Vol 2, Issue 7 May 16-31 2022
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Australia: a nation with impeccable democratic credentials
Election 2022: IndianAustralians a force to be reckoned with
Political Parties’ social media presence imperative
By Indian Abroad Newsdesk Azam khan get bails, to remain in jail after new case- Page 5
PM appreciates nurses for their vital role in keeping planet healthy - Page 16
Bommai invites global business leaders to invest in K’taka - Page 15
By Indian Abroad Newsdesk Australia is all geared up to elect members of its 47th Parliament on 21 May 2022. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the incumbent Liberal-National Coalition government is aspiring for a fourth consecutive term in office. For that to happen they have to thwart the challenge posed by the Anthony Albanese-led Labor Party. The Greens, United Australia, One Nation, other minor parties, and independent politicians are also in the fray. The election will
decide the representatives for 151 seats in the lower house, the House of Representatives, and 40 of the 76 seats in the upper house, the Senate. Scott Morrison has managed to serve his full term as the Prime Minister and remained the leader of the Liberal Party without facing any leadership challenge, a rarity since the days after the premiership of John Howard who was in office from 1996 to 2007. In the backdrop of Federal Election 2022 there is a sense of achievement among the Australian Continue on Page no. 4
Modi’s inspirational bonding with Indian diaspora Where to Tinder Passport to next? Let the stars decide! - Page 21
By Indian Abroad Newsdesk
Laughter help heart health - Page 23
The Fabulous House Wives of Bollywood- Page 19
Check out these eco-friendly beauty brands - Page 20
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Europe recently to meet leaders of Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland, the media were mainly talking about his tightly packed 65-hour-long schedule in Europe. India had irked the European countries after it resisted Western pressure to not buy Russian oil and condemn Russia for war in Ukraine. Of course India has made its stand clear regarding the war in Ukraine and countries across the world have begun to understand India is no longer a pushover that can be bullied into submission ignoring its national interest. However, even as Modi was meeting the leaders of Europe, he was not oblivious of the Indian diaspora and its contributions to the host countries and to India’s emergence as a world power. Modi has always had an equation with the Indian diaspora across the world that has made him very popular among the Indians living abroad. In Germany, the Indian Prime Minister was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of Indians attired in traditional Indian clothes. Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate was all decked up with the colours
of India depicting the country’s cultural diversity. Modi realizes the significance of the Indian diaspora in spreading Indian culture abroad. Therefore he never loses the opportunity to address them when he is on a foreign tour. At the Madison Square Gardens in New York a few years ago, Modi established his rockstar-like image which exuded an unparalleled global appeal. Subsequently, The Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas became a bigger hit as thousands of Indians and many American politicians, including former President Donald Trump attended the event. The Indian diaspora look upon these mega-events as a recognition of their significance in the host country for their contribution to its progress. Modi understands that the Indian diaspora, besides being the true ambassador of India’s culture abroad, are also a widely respected, powerful and influential community. While visiting Denmark recently, the Indian Prime Minister underscored the significant role played by Indians as a force of good that has contributed to the growth of host countries. This is not all. Since the India of today is embarking on a growth trajectory, the Indian diaspora now wants to participate in India’s growth story as well. Modi seems to have a way with the Indian diaspora wherever he goes and knows how to encourage them to participate in India’s burgeoning culture of progress and prosperity. The Opposition in India may criticize Modi’s rapport with the Indian diaspora as nothing but optics for the audience at home in India. But Modi wants to fully utilize the
The Indian -Australian population continues to be a critical mass that can have a sizeable impact on the outcome of forthcoming Federal Election 2022. The Australians will vote for a new Federal government on May 21, though early voting has already been initiated. Political analysts have begun to highlight the significance the Indian diaspora holds in these elections.Politician from various political parties have also woken up to this fact and have been trying to influence the IndianAustralians to cast their votes in their favour. In an abc.net.au article published recently, Dr Sukhmani Khorana from Western Sydney University's Institute for Culture and Society said that there are a few factors that may explain the interest generated by the Indian diaspora in political circles in Australia. Politicians have realized that there is a sizeable Indian diaspora, especially in marginal seats with many undecided voters. These undecided voters can be influenced to win their support in terms of the voting. Moreover, Dr Khorana says that following the diplomatic fallout with China, Australia is trying to prioritize its relationship with India. However, she feels that the Indians have raised their political voice after
the kind of treatment they received during the pandemic. Dr Khorana was referring particularly to the Australian government’s decision to impose a travel ban on Indian origin Australians travelling during the height of the Covid pandemic. It is worth mentioning that the Indian diaspora has contributed immensely to the greatness of Australia in terms of culture, science and technology, economy and in many other diverse areas. Scientists like Chennupati Jagadish, an Indian-Australian physicist, who is a Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Australian National University Research School of Physics and Engineering and also the Convener of the Australian Nanotechnology Network and Director of Australian National Fabrication Facility ACT Node have added to the country’s leading role in science and Continue on Page no. 4
Outcome of elections unlikely to impact Aussie-India free trade deal
By Indian Abroad Newsdesk With Federal elections scheduled for May 21 there is a debate in some circles as to whether Australia India trade agreement signed by both countries recently will endure. To put to rest all doubts reliable sources have said that the outcome of the Australian federal elections is unlikely to impact the trade agreement. Since the Federal government in Australia is running on an interim mode, no effective steps towards its implementation can be taken before a new government comes to power. So the Australia-India free trade agreement, signed in a record time of about six months may not be ratified before the end of this year. Often doubts are cast in the light of a change of guard at the national level regarding the effectiveness of a deal signed by the previous dispensation. As to whether the Liberal-led Coalition of Scott Morrison will be returned to power or as the opinion polls suggest, Labor may do what it had not done in years, that is, form their government, is anybody’s
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guess now. But notwithstanding the outcome of this election, the free trade agreement between Australia and India will be implemented. This is owing to the fact that both the countries realize the immense potential the agreement offers to them. According to the official website of the Prime Minister of Australia, Australian households and businesses will benefit, with 96 per cent of Indian goods imports entering Australia duty-free on entry into force. India is the world’s largest democracy and the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with GDP projected to grow at nine per cent in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and 7.1 per cent in 2023-24. In 2020, India was Australia’s seventh largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $24.3 billion, and sixth largest goods and services export market, valued at $16.9 billion. Our Government’s goal is to lift India into our top three export markets by 2035, and to make India the third largest destination in Asia for outward Australian investment. Any party or coalition that forms the government in Australia will have every reason to support and effectively implement free trade between the two countries. Moreover, Australia is not at ease in its relationship with China; so this is all the more reason to have close all-round ties with India. Continue on Page no. 4
Modern elections anywhere are said to be impacted by social media and Australian elections are no exception. In fact people are interested to know what has been the role of social media in shaping the outcome of elections in the country. Candidates from various political parties view social media as a more fluid media milieu as compared to other media sources like the television, the print media, etc. The perception is that social media offers an opportunity to bypass mass media influence and talk directly to the voters. It is dynamic in nature and amenable to new communicative conventions that suits common man in the street. Moreover, social media are based on digital technology which is run by algorithms. This implies there is a wider scope for usage of social media in ways unthinkable through more conventional media like radio, television, and the print media. Many different experts emerge on social media platforms who add an entirely different perspective to the way people can participate during elections. The youth today reside more on social media; so the political parties frame a very comprehensive social media plan to communicate with them, especially during elections. One of the social media platforms, TikTok has grown dramatically since the last time voting took place on a national scale in Australia. The size of the social media audience has grown considerably and they have created new communicative norms and a culture that thrives on social media. Even among various social media, the youngsters continue to shun Facebook and prefer others like Instagram instead. Therefore social media are no longer regarded as fringe media but have evolved to become mainstream communication channel of parties and candidates in Australia In the 2019 election, political scientists discerned social media as an important segment of the campaigning strategy of political parties, candidates and advocacy organisations. One question that persists during this election more so than previous ones is if social media like Facebook, Twitter, etc. will manage to swing votes in favour of a particular party. The generation comprising 18-25 years are easily amenable to persuasive tactics which could easily be undertaken on social media platforms. The TikTok generation in Australia is unpredictable and can impact outcome of this election. This is comparable to the situation in India where political parties take to social media in a big way to influence young voters. One of the conclusions of the University of Canberra’s study in 2021 was generations Z and Y are less likely to attune to local news issues than Xers and Baby Boomers.
The trailer of Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Prithviraj’ was unveiled - Page 32
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