The US and India have a strong strategic partnership founded on shared values and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The US supports India's emergence as a leading global power and vital partner in efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity and economic inclusion. Both countries cooperate on a wide range of diplomatic, economic, and security issues, including defence, non-proliferation, regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, shared democratic values, counterterrorism, climate

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change, health, energy, trade and investment, peacekeeping, the environment, education, science and technology, agriculture, space, and oceans. India is a leading global power and a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. At the inaugural Quad Leaders' Summit in March, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Japanese and Australian Prime Ministers in pledging to respond to the economic and health impacts of Covid-19, combat the climate crisis, and address shared challenges, including in cyber-space, critical technologies, counterterrorism, quality infrastructure investment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maritime security.

(IANS)

NEWS WORLD

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

New York City draws new battle

Indian lines as Delta variant surges American girl in Johns Hopkins' world's 'brightest' list NEW YORK, Aug 4: New York City will require proof of Covid-19 vaccinations for guests at restaurants, shows and gyms, starting August 16 in a phased manner. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the new requirements on Tuesday, making New York the first big city in the US to draw these battle lines as the Covid-19 delta variant surges. People will have to show proof of at least one vaccine dose. "The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If we're going to stop the delta variant, the time is now. And that means getting vaccinated right now," de Blasio said. On the country's western edge, San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties have reinstated a mask mandate in public indoor spaces - irrespective of vaccination status. Even in the deep south, states are bringing back mask mandates in indoor public settings, including in schools and colleges. The fall semester is fast approaching and America's schools and colleges are under intense pressure to outline policy amidst rising infection rates and tough pushback from

multiple flanks on masking and vaccines. As on Monday, 70 per cent of American adults have gotten at least one shot. The latest numbers come at a time of Covid-19 cases surging 6x over the last 30 days. Florida's hospitals are being overrun. The state crossed 11,000 hospitalized patients Tuesday. The current average daily nationwide caseload is running at 85,000 per day, the highest level since February. Deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 254 per day to 386. In recent weeks, more than 95 per cent of hospitalization and deaths have been among the unvaccinated, according to the White House. "If you're not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing," US President Joe Biden told Republican governors blocking mask mandates in the name of freedom. The Covid-19 virus has killed more than 614,000 Americans from the time it first arrived on the US West Coast in January 2020. By Nikhila Natarajan

Covid-19 in US going to get worse: Fauci

WASHINGTON, Aug 3: As the more contagious Delta variant of the novel coronavirus is spreading across the US, Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical advisor, has warned that "things are going to get worse." "We are looking, not I believe, to lockdown but we are looking to some pain and suffering in the future because we are seeing the cases go up," Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. "The solution to this is, get vaccinated," he said. The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a 64.1 per cent increase in Covid-19 cases in the country over the week ended July 30 compared with the previous week, or an average of 66,606 cases a day. (IANS)

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NEW YORK, Aug 3: Indian-American schoolgirl Natasha Peri, 11, has been named in the worlds "brightest" students list based on results of above-grade-level testing of 19,000 students across 84 countries, according to Johns Hopkins Center For Talented Youth (CTY), a part of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. "Peri, a student at Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, was honoured for exceptional performance on the SAT, ACT, or similar assessment taken as part of the CTY Talent Search," said a statement from Johns Hopkins CTY. "CTY uses above-grade-level testing to identify advanced students from around the world and provide a clear picture of their true academic abilities." Peri took the Johns Hopkins Talent Search test in Spring 2021, when she was in Grade 5. Her results in the verbal and quantitative sections levelled with the 90th percentile of advanced Grade 8 performance. "This motivates me to do more," she said, adding that doodling and reading J.R.R Tolkien's novels may have worked for her. As part of Johns Hopkins policy, granular information is not broken down by age or race. Likewise, it is left to the guardian to disclose the prodigy's name. Within the US, awardees come from all 50 US states. "We are thrilled to celebrate these students," said Virginia Roach, CTY's executive director. "In a year that was anything but ordinary, their love of learning shined through, and we are excited to help cultivate their growth as scholars and citizens throughout high school, college, and beyond." The quantitative section of the Johns Hopkins CTY test measures the ability to see relationships between quantities expressed in mathematical terms, the verbal section measures understanding of the meaning of words and the relationships between them. (IANS)

NZ starts mass vaccination in Auckland

WELLINGTON, Aug 1: New Zealand has started mass Covid-19 vaccination in Manukau, south of Auckland, with the aim of inoculating more than 5,000 people each day. The government launched the first and largest mass rollout, with a goal to have 16,000 people jabbed in three days. Auckland District Health Board (DHB) said the event is designed to get large groups of people vaccinated efficiently and safely in a short period of time at a single venue. Andy Zhang, who received his first jab in Auckland said that more than 200 booths were set up in the Vodafone Events Center, an iconic arena designed for conferences and concerts. "We were told to gather at Manukau Institute of Technology, a building nearby. And after double check with working staff, we jumped in a charted coach to be transported

to the arena, and then directed to a seat in a booth, then awaiting vaccinator coming." The event was called "a vaccination Olympics" by associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. According to New Zealand Ministry of Health, 699,469 people have completed their two doses of vaccination as of July 27, accounting for roughly 14 per cent of the country's population after the five-month rollout started in February. Local experts expressed growing concerns about the potential impact of the slow pace rollout on New Zealand herd immunity and economic recovery. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her cabinet members mentioned multiple times on different occasions that a high jab rate is one of the crucial preconditions to take border-lift into reconsideration. (IANS)

US squashes Bezos' protest against

NASA-SpaceX $2.9 bn contract

SAN FRANCISCO, July 31: The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has squashed Jeff Bezos-run Blue Origin's challenge to space agency NASA for picking Elon Musk-owned SpaceX for its prestigious $2.9 billion Moon lander programme. Blue Origin and defence contractor Dynetics had filed a protest with the US GAO against NASA for awarding $2.9 billion contract to SpaceX for landing astronauts on the Moon by 2024. The US space agency was expected to pick two lunar lander prototypes (including one of Blue Origin's) but funding cut from US Congress led the agency to select SpaceX over Blue Origin. GAO on Friday rejected Blue Origin's protest, saying "there was no requirement for NASA to engage in discussions, amend, or cancel the announcement as a result of the amount of funding available for the programme," reports The Verge. In a tweet, Musk responded to the news by tweeting "GAO" with a flexing bicep emoji. Fresh from his trip to the edge of space, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos earlier this

week even offered NASA a discount of up to $2 billion to give his space company Blue Origin the human lunar landing system (HLS) contract. Escalating his space war with Musk, Bezos in an open letter to the NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that his company would close US space agency's near-term budgetary shortfall and producing a safe and sustainable lander that will return Americans to the surface of the Moon - this time to stay. "We stand firm in our belief that there were fundamental issues with NASA's decision, but the GAO wasn't able to address them due to their limited jurisdiction," a Blue Origin spokesperson said in a statement. NASA said the GAO ruling allows the agency and SpaceX to come up with a timeline for landing humans on the Moon. The moon lander contract is part of NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2024 as a stepping stone to the first human mission to Mars.

(IANS)

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Canada's largest auto dealer Ajay Dilawri honoured

VANCOUVER, Aug 4: Indo-Canadian Ajay Dilawri, whose Dilawri Group is the largest auto dealer in Canada, has been honoured with the Order of British Columbia. The Dilawri Group, owned by Ajay Dilawri and his two brothers, owns 76 dealerships across five provinces in Canada. After immigrating from India, the family started the auto business in 1985. Today, the Group is Canada's top auto dealer, selling 35 brands and employing about 4,000 staff. Conferring the highest provincial honour on him, the British Columbian government citation says, "Ajay Dilawri is a leading entrepreneur whose vision, perseverance, leadership, and social conscience continues to improve the lives of many people in our province. He has made a significant and far-reaching impact throughout British Columbia." The citation adds, "Ajay and his brothers Kap and Tony are the founders of the Dilawri Group -- the largest automotive group in Canada, with more than 4,000 employees and 76 automotive dealerships across Canada. With 24 dealerships in B.C. alone, he supports more than 2,000 employees and their families in his home province. His significant investment in electrical vehicle development is also helping address climate change and contributes to a greener economy. "The Dilawri brothers' success is largely based on learning a strong work ethic from their parents, who immigrated to Canada from India. They haven't forgotten their upbringing and have built the business not only for financial success, but to generate enough capital to give back to the community." The family has also donated millions to its Dilawri Foundation that focuses on children, health care, mental health, education, autism, and public safety. (IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

G’Day Mate

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik makes giant boxing gloves to wish Lovlina

BHUBANESWAR, Aug 4: Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a 10 feet long sand glove to congratulate boxer Lovlina Borgohain for winning the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics, on the Puri beach in Odisha. India's Lovlina Borgohain settled for a hard-fought bronze after losing the women's welterweight semi-final (69kg) against world's number one Business Surmeneli in Tokyo, thus becoming the

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third athlete after Mirabai Chau and PV Sindhu to bag a medal for India at the ongoing Games. Sudarsan created the 10 feet boxing gloves for Lovlina with the message, "Pride of India". He took four and used about 8 tonnes of sand to create this sculpture. "We congratulate Lovlina for winning the bronze medal in the Olympics," he said.

(IANS)

80 kg blue sapphire unearthed from Sri Lanka's gem mine

COLOMBO, July 31: A blue sapphire weighing approximately 80 kilograms was discovered in a gem mine in Rakwana, Ratnapura in Sri Lanka. The owner of the mine, Earl Gunasekara, was quoted by the local News First as saying that the gemstone will be put up for auction in China and it has been handed over to the

National Gem and Jewellery Authority. This gemstone is worth approximately $50 million, the owner said after its valuation was done. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority have informed Gunasekara that 3,000 carats could be obtained after cutting the blue sapphire. Earlier this week, officials said the world's largest star sapphire cluster was discovered from the backyard of a gem merchant's house in the country when workmen were digging to construct a well. The cluster was valued at more than $100 million. Officials said that this cluster, being held under tight security by the owner, was also expected to be sold at an international auction which will be held in China in November.

(IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

GETTING MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA

Tips for completing Notice of Intended Marriage – part 2 Following is the practical guidance on issues to consider when completing Notice of Intended Marriage. Previous marriages – Where a party has previously married, this is where you provide additional information about those marriages. It will include number of previous marriages, year of each previous marriage ceremony and provide date if known. It also includes how last marriage was terminated, for example death, divorce or nullity. You need to provide the date on which last spouse died, or date on which dissolution of last marriage became final or nullity order made. Number of children – This question is solely about previous marriages. If you and other party have children, don’t include them here. Related parties – Under Australian law, marriages are prohibited between certain parties, such as a marriage between persons already married to each other, a person and their grandparents or grandchild, birth or adopted parent or child or sibling or half sibling. Related parties who may marry include cousins, an uncle and

his niece or nephew, an aunt and her nephew or niece. Electronic signatures – The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 applies to the Marriage Act 1961. This means that couple, celebrants and witnesses may complete the Notice electronically. Witnessing signatures – It’s possible for one party to sign a notice of a different date to the other party and this may involve a different witness. For example, one party may be interstate or overseas in the lead up to the marriage. The authorised witness must sight the signature being completed and then sign and date the notice themselves.

Covid infection from banknotes, coins unlikely

WHILE the fear of getting Covid infection from banknotes and coins has driven much more contactless payments during the pandemic, researchers say the risk is far too less. Experts at the European Central Bank, in collaboration with researchers at RuhrUniversitat Bochum in Germany, wanted to clarify how long do coronaviruses remain

infectious on banknotes and coins? Is it possible to become infected through contact with cash? The team treated various euro coins and banknotes with virus solutions of different concentrations and over several days observed how long infectious virus was still detectable. A stainless-steel surface served as a control in each case. While infectious virus was still present on the stainless-steel surface after seven days, on the 10-euro banknote, it took only three days to completely disappear. For the 10-cent, 1-euro, and 5-cent coins after six days, two days and one hour, respectively, no infectious virus was detectable. "The rapid decline on the 5-cent piece is because it's made of copper, on which viruses are known to be less stable," explained Daniel Todt, from the varsity's Department of Molecular and Medical Virology. The study was published in the journal iScience. The researchers also developed a new method to study how well the virus is transferred from a surface to the fingertip.

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They contaminated banknotes, coins and credit-card-like PVC plates with harmless coronaviruses and, under high-security conditions, also with SARS-CoV-2. These surfaces were then touched, while still wet or when already dried, by test subjects with their fingertips or, in the case of SARS-CoV-2, with artificial skin. Cell cultures were then inoculated with the viruses adhering to the fingertips. This allowed the researchers to determine the number of transmitted virus particles that were still infectious. "We saw that immediately after the liquid had dried, there was practically no transmission of infectious virus," Todt said. "Under realistic conditions, infection with SARS-CoV-2 from cash is very unlikely," he added. Smear infections via surfaces are almost non-existent. The current study was conducted with the Alpha variant of SARSCoV-2 in addition to the wild-type variant. "We assume that other variants, such as the currently predominant Delta variant, also behave similarly," said Eike Steinmann, Professor at the varsity.

(IANS)

FEATURE

Trust “The Loki’

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

A Fellowship created by Loki Madireddi and his wife Ishani to back an extraordinary individual with an inspiring food dream.

ust like that, on a winter weekend, as I prepare to finish a piece for The Indian Weekly, a complimentary invitation, a pop-up menu by Masterchef contestant 2018 Loki Madireddi in collaboration with Swadist and The KAAPI project comes by. The invitation was swanky normally at $110 per person for an experiential plant-based degustation dinner event on 28TH June. Monday night suddenly didn’t look that bad at all, as I took off to this Dinner on the Kanyakumari Express. The idea of the pop-up was simply to combine his childhood food memories, mostly created during these train journeys he took as a child. I will talk about my foodie experience a little later first let’s indulge in the interview that’s not less than a train journey. Having all the nuances of a good theatre.

Born in Mysore, raised in Chennai, originally from Andhra Pradesh and finally coming to Melbourne, Australia in 2003 to do his masters in IT. Surprised? Yes and No because it’s embedded in every Indian kid to realise their parent’s dreams of a doctor or an engineer. To escape this pressure, Loki tried running away from home twice. Once at seventh grade failing all subjects he tried running away with his friend and later ‘now’ in Australia (figuratively speaking). We all giggled to this but then totally legit about never interested in education, owing to his father for introducing him to seafood as he was in charge of all the seafood import via the railway system. At the age of five growing up eating these seafood that makes its way into Loki’s kitchen, his grandmother would cook at their backyard. He was fascinated with the cooking of crabs, watching his grandmother

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cook these livestock with various ancient techniques. Then in 1990, his entire life changed forever when he fell from the third floor resulting in ‘Acquired Brain Injury’. Doctor’s confirmed that even if he survived, nothing would work below his neck. The doctors promised to do their best to revive Loki as his family lost hope. Mr Sethi, editoin-chief of G’day India and The Indian Weekly, and I were speechless. On a side note during the 90’s, understanding about head injuries or therapies was very foreign and it was no different for Loki or his family. Just recently, only a few months ago he was diagnosed with dyslexia. But, then miraculously within a month he started walking though strictly homebound, not allowed to play outside, his curiosity for food grew helping his grandmother in the kitchen; he began enjoying food. Being a bit pompous Loki shamelessly did anything

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

for food, even chores like grinding coffee; embarrassed by their soon’ audacity the parents would often lock him home. Coming to Melbourne in 2003 with a baggage of cultural stigma Loki had to finish his masters not knowing what to do, he proposed a feast to the Dean. Did that make him pass his exams? Controversial! But the idea of joining Masterchef Australia in 2018, had to be his son, Indryaan. A chance meeting with Ishani from Melbourne in Damper, America at a Sadguru Yoga retreat in 2014 was another turn in Loki’s life. It just took Loki three months to fall in love with her and to bond with her son Indryaan; two and half years old at that time, from her previous marriage. Spending a year in Pondicherry they both decide to come back to Melbourne, life for the pair seem to move. They got married, Loki pursued being a project manager in a real estate company while Ishani continued working as a consultant to start-up companies. It was one of those moments when Loki sat to watch Masterchef 2017, having a general discussion with his son being unhappy with his work and how Loki loved cooking. Just then Indryaan seven years old at that time said to him “Dad you are a great cook you should join; you are a butterfly you can do anything you want.” That word stuck to him like gold. Loki rushed to fill the application as it would have expired in one day. The rest is history; Loki making to top 16 Masterchef Australia 2018. So as Loki finds his niche in cooking he wants to provide the same trust to others being that bridge to those battling between dreams and reality. ‘Trust the Loki Fellowship’ created by Loki and his wife Ishani to back an extraordinary individual with an inspiring food dream (idea/project/

business) and help them fast track through a culinary scholarship of AUD 5000 (towards project related expenses) A tailored support and mentorship for over six months; committing their own personal funds. In 2019 and 2020, the Fellowship was focused in India. The first recipient was Abinas Nayak in June 2019 with the support of the Fellowship he went to change his career from IT to food, applied for Masterchef India and won the title in 2020. Preet Sanghvi was the second recipient in June 2020 - she is a food entrepreneur and has expanded her business from Mumbai to Dubai. She is currently working on creating regional food experiences in India. As now that you have got a glimpse into Loki’s life I feel now you will appreciate my food experience in Kanyakumari express at Swadist restaurant, Ormond; adding a bit of a swag to his interview. The journey started with the welcome drinks, shot by Rasam, explosive flavours of tamarind taking us to the Egmore station first stop. Followed by the Piquant Punugulu, the idlli battered bonda just warmed us up to Tambaram station -the first course, the second course was the spoonful truffle Pongal at the Villupuram station; a truly festive dish with the rich flavours of the truffle making it posh. As we arrive at Tiruchirapali, thundering Thokku, our third course, the modern translation to upma is truly synonymic to his train journey. However, I found myself salivating at Madurai Station, the fourth course being

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the good old Idli with salna, the coconut chutney emulsion was indulgent. Then came the sombre moment of candles lit, the sounds of South of India echoing through the restaurant as Loki pays tribute to the many people losing their life during this pandemic in India and Australia. I was nearly done by the fifth course though reaching safely at the Tirunelveli station I couldn’t somehow resist the Kushka eggplant and rice steaming away wrapped in banana leaf. By this point we had to take a breather. Then as the menu stopping at Nagarcoil station with basil granita. It was refreshing and gave the palette the muchneeded breather for the halwa with almond and candy praline, thus ending our journey with this sixth course at Kanyakumari station. The roaring yell of Coffee, imitating to Kapi! Kapi! Much to our delight Loki had arranged the much-loved South Indian filtered coffee by The KAAPI Project. So, as I sip into my morning coffee to conclude this piece I believe he is indeed the butterfly his son Indryaan encapsulated. As he takes us to his little piece of history with the railways Loki not only found his food but food has found him a creative expression where he is alive. I cannot help myself quoting Edward Norton Lorenz “When a butterfly flutters its wings in one part of the world, it can eventually cause a hurricane in another.” By Nandita Chakraborty

FEATURE

A Passage to Tibet

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

From sea level to climbing 5700 meters filming, Australian filmmaker Mark Gould’s documentary ‘A Pilgrimage into Tibet is his love letter to Tibet and his parikrama of Mt Kailash.

umans are complex, always shifting between agility and frailty at times. To some, the most difficult things seem the simplest to achieve. This is exactly what my next interviewee is all about. He is charming, doesn’t mince words, knows his craft and shares his abundant love for India – and Tibet. Through Zoom, Mr Sethi, editor-in-chief of

G’day India and The Indian Weekly, and I sat down with director, producer and writer Mark Gould on his documentary with ABC, A Pilgrimage into Tibet. In lockdown in Sydney with a glass of red wine, Gould is one of the few who is absolutely loving the lockdown. A swim along Bondi Beach every morning for this seventyyear-old is like taking a walk in the park during

these winter months. Similarly, doing films on spirituality is not a ‘calling’ for him; the easiest way for a filmmaker to pay for his travelling bucket list is to make something out of each trip, and that’s the decision he made a decade ago, making films from The Holy Dip to History of Jerusalem. He explicitly says that he is not a religious person, but there is something transcendent in the human mind. Of all the teachings, he most appreciates Hinduism. Gould personally feels that Buddhism is an offspring of Hinduism, as Christianity is to Judaism. He respects OSHO as a comparative religion scholar but was never a devotee. To Gould, that binary contrast between science and mysticism within the Indian world is what he is attracted to, ever since he first visited India in 1979. The man that he admires the most in the world is the Dalai Lama: his kindness, his humanity and his smile. Making seven films about the disenfranchised Tibetan community is something Gould loves talking about. Tibet opened for him when his dear friend married a Sikkimese girl and he was asked to make a film ‘a pig, a chicken and a bag of rice’ which was not only received well, but Gould was asked by Sonya Pemberton (science filmmaker from Melbourne, and Head of

North face of Mt Kailash from Diraphuk Monastery

Tarboche maidan. Saga Dawa (Buddha’s Birthday) prayer flag pole raising www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383

Photo credit: Murray Cox

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Gould is vocal about how the Chinese government can rewrite history with lies such as celebrating 70 years since the ‘peaceful takeover’ of Tibet. One and half million people were murdered by the Chinese government in that takeover; Gould has met some of the survivors of this atrocity. So, A Pilgrimage into Tibet is Gould paying tribute to that period of time. In 2019 he formed an eight-person team for the trek, one of them being Sonam Ongmu An audience with the Dalai Lama gave Denzongpa, the Sikkimese bride of meaning to the word “Enlightenment” his Gangtok film – her fluency in five languages was key to opening Like meeting Lord Buddha himself. many doors. They started their journey Specialist Factual at ABC at that time) to go from Simikot in Nepal’s NW Humla District to Stockholm and shoot a film about Barry 200km from the Tibetan border; Gould did this J. Marshall and J. Robin Warren, a pair from deliberately because he wanted everyone to Perth who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine be acclimatised, as blood cells change at high for studying Helicobacter pylori (a bacteria altitudes. After walking for eight days, they causing stomach ulcers and cancer). crossed the border into Tibet. The next years there has been a murder The walk to Mt Kailash starts at 4800m at in the Himalayas: Chinese border police fired Darchen, a classic Himalayan frontier town machine guns, murdering kids crossing the with Chinese soldiers everywhere. It’s not an Nangpa La pass. To make Tibet: Murder in the easy environment; many pilgrims die, turn Snow, Gould had to be very involved with the back or do the parikrama on a horse. Then, Tibetan refugee community to gain their trust walking 25km to a beautiful place called and permission, as well as seeking blessings from the Dalai Lama to make this film. The film Dirarphuk at around 5200 meters elevation, the terrain becomes tough, cold, dry and won awards all across the world. dusty. One of the ladies in Gould’s team didn’t While in Himachal Pradesh, he realised come to the Kailash yatra (pilgrimage) and that the monks at the Gyuto Monastery another had to turn back after 6km into the in Sidhibhari, near Dharamshala all had journey, as her lungs started burning. Helicobacter pylori. Talk about coincidences Climbing 5700 meters to the Drolma of life: two stories collided, making another La Pass, he saw people prostrating for the film (Gut Instinct) for ABC. So, when the parikrama. The principle of this entire yatra Ladakhi Kalachakra was happening, he just is the philosophy of death and rebirth. The took off without any commission to make this ascent is tough as the oxygen level is about film. Later, the ABC offered him an enhanced 40% compared to the sea level. The descend, a acquisition deal, giving birth to the Pilgrimage journey of rebirth, takes one past the mythical to Kalachakra. birthplace of Ganesh, lake Gauri Kund. Gould’s involvement with the Tibetan Gould is not spiritual, but he felt close to community has lasted over twenty years now. the divinity of creation, greater than any deity. Gould talks about how the Tibetan people are Next was the Saga Dawa festival at so grateful to India; they even have a ‘ThankTarboche – a maidan on the gateway of the you to India’ ceremony. The Dalai Lama has parikrama, and it’s a massive festival called Dharamshala his home since 1961. celebrating the birth of Buddha. Thousands

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of Tibetans come as if from nowhere. Gould could see that they were setting up the big pole of prayer flags. If the pole comes up perfectly erect, the coming year will be auspicious. There was deathly silence when the flagpole crashed to the ground for the first time in recorded history (900 years) … and Gould thought he had missed the shot. What he didn’t realise was that the Chinese government was locking down the entire vicinity; phone and internet signals were down. The military was arresting foreigners, confiscating their memory cards and erasing the filming. Gould had footage sitting in the GoPro camera in his pocket which he used in the film. Seeing the film, Mr Sethi and I agree with Gould that the moment the pole fell was the birth of COVID. Gould’s life is filled with coincidences. He goes to Kailash to make a film and he gets himself a story which will be remembered for centuries. A Pilgrimage into Tibet won over 16 major international awards from New York to India, including best director. I recommend watching this film for a brief view into the nomadic life of Tibetans returning to Tibet. As for Gould, passaging as a pilgrim and tourist while loving the danger, filmmaking, yet being the prudent human being he is, I can only think of Alfred Hitchcock: “Drama is life with the dull bits cuts out.” By Nandita Chakraborty Photos by: Murray Cox You can watch ‘A Pilgrimage into Tibet’ on the link below with a kind donation of $5.00 www.bondirocksmedia.tv or https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ apilgrimageintotibet

FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

The Backpack Author Chasing his dream with his newly wedded wife, Jason Rebello began to unpack the fuss about Crocodile Dundee in the land of the golden soil, while he wrote a book ‘Red Earth Diaries’ and became an ambassador for migrants

his man proposed marriage after a four-month relationship. Who does that? And who would even be game to accept it? Jason Rebello and Ambika from Mumbai took the giant leap of faith and went on two road trips of a lifetime: one is called love and the other is Australia. Now he’s penned the experience in his

debut book, Red Earth Diaries. It’s a beautiful story by a gifted storyteller, encompassing a full circle of his life leading to Australia – ultimately with his wife, who shares his enthusiasm for travelling. This is a feel-good love story not only between a man and woman, but also with a country he fell in love with as a seventeen -year old. Rebello came to Brisbane as a

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young sea cadet in 1994; he recalls that most cargo operations were long and would dock for three to four days during the 90s. He had the opportunity to step out, shop and see the people. The excitement that engulfed him was profound; Rebello visited other ports around Australia but he always remembered Brisbane vividly. From that journey in 1994, Rebello spent almost two decades on sea liners, graduating all the way to captain. As a travelling sea captain, he fell in love with the whole essence of backpacking. In 2007, he backpacked across India from Meghalaya to Kerala and also to the ancient waters of Andaman. Rebello was still a bachelor, as he hadn’t met that someone special to share his dreams with; his friends were married, everyone was busy and Rebello had a passion for travelling. But a seed was embedded in Rebello in 1994, which he also talks about in the book. It was not something he thought about at that time, but he saw someone walking the streets of Brisbane in bare feet; Rebello was immediately attracted to the laidback lifestyle. There were no condescending eyes of judgement; this resonated with him. In the back of his mind he thought, “Maybe I should come here one day.” ‘That seed came to life when he met Ambika. He missed sailing, and the taste of travelling around India – and he missed the bond made with his father while growing up. All these mixed emotions finally made him choose Australia. But, Australia was totally random too: it was ‘let’s go explore and then decide’ for Rebello. The reluctant bachelor

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

was convinced by his future wife Ambika that he can still travel and be married; he didn’t have to give up travelling. In fact, she would travel with him! The penny dropped for Rebello; it was his Aha moment when Ambika said that. He beautifully gives credit to his wife for settling in Australia.’ Originally from Mangalore and halfBengali, Ambika worked in the jewellery business before surrendering to Rebello’s backpack lifestyle. The unlimited adventure of caravanning was only made possible when Ambika, who herself was welltravelled around the world, said ‘yes’ to both proposals. It was as if they were destined to be in Australia. They kick-started their adventure as soon as they came to Australia. While most migrants will dive in for a job, home and all the baggage that comes with settling in a new country, Rebello and Ambika decided to do the opposite. With a backpacker mindset and ten thousand dollars in their pocket, they toured a full circle of the country for two months. Rebello confesses that he had no clue how to look for a rental property; all he knew was he had a travelling spirit and a great partner who shared his enthusiasm. They had a beatup car as their go-with-the-flow companion; sometimes they would catch a flight, a train, a bus or even a traffic fine. They backpacked from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, where they dived with sharks. Then it was on to Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, Mackay, Cairns, Port Douglas and then further remote to Cape Tribulation. They travelled to Melbourne, the Twelve Apostles, Yarra Valley, Canberra and the Blue Mountains in NSW, ending their journey in Sydney. They celebrated their first anniversary in Sydney along with showers of blessings, as there was a special mass celebration in the cathedral with people having their anniversary. Ambika talks about how for most migrants the journey starts in

Sydney, but for them it ended in Sydney; the end to the beginning. Finally, the untamed beauty of Western Australia made them settle in Port Hedland. Their message to all migrants is to see the place they wish to call home – travel around! It’s like introducing yourself to a friend, to feel comfortable in each other’s company. On being asked what is so special about his book that people would want to buy it, Rebello says that it’s the four primary pillars. It’s a travelogue, a migrant’s journey (carrying a backpack for adventure and a wheel suitcase filled with certificates looking for jobs), an exploration of the themes and history of Australia, and a love story. He writes self-help books for migrants coming to Australia; he doesn’t consider himself as a gifted author, yet he thinks that’s a journey in progress. Being an author myself, I know that

this journey is never-ending. Like most men, Rebello didn’t know what he wanted, as Ambika puts in her own words. He liked the idea of the whole modern ‘arranged marriage’ theory, as he would come all dressed up for a coffee only to say no to his potential partners. Taking a stab in the dark while walking along Carter Road, Mumbai, Rebello proposed to Ambika with Australia in mind, and today they are Indian–Australian. The entire process took eight months, and during his last leg as a sea captain he asked Ambika to join him on his voyage to the Baltic and see for herself what she was buying into. Now living in remote WA with their two beautiful children Rohan and Renee, they did everything a migrant goes through, from distributing flyers to doing odd jobs. These two aspiring backpackers found each other while travelling, knowing themselves as partners. “The time that is right, whatever time it is,” according to Ambika. So, what can I say about Red Earth Diaries? The author, the other protagonists (Ambika, Australia, India), the people and the food – it’s all about the love of the untamed heart that puts a couple into the nomad life in a heartbeat. Red Earth Diaries is available now. Mr Sethi, the editor-in-chief of G’day India and The Indian Weekly, rightly says it has all the good ingredients of a good Bollywood film. When Rebello took a wedding photo with Ambika as well as a backpack and suitcase, he hadn’t intended it to be the cover of his book in 2021. We not only wish them the very best for their book but also give our blessings to the thriving adventurers within them. I think of J.R.R Tolkien: “Not all who wander are lost.” The book is available for purchase from 8th July 2021 in eBook and paperback format via the author’s website: www. evolvingwordsmith.com as well as all major online bookstores.

Jason and Ambika with children Rohan and Renee

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FEATURE

The Winner Takes it All 30

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Justin Narayan joined MasterChef because of his fiancé Esther; not knowing he will be taking the title ‘Masterchef 2021.’

ast week Tuesday night on, 13th July it was one of the most surreal moments of reality television, Masterchef season 13 - grand finale. It has been a mind-blowing season of talents overflowing with feel-good stories from Kishwar to Pete to Depinder and definitely ‘now’ Justin, who we had interviewed not so long ago. Justin Narayan (28) taking the title for Masterchef 2021 not only making us proud, but also the likes of food lovers and the entirety of the multicultural community. Now Friday afternoon in lockdown Mr Sethi, editor-in-chief of The Indian Weekly and G’day India, and I couldn’t have been more elated to interview him once more. This time for taking the crown - title Masterchef 2021. On asking how does it feel to walk away with the title on Peter Gilmore’s sensational mystery box? He simply says “It’s surreal, hasn’t sunk in yet.” With the same humility, he says, the more interview he does, the more it’s getting real. No doubt it is a big deal. Standing in between Kishwar and Pete, Justin stood expressionless when the judges announced him the winner. Honestly, he thought that anyone would have won, it was anybody’s game; everyone being a master of their own talent deserved to win. Justin is just super honoured to win the title and with this platform whatever he chooses to do with food some of the profits would go towards Vision Rescue in Mumbai Still in cloud nine, this fine young Masterchef promises he will go even higher connecting with food, people and the community. On answering Mr Sethi’s question on how he withstood the pressure with such calmness, Justin giggled saying ‘a whole lot going inside ‘, but mostly he enjoyed every cook thinking it might be his last. That kept the Masterchef grounded and having his family beside him was a game changer. What’s next for Justin? Definitely create some fun food content online to inspire people to cook. There will be a restaurant down the track too, and he would want to take his food to India once everything opens up. A down to earth Justin bolts off hugging his father as he grabs the title of Masterchef, graciously defending his fiancé when Mr Sethi asks him of any tension that would have bridged between the two love birds. To that Justin smilingly acknowledges, “She’s far too gracious than him.” Who says that? Not just a

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

As we say goodbye to this season, to his vivaciousness, I am kind of sad but soon bounced back as he promises to include us in the guest list next time he opens his signature restaurant.

winner but a leader. As people around the world is not only falling in love with his cooking but also his witty sense of humour, his charms and the

fact that how organically he has grown in the kitchen. Simply crediting to hard work combined with the blessings of his family he has motored on this journey.

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His humble message to our readers is that he is not only grateful for the love, but he deeply feels it’s an immense honour to represent an incredible part of the globe. He will continue to work harder for the community and aim for prouder moments. If it hadn’t been for his fiancé Esther Smoothy who urged him to sign that application, if he himself hadn’t had the power of dream to guide him and definitely if his father wouldn’t have stopped Justin from packing up from the MasterChef kitchen hearing about him being in hospital; we would have lost a great chef in the making. What a loss that would have been? Justin survived not only twenty-four cooks but also, he learned to trust his instincts. It was exciting to watch the nail-biting finish line. We surely cannot wait for his culinary journey. We at The Indian Weekly and G’day India will not only miss the show but the adrenalin that came along with it. We wish Justin all the best with this quote from his favourite Chef Gordon Ramsay “I think pressure’s healthy and very few can handle it.” By Nandita Chakraborty

LEGAL

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Proper arrangements for children and divorce BY GURPAL SINGH

he jurisprudential structure of the family law provides for the dissolution of the marriage to be independent from other claims under the Act. An application under the Act for a decree of dissolution of marriage is based on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Such a ground shall be held to be established and a decree of dissolution of the marriage shall be made if and only if the court is satisfied that the parties separated and thereafter lived separately and apart for a continuous period of not less than 12 months immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application for dissolution of marriage. The other claims include the maintenance for the wife, care and welfare of the children and the property. At the same time and pursuant to section 55A of the Act, the courts are obligated to consider and be satisfied that the arrangements for the children of the marriage under the age of 18 years have been made. Such an expectation does not mean that the court is making any decision about the matters that affect the children including their residence, contact or maintenance. The court look at these circumstances which exist independently of the application for dissolution of marriage. The divorce application seeks specific information from the applicant in respect of the children who on the date of filing the application are under 18 years and were

considered and treated as a part of the family including the applicant and the other party separated. The court is concerned about the detail of the children, as to where and with whom the children live, how often they see or communicate with the other parent, their health and progress in the school and the financial support. The court further requires the parties to indicate in case the parties intend to make any changes in the current arrangements. The bar in respect of satisfaction of expectation required under s55A of the Act is quite low. The provision imposes a positive obligation on the court to protect the interests of children of divorcing spouses. In case the court is not satisfied those proper arrangements had been made for the children, it must not grant a decree absolute unless there are circumstances by reason of which the decree should become absolute. Interestingly, the court had been reluctant to find that proper arrangements have been made where one party is not meeting their obligation to provide financial support for the children. The full court of Family court of Australia decided such an interesting question in a matter where the father of two children

aged eight years and five years was living overseas and children with their mother (wife) lived in Australia. The wife objected to the divorce before the primary judge by raising the concern that while she had applications on foot, the children were not properly provided for and the husband was not a resident in Australia. The primary judge curiously allowed the application of the husband for dissolution of marriage by holding that it was not customary for the court to hold the parties to ransom over an application for dissolution of marriage whilst other issues are under debate and made a declaration under the provisions of the Act. The full court however held that where the court is not satisfied in respect of proper arrangements having been made, the divorce should not be granted. In deciding the application for divorce the court would invariably ask questions about the proper arrangements for the children’s care, welfare, and development. Such compliance may not be required in case the party, or the children cannot be found. Additionally, the threshold in respect of the children’s welfare does not imply a proper decision on the application for parenting, maintenance and/or welfare prior to granting the divorce. The court’s satisfaction in respect of the approval of arrangements do not become court orders and such observations/ notations are not enforceable as if they were court orders.

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

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OPINION

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Is it ok to call someone with a physical or mental illness, Disabled?

Maybe for me calling someone ‘Disabled’ is a big NO! ‘Enabled with support’ a definite YES!! BY KARTHIK ARASU President of “Australia India Sports Council

ords are powerful, every word impacts us, it has the power to encourage or discourage. A word said in anger can break families, cause wars; a word said in love inspires to do great things, can stop wars. A word said with hate can bring us down, a word said with positivity have the power to lift us. The power of words is indisputable, they are an incredibly powerful tool of empowerment, identity, and purpose, it can have a devastating impact if used wrongly, even with the best of intentions. Imagine someone addressing you your entire life as DISABLED! Imagine the plight of a parent when their child is constantly identified, referred to, addressed as Disabled. If the word allocated to identify you is based on your physical or mental challenges or disability and you are differentiated from others based on your limitations. The impact of this will weaken your strengths; you are defeated before you have begun. What is the correct word? In all honesty, I don’t know, but I sincerely feel “Enabled with support” will be much better than “Disabled”. I want to be very clear before you read any further, I am not in any way talking for the people with disabilities, I am only talking from my frustrations of seeing the impact on my friends who either live with a disability or have a loved one with a disability. Ask any person with a disability, they will say how they have to fight for accessibility and inclusion, every day, everywhere. We don’t often come across it, whether we accept it or not, we are oblivious to their sufferings. The unfortunate reality is for many it will be just a moment to pity someone and feel good about ourselves, for some it will be a chance to show how compassionate they are, but it stops after that moment, to the person living with a disability it is a lifetime of struggle. I feel horrified when I hear people differentiated with terms such as normal people and disabled people, it is not due to ill intentions, but due to lack of awareness, many make these mistakes. A lot of people, think those with disabilities deserve to be pitied, or treat them like they are somehow more special than those who do not have a disability, even worse some treat them with fear and even try to ignore them. Differently Abled: People with a disability don't mean they can’t perform

activities done by those without a disability. Terms such as “Differently Abled or Differently Talented” are used in India to identify a person with a disability. I am reminded of the story of Lord Aruna (n) in Hinduism, Lord Aruna a prematurely born child with an underdeveloped lower body; he is the charioteer who mounts the chariot drawn by seven horses for Lord Surya. It is said that Lord Surya the Sun God was the first to appoint a person with a disability to work according to their talent. Aruna precedes Surya in the heavens and is worshiped along with the Sun God, his talent of mounting a chariot is unmatched. So is the talent of every person with a disability, it is unmatched and each one shines differently. But, there are also reservations on using the word “Differently Abled”, it somehow implies making people with disabilities out to be special or inspirational, just for living with disability and comes across as patronising, even worse it may diminish the struggles they endure every day. It is very important that in our attempts to address the person with disabilities properly, we should not turn their regular experiences in daily lives into something positive and uplifting. It probably will alienate them and cause more damage than calling them disabled. It is refreshing to see changes are happening in terming the spaces nowadays, more and more “accessible” parking space is used rather than a “disabled” or “handicapped” parking space and “accessible toilet” is used rather than “disabled toilet.” In the words of Mark Twain, “The difference between the right word and the

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almost-right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” Words which identify someone should be right one hundred per cent, not almost right. We need to stop making assumptions and stop taking the onus to decide for people with disabilities. At the least, the Government Boards and Advisory Councils for Disability should be at least made up of the majority of people with disability. A person who uses a wheelchair, person with paraplegia, person with quadriplegia, person of short stature, person with cognitive disability, person with intellectual disability, person with down syndrome, person with a learning disability, person with ADHD, person with autism, person with psychosocial disability, person with a mental health condition, person with a hearing impairment, person with a visual impairment, person with speech impairment, etc., people with disability have unique challenges and struggles, it will be different for each and every disabled individual. People with disabilities are often taken for granted, those without disabilities often make decisions for them. They are not permitted to live their own lives, others decide what’s best for them, others give what they think will make their lives better. We deny, rob, and ridicule their struggles knowingly and unknowingly, it’s time we give the mantle to decide in their able hands. If we want to be better friends with people with disabilities, we need to let them take the lead on how they want to be identified. It is time they are “Enabled with support”, and they are not disabled by the world.

FESTIVALS

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Happy Janmashtami - Jai Shri Krishna!! BY ARCHITA BAWEJA

anmashtami is the auspicious day when Lord Krishna took birth on this planet. This day is celebrated with great fervour and zeal. As per Hindu Calendar, this festival is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark fortnight which is called as Ashtami of Krishna Paksh. Lord Krishna is believed to be the most powerful soul and incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. Lork Krishna was a mischievous and engaging child who grew to become the God of compassion, love and tenderness. The protector of Draupadi. The beloved of Radha. A cowherd and a flautist. The keeper and speaker of the wise Bhagvad Gita. Playful, strategic, wise, compassionate, intelligent, passionate – there aren’t enough words to describe this God and the role he played in Hinduism. Krishna is revered by Hindus around the world – the devotion reaching its zenith on his birthday, Krishna Janmashtami (also known as Gokulashtami). This festival is observed in the period between August end and the beginning of September. A day that changed the fates of many, a life that fascinated and a legend that will never die Lord Krishna is believed to have been born during midnight amidst heavy rains around 5000 years back in Dwapur Yug.

At midnight, Lord Krishna is welcomed by blowing of Shankh (conch), an arti is performed by pujari’s (brahmins) of the temple. The temples echo with slogans like “Jai Shri Krishna “and devotees shower flowers on the idol of lord Krishna. This is followed by the ceremony of giving holy bath to lord Krishna with Panchamrit – a mixture of gangajal (Ganga water), honey, sugar, ghee and curd. This mixture is later distributed as prasad among the devotees. Holy bath of the Lord is followed by offering food to him. While some temples offer what is known as Chappan bhog – an offering of 56 dishes to Lord Krishna, other temples offer as much as 108 dishes to Lord. The celebrations are at its peak in the kingdom of Mathura, which is Krishna’s birthplace, and Vrindavan (where he grew up). In Vrindavan, celebrations begin ten days before the actual day. Rasleelas and plays based on the events of Krishna’s life are performed. Temples and homes are

decorated with pomp and splendour, and the “Abhishek” – the bathing of the idol before the celebrations, is a massive event. In Mathura, the two most important aspects of the festival are celebrated with fervour. The first being Jhulanotsov, where locals place swings in their courtyards (to symbolise baby Krishna’s cradle) and decorate temples with flowers and rangolis to welcome Krishna. The second celebration is Ghatas – where all temples are decorated with a particular thematic colour. The main events are held at the location of Krishna’s birth, which was converted into the Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir. Other parts of North India, like Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himalayan North, celebrate Janmashtami with equal splendour. Here in Melbourne, Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple organises an event each year at Janamashtami. The event is celebrated as a community gathering with hundreds of devotees congregating at the temple throughout the day, participating in rituals and breaking the fast together at midnight to celebrate the occasion of Krishna’s birth. To all those who are celebrating, Happy Janmashtami! Hoping this Janmashtami Lord Krishna comes to your house and lights the lamp of happiness! May he bless us all with love, happiness and peace.

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

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COMMUNITY

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Marvellous Marble Temple of Melbourne A dream come true for Melbourne’s Jain community

‘Jinalay Shilanyas’ or Jain Temple’s foundation stone laying ceremony, was held on Wednesday 4th August 2021 at the early hours of the morning for one of a kind marble temple, ‘Shwetambar’, by the Jain community and the dignitaries of Melbourne. The Jain community came together to build a fifteen hundred tonne temple with five thousand pieces of beautifully carved marble. This will be the first-ever Jain temple in Melbourne. Shwetambar Jain Sangh (Popularly known as MSJS) is a community of Jain families and individuals from all walks of life, who reside in and around Melbourne. MSJS is a not-for-profit, religious, community organisation. Their motive is to promote

was first conceived, was chosen. Located at 124-126 Rowans Road, Moorabbin the Masonic Center was purchased by MSJS in 2017. Post the acquisition, significant planning was undertaken to finalise designs for both the new MSJS Centre and a Shikharbaddh Jinalay, including but not limited to town planning applications, temple designs, structural planning, and funds collection. The ceremony for the stone foundation was attended by several dignitaries, Nick Staikos – Local MP -Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs Raj Kumar- Consul-General of India, Jason Wood- Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Steve Staikos, Mayor City of Kingston, Hadi Saab Deputy Mayor - City of Kingston, Tamsin Bearsley Councillor - City of Kingston, Zoe Williams (Suzy attended in Zoe’s absence)- Regional Director - Department of Home Affairs, officials of Victoria Police - Moorabbin Victoria Police, Mr Bhakta Dasa President – Faith Communities Council of Victoria, Leaders Various Religious

the philosophy and teachings of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion pillared by the principle of non-violence, through various spiritual and cultured activities. MSJS was founded in 2007, with a vision to create on the three principles of Jainism - right belief, right knowledge and right conduct. The supreme principle of Jainism is ahimsa - believing in non-violence. In 2016, with blessings from spiritual leaders and immense support from the community, MSJS embarked on a dream project journey to establish a standalone Spiritual Centre and Shikharbaddh Jinalay (Temple) in Melbourne. After a lot of consideration, the existing Moorabbin Masonic Center, where a small group of individuals use to gather for various religious activities on a regular basis and where the idea of Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh

Groups in Victoria Federation of Community Council of Victoria (FCCV). Minister Jason wood was touched by the community’s resilience. He quotes “I thank Nitin Joshi the President and his tremendous team for their great work and wish them all the best in constructing this amazing building!” We spoke to the President of MSJS, Nitin Doshi, who works as a software system consultant and has been a member since 2007, he mentioned that there are about 500 Jain families in Melbourne and the entire Jain community have taken pride in building this beautiful one of a kind temple in Melbourne. Mainly families from Melbourne had taken a vow that at least one member of each household would fast for 36 hours drinking only boiled water until the temple was constructed. To date there has been 1800

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fasts and continuing; the warmth and devotion is just very enriching to see a community unite. The Melbourne Jain temple will be made of white Makrana marble from India. More than 5,000 pieces of beautifully carved marble, weighing about 1500 tonnes, will be imported from India to build the temple. Currently, more than 300 artisans are undertaking the carving work, which is expected to take around 30 months to complete. The date envisioned for the completion is around March to June 2023,

and it is still achievable with lockdowns and borders closed to get visas for at least five to seven artisans to assemble these carved marbles calls for a lot of planning. Still, Mr Doshi is determined that it is possible. It’s a tremendous effort from the Jain community and the skills of these artisans as they carve the marble pieces under the contract work of Robins Bille of Pindwara carvings in Rajasthan. It will be a majestic temple bathing in marble iconic not only to Indians living in Melbourne but also to the wider community of Melbourne. On behalf of G’day India we congratulate the Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sang and send them good wishes. We all cannot wait to see this marvellous history of Jainism in each piece of marble. (GDI News Desk)

TECH

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

NEW CYBERSECURITY TECH PROTECTS COMPUTER NETWORKS IN VEHICLES A team of US researchers has developed a new machine learning-based framework to enhance the security of computer networks inside vehicles without undermining performance. In collaboration with experts from Virginia Tech, the University of Queensland and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, researchers at the US Army Research Laboratory devised a technique called ‘DESOLATOR’ to help optimise a well-known cybersecurity strategy known as the moving target defence. DESOLATOR, which stands for deep reinforcement learning-based resource allocation and moving target defence deployment framework, helps the in-vehicle network identify the optimal IP shuffling frequency and bandwidth allocation to deliver effective, long-term moving target defence. “The idea is that it’s hard to hit a moving target,” said Dr Terrence Moore, a US Army mathematician. “If everything is static, the adversary

said. “Nowadays, there’s a lot of research out there that looks solely at either enhancing performance or enhancing security. Looking at both performance and security is in itself a little rare, especially for in-vehicle networks.” In addition, DESOLATOR is not limited to identifying the optimal IP shuffling frequency and bandwidth allocation. can take their time looking at everything and choosing their targets. But if you shuffle the IP addresses fast enough, then the information assigned to the IP quickly becomes lost, and the adversary has to look for it again,” he explained. The research team used deep reinforcement learning to gradually shape the behaviour of the algorithm based on various reward functions, such as exposure time and the number of dropped packets, to ensure that DESOLATOR took both security and efficiency into equal consideration. “Existing legacy in-vehicle networks are very efficient, but they weren’t really designed with security in mind,” Moore

Since this approach exists as a machine learning-based framework, other researchers can modify the technique to pursue different goals within the problem space. According to Army computer scientist and programme lead Dr Frederica Free-Nelson, this level of fortification of prioritised assets on a network is an integral component for any kind of network protection. “This ability to retool the technology is very valuable not only for extending the research but also marrying the capability to other cyber capabilities for optimal cybersecurity protection,” Nelson said. (IANS)

GOOGLE MAPS GAINS HOME SCREEN WIDGETS ON IPHONE Google has updated its Google Maps app for the iPhone to add support for widgets that can be added both to the Today View and the Home Screen. There are two separate widget options. The first allows users to check traffic conditions, store opening times, restaurant reviews and more for a given location. The second one is designed to let users find places that are nearby like restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. The widget can be used to get quick access to home directions as well, and it has a search interface available for inputting directions right from the ‘Home Screen’. The Google Maps widget can be accessed using the “+” button either in the Today View or on the Home Screen after downloading the latest version of

the app. Recently, the company has expanded the number of cities where Maps offers information about public transport crowding and would provide transit crowdedness predictions for over 10,000 transit agencies in 100 countries around the world.

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Google Maps will also provide more information about your past trips. Available to all Android users, you can now use the Trips tab to transport yourself back in time, the company said earlier. (IANS)

VIRTUAL

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

37 37

INDIA MAY WITNESS 650 MN SHORT-FORM VIDEO APP USERS BY 2025 After Facebook and Google, the short-form video apps are set to take over as the second biggest segment in India in terms of time spent, even overtaking OTT platforms, a new report showed on Thursday. The monthly active users of the short-form segment are expected to grow more than two times to reach 650 million users by 2025, clocking the second spot after television. This significant growth is largely expected to be driven by the new 300 million Internet users that will be added by 2025. The digital ad market is expected to grow to 10 times in the next 10 years in the country and Indian short-form platforms can potentially take up to 20 per cent of the digital ad market share, according to the report by Bengaluru-based market research firm RedSeer Consulting. “We are reaching an inflexion point for digital ads journey in India. The market is set to grow exponentially over the next decade and some of the new age content platforms are best positioned to capture this growth,” said Ujjwal Chadhury, associate partner at RedSeer. An earlier RedSeer report mentioned that the Indian short-video platforms like Moj, Josh, MX TakaTak and Roposo, among others. have managed to bring back 97 per cent of TikTok’s

user base owing to their aggressive marketing and user acquisition. “Short-form creators have grown two times (since TikTok days in June 2020 when it was banned) and now stand at 40-45 million, mostly from smaller towns and cities,” the findings showed. The Indian short-form apps have surged ahead in terms of creator experience. “The Short-form content has been the biggest winner at an aggregate level, and is

likely to overtake OTT video content in the coming year”, as per the report.Most of these platforms have ensured stringent content compliance standards (over 95 per cent) and monetisation opportunities. After the TikTok ban in June 2020, Indian short form apps have come a long way. However, India is still at a nascent stage in terms of monetisation on short-form apps but is showing early adoption, the report mentioned. (IANS)

CREATORS CAN NOW EARN UP TO $10K A MONTH ON YOUTUBE SHORTS Google-owned YouTube has announced to pay creators up to $10,000 a month for making popular videos on Shorts app, its TikTok competitor.

YouTube Premium is a paid subscription option which enables members to enjoy ad-free content, background playback, downloads, and premium access to the YouTube Music app.

The company has launched YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100 million fund distributed over 20212022.

“The majority of subscription revenue goes to YouTube partners,” said the company.

“Each month, we’ll reach out to thousands of eligible creators to claim a payment from the Fund -- creators can make anywhere from $100 to $10,000 based on viewership and engagement on their Shorts,” YouTube said in a statement.

“With channel memberships, creators can offer exclusive perks and content to viewers who join their channel as a monthly paying member at prices set by the creator,” YouTube added. Another monetisation feature called ‘Super Chat’ is a highlighted message in the chat stream that stands out from the crowd to get even more of their favourite creator’s attention.

The $100 million fund will help build a monetisation model for Shorts on YouTube and is not limited to just creators in YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) and any creator that meets its eligibility criteria can participate. With the launch of the Shorts Fund, creators and artists now have 10 ways to make money and build a business on YouTube. “Ads have been at the core of creators’

revenue streams, and continue to be the main way that creators can earn money on YouTube. Creators receive the majority of the revenue generated from ads on YouTube,” said Robert Kyncl, Chief Business Officer, YouTube.

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“Now viewers can give thanks and appreciation on uploaded videos as well through Super Thanks. As an added bonus, fans will get a distinct, colourful comment to highlight the purchase, which creators can respond to,” YouTube informed. (IANS)

RELATIONSHIPS

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Virtual romance is incomparable to real one

Everyone loves a love story. But when it comes to matters of the heart, every generation comes with its own set of rules of engagement. From courtship to choosing to walk up to the altar -- there are a lot of said and unsaid ‘to do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ that prevail.

These are interesting not just from a sociological point of view, but even for couples in this very waltz of love. As with every field of life and work, the pandemic and its aftermath didn’t spare the diverse world of romance. Interestingly, while remaining shut indoors, the last year and a half gave us a chance to re-evaluate our take on love and intimacy. Something new was learnt, something old was unlearnt -- including the very definition of ‘dates’ and ‘meet-cutes’. In its first ‘Love Survey 2021’ ITC Engage in collaboration with IPSOS, a global leader in market research, commissioned a study to explore the changing language of love in this New Normal. The study discovers attitudes and behaviours of young India towards romance in the new normal. The qualitative survey through candid questions unravels interesting insights on love, relationships, conversation starters, attraction, virtual v/s real romance and how these beliefs have changed. Key Findings: 4 Young individuals and their idea of love and romance -- 63 per cent of respondents believe in long-term relationships 4 New Rules of Virtual engagement -- 36 per cent of respondents in non-metro cities agreed that physical distancing is not a hindrance to romance these days as there are various means available to continue the romance and keep the spark alive. In contrast to the opinion in the nonmetros, only 24 per cent of respondents from metro cities felt the same.

it difficult to initiate/ develop a relationship. Seventy-five per cent of respondents feel starting and developing relationships has become more difficult due to lockdowns. On the other hand, it also helped people understand meaningful aspects of their relationships. 4 Virtual vs Real Life -- 98 per cent of the total respondents believe virtual romance is completely different from real romance. Virtual romance is perceived to lack authenticity, is more casual in nature and risky. 4 Real Life romance wins over Virtual Romance -- 50 per cent of respondents believe that romance in the virtual world works well for people who are a little shy/ introvert in real life while 50 per

cent of respondents in metros feel romance in a virtual world is more flirtatious/casual and generally not serious. Forty-six per cent of the respondents felt that romance in the virtual world sometimes can become very dangerous. 4 Romance pre and during Covid-19 -- In the course of the pandemic, the linkage of romance with positive words has noticed a decline. In the Covid world, there is a 23 per cent drop for the word ‘being together’, followed by a 14 per cent dip for ‘chemistry’ in the current scenario. However, associations for negative words like ‘difficult’, ‘anxiety’ and ‘frustrating’ have increased by 25 per cent, 15 per cent and 20 per cent respectively -indicating the shift in the idea of romance in the new normal. 4 I mpact of Lockdown -- The isolation due to the pandemic has helped 85 per cent of the respondents understand meaningful aspects of their relationships. But the lockdown has helped 84 per cent of the respondents to find new and innovative ways of connecting with their partners. Romance in this new normal has witnessed a significant shift but love as an emotion continues to seek ways to nurture and deepen a bond. Virtual romance in the digital age has its pros and cons. There is a continuous need to explore ways to keep the spark alive. Be it organising fun virtual dates, enjoying a movie marathon or a sudden virtual surprise, it is imperative to keep the connection as real as possible. (IANSlife)

4 Impact of Lockdown on Relationships -Lockdown had put new relationships under stress -- with almost 80 per cent of single/casual daters finding

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LIFESTYLE

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

People are selfish with masses and generous to individuals

The general public in recent years has steadily lost their confidence in economic authorities, financial institutions, and particularly corporate managers. They think that economic actors will go to any length for-profits, which includes harming fellow human beings and large groups.

Yet, modern behavioural economics and psychology tell a completely different story. Laboratory data has shown that people willingly share monetary gains with others, dislike inequality, and are very often generous. Recent evidence shows that dishonesty levels as measured in certain laboratory tasks are surprisingly low. The message is that people are prosocial and, if given the opportunity, cheat just a little. These findings have been published in the journal ‘Nature Human Behaviour’. Opportunity to rob half of the gains from others How can both observations be simultaneously true? Are high-level economic actors simply different? To find out, Carlos Alos-Ferrer, NOMIS Professor for Decision and Neuroeconomic Theory at the University

of Zurich and his team designed the Big Robber Game, an experimental setting with 640 participants in a standard student sample. Students were placed in groups of 32, where all subjects were engaged in some remunerated activity and earned the same amount of money. Half of the participants, the robbers, were given the opportunity to anonymously steal half the earnings of the other 16 members of their group (and one of the 16 robber’s decisions was actually implemented), which corresponded to more or less 100 Euros. But they could also steal less, say one-third, or one-tenth or nothing at all. So, what did they do? Overwhelmingly ruthless in anonymous groups More than half of all robbers went to the extreme and took the maximum possible, which was half of the earnings of all others. Over 80 per cent took one-third or more and almost nobody declined to rob. The students revealed an overwhelming willingness to inflict significant monetary harm to a large group of others. Furthermore, the decision to take the maximum was taken on average more quickly than the decision to refrain from it, revealing a weaker moral struggle in the former case. However, the very same study participants displayed predominantly prosocial behaviour in standard bilateral games. When asked how they wanted to split 10 Euros with just one other participant, they voluntarily transferred some money, even when the other person

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was powerless to retaliate if no money came. In general, their actions revealed that they disliked inequality. “Thus, the very same people displayed selfishness in the large high-impact decisions affecting a large group and generosity in the small bilateral, low-stakes interactions”, Alos-Ferrer resumes. “This behaviour arose spontaneously within our student population, with no significant differences due to gender or field of studies. Therefore, there is no need for arguments about high-level economic actors being different. The roots of corporate scandals seem to be in all of us.” Trade-off between personal gain and other-regarding concerns The finding that people behave selfishly toward a large group while being generous toward individuals suggests that harming many individuals might be easier than harming just one, in line with existing evidence that people are more willing to help one individual rather than many. According to the authors, the study also reflects the trade-off between personal gain and other-regarding concerns: When facing an individual in a bilateral game, appropriating a given monetary amount can result in a large interpersonal difference. When appropriating income from a large group of people, the same personal gain involves a smaller percentual difference, and hence it is more likely to offset the inequality aversion. Alos-Ferrer: “In economically relevant situations, many human decisionmakers might be willing to inflict significant harm on a relatively large number of people for personal gain, as long as that gain is of sufficient magnitude. Even more strikingly, in Western societies, 100 Euros might already be enough.” (ANI)

HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

EYES MAY SIGNAL ‘LONG COVID’

NERVE fibre loss and an increase in key immune (dendritic) cells on the surface of the eye -- cornea -- may help identify patients with ‘long Covid’, according to a small study.

CCM has been used to identify nerve damage and inflammatory changes attributable to diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia (all over body pain).

These changes were particularly evident among those with neurological symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell, headache, dizziness, numbness, and neuropathic pain, following Covid-19 infection, said researchers from the Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital in Konya, Turkey.

“We show that patients with long Covid have evidence of small nerve fibre damage which relates to the severity of long Covid and neuropathic as well as musculoskeletal symptoms,” said Gulfidan Bitirgen, from the Hospital’s Department of Ophthalmology.

The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the pupil, iris, and the fluid-filled interior. Its main function is to focus most of the light entering the eye.

The team scanned corneas of 40 people who had recovered from confirmed Covid-19 infection between one and six months using CCM.

Around one in 10 of all those infected with Covid-19 infection will develop long Covid.

The corneal scans were compared with those of 30 healthy people who hadn’t had Covid-19 infection. The corneal scans revealed that patients with neurological symptoms four weeks after they had recovered from acute Covid-19 had greater corneal nerve fibre damage and loss, with higher numbers of dendritic cells, than those who hadn’t had Covid-19 infection. Those without neurological symptoms had comparable numbers of corneal nerve fibres as those who hadn’t been infected with Covid-19, but higher numbers of dendritic cells. However, this is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause, the researchers said.

The findings, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, suggested corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) -- a real time, non-invasive, high-resolution imaging laser technique -- to identify long Covid symptoms correlated strongly with corneal nerve fibre loss.

“Corneal confocal microscopy may have clinical utility as a rapid objective ophthalmic test to evaluate patients with long Covid,” Bitirgen said. (ANI)

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

ASK DR. RAJ… WARTS: Q: Hello Dr Raj, My wife has developed several knob like growths on her face, arms etc in the last one year. Initially we noticed 2 such growths, one on the chin and other at the tip of the nose. These were freezed first and then laser burned when they reappeared later within 3 months. Now these growths are multiplied and we are greatly concerned that these may continue to spread and about health implications. This started shortly after my wife went for an aid camp as a volunteer. Mr. A.

Health tip:

A detailed case study is required for effective treatment. Homeopathy has a proven track record in treating warts and also preventing their recurrence. The ideology behind this is not everyone exposed to the virus get warts. This is because of the strength of their immune system and its response. Homeopathic remedies will stimulate a similar response in the affected person’s immune system, thus the warts gradually dry drop off and in most cases do not reoccur.

Freezing of warts is called Cryotherapy. The wart is sprayed with liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures A: Dear Mr.A, Warts are common, allowing the wart to drop off. Side and are caused by a viral infection effects include pain, swelling, scaring (viruses in the human papillomavirus and the results are not permanent. (HPV) family) and are contagious Laser treatments burn off the wart but when in contact with the skin of the once again, may not be a permanent infected person. Warts usually disap- solution because the virus which pear after few months however can causes the wart is still well and truly also last several years and reoccur. alive within your body. I have heard Warts can grow on various parts of the continuous use of Apple Cider the body, face, inside the mouth, Vinegar on the wart surely helps the genitals, hands, fingers etc. Also wart to disappear but would not recwarts are of different types such as ommend the use of such treatments flat and filiform warts (more common by yourself without medical supervion the face), plantar warts, mosaic sion when you have available natural and genital warts etc. therapy alternatives. Your wife could have picked up the virus in her travels or the virus could have been dormant and manifested at an available opportunity.

By Raj Kothuru

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

Silver has intrinsic germicidal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and fortifies your food

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

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

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Deterioration The friendly amalgam of titanium and other metals merge with the jawbone over time. This process is known as osseointegration. Due to the presence of these metals, the bone deterioration seen in normal individuals as a side-effect of aging can be reduced. 5. Better Longevity When cared for properly, All on 4 dental implants last much longer than other methods. There are even cases where dental implants have lasted a lifetime. 6. Easy to Care For Looking after All-on-4 dental implants is as easy as your natural teeth. A normal oral hygiene routine of brushing twice and flossing once a day would suffice. As they are not your natural teeth, any food particles stuck between the artificial teeth cannot decay them. However, care must be taken as the food particles can decay the tissues of your gums which can lead to a bad situation. CONS 1. Must be precise When going for All-on-4 dental implants, make sure you are consulting an experienced dentist since the success of dental implants depends greatly on the skill and expertise of your dentist. Dental implant surgery needs to be effective. Visit our dentists at Healthy Smiles Dental Group for a detailed analysis and check-up. Our expert dentists will be more than happy to help you out with your dental needs. BOTTOM LINE As with any surgical procedure, the surgery for a dental implants procedure also has its risks and precautions involved. Make sure you follow the guidelines provided by the dentist. To decide if All-on-4 dental implants are a treatment option for you, visit our dentists at Healthy Smiles Dental Group. Feel free to contact us on 03 9877 2035. Dr Ved Berani BDS(Mum), ADEC(Aust), MBA(Melb), FIADFE, MFGDP(UK) Principal Dentist & Clinical Advisor Healthy Smiles Dental Group 150-152 Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South VIC 3130 Call us: (03) 9877 2035 www.healthysmiles.com.au

HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

KALONJI MAY HELP IN TREATMENT FOR COVID-19 INFECTION Australian researchers have found that seeds of the plant, Nigella sativa, better known as Kalonji, could be utilised in the treatment of Covid-19 infection. The flowering plant, native to north Africa and western Asia, has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy for multiple medical conditions, including inflammation and infections. A team from the University of Technology in Sydney found an active ingredient of Nigella sativa can prevent the SARS-CoV-2, the virus leading to Covid-19, from causing a lung infection. “There is growing evidence from modelling studies that thymoquinone, an active ingredient of Nigella sativa, more commonly known as the fennel flower, can stick to the Covid-19 virus spike protein and stop the virus from causing a lung infection,” said lead author Kaneez Fatima Shad, Professor at the varsity. “It may also block the ‘cytokine’ storm that affects seriously ill patients who are hospitalised with Covid-19,” Shad added.

Covid-19 infection. There have been many barriers to the development of Nigella sativa as a therapeutic agent in large part due to its poor natural gastrointestinal absorption. “Advances in pharmacological development such as nanotechnology have seen the chance to overcome this barrier to enable its use as an effective oral medication. Furthermore, the drug has recently been successfully given to patients as a nasal spray and topical paste,” said co-author Dr Wissam Soubra, from the varsity. Nigella sativa has been shown

The study is published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. Thymoquinone has been extensively studied in laboratories, including animal studies. These studies have shown that it can moderate the immune system in a good way, by preventing proinflammation chemicals such as interleukins from being released. This gives thymoquinone a potential role as a treatment for allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema, arthritis conditions including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, and even possibly multiple sclerosis. The study details the mechanisms of action of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone and how they are a promising future treatment of

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to be helpful in treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus. As an antiinflammatory treatment, it has also been found to help patients with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, eczema, osteoarthritis and childhood epilepsy. It has also been proven to be effective in a laboratory environment in killing bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus that can cause a range of mild to severe infections if they enter the skin, and viruses including influenza. (IANS)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Millet-based diet can lower risk of

type 2 diabetes

A new study has shown that eating millets reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and helps manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. The study indicates the potential to design appropriate meals with millets for diabetic and pre-diabetic people as well as for non-diabetic people as a preventive approach.

Drawing on research from 11 countries, the study published in Frontiers in Nutrition shows that diabetic people who consumed millets as part of their daily diet saw their blood glucose levels drop 12-15% (fasting and post-meal), and blood glucose levels went from diabetic to pre-diabetes levels. The HbA1c (blood glucose bound to haemoglobin) levels lowered on average 17% for pre-diabetic individuals, and the levels went from prediabetic to normal status. These findings affirm that eating millets can lead to a better glycaemic response. The authors reviewed 80 published studies of which 65 were eligible for a meta-analysis involving about 1,000 human subjects, making this analysis the largest systematic review on the topic till date, said International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). “No one knew there were so many scientific

How we use this and implement it into programs needs careful planning,” said Hemalatha, Director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

studies undertaken on millets’ effect on diabetes. These benefits were often contested, and this systematic review of the studies published in scientific journals has proven that millets keep blood glucose levels in check, reducing the risk of diabetes, and has shown just how well these smart foods do it,” said Dr. S Anitha, the study’s lead author and a senior nutrition scientist at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). “Diabetes contributed to very high disease burden from 1990-2016 in India. Diabetesrelated health expenditure was over $7 million. There is no easy solution, and it requires a lifestyle change, and diet is a very important part of this. This study provides one part of the solution useful for individuals and governments.

Strengthening the case for returning millets as staples, the study found that millets have a low average glycaemic index (GI) of 52.7, about 30% lower glycaemic index (GI) than milled rice and refined wheat, and about 14-37 GI points lower compared to maize. All 11 types of millets studied were either low (<55) or medium GI (55-69), GI being an indicator of how much and how soon a food increases blood sugar level. The review concluded that even after boiling, baking and steaming (most common ways of cooking grains) millets had lower GI than rice, wheat and maize. “Millets are traditional foods consumed in India. Use of locally available millets as dietary diversification coupled with good lifestyle modifications would help reduce not only Type II diabetes but also gestational diabetes.,” said study co-author Professor Kowsalya Subramaniam, (Food and Science Nutrition), Registrar at Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women (deemed to be university) in Tamil Nadu. (IANS)

HAIR LOSS IS NEW POST COVID COMPLICATION caused by a compromised nutritional intake, sudden changes in weight, hormonal disturbances and reduced vitamin D and B12 levels are some of the major reasons for the large volumes of hair loss post Covid-19,” said Shahin Nooreyezdan, Senior Consultant, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.

There has been a massive influx of patients with post Covid hair loss, said doctors here on Thursday. The sudden onset of hair loss -- Telogen effluvium -- is caused majorly due to stress, nutritional deficiency and inflammatory reactions caused by the infectious disease, the health experts explained. Normally a person can lose up to 100 hair per day, but due to Telogen Effluvium it can increase up to 300-400 hair per day. “We have seen a two-fold rise in the number of patients complaining of problems related to hair loss. Post Covid-19 inflammation has been a major contributor here. The deficiencies

However, the condition, which sets in 1-1.5 months after Covid is temporary and gets better with treatment in 2-3 months. “Reason is the interruption of hair follicle growth due to an acute infection like Covid that pushes the hair into the shedding or dead phase (telogen phase). And the dead hair shed off after a few weeks automatically,” said Sachin Dhawan, Senior Consultant, Department of Dermatology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute. “For mild cases, recovery is automatic. In severe cases, a good hair supplement with biotin and amino acids, iron and other minerals is given, along with a peptide containing serum,” Dhawan added. During the post Covid-19 recovery, people must consume a nutritious diet along with

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natural edible sources of vitamins and iron. Iron deficiency can further accelerate the hair loss, and consumption of a protein rich and balanced diet can itself be a solution for reducing temporarily witnessed hair fall. Besides eating healthy and taking nutritional supplements, one should also avoid heat and chemicals for hairstyling and refrain from following a sedentary lifestyle, the doctors recommended. “It is only after waiting for 5-6 weeks post consuming a nutritious diet that people should consult a doctor if they still encounter an excessive hair loss. Moreover, some common hair care solutions that can be administered to avoid an excessive hair loss are; use of mild, paraben and sulphate free shampoos, keeping a close check on the itchy and flaky scalp, refrain from oiling and massaging the scalp, using a wide tooth comb and seeking immediate medical intervention in case of development of bald patches and getting huge volumes of hair fall,” said Kuldeep Singh, Senior Consultant Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.

(ANI)

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

RICHA CHADHA’S

‘GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS’ SCRIPT SELECTED FOR GOTHAM WEEK

Ayushmann Khurrana Lucky that I chose acting as my profession:

Richa Chadha’s script of her production venture ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ has been selected as part of the international features section at this year’s ‘Gotham Week’. The actress hopes to be able to find “like-minded” investors and collaborators to make the “exciting film”. Gotham Week is an annual event that brings together storytellers from films, television, and audio and is sponsored by Netflix, Amazon Studios, Audible, SAGindie and WarnerMedia. It will be held virtually this year between September 19-24. ‘Girls will be Girls’ is an Indo-French co-production between Pushing Burtons Studio (Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal), Crawling Angel Films (Sanjay Gulati and Pooja Chauhan), and Dolce Vita Films (Claire Chassagne). Richa said: “We hope to be able to find like-minded investors and collaborators at Gotham Week to join us in making this exciting film. It is a fresh and feminist story, and I believe Shuchi is a new voice in Indian cinema.” The team recently wrapped up shoot for a pitch video/teaser, and hope it will help with fundraising at Gotham Week. Shuchi Talati, who has been roped in to direct the film, added: “Girls Will Be Girls

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is currently busy shooting for his upcoming film “Doctor G” in Bhopal. He calls himself lucky that he chose acting as his profession because it has taken him to “incredible destinations”.

deals with gendered power dynamics and female sexuality and I’ve always thought the story would resonate internationally so I’m really happy about this selection.” Talati added: “I hope Gotham Week will be a launchpad for us as we fundraise and build a mostly female crew. I hope people reach out to us.” (IANS)

Ayushmann said: “I’m lucky that I chose acting as my profession because it has not only enabled me to live so many remarkable characters but has also taken me to so many incredible destinations.” The actor added that this is the first time in his career that he has shot in Bhopal. He said: “For Doctor G, I’m fortunate to be visiting the heart of India and seeing it in its full glory. I’m shooting in Bhopal for the first time in my career and the city of lakes is a beautiful place. I’m bowled over by the warmth of the people and they have won my heart forever.” Ayushmann feels he is blessed to be born in a beautiful country like India. “Earlier this year, I was in the North East for Anek and experienced the spectacular Kaziranga National Park. India is the most beautiful place on the planet. I’m blessed to be born in this country which gives me the opportunity to cherish so much in my lifetime,” he added. Ayushmann has a big line up of films including “Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui” directed by Abhishek Kapoor, “Anek” by Anubhav Sinha and “Doctor G” helmed by Anubhuti Kashyap. (IANS)

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

IT’S A NEW REPRESENTATION OF ME: KIRTI KULHARI ON ‘HUMAN’ ROLE “’Human’ is a medical drama. It is based on human trials. It has Shefali Shah and me. I am playing a doctor,” Kirti said. The series is an emotional drama about the underbelly of human drug testing and the world of medical scams. The web-series also stars Ram Kapoor and Seema Biswas. “Human” is co-directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah along with Mozez Singh. Talking about the show, she said: “It is treated like a thriller and very interesting. I had a blast doing this. I can’t wait for it to be out and for everyone to watch it. It is a new representation of me in more ways than one. It has been an amazing experience.” Actress Kirti Kulhari is all set for the release of her upcoming web-series “Human”. She says it is a new representation of her in more ways than one.

“Human” will be released on Disney+ Hotstar. (IANS)

ARJUN KAPOOR OPENS UP ABOUT HIS WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

Actor Arjun Kapoor took to Instagram to talk about how his late mother’s teachings helped him to focus on his fitness. Before making his Bollywood debut with ‘Ishaqzaade’ in 2012, Arjun was overweight. It took him a lot of hard work and dedication to reach where he is today. His latest transformation has undoubtedly left everyone spellbound. Speaking about it, Arjun wrote, “Pehle main bohot mota bohot pareshan tha.... No no this is not one of those posts ...Just putting it out there that I love every chapter of my life. Those days and even now, I have been myself at every step of the way. I cherish every bit. I’m a work in progress like anyone and everyone else. My mother told me every stage of your life is a journey & you will always be

a constant work in progress. I understand the meaning of that now more than ever and I’m loving that I’m working towards bettering myself... every damn day.” Along with it, he posted his then and now pictures on Instagram. Reacting to the post, rapper Badshah commented: “Sharp.” Veteran actor Soni Razdan wrote: “Looking fab.” Meanwhile, on the work front, Arjun will be seen sharing screen space with Saif Ali Khan, Yami Gautam and Jacqueline Fernandes in ‘Bhoot Police’. (ANI)

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We don’t deserve a media trial:

Shilpa Shetty Kundra

of trolling/questions posed...not only to me but also to my family.”

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Malaika’s dripping gold

“MY STAND...I HAVE NOT COMMENTED YET and will continue to refrain from doing so on this case as it is subjudice, so please stop attributing false quotes on my behalf. Reiterating my philosophy of, as a celebrity ‘Never complain, never explain’. All I will say is, as it’s an ongoing investigation, I have full faith in the Mumbai Police & the Indian judiciary,” she added.

Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra took to social media to issue a statement, saying she and her family do not deserve a media trial. Shilpa’s statement comes at a time when her husband, businessman Raj Kundra has been granted judicial custody till August 10 in a case pertaining to alleged production and distribution of porn content. The actress said she will not comment on the case as it is subjudice and also requested the media for some privacy saying the past few days have been challenging for her “on every front”. Shilpa shared her statement on Instagram, which reads: “Yes! The past few days have been challenging, on every front. There have been a lot of rumours and accusations. A lot of unwarranted aspersions on me cast by the media and (not so) well-wishers as well. A lot

“As a family, we are taking recourse to all our available legal remedies. But, till then I humbly request you - especially as a MOTHER - to respect our privacy for my children’s sake and request you to refrain from commenting on half-baked information without verifying the veracity of the same,” Shilpa further wrote. “I am a proud law-abiding Indian citizen and a hardworking professional for the last 29 years. People have put their faith in ME & I’ve never let anyone down. So, most importantly, I request you to respect my family’s and ‘my right’ to privacy in these times. We don’t deserve a media trial. Please let the law take its course. Satyamev Jayate!” she concluded. Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s statement talking about her “right to privacy” comes just a few days after the Bombay High Court reportedly refused to restrict media and social media platforms from publishing reports which talk about her. The court reportedly told the Bollywood actress that she has chosen a public life. (IANS)

Our answer to JLo... Malaika Arora, but don’t take our word for it, check out her latest photoshoot which is proof enough! The diva, who is a few yeas shy of fifty did a promotional photoshoot, looking drop-dead gorgeous in a one-shoulder gown. The star will be seen as a judge in the upcoming reality show Supermodel of the Year season 2. Her stylist Maneka Harisinghani posted the photos on Instagram. Malaika is dripping gold in a label Slubne Atelier OrOr by designer Patrycja Kujawa which features a thigh-baring risque slit. The ensemble with a metallic silver corset and sweetheart neckline shows off the star’s envious curves. Harisinghani captioned the pictures: “Set FIRE to the R.A.I.N...” By Puja Gupta

Each character I portrayed taught me something: Vidya Balan

Actress Vidya Balan, who has always wowed the audience with her powerpacked performances and strong roles, has opened up about how each character she has portrayed till now has educated and changed something for her.

Asked if she takes back anything from her character or if they educate her in any way, Vidya said: “Yeah absolutely. It’s like you always take back something after you have an interaction with another individual. It’s the same. You live this person’s life for one and a half months or two or maybe more because you start prep before that.”

Ever since she made her Bollywood debut with “Parineeta” in 2005, Vidya has treated fans with her dynamic portrayals in films such as “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, “No One Killed Jessica”, “The Dirty Picture”, “Paa”, “Kahaani”, “Ishqiya”, “Mission Mangal”, “Tumhari Sulu” and “Shakuntala Devi”.

The 42-year-old actress says it is difficult not getting impacted by a character. “So, I almost stay with one character for at least four months. So, it’s difficult not to let that character impact you. I feel sometimes, you can articulate how the characters touched your life or changed you and sometimes you can’t but there is always it changes for me,” she concluded.

Her latest release is “Sherni”, where she plays an upright forest officer battling social barriers set by the patriarchal society and lackadaisical attitudes within her department.

(IANS)

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Pankaj Tripathi on being called uncrowned ‘king’ of OTT The growing popularity of the OTT space has helped in bringing talented actors to the forefront and one such name is Pankaj Tripathi, who has amassed a big fan following with his portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya from ‘Mirzapur’ and Guruji from ‘Sacred Games’. He has often been called the “king” of the digital space. The 44-year-old actor credits the audience for all the love they have showered on him. “I am humbled and it feels really good to be so loved. I’m thankful to all the viewers who decide whom to make the ‘King’ and the ‘Queen’ from among us actors - we actors call such viewers the intelligent and thinking audience - and I’m very thankful to them,” Pankaj said. The actor stressed that the numbers game in the industry keeps shuffling up and down.

He said: “I believe that originality means creating a space in the audience’s hearts with good storytelling and performances that they wouldn’t just like but also get inspired from.” “You see, the numbers game in the industry keeps shuffling up and down, but the most important thing to remember is to continue being a part of great stories so it reaches the hearts of the audience.” He feels thankful to be recognised for the work he does. Pankaj concluded: “When I get to hear of the news where the audience is talking about the craft... personalities, and their preferences when it comes to content, it makes us actors feel very humbled and thankful to them for recognising the work that we do.” (IANS)

‘Mimamsa’ is a thought-provoking murder mystery: Swara Actress Swara Bhaskar said that she will be next seen in a murder mystery titled “Mimamsa”, which also features actor Bijendra Kala. In the film, Swara will be seen playing the role of an investigating officer and it is shot in Bhopal. Talking about the film, the actress said: “The experience of shooting for the movie was one of its kind as it kept me invested throughout the shoot and I am sure that the viewers will be too when they get to watch it.” Swara added that this is the first film she shot for after lockdown last year. “That makes the movie extremely special to me, and

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it helped me have a sense of gratitude for the work I do. Without revealing much, I am just going to say that the movie will take you on a journey that is layered, is mysterious, and thought-provoking,” she said. Produced by Moffy Production and co-produced by K.P. production, the film is directed by Gagan Puri. Puri said: “We have tried to keep a sense of mystery about the movie, and with talents like Swara and Bijendra on board, it only adds to the buzz.” The film is currently in its post-production phase and further details about the film’s release are expected to be unveiled soon. (IANS)

FOOD

bon appétit

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Did you know:

Ghee coats the passageways of your digestive tract to reducing the possibility of cancer

Rohit Ghai among top Michelin star chefs to dazzle Dubai Expo 2020

ohit Ghai, one of the hottest Indian chefs on the planet, is all set to tickle the palate of millions at the Expo 2020 Dubai later this year when he brings his signature creations like Truffle Mushroom Khichudi, Masala Malabar Prawns and a whole lot more from 'Kutir', his acclaimed restaurant in Chelsea, London. An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Gwalior, Ghai became one of the fastest Indian chefs to win a Michelin star – awarded in 2016 within 10 months of the opening of Leela Groups's Jamavar in London. He will be part of more than 20 awardwinning chefs representing Michelin star restaurants, who have been invited to Dubai's much-anticipated six-month extravaganza, to be held from October 1 to March 31, 2022. In less than three years of its opening, Ghai's ‘Kutir' has become a standout in the crowded London food scene, lauded for its bursting flavours, creativity and presentation. The authentic, yet experimental, menu of the restaurant is inspired by the royal tradition of hunting expeditions in the forests and jungles of the Indian countryside. After stints at the Taj and Oberoi properties, Ghai moved to London in 2008 and was the sous chef at Atul Kochhar's 'Benares'. He is now on the verge of opening his new restaurant in London called 'Manthan' in Mayfair area. In an interview to the Great British Chef, Ghai revealed the inspiration behind Kutir. "The restaurant is based on the hunting lodges of India. I've done a few projects in London before, but I always look to bring something new and refreshing to the city as people are so open to trying foods they

haven't had before," said Ghai. "When I was part of the team at Oberoi Hotels in India I helped to launch a luxury lodge in the heart of the forest, and that's what inspired me to do something similar in London. It was perfect – we didn't want to open a big restaurant so we could really focus on the food and have staff talk customers through some of the more unknown dishes." Foodism magazine said Ghai's "Kutir proves he's still very much at the forefront of contemporary Indian dining in London". Among other chefs and restaurants who have been invited are African-Japanese fusion specialist Mory Sacko, whose Mosuke restaurant was awarded a Michelin star after

only two months, and ‘Gypsy Chef' David Myers, who will combine classic American fast food with an international influence at Adrift Burger Bar. Armenian-American chef, Geoffrey Zakarian brings The National Bar & Dining Rooms – his vision of a grand cafe, while Matthew Kenney will present his renditions of American, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours as he brings three plant-based restaurant concepts from the US. Apart from the many well-known Dubai restaurants, visitors can experience internationally-acclaimed restaurants, including Italian Scarpetta, which will launch its first-ever Burrata Bar at the Expo, and David Thompson's renowned Thai street food chain Long Chim, which means ‘come and taste' in Thai. Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Visitor Experience Officer, Expo 2020, said: "It's universally agreed that one of the best ways to discover a country is by sampling its cuisine, and at Expo 2020, visitors are able to eat their way around the world without leaving the United Ara Emirates. "Expo 2020 will be a dining destination in its own right, featuring some of the world's most celebrated chefs, as well as up-andcoming homegrown concepts seeking to make their mark on the international food scene." The Expo 2020 Dubai will feature more than 200 food and beverage outlets. By Joy Chakravarty

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n e e u Q e c i p The S

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

ice range sp ’s d d o T h ra a S g n ci u d es; intro Flirting with Indian spic

uring last year’s lockdown, the culinary world took to social media, either writing or creating videos. Sarah Todd’s successful IGTV series ‘Sunday Travels with Sarah Todd’ developed during lockdown. Inundated with questions about her gorgeous spice mixes she used throughout the series; Sarah has been using the freshest ingredient to ensure cooking is joyful with packed full of flavour. Todd’s superstardom rise to the top of the global food scene since her debut on MasterChef Australia six years ago is a perfect example of blending the rich Indian flavours; using them in cooking at home. The blends are unparalleled, focusing on the highest quality ingredients: rich, aromatic, distinct colour, and flavour. Todd has worked closely with carefully selected farmer co-ops in India which NGOs and other organisations fund to procure organic products cultivated using a regenerative approach that ensures no collateral damage to the environment. Todd believes in authenticity, like toasting spices individually and grind them in mortar and pestle for its true glamour, sadly no one has the time to flirt with spices. However, the fact remains that hand pounded and toasted is always better. Todd’s mixes are hand-grounded, which is the most effective way to allow the natural oils of spices to release. One will notice the texture has a much more natural variance in grinds throughout the mix. In fact, electric grinders may generate excessive heat that can destroy some of the lighter volatile oils. Some of the spices in the blends are roasted which creates an even greater depth of flavour. Combining individual flavours to develop completely different tastes is highly gratifying, and these spice blends are convenient and practical. Over the last six years Todd has travelled extensively across India gaining vast knowledge blending a unique approach. These fragrant spice mixes have then been lovingly created by Todd using a different level of spiciness, from a lively vindaloo to a seafood masala.

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Todd is currently appearing as a host on Network Ten’s afternoon cooking show, Farm to Fork. She firmly established herself at the top of the global Indian food scene since her MasterChef Australia debut in 2014. She has run highly successful restaurants in India and is in demand across the globe as a renowned chef, TV host and influencer. Sarah’s classical skills honed from Le Cordon Bleu, combined with her extensive travels across India and the world, have influenced her unique cooking style Todd says, “I am incredibly proud of this range. I created it with the thought of adding new dishes to our repertoire of weeknight meals. We can swap that spaghetti Bolognese for a vindaloo with rice or apricot chicken for a South Indian fish curry. In under 20 minutes and just a few quick steps, dinner is served!” The spice range is available for purchase from Sarah’s website: www.sarahtodd.com. au or via her Instagram: Shop@sarahtodd

DIET

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

How to keep your bones strong? BY DEEVYA GUPTA

The number one mineral we need for our bones is Calcium. With this we also need to make sure we have enough Vitamin D to help our body to absorb the calcium. This is especially the case for Indian’s as 70%-100% of the population was found to have vitamin D deficiency! Calcium is found in various foods and drinks. Most of our daily recommended intake comes from dairy sources, but what about those people who have a low tolerance for dairy or prefer alternatives? Is it still possible to meet our dietary intake? The answer is yes but you may have to eat more to meet the recommendations. Where can I get Vitamin D from? Vitamin D in the body is mostly made after our body reacts with sunlight (outside). The time required to be out in the sun depends on the season and the UV exposure for the day. Small amounts of Vitamin D can be found in: Fortified foods, eggs, salmon, tuna, mackerel and Vitamin D mushrooms. The amount found in foods is not enough to provide you with the recommended dose for the day. For this reason, many people are required to take supplements if their levels are low. How much calcium do we need in one day?

This depends on your age group and if you are referring to men or women. As a quick general guide here is the recommendations: Some medical conditions may cause the need for slightly different amounts.

What food gives me 1 serve of calcium? Found easily in: • 250ml regular, low fat or skim milk • 250ml milk alternative (soy, almond, rice etc. with added calcium) • 2 slices or 40g cheese

• ¾ cup or 200g yoghurt (regular or low fat) • ½ cup evaporative milk • ½ cup or 130g tofu or tempeh • 1 can sardines

Calcium present in lesser quantities: • 1 cup cooked broccoli = ½ of 1 serve • 6 dried figs = 2/3 of 1 serve • 1 can salmon = 2/3 of 1 serve • 10 almonds = 1/10 of 1 serve • 200g soybeans =1/3 of 1 serve • 1 cup cooked bok choy =1/5 of 1 serve • 1 cup chopped celery = 1/5 of 1 serve Ideally, it would be great to have as much variety as possible. As you can see it is much harder to meet your recommendations with the foods that contain much smaller quantities of calcium alone. Further information: National recommended guidelines: https:// www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/calcium Further comparison of calcium sources: https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/sites/ default/files/files/calcium-food-table-web.pdf 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 and changes.

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

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RECIPE

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

Pomflet 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.

BY MANJIT SETHI

recipe

from the private collection

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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Clean fish and make slits on either side. Marinate the fish with salt, pepper, turmeric powder and lemon juice. Set aside for 15 mins. In a bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients, except the rice flour, to make a thick paste. Generously apply the paste on both sides of the fish and set aside for 30 minutes or more. Coat the fish with a thin layer of rice flour on each side.(optional) In a pan, heat enough oil to pan fry or deep fry the fish, according to preference. Fry the fish until golden brown. Serve hot with Tadka Dal and Basmati rice or Chappati.

SERVES: Serves four people.

GARNISH: With lemon wedges and onion rings.

TIP: Have your fish pre-cut down the centre for better taste.

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ASTROLOGY

G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) Mesha (Aries)

Vrishabh (Taurus)

Artists of all descriptions would do well to make allowances for a lean period, because such a provision would come in handy this month. for investment and for launching new ventures doesn’t seems good.These could easily get stuck. The period ahead is not favourable and, therefore, you should maintain a low profile till this spell is over. Any attempt to change the scenario is unlikely to meet with success.

A good month during which you have little to worry about in so far as your health is concerned. However, some precautions would have to be taken to ensure continued good health. The most important one is not to over-exert yourself. This could be done by setting for yourself a reasonable schedule which allows full play to all your normal activities, and yet, does not at the same time unduly tax your strength.

Simha (Leo)

Kanya (Virgo)

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

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

Mithuna (Gemini)

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. for investment and the launching of new ventures seems fantastic, and those of you who have such plans on the anvil, should put these into motion. Overall, an extremely beneficial month. Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, White, Yellow

Tula (Libra)

M: 0425 660 220

Karkat (Cancer)

This month your financial prospects are quite beneficial and you should do very well. Writers, painters and others of their caliber should do very well in commercial terms and also have much satisfaction at their creative output. Traders should also make a lot of money, and what is more realize their complete profits. In fact, most of you should be able to realize your expected gains in full. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

Vrishchik (Scorpio)

This month your financial prospects are not looks very favarable, and your efforts would bear little fruit, despite your association with several people of learning. Most of you, may have to struggle quite a bit to realize your anticipated objectives and even then achieve little success. You should maintain a low profile and wait for the adverse period to be over. This month there would be excellent opportunities for your career advancement.

You would have to work very hard, and what is more feel the burden of work. Nothing interesting is likely to happen. And to compound your woes, with all this effort there would be little likelihood of realizing expected gains. This would be met with stiff resistance and turn into an extremely unpleasant situation. Curb such tendencies. Artists should make provisions for the rainy day, since they might face a ban period.

This month the is quite favourable for your financial prospects. Some of you would have a way of handling your workers or subordinates which would enable you to derive maximum benefit from their services. This could well be the most important gain in a month that would even otherwise be beneficial. There is also the possibility of good fortune coming to your door-step through the services of an elderly gentleman.

This month there are excellent chances that you would have a number of opportunities to advance your financial prospects. Writers, painters, sculptors, and practitioners of the other arts would have an extremely satisfying time not only in times of financial gains but also in terms of creative output, but you must nevertheless, take the precaution of staying away from unpleasant people and places.

Dhanu (Sagittarius)

Makara (Capricorn)

Kumbha (Aquarius)

Meen (Pisces)

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

There is nothing very encouraging about your financial prospects this month. Traders of all sorts would fare poorly or at best, not be able to earn as much as expected. Writers, painters and other practitioners of the arts would do well to make provisions for an extremely lean period, because that is just what they would face this month. In fact, most of you would have to struggle to derive your planned objectives. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

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

This month is quite favourably disposed towards your health and as such, you should have no serious health problem during the ensuring period. There would be a dearth of opportunities for all of you, simply not enough to go around, as they say. But speculative activity could turn a difficult situation into an impossible one. There are chances that some of you would suffer serious losses. Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue

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

There is nothing very encouraging situation as far your financial prospects are concerned. There is the distinct possibility that some of you would undertake to do other people’s dirty work in order to make a fast buck. This would be a serious error because the circumstances would surely put them in an undesirable position, with luck of course nowhere in sight. There is a good chance that they would face serious losses. Best days: 5, 3, 6 Lucky Colour: White, Green

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Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: Red, Orange

An excellent month for your educational endeavours, Technical students would have an extremely productive spell during which some of them may well go to score significant successes. Especially outstanding would be the performance of some of you in practical applications demanding dexterity and manual skills. This would also apply to students of medicine. Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White

Have a laug h

HAVE A LAUGH

SOME LAWS THAT immersed in water, the telephone rings. V DIDN'T LEARN AT SCHOOL 01. LORENZ'S LAW OF MECHANICAL REPAIR Once your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.

07. RUBY'S PRINCIPLE OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS The probability of meeting someone u know increases when u are with someone u don't want to be seen with.

02. ANTHONY'S LAW 08. WILLOUGHBY'S LAW OF THE WORKSHOP When u try to prove to Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the someone that a machine least accessible corner. won't work, it will. 03. KOVAC'S CONUNDRUM When u dial a wrong number, u never get an engaged tone.

09. ZADRA'S LAW OF BIOMECHANICS The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

04. CANNON'S 10. BREDA'S RULE KARMIC LAW At any event, the If u tell the boss people whose seats are u were late for work farthest from the aisle because u had a flat tyre, the next morning u arrive last. will have a flat tyre. 11. OWEN'S LAW As soon as u sit down 05 O'BRIEN'S to a cup of hot coffee, VARIATION LAW your boss will ask u to If u change queues, the one u have left will do something which will last until the coffee is start to move faster cold... than the one u are in now. 06. BELL'S THEOREM When the body is

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G’DAY INDIA | AUG 2021

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