PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
About 30 years ago, British Rail brought in a management consultancy firm Saatchi & Saatchi to analyze why there was so much public hostility towards them. S&S spent many months reviewing the systems, talking to passengers, analyzing the data and then called for a meeting of the top British Rail management in an old train shed at 9am. The Chairman along with senior managers, after battling traffic to get to this old train shed, arrived at exactly 9am. There was no one from the management consultants’ team. It was cold and the wind was sharp. No coffee or tea was available and after ten minutes of waiting for the S&S team in these conditions, the Chairman was in an unhappy state of mind. After 15 minutes the wind draft picked up and so did the Chairman’s temper. After waiting for 20 minutes in the cold, dark, drafty shed with no coffee or tea, the British Rail team was about to leave when the management consultants
arrived. As their clients spluttered their rage, the consultants, instead of presenting analysis and charts, just smiled and said that they had completed their assignment of why people were fed up with British Rail. The trains were never on time; people rushed to get to the tube stations in time and stood in cold, dark, drafty platforms where their trains were always running late. The point was made and things improved after that.
Timing is everything and if used properly, can either show your professionalism or make a mockery of your attitude. For Indians, being on time is a very elastic concept and much to the chagrin of their Australian colleagues, people from the sub-continent seem to be challenged when it comes to keeping their appointments at the designated hour. For those non-Indians who adhere to the clock, this is viewed as extremely unprofessional and after a few late arrivals at meetings, there is a fair bit of sarcastic acceptance of this. For Indian Australians as they climb the professional ladder, it should be a priority to ensure that they keep to their time, they can only gain respect from their professional peers.
The seniors in the Indian cricket team have no concept of timing. With the
recent debacle in the Test series and the lacklustre performance in the One Day Internationals, it was perfect timing for some of them to pull up stumps and retire. However they are still intent on dragging on, paying no heed to their lessening abilities and refusing to acknowledge that time does take its toll on elite athletes. Timing does not seem to be their strong suit and diminishing respect of their countrymen and well wishers may be what may finally convince them to call it a day.
As we go to print, there is speculation that ex Prime Minister Kevin Rudd may challenge the current Prime Minister Julia Gillard for the top job on February 28. Largely brought about by the leaking of his swearing video on YouTube, only time will tell if Kevin Rudd has got the timing right. With PM Gillard lurching from one public relations disaster to another (the Tent Gate issue on Australia Day, the shiftiness on Four Corners), Rudd just needed to wait for a few months until the poll numbers on Julia Gillard were so bad that Labor had no choice but to invite him back. Only time will tell if he has overplayed his hand by misjudging the timing of his challenge.
SPIRITUAL
Chinmaya Mission’s
Vedanta classes
For adults only
1. Sunday afternoons 2.30pm to 3.30pm: Bhagavad Geeta: a vision of life at Wattlegrove.
2. Monday evenings 5.00pm to 6.30pm: Bhagavad Geeta - a vision of life Ladies classes at Hornsby.
3. Thursday mornings 10.00am to 12.00pm: Where to Now in Life?, at Castle Hill.
4. Every 2nd Friday, 7.30pm to 8.30pm: How to Live Happily and How to Leave Happily, at Mt. Druit Chanting class for all
1. Saturday mornings 7.45pm to 8.30am at Mt. Colah.
2. Sunday mornings 7.30 am (Sydney time) at Castle Hill for 30 minutes. (Students far away can skype in).
Youth classes
1. Sunday afternoons 1.00pm to 2.30pm: Wings on WheelsWhat is dharma in day to day life at Wattlegrove
2. Tuesday evenings 7.30pm to 9.00pm: Wings on Wheels at Castle Hill.
Sanskrit class for all
1. Thursday evenings 6.30pm to 7.30pm: Sanskrit for Beginners (All age groups). By registration only. Course of 10 classes starting March 16th, 2012 at Castle Hill.
Children & Teenagers’ Classes
1. Sunday mornings 10.00am to 11.30am at Castle Hill.
Details Chinmaya Sannidhi 02 8850 7400, or visit the website www.chinmaya.com.au
Chinmaya Talent Quest
Competition is open for participants of all ages in the following contests: Chinmaya Art Competition, Chinmaya Bhajan Competition, Chinmaya Writing Competition, and Chinmaya Geeta chanting Competition. Details
Nidhi 02 8850-6263 and Shubra 0417 264 689.
STAGE
Indian Jazz Fusion
Sun 26 Feb Concert featuring Sandy Evans (tenor and soprano saxophone), Sarangan Sriranganathan (sitar), Ben Walsh (drums), Bobby Singh (tabla), at Camelot Lounge, 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville, 6.30pm. Details Bobby Singh 0411 708 518.
SCREEN
Western Union Short Film
Competition
Film-makers and digital content creators are invited to submit a short film based on the theme ‘Connections’. Winning films will be screened at the Bollywood & Beyond Film Festival 2012 in
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland. Winners from Australia and New Zealand earn a trip to Bombay, the home to Bollywood. The Indian winner earns a trip to Melbourne to present his film at the festival. Winning films are broadcast on SBS in Australia, Triangle/Stratos in New Zealand and UTV Bindass in India.
Last date for submission
28 Feb 2012. Details at www.indianfilmfestival.com.au
MISC
Relocation notice: Consulate General of India, Sydney
The Consulate General of India in Sydney has temporarily relocated to Level 10, 190 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 until further notice. Inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted. Public dealing hours for consular services will remain unchanged as 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Holi Mela 2012
23-25 Mar Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Australia announces the 10th anniversary of its annual Holi Mahotsav at Sydney’s Darling Harbour. The three-day long festivities will include events for school groups, musical performances, art exhibitions, cultural diversity workshops, yoga
and meditation sessions, and the playing of Holi with coloured powder. Details 1300 242 826.
Harmony Day
Sun 11 Mar Hindu Council of Australia, in partnership with Auburn City Council, is holding a Harmony Day Forum with the aim of bringing together people with various religious and cultural backgrounds to share their ideas and experiences towards promoting harmony between people and communities in the wider Australian society. Auburn Centre for Community, Macquarie St, Auburn, 12.30pm - 7.00pm. RSVP by 29 February to Prof Raja Jayaraman at rajajayaraman@hotmail.com
Hindi studies for high school students
Hindi Language is offered by the Saturday School of Community
Languages - DET at Liverpool Girls High School, Hills Sports High School and Strathfield Girls High School. This provides opportunities for high school students to study Hindi language to Higher School Certificate levels as it is not available at their day school. Board of Studies syllabus is followed. The classes are free of charge and are run on Saturdays from 8.30 am to
10.30 am for Years 7 – 10, and 8.30 – 11.45 am for Years 11-12. Enrolment forms can be accessed from the School Principal of the mainstream school of your child or can be downloaded from www.curriculumsupport. education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/ languages/sscl/
Details 02 9886 7505 / Fax. 02 9886 7514 / Saturdaycl-h.School@det.nsw.edu.au
Seniors Week celebration
Sat 24 Mar The NSW Indian Welfare Association will celebrate Seniors Week at Dundas
Community Hall by hosting a “Vegetarian Masterchef” Competition. Visit www.nswiwa.org.au for more details.
EXHIBITION
Mother India: Video plays by Nalini Malani
11 Feb – 20 May A powerful fivescreen, 15 metre video installation by Indian artist Nalini Malani, Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Love Lace
Until April 2012 Powerhouse Museum presents groundbreaking lace works in a variety of materials. Indian artists Yogesh Purohit and Golnar Roshan are featured.
For more than ten years the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Temple) in Rosehill, Sydney has stood as a centre of community, culture and spirituality. After many years of planning and hard work, renovations for the new purpose-built Mandir have begun.
A Shilanyas Mahotsav, or foundation stone laying ceremony, for the new Mandir was held at the Sydney Baha’i Centre, Silverwater on Sunday 5 February 2012 in the presence of Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami and sadhus from India, and invited guests and dignitaries.
“The reconstruction of the Rosehill Temple represents the auspicious next step, both spiritually and practically, in BAPS development and growth in Sydney,” said State Minister Victor Dominello, who was representing the Premier of NSW
will be built with not only physical material like bricks and mortar, but will be built with goodness and righteousness, built with dharma.”
Over 300 devotees participated in the Vedic Mahapuja Ceremony which was conducted by the
The ceremony was followed by an assembly attended by over 750 invited guests, community leaders and devotees, many of whom had
Australia to be present on this historic occasion. Alongside
Mr. Dominello was the Consul General of India to Sydney, Mr. Amit Dasgupta, and the Federal Member for Parramatta Mr. Geoff Lee.
Mr. Dominello and the other guests praised the efforts of the BAPS community and inspiration provided to them by His Holiness
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the
organisation’s spiritual leader. “Millions of people’s lives have been touched and enriched by BAPS since its founding in 1907,” said Mr Dominello. “And we are fortunate and blessed that this tradition continues here in New South Wales.”
The new Mandir is expected to be completed within 12 months.
What was obvious at the joy the Pitt St performance brought, was the one thing that can be said with clarity about the phenomenon that is Kolaveri Di – that the song continues, inexplicably, to transcend boundaries. Non-Tamil speakers were singing the song (in their bathrooms as well as on stage) much before they understood the lyrics. They don’t understand it even now, except that ‘Kolaveri’ means “murderous rage” but is intended light-heartedly. The nonsensical ‘Tanglish’ (TamilEnglish) song with street-speak words, is sung (or borderline sung!) by a slightly inebriated youth to a girl who has just dumped him.
‘She’s fair of face but dark of heart’: convert this sentiment to the most basic of words, in the simplest of phrases, and you have Kolaveri Di: White skin girl, heart black. And again: Eyes full of tears, empty life, life reverse gear.
Its composers (singer-actor Dhanush and his cousin Anirudh Ravichander) have admitted they composed the tune in 10 minutes and wrote the lyrics in 20.
A rough cut video version of the song which was released on YouTube became such a hit that it was put down as the final version. The simple lyrics, the broken English, the dumped-boy angst, all somehow contributed to its popularity. In no time, the entire nation was singing it, and applying versions of it to Sachin Tendulkar’s missed milestone century, politicians’ antics, and anything and everything else they could think of.
Use the search words Sydney Kolaveri in YouTube to check out the Pitt St flash mob
(Mandeep Raje and Aditya Apte used their car to help jump start!)
5th Feb, Sunday was the next big joint rehearsal.
Ankit offered his car park for practise. (We hired a generator for the practise - no more flat car batteries). 45 dancers now. Passers-by stopped and watched for ages. Sachin Saraf, gem of a guy, played ‘nanny’, as everyone dumped their kids on him. Everyone was helping, in their own silent way.
The last practise session summed up the rehearsals. Clocks were synchronized, timings were set in stone, logistics were sorted out, the formation, meeting place…. all was agreed on. The weather was the only unknown and unplanned aspect. It was agreed, rain or no rain, the show must go on!
9th Feb, Thursday, last day contacts were made to the Police and City of Sydney Council. All good to go! Over 50 in the mob now, including four Aussies, one Japanese, two Chinese, and several Sri Lankans.
10
downcast, but not our spirits, especially as the appointed time, 4.00pm, drew near. We had all been praying for the rain to stop. And, guess what, it did, just a few minutes before show time!
I had left the computer in hibernate mode. (The music was on it). As I opened it at 3.55pm - it had switched off! I had to restart. It seemed to take ages to respond, and I was stressed as crazy. Finally it worked, and I was relieved. The flash mob started exactly 10 seconds after 4:00pm.......right on cue as per our plan. (The people who spoke to me in those 4 minutes, must have
Amidst cheers of encouragement from the gathering crowd, a huge group of people were dancing - dancing not for fame, not to promote themselves or anyone, but simply to spread joy!
There were over 50 in the mob, including four Aussies, one Japanese, two Chinese, and several Sri Lankans.
For the first time in Victoria, a government school in Cranbourne will teach Hindi to the students for LOTE. The Rangebank Primary School recently embarked on this exciting challenge to teach an Indian language to all its students from prep to Grade 6.
“India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and holds a wealth of opportunities for Victoria and Victorians, which is why it’s vital we continue to build relationships with Asia, and particularly India,” said Education Minister Mr Martin Dixon while visiting Rangebank Primary recently.
“Many Victorian government schools are strengthening students’ understanding of Asian history and culture, including teaching a range of languages such as Japanese, Mandarin and Indonesian, but until now Hindi has not been one of them,” stated Mr. Dixon.
“I am delighted to be here with the teachers today to witness the final preparations for the new Hindi program and I look forward to hearing how the classes are progressing throughout the year,”
he added, speaking from the school. Rangebank Primary School’s Principal Colin Avery said there was a buzz among teachers preparing for the Hindi program. “Everyone is really excited about this new challenge, which we think will really benefit our students,” said Mr Avery.
Pooja Verma who teaches in Rangebank Primary agrees. “We have recently started preparing our school for this momentous step.
Right from the Principal Mr Avery, who was mainly instrumental in getting this going, to other teachers, parents and students, everyone is looking forward to learning and understanding Hindi. To begin with we intend to start with prep, grade 1 and grade 2, and eventually this will be rolled out to other classes as well,” disclosed Pooja.
Young Pooja migrated to Melbourne nearly five years ago from India’s capital city, New Delhi. She is a qualified teacher and has experience in teaching primary and middle schools in Delhi. In her current teaching role at Rangebank Primary School, she will be mainly
responsible for the Hindi classes.
“Our Principal Mr. Avery has been to India and loves the tradition, culture and language there. He believes that Hindi is one of the most scientific languages of the world, and India will soon be a very vital part of the global
economy,” said Pooja. According to her, Mr. Avery and his team are also planning to set up a sister school relationship with India soon, where students will have an opportunity to share their experiences and learn from each other.
“This is the first time a
Government school will be teaching Hindi in Victoria and we need all the support and guidance we can get from the Indian and mainstream community to ensure the success of this initiative,” added Pooja.
extremely well placed to take advantage of growth in global markets, particularly Asia”.
The trade mission will include ten major sectors of the Victorian economy including automotive, aviation and aerospace, cleantech, education, food and beverage, ICT, life sciences, professional services, sustainable urban design and tourism.
engage with businesses in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune from 21 to 26 February.
Premier Ted Baillieu headed out to India on 20 Feb with Victoria’s largest-ever trade mission to India. He took with him more than 220 Victorian companies to boost Victoria’s two-way trade and investment partnership with Indian businesses and the Indian community.
Upon hi sdeparture Mr Baillieu said this trade mission would focus on Victoria’s strengths to generate more jobs for Victorians and substantial new export opportunities and investment for Victorian businesses.
“The program will also build on the strengths of the growing Indian community based in Victoria to further broaden cultural ties through tourism, film, education, sport and other
linkages,” Mr Baillieu added.
“India’s rapid economic expansion – which saw its GDP grow by 8.5 per cent in 2010-11 – offers significant opportunities to grow Victoria’s trade and investment partnerships with India. Victoria is not waiting, but doing everything in its power to capitalise on new opportunities in high growth markets, particularly India and China. There is extraordinary growth occurring and Victoria is moving quickly”.
“This is part of the Coalition Government’s economic strategy which has a major focus on trade engagement and expansion into new markets to create jobs and investment,” he added. “Victoria –with its diverse economic strengths and strong multicultural base – is
Senior economic ministers will also attend the trade mission including Minister for Innovation, Services & Small Business and Tourism & Major Events, Louise Asher, Minister for Manufacturing, Exports & Trade, Richard DallaRiva, and Minister for Technology and for the Aviation Industry, Gordon Rich-Phillips.
“More than 300 company and institutional leaders will be a part of this trade mission,” Mr Baillieu said.
“They are leaders and innovators in their respective fields and about two-thirds of them will be discovering India as a new market for the first time.”
This mission will build on the successful trade mission to India involving 60 companies that was led in April this year by Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher. That trade mission is estimated to have generated more than $63 million in new exports, $19 million in capital investment and more than 500 jobs in Victoria.
The Super Trade Mission will
The Victorian Coalition Government has secured the future of the International Student Welcome Desk at Melbourne Airport, committing $150,000 over three years as part of a package to support one of Victoria’s most competitive strengths.
Premier Ted Baillieu announced the commitment on 20 Feb prior to his departure to India with Victoria’s largest-ever trade mission.
Mr Baillieu said the Welcome Desk complemented a range of other Coalition Governmentfunded services including the 24hour International Student Care Service, Study Melbourne website, tailored information days and the Culture Card program.
“We are world leaders in the international student market, and that is why our education service providers are strongly represented in the Super Trade Mission delegation,” Mr Baillieu said.
“For the first time the entire Victorian post-school public education sector will be together in India, including six Vice Chancellors and numerous TAFE chief executives.”
International education is
Victoria’s largest services export, contributing $4.8 billion to the state’s economy each year and responsible for an estimated 50,000 Victorian jobs. More than 160,000 international students from 165 countries were enrolled in Victorian education institutions by the end of November 2011.
London-based organisation QS recently announced its first global grading of major international student cities with Melbourne ranked fourth only to Paris, London and Boston.
The International Student Welcome Desk is staffed by a team of volunteers from a range of backgrounds, who provide advice and free welcome packs to arriving students. It is now open at Melbourne Airport’s international arrivals hall until 26 February and will operate again during July in the lead-up to semester two. The Coalition Government is a major partner in the Student Welcome Desk along with the City of Melbourne and Melbourne Airport.
The $150,000 funding is part of a $2 million package provided under the Government’s Victoria: Leader in Learning initiative announced in May last year, which is aimed at driving further productivity for the state’s international education sector and highlights the extensive support and outreach programs available to international students who study, live and work in Victoria.
BY PRIYANKA TATER
Acatchy tune, Bollywood star Sharman Joshi dancing to it, and to top it off, making a penguin shake a leg too in a dance-off…
This is the latest 7UP commercial from PepsiCo. So, big deal, you say! Well, for me it is, as I harbour some fond memories attached with this commercial. The ad was filmed right here in Sydney not so long ago, directed by renowned Australian director Damien Toogood. No, I wasn’t one of those bystanders trying to catch a glimpse of the shoot… I was actually a part of the shoot!
Here, I suggest, you log on to YouTube and see the ad for yourselves.
That pretty young lady (oops! I seem to have shed off my modesty already!) in pink standing with her ‘screen’ family, inquisitively staring at the penguin, is moi! And now having trumpeted my presence in the television commercial, I owe you a share of my wonderful experience.
The Dil Bole I Feel UP ad for 7UP was shot over a two-day period in Sydney on the same location where the Channel Ten show The Renovators was filmed. Apart from the brand ambassador (Sharman in this case), the casting required an Indian family (husband, wife and son), a young college girl, a Japanese couple and yes, ‘The Penguin’.
With the exception of the first and last characters, all of us were auditioned and once selected, we were asked to go in for the dress rehearsal a day before the shoot. While the director approved all the other costumes and looks at once, my character (the Indian mom) proved to be a problem child. Beige, pink or lavender… what kurti should the Indian mom be wearing? Denims, capris or cotton pants…what should be the bottoms? After some creative brainstorming, beige and denim were given the nod of approval. But alas, this was not going to be so easy!
After a quick brekkie, the crew was busy setting up the equipment and looking into all the necessary detailing that a film shoot requires, while the cast got caked up. I was already feeling like a star with all the debate and creative exchanges revolving around my dress, yet again! ‘What should the Indian mom wear?’ This time the agency wanted a bright colour, while the director had earlier zeroed in on the beige. So here I was in and out of the dressing room, sashaying to all the possible permutations and combinations of various colours and tops and bottoms. Finally, finally - the pink kurti and beige trousers were the chosen ones!
This was not the only attention coming my way. I was the only Indian on set aware of the status of Bollywood star Sharman Joshi and his resume, and had plenty to keep myself busy as I courted a rally of questions from my fellow cast members. How big a star is he? What movies has he done? Is he a good actor? Is he very famous
in India? Is he as big as Shah Rukh Khan? (Idiots, I said to them… you know, 3 Idiots, the Aamir Khan movie – Sharman was the guy that jumped, to protect his mates). For someone who’s been literally living off Bollywood for the past few years (as an entertainment journalist in India), I regurgitated all my Bollywood gyaan and loaded them with facts and figures.
But the answer to one question remained even beyond my understanding - is he flying down from India only for a day to shoot this ad, that too indoors? I confess that question had been on my mind as well. But now having seen the final version on-air with the latest in CGI (computer generated imagery) and motion capture technology, who’s complaining or rather questioning!
Soon our ‘Bollywood star’ arrived. Unassuming, calm and composed, Sharman acknowledged our presence with a gentle smile and walked straight to the set; he meant business. Yes, he knew he had only a day and lots and lots of dancing to do. So here we sat watching Sharman perfect his dance moves. Have to give credit to our Bollywood training, it makes dancing a piece of cake for our desi actors…. Sharman was no different. With no ‘starry’ breaks, the actor was truly a treat to watch as he tried to perfect every move and every expression. Matching steps with the famous Hollywood choreographer Simon Lind of Happy Feet 2 fame ain’t easy, but our desi boy Sharman did it with ease and élan.
So when finally it was the turn of the rest of the cast to come into the frame, we felt the excitement running through our veins. While
Sharman’s dance-off with the (imaginary) Penguin continued, we did bit of acting. Day 1 ended with the last shot in the ad, the ‘claps’ (deservedly so for our star performer!)
Having had a sumptuous breakfast, Day 2 was sans Sharman as he had done his bit and flown back to India. So we continued shooting our parts to perfection. It was a comparatively shorter day for us as we wrapped up post-lunch. However the crew was still working on the CGI and all the technical detailing. What professionalism!
Just two days and we had already become like family, chatting, having fun and working hard too. So now that it was time to say goodbye, the heart felt some weight. With hugs and kisses and lots of wishes, we parted ways with the hope of meeting someday, somewhere, maybe for yet another
shoot. Till then, when I look back at the experience, all I can say is, “Dil Bole I Feel UP!”
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Joshi said in a statement about the ad, “The 7UP philosophy of Dil Bole I Feel UP reflects the mood of our country at the moment, and how we always manage to stay positive”. Cheers to that…. 7UP anyone? While the director approved all the other costumes and looks at once, my character (the Indian mom) proved to be a problem child.
UTTAM MUKHERJEE
Rituranga, a well-known work of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, offers interpretations of the various seasons and illustrates their rhythm and meaning. Tagore identified six seasons: summer (grishma), monsoon (barsha), early autumn (sharat), late autumn (hemanta), winter (sheeth) and spring (basanta). The work has been presented as a stage production incorporating both song and dance on many an occasion, but for Sydney’s Gurudev fans, another opportunity to soak in the Nobel laureate’s talents cannot be passed by.
The Kalamandalam Dance Troupe of Kolkata presented Rituranga at the Redgum Function Centre in Wentworthville in early February. Their version blended beautifully the dance forms of kathak, bharatnatyam, kuchipudi, mohiniattam, as well as others. The dancers performed solo and in groups depicting the rhythms,
emotions and forms of each of the seasons. For example the thundering and dark days of monsoon were brilliantly performed, and so was the chill of winter. Music was composed by Debashi Saha and the dances were choreographed by Govindan Kutty and Thankamani. The narration of the seasons was done by renowned Bengali actor, Sabyasachi Chakraborty.
The Kalmandalam Dance Troupe was established in 1968, by Govindan Kutty and Thankamani. It showcases various dance forms such as bharatnatyam, kathakali, mohiniattam, kathak, and kuchipudi. Although Govindan was born in a village in Kerala he has based his works in Bengal. The duo, through their commitment, brought and popularised South Indian performing arts in Bengal. They combined Tagore’s music and compositions to the rhythm of dancing feet. This has been the mission of the Kutty family, and remains strong even now.
The Sydney program was organised with the encouragement and support from the Government of India, the ACT government, Bengali
Association of NSW, Bengali Cultural Association Canberra and Sydneybashi.
As a wonderful ‘warm up’ to Rituranga, two other presentations in classical dance were made, this time by local artistes. Shruti Ghosh, the first performer, gave a kathak recital, based on raag bhairavi. One of the eight forms of Indian classical dance, it was interesting to learn that ‘kathak’ literally means ‘storyteller’. The dance involves abhinay (acting), raasa (emotions), mudras (gestures and body movements), among other aspects within the dance.
Very recently I had the pleasure of listening to an instrumental CD by Sydneybased sitarist Nicky Gill, titled Raag Kirwani The disc runs for just over 20 minutes during which time Nicky plays four ragas for short intervals. She is accompanied by Dr. Tarlochan Singh on the tabla.
This is Nicky’s debut CD. She is learning her music from Dr. Tarlochan Singh at present. Her main guru is Ustad Sarshar Khan, well known in our community’s music circles. Nicky plays the
sitar in light classical style, and has played at several hotels and restaurants and at mehfils of the Chamber Music variety. Nicky also sings ghazals and songs at musical get-togethers. She is understood to have been initiated into music for nearly 20 years.
It is appropriate to mention that this compact disc has earpleasing music. Nicky has a simple style of playing without attempting to go to great depths with alaap, jod and gat which might need elaborate sanchar in her chosen ragas. She has not attempted to play gamakas with her instrument either. She has strictly adhered to her tals and beats and her flow is steady. The duration of each raga played obviously offers limited scope to develop them to lend aesthetic beauty. This might well be her aim
for the future as her sitar playing evolves with time and experience. Nicky’s rendering of Raag Kirwani in Teen taal (with 16 beats), the highlight of the album, goes on for just over 6 minutes. It also affords a little more opportunity to the tabla to introduce variations. Nicky’s application to her craft shows through and she demonstrates good control without losing the tonal quality. Her playing of Raga Darbari, Bhimpalasi and Kalyan follow the prescribed notes of the tunes, without a blemish. All three are set to Keherva Tal (4 beats) and played for 3 to 5 minutes.
Nicky hopes to play at a semi-professional level in the ensuing years, which may necessitate building her repertoire and attain a greater versatility of her style.
Dr Lalita Venkatraman divided her recital into three segments: portraying India’s beauty, a glimpse into the eight classical dances of India, and a salute, at the end, to the Motherland through Vande Mataram. Lalita has a Masters degree in classical dance from the Arts Society in Mumbai and has performed with renowned dancers in various places across the globe. Both performers were exquisite in their presentations, inspiring and enjoyable.
first, the video would not play; many heads were put together and finally it was all resolved. Not for long though, as there was another mix-up midway, and the show had to be stalled for a while. Luckily though, few complained and the large crowd waited patiently. The crowd was largely appreciative. Unbelievably not one mobile phone went off during the performances!
It was an evening well spent. The vibrant colours and rhythm of the dances
BY SUJITH KRISHNAN
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is going Indian in February, celebrating the success of the world-renowned movie mogul Raj Kapoor through an event titled ‘Focus on Raj Kapoor’, from Feb 14 – March 16, 2012 in Melbourne. Organized by Co-ordinating Curator James Nolen, in collaboration with TIFF Lightbox, Canada, the festival has recently done its rounds successfully in the United Kingdom and Canada. This event would feature 13 of Raj Kapoor’s eternal classics such as Boot Polish, Aag, Barsaat, Shree 420 and Bobby, to name a few.
Cinema connoisseur Nolen disclosed the reasons behind bringing this fete to Melbourne. Fascinated by the era when
the Raj Kapoor classics came out, Nolen says, “I believe that Kapoor was a multi-faceted talent who gave Bollywood cinema a whole new dimension at the time.”
Kapoor has a huge following in Asia, Russia and the Middle East, but is a relative unknown in Australia. Nolen believes that the festival would cast a spell on the audience since there is now a greater degree of cross-cultural exchange between Australia and India with people from both sides attempting to seek a better awareness of each other’s soft power that includes history, cinema, cuisine and trends.
As for the target audience, Nolen firmly believes that the festival would witness multi-generation Indians as well as movie enthusiasts from various other communities.
On whether the festival would have garnered more attention had the spotlight been on a more commercially viable star such as the Big B, Nolen makes a point saying, “ACMI is a
cultural organisation with the objective of solely embracing and promoting quality cinema rather than revenue”. Being quite knowledgeable about Indian cinema, Nolen says, “I am aware that films are longer in duration with song and dance sequences thrown in, but musicals are very much in vogue now. Take the popular television series Glee, for example; I have faith that the Melbourne audience will embrace these period films with open arms.”
When asked if the festival which runs for a month is a tad too long, Nolen claims, “People are busy these days and it has been spread out for a month so that they have the time to plan their dates accordingly and return to catch the films without upsetting their routines.”
An avid movie buff, Nolen is aware of the fact that quality cinema also exists in other parts of India, and aspires to watch a big movie in India someday to experience the buzz and frenzy that one has come to associate
with the Indian movie fanatic. He rates Boot Polish his favourite out of the 13 Raj Kapoor films on exhibit.
In the future, ACMI proposes to put together a series of films made by Satyajit Ray and also has plans of doing a career retrospective on the Big B, but adds that India needs to start preserving their movie classics which would only benefit the industry in gaining more mileage on the international scene.
“I believe that Kapoor was a multifaceted talent who gave Bollywood cinema a whole new dimension at the time.”
James Nolen
The legendary actor’s legacy lives on not just through his future generations, but through a series of unique and unforgettable movies
BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND
Alock of hair could quite literally hold the key! A significant discovery by Indian origin researcher Dharmica Mistry has led to a novel approach in the war against breast cancer.
Affecting women of all ages, the dreaded killer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with one in eleven at risk of developing the disease.
Currently doctors use what is known as the “triple test” to identify potential breast cancer patients. Based on family history, it could typically include physical examination, mammogram, ultrasound or MRI and biopsy.
In the future, Mistry’s exciting new findings could well provide a safe and viable alternative to these painful tests – one that is suitable for women of all ages.
The PhD student at Macquarie University’s Australian School of Advanced Medicine has identified that women with breast cancer have higher levels of phospholipids (fat derivatives) in their bloodstream that can be detected in their hair.
“The theory behind this biology,” Dharmica told Indian Link, “is that the cancer secretes lipids into the bloodstream which are taken up by the hair follicle and incorporated into the patient’s hair. Lipids are found in hair cell membranes as well as on the exterior of the hair shaft (a result of sebum and hair products).”
According to Mistry, the particular lipids of interest are the internal ones. “Even though lipids are found in hair cells, what we are looking for is an increase in breast cancer-associated lipids,” she clarified.
Although the correlation between breast cancer and change in hair structure was first noted by Veronica James in 1999, Mistry has finally identified the actual molecules that cause this change.
“Initially we assumed it was a protein change in the hair that is associated with breast cancer,” she stated. “However in 2009, we discovered that it was actually a lipid that was giving rise to the changed x-ray diffraction pattern.”
This discovery, in fact, was quite
accidental. Naturally inquisitive, Mistry analysed samples of her own hair to find telltale rings quite similar to diseased ones, even though she is cancer-free.
“It all came to light from using my hair as a normal control for the x-ray diffraction studies. My hair exhibited the change we see in a cancer patient’s hair, and I had been using olive oil as a conditioner. Olive oil is a lipid, and when I stopped applying it to my hair, the pattern reverted to a normal one,” she explained.
“This triggered further investigation and we were able to convincingly demonstrate that one or more lipids were responsible for the breast cancer feature in the diffraction pattern,” continued Mistry.
Based on her hypothesis, a group of researchers have now developed a test to identify altered cell structures in women with breast cancer.
“To develop a screening test for breast cancer, we cut a sample of the patient’s hair, close to the scalp, and extract the lipids from the hair.
We then use a technique called mass spectrometry to analyse the samples,” she explained.
Supervised by Macquarie University’s Dr Peter French and Professor Mark Connor, the work
is being funded by SBC Research Limited, a private company set up in 2010 to explore the use of both x-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry of hair to eventually develop the test for breast cancer.
Mistry, who has been researching this specific area since 2008, believes that the technology could definitely be used as a supplement to mammography and has the potential to replace mammography, if ascertaining the specific lipids involved increased the accuracy.
SBC is currently in the midst of a clinical trial to firstly, identify the lipids involved and then to determine the accuracy of a test based on those lipids.
“To this end, we have been collecting hair from clinics in Sydney and have been using the mass spectrometry facilities of Metabolomics Australia in Melbourne,” said Mistry.
Currently her team is also working on finding the association between the tumour stage and the level of lipid found in hair.
As yet, commercialisation is still a couple of years away, she admitted. “We still need to conduct extensive studies to confirm the accuracy of using this technology to detect breast cancer. However, if we are successful, the
potential is enormous”.
The current standard screening system (mammography) is not routinely available for women under the age of 50 for a range of reasons. “However, once we have developed a sensitive, specific and non-invasive test using hair, it is possible that this will become a universal screening test for women of all ages,” she added hopefully.
Human biology and all its diverse aspects, particularly the way the brain functions, fascinate the young researcher. “It is extremely compelling and constantly challenging,” says the UK born Mistry who has a degree in Microbiology. “In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what research was about until my fourth year at Sydney University,” she admitted candidly.
“Studying strange bacteria that live in eucalypt trees, I found they could infect humans too. I learnt so much that year and found that real science is all about thinking outside the square and pushing the boundaries - and all that is possible in research”.
A positive outcome of SBC’s clinical trials could provide a highly sensitive and painless test for breast cancer, with the potential to significantly reduce the probability of death.
The PhD student has identified that women with breast cancer have higher levels of phospholipids (fat derivatives) in their bloodstream that can be detected in their hair.
A positive outcome of SBC’s clinical trials could provide a highly sensitive and painless test for breast cancer, with the potential to significantly reduce the probability of death.
As top predators, wild cats may be at the pinnacle of the food chain; sadly they are kings of the jungle no more. Human monopoly, poaching and indiscriminate commercialisation have invaded their territory, pushing the big cats to near extinction.
But Homo sapiens could well have a chance to atone for past mistakes and re-establish a more sustainable planet, where all creatures great and small co-exist.
Making a significant breakthrough in the battle to save the endangered species, a new finding by an Indian researcher at Melbourne’s Monash University has opened the door to conservation and regeneration.
32 year old Rajneesh Verma has successfully produced “embryonic stem-like cells” from the tissue of an adult snow leopard.
Ear tissue samples were collected from a snow leopard at New South Wales’ Mogo Zoo and then manipulated to behave like embryonic stem cells. These cells can now help scientists understand the developmental biology of the creature.
While this technique has been previously effective with mice and white rhinos, this is the first time it is being employed for the cat family.
Verma’s findings are the culmination of a two-year research project at Monash Institute of Medical Research (MIMR). The Indian PhD student, who was supervised by Dr Paul Verma, worked in conjunction with Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith of Monash University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, as well as Professor Michael Holland of the University of Queensland.
The path-breaking results were recently published in Theriogenology, an internationally acclaimed journal for animal reproductive biologists.
“Otherwise known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), the technique can create any cell in the body, including reproductive cells or gametes,” an upbeat Verma told Indian Link
His breakthrough is particularly significant due to the difficulty of obtaining gametes, even from animals in captivity. Previously, the only way to harvest cells was to take embryonic stem cells from snow leopard embryos. For conservationists, captive breeding and in vitrio-fertilisation are currently the only options; but besides being costly and painfully invasive, they are plagued by problems such as inbreeding and low fertility.
“Once embryonic stem-like cells are created, they can be used as a donor cell to increase the efficiency of cloning or can be matured into eggs or sperm – making them essential building blocks for assisted reproductive technologies,” he further explained.
“The greatest advantage of this technology is that it is noninvasive. I know there is a lot of opposition to cloning and manipulating the environment. But if science can save some species from extinction, why not use it in a positive way,” Verma added.
According to Verma, this exciting new research on what has been dubbed as “potential test tube cubs” could also be extended to other threatened species. Verma is already working to replicate his success with other wild cats including the Bengal tiger, serval and jaguar.
The Lucknow lad’s obsession with wild cats goes a long way. “As a child growing up in India, I was always fascinated by these exotic species. I enjoyed going to the zoo and watching them, hoping to one day work with them,” he reminisced. And the fact that their numbers were rapidly dwindling, spurred him to act.
His only professional regret is the fact that his research specimens are normally sedated. “I enjoy patting them. Unfortunately, I can’t play with them like one would with cats or dogs,” he laments.
When his family migrated to Australia after his HSC, Verma opted to pursue a degree in biotechnology. In 2003, he joined Monash University working on bovine cloning. Over the years, he has diversified in all the veterinary reproductive techniques, including IVF, stem cells and cloning.
“To me, science is about always taking risks and entering uncharted territories with the aim of finding answers and cutting edge technologies,” said Verma.
As a PhD student, Verma therefore was keen to start research on the wildcat project even before the funding came through. “For me, this project was an opportunity to do something for the wild cats, but something for India as well, because tigers
are such an integral part of Indian ethos,” he stated.
“Fortunately, with the support of Professor Bryan Williams, Director of Monash Institute of Medical Research, I received an institute scholarship to conduct this exciting work and things fell into place,” he continued.
Prompted by his recent breakthrough, Verma is already in talks with Indian conservation experts and forestry department officials, and hopes to one day establish a research centre for the conservation of India’s national animal.
“My research holds great potential for the Bengal tiger, to save the species from declining in numbers. Hopefully some fruitful collaboration could work out soon,” he added.
“By generating stem cells we’ve taken the first step in creating reproductive cells from adult tissues of an endangered animal. In the future, we aim to harness the potential of the iPS cells and create offspring. This would help save species from extinction,” he concluded.
However, as the double edged sword of funding and ethics hangs over the issue, Verma admitted that the dream of breeding endangered species in labs using artificial embryonic stem cells could still be years away.
For conservationists, captive breeding and in vitriofertilisation are currently the only options; but besides being costly and painfully invasive, they are plagued by problems such as inbreeding and low fertility.Rajneesh Verma
After a phase of decline in Indian students going to Australia, the continent nation is once again registering a rise in number of students applying for admissions to its universities.
Talking to IANS on the sidelines of a press meet, Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese said around 30 percent increase has been noticed in number of applications for Australian universities so far.
“There has been a significant increase in number of applications received and the number of students applying for universities in Australia. The increase is almost 30 percent compared to last year,” Varghese said.
A major decline was noted in the number of Indian students going to Australia in 2010-11.
“Compared to the peak years of 2008 and 2009, there was nearly 40 percent drop,” Varghese said. The decline came close at heels with a number of incidents of violent attacks on Indian students in Australia. Varghese, however, said the incidents were not the main reason behind the decline.
“There was decline not just in the number of Indian students but in the number of international students from all countries. It was because of the overall economic scenario, and high (Australian) dollar value,” he said.
Ted Baillieu, the premier of Australia’s Victoria province, who is visiting India, also said that the number of students from India was increasing following special steps from the Australian government.
“We have started to see an increase again. The state has taken steps to ensure safety of the students and we are very serious about it,” Baillieu said, replying to a query.
“There is more patrolling, more police presence. We have taken it seriously,” he said.
More than 100 incidents of attacks against Indian students have been reported in 2009 and 2010 in Australia, mainly in its Victoria province.
Varghese says new visa rules are attracting more applications.
“The new visa rules allow students to stay for a few years after completing their degree and work, so more students are applying,” he says.
The new visa rules announced last year allow students to stay back from two to four years after getting degrees and also allow them to work.
Canberra had earlier tightened visa regime for Indian students, stating that a number of them come to Australia to settle down by taking admissions in non-skilled vocational courses like cookery and hair-cutting. It had implied that this was one of the reasons for a series of attacks on Indian youths here.
Akshay Desai, who studied medicine in India, has been made the chief of the Republican Party of Florida’s finance committee.
“...I am grateful that Desai has agreed to accept this crucial role,” said RPOF’s chairperson Lenny Curry.
“In this election year, we need the resources for victory, and Desai’s long history of work for the state and our party make him a proven leader. A.K. and I are
ready to roll up our sleeves and win,” a statement quoted Curry as saying.
Desai has been a member of the Florida State Board of Education since 2007.
He received his medical degree in India, and earned his Master’s in Public Health Administrative Medicine from the George Washington University.
Desai is currently president and CEO of Universal Health Care Group, which he founded in 2002, and serves the health care community through several associations. He previously served as commissioner and chairman of the Health Committee on the White House Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders 2005-08.
Kamal Bawa, an Indian-born professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is the 2012 winner of the Gunnerus Sustainability Award, the world’s first major international award for work on sustainability.
Bawa will receive the Gunnerus Gold Medal and the award of 1 million Norwegian Kronor (about $190,000) at a ceremony in Trondheim, Norway, the university said citing a Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS) announcement.
Bawa, also a faculty fellow at the Centre for Governance and Sustainability, home of the Global Environmental Governance Project, is known for his research on population biology in rainforest areas. His span of work includes biological discoveries made in Central America, the Western Ghats, and the Himalayas in India.
He is also noted for founding, and serving as president, of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a non-profit conservation and development research think tank in Bangalore.
“I am very pleased over the recognition that our work has received,” Bawa was
quoted as saying in an interview with a Norwegian newspaper.
“In January, 2011, a University of Pennsylvania study ranked ATREE #19 among the environmental think tanks in the world, and implicitly #1 in Asia, and now the Gunnerus Award - I am naturally very happy.”
Until recently, Bawa held the Ruffolo Giorgio Fellowship in Sustainability Science and Bullard Fellowship at Harvard University.
The Gunnerus award is the first major international prize for outstanding scientific work that promotes sustainable development globally, and will be awarded every two years.
The award is named after DKNVS’ founder, Bishop Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718-1773), and is the result of collaboration between DKNVS, Sparebank1, SMN, and the society Technoport.
The 21st century metropolis of Delhi is kind of ruthless, clockwork and committed to the cause of furthering a new India. Its professional soul is a far cry from the lazy days of the early 20th century when the city lived in its horse shows, grand balls, jazz parties, nightclubs and tea rooms, says an Australia-based Indian writer and researcher.
Nayantara Pothen, who lives in Sydney, has documented the lifestyle of early 20th century Delhi in her debut non-fiction, Glittering Delhi: New Delhi in Love and War (Penguin India) to mark 100 years of the capital.
“The lifestyle of Delhi in the 19th century and early 20th century (till the 1930s) was hierarchical. Relationships between Indians and the British were kept separate. In the middle of the 20th century, friendships between the British and Indians flourished with the breaking down of walls between
the whites and the natives,” Pothen said in New Delhi recently.
The British, “who were coming out in the 20th century from England were socialists and were interested in equality”, the writer said.
“They did didn’t believe in the British empire the way the 19th century ‘sahibs’ did. There were more intermingling and some good friendships continued even after independence. One such example is friendship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Lord Mountbatten. Even Khushwant Singh maintained his friendships with the British after independence,” Pothen said.
Pothen’s chronicle brings alive the capital’s social life between 1931 and 1952.
The new capital was inaugurated in 1931, 16 years before independence. The decade following the unveiling of the capital was one of transition - from the colonial to chaos and then the post-colonial, shaken by the struggle for freedom.
Some of the biggest events on the social calendar were the Delhi Horse Show week in February which ended with the coveted Viceroy’s Ball.
Once the magic of the horse show wore off in the 1930s, the residents of Delhi - which also included a sprinkling of Americans - warmed up to the idea of midnight dances. Golf and tennis were popular sports of government officers and society crowd.
“You had restaurants like Venger’s in Connaught Place which hosted tea dances with jazz bands. People went there in the late afternoon...The guest lists were usually mixed and by the 1940s, the native Indians and British were found sitting and dancing together,” the writer said.
It was a funny situation in the 1940s, Pothen said.
“The hierarchical clubs like the Gymkhana Club opened doors to token Indian members to come in, but with their wives... Many of the older Indian women were not comfortable with ballroom dancing. After
1947, the Punjabis began to come to Delhi and the club started to change,” Pothen said.
“The (Punjabi) men with long hair had to wear bathing caps...and Indian members had to present their social and financial credentials,” the writer said.
Inter-marriages were few and most of the mixed couples were found in the clubs during the 1930s and 1940s.
“The Indian families, where mixed weddings took place, were quite Westernised. The British men complained that the Indian families, despite their proximity to the colonial lot, were not modern but were very politically evolved...,” Pothen said.
The writer, who was born to a Malayali father and a north Indian mother from Dehradun, was inspired to write the book after she stumbled upon a photograph of her grandmother - glamorously attired - at a nightclub.
“I saw the photograph...and I thought what was this lovely Punjabi woman usually dressed in ‘salwar-kameez’ doing in a nightclub. I thought there is a story here. I went to the National Archives, Teen Murti Bhavan and London looking for papers, history and resource,” Pothen said.
In Delhi, the colonial legacy still remains. “It is something people grapple with and struggle with and deal with. I think colonialism gave India some tools for independence. The English language does in a way pull all corners of India,” she said.
The writer is currently working on the
history of “diplomatic ties between India and Australia in 1940”.
For NRIs, Lucknow is a harbinger of change in UP
“I was mesmerised by the change,” says an excited Sifat Khan, a 21-year-old who grew up in Australia and visited poll-bound Lucknow this winter after four years. She was thrilled to find recreation spots, malls, well-lit roads and a changing lifestyle - not to mention the renovated commercial hub of Hazratganj.
Brainstorming by political parties may be in full swing in the current elections in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populated state of over 200 million people and around 120 million voters. But many of those from the state who live abroad are impressed with the development work and applaud Chief Minister Mayawati’s efforts, saying it’s no mean feat in this erstwhile city of nawabs and currently at the heart of a fierce political battle for control of the country’s most politically consequential state.
“One thing that caught my eye was the Ambedkar Memorial Park,” said Sifat, a medicine student based in Brisbane.
“The enormous and magnificent place drips with creativity. I was in awe of the 62 huge elephant statues welcoming me,” said Sifat.
“Another great transformation was how organised Hazratganj has become! I clearly recall being stuck in traffic for hours witnessing street fights and brawls just to get
parking at this shopping centre. Now you see a wide expanded road with traffic lights and multi-storeyed parking and its shoppers delight,” she added.
Even though Maywati’s opponents are training the gun on her and say she has failed to bring development and has wasted and misused central government funds, outsiders are happy to see the new developments in the historical city, home to 4.5 million people, which is focusing on better infrastructure and safety.
For Sanjana Singh, travelling to the city of Lucknow from the US was a great experience.
“You keep hearing a lot of things on television but coming here gives a different picture. As an outsider you feel safe in the city and it offers good outing spots too.”
Many NRIs from Uttar Pradesh were holidaying in their native state in winter even as the state is in the middle of sevenphased assembly polls. Lucknow, which has a population of 4.5 million, voted recently.
Some local people complain that much of the construction work has benefited Mayawati’s brother who is in the construction business, but for Huma Khan, who works abroad as a consultant, what counts is the development effort in the city.
Hazratganj and Gomti Nagar area have changed remarkably, she said. “There are wide, three-laned, well-lit roads and there is the Ambedkar Smarak. It’s hard to believe it is the same Lucknow.”
And clearly they have a good word for
Mayawati, whose Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has been in power since 2007.
“Many chief ministers came and went, but it is only Mayawati who has tried to develop the city. The connectivity to the heart of the city (Hazrarganj) and the airport are a sea change compared to earlier days,” Huma Khan said.
The development is not centred in the state capital alone, points out London-based Samrat Basu, who used to dread travelling by road earlier. He says it is a delight to take a road trip between Lucknow and Banda now.
“My visit this time was exceptional. I started my journey from Delhi to Banda and I was very happy to catch the train UP Sampark Kranti. The journey was very comfortable and safe,” he said.
And he had a similar experience from Banda to Lucknow.
“The travel to Lucknow from Banda by train used to be a nightmare due to erratic departure timings and trouble in boarding. So this time someone suggested I travel by road. I was not confident, but was amazed to see the construction of a long bridge on the Yamuna river near Chilla Ghat. This particular improvement by the Uttar Pradesh government has connected Banda so well with many cities by road. It took us only four hours to reach Lucknow and we enjoyed the trip,” Basu said.
“I must thank Mayawatiji for her enormous contribution and vision to develop this city. We loved the advancement.”
“I hold the master key to power,” thundered Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at an election rally in Agra recently, in which she blasted Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing thousands at Kothi Meena Bazar ground, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief called upon Agra’s Dalits to vote for her if they wanted a Dalit to remain at the helm of affairs.
Calling Rahul Gandhi a “Yuvraj”, she said: “If you vote for the Congress, all the poor and unemployed would have to go to other states to earn their livelihood.”
A victory of the Samajwadi Party in the ongoing assembly elections would only usher in “goonda, badmash and mafia-run jungle raj”, she warned.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she said, would only bring back communal and feudal politics.
“The state under BSP has been free of communal tensions and people have lived in amity,” she said, referring to the five years since 2007 when the BSP took power on its own.
In her 50-minute speech, she made fun of the claims of other political outfits.
She accused the Congress-led central government of creating hurdles in Uttar Pradesh’s development.
“The high court benches in Meerut and Agra have to be cleared by the centre. Many of our financial problems are the result of centre’s lack of support,” Mayawati charged. Ending her speech on an emotive note, Mayawati said: “If you want a Dalit ki beti (Dalit’s daughter) as your chief minister again, vote for the BSP.” election manifestos.
businessmen would be without work if the Congress allowed foreign direct investment in retail sector.
had hurt the feelings of Dalits by ordering the covering up of elephant statues across Uttar Pradesh because the animal was the election symbol of her party.
And in a mocking tone, she thanked the media for giving the elephants and her party so much publicity for free.
In 2007, the BSP won six of nine seats in Agra district.
The Director General of Civil Aviation said it had asked crisis-hit carrier Kingfisher to come up with a revised flight schedule immediately and that it would be monitoring the airline which continued to operate a largely-truncated fleet.
Director General of Civil Aviation E.K. Bharat Bhushan met Sanjay Aggarwal, chief executive of the Vijay Mallya-promoted carrier to seek explanation from the airline.
The airline is currently operating only about 28 of its 64 planes.
“We don’t want customers to be affected. Currently they have 28 aircraft. Have asked them to come up with a revised schedule immediately,” Bhushan told reporters in New Delhi after meeting Aggarwal.
The regulator, however, ruled out any punitive action against Kingfisher at this point in time.
Kingfisher has virtually shut down its flights from Kolkata and brought down frequencies on several of its sectors, rendering many passengers stranded or opting for other carriers in spite of the last minute tickets costing a lot more.
“Kolkata station of Kingfisher, they have not had any flights since a couple of days.
by the management that the December salaries will be paid by the end of February and by March 20 they will be able to clear the salary and arrears of January.”
Kingfisher, on its part, said it hoped to increase the number of flights in the next few days.
“Most of the flights cancelled in the last few days will be in action in next four to five days,” said Aggarwal.
Operations of cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines continued to be disrupted even as the government reiterated that it will not bailout the Vijay Mallya-led carrier.
“Government is not going to give any bailout or ask the banks to bailout any private airline or any private industry for that matter,” Civil aviation minister Ajit Singh told reporters.
According to Singh, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is looking into the matter and is awaiting a reply from the airline.
“DGCA is inquiring into the matter. Our first concern is about the ongoing flights and that passenger safety should not be compromised. Let us see what reply they (Kingfisher Airlines) give,” Singh said.
Singh blamed the crisis on the airline management for not paying its employees as a reason behind the recent strike in Kolkata.
“They did not give salary to their employees for many months, people went on strike in Kolkata. Naturally, the flights got cancelled,” Singh said.
“We have called for the cancellation data from all over the country. They did not inform us of any cancellation plans,” DGCA director general E.K. Bharat Bhusan said.
“This is unprecedented act which has led
violated civil aviation requirements (CAR) regulations which ensures compensation to the passengers in case of denied boarding, cancellations and delays.
A KFA spokesperson blamed the flight disruptions on certain unexpected incidents like ‘bird hits’ which rendered its aircraft unserviceable.
The flight disruptions are expected to continue for a few more days, but the carrier has not shut down nor does it plan to close down any stations, the official said.
“The speculation that we are reducing our operating schedule from 240 flights a day are ill-founded, as we will operate the full schedule on our booking system soon,” the spokesperson added.
While admitting that its bank accounts have been attached by the Income Tax Department, KFA said in the past also similar issues have happened and they have been resolved.
The developments come after high fuel costs and falling revenue resulted in KFA losses in the third quarter of the current fiscal mounting to Rs.444 crore from a net loss of Rs.254 crore suffered in the like quarter of 2010-11.
As bells tolled in the temples of Lord Shiva recently, what emerged was a heartening story of healing wounds between Hindus and Muslims - wounds inflicted by years of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.
For the Hindus, better known as Kashmiri Pandits, Shivratri is the biggest festival on the calendar. And a scene that played out repeatedly this year in areas dominated by
“I couldn’t believe my eyes that it was Arshad, my childhood friend, who came to meet me on this big day of ours,” said Kuldeep Raina.
“Trust me, I am the happiest person today. It seems nothing has changed between us in all these years,” said Kuldeep.
Both Arshad Hussain and Kuldeep belong to village Akoor, near Mattan in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, some 60 km north of Srinagar. But due to militancy, Kuldeep had to leave for a camp in Jagti years ago.
Arshad said: “I knew Kuldeep was living here and I thought there could be no better day than this festival when I should visit my friend.”
For Kashmiri Hindus, nightlong prayers at home are followed by a visit to the temple on Shivratri. They also host a feast for friends the next day, known as Salam.
Until militancy broke out in 1989, it was common for Kashmiri Pandits to host lunches for their Muslim friends and neighbours. The Muslims used to look forward to delicacies like fish and mutton balls.
But all that changed after community members migrated to Jammu and other parts of the country.
More than 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits had come out of the valley, many of whom are still settled in Jammu. The Pandits have since suffered from a sense of injustice and persecution.
But the anger against militants and their sympathisers whom the Pandits blame for the forced life in exile - as Kashmiri Pandit leaders like Ashwani Churngoo call it - seems to have subsided, going by the sentiment among community members.
For instance, Mushtaq Ahmad waited for a Kashmiri Pandit family outside Ranishewar temple, housing an icon of Lord Shiva, in the rain, just to hug his friends and congratulate them.
Mushtaq, who is a government employee, went to the home of his friend Sushil Kaul in Janipur, but was told by neighbours that the family had gone to the temple. He headed straight for the shrine.
When Sushil and Mushtaq sighted each other, they couldn’t stop embracing. Tears rolled down their cheeks, retelling the story of two friends being back together on this “bor doh” or dig day.
Perhaps what made a difference this year was that many Kashmiri Pandit youths could go back to the valley after being specially recruited under the Prime Minister’s relief and rehabilitation package programme.
Community members surmised that the measure may have gone a long way in helping bring down the walls of mistrust and encouraging the two communities to reverse the clock to their good old days when they shared each other’s joys and sorrows.
Arshad and Kuldeep would certainly testify to that after partaking of their noon meal together.
After a six-year gap, a group of pilgrims from India recently celebrated Mahashivratri in a Hindu temple said to have been built more than 900 years ago.
Fifty Hindus from India marked the festival at Katasraj in Punjab province, reported the Daily Times.
The place is considered sacred due to a pond, which, according to Hindu mythology was formed from Lord Shiva’s tears.
It is also said that the Pandava brothers stayed in the temple region for four out of the 14 years they spent in exile.
The Indian delegation, which reached Lahore through the Wagah border, was met by Evacuee Trust Property Board Pakistan chairman Asif Hashmi. The delegation returns to India in a few days.
The report said the last delegation of Hindus visited Pakistan in 2006.
In 2006-07, Pakistan decided to place idols of Hindu gods in the temples and restore them to their original state to attract Hindu visitors.
“Minorities present here in Pakistan are given full freedom to celebrate their holy events,” Hindu Welfare Council Chairman Shiv Pratap Raj was quoted as saying.
It is not often that some 150 of India’s top corporate leaders visit Pakistan. And when that happened recently, led by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, it had the desired impact.
He was also the first Indian trade minister to visit Pakistan in more than three decades. Islamabad attached a lot of importance to the visit -- Sharma’s host and Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Mohammad Amin Fahim was at the border to receive him.
Realising the potential the two sides hold for bilateral trade -- estimated now at $2.7 billion officially, and some five-times more routed through third countries -- they decided it was time to move ahead and make it easier for at least commerce to flourish.
Given the long history of conflicts and distrust, there were no expectations from either side of an overnight change in relations. But the beginning was good -visible during the meetings between business leaders in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
“Ours is a history of missed opportunities. We certainly don’t want to leave behind the same environment for our children,” said Sharma.
“This is, indeed, a big step forward in
normailising business relations between two neighbours,” the minister told IANS here.
The visit was a high-point of the slow but steady progress that was being made over the past 10 months to strengthen trade and business ties beginning with the secretarylevel talks in Pakistani capital, and another round in New Delhi.
An important outcome last week was Islamabad’s commitment to grant mostfavoured nation (MFN) status to India by the end of this year -- which will pave the way for Pakistan to import four-times many more items from India.
India granted a similar status to Pakistan in 1996.
“We have prepared a roadmap -- a roadmap we are going to have a very good business and economic relations with India,” Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Makhdoom Mohammad Amin Fahim said, adding easier business visa and import norms were a part of this agenda.
The five-day visit, which also covered Pakistan’s commercial capital and port city of Karachi and Lahore, besides Islamabad, gave an opportunity for people to see one of the largest “India Shows” and attend several business conclaves.
The business delegates were visibly pleased by the outcome at these meetings.
“It’s not peace that leads to trade -- but it’s trade that leads to peace,” said R.V. Kanoria, president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).
Some of the tangible results were:
- Commitment to finalise by next month easier visa norms
- A dedicated Attari-Wagah gate by April 30 to facilitate movement of goods
- Look at export of petroleum products to Pakistan by Indian refineries
- Promise to look into investments by Pakistani businesses in India
- Look at reciprocal possibilities of Pakistani and Indian banks opening branches
India’s trade with Pakistan is just 0.5 percent of its total global trade. This is a far cry from 1947 when the two nations gained independence. India’s trade with Pakistan
then accounted for nearly 60 percent of its global engagement.
“As neighbours, we should be natural trading partners,” Sharma said adding this was reflected in the large volume of informal trade the businesses of the two sides engage in through third countries and illegal routes.
“There is no official figure but informal trade would be probably five times more,” said Sharma, referring to actual recorded figure of $2.7 billion in 2010-11 in which exports from India were valued at $2.3 billion and imports at around $400 million.
Looking forward the next few months are going to be busy, going by the commitments made. Officials from Indian and Pakistani central banks are to meet in Mumbai early next month to finalise the modalities for opening bank branches on reciprocal basis.
The first meeting of the expert group on trade in petroleum products will also be held in March in New Delhi to facilitate the export of transport fuels to Pakistan. There will also be a meeting of working group on trade in electricity in Lahore next month.
The commerce ministry also told the Pakistani side that it has already requested the finance ministry to consider foreign investment from Pakistan and bring about all the necessary changes changes in the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
On its part, Islamabad said it will move from a positive to negative list on items of import from India -- which means, only those items that are banned will be listed and all the other products can be freely imported.
These were not outcomes that can be brushed aside, business leaders said. Even the joint statement issued by Ministers Sharma and Fahim said reflected the business and political leadership of the two sides had lent their unequivocal support to normalising ties.
Indeed, as the statement said: “Accompanied by more than 100 business delegates, this visit marks a historic moment for both the countries.”
The 19th Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2012 was held in Delhi starting Feb 15. Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), 138 designers showcased their collections on the ramp
on the racks.
Designer Rocky S presents a wedding collection to coincide with the launch of his bridal couture company Vilasa
Photos: AP
Manish Malhotra’s collection, titled ‘Gulaala and Giltoor’ based on Kashmiri flowers of the same names, boasts of Indian evening wear with intricate Kashmir embroidery. It features colours of the giltoor like ivories, creams, off-whites and of the gulaala like burnt orange, red, deep pink, rust and brick hues.
Designer Pallavi Jaipur uses mirrors, colourful threads in embroidery and patchwork in her Rajasthani-inspired collection
Indian associations in the UK and in Australia are in very dissimilar situations. Take the case of the protest following a recent Top Gear TV program in Britain. Wellknown Member of the House of Commons, Mr Keith Vaz, called for an apology from the BBC for its programme on India by Jeremy Clarkson which was broadcast at Christmas time. Mr Vaz says that that one “ridiculous” programme has damaged a good relationship.
The Indian High Commission in Britain protested about the Top Gear documentary saying that it “was replete with cheap jibes, tasteless humour and lacked cultural sensitivity.” Prior to going to India, the producer had stated that the documentary would involve “spontaneous interaction between the presenters and their environment, and potentially people they meet … in an incidental manner … Key ingredients … will be beautiful scenery, busy city scenes, local charm and colour …”
The Keith Vaz protest has had substantial media coverage and support. In Britain there are Indian members of the House of Commons and Indian peers in the House of Lords. The Indian political constituency is substantial in the UK. There are also some rich Indians (including some mega-rich) who are settled in Britain. The collective Indian clout in Britain is considerable.
There is no comparable political Indian base in Australia. There are no Indian members in the various parliaments and no Indian mega-rich. Therefore, the making of any protest or other statement of importance would be left to either associations or individuals. An individual might get, at best, a letter in a newspaper which might then get ignored. An association might do marginally better.
Because Indian associations are the only mouthpieces of the Indian community in Australia, it is imperative that their role be properly defined. Whilst individuals are free to participate in political parties and express partisan views, associations should be free of political partisanship or else they limit themselves to becoming appendages of political parties. Instead, by being untrammelled by political affiliations, they remain free to give fuller expression to their views on issues which affect Indians, no matter which party is in government.
When the Australian Government lifted its ban on uranium ore exports to India, several Indian associations and newspapers expressed
their delight and endorsement. That kind of collective voice is what Indians in Australia need. Given the advantages of political freedom, Indian associations would do well to include a clause in their constitutions that they are not affiliated to any political party.
It is a different story when it comes to exclusively religious associations. Australia, like India, is a secular nation and every religion is free to be practiced here. Numerous associations in Australia cater to the needs of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians. Most of these associations are not exclusively Indian as people belonging to these faiths come from different countries.
The major initial hurdle which has been faced by non-Christian groups is the establishment of places of worship. Indian Christians have ample access to places of worship. Whilst this is so, several Indian ethnic groups (like the Goan and Mangalorean) combine ethnicity and religion, and have occasional religious services for their members.
Local municipalities have been generally sympathetic to the need for places of worship, but objections from local residents have often placed considerable pressure on councillors who vote on such development applications. Vociferous campaigns have often been launched against building places of worship not on religious, but often on spurious environmental grounds (like noise or traffic congestion). The associations involved have, therefore, faced uphill battles, several ending in Land and Environment Courts. Indian associations could do well to emulate some of the well-known service organisations which are found in the West such as Rotary, Lions and PROBUS. PROBUS is an acronym for PROfessional and BUSiness; this association focuses on retirees and is promoted by Rotary International. There are around 6,500 clubs world-wide. Several PROBUS clubs exist in Australia (since 1975) and many of these are in Sydney. There are PROBUS clubs in Chennai, Tiruvanathapuram, Hyderabad and Kochi. These clubs are self-governing but follow a model constitution and have a well-defined administrative structure. One of their main principles is neither to promote a political party nor a religion.
Clearly stated objectives will go a long way to promoting transparency in Indian associations in Sydney and in defining their identity and function. It would be desirable to have associations incorporated. For example, in NSW an incorporated association has to follow certain rules such as having a committee and committee members being responsible for keeping accounts, making obligatory returns and having adequate insurance.
It is necessary to speak with one voice on important issues
Given the advantages of political freedom, Indian associations would do well to include a clause in their constitutions that they are not affiliated to any political party.
In Kerala, Gabriel Garcia Marquez is among the most popular novelists - thanks to his translated works in Malayalam. Translations of popular fictions, non-fictions and classics are very much in demand in India and adorn bookshelves in many urban homes like status tags.
For the translator, it is no easy job, for he/she has to stick to the intent and spirit of the original while choosing the words.
In post-colonial India, regional languages are fighting with English as link tongues and translations often surpass originals in quality of retelling.
“My book has been translated beautifully... At times, I
feel it is better than the original,” Claudine Le Toureur d’lson, the French author of Hira Mandi, says. “The English translation by Priyanka Jhijaria, released this year, has been able to bring out the essence of the story in a way that relates to the Indian and Pakistan’s social milieus”.
History says India forged its first cultural-literary links with the West in the 6th century BC when Vedic ideas were expounded by Greek thinkers Plato and Galen.
The whole paradox of translation is that a “translator gives new life to something that has been written, but at the same time has to stick to the intent and spirit of the original,” says writer and “bhasa” campaigner Namita Gokhale.
“It is more difficult to do a brilliant translation than write a good book. A translation has to retain the texture, idioms and metaphors of the source language rather than flattening into homogenised English,” Gokhale notes.
Diplomat-writer Navdeep Suri, who translated two of his grandfather Nanak Singh’s novels, Saintly Sinner (Pavitra Paapi) and A Life Incomplete (Adh Kidhiya Phool) says he chose “simpler books with easy grammar and syntax” from his grandfather’s collection.
“My Pubjabi does not relate to the characters in many of my grandfather Nanak Singh’s early books because I grew up in the city,” Suri said at a discussion, Let’s Talk Translation, hosted by publisher Harper Collins-India in the capital recently.
Suri had to give up translating Nanak Singh’s literary milestone Chitta Lahu because “he recognised that it was beyond him to translate the novel”.
“The characters were so earthy and rooted in rural Punjab of the 1930s,” Suri said.
Kerala-based poet and sporadic translator K. Satchidanandan agrees that the “Indian consciousness is a translating consciousness”, but he cites Kerala as an example where translation has worked.
“I come from a language (Malayalam) where we translate works by Marquez, Llosa and Saramago. It was once remarked that Gabriel Garcia Marquez was the most popular novelist in Kerala,”.
Satchinandan says he would “rather have more translations in Indian languages - intra-language translations - so that both languages are empowered.”
“It was necessary to achieve equity in translation to give equal representation to every linguistic group and literature,” Namita Gokhale echoes.
Writer and translator Ira Pande, who calls herself “an accidental translator”, says a translator has to share a profound relationship with the author.
“I felt that I had the right to translate my mother’s (Hindi novelist Shivani’s) literature - whom I knew so well - the way I wanted to. But with writer Shyam Manohar Joshi, I could not think of doing it the way I wanted to,” Pande notes.
Arunava Sinha, who has translated Bengali novelists Sankar’s and Buddhadev Basu’s novels, says he shares “a love-hate relationship with Sankar.”
“Sankar is grateful that I have carried him beyond Asansol (in West Bengal) - the last frontier of the Bengali-speaking people,” Sinha laughs.
The praxis of translation - and its future - in the postcolonial world revolves around three rationalisations: “normalisation of English, normalisation of markets and normalisation of the Anglo-notion of excellence”, Alok Rai, a professor of English at Delhi University, suggests.
Anything that does not work in English is not world class, Rai explains. “Either it has to be managed to work in English or it does not work. What is likely to emerge is a standardised homogeniety - an Anglo-notion of excellence”.
Books are translated only if there is a market, Rai notes.
Writer and translator Neelabh, who translated Arundhati Roy’s God of Small Things in Hindi, observes that his “book worked because Roy had won the Booker Prize and publishers were keen to print it”.
Madhusree ChatterjeeHe came in a car, sold it and went away in a bicycle. The man was none other than late painter and maverick genius M.F. Husain, recollects writer and art critic Geeti Sen in her latest book.
“He drove to our residence at Nizamuddin. We (my ex-husband and I) told him that we did not have the money ready. He said we could pay him later. And he took a bicycle and rode out. He came in a car and left on a bicycle,” Sen, who has been writing on art since the 1960s, told IANS.
Personal encounters like thisthe Husain episode dates back to 1969 - with eight pillars of Indian contemporary art now figure in Sen’s anthology, Your History Gets in the Way of My Memory (Harper Collins).
Part history, part personal memory, part critique, the book puts the spotlight on Ganesh Pyne, Husain, Anupam Sud, Nilima Sheikh, Manjit Bawa, S.H. Raza, Meera Mukherjee and Zarina Hashmi.
Sen recollects that in 2007, Husain invited Sen to his haveli in
London where the writer stayed for nine days on the top floor “documenting the artist at work”.
“He would wake up every morning and paint. I photographed him at work. Most of our conversations were in the car. He owned a Silver Phantom then. At the end of the ninth day, Husain suddenly left for Dubai,” Sen recalled.
“The artist lived three lives as he liked to describe: Maqbool - the famous artist, Fida - the romantic maverick, and Husain - the martyr,” Sen said.
The veteran art writer is now director of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Kathmandu. She decks up her anthology with rare photographs of artists at work and their art.
The essays read like stories, full of anecdotes and moods.
A self-portrait of Husain as James Bond 007 from his London home makes up the cover of the volume.
Sen - who began as a critic for The Times of India in Mumbairemembers each artist in their element, sometime under unusual
circumstances.
“I walked with Manjit Bawa in Dalhousie and in Kolkata where he painted ‘Kali’ (oil on canvas) in 1982, two years before the antiSikh riots in 1984 which scarred him. And influenced his work. I stayed in the same hotel as Bawa in Kolkata so that I could know his art,” Sen recalled.
Manjit Bawa was involved in rescue operations across the Yamuna river and at the Sikh refugee camps during the riots. It also brought the bull on to Bawa’s canvas - to symbolise strength and aggression.
Rain bound Geeti to Ganesh Pyne. The critic was marooned for five hours with the mysterious Pyne of “eerie lights, fairies and long evening shadows” in his cramped studio in Kaviraj Row in Kolkata in lashing rain. Pyne was a master of light and shade.
“His studio was in an attic room at the top of a flight of wooden stairs. The studio was immortalised in one of his 1994 sketches,” Sen said. She has reproduced pages from “jottings in mixed media”random ink and pen sketches on
Husain invited Sen to his haveli in London where the writer stayed for nine days on the top floor “documenting the artist at work”.
school book graph paper that later became Pyne’s masterpieces.
S.H. Raza’s studio was a 15-minute walk from the ancient village of Gorbio in the south of France, high above the coastline and the blue sea of the Cote d’ Azur, Sen said.
“You could hear the crickets chirping in the forest and sheep clambering up the hill sides. After coffee, we would walk to his studio stopping on the way at a 12th
century church where Raza would pray,” said Sen, who has authored a book on S.H. Raza.
She spent time with artist Meera Mukherjee at her estate near Kolkata and visited Zarina Hashmi at her studio in the US.
“My book is about the texture of art as it has evolved in the last 40 years in India - the sources and spaces where it sprang from,” Sen said.
Madhusree Chatterjee
BY PETRA O’NEILL
Everyone knows Johnson! In Fort Kochi that is. It wasn’t long after my arrival there that I got to know him too. Fort Kochi has a laidback vibe and considerable charm. The historic centre is admittedly a tourist enclave with churches, restored colonial buildings now operating as boutique hotels, art galleries, internet cafes and restaurants serving the kind of cuisine designed to cater to the western palate. A promenade along a rather scruffy looking beach is where locals and tourists mingle in the evening to dine on seafood and enjoy ice cream. Kochi is a port after all, with numerous cargo ships waiting their turn to offload freight.
While I visited all the tourist sites, I met many interesting people from Joe Ikareth, a cutting edge designer just returned from showcasing his collection at the Paris Fashion Week; to autorickshaw drivers including Johnson, and KP Francis who had managed hotels for the Taj Group and was now managing a boutique hotel owned by Johny L Malayil, who with his brother, owns stores and a cafe. In Fort Kochi, everyone knows everyone else.
When the public bus I was on came to a halt in the hectic city of Ernakulam, I realised I was a long way from where my guidebook said I was. Looking disoriented, a lawyer judging from his attire and the documents he was carrying, helped me by directing an autorickshaw driver to the ferry terminal and advising me on the correct fare. An enjoyable 20 minute ferry ride took me across to Fort Cochin, despite autorickshaw drivers offering to take me 1km for the same price that had just taken me 10kms!
After depositing my bag at the Old Harbour Hotel, I set off to explore the sights on foot. The tourist season had seen fewer tourists, especially from the UK and Germany, and autorickshaw drivers
appeared at every turn. I kept walking, but it was very hot. Would it be so ill advised, instead of walking the several kilometres to Jew Town, to accept a ride? Would I like to see the All Spices Market, asked Salu, the autorickshaw driver I eventually engaged. Inside a large crumbling old warehouse seasoned with the heady aromas of turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and saffron were mounds of drying ginger waiting for export. The local laundry? Dhoby Khana was fascinating with many of the hotels sending their guests’ laundry here to be pounded, pelted and pressed. Now just three short stops, said Salu. And so I found myself being deposited, greeted and coerced into one large emporium after another. In this heat, were my thoughts focused on purchasing a pashmina? Madam, just three more! Unconvinced by the need to give up my entire afternoon visiting emporiums, I reverted to walking the distance to Mattancherry and Jew Town.
There was so much to see. The Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and later renovated by the Dutch, has an exquisite collection of mural paintings and portraits of the former royal family. The Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1664 after it was destroyed, and six Crafters stores where no-one pressured me to buy anything. Here I enjoyed masala tea and French fries and in a cafe above an old warehouse, the largest of the Crafters stores at which I found several men attempting unsuccessfully to reassemble a large antique wooden door-frame. The owner Johny L Malayil spent time talking to me. I left with a silver necklace, antique ceramic doorknobs and a wooden bowl from Burma. He also owned a boutique hotel. I began to walk there to take a look and it was then that I met Johnson. Johnson is an autorickshaw driver. He was on his way home and offered me a lift at no charge. He and his wife had just opened a Home Stay, a lovely whitewashed two-storey home, where we met his wife and sons Xavier and Herbert reading in the small garden outside, before he dropped me nearby at Bishops House. Built in 1506, it was formerly the residence of the Portuguese Governor and was
The charm of this historical town is as much in the friendliness of its people as in its quaint ancient history
The Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and later renovated by the Dutch, has an exquisite collection of mural paintings and portraits of the former royal family.
later acquired by the Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin.
The eventful history of Kochi commenced when a major flood in 1341 threw open the estuary, forming a natural harbour. Kochi became a renowned centre for trade and the first European settlement in India when the Portuguese arrived in the 15th century, followed by the Dutch from 1663 and the British from 1795.
The next day I visited David Hall, named after David Koder, built in 1695 by the Dutch East India Company that now operates as an Art Gallery and Cafe showcasing work by contemporary Indian artists. I walked past the Parade Ground where the Portuguese, Dutch and British once conducted military parades, but today teenagers played sport. Nearby, the Cochin Club retains its British ambience, and displays a ‘Members only’ sign.
I visited St. Francis Church, built by the Portuguese in 1503 and one of India’s oldest churches. Once a Roman Catholic Church, today it is governed by the Church of South India. It was Sunday and mass was underway. It was filled to capacity.
The ancient Chinese fishing nets that form the backdrop to the beachside promenade were erected on teakwood and bamboo poles between 1350 and 1450. There are many bungalows and mansions, commercial buildings and warehouses as I walk by, that reflect Portuguese, Dutch and local influences. The Old Harbour Hotel where I stayed was built in 1808 and was the first hotel in Cochin. Later it was owned by Carriet Moran and Co, renowned tea brokers before being restored as a boutique hotel. Next door, Koder House was built by Samuel S. Koder of the Cochin Electric Company, and shows the transition from colonial to Indo-European architecture.
Santa Cruz Basilica, the historic church built by the Portuguese was spared by the Dutch, but destroyed by the British. The new building, commissioned in 1887, was declared a Basilica in 1984.
Fort Kochi feels more like a friendly neighbourhood than a city. And while I enjoyed strolling by historic buildings and visiting the sites, what I liked most of all was engaging with the local people.
As I walked to the bus stop for the airport bus, I saw Johnson for the last time. When I hopped
on the bus I waved goodbye. The bus driver turned to me and said, “Here, everyone knows Johnson!”
Gettin G t here Singapore Airlines flies from Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Kochi, via Singapore. From Cochin International Airport, catch a taxi or the slower airport bus for INR70 with 10 departures daily 7.50-20.00. Your hotel can arrange transport on request.
Gettin G Around Many of the boutique shops, hotels and cafes are in close proximity in the centre of the old town. For Jew Town several kilometres away, take an autorickshaw that are inexpensive and plentiful. Drivers earn more from diverting you to emporium after emporium than they do from the fare they charge (with many offering to take you sightseeing for INR50) and will try their utmost. If you are want to shop, fine; otherwise say no beforehand. Try to catch at least one public ferry from Ernakulam for the experience. It is fun and a bargain. It is also possible to travel to the backwaters by public ferry from Kochi to Alappuzha.
AccommodAtion There are many budget options. Home stays, many in the streets behind the Parade Ground, provide a great opportunity to live with a local family. Johnson provides breakfast, with other meals on request in a choice of two clean and comfortable rooms from INR600. Phone or email ahead and Johnson will collect you from the bus or ferry. 11/341 B, ESI Road, Fort Kochi.
Tel: +91-9497545388 Email: marymatha2001@yahoo.co.in
Good mid range options include the centrally located atmospheric Old Courtyard Hotel at 1/371 Princess Street, Fort Cochin Email: reservations@oldcouryard.com / www.oldcourtyard.com For excellent service, I’d recommend Tissa’s Inn ably managed by KP Francis at 1/1128 Kunnumpuram, Fort Kochi email: kpfrancis@vsnl.net www.tissasinn.com
At the top end, choices include Brunton Boatyard with a waterfront setting, Malabar House, and the lovely Old Harbour Hotel, a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, where I stayed, set around an idyllic garden and offering a large pool, spacious rooms or suites filled with an eclectic collection of antiques, in a prime central location. Email: mail@oldharbourhotel.com / www. oldharbourhotel.com. Alternatively, if you prefer a large, full-amenity hotel, opt for Vivanta by Taj –Malabar on Willingdon Island, a 10-minute ferry ride away. I’d recommend 3 nights here, avoiding the busy high season, especially January.
dinin G o ut The Old Harbour Hotel offers a pleasant garden setting, with Indian cuisine and musicians in the evening. Many of the restaurants cater to tourists and offer western food. I enjoyed the art gallery cafes including Kashi Art Cafe, Burgher Street and David Hall Gallery Cafe, 1/264 Church Road, both showing works by contemporary Indian artists.
S ho PP in G Crafters Brothers Sunny L. and Johny L. Malayil, preside over a huge former spice warehouse crammed with antiques, with five additional shops all in close proximity offering handicrafts, jewellery, antiques and furniture and Cafe Crafters, all in Jew Town at VI/141, Jew Town. Ensure you are in the right shops, there are imitations. www.crafters.in
Kochi Books Princess Street, Fort Kochi. Vimal Kumar will provide you with advice on just about anything and has a wide selection of books on India, plus maps and travel guides www.kochibooks.com
Fabindia for eco-friendly clothing and homewares. 1/279 (1) Napier Street, Fort Kochi www.fabindia.com.
Joe Ikareth sells contemporary clothing and accessories. KVA Bros Building, Bazaar Road, Mattancherry www.joeikareth.com. There are also several atmospheric spice and fragrance shops in Jew Town and Mattancherry. F urther in F ormAtion Kerala Tourism www.keralatourism.org
India Tourism, Glasshouse Shopping Complex, Level 5, 135 King Street, Sydney Tel: 02 9221 9555 Email: info@indiatourism.com.au
While I enjoyed strolling by historic buildings and visiting the sites, what I liked most of all was engaging with the local people.Clockwise: 1. Old Harbour Hotel 2. Santa Cruz Basilica 3. Kingfisher 4. Chinese fishing nets 5. Johnson with son Xavier in one of two guest rooms 6. Che Guevara at the Trade Union office
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This unique cricket friendly and frenzied city has several attractions to inspire visitors
There are many hotels in Colombo, but this is usually where the cricketers stay,” says the chirpy bellboy while ushering me to my room at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Such cricketing effervescence from a young man is nothing unusual in a country where cricket is revered with such intensity rarely to be experienced elsewhere in the world.
Though the game is religiously venerated in every corner of this Indian Ocean Island, Colombo aptly brags to be the epicenter of the nation’s cricketing energy. Here people think of cricket even in their sleep.
Home to around 660,000 people, this cosmopolitan city boasts of several venues from large arenas to backyard patches where cricket is played with passion, irrespective of whether of it’s a Test match or friendly club game; however the R Premadasa Stadium is the jewel in the crown. The 35,000 capacity modern stadium which currently hosts international matches, went through massive modernization prior to staging last year’s World Cup matches.
“That’s where we thrashed England and New Zealand to get into the finals,” says Lalit, a budding cricketer I come across while sipping coffee at the legendary Cricket Club Café. The meeting place for the city’s cricket fraternity, this Colombo institution is filled with cricketing memorabilia and is recognized as the only restaurant in the world dedicated to cricket.
“When Sri Lanka plays, the excitement here is nothing less than inside Premadasa Stadium,” comments Lalit, and I have no difficulty sensing that after talking to him and some of his cricket frenzied friends.
It’s a pity that I am in town when no major cricket match is on, so I switch over to sample some of the city’s other attractions that generally fill in the days for first time visitors like me.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean and stretching for almost 14 km along Sri Lanka’s western shoreline, Colombo grew over centuries from an ancient maritime settlement into a modern metropolis that has a character of its own, borrowed quintessentially from its early settlers – the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and the British.
As the international gateway to a land full of natural splendors and archaeological treasures, the cityscape is sprinkled with historical monuments, imposing pagodas, temples and churches, vibrant markets, old and new shopping malls, gleaming hotels, trendy restaurants and fascinating people whose friendliness impresses visitors the most.
In front of the Taj Samudra is the legendary Galle Face Green, a long stretch of greenery edging the sea. At one end is the 1864-built Galle Face Hotel which has many stories to tell of a bygone era, while at the other stands the Neo Baroque styled Old Parliament House in front of which lie some idle cannons as leftovers from the Dutch. The 2km patch is a popular spot for joggers in the morning, kite flyers in the afternoon and food vendors in the evening, who serve Sri Lankan delicacies such as kotthu rotti, string hoppers and deviled chicken to locals and gastronomically adventurous tourists.
Colombo’s colonial heritage is momentous. The Europeans arrived as spice traders, but soon diverted their interest into territory. The Portuguese landed first in the
followed by the Dutch a century later who began growing cinnamon in the area, which is now a wealthy Colombo suburb called Cinnamon Gardens. The British ended 140 years of Dutch dominance, made Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) a crown colony, proclaimed Colombo its capital and turned the seaside town into a city. Colonial rule ended in 1948 when Sri Lanka achieved independence. Though the Europeans are gone, some of their memoirs such as the Dutch Period Museum, Town Hall, National Museum, imposing buildings in the Fort and Cinnamon Garden areas, and old churches still charm visitors. Colombo’s business district is called the Fort which, during the European era, was indeed a fortified quarter. Originally developed by the Portuguese, it was later massively expanded by the
The Portuguese landed first in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch a century later who began growing cinnamon in the area, which is now a wealthy Colombo suburb called Cinnamon Gardens
In the Pettah area, the Kathiresan Temple, an important Hindu shrine, stands in peace not far from the Grand Mosque where Friday prayers draw the city’s Muslim population
buildings for government offices, commercial ventures, banks, department stores and hotels. Most of them still exist, many dilapidated but some well-preserved. The ensemble of the old intimately blended with the newly added 21st century structures, present a unique architectural silhouette that visitors enjoy savoring.
Shopping in Colombo becomes a lifetime experience at the thriving Pettah market, located immediately inland from the Fort. It’s said if you can’t find something in Pettah, then it’s yet to be produced. Without a local guide you will be lost within the overcrowded labyrinth of streets and alleys crammed with goods of every description, from colorful textiles, gold and silver and colonial-era antiquities to the necessities of everyday life - spices, fruit and vegetables, reeking heaps of dried fish, electrical goods, clothes and footwear. It’s also the nation’s most ethnically mixed borough, where local Sinhalese happily share space with Tamils, Moor, Burghers, Indians and Malays. While in the neighborhood it’s worth a quick visit to the Dutch Period Museum, housed inside a white edifice which was built in the 17th century as the Dutch Governor’s residence. The
shrine, stands in peace not far from the Grand Mosque where Friday prayers draw the city’s Muslim population. Buddhism being the nation’s dominant religion, stupas, viharas and temples can be spotted everywhere. However, most tourists go the city-centre located, 120-year old Gangaramaya Temple where the eclectic mix of architectural design influenced by styles from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and China is imposing.
As cricket is revered as another religion in Colombo, you can’t leave its boundaries without paying a visit
collections give a rough idea of the era, when the Dutch were the land’s masters.
A proliferation of Buddhist and Hindu temples, Islamic mosques and Christian churches generously nestled throughout the city proclaim that Sri Lankans have respect and tolerance for all religious faiths. The Europeans, during their heyday built several churches, many of which still exist; the 1749-built Wolvendaal Church being most famous from the lot. In the Pettah area, the Kathiresan Temple, an important Hindu
to its most important shrine – the Premadasa Stadium. Unfortunately entry is prohibited when there is no match inside; however, peeping through a small opening in the gate, I see part of the green and the galleries, and imagine the lively scene when Sri Lanka is playing against Australia or India. Suddenly I hear a roar, “Howzzat!” It comes from a group of kids playing cricket on the empty streets. Watching them play make my Colombo trip complete, as before leaving I finally get to see some cricketing action, thought I missed out on Sangakara batting and Malinga bowling.
Gettin G t here Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com), has daily flights to Colombo from Singapore with excellent connections from Australia offering 107 flights per week in total to Singapore from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Adelaide and Perth. The A380 operates on two of four flights from Sydney and one from three flights from Melbourne.
AccommodAtion Spaced on 12 acres of landscaped garden, the 300 guest room Taj Samudra Hotel (www.tajhotels.com) is located close the most of city’s tourist attractions. With panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, it’s an ideal place for vacationers to relax and rejuvenate. The hotel offers several elegant dining choices; however meals at Navratna Restaurant, serving the best of Indian cuisine and at Golden Dragon Restaurant well known for its Sichuan and Cantonese delicacies, are highly recommended
Gettin G Around Taxis are available, but Bajaj India has made three wheelers the best option Vis A Australian passport holders can get 30-day tourist visa on arrival c urrency Sri Lankan Rupee, 1AUD = 118 LKR
facial is not just a beauty treatment; it is a time for women to get away from their busy, multi-tasking lives and indulge in some ‘me’ time. These days men too are getting facials done, but we will discuss their options another time.
Let’s examine the right kind of facial for different skin types.
It is the era of specialization so with every aspect of our lifestyle having multiple choices, why should beauty treatments be any different? Think about the choices in moisturizers or shampoos and conditioners –you can easily spend half a day choosing the product that is right for you. So take your time in choosing the right treatment.
Firstly, if you have the patience for a full-fledged beauty treatment every month, then by all means go for it. But if you are short on time and have fewer options, go in for a facial. A facial, if done well, can be a destress mechanism and can make the skin glow.
Why have a facial?
No matter how much we do the cleansing-toning-moisturising routine, getting the same thing done by a professional with products that are sometimes more concentrated than the ones available off the shelf, can produce better results. Besides, the girls at the salons are professionally trained and they know the right way to massage and tone the skin, and the muscles of the face, neck and shoulder relax with the brisk rub they get.
A facial improves skin tone, gets rid of dead skin, blackheads and whiteheads, leaving the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. It also improves blood circulation and the skin’s elasticity.
A few salons will include an acupressure-like treatment as part of the facial where they apply pressure to certain points on the face. This can help flush out toxins and detox the skin.
And it goes without saying that a facial can be an effective anti-ageing tool to keep lines and wrinkles at bay.
Now that we have established the importance of a regular facial, how does one know which one to go for? There are several facials on offer using all kinds of ingredients. Fruit, vegetables, aloe vera, gemstones, gold, AHAs, flowers – they are all part of facials on offer at various salons. The trick is to know which one works for you and stick with that. If you wish to experiment, I would suggest you go with products that are natural and hypoallergenic so you don’t break out into a rash or have unnecessary chemicals absorbed by your skin.
A classic or regular facial offered at most salons will include cleansing, toning and moisturizing, and a mask. The cleansing process includes exposing the skin to steam to open up the pores and remove blackheads. An ice pack is then used to close the pores.
The facial massage is done in clockwise or anti-clockwise directions and any product application extends to the neck area, as well as all over the face. The mask is usually meant to provide the skin some extra nourishment or tighten the skin. Most salons will also extend the moisturising treatment to the back of the neck and the shoulders to relax the muscles.
If you have dry skin, ensure that the facial you get uses creams and moisturizers that will nourish the skin with extra moisture. If you have a choice, go for a deep nourishment face pack for a mask. Some face packs that use clay or Fuller’s earth (multani mitti) can leave the skin feeling drier than before. Always, always, ask for moisturising ones.
The exfoliation process usually involves using a scrub of some sort but opt for a mild one or one that has a semi-liquid base so your skin doesn’t feel too dry. The serum that is used after the face pack is taken off should also be one that provides moisture to the deepest levels of your skin.
Most salons will use generic products for all kinds of skin at the exfoliation and toning stages. But when it comes to moisturising, one has to be careful as oily skin does not need
much massaging or moisture-rich creams. If massage is involved, make sure they use products suited to oily skin and keep the duration of the massage to a minimum.
Oily skins can opt for face masks that tighten the skin, shrink the pores and reduce excess oil on the skin’s surface. If you have pimples, get rid of them first with effective anti-acne treatments and then going in for a facial.
People with this skin type are lucky as they need everything in the right proportions. They don’t need to have extra moisturising or extra anything, for that matter. The balanced pH levels of their skin means they need to maintain and protect their skin. What people with normal skin need to keep in mind is that their facial should exfoliate and nourish, more than anything else.
This is a tricky one as people with combination skin have oily skin – usually on their foreheads and chin, and dry skin along the cheeks or vice versa. After cleansing, the dry parts of the skin need to be massaged with a moisturising cream and the oily parts need toning. Opt for a face mask that nourishes the skin, rather than one that provides moisture or tones the skin. The same goes for the serum that is applied after the face pack comes off. Opt for a safe, nourishment or anti-wrinkle serum to reduce any after effects of the facial.
• You don’t really need a facial if you are under 25. While in your late 20s you can start having a facial done, but not even once every month. Once in three months is just fine.
• If you are over 30, it is advisable to have a facial done every month. If you don’t have the time, opt for a clean-up at the very least.
• A good facial should last for at least an hour. If your beautician finishes your facial in half an hour to 45 minutes, it is a rush job. It takes time for the face mask to dry and during the massage, the skin absorbs creams or lotions only for a certain amount of time. Most beauticians are aware of these
facts and give a facial accordingly, and it usually adds up to an hour or so.
• The neck area too should be given the same treatments as the face, from exfoliation to serum stages.
• Some women opt for bleach treatments along with a facial in the hope that it will lighten their skin tone. A bleach is the worst chemical you can apply on your face. It usually leads to pigmentation when you step out in the sun after a treatment. Combining bleach with a facial exposes your newly exfoliated skin to a harsher dose of chemicals which can damage the skin instead of repairing it.
• If the beautician is pulling at your skin a bit too hard, feel free to insist she should be gentle because all that tugging and pulling during the massage is meant to be gentle. It should not stress the skin.
• If any product applied causes a burning or tingling sensation, let the beautician know immediately. It could be that you are allergic to some ingredient in the product.
• Avoid strong smelling or very fragrant products and let your beautician know that you would prefer mildly fragranced or fragrance-free products that are hypoallergenic.
So, if you have the time and are in the mood for some TLC, go get a facial. It is a great way to relax and have some quiet time.
No matter how much we do the cleansing-toningmoisturising routine, getting the same thing done by a professional with products that are sometimes more concentrated than the ones available off the shelf, can produce better results.
When you’re in the mood to de-stress and enjoy a bit of personal pampering, spoil yourself with a relaxing facialMINNAL KHONA
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EKC’s Power Trial Test (Eng, Maths, G.A.) has been proven with excellent results of Selective School Placement Test. We now open Power Trial Test Course for 2013 Selective School Placement Test.
* Period: 12th of March
2012 ~ 7th of March
2013 (50 Weeks)
* To: Year 5
POwER General Ability Trial Test Course
Subjects: General Ability
POwER English & Maths Trial Test Course
Subjects: English & Maths
The following benefits are given when you enroll Power Selective School Trial Test Course
1. 15% Discount (Conditions Apply- Early Bird Offer)
2. Systemised Computer Marking Report
3. Analytical Test Results Graph
One Day Final Revision (Selective Test)
In the EKC One Day Final Revision Class, students will revise English (reading & writing), Mathematics and General Ability during this session to prepare Selective High School Placement Test on the 15th of March 2012. Furthermore, they will be provided with useful exam techniques, tips and advice to prepare them for the actual test.
* When? One Day among 5~10th of March 2012
* Where? Nearest Edu-Kingdom College Branch
* What? Recent Selective Trial Test Questions and Solutions
English, Mathematics, General Ability Final Revision Unveiling Test Techniques dominating Trial Test’s Success or Failure
Corn Korma
2 cups corn kernels
3-4 tbsp tomato puree
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
1 tsp crushed garlic
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
½ cup coconut milk
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp garam masala
Salt to taste
2 tbsp oil
Coriander leaves for garnish
Heat oil in a pan and fry the onions and garlic. When lightly browned, add tomato puree. Stir well and fry for awhile. Then, add the corn, the dry masala, salt and sugar. Add one cup of water and allow to boil. Finally add the coconut milk, stir well and serve garnished with coriander.
Corn Cutlets
1 cup corn kernels
2 medium-sized potatoes
1 medium-sized onion
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chilli powder (or to taste)
Salt for taste
Chopped fresh coriander leaves
Oil for deep-frying
Boil and mash the potatoes. Give the corn a gentle whirl in the food processor. Dice the onion fine.
Mix potatoes, corn, onion, ginger and garlic, and coriander, cumin and chilli powders. Add the salt and coriander leaves. Make small round balls of the mixture.
Heat the oil in the frying pan or wok. Put the small balls of the mixture into the hot oil one by one. Deep fry until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.
Serve hot with tomato sauce or mintcoriander chutney.
here in Australia is boiled corn dished out by vendors at street fairs and beach-sides. Equally good, you might say!
I like sweet corn best the way my kids eat it – simply washed in water and cooked in the microwave for three minutes on high, no dressing.
Yet many different ways of serving corn can be found in Indian cuisine. Sample the following.
Corn Raita
½ - ¾ cup corn kernels
250 gms yoghurt
Salt to taste
1 tsp pepper powder
½ tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp grated coconut
Green coriander for garnishing
Beat yoghurt well, add salt, pepper, chilli powder, grated coconut and corn, and mix well. Dry roast cumin seeds and powder. Add this to raita. Garnish with coriander.
Corn Masala Rice
1 cup basmati rice
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup green peas
10-12 cashews halved
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp sambhar masala
½ tsp garam masala
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp turmeric
Salt to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp oil or ghee
½ tsp each cumin and mustard seeds.
Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the cashews and fry till light brown. Remove.
To the same oil, add cumin and mustard seeds to splutter. Add the corn, peas, rice and all dry masalas and 5 cups water. Cover and cook till almost done.
Add lemon juice, sugar, coriander and cashews. Cover and cook till rice is done and no water is left.
Serve hot with yoghurt.
1 cup corn kernels
½ cup grated carrot
1 medium onion diced fine
1 medium tomato chopped fine
½ cup coriander chopped fine
1 large boiled potato
½ cup plain yoghurt
½ cup sev (fine)
1 tsp chat masala
1 tsp limejuice
1 finely chopped green chilli
½ tsp powdered sugar
½ tsp cumin seeds powdered
Keep aside sev and half the coriander.
Chop potato finely. Mix all the ingredients well in a large mixing bowl. (Best do this just before serving).
Transfer to individual bowls. Garnish with sev and coriander.
1 cup peas
1 cup corn kernels
6 spring onions, thinly sliced
2/3 cup fine polenta
2/3 cup self-raising flour
1 ½ tsp coriander powder
2 eggs
½ cup plain yoghurt
Oil for frying
Salt and pepper to taste.
Mix together peas, corn, spring onions, polenta, salt and pepper. Add sifted flour and coriander powder.
Mix yolks from both eggs in
½ cup yoghurt and add to peas and corn mixture.
Beat egg whites well. Fold one-third into peas and corn mixture and mix well. Gently fold in remaining egg whites.
Heat oil in a frying pan. Over medium heat, spoon small quantities of mixture into oil and flatten slightly. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden and cooked through.
Drain on absorbent paper.
Serve hot with tomato sauce or mintcoriander chutney.
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup shredded tasty cheese
½ bunch of fresh dill leaves, finely cut
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp cream
Salt to taste
¾ tsp sugar.
Mix all the ingredients well in a bowl. Use as sandwich spread.
2 cups corn kernels
1 ½ cups milk
½ tsp grated ginger
1 green chilli, finely chopped
½ tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder to taste
2 tbsp desiccated coconut (or grated fresh)
1 tbsp oil
¼ tsp cumin seeds
Fresh coriander for garnish.
Combine milk and corn kernels in a pan and bring to a boil. Keep on a simmer, stirring occasionally, till most of the milk is evaporated. Remove from the heat. In another pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds. When they begin to pop, add ginger and green chilli and stir. Then add the corn, salt, sugar and red chilli powder. Stir. Then add the coconut and fresh coriander. Mix well.
Chicken Corn-wallah
8 chicken drumsticks
¼ cup plain flour
1 chicken stock cube
2 tsp crushed garlic
2 large onions, chopped
2 tbsp oil
2 cups corn kernels
2 cups peas
4 large tomatoes, chopped (use tinned tomatoes if preferred).
1 tbsp tomato paste
¼ cup brandy (optional)
½ cup mango chutney
Red chilli powder to taste
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 cup water
Mix flour with crumbed stock cube and toss drumsticks in. Shake away excess flour. Heat oil in a pan and cook drumsticks until lightly browned. Remove drumsticks from oil. In the same oil, add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add turmeric, tomatoes, tomato paste, corn, peas, chutney and brandy. Stir well, then add the drumsticks, pepper and water and simmer, covered until chicken is cooked through.
Corn Paneer
250 gms paneer, diced
1 cup corn kernels
2 large tomatoes diced
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
Red chilli powder to taste
While good old roasted bhutta, our local corn on the cob tastes best, this vegetable can be adapted to a surprising variety of dishes from plain popcorn to gourmet cutlets.
2 tsp oil
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish.
Put corn through food processor to make a thick paste. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan, add cumin seeds and allow to splutter. The add coriander, turmeric and red chilli powders and stir briefly. Introduce diced tomatoes. Cook, stirring and mashing well until combined with the masala powders and oil begins to separate. Reduce heat and put in the corn paste and salt. Stir briefly until well-combined. Add in paneer and mix gently. Cook, covered, on medium heat. Serve garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
2 cups chopped baby corn (either canned or fresh)
2 large capsicums (one green and one red), deseeded and chopped finely
1 large onion cut into thin strips
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp grated ginger
5-6 tsp tomato sauce
1-2 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
3-4 tsp oil
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Dry grind the kasuri methi, coriander seeds and cumin seeds together and make a fine powder.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai and add the chopped onion and the ginger and garlic. When the onions turn translucent, add the chopped capsicums and stir well. Now add the tomato sauce and the dry powder. Mix well and add the cut babycorn. Add water if needed, cover and simmer till almost done (about 1015 mins). Then add the sugar, salt, chilli powder and the fresh coriander. Simmer for a further five minutes.
Malai Corn
1 cup corn kernels
2 bunches fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves
1 cup cream
1 medium onion chopped
2 tsp crushed garlic
Red chilli powder to taste
½ tsp garam masala
Salt to taste
2 tsp oil.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and sauté onions till colourless. Then add fenugreek leaves and cook gently till the leaves let off their aroma. Then add garlic, red chilli powder and about a cup of water. Cook briefly. Then introduce the corn and cook until a thick consistency is obtained. Finally add cream, salt and garam masala and stir till combined well.
Promotions, publicity and more, Bollywood films have no qualms about accepting that flamboyance is the only way to get people into cinemas to watch a film. Word of mouth publicity has become a thing of the past; however these days, through very carefully planned promotions and publicity stunts, the audience is being wooed into watching a film. The idea is to get your attention at any cost. Just a few months before the release of the muchhyped RA.One, Shahrukh Khan left no stone unturned. He went from selling merchandise related to the film to setting up games on Facebook, YouTube, even television promotions, among others. Suddenly we saw him appear in a string of talk shows and interviews on various news channels. There was even a ‘leaked’ version of Chammak Challo that did the rounds before the film’s official audio release. Now whether this translated into box office success
or not is hard to determine. Not undermining King Khan’s efforts, but we all would like to believe that ‘a good product sells itself’. However, if this was true, why do many small budget films that are strong on content and performance not achieve any box office success at all?
Every film requires to be promoted, and through the right means. We’ve got to remember that Bollywood films now have a global audience and it has become more essential than ever before to connect and interact with the audience. But are the Bollywood stars actually taking things a bit too far?
It’s not about posters and ‘dialogue-baazi’ anymore at press events or music releases. It’s now being called the film promotion ‘Blizterkrieg’! Not very long ago, the cast of the film Players did the rounds. At the film’s music release they did a live stunt show!
Complete with Bipasha Basu standing atop a motor vehicle that was ‘dangerously’ driven down a wooden plank surrounded by fire! Not what one would expect at an audio launch, right? What was the point of the stunt? The filmmaker believed that since it was an action-oriented flick, this would be the best way to give the audience
a feel of it. (Now if only the film was half as thrilling as the stunt…) With headline grabbers like “Bollywood hunk John Abraham lifts and throws 115-kg bike” and “Genelia D’Souza is married to John Abraham”, how can anyone possibly escape noticing the film? John, at an event, decided to lift and toss a 115 kg bike before the media. Only on watching the film I realized that John’s character in the film does this as a part of a fight sequence in the film. I must admit though that until then, I was completely befuddled by the whole event! The film was called Force, but what happened to it at the box office? Well, let’s just not go there…
Now that Genelia D’Souza is actually married to Ritiesh Deshmukh, we’ve seen that the newlyweds are not missing out on any opportunity to cash in on this event in their lives towards promoting their film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya. Apparently they are sacrificing the possibility of a honeymoon because of their commitments to promote the film. One does only hope that the bliss continues for them at the box office!
It is being said that a trend followed in Hollywood is all set to take Bollywood by storm. According to Omar Qureshi, the Hollywood trend where the marketing of a film costs almost as much as its actual budget seems to be catching up in B-town and how! Huge amounts of money were spent in promotions for the film Rockstar, including live stage performances by Ranbir Kapoor, a massive dandiya event and even a live performance by AR Rahman with Ranbir on stage!
We even saw Salman Khan’s bodyguard very gallantly walk the ramp and make stage appearances for the film Bodyguard along with Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Salman even quipped that he would now perhaps need a bodyguard for his own bodyguard as a result of all the hype!
Some of the recent film promotions have been quite hitech, like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara which was heavily promoted through mobile channels. Partnering with Aircel, 2-minute trailers were shared with its 55 million subscribers! In this age of Kolaveri Di the use of internet channels and particularly that of YouTube has become inevitable. The Delhi Belly crew created an interactive video channel and the marketers of the film used this
The Delhi Belly crew created an interactive video channel and the marketers of the film used this platform to create an interactive karaoke jukebox containing songs from the film
platform to create an interactive karaoke jukebox containing songs from the film. A clever idea, and one that is quite cost effective as well!
Some promotions have been quite eccentric as well; take, for example, the film Dev D. The makers of the film sent condoms along with the invites. They even went to the extent of setting up phone lines for people to discuss relationships to promote their film! The film Udaan was an exceptional work of art, and the promotions for the film were again quite unusual. The film’s producer Anurag Kashyap and actor Rajat Barmecha actually bashed up a car in public as a part of the film’s promotion!
Ram Gopal Verma (RGV) nowadays has decided to not only shock but also disgust or offend people in many ways, quite unabashedly and deliberately. He once decided to hang a dummy dead body on hoardings to promote his film Agyaat! This was obviously not received well by the public, in fact police complaints were filed against him.
This only leads us to one question, how much is too much? Promotions can only help generate curiosity, but in the long run the film speaks for itself. It’s just like selling a product or service. You could spend millions on advertising it, but that will only create short-term success followed by accelerated losses if the product doesn’t live up to the promise.
In the age of remakes and remixes it’s hard to see original scripts and stories portrayed. Some films completely lack authenticity by being mere copies of Hollywood flicks. In a country with 1.22 billion and still counting, is there not even one single story worth telling? Let’s just hope that films in the future have more to offer than just ‘Sheila ki Jawani’ and ladoos distributed at cinema halls.
I love the warm, gooey, melting chocolate feeling the endings give me, and I love swooning over the handsome, yet sweet and sensitive heroes.
According to Omar Qureshi, the Hollywood trend where the marketing of a film costs almost as much as its actual budget seems to be catching up in B-town, and how!
Bollywood’s film promotions are getting bigger, weirder and more pointless in an attempt to awe and woo the average movie-goerSHRADDHA ARJUN Shahrukh Khan promoting RA.One around the country
ABHILASHA
Bong bombshell Bipasha Basu always looks stunning in a sari, and we’ve seen her in one often enough, both on and off the screen. But would you believe that they beauteous Bips finds it tough to drape a sari? The actress revealed this at fashion show held recently, where she walked the ramp with her Jodi co-star R Madhavan to showcase designer Rocky S’s collection.
“I think the sari is a very beautiful attire as it makes a woman look elegant but yes for me, sari draping is tough thing. It takes me a little while to wrap it around and to carry it properly,” Bipasha said
The Basu babe looked stunning in a heavily embroidered blue and , while Madhavan opted sherwani, as they sashayed down the ramp to the Darmiyaan, from their movie. The event showcased wedding collections, so obviously Bipasha had to answer the usual questions about her views on matrimony. The actress who broke up with hunky actor John Abraham about a year ago, seemed happy to answer questions.
“I am very busy, no time to find the groom but Madhavan and Rocky are helping me to find a suitable boy.
Once I find a guy, I will get married,”
So queue up, guys, Bips is still footloose and fancy-free!
That’s actor John Abraham’s advice to the film industry. The hunky actor feels that instead of getting inspired by Hollywood films, Bollywood filmmakers should start adapting stories from books. Perhaps it was a spur of the moment inspiration, as John made the comment at a book launch in Mumbai.
film 7 Khoon Maaf which was based on Ruskin Bond’s short story Susanna’s Seven Husbands. John is currently gearing up for his next release Housefull 2 which, unfortunately for John, isn’t based on a literary masterpiece, in fact quite the contrary. Poor John, hope the big guns in Bollywood brush up on their reading.
“English is a very funny language,” was Shah Rukh Khan’s reaction as he sat down to give his son Aryan some lessons in the language.
“Teaching clauses and phrases to son, workout cancelled. Who made up these English rules... it’s so much easier… the English on Twitter and SMS,” tweeted Shah Rukh, who is nevertheless fluent in the language. While King Khan indirectly lauded the use of abbreviations and slangs in social networking mediums, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is currently in hospital for medical treatment, has often been amused by it. Well, the challenge of battling with shudh high school English could be a daunting one to King Khan, as he’s so used to Hinglish in films and SMS-speak to network, unlike our super-erudite Big B.
Actress and social activist Shabana Azmi feels that when it comes to music, the combination of her lyricist husband Javed Akhtar and composer A.R. Rahman is unbeatable.
“I personally feel that today the combination of Javed and Rahman is the best. I am not saying that Rahman’s work with anyone else like Gulzar or Prasoon Joshi is not good, but Javed and Rahman’s combination is the best,” said the 61-yearold actress at a special screening of actor Prateik’s film Ekk Deewana Tha
and give a thumbs up to actors who are open about their love lives, one must admit that there’s a certain grace and dignity in Vidya’s unique approach of handling her relationship in the public eye.
At the ceremony of the recently concluded Zee Cine Awards 2012 in Macau, Vidya (pictured here in her tribute to southern sirens), clinched a trophy. During her acceptance speech, after thanking everyone else, she spoke of the two new connections in her life that have proved to be her good luck charms. She thanked her young niece and nephew whose presence in her life, she claims, has
in her life who makes every day worth living” - ahem ... clearly a reference to beau Siddharth Roy Kapoor without actually spelling out his name. So Vidya is in a slot of her own - a breed of actors who believe in acknowledging the existence of a love life without the compulsion of shouting out the partner’s name from rooftops. Smart!
And while on her, it must be said that love is very becoming of Vidya – who’s been looking radiant and glowing these days. Or maybe that has something to do with the applause coming her way wherever she goes.
“In our industry we get a lot of inspiration from other films, especially English films. But I think the best inspiration you can get is out of books,” said the 39-year-old actor. “Even English films that have done well, got their inspiration out of books. I think it’s important to read and get new ideas,” he added.
Now its hard to imagine John with his super-hot image sitting down with a good book, but surprisingly the actor confesses that he’s a fan of author Jeffrey Archer. And if he were to make a film based on a book, which one would that be? No surprises here, as John revealed, “I love Jeffrey Archer and have read all his books. If I have to make a Hindi picture, I would definitely make it on a Jeffrey Archer book.”
The actor recently featured in the
She comes from a filmi family, but has made a name for herself in designing
SENGUPTA brings us up-to-date on what’s hot and happening
The songs of the movie are penned by Javed Akhtar, while the Oscar winning Rahman has composed the music for the film. Earlier, Rahman-Javed Akhtar had teamed up for Zubeidaa, Lagaan, Swades Akbar. There’s no denying that their has seen more success than most duos.
Shabana also sent out her blessings to Prateik and wished him success. “Prateik is my child and I pray for him the same way I pray for my children, that he should be happy always and continue to work always,” said Shabana who was named for the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian honour, this year.
Directed by Gautham Menon, the recently released Ekk Deewana Tha has Prateik romancing British model Amy Jackson, and their on-screen chemistry has been so potent that speculation is rife in B-town on whether they’ve taken their act to a more personal level. Well, if that snippet of gossip does turn out to be true, let’s hope that both pairs enjoy more success.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is getting better, after another stint in hospital to battle health problems with his kidney. Signs of improvement in his blood test reports meant the Big B didn’t need a second surgery, much to his relief and the relief of his family. He also tried to walk a few steps, but, at the time of going to press, he didn’t reveal actual discharge details. Can’t blame him, half of the country’s parked just outside the hospital, waiting for a glimpse of their hero.
Being confined to a hospital room hasn’t daunted the actor at all. He spends his time relaxing, surfing the net, spending time with the family, watching TV and invariably, posting on his blog. The Big B has indeed succumbed to the ailment of the ill – that of posting intricate details of his sickness on his blog. However, his descriptive powers being as fascinating as his acting, the posts actually make interesting reading, even as he described taking a few steps while holding on to the drip stand, or shared his observations on the necessity of keeping the body moving.
The 69-year-old underwent abdominal surgeries recently, and is likely to spend some more time in hospital. Son Abhishek is impressed with his dad’s ability to crack jokes despite his pain. He feels that Amitabh’s famous dialogue “Mard ko dard nahi hota from the movie Mard couldn’t have been more pertinent than now, when the megastar is battling severe medical conditions, and is still in his fun spirits.
The megastar’s health problems are related to his almost fatal accident in 1982 on the sets of the that the actor, who ruled the Hindi film industry for decades post the success of 1973-action movie Zanjeer battling with health problems. This is his third stint in hospital and we hope it’s his last. Good luck and get well soon, Big B!
Housefull is now empty
Akshay Kumar is happy about wrapping up the Housefull 2 shoot, but sad that the experience has come to an end. He says that all the cast and crew members will miss being with one another.
“Last day, last shot, last moment of Housefull 2. We may be smiling now but when we wake up we’ll be sad for sure. No matter what happens we’ve LOVED every minute,” Akshay posted on his Twitter page, along with a picture of the movie’s team.
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Sajid Khan, and other actors Jacqueline Fernandes, Asin Thottumkal and John Abraham, besides Akshay, are part of the The movie is a sequel to the 2010 comedy film Housefull, and you can bet the cast, crew and Akshay himself are hoping that the sequel will be as successful as its predecessor!
Gattu wins special mention at 62nd Berlinale
Indian filmmaker Rajan Khosa’s Gattu has won a special mention at the 62nd Berlinale for capturing the ironies, the complexities and the vitality of India. At the recently concluded award ceremony of the international film festival, the
eye; and in particular, the boundless ingenuity of the young rascal was utterly
duelling spectacle throughout,
children, adults and all humanity, about not taking no for an answer screenings at four venues. In addition
What’s Aamir Khan doing at the MCG?
Organising a mass rendering of his Lagaan number O Paalanhare because that’s the only thing that can save the Indian cricket team…. Shailesh Kumar
Shailesh wins a pack of two new Hindi film CDs
Mosaic was a part of the Talent Project Market for up-and-coming producers and directors to present their film projects to experienced co-producers and financiers.
Here’s hoping that Indian cinema sees much more exposure on the international film circuit.
to GUESS WHO? Farah Khan Ali, Suzanne Roshan’s sister
stop grinning at the sparkling warmth and the cute quips shared by the lead pair. Curiously, debutant director Shakun Batra opts for an open ending. Finally we only know that some day Rahul might win the feisty Rihana over. But here’s the glimmer of hope. Even if he doesn’t win her over he gets to keep her company for as long as they share a common
Here is a film that doesn’t score high on groundbreaking ideas on romantic relationships. Instead it weaves itself into commonplace ideas on love romance and commitment and comes up with vignettes of terrific sincerity. A lot of the film’s gently persuasive energy comes from the discernible respect that the lead pair has for each other’s space as actors. No oneupmanship here, thank you. Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah too are delightful as Imran’s la-di-dah parents. They reminded me of Pran and Sonia Sahni . In comparison comes across as
one sparkling with vigour with warmth and what-have-youth, you know Rahul will meet Ms Fun-Feisty-Full-On before Reel 1 is done.
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (EMAET) comprises a series of elegantly-written, confident but never in-your-face scenes about what happens when two opposites meet in a city as all-embracing as Las Vegas. Of course, sparks fly.
But neither Kareena Kapoor nor Imran Khan is in a hurry to set off a combustive
Unlike, say, Siddharth Anand’s Anjaana Anjaani where the on-screen rapport between the protagonists suffered because one of the actors was constantly trying to steal scenes from the other, here neither Kareena nor Imran is in a hurry to hijack a single moment from one another. This is one of the most immaculately cast romantic comedies in recent times.
Sure, Kareena has an edge. Her character is less passive than Imran’s and she has
Imran is good at playing the attentive, obedient, faithful boyfriend. He did the invisible-halo act effectively in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, Break Ke Baad and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. He does it even better here, probably because of the company he keeps in this film.
There are episodes in this boymeets-girl, girl-tweaks-boy’s-life saga that leave you smiling for a very long time. Indeed EMAET is a high-concept ever-grin mellow-drama. You just can’t
Within two weeks Dharma Productions has given us two diametrically opposite genres of cinema from two debutant directors. If Karan Malhotra’s Agneepath took us back to the grand formulistic revenge drama of the 1970s, EMAET takes us into the future of Bollywood where actors don’t have to sing. They don’t have to act. They just have to be as normal as people in love tend to be.
This is a perceptibly urbane love story, told in a style shorn of gimmicks. There is no attempt to capture our attention. The narrative gets us watching without getting sweaty with anxiety.
A very chilled-out romcom indeed.
Subhash K. JhaIt is rare for horror in Bollywood to not appear horrific in ways that the genre was never meant to be. More often than not, horror films in India rely on stock shock treatmentcreaking doors, heart-pounding, background music, startling sound effects… you name it!
Here is the real thing. Stripped of all cinematic trappings, this uniquely titled horror film is so edgy, it topples you over into the abyss of the absolutely unknown, that no-man’s land where inexplicable phenomena fuel a kind of terror that cannot be wished away by switching off the camera
This one doesn’t assuage your fears by the claim, ‘Oh well, it was just a movie.’
Scary to the core, the terror of watching a group of bright young film students’ endeavour to make a horror film turn into a living nightmare, is done with such a high level of authenticity that you end up watching the predetermined progression of the plot with a sense of growing dread at the pit of your stomach.
The ‘found footage’ technique of presenting the horror genre as an on-the-spot live reportage of the chilling events, is effectively applied. The film has no crew and cast details to provide.
FILm:
?: A Real Life Experience
DIREcTOR: Allison Patel-Yash Dave
We are expected to believe that the young people we see as a film crew in the film, shot the footage of their own activities in the jungle before their lives were snuffed by unknown unseen, but definitely evil forces.
The footage is conveniently jerky, hazy and uneven. The ‘found footage’ format gives the presentation a license to be as freewheeling in intent and as askew in its purpose as the hand-camera permits. As the characters are waylaid by unknown unseen evil, we feel the approaching footsteps of diabolic terror.
The narrative has an arresting momentum. From the time we see the happy-go-lucky team driving to the forest to the bloodcurdling pre-finale and finale occurrences, the narration gets you by your throat and squeezes it hard.
This whammy of a shiver-giver takes the horror genre down an unknown path. The fear of the unknown has seldom seemed more palpable. When we use the phrase, ‘There’s something out there’ we generally apply the sense of foreboding to a cinematic approach to terror whereby finally we know, we can go home safe in the knowledge that the supernatural exists only in cinema.
This film offers no such solace. Full credit to the footage collectors Yash and Allison for cracking the oft-abused genre of horror so effectively.
Subhash K. Jha
Auntyji says
What the hell is going on with the Indian cricket team? All of my family were so very excited about the cricket this summer, but the team has performed so poorly that they have brought shame upon all Indians in this wide brown land. The bowling has lacked penetration, the fielding has been shoddy, tactically they’ve lacked imagination and don’t even get me started about the batting.
Oh, you bad man! You very very bad man. Have you no shame smiting your cricket team? They have given you so much pleasure over the last 10 years and they have raised the status of India so much, the one time they need your support, and you turn Hansie Cronje on them? Besharam! Nalayak! Do you recall the depth of happiness you felt when Dhoni hit the six into the sultry Mumbai night to win the World Cup final last year? And do you recall the exquisite pleasure when Dravid and Laxman had their 300-run partnerships against Australia in Calcutta in 2001 and Adelaide in 2003? You are indeed a fair weather friend and the Indian cricket team does not need a fan like you. I suggest you join the Aussie fan club immediately because at least they will all tell you where to go if you belittle the team. I suggest you start supporting your team and write them letters of encouragement - instead of sitting there raining crap on them. Disappointed, I am, in you. Poor Sachin bhai. He deserves better than this, you haraami. Don’t you dare say another word against my beloved Indian cricket team.
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I have just met my son’s 23-year-old girlfriend and she is from Italy. She is a really nice girl, but I realised that she is here on a student visa and my son was talking about moving in together. My concern is that the girl might just be using my son for her visa status. My son seems to really like her, and he is an intelligent hardworking young man, and I don’t want the girl taking advantage of him. Do you think I should say something?
Oh, us mothers always worry about our children and are always thinking that someone or the other is about to dupe our children out of their health, wealth and happiness. I’m pleased you have not said anything, because it is too early to be making any such allegation. If your son is as intelligent as you say he is, then I am sure he is quite aware of the visa situation. Let them be - sooner or later you will get to know this girl better and will be able to work out her motives. Keep in mind that not everyone gets together with someone just for their visa. Your son does not need your disapproving allegations - so support your son and watch the girl. If things get to a stage where you think the girl is with him just for the visa, then you have every right to say something. But in the meantime, keep your suspicions to yourself and try not to let your jasoosi find evidence with each interaction you have with the girl. Open your heart and your mind - this girl could be the mother of your grandchildren one day - the last thing you want to do is start on the wrong foot. And, if you continue to have suspicions, just think of Rahul Gandhi. His Italian mother raised him to be a good Hindustani. What more endorsement could you want?
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