The year that was

By PREETI JABBAL

The end of 2009 also marks the end of the first decade of the millennium, making it even more important to take stock and review accomplishments. Let’s take a look back at what captivated our imagination and fuelled our passions in 2009.

The 9th year of the 3rd millennium was designated as the International Year of Astronomy and International Year of Natural Fibres. (Don’t fret! Even I didn’t know about the latter) The global financial crisis created a lot of havoc, while the swine flu outbreak created much panic.

Politics was as usual with the exception of AfricanAmerican Barak Obama making history by being elected into the American Presidency.

Venkatraman “Venki”

Ramakrishnan a structural biologist of Indian origin won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome”. David Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, filmed in the slums of Mumbai, carried away 8 Academy Awards .The phenomenon called Michael Jackson came to an untimely end when the worldfamous musician died under suspicious circumstances at the age of 50.

Closer to home Victoria had the worst bushfire in the nation’s recorded history a perceived poor response by the police sparked protests in Australia Angst gave rise to creativity and the Indian and local media were dominated with the students’ issue for a few months.

Melbourne had its fair share of celebrity hopefuls, Olympian highs and market meltdowns. Through millions of searches and thousands of stories each day, people sought to make sense of the world around them. A dozen Indian publications (with one more happening as I write) vied for attention with gossip, gloss and grammatical errors. Thousands more hopefuls arrived from India seeking education, employment, and immigration not necessarily in that order.

Out of the smoke and flames of Kinglake fire came the inspiring story of Charnamat Singh who lost his property and farm, but not his spirit. Dancer teacher and choreographer Tara Rajkumar was felicitated with an honour of Australian medal, OAM. Melbourne’s community mourned the loss of Dr Martand Joshi, renowned community leader and honorary Consul General of Melbourne. AISV and FIAV made history of their own by joining forces to celebrate India’s Independence Day. Dignitaries who visited Melbourne from India included India’s Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mr. MS Gill and Indian External Affairs Minister, Shri S.M.Krishna. India moved high on the agenda for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Victorian Premiere John Brumby. All of them visited India to assure Indians that Australia was a safe place to live and study. While continuing upholding cultural

Diwali was celebrated on a large scale in the West, Moonee Ponds, Ballarat, Federation Square and Sandwon racecourse. Punjabis dominated the art scene with performances from Harbhajan Mann, Jagjit Singh, Babbu Mann, Hans Raj Hans, R&B and Daler Mehndi.

In sports golfer Tiger Woods predictably won the JB Were masters and Melbourne’s 77 years old Flying Sikh Harbhajan Singh Aulakh won 10 medals at the World Masters. IPL and AFL got their quota of adulation from sports buffs and tennis once again proved popular with duo Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza taking the mixed doubles grand slam title at the Australian Open 09.

On the personal front my son made me proud as punch with a rocking performance at the school concert, while my other half endeared himself by bringing me a suitcase full of clothes from India and wonder of wonder, they all fitted perfectly. Friends and family kept me in their hearts and on my toes.

Time has raced past this year and life seems to get busier and busier especially when it comes to balancing between family and work.

As a sufferer of superwoman syndrome, juggling madly between things I often get asked, “How do you do it”? The answer lies not in ‘how’ I do it but ‘why’ I do it. Wouldn’t you, if you got to help a domestic violence victim, give voice to several community issues, have drinks with the Premiere of Victoria, attend a red carpet premiere of a newly released blockbuster and get an opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama…… all in one month? As a journalist, it’s a delight to be living vicariously amidst a lot of things.

With Christmas around the corner our Christmas tree has come out of its designated storage area to sparkle and shine once again; my son’s letter to Santa with requests for Chrissy presents will keep several elves employed for a fortnight. (It is currently running into 51/2 pages.) Christmas parties are increasing my happiness, joy and waistline. Everywhere I look, people seem to be worshipping daily at the shrines of the modern trinity: shopping, eating and drinking. Following that tradition let me raise a toast to another great year, Cheers!