2010-03 Sydney (1)

INDIANLINK

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Usha Arvind

Sheryl Dixit

MELBOURNE

Preeti Jabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

Malli Iyer, Preeti Kannan, Shraddha Arjun, Shivangi Ambani-Gandhi, Sudha Natarajan, Shafeen Mustaq, Kudrat Singh, Chitra Sudarshan, Noel G deSouza, Geeta Khurana, Farzana Shakir, Tom King, Rani Jhala, Sunil Gautam

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Vivek Trivedi

02 9262 1766

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Priti Sharma

02 9279 2004

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Darren Monaghan

Indian Link is a fortnightly newspaper published in English. No material, including advertisements designed by Indian Link, maybe reproduced in part or in whole without the written consent of the editor. Opinions carried in Indian Link are those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by Indian Link. All correspondence should be addressed to Indian Link

Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 or GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001

Ph: 02 9279-2004 Fax: 02 9279-2005

Email: info@indianlink.com.au

As her husband Gursewak Dhillon made his appearance in a Melbourne court charged with the manslaughter of threeyear-old Gurshan Singh Channa, Sim Kaur spoke to The Age, summing it all up in four words: “Everything has gone wrong”.

These words have not only highlighted the tragic issues of this heart-wrenching case, they have also shattered the mindset of a large number of Indian Australians.

This third incident in which Indians themselves have been charged by the Australian police, either for crimes against their fellow Indians or for cheating the system, sets the stage for Indians here to be thought guilty until proven innocent, rather than the other way around.

The first incident of Griffith burn victim Ranjodh Singh sent shock waves in the local community. Yes, the media in India went berserk. That two Indian nationals, Gurpreet Singh and Harpreet Bhuller have been charged with committing this crime, left a very bad taste in the mouth.

The second case was of Jaspreet Singh, who doused his car with petrol in an insurance fraud case, and sustained burn injuries himself.

The underbelly of the Indian community lay exposed.

In events this past week, the case of a three-year-old found dead 21 kms from his house, has his parents’ 23-year-old flatmate charged with his murder and fronting court.

The widely held notion among mainstream Australians so far, of Indians being law-abiding residents, lies in tatters.

Over the last five years, the number of

has gone wrong’

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

new arrivals from the Indian subcontinent has swelled. While some new migrants have arrived through the normal channels, a number of Indians have been attracted to Australia so that they can escape the financial pressures in India.

While India may be ‘shining’, the emergence of opportunities have largely benefited the middle and upper socioeconomic classes in India, leaving those on the lower rungs of the middle class struggling to make ends meet. Caught in a frenzy of consumer-led demand, this group of disenfranchised??? Indians have sought greener pastures. Australia, with its education-linked immigration policy, seemed an easy avenue. Shortcuts were sought in some cases to avail of the potential financial freedom, and papers, documents and cash resources were presented to the migration authorities which at best of times, were questionable.

Upon moving to a new country, the reality set in. While the roads were paved and the supermarkets were stocked with goods, financially one had to work hard to stock up the fridge. Most new entrants followed the rule of law, but some took to taking shortcuts to achieve their financial freedom. Over crowding in their place of residence, working more hours than legally allowed, ensuring the best possible tax

refunds etc, fostered a belief that it is easy to outsmart the system. They missed the basic premise of a free society - that along with freedom, comes responsibility.

While Australia allows for personal freedom, the system also ensures that individuals are accountable for their freedom. Tax returns are one such example where individuals can prepare and claim their own tax refunds, yet electronically the linking of various agencies such as Centrelink, banking and superannuation funds, does allow the authorities to cross check information. Even in policing, while the overall appearance of the police may be easy going, the technology and painstaking hard work done behind the scenes often yields positive results.

There are a few facts which the new migrants need to understand. The lifestyle in Australia, while easy going and relaxed, has a strong discipline backing it. Unlike India where connections and gratuity payments can get one out of trouble, the system adheres more to the rule of the book here.

Sim Kaur’s words carry more weight than she will ever know. The Indians in Australia are intelligent, well meaning people; perhaps a better appreciation and respect for the rules will ensure that we all get it right more often than wrong.

‘Everything

Prayers for little Gurshan

It is a tragedy that has stunned and shocked the community. Not just here in Melbourne, but Australia-wide, and also back home in India. It is hard to imagine how a little child, a beautiful boy could be plucked from his home and left to die in a location 30 kms away and in such an inhumane manner. The very thought is sufficient to send shivers down the spine. No doubt we can expect to hear more chilling details in the next few days, but we already know that a housemate has been taken into custody and charged with manslaughter.

Our hearts go out to the bereaved parents, mum Harpreet Kaur Channa and dad Harjit Singh Channa, who have looked too stunned to even cry in the photos we have seen of them since the death of their young son. How many of us as parents have imagined the same situation: it’s a regular day, you go out briefly, your wife’s in the shower, and in those few moments when your child is unattended, the unthinkable happens…

Photos from the family album show a young, happy family and a smiling, content child. However, they weren’t as happy in Melbourne, with the dad unable to find a job and having to share housing with over half a dozen other people in Lalor. And we now know that they intended heading back home to India, as things hadn’t worked out in Australia.

The 23 year old Indian taxi driver Gursewak Dhillon who was charged manslaughter due to criminal negligence, was a housemate of the family. Reports

that emerged at the time of going to press indicate that Dhillon admitted putting the unconscious three-year-old into the boot of his car and driving around with him for three hours before dumping him without checking whether he was alive. The

For the family, it’s a relief to hear that the perpetrator of this crime is now in custody. Said family spokesman Tim Singh Laurence, “(They) were not just coping with the loss of a three-year-old, but also coping with not knowing what would happen. So that is some small relief, thanks to the Victoria Police.”

A small group of friends, Consulate officials, the FIAV and the entire Indian community and indeed, the state have all offered support. “They were also touched by people who sent messages

heartrending in what must surely still be a bewildering situation for them.

The boy’s parents desperately want to bring his body home. “They’re now focused on taking the child back to where their family and community is and following the Sikh customs there to lay their child to rest,” said Laurence.

We offer sincere condolences to the bereaved family and hope they find the strength to bear this terrible loss. Rest in peace, little Gurshan.

Open 7 days

The classical scene

BY MALLI IYER

A unique tabla concert

Sydney’s music lovers witnessed another emerging talent at the Greenhalgh Theatre, Kuring-gai Campus early this month. Dr. Iynkaran Stephan Kantharajah showcased his superlative skills on the tabla, first as a solo artist and then as a percussion accompaniment to top level artistes. His first love continues to be tabla, although he has obtained degrees in commerce and dentistry.

Iynkaran has an impressive resume –having been guided by the tabla maestro Pt. Ram Chandra Suman in Sydney and by Pt.Yogesh Samsi in Mumbai for several years. He has also received tutelage from Ustad Zakir Hussain at the Allah Rakha Institute of Music. As summarized by Pt. Ram Chandra Suman in his introduction, Iynkaran could not have achieved his level of proficiency without Shakti, Bhakti and Gyaan Pt. Yogesh Samsi attributed his pupil’s success to his “burning desire to learn”. Both his gurus have nurtured him in the guru-shishya parampara and his manner and deference to his teachers gave ample evidence of this at the concert.

The tabla concert was marked by Iynkaran’s solo performance with accompaniment on the Sarangi played by Sandeep Mishra who learnt his craft from Ustad Allah Rakha of the famed Benares Gharana. Sandeep Mishra has a tremendous reputation having played for top professionals like Ustad Vilayat Khan and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. Iynkaran intermittently called the sounds he was going to play and gave a brief introduction of the instrument for the benefit of the uninitiated in the audience. His solo performance was played to Raga Vachaspati and he showed what

he could achieve with a blend of rhythm and tonal quality.

Iynkaran left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he has set his sights on a bigger canvas. His progressive approach made him equate tabla sounds as he mimed those of a ‘lazy young lad’ whose mother finds it hard to awaken him each morning.

The second half of the concert showed that he was equally at ease as an accompanying tabla player to Smt. Kala Ramnath on the violin. Kala Ramnath hails

from the Mewati Gharana and has trained under Pt. Jasraj. Kala Ramnath’s violin lineage has reputed names like TN Krishnan and TN Rajam, and her unique style is so close to vocal music that her instrument is given the title “the singing violin”. She characterised her performing style as comparable to a painter being given colours with which he/she creates a painting to be enjoyed by everyone. Violin maestro Kala Ramnath gave a short concert beginning with raga Maru Behag wherein her vilambit

Musical treat for young and old

The successful staging of a community cultural event by a voluntary organisation is rare, but the Sydney Music Circle (SMC) achieved just this result. Now in its 26th year, the SMC organised its flagship event, the Thyagaraja Festival. It was wellattended and appreciated by 500-strong music lovers.

Held on February 27-28 at the Dundas Community Centre, the main theme for this event was Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam, one of the famous operas composed by Saint Thyagaraja in five Acts, made up of 45 krithis in 28 ragas. The saint identifies himself as Prahlada who receives infinite pleasure in invoking and serving Mahavishnu, the supreme Lord.

The programme commenced with Thyagaraja Vandanam, a segment where

participants sang the saint’s well-known compositions in 20 ragas. This was followed by Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam in which performers were asked to pick from among the compositions of Saint Thyagaraja, some of which are off the beaten track. An audience of old and young were treated to well-rehearsed and melodious krithis by groups of local artistes and those aspiring to attain lofty heights in Carnatic music rendition. The programme on the second day was devoted entirely to students who attend regular classes or are being tutored individually by about 20 teachers, to perform on stage and improve their styles. SMC has charged itself with the task of encouraging the young to preserve the rich traditions of Carnatic music and ensure an array of talent in

vocal and instrumental music for the coming years.

Saint Thyagaraja’s compositions and his Rama Bhakthi adds a touch of divinity and inspires students and lovers of Carnatic music alike – from Thiruvaiyaru on the banks of Cauvery river, to Sydney. The

and drut gatis tested Iynkaran’s mettle. He was equal to her blow for blow. Kala Ramnath played two other items in Raga Khamaj and Bhairavi, both of which were melodious and brought the evening to a happy climax.

Dr Iynkaran Kantharajah is undoubtedly headed towards greater success in the ladder climb to the top. His sister Mayuri Kantharajah accompanied him on the tambura, although she is learning to play the violin herself.

annual aradhana was embellished by singing of Pancharatna kritis by local and renowned vocal artistes to the accompaniment of violin, keyboard, mridangam and other percussion instruments.

It is tribute to the organising committee of the Sydney Music Circle that they efficiently managed a programme which included renditions by 83 senior performers and 115 junior and upcoming students, over two days. They even managed to slot in some songs by Sri B U Ganesh Prasad, a professional and highly accomplished violinist from Bangalore.

Sydney Music Circle organisers paid tributes to the late GN Balasubramaniam, a legendary composer and musician whose centenary celebrations are planned at various global and musical forums.

Iynkaran with Sandeep Mishra and sister Mayuri

Iynkaran accompanies violin virtuoso Kala Ramnath Guru Pt.Yogesh Samsi Guru Pt Ram Chandra Suman

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Consulate must improve visa service

In recent times I have encountered considerable dissatisfaction from prospective Australian visitors to India over the outsourcing of India Travel visas. The outsourcing of a service would normally be expected to provided an improved service. In the case of India Visas, compared with the service previously offered by the Consulate-General in Sydney, there has been a deterioration.

1. In time taken,

2. In customer service

3. In cost - we now pay the visa fee plus a service fee!

Let’s examine the time it takes. The service provider is VFS Services, located at 64 Clarence Street, Sydney, and their website is currently quoting: “on an average, 7-9 working days (check application status prior to collection). Most visas for Australian nationals and permanent residents of Australia would be processed with in 7 working days after submission of application except as detailed below”.

Regarding Customer Service, I have received complaints from prospective visitors about unhelpful VFS staff who don’t have answers. Considering India is spending significant sums to entice tourists to visit, that delay is a turnoff and must impact on visiting numbers. Why is India spending all that money to entice visitors and then making it so hard to go there?

In January this year I was in Sri Lanka (where a visa is issued on entry without cost) and could not help but read in the Colombo Daily News, in the “India Republic Day Supplement” on 26th January, 2010 a special item on India Visa Services. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr Ashok K Kantha, boasted that from “January 2010, Sri Lankan nationals can obtain their visas within 2-3 days of application”.

The same service provider VFS Global is operating in Colombo, so why the significant difference in the time it takes to issue the visa?

Hartley Anderson Neutral Bay NSW.

Police Commissioner, or deputy premier?

There is something quite creepy, and seriously undemocratic, about the way Brumby uses Overland as a virtual uniformed cabinet minister, a kind of unelected deputy premier.

Hardly a Victorian has heard of the Police Minister or Attorney-General, but Overland is everywhere in the media extolling the virtues of Victoria’s police policies - a very dysfunctional element of a very dysfunctional government.

Shyam Adhikari

Glen Waverley VIC

What’s On

Chinmaya Mission events

16 March Sanskrit classes with Brni Sujataji (10 Week Course) starts

5 May Sanskrit classes with Br Gopalji (5 week course with interactive Learn Sanskrit Yourself CD)

28 March Rama Navami Celebrations at Chinmaya Sannidhi 10.00am to 12.30pm. Bring your kids dressed in Ramayan characters to enhance the program. Details call Chinmaya Mission Australia (Sydney) 02 8850 7400

Harmony Day

21 March Hornsby Shire’s One World Festival, Hornsby Park, Pacific Highway, Hornsby, 12 noon to 9pm. Attractions include Indian events by IABBV Hindi School.

Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam

27 Mar JET Australia Sydney organises the traditional Seetha Ramam Kalyanam at Tuggerah Community Hall, Anzac Road, Tuggerah. Details Veena 0404 029 520

Dancing to spirituality

28 Mar Natyadharshan Dance School presents a charity dance program, at Casula Power House Theatre, (Casula Road - near Jolly Knight Motel) 6pm. Details Sashi Bala 02 9607 2916

School Holidays Workshop

6, 7 and 8 April Indian Australian Arts and Film Association presents a workshop for children aged 5 to 14. 8am to 5pm, Jones Park Hall, Burnett St, Mays Hill. Activities include Yoga, meditation, music, Indian and Australian crafts. Details www.iaafa.org.au

Triple P: Positive Parenting Program for South Asian Families 20 April Ashfield Council will run this

popular parenting program for South Asian families. Topics discussed will be managing common child behaviour problems, effective parenting strategies and how to take care of yourself as a parent. Venue Infants Home (17 Henry St. Ashfield), at 10am. Free childminding provided. Details 02 9716 1844

Vipassana Meditation Course

April 21-May 2 A 10-day silent residential meditation retreat will be held at Blackheath Blue Mountains. Instructions will be available in diverse Indian languages. Details Shalini 02 9635 4541

Gujarati play

1 May Shri Shiva Mandir, in association with Mahavir Productions, has organised a Gujarati play Baa Bagde to Baar Vagade to raise funds for the building works at the Mandir. Venue Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, 5:30pm.

Details contact Urmila Daya 0421 301 779 or Ravi Parekh 0408 950 820.

Music and dance with GOD

15 May Global Organisation for Divinity (GOD) presents an evening of music and dance on at the Sydney Baha’i Centre, 107 Derby Street, Silverwater.

Devotional music by Uma Ayyar and Mythili Narayanaswamy, and bharatanatyam dance presentation by Padma Balakumar’s Nrityagriha School of Dance. Details Mythili Bala 02 9482 1204

Classical music concert

22 May O.S Arun in aid of Sri Venkateswara Temple of Helensburgh, Bankstown Town Hall (Cnr Rickard and Chapel Street) Bankstown. Details phone 02 9706 7354 or 02 9879 4350.

UIA’S women’s forum

Government officials and speakers at the United India Association’s (UIA) Women’s Forum acknowledged the significant contribution of women in the Australian society and stressed the need for representation of Indian women in the Australian Parliament.

Women leaders, who spoke on the occasion of International Women’s Day, pointed out the role women play in juggling careers and personal lives.

Barbara Perry, Minister for Local Government, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health), who was the chief guest at UIA, spoke of her role as a working mum, raising two children and working hard at her job. However, she conceded that despite the progress women had made, there was still a long way to go.

Amanda Fazio, President of the NSW Legislative Council, observed the lack of representation of both Indian women and men in the Parliament. “We haven’t been coming anywhere near having different ethnic groups in the Parliament. There are elected representatives from Lebanese, Armenian and Greek backgrounds. However, we do not have anyone from South East Asia,” she told Indian Link “The major parties should look at having more South East Asian candidates. However it does take time to have people on board and we are getting there. In ten years, we will have elected Indian representatives – both women and men in the Parliament,” said Fazio, observing that Australians of Indian and South Asian origin were already playing crucial roles in Australian politics.

She also observed that unlike Lebanese

and other immigrants, South Asians could be seen as relatively new migrants.

Indian Consul Gautam Roy acknowledged UIA’s official point of contact for Indian women in distress or trouble, either due to domestic violence or visa issues that require them to stay away from their spouses. As an officially recognised body by the Indian government, he said the organisation’s work was important in tackling domestic violence, fraudulent marriages and other women-related issues among Indian women

immigrants.

Aruna Chandrala, President of UIA, told Indian Link that the organisation was seeing a rise in domestic violence-related problems among Indian women in Australia.

“As a recognised organisation, we assist women in distress through counselling and directing them to legal counsel with visa-related issues. In the Indian culture, many women do not come out and speak about domestic violence and accept these problems,” she said.

Chandana TV comes of age

Chandana Asia Pacific, the Indian community TV channel, celebrated its fourth anniversary in style, as producers and the Chairman of the channel reminisced over its early days.

The February 28 function at the Burwood Function Centre saw nearly 100 people, including Indian and Australian dignitaries and loyal programme viewers. The customary invocation – a dance performance by young girls, set the tone of the evening, which was a mix of speeches and cultural programmes.

The channel, which is broadcast in English on TVS, has been telecasting Indian community events around Sydney and Melbourne, interviews of Indian and Australian celebrities, cultural events, health issues, entertainment, documentaries and sporting events, besides other programmes.

Dr Sid Orekondy, chairperson of Chandana TV, said, “We would like to foster friendly relations between the Indian community and other communities in Australia. The channel does not cater to only the different Indian communities here but goes beyond to reach out to multicultural Australia.”

Observing that the channel had come a long way since its inception and first telecast on 22 February, 2006, he said they had moved from analogue to digital technology to enable a wider audience reach. It had completed 500 hours of broadcasting since it was launched.

He noted that Chandana TV had been

formed by people, keen on community service and like community channels, had its financial and time constraints.

“All the people associated with the channel are professionals and experts in their own fields, taking time out to work here,” he added.

Orekondy added that they were planning on expanding the channel’s operations to Adelaide and Brisbane in the coming years.

Producer Onkarswamy Goppenalli, Associate Producer Suresh Bangalore, and anchor, media and marketing director Kedarnath P.M, are the brains behind the channel, which was initially planned to cater only to the Kannadiga community in Sydney and Melbourne. However, it was decided to showcase all Indian events and is telecast in English to transcend cultural borders.

The channel, slotted for half an hour telecast every Sunday, has covered a number of events regularly like the Australia Hindi Indian Association’s dance competition, United Indian Association’s Australia-India Friendship fair, Diwali Mela and Clean Up Australia Day. It also attempts to raise awareness on important medical issues like diabetes, breast cancer and glaucoma.

Consul General of India, Amit Dasgupta, who attended the event, stressed the need for people from different communities to go beyond perceived stereotypes and develop a deeper understanding and tolerance for cultures.

Hon John Hatzistergos, Attorney General, Minister for Citizenship and Regulatory Reform, who was representing NSW Premier Kristina Keneally at the event, congratulated the channel on its fourth year. He expressed his respect for the Indian community and its age-old culture and traditions.

Also present were Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural

“We also counsel them by identifying employment, place to live, etc as new immigrants,” added Chandrala. Speakers also used the forum to highlight problems relating to mental and physical health and the need for people to shed inhibitions and seek help when they notice signs of distress. Shantha Vishwanathan from the Migrant Resource Centre spoke on the services of the centre in integrating new immigrants to Australia.

Affairs and Settlement Services, Hon Philip Ruddock, MP, Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Community Relations Commission and Laurie Patton, CEO of TVS. Chandana TV is telecast every Sunday from 1.30 to 2.00 pm with a repeat telecast on Mondays at 8 pm and Tuesdays at 3.30 pm.

Preeti Kannan

Preeti Kannan

Minister Barbara Perry

Amanda Fazio, President of the NSW Legislative Council

UIA President Aruna Chandrala (centre) with colleagues

NSW Seniors Week

The NSW Seniors Week is a week-long annual celebration of the older people in society and their valuable contribution to our communities. It is organised by the government department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC). The theme this year is “Live Life!” Feature events, gala concerts, achievement awards and giveaways will mark the festivities. A number of Seniors Week Ambassadors – all high profile members of the wider community such as Ita Buttrose – have associated themselves with the cause to challenge some of society’s stereotypes of ageing and to raise awareness of the valuable contributions seniors continue to make to our community.

The official website (www. nswseniorsweek.com.au) website provides information on more than 700 events taking place across NSW from 21 - 28 March 2010. These include Technoseniors, Heritage Walking Tours, Youngat-Heart Film Festival, Introduction to Mobile Phones, Stay in Touch (with SMS and Twitter), Famous Fifties Talent Quest, Coma and Try Golf, Come and Try Archery, Jazz Cruise, Jet Cruise Sydney Harbour, and Healthy Cooking for One or Two. Many of these free activities and events encourage the 1.3 million older people living in NSW to get active, learn something new and live life to the full. Within our own community, the various

seniors’ organisations have planned their own special activities.

AHIA Senior Citizens Group

Established 1994. Membership 100. The group, a segment of the Australian Hindi-Indians Association Inc., meets once a month at Cumberland Hospital, Westmead. Activities at sessions include discussions on health-related issues, Government initiatives and policies for senior citizens, cultural activities. Outdoor activities such as day trips are planned regularly too. Members also engage in one fund-raising activity annually.

Contact person: Dr Tilak Kalra, 02 9838 7715.

The group meets once a week at Hurstville Senior Citizens Centre. Activities at sessions include yoga, health information sessions, talks by doctors, community service information, monthly outings and charity activities in the wider community. The group also undertakes advocacy for seniors and referral to community services for further assistance. In an ongoing project in collaboration with the Lioness International, the members are making toiletry bags to be donated to Bazina House of the St George Hospital, for use by families of cancer patients.

To mark Seniors Week later this month, RAIN seniors have organised an outing at Kuring-gai National Park Bobbin Head, taking along with them peers who are now immobile.

In an interesting development, families of member-seniors (their children and grandchildren) have chosen to become involved, so a multi-generational influence is seen. An impressive example of this was showcased earlier this year when the seniors decided to honour youngsters who passed the HSC last year, in a gesture to wish them well as they stood at the threshold of adulthood.

Contact person: Mira Raheja 02 9858 4270.

Indian Welfare Association (IWA)

Established 1999. Membership 140 families including 90 seniors IWA is not for seniors alone though it organises many activities for them. The group meets fortnightly. Activities at sessions include information sessions and entertainment. Three to four sight seeing tours and picnics are organised every year. A community get together involving people of all ages is also held once in a year.

RAIN

(Resourceful Australian Indian Network)

Established 2006. Membership 70.

Contact person Sudha Natarajan 02 9585 9158.

Sri Om Care

Established 2006.

The group operates Short term or Daycare centres, but also provides Home and community care, Respite care, Nursing and Transitional care. The Day-care centres operate at Liverpool, Lidcombe, Chester Hill, Seven Hills and Riverstone. Groups of seniors meet weekly, driven by volunteers and treated to free day-long activities including meals. Volunteers speak many Indian languages, and customise the activities to help seniors in “Active ageing” programs, which include Yoga and gentle exercises, health discussions, indoor games and regular outings. Membership varies from 30 to 60 at the different centres.

To mark Seniors Week, a series of event shave been planned:

14 March: Picnic at Auburn Park

21 March: Auburn Town Hall

26 March: Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre Hall

27 March: Liverpool Library Hall

Transport available.

Contact person Jay Raman 0410 759 906, www.sriomcare.org.au

Hornsby Senior Citizens Group

Established 2006. Membership 112. The group meets monthly at Senior Leisure and Learning Centre, Epping (while their home centre at Hornsby Community Centre is being refurbished). They celebrate five events annually, including Republic Day-Australia Day, Seniors Week, India’s Independence Day, Diwali and Christmas. Monthly sessions are centred around discussion forums (on topics such as health, alternative medicine, meditation etc), quizzes, bingo, devotional songs and entertainment. Two excursions are also organised annually.

Besides these, a library has been built up, with over 600 books on fiction, philosophy, and religion. A Hobby and Learning Centre for the Seniors group activities was set up in 2008. In Sept last year, a Study Circle was inaugurated for exchange of ideas and opinions between people with a quest for knowledge.

Contact person: Saraswathi Venugopalan; Malli Iyer 0413 129 710.

Australian Sikh Association Senior Citizens Group

Established 2004. Membership 100. The group meets monthly at Glenwood Gurudwara, on premises set aside for them. Activities on offer are exercise (on gym equipment), large screen TVs showing Indian programs, and indoor games such as cards etc. Three to four outings are organised annually. To mark Seniors Week, members will head off to the Sydney Entertainment Centre for the Premier’s Gala Concert on 23 March.

Contact person: Dr Gurcharan Sidhu 02 9887 1735.

Other Seniors’ Week events

SEVA International

Thursday, 25 March South Asian seniors (60 years and older) are invited to enjoy a light lunch, chat with aged care workers and share ideas about healthy ageing. From 1030am – 2.30pm (program starts 11am)

Cost: Gold coin

Venue: Harris Park Community Centre, 11 Albion Street, Harris Park

Contact: Caroline on 9804 7271 or sydromeo@tpg.com.au after 6pm You must register to attend. RSVP by Fri, 19 March

UIA’s Seniors Forum

Saturday 20 March Seniors Forum will be held at Parravilla Function Centre, Campbell St Parramatta, starting 9.30am. Working lunch will be provided. Details Aruna Chandrala 0410 338 900 or visit the website www.uia.org.au

It’s Jiya dhadak dhadak with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan!

A concert that transcended barriers of age and nationality

For someone whose love for music is not limited to any genre - I listen to Lady Ga Ga one day and MS Subbalakshmi the next - I knew for sure that the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan experience would be something to treasure for the rest of my life.

Ghazals, qawwali the best of Sufi music in one evening, all rendered in Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s beautiful and emotionally enrapturing voice, was magical. This was certainly more than what I had ever imagined!

I have always been enamoured by the music and voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, having grown up listening to his songs thanks to my father’s passion for Sufi music. I only came to realise his greatness and popularity all over the world much later. Meeting his non-Indian (Pakistani) fans has made me believe that great music has no boundaries and language isn’t a barrier. And this was truly the spirit of the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan concert in Sydney earlier this month.

The show began with a message of peace. A montage showed India and Pakistan separated only by physical boundaries and politics, emphasising that the people of these two nations are really very similar and that music has brought them together on many occasions. Through the presentation, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan paid tribute to his uncle and Guru, the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This set the mood for the evening and what followed was nothing short of pure excellence.

I cannot, in fairness, pick one particular track and call it the best of all.

The music maestro kicked off with a wellperformed ghazal by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, reminding the audience of his absence. His song from the film Paap (the very affecting Mann ki lagan) followed, brilliantly accompanied by Rashid Ali Khan on the saxophone, a unique instrument which I had never heard or expected at such a concert. It offered a different feel - the saxophone solo at the beginning of the song was particularly amazing. At this point a lot of people crowded in front to the stage to photograph the singer and had to be ushered back to their seats by the guards. This incident marred the rendition of the next couple of numbers and I missed concentrating on Aaj din chadheya, my favourite track from the movie Love Aaj Kal

Fortunately Rahat outdid himself with the famous qawwali, Mera piya ghar aya. He kept Bollywood buffs happy with a couple of songs from hit movies, and his performance of Afreen, originally performed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan kept the purists happy.

Apparently the organiser of the event, entrepreneur Nash Patel, promised his wife, the lovely Shalini, that he would bring Rahat to Sydney just for her, after he heard the

Improvisations to Halka halka suroor, by both Rahat and his accompanying vocalists, made for an exceptional performance

enticing Jiya dhadak dhadak jaye. Both have grown to love Rahat’s music.

Accompanying Rahat at the Sydney Convention Centre performance, were Rashid Ali Khan on the saxophone, Nadeem Ashraf on drums, Salman Ashraf on the guitar, Sulieman Ali on the keyboard, Amir Ali on the tabla, Ghulam Shabbar on the dholak and singers Mohammed Shafeeq, Farhat Ali Khan, Ghulam Abbas and Nafeez, all of who did an excellent job. A convincing example was in the rendition of the mesmerizing ghazal Yeh jo halka halka suroor hai, in which improvisations made by Rahat and his vocalists made for an exceptional performance. And I didn’t mind at all that my seat was rather too close to the speakers! Rahat then went on to sing a few requests from the audience.

The Ustad was visibly moved when a fragile young boy in a wheelchair suffering from a brain tumour was brought to the stage to meet him. Although he could not talk because of his medical condition, it was clearly an honour for him to be meeting his idol.

After this encounter, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan continued the show with Ni main jaana jogi de naal, which was probably the highlight of the show, Sufi at its best! Accompanying the lyrical Mein jahan rahoon from Namaste London, the montage of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan enfolded in the background. The audience showed appreciative enthusiasm at

Sajda, and requests kept pouring in from the increasingly excitable crowd until the end of the show.

The performance ended with fast paced qawwali, Damadam Mast Kalandar, after which Rahat thanked the audience and organisers.

Although interaction with the audience was kept to the minimum, the Ustad’s music spoke for itself and the vocalists and accompanists clearly respected Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, doing their bit to make the show a success.

The opening act by Rucha Lange, pretty in a blue saree, managed to captivate the audience instantly. The much-hyped Raaga Boys followed, singing different genres of music effortlessly - I was particularly impressed by their rock number. However it was disappointing to watch them sing with a karaoke track running in the background. Live musicians would have made a better impact.

Despite commencing 40 minutes late, the concert was definitely near-perfect in totality. It was interesting for me, as a new entrant to the scene, to watch people of Pakistani and Indian origin sitting alongside each other… The breathtaking traditional outfits further brightened up the atmosphere! This was truly an event that transcended all barriers of age, nationality and language.

A day later, I found myself still humming Jiya dhadak dhadak…

SHRADDHA ARJUN

Photo courtesy Nash Patel

Trikone makes a mark at Mardi Gras

Even as the world tuned in to Sydney’s biggest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Mardi Gras on the last week of February, a South Asian float with Bollywood numbers and dandiya beats left quite a mark at the parade.

A modest group of 75 South Asian gays and lesbians called Trikone Australasia, took to the streets to celebrate their homosexuality and send the message –it’s okay to be gay – to their home countries.

Trikone Australasia, the sister organisation of Trikone San Fransico, took part for the first time in the Mardi Gras, in an attempt to support South Asian gays and lesbians and encourage more people to come out of their closets, instead of living in fear.

“We want to create visibility and support South Asian homosexuals who do not want to come out in the open because they have family issues or are being forced to marry. The idea behind us taking part in Mardi Gras is to tell the world that a South Asian gay and lesbian community exists and we want to send a message back to India and other South Asian countries that it time to accept this reality,” Roopali Pandey, one of the directors of Trikone Australasia and a participant at the parade, told Indian Link

“They think we are evil or not normal. Most often, people believe that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice. However, it is not so. We are born gay and it is okay to be gay. We are not abnormal or evil,” she asserted.

Pandey, who immigrated to Australia over a decade ago, recounted the recent incident of an Indian from

Delhi who fled to Australia after he was threatened and beaten up by his family for being gay. “People in India are in denial. We are being hypocritical when we go ahead and marry the opposite sex despite realisation of our sexuality. Even Nepal has legalised gay and lesbian marriage. It is time India follows suit,” she observed.

According to the 26-year-old architect, historically the sub-continent has been tolerant to homosexuality and being gay is not been forbidden by Hinduism. She says that even the Kamasutra has dedicated a chapter on homosexuality.

Speaking on New Delhi’s recent decision to decriminalise gay sex and reverse its stand on the draconian Indian Penal Code 377, she said it was important for the entire country to follow in the capital’s footsteps.

“Last year’s decision was a massive victory and we believe in taking one step at a time. Now, activists and organisations are now taking the issue to the Supreme Court to decriminalise 377,” she said.

Trikone Australasia currently comprises of mainly Indians and the board’s five founding members are also Indians. However, the group is keen to reach out to the wider South Asian community and is hoping that more people would hear about them and join the 200-strong organisation.

When asked if their participation at the Mardi Gras may anger South Asians in Australia and back home, Pandey said, “We do not mind stirring up an issue as we want people to engage in a dialogue instead of refusing to accept us.”

The float, which had people dressed in Indian attire, had people also dancing to bhangra and other Indian songs during the 2.4 km parade on Oxford Street, lasting for over two hours. The group had practised its choreographed routine for over a few days before the parade. Trikone Australasia is hoping to take part in the

parade every year and is determined to make the event better and bigger by the year.

Trikone Australasia is a registered non-profit organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people of South Asian descent. Founded in 1986 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Trikone is the oldest group of its kind in the world. South Asians affiliated with Trikone trace their ethnicities to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, India, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet.

Through social and political activities, Trikone offers a supportive, empowering, and non-judgmental environment, where queer South Asians can meet, make connections, and promote awareness and acceptance of their sexuality in the society. Trikone actively works against all forms of oppression based on sexuality, race, gender, class, and other identities. The organisation hopes to make a difference for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people of South Asian descent living within Australia and work to remove all forms of discrimination through working with other social and political action organisations within Australia and in South Asian countries.

Preeti Kannan

Photos: Sandrine Chevassu

‘We want to create visibility and support South Asian homosexuals who do not want to come out in the open because they have family issues or are being forced to marry’

Re-imagining

ancient tales

Deciphering the fantastical worlds of Minam Apang’s drawings

BY SHIVANGI AMBANI-GANDHI

The surreal worlds and fantastical creatures of popular myths and folktales find a visual reinterpretation in the works of Indian artist Minam Apang. She chooses to work with ink on paper-a fluid medium that can capture the liquid worlds of myths. Yet, her technique of using this traditional medium is fresh-deliberately illegible scribbles wash away into undulating waves, misshapen hybrid creatures lurk under the larger image and even the paper bearing the image rises and falls forming the landscape of Apang’s world.

The 30-year-old’s works have traveled to Paris, Madrid and Tokyo, and three works are currently on display at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane as part of the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT).

Her drawings are engaging, engrossing, and require the viewer to shift visual perspectives to unravel the story behind the image. From afar, He Wore Them

Like Talismans All Over His Body (2008) is a gigantic, menacing bat, with wings outstretched, possibly zooming in on the kill. Move closer and you will find that prowling under the bat’s wing are hundreds of half-human, menacing yet caricature-like, comic-tragic creatures. Let your imagination run wild and you could conjure up a dozen of your own stories using Apang’s imagery.

Apang was born in Arunachal Pradesh, and in this North-East Indian region, the bat often takes on the role of the story-teller in traditional tales. As the keeper of stories, the bat then visually holds these folktale characters under his wing in Apang’s work. “(The title) is meant to be ironic since the bat is a keeper of stories, but also one who is weighed down by them. Therefore you can’t tell if he’s flying or drowning,” she says.

To view the 240cm-long The Sleeping Army May Stir (2008), viewers must walk alongside the work as if reading the drawing like a book. The work is part of a series titled War With the Stars

“I made (theseworks) loosely around a creation story from Arunachal Pradesh at a time when I was trying to read about the history of region,” says Apang. “The myths and folktales have acted as a spring board, a point of departure that allows for new

connections with my immediate reality and personal history.”

Although Apang had heard these stories when growing up, she was re-acquainted with them as an adult in the form of printed texts.

“Perhaps that is why this work has text appearing in the works themselves.”

In The Sleeping Army May Stir, the familiar English script is used as illegible gibberish, visually forming cascading waves-it is not the meaning in the word that Apang wants us to decipher, but appreciate the form of the letters.

For a workshop as part of the kids’ program for the APT, Apang invited participating children to animate alphabets and unfamiliar scripts to ascribe new meaning to them.

“There are a couple of things I wanted to address and lead the children to explore… to reflect on the geo-cultural diversity of the Asia Pacific region… to examine the forms of unfamiliar scripts like Khmer, Mandarin, Devnagri, Pharsi, Roman, Korean,” she says.

Besides the use of text as visual texture, she has also often used spills and markings to shape micro-narrative within the larger image. For instance, He Wore Them Like… is drawn over the backdrop of a tea wash.

“I like the wash effect of tea on paper,” she says. “In an older work, titled Whiskey Wash, from my very first show, I did use things like diluted whiskey and cola. At that time I was interested in playing with the idea of spillages and chance and so deliberately

allowed bits of my environment - cola, whiskey, tea and my kitten’s paw marks - to leave their trails on my paper.”

Her experiments soon led Apang to transform the very medium she worked with.

“I was wrestling with the two dimensionality of the flat and unyielding sheet of paper in front of me,” she says. “I really wanted to work with the paper at a physical level without the work being about novelty, spectacle or a specialized craft technique.”

In her third work at the APT, Nothing of him doth fade (2009) Apang recreates the bottom of a lake in three dimensions by crumpling the paper and then creating the rugged mountain surface by repeatedly drawing with a ball point pen.

For a workshop as part of the kids’ program for the APT, Apang invited participating children to animate alphabets and unfamiliar scripts to ascribe new meaning to them

“It is not a finished two-dimensional drawing that I sculpt into a form: both processes of shaping the form and then treating the surface occur simultaneously,” Apang explains of the process of creating these sculptural drawings. “The worlds I attempt to create are upside-down, insideout universes, where anything is possible, akin to the fluid worlds of dreams and mythic spaces. These extended possibilities allow me to explore an organic, evolving dialogue, between me as the artist and the work as another entity. It is this dialogue, dictated as much by chance, as it is an evolving network of connections, arrived at not so much through skill but through a process of learning and uncovering that finally allows for revelation.”

Minam Apang’s works can be viewed at the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT), Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, until April 5. Free entry.

Images courtesy of the artist and Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai.

More care for our

BY SUDHA NATARAJAN

An independent survey was conducted among seniors of subcontinent origin residing at different locations in Sydney, to get an insight into their pace of life, problems and requirements.

70 respondents between the ages of 65-89 were interviewed over a period of two months. 23 males and 47 females who have been living in Australia from 3 to 35 years offered their feedback on their lifestyle here and the problems the aged community faces. The respondents came from different cultural backgrounds, speaking languages like Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, etc. and most live with their children.

Below are the findings of the survey.

Country-wise demographics

Those interviewed were:

Fiji Indians: 10

South/East African Indians: 12

Sri Lankan: 4

Indian: 38

Singaporean: 1

New Zealand: 5

Health issues

All respondents have age associated problems. Diabetes, high blood pressure, moderate to severe arthritis resulting in limping, knee cap replacements, fragile bones, hearing disability, diminishing sight. Some have heart problems, some have even undergone bypass surgery.

(The parents) live with the daughter and son-in-law rather reluctantly, but living alone is something they cannot bear to think of or imagine

Other issues

* Loneliness due to demise of partner, resultant depression, frailty, disability due to age

* Decreased mobility, lack of culturally appropriate care support other than by family members.

* No language-based respite/day care provisions in the vicinity

* Isolated due to language barrier and lack of transport and social contact

* Lack of social companionship and community togetherness

* Concern about personal safety, particularly when using public transport

* Tired of being used for child care and need respite from this responsibility

* Culturally sensitive, generally vegetarians

* Prayer spots, congregation, temples few and far apart

* Ageing carers

* Accommodation with sons and daughters and their families – lack of space and independence, high need for HACC services

Need for a Community House

Social isolation encompasses both social and emotional isolation - that is, low levels of social participation and the subjective experience of loneliness. There are many individual, social, cultural and environmental factors influencing a person’s connection with their community. These factors include relocation, being a carer, living in a rural or remote area, having low social confidence and being

Some factors more commonly impact older people than other age groups. These include leaving the workforce; physical disability and ill health; loss of relationships and loss of transport options.

It is important that older people have the opportunity to be socially connected and are encouraged to participate in community life. There is an association between communication and interaction with others and mental and physical well being. This project intends to identify an innovative, sustainable and evidence-based model that can reduce social isolation in older people. This model will also contribute to relief of carers, who themselves have reached the age of retirement.

The facts

Here is evidence of a growing ageing population within the Indian subcontinent community in 2010.

* The 2006 census provides questionable evidence as to the increasing number of Indian subcontinent elderly. One has to take into consideration numbers by ancestry as well as headings under specific Indian languages, rather than just Indian ancestry. Including all these numbers offers a more realistic number of Indians in Australia.

* One must also take into consideration that those of Indian subcontinent origin could also hold South/East African, Fijian, Malaysian, Singaporean passports, having migrated to those countries in the 20th century.

backgrounds in the St George, Sutherland shire area helped to determine the issues of accommodation and social isolation, as well as physical and emotional issues.

* There are limitations in provision of services and facilities as the Census numbers do not really show the actual number of elderly Indians.

Common feedback

Some of the common responses to the survey dealt with problems faced by seniors. The respondents interviewed said:

1. We were welcome to our children as long as we could take care of their babies. As they are grown up, we are redundant and hence a burden. Unwanted burden always creates annoyance.

2. Culturally, inter-dependency has been the way of life. Though we need space, we still need to be close to where our children live.

3. With teenagers around we are hard pressed for space. We get a definitive feeling that we are intruding into the privacy of our son/daughter-in-law as they cannot freely exercise their rights when their parents are hanging around.

4. We become an embarrassment as we start having incontinence and other health related problems. When we cannot hear or understand what they say, we feel left out.

5. I am given the downstairs bedroom as I cannot climb the stairs. Most of the time they do not come down except to eat (no meals eaten together). I eat alone as they go to work. I feel left out and my grandchildren do not like me to ‘hang around’ when their friends come over.

A survey on seniors within the subcontinent community reveals startling issues that need to be addressed

The Senior scene in the community: Day trips, cultural activities, and some sport

family, because there is no space in the car. To leave out one of the children creates an argument.

7. This is a two bedroom unit and one bedroom is used by my son and daughter-in-law, the other by me. The children used to sleep in my room, now they don’t. They are teenagers and they sleep in the lounge, which makes them unhappy. I feel I am taking their space and am a burden to the family.

8. I like to be independent and I am a contributory migrant. I burned my boats by selling all I had and opting for migration to be with my son. Now he and his family want their space and I want mine. I am over seventy and my health is not good. I am allowed to work, but who will give me a job? I like living alone, I am respected better by the family but the rent is high and my son has his mortgages to settle and a growing family to look after. I want to be of help but feel tired and drained. I do not wish to be a burden but I do not have any money.

Main issues identified

The survey also unearthed accommodation and culture-based issues faced by the seniors of subcontinent origin.

Of the 70 in the St George Sutherland shire region, 54 lived with their sons or daughters. Interdependency is culturally believed to be the basis of ideal lifestyle. Children depend on their parents, and as adults they take care of their old parents. For those without sons, daughters are the next alternative. They live with the daughter and son-in-law rather reluctantly, but living alone is something they cannot bear to think of or imagine.

Here are some situations.

For a widowed lady, her son protects and safeguards her interests. Not being a part of the household would bring about a loss of face for her and she would put up with any kind of discomfort to be with her son. Youngsters settled in Australia may have grown out of traditional marriages and may have chosen to marry someone from a totally different cultural background. In such situations, living together as a family becomes stressful for both sides, and more of a dilemma for the son or daughter as they are emotionally attached to both.

With limited financial resources, a widowed elder becomes depressed and there is emotional isolation even within the family. Many venture out only in the company of their children and this movement is limited as they are not included in ‘nuclear family’ outings. Low level of social participation and the expected experience of loneliness set in. Thus, social isolation encompasses both social and emotional isolation. Being from a different cultural and linguistic background in the midst of the surrounding community, they do not know where to get help and companionship.

Not wanting to be a burden, many elders limit their intake of food and other social activities that require the transport assistance of their children. Even if they make a friend, they are unable to ask them in for a visit, lest it might intrude into the privacy of their children.

There are seniors who do not know how long they will be entertained in the houses of their children. A

them often. They dote upon their grandchildren but except for baby-sitting occasionally, they are not being encouraged to feel as a part of the family. Once again this leads to isolation and as they age, they are frightened of being placed in a nursing home along with people who do not speak their language and where they will not be able to even get the food they are used to. Many of the elderly are vegetarians.

One family has a multi-levelled residence. This is not the ideal place for an ageing mother with arthritis and knee cap problems. But she tries to manage. The grandchildren insist on having a puppy that runs around. The senior is scared that she may trip over the puppy and fall. She limits her movements to her room and faces severe social isolation. Service providers find such residences unsuitable to access, and hence she is unable to get help.

Community services options are not utilized by many because their children do not encourage strangers coming into their household, especially when they are away working. Language barriers force them to take home the flyers on information of services available, but these are simply ignored by their sons or daughters who are busy attending to their own lives. Seniors are also too timid to request for or take on facilities offered, lest their children take offence. Their children do not wish to get branded as incapable of taking care of their parents.

Of the seniors surveyed, five women were extremely depressed as they find living with the son’s or daughter’s family is not conducive and though secure, they feel that they are being a burden. Sometimes things go wrong because they try too hard to please. This has led to depression and associated health problems. They are in need of urgent help.

The other side of the coin

The survey also interviewed carers of the elderly, mainly sons and daughters who have the responsibility of caring for their parent/s.

Many were not keen to do the survey. The few who did said they had to bear the burden of caring for their elderly parent as well as catering to the needs of a growing teen. This is the sandwiched generation that eventually snaps, unable to bear the burden. A major issue for those who live in apartments is not having space for their growing family. Some families consist of a couple and two or three children, as well as the parents–in-law, all of whom live in a three bedroom apartment. As the children grow older, the space issue also grows bigger. Persuaded to sleep in the lounge,

The way forward to help alleviate at least some of these problems is to begin by establishing an Indian subcontinent cooperative community house or senior care centre

Continued from page 23

makes the teenagers feel unhappy.

The grandparents are given a small room and as age advances, keeping the room tidy is difficult and problems of incontinence make the situation worse. Teenagers who are ‘frank’, comment upon such conditions which makes the sensitive seniors more withdrawn. They feel even the children they helped to look after now shun them. For the son or daughter, this is not a pleasant situation.

The male’s parents according to their culture, have the priority in staying with the couple. If the wife is also a single child, her parents may also want to stay with her. Such a situation creates unhappiness all around.

If a couple wish to travel once a year with their kids, there is no place to leave the parent, who needs care. There is no language-friendly respite care centre that caters to Indian seniors’ religious and vegetarian dietary needs.

The currently identified immediate needs are:

* Accommodation of one bedroom units or a shared house with facilities, for a minimum of 4/5 widowed ladies of Indian background; not an old age home but shared premises that provide an opportunity for independence and even supervised occupation.

* The house is to have a common hall that will accommodate a prayer/bhajan area where those resident or simply in for day care or temporary respite can socially interact.

* Language friendly day care/temporary respite arrangements where Indian subcontinent carers who work full-time can leave their parent for the day.

* Community food services to provide meals (vegetarian meals)

* Service providers to look after these clients in one venue. (Cost effective for both sides)

* Provide some occupation like addressing envelopes, packaging small gift items etc, folding flyers.

The solution

The way forward to help alleviate at least some of these problems is to begin by establishing an Indian subcontinent cooperative community house or senior care centre. This will support the social and emotional needs of the elderly in the community through its own specific cultural and linguistic backgrounds and religious and dietary needs.

Community housing too, in the form of supported or shard accommodation should be considered. It should be financially viable community housing that can be shared, with provision for religious needs and culturally appropriate dietary needs. A language friendly secure atmosphere with similar seniors, where service providers can be of assistance would be ideal. This will also be cost effective for the Government/ Community housing board as well as the other community service providers and health personnel.

RAIN’s efforts

Efforts are on at Resourceful Australian Indian Network Inc. (RAIN) to help improve the lot of seniors in the two locations in which the survey was conducted.

St George: St George Migrant Resource Centre in partnership with Resourceful Australian Indian Network (RAIN) is currently running a pilot project of day care facility once a month. RAIN is also trying to organise Indian clusters with nursing homes in this region.

Sutherland shire: Indian subcontinent seniors in remote areas have limited access to existing social and community services due to transport issues. They are needy of social interaction, community support and related information. Currently RAIN runs a seniors group in Stapleton Avenue community centre. RAIN also plans to run a pilot project of day care in partnership with Gymea Community Aid and Information Services.

RAIN Inc has set up a Senior Care Fund to purchase a property which will accommodate the much needed community housing project. Fund raising programmes are being organised, one of which will be an Indian bridal collections fashion parade and sit-down dinner on July 31 at the Marana Auditorium, Hurstville.

The Indian subcontinent community is awakening to the tremendous need that requires to be fulfilled for the comfort and wellbeing of our seniors. Apart from volunteer services and monetary contributions, we are also looking at businesses who will help engage seniors by paying for small services such as stuffing envelopes, folding flyers, etc., to help them enjoy a small income as well as be usefully occupied. All who are interested in supporting this cause can reach us at eager2rain@yahoo.com.au

The above survey was conducted in 2009 in a time span of two weeks. Survey forms were distributed to 56 seniors at Senior Citizens Centre, 91 Queens Road, Hurstville during 20082009 when the Indian subcontinent seniors met for their regular Thursday afternoon get-together session. The rest (14 seniors) were interviewed individually. All of these seniors live in St George region.

A simple solution to abolishing poverty

Prof. Muhammad Yunus encourages us to rethink credit, lending, and most of all, the reason to do business

BY SHAFEEN MUSTAQ

Who would have thought that one of the most charismatic speakers of our times is a simple, humble and effervescent Economics professor, from one of the smallest countries in the world? When Prof. Muhammad Yunus enters the room there is a collective hush, a palpable lifting of spirits and an undercurrent of excitement. It feels like one is in the presence of genius, of a man who single-handedly revolutionised the way we think about credit. A man who put his money (and a lot more besides) towards bettering humanity.

I had the good fortune to meet Prof. Yunus twice, and each time I was inspired by his simple and rational call to action. The first meeting was in Grameen Bank in Dhaka, Bangladesh while conducting research for my thesis in June 2009. The second was at his lecture in Sydney on March 8.

Prof. Muhammad Yunus was in Sydney and Sydney Peace Foundation which made him the inaugural recipient of their Peace Prize in 1998... eight years before the penny dropped in Oslo!

Prof. Yunus’ lecture was aptly titled, ‘Abolishing poverty – the human rights priority’ and he presented to a packed theatre at the Wesley Mission Centre in Sydney’s CBD. A hall full of people (two babies included) listened in pin drop silence as the man himself recounted the humble beginnings of his Grameen Bank. Prof. Yunus is an Economics professor, a banker, a managing director, but most importantly, he is a motivator. He motivated a small group of women with a loan of 24USD and thus began the Grameen story. He motivated women in rural villages in Bangladesh and empowered them to live better, healthier and more

fulfilled lives for themselves and their children. And now, Prof. Yunus is motivating individuals all around the globe to rethink credit, lending and most of all, rethink the reason to do business.

We can do business to make a profit, he notes; it feeds the inherent selfishness in man to protect himself and his family. But where has this taken us? In the wake of the global financial crisis in which everyone is rethinking the way we conduct our financial transactions, Prof. Yunus is introducing the idea of social business, stemming from the inherent selflessness also in mankind. “The impulsive tendency humans have to help those in need could be put to good use in business”, he expounded. He spoke passionately, logically and most of all, practically, about the social business phenomena and how it can be implemented to bring about lasting change and abolish poverty.

Prof. Yunus gave the example of Grameen’s

partnerships in social business: with Danone to make yoghurt for children suffering from malnutrition; with Veolia water to provide clean drinking water in the villages; and with Adidas shoes to provide footwear for under US $1 with the aim of preventing diseases such as hookworm. These partnerships yield profits which are invested back into the company and do not go to

“The success of a social business is in the extent that it helps others and not in the net profit,” emphasised Prof. Yunus. “A social business asks, how many children have been cured of malnutrition with our micronutrient-enriched yoghurt, as opposed to how much money have we made.”

It all sounds so simple and so real. And there he after walking the walk. A rare sight

Prof. Yunus is a man who dares to believe in the power of individual ability. He has defied conventional banking practices and gave microcredit to women. And now he’s defying the age-old reality of poverty through his insistence that we, in our clamour for money and selfish business interests, have stolen the human rights of others and condemned them to poverty. Prof. Yunus emphatically stated that no individual is lacking, no individual is condemned to poverty. It is our denial of human rights that has led to a state of poverty for some individuals over others. And it is now our individual and collective responsibility to ensure that we strip away the fear and hesitation imposed by a sustained state of poverty, and empower those less fortunate with their due human rights. In doing so, we can abolish poverty worldwide.

Prof. Yunus makes this claim with calm and rationality, and it really does seem like a reality, rather than a possibility.

For a man who has accomplished so much, Prof. Yunus is overwhelmingly humble in his dress (he wears only Grameen check, woven and manufactured by Grameen workers) and manner. His clear and confident voice carries and reverberates in my mind long after the lecture has ended. His emphasis that individual action can bring about sustained change is evident in his own achievements.

As I leave the auditorium, I believe in the power of individual action and am inspired once again to be a catalyst of change. And I believe that a world sans poverty can indeed be a reality.

A social business asks how many children have been cured of malnutrition with our micronutrient-enriched yoghurt, as opposed to how much money have we made

Minister Sachin wants to ‘Pilot’ IT revolution in northeast

The government has begun an ambitious programme to wire up the entire northeast and remote border regions with telecom, wimax and broadband connectivity and unleash an IT revolution in the region, says Minister of State for IT and Communications Sachin Pilot.

“I believe that the northeast can become a big centre for attracting investments from the private sector - in business process outsourcing (BPOs), knowledge process outsourcing,” Pilot, 32 said during an exclusive interaction at the IANS office.

“Young people there have a lot of talent and are easier to train and impart skills to for this kind of work. If we can have rural BPOs then I am sure we can have BPOs in the northeast,” he added.

A bulk of the money under what is called universal service obligation fund, collected by the government from private players to meet the demands of rural connectivity, will be deployed in the northeast, he said.

At the start of this fiscal, more than Rs.18,000 crore ($3.6 billion) was available under this fund.

On a mission to do a “lot more” in the northeast that “has not been done so far”, Pilot said Assam, for example, will see optical fibre cables laid across the state - seen as a must for large data transfers required by such service providers.

“We are launching optical fibre cables at the panchayat level in Assam soon. This will be the first state in India to have it,” Pilot said, adding Wimax services had already been unveiled there last month.

“We launched Wimax in Chaygaon, on the outskirts of Guwahati in Assam. It’s a wireless, high speed internet broadband connectivity - such that people living in a radius of 15 kilometres can access the internet easily,” he said.

Moving beyond Assam, Pilot said the government is also planning a software parks project at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, which will be an export-oriented scheme for developing computer software and extending related professional services.

“I have already met the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. We are hoping to start this project soon. The state will then have a lot more money from the government of India, which it can’t afford now,” he said.

India’s northeastern region covers the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Pilot said he is also planning to give the satellite phone facilities to villages in the northeast, which are cut off from others due to their location, along with a muchsubsidised tariff.

“There are some places of Arunachal Pradesh, which are 12,000 feet to 14,000 feet high - no spectrum, no mobile phones. Therefore, besides the paramilitary forces, I am trying to give satellite phones to these villages and reduce the call charges,” he said.

In Sikkim, Pilot said, the IT ministry has helped in the setting up of a small business process unit and launched 3G services through the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

“The chief minister of Sikkim wanted to set up a 50-seat unit through an entrepreneur. So, we not only gave them connectivity but also gave it to them at one-fourth the cost. We also launched 3G services there,” the minister said.

“I want that all the states of the northeast to feel as involved in what’s happening in New Delhi and Mumbai in terms of new innovative ideas.”

Delhi Metro makes special arrangements for Commonwealth Delhi Metro said it was making special arrangements to facilitate passengers’ movement at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station during the Commonwealth Games beginning Oct 3.

“We are making special arrangements at the Stadium Metro station from opening of the Games Oct 3 to closing ceremony Oct 14. The station will have five entry and exit structures so that public can access the station easily and extra staircases of much wider width are being provided so that more people can be accommodated easily,” Delhi Metro spokesman Anuj Dayal said recently.

“The staircase width, which is normally 2.4 metres in other stations, will be as much as 4.25 metres at the Stadium Metro station to accommodate the extra rush. There will also be four escalators connecting the concourse with the platform,” he added.

According to Dayal, the station at the stadium can deal with a crowd of 4,000 passengers per minute in peak time and has been designed to accommodate a total traffic flow of 80,000 persons per hour in the platform area of 1,800 sq. metres.

There will be 20 automatic fare collection (AFC) gates instead of eight AFC gates normally provided at most stations.

“The operations department of the DMRC is preparing a special plan and procedure for clearance of commuters who will be coming for the opening and closing ceremony by Metro trains, with high frequency of Metro trains to ensure very fast clearance at the platform to avoid crowding,” he said.

“Volunteers and Sahayaks (helpers) will be posted to assist passengers at all the important points of the station such as the

Continued on page 28

Britain’s Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, surrounded by students of Mumbai’s Hassaram Rijhumal College, operates a solar lantern presented by the Sheriff of Mumbai Indu Sahani (second from right). He was on a day-long visit to the city on 9 March.

Photo: AP

AFC gates, escalators, platforms and entry and exit points where first-time Metro users may face difficulty,” Dayal added.

A special control room will be established at the Stadium Metro station from where public announcements will be controlled and LED signs will be displayed for guidance of passengers. Railings will be installed and there will be extra lighting for good visibility.

The Delhi Metro will provide easy Metro connectivity to 10 out of 11 venues of the Commonwealth Games 2010. These are the Games Village, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi University, Thyagaraj Complex, Siri Fort Sports Complex, National Stadium, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Talkotora Indoor Stadium, Yamuna Sports Complex and R.K. Tennis Complex.

Shut 42 terror camps, India tells Pakistan

Defence Minister A.K. Antony asked Pakistan to shut down 42 terrorist camps he said were functioning in its territory if India-Pakistan talks were to succeed.

“Pakistan has not made any serious attempt to disband the camps that are functioning close to Jammu and Kashmir. The decision for bilateral talks has been made consciously and it was not an ad hoc one,” Antony said. “Though there was no breakthrough (in the foreign secretary talks), being a conscious decision the process (of talks) will continue,” he added.

The minister said the central home ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government had evolved a formula to check infiltration and help terrorists to return to normal life.

“Many have surrendered too. With the conditions becoming normal, there is an increase in tourist arrivals in Kashmir. Attempts for terrorist infiltration are there and the armed forces are maintaining vigil on the border,” he said.

On the US supply of arms to Pakistan, he said Washington should make sure that the weapons were used against Islamist militants on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and not targeted at India.

He denied that the government had any information that the Chinese were covertly helping Indian Maoists.

“The army will give logistic support to the state police (of Maoist-affected states). Paramilitary forces will be used for training the state police,” said Antony.

He said the acquisition of defence equipments and aircraft had increased considerably in the past five years.

“The process for acquiring the Kiev-class aircraft, Admiral Gorshkov, from Russia is in the final stage,” added Antony.

He said that after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the threat through sea had increased. The armed forces were engaged in coordinated efforts to prevent similar attacks.

“One of the positive aspects is that even fishermen have become alert and are giving valuable tip-offs to the (security) forces,” said Antony.

Ten Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai in November 2008 by the sea and went on a killing spree over three days. They slaughtered 166 Indians and foreigners.

South Indians were the ancient money bags in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam - the bloody stage for a 30-yearwar with France and then the US - was once home to a bustling Hindu settlement

devoted to Shiva and Vishnu. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, was the business hub of the South Indian Chettiyar community that set up money-lending businesses.

“The relation between India and Ho Chi Minh city dates back to more than two centuries when the Chettiyars, the trading community from south India, first came to the city to establish their money lending business. Subsequently, when they flourished, they entered the retail trade and formed a place for themselves in local society. They were followed by several other trading communities and religious groups from India,” writes veteran journalist, scholar and social activist Geetesh Sharma in his new book, Traces of Indian Culture in Vietnam Ties between India and Vietnam date back to more than 2,000 years when Hindu traders from the Bhagalpur region established the ancient Champa kingdom in central Vietnam, Sharma says.

The book, was released by ICCR president Karan Singh in New Delhi recently.

The 77-year-old Kolkata-based writer, who has visited Vietnam 13 times, had been researching the historical ties between the two nations since 1982.

“Vietnam - once a household name in Kolkata made popular by Communist slogans such as ‘tomar naam, amar naam, Vietnam’ (your name, my name is Vietnam) - captured my imagination in the 1970s when I attended demonstrations against the Vietnam war in the city. I realised that Vietnam shared a lot with India - and Bengal,” the writer said.

“The first lot of people who migrated to Vietnam during the first and fourth century AD were temple artisans and traders from Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. Hindu culture is still alive in Vietnam. Several communities of ethnic Cham people in the country speak a tongue that is a phonetic blend of Devanagari and Sanskrit. I also came upon

a local theatre troupe which performs a version of Ramayana,” Sharma said.

The Vietnamese adaptation of Ramayana, ‘Ms Sita’, is woven around the lives of local prince Po Liem, a local version of king Rama and his wife Sita.

“The king dies and the crown is passed on to the king’s ex-wife’s son. Liem and Sita are forced to live in the forest. Demon Riep (Ravana) falls under the spell of Sita’s enchanting beauty and forces her to become his wife. Po Liem rescues Sita with the help of General Hanuman,” Sharma said, narrating the story.

But the Vietnamese Ramayana ends with a twist in the tale. Sita refuses to return to the palace with Rama and pledges that she would see him only in death. “She enters the imperial palace to die in Po Liem’s arms”. Sharma has toured 17 ancient Hindu sites across Vietnam.

“Vietnam has at least 200 Hindu temples. Mysol, a Unesco World Heritage Site, alone had 40 temples before the Vietnam war; but bombings reduced their number to 20. The remaining temples have been restored,” he

Sharma also quotes new research to prove that Hindus had settled down along the banks of the Mekong river in southern

“It is an incontrovertible fact that by the time of the establishment of the Hindu Champa kingdom in central Vietnam, a large number of Brahmins, Kshatriyas and traders had settled down in southern parts of Vietnam.

“The Hindu caste hierarchy in Vietnam was free of Shudras. Recent excavations in a large area of the Mekong delta have unearthed relics of Hindu gods and goddesses - mostly Shivalingas and yonis,”

Sharma said the Fu Nan dynasty, the ruling dynasty in the Mekong delta, was established by a Brahmin named Kaundinya from India. “According to a Chinese version, Kaundinya, who came to Vietnam from India via Cambodia, married a local princess Nagi and founded the dynasty. Shiva commanded supreme obeisance among the Hindus followed by Vishnu and the Buddha. Subsequently, the Buddha replaced Shiva,” Sharma said. ***

President buries ‘Time Capsule’ on IIT-K campus

President Pratibha Patil buried a ‘Time Capsule’ on the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) campus on the occasion of its golden jubilee celebrations and also unveiled a nanosatellite developed by the institute.

The capsule, which is made of a special metal, contains pen-drives, chips, images and several other documents related to the landmark achievements of the IIT-K. Lauding the nanosatellite Jugnu’s development team, Patil said it projects the complex nature of tasks that the students there were equipped to handle.

Congratulating IIT-K students and faculty, Patil said that the institute has come a long way in its 50 years of its existence, and also called upon the institute’s students and faculty members to develop such devices that can harness energy in efficient ways with minimal negative impact on the environment.

“It (IIT-K) had made an impact on technical education within the country, while its students through their innovations, have played an important role in India, as well as around the world,” the president said. Jugnu, developed by a team of 50 IIT students, will help in collection of information related to floods, drought and

A creation by Indian designer Payal Singhal on the final day of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2010 in Mumbai, March 9, 2010. The LFW in its 11th year, featured creations by over 50 designers.

Photo: AP

other natural calamities.

According to IIT-K officials, ISRO, after conducting a series of tests, will launch the nanosatellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh.

170,000 Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs in Orissa’s Gahirmatha

At least 170,000 endangered female Olive Ridley turtles have laid their eggs in the protected Gahirmatha sanctuary, a famed nesting site in coastal Orissa, during the past 11 days, an official said recently.

The turtles came ashore from the Bay of Bengal and laid their eggs in the south beach of Nasi Island-2 in Gahirmatha, located in the coastal district of Kendrapada, Divisional Forest Officer P.K. Behera said.

“The turtles began mass nesting on Feb 24 and since then every day large numbers of turtles were arriving for nesting. On March 6 too, about 1,000 turtles nested there,” Behera said in a phone interview from the nesting site.

“All the turtles have nested along a one kilometre-long and 60 meter-wide area of the beach,” he said.

The Gahirmatha sanctuary is one of the world’s largest turtle nesting sites, where more than a half million endangered Olive Ridley turtles nest every year. The turtles arrive and congregate in the shallow coastal waters in October and nest between December and March. Most hatchlings emerge by May.

“Last year around this time at least 180,000 turtles had nested,” Behera said. Conservation measures have helped bring down the turtle casualties this year, he said. Last year, around 2,000 turtle carcasses were

found on the beach. This year, so far only 1,700 carcasses have been found, he said. However, Biswajit Mohanty, coordinator of the turtle conservation group Operation Kachhapa, disputed the figure and said the number of turtles found dead this year could be about 5,000.

The state has two other turtle nesting sitesalong the Devi river in Puri district and the Rushikulya river in Ganjam district. Turtles have however not yet begun their mass nesting in those sites, a state wildlife official said.

Like tigers and elephants, the Olive Ridley turtles are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Trapping, killing or selling of this species could result in a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment. In spite of the several protection measures taken by the government, thousands of turtles get killed every year mostly by mechanised trawlers.

***

India assures Sri Lanka support for Tamil resettlement

India assured Sri Lanka of its support in resettling nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians displaced by the civil war in the islandnation and pushed for a political settlement when Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo.

Rao met Rajapaksa over lunch at Janadhipathi Manidiraya and congratulated him on his landslide victory in the Jan 26 presidential polls.

This was the first high-level contact between New Delhi and Colombo since the Sri Lankan presidential polls.

“She expressed India’s willingness to continue assisting Sri Lanka in the resettlement of the IDPs (internally

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displaced persons),” an official statement from the Sri Lankan presidential secretariat said in Colombo.

“India was also keen to assist in the complete restoration of the railway line in the north,” it said.

The statement said that in her meeting with Rajapaksa, Rao was of the view that Sri Lanka had made considerable success in resettling the displaced families in the north and the east, with the number now standing at less than 70,000.

In her discussions, Rao stressed the need for a political settlement and devolution of powers to address the aspirations of the Tamil minority, official sources said in New Delhi.

The two sides discussed problems faced by fisherman from both countries, the proposed coal-based power generation project in Trincomalee, and the necessity for understanding between India and Sri Lanka on the protection of the environment and the eco-systems, the statement in Colombo said.

Rao, who had earlier served in Colombo as India’s high commissioner, conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Rajapaksa to visit India soon. India has allocated Rs.500 crore for the relief and rehabilitation of the war-hit Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka.

Australia announces Rs 47.2 lakhs in grants to celebrate International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, Australia announced further grants under the Direct Aid Program to India to support non-governmental organisations working with women and children. Australia will give Rs 3.5 lakhs to Delhi-

based STOP for their work to rehabilitate young women who have been the victims of trafficking; Rs 3.7 lakhs to the Trinity Rural Development Service from Tamil Nadu to improve healthcare for underprivileged women and children; and Rs 10 lakhs to KATHA, to support their work providing education in slum communities.

“These grants will assist disadvantaged women and children to access a range of education and healthcare services, and so help them to achieve their potential” said Australian High Commissioner, Mr Peter Varghese.

To date in 2009-10, Australia has supported Salaam Baalak Mumbai with a Rs 10 lakh grant for their work with street children; Magic Bus Mumbai with a Rs 10 lakh grant to use sport as a development tool; and Rs 10 lakhs for ASHA New Delhi to provide educational support to slum children.

Gender equality is a guiding principle of Australia’s international development assistance. Australia focuses on three areas: women’s political and economic empowerment, reducing violence against women, and improved health and education outcomes for women.

The Direct Aid Program is a small grants scheme supporting grassroots development. Projects cover education, healthcare, income generation and the environment. The program has a particular focus on women, children and disadvantaged groups.

Since 2001, DAP has funded more than 130 projects in India. More than Rs 4 crores (one million Australian dollars) has been distributed to date. This represents a significant contribution by Australia to small development initiatives in India.

India steps into history with women’s quota bill

India’s politics took a decisive step towards change in early March with its upper house passing a historic bill giving one-third representation to women in parliament and state legislatures, crossing the biggest hurdle in the road towards political empowerment for women in the world’s largest democracy.

The 13-year perilous political struggle to give women adequate representation ended with the Rajya Sabha finally debating the contentious issue and then voting 186-1 on the Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008 amid acrimony, political divides and ugly scenes of dissent.

As this issue goes to press, only the last step remains - of the Lok Sabha endorsing it. With the numbers stacked in favour of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the lower house, this should hopefully be a formality, said activists and leaders, who had fought long and hard to see the day.

The bill seeks to set aside for women 181 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha and 1,370 of the total 4,109 seats in the 28 state assemblies.

The reserved seats would be allotted by rotation to different constituencies and would be valid for 15 years after the commencement of the Amendment Act. The flagship legislation did not get passed on International Women’s Day as the government had hoped but a day later. Nonetheless, it was a time for hyperbole and the timing of the bill, introduced by the Deve Gowda government in 1996, could not have been better.

The bill seeks to set aside for women 181 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) and 1,370 of the total 4,109 seats in the 28 state assemblies

Even for the usually taciturn Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who described it as “a historic step forward” towards “strengthening the process of emancipation” of Indian women. Both he and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had staked the government’s future on the passage of the bill.

“This is a momentous development in the long journey of empowering our women,” he said at the end of a lively debate on the bill that saw 27 speakers participate.

“Our women have faced discrimination at home, there is domestic violence, they face discrimination in access to education and healthcare. All these things have to end if India were to realise its full potential,” he added in an emotive note.

That the issue of giving women in a still deeply traditional country assured representation in the highest echelons of political power provoked the most intense reactions, was evident from the prime minister’s opening remarks itself.

shown to you...,” he told Vice President and chairman of the house Hamid Ansari.

On March 8, Ansari had found himself virtually accosted by a handful of MPs who tore the bill into shreds and hurled the pieces at him. A day later, a disgusted Ansari suspended seven MPs from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Samajwadi party (SP), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), regional parties whose main support base is in the Hindi heartland.

At this point, women constitute nine percent of the Lok Sabha, 10 percent of the Rajya Sabha and only seven percent of state legislative assemblies.

Correcting the anomaly, however, saw the blurring of many political lines and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government losing some of its political edge.

The RJD and the SP announced the withdrawal of their support to the government and ally Trinamool Congress abstained from the vote.

But the Congress battled the hurdles. It was a triumph for Congress president Sonia Gandhi who was determined that it would go through. In the Lok Sabha, the task would be easier with the Congress having a strength of 208, the largest constituent of the UPA’s 259 members.

But this was an issue that went beyond politics, a reflection of the emerging women power in a rapidly modernising India.

Principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s Arun Jaitley who opened the debate said he had a feeling of

the house and his party “unequivocally” supported it. Communist Party of India-Marxist’s (CPI-M) Brinda Karat said the move would change the “culture of the country because women today are still caught in a culture prison. In the name of tradition, stereotypes are imposed and we have to fight these every day”.

These stereotypes will also be broken by the bill, said a delighted Karat, who believes the entry of a larger number of women in legislatures would make for “more sensitive politics”.

“I am very happy,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi declared to NDTV’s Barkha Dutt afterwards, adding that the “larger picture” of women’s empowerment was worth the political risk that the ruling coalition had taken.

She was particularly surprised about Trinamool Congress’ abstention, especially since its leader Mamata Banerjee was “enthusiastic” about supporting it when the cabinet discussed it.

Gandhi, who is also chairman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), said she was watching the parliament proceedings from her home and she felt relieved the bill was passed after a lively discussion. The issue had been very close to her heart, especially since it was in keeping with vision of her late husband former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Inequalities would be rectified, age-old biases corrected. With this bill, could things finally change… a tempting thought for India’s women.

From IANS reports

India’s women lawmakers celebrate after the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, in New Delhi, March 9. Photo: AP

The power of pink

A few years ago, a little-known band of women dressed in pink saris surrounded their local police station and demanded that the falsely-arrested member of their community be released immediately. When their demands were not met with a serious response, they turned to violence, ruffled some collars, threatened a few policemen and had the arrest revoked.

At the helm of it all was Sampat Pal, an underprivileged and uneducated woman from Uttar Pradesh. As the leader of the Gulaabi Gang, she not only fights against the injustices of the Indian bureaucratic system in rural UP, but also the more common injustices that women face in rural India. Whether it’s a fight with their in-laws, violent husbands, abusive parents or arranged marriages, Sampat Pal is a force to be reckoned with. Her pink sari brigade, now 40,000 strong, speaks for those who do not have the strength to speak for themselves. Some call her a vigilante, others call her a saviour.

In his story for SBS TV’s Dateline, Amos Roberts shows a more light-hearted view of this very serious movement. Though Sampat and the Gulaabi Gang are fighting for a very difficult cause, he shows the humanity and humour behind their battle. As a journalist for Foreign Correspondent, Roberts has been to India several times over the years, reporting on various political and social issues faced by the country; from the caste conflict in Bihar to the aftermath of the chemical spill in Bhopal.

As an outsider, he has seen the financial boom over the past decade change the face of the big cities and the country at large. He has also seen how rural parts of India remain unaffected and unchanged by this boom. Poverty is still a major concern, as is the lack of education for children in rural India. So when he heard about Sampat Pal, it only seemed natural to want to report about her. It took all of three days to meet this fabulous character, see the amazing domino effect of her outspoken ways and capture it all on film for Dateline

her family, married at 12 and marginalised her entire life, this is a story of the power of one person who could make a difference. This is a story about a single person’s ability to look past her own misfortunes and help better the lives of others. Her thirst for an education and for fair treatment, not only for women but also for those from lower castes, is the driving force behind the gang.

Roberts explores the effects of Sampat’s energies on her community and its inhabitants, especially the women. He follows her as she teaches these women lessons in selfdefence with laathis; he visits the school which provides free education for the local children (an issue very close to her heart); he witnesses the wedding which happens between two star-crossed lovers, all because Sampat Pal got involved.

It’s a beautiful story, told beautifully by Roberts. The award winning director/producer presents a thoughtprovoking look at the daily struggles faced by rural communities in India. The uplifting nature of Sampat’s work and her tenacity shines through this report, offering hope that perhaps this little ripple in a rather large pond, might indeed lead to something phenomenal for the rural women of India.

Kudrat Singh

Sampat Pal’s story aired on Dateline on March 14, and can be viewed online at: http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/ id/600347/n/The-Pink-Gang

To help Sampat Pal, visit the website www.gulabigang.org

New age grandma

It’s service with a smile, as ‘yummy grannies’ help out with child-rearing tasks

BY USHA ARVIND

They have done it before and are back for an encore; only this time round, their quiet efficiency and willingness to make a difference is backed by a lifetime of experience. Not without reason, are they described as the backbone of every successful Indian family. And truly, summer holidays and storytelling sessions are incomplete without them.

Meet the baby boomer daadis and naanis of the Indian Australian community. Having successfully raised their own children (often with little or no support because of their migrant status in the newly adopted homeland), these empowered women now actively participate in nurturing the next generation to find their footing in the symbiotic journey of life. It is tempting to dub them as super grannies: they have perennial smiles as they serve up hearty old fashioned meals, they delight their young audience with tall and small tales, they share cosy secrets and provide the ubiquitous value addition; but more importantly, they are able to create an identity of their own, doing the things they love – be it career or hobby, without compromising on ever-increasing family needs.

Many have held full time jobs; some continue to do so, while others have opted to stay at home, basking in reflected glory. Either way, they have given their best years to their children and are now equally ready to shoulder the myriad responsibilities that accompany modern grandparenting.

So what’s their mantra for success? What sustains them? Quite simply, filial love.

“Grandparenthood”, according to Kogarah resident Dr Saroja Srinivasan, “is a real blessing and a privilege. After all, ours is the only species that has this unique gift of enjoying intergenerational relationship”.

So when the mental health professional was told that she had been promoted to the new status of grandmum, she promptly cut back her consulting hours to support her medico daughter. It was time to enjoy the grandchildren.

“Having held down various senior positions in my field over all these years, I have never felt the need to sacrifice my career. My daughter only made it easier for me by working part-time herself,” explains Saroja. But child minding has never compromised her leisure pursuits. Saroja and her husband head off on exotic overseas holidays, trekking through the jungles of South America, retracing the Hindu trail in South east Asia and are an active part of the Resourceful Australian Indian Network for Seniors. They also help out extensively at Hindu temple in Helensburgh and were among the founders of Saturday Tamil school Balar Malar.

“Back in the early ‘70s, we raised our young family on our own. Having no extended family near us meant that we had to be firm with our resolve. My

husband and I made many ‘adjustments’ to our career demands, giving up some opportunities but gaining a lot more satisfaction from being there for our children. This also led us to decide many years ago that if we happen to live in the vicinity of our children, we would give them the help that we did not have when they were growing up,” she reminisces.

Having previously worked through the nappy and bottle shifts, she now does the school/daycare run for her two grandsons Akshay and Neerav, ferrying them to pre and post school activities.

Saroja, who works 2 days in the week now, has no regrets at all. “Sure, the physical demands are challenging as we become older,” she willingly admits, “but the emotional satisfaction far outweighs any discomfort. We still travel overseas a lot, but try and plan it in such a way that there is less disruption with the school demands.”

She firmly believes that grandparents are a vital part of the secure caring children need. “We believe from our experience that being involved in the caring of grandchildren has provided a three-way benefit –we as grandparents find life rewarding, the parents she clarifies. Her weekends are “me time” when Shikha attends Gita and Kriya yoga classes. Though she has cut back on socializing, she regularly catches up with friends over a coffee or movie and is a regular at community shows.

Likewise Charan Seikhon, who manages payroll

know she will delight them with her endless stories and delicious freshly cooked food. “They particularly love spicy Singapore noodles and Malaysian curries,” reveals Charan.

Not only does she chip in with babysitting, she strongly encourages her own children to take a

break from parenting to spend quality time with their spouses. “After all life can be hard here, juggling so many demands. And parenting is a 24/7 responsibility, with all its ups and down,” she admits. Her son and daughter-in-law travelled to India for a month during school term, leaving their son Jeevan with his grandparents.

Fortunately for Charan, her own children were in their teens when the family migrated from Malaysia in the late eighties, making the transition relatively easy.

A voracious reader and keen gardener, Charan unwinds with Bollywood movies. She enjoys tinkering and experimenting in the backyard. For Devi Bala, retired high school teacher, temple administrator, socialite and mother of three, being around grandchildren is the highpoint of her packed week. Despite a packed social calendar (she coordinates and manages the everyday running of the Sri Venkateshwara Temple, shuttling between Strathfield and Helensburgh, while also being involved with the Hindu Council of Australia), she has opted to keep Wednesdays and Fridays appointments free, so she can spend time exclusively with her younger son’s kids, picking them up from school and keeping them active and happy till they go home at night. “I used to do the Thursday rounds too, but because I manage the volunteer group at Helensburgh it was becoming physically draining,” she reluctantly admits. According to Devi, she is clearly the beneficiary in the very special relationship she shares with them. “It is such a

going,” she laughs.

To keep her share of the bargain, she cooks them delicious curries and indulges them. Her only regret is that she cannot spend as much time with her grandchildren in Melbourne. “Likewise my grandson who lives in Vaucluse visits me only on weekends, unfortunately because of the distance,” Devi complains. “But he always has something exciting to share whenever he visits,” she adds happily.

Her keen interest in temple culture and architecture has taken her around the world, comparing cross-cultural influences. Devi also studied Sanskrit at University of Sydney, until the course was scrapped due to funding cuts.

When little Manav declared to his class that his grandparents’ visit was the highlight of the annual parents day celebrations at Thornleigh’s IABBV this year, little did he know that he had made his grandmother’s day. “For him all those dignitaries and myriad events didn’t matter. The fact that we were there in the audience stood out more than anything else,” recounts a proud Bindu Kalra, when asked what prompts her to babysit her grandchildren. His words are etched in her memory forever.

“When he grows up, he wants to be a doctor and has promised to come back and fix my aches and

small but significant moments like these that bring a smile to her lips and tears to her eyes. Having walked the family-work tightrope back in the ‘60s when Indians were virtually invisible in Australian society, the stay-at-home mum regularly cares for her three grandchildren Zia, Manav and Sarani whenever they need her, providing loving care, wholesome meals and all the educational values that only an Indian grandma would unhesitatingly provide.

“We really enjoy being involved in their lives, mediating when they fight with each other, resolving their issues and helping them build bridges,” says Bindu.

Bindu and her husband Tilak Kalra were among the pioneers of AHIA Seniors Forum, and currently manage its affairs, running seminars, picnic and functions once a month at Westmead. They are also actively involved in seniors and the migrant welfare programme at Hills Shire Council.

At the other end of the spectrum is radio presenter and grandmother of three, Harjeet Randhawa, who recently retired from SBS. Having always been a career woman, striking a fine balance between work and family independently, her children have followed in their mother’s footsteps. Even though Harjeet and her two daughters live on the same street in Huntley’s Point (to the horror of her Aussie neighbours, she tells us), the busy school week is managed by the nuclear family. It is on the weekends that Harjeet chips in, spending quality time with her grandkids Ajay, Mira, Zai and Rahul. Her basement often becomes a wrestling arena and her backyard a soccer field, where issues are thrashed out and new relationships built on strong foundations.

“Both my girls feel that we as parents have done our daily grind, and it is now time for us to sit back and enjoy our own pursuits,” she says. Being extrovert, outdoor people, post retirement, husband Mandhir and Harjeet enjoy relaxing strolls and bushwalking, besides full-on socializing.

“I don’t really see much of the kids during the week except for impromptu dinners, but my husband and I take the kids out to the park and often head off for family picnics,” she says. Her grandchildren also love her colourful stories that date back to her own boisterous childhood in Malaysia - of good old fashioned tree climbing and kite flying.

“What I really provide them is a happy environment where they learn to bond with elders and cousins. The cousins adore each other and yes, they do have arguments, but in the process we teach them not only how to nurture relationships but how to tackle and eventually resolve conflicts,” concludes the former Humanities teacher.

New age grandmums, aapko salaam. May the special bond you all enjoy with your grandchildren, create lasting and wonderful memories.

(Grannies) are able to create an identity of their own, doing the things they love – be it career or hobby, without compromising on ever-increasing family need

1. Harjeet Randhawa with Mira

2. Devi Bala with Sanath

3. Charan Sekhon with Mira

4. Saro Srinivasan with Akshay and Neerav

5. Bindu Kalra with Manav, Sarani, Mira and Zia

Tales of two cities

Two new novels bring alive

BY CHITRA SUDARSHAN

Siddharth Dhavant Shanghvi wrote his first novel Last Song of Dusk when he was just 26, which won the Betty Trask Award in 2004 - one of UK’s prestigious awards for debut novels (previous winners include Meera Syal and Hari Kunzru whose books we have reviewed earlier in this column).

The Lost Flamingoes of Bombay (Penguin, 2009) is his second work of fiction, and is based on the Jessica Lal case, a cause celebre, that had the whole of India talking. Jessica Lal was murdered point blank by the son of a prominent Haryana politician, and all witnesses turned hostile or refused to testify, as a result of which he was acquitted. The press outcry was such that he was presented before a High Court and subsequently committed to trial.

In the novel, Zaira,

India’s major metropolises Mumbai and Delhi in vivid detail

a popular film star is killed by a wellconnected stalker in a popular bar while mixing drinks. The murder, and the miscarriage of justice that follows it, affects the lives of Samar, the jaded young genius; Karan, the photographer with a mission; and Rhea, who gave up her career for marriage.

Shanghvi’s novel is filled with images, snapshots and descriptions of Mumbai and the issues that rage and engage Mumbaikars: annual monsoon and flooding of the city; the Shiv Sena’s moral policing, the dark side of economic liberalism and much more –not all negative. It brings to mind Suketu Mehta’s description of Mumbai as a “bootcamp of urban living”; an unforgiving city, and other novels of the city by authors Manil Suri, Rohinton Mistry, Susan Kurosawa, Vikas Swarup, Vikram Chandra, Greg Roberts’

Shantaram and Indra Sinha’s Death of Mr Love. Shanghvi, a Juhu boy from Mumbai, presents the reader with an insider’s view of the city as he describes Karan’s search for the Mumbai Fornicator, with its dark and murky alleyways and streets on the one hand, and the flamingos at Sewri on the other.

The Lost Flamingoes of Bombay was on the shortlist for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2008 – and is an immensely readable book.

* * *

Delhi Noir is a collection of short stories of Delhi by a star studded cast of authors, edited by Hirsh Sawhney. There have been some wonderful books written on Delhi over the years, including those by William Dalrymple, Khushwant Singh, Vijay Goel and Jhabvala – to name a few; however, they tend to be preoccupied with Delhi’s past, its rulers, ruins, architecture and the like. Delhi Noir steers well clear of it – and instead we read about bent cops who steal and kill, and about the ‘dark side of the boom’: what the author describes as the “inequality and cruelty” that disfigure this massive, sprawling city. Through these stories we learn about the waves of migration –initially from the Punjab, and now Bihar –that make their way into the city’s hierarchy

of power and corruption.

Delhi has grown phenomenally especially in the last 20 years, and this is a collection of stories about the city’s underbelly unlike any before. From old areas such as Paharganj to the parvenu Green Park, to the ‘lungs’ of Delhi - the Ridge, the book is filled with tales of horror, deception, revenge and things ‘noir’. In Allan Sealy’s story, a crafty autorickshaw driver exacts his revenge; in Mohan Sikka’s Railway Aunty, a student gigolo lives on the knife’s edge; Meera Nair’s Small Fry compares the uprooted poor around the Bus Terminal with the rich who have made it through not exactly legal means; Khair’s story is a parable of misperceptions; Manjula Padmanabhan fast forwards to Delhi 2050; Ruchir Joshi spins a tale that springs from a conflict over parking in Nizamuddin; Siddharth Chowdhury’s tale encompasses Bihari students in Delhi University’s north campus, and finally, Uday Prakash’s The Walls of Delhi - the only story translated from the Hindi, is another gem. All in all, this is an engrossing anthology of tales from Delhi which is sure to bring hours of reading pleasure especially to those familiar with the topography of Delhi who will recognise the places described.

Shanghvi’s novel is filled with images, snapshots and descriptions of Mumbai and the issues that rage and engage Mumbaikars…

Restful retirement

Attractive global locations for retirement, with an emphasis on what India has to offer

BY NOEL G DE SOUZA

A country is perceived through its major cities. Paris, London, New York, Rio, Mumbai and Delhi greatly influence their country’s image. In today’s globalised world one looks at places for their attractiveness and liveability, and also for retirement.

If a cruise ship stops at Mumbai its Western passengers may get a certain picture about India, but it would be quite different if that cruise ship stopped instead at Goa or Cochin. The passengers might see India quite differently.

A number of reputable groups study and rank the world’s major cities. A survey sponsored by the American magazine Foreign Policy ranked cities based on their business activity: New York came first, Tokyo 4th, Hong Kong 5th, Singapore 7th, Seoul 9th, Beijing 12th and Dubai 27th Incredibly no Indian city ranked within the top thirty, despite the enormous business output of Indian cities like Mumbai. Cities are often ranked by their attractiveness and liveability. Using a simple yardstick: when visiting a city if one shows no desire to ever see it again, it is not an attractive option; however, if one feels the urge to migrate and settle in it, the city rates highly for attractiveness and liveability.

The Economist magazine’s Intelligence Unit prepares a yearly liveability report

on the world’s cities. Scores are based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

Its latest report puts Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide and three Canadian cities in the “top ten” category. Remarkably, those cities have been Indian favourites for migration since quite some time.

The bottom ten cities include Colombo, Kathmandu, Karachi and Dhaka. New Delhi ranks 113 and Mumbai 117 rank ahead of Colombo 132 and Dhaka 138.

India, because of its exoticness, has long attracted tourism. The World Economic Forum (WEF) prepares a Tourism Competitive Index on a global (133 countries) and on an Asian region (25 countries) basis. Australia ranks 9th globally and 1st in the Asian region. China is ranked at 47th globally and 10th regionally, and India is 62nd globally and 11th regionally. In WEF’s survey on human, cultural and natural resources, Australia ranks 3rd, China 12th and India 18th

International Living prepares reports for Westerners who wish to relocate on retirement or have a holiday home outside their own countries. The assessment honestly acknowledges a Western bias with its preconceived notions about standards of living, culture and entertainment.

International Living rates Latin America, the Caribbean and Southern Europe as highly desirable for retirement. It also mentions Goa saying that expatriate hideaways there can cost just US $14,000 (an obviously low amount for Americans).

In most reports, India does not rate

highly for liveability or attractiveness, the major exception being the state of Goa which is considerably westernised and offers reasonably good standards of living. It lavishly celebrates events like the Carnival and Christmas. There are “offshore” casinos in rivers, it is host to the annual International Film Festival of India, hospitals provide specialist care to Westerners at a modest price and yoga and massage therapy centres are available.

Goa is a holiday destination for the farflung Goan diaspora, attracting these expatriate retirees from Britain and Portugal who have bought holiday and retirement homes. This also includes some nonIndian Britons who find Goa cheap and attractive. Some wellknown Indians have bought land and built luxury homes in the state. Luxury resorts have proliferated to the chagrin of locals who see themselves being swamped by outsiders.

Goa’s reputation has been sullied within the last year by some horrendous and unsavoury incidents involving foreigners, particularly British and Russian, resulting in widespread publicity abroad, causing a drop in tourism which has had hotels have heavily discounting prices. There are also reports that the Russian mafia is active and that drugs are being traded.

India can benefit by building “attractive and liveable” retirement enclaves for both returning Indian retirees and foreigners who wish to spend extended periods in the country

Goa might attract Westerner retirees, but Indian retiree expatriates have different requirements and wider choices in India. Hopefully, besides the cultural satisfaction, they will find things cheaper. Retirement homes are springing up all along India’s colourful west coast such as in Raigad nears New Mumbai, Mangalore (Karnataka) and Cochin (Kerala), convenient for Indian retirees who prefer to live in their original states. Areas close to large Indian cities have begun retirement developments such as near Delhi and Bangalore.

Israelis and Russians live in Goa by the thousands, running their own restaurants and hotels. Chartered planes bring tourists directly to Goa from Britain, Israel and Russia. Many properties sold to foreigners (including Indian expatriates) are currently being challenged as being either illegal or unauthorised.

Some Indian expatriates living in the USA have been moving to retirement villages in India. One of the reasons is apparently the exorbitant cost of health insurance in the USA. India can benefit by building “attractive and liveable” retirement enclaves for both returning Indian retirees and foreigners who wish to spend extended periods in the country. Italy has been doing that for many decades, particularly for expatriates returning from the USA.

Confronting the conundrum

MALLI IYER offers an intense overview of the students’ issue in Australia and its repercussions

The media in India and Australia have well and truly flogged the Indian students issue to death since the past 12 months.

The reporting has been partisan and it is not hard to see the political overtones. Australian Federal and State government politicians are happy to admit ‘some’ element of racism. It promises them ‘some’ voting gains at the next election. Racism is almost impossible to prove on the basis of stray incidents in a multicultural and secular society such as Australia. The same political leaders appear to claim that Australia is one of the safest destinations for overseas visitors. The attitude of the Indian government is one of ‘interested indifference’, as they can do little else but keep expressing serious concern about the safety of its citizens. It is fair to point out that Australian government has plenty on its plate already with successive boatloads of asylum seekers and legal or illegal migrant prospects contributing to people and population pressure.

In all the media reports that have appeared so far which allege racism against Indians in Australia, not one of them has analyzed the peculiarities of the situation - namely, Australia has a huge population of people of South Asian origin from Fiji, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, East Africa, Bangladesh - all of whom look nearly the same. However, none of the others appear to have been assaulted or have had crimes perpetrated against them. No matter how clever or discriminating the so-called racists are, they do not have a third eye to single out the Indian students and leave all the others unharmed!

Why are billboards, newspaper advertisements and commercial TV channels in India still screaming at their audiences to study and work in Australia, New Zealand and the UK? Migration agents purporting to be wizards at getting work permits and migrant visas are collecting hefty professional fees from gullible youths, whose parents and guardians seem comfortable about parting with huge sums of money in pursuit of goals for their children’s future.

The ‘noveau riche’ middle class in India has no qualms about throwing a couple of million rupees to get their offspring a few more opportunities to succeed in their endeavours.

So why indeed, have over a 100,000 Indian students chosen Australian educational institutions to become paying scholars attending dubious courses such as hairdressing, wine waiting, chefs and kitchen-related programmes? A majority of these institutions are not directly affiliated to well-known universities like Monash, NSW, Sydney, La Trobe, Charles Stuart or ANU. Some of these students who have enlisted in hairdressing and catering courses have college degrees in Information Technology, Engineering and other disciplines which are far removed from the ones named above. Could it be because the capitation fees and donations sought by colleges affiliated to Indian Universities are

such that they choose the more convenient option of spending similar amounts in Australian educational institutions? These students seem hardly keen on pursuing a career either in hairdressing or catering, but they are aware that these qualifications could open up opportunities for permanent residence (PR) in Australia. Recent amendments to Australian immigration rules that permit PRs to migrant prospects with Australian qualifications or employment experience have acted as a lure, even though these rules for prospective migrants have changed several times in recent years.

It is a plain but bitter truth that by granting a student visa, Australian educational institutions have sought to obtain new funding sources for their survival, since Government funding was withdrawn some years ago. Is it any surprise that foreign students are sought after as a major source of revenue by very reputed Australian universities? The international students in all Australian Universities are seen as a lucrative money spinning industry, or else they would not spend huge advertising dollars in the Indian news media to attract students to Australia.

It does not take a genius to discover why there are several new faces at petrol station checkouts, waiters at restaurants, amateurish taxicab drivers and the like, almost all of

whom are willing to work graveyard shifts at below minimum wages because they need the cash to spend on their creature comforts. It would seem reasonable from the point of view of small Australian businesses to hire casual or part-time employees who have a good command of the English language and are willing to work for affordable wages. Indian students fill the bill adequately.

Indian students in cities like Sydney and Melbourne are conspicuous because of their loud mobile phone conversations in trains, bus stations and other public places. Ipods with Bollywood music are not out of place and carrying reasonable amount of cash on their persona is a common feature – as they do not yet qualify to obtain credit cards. It is patently obvious to everyone that they could be easy prey to the brash, beer guzzling, outof-work Aussies in public places.

It is probably true when our Indian Foreign Minister says that Australia is in denial of the problem. After all, the stray incidents in Australia are nowhere near the excesses on Indian migrants and workers in the Middle East. Besides, when there is clear culpability on part of all the parties involved in this conundrum, it is grossly unfair to point a finger only at the Australian government. After all, they have an oncoming federal election, global warming effects and reshaping of their policies with South and North East Asia to contend with, whilst not mentioning the global financial meltdown – let’s just say that they have plenty of fish to fry. Should we hold it against them if they are in denial?

Interest Rates on the way up

How high will they go?

By Navjeet Singh Matta

Full Accredited Member of Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia; also Director, Gain Home Loans

The first rate rise of 2010

Dear friends,

On 2nd March 2010 the Reserve Bank decided to increase the cash rate by 0.25% making this the fourth increase in the last 6 months. Although an interest rate increase was expected in February too, the Reserve Bank decided not to hike it. Rate rise is not very good news for mortgage holders and every increase puts extra burden on them. A family with a $300K mortgage will pay an extra $49 every month to their lender. The silver-lining this time was that all the major lenders only mirrored the Reserve Bank by increasing the rate by 0.25% compared to last time when the increase was more than the Reserve Bank increase. Westpac was the worst - it increased its rate by 0.45% and hence got a lot of negative media attention. Its own customers were unhappy and started looking for alternatives.

Looking forward, economists are predicting more rate rises in the coming months as Australia is coming out of recession quicker than expected. It is expected that there will be at least three rate rises in the near future and then they will remain stable after that. I have been writing in my earlier articles to all of you to brace for these interest

rate rises. The best way to prepare for this is to keep making extra repayments, so that when your minimum repayment increases, you don’t feel too much pain! There are two benefits of making extra repayments: one, you pay off your loan sooner, and second, you pay less interest over the life of the loan.

We at Gain Home Loans are always trying our best to help our customers get the best deal on the home loan and structure the loan to pay it off sooner. Please contact us on 02 96763417 if you need a new home loan or assistance with your existing home loan. We’ll be more than happy to assist with the same.

Should you go for fixed rates now?

All the major lenders have been very smart by increasing their fixed rates by at least 1.5% more than the variable rates in the last few months. This makes it very difficult for consumers to go for fixed rates as the difference is too high to consider them. The other reason is that many people burnt their hands by taking fixed rates in 2008 when the rates were going up; many of them are locked at fixed rates which are close to 9%. Although the major lenders have fixed rates more than 7%, there are still better deals available. At the time of writing this article there is a lender who is offering 6.99% as a 3 year fixed rate, please call me on 0296763417 if you want further information.

I think it’s always better to split your mortgage between variable and fixed so that you can best of both worlds.

Again, everybody’s situation is different so do contact a professional mortgage broker to discuss your situation. We are here to help you: we free property reports and free home loan assessment. Hundreds of families have benefitted with our Free Services. We provide free RP Data report (worth $79) for existing home owners and also for people who are looking for their first home or investment property. This report can help you put the right offer on the property and also helps you negotiate better with the Real Estate agent. You can order your free report just by visiting our web-site www.gainhomeloans.com.au. Also contact us for free home loan assessment: we deal with all the major and private lenders and can find the best solution for your needs. No need to hop from one bank to another - we have all loans available under one roof and can find the best deal for you.

Contact us at GAIN HOME LOANS, Lvl 1, 9 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown, visit our Website, or call us 7 days a week on 02 96763417.

Disclaimer: Advice given in this article does not take into account the personal needs and objectives or financial situation of the reader. The reader should consider the appropriateness of this and seek professional advice before making a decision whether to acquire or continue the products and services mentioned.

The attitude of the Indian government is one of ‘interested indifference’, as they can do little else but keep expressing serious concern about the safety of its citizens

Healthy ageing

Diet factors for seniors to consider

BY GEETA KHURANA

Lots of physiological and psychological changes are associated with the process of ageing. When we are young we might eat eight puris and still have the appetite for two gulabjamuns, but as we grow old we might find it difficult to eat three puris or even think about putting a second gulabjamun in our plate. Even if we feel young at heart, our bodies let us know by way of discomfort that we are growing old.

Healthy ageing requires the overall wellbeing of the individual which comprises of physical fitness, social wellbeing, financial security and mental and emotional stability. Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis and cancer are common problems associated with old age.

As we age, our body metabolism slows down and so, even if we eat the same kind and amount of food as before, we end up putting on weight since we burn fewer calories. Many seniors have problems with chewing, swallowing and digestion, especially when using dentures. The sense of taste and smell also declines, which reduces the pleasure and comfort associated with food. And generally people wearing dentures are unable to chew hard foods; which further limits choices of foods.

Constipation is another major problem in old age because of less fibre intake, less fluid intake and a sedentary lifestyle. Staying indoors increases the chances of having Vitamin D deficiencies as there is very little exposure to sunlight. This further decreases bone strength and causes osteoporosis.

Previously, in the joint family system, the elders were well looked after and had wholesome food to eat. But now due to the trend of nuclear families, most of our aged population is left to fend for themselves. This further deteriorates their diet as most of them are not able to cook or do not feel like cooking elaborate meals and therefore rely mostly on frozen, pre-cooked or unhealthy processed foods and quick meals.

There are certain tips which would help to maintain a balanced nutrition for healthy ageing:

l Do not skip meals. Have three regular and three small meals, as large portions of food might cause heaviness and may be difficult to digest.

l Try to opt for low Glycemic index

carbohydrates or wholegrain carbohydrates. For example: instead of white bread use multigrain bread. If you have a chewing problem with grains, go in for soy linseed or rye bread. Eat brown rice and whole wheat pasta instead of the white refined products. Wholegrain foods are higher in fibre and keep you full for a longer time.

l Go in for fat reduced dairy foods. Choose skimmed milk, diet or 99% fat free yoghurts and light cheese. Have less of saturated fats such as butter and ghee. And have at least three serves of calcium every day to keep your bones healthy. A serve is a glass of milk or a slice of cheese. Those who are lactose intolerant can go in for soy milk, although sometimes yoghurt can be tolerated.

l Have at least two serves of fruits and five serves of vegetables every day. Fruits and salads can be had as in-between snacks and fillers during the day. If you have problems chewing and eating raw salads, grate them instead. Enjoy a variety of fruits and salad vegetables such as melons, strawberries, bananas, plums, apples, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Fruits can also be stewed. But avoid fruit juices or fruit canned in sugar syrup; instead pick fruit canned in natural syrup. These will help prevent constipation, provide resistance against diseases and also provide antioxidants to fight disease likes cancer in old age.

l Pick foods with healthy fats and avoid unhealthy fats. Unhealthy fats are mainly found in full fat dairy products and red meat. Trans-fats are found in cookies, candies and processed goods. Have more of the unsaturated fats found in plant oils such as sunflower oil, olive oil and canola oil, etc. as well as fats found in nuts and avocadoes. Because avocadoes have a lot of good fat, they should be eaten in moderation. Also eat more fish like sardines, salmon, herring and mackerel. If you must have meat, go in for the lean cuts and trim off all the fat, as red meat is generally a good source of iron.

lProteins are also very important for your body. These are needed to maintain a healthy immune system and to prevent muscles from wasting. Go in for lentils, soy, tofu, paneer, eggs, skinless chicken, fish and lean cuts of meat regularly.

l Flavour your food with lemon juice, vinegar, coriander and mint to make it more colorful and appetizing. Have mint coriander chutney as an accompaniment rather than pickles, as they are high in both salt and oil.

Grocery/Convenience Store for sale

Nearly 3 yrs old Indian grocery/convenience store for sale in busy suburb. Prime location if you want to add coffee shop/ take away food counter inside the shop as it is surrounded by offices/near to School. 5 minute walk to the station.

Interested parties can contact:

l As hypertension is a common problem with the elderly, go slow on fried foods and salt. Also have less of namkeen mixtures as these are all fried and have a lot of salt. Fried foods such as samosas and spring rolls can be substituted for bhel puri, sandwiches and fruit chaat

l Cakes, mithais and other sweets can be kept for special occasions, birthdays and festivals.

l The body’s water content decreases as you grow older and this is the reason why a lot of seniors suffer from dehydration. Drink plenty of water daily. Avoid having fruit juices, aerated drinks or more tea and coffee. Have plain nimbu pani or lassi instead of cordials or soft drinks.

l Go for a walk every day. If you are not able to walk for a longer time, then try to walk for shorter but more frequent spells. Physical activity is as important as good nutrition to keep you healthy. Growing old does not mean, having a restricted diet or staying indoors. Go out and enjoy yourself, join clubs and libraries. Do the things that you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time when you were young and had a busy schedule. All this will keep you in a positive frame of mind which is a very important part of healthy ageing. A well balanced diet, regular exercise and a positive attitude will go a long way to help you enjoy healthy old age.

Business for Lease

Indian Takeaway in Quakers Hill available for lease as owner is too busy to look after it. Its a running business with good weekly takings. Operates only 4 Hrs for now so high potential for growth. Next to station and cheap rent. Wont last long.

Pl. call - 0422 129 910

A well balanced diet, regular exercise and a positive attitude will go a long way to help you enjoy healthy old age

Ageing in style

FARZANA SHAKIR offers tips on how to make the ageing experience a healthy and happy one

Ageing gracefully is not just desired by everyone everywhere, one presumes it must be most widely wished for, right after the yearning to stay forever young. Of course, it is the right of every human being to be able to age and retire with grace and dignity. And like all good things in life, this right is totally achievable. But the trick is in taking a holistic approach and targeting your physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing to achieve this state of nirvana.

While people are now living longer, they don’t often live healthier lives. Ageing well is all about maintaining emotional wellbeing and retaining mental and physical functions by socialising, eating healthy and engaging in physical activity. In order to sidestep some chronic health conditions prevalent in old age, it is important to make some lifestyle changes as early as possible in life, and integrate good strategies which will become habits by the time you really need them. And there can’t be a better investment than the one you make in your health.

But even for those who’ve left it a little late, there’s hope; all it takes is a little commitment to adapt to new routines and replace old habits.

Here are a few pointers to help you age in style:

Physical Health

Start rooting for healthy bones, and the earlier in life the better. Chronic bone conditions rampant in old age like osteoporosis require a continuous calcium intake so develop a habit of including milk, cheese, yoghurt and other sources of this mineral in your diet on a regular basis. Start your daughters on at least a daily glass of milk.

Get into the habit of exercising daily. If nothing else, go for a short walk. Tai Chi and other exercises for improving balance are excellent in strengthening muscles, preventing falls and keeping you on your feet as you get older. It is, however, advisable to consult your health care provider before starting an exercise regimen.

Our body needs Vitamin D to retain bone health. The best source of this is the sun, so soak it up but in measured doses. If

for some reason you find it difficult to get outdoors, discuss the option for a vitamin D supplement with your doctor.

Mental Health

Resistance training boosts cognitive ability. Activities like swimming and aerobics are good for your brain, and research shows that even simple weights training that seniors can easily handle, works wonders in increasing their mental abilities.

As we age, one of the most common complaints is of memory decline. Oxidative damage is the main cause of mental deterioration. You can stop your mental degeneration by eating foods rich in antioxidants. Think berries, especially blueberries which have been proven by research to prevent and help reduce the effects of age-related mental conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Fish, citruses, avocadoes and wholegrains are other brain-friendly foods.

Our bodies require water as an absolute must to function properly. The brain is 80% water and brain nutrition is primarily hydration. So develop a habit of drinking

But the trick is in taking a holistic approach and targeting your physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing to achieve this state of nirvana

plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day. Increase your water intake when the weather is hot and humid or if you are ill. In addition, two to three cups of fresh brewed tea works wonders towards replenishing the body. A well hydrated body is better equipped to ward off signs of physical and mental erosion.

Doing brain games like crosswords and Suduko and physical activities like walking, dancing, golf, knitting, typing on the computer, learning sign language or playing a musical instrument, all promote improved brain functions.

Spiritual Health

Spirituality is a term often used interchangeably with religion when in

fact, it is far more encompassing. Research has found that the state of spiritual transcendence beyond the material and self is directly related to health, happiness and emotional stability in older people. So integrate spirituality in your life.

People of different cultures have differing philosophies and practices of spirituality, but in the end they all result in similar positive outcomes.

Religion is a way of expressing spirituality. People who are members of a religious circle enjoy social support and a sense of belonging which is highly significant in coping with age related changes.

Strategies to bring spirituality into your life include prayer, meditation, relaxation, artistic expressions like writing a memoir, personal healing by giving away mementos and distributing possessions, doing voluntary work, imagery as in creating a memory garden and reflecting on what life has taught us by our experiences etc.

Emotional Health

To age well, it is absolutely essential to maintain your emotional health. Minimize chronic stressors. People who stress out easily are more prone to diseases like Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. Maintain a sense of humour. See the lighter side of things and don’t clog your mind with negative thoughts. Positive thinking will keep you from aging quickly.

As we age, traditions become more important to us. If these are lacking in the older people’s life, it can give rise to feelings of meaninglessness. These emotional insecurities are more evident in the aging migrant population. So stay in touch with people of your community, form a social network as in later years this will serve as a connection with your history and heritage.

If you are experiencing emotional distress, try meditation. This age-old art of silencing the mind and increasing concentration works wonders in promoting inner peace in the midst of life’s daily turmoils.

So acquire the knowledge of self, understand your body and mind and take measures right now to ensure they keep functioning optimally till the very end.

TOONGABBIE $509,950

WHEN SIZE COUNTS

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WENTWORTHVILLE

SMALL QUIET COMPLEX

This 2 bedroom villa is well presented in immaculate condition. Features include modern kitchen and bathroom, combined lounge & dining, reverse cycle air conditioning, single lock up garage, internal laundry and easy maintenance yard, all set close to all amenities.

Laing & Simmons Wentworthville 9688 4000 Contact Leanne Ollerenshaw

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AUCTION LOCATION LOCATION, LOCATION 18 Garfield Street Can’t beat this one for location, less than 500 meters to station. Character filled full brick home partially renovated with spectacular new kitchen with European appliances, new heritage style bathroom, 3 large bedrooms, separate lounge & dine, lead light windows, large rear covered verandah, 2 garages, set on over 600sqm on high side of street. A very rare Opportunity! MOTIVTAED VENDOR!!

Open For Inspection: Saturday 12:30 -1 pm

Auction: Saturday 27 March 2010 on site at 1pm

Laing & Simmons Wentworthville 9688 4000 Contact Alan Fowler 0413 057 699 or Leanne Ollerenshaw 0414 790 887

MERRYLANDS

HILLTOP LOCATION 3 NORMAN STREET Well presented 3 bedroom home in a very popular Hilltop location, the home features large family living area, air conditioning, modern kitchen, internal laundry, bathroom & 2nd toilet, lock up garage, sparkling in ground pool, excellent size yard for the kids, all set on approx 626sqm block – rare find in this location. Open For Inspection: Saturday 2:30-3:00pm Auction: Saturday 27 March 2010 on site at 3:00pm

Laing & Simmons Wentworthville 9688

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Serene Stockholm

By THOMAS E KING

Water laced and architecturally graced, Stockholm is easily one of the world’s most visually stunning capitals. Spread over 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, water covers one third of the Swedish city. Beyond an intricate network of rock-rimmed canals is a city of style and charm. Stately, century old residences line elegant streets while elsewhere sophisticated people purchase chic “Made in Sweden” goods from modish shops in designer blueprinted glass and steel buildings. Lush parks – part of a green belt that occupies another third of the city - dot this beautiful metropolis where the air is truly refreshing and its numerous waterways are truly clean.

Narrated canal tours that cruise along many water channels are a relaxing way to get an overview of the 1.3 million-strong capital. My wife and I opted for a two hour boat excursion mid last year when the long warm days and short cool nights of midsummer were still being celebrated. We boarded a specially constructed water craft for an Under the Bridges canal tour from the pier in front of the Grand Hotel, one of the most historic properties in this distinguished city on the water.

Immediately after setting off we were in front of one of the city’s largest buildings. Virtually opposite the pier – a bustling place where you can also board cruises that circle through the idyllic 24,000 island Swedish archipelago – is the Italian styled baroque Royal Palace. Located on the central island of Stadsholmen, it’s one of the biggest palaces in Europe.

The Swedish Royal Family resided in this boxy pinkish brown 608 room mid-18th century building – I heard it called ‘the Matchbox’ on more than one occasion –until 1981.

Though they now live in the countryside south of Stockholm at Drottningholm, the CBD-sited palace is still used by King Carl XVI Gustaf and other members of the Swedish Royal Family. Even when he is not signing documents and meeting dignitaries, large areas of the regal building are open to the public.

Inside the cavernous palace visitors can explore halls highly ornamented with priceless paintings, galleries studded with even more masterpieces, chambers where royalty enjoyed gala balls and

spectacle that combines rousing military music and two uniformed regiments on horseback. Busloads of tourists are always on hand to witness the formalities. We missed the ceremonial Changing of the Guards every day of our week long stay in the capital simply because we were inevitably out and about elsewhere on the small rocky island, as it has another claim to fame. Stadsholmen is also the

island site of Gamla Stan (Swedish for where the city began in the 13 century.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden since 1634, was founded in 1252 on this strategic isle as a garrison fortress to police the waterways between the Baltic Sea and inland lakes. Winding traffic free streets, century old houses, tiny parks and churches with soaring spires and gabled roofs are characteristic of atmospheric Gamla Stan.

The area is ‘tourist central’ with summertime visitors swarming through the narrow streets to browse and buy, or sip and stay. That’s because most of the homes have now been converted

Here (Skansen), some 150 buildings representing different periods and different social classes from across Sweden have been relocated to form an absorbing outdoor museum

into cosy cafes, antique shops, boutique hotels, souvenir shops and art galleries. Buskers in costumes vie for attention as you wander through this highly animated area. We paused to listen to a hot Swedish jazz band and then proceeded on to see more in this medieval wonderland.

It’s easy to get lost in Gamla Stan but just as easy to find your bearings, as eventually all cobblestone streets lead to Stortoget. The Great Square is surrounded by tall houses painted in pleasing colours and fronted by boxes of blooming flowers. These residences once belonged to rich 15th century merchants and

ship builders who helped Sweden become a leading trading nation.

With its quaint lanes and lovely buildings I found this charming area to be highly photogenic; Skansen, on the nearby island of Djurgarden, is equally picturesque. Spread over a forested hill on this small island, Skansen is the oldest open air museum in the world. Opened in 1891 it was founded by pioneer Swedish educationalist Artur Hazelius. Here, some 150 buildings representing different periods and different social classes from across Sweden have been relocated to form an absorbing outdoor museum.

1. Costumed musicians and dancers add to the authenticity of Skansen, the oldest open air museum in the world

2. The sole exhibit in the Vasa Museum is the oldest fully preserved 17th century warship

3. Sightseeing boats are a relaxing way to explore canal-laced Stockholm and its outstanding archipelago.

4. The ornate spire of the German Church dominates the skyline of Gamla Stan, the majestic Old Town

5. Stockholm’s grand City Hall is the striking venue for the Nobel Prize banquet organised every December.

Stately, century old residences line elegant streets while elsewhere sophisticated people purchase chic “Made in Sweden” goods from modish shops in designer blueprinted glass and steel buildings

Far more than a static collection of historic structures, craftspeople demonstrate regional crafts and farming techniques to enthralled visitors strolling through one of Sweden’s most visited attractions. This is a working village with glass blowers, potters and carpenters on hand to explain time-tested techniques.

It was the intent of Artur Hazelius to show how people lived and worked in all regions of Sweden from Lapland in the north to farm lands in the south. He selected a 35 ha. parcel of prime island land and began to relocate representative farm houses, churches, rural shops and even manor houses from the period between 1500 and the 1920s. In doing so this visionary has ensured that the Sweden of yesteryear can be seen by future generations.

Though Skansen is within walking distance of central Stockholm, it exudes a decidedly rural ambience. I walked rolling countryside roads to a vantage point and looked out over a serene harbour - an inlet of the Baltic Sea - which admittedly is not always so serene.

Conditions were calm on the morning of August 10, 1628 when the fully laden Swedish warship Vasa set sail with 145 seamen, 300 soldiers and 68 large bronze cannons. However, within 15 minutes of being farewelled, a strong gust of wind tipped the vessel and the pride of the mighty fleet began taking on water. Built from the wood of 1000 oak trees, the sturdy flagship of the Swedish navy quickly sank. For over 330 years the intact ship lay undisturbed in the black mud of Stockholm Harbour until a salvage team began restoration efforts in 1961. They found that the harbour’s cool waters had miraculously preserved the 70 metre vessel in 15 metres of water and began the delicate task of recovery. A purpose built museum contains the resin impregnated craft which I was awed to learn is recognised as the oldest fully preserved 17th century warship in the world.

Travel notebook Stockholm

Thai Airways International has three flights a day from Sydney to Bangkok and a daily service linking Bangkok and Stockholm. Contact THAI reservations on 1300 651 960 or visit www.thaiairways.com.au

Arrival Operating from 5am to midnight, the Arlanda Express whisks passengers from the international airport to the Central Station in 20 minutes. See www.arlandaexpress.com

TRAVEL Book tours, cruises, hotels and any other travel arrangements in Stockholm through Nordic travel specialist, MyPlanet, tel 1800 221 712 or visit www.myplanetaustralia. com.au

ACCOMMODATION Located in leafy surrounds within walking distance of the train station and the City Hall, the 461-room First Hotel Amaranten is a cosy suburban retreat near a great Indian restaurant and a store stocking provisions from the

subcontinent. See www.firsthotels.com

BARGAIN The Stockholm Card which includes free admission to museums and free tours and public transport is the best deal available to tourists.

EXCURSIONS There are many options including ferry excursions to towns fronting the archipelago. Recommended is Vaxholm with its well preserved fortress and timber cottages and quaint Sigtuna, a Viking settlement and the site of the Swedish capital a thousand years ago.

INFORMATION Contact the Scandinavia Tourist Board representative office in Sydney for a free copy of the Essential Guide to Scandinavia, tel (02) 9212 1332, e-mail: info@visitscandinavia.com.au. See www.visitscandinavia.com.au and www. stockholmtown.com.

Photos: Thomas E KIng

Rooting for Ravneet

BY PREETI JABBAL

“Let’s be perfectly honest. If you have a profile, it helps to promote your cause. And that is the main reason why I chose to enter the Mrs. Australia pageant,” confessed Indian-born Australian citizen Ravneet Kaur, who has been shortlisted as a finalist out of hundreds of hopefuls. The ‘cause’ in focus is a charity called ‘Simply Equal’ that Ravneet is passionate about. She registered the charity in 2008 to support and fight for equality of women in society. Ravneet is hopeful that through her journey in the Mrs. Australia pageant, her charity may get more visibility and recognition.

“The Mrs. Australia pageant comes across as more than a traditional beauty pageant,” she said. “Their focus is on improving self-esteem and self-empowerment of its participants. They are committed to working with their local communities and they encourage participants to be involved in these programs. This appealed to me and I decided to send in my application. I thought this would be a great way to bring more exposure to my cause and it will give me more experience in developing my charity further.”

When Ravneet got selected as a finalist, she was elated. As part of the pageant, all the national finalists are expected to organise fundraising events for the charity ‘Women In Need’ (WIN). WIN Australia supports women that have come from abusive backgrounds. The fundraisers will be held on March 27 and the contestants can score well based on how creative and successful they are in raising funds. Ravneet is in the process of finalizing details of her own fundraising event that will involve art (her other passion) and mothers and children.

Ravneet is currently also involved in organising an event in association with San Franciscobased charity Petals in the Dust. Walk for India’s Missing Girls is a peaceful march to protest

female feoticide and infanticide in India, and to remember victims of this crime. Walk for India’s Missing Girls will be held in Delhi, Mumbai, Pondicherry, Kuwait, Dublin, Melbourne, Ontario and San Francisco. As part of this global event Ravneet and her supporters will walk from Moreland Station to the Indian Consulate at Munro Street in Coburg.

“We will be carrying posters with us that will create more awareness on this issue. We will also carry flowers as a symbol of precious life of a girl child. The silent march will stress to the Indian Government the importance of addressing this key issue on an urgent basis,” disclosed Ravneet.

This feisty girl from a little village near Amritsar in Punjab will compete with 40 other contestants from across Australia for the crown of Mrs. Australia. The pageant will be held in Melbourne in July this year. In 2010, the Mrs. Australia prize pool is valued at over $30,000 and the winner will also have the opportunity to take part in a smile makeover valued at over $18,000 USD from Burbank labs. The winner will represent Australia at the Mrs. Globe pageant.

Ravneet smiled when asked how her preparation was going for the finals. “We

are selected on the basis of our community involvement so my main focus is my charity and the upcoming fundraiser at the moment. I am hoping to get more sponsors and support,” she said.

Raising awareness for equality of women is a subject close to Ravneet’s heart based on her own past experience. She is currently in the process of getting a divorce from her husband who she claims ‘changed dramatically after getting a permanent residency in Australia’. She had an arranged marriage but things did not work out, and she had to go through a lot of hardships and pressures from her in-laws and husband. According to Ravneet, things reached a point where her husband left her with a large debt on her credit card at a time when she wasn’t earning much. As a result of the marriage breakdown she went through depression, but eventually regained her confidence with the support of her parents.

Life as a Mrs. has not been a bed of roses for Ravneet but let’s hope life as Mrs. Australia will bring more promise.

A vivacious India-born woman competes in the ‘Mrs. Australia’ pageant, for a noble cause

This feisty girl from a little village near Amritsar in Punjab will compete with 40 other contestants from across Australia for the crown of Mrs. Australia

Upma, new and funky!

Modern takes on a traditional Indian snack-time favourite.

BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

Pronounced keen-wa, this however is neither new, nor even a grain. It is the seed of a leafy vegetable like spinach, and has been around at least two thousand years, as a staple crop of the South American Incas. It seems to have reemerged in the past couple of years as a “superfood” item, such are its health benefits. It is said to be a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, and apparently has more calcium than even milk. It is also packed with fibre, and vitamins iron and magnesium, and is popular with vegetarians for this reason. It is available from health food shops and good supermarkets.

To cook quinoa, you would dry roast it first, and then add water or stock, bring to a boil and then simmer till liquid is absorbed. The grain will turn out light and fluffy. Does that sound familiar? You’re probably thinking … upma! Don’t blame you; that’s exactly what I thought as I tucked into my very first quinoa salad. It had cooked carrots, red capsicum, green onions, garlic and fresh coriander, and was dressed with chilli sauce, soy sauce and lemon juice. It looked pretty much like a couscous salad, or you might say, a cold upma.

It motivated me to try new interpretations of the old favourite. Here are some experiments.

Burghul Upma

1 cup burghul (broken wheat)

1 tbsp oil

½ tsp each mustard seeds and urad dal

1 sprig curry leaves

½ tsp turmeric powder

Green chillies to taste, chopped fine

Salt to taste

Cashewnuts (optional)

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and put in mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves. When the dal reddens, add burghul and roast lightly. Mix in salt, turmeric and green chillies. Cook, stirring constantly till the burghul is done and all the moisture is absorbed. Garnish with cashewnuts.

Breadcrumbs Upma

2 cups breadcrumbs

1 tbsp oil

1 sprig curry leaves

½ tsp each chana dal, urad dal and mustard seeds

1 small onion, chopped fine

½ tsp turmeric powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp lemon juice

Fresh coriander for garnish.

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and put in mustard seeds, dals and curry leaves. When dals redden, add green chillies. Stir briefly and then put in onions, salt and turmeric powder. Cook till onions are translucent. Then introduce the breadcrumbs, reduce

Couscous Upma

1 cup couscous

1 small onion, sliced fine Vegetables of your choice (peas, carrots, cauliflower) chopped up to make ¾ cup

1 tsbp oil

1 sprig curry leaves

½ tsp each chana dal, urad dal and mustard seeds

heat and mix well. Cook without covering for about 2-3 minutes. Add lime juice and fresh coriander and mix gently. Serve hot with a chutney of choice.

Rice Rava Upma

1 cup rice rava (coarsely ground rice)

½ tsp each mustard seeds and urad dal

2 tbsp toor dal

1 sprig curry leaves

Green chillies to taste, chopped fine

1 tbsp fresh grated coconut

½ tsp turmeric powder

Salt to taste

2 tbsp oil

2 tbsp lime juice

Fresh coriander for garnish

Cashewnuts for garnish (optional).

Soak toor dal in water for about 15 minutes

Green chillies to taste, chopped fine

Salt to taste

½ tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp lemon juice

Fresh chives for garnish.

Prepare couscous to packet instructions (use vegetable stock if preferred).

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and

then drain.

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and put in mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves. When the dal reddens, add chillies and toor dal. Mix well. Now put in three cups water, add salt and turmeric, and bring to a boil. Add rice rava gradually, stirring constantly so as not to form lumps. Cook, stirring, till the rice is tender and dry. Mix in cashewnuts and remove from heat. Add lime juice and fresh coriander and mix gently. Decorate with fresh grated coconut.

Polenta Upma

1 cup polenta

1 medium onion, sliced Vegetables (choose peas, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, carrots and/or potatoes), chopped up to make about

¾ cup

put in mustard seeds, dals and curry leaves. When dals redden, add green chillies. Stir briefly and then put in onions and cook till translucent. Then add the couscous, salt and turmeric powder; reduce heat and mix well. Cook without covering for about 2-3 minutes. Add lime juice and fresh chives and mix gently.

Green chillies to taste, chopped fine

2 tbsp oil

½ tsp mustard seeds

1 sprig curry leaves

Salt to taste

2 tsp lime juice

Fresh coriander for garnish.

Cook polenta to packet instructions. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and add curry leaves and mustard seeds. When seeds begin to splutter, add onions and lightly fry till translucent. Add chillies and all the other vegetables and a little bit of salt. Cook till veggies are tender. Then put in the cooked polenta, reduce heat and mix well. You might have to gently break polenta down with the back of a spoon. When it is all combined, add lime juice and fresh coriander and mix gently.

Food, styling and photo: Rajni

Anand Luthra

India’s World Cup campaign flawed from the start

It is time to pick up the pieces of Indian hockey even as coach Jose Brasa is humming John Denver’s Leaving on a Jet Plane melody. One suspects that the Spaniard believes that he could be the first before the firing squad, post the Hockey World Cup.

His reported statement “my bags are always packed” is not without significance. The 2-3 defeat to England was probably the last straw for salvation, but India could yet derive some consolation from their ill-fated campaign by finishing fifth like they last did in 1994 at Sydney and qualify for this year’s Champions Trophy in Germany.

However, to attain that position, India still need to beat South Africa, flying high after a shock 4-3 defeat of Pakistan, in their concluding league fixture on Monday, and thereafter win both their classification matches. Should India fail again, then for sure, the knives would be out and the worms will crawl out of the can. Such consequences, though all too familiar, will send Indian hockey back to the Dark Ages.

It is pointless to blame the players or the coaching staff. After all, a team is only as good as the system it functions in and the system is only as good as the persons who govern it. Salvation for Indian hockey lies in a top-to-bottom overhaul and not the other way around. Change always begins at the top and development from the grassroots, but it is a moot point whether the current or future Hockey India officials would take cognizance of this home truth.

Forget talent and potential. The performance yardsticks that matter are the World Cup and the Olympics, and, to a lesser extent, the Champions Trophy.

Brasa’s assertion that the players “lacked in experience and exposure” following the loss to England is debatable since a majority of the team has been playing at the international level, be it junior or senior level, for five years and more.

Had Brasa witnessed in person the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, then he would concede that the current India team is hopelessly out of its depth at the highest level, something that is obvious even to the uninitiated. In contrast, Germany, despite fielding only a few players from their successful 2006 World Cup campaign and a bunch of inexperienced youngsters, have performed exceedingly well. Mark it down to their professionally-run set

up at home.

The win against Pakistan on the opening night covered up a lot of deficiencies in the Indian team, but was cruelly exposed by better-organised and more disciplined opponents. Against England, it boiled down to motivation and intensity that the Indian team sadly lacked until the players woke up in the latter part of the contest. It was all too little too late.

The harsh reality is that Brasa is saddled with a bunch of players about whom he knows little -- about their playing background, or their personal attributes. Nor has he a support system at his disposal. Worse still, as in Vasudevan Baskaran’s 1998 World Cup squad, there are semi-fit players

who remained unexposed due to the closed training sessions.

These observations might sound like nitpicking, or growing wiser after the event, but it does not alter the results or performance of the team whose preparations for the World Cup were flawed from the start, and marred by controversy that unfortunately is a by-word in Indian hockey.

Looking ahead to India’s three remaining games in the World Cup, one fears the worst.

The memories of the 1986 World Cup where India and Pakistan fought for 11th and 12th positions are still vivid, but one hopes history will not repeat itself

Hockey structure in India is stricken by cancer: Horst Wein

Horst Wein is known in the world of hockey as much as he is in football, a rare multifaceted character. The legendary coach has a piece of advice for Indian players: Focus more on the mental aspects of the game.

“No doubt, Indian players are extremely talented, but they lack hockey intelligence. Hockey has become a thinking game. Take a look at Saturday’s game between Australia and Spain. Australia were up 1-0 in the first half and Spain, though they lost, played cleverly to reduce the pace of the game. That is what you call intelligent hockey,” said the 61-year-old German, a master coach of International Hockey Federation (FIH).

A professor of physical education at Technical University of Munich and the National Institute of Physical Education in Barcelona, Wein feels the decline of eighttime Olympic champions in international hockey is due to the lack of vision of those “who are running the game in the country”.

“I am sorry to say, but it is a fact that people who are running the game in India don’t have a vision. There is no hockey structure.

“Here right from young age they are playing 11 against 11, which is a cancer in Indian hockey. If you are playing eight-yearolds in a match of 11 against 11, then half the boys in the side don’t even get a chance to touch the ball with the stick,” says Wein, who guided the Spanish men’s team to an Olympic silver medal.

Wein, an author of 34 sports-related books, mainly on hockey and football, says a sound youth development programme is needed for India.

“Eight-year-olds should play three-a-side game while 10-year-olds should be engaged in five-a-side and the 11 year- olds should play six-a-side. When you reduce the number of players, the kids automatically get the chance to play more and that helps them in understanding the game better. This is the best way to develop them mentally,” says the foremost mentor of coaches and trainers. Wein, whose revolutionary football principles are taught to youth football coaches of FC Barcelona, says India badly needs good coaches.

“India have a great coach in Jose Brasa. Hockey India should organise more camps for the coaches, where he can teach the modern techniques in international hockey,” says the Guru, whose footprints can be seen in over 50 countries.

Wein is willing to work with both Indian hockey and football federations, and insists that a professional approach is needed to change the sports structure in the country.

Anand Philar and Abhishek Roy

India’s Tushar Khandker fights for the ball with England’s Richard Alexander during their group B match of the Field Hockey World Championship in New Delhi, India, 06 March 2010. England won 3-2.

Photo: AP

20/20 MIT Sydney Cup

In the ongoing 20/20 MIT Sydney Cup being played in Parramatta, Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls defeated Hyderabad Travels Sydney Deccan Chargers to reach the finals of the tournament.

In a closely contested match Hyderabad Travels scored 146 in their allocated 20 overs but Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls achieved the target for the loss of 3 wickets in just 17 overs. Gaurav from Ryde Automotives won the Man of the Match for his innings of 69 runs.

Ken Oze SKLPS Simba stopped Indian Links Macquarie Eleven to march into the finals of the tournament. Indian Links Macquarie Eleven which upset Singh the Dhaba’s Limra in the Quarter finals

could not go home with a win this time as Ken Oze scored a thrilling win on the last ball of their innings achieving the target of 101 for the loss of 5 wickets. Suresh from Ken Oze SKLPS Simba was adjudged Man of the Match for his innings of 33 runs.

In the other consolation tournament, Ahmedabad Warriors made 265 runs (with ex-Ranji Trophy player Mayank Verma scoring the maiden century 120 runs) and defeated West Ryders to move into the finals. Ford Pro Vibarant Gujarat defeated Billu’s Shere-e-Punjab in the other semi finals played.

Finals are to be played on Sunday 14 March.

Sanjiv Dubey

SKLPS Simba bowler

Hyderabad Travels Sydney Deccan Chargers against Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls

Indian Link Macquarie Eleven in action

Existential to expendable

BY RANI JHALA

They call it ‘economical efficiency’ but I call it ‘unethical murder’.

A decade ago I started working as a nurse. I dedicated ten years to a profession that I believed was akin to sainthood. A profession that healed, cured, cared and nurtured. But all that has now changed. No, I won’t give up nursing. But now, I will decide on what terms I work.

But it is not ‘them’ that saw the family cry, it was not ‘them’ that saw our efforts wasted, it is not them that did the ‘caring’ and, it is not ‘them’ that felt the attachment

A nurse’s life is not easy. We work long hours, we put up with verbal abuse and physical assaults, we clean up excretions from morning to night, and rush around doing as the doctors ask, often without a word of thanks. And the elderly particularly, are the hardest to look after. They are not like little babies you go clucky over as you clean bottoms; nor are they like children who delight in your joke or game. Sometimes they are not even emotionally and mentally capable of appreciating your efforts. But amidst all this chaos still stands the reason I joined this profession. The need to care! The determination to make a difference!

But those ideals were shattered for me with the death of the man in Bed 6. Because yesterday, steps were taken to terminate a life - just so that a bed could be made available. The removal of an “expendable item” as one called it. “An essential cost saving measure in

past his ‘use by’ date. But it is not ‘them’ that saw the family cry, it was not ‘them’ that saw our efforts wasted, it is not ‘them’ that did the caring and, it is not ‘them’ that felt the attachment. Sitting in their powerhouses they remained disconnected, making decisions with their heads so totally unrelated to their hearts.

I looked at several patients’ records and they all had things in common. This is how they do it. They stop appropriate treatments. When the family starts asking questions, they are kept away from their loved one. When the patient was distressed, out came the morphine. They falsified the medical records, they made so-called errors in medication, they terrorised the patient into a traumatized state, they ignored medical results, and they did not consult the specialist, though records said otherwise. In most cases the specialist was not even on site on the dates mentioned. They kept them gagged, tied or blindfolded. And when the patient was finally lost, they wondered how it happened.

If the family complained, the Board offered words of empathy. If the family took the issue to the Commission, an investigation was conducted and finally the family was told that the instances of negligence did not contribute to the death of the patient. And the hospital concluded the investigation by saying that they would like to use the patient’s case to educate the staff on ‘how not to treat patients’! Call me dumb for saying this, but we are taught how to treat a patient when we start nursing. And any person, who needs reminders on such basic caring, is fooling the world into thinking that they belong in the ‘medical profession’.

Where families had the will to take it to Court, they saw a settlement; if they lost the will to fight, they took home the painful memories and their terrible loss.

For me that pain ends right now. I am walking away from the profession that won’t let me heal. I am leaving unfulfilled ambitions, but I am going to be free from

Hundreds are going to do the same. We hope to raise enough awareness to show people that just because they are aged, they are not old. Just because they cannot see, they are not blind and if they are slow in speech, they are not dumb. And it is only our arrogance that makes us believe that we have to think for them, decide for them and dictate to them. It is our error to think that because we are younger, we have the right to live and because they are older, it is their ‘duty’ to die.

The odds of a full recovery are already stacked against an elderly patient simply because of their age and their susceptibility to complications. I am not asking the impossible of saving every life. What I am saying is that we shouldn’t add to the disadvantages. If we cannot save them, we can at least make sure their end is comfortable and peaceful. We can see to it that they feel cared for while they are alive and when the moment comes, we can bid them goodbye and help the family to release them to a better world. It is an ideal, but it not impossible.

And what made me do it? A simple request from an elderly patient in which he thanked me for my caring, but asked me to tell his family to “report the hospital for they had behaved badly”. I then checked his file and saw the many discrepancies and errors, and on the day he died I saw the note written in the morning: No CPR for this patient. That evening he died of a heart attack. No attempt had been made to revive him. No they did not kill him. They simply did not let him live.

And I realised then, that the soul had survived despite our human intervention. It took with it the memories of the pain and suffering it had endured at the hands of the staff, when instead it should have left this earth grateful for our caring and surrounded by loved ones.

No, I will not be party to this heinous game anymore. I will not accept what they call ‘economical efficiency’ and what I now call, ‘unethical murder’.

In this powerful short story narrates the circumstances that make the protagonist despair of her profession

Graffiti:

Vandalism or wisdom?

Pearls from unknown authors who enrich the lives of train commuters… if only they knew it!

communication, we would save millions by not having campaigns like ‘Say no to drugs’.

BY SUNIL GUATAM

To be honest, I have always been in two minds about it. True, some of the outpourings we see on walls are profound only to those who write them, but there are times when you come across some real gems written by someone you’ll never know. I have selected a few of these random strokes of genius to save you the trouble of scanning walls as you commute to work. Given the lifestyles of people who spend their time decorating their city, it can be safely said that none of these literary stars would be even remotely aware that they might have changed the world if they were normal.

Here we go!

Remember, it’s not “How high are you?” it’s “Hi, how are you?”

Can you think of a better slogan against getting stoned? If only the government had the sense to borrow this insightful piece of

Beauty is only a light switch away There we go again. In one terse sentence, this genius has put a billion dollar question to rest. I agree, the invention of electricity has a lot to with this pearl, but you can bet ‘Beauty is only a blow away’ would have been just as apt in earlier times.

At the feast of ego, everyone leaves hungry.

Show me a philosopher who has even come close to matching this winner in sheer brevity and depth. You can read a whole book on self actualization, spiritual cleansing and the wonders of humility. Or you can look out of the train at the right moment and become a better person.

Make love, not war. Hell, do bothget married! We all have a little warrior hidden in our otherwise peace-loving persona, or vice versa. I know of many people who struggled with the original ‘make love not war’ because they had no one to indulge in the former activity with. It took an unknown

Matrimonials

SEEKING BRIDES

Seeking match for my brother, Senior Manager in Reliance Bangalore, India. 37 years/5’11”, issueless divorcee, clean shaven Sikh, extra ordinary personality, responsible, caring. Parents settled in Baroda, sister married to Army doctor, happy to migrate, caste no bar. Contact Manisha 0401 542 550

Saraswat Brahmin (Punjabi) boy, 29 years, 5’9” M.Sc Maths, B.Ed, good property in India, pure vegetarian. Looking for Australian PR / citizen girl. Caste no bar. Contact 0433 778 222 or email naresh2981@gmail.com

Palghat Brahmin Iyer, 32/5’9”, MBA, MS, pure veg, dual citizen, working as IT Operations Specialist at large Telecom at Melbourne CBD, pleasant looks, seeks bride under 30 with similar cultural background. Horoscope available. Please email kkrangan@yahoo.com or contact 0418 720 781 for more information.

Brahmin family from north India seek suitable bride for their son, handsome, fair colour, slim, never married, nonsmoker, non-drinker, broadminded, 29 years, 5’ 5”. He lives in Sydney while

his parents are in India, and earns well. The girl should be good looking, well educated, family oriented, and from Brahmin background. Initial contact, with profile, can be made at raj2010syd@ gmail.com

Parents of Gujarati Patel boy seek bride for their son, age 29 years, Australian citizen, IT professional, permanent job. Visit www.Bharatmatrimony.com and search for his ID G584083 to find more details or call Kesh Patel on 02 8205 8409 / 0401 548 194 to discuss further.

Australian citizen, 36 years, settled and working in Sydney as a professional employer. Seeking girl between 27 and 36, no caste bar. Please contact 0416 398 869 or for other details and photo mail me at satishsingh_2009@ yahoo.com.au

SEEKING GROOMS

Seeking alliance for our 23-year old, 5’3” beautiful Sarswat Brahmin daughter. She is an engineering professional with strong family values. We have been settled in Sydney for 18 years. Please send your details and latest photo and horoscope at as76176@gmail.com

mean, how many people would gladly go astray if they were free from life’s moral barbed-wire fence? Come to think of it, the daring ones cross this hurdle not because they can’t be caught, but because they have already exonerated themselves from its sinful implications. What a liberating state of mind to live with!The Fifth Commandment should be “Thou shall not admit adultery”. Come on, doesn’t that just sound right? I mean, how many people would gladly go astray if they were free from life’s moral barbed-wire fence? Come to think of it, the daring ones cross this hurdle not because they can’t be caught, but because they have already exonerated themselves from its sinful implications. What a liberating state

issues of retaining things in mind. You can easily extend it to include larger issues like, ‘Everyone has good manners, but some are too rude to use them’ or ‘Everyone drives carefully. Some are just on the wrong planet.’ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are.

If there was a definite answer to existential enigmas, this has to be it. I am sure Running to stand still by U2 has been inspired by this eye-opener. It demystifies the daily grind to get somewhere and imparts a sense of permanence to your current not-too-groovy stage of life. If our rishis had come across this one, there would have been no need to retire to the forest because the answer was right there…..wherever they were.

Seeking alliance for Sunni Muslim girl from India, 36 years, 5’3”, fair, software consultant working in USA, strong family values. Looking for Sunni Muslim boy, non-smoker, non-alcoholic and follower of Halal food. Please contact on marrylink@ymail.com with photograph and details.

Seeking suitable groom for a Tamil Brahmin girl (Kodanya/58/23 years) professionally qualified and working in Bangalore. Family well settled in India. Seeking 26-29 year old groom, qualified and match with strong cultural and family background. Please email kallvidhya@ yahoo.com with your biodata.

Seeking a professional and caring boy for a smart, MBA, professional and homely 26-year-old girl working in management in a leading private bank in India. Grandparents currently visiting Sydney. Please send details on mainirahul@gmail.com

Seeking suitable professionally qualified, Hindu, well-settled match for Indian-based Hindu girl, never married, 30 years, 160cm, practicing as an architect and interior designer in India. Please contact Shivani Baheti (elder sister) on

0421530 876 or bahetived@yahoo.com.

Sister and brother-in-law seek suitable groom for Gujarati Brahmin girl, professionally qualified. Family well settled in India. Seeking 26-29 year old, qualified match with strong cultural and family background. Please email biodata and recent pictures to Meghna.joshi@ato. gov.au or contact 0433 613 676.

Parents seek educated and wellsettled boy for Hindu Punjabi girl, IT professional, Australian citizen, born 1977, 5’ 6” slim, never married. Please send details and recent, clear photo to vnsb2009@gmail.com

Seeking alliance for our 24-year old, 5’4” beautiful Sikh daughter. She is a finance professional with strong family values. We are settled in Sydney for many years. Please send your details and photo at kuldeeponly@gmail.com

Brother seeks suitable groom for Hindu Gupta girl, professionally qualified. Family well settled in India. Seeking a 28-30 year old, professionally qualified match, with strong family values. Please send biodata and recent picture to vikjas@ gmail.com or contact 0401 318 439.

Tarot ‘n’ You Tarot ‘n’ You

Tarot predictions for March 2010

ARIES March 21–April 20

Your dreams are trying to convey a message to you. You will be able to find answers to the questions in your mind if you pay heed to your intuition. You need to be careful towards deceit in any form. You should not accept things at their face value as certain things involve deeper issues that might be hidden from your view. In such cases, you should pay attention to the voice of your subconscious mind. In a relationship reading, Tarot sees the need to resolve certain issues.

TAURUS April 21–May 21

You may feel restricted as you are not able to see anything in 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 lose hope as things and situations would get sorted out in due course.

GEMINI May 22–June 23

Tarot indicates the simple union of two people in love. A good partnership or bond is suggested here. It is a time for harmony and unity. Tarot suggests that matters can be healed and peace can be restored. This month represents love, passion, friendship, affinity, union, sympathy and harmony. There is a spiritual connection where there is an equal partnership which benefits both the parties. In a relationship reading, Tarot foresees marriage, or a deeper commitment.

CANCER June 23–July 22

Tarot indicates a time when your actions revolve around emotions and a sense of fulfilment and peace. This month your focus is likely to be on the awakening of new thoughts concerning your inner desires. You may undergo psychic development leading to heightened intuition. Let yourself be spiritually free. Things look promising for a new relationship. You will benefit by connecting to life through feelings.

LEO July 23–August 23

Your focus is likely to be on family matters and relationships. You will encounter a friendly and loving person who is not only popular in company, but also clever in business and works with drive and enthusiasm. This person may bring you success in business. You are advised to adopt such qualities yourself. You are likely to achieve success through inner strength. Tarot suggests a good business proposal. Anything to do with property or security is well favoured.

VIRGO August 24–September 22

You are likely to find yourself emotionally satisfied as far as relationships are concerned. The card for you represents friendship, happiness, contentment of the heart and love. Your family situation is likely to be congenial, where the entire family is committed towards deep rooted values, leading to inner contentment. You are in a work environment where team work is very important for achieving common goals. Collaboration is the key to your success.

LIBRA

DHINGRA

September 23 – October 23

Your focus is likely to be on circumstances concerning legalities and partnerships. You are likely to receive positive advice at this point of time. You need to be decisive and take responsibility for your actions. You need a balanced approach to resolve any problems that confront you. You are likely to reap what you have sown. The future is yours to make, based on your present decisions. Honesty with self and the partner is the keyword.

SCORPIO October 24–November 22

This month your focus is likely to be on your ambitions. Tarot indicates that you will have a favourable encounter with an assertive person who will support you during a difficult time. He/ she will be good looking, well built, honest and kind. He/she will be a mature person who is good with people. He/she will be a helpful sort of a person, though he/she may not be emotionally involved in the situation. Tarot suggests that it will be beneficial for you to you adopt the above-mentioned qualities. You will do well in a career in sales or in any goal-oriented position.

SAGITTARIUS November 23–December 21

There is a focus on strength in opposition. Suspension of events is indicated. This period of delay should be used productively to reassess the line of action for the future. It is a card that tells you to complete a few of the incomplete projects in your life. In a relationship reading, it describes a cautious attitude towards the partner or relationships in general. You have perhaps been hurt by your partner or are yet to come to terms with your past relationships, and in turn are not able to commit yourself fully to the present one

CAPRICORN December 22–January 19

You realise that you can no longer stay away from issues and are required to face your problems and responsibilities. There is a conflict in the air that may have brought about the worst side of everyone involved. You need to be careful of someone who can create trouble. You have to avoid arguments, for your reputation may be at stake. The end result is not likely to give anyone much happiness. You should be careful, taking up only as much responsibility as you can cope with

AQUARIUS January 20–February 18

Your focus this month is on aspirations and ambitions. You may come across a sensitive person who would be able to give sound business advice as he/she would be intuitive about people. He/she will be trustworthy and would sincerely work towards the general good. His/her practicality and communicativeness would get him/her through situations and people. Tarot signifies security in money and status. You are likely to be helped by such a person. You need to trust his/her abilities. You can be successful through practical application of your ideas.

PISCES February 19–March 20

You need to focus on making important decisions. Tarot indicates changes of some kind, which may be to do with residence or job and could either be temporary or permanent. You could be bored with life and might feel the need for a change. The card for you represents flight, emigration or a new relationship. It is good to be fearless, but be careful and avoid being rash and impulsive. You are likely to find yourself being forthright, positive and eager for action

GUNEETA

BUZZThe

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

Neil Nitin loses his nerve

“Never again!” Neil Nitin Mukesh shudders at the very thought of the way he was forced to misbehave on stage with Shah Rukh Khan, by King Khan himself. Trust Shah Rukh to espouse irreverence. But Neil hasn’t been able to get over it, the good little boy! It all happened at the Filmfare awards, when

co-hosts Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan decided to take on Neil on stage, riling him endlessly. The final straw was the digs that Shah Rukh took at Neil’s name.

“Neil,” said Shah Rukh, “Why do you have three first names and no surname? My name is Khan. Saif too is a Khan. How come you have no last name?”

Apparently, Neil couldn’t take the slight to his family name. He not-so-gently reminded SRK that he ought to restrain himself because his, Neil’s, father was sitting in the audience. And then, horror of horrors, he told Shah Rukh to just shut up. The auditorium fell into a state of uncomfortable silence….

Recalling the incident with an uncomfortable laugh, Neil said: “I’m still shaking. Imagine me telling Shah Rukh Khan to shut up! But I did. That isn’t all. At the end of the show I walked up to Shah Rukh and Saif and broke eggs on their heads.”

But being Bollywood, it was all part of an act.

“It was all planned by Shah Rukh sir. I was told by the organisers, the Moranis, from

beforehand that I was supposed to be part of Shah Rukh’s act. I was supposed to reach early and rehearse for it. But as luck would have it, I got to the venue only in time for a quick briefing on what I had to do,” revealed the still-nervous Neil.

Shah Rukh walked up to Neil and quickly told him the plan on stage.

Neil was aghast. “How could I say shut up to Shah Rukh Khan? I’ve never been rude even to my driver. But he insisted. He also

told me to throw eggs at him and Saif at the end of the show. I begged and pleaded to spare me. But Shah Rukh didn’t listen.”

Neil did his own on-the-spot improvisation on stage to spare himself the aggravated agony. “Instead of throwing the eggs I walked up to Saif and Shah Rukh and broke the eggs on their heads. How could I throw eggs at them? Their fans would never forgive me!”

After the act Neil’s shocked father has still

GUESS WHO ?

Beauty Queen from not-so-long-ago

(Find the answer under Caption Contest)

NEIL NITIN

not forgiven his son, although he has been told it was all in jest. Actresses Bipasha

Basu and Katrina Kaif were also outraged by the act. Said Neil, “Bipasha rushed to me and said if it was an act then it was really scary. Katrina stormed up to me after the show and told me to apologize to Shah Rukh, at once.” Guess the well-behaved Neil showed Bollywood his mischievous side for once, but the trauma will take a while to go away. Poor Neil!

I’m a big fan of Shah Rukh: Akon

International R&B singer Akon, who is in Mumbai to record songs for Shah Rukh Khan’s film Ra.One, says he would love to do more work in Bollywood.

“I am a big fan of Shah Rukh - I am very familiar with his work”. He is not only singing but also composing song for Ra.One.

“I will give Shah Rukh a couple of versions of the song, the way I do it. I will integrate it with the traditional way the Bollywood films are done,” said Akon. Produced by Red Chilies Entertainment, Ra.One has Shah Rukh playing a superhero. Akon is looking forward to performing in India as well.

“My world tour is coming up soon and India is one of my biggest markets,” said Akon.

The singer dedicated two lines from his song Beautiful to actress Kareena Kapoor, who plays the female lead in Ra.One.

Bips is perfect in a sari

Bipasha Basu and Rocky S have known each other for over a decade and the designer says she looks perfect in a sari, contrary to the popular view that only western outfits suit her. And he went all the way to Kolkata to buy saris for the actress to wear in a forthcoming film.

“People feel that she looks good only in western outfits. That’s not true. She is a very simple girl who looks good in everything. Personally, I feel she looks perfect in a sari because she is a very traditional girl and a sari reflects that trait,” said Rocky in an interview. The actress walked the ramp for him recently in a stunning yellow and beige sari. Rocky is also working with Bipasha in director Priyadarshan’s untitled movie in which the actress plays a middle-class Bengali woman.

“You will see Bipasha in big bindis and beautiful saris. I had to go all the way to Kolkata to purchase saris for her,” he said.

“Bipasha is a Bengali girl and she has sharp Bengali features...So my task wasn’t difficult and I didn’t have to do much. But I can tell you one thing that the audience will love her in the movie and this look. She is looking simply beautiful,” Rocky said.

He has also designed for the actress in upcoming movie Lamhaa in which she plays a Kashmiri girl. Well, when it comes to beautiful Bips, we have to agree with Rocky…she looks gorgeous in everything!

Kajol rules the bahu stakes

Acclaimed Bollywood actress Kajol who is married to actor Ajay Devgan for 11 years now, was voted the favourite ‘bahu’ (daughter-in law) in a poll conducted by matrimonial site shaadi.com. As part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, shaadi.com conducted a poll in which 250,000 women participated.

In the poll, 43.08 percent women said Kajol was their favourite Bollywood daughter-in-law. Besides Kajol, others vying for the position were Aishwarya Rai, Gauri Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Malaika Arora, Twinkle Khanna and Kiran Rao.

“The women’s day poll is part of the

constant research that shaadi.com conducts in its attempt to gauge the preferences of its members. The results show that today the women are looking to be more independent and are willing to adopt stronger roles in their life. They believe in themselves and aspire to emulate top achievers in their field,” said Gourav Rakshit, business head, shaadi. com.

A good description of Kajol, don’t you think? Wonder if her mum-in-law agrees….

Thanks Maa must see for Salman

The young protagonist of his film Thanks Maa is a Salman Khan fan and the movie has several posters of the actor as well. Now director Irfan Kamal is very keen that Salman watch his film as he is so important to the theme. “In fact Salman plays a very important role in the film... Shams Patel’s character is a big fan and we see posters of Salman’s films like Tere Naam and Saawariya throughout the film. Considering how important Salman is to the theme, I badly wanted to show my film to him. But he is too busy,” said Irfan ruefully.

The director struggled for more than three years to put together his story of a street kid’s search for an infant’s mother. And his young lead actor won the best child artist National Award for his performance in Thanks Maa

“When I wrote Thanks Maa, the first person I narrated it to was Salman. He was very excited about the film then. I don’t know what happened after that. Salman’s father Salim Khan Saab has seen the film. But not Salman,” the director said. Shams, the lead actor, is a fan of the star in real life and he too wants Salman to watch his film.

“I play Salman’s fan in the film and I’m his biggest fan in real life. I really want him to watch the film,” said Shams. Considering Irfan is the son of legendary choreographer Master Kamal, who made glam queens of

the 1960s and ‘70s dance to his tunes, the least he expected was the bigwigs of the industry to take note of the film. Trying not to sound bitter Irfan said, “I’ve knocked on every A-lister’s door in our industry. Let alone help my small film in reaching out to the audience no-one has even agreed to see my film except Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar and David Dhawan. But it’s ok. I’m not bitter. Of course my father was a very important part of this film industry. But why should I be granted any favours because of my father? I want my film to be judged on its own merits. But for that to happen people have to watch the film,” he added. So get off your high horse, Sallu, and give the flick a break. After all, you’re still the star by proxy.

Akshay, the family man

Akshay Kumar surely knows how to balance his personal and professional life - he used his free time while shooting for new movie Patiala House playing cricket with son Aarav.

“Whenever he had any free time during his shoots he would play cricket and often Aarav would participate in the game. And Aarav would always beat Akshay,” said a source. An expert at martial arts and French sport Parkour, Akshay has also started training Aarav in these.

“Aarav can even climb walls like a pro and can do the somersaults even though he’s just nine years old... In fact, he’s getting better by the day even in martial arts,” added the source.

Directed by Nikhil Advani, Patiala House also stars Anushka Sharma and Rishi Kapoor. Sounds like Aarav’s a real chip off the old Akshay!

Motherhood for Mandira?

Actress-anchor Mandira Bedi’s waist is shrinking by the day and she is looking her fittest ever, but she says she is now ready to “experience the joys of motherhood”.

“Koshish jaari hai (attempts are on),” Mandira, who tied the knot with filmmaker Raj Kaushal in 1999, quipped on being asked about when she is planning to go the family way. “I am totally ready to experience the joys of motherhood and I am mentally geared up for it. In my head, I am ready for it. The sooner it happens, the better,” added the 37-year-old. However, the actress admits that handling a child and managing her professional life simultaneously would not be easy for her as she doesn’t have her family in Mumbai. “It (managing a child) will become a little difficult for me as I don’t have a lot of family support in Mumbai. My parents live in Delhi and my in-laws stay in the US,” she said.

These days, Mandira’s busy with a lot of different projects. “I am doing a lot of theatre. I am involved with two plays - one of them will be staged for the 151st time soon and the other has had three shows,” she said. “Also the cricket season is here, so I am doing corporate shows and I will be associated with the IPL (Indian Premier League) in a way I haven’t been before. I can’t reveal much about it. But yes, IPL will be taking up the next month and a half of

As for her absence from the Bollywood scene, she said, “Filmmakers don’t know what to do with me. With my short hair, they don’t know whether to cast me as a man or woman. No, jokes apart, they either offer me item numbers or sister’s roles or a lead with some inconspicuous banner - none of which is what I want to do. So I am just waiting and

Well, good luck with your baby making, Mandira, and you can bet a baby will keep

between Kangana Ranaut and Karan Johar? Send

Last issue Caption Contest winning entry

What is the chitchat between Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra?

Salman: Hmm nice legs… Priyanka (through clenched teeth and fake smile): Shut up and finish this act so I can go home.

Supriya Menon Supriya wins one free ticket to new Hindi film Teen Patti.

Some other good ones

Salman: Kya mujhse shaadi karogi ?

Priyanka: Better start a hunt for my Duplicate ! Nitin Dang

Salman: Hey Priyanka, this is only professional. Because Katrina is shooting overseas and I have been invited to a strictly couples only party, I am taking you along. After the party, we go our separate ways.

Raj Saneja

KAJOL

MANDIRA BEDI

Cine Talk

Epitomising urban anonymity

Film: KarthikCallingKarthik

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone

Director: Vijay Lalvani

Desolation is a distant cousin to suburban seclusion. And Karthik Calling Karthik is an interesting if flawed fable of the damned. The protagonist is Karthik (Farhan Akhtar), so timid he could merge into the woodwork of his office if only the decor was not so much glass. Karthik is bullied by his boss (Ram Kumar), sniggered at by his smarter colleagues and absentmindedly ignored by the beauty in the workplace whom Karthik gazes at sideways and writes scores of unsent e-mails to. She’s the unattainable beauty. This is the world of ‘Rocket Singh’ without the turban and the placidity. While Shimit Amin’s Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year was about an office-goer who craved for acceptance, Karthik just wants to be less unhappy in his space. It’s not too much to ask for. But who’s listening? Except a voice on the phone that sounds suspiciously like Karthik’s to his own ear.

The build-up of Karthik’s dreary world captures the claustrophobia of suburban existence without forgetting to add humour to the proceedings. The moments between Karthik and the gregarious Shonali (Deepika) have that touch of lively realism taken from lives we’ve known, lived and somewhere tried to reject. However, the dialogues between the couple try too hard to be ‘cool’. The relationship that Karthik develops with Shonali is far outdistanced in intensity by the one that he develops with the Chinese phone set. And after a while the ‘extended monologues’ begin to lose their credibility.

But hold on. Debutant director Vijay Lalwani, selfassured and apparently fully conscious of where

A romantic homage to Mumbai

Film: Thanks Maa

Cast: Shams Patel, Amit

Saxena, Ranjit Barot, Alok

Nath, Raghuvir Yadav, Yateen

Karyekar and Sanjay Mishra

Director: Irfan Kamal

He’s 12, homeless and he refuses to adopt the swaggering amorality of his friends on the street. They call him Municipal Ghatkopar because that’s the address where he was dumped as a child. But he prefers to be known as Salman Khan.

Strongly reminiscent of Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay and far more resonantly representative of Mumbai’s slum kids than Slumdog Millionaire, Thanks Maa is a journey into lives that were born into despair.

he’s taking his story, gives us a second-half that is gut-wrenching in its portrayal of the individual as an island.

To escape the dictatorial and tyrannical voice on the phone, Karthik buys a ticket to an unknown city which to our visual delight, turns out to be Kochi. Karthik rents a modest near-dingy room and begins life anew as a battered man seeking supreme anonymity with no telephone lines to break his selfimposed deathly stillness of existence.

The second movement of the quietly simmering plot comes to a poignant if faltering halt in a city whose tranquility the cinematographer Sanu Verghese embraces by a rejection of the urban chaos. However, the revelation on Karthik’s psychological condition surprises no one except Karthik himself, and least of all his shrink Shefali Shah.

Karthik Calling Karthik is a gripping jigsaw, piecing together a mind that plays games with itself. The winner is destiny. The pace is consciously sluggish suggesting the deep-rooted association of a vigour-less existence with the quality of life that cities offer you in exchange for a comfortable flat in a techno-suffused surrounding.

Farhan, the life and breath of the proceedings, epitomizes urban anonymity in his body language, speech and hesitant attempts to reach out to a world that has no patience with the over-sensitive. Farhan’s is indeed a super-confident performance as a man lacking self-confidence. The film itself doesn’t lack self-assurance. But the absence of what one may call an energetic exterior could well be mistaken by some viewers as ingrained inertia, a malaise that the film’s protagonist suffers from. Do not mistake the man for the plot.

Without the crutches of self-pity, debutant director Irfan Kamal enters the world of the orphaned protagonist Municipality who on one of those routine days of scavenging, stealing and hanging around with his friends waiting for the next meal, comes across an abandoned little infant.

Before we can say ‘Hey Baby’, the narration quickly swerves away from the cute and schmaltzy aspect of find-babywill-coochie-coo kind of feel-good cinema to show the gritty harsh reality of life on the relentless streets of Mumbai and how it toughens the tender ones. Real fast.

Irfan Kamal makes one helluva departure from convention. He cruises the crowded areas of Mumbai with an eye for stinging details. The film hints hectically at the savagely insensitive quality of life lived on the streets.

Our young hero refuses to be like the routine scum. “Main tere jaisa nahin hoon,” he tells his more street-wise pals, and sets off on a determined path to find the lost baby’s mother.

It’s a heartbreaking enlightening journey undertaken by the director in a spirit of adventure, discovery and tranquility. Teeming

with characters, Thanks Maa still preserves a core of stirring stillness at its centre.

Often you feel Thanks Maa is a romantic homage to the unbreakable spirit of Mumbai. But then you see the bitter and brutal truth about life on the fringes, as the young brave little hero is almost molested by the warden of the reformatory played by Alok Nath.

Thanks Maa is a tender yet ruthless look at a city that claims to have a place for everyone but somehow neglects looking after children who are vulnerable to every form of attack on the streets.

Quite frequently we look at Mumbai through the eyes of the little boy and his companions as they encounter a gallery of weirdos and wackos...an alcoholic hospital attendant (Raghuvir Yadav), a dopedout cabbie (Sanjay Mishra), a paedophilic reformatory warden (Alok Nath), a cheesy incestuous upper class father (Yateen Karyekar), an imposing eunuch (Jalees Shrawani) who offers to take the baby out of Municipality’s shoulder... an offer the boy firmly refuses.

The young hero’s shock and dismay when he finally finds the baby’s mother are so

palpable they reverberate in our hearts long after the film is over.

The film has its flaws, the most glaring being the constant struggle to keep the homeless children’s story credibly contoured on the bustling streets. In many sequences, the young actor Shams can be seen carrying a doll instead of a baby. Also, because of the inherently dramatic nature of the theme some of the characters and situations lose self-control.

The jagged edges do not undermine the film’s unique and thoroughly unorthodox blend of realism and social message. While the veterans pitch in brave cameos that take the narrative forward to its heartbreaking conclusion, it’s the child actors who proudly occupy centrestage. All of them are so incharacter, you wonder which came first, the slums or the camera!

Some of the editing (Amit Saxena) is uneven. But the camerawork (Ajayan Vincent) and background score (Ranjit Barot) add an extra dimension to this heartwarming tale of an orphan who won’t let another newly-born suffer his fate.

Subhash K Jha, IANS