Growing up Indian in America

and co-directed with photographer and film maker Leena Jayswal. Leena is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at American University in Washington DC. Indira is an Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications with Washington and Lee University. Their award-winning film was screened in several film festivals across US. It was picked up for public television by NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) and distributed to nearly 100 PBS stations, which will continue over the next three years.

The screening in Melbourne was followed by a discussion with Indira Somani on her film and the socio-cultural issues faced by immigrants across the globe. Indira was in Melbourne to speak at a conference in Melbourne University on the effect of satellite television on the Asian Indian community. The Q&A that followed led to further exploration into the psyche of the film maker and journalist. She demonstrated a good understanding of issues that face immigrants as they reconcile between their homeland and adopted land.

The SAJAA event was sponsored by Anil Sharma from India at Melbourne Hindi Newspaper. SAJAA is the first organization of its kind in Melbourne that represents and unites ethnic media from South Asian backgrounds. SAJAA’s aim is to create a platform for representatives of ethnic media to engage in meaningful dialogue and find ways and means to create a collective impact.

The screening room in Melbourne’s iconic Eureka Towers was abuzz with deliberation as the audience related to the film at various levels. SAJAA President Neeraj Nanda (South Asia Times), Manpreet Kaur (SBS Radio), Tony Sethi (G’day India), Mrs. Manjeet Sethi, rahat Kapoor, Dinesh Malhotra (Bharat Times), Anil Sharma (India At Melbourne), gautam gupta (FISA), guruswamy and his wife Kokila, Muktesh Chibber, Madhu Das and Pratima Francis were among those present .At the conclusion of the event, Secretary and Public Officer of SAJAA Preeti Jabbal (Indian Link) thanked all the members and guests for their ongoing support to SAJAA.

Simmi Bakshi

Fiji indian Senior Citizens association recently celebrated with fanfare its tenth anniversary. The Bayswater Primary School hall, adequately heated to counter the 8-degree chill at the foothill of the dandenongs, was imaginatively decorated with balloons, colourful saris stretched fulllength on walls, others individually tied in styles from various indian states. at the venue early, we were pleased to see that, repudiating compulsive indian cultural binding of arriving late, the hall was already full with ladies in colourful saris and loads of gold, and tastefully attired gentlemen. in occasion-congruous jodhpuri, President Liladhar jeraj, affectionately jerry, personally welcomed arrivals, indicating the commemorative colour souvenir was for sale.

The hundred-odd members tucked into dinner of chicken curry, daal, vegetables, rice and hot puris. Satpal, playing Panjabi dhol and dramatically marching through the hall to our delight and applause was indication dinner was over.

Honouring late Shri M. B. N. Newaj, first FiSCa president, jerry initiated a minute’s silence. He then welcomed Chief Guest Knox City Mayor Cr. david Cooper, Ms. Elizabeth drozd (representing Victorian Multicultural Commision since Chairman George Lekakis was engaged elsewhere), Mr. Kamal Kishore (President, Hindu Satsang), dr. abhay awasthi (President, Hindu Foundation) and Ms. Marjorie Lapworth who assisted late Mr. Sheonath found FiSCa in 1999.

He started off by saying that ‘senior’ was a term he learnt of only after moving to australia, as back home in Fiji, grey-haired people were all referred to as ‘buddha’. How lucky to become a senior in australia, expatiated jerry, where seniors enjoy

THE FEdERaTion of indian associations

Victoria recently invited members of the community to a meeting at the University College hall, Melbourne University, where newly elected FiaV President Vasan Srinivasan welcomed the invitees. one extraordinary facet that hit eyes, was FIAV's first June 2009 edition newsletter, replete with relevant information about endeavours FiaV continues to work towards.

Whispers that Vasan, as friendly President Srinivasan likes being called, is heading all nine yards to transform FiaV into near Utopia, was music to our indian ears.

Speaking on the occasion, Vasan stated that since winning the Liberal Party preselection for the 2002 Federal elections, he had travelled all over the state to meet communities including indian, and gathered that “early indian arrivals laid a red carpet for those arriving late”, a fact that escapes most indian intellects. He also spoke of his dream of a community hall where indian culture and values would be depicted: three hectares to accommodate 300 pax, consisting of community kitchens, restaurants, swimming pool, cricket ground, tennis courts, community training centre, four meeting rooms for 55 to 100, as well as a 50-60 bed seniors’ home. His envisioned endeavours to “facilitate and promote increased/sustained access to linguistically and culturally adverse pockets of indians”, significant aged care needs in mind through information and service provision, though a big ask, is worth exploring. Vasan also pledged free coaches for seniors' excursions once in the beginning and at the end of each year, as well as independence day luncheon