2011-07 Sydney (1)

INDIAN LINK PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

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The hypocrisy of the carbon tax

The tax which Australia has to have, to keep the current government in power with the support of the Greens, seems to have more holes than the proverbial Swiss cheese. The tax which was conceived with a lie seems to be dividing the community. The debate on the pros and cons of this tax has been ongoing for the past six months and now to quote Greens’ Senator Christine Milne, it is on the home stretch. Unless there is a dramatic reason for another election in Australia, it seems the die is cast and carbon tax will be imposed on all of Australia.

Yet with the current information available, petrol will be exempted from this tax and those with SUVs and four wheel drives can breathe again knowing their polluting behaviour will continue unchecked. Motorists cause up to 17% of carbon pollution in Australia, and it is indeed strange that there is no punishment for them to continue polluting the environment.

The pressure which the Opposition leader Tony Abbot had exerted on Prime Minister Gillard on this issue seems to have had its desired effect of no tax on petrol. However, the Greens have asked for an inquiry into this exemption and chances are that some time in the next decade there will also

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

be a carbon tax on petrol.

The other hypocritical issue is that of compensation being offered to millions of households who are partly responsible for carbon emissions. When a tax is being imposed to change behaviour, it is strange that money is being paid back to the same people it is meant to punish. Perhaps an option could be to use the tax to help build better infrastructure such as railways etc., which can assist in less use of carbon and by default, allow for better use of resources. That there is no discussion of this trade-off is an indication of the sensitivity of the voters to pay the carbon tax, and the “need” to pay them back.

What is also hypocritical of the government is their reluctance to sell uranium to India in spite of the country’s dependence on coal to meet its energy needs. India needs coal and with over 500 million people without electricity, coal is the cheapest and easiest energy resource around. India’s GDP growth is expected to increase

beyond 8% over the next few years, and more than 80% of the country’s current energy needs are met with coal. This is in contrast to France where the bulk of its energy needs (over 70%) are met from nuclear sources. In this context it is strange that the Gillard Labor government can stand with its hand over its heart, proclaiming to be a saviour of the planet, while subsequently denying India the use of uranium for its domestic energy needs, and helping towards saving on emissions.

Now with the Greens in power with Labor and their ability to block the government’s moves in the senate which do not meet their agenda, it will be difficult for Australia to sell uranium to India, which could go a long way in helping ease world pollution.

The carbon tax is poised to bring in another layer of administration – public bureaucracy which administers the collection and dispersal of these carbon tax monies. It will add few more public servants to the already swelling numbers in Canberra. To save carbon, I assume not many will keep the midnight oil burning. But the families who need to cope with this new tax, will do it for them, as they struggle to balance their books long into the night.

What’s On

SPIRITUAL

Chinmaya Mission Programs

Sat 9 - Sun 10 July Guru Poornima family camp ‘Happiness Here and Here After’ at Bundilla Scouts Camp, Reilleys Rd, Winston Hills. Details Uma 0403 045 613.

Mon 11 - Mon 18 July Free Public Talks Dakshinamurthi Stotram by Brni Sujata Chaitanya each night at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Fri 15 July Launch of Bhagavad Gita Course by Pujya Swami Tejomayananda. For registration visit www.chinfo.org/ courses/bhagavadgita

Fri 15 July Guru Poornima Pooja at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill from 8.30pm to 9.00pm.

Fri 29 July (8pm) to Sat 30 July (6pm)

Local Youth Camp ‘Step Up and Meet the Infinite’ for the age group 18-30 years at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill. For registration call Saumya Kandoi on 0400 999 907 or Chinmaya Sannidhi on 02 8850 7400.

Fri 12 Aug (8pm) to Sat 13 Aug (6pm) Ladies Retreat ‘Madhurashtakam - Discovering Your Inner Beauty’ at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill. For registration call Mahal on 0411 899 554. Last date Monday 1 August.

Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW activities

Sundays, Special lecture series celebrating 175th Birth Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna, 10.40 am to 12 noon at Vedanta Hall, 15 Liverpool Road, Croydon.

Sun 24 July ‘Universalism & Particularism: Aspects of Sri Ramakrishna’s Religious Teachings and Experiences’. Talks by Prof. Raja Jayaraman and Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji.

Sun 7 Aug ‘Ramakrishna, the Spiritual Oasis’. Talks by Cr.Larry Whipper and Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji

Sun 28 Aug ‘Sri Ramakrishna’s Advice to Householders’. Talks by Dr. D.P.Chaudhri and Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji For details on above events call 02 9745 4320 or email vedantasyd@idx.com.au

Bhajan Sandhya and Deep Yagya

Sat 9 July To mark the birth centenary of their Gurudev, the All World Gayatri Pariwar Austraila is holding Bhajan Sandhya between 6 to 8 pm followed by Bhojan Prasad, at Pennant Hills Community Centre, Yarrara Road Pennant Hills.

Sun 17 July The Gayatri Parivar also announces a Deep Yagya on from 3 pm to 6 pm followed by Bhojan Prasad at Australian Hindu Multicultural Association, 1050 Richmond Road, Marsden Park.

Details Parag Wani 0421 403 852.

STAGE

Play writing workshop 8, 9 and 10 July Abhinay School of Performing Arts presents a play writing workshop by Alex Broun, Artistic Director of Short+Sweet, with the support of Shopfront Contemporary Arts & Performance. Interested youngsters (15+ years) are invited to attend. Details Aishverya Nidhi 0488 200 222 or visit the website www.abhinay.com.au

Kavisammelan

Sun 10 July Hasya Kavisammelan at Epping Leisure & Learning Centre, 1Chambers Court (Off Pembroke St.), Epping from 2.15 pm to 6pm India Club will be hosting the event. Well known poets from Sydney & beyond are

coming to soak you in “Prem & Hasya Rason Ki Bauchhar”

For booking call Shubha Kumar on 02 9873 1207 / 0402 257 588.

Dance recital

Sat 30 July Contemporary Dance Academy presents their annual winter concert A Love Story, inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, at Pennant Hills Community Centre, 6.00pm Details 0409 049 619 or visit the website www.contemporarydanceacademy.com.au

SENIORS

The seventh Sri Om Care seniors centre has now opened at Pennant Hills Library (70 Yarra Road, Pennant Hills). It is operative on 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 11 am to 2.30 pm. The centre is in the Library building directly opposite to Pennant Hills station. Details Jay Raman 0410 759 906

FUNDRAISERS

Bollywood and the Jewels of Bengal Sun 24 July Avijit Sarkar and musicians of Jazba band present a music concert in aid of the Australian Hindi Indian Associations Senior Citizens Group from 4 to 7pm. For details call Avijit Sarkar 0425 275 883.

Yaadon Ki Baarat

Sat 20 Aug Vijay Jogia and Daxa Chauhan present a charity music night in aid of RAIN seniors group from 5:30 pm. Also featuring Bhangra, DJ music by Mayank and Dandiya Raas. For details call Rita Devmurari 02 2897665 or email sdevmurari@hotmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Sanskrit School Winter camp

Sat 9 July Sydney Sanskrit School is conducting a one day winter camp ‘Sanskrit for fun’ at Glenwood Public School, Belmont Rd, Glenfield. For details call Meenakshi Srinivasan on 0423 457 343 or visit www.sanskritschool. org

IAAFA Children’s Workshop

12, 13 and 14 July The Indian Australian Arts and Film Association Inc is organising a school holiday program for children aged 5-14 at Jones Park Hall, 151 Burnett St, Mays Hill. Activities include yoga, art, Irish dancing, Bollywood film screenings, mask making, croquet, garba, and short trips out. Details Jay Hosur 0411 115 885

Lecture

Sat 16 July Dr. Muhammad Tahirul-Qadri, one of the leading Muslim scholars well-known for his views on promoting integration, interfaith dialogue, global peace, harmony for humanity and counter-terrorism, will deliver a public lecture on his recently launched English version of the 500-page decree Fatwa on Terrorism & Suicide Bombings, which has been an extraordinary theological blow to terrorist groups of fanatic ideas. His fatwa is a significant step to get Islam free from radicalism. Details at www.minhaj.org.au

Sakhi Sangam

Sun 24 July Sydney Sakhi Sangam will be held at the Croatioan Club. 921 Punchbowl Rd (Cnr Canterbury Rd), Punchbowl. For details call Nandini Thadani 02 9181 2204, Sushma Ahluwalia 02 9894 0070.

Essay competition

Essay competition on ‘Relevance of

Mahatma Gandhi Today’ is open for the year 2011. For details email info@ bhavanaustralia.org

2011 Young Writers Competition

The Transcultural Mental Health Centre is calling for creative writers aged between 12 to 24 years across NSW to enter TranSCRIBE. The theme is ‘Half Way Home’. Last date Mon 1 August. Entries are to be emailed or uploaded to the TranSCRIBE website. For details visit www.dhi.gov.au/tmhc/transcribe

Revision of Passport and Consular Fees

The High Commission of India in Canberra has announced that the Government of India has revised the passport and consular fees with effect from 1st July 2011. An indicative list of revised charges, as compared to present charges is given below:

Present charges Revised charges

Ordinary Indian Passport A$ 78.00 A$ 38.00

OCI Card A$ 396.00 A$ 258.00

Renunciation of Indian citizenship A$ 273.00 A$ 147.00

A complete list of revised passport and consular service fee is available on the website of the High Commission (www. hcindia-au.org) for the information of all concerned. The revised charges would be applicable throughout Australia.

Konkani Association of Australia

A group of Indian Australians of Konkani heritage has recently established the “Konkani Association of Australia” (KAA) in NSW. The KAA is an umbrella organisation at the Australian national level and is looking to establish chapters in other states and territories of Australia. The KAA is a membership association whose main objective is to perpetuate the preservation of Konkani culture and heritage in Australia and provide support to its membership. It welcomes all who have an interest in Konkani history, culture and language as it strives to raise awareness as well as appreciation for Konkani culture. To become a member or for more information visit the website: www.konkaniassociationofaustralia.org.au

Nutrition researcher seeks subjects

Are you an Indian mother with children

1 year to 5 years of age? Rati Jani, a child nutrition researcher from Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, would like some information from you. You must be older than 18 years of age, residing in Australia for more than 1 year and less than 8 years. If you’d like to share your experience and help Rati in her research, please complete a survey about your feeding practices. The survey is in English and will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. The survey is online at: http:// survey.qut.edu.au/survey/171152/1429/ If you wish to fill in a hardcopy please contact Rati on (07) 3138 6223/ 0431 146 346 or email rati.jani@student.qut.edu. au. Rati needs 300 Indian mothers to participate in her project which may help in improving the health of our Indian children. Please do help her by completing the survey. This project has been approved by the QUT ethics committee, approval number 1000000943.

TO THE EDITOR

Early Indian settlers and unity should be the focus

I am a frequent reader of your journal and am truly impressed with its overall quality and presentation technique. What pleases me most is your tremendous zeal in identifying yourself with the current issues of your adopted country. This is precisely what it should be, no quarrel with that.

However, taking a much broader view of things, it struck me that there are certain issues directly related with the Indian sub-continent’s diaspora where your journal needs to focus a bit more than it currently does. I wish to point out only one such issue, that of the history and achievements of the earliest Indian settlers in Australia. What I have in mind is the trials and tribulations of the now prosperous banana and sugarcane cultivators of New South Wales and Queensland. According to some sketchy information that I have, these groups of people first arrived in Australia as indentured labourers (from Punjab) to work in farms and road building, similar to the Chinese workers who came to work in the gold mines. This happened before World War II (19391945). The story has it that these groups of people along with their fellow countrymen in New Zealand (from Gujarat) could not go return because of the outbreak of hostilities. Apparently the governments of the day did not mind their overstaying after the end of the conflict despite the “white Australia” policy of the day which was then prevailing. This concession was made because of the huge shortage of workers. As of today these very early “settlers” have contributed significantly in creating economic wealth and have spread their unique culture across their adopted country. This to my mind is highly commendable indeed and needs to be brought forth prominently in appropriate forums in Australia, to demonstrate the positive and creative contributions this small, but vibrant community has gifted to the people of this country, which need not be confined to simply the well-established culinary skills and finer arts alone, as it were.

In order to appraise your readers of the true significant and visible achievements of the earlier and later migrant settlers from the Indian subcontinent and their life’s journey, as a responsible member of the fourth estate, you have an obligation to showcase them in some kind of photo journalism. Finally, it would not be out of place to point out that you will be performing a highly desirable task if you succeed in bringing the plethora of subcontinent related organizations/associations under one umbrella. An uphill, perhaps thankless task, but worth making an honest and serious attempt, at any time! For this onerous task, which I daresay you will undertake in due earnest, I do wish you loads of patience and good luck, which, I am assured, you will undoubtedly need!

BN Bose Blacktown NSW

Indian Consulate’s road show in Adelaide

The Indian Consulate and VFS are making efforts to help the Indian community understand visa and OCI application processes better

BY LP AYER

The Indian Consulate-VFS road show came to Adelaide in mid June as part of their country-wide campaign to help members of Indian community understand the processes involved in application for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and various visa categories, to reduce both delays and complaints.

The caravan had already visited other

The event, which was publicised by the Indian Association on their website, was attended by 60-odd people – a healthy turnout by Adelaide standards

major cities and the ‘Adelaide Camp’, as they called it, was the fourth in the series of workshops. The ‘campers’ included Indian Consul General in Sydney Amit Dasgupta, and Australia’s VFS chief Loren D’souza. The event, which was publicised by the Indian Association on their website, was attended by 60-odd people, a healthy turnout by Adelaide standards.

Adelaide is a medium volume centre for VFS. In non-peak times they process around 40 applications a day. This number rises two or three-fold during peak times. It is a fairly full day’s work for Adelaide’s small staff, however with additional requirements of a police clearance and checking of Indian drivers’ licence, their workload is likely to increase.

After the Indian Association president Vikram Madan welcomed the visitors, Amit Dasgupta outlined that the session would cover three areas: various visa categories, emergency visa issue and OCI applications.

An overhead demonstration of the OCI procedures was interspersed with a flood of questions from the participants.

Mr. D’souza, addressing the questions, pointed out that not presenting all the required documents at the first instance and also not crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s on every document were the main reasons

for most processing delays. Here are some other tips that came out of this workshop which will be of help to all visa and OCI applicants:

• Applications can only be made online.

• People who do not have computer literacy or access might need help.

• The applicant should provide every document on the checklist and fill in details exactly as they are in the original documents even if there are minor discrepancies.

• Since the applicants’ data are processed at the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Delhi, with VFS acting only as a gatekeeper, it is vital that all the data are exactly copied as they are in the source documents.

• OCI status is issued only to persons of Indian origin after they acquire overseas citizenship.

• Once one obtains an overseas citizenship, the Indian passport should be surrendered as soon as possible. Not surrendering within three years entails a fine of $390 and a further $390 every subsequent year.

• Surrendering one’s passport after becoming an overseas citizen is imperative as India does not recognise dual citizenship.

• If one needs to make an emergency visit to India after getting foreign citizenship but before obtaining an overseas passport, he/she needs to seek help from that country’s authority and only then Indian consulate can issue an emergency visa.

• Photos for OCI forms and visas must be 2 x 2 inch size (this may vary slightly from Australian passport requirements). Mr. Dasgupta declined any demand for

Mr. D’souza pointed out that not presenting all the required documents at the first instance and also not crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s on every document were the main reasons for most processing delays

refund of difference in higher OCI fees paid by earlier applicants. However, he said that the fees will be further reduced from July 1, thanks to the strong Aussie dollar. Another welcome news is that every visa application now has a turn-around time of three days. Mr. Madan highlighted the concerns raised by members of the community over the need to use 1900 number for phone inquiries. Loren pointed out that cost for similar services from other embassies were much higher. He added the ‘metre’ would start ticking only when their staff started answering.

Of the three segments which were supposed to be covered, only the OCI was dealt with as the session went over time. Unlike the Canberra event, which was widely covered in the November issue of Indian Link, Adelaide was a modest affair. Still many valid questions came up during the session and a good deal of useful information was dispensed.

VFS’s Loren D’Souza

Adelaide’s Vikram Madan

CG Amit Dasgupta

Sanskrit is alive and thriving in Sydney!

More than 100 students come together to showcase their Sanskrit skills

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

The Bala Sanskar Kendra and Sydney Veda Pathashala recently celebrated their anniversary with a colourful display at Ermington Community Centre. Over 100 students from the two student outfits got together to proudly show off their talent. Vedic chanting, shloka recitals as well as yoga presentations marked the event. The highlight of the evening clearly was the Sanskrit skit presented jointly by the students of Crestwood and Roselea Public Schools.

A traditional invocation and welcoming of guests with purnakumbham and aarti got the evening started. The Crestwood Public students and their teacher Narayanan

welcomed the audience with a speech in chaste Sanskrit. Bhavana, an alumnus of BSK, was MC for the evening.

The children from BSK Metella Rd Public recited Adi Sankara’s Mudakarartha Modakam. This was followed by group chanting of Purushasuktham by students of Roselea and Nuwarra Public. Not to be outdone, the young wards of Hornsby Public (a recent addition to BSK fold) impressed the audience with some powerful chanting. NPS kids also performed a Sanskrit bidali much to the delight of those gathered.

Students of Sydney Veda Patasala later chanted the Sri Suktham, Narayana Suktham, Durga Suktham and Meda Suktham.

VHP’s international coordinator Swami Vigyanandaji presided over the celebrations. Among other dignitaries present were Councillor Barbara Burton of Hills Shire, DET Education Officer Alex Di Prinzio and Mrs O Connor, Principal of Nuwarra Public School.

“The anniversary celebrations were a grand success thanks to the dedicated inputs by volunteer teachers and enthusiasm of students and their parents,” programme coordinator and VHP general secretary Akila Ramarathinam told Indian Link

“The special guests were particularly touched by the commitment of the teachers and the quality performance of our children. They were thrilled to see the Vedas and Sanskrit language thriving to such a level in Australia”, she proudly continued.

Addressing the gathering, Akila said she “looked forward to your continuous support and encourage many more kids to

attend weekend BSK/SVP schools.

It is heartening to see that our enrolments have steadily grown and so many youngsters are showing keen interest in preserving and promoting our ancient language and culture”, she further added.

The primary liturgical language of Hinduism and its offshoots including Buddhism and Jainism, Sanskrit holds a pre-eminent position among the great

a credit to your organisation and especially to the volunteer teachers,” she stated.

Cr Burton congratulated the VHP Australia for their huge body of work and untiring efforts in promoting Indian culture, art and languages, particularly intangible heritage like Vedas. Besides Veda Pathashala and Bala Kendras, the VHP, which is the largest Hindu volunteer organisation, provides diverse services including youth

classical languages of the world. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, it encompasses a huge body of complex scientific, literary, philosophical and religious texts that are highly regarded even today.

Speaking on the occasion, NPS principal promised continued support for the Sanskrit school. “I enjoyed the items presented by all of the schools and it was obvious how much time and preparation had gone into the performances. They were

and social service foundations as well as scripture programmes in over 40 schools across NSW.

BSK’s Anagan Babu read a statement from the president of Community Languages Programme Albert Villa. The event progressed glitch-free thanks to the excellent behind-the-scenes support by Badri, specially with the audio system.

Stars of Bollywood set to WOW Sydney audiences!

The acclaimed high-energy, full colour stage show, Stars of Bollywood - a journey of Indian cinema through dance, is performing in Sydney at the State Theatre on 26 and 27 August 2011. Produced by Bollywood’s globally renowned and most respected dancer and choreographer, Shiamak Davar, this music and dance extravaganza takes audiences on a magical and historical journey of Bollywood through the ages. Presented by entertainment group, Hoopla Entertainment, Sydney is the second leg of Stars of Bollywood’s Australian and New Zealand tour, following a fantastic reception at its Melbourne launch. The show is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most energetic and colorful performances of the year.

Shiamak Davar has been a visionary and in his own way has succeeded in making dance, a way of life for hundreds through the Shiamak Davar Institute for the Performing Arts or SDIPA. In its role as India’s premier dance Institute, SDIPA organizes dance workshops in 12 cities across India, UK, UAE, South Africa, Australia and three centers in Canada (Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary). From a humble beginning, SDIPA today has become a top name in dance and Shiamak a global Bollywood identity – his most recent work being the choreography of the 2011 Indian International Film Academy Awards (IIFA) finale and a dance scene in the movie Mission Impossible 4.

Shiamak is best known in Australia for his large-scale choreography of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony where viewers around the world were given a rare glimpse of his genius. Following the huge success of the Commonwealth Games, his first Australian

colourful and magical history of India through dance to Australia and New Zealand.

“Stars of Bollywood is a vibrant, high energy show performed by my Australian dance team,” he said. “My dance company and I have performed all over the world

evolved and so has the music and dance within it. From the romantic fairy-tale dances during the black and white era to the inclusion of large scale choreographed dances featuring incredible costumes and colour. Stars of Bollywood draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres including cabaret, rock and roll, disco and jazz, transforming into its own unique dance style that fuses classical Indian with its more contemporary styles. The costumes and sets were made in India by Shiamak’s designers and work together to help take the audience on a Bollywood journey through the ages.

Stars of Bollywood has welcomed iPrimus as the tour’s presenting partner.

“iPrimus is delighted to be the major partner of such a culturally significant event. Shiamak Davar’s work has received worldwide acclaim.” Ravi Bhatia, iPrimus CEO, said.

Hoopla Entertainment plans to tour the show around Australia and to New Zealand over the next 15 months. The group is passionate about the celebration of Indian cinema and further promoting its heritage within the community.

dance school opened in Melbourne in 2006 which now has over 500 students, including its professional dance crew trained personally by Shiamak.

Shiamak is excited to be bringing the

including India, China, UK and USA; they are an incredible group of performers and I can’t wait for Australia to experience their energy”.

Over the years, Indian cinema has

Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

For more information, cast bios and the latest Stars of Bollywood news, visit starsofbollywood.com.au.

“The special guests were particularly touched by the commitment of the teachers and the quality performance of our children. They were thrilled to see the Vedas and Sanskrit language thriving to such a level in Australia”

Akila Ramarathinam

The lure of

GAURAV PANDEY and KUDRAT SINGH report

Excitement is a great warmer. Every year thousands flock to Australia’s Snowy Mountains for the rush of being free in a breathtaking setting of snow, risk and wonder – a feeling almost impossible to describe, but entirely fathomable. For converts, the tryst with skiing – a challenging, yet thoroughly enjoyable sport – is the highlight of their year.

In a welcome trend, we are seeing an increasing number of Indian-Australians open up to the idea of adventure sports, especially snow sports considering the snow in Australia is admittedly more icy and wet when compared to other countries. Countries such as Japan or Canada tend to have the really dry snow – aptly termed “powder” – which acts as a cushion, implying that falling into a thick layer of snow does not necessarily mean bruising or other physical injuries. Dealing with icy, moist snow requires an added measure of courage and skill.

Regardless of this fine print, many first generation migrants have lapped up the opportunity brought to them by their adopted country, and they are not only making the most of it, but passing on the enthusiasm to their children too. Some of these skiing enthusiasts shared their experiences in Australia’s snowy wilderness with Indian Link.

Ski veteran

Sydneysider Avi Joshi got into skiing at the behest of a friend in 1973, and hasn’t missed a single season since; interestingly the first ski lessons he took were on “the dry slopes in Mosman” – yes, Mosman!

The septuagenarian continues to ski with the same passion, and more often given that he now gets seniors discount tickets.

“I ski at Perisher Valley or Thredbo during the Australian winter. In the northern hemisphere winter, I ski mostly in

Japan, Canada or the US. The snow in Japan is excellent and so are the people and the food,” says Avi.

But skiing can be a dangerous sport, even for the best equipped. Sometimes just an awareness of this fact can go a long way in avoiding panic or at least any outward manifestation of it – which in many cases can be the difference between life and death.

Avi too has had his share of scares, as he recalls, “Once during a cross country day ski trip, my friend and I were trapped in a ‘total whiteout’ near the village of Charlotte’s Pass. We were out in the wilderness as the weather closed and heavy snow forced us panicky skiiers to return to the village.” Unable to see any landmarks, the duo had

to depend on maps and the compass. After a quick calculation, they realised they had strayed. “We should have been on a flat surface on the face of a steep hill on the summit road to Mount Kosciusko, but we just couldn’t locate this flat area. Suddenly there was two-second break in the cloud and we realised that there was a sheer 200-metre drop on our side. One slip would have meant certain death,” he says.

“I have never prayed that hard in my life.

While to most, winter sports still remain shrouded in an aura of daring and thrill, the actual experience is exhilarating.

“We walked very, very slowly with our skis to the extent that what should have taken an hour, took us four and a half hours to get to the flat area and safety”

Avi Joshi

Divya and Tali Gordon

Divya Gordon

Romeet Gandhi learns the ropes

Rishi and Hritik Chaubal

the snow

We walked very, very slowly with our skis to the extent that what should have taken an hour, took us four and a half hours to get to the flat area and safety. Later we found out that we were actually on the road, but heavy snow had obliterated the road, and it had all become one steep face of the mountain,” he adds.

Perhaps it’s the risk that’s the rush, and with the more enterprising younger generation of Indians eager for a taste of adventure, surely a lot has changed since from the days when one hardly saw an Indian face on the ski slopes. Avi’s three daughters, their husbands and his grandchildren are all avid skiers. “It’s a fantastic feeling when us three generations ski together,” he concludes with a smile.

An affair of a lifetime

Neil Gordon, a passionate skiier, was planning a family snow trip in two weeks when we spoke to him. He first got into the sport 25 years ago when living in London, and he has skiied at various European locations. Neil continues to ski every year, and got his family into it as well. Wife Maina skied until very recently, but gave up for health reasons. But their teenage daughters Divya and Tali are keen skiers.

The Gordon family goes to the snow at least twice a year, picking a venue from Thredbo, Perisher, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham in the Snowy Mountains. New Zealand is another favourite destination.

“We are all advanced skiers, the kids having started early,” Neil says. “They took to it from the very first go, just like I had done! Now it is a great bonding thing in our family. We ski all day and then cook a hearty dinner together at the end of the day!”

How much can they ski? “Every day out in the snow, we could do about 20 runs a day. In Australia the runs are only about 1.5 km each, so it’s easy. It takes 4-5 minutes to come down the slope, and about 25 minutes to go back up,” says Neil.

Nearly every skiier has some story to tell about a fall, or several. For Neil, his worst fall was in New Zealand. On another occasion, he recounts being forced to crouch under a rock for two hours to wait out a blizzard.

But such incidents are mere tailnotes in what’s been an affair of a lifetime, peppered with beautiful memories, such as when the family, skiing together, stopped to take a picture of a rainbow that burst into view!

Like father, like daughter

For Baljit Chugh and daughter Baneesha Narang, it all started with a simple trip to the snow in their early days in Australia in 1985.

“The kids Baneesha and Kanish were fascinated with the skiing we saw at Perisher. Baneesha was only about five, and insisted we buy her the gear. She kitted up in her boots and all, and I had to carry her up the slope,” Baljit recalls.

Now the family hits the slopes every year; a friend owns a chalet in Perisher, and that helps!

“I think everybody who can, should try skiing. Yes it’s expensive, with accommodation and equipment hire, but it’s all worth it,” adds Baljit, who, over the years has made quite a few heads turn on the slopes – as much for his skills as for his headgear, the pagdi.

His daughter’s early enthusiasm should have given him a hint of the future, as Baneesha ended up as part of the ski team at her school, MLC Burwood.

“I got into competitive skiing as a 13-year-old in Year 8,” she says.

“I kept going till Year 12. We would train at the ice-rink, doing plenty of skating and all the related exercises. The competitions were held at Perisher, or Blue Cow as it was known then. Schools from all over NSW participated.”

Now Baneesha enjoys skiing for leisure, and goes out every snow season. “Last year I couldn’t go, because I was having my first baby! Now she is 14 months old, and yes she’s going with us this time. I’ll try and get her onto skis!” she says enthusiastically.

Baneesha thanks her parents for introducing her to skiing, a sport she is clearly passionate about. She fondly recalls many memorable moments spent on the icy slopes. “Once when I was out there with my school team, I got coerced into snow-boarding. The snow-boarding team was one member short, so they forced me to fill in. I had never snowboarded before, and the whole thing became the most embarrassing incident of my life as I was on my bum the whole way down!” she says with a laugh.

However, such incidents have only added to her love for the sport. “But the best experience has to be when you get on top of that highest peak and feel that freshness – it’s like you’ve never breathed before,” she adds.

Continued on page 15

Neil Gordon with daughter Tali

Beginner Dipika Gandhi

The Gandhi family is introduced to skiing by a friend

Skiing in India

If you long to feel chilly wind whistle past when gliding down acres of pristine white, in a landscape that showcases the beauty of the Himalayas, here’s a peek into a few wonderful skiing locations in India. So why not combine that trip back home with a holiday and enjoy some fun on slopes where the beauty of the surrounds compliments this exciting and somewhat exhausting sport. These resorts may lack the sophisticated modernity of the Alps, but this is an essential part of their charm. And the skiing experience is simply heavenly, whether you’re an afficionado or simply aspiring to be one.

Glorious Gulmarg

Set in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg has been popular since the days of the British Raj, and not just as a cool getaway from the summers of the south. Skiing in Gulmarg is a heady experience thanks to its pristine slopes, very reasonable costs and of course, now that the French firm of Pomagalski has just completed the world’s highest Gondola lift, its charm is irresistible to the serious skier.

The main ski season starts in January and ends in mid-April but it is possible to ski from the beginning of December to the end of May in certain sections. There are no manmade runs, no trees have been cut or pistes gouged out of rock. It is simply nature at its undressed best, with man challenging the elements. However, Gulmarg’s twenty strong ski patrol is trained to be adept at powder skiing, first aid and avalanche rescue.

Amazing Auli

Set in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 2915 mts-3049 mts, this pristine locale is no longer a well-hidden secret from the skiing

fraternity. International skiers have been known to find it irresistible, as its untamed slopes and chilly beauty pose a challenge to their skills. Auli has recently come into the spotlight as a tourist destination, after the creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state. A journey to Auli’s slopes has something for everyone, from novice skiers to professionals, and for those simply sightseeing or trekking,

unpredictable at times.

Auli can be reached by flying into Dehradun, and driving up to the resort. The nearest international airport is in Delhi.

Natural Narkanda

Narkanda enjoys the honour as one of India’s oldest ski resorts, being located at an altitude of about 2,708 meters (9,000

trekking can take you exploring a range of lakes and temples, in this spectacular gem hidden in the heart of the Himachal. Narkhanda offers a fascinating view of the Himalayan snow ranges and its verdant green forests are stunningly beautiful.

Kufri hideaway

Located about 92 kms from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, this enchanting little hillstation was discovered in 1854. It has a Himalayan nature park and offers a range of skiing, hiking and trekking activities. Kufri’s slopes attract tobogganing and skiing enthusiasts, as the range includes a beginner’s run, an advanced slope and slalom run. Himachal Tourism offers ski courses, instruction and has equipment on hire at Kufri. Just above Kufri sits the Mahasu ridge, which also has some good slopes. The skiing season is between November to February, which is also peak tourist season.

Kufri is just 19 kms away from Shimla, which has rail and airport access as well. To get to Kufri, one has to hire taxis or take a bus.

The secret of Solang Nala

absolutely breathtaking.

The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVNL) run by the government is responsible for maintaining this resort and they do a good job. Auli also has Asia’s longest cable car running a span of 4 kms, in addition to a chair lift and skil lift.

The best time to ski at Auli is from the end of January till the beginning of March, although the weather can be quite

capped corner is via the National Highway 22, as it sits 64 kms from Shimla. Buses and taxis can get you there too, but the nearest railway station or airport is at Shimla.

In the winter months from January to early March the ski slopes offer enticing sport, but this location isn’t as popular with international skiers, simply because it still remains largely unknown within the international skiing fraternity. However,

This valley sits at the top of the Kulu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, 14 km northwest of the resort town of Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass. It is wellknown for this summer and winter sports, including parachuting, paragliding, skating and zorbing. Ski agencies offering courses and equipment operate only during the winter season, and the slopes are a skier’s delight. The best time to visit Solang Nala is from early-December to end-March.

Sheryl Dixit

Narkanda Auli

Gulmarg

Kufri Solang Nala

Continued from page 13

An exciting obsession

At 24, Roshan Sidhu already has about 16 years of skiing experience under his belt, so manoeuvring curves and navigating his way down blue and black runs is a cakewalk. “I was lucky that my parents were active with us when we were younger, and encouraged a balance between studies and our hobbies. We were always doing something in the school holidays, and skiing was one of those activities,” he says.

A hobby gradually turning into an obsession is not unheard of, and Roshan has experienced this first-hand. “At one stage, going to the mountains was all I cared for once the weather started getting cold. Often, at my persistence, our family would take a winter holiday during our summer holidays, and we would go skiing in Europe,” he recounts.

A youthful passion

Brothers Rishi and Hritik Chaubal are at a stage of life where talent and motivation can be harnessed to achieve bigger, more spectacular things. Although their mum Manisha is not much of a skier herself, she does understand the passion her children have for the sport, especially Rishi. “I find the whole thing very cumbersome, however my kids Rishi and Hritik love it,” she says candidly.

The brothers plan to attend 4 full-day lessons this winter. Rishi, the older brother is already a very proficient skier and is getting better by the day. He plans to ski in New Zealand, Switzerland and Canada. And, when he is ready to compete, in Japan. Manisha recalls the first time Rishi went to ski saying, “He sounded homesick on the phone, so I packed my bags to be with him. By the second trip he had come into his own.”

Like all skiers, the boys have seen some falls and blizzards, but their spirits have not been dampened a bit. “Once Rishi was caught in a blizzard and he was happily

singing away on the phone. At this age, you have little fear. And he came out safe and sound, albeit without his phone!” recounts Manisha.

The general safety standards across the ski ranges, particularly for children, are very good, Manisha adds, which means parents need not overtly worry about their children in the snow.

The affable Rishi has been a strong motivation for his younger brother Hritik, who’s beginning to show a keen interest in the sport. “I am only too happy to accompany them to Mt. Bulla, their favourite ski playground,” says Manisha.

Learning the hard way

Payal Sharma, a 26-year old snowboarder can’t stop raving about her “seasonal hobby” despite having initial reservations about the sport. “The first time I tried it was with my friends. They had all been skiing or boarding since they were in high school. I had never done anything to do with winter sports before, never done anything so thrilling,” she says with palpable enthusiasm. “We go all the way to Perisher just to ski. The weather is beautiful, the skiing is fantastic; it’s paradise, just unbelievable!” she adds.

Like most other novice snowboarders, she “jumped into the sport” thinking it would be an easy learn. It took the first half day on a green run and a bruised body before she decided to heed to the advice of friends and get a private lesson for a “better sense of balance.”

All in it together

Like many first generation migrants from the subcontinent, it was in Australia that Kalpesh Gandhi saw snow for the first time, and there was no looking back from there. It didn’t take him long to get into skiing, initially relying upon the advice of friends, but gradually picking up the nuances of the sport by himself.

Kalpesh and his family have been regular visitors to Thredbo. “The first time our kids went there, they had a mountain of an experience!” he says.

Kalpesh stresses the importance of formal training. “It’s easier for children to adapt and learn, and they can improvise better than us. But still, some basic training is very important and these lessons help correct your ways. Things such as control and spin only come after a lot of practice,” he adds.

He points out that Indians tend to come and play in the snow and go back home, but not too many hang around to try skiing. “I understand those used to temperate climate may have some reservations about the sport, but the ski suit keeps you warm and there is no reason why one should not give skiing a shot,” says Kalpesh.

The family enjoy skiing in a group. “We fall, giggle and laugh at one another all the time,” he says. “You tend to lose confidence if you keep falling again and again, perhaps the only flip side of ski falls which otherwise make for great dinnertime stories!”

Over the years Kalpesh and his family have had great moments on the snow. He recalls one such incident: “My wife, gliding down on the snow followed by her guide, tried to make a V-shaped snowplough to stop, but lost control and slammed straight into another skiier on the slope, triggering a comedy of errors in the form of a chain collision.”

Skiing for pleasure

Badal Bhatt saw snow for the first time when he went to New Zealand three years

ago. He returned to Australia to visit the winter wonderland called Lake Mountain, and fell for the toboggan slopes. Now Badal is a regular skiier at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek.

“The costs are low at the beginning of the season, so we try to take advantage of this as skiing can be expensive, especially the sporting gear you hire and the accommodation,” he says.

One can manage by not staying on the resort, but somewhere in the valley. Badal is a beginner, but a resolute one – something that’s made him return to the sport despite spraining his ankle in his first season. However, he’s quick to point out that for someone like him, who skies for pleasure, not taking too many risks is probably the safer option.

Indulging in winter sports brings with it a myriad of issues like how to get to the snow, hire or buying the gear, the lessons and of course, the cost of the entire experience. However, if planned well and with enough forethought, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. This is a beautiful way of imparting life skills which expand knowledge and create stronger, more resilient children.

Ask any regular snow enthusiast and you will find that a fortnight on the slopes is more than enough for anyone regardless of competency and motor skills, to become reasonably good at gliding down the mountain. And, most importantly, it’s not only about advanced skiers lured in by the challenge of confronting an atypical terrain and threatening chasms, many come here simply for the slow smooth glides. So next year, hit the straps as soon as you adjust your clock for the onset of winter. Go, smell the snow!

With inputs from Rajni Anand Luthra On the cover: Abhishek and Baneesha Narang

Siblings Baneesha and Kanish in the snow as kids (inset) and as young adults with friends

“The general safety standards across the ski ranges, particularly for children, are very good, which means parents need not overtly worry about their children in the snow”

Manisha Chaubal

Shortage of South Asian stem cell donors a concern

BY GAURAV PANDEY

Shehan Fernando, a 33-year-old man diagnosed with leukaemia - a condition that hinders the body’s production of blood cells - is in urgent need of a stem cell transplant, and his family and friends are leaving no stone unturned to find a suitable donor for

The best matches are generally the immediate family members of the patient, as they are most likely to have genetically matching tissue type. In Shehan’s case, however, none of his family members turned out to be a suitable match, necessitating the need to find an outside donor who is most likely to be a South Asian, as Shehan is of Sri Lankan ethnicity.

The family’s search for a donor was met with disappointment as they soon realised that South Asians were acutely under-represented on donor registries of the world: only 2% of registered stem cell donors in the world are people of South Asian origin - an alarming figure considering the chances of finding a match are just 1 in 20,000.

This remarkable social deficit is accentuated by the fact that the region is home to almost a quarter of the world’s population. At the moment there are just

Will you be a donor?

The next stem cell donor recruitment drive will be held at Parish Hall, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church, 8 Diana Avenue, Kellyville, NSW from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, July 10.

Registering oneself as a potential donor is simple. Donors are asked to give 3-5 ml of blood and they are added to the Australian donor registry after their nonidentifying information is processed by the Red Cross. In this case if a donor turns out to be a match for Shehan, he/she will be contacted by the Red Cross at a later date. All costs are covered by the Australian Health System. For details contact 0434 003 962 / 0401 996 517 or log on to www.abmdr.org.au

5-6,000 South Asian stem cell donors registered in Australia. India on the other hand, has a mere 15,000 stem cell donors registered – an abysmally low number for a country with more that 1 billion people.

Shehan’s family has since focussed its attention on educating people on the need to become stem cell donors, through various campaigns across the country. To date, they have managed to add about 600 new potential donors of South Asian background to the registry in Australia. Such drives will not only help Shehan, but also the wider community.

“When Shehan’s condition was first discovered three months ago after the birth of his child, we realised that there was no stem cell donor registry in Sri Lanka,” says Shehan’s father Sherwell Fernando, who was at one such drive at Parramatta in Sydney recently.

“His has an unusual tissue type, which makes finding a perfect match even more difficult,” says Joan Harrington from Blood Service, Bone Marrow Donor Centre, NSW and ACT.

“The stem cell transplant procedure is not very different from the normal blood donation, requiring a few injections over a few days before drawing out the bloodproducing stem cells from the bloodstream,” Joan adds.

“It’s very important to educate the people on this issue. We’ve been extremely lucky and fortunate to have had such great support from this family. In the last few months we have realised that people are willing to come forward and help if they are educated about it,” Joan says.

These days in most cases, stem cell transplantation has replaced bone marrow transplantation and the cells are removed from the circulating blood instead of the bone. This procedure is not only simpler, it is considerably less inconvenient for the donor.

With barely any stem cell donors from ethnic minorities in Australia or worldwide, a young man battling leukaemia is in grave danger

A blood donation drive organised on 3 July at Parramatta North Public School to help find a cure for Shehan Fernando

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The medicine of magic

BY PREETI JABBAL

He has been reviewed on Chortle as a ‘Ladies man’ who emanates rock star vibes. It’s this conjunction of talent, brains and good looks that sets young Indian doctor Vyom Sharma apart, getting him critical acclaim at the recent Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF). He is also scheduled to perform live in this year’s Melbourne Magic Festival from July 7-10, in Northcote Town Hall.

Vyom has twice won the second place at the Australian Society of Magician’s Competition. His sell-out show A Modern Deception won him kudos and recognition at the recent MICF and he has also been invited to perform at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Since graduating in 2008, this young medic from Monash University has leapt into a new trajectory, exploring the diverse world of magic. Quite similar to the protagonist in The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho’s magical fable, Vyom is listening to his heart and exploring what’s strewn in life’s path for him, by following his dream.

When I called him for an interview he was helping his friends unload a van and was very polite and approachable. As our conversation unfolded, I observed the

As our conversation unfolded, I observed the determination and focus that has helped Vyom through the challenging years of learning medicine and lately, magic

determination and focus that has helped Vyom through the challenging years of learning medicine and lately, magic. At the outset I felt that it was going to be interesting to speak to this doctor-cummagician, sometimes comedian and

‘handyman’. And true to my instinct, Vyom’s story gave me hope and put a smile on my face.

Conformity isn’t creativity, and neither is routine. Creative expression gives our brain a workout, activating new circuits in our grey matter, and Vyom agrees with this view. “When I was doing medicine I was fascinated by magic, and now that I have taken a year off to actually do magic, I find medicine intriguingly interesting. I was forced to ask myself which one is my true calling but honestly, I cannot imagine life without either. Both challenge me in a very unique way,” he reveals. “I wouldn’t, however, call myself a comedian. One of the primary ways in which we can engage with an audience is through telling them a story and that’s what I am good at,” adds Vyom.

Is that why his upcoming show is called Seven Stories, I ask. “Every magician has a lot of tricks, but they don’t always have a theme. I like to base my magic on this most powerful tool in any magician’s kit, the ability to tell a good story,” says Vyom. “A story always makes a performance more fascinating and interesting, and evokes more reaction.

With Seven Stories I have a collection of seven stories from personal life, urban legends, classics, fiction and one that I am expected to create on the spot,” he said. Vyom puts a lot of emphasis on effect in his shows. Personally, I thought that the pause and pursuit of

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“If you create that connection with your audience and find stories that make them feel in some way, that is a very reliable tool to have in your performance kit”

Vyom Sharma

effect sometimes tended to dominate his performance. Was this sustainable in the long run? “Yes, definitely,” claims Vyom. “In the long run people do not remember

what they saw, what they heard or read, but they always remember what they felt. If you create that connection with your audience and find stories that make them feel in some way, that is a very reliable tool to have in your performance kit. There is something timeless about a good story,” he adds. Vyom’s upbringing as he terms it, was ‘very relaxed’. He was born in Delhi and his family migrated to Australia when he was 9. His father is an engineer and mother is a General Practitioner. He has a brother 18 months younger than him who is also a doctor. Initially they lived in Melbourne for three years, and then moved to Brisbane for five years. Vyom then returned to Melbourne to practice medicine, and is now based here with his family. “Nothing disgusts me more than the weather here, but I am sure there is no other place in the world where I would have been able to do what I have done. It is a great place to live in,” says this young Melbournian.

Vyom learnt his first magic trick when he was 17, and since then he was hooked. He has been performing magic in shows for the last three years and he intends to travel to Scotland and the US soon. At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival later this year he will perform with a friend in a show called Manipulated. He is aiming to also perform in New York in a regular Monday night show.

Like the young shepherd in The Alchemist, Vyom also yearns to travel on his magical journey, and he is obviously and passionately committed to claiming and living the life of his dreams - but today! At 24, this young magician has endless possibilities ahead of him, and he intends making the most of them.

This talented young man’s career choices are both interesting and intriguing, as he pursues his dream in excelling at both

Vyom Sharma: A career in magic?

Chak de tu saare gham…

The audience at singer Imran Khan’s concert had every intention of having a party, and they certainly did!

BY PALLAVI SINGHAL

Bright lights and loud, carnival music at Luna Park set the mood for the huge crowd that turned out for singer Imran Khan’s first show in Sydney recently. The excitement was palpable as they waited for the singer to come on stage, singing their favourite songs from his debut album Unforgettable, and even dancing a little.

They were willing to do exactly as he says in his aptlytitled track Ni Nachleh: Chak de tu saare gham, mehbooba meri ban, saara kuch bhul ke to saade nal nachle

And nach they did, you can be sure of that!

The discernible bhangra vibe with two dhols ushering in Imran Khan’s own rhythmic, heavy beat, made sure that they would, indeed, ‘nach all night’.

The electrifying music created a throbbing heartbeat that shook Luna Park’s Big Top arena, and created a mass of energy that had the crowd shouting out the lyrics of his hit songs, while dancing to his upbeat, pulsating music. Countless fists pumped the air in rhythm withhis fastpaced tracks like Chak Glass, Hey Girl and Aaja We Mahiya, and couldn’t seem to get enough of his strong voice and infectious energy.

And he seemed to be returning the favour to the crowd, as he wooed them with lyrics such as Ik thumka tera saare

club nu hilla de, and Tere husan da koi na jawab

The charismatic singer owned both the stage and his audience from the moment he made an appearance, a vibe that carried throughout his performance.

Imran embodied his hit Superstar, arriving at the venue in a classic red convertible, and completely dressed in black with dark sunglasses and plenty of bling.

Despite his personal style and extraordinary fame, he displayed no starry attitude and humbly cited the date on which Ni Nachleh was first released, expressing gratitude to everyone who helped him get to this point. He talked about his wonderful journey to fame and his undying passion for music. Imran seemed overwhelmed by the audience’s response as he repeatedly thanked his fans for their enormous show of support. In an endearing act, he even pulled out his mobile phone to film them singing Bewafaa at the top of their lungs.

At this point, Imran laughed as the audience sang the chorus louder than him, pulling up a few lucky fans up on stage to bounce to Bounce Billo, and even did an encore of Amplifier in a self-confessed effort to “reach his fans”. And it worked – the crowd danced their hardest and sang their loudest, even as the versatile singer stepped off the stage to shake hands and sign a few autographs. His worry about “coming all this way” and still not being able to connect with his fans proved to be absurd, as they responded with enthusiasm to his presence and begged him to keep singing.

The singing star didn’t even forget his sponsors, personally thanking Tantra Nights in association with

Imran’s songs gain their notable uniqueness through his incorporation of techno beats, revamping the classic genre to create a more alternative sound

Vision Asia, Mixtabishi, Ash-G and Cinestarr for bringing him down under. The 45-minute performance wasn’t enough to satisfy his fans, and he finally left the audience still chanting his songs and calling for an encore. Imran now promises to be back with a new album in 2012.

The singer of Pakistani origin was born in Holland, emerged as a promising artist on the British Asian music scene in 2007, with the release of his chart-topping single Ni Nachleh. He started singing at the age of 12 and signed his first deal at 19, and his music is a product of the early influences of classic Punjabi music, western R&B and hip-hop. His songs are all highly energised and use the classic underlying drumbeat accompanied by fast-paced lyrics, which characterise the Punjabi bhangra genre. Imran’s songs gain their notable uniqueness through his incorporation of techno beats, revamping the classic genre to create a more alternative sound. The incredible reception of his debut album Unforgettable in 2009 instantly catapulted him into success and took him all over the world on his first international tour. After weeks on the road, it was understandable why Imran wasn’t quite the energetic singer that fans saw at his concerts in India and Africa, but he was lucky to have a wonderful audience that was willing to participate throughout the entire show in Sydney. They made the best of the concert through their enormous enthusiasm and visible love for music.

Just like Imran’s album, the entire concert showcased a new style of bhangra, strongly influenced by both eastern and western music styles. The show appealed to the diversity of ages present in the audience, with classic Bollywood songs blending seamlessly with MTV hits to create a wonderful atmosphere that had even the most reluctant of dancers bobbing to the beat.

The opening acts preceding Imran’s appearance on stage set the atmosphere for a rocking evening. The whole stadium turned into a dance floor with impromptu bhangra circles dancing with Path Preet Singh of So You Think You Can Dance fame, the Nupur Dance Group, MOB and Bollywood Down Under, while singing with amazing local talents, JP, Zora and Jesta. Although Imran Khan kept his fans waiting, they wasted no time in getting the dancing started as they enjoyed a huge variety of talented singers, dancers, even a fashion show!

The entire event was a brilliant montage of the best that the Indian music scene has to offer, with everything from the stunning dances to Imran’s own spectacular performance forming a truly entertaining concert – but it was the crowd’s undying energy that was the real heart and soul of the night.

A region synonymous with turmoil

The University of Melbourne brings leading thinkers together to discuss South Asia: a complex puzzle of two besieged governments; a rising economy ridden with internal conflicts; misguided aggression; and a latent conflict ready to explode

BY TIM BLIGHT

The 2011 Festival of Ideas, held at the University of Melbourne between 13th June and 18th June, saw several leading thinkers and writers discussing South Asia’s identity, history and future. The afternoon was organised in conjunction with the Australia India Institute, a research, policy and training program established by the University of Melbourne in 2008.

The panel was chaired by Director of the Australia India Institute Professor Amitabh Matto. Speaking in the opening address, Prof. Mattoo related that “there are few regions in the world where violence, identity and conflict coalesce together with the same starkness or intensity… as they have in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the past sixty-five years or so.” He went on to explain that the complex puzzle of South Asian geopolitics have been subject to an almost exclusively Western view of history, necessitating more thought from South Asian thinkers.

Dr. Christopher Snedden of Deakin University spoke candidly of Pakistan’s confused national identity, related to being the youngest sovereign nation in South Asia, which he thinks is the cause of much distress. Discussing history, the military, Islam and resources, he explained the complicated and intertwined relationships of the region which provide unity and identity, as well as volatility and conflict. To the long list of defining identifiers, Prof. Mattoo added the growing issue of a massive youth population, which he suggested will be an asset or a liability depending on how it is managed.

On the point of nuclear weapons, Dr. Snedden described the potential consequences of a nuclear conflict as “horrendous”. He pointed the finger at the Kashmir dispute as being what he called “the seat of the problem”. Analysing the basis of Pakistan’s role in the region, Dr. Snedden pointed out that even the name Pakistan is part acronym for Punjab, Afghania and Kashmir, highlighting the Islamic republic’s strategic conundrum. He speculated on how peace can be assured in the ‘west South Asia’ region, saying that western meddling often seeks to provide an “occidental solution to an oriental problem”. Harking back to the Cold War nuclear deterrence will be what keeps the peace in the subcontinent.

Prof. Robin Jeffrey of the National

University of Singapore offered a balanced view of the identity of India and why Kashmir forms an integral part of both India and Pakistan. Prof. Jeffrey highlighted the complexity of the issue of Kashmir with an anecdote from his childhood where he concluded that Kashmir was mostly Muslim and therefore belonged to Pakistan. He then discovered, by way of

other solutions”.

Prof. Samina Yasmeen of the University of Western Australia explored the Pakistani view of South Asia. She talked of the long-held Pakistani view that because both countries come from the same source, a sense of equality pervades the Pakistani psyche. However she also spoke of a rising Islamic awareness in Pakistan; she warned

that dialogue on Afghanistan has been so fruitless in the past. “We persist in examining Afghanistan in isolation, as if it exists in isolation. So I think we’re on the right track today in seeing Afghanistan as part of a larger and much more complex puzzle”. She blamed Afghanistan’s multitude of political, linguistic, tribal, religious and geographic identities and fluid

conversation with a relative, that India had a legal and emotional claim over Kashmir.

“Kashmir forms part of an identity of the Indian state – an Indian state which, at best… is secular, it recognises no distinction between religions, it treats all its citizens equally”.

Elaborating “The tragedy is that Kashmir is an integral part too of Pakistan’s identity”, he recalled Dr. Snedden’s point about the acronym ‘PAK’.

He suggested that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO, an organisation of Central Asian states, plus China and Russia could bring new regional solutions to the table for South Asia.

The growing political power of Central Asia, plus rising superpowers China and Russia, are interested in the potential of India, and equally India has aspirations for SCO membership, said Prof. Jeffrey. “The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation may provide a vehicle that allows a Pakistan, Afghanistan, India resolution… simply because it comes at the problem from a rather different perspective,” he theorised.

“Having China and Russia as major players may offer just a few more opportunities for

of the dangers of a sense of assertiveness augmented by a superiority complex among some Muslim groups in Pakistan. She concluded that to move forward, the realities of Pakistan’s situation need to be accepted by both Pakistanis themselves and the wider world community. “The state and its view of itself and the relationship with the people will have to change” she affirmed.

political environment for what she labelled a quagmire.

Samina Yasmeen

Regarding the Indian view of Pakistan, Prof. Yasmeen said that Pakistan often feels that its identity is not accepted by India. “You could argue that a lot of Indians have accepted Pakistan’s existence… but it’s always mixed with this sense of glee… and sometimes arrogance.” When this is interpreted in Pakistan, it turns into ‘Indian commitment to undo Pakistan’. She blamed this cycle of misinterpretation for continuing conflict, saying that “India needs to move in to a space where it accepts the need for respect for Pakistan, irrespective of Pakistan’s weaknesses and their problems”.

Award winning journalist and author Sally Neighbour opened her speech with an explanation of why she thought

However she identified some common goals for Afghans, regardless of their position: sovereignty, respect for the state, an Islamic-based legal and political system, peaceful relations with neighbours, particularly Pakistan, shared power and international assistance. Ms Neighbour claimed that while the idea may disgust some, no peace settlement in Afghanistan can be reached without Taliban involvement. She drew the distinction between the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Taliban in Pakistan and Al-Qaeda, pointing out that to engage the Afghan Taliban does not equate to dealing with terrorists.

The afternoon wound up with a panel discussion, a question and answer session and an afternoon tea. To watch the discussion online, or to view other events in the Festival of Ideas, log on to ideas. unimelb.edu.au.

“Western meddling in the region often seeks to provide an ‘occidental solution’ to an oriental problem”

Christopher Snedden

“India needs to move in to a space where it accepts the need for respect for Pakistan, irrespective of Pakistan’s weaknesses and their problems”

(From left) Dr Christopher Snedden, Prof. Samina Yasmeen, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo and Prof. Robin Jeffrey

Worshipping cinema

Film-maker Anupam Sharma is one of the 50 most powerful people in Australia’s screen production industry

BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

Anupam Sharma was only in high school when he decided his life would be devoted to films.

In fact, he can still remember the exact moment when this realisation dawned on him.

“I was walking out of the cinema having just seen Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaraansh, and I knew where my destiny lay. I was certain I would grow up to make movies”.

The iconic film changed Sharma’s life, just as it did for his namesake, the lead actor of the film Anupam Kher.

A little-known theatre actor, Kher has since grown to become one of the Hindi film industry’s most accomplished actors, having purveyed an enviable variety of roles in every possible genre. One non-film role however, was to mentor the young film buff Anupam Sharma, who has himself now carved a niche for himself in the world of cinema, in a land far from home.

In many ways, the guru and shishya are both true to their name Anupam – the Hindi word for ‘incomparable’.

Last month, Encore magazine, a monthly publication covering the Australian screen production industry, listed Sharma as one of the top 50 movers and shakers of the industry in Australia.

“Yes I’m quite proud,” Anupam said when congratulated. “Particularly because not too many Indians have been on such industry lists”.

And yet he was quite pragmatic about it all.

“Being on Encore ’s Power 50 is not necessarily going to fund my next film, but you know, it energises my efforts. It’s a great morale boost, a good adrenaline rush”.

He added, “I know it sounds clichéd, but I do sincerely hope it will encourage more multicultural participation in the entertainment industry here. There’s certainly plenty of talent – and passion –out there”.

The Australian link to contemporary Indian cinema

Anupam Sharma worships cinema. He says so, loud and clear, on his company stationery. Which is probably why he was miffed when I referred to him once, nearly ten years ago, as a ‘film

buff’.

“Surely after all that I’ve done, I would be more than just a ‘film buff’,” he chided me gently.

It’s true. Not only had he completed by then a Masters degree in film making (with a thesis on Indian cinema), he had also founded a film

production company, and had begun to market Australia as a suitable filming locale to high profile film-makers in the Mumbai industry.

Starting with the legendary Feroz Khan, whose made-in-Australia film Janasheen launched his dashing son Fardeen, Anupam has brought to

The AFI team in Mumbai

Australia Rakesh Roshan’s Filmkraft (for Hrithik’s launch vehicle Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai ), Dharma Productions, Yash Raj Films, Harry Baweja’s SP Creations, and a whole host of ad companies, southern films and TV shows, including the Reality TV show MTV Roadies

These projects took to Indian viewers stunning images of Australia – and probably played a part in turning this country into a favoured travel destination among upwardly mobile Indians, as well as an education destination for students of India’s bulging middle-class. Additionally, these projects brought in to the country tidy sums of money in business investments. Government ministers (such as the previous NSW government’s Minister for the Arts Virgina Judge) put out happy press releases every time a Bollywood unit dropped in to film here, citing impressive dollar values that would accrue, and often even making a visit to the film sets. (Some of these netas even became abhinetas themselves, bagging small roles in the films, such as Judge and SA Premier Mike Rann).

For opening up this ‘entertainment corridor’, Anupam began to attract a fair deal of media attention here, and became known as the person to contact for Indian-Australian productions. When he wrote the first-of-its-kind Guide to Filming in Australia, film bodies in every state endorsed it, and it was so successful that an updated version was produced a few years later.

In the Indian industry, meanwhile, word spread

about his company Films and Casting Temple as the choice production services supplier, and repeat clients became the norm.

And in the Indian-Australian community, he became sought after too: not just by star-struck females who pestered him every time a Bollywood actor was in town, but by many wannabe-actors (of all ages), script-writers, and hundreds of others who wanted to work on film sets.

AFI: Beyond Bollywood

Yet it was not only his pioneering and substantial work in developing Australian film links with India that found Anupam in the annual list of film professionals “who have achieved new heights in 2010/11, whose decisions influence and shape Australia’s (film industry), and whose work has stood out from the crown”. An interesting new initiative launched earlier this year impressed Encore just as much.

Working with veteran Australian film critic Peter Castaldi (with whom he shares his spot in Encore’s Power 50), Anupam founded the Australian Film Initiative (AFI), “to market, promote, and distribute Australian films in non traditional and emerging markets” such as India.

“Australians are pretty modest when it comes to marketing their own films,” Anupam observed. “We have German, French and plenty of other

film festivals in Australia, but we don’t have such festivals of our own films in other countries. There are embassy road shows and sporadic delegations, but no major platform to promote our films”. And so AFI was born.

Its first event, a festival of Australian films in India, was held in late March over five days in collaboration with FRAMES 2011, India’s most prestigious annual convention for media and entertainment. Current titles such as Samson and Delilah, Blame, Bran Nue Dae, Red Hill and Kings of Mykonos were screened, as well as a retrospective of director, producer and screenwriter Bill Bennett’s films, such as Spider and Rose, Two if By Sea, Kiss or Kill, In a Savage Land, Nugget and Tempted. The films were picked to showcase a rich sample of Australian culture to Indian audiences.

As well, the festival saw invitation-only roundtables on

investment and distribution; Australian speakers, and a selection of best graduate short films from AFTRS and VCA.

“The festival received widespread support from government as well as the private sector,” Anupam revealed. “We stated off with the social media to reach out to the younger audiences, and then the momentum began. FICCI of course had said we would love to have you. DFAT and the Australian High Commission in Delhi came on board. They were thrilled at the kind of media all this was generating, after months of negative reportage thanks to the students’ issue. Then support began to pour in from the private sector – Cinemax, Viacom, Marriott hotels – we were pinching ourselves to see if it was all true! The Australian Consulate in Mumbai offered to host a cocktail, and the who’s who of the entertainment industry in India turned up. And

by coincidence Hugh Jackman was in Mumbai, and when he heard of us he said I’d love to support you. He was only there for a short while, but agreed to a photo session and to be a chief guest at a screening – an early film of his, Paperback Hero was part of the line-up. The snowball effect was simply astounding, and Peter and I were absolutely thrilled!”

With the inaugural event so successful, next year’s event is already planned out. All Anupam will reveal for now is that Baz Luhrmann has agreed to a retrospective of his films in 2012.

“Also, the AFI is not restricted to India alone. We’re looking at South America, South Africa, the Middle East and northern Europe”.

Worshipping cinema

Besides planning more AFI events, Anupam is getting on with his own film-making too.

“There are three projects in the pipeline,” Anupam revealed. “One is on honour killings; a second script has just been read by two top actresses from Bollywood, and a third involves a leading Aussie actress”.

His plate is quite full, but there is no other way he’ll have it.

“Films are a passion. You know, the only thing I pray for my kids – and I’ve just become a father second time around – is that they find a passion in life. A life lived with passion, is a good life”.

And no, the passion hasn’t waned a bit, ever

since that day he saw Anupam Kher’s first film in Dehradun, India.

“When I finished school all my mates were scrambling for IIT and AIIMS. My dad was like, so, will it be engineering or medicine for you? But all I wanted to do was make films. My grandparents were in Australia, so I came out here, to study computer engineering, but moved to a Bachelor in Films degree. My folks said go for media studies, because at least you can become a media analyst. And when I enrolled in a Masters degree, they were happy because, they said, at least you can teach!”

So what is he most proud of, when he looks back at his career?

He ponders for a while before answering, “I think the fact that I chose to study films rather than just jump into it all. People said to me, ‘Paagal hai (are you mad) you’ve spent five years studying films’. But I am glad I did, and thankful that my parents supported me”.

“I’m also proud of the fact that the first few people I worked with, were all A-level legends. Feroz Khan, Yash Johar, Rakesh Roshan, Anupam Kher, all mentored me”.

He added confidently, “And very soon, I’ll be proud of the fact that I’ll have produced the first feature film in an Indo-Australian collaboration!”

Working with veteran Australian film critic Peter Castaldi (with whom he shares his spot in Encore’s Power 50), Anupam founded the Australian Film Initiative (AFI), “to market, promote, and distribute Australian films in non traditional and emerging markets” such as India

Anupam Sharma with Hugh Jackman at the first Australian film festival in India

Hugh Jackman and wife Deborah Lee Furness with Anupam Sharma

Aussie Nobbs lands 5-year deal as India’s hockey coach

Says his immediate priority is to see that India qualifies for the London Olympics

Australian Michael Nobbs has been named the coach of the Indian men’s hockey team, warding off the challenge from Dutch contenders Roelant Oltmans, who coached the Netherlands to the gold in the 1996 Olympics and Jacques Brinkman, two-time Olympic gold medal winner in 1996 and 2000. His tenure will run till the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Spelling out his priorities, Nobbs said that though his immediate priority is to see the eight-time Olympic champions qualify for the London Games, his ultimate goal is to get India back as a major hockey power.

In his first assignment after taking over the charge of the team, Nobbs and his assistant SS Grewal launched the two-month long National camp at Sports Authority of India’s South Centre in Bangalore

In his first assignment after taking over the charge of the team, Nobbs and his assistant SS Grewal launched the two-month long National camp at Sports Authority of India’s South Centre in Bangalore.

The Australian will be racing against time to get the team ready for the Champions Trophy in December and then the Olympic qualifiers in February, both in Delhi.

The Indian team has been without a foreign

coach since Spaniard Jose Brasa left at the end of the Guangzhou Asian Games in November. His assistant Harendra Singh took the team to Azlan Shah Cup last month and could not retain the title.

That pressed the panic button among hockey administrators and spurred their hunt for a foreign coach. In January, the candidates were shortlisted.

A frenetic activity in the last 15 days led the administrators to Nobbs, who vouches by the style of Indian hockey, similar to the Australian way.

“Indian hockey has an attractive style. I have grown up on Indian hockey and now I want to give something back to India. Australian hockey is hugely influenced by India. We still play the Indian style. There are many Anglo-Indian coaches in Australia. I have many Indian friends. Australian team has been successful and so can India,” the soft-spoken Nobbs said in his first interaction with the media.

Asked about how he will get about his task, Nobbs said: “The first thing would be to identify where Indian hockey stands at present, talk to the players and analyse where we actually are. There are lot of processes involved. I know that qualifying for the Olympics is important, but we have to think of the long term development.”

Nobbs will be assisted by David John, an exercise physiologist, to analyse the players.

Asked about the reasons for decline of Indian hockey, Nobbs said: “It is sad to see the decline of Indian hockey. We are all here to think in one direction and that is to improve. I am not standing alone in this process. If Indian hockey has to

succeed, it has to revolve around administrators, players and fan support.”

Nobbs said he is not thinking about the bitter experiences foreign coaches like Ric Charlesworth and Spainard Jose Brasa had in the past here.

“I have come here with no reservations. It is a privilege for me.”

On whether he would like to have complete say in selection matter, something which Brasa had raised and which is followed by international teams like Australia, Nobbs said: “I do not want a complete

free hand, but I want to have the final say. It is important for me to take inputs from others.”

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra added that they have decided that the new coach will play an important part in team selection.

Nobbs, who played as centre half for Australia, served as assistant coach of the Japan women’s team (1993-1999) and then as their chief coach (2007-08). He is also a club coach in Western Australia and has the experience of working at the grassroots level.

“Indian hockey has an attractive style. I have grown up on Indian hockey and now I want to give something back to India”

Michael Nobbs

Taking a different route

In this column, we look at the vocations that members of our community are involved in. This issue, Nitin Samudra talks to us about his about his work as a bus driver

Job title

Bus Operator

Have been in this job for Three years

Employer State Transit Authority

How I got into my job

When I arrived in Australia five years ago, I wanted to start life afresh. I had been an entrepreneur in the food industry back home in India. Over a period of 25 years, I had built up three restaurants in three cities - Pune, Kohlapur and Goa. They were all doing well, but I was worked off my feet. In the food industry you have to put in very long hours, plus I was travelling in between the cities. So you could say I was looking for a seachange when I moved here. I wanted to spend more time with my family, my son Nimish and my wife Sanjeet. I’m a familyoriented man, but had missed out on quality time with my family due to work reasons, and now I wanted to change that.

I was quite adamant that I would not do my own fullfledged business – been there, done that! All I wanted was a good quality of life, no work pressures or stresses, and plenty of time with the family.

In the early years I did work in the food industry, but for others: it was, after all, my field and what I knew best. But I kept my major goal in mind, and once we were on our feet, I began to look at other options. I tried various jibs, such as with insurance companies etc. Then the driving job with Sydney Buses came along. I thought, I enjoy driving, I love being out and meeting and chatting to people, so why not give this a try? I had no bus driving experience before: I took an MR (Medium Rigid) driving licence, and was ready to go!

What my job entails

I work out of the Ryde depot. I park my car there and take my bus out to Parramatta. The actual trip starts from there – my destination is Circular Quay. Then I drive back to Ryde. I pride myself on my customer service skills: I try my

bit easier for them. But really, I try to look out for all the passengers. And I think they’ve noticed too, you know – a few of them have called in to the depot just to make a mention of the comfortable trip they’ve had on my route. In our own internal newspaper, they’ve run comments about me left by some passengers. And yes, that makes me happy!

What’s hard about my job

Noting really. So far I haven’t come across any hardships. Of course in the initial days there were some problems, but that was because although I knew the route, I did not know things like how many lanes I would have to cross to turn left, where to expect the rush areas, which is the lane on the Harbour Bridge that best suits me. But, practice makes a man perfect: now I know the route like the back of my hand!

How this job has changed my life

I never imagined I would be doing this job. It is a welcome change from what I was doing before and I feel quite good about it. It has also motivated me to go further and do other things so that I can further my career here. I already had a masters degree in marketing management, but recently I’ve done a Certificate in Transport and Logistics. But I’m not satisfied. My aim is to go up the ladder and I’ve had meetings with our Careers Advisor. I’m currently awaiting promotion, and I hope to go through the ranks to become Depot Manager, or higher, who knows!

best to be courteous to all passengers. For elderly passengers, I make it a point to get out of my seat, help them in, get them their tickets and seat them comfortably before getting back into my seat. Young mothers with prams also get special attention; I feel it is my duty to make it just a little

Advice for people who may want to get into the industry Go for it – the pay is great. There are vacancies throughout the year. If you are a good driver, and have good people skills to boot, you will enjoy your job.

Your chance to have a business in India

Nitin Samudra spoke to Rajni Anand Luthra

Simply superlative Srijata

Parental support

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

Adolescence can be every parent’s nightmare. Texting, temper tantrums, erratic behaviour, angst, obsession with body image and peer relationships are catchphrases invariably associated with this phase of life. And then of course, there is the spectre of the social media to grapple with. Confronted with ambiguous age boundaries

While only in her fourth year, Srijata had already bagged a whopping 500+ certificates, prompting the school to raise the ante

and bombarded by popular cultural icons, the teenage years are generally marked by intense confusion.

Srijata Michelle Bandyopadhyay’s parents however, would challenge this standard stereotype of the average teenager. Steadily going from strength to strength, their daughter is a model student, who has kept the compliments coming.

Record-breaking award winner

The Year 11 student of Randwick Girls High has broken the school record of winning the most merit awards for outstanding academic and co-curricular performance.

While only in her fourth year, Srijata had already bagged a whopping 500+ certificates, prompting the school to raise the ante. Her latest tally stands over the 640 mark, at which students are awarded a special custom-made school blazer with the magical words “Merit Certificate” prominently embroidered.

“In the past, there were only three levels in the entire merit award system totalling up to 360 certificates; however, now there are six (i.e. 720 certificates),” stated Srijata proudly to Indian Link

“Our Deputy Principal Dianne Posener announced that in the entire history of Randwick Girls High School, no one had even come close to doing what I have achieved,” she said, adding, “My teachers and parents are extremely proud of me and always encourage me to do better.”

Not content with her superlative performance, Srijata now hopes to smash the new target too.

The merit system

Explaining the Randwick High’s merit award scheme, the motivated youngster stated that, “10 merit awards are required from at least 3 different faculties, (e.g. Science, Maths, English) before the students can hand them in for acknowledgement to their Merit Co-ordinator. The acknowledgement for every 10 awards is a certificate. They are then added to the student’s tally of awards. Each level requires 120 merit awards to be accrued. At the end of each level, a special award is presented to the student.”

While the system varies slightly from school to school, at Randwick students are rewarded for good exam results, assignments completed with a high level of quality, good behaviour, superior citizenship skills and extra curricular activities.

The key to success

Diligence, excellent self-discipline, strong work ethics and of course, a positive attitude to learning has been Srijata’s password for success. Having earned her place at the top “fair and square with honest hard work”, it goes without saying that she is a favourite among school staff. Her reputation for good behaviour and a result-oriented approach precedes this softspoken girl.

So what keeps Srijata motivated? While the initial excitement keeps a student going strong, how does one sustain the momentum of exemplary performance in the long run, that too at the secondary level?

“Actually, collecting merit awards can be a very rewarding factor for anyone, even at a secondary level,” Srijata quickly rebutted.

“While other children my age are too busy enjoying their social lives with friends, boyfriends, spending money purchasing expensive clothes and make-up, I try to be an individual with a very strong personality and who does not engage in doing any of the above things. So I guess being the individual I am, I find value in merit awards at a secondary level, while others at my age may not,” she explained.

Srijata, of course, has some very fine role models to look up to – her parents, who have been the rock of her life, encouraging her at every step.

Her father, the “singing professor” and award-winning scientist Srikanto Bandyopadhyay has already carved a niche for himself in Material Sciences. He was handpicked by former President Abdul Kalam to collaborate between the Indian and Australian governments for clean energy projects.

The magical world of science no doubt fascinates Srijata too, and she hopes to soon follow in his footsteps. Her core subjects for the upcoming HSC include

Srijata, of course, has some very fine role models to look up to –her parents, who have been the rock of her life, encouraging her at every step

Physics, Chemistry, Extension Mathematics, Advanced English and French Continuers.

Describing herself as a family-oriented girl with a strong desire to preserve her Indian culture, the Sydney born and bred youngster shares another common thread with her father - music. She has been learning to sing and play the harmonium since the age of three and is naturally adept at it.

Well-known in local circles for her rendition skills, Srijata has performed in the public arena at many cities including Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bhubaneshwar. Rabindro Sangeet (the legacy of celebrated Bengali Nobel Laureate Tagore) is her particular favourite. She won the third prize for Rabindro Sangeet at a West Bengal Youth competition. In fact, Srijata is totally immersed in the rich Bengali culture.

“Though born in Australia, my daughter speaks Bengali fluently and can enthral audiences with Hindi and Bengali songs while playing a harmonium,” her delighted father added.

Srijata is no doubt the dream child of every aspiring mum and dad. Reach for the stars, young lady, and make all of us proud!

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An exemplary student, talented musician and model teenager, this young lady continues to be an achiever

Randwick Girls High student Srijata Bandyopadhyay with Deputy Principal Dianne Posener

Ten new PhD scholarships for Indian candidates at Victorian universities

Ten top scholars from India will be awarded $90,000 each to pursue PhD programs at nine universities in the state of Victoria, starting in 2012 under the new Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships Program launched today by the State Government of Victoria and the Australia India Institute recently.

The initiative is one of a number of strategic engagement opportunities launched by the Victorian Government to strengthen relations between Victoria and India.

Victoria’s nine universities have all agreed to provide a full tuition waiver. The ten new scholarships, providing $90,000 over the duration of doctoral studies for each PhD scholar, will support living costs and education-related travel.

The new scholarships were launched in June at Australia’s High Commission in New Delhi by the Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese AO and Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Director of the Australia India Institute, Melbourne, together with Victoria’s Commissioner to India, Geoffrey Conaghan.

“The scholarships will contribute to global knowledge and help build a closer partnership between India and Australia,” said Louise Asher the State of Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business and Minister for Tourism and Major Events.

“Victoria attracts quality students from around the world because of its strong infrastructure and internationally-known researchers and teachers. We believe the Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships will generate a huge amount of interest because Victoria offers a premium international education experience,” said Minister Asher.

“This generous scholarship is a great opportunity for some of India’s smartest researchers to pursue their doctoral studies at Victoria’s universities,” said Peter Varghese, Australia’s High Commissioner to India.

“The academic communities of India and

Australia are working more closely together than ever before and I congratulate the Victorian Government and the Australia India Institute on this important new initiative”, said Mr Varghese.

Speaking at the launch in New Delhi, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo said, “This is a singularly important step by the Victorian Government to build a real partnership with India. Research students from India will not just get access to some of the finest institutions in the world but also the opportunity to stay in one of the world’s most liveable, multicultural communities”.

Students from India can apply to Victoria’s universities to do their PhD at: Deakin University, La Trobe University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University, Australian Catholic University, The University of Melbourne, University of Ballarat and Victoria University

The doctoral opportunities exist across science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences and humanities, business studies, education and the arts.

The educational institutions in the state of Victoria already have mutually beneficial, collaborative research links with Indian institutions and industry, and the new scholarships program will continue to build on these links.

More information on the Victorian Government’s Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships Program can be found at www. studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/scholarships

100,000th visitor visa for the year processed at Australian High Commission New Delhi

For the first time ever, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi has passed 100,000 visitor and temporary entry visas in a program year. The 100,000th visa for the 2010-2011 program year was issued in late May in New Delhi.

This milestone underlines the fast expanding linkages between India and Australia in tourism and business.

The figure includes 19 different types of visa, including tourist and business visas.

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Peter Varghese, said, “One hundred thousand visitor visas shows how fast the bilateral relationship between Australia and India is growing. More Indians are travelling to Australia for business, tourism and to study at our universities. And a growing number of travellers are reconnecting with family members in Australia.”

The visitor visa application rate has increased by 17% this year and over 50% of visitor visa applicants were family members of Indian permanent residents or Australian citizens of Indian origin.

The business short stay visa application rate has increased by 15% this year, and will continue to grow as India-Australia economic and trade relations also grow.

Two-way trade between India and Australia has been growing at about 20% year on year for the past five years. In 2010 two-way trade was approximately A$22 billion driven by the strong complementarities between the two economies. Reflecting this dynamism on 12 May Australia and India agreed to launch negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (or FTA).

High Commissioner Varghese said, “All these are very healthy signs of the growing partnership between our countries and people. Quite simply, Australia and India are rapidly becoming more important to each other.”

Australia provides $5 million boost for research with India

Top scientists will benefit from a multimillion dollar program that could lead to better vaccines, more temperature tolerant crops, healthier foods and greater protection for our marine systems.

18 collaborative projects involving Australian and Indian scientists have been awarded AU$5 million under the AustraliaIndia Strategic Research Fund, with matching funding provided by the Government of

Culinary odyssey to India

A rare opportunity to join acclaimed Sydney chef Carol Selva Rajah on a week food and cultural exploration in India

BY SANDIP HOR

Travelling through India, a land of contrasts and striking diversities, is just not a journey, but an experience of a lifetime. The region, with its vast bounties of nature, steeping history and great treasures of art and culture, provides today an array of encapsulating encounters to a visitor.

As one travels from one part of the country to the other, what strikes out is the changing panorama of style, culture and physical environment that brings out the uniqueness of the region. Cuisine is an important and distinct character of that diversity that itself creates an interest for many to explore the region and I suppose there is no better person than eminent food personality Carol Selva Rajah to take you through that odyssey.

Coming September, she will lead a small group tour to give food connoisseurs a taste of India’s history and culture through the stomach by offering them some intriguing recipes from royal kitchens of Hyderabad to street food corners of Mumbai.

Carol Selva Rajah needs no introduction within the curry circle in this country. She is a celebrated chef, consultant, writer, teacher and guide. Her award winning book The Food

of India, which adorns the shelves of bookstores in Australia, UK and the US, has inspired many to switch over from fish and chips to hot and spicy alternatives.

She is a veteran of many culinary tours to India and South Asia.

“The coriander, cumin and mustard aromas with the flavours of chutneys, dahl, curries and masalas create a kaleidoscope of images that clarify into a vibrant picture of the India I visit often with friends,” she says.

By joining her in the forthcoming two-week tour commencing 15 September, you will visit great places like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Goa, Cochin and Trivandrum; see places of historical and cultural interest; learn from many interesting secrets about spices and herbs used in Indian cuisine; explore the vibrant bazaars from where the various ingredients are sourced; learn the art of gourmet cooking; taste and savour an array of dishes that will tantalise your appetite and keep mouth watering forever; and most importantly have fun.

During the tour you will have the rare opportunity to understand from Carol how feeding the mind is just as important as feeding the body. As one of Australia’s most celebrated experts in Asian cuisine, she firmly believes food cooked from the heart is the best gift one can give to family and friends. You will experience that when sampling exotic Moghul dishes like Biriyani and Korma in Hyderabad,

India.

The fund is a joint initiative of the Australian and Indian governments. It is Australia’s largest bilateral research fund, providing AU$65 million over eight years.

Australian Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr said, “India is a strong research nation in its own right and a rising scientific power. Both countries have much to gain from collaboration in science and technology.”

“This funding will enable leading Australian and Indian scientists to combine their unique strengths and tackle big issues facing communities in Australia and India –such as growing healthy crops and protecting precious groundwater environments.”

Grants have been awarded to a total of 12 different Australian universities and research institutions including James Cook University, CSIRO, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, the Australian National University, Melbourne University, the University of Western Australia and the University of Queensland.

Grants have also been awarded to a total of 14 Indian collaborating partner institutions including the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Raman Research Institute and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

Projects to be supported under Round 5 of the fund include:

• development of a novel class of anticancer agents targeting the immune system;

• design of malaria vaccines;

• developing methods for the production of omega-3 concentrates for functional foods, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals;

• improving high-temperature tolerance in crop plants; and

• advancing our ability to predict plant distributions under changed climates. Other projects supported by the fund are in nanotechnology, marine and earth sciences, biomedical devices and implants, and stem cells.

Parsi delicacy Dhansak in Mumbai or Portuguese hit Vindalu in Goa - all washed down with loads of Kingfisher beer, may be Cashew Feni in Goa or Todi in Cochin.

The itinerary, which epitomises what an expert hostess would like to do with her valued guests, was launched to an exclusive gathering of travel enthusiasts last week at a cocktail function hosted by Arnold De Souza from ACR Travels. If you are interested in joining, call ACR Travels in Sydney on 02 8252 8777.

Carol Selva Rajah with Arnold D’Souza of ACR Travels

Priya Singh

singer Adnan Sami (second from right) at his restaurant Maharaja’s Haveli

MEET WORLD FAMOUS ASTROLOGER & PALM READER WHO IS AN ASTROLOGER FROM GENERATIONS

If you are worldly unhappy for thr following reasons :

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Kerala temple treasure trove continues to astound

A legend temporarily halted the stocktaking at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala where treasures said to be worth Rs.1 lakh crore have been found.

Monday, July 4 was the seventh day of knowing how many valuables were packed in the six chambers, two of them not opened for nearly 150 years. The Supreme Court had ordered the exercise. Retired judge M.N. Krishnan told reporters that “some sort of expertise” would be needed to open chamber B.

Krishnan said a seven-member committee appointed by the Supreme Court and headed by him will meet soon. “I have nothing more to say.”

The committee is making an inventory of the six chambers in the temple premise.

The estimated worth of the gems and jewellery found in five of the six chambers is unofficially put at a whopping Rs.1 lakh crore ($22 billion). The committee has not confirmed this figure.

The erstwhile royal family of Travanacore, which maintains the temple, believes that opening chamber B would be a bad omen.

A royal family source revealed that many legends were attached to the temple and that chamber B has a model of a snake on the main door.

“This is a clear indication that the door should not be opened because opening it might be a bad omen. I don’t think the team can open it because there is a lot of faith attached to the temple,” said the source.

Another legend says that there is a tunnel at the bottom of the chamber that leads to the sea.

The stocktaking was ordered by the Supreme Court following a petition by advocate T.P. Sundararajan over alleged mismanagement of the temple affairs.

The team is expected to present an interim report to the Supreme Court.

Tight security arrangements are in place in the temple premises. A 24-hour police control room has been opened and round-the-clock mobile patrolling is on.

“A 24-hour special police control room has been opened at the Fort Police station. Round-the-clock mobile patrolling would be started and permanent security arrangements would also be provided,” Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said recently. “This temple is our state’s pride...and is part of our culture. Hence it is the government’s right and duty to provide the needed security to the temple,” the chief minister added.

He also emphasised that the treasure is the property of the temple.

Chandy added that when a permanent security cover is set up, it would be done by taking into confidence the head of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.

The Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala could well be the richest in the country as on the sixth day of preparing an inventory of treasures in its six chambers, it is suggested the value of its gold, diamond and other precious metals at close to Rs. 1 lakh crore.

Two more chambers are left unopened and it is expected that the inventory process may continue for a few more days.

The committee, which includes a gemmologist, stumbled upon a nearly fourfoot-tall statue of Lord Vishnu in gold and studded with emeralds. Other precious items that were accounted for included several golden statues, almost all weighing two kg each. Among other things are a gold necklace as long as 15 feet, and crowns studded with emeralds, rubies and diamonds.

The chamber is situated around 20 feet under the ground. The committee conducted the examination using artificial lights. Cylinders were used to pump in oxygen to the chamber to guard against breathing problems for committee members.

Gopalakrishnan said that according to the legend the gold got accumulated in the temple because in the olden days people used to offer gold to seek pardon from the royal family.

The main temple deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Hindu god Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture or in eternal sleep of ‘yognidra’.

The foundation of the present entrance gateway was laid in 1566 and the temple has a 100-foot, seven-tier tower besides a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite stone pillars with elaborate carvings.

As of now, the Balaji temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is believed to be the richest temple in the country, followed by Shirdi Sai Baba shrine in Maharashtra.

The erstwhile royal family of Travancore in Kerala is thrilled that valuables worth thousands of crores have been discovered in the chambers of a temple it manages.

The head of the royal family of Travancore, Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, was tight lipped on the discovery and said: “I have nothing to say on this because one has to abide by the ruling of the apex court.”

Varma is the managing trustee of the trust that runs the temple.

One of the members of the royal family said: “How many royal families in the country can be proud of keeping things like this? You should understand that two chambers out of the six have not been opened for more than 150 years and it there that the treasure trove has been kept safely”.

A journey from Indian slums to Germany - for football

Khushali Darbeshwar, 19, pinched herself several times as she watched the opening ceremony of the women’s football World Cup in a jam-packed Olympic Stadium in Berlin on June 29. From an Indian slum to Germany - it was like a fairytale dream for her to witness

tournament - Discover Football, a global initiative to help disadvantaged girls, challenge societal norms and make a mark.

“I have never ever in my dreams thought about watching the women’s World Cup opening ceremony and the first match of Germany against Canada. I pinched myself several times to feel if this was a reality or not,” an excited Khushali said with a wide smile.

Being held on the sidelines of FIFA Women’s World Cup, Discover Football has brought together eight teams from across the world for an international women’s football tournament in the centre of Berlin.

The June 27-July 3 tournament is seeing the participation of women’s teams from India, France, Brazil, Israel, Togo, Cameroon and Rwanda, as also a team from Berlin. The teams have been selected by Streetfootballworld from a list of 38 applicants.

The tournament is accompanied by a diverse cultural festival.

Slum Soccer - the Indian team -- lost their first match against Berlin, but there is no dearth of confidence among the players as they are looking forward to other matches and a global exposure.

“The Berlin team has practised for a month with football experts of the national team. It was a learning experience, but I am more excited after watching the World Cup opening ceremony ... it was breathtaking,” said Priyanka Arun Ragit, daughter of a daily wage labourer in Nagpur, who plays as a forward.

Slum Soccer was founded by a Nagpurbased NGO that trains underprivileged children and youth from across India in football.

For most of the girls, the journey from slums to football was a challenging task, but

they fought back to follow their dreams.

Shehnaz Kureshi, 19, took to football as the boys in her class challenged her that girls can never play the game.

“I was interested in football but it is said to be a masculine game. I never tried it till I was challenged by the boys. When I started, I used to play with boys as none of the girls played the game, but now things have improved,” said Shehnaz, with the Indian tricolour painted on her cheeks.

This second year humanities student, who was abandoned by her father for being a girl child, had to fight both family and society to play football.

But now she is a star in her slum near Nagpur.

“People in my slum now look with respect and pride at me and even my mother is happy as I have also started earning by coaching children in football. Most of the girls in my locality now play football,” Shehnaz said confidently.

Slum Soccer was launched in 2001 with a vision to equip the underprivileged to deal with and emerge from the disadvantages riding on their homelessness using the medium of football.

“It was started by my father, but we started focussing on football in 2007 and decided to use it as a tool to bring a change in society,” Slum Soccer CEO Abhijeet Barse said.

Barse left his doctorate in environment studies in the US in 2007 to concentrate on Slum Soccer. Since then he has never looked back and Slum Soccer is making a mark everywhere.

“We have training centres in several parts of central India and will soon start one in Chennai. We have 12 volunteers and a fund-raising team. We are also developing a curriculum using football as medium for development and making the whole process more self-sustainable for players,” he said.

In 2010, Slum Soccer participated in the Homeless World Cup in Brazil and India won the Fairplay Award.

In exile, Husain wanted to destroy his paintings

Forced to live away from India, M.F. Husain at one time wanted to destroy all his paintings, says his son Owais Husain who is hungering to conquer the wasteland of possibilities left behind by his illustrious father.

“I feel suddenly in life there is a wasteland in front of me, but the wasteland is rich, inspiring a hunger in me to devour the wasteland. I am ready, actually I am doing that,” Owais Husain, who is making a documentary on his father, said recently in New Delhi.

Recalling one of his father’s bouts of despair after his self-imposed exile from India, Owais, the youngest son of artist M.F. Husain, said, “There was a time he wanted to destroy all his paintings. What was the use, he said.” Owais, an artist and filmmaker, was in Delhi with brothers Shafqat, Shamshad and Mustaq to pay tribute to their father at a commemorative celebration by the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust.

M.F. Husain passed away June 9 in London after a cardiac failure at 95. He had left India in 2006 after being threatened by Hindu radicals over his paintings.

Owais’ movie, Letters to My Son about My Father, is a generational father-to-son narrative about the family’s illustrious brush with art and fame - from the obscure areas of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to the bright lights of Mumbai and the world - riding on the patriarch, M.F. Husain.

“It will be a document of his life - capturing his journey as an artist and a man. I want to tell the story to my son - from a father to the son and address the posterity through him. I still have a few more interviews to do before I put it all together. I am also using family footage. But I am yet to find a close (end) to

Continued on page 38

Police officials arrive to check the security measurements at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Photo: AP

Continued from page 37

the movie - don’t yet know how I will end it,” Owais said.

The documentary will use “classical music, photographs and several genres of art that Husain loved”, his son said.

M.F. Husain, who experimented with filmmaking between his vocation and commissions - public art, historical series and installations - made three major filmsThrough the Eyes of a Painter, Gajagamini, Meenaxi: Tale of Three Cities - that combined art, narratives, characters and music.

One of the movies, Through the Eyes of a Painter, which had won a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1967, was screened in the capital recently.

A 16-minute documentary, it was shot by the painter during his journey through Rajasthan. “The documentary, Through the Eyes… is inspiring,” said Owais, who is in his mid thirties.

The younger Husain said his father had completed two mega series of paintings - History of Arab Civilisation, History of Indian Civilisation before his demise.

“He kept painting till his death,” he said. Owais’ roster is crammed. “I have three films on the floor. There is a solo exhibition of my art works at Gallery Espace in the capital in October. It will be a bit of a ‘dhamaka’ - I have tried new formats and language,” he said.

Supreme Court says government evasive on black money

The Supreme Court, while appointing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the black money parked by Indian citizens in tax havens abroad, pulled no punches in chiding the government for being evasive and in the denial mode.

While constituting an SIT headed by former Supreme Court judge B.P. Jeevan Reddy, the court said lack of seriousness in the government’s efforts was contrary to the requirements of law and its constitutional obligations.

The apex court bench of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy and Justice S.S. Nijjar, which ordered the setting up of the SIT, said: “We must express our serious reservations about the responses of the Union of India. In the first instance, during the earlier phases of hearing before us, the attempts were clearly evasive, confused or originating in the denial mode.”

Speaking for the bench, Justice Sudershan Reddy said: “It was only upon being repeatedly pressed by us did the Union of India begin to admit that indeed the investigation was proceeding very slowly.”

“It also became clear to us that, in fact, the investigation had completely stalled, in as much as custodial interrogation of Hasan Ali Khan had not even been sought for, even

though he was very much residing in India,” he said.

Stashing away of huge unaccounted money in tax havens and the connections of suspected tax evader Hasan Ali Khan with arms dealers have raised questions regarding the sources of the money being unlawful activities.

The court said there was still no evidence of a really serious investigation into these from the national security perspective.

The court noted with concern that during interrogation of Hasan Ali Khan and Kolkata based-businessman Kashinath Tapuria, names of many people, including officials of corporate giants, politically powerful people and international arms dealers, cropped up. So far, no significant attempt has been made to investigate and verify these.

Both Hasan Ali and Tapuria are accused of laundering black money and stashing it away in tax havens abroad.

It appeared that even though his passport was impounded, Hasan Ali was able to secure another passport from Patna, possibly with the help or aid of a politician, the order said.

The order said that the government’s explanation was both unsatisfactory and lacked credibility on the “slowness of the pace of investigation” and why it did not take action that was “feasible and within the ambit of powers of the Enforcement Directorate itself, such as custodial investigation...”

The court also mocked at the government’s repeated insistence that the “matter involves many jurisdictions, across the globe, and a proper investigation could be accomplished only through the concerted efforts by different law enforcement agencies, both within the central government and various state governments”.

“What is important is that the Union of India had obtained knowledge, documents and information that indicated possible connections between Hasan Ali Khan and his alleged co-conspirators and known international arms dealers,” the court said.

“There is still no evidence of a really serious investigation into these other matters from the national security perspective,” the court said.

A university to manage a rapidly urbanising India

With over 625,000 villages, rural India still dominates the country’s landscape even as rapid urbanising is throwing up challenges for planners. To train people manage this massive social transformation and fill the critical human resource and knowledge gap, a group of eminent Indians is setting up a university.

One of them, Nandan Nilekani, a co-

founder of India’s IT bellwether Infosys who now spearheads the massive exercise of providing billion Indians a unique identification number, and his wife Rohini, have just gifted Rs. 50 crore to the proposed varsity.

Called the Indian Institute of Human Settlement, the institute is coming up near Bangalore and the people behind it are in talks with the government for recognition of its courses.

Besides Nilekani, other leading figures forming the board of directors of the venture are renowned industrialists and academicians like Xerxes Desai, Jamshyd Godrej, Cyrus Guzder, Renana Jhabvala, Vijay Kelkar, Keshub Mahindra, Kishore Mariwala, Rahul Mehrotra, Rakesh Mohan, Nasser Munjee, Deepak Parekh, Shirish Patel, Aromar Revi and Deepak Satwalekar.

The IIHS will offer “globally benchmarked bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in urban practice based on a wide set of disciplines and practice areas central to India’s urban transformation,” Aromar Revi, its director, said in an interview.

The Bachelors in Urban Practice (BUP) programme “will be a four-year course, after the plus-2 level of schooling. The MUP programme will be a two year course,” said Revi, an alumnus of IIT-Delhi and the law and management schools of Delhi University.

The IIHS will begin by offering the masters programme first from July next year, provided the government gives regulatory clearances by that time, he said.

“Discussions are active with the government on getting the appropriate regulatory clearances,” Revi said.

The “tentative fee structure for the MUP is in the range of Rs.300,000 and Rs.400,000 per annum,” he said. The IIHS “is planning to offer up to 50 percent of its students’ scholarships and financial assistance of varying degrees depending on need,” he added.

Revi was confident that students passing out of this institute will have job opportunities since the “most serious constraint facing Indian cities today is not capital but the availability of suitably educated professionals, entrepreneurs and change makers who can act in the common good”.

“We anticipate career opportunities across the public and private sectors as well as civil society and universities and knowledge enterprises. There is a large gap in the supply of urban practitioners and inter-disciplinary professionals as India and its urban areas grow,” he said.

On the gift by the Nilekanis, he said “this is in keeping with their vision of building quality

transformative institutions for India and a reinforcement of their past philanthropic commitments. Nandan Nilekani has been deeply involved with the IIHS from its conceptualisation”.

Announcing the gift recently, the Nilekanis said: “IIHS is at the convergence of both our interests in education, urbanisation and sustainability.”

The IIHS is coming up on a 54-acre site in Kengeri, on the outskirts of Bangalore. “Work on planning the first phase of the 42,000-sq metre campus has started. It will be executed in a phased manner over the next five to seven years,” said Revi.

On what prompted the setting up of this institute, he said there was a need to fill “a critical human resource and knowledge gap in addressing multiple challenges of urbanisation”.

“The IIHS is conceived as an interdisciplinary university born out of the realisation that a single academic programme within a university would not be able to offer the breadth and depth of inter-disciplinary academics and practice that are urgently required to solve the multiple dimensions of urbanisation challenges that the country is confronted with,” he said.

The IIHS has tie-ups with several well-known institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University College London (UCL), and The African Centre for Cities (ACC) of the University of Cape Town (UCT), Revi said.

Pakistani state-terror links have to be broken: Rao

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao says the terror links of the Pakistani state and military have to be broken, even as she felt Islamabad’s attitude towards the issue had “altered”.

In an interview with CNN-IBN’s Karan Thapar, Rao said that India did raise the issue of “linkages” between the Pakistani spy agency and terror groups, which were revealed in a Chicago trial by Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Coleman Headley.

“I did raise that and I said we need to get satisfactory answers on these linkages,” she said.

Rao, whose two-year term ends this month, asserted that it was necessary to break the links between Pakistani state and terror.

“Let me tell you, the aim here, and it is not just the aim of India, I think it applies to the whole global community, the strategic link between the Pakistani state and militancy and terror needs to be broken,” she said, Rao also defended at the resumption of talks with Pakistan, despite the slow progress in the trial of mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

“From one angle certainly it has not moved an inch. I am not denying that. There has been a very glacial pace to this whole process as far as the 26/11 trials are concerned. But let me tell you what kind of feedback we got from the Pakistanis at this round. And they spoke of the need to discuss all the serious and substantive issues between the two countries and that terrorism was at the forefront of this,” she said.

Rao had met her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad June 23-24, following the end of the first round of resumed dialogue, which had been stalled following the 26/11 attack.

The foreign secretary also fended off criticism over the inclusion of Kashmir in the talks.

“Somehow the impression is being created that we have given away the store by discussing Kashmir. I completely refute that allegation,” she said.

The foreign ministers of the two South Asian neighbours are scheduled to meet in New Delhi in July.

An Indian girls team participates in the international meet Discover Football, a global initiative to help disadvantaged girls.

Photo: IANS

India’s first green tribunal gets scores of environment cases

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), a judicial body aimed at expediting environment-related cases and the first in the country, has got scores of cases to be dealt with, an official said. India is only the third country after Australia and New Zealand to have a dedicated green court.

It resumed hearings recently after the summer break.

Launched last October, NGT is headed by L.S. Panta, a retired judge of the Supreme Court.

“The tribunal started functioning in midMay. Cases have been heard earlier. July 4 was the first hearing after the vacation,” Panta said. According to an environment ministry official, the NGT is an independent body which was launched with the “initial support” of the ministry.

The bench is hearing cases transferred from the National Environment Appellate Authority and from the various courts including the Supreme Court of India. With the launch of the NGT, the appellate authority has ceased to exist.

“Twenty-six cases have been transferred from the appellate authority to the NGT. There are various other cases from courts as well. We don’t have the exact figure,” Panta said, adding that fresh cases are being heard too.

The tribunal deals with cases relating to water pollution, forest conservation, air pollution, environment protection, public liability and biological diversity.

Headquartered in New Delhi, the NGT will have circuit benches in the four regions of the country.

The eastern bench will be at Kolkata, the western at Pune, the central at Bhopal and the southern at Chennai. The Delhi bench then would be called as the principal bench.

The other four benches are yet to begin functioning.

“For now, these benches are not working. It will take a couple of months more for them to start functioning. We need more members and the procedure for their appointment is going on. Till the time, all the cases would be heard here,” said Panta.

He added that the cases of different regions would be transferred as soon as the other benches start operating.

The NGT, apart from Panta, comprises retired high court judges A. Suryanarayana Naidu and C.V. Ramulu. Eaach of them is assisted by an environmental expert.

“Anybody and everybody can approach the NGT for civil damages arising out of nonimplementation of various laws relating to the environment,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had said during the launch of the NGT last year.

Tweeting the lighter side, the Omar Abdullah way

As Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah continues to post his feelings on various issues on the micro-blogging site Twitter, thousands of his followers are getting to know the lighter side of the country’s youngest chief minister.

Abdullah recently flew to the state’s winter capital Jammu. A tennis fan, the chief minister was disappointed to find that his DTH TV connection had not been recharged.

“I can’t believe NO ONE at home in Jammu remembered to recharge my Tata Sky account. I can’t watch the tennis,” the chief minister posted on Twitter, obviously referring to the Wimbledon finals.

In one of his latest posts, Abdullah said: “My life is jhingalala again.”

Another of his recent posts read: “Unusually for me I don’t have much to say these days.”

Abdullah’s Twitter followers have swelled. He has over 27,000 followers and many locals

have started tweeting their problems to the chief minister via the social networking site.

Some months back, a student preparing for exams in summer capital Srinagar approached Abdullah complaining of a faulty electric transformer in the area. The chief minister got electricity restored in the area immediately.

However, Abdullah has detractors as well.

“He posts his feelings, the pictures of the places he visits, the articles he comes across in newspapers, magazines, etc., and other things. How can he be serious about governance when one finds the chief minister on Twitter every now and then?” asked Ghulam Jeelani, 34, a student.

But Abdullah defended his tweeting right by posting last month: “How much time does it take to post 140 characters on the site? Besides, my following on the site might not be very huge, but it is an important interactive forum.”

Abdullah has often posted his feelings about official matters as well. It was because of this that one of the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders last month asked him to continue tweeting - as Omar Abdullah, not as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

“But that would be ridiculous. As long as Omar Abdullah is chief minister, his Twitter post would always be seen as that of the chief minister. Let the detractors say anything.

Omar Abdullah is a modern chief minister who cannot be compared to his father or grandfather. If people have no problem with Barack Obama deciding to join the social networking site, why are there any issues with Omar Abdullah?” asked Saba Bhat, 24, a college student here.

Movement for Telangana gathers momentum; cabinet meets

The movement for separate statehood to Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh entered a crucial phase recently with the mass resignations of MPs, state ministers and legislators of the Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). As a new crisis loomed, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) held a another meeting over the issue.

Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) spearheading the statehood movement called for a 48-hour shutdown in Andhra Pradesh on July 5-6.

On a day of fast-paced developments, seven MPs of the Congress party from the region submitted their resignations to Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar while Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao gave his resignation to house Chairman Hamid Ansari. Two other MPs faxed their quit letters.

The CCPA meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was held at his 7, Race Course Road official residence in New Delhi, government sources said.

The confabulation of the senior government functionaries came shortly after 10 Congress members of parliament and 40 Congress legislators, including 11 ministers, 33 TDP and two Praja Rajyam Party legislators from the Telangana region resigned to bring pressure on the central government to announce statehood.

Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar told reporters that two Lok Sabha members, Madhu Goud Yaskhi and Suresh Shetkar, have faxed their resignations.

Another MP, Sarvey Satyanarayana, has refused to resign saying he would do so only after Union Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy quits. MP from Secunderabad Anjan Kumar Yadav is also reluctant to resign.

In Hyderabad, 79 members of the assembly, including 11 ministers, submitted their resignations, plunging the state into a crisis.

Four rebel TDP legislators had quit too.

Those who resigned Monday include all 33 of TDP, 40 of Congress and two of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).

Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and three other ministers have not resigned. The ministers who submitted their resignations include Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy.

While five ministers personally submitted their resignations to deputy speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, six others, including the home minister, sent their papers.

In all, 10 legislators of the Congress party from Telangana are yet to submit their resignations.

Speaker N. Manohar, who is in the US, will take a decision on the resignations after his return. The resignations, if accepted, may reduce the Congress government to minority.

In the 294-member assembly, the Congress has 174 members, including 18 from the PRP, which merged with the ruling party recently.

Telangana accounts for 119 legislators in the 294-member assembly. The Congress has 52 members (including two of PRP), TDP 37 and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) 11.

Senior Minister K. Jana Reddy told reporters that their resignations were not aimed at creating a constitutional or political crisis but to achieve a separate state in tune with the aspirations of the people.

“Today (July 4) is United States’ Independence Day and we hope today will also become Telangana’s Independence Day,” the minister said outside the assembly building.

Jana Reddy, who later left for Delhi for talks with the central leadership, claimed that their fight was for self-rule and self-respect of the Telangana region.

Twelve Congress members of the legislative

council and three of TDP have also submitted their resignations to council chairperson K. Chakrapani.

The legislators said the resignations were aimed at pressurising the central government to carve out a separate Telangana state as promised by it on Dec 9, 2009.

The Congress leaders resigned despite the efforts of the central and state leadership of the party over last three days to dissuade them.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters in New Delhi that a final decision on the “extremely sensitive and complex” issue was yet to be taken.

“The central government’s view will be made known after the consultation process is over. We have to bring everyone on board. There is a strong view of a large number of people. We are yet to take a final decision,” Chidambaram told reporters.

“This is an extremely sensitive and complex issue. We will try to expedite... One should have understanding and patience. Especially, the media should have understanding and patience,” Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram said the government would convene an all-party meeting immediately after the views of all parties are known. Two of the parties have not yet finalised their views on the separate statehood issue, he said.

TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao criticized Chidambaram for reacting to the resignations in a casual manner. He announced that the protest in the region would continue till the central government agrees to initiate the process for formation of separate state.

Jewellery designed by Indian designer Farah Khan Ali (inset) for the 2008 Runway Rocks Show in London, was picked up by singer Beyonce Knowles, and was seen recently in the video of her latest Album 4, released in late June. The crown is made of Swarovski crystals in the colour of citrin and has orange, yellow and brown stones. Over 500 stones, with pearls to match, make up the entire piece.

Photo: IANS

Indian diaspora’s beginnings to be recorded for posterity

Indentured migration that took thousands of poor Indians across the seas to the new British plantation colonies to meet the shortage of labour after the abolition of slavery, and that formed the beginnings of the vast Indian diaspora spread across the world, is to be recorded for posterity in the Memory of the World register.

The governments of Fiji, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago had made a joint submission to UNESCO in 2010 for the records of Indian indentured labourers to be inscribed in the International Register of Memory of the World Programme.

The indentured migration took thousands of poor Indians across the seas to the new plantation colonies to meet the shortage of labour after slavery was abolished in Britain. It is a forgotten period of colonial history, though it formed the beginnings of the large Indian diaspora. Descendents of the ‘girmitiyas’, as the Indian indentured workers were called, now form large minority populations in the former colonies as also in Mauritius, where they are the majority.

The Memory of the World Programme is meant to safeguard documentary heritage against loss, decay or destruction by any means. It was launched in 1992 and has about 238 items from around the world listed in the Register. Inscription in the Memory of the World Register is recognition of the historical importance of the items and beginning of steps to preserve them and make them accessible to scholars and other interested parties.

Indian indenture documents are among the 45 new documents and documentary collections that were recommended earlier this year by the International Advisory Committee of the Memory of the World Programme and endorsed by the director general of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.

According to the UNESCO website, “Listing of items such as these on the Memory of the World Register is intended to generate interest and help with the conservation of documentary heritage which helps us to understand our society in all its complexities”.

The submission by the four governments stated that the “Indian indentured immigration was first accounted for in the 1830s and over a period of roughly hundred years, 1,194,957 Indians were relocated to 19 colonies. These records are the only documents for ancestral and lineage research for the numerous descendants of those Indian labourers”. Their deterioration or loss would leave a void in the memory of many former colonies, and erode the sense of belonging of many of the descendants of the original labourers.

The arrival of large groups of Indian labourers in the receiving colonies had immense repercussions, many of which are still being felt today. This mass movement of labour was meticulously recorded by former colonial powers and stored in the archives of many receiving colonies around the world.

As a result, the documents relating to the Indian indentured labourers, dispersed all over the world, offer a unique perspective of colonialism as a major phenomenon in the unfurling of world history. The loss of such records would deprive humanity of the enduring knowledge of the legacy of indentured labour against the backdrop of colonialism and the concept of “empire”, according to the submission.

These records hold considerable social and historical value and are among the most requested and used documents in the National Archives of the former colonies which received indentured labour. They

capture a unique migration history of Indian communities around the world.

Indian forum welcomes easing of passport surrender rules

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) has welcomed a relaxation of rules requiring former Indian citizens to produce a surrender certificate of their old passports when seeking Indian visas.

The relaxation incorporates two of the GOPIO demands: elimination of surrender certificate requirement from those who became naturalised citizens more than 10 years ago, and an OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) application need not be accompanied by an original US passport.

The change “will not only stop the decline of goodwill in the Indian community for the government of India but can also reduce workload at the consulates”, said Inder Singh, GOPIO International chairman.

“Now that the work load will be less, Indian missions in western countries and Travisa should finish off all the backlogs soon and make the process of getting an OCI card and entry visa to India easier for the Indian community,” said Thomas Abraham, former chairman of GOPIO International.

“This is a welcome action that removes an undue burden on former citizens of India and improves goodwill towards India,” said Ashook Ramsaran, executive vice president of GOPIO International.

Nikki Haley publishing her memoir

South Carolina’s Indian-American Governor Nikki Haley is all set to publish her memoir just shy of her 40th birthday.

Her book, Can’t is Not an Option, is expected to hit shelves in January 2012 and will be published by Sentinel, a conservative imprint within Penguin Group.

Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa to Sikh immigrant parents Jan 20, 1972, Haley is America’s youngest governor.

In March, Haley, 39, said in a published interview that in her memoir “she would cover everything from growing up in rural South Carolina to her contentious 2010 campaign, when she faced - and deniedallegations of infidelity”.

Though the Republican governor says she’s not seeking higher office, her literary agent Robert Barnett’s past clients include Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Haley’s new book will give the first-term

Republican a chance to reveal behind-thescenes details of her once unlikely election as South Carolina’s chief executive, how she handled the state’s rough-and-tumble politics and her life as a first-generation American, postandcourier.com said.

“A lot of people wanted to know what happened in the campaign,” she was quoted as telling The Post in April.

During the primary season, Haley, a married mother of two, also shouldered accusations of marital infidelity.

Haley told The Post that people told her they wanted to know more about the impact those accusations had on her family.

“They just wanted to know how we won,” she said then. “When things got really tough, how did I handle it?”

The book also is expected to cover Haley’s vision for the country and the Republican Party, according to her publishing house.

Sentinel President and Publisher Adrian Zackheim called Haley an “all-American success story” and “a rising star in national politics”.

Indian American indicted for not reporting India HSBC account

An Indian American neurosurgeon has been indicted for failing to report to US tax authorities millions of dollars in bank accounts at the HSBC Bank in India and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

In late June, Arvind Ahuja of Greendale, Wisconsin, a board-certified neurosurgeon, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Milwaukee on four counts of wilfully filing materially false tax returns and four counts of failing to file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBARs).

According to the indictment, as announced by the Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Ahuja’ HSBC bank account in India had a balance of $8,733,785 in 2009, but he failed to report these bank accounts to the IRS on his 2006-09 tax returns.

The indictment further alleges that Ahuja failed to report more than $1.2 million in interest income that he earned from his HSBC India account and failed to pay the taxes due on that income. For the 2006-09 tax years, Ahuja also failed to file FBARs to report his foreign bank accounts to the Department of the Treasury.

As alleged in the indictment, US citizens have an obligation to report to the IRS on their tax returns.

Each false tax return charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison

and a $250,000 fine. The failure to file FBAR charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

A trial date has not yet been set.

Raj Kapoor clan gathers at street naming in Canada

It was a picture-perfect moment.

Bollywood’s ultimate showman Raj Kapoor’s wife, three sons, daughters and daughter-in-law were all in Brampton, for the official naming ceremony of the Raj Kapoor Crescent - a new street in a city on Toronto’s outskirts known for its large South Asian population.

It was a rare moment to see Krishna Raj Kapoor, Randhir, Rishi, Rajiv, Reema, Ritu and Neetu together on the same stage as Susan Fennell, mayor of Brampton unveiled the placard of the street name at the Rose Theatre.

“We shall always cherish this moment. We are greatly honoured and proud that my father has been honoured miles away from India. We thank you Brampton for this love,” said Randhir.

Fennell, who was dressed for the ocassion in a green and gold Indian suit, urged the big fat family to pose for a classic portrait, which she wishes to present to them on a visit to India in February next year.

Raj Kapoor’s grandchildren Ranbir and Kareena too were expected to be at the event, but they couldn’t make it due to their busy shooting schedules, said Randhir.

Toronto, which hosted the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards extravaganza, also organised a Raj Kapoor retrospective where a total of 15 of his iconic films were screened including Aag, Awara, Shree 420 and Sangam

Punjab to set up panel for NRIs

The Punjab government has approved the setting up of a four-member state commission for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to protect their interests in the state.

The NRI commission would be headed by a retired high court judge, a state government spokesman said here.

Other members of the commission would be senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Police Service (IPS) officers and two members nominated from among people having knowledge of matters and issues relating to NRIs, the spokesman added.

The chairperson and the members would be appointed by the state government for a period of three years, he said. The commission will be headquartered at Chandigarh.

He said that the commission would have all the powers of the civil court and can summon people, seek documents and public record and examine witnesses.

Thousands of people from Punjab are settled in other countries, particularly in the US, Canada, Britain, and other European countries, Australia, New Zealand and south-east Asian countries.

The Doaba belt of Punjab, the area between Sutlej and Beas rivers comprising districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Kapurthala, are wellknown for NRIs settled in other countries.

UAE consulate to open in Kerala

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is opening a consulate in Kerala, a move sure to help the thousands from the state working in the Gulf country.

“The UAE consulate is opening in Kerala. Its location will be decided by the UAE ambassador to India,” said a source.

Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralites K.C. Joseph told IANS this was “happy news”.

India-born Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina state, with her family.

“This is going to be a great source of help to Keralites. UAE is the place where the maximum number of the Kerala diaspora is settled,” he said.

The UAE is home to more than a million Keralites.

Currently all those proceeding to the UAE from Kerala have to get their educational certificates certified by the UAE embassy or consulate in New Delhi or Mumbai.

Welfare scheme for jobless Non-Resident Keralites

Now, Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) who return home jobless will be provided assistance for education, marriage, maternity besides money for performing funeral rites, Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai announced this month.

Kerala has over two million people who work abroad and another one million who have returned.

“The NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department) Centre will bring all agencies of the department under one roof and would begin functioning this year itself. It is also proposed to start an NRI Business Centre in the building along with a call centre and a helpline for assisting NRKs,” said Gavai.

Addressing the first session of the newlyconstituted state assembly following April 13 elections, the governor also said that Norka-Roots will strengthen the recently established job portal for promotion of safe migration practises and ensure good jobs overseas.

“The awareness campaign against illegalmigration being done by Norka-Roots would also be expanded. Similarly, the skill upgradation and training programme would also be expanded with new courses which are relevant to overseas employment as well as addition of up to date training facilities,” added Gavai.

Delhi Public School now in Ghana

An Indian steel manufacturing company in Ghana is spending $10 million to construct an international school under the Delhi Public School (DPS) franchise.

The aim is to improve the quality of education to benefit children in the West Africa region as part of the company’s social responsibility, Mukesh Thakwani, a director of B5Plus Group, told IANS.

Known as the Delhi Public School, Thakwani said the school would provide a high standard of education that DPS is noted for. “There is no single international school in West Africa that is providing the sort of education that one would get from this school,” he said.

“The school in Tema which is outside

Accra would cater to over 2,000 children in both primary and junior high school,” Thakwani said.

“We have noticed that high quality international school facilities available in the region are not affordable and we decided to provide that in Ghana, to be made available to children across West Africa,” Thakwani said.

The school is not being set up to serve children of the growing Indian population along the West African coast, he said.

“School population is bigger than the number of children by parents of Indian region. So that cannot be what motivated us to get into this venture.”

He said DPS, which is noted for its quality education, has over 150 such schools around the world.

The curriculum of the school has been designed to provide academic, film making and clay making crafts to prepare the students for work, he said.

“The B5Plus Group is venturing into this because of our belief in the education of the child. In addition, we are just giving back to society what we have achieved through our operation in the country,” Thakwani said.

Child abduction by parents among Indian diaspora raises concern

Increasing number of child abductions by parents among the Indian diaspora has become a cause of concern as India is yet to join the international convention on the issue, a British minister has said.

“The cases where a parent abducts their child and takes it away to India are problematic because India does not have laws to deal with parental child abduction,” British Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone said recently.

The minister urged the Indian government to accede to the UN Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

The British minister was on a three-day visit to India June 15-17 to seek greater collaboration between the two countries on the issue of violence against women and gender equality issues.

According to Featherstone, the UK government receives at least one complaint per month of alleged abduction of a child by a parent of Indian origin. There are about eight such cases currently being investigated, the minister said.

The children were abducted by one of the parents and brought to India in order to gain the advantage in matrimonial and child custody disputes.

Child abduction cases by parents are high in countries which have a large population of people of Indian origin such as the UK,

the US and Canada.

About 70 children were abducted by parents of Indian origin in the UK in the past eight years, according to a report.

The US State Department’s Office of Child Issues, which helps in child abduction cases, is currently working on more than 100 cases of children taken to India without the consent of the parent left behind. The State Department has said that there are few remedies if a child is abducted to India.

There are more unresolved cases of parental child abduction from the US to India than any other country with the exception of Mexico.

About 85 countries have ratified the 1980 Hague Convention on Parental Child Abduction. Under the convention, member countries undertake to return children abducted by a parent to their homes under the jurisdiction of the courts in the home country.

Parental child abduction has become one of the many issues that have been added to the agenda for inter-governmental discussions with visiting delegations from the US, Britain and Canada.

Several NGOs and activists in India and abroad have urged the government to accede to the Hague Convention.

On the occasion of Father’s Day (June 20), a Bangalore-based non-governmental organisation, Children’s Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting (CRISP), has demanded that India ratify the Hague Convention and reform family law in India.

California-based Rakshak Foundation has also appealed to the union government to safeguard children’s rights and make parental abduction a cognizable, nonbailable crime.

Abduction of a child by one parent violates the child’s right to live in the security of the familiar home and prevents access to both parents. More and more child custody and abduction cases are landing in Indian courts relating to foreign citizens as well as non resident Indians (NRIs).

The Supreme Court has ruled recently that Indian courts have jurisprudence on child custody cases even if the child is a citizen of a foreign country. The courts apply the principle of best interest of the child, taking a foreign court decree as only one of the factors for deciding on the custodial dispute.

There have been occasions when the father had taken away the child from the country of residence, gone to India and left the child with his grandparents while he flew to work in a third country.

At other times, it is the woman who took the child on the pretext of visiting India.

Many abducted children are told that the other parent is dead or has gone away. Often one parent tries to poison the

child’s mind to the other parent, which often causes psychological and emotional problems for the child.

“Children in such cases are voiceless victims and their right to be connected to both biological parents needs to be protected,” according to the Rakshak Foundation.

Often child custody cases lead to the child being deprived of the love, affection and care of one parent.

“Joint custody and shared parenting are the best solutions for normal development of the child,” the foundation said.

Indian-American doctor couple killed in Ohio plane crash

An Indian American doctor couple from New Jersey was killed on June 20 when their single-engine plane crashed into an Ohio cornfield and burst into flames shortly after take off.

Viswanathan Rajaraman, the 54-year-old pilot, and Mary J. Sundaram, his 50-yearold wife and the only passenger, were attempting to take off from Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus when the incident happened just before 9 a.m., n.j.com reported citing Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Rajaraman, a leading New Jersey neurosurgeon, and his wife were returning to Essex County Airport in Fairfield, which they flew out of, according to the aviation website Flight Aware. It was not clear why they were in Ohio for the weekend.

The cause of the plane crash is still under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration sent investigators to the scene, but the National Transportation Safety Board will be heading up the probe, nj.com said citing said Tony Molinaro, an FAA spokesman.

Rajaraman, one of the top doctors in New Jersey, specialising in brain and spine cancer, was co-chief of neuro-oncology at Hackensack University Medical Centre’s cancer centre. Mary Sundaram was reportedly also a physician, but stopped practicing to raise the couple’s daughter, Kaavya Viswanathan, now 24.

Originally from Chennai, the family moved around the world. They spent some time in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States in the mid-1990s.

Kaavya Viswanathan made news in 2006 as a Harvard undergraduate when she published the novel How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, a story she wrote in high school. The book made The New York Times bestsellers list.

But she was accused of plagiarism shortly after publication and copies of her book were pulled from stores and destroyed by her publisher.

Sipadan: A scuba

Diving in Sipadan, a pristine oceanic island in Malaysia, is an unparalleled pleasure of adventure and discovery

BY HARIHARAN VISWANATHAN

My second diving trip since getting a diving certification took me to Sipadan, Malaysia’s only oceanic island, which is considered to be among the best diving destinations in the world. It is located in the Celebes Sea in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo).

In an effort to preserve its waters and ecosystem, diving in Sipadan has been restricted to approximately 150-odd divers a day and the access to the island itself is only limited to the beach area. There are no resorts in the island and the visitors arrive in boats at an army outpost at the beach.

The marquee dive

Sipadan is particularly famous for the ‘Drop Off’

which is a rock face wall just metres from the beach. A vertical drop from here is more than 650 metres down, and the dramatic change in colour of the water at this point from turquoise green to dark blue is breathtaking, making Sipadan one of the best shore diving experiences in the world.

The dive sites at Sipadan Island I dived at were Turtle Patch, Coral Garden, Barracuda Point, South Point and, of course, the Drop Off. Although April to September is the best time of the year to dive in Sipadan, the visibility was not the greatest. However, the sheer excitement of experiencing diving along the wall for the first time was simply unfathomable.

The best dive for me was the Drop Off which I did on my third and final day at Sipadan. We descended into the water to a depth of about 25+ metres and moved towards the ‘Turtle Cave’. This is a huge cave under the island which has the skeletons of turtles that had died after entering the caves, unable to find their way out.

The Turtle Cave is a speciality dive, which is only for advanced divers. It requires 2 air tanks as compared to the normal single tank and lasts for about 75 minutes. Though we didn’t do the Turtle Cave dive, we did venture a few metres into the entrance of the cave. Looking up we saw the awesome sight of a huge school of jacks circling on the roof of the cave. However, this can be a claustrophobic experience for some as one of our group members discovered.

Life in the sea

Sipadan is also popular for big fish such as white tip and grey reef sharks, barracuda, gian trevally, napoleons and circling jacks. Although there have been the occasional sightings of hammerheads, they are usually found at greater depths.

As we continued on the dive with the wall on our right, we saw a couple of reef sharks, more turtles resting on the rocks, some swimming to the surface

In an effort to preserve its waters and ecosystem, diving in Sipadan has been restricted to approximately 150-odd divers a day and the access to the island itself is only limited to the beach area

Napoleon Wrasse Turtles

Gearing up on dive boats

paradise

for air. Looking down, one could only see the blue of the ocean which is scary considering you don’t know what is lurking underneath. We were drifting along with the slight current with our dive master leading us.

Towards the end of the dive as we began to surface for our 5-metre safety stop, we saw about 6 or 7 turtles clustered together, a couple of them doing their mating ritual, completely oblivious to the divers present around them.

Sipadan is also known for the green turtle and we did see quite a few hawksbills as well. The differentiating feature of hawksbills is their trademark beak-like shaped mouth. Compared to green turtles they are smaller in size. The biggest turtle that I saw on my dives was almost 4 feet long.

And then, out of the blue, we saw a huge napoleon wrasse swim by. The fish sells for as much as $200 a kilo owing to a huge demand for it. Apparently the males can grow to be as long as 2 metres, though this one wasn’t as big, however it was still great to be able to see one.

In all, I did about 4 days of diving with typically around 3 dives a day. The water was warm at a toasty 30 degrees centigrade although you do tend to experience a few thermo clines during dives. A 3mm diving full body wet suit is more than adequate for diving here.

in the state of Sabah, followed by a 70km drive to Semporna. Sipadan is about an hour’s boat ride from Semporna. For those on a budget, there are quite a few reasonably priced accommodation options in Semporna. There are also dive operators who make day trips from Semporna to Sipdan, Mabul & Kapalai dive sites. For others who prefer a bit more extravagance, there are some excellent dive resorts on Mabul Island and on Kapalai Island.

Wherever you stay, the experience of diving in Sipadan is something you will always cherish as a diver.

“The dramatic change in colour of the water from turquoise green to dark blue is breathtaking, making Sipadan one of the best shore diving experiences in the world”

Nudibranch

Mating Turtles

Moray Eel

Sipadan Island

A system that breeds tragedies

The insanely high cut off marks set by some of the colleges in India reveal a disturbing lack of opportunity for even bright students

BY ROY LANGE

The last few days have seen Delhi University colleges reach new heights for cut off marks. SRCC announced a stratospheric 100% cut off, with St. Stephens a close second for absurdity, with 97%.

Things have changed since my days in Sri Venkateswara College, or Venky for the English medium types. Even then getting admission was not simply a matter of turning up and bribing your way into the sports quota. (Many Venkyites were track and field champions who didn’t have the stamina to run after the Mudrika Ring Road bus for more than the length of a bus stop).

Many readers will be very upset that I gained admission by quota.

Not as a scheduled tribe person or a backward caste member, despite those groups being a more apt description of my character, but as a bloody gora. This was something I didn’t advertise, as my very first day in college was a full blown riot in the dark days of the Mandal Commission that saw volatile nationwide protests against quotas for education and jobs.

loved children ill equipped in a society that has no Centrelink, end up strongly projecting those intense fears on already stressed kids. Frustratingly, these tragedies are not only driven by justifiably neurotic parents and elite colleges conducting ‘branding exercises’ but by the reality of sheer numbers mismatched by finite seats.

Delhi University has 54,000 seats with over 125,000 applicants. “It is a grave crisis that we need to look into. At least six more DUs are needed in the national capital region to meet the skewed ratio of demand and supply,” Prof VN Rajasekharan Pillai, the vice-chancellor of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi National Open University said recently.

Frustratingly, these tragedies are not only driven by justifiably neurotic parents and elite colleges conducting ‘branding exercises’ but by the reality of sheer numbers mismatched by finite seats

Other solutions have been put forward including a much wider program of evening classes in DU’s 70 colleges. This would have been a policy from heaven in my day as our Doordarshan era dance parties were stifled by girls having 4 pm curfews; however, I think, it will leave students with little incentive to graduate within 8 years and there’ll be a need for abnormally large crèches.

I spent that first day with my eyes wide open like a possum caught in a car’s headlights. I saw future friends, through a light haze of tear gas, address the students with a frenzy that you don’t see in New Zealand unless you are a mental health nurse. That has never left me: the raging passion for a fair chance from having studied madly for the larger part of their lives, often at the cost of a childhood.

Australasians have it so very easy. For me to have qualified for a seat in DU on a level playing field is a comical concept. I certainly wouldn’t have got in the sports quota as sumo wrestling in India is still in its infancy and my Kiwi exam marks were an almost perfect inverse of the now ridiculous cut off marks.

Not everyone is disadvantaged enough to have an unfair advantage, such as being a Kiwi. This lack of opportunity, despite securing an average of 80% plus, is a matter of life and death to many students.

The tragedy of the annual suicides that darkly come with the admission season is proof to that.

Young boys and girls in India have pressures that many western children would simply not withstand for a mere morning. Parents, petrified at the thought of their

All this injustice is good news for Australasian education institutions. In fact it might give impetus to phenomena where the intellectually less fortunate Indian students are the foreign students rather than the cream.

As when Malaysia exercised its prejudice against ethnically Chinese aspiring students, Australian and New Zealand universities enjoyed, and still do, a windfall. The continued and strongly increasing prejudice of the Indian Government against her own aspiring students, albeit a universal prejudice, will ensure greater numbers will look abroad.

But what about students who do not come from business families who can afford foreign fees? What about students who don’t come from families that can support perfectly good students that don’t have impossibly perfect scores?

They will have to live in a society that has very little opportunity for a ‘respectable’ position without a graduate qualification. It can be a nightmarish reality to exist in vacuum of opportunity.

Young seventeen year old innocents know this. I feel deeply sad remembering the tears when friends saw their posted results. I remember how the student sitting next to me in an exam who was caught cheating wept and begged with pressed hands to be excused. It was like he was begging for his life. He was.

All this injustice is good news for Australasian education institutions. In fact it might give impetus to phenomena where the intellectually less fortunate Indian students are the foreign students rather than the cream

Asia’s economic miracle

The East is where wild dreams meet bold actions, and where inflation and exchange rates are but slaves of more growth

BY DILIP JADEJA

wanted to work in Asia. Today, few would refuse a good opportunity there. Today’s Asia is the place to be; it’s ‘the happening challenges where ‘more and more’ is the Missing out on Asia sounds like missing comparison, the West feels like a retiree’s

It is widely accepted that economics is an imperfect science. Nowhere is this truer than in Asia. Some measure of inflation spoils some things but improves others. For example, high growth rate without high inflation is almost impossible. Also impossible is to satisfy 70 years of pentup demand across the economy without incurring non-core inflation rises. The emerging Asian giants not only understand that inflation and foreign exchange rates are actually double edged swords, they’ve also learnt to use these to their advantage.

An increase in GDP raises export earnings, which is not possible without surplus production of goods and services beyond the pent-up domestic demand. Therefore inflation is but one factor, not the key factor.

more so by the shortage of workers. Salaries in India are rising fast and moving overseas is not an appealing option anymore to many. Across India and China, anyone who wants and can do half decent work for half decent pay has multiple job offers - a stark contrast to just four years ago when folks queued up for almost any job!

Recently, most people I met had jumped jobs or were in the process of doing so. Cleaners, plumbers, brick-layers, plasterers, security workers, housemaids, servants, drivers, assistants, accountants, managers, engineers, sales staff, handymen, and their ilk are in perennial short supply. This is a new dawn for Asia, where work exceeds workers despite billions of people already working vigorously.

That India had to allow African workers on some projects is a case in point. A number of high profile Indians have returned to work in India, and they are telling others why Asia offers a better deal.

The inflation of rising Asian markets, it is often argued, is eroding the value of their earnings and the buying power of citizens. The rise in food price, or core inflation, is driving a lot of non-core inflation and mismanagement of food grains in India is the sole reason for that.

However, relative to inflation, India and China have kept their interest rate rises quite modest, and that has been the secret of their economic miracle. The stronger China and India become materially, the stronger their economic engines get. Inflation, deemed a huge economic issue in the west, is just one of the many urgent economic issues in the East.

Inflation saw many Indian salaries double in 24 months and Chinese salaries are also rising fast – a trend that has led to more buying power despite the inflation. This, coupled with pent-up demand and economy of scale benefits, has allowed for an increased production, some of which is clearly exportable, especially in view of the low exchange rates.

One can call it a new economic experiment in using the inside edge of the inflation sword to promote growth. If I was an economist, I would theorise this new understanding like this: the Western economic model that advocates controlling inflation so that workers’ money buys more goods works on the assumption that there are enough goods. On the other hand if there are not enough goods, pent-up demand leads to inflation anyway. In this case giving more money to workers not only motivates them to work more efficiently, it also results in increased production. This in turn helps in satiating pent-up demand, and creates an export surplus, too. The resulting rise in inflation is more than countered by the increased salaries owing to a better net GDP growth. This system, which could be termed Eastern economic model, actually puts more nonworking people to work!

This ‘growth-despitethe-inflation’ phenomenon has created a huge market for more than a billion workers across India and China. If the world needs more workers, it has to train the rest because the juggernauts of Asian markets will not be halted by inflation. More production and more purchasing power is their quickest path to ultimately controlling inflation. And the world will feel the squeeze of skilled worker scarcity like never before.

Across India and China, anyone who wants and can do half decent work for half decent pay has multiple job offers - a stark contrast to just four years ago when folks queued up for almost any job

The emerging Asian giants not only understand that inflation and foreign exchange rates are actually double edged swords, they’ve also learnt to use these to their advantage

Australia: Big or small?

Two recently released books present interesting, albeit contrasting, views on the complex relation between environment and population

BY NOEL G DE SOUZA

Two concurrent debates are taking place in Australia: one on population, the other on climate. In 2009, the Federal Government was espousing the reduction in carbon emissions through a Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme while simultaneously promoting a ‘big’ Australia, mainly through high immigration. That these two policies are contradictory does not appear to have been realised.

Two books released almost simultaneously in June this year, present the case for either a ‘big’ or a ‘small’ Australia. The case for a small Australia is made by the well-known Australian entrepreneur and geographer Dick Smith in his new book Population Crisis (Allen & Unwin, Sydney).

The argument for a ‘big’ Australia is presented by Bernard Salt in The Big Tilt (Hardie Grant Books, Prahran, Victoria). Salt is known for his prolific output of articles and books on historic and demographic change in Australia such as The Big Shift and The Big Picture . He is a partner in the financial firm KPMG and his writings are often taken as reflecting business viewpoints.

Dick Smith points out that the policy of reducing greenhouse gases while allowing the population to grow is paradoxical, arguing that higher population inevitably leads to higher carbon emissions. This is particularly the case with Australia owing to its pattern of high energy consumption. Australia’s per capita carbon emission of 26.9 tonnes per annum is the highest in the world; the USA comes next with 23.5. At 5.5 tonnes and 1.7 tonnes respectively the per capita emissions for China and India may seem low but they amount to a staggering number given the huge populations of the two countries.

Smith underscores that in 2009 Australia recorded 300,000 births, which is its highest ever. Salt’s World Demographic Report 2010 shows there were several European countries, including Russia, with a negative natural population growth while Australia grew by 0.7%, which is the highest growth for any developed country.

Smith links the world’s phenomenal population

Indians and those in the poorer world switched to consumption levels similar to those of the West, the world’s carbon consumption would balloon out to that of a population of 72 billion.

Smith highlights that several studies that favour a smaller Australia, including that of Kelvin Thompson, a labour backbencher, have been either suppressed or ignored. Thompson’s paper counsels a moderate population increase (70,000 per annum), which Smith is satisfied with. That figure is the basis for a “small Australia” while an immigration of 180,000 per annum would usher in a “big Australia”.

generations, makes for fascinating reading.

The information in The Big Tilt is both enlightening and alarming. The book signals the need for health care for an increased aged population and notes that the younger generation does not marry enough, or does not reproduce enough.

growth to issues of climatic change, food shortages and resource consumption. He writes that if the Chinese,

The book points out that Australia, contrary to its image of food self-sufficiency, imports a lot of food. Besides, Australian prime farmland is being bought by overseas interests. China buying Tasmanian diary farms, Canada the Wheat Board and Japan the Queensland feedlots are some examples. Small farmers are becoming a vanishing lot and that endangers Australia’s food security. Smith sees water shortage and droughts as major limiting factors for agriculture, warning that Australia, by escalating immigration, could jeopardise its food security.

Smith notes that most of the wealth created by miners and farmers once remained in Australia but today much of this gets spread globally through foreign ownership.

In The Big Tilt , Salt details the minutiae of current Australian demographic changes. He traces the Australian iconic types from the men of the bush to the Baby Boomers to the current X and Z generations. This tracing of trends, such as the ageing of the Baby Boomers and the rise of the new digital savvy

Salt perceives the inevitability of population growth, particularly through immigration. He makes the case for a larger population, firstly, on the ground that a larger population is needed to provide the means for looking after an ageing population such as that of the Baby Boomers; and secondly, that Australia has a shortage of skills.

Smith counters these arguments by suggesting that the skills available within an ageing population need to be tapped and, quite importantly, that young people who are currently finding it difficult to get jobs should be adequately trained to fill the skills gap.

The high immigration lobby is typically a business one. One well-known developer of units has in the past advocated a 100 million population for Australia. This would require a large number of desalination plants along the coastline, Smith counters.

Both the books are essential reading for those who want to understand the Australia of today and where it is likely to be heading. More importantly, they will help readers to reflect on what decisions governments should take in matters such as immigration, skills development, food production and energy use.

Salt’s book TheBigTilt signals the need for health care for an increased aged population, and notes that the younger generation does not marry enough or does not reproduce enough

Smith, in his book PopulationCrisis, notes that most of the wealth created by miners and farmers once remained in Australia but today much of this gets spread globally through foreign ownership

Candid and compelling

This month we look at two very different books – one on a political heavyweight from India, and another by a cricket administrator in Australia

BY CHITRA SUDARSHAN

Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the erstwhile movie star and current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is the ultimate political survivor who has overcome almost all her disadvantages – whether as a single woman in a conservative society or being a Brahmin in a Dravidian party – and has been elected for a third time: in the recent elections her party romped home with a thumping majority, decimating the Dravida Munnetra Kazahagam (DMK). She has survived the rough and tumble of Tamil Nadu politics for 3 decades, putting paid to predictions of her imminent demise time and time again. Vaasanthi’s recently published book Jayalalithaa: A Portrait (Viking/Penguin, 2011), is therefore a timely biography which traces Jayalalitha’s rise to ‘Ammahood’ – a sort of political deification –through movies and stardom, especially her association with MG Ramachandran, (MGR) the mega star who was a demi-god in his time.

Vaasanthi’s book paints a fairly sympathetic portrait of Jayalalithaa. It traces her difficult and lonely childhood after her father died when she was two years old, when she was forced into films despite being a diligent and intelligent student in school, and her genuine desire to go to University. Her tragic love affairs, including her liaison with Shoban Babu and her tumultuous relationship with MGR, who drew her into politics, are also described with both empathy and candour; so is her epic struggle to wrest the mantle of the AIADMK after it was left rudderless on the passing of her mentor MGR. She led the party to three successful election victories. Vaasanthi does not gloss over any of the twists and turns in Jayalalithaa’s political life, examining her chronic enmity with Karunanidhi, her rift with DMK’s old guard R.M. Veerappan, and her unconcealed pursuit of support from Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi when fighting

Sticky Wicket is a book that will be savoured by sports historians, sports lovers or anyone just interested in cricket, for there is hardly a page on which there is not something to be learnt about the state of the game, its governance and politics

from the press, whose freedom she has repeatedly attacked; her ruthless stamping out of dissent among party workers; her extravagance and alleged accumulation of disproportionate assets, and the way she encourages her supporters, especially women, who worship her as their Amma or redeemer.

Vaasanthi does not gloss over any of the twists and turns in Jayalalithaa’s political life, examining her chronic enmity with Karunanidhi and her unconcealed pursuit of support from Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi when fighting for political survival in Tamil Nadu

for political survival in Tamil Nadu. Also graphically highlighted are the contrary sides of Jayalalithaa: her extreme dependence on her aide Sasikala; her intolerance of criticism from any quarter, especially

There are some striking facets of Jayalalithaa’s life that Vaasanthi describes in her book: her phenomenal ability to commit to memory almost anything. In one instance, MGR’s speechwriter “Mr. Sholai” recalls how he went to meet her for the first time, with a speech all written up. She asked him to read it to her three times: at the end of it she repeated it verbatim, not missing a single word! Sholai was simply astonished. There is another well known anecdote about her: when a national politician quoted Shakespeare to poke fun at her, he was taken aback at her repartee: she completed the long quote from exactly where he had left off!

Writer and journalist Vaasanthi has written a most riveting account of a powerful and interesting woman. She is a well-known fiction writer in Tamil and exeditor of India Today (Tamil). Vaasanthi’s early novels, in Tamil, were about women. She spent several years in the Northeast, and then when she came to Delhi, the women writers she met were all so politically motivated that she started writing political novels. She is the author of another book in English on the politics of Tamil Nadu, called Cut-outs, Caste and Cine star: the World of Tamil Politics (2008).

Malcolm Speed’s recently published book Sticky Wicket (Sydney, Harper Collins, 2011) is a must-read for the cricket cognoscenti and cricket lovers out there. Speed was the CEO of the International Cricket Council from 2001 to 2008, and, needless to say,

oversaw some of the most earth-shaking changes that took place in the world of cricket in recent times. He began his career as a lawyer and a barrister, became a sports consultant before assuming his role as the CEO of the Australian Cricket Board in 1997, which he served for 4 years. During that time, he was embroiled in a bitter pay dispute, player misbehaviour, corruption and such like. Later, as the boss of the ICC, he witnessed many momentous events first hand such as the emergence of the new Twenty20 format; the death of the Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, etc. For the fans of Indian cricket, two things stand out in this book: the emergence of India as the game’s superpower; Bhajigate – the series of confrontations between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds a few years ago; and the chapters that describe the easing out of Speed from the ICC in a joint putsch by India and South Africa.

It is a book that will be savoured by sports historians, sports lovers or anyone just interested in cricket, for there is hardly a page on which there is not something to be learnt about the state of the game, its governance and politics. Cricket is big – in terms of the money involved, the millions of people it touches, the passions it evokes. A book on the administration of this mega sport – especially from one who has been in the driver’s seat, so to speak – is long overdue and welcome. Some readers may have reservations about his views on cricket and politics – or at best find it a tad naive: given that most sports administrators in India are either high profile politicians or businessmen.

Supremacy in the skies

By ordering new aircraft, India not just increases its defence clout, but also builds strategic economic alliances

BY GAURAV SURATI

India seems to be finally gearing up to play a vital role as an Asian superpower. Well, this at least appears to be the case from a military point of view. When it comes to superiority in the skies, the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to maintain an edge over hostile countries in both quality and quantity of its aircraft, to protect its sovereign interests. To achieve this, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in conjunction with the IAF has recently cleared deals worth billions of dollars, to buy 126 combat aircraft as well as several transport aircraft.

This swift-reaction capability will be crucial in countering China’s massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057km Line of Actual Control, which includes five fully-operational airbases in Tibet

The good factor about this deal is that the Indian government has played all its cards right upto now. The reason why I say this is because the MoD has ensured that the IAF receives the world’s most superior aircraft, whilst maintaining an appropriate balance with its strategic partner, the USA. With India still pegged to spend billions of dollars in coming decades, it’s no surprise that defence companies such as Boeing and Mig are ready to do almost everything to

obtain orders worth a few billion dollars. This especially stands true when the world is increasingly volatile due to turmoil in the Middle East and Greece’s inability to pay its debt.

The tendering process

The IAF had projected a need to buy 126 combat aircraft in 2001, taking into consideration its aging fleet of Mig-21 and due to its delayed Tejas light combat aircraft programme. Six defence companies with their aircraft opted to take part in the Medium Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) tendering process. These were: Boeing (US), F/A-18 Super Hornet; Lockheed Martin (US), F-16 Viper; Mikoyan (Russia), Mig-35; Saab (Sweden), Gripen; Euro fighter (EU), Typhoon; Dassault (France), Rafale. It would have probably been easy to pick aircraft from Russian or American companies, considering their expertise in defence equipment and their well-known global presence. But luckily for India and unfortunately for the companies, things didn’t unfold as many had speculated. We can now see how eager these companies are to ensure that their production lines are busy and keep unemployment at bay.

Taking the test

All the participants by now had already agreed to fly at least one or two of their aircraft all the way from their originating countries to India. This was to help conduct all-weather technical field trials in different parts of the country including humid Bangalore, hot Jaisalmer and cold Leh. Latest reports suggest that only Rafale and Typhoon have been shortlisted in this competition, based on the technical parameters laid by the IAF. Unsuccessful bidding by Boeing and Lockheed Martin for their respective aircrafts may raise some eyebrows, but it must be noted that

the US is considered to be an unreliable supplier of defence equipment in India. This is mainly due to sanctions imposed on India by the US after the Pokhran nuclear tests, which restricted India from buying important aircraft parts like engines and radar. It is expected that India will place a formal order of 126 fighter aircraft worth 10 billion USD of Typhoon or Rafale in the coming months. Due credit needs to be given to Defence Minister AK Antony for not coming under any political pressure and making the selection process solely based on the merits and demerits of each aircraft.

A boost for heavy lifting

On the other hand, to increase its strategic lift capacity, the IAF has placed an order for at least 10 C-17 Globemaster aircraft with Boeing at a cost of 4.1 billion USD. As per media reports, India may place an order of six more C-17 aircraft in the coming years, to fulfil its very heavy lift transport aircraft requirement. This aircraft has state-of-the-art technology giving it the ability to land within a 3500ft makeshift runway at day or night, and payload capacity of 78,000kg. Such aircraft are mainly used during the time of war as well as peace, for transporting soldiers, tanks, artillery guns, equipment, etc., to the remotest of locations. Ten or more such aircraft can

transport a massive amount of cargo in just a couple of days, giving the IAF more punch. The C-17 Globemaster aircraft will be eventually phase out the Russian-origin IL-76 Gajraj heavy lift transport aircraft and will seriously boost India’s swift power projection capabilities in its “primary area of geo-strategic interest’’ stretching from

… the MoD has ensured that the IAF receives the world’s most superior aircraft, whilst maintaining an appropriate balance with its strategic partner the USA

the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Straits. This swift-reaction capability will be crucial in countering China’s massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057km Line of Actual Control, which includes five fully-operational airbases in Tibet.

India’s order of the ten Boeing manufactured C-17 Globemaster aircraft has given the US some opportunity to cheer after losing its bid for the combat aircraft contract. At the same time, the deal has helped India to leverage its relationship with both, the European Union and the US.

Dassault Rafale: One of the potential winners of MRCA

A USAF C-17 Globemaster takes off from a makeshift runway

BY THOMAS E KING

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BY AZAL KHAN

Baby, it’s cold outside. The mercury is dropping and so our quest begins for the perfect winter coat or the perfect leather boots. However, winter doesn’t always mean going out and buying a whole new wardrobe (as fun as that can be!) but investing in key pieces and accessories for a chic and on-trend look. Dark days have never looked so good.

Hot hues

Colour is such a refreshing way to revitalise your winter wardrobe, so if you’re game, go bright. Be inspired by Australian couture king Alex Perry’s glamorous gowns in stunning colours and work these hues in your everyday wear. An emerald green shift dress or red cropped jeans from Camilla & Marc will instantly lift your outfit while floral chiffon prints in Zimmerman will have you yearning for warm summer days. Colour blocking is also a popular trend where the loud colour combinations make for a dynamic and confident look, as seen at Arthur Galan. Keep the look slick and modern with boots and minimal accessories such as a simple gold or silver cuff. For something more ladylike, Jayson Brunsdon’s autumn/winter collection features rich jewel tones in pink and orange creating strong silhouettes with an emphasis on grace and cinematic femininity. Accessorise with Audrey Hepburn-inspired feline sunglasses as seen at Prada or a wide-brimmed felt hat for a relaxed 1970s vibe.

If you’re too intimidated to embrace colour in all its glory, choose bold accessories to brighten up your outfit. A scarlet red tote, a playful pink lipstick or a colourful chunky scarf will add a dash of colour to winter neutrals.

The perfect accessories – a touch of sequins and a bold red lip as seen in Portmans – will take your winter look from day to night.

Hot winter chic!

Whether your style is subtle or bold, these tips will add richness to your wardrobe and raise your fashion quotient a notch or two this winter

If you’re too intimidated to embrace colour in all its glory, choose bold accessories to brighten up your outfit. A scarlet red tote, a playful pink lipstick or a colourful chunky scarf will add a dash of colour to winter neutrals

Digital age

Inject your wardrobe with an eclectic mix of techno prints which have come to the fore this winter season to update your look. Printed silk pants, shift dresses and blouses are also big for winter. Take a leaf from the girls at Sass and Bide – be brave and layer and clash printed pieces and ground your look with a pair of fierce heels or tough biker boots. Accessorise your look with an oversized Swarovski ring or tribal-inspired jewellery and exotic accessories for added drama.

Every wardrobe should have a statement dress and this winter you can’t go wrong with a Country Road or Cue dress in a contemporary digital print.

Amazing lace

Delicate lacework has an instant appeal, which is why the delicate fabric is reinvented season after season. Whether it is blush pink, cream or black, feminine lace is an understated classic. Everywhere you look this winter will be a little bit of lace, including at Collette Dinnigan and a younger take at Forever New. A long sleeve lace blouse looks elegant with tapered trousers and

The pea coat is also a flattering look for this season as the doublebreasted coat is cut precisely to flare out at the hips delivering instant grown-up glamour

kitten heels. Want to stand out in the crowd? Take a look at the sexy but demure cobweb lace dresses at Kookai.

Work the coat

Nude is the new black. Embrace the delicious tones of butterscotch, caramel, oat or toffee this winter season. This season – a season of proper, grown up dressing – camel is everywhere and it looks best on a coat.

With a unique masculine edge, the perfectly cut overcoat in camel is a classic piece which is a winter wardrobe essential. Camel tones offset black nicely so a camel cape flung over a Zara leather t-shirt will add softness to your outfit. Or add a printed scarf in place of a necklace to peek out of your coat to create an outfit far from bland. Team your overcoat with flowing feminine layers like a chiffon dress or a silk slip for the evenings to create an element of the unexpected.

Can’t bear to emerge from the covers this winter? Then the winter cape is for you. Twirl on a fine wool cape buttoned at the neck that falls to the shoulders for sweeping elegance to add polish and poise to any look. Capes in rich tones such as navy or deep ruby red are perfect to winter and don’t be afraid to experiment with shape; wear with wide leg pants or your favourite skinny jeans and anchor the look with a chunky heel.

The pea coat is also a flattering look for this season as the double-breasted coat is cut precisely to flare out at the hips delivering instant grown-up glamour.

Winter is the time to invest in a reliable trench coat. A trench should always be clean and simple with a classic silhouette.

Black, navy, charcoal and chocolate brown are the traditional hues for winter coats and suit all women but don’t be afraid to experiment with silhouettes and colours which match your style and personality, whether it’s girlie or sexy or classic, or belted trench or a faux fur chubby. Stand out from the crowd and venture into animal prints, bright plaids and bold colours with luxe details for a winter look that will pop.

Living a game of hopscotch

BY SREEDHEVI IYER

understand the complications, and whether I’m bothered enough to make the effort. See, here’s the thing. I am Indian. I was also born and educated in Malaysia. And I now live in Australia. I am all these things, yet I am none of them.

I earn my bread and butter, it is invariably English. In Malaysia, it is a mix of Tamil and Malay. And in India, it is occasionally in Hindi. Which language would I ally myself with? None of them. They are like a brood of children whom you cannot pick a favourite from, but can only observe as they find their own skills to shine in growing up. I crave biryani when in Brisbane, I crave Shiraz when in Kuala Lumpur, I crave roti canai when in Chennai. Wherever I am, I get drawn to the other. And it goes beyond food. Sometimes it’s over something trivial, like missing dry winters when walking in the putrid heat of Mumbai. And sometimes it is something I have to hold in my heart in silence before I can figure out what it means - like the time I caught my own reflection in the Myer display window last Christmas, and

I resemble everyone but myself, and sometimes see in shop-windows, despite the well-known laws of optics, the portrait of a stranger...

When my identity seems suspended like this, despite whichever culture I choose to take shelter in, the idea of home also inevitably becomes questionable. Is my home the one my parents live in, the one they built in the state of Kedah in Malaysia? Is it the limestone walls of the house in my father’s ancestral village in Kadayam, Tamil Nadu, a place that requires two trains and a bumpy taxi ride to get to? Or is it the brick apartment in Paddington that I bought for myself, cursing the mortgage but loving the jealous looks of my mates as I tell them my address over a couple of beers?

Perhaps some questions are yet to have answers. Given time, I can be comfortable in any of the settings above. If I had a choice, though, I would say that I can give up each of these places quite easily, and keep travelling, looking for new places, new shelters and new identities. Yes, there is a sense of loss in not being able to call one geographical location ‘home’. But the concept can be shifted. In a world where lowcost air travel has meant a greater fragmentation in the understanding of the world due to the increasingly myriad cultural perspectives, ‘home’ as a static entity may not really be relevant anymore.

What happens when someone goes from already being a hyphenated identity, to becoming one that is a double-hyphen? What happens when you’re born with problems of home and identity, and then you choose (just for fun) to exacerbate it by moving again to a place that has no interest or claim on you?

I have very long answers to the very simple question, “Where are you from?” The answer also changes according to the person doing the asking, whether they have the patience for the convoluted truth, whether they have the capacity to

I speak three and a half languages and if you ask me which one I dream in (as a self-satisfying way of determining my real mother tongue) unfortunately the answer is, it changes according to the coordinates I find myself in. In Brisbane, where

failed to recognise the brown-skinned girl looking back at me. In times like this, literature helps. An Indian writer, A.K. Ramanujan, a Fulbright scholar who lived in the United States in the ‘50s and ‘60s, seems to have had the exact same experience:

So perhaps ‘home’ is now an idea, a state of mind, rather than a place. Perhaps it is the sandalwood incense I always carry with me in my travels, making airline groundstaff nervous about combustible elements in my luggage. Perhaps it is in the books I read, about people who know how to cherry-pick from one culture to another and mesh them together to produce something new and unique. And perhaps it is in that space that Ramanujan himself had already figured out - that space situated just above the hyphen in ‘Indian - American’, the politically correct, linguistically awkward term that seemed closest in labelling, and thereby attempting to calcify something that is susceptible to mutation at any given moment. By that account, I actually have two spaces to inhabit, since I would have two hyphens to contend with. Indian - Malaysian - Australian. I’m probably hopscotching between the two, as and when I am among Aussies, or Indians, or Malays, or Chinese, or Filipinos, or...you get the idea.

I keep the hopscotch game going because this is now how I am, how I operate, how I interface with the world. And I am not alone, and whenever I meet other hopscotchers, it’s an instant feeling of recognition, knowing there are compatriots in this new, more offbeat journey. There is now far more to be said of the world, and thankfully, a double (or triple?) perspective on everything is both more complex, but also more fulfilling. Here’s to more of the world from unique vantage points.

I am Indian. I was also born and educated in Malaysia. And I now live in Australia. I am all these things, yet I am none of them

In a world where low-cost air travel has meant a greater fragmentation in the understanding of the world due to the increasingly myriad cultural perspectives, ‘home’ as a static entity may not really be relevant anymore

Our most ingrained notions about home and identity may not be anything more than a state of mind

A boost of black

Dark foods are currently the rage, as their immensely useful health properties come to light

Black is the ‘in’ colour these days not only in evening gowns and elegant dresses, but also in food. The different green, red, yellow, black and white foods have an important role in our nutrition. The lesser-known black foods have been around for centuries, but it is only recently that their importance has been discovered and recognised. Japanese scientists discovered the health and medicinal benefits of black foods, which are said to contain an even higher amount of antioxidants than lighter coloured ones. The black colouring is a result of the presence of anthocyanins, which are thought to prevent the occurrence of certain health conditions. There are many different black foods that can easily be added into your diet, which can help give your health a big boost.

BY GEETA KHURANA

Black Olives

Black olives are those that have been allowed to ripen on the tree before harvesting. They are somewhat superior to green olives due to their increased mineral content. Black olives are a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids or the good fats that help lower bad cholesterol. They are also a good source of Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that helps our body from free radicals. The combination of Vitamin E and monounsaturated fats allow black olives to provide great antioxidant benefits to the human body.

Black Pepper

Black pepper or kali mirch has long been used as a carminative i.e. a substance that helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas. Thus it helps in better digestion of food. Black pepper stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other food components in the stomach. When the body’s production of hydrochloric acid is insufficient, food may sit in the stomach for an extended period of time, leading to heartburn or indigestion

Black Tea

Black tea contains more complex flavonoids then green teas; specifically thearubigins and theaflavins. Antioxidant theaflavins present in black tea may well bring about improvement in muscular tenderness following a workout and even in lowering heart attack risk.

Black Rice

Rice is the staple food of half the world’s population. Most people enjoy white and brown rice, but there is also the unappealing black rice that turns purple on cooking. The bran hull in black rice contains considerable Vitamin E that helps boost immunity and shield our cells from free radicals.

Black Sesame Seeds

Black sesame seeds are very popular and considered a health food in Japan. Research has shown that they are richer in antioxidants than white sesame

as they are also rich in Vitamins C and E, which may provide immunity to the body. Like all berries, blackberries contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that has been shown to protect the skin from ultraviolet damage. New research is finding that ellagic acid may not only protect the skin from damage, but also repair skin damaged by the sun.

Black Soybeans

It is believed that consuming black soybeans could reduce the risk of thrombosis - a deadly form of blood clot. Thrombosis prevents blood circulation, and can even lead to death if not treated promptly. Black soybean oil as well as all other soybean oils contain omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Japanese scientists discovered the health and medicinal benefits of black foods, which are said to contain an even higher amount of antioxidants than lighter coloured ones

seeds. Black sesame seeds are high in many minerals including calcium, iron, copper and magnesium. These seeds are also used to prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movement. They contain two unique substances known as sesamin and sesamolin, which belong to a group of fibers called lignans. Lignans are rich in dietary fibre and have a cholesterol-lowering effect.

Blackberries

Packed with antioxidants and rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre, black berries are a nutritious addition to any fruit salad or dessert. Blackberries are rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanin pigments which gives them their purplish-black colour. Their antioxidant properties may impart health benefits,

Black Currants

Black currants are very rich in many phyto nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals. In particular, black currants are known for their content of Vitamin C, GLA (gamma-linoleic acid, a very rare omega-6 essential fatty acid) and potassium. Black currants also contain potent anti-oxidants anthocynanins. So the next time you have blackcurrant ice cream, don’t feel too guilty!

Home Loan Interest Rates to touch 9%?

Dear friends, Couple of weeks back, I was going through news in Sydney Morning Herald that the home loan interest rates will keep on going up and will possibly touch 9% in the next couple of years. Currently customer rates are sitting at 7% and to touch the level mentioned, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has to increase rates eight times. The last time rates were increased was in Nov 2010, which is eight months ago and by the time you read this article, the RBA may have kept the rates on hold in their board meeting on 6th July 2011. Going back in history, in the late nineties the rates touched even 17% however the biggest difference between that time and present is that the property values at that time were much lower than today. In the last two to three years the property values have gone up partly because of the government incentives like extra first home grant, low interest rates and mostly because of the acute housing shortage and a tight rental market. We have also seen the interest rates going up seven times from Oct 2009 to Nov 2010. These jumps in rates have put lot of pressure on borrowers and to experience more rises will put them in more pressure and the property market may experience a further decline, which simply means that the country can head to another recession, therefore my understanding is that the rates will not touch 9% however there could be a couple of rises and then they might come down and that is why you should get an advice from an experienced and licensed home loan expert who can suggest whether to fix your home loan or leave it variable as there is no blanket solution for this. You are more than welcome to contact us on 02 96763417 to discuss your situation.

Exit fees on Home Loans, no more !

From 1st of July 2011, the lenders are not allowed to charge exit fee (or early repayment fee) to the home loan borrowers on variable rate loans. This is law now and any lender who charges this fee will be doing so against the law. There are some exceptions though which I will explain. First of all, this ban does not apply on the fixed rate home loans, you see when you take up a fixed rate home loan, you enter into a contract with the lender that you will pay the repayments for a specific time-frames at the rate agreed. Banks source these funds externally and the penalty applies to them which gets charged from the borrowers. The other exception is that if you signed your loan contract prior to 1st of July 2011, there is a good chance that you will have to pay an exit fee (some lenders may waive that). What does this law mean to you? It simply means that you are in a more advantageous position to look for a better alternative, we are doing our part by helping our customers get a better deal on their home loan, please contact us if you think that you are on a higher rate so that we can assess your situation and get you a better deal from another lender, our services are absolutely free, contact us on 02 96763417 or visit our web-site on www.gainhomeloans.com.au, leave your contact details there and we will get in touch with you.

RP Data property report, get it free !

Most of you would know that we provide RP Data property reports absolutely free to all our customers. This report can potentially save you thousands of dollars by putting the right offer to a property you are interested in buying and also outlines the historical sale figures, land size, median value and also gives extensive information about the suburb. This report is also useful for current property owners who would like to know the current worth of their home which will help them to determine if they are eligible to buy investment property (by using equity) or consolidate their debts and reduce the monthly repayment. Please visit our web-site www.gainhomeloans.com.au and order your free report today!

by Navjeet Singh Matta, ASIC Licensed Mortgage Broker also Director- Gain Home Loans (Full member MFAA)

Aussie winter warmers

Traditional Aussie food is simple, but charming and sure to chase away winter chills

BY SHERYL DIXIT

walked into my neighbour’s comforting kitchen and felt my mouth water.

“What’s cooking?” I asked Pam, a superefficient grandmum who finds her four grandkids mostly funny, a feeling that is

Pea soup

Pam’s mum used to make this really well, she says, and adding ham can make it even more delicious, if you prefer a non-vegetarian version.

¾ cup split peas

1 large carrot

1 large turnip

1 medium onion

½ head celery

8 cups water

4 level tbsp flour

½ tsp dried mint leaves

9 cloves

1/3 tsp ground mace (javantri)

½ cup roughly cut ham (optional)

Soak the split peas overnight in cold water. Drain and place them in a large vessel, covering with the water. Add salt (and ham) and bring to a boil. Thinly slice the vegetables evenly, add to the mix and continue to boil until the peas and vegetables are soft and fully cooked. Stir through so that the vegetables and peas blend into a semi-smooth mix. Add dried mint and mace. In a separate cup, blend the flour with cold water until smooth. Add to soup and stir until boiling. Serve hot with small croutons of toast.

You can make croutons by cutting up slices of bread into small cubes and roasting them in an oven or pan until crisp, tossing them in a little butter when done.

This used to be a traditional weekend breakfast food, but it can be eaten any time of the day, hot or cold.

4 eggs

1 large potato, peeled, boiled and sliced

8 rashers of smoked bacon, fried until crispy

1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

4 cherry tomatoes, halved

½ white onion, thinly sliced

Pie pastry, readymade

1 beaten egg or a little milk to brown the pastry

1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees (fan-forced). Lightly grease the pie tins with olive oil. Fry the bacon rashers until slightly crispy and keep aside to drain on a paper towel. In the same pan, fry the onions for a few minutes and keep aside. Place a pie tin on the pastry dough and cut a slightly larger circle around it as the base. Cut another circle the same size as the tin, for the pie top. Repeat the process for the second pie. Gently fit the larger pastry circle into the pie tin, fitting the dough along the sides and slightly over the rim. Line the pie with potato slices, then layer with bacon and onion. Sprinkle on the cheese and add some cut tomato pieces. Crack one or two eggs into the pie depending on your preference. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brush the outer rim of the pastry with a little beaten egg or milk. Gently cover the pie with the pastry top, pressing down the edges until they stick together. Use the back of a fork to seal the pie edges. Make a small incision on the top of the pie to help steam escape. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on the top. Repeat process for second pie. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes. Serve hot or cold with tomato sauce.

“Sausages and vegetable slow cooked,” she said, “The kids love it!”

I was impressed, and when she shared some traditional Aussie recipes at which her mother was adept, I thought it would be a good idea to spread the word.

“My mum was a great cook, my grandmum an even better one and I’m not bad, but we get progressively worse with every generation,” says Pam, tongue-in-cheek, as we silently hope her daughter won’t ever read this!

A yummy traditional treat, but one confined to special occasions as apparently it was too much trouble – specially separating the white and yolk in the egg

450 mls milk

1 egg

2 thin slices of buttered bread or stale sponge cake

1 level tbsp sugar

1 heaped tsp icing sugar

1 heaped tsp jam

Few drops vanilla essence

Coloured sprinkles or 100s & 1000s

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees (fan-forced). Spread half the jam over the buttered bread or sponge cake and cut into thin strips. Place crosswise in a pie dish till the bottom is wellcovered, then layer the rest. In a bowl, separate the egg white and yolk. Beat the yolk of the egg with the sugar. Warm the milk, but do not boil. Pour the warm milk over the egg yolk and sugar, and mix thoroughly. Stir in vanilla essence, and pour the mixture into the pie dish. Place this in larger baking dish of cold water, taking care that the water doesn’t overlap into the pie dish. The water prevents the custard from boiling whilst cooking. Cook in oven for about half an hour. Remove and cool. Spread the remaining jam on the surface of the dish. Beat the egg white into a stiff froth, after adding the icing sugar. Pile lightly on top of the pudding, and stand in the oven till the froth turns light brown. Remove and sprinkle with 100s & 1000s. Serve as a teatime treat or a dessert.

Lamb shanks

Try to cook this dish in a slow cooker, as the meat becomes tender, succulent and absorbs the rest of the ingredients to make a delicious blend.

1 cup plain flour

8 medium lamb shanks

2 tbsp olive oil

2 large onions, roughly cut into cubes

2 crushed garlic cloves

2 cups beef stock

¾ cup red wine

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp cornflour

2 tbsp cold water

½ tsp pepper powder

Salt to taste

Mix flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish and lightly coat the lamb shanks with this mix. Heat oil in a shallow pan, add the meat and brown for three to four minutes. Remove and add the onions and garlic to the pan, cooking for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add beef stock, maple syrup and wine, and cook, stirring gently. Bring to boil. Mix the cornflour with water until smooth and stir into the liquid to thicken.

If you have a slow cooker, place the meat into it, and cover with the gravy. Cook for approx. 4 hours or until the meat is tender and fully cooked. To cook the traditional way, place the meat into a roasting pan, add the gravy and cover the pan securely with foil. Roast for 11/2 hour in a pre-heated oven. Next, remove foil, turn over and roast for an hour more or until the meat is tender. Serve with mashed potato and steamed vegetables.

The domain of seniors

Call it changed priorities or different appetite for life, all our seniors want is some empathy and freedom to live at their own pace

BY RANI JHALA

Sixty-five, that magical number that I had so long dreaded, just flew by last week. It greeted me as a mature woman and left me an old lady. Suddenly I qualified for the age pension, and inherited two pairs of reading glasses instead of one. Sadly, it also meant that my memory now refused to remember where I had placed them.

My children had ventured out on their own and while we met often, the weekends were free and my husband and I spent those alone. You would think that a lifetime of living happily together would mean being content with just each other’s company. But when you get to our age, you’d want to socialise, to meet others who’ve shared a common past.

There is nothing more annoying than relating in detail the problems my flatulence has been causing me and to be told by a younger generation “Oh grandma, that is disgusting”. I needed a sympathetic ear that would hear and understand my age related dilemmas without comment or judgement. Only another of our own age group can truly empathise with our problems.

Our children invited us to their parties but we soon found that what their generation found exciting to talk about, was old news for us: Which nappies are the best?

just giving birth to productive citizens.

But what brought back memories of the places and people we had left behind were the social functions which showcased the best of local talent. The melodies of the golden era would remind us of the saffron fields that we ran through as children or the simple mountain folks that would welcome us into their hills.

The dances done by a member’s granddaughter or niece would remind us of the shows we had watched in India many, many, years ago. Senior members of the society came and gave talks helpful for us. Mayors, Consul-Generals, and government officials enlightened us with their knowledge and guidance.

Our little group has become our lifeline. We find mutual happiness, laughter and encouragement in one another. It has become the fountain that energises us and encourages us to look forward to the end of each month.

I want to walk at the pace that lets me look at each flower when I pass them. I want to chew my food slowly savouring its taste as if it is the last time I will eat that dish

What school has a better standing? Where the best sales were taking place?

We had already been there and done that and our interest was now in a different things: dentures, walking sticks, cholesterol, arthritis, reading glasses, mammography and prostrate tests. At our age, nappies are the last things we want to discuss, nor does a sale of five inch stiletto heels interest us. What we needed was a place to go and meet other of our age group and discuss issues that relate to our generation.

And that is how we found ourselves as members of a seniors’ group. We met on a regular basis and we enjoyed the socialising that came about. Ah! To finally find someone who understood what we meant when we said “the good old days” without the unwanted debate that inevitably followed. And more importantly to find another who had the patience to sit with me and hear about my “in grown toe-nail” and the multifaceted problems it had created in my life. And finally to meet people who not only understood the need for me to write down everything worthy of remembering but assisted by supplying the pen and paper.

We listened to the soft soul searching songs and hymns, and now we are made to listen to heart-thumping Bollywood tunes. Stand up and dance they say, it will make you feel young. Young!

Do they know how easy it is for us to slip a disc or lose a toupee?

In this group we made new friends and met up with the old ones. People who we had lost contact with, having immersed ourselves in our busy working lives and in bringing up our children. Here in this group we found information that mattered to us. Through this association we were introduced to the Government representatives who had been assigned roles to specifically help the aged. How wonderful was a country that gave the elderly the recognition they deserved and acknowledged their contribution to the community! For some this contribution meant an award-worthy feat; for others it was

But now a new problem has arisen. Not happy with taking over our jobs, our livelihood and our sports- golf and lawn bowls, the next generation is stepping into this arena as well. We were not yet ready to give up the microphone, yet they have come and monopolised it. We liked non-spicy food that suits our digestion. Now under the name of authenticity the snacks offered at the meetings are either burning with heat or dripping in sugar. We listened to the soft soul searching songs and hymns and now we are made to listen to heart thumping Bollywood tunes. Stand up and dance they say, it will make you feel young. Young! Do they know how easy it is for us to slip a disc or lose a toupee?

They tell us ‘Auntyji, you are only as young as you feel’. Well, I am old and I feel old –my aching back and arthritic knee tell me so. More importantly, I want to feel my age. I want to walk at the pace that lets me look at each flower when I pass them. I want to chew my food slowly savouring its taste as if it is the last time I will eat that dish. I want to stand at the microphone and tell the people of my vintage a humorous story, without the microphone being taken from me because a younger person feels they can economise better – both the words and the time.

We the elderly are losing everything either in accordance with Nature’s rules or by social intervention. These seniors’ forums and clubs are the last of the ‘our’ domains, where we can still be ourselves and where we can enjoy our independence and entertainment. Come and enjoy our meetings but please don’t take over. This is our stage, our drama and we are the actors. Let us show you what we are about. We don’t want to be who you think we should be.

Our time on this earth is limited – a year, five years, maybe even ten. Come sing our lives with us, but don’t change its tune or alter the words. We have memorised the original versions and have stored that knowledge amidst memories and associations. Let us walk into your world, don’t drag us out of ours. All we ask of everyone is to let us be ourselves. Love us! Cherish us! Tomorrow will come soon enough, when we will depart and the stage will be all yours.

ARIES March 21 - April 19

Tarot ‘n’ You Tarot ‘n’ You

Tarot predictions for February 2010

Tarot predictions for February 2011 Tarot

LIBRA September 23 - October 22

This month is going to be a month of being very careful of how you deal with people. You may have the tendency to be slightly blunt and diplomacy is called for this month. Towards the middle of the month the cards indicate that long term relationships are going to be tense and you are likely to encounter delays and obstacles. There may be new opportunities around work and career. However, you should make sure you take time out to relax too.

TAURUS April 20 - May

20

The cards indicate that you will be in a very romantic and sexy mood this month. All your relationships are going well and you are in the mood to please. Financially there are indications of growth and you being sensible and trying your best to keep a check on what’s going out of your pocket. You have an abundance of energy and ideas this month. If you have not started already, there could be a new exercise agenda on your mind.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

The cards indicate that you will want time out for yourself this month to assess where you want to be in life. With the Hermit card here you will be doing a lot of soul searching. Your focus is likely to be on obtaining results this month and getting to where you want to go. Try not to be too critical of yourself as there are some excellent times in store for you. There’s good news on the cards about someone close to you.

CANCER June 21 - July 22

The cards indicate that you need to take a break from things to relax. Recently you have been under a lot of pressure because of work and personal issues. You need to look after yourself and put yourself and your needs first. Unfortunately, you seem to be worried about finances and are looking at new ways to bring in extra money. Be patient and things will get better soon. You should try to remain positive and take things in your stride.

LEO July 23 - August 22

The cards indicate some problems in your relationships and you are feeling extremely confused about the state of affairs and lack of harmony. The 3 of Swords here indicates that there could be a scenario where difficult situation involving a trio may come to a head. You are however going to do very well at work and you could decide to get involved in some charity work to keep your mind occupied. You are also likely to consider investing in property.

VIRGO August 23 - September 22

The cards indicate that you are likely to invest time in getting to know yourself and developing a deeper interest in spirituality. This month you will find yourself falling for a friend so be warned as there could be heartbreak in store. There is an increased vitality around you and you are pushing ahead with many ideas and plans. There could be some decisions to sell items that no longer suit your purpose at home to bring in some extra cash.

The cards indicate that this is a time when you can do anything you desire, so take a leap and go for it. The Fool card here means that now is not the time to worry about things but to really go for what you want. You have been holding yourself back for far too long. You will also be very popular amongst colleagues and friends. There is also a celebration coming up which is going to go extremely well, bringing you lots of joy.

SCORPIO October 23 - November 21

This month, the cards indicate, you need to be careful about your spending. You will be tempted to borrow money but the universe will help you in other ways. However, if it comes to that, think carefully before borrowing. There is also a strong indication here that you have been neglecting your dental issues, which means you could find yourself in great pain and may require some urgent help. Work is going fine, although you may have to deal with boredom.

SAGITTARIUS November 22 - December 21

What a month you have in store for you! The cards indicate it’s a time when you may see a positive change in your partner and they may become a little more adventurous. You need to get your eyes checked as your headaches are becoming more frequent now. You may have to do some traveling for the purpose of work and study. There is also a need to monitor your stress levels this month as they seem to be on an overdrive.

CAPRICORN December 22 - January 19

This month a refreshing change in your relationships awaits you and if you were on the verge of walking away from someone you may find that a solution to your problems is in sight. The cards also indicate a very strong sense of stability and balance around you this month. Ideas around your work life will be oozing from every pore in your body. Success is on the cards and you are ready for anything. A good balance between work and personal life will bring make things even better.

AQUARIUS January 20 - February 18

The cards indicate a very busy month ahead for you with travel, deadlines, bills and documents taking up a lot of your time. Be careful when signing on the dotted line and make sure you read everything carefully. There is also an indication here that you may need to take extra care of your children’s health. You are also thinking of a new exercise plan. You are also thinking of getting involved in activities which will help you unwind and make a positive difference to your life..

PISCES February 19 - March 20

The cards indicate a flirtatious month ahead for you. Be careful if you are married or attached as your sex appeal is at its highest. There is a possibility that you will decide to take up writing as you have several ideas that you want to put down on paper. Go for it! You may find it difficult to take out time for relaxation this month as there will be many demands made of you, including from the family to help solve their problems. Financially you are stable this month.

Matrimonials

SEEKING GROOMS

Match for Indian lady, early 50s, slim and good looking, 5’3”, no liabilities, Australian citizen, brought up in India with strong family values, loving and easy going, seeking honest and well settled man in view of marriage. Contact 0404 616 463

Email: k.rani134@gmail.com

Parents seeking suitable match for divorced girl (married for few days only), Hindu Punjabi Khatri, vegetarian, slim, beautiful, fair, 5’6”, B.Sc, B.Ed, PR status, Sydney, 08/12/1985, profile in SH82540957. Boy preferably settled in Australia. Contact 0450 761 716 or vkm5556@gmail.com

Seeking a suitable match for young looking, very fair Hindu lady, 53, 5’2, living in Australia for 25 years, works in government department. Groom must be between 47-55, well qualified, non-smoker, occasional drinker and vegetarian. Contact sydaus@hotmail.com.au

Seeking match for 39/165, unmarried, fair, slim, beautiful Indian Punjabi girl, family oriented and responsible, traditional values, IT professional, brought up in India. Australian citizen. Early marriage. Can relocate. Serious enquiries only. Caste no bar. Email with photo: sydgirl09@gmail.com

Punjabi Hindu Khatri, good looking, smart, homely girl, never married, 33, 5‘11”, looks very young, seeking tall Indian boy settled in Australia. Two brothers well settled in Sydney, caste no bar. Contact with photo and details on 0425 910 007 or ricky.bhalla@ gmail.com

Match for 30-year-old Manglik Hindu Khatri girl, 5’5”, fair, slim, well educated with moderate values. Innocent divorcee, has a son (no legal issues). Brother settled in Sydney.

Looking for a well settled and educated boy, 32-38 years old. Min 5’ 6”. Caste no bar. Interested contact with bio-data and photo. Email: matrisyd@gmail.com or call 0418 770 827.

SEEKING BRIDES

Well settled family in Australia invite alliance for 27-year-old, 5”11, Sood Punjabi boy, B.Software Engineer (honors), working as a senior IT consultant for the Australian govt on high income. Seeking Indian girl, caste no bar. Please call 0414 518 312, email aumohindra@gmail.com

Aussie ocker Christian seeks Christian bride. I am in the fifties, 5’10”, 115 kg, own home, a full head of hair, pensioner. Contact 0459 919 717 or nottattached@aol.com

Hindu Punjabi business parents invite alliance for a beautiful educated girl for their highly qualified son 30/6’3”, a very well placed financial consultant with a leading MNC in UK. Will be in Australia in July. Caste no bar. Send bhp to ukshaadi@hotmail.com

Match required for an Australian citizen, Sydney resident, north Indian, 26 years old, 5’7”, slim, handsome and very fair engineer boy from Kayastha family. Looking for a suitable well educated Indian girl with family values. Caste no bar. Please send details to akhilsns@gmail.com or contact 0412 487 801.

Alliance invited for clean shaven Sikh/1972/5’11”/ very decent, responsible, handsome/BE/MBA boy, working as head of marketing in a software company in India, issueless divorcee. Kindly contact Manisha Bakshi on 0401 542 550 / manishabak@gmail.com

THE COMPLETE INDIAN WEDDING EXHIBITION

It’s that wonderful time of the year again - time for festivities and tradition, time for pampering yourself with a new wardrobe and dressing up in your most gorgeous attire. In fact, there’s no better time than now to visit the Indian Bridal Fair and do your shopping from new, exquisite collections.

Brides glow on the most important day of their lives, and a well-chosen piece of jewellery or costume can make them shine even brighter. The Indian Bridal Fair, now in its sixth glorious year, offers the largest variety of premium product range and services available for the Indian wedding season.

Indian Bridal Fair, a speciality wedding exhibition, is a one-stop event where all wedding related items and services will be showcased for two days. The prime objective of this event is to provide an ideal platform for the wedding service / merchandise providers to interact with discerning customers. On display will be all essentials that a bride and groom-to-be need:

a full wedding wardrobe, gold and diamond jewellery, fashion jewellery, beauty, hair and make up, photo and videographers, mandaps, wedding planner, decorations, catering, wedding stationery, jyotish, reception venues, florist, cakes, gifts, DJ and more.

In a short span of time, Indian Bridal Fair has become a name to reckon with in Sydney’s wedding fraternity. With a discerning eye and the ability to distinguish the exquisite from the ordinary, IBF brings style, joy and uniqueness under one roof where you can find an array of finest collections.

Because everyone loves a wedding!

Sat 16 and Sun 17 July 2011

Time: 10 am - 4 pm

The exhibition will be held at: Castle Grand, Level 1 Cnr Castle & Pennant Streets CASTLE HILL NSW 2154

FREE ENTRY & FREE CAR PARKING – ALL WELCOME

www.indianbridalfair.net

BUZZThe

She’s Sushmita Sen

It’s a project that’s right up her street, and Sushmita Sen’s making sure her stride’s firmly in check. The former beauty queen and actress is actively involved in the Wadhawan Lifestyle ‘I Am She’ contest, which will choose India’s official entry for the Miss Universe contest.

But the criteria for the candidates is much more than good height and an attractive face, claims Sush. The most important criterion for selection is a person with “good character”.

“When I say ‘character’, I mean that a lot of women who come to the contest are very beautiful, and some of them can do anything to achieve what they want. Such girls don’t belong to I Am She,” said Sushmita in an interview.

This year, 20 candidates have been shortlisted, and before the names are finalised, the candidates are

interviewed and go through a thorough background check, she revealed, to ensure that the finalist is not disqualified on any grounds in the final competition.

Sushmita became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe crown in 1994. The still-stunning 35 year old said candidates were learning and getting better, and she has big plans for the future. Next year, Sushmita plans to take the finalists abroad for grooming sessions and to give them more global exposure.

“Next year onwards a new chapter begins - the host countries will change. Only the main show will be held in India. The girls will be groomed in other countries. This way they will get basic international exposure even before going to the Miss Universe platform... it will help them not to get off balance when they reach the main pageant,” she said.

In 2000, Lara Dutta became the second Indian to win the prestigious title, but there has been no winner after that.

So will Sush pick a winner? Let’s wait and see…

Aamir has the last belly-laugh

Aamir Khan’s laughing all the way to the bank and back. His hit adult comedy Delhi Belly has floored the box office, earning a whopping Rs. 15.65 crore on its first two days, and putting the much-hyped Big B starrer Bbuddah...Hoga Teraa Baap at what seems like a meager Rs. 4.26 crore. Perhaps it’s because Delhi Belly has a more interesting concept and is targetted at a much wider audience including the Indian young turks, while Bbudha… is, like the Big B now, more for the family. Also, it’s likely that had Bbudha’s marketing team a bit more savvy, they would have ensured its release with some non-entity movies, rather than one rolling the Aamir Khan banner. Well, whatever the reason, it seems like the more realistic urban, money-is-everything, foul-mouthed India with Imran Khan, Vir Das and Kunal Roy Kapoor have stolen the lead from Amitabh Bachchan, the flamboyant Paris-returned gangster. Seems like a sign of things to come….

Bips, break ke baad

It’s been nine long months since Bipasha Basu and John Abraham broke up, and though they may put on a cordial front, the truth is that they’re not even talking to each other.

Revealed an insider, “Bipasha gave nine years of her life to the relationship, even putting her career on hold whenever John needed her. She felt that everyone else was giving her so much love and respect, except John; that’s when she decided to end the relationship. Naturally, when their relationship ended, she chooses not to keep in touch with him. She made up her mind to move on and cut herself away from her past.”

Being single is giving the sexy star not just time to mingle, but to bask in the abundance of male attention that seems to

GUESS WHO

Model turned wannabe-actress best known for item numbers Khallas and IshqSamunder

be coming her way. But after a nine-year relationship, the Bengali babe isn’t keen to get into a committment just yet. Work, apparently, is what she’s focussing on, with a bit of play on the side.

And one of those ‘side’ issues was with Hollywood heartthrob Josh Hartnett, who is starring with her in the upcoming film, Singularity? “Josh is wonderful, but in another country, so it’s impractical! Right now, I don’t think I have the energy to be in a relationship. Josh and I are very fond of each other and try to keep in touch, but I am not romantically attached to anyone currently. There is more to life than just men. I am doing a romantic comedy with R Madhavan soon. It’s a mad film and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s only work for me for now,” said Bips with disarming candidness.

Well, I guess it’s time Bips took a break to have some fun. She’s certainly earned it!

Sikh humour!

With an enviable cultural diversity, India has always had plenty of humourous material on its denizens, and for some strange reason, our Sikh bretheren have always topped the list. Now writer-director Sartaj Singh Pannu, who made his debut as an actor-filmmaker in his internationally acclaimed film Soch Lo, is now set to enthrall audiences with a full-fledged family entertainment movie on Sikhs.

“It’s about four brothers who go to the wild west of UP (Uttar Pradesh) to retrieve their ancestral belongings. It’s a film on the sense of humour and pride attached to the Sardars,” said Sartaj excitedly.

Unlike his first film, which he made with funds contributed by his friends, for this film the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) graduate is receiving corporate funding. Sartaj is also going a step forward and casting known names, with the likes of Bobby Deol and Akshay Khanna in mind. Not a bad choice, considering that both have proved their worth in comedy roles. It’s been a long, hard journey for this talented writer-director, so good luck to him with this latest venture.

Romance for Riteish?

As we all know, relationships are rife in Bollywood, but pairing together Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza was a surprise. To date the couple have been particularly reticent about themselves, but it seems like the cat’s finally out of the bag. At a recent awards function in Toronto, Riteish and Genelia surprised Bollywood by walking around hand-in-hand, sitting together and even cooing what seemed like sweet nothings in each other’s ears. The couple, who have always claimed to be nothing more than co-stars are closer than we think, and a sign of things to come is apparent as Riteish was even seen chatting up Genelia’s mother, who seemed quite aware of her daughter’s affection for

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

this versatile actor. Naturally, rumour is now rife on whether the relationship will blossom into matrimony. Yes, say insiders, very likely in early 2012. Well, good luck to the couple, hope all goes well for them.

Zombies ready for battle

For some reason, Indian moviegoers have taken a shine for zombie-flicks. And they won’t be disappointed, if Go Goa Gone and Shaadi of the Dead are anything to go by. Saif Ali Khan will produce Go Goa Gone, a story about a bunch of fun-loving youngsters who are assailed by zombies. On the other hand, Abhay Deol will star in Shaadi of the Dead, which is about an attack by zombies during a Punjabi wedding. Both movies are cited to take a lighter look at zombies, which is an interesting concept, considering that they’re talking about a horror-genre theme. And what’s more interesting is the race by both films to get to cinemas, showcasing themselves as the first of the zombie cult to hit the silver screen.

So who’s pegged to win the battle of the zombies? Any takers? Didn’t think so!

Anjuna Beach reveals Scarlett’s story

The seamier side of Goa will unravel on the silver screen with in a depiction set on the 2008 murder and sexual assault of British teen Scarlett Keeling.

More than three years after Scarlett was left to die at story is retold by Bollywood producer Sikandar Khan. The vivacious teenager who rode elephants, hung out at beach shacks and is said to have occasionally done drugs, will be played by ItalianUkranian model-cum-actress Nataliya Kozhenova. Nataliya, who has been working in Bollywood in a range of unremarkable roles since the past two years, says that the film projects the deceased Scarlett as a young girl who loved life and lived it to the hilt. “It was fantastic to get a chance to play Scarlett. It just happened by chance one day that director Shakeel Saifee asked me if I could play the role... My Hindi was zero at the time, but later I managed to even deliver my dialogues in Hindi,” said the 24-year-old, one of the many international actors who are succumbing to Bollywood’s appeal.

Scarlett’s sexual assault and death in 2008 marks a watershed period in Goa’s image as a safe holiday tourism destination, with the gory episode exposing Goa’s seedy underbelly as a destination for drugs. After the Scarlett case, Goa has seen a string of events that led to the state gaining infamy as a drug haven and as an unsafe tourist destination, especially for foreign women

Anjuna Beach by Sikander Khan and directed by Shakeel S. Sai, also stars Kiran Kumar and Iranian actress Farhanaaz, and is scheduled for release in end-July.

So does Goa hide something deeper and more sinister behind its beautiful beaches? We’ll soon know.

Where’s Anil Kapoor in Mission Impossible 4 trailer?

A lot has been written about Anil Kapoor’s presence in one of the biggest Hollywood franchises, Mission Impossible 4, but his absence from the movie’s first trailer, released recently, has raised questions among his fans.

Fans took to Twitter to express their resentment with Anil’s no-show in the trailer Mission: Impossible Protocol, which is otherwise high on action from Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who plays the role of spy Ethan Hunt. 4: Ghost Protocol ...Ethan Hunt. Eminem’s rap. But where’s Anil Kapoor & India,” posted Vivek Ranjit, while Manish Mission Impossible trailer out, and its 2 mins long, and still no sight of Anil Kapoor, is this why the film is called MI: Ghost

Another fan, Raghav Modi posted: “Ah! Typical that the Indian actor Anil Kapoor is nowhere to be Ghost Protocol trailer.

Some fans even mocked at the trailer and made fun that the actor, who made a mark internationally with Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and a TV series 24, has not got any footage in the debut trailer of the much-awaited installment of the movie.

“I spotted Anil Kapoor in the Mission Impossible 4 trailer. He is in thin air!” posted someone under the name of sarfrazhaan, while another fan by the name of helloanand wrote: “Anil Kapoor is playing the role of Mr.India in MI4 That’s why you can’t see him.”

Apart from Tom Cruise, the movie features Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg. According to imdb.com, Anil plays the role of a man called Brij Nath.

Of what Indian editor and director Shirish Kunder posted on Twitter, it seems other Bollywood actors were quite jealous of Anil’s role in the international “So many people in Bollywood happy that Anil Kapoor does not feature in the trailer. The Great Indian Crab Mentality!” wrote Kunder, who is married to choreographer-director Farah

But all said and done, Anil recently shared how he had a “great” time shooting for the movie. In fact, he has also signed up to feature in Cities, co-starring Clive Owen. He will start shooting for the movie in November.

What’s the chitchat here between Salman and Karisma?

Send in your responses to

Last

Finish Neetu Kapoor’s sentence: “Rishi Kapoor, I present you with the award for….”

“… keeping up the Kapoor family tradition of adopting obesity as a religion post middle-age…. no, I mean, excellence in cinema”.

Kala Swaminathan, Dunlop ACT

Kala wins a CD of new Hindi film DelhiBelly

ANIL KAPOOR

GENELIA D’SOUZA

BIPASHA BASU

IMRAN KHAN

A refreshing tale of small-town youth Cine Talk

Film: CycleKick

Cast: K.P. Nishan, Sunny Hinduja, Dwij Yadav and Tom Alter

Director: Shashi Sudigala

In the clamorous clutter of releases this month, Cycle Kick stands out for being the least fashionable/trendy, and yet the most original. Yes, it has its flaws - it is excessively syrupy in places and often amateurish in parts. But the sum-total of the components adds up to a heartwarming take on comingof-age in the back of the beyond.

In fact, the qualities of mawkishness and over-simplification only add to the film’s simplicity of purpose and transparency of presentation.

Debutant director Shashi Sudigada transports us into the world of the young in a sleepy scenic seaside town. Unlike the hip boys and girls in some other recent young-isfun films where the students seem to belong to Archies comic books rather than real life, the protagonists in Cycle Kick crave for the simple pleasures of life.

That one glimpse of the girl from the

window, that stolen hug with your adorable little sibling (there are two such moments squeezed into the baggy narration), and a ride on the bicycle through the dusty lanes.

The bicycle acquires a strange life of its own. It’s almost like the hero beyond the human. In its recreation of world of simple pleasures of the young and the confused, Cycle Kick echoes Vittorio de Sica’s Bicycle Thieves. There is a bedrock of sincerity in the presentation carried to some depths of lucidity by the fabulous locations and the spirit of kinship, camaraderie and sportsmanship that runs in a soporific trickle through the quaint film, like a stream that isn’t really bothered about where it is heading.

The supple screenplay centres on a stolen bicycle and the two protagonists Ramu (Malayalam actor Nishan) and Ali (Sunny Hinduja) who claim a mutual ownership of the in-demand bicycle.

Parts of the film’s romantic tracks and the rivalry between the low-income school and the ‘high’ school recall Mansoor Ali Khan’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. These faint echoes do not take away from the film’s positive energy, its artless candour and its penchant for a state of equanimity in the narration that strives to achieve neither an under nor an over

statement.

Shot in the tranquil seaside town of Sindhugarh in coastal Maharashtra, the virgin locations lend a sun-kissed freshness to the goings-on, as does the cast.

Nishan as the cycling dreamer, protective elder brother and love-stuck Romeo brings an endearing sincerity to the proceedings. His relationship with his kid-brother (Dwij Yadav) underlines the film’s most precious moments. The man-to-man talk between the siblings on women makes you smile.

An undercurrent of naivete characterises the film. Some of the cast is rather stiff before the camera. But there is that fine veteran actor Tom Alter effortlessly making a space for himself as the football coach, echoing Naseeruddin Shah’s role in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Iqbal

Indeed it won’t be erroneous to describe Cycle Kick as a successor to Iqbal. This film carries a heavy hangover of the earlier film. But does so with grace and honesty.

Cycle Kick is not quite the kick-in-the-groin take on the non-urban youth’s aspirations that Iqbal so successfully happened to be. But it has its heart in the right place. And it doesn’t put its foot in its mouth.

A new kind of cinematic voice

If there were any doubts about 2011 being the year of reckoning for Indian cinema, Shaitan with its mounting mood of ricocheting restlessness puts all doubts to rest. The skillful interweaving of strong storytelling and powerful performances is underpinned by a wild sense of humour that shows up at the oddest of places to remind us that cinema is not about following all the punctuation rules of storytelling. It’s about knowing when and where to rev up the drama to just that right pitch to carry us into a tripped-out world of hedonism and redemption.

inattentive. The street scenes and the sound-design are absolutely brilliant.

With devilish dexterity, we are taken into the homes, minds and fetishes of the five youngsters. In the first 25 minutes, Nambiar constructs a cool case study for the young quintet’s self-destruction. Then he watches the trendy fund-flush world of designer labels and other costly indulgences come apart at the seams.

Some of the scenes are deliberately designed to exude the terror of overindulgence. Fortunately, most of the payoff happens almost of its own volition.

disintegrating marriage to a woman (Sheetal Menon) who just won’t talk remarkably creates a space for itself in the stifling bustle of this film’s main action.

A special word for debutants Shiv Pandit, Gulshan Devaiya, and semi-newcomers Neil Bhoopalam, Kalki Koechlin (her malice-inblunderland act is haunting) and Raj Kumar Yadav -- the Ragini MMS hero in top form here as corrupt cop. Also Pavan Malhotra as a senior police officer.

Film: :Shaitan

Cast: Rajeev Khandelwal, Kalki Koechlin, Shiv Pandit, Gulsha Devaiya, Kirti Kulhari, Neil Boopalam

Director: Bejoy Nambiar

This stunning tale of five misguided youngsters (no relation to Anurag Kashyap’s Paanch as reported) from the uppercrust, displays a flair for unleashing an energy that leaves us breathless with anticipation. It’s tough to keep up with the film’s unbridled zest for momentum. From the opening montage showing poignant scenes from Kalki’s childhood with her troubled mother to the dying moments when the five protagonists are rendered either dead or damned or both, this work of pop-art just sweeps you into its furious folds of angst and anxiety.

First-time director Bejoy Nambiar doesn’t waste time in introducing the characters. We know them almost instantaneously.

A huge USP in many recent films set in the madness of the urban jungle is the raw energy of the outdoor locations. Shaitan assails you with the tension and the anxiety of people on the run. The camera is never

Shaitan is a morality tale with a gutwrenching twist. It dares to venture into the psychedelic world of the affluent urban young and then rips the veil of ecstasy apart to reveal the emptiness that defines every life lived on the edge of extravagance. Miraculously, Shaitan is a morality-tale that doesn’t moralise. It creates a world of selfdestructive pleasure pursuits but doesn’t sit judgement on that world.

Nambiar gets terrific support from his cinematographer (R. Madhi) and editor (Sreekar Prasad) in creating a world that is cinematic and dramatic and yet real enough.

Nambiar creates his own world where the quirky and collapsible are constantly jostling for attention. The narrative is loose-limbed, yet never flabby or self-indulgent. The film exudes the unbridled energy of a rock song but doesn’t forget to include a melodic underbelly in its compositional range. The madly idealistic cop’s (Rajeev Khandelwal)

As for Rajiv Khandelwal as a twisted cynical successor to Amitabh Bachchan’ angry cop from Zanjeer, this is a skilled actor with ample star-potential.

Shaitan is a work of many virtues about the myriad vices that plague the life of the young and the rich. It doesn’t preach. It doesn’t use Hindi abuse words for effect. And the camera chooses to focus on sagging moral values rather than heaving breasts.

The music blends into the volatile theme. There is a quaint remix of the Dev Anand-Mohd Rafi-S.D. Burman classic Khoya Khoya Chand as an ironical homage to the independence that the past generation fought for, and got.

Shaitan looks at the sub-zero level of moral values among a section of the urban young with a whimsical zest for a new kind of cinematic voice that is far removed from films about cops and desperados that we’ve come to know over the years. This is a defining moment in Indian cinema.

Subhash K. Jha

Subhash K Jha

Wicked voice of new India Wicked voice of new India

Film: Delhi Belly

Cast: Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Vijay Raaz

Director: Abhinay Deo

Rating: HHHH

It is a cliche as old as this nation - of the many Indias that breathe under one India, Indian cinema has hardly been representative of even a few of these. Yet, one would have expected, after globalisation and the emergence of a new bold, urban India, that at least this class would get representation in commercial cinema.

Though there have been successful attempts in the past, it is with Delhi Belly that the urban, money-is-everything, foulmouthed India has been captured with aplomb. And that, depending upon your morality, is good or bad.

Tashi (Imran Khan), a Delhi-based journalist living filthily with two roommates, winds up with a bunch of desi goons chasing him and his mates after a mix-up. The three are forced to navigate the dark underbelly to survive, while encountering one situation after another and one idiosyncratic Indian after another.

The beauty of Abhinav Deo’s film is not its smooth story, loosely inspired by the type of films made famous by Guy Ritchie, Lock Stock.. and Snatch among others, neither is it Ram Sampath’s catchy music that beats to the rhythm of the film, or the slick, seamless direction, or its immaculate casting and performance or even its wickedly witty dialogues. The true beauty of the film is in all these elements together creating a madcap image of a new, unabashed, even shameless section

of India.

Though Delhi is referred to in its title, it is not the real Delhi that Dibakar Banerjee captures with satirical reality in his films. Instead, it is the image of a Delhi populated by young, educated, newly ‘liberated’ urbanites. In that it is the splitting image of that young urban India anywhere perpetually churning like the stomach of a

character in the film, a showcasing of this nation’s new neo-liberal underbelly. However, the other Indias might not take kindly to the film. Hypocritical Indians okay with female infanticide and dowry would be aghast at how almost every ‘bad’ word that they know is spoken everywhere on the streets and in homes, finds a place in the usually moralistic Bollywood. Cinema

purists too may cry foul that the film does not really have a soul and is not really trying to say anything. Though a legitimate accusation, in not having a soul and not really being concerned or serious about anything, the film holds a mirror to a large section of the country. And that is a big statement in itself.

For decades Indian cinema has been shackled with a morality that has not kept pace with the changing morality of life around. Though the morality of the film is strictly of urban, young, middle-class India, and isn’t representative, it is welcome as this is the farthest Bollywood has gone to truly representing urban life. And just for that, hats off to Aamir Khan for yet again, after Peepli Live and Dhobi Ghat, believing in a different kind of cinema, even while he doles out a Ghajini in the same breath.

The last scene of Delly Belly is bound to become as iconic as the one in Mahesh Bhatt’s 1990 musical Aashiqui. If there the lovers were so embarrassed of their surroundings that they had to kiss under a coat, here the lovers who are not even girlfriend-boyfriend are so brazen and caught in the heat of the moment that the guy kisses the girl in full view, half his body hanging out a slowly moving Maruti car symbolic of old India, unconcerned whether others are looking (which they are not). If that isn’t the urban, chic, and unconcerned-about-others India that has moved away from the morality of an unliberalised India in Aashiqui, then what is?

Satyen K. Bordoloi

It’s the Big B through and through

Film: Bbuddah…Hoga Tera Baap

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Hema Malini, Raveena Tandon, Prakash Raj, Makarand Deshpande, Charmee Kaur

Written & directed by: Puri Jagannath

Rating: HHH

Folklore has it that wherever the Big B stands, the queue begins. It’s time to queue up for a film that reads like a running commentary on the Bachchan legend. Here, we get to see India’s most iconic and enduring screen-hero play a variation on all his most cherished roles.

And then some more. To the angry Vijay persona that the Big B created through those brilliantly-written films of SalimJaved in the 1970 and ‘80s, the actor, still sprightly enough to make all the bachcha-log of Bollywood look like performing midgets, adds dollops of wry cynicism that goes well with our times.

Make no mistake, Telugu cinema’s most successful director Puri Jagannath is not just a Bachchan fan. He’s also a master storyteller. To the mix ‘n’ match tale of an Angry Young Man’s journey into his advancing years of unrelenting lividness and self-mockery, Puri brings a crackling contemporary commitment to telling a story that has no room for humbug… only space for hectic hijinks.

The screenplay races through numbered days in the life of a Paris-returned gangster who is called back to Mumbai by another gangster with a serious concentration problem (Prakash Raj) to finish off a particularly troublesome cop (Sonu Sood).

It’s a skillfully written yarn that doesn’t

stray into the yawn zone for even a second. Every character, even the relatively minor ones like Bachchan’s landlady who keeps jabbering to an unseen husband in Dubai, adds a sheen of zing to the shindig. The director actually manages to create a controlled atmosphere of plot development within the chaos of Mumbai’s streets.

Jagannath Puri displays a fabulous flair for the funny and the ferocious. The comic scenes contour the mega-star’s proclivity to laugh at himself and the self-important world around him comprising gangsters, collegians, cops and other on-the-move

Rathod) moves to the rhythm of the Big B’s super-controlled body language, creating for the assorted villains a kind of disembodied dynamism that we see in a far cruder avatar in the South, in the cinema of Rajnikanth.

Here, it is the Big B at work. The iconic super-hero manouvers through his tailormade role with devastating dexterity, leaving behind a trail of smoking guns, screaming tyres and satiated expectations that audiences had felt in the heydays of the Bachchan Raj.

The reign never ends. Buddah… offers a pleasurable romp into the star-power of the

the subtle foxy flirtatiousness comes from the star and how much of it was there in the screenplay.

Undoubtedly well-written and directed with sure-handedness that cannot hide Puri Jagannath’s boundless admiration for the Bachchan phenomenon, Bbuddah… is one of those garam-masala products that’s far cleverer than the outward flamboyance of the main character and execution suggest.

Cut through the blizzard of bravura that the Big B projects so insouciantly, and at heart this is an emotional father-son story. See how cleverly the director moves from a kind of italicised derringdo to a clamped emotional finale…. See how skillfully the other actors support the Big B’s towering presence. Prakash Raj as the arch-villain brings a sense of madness to the proceedings while Makarand Deshpande as a quiet gangster is glorious foil to the Big B’s repartees and rejoinders. Sonu Sood as the cop who keeps running into the old-young super-hero manages to hold his own in front of the Big B. And Raveena as the Big B’s besotted bombshell beloved from the past has herself a blast. So do we. Right to the last frenetic shootout, we are with the director laughing cheering and saluting the star-power of this super-phenomenon named Amitabh Bachchan.

And when the Big B does a medley of all his old songs it’s time to forget that the ‘Bbuddah’ has just become a grand-baap all over again. Just get up and dance to the rhythm of the Big B’s star power. Don’t waste time watching the smut. Bbuddah is the past present and future of mainstream entertainment.

urbanites. Vishal-Shekhar’s austerely-used music creates evolved rhythms for the Bachchan persona. You can’t miss the insistent beat.

As for the action, the camera (Amol

Big B. The rapport that his character builds up through some lovely actresses of several generations (Hema Malini, Raveena Tandon, Sonal Chauhan, Charmee) is so robust and funny, you are left wondering how much of

Subhash K. Jha

Posterior ponderings

BY LP AYER

I have been r(e)aring to contribute once again to Back Chat from the moment I read a centrespread article in a Sunday paper, a couple of weeks ago. Two full pages were dedicated to the rear of someone who is now hitting the front pages of women’s magazines. I don’t look out for them, folks, but these glossies glare at even geriatrics like me at grocery store check-outs. I wonder what is it with the western media’s raving about the rump? Their standards and tastes seem to have reached rockbottom. The spread is not about the bottom that may one day sit on the British throne, but of the one who brought up the rear at the recent royal wedding. Yes, it is all about Pippa’s figure-hugging hindquarter.

In those parts of the world where most of us have originated, people admire women first for their facial and other upfront features. But it seems that these beauty benchmarks of the Orient take a backseat in the Occidental world, where it is so common for girls to ask, “Does my bum look big in this?” while trying on tightfitting trousers.

Ruling from the rear

prominent talk-show hosts are having a bun(m) fight to get this girl from the home country on their sets. Some magazines from Down Under are also up and running in the race to cover her. A brand name British bagmaker has re-christened one of their bags ‘Pippa’ and of course, pitched up its price. With the Indian presence becoming universal, naturally, they can’t be left behind. Fancy footwear-maker Aruna Seth who designed Pippa’s silver sandals for a party on the big day joined the queue, but her offer could not get a foot in the door; she was

In spite of all the hoo-ha about Pippa’s posterior, the 29-year-old was recently pipped at the post for the coveted crown of (RoY) “Rear of the Year” by 50-year old TV presenter, Carol Vordeman

politely turned down. Buckingham Palace seemed to have stepped in to stem the flow, having learned a lesson from Fergie’s frivolous foray in grabbing promotional offers. Beth, the boss at Bucks, has signalled that the buck stops with her.

Boosting the bottom

Party goodies peddler Pippa is now having a perennial no-holds-barred party, popping up at events such as the French Open

So it is no accident that the British press promoted this MoH (Maid of Honour) to HRH (Her Royal Hotness) in a matter of days after she walked behind her big sister holding the train of the wedding gown at the wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey. Commentators swooned over the tightly sewn gown gracing her slim figure, with cameras constantly concentrating on her bell-jar bottom. Print media has now taken over from where the lensmen left off. Party goodies peddler Pippa is now having a perennial no-holds-barred party, popping up at events such as the French Open. Even as Rafael and Roger had their eyes on the ball, hitting it with bullet-speed over the net, the audience had a ball of their own with their eyes trained on the high-flyer in a low-cut Zara dress.

The girl of coal mining ancestry, now uncharitably called a gold digger, knows it is cool to cash in on her ‘hot’ image. According to a British columnist, “she has become a global celebrity in an age where having talent is no pre-requisite for fame.” A close acquaintance says, “She is the most socially ambitions person I have ever come across!” Is this below-the-belt comment a back-handed compliment? With her new-found popularity, Pippa is riding on her posterior all the way to the bank with offers flowing from all directions.

The price of a popular posterior

Across the ocean, TV queen Barbara Walters and

The upwardly mobile Middleton, someone sarcastically suggested, should consider changing her name to ‘Upton’. I have no credentials to sit on the judge’s panel of a beauty pageant. However in my book, her face in not the kind that will turn a thousand heads away from her regal rear. The picture of her leaving the hotel with her family the morning after the wedding is proof enough. It is more common than a commoner’s, and no match to her beautiful big sister.

The law of gravity demands that as one scales the social ladder, some load-shedding may be required to speed up the climb. Pippa knows this and has duly dropped her long-time boyfriend, former cricketer Alex Louden. She has given him the slip and now he is the 12th man, with odds of re-joining the game pretty much long on. The close-in fieldsman is now George Perry, her one-time flatmate and the future Duke of Northumberland, whose castle is lot larger than any cricket field. Seeing the newly-wed bride earning a title, the little sister wanting one for herself can’t be called sibling rivalry!

In spite of all the hoo-ha about Pippa’s posterior, the 29-year-old was recently pipped at the post for the coveted crown of (RoY) “Rear of the Year” by 50year old TV presenter, Carol Vordeman. I’m glad our own Aishwarya’s surname is spelt ‘Rai’ and not ‘Roy’, although she could win hands down. Back home, sarees and salwars save our women from such unsavoury contests.

The media has downloaded on us so much of the party princess’s posterior, that we would love to see the back of her – figuratively. So if you’re asking why I’ve taken this ‘rave of the rump’ route, I can only say, well, this column is called Back Chat, isn’t it? I thought it would be nice to bring up the rear of this popular magazine with something that justifies its name and position!

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Although the media has overdosed us on this trivial issue of the rear, there’s still a chance for a final word