2009-11 Melbourne

Justice at last O

n the same day as The Times of India and other Indian media screamed headlines of yet another attack on an Indian student in Australia, there was barely, if any, coverage of Judge Pamela Jenkins sentencing an attacker Zakarie Hussein, to four and a half years in jail with a minimum parole period of 2 years. Hussein was standing trial for assaulting Indian student Sukhraj Singh at a convenience store on December 1, 2008.

This is probably the first case of a successful prosecution of an attack against an Indian student which has emerged in the past few months.

The Indian Australian community, both the students and the elders, need to acknowledge and accept the merits of the system and use it to their advantage. The judicial system in India is clogged and often bogged down. Recently, there have been attempts made in India to fast track certain processes; however the reality is that it takes time for the system to go through its process and for justice to be done. The presumption of innocence until a person is found guilty, is at the base of both Indian and Australian legal process. The reality however, is that the legal process moves a lot quicker here, as has been evidenced

By PAWAN LUTHRA

in the Singh case. The judge in this case noted that the victim presented no threat to the attacker and was attacked for the sheer thrill of it. She also pointed that short of becoming prisoners in their homes, there is little potential victims can do to prevent such attacks. In this, one does tend to disagree with her. To ensure that these attacks become an unpleasant memory of a time past, victims need to step forward bravely. They need to pursue their case within the legal system and ensure that justice is done. Often the victims do not come forward, concerned about the effect this can have on their potential residency application or the time they will need to spend at police stations or court rooms recounting their incidents. Victims need to be assured that they will be supported on all these issues. The various Indian student associations and other community organisations need to counsel their members that it is in everyone’s best interest that they allow the full judicial process to take place. As more reports of successful prosecution

emerge, not only will it deter potential attackers, but will instill confidence in the community at large that the police and the legal system will assist them in their adopted country.

At the same time, students need to understand the government systems are different in Australia as compared to India. Basic issues like tax returns have rules which need to be followed strictly in Australia, while in India, there is still a considerable gap in these areas. Australia’s “matching” system can pick up discrepancies. Driving and public behavior are also areas which need to conform to the standards of the host country. Mutual respect is important; this leads to confidence in each other, and overall, a more tolerant society.

international students

An information session for international students was held by the Central Queensland University, Melbourne International Campus recently.

Ken Hawkins and Peter Bakker from CQU deliberated on the university’s academic programs, student support services, training, employment and career-oriented services and campus locations offered for the benefit of international students.

The focus of the university is to connect with parents as much as with the students, it was elaborated. The key features of the university that were highlighted were units on definitions of learning in the new world, learning for life, learning tools, applying skills, focus on the student as a person, courses offered in the different campuses, student support, learning skills, job readiness program and cutting edge technology among others.

Specifics of the pre-departure seminars for international students were conveyed in detail. The core points of the student briefing, they said, were apprising international students about where to source information, how to get organised about accommodation, health cover, transport, part-time work, banking, how to seek information about fast-track options, access to academic advice, industry accreditation, technology and also how to get involved in recreational activities. Student expectations and responsibilities as well as university responsibilities were stated.

Extensive survey programs, appointment of student cultural groups in the university to speak to the campus director and seeking feedback were some of the other topics touched upon. Also present were Deepa Mathews from CQU and Sushil Sharma.

Madhuchanda Das

State-of-art automotive training centre opens

VICTORIAN MINISTER for Education

Bronwyn Pike formally inaugurated the new Automotive Technology training campus of private vocational provider Melbourne Institute of Engineering (MIE) recently.

MIE, a division of Education Access (Australia) Pty.Ltd, provides vocational training in Automotive Technology to international students from more than 20 countries each year.

The new campus in West Melbourne, a $2.5 million project, features a 2,500 sq m. workshop environment for automotive, mechanical and electrical technology and innovative theme based learning spaces that integrate practical and theory classrooms. Students are trained using latest and industry standard tools and equipment such as modern cars, diagnostic scan tools, laser wheel alignment tools.

Students are also exposed to a variety of training techniques such as learning with the use of speciality automotive training software and internet resources, which create an engaging and interesting learning experience for students.

In addition, every care has been taken to provide for all needs of students, with facilities such as multimedia labs, student welfare counselling offices, recreation area, access for the disabled and security for the entire campus premises.

Environmental considerations have been given top priority, with measures in place for the efficient use of energy and natural light, extraction of fumes, reduction of noise and appropriate disposal of industrial waste.

EAA’s CEO and Managing Director Shruti Nargundkar said at the inauguration

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Bangla School of Victoria

Every Sunday 4.00-5.00pm at Mount Street Neighbourhood House, 6 Mount Street, Glen Waverley, Vic 3150. Melway Ref Pg 71 3C -3D. For more details contact bsvmelb@gmail.com, website http://sites.google. com/site/banglaschoolofvictoria

Sahitya Sandhya

7 Nov, 7.30-10.30pm The next literary evening will be held at Kew Library, Corner of Cotham Road and Civic Dr, Kew 3101. Melway reference 45 D6. Entry free. Free tea will be served and refreshment will be provided. Activities include Apne log apni baaten (Poetry, short stories, jokes, personal experiences)

For further information contact Harihar Jha 9555 4924, Subhash Sharma 0433 178 377, Nalin Sharda 0402 108 512

Saaz Aur Aawaz

14 Nov, 8.00-11.00pm Light music program with local artistes. All welcome to this open forum. Entry free. Venue: Mount Street Neighborhood House, 6 Mount Street , Glen Waverly, Mel Ref: 71 D2. (Enter from Panoramic Gv Carpark)

Contact Satish Dutta on 0418179122 for more details

Mehfil night

20 Nov, 8.00-10.00pm Concert by Suleiman, a very talented singer from Pakistan, and a modern Karaoke system presentation by Saratchandran. Free entry to all. Venue: Coburg Library Hall, Cnr Luisa and Victoria Sts, Coburg Parking is plentiful!!

For more details call Dr.Saratchandran 9366 5444

Meditation for Peace

We hope you are practicing (and enjoying) the short daily meditation initiated to reduce crime through collective

meditation.

If not, please do take a moment to download it from www. lovingsilence.org.

We now have more than 400 people registered with the initiative. However, we plainly need more participation to have the kind of impact we are aiming for, so please do let others know about it. Also, on popular demand, we are moving the weekly group meditation at Kindness sans Frontiers (288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) back to 12.30pm on Wednesdays.

Contact: Saurabh Mishra, on+61 402 326 232

Sangeet Sandhya

5 Dec, 8.00-12 midnight Special highlight of Dec’s light music program: Melbourne’s renowned Veena players Iyer Brothers, Ramnathji and Gopinathji will perform Carnatic Veena recital with Sridharji on Mridangam.

Venue: Brandon Park Primary School, Cootamundra Drive, Wheelers Hill, Vic (Melway: 71 E 11). Car Park entry from Ninevah Cr. Ample car park at the open basket ball court. Entry FREE with tea, Coffee, snacks provided.

Please note new location for Sangeet Sandhya

(due to renovation at Waverley Meadows)

For more details log on to http://www.sharda.org/Events.htm

Theatre

Fusion Downunder

25 - 29 Nov Arts House North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensbury St.

A bright fast-moving comedy about Indian migrants living in Australia, Fusion Downunder unveils the issues of culture-clash especially in regards to “love”. The play is a comedy of manners with a twist, showcasing two superb dances reflecting the fusion of traditional culture with Australian western culture. It is a story told in the context of a proud Indian culture. Bengal Live!

function that the training centre was “a testimony of our commitment to education and training, to the interests of students and to Australia’s VET industry in general” and that EAA endeavours to “create excellent training facilities which will be used by international and local students”.

Shruti Nargundkar also acknowledged the life long commitment Minister Pike, an educator herself, has had to promote education and learning, and noted that it was only befitting that the Minister should be inaugurating this training facility.

Minister Pike, on her part was delighted to see the innovative infrastructure and remarked that these training facilities set a bench mark for other providers. Minister Pike also complimented EAA on the range of support services it offered to its students such as recreation, counselling and learning support.

In addition to the Minister of Education, other VIPs who attended the function include senior officials from government, VET sector and industry bodies.

Education Access (Australia) has been a pioneer in the provision of automotive training to international students in the private sector, and also has two other training divisions based in the CBD dedicated to training in hospitality management, business management and ESL.

Early next year, EAA hopes to commence training of domestic students as well. Nargundkar pointed that EAA is “committed to upholding the integrity of Australia’s education industry in the local and international education markets.”

29 Nov, 4.00pm A special event for one night only!

A colourful glimpse of Bengali culture to enthral and entertain you!

Featuring LIVE Band, fusion music, dance, fashion from Bengal, India.

Come along and join us for colourful evening of culture and dance performance!

TICKETS: For tickets for Fusion Downunder and/or Bengal Live! go to www.easytax.com.au

Tickets are $25 or $20 concession and there is a Special Combi ticket offer for only $40 if you wish to attend both events!

For more information visit www.fusiondownunder.com.au or phone 0431 74 3045

Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria funding for seniors

The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) has announced funding for bilingual people to train as fitness instructors as part of the Multicultural Multiactive Seniors (MMS) Project. Part-time courses in Certificate III and IV in fitness instruction are being offered in 2010 at YMCA training venues in Knox, Fairfield and Ballarat. Applicants need to be proficient in English and another language. They also need to demonstrate an interest in exercise as well as experience working with older adults and/or multicultural communities.

Contact: Kate Ling at ECCV on 9349 4122 or kling@eccv. org.au

New Hindi program on radio

Radio 3CR (855 AM) A new Hindi radio program entitled Des Pardes - The Voice Of India has been launched. The Community Radio Program, hosted by Madhuchanda Das, is aired every Tuesday between 7 - 7:30 PM.

MAGIC relief for Marysville

The Indian community of Melbourne rallied behind the bushfire affected town of Marysville by organising an event in support of the Marysville Community Golf & Bowls Club (Club) on Sunday 25 October. The event was held at the Club and was attended by over 100 participants of Indian origin, across 3 generations, who participated in golf and lawn bowl activities and interacted with residents from the township and from surrounding areas. The Mayor of Murrindindi shire Lyn Gunter also attended the event and praised the efforts of the organisers and the large number of Indian families who were there to show their support and lend a helping hand for a great cause.

The event was organised by MAGIC (Melbourne Avid Golfers of Indian Connection), a social sporting body comprising around 70 golfers of Indian origin. Speaking after the event the President of MAGIC Pavan Cheema said, “The event was a huge success both in terms of spreading awareness and for fundraising. Melbourne’s Indian community was very keen to show its support for the township of Marysville impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires and the prime aim of connecting to Marysville was well and truly met”.

Meher Trailer Products, proudly serving the boat and caravan trailer industry since 1995, was the major sponsor of the event. Leading restaurateur Karan Gandhok of Tandoori Junction, premier caterers of Indian food, provided delicious Indian food, with all proceeds going towards the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the Club.

Marysville Community Golf & Bowls Club Committee member Travers Stow welcomed the initiative of the MAGIC group to what was “the official public opening of the full 18 holes course”. “The day marks a significant milestone in both the Club and the township of Marysville’s recovery following the devastating fires of 7th February,” he said. “Thanks to the efforts of the Club staff and contribution of Nature, the golf course is in good shape and I encourage other social clubs to have a family day involving golf and lawn bowls at the Marysville Club”.

Preeti Jabbal

Winners at the Marysville Lawn Bowling and Golf competition

The winners of the Meher-MAGIC Golf Open were:

Grade A

First: Abhay Mehta

Second: Travers Stow

Third: Rashpal Chaggar

Grade B

First: Satindar (Bunty) Singh

Second: John Forsyth

Third: Raman Sikand

The “nearest to the pin” prizes went to Pratap (Bamby) Pantal, Dr Ravi Pachuri, Arjun Caprihan & Abhay Mehta.

Shiv Shahaney won the “longest drive” prize.

inaugural Diwali nite T

he Indo-Australian Friendship Council organised a Diwali dinner in the Queen’s Hall in Victorian Parliament House recently. The Queen’s Hall was packed to capacity. Those present included Victorian Members of Parliament, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, representatives from Immigration Department, Police Superintendent Western Command Victoria, Victorian Multicultural Chairman and Commissioners.

The media included representatives from The Age and Channel 31. The Indian community was well represented by presidents of Indian clubs and associations,

Indian Consul Anita Nayar, heads and leaders of religious, social, cultural, educational, business groups among others. The gathering was entertained with colourful regional performances including bhangra, gidda and Bollywood items. Indian music and folk dances were enjoyed by all present. The purpose of the dinner was to foster multiculturalism. More importantly, the intent was to bridge the gap between Indian students and the authorities and provide information to students about the values of Australian society, rules and regulations. Live and let live, that was the prominent message of the evening.

Offering his vote of thanks, vicepresident of the Council Himmat Arora announced that the Diwali dinner is likely to become an annual event, given its huge success.

The Indo-Australian Friendship Council was incorporated soon after the allegations of racial conflicts in Australia. The purpose of the Council is to promote harmony between the Indian community and other mainstream communities in Australia. Their main aim is to act as spokespersons for the Indian community and to protect and defend the interests of Indian students. They intend to address and resolve any

issues between students and authorities and liaise with other ethnic communities in Australia.

The Council also hopes to encourage and promote cultural activities.

It will act as a principal coordinating and negotiating body with other organisations, local, state or federal governments, for and on behalf of the Indian community and students in Australia. It will also make representations to the government, print and electronic media in matters relating and affecting the Indian community and students.

Manjit Singh Aujla

Vic premier hosts historic Diwali reception

FOR THE FIRST TIME in the history of Melbourne, a Diwali reception was hosted by the Premier John Brumby inside the Queen’s Hall of the Parliament House recently. This was soon after his return from an official visit to India to repair the damage done to Australia’s international student market after a series of attacks on Indian students. Putting aside speculations that the reception could be part of a subtle campaign to diffuse the situation, the community attended and appreciated the historical event.

Diwali celebrations in Australia are increasing in direct proportion to the burgeoning population of Indian migrants. This year Melbournians were quite spoilt for choice between the larger public events in Fed Square, Sandown Racecourse, Western suburbs and Ballarat and innumerable private functions all rejoicing in the festival of lights. The invitation to celebrate it in the Parliament House with the Premier was the proverbial icing on the cake or in this case kesar badaam on the mithai

The chairman of Victorian Multicultural Commission George Lekakis officiated the formal part of the evening followed by a speech by the Premier. Mr. Brumby spoke about the highlights of his recent visit to India and reiterated the Victorian Government’s initiatives to improve the international student situation. The Premier acknowledged the contribution of Indians to the multicultural fabric of

Australia and thanked them for their generous contribution towards the Bushfire appeal.

He spoke at length about his first ever trip to India and the warm welcome he received from the country and its people. In particular he shared his impression of the IT capital Bangalore and visit to the Gandhi memorial in New Delhi. He mentioned his visit to the Commonwealth Games sites where he was assured of good security measures and great standards.

He was impressed to meet doctors in a hospital in Bangalore who conduct 30 open heart surgeries in a day on children with heart problems. He was delighted

to know many of the doctors had also worked in Australia, and commented on the professionalism and good standards evident in the hospitals he visited.

He said that he had made it clear to the Indian media that violence of any sort against international students in Australia will not be tolerated and reforms are being put in place in the Victorian education industry. As part of the reforms the Government has made available a small amount of scholarships for higher education. According to him Indian students will be offered the first round of these scholarships. His speech mainly focused on the Government’s ongoing

efforts to foster friendship and business relationships between the two nations. He ended his address by wishing everyone a joyous Diwali.

The Consul General of India Anita Nayar also raised an orange juice toast to many more such celebrations in Melbourne, integrating the Australian and Indian communities. In an entertaining and engaging speech, she congratulated the Premier on hosting the first ever Diwali reception in the Parliament in a year that also saw the first ever Diwali acknowledgement by American president Obama. Also present at the reception were Marsha Thomson MP from Footscray and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino along with several local councilors and VMC commissioners.

“Diwali is like an Indian Christmas”this is normally my simplistic explanation for those not in the know. There are many similarities between the two. They both involve a festive mix of traditions, lights, candles, treats, religious origins and ongoing celebrations. It was heartening to see Diwali cards in a posh card shop in Chadstone and traditionally packaged Diwali gifts in a supermarket this October. And now with the premiere of Victoria hosting a Diwali reception (hopefully on an annual basis), slowly but surely the significance of the festival of lights is spreading in Australia.

Preeti Jabbal

MAKERS

A success!runaway

He is fondly referred to as the ‘Flying Sikh’.

At 77, Harbhajan Singh Aulakh, winner of 10 medals at the recently concluded World Masters’ Games 2009, could not have been described more aptly. Hailing from Punjab, the Land of Five Rivers, Harbhajan has made all Indians proud by bagging 4 gold medals (400m, 800m, 1500m, 2000m steeple chase), 4 silver medals (100m, 100m hurdles, 200m and long jump) and 2 bronze medals (high jump and triple jump) in the Olympic style event for the veterans held in Sydney.

The seventh World Masters’ Games that took place from 10-18 October 2009 at Sydney Olympic Park, were an initiative of the Government of New South Wales. The games have been held every four years since their initiation in Toronto, Canada in 1985. Sydney had the honour of hosting the event this year after Brisbane (1994) and Melbourne (2002).

The World Masters’ Games are the world’s largest multi-sport event, attracting twice as many competitors as the Olympic Games. The games are open to people of all abilities and most ages with the emphasis on participation. To compete at the Sydney 2009 World Masters’ Games, people needed to satisfy their sport’s minimum age.

Harbhajan revealed that 45,000 competitors from 95 countries including Canada, South

America, South Africa, India, China and New Zealand participated in the games which were formerly known as the Veterans’ Olympic. He was in the 75-80 age group but pointed out that age was no bar to enthusiasm and talent as there was a 101-yearold participant for the shot-put event.

There were 28 sports on the calendar divided into two categories. The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Advisory Committee endorsed

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He has also participated in three other World Masters’ Games and has walked away with many medals.

Shedding a light on the secret of his success that allows him to have the stamina of a much younger person, Harbhajan Singh is modest in conceding that it is all about running.

“I am up at four in the morning every day to work out and go for my daily run. I top it off with an afternoon work out”.

And what about his dietary habits?

“I take no special dietary supplements or special energy drinks. I stick to a simple Indian diet, but avoiding too many spices”.

Harbhajan is blessed with three children and three grandchildren but notes regretfully that none of his family shares his enthusiasm for sport and fitness.

To participate in the World Masters’ Game, Harbhajan had been preparing for the last three years. He is currently getting set to impress in the Australian National Olympics to be held in March 2010 in Melbourne and also the next world games.

With such a spring in his feet and success in his grasp, it is no surprise that he has no plans to retire any time soon and insists he will be competing for as long as he can.

Farzana Shakir

I am up at four in the morning every day to work out and go for my daily run. I top it off with an afternoon work out

The local Punjabi community felicitate Aulakh for his medal haul at the Games

(Left) Harbhajan Singh Aulakh at the World Masters’ Games in Sydney

CanberraCalling

A networking forum by the Indian High Commissioner in Canberra brings some of the best minds of the community together. PAWAN LUTHRA reports

This is an opportunity to exchange ideas amongst ourselves and a forum to network”.

That was how the Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Her Excellency Sujatha Singh described the select gathering of Indian community leaders in Canberra on 28th October 2009.

Over 50 representatives of various Indian associations, academics with an Indian connection and community leaders discussed issues of mutual interest at this very special meeting.

The scene was set at Hotel Hyatt alongside Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra and delegates had flown in or driven in from Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and NSW – in fact all the states where members of the Indian diaspora can be found. Chaired by Deputy High Commissioner VK Sharma and hosted by the High Commissioner, the two Consul Generals of India, Amit Dasgupta from NSW and Anita Nayar from Victoria were also present to absorb the feedback from the attendees and give their own viewpoints.

For over 2 hours, delegates to this mini and private Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas - strictly by invitation only - came forth with their ideas and suggestions on various issues covering the life of Indian-origin Australians. Topics which were brought up included the still-hot Indian international students issue, the role of Indian employers vis-a-vis Indian students, domestic violence etc. As each of the 50-odd guests stepped up on the platform and presented their suggestions, the Indian government representatives kept copious notes. Later the High Commissioner spent over an hour presenting her and her team’s views on the matters raised.

The topics raised, discussed and analysed included the following.

The students’ issue

The delegates felt that the students coming to Australia need to be made aware of the reality of living, studying and working in Australia. These might be problems faced because of not being aware of the types of courses they are enrolling for, the dangers of late night travel, and the problems with employment including exploitation by their employers due to their lack of awareness of Australian rules and regulations. The delegates also raised questions regarding the policing of education consultants in India and their governance. AIBC Chairman Emeritus Neville Roach, one of the speakers, said regarding the issue that we Indians living in Australia have a responsibility to help the Australian and State Governments to win back the confidence and goodwill of the Indian community here and in India. We need to convince the authorities to act more sensitively, he added.

Vish Vishwanthan from the Federation of Indian Associations in Australia (FAIA) also felt that the Indian reportage of the attacks on the students created a bad image of Australia in India. He urged the Australian Government to work with the Indian media to repair some of the damage done to this representation of Australia in India.

Umesh Chandra, President GOPIO from Queensland however, stressed that it is

important to face up to the fact that Australia is a racist country and if that fact is denied, then this problem will not be solved. He stressed that students should be made to feel more welcome and there should be job opportunities created for them in their own communities.

Building on this Neville Roach added, “In relation to the attacks on India students, we should encourage Australian Governments and our fellow Australians to avoid the usual kneejerk reaction of denial when allegations of racism are made. This only destroys our credibility. Instead all such allegations should be taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated, with appropriate action against proven perpetrators.”

Gambhir Watts from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan raised the transport problems which students face in Australia. He felt that this was a discriminating factor against overseas students.

Umesh Kotur from Chandana TV was keen to make available orientation courses for the new migrant.

In response to issues relating to the students, High Commissioner Singh agreed that this one issue has dominated the relationships between the two countries in the past 6 months. “My colleagues, Consuls General Amit Dasgupta and Anita Nayar have spent a lot of time in the last six months talking to students in Harris Park, in Sunshine, in Footscray, in taxis and restaurants and then we have been camped inside the Australian Parliament meeting the various MPs on these issues. We can possibly write a Ph D thesis on the topic”, she told the gathering. “Our job is to protect the legitimate interests of the Indian students in Australia; after all, they are Indian nationals,” she strongly stated. “However”, she continued, “the students need to recognise that their first job is to study, so if they have to write an exam anytime, they should be able to do so”.

Mrs Singh urged the local Indian community to get involved in the welfare of the students. “There are 100,000 students and over 300,000 (settled) Indians here: it will be great if the seniors can reach out to them, become a mentor to them, guide them. It will go a long way,” she said.

However, she also cautioned that the system of getting visa approvals for students in India is getting tougher. Practices in the Australian High Commission have changed such that now all visa applicants are being interviewed and it is believed that there is an 80% refusal rate for new visa applications. The Indian government has also started to crack down on dubious agents; some educational agents have even been arrested in India, it was revealed.

Mrs. Singh agreed that the denial of the sale of uranium to India has been a stumbling block in the relationship between the two countries. She conceded that lobbying the powers-that-be, from within the Indian community here, could be a possible help in the process

“I also believe that for Indian employers there should be a voluntary code of conduct which they need to adhere to and the Consul General’s office in Sydney will be working on this,” she added.

Domestic violence

Many delegates were equally concerned about the rising incidence of domestic violence in the community.

“Unfortunately, some domestic violence issues are being imported from India with new migrants unaware that certain issues which are taken for granted in India can be counted as domestic violence here in Australia”, one delegate stated.

In reply, the High Commissioner urged the various associations to be more involved in educating the community here.

“The associations need to be more relevant with the changing needs of the community, there has to be education at grass roots levels,” Mrs Singh said.

Senior citizens

Raji Swaminathan from Sydney Tamil Sangam raised the issue of an aging diaspora. Not only is the organic Indian Australian aging, but also parents migrating here have greater needs, she noted.

“It is difficult to find facilities which can take care of them who understand the language, cultural habits such as vegetarian food or even simple issues such as how to tie a sari”, she said. A number of other delegates echoed her views.

“From the High Commission’s position, it is

Sujatha Singh, High Commissioner of India to Australia, addresses a gathering of leading members of the community

The Australia-India Parliamentary Group, led by Julie Owens (Member for Parramatta), joins the gathering

very difficult for us to contribute significantly in this regard,” Mrs. Singh said, adding, “I do urge you however, to raise it with your local MPs”.

Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas

The Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas has failed to excite the Indian Australians, some of the delegates reflected.

“While it is a great idea, we only get to know in November as to where it is being held and as such find it difficult to plan to attend,” it was stated. Neville Roach, the only Indian-Australian to have been honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Award and a member of Indian Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council, recounted to the group the importance of attending the PBD as a team.

“From the US, there are over a thousand attendees. They sit together, they lobby as a team, and are accorded special forums at the PBD. From Australia, we do not have these numbers which makes it difficult for us to be a force at these functions,” he said.

The High Commissioner agreed that there should be sufficient advance notice as to the venue of the PBD so that guests can plan their other travel around it.

“However, the date of 9th January is fixed, as it is the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa,” she said. She also confirmed that Australia needs a stronger voice and bigger numbers need to attend the PBD.

Australian government to consider selling uranium to India.

“The nuclear non-proliferation treaty is outdated and is a discriminatory tool used to whip India. While certain signatories of the treaty like China use uranium to further their influence and assist countries such as North Korea, Pakistan and Iran, Australia is ignoring this fact. India needs uranium to meet its growing energy needs. Australia continues to preach its commitments to

to reduce their emissions, yet they do not want to help India use a much cleaner source such as uranium,” it was observed.

The delegates urged the formation of a lobby group which can educate the local Indian community on these issues and then from the grassroots, lobby with the parliamentarians about this issue, letting them know their feelings about this discrimination against India.

Mrs. Singh agreed that the denial of the sale of uranium to India has been a stumbling block in the relationship between the two countries. She conceded that lobbying the powers-that-be, from within the Indian community here, could be a possible help in the process, while stating vehemently that she was not in a position to be able to tell the community here what to do.

“The non resident Indian community in the US played a major role in lobbying the US government in passing the bill to transfer peaceful nuclear know-how to India,” she noted, implying that perhaps a similar stance from within the community here could possibly achieve the same.

Other delegates such as Shail Chandra and Dev Tripathy from Hindi Samaaj, raised the issues of Hindi language teaching in the community. Members from Melbourne such as Ravi Bhatia, Sanjay Jain and Sydney’s Dr. Yadu Singh raised issues both privately and publicly of the students and racism in the community.

Later, the High Commissioner invited the delegates to meet with members of the Australia India Parliamentary group at the High Commission. There the group led by Julie Owens, Member for Parramatta met with the delegates and spoke about the growing strength of relationship between the two countries.

An afternoon such as this brought together some of the best in the Indian community from around Australia under one roof to discuss issues of concerns to the Indian diaspora.

While the High Commission picked the brains of those present, for delegates themselves, it was an opportunity to put their concerns forward to representatives of the Indian government here, while availing of the priceless networking opportunities that it all opened up.

A mini Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, it certainly helped rally the community together.

On your marks, get set, go: India 2010

Mrs Sujatha Singh, High Commissioner of India to Australia, has urged the Indian community here to get behind the nation’s efforts in ensuring the 2010 Commonwealth Games will be a success.

“The lead up to the Games gives us a great chance to showcase India to Australia,” she told delegates at the Canberra conference.

“As the Queen’s baton relay makes its way across select Australian capital cities, it is important that the local Indian community get involved in these activities”.

A series of business events are being organised as a curtain raiser, Mrs Singh outlined. These include certain sector specific sessions such as automotive components, food processing, entertainment (especially automation and post production), pharmaceutical, bio technology etc.

Entertainment troupes from India will visit Australia to promote the cultural dimension.

The Government of India Tourist Office, she added, will play a pivotal role in spreading the spirit of the Commonwealth Games through the local Indian Australian community to the mainstream.

Delegates network over drinks and dinner

A bit of Bhangra in the name of India Australia Friendship

The classical scene

A Carnatic vocal arrangetram

Classical singer Pragadeesh’s Carnatic vocal Arangetram was held at the George Wood Performing Arts Centre in early October. Vocal arangetrams are quite rare outside India as they demand a level of understanding and grasp of music that is difficult to achieve in a non-Indian milieu. That a young teenager - from a nonperforming family and raised in Australia could pull such a quality arangetram like this off - must surely be a divine gift indeed.

Pragadeesh began with a demanding Bhairavi varnam, followed by a Koteeshwara Iyer kriti in Hamsadvani raga. By then it was quite apparent that the audience was in for an evening of delightful music. This was confirmed when the young vocalist treated the audience to a cascade of swaras in Nattai raga, followed by raga aalaapanas in Lathangi and Sri ranjani which were superb. His rendition of kritis from a range of composers was crisp and melodious, and he showed considerable skill in the delivery of niravals as well.

Pragadeesh sang with an unruffled calmness, poise and composure that would put many

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Accompanying him were a group of talented young musicians from India: Ragavendra Rao on the violin, Arjun Ganesh on the mrudangam and N Rajaraman on the ghatam. Pragadeesh did not allow such seasoned performers from India to overwhelm him in the least, and he held his own. It is also to the credit of these artistes that they let Pragadeesh shine without attempting to steam his limelight. ***

The master’s touch Padmabhushan Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan need no introduction to anyone in the dance world in India - or indeed anyone familiar with bharatanatyam. This couple has been a fixture in the Chennai dance scene for decades, and have done yeomen service for dance and the arts in India. So it was with bated breath that artistes and cognoscenti awaited

their one-only performance in Melbourne on 18 October at the Rowville Secondary College.

The Dhananjayans’ Dance school in Chennai is the Bharata Kalanjali Dance School, and they have trained scores of talented dancers who live in India and abroad, one of them being Radhika Mahadeva who runs a well known dance school in Melbourne, which was the main organiser of this event.

The emphasis that evening was on the Naatya aspect of dance, and the Dhananjayans gave a veritable tour de force of expression, bhava and emotions. Shantha Dhananjayan as Kooni in the episode from the Ramayana Rama Pattbhisheka Bhangam was exemplary - demonstrating just the right touch of psychological manipulation, craftiness and subtlety. Dhananjayan in the role of Nandanar in an episode from the famous Nandanar Charitram, a perennial favourite, was simply superb. He set out to prove – and prove he did – that even a lay person with no previous knowledge of Indian dance, could easily follow a story when the abhinaya is properly done.

The Dhananjayans were accompanied by dancers from their preeminent schoolGopukiran, Seetha Sasidharan and Divya Shiva Sundar, whose brisk pieces regaled the audience. They performed a couple of items with Radhika Mahadeva’s three senior students, besides a solo Ashtapadi from Radhika herself.

The orchestra consisted of N Sasidharan [vocal], R Kalaiyarasan [violin] and K P Ramesh Babu [mrudangam]. The nattuvangam was wielded alternatively by Shantha Dhananajayan and Gopukiran.

The Dhananjayans’ tour was made possible by the support of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.

Chitra Sudarshan

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The Dhananjayans

Diwali, Sindhi style!

Jhulelal” was the opening word of the evening at the Thornbury Theatre on Saturday 24th October 2009. Quite a change for a venue which is otherwise used to opening words of “How are ya?” and “Let’s rock!” as host venue for gigs by James Hunter, Mark Seymour, Lloyd Cole and the like.

On this special occasion though, Sindhis across Victoria came together to celebrate Diwali with their brethren - and to show off their best clothes, shoes and, not to forget, jewellery!

The evening started off with a welcome speech by Moti Visa, president of Sindhi Association of Victoria, popularly referred to as SAV. It was formed in 1990 and aims to conserve and foster Sindhi culture amongst Sindhis living in Melbourne. Equally, it aims to promote social progress and provide assistance in matters concerning the well-being of its members.

The evening began with special guests Anita Nayar (Consul General of India in Melbourne), Anil Gupta (Consul of India in Melbourne), Bruce Atkinson MLC (Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region and Co-Chair, Victorian Parliamentary Friends of India), lighting the inaugural diya to officially proclaim the beginning of the celebrations. Each had warm and encouraging words to say. Some of the standouts for me were the words of Bruce Atkinson: “It is events such as this that prove that Victoria is truly a multicultural state. Diwali is now known and understood across the state, and is strongly entrenched in the events calendar of public places in Victoria such as Federation Square”.

With the formalities behind us, the celebrations truly began… by a very talented youngster, Anita Pania. Young Anita danced to a medley of catchy Bollywood songs; what made it more special was that she choreographed it herself. Whilst Anita entertained the crowds, the first part of the three course meal (courtesy caterers of the evening ModOz Café) came to the tables. Next on stage was another talent Bhavna Dudani who entertained us for a whole of 7.5 minutes on the soft evergreen number Mujhe rang de… Next it was the turn of the professionals to claim the stage - two bright stars from Main

series of old as well as new songs.

Before we knew it, we had blank paper and pen delivered to our tables and we scratched our heads to the questions of the trivia quiz. The questions ranged from cultural knowledge to some from the Australian citizenship test and of course there were some on Bollywood movies.

I learnt quite a few things along the way. So the next time you meet me I can tell you that the largest Sindhi speaking city in the world is Hyderabad in Pakistan – bet you didn’t know that.

By this time most of us were ready to take to the floor and let our hair down. The DJ belted out tune after tune and we matched the pace. It was great to see mainstream involvement especially on the dance floor. All of us had worked up an appetite by then and were glad that dinner was served. Dinner was a good spread buffet style and the chicken curry was excellent.

Then the answers to the trivia quiz questions were announced by Sunil Pamnani, secretary of the SAV: a few interesting ones that the majority of us didn’t get, had reactions of hmmms and the aahs from the audience indicating they were well engaged.

Then was the best part of the evening –dessert time. Although the portion size was disappointing, the taste certainly wasn’t. The icing for us was when “Table 17” was announced as the winner of the trivia quiz; we got $100 in cash to be distributed amongst the ten of us!

The sounds started streaming again, the dance floor was filled and I found myself in the midst of all dancing in abandon to Kambakht ishq cheez hai hi aisi. A few more songs later, my feet wanted me to stop but the heart wanted me to continue. I decided to pay heed to my feet, went back to my table, had a whole pitcher of water by myself and decided it was time to call it a night.

Great place, great company and a great occasion, is what I’ll remember the night as. As for our $100, we nominated a custodian for the money and will soon plan a girls’ night out with it, or should I say “Sindhi girls’ night out” – watch out for us!

Pinky Bhatia

It is events such as this that prove that Victoria is truly a multicultural state. Diwali is now known and understood across the state, and is strongly entrenched in the events calendar of public places in Victoria such as Federation Square

Bruce Atkinson

(Left) Consul General Anita Nayar has a good time

(Top Left) Bhavna Dudani: Mujhe rang de…

(Top Right) The little ones strut their stuff SAV King and Queen

Diwali is officially over

The venue - Manningham Function Centre. The date - last day of the second month of spring. The time - dusk. The dress - traditional formal Indian attire. The mood - relaxed. The occasion - Diwali celebrations organised by the Punjabi Club of Victoria (PCV).

The glass doors opened automatically to let us in and a red carpet ushered us to a tastefully decorated hall. A beautifully serene idol of Lord Ganesha stood tall with two big brass lamps on either side, decorated with fresh flowers. In the background, there were the familiar sounds of “Kya haal hai ji?”, “Happy Diwali” and “Satsriakal”. Bollywood music played from behind the scenes.

The ladies hugged and air-kissed and checked each others’ outfits out. The children ran around in cute ghagras and kurta pyjamas feeling completely at home. The men were dressed in their suits and colourful turbans and none could be spotted without a drink in hand. The mood was set for a fun filled evening right from the word go.

The formal bit comprised of a speech by the president of PCV, Surinder Mudher who kept it short and sweet. It was refreshing to see that he was intuitive to the mood of the crowd and didn’t want to basque in self-praise or reiterate the history of the club. Perhaps this was an indicator of things to come.

The DJ Sweetmix Roadshow took over and within minutes we had on the floor a lightning entry by young Geetika Garg who some people

referred to as the ‘elastic’ child. Sporting a glamorous jumpsuit and an innocent smile, Geetika had the entire crowd in awe of her agility. She ended her stint with somersaults and a flat leg stretch that belied her young age. The spectacular performance set a high expectation for what was to come next. And what followed didn’t disappoint either as the three Bhatia and Kaur couples took to the stage with gusto dancing to a medley of the latest and popular Bollywood songs.

A Punjabi function without bhangra is like rabbit pie with no rabbit in it: sure enough a professional bhangra crew came in with colourful silk dhotis, kurtas and turbans and it was balle! balle! all the way. They got the audience involved who were more than happy to join in the exuberance. The bhangra proved to be a great end to the formal entertainment. By now the appetisers were on our table as we reluctantly made our way back. The DJs were on a mission to get everyone on the floor and my husband is the benchmark I use! If he is ready to join in, then the music has definitely got something going for it. With a fusion of new and old tunes and some hardcore Punjabi songs interspersed with Bollywood numbers, the DJs Sweetmix Roadshow had the crowd captive.

What kept me busy, besides dancing, was looking at the number of dishes that kept arriving on my table. It was then that I realised this is a desi sit-down dinner. I turned back

and saw that an army of men dressed in black had swamped the entire hall making sure there was food on every table. The variety was impressive for both vegetarians and nonvegetarians thanks to Tandoori Junction, the caterers of the evening. It was great not having to queue up to get second rounds and enjoy the meal at the table with all your mates.

Seeing that we are at the tail end of our meal, the DJ started to pump up the volume and not being able to resist we marched with our full stomachs to claim the dance floor.

Despite soaring temperatures and sweaty palms all I could see around me were people having a great time. I couldn’t bother with dessert given the amount of fun I was having, but the barfi on the plate called out to me. The question no longer was “should I or shouldn’t I?” It was “strawberry or chocolate?” The fruit platter looked equally appetising.

Once this was done, I realised people had started saying their goodbyes and that it was past midnight. Unfortunately, the night had come to an end and it dawned upon me that Diwali is officially over, at least in my social calendar.

This was decidedly the best function I have been to in the entire season; guess they left the best for last. Well done Punjabi Club of Victoria, I am now waiting for next year’s function!

Bhatia

With a fusion of new and old tunes and some hardcore Punjabi songs interspersed with Bollywood numbers, the DJs Sweetmix Roadshow had the crowd captive

Pinky

A Swinburne Diwali ... S

winburne Punjabi Club (SPC) celebrated Diwali and Bhandi Chod Divas on 23rd October 2009 at Hawthorn Campus. Diwali, the festival of lights was celebrated with great sprit and enthusiasm. The revelers were more than 500 in number, including local and international students, along with staff members from various faculties. The function opened with Indian and Australian national anthems, followed by a welcome speech by the vice chancellor Ian Young. He was honoured by a garland of flowers and a token of thanks by the current president of the club Baljit Singh Sekhon.

The dance floor was burned by the Swinburne Bhangra, Gharbha and Bollywood Groups. The main highlight of the show was a multicultural Bhangra performed by some local students, and a classical performance for the first time.

The show was hosted and conducted by Anuroop Sabharwal Secretary SPC, and the event was successfully organised by Meit Shah, event organiser SPC. A certificate of appreciation was presented to all the participants who gave their time and energy to make this event a big success.

Apart for the mind blowing dances there was mehndi (Indian Tattoo) and artistic handmade Indian jewellery. Beautiful Rangoli decorated the campus floor to set the mood for Diwali, mouth watering food was sponsored by Gujjus Hawthorn, and the non stop dance numbers was played by Oorja DJs.

Swinburne Punjabi Club was founded in 2007 as an initiative of Punjabi students studying at the university. Harpreet Singh Maan, Devinder Singh and Navdeep Arora had the club registered with Swinburne Student Amenities Association (SSAA) in 2008. The Club seeks to promote Indian culture, as well as assist new students coming to university and help them in getting in tune with alien environment. Another aim is to bring in

communities, as this would result in sharing of new thoughts and a pleasant experience. The club guides students to resources that are offered by Swinburne University and other organisations such as Swinburne residence and Swinemploy, where they can look for jobs and accommodation. Swinburne Punjabi Club represents not only Punjabi culture, which is an integral part of

India, but also tries to promote all cultures in India bringing in culture awareness so that an atmosphere of tolerance is built on the campus.

Many free events are organised by the SPC, at which everyone is welcome to attend.

SPC is open to all Swinburne students irrespective of their background or nationality. In this year’s Vaisakhi

... and LaTrobe Diwali

OK, I think I have found the formula for an instant ‘lift’. No Botox, no exorbitant cosmetics and certainly no surgery. I received my burst of rejuvenation by simply being part of the Diwali function held at the La Trobe International College in Bundoora recently. Now I know why people who are pushing a certain age consol themselves with the phrase ‘young at heart’. I felt all that and more at the fun filled afternoon spent in the company of young students as they got together to celebrate Diwali.

As soon as I entered the Hall a young Malaysian student beamed at me in a traditional costume from Gujarat. As I made my way through the packed hall I saw a young lady from Zimbabwe sporting a kanjiwaram saree, gold jewellery, bindi et al. The novelty continued with a Chinese student in Kashmiri outfit and another in lehnga choli. Not one of them looked ill at ease in their colourful attire. The fashion show that followed displayed the diversity of India fashioned by citizens of the world.

The traditional lighting of the Diwali lamp was performed by Deputy Vice Chancellor of International and Future Students, La Trobe University, Professor John Rosenberg. Vote of thanks was

celebration the SPC promoted the importance of the turban and explained its significance in the Sikh religion. A turban stall was set up where people from all backgrounds were encouraged to try the traditional headgear of the Sikhs. It proved just as popular with the students as this year’s Diwali function.

Harpreet Singh Mann

set the mood for the rest of the afternoon. DJ Yaths and his infectious Bollywood music got staff and students kicking their heels alike. Bhangra and Bolywood built up the appetite for samosas and gulaab jamuns that followed.

The main sponsors were Kishor Manjee from Caffeine Café in Agora and Mitu Bhowmick Lange and John Molloy from Mindblowing films. The catering was provided by Kabir at Cafe Spice in Agora. With desi dance and desi food, Diwali at Latrobe was a global pot pourri with an Indian flavour.

Manjit Dolly Kaher, Student Welfare Coordinator, who was instrumental in putting the event together said, “In India we celebrate every festival together even though we may follow different religions. Diwali at La Trobe works on similar principles - students, no matter which part of the world they come from, enthusiastically participate in the celebration.”

Judging by the packed hall and the generous applause to each item Diwali proved quite popular in the La Tobe International campus.

Here’s to more such unifying events, Jai Ho!

Preeti Jabbal

Bush stays at Mumbai’s Taj to express solidarity

FORMER US PRESIDENT George Bush made a point to stay at the terror-hit Taj Mahal Tower & Palace Hotel to express his solidarity with the victims of the 26/11 attacks, and hoped that the two countries will enhance their fight against terrorism.

Bush headed straight for the Taj Mahal Tower & Palace Hotel when he arrived in the city from Delhi on a whistle-stop visit in a private jet. He was the second high-profile US politician to stay in the hotel in an act of solidarity with 26/11 victims. He was received by the hotel’s general manager Karambir Kang, who lost his wife and two children in the terrorist assault on the iconic Taj hotel, one of the places targeted by Pakistani terrorists in a three-day siege of Mumbai that killed over 170 people, including six Americans.

Interacting with the hotel staff, Bush expressed his solidarity with 26/11 victims, and expressed hope that the two countries will enhance their cooperation to defeat extremists and terrorists, source said.

The India-US CEOs Forum hosted a dinner for Bush where he met top Indian business personalities and underlined the need for expanding trade and investment between the world’s largest democracies. This is his first visit to the country after he was succeeded by President Barack Obama.

Incidentally, Bush was in India at a time when the US state department had issued yet another travel advisory on India, alerting its citizens to “continuing security concern” in the country.

The advisory warned US citizens that the US government “continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India.”

In New Delhi, Bush spoke at a conclave organised by the Hindustan Times where he spoke about the need for India and the US to join hands in an ideological struggle against extremism that threatens both countries.

Bush also backed a place for India in the UN Security Council and described the IndiaUS civil nuclear accord, which he struck with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as New Delhi’s passport to the world. Bush said he was incredibly optimistic about the course of India-US relations in the future.

Luxury for foreigners, but why ignore Indian passengers?

INDIAN RAILWAYS IS mulling over a plan to attract foreign tourists with exclusive luxury coaches on all its major trains. But many domestic travellers say the ability to pay, and not nationality, should determine who is taken on board.

According to a railway ministry official who wished to remain anonymous, the Public Amenities Committee (PAC) last week recommended that exclusive “specially designed coaches” be added on trains for the benefit of foreign tourists.

“The committee’s recommendations are not final. The proposal will be examined and feasibility assessed. Then the railway board and the minister will examine the proposal and take a decision,” the official said.

Many Indians have been left wondering about the preferential treatment foreign travellers would get on Indian Railways, the largest state-run network of trains in the world.

“Nowhere else in the world does a train network have exclusive coaches for foreigners. While it may help railways earn more, it would be absolutely discriminatory.

The railways is not a private enterprise; they cater to the public!” said Venkatraman Srinivasan, 59, a Delhi-based business

consultant.

Nikhilesh Tiwari, a student from Lucknow, said: “The government should base its judgement on cost, not nationality. The government is just looking for excuses.”

To attract foreign travellers, the select coaches will be designed to have more leg room, better designed seats and toilets, wider sleeping berths and aesthetic interiors. The windows too would be larger to give a better view of the landscape. Even those supportive of the idea of higher priced luxury coaches don’t believe that Indians should be left out.

“It is a nice idea to have luxury coaches. They will help in leaving a good impression on foreigners and in increasing tourism to India. But I don’t think to have them only for foreigners is fair,” said Rujuta Phadke, a student from Pune.

Phadke, however, said domestic travellers weren’t “sensitive enough to maintain the facilities provided”.

Faisal Siddique, a Delhi based-researcher, felt “it would be good idea if the government would do something for the Indian passengers” as well.

“It is really sad that the government has such little faith in the people of our country. I think we are educated enough to respect luxury coaches. Unfortunately, we do not get enough luxury in our own country, which is the main reason why Indians are now preferring international holidays.”

Tourists can currently enjoy lavish facilities only on board Palace On Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Fairy Queen and The Golden Chariot - all luxury tourist trains run by the Indian Railway Tourism and Catering Corporation (IRCTC).

The railways are keen on tapping ‘luxury’ travel by foreigners by extending better facilities through exclusive coaches. The committee’s proposal also suggests keeping attendants for tourists as well as callbell facilities in toilets to assist elderly and sick passengers.

“All in all, the idea is to make it a more professional experience for the foreign tourist,” the railway official said.

Are we all militants, ask Kashmir’s pre-paid mobile subscribers

A WAVE OF ANGER HAS SWEPT THROUGH JAMmu and Kashmir with the central government deciding to ban pre-paid mobile connections in the state due to security concerns. Most angry are youths.

Even as the Kashmir government has promised to take up the issue with the centre, the ‘walk and talk’ generation in the state is furious that it has been clubbed with terrorists

who misused pre-paid connections. “Are we militants?” Shahid Khan, a student, asked in anger and frustration. “Are millions of pre-paid connection subscribers terrorists?”

The decision to snap this service has resulted in total chaos among subscribers. “It is strange that I should be punished because someone somewhere could be misusing the facility. This is unfortunate and condemnable,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, 23, a college student in Srinagar. There are around 3.8 million pre-paid connections in the state. Most of them are from Airtel (one million), and new companies have come into the state, like Tata Indicom, Idea, Air Cel, Reliance. They have made huge investments, and they too are angry.

“This is a bad move,” an official of a leading mobile service provider told IANS. Most people, especially youth who have to deal with limited pocket money and prefer pre-paid connections, are very angry. “Until now we knew our limitations, how much to talk, if we go in for post-paid connections, that limit would be hard to know,” said Sunita Sharma, a young working woman. What surprises them is that the move comes right after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the state promising more opportunities.

Khurshid Ahmed, 28, a student of Kashmir University, said: “On the one hand the government says we must become information savvy and use the latest technology to keep pace with competitors from other universities and now the same government is pushing us back by at least a decade.”

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, during his visit to Kashmir, had hinted at banning pre-paid connections.

The security concerns are rooted in the fact that the security forces were finding it difficult to trace the militants, who were passing on instructions to their cadres through mobile phones and also changing their SIM cards at will. Invariably, police found a number of SIM cards of various companies with the militants killed or captured during gunbattles.

“Pre-paid mobile connections had multiplied our challenges, and we were facing tough times in tracking the terror-guiding hands because they were having the power of mobile phones in their hands, besides guns,” a senior police official said. But he refused to comment on the home ministry’s blanket ban on the prepaid SIM cards.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has termed the move as “unfortunate” and sought the prime minister’s intervention. “Pre-paid services should be restored,” she said in a statement. The decision has also not gone down well with hundreds of Kashmiris engaged in the business of selling pre-paid cell phone connections.

“We take sufficient documents to establish the identity of the subscriber before issuing the pre-paid SIM card and now since morning I have closed down my shop for fear that frustrated subscribers might manhandle me,” said a cell phone SIM dealer in Srinagar who did not want to be named.

Asked Ramesh Chander, a businessman: “If this is happening to mobile service providers, what sort of a message is being conveyed to industrialists and prospective investors across the country? That Kashmir is a state where terrorism is as high as before the services were launched in the state in 2003?”

Chinese cricketers wait for the start of the fourth One Day International (ODI) between India and Australia at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali on November 2, 2009. China's cricket chiefs are so keen to make a mark in next year's Asian Games at home in Guangzhou that they have sent the women's team to train in India. A 15-member squad is currently learning the nuances of a sport unfamiliar in their country in the northern city of Mohali where they are being hosted by the PCA. (AP Photo)

Aussies in

3

Ricky Ponting watches as MS Dhoni makes an unsuccessful attempt to take a catch

Activists of the nationalist Shiv Sena stage a protest

Yuvraj Singh and Ricky Ponting react to the disturbance caused by spectators during the Mohali ODI

Drinks break has a new avatar

Olympic athlete Cathy Freeman watches as former Australian cricket captain Allan Border gives batting instructions to kids at New Delhi’s Satya Bharti School

The Aussies celebrate as Sachin is run out during the New Delhi ODI

4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2 NOVEMBER (1) 2009 INDIAN LINK

India

Today, for tomorrow

The year is 2050. World population is ten billion. It is unbearably hot. The populace is uneducated, unskilled, un-nurtured, and self the rule of the day. Once industrialised, the world today is untidy, unclean, un-organised. Snow-capped mountains of the past are truly The Mountains Of The Past. Sea levels have risen by metres. Jobs and facilities have ceased to exist. Agriculture is perished for fresh water levels have subsided. Strictly rationed drinking water and food items are now a memory. It hasn’t rained for years. Drinking water and food as wages are now faded past. Skin and blood diseases are rampant as liquid in systems is deficient. A ten year old is now bald and wrinkled, like a sixty year old of the past. There are no physicians as literature and culture are deceased. Walking is the only mode of transportation for world economies have crumbled. Sleeping under the sky is ubiquitous as there are no shelters. Obtaining by hook or by crook to survive is the order of the day. Human flesh as food and blood as water is now a practised necessity. Even roots are considered edible - and promptly attract killing for. Colder regions are a few and are deserted as there are no clothes to wear. There are no birds, wild or domestic animals as there is no water or food for them. The institution of religion, firm and sustained for centuries, is now obsolete. Defunct for ages, Hollywood, Bollywood are not even in people’s memories. Seas are more salt than water, hence the fish are dead. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is negligible, therefore, oxygen levels have diminished.

Scientists had warned that overpopulation had begun to tilt the planet from its axis. But the populace was too busy in selfish idiosyncrasies and ignored warnings.

The future is strictly now: this moment - not the next, and it is too late to remedy it. People are dying of starvation and disease by the millions a day. And those who will somehow survive their own doing, will be left to start it all over again. We humans failed in protecting our planet we beautified ourselves. Self-interest failed us to sacrifice our todays toward preserving our tomorrows.

George Thakur

Lucknow as you never knew it

CHITRA SUDARSHAN is fascinated by an 18th century French settler who made his home in a northern Indian city

Seeds of Empire by Gwayne Naug is a book that will warm the hearts of those who hold Lucknow dear: it is the first book of the Ferenghi Quartet and it recreates the exploits and achievements of Claude Martin (1735-1800), a Frenchman who ended up in the East India Company, made Lucknow his home, and lived and died there. His legacy is writ large everywhere in Lucknow, and several impressive buildings that he designed and built in that city still stand today as a testament to the abilities of this very impressive man.

Martin’s real-life adventures inspired this story. He was born in Lyons, France, into a humble background, and at the age of sixteen, signed up with the French Compagnie des Indes and arrived in India in 1752 to begin his military career. When the French lost the colony of Pondicherry in 1761, he could foresee the end of French hopes in India, so he crossed ranks and accepted service in the Bengal army of the British East India Company. Despite the overtones of treason implicit in that act, it was to prove a sound decision in hindsight: for Martin rose to the rank of Major-General in the British Indian army within 2 years – which led to better and more lucrative posts, and amassed a vast fortune during his lifetime. On his death in September 1800, he left the majority of his estate to charity with a large portion dedicated to the founding of schools at Calcutta, Lucknow and Lyons. There are seven schools named after him: two in Lucknow, two in Calcutta,

and three in Lyons; the La Martiniere Colleges in these cities continue to educate and mould thousands of young people of all races and denominations even today – thanks to Claude Martin’s generosity and foresight. The small village of Martin Purwa in India was also named after him.

Inspired by the real life exploits of Claude Martin, Seeds of Empire is a fictionalised history that covers one of the most exciting periods of European and Indian history. When author Gwayne Naug first gazed upon Claude Martin’s portrait in a school in Lucknow, she knew she wanted to write about him. In the following years she visited Lyons, interviewed several people in Lucknow who told her stories about Martin, and she was able to access documents about him in the Indian government’s archives. The author has used the facts about his life to weave it into a work of fiction and the result is a historical novel filled with intrigues, wars, romance and adventure, too true, strange and marvellous to be fiction alone!

What we have here are several fascinating narratives: the making of the British Empire in the subcontinent, eighteenth century India and the exploits of an unsung hero.

In Europe, a war was raging between the French and the British, and it forms the backdrop for their struggle to control India. The Carnatic wars between the brilliant English strategist Robert Clive and the Frenchman Dupleix are retold here from the perspective of the young Martin as a French Dragoon: the author describes with some authenticity the battle for Pondicherry that ended in the terrible defeat of the French at the hands of the British in India; Martin’s perilous voyage in a crowded ship with other French prisoners of war to Calcutta from Madras; the friendship he strikes

with a British officer on the way, his service in the Bengal army. He later became the Surveyor of Bengal, and demonstrated a great gift for cartography.

In 1776, Martin was allowed to accept the position of Superintendent of Arsenal in the employ of the Nawab of Awadh, Asaf Ud Daula in Lucknow – the city in which he lived until his death. It was mainly during that time that Martin amassed his enormous wealth of 40 lakhs. There the two basically became the architects of Lucknow, and Martin’s hand can be seen in the city’s architecture even today. The Kothi Hayath Baksh that Martin designed is the Raj Bhavan (Governor’s residence) today; the imposing Constantia and Farud Baksh. He was a collector, with an impressive collection of books [some 40,000 volumes] and more than 650 paintings [mostly Mogul painters] of birds. A clever businessman – he started a bank in Lucknow, and became a successful indigo farmer. He remained a strategist and a soldier all his life, but he loved architecture and building and cartography. But these tales must await the next volumes in the quartet.

The author, in this volume, brings the story up unto his initial years in the Bengal Army, his besotted obsession with a Spanish dancer, the purchase of his first property in Chandernagore and his investment in indigo plantations with the gems that a fellow soldier bequeaths him – this is a veritable tour of eighteenth century India. From bloody battles to romantic liaisons, the author’s descriptions evoke India of the era pretty well, and the characters are vividly brought to life. The author is obviously fascinated with her subject and it shows. Anyone interested in British India of that time will find this book fascinating.

When author Gwayne Naug first gazed upon Claude Martin’s portrait in a school in Lucknow, she knew she wanted to write about him

The cup of life

MADHUCHANDA DAS pays homage to the humble chai garam – her passion, devotion and even religion

Iwas shocked to have discovered it last Sunday morning… how could it have happened? It wasn’t there … life needs prioritization and planning…just because it had demurely acquiesced to occupy any corner of my life that I conveniently chose to designate it didn’t imply it couldn’t wreak havoc on my senses and subsistence. I felt stranded, dizzy and helpless… look how incomplete, demotivated, restless and out-of-control I was without it.

No, it wasn’t my invaluable (pun intended) wallet or my glass of favourite “one shot and straight to heaven” drink, as you would’ve logically thought, but something dearer a zillion

“If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you”.

William Gladstone

“The first bowl sleekly moistened throat and lips. The second banished all my loneliness. The third expelled the dullness from my mind, sharpening inspiration gained from all the books I’ve read. The fourth brought forth light perspiration, dispersing a lifetime’s troubles through my pores. The fifth bowl cleansed every atom of my being. The sixth has made me kin to the Immortals. The seventh...I can take no more.

Lu Tung, Chinese Poet

times over and yet equally unacknowledged in my life - my tea. Humble in frame and look, but magical, mesmerizing, mystifying and mammoth in feel and effect. It was absconding because I had committed the gravest of all mistakes that a chai lover and liver (pun intended again) could’ve ever thought of committing. Well, the unpardonable fault of forgetting to replenish stocks of the tonic of life. It was too late - the bolt from the blue had already struck - there I stood profoundly challenged at all planes of existence.

Call it my addiction, my compulsion, my intoxication; for me it’s my passion, my devotion, my religion. It’s been with me

troughs and crests of life - always extending me the support and strength of a guru to his eternally harried shishya. It’s helped me to think, imagine, plan, express, manipulate, decide and soak in divine pleasure. Its endless pyaalis goaded me to laugh in gay abandon during those days of fun, friendship and canteen addas which I thought would last forever. It was privy to all the now-seemingly-silly milestones in my life like my coy and pink blush on that first date when I was floating on cloud nine and the day I wept consolably when that same cloud crash landed and reality hit me real hard. It helped me rise from the ashes thereafter and garner inspiration from the timeless phrase aur bhi gham hai zamaaney mein mohabbat key siva. It motivated me, inspired me, cajoled me, moved me, shook me, challenged me, aroused me - but alas, it never was able to impress me about its indispensability.

It helped me to concentrate during that frantic, last minute midnight frenzy the day before the exam and also provided me with the strength to keep my eyes open during the actual grind. It advised me to think like the Buddha when I felt forsaken, and shared my exultation when I felt triumphant like Ashoka. Whether it was that promotion party or the engagement bash, the exuberance at the first anniversary celebration or the calm retrospection on the 10th, it has been always by my side through life’s undulating landscape. But in spite of it all - it was just another taken-for-granted cup of tea.

However, last Sunday, the equation changed in a whiff. It was revenge time. As I staggered to the supermarket in search of the nectar of

“Pour me a little more tea, would you dear? I can drink it till it comes out of my ears.”

Garek, Star Trek, Deep Space 9

“Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.”

William Gladstone

“My dear, if you could give me a cup of tea to clear my muddle of a head I should better understand your affairs.”

Charles Dickens

life, I didn’t presume that tea dear tea was in the revenge exacting mood and mode. Here you go - my brand of tea was unavailable and would be so for the next couple of weeks till fresh stocks arrived, I was told. Life was mean, cruel and definitely not worth living on an early Sunday morning, I thought. I could almost feel my chai ki pyaali smirking at me from the heavens above. I was shattered, and haggardly paced up and down the supermarket aisle. I could have had tea at the nearest café but I was never used to sipping my first morning tea bound by the rules of worldly formality. I had always sipped it loud and long, soaking in the sublime sea of tea nirvana, always in the snug comfort of my sofa with my legs up. That’s how my tea tasted best and provided me with the solace and inspiration as also energized me to think clear and take on the harsh world.

But now distraught, distressed and dejected, I decided to settle for the brand of light, organic herbal substitute that sneered at me from the shelf-another hard-to-gulp challenge for me the kadak chai types. I managed to rush back home with my remaining stamina and the unimpressive substitute. The water took ages to boil this time and tore my patience to shreds - beating even my 9-year-old who I’d assumed had the world record at that. I closely studied and smelt the new variety and kept reassuring myself that life, after all, was also about new experiments with newer truths. I finally sipped with utter indifference and disdain. Lo and behold - I felt my senses being revived, my brain being re-awakened and the bouts of energy rushing into all the corners of my body - and as I was able to think straight. My cup of foster tea gently hammered the grand realisation into my grey cells - black or red, herbal or kadak, don’t you forget - it isn’t just about a cup of tea my friend, but the cup of life…

It advised me to think like the Buddha when I felt forsaken, and shared my exultation when I felt triumphant like Ashoka. Whether it was that promotion party or the engagement bash, the exuberance at the first anniversary celebration or the calm retrospection on the 10th, it has been always by my side through life’s undulating landscape

“[I am] a hardened and shameless tea drinker, who for twenty years diluted his meals with only the infusion of the fascinating plant; who with tea amused the evening, with tea solaced the midnight, and with tea welcomed the morning”.

Samuel Johnson

Health issues to consider during the holidays

PRIYA DHINGRA suggests tips and remedies for a safe and relaxing getaway

At this time of year many of you are preparing for that long awaited holiday overseas…. It could be an exciting trip to a new place that we have planned out carefully and eagerly anticipated. A long deserved holiday finally giving us a chance to unwind and relax, perhaps experience a new place and culture… For most readers who have migrated to Australia it could well be a longed for reunion after many months or years with dearly loved family and friends; A safe, familiar, home environment that we have yearned for and missed.

Most of us have a wonderful time once we get there but many can also relate to the little niggling issues that can accompany the trip. There are many issues that you may deal with as you plan a break.

Here are the things I come across frequently as a health practitioner.

Fear of flying

A surprising number of people dislike planes/ flying. It can be due to feeling claustrophobic on a plane, that is a dislike/ fear of enclosed places. This can vary from a mild anxiety reaction to panic attack of feeling terrified.

Sometimes there is a known experience that has triggered the fear, but more often it is for no reason at all. Mild cases can be helped a great deal using rescue remedy or

emergency essence. These are Bach flower and Australian Bushflower remedies and are very helpful. I have prescribed these to countless people for a number of reasons. In more severe cases a specifically chosen Homeopathic remedy or Australian Bushflower combination is the best to deal with the fear and underlying causes that may be contributing.

Travel Sickness

There are many effective Homeopathic remedies available to combat travel sickness, so don’t suffer. They are ideal for children, who may not be able to use allopathic travel sickness medicine. Talk with your Homeopath who will provide you with an appropriate remedy.

Jet lag

To help you get trough jet lag Australian Bushflower remedies offer a combination that helps to deal with hydration, to negate affects of electromagnetic radiation experienced in a plane - at a height of 39,000 ft the radiation level is estimated to be 64 times that at sea level. These also help to adjust to change in time zones. As one who makes regular trips to London, I - and many clients - have tried using these. Most would not travel without them now as they are remarkably effective in adjusting to the new time zone. That is invaluable as you can quickly get on with enjoying your holiday.

As they are made from Australian Bushflowers essences, there is no risk of side effects and they are completely safe.

Stomach upsets

Travelling to new soils also means different gut bacteria to deal with, thanks to uncertain food preparation hygiene. Whilst on holiday most of us eat a larger quantity of food, and that too richer foods. It is a good idea to carry remedies to deal with those stomach upsets such as Heartburn, Indigestion, Nausea, Diarrhea, vomiting.

Homeopathic remedies can be used as a preventative if you know are prone to a delicate stomach or are feeling unsure of the venue you ate at.

there could be grief and/or sadness to deal with. For others, the anxiety and stress could relate to family relationships, in-laws or friends and seeing those people can bring up buried emotions, as unresolved, sadness, anger and bitterness. Everyone has their own issues to dealwith but help is available using Homeopathy and flower remedies to help you ride the wave more smoothly. As a result, in this preparation time, sleep can be affected and tempers can fly, leaving us feeling anxious or stressed out. There are absolutely fabulous and effective Homeopathic/flower remedies available to help you if it is all too much. If you have been visiting family/ friends, leaving can be very emotional, even traumatic. It may involve ill health of a relative, uncertainty of when the next meeting time may be and many other personal issues.

Anxiety, stress

These are probably the biggest ones to deal with. The anxiety can be just related to getting ready in time and remembering all those things to pack and making sure all is ok to leave safely. Despite our planning and organisational skills, things do not always go according to plan. There can be unexpected events and organisational issues (remember we are human after all), in the lead up to departure time.

For some it is the first time they are visiting after losing a relative or friend so

It is not uncommon to feel very lonely and isolated when you return home. You may even find yourself questioning your life. It can be easy to ‘crash’ at these times. Please don’t sink … GET HELP.

The great thing is that help is at hand for all these types of issues using Homeopathic and Australian Bushflower remedies which are free from side effects, don’t make you feel groggy and are completely safe.

NOTE: (Australian Bushflower remedies are similar to Homeopathic ones.)

Choose a Homeopath who is approved by the Australian Register of Homeopaths (AROH), to get a rebate from your private health fund.

Melbourne Arts Centre on Saturday 5th December at 6.30pm.

s the Australian summer rolls around, it is important to take care of our skin. The face is the part of the body that is the most exposed to the elements at any given time and it needs some TLC to keep the skin firm and supple and in good condition.

A facial is a cosmetic treatment of the face, commonly involving a variety of skin treatments, such as steam, exfoliation and extraction. While stereotyped as a woman’s domain, more and more men are finding the benefits of facials in maintaining a fresh face which begets a healthy mind and body.

Facials can be a delicious pampering session at salons involving creams, lotions, masks, peels, and massages. But clear, healthy, lustrous skin requires a few minutes of care everyday. A skincare routine should ideally start in the pre-teen years and be followed regularly for the best results. Also, a healthy balanced diet and an efficient digest-absorb-assimilate cycle inside your body are crucial for vital, healthy skin.

According to Ayurveda, the first requirement for healing oneself and others is a clear understanding of the three doshas. Inside the body, there are three doshas which govern its chemical and physiological activities. These three doshas are Vata (from ether and air), Pitta (from fire and an aspect of water), and Kapha (from water and earth).

Three simple twice-a-day steps

Ten minutes is all it takes each morning and evening to care for facial skin.

Cleansing

Cleansing is the process of removing surface grime, makeup and impurities; it stimulates your skin and prepares it for nourishment. Cleanse your face and neck each morning and night. Choose a nonsoap cleanser appropriate for your skin type. If you have dry Vata skin (space or air predominant skin), choose a rich, nourishing cleanser that won’t strip the natural oils from the skin, with ingredients like oatmeal, almond meal and cream. If you have sensitive

fire predominant skin, choose a gentle herbal cleanser that will purify without irritating the skin.

Sandalwood in fine oatmeal with a little cooling milk and rose water makes a gentle Pitta-pacifying cleanser. For oily earth or water predominant skin, a stimulating product that contains oil-balancing herbs such as lavender, lemon, neem and tulsi helps cleanse and clarify.

Prepare your cleanser if you are starting with a dry mix. Then splash your face with lukewarm water to open the pores. Never use hot water on your skin; it will cause your skin to literally wilt. Using your fingertips or a soft washcloth, gently apply the cleanser to your face and neck in smooth upward strokes. The skin surface should get stimulated without being pulled or stretched. Rinse off with warm water, and finish with a final splash of cool water. If you wear make-up, two cleansings of the face at night may be appropriate to make sure all of it is cleansed off.

Toning

Toning removes any lingering impurities or greasy residue and helps balance the pH of the skin. It closes the pores and stimulates circulation, helping to prepare the skin to absorb nutrition from the moisturiser that follows. Choose a

toner appropriate for your skin type, and look for toners without alcohol, colours or artificial fragrance. Rose, sandalwood and cucumber based toners are good choices. If your toner is a spritzer, close your eyes and gently mist on face and neck. Dab any excess gently with a ball of cotton. Alternatively, apply the toner to the face and neck with a ball of cotton, using smooth, gentle upward strokes.

Moisturising

Ayurvedic Facials A

All skin types need moisturising. Moisturisers seal in surface moisture and help keep skin soft and supple. If enriched with skinfriendly herbs and essential oils, moisturisers also nourish the skin

Facials can be a delicious pampering session at salons involving creams, lotions, masks, peels, and massages. But clear, healthy, lustrous skin requires a few minutes of care everyday

and enhance skin immunity. Natural ayurvedic moisturisers contain herbal extracts and essential oils in an oil base-richer oils for dry skin and light oils for oily skin. Gotu kola, shatavari, turmeric, sandalwood, brahmi, amalaki, tulsi and neem are examples of nourishing, ojasbuilding herbs that are considered skin rasayanas in ayurveda. Immediately after removing the toner and while your skin is still slightly damp, apply the moisturiser. Gently massage the moisturiser into your skin with smooth upward strokes.

Additional care, once or twice a week

Exfoliation once a week for Kapha skin, and once every other week for Vata and Pitta skin, adds that extra glow.

Facial Mask

All types of skin benefit from periodic deep-down exfoliating treatment; if you have really oily skin, you may want to exfoliate at least once a week. At its most basic, a facial mask is a little oatmeal or chickpea flour mixed with water and a touch of honey. You can add almond meal, rosewater and a couple of drops of wheat germ oil for dry skin, almond meal and pure aloe vera juice for sensitive skin and Bentonite clay, lemon peel and tulsi or neem powder for oily skin. You can also enrich the mask with pure essential oils suitable for your skin type. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, embedded dirt and toxins, and stimulates the skin, making it receptive to the nutrient-rich facial moisturiser that should follow. Wash your face with lukewarm water. Apply the mask with smooth upward strokes with your fingertips or a ball of cotton. Wait a few minutes in a relaxed position while the mask dries. Rinse off with plenty of warm water and follow with a moisturiser appropriate for your skin type.

SHAFEEN MUSTAQ provides advice on skin care based on dosha types

Tarot ‘n’ You Tarot ‘n’ You

Tarot predictions for November 2009

ARIES March 21 – April 20

Now is the time for making long-term plans. Assessing goalsboth personal as well as professional - and gearing up to attain the same in times to come, is suggested for you this month. Tarot advises, make good use of the present opportunities, and seek fulfilment of those you had left unfulfilled earlier. Beware though, you need to avoid confrontations. The challenge is to remain connected to all the things in life even when the going gets tough.

TAURUS April 21 – May 21

You are likely to come across a person who is virtuous and honest. This month seems to be linked with domestic happiness and strong relationships. Use this time to study the depth of things to develop an inner understanding. Tarot advises you to adopt a mature approach in life and proceed after thinking and rationalising. You can achieve success in creative disciplines. In a relationship reading, Tarot indicates an offer for friendship or a deeper level of commitment in a relationship.

GEMINI May 22 – June 23

This month the focus is on self-confidence and perfect planning, leading to success and happiness. You may have been self-reliant in your project while working hard with your inner strength and putting in the best efforts. The success achieved by you is likely to make you feel happy and secure. Tarot predicts that financial rewards are around the corner, and further, that you are likely to achieve this success comfortably. Business decisions emerging from negotiations are likely to be fruitful.

CANCER June 23 – July 22

Tarot signifies the need to be observant and subtle in approach in whatever you do. You may get help from a person of insight. Tarot signifies journey by air as also much awaited news, be it about a plan or an idea. You may easily give in to inspiration but you need to check often on the practicality of your plans. In your relationship, there are more chances of indulgence in dreaming than any practical efforts to make the dreams a reality.

LEO July 23 – August 23

This is a time of reflection. Your life right now, is stable and secure. You are able to rethink on your priorities, like further study, a holiday or even another line of work. The decisions made by you now would exert a marked impact on your future, so plan carefully! Hard work and perseverance will bring you success. There could be some encouraging news and assistance. Favours done in the past will be returned. Your journey to success, however, is a steady rather than a speedy one.

VIRGO August 24 – September 22

There is a focus on the realisation of what you desire and your inner strength to achieve the same. Domestic changes are likely to take place. You may find yourself thinking about moving on in life towards a new setting. You experience a desire to explore more opportunities for fulfilment. This could be a search for deeper commitment within your present relationship. It could also mean spending time in meditation or in a study. Make the most of it!

LIBRA September 23 – October 23

Tarot sees a confident approach to life in general. You are required to be adaptable. Gains and victory are on the cards. Past efforts bring rewards. Legal matters would be resolved favourably. You may receive public acknowledgment for your work. In a relationship reading, Tarot sees that both you and your partner have similar goals in the relationship and are likely to achieve these goals. A new stage of commitment may be seen in the relationship

SCORPIO October 24 – November 22

You have given up old beliefs and attitudes and have adopted a newer understanding of life and are now able to work towards your ultimate fulfilment. All you need to do is, be true to yourself and the attainment of your goal. You are likely to cultivate new relationships as great spiritual growth and learning is involved in them. The changes observed are from within, rather than on the physical level. All the best to the new you.

SAGITTARIUS November 23 – December 21

The card for you signifies the end of a challenging situation. Tarot suggests the onset of a long awaited change. You need to bear in mind that each experience we have in life is meant to give us a message, which eventually aids us in our evolution. You need to focus on the lesson in the situation you have been in, learn from it and put your best foot forward. You are likely to come out more positive and capable.

CAPRICORN December 22 – January 19

You may feel restricted as it is possible that you are unable to see anything with a clear perspective. You seem to have submitted your personal power to the challenges posed in front of you, leaving you feeling trapped in a specific situation. You are undergoing a mental conflict due to an inner crisis and therefore you are under stress. Do not loose hope as issues and situations will get sorted out in due course. Hang in there.

AQUARIUS January 20 – February 18

Congratulations to you. This is a time when material stability and security are seen. It represents completion of a project. If thinking about your career, Tarot indicates advancement and promotion. There is a focus on congenial family relations. Financial security is predicted for you as well. You may be in a position to help out a member of your family who is going through a difficult financial time. Travel and movement are on the cards.

PISCES February 19 – March 20

Ongoing strength and courage will be needed in order to do what you believe in. In business terms, Tarot foretells the possibilities of entering overseas deals. The physical energy and effort that you put into achieving your heart’s desire will be worth it. The card drawn for you represents valour, discussion, difficult negotiations and competition in business. You should not only concentrate on external challenges but also on those from within. In your relationship, expect challenge as the level of commitment deepens.

For Sale

Salman Khan fans queue up for a glimpse

Never mind the long wait. From elderly matrons to giggling girls - hordes of fans queued up outside the capital’s Delite Cinema for a glimpse of Salman Khan who turned up only three hours late to open the advance bookings for his film London Dreams.

Clad in a ‘Being Human’ white shirt and tattered blue jeans, the 43-year-old actor arrived with director-producer Vipul Shah in a black Audi SUV. His arrival brought the traffic at the Asaf Ali Road to a grinding halt.

“I am sorry for being late. I could not get up early,” apologised Salman.

“I have sold tickets for this one (film) and I’ll usher the audiences for my next film,” he added.

Salman’s presence helped the sales of the tickets for the film. “The two-screen theatre sold close to 500 tickets, courtesy the hype created by the actor. Also starring in the film is Ajay Devgan. The film is about “deep friendship more than any love triangle or music”, said Salman.

Sister act

Shilpa Shetty may have got engaged to London-based beau Raj Kundra after a two-year courtship but she is determined to wait for sis Shamita before she announces the big day.

“It’s been a time of both joy and sorrow for me. The joy is obvious because Raj and I feel happy to take our relationship to the next level, but as most of you know my sister Shamita could not attend. She doesn’t even know”, lamented the bride-to-be.

Shamita, who is currently participating in Colors’ reality show Bigg Boss 3, is locked in a house with 10 more inmates and has no connection with the world outside.

“It will be a big shock for her when I show her the ring. She’ll kill me, I’m sure”, confessed the former Big Brother contestant.

Shilpa who is very close to sis, is determined to have Shamita by her side as she goes public with her big step.

“I wanted to have Shamita there during this special moment, but I had to be considerate towards Raj’s family too. So for all those who wanted to know why I went ahead without Shamita, it was a difficult decision but this is the answer”, she explained.

So far Shilpa has not commented on her sister’s stay in Bigg Boss house. But now she says that she is proud of Shamita.

“I’ve never commented on what I

think of her in there, but just want to say she’s been the pampered baby in our house. It made our whole family so proud to see her have no airs and do all the chores with no qualms. She’s never cooked in her life and I saw her make rotis. I felt terrible watching her cry on TV, but I am amazed to see her growth on the show. This will definitely make her a stronger person. So proud of the way she’s conducting herself with so much dignity.”

“I knew they would order me to give up movies. Luckily, because my helmet covered my face through most of the mo’bike racing scenes, I tricked them into believing it was a body-double”, confesses the Main Hoon Na star. But the

me to be alive to complete the film,” he said.

Ever since Sanjay’s near-fatal fire accident in 1989 in Mysore during the shooting of the serial The Sword Of Tipu Sultan, Sanjay and Zarine are paranoid

GUESS WHO GUESS WHO

The girl on the right went on to become a star. Can you identify her?

(Find the answer under Caption Contest)

SHILPA & SHAMITA SHETTY

VIRAL BHAYANI

and

ABHILASHA

SENGUPTA bring us up-to-date on what’s hot and happening in Bollywood

about shooting mishaps. Sanjay suffered extensive burns and almost lost his life.

become a movie actor, their first and only pre-condition was no dangerous stunts. Zayed now hopes his parents accept the truth. “If you are an actor, you gotta do it all. One can be wounded even while standing under a roof. Jo hona hoga woh hoga (whatever has to happen, will happen),” he said.

The best birthday ever

Asin Thottumkal, whose back-to-back promotional campaigns for London Dreams left her exhausted, ushered in her 24th birthday quietly with a few friends and family members. And she savoured every minute of it.

A quiet dinner with eight of her closest friends was her best present ever.

“We had a ball. At midnight they

From earning a meager Rs 30 a day, Gupte has now jumped onto production bandwagon as well. “With your wits in place, you can get it through. And money is no problem, when a film brings in Rs.140 crore (Taare Zameen Par), then every second person (considers you) because of an unfortunate herd mentality,” said Gupte, who is also a painter and musician.

“I now have 17 locked scripts with me. I have written and completed them all. Some of them are Happy Diwali, Underbelly and Stanley Ka , which is my next,” Gupte said. But Sapno Ko Ginte Ginte his next? Sapno Ko... is yet to be locked. I think that will take a backseat as of now. The film is about the large economic disparity among children and I want it to be told. It should transcend barriers; therefore I want to start shooting it once everything is in place,” added the scriptwriter-director-actor.

Stanley Ka Dabba is already on floors and he has started directing it. Gupte is planning to release it next year “when children could watch it during summer holidays”.

Just like Taare Zameen Par that was initially directed by Gupte before Aamir Khan took over, both Stanley Ka Dabba and Sapno Ko... are also children-oriented films.

Sanjay Dutt on Ketosis diet to look young in Knock Out

Sanjay Dutt has been shooting with the much younger Kangana Ranaut Knock Out and if they look compatible in spite of the latter being half his age, it’s all because of a special ketosis diet - a high-fat, lowcarbohydrate food.

acclaimed directorial debut Luck By Chance. But for her second film Zoya Akhtar has specially written a part for brother Farhan.

“It’s a road movie set in Spain about three boys and one of the three characters is definitely Farhan. I knew I wanted him. I was very clear that I wanted to work with him again,” said Zoya.

Daughter of well-known lyricist Javed Akhtar, Zoya informed that her writer filmmaker-actor brother will not only act in the film, but also pen the dialogues for it.

“I am writing this film with Reema Kagti. I’m wrapping up the script but it is not locked yet. Then probably I’ll sit with Farhan for the dialogues and the casting,” she said.

Throwing light on the film, she said: “It’s a coming-of-age genre. But it’ll be simpler than Luck By Chance and simpler to understand. A feelgood factor will be there in that sense,” said Zoya.

Abhay Deol dons producer’s hat

As an actor he loves to experiment and as he turns producer with Basra, Abhay Deol promises to be high on content. The film is said to be an action thriller that will not only keep audiences on the edge of their seats but also make them think.

Abhay has roped in Navdeep Singh of Manorama Six Feet Under to helm the project that will feature him along with Shahana Goswami and another girl whose name has been kept under wraps. Basra is high on content, but a good dose

of action sequences will make it edgy and pretty dark as, he reveals.

The 32-year-old was launched by his uncle Dharmendra with Socha Na Tha in 2005. He then went on to prove his mettle with films like Ahista Ahista, Manorama Six Feet Under, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd and more recently Dev D

So does he plan to sign his cousins Sunny and Bobby Deol for his home productions?

“I would love to sign them for my films but it also depends on whether the role is right for them.” So, definitely not for the moment. Right now the actor is excited about his upcoming film Road with Dev Benegal and his romantic film Ayesha with Sonam Kapoor.

CAPTION CONTEST CAPTION CONTEST

What message is Jayaprada sending out as she walks the ramp at the Wills India Fashion Week?

made me cut a cake. I felt 12 years old again,” gushed the Ghajini star. Earlier in the evening Asin arrived home to a big surprise.

“When I opened the door the entire house was done up with balloons by my parents, just like they used to do for my birthdays when I was a child. I had to burst quite a few balloons because there was no room to even walk. I’ve never felt happier,” she said.

The actress who shed weight for her role in London Dreams gorged non stop on chocolate and cake.

The bubbly girl from the south also spent quality time with kids in her apartment block. Asin didi, as she is known is indeed a lucky girl.

Master of many projects

Just when you thought he was working on the script of his directorial venture Sapno Ko Ginte Ginte, the multifaceted Amol Gupte reveals he has a bank of 17 scripts ready with him and that his next movie is Stanley Ka Dabba

“Sanjay went on this special diet in June. It required him to take lots and lots of fattie food and no carbohydrates at all. In fact carbs would’ve been potentially lethal for this diet. In no time Sanjay started losing weight. And that too without having to give up his favourite food,” a source close to Sanjay revealed.

The 50-year-old, who is looking trimmer, plays an assassin out to get his victim with a sniper rifle in Mani Shankar’s Knock Out

Zoya Akhtar’s next a road movie, brother Farhan to play lead

He was her last resort for her critically-

SANJAY DUTT

Send in your responses to info@indianlink.com.au and win a surprise prize

Last issue Caption Contest winning entry

What are Asha Parekh and Waheeda Rahman saying to each other?

Asha: Omigosh, look at the blouses the young girls are wearing… Waheeda: Cool it, Asha; they’re probably saying the same about us… Pragya Parth, Strathfield

Pragya wins two tickets to a new Hindi film

ABHAY

AMOL GUPTE

ASIN THOTTUMKAL

Answer for GUESS WHO: Sonam Kapoor. The others with her are Siddhant (Shakti Kapoor’s son) and Kunal Rawal (who went on to become a successful fashion designer).

Sleeping with the enemy

APARNA JACOB

on her friendship with a person from ‘the other side’

hen I was at UNSW, a new guy showed up in my class during the second semester. He was fair skinned, had curly brown hair and very Persian features. Being a self-proclaimed loner and generally an unhelpful person, I decided to ignore him.

I found him the next day standing in the biscuit aisle at Woollies. It was too late to hide, so I introduced myself and we exchanged phone numbers. He was Pakistani and I was Indian.

Let’s be friends, he said. Imagine what a political statement that would be

I don’t have friends, I said because I had a reputation to maintain.

Okay, enemies then, he said smiling and holding his hand out.

We had a lot in common, we discovered in the first week. We both secretly played Bollywood music on our laptops; we had read the same books; we loved the same food, and when we got homesick, sneaked off to Fox Studios to watch a Bollywood film with Shah Rukh Khan in it.

You do know Bollywood is Indian and not Pakistani, I once commented, aware that I was starting something.

Okay, you can keep your Shah Rukh Khan, you know, he said. We have Salman Rushdie. He’s Pakistani.

What do you mean? He’s Indian, grew up in Bombay.

SEEKING BRIDES

Australian citizen, Maratian Naidu Catholic, 6ft tall 31 years, born 22-05-78, never married, kind and loving nature. Seeking girl with good moral values, family oriented, kind, caring, honest and educated. Please contact # 0415 440 293.

Alliance invited for Australian citizen, 36 years, 5’10”, divorcee, Hindu male, from well established Sydney-based family. Working as Analyst in Sydney. Seeking good looking and qualified match from Australia or India, preferably Hindu with family values. Caste no bar. E-mail: madhurmilan@y7mail.com

Indian born Australian citizen, 31 years old, 5’5” working as a full time Government employer for the Railcorp in N.S.W non-smoker, non-drinker, never married, seeks bride 23 to 30 years old, with good cultural and family values. Only Muslims please, from any country. Please respond with details and photo to shafi_baig1977@yahoo.com.au

Well-settled Sikh family from Australia seeks beautiful, tall, slim, fair, educated match for their handsome, clean shaven, IT professional son; 29/6’2’’. Caste no bar. Send bio-data and photo to wahroongah@gmail.com

Sister seeks a suitable bride for her handsome Hindu Khatri brother, 28, 6’1” working as Service Manager, Sydney, and studying Masters of Accounting. Please respond with details and photo at

No, he didn’t.

Yes, he did...

No, he didn’t.

Do your research. He’s Indian.

Score India.

And another time he said, You say “really” like a real Indian. Reeaaally?

I am Indian, what’s your point? I said getting angry.

Just saying...

Score Pakistan.

But, he gave me God of Small Things when I told him I’d read it five times but had never owned a copy. Arundhati Roy’s Indian, I said immediately.

I know, he said. You’re always copying her style

At least I’m a better writer than you, I shot back.

People who haven’t read Dostoevsky, cannot claim to be good writers.

We always spoke, argued and fought in English, but sometimes I felt this intense itch to say something nice in Hindi.

Isn’t that strange, I once wondered aloud, that some emotions can only be expressed in a certain language?

If you’re talking about higher emotions, you are better off speaking in Urdu. It’s so much more refined than Hindi. This Bambia Hindi you speak is garbage.

Yes, it was a very tiresome relationship. But it was also fascinating. I wondered what my father would think of my Pakistani boyfriend. My father with his pictures of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi on his office wall, next to the Indian flag and the photo of himself in the Indian navy uniform. My father who slept

Matrimonials

rashi.sethi@hotmail.com or call 0433 059 618.

Seeking very slim, educated match for a very handsome, slim Jat Sikh boy, 28, 5’ 9” innocent divorcee, IT professional. Australian citizen. Please respond with details and photo to mrhs09@yahoo.com

Australian citizen, 36 years old, employed full time, 170cm, non smoker, non drinker, never married, from Baha’i faith, seeks female of Indian background for marriage. Please reply to mills_35@yahoo.com.au

Caring, sincere, slim, youthful looking, male divorcee, Hindu, Indiaborn, 50-year-old Australian citizen, in professional government job, seeks a suitable match. Caste and religion no bar. Looking for caring lady with family values. Call 0416 099 177. Only genuine enquiries please.

SEEKING GROOMS

Seeking professionally qualified and well settled Sikh boy with strong cultural values and good family background, for slim and good-looking Arora Sikh girl, NZ citizen, 24 / 5’4” B. Business, (pursuing CPA), working in Auckland as financial analyst. Family well settled in Auckland, Sydney. Please

send details including recent photos to pkathuria@optusnet.com.au

Seeking alliance for 44-year-old, simple, caring, never married, hardworking Christian orphan lady. She works for a convent school in India and enjoys the simplicities of life. She possesses good family values. Please contact (02) 9832-2056 or email dollysigler@gmail.com

Professional qualified match for 38/165, never married, fair, slim, Punjabi Arora engineer, Aus citizen, doing Govt job. Early marriage. Can relocate. Parents well-settled in India. Educated family. Caste no bar. Respond with photo. Contact mr15840@yahoo.co.in

Sister and brother-in-law seek a suitable groom for a lovely 24-year-old, Fijiborn Hindu girl, independent, fair, lovely girl, Australian citizen, professionally qualified currently working in a Australian company. Family well settled in Australia. Seeking a qualified match from suitable 25-29-year-old boys with strong family and cultural values, and good family background. Please email bio data and recent photographs to arieso@rediffmail. com

Avery warm, simple hearted, caring, extremely hardworking, attractive, never married, 40-year-old Christian,

uneasily the night before the Indian cricket team played Pakistan. Who nearly had a stroke if they lost.

It was mostly this perverse delight on both sides that kept us together.

He once sniggered at a text message he received from his brother about us. What did he say? I demanded. You don’t want to know, he said. Of course, I checked his phone when he was away and found this text message, “Shabaash beta! Give it to India. Go Pakistan!”

Another time, a walk in Hyde Park ended in a teary argument when he threatened to hurl my bag into the pond in front of the war memorial unless I shouted, “Hindustan Murdabaad, Pakistan Zindabaad!”

I’d never thought about being a patriot before. My father’s excessive flag saluting and making us watch the Republic Day parade when growing up, pretty much beat that out of me. But this was not something I was going to say. My bag ended in the water.

But there were good moments too. Times when we’d take trains across Sydney all the way to Enmore to eat salaan and roti at a tiny Pakistani joint, the countless times we sang Chal chaiyya chaiyya and the hours spent listening to Nazia Hassan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Each day, we found something else we loved and shared, things most Indians and Pakistanis would have in common. We felt like siblings, cousins, at least neighbours.

We often sat on the rocks at Coogee beach thinking how sad it was that we had to come half way across the world, to Australia, to discover this.

seeks groom. Working for a MNC in India. She is very family-oriented with good moral values. She’s a blessing. Please contact 0425 253 501 or email angelina2003@gmail.com

Sydney-based Hindu girl (never married, 36, 160 cm), occasionally non-veg, speaks Hindi, Fiji-born, plans to settle in Australia , completing PhD (mid 2010). Seeking a qualified professional for marriage (35-41, 165+). Caste no bar. Please send details/recent photos to youdee02@yahoo.com

Seeking professionally qualified and well settled match for 34/165cm, slim, fair, beautiful, Australian citizen girl, engineer by profession, working as Project Manager in IT in Melbourne. Girl innocently divorced after brief marriage, no issues. Please respond with complete details to sanjuus@rediffmail.com or 0414 901 508.

Alliance invited for a Sikh girl, (dob June 74/ 5’2”), working in Delhi. Seeking educated Sikh/Punjabi boy. Call brother on 0432 020 068 or email matriprofile08@gmail.com

Punjabi Arora parents invite wellsettled/ professional match for never married fair slim beautiful 36/ 165 Information Technology professional. Working in MNC. Australian citizen. Status family. Caste no bar. Early marriage. Respond with photo. Em: sydgirl09@gmail.com

Each day, we found something else we loved and shared, things most Indians and Pakistanis would have in common

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