Gday India October 2020 Issue

OCT 2020

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VOL 14 ISSUE 162

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AUSTRALIAN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

IN CONVERSATION With Health Minister Greg Hunt

HUMANITY HAS NO AGE Alex Dekker is whipping up 1000 meals a day

PLATE OF INDIA In conversation with Ash and Simran of 'Team India' from Plate of Origin on Channel 7.

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THE POP-UP CULINARIAN A food artist or a food designer, meet Harry Mangat

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Editor in Chief: Tonee Sethi E: editor@gdayindia.com.au Advertising: Amandeep Sethi E: info@gdayindia.com.au Contributors:

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

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NEWS VICTORIA

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Doubling Hardship Support for Victoria’s Most Vulnerable

MELBOURNE, Oct 1: The Victorian Government is doubling an assistance payment for those experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, as part of a $50 million program to make sure people are not falling through the cracks. The Government has commissioned the Red Cross to provide financial assistance, information and referrals to those doing it tough during the pandemic who are not eligible for Commonwealth support or the International Student Emergency Relief Fund. People living in Victoria with limited income or savings who are on temporary or provisional visas and undocumented migrants are now able to apply for a payment of up to $800 per person – helping them out with living expenses while things are tough. Those who have already received a payment under the program will be eligible for a $400 top up on their original payment. Families may be eligible for more, depending on how many people are in the family and their individual circumstances. Payments begin to flow within five days of a correctly completed application being received. Applicants may be eligible for

an additional payment after eight weeks if they are continuing to experience financial hardship. The Brotherhood of St Laurence is working with community organisations to identify people who may be eligible and support them to apply. The vital program has already delivered 6,588 Extreme Hardship Support Program payments, worth over $3.3 million, supporting 8,341 individuals. The program has also connected around 20,000 people with other Victorian government supports, including rent relief, international student support, local food relief services, health protection advice and mental health support. The Extreme Hardship payment builds on other Victorian Government announcements to support the vulnerable during this global crisis, including the $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund. We have supported Victorian workers with a $450 self-isolation payment, meaning those who have to miss a shift by staying home to wait on a coronavirus test result aren’t out of pocket as a result. We also established a $1500 payment for workers who can’t earn an income

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because they have to isolate or quarantine at home, which is now funded by the Commonwealth. Find out more about the Extreme Hardship Support Program and other financial support available for people and businesses impacted by coronavirus at: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/financialsupport-coronavirus-covid-19

Fairness Extended for Commercial Tenants, Landlords

MELBOURNE, Sep 30: New regulations Victorian Small Business Commission introduce proportional rent relief for (VSBC) will also be available until the end commercial tenants and give powers of the year to assist tenants and landlords for rent relief orders to be made when in resolving rent relief disputes caused by landlords refuse to negotiate in good faith the effects of coronavirus. with tenants suffering losses due to the Since the scheme’s introduction, the pandemic. VSBC has fielded The regulations more than 9,800 “This virus doesn’t discriminate, allowing for the rent-related but its effects are felt more extension of enquiries from harshly by the most vulnerable the Commercial small business Tenancy Relief among us – those without savings tenants and Scheme introduced or work who are experiencing landlords. Of the following a decison matters that went to extreme hardship” of the National mediation, almost Cabinet in March 90 per cent resulted - Premier Daniel Andrews came into effect in tenants and yesterday, and provide commercial tenants landlords reaching common ground. and landlords with enhanced protection To further support small local and certainty. businesses, the new regulations require They ensure that rent increases as well commercial landlords to provide rent relief as evictions for commercial tenants where in proportion with the fall in turnover being rent relief has been sought will continue to experienced by eligible tenants. Under be banned until 31 December 2020. previous provisions, proportionality was A free mediation service through the one of several factors to be considered

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during negotiations on rent relief. Under the extended Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, the VSBC will be able to issue binding rent reduction orders in situations where landlords refuse to respond to tenants or engage in negotiations in good faith. The scheme commenced on 29 March 2020 and supports tenants and landlords whose incomes have been affected by the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund is a key program in the scheme, providing $3,000 grants to private landlords of premises valued at less than $1 million who are facing financial hardship due to providing rent relief to their tenants. Commercial tenants and landlords can apply for help to resolve their rent dispute by visiting vsbc.vic.gov.au. More information about the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund is available at business.vic.gov.au/clhf.

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NEWS VICTORIA

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Working for Victoria – Backing New Jobs for Young People

MELBOURNE, Sep 28: The Victorian Government is providing more support to hundreds of young people across the state through the Working for Victoria initiative. Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford today announced the first tranche of 289 jobs being created for young Victorians across seven government departments and agencies, as part of the Working for Victoria Youth Employment Program. The young jobseekers will be employed in roles including alpine and environmental officers for the Buller Stirling Alpine Resort Board, farm workers at the Agriculture Victoria facility in Gippsland and contract management with the Department of Transport to support the Government’s Building Works stimulus package. Young jobseekers from public housing estates in Richmond, Flemington, North Melbourne, Collingwood and Fitzroy will have opportunities to apply for jobs in administration and engagement associated with the delivery of housing services. These positions could transition into housing officer roles at the end of the training program. These newly created six to 12 month

positions are a great way for a young person to kick-start their career, contribute valuable support to our communities and strengthens the Victorian public sector’s future workforce with young people who are well trained and sourced from all parts of our community. The roles are part of more than 400 paid

employment opportunities for Victorians aged between 17-29 across a range of Victorian Government departments and public sector agencies to be delivered by Working for Victoria. The jobs have been created in metropolitan and regional locations including Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon, Morwell, the Alpine region, Barwon South West region, Towong Shire, Mansfield, Tatura and Hamilton. There will also be dozens of roles available in police services areas across the state. Each participant will be provided with appropriate training, and in the last two months of their placement, will be mentored and supported into their next employment opportunity. In addition to the creation of these new roles, more than 50 young people have today graduated from the Victorian Government’s Youth Cadetship Scheme. Since launching in April, the $500 million Working for Victoria initiative has created more than 10,000 jobs. For more information or to register for Working for Victoria go to vic.gov.au/ workingforvictoria.

Surveillance Testing to Keep Our Community Safe

MELBOURNE, Sep 30: Workers in highrisk industries will be asked to participate in a new Surveillance Testing Program as part of our defences against new coronavirus outbreaks, as we continue to take steps on the roadmap to reopening. As case numbers decrease, the number of symptomatic tests will also decrease. Victoria is currently averaging approximately 12,00015,000 tests on weekdays and 7,000-8,000 tests on weekend days. But as we take our safe and steady steps to reopening, finding and tracking cases of the virus is more important than ever. That’s why we are doing even more to monitor sensitive settings – looking for positive cases before there’s any obvious sign of them – through a new surveillance program that aims to test 25 per cent of staff in a high-risk workplace each week. Frontline industries have been critical in keeping Victoria going during the pandemic – they have kept our supermarket shelves stocked, our abattoirs working and delivering essential goods. Beginning with the food production sector, the Government will work with industry to ensure employees can get tested on a regular basis. All medium and large employers in the meat, poultry, seafood processing and supermarket and refrigerated distribution sectors will be asked to ensure that a quarter of their workforces are tested each week. This applies to all workers operating from their work premises – and will lead to the majority

of a workforce being tested over the course of a month. Employees from high-risk industries can receive testing at one of our 200 testing sites from tomorrow, enabling workplaces to commence implementation over the next week. This includes community health respiratory clinics, hospital respiratory clinics and drive through testing facilities. The Rapid Response Testing Team will be able to undertake tests on site for remote and rural businesses by appointment. After participating in the Surveillance Testing Program, employees are not required to self-isolate – however if they receive a positive result, they will need to isolate immediately and seek medical advice. Public Health teams will then support the workplace to determine any deep cleaning requirements, and to undergo contact tracing. The Government will work with food supply industries over the coming days to establish testing requirements as the program expands over the coming weeks. The proportion of a workforce to be tested each week will be continually reviewed and will reflect the level of risk of virus transmission across our community and workplaces. Another part of our virus detection work, wastewater testing, has detected viral fragments of coronavirus in wastewater taken from the sewer network at Anglesea yesterday. While the preliminary result may not mean there are active cases of coronavirus in the

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Anglesea community, a testing blitz has commenced today, with locals with even the mildest symptoms encouraged to get tested and isolate as they wait for their result. The positive trace of coronavirus was detected in a preliminary test result and then confirmed on Tuesday 29 September in a sample collected from the entry to a wastewater treatment plant on Tuesday 22 September. The test result may be a result of someone with coronavirus infection who hasn’t been detected through testing. It could also be because someone who has previously been infected is continuing to “shed” the virus. A pop-up testing site has been established at Anglesea Town Hall, 1B McMillan Street. It will be open from 11am to 6pm on Wednesday 30 September and from 10am to 6pm every day until Sunday. Wastewater samples are taken from more than 30 sites across Victoria including Anglesea, which is one of 11 Barwon Water locations in Surf Coast, Colac-Otway and Greater Geelong. Samples are also taken from regional wastewater treatment plants at Ararat, Ballarat, Benalla, Bendigo, Mildura, Moe, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Warragul, Wodonga and Wonthaggi. Sampling will commence at Castlemaine from next week. (MEDIA RELEASE)

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Annual Ministerial WorldRemit Launches Statement on WorldRemit Transfer Tracker App App allows users to track and trace their funds Rural and Regional Budget Outcomes

CANBERRA, Sep 30: The Government will deliver Australia’s first Ministerial Statement on Rural and Regional Budget Outcomes to Federal Parliament during Budget week next Thursday. The Statement will update the House on the Coalition Government’s economic roadmap for rural and regional communities. It is the government’s intention to deliver this update annually. Regional communities and industries have been disproportionately affected by recent challenges including COVID 19, prolonged drought and bushfires. Our economic recovery plan will create jobs and more resilient regions helping to rebuild our economy and to secure Australia's future. Just in the last week, the Government has announced $385 million for the new Regional Recovery Partnerships program, the regional Connectivity Program and the new Resilient Regional Leaders initiative, as well as further investment in the Building Better Regions Fund and regional tourism. Regional Australia will be key to helping Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

(MEDIA RELEASE)

WorldRemit, a leading global digital payments company, is today launching The WorldRemit Transfer Tracker mobile App for recipients of money transfers which allows them to track their remittances. The WorldRemit Transfer Tracker App is now available through the Google app store in Nigeria, India, Mexico and Colombia. It will also be free to download through the app store in 90 countries in iOS and Android later this month. Consumer research shows that financial insecurity is at an all-time high. WorldRemit is working tirelessly to increase transparency and support users by providing easy access to financial services. With WorldRemit’s proprietary technology, each user can now track the money they have been sent, giving them added peace of mind at a time when they need it most. “Whenever I have the chance to speak to our customers, they always

remind me of the three reasons they choose our service – convenience, speed and safety. I’m delighted that we have launched a service exclusively for our customers who receive money from their family and friends. Through developing the Transfer Tracker App, we hope to empower recipients of money transfers so that they can access their funds as conveniently and as safely as possible. This remains a guiding principle for us as we continue to provide an inclusive endto-end money transfer service,” said Stephen Lovell, Chief Product Officer at WorldRemit. The Transfer Tracker App has a "track my money" feature, which allows recipients to see exactly where their funds are in real time for added peace of mind. According to the 2017 World Bank Global Findex database, there are 1.7 billion adults across the world who do not have a bank

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account, nor do they have an account with a mobile money provider. The majority of financially excluded people tend to live in rural areas or places with limited access to reliable transportation, which often means having to make long journeys into city centres. For those who rely on financial support from loved ones abroad, visiting cash pick up agents is often the only option available to them. WorldRemit is one of the first companies in the global payments industry to launch a Transfer Tracker app exclusively with recipients in mind. The digital payments company allows senders in 50 countries to send money via the app or website to recipients in over 150 countries, where they can choose from multiple payout methods including bank deposits, mobile wallets, mobile airtime top-up and cash pick-up. For more details, visit: www.worldremit.com

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NEWS AUSTRALIA

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Digital Business Plan to Drive Australia’s Economic Recovery

CANBERRA, Sep 29: The Morrison Government is investing almost $800 million to enable businesses to take advantage of digital technologies to grow their businesses and create jobs as part of our economic recovery plan. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by Australian businesses and consumers, which has enabled many to transform their operations and continue to trade through the crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this year’s Budget would support businesses to recover, build back and create more jobs as part of our economic recovery plan. “Many businesses moved online quickly when the pandemic hit, undergoing a decade of change in months, finding new customers or new ways of doing things,” the Prime Minister said. “Our JobMaker Digital Business Plan provides significant backing to continue that digital push and expand opportunities for businesses to grow and create more jobs. “The Plan supports Australia’s economic recovery by removing out-dated regulatory barriers, boosting the capability of small businesses and backs the uptake of technology across the economy.” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Government was investing in Australia’s digital economy to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs as part of our economic recovery plan. “The Government’s Digital Business plan is targeted at building on this digital transformation of Australian businesses to drive productivity and income growth and create jobs,” the Treasurer said. “Our Digital Infrastructure package is estimated to increase Australia’s GDP by $6.4 billion a year by 2024 and around $1.5 billion of this additional economic activity is

estimated to flow to regional Australia each year.” Key elements of the Digital Business Plan include: • $256.6 million to develop a Digital Identity system to enable more secure and convenient engagement with government services, and in future, the private sector. Digital identity is already being used by over 1.6 million Australians and 1.16 million businesses to access over 70 government services. • A further $419.9 million to enable the full implementation of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program, allowing businesses to quickly view, update and maintain their business registry data in one location. • A further $28.5 million to support the rollout of the Consumer Data Right to the banking and energy sectors, which is in addition to the more than $120 million already committed. • $29.2 million to accelerate the rollout of 5G, including an initiative to invest in 5G commercial trials and testbeds in key industry sectors such as agriculture, mining, logistics and manufacturing. • $22.2 million to support small business operators take advantage of digital technologies through an expansion of the Australian Small Business Advisory Service – Digital Solutions program, a Digital Readiness Assessment tool and a Digital Directors training package. • $11.4 million for a new regulatory technology commercialisation initiative to improve compliance and directly support our digital technology firms. • $9.6 million to support fintechs to export financial services and attract inward investment. • $6.9 million for two blockchain pilots directed at reducing business compliance costs.

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• $5.9 million to boost Australia’s influence on international standards. • $3.6 million towards mandating the adoption of electronic invoicing by 1 July 2022 for all Commonwealth government agencies to encourage greater adoption amongst businesses supplying to government and within their supply chains, and to consult on options for mandatory adoption of e-invoicing by businesses. • $2.5 million to connect workers and small and medium sized businesses to digital skills training. • Consulting on making permanent the temporary reforms to allow companies to hold virtual meetings and execute documents electronically. • Reviewing the regulatory architecture applying to the payments system to ensure it remains fit for purpose and is capable of supporting continued innovation for the benefit of both businesses and consumers; and • Reforming the regulation around storedvalue facilities to support innovation and competition in line with the recommendations of the Council of Financial Regulators. These initiatives are in addition to the Government’s $4.5 billion NBN investment plan to bring ultra-fast broadband to millions of families and businesses across the economy over the next two years. They also complement our actions to build digital skills and to improve trust and security in the digital economy, including through the $1.67 billion investment in the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy and investments in online safety. The Digital Business Plan is part of the Government’s economic recovery plan to grow the economy and create jobs and supports our goal for Australia to be a leading digital economy and society by 2030. (MEDIA RELEASE)

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

International students could soon fly to Australia under pilot programme DARWIN, Sep 29: The government in Australia's Northern Territory (NT) has announced that it was working on a pilot programme to fly in at least 70 international students to its capital city of Darwin from Singapore next month. A spokesman from NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner's office said late Monday that an agreement for the programme in late October was now in place with the federal government, the (ABC) said in a news report. The NT government was working with the Charles Darwin University (CDU) on the programme. Other Australian states have negotiated international student pilot programs, but there has been no results so far. It however, remained unclear who would pay for the students' flights. In July 2019, at least 410 international students arrived in the NT in time for the second semester of study, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). In the same period this year, there were not even a single student due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before the health crisis, the NT government had announced that under an international education strategy, some 10,000 students would be able to come to the region by 2025. (IANS)

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'Arrivals to Australia from Covid-19 safe nations could quarantine at home'

CANBERRA, Sep 29: Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that people arriving in the country from "Covid-19 safe" nation could be allowed to quarantine at home, than at a hotel.

Since late March, international arrivals to Australia were to spend two weeks in hotel quarantine at their port of entry, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said in a news report. Addressing the media, the Prime Minister said that the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), the government health advisory body, was currently mulling the move to allow people coming in from "safe" countries to quarantine at home.

and it's something that is being considered by the AHPPC, particularly as we move beyond the phase we're in now.

"(As) we do look to have our borders open up at some point to safe locations, whether it be New Zealand or parts of the Pacific, or places like "I think home quarantine South Korea or Japan, or can play a role in the future countries that have had

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a much higher rate of success, then there are opportunities to look at those alternative methods," the ABC news report quoted Morrison as saying. The development comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia has increased to 27,044, while the death toll stood at 875.

(AGENCIES)

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NEWS AUSTRALIA

Qantas 8 weeks away from running out of money SYDNEY, Sep 28: A Sydney court heard that Australia's flag carrier Qantas was just eight weeks away from running out of money due to massive losses incurred in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The airline was taken to the Federal Court by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, which has challenged the legality of terminating about 450 Qantas and Jetstar maintenance engineers, ABC said in a news report. They were among two-thirds of the workforce who were sacked without pay as passenger numbers plummeted in mid-March during the early days of the pandemic. By the time Qantas made the decision to stand down workers, every other "cost-saving measure" had been explored and implemented, she added. Last month, the flag carrier had announced another 2,500 job cuts as it plans to outsource ground handling services at major airports. The announcement followed a statutory loss of A$2.7 billion ($1.94 billion) for the Group in FY20, and a revenue drop of A$4 billion in the second half due to the health crisis and border restrictions. The airline had already flagged 6,000 job losses in June in a bid to cut costs amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. (AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Safe Travel Zone with NZ

CANBERRA, Oct 2: The Australian Government is establishing a Safe Travel Zone with New Zealand. This is the next step for a COVID-safe Australia that will reunite families and friends, offer opportunities for businesses looking for workers, and back the communities that depend on tourism. Australia and New Zealand have worked closely together since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We are committed to opening up both domestic travel within Australia and travel with New Zealand, as well as other low risk countries as soon as the health advice says it is safe to do so. The Australian Government’s Department of Health has undertaken a public health risk assessment of COVID-19 in New Zealand, which indicated that New Zealand posed a low risk of COVID-19 transmission to Australia. Passengers from New Zealand will be able to travel to Australia, quarantine-free, from Friday, 16 October, provided they have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot in New Zealand in the preceding 14 days. As has been announced already, the Australian Government is defining a hotspot using a three-day rolling average of three locally acquired cases per day. There are currently no COVID-19 hotspots in New Zealand. The last locally acquired case with an unidentified

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epidemiological source occurred on 21 August 2020. We are working closely with New Zealand authorities to ensure we are notified promptly of any outbreaks there. Any state or territory that imposes travel restrictions consistent with the Australian Government-defined hotspot, as advised by the acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, will be able to participate in the Safe Travel Zone. After offering these arrangements at the latest National Cabinet, we have reached agreement for this first stage of quarantine-free travel with New South Wales and the Northern Territory. We welcome those jurisdictions’ commitment to reopening Australia to the world. Normal visa requirements will apply and travellers returning to New Zealand from Australia will be required to comply with New Zealand’s travel requirements. The Australian Government will provide increased Australian Border Force support at airports to support the establishment of green lanes of travel for New Zealanders and collecting information on arrivals to assist with contact tracing if required. We expect the establishment of quarantine-free travel to Australia from New Zealand will also free up space for around an additional 325 passengers a week to enter quarantine in Sydney. More information will be available at www.smartraveller.gov.au

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Storage owners seek more space for grounded planes in Australia

CANBERRA, Sep 30: Owners of an aircraft storage facility in Central Australia have been seeking more space as the facility is fully booked due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many carriers haven't had enough passengers to justify flying during the pandemic, and have opted to store their planes, the BBC reported. Asia Pacific Airline Storage is storing 94 planes at Alice Springs, and will store more in Southeast Queensland. Analysts say it's a sign of how difficult conditions have become for airlines. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific as well as their subsidiaries are storing planes in Alice Springs, as are Fiji Air and Cebu Pacific. Asia Pacific Airline Storage (APAS) has an additional sixteen slots on site, but they are already booked with existing customers. The site has become a local landmark in the remote town of about 25,000 people. The company has plans to expand the facility from its current 110 slots to accommodate 160-200 aircraft. Until the expansion is ready, APAS needs to find extra space elsewhere. "To manage some additional storage requirements we've started to store some aircraft at Wellcamp in Toowoomba," Tom Vincent, the company's Managing Director,

told the BBC. At the moment, there are only two planes at the new facility in Southeast Queensland, but more are due to arrive this week. Desert conditions are widely regarded by manufacturers and airlines as preferable for storing planes because it is easier to protect against corrosion in dry weather. While they are in storage, the planes have to undergo a rigorous maintenance schedule. "People have this misconception that you just park an aircraft and it sits there until you want to activate it again," said Vincent. In fact, APAS now has 70 employees ensuring the planes are properly looked after until the airlines need them again. Vincent said he always expected to expand the facility, but the pandemic has dramatically increased demand. And while there has been a very slow trickle of planes returning to service, the vast majority have been entering rather than leaving storage. The facility is not an airline "boneyard" where old planes are stripped for reusable parts, but Vincent suggested that might become part of the business if the industry continues to face headwinds. One industry analyst said the facility's expansion is a clear indication of the difficulty airlines are facing during the Covid-19

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pandemic. Flightglobal's Asia Editor Greg Waldron said times are tough for Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific -which are both using the facility. Neither airline has domestic flights, which will likely be the first to reopen, he said. "If you're something like Cathay Pacific, where you don't have that domestic market, you're in an extremely difficult situation," he said. However, he said the air freight business remains strong, and will help many airlines stay afloat. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has just downgraded its 2020 traffic forecasts. The association now says it expects traffic to be 66 per cent below the level it was in 2019. The IATA estimates that it will be at least 2024 before air traffic reaches pre-pandemic levels. "I guess there's not a clear pathway for a return for normality. There's a lot of industry views out there that a return to pre-Covid levels is going to take many years," Vincent said. (IANS)

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NEWS WORLD

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Will you shut up, man: Personal attacks rule 1st Trump-Biden debate

NEW YORK, Sep 30: "Clown", "Liar", "just shush for a minute" and "keep yapping" were the insults that will forever be the highlight of the first Trump-Biden US presidential debate 2020 with Fox News anchor and moderator Chris Wallace coming in for serious flak based on how he allowed American President Donald Trump to aggressively interrupt his Democratic challenger Joe Biden throughout the first US presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio. Trump snarled, grimaced and wagged his fingers at Biden repeatedly throughout the 90-minute debate. At one point, he said: "I'll tell you Joe, you could never have done the job that we did. You don't have it in your blood." "Everything he says here is a lie", Biden snapped. The wrong guy, wrong night, wrong time." "This man doesn't know what he's talking about," Biden said several times during the evening. The US election is 35 days away and it is increasingly likely that in the current Covid-19 situation, the results may not be known for days or weeks after November 3 -- the election date. "I'm 80 per cent sad, and 20 per cent mad as hell", is how Claire McCaskill, former Senator from Missouri, described her takeaways from the debate. Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson thinks "much of the nation must have been appalled." "I don't know what the hell we watched." Donald Trump chased the "television audience away" according to veteran Democratic strategist James Carville. "It was unwatchable, 25 minutes in." In less than 10 minutes, the debate descended into personal attacks when the moderator failed to keep Trump quiet during Biden's two-minute talk time. Biden shot back at Trump, "Will you shut up, man?" Reacting to the first debate performance, Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris said, "America was given a very clear

choice". She cast Trump as a man out of his depth and playing defence. "What we saw was a dog whistle through a bullhorn," she said on late night television. "That performance tonight is going to convince people Donald Trump is not worthy of another term" David Plouffe, former Barack Obama campaign manager, said in postdebate comments. Donald Trump and Joe Biden skewered each other with angry words over Trump's coronavirus response, racial justice, the economy and each other's fitness for the president's office in their chaotic 90 minute meeting. "The fact is that everything he's said so far is simply a lie," Biden said. "I'm not here to call out his lies. Everybody knows he's a liar." Biden tore into Trump within the first five minutes. He told Trump to "get out of your bunker and get out of the sand trap" and "get into his golf cart to the Oval Office and come up with a plan to save people". When Trump struggled to answer questions

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about reports he paid a measly $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017, Biden waded in. "Show us your taxes. Show us your taxes," he pushed, even as Trump claimed he has paid "millions in taxes". Recent polling shows Trump's support among key voter groups has slipped since 2016. Biden stepped onto the stage leading in head to head national polls and by razor thin margins in some battlegrounds. In the crucial battlegrounds of Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, where Trump was leading at this time in 2016, he is now trailing Biden. A RealClearPolitics poll of polls average puts Biden at about 6 points ahead of Trump nationally. Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and ended the night refusing to say whether he would accept the election results. Trump's coronavirus response was at the heart of the first presidential debate. Biden called Trump a "failure" on the Covid-19 response. "You blew it". By Nikhila Natarajan

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Disney to lay off Every 250th person on Earth now infected 28,000 theme park employees in US with coronavirus

MOSCOW/NEW DELHI, Sep 26: The number of Covid-19 cases have surged to more than 32.4 million or 0.4 per cent of the Earth's total population - meaning nearly every 250th person has already contracted coronavirus. The current world population is 7.8 billion (as of September 2020), according to the most recent United Nations estimates elaborated by Worldometer. The number of active cases continues to rise rapidly, increasing by about 5 lakh this week. Active cases now account for 23.3 per cent of the overall case count. Some 37,000 novel coronavirusrelated deaths were registered in the past seven days, bringing the overall death toll to 983,000. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the global coronavirus death toll could cross the two-million figure before an effective vaccine is widely used. The number of Covid-19 deaths

is fast approaching one million -nearly nine months after the outbreak started in China. The US is the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 7,032,524 and 203,657, respectively, according to the Johns Hopkins University. India comes in second place in terms of cases at 5,818,570, while the country's death toll soared to 92,290. Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of fatalities at 140,537. In relative terms, the spread of the novel coronavirus worldwide has slowed down. In the past seven days, the case count increased by 6.8 per cent, compared to 7.4 per cent the week before. In the European continent, France is the most-affected country in the moment, reporting a weekly growth of almost 20 per cent.

(AGENCIES)

CALIFORNIA, Sep 30: Entertainment giant Disney announced that it will lay off 28,000 theme park jobs in the United States in the wake of the prolonged impact of the coronavirus pandemic. "As heartbreaking as it is to take this action, this is the only feasible option we have in light of the prolonged impact of Covid-19 on our business, including limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and the continued uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic," Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks was quoted as saying by The New York Times (NYT). The company said it would cut 28,000 theme park jobs or about one-fourth employees. In California and Florida alone, Disney employed close to 110,000 in its theme parks before the pandemic.

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After the newly announced job cuts, it will be reduced to about 82,000. The layoffs were aggravated in California by the state's unwillingness to lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen, D'Amaro said in a statement. In mid-July, the Walt Disney World in Florida had reopened partially. However, the attendance has been low owing to concerns over coronavirus. According to the NYT, Disney will now begin negotiations with unions that represent the bulk of the affected employees. According to Johns Hopkins University, the US continues to be the worst affected country by the pandemic with 7,180,411 COVID-19 cases and 205,774 deaths. (ANI)

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NEWS INDIA

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

PM Modi invites Denmark to collaborate on alternative supply chains NEW DELHI, Sep 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended an invitation to Denmark for joining India, Japan and Australia's joint effort at creating alternative supply chains to China's. In a virtual bilateral summit hosted by India, the Prime Minister told his counterpart in Denmark, Mette Frederiksen on Monday that Covid-19 has shown that it is risky for global supply chains to be highly dependent on any single source. Though Prime Minister Modi did not name Beijing, the international community following the Coronavirus pandemic has come to realise the pitfalls of over-dependence on China, the largest exporter of manufactured goods to the world. The events of the past several months have made it clear how necessary it is to work together like-minded countries like ours, which share a rules-based, transparent, humanitarian and democratic value-system, he said. "We are working together with Japan and Australia for supply-chain diversification and resilience. Other like-minded countries can also join this effort," Modi said, adding that the summit "will not only prove useful for India-Denmark relations, but will also help in building a common approach towards global

challenges." Cooperation between like-minded countries in vaccine development will also help in dealing with this pandemic, Prime Minister Modi said. During this epidemic, India's pharma production capabilities have been useful to the entire world, he said, adding that his government would go by the same approach in the field of vaccine too. He said his 'Self-reliant India' campaign which is aimed at increasing India's capabilities in key economic sectors, will also serve the world. "Under this campaign we are emphasizing on all-round reforms. Companies working in India will benefit from regulatory and taxation reforms. In other areas too,

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the process of reforms is continuously on. Recently significant reforms have been made in the agriculture and labour sectors," he said. Both the Prime Ministers signed an MOU in intellectual property cooperation. Besides, Denmark also joined International Solar Alliance (ISA). The summit comes after a phone conversation between the two leaders, a few months ago, about the increasing cooperation between India and Denmark in many areas. Denmark has been attending the 'Vibrant Gujarat Summit' since 2009, when Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat. Denmark's Prime Minister proposed to host another India-Nordic Summit for Modi. Bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Denmark has grown by 30.49 percent, from US$ 2.82 billion in 2016 to US$ 3.68 billion in 2019. Around 200 Danish companies have invested in India in sectors such as shipping, renewable energy, environment, agriculture, food processing, smart urban development. Several major Danish companies have built new manufacturing factories under the 'Make in India' scheme. Around 25 Indian companies are present in Denmark in IT, renewable energy and engineering.

(IANS)

US hails India partnership for global recovery from Covid-19

NEW YORK, Oct 1: The US hailed its partnership with India on protective equipment and medical supplies during the "desperate" early days of the Covid-19 pandemic as the "clearest example" of positive global collaboration rising from one of its "most important partnerships in the world". The current US outlook frames India as a crucial partner for bouncing back from the pandemic's deadly blow. "India has been an important partner for the United States since the early days of the pandemic when countries were desperate for factual information about the virus and searching for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies," a senior US State Department Official said during a background briefing on the 'US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership'. "Looking forward to the next six months and beyond. We know that our continued close cooperation with India will be an important part of the global recovery from the pandemic," the US official said. The US-India "collaborative approach on therapeutics" is being underlined as an

"excellent example" of positive global impact. "American company, Gilead has granted voluntary non-exclusive licensing agreements to Indian pharmaceutical companies to produce a generic form of remdesivir," according to the State Department official. According to Gilead, these licensing agreements grant to Alkem Laboratories Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., FDC Ltd., J.B. Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Matrix Laboratories Ltd., Medchem International, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd. the rights to produce and distribute generic versions of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (tenofovir DF) to 95 low-income countries around the world, including India. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the UN General Assembly last week, pledged to help the world produce and deliver potential coronavirus vaccines. India is the world's largest vaccine producer. Serum Institute of India, the world's largest maker of vaccines by volume, is mass-producing a vaccine for low and middle-income countries. The company is deep into late-stage studies of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Against a tumultuous backdrop of an ongoing pandemic and global economic ruin, the US is highlighting the "enormous strengths" of the US-India relationship. "Every time we look at these problems we find another area or solution we're working together makes us both stronger, and the United States and India both see the danger of missing the opportunity to link our great societies and economies more closely," the US official told reporters. By Nikhila Natarajan

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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India, Australia discuss cooperation in energy sector NEW DELHI, Sep 30: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan held a meeting with Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell and discussed about Australian companies actively partnering and investing in India's gas infrastructure and in developing the hydrocarbon value chain in the country. They discussed several aspects of cooperation in energy sector, which are integral to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry said in a tweet. "They discussed about participation of Australian companies to actively partner and invest in India's gas infrastructure and in developing the hydrocarbon value chain in India," it said. Pradhan reviewed the supplies of coking coal, LNG and other energy supplies from Australia. "O'Farrell assured Australia of being a strong partner in this context, and the need for working together to ensure secure and reliable supply chains, and in this context referred to the QUAD meeting at Foreign Ministers' level next month in Japan," the ministry said. (ANI)

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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G’Day Mate

!

Watch out! Those sensual midnight messages might be a honey trap

NEW DELHI, Sep 26: An anonymous sensual message at midnight may even lure a rational person into a trap meticulously set by a woman and her accomplices in order to blackmail the victim. Gangs luring businessmen, doctors and other professionals into a honey trap appear to be spreading their tentacles in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR). The menace has grown to an extent that earlier this week even the Delhi HC took stringent note of honey trapping incidents and asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to submit a report within four weeks regarding such cases. In a recent case the Ghaziabad police arrested a man and a woman for honey trapping at least 20 people from Delhi-NCR. The professionalism of the gang was evident when the Ghaziabad police recovered a police uniform from them.

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The gang used to lure wealthy businessmen and well-heeled professionals after approaching them through Facebook. After a series of sensual audio chats, the woman invited the target to a flat in Raj Nagar Extension. As soon as the two got into a compromising position, the other gang members barged in, wearing a police uniform along with a woman gang member. They took photographs of the two and the not just took away all the money from the victim but also blackmailed and extorted money with this modus operandi. In another case in July this year, the Crime Branch team of the Faridabad police nabbed three persons, including a woman, on charges of blackmailing a local physiotherapist after honey trapping him. Sometimes, the fear of being exposed drives the victim to take extreme steps. By Zafar Abbas

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

GETTING MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA

Transferring a NOIM It is the responsibility of the first celebrant to ensure that the notice is transferred, safely. The requirement for the transfer to be ‘safe’ reflects the desirability of ensuring that the NOIM is given to the correct celebrant, and that the couple’s personal information is not compromised. While the NOIM contains personal information of the parties, the NOIM is not the legal responsibility of the parties, and should not be given to them to transfer to the second celebrant. The transfer of the NOIM can be done electronically, by hand or registered post, to the second celebrant. If transferred electronically, there is no requirement to provide the original hardcopy of NOIM before the wedding takes place. A celebrant who performs a marriage in place of another celebrant to whom the NOIM was given originally, must comply personally with all the requirements of the Marriage Act, except that a new NOIM does not need to be completed by the parties. The replacement celebrant who

solemnises a marriage is required under the Marriage Act to check the parties’ evidence of date and place of birth and evidence of identity and evidence of dissolution of previous marriage. Where parties engage a second celebrant, there is no legal obligation on the first celebrant to transfer the NOIM, and in some circumstances, the parties will be required to complete a new NOIM with the second celebrant, and if needed, seek a shortening of time from a prescribed authority. (This information is provided by the Attorney General department of Australia government.)

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DISHING OUT

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Plate of India

In any competition, it is not about how complex your dish is but how plain, simple and flavourful your dish is. That’s the spirit of ‘Team India’ of Plate of Origin on Channel 7. A loud cheer of “Vandemataram!” evokes Simran’s patriotism as she declares her love for India on national television for the televised cooking competition Plate of Origin. In a candid interview, Ash and Simran speak about their love for food and their journey together – a love story which has all the narratives of DDLJ. When meeting Simran in 2004, it was love at first sight for Ash. He wants to be as close to her as possible – meaning he has to join her in a cooking show, no matter how uncomfortable it is for him to cook in front of a camera. Ash’s accent can be American but he is the modern Raj with his perfect Hindi, which brings a smile to my face. He declares to Simran that she is the first and last woman for him. It is all about him being the luckiest man on earth to have her – and even if it is a cooking show, why not? To that Simran says with a laugh, “It’s all about him.” Ash is originally from the US, but met Simran in Delhi; they’ve been married for fourteen years, and it has been six years since they moved to Sydney with their two beautiful kids. It’s a beautiful transition for Ash, from working as a corporate strategist in a software company to making samosa pie on national television, all credit going to Simran. The recipes she has been developing, experimenting with and cooking have been passed down from her family. Ash tells me cooking as therapy is far better than opening that bottle of whisky. Simran always loved the glamour and fashion of Bollywood and wanted to be part of the industry. Her journey started in Australia in 2016. Coming out of a break from being a full-time mum, she turned heads in Mrs India Australia in 2016 when she was the first runner-up. Many avenues opened up, including acting and modelling. Having two kids made her health-conscious, so Simran also became an advocate of health and fitness. The turning point for her career was winning the Mrs India Global beauty pageant in 2018. Global Indian Talent wanted an ambassador for their brand to represent them at Cannes Film Festival – who would have been better than Simran? It was a great opportunity. As they say, one thing leads to the other; one of her peers also suggested for her to audition for Plate of Origin. So, there she was at the audition by herself; she hadn’t known that she would have to team up with someone. So, without any hesitation, she went straight home to speak to Ash and persuade him to join. A nervous Ash recollects saying to Simran that

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020 he is always a behind-the-scenes guy. For him to go to the cooking show meant he not only has to be ‘in front of the house’ but he has to cook too! In the kitchen, both of them cook but the innovative one (and a better cook, in own Ash’s words) is Simran. They bounce off each other beautifully. Simran loves to cook Indian food and Ash has a more diverse palate; next time you are on their Instagram page and see something different, that’s all Ash. But the ‘samosa pie’ idea was entirely Simran. She says that if we can have a tandoori pie, why not twist the infamous street snack samosa into a pie? When I saw them baking that samosa pie, I was already salivating (the next day, I had to settle for a chicken pie, unfortunately). While their dream is to open a food truck, their whole take from this journey is to make the Indian community proud and leave their footprints for others to follow. In my twentyone years in Melbourne, I haven’t seen an Indian couple taking the stage. The diverse show Plate of Origin enables that. Asking Ash and Simran if they would have done something different to the butter chicken in the episode that had them eliminated from the competition, they replied they’d probably have started the sauce with a prep time of 90 minutes rather than 60 minutes. They had limited time and choices, like no use of a pressure cooker. They were given the list of what they had to cook, which is what makes the challenge so intriguing. Simran would have cooked a nice hot roti fresh from the tandoor or a simple chicken curry, but chicken biryani was the order of the day. Like everything else during the pandemic, things changed – Channel 7 had to cut the show back and it became a double elimination format. They were meant to showcase a lot of other dishes, but the show had to wrap up. But Ash and Simran still cannot get over the first call, when they were told that they made it onto the show. I’m told they recorded

it.

Team India is all about showcasing their heritage. One scene we didn’t see in the show was her tears welling up when the flag of India was flying high. From teaching the Punjabi cheer, “Bale! Bale!” to her fellow contestants to saving up emotions for mother India, I say that’s what makes her so special. Her beauty and her creativity come out in the food. But I think if Simran took the show’s attention with her glamour, Ash definitely brought his warmth as a charming “onewoman man”. I couldn’t be happier to learn this show could be streamed on Hotstar, as it will prove to be a valuable lesson. A woman’s place is in a man’s heart, but the place in the kitchen belongs to both of them. Food and love can combine to win everything in life, even during a pandemic. Their heritage, their simplicity in itself is them on a plate. This is only the start of a legacy, weaving a path to all the Australian Indians who have migrated here; diversity is finally taking shape. Simran is creative with her healthy way of life, teaching her children (aged eight and ten) that Indian paratha can be as fun as a burger. The technique is the same – just swapping desi ghee with coconut oil, replacing flour with ragi and making Indian food delicious and healthy for a sustainable life. They both say they are doing more stuff with Channel 7 – it is perhaps the end of a beginning. Blowing kisses to Simran (and she viceversa), she bids a goodbye from her lounge to mine. I look at Ash’s Simran and Simran’s Ash, quoting Julia Child the American chef from her book My Life in France: “The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they’re right if you love to be with them all the time.”

By Nandita Chakraborty

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PEOPLE

The Pop-up

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Culinarian

A food artist or a food designer – call it what you like. Making magic with food through popup restaurants, Harry Mangat left a job in Attica to pursue his artistry, giving birth to Biji Dining (Grandma’s food). Welcome to Mangat’s kitchen, where pumpkin can taste like apricot in a Petit four.

M

eet Harry Mangat, once upon a time known as Harminderjeet Singh Mangat. Originally coming from Doraha, a village in Ludhiana, he belonged to a family business of old oil trucks. He was always on the move, travelling around to where the business would go. Mangat grew up in New Delhi, later moving to a boarding school in Pathankot. After a few years he wanted to follow a friend to Canada, but as destiny would have it he ditched Canada for Melbourne. In 2005 he came to study accountancy in Box Hill TAFE. Aren’t we lucky to have him here and brand him “Made in Melbourne”? Mangat, 35 now, originally never wanted to cook in his life, let alone ever set his foot in a kitchen. Like all Indian boys he was fed and spoilt by his mother; so, his reflection on food was within that common boundary of daal and roti. Mangat tells me of his ignorance in understanding Indian food, and how it was limited to that kitchen at his home in India. Here in Melbourne he was introduced to a global palate, and that was enough for him to join the Victorian Institute for an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality. Learning to appreciate ingredients and treating produce with respect, he landed his first job in Simply Spanish. It was not until 2007–09, when he started in Simply Spanish in South Melbourne as head chef, that things changed for Mangat. It is here he met his future Australian-born Indonesian wife, who worked as a waitress at the restaurant. At this point we both giggle – he scored life in full circle in Lamaros in 2010 as a chef. He hit the jackpot when he did his internship in Attica. But as with any creative person, he didn’t want to be tied to any responsibilities and just did things for himself. He didn’t apply for a job opening in Attica. I understood that it an artist thing – a sacred obligation to yourself to follow your own dreams. So, with no regrets, he and Peter Gunn, then a sous-chef in Attica, formed a beautiful friendship regardless and he started working at Peter’s popup. Soon he started working in Hare and Grace, with Raymond Capaldi helping him with plating creatively. From there he travelled to Mornington to work at Jackalope. Attica made him appreciate the garden more; here, he based his cooking on traditional seasoning. So, while running pop-ups and rubbing shoulders with some big names in the food industry, Biji Dining

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

came into existence in 2016, creating a modern India, plating for Aidan at Persillade in November of that year. Later in 2017, he was at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, along with many more pop-ups. He was also at “Food for Thought” charity dinners. Dominating the pop-up scene and collaborating with many chefs, he doesn’t want to be called as the ‘new kid on the block’. He is a man on his own journey who makes pumpkin skin taste like apricot so it can be used on a petit four. In 2019, he prepared an 18-course Indian feast with the two-hatted restaurant O.MY in Beaconsfield. It was no looking back for this artist, who is constantly collaborating with big names. For example, Mangat has cooked for Dani Valent, preparing in her house kochi pandi curry, dhal and bhurta, and outlining eight different ways to cook rotis. But, Mangat gets his

kick from pop-ups and sharing the buzz for storytelling behind each dish. It’s all about the food and sharing it with people. On a personal level, this artist wants to be free from family responsibilities along with his wife – they want to travel and create more stories with their food. Their dream is to travel, rock climb around the slopes of Switzerland and create pop-ups throughout Europe. That’s what brought me to the question: what is the future for Harry Mangat? He artistically describes that he wants to create his own signature and become the King of Pop-Up. Mangat wants to take his pop-ups around the world, collaborating with big names. He wants to work with big bold Indian spices, collaborating with Australian flavours. Before COVID-19 hit our lives, he and his wife travelled to Europe to see the scope of pop-ups – they were astounded with the possibilities and potential. When they returned, they thought of selling everything to settle in Europe, but I guess he hasn’t signed off on Melbourne yet. So, we are lucky to see him back in Melbourne safe and with us, at least for now. I ask him what he likes to cook in his spare time, as I see him on Instagram whipping up butter chicken pie, with the crust on top transformed to carvings of leaves and petals. I ask him to send a recipe – and whether I can go to his (or he comes to mine) to cook for me? I have shared below the

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recipe he provided for moong dhal bread with coconut ghee. I am not a baker but I did try this. I couldn’t be more delighted, as I have broken the myth of being unable to bake bread, and I am now rubbing shoulders with others who can proudly whip up their own bread. Though not 100% perfect (my baking, that is) the bread was delicious and moist. As I broke my paranoia of baking bread with Harry’s recipe, I will just tell you: use coconut ghee instead of regular ghee. It will be perfect. All I can say is that it was the best bread I ever ate. As I wait for stage 4 restrictions to end, I cannot wait for Mangat to come to mine to cook me the meal he has promised. For now, as I look at this young artist he evokes the memory of “Around the World in 80 Days” but with a twiddle of the hunter gatherer. In him, Shakespeare comes to life: “If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it; that surfeiting. The appetite may sicken, and so die.”

By Nandita Chakraborty

(Nandita is an Author, Screen Writer, Blogger and a foodie. nanditachakrabortyauthor.com.au)

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OPINION

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Mental Health Matters! BY KARTHIK ARASU President of “Australia India Sports Council

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want to go back to my parents, I can’t take it anymore, I am crying the whole day without knowing why? I have heard these lines many times in recent days. The last person who called me was asking about the steps to go to India immediately with her husband and kids, knowing very well about the situation in India and also being aware that it’s not that easy to return. The caller was crying nonstop even though I am a stranger to them, she was in such a state she couldn’t care about anything. They are taking medical help for depression and have good family support still it’s hard to cope. This pandemic has pushed many of us to the edge due to the lockdown, constant unlimited news and opinions through social media, nonstop messages and forwards about cases and remedies, unfounded solutions, rumors, restrictions, closed spaces, no events or celebrations, and the list is endless. A prominent community member, a dear friend of mine from outside if you look, his life will be an envy to others but the struggles he goes through to cope with anxiety and stress due to the pressure, not even his close ones know. A happy-go-lucky person now gets angry easily, it is very hard to understand his emotions at times. He refuses to take medical help and thinks he can’t be affected by mental illness as he is a tough person to crack. These are just a couple of stories from the many hundreds around us, this could be mental health disorders and it affects anyone, not just the person but the dear ones around them. Friends and family find it hard to cope at times, they are in a situation where they may feel we can’t handle it anymore, we are all in the same crisis but why you are showing this anger or why you are becoming hard to live with. It’s very hard for many to understand how and why mental health deteriorates so quickly for someone who never had any symptoms. When it comes to mental illness, we normally tend to play safe and pretend there is nothing wrong with our mental status and often refuse to share with family members and reject any help. Mental illness is a general term for a group of illnesses that may include symptoms that can affect a person’s thinking, perceptions, mood or behaviour. Mental illness can make it difficult for someone to cope with work, relationships and other demands. The relationship between stress and mental illness is complex, but it is known that stress can worsen an episode of mental illness. Source: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ Some of the main groups of mental disorders are mood disorders (such as

depression or bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, trauma-related disorders, substance abuse disorders. The diagnosis of mental illness can be controversial. Source: https://www. healthdirect.gov.au/ Thankfully, Mental Health is discussed commonly nowadays, which is a good start, but we have a long way to go in practising good mental health for us and others. The common mistake we tend to do is put an unnecessary strain in our minds for matters which don’t concern or relate to us. Even a gossip or rumour can have devasting effects on our mental health, it’s so easy for us to get carried away and before we realise, we ourselves will be in the scheme of things. Social pressure or peer pressure is becoming an epidemic of astronomical proportions and getting more intense nowadays, we’re influenced and pressured by so many external things it is becoming difficult to tell whether we’re living the life we want to live or one that others want us to live. The stigma around mental health has to be broken down and this has to be spoken in every platform without judgements. Mental illness and physical illness are just different types of illness and there is nothing wrong in asking for help, it’s not taboo as it affects anyone without bias. Many organisations are doing excellent initiatives to address the mental health issue. The National Mental Health Month is one such initiative of the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) during the month of October, to advocate for and raise awareness of Australian mental health. With almost one in five Australians experiencing mental health illness, it is more important than ever to have a non-judgmental discussion on mental health and support the vulnerable without any bias. We as a community owe each other and also to our

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future generations to have a healthy society, so it’s time we give due consideration to “Mental Health Matters”. Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (up to age 25). More information about mental health, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Mental Health Foundation Australia on 1300 643 287.

LEGAL

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Surrogacy and Parentage

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BY GURPAL SINGH

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he Family Law Act maintains that there are presumptions of parentage of a child. Such assumptions arise from marriage, cohabitation, registration of a birth, judicial finding and signing an acknowledgement of paternity. The term parent(s) are not otherwise defined under the law. The issue of parentage arises in the case of artificial conception involving the third party – the donor. Here is a situation where a woman who was either married to, or a de facto partner of another person at the time an artificial conception was carried out. If such procedure was carried out either with the consent of the woman and her husband or the partner, the child will be the child of the woman and her husband or the partner as the case may be. This analogy, however, doesn’t apply to a birth mother who was not married or in a de facto relationship at the relevant time. The law provides that a child is deemed to be a child of a person’s de facto partner if the child is the child of the person and the de facto partner; or the child is adopted by the person and de facto partner or by either of them with the consent of the other. The

Family Court is empowered to make an order to the effect that a child is a child of one or more persons or each of one or more persons is the parent of the child. The child in such cases will be the child of each of those persons. Surrogacy in Australia is legal however, paying a surrogate beyond medical and other reasonable expenses is not allowed. It can’t be carried out for commercial purposes. One need to establish the medical or social need for the surrogacy arrangement. Mindfully such a need is not accepted if a female partner is able to conceive and safely give birth to a child likely to be unaffected by a genetic condition or some disorder. The regulation of surrogacy is a state law and in case of Victoria known as ‘Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008’. This law regulates the concerns in respect of eligibility to undergo the assisted reproductive treatment, the donors, donation of gametes or an embryo, treatment procedure and storage of gametes and embryos and also the restriction to carry out destructive research on embryos created for the treatment purposes. The whole

process is handled through the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA). A woman who gives birth to a child in Victoria is initially legally recognised to be its mother and is recorded on the birth certificate being so. Her partner, if she has one, is recorded as the father or the other parent. In Parsons and Masson, the Full Court of Family Court held that sperm donors are not legal parents of the children born via artificial technology using their sperm, regardless of the mother’s relationship status at the time of conception. The case involved a same-sex couple with two children. One partner was the biological and birth mother of both the children conceived by artificial insemination. Masson was the biological father of one of the children but was not in a de facto or married relationship with the biological and the birth mother. Masson tried to stop the mother from relocating to New Zealand which was opposed by the donor. The full court held that if a woman whether married or unmarried becomes pregnant by means of a fertilisation procedure using any sperm obtained from a man who is not her husband, that man is presumed not to be the father of any child born as a result of pregnancy. The Family Law Act doesn’t require recognition of parentage of donors and leaves the room for the state act to apply. The presumption against parentage of sperm donors holds even where there is an expectation or intention for the donor to act as a parent. Donors may still be entitled to apply for parenting orders and awarded time with the children. This ramifications for parentage of children born through assisted reproductive treatment results in severing the legal parentage of sperm donors even where the birth mother is not in a de facto or married relationship. By Gurpal Singh

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

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PEOPLE

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Humanity Has No Age Ditching global studies at Monash University, Alex Dekker is now whipping up 1000 meals a day, feeding international students and more

trip as part of his global studies scholarship. He was given four options: Italy, India, China and Malaysia. So, in January, he was on his way to IIT-Bombay, Mumbai for his Social Development Scholarship for a month. He describes his time in Mumbai as one of his most enduring experiences. Dekker loved it so much that he extended his stay for a further three weeks to hike around the Himalayas, describing it as one of the most profound experiences in his life. Experiencing a new love for SRK and Bollywood movies was short-lived, as COVID-19 was fast becoming the new norm for 2020 when he came home.

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here is a saying that when you reach out to the universe for your path, the universe conspires to bring it to you. That’s what happened to Dekker, giving him his purpose on his 20th birthday. Meet Alex Dekker of ‘Alex Makes Meals’, feeding international students in Melbourne (during Lockdown 2.0) and also in Sydney. The pandemic has brought the entire human race to its knees, weaving its web across every industry and bringing a halt to student lives, especially international students. Let’s step back to January 2020, before the pandemic. Then, the 19-year-old Dekker was a student, the smallest of three siblings originally from a Dutch family living in Gembrook. A Monash student studying international relations and chemistry, he was on a funded

COVID-19 has changed life for everyone including Dekker, but something else came knocking on his door – an opportunity for a hero in the making. In March, “Alex Makes Meals” was born with Alex Dekker turning 20. Amidst the first Australian lockdown, Dekker’s sister, being a doctor at the Monash Medical Centre, was tirelessly working up to 14 hours a day and living on trail mix or muesli bars. So, he made lasagne boxes for his sister and dropped them on her doorstep. Dekker started an innocent Facebook post for orders that got an overwhelming 200 responses. He had two choices that day: give up entirely or forge ahead bravely. The next day 200 turned to 400, and he was inundated with donations; there was an outcry, as Dekker says to me with his hearty laughter. I was laughing with him at this point. Three days after he started, he moved out of his tiny kitchen to a kitchen donated by Tinka’s Emporium. Then two weeks later they moved to Hardware club in

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Melbourne CBD. They have since moved into a larger kitchen in Preston. That was during the first lockdown. Now, COVID-19 has caused Lockdown 2.0 in Melbourne. Alex Makes Meals is now operating from the Jewish Centre in Bondi with the Toyota project engineering people as sponsors. They still continue to operate out of the Preston kitchen, the Bondi operations are an addition to that. His kitchen is a melting pot for highly skilled, diverse volunteers and chefs. Indian chefs from Kolkatta give their time preparing curries for a menu that covers anything from lasagne to creamy pasta to kidney bean curry. The quality is important, and the menu is prepared by voluntary chefs. The Indian community is an integral part of his communal kitchen. Dekker has 80 active volunteers, and most of his volunteers are transitional. He is preparing 3000–6000 meals weekly. Alex Makes Meals is now distributing meals every Thursday in Melbourne CBD to thousands of students stranded without jobs and mounting pressure with bills. Dekker says a lot of Indian students are his regulars. At this point, I ask what food is to him. He says fighting hunger is yesterday’s problem – the majority of the time, people are starving themselves and the only thing that can change is a plate of food to help an individual. As for the 20-year-old Alex – who sparkles every time he narrates SRK and his love for yellow dhal to me – I am saving a hug for him in the distant future. Humanity knows no boundaries and heroes have no age – just patience and courage. The rest automatically falls into place for them. All I can think of Rabindranath Tagore: “Be brave right through and leave for the unknown.”

By Nandita Chakraborty To DONATE, please visit Alex Makes Meals on Instagram and Facebook.

IN CONVERSATION

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Must not lose sight of the ups: Health Minister Greg Hunt

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or Australian Minister for Health Greg Hunt it has been ‘nonstop to the minute’ since the beginning of the year when the bushfires started, to be followed soon by the pandemic that shows little signs of passing in a hurry. “But that’s okay,” he told G’day India in an exclusive interview. He touched upon several key aspects concerning the pandemic while also extending a “warm embrace” to the Indian diaspora. And yes, he is also looking forward to seeing Virat Kohli batting in Australia.

Excerpts: Q: This pandemic is one-in-a-life-time situation for many. What hopes would you give to the people of Australia? A: There’s real hope in the way we have managed the virus and our number by global standards are really low, eight out of eight states and territories and the Australian population did magnificently the first-time round. In Victoria we have a challenge, but we are winning progressively. The Australian people have borne a huge weight and the second time round the Victorian people, but we are getting there. Also, there is legitimate prospect of a vaccine in ’20-’21. It’s a difficult time around the world and we know that India, for example, has had immense human tragedy, but will continue to fight and continues to support not only Australia but other countries as well. Q: Besides the launch of extra health care clinics to address growing mental health cases, how prepared are we, as many believe that the worst is yet to come as a result of this pandemic? A: Mental health and economic health are very related, whether someone has a job, whether someone has enough money to pay the mortgage, whether somebody has the capacity to restart their small business; it could be an accounting firm, hairdresser, cafe or a restaurant, all of these are very important. We are well prepared. We have a very, very strong mental health support. Telehealth, a 10year plan instituted in 10 days has now supported over 30 million consultations, a very large number of which has been mental health. We have welcomed the support of home delivery of medicines assisting people under quarantine or they have been under Victoria’s lockdown laws; Then we have the role of jobkeeper and jobseeker in taking care of people and that assisted them with economic security which does help immensely with mental health. We have established 15 new mental health clinics in Victoria, very specific support for culturally and

linguistically diverse communities. We have established a 74-million-dollar programme focussed on Beyond Blue, Headspace and LikeMind, all of the different support services.

Q. With your mother and wife both from nursing how does that empower you in decision-making for the role you are in? A: It’s been a very important part of the background. My wife was a theatre nurse for the focus on infection control. She has kept a book by Laurie Garrett, the foreteller of pandemic. She has often talked to me and prepared me for that. My mother taught me the culture of healthcare workers and nurses in particular with regard to caring and I have seen that where our healthcare workers have been heroes during the course of this pandemic. Q: Would you say this would have been your most challenging role in your political career? A: I think absolutely. It’s non-stop to the minute and it’s been like that since 1st January because we had the bushfire, but that’s okay. I am lucky I have my health and got a very strong family and there’s complete focus. The Prime Minister every day is focussed on what it means for the people, he is not focussed on himself but the people, giving them safety and giving them health and mental health support and also economic health support and that allows them to see the future and see a way pass where we are now. Q: Is the new normal here to stay? Would life ever be back like before? A: Some things will be different, but most things will be the same. We may well keep more distancing in long term. Even with the vaccine, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, physical distance will all be important. We have seen flu deaths plummet this year, which is immensely important. Interestingly, even though we have had terrible and tragic loss of life in aged care the total loss of life this year is down by about a thousand compared to last year and a lot of that has got to do with intense level of infection control, so there are some positive changes that we will continue to make; Telehealth will be a positive change. But also, time will come when people will be back in their cafes, restaurants, going to dances, the gymnasium which is so important. We can see it in other states and territories outside Victoria, people are doing that. We just want to make sure there is full and free movement through the country once the case numbers are down in Victoria, but there should be no barrier

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to movement between all the other states and territories. Some things will return with some differences, some changes in working practice but all up the magnificent culture diverse multicultural Australia we will return to that. Q: Is there a possibility that the vaccine would be out earlier than expected? A: I will be very cautious on this part having been optimistic. We have very high confidence about the first half of 2021 and high confidence about the first quarter with the potential for vaccine in January certainly February. Q: Is there a message for the Indian diaspora in Australia? A: Firstly, I like to say a big thank you to nearly half a million Indian-born Australians in the country for the great contribution to the country. Secondly, we are very aware, and I have spoken to the Indian Health Minister. Many of you will be feeling for your families, some may have lost family members in India. I would like to give a warm human embrace to all of you and finally, I like to say we will get through this and the world will get through this, too. We will grow because of the immense spirit of the Indian community and so many other communities within Australia bring to who we are as a Nation. Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing Virat Kohli batting in Australia. By Tonee Sethi

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TECH

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Amazon builds new team focused on driverless delivery in UK

“The team in Cambridge will work closely with the Amazon Scout research lab in Seattle, US to develop on-system software to help Scout delivery devices safely and autonomously navigate around pedestrians, pets, and obstacles found in residential neighbourhoods such as recycling bins and sign posts,” Scott said. The company is now hiring software development engineers who are at the forefront of robotics and autonomous systems technology.

Consumers in Britain may soon see online orders reaching their doorstep on a small self-driven vehicle as Amazon said it is creating a new team focused on driverless delivery. The new team at the e-commerce giant’s Cambridge development centre will work on Amazon Scout, the company’s fully-electric autonomous delivery service. Amazon Scout devices are the size of a small cooler and roll along pavements at a walking pace. The service is in field test mode, currently delivering packages to customers in four states in the US,

but will continue to expand to more customers, Amazon said. The investment in a team focused on driverless delivery comes even as Amazon is ramping up hiring in Britain to meet growing customer demands for its online services. “Our investment in this new Amazon Scout team in the UK, which will consist of dozens of engineers, is driven by our partnership with the Cambridge community and made possible by the talented people who live here,” Sean Scott, Vice President of Amazon Scout, wrote in a blog post.

The creation of the Amazon Scout team in Cambridge follows on from last week’s announcement that Amazon is creating 10,000 new permanent roles across the

UK this year, taking the company’s total permanent UK workforce to more than 40,000. Amazon said that it has already added 3,000 new permanent roles to its workforce across our UK network of fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery stations -- including at a new hi-tech fulfilment centre in the North East of England which opened in May 2020. The company plans to add a further 7,000 new permanent roles by the end of this year across more than 50 sites, including Corporate offices and two new fulfilment centres launching in the autumn in the North East and in the Midlands. (AGENCIES)

Zoom introduces new features to make video meets more interactive

Apple’s smallest iPhone may be called iPhone 12 Mini Apple is expected to launch four new iPhones next month and a new report has claimed that one model with a 5.4-inch display may be called the iPhone 12 Mini.

Video conferencing platform Zoom announced new features with an aim to make video communications more accessible for people to connect.

According to a photo depicting alleged stickers from unreleased Silicone iPhone cases originating from Apple’s international distribution centre in Ireland, one of the iPhone is likely to be called iPhone 12 Mini.

The new features include multi-pinning, spotlight, new gallery view, better caption size as well as several keyboard shortcuts.

The photo shows three expected sizes of iPhone 12, with the 5.4inch model being the “iPhone 12 mini,” the 6.7-inch model being the “iPhone 12 Pro Max,” and the two 6.1-inch models being the “iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 Pro,’’ reports MacRumors. According to the report, the iPhone 12 mini would be the first iPhone with the “mini” moniker, which has been seen on the iPad mini, Mac mini, and iPod mini.

Multi-pin and multi-spotlight features have been introduced to help users interact more like real life.

launch the much-awaited iPhone 12 series. All four iPhone models are expected to feature OLED displays and 5G support.

At 5.4-inches, the iPhone 12 mini would be smaller than the iPhone 11 Pro, which is a 5.8-inch device.

The upcoming iPhone 12 could cost somewhere between $699 to $749 while the iPhone 12 Max could be priced around $799-849.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is reportedly gearing up to hold a special event on October 13 to

The Pro and Pro Max models are expected to be priced between $1,100 to $1,200. (AGENCIES)

Multi-pinning will allow users to keep multiple videos in place. That means one can view only, the interpreter and speaker stay in the same spot, no matter who is speaking, making it easier to focus on the content. The host and co-host can grant permission for up to nine people in the meeting to pin multiple videos. With multi-spotlight, the host or co-host can spotlight up to nine videos so that everyone sees the same spotlighted videos.

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In Gallery View, videos reorder according to who is speaking or raising their hand. Now, one can drag and drop videos into their own custom order. A user can now move their video tile closer to what’s being shared so that one can see them more comfortably. Now, caption size can easily be controlled in our Accessibility settings. One can get to these settings either from the up arrow on the closed captioning button in the meeting or in settings on the desktop client. To help focus on the alerts that users want to hear, screen reader alerts can be adjusted in accessibility settings. One can get to these settings either from the up arrow on the closed captioning button in the meeting or in the settings on the desktop clients. In addition, Zoom also announced several keyboard shortcuts.

(AGENCIES)

VIRTUAL

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Changa app set to become one of the top short video platforms in India Changa, a short video creation app launched by the Gurugram based IT tech firm BITCS is set to break all records. With the sudden ban on a lot of Chinese apps, the Indian market saw an opportunity for blistering growth. And with ‘Made in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ becoming a trend, the market saw dozens of alternatives for TikTok coming up one after another. This was when the homegrown short video application, Changa, gained huge popularity in the entire nation. A lot of investors are showing interest in this market, and the company is looking to close the first round of fundraising by the end of this month. Changa received more than 1 lakh downloads in its first three days of launch and has been growing since then. Since the release of its initial version, it has gained wonderful reviews and the trust of the users. So far, Changa has crossed 3 million users in quite a short period of time. And with the ever so amazing response the application received, it is set to become one of the top short video platforms in India. Convenience of editing, uploading, and

behind, he went on to start his own firm BITCS in Gurugram.

sharing content has enabled it to beat contemporaries quite easily. However, what makes the app stand apart is the ability to import TikTok data and followers directly to the app.

“We don’t just want to stop here. We are constantly working towards enhancing the UI & UX of the platform and want to ensure that top quality content is being generated at all times. We value the talents of creators and wish to provide them with a unique and seamless experience,” he said, on being asked about how he is celebrating the success of Changa. In the days to come, the Changa app is aiming to introduce advanced features, new filters, and special effects that will enhance the overall experience of creators. Shubham’s vision is to get all the Tik Tok’s Indian user base of 100M plus onboarded to the Changa app by early next year.

This feature allows to import old TikTok videos directly into the app and also lets the users gain back followers if they had 100k plus followers on TikTok. The Changa team has also integrated social A key element to this short video media platforms and instant messaging platform’s success is the need for apps like WhatsApp, making it easier to share a short video with friends and family. entertaining content by all age groups. A new dance move, joke, meme, or trend is loved by everyone. However, the way it is Shubham Agarwal, the mastermind being portrayed on a platform is something behind the Changa app comes from a tech background, with years of experience not everyone gets. Changa has definitely working with tech giants like Microsoft and won this battle and taken ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ to the next level. (ANI) Amazon. After leaving the corporate life

Facebook fixes Instagram bug that turns phones into spying tools Facebook has patched a critical vulnerability in Instagram that could have given an attacker the ability to take over a victims Instagram account, and turn their phone into a spying tool, simply by sending them a malicious image file. When the image is saved and opened in the Instagram app, the exploit would give the hacker full access to the victim’s Instagram messages and images, allowing them to post or delete images at will, as well as giving access to the phone’s contacts, camera and location data, according to cyber security researchers at Check Point. An attack can be triggered once a malicious image is sent via email or WhatsApp and then saved on a victim’s device. The researchers revealed the critical vulnerability as remote code execution (RCE) that allows an attacker to take over a computer or a server by running arbitrary malicious software (malware). “This vulnerability can allow an attacker

way that Instagram used Mozjpeg– an open source project used by Instagram as its JPEG format image decoder for images uploaded to the service,” the researchers explained. The company disclosed the findings to Facebook and the Instagram team.

to perform any action they wish in the Instagram app. Since the Instagram app has very extensive permissions, this may allow an attacker to instantly turn the targeted phone into a perfect spying tool – putting the privacy of millions of users at serious risk,” the cyber security firm revealed in a blog post. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms globally, with over 100 million photos uploaded every day, and nearly 1 billion monthly active users. “The vulnerability we found was in the

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Facebook described the vulnerability as an “Integer Overflow leading to Heap Buffer Overflow” and issued a patch to remediate the issue on the newer versions of the Instagram application on all platforms. “The patch for this vulnerability has already been available for 6 months prior to this publication, giving time to the majority of users to update their Instagram applications, thus mitigating the risk of this vulnerability being exploited,” the researchers informed. “We strongly encourage all Instagram users to ensure they are using the latest Instagram app version and to update if any new version is available . (ANI)

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FEATURE

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

How writing became a tool for self-discovery, empowerment for these women Being a female author can come with its own set of challenges, especially when one is trying to juggle a career in the demanding field along with a personal life. From burning the midnight oil to pursue writing, to managing multiple roles, budding authors share how they used writing as a tool for empowerment. ‘Four Dances of the Moon’ author Shikha Rinchin Tiku explains how every journey is different and so are the challenges. “I got my inspiration for writing from my father, who wrote poetry in his spare time. I wrote my first poem when I was just eight. It was only last year when I was about to become a mother, I felt this urge of fulfilling my goal of becoming a published author, and I embarked on the journey of publishing my first ever poetry book. As they say, it’s never too late. There were a few challenges that I had to overcome during my publishing journey. “Writing a book requires immense discipline and time management. I am a full-time working professional, so setting time aside to create and edit my work was a task. I spent all my weekends working on the book, so that I could get it published by the target date. It was the time when Covid-19 had just hit us, so keeping myself composed was also something that I had to do. I kept myself emotionally resilient to keep at it. I was soon going to be a mother, so managing work, my health, and my book was a challenge. But when you have a burning desire to fulfill your goals, you always find a way,” she said. There has been an interesting rise in the number of young and empowered women authors who are using the power of their mind and pen to put their thoughts out in the world. For some authors the journey is more important than the destination. Author Subhashini Prasad, who wrote ‘Not Really Indian’ has this story to tell: “Three years ago, I sat in my office in a commercial bank, running through financial analysis and numbers, when I thought: ‘Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?’ The answer as you see today was obvious. Since I was 11, I wanted to be an author. Days of reading Enid Blyton and Harry Potter inspired me to create stories of my own. When I was at the crossroads of choosing between a stable job and writing, I chose the latter. I decided that if I don’t act on my passion now, I will always regret it. That was the kickstart to my writing journey and has led to my debut book: Not Really Indian. I have also written my first kids’ book, titled Hoo and Hau, on Storyweaver.” Challenges, according to Prasad, of becoming an author were aplenty. “Self-doubt and learning to view failures as stepping stones have been the toughest challenges. As women, we have it tougher than the rest. Society expects

more out of us and we expect the impossible out of ourselves. So, when I first decided to pursue writing, I always thought I was not good enough to be an author. As a mother of two, I also feel torn between spending time with the kids and finding no-distraction time to write. But as I read other women writers, I realized believing in one’s work is of utmost importance and key to success. And that it is always possible to find time for doing what you love.” Tanya Walia, Author of ‘Forever’ shares that she had that “writer’s bone” in her from the word go. “I used to keep a journal and I used to write plays for class projects, one time I wrote a poem for someone else and he was appreciated. But I never pursued it from the fear of people’s opinions. Then at 23, I read “The Diary Of A Young Girl’ by Anne Frank and it blew me away how in such a situation she had dreams and hopes of becoming a writer,” she said. “When I started, I was preparing for a government job and there was a lot of pressure, managing both wasn’t easy. But I think the biggest challenge for me was finding the right publisher because I was new, and I didn’t have anyone to guide me. Don’t let the pressure

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around you break your spirit. If you are happy write and if you are sad write more. Start finding the right publisher from the beginning and not when the book is complete. It can save you a lot of time.” Young author Anamika Mishra, a motivational speaker and author of ‘For The Sake Of Love’’ says she was obsessed with stories and storytelling since childhood, and has been writing from school days. “I remember once when I was a kid, after completing a novel (‘David Copperfield’ by Charles Dickens), I was so inspired by it that I immediately told my mom that I want to write books. I think this kept on hitting my mind. I read more, I wrote more - poems, stories, articles, shayaris.” Spurred on by her parents to pursue writing as a career, Anamika finds inspiration to be an author in their words even if they’re not here anymore. As the writers conclude, authors are rarely made overnight, so be patient and persistent until hard work bears fruit. By Siddhi Jain

EMPOWERING DESTINY

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Time, Energy, and Money – Life’s Currencies BY BARINDERJEET KAUR

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hat you do NOW in this moment determines who you BECOME. Your energy, time, and money are your life currencies. Whatever you are willing to invest today will determine your future – whether you will be a leader or a follower. Fulfilling life belongs to those who are ready to learn new skills and adapt to the ever-changing world. The choice is up to you. What type of life do you want to live? A functional leader does not want to live their life by chance and stumble upon a solution. Instead, they make decisions and take responsibility for the path they are travelling. Leaders do not go in the direction where everyone else goes. Leaders make decisions and choose their path. Leaders know that better results require a different direction, and decisions lead towards a successful path full of growth. Change is inevitable. And your choices determine your direction. Choice means that you are either growing or diminishing. We do not remain at the same level. What we have today will not be the same tomorrow. Tomorrow you will be a day older, but you have the choice to decide where and how you spend your time. It is impossible to get back lost time. Relying on money is common and is often considered as one of life's primary currencies. Few people hold onto money, unwilling to utilise this resource. To them, their mindset causes them to think this is the only resource, whereas others spend it not realising its importance. Others leverage money to save time. Your financial freedom is not dependent on the money in your bank account. It depends on what you are willing to give up in exchange for this currency. You can have millions of dollars in your bank account, but if you do not possess the energy to do the things you desire, your money is of no use. While expending energy you seldom notice how, why, or where you are using it. Too often, you may not realise energy's value. Imagine a day where you planned a picnic with your family. You have time and money, but you wake up low on energy, feeling restless, agitated, and lacking the energy to pack the required components for the picnic. You even lacked the desire

to make conversation with your loved ones. Throughout the day, you raised your voice, leading to arguments, then fights, and returning home feeling drained. You cannot help but think, "I spent my time and money to bring happiness to my family, but now I am exhausted, and no one seems to care." Does this sound familiar? You can have money and time, but if you are low on your (currency) energy, you will always fall short of living a happy life. Moreover, you can never live your life to its fullest extent. Now that you understand the importance of these three currencies, you might be asking yourself, "What do I need to do to save my currencies - time, energy and money?" DISCIPLINE is what is required. Let me show you how DISCIPLINE can help you: : Daily checks. Assess where you spend your time, energy, and money.

D I

: Interested or committed. Ask yourself, are you committed to the goals you want to achieve, or are you just interested? If you are interested in living a fulfilled life, then you will be waiting for life to work for you, rather than putting in the work to change your old patterns and habits.

S

: Systematise. Create structure. How are you going to spend, save, or utilise all three currencies?

C

: Certainty. Even if you do not know how to spend these currencies, what to spend them, or how to manage them, being certain will ensure you will secure the resources and support that you require.

I

: Invest in you. Understand the difference between spending and investing money. Every time you invest your time, money, or energy, it is to be done based on the returns

it will generate. That exchange does not always have to be for the same currency. You could invest money and in return, you gain energy. You can invest energy to gain money. You can also invest time to gain energy.

P

: Persistence. Continue along the new path even if your old habits attempt to stop you. Keep breaking past patterns and strive for success. Tony Robbins, renowned author, coach, and motivational speaker says, "Repetition is the mother of skill." Make this your mantra for life.

L

: Learn daily. Like software that demands occasional upgrades, humans do too. A life coach can help you refresh your life approach so you can reach your full potential.

I

: Implement what you learn. Knowing and implementing are different things. By now, you know which currency desire more of, or which one you want to invest in or save. Implementing this knowledge is where success lies.

N

: Notice every moment by being more observant. Learn to pause and reflect so you can observe your progress. Acknowledge yourself for utilising the knowledge and making a choice to commit to your growth.

E

: Enrich your life. Following this DISCIPLINE approach can guarantee you are on a path to success. When it comes to living a fulfilling life, you will make it a reality, or you will find an excuse. If you are looking to live a fulfilled life and need some support, schedule a discovery session free of charge.

Barinderjeet Kaur is a Life coach and human behavior specialist based in Melbourne. | Facebook page: Empower Your Destiny

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FASHION

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Festive looks to flaunt in 2020 We cannot shun away the festive feeling even when we are still in the lockdown. If the festive spirits making you overwhelmed, then you are not the only one out there. Festive season is around the corner, while I am getting ready with my festive wardrobe, I thought to list down some unique ways you can style your festive looks.

So, here are top picks to the festive styling’20:

BY DEBASREE DAS

1)

Six yards of elegance: Nothing matches the elegance of the six yards, going traditional is the call for the season and this would always be my first choice from the festive wardrobe.

2)

Saree with a twist: The six yards of elegance does not have to be always traditional, of course, we love to keep it that way most of the times. My pick would be to style it with a belt or experiment with a cropped top. Add some drama by wearing it over pants or styling it with accessories differently. Style it with a belt or a blazer to add a corporate look or wear the saree over your favourite denim and you will be ready to rock an evening.

3)

Indo-western: Style your favourite lehenga skirt with crisp white Shirt and style it with a statement neckpiece to stand out. Personally, this is one of my favourite styles other than a saree.

4)

Classic Anarkali’s: Add exuberance to your ethnic wardrobe by going with the flamboyant, I love to style it with high heels and some classic jewellery to add vibrance to my ethnic wear.

5)

Embroidered Jackets: They work well on a casual mornings or afternoons, where you wish to go minimalistic yet look trendy. Flaunt a long or short Ethnic Jacket and add your own unique style. This works great if you want to add some western blend to your otherwise ethnic look.

6)

Jumpsuit Sarees: Taking your fusion game higher and adding an extra dose of glam to your ethnic fusion with a Jumpsuit Saree. This is a unique style and I have not found anyone styling this way. So be the cynosure of all eyes. I always believed that no matter what you wear you can still rock any outfit if you carry it with a dash of confidence and smile. So, go ahead and rock those festive looks. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @travelinstylewithdebs for your daily fashion inspiration. travelinstylewithdebs

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FESTIVALS

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Navratri and Dussehra –Connecting to self

BY ARCHITA BAWEJA

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f I close my eyes, I can still remember distinctly the cool and crisp air of autumn, the lights from the festivities, the scent of marigold flowers as well as Agarbati (incense stick) from the Puja, and all about Navratri and Dussehra. Every year during this time the inhabitants of my colony organised a small prayer festival in a park nearby. The basic arrangements included a table decorated with idols of gods and goddesses, lighting, microphone and a rug for everyone to be seated. Each day of Navratri, friends and family would get together and sing hymns, read Ramayana as well as Hanuman Chalisa. In a way prayer brought us all together as a close-knit family. Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga (Goddess of Shakti) and her nine forms. As per history, Lord Ram who wanted to release Sita from the clutches of mighty demon king Ravana prayed to Goddess Durga to gather the courage and power to kill Ravana. Those nine nights when he prayed became to be known as Navratri and the tenth day when Lord Ram killed Ravana was called Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. Navratri is a special time for most Hindus and the festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity. The connection of food and faith is interlinked and cannot be

ignored-one gives sustenance to the body and the other peace to the soul. Apart from symbolising the victory of good over evil there is also a scientific significance of fasting during Navratri. Most people fast as it is an effective way to strengthen the digestive system during the change of season and remove any accumulated toxins from the body. While most places focus on the religious aspects of Navratri the state of Gujrat is full of rainbow colours and goes a step beyond

with their cultural extravaganza, especiallyGarba. Dandiya nights are organised throughout various cities in India and abroad. The dances are a live canvas of our diverse culture and gaiety is spread around. Here in Melbourne, Shri Durga temple organises religious lectures and other events during Navratri which sanctify the mind and cleanse the soul. The dates of the festival are determined according to the Lunar calendar and so they differ each year. The nine days of Navratri lead to Dussehra that falls on the tenth day symbolising the triumph of positivity over negativity. This time of the year cannot be missed as streets are full of coloured parts to make effigies of Ravana as well as his brothers Kumbhakaran and Meghnad. There are fairs organised everywhere which scream of festivity with lights, joy rides, games, drama & street food. Throughout different parts of the country Ram Leela is organised which is dramatic, colourful and eye-catching. On the day of Dussehra at sundown the effigies of Ravana and his brothers are burnt in large grounds. There are people gathered around who cheer when the effigies fall on the floor depicting the end of sin and wickedness. Navratri and Dussehra is not just about religion, congregation and enjoyment but more about an inwards journey of expelling our own demons of self-love, ignorance, jealousy and hatred. It is about focussing on self for transformation and reform. At last, it is about connecting to the inner source and light within each one of us through fasting, prayer, silence and meditation.

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

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RELATIONSHIPS

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Sex important for middle-aged women too Despite a common belief that women lose interest in sex as they age, a new study shows that a significant percentage of women continue to rate sex as important throughout midlife.

Based on this analysis, researchers identified three distinct trajectories in importance of sex with aging. For almost half of the women (45 per cent), sex was important early in midlife and became less so over time.

The study, published in the journal Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, also identified those factors affecting which women continue to value sex most. “In contrast to prior literature reporting that the importance of sex decreases as women move through midlife, we found that, for a quarter of women, sex remains highly important to them throughout midlife,” said study lead author Holly Thomas from the University of Pittsburgh in the US. A number of studies have previously shown that the importance of sex is highly correlated with sexual function among midlife women. Longitudinal studies have allowed researchers to examine how the importance of sex changes as women age, giving way to the premise that

For roughly a quarter of the women (27 per cent), sex remained highly important to them throughout midlife, and for another quarter (28 per cent), sex was of low importance during midlife. women lose interest in sex as they age. For the study, the research team included more than 3,200 women who participated in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation.

Other variables included women with depression symptoms, who were more likely to have low importance or see drops in importance of sex.

They sought to evaluate how various factors affected a woman’s interest in sex throughout the menopause transition.

Better sexual satisfaction was associated with maintained high levels of importance of sex over time, as was higher education.

Factors include menopause status, hormones, depression symptoms, perceived stress, antidepressant use, sexual orientation, sexual satisfaction, pelvic pain, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.

“Studies like these provide valuable insights to healthcare providers who may otherwise dismiss a woman’s waning sexual desire as a natural part of aging,” the study authors wrote. (AGENCIES)

Not family but friends are the key to human happiness People may actually be happier getting together with their friends instead of spending time with family, suggests research conducted by SMU psychology professor Nathan Hudson.

perform while they’re with their romantic partners include socializing, relaxing, and eating. People tend to do similar activities when they are with their friends, too.

They just do a lot more of these enjoyable tasks while hanging with their friends and a lot less housework, the study found. For instance, 65 percent of experiences with friends involved socializing, but only 28 percent of the time shared with partners.

Hudson’s research finds that people report higher levels of well-being while hanging with their friends than they do with their romantic partner or children. In fact, being around romantic partners predicted the least amount of happiness among these three groups, reveals a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Hudson stressed, however, that the finding has more to do with the activity than the person it is shared with. That’s because people tend to spend more of their time doing enjoyable activities with friends than they do with family members, who occasionally find themselves together doing unpleasant tasks like chores or caretaking duties. “Our study suggests that this doesn’t have to do with the fundamental nature of kith versus kin relationships. When we statistically controlled for activities, the ‘mere presence’ of children, romantic partners, and friends predicted similar levels of happiness,” he said. “Thus, this paper provides an optimistic view of family and suggests that people genuinely enjoy their romantic partners and

children,” he added. More than 400 study participants were asked to think back on times with their friends or family - identify the activity they shared and rate whether those experiences left them feeling various emotions, such as happy, satisfied, and with a sense of meaning. Each emotion was rated from 0 (almost never) to 6 (almost always). This information and other responses about how study participants felt at different times allowed Hudson and his co-authors, Richard E Lucas and M Brent Donnellan, to estimate rates of happiness with their friends and family. Lucas and Donnellan are both from Michigan State University. The activities people most frequently

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Spending time with their children also meant more time doing things that had a negative association, such as housework and commuting. However, the activity that people reported most often with their offspring - childcare was viewed positively. And overall, people report feeling similar levels of well-being while in the presence of friends, partners, and children once the activity was taken out of the equation. “There’s a lesson here. It’s important to create opportunities for positive experiences with romantic partners and children - and to really mentally savor those positive times,” Hudson said. “In contrast, family relationships that involve nothing but chores, housework, and childcare likely won’t predict a lot of happiness,” Hudson added.

(ANI)

LIFESTYLE

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Workplace sexual harassment linked to suicide risk London, Sep 3 (IANS) Workers who have been exposed to sexual harassment at their workplace were at a greater risk of suicide and attempting suicide, warn researchers.

these workers over an average follow up period of 13 years were identified from administrative registers. Overall, 4.8 per cent of the workers reported workplace sexual harassment during the previous 12 months: 1.9 per cent of all men and 7.5 per cent of all women. The findings showed that those exposed were more likely to be younger, single, divorced, and in low paid but high strain jobs (high demands but low control), and born outside of Europe.

The findings published in the journal ‘The BMJ’ suggests that workplace interventions focusing on the social side of the work environment could help reduce suicides. The “Me Too” movement has brought a lot of attention to work-related sexual harassment in recent years and the impact it can have on businesses and society, but most importantly on individuals. While previous research has found that sexual harassment at the workplace is linked to physical health symptoms and poorer mental health such as psychological distress, depression, and anxiety, little research has been carried out on its impact on suicidal behaviour. So a team of researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden set out to determine how exposure to workplace sexual harassment is associated with suicidal behaviour in a large population of Swedish workers.

The study included 85,205 men and women of working age in paid work who completed a questionnaire between 1995 and 2013 which included questions about exposure to work-related sexual harassment. Workers were asked if they had been subjected to sexual harassment at their workplace in the past 12 months either from superiors or fellow workers or from “other people”, such as patients, clients, passengers and students. Any suicides or suicide attempts by

After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, exposure to workplace sexual harassment was found to be associated with a 2.82 times greater risk of suicide and 1.59 times greater risk of attempted suicide. Sexual harassment from others was found to be more strongly associated with suicide than sexual harassment from superiors or fellow workers. “More research is needed to determine causality and risk factors for workplace sexual harassment and the mechanisms explaining the association between workrelated sexual harassment and suicidal behaviour, the study authors wrote . (AGENCIES)

Covid-stress may be hard to beat even with exercise Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, but now in a major study, the researchers have revealed that it may not be enough for the levels caused by Covid-19. People who reported increasing their physical activity after the start of Covid-19 stayat-home orders reported higher levels of stress and anxiety than those whose activity levels stayed the same, the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE reported. “Certainly, people who don’t exercise know that there are associations with mental health outcomes, yet the ones that increased their exercise also reported increased anxiety and stress,” said lead author Glen Duncan from the Washington State University. For the study, the research team analysed data from over 900 pairs of identical and samesex fraternal twins from the Washington State Twin Registry. Of the survey respondents, 42 per cent reported decreasing levels of physical activity since the Covid crisis began, and 27 per cent said they had increased their activities. Another 31 per cent reported no change. Participants were asked about changes in their physical activity compared to one month previous. Those who reported a decrease in physical

activity within two-weeks after the start of stayat-home orders had a perceived higher level of stress and anxiety, which was expected. But surprisingly, many of the respondents who increased their physical activity felt the same way. The researchers found that the association between decreased physical activity and stress was confounded by genetic and environmental factors. The researchers found some association between decreased physical activity and anxiety: within a pair of twins, the sibling with decreased physical activity had higher levels

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of anxiety than the sibling who reported no change. In addition, anxiety levels were higher among older people and women. “It’s not necessary that exercise won’t help you personally manage stress. It’s just that there is something genetically and environmentally linking the two,” Duncan said. Recently, a study, published in the journal Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, revealed that early identification and treatment is vital to avoid long-term mental health consequences from Covid-19 among children and young people. (ANI)

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HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

2 minutes of aerobic exercise daily will keep your mind sharp R esearchers in Sweden have found that even two minutes of aerobic exercise can have a positive effect on brain function in young adults.

Investigators found that aerobic exercise for two minutes to one hour at moderate to high intensity improved attention, concentration, and learning and memory functions for up to two hours.

According to a recent review, published in the journal Translational Sports Medicine, just opting for a single exercise workout has positive effects on learning and memory in young adults. Previous studies have shown that physical exercise improves mental health and cognitive function. “Exercise makes you smart. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature examining the acute effects of a single exercise workout on learning and memory functions in young adults,” said study author Peter Blomstrand from the Jonkoping

They noted that the results may have important education-related implications.

University in Sweden. For the findings, the research team included 13 relevant studies for the review. The types of exercise that were studied involved walking, running, and bicycling in individuals between 18 to 35 years of age.

The researchers said there was a connection between exercise and “learning ability,” which suggests that exercising before you work or study could be beneficial -- though they said more research was needed to identify “optimal exercise strategies”. “This systematic review shows that aerobic, physical exercise before encoding improves learning and memory functions in young adults,” the study authors wrote. (AGENCIES)

Even low alcohol use during pregnancy bad for child’s brain

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esearchers have found that even low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have an impact on a child’s brain development. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, said that it is also associated with greater psychological and behavioural problems in youth including anxiety, depression and poor attention. “Our research found that even small amounts of alcohol consumed while pregnant can have a significant impact on a child’s brain development,” said study lead author Briana Lees from the University of Sydney in Australia. For the findings, the researchers investigated whether any alcohol consumption in pregnancy was related to psychological, behavioural, neural Heavier exposure being three or more drinks and cognitive differences in children aged nine per occasion or seven or more drinks per week. to ten years. Children who were exposed to low levels of With a sample of 9,719 youth, this is the alcohol in-utero at any time during pregnancy largest study to investigate the impact of lowexperienced more psychological/emotional level alcohol use during pregnancy. problems (including anxiety, depression and being withdrawn) and behavioural problems Low levels of drinking were considered one to (including poor attention and being impulsive) two drinks per occasion with a maximum of six than unexposed children. drinks per week. There was a 25 per cent increased likelihood In the study, 25 per cent of children had been of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder exposed to alcohol in utero (in the womb), 60 (ADHD) diagnosis in children who were per cent of these children had been exposed to exposed to slightly heavier levels of alcohol low-level alcohol use, and 40 per cent had been (approximately 36 drinks) in the first 6-7 weeks exposed to heavier levels. of pregnancy.

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Heavier alcohol use during early pregnancy was also associated with rule-breaking behaviour and aggression, with a 30 per cent higher risk of the child being diagnosed with the oppositional defiant disorder than unexposed youth. “Generally, the more a child was exposed to alcohol in utero the more severe the outcomes were,” Lees said. “This research highlights the importance for women to be aware of the effects that even low levels of drinking can have on the brain development of babies,” she said. (AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

ASK Dr. Raj… DAILY SICK HEADACHES: Q: Hello Dr Raj, I suffer

how long they have been occurring for, family history and many more. We might also need to check if you are allergic to anything.

Depending on the above information, suitable Homeopathic remedies can be given and significant improvement can be seen. Tumor may not be the only cause for repetitive headaches (your health care professional will guide you in this matter), tumors in brain is mostly associated with projectile vomiting. The medication you currently rely on can have an adverse reaction and reliance on any medication for a prolonged time is not advisable. There are very specific Homeopathic remedies that can fit to your symptoms. Just by getting your constitution right we can pick the indicated remedy. Remedies such as Cimicifuga and Spigelia are a few of the remedies which might be picked for you based on your constitution. Homeopathy also has a track record of treating A: Dear Ms.A, Headaches are persistent headaches successfully. a great discomfort. Though most In addition, getting adequate sleep, headaches are harmless, they are lots of water, stretching for the painful, and certainly reduce the neck and upper body, specially if quality of life. The most common your work involved computers, headaches are probably caused by maintaining proper posture, yoga tight, contracted muscles in the and proper breathing are important. shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw. Pranayama and Brahmari, greatly You have clearly described the help to relieve headaches. nature of your pain. I will need By Raj Kothuru some more information around Please send any of your health related questions to the triggers (if any), time of drraj@aurahealth.com.au with Ask Dr Raj as the subject occurrence, nature of your work, line or ph: 94788649 / 0425761826. The questions will be

from severe headaches, almost everyday. Visual disruption, sensitivity to sound and light (while laying on my side, I cover my ear with my arm and the pain lessens ever so slightly), intense throbbing pain behind my left eye and left side of head, tenderness on the left side of my head and they last for hours. Usually the only thing that helps is sleep. I rely on (aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) to cope. I also get a feeling to clench my teeth. I am concerned that these might be caused due to tumors. Please advice. Ms A.

published with your identity protected.

Health tip:

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Studies suggest that walnuts help reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancer

4 Reasons for Root Canal Treatment

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he structure of a tooth is made up of various layers. The innermost part is made up of a soft substance and is known as pulp. This pulp is connected to a nerve which further gets attached to the sensory network of nerves transmitting sensations. The outer layer of a tooth envelopes both these inner components and protects them from harm. But in case of tooth decay, the acids produced by the bacteria go past the protective layer and reach the pulp of a tooth. That’s when endodontists prefer to go for a root canal treatment. Let us read the cases when root canal treatments are a must. The reasons to carry out root canal treatment are: DEEP DECAY Tooth decay is the worst enemy of our teeth. Bacteria enter the cavities in our teeth causing considerable damage as tooth decay. Antibacterial medications prove futile as the inflammation caused by the bacterial infection hinders the blood supply to a tooth. As mentioned above, when the decay reaches deep down to the nerve of a tooth, a root canal treatment is the call of the hour. When left untreated, deep decay can spread to gums and other parts of our bodies such as the lungs or the brain. CRACKED OR CHIPPED TOOTH Our teeth are fragile enough to crack or chip-off when subjected to trauma. This can also occur while chewing hard foods such as nuts, ice, corn on the cob, rock candies, etc. Cracked teeth can or cannot be painful, but they can always hold room for food particles to get stuck which is a breeding ground for tooth caries. These damaged teeth need to be repaired to fill the cracks and chipped off parts. Root canal treatment makes sure the decay does not reach to the pulp. REPEATED PROCEDURES The process of degeneration of our natural teeth is a continuous one and any laxity in their care can result in decay time and again. What follows are extensive dental restorative works. In cases where not much of the tooth structure is left, dentists prefer to put on a dental crown on the tooth after performing root canal treatment. INJURY TO PULP Tooth decay is not the only culprit to harm dental pulp. There are times when the dental pulp gets damaged due to trauma. It can be an extremely painful condition and requires to be treated as soon as possible. Dentists often prefer root

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canal treatment for such injuries as they can be deep and cause much harm to the pulp. The procedure of root canal treatment MEASURING This is the preliminary stage where a dentist first sedates the patient with light sedatives to numb the area around the damaged tooth. The tooth is then drilled up to the pulp chamber. Measurements of the root canal are then carried out to know the extent of decay and possible treatment options. This measurement is done with the help of X-rays or Apex locator. CLEANING The decay or damage to the pulp is removed from the measured tooth. The root canal inside the tooth is then thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The hole is filled with a temporary filling and left as such for a few days to ascertain any sensitivity. FILLING Once the tooth is free from all the infection, the temporary filling is replaced with a permanent filling. ADDITIONAL TREATMENT If the tooth structure is still found fragile, it can be capped with a dental crown. Otherwise, the above three steps are enough to cure a tooth. To know more about root canal treatment, visit our Healthy Smiles Dental Group Blackburn clinic. You can also call us on 03 9877 2035 to book an appointment. 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

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HEALTH

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Mediterranean diet may protect against rheumatoid arthritis

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he Mediterranean diet which is high in vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil not only helps you live longer but may also help prevent rheumatoid arthritis in individuals who smoke or used to smoke, say researchers.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Previous research has demonstrated a variety of health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in olive oil, cereals, fruit and vegetables, fish and a moderate amount of dairy, meat and wine. Now results from an analysis published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology suggest that the diet may also help prevent rheumatoid arthritis in individuals who smoke or used to smoke. “We aimed to assess the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in high-risk individuals,” said study authors from Université de Paris in France.

For the findings, the research team included 62,629 women from France who have been taking part in a questionnaire-based study assessing dietary intake since 1990. In total, 480 women developed rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was not associated with rheumatoid arthritis risk overall. However, among women who smoked or used to smoke, it was associated with a decreased risk.

The findings showed 383 cases of rheumatoid arthritis per one million people per year among those with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, compared with 515 cases per one million people per year among those with low adherence to the diet. “Our results suggest that adherence to the MD could reduce the high risk of RA among ever-smoking women. Our results must be confirmed in future research,” the study authors noted.

(AGENCIES)

‘Vitamin D cuts complications, risk of death in Covid patients’

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new research adds to the growing body of evidence that patients with sufficient levels of Vitamin D are less likely to experience complications and die from Covid-19.

D deficient to those who were vitamin D sufficient.

In patients older than 40 years they observed that those patients who were vitamin D sufficient were 51.5 per cent less likely to die from the infection compared to patients who were vitamin D deficient.

According to the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, hospitalised Covid-19 patients who were vitamin D sufficient, with a blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of at least 30 ng/mL (a measure of vitamin D status) had a significantly decreased risk for adverse clinical outcomes and death. In addition, they had lower blood levels of an inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein) and higher blood levels of lymphocytes (a type of immune cell to help fight infection).”This study provides direct evidence that vitamin D sufficiency can reduce the complications, including the cytokine storm (release of too many proteins into the blood too quickly) and ultimately death from Covid-19,” said study author Michael F. Holick from the Boston University in the US. For the findings, a blood sample to measure vitamin D status (measured

serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D) was taken from 235 patients were admitted to the hospital with Covid-19.

Holic believes that being vitamin D sufficient helps to fight consequences from being infected not only with the coronavirus but also other viruses causing upper respiratory tract illnesses including influenza.

“There is great concern that the combination of influenza infection and a These patients were followed for clinical coronal viral infection could substantially outcomes including clinical severity of the increase hospitalizations and death due to infection, becoming unconscious, having complications from these viral infections,” difficulty in breathing resulting in hypoxia Holick noted. (low oxygen level) and death. Earlier this month, another study The blood was also analyzed for an published in the journal JAMA Network inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein) Open, revealed that that vitamin D and for numbers of lymphocytes. The deficiency may raise the risk of getting researchers then compared all of these novel coronavirus. parameters in patients who were vitamin (AGENCIES)

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Excess belly fat linked to higher early death risk

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esearchers have found that excess fat stored around the abdomen is associated with a higher risk of early death from any cause, regardless of overall body fat, whereas larger hips and thighs are associated with a lower risk.

circumference, thigh circumference, waistto-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-tothigh ratio, body adiposity index (a measure of total body mass made only of fat tissue), and a body shape index. The researchers found that most measures of abdominal adiposity including waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, and body shape index were significantly and positively associated with higher allcause mortality risk.

The results, published in the journal The BMJ, suggest that measuring central fatness may be a more reliable indicator of risk of death from excess weight, and could be used alongside body mass index to help determine the risk of premature death. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple measure widely used to assess people’s weight. But its reliability is often criticised, as it does not distinguish fat from muscle and does not tell us where body fat is stored. “It is already well known that being overweight or obese is linked to a greater risk of heart disease, certain cancers, kidney disease, and neurological disorders,” said study authors from Semnan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Evidence also suggests that central fatness might be more strongly associated with risk of death than overall obesity, but

previous data are inconclusive. To explore this further, the research team set out to examine whether measures of central fatness are associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in the general population. Their findings are based on the results of 72 studies involving over 2.5 million participants who were tracked for between three and 24 years. All of the studies reported risk estimates for at least three measures of central fatness. This included waist circumference, hip

For example, each 10 cm (3.94 inches) increase in waist circumference was associated with an 11 per cent higher risk of all-cause mortality. In contrast, larger hip and thigh circumference were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. The researchers noted that these associations remained significant after accounting for body mass index, suggesting that abdominal deposition of fat, independent of overall obesity, is associated with a higher risk. (AGENCIES)

Loneliness linked to development of type 2 diabetes A

mid the Covid-19 pandemic, the researchers have shown that the absence of quality connections with people and not the lack of contact predicts the onset of type 2 diabetes.

weight, level of blood glucose, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The association was also independent of depression, living alone and social isolation.

The study, published in the journal Diabetologia, indicates that prolonged loneliness may influence the development of diabetes, suggesting the experience of lockdown could potentially compound people’s vulnerability in this pandemic if the loneliness continues for some time.

The study also demonstrated a clear distinction between loneliness and social isolation in that isolation or living alone does not predict type 2 diabetes whereas loneliness, which is defined by a person’s quality of relationships, does. According to the team, a possible biological reason behind the association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes could be the impact of constant loneliness on the biological system responsible for stress, which, over time affects the body and increases the risk for diabetes.

“The study shows a strong relationship between loneliness and the later onset of type 2 diabetes,” said study lead author Ruth Hackett from the King’s College London in the UK. The research team analysed data from the English Longitudinal Study Ageing on 4,112 adults aged 50 years and over which was collected at several times from 2002 to 2017. At the start of data collection all participants were free of diabetes and had normal levels of blood glucose.

The study showed that over a period of 12 years 264 people developed type 2 diabetes. and the level of loneliness measured at the start of data collection was a significant predictor of the onset of type 2 diabetes later on in life. This relationship remained intact when accounting for smoking, alcohol,

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“If the feeling of loneliness becomes chronic, then everyday you’re stimulating the stress system and over time that leads to wear and tear on your body and those negative changes in stress-related biology may be linked to type 2 diabetes development,” Hackett explained. .

(AGENCIES)

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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Education the significant channel to raise climate awareness: Bhumi

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ctress and environmentalist Bhumi Pednekar feels education is the significant channel to raise awareness on climate conservation. “The changes we are observing are real and are an undeniable threat to our civilisation. This year we have witnessed the Australian bushfires burning 18 million hectare of land. One billion animals were killed and many endangered species in the country were driven to extinction,” Bhumi said. “We saw the oil spill in Russia’s Arctic region, and the Uttarakhand forest fires burning 51 hectare of land. We faced Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal and Odisha. It was the strongest to hit West Bengal in over a decade, with 86 deaths in the state. Finally, we witnessed the California wildfires, where 3,154,107 total acres burned,” she added.

“The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now. We need everyone to join hands to ensure that we leave behind barrels of hope and prosperity for the current generations and generations to come. Education is the significant channel to achieve this goal. Let us join hands and make a difference,” said the actress, who has collaborated with the global initiative, Climate Action Project, which reaches out to 10 million students across 107 countries. By Vinod Mirani

Don’t ask actors about things not related to them: Manoj Bajpayee

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ollywood celebrities are asked for their opinions on just about everything these days, National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee notes. How is it possible to give a satisfactory answer on something he is not related to or well-versed about, he wonders. “If you say we are only actors, on Twitter you troll us by saying that (since) we are actors you want our opinions on things that we are not so good about. Yes, we are only actors and to talk about economy, to talk about something I don’t have an idea or about the Indo-China border tension� How am I supposed to answer and satisfy your questions?” Manoj said, deliberating on the subject of film celebrities having to tackle all sorts of questions these days, on media and social media. Manoj is back in the limelight rapping a number titled “Bambai main ka ba”, which highlights the plight of migrant workers, and he would rather focus on answering questions about his song right now. “So, calling for a byte and harassing actors is something you should not do. Let them (actors) be and let them do their job. Pull them up if they are doing anything illegal, pull them up if they are taking the citizens or the country for granted, or society for granted. Ask for an answers but don’t ask them something that is not related to them,” he said. But then, being an actor comes with baggage, isn’t it? How

We should trust CBI and let them do their job: Meera Chopra on SSR case

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ctress Meera Chopra stated that people should trust the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and let the agency do its job in the Sushant Singh Rajput death probe. “It’s extremely difficult to investigate a case where most of the evidence is destroyed or not there coz of time lapse. We should trust #cbi and let them do their job. Common sentiment of the nation is to get justice in #SSRDeathCase andIam sure authorities can’t ignore that sentiment,” Meera tweeted from her verified account. Her tweet comes at a time when Sushant’s fans are getting impatient while waiting for some solid information from the CBI.

does Manoj deal with it? “I am not so much concerned or care about glamour and fan following. I concentrate on my job and I just go home. I do things with loads of freedom -- going to the grocery store or stopping at a vegetable vendor. I can do it because I really don’t care,” he said. “I am very much concerned with my growth as an actor and as a human being. Rest of the things don’t affect me. I don’t care about (other things). At times people tell me that, Manoj, you have a million followers on Twitter, you should say thank you’. Friends let me know if I have reached one million or two million on Instagram, and (tell me) I should thank people. I do it,” the actor added. He said that it does not even occur to him that “these things are so much important. If I am posting something I post it clearly because of professional reasons mostly, and some for very personal reasons. Otherwise, there is no mental or emotional compulsion to be on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook at all,” Manoj summed up. By Durga Chakravarty

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Alleging delay into the probe of Sushant’s death, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday sought to know the status of the CBI probe, more than six weeks after it took up the investigation. “We eagerly want to know... Even the people are now asking whether Sushant died by suicide or if he was murdered. We want the details of the CBI probe to come out,” Deshmukh said. Sushant’s family lawyer Vikas Singh had also tweeted from his unverified account on Friday citing a delay in the CBI probe. “Getting frustrated by the delay in CBI taking a decision to convert abetment to suicide to Murder of SSR. The Doctor who is part of AIIMS team had told me long back that the photos sent by me indicated 200% that it’s death by strangulation and not suicide,” Singh had tweeted. By Vinod Mirani

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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I CHOOSE NEGATIVE CHARACTERS WISELY: PANKAJ TRIPATHI

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ctor Pankaj Tripathi has amassed a fanbase with his numerous performances. Among his highlight acts has been a few negative roles such as the dreaded gangster Kaleen Bhaiyya in the web series, Mirzapur, the butcherhenchman Sultan in Gangs Of Wasseypur, and the power-hungry Guruji in Sacred Games. He says he chooses negative characters wisely. “In our younger years, the idea of a villain was rather limited. It was obviously by virtue of how the stories played out, but villains were a little over the top in their tonality. With ‘Mirzapur’ and ‘Gurgaon’ earlier or even ‘Sacred Games’, I have been able to explore the dark side of the human psyche in greater depth,” Pankaj said. “I choose the negative characters

he commands, so he operates out of protecting his self-worth. I am glad that writers are writing unique negative characters who do more than just have an ominous laugh. There are strong back stories and a character graph that defines why the man is a certain way,” said Pankaj, who is all set to reprise the role of Kaleen bhaiya in the season two of “Mirzapur”. He stressed that long formats such as web series also allow you to delve deeper into these aspects.

wisely,” he added. The acclaimed actor has tried to ensure none of his roles are similar. “Kaleen is intoxicated by the power

“Kaleen doesn’t outrightly look villainous because you are familiarised with the many facets of the man. These are not traditional villain’s parts, but I am glad that these parts are the 2.0 versions of the Mogambos, Shakaals and the Gabbars of yesteryear,” he said. (AGENCIES)

Divya Dutta lists the films that changed her career graph A

ctress Divya Dutta, who has completed 26 years in the entertainment industry, celebrated her birthday quietly with loved ones at home on September 25.

Badlapur (2013) “The character graph of Shobha that I had in the film, some of the crucial scenes with Varun (Dhawan) in the story, and the way the equation between the two changes, was all so deliciously written! (Director) Sriram (Raghavan) is such a brilliant filmmaker. I think that film was also very important in my career because, again, with a superstar like Varun Dhawan in a film, we reached out to a different set of audience that otherwise I do not get a chance to with films that are close to my heart,” said the actress.

Divya started out as a mainstream Bollywood actress in the mid-nineties but made heads turn for the first time with a small but impactful role in Pamela Rooks’ 1998 screen adaptation of Khushwant Singh’s novel, “Train To Pakistan”. Over the years, she has carved a niche as a versatile performer who can impress in commercial as well as arthouse cinema. In conversation with IANS, the 2018 National Award (Best Supporting Actress) winner for her role in “Irada” looks back at the films that changed her career completely. Veer Zaara (2004) Recalling the Yash Chopra film, Divya said: “By that time I had worked in a few films but the amount of recognition that I got because of ‘Veer Zaara’, never happened before. Like many others, I have grown up watching Yash Chopra’s iconic films and, in my dreams, I also wanted to be a YRF heroine! Of course, that did not happen with ‘Veer Zaara’ but the way Yash Chopra ji introduced me to the commercial cinema space and the recognition I got was surreal!” “These days, everyone is doing substantial roles that are not so-called ‘lead roles’, nowadays the word ‘character actor’ is outdated. But 15 years ago, it was a risk for me -- what if I get typecast? Everyone remembered Shabbo, though there were three

“Badlapur” also featured Yami Gautam, Radhika Apte, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vinay Pathak. superstars in the film.” Delhi 6 (2009) “That was the first time I have got a chance to work with Rakyesh Om Prakash Mehra and it was a completely different character from Shabbo. My look, my dialogues, the section of society that the character represents -everything was an integral part of the story. It was so satisfactory,” recalled Divya. In the film, she played a sweeper named Jalebi, who comes from a lower caste and is untouchable. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) “It was such a well-written character. It was the biopic on one man but the character of his sister and her contribution in his journey is so intertwined that it became a brother-sister story! I not only got positive reviews for that role but love, admiration and reverence.”

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“Special 26” (2013) and “Ramsingh Charlie” (2020) Apart from these films that gave her a wide exposure to the mainstream audience, Divya cites two films that are very close to her heart -- “Special 26” (2013) and “Ramsingh Charlie”, which dropped digitally a few weeks ago. “During the shoot of both these films I had to unlearn a lot in order to play these characters. Neeraj Pandey (director of ‘Special 26’) and Nitin Kakkar (‘Ramsingh Charlie’) have very different styles of working, and I had nervous energy on the first day of shoot. I think that is good energy, which made me push to an extent to bring out my best. So, these two films are very very special!” said Divya..

By Arundhuti Banerjee

42

Talent is not dependent on age:

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

PREM CHOPRA V

eteran actor Prem Chopra, who turned 85 on September 23, feels that talent has nothing to do with age.

Chopra has played roles of every shade over the decades in more than 360 films, and notably “Bobby”, “Kati Patang” and “Do Raaste”. He was one of the most popular screen villains in Bollywood during the 1970s and 1980s. While he has worked for over six decades, he feels an actor never retires, and there is always work if a person is willing to

work hard.

“Talent is not dependent on age. If you are talented and deliver on whatever character is given to you, you will always be in demand,” he said. Talking about a regular day in his life, Chopra shared that he does yoga each morning and likes to swim occasionally to stay fit. He also talked about his love for poetry, while opening up on the show “Zindagi ek Safar” on Tata Sky Seniors. (AGENCIES)

No plans to enter politics:

SONU SOOD A

ctor Sonu Sood, much in the limelight for the charity work he has been doing during the lockdown, especially in facilitating transport for migrant workers to their native places during the initial days (of the lockdown) is clear that entering politics is nowhere on the horizon for him.

“My hands are full as an actor. Besides that, I am doing a lot of charity work, which takes a lot of attention and time. So, politics just does not figure anywhere right now. Of course, I have no clue what destiny has in store for me after 10 years,” he said. The idea of arranging transportation for migrants came to the actor while he was distributing food packets to migrants during the first few days of the lockdown. When he came across a family with kids who wanted food for 10 days as they were all set to walk to native Bengaluru, Sood told them that he would try getting permission for a transport so they do not have to walk.

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“I could manage to send 350 people that time. That was the trigger point. I realised I could send back more people who were planning to walk in absence of any transportation. There was no looking back after that,” said Sood, who managed to arrange conveyance for thousands of people back to their homes every day. While he has been busy with social work all these months, scripts have been piling up on his table. And interestingly, the roles he is being offered now are mostly larger than life. “Yes, the whole perception has changed -- the way people want to see and portray me. I can see the change and need to choose the right scripts, and something magical is bound to happen,” he smiled. But the actor does not really seem to be in a hurry when it comes to movies. He has told his producers to give him some more time so he can concentrate on the charity work. “Believe me when I say it, the kind of unexplainable satisfaction that I am deriving from helping out people is much larger than the one that may come from being a part of a 100 crore film.” At present shooting for two movies down south and one with Yashraj -- ‘Prithviraj’, for which he will commence shooting next week, Sood is now looking for more empathetic roles. “Ones that project that contributing towards a greater good promise a lot of satisfaction,” he said.

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

43

Tiger Shroff receives massive response on debut single

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ctor Tiger Shroff recently made his debut as a singer with ‘Unbelievable’ and the audience has been showering the actor with love and praises for it and the reach of the song is proof of it. Within 24 hours of its release, the song has amassed a combined reach of over 140 million taking from various streaming platforms, social media, radio and television. Talking about the amazing response his debut song has been receiving, the 30-year-old actor shared, “It’s a really unbelievable feeling to try something new and get so much love for it across different quarters! I’ve always wanted to do this, and it feels great to be rewarded for the effort! Through the song, I’ve tried to encourage people to explore an unbelievable side to them and hopefully, I’ll get to see that through the

He said, “When an artist puts in the effort, everybody is bound to acknowledge and appreciate it! Tiger has really changed the game and put in the effort it takes to enter the music industry, with a Big Bang! Excited to see what the future holds for this song and his music career! This is truly unbelievable.”

#YouAreUnbelievable challenge!” Gaurav Wadhwa, co-founder of music label Big Bang music shares his thoughts on the response the song has received.

‘Unbelievable’ has reached a lot of key milestones within a very little time since it released, Unbelievable has a reach of way over 20 million on Instagram alone with a massive 64 million reach on Twitter. The song was also trending on #4 on YouTube on the day of its release. ‘Unbelievable’ has been sung by Tiger Shroff and produced by the music label Big Bang Music. (ANI)

People should talk of kalaripayattu, the Indian martial art:

VIDYUT JAMMWAL B

ollywood action star Vidyut Jammwal says his vision is to popularise the indigenous martial art kalaripayattu through Indian cinema. Vidyut is a trained martial artiste and has learnt kalaripayattu since the age of three. I don’t have a vision yet about how it should be presented, but my vision for Indian cinema is that people should talk about kalaripayattu, the martial art. It is an original Indian martial art,” Vidyut said. “When I go and pursue an award from Jackie Chan, and when they talk of kalaripayattu, the Indian martial art, I feel proud. My vision for Indian action cinema worldwide is that we need to present this,” he said about popularising kalaripayattu on screen. Vidyut, who rose to fame with the “Commando” franchise of films, notes many things that are popular globally today actually originated in India. “When I lie down on spears, they say, ‘Shaolin monks bhi karte hain (Shaolin monks also do this)’. Shaolin monks isliye karte hain (Shaolin Monks do it) because they learnt it from an Indian guy called Bodhidharma. I just want everybody to be aware. People should know that martial arts is an Indian skill, and that’s my vision,” he said. The actor was recently seen in the digitally released film, “Khuda Haafiz”. He will next be seen in the film’s second chapter.

(AGENCIES)

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44

FOOD

bon appĂŠtit

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

Did you know:

If consuming kale, cook by steaming it. The fibre related components in kale do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they've been steamed

Chef Ranveer Brar launches a new mission for Indian street vendors

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hat started as the craze for a handphone photo of "Smoked caramelized apple with buttermilk yolk and a rose macaroon" around 357 weeks ago, has gathered critical mass in 2020 for Chef Ranveer Brar, who is loved for his remarkable quip on television and historic conversations on life, travel, and cuisine on the gram. The Food Sufi recently won the 'capital M' next to his follower count on Instagram. Ask him how he wishes to celebrate this milestone and he replies, "By #MakingMillionCount." Such a lucrative influence as a Indian household-name should have its perks, which Brar feels should and can be best used for the welfare of our society. Hence, the launch of his digital mission #MakingMillionCount, wherein he aims to partner with different organisations to mirror the milestone number on to beneficiaries via various supporting programmes. The first in his arsenal of initiatives is to

put the backbone of our cuisine back on their feet - by rebuilding some serious street cred for India's street vendors. "My relationship with food has always taught me to give back in some way, shape, or form. The onset of Covid's socio-economic repercussions has caused a setback to millions of people across many walks of life. While we are all coping with it in our own ways, the worst-hit are those dependent on daily earnings... the lockdown has thus forced many a street food vendor to shut shop and perhaps return home," opines Ranveer. "While the bigger players are testing waters around making a comeback, the smaller vendors are still coming to terms with basic survival. However, their spirit of entrepreneurship is very much alive, as purported by the National Association of Street Vendors of India, aka NASVI, with whom I am crafting an association for a countrywide digital training movement targeted at local and hyperlocal street food vendors. We are committed to preparing

them for a postCovid world, where we can help reinstate them back into business as soon as possible." Towards this endeavour, Ranveer will use his global social media standing to create awareness and raise funds for these panIndia training modules, some of which he will also conduct personally via Zoom. The idea is to motivate more vendors to come forward for the training, on completion of which they are given a chance for a fair business footing via an FSSAI certificate + a starter kit consisting of an apron, pair of gloves, sanitizer, and mask. Via #MakingMillionCount, Brar also wants to encourage patrons to share selfcurated, sanitization kits with their favourite roadside vendors to encourage and motivate them back to business. By Puja Gupta

suggests. Prakash shares top health benefits of red rice noodles. No maida/refined flour: Thus makes this a delicious guilt-free meal. Easy to digest: Red rice noodles have high fiber content due to the presence of wholegrains. This helps to support healthy digestion. Provides all the benefits of nutritious red rice in kid friendly format: It provides you with the goodness of red rice, which has 10 times more antioxidants than brown rice and is also very rich in essential nutrients, iron, vitamin, phosphorus and fiber. Tastemaker is MSG free: The tastemaker is free of MSG, artificial additives, taste enhancers, colour, preservatives etc. It is made using natural spices like turmeric, ginger and pepper which also support a healthy digestion. Thus making it ideal for kids. Time Saver: The most important benefit is that these noodles are easy to make in under 10 minutes. The noodles tastes very similar to regular noodles and can be used in different recipes like Ramen, schezwan, chopseuy etc. Kid friendly meal: Super easy way to introduce wholegrains in children's diet since they absolutely love noodles. Rich in antioxidants: Red rice has 10

times more antioxidants than brown rice. The antioxidant called Anthocyanin is the pigment which gives red rice its reddish-purple color. These are powerful anti-inflammatory agents and also help to promote skin and eye health. Only Natural spices: The tastemaker is made using only natural spices like turmeric, ginger, pepper etc which help to support a healthy digestion. There are no artificial sweeteners or unfamiliar ingredients. Ideal for individuals following weight management diets: Since it is made using wholegrains, the fiber content in these noodles helps to slow down digestion and makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time. This in turn prevents you from overeating or reaching out for unhealthy junk food in between your meals, thus supporting healthy weight management. By Puja Gupta

Health benefits of red rice noodles

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e have all grown up eating noodles either as a Sunday brunch, in birthday parties or an occasional surprise treat. It could be the much-loved instant 2 minutes noodles or the Indo-Chinese version of hakka noodles. It still is a comfort food for many of us since it brings about some very happy childhood memories. Although kids absolutely love it as a meal but as adults, we feel guilty since we know what goes into making noodles. Both instant as well as hakka noodles, available in the market, are made with maida/refined flour whose nutritional value is literally zero. It causes digestive issues as well as wreaks havoc to the blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the body. Most noodles also contain MSG and other artificial flavour enhancers which have been time and again proven to be very harmful to our health. Does it mean that we should keep our kids away from noodles? Not necessarily, says Priya Prakash, Co-Founder, Naturally Yours. Red rice noodles is an ideal healthy alternative to regular noodles. It is completely devoid of maida and is made using only red rice and whole-wheat flour. This makes it a very good source of dietary fibers and antioxidants. It is easy to make and takes barely 10 minutes to cook, thus making it a great choice for individuals who want to eat healthy but are hard-pressed for time. It is also ideal for moms, who can get their kids to consume wholegrains without a fuss, since it is in the form of their favourite meal, she

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

45

How Indian kitchens are changing

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wing to the pandemic, food consumption has become a cautious habit and people are highly conscious of what they are eating and where it is coming from. “It has given us an opportunity to explore ways to keep food simple, nutritious and how it can be transported safely from one place to the other with limited human handling,” says Chef Prabhakar Nagaraj, Managing Partner, Elior India. Speaking to the veteran to know about the changes being seen in kitchens in terms of safety measures, ingredients, collaborative dishes and waste management. Excerpts: Food safety measures taken by chefs in the kitchen

based on local produce rather than being sourced from other states or the country at large. In the near future, we will witness many international dishes being given an Indian twist and vice versa. Our chefs are handpicked from the best hotels and we are able to translate global food trends to our caf� food with ease. The food which is delivered is as per the requirement of the clients; even though they may all be from the same geography; they still have completely different requirements from each other. For example, consider Vegetable Au Gratin, a famous western dish where you mix vegetables with cream sauce, grate cheese and bake it in the oven. Here we have substituted cream sauce with Makhani sauce which is typically creamy and slightly sweet. You mix it to the right consistency, add grated cheese and paneer on top and gratinate it. This dish acts as Au Gratin but it actually is Veg Makhani. However, the presentation becomes completely different.

The financial luxury of these clients gives us an advantage to continuously innovate and be ahead of our time when we talk about mundane menus with typical components that we hardly ever think of changing. Our chef-led model acts as an enhancer to explore any opportunity to satisfy hungry tummies. At the same time, when we stand as a premium catering provider, we look forward to bringing a change rather than the usual food. For example, a regular Aloo Mutter Samosa can be changed into a chicken Fajita Samosa. Basically, you are using chicken which is mixed with Fajita seasoning and flavor the dough with cumin giving a Mexican twist to the Indian cuisine.

You can have a samosa of this nature, but instead of using mint chutney or Tamarind chutney, you can substitute it with Salsa. This This pandemic has taken away the exoticism is something which we have innovated and is of food from the menu. The masses have the differentiating factor that we bring to the switched to basic meals, keeping away from platter when it comes to cafeteria services. It complexity in its preparation and the ingredients As Indians, we like to bite into food that tastes is a requirement at this point in time because used. Food consumption has become a cautious Indian but looks very Western. For example, if when you present your menu to a corporate habit and people are highly conscious of what you bite into an apple pie, it may not just have crowd who are well travelled, they don’t want to they are eating and where it is coming from. To apple inside; instead it may have AnjeerBadam have the same rice, dal and chapati. They look serve this need, we have switched to pre-packed Halwa. These are some of the innovations that for something different and wish to explore new meals with limited variety as compared to the can be brought into corporate caf�s especially cuisines. lavish buffet spreads during the pre-Covid times. when there is a growing importance to match the We assume that this is going to be short lived. taste buds of consumers in India. Waste management in kitchens Although this step has restricted the inclusion of the number of dishes served during every The cooking process stays the same, but you This process is being mapped with our ERP meal, safety measures are in place as this step need to start mapping ingredients accordingly. (Enterprise resource planning). Whatever the reduces the number of human touch-points. Once you use AnjeerBadam Halwa as a food requirement for any client-site is, it comes substitute ingredient for a pie filling, it should to the ERP. Based on this, the production Food is safe when it is handled by as few have good consistency, so that the dough process is initiated, and the dispensation takes people as possible and cooked close to the doesn’t become soggy. Otherwise, the whole place. This is then tracked basis the sales on the hour of consumption. The pandemic has given purpose of using different ingredients gets site and if there is a huge difference in expected us an opportunity to explore ways to keep food defeated. From an outsider’s perspective, it is versus delivered outcomes, the on-site head is simple, nutritious and how it can be transported just a pie until you bite into it to relish the Anjeer responsible for it. safely from one place to the other with limited halwa. Indian foods can be very nutritive, though human handling. We can also use flash-cooking it all depends on the way you cook it. By doing this, we have witnessed a methods. Flash cooking involves cooking tremendous reduction in food-wastage and ingredients on a very high flame so that the outer Increase in collaborative cuisine to dish out this is something we follow as a process where surface of the ingredient gets sealed, eliminating magic on plates ensuring minimal food wastage is concerned. any loss of internal juices and thus sustaining This drives complete information about the the nutritive aspects of the ingredients. Regarding collaborative cuisines, the type quantity of production that should take place and of clients that we cater to need us to be at the raw materials that need to be used in order Growing importance of Indian spices in the our innovative best. Their profiles create an to fulfill production. Then, requisition happens kitchen in the times of pandemic opportunity to explore the possibility to innovate, based on the raw materials where the purchase which is what differentiates us from our happens accordingly. So, the complete end-toWe are creating menus that are primarily competitors. end process is tightened.

By Puja Gupta

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46

DIET

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

A ‘Pinch’ of salt- how much is too much? BY DEEVYA GUPTA

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ou may have heard or been advised by someone to try and cut down on salt- but why? Australians and Indian’s on average consume more than double the recommended daily levels of salt. Up to 87% of the daily salt intake is just from adding salt to meals. Salt or ‘sodium’ is an essential electrolyte and mineral needed to help bodily functions. An overrestriction of salt intake may observe some risks. In most cases, we already know of the many risks associated with over-consumption of salt in our diet, such as affecting blood pressure, osteoporosis, cancer, heart and kidney health. How much salt is needed for the body? According to The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian adults should aim to consume no more than one teaspoon (5 grams) of salt a day (or 2,000mg of sodium a day) in order to prevent chronic disease (unless otherwise specified by a doctor). Keep in mind that there are many other foods that naturally also contain salt. Top 7 salty foods include: 1. White or brown bread 2. Biscuits and namkeen- sweet or salty 3. Cornflakes and other cereals 4. Processed cheese 5. Condiments and sauces 6. Packaged and processed foods 7. Instant noodles

How can I reduce my salt intake? Read the nutritional labels: Aim for sodium to be 120mg per 100g, up to 400mg per 100g may be considered moderate. Keep up with your water intake: Ensure you have at least 8-10 glasses or as directed by your health professional to avoid dehydration. Dehydration in addition to higher salt intake can place a larger burden on your kidneys. Avoid adding extra salt to foods As you can see the top 7 foods above are usually foods we may eat on a regular basis, therefore any additional salt is what usually would push us over the recommended intake. When you begin to reduce your salt intake, food may not taste the same however, your taste buds will adapt within 3-6 weeks. Swap your foods for some extra herbs and spices There are other ways to increase the flavour of foods, including adding extra herbs and spices such as chilli, lemon, coriander etc. There is no limit on how much of herbs and spices you can add if you are enjoying it. Foods higher in salt Reduce the total amount you consume overall; this includes take away foods such as pizzas and other restaurants. Try and prepare your own meals as often as possible. Swap your Namkeen or biscuits with chai for some home-made popcorn flavoured with herbs and chilli or some nuts. Easy swaps: Canned food- Look out for ‘no added salt’ options. Make sure to rinse these foods well. Sauce- Try and make your own whenever possible, if buying look for the ‘salt reduced’ options. In summary: • If you have a medical condition that requires a diet low in sodium or you have been advised to, continue with your recommendations • If you usually eat more packaged and processed foods, keep an eye on how much sodium is present • If you regularly consume higher salt foods, reduce the portion and frequency of these foods • If you still need help or unsure about your specific recommendations, consult with your GP or Dietitian Please note this advice is provided for the general population. Specific advice should be sought from your health care provider.

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

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RECIPE

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

47

Chana Dal Te Wadi

SAAG ALOO

A combination of chick pea lentil and Punjabi wadi.A popular dish in many homes especially in North India.

Saag aloo` is a spicy dish from Northern India containing spinach (saag) and potato (aloo). It is also known as Aloo Palak spinach. This potato and spinach dish will be sure to please!

INGREDIENTS 2 cups chana dal 1-2 wadi pcs (broken) 1 onion chopped fine 1 tbsp ginger minced 1 tbsp garlic minced 1 tsp cumin seeds 1/2 tsp turmeric 1 tbs gr coriander 1 tsp gr red chilli 1-2 tomatoes chopped fine salt to taste oil or ghee METHOD Heat oil in pan and fry the wari pieces slightly and set aside. Cook dal in 5-6 cups water along with the wadi untill dal is tender. Mash it slightly and set aside. Heat ghee or oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and stir until crackle and add the onion, ginger and garlic. Cook until golden. Stir in the spices, mix well and cook on low heat. Add the tomatoes and cook 2-3 mins to allow the flavours to mingle. SERVE: With your choice of Roti, Bread, Rice goes well along with a meat dish.

PUNJABI WADI: Wadi is a dried lentil dumpling used in may Indian dishes. It can be used as whole or broken and has a spicy distinct taste. Wadi-making is a household industry all over Punjab and every maker has her own take on the spices to use. The main ingredient of Punjabi wadis is some kind of lentil, soaked and ground, combined with spices. The Amritsari wadis are made with urad dal and spices such as whole peppercorns, and crushed red chillies. A handful of the spicy batter is impressed with the thumb to create a small hollow and put to dry in the sun. When dry they may be stored in airtight containers for months. Wadis made with moong dal are called mangodies and are less spicy. Little wadis are very similar to the vathal made in South India. BY MANJIT SETHI

recipe

from the private collection

GARNISH: With chopped coriander and shredded ginger

There are different ways of preparing this this. I have used frozen chopped spinach to save time and effort involved. Spinach is a good source of calcium and iron. The flavour of this spiced spinach goes well with Chana dal with wadi and indeed a favourite combination.

INGREDIENTS 500 g frozen spinach defrost & drained 450 g potatoes peeled and cubed 3-4 tbsp oil or ghee 1 med onion chopped fine I inch ginger chopped fine 2 -3 cloves garlic chopped fine 1 med tomato chopped 2 tsp gr coriander 1/2 tsp mustard /fenugreek seeds each 1/2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala 1/2-1 tsp gr red chilli salt to taste ACCOMPANIMENT: Raita and Pickle are excellent to accompany

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METHOD Heat oil or ghee in heavy based pan. Add the mustard and fenugreek seeds and stir till pops. Add ginger, garlic and onion and sautĂŠ until golden. Add potatoes and stir in the remaining spices and mix well. Cook about 5 mins on low heat and if required add a little water to avoid sticking. Fold in the spinach gently into potatoes and cook about 10 mins stirring frequently. Stir in tomatoes and mix well. Cook untill potatoes are tender.

48

ASTROLOGY

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

By D. Narayan (Tantracharya) Mesha (Aries)

Vrishabh (Taurus)

You do not have any serious worry during the ensuring period. This would create stiff opposition against you, creating an unpleasant situation. Behave well with your juniors and try to avert such a situation from coming about. This would be a serious error because the circumstances would surely put them in an undesirable position, with luck of course nowhere in sight.

A fairly beneficial month, from your health point of view. A month during which your financial prospects don’t look too bright, Any dispute or litigation is almost certainly going to be decided against you, resulting in substantial losses. This would not be a month of high performance in any field. As things stand, luck would be nowhere in sight so be cautious during the month.

Simha (Leo)

Kanya (Virgo)

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

This month your educational prospects look quite bright. There would be a dearth of opportunities for all of you, not enough to go around, as they say. Effort would have little scope for realizing much success. Little percentage in travel for you this month since the stars are not favourably disposed.

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

Dhanu (Sagittarius)

Your financial prospects look good this month, since you will get several notable opportunities, for profit. Those of you who go in for speculative activity or even gambling may look forward to, making handsome profits. Further, for some of you there is a distinct possibility of an unexpected windfall. You would tend to work quite hard, and the gains would be nowhere near your expectations. Best days: 9, 18 Lucky Colour: Red, Blue

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

Mithuna (Gemini)

M: 0425 660 220

Karkat (Cancer)

The month is quite favourable for your health. An excellent month during which you would tend to go for your targets like a bullet. Your financial prospects don’t look too good this month, There is also the likelihood of serious losses to some of you through speculative activity of one sort or the other. Yet another precaution : stay away from gambling of all types.

You are bound to do quite well financially during this month, with the added bonus of deriving a good deal of spiritual satisfaction as well. Further, there is a distinct possibility that some of you would reap an expected windfall from some source. An excellent month during which you would have several opportunities flourish professionally.

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

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

Tula (Libra)

Vrishchik (Scorpio)

The configuration of stars facing you this month is not very favourable for your financial prospects. There are grounds to predict that at least some of you would suffer serious losses from speculative activity, whatever it may be. You must therefore, desist from gambling and such-like activities quite firmly. There is nothing very favourable for your professional prospects this month.

Financial prospects is anything but cheerful this month. Most of you would have to work quite hard and yet have few chances of realizing your objectives. Further, there is a distinct possibility that speculative activity would take some of you to your doom. prospects for your career advancement appear none too bright this month, Travel also would fail bear any fruit.

A fairly beneficial month for your health, during which you should stay quite fit. Your financial prospects does not look too good this month, There are grounds to believe that some of you would be influenced by a mean streak that would make you severely exploit your juniors, workers, or simply people below you in the social strata, for personal gains. Pay special attention to children.

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

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

Makara (Capricorn)

Kumbha (Aquarius)

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

The circumstances would also not be very congenial for the investment and launching of new enterprises. If you have any such plans, these should be shelved for a later and more propitious period. Students of law may have a particularly trying time. Pursuing higher studies would also have an extremely frustrating time. Best days: 1, 3, 4 Lucky Colour: White, Green, Blue

An excellent month for financial advancement, All your efforts would be characterized by a touch of boldness, and with a good deal of self-confidence you would carry out your pursuits successfully to their intended conclusions. There are also good chances of gains from Government. An excellent month during which the prospects for your family would be quite bright,. Best days: 5, 3, 6 Lucky Colour: White, Green

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Meen (Pisces)

Your financial prospects look good this month. This will be a memorable month in so far as your gains through association with learned wise people are concerned. You would gain materially as well as derive a great deal of spiritual satisfaction. Any expected gains from Government would fructify during this period, leaving you quite happy at the outcome. You will be in Pink of health. Best days: 2, 7, 9 Lucky Colour: Red, Yellow, White

Have a laug h

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

HAVE A LAUGH

*A Golfing Story...* Alan who lived in the north of England, decided to go golfing in Scotland with his buddy, Chris. So, they loaded up Alan's minivan and headed north. After driving for a few hours, they got caught in a terrible blizzard. So, they pulled into a nearby farm and asked the attractive lady who answered the door if they could spend the night. 'I realize it's terrible weather out there and I have this huge house all to myself, but I'm recently widowed,' she explained, 'and I'm afraid the neighbours will talk if I let you stay in my house.' 'Don't worry,' Alan said. 'We'll be happy to sleep in the barn. And if the weather breaks, we'll be gone at first light.' The lady agreed, and the two men found their way to the barn and settled in for the night. Come morning, the weather had cleared, and they got on their way. They enjoyed a great weekend of golf. But about nine months later, Alan

got an unexpected letter from an attorney. It took him a few minutes to figure it out, but he finally determined that it was from the attorney of that attractive widow he had met on the golf weekend. He dropped in on his friend Chris and asked, "Chris, do you remember that good-looking widow from the farm we stayed at on our golf holiday in Scotland about 9 months ago?" 'Yes, I do,' said Chris. 'Did you, er, happen to get up in the middle of the night, go up to the house and pay her a visit?' 'Well, um, yes!' Chris said, a little embarrassed about being found out, 'I have to admit that I did.' 'And did you happen to give her my name instead of telling her your name?' Chris's face turned beet red and he said, 'Yeah, look, I'm sorry, buddy. I'm afraid I did.' 'Why do you ask?' 'She just died and left me everything‼️ *And you thought the ending would be different, didn't you*

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G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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

G’DAY INDIA | OCT 2020

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

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